I know. They just can't seem to catch a break. While this chapter will still have its tense moments I hope some of it will lighten the mood for everyone.

The encampment had a completely different feel to it this time around. The normal light atmosphere had been replaced with tension and the first thing we'd noticed when driving in was Quil's pack patrolling the border. There wasn't a single wolf in the encampment and there weren't any humans walking around like normal. Jane had joined us before we'd left Italy though it was clear she wasn't happy that she was doing it. We also found out that Nahuel and Seth had chosen to go visit Greece rather than join up with the rest of the pack which was unsettling but also something we were fine with. Lucas had taken Brenna back to Washington once he'd learned Dol wasn't a problem anymore.

That was what had led to this moment. We were walking into the encampment, Dol had a tight grip on my hand and Alec was walking directly behind her with Jane behind me.

Quil and Embry emerged from Rosalie's cave entrance –where the curtain had been rehung-. Rosalie followed them out, her eyes darting to Dol immediately. "I can't believe it." Her voice was a growl. She looked emotionally drained. Her eyes had the vampiric glow to them that set me on edge. "Dol, you have no right to show up now. Not after all these years." Dol let go of my hand and moved forward, her head down.

"I know I don't, Rosalie." She stopped when Rosalie pushed in front of the two wolves, leaving them with less than a foot of distance between them.

"Then why are you here?"

"I'm here because I owe it to you to find him."

"Eight years, Dol. You haven't been in his life for eight years."

"I owe it to you. Not him. I haven't been there his entire life. I am not his mom. Even if I gave birth to him. I owe you though." Rosalie stepped forward and before I knew what was happening Dol was flying back through the air. I turned slightly just in time to see her go through a tree rather than hit it.

"You're shifting again?" Rosalie moved towards her as Dol came back through the tree, now on her feet but bent over and clearly in her Spectral form, she was holding her chest, tears in her eyes. Alec was at her side the second she shifted back into her solid form.

"Would I have been so willing to confront you if I had no way to defend myself properly?" She choked the words out. "Dammit." She collapsed to her knees. "Yet again I have broken bones." I joined her side as she growled at Rosalie.

"I think I've earned at least that much." Rosalie's response was accompanied by a hiss.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, wincing at the pain the breath clearly caused. "Now that you've broken my sternum can we move on to the more important problem at hand?" It was obvious when she was struggling to keep her composure.

"You'll be fine." Edward's voice jerked my focus towards where he was standing behind Embry and Quil. "We both know I did a whole Hell of a lot more damage to you when you tried to kill me." He pushed past them, and headed straight for Dol, Rosalie grabbed his shoulder when he tried to pass her. "Rosalie, let go."

I moved between them, glaring at Edward. "You are the only one here that has any intention to kill her. I don't think any of us will let that happen."

"Notice you and Blondie are the only ones who made a move to protect her." Embry and Quil had watched the encounter in silence. Jane had made no move to do anything but her gaze was clearly on her brother.

Alec joined my side. "Everyone here is waiting for you to make that move to kill her so they have an excuse to kill you. In case you haven't noticed you are very low on friends here."

"She's going to lead you and your sister to your deaths, Alec."

"If you didn't want me here you shouldn't have been stupid enough to get in contact with us."

He shook his head, laughing darkly. "Honestly, I didn't think you gave a damn about the girl. Based off what I'm seeing in both of your heads I was way off in that judgement." He tilted his head, looking past us at Dol. "I can't accept that apology. Not yet." He looked back at us, his gaze meeting mine, I made sure to keep the hostility up. I had to remember that I couldn't trust him. At all. Even thought he'd been leading me to believe he was at least semi trustworthy he wasn't a friend. "I'll make my leave then." He turned and took off into the woods.

I turned around to see Dol laying on her back with her eyes closed tight, her hand was pressed against her chest and pain was clear on her expression. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow but shaky. I heard the sound of leaves crunching under feet as Embry, Rosalie, and Quil joined us. Alec knelt back down next to her and took hold of her other hand, pulling it away from her chest and causing her to instantly relax, I didn't need to see the smoke to know he was using his ability to cut off her senses.

