"You don't understand. I've imprinted on you."
I stared at Jacob, carefully keeping my expression blank. "Well, that's too bad," I said evenly, though my voice threatened to shake, "because I'm not your damn mama duck." I turned to walk away, but Jacob grabbed my arm.
"Please, Serleina. I'll do anything for you. Anything you want."
"Boy, you best check yourself before you wreck yourself!" I snapped, pulling my arm away roughly. Jacob continued to plead noisily at me while I considered the possibilities. Sure, I could use him for whatever I wanted without giving him anything in return, except for the pleasure of my company, and maybe I would have considered it if I was single. But I had Tokiomi to think about, and between this fool boy and Twinkletoes, Drinker of Animal Blood, I had just about lost my patience with creepy boys chasing after me.
"Nope," I said simply, cutting Jacob's whiny monologue short. "I've got a mate already, and while it would amuse me to use you for my own benefit, he and his niece would take exception to it. Bye."
Jacob stood there for a moment, processing my rejection, I guess. I figured I'd get a head start on him - yeah, I knew he wasn't gonna give up that easily - and took off at a casual stroll. Then there was a growl behind me - oh hell. I took off RUNNING, transforming easily, because if he could play wolfy, this may be my only shot.
Now, I'd been running all my life. I'd been a werewolf (or loup-garou, whatever you want to call us) all my life. I thought maybe that would give me an advantage; this boy had been a wolf for maybe a minute, okay, probably a few weeks, but one would think this imprinting business would have come up sooner. Wasn't it meant to be instant, the moment they saw their target? So I figured he was making that stuff up as an excuse to go after me. Still, I'd seen what another wolf who'd "imprinted" did to the person he "loved" and I wanted no part of that. Of course I expected him to try to attack me, but I thought I'd outrun him.
I don't know how the HELL wolf-shifters here work, but somehow this son of a bitch was faster than me. I'd rather not talk about what happened next, if it's all the same. I'll just say, I missed a lot of school. That wasn't my choice, either; I couldn't shift back into my human aspect. Papa was furious - he understood the second I got home - but there was nothing he could do. Jacob and his ilk, they had strength in numbers. And also in strength. They were bigger than us. We didn't have a large pack. We were it. Even if we rallied the remnants of our old pack from where they were scattered in California and Arizona, the body count would be unacceptable on our side.
There was one thing I could use to my advantage, and that was the Cullen treaty. I wouldn't ask them to fight for us, but I could hide out on their land. I made some gestures to Papa so he'd know where I was going and took off.
EDWARD, I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME! I broadcasted as soon as I got within thought-shouting distance. In a few seconds, he was right in front of me.
Oh, good, that worked. I wasn't going to bother wondering why he could hear wolf-me but not human-me. There was a conflict with the other wolves. I'm staying here now until I can go back to human shape.
Edward crossed his arms. "It's a bit rude of you to barge in like this," he scolded.
I was about to retort that what had happened to me was also pretty rude, when the women of the house sauntered up behind Edward, varying degrees of concern on their faces.
"Let her in," Esme said.
See? I narrowed my eyes at Edward. Alice saw me coming.
Through Alice and Edward, the family got to know my situation as we headed inside: I'd turned down one of the Forks werewolves, he'd attacked me, I couldn't shift back, and I was basically pleading sanctuary.
Rose can play with my truck if she wants to get it, I joked through Edward. The concern hadn't left her face and I was starting to feel bad about it. And that was the start of us all making plans. Alice decided Esme would study knitting and crocheting patterns and make "something beautiful". Rosalie had free rein with my truck. Alice would call my friends from back home and ask them to come see me. Carlisle wanted to give me a checkup, but I strongly preferred someone with a bit of veterinary experience.
- seen by a vet
- friends arrive
- antics!
- Averna wants to set Jacob on fire
- Serleina has to ask Edward to communicate to Seira what is and is not food
- much party, very Alice
- Tokiomi confronts Jacob (research!)
- Baby wolf is born (research!)
- Named Fantine
- Taken everywhere with Serleina (back in human form); she claims Fantine is in training as a service pup
- Realistic concerns about what would happen if Fantine transformed in public
- Serleina and Tokiomi demand that Jacob stay the hell away from Fantine, but Tokiomi is okay with using Jacob for perks every so often.
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