AN: QUIL! :D This was fun. Thank my mom for having it out so fast, I was up till almost two last night making cookies for her so I had plenty of time to write this. Next chapter is going to be in Claire POV, again, I will most definitely do another chapter in Quil's POV, I just don't know when. I know some were wondering why I rewrote the entire legends story again, and I did that because its Claire experiencing them and I needed to get them straight in my head before I said anything stupid. :P Enjoy!
Chapter Fourteen
The Old-New Quil
Two days. Well, more like one and a half, but still. I had her back. My Claire. She had grown so much, into such a beautiful woman. She is hardly anything like the girl I remember playing hide and seek with constantly. She did, however, still have her natural curiosity and belief in the unknown. I had been worrying for all these years that she was dead, or dying, somewhere and I'd never see her again, or that she'd never come back, and here she is. Sleeping contently in the home she spent five years of her life in.
Of course, I know that because I'm currently a giant furry wolf, hiding in the tree line outside of her home. I've honestly tried to go home and sleep there, but I can't. It's too far, two miles away from her if she needs me. So, I pretend to sleep in the woods, with a clear shot of her bedroom window, listening to her snore softly and occasionally mumble something in her sleep.
It's the second night I've been here, watching, waiting and thinking. I know I have to tell her the truth. She's eighteen and she's smart. She'll probably figure it out before I tell her, and that's not how I want her to find out. I want to be the one to tell her everything, to explain imprinting. To tell her I'm the whole reason why her mother left with her. That's what I'm most afraid of, telling her the whole truth and then her hating me for what happened. That's why I'm not telling her for another few weeks, until I can figure out how to tell my new Claire without upsetting her.
Two days I've spent trying to keep a hold on myself, even if that meant acting like a jerk. I couldn't crowd her. She still didn't know the truth and she's already suspicious, the last thing I need is for her to be uncomfortable and suspicious.
I can sense Seth and Jake phase some miles away, but I don't acknowledge them, I'm too busy listening to Claire because I may never admit it out loud, but I'm scared to death that she'll leave when I'm not looking and never come back. Anyone can say I'm a stalker, but at least I know she's safe and she's here. And while I still may not sleep for more than three hours a night, it still gives me comfort. Just knowing she's back, that she has an open mind to everything, makes those thirteen years almost worth it.
Almost.
Quil, she's not going anywhere. Alice would have warned Ness. He may be my Alpha but Jake is still a pain in the ass, and his new Beta isn't that much better either.
I like to make sure of that on my own, if you don't mind. I didn't have to be snappy about it, but it was the second night in a row they were pestering me.
Go home, you need sleep, and a shower. Jake was trying to sound friendly, but I really didn't care.
He's right, you reek. Seth added.
Then leave, and maybe you'll get far enough not to smell me. They should know better than to try and talk me out of staying near Claire.
Doubtful. Seth was going to get a fight if he kept his shit up.
Would you two stop?!
There was only silence. It wasn't an order but I could hear Jake howling from two miles out, I wasn't going to push my good luck. Claire seemed to hear the howl too because I listened to her moan and toss for a moment before slipping back into sleep. I didn't listen to the others until I knew she was back to sleep.
She's staying Quil, and you're not going to keep her here by never letting her out of your sight.
I hated the fact that I couldn't argue. They had been in my head for the past fifteen years, they knew exactly what I went through with Claire. But that didn't mean I was going to listen.
Jake, let it go.
Just go home for an hour, clean up and call your mom, she's been worried.
I growled. He didn't have to bring my mother into this.
I could see Jake's russet wolf form run up to me and skidded to a stop before he broke the tree line. I'll stay and watch, and I won't leave until you come back.
Your not going to leave until I go, are you?
Its just an hour Quil, I promise, nothing will happen to her.
I didn't want to leave. I wanted to be able to smell her, to know she is there. I could probably smell her from my house, but I wasn't sure. I felt a nudge on my side and I growled.
Fine. One hour, that's it.
That's it.
I looked to Jake, who settled next to a tree and looked out at Claire's window. I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to her so I forced myself to start running toward my home.
I made it quickly, it was only two miles in territory I have been familiar with my whole life. I phased back just before I broke the forest line and pulled on the sweat-shorts I had tied to my leg just before I slipped in through the back door and into the kitchen. Embry and Lena were on the couch, watching TV. I glanced over to the clock on the stove to see it was almost midnight.