"She'll heal." Quil said after he pressed one of his hands against the bone slightly.

"Of course she'll heal. She can't die unless Bella does. Am I the only one who remembers her using that fact to bring me back to life?" Rosalie's voice was full of agitation.

I chose to ignore that remark. "Was this necessary, Rosalie?" I moved my gaze to her, turning into a glare.

"Probably not. Do I regret it? Not really. It's been eight years, Bella. Eight years without a peep from her. And her pack went after my father."

"I didn't have them go after Carlisle." She breathed the words out.

"You had them go after Alistair." Rosalie responded with annoyance.

"I told them not to lay a hand on him because he's human. Rosalie, even if everything I've done over the past several years…" She took a breath before continuing. "I have never put any of you in harm's way. Except Edward. And I still want to rip his head back off and burn the pieces. The stuff with Quil's pack…" She trailed off, it was clear that she didn't know how to finish the sentence.

Quil spoke up. "We'll talk about this later. She needs to sleep so she can heal."

Rosalie got up, "she absolutely is not using my bed." She took off and left us alone.

Quil took hold of my arm and pulled me to my feet as Embry picked Dol up, cradling her in his arms, Alec didn't let go of her hand.

I can't decide what is worse. The pain or being completely helpless. Even in my spectral form an injury like this is absolutely agonizing.

"Where are we taking her?" Embry asked, moving his gaze to Quil.

"The couch in Carlisle's cabin. I want to talk to Bella alone for a minute." He nodded before we moved to the side and watched them carry her to the cabin.

"Block her out of your head, Bella." I hesitated then put up a wall, blocking her out. He began walking towards where they'd held The Bonfire and I began following him.

"What do you want to talk about, Quil?"

"Something you don't want to hear. I don't know her. I won't ever claim that I do. It doesn't change that it has been ten years since you last saw her and she's been actively avoiding you the entire time you've been awake. After she has just laid out an active threat on myself and my pack and suddenly she is on our side." We entered into the area where the fire pit was full of burnt out logs. He sat down on one of the logs and I joined him, I didn't respond to what he said at first. I considered them carefully. I knew he was right but I couldn't bring myself to distrust her at all. No matter what she'd done to everyone.

"Quil, what do you know about Spectral shapeshifters?"

He considered before responding. "Most of our history has been lost over time. The general things about Spectrals has been lost as well. Spectral shapeshifters are born only after the previous one has died. Only when one has died can another one live. Spectrals never look like their parents, they always are born with what my grandfather referred to as the 'Eternal Eyes'. They also have a very dangerous habit of slowly sinking into insanity or into dangerous quests for power."

Dangerous quests for power. That sounded familiar. Disturbingly familiar. Dangerously familiar. My hands went into fists at my side. "Quil, what happens to Spectral shapeshifters?" I let out a shaky breath.

"Like I said. Dangerous. They become dangerous."

"What happens to them?"

"If they become too dangerous. We have to kill them. Then the next time a shapeshifter is born it is born Spectral."

I closed my eyes and squeezed them tight, tears welling in them. "You won't kill her."

"We can't kill her. Rosalie was right. She can't die unless you do. Her reliance on you is dangerous because to someone like me. Someone who doesn't know you well and will do anything necessary to protect their pack. I'm not trying to threaten you. I'm warning you now. I don't trust her. If she makes one more wrong move I will be forced to kill her by any means necessary."

"Even if you have to kill me." I whispered quietly.

"Even if I have to kill you." He tilted his head and turned around, looking behind us.

"Time to break up the moping session. The atmosphere around here sucks." Nahuel's voice actually lightened my mood for once. I couldn't deal with the idea that Dol wasn't being one hundred percent with us.

"I thought you were in Greece." I turned around on the log and watched him walk out of the tree line followed closely by Seth.

"We were on a plane. Halfway there he started freaking out. Tried to open the door on the side of it. They had to sedate him." Seth grinned and wrapped his arm around Nahuel's shoulder, turning his head so he was looking at the other guy.

