Quil's POV

All of this was so very new and totally surreal to me. The friends that I knew and everyone else around me was all...wolves. This couldn't be happening. I hope that I'm just dreaming this and I would wake up the next day, but I'm not. This felt real.

All of this is real, bro. I was really mind blown, too. The voice sounded familiar. It was Embry's.

Jake had phased into a wolf, and damn, he looked huge! His fur was russet colored and had almost black eyes. There was five wolves surrounding me now that I was apparently a new member. Another wolf that was almost the same size as Jake came forward to me.

I'm Sam, Quil. Sam Uley. Your Alpha. Welcome to my pack. He introduced himself and I couldn't believe it.

After all this time, I thought Sam was in a gang. Jake and Embry did, too. It's one of the reasons why we never trusted him and hated him. Memories went by in my mind as I thought of the encounters I had with Sam and I remember the way he looked at me and Jake as if he was expecting something from us. There was that other time I ran into him and Paul and I knew I said something to them, but Paul started shaking so badly that they had to go away. I never saw anything like that before and I've heard he had anger problems, but not to such a degree.

Yeah, I was trying not to phase in front of you to protect you. Paul said. You're welcome, by the way.

Really? So that was why.

Everything about this was a lot to take in.

I know it is, Quil. Sam sympathized. It is a lot and we're going to explain it all to you.

I rather have you guys be in a gang instead of this. I said and some of them laughed.

Me, too. But there's really nothing we can do about it. Other than to show you the ropes.

I knew about how the stories that we've heard from the bonfires in our childhood, but now, it was actually real and I'm living in it. Sam explained that there was vampires and that's why we werewolves exist. The more vampires there was here, the more guys would start to shift. There was even a whole vampire family who once lived here. The Cullens. Edward was the one who Bella was dating. It infuriated me that she was with a vampire all that time and I didn't do anything to protect her. I didn't even noticed she existed when we were at the party and we began fooling around and started to date. But I quickly pushed those thoughts away as soon as they came to not get too into detail about that so I won't hurt Jake.

After the Cullens left, I figured everything should be good and alright again, but it wasn't. Bella was even in more danger because she was being hunted by a vampire named, Victoria, who was out to get revenge since her mate got killed because of Bella and Edward. Good thing I was phased already or else I would've exploded into rage. Everything screamed in me to protect her.

I was a wolf after all and was built to destroy vampires. We could totally take on this Victoria chick and kill her. Then Bella would finally be safe from them. I put all the blame on Edward for having her be in this situation.

It's not that easy with this leech, Quil. Jared told me.

Yeah, we believe we found her and we've been chasing her for days, but it's like a cat and mouse game. She's just having fun messing with us. Jake explained.

That bitch! Paul growled in annoyance. I could so take her.

Fear and desperation was building up in me at the thought of Bella being in danger with these leeches. Not only her, but our child's life was also at a risk. I couldn't let anything happen to them and wouldn't forgive myself if anything did happen to them.

But we have to protect Bella at all costs no matter how difficult this Victoria bitch is! Have you been guarding her at all?

We've done patrols around her house and school. Sometimes we caught onto the leech, but then she went off again. Sam answered. We're doing the best we can, Quil-

Looks like you're not doing good enough! I snarled at him.

Why do you care so much about the leech lover, anyway? She's the one who got us into this! If it weren't for our people in danger, let the leech lover take care of herse-

Before Paul could even get a chance to finish that sentence, something inside me snapped, and I lunged at him. We were rolled on the forest ground, biting and clawing at each other. I didn't stop until I've done some to damage to Paul.

Quil, Paul, stop it! Sam bellowed in a deep voice and it took everything in me to obey him.

I felt my wolf's pride and satisfaction that I had mauled him.

Damn, Quil. Embry was astonished at the number I did on Paul.

You have some nerve, pup. Paul panted and winced as he struggles to get up. The lashes my claws gave him satiated my wolf although he would like to continue, but we both unwillingly obeyed our Alpha. My wolf liked how Paul was limping, but he'll be fine. Lucky for you that we heal easily.

