Yes, its been a while since I updated. Had a dream that I met Gwen, which inspired to keep on writing. Enjoy the chapter!
Gwen dreamt of running, that night.
In the dream, she was running to catch up with…someone. She wasn't sure. All she knew was that she was running through tangled grass, greener than spring. The natural thread wove through her toes, and was cool against her feet. Humid wind blew her dark hair back from her shoulders. The speed was wonderful; absolutely marvelous. The freedom of her kicking legs was something to delight in.
It was a lush field of some sort. Moss-covered trees lined the clearing, of what appeared to be a forest. Vines circled the terrain like they were restricting Gwen from anywhere but her target: The expiry ahead. As swiftly as she felt to be moving, (The screech of wind in her ears indicated so.) the meadow seemed to be growing in size. A frown creased her face as Gwen realized that as small as the meadow seemed, it was actually very large.
Suddenly, Gwen was at her destination. In surprise, she stopped so suddenly her heels skidded on the ground. Before she could regain her balance, Gwen was falling backwards onto her behind.
With a painless huff, Gwen looked around with squinted eyes. There was a dark tinge to the dream, and she knew it was taking a ominous turn. She rubbed her upper-arms uneasily.
Before she could come to grips with her surroundings, the face was flat against her own. Every thought and foul whispered word forced itself into her mind. Gwen could feel his lips moving against her own, and she didn't want to know what he was saying. She wanted to seal her eyes shut, but his were unblinkingly fastened to hers. She could barely see, only feel that wretched man. His cheekbones were painfully high; Gwen knew that. Something horrible was happening to her.
Gwen couldn't even scream with the witch man so close to her. At the same time, pain was erupting in fiery bursts in her spine. It was as if an animal was biting her; tearing her flesh away in chunks…
The room was so dark. Sweat sheeted her body like a sticky satin. The horrors of the dream still stuck to her mind, and this time: Gwen did not forget. This was the first time in ages that she had remembered a nightmare.
Her face was pressed into the blanket she was borrowing, and Gwen realized that her teeth were fastened on the quilt. Wondering how Emily would react in the morning, she released her grip. Her jaw ached accordingly, and Gwen hoped she had not screamed in her sleep. She didn't want wake anyone.
Cool wind blew across her trembling arms, alerting her to the fact that the window was open. Claustrophobia was building in her chest, yet she still had the childish fear that something sinister was sneaking into the room.
"Gwen?" A trembling voice asked, a large hand suddenly on her knee.
A startled scream erupted from her, and someone's hand went to her mouth, then both suddenly drew itself away. As if the person knew he would scare her.
"Seth?" Gwen whispered, gasping for breath. "You scared me!"
"Sorry. I heard your breathing pick up, and you sounded like you were turning around a lot…" Seth paused self consciously. Gwen could barely make his outline out in the dark room. Faded moonlight slipped into the guest room stealthily. "I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier. I, I freaked out. I lost control. Are you okay? I scared you just now, and that nightmare must have been something…"
"Wait, wait." Gwen sat up. "You heard my breathing?" She asked. This was providing an excellent distraction from her dream.
Seth was silent as he waited.
Memories of her conversation with Emily, shot into Gwen's mind. "Oh." Gwen whispered. "How did you get in?"
"Through the window." Seth answered guiltily. "How much did Emily tell you?"
"About…you. What you are. What you saw when you met me."
"'Kay." Seth sat down at end of her bed heavily. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry? For what?" Gwen asked incredulously.
"For not telling you sooner. There are…people," His mouth twisted around the word. "-who would hurt you. We still can't tell you the entire truth."
"All right." Gwen nodded. "At least I'm not totally in the dark, wolf boy." She grinned. Seth exhaled visibly.
"Do you want to go on a walk?"
"Doesn't Jacob or Sam have you on duty?" Gwen edged closer.
"Things are complicated. He doesn't need me right now. Besides, this would be a good time for some answers." She could hear his breath after each word.
"Okay. Fine." Gwen agreed. She was sure Seth was smiling as he picked up her gently.
Silently, he blew through the hallway and out the door. Gwen tensed in fear that Emily would hear, but Seth made no noise.
As the night air hit them, goose flesh pimpled her skin, but Seth chafed her arm with his feverish hand. It was then that she realized he was shirtless. Gwen knew she should be uncomfortable, but she wasn't in the slightest.
They didn't speak at first. Seth just slid her into the navy-blue pickup truck he had driven her in earlier that day, buckled the seatbelt, and they pulled out of the driveway.
"Aren't you fifteen?" Gwen asked once they were moving.
"Yep." Seth answered, not taking his eyes off the dark road.
"So…?" Gwen raised her eyebrows.
"I'm too young to be driving?" Seth asked, with a teasing voice. "I've known how since I was nine." He grinned at her in the dim lighting. Gwen returned the smile, and looked for something interesting on her socked-feet.
After three right turns, two left, and no stoplights, they arrived at a dead-end. Seth turned off the motor, then turned to look at Gwen. She bit her lip. She tried to shift her body to face his, but the brace bit into her back, and she was unable to.
