PREVIOUSLY-

Sam returned at some point after I'd gone back to sleep and wrapped his arms around me under the blanket only to discover me still naked.

"I told you, honey." He murmured in my ear before I let the darkness take me again.


The next day they'd chosen to hold Harry's funeral as a large bonfire on the beach, dedicated in his honor. Most of the tribe would be there and they'd chosen to spread Harry's ashes amongst the waves.

I'd had a hard time choosing something to wear, but Sam had decided that I looked perfect in a black dress that I hadn't even known I owned. It was tight, especially around my middle, but at 28 weeks pregnant with twins, pretty much everything was.

The whole pack, minus Seth, walked down to the bonfire together, choosing to sit between Charlie and Seth. Old Quil began to recite the legends of death being the next great adventure. The spirits would be with us always and watch over us when needed.

Old Quil seemed to give me a nod when he'd said it. Not noticeable to anyone else, but I knew it meant that he knew something.

After the bonfire, Sue, Leah, and Seth spread Harry's ashes into the waves as the rest of us watched mournfully.

After most people had left, I saw Old Quil walking down the beach and told my wolves that I needed to speak with him.

I hurried to catch up, but he was walking slowly. As I reached him, he looked over at me but continued walking.

"You look so much like my wife." He spoke fondly, making me curious.

"Who was your wife?" I asked him curiously.

"Molly Swan. She was your father's aunt." He replied, causing my eyes to widen. I hadn't known that. "You were always destined to be part of this tribe, young Bella, just as she was."

"You know, don't you?" I questioned quietly. "All of it."

"I've known since the beginning, child, just as I know of the three imprints bestowed upon you." He smiled wistfully.

"How did you know?"

"The spirits speak to me, young one. They have for a very long time. You were never on the right path before. It was corrupt by the vampire because he dazzled you into submission. You've always been a leader, meant for more. Even the alpha leader of this pack submits himself to you. The imprints chosen for your wolves in your previous life were only chosen because they could not have you. They were never meant to be with the others, it was always you." He said to me as he turned to watch the waves.

"Why did I need three imprints?" I asked him curiously.

"Perhaps it was them who needed you. There is no explanation as to why things are the way they are. There is no written history of this tribe, only spoken word passed from generation to generation. An imprint is said to be the most sacred path a wolf should take, and it is not bestowed lightly. All have purpose, child." He spoke with clarity.

"Maybe I should've spoken to you before." I muttered as I watched the waves as well.

"You were not ready before now. You have been marked by all three wolves. It was time." He told me solemnly, making me blush deeply.

"I worry about what the tribe will think about our relationship. It's not quite conventional." I nearly whispered to him.

"Your union to all three wolves has been blessed by the spirits, therefore it is also blessed by the elders of this tribe. There will always be those who do not understand, but those who matter the most will." He explained, making me smile.

"Does Billy know?" I questioned.

"Yes, as does Sue Clearwater. Harry knew as well before his passing." He replied, making me relieved. "They understand the significance of such a union and do not judge for it was given freely by the spirits."

"They haven't said anything…" I muttered, wondering why.

"As I told you, it was not time. They knew that as well. Your troubles are not yet over, child. There will be challenges you shall face ahead. Go now, your chosen ones will be getting anxious."

I didn't say anything else to him as I walked back down the beach thinking about all he'd said. Most of his words had comforted me greatly, now knowing that the elders knew all along. But one thing stood out in my mind.

My troubles weren't over yet? I knew we had Riley to deal with at least, but I also wondered if Edward would come back eventually. It was something that terrified me greatly, especially with my children at stake.

As I made my way back to where my wolves stood, I noticed they were all speaking with Charlie.

To my surprise, as I walked up, Paul slide his arm around my shoulder happily, and right in front of Charlie.

"So, Bella, three imprints?" Charlie asked me, looking between Paul and me.

"You told him?" I questioned the three of them.

"They didn't have to, Bells. I could tell since we were at Sue's. Paul here had the same look on his face that the other two have every time they look at you." Charlie told me straight up. "I have to admit, I appreciate his honesty about the situation. He never once tried to get out of it. Answered me right away with a 'yes, sir.'"

"He's always been blunt, Dad. We've been trying to figure out how to tell you. Are you okay with it?" I asked quickly.

"No sense in not being okay with it, Bells. Can't argue with an imprint, or so Billy and Old Quil tell me. Destiny and all that. There'll be gossip around town when it all gets out, but as long as it's okay with you, it's okay with me." Charlie said with a lopsided smile. I felt myself tearing up again (I definitely hated pregnancy hormones) and I launched myself into his arms, hugging him tight.

The next Friday, both Angela and Leah were introduced to the pack. They'd both been invited to our bonfire by their respective 'other halves'.

"Bella! Oh my gosh it's been so long since I've seen you. I didn't know you were pregnant!" Angela told me as she came out to the bonfire. I gave her a quick hug and pulled back.

