Finding Home Again-Chapter 7

More Than This●

A week after the incident in the cafeteria, Aunt Helena slammed her coffee mug on the table and announced, "That's it! I don't know what happened between you and Seth or why Carlisle Cullen called and said you would spend the night but it's been three weeks, Lilliana. You need to fix things with Seth."

I stared at my untouched French toast and my eyes welled up with tears. "I hate him, Aunt Helena."

She snorted. "That's a load of crap if I've ever heard any. I saw the way you two looked at each other. Lilliana Nicolette Garvin, a boy like that comes once in a blue moon."

With that, she stood, kissed my head, and headed off to work even though it was Saturday. She owned a dress shop called Aphrodite Occasions. It contained Greek background in some of the dresses. I sighed and grabbed my keys, heading off to grocery store. My TOMS sloshed against the recently soaked driveway as I walked to my car.

I hadn't talked to anyone from La Push or anyone at school for that matter. Angela seemed to understand that something happened and gave me space, waiting for me to come back. She didn't understand, though. I would never come back till I saw him...

I shook my head and grabbed a carton of eggs and placed it in the cart. Next, I took a gallon of milk and headed towards the Nutella.

"Lilliana!" I cringed, recognizing Emily's voice.

She pushed her cart next to mine and smiled kindly. "It's been lonely without you."

I dropped the Nutella in the cart and made my way to the crackers. "You have Sam."

Emily nodded. "Yes, that still doesn't mean that I don't miss one of my best friends. Lilliana, it's literally hell at La Push right now. Please come home."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I set my groceries on the register.

"Washington is not home, Emily."

"Hey, Lilliana, right? Word is that you're single. How about we catch a movie later?" Tyler Crowley from my AP Biology class leered down on me.

I guess he chose to ignore the gossip about all of the La Push boys fighting over me. Jessica Stanley really needs to find a new hobby.

"How about you get the fuck away from her?" I gasped as Leah marched up to us, arms crossed.

"Leah..." Emily breathed in surprise.

"Enough with this shit, Garvin. I've come to take you to La Push." Leah barked as I grabbed my groceries.

I glared at her and said, "I'm not coming, Leah. Your brother-"

"Is crying in his bed right now 'cause you ripped his heart out! He's your soul mate!" Leah threw her hands up, shouting our misery to the store.

I stomped my foot, tears spilling onto my jacket. "He was forced to love me! I HATE him!"

Leah's breath came out in a huge gust. "You think he's forced to love you? Well news flash: you're wrong. Sam or Jared can tell you; all it is a push in the right direction. You and Seth would have fallen in love eventually."

"What?!"

Edward could read minds; why didn't he tell me? Bella seems to know everything about the pack and yet, she left out this major detail!

Leah rolled her eyes. "My brother gets Idiot of the Year Award for forgetting to mention that. Let's go, Lilliana."

I slowly backed out of the store, shaking my head as they followed. I groaned, seeing Jacob and Sam standing next to my car. They were going to get me to La Push one way or another.

"I can't go; I need to see Edward." I opened the car door and set my groceries inside.

Emily caught my wrist and whispered, "You will die without him. Don't do this, Lilliana."

There was no doubt in my mind that she was dead serious. If the last three weeks had been hell, I did not want to imagine never seeing Seth again.

Sobs racked my body as I replied. "I just need to hear from Edward that it's true. Meet me at the boundary line in an hour."

They nodded and backed up as I drove out of the parking lot. I don't know how I made to the Cullen house through the tears but I did. I ran in and jumped down next to Edward and Bella on the couch.

"Tell me it's true, Edward. Tell me that Seth wasn't forced to love me." I quickly thought through the confrontation at the store.

The vampire nodded. "Leah was honest. I've had look in Sam's and Jared's minds, even Seth's. Imprinting is finding your soul mate, except stronger."

"Why the hell did no one mention this?" I tapped my foot, eyebrows raised.

Edward said, "I'm sorry, Lilliana. I was going to tell you a week ago, but the dogs came. Sam wanted you to hear it from an imprintee. That's why Emily came. Leah must have heard about it and decided to take a different approach."

"Wait; you said imprintee. Did Sam imprint on Emily?" I gasped when Edward nodded. "I need to see Seth."

Alice squealed from upstairs and a second later, stood behind me. "Please, please let me dress you cute for Seth! Please!"

Emmett rolled his eyes as he sat down next to me. "If the mutt is really her soul mate, he won't care how she has dressed. I'm taking you to the boundary line, though."

I grinned up at him wondered, "Are you sure you're not my long lost grandfather or something?"

He waggled his eyebrows and said, "I'm sure. That would be awesome though!"

