Seth Clearwater 2

                                    

                                          
          I have known about the wolves my whole life. My dad has always told me that one day the wolves would return to the reservation and he hoped that I would be able to see them one day. My grandfather is the one who wrote about the wolves. He saw them one day and learned the tribe secret so he offered to write their story so their descendants would never be able to forget where they came from. My father saw them once when he was a little boy before the last one died. He has been convinced that they would return. I never thought that they would until I saw one. I was in the woods trying to get away from all the people that are mean to me all the time when I saw it. It was a silvery color. It looked absolutely beautiful. I knew that since I saw one that there had to be others out there. I made a mental promise that day to the wolf that I wouldn't tell anyone anything about him and his friends. I have kept that promise even when there started to be rumored sightings of the so called "Bears". I knew the truth though. I know people have actually been seeing the wolves but their small mindedness keeps them from realizing the truth. 
          There have been rumors going around school all day that sweet Seth Clearwater has been hanging around with Paul Lahote's friends. They all have a bad reputation now. Everyone says that they are on drugs but I think they are the ones that turn into the wolves. There is just something about Paul's eyes that remind me so much of the wolf that I saw in the woods. I know it sounds ridiculous but so does seeing a wolf that is taller than most people. I watched the door waiting for Seth. I saw him walk in and he looked around the room. He locked eyes with me for a second. I felt the rush of something run through me. It was an indescribable feeling. I looked away almost instantly. I watched the table until I heard a few chairs scrape the floor in front of me. I looked up and saw Seth, Paul, Jared, Jacob, and Embry all sitting in front of me.
"Can I help you?" I asked.
I looked at Seth but he just kept staring at me. It was like he couldn't look away.
"Sadie right?" Paul asked.
"Yes." I said. 
"We heard you hang out in the woods a lot." Jared said. "Aren't you worried about the bears?"
"There are far more fearsome creatures in the woods than those bears." I said. "Don't you agree Paul?"
I looked right at Paul and waited for his response. I saw something in his eyes but he hid it quickly.
"What else would be out there?" Paul asked.
"Why don't you tell me?" I asked.
"Have you seen any of the bears or not?" Paul asked.
"I haven't seen a bear no but I think you already knew that." I said. 
I tilted my head to the side a little bit as if I were thinking.
"You know silver would be a great look on you." I said.
The boys all looked to each other except for Paul. He just watched me.
"Why haven't you said anything?" Paul asked.
"You didn't do anything to hurt me." I said. 
"Are you going to tell anyone?" Jared asked.
"I have no intention to tell anyone anything." I said. "People around here hate me enough. I don't need to give them another reason."
I watched Paul closely.
"You are beautiful by the way. Don't let it go to your head either. I don't mean the version of you sitting in front of me at the moment." I said.
"Thanks. I think." He said.
I could tell the he was confused on how to take that. I guess in a way it could be a compliment or an insult.
"How did you know?" Jared asked. "When you saw Paul it was like you already knew."
"The books they sell at the souvenir shop about local legends and history was written by my grandfather." I said. "It isn't all the way true though. He exaggerated a bit so people didn't think he was crazy for seeing wolf-men but he made sure to tell my father and I the truth."
"Why were you there that day?" Paul asked.
"It's the best place to hide." I said. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you that."
"Why were you trying to hide?" Seth asked.
I looked over at him closely for the first time since he sat down he was definitely cute thats for sure. I think he looks so much better with his hair cut shorter than when it was longer like everyone else on the reservation.
"I guess we all have our secrets Seth." I said.
"You know this means you are going to have to talk to Sam now." Paul said.
"I figured as much." I said. "He is your leader right."
"We have a different word for him but yeah." Seth said.
Jared reached over and smacked Seth on the back of the head. I couldn't help but let out a little giggle. The two definitely act like they should be brother's.
"Dude you just can't go around telling people that kind of stuff." Jared said.
"Why not?" Seth asked. "She already knows about the biggest part of the secret."
"Is there more?" I asked. 
"Yes." "No." Seth and Jared answered at the same time.
I laughed at the two. Who knew two boys could act the way they do.
"I suppose that means I will be leaving with you boys at the end of the day." I said.
"Unless you want to go now." Paul said.
"Sorry but some of us don't have a calling and actually need school." I said.
"Unless your calling is to help us with ours." Seth said.
"Trust me I don't think I can help you." I said.
