Bella's POV
I did busy work as I waited for Jacob to get here. I had gone back and forth about cleaning my room today. But I finally gave in to the fact that it had been neglected during my grieving period. It wasn't that it was dirty, just messy from clothes being thrown around haphazardly, books and papers strewn about and I needed to change my sheets. I got to that first, stripping the bed and putting clean sheets on it. I picked up all the dirty clothes and took everything down to the laundry room. I separated lights and darks, and threw the sheets in first by themselves. I ran back up stairs to tackle the books and papers that were all over my room. First I straightened what was on the desk and then moved to things on the floor.
The time passed quickly since organizing all my books and papers took longer than I thought. I was in such a state for the week after Edward left that everyday I came home and just left things where they fell. And then I would fall on the couch and cry. It was good to get all these things taken care of. And I promised myself I wouldn't let myself fall apart like that again. It wasn't fair to me, and it wasn't fair to Charlie.
But apparently I would never have to worry about my heart getting broken again. I wasn't really sure how this imprint thing worked, but from what I gathered Jacob was my soul mate and we would always be together. Of course at this point I didn't put a lot of stock in "always" and "forever". And besides, I really wasn't ready for a relationship. I was going to have to explain this all to Jacob, and I felt kind of bad about it, since I was the one who attacked him with kisses last night. I didn't want to lead him on.
I heard a knock at the door and Charlie shuffling from his recliner to answer it.
"Bella! Jake's here!"
My heart swelled in my chest, and I had to take a few minutes to calm myself. I looked at myself in the mirror one more time before I headed down the stairs. I had straightened my hair again, just like Jessica did for me last night. I had put on a nice top and jeans. I didn't exactly know what one was supposed to wear when meeting a pack of wolves, but I figured since they were a bunch of horny teenage boys, the conservative the better. I sighed at the reflection in the mirror. It would have to do.
I walked carefully down the stairs, trying not to trip. Of course that would be like asking a fish to ride a bicycle. Impossible. As I got to the last step I tripped on...air. Yes air, I'm just that good. I braced myself for the fall, throwing my hands out to catch myself. But instead of hitting the floor I felt warm arms grab me and pull me up.
Jacob pulled me to my feet to face him, smiling at me.
"Jeez Bella, graceful much." He chuckled at me as I playfully punched him in the arm. He pretended it hurt, even saying "Ow", but I knew it hurt my hand more that him.
"Shut up Jake."
He chuckled again and pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead. I pulled away before he could kiss my lips. He looked a little confused by my actions, but didn't say anything. We headed to his car and he opened the door for me to get in. I fidgeted nervously as we drove to La Push. I knew I had to tell Jake I wasn't ready for a relationship. I just didn't know how to tell him. I mean last night I'm practically all over him, and today I'm pulling away from him. I could tell it bothered him. I could see him looking stealing glances at me out of the corner of my eye. I sighed.
"Uh Jake, listen, I don't want to lead you on or be a bitch, and I know you told me I'm your imprint and that means I'm your soul mate and everything, but I..um...I am not ready to be in another relationship right now. I mean Edward just left me 8 days ago, it wouldn't be fair to either of us if I just jumped into a new relationship with you." I was rambling. I stared at my hands. I couldn't look at him.
He sighed. Defeated? Upset? Hurt? I couldn't tell.
"Bella, the thing about imprinting is that the imprinter, me, is what ever the imprintee, you, needs them to be at the time. I guess I should have been more clear about that. I don't want to push you into something your not ready for. And if for right now you just want to hang out and stuff then that's fine. I'm not surprised you want to take it slow. I was actually more surprised by that kiss last night than I am about this conversation." He chuckled and grinned over at me.
I turned beet red. "Sorry about that......"
He looked at me like I had five heads and chuckled. "Please don't apologize for that. Please don't It was great, it was awesome, you were drunk, wont happen again until your ready. I get it."
I nodded and let the topic drop.
"So, this house on Second Beach? Did you and Billy move? Because Charlie never mentioned it."
"Actually no, Billy and I still live in our little red house. This house has been in my family forever. I don't know why Billy and my mom never moved there." He shrugged. "Anyway, Billy has been letting us use the house for pack stuff since there are so many of us and we are all pretty big. It was getting kind of cramped at Sam and Emily's house."
"Sam? As in Sam Uley, the guy who found me in the forest?" Jake nodded. I vaguely remembered Sam, but then again I vaguely remember much from the days following my break up with Edward.
"Emily is his imprint. She is actually the one preparing the meal tonight. She's great, you'll love her. But don't stare at her. She has scars on her face and hands. Sam...he..phased to close to her..and well." He shook his head and changed the subject slightly. "You'll meet all the imprints tonight. It's actually supposed to be rare, but more and more of us have been imprinting. Jared's imprint is named Kim, Quil's imprint is Claire and she is Emily's cousin. Oh and Paul imprinted on Rachael"
I looked at him kind of questioningly "Rachael? As in your sister?"
Jake nodded. "Yeah, the one guy in the pack I can't stand and he's the one who imprints on my sister." He huffed.
Jake spent the rest of the ride explaining imprinting and being a wolf and all those things I needed to know now that I was a wolf girl. It was nice to be around Jake. He was so easy to talk to and was so calm about everything he was telling me, which is kind of funny since he was telling me about things that weren't supposed to be real. Just being with him, driving to La Push, made me relax. I forgot about everything. He wasn't upset that I didn't want a relationship with him, and I didn't have to worry about any pressure from him. It was great.
