Author's Note: Welcome to Healing! I'm going to play fast and loose with canon because that's what makes fanfiction more fun, in my opinion. I don't own anything from the Twilight world, just the few characters I've put into it and of course the plot. I hope you like where this goes.

This first chapter is a short one, just to get us to where we need to be.

Chapter One: Running

Jacob Black was running. He had fled from his home, his heartbreak and everyone who had ever known him. There was no going back, not in his mind at least. That wedding invitation had been the final straw, the thing that had broken the final bit of courage that he had been holding onto. There was no way in hell he was about to hang around and watch Bella get married to the bloodsucker. He couldn't, not when his heart was already breaking so hard that he could barely breathe through the crushing weight that had settled on his chest. But somehow he managed to keep on running, to hold the broken pieces together just well enough that four legs carried him through the forest and as far away from La Push as he could manage.

He snapped and snarled, angry at the world around him even though it had done nothing to him. It was there to witness his pain though and that was enough for him. He had to vent that undeniable rage somewhere, better at the world in general than at a living thing. The longer he ran, paws pounding hard on the grass and dirt, the more sure he was that he could not turn back. What was left for him at home anyway? A thousand versions of 'I told you so' and knowing looks from the rest of the pack.

Guilt washed over him as he thought about his dad, the one person who had been there for him unconditionally. And yet.. it wasn't enough to stop his paws from moving or his heart from breaking. Trees rushed past him, leading on to grass and rocks. He paid no attention to his surroundings apart from to ensure nobody was around to see him. Giant wolves did rather stick out no matter how much of a blur he was as he ran. All it took was one overzelous hunter with a gun and it would be game over.

A traitorous part of his mind whispered 'like it would matter'.

Jake had lost track of how far he had run or where he was by the time he stopped. He panted heavily, exhausted from his pace and how long he had kept it up. His ears twitched as the sound of running water reached them. A stream? It did not take him long to find it, all but submerging his muzzle in the water as he drank gladly. He was so caught up in it that he did not hear pawsteps approaching and he did not smell that he was no longer alone. Only when he looked up did he see a huge bear standing on the other side of the stream, watching him with curious eyes.

He stepped backwards, all but tripping over his own paws. He was really not here for a fight. But he was surprised when the bear let out a huff that sounded almost like laughter, or whatever the bear version of laughter might have been. He was even more surprised when the bear held up one paw in what would have been a 'hold on a second' gesture coming from a human and then ambled away behind a tree. Though a moment later it was not a bear stepping out from behind that tree but a woman, perhaps twenty years old or so, with long black hair woven into a plait and tanned skin. She wore a simple dress, one that was easy to carry around when she wanted to shift shape.

"You don't have to look so surprised," she said to him with notes of laughter in her voice. "Haven't you ever met another skinwalker before?"

He shook his head but realised there was no having a conversation like this so he turned his back on her and returned to human form, pulling in his shorts before turning around again. There was no real shame in him any more, not after having so many in his head and around him when he phased.

"I have... just not a bear," he replied with what might have been a smile in better circumstances, not quite able to meet her eyes. "Is that what you call it? Skinwalker?"

"Skinwalker, shapeshifter, it's all the same," she told him with a shrug. "I've never met a wolf before though. They must be sacred to your people like the bear is to mine." Her lips curved into a smile and Jake wondered if that was pride he heard in her voice. How long had it been since he had been proud of what he was? Now it was just a burden.

"I guess." He still couldn't bring himself to look at her properly. She was so proud of what she was, so sure of herself. And if he looked at her then he was sure she would see the anger and shame that he was drowning in. Somehow that felt like it might be even worse than having to feel it himself.

"I'm Lily," she said softly, looking at him curiously and wondering why he kept his eyes on the ground as much as possible. It made no sense to her but there was definitely a reason behind it. "What's your name?"

"I'm-" He began to introduce himself, forcing himself to look at her for just a moment as he did. But in doing so his eyes met hers and one moment was all it took. The air had been sucked out of his lungs, catching in his throat as he swore for a moment his heart completely stopped.

"My imprint," she finished his sentence in little more than a whisper of complete awe and surprise. All Jake could do was stare back at her, his world crashing down even further than it had already. How was that even possible?