Belonging
by Momma2fan
Chapter 12
She rang up the last item and took the money she was being handed with a smile, waving after handing the customer their change and watching as they left. Turning back to the box of dry goods she was shelving, she never noticed the older gentleman coming into the store. When he cleared his throat, she jumped and dropped the boxes she was carrying.
“I’m sorry, dear girl.”
Bella blushed, “It’s okay. I’m not usually so jumpy.”
Once the pair of them had picked up the boxes and placed them where they were supposed to be, the old man introduced himself.
“I am Quil Ateara III, otherwise known as Old Quil. You are Bella Uley, correct?”
Nodding, “Yes. I’ve actually been meaning to come speak to you.”
“I know, young one. You wonder whether you will phase like the others.” Bella nodded, but didn’t say anything else. “You also have questions about the imprint.” After receiving another nod, the old man smiled. “After your shift, come see me and we will talk.”
Once she agreed, Old Quil left the store, went back to his home and set about making some tea and little snacks for the newest imprint. He had been waiting for her visit ever since she found out about the wolves, and again after the imprint, but figured she was much like her mother and didn't wish to intrude. Alison was much the same when she was younger.
Bella finished what she was doing and looked around for anything she missed. When she saw everything was done, she walked back to the office where Joy was.
“Hey, there’s no one in the store and all the stock is put away and cleaned up. I’m gonna take off if that’s alright?”
Joy looked up from her computer, “Sure, honey. Thanks, Bella. You’ve really been a godsend this last week.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a wave, Bella grabbed her jacket and left, heading toward Old Quil’s place a little down the road.
Old Quil saw her coming and opened the door just as she raised her fist to knock. “Come in, come in.”
Bella followed him to the living room and took a seat where he indicated. He poured them both a cup of tea and then settled in, waiting for her to get comfortable as well. Once she was settled, she met the old man’s eyes.
“Ask me what you wish to know, young one.”
“Will I phase too?”
Ah, there it was, the one question they really didn’t know the answer to. “That is hard to say, little one. I would like to tell you the answer is no, but I can’t with any certainty. I don’t believe that you will, but you do carry the gene on two sides of your DNA. Your family gets it from the Uley line as well as the Black line.”
“I’m sorry, but Sam has the same genes and Embry only has one side, yet they both phased. I guess I don’t understand why they did, especially Embry, and I won’t.”
“Embry is a conundrum, I’ll give you that. The only thing I can think of for him is that there must be some Quileute in his Makah family. Samuel was always going to phase, as were the others. There are four more with the potential and one of those is a female we are watching closely. Leah Clearwater has the genetic makeup from three of the original families, so therefore she may phase. I don’t believe you will, little one.”
“Is it only the presence of vampires which brings on the phase?”
Old Quil took a drink of his tea as he thought about her question. “That is definitely what triggers the changes to begin, but strong emotions accompany the shift. I believe your brothers both shifted after an argument with your parents. Emotions were running high, so Josh with Sam and then Embry knew to get them out. I can sense that you are a gentle soul, I do not believe your wolf will come to you. If you are worried, there is a spirit walk we can go on to know for sure.”
“I’m not worried, but I do have a target on my back. Is there a way to make it so my blood isn’t so potent to that vampire?” Bella watched as the old man thought for a moment, even tapping his chin with his pointer finger.
“There is a ward we can paint on your skin, a protection ward.”
“Paint on me?”
“Yes, there are particular herbs we can mix together with wolf’s blood and paint it into the skin on your neck. It would be best if it was your wolf’s blood, especially since I know the imprint is still new and you’re not ready for him to mark you.” Old Quil knew his comment would bring a round of new questions forward and he wasn’t disappointed.
“Mark me? What’s that?”
“The mark happens when the wolf and his mate are intimate. The man will bite the neck of his imprint, infusing her with his scent. His scent will allow other supernatural creatures, vampires and shapeshifters, to know you are mated and protected.”
Bella sat quietly, digesting the information she had been given. Finally, she looked at Old Quil and smiled softly. “I think until Jared and I know more about each other, I’ll have the ward painted on me.”
“I figured you would decide that. I will gather the necessary items and let you and your wolf know when it’s time.” He moved to clean up their tea, “Do you have any other questions?”
Bella shook her head and set her tea cup on the tray. “No. I’ll ask Emily about imprinting if I need to. Thank you so much for talking to me.”
“You are welcome, young one.” He walked Bella to the door and watched her walk down the street. Closing the door he moved to the phone to call the other elders, who would help him gather the necessary things to start Bella’s ward. Sue would be needed to get the blood from the wolf.
***B***
Alison heard the door shut from where she was setting the dining room table for dinner. “Bella?”
