AN: Hello everyone! Update is here! The next updates from now on will probably be on a weekly basis. Real Life is back in business and will be kicking my a** for about 6 weeks or so.

I love all of your thoughts and comments! I don't have time to respond to them, but I do read and cherish them!

😊 Krida

A Close Call

As the evening continues, I realize that I am finally able to relax and truly enjoy myself. I learn a lot about my new group of friends. Rose is loud and jaw-droppingly direct, however Emmett acts as somewhat of a counter balance. He is also loud and outrageous, but his genuine and positive attitude tames hers. Their banter back and forth is hilarious and soon the muscles in my stomach begin to ache from having laughed so much.

Jake has luckily discarded his threatening and suspicious persona and is back to being my happy and laid back cousin. He efficiently spars with Rosalie and Emmett, meeting them both with equally loud and brazen comments of his own. Leah frequently joins in keeping everyone on their toes. Jasper has a tranquility about him unlike anything I've ever seen and he mellows out the always bubbly Alice. She appears to be completely content, sitting on his lap as they share sweet whispers and secret smiles throughout the evening; mainly observing their group of friends and family.

Edward doesn't say much, but he pays close attention to every aspect of the conversation, guiding it from time to time with a comment here or a story there. He's knowledgeable and steady with a wicked sense of humor. He is also warm and caring giving each person around our table his attention by asking specific questions proving his interest and support in their everyday lives. He is a born leader and I can easily see why he was chosen as Beta. I can feel myself falling harder and harder for him the more I learn about him.

When Paul drops by our table with a tray of "Birthday Cocktails" Edward stands up and greets him warmly.

"Hey, man! Long time no see?"
They talk for a while and we learn that Paul's just gotten back from travelling around the US. We are all shocked to learn that The Den is his baby, having started it years ago with an old friend when he moved away from Forks. His friend, Jared, a rogue shifter with a keen sense for business, had been running the place for the past few years as Paul travelled around the States, learning from other nightclub owners and scoping out new areas to possibly expand their franchise.

"Well, we would love it if you came by the Pack once in a while. You could bring Jared with you," Edward urges when the conversation begins to come to a close.

Paul's face displays a look of apprehension with a hint of curiosity.

"Listen," Edward leans in closer to him as the other's begin talking about something else to give them privacy. I am sitting too close so I can easily hear them, but I do my best to look away.

"I know things haven't been easy between you and your old man. Shit, I don't blame you for running off in the first place, but wolves are pack animals. You can't honestly say that you don't miss it," Edward pauses.

"Here's my card. Give me a call whenever and I'll show you around. Your Dad isn't very involved any longer, and believe me when I say that I will have your back."

There is a long silence before Edward finally returns to his seat and Paul goes back to work. Conversation around the table is back to normal and it doesn't take Edward long before his fingers begin a teasing dance along the skin of my thigh.

Another thing I've learned about Edward, is that he has an incredible poker face and a true hidden talent as an expert actor and multi-tasker. Both of these talents I am quickly learning are weakness of mine, especially in all things related to Edward. He is keeping me on the edge of my seat, raising havoc on my emotions as his tantalizing touches grow bolder and bolder under our table. It's almost as if it has become a game for him. A light, teasing touch on my skin, just enough to make me burn for him, before quickly removing it, placing his hand back on the table so no one will notice. A look around the table to see that no one is paying attention to what he is doing, then yet another touch, lingering longer and longer and moving higher and higher up my thigh.

I am truly struggling to keep my face neutral, desperately trying to hide my reactions as I try to keep up with the conversation around our table. I am failing and this appears to be simply urging him on. He's trying to drive me mad, and I willingly accept his advances. His long fingers have slipped beneath my short skirt and is trailing their way closer and closer to where I want him the most. Each time he moves his hand away, I have to bite my tongue from screaming out in frustration. I'm so turned on that I don't know what to do with myself.

