Leah POV

Over the course of the next few weeks, I tried to put everything Emily and Athan said out of my mind. I ignored the changes I saw. I didn't want to believe what they could be. But I realized in doing this I was hurting a part of myself. Keeping everything inside was making more agitated.

It certainly didn't help when I noticed Kim looking as though she wanted to cry as she came into work one day after school.

It was November by then, and the air was growing colder and the wind had more kick to it.

As Kim walked in I noticed her slightly worried expression and the sadness in her eyes, and wanted to scowl. Tears made me uncomfortable. I didn't know what to do when someone cried, mostly because I never did, and I never understood their reasons. But she was my employee, so I needed to make sure it wasn't the workplace that was causing her troubles.

I knew since she worked in the bakery, I could just have Emily deal with it. But Little Bo Peep tended to see a pair of sad eyes and turn into a puddle. So that left the task to me.

I walked over to the bakery section and leaned on the counter as Kim refilled a box of wax paper. "What's wrong?" I asked her simply. She looked up at me and sighed.

"Nothing really. I'm just being stupid."

"Well stupidity entertains me so c'mon, share with the class."

"There's this boy."

"There always is."

"No it's not one of those stories."

"Well I'm hooked now." I turned my head as the door opened and a customer walked in. I glanced at Athan, who nodded and took over the role of boss. The one thing I liked about that guy was that I usually didn't have to say a word to him, he always understood what I was thinking. "Continue." I said and Kim did as she wiped down the countertop.

"Well I've known him since sixth grade. We were in a school play together, and for whatever reason I developed quite the crush on him."

"Is he gay?"

She glanced at me. "Why would I have a crush on a gay guy?"

"I don't know, school play is kind of fruity."

"We were eleven."

"True. Go on."

"So anyways, I had this crush, but I never did anything about it, so it's an unrequited love situation. Though it isn't love because I don't know him. I just notice him."

"Does he notice you?"

"Please, he's Jared Triwood."

"And you're Kimberlei Ridge. Oh wait, Jared? I saw him come in here. He's your age right."

She nodded.

"Your sad over him?"

"Well sort of. See we're working on this project together, not that he's noticed, and he's been absent for most of it. I've had to do all the work. Then I hear he's in school today. I was going to tell him off but I don' t know. Something went weird."

"What?"

Kim leaned on the counter and lowered her voice. "He stared at me."

"Good heavens."

She smiled as I planned, but there was still confusion in her eyes. "I'm serious here. It was like something out of a book. He stared at me like I was it."

"It?" I said, feeling uneasy for the first time.

"Yea. Like I was the be all end all. Like I was his center, and it was just me and him. Like I was it."

"His it." I whispered.

"Exactly!" She sighed again. "I lost my nerve, and then he took off after school like the hounds of hell were chasing him. I don't know what to make of it."

I glanced at Emily who was listening to us as she drizzled fudge on the brownies. Her expression told me all I need to know. I felt myself shake but forced a smile at Kim.

"Maybe he's finally seen the light. It'll be ok." I pushed away from the counter and went towards the back door, hearing Emily ask Kim to cover the bakery as she followed me out.

"Leah…" She said and I rounded on her as we reached the outside of the store.

"He's one of them now I'm guessing. He's a pup and now he imprinted on her."

She nodded and I swore. "Leah, what's wrong?"

"It's ridiculous is what's wrong. She went six years crushing on that guy, and then he walks on all fours and suddenly notices her? What kind of bullshit is that Emily?"

"What is this really about?" She asked. "I know werewolves aren't your favorites in the world, but you never picked on imprinting. You said it was magical and a gift because it helps. It doesn't push or force, it helps. Now you're saying it's ridiculous, what changed?"

"It isn't me!" I yelled and felt myself shake more.

"You wanted Jared?" Emily asked, confused.

"No. Goddamn it I wanted mine. I want my happily fucking after. I want my it. I want to find my reason, and my center. I want to be someone's be all end all, and now everyone around me is finding theirs."

Emily softened. "Leah, what can I do?"

"Nothing." I said feeling low. "No that's a lie. You can cover the store for an hour. I have to clear my head."

"Take as long as you need."

"I have to pick up Seth from his friend's house at five. I'll be back after then for closing."

She nodded, and I turned and started running .It instantly improved my mood. Speed always did. The anger was still there though. It wasn't necessarily towards Kim or Jared, just the situation.

My life wasn't exactly what I pictured it. If someone had asked me the November before if I thought I'd be raising an eleven year old, running a business, and single; I would have laughed. Now it left me feeling cold. I knew I was doing a good job with Seth, and the store. But I was alone in it. I wanted my parents. I wanted to find my it. And I wanted Sam, my best friend.

It was a thought I couldn't handle. It made me shake.

This time the shaking didn't stop.

I stopped running to clutch myself. I felt like I was shaking into oblivion. I looked down at my feet and noticed I couldn't see them clearly, but it looked as though I was bursting out of my shoes. I held my middle tighter, as if I could keep myself together, as if I could fight it off.

I didn't.

I saw cotton and denim fly around me as I became something else.

As I became what I resented.