A/N: Thanks again to all the folks who reviewed, followed, and faved.

To answer a question regarding the last chapter. Yes, before Jake imprinted he was pulled into scenes from the past. Each of the eyes he saw through were different ancestors of his that had cared for her through time. He still does not know that though as his father never gave him the talk about Zee's history in the tribe. He will find out later though. :)

I hope you all continue to enjoy the story. Sorry for the gap but I was in a reading mode this month. I usually keep my profile updated on what I am up to if y'all feel like checking.

Edit: 10-17-16

Musical Inspiration:

Instant Crush - By Daft Punk

(Playlist for this story is linked in profile)

Legacy Of The Heart

.-^-.

Chapter 10

Not Alone

It was Saturday evening in La Push, Washington and a nervous young girl stood idle on the porch of a little red house. After Zyanya had seen Boox in the forest she went back to her home to inquire how Bella was handling the news. Unfortunately, Zee was told she missed her friend and Jacob by a few minutes. Even though Sam told the pack that Jake wished the imprint to be a secret, Jake still took her for a walk to explain about the wolves.

Zyanya ran her patrol and now found herself staring at the white screen door in front of her. She was working up the courage to knock and confess to Billy. She felt like a teenager getting ready to confess to her parents that she got pulled over for speeding. Zee's mind continued to defend that this wasn't her fault... but her nerves continued to thrust questions at her. What if he bans her from the pack... or worse, kicks her out of La Push?

"Zyanya, how long are you going to stand in front of my door?"

Zee hopped backwards startled. She wrung her hands together while he continued to stare at her. "Billy... I didn't see you there."

He chuckled. "I gathered as much." Opening the door fully for her, he waved her in. "Well... come on then."

Zee sat down in her normal spot on the couch. Their chats about the ongoings of the pack have become a weekly regime. This was the first time she was hesitant to speak first, but she pushed through. Adjusting her posture to give her some confidence, she looked at the man across from her straight in the eyes. "I needed to tell you that my chanul has been awakened." Her confidence did not last long when she saw Billy's eyebrows raise.

"Zyanya," he started in a stern voice. "I specifically told you the night you came to see me at Charlie's place... that you were not to perform that ritual."

"I swear Billy... I didn't do a thing, she woke up on her own." Watching the chief let out a long exaggerated sigh, Zee wondered if she was about to get a verbal lashing.

Billy propped his head up with his hand and looked in deep thought. After a few moments, he shifted in his seat and focused on Zyanya. "I know you understand about how our tribe shifts. In your culture you had your own name for it."

"Yes, nagual... the man who is able to shift into his other soul, the animal spirit protector," she jumped in to remind him of the information.

"Right..." He nodded. "This is not the same for you and this is what concerns me dear. If the wolves get hurt in wolf form, they heal at an accelerated rate." He took her hand in his. "You do not heal like them, you are still very fragile. Now with your..." Billy paused trying to recall the word.

"Chanul," Zee offered.

"Thank you, yes, chanul... you are leaving yourself extremely vulnerable. I know that jaguar is your spirit protector, but if she get's hurt... you get hurt." He gave her a serious look. "There are hunters out there in those woods, not to mention a vampire roaming around and spirits help us if those Cullens come back... she could be lunch."

Zee couldn't help it, but she giggled. She quickly made it sound like a cough when she could see that Billy was not amused. "I promise Boox is keeping well hidden. It's just extra surveillance for us. I can let the guys know if she sees the redhead or will know their location if they find her first. Everything will be fine." She smiled and squeezed his hand.

"I hope so. I feel very protective of you Zyanya, just like one of my own children and I can assure you none of us in this tribe want to lose you." He bent his head down to make a point with his eyes. "It would not be the first time."

Zee scowled. She hated to remember that day a vampire got the jump on her. She had no warning and not a clue the woman was behind her. "That was a very long time ago, and I have learned to take better awareness of my surroundings. Besides, my Chunal..." Zee abruptly stopped speaking when the chief held his hand up.

"Hi Jake," Billy said without looking away. He bent in closer so only Zee could hear. "Some awareness you got there kid." Billy chuckled and leaned back in his chair before looking at his son. "You're home early."