Leah turns towards me and I quickly try to shield my expression by taking a drink of my watered down cocktail.

"You feeling alright, Bella? You look flushed?" she asks, concern in her tone.

I can see Edward lifting his wayward and very talented fingers to his bottle, gently caressing its neck up and down, before lifting it to his lips. I force myself to take a soothing breath before answering her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Alcohol just going to my head a little, is all."

"Well, then I would say that it is just the right time to go down stairs and start dancing!" Alice exclaims excitedly and drags Jasper to his feet.

There are a few groans of objection, but soon we all get up and start moving towards the large winding staircase at the edge of the room leading down to the lower level of the nightclub. As I stand I feel a little lightheaded and sway slightly on my feet. Edward, who is standing closest to me, quickly steadies me with an arm around my waist.

"Careful," he whispers softly in my ear, causing an excited shiver to run down my spine.

I can see concern spread across his face, but before I can say anything Leah quickly moves to stand next to me, wrapping her arm around me as well. Edward reluctantly moves away.

"Maybe we should stay here?" he considers, but both Alice and Rose wave him off.

"She'll be fine. She just needs to dance it off!" One of them answers.

"I'll be fine, Edward. Just got a little lightheaded. Alcohol doesn't go well with the uncoordinated," I say, trying to reassure him.

He holds my gaze for a moment and I can see that he's really struggling with not being able to touch and support me. Jake moves in my direction, lightly pressing a hand against Edward's shoulder as he passes him.

"We got her, Edward."

I feel like they are all blowing things a little out of proportion and quickly brush off both Jake and Leah's helpful hands, showing them all that I'm fine. They all smile at my effort, but I can see that Edward still isn't convinced. I can't help myself and send him a wink that he answers with a hint of a smile. When I look away, I see that Rosalie has caught our exchange and there is an unreadable expression on her face. I try not to pay it any mind, but it unnerves me a little. Alice is suddenly by my side, linking her arms with mine.

"Bella, you are going to love this!"

Just as we are about to descend an annoying squeal screeches nearby and is the only warning I'm given before my wolf leaps to attention and attacks in pure outrage. I'm so shocked by her sudden appearance that I have to steady myself by grabbing onto the railings before I am able to fight back. My eyes wander to search out the reason for why she has reacted, and suddenly there is a small part of me that wishes that I could simply hand over the reigns instead of pushing her back.

Wrapped around Edward like a cobra, is Jessica, clothed in a skin-tight, super short dress with animal print and spiky heeled boots ending high on her thigh. Those boots are currently wrapped around Edward's waist and acute pain spreads throughout my chest as I see that she's jumped into his arms trying to kiss him. I feel tears burn in my eyes and I know I should look away, but I can't. I'm frozen to the floor with my eyes fixed on the train-wreck in front of me. Edward appears to have reacted on instinct and is holding her to him so she won't fall. A sliver of doubt enters my mind as my eyes fix on his strong hands supporting her thighs, is he holding her because he welcomes her touch? He has told me that he isn't interested in her, but after everything, I can't help but wonder if he's been telling me the truth. I am growing tired of always having to second guess everything! I can't see his face, but just the sight of his firm grip on her skin makes my heart shatter and I feel the sudden urge to run away to lick my wounds.

My wolf is enraged and has completely lost it. She wants nothing more than to rip Jessica off of Edward's body and attack, but I know I can't do that. We are in a public place with hundreds of witnesses, I can't lose control here. My wolf's violent tendencies are so powerful and new to me that I have to focus all of my energy on keeping her at bay. Despite my efforts, I can suddenly feel my entire body vibrate at the brink of phasing and a chill of ice cold fear runs through me. My wolf desperately wants me to phase and is putting up an impressive fight for control, her rage consuming and utterly terrifying. I've never felt her emotions this strongly before and my control is slipping. My breathing begins to come out in gasps as I feel some of the bones in my body shift and all of my muscles tense.

