A/N: Thank you all for your support of my story. I'm sorry about the late post, RL is a bitch sometimes. A very very special thank you to "Me" for his help with this chapter. He is an amazing co-writer and is always there when I get stuck. He would tell you that he didn't do anything that would warrant that title but, I would still be working on this chapter if it weren't for his help. I think he understands my characters better than I do. Check out his stories "Click" which is coming to it's end :( and "Screwed" which has only just begun :) I'm so excited for it.

Chapter 7

Seth POV

When Paul woke after several hours, he seemed much more relaxed. Rachel was also able to rest when her false contractions subsided. Embry arrived at the house to relieve me, Jacob didn't want to leave Paul alone just in case he lost control again.

"I saw Edward today," Embry said as I was pulling on my shoes. My head shot up to look up at him wondering if something had happened. "He was at the playground with Alice and Jasper. He wanted her to be around people."

"How was he? Did anything happen? What did he say?" I barraged him with questions. He held up his hands in surrender and smiled at me.

"Chill, Seth," he shook his head. "Didn't you just see him this morning?"

"Yeah, but," I ran my hand through my hair. My heart clenched slightly with envy. I wished it would've been me with him. I wanted to be with him at every possible chance.

"He was good. Quil wasn't happy he was there, especially with Claire," he sighed. "I don't know how he was able to let her be around the leeches but,"

"Don't call them that," I growled.

"I'm sorry, shit. I know, I didn't mean it, fuck," he fumbled rubbing his hand over his face. I knew that it would be hard for everyone, in particular the pack to accept him. Our whole lives we'd been taught to hate them, to seek them out, and kill them. It was why shifters existed. I couldn't blame him exactly but, I wasn't going to listen to him call my imprint names. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah," was all I could muster. "Look, I gotta go," I told him as I turned to the door.

"Hey, Jacob said we should have a bonfire tonight. Sort of a way for us to meet Ed," he said. My first thought was that I would get to see him again tonight instead of waiting sleeplessly until morning. But, the next thought was that he would be walking into the line of fire. "It would only be the elders and the pack with their significant others. Brady will be here in about hour."

"I'll ask," I said before leaving. I went home feeling tired and anxious. I both wanted him to say yes and no at the same time. No one was home with mom still with Rachel and Leah away in Seattle. I jumped in the shower before letting it warm up. I was hoping it wake me up a bit. Even after everything that happened that day, the only thing, the only person I thought of was Edward. My wolf was still clawing to go to him, My cock twitched at the thought of his cool fingers weaving through my fur and his smooth voice. The way his skin glimmered in the sun almost blindingly. He was breathtaking.

I washed my hair quickly and ran the soap over my body letting the water rinse it away. I was suddenly excited to see him and I didn't care what everyone else thought of him, I wanted him there. I strapped a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt to my leg before running out the back door and phasing as I entered the forest.

I stepped up to the front door feeling my nerves vibrating through my body. I knocked and the door flew open endless moments later, my beautiful imprint stood there surprise and confusion rolling off him.

"Hey, um what, um," he stuttered.

"Hi Ed," I sounding more confident than I really was. "I didn't have your number so, I thought I'd come here. I hope it's okay."

"Um yeah," he nodded. He seemed to be nervous, running his hand through his hair. "Do you want to come in?" he asked moving to the side. I stepped in slowly and looked around the tastefully decorated house. It was much nicer than the houses on the reservation but not overly so. Jasper stood to greet me and the small pixie bounded out of a room from down the hallway.

"Come in, make yourself at home," Jasper said with a hint of southern drawl.

"Hi Seth," Alice said stepping forward and holding out her hand.

I shook it and smiled at her. "Good to see you again," I told her. Her hand felt cold, not the soothing temperature of my imprint and her scent wasn't intoxicating like his. But, it also wasn't repulsive like other cold ones I'd had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting. Maybe it was because they lived off animals or perhaps that she was around my imprint so much.

"Well, it was nice to meet you formally, Seth but, Alice and I need to go," Jasper said avoiding an awkward silence. Jasper winked at Edward and I heard a quiet hiss from my imprint and I felt a wash of embarrassment flow over me from Edward. I looked up at his narrowing eyes as he watched the two leave.

"What was that about?" I said lifting my brows at him.

"Nothing," he nervously ran a hand through his hair. "I um,"

"We are having a bonfire tonight down at the beach," I said. "Will you come?"

"I can't cross,"

"You can. The elders made an exception," I told him.

"Why? Because of the imprint?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes, they can't keep us apart," I said hoping I hadn't given away too much. It's not that I didn't want him to know, he just wasn't ready to hear it. "I want you to come and meet everyone. They want to meet you too," I said not really sure if it was the truth. He stared at me, his emotions were a bit scattered but, confusion seemed to be the overwhelming feeling. He pushed his hands deep into his pockets and let out a breath. He looked so human in that moment, awkward and contemplative. He finally nodded and my heart soared.

"Alice and Jasper should be home in a few hours," he started.