What's going on between you and Bella, anyway, Quil? Jake asked me. My attention was turned to him instead of the injured wolf. It was the conversation I've been anxiously anticipating and dreading, but not like this. I've seen you guys together, but I don't know what your...relationship with her is.

We've been dating for months now. I finally revealed the long kept secret. We met at a party and things started to hit off from there. When I first met her with Embry at your place, I swear I did not know it was the same Bella that you liked. Then when you and Embry ditched us-

We didn't ditch you guys, Quil - Jake sounded irritated, but I cut him off.

But that's what it felt like. Bella felt like she lost a friend because it was like you completely dropped off the face of the earth. We only had each other.

But you knew how much I liked her, Quil! How could you do this to me? Jake ferociously growled which just pushed me to the edge this shouldn't affect him.

We didn't do this against you, Jake! Did you ever consider Bella's feelings instead of your own? She always told me before that she likes you as a friend. A friend, Jake! And that you never gave her a choice just like Cullen!

I saw the fury in Jake's black eyes then that I compared him to the leech and his claws dug onto the dirt. He looked like he wants to tear me apart like I did to Paul, but I showed him my memory of talking to her about it.

"Jacob never gave me a choice if I wanted to date you or Embry. He thought he could have me all to himself without any regards to how I felt about him. He's kind of like Edward. Never gave me what I wanted."

Jake's fury melted and his face softened at hearing Bella's melodic voice and seeing her through my thoughts. At least he had the nerve to look guilty since it came out of her instead of me. I was reading Jake's thoughts about him and her together and he was in disbelief at how he missed the signs that Bella wasn't into him. It was like he got lost in it about her.

This is what we had to deal with him. Jared said tiredly. Felt bad for the guy, but it got pretty old after a while.

Sam cleared his throat which distracted me from Jake's thoughts about himself and Bella. Quil, one day we caught a scent of a vampire, and when we found him, he was with Bella-

What?! I angrily exclaimed.

Let me finish. He said firmly. We were overhearing their conversation which was how we found out about Victoria and her agenda. The leech and Paul, Jake, and I heard another heartbeat from Bella and we found out she was pregnant. Charlie told Billy who told Jake that she was pregnant with your child, but she said to the leech that Edward fathered her child. If it's his then we really have another issue. Can you confirm if that's true?

My wolf was filled with anger and jealousy at the thought of Bella got impregnated by a leech when it obviously was mine. Ours! My wolf possessively declared. It didn't make sense why Bella said that until the realization hit me.

The baby is mine, not the Cullen's. Bella most likely said that to protect me. I figured. That just made me love her more and more. My wolf and I yearn to see her again and just be close to her. Together we could protect her and our unborn pup.

It's not a good idea for you to see Bella, Quil, and not to ever be near her. My wolf and I immediately wanted to fight against Sam's order. How could he tell us not to be with Bella? She was currently pregnant and a leech was after her. What she's going through, I have to be there with her no matter what. You're still a new wolf and have to discipline your anger. What if you suddenly lost control of yourself-

But I wouldn't! I vowed. I could never imagine myself doing such a thing to her. She wouldn't get hurt because of me. I won't allow it.

But what if you did, Quil? He harshly pressed to me. Not only you'll hurt her, but also the baby! You wouldn't want that to happen, would you? I thought I would never hurt anyone either and thought I was capable to control myself, until I injured the woman I love more than life itself.

For a brief second I wondered if he was talking about Leah. I knew there was drama that they had together. He suddenly ran off with her cousin. It's why Leah became such a miserable bitch to be around. But I guess you couldn't really blame her.

No, it's not Leah. It's Emily. My imprint. Sam clarified and his thoughts were instantly filled of her.

Emily was exotically beautiful, I have to admit. But there was ugly and angry scars across her face. I've heard stories about how she got mauled by a bear. But from the conversation Sam and I was having, it didn't seem to be a bear.

