I do not own anything but the plot.

"Hello," he tried to put on a smile, which made me at ease from where I'm standing.

"Uhm, hi," now that he's being kind, I sort of feel embarrassed to think about that worst case scenario, "I wonder if you could," and now I can't turn back, "let me talk to Tia?"

He's not changing his expression; I'm kind of alarmed by it. Is he considering it? Is he against it? My panic probably showed in my face because he sighed, and gave me a small smile.

It took him a few seconds, but he answered, "Could you," now he was uncertain, "just wait here a moment." With that, he disappeared inside.

I didn't have to wait long. "Okay, come on inside," Jared said when he appeared by the door again.

Though still a bit uncertain, I walked inside the house.

Even until then, Tia was uncertain on how to accept me. Tia was still confused about everything, but I'm confident, her good nature would win over her decision.

"You wanted to talk to me?" Tia was a beautiful girl, with a warm smile. If she were harboring any bad feelings towards me, she wasn't showing it.

"Yes, I feel I need to tell you the truth."

"I know about the future seeing." Probably from Jared, Ellie thought.

"You heard from Jared."

"Yes, uhm..."

Just then, Jared peeked from the kitchen.

"Just water for me, please. And, soda for Tia, to perk you up, right?"

"Was that for..."

"Jared, yes. But he really doesn't have to bring me anything you know."

She laughed lightly, "so this is how it feels to talk to you; it feels a bit weird."

She stopped laughing, waving her hands awkwardly, "not that I mean you're weird, I mean with the future thing."

"I get it," I said with a small smile. She's trying to lighten up the mood. Always a ray of sunshine – so much like Seth. Wait – where did that come from?

"You were gonna say something?" she looked at me, confused. I was grateful she ignored why I frowned in the middle of a good conversation.

"I want to tell you in person, how sorry I am for my selfishness. I-I don't know how to make it up to you."

She stiffened, while I was having a hard time talking.

"I saw you – no, I mean, I saw you were together," she was about to speak but I cut her, "don't get me wrong, I was already on my way here."

"Oh," was her only response.

"B-but that doesn't erase the fact that I went on and met him. I knew what would happen, I was aware of…" I couldn't say relationship, it'll trigger weird emotions in both of us, that I know, "your situation. And yet, I continued."

I sighed, I couldn't look her in the eyes. From my peripheral vision, she wasn't looking at me either. "Tia, I…" I stopped, I felt my voice was about to break. Taking in a deep breath, I continued, "I was selfish and coming here to apologize and tell you all that doesn't make me any less. I've wronged you; and I would understand if you would hate me, but p-please…" I couldn't hold it in, after all, "don't hate Seth. You and I know he's as much of a victim as you are. I just…"

I slumped, finally giving in to the tears. Yay, waterworks, now I look like a fool. "I don't know. I'm just really, really sorry."

I looked up when a glass of water was shoved to my face. I peeked up to see Jared's calm expression.

I looked at Tia who was now on the verge of tears.

"Oh, no. I didn't mean to give you pain."

"No, I'm just happy. I was afraid of who you'll turn out to be. This meeting could've turned out in very bad ways. I'm glad you're you. I'm relieved that relieved you turned out to be the kind girl Seth deserves," Tia explained as she attempted to wipe her unshed tears.

"I don't think I understand," what she said was confusing; was she expecting this all along?

"I'm not mad at you, nor Seth. I was aware that this could happen. I'm just thankful you turned out to be a very sweet girl. I wouldn't want anyone less amazing if I were to give up my feelings for Seth."

Ellie must have had her mouth hanging the whole time Tia was talking. She didn't expect her to have this reaction towards her, despite the imprinting and the future-seeing. "You are amazing yourself." This girl was in deep grief – her breaking voice was a giveaway – and yet, she could say these words to her.

"I do get that a lot," she answered nodding to herself. She cracked a smile not long after and was laughing at herself. Ellie couldn't help but laugh with her. She saw Jared shaking his head at the two, but with a content smile on his face. Tia excused herself and when she came back, she was holding a tray of cookies.

"Thank you," Ellie said as she enjoyed the snacks prepared by Tia. "I mean for everything today. Your kindness is my saving grace."

"I was actually kind of expecting it, to tell you the truth – I mean Seth imprinting. You don't have to punish yourself over it."

"But still…"

"That's enough, we're not holding anything against you, okay?" she elbowed Jared.

"Ow! Huh?" Jared eyed Tia confusedly, "Oh, yeah, no hard feelings."