"Back so soon?" Lena asked without even looking over her shoulder. Its unnerving how she always knows everything. It explains why she's with Embry though, he would have to imprint on someone who actually had a clue since he was so brainless.
Embry looked back at me with a wrinkle nose. "You smell like wet dog." He frowned. I narrowed my eyes on him, thinking over what object to throw at him.
Lena chuckled. "Well, he is a dog and he's wet." She pointed out. Why do I let them live in my house? Oh, right, they're the only ones who will ever pay rent.
I suppressed a growl and the overwhelming urge to strangle one of my best friend's fiancée. "I'm using the shower." I grumbled under my breath and stalked toward the back hallway of the house and to the only bathroom in the three bedroom house.
I made it to the door before Lena started yelling again. "Don't use my shampoo!" She shrieked.
I nearly broke the doorknob of the bathroom door. That woman grates on my last nerve. I took a quick shower, barely washing what needed washing. I was too on edge. I could still smell Claire, it was stronger than every other smell my nose could pick up. It was because she is my imprint. If it were anyone else, Jake's scent would over power them.
I dried off and changed into new shorts and grabbed my cell phone begrudgingly. My mother had left the Rez five years after Claire was taken and a few months after my grandfather passed. She remarried and moved with him to Oregon. She calls every few days, and with all the loose lipped people I live with she probably already knows about Claire.
I dialed my mom's number and it barely rang before she answered.
"Quil, are you okay?" She asked feverishly.
"Yes, Mom, I'm fine." I answered tiringly as I flopped on my bed.
"You haven't called in three days." She chided.
I winced. I kind of went a little nuts when I learned Nessie had found Claire. I ran into the woods and didn't come back until Seth and Sam cornered me, telling me that Jacob and Nessie were going to confront Hannah. I never thought I could run to Seattle in the time I did. Since then I haven't had the time to call my mom, or do much of anything.
"I know, I'm sorry." I apologized quickly.
"What happened, is Claire okay?" She asked worryingly.
"There's nothing wrong with Claire." I said firmly.
"How are you doing?" She asked a little calmer.
"I'm great Mom, everything is fine up here." I said assuredly, trying to calm down my panicked mother.
I could hear her sigh through her nose. "What a relief, I thought I'd have to come up there and drag out of the woods myself." She huffed.
I groaned. She had tried to do that twice, having your mother pull you by your ear when you are a giant wolf like thing, in front of the rest of your pack, is damn embarrassing.
"Alright, since your fine and Claire is okay, I'll talk to you later, it's late." It sounded like she was still trying to order me to go to bed. I'm a little over thirty-two years old and she is still trying to tell me what to do.
"Night Mom," I said dryly.
"Goodnight Quil." She said sweetly.
I hung up with my mom and looked to the clock on my cell. It hadn't even been twenty minutes. Dammit. I dropped my head to my hands and started counting the seconds again. During the day I tried to give Claire as much space as my will could allow so at night I had to stay near her. I've had to talk myself out of begging Jeff to let me sleep outside her door.
Everyone in the pack is amazed with my ability to restrain myself from doing what I really want to do, hell, so am I. For thirteen years I've been obsessing over finding her, and she's barely two miles away, sleeping peacefully. I've seen what the others would do in my situation. Sam would wipe out half the country just to find Emily if she was ever lost like Claire. There were a few times that thought crossed my mind.
I wanted to lay in my bed, but I knew if I did, I wouldn't get up. I stood and walked out into the living room, making sure to make as much noise as possible. I've walked in on Embry and Lena enough times for the rest of my life. They were still cuddling on the couch when I walked into the living room and dropped into the giant bean-bag chair.
"You didn't sneak out the window, I'm shocked." Lena said with feign surprise.
Embry nudged her subtlety and nodded to the bathroom. She pushed herself up from the couch and stalked toward the bathroom. "I need a bath." She muttered under her breath a she passed me. Lena was blunt and sadistic, but if you ever catch her alone with Embry you'll see a sweet, loving woman that only looks like her.
"Hey, you okay?" Embry asked worryingly. Great, my mother has taken over Embry too. I hope Sam is safe from all this worry over me.
"Why does everyone keep asking that?" I snapped.