"Why not?" Seth asked.
"Unless you need help to get people to hate you more than I can't be of help." I said.
"Please just come see Sam with us after school." Seth said. "You never know something might change your mind."
"Fine. I'll go with you guys." I said. 
"Thank you." Seth said.
I stood up and started walking away from them. I have no idea why Seth wants me to go with them so bad but it's the least I can do after them actually talking to me. No one ever sits and talks to me anymore. I'm just that weird girl from the weird family who see's magical wolf men. Sometimes it sucks that my grandfather wrote the book that he did. Sometimes it is pretty cool. Seeing Paul as a wolf and knowing to not be scared was very cool.
          I'm standing by the doors waiting for the boys to come find me. I see a few people start moving to the side and I can only assume it's because the boys are making their way to me. However when I finally see who it is, it's just Seth. He wallks up and stands next to me.
"Where are the other's?" I asked.
"They left earlier. I asked if I could stay and come with you." He said.
"That's sweet of you." I said.
"Are you ready to go?" He asked.
"Yeah." I said.
He held his arm out to motion for me to go first. I walked out of the building and I could tell that he was following behind me. I felt the heat radiating off his arm and looked to see him walking right next to me.
"So what all do you know about us?" He asked.
"Not much." I said. "I know your secret and know that your body temperature is higher than normal."
"There's so many other cool things too. I can't wait to tell you all about them." He said.
"Why would you tell me?" I asked.
"That will be easier to explain with Sam's help." He said.
I nodded. I wanted to know more but I didn't want to push for information. I know they are already running a risk with me knowing what I already know. I know that it could be dangerous for not only them but for me as well. With a secret like theirs, there has to be more out there. Maybe even something scarier than they are.
"Are you ever going to tell me why you were hiding the day you saw Paul?" He asked.
"People in this town don't particularly like me." I said.
"Why not?" He asked. "I think you are pretty cool."
"They think I'm crazy because my grandfather saw giant wolves in the forest." I said.
"I guess that does make sense." He said. "I would have thought you were crazy if you told me all that before I actually became one."
"I guess to normal people it would seem crazy." I said.
He nudged my arm and then we both laughed.
"I'm glad you know. Even if everyone else isn't." He said.
"Why?" I asked.
"I guess in the long run it kinda makes things easier for me." He said. "Less that I have to explain."
"That doesn't make sense." I said.
"It will later." He said.
"What kind of wolf do you have?" I asked.
"What?" He asked.
"The color of your fur determines the type of wolf that you are." I said.
"A russet sandy color." He said.
"Like a mexican wolf." I said. "Mexican wolves the alpha pairs mate for life. I wonder if the same thing would happen for you."
"We do have something kind of like that." He said. "That's also going to be something easier to explain with Sam's help."
"Is it really that hard to explain?" I asked.
"He just knows how to word it better than I do so you can understand it a bit better." He said.
"Oh." I said. "I guess that makes sense."
"If  I knew that I could explain it to where I know you understand it then I would tell you." He said.
"Is it the reason why you want me to know so much?" I asked.
"Kind of. I also just think it would be cool to have another person know about us." He said.
I nodded.  We continued on our way to Sam's house. Seth glanced at me every so often like he was wanting to memorize my face. The walk was quiet but I didn't mind it. It was a peaceful quietness. I don't think I could hate anything when Seth was involved.
     We walked up to the small house. I always like the smaller houses. They always seem cosier than the bigger houses. I paused at the steps but Seth kept walking. I guess he noticed that I stopped because he turned around and looked at me.
"It's ok." He said. "They're not going to hurt you."
"I guess that would be the opposite of a protector if they did." I said.
I walked up the steps so I was beside Seth. We walked into the house and I saw the guys sitting around a small table. I looked at one guy in particular. He looked really intimidating. You could tell that he is the one in charge of the pack. I took a step closer to Seth. For some reason even though I have never really talked to Seth until now I feel like he won't let anything happen to me.
"I think she already feels it." Jared said. "Kimmy did the same thing when she met everyone."
"Feel what?" I asked.
"The imprint bond." Sam said.
"What's that?" I asked. "My grandfather's stories never included anything like that."
"He was probaby never told about it. The imprint is the thing us wolves keep the most secret." Sam said.
"Oh." I said. "You don't have to tell me then."
Jared laughed like I was missing something. I looked over at him and raised an eyebrow.