Bella smiled and hung her coat on the hook by the door. Walking to her mother, she leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Hey, sorry I’m late.”
“You’re fine. Your dad isn’t home yet either.” She smiled at her daughter and pointed to the counter. “You got some mail today.”
Bella looked through the pile and found a letter with her name, from an attorney in Arizona. She carefully opened it and pulled out the contents. The letter explained that the sale of Renee’s house was final and they had enclosed the check of the proceeds.
“It’s the money from mom’s...I mean Renee’s house.”
Alison looked at her daughter and knew she needed to make her understand that while she disliked Renee, she knew Bella still cared about her. “Honey, you don’t have to censor yourself. I know you thought of Renee as your mother. Calling her mom is okay.”
Bella nodded but didn’t speak. She didn’t want to call Renee her mother, she didn’t think the woman deserved the title since she had kidnapped her. Then she would feel guilty for thinking that way.
Turning to Alison, “I’m gonna go sit outside for a bit.”
After the door had closed, Bella walked over to the porch swing and sat down, she didn’t even realize she was still holding the check in her hand. She sat silently swaying in the cooling air, barely acknowledging her father when he walked by. It wasn’t until she felt a warm hand tucking a strand of hair behind her ear that she looked up.
Jared smiled, “You were far away. You okay?”
Bella nodded and smiled, “Just thinking.”
“Seemed like heavy thoughts. Your dad and Embry walked by before I sat down.” She reached her hand with the check out to him, waiting to hear what he said. Jared looked down and felt his eyes widen. “Wow. What are you gonna do with that?”
Bella stared at him for a moment, knowing that he was her future, at least eventually. “You mean what are we gonna do with it?” She smiled when she saw the shock cover his face. “Jared, you imprinted on me. We may be friends right now, but I’m not stupid. I know there is never gonna be anyone who is better suited for me than you. I don’t need to look for anyone else, I already know you’re it for me. We just need to take our time and get to know one another.”
Smiling, Jared tried again. “What do you want us to do with the money?”
“First, I want us to buy a car. One we both like, can fit two or three of the pack, maybe hold kids in the future. A good car. Then I think we need to save the rest, let it grow, so maybe we can buy a house someday.”
Jared wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to his side, pressing a kiss to her hair. “I think that sounds like a plan.”
The two of them sat silently on the swing, just enjoying the serenity and each other's company.
She rang up the last item and took the money she was being handed with a smile, waving after handing the customer their change and watching as they left. Turning back to the box of dry goods she was shelving, she never noticed the older gentleman coming into the store. When he cleared his throat, she jumped and dropped the boxes she was carrying.
“I’m sorry, dear girl.”
Bella blushed, “It’s okay. I’m not usually so jumpy.”
Once the pair of them had picked up the boxes and placed them where they were supposed to be, the old man introduced himself.
“I am Quil Ateara III, otherwise known as Old Quil. You are Bella Uley, correct?”
Nodding, “Yes. I’ve actually been meaning to come speak to you.”
“I know, young one. You wonder whether you will phase like the others.” Bella nodded, but didn’t say anything else. “You also have questions about the imprint.” After receiving another nod, the old man smiled. “After your shift, come see me and we will talk.”
Once she agreed, Old Quil left the store, went back to his home and set about making some tea and little snacks for the newest imprint. He had been waiting for her visit ever since she found out about the wolves, and again after the imprint, but figured she was much like her mother and didn't wish to intrude. Alison was much the same when she was younger.
Bella finished what she was doing and looked around for anything she missed. When she saw everything was done, she walked back to the office where Joy was.
“Hey, there’s no one in the store and all the stock is put away and cleaned up. I’m gonna take off if that’s alright?”
Joy looked up from her computer, “Sure, honey. Thanks, Bella. You’ve really been a godsend this last week.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a wave, Bella grabbed her jacket and left, heading toward Old Quil’s place a little down the road.
Old Quil saw her coming and opened the door just as she raised her fist to knock. “Come in, come in.”
Bella followed him to the living room and took a seat where he indicated. He poured them both a cup of tea and then settled in, waiting for her to get comfortable as well. Once she was settled, she met the old man’s eyes.
“Ask me what you wish to know, young one.”
“Will I phase too?”
Ah, there it was, the one question they really didn’t know the answer to. “That is hard to say, little one. I would like to tell you the answer is no, but I can’t with any certainty. I don’t believe that you will, but you do carry the gene on two sides of your DNA. Your family gets it from the Uley line as well as the Black line.”
“I’m sorry, but Sam has the same genes and Embry only has one side, yet they both phased. I guess I don’t understand why they did, especially Embry, and I won’t.”