Zee turned to see that Jake was indeed standing just beyond the living room. How did she miss him come in? Darn those wolfie stealth reflexes. He does look really nice in that shirt though. Her thoughts stopped when she heard her name mentioned. "Huh?"

Jake pushed his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. "I was telling my dad that I came home because I heard you were here and I wanted to speak with you."

"Oh..." Zee gave him a surprised look before turning to Billy. "I think we are done here?" The older man nodded so she stood from the couch and brought her attention back to Jake. "Sure, we can talk."

Jake gestured to a hall she had not been down before. "We can go to my room."

Following his direction, Zee walked past Jake and turned the corner towards what she assumed was his room. Turning back at him while she walked he tilted his head up to indicate she was going the right way. Entering through the open door she observed the small bedroom. The walls were tan and had three car posters attached to them. The wooden night stand was covered with a stack of magazines and it sat next to a single bed that seemed entirely to small for the tall wolf. For a boy, the room was surprisingly kept neatly. Zee sat on the edge of the bed and waited for the room owner to start the conversation.

...

Jake lingered in the doorway and thought of exactly how he wanted to word things. He noticed his hands were still in his pockets so he removed them quickly. It seemed to be a habit he started ever since meeting Zyanya. The way he figured it, shielding his hands was the only way to prevent them from instinctively wanting to reach out to touch her. Clearing his throat, he mentally prepared for the speech he had in his mind. "Zyanya, I need to apologize..."

Zee waved him off and gave him a smile. "You really don't, I understand why..."

"No," he stole back the conversation and swiftly sat down next to her. Turning his body to face her he continued. "I do... when we met it was as if we had an instant friendship. That night I found out you were connected to Sam, I thought the most horrible things. I was angry that you could be so close to people who at the time, I thought were no good. I was horrible to you and...and," Jake began to stutter as his emotions were taking over. "And... my actions were inexcusable. A good friend would have asked and not assumed. I'm asking you to forgive me for being a jerk and I promise to be a better friend this time around."

Zee smiled up him. "I forgive you," she replied and put her hand on his knee as reassurance.

Putting his hand on top of hers, Jake looked at Zee with a smile and tried to deny the tingling sensation running through him. Being this close to her was like being in a dream. "Thank you." He suddenly hoped he didn't look foolish with that dopey grin Paul had described. "So... what's this about a channel?"

Zee giggled causing him to widen his smile. "It's called a chunal. It's part of my culture. It is believed that there is two parts to the soul. The main part of course belongs to the owner, it's everything you are... your essence. The second part, this is your spirit protector. It is usually in the form of an animal. You..." She dipped her head towards Jake. "have a nagual, the soul of a wolf protector you turn into. Now the other type is a chunal. Those separate from the body and manifest into an animal on their own. In that case, your wolf would be roaming around."

"I bet it would be better to have a chu-nal then," he sounded out and started to laugh. "Those words sound so much prettier when you say them."

"You did well on the pronunciation. Also, having a chunal isn't the better option. There is much less control." Zee was silent and her smile faltered a bit. With a slight tug she removed her hand from under Jake's and briefly looked down at her lap. "How'd it go with Bella?"

And here it was, Jake thought... the removal of physical contact with the mention on Bella. "She is fine. We were actually exchanging information. Did you know her ex vamp boyfriend was a mind reader?"

That piqued Zee's interest as she tilted her head to the side. "Really? So he hears everything that everyone is thinking?"

Jake was glad to see her mood brighten so he nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, everyone except for Bella. If you think about it, it has to be a blast to think of random things just to screw with his head."

Zee laughed out. "Oh, the possibilities"

"Exactly," he drawled out. "Some of the other Cullens have powers too. Apparently, one can tell the future, another can feel emotions and send them out."

"Err..." Zee scrunched her face up. "Watching sports in that house must be awful. One telling you who will win and the other chilling you out when all you want to do is yell at the TV."

Jake boomed out with laughter and Zee joined along. He enjoyed how her mind worked, they really were well suited for each other. After they both calmed down, he put his arms out. "Friends again?"

