By the time my fifth and last hour was over, I was ready to be picked up by Quil. I had gotten so much unneeded and unwanted attention today I just wanted to crawl in a hole—or in Quil's arms if they were available...

I limped my way out of the school and was greeted immediately by him. He came up beside me and grabbed my history and Geometry books that I had tucked under my arm and over my crutch. I had to admit, it had been sort of uncomfortable.

"Hey Claire bear, how was school?" He asked as we walked ten yards or so to his truck.

I didn't want how horribly drastic it had been from the broken leg; but I figured Quil didn't need another reason to feel sorry for what happened. "Just like any other Monday would," I sighed.

He laughed and helped me in to the truck again. Was he oblivious to everyone's stares or was I just to observant?

"And how was work?" I asked him once he got in on his side of the truck and I had buckled up.

He shrugged, "Just like any other Monday," he repeated.

Quil never told me much about his job, but I knew it didn't require much of him... he was allowed to leave every weekend and only work the hours I was at school.

The conversation I so wanted to have was lingering over us so closely. Could I bring it up, though?

"Now, maybe you can explain to me why you were fell asleep in the Cullen's closet last night," he said, not looking away from the road.

I blushed, "I was doing a terrible job on eavesdropping..." I admitted, but now I could see my opener, "But that's how I figured out that you had an imprint, and that this Zachary guy is after it."

He looked over at me and held in a breath. "I'll tell you as soon as we're home, all right?"

That sounded reasonable, so I nodded my head and shut my trap. The ride home seemed longer than normal, and I wished we could have just went straight to First Beach. But I knew we could no longer do that until this thing was taken care of.

We pulled in to the empty driveway and again Quil took all care from me and set me down on the couch.

"Can we talk in my room instead? This couch gives me a backache," I complained. When, really, I knew that the bed gave me more freedom to be closer to Quil instead of us awkwardly sitting next to each other side-by-side on the couch.

He looks hesitant but gave in anyways. His warm arms wrapped around me and we went in to my bedroom and on to my queen-size bed. He set me down and then sat next to me. I positioned myself so I was leaning against his shoulder and he put his arm around my waist and kissed the top of my head. My mind went for a few moments since he was touching me down at my waist, then I recovered.

"You're old enough to know what an imprint is, Claire," he told me and then kissed my head again. I just nodded, hoping he wouldn't lapse too much in the conversation, "Your Uncle Sam may not think so, but I know so." He took my hand. "An imprint is a wolf thing, as you probably already know... and, well, it's a very good thing... Jacob has one, same with Jared, and Paul, and Collin, and even your Uncle Sam."

"Seriously?" I asked, stunned.

He nodded, "Emily. Ever since the day he saw her, he fell in love, because it's destiny. And that's exactly what an imprint is. Some one you care so much about that it hurts to be away, and some you dedicate all your time to simply because you love them more than anything."
I tried to hold back my tears, thinking how about now that Quil had an imprint. Some one he loved. "And you have one?" I asked, warily.

He must have seen whatever was in my mind and pulled me on to his lap. He started running his hands over my now loose curls. "Yes," he kissed my cheek, "And she is you, Claire."

I opened my eyes wide and turned to face him head-on. "Really?" My smile grew bigger. "You love me?'

He nodded, "More than I've loved anyone or anything. Ever since you were born I've been around, making sure that you're all right."

My head started to spin. He loved me all the time. I was his imprint. I fell against his chest and started to shake a little.

"Claire? Claire, are you okay?" Quil questioned at me, asking the question over and over.

It took me only a few more seconds to recognize that I was shaking because I was sobbing.
"Oh my god, Claire, I'm so sorry I upset you. I didn't know," he hugged me so tight that I could inhale every scent of him.

"No," I sobbed out, and tried to lean back and he let me. "I'm crying because I love you too and I'm just so happy," I told him and he pulled me to his chest again.

He turned absolutely still under me. He pushed his hands through my hair and rubbed my back. We didn't talk as I tried again to calm myself. When I stopped crying, I bravely pushed away again to look into his eyes. "I'm so happy, Quil," I told him again, for he looked sort of upset.

"Now you understand why I leave every weekend. I do everything for you, Claire bear," he explained while rubbing my hands.

"You don't have to, you know," I sniffled, getting rid of the last of the tears.

He shook his head fiercely, "I want to. As long as you're breathing or your heart thumps I will be there, every move I make is for you."

Hm, that sounded nice. My heart fluttered and I closed my eyes quickly. "Really?" I asked, letting my forehead now touch his. "Every... single... move?" I licked my lips.

"Yes," he responded and started to bring his nose to mine so they would intertwine. "I love you Claire."

And just when he was about to press his hot lips against mine, "Quil!" Uncle Sam appeared out of nowhere.

He swung me off his lap like he had just the other day. He didn't show any fear toward Sam this time, just anger. "Sam! You can't keep controlling me like this!"

Sam took several steps towards Quil, "As long as I'm Alpha, you will do exactly what I say. And I say you need to stay the hell away from my niece until she's older," he growled and grabbed Quil by his arm.

"No!" I flew off the bed and tried to land smoothly between them but ended up on the floor.

The got on their knees instantly. At least I had gotten their attention. "Claire!" Quil shrieked, "Are you all right?" He held up my back.

"Get away," Uncle Sam swiped him away. "Claire, girl, are you fine?"

Quil kept trying to peek out from behind. "Go away Quil or I'll do something you'll regret," Sam growled with his eyes closed.

"I will go. I will go and get the hell away from you and your fucking pack dictatorship!" I had never heard Quil swear like that before.

"Claire, I'll be back," he promised at me and then left. Uncle Sam acted as if he wasn't even there and picked me off the floor and on to the bed. He kissed my forehead and then stormed out. I somehow managed to keep my tears away until he was down the hall and away from me.

But, before I knew it, I was asleep.

I woke up late in the night to my window being opened. I almosted let out a bloodcurdling scream, but something told me that this figure wasn't dangerous.

His dark skin was the hint. It was Jacob Black, the Beta of the wolf pack.

"Claire, is it okay if I take you out to the woods? Some of us are having a meeting, and I thought you would want to be included," he spoke in a soft whisper that contrasted his tall body.

I nodded, "Is Quil going to be there?" I whispered back at him.

"Yes, he will be." He picked me off my bed and I noticed he didn't bother to grab my crutches.