"I did not freak out." Nahuel moved out from under his arm and crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes at Seth.

"Dude, you started screaming like a little girl. You freaked out." Seth grinned at him before looking at us. "Hey, Bella."

I nodded at him before Nahuel's attention moved to us. "Now about the atmosphere around here. Quil, I believe me and my boy have earned an Imprintee Ceremony of the mating type."

Quil shook his head in amusement. "You always did love the mating ceremonies."

"That's because there is cake. And music. And dancing. And drinking." Nahuel grinned. "You can't deny me this pleasure, Quil. It's like my life destiny or some shit. If Dol is playing us she won't ruin a ceremony for an Imprintee. You and Seth go do the preparations and I will keep Bella entertained."

There was a short silence before Quil got to his feet. "Alright. A mating ceremony. Haven't done one of these in a while. I'm sure Ellen will be thrilled and it might lighten the atmosphere since Brady is missing."

"Go on, you two." Nahuel moved forward, Quil moving out of the way as Nahuel sat down next to me. After a moment Quil joined Seth then the two of them left us alone. Shortly after they were gone his entire demeanor changed. He went from being excited and happy to completely tense and sad. "Memories are interesting things." He muttered.

I turned my full attention on him. Memories? His memories? Holy…

"How did you become the dominant part of your mentality?" He asked interrupting my thoughts.

"What?"

"You're not the same exact person I met. You're who you were before you lost your memories."

My eyes widened. "You're still Nahuel?"

"I was born Ganymede, I had several different names after that until I buried myself three hundred years ago."

"Why did you bury yourself?"

"I was mourning. Vampires mate for life as you know. His name was Elijah. He was murdered by a vampire by the name of Victoria. Psychopathic nutjob. I buried myself out of grief when I learned I would more than likely never be able to get my hands on her because of some self-preservation ability I buried myself."

"I'm sorry." What else could I say? I thought over his question again. "Maybe that's why you stayed Nahuel rather than becoming who you were before. Maybe that part of you would rather be gone than have to deal with his loss."

He seemed to consider that before responding. "It sounds like you know how it feels?"

"Most the time I wish who I was without my memories had stayed the main awareness."

"I'm thrilled I stayed me." He finally said. "I'm thrilled that even after I remembered it all I still love Seth. I'm thrilled I still want to be with him for the rest of our lives." A small smile spread across his lips.

"You freaking out on the plane?"

"The second we hit a certain point in Greece all my memories broke away like a dam giving out. It was terrible and all I wanted was to get away. I felt like I was dying. It felt like my brain was going to explode. It was absolute Hell. Like a war was happening in my head."

It sounded vaguely similar to what had happened in my head when Kachiri had broken down all of my mental barriers. So normal people can cope with things like that without side effects? I was slightly envious.

"I remember you telling me about mating ceremonies." I decided to change the subject.

A mischievous grin covered his expression. "Oh you have no idea. I have apparently always loved screwing with people. That is one trait I carried over from my old self without knowing it." He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and laughed. "If it makes you feel any better I will leave you out of my plans."

"I'm assuming Dol won't get the same treatment?"

"I would never." The very fake offended look he gave me was enough to put a smile on my face and make me giggle. "Of course we both know I'm full of shit."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Nahuel." I leaned into him and closed my eyes. Nahuel could be an annoying asshole. There were a lot of negative things I could say about him without flinching. However, he was one of the only people I'd met that without a doubt knew at least part of what I had gone through. I also knew I could trust him.

"So what kind of cake will there be?" I asked thoughtfully.

"Last time there was a mating ceremony Ellen made a bunch of different ones. She always surprises the couple with something different. She knows I love my sweets."

"So I shouldn't get my hopes up of there being real food there?"

"You were in Italy for most your life then a vampire. When was the last time you got to indulge yourself in sweets?"

I considered that for a moment. "My fifteenth birthday. I think it was my fifteenth anyway. Dol snuck me a cake that trapped her in her human form…I didn't remember it until I got my memories back…yeah bad memories."

"So a no go on cake? What about good memories with sweets? Surely those exist."

