Complicated 08
By: I Should Be Sleeping (AKA: Moar Sleep)
Hermione sat in her vehicle, the engine off as she stared blankly at the dashboard before her. She always did have difficulties relaxing when she had something to think on. Her brain would run off into tangents, analyzing each possibility and creating solutions to hypothetical situations.
So lost in thought, she jumped in her seat at hearing a light tap upon her window.
"Ma'am?"
Hermione breathed out a long breath before her honeyed eyes swiveled to the left. A concerned middle aged man in an officers uniform was peering at her, a frown marring his lips from under a bushy brown moustache.
Hurriedly rolling down her window, she smiled in what she hoped was a welcoming grin, but it probably came off as more of a grimace. "Hello officer."
If he was surprised by her accent, he gave nothing away. "Are you alright miss?"
He was wrong. She was not a ma'am, she was most definitely a miss. Young thing looked to be a teenager. Her shaky smile and white knuckled grip on the steering wheel did nothing to ease his fatherly instincts. Charlie Swan may be awkward to the workings of a woman's heart, Bella and his ex-wife were proof of that, but he knew distress when he saw it.
"Oh! Yes, yes. I am sorry. I just needed to pull over to have a bit of a think."
"You must be the new resident of La Push. Hermione was it?"
Hermione was taken aback. She had heard that new traveled fast in small towns, but she did not think it would reach Forks so soon!
Charlie, seeing her shock, smiled. "My girlfriend," at this he said the title with a bit of a frown as he found the term to be a bit juvenile for his and Sue's relationship, "is Sue Clearwater."
"Oh! She is a council member!"
Charlie nodded. "She mentioned that you moved in and suggested I introduce myself in case you were in need of any help."
Hermione nodded her head. That was quite considerate of her. "That was very kind of her. I will have to thank her when I see her next."
"You really should not be sitting here Hermione. I know it is a small place, but being pulled off on the shoulder of a long stretch of road with woods on either side is not the best spot to be in."
Thoroughly chastised, a light blush of embarrassment played across her features. "I am sorry officer. I just needed to stop and chase of train of thought"
"I get it. I do, but do this old officer a favor and let me lead you to a well-lit parking lot if you need to continue your think fest? The sun will be setting soon, and I do not like the thought of you out here at night."
Hermione was surprised. Had she been lost in thought that long? She had left the Cullen house after tea, so that was a bit after lunch. Esme had called it an early session saying that she had done well and asked her to return in three day's time. That must have been hours ago!
"Goodness!" She exclaimed when she realized that she would be late for dinner! Joy must be beside herself wondering where she was!
Turning on the engine, she read the clock to see that it was already close to 6 and the sun was now beginning to set! Shaking her head, she turned towards the officer. "Forgive me officer, but I really need to get back. I promised the Ateara's that I would be home at least an hour ago! They must be sick with worry!"
"First off, my name is Charlie Swan and I am the Chief of Forks. Secondly, you can call Joy and let her know where you are. Honestly, I am shocked she has not called you yet."
Hermione's blush darkened. "I don't have a mobile."
Now it was Charlie's turn to be shocked. This kid didn't have a mobile phone? Wasn't it essential for the younger generation these days? "Oh. Well, I can text her and let her know."
"Oh would you Chief Swan?" She asked in relief.
"No sweat kid. Just promise me you will not be pulling over on empty shoulders if you need to stop and collect your thoughts alright?"
Hermione nodded furiously, but inwardly knew she would not be able to voice her actual promise. She really did have a horrible habit of losing herself in her mind no matter the location.
Quil smirked, seeing the frazzled brunette sprint through the entrance and close the door behind her. Her wild curls were frizzing uncontrollably and she looked like an aggravated kitten that was being swallowed by a vengeful fur ball. Whistling lowly, he could not wipe the teasing smile off his lips. "Mom is pissed!"
Scowling, Hermione shot him an angry glare that would have withered most. Quil obviously had zero sense of self-preservation because his smile stretched wider across his face.
