Back to the Start
Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Phase
"Imprinting is the involuntary mechanism by which the protectors of our tribe find their soulmates. It is a profound, intimate phenomenon, that exists only among the Quileute shape-shifters." Old Quil explained. He took another puff of his pipe, releasing a cloud of smoke, as he watched Jacob's reaction carefully.
The fumes from the pipe tickled Jacob's nostrils. He fought not to sneeze. He was feeling a little claustrophobic and longed to breathe in some fresh air.
"Well, my boy, what do you think?" Old Quil said testily when Jacob didn't respond to his dramatic declaration.
Jacob rubbed the end of his nose, blinking in confusion at the old man. "It sounds kind of lame." He said, shrugging. "I don't see what that has to do with me."
Old Quil's bushy brows drew down in annoyance. "You think finding your soulmate is lame?" He demanded.
Jacob tried to backtrack. "No. I didn't mean it like that." He said, humoring the old man. "It sounds a nice idea. It's just I don't believe in all that kind of stuff. You choose who you love, the universe doesn't get to choose for you."
Old Quil muttered something unintelligible under his breath as he sucked on the end of his pipe indignantly. "The youth of today." He shook his head in disbelief. "You don't put much stock in the old legends do you, son?"
Jacob scratched his head, trying to find a way of answering the irritable old man without offending him further. "Well…um… of course…there must be some truth to them, otherwise I wouldn't be what I am. But all this lovey-dovey talk about soulmates and stuff. I don't need some higher power to tell me who I'm meant to be with, I rely on my own heart for that."
Old Quil sighed heavily. He knew Jacob was as stubborn as an ox, but to come right out and boldly state that he didn't believe that imprinting existed was mind boggling. All the other legends he had grown up with had been proved to be true, why would he be so skeptical about this one? He had to be in denial. That was the only explanation.
"Before you dismiss the whole concept, let me tell you more about it." Old Quil tried again.
"No offence, Elder, but I just don't have the time." Jacob said, smiling apologetically. "I've really enjoyed our little chat, but I must go. I'm supposed to be taking over patrol duty from Sam and I'm already late. He's taking Leah out on a date. You know what she's like. All hell will break loose if he keeps her waiting again. Its tough that he can't tell her the reason why."
Old Quil was completely flummoxed. He watched in stunned silence as Jacob rose nimbly to his feet, gave him a cheery wave, and then loped out of the house, saying a hasty goodbye as he did so.
"He did what?" Billy exclaimed.
"He just walked out." Old Quil grumbled. "He wouldn't entertain the idea at all. He thought the whole concept was lame."
"Lame?" Billy repeated faintly.
"Is there an echo in here?" Old Quil retorted. His head was surrounded by clouds of smoke as he sucked hard on the end of his pipe. He was nearly out of fresh tobacco, having used up his supply to calm his exasperation at Jacob's reaction.
"You think he's in denial?" Billy leaned forward in his wheelchair intently.
"Yes, I do." The old man answered.
"But why?"
"He firmly believes it is his choice whom to love." Old Quil groaned as the last of the tobacco ran out. He knocked his pipe against the side of his chair, looking into the empty bowl sadly.
"That's a nice idea in theory." Billy sighed. "Jake can be stubborn – "
"Yes, like his old man." Old Quil cut in irritably. "He could have imprinted and not realized it."
Billy frowned. "The way the legends speak of it, that sounds impossible."
"I know, but those legends weren't about Jacob. He's been attached to Charlie's daughter from a young age, hasn't he?"
Billy nodded.
"Perhaps the imprint happened long ago when they were both children." Old Quil speculated. "Who knows?"
"That's impossible. According to the old legends it is not supposed to happen until after a wolf's first phasing." Billy was perplexed.
Old Quil grunted derisively. "This is Jacob we're talking about." He said again. "Stubborn as a mule. He must be different."
"Quil, be serious." Billy complained.
"I am being serious." The elder popped his empty pipe regretfully back in his pocket as he spoke. "Perhaps we rely on the old stories far too much. Circumstances change, people evolve. Maybe imprinting has evolved along with it. We'll never really know. We are on a learning curve here, Billy, just like Jacob is. I think all we can do is watch and wait."
Billy's face hardened. "That still doesn't solve the Cullen problem."
"No, it doesn't." Old Quil agreed gravely. He stared at Billy from under his bushy brows. "I think its time we had a word with the coven leader ourselves, don't you? Maybe drop a few hints that its time for them to move on so to speak."
Billy recalled the last time he had spoken to Carlisle directly. The coven leader had contacted him out of the blue one night, taking him completely by surprise. He had calmly told Billy he was calling him out of courtesy, to inform him that he and his family were thinking of relocating to Forks, and wanted to give him prior warning. He apologized for making Billy feel uncomfortable and promised firmly that they would adhere to the old treaty that had previously been put in place by his ancestors, adding that the coven had also grown, that three new members had become part of the 'family.'