Shit!

Leah's face appears in my line of sight and I can see her eyes widen before she grabs my arm, pulling me with her away from the staircase and back towards the bar. I can hear both her and my name being called, but I realize quickly that I can't focus on anything other than keeping my body from shifting. My vision is going blurry and all I can hear are the furious snarls and barks of my wolf in my head. Leah pushes me forward and a door opens. It's an unfamiliar room that looks like an office of some kind, but I can't be sure because I have to bite my teeth hard together and fight off my wolf, who isn't letting up on her attack. I can feel how my teeth are expanding in my mouth and there's a burst of blood on my tongue. I fall on my hands and knees and try to focus on my breathing, desperately trying to calm myself down and gain back some of the control. All of the muscles in my body clench and tremble with exertion as my wolf continues to try and force me to phase.

Air in through my nose. Out through my mouth. In through my nose. Out through my mouth.

Again and again and again, I repeat the process. I don't know how long I keep going, but finally, I can feel that she lets up on her struggle and pulls back. She's still furious, but she's realized that she can't win. With a defeated howl and whimper she submits and I can finally exhale a sigh of relief.

Taking a moment to catch my breath, I feel my body slump forwards as my arms give way. Weakly, I pull my body back into a sitting position, placing my hands on my knees. I feel like I've been pulled through the wringer, having just endured one of the hardest workouts of my life. Two times in one day my wolf has given me a run for my money. This time she almost won.

Looking up, the first thing I see is a relieved Leah peeking out from behind Paul's back. I hadn't even noticed he was there. Seeing that the threat is gone, Leah quickly rushes to my side. I know I must look a fright.

"Jesus, Bella," she whispers, pushing my hair back from my sweaty face.

I close my eyes, suddenly exhausted. I can hear Paul rummage around the room for a moment before he too kneels down next to me. Very gently he coaxes me to wrap my limp arms around his shoulders and then he carefully lifts me from the floor. Leah stays close, holding my hand in hers. Paul carries me to a small private bathroom at the back of the office and sets me down on the toilet seat. Leah quickly finds a washcloth and towel to help me freshen up and Paul returns with two glasses. One large and the other small.

"Coke and a shot of Jägermeister. You need the sugar and the burn."

He hands me the shot first and I obediently tip it back. The liquid is cold against my warm tongue and the taste is rich and spicy, reminding me a little of cough medicine. It easily slides down my throat, heating its way to my belly. I exhale when I finish and realize that Paul is correct in his assumption. The heat of the alcohol is reviving and I already feel more like myself. Paul takes the shot glass from my hand replacing it with the larger glass of Coke.

"Take all the time you need," he tells Leah before leaving us.

I sip on my Coke slowly, feeling how the caffeine and sugar joins the shot and awakens my tired body. Leah stands and wets the washcloth before turning back to me. She hands it to me and I take it, but I don't say or do anything.

Soon, Leah begins to pace back and forth in the small room, her body unable to stand still as she debates with herself whether she should ask me something or not. It doesn't take her long to decide.

"What haven't you told me?" she asks pointedly and I realize that I don't have a choice now. I need to tell her about our wolves and their mating.

I take another sip of my drink and wipe the washcloth over my forehead and cheeks, trying not to mess up my make-up, although I'm guessing it looks horrible anyways. The cold washcloth soothes my hot skin.

"I have some makeup with me and some perfume. You can wipe off the rest of your makeup."

Leah's voice is a little softer now, almost apologetic.

Standing, I place my glass on the sink and take a look at myself in the mirror.

Yikes. I look worse than I thought.

Wetting the towel again, I add some soap and do my best to wash away the smudged makeup from my face. Leah waits patiently behind me and hands me her purse with her makeup without a word when she sees that I'm finished washing off. Before I begin reapplying anything, I catch her gaze through the mirror.

"Our wolves mated yesterday," I reveal bluntly.