Sauntering towards the petite female, he stopped about a foot away from her person and froze. Hackles rose as a low growl emanated from the back of his throat and his upper lip curled into a snarl.
Hermione's back straightened as she took in his now tense form. Gone was the jovial smile and teasing air as Quil's shoulders rolled forwards slightly, the balls of his feet balancing his bulky frame as he lowered his head. His warm brown eyes flashed gold and Hermione felt her magic crackle to the surface at the unknown threat.
"You were with the Cullen's," he bit out through clenched teeth.
The brunette took a deep breath. The magic was pooling within her, rising to the threat of this unknown male that had been so welcoming only seconds ago.
Her mind, quick as a whip, took in his current state and categorized each minute detail. Large frame. Chorded muscles coiled tight. Stance steady, graceful and ready to pounce. Deep guttural tone accompanied by low growls. Golden eyes.
There were not enough variables to make a sound conclusion, but Hermione knew that whatever she was dealing with was supernatural. It would explain why some of the males in the tribe were exceedingly large.
She needed to diffuse the situation and fast. The last thing she needed was for her magic to lash out as it was threatening to do in order to protect her from an unknown threat. Steeling herself, she trampled down the urge to release the pent-up energy crackling beneath her skin and leveled her gaze at the large male before her.
"Quil," she began in a low and steady voice. "I was with the Cullen's today. You are correct, but I cannot in good conscious tell you anymore until you calm down. You are rather frightening at the moment."
Quil seemed to shake himself upon hearing her words. He did ease his stance, but his eyes remained that strange mix of his usual brown filled with shocks of gold. "Take a quick shower. I will tell mom that we have business to attend to and then you and I are going out back and having a chat."
Hermione knew better than to argue with him. She also had a few questions.
Pacing the length of a small clearing located behind his family Inn, he stared at the tiny brunette. Her hair was miraculously dry despite the fresh scent of the herbal soap she favored. Thank the spirits she had listened to him and bathed. He did not want to think what would have happened if he could still smell that cloying bleach scent sticking to her skin.
Though, that was not what he needed to discuss with her. Instead, he focused on the matter at hand. "They're dangerous."
"I could say the same about you."
Quil reeled back at her reply. "We don't eat people!"
"And neither do they."
The large Quileute stared in absolute shock at the woman before him. She knew! She fucking knew and she still went over there? Alone!?
"So, a coven of vampires reside in Forks. My question is, what are you Quil?"
How could she be so calm? How did she know? What did she know? Quil frowned. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you Hermione?"
The brunette shrugged her shoulders. "I'm English."
Had the situation not been so serious, Quil would have laughed at her answer. She really was sassy. Instead, he gave her a very steady look. "Hermione. Please."
"Quil, I am a girl. A girl that needed to escape the horrors of her past. I want to expand, but first I must ask." At this she paused and looked over his hulking form in curiosity. "Has MACUSA contacted you?"
Muh-what now? She said a word, but he did not understand and judging by the widening of her eyes, it was something important.
"Merlin's tits!"
At that, Quil let out a bark of laughter. He had never heard a more creative curse.
"Quil! Are you telling me that the government has not contacted you? At all!? Even the Cullen's have a census and wellness check performed every decade or so!"
Hermione was equally flabbergasted and appalled. Quil was obviously part of the magical community, her community, and nobody had informed the boy of anything?
"Look, I can see it from your face that you are shocked and pissed. I am guessing not at me and thank the spirits for small miracles because you are also kind scary for a little thing."
She knew it was not an appropriate time to laugh, but Quil had a way with diffusing stressful situations with his innate charm. Shaking her head, she smiled softly at him. "Quil, if what you are saying is true then a grave injustice has been done against you."
Quil's brows rose almost to his hairline. Well that sounded like serious shit and although he was curious, he knew that serious shit should be ran by the Alpha's.
"Listen Hermione. If you are going to say a bunch of important stuff, you should know that I am not the only one and I need to call an emergency meeting. Um, and I will need to get you there fast!"
Hermione did not like the sound of getting there fast. Just what was he alluding to and why did he suddenly look nervously excited.
