BLUE MOON.

chapter seven.

September 5th, 2015.

4:30 PM

COLLIN, La Push Pack

"COLLIN! GET OUT OF BED!"

Was that... "Mom?" I jumped up off my bed, seeing, sure enough, my mother at the door. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm bringing you home. You're done mooching off of Samuel!"

"You want me to mooch off of you?"

"No. I want you to get a job, go to college, get a better job, marry a pretty girl, make me grandbabies, and die rich." What. The. Fuck. "Close your mouth, you look like a fish... and brush your hair. Pack up your shit... be ready to go by five."

"Miss Segur, really, we don't mind having Coll–" Emily tried cutting in, I could hear her run her hands through her hair, something she did whenever she got nervous. It was a valiant effort, considering she managed to get in that many words.

"This has gone on long enough, Emily. I appreciate everything you've done... Sam really helped Collin get straight, he's a good kid, that Samuel, I am glad he was willing to take Collin under his wing so soon after Ulrich died... but... I had no idea Collin was living here!" Her voice went from civil to whisper-soft to shrill so quickly I winced. Damn it, I was such a mommy's boy... packing up my shit (of which wasn't much, I didn't have a house in a bedroom, just the necessities) like any good kid... fuck, I knew I wouldn't hear the end of it but I swear my mom's orders beat whenever Sam, er, Jacob, now, made a command with that damned Alpha-voice.

Emily mumbled something under her breath about me having been here for a few years now, though I could hear the slight smile at the thought and also the brushing of her hair as she flipped it back to mask her words. Human ears, my mother's and probably even Emily's, wouldn't have picked up those words... mine did, though.

"I won't stand in your way. But I want you to know that we don't mind Collin... he's been good to us, too. To everyone." Damn straight. I'd only been present during five werewolf-Vampire standoffs, I'd been on the front lines, dammit. My mom knew our secret, I couldn't keep jack shit from her BS-detector, but I don't think she really got it. She didn't want to. "He's been a real help."

"He's my son." She said it like she hadn't been a raving drunk for six years after Dad died, hadn't ever noticed when I'd disappeared for a few weeks... when I'd found out I had some freak gene hidden in me that turned me into a goddamned wolf. She was good now, I knew that, I know that. But still. "And he's coming home with me."

A howl rang out in the forest. Quil. What was he doing out there? Claire had a dance recital today... he'd been chattering about it for weeks. He wouldn't miss it unless...

"Gotta go!" Emily automatically jumped out of the way as I burst out of the bedroom, tossing off my shirt and lobbing it back on my bed as I went. She was used to this kind of thing, my mother certainly wasn't.

"Oh, you listen here, Collin James Segur! I–" She moved to try and intercept me, but I moved far too fast for her to even come close.

"I'll catch ya later!" I breathed in deep as I raced for the back door, closing my eyes as I focused. It was hard, though, when my over-sensitive ears heard just about everything. The smell of the forest, of the wilderness, rushed through me, called to me. It sounds poetic and bullshitty but I was a part of this, of nature, of the wild.

"Miss Segur! Please. It could be important..."

"IMPORTANT! He's my SON! I can tell what's important–"

"It's just... one of those things."

"One of those things?"

"That goes with them being werewolves."

"..."

I jumped off of the porch, my feet leaving the deck (mostly) hair-less and human, landing on the grass not even an eye's blink later as a paw, clawed and furred. Voices, of which were not my own, assaulted my mind instantaneously as my body gave up its humanity.

Who are they?

They don't seem newly-shifted... too calm. Embry was suspicious, while Quil was more just concerned. Jacob had yet to phase...

Ahh, Mr. Boss is late, per usual. I couldn't resist adding that in as I sprinted toward where they were, rifling through their minds without feeling the least bit contrite.

You didn't get there all that fast, either – oh, wait! You're not even there yet, Pup. So shut the fuck up. Leah thought, snarling with irritation as she raced toward the scene, still a good bit away.

What the fuck? I was so confused now as I began to try to make sense of what was going on.

My thoughts exactly. There were two other wolves! Two other wolves! Like us! I sped up, fortunately (well, unfortunately) this wasn't taking place too far from the Uley's place.

I was running my patrol – oh, shit, shit! Don't attack us! Quil, always a peacemaker.

I vote we should rip their throats out for trespassing.

But aren't we supposed to be part of the same pack? Why can't we hear them?

I spotted them, they heard me. Two of them... one male, one female, judging from the size difference and the smell that wafted toward me. They were huge! One a dark grey, the other, the female, a brownish-black. Like a much darker version of Quil. The male towered over both Quil and Embry... shit, he had to be about the same size as Jacob, who was the largest of us all! If not taller! The girl was even as big as the two guys, if not... bigger... fuck. They're on fucking steroids! Leah really was small now!

Shut the fuck up!

Wait. One's a girl? This was crazy! Leah was also supposed to be unique. Guess you're not so special, huh, bitch? I was taking it too far.

SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU MISERABLE LITTLE SAM-MOOCHER-OFFER! She sent a variety of death threats. It never got old.

