Offshoot: Dwelling in the Dusk
Mini Story: Me Te Aroha (with love)
Leah Clearwater's POV: 2008, March, 4th
All of these words whispered in my ear,
Tell a story that I cannot bare to hear.
Just 'cause I said it, it don't mean that I meant it.
People say crazy things.
"This is beautiful! Don't you think, Leah?" Emily grinned eagerly, peering around the village with a skip in her step. The nature in Cape Reigna, which surrounded us, was beautiful and the call of the ocean was hard to resist – yes. But the villagers themselves were a little...unsettling.
Areta Mahora–a relative of the present Chief of Ngāti Kurī–instructed us to look around and enjoy some sightseeing before she properly prepared our sleeping accommodations. Unfortunately, Mrs. Mahora's orders made me want to scream because, honestly, I would've found a large log comfortable enough to sleep on right now.
God, let me sleep. I'm resting for two, remember? A wolf and a female! I thought miserably.
I scowled, glancing around and meeting the gazes of some intrigued villagers. They all looked stunned to see us, as if our mere presences posed as some sort of threat. Ugh, hasn't this village ever had visitors? Stop looking at us! My mind barked in frustration and I shot a young teenager a fierce look that screamed: Go find someone your own age, kid.
"It's your bachelorette-party, Em," I finally muttered through gritted teeth.
Kim was the leader of our group, pointing to different parts of the village, following a map that Mrs. Mahora gave us. Admittedly, there were lots of interesting places you could visit...but I think Emily was going to launch our tour towards the mini museum, where this alleged 'vampire stake' was kept. There were also boundaries we couldn't pass – like into Ariki's Forest or venture near the Afterlife Tree, which was some ancient shrub located on the beaches of Spirits Bay.
I was sort of frustrated by the fact that I couldn't phase because the forest was off limits. Phasing was my way of releasing overwhelming emotions. If I couldn't deal with my feelings as a human, I always could as a wolf. So, without phasing, I knew this holiday would leave my fellow travellers with a much more bitchier and irritable Leah Clearwater to endure.
"I'm cold. Can't we go inside now, Aunty Emily?" Claire whined with a pouting expression.
"Mrs. Mahora said there was a fireplace in our cabin," Rachel remarked, patting Claire's shoulder soothingly. "Maybe we can ask her if we can fetch some wood and start a fire when we get inside. I'm sure there's firewood somewhere around here."
"And who's gonna cut the wood? Me – again?" I raised my eyebrows with my hands on my hips. My teeth gritted when I noticed Angela rolling her eyes at me. I wouldn't have mentioned it if I didn't always chop the wood at home...when the guys weren't around to chop it, of course. I guessed I was second best to a strong, muscled male. I had strength and muscle, but Mum constantly referred to wood-chopping as 'unladylike'.
"Calm down, Leah," Kim smiled. "I'm sure there's an axeman somewhere around here."
"Villages this remote usually get materials, such as wood, sent in monthly or something," Emily added with a shrug. "Yeah...you won't have to lift a finger, Leah. This is your holiday, too. I tell you what, I'll go and ask Mrs. Mahora now so to save us some time."
"Or, Aunty Emily, you could just ask that guy," Claire giggled and pointed out towards an early morning mist, where the silhouette of a tall figure loomed mysteriously.
Rachel looked down the slightly sloped grassland and gestured to a man with the axe and a wood-chopping base. "Leah, look an axeman!"
Kim and I turned around, peering through the mist to find we'd caught his attention. An axe was obviously perched beside him and he wasn't wearing a shirt – ugh, what an idiot. It was autumn here in New Zealand and it snowed in winter! How stupid would a person have to be to not wear a jumper...or a shirt at the least?
I felt like telling the guy off, "Put on a shirt, you idiot. You'll catch bloody pneumonia!"
I'll admit, however, he had a very good build – not a physique to be ashamed of. Broad shoulders, sunset skin, masculine height, a runner's legs and a tradey's arms. Alas, I was used to seeing those kinds of muscles from my Pack brothers. They were all loaded with defined six packs and biceps and pecks. I didn't have a six pack, though my abdomen was awfully firm for a woman. I still had curves, thank God.
