A/N: Sorry it's been a bit, but here is the next chapter for you. I hope you enjoy ;)
They had just gotten me settled into my overnight room when my dad walked in. As soon as he saw me he let out a heavy breath and came to kiss my forehead.
"Stop it, dad, I'm fine," I said as I blushed and pushed his shoulders away.
"I know. I'm just so damn happy you and the baby are safe." He said as he leaned down to hug me
"Me too dad, me too." I said hugging him back. "Dad there is something I need to talk to you about," I said as I motioned for him to sit down. "I think I need to drop out of school. Can you look into helping me do that and find out when I can take the GED test." My dad surprised me again when all he did was nod. I expected a fight over this. "Also I think its time I moved in with Paul."
"Now Bella…" He tried to stop me but I cut him off.
"Look Dad you work all the time and I need to have someone close by. Especially after today, I need the reassurance that Paul is close by and Billy and Jacob are just two doors down." Charlie's face went from red to white. His expression shifting from upset to resigned.
"I get it Bells. I'll just miss having you underfoot."
"You mean you'll miss having dinner hot and ready every night," I said playfully punching him in the arm. He chuckled and messed my hair.
Paul came in then his gaze felt as though it was burning a hole right through me. He was trying to hide his smile. He must have heard what I said to my father.
"Hey, Babe." He said as he came to kiss me. I held him close as I whispered 'I love you' in his ear.
"So Paul I have some news." I began for my dad's benefit. "I'm dropping out of school and moving to the rez."
Paul's ear-splitting grin made my heart flutter. He let out a whoop and kissed me deeply and I heard my father scoff and say,
"I guess that's my cue to make myself scarce." I pushed Paul back and spoke to my dad,
"Hey Dad, can you let the school know?"
"Sure thing Bells, I'll let you know what they say about the testing."
"Thanks, Dad, love you."
It was quiet for a moment while Paul and I just sat comforting each other in the silence. Then the pack filed in.
"Oh my god Bells you aren't allowed to do that to us," Jacob said as he came and gave me a hug. Then gave Paul one of those one-armed man hugs.
"Sorry, Babe. The guys were in the waiting room and they wanted to see you. I told them it was okay." Paul said as he motioned to each guy. "This is Sam, Jared, and Embry."
"Hey, guys," I said with a small wave. "I wish we were meeting under better circumstances."
"Don't worry about Bella," Sam said. "We're just glad you and the baby are safe. Emily wanted to come but she is babysitting her niece tonight."
"Yeah, Bella its nice to see you face to face. Instead of through Paul-o-vision." Jared chuckled as he bumped his shoulder into Paul. I couldn't help but laugh with them.
"Hey Bells, I don't know if you remember me, but I used to hang with you and Jake," Embry said as he stepped forward.
"Of course I remember you Em." I nodded then smirked. "I even remember that one time Jake dared you to eat those worms. Billy still has no idea what happened to those wax worms he bought." Embry was so shy even when we were younger it took a moment for him to warm up to me. I waved him over and grabbed him in a hug. "Still the manliest thing I have ever seen," I said as I released him.
"Hey!" Paul shouted. I just winked at Embry and said,
"Of course until I met you, Babe." I said, my tone sickly-sweet.
"Ha! I forgot about that." Jacob said laughing.
"You'll have to show me that later," Jared said. They all laughed. As I yawned Paul started ushering everyone out of the room.
"Okay, everybody out. Bella needs to rest."
"Paul?" I stopped him. "Can you see if Quil and Sue are still here I'd like to speak to them soon. Maybe they can stop by tomorrow morning?" He nodded as he closed the door. I took a deep breath once I was alone. Today had been a rush and I was finally feeling the adrenaline fade. The nurse came in and asked if I would like something to help me sleep. I shook my head. She checked my monitors and left as quietly as she came. I laid there cradling my stomach thinking over everything that had happened. Thank you for keeping us safe. I sent the silent prayer to the spirits. I know that I've been stubborn and fighting my fate. I am truly grateful for Paul and Grace. Just then I felt a shift deep inside me. My breathing evened out and my eyes slid closed.
The meadow I was standing in was beautiful. It was on the side of a mountain. We were surrounded by the conifers and ferns that were indigenous to Washington. Wildflowers were in bloom and the warm breeze lifted my hair up and behind me as it blew past.
"Daughter." I heard a voice speak and I turned my head to where it came from. There behind me stood a woman. Her hair was midnight black and her skin was white as snow. I thought to myself she is the epitome of Snow White.
"My name is Aya." She was speaking a language I didn't know but I understood her. "I am the mother of our sisterhood. My children were born of me and my Wolf. Although time has forgotten us." She said and suddenly before me stood a multitude of women. Some were native and others were not. "We are Oreiades. Nymphs of the mountain conifers. My daughters have always been called to serve nature. And you my child are no different." Among the faces, I saw a familiar one.
"Gran?" My father's mother was standing in the forefront.
"Hello, my baby Bell." The nickname she gave me when I was little settled over me like a loving embrace. "I am so glad you finally opened your heart to the spirits."
"Me too Gran though I'm a little confused. Why did you never say anything?" I asked wondering why she never told me about our heritage.
"You were too young to understand when I passed." I guess that made sense. I was only ten when she got sick and died a few months later. When I looked up next there were only three women standing in front of me. Aya, Gran, and a young native girl she couldn't have been more than fifteen.
"This is Kay my first born. She is the daughter of Taha Aki."
"Wait you are one of Taha Aki's wives?" I was floored. I knew of him from the legends Billy told. He was the first Spirit Warrior.
"I was his last wife." Aya said. "You daughter were born of Kay's line. Her wolf was the first of the Ateara line" Holy shit I'm part Quileute, and I'm related to Old Quil. Kay spoke next.
"My Daughters and Sons have spread wide across the land, but they always came home eventually. I am so glad you returned, my child." My mind was reeling. I understood how I came to be but I couldn't wrap my mind around why. What was the purpose of all this?
I felt a hand on my shoulder and Aya stood alone beside me. She began,
"There was a time when the tribe flourished and so did the land. Fish was plentiful and harvests were bountiful. But times have changed. The people have forgotten our ways. Some don't even speak the language of their elders. Correct me if I am wrong but you are the only medicine woman of the tribe."
"Old Quil is teaching me what he knows…" Aya shook her head at me.
"He is a man, he knows little of nature. Wolf yes, but plants and life, he understands little. Don't get me wrong. He is a wonderful soul and I am proud to call him Son. But men do not give life the way women do. So they cannot fully understand." Wow, harsh much? I thought. Quil was so wise I kind of wanted to stick up for him but she continued on without a breath. "You Daughter I have come to bless. I will instill in you the knowledge necessary to revitalize the land and tribe. Paul is your protector as he is your mate. The fiercest fighter for my most precious Daughter." Huh?
"You made the imprint?" I asked she shook her head. "Nature made the imprint. The spirits gave Paul his skill." So imprinting is a thing of nature, not the spirits. Well, that makes me feel a little better about it.
"Listen carefully, Daughter," Aya said as she grabbed my hands. "You will be the first in a new generation. It will be up to you to teach and lead the imprints of the Wolves. Each will be blessed as a Daughter of Aya."
"I know of Emily, will there be others?" I asked.
"There is already one other and more will come. Teach them, help them to understand." Everything was making so much more sense now. Everything that happened had a purpose, and most importantly I wouldn't be alone. "I must go now, Daughter. Be well and happy. Lean on your sisters, you will need each other." With that, she kissed my forehead and a bright light flashed before my eyes.