I thought hard about that, I very vaguely remembered something and felt tears building in the corners of my eyes. "Ice cream. Ice cream was my mom's solution to all of life's problems and everything else. We ate ice cream a lot growing up."

"See? Sweets are good." We looked up as two men and a woman and a guy around fourteen came out of the treeline, all holding logs across their shoulders except for the younger one. I watched as the younger one rushed in front of them and pulled dead logs out of the pit with ease.

"I bet you don't recognize Samantha. She doesn't normally take her human form. Unless she's gettin' friendly with Emily that is." Her gaze moved to us from across the way, shooting daggers with it. "Oh come on, Sammy. You know you love me." He got to his feet quickly and grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. "We should probably go." He turned and headed towards the camp, I trailed after him without a second thought.

"What did you do to her?" I asked after we were a semi safe distance from them.

"Have you met me? You do remember I have a very limited filter on what I say to everyone except you and Seth."

"Not hard to forget that you're an asshole. Just didn't realize how many people there are that dislike you."

"I've gotten used to it. Now I'd like to meet your sister. Where's she at?"

"Cabin. Rosalie broke her sternum when we got here."

"I'm surprised she didn't kill her. I probably would have. I have played father in the past and if the real parents of those kids didn't show their faces for eight years then popped up out of the blue I'd be in a bit of a murderous mood as well."

"She can't die. Not unless I do first."

"Sounds like any wrong move she makes puts you in danger. I recommend getting imprinted on ASAP." He said it teasingly but there was a stressed undertone to it. I decided it was better not to mention Quil's warning. Today was going to be a good day. As we got to the camp the smell of food being cooked flooded my senses and I almost cried. The way my aunt cooked was familiar. I'd smelt it most my childhood. It smelt like home.

"Your aunt is an amazing cook." Nahuel commented as we headed towards Carlisle's cabin, I noticed Edward was leaning against the side of the mountain, watching us as we approached the cabin.

Don't do it. Don't be an idiot. "Give me a second." I went straight towards Edward, splitting off from Nahuel. I stopped a few inches in front of him, crossing my arms over my chest. His gaze met mine, full of hostility.

"What do you want, Isabella?"

"Come with me to The Bonfire tonight." He blinked, raising an eyebrow.

"Haven't we had this conversation before?"

I shook my head. "Not like that. As a friend."

"After all the shit I've put you through you want to hang out? When I thought you couldn't get any dumber, Isabella." He shook his head and laughed lightly without humor.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "The offer is there, Edward." I turned away from him and joined Nahuel who was standing at the door to the cabin with a curious look on his face.

"Want to explain?"

"Not really." I didn't have an exact reason for the offer. I was tired of the constant hostility though. Maybe he could be a friend or at least not an enemy. Was there any harm in trying for that since he couldn't kill me?

I pushed the door open and headed inside, Nahuel following me. Dol was laying on the couch on her side with her head in Alec's lap. Jane was at the table, leaning back in a chair and staring blankly at the ceiling. Surprisingly Paul was sitting on the floor in front of her, when we came in he turned to face us, I couldn't read his expression but it wasn't anything negative.

"Hey, Bells."

"Hey, Paul." He got to his feet slowly and moved to the table.

Dol looked like she had been crying. She smiled weakly at me before her gaze moved to Nahuel. "I saw you through my pack's eyes."

"My name's Nahuel. Nice to finally meet the woman this girl has spent months obsessing over."

"I did not obsess."

"You obsessed. Then destroyed an entire bedroom out of anger because of."

"What bedroom?" I felt my face reddening as Dol stared at me. That hadn't been my finest moment.

"I may or may not have used your baseball bat to completely destroy my bedroom."

She stared at me for a second before nodding slightly and slowly moving into a sitting position, leaning into Alec. "I did ditch you. I'm sorry about how I've been acting. I really am."

I thought about what Quil had told me earlier. "They also have a very dangerous habit of slowly sinking into insanity or into dangerous quests for power."

"I'm trying to believe that." I smiled sadly at her and she nodded slightly again.

"I can understand your doubts. It would be stupid for you not to have them."

