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Inspirational Song: Lifehouse – All In.

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Brady was exhausted, but his heart was too excited to let his body rest.

The boy lay in bed just thinking of the girl from the meadow.

He now knew why Sam and Jared always thought of their imprints. There was a feeling of love mixed with worry for their well-being that never left your thoughts completely.

The wolf longed to be with its mate, to protect her and care for her, while the boy wanted to hold her hand and just study her. He wanted to know what she liked and what she didn't like.

Brady shook his head with a playful grin. He probably wasn't normal for a thirteen-year-old. He was thinking of holding his imprints hand while Sam and Jared thought about...well...other things they could be doing with their imprints.

But Brady didn't care what they wanted to do, he wanted to do what would make his Bella happy.

And that was when a frown found its way upon his lips.

She wasn't really his Bella. She was the leech's Bella.

Brady started to pick at his thumb as he thought to himself.

Bella wouldn't like it if he called her boyfriend a leech, so he would make a note of it for the next time he saw her.

Then the panic set in and he shot straight up.

Was he ever going to see her again? From the way the leech acted he would have to say no.

Quickly, he jumped out of bed and started to pace.

Every emotion he had was heightened but worry and stress seemed to be racing past them all.

He didn't need her to be his, Brady knew he could settle for being her friend because that was all she needed from him, but he wanted to see her. To hold her hand just once.

Friends did that, right? He had seen Jacob's thoughts of all the things Bella let him do, like holding her hand and placing an arm around her, and they were just friends...well...sort of. Brady shook his head; it was too complicated to give it too much thought right now.

There were more important things to think about.

He needed just one more moment with her. To talk to her, to find out who she really was and who she wanted to be. He needed to see his Bella one more time.

Even if she was with the Cullen, she was still his heart, his life, his everything, and that made her his. Even if they were just friends, she was still the other piece of his soul.

One more moment with her was all he needed.

One more moment that he could keep forever.

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Jacob phased easily and was off running.

Jacob? Where's Brady? Sam's voice came through.

I sent him home, he wouldn't be of any use tonight. Jacob thought back.

Jacob could feel Sam agreeing with him, but he also felt a touch of annoyance. Sam didn't like that Jacob had disregarded his scheduled patrol, but he wouldn't say anything.

Jacob Black, grandson of Ephraim Black, was born to be alpha and would be taking over the position someday soon. Sam always knew his role was temporary. But that didn't mean the wolf in him that had been alpha for so long liked it.

Jake tossed his head as he rolled his eyes, I don't want to listen to that all night. We should talk about Brady.

Yes, we need too. Was all Sam said.

Jacob waited a minute, nothing.

It was strong Sam; nothing compared to how it feels when Jared thinks of Kim or you of Emily.

I know. Sam said, he sounded...disappointed? Maybe he was jealous of how strong Brady's feelings were?

I'm not jealous. I'm confused. The alpha clarified.

The beta nodded, even though he knew better.

I'll talk to the Elders tomorrow, even if his feelings weren't so strong for a new wolf it's still a...delicate...situation. Sam continued.

Jacob nodded, Edward was not happy. He probably won't let her out of his sight any time soon.

He wouldn't anyway, not with that red-haired leech running around, Sam answered.

Another nod, Well, Brady probably can't go too long without seeing her. You and Jared go crazy if you don't see Emily and Kim at least once a day in passing, Quil's the same way with Claire, imagine what Brady will feel in a day or two. He'll be crazy.

Sam snorted as he ran, I'd rather not find out. We need a plan, Jacob.

I know, the wolf nodded, but he's not going to let her out of his sight. Not when he knows about the imprint. He won't do anything to help out the pack. Ever.

Well then, we'll have to just talk to Bella then.

Yeah, that is probably best. I will talk to her tomorrow, it would be best coming from me, Jacob said quickly.

Sam nodded, but then looked to his beta with sincere confusion, Why are you taking this so well Jacob?

Honestly?

Sam gave a nod of his large black head.

Jacob sighed, I saw the imprint. I felt it. And it...well...it made my feelings seem so small next to his. He loves her, but not in that typical thirteen-year-old boy crush way. He loves her without a thought of himself or the pack. Like I said, the imprint is stronger than what I have ever felt between you and Emily, or Jared and Kim, or even Quil and Claire. Brady wants her to be happy and taken care of. Even if that means she is with his mortal enemy. That is it. He's completely selfless and just focused on what Bella wants and what she needs. Brady just wants to make sure that she is safe at any cost, and yet he trusted her judgement about the leeches, enough that he laid down near them. It was weird.

