Ｗａｖｅｓ ▶ JASPER HALE (HEAVY EDITING)

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Edited, 2024.

Preface.

Glass and ceramic cups clattered against each other as Tekhala brushed her hands against them, looking for a small jar holding a yellowing liquid in it. The elder grasped the small jar between her wrinkled fingers, watching it closely as it splashed around with the movement her grasp generated. A small wheeze left her pale lips, as she let out a confident hum.

The recently widowed Eliza Black peered at the elder with uneasiness. She fidgeted with her fingers, as she waited for the elder to speak. It felt like ages since the elder had uttered a word, and the young woman couldn't help but bite her lower lip anxiously. 

Tekhala sat down on a small wooden stool in front of Eliza, leaning down until her head was inches away from her exposed pregnant womb. With shaky hands, she opened the jar with ease and scooped a small amount of the liquid into her fingers. Eliza choked on her breath as the cold liquid came in contact with her skin. She glanced down between her womb and Tekhala but hissed as soon as her skin started to burn and sting. 

The liquid quickly faded, and a large, black handprint replaced it. The elder looked up with widened eyes, worry in her features, as Eliza winced. As Eliza looked back at her, it was clear, for both of them, that what Tekhala was about to utter was not the good news the young woman was hoping for. 

"I'm sorry, Eliza," The elder muttered, unable to look Eliza in the eyes, as she stared with dread at her womb. "Your child has a short and dark future ahead of her." 

Her? A girl? While Eliza was disturbed at what she had just heard, a part of her couldn't help but feel joy at the news of her baby's gender. 

Eliza remained quiet, as if the news had swept every ounce of strength she had left. It even hurt to take another breath, as Tekhala clicked her tongue and shook her head. 

"She has his blood. His curse is running through her tiny veins as we speak," Eliza clenched her womb as hard as her frail hands would let her. "With every breath you take, it will only get stronger." 

"How long until... until she-" Eliza choked on her words as tears streamed down her cheeks. 

"Not long," The elder announced as she stood up and walked back to the small bookcase that held a variety of books, plants, and jars. "Unless..."

"Unless, what?" Eliza spat desperately, as she caressed her womb with somber. 

"The curse your husband held and passed down to your child has a weakness," The elder grabbed a small jar holding a small flower Eliza recognized as wolfsbane. Tekhala opened the jar and took a small petal between her fingers. "It lacks control, while it blindly fights for it. It drives itself into control and holds onto the cursed one relentlessly. It only works if it has full control of the body." 

"And how... how will I be able to..." Eliza sputtered as her emotions took over her. "I don't understand. How?"

"She also has your blood, Eliza." 

Eliza swallowed hard, blinking at the elder, as she placed the one petal of wolfsbane on her womb. Almost immediately, her unborn child started kicking and squirming inside of her womb, clearly in distress. 

The pregnant woman sobbed even harder, as the realization kicked in. 

"She's a Quileute," Eliza whispered, caressing her womb lovingly. She looked back at the elder. "Does this mean she'll turn? A female shape-shifter? I've never heard of one..."

"Neither have I," Tekhala chuckled quietly, her dark eyes and gestures taking a much lighter tone. "And while it might seem impossible, my dear child," Her shaky and wrinkled hand came over Eliza's, patting them comfortingly as she spoke. "She's got the beating heart and blood of a Black. She might run, she might hide, but eventually, the curse will catch up to her."

"B-but-" Eliza looked down at her womb. "What am I supposed to do?"

"You? Not much, I'm afraid. Be the best mother you can be for as long as you can," Tekhala smiled reassuringly at her. "Her, on the other side... She'll only be rid of the curse once she finds balance within herself. Once she finds the moon and darkness within herself." 

Eliza gulped, as her mind raced with fear. She abruptly stood up, brought down the sweater to cover her womb, and started heading out, deeply distressed. Once Eliza's hand grasped the rusty door knob that lead her back into the reservation, Tekhala stood up.

"Wait, child," She said, as she handed her the jar holding the wolfsbane. Eliza looked down, confused. "She will have questions about her father, about you, as she grows up. Keep the truth from her, for as long as you can-"

"What? Why? Shouldn't she be aware of the dangers?" 

The elder nodded. "Yes, but the time will come for her to face the darkness. Let her grow amongst the light," Eliza brushed away a few tears, suddenly realizing what she had to do. 

"Yes, I'll do that," Eliza nodded, and Tekhala smiled at the strength Eliza didn't realize she held. "I will," Eliza scratched her throat, "We will leave town." 

Tekhala suddenly smiled wickedly at her. "Oh, and don't be surprised if she finds... unexpected help along the way." 

Eliza frowned with confusion but nodded either way. She gave her womb one last caress, before turning back from the elder, and into the dark forest in which she had grown up. 

She breathed out heavily, as thick tears streamed down her face. The sudden realization hit her. 

This was the last time she'd be breathing in the musty air. The last time she'd listen to the waves crash on La Push. The last time she'd wake up to birds chirping out of her window. 

She wasn't going to come back. At least not for a long time. 

And what Eliza Black didn't realize was that she'd come back, after sixteen years. 

Once her brother, Billy, called to share the news about a female turning into a Quileute shape-shifter. 

The first female to ever turn into one. 

Waves.

A Jasper Hale love story.

Written off Eclipse movie, book, and transcript. 

Transcript: http://transcripts.foreverdreaming.org/viewtopic.php?f=150&t=9147