I see her eyes widen in shock and I quickly continue.

"I went for a run last night and when I woke up, I was in Edward's arms. Naked."

She lifts a hand and places it in front of her mouth, almost as if she's stopping herself from speaking out. I can see that there are several questions she is dying to ask by the expression spread across her features, but she doesn't say anything, allowing me to continue.

"He was just as surprised as I was at first, but then told me that our wolves had found one another and had mated. Neither of us know exactly what that means. Apparently it's unheard of."

"It is!" She immediately agrees as if she is unable to hold back any longer.

My mouth clenches shut. All of this is so confusing! Leah looks like she's trying to make sense of it all and begins to pace again. I stay in my place and simply observe her through the mirror. After a short while she stops and turns in my direction again.

"Aro didn't call Edward today, did he?"

My heart jumps in my chest, she's caught my lie. Guilt spreads through me, but I quickly push it down. This isn't the time to feel guilty.

"No," I answer simply. "Edward said his wolf felt I was in trouble so he came."

Leah nods her head as if she expected that exact answer.

"Bella-."

She lifts both hands in front of her before dropping them in exasperation.

"You've imprinted."

There isn't a hint of uncertainty in her voice and I can feel a swarm of butterflies buzz around in my stomach. Could that really be true?

"Leah, no. We haven-," I begin, but she cuts me off by moving towards me and turning me to face her. She places both hands on each of my shoulders and holds my gaze.

"Listen, it might not be completed, but you've already started the imprint, of that I'm certain."

She sends me pointed look.

"What does it feel like when he isn't around?" she asks and I immediately bite my lip, knowing my answer will only prove her point.

"Like something essential is missing, am I right?"

She can see the answer written on my face, so she continues.

"That definitely explains why your wolf is so territorial. I still can't believe how you were able to stop her," she pauses and I know that she's thinking about how I almost phased in reaction to Jessica throwing herself at Edward. She exhales deeply.

"For some reason, your imprint has happened early. I've never heard of that ever happening, but I am one hundred percent certain that your wolves have already imprinted, especially since they've mated."

I nod, accepting her conclusion.

"Now, the human parts of you haven't completed the imprint yet. You would know if they had. I don't know if that's because you aren't 21 yet, or if there is something holding either of you back."

My thoughts turn to the conversation with Rose, then the conversation with Edward and finally, my stomach turns when I'm reminded of it, Jessica jumping into Edward's awaiting arms. I massage my temples, feeling a headache build and I see deep compassion in Leah's dark eyes.

"This isn't easy for you, is it?" she asks softly and I shake my head unable to answer because of the large lump in my throat. Tears begin to burn in my eyes and I feel like I'm about to lose it.

Leah studies me for a moment, before gently guiding me to sit down on the toilet seat again. Then she takes the makeup from her purse and slowly begins to apply it gently to my face while humming a soft song through her lips. Soon the lump in my throat disappears and the tears welling up in my eyes dry up.

"I kind of wish you had phased," Leah suddenly declares, a smirk the only hint of what will follow.

"I would have loved to see your wolf take down Jessica. She's a real bitch."

I can't stop the small chuckle that rings through me and she quickly joins in. Soon my glass of Coke is empty and I've erased any proof of my "near-phasing" experience. Arms linked, we make our way back into the busy nightclub. Just before we leave the quiet room, I pause.

"What do we tell them?" I ask, suddenly feeling a little insecure.

Leah shrugs.

"I don't think anyone noticed, but if they ask we'll say that I wanted to introduce you to Paul."

I raise an eyebrow and Leah snorts. I was already introduced to him earlier when he came by our table.

"Hey, if you have a better idea, feel free."

"Maybe, you needed a wingman because you wanted to hit on Paul," I tease.

"Don't push it," she warns, bumping into me as she opens the door.