I looked at Paul who was watching us quietly. "Did you two talk?"

"There wasn't much to talk about. I got over the puppy crush I had on her a long time ago. Now I see why she never returned the actual feelings." His gaze moved to Alec. "I really wish she had chosen someone who won't break her heart in the end."

Alec returned the gaze but said nothing. What could he say? We all knew how it was going to end. He'd always choose his sister over anyone else the same way I knew if it came down to it I would choose Dol over anyone else. While I was lost in my thoughts Paul got to his feet and pushed past us, leaving the room. No one commented on it because there wasn't really anything to say.

"Oh yeah." Something I'd completely forgotten about slipped into my mind. I reached behind my neck and unclasped the necklace chain on Dol's necklace as I walked over to her.

I pulled it off my neck and held it out, she stared at it in awe. "Is that…" Her eyes brimmed with tears. "I can't believe…" She reached out and took it from me. "I thought it was gone. I couldn't find it when we got back. Where was it?"

"I'm not sure. I found it in a pile of wood and clothes in the remnants of my dresser."

She smiled slightly, a few tears falling down her cheeks. "Of course you stole it. Why hadn't I considered that?" I rolled my eyes at her and sat down next to her. "Where's my mom at?"

"In the kitchen cabin preparing for my mating ceremony." He began grinning like a fool. "You look healed enough for me to ask this. Would you be willing to join Quil in hosting my Imprintee ceremony?" I felt her tense up next to me and turned in my spot so I was facing her and Alec and leaning against the arm of the chair. It was obvious she was still

"You should do it, Dol." She turned her head and met my eyes, fear clear in them. It would be a good thing to do, Dol.

What if I mess up? I've never done anything like this and I know it's extremely important…what if-

I lent her a gentle smile. He wants you to do it and it would be a good thing to do to prove yourself to them that you aren't against them.

She didn't respond but I felt the doubt and stress building in her mind. She blocked me out of her head again which hurt, a lot. I buried the pained sound I wanted to make and returned my focus to Nahuel. "Okay. I'll do it." The way his expression lit up at her words lightened my mood significantly.

"Awesome. Thank you."

She slowly got to her feet. "Where am I going?"

"They'll be in the kitchen cabin." She nodded at him and turned as Alec got to his feet.

"You and Jane should go talk. I'll be fine." Jane moved her focus from the ceiling to her brother.

"She's right, Alec. We need to talk." Jane was on her feet in a second.

Alec looked past Dol, meeting his sister's eyes. It was clear they were having a wordless conversation. He finally looked away from her when Dol stepped away from. "Go talk." There was a certain sadness to the words. It took me a second to realize what she was really telling him. What she was saying underneath the actual words. She was telling him he didn't have to come back.

He took her hand and pulled her out the back door, she followed him hesitantly leaving Nahuel, Jane, and I alone. "I truly wish that your sister had never met my brother. Now I don't get the joy of torturing her." She growled out the words then she was gone.

"She really scares me." Nahuel commented absently.

I closed my eyes and pulled my knees to my chest as Nahuel joined me. "I wouldn't get on her bad side if I were you. She has no reservations about inflicting as much pain as possible."

"She sounds like loads of fun."

I opened my eyes and slowly rose to my feet. "I'm going to go. I'll see you tonight." He grabbed my wrist before I could take off.

"Bella, are you okay?" His words tore through me. For once. Despite everything. I could answer that question honestly.

"Yes, I'm okay." I was okay. Sure the world was falling apart but that wasn't something I needed to worry about. I'd already been turned human. I wasn't living where humans were being killed off in droves. For the time being at least Dol was trustworthy. I had my sister back. I had my aunt. And I had my friends. Things for the most part were actually good. I was okay.

He let go and nodded. "I'll see you tonight then." I turned and headed out the door, making a beeline for the lake. Tonight would be good.

.-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-..-~**~-.

