Imprinting.

I sit there and tell her all about Taha Aki and the Third Wife. I tell her about the Elders, Old Quil specifically, thinking it's about providing the strongest wolf bloodlines. I tell her how the wolf is to be whatever the imprintee wants and needs - friend, lover, plumber, etc. I talk and talk until I just wanna not talk anymore.

She says nothing as she sits in front of me in just my shirt, exposing one creamy white shoulder, and not wearing any damn panties. Fuck are we talking for? I could so eat her out again. My mouth waters at the thought. I'm about to dive in when she asks me questions about the vamps, which leads to explaining about the treaty and how we think Edfuck isn't the only one with special powers. Fuck, she shifts and I see pussy lips. Again, why are we talking?

She quirks an eyebrow at me and I realize she said something. "Huh?"

She rolls her eyes. "I said bullshit."

I repeat, "Bullshit?"

She nods her head. "Exactly. This imprinting stuff is utter bullshit." I nod because I actually do agree and maybe if I do we can get past the talking and back to more fun stuff. Unfortunately, my girl's not done. "I mean, seriously? If Old Quil was right and it's basically just to provide the next generation with super bad ass wolves, then why wouldn't Sam have imprinted on Leah? She's a wolf too. That would be two wolf bloodlines, one of which is the current Alpha. You mean tell me that wouldn't make a super bad ass puppy?"

I snort. "You said puppy!"

She glares at me so I shut up. "I mean, just think about it. The whole producing a stronger next generation is utter crap."

I shrug, realizing that I won't be muff diving anytime soon. "Then it's about soul mates?"

She just laughs for a bit before wiping her eyes. "That's even more bullshit because if it's all about soul mates then what happens if Jared were to imprint on some girl and she's a lesbian? Or what if she's like 50 years old? Married? Or imagine that she's just some girl who doesn't like him like that and just wants a best bud. He's just supposed to put his whole life on hold for some girl who doesn't want him romantically and then let her lead him by his balls for the rest of his life?"

I snort again. "You said balls!"

She smacks my chest, well tries to. "Oh my goodness, focus. I don't understand how your tribe's Spirits bestowed this great gift and responsibility on you guys and then on top of that throws the extra pressure and burden of being accountable for this one person's every want and need. It's beyond unfair. Then there's the chance that this person could be selfish and uncaring. What are you guys supposed to do if they want you to shelve the wolf and your duty to your tribe to basically be their bitch? What if they want to leave La Push to travel? What if, heaven forbid, they're a Cold One? Nope, the soul mate thing is a cop out as well."

Not going to lie, her being all into my tribe's legends and being so accepting of my furry other half is wicked awesome. Her trying to figure out one of the tribal mysteries is a fucking turn on, but I have to get my girl back on her back. I move my body closer to hers leaving her no choice but to fall back against the mattress.

I start trailing kisses along her exposed shoulder as I reach under my shirt to cup her breast. She's spouting all these half ass theories of imprinting, mostly to herself, but once I pinch her nipple all I get are breathy moans. I tear my mouth away from the column of her neck to gaze into her lust filled eyes.

She breathes out, "I was speaking."

I smirk at her. "Go ahead and keep at it, babe."

So she does, but it's my name she's screaming after that point.

She finally tells me she has to go home. Not going to lie, it hurts to watch her get into her truck. I'm already between her legs as she starts to sit in the driver's seat. I play with her hair as we share a few sweet kisses. I finally pull away before I beg her to jerk me off again. Yeah, I got her to touch my one-eyed snake and he enjoyed it very much let me tell you. Fuck, she's pulling my ear.

I pull away and rub the lobe as if it hurts. "What?"

She rolls her eyes. "I swear you really don't pay me any mind."

I shake my head. "That's a lie. I pay you a whole lot of mind, especially when you're naked and have your hand wrapped around my cock."

Her sweet little mouth falls open. I lean forward to snap it closed. She swats at my hand as I laugh. She gets a pensive look on her face and I sigh.

She bites her lower lip. "We, well, I have to tell him. You know that, right?"

