And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Fight Song, by Rachel Platten, from the album Fight Song, released in 2014

A couple of hours had passed, and it was time for us to go to the bonfire. I had left Bella with Charlie, feeding the man and trying to get the house back in order. I had returned home in the rabbit, tossing clothes out of my cupboard in an attempt to find something formal. The whole pack would phase at some point, but I'd like to make a good impression on her father (who thought we were going out on a date,)

Considering that a leech was the last person to do that, I didn't think it was much competition. Then again, said Leech mauled her (which Charlie didn't know about), and also made an incredibly bad impression on him afterwards. Plus, it wasn't Charlie's fault that he was momentarily stunned by the supernatural, especially since he wasn't aware of it.

I ended up picking a green-brown top, followed by a black denim overcoat, and navy blue jeans. I didn't both trying to tame my hair because much like my wolf side, it was wild and untameable. That wasn't me being inappropriate either. It was just me in the house at the minute- Dad had gone up with the other Elders, leaving me in charge of ferrying Bella, and trying not to stuff up the evening or break my imprints heart.

I just had to work on tact..and I should be fine. Concealing my thoughts in wolf form should be easy enough, but ironically human form was much harder. Bella was adept at reading my facial expressions...and the bond. After tonight it would strengthen, becoming almost unbreakable. It would be more prominent in the back of our minds, and it would be less of a struggle to sense what the other was feeling.

It would bring us closer together, and the thought of the bond solidifying made my wolf rumble in glee. It was a possessive little bugger wasn't it. I wasn't going to tell Bella that though, because I didn't want to worry her. Nor did I particularly want to inform her that my wolf wanted to pin her down and claim her, that my wolf acted like a large overgrown puppy when it came to her, or that I would literally die for her.

I wouldn't be happy if I hurt her. I treasured her too much. Anyhow, I stopped concentrating on my inner thoughts, instead glancing at the clock and realising that it was time for me to leave. I didn't want to be late- even if that was incredibly unlikely considering it took twenty minutes to get to Bella's house, and I had over forty to get there.

But anything could happen in that time frame- I could get stuck in traffic, the rabbit could break down, Bella could be expecting me to get there early- she might be expecting me to be late, would she prefer it if I was on time? Perhaps she was thinking we needed to run in wolf form? Perhaps she wasn't expecting that? What if she didn't want to go with me- or if she denied the imprint- I would do anything for her, even if it broke my he-

"JAKE!"

I jumped and twisted, growling out of instinct when I saw Embry leaning against the door. He approached me placatingly, as he was dressed up casually much like me. He chuckled, as he smiled, as I calmed down from my internal panic.

"Chief reckoned you would be panicking- and try to jump ship towards her house too soon. You've got fifteen minutes Jake, chill out for a bit."

I sat down on the sofa as Embry went through to the kitchen and came out with two glasses of water. I think I'd need something stronger then that...even if it wouldn't get me drunk. Damned metabolism. We would have to have like twelve drinks to get mildly intoxicated, and that's with it being strong. It's a bit depressing, because most of us who were younger had never been drunk as a result.

"Jake, seriously, relax. You make me want to bow down in submission. Do you want Bella to see you like that?"

That effectively snapped me out of it, as I concentrated on reigning in my presence. I most definitely didn't want Embry to feel like that, nor did I want Bella to see me like that. I'm sure it would go down well if I accidentally imposed my authority on her.

Embry's posture relaxed, no longer tense and ready to spring. He grinned in response to me as he passed me a water, and I took it graciously. It was funny how he was serving me and being hospitable in my house. I felt like I should've been the one offering him a drink, but I was too busy having a meltdown. It was so easy to me-

"Jacob. You won't mess it up. That girl right there? She loves you. It may be as a brother, but she still loves you."

He sighed, before taking a sip of his water, shaking his head in exasperation. I looked at the clock, thinking that at least fifteen minutes had passed. In reality, only five minutes had slithered past. I urged it to hurry up, because I was anxious to see Bella, and anxious to get there. Not even mentioning the little handcrafted box sitting in my pocket.

And before you think I'm jumping the gun, no it isn't a wedding ring. As much as I'd like to marry her, it was a bit, just a bit, early. No, instead it was a little charm bracelet I had fashioned for her. Made out of a silver, with a looping chain. At the minute it only had one little charm- a wolf that I had whittled. I had taken time to etch her markings onto it, much like her wolf had.

I had another one on me- a small metallic heart with our initials engraved into it. Should she accept my imprint, it would represent our love for one another. If she didn't..well, I'd give it to her anyway, just have it represent our friendship. I sipped my water once more, before trying to stop myself fidgeting. Embry looked up at the clock before sighing and waving his hand.