"Don't freak out."
Hermione snorted. In her experience, when someone said that then it was followed by something that was most definitely worthy of 'freaking out' over.
The brunette watched with fascinated awe as his muscled seemed to pup and his clothing shredded into pieces. Bits of fabric fell uselessly to the ground as his frame grew in size and chocolate brown fur sprouted everywhere.
Dear sweet Circe. A shifter! A wolf shifter! No wonder he was agitated by the thought of her being near the Cullens. He probably smelled them on her!
As everything clicked into place, Hermione found herself far more comforted as she stared at the majestic wolf before her. Goodness he was large. An appreciative smile spread across her full lips as she took in his gargantuan visage. "Oh Quil. You are absolutely gorgeous."
Quil was shocked at her reaction. Kim had fainted outright when Jared had shifted, and his mom had screamed herself hoarse! Yet here was tiny Hermione looking at him in absolute awe and wonder. In fact, she looked far more relaxed than he had seen her since her friends had left for the UK.
She called him gorgeous! Well, she obviously had taste! Shuffling forwards, he bowed his large head before lowering his large frame before her.
Hermione, seeing his expectant gaze immediately took a step back. "No! Absolutely not!"
Quil let out a chortling chuff as he gestured to his back with his head once more.
Hermione shook her head. "I am not riding on your back Quil Ohle Ateara V."
Quil was startled she knew his middle name. How did she sound like his mom? Was this a girl thing? Still, he rolled his now golden gaze and gave her the equivalent of a canine frown. It would be faster this way!
A sly smile spread across Hermione's lips and Quil tilted his head to the side at that particular expression. What was she playing at?
He watched in shocked fascination as Hermione too shifted and morphed, her petite frame sinking to the ground before a small honeyed eyed wolf stood before him. Her fur was the same color as her caramel curls and she looked at him with a wolfy grin before she barked sharply.
Quil pulled his head back and let out a joyful howl, Hermione following suit. Looking down, he cocked his head to the side and took off.
She raced after him, keeping pace with his long strides and yipped playfully.
Quil shook his head. Fucking hell, the pack was going to lose their shit!
"Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!"
Jared frowned as Quil's repeated phrase echoed in his mind. Connecting with his mind, Jared sensed Quil's confused excitement practically bursting through their link. "Rein it in Quil! What is going on? You're off today and you said you had a family dinner planned."
"Jared man, holy shit!"
Jared could not really make sense of his jumbled thoughts and feelings and did his best to sift through the mess. "Quil! What is it!?"
"Call the pack! Emergency meeting! I have someone I need everyone to meet!"
Well that was not helpful in the least, but trying to decipher the chaotic mess of excited curiosity that was racing through Quil's head was giving him a headache. "Yea sure man. I will shift and let the others know. Meeting at Sam's in 15."
The connection was cut as Jared easily shifted back to human form and jumped into the pair of shorts attached to his ankle. Riffling around in the zipped pocket, he pulled out a cheap flip phone and sent a mass text to his pack-mates and the imprints.
May as well notify everyone. Whatever it was that Quil wanted everyone to know about, it sounded important.
Sam stood on the stoop of his back porch. His home was moderate, but situated on a large plot of land. The surrounding forest was lush and down the path, it met the sandy shoreline to a private stretch of beach that was part of his property.
His backyard, if one could call it that, was open with no fencing. Seeing as there were no neighbors for a few good miles, it provided the perfect amount of privacy for the pack to conduct business. It also allowed him and the others to shift freely without the worry of being seen.
A soft smile played across his lips as he watched both Brady and Collin break through the tree line. Shirtless despite the cooling night air and playfully punching one another on the shoulders. The cousins were more like brothers given how close the two were and also the youngest in the pack at the age of fourteen. Far too young to shift, but nothing could be done. They had given in to their birthright and all the rest could do was guide them.
"Hey there Alpha Sam!"
"Jared sent out an S.O.S."
Sam nodded his head. "He's in the kitchen helping Kim and Emily."
Collin bobbed his head. "Any word on what this is about?"