Sam nodded, That's good, but not at the same time. We need focused wolves at this time. If he is too focused on making sure she is happy, or even making sure she is safe, then he won't be focused on our mission. Wolves with new imprints aren't great at keeping their focus on the bigger picture. I should know.

You think he won't be focused, seeing as we are going to be fighting this red-head and her army to protect Bella? Jacob laughed.

Sam was quiet as he thought it over, protecting his thoughts from his pack mate.

Jacob rolled his head, Bella will call me tomorrow and I'll talk to her, see if she can come down. Maybe she can be re-introduced to Brady minus the fur. She'll understand that he just needs to see her every once in a while. She knows the imprint can be just a friendly one.

Sam laughed, We'll see how long the young pup can be just a friend to his imprint. He might grow protective of her the more he sees her, he'll learn to care for her as more than a friend.

Jake nodded, Yes, but he deserves some of our trust, don't you think? When has he ever gone against anything you've said, in alpha command or not?

Including tonight when he listened to you instead of me? Sam laughed to show it was a harmless joke as Jacob rolled his eyes, No, I agree with you, Jacob.

Then we just watch them carefully, keep them both safe. Get her back to her precious leech in one piece and see where it goes from there, Jacob said as he sniffed around a tree.

Sam nodded in approval, You might make a great alpha after all, Black!

Jacob sighed, Come on, let's finish up. I'm exhausted.

Agreed.

And the two wolves took off running.

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"Are you alright?" Edward asked for the hundredth time as he helped me off his back.

I swayed a bit and let the nausea pass before answering, "Yes."

Edward smiled his crooked smile.

"So, are you going to go hunting tonight?" I asked, fiddling with the sleeve of my oversized brown jacket. It was an odd feeling, but I really just wanted to be by myself, something that would have scared me a year ago, and try and sort out my thoughts and feelings without anyone to intrude.

Edward nodded, running a hand through his bronze tresses, "Yeah, I wish I could stay with you though. I don't like leaving you unprotected." His eyes grew darker as he spoke. I knew he was thinking about the wolf. Probably Victoria as well, but mostly about the ashy-brown wolf.

I just shrugged and gave a slight smile, "The wolves are on patrol and I'm guessing Jasper and Emmett will be by tonight, right?"

He took my hands and gave them a quick kiss, his dazzling smile telling me I wouldn't get an answer to my question, "Will I see you tomorrow?"

I let my hair fall into my face as I bit down on my lower lip, "I was actually thinking of going down to La Push."

I felt Edward's hands tighten around mine, "Oh." I cringed a bit, wondering if he was going to fight with me over it or not. I knew this was one argument I was going to make sure I won. I needed to see Jacob and talk about...well, everything.

"The wolves will be there so I will be perfectly safe." I forced a smile as I looked up to him, pretending that he was worried about my safety instead of the ashy-brown wolf.

Edward stared off for a bit, his eyes like black stones, before turning to me with a warm smile, "Alright. I love you, Bella."

I looked at him, surprised. That had been easy. Almost too easy. But I'd take it.

"Love you too." I said halfheartedly. I didn't try for a kiss, I just turned and headed towards the house.

"Bella?" Edward said, catching my arm. I turned around to find concern in his eyes, "You are alright, aren't you?"

I forced another smile and came up with a lie, "Of course."

He let out an unneeded breath, "Alright, I will see you on Sunday."

"Yes, Sunday." And with that I walked towards the house, my arms wrapped protectively around my stomach.

I fell into bed fully clothed and just lay there, not thinking about anything.

My eyes fluttered closed, and I started to replay what happened. Being surrounded by my family, the wolves coming into the meadow, the connection I had with that one wolf whose name I still didn't know and how gentle his face was, and then everything slipped away.

I woke up as the sun streamed in the window. My clock blinked 8 o'clock.

Sitting up, I rubbed my hand against my forehead as I yawned. I sighed and pulled myself out of bed to get ready for the day. I took a shower and got ready as if on autopilot. By the time I had finished it was 9.

"Jake might be up by now." I said as I headed downstairs to the phone.

"Hey, Bells." Charlie said as I walked into the kitchen. He sipped his coffee and continued to read his paper, "I'm going fishing with Billy today, would you like to come down with me? You and Jake haven't gotten much time to hangout since he got back."

I rolled my eyes but let it slide, "Sure. I was just about to call Jake anyway. When do you want to leave?"

"How about around 10?" Charlie stood up and shifted his belt, a smile on his face.

I gave a nod and headed up stairs to get my jacket and finish getting ready. By 10 we were on the road heading to La Push.

I was oddly excited, but not exactly to see Jacob. I was excited to learn more about the dark ashy-brown wolf from last night. I don't know why I was so intrigued by him, but I was, and I let it go at that.