"Wow, an axeman! All my problems are solved, for I never again must chop the wood. I can live my life in bliss and happiness forevermore," I rejoiced sarcastically, rolling my eyes and scowling.
"Why isn't he wearing a shirt?" Kim mumbled quietly and a blush rose to her cheeks.
You'd think they'd be used to it by now; no one wears a shirt at home.
"Maybe he's hot," Emily considered with a shrug.
"He certainly is," Rachel grinned. "What an angel's face. Makes Paul look like a goblin!"
"Rach, you're an engaged woman!" Angela scolded with tsk. "Eyes off the prize."
"What prize?" Claire asked curiously, staring at the axeman in fascination. "What is it?"
However, I wasn't looking at his prized muscles or angel's face. I was staring at the detailed, Maori tattoo on the side of his right arm. My tattoo was a mere circular pattern of two tribal wolves. However, this guy's tattoo was similar to that of an illustrational storybook. The tattoo ran up his forearm and reached his neck. The black ink on his neck was enthralling, clawing up his neck like a scratch mark.
My eyes zeroed in on his tattoo and I tried to identify the different animals which weaved throughout the artwork on his arm. I was about to comment on the remarkable tattoo when the gruff words, "Ugh, outsiders. Pathetic..." interrupted my interest.
Did he just call us pathetic outsiders? Well, that's pretty freaking impolite! Yes, maybe we were visitors to his almighty village and maybe my friends were shamelessly ogling at his shirtless physique, but that was no reason to sound absolutely disgusted by us! Infuriated and offended, I looked up to meet his fierce and intimidating gaze with an irritated glare of my own.
"What the hell is his problem...?" I trailed off, stunned into silence, dazed to find something so utterly perfect is his dark and cavernous eyes. As soon as his fearsome eyes collided with mine, that's when it happened. His eyes directly softened when my gaze met his and he, too, looked totally overcome.
A gasp was the only audible sound I made.
My gaze met his and life's strings began to snap. My entire world shifted and I found myself feeling physically queasy from the transition. Nothing mattered – nothing mattered anymore. Everything was his, everything I could offer. He was everything and it was a wonderful feeling to have something to live for entirely. I craved him from the very core...
This passionate feeling–which was of our bond so rapidly melding within me–started so soft and sweet, like the fabric of a summer dress. Then, suddenly, it flipped and became wild with rage and envy...emotions I didn't even think were my own. I was being drowned by his essence, smothered by the feeling of my soul being stitched to his.
My Pack brothers say the first few moments of imprinting are the worst: the most suffocating of times. You can't breathe and all you feel is them being bound to your side. Your emotions are then irrelevant and theirs become second-nature. You feel them even without knowing they are there, you love them even without their love in return and you obey them even without their command.
And when the feeling ended, reality rushed back into its place and I stumbled back a bit, gripping the attention of the girls'.
"Leah, are you okay?" Emily asked cautiously, gripping my forearm to stable me. Kim and Angela both frowned.
I breathed unevenly, his heartbeat roaring in my ears. As I stumbled back, I noticed he took an immediate step forward, his arm outstretching towards me from across the field. His face grew frantic as fear rose in my eyes. He appeared terrified to glimpse me so unnerved.
Something horrific dawned in my heart and I shuddered at the thought. I was in New Zealand and he lived in New Zealand. I lived in America, in La Push, with my family. My...my Imprint lived all the way across the world. He lived literally oceans away from me. Pain and fear bubbled and I felt myself choking at the thought of being torn away from him. It was hard enough being these few hundred yards away.
Space and time and tribes would separate us. I would be away from him...
"Leah, is something the matter?" Kim murmured worriedly, watching my expression closely.
I couldn't breathe.
"Maybe it was that chicken she ate at the airport. It smelt a little funky when I took a whiff," Rachel remarked offhandedly.
I couldn't breathe.
"Leah, sweetie, do you feel ill?" Emily panicked. "Are you going to be sick?"
I couldn't breathe.
"Do you by any chance know that guy, Leah?" Angela asked suspiciously.
I couldn't breathe!
"No, I don't know him," I said, staring at my imprint in awe.
