Okay, so this is chapter is half the story….I think it is going to be given a lot more perspective from Nahuel, so that will be the next chapter…

I was entirely humiliated. There was a reason I wasn't prepared yet to phase in front of Nahuel. He had seen the real me, and I hadn't been quite ready for that. I wondered if he still found me 'fascinating'. He hadn't seemed…shocked or anything when I was in wolf form, in fact the feel of his hand stroking my fur, though nothing like what it would feel in human form, was a comforting thought, one I thought I could stand to concentrate on. He was so gentle, and it felt so soothing…I could definitely use more of that. I was sitting in the woods surrounding the Cullens while I mulled over all this, wondering also how on earth I was going to face Nahuel again, but knowing I was not going to be able to stay away. Every moment ached here, alone. The part of me that wanted to run back was getting stronger every minute. Damn imprinting. Couldn't even sulk in peace. Ironically, as I thought this, Jacob phased wolf and jumped into my head.

"Typical, Leah, snap and bolt." I couldn't tell whether he was serious or not.

"Butt out, Jacob. This is your fault anyway. You can never shut your huge mouth." Ah. So much better. The familiar anger, drowning out the embarrassment I felt.

"Aw, c'mon Leah."

"Was I not perfectly clear, Jacob…?"

"Look, I just phased so I could tell you Nahuel's still waiting here for you. Hey, if you didn't terrify him with the way you behaved, I think you're in with a chance."

"Wow, Jacob, you are hilarious." I still wasn't impressed with Jake, but….

"Yeah, Leah, he wanted me to come and get you. He had something he wanted to say."

Huh. I was curious. And as I really didn't want to stay away, this was as good an excuse as any…

I raced to the edge of the trees, and then halted. What was I going to wear once I phased? My birthday suit? I seriously didn't think so.

I'd left my clothes shredded in the Cullens dining room. Even from where I was I could hear Jacob laughing. He couldn't even think any sort of stupid comment, he was laughing so much. Funny. Oh what a wonderful joke. Leah snaps again and leaves herself without clothes. Ha-di-ha ha. I waited for him to pull it together.

"Jake, do me a favor, and be a worthwhile leader. Grab me something to wear."

"What, no please?"

I gritted my teeth. "Please?"

"Not to worry, Leah, Alice, as always when it comes to clothes, is ready to save you."

I was surprised. "Wow, Jacob, how thoughtful. You already sorted it."

"Er…" he seemed a little embarrassed. "It was Edward actually. He heard what you were thinking." Huh. I was starting to feel far too much gratitude to the leeches. It just wasn't right. And when it came to my esteemed Alpha…

"Gee, thanks soo much, Jake." He phased out.

I waited barely a moment before Alice arrived. I almost reconsidered my birthday suit when I saw what she held out for me. The dress was beautiful, but entirely ridiculous. Even before I had become a werewolf, and dresses had become impractical, I had been more of a jeans and t-shirt girl. Skirts were as far as I went, and that was for weddings and funerals only. The scrap of material she held out looked like it belonged in some fashion magazine. It was a shimmering emerald green, fitted, obviously floor length. It was one shouldered and the split in the side was probably intended to end at my eyeballs. I was horrified. I just shook my head at Alice, willing her to understand this was not going to work. She sighed and held it out to me more forcefully.

"It's not as bad as it looks, Leah. With your height, it'll be stunning."

I didn't want to look stunning. I wanted to look like me. I shook my head at her again, this time baring my teeth slightly, trying to make my point clear. Nuh-uh. Not a chance. She frowned at me.

"This could be easy, or it could be hard. You know I can force this on you."

I bared my teeth further. She could try.

"Did I fail to mention, it wouldn't be a one on one? Rosalie would love nothing more than a chance to manhandle you…." She trailed off and I gave her a look of disgust. I was sure Blondie would love more than just a bit of manhandling…a few broken bones would be a likely outcome. It seemed I had no other choice. I huffed in disgust and looked pointedly further into the trees. Privacy. Alice grinned, knowing she had won, and draped the dress over one arm. I had the misfortune of seeing what else she had brought along. A pair of black stilettos. Huh. Wasn't the dress bad enough without everyone watching me fall on my butt? I had never worn heels. Not once. Well, at least I was going to provide the days amusement. And it might keep Alice from trying this again. She danced over to where the trees were thicker, placing the dress carefully on a low hanging branch, the shoes on the ground underneath. She turned to me and held up the final item she brought, the only thing I considered worthwhile. A hairbrush. Finally. She skipped back over to where I was, waiting.