The two wolves spun as to be facing somewhat-opposite directions, trying not to have their back to any of us. I veered to the right as to try and make a triangle around them, with Quil and Embry being the other two points. The female turned, her sharp ears swiveling as she looked right at me. My eyes ran up her elegant face, taking in the perfectly-dark nose and her straight muzzle. My gaze landed firmly on her gray eyes as I loped toward her. Gravity was shifting, I could feel everything in my being being warped and twisted as to surround her, all kinds of ties binding us in that instant. This was a monumental occasion, I could feel it, but I had this nagging feeling that I wouldn't get to just bask in this beautiful creature's glory...

I was dimly aware of mental groans of annoyance and irritation, but I didn't give a shit. I pushed that stuff away, more than willing to focus everything in me on this gorgeous wolf in front of me, who was just about the same height as me, a little shorter... Just right.

Hello, Gorgeous. I was quite proud of my deliciously low, sexy voice... such a shame she wouldn't be able to hear it. I tried to talk with my eyes.

Get the fuck away from me or I'm gonna rip your throat out.

I think I love you. Wait... you can hear me?

I said back off. Now. I promptly backed up, desperate to obey here as though she were an alpha, but instead of feeling too forced I just wanted to. I wanted to be there, always.

You smell nice... mmmm... I breathed deep, wishing I were closer. Still, my keen nose made it as though I was. Closer, closer, closer, pleaseeeeee!

You can talk to her? Embry asked, confused.I was connected to her now, but the rest of the pack wasn't. Still, they might as well have been, I acted as the middleman, the telephone wire.

She growled, crouching a bit, the hairs along her spine bristling. Her stance was defensive. Was she afraid?

We won't hurt you. I vowed, longing so, so much to get closer. Couldn't she see I was hers? I wouldn't hurt her, I lived for her. Never mind I'd only seen her, known her, for all of two seconds... Anything she asked, I knew without a doubt I would do. I'm Collin. Can I come closer?

No.

I ignored Embry and Quil's barked guffaws, more focused on ignoring the overwhelming sting from the outright rejection.

I didn't ignore the way the grey wolf jumped between me and Gorgeous, though. I snarled, seeing red for a moment –

What is going on? Jacob had finally phased. We quickly filled him in, and he came running, arriving surprisingly quick, just as I lunged for the other guy's throat.

Gorgeous jumped between us, much to my horror. Gorgeous, no! I flung myself at the ground to avoid biting her, if I hurt her... If I hurt her... A million agony-ridden scenarios went flying through my mind.

Growling, Jacob jumped in, striding toward the grey male. He was taller! The other guy was a tad leaner... a tiny bit lighter in build. Still, I couldn't believe someone was that big, other than Jacob!

Acting on instinct, Jacob looked deep in the other guy's eyes... A long moment passed, and then...

What is going on? Do I attack? Is this another pack? He's not Pack... I don't know this guy. Where –

What is your name?

The fuck? Why do I have to – I'm Damon Grey. He was part of the pack now...

I can hear you again, Damon! Her voice was low, but still feminine. Light, but not superficial.

Gorgeous!

That's not my name – wait... fuck! Did I just get kicked out of a pack to get wrenched in to another one?

That guy imprinted on you. "Damon" said, exasperation in his tone.

What? Baffled, the gorgeous female swung her gaze toward me, having been looking at the big, grey, er, I mean, Damon before.

When her eyes met mine, everything else in the world vanished. !

Holy shit. So you did.

So I did. I like you. I love you. Let's have kids.

...what?

Leah arrived, pissed she hadn't been faster, pissed that so few had shown up. She hung back in the trees, though. Damon was looking in her direction, but couldn't see her.

Jacob asked for her name, to which Gorgeous responded: Fox. You can call me Fox. Her real name was Diane Leigh, which she didn't like revealing, but I liked Fox just fine. She and Damon probably weren't siblings... they had different last names... what if she was married? Of course I'd end up with an already-married imprint! I'm not married, weirdo. She sure didn't seem bothered by the fact I imprinted. My whole fucking world just changed, and she was more interested in Jacob. Irritation (and a ginormous dose of jealousy) gnawed at me as I glared at the reddish-colored wolf.

What pack is this? Damon asked, more than a bit disoriented, still trying to see where Leah was...

Why the fuck are you so interested in seeing her? Embry growled, his ears pricked forward and his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

We're just... the pack. Quil supplied, anxiously glancing toward Embry.

"The pack?" Damon wasn't satisfied with that name.

Where are we? I loved Fox's voice. I loved everything that I'd noticed so far. Her fur looked silky-soft. Her legs long and thin, so graceful. Her voice... again... it was hot. Fucking hot. Down, boy.

Hey! Indignation filled me for a moment, then amusement. She'd made a funny.

You're in La Push. Jacob wasn't interested in hearing me go over everything about her.

Now you know how the rest of us feel. Excluding Quil. Embry thought, irritated. Great. Another imprint. How annoying.

