Hey! So this is the last time I'm going to address this! Smeyers concept of imprinting really doesn't have that much information on it so i took it my own way. If you look it up, I did a lot of research on it, with Sam and Emily, they didn't accept each other immediately. There were a lot of feelings of betrayal and guilt and remorse that kept them apart. Ellie does not know Jacob, there is no jealousy there because she doesnt know him. She feels a desire to be around him and to get to know him, but that's it, there is no love there for her right now. For Jacob he feels the same pull to Ellie, he wants to get to know her but he wants to love Ellie for Ellie because i like to think Jacob is a romantic. He doesn't want to just love her because he thinks he has to but because he wants to. This has nothing to do with Ellie or Bella being a second choice, it has to do with being true to your feelings. ALSO this story is not canon obviously because Ellie does not exist, take this fanfic for what it is, fanfic, and enjoy it. Thank you!

Chapter 8

Bonds

I think we could do it if we tried

If only to say, you're mine

Sofia know that you and I

Shouldn't feel like a crime

I woke up feeling more rested than I had in awhile. Saturdays were my favorite days because Mochi and I spent them sitting in my front yard doing absolutely nothing. I watched as she attacked the rubber tire on the grass while I focused on my latest sketch. I was much more into sketching sceneries, but recently I'd been having dreams of a wolf, running through the forest. I could never tell if i was the wolf or if i was simply watching and feeling what it felt. The forest was always cold and the lighting was dim. I didn't know what I was searching for or why I was running, but I was anxious and felt like I needed to get away. It's howl was melancholy and captivating and it was all I'd been able to see when I closed my eyes. Hence, the wolf now sketched across my art pad.

Jacob had been on my mind for a while since our last talk. Now that finals were over there was nothing school wise I really had to worry about, well except falling at graduation. I was worried about our next meeting but also fairly excited. I suppose I understood now, why I was so desperate to be around him. I tapped my pencil on the paper switching my gaze back to Mochi. I should've been more shocked, everything should've been more shocking. Bree, the Cullens, Jacob, maybe i was desensitized from the attack, or maybe I was in shock and I'd have a breakdown randomly.

"Hey Mell." I looked up, my heart skipping a beat as Jacob approached me. Mel. Why did him giving me the nickname cause butterflies to swarm in my stomach.

"H-Hey. What's up?"

"What're you doing?" I grabbed my book pressing it to my chest.

"Nothing! Just watching Mochi." I said ushering to the dog climbing on his hip. He chuckled patting her head before crouching next to me. I turned to look at him before he snatched the book from my hand and quickly jumped to his feet. "Jacob!" I scrambled up after him as he held the book up laughing. "Jacob give it back!" He paused looking at the book before looking back me.

"Amelia this is awesome." I beamed up at him snatching the book back.

"Thanks. I'm usually more into like...trees. And water." I bit my lip clenching the book in my hands.

"Could've fooled me, that's really good. You're into art?"

"Yeah." I shrugged. "Mostly sketching, I'm not too good with colors or painting. Anything like that."

"No that's cool. I do a bit of wood carving myself. My mom taught me when I was younger and it kind of stuck."

I smiled at him, awkwardly messing with the pages of my book. "I could never do something like that. I'd probably end up cutting my hand or chopping off my finger." This made him laugh as he crossed his arms.

"Nah, it just takes practice. Just like I wouldn't be able to sketch something as realistic as that. It looks just like me." So Jacob was the wolf I had been dreaming of, that would make sense. My face flared,heat tinting my cheeks red.

"It's not like I was purposefully sketching you! I was just thinking about the wolves and i've been having dreams and I just couldn't stop thinking about them not that that means i'm thinking about you, but i guess it kind of does but i just when something gets stuck in my head i have to sketch it otherwise it drives me crazy-" I paused looking up at him. He had an amused smirk on his face as he listened to my word vomit. "And I'm rambling."