It was me. I could hear the immense guilt and remorse at what Sam did to her. I was shocked and didn't expect that twist. We were arguing and she got me so angry. I phased and got too close and hurt her. I regret it every day. If I could go back in time and not do what I did to her, I'd do it in a heart beat. His voice softened then. It's why I had Jake and Embry separate themselves from everyone. And now you, too, because I don't want you to make the same mistake like I did.

To be away from Bella liked that pained me to the core of my being. I just couldn't be away from her like that. Not during this time when she needed me the most. I promised her that I wouldn't leave her like Jake and Cullen had.

Look, I understand what you're getting at, but I'm not like you, Sam -

Not only is this for you own good, but think of Bella and the baby's well being. She's going through so much as it is and she shouldn't need to deal with this right now.

But having me leave her would make her feel worse! She wouldn't understand what's going on and would blame herself even more now that I left her! I tried to get it through in his head. Bella already suffered enough when Jake and Cullen dumped her! How would it look like if I left her too while she's pregnant? She'd think I'd left her and the baby. I 'd be a deadbeat Dad to her. More worrying and fearful thoughts ran through my mind like crazy at what Bella's reaction would be.

I also thought of all the times when we'd been fighting a lot lately and I was even shaking, but thankfully, I didn't phase in front of her. After seeing Emily's scarred face, I knew what Sam meant, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

It's one of the sacrifices we have to make. Paul bitterly said. It wasn't directed at me, but at this lifestyle of what it meant to be a wolf, a protector for our tribe and loved ones. Just accept it.

Before you said Emily is your imprint. I had to change to the next subject. I didn't want to think about giving Bella more pain and heartache. What is that, exactly?

The act of imprinting is a rare occurrence, but it can happen any time after a wolf phased. It's a profound, intimate phenomenon and connection that you experience by meeting your soul mate per se by direct eye contact. When you found your imprint through the eye contact, she will become your main priority in life and everything else is unimportant to you. Only she would matter. You will be everything she'll need you to be whether you should be a friend, brother, protector, or lover.

It's the most amazing feeling ever, Quil. Embry said and I heard the smile in his voice. I'm sure if he was a human, he would have one on his face right now. It feels like you're glowing or like you're on cloud nine or something. It's something that you never felt before in your entire life.

Did you imprint, Em? Sounds like you've experienced it firsthand. Jake asked curiously. Looks like he was done moping about Bella finally.

Yeah, I did. He answered dreamily, and in his mind, there was Cecily. I guess I should be happy for him, but I really didn't like her. She was one of those high maintenance types.

Congrats, bro! Join the club. Jared said proudly.

You imprinted on someone, too? Who? I was surprised.

Yeah, on Kim. I got to see her image displaying in his mind.

Both Jared and Embry was crazy and obsessed with them. But I could tell they were genuinely in love with their imprints and deeply cared about them.

What if I just went to Bella and I could imprint on her? There. Problem solved. Then I wouldn't have to leave her-

You don't know if she'll be your imprint, but it's better for the both of you to keep your distance. Sam interrupted me, making my heart drop. I felt sick to my stomach.

I know how it feels, man. I even tried to imprint on Bella once when we saw her with that leech. Jake said. It just didn't happen no matter how hard I try. She really never was meant for me. And she couldn't be meant for you neither.

I never wanted to lose or to hurt Bella. Not like this. She needed me the most right now and I'd look like a jerk if I left her. I was in love with Bella and I wanted to be there for her. We've been through a lot together and I couldn't just back out now. I didn't want to be the third person who'd leave her. I'm not sure how well Bella would take it for the third time.

And I didn't want to find out.

Author's Note: So, I have a question and want your guys' opinion on something. Do you want any of the wolves to imprint on Quil and Bella's baby? I actually don't mind the wolf and baby imprint thing, but I totally understand why so many people do. The imprint still has a choice anyway. If you guys want me to go down that route, just pick a wolf that you want. The choices are Paul, Jake, and even Seth. And even Leah if I decide the baby should be a boy. If see there's more votes for Leah, then the baby can be a boy. I don't mind gay pairings, but I'm just not used to writing them. There's a poll on my profile that you can vote one of the choices. Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review! :)