A/N: As always, I don't own it...
Thank you to my lovely beta, GoOasis726!
I thought I would go ahead and update early... Let me know what you think!
Bella watched for Sam to return. When she saw him emerge from the forest, she ran to meet him and relished in his embrace when he scooped her into his arms. Their mouths met as they reassured themselves of the others' well-being.
Bella cupped his face in her slight hands and kissed his cheeks, whispering, "You're here. You're safe," between kisses.
His hands smoothed up her back as he pulled her closer still. She shivered at the warmth that sank into her bones at his nearness, turning her knees to jello. She let him lift her into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, ghosting light kisses across his shoulders, neck, and jaw.
She didn't even blush when Billy cleared his throat from the doorway and asked, "Sam, what did you find out?"
Sam summarized his meeting, making sure he emphasized the bloodsuckers had special abilities.
"Did they say if they all have these abilities? Or just a few?"
"I don't think they'd have answered that question, but I didn't get a chance to ask."
As Sam answered Billy's questions, his obsidian gaze devoured Bella. Liquid fire burned through her in response. She wanted him. She loved the way his muscles bulged with the slightest movement and wanted to feel them against her skin. Bella could feel his warmth from where she was sitting. His obsidian eyes flashed with need and desire when turned on her, heightening her own. His crooked smile melted her insides, practically turning her into a puddle at his feet. She was a goner.
Once his questions were all answered, Billy told them they needed to visit Old Quil before returning to Sam's.
On the way to the elderly councilman's house, Bella let her thoughts run away. Billy said that Orenda mentally connected with her wolf. Did that mean she could see through his eyes like Bella could Sam's? Did she have dreams like Bella did? Were Bella's dreams truly potentially prophetic? Was she suddenly clairvoyant? There was so much that just didn't make sense.
She was grateful Sam left her alone with her thoughts. There was so much she was trying to work through. The imprint itself was overwhelming at times. She loved him already, and that terrified her a little. Part of her was so proud of him being the Alpha and a protector of his tribe. The other part was terrified that he would be hurt or killed.
Not being able to tell her dad anything and feeling guilty about it wore on her, too. She was so looking forward to her dinner with him that evening, but she was also afraid she would say something that would give away every secret.
Shaking the melancholy feelings and thoughts away, she grabbed Sam's hand and laced his fingers with hers. Bella tucked herself under his arm and snuggled into his side as they walked to Old Quil's.
"Hey, Sam?"
"Whatcha thinking about, sweetheart?"
She took a deep breath and said, "It happened again… the connection to your wolf. I could see until you phased back to a man again." Sighing, she whispered, "I think I am going crazy."
"Maybe we all are, babe. But we have each other. As far as I'm concerned, that's all I need." He said with a wink. "I think I like knowing that you have that connection to me. It makes me feel better."
"I'm glad. I don't know how to use it, but I'll try to help if I can."
Sam stopped walking and pulled her into his embrace. She laid her head against him, loving the feel of his rumbling chest as he talked. "You help me more than you even realize."
Touching her face, he urged her to look at him, "I need you. I don't need things or for you to do anything more than you already are. Part of me loves you so completely already that it's somewhat overwhelming. Part of me wants to love you so bad I can taste it. But, Bella, baby, You are already doing everything I need. It's almost like it's an intrinsic part of you." Kissing her forehead, he rested his cheek on her head.
Uncertain of how to reply, Bella tugged his hand as she pulled from his embrace and resumed their walk. "We should hurry. Billy said Old Quil would have the information we need."
Mischievously, Sam teased, "Oh, you want to hurry?"
At her nod, he threw her over his shoulder and ran down the road. Bouncing on her perch, Bella shrieked between peals of laughter.
When Sam put her back on her feet, Bella realized they were standing at the bottom step of a tiny but well-cared-for cottage. The screen door slapped shut, nearly startling her as she looked up into Old Quil's eyes and smiled shyly, thankful that he was smiling at her, too. "Hello, sir."