"Because you're quiet, we don't know if you're okay." He said desperately.
"You can see in my head, you know I'm fine." I said bluntly. They've seen everything in my head for the past fifteen years.
"You just got Claire back two days ago." He pointed out. I looked at him like he was retarded. Because he was. Did he really think I didn't know that already? "Claire. Your imprint. The little girl that nearly killed you when her mother took her away." He elaborated.
I tensed in anger and glared Embry down. "That was not Claire's fault." I ground out lowly.
"What I'm saying is, your freaking us out!" He exclaimed awkwardly. "None of us know what we would do in your place, but when we were out scouting I…" He trailed off, shaking his head. I wasn't entirely sure what he had seen but by the look in his eye it was something I didn't want voiced. "Dude, how you don't just pin her to the wall and-" He started amazed.
I knew what he was talking about and stopped him before he said it out loud. "Finish that sentence, and I will take off your head." I muttered dangerously. The last thing I needed was for Lena to hear the not so nice thoughts I've had of Claire. She's just so damn beautiful…
"Just promise me, you're not going to snap, snatch her from her bed and take her off into the woods." He pled. Its weird, hearing Embry plead. It's usually Seth doing any kind of begging, and I don't think I'll ever be used to him doing it either.
"Embry, I promise I'm not taking Claire anywhere. I wouldn't do that to Jeff. He lost a daughter because of me, I'm not taking her away again." I said seriously.
He seemed to sober at my answer. "I believe you, just had to make sure and all." He said with a shrug, trying to write the whole thing off. "So, when are we getting a new roommate?" He asked slyly.
I narrowed my eyes on him. "Go join that woman of yours before she starts screaming." I grumbled as I nodded haphazardly toward the bathroom.
He got a stupid grin on his face. "I love it when she screams."
I jumped out of the bean bag. "God, I'm leaving." I groaned, stalking toward the back door.
"You better come back!" He yelled after me, the door was already shut but I still heard him. And I still heard Lena giggle when Embry joined her in the bathroom. I shuddered and tugged off my shorts, tied them to my leg and ran into the woods then phased once I had proper cover.
I heard Jake let out an annoyed growl. She's still fine Quil.
I know, I just can't stay at my place, Embry and Lena are playing bathroom bingo again.
I was still a mile away but I could already see Jake shudder from here. I didn't need that image.
Neither did I.
Seth's little mind poked into the conversation, he must have phased back for something. I thought he was supposed to be at his house.
Seth, go back to scouting or I'll let Quil do what he wants with you.
Fine. I didn't hear Seth and more, but I knew he was still there.
There was silence. I tried to run, but my legs always started carrying me toward Claire's home, so I walked slowly and carefully. Of course, I still couldn't stop thinking about Claire and how everything is going to turn out.
She won't be angry with you.
You don't know that.
She's too angry with her mother, and I think that's all the anger she has in her little body.
I learned a long time ago, not to underestimate the Asher girls.
True, but I don't think Claire would leave just because of you anyway. Nothing short of death itself is going to make her leave, she's at home here.
She had a home with her mother.
Ness told me about how Claire never felt at home on the road with her mom, and when she came back she really felt like she belonged here. I walked up to Jake, who was still laying comfortably where I had left him.
I've had my eyes and ears on Claire since I picked her up in Seattle, she hasn't had that conversation with Nessie. She never said that.
He knew he was caught. Okay, so maybe Edward was in the area, and maybe I asked him to peek into her head.
I damn near pounced on his head. I didn't hate the Cullen's, but I sure didn't want them in Claire's head.
I was looking out for my pack.
That helps you sleep at night?
That and Nessie was gonna do it anyway.
I continued to growl.
Maybe I should have let her do it…
I'm less likely to take a chunk out of her.
Alright, the hour is up, I'll let you continue obsessing over nothing.
Thank you, oh Great Leader. Sarcasm practically dripped from my muzzle.
He growled as he started ambling for his house. Smartass…
I laid down in the spot I had before I was ordered back home. Claire was still sound asleep, she wasn't snoring or talking anymore and if my senses weren't so heightened I would be worried she was dead. I listened to her quiet breaths and her steady heartbeat, knowing they were the only sound that would lull me to sleep. It didn't take long before I was half asleep, peacefully so.
AN: Review!