"Go on then."

Huh. What was she waiting for? A fashion parade? She would be waiting a long time. I looked at her, waiting for her to leave. She sighed.

"I have to make sure it hangs properly." Really? Could a dress hang any way but down? Isn't that the whole thing with gravity?

"Go on." She gave me a little push.

Fine. Might as well get this over and done with. I just hoped I could do my falling away from Nahuel. I was worried enough already about the impression I was making. I slid into the trees, taking a few stray branches down in my rush; I was tense and I wanted speed, even at such a short distance. I phased in a spot where I couldn't see Alice, hoping that the view would work both ways. I threw on the ridiculous pile of material, and strapped the shoes onto my feet. It was amazing they fit, when I had grown so tall, my feet had grown right along with me. They were huge. I ripped the brush through the giant snarl that my hair had become until it fell straight and shining to my shoulders. Then I emerged, wobbling. Alice sighed.

"Put most of you weight on the balls of your feet, use the heel mainly to balance." I tried that idea. Huh. I was a lot more comfortable with that. Since I had become a werewolf, I had found myself very adept at bouncing around in this way. Finally, something I knew.

"And for goodness sake, Leah, only you could wear that dress so wrong, it's not meant to be a poncho!" Whatever. I was wearing it wasn't I? What more did she want? Obviously a lot. She stalked over and yanked at the material until I felt like everything was going to fall out on the left side. Then she continued down, smoothing the material over my hips and legs so it ended just skimming the ground. Great. Another disaster waiting to happen. She must have read my face, because she rolled her eyes at me.

"Just slow down and you won't trip."

Huh. Now she wanted me to slow down? I liked going fast. I started to speed off. And tripped. Fine. I began walking again. Much slower.

"See?' The look on her face was definitely smug. I gritted my teeth and kept going, ignoring her comment. I really had too much on my mind to dwell anyway – focusing on staying slow so I didn't fall, and the fact that, no matter how much I tried to put it off, it was time I told Nahuel about my imprint. I was terrified, but I knew, even without Jacob and Seth's nonsense…it had to be done. I couldn't put off the moment of truth forever. And if I was honest…I really wanted him to know. Whatever his reaction, I could figure it out later. I stopped when I reached the Cullens house to take a deep breath and steady my nerves. I very carefully put one foot in front of the other, feeling out every move – I would die if I fell now. I didn't knock; all I could think of was what I had to say. I found Nahuel in the lounge, remarkably he was alone.

"Hi." I sounded like a 12 year old with my first crush. Idiot.

"Leah…" he stepped closer to me, and I wavered. I didn't want him to run screaming back to where he came from, I didn't want him to move. I just wanted to look at him, to feel his warmth, even from here. He was nearly as warm as I was. He had the oddest look on his face, like his eyes were a little out of focus, it made his face seem softer.

"Nahuel, I wanted to tell you…" he stepped closer again until he was right in front of me, and he placed one hand on my cheek. I forgot what I was saying, where I was at. I was right. Skin to skin contact was entirely different. It was a million times more wonderful.

"You're so warm." He said softly.

"Huh. Uh, part of being a werewolf." I was babbling now. I should be getting to the point.

"You look beautiful Leah." That was it. I was gob smacked. I didn't know anything. It was almost like the moment I imprinted, it was like magic hearing him say that. Like a dream.

"And you looked beautiful this afternoon. I'm so glad I got to see you as a wolf, I thought I never would, the way you reacted to the idea…" Wow. He even thought I was beautiful like that. I opened my mouth again to speak but he stopped me once more.

"I know Leah, or I think I know."

"Sorry…?" I wasn't certain I understood what he was saying.

"When Jacob mentioned imprinting, I didn't really understand at the time, I thought he was just talking…after you left it dawned on me you were so mad because you wanted to tell me yourself..." he looked embarrassed, "at least that is my theory…"

"You're right." I whispered. I almost died. I was so happy though, too. He kept his hand rested against my cheek and he leaned in, closing his eyes. I heard a very gentle intake of breath and a light sigh.

"I don't know about imprinting, Leah, but I feel so very right with you…"

My heart stopped.