"Bella?" I was surprised to hear Rosalie's voice outside Alice's tent. Actually this thing could hardly be called a tent, it had to be a mansion in tent terms. She had it twenty minutes from the rest of the campsite and it was huge. It had rooms and was tall enough it was perfectly easy to stand. And did I mention it had rooms? What kind of tent has rooms? Two of them were full to the brim with clothes and the other had a bed similar to Rosalie's in it. We were currently in the process of arguing over what I could wear tonight. She insisted that it was a special occasion and that if she had been conscious during the last one I would have been dressed up for it as well.

Alice gave me a questioning look and I nodded slightly as she moved to the entrance, unzipping the doorway and stepping aside as Rosalie came in hesitantly.

"I wanted to apologize."

"You don't need to apologize." I threw the dress Alice had just given me on the floor. "For the love of God, Alice. Can't you give me something simple?"

Rosalie's eyes lightened with an idea. "Give her that one I gave you last year that was too big."

"That would fit her, wouldn't it? Give me a second." Alice pushed past me into one of the rooms –did I mention? There were rooms!-. She grabbed the dress I'd just dropped off the floor as she passed me.

"I apologized to Dol but she wouldn't accept it either. Which brings me to an important question. Do you trust her, Bella?"

I didn't hesitate before answering. I'd already made up my mind. "I trust her."

"I won't interrogate you about her. If you trust her then I'll hope that is enough."

"If I start doubting her I'll let you know, okay?"

She nodded, smiling slightly as Alice returned and put a deep blue dress in my arms. It was simple. I wasn't thrilled it was a dress but it wasn't overwhelming like all her other choices had been. "Go ahead and get ready." Alice took hold of Rosalie's arm and pulled her out of the tent.

I reluctantly changed into the dress, more relaxed than I had been in a while. I was curious how things would go tonight. Anything was possible. I turned and headed out the doorway, Alice was standing out there alone. She nodded. "Looks great. Tonight is going to be an interesting night."

"You have a vision?"

"Sort of. Mostly a feeling. There are a lot of wildcards present. We'll have to see how it goes."

"At least tell me it will be a good night."

She closed her eyes for a second before nodding. "It should be."

"Are you just telling me that to make me feel better?"

"I'll keep that secret for now. I'll meet you there in a while." I nodded as she moved past me into the tent then headed towards where I could see the faint glow of the fire in the distance visible with the completely set sun.

I pushed through the tree line and was overwhelmed by what was in front of me. There were around twenty tables spread around the clearing behind the campfire all covered in cakes and pies except one that was covered in meats and another covered in several different beverages and a few wine bottles. There were tons of people standing around or sitting on the logs. There were also a few wolves and other animals, significantly less than usual.

I spotted Embry and Quil and made my way towards them but was stopped by an icy hand wrapping around my wrist, I turned to face who I suspected was Edward.

"Isabella."

"Do you mind?" He let go of my wrist and I met his gaze, curiosity flaring through me. "Why are you here?"

"You asked me." He hesitated when I gave him a look telling him that I didn't believe that was it. "You're still by far the most idiotic human being I have ever met and I've met a lot. You always manage to surprise me though."

"You've told me this before."

"That's because it's true. You're a very surprising idiotic person, Isabella." He shrugged but there was something else in the way he said it.

"If I didn't know any better I'd think you were complimenting me."

"How could that possibly be taken as a compliment?" He stared at me like I'd grown a second head. "You aren't hallucinating, are you?"

I laughed in spite of myself and shook my head. "I'm not hallucinating. Haven't been for a while. Unless of course this entire encounter is a hallucination then I'm royally fucked."

"From what I'm seeing in everyone's heads it looks like they'll do the ceremony then you'll eat."

"Bells?" I turned around as Ellen wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "You look beautiful." She whispered softly in my ear as she pulled away. She looked behind me. "Edward." The word was neutral.

"Hello, Ellen." Did he sound nervous?

She looked back at me. "Do you know where your sister is?"

I shook my head. "Haven't seen her since her and Alec left earlier."

She frowned, clearly bothered by that. "If you spot her keep her out of the alcohol, please." I nodded to her, deciding not to question what the problem was. She hugged me briefly again before turning and joining Quil and Embry.