"Shooo! Go get your imprint."

I didn't need to be told twice, leaping out of my seat, grabbing my keys and bouquet of flowers, before bolting out of the door, trusting Embry to lock up behind him. With a small oomph, I threw myself into the seat of my rabbit, slammed the door shut, placed the flowers on the passenger seat, before I switched on the ignition, hearing the engine rumble to life with a steady purr.

I placed my hand on the passenger seat, looking out of the back windscreen, before carefully reversing out of the drive, trying to focus on obeying speed limits and not breaking the law. I'm sure I'd make a great impression if I was to get caught speeding.

So, I had a problem leaving at a respectable, not half an hour early time. Now I had a problem getting out the damned vehicle. The clock on the dash read 7:25, meaning I was five minutes early. Do I just knock on the door now? Or do I wait a bit? Would I make a better impression chapping at bang on the time agreed? What if Charlie saw me waiting outside like a weirdo?

That wouldn't go well. Not at all. I tried craning my ears in an attempt to listen out for her, but from this distance all I could pick up was Charlie's heartbeat and him presumably eating something. At least, that's what it sounded like.

I shook my head, before clasping the bouquet and opening the door softly, to contrast with how I had opened it earlier. It would probably need more hinges.. I closed it, locked it, before approaching the place I had called my second home until months earlier. I shook my head again, unwilling to linger on such thoughts again, knowing that it would more likely put a dampener on our evening.

In a couple of strides, I was at the front door, acutely concentrating on not accidentally breaking open the door. I had done that quite a few times when I had first phased..because funnily suddenly having super strength was something difficult to get used to

. I knocked, and could hear Charlie standing up, with a clutter of plates, the mumbling of some commentator on the TV, and a few footsteps. The door opened slowly, allowing the light within to shine on me, illuminating my face.

"Hey Jake. Come in. Bella will be down soon."

Talk about a man of few words. Anyway, accepting his advice, I came in and leaned against the kitchen side, as Charlie slunk back into the main room. I tried my luck again, and craned my ears in an attempt to listen out for Bella. I could easily hear her footsteps walking around upstairs, hearing a singular spray of perfume (I could smell it from down here, but it smelled nice, and didn't obscure her natural scent.

My wolf appreciated that), the steady heartbeat of Bella, and a few footsteps. It took Bella all of three minutes before she came down the stairs, and I moved to meet her halfway. She was wearing a forest green dress, which went down to her knees. It had probably been longer before her 'growth spurt' but she had hardly had time to even attempt buying any new clothes.

Plus, Bella hated shopping, and that was just a well known fact by now. Don't get me wrong- she still looked beautiful. She could wear a bin bag and she would still be beautiful. Over the top she had a black cardigan going over it, thin, which wouldn't have done much to keep her warm. I say, 'wouldn't have' but having a temperature like ours had it's perks.

Aka- it took a lot for us to feel cold. Bella, in true Bella fashion, tripped on the second last step, so I lunged with the reaction time I had been gifted with and managed to catch her, her slim form weighing almost nothing. I passed her the slightly crushed flowers, which she took graciously, still lingering in my secure handhold.

I was grateful that he had not noticed Bella's weight loss, nor any other changes- we were just lucky that he was almost oblivious to his surroundings. Surprising, considering he's a cop. Bella blushed but got back to her feat and out of my arms. A part of me wanted her to stay there, but I denied that part of my mind.

Not willingly though, just out of necessity. She shuffled into the kitchen, before getting out a vase, filling it with water and placing the bouquet in there, spreading the flowers out before putting them on the windowsill.

"My baby girl's already been hurt Jake. If you hurt her, I'll get my gun out- but I'll give you a three second head start."

I didn't have the heart to tell him that the bullets wouldn't do much in the long run, but I could verify that I wouldn't hurt her- minus the whole, I would physically be in pain if I hurt her, and I lack the ability to do so. Bella was my Imprint- I would rather die myself then hurt her, and I could make that evident.

"You have my word Charlie that I won't hurt her. I'll bring her back when we're done- and should we stay at mine, I'll let you know."

We wouldn't be home early, or at least not until tomorrow, that's for sure. Considering we had a bonfire to get through, but also a pack run and a pack huddle, a large chunk of time would be taken, leading us into the later stages of tomorrow. But at least she wasn't on patrol until she was fully trained, and that could take anywhere from several weeks to a couple of days.

It depended on how much time she could put aside for it, and how much we could fit in around school, which was starting back up again in a week. We had been lucky that the incident had occurred during the holidays..otherwise it would have been difficult to explain. Anyway, now wasn't the time to dwell on that.

"The last boy who said that lied Jacob, but I can find it in my heart to trust again- just don't make me regret it."