"Edward, the thing is, they can't come, not yet. Give them time to know you and then, maybe," I trailed off his face dropping at my admission. I hated feeling his sadness. I wanted so badly to wrap my arms around him and comfort him. I took a step closer to him breathing in his scent, the one I craved when we were apart. My hand brushed against him with a barely-there touch that set off the butterflies in my stomach. Edward's eyes fell to where our hand meet briefly and a small smile crossed his face. He looked back up at me chewing his bottom lip making him look sweet and innocent. If I closed my eyes, I could imagine a soft blush on his cheeks. Licking my lips, I let my hand touch his again, this time not pulling it away. His soft smile became a bit more pronounced. My wolf roared, happy to have the touch we both needed.

"You're so warm," he whispered. If it wasn't for my wolf hearing, I wouldn't have heard it.

I reached out my hand to take his. His pale skin contrasted perfectly with mine, just like his cool temperature. His eyes closed again as if he were trying to just feel only my warmth and tune out the rest of the world. My heart raced, beating enough for the both of us. I could feel his happiness, I dared not hope for more.

I rubbed my thumb back and forth on the inside of his wrist as he stood motionless. His eyes opened and I could swear I saw unshed tears. I slowly raised my hand, never looking away from the golden pools that seem to stare through me, and placed it on his cheek. His breath hitched and he leaned into it before placing his hand over mine.

"It feels," he paused. "It's so warm and it makes me feel alive," I couldn't help the smile I gave him. My whole body practically vibrating knowing that my imprint was happy, that I made him that way. It was the first time since meeting him that I felt that from him. I wondered when the last time he felt anything good. We stood there for a few moments before he took a step back, pulling away. He ran a hand through his hair as he looked at the floor. My wolf whimpered at the loss but, I'd pushed him far enough.

"I um," he placed the hand I was holding in mine to his chest and covered it with the other almost as if he were protecting it. I started to worry if he regretted our moment of intimacy. In that moment, he seemed so happy but, would he feel uncomfortable when thought back on it?

"When do we leave?" he asked and my anxiety left me. He still wanted to come. "Do the others really want me there? Is it safe?"

I once again took a step toward him dipping my knees to look into his downcast eyes. "They do but," I dared to put both hands on his face, partly to feel the closeness but mostly, to ease his fear. "Even if they didn't, I would protect you from them," I paused, "with my life."

"But, they are your pack, your family," he shook his head.

"And you are my imprint. They would never hurt you if for no other reason than it would hurt me. When you hurt, I hurt. Do you not feel that?" I asked him referring to the current that seemed to flow between us. He nodded at me. "It's the connection of the imprint. It means that I will here for you whenever or however you need me," we stood there, him searching my eyes, my mind.

I let go of his face and took a step back hating it but, he needed the space to take in everything I told him. He still held his hands to his heart, I didn't think he knew he was even aware of it. His eyes searched my face as if looking for any doubt as to what I'd said. I pushed my hands into my pockets trying to resist the urge to touch him again.

"I swear, nothing will happen," he nodded again and looked away.

"So, um, what do I wear?" he asked. I almost laughed at the simple question.

"Jeans and t-shirts, we don't have much use for any other clothes. And a jacket, it gets cold," he interrupted me with a loud guffaw breaking the tension. I chuckled along with him. "We should be there at dusk," I looked out the window to see the late afternoon sun.

"I'll change and we can leave. Make yourself at home," he said before leaving the kitchen. I decided to take a look around the house. We past two doors on the way to the kitchen, one was a small bathroom and the next looked like a small office with a desk and computer along with several bookshelves. I ran my fingers over the spines seeing if we shared any of the same interests.

I walked into the living room and saw the large fireplace. The mantle held several framed pictures and I walked over for a closer look. They were mostly of Edward and Alice, a picture of Jasper with Alice riding piggy-back, and one of a group including Edward. They were all posing and smiling for the camera. They all seemed genuinely happy, including Edward. This had to have been his family.

"It was," he said from behind me. I jumped and he chuckled.

"This was Carlisle and Esme," he said reaching around my shoulder to point out the people in the picture. My wolf was bouncing with excitement at the closeness but for me, it was his willingness to be close. He wasn't afraid, I hadn't scared him off with my actions from earlier.

"We should go," he said bringing me out of my thoughts. I nodded placing the picture back on the mantle. He opened the door and we stepped outside. "If you want, I could drive," he offered. I almost said no, wanting to phase into my wolf. But, that was the problem, it would mean undressing in front of him. I wasn't ashamed or shy but, I didn't know he felt about it. We had to move slowly, he was still getting used to having his hand held or a touch to the cheek. Seeing me naked was probably a step too far.

"Yeah, that would be great," I replied. He pushed in the code for the garage and we both climbed in. We drove to the beach without saying much, the radio played softly. I started out giving him directions but he told me he could see in my head the way to go. I had him park in my driveway from where we could walk. I was getting a bit nervous at the reception we would receive. I knew in my heart that these were my family and friends but, I couldn't help think of Embry from this morning and his slip of the tongue. Would they truly accept him as my imprint?

His cool hand wrapped around mine and I looked over at him. "Are you sure I should be here?" he asked his voice full of concern but, I could feel a small bit of fear coming from him. I put on my best smile and squeezed his hand.

"You belong here, Edward."