The closer we got to the Black's the more my foot started to bounce.

Charlie's look when I jumped out of the car would have made me laugh if I wasn't in such a hurry to find Jacob.

I rushed up to the door, not bothering to knock as I opened it, "Jake? Jake are you here?"

Charlie walked up beside me and gave me an odd look before heading into the kitchen.

I followed after him, my head dropping a bit. Jake must have been out on patrol.

"Hey, Billy." I said as I came into the kitchen.

The Elder gave me a smile and nodded his head towards the garage, "Jake is working on the Rabbit."

My smile lit up and I threw a thank you over my shoulder as I rushed out the door.

"I don't know what has gotten into her...maybe it's that time of month or something..." I heard Charlie explain bashfully. I smiled as I pictures his embarrassed, red face.

"Jake?" I called as I got into the garage.

"Bells?" Jake looked up from his car, smiling at me. He pulled me into a bone crushing hug and swung me around, "I thought you were just going to call but this is even better!"

"Hey, Jake." I said as he put me down, "How are you?"

"I'm good." He said, turning back to the car, "I ran patrol last night but, surprisingly, I'm not dead tired." He pulled out a wrench and started to work on something with a name I wouldn't be able to remember even if he told me it a thousand times.

I nodded and took a seat on the old beat-up loveseat I had spent so many hours on last year.

"So, about last night..." I started. I let my hair fall over my face as I twisted my bracelet around my wrist. I gently touched the small heart diamond and then the small wooden wolf.

I hadn't thought about what I wanted to say or ask, but I knew I wanted to talk about last night with someone close to me, who knew me and knew what it was like to be a wolf. Edward was out of the pictures since he wasn't...well...a furball.

Jacob laughed, "I knew you had an ulterior motive!"

I blushed and turned away.

"It's alright Bells, you have my full attention." Jake moved from his car and came to sit next to me, "What can I help with?"

"Well, for starters, what is the ashy-brown wolf's name?" I asked, extremely embarrassed. It was the only question I had been sure about asking since last night.

Jake smiled, "Brady. Brady Fuller."

Brady Fuller. I tried the name out for myself and smiled. It fit the small wolf I had seen in the meadow.

"He's Leah and Seth's cousin. They all get their gene from the Ateara line." Jacob continued on.

"How old is...Brady?" The name was abnormal for someone on the reservation in my opinion, but I loved that it was so unique. It was like his wolf color, something only he had.

"Thirteen." Jake said, smirking.

My eyes winded and my mouth fell as I turn to look at him. There weren't words for how that sentence made me feel.

Jake burst out laughing, falling against the arm of the couch, "Yeah, a thirteen-year-old is in love with you, Bella! Don't worry, though, it's only a five-year difference. Won't matter much when you're 80.'

I turned away, even more embarrassed now...if that was even possible.

"What should I do, Jake?" I asked, worrying my lip as I looked up to him. I could feel the tears starting as I got more and more frustrated and confused.

Jake sighed as he moved next to me, throwing a warm arm around me, "Well, you remember how an imprint works, right?"

I gave a cautious nod, "Yes. It's how you all find your perfect mate, either to make another stronger wolf for the next generation or to make sure the gene gets passed on. But I'm not Native American, Jake, I'm really not the best choice for either of those...and...and...he's thirteen! And what about Edward? You saw how he acted last night! I could only imagine if—"

"Relax, Bella!" Jake said as I started to hyperventilate, "Brady knows you are with...Cullen...he just needs to see you every once in a while. To make sure you are happy and all. Hear you talk or something...I don't really know. It's not like I've imprinted."

I nodded. Not sure what to say.

"Would you like to just meet him yourself? Talk about everything and figure out whatever needs to be figured out?" Jake said, looking like he was getting frustrated himself.

I was both terrified and curious at his suggestion. I really didn't want to meet a thirteen-year-old whose wolf had decided I was the best match for him, but at the same time I wanted to meet Brady and talk everything over.

To finally meet the boy whose wolf had had me so mesmerized last night.

I really felt sorry for him. It's not like he had a choice over what had happened either. It was just another thing that came along with being a furry wolf.

To fall in love with a total stranger must be hard. Plus, he had to deal with a jealous vampire and a jealous beta werewolf...given, Jacob was taking this all very well.

I looked at Jacob with studious eyes. A little too well.

He looked back at me, ignoring my quizzical stare, "So, what do you want to do?"

I stood up without a second thought, I knew what I had to do...what I wanted to do, "Will he be up by now?"

Jacob nodded and smiled as he hopped up, "Yeah." He seemed happy about my decision.

Nodding, I started towards the door, "Then I think it's time I met the boy whose wolf chose me."

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