Chapter 3:
"God, this mattress is awful. Completely uncomfortable." I moan, sitting up on the bed. Sam rolls his eyes at me before sitting down on the couch.
"What did you want to talk about?" Sam asks. I shift at the feelings of anxiety and longing. The feelings that haven't stopped since I walked away from Paul on the reservation. I'm too far away, I'm missing him.
"Paul is in danger." I state. His eyes go wide and he sits up straight. There you go, got your attention now.
"How?"
"The curse placed over me, was done by another Original. She was extremely angry at me and wanted me to suffer, she never told Ephraim. If and when the imprint is recognised by him, the curse will extend to Paul. He will feel all the pain I do, I told him before that I can feel what he feels, but its only basic emotions. As you know with your imprint Emily, you can feel everything she can, as she can with you, but imagine Emily getting torn and ripped into, having her skin carved open, over and over again." He flinched closing his eyes, shaking his head. "It is the last thing I want him to go through." If I have my way he never will.
"I understand."
"No." I shake my head. "You don't. You are the Alpha of the Quileute pack, but you aren't meant to be. Traditionally, Uleys were betas to the Blacks. While your ancestors may be proud, I am more worried about the pack and the reservation."
"What do you mean?" He questions. I stand up and walk over to the window, looking out into the rain. The anxiety and longing fade away. Well, you couldn't stay away long. A small smile appears on my lips.
"The Blacks have been more than just Alphas, they have became tribal leaders, helping the people of the reservation, essentially running it. The Quileute shapeshifters, you guys, have protected the pack and reservation for generations. With the Blacks in charge and Uleys as their seconds. That's the way it's meant to be. However," I turn to face him, crossing my arms, his eyes follow me. "Jacob is not the Alpha, and you have not stood up to be the tribal leader."
"I can't." Sam says standing, "It's not my place, it's Jacobs birthright." I nod in agreement.
"Yeah, your right, but the pack, tribe and res need a leader or they will all fall and future generations could cease to exist." I stare into Sam's eyes. Please, please listen to me. "I told you I am not here to cause trouble, I'm here to set things right. If I don't Paul and I might never be together." I say quietly, turning back to the rain, I stare out into the forest. And I need you. "It's his heritage that did this to me. His ancestor. Jacob can undo my curse, but not yet, not while you are Alpha. I can not help Jacob stand up and do his duty, help this pack or help Paul find peace until this curse is finished." I say quietly. "You need to give it up, release the power." I plead.
"He doesn't want it, he refused when he first changed." Sam explains.
"I don't care." I declare, walking past him to the small kitchen. "It isn't just his reluctance to be Alpha, it's yours as well. I understand that you were the first to change." He stiffened. "And that it was difficult being alone, helping the others became your soul purpose, but it was never your destiny to lead them, it was Jacobs. You are struggling to let go of control of the pack, but Sam, you won't lose them. They are your family. It is time for Jacob to stand up and accept his role. Besides, we both know the toll being Alpha is taking on you and your imprint, the long hours, the stress, the tiredness, the pressure. It isn't good on a young relationship, that is why the Alpha of the pack has never imprinted and never will." He looks at me in shock. I start to make coffee. Distraction, that's what I need.
"That isn't possible, to carry on the bloodline.."
"To carry on the bloodline, you need to have a child. Jacob will one day, with a women he loves. That person just won't be an imprint. An Alpha can not have that strong of connection to anyone but the pack and tribe. It may sound unfair but it is their job to protect. Not everyone has a perfect match, most humans never find their other half." I emphasised, taking a sip of my coffee.
"If I give up being Alpha and Jacob accepts his heritage, will the curse end?" He questions, accepting the coffee I hand him with a thanks. I shake my head, sitting on the chair facing the sliding door. I know you're out there.
"No, it isn't that easy, there is a ritual that needs to followed, sacred land and ingredients are needed as well as a spell. Which we would be able to start the minute he accepts who he is. Until then Paul and I can not be alone with each other, I mean it would be easier not to be near each other but seemingly that is impossible." I gesture towards the woods.
"He's out there?"
"Yeah, I can feel him." I respond. "He arrived shortly after we did." Sam stands.
"I will send him away." He takes a step towards the sliding door. No! I need him.
"Thought you were going to relinquish the power?" I ask, looking up at him.
"I will but.." I'm already shaking my head. Do you ever listen?
"But what, you walk out there and order him to leave. That's just another order. Another order to reinforce your claim as Alpha. And a reason for him to resent you." Sam stares at me with concern.
"What do you suggest I do? Leave him out there?" Sam gestures to the door. Yes, his wolf wants to be near me.
"He won't come in, I told him I will come back and give him his answers. He won't violate my wishes."
"His answers? Is that just everything you told me?" I laugh.
"No, it's not even a quarter of it." I assured him.
"What else is there?" He asks.
"Most of it is not your concern, it is my history and meant for his ears only. Some will be told to the tribe elders and the pack when Jacob stakes his claim, but what Paul wants to know is why I am fighting the imprint." I explain, watching the woods thoughtfully.
"Due to the curse right?" He looks at me, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Partly," I relent. "Mostly it is due to what I am. I won't die, I have told you that before." He nods. "My magic and Pauls wolf won't want to be apart ever, in fact were Paul to die, it is possible for me to go crazy trying to find a way to stop my heart from beating. I wouldn't be able to live without him and that would make me dangerous." I stand again walking to the window. "Right now, the imprint hasn't been realised by him, my magic while anxious without him could live knowing he is happy. Paul needs to know what accepting this imprint could mean for him." I turn back to Sam. "He will not be able to stop shifting Sam, it is my magic that is making it possible, he won't be able to stop with me."
"Meaning he won't age." Sam realises. Exactly, he has already had shifting forced on him, I wont force anything else.
"Yeah, he won't age and with the protection I will put over him, he won't die either. He and I will be together for eternity. Eventually, becoming the Alpha of his own pack. Our children and our grandchildren."
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