His eyes shone brightly, his smile stretching his face and crinkling the corners of his eyes even more. "Oh, nonsense, child. We're cousins and acquainted. Just call me Sr. or Quil. I'm not partial to the 'Old' some put in front of Quil, but that's neither here nor there. Are you ready with your questions, young ones?"
"Thank you, Quil. I appreciate everything you're doing to help us. There is so much still unknown. I'm not sure where to start." Bella twisted her hands together as she waited for his response.
"Well, dear," Quil said with a smirk on his lined face, "the beginning is usually best."
His unexpected sarcasm startled laughter from Bella and Sam. "Thank you, sir," she sassily inflected in return. "I suppose we need to know more about the Ateara women and Orenda. I don't know if the story implies that Orenda had visions of things that could come to pass. She, too, was deeply connected to a wolf, was she not? Was she an imprint? Wh-"
Quil cackled, holding his hand up for her to pause her interrogation. "I will not remember all of those questions. Let me answer what I remember." Wiping a hand across his brow, he continued, "Traditionally, the Ateara family are shamans for the tribe. Healers. Normally, it would fall to the first-born female child of the previous healer. Two generations ago, the council refused to consider your ancestral line for the apprenticeship. I am the only Ateara elder left and have been so for many years."
Reaching for a cup nearby, he took a small sip before speaking again, "My aunt was a healer and gifted me with an apprenticeship because our lineage and familial knowledge must carry on. I sometimes have visions that can help the tribe, simply knowing something will pass without explanation. I try not to interfere with the outcomes."
He moved to sit in the rocking chair nearby and waved a hand to Bella and Sam to find a seat.
Bella asked, "So, you also have visions?"
"Sometimes. I believe you will receive a better sense of what is to come than I ever did. As an Ateara woman, it is your birthright." The elder rubbed his fingers over the knuckles of his other hand. When he noticed Bella watching his motions, he said, "Arthritis plagues this old body, child. It is nature's way."
His nonchalance about his ailment brought compassion flooding into Bella's heart. Taking his withered hands in hers, she felt warmth fill her being and flow from her hands. As it finally left her body, she pulled her hands back and slumped into Sam's side, drained of energy.
When no one said anything, she finally lifted her head, looking at Sam's bewildered face. His eyes widened as he stared at Quil and then looked down at her. "Bella, how…" his voice trailed off as though he didn't know how to finish the question.
When she returned her attention to Old Quil, his face held a look of awe. His eyes were on his hands as he opened and shut them quickly. When he stood and walked across the room, he had a pep in his step again. He marched toward them and perched on the edge of his seat. "How did you do that?"
Sounding as tired as she suddenly felt, Bella asked, "Do what?"
Quil Sr. asked, "You don't even know what you did. Do you, child?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
Sam's hand on her back rubbed soothing circles as she relaxed deeper into his side, fighting the need for sleep that clung to the edges of her mind.
Sam's deep voice reverberated through her body as, incredulously, he said, "Bella, I think you just healed Old Quil's arthritis."
Sitting up quickly, Bella looked flabbergasted, her hands flapping at her sides. "I did what?"
"Your young alpha is right, dear. Warmth flooded my body from your hands. I feel like a young man again. I think I could run for miles." His eyes sparkled as he moved his once pain-filled joints with ease, bending his knees and elbows, shrugging his shoulders as if he feared it would be a short-lived reprieve.
"This is much more than I originally thought," he said as he settled back into his chair. "You are connected deeply to the pack, the tribe, and the reservation. You mentioned Orenda. Have you read the journal with her story yet?"
"You just gave it to us. We haven't yet. We started with the book about imprinting first. It was… enlightening…" Sam's voice trailed away as his ears turned red.
Quil laughed at the discomfort present in the young couple before him. "Ah, yes. The need to complete the bond draws you even though it has only been a few days. There is no need to be embarrassed. Nor is there a reason to fight it. The Spirits know what they are doing."
