Chapter 6

Seth's P.O.V

One hour. It had been one hour and still nothing had changed, I was still waiting in the corridor.

Was she alright? I didn't know. Was Anne successfully helping her? I didn't know. Was Anne almost done? I didn't freaking know! And it was killing me, though you'd probably never have known it as I sat there almost perfectly still, with only my foot shaking nervously.

No, I was slowly dying on the inside. Well it felt like it anyway. My heart was heavy as it rested somewhere deep down in the bottom of my chest, throbbing with pain every once in a while. My insides were like lead weights, knotting and twisting as they burned painfully. I was surprised I could even breathe my throat had closed up so much.

I was broken, and all over a girl I didn't know. Who'd of thought?

I slouched against the wall, continuing to stare at the door.

I had strained my ears the entire time I had waited, trying to pick up on what was going on inside the room. Unfortunately I was only hearing Anne's occasional movement around the room and regretfully that also meant I was picking up the rest of the packs conversations that were going on throughout the house.

In the hour the whole pack had pretty much arrived at Billy's house, imprints and all, and in that time they had all thought it necessary to come and give me words of sympathy or hope. I had ignored them at first, knowing that they meant well, but when it got to the seventh or eighth person I cracked, yelling at them to 'shut up' and 'leave me alone' because they didn't understand. They didn't have a freaking clue. Honestly I didn't know why they had to be here, their presence didn't help the situation, they just annoyed the hell out me, filling the house with the sounds of their conversations which I was forced to listen to, it was like they just forgot most of us had super hearing.

'Poor Seth, he's so young and he's having to go through this... Did you see how badly she was injured, I just hope she can heal as fast as us... Anne's' been in there pretty long, do think everything's okay….'

Really, like I need to be reminded on a minutely basis, my mind was bad enough on its own. Having them say it out loud just made it hurt that much more, it showed I wasn't just over reacting because she was my imprint, I was seeing it just like the others were. But I mustn't think like that.

I just don't see how imprinting can really benefit a person. I mean I understand the reason for it, 'pass on the gene and blah blah blah' but the emotions and bond that comes with it are just, extreme, almost self detrimental. It made you do crazy things no matter what the consequences, all for a person you didn't choose or in my case didn't even know. How was that a good thing? This girls been in my life, what? Not even two hours and already my world is upside down, how was the rest of my life going to be? I thought about the other imprinters, they had always looked so happy together. I remember hoping before all this that I would find that happiness in an imprint.

I gave a big frustrated sigh, rubbing my face with my hands just as I heard someone come through the front door. I moved my hands away from my face to look at them.

"Seth.."

"Mum..." I said weakly before rushing upwards to meet her in a hug. I began to sob as she rocked me, though no tears fell, I had all but used them up long ago. If anyone understood what I was going though, it would be Mum.

"sshhhhh it's okay, it's okay" She said, rubbing soothing circles in my back. "Were gona get through this okay."

I noticed her choice of words.

She pulled back to cup one of my cheeks in her hand, stroking it softly with her thumb.

"You shouldn't have to go through this, this never should have happened." she said looking intently at me. "Hunters should never have been there," her voice began to rise. ", because things like this happen and it's always the innocent that get hurt, I always…" She stopped herself, closing her eyes and taking a breath. Her face softened and she brushed some hair out of my face, "I'm so sorry love." She said sympathetically. I nodded blankly before moving forward for another hug. No matter how old or how big I get, somehow I think I'll always be small and young in my mum's arms.

She held me for a bit longer before I pulled away with a deep sigh.

"Do you want me to get you anything?" she asked rubbing my arms. I shook my head silently. "Okay, well I'm going to go talk to Billy and Sam, if you need anything just let me know." She said pulling me into another short hug.

I watched her leave the room, catching Leah watching me from the doorframe as Mum passed her, she smiled weakly at me and I stared blankly back before turning around to return to my sitting position outside the door. I was still angry at her. I heard her sigh and walk away.

I brought my legs to my chest and rested my chin on my knees, releasing yet another sigh.

"Poor Seth, what do you think her odds are like?"

"I'm not entirely sure. It really depends on her healing capability."

"But she's a werewolf, she should heal like the others shouldn't she?"

"Were hoping, cause then at least she has a chance, but there is every possibility that she's from another tribe that happens to change forms just like us. She could have different abilities to us. She lost a lot of blood out there, I'm not sure many normal human could….."

I clapped my hands over my ears not wanting to hear anymore of Mum and Sam's conversation and stood up with a frown. I began to pace the corridor.

Five steps turn, five steps turn...

I focused on what I was doing hoping it would clear my head, but each time I caught sight of the door I instantly thought of her, which would cause a ripple of emotions throughout me. I shut my eyes and continued to pace.

Five steps turn, five steps turn...

It wasn't helping. Her bloodied image was burnt onto the back of my eyelids. I stopped moving, scrunching my eyes to try and lose the image, my fists trembling at my side.

I was sick of this imprint thing, of caring so much, of having no control.. .. Of HAVING TO WAIT! IT WAS DRIVING ME CRAZY! SHE WAS HURTING AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO, I WAS USELESS!

Crack.

One of my fists collided into the wall with a satisfying crunch.

