I never expected to have this happen, as much as I could expect anything to happen. I never thought I'd find myself doubting my objective, feeling for my prey. I blamed Seth Clearwater and his stupid ways.

Chapter Four

I hadn't been taken by surprise when I showed up at Charlie's house to find a lot of people there. I knew his daughter, Bella, wouldn't dare let her father do this alone, and wherever she would be, her husband was sure to follow. She stood casually playing with her daughter, who I swear was different already. The wolf-boy was there, practically glaring at the cab as I stepped out, his pack surrounding him loosely, trying to look casual and inconspicuous. I nearly laughed at the sight. Four giant boys and one very lithe girl, their skin warm in the sunless sky.

"Eva," Charlie greeted me with a casual smile. I made sure my eyes were guarded, that I looked uncomfortable and uncertain. I quickened my heart rate, and though I could not see Bella, I felt her tense from behind. I knew this sense of thirsty that compelled her so.

"Charlie," I murmured quietly. "Thank you for inviting me to dinner."

"My pleasure," he said. He gestured to the others. "This Jacob, Embry, Leah, Quil and Seth. Old family friends."

I turned and nodded to each one of them warily, none of them smiling. They nodded back, and then I turned and nodded to the youngest of the group, aside from the child of Bella and Edward. Seth. I looked at him and nodded my silent greeting and his face broke into the most dazzle smile. He strolled away from his group of friends and extended his hand to me.

"Eva, welcome to Forks," he said. I stared at his hand, uncertain, before I placed my hand in his and shook it. It felt like fire on my flesh.

"Thank you," I said quietly as heat rose to my cheeks. I withdrew my hand slowly, for the first time uncertain. I glanced at the others for a moment, and I knew I was as bewildered as they were. I knew he was part of Jacob's pack, which he, too, was a wolf-boy, but his friendliness surprised me. I held my breath as I backed away. I had heard that word before, and the thought that Seth was thinking it scared me.

'It's her, finally,' Seth laughed excitedly in his head. 'Of all the people to do this with, it's her. I've finally imprinted, and on Charlie's other daughter.'

I looked at him quizzically, thinking. I had heard of imprinting. Passing thoughts of the minds of the many before me, my eyes fell on the child and Jacob. Hadn't he imprinted on her? Quil on some girl child called Claire, he'd had imprinted on her. Embry… or Leah, I couldn't recall whether they'd thought along those lines. Now Seth thought he had imprinted. I felt a little sick. He thought that he had imprinted on me. I turned my face away, my cheeks ablaze. NO! This couldn't happen! This was going to be bad for him, he could imprint on whatever he wanted, but it wasn't going to sway me.

"Look, Charlie, not to be rude," I started.

'Famous last words,' I heard Leah think. It took all my being not to glare at her.

"I hate to be forward," I started again.

'I bet,' Leah snickered. I gritted my teeth.

"Can I just get the damn papers then, already?" I practically snarled at him. He looked at me in surprise.

"I… Eva… I don't want to sign them," Charlie said. I looked at him, forcing a look of surprise. Of course Charlie wouldn't. I let a shy, confused look cross my face.

"You… you don't want to sign them?" I said. I carefully let another glint of hope twinkle in my eyes. I thought too much would make me look too desperate.

"No… I mean… no," Charlie said uncomfortably. I caused myself to burst into tears and covered my face with my hands. Inside, I was celebrating the victory, having forgotten for the moment that 

there were other people watching. Well, not forgetting but ignoring them. It was easy until Seth slipped his fire hot arm around my shoulders.

"I can't believe you made her cry," Seth said accusingly at Charlie. I was not the only person who looked at him like he was crazy. Then again, no one knew that he had imprinted. When the pack morphed into their wolf form, the others would know.

"I… didn't mean to make you cry, Eva," Charlie said visibly uncomfortable. I shook my head.

"All I ever wanted was a father," I lied with tears in my eyes. I looked up at him with a smile on my face and threw my arms around him tightly. Where Bella had been constrained in her affection, I was not, and while I knew it made Charlie uncomfortable, it was something I would use to my advantage. I pulled away, smiling and glanced around at the rest of them, their faces still looking rather uncomfortable. My eyes fell on Seth and his face blossomed into the largest smile.

"Welcome to the family, Eva," Seth said as he enveloped me in his arms. I felt a genuine lump rise in my throat. No one had ever truly considered me family, and here was this unofficial spokesperson for the family. I looked up at his warm, caring eyes and my heart quickened, to spite me.

A/N: Ok, so... the story continues forward, the plot thickens. Thanks for those who have read and review, I do appreciate it greatly. Update should be quicker now... and there are six more short chapters... and yes, I'm still working on my other story.