The couple tensed with embarrassment as Sam's arm dropped from her shoulders and her spine straightened in discomfort. Thankfully, Quil changed the subject.
"Orenda was deeply tied to the tribe, the wolfpack of her time, and the reservation. She drew power from each. Once her wolf marked her, she could see through his eyes as both wolf and man. She had visions of the future and was able to help the tribe avoid disaster."
"S-so, does that mean Sam needs to, umm, well… Does he need to m-m-mark me?"
"I believe that if the young alpha marks you, the bond you both share will deepen extraordinarily. You would also be able to draw from the endless well of power the coming pack will have. The mark should help strengthen you. Perhaps you will not feel so exhausted after using your abilities."
Bella's mind spun with all the new information that Quil had given them. Not to mention having healed him. It couldn't possibly be real. She pinched her arm slightly to see if she was dreaming, only to wince at the pain that action provided.
"I assure you, this is no dream, child. You will have an important role to play as the mate to the alpha and the healer of the pack and tribe. History has returned in the flesh. The Spirits have blessed our tribe immensely with you."
"I think you must have mistaken me for someone else. I-I… I'm just a girl. I'm just a nobody. I'm not important. I can't be all these things that you said. I'm just Bella—a girl who moved back from Phoenix. I-I c-can't be a healer. I c-can't be that important."
"Stop that self-deprecating nonsense," Old Quil said, his tone letting her know he meant business. "That's ridiculous. You are a descendant of the Ateara line. You are the mate of the alpha wolf. You are important, even without the visions and healing ability."
He softened his rebuke by reaching over and patting her knee, saying, "And you are a sweet, caring, kind, and compassionate young woman. The Spirits did well in choosing you."
Humbled, Bella felt herself blush scarlet, "I just can't… I don't see myself as all of that." She shrugged her shoulder up to her ear and tried to smile. "I'm just Bella Swan."
Raising his eyebrow, Old Quil asked, "Do I need to repeat myself?"
"No, sir," Bella said with a small smile.
"Don't worry, Sir. I will help her understand and know her worth," Sam said.
With a cackle, Quil replied, "Of that, I have no doubt!" Controlling his laughter he continued, "I have told you what I feel I should. You will discover the rest with time. Don't waste too much time in sealing the bond. It is important to your safety, Bella. I know you have had dreams of things that will come to pass. You will need the full depth of your abilities before long."
Blushing again, Bella stood and held the elder's hand, "Thank you for the insight. I will consider all you have said."
Letting her hand go, Old Quil stood, slapping Sam on the back, "Don't let her think too long. Time is of the essence, my boy."
The couple sat silently in Bella's living room, the journals forgotten on the coffee table with her laptop. Bella became lost in thought as Sam's attention became lost in Bella. He watched her eyes stare into the distance. Sam wondered if he should rouse her from the turmoil he could see in her eyes. Conflicted, he waited a few more minutes before touching her arm. "Bella?"
She was startled and met his eyes, "I'm sorry, Sam. I really am. I can't seem to wrap my head around all that Sr. said. I'm of the Ateara lineage through Charlie. And I have visions. I can see through your eyes. Everything in my future connects to the tribe. It's overwhelming. I didn't even have a plan for after graduation, let alone know how to process this. And then he says that the bond needs to be… yeah." Tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, she finished, "If I can't even say it, I'm definitely not ready to do it."
"Sweetheart, I know what he said, but that doesn't mean we have to act on it. I won't deny wanting you with every fiber of my being. But I would never rush or push you into doing something you don't want." Sam reached to stroke her cheek before pulling her closer to him. "I'm content with making out if that's what you are comfortable with. And when you're ready for more, then let me know."