"Yes. Always were," she insisted and accepted the hug he offered.

Jake took notice that this hug was different from the one he had given her before. He didn't think it was just him noticing either... it seemed the combination of how both of them were intertwined was now more intimate. Jake closed his eyes as Zee's hand smoothly gripped behind the edge of his hairline. His fingers rested into the curve of her back while his chin took residence into the crook of her neck. The moment they should have let go only seemed to bring them closer together. He imagined he could stay like this forever, just letting her scent enthrall his senses. The tingling he had felt earlier was now replaced with a thick electric current that possessed his entire body.

"Zyanya, you should probably start for home before it gets to late," his dad's voice traveled into the room from his spot in the doorway.

He felt Zyanya begin to break away and reluctantly followed suit. As they released each other, Jake could feel the last remnant of her fingertips grazing his neck and instantly missed the connection.

Zee smiled to the chief before standing. "You're right Billy I should go." She left with a short good night to Jake and his father.

Watching her as she exited the room, Jake's gaze rested back on his fathers. His dad was giving him that serious look of his. Initiating a talk, Jake figured he would get it over with. "Okay, what is it?"

The old man's eyes never wavered from their intent. "I think it would be best if you kept your distance from that girl."

To say Jake was surprised by his father's comment would be an understatement. "Why would you sat that?"

"Jake," his father began with a sigh. "Zyanya is the type of girl that men fall in love with easily. She's bright, courageous, beautiful... and I care for her as if she was my own flesh and blood but..." He paused briefly as if figuring out his own words. "She is very set in her ways of thinking. I don't want to see you get hurt, especially when something isn't meant to be."

Jacob guessed this must have something to do with his father's thought's on imprinting. "Dad, no worries. Trust me... everything will be fine. Things will work out, you'll see." The teen leaned back into his bed and tried his best to get comfortable. He was wiped out from the long day and all he wanted was to sleep and dream of holding the woman he was fated with. With a long yawn he looked to his father still parked his his doorway. "Good night dad."

...

Billy did not take his son's reassurance lightly and planned to talk with him again another time. He noticed the way Jake looked at Zyanya and he feared his boy would succumb to the heartache of his ancestors. To many in the line had fallen in love with Zee, but sadly none of them had imprinted on her. They continued to hold a torch for the girl even after meeting their own spirit wives. He did not want Jake to feel that same anguish. Maybe helping someone to be a distraction would be a good thing. Billy swore he would protect his son's heart. "G'night Jake."

.-^-.

Sunday came and the pack thought they would take some time for fun. It was decided that the group would enjoy the day at the beach. The plan was to meet at Zyanya's house in the morning and from there everyone would drive to the coast. While waiting for the last two people to arrive... who coincidentally happened to be Bella and Jake, Zee helped Emily and Kim pack the picnic baskets.

Zyanya barely heard the conversation between the girls next to her due to reminiscing over the chat she had with Jake the night before. She was glad they were able to fall back into their friendship so easily, but that hug scared her. The feelings she was trying so hard to repress were stirring about after that hug. Zee was determined to be more careful during her times with Jake.

"Alright, everyone is finally here... let's get a move on," Sam announced as he grabbed a cooler full of beverages.

Zee turned around to see Bella and Jake hanging by the front door. She gave them a smile and a wave before they went back out to Bella's truck. As everyone was exiting the house, Zee tugged Embry's arm holding him back. "Stick to me like glue today, okay?"

Embry gave her a confused look before briefly gazing over at Jake and Bella. It was then everything clicked and he realized Zyanya didn't want to be alone with the happy couple. "Will do." He nodded.

When they all arrived at the beach, time seemed to fly by with enjoyment. Though it was still early in the day, the boys insisted on making a bonfire. Not only was the fire magical to watch, but it provided warmth for the imprints on this chilly day. For the most part, the group mainly hung around and goofed off.

Zee noticed that Jake tried to engage her in conversation quite frequently and even offered to grab her a drink a few times. His offers were waved off by Embry who would always be kind enough to bring her a beverage instead. The idea of playing football was thrown out and all the guys agreed to the match. Being the only female who could keep up with them, Zee insisted on joining the game.

