Paul and I walked the short distance to Old Quil Ateara's house. It was beside the little grocery shop that the Atearas owned. I always loved shopping in there. It was full of handmade tribal items. Paul led me up the porch and knocked briskly on the door. It was a moment before the door was opened. Old Quil smiled as he noticed it was Paul. His smile falters a little when he noticed my hand in his.
"What's this?" Quil asked, pointing to our joined hands.
"There's been another imprint," Paul said puffing his chest a little. He smiles at me and looks so proud. It makes me feel so cherished. I smiled back lovingly.
"The Spirits truly have blessed this pack again!" Quil said with an ear-splitting grin. "This is wonderful news! Come in both of you." Quil lead us into the living room and we all sit around the living room. "It's wonderful to see you again Bella. I have not seen you in many years. You are your father's daughter." He pulled out a pipe and was in the middle of lighting it when Paul said, "I don't want to sound rude. This is your home and all, but Bella is pregnant and I'd rather spare her the smoke if possible." Thank God he was the one to say it. Quil froze his handheld lighter mid-air.
"A child? The first pack child. Is this why you have come to me?"
"No, we come for another reason." Paul began. He sat forward slightly his elbows on his knees, hands clasped together. "The day after the imprint, I marked Bella. I had not told her about it and I did not intend for it to happen the way it did. I felt such a compulsion to complete it." He pauses before continuing. "But when it was happening she asked me to make her both of ours. Somehow she knew accepting the mark was accepting the wolf. When I asked her about it she told me she dreamed of us in a Joining ritual."
"How did you know the wolf was involved child?" Quil asked me setting his pipe and lighter aside. I'm sure my face is purple. My blush spreading across my face down my chest. I had to swallow a few times before I could speak.
"In the dream, there was a wolf within the circle. When it growled at me Paul bit into my neck." I left out the whole waking mid-orgasm thing shifting uncomfortably. Paul's hand came to rest on my knee giving it a squeeze. Quil stood and began to pace.
"Tell me was anyone else present in the dream." I shook my head. "When you woke up from the dream how did you feel." My blush deepened. "Ah…I see." Was his reply. "Do mind if I ask did you notice anything on your skin. Maybe the feel of the mark or litter from the forest?" I was confused by his question. I shook my head again. "With a true spirit walk the person unusually brings back a memento. Either a feeling or a tangible item. It would seem that the pack has been given its Shaman." Paul stiffens as he says,
"You think that Bella has been on a spirit walk? She's not even Quileute. How can this be?"
"There are many tribes within this world that commune with the spirits. She may not be Quileute, but she has been chosen. The fact that she left the dream with such an intense feeling speaks of her power." I'm floored by the discussion around me. I can't believe what I'm hearing. What does this mean? I've been chosen? For what? My head is starting to hurt. God, what's next? We find out our baby is some kind of half-breed. Paul laughs as he says,
"Well, technically she already is part wolf. Even if she never shifts she'll pass the gene to her children."
"That's the third time you've done that." I say looking at him perplexed.
"Done what?" Paul asks.
"Answered a comment I've made silently. Can you hear my thoughts?" It seemed like a valid question.
"Are you sure you didn't say that out loud? I heard you clear as day ask if our daughter will be a half-breed. Quil did you hear Bella ask that?" He looked to Quil for his answer. Quil shook his head.
"I heard nothing. It may be that Bella is able to communicate with your spirit warrior. Your wolf then relays the question to you." Woah…that sounds useful. I wonder…I love you, Paul. I purposefully send the thought to him with a small smile Paul's head whips to me.
"It worked?" I asked him questioningly. He nods turning his body to me and grabbing my hands in his.
"And I love you. So much already that it hurts."
"Well this certainly will come in handy with the pack. I have some homework for you Bella." Quil says breaking into our moment. I break my gaze away from Paul and Quil continues. "I want you to attempt this with another of the pack. You are close with Jacob correct?" I nod. "Start with him. It may be easier with a spirit you are familiar with. Then I want you to try with one of the others. Preferably one you have not met yet. Also I think it would be a good idea if you came to see me once a week. There is much I can teach you."
My shoulders feel so heavy. How can one person have so much thrust upon them at once. Are the spirits trying to kill me? This has all happened so fast. A month and a half ago everything was normal. Now I'm a pregnant imprint Shaman. What the hell does that mean anyways. God!… I take a deep breath trying to center myself. I have to be strong. I can't change the past even if I wanted to. I open my eyes and see Paul staring at me worriedly. As I look into his eyes. I can see it…our future. It is beautiful and I can't help but think it is worth it. Everything that we will face…All the challenges will make the happy times that much happier. A sudden resolve settles into my being. I can do this…be this. For Paul. He is what makes it worth it. He already sacrifices so much I will do what I can to make his burden lighter. I look to Quil and I say,
"So when do we start?"