Three weeks. It has been three damn weeks since I have found out that Jake was partially wolf, and nothing is remotely the same as it used to be.

Jake calls every other day, and I see him at least once a week. Supposedly Sam made rules for me; as in—Laurel can't come to La Push anymore, Laurel has to be 'under house arrest'-as-in-she-can't-leave-her-house-unless-Embry-escorts-her-even-for-school, Laurel is limited to wolf knowledge, Laurel can't talk to Bella Swan, and Laurel can't tell anyone of what she knows.

All-in-all, a load of bull shit is what it is. If I could, I'd punch Sam Uley in his god-damned face. Then I might break my fist, which isn't what I wanted.

I didn't get to find out much in the past three weeks do to rule number three, which says I am limited to my wolf knowledge. In that case, I know what Jake told me out in the woods, and just bits and pieces of what Embry let slip when he was off guard. Which means I know that they can hear each other's thoughts when they were all wolfy. Pretty bad ass. But he also said it's a pain, because he can always see images of Kim or Emily naked, or like when Quil and Jared doesn't shut up about Claire and Kim.

And when I asked him who Claire and Kim was, he said 'the guys imprints'.

Another slip that just about through me onto Molly and break all the rules that Sam set.

Imprinting is what it's called. Like 'love-at-first-site' on steroids. Embry explained it like Sam did. A rapid learning process by which a newborn or very young animal establishes a behavior pattern of recognition and attraction to another animal of its own kind or to a substitute or an object identified as the parent. Which means 'love-at-first-site' on steroids. Embry told me that although he hasn't imprinted, that he can feel how the guys that have, had.

Jared followed Kim around like a lost puppy dog.

Sam did everything in his power to make Emily happy, even if it meant to get down on his hands and knees to lick her toes; which he has done once.

Quil, last but not least, would put on a dress and play princesses with Claire until her little heart burst just because she wanted him do. Claire was two, and Emily's niece. I about blew a casket, until he also told me that Quil feels like her big brother at the moment. Protective and loving, a best friend. That is up until Claire starts to get older, and when she's around the age to start liking boys, and Quil deems it's old enough, he'll pursue her finally.

Again, all-in-all; shit is whack.

After that conversation with Embry, about the imprinting and fighting information out of him; I asked him who Jake had imprinted on. And when he wouldn't tell me, he came back the next day with another rule from Sam.

'Laurel can't ask any pack member about Jake's imprinting.'

Yeah, shit even more whack.

~AOA~AOA~AOA~AOA~AOA

As everything plays over and over in my head, I can't help but sigh and wish my best friend was in my bed playing cards with me rather than Embry. It's not that I didn't like Embry, it's just he treats me like I was the flu; and he did it like he was in pain.

"Go fish," I grumbled. Go fish, what the hell am I, six? Apparently, because Embry insisted that we played.

Finally, after having enough, I threw my cards down and rolled over on the bed to just about bawl my eyes out. It was torcher, it was inhumane, it was everything but pleasant; to keep me away from Jake. I've had three weeks to think about that fine line between our friendship and me thinking it was something more on my end.

And I think I had finally came to the conclusion, that it felt like something more on my end.

Unfortunately, that kiss had done me in.

"Don't you hate sitting here, babysitting," I asked Embry as he started to clean the pile of cards off my bed. Seriously, he of all people, hated being stuck in a room when he could be outside. The howl of the wind, snow blowing in it, didn't want me to go outside at all. But it him, yeah it was inviting.

"Nawh! I don't have to patrol and smell stinky leeches all night long. I get to hang out—"

"Leeches?" I interrupted him, something I started doing a lot recently when he slipped up; a lot.

It was like I had a momentarily brain fart and I had to think what a leech was... Oh yes! A bug that stuck to your skin and sucked your blood. Gross.

"Did I say leeches? I meant to say...peaches!"

Of course I had to be stuck with Embry. The best God given idea ever.

"You said leeches. And now you're going to tell me what you meant now, or I'm going to do something that would potentially be bad," I just about growled.

Every time I tried to grow, he'd laugh at me, but now, of all times, he didn't laugh.

