First Imprint [Book 1] ✔️

12 • Choice

EMILY'S POV

The first thing I did when I got back to the main section of the reservation was head straight to the supply store. I knew as it was a Saturday morning that my uncle would be working, and I wouldn't have to face the other Clearwaters right away. As soon as I opened the door, my uncle greeted me.

"Hey there Em, how'd it go?" My uncle inquired. I walked over to him smiling.

"Well, thanks for the head's up, Uncle Harry. I really appreciate the warning," I joked, thinking about everything Sam had told me.

"Come on now, you know I couldn't say anything. So how was Sam?" He asked and I instantly sobered up.

"He was pretty bad, but I got him eating at least. He's out with Jared and Paul right now."

My uncle started to chuckle. "I knew if anyone could snap him out of it, it'd be you."

I went around the store with one of the small shopping carts and loaded the cart up with food. There wasn't a lot to offer in means of fresh food, but I was able to get some boxed foods, milk, orange juice, eggs, and some other items. Sam and I would be able to eat well for a few days, but I definitely had to make a trip to the grocery store in Forks soon. I wasn't looking forward to it as I thought about the reactions to my scars I had already received from strangers.

"This should be good for now." I said as I started to put the items on the counter, careful of my right side which was causing me slight discomfort.

My uncle was bagging up the groceries when Seth came in through the main entrance. His eyes were round as he stared from the truck that was just outside the door, to me, before he started scanning the store looking for Sam.

"Seth, take these bags out to Sam's truck for your cousin," my uncle said. Seth looked confused and looked at me with shock in his eyes but did as he was told. My uncle sighed and I looked up at him. He had dark circles under his eyes.

"Uncle Harry, are you feeling well?"

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. You have bigger problems to think about. What about you and Sam?"

"Well, he asked me to move in with him...just until I'm healed. He said he'd give me the bedroom and he'd take the couch, but he wanted to keep an eye on me."

"Probably wants to reassure himself that his imprint is nearby," my uncle mumbled thoughtfully. "Well, you're 18-years-old, I'm not going to stop you, but you're going to have to tell your parents. I'll do what I can for you, let them know that Sam is our acting chief and is a respectable guy, but you may want to take Sam to Makah to meet your family.

"Ugh, I don't want Ronnie to meet Sam, he'll give him such a hard time," I muttered thinking of my obnoxious but lovable older brother as my uncle laughed. Maybe I'd call my sister-in-law Stacy in advance and tell her to bring Cora and Claire along. Ronnie wouldn't be so bad with his daughters there. I sighed as I got my money out to pay for my groceries.

"I'm insulted. You think I'm going to let you pay after what you did for the tribe," my uncle scoffed.

"I can't let you do that Uncle Harry."

"It's done. Now scoot."

"Thank you Uncle Harry...for everything." I went around the counter and hugged him with my left arm, before heading for the entrance.