I opened my eyes shocked, staring at my arm now wrist deep in the wall. I hadn't even realised my arm had moved... oops. Breathing heavily, I slowly pulled my hand out and examined it. My russet skin was now powdered white but besides that it seemed to have gone through the dry wall cleanly as there wasn't a mark on me. The same couldn't be said for the wall though. Besides the quite obvious gaping hole, there were large cracks sprouting from all around it, flaking and chipping the creamy yellow paint. Although it had felt good, I felt bad now. Not only was I being a complete jerk to everyone I was now destroying their homes, and Billy's for that matter. He had let us use it as a make-shift hospital and this was how I was showing my thanks and after everything he's gone through. What was wrong with me? Scratch that, I knew exactly what was wrong with me.

Suddenly several pairs of eyes were on me. Turning my head I saw majority of the household either in the corridor or peering round the door frame looking at me with sad or shocked expressions. Lowering my dusty hand, I glanced at the large hole before looking back towards the pack again, my mouth opening but then closing again when I couldn't think of anything to say. I caught sight of Billy and instantly dropped my head looking at the floor, too ashamed to look him in the face. He should be yelling at me, they all should be yelling at me, but they weren't and I kind of wish that they would. Anything was better than their silent pity and worry.

Uncomfortable under their continued stares and silence, I returned to my sitting position, drawing my legs to my chest and folding my arms over them, burying my face trying to ignore them.

I heard someone walk over to me, they hesitated briefly but when I didn't move they sat down next to me. I didn't have to look at them to know who it was. Just by sniffing the air I knew straight away that it was Embry.

I listened as everyone shuffled out of the corridor, releasing a loud sigh when it was finally empty again. Yeah, they weren't looking at me anymore but I bet you could hear a pin drop in the next room.

Embry put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it comfortingly, I looked up at him. He was looking at me with a reassuring smile. I couldn't appreciate it more.

When Dad had died Embry had been one of the first people there for me, and since then he had somewhat taken it upon himself to look out for me in an almost older brotherly way. Of course all the guys were like brothers to me, but I don't know, I guess both of us not having fathers made us share a special bond.

I tried to smile back in an appreciative way but only the corners of my lips twitched half-heartedly. I was about to turn my attention back to the door when Embry whipped his towards it first, his expression shocked. My heart stopped and face drained as I too noticed the approaching footsteps. The door-knob turned and opened to show a somewhat exhausted Anne. I just looked up at her from my place on the floor as the rest of the household flooded into the corridor, their eyes flickering between me and Anne.

I couldn't move. I was frozen. My joints wouldn't move, my heart had stopped and my lungs had ceased. I couldn't even blink.

I had painstakingly waited for this moment, wished for it, and now that it was here, I didn't know what to do. All I had wanted was for Anne to finish, I hadn't planned for after that. It was either going to go two ways. She was going to be fine or…. I wasn't sure I wanted to know anymore.

It was dead silent as I stared up at Anne with wide eyes. She looked over at the crowd, somewhat surprised at the sudden audience, before turning her gaze to me. Her face softened as she walked over to me, kneeling she put a hand on my knee.

"Seth….she's going to be fine." she said quietly, smiling at me.

The whole room let out a sigh of relief and began to chatter amongst themselves. I remained frozen, still processing what I had been told. Embry grabbed my shoulders and shook me slightly.

"Seth. She's alright. She's gona be alright." He said loudly with a smile on his face.

It seemed to finally click in my head. She was going to be okay, I wasn't going to lose her.

I began taking shaky breaths as my body seemed to sag against the wall, weak after the worry, sadness, and pain were lifted off my shoulders. I ran a hand through my hair as relief flowed through me.

"Would you like to see her?" Anne asked standing up.

My head whipped up and I nodded eagerly, really it was a stupid question. I jumped up and followed Anne into Jacobs bedroom, the pack and the others following behind. As Anne stepped out of my view I stopped. There she was lying peacefully on the bed, her breathing back to normal. I couldn't help the smile that slowly crept onto my face.

"She's still on the anaesthetic, but knowing you werewolves she'll probably come out of it in several minutes." Anne said from next to me as I continued to stare at the girl. "I tell you, you werewolves continue to amaze me, her wounds had pretty much closed up by the time I got to them, I only had to clean up a few."

My smile widened, that's what I wanted to hear.

"I still wanna keep an eye on her though, she sustained a rather nasty injury to her right lung and I want to make sure that clears up nicely, but besides that it looks like she's going to be fine."

I turned to Anne, joy radiating from me as I beamed at her.

"Thank you... Thank you so much." I croaked serious, pulling her into a hug. She chuckled lightly.

"That's quite alright Seth... it's what I'm here for." she said as we pulled away. I nodded continuing to smile. I couldn't help it. I looked back towards the girl, my girl, and let out sigh.

"Well, I think it's getting a bit to crowded in here." Mum suddenly said from the door way.

"Yes, let's all, ah, head into the kitchen and get some dinner under way shall we? I'm starved." Embry agreed, sending a wink my way when I looked at him. The rest of them murmured there agreement, giving each other knowing looks and smiling at me. Way to be subtle guys.

They all piled out and as Mum went to close the door I mouthed a silent 'thank you' to her which she simple smiled at before shutting the door with a click.

I turned around to look at the sleeping girl again, butterflies suddenly springing to life in my stomach. Biting my lip and playing with my hands I slowly walked over to her side. As I got closer to her I saw that her face was now clean and unmarked, her jet black hair pulled back behind her head. She was more beautiful then I remembered. I reached out and traced one of her high cheekbones, her skin warm and fiery like mine. I smiled again as I looked done at her. No wonder I cared so much.