I jumped back in shock at the same time Jacob did. I just scrambled back onto Leah's bed trembling with fear and adrenaline. Jacob simply watched me frozen in shock, his face probably identical to mine.

His adam apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed nervously, he backed away slowly, treating me like a small frightened animal.

"Well it is really hot in here don't you think?" The voice came closer to me than I expected and I jumped pressing my back close to the wall.

"Idiot!" Leah whispered harshly to Seth elbowing him hard in the stomach. Seth was right though, the entire room was sweltering with heat that seemed to radiate in waves. Sweat was dripping off of Seth, Jacob, and Leah, My own shirt was drenched and sweat was dripping down my forehead in salty rivers.

The room was stuffy and reeked of sweat, it felt like nobody even dared breathe. So my next words seemed to echo in the silent room.

"Take me home."


When I had stated the command, I felt like I had stated it to all occupants of the house, but apparently they felt it was directed to the one person I didn't want to be around and that person only.

So now I was riding shotgun in a car I believe they called a Rabbit, beside the driver/owner who, apparently, was the natural born leader of a group of teenagers, who could transform into giant furry wolves at will and were born to kill vampires who were less than affectionately called leeches and the Cullen's were the resident leeches in the area, who didn't drink from humans but they sometimes got nomads who just wandered around.

Yeah they had filled me in rather well.

I still felt like they were leaving stuff out however so I made a mental note to grill Seth later.

"Why are you so interested in me?"

I felt the words slip out of my mouth of their own accord. Jake's head jerked up in surprise, his mouth twisted as he thought about it.

"What did they tell you about an imprint?" It was my turn to be surprised, well... this beats having to grill Seth about it later.

I chose to simply shake my head instead of trusting myself to speak. He nodded his head vacantly, almost like he had expected that answer.

" Imprinting only happens after one of the pack has phased for the first time. An imprint has been described as an other half."

He looked at me to see if I was following, I nodded "So, like a soul mate?".

He hesitated "Kinda", he gave a frustrated sigh as I stared at him expectantly.

"It has also been described as... compensation for the burden."

He looked at me cautiously "Compensation?" I said it like a question. Just saying, caused a cold, burning, feeling of dread to start in the pit of my stomach.

"It's almost like the world was like "Sorry we had to do this to you, so here is your one true love in a pretty little package'. All of the imprints are Quileute and they always fall in love on site. They're made for each other."

He shrugged halfheartedly "See, compensation".

I felt the little color that had returned to my face drain as he spoke, the feeling of dread becoming so strong it was nauseating as it spread from my stomach through my limbs and to my heart turning my body into ice.


We didn't speak the rest of the ride home, I simply watched the first dredges of ice and snow fall from the sky out of the window. It was like the weather was reflecting my mood.

We pulled into the drive silently, the house lights were off and there were no cars in the gravel driveway.

I jerked the heavy door open and slid out of the car with absolutely no grace. I went to close the door but I stopped, I still had a few more vital questions for him to answer.

"I'm assuming the reason you told me about imprints is because I am one, right?"

He nodded, his face guarded, "Am I yours?" He nodded again

"You said that imprints fell in love on sight. But if that's true, then why am I not in love with you?"

His face stayed the same, it was like he was etched in stone.

"I don't know."

I nodded before continuing with the little speech I had organized in my head.

"I don't want to talk or be around you, or any of your pack now, tomorrow, or ever. I already have enough to deal with besides this supernatural crap, so please tell them I am sorry."

I said it calmly, matter of factly, I was good at that.

I simply turned and walked towards my house, I was halfway there when something in my gut prompted me to turn around and say something else.

"Oh and Jacob."

He simply stared at me seemingly frozen in shock.

"I have no feelings of love or affection towards you." I stated, my voice becoming like ice.

"I will never, ever, be you're compensation"

I turned and ran into the house so he didn't see me break down.


What do you think?