I nod, torn between telling her that he can go jump off a cliff or fuck himself, but I get where she's coming from. I hug her softly before speaking. "I get that, I really do, but you gotta wait."

She opens her mouth and promptly shuts it. She lets out a shaky breath, "It's because he's so close right? You guys think he's next and ..."

I finish her sentence, "And I'm afraid that finding out about us will trigger his phase. Look, Bells, I get it. I really do, but you can't tell him by yourself. I know that you think you owe it to him or maybe it's just because you're such a sweetheart, but you have to promise me that you'll wait. If anything then we'll go tell him together. Okay?"

She links our fingers together. She looks up at me through her lashes and smiles. "I like that. Together."

I don't have the words to tell her how much I do too.

It's the next day before I make my way over to Sam and Leah's. I had asked for an impromptu Pack meeting. Luckily I was the only one patrolling last night so they didn't know about me and Bells yet, especially that she's figured out our little wolfy secret.

I push open the door and can't help the smile that forms on my face as I take in the scene in front of me. Sam has Leah on his lap, pretty much eating her face off. Embry's throwing popcorn at them and Jared's chilling in the recliner, phone in hand, probably texting Angela. These assholes – yeah, even Embry - are my family, and sometimes it surprises me how much I need that.

Embry throws a couple of kernels my way. "Holy fuck, the apocalypse is coming. Lahote's smiling."

Everyone starts laughing but Sam must see something on my face because he gently puts Leah down beside him on the couch. He stands up and makes his way to me.

He stands before me and asks, "What is it?"

I let out a breath and just blurt out, "Um, yeah, see I'm with Bella now and she knows about the wolves."

To say my announcement was met with claps, cheers and a bit of confetti would be a lie. Instead, there's chaos. Leah even has to hold Embry back as he threatens my life and, more importantly, my dick.

"SILENCE!"

Sam's deep timbre shuts us all the fuck up. Embry throws his ass back on the floor with Leah standing in front of him. Jared is just looking at me while Sam remains quiet, appraising me. He finally goes to the kitchen and makes a call.

"Billy, we need to meet with the council."

The words bring a sense of dread into the pit of my bottomless stomach.

"An hour will be fine."

He comes back into the living room and turns the TV on. We say nothing, but even Leah seems a bit confused as to what's going on. We watch – well, I don't - some UFC match until it's time to go.

We all climb into Sam's black truck. Me, Em and Jared hop into the back while Leah rides up front. Still no words are said. The drive takes no more than five minutes but it feels like forever. I follow behind my brothers and sister as we head inside to the tribal center and the room in the back where the Elders await.

I go in last, shutting the door behind me. I fight the urge to roll my eyes as I gaze at the Council sitting behind their fancy table with Billy in the middle. It irks me that the ornate table is on a raised platform. I still haven't figured out if that's to make them look more important or for us to feel lower than them.

Billy speaks first, "Alpha, you called for this meeting?"

Sam replies, "Yes, but I will allow for my beta, Paul Lahote, to speak first. This is his story to tell."

He sits back down and I feel everyone's eyes on me. I clear my throat and just speak the truth. "Bells, um, Isabella Swan came over to my house yesterday. We sort of had a falling out a few days ago and she came out to see me. While I was apologizing to her she straight up told me that she knew what I was."

Old Quil bellows out, "What does she know exactly?"

That little comment pisses me and my wolf off. Before I can say anything Sam does. "The Council is expected to hear my beta out first."

I look at Sam gratefully before continuing. "I tried to brush it off, which led to more sort of arguing. I even told her to get out of my house, but she ignored me. And when I tried to play if off as her overactive imagination, she threatened to go get her answers from the Cullens."

My wolf and I tense as that memory plays out in our mind. My hands clench into fists, but I calm myself down when I remember her promise. I continue, "Um, well, we stopped arguing and after not arguing for a while I asked her how she knew."

Harry asks with a smirk on his face, "Why didn't you continue to deny it? Even after the not arguing part?"

I rub the back of my neck. "Look, when she said she was going to go to the Cullens I freaked out. Hell, my wolf freaked out. Emotions were running rampant and we kissed. It's not a fu ... um, freaking secret how I feel about her. Turns out she feels the same. I wasn't going to lie to her when she figured it all out by herself."