"Don't worry about it El." he nodded towards his truck putting his hand out for me. "I was thinking I would take you up on that movie offer today." I gingerly took his hand in mine and he pulled me closer to him. "If that was something you'd still be interested in." I watched him, my eyes wide at how close he was to me.

"Yes! I mean yeah, yeah that sounds good. I'm down."

"Cool, there's a new movie I wanted to see anyway."

"Yes, Yes I'm down, let me put Mochi away." I laughed watching her drool on his thigh as she leaned against him. He laughed, ruffling her ears and following me towards the house.

"So Bella tells me you just moved here last month." He mentioned, once we got into his car.

"Yeah." I shrugged. "My mom got a job here and dragged me to this tiny town. I like it though, it's nice to have fresh air and some peace for once."

"Where did you live before?"

"I lived in Seattle." I paused wondering if I should say more but decided against it. This was not the place for a long sob story.

"So you like Forks more?"

I chuckled shrugging. "I wouldn't say I like it more or less. I appreciate them both in different ways. Seattle was nice because it was familiar. I knew the city, I knew my neighbors and I could basically walk anywhere I wanted to go. Here, like I said, It's pretty, peaceful and the air is clean. Plus it gives me more inspiration to draw."

He nodded along with me, keeping his eyes one the road. "I've lived here my whole life so you get kind of used to being in one place i guess."

"Yeah, I've never been one for adventure if I'm being honest."

"Really? You don't feel the need to explore or sight see?" He asked, passing a glance at me.

I shrugged. "I guess not. I'd like to go somewhere nice and warm eventually. My dad lives in California with his new wife and son. I used to visit them but my mom got kind of...off. I don't know. She took the divorce a lot harder than my dad. She won't even eat indian food anymore." I teased. Jacob laughed at that, turning to look at me. "But I guess I just sympathized with my mom because she never really moved on. I do miss the warmth and the beaches."

"We could go to the beach if that's something you're interested in."

"I don't know if wearing a jacket to the beach is the same as soaking in the sun." I laughed.

"Where do you want to eventually live then?"

I thought about that for a moment. Where would I want to live? I knew wherever I went I wouldn't want to leave or move again. I wanted to find a place and not have to worry about uprooting my life again. "I don't really know. I would say Florida but I'm not too into theme parks. Maybe somewhere like North Carolina?" I thought out loud. "I don't know. What about you? Forks it for you?"

"Probably. I'd like to travel and see the world but my family is here, my pack is here."

"Yeah that makes sense. Anything in particular you'd like to see?" I asked, looking out the window.

"No, nothing in particular. But I'd like to see the world." I had never really thought about traveling before this. The idea or running around the country wasn't a big deal to me, let alone the world. I wanted something permanent, something that would stay and that would be my own. But watching Jacob hum along to the music on the radio, the idea of traveling together through the US in his car didn't seem like a bad idea.

"Hey I thought we were going to a movie?" I laughed as he pulled up into the parking lot at the beach.

"Well, I thought about it for a bit and the idea of sitting silently in a movie theatre didn't seem like a great first date. How do I get to know you in silence?" he smirked, getting out and moving quickly to open my door for me. He offered his hand and I accepted his help getting out of the car. And I definitely didn't complain when he didn't let go. The wind from the Ocean was cold on my face and the air was salty. My cheeks tinted darker when he squeezed my hand. "Dont you agree?" I nodded my head avoiding eye contact with him.

"So Mochi. Is she strictly your dog, or is she the family dog?"

I laughed bitterly. "She's my dog, my mom got her for me after my dad left hoping she would make me feel less lonely while she was gone. There was a time where I barely saw my mom, not because of work; Well I'm sure that played into it; But because she couldn't stay sober. So when I turned 12 my mom bought me Mochi. She's been the best friend I could ask for. Really well behaved, sometimes I feel like she can actually understand what I'm saying." I looked at him, slightly embarrassed for rambling. "Sorry, if I talk too much let me know. It's a bad habit of mine."

He grinned giving my hand another squeeze. "Don't apologize. I like it."

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear looking up at him. "What about you? Ever had any pets?" He shook his head.

