To be honest, I don't even know how long it's been since I worked on this last. I get so many emails about this story, but I've chosen to lay there making a noise somewhat similar to "uhhhhagggh"...yes, just like that. This will probably be SO different than the rest of it. Please don't hate me. I guess I'm just Queen Procrastinator. It's about to be 2013...almost a new year...maybe I can make a resolution to keep writing this...

Hahahaha! Probably won't happen. Sorry 'bout that!

Chapter 10: Pact

Was it even possible to choose between the two? Embry and Zayn. Zayn and Embry. They were two completely different people, yet they were both meant for me? I don't think so. Something is amiss here. There is no way I'm compatible with both of them. Nope. No way. Nada.

"Bella? Are you ready?" That was Emily. She'd talked me into this insane beach trip in which I would probably trip in the ocean, hit my head on a rock, drown, and get eaten by a shark. That was just my luck.

"Actually, I can't tie the back. Do you think you could help me?" I called from the behind the little stall door.

I half expected a crack about how Zayn and Embry would both kill to tie up my bathing suit, but Emily knew better. "Of course,"

We'd chosen to change in one of the bathrooms provided on the beach; this way none of the wolves knew where we were headed. That was, if Emily hadn't squealed to Paul. It was both adorable and sickening the way they shared anything and everything with each other. I wanted that-but with only one guy.

Emily slipped into the minuscule stall beside me, giggling at the look of jealousy drawn onto my face. To be honest, she looked amazing. Her little white bikini not only hugged her curves beautifully, but complemented her skin tone flawlessly. Why couldn't I look like that? I probably like something resembling a rat.

"Come on," she commandeered once finished. "If we don't hurry the water will get cold."

"You're kidding, right?" Not only was there no way the water was anything but cold, but- "We're going in the water?"

"Why not? I mean, it's not like there's sharks. They prefer the warm water."

"So do I!" I spluttered, shivering in the brisk wind. It bit into my skin, nipping at anything that was left exposed, which was close to everything. My bikini didn't leave much to imagination.

Emily rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, we'll be fine."

"Fine, but if any of my toes turn black and fall off then I'm blaming you."

She mimed shock. "Me? Why would you ever think of blaming me?"

"Hmmm," I joked "I have to think about that one."

We approached the water's edge, where I dipped my toe in and expected it to shrivel and die immediately. It didn't turn black, but I was right-it was cold. Freezing, actually. Emily hopped right in, splashing me with droplets of ice water. My goosebumps' children grew goosebumps. I shook my head, backing away from the water with caution. If I could just make it to my towel I might be warm enough to make a break for it.

No such luck. Emily popped up from the water and grabbed my arm. Within moments I was fully submerged.

"So this is what hypothermia is like." I declared as my head broke the surface. I couldn't stop my teeth from slamming together with the force of my shivers. There was no way my lips weren't blue and I still had all my limbs and digits. "Alright, I was in. Now can I get out?"

"You won't get used to it if you don't stay in for a while."

"I don't want to get used to it! I just want to live without freezing. I don't know about you, but I don't run wolf temperature."

She groaned. "Jeez, Bella. I was trying to ignore it but you're really being a bitch." She turned red beneath the russet of her skin.

"Excuse me?"

"Sorry, but, you kind of are. I tried to do something nice for you and you've done nothing but complain."

"Sorry if this water is producing ice cubes." I snapped.

"You know what, we can go. I'm done with this. Would you mind taking me home?" She marched from the water, spraying even more water as she went.

She proceeded to dry herself with her towel, but I stayed back in the water. Was I really being a bitch? Was I acting so bad even Emily couldn't stand me anymore? It hurt to think that I was.

It was right then and there that I made a pact. I would choose Embry. To be honest, I was riddled with nausea just thinking about Zayn. There was something about him, yet I couldn't put my finger on it. Maybe indenting wasn't what everyone thought it was. I needed to ask. I needed to know. Once we got back to Emily's house I'd march right up to Caden or one of the other Makah wolves and demand they tell me everything there was to know about indenting.

Hopefully, after all of that was over, Embry and I could be together. He'd forgive me, right? I mean, he had to. I was his imprint and I loved him.

I'd stop complaining.

I'd start taking action.

They needed to learn that no one controls Bella Swan but me!