Gwen had been excited for this conversation, yet now she had nothing to say. Should she start about him? Or should she immediately begin grabbing for more answers? After all, Emily said nothing about Gwen's past. Her heart beat fast against her ribs.
"You turn into a wolf." She said at last, watching his body language. He was unreadable.
"Yes." Seth turned to look at her, watching for her reaction now. She gave him none.
"Emily said you aren't like the regular werewolves." Gwen looked back at her hands.
Seth chuckled. "There are regular werewolves?" Gwen smiled but resumed speaking.
"I think its neat. I'm just glad you have control over it." She looked at the full moon in the rearview window.
"Not always." His voice was husky. "Emily got those scars from Sam. They were fighting…" Seth shifted in the dark. Gwen's eyes widened.
"Oh." She said quietly. It was hard to imagine calm, quiet, Sam hurting his imprint in such a way. A shudder ran down Gwen's back.
"I wouldn't do that to you. I mean," Seth said quickly. "I would try not to, but you saw me get mad. What Sam did was an accident! He hates himself for it. I'm not exactly the safest friend you could have,"
Gwen shook her head and smiled. He was nervous tonight. Her heart beat faster than ever in preparation for her next question.
"Emily also mentioned something about…imprinting." Gwen said, swallowing loudly.
"Yes." Began Seth, carefully. "How much did she tell you?"
"That Sam imprinted on her. That you imprinted on me." Gwen could feel her pulse in her fingers.
"Do you know what it means?" Seth asked quietly.
"You can't leave me. What I don't understand is if it's like brother-sister, or close friends…?" She stopped. For the first time, Gwen was mortified by what she had just said.
"I will be whatever you need me to be."
Seth was silent as Gwen took this in. The quiet noise of Washington night-life reached her ears.
"OH!" Gwen jerked forward, which irked her spine. She winced before resuming gasping.
"What is it?" Seth asked anxiously, grabbing his armrest.
"Bella! Oh, I am so self absorbed! Any news with Bella? Is the baby okay? Is she alive? There was so much blood!" Gwen cursed herself for being so introverted.
"She's okay, Gwen. She's alive." Seth answered calmly.
"And?" 'She's alive' didn't sound very promising.
"The baby is good. Uh, Gwen-" Seth took a deep breath. "Jake imprinted on the baby."
"WHAT?" Now Gwen was gripping his armrests. "You have got to be kidding me."
"Right. Maybe I shouldn't have told you so soon." Seth muttered to himself.
"But will Bella be all right?" Gwen persisted.
"Yes. She will be okay." Seth said quietly.
"Can I visit her?"
Seth began panicking at this, for some reason. Before Gwen could register how quickly he was moving, his face was inches from Gwen's, and his hand covered her own. Even though it was pitch-black inside the vehicle, Gwen could feel the heat of his body.
"No." He whispered, his voice more serious and intense then she had ever seen before. It made him seem much older.
Gwen could feel Seth's breath fan her face, and how close he was. The nightmare prodded at her consciousness, yet something pushed it away. A wanting took hold inside of her. Gwen wanted Seth to be closer; This revelation made her breaths come quicker.
"Why?" Gwen whispered. She closed her eyes and tried to keep from hyperventilating. Seth seemed to sense the change in mood, and sat absolutely still.
"Gwen," Seth said carefully, a warning in his voice.
"I'm sorry." She said quietly, looking away. Painful rejection spilling into her heart.
"No, no!" Seth's left hand flew to her face. "It's just…" Suddenly he was a whirl of motion. He unlocked the car door, and sprinted around the truck. Gwen clutched the edge of her seat, as he pulled open her door. He leaned in carefully, undid her buckle, and quickly pressed his lips to hers.
Gwen had never been kissed before. The heat of the skin of his lips was intoxicating. She responded to his touch by returning the pressure. Quickly she closed her eyes, so she was blind to anything but him. Suddenly, Seth was replaced by cold air.
She opened her eyes and gasped for oxygen. Seth touched her face and laughed breathlessly.
"I didn't want to scare you off like I did last time. And, I didn't want you to hurt your back."
The bulb of the emergency-light dimmed slowly. Carefully, she swung her legs around so she was facing him. Her cold fingertips shook slowly. He took them in his warm hands, and she tried to control herself.
Again, he leaned in close. When their lips touched, Gwen inhaled sharply; Seth pressed his lips a little harder. She placed her hands on his chest, but swiftly moved to his cropped hair. He was so warm.
Seth! Seth! Seth! Her body and heart sang. Their lips were moving now, and Seth's lips parted in the slightest. Guenevere pulled away from his heady mouth, once more inhaling oxygen. Her heart felt out of control, and she blinked many times. Delight at his returning gesture made her light-headed.
Softly, Seth pressed his forehead to Gwen's, and they breathed together. Wanting to be closer, she trailed her hands back to his chest, and felt his heartbeat.
"So, it's not a brother-sister thing?" Gwen asked quietly.
"Nope." Seth whispered.
Later, Seth cradled Gwen in the navy-blue truck. The heat from his body warmed her cold skin, and she unconsciously trembled. A hand gently stroked curly dark hair from her forehead. While Guenevere slept, and Seth breathed in the scent of his imprint, the night wore on. Never in their young lives, had the two experienced such sensations.