"But if what he said is true, and time is of the essence…"
A finger to her lips stopped her from continuing as Sam said, "I would never attempt to take our relationship to that level because an old man said we should. How you benefit the tribe shouldn't put weight on our relationship. You are so much more than that, Bella. I know it sounds insane. We met just the other day. But, these feelings just grow in intensity."
"I know. And Sam?" She continued at his raised eyebrow, "Thank you. Everything you've said, everything you've done… It's just so much. I can't help but feel like I don't deserve this. Like I don't deserve you. I'm just a clumsy girl. I meant what I told Sr. I'm just me. How can this suddenly be my life?"
"Bella, baby… You have to stop talking about yourself like that. You know what I see when I look at you? And I'm not just some biased guy that the Spirits put in your path. I see a beautiful girl that cares about so many people. I see a girl who loves with her whole heart and takes care of everyone else. You can say I'm crazy, but I've seen you make meals for the Blacks. I've heard Charlie talk about how blessed he is to have you back home. He wishes you would let him take care of you, that you are always so busy cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry for you and him. You feed me, too. And I saw you take the boxes of clothes to the free store for others to use. You are thoughtful. Compassionate. Gorgeous. And I'm so lucky that you are mine. I mean-"
She cut him off when she slid onto his lap and pulled his face to hers, kissing him with everything she had. She gripped his shoulders tightly, pulling him closer to her. Her mouth opened to him as he swept his tongue inside. She could feel his hands massaging her hips, pulling her core harder into him.
Pulling back, she leaned her forehead on his. Her eyes closed as she breathed him in. "Thank you, Sam. I know you mean what you say. I just feel so overwhelmed with all of this. Not us, but everything else. And this vampire. What am I supposed to do with that? Why does he keep coming into my room? What if he wants to hurt me or Charlie? What if he hurts you? I still don't think I'm worth all that trouble."
It was his turn to silence her with a kiss. This kiss wasn't passionate or steamy. It was soothing and comforting. When he pulled back, he urged her to look at him. "When the world is falling apart, and you feel threatened, you can find solace here. In my arms. In my heart. I'm always here for you. Forever. And just like I can be your solace, you are always mine. You are where I find my comfort."
She let him pull her into a hug and snuggled as close as she could get to him. She tried to make him feel all the gratitude within her heart, all the intense care and desperate need, every particle of love that had built so quickly within her very soul.
With a gasp, he pulled back and met her eyes. "Bella?"
Bella could feel him reciprocating her emotions as she nodded, spilling intense desire heavy with want and a frantic need to protect her. Beneath everything, a deep and passionate layer of love saturated every other emotion she felt from him.
Meeting his eyes, she made a decision. One that she would never return from, but she didn't want to, anyway. Standing, she pulled him to his feet and led him upstairs to her bedroom. Her nervous tension had her tripping over the slightly raised lip in the doorway, but Sam swept her into his arms and carried her the last few steps. Standing her back on her feet, he raised his eyebrows.
Before he could speak, she peeled her shirt from her body and dropped it to the floor. His reaction was everything she longed for. A stunned hiss slipped from his lips as his eyes devoured her form in appreciation. She slid her jeans down her legs and stepped from them.
When her hands moved behind her back to unhook her bra, Sam shook himself from his stupor and stepped closer, replacing her hands with his. "Bella, sweetheart, you just said you aren't ready for this? I don't know how much control I actually have if you want to stop in the middle."
"Sam… I know what I said. Most of that was fear. But after sharing our feelings like that without a single spoken word? We've already bonded so deeply. I could feel your love for me." Bella bit her bottom lip, worrying about how she might sound if she confessed everything she wanted to say. She'd felt his love and knew she was already in love with him. Love at first sight was something she always considered a fairy tale, but that's precisely what happened. Imprint or not, she knew in the depths of her heart that she was born to love Sam.
