Prologue

I tried not to cry out in pain. I was alone, but any cry was a sign of weakness.

I bit my lip and realized that my teeth were not---well, just my teeth anymore. Long pointed wolfish fangs.

"Bella, wait!" I heard in my mind. It wasn't my thoughts. It had to be Jake's. The way he longed to be with Bella disgusted me greatly. It was all he ever thought about and sometimes I found myself wanting Bella because of his unnecessary addiction.

Don't get me wrong, she seemed like a nice girl when I met her but she's just a boring human! I don't understand why he loves her so much. How could he want someone like that? He deserved better but instead he insisted on her.

I opened my mouth to let my teeth stop pressing into my lip. I felt blood start to arise.

I let out a last whimper and the transformation was complete.

"Oh, please, Emily! I've got other things to think about."

"Come on, Sam! Don't tell me that I'm not always your first priority."

Were these my thoughts? Nope. These were thoughts from Sam and Emily. Sometimes all these thoughts mushed together and made me wonder if it really was me thinking all these things.

But it was clear, they loved each other. The whole imprinting thing is kind of cool...and demented at the same time.

Of course, my imprint was a lie. I can hardly believe I got away with it since the pack knows me so well. Did they actually think I could love a two year old?

I'm seventeen! They all know that. I have the maturity level of someone whose twenty-five. That is, physical maturity, due to our rapid growth hormones. But truly, I have the brain of a seventeen year old boy. Or maybe more like the brain of a two year old. That's what Embry says. Maybe Claire and I would get along well.

But seriously, I was getting tired of everyone else's imprinting. I had to lie--- to stop myself from being driven to insanity.

I've never liked anyone---well, besides that girl in second grade...and seventh...and last summer... but that's not the point! I've never liked anyone passionately---besides her...

I trotted around the large trees that blocked the sky and made the forest very dark. I was still thinking about her. Whoever she was.

It didn't matter who she was. I would never see her again. I couldn't. Because of what she was---and what I was.

I began to pick up speed and I wove through the trees on my four pawed feet.

"Please, Bella, don't go!"

Jake's thoughts reached me. I couldn't stand it anymore. I didn't have any thoughts of my own anymore. Jake always complaining that he can't get Bella to like him because of the Cullen kid but at least he has a chance with the human girl. At least the girl he loves isn't a vampire!

I did not know her name only a brief description of her appearance, which was what made me sure of what she was.

I hurried to the top of the cliff and stared up at the golden full moon.

Our kind would be strongest tonight. I didn't care. Jake's thoughts had sent me over the edge---literally.

I did the second stupidest thing that I could. I plunged myself over the edge of the cliff.

Just for the record, I said the second stupidest thing I've ever done. The first was thinking how cool it was to be a werewolf.