La... Push? Sounds Spanish. Are we in Mexico? Damon tilted his head a fraction, but his stance was still poised to defend himself. Everyone was so fucking tensed. I was perfectly relaxed. Gorgeous, well, Fox was here... my world was fine. Just fucking great! And I actually meant it! I was panting like a damned dog.

Washington. Jacob thought shortly.

D.C.? Damn, we went far, didn't we, Damon? He wasn't paying attention. How could he ignore Fox? I could listen to her talk forever.

No. Washington State. The La Push Reservation.

Oh. That makes sense.

Leah stepped out from the bushes, finally getting the hint she wasn't being stealthy and wouldn't be able to surprise-attack if things went sour. Damon looked at her, into her eyes...

WHAT THE FUCK? I mean, REALLY, guys? Can't you hold off on imprinting until... until... later? When I'm not here to feel it? UGH! Embry was beyond pissed. I looked at Gorge-Fox's eyes to distract myself, flinching as she got irritated but it felt so nice to just... look.

We don't have any clothes. She realized, suddenly, forgetting the mind went blank for a second, I'm sure my mouth was hanging open. You're perverted. I ain't bangin' you... yet.

Holy shit... Why did she have to say "yet?" Much to the others' infuriation, a thousand delicious possibilities ran through my head... all of them involving the two of us phasing in the next heartbeat. You don't need clothes for that. Let's go!

No. Ick, no. Aww.

Dude, you don't know what she looks like. She might be ugly as a human.

Both Fox and I snarled and whirled to face Embry at that.

Guys, let's not. Jacob thought, his voice a bit weightier than usual for us to obey, but not a full-fledged command. I can lend you some shorts or something, Damon. We've got plenty of stashes around the forest. I'm sure Leah has something you can borrow, Leah felt displeasure at that, though she was too busy wondering why she didn't feel the pull Damon did, Fox. Instantly her name was being repeated over and over in my head. Foxfoxfoxfoxfoxfox.

They're gonna need more than just shorts and a T-shirt. Quil reasoned, though he was content to sit on the sidelines. Well, he had been. Now he was anxious, worried about hurting Claire's feelings... she'd been preparing for this for months.

I'm sure Alice has some clothes to spare. Jacob was always looking for an excuse to head over to the Cullens' place when he should have been focusing on the pack. Irritation flickered through him as he shot a glance over his shoulder at me, but I lifted my chin up and returned to studying Fox, who watched this interaction with interest. Jacob dismissed it.

But they smell like leeches. Embry complained. He was such a negative nancy.

Vampires? Both Fox and Damon stiffened, instantly on the battle-ready. I mirrored Fox's stance, intent on protecting her for a split-second before I remembered there was no immediate threat.

They are our allies. The Cullens are a peaceful coven... they do not feed on humans. Attacking, or otherwise harming, them is forbidden.

What?

Forbidden. We all ran memories of the past, of fighting alongside them, of everything they had done for us, and we them. Over the years, most, if not all, animosity had faded, even in Sam's pack. They were still prohibited from entering the reservation, though. Of course.

You guys should go. I wanted to have Fox all to myself.

Why didn't I imprint? Leah wondered, staring at Damon, who stared right back.

Females don't imprint... Leah. He was testing her name out, and...

Ugh. Guys, let's focus on my imprint. She's so gorgeous and hot and –

Let's not focus on any imprints, okay? Embry kept shooting murderous looks at Damon, not that him, or his new found imprint, noticed. This only intensified the looks.

Aw, Em, I'm sure you'll find your girl some day... Quil was aiming for encouraging, I only saw an opportunity.

Unless you end up gay, in case fate can't find a girl who can handle your ass.

Shut the fuck up! He lunged for me, jaws outstretched. All I could think was that if I hadn't been there, he'd be lunging for her. It didn't matter that if I wasn't there he wouldn't have gone over here anyway, all I felt was primal rage as I saw the grey blur coming at me, and, by extension, Fox.

I met him head-on, ignoring the mixture of amusement (at how touchy and PMSy we were, according to Leah), and irritation (we needed to be a united front, from Jacob). I went for his face, for his teeth, with my teeth. He was smaller than me, if I could get my jaws on him... I flung my weight into him, bowling him over even as he fought desperately to stay on his feet, biting deep into his shoulder as I did so. He pushed his paws into my belly, only to distance us for a split-second, as he gave up, quickly calling it quits.

Do not ever go near her. I snarled, focusing wholeheartedly on the animalistic hatred that burned for a second, before I let reality seep in. I didn't want to kill Embry, not seriously, anyway. Or my opinion might change.

Dude, Collin, tried, even as he backed off a second after.

Welcome to the pack. Jacob thought, trying to make light of the situation even as he suppressed a growl, his "patience for" me "wearing thin." I couldn't care less.

Triumphant, I spun around to face Fox, leaving Embry sprawled on the ground. Hello, Gorgeous. I tried again.

Hello, Handsome.

Much better.

author's shameless include:

no reviews = no more chapters!

so r&r, if you'd please (: what can I say? I'm a review whore.
xoxo lovesremnant