I rolled my eyes. "Anyways, why should it be you who comes?"

Alice nodded in agreement. "I'm going! Ooh, Esme, we should put Lilli in a dress!"

She jumped up and down as I face palmed. Edward and Jasper chuckled and Esme smiled at me.

Carlisle walked in the room, closing a book. "Is it alright if I come too, Lilliana?"

"Why don't you all just come and freak him out!"

Emmett pumped his fist, "YEAH!"

Way to miss the sarcasm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Finding Home Again~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We stopped in a clearing and I climbed off Emmett's back. Bella did the same with Edward next to me. I heard soft growling and the wolves emerged. They looked the exact same as the day in the forest and the one at school. The black wolf stepped forward.

"That's Sam." Edward informed me.

I scanned the pack for my sandy wolf. My lip trembled as I glanced up at Emmett.

"Where's the pup?" Emmett hissed.

A reddish-brown wolf snarled. I studied his eyes. "Jacob?"

The wolf nodded and nudged the chocolate-brown wolf next to him.

"That's Quil." Bella laughed as Jacob nodded in response to me.

"He's here, Lilliana." Edward stated, staring into the trees.

Emmett placed a hand on my shoulder as a small gray wolf emerged from the forest followed by my soul mate. He held onto the wolf's fur as he walked barefoot, in a pair of shorts. His hair was a mess and there where dark circles under his puffy eyes.

I grabbed onto Emmett's shirt to keep me from sinking to the ground. He looked like he had nothing to live for. Sam came to stand in front of us and Emmett tensed.

"She needs to cross the line, Em." Edward said.

Emmett nodded and he and Jasper nudged me forward. I realized I crossed the invisible line when the wolves backed up to one side and Sam touched me with his nose. I suddenly wished that Emily was here with her caring smile. I glanced back as Alice groaned.

"I can't see her..." She pouted.

I stared up at Seth who stood fifty feet away, hand still on the gray wolf. It was Leah. Looking at me, she nodded and backed up next to Quil.

Meeting Seth's dark-chocolate eyes had me running into his arms. He caught me and I cried into the crook if his neck.

"Lilliana..." He croaked; his voice hoarse.

"I'm so-sorry! L-Leah ex-explained eve-everything! I did-didn't m-mean it!" I tightened my hold on his neck.

"Ssshh, I should have explained better." He whispered into my hair.

I furiously shook my head. "No. I was so stu-stupid."

He wiped my tears and murmured, "Promise you'll never leave again, baby."

I nodded. "I promise. I promise. I promise."

Seth grabbed my chin in for a fiery kiss. I shivered in his arms, melting against his abs. I pulled away as the pack howled.

Aw! Lilli!" Bella tripped across the grass, beaming from ear-to-ear.

I snuggled into Seth's chest, smiling. He tensed as the pack growled menacingly.

"How did you not see this coming, Alice?!" Edward shouted, reaching out for Bella. "Bella!"

Eyes wide, she ran back over the line and he set her on his back. With a blur, he was gone along with Rosalie and Esme. Jasper crouched in front of Alice in a protective stance.

"Seth, I don't understand. Why did-" I trembled as Sam and Jacob jumped over us.

"Stay very still, Ana. The red-headed leech is here." Seth tightened his hold on me, staring at his alpha, "She had to see why we had all gathered."

Sam snarled and took off into the trees. The wolves followed, their paws flying up dirt and grass. Seth pushed me off of him and phased, ripping his shorts in the process. I fell to the ground and he scooped me up with his nose, placing me on his back.

"Grab hold!" Alice shouted. Jasper grabbed her hand and they ran off in the direction their family had.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and we took off into the dense forest. I buried my face in his shoulder blade to keep from seeing the thick trees. Nothing could prevent me from hearing the spine-shaking snarls.

It seemed like he ran forever. I didn't know if he was taking me to Canada or running in circles, trying to confuse the vampire. I gasped when he growled and suddenly stopped.

"Seth!"

Seth whined in response to his mom's worried cry. I looked up as she jogged over to us and realized we were at his house. She enveloped me in a hug.

"Oh, Lilliana! I hope you understand now! What happened? I've been hearing the pack."

I climbed off of Seth and replied, "We were in the hearing and all of a sudden the pack growled. Edward took Bella before I could blink. After telling me Victoria was near, Seth phased and brought me here. He may need new shorts..."

Sue put her hands on her hips, exclaiming, "That's the third pair this week! Come inside, dear and I'll get him a pair."

I followed her in the back door as the woods met where the house ended.

"Help yourself to anything." She smiled, grabbing a pair of basketball shorts from a pile next to the door and I slipped off my shoes.