"No, but animals do seem to like me." He said, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I playfully pushed him away rolling my eyes.

"Why are we even talking about me, when you're a literal shapeshifter. Tell me about that."

He sighed scratching the back of his neck. "We already talked about that." I looked at him eagerly and he laughed. "Alright alright. Uh, it's really not that cool Mell. The only thing we do is protect people from vampires." I lit up hugging his arm to me.

"Jacob. That's amazing. You're basically a hero."

He rolled his eyes looking at the ocean as we walked through the wet sand. "Yeah, a hero who can barely control his temper. We don't...we don't have the same control we used to have. Sometimes I get so angry over nothing. Everything is a million times more confusing with this life."

"But?"

"But It's also exhilarating. The power that comes with it is indescribable. The freedom that comes from running through the woods, It's something I don't think I'd trade for anything." I looked down at the water splashing up at my toes before turning to look at him.

"I didn't move here because my mom got a new job." I whispered, distantly staring at our feet moving. I could tell he was looking at me. "I was attacked in Seattle, by a vampire. The whole experience terrified my mom and she dragged me out of the city. Everyone thought I was crazy, said I lost my mind but…" I tugged at a piece of my hair before moving it to the side revealing the deep nail prints embedded into my skin, scarred into my flesh from where I had been held. "No human being could do this. When I got here, Edward confirmed my suspicion. I thought it was over but my friend Bree, she was taken and I'm going to get her back." I said, finally looking up at him. He looked at me, his eyes shone with anger.

I hadn't realized we stopped walking until Jacob gently brushed his fingers against my neck, gently tracing the scars. "That won't be easy Mel. Those things...they aren't even alive." He spoke harshly, disgust evident in his tone.

"Bree is still Bree. Whether she's a human or a vampire she's still my best friend. I'll do whatever it takes to get her back, she's the one who saved me. It could've been me." I whispered clenching my fists. "But she-she pushed me out of the way and it's my fault." I felt tears prick at my eyes and I tilted my head to the sky, attempting to blink them away. "I just don't know how to find her."

"I'll help you." I looked back at him quickly, the tear dripping down my cheek. He lifted his hand and brushed it away. "I'll do whatever I can to help you."

"Thank you." I whispered, wiping my eyes quickly. "Sorry. For crying I mean."

"Amelia." He chuckled. "Stop apologizing."

"Sorry- Ok."

We walked in comfortable silence in the water, our shoes stranded in the sand a good distance away.

"Does your mom know? About what attacked you?"

I scoffed. "No, I tried to tell her but she doesn't believe me. I mean, if you didn't already know about all of this. Would you have believed me?" He didn't answer, probably thinking about this. "It doesn't bother me though, my mom's though i was crazy for a while. I went through a bit of a rebellious stage after everything that happened." I laughed and Jake looked interested.

"What did this rebellious stage look like?"

"Oh it was bad, I dyed my hair purple and wore all black." I teased, laughing.

"Oh no, how aren't you in jail yet?"

"I guess i was just that bad ass." He laughed tugging me closer to him, wrapping his arm around me.

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me."

"Jake!" I looked up, noticing someone running towards us. I knew that kid from somewhere...Seth, and he had Leah with him. "Amelia!"

"Hey Seth. Leah." I greeted them as we approached.

"What're you guys up to?" Seth asked, smiling at us both.

"Just taking a walk, getting to know each other." Jake looked down at me with a teasing grin. I rolled my eyes bumping him with my hip.

"We were going to have a fire later tonight, maybe make some food." Seth explained.

"You should come." Leah said, looking towards me. I stared at her with my eyes wide, she seemed so disinterested it still caught me off guard when she addressed me.

"Yes-Yes! I would love to. If that's ok with you?" I asked turning to look at Jacob. He looked suspicious for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Yeah, it'll be good that you meet the rest of us anyway." He smiled. "We'll meet you guys there." I looked at the three of them, nerves slowly creeping their way into my body. Should I even be nervous? A gathering full of shapeshifters, how bad could it be?