I notice that the man in question sends Leah a lingering look when we pass the bar, but decide not to comment on it. We keep our arms locked as we walk down the stairs and, although I feel a little apprehensive about seeing Jessica and Edward again, Leah's hold on me is comforting and her support gives me strength.

I feel him before I see him, but do my best not to react by immediately searching him out. The dance floor is packed and Leah and I are pushed together by a flood of dancing bodies. She lets go of my arm, but keeps a firm hold of my hand as she raises our joined hands high above us twirling me under it. I laugh and she begins to dance so I quickly join in. The vibrations of the loud music and the thump of the beat runs through me, it feels good.

I don't see exactly where we are headed, but I can sense that Edward is closing in like a predator honing in on his prey. Leah sends me a wink before twirling me again, this time pushing me away from her. I close my eyes losing myself to the music, dancing on my own for less than a second before I am pulled into the safety of his strong arms. Every single particle of my body relaxes against him and I am overwhelmed by the incredible sense of coming home. We move together in a sensual dance for a few beats, his body feeling so incredible against mine, before he takes my hand in his and pulls me away from the crowd.

He leads us expertly into private corner. One of those dark places for dark deeds that Rose mentioned earlier. As soon as my back hits the wall he shields my body from view and tangles his strong fingers in the hair at the back of my neck. I meet him halfway, eager to feel his lips against mine again and reaffirm this strange, but enticing connection between us. After my conversation with Leah, I feel more confident and sure about our relationship.

I moan when our lips touch and I quickly wrap my arms around his shoulders kissing him with all of the passion I can muster. I can feel how he tries to keep our kiss softer and not as intense, but he quickly allows me to take over the control pushing me harder against the wall behind me. We find a pattern, this time allowing ourselves a moment to breathe in between kisses. Our lips meet, tongues sliding sensually against each other, just long enough to leave us both breathless before we pull back, pausing long enough to take a short breath before diving back in again. My body feels like it's on fire and the need that's been building within me all day is threatening to burst. The next time our lips let up, I speak, raising my voice just enough so that he can hear me above the loud music.

"I need you."

His reaction is instantaneous, eyes darkening, jaw clenching. He holds my gaze for a brief second, searching for any hints of doubt, before his head bobs in a short nod of acceptance. Then he places a short, hard kiss on my lips, before grabbing my hand again, leading us away from our sheltered corner. I keep my eyes on the floor as we move through the crowd in search of privacy. Edward appears to know exactly where to go, so I don't question it. When we finally come to a stop, a breath of fresh air hits my hot face and I realize that we have moved outside. I barely have time to grasp our surroundings (a back alley behind the nightclub) before I'm caged between Edward body and a cool brick wall. His hands are splayed against the wall on each side of my head and he is leaning towards me, head bent directly in front of mine. The lights out here are brighter than inside the nightclub and for a moment I'm completely mesmerized by his beauty. It takes me a while to read his expression. His green eyes are filled with what looks like remorse and his lips are drawn in to a tight line.

"Nothing happened, Bella, I swear. She jumped on to me and I pushed her away as soon as I realized what was going on. I felt like my entire body was being scorched and I couldn't even touch her. When I couldn't find you afterwards-."

His voice trails off and I'm reminded of when Riley held my hand earlier. I'm pleased to learn that it's the same for him. I lift my hand and lightly push back a strand of hair from his face, trailing a finger over his eyebrows, eyes, cheeks, nose, chin. He closes his eyes and I can feel a shudder of pleasure run through him. When I finish, his eyes open halfway and I see deep desire burn within them.

"I need you," I repeat, lifting myself to my toes to leave a soft kiss on the side of his lips.

Then I continue leaving a trail of light kisses all the way across his mouth. When I'm finished, I pull back. Our eyes meet and we share a moment of silence, both focusing on how our connection hums loudly between us, imploring us both to join together in any and every way possible.

"To hell with waiting," Edward mumbles before letting go of the shackles of his restraint.