"We should probably take a seat." Edward commented, he took my hand hesitantly, when I didn't jerk away he tightened his hold slightly and led me to one of the logs. I sat down and he joined me, his hand never leaving mine. I noticed the other people were beginning to take their seats as well.

"I really have to question if this is real." He chuckled darkly.

"Isabella, if there is anything you have learned about me is I don't lie to you. I also don't do anything without getting something out of it."

"What will this," –I nodded towards our hands- "get you?"

"We'll have to wait and find out."

"Sometimes I feel like I might be getting somewhere with you but then you say things like that and I'm reminded that I should trust you as far as I can throw you."

"At least I keep you on your toes."

I shook my head and watched as Quil got up and moved around the logs, stopping next to me. "Definitely not who I thought I'd see you with tonight."

"What can I say? I'm my own safety hazard."

"Have you seen your sister?"

I frowned. "No. I thought you'd know where she was?"

"After we'd finished discussing the preparations she said she was going to the lake." I absently noticed Alec and Jane taking their seats at one of the logs as far from the fire as possible. Jane looked extremely irritated and Alec looks emotionally drained.

"I haven't seen her. If I had I would've told you." He frowned at me but nodded.

"If you hear from her let me know. It's about time to start this." He continued back behind me.

"She was supposed to join you at the lake. They don't really want her wandering around here without them knowing where she is." Edward shrugged. "From what I saw in her head her current intentions are pure. Of course she's gotten really good at only letting me see what she wants me to see. Mostly."

"I don't want to think about it right now." I didn't. I wouldn't stress tonight. Tonight was going to be good.

"Whatever works for you." He shrugged. "Personally I don't understand why they're being so 'keep all eyes on her' when the witch twins are here. Alec may want to be here but Jane doesn't. At all."

"You just don't know how to stop talking, do you?"

"It's a skill." I shook my head at him and laughed lightly.

"They howl to start the ceremony? That is rather…"

He was interrupted as the wolves began howling. I turned in my seat and watched as Quil walked down the center followed closely by Seth who had a small smile on his face. When they arrived in front of the fire they turned so they were facing us.

The howling died down before he spoke. "Good evening, everyone!" A massive smile was on Quil's face. "I am thrilled to be here tonight! It has been over a year since the bond that is an imprint has brought one of us more than just someone to protect or someone to care for as family. We are here to celebrate the imprint of Seth Clearwater and Nahuel Ganymede." So he had chosen his old name as his last name. That actually didn't surprise me.

There was a brief silence, Seth's gaze lifted and I looked over to see Nahuel walking down the center wearing a deep purple tuxedo covered in glitter, a massive grin on his face. Dol was close behind him, she was wearing a paper white dress, her hair was pinned up on the top of her head and her face looked paler. "You know I really hate the formalities of this ceremony." Nahuel's voice carried and there were several snickers followed by Quil shaking his head disapprovingly and Seth rolling his eyes.

"I have never done one of these before. I don't really know exactly what I'm supposed to do but Nahuel insisted I should be here." Her and Quil shared a brief look before she continued. "There are imprints of all kinds. Every type means something different to the shapeshifter and respective Imprintee." She paused for a second, I caught the pain she was burying though. "Even through all terrible times we know that if it comes down to it we will do anything to keep our Imprintee safe. Because it's an amazing thing. It's a magical, amazing, and beautiful thing. It's something older than any of us can remember and that we're here today to celebrate the love that was brought out through this powerful bond is an absolutely amazing thing. I am thrilled to stand next to Quil and join these two together as a mated couple."

Nahuel looked over his shoulder at Dol and gave her a look before returning his focus to Seth. Quil and Dol shared a look before he started talking. "Please hold out your right hand." The two did as said, their palms facing upwards. Quil reached into his pocket and pulled out two small knives, letting out a low breath. He handed one to Dol and they each took a hand, pressing the blades into the skin beneath their thumbs. The two guys took each other's hands and I stared in awe as a strange sandy brown substance seemed to float to the outer layer of Seth's skin, some of it slid off him and over to Nahuel who's breathing sped up. The strange substance seemed to sink back into their bodies and they let go.