“Embry is a conundrum, I’ll give you that. The only thing I can think of for him is that there must be some Quileute in his Makah family. Samuel was always going to phase, as were the others. There are four more with the potential and one of those is a female we are watching closely. Leah Clearwater has the genetic makeup from three of the original families, so therefore she may phase. I don’t believe you will, little one.”
“Is it only the presence of vampires which brings on the phase?”
Old Quil took a drink of his tea as he thought about her question. “That is definitely what triggers the changes to begin, but strong emotions accompany the shift. I believe your brothers both shifted after an argument with your parents. Emotions were running high, so Josh with Sam and then Embry knew to get them out. I can sense that you are a gentle soul, I do not believe your wolf will come to you. If you are worried, there is a spirit walk we can go on to know for sure.”
“I’m not worried, but I do have a target on my back. Is there a way to make it so my blood isn’t so potent to that vampire?” Bella watched as the old man thought for a moment, even tapping his chin with his pointer finger.
“There is a ward we can paint on your skin, a protection ward.”
“Paint on me?”
“Yes, there are particular herbs we can mix together with wolf’s blood and paint it into the skin on your neck. It would be best if it was your wolf’s blood, especially since I know the imprint is still new and you’re not ready for him to mark you.” Old Quil knew his comment would bring a round of new questions forward and he wasn’t disappointed.
“Mark me? What’s that?”
“The mark happens when the wolf and his mate are intimate. The man will bite the neck of his imprint, infusing her with his scent. His scent will allow other supernatural creatures, vampires and shapeshifters, to know you are mated and protected.”
Bella sat quietly, digesting the information she had been given. Finally, she looked at Old Quil and smiled softly. “I think until Jared and I know more about each other, I’ll have the ward painted on me.”
“I figured you would decide that. I will gather the necessary items and let you and your wolf know when it’s time.” He moved to clean up their tea, “Do you have any other questions?”
Bella shook her head and set her tea cup on the tray. “No. I’ll ask Emily about imprinting if I need to. Thank you so much for talking to me.”
“You are welcome, young one.” He walked Bella to the door and watched her walk down the street. Closing the door he moved to the phone to call the other elders, who would help him gather the necessary things to start Bella’s ward. Sue would be needed to get the blood from the wolf.
***B***
Alison heard the door shut from where she was setting the dining room table for dinner. “Bella?”
Bella smiled and hung her coat on the hook by the door. Walking to her mother, she leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Hey, sorry I’m late.”
“You’re fine. Your dad isn’t home yet either.” She smiled at her daughter and pointed to the counter. “You got some mail today.”
Bella looked through the pile and found a letter with her name, from an attorney in Arizona. She carefully opened it and pulled out the contents. The letter explained that the sale of Renee’s house was final and they had enclosed the check of the proceeds.
“It’s the money from mom’s...I mean Renee’s house.”
Alison looked at her daughter and knew she needed to make her understand that while she disliked Renee, she knew Bella still cared about her. “Honey, you don’t have to censor yourself. I know you thought of Renee as your mother. Calling her mom is okay.”
Bella nodded but didn’t speak. She didn’t want to call Renee her mother, she didn’t think the woman deserved the title since she had kidnapped her. Then she would feel guilty for thinking that way.
Turning to Alison, “I’m gonna go sit outside for a bit.”
After the door had closed, Bella walked over to the porch swing and sat down, she didn’t even realize she was still holding the check in her hand. She sat silently swaying in the cooling air, barely acknowledging her father when he walked by. It wasn’t until she felt a warm hand tucking a strand of hair behind her ear that she looked up.
Jared smiled, “You were far away. You okay?”
Bella nodded and smiled, “Just thinking.”
“Seemed like heavy thoughts. Your dad and Embry walked by before I sat down.” She reached her hand with the check out to him, waiting to hear what he said. Jared looked down and felt his eyes widen. “Wow. What are you gonna do with that?”
Bella stared at him for a moment, knowing that he was her future, at least eventually. “You mean what are we gonna do with it?” She smiled when she saw the shock cover his face. “Jared, you imprinted on me. We may be friends right now, but I’m not stupid. I know there is never gonna be anyone who is better suited for me than you. I don’t need to look for anyone else, I already know you’re it for me. We just need to take our time and get to know one another.”
Smiling, Jared tried again. “What do you want us to do with the money?”
“First, I want us to buy a car. One we both like, can fit two or three of the pack, maybe hold kids in the future. A good car. Then I think we need to save the rest, let it grow, so maybe we can buy a house someday.”
Jared wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to his side, pressing a kiss to her hair. “I think that sounds like a plan.”
The two of them sat silently on the swing, just enjoying the serenity and each other's company.