"But, Bella. Just because I love you doesn't mean that we have to…" he trailed off when she grabbed the waistband of his shorts and slipped her hand inside. Delving deeper, she let her fingers graze the tip of his straining erection. His answering moan was all the encouragement she needed. As his head fell to her shoulder and he hunched over her, she slid his shorts down his legs. She tried to ignore his size, fearing she would freeze if she looked down. Instead, she pulled his head to hers, kissing him and sending him her confidence and resolve.
He pulled her closer still, divesting her of her remaining articles of clothing. His hands roved over her body, caressing everywhere he could reach. She arched into him when his hands reached her breasts, then gasped as his hot mouth enveloped her nipple. She threaded her hands into his hair and urged him closer.
With an arm under her ass, Sam lifted her with ease. She wrapped her legs around his waist, allowing him to take the last two steps to her bed. He laid her down and stretched beside her, kissing his way down her body.
Bella tried to clench her legs closed when he placed tiny kisses down her thigh, but a finger trailing up her wet center had her legs falling open so he could nestle between them. His left hand slid back up her side until he reached her nipple, pinching and rolling it gently between his fingers.
Writhing beneath his ministrations, Bella could feel herself already coming apart. When he lowered his face to her core and licked up her slit, she gripped his head with her thighs, holding him to her. His answering chuckle sent shockwaves through her as it vibrated through her body. He massaged her ass cheek with his right hand until he reached her opening. Bella felt Sam slide his finger inside of her before making a come hither motion. A fire began building in her stomach, slowly consuming her as she struggled not to fall off the edge.
"Let go, baby. It's okay. Come for me." Sam's hot breath washing over her was her undoing. For the first time ever, she came hard.
Feeling Sam sliding up her body, she gazed at him with hooded eyes. She traced idle patterns over his stomach and pecs, tweaking a nipple with a sultry smile. His own eyes held an intensity she had never seen in any other before.
He whispered, "Are you sure?"
When she nodded, Sam took everything she offered him. She knew neither would ever be the same. She could feel the magic between them building as he slid in and out, deeper and deeper with each thrust. Sam's back arched over her, and he kissed her with a fierce and wild passion. Reaching between them, he rubbed her bundle of nerves. Soon, they both came together. Bella could feel his heart hammering in his chest from where he'd fallen beside her, both completely sated.
When he looked up at her, his eyes held fear. "Bella, fuck. I'm so sorry. I didn't use protection. I didn't even think about it. I-I-I'm…Fuck."
Smoothing the furrow between his brows with her thumb, Bella reassured him, "I'm on birth control. It's okay."
Laying back on her pillows, he sighed in relief. "Not that I don't want children with you someday, but just… not yet. There's so much-"
Bella's giggle made him stop talking. "Sam, I'm not offended. I want to finish high school and figure out life a little bit better before we have babies."
"That's good," Sam said, sliding from the bed. Sam quietly stepped from the room but quickly returned with a washcloth. Resting one hand on her thigh, he asked, "Let me take care of you? Please?"
Nodding despite her blush, she let him clean her up. When finished, she stood to redress. Stepping into her closet, she pulled on clean undergarments followed by a white sundress with big yellow sunflowers.
Sam's appreciative gaze set her heart aflutter. When he made no motion to move or slip his shorts back on, she said, "My Dad will be home soon. We're going to dinner at the diner. You can come, too, I'm sure. We should probably tell him we're together before he gets suspicious."
Teasing him with a wink, she returned to the closet to find her sandals.
When she emerged, Sam stood in the middle of her bedroom in his shorts. "I don't have shoes or a shirt with me."
"No worries. Let's grab a cheap set of flip-flops from the dollar store. Dad likes bigger T-shirts to sleep in. Let me grab you one."
Grabbing his hand, Bella tilted her head to the side. "I know we need to talk. There was so much in that moment. I felt magic weaving between us. Tying us together. But I also felt something inside of me change."
Sam nodded his agreement. "I know. It will wait until we have a moment after dinner with your dad."
When he had a t-shirt on, tight-fitting at that, they hopped in her truck to go to the local Dollar General.