I mean, if you want to be technical, it wasn't a boy...but again, can't tell him that. The less he knows, the safer he is. Period. I nodded towards Charlie and looped my arm through the incredibly red Bella. As we were striding out the door, still not having spoken a sentence to one another, Charlie called out from the other room

"Separate beds kids!"

And...great. Not only was Bella blushing, but a red tinge was also adorning my cheeks. The earth was looking incredibly interesting right about now...oh! Is that a shovel? How long do you think it would take to dig a hole? I unlocked the rabbit, and walked round to Bella's side, opening the door, and she smiled at me before sliding in. Making sure all limbs were safely inside, I closed the door, before walking round to my own side, getting in.

"Sorry about that."

She apologised as I turned the ignition, stretching round so that I could check if I was clear to back out. Seeing that we were safe to do so, I backed out, before bringing the car up to speed and heading towards La Push. I couldn't help but chuckle; She was apologising for something Charlie said when it wasn't even her fault.

And it wasn't the end of the world in any case- sure, I was dying of embarrassment, and sure, he was expecting us to marry each other, but it was no different then what our two old men were predicting back before Bella moved to Phoenix.

"It's okay, Bells. It was just Charlie having his fun- Dad will do the same later, after the Bonfire."

I put the rabbit into gear, as I watched the road carefully for any Volvo's or conspicuous cars that could belong to the Cullens. I'd probably smell them before I saw them though, depends on how the wind blows. I wasn't exactly planning on informing them about our Imprint- that she may or may not accept- because as much as I would like to hold it over his head, I didn't want to incite another attack against her, even if we would be ready with bated fangs and a hunger for vengeance.

"So what does this Bonfire involve?"

She was the utter embodiment of calm, staring out of the window with reddened cheeks and brown eyes staring at the forest scenery as we entered the outskirts of La Push. I turned the indicator as we turned into the small, untarmacked road that lead up to the cliffs, the wheels turning over the small divots and the engine rumbling through the silence of the forest.

"We meet up with the tribe elders: That's Harry, Sue, Billy and Old Quil, the Imprints, and the Pack. The Elders open the ceremony with the tale of Taha Aki and the third wife, before going through the ceremony to see whether you accept the Imprint. If you do, then we have a shared drink together, before we all phase and howl together in symphony. After, usually the Imprinted couple lead the pack and Imprints on a joint hunt- normally a wolf that has an Imprint having them on their back, but since we are both wolves we will just run together- running throughout the night, before we head back and sleep as a Pack."

I had neglected to tell Charlie that part about how we never had any intention to return, but I would smooth it over before we phased. I'd rather not have to deal with a bullet right about now, considering it would put a real dampener on the evening and hurt like a bitch. Would it kill me? No. Would it hurt? Like getting smacked by a car at 120kph.

Bella nodded in acknowledgement, as the rabbit's engine struggled with the uphill slope I was forcing it along. It coughed and spluttered with the strain, and I made another mental note to replace it with the one I had sitting in the garage- the one I had been intending to put in before this happened.

"How are you coping with all of this?"

I asked, trying to make sure she was as comfortable as possible. I would be surprised if she was 100% okay, considering all of the shit she's been through, from her former love attacking her violently, to suddenly being forced into becoming a wolf without any consent, with a weird ass ability (her words, not mine) that she could control.

Adding on the fact that she had to keep this away from Charlie, deal with the Imprint (my wolf mourned at the thought of it being a burden) and that part of the wolf thing was to hunt down Leeches should they invade our land or threaten Forks, then it was a fuck ton to have on your plate. And these were just psychological factors, if you were ignoring the physical ones, like the increased appetite and temperature.

If Charlie found out that she was 'running a fever' that high, it would be a very quick run to the nearest Hospital, which would be a fun thing to explain. But hey, 100% immunity to all disease with only a slight weakness to Vampire venom was a positive thing, right?

"I'm...coping. It's a lot of things to deal with at once..Edw-Leech attacking me..it hurts me a lot, both physically and mentally. I trusted him- thought he was the one, and he went and betrayed me like that without a second thought. Iwant to hurt him, to hurt him like he did me, and my wolf agrees wholeheartedly. And I would, if he was in-front of me. But then the thought of me being like him springs to mind, and I can't do it. I can't bring myself to be like him- I'd rather not have any justice then have to stoop to his level. Then there's the whole wolf thing..the concept of an Imprint is new to me, but despite that I find myself liking it, and the whole sensation of having the pack and La Push as family. It's like, in my mind, a switch that perceived the Cullens as family was switched off- because who leaves someone they supposedly like to be hurt by their loved one- and one for La Push was switched on. The imprint..it scares me at the same time, because the last time I allowed someone to know how I felt, trusted them with my emotions and thoughts, he- it, threw it in my face, yet the fact that you are always here for me, looking after me, protecting me, it brings me joy and makes me feel safe. Then there's Charlie, who I hate to lie to, but I understand that it's to keep him safe. The feeling of lying to him is nothing new to me, because I constantly lied to him..whether it be about James, or the fact that Edward wasn't a boy at all, but a Vampire."