Billy asks, "How?"

So I tell him all about remembering our legends, the book, her index cards and that she's smart enough to make the connections. He looks pretty pleased at how smart his pseudo-niece is but there's also a look of uncertainty and I know his thoughts are on Jake. Hell, his crush on her was even more well known than mine.

Old Quil's raspy voice breaks up the silence and he's pissed. "Who is she to know of our secrets? You have dishonored the Qui ..."

Sam cuts him off, "Don't you dare finish that sentence old man." He looks at the Council and then at me before rising to his feet to stand next to me. "You damn well know who she is. Everyone here does. She's Charlie's daughter and they've been friends of our tribe for as long as I can remember. We're not playing the white card now. She's the one that made sure Paul didn't fall into their foster care system, even going up against her dad. Sure Billy could have fought against it, but who knows what would have happened, how long that could have taken, and what kind of toll it could have had on Paul?"

Sam rubs his face and Leah stands beside him. He smiles at her before continuing, "When he told me I was pissed at him for letting our secret out, but I knew I was wrong." He looks at everyone in the room before continuing on, "I have Leah, and in turn, her family. Jared has his folks. Embry, his mom and yeah, we all have each other, but who does Paul have? Who can he share this burden with? Don't get me wrong, I know we have been blessed with a great gift from our Spirits, but along with that gift comes a greater responsibility that we take very seriously. We have had our dreams taken from us and replaced with a job that none of us have shirked away from. We take great pride in knowing we protect our lands from an evil our people aren't even aware of. But I ask that the Council remember that we're still just teenagers. Hell, I'm the oldest and I still can't buy a beer legally, yet I lay my life down along with those of my Pack. So if Bella was smart enough to work it all out by herself, then I don't see any issue with her being that person for Paul like Leah is for me. I respect the Council and your words of wisdom but you must remember to keep in mind that times have changed and this is my Pack. We decide what's best for us."

When he's done speaking, I realize my Pack stands with me.

Of course Old Quil ain't done. "And what of the rightful Alpha? What of his feelings for young Isabella?"

Billy sighs and I swear I see him age in front of me, "The boy has been in love with her since she swung mud pies at him. And she loves him too, but it's the love of a sister for her brother. Yes, I often have found myself wishing her feelings would change, but I have not been oblivious to the stares and looks between her and Paul. Never once has she looked at my boy the way she has at Paul. Old Quil, he is the rightful Alpha and as such I can only hope he has the right mindset to accept their relationship."

Old Quil throws out, "Imprinting?"

The Pack actually groans. I laugh. He glares at me so I tell him, "She thinks it's a load of wolf manure. Some of the points she brought up actually make a whole lot of sense. Look, I really don't think you guys expect us to put our lives on hold for some remote possibility of imprinting. It's just not fair. She's who I want, and lucky for me she actually seems to want me too."

Harry looks at me. "And if we demand that you give her up?"

I start shaking at the thought. I'm about to go tell him to fuck himself when Sam speaks, "Then I will regretfully have to deny that request. The Council is here to advise us, but I'm Alpha and we as a Pack will decide what is best for us. We're the ones who are doing the actual job of protecting the tribe so I cannot in good sense adhere to every one of your requests since you don't. And I see no reason why their relationship can't continue. So I hope that the Council will make no such request."

Yeah, what he said. I try keeping my wolf at bay but he really wants to rip Harry's nuts off. Leah raises an eyebrow at me and I'm guessing even without being phased she knows what the hell I was thinking.

Billy smiles at Sam before speaking, "Nice way of telling us to fuck off, Alpha." We all laugh – well, minus Old Quil. "Your words make sense and we will heed them, but remember we're always here to listen and offer any help we can, even if it's just words."

Sam graciously nods before we all fall out. Embry looks back at us as we hop into Sam's truck. "Dude, that was so bad ass."

That it was pup. That it was. We all laugh and head back to Sam's for some grub. I text my girl and all is right with the world. At least for the time being.