"Holy shit." Nahuel whispered.

Dol, what the hell was that? They hadn't done anything like that at Emily and Samantha's ceremony. I was still in awe.

Something that is only done between mates. Part of Seth's wolf's essence was sent into him and bound to his soul. It's a symbol of complete trust between a shifter and the one he loves.

"You are now bound for now until the end of your lives." Dol spoke softly and Nahuel wasted no time, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around Seth, kissing him.

"On that note, let's eat." Nahuel pulled away from Seth as the crowd began to rise to their feet.

Edward got to his feet, leaving me alone. I hesitated then got to my feet, walking over to Dol, Quil, Seth, and Nahuel.

"Hey, Bella." He grinned at me.

"That was one of the weirdest things I've ever seen." I commented, Dol had stepped back and was looking up at the sky, thoughtful.

"Much more interesting than weddings." Nahuel chuckled.

"I am going to go dig into the food. If you need me, let me know." Then Quil was gone.

"I'll get you something to eat." Seth looked past Nahuel at Dol. "Dol? Want to come with me?"

She focused on him, surprise on her expression. "I'd love to." She glanced at me before following Seth off to the tables.

"So when will your scheming begin?" I asked Nahuel who went to one of the logs and took a seat.

"It started when I snuck into the kitchen earlier and laced the baked goods with lots of fun things."

"Are you joking?"

"Nope." He grinned at me. "I recommend staying away from the pies. And the wine." I glanced over his shoulder, watching several people making plates of foods.

"You said El did things special depending on the mated couple."

"That's why she made the assortment of desserts rather than the one big cake she had initially planned. She wanted to let me get into trouble."

I looked up as Edward set a plate with cake on it in my lap. "It's safe."

"Nosy asshole." Nahuel commented as Edward took his seat next to me.

"I could've ratted you out to the rest of them." Nahuel seemed to consider that before nodding.

"You're a much more likeable vampire than when I first met you."

"If I recall your first words to me were and I quote, 'get the fuck off of her.'"

"You've matured a lot since then."

"I've matured?" Edward shook his head. "I won't comment on how drastic the changes I've made are."

While they talked I began eating, watching the others walk around, eating the food and talking to each other. One of the younger people, a young boy no older than thirteen had snuck one of the glasses of wine but before he could drink it Ellen was behind him, snagging it out of his hand. I grinned.

"I remember when I was six I tried to sneak one of your mom's drinks." I jumped when Dol's voice came from the log behind ours. "Mom grounded me for a month for it."

I turned around so I was facing the log she was on with Seth. Both of them had food piled on some plates, I noticed Seth had only grabbed himself a couple slices of cake.

"She'll probably ground that poor kid anyways. She's basically everyone's mom." Nahuel used his hand to pinch of piece of cake off Seth's plate and bit into it, making a sound of pure bliss. "That woman is an amazing cook."

"You're just a sucker for sweets." Seth took a bite of his own food anyways.

Bella, look around. I did as Dol said and already the effects of whatever he'd done to most the food was clear. A lot of the people were stumbling around. Some were laughing at nothing. Basically everyone was behaving erratically except a few who were clearly agitated and had probably not eaten.

"I believe this is our cue to go." Nahuel got to his feet, a massive grin on his face. He helped Seth to his feet who was laughing quietly, shaking his head slightly.

"Enjoy your night, Nahuel." Dol smiled at them as they took off in the direction of the camp.

"Then there were three." Edward remarked, a slight growl in his voice.

"Make that two." Dol got to her feet quickly.

I love you to death, Bella but Quil said he might have something on Brady. Enjoy the rest of the night. Then I was alone with Edward again.

"Mind taking me back to my tent?" I got to my feet slowly. Tonight had been interesting. Not stressful for the most part. It was good.

"Anything to get away from these intoxicated minds." I nodded and we headed towards the camp area.

I'm sorry this chapter took so long to come out. There were some important aspects introduced into this chapter that I had to get right and I downloaded a new game to my computer that I got slightly obsessed with. Most everything has its purpose at this point except a few things.