The rain is pouring down in the small town of La Push. Which judging from the week I've spent living here, is normal. Which is fine, since it matches the mood I'm constantly in now. Crying on the inside.

"What have I gotten myself into" I sigh.

If you would've told me 4 years ago that my husband would lay hands on me, I would've laid hands on you. If you would've told me he'd be thrown in jail, I would've laughed and called you mental. And if all of these things came true, I still wouldn't believe you if you told me he'd escape prison and I'd have to run to the town my half brother (whom I've never met, and I'm sure doesn't even have an inkling of an idea that I exist) resides.

But here I am, sitting in my rundown blue crappy truck, outside of the equally worn down high school the Indian Reservation provided. I sigh mentally accepting my new life and pull my big girl panties on to step out of the vehicle. The cooling ran drips on to me as I pull my dark blue hood up over my freshly dyed black hair that was braided to the side. But who was I kidding? I wasn't fooling anyone. My green eyes were offsetting to newly dark hair. And if that weren't obvious the red streaks from my original auburn hair shone through, as all red did when attempted to dye.

"Stupid witness protection" I rolled my eyes.

My soaked converses sloshed through the murky water gathered on the road and I cringed. I missed Arizona. I missed the beautiful sun dancing on my dark complexion. I missed the red shining through my brown hair. I missed my man holding me as we watched...

I shook my head " Stop it. This is your life now. Get over it!"

I moved closer to the main office when I felt it. The spine tingling sensation you get when someone is watching you. I pivoted around and there he was. A boy across the parking lot blatantly staring at me. I was about to see what the hell his problem was but then I smelt it. Wolf.

I groaned. What was I to do now? It wasn't like I was going to walk over there and say "Hello fellow wolf, my name is Maya. Let me know when the next pack meeting is so I can dedicate my entire life to it."

No thank you! I rather enjoyed being inside my own head lately. Not that I shifted at all in the past week that I've moved here, much to my mother's chagrin. She wished I'd accept who and what I was, but as far as I was concerned, that's what got us in this crap town. I rather enjoyed the idea that I was on my own but if he was here then that means... vampires were here. Maybe it's best I'm not on my own then. Still I had my own life and responsibilities to look after, let alone the packs. So maybe if I stayed away then they wouldn't bother me. I snarled at him and turned back to the main office.

Upon entering the comforting log setting office, a silver haired woman greeted me and instantly knew who I was. Apparently, being in a small town everyone new everyone. Great! Now I know by the end of the day everyone will know my name and my business. She handed me a map to the school and my schedule, which I quickly thanked her for and walked back out. I turned to the spot where the boy was, but he was gone. And before I could look to see where he went a howl broke out in the nearby forest. I rolled my eyes. Of course. Alert the cavalry.

Everyone walked towards their class, as I moved towards English. My plan was to ignore the inevitable for as long as possible. In the middle of the hour, the door rudely slammed open and in the doorway stood a man... no scratch that a boy turned wolf. What was it about the wolf gene that made boys look younger? I felt his eyes move across the class and I looked down before our gaze could connect. Again avoiding the inevitable. I felt his stare on me and I cringed.

"Mr. Black, if you are going to join us today, then please take a seat."

"I'd love to, Mrs. Lowry." I could hear the smirk in his tone.

I heard his light steps move towards me and the chair next to me scraped back. The lesson had resumed but it was all background noise now. Everything seemed to have frozen and faded away leaving me and this boy alone. I could tell just by his scent alone that he was alpha and that just made me cringe. They didn't just send a lackey, they sent the head honcho.

"What's your name BETA?"

He knew my status and instantly acknowledged it, showing his superior status. I sighed "Maya."

"You're new." He stated the obvious, "Where did you come from?"

"Arizona."

"Just like Bells. My friend is from there."

"Lucky her." I respond dully.

"Are there more of you?"

"No, just me."

He leaned back in his chair, placing his feet on his desk. "What brings you here?"

"The beautiful sunny weather." I reply sarcastically.

He laughed quietly to where it sounded more like a cough. It went quiet. Almost in an awkward way. I still refused to meet his gaze, as if by not looking at the alpha, this conversation wasn't real. Neither of us said THE word, so this also made it seem that it was merely a normal conversation between two classmates. Two classmates that refuse to meet each others gaze. It seemed he was trying to avoid the inevitable too.

"There are more of us."

I held back a groan and instead nodded, "I know. I heard your lackey this morning."

"Who Seth?" he chuckled, "He's hardly a lackey. Just this spring he helped fight a vampire army."

I really didn't know how to respond and to be honest I didn't want to. Maybe if I didn't offer up much information, let alone conversation, they would take the hint and leave me be. But that was just wishful thinking.

"I'm Jacob."

I just nodded, since I've already given my name.

"Not much of a talker, I see, Maya."

"Well, I'd say it was nice to meet you, but we both know this meeting isn't by chance nor choice."

"I guess your right."

Another awkward silence. For him being an alpha, he was kind of awkward. I was surprised that he didn't just order me around, like most alphas do. He could've just demanded me to join his pack, but he seemed to be asking. Giving me a choice over my life. Which was odd. No alpha does that... not even my husband.

"Tonight is a full moon."

I chuckle menacingly, "You and I are more than aware that we don't need the moon."

"No," he agreed "but the shift seems more demanding and natural during that time."

"So what are you saying, alpha."

He looked confused for a moment then understanding dawned on him, "you've been at this for a while, haven't you?"

I shrugged, "My ex was alpha in my last pack. This ain't nothing new."

"You're imprinted."

I about threw up, "If I were imprinted don't you think I would be howling in pain over my missing imprint. Besides those are just legends."

"We thought they were too, until our alpha imprinted."

I was confused, "Wait your alpha? You're alpha!"

He chuckled, "I'm just a kid. I could never run the pack like Sam does. So he's running it for me, until I decide to step up."

I frowned. My husband was 14 when he ran his pack, but then again he was the oldest and natural born leader. This new pack made no sense. But then again, it's not my pack so who am I to judge?

"Whatever you say." I shrug.

"You know you don't have to do this alone." His tone was so sincere and again it wasn't forced he was asking, which I had a lot of appreciation for.

I sighed. "Let me think about it."

BRIIIIIINNNGGGGG!

I gathered my stuff and stood. I was going to smile at him, maybe shake his hand and say see you later. But that's not what happened. No instead my eyes met his, and the world shifted. Everything stopped and we were the only two in the world. Everything holding me to this world were almost not as important. It was him. It all revolved around him. and that was absolutely terrifying. I shook my hood and saw the same dopey look that I'm sure was on my face not two seconds prior, but I was out of the trance. And now was my only chance. I bolted.

I ran out of the classroom, ignoring the still pouring ran and the hurtful pull on my heart that was now connected to him. I didn't have a choice anymore! I didn't have a way out. Tears were streaming down my face as I jumped into my truck and locked all the doors, knowing that wouldn't give me much protection. He could rip my door off it hinges. I started my truck and hightailed it out of there screaming and slamming my fists on the steering wheel, leaving small dents around it. How could this have happened? Not only today I've learned there was a pack here, but there are dangerous vampires as well. I've also learned that imprinting was not only real, but I was imprinted on. Imprinted on a non-responsible alpha, who refuses to take his rightful place and duties.

I came to this town to get away from pack drama and to be safe. I came here to mend my broken heart and instead I was thrown into an unwanted relationship. I came here to be alone, so that is why I ran. That is why I'm going home now. I look in my rearview mirror and in the middle of the road is a chocolate brown wolf. Once he caught my eye he howled and I cringed, but continued driving. Knowing that again I was avoiding the inevitable.