She was pouring her heart and soul out to me, and I wanted nothing more then to encompass her in my arms, and tell her that for as long as our-the Pack lived, we would not let him, or the rest of his Coven near her. Deciding to not mention that, I instead settled for continuing to listen to her, just making a couple of comments about what she'd said.

"You don't have to call them 'Leeches' you know, not for our benefit. If you want to call them by their names, then feel free, because you knew them for a long time and we can't expect you to suddenly call them something different. All we ask is that you do things only if you are comfortable with it, and not because we demand it of you- and I can imagine how hypocritical that sounds, considering we can use injunctions, but we try not to use them if we don't have to. And I won't tell you that I know how you feel, because not only is that pretty condescending, but because I don't. I've never been in that situation, but I can imagine what it is like. I may not be able to promise that you will never have to deal with them again, but, I can promise that if it occurs, you will have all of us standing behind you, and we will not let them harm you again. We look out for our own."

By the time we were up the hill, I turned left, straightening out the car, before twisting back and peering out the back window, carefully reversing into the space, which was occupied by Sue's truck and Jared and Kim's black focus, which I had improved with a better engine and had worked extensively on it.

I did it for most of the Pack's cars, should they ask, because it was something I enjoyed doing it. I sometimes even made call outs to some Reservation members, if they couldn't afford or make it to a garage. Satisfied I had parked, I switched off the engine, before turning towards Bella, resting my feet just off the pedal.

I retrieved the box out of my pocket, which held the charm bracelet, and I offered it to her, which she accepted, looking at it as if it had personally insulted her. I knew that she was somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of marriage, and personally, after having her parents divorce when she was young, I didn't blame her, so I was quick to relieve her that it wasn't a wedding ring.

"Open it Bella- I promise it isn't what you think it is."

She opened the lacquered box, and inside the oak wood, sat the charm bracelet, which she gasped upon seeing and carefully opened, the charm dangling off and twirling. She turned to look at me, her eyes watering, and I instantly thought I had upset her. I'm so stupid! It didn't occur to me that she might not be comfortable with receiving a gift. But then she surprised me by continuing to look at me, as she fiddled with the clasp.

"Is this...for me?.."

I nodded in relief as I offered my assistance with putting it on. She offered out her right wrist, and I unhooked it deftly, despite the size of the clasp compared to my giant hands. But it wasn't much different to working on the tiny parts of an engine. Deftness and finesse were two things that were needed. After I clasped it, she reached over the car and hugged me tightly, before backing away almost as fast. She was bright red, before she smiled and made to go out of the car.

"Thank you Jake...it means quite a lot."

I nodded, once again wanting to scoop her in my arms but quashing the feeling immediately. She wasn't ready- but I could wait forever for her to be ready. As long as she was happy, I was happy, and I would wait forever if she needed me to. I was content to just be her friend at the minute- as that was all she needed.

As someone once said 'The worst part of life is waiting. The best part of life is having someone worth waiting for..'. See, I can be wise when I want to be. And that quote was no truer spoken then I in regards to Bella. Apparently, imprinting made me poetic. Who would've guessed?

Author's Note

And here's chapter 6 guys! In Chapter 7, we will actually cover the Bonfire, and perhaps further go into how Bella is acclimatising to her new situation. Can't make any promises about her adapting though, as my methodology surrounding writing is to build upon the original, and see how it goes.

Nothing exciting has really happened this week..not in regards to me anyway. Writing, revising, walking, sleeping, reading- pretty much my schedule. It's also pretty boring, but I am enjoying my time on study leave, even if it can get tedious sometimes. Writing..well, I guess the question would be, what fandom am I not writing for? Twilight? Check. Assassin's Creed? Check. Kingsman? Check, even if it's a one shot. Avengers? Check, the story to be published after I finished EITNIP or this, whatever one comes first. So, I humbly present thee, my schedule.

Anyway, I'd better get too it. But first, a question. What are you most looking forwards to this year? A Video Game? Film? Has what you were looking forward to already passed? For me? Either the new Pokemon Game, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Avengers: Endgame, which was definitely worth waiting for.

Without further adieu, I had better get back to writing.

Edit Notes 28/5/19 - Grammar Issues, paragraphing amended.

~Cait