I nodded as the screen door slammed shut. Yawning, I ventured upstairs to the bathroom. After using the toilet and washing my hands, I skipped back downstairs.

Sue met me at the bottom and gestures me back up. She grabbed a towel from the cabinet, saying, "You must feel filthy. Here, take a shower. I'll keep my son occupied with food."

I grinned, nodding. "Thank you, Sue."

With a pat on the cheek, she left, calling, "Bring your clothes down do I can wash them!"

I slipped my muddy clothes off and turned on the water. I sighed as the hot water hit my back. I grabbed shampoo, hoping that Leah wouldn't mind that I used it. I lathered the coconut-smelling product on my hair before washing it off. I then picked up the cloth that Sue had laid down and smiled, seeing Seth's soap. I quickly washed my body, scrubbing off the dirt. I turned off the water and wrapped the towel around me.

I quietly opened the door and tiptoed into Seth's room. To say it was messy is an understatement. It was a typical teenage boy's room with clothes and shoes scattered on the floor. I went over to the dresser and fished through the drawers for a t-shirt and shorts. I pulled my undergarments back on and put a shirt on that said Quileute High School and a pair of shorts. I pulled and tied the string tight.

Sighing, I frowned at my hair. Guess it would stay the way it was as I had no hair tie.

I picked up my towel and clothes and headed downstairs. I walked in the kitchen and handed Sue the pile. She took it to the laundry room as I sat down at the table.

"Sue, where's Seth?" I asked, playing with my fingers.

"Still chasing the vampire. When I walked back out, he was gone. Make yourself comfortable, Lilliana; he should be back soon." Sue replied, stirring something on the stove.

I cleared my throat and said, "Emily told me it has been hell here. I'm sorry, Sue."

She shook her head, saying, "It's not your fault, Lilliana. You misinterpreted the blessing of imprinting."

I looked away. "I told him I hated him...you should have seen his face...destroyed."

"Don't blame yourself, dear. All that matters is that you two are together now. Things will only go up." Sue squeezed my shoulder and guided me over to the stairs. "Go take a nap; you look exhausted."

I nodded and shut the door to Seth's room, collapsing on the bed. I pulled the covers over my head and closed my eyes, sighing as his scent surrounded me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Finding Home Again~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Whoa. There's a girl in your bed, bro." A deep voice exclaimed, followed by a smack and, "OW!"

"Get out, moron. You'll wake my angel up."

I groaned and peeked open my eyes. "Too late, Seth."

I giggled as Seth smacked Quil upside the head again. I stretched and stood up, falling into his arms.

Quil ran from the room, screaming, "Ah! My eyes! Sue, they are doing NAUGHTY things!"

Seth rolled his eyes and fell back on the mattress, bringing me with him. He smiled when I giggled and leaned my forehead against his.

"Did you use my soap?" He smirked.

I blushed, nodding, and realized it was already dark out. I lost my train of thought as Seth brought my lips onto his. I shivered when his hand brushed my spine.

"You, Lilliana Nicolette Garvin, are the most beautiful girl in the world." His hot breath fanned across my face.

I kissed the corner of his mouth, my heart ten-fold.

"SEE! I told you! NAUGHTY!" I scrambled off of Seth as Quil's voice rang through the house.

Quil, Jacob, and Leah stood in the doorway. Quil and Jacob snickered as Leah rolled her eyes.

"Shut up, Quil." Seth glared, sitting up, and pulling me on his lap.

I felt a pattern coming on as I snuggled closer, feeling at peace. I loved the way I carved perfectly into his body.

"It's getting late; I should take you home." He murmured, playing with my hair.

I pouted but nodded, grabbing my phone. I quickly texted Alice.

"Bring my car to Helena's house, please."

She replied immediately. "I'll time it perfectly for when you get back (:"

I stood up and took Seth's hand as we traveled downstairs. Sue looked up from her book when I slipped my shoes on.

"Your clothes are on the front table. I also washed your jacket."

I nodded, following Seth. "Thanks, Sue. Good night, y'all."

We climbed into Seth's truck and I set my clothes on the seat next to me, leaning into his side. Having physical contact seemed more vital than before.

"Now you have to tell boys that you're taken and that your boyfriend will beat them up. Especially that Tyler dude." Seth grinned proudly in the moonlight.

Instead of asking how he knew about that, I touched his cheek, studying the contours of his jawline. Sure, I had studied him many times in the past month, but never in this light. My cheeks flamed when he smirked down at me.

"It's yours forever, Ana." He whispered huskily.

I kissed his cheek. "I promise I'll never leave, Seth."

That was the moment that I realized that Seth Clearwater was it for me. I knew from that day on, I would never see another boy again.