"I really, really appreciate your kindness," she breathed a sigh of relief, "to tell you the truth, I was pretty scared that Jared would lunge at me any moment back there."

"I wouldn't do that. You're one of the pack's imprint – and besides, Tia didn't want trouble."

Ellie smiled at him.

"But it was kinda annoying hearing Seth from outside muttering nonsense at me. "Don't do it..don't you dare…" Blah, blah. As if he could actually threaten me," he said, smug.

She was hit with embarrassment. She didn't keep track of Seth because she was a little frantic and nervous at going to Tia's, she focused her energy to the conversation they were about to have. They talked some more, but her mind was already on Seth and the reason he had to do that. It would've caused the situation to turn bad.

As soon as she walked out of the house, she strode almost angrily to Seth. Of course he just had to threaten Jared while they were trying to reconcile with the siblings – so much for being apologetic.

She hesitated, when she saw him clearly, he looked troubled. He was thinking deeply to himself that he almost didn't notice her there. But as soon as he did, he pulled her into a tight hug. Why was she angry, again? She completely forgot. She wrapped her hands around the hotness of his skin.

"What's wrong?" her worry evident in her voice.

"Ellie, I can't stand it."

"Hey, tell me what's wrong." Now she was more worried, she hasn't seen this side of Seth before.

"You can't always bear the wrong I've done to Tia. It's not your fault. You and I are a given – nature's verdict, so to speak. I was just impatient – that was entirely my fault. So please," Ellie's heart almost jumped from her chest as Seth faced her and she could see the intensity of the emotions in his eyes, "don't cry anymore. Don't be sad anymore. We're going to be happy together, and I will fix all of this, okay? Just be happy, and everything will be fine."

She nodded dumbly, unable to get over the warm feeling in her heart, now creeping up to her cheeks. In front of her was Seth – the optimistic, talkative, full of energy Seth. But right now, with those words, she saw the serious Seth – the one who will protect her and love her, and support her – and in that moment, she felt her world was finally put in place. Here, in his arms, she believed that everything will truly be okay.

.

.

.

"So you're Ellie! I've been hearing so much about you from Seth." Emily greeted as soon as she stepped on her house.

"Good things, I hope." Ellie replied giving the older woman a small smile. Seth had decided to take her to Emily's and introduce her - formally, as all of them already knew her, no doubt - to his pack.

"Ugh!" the boys groaned in unison.

"No offense, Ellie. You're gorgeous, that's true," she heard Seth growl from behind her, "but seeing Seth's never-ending – close to obsessive – thoughts was really getting on our nerves." Embry teased, though he was mainly looking at Seth.

"Hey!" Seth. Ellie couldn't force down a giggle.

"Hey, boys, be nice." Emily said, but she was laughing at their childishness.

"Hello, I'm Sam," a deep voice cut in the laughter.

"Hi, I'm Ellie," she nervously answered.

"Don't worry about him, Ellie," Emily said as she pushed the younger girl inside the house, "he still likes to act like he's in-charge." This made Sam laugh in his deep voice.

"That's because Jake likes to act like a kid most of the time," Jared, who popped out from behind them, teased.

She gave him a smile, while he gave her a small nod.

"Oh yeah?" Jacob said, as he reached for Jared. He caught Jared's neck in his arms. Jared wrapped his arm around Jacob's waist, attempting to outbalance him.

Laughter echoed within the house as the two rolled around the floor.

Seth smiled seeing Ellie laugh carelessly with the others. He slung his arm around her shoulders, earning her attention. Seeing the blush in her cheeks, he grinned wider, "C'mon! You've got to taste Emily's cooking!"

"Yeah! She's the best cook," someone excitedly said as he passed them – maybe Collin, she thought.

"You haven't lived if you haven't tasted," Quil said in agreement, already sitting down on the table.

She was surprised that by the time she sat on the table, the chicken pieces Emily cooked were still untouched. That was when she noticed that their eyes were on her.

"Emily threatened not to cook for anyone who eats before you do," Seth whispered, as he tried to muffle the snicker from his mouth by burying his face on her shoulder.

The gesture only made Ellie more self-conscious. She looked down, and hastily grabbed a part, "thank you. Please eat. Thanks Emily!" She said in one breath, her heart hammering in embarrassment.

Seth looked up at her, first confused, but when he saw the blush deepening on her cheeks, he understood. He laughed quietly, hugging her.

"Ugh, stop it already, Seth! We're eating here," Embry commented – his mouth, full from the chicken he just ate.

"Like you could be stopped from eating," Seth retaliated by sticking his tongue out at Embry.