Carlisle was a smooth talker. He had spoken to Billy as if they were old friends having a catch up. Not mortal enemies, divided by boundary lines and an old treaty.
"I don't think any words of ours are going to have much impact on Carlisle Cullen or his son's obsession with Bella." Billy said huskily.
"Perhaps not." Old Quil mused. "But it will be our chance to warn him that Bella is under our protection. And that if his son continues to step out of line, we will act."
"It could start a war." Billy said apprehensively.
"The battle lines were drawn the day they decided to move back here." Old Quil pointed out grimly. "They are the ones who chose to cross them. I don't think they would want to risk exposure any more than we do."
Billy's face turned ashen. "I'm too old for this, Quil." He admitted.
Old Quil glared at him ferociously. "Until Jacob is of an age to formally accept his position, you are still chief of this tribe, Billy Black. Act like it." He thudded his fist down hard on the arm of his chair.
Despite his misgivings, the old man's determination made Billy smile. "Well, then, I better make the call."
"You do that." Old Quil grinned suddenly, his dark eyes sparkling mischievously. "The time for us to transform into wolves may be long past, Billy Black, but we've still got life in us yet." He chuckled.
Charlie offered Tiffany and Embry a ride home in the cruiser. The boy did not look well at all. Mother and son sat in the back while Charlie drove. He kept glancing in the internal rear-view mirror at them. Tiffany was on edge, constantly touching Embry's forehead.
"Oh, Embry -you're burning up!" She said anxiously.
"I feel fine." Embry grumbled, pushing her hand away. "Fit as a fiddle."
Tiffany frowned, not convinced, she touched his forehead again. His skin blazed under her fingers.
"Your hands are like ice." Embry complained.
"It's because you're so hot." Tiffany peered at his face anxiously. "How long have you been feeling like this?"
"I told you I'm fine." Embry replied obstinately. He turned away from his mother to glare out of the window.
"I heard there's some kind of stomach bug going around." Charlie said from the front, trying to be helpful.
"He's running a fever." Tiffany would not be consoled. "Maybe I should take you to the doctor, Em. Just to be on the safe side."
Embry rolled his eyes impatiently. "It will be a waste of time, Mom. You heard what Chief Swan said, its probably a bug. I'll get over it in a day or two."
"But, Embry – "Tiffany was cut off as she saw her son suddenly double over and clutch at his stomach.
"Is everything alright back there?" Charlie asked, slowing down.
"I think Em is going to be sick." Tiffany put her arm around her son's shoulders, as he fell against her, groaning in pain.
"I'll pull over." Charlie said as he hastily swung the wheel, swerving onto the side of the road. He parked up and left the engine idling, climbing out quickly to help Tiffany get her son out of the cruiser before he puked all over the back seat.
Charlie wasn't fast enough. By the time he reached Embry, the boy was already out, sinking down onto his hands and knees on the hard ground, breathing heavily. He shivered as he fought the fever inside him. Tiffany was kneeling beside him, wringing her hands together.
"Mom." Embry whispered hoarsely. "I don't feel so good."
"I don't know what to do." Tiffany was now in a blind panic.
Charlie knew he was going to have to take control. He hunkered down in front of the terrified boy and put a steadying hand on his shoulder. "You're going to be alright, son." He said in his most reassuring tone. "We just need to get you back into the car and I'll drive you straight to the hospital. I'm sure it's nothing, but it's best to get you checked out."
"No." Embry groaned, shaking his head from side to side. A burning instinct inside him was telling him to run, that he needed to get away from these people. He pulled himself upright with difficulty, shoving Charlie away from him roughly when he offered a helping hand. "Get away from me!" He yelled.
"Embry!" Tiffany sobbed. "Chief Swan is only trying to help."
"He can't help me!" Embry moaned. "No one can!" There was a yellowish tinge to his eyes. His skin was shiny, tiny droplets of perspiration glistened on his forehead. "Get away from me!"
"Son, you need to calm down." Charlie warned him. "You're upsetting your mother. And I know you don't want to do that."
Stricken, Embry glanced at his mother. Tiffany was still kneeling on the ground, her face contorted with worry and fear for him. "I'm sorry." He gasped. "I'm so sorry, Mom."
Tiffany reached out to him, but Embry backed away from her clutching hands. Fine tremors ran through his body as he felt a burning heat ripple up his spine. In a blind panic he swung around, making a break for it, running unsteadily toward the nearby trees, desperate to get away.
From far away a wolf howled.
A/N-thanks for reading!