AUTHORSNOTE!
I want to ask all of you loyal readers to do me a huge favour and reread, even skim through chapters 16,18 and 19. I've made some small changes that are VERY pertinent to the story. I know you guys have had some questions, and you've been confused.. but I'm hoping this chapter will begin to answer some questions that you have.
Also, because it can't be any more explained .. No. Embry has not imprinted on Bina. Bina just enjoys naughty activities with Embry and Embry is completely okay with that, because he's so shy, he won't object. He adores Bina though, so he has no problem with it. I tried to explain Binas, er, extracurriculars with Bina doing favours for alcohol, and wanting Seth, haha, as well as being so brash and upfront about it in general.
I hope that clears some things up, and the next chapter clears things up !

"How the hell did she end up here?"

"Smells like she was drinking."

"She was."

"Why did you let her leave?"

"Why do you think, Em was getting his booty! Damn fine booty at that."

"Enough Quil."

"Wake her up?"

"No. Somebody go get Jake."

"You know sometimes this girl can be stupid."

"Well, keeping Jake away from her has made her slightly crazy, Sam."

"I'm afraid for them."

"That's stupid."

"I'm afraid he'll imprint. I've given him an order not to look into her eyes. An alpha order, but I feel terrible about it."

"What's so bad about it if he does?"

"...I don't know."

"Do you want to be the only imprinter around here?"

"No, it's not that."

"Maybe you should think about his happiness. Think about how miserable his thoughts have beeen without her."

I was only half listening to this conversation, convinced that it was a dream. With all these weird words that they were using, and Embry and Quil together, it couldn't possibly be real. It would have to be a projection of my mind and the stress that I've been through. The sun shining through the forest made me lose my bearings, then I remembered laying down on the bed of moss and going to sleep. I rolled over, covering my eyes from the sharp light that made my head hurt even more.

"He's coming. I just woke him up."

"Of course you woke him up. It's eight o'clock."

"It's not even that early."

The familiar voice came from far away, getting closer as I heard his almost silent footsteps through the ground.

"Hey guys what's...whoa. What is she doing here?"

"Embry will answer that question for you."

"Her and Bina got drunk. She wandered away."

"And you let her?"

"Emmy was getting lucky."

A sigh was audible.

"Alright, enough. Let's leave them alone. Jake, come with me for a moment."

Suddenly it was silent, everyone had gone. I fully woke up at that moment, disoriented and looked around. No one was standing there. Of course it would be a dream. Jake wouldn't be here. I closed my eyes and flopped back down, much to the protest of my screaming head.

Then hot arms were wrapping around me, pulling me close to their chest. The figure rocked me back and forth silently and slowly. Inhaling the sweet musky scent, I knew it was Jake. My heart filled with love and burst with excitement and relief at the fact that I was in Jake's arms again.

"Jake." I whispered, my voice hoarse.

"I'm here Bella. I'm here." He replied, kissing the top of my head.

"It's about time." I mumbled, wrapping my arms around him. He stiffened for half a second before relaxing again and was silent a few moments.

"I know." He sighed, defeat lacing his voice. "It's not my fault though Bells."

"I can't say I understand." I replied, opening my eyes and looking at his chin.

"I can't say I can help that." He said, letting out a great sigh.

"Why, why can't you help that?" I asked.

"Not right now Bella." Jake said exasperatedly. "I love you too much for that right now."

"I love you too Jakie." I murmured, smiling. Jake still loved me and he was here holding me and all was right.

The morning light turned soft, perhaps covered by a cloud. I sat up, staying close to Jake and put my face in front of his. I placed my hand on his soft, dark face and opened my eyes. His were downcast, looking at something on the ground between us.

"Jacob Black." I whispered. "Please look me in the eyes."

He stayed still for a few seconds, then slowly raised his dark eyes to meet mine. As they did, his jaw went slack, dropping and his eyes glazed over. First, a look of pure confusion, then a look of calm peace and unimaginable happiness came across his face. It stayed the same: glazed over eyes and a foolish smile for a few minutes before he shook himself out of his reverie.

"Wow." That was all he said after that

"Wow what, Jake?" I asked, tilting my head.

"You are so incredibly beautiful." He smiled, tilting his head to match mine.

"Thank you?" I asked. There was something adoring in the way he said it, something off.

"I can promise you that we won't be spending all too much time apart anymore." He said, relaxing visibly. I relaxed as well, realizing how stressing it was not to have him around.

"Thats great." I smiled, thinking about how great it actually was.

Jake stood up and reached out for my hand, which I happily took. I stood up with him, feeling the dizziness of last nights events.

"Excuse me for one moment." I said, covering my mouth and running off. Regrets of last night hit me and came up, vile and chunky as I spit it over the forest floor. Jake was there, holding my hair back for me and rubbing my back as I dry-heaved for a couple minutes until I could compose myself.

"Thank you." I said, spitting one last time and wiping my mouth. When I stood up again, Jake gathered me into his arms, smoothing my hair back.

"It was really no problem." Jake murmured into my-probably very dirty-hair. He then let me go, his hand sliding down to take mine and we walked out of the woods. I recognized the place as we exited. I was so close to being at Jake's last night, if only I had walked a couple more feet. I would have broke through the path almost directly across from his house.

"You're lucky that you didn't stray any farther into the woods." Jake said, with the 'parent-tone'

"I was looking for you. You wouldn't be in the woods." I replied. He was quiet for a few moments.

"Then why were you there?" He asked, looking down at me, eyebrow raised.

"I don't remember how I got there." I laughed. He chuckled with me.

Bina was sitting on Jake's front step when we walked in the driveway, in Embry's lap of course. His face was buried in her neck and she was clearly enjoying it, her hand behind her back. I had no question about what it was touching. Jake cleared his throat obviously, making them snap to attention. She removed her hand and Embry, blushing a dark red, zippered up his jeans.

"Bella. I was so worried when I realized that you were gone!" She cried, throwing her arms around me. "However, I was too drunk and too naked to come find you. I would have gotten just as lost."

"That's fine. I was only looking for Jake." I replied, smiling as I backed into his body.

"And you found him!" She grinned sardonically.

"He found me, actually." I laughed.

Bina excused Embry and herself and bounded down the road, Embry being dragged after her. Jake looked down at me fondly, and brushed his lips against mine gently. He took my hand again and brought me inside to his room, where the blanket on his bed was thrown haphazardly away. We layed down, bodies as close as we could manage, his forehead pressed against mine.

"I think you're forgetting something." I said softly. He chuckled, and took a moment to sit up and rip his shirt off before assuming the position he had been in before.

"I never want us to be apart like has happened lately, Bells." He said, smoothing my hair back again. "And I'm going to promise to you that it won't. I cannot hurt you ever again."

"Thank you Jacob. It's been hard without you. I've been so confused." I almost cried at the memory of it, a tear freed itself from my eyelashes. Jake immediately wiped it away.

"I think I may be able to tell you why. I just have to go talk to Sam about it first." Jake said.

"Why do you have to check in with Sam about it?" I asked, immediately on the defense, my temper flaring. Jake didn't answer, just kissed my forehead, my eyelids, my cheeks, my jawline, my neck and finally my lips.

"You'll find out. Definitely." Was all he said. I sighed, but decided not to fight it: to just stay in Jake's arms as long as I could.