His every movement made me flinch, even the deep rise and fall of his bare chest was something to adjust to. There was finally someone in my life who I was hypersensitive to and I could even sense his own emotions, which strangely mirrored mine. He seemed just as amazed to meet me as I was to see him.
The axeman's eyes grew dreamy when I spoke. And what I'd give to hear his voice again.
Claire giggled at my bewildered expression. "Aunty Leah, your eyes are sparkling!"
I broke eye contact with him, something that left my heart clenching.
I'd already memorised every shade of brown in his eyes and yet my thirst for his gaze wasn't quenched. Pull yourself together, Leah! My thoughts scolded.
"Hey!" Rachel called, waving a hand to the axeman, gesturing him towards us. "You, with the axe, come over here."
As soon as he started to approach, which was as warily as I was watching him, my heart started pounding. By the time he was only a few feet away, with his heartbeat drumming in my ears, I felt breathless.
"Can I help you?" His voice was deep and my winded state wasn't helped when he kept his awestruck eyes on me. And I could only stare back. My senses weren't satisfied with just observing him, I wanted to feel his skin and smell his scent up close as well. I, however, restrained myself and stood totally frozen.
Claire continued to giggle at me, as if she knew something the other girls didn't.
Emily stared at me with an unsettling intensity. She was working something out, I realised.
Kim cleared her throat awkwardly and timidly smiled. "Hi, I'm Kim Connweller. This is Rachel Black, Angela Weber, Claire Young and the dear bride-to-be Emily Young," Kim gestured to each of us, leaving me strangely until last. "And this is our cousin, Leah Clearwater. She's Emily's maid-of-honour."
"Hello," He nodded, to me more than anyone else. "It's nice to meet you," I couldn't fight the small, genuine smile I gave him in response. My heart fluttered erratically when he returned the pleasant expression. "My name's Tane Mahora."
His name would forevermore repeat throughout my mind 100x over each day.
Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane Tane ...
"We come from America-" Rachel continued, ignoring the heated tension in the air. I blinked rapidly, his name still echoing through my mind like a prayer. "-in a small Native American reservation called La Push. We're Quileute and we've come to...to investigate your tribe's intriguing legends while on our mini holiday."
As soon as Rachel spoke the word legend, he snapped out his trance and looked up at Rachel piercingly, his eyes narrowing in a threatened manner. "Legends? What legends? We don't have legends here."
"Yes, you do," Emily insisted and excitement flooded her eyes. "The legends of the Ngāti Kurī people. I'm very well versed in Native legends and I was amazed to find Ngāti Kurī means dog in Muriwhenua. You have legends of wolf-spirited warriors and-"
"Those are strictly forbidden subjects, Miss Young," Tane interrupted rather forcefully. "We don't talk about things such as those so lightly. And I should remind you as Chief of my people not to bring it up."
"You're a chief?" Claire gasped with a keyed up laugh. "Just like Uncle Jacob, Aunty Leah!"
I growled under my breath, shooting my little cousin a hard look. "Claire, hush."
"I'm sorry...I-I didn't mean to be nosy," Emily apologised softly, biting her lip and the ardent fire in her eyes immediately defused.
For the first time in years, I felt awfully sorry for my cousin and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Emily glanced up at me, surprised, and I gave her a gentle smile as response. My feelings for Sam were mute now and I'd rather think of him as a brother-in-law and person who'd treat my sister-like best friend with the upmost love and respect. I knew how much Emily wanted to learn about legends and I sympathised that her passion was shot down so harshly...even though the trigger was pulled by my own imprint.
"You're the Chief of the Ngāti Kurī?" Rachel cocked her to the side, unconvinced, raising an eyebrow like Jacob always would. "You look barely old enough to run your own life, buddy, let alone a whole village."
"Rachel, be quiet," Angela hissed with a reprimanding tone.
Tane looked agitated and hurt for a moment, a moment no one else would've caught onto except me. Though–like any protective Chief–he buried the pained expression with a blunt, emotionless tone of voice. "I'm nineteen, if it makes any difference," He stated flatly. "My father passed when I was young...and I became Chief as soon as I was of age."