"We do have to tell you." He said.
"Seth imprinted on you earlier at lunch." Paul said.
I looked over at him before looking to Seth. I guess that makes sense. Why he wants me to know everything about them and all the staring that has happened since then. I looked back to Paul.
"So what does that mean?" I asked.
"It's like gravity shifting." Sam said.
"The wolf becomes whatever the imprint needs him to be." Jared said. "Just a protector, a friend, someone who is like a brother, or maybe becomes a lover. It all really depends on the imprint."
"Oh wow." I said.
Paul looked at me closely before he stood up. He pulled his chair out more and pushed it to me. I looked at him gratefully and sat down. Out of everyone in this room I trust Paul and Seth the most. I heard Jared laugh.
"Look's like Seth might have some competition." Jared said.
Sam looked at the three of us closely before looking back at Paul.
"Is she the girl you have been telling me about on Patrol?" Sam asked.
"Why would Paul be telling you about me?" I asked.
"Yes. This is Sadie." Paul said.
I heard a small growl come from Seth.
"Not in that way Seth. Sadie has never called me names or treated me differently because of my temper. I also hear her a lot in the woods. She used to talk out her problems." Paul said.
"I didn't know you were there." I said.
"That's how you saw me. You were really upset. I heard your heart rate change and thought there was something wrong so I wanted to get a closer look to make sure you were alright." He said.
"Back to the imprint thing." I said. "So I can basically tell Seth to do whatever and he just has to do it?"
"Sort of." Sam said. "If it's not going to be something that puts you in danger then he most likely will. It's more helpful when he gets mad. You can help keep him from shifting infront of people but you also need to be aware of when to just let it happen so you don't get hurt." 
"So it's a forever type thing." I said.
"Yes." Sam said.
I couldn't help the pain I felt. I know Seth can't help it. That part is obvious or he would have chosen someone else. I just wonder what made the universe pick me for Seth. I'm not going to be able to help him in anyway. I saw Seth looking at me. I could tell that he wanted to ask what I was thinking but he didn't.
"Is there anyway for me to tell him to stay away?" I asked.
I saw his face fall a little bit. I can only imagine the kind of pain he might be feeling now but if people find out then it's going to get worse.
"I wouldn't recommend that. The bond can cause a lot of discomfort for both the imprint and the wolf when your not together." Sam said.
I saw a woman walk into the room. I could tell that she was Emily. I had heard about her accident with the bear.
"I don't mean to interupt but can I ask something?" She asked.
I looked at her and nodded. I waited patiently while she thought about how to ask.
"Is there a reason you want Seth to stay away?" She asked.
"It's just not going to be helpful." I said. "You don't want him to phase in front of anyone but that is going to be nearly impossible if he is hanging around with me. If he is going to want to protect me from everything then he is constantly going to be angry especially at school."
"So it's not because you don't like him or because he's a wolf?" She asked.
"No. Seth is super sweet. He's been nothing but kind to me all day and the wolf thing doesn't bother me at all." I said.
"Why is school a problem?" She asked.
"Everyone makes fun of her because of her family." Paul said. "They take it to far sometimes."
"How far?" She asked. 
They all looked at me and I looked over at Paul.
"So you haven't shared things with them." I said. 
"I know how to keep a secret." He said.
I laughed at him. I shook my head because that part was obvious. If he couldn't keep a secret than the whole reservation would know about wolves by now.
"There have been a few times where they have pushed me down the stairs. They all say that it is an accident but it happens way more than an accident should." I said.
"The boys can help with that." Emily said.
"It's just going to make everyone hate them even more." I said.
"Everyone already hates me anyway." Paul said.
I giggled at him comment. He's not wrong. The girls all hate him because he either didn't pick them or only chose them for a night. The guys all hate him cause the girls want him. Then you throw in all the stuff with Sam and that just makes it worse. Seth nudged his arm with mine and I looked at him.
"Maybe things won't be so bad if you have friends looking out for you." He said.
I nodded. I know he is right but I can't help but feel like it is going to be bad for him. He put his hand on my shoulders and I couldn't help but lean more into his touch. I don't know how being friends with a bunch of wolves is going to be like but I can't wait to see how things go with Seth. No matter how things go I hope nothing bad happens between me and Seth. If he is the one good thing that comes out of this then everything wiil be alright. Imprint bond or not he's going to be my forever and a part of me is happy that it's him.