He starred at me, slightly curious, but with a challenging raised eyebrow.

I didn't really think it through, but I did what I thought would coax the answer I wanted out of him.

I jumped on him, and we wrestled to the floor for a second. Once I had gained the top position, I shrugged my shoulders to let the straps of my tank top fall slightly. Yeah, I was whoring it out a bit; but I just wanted to know. I wouldn't so much as kiss Embry, or let him see anything—but girls do what they can to get what they want. And it doesn't take much.

Just like that, his eyes rolled into the back of his head before closing finally with a sigh.

"Vampires."

Vampires, as in beings of the night that sucked on thy blood of woman and children to survive, vampires? Dracula?

That honestly got a better reaction out of me then when I found out that the guys were part wolf.

I was already shaking in fear and almost gasping for breath before Embry tried to calm me down.

"What do you mean calm down! There are fucking blood suckers out there killing innocent people! What on earth could you possibly—is that why I can't leave the house? Are they running around like brand new puppies or something?"

"This is why I wasn't supposed to tell you," Embry sighed when he pulled me to his chest, for a shoulder to spazz out on.

"What, Sam thought I'd go crazy and run away telling everyone that Vampires were real and wear garlic to protect myself?"

"Jake didn't want you know, because he knew that you'd be scared."

That's it, fuck it all to damned hell. I got up, more angry than scared now. If Jake wanted to protect my fears, then he should be the one here with me right now. The thing I fear most now, is him in danger. Evidently he didn't want to be around me though. Sam said he didn't care how much Jake was around me, I just couldn't go into La Push. Jake; well, it seems that he just doesn't want to see me all that much. I wouldn't be surprised if he imprinted on Bella or something...

With that thought, I froze in my room starring down at Embry.

That's probably why I wasn't allowed in La Push or talk to Bella, or ask any questions about imprinting... Jake would be more worried about Bella than me. That's why he sent his friend to take care of me. Everything's falling apart, all over again.

I started down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Terry hadn't been a bartender long, and he didn't drink much, but he's tries new things out every week. And that deemed this week, whiskey week.

I've never drank before in my life. I didn't see the point, because I knew I'd get a giant ass hangover in the morning and I wouldn't remember anything. Right now, that's what I wanted more than anything.

Of course Embry followed me down the stairs and into the tiny kitchen. Thankfully Terry wasn't home, but at work, so he wouldn't see me ripping open the cap and taking a hesitant swig.

"What the hell are you doing," he asked, efficiently taking the bottle out of my hand as the liquid flames soared down my throat. I wanted to cough and rasp, anything to ease it.

"Fuck it all to hell. I don't care anymore. I'm sick of hearing about things that shouldn't exist. I'm sick of being held up in my house and babysat like I was three. I'm sick of anything and everything," I started to yell, but with each word I started to tear and break all the more. It was like I was finally realizing that nothing was normal and I didn't like it at all. "I'm sick of not having a best friend. I'm sick of him spending all his time with that wench Bella."

I leaned into Embry to cry on his chest. "It's like he doesn't want anything to do with me Embry."

Whatever I said, seemed good enough for him to hand the bottle back with a sigh.

Without another word, I grabbed his hand and started to drag him back up the stairs into my room. With every step I felt all the more worse, and with every breath I felt like I was suffocating in nothing but misery. How did everything go to shit within the matter of months, when it was all so good at the beginning?

So I flopped on my bed, taking another long drink that took about a fifth of the bottle out.

"Embry," I wiped my mouth with my sleeve, "do you want some? I mean... it'd be kind of pointless for me to drown on my own right?"

He declined my offer, but reclined on the headboard of my bed, mumbling about something.

"What'd you say," I asked.

"I said," he groaned, "that you'll be the death of me, literally. With all the crap I tell you Sam will kill me. And now, well when Jake finds out, he's going to murder me."

"I don't give a shit what Jacob Ephraim Black thinks anymore damned it."

We sat in semi-silence for a while. Just to occasional cough from me, and a whimper of disapproval from Embry. But it was nice. I'd only got through half the bottle before I started to feel a slight bit confused, and tingly. It was like a sludge hammer to the chest when I felt tired. One second insomnia and the next tired.