"Yea, I had to bail on Fortnite!" Said Brady with a low groan.
Embry came strolling in from around the front smirking. "Like you would have won anyways. You are such a newb!"
Brady growled. "Take that back!"
"What are you going to do about it?"
"Embry. Brady." Sam's alpha timbre cut through their teasing banter and the two ceased their squabble.
Collin just rolled his eyes. He could not care less about games, but Brady lived, ate and breathed Fortnite. Unfortunately, Embry was really good at it too and never let the younger wolf forget it.
"Another Fortnite argument?" Asked Jacob as he walked out onto the porch from the house.
"When isn't it?" Came Sam's tired reply.
A blurred shock of gray burst from the tree line followed closely by another larger, sandy shape before Seth morphed and rolled into a graceful landing on both human feet.
Collin groaned. "Fucking hell Clearwater. Put that away!"
Embry threw an extra pair of shorts at the grinning younger wolf as he spied his sister slinking off to the side of the house to shift in privacy. Obviously modesty skipped the last of the Clearwater line.
Tugging down the hem of her shirt, Leah frowned at her baby brother. What happened to that blushing boy that turned red when she asked him to pick her up a box of tampons at the store?
"Yo fuckers!"
Leah closed her eyes as she fought the urge to let out a loud groan. Oh yes, now she remembered. Her sweet baby brother was corrupted by Paul fuck-anything-with-a-pulse Lahote!
Seth nodded at Paul with a wide grin. "What took you?" He asked with a raised brows.
Paul shrugged, a cocky smirk on his lips.
Jacob rolled his eyes. He really did not need to know, nor did he want to know.
In all actuality, Paul had been home in his garage painting, but he had a certain reputation to uphold. Let these fuckheads think what they want.
Rolling his shoulders back, Paul looked at the group. "So, where's Quil?"
As if summoned, Quil came waltzing out of the tree line with a wide smile. "You guys are not going to believe this shit!"
Jared walked out from the house, leaning his body against the railing of the back porch. "Get to the point Ateara."
"Fuck... ok... well shit! Like, ok. Um, well..."
The entire pack stared at the frazzled shifter. Quil had always been rather excitable compared to the rest, but this was a lot, even for him.
"Spit it out already!"
Trust Leah to voice what everyone else was thinking.
Quil jumped at her annoyed exclamation and looked behind him. "Come on girl. It's ok."
A sharp bark met his words as a petite wolf walked out from the forest. She, as they could easily scent her gender, was glowering at Quil and did not look amused.
"Awww c'mon! Don't look at me like that!"
Paul's sharp intake of breath caught everyone by surprise as he let out a keening cry that nobody had head him make before. It sounded pitiful. His large frame was practically frozen as his gaze was firmly locked on the petite female lupine standing idly beside Quil.
It was Jared that broke the silence. "You have got to be fucking kidding me!"
Taking in Paul's piercing stare, firmly locked on to the tiny female wolf, Leah was quick to catch on. A smile of pure, diabolical glee spread across her lips. "This is too good!"
Seth was the next to follow and his loud barking laugh quickly devolved into gasping wheezes. He doubled over as he struggled to get out the words between gasping breaths. "You imprinted on a fucking wolf!?"
AN:
Well they have finally met! YES!
Did you expect this? Honestly, in my first ever incarnation of this story, Paul imprinted on Hermione in her Animagus form and it took a while for him to realize that she was human. I just enjoy the entire chaos this can produce so I hope that this amuses you as it does me.
Charlie's scene was a complete surprise, but I liked it. I think it is nice to add in character – no matter how minor they will be to the plot – to make the story and background richer and give a bit more detail into the life going on around them.
Also, Bella is still in town. Does Charlie know, yes. He knows because he is dating Sue and although he still is not a fan of the Cullen's, his daughter is happy so that is all he can ask for. Charlie Swan everyone. Honestly, a wonderful dad!
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this! Pack meeting is next with Hermione explaining what exactly is going down and how fucked over they all are! Let me know what you think! Thanks!
Me