The teams consisted of Sam, Embry, and Zee against Jared, Paul, and Jake. The game had started and after a handful of plays, Zee was having a blast. Being a little on the competitive side, she was in full on trash talk mode that other team was getting their asses kicked by a girl.

...

"Frick, she is fast," Jake muttered to himself while Paul laughed. Jogging back to the imaginary line made in the sand, his team called their next play and rounded Jared before he yelled hike. Jake ran long and noticed Zee was covering him. Seeing the football flying his way, Jake jumped up to catch it. His feet didn't touch the ground before he was tackled onto his back. He looked up to a laughing Zyanya on top of him.

"I've got you." She beamed.

Jake's goofy smile was set back in place again. He could see her beauty magnified in her happy carefree state. "Yes you do." He realized then he wanted her to know how truthful that statement was and how hard it was going to be to keep this secret.

Zee tilted her head to the side as if almost questioning that comment. Before anything else could be said the arms of Embry wrapped around her waist and he helped her up. "Come'on Zee let's not beat up Jake."

Jacob pushed himself up and watched the pair walk off. Brushing the sand off his legs he became frustrated and gave off a low growl. "What the hell?"

Paul who was close enough to hear him strode over and chuckled. "I believe you were just game blocked by your buddy Embry."

"He's been doing it all damn day." Jake squeezed his hands around the football and thought he might actually pop it if he didn't reel in his anger. He was completely aggravated with how the day was going. All he wanted was a chance to be alone with Zee, but every time he was shot down by Embry. Even though he was told over and over again there was nothing going on between the two of them, Jake still was not able to shake that twinge of jealousy. "You don't think Embry has feelings for her do you?"

Paul shook his head. "As much as I could mess with you right now Black, I will be a stand up guy and answer truthfully. No. You have seen his thoughts yourself. I think it's more of a brotherly affection since he's an only child. He's protective of her just like he is his mom. The funny thing is though, it looks like he is protecting her from you." Paul gave Jake a reassuring slap on the back and both boys ran back to the line to continue on with their game.

After many tackles and scores, the game had finally ended. Zee did her victory dance in the sand and her teammates all high-fived each other. With whines from the losing side and promises of a rematch, everyone settled back in a circle around the bonfire.

...

Zyanya took her usual spot next to Embry and got comfy on the blanket. The men were still discussing football while Zee's eyes wandered towards Emily. The scarred girl looked deep in thought while she stared across the fire at Jake and Bella. Stealing back her gaze, Emily gave a small motion with her head that she wanted to talk. "Zee, I think the guys are getting hungry, can you help me get the food out of the trunk."

Zee lifted herself off the ground. "Sure Em." As she stood and began to walk up the trail, Emily grabbed her hand and pulled her along at a faster speed. When they reached the car, Zee gave her friend a questioning look. "Okay, what's going on... what did you want to tell me that you couldn't in front of everyone else?"

"Something weird is going on with Jake," she insisted while popping the trunk open.

Zee leaned in and grabbed the bag full of papers plates and napkins. "What do you mean?"

Emily slipped her arm under the picnic basket and grabbed chips with the other. "I mean, he is not acting like someone who imprinted." Filling her hands with one more bag, Sam's fiancé took her elbow and pushed down the trunk door locking it into place. "Look, I have been an imprint for a while now... I know how the men act. I know from my and Sam's relationship and I've seen it with Jared and Kim. Jake does not look at Bella the way he should."

Zyanya shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe Jake is acting this way because he does not want Bella to find out he imprinted on her. We just have to go with the flow until he decides to tell her, until then... she can't know."

Emily nodded and both girls went back down the path to the beach. What they did not notice was the brown haired girl with chocolate eyes who was out of sight and off to the side.

...

After hearing Emily and Zee went off to grab food, Bella decided to help. As she walked closer to the pair she heard the tail end of their conversation. Not wanting to interrupt since her name was mentioned, Bella hid and let them walk past. Now, Bella knew she was Jake's imprint. The only problem was... she had no idea what an imprint was, but she did plan to find out.

Dun, dun, dun... Bella knows! Fav/Follow/Review :D