And then we were at the house. I started to feel nervous again, fidgeting with my shirt, smoothing my hair as I got out of the car. Jake chuckled as he came over to me, watching me start to hyperventilate a bit. He took my hand and stood in front of me, looking into my eyes.
"Bella, calm down. You have nothing to be nervous about. No one is going to judge you. You look fine. Actually you look great. Of course nothing beats those pants you had on last night, but you chose a good outfit for meeting the pack." He smiled and winked at me.
I gasped and swatted his arm playfully. He had to mention those pants. I probably would never live them down. He chuckled, grabbed my hand and led me inside.
The house was huge. We walked through the door into a great room that was full of people. As soon as Jake and I walked in everyone stopped talking. It was just like last night at the party. I was starting to regret letting Jessica talk me into such a drastic color. Jake of course didn't seem phased.
"Hey everybody, this is Bella, Bella this is everybody." He gestured towards me and then towards the group of people in the room. I waved meekly at everyone. There were eight giant guys sitting or standing around the room. And among them were the girls I figured to be the imprints, but Jake had only mentioned 4 imprints, and there were five women in the room. One was very tall and muscular, just like the boys. She looked familiar to me also. I would have to ask Jake about it later.
Before I had a chance to really get in the door a beautiful women came bounding over to me. She had the same russet colored skin like Jake, actually like every other person in this room, and long black hair and dark brown eyes. And then I noticed the scar. Emily.
"Hello Bella, I am Emily. It's lovely to meet you. Why don't you come in the kitchen with us girls and help finish getting things ready for dinner. That way we can all chat." She started to lead me into the kitchen, the other girls in tow.
"So Bella let's introduce you to everyone here. This is Kim, she is with Jared, and this is Clare she is with Quil, and this is....."
"Hi Bella, you remember me, I'm Rachael, Jake's older sister. We used to hang out together during the summer while our dad's fished. Of course you did always have more fun making mud pies with Jake." She grinned and everyone in the kitchen giggles. Except the very tall muscular girl. She stood off to one side, slicing garlic bread. She looked pissed off. I wonder who she was with.
I blushed, but smiled and nodded at her. "Yes I remember."
"Oh and this is Leah." The angry girl looked up from the bread and nodded slightly.
" Yeah, Bella you and I have met a few times, my dad was Harry Clearwater." Ah yes now I remembered her. Harry and my dad were good friends. "And I'm not an imprint. I'm part of the pack." Her comment was dripping with acid and she shot an angry glance at Emily, who wore a look of embarrassment and guilt.
But Emily then put a smile on her face and said "Alright, well it seems like everything is ready. Let's set the bowls out on the counter buffet style, fill our plates first or we'll never get any food and then call in the pack."
Jacob's POV
Okay so I would be lying if I said I was a tiny bit disappointed that Bella and I weren't dating now. But I wasn't surprised that she wasn't ready for a relationship. She was being careful. Of course since she was my imprint it didn't really matter since I would be with her forever regardless, but Bella is kind of stubborn. She had been really nervous to tell me this, I don't really know why. I mean sure that kiss last night was something else, and I'm sure she wanted to make sure I knew she wasn't leading me on. But I wasn't worried. So she didn't need to be either.
Of course the situation with us wasn't her only worry. As soon as we pulled up to the house on Second Beach she got nervous again. This was understandable. She was about to meet a bunch of wolves it could be intimidating, but she really didn't have anything to worry about. Other than someone checking out her ass. I was very glad she hadn't worn the pants from last night, although truth be told I would LOVE to see her in them again. Hot damn.
Almost as soon as we go into the house Bella was grabbed by Emily and pulled away to be with the other girls. I was actually surprised Leah went into the kitchen. Since she isn't an imprint, she is part of the pack. And she pretty much hates Emily. Leah had been with Sam for years before he phased for the first time. Then after he phased he met Emily, Leah's cousin and imprinted on her, breaking Leah's heart. It made me very glad that I had not been in a relationship with anyone else when I imprinted on Bella. Not that I ever wanted anyone other than Bella.
As soon as Bella was gone I was bombarded with cheers and nasty little comments, most of which came out of Emrby's mouth.
"I'm sad to see she isn't wearing those pants." Embry said with a pout. If I had been closer I would have punched him, but thankfully Sam was near enough to smack him upside the head. Sam then walked over to me and pulled me aside.
"So, did you talk to her."
"Yeah, she gets whats going on. But she isn't ready to be in a relationship yet."
Sam nodded and he stared off into space for a moment, no doubt remembering Bella the night he found her in the woods. If anyone could understand why Bella wasn't ready for a relationship, it would be Sam.
"Well, it will happen eventually. No one can fight the imprint. No matter how hard they may want to." He sighed. I kind of felt sorry for him. He and Emily hadn't chosen to hurt Leah. Of course Leah didn't make it easy on anyone. I just really hoped she wasn't being a complete bitch in the kitchen.
Just then Leah came back into the great room. She clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.
"Okay guys, the girls have gotten their food, so the rest is for us. Let's go eat."
And then we were off. We descended on the food like...well a pack of wolves.
Hey everybody, sorry it took me so long to update. I've been working on this one for a few days, but life has been all kinds of crazy. My whole family got sick with the stomach bug, and as I mentioned my mother-in-law passed, so unfortunately the story was kind of on the back burner. Tomorrow I will be flying out for the funeral so I will have hours on a plane with my laptop to devote to writing more chapters. I hope to have one more done by the time I land so I can upload it once I get there.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and how the story is going so far. Please read and review and as always I'll see you in the next chapter!