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Chapter 7: Quil
You better have a damn good reason for calling me, I snarled.
I tried to keep my thoughts to myself but in wolf form, it wasn't possible. The image of Claire, lying beneath me on my bed, the way her body felt against mine, the look of disappointment she had all played in my head for everyone to see.
Jake's voice reverberated in my head. Unfortunately, we do. In my mind played a vision of Jake and Seth coming across the smell again in the woods. Only it wasn't at the edge of the border.
Leaping out of the tree line I came to a clearing in the woods. The moon lit the tall grass as if it mimicked an early morning fog. The wet, damp ground was soft under my paws as I trotted over to Jake and the others.
Having a bit of fun while the rest of us do all the work? Leah snarked.
I allowed a low growl to rumble from my chest. Shut up, Leah.
Seth whined. Yeah, lay off, Leah.
That's enough, Jake snapped his jaws.
I took my place in the circle of wolves in between Embry and Seth. Jake remained standing while the rest of us sat, awaiting his orders.
We officially have a threat inside our borders. I've updated everyone here about our patrol changes, which start now. We've dealt with this one before, but we don't know much about him. Ness is letting the Cullens know to keep an eye out for any activity outside our borders. Sam and his pack are working with us.
When did he cross into our territory? I looked to Seth and Jake. My mind instinctively flashed back to Claire lying in my bed, vulnerable and alone.
Seth's ears laid back against his head as he looked to Jacob. Sometime after sunset. He didn't stay in our territory very long, he crossed in, and as soon as we were on his scent he was gone. He didn't make it anywhere near your house, but that doesn't mean he won't try again, Jacob huffed in frustration.
Do we know what he's doing here? What he wants? Leah asked, a hint of annoyance spiking her words.
The last time he was here it was thirteen years ago, only for a few days. Back then, he was here for Claire, Jake's ears lay back on his head as he looked across the circle at me.
My tail tucked and my ears flew back against my head as the vision of the wreck played over in my mind. Claire's wails filled our ears, the image of her bloody, glass-covered hands made me force my eyes closed.
I heard Seth whimper again, his head lowering. Jake and Embry lowered their gazes as well. They didn't need to be reminded of that day.
I'm sorry, Leah whined, her eyes fixed on me. I had no idea.
Thanks, I mumbled.
He hasn't made it close to Quil's land yet, but it's a safe bet he will try. Until we know what he's capable of, do not engage if you are alone. Call for backup. Seth, Leah, you're on the first patrol, Jake commanded. Embry and I will take the next round before dawn.
Everyone nodded their heads. Seth flanked Leah as they trotted into the treeline. Embry sighed, glancing at me with knowing eyes before leaping into the woods. Jake hung back, his eyes lingering on me.
How are you holding up? he asked. Images of our conversation with Sam flooded my mind as Jake thought back to it.
A loud sigh rumbled through my chest and my body shook. Could be better. You know what it's like, I know you've been there, as I thought it Jake's memories of tiny Ness on his back, the Volturi in front of them flooded my brain. You know you would die to protect her, but you just feel helpless, I lamented.
His brow raised. That wasn't what I was talking about, he sat his haunches down in the tall grass, a smirk pulling his left lip. He replayed the view of Claire on my bed, her hands running down my chest and grabbing my shirt in our heads.
My head shook as if trying to remove water from my fur, my ears whipping back and forth. I huffed loudly and whined. I'm scared to let go, Jake.
I remembered it as if it was my own memory that Jared felt the day after Kim went to the hospital. With every breath, he whined softly, his ears practically glued to the back of his head. Each of us felt the guilt, the heartbreak of seeing Kim lying in the bed, tears streaming down her face in agony. He didn't mean to, he felt himself losing control of his urges and tried to force himself off of her, and in doing so he inadvertently dislocated her hip.
I can't do that to Claire, I explained, my eyes grazing across the lit field. But she's restless. She's waited on me for so long.
Jake nodded, understanding. Unfortunately for the rest of us, we got to witness the near-perfect sex life of Jacob Black; having a half-vampire for an imprint really had its benefits. I'm assuming you've talked to her about it?
Of course, I have, I groaned. But it's not enough to dissuade her. She trusts me, Jake. But I can't trust myself, my brows furrowed in frustration. And I don't know how much longer I can wait.
We both jolted alert as a scream penetrated the night air.
Quil-
CLAIRE!
Without hesitation, we took off in a sprint toward the house. My front paws couldn't pull the ground under me fast enough, snarls ripping through my chest. Dammit, Leah, where were you!?
Jake flanked me, releasing a loud howl to signal the rest of our pack.
Branches and limbs ripped at my fur as I bolted through the trees. All of my thoughts of Claire blinded me at once: the wreck, her last birthday, the night I spent with her before her graduation, the look of disappointment as I left her alone in my bed.
Hang in there, Quil, Jake commanded.
As we neared my property I didn't smell anything out of the ordinary. Claire's scent flooded my nostrils, my nose lowering to the ground, searching for any abnormal smells.
"Quil!" my heart screeched to a halt in my chest as Claire cry echoed off the trees around me.
I'm coming, baby, I yelped, wishing she could hear me as the pack did.
Bounding into my backyard I spotted Claire, her back to the trees, arms around herself, trembling. She heard us break through the brush and whipped around, her tear-stained face crumbling as our eyes met.
A whine broke through my chest as I hurried to her, nuzzling my muzzle against her face. Her arms wrapped around my neck, I could feel her muscles shaking.
"Quil, Quil, Quil," she barely made out between her gasps for air.
I wrapped my head around her, pulling her closer to me. I'm here, Claire bear, I'm right here.
"What happened, Claire?" Jacob asked, jogging out of the trees after phasing. Leah and Seth appeared in the trees behind him, their ears flying in different directions as they assessed the situation.
She pulled away from me only enough to respond to Jake. "In the house...this guy...I couldn't see him it was dark," she stumbled, her adrenaline making it hard to speak.
"I'm on it. Quil, you stay here," Jake ordered as he ran to the back door, pausing for a moment to listen before going in.
Claire ran her hands over her face. She was in shorts and one of my t-shirts, her hair thrown up in a messy bun on her head. She watched Jake go into the house, her hands twisting themselves. I leaned forward and nuzzled her cheek with my nose.
"I'm ok," she whispered.
For now, I thought.