How interesting, I was four years older than my imprint. He was only a year older than Jacob. Hmm, fate works in strange ways. However, Tane didn't look nineteen. To be honest, he looked even older than me. He appeared a man of many years, who'd seen all and kept a mask over his experiences. He looked like a Chief.
"That must be a great responsibility for you," I said concernedly.
His eyes met mine again, flashing of an emotion I couldn't identify. "I'm not alone."
"Do you have a wife to help you?" I wondered, trying to hide the fear in my voice.
The girls looked at me with wide-eyes, probably stunned to find I'd asked such a question. He was only nineteen after all, but I didn't want to take any risks that would break my heart. Claire giggled madly, her eyes bouncing between the nineteen-year-old Chief and me.
"No," He shook his head, his eyes shielded of any emotion.
"Haven't you ever considered going to college or finding a job elsewhere?" I asked.
He shrugged. "I would've stayed. I have my little sister to look after...as well as my mother."
I was guessing Mrs. Areta Mahora, the woman accommodating us, was Tane's mother. I nodded, silent on the matter, and gave him a smile.
However, Emily blurted out: "Why else? Couldn't you have taken them with you? I mean, why stay in Cape Reigna?"
"I have more responsibilities here," He glanced away avertedly.
Emily's eyes grew suspicious and she pursed her lips. She was in deep contemplation again. "Are you sure we can't ask you anymore questions about the Ngāti Kurī legends, Tane? It would really help with my research," Emily pleaded, her eyes wide with curiosity. "We're only here a week."
"What are you studying, Miss Young?"
"Oh...um, there might be a connection between our two tribes. That's really all."
"You live oceans away and there's a connection between our tribes?" He raised an eyebrow sceptically. "Our tribes out of all the tribes on this planet?"
"Yes," Emily nodded keenly. "Leah, show Tane your tattoo!"
I gave my cousin an incredulous look. "Excuse me? No, why?"
"Well, look," She gestured to Tane's tattoo and then at mine, which was visible because I was wearing a tank top. I suddenly regretted my clothing choice. "They're very similar and I think I may even see the same animals in one part of your tattoo, Tane. Is that...is that a dog?"
"A wolf, yes," He guardedly answered, eyeing Emily distrustfully. He didn't like where this conversation was going and I didn't want to trouble him by taking it any further. I studied his detailed tattoo as he did mine and was startled to hear him ask, "Why do you have a tattoo, Leah, and other others don't?"
I gave my friends a worried look, desperate for them to find an excuse.
Emily bit her lip frantically, opening her mouth to reply...but not a sound made it through.
"It's a tribal thing, I-I think," I finally stammered. "Only the...chosen get one."
"What's so special about you?"
His words pierced hurtfully and my teeth gritted. "I don't know actually," I bluntly replied.
His eyes met mine and they searched for a moment. What was he trying to find in me?
"Leah's very special to the tribe," Angela added, smiling brightly.
"Are you Quileute as well?" He asked her vigilantly.
"No, I'm not. My parents are Mexican and Irish. My boyfriend, Embry, is Quileute though."
"So...you're an outsider?"
Angela's eyes flashed of weakness and I could already see the first sprouts of tears in her eyes. Embry was always reminding Ang how much she fitted into our lives...and she did, most definitely. Though, uncertainty always clouded her judgement when it came to things such as legends and Quileute ancestry. She thought it wasn't her place to show such curiously in something so sacred.
When Embry phased and imprinted on Bella Swan's schoolmate, Angela Weber found out about werewolves and vampires, as well as the Cullens being vegetarian leeches. She was shocked to find that–after all those years–they'd been living a lie and her so-called best friend, Bella, didn't entrust her with the secret.
Angela was a highly skilled photographer and she'd gone to La Push's woodlands to take some nature shots and happened upon Embry on patrol. She saw him as a wolf, which posed as a threatening problem. Embry was the first in our generation's history to tell his imprint everything on the first day of their meeting. Thankfully, it all worked out smoothly.
To be honest, I thought Angela would've dealt very well with the reveal of the supernatural long ago. She was always the most open-minded and I guess that's why she was so settled about being in love with a werewolf. She fitted into our little group very easily and she preferred us to her human friends.
"No, she's not an outsider," I said defensively. "She's a part of our tribe in every way."
