"Don't forget the barbecue sauce, Jared. Paul managed to finish it with the rest of the food he ate last night, even after I told him that we needed it for the food tonight." Emily's voice raised towards the end of the sentence, purposely to scold the culprit who was most likely over Sam and Emily's place right now.

"Yeah yeah, I got it. I'm at the store now so it shouldn't take too long." My feet carried me along the isles of the small, local food store as my eyes glanced around for the item I was searching for. I stopped right in front of the dressings and condiments, grabbing a bottle of BBQ sauce with my free hand. "Alright, barbecue sauce acquired, anything else before leave?"

"Nope, that's all for now. If anything I'll send Paul to get whatever else we need." A chuckle escaped my lips as I said goodbye, hanging up the phone and stowing it away in the back pocket of my jeans. The line wasn't a long wait, just a couple of people ahead of me at the checkout: an elderly man and some chick wearing a hoodie.

There was another bonfire being held tonight. It would be Quil, Seth, and Leah's first time attending, and if I remembered correctly, that vampire girl that Jacob's been obsessing over would be coming too. Paul and I tell him to shut up with his constant yammering about her but it's not only Jacob we have to deal with, it's Embry as well.

That poor kid has been doing whatever he could for the past six months to keep himself busy; especially running shifts around the borders. Lately theres been a hint of leech floating around that we can't pin point and he's been on it's case, more so than anyone. To be honest, I don't think I've seen him just sitting down and resting much, if at all. It took Quil and Jacob everything to convince him to take a break from patrol tonight and to go listen to the legends. I can't blame him for hurting, though. If it's just as Sam shows us, imprinting is a really big deal.

See, the whole situation is that sometime during last school year, Embry had imprinted on-

"Ma'am! Your receipt!" The hooded figure turned around to reveal an all too familiar face I would call kin: the same tanned skin, kind brown eyes, full lips that lifted into a smile was before me. The only noticeable difference was her hair. It used to fall in soft dark brown waves, but now her face was framed by a straight bob that ended near her collar bones.

"Lani?"

Just like that, all the familiarity went away as she turned to look at me, acknowledging my presence for the first time in months. I was able to read the flashes of fear, panic, and then hesitancy that flowed through her eyes. She gave me a tight lipped smile, the corner of her lip lifting into a sideways grin. She lifted a hand and gave me a meek wave.

"Hey, Jare."

I placed the bottle of barbecue on the counter as I rushed to give my cousin a tight hug, mindful not to crush her. I pulled away to look at her, her features more defined and inches added to her height. I ignored the clerk who cleared his throat, he could wait. "How've you been? Where the hell have you been? Still kickboxing? How's Auntie Ana? Cadence?"

Her mouth opened, as if she were trying to process the questions and answer them in the same order. The clerk cleared his throat one more time as he held the receipt out to her. Her brown eyes averted to his outstretched hand, retrieving the receipt with a thankful smile. He began ringing up my item, telling me the total after a quick scan.

"Give me one second." I told her as I reached for my wallet to pay the clerk. Leilani threw me an apologetic grin as she slipped the plastic bag handle up to her elbow, her hands shoved into her pockets.

"I'm sorry, Jare. I've got to go." She turned and exited the store in a rush while I fumbled with the coins that spilled out of my wallet. Great. Perfect timing. I didn't even bother with the coins as I slammed a five dollar bill to the counter, grabbing the bottle and rushing after my cousin while shouting behind me, "Keep the change!"

"Lani!" I hollered halfway out the door. "Leilani!" My head turned from side to side as I caught her entering the driver seat of her car. "Lani wait!" My hand caught her door before she closed it. "What's going on? Why are you acting like this?"

"Look," she bit her bottom lip before turning to face me in her seat. "I love you. You're my cousin and one of my best friends. There's just been a lot happening and I'd rather not talk about it." Before I could push the subject further, she cut me off. "Can you just… do me a favor and not tell anyone I was here, or that you saw me at all?"

I let out scoff. "You mean Embry?" Her silence confirmed my suspicions. "Look, I don't know exactly what happened between you two, but whatever it was, it's in the past. Can't you just move on? The kid's been a mess-"

"Jared-"

"They're having a bonfire tonight and I think you should go-"

"Jared."

"If it makes you feel better I won't tell him you're going, unless you want me to so you guys can make up-"

"Jared!" Her anger filled voice cut me off as I stared at her with wide eyes. "I'm-I'm sorry."She took a few deep breaths as she gripped the steering wheel. " I just. I don't want anything to do with him right now."

My shoulders dropped as I stared at her with worry. This wasn't the spitfire that I grew up with. The girl who was practically my sister wasn't this timid. Something in her had changed. Something had happened. "Lani," I put a hand to her shoulder. "You were gone for half the year, left without a trace, no goodbye, nothing. I had to hear from Cadence that you left, after she thought that I knew." My brows furrowed as I thought that I might have been looking at things wrong. "Did Embry do something? Did he hurt you?"

She softly shook her head, a bitter laugh coming from her. "No. He did nothing. No one did anything." She paused, meeting my eyes again as she gave me a small, sad smile. "Maybe we can catch up some other time, cuz."

"Yeah," I gave her shoulder a small squeeze as I let her pull away and close the door of the car, but not before warning her. "But don't think I'll let this go! You've got a lot of explaining to do!"

She gave me a glimpse of the familiar warm smile she used to don on her face as she waved goodbye. I watched as she drove down the road, heading towards where I remembered she used to live, a place that is long overdue for my visit.

Well shit, how did she expect not to be seen in this small town? Or between that wolf-link my pack brothers and I shared?

Hey guys! My first story in over 6 years :D

Just a heads up, this story will be long and well developed. I'll try my best to follow the main plot of what goes on during the books but it might deviate a little between that and the films.

Please let me know what you think!