"Embry," I mumbled falling to lay beside his reclined form. "I hate Jake."

"You don't Laurel. You love Jake, don't lie to yourself."

"No. I hate Jacob Ephraim Black. I really do."

He pulled the bottle from my hands, setting it on my dresser, then pulled me into his arms. Mmm. Were all the wolves this warm? It was slightly uncomfortable, but I felt like an ice sculpture that needed to be melted. I wrapped my own arms around him, so damn warm. "You don't hate him. You love Jake, more than a friend, and you know it," he muttered.

"Shut the hell up Embry, you don't know anything."

We didn't talk for a while again, because I hated to admit it but I did love Jake more than a friend. I had come across it, over the weeks, but it wouldn't happen. If we were meant to be together, he would have imprinted on me.

"Even if I did, which I don't, he imprinted on Bella. We weren't meant to be together," I stated turning to rest my chin on his chest. His eyes closed as he face grimaced in efforts to look away from me. Confirmation.

"Embry," I whined out a little, "do you like me?" Merely a question, one that I wanted confirmation on. I don't know exactly what I was thinking, but the whiskey was pretty much thinking for me.

"Laurel I don't think—" he said face a look of panic, then it softened, his hand coming up to brush my hair over my head. "I did Laurel, but not anymore."

Not anymore? Is there something wrong with me? Is there a giant red cross on my forehead that says 'No Imprinting'? I quivered a bit, saddened at the news.

"The day that I almost drowned, I was considering it you know," I sighed, "chasing after you that is. I sort of liked you, but I didn't want to upset Jake."

He didn't reply, or didn't talk for that matter much more. He only stroked my hair, breathing evenly with me to the point where I almost fell asleep. His phone rang, jerking me from my sleep. I groaned, rolling over and trying to rub the essence of sleep from my eyes.

"Hey," he sighed sadly on the phone. Then he glanced at me, "No. Just about to... You are? Okay, I'll just head out then. See you tomorrow."

Just as quickly as it rung, he hung up and got out of my bed. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Where are you going babysitter?" A roll of the eyes had him smiling almost instantly.

"Change into your pajamas and go to bed. I'm switching shifts. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon, alright Sceeter," he ruffled my hair.

As soon as my bedroom door shut, I dragged myself up and over to stand in front of my dresser. On top was a t-shirt, that I knew wasn't mine, but Jake's. It was the shirt 'I got while Bella got a truck'. I've kept it yeah, and it's been washed of it's blood and sweat. And somehow, through it's washes, it still smells like Jake. It's been months, but his smell still stays. I don't know how, but thank you Lord.

I never wore it before, but right now, I felt myself tearing up at the thought. Yeah, I deserved the right to wear it.

After ridding myself of my shorts and tank top, I trudged over to the window to shut it. Outside it was dark, only the moonlight bouncing off the snow made it so...not-dark. Who's switching with Embry? As the thought past my head, I left it where it landed. I didn't really care. I just wanted to go back to sleep.

So I wiggled into my blankets, trying to find the warmth I deserved so rightfully. Only a fraction of it came, and I already missed Embry.

I woke to someone running hot hands up and down my thighs. And I had to bite back my scream when I opened my eyes to see Jake above me, lips diving to attack my neck. I closed my eyes again, slightly loving the feel of his warmth. This was right, right where I was supposed to be.

My fingers wove into his hair. It was longer than normal. Just at his shoulders, right where I liked it. It was wild and slick with sweat, and I smiled. I redirected his face to mine.

Our lips touched softly, sending an electric current down my spine. All the more reason to press my lips more firmly to his. It was then that just all but his weight was settled on me, and his body entrapped me like a cage. My legs wound around his hips and tied into his.

Every nerve in my body was humming in excitement.

One of his hands was hot against my thigh, holding it tighter to his being; while the other was entangled in my own hair to push my lips closer to his.

Something equally as hot slid across my lower lip.