Angela smiled, thankfulness glowing in her eyes when she looked at me.
"Well, you may accept outsiders into your tribe more easily and thoughtlessly...but we don't. I'm sorry, ladies, our legends aren't open to be shared. We protect our heritage," Tane replied gravely.
"How is sharing some untrue story about untrue people so threatening, kid?" Rachel shot out offensively and Tane's jaw noticeably tightened, his eyes narrowing into slits. Rachel was treading on dangerous ground; something I thought was my job.
I didn't know whether it was the fact that Rachel referred to the Chief of this land as 'kid' or called this lands' ancient, sacred, tribal legends 'untrue'...but Rach had set something off in Tane and I didn't like it. And I could tell Rachel was angry at him for offending Angela.
"And why do you have a mini museum with legends in them if you're so eager to keep them a secret, Tane?" Kim queried, a little gentler than Rachel. Offending people wasn't in Kim's nature and I could sense her innocent, genuine curiosity.
"That's run be my little sister, Marina. You'll have to ask her about that," Tane replied gruffly.
"Well, thank-you, Chief Mahora, we will," Emily trilled but there was a sharp, annoyed attitude tainting her gratitude. "We appreciate your help."
"Can you chop us some wood?" Claire asked suddenly, her eyes hopeful. "That's what we wanted to ask first, right?"
"Uh...yeah, that's right, Claire-Bear," I answered awkwardly. "We just needed some wood for our cabin's fireplace."
Tane smiled down at Claire pleasantly and gave me the same expression. "I can certainly assist you with that."
"Thank-you," I smiled, holding his gaze a heartbeat longer.
"We better go and find Mrs. Mahora, see if our cabin's ready. I think we need a rest, girls. Jetlag's a real pain," Emily yawned at the very mention of sleep and so did I. Exhaustion was heavy on my heart and, after what I'd just experienced, it'd intensified by a mile. I felt like a walking, talking zombie who craved sleep instead of brains.
"Well, it was pleasure meeting the Chief of these lands. You have a very beautiful village, Tane," Kim smiled genuinely, picking up Claire and positioning her on her hip. "Thanks for your time," Holding out her hand, Tane shook her hand respectfully. She then glanced at the rest of us pointedly, raising her eyebrows.
Rachel heaved an annoyed sigh and then shook Tane's hand, as if calling a silent truce, and rolled her eyes once she turned to follow Kim, who began walking down the gravel roadway with Claire in her arms. Emily shook his hand and then Angela, who still looked upset. Emily put her arm around Angela's shoulders in a sisterly fashion, guiding her down the path.
I was left standing alone, biting my lip awkwardly, feeling him staring at me with that same mesmerized look. My feet didn't follow my family, however, they remained right where they belonged...next to him. Emily shifted her gaze back to me once she was a few yards ahead. "Coming, cousin?" Emily smiled softly, hints of confusion shining in her weary eyes.
"Uh...y-yeah," I stammered and turned to Tane with a crooked smile. "Bye..."
He shot out his hand and I was surprised to see an odd determination in his eyes.
Who knew handshakes were so in nowadays?
I gazed down at his hand, studying the contours of his caramel skin, from his calloused fingertips to the defined creases in his knuckles. An intense fire flowed within me once my fingers skimmed across the inside of his palm and he gripped my hand firmly. My hand was ablaze and my heart stopped at the maddening sensation. I don't think I even shook his hand because, as soon as I touched him, both of us seemed to be electrified by something forceful and potent.
Who knows how long I stood there for? Who knows how long I stared at him...undeniably in love? Who knows who pulled me away from his touch and slowly guided me down the opposite direction with the soft words, "Come on, Leah. Our cabin is ready and you need a good rest." His eyes were engrained into my mind. Those deep brown eyes, specked with hints of forest green, and slanted with black eyelashes accentuating his every single emotion.
I felt safe with him – safer than I'd felt in a very, very long time...
A/N: I know, I know...I haven't updated this story in nearly eight months! But I'm updating all stories at one time and I decided you should at least know how Leah imprints;) I'm so very sorry, readers...I hope you liked it, though, and please forgive me!
Shout-outs:
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Controlled by Imagination
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Thank you all so, so much!