Becoming Part of the Pack

My name is Seth Clearwater. I live in La Push, Washington and my story starts when my sister went through her change.

Leah was talking with my mother about her mood swings and her high fever-like symptoms, when her anger went out of control. I ran out just in time to see my sister’s body shooting out grey fur, two front and back paws, and crash onto the couch breaking it in half. I heard a deep gasp and turned around to be looking at my father. He clutched his heart and fell to the ground.

“Not Leah. It was supposed to be you Seth,” he whispered to me. I grabbed his free hand while my mother ran to my side along with my sister in wolf form. The last thing he said was, “I love you all.” His eyes closed and before I knew it, my own eyes released tears. My sister howled, and even though I wasn’t a wolf, I could hear the pain in it.

We had the funeral a few days later. The whole Tribe came to mourn my father’s death. Everyone came to our house to comfort my family. Leah soon joined the pack after my father’s death.  The pack members all came to see how we were doing and tried to help us out. The pack consisted of Sam Uley, Paul Lahote, Jared Cameron, Embry Call, Jacob Black, Quil Ateara, and now Leah.

“How’re ya doin’, champ?” Jacob asked me, putting an arm around my shoulders. I looked at him. His black hair was messed up, probably because he was pulling at it. That’s his way of letting out his nervousness. I idolize him for being brave and strong. But, at this point, I wanted to be left alone.

“How the hell do you think I’m doing? My father died, Jacob,” I said, and charged out the front door.

Before I made it out the door, I heard Sam say, “Leave him, Jake. He needs to cope his own way.” Thank God for Sam.

My friends all came to see me. But, they were all inside with their parents, giving my mother and sister, their condolences. When I reached the porch, I ran into the woods for time alone. I sat down on the dirt spattered forest floor and released my tears which were building in my eyes. I cried and cried that day…

A month later

My mom, sister, and I watched a home movie that had my dad in it. I couldn’t take it any longer and I ran into the woods and released my devastating emotion into tears.

I heard a branch snap behind me and I turned around. I saw Paul’s younger sister, Melody, who’s also my best friend, running towards me. When she reached me, she stopped and studied my face. Her face was full of sorrow, and her cheeks were red, probably the result of crying as I noticed her flooded light brown eyes. Her dark-brown locks were messed up from the wind whipping them around in the air.

My heart broke even more looking at her pain-stricken face. I’d always had a strange affection for her. I couldn’t explain it. At times I was a brother, teasing and making fun of her; another I was like a boyfriend, comforting and loving. I couldn’t figure out what to make of our friendship. I had always liked her a little bit, but I backed off once I found out she had a boyfriend. I stood up and we just stared at each other.

She ran into my arms and draped her arms around my lanky figure. I heard her whisper, “Seth, I’m so sorry.” I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight. I felt my shirt get wet with which I assumed were her tears. My thought was soon proven right as her body racked with sobs in my arms. I stroked her head with my hand, trying to calm her down.

“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault,” I said, my tears drying up. I can’t cry in front of her. I have to be strong for the both of us sometimes. I knew that she would change the subject to something at least try to make me forget what I was just crying about.

She hugged me even tighter, if it was possible. “I’m still sorry. I have to go visit my mom, Seth. But, I can’t bear the thought of leaving you here like this. Just tell me to stay and I’ll stay,” she said, her voice trembling. I desperately wanted to tell her to stay, but my conscience overpowered me.