A small noise escaped my throat, I can't really explain what it was, but it evidently was pleasant to Jake, because he kissed me harder. Our tongues met and danced an ancient dance.

Every cell in my body exploded, sending me into a frenzy of pleasure. It just felt so right and so good to be laying and kissing Jacob Black. Sadly I needed air, so I broke away panting, legs relaxing because of the tenseness. His lips started to attack the flesh of my neck, in which I had to bite back my sigh.

His hand on my thigh rubbed soothingly, before gasping it and hiking the leg over his hip. His other pulling the collar of my shirt down so he could kiss my collar bone. My feet and legs started to rub his, because I was restless and sighing rhythmically now. His tongue flicked out once, twice, three times; before I let out another heavy sigh. "Mmmm, Jake," I murmured grasping his hair between my fingers.

He growled, and I couldn't help but 'mmmmm' again. His teeth latched onto my skin, harshly; and I actually moaned. Everything just felt so... good.

"Laurel, baby girl."

Jake's voice called out to me, but his teeth were latched onto my skin.

"Laurel, wake up."

Wake up? You mean that this glorious experience isn't... wake...

My eyes snapped open, for what only seemed the second time, and Jake's face was hovering over mine slightly. Of course I squeezed them shut again, trying to judge which Jake was the real one, and which one I wanted to be the real one. Yeah, I wanted the shirtless one that was kissing the hell out of me to be the real one.

Of course the one that was sitting on the side of my bed with face of stone wasn't that Jake.

Forcing my eyes open, I felt my dream pant come on. I couldn't get enough air flowing through my lungs, and everything was on fire; and my legs were still rubbing restlessly against each other. To Hell with it. I flung the blanket off myself and scooted to the edge of the bed. Bathroom was much needed. Splash some water on my face, try to calm down. Anything but to stay in the same room as the guy that had me sighing and moaning in my sleep.

It was like I didn't even notice Jake there. That was until my wobbly restless legs buckled, and I grabbed onto his shoulders in front of me to hold myself up. His hands went to hold my sides for me. And somehow with him sitting down, his face was met with my stomach.

"Thanks," I mumbled, hesitantly letting his shoulders go so I could turn and use the bathroom.

I only got to turn, not even getting to take another step before his arms came around my waist and pulling me down onto his lap with a growl. My back to his chest. A growl that very much reminded me of my dream, sending a jolt down my spine and right into my stomach.

His nose was pressing against my neck, I could hear him sniffing. All the while his hands started to palm my thighs, my bare thighs mind you, rubbing up and down making a delicious friction.

"Jake," I sighed out almost in a whine, "what are you doing here?"

His nose ran up and down on my neck, from the shoulder to behind my ear. The hot breath was making me squirm. "You were calling my name in your sleep," he whispered.

Oh God in heaven, are you smiling upon me? True Jake isn't around much anymore, but when he is; he won't touch me. Even the slightest brush of my fingers against his skin sends him into freakout mode.

His fingers squeezed between my thighs near my knees that were clamped together.

I found the touch comforting oddly. I was so tense and on alert around him that my muscles ached when I finally relaxed. So that's what I did, I relaxed, slumping back against him with a sigh.

Immediately his fingers dug into my flesh, somehow pulling me tighter against him in the process. His lips dragging across the skin of my neck but not actually kissing it.

What startled me the most was when he moaned softly in my ear.

This had to be a dream, a continuation of my dream. Anything but real life.

"It's time to-to go back to bed," he choked out. All reasons for going to the bathroom were forgotten, and I willingly let him lift me up and place me back in my bed. After he started tucking me back in the blankets, I could see it was his plan to leave.

"Jacob," I almost yelled, "stay. Please."

Without delay he pulled the blankets back, and it was almost like he was eager. Well, it is my dream after-all.

It was so natural the way his arm curved around me to hold my hip and with my head to lay on his chest comfortably. Everything was just so... perfect.

Jake smelled wonderful. Autumn leaves, moist soil, rain, ocean, puppy breath, and even a mix of cinnamon in there somewhere. All the smells pulled together surprisingly well, and just made me want to breath it in for the rest of my life.