"It's so good to see you too, Angela. And yeah, I'm 29 weeks pregnant with twins." I told her, rubbing my belly.

"Wow, twins! I can't believe that! I'm so happy for you. I was really excited to come down here for the bonfire. I was sad to hear of Harry's passing last week. I wanted to come to the funeral, but since I didn't know him, I figured it might be a bit insensitive of me, even though Jacob told me it wouldn't be." She explained to me.

"I'm glad you could make it down here. Sam is going to tell some of the legends tonight and I think you'll really like them. So how are things going with Jacob?" I asked her, trying to gauge her thoughts on him.

"He asked me to be his girlfriend yesterday! I was a bit hesitant at first, I mean I've only known him just a little while, but I swear I just feel this amazing connection with him, you know?" She told me and I smiled at her.

"Trust me, I completely understand, more than you know. I'm so glad that you guys are together, he really likes you, like a lot." I explained to her and she turned pink and smiled back at me. "In fact, I think someone's pretty excited to see you over there."

I could see Jake across the fire and he nodded at me, mouthing a 'thank you' before Angela turned around to see him.

Leah showed up with Seth and Embry made his way over to her almost immediately. The three of them sat next to each other as we got started.

I sat next to Sam, who was telling the legends of the 'spirit warriors' and how some were destined to have another half of their soul, known as an imprint.

"All of these legends are true. We are the spirit warriors chosen to protect this tribe from the cold ones." Sam told them.

"Really? That's what you and mom were keeping from me the past week?" Leah asked Seth immediately.

"We were waiting for the right time. Sorry, sis." Seth responded to her with a grimace.

"Wait, so you guys are saying you're werewolves?" Angela asked, clearly in shock.

"Technically shape-shifters, but we turn into wolves." Jacob told her apprehensively, hoping that she wouldn't run.

"You all know we're not going to believe it until we see it, so who's it going to be?" Leah jumped in again, being completely straight to the point.

"I'll do it." Embry told us all, kind of excited to show his imprint his wolf. He ran into the forest and moments later, the giant gray wolf came walking out. Angela moved backwards into Jacob when she'd first seen him, but Leah was only intrigued.

I stood up and walked right over to Embry.

"Bella what—" Angela tried to say, but I just lifted my hand and started petting his muzzle like a dog.

"It's just Embry. It's okay." I told her, showing them both that it was just fine. Completely safe.

"Can I?" Leah asked hesitantly as she stood up.

"I think Embry would like that a lot, Leah." I told her as she moved forward to the wolf. She outstretched her hand and I moved away, back to Sam.

Embry pushed his head into her hand immediately and carefully leaned in to sniff her neck and hair, just as my imprints did to me. He then laid down in front of her.

"So you're a wolf too?" Angela asked Jacob as she turned to face him.

"Yeah, I am." He told her honestly afraid of her reaction.

"I don't think I'm quite ready to see that just yet, but I think I'm okay with it." She told Jacob, who let out a deep breath in relief.

"So you said all the legends are true, Sam?" Leah asked him curiously.

"All of them." He responded.

"So the pull I feel to Embry… is that an imprint?" She asked. Embry yipped in response before loping back off towards the woods and coming back out in his shorts.

"Yeah it is. I imprinted on you when I first saw you in Seattle." Embry told her honestly as he came back to her side.

"Well that explains a lot." She muttered, but didn't seem otherwise bothered by it. "Don't think this means I'm going to just jump into a relationship with you, Call. Destiny shit or not, you still gotta work for it." Leah told him pointedly.

"Anything you want, Leah." He told her with a wink before they sat back down.

"So did you—?" Angela turned to Jacob.

"Yeah, Ang, I imprinted on you, too. That day I saw you at the beach." He explained to her as well. "It doesn't create feelings, I promise. It just pushes you in the right direction a bit quicker than normal."

"This is… a lot to take in." She whispered.

"Angela, I know it's a lot. Sam imprinted on me back in August. I already knew about the pack though, so it wasn't as bad. It'll take a little while to get used to, but if either of you ever need to talk, I'm here and I understand more than you know." I told them both honestly.

"Angela I understand if you—" Jake spoke, looking a bit dejected.

"Don't worry, Jacob. I'm not breaking up with you. I'm glad that you told me. It'll just take a while to get used to the fact that my boyfriend can turn into a giant wolf." Angela said to him, making him very relieved. "Just curious, what color is your wolf?"

"I'm a russet brown. We're all different colors. Sam is jet black, Jared is a dark brown with gray around his eyes like a mask, Paul is pretty much silver, you saw Embry, Quil is a chocolate brown, and Seth is a sandy color." Jacob explained to her.

By the end of the bonfire, Leah had her fill of questions for Embry and Seth, and Angela asked Jacob a few more before asking him to take her home.


A/N- So Bella has now spoken to Old Quil and the imprints know about the pack. What do you think so far?