Chapter VI

Questions and Answers

"So you already know..." he said, nervously combing his hair.

"I know you're a werewolf, Jake, and I know you won't hurt me."

"Bells, I'm a monster... When Sam lost control in just a few seconds and Emily, his fiancée... her face doesn't look like it used to." he added, hiding his face in his hands.

"You're no monster Jake! do you hear? You are not! You are, you are… my friend, you are one of the most important people in my life."

"Bells, you don't know what can happen if I can't control myself, it can happen at any time. I'm a shapeshifter; my nature is divided between wolf and man. Both sides are constantly fighting each other. The lack of control over the wolf in me could cost you your life. You could end up worse than Emily, and I swore to myself that I would never hurt you, even unknowingly. Are you ready for this?" He asked.

"I can accept anything about you and who you are, Jake. I won't leave you a second time, I'm not going anywhere this time…" she assured, squeezing a large, warm hand in hers.

"There's something else you don't know Bells…" he stammered sadly. He rubbed his forehead nervously with his hand, as if putting his thoughts together in his head.

They walked in silence, through the beach where they used to make sand cakes, being only a few years old children. Somewhere inside they were still, no one could make her laugh the way he did, no one could read her mind the way he did, and she was everything to him, even if they didn't realize it at the moment. Unfortunately, that was about to change...

"Jake, are you okay? Jake?" she asked, shaking him gently.

"Bells, I've imprinted on you." he shot, looking her straight in the eye.

"Im… what? It's something serious?"

"Bells, I didn't want to tell you about this earlier because I know what it involves or rather who it will tie you to… The monster that is me. Imprinting is something like a bond between a wolf and another person, something that connects me to you forever. When you see that person, everything else doesn't matter. Only she matters, she is the whole world for you, all previous feelings pass. You will be to her what she wants you to be - lover, brother, friend. Everything she needs. You will protect her from any danger, even at the cost of your own life."

"Sounds like something you can't choose." she whispered.

"No, we wolves have no control over that. It just happens, Bells. And let me tell you this... Deep down, I'm happy it's you." his tone was serious. "I never imagined my life without you in it. Ever since I found out you were coming back to Forks for longer, there hasn't been a moment where I haven't been battling the thought of showing up at Charlie's house to finally see you. I was just afraid that under the stress I would lose control of myself and something will happend that I would regret later. The first time I changed was a year ago, not long after the Cullens moved back to Forks. Sam Uley is the Alpha, the leader of our pack. He was the one who forbade me from contacting you because of what happened between him and Emily on that fateful day. To this day, he can't forgive himself. I was bound by oath our existence must remain a secret. But after I saw you in the living room that day, after I've imprinted on you… I ran out of the house in total shock, I didn't know what was happening to me. But Sam already knew. He sensed it. He explained to me what had happened and suggested that in that case you should know everything. As my imprint, you have every right to do so." he concluded.

"Jake…I…"

"Relax, I know it's too much for you to take now... I have an idea... Emily really wanted to meet you, she's Sam's imprint too. Why don't you come to La Push tomorrow? Will you meet the rest of the pack and Emily will be able to introduce you more to our world? If you want, of course. ' he muttered shyly.

"I think Charlie will be relieved if he sees me out more, he's been taking night shifts more lately so he doesn't have to deal with my nightmares at night. I let him down Jacob, he can't even sleep at night in his own house because of me." she stuttered. She felt tears flowing from her eyes in streams, the wound in her heart began to open again, as if thousands of thorns were piercing her chest.

"Shh Bells, it's okay."

Suddenly, an incredible warmth enveloped her. Her best friend was cradling her to his chest, sitting on a huge trunk. The pain began to subside slowly.

"It's not your fault Bells. Charlie just doesn't know what to do, he's just as lost in it all as you are. It hurts to see you like this, I'm sure, as well as the fact that she loves you so much. Give him time. I'm here for you and I'm not going anywhere, pack too. You have no idea how much everyone wants to meet you." he whispered, kissing her forehead.