A/N: What a comeback this story made! I posted the previous chapter at around 3AM here but had school the next day for our graduation practice, then spent the rest of the day out so I hadn't had time to check my phone. But when I did at night, holy fruitcakes! Almost 30 new notifications about reviews, favs, and follows! Thanks so much guys, and welcome, new readers!

Of course, then, I wanted to keep the ball rolling and see how you'd react to this next update. If you have the time and the willpower, do leave a review! Thanks so much and enjoy this 3k+ word chapter.

Chapter 6

The Wolf, The Imprint, and The Clueless

"We're home, Callie." Esme shook me gently, as I lay on the couch wrapped in a cozy wool blanket.

The TV was running from how I left it before I fell asleep.

"Oh, hi." I yawned, and rubbed my eyes. My vision blurred for a moment before coming into focus. "What time is it?" I asked, it being very dark outside.

"Around ten-thirty." She replied. "Did you get to eat?"

"I wasn't really very hungry." I admitted, my heart sinking to my stomach. "I'll just go up to my room."

"I can cook something up for you." Rosalie offered, getting ready to go to the kitchen.

I shook my head. "I'm fine. I think I'll just rest."

"Are you coming with us tomorrow? I found something for you to do." Jasper enticed me.

I smiled a small, yet incredibly grateful smile. "Yeah. Sure. Anything to help."

"Good, because tomorrow's the last day we're training." He nodded.

"But I thought they're still coming in three days?" I asked, confused.

"We're going to use the last day to hunt." Emmett said, carrying the large cooler we brought back into the house.

I nodded, thinking about it. "Makes sense." I stood and stretched. "Yeah, I'm going to bed again. Watching hours of Friends can get exhausting for a half-human."

"Alright. Good night, my love." Esme kissed my forehead tenderly, and I walked up to my room.

"Seriously, Jasper? You know I'm no good at combat." I said, standing off to the side of where the real action had been taking place.

"Which is why you should try." Jasper insisted.

"You're not even letting me use my powers." I rambled on, prolonging the forthcoming pain — and embarrassment — as long as I possibly could.

"Makes for better practice."

"Dude, I don't know crap about fighting." I chuckled lightly, waving a lazy hand at him and walking to the nearest stump, sitting down.

"Just come at me, I'll take it easy on you. It should come naturally, especially with all the action movies you've watched in your whole life." He snickered, taking relaxed strides towards me.

"You know I was only in it for the actors." I rolled my eyes with an innocent giggle.

He chuckled, shaking his head. His snicker was menacing and so were his gloating eyes. "Just attack me-"

Then I suddenly lunged at him, but he held his ground. He tried pushing me off, and I used this to backflip and land in a crouch.

"So you did learn something." Jasper smiled, amusement reaching the corners of his eyes.

"It's hard to take your eyes off an actor like Chris Evans." I snickered with a one-shoulder shrug.

I lunged for him once more, and right before we collided I ducked to slide under him and grabbed his leg, making him land face forward. I straddled his back as quick as I could, and wrapped my arms around his neck.

I didn't realize that the wolves arrived until I looked up to see if I won.

I wiped the grin off my face and stood. Jasper turned on his back, and I helped him up.

"See, wasn't so bad." He dusted himself off with a proud grin.

"That's because you were taking it easy on me." I reasoned, hands on my hips.

"Or was I?" He cocked an eyebrow, smiling smugly and walking to the wolves for their instruction.

I narrowed my eyes but smiled nonetheless, intrigued by the thought that I could have possibly beat Jasper… Though I knew it was impossible.

Alice moved next to me and draped her arm around my neck.

I leaned my head on the crook of her neck and simply smiled.

"I love Jasper. I'm glad you two found each other and joined us." I told her sincerely. Alice and Jasper definitely had their own exclusive little world, one that seemed impenetrable to the conflicts that went on outside it. It was something to envy in the current messed up world it seems to be today.

But as selfish as it may seem, it was nice when they let someone in, even briefly. Because it just made things better. They, together, made things better.

She looked at me, smiling. "Me, too."

"Alice, how exactly did you guys... Click?" I asked, as we walked to the log I sat on yesterday.

"It just came naturally." She shrugged. "I knew we were going to be together anyway, so I just let things ride out. He was obviously taken aback at first, but I knew we were soulmates."

"And with that knowledge alone, you guys just... hit it off?"

She nodded slowly. "Yeah, pretty much. I mean, because we were soulmates, we'd be totally compatible, right? So we built our relationship on those things."

I sighed.

She looked at me, and shoved me slightly with her side. "Don't lose hope, Cals. It'll happen."

"Eighty-five years of my existence, Alice. No such luck thus far." I scoffed sadistically, kicking a stone with the toe of my shoe.

"Hey, I waited what seemed like forever for Jasper to show up. He eventually did, and look where we are now."

I raised my eyebrows and turned to her before looking down again. "Well, you knew he would. I can't even see anything in my future anymore, and neither can you." I gave her a look.

She sighed. "Then why not look at Rosalie and Emmett? She found him dying by the paws of a bear."

"And she turned him later to become a vampire. Of course it would work out. Rosalie's, like, the most beautiful being in the world, right?" I retaliated, digging my heel into the ground and balling my fists in my pockets.

"Then what about Edward and Bella? Edward thought he'd be alone forever. But he found his soulmate in a healthy, living, breathing human."

"Who has been commanded by the Volturi to turn ASAP." I laughed again.

She smiled sadly. "Callie, I can't help you out if you're going to be so pessimistic about everything."

I let out a deep sigh. "Yeah, sorry. Sorry."

She lightened up. "Just don't lose hope."

Easy for you to say.

She stood to leave, but not without a reassuring smile. I brought out my book, Sophie's World to keep me preoccupied.

But, I couldn't even get past the first page without wanting, needing to look up. I could feel eyes staring at me.

I slowly turned my head, and the fur of the sandy brown wolf ruffled, as he averted his gaze to Jasper.

I looked down at my book again, and the feeling of being watched returned.

I slowly looked up once more, and the big wolf's head turned again before we could lock eyes.

I guess he's holding something against me.

I stood and let out a frustrated sigh, realizing I'll never be able to read. I shut my book with a loss of purpose and proceeded to return it with my things in the car.

Jasper then treaded up to me.

"While we're training here, I've come up with a special assignment for you." He smiled.

I raised my eyebrows, intrigued.

He waved the young wolves, Collin and Brady over. They flanked me and I raised my eyebrows suspiciously.

"You three need to find us the best place to fight." Jasper said.

"Why can't we fight here?" I asked, looking around. "It seems perfectly alright."

"It's too centered. They could surround us immediately without us knowing, from the trees." Jasper explained. "Plus, Bella's scent is all over, especially where the usual routes are."

I nodded.

"So there are three things I need you to look for: one is a place that is secluded by trees as far from the humans as possible, yet is not completely surrounded by blind spots so we can see where they're coming from. Try finding a place easily accessible from an obvious entry point. That way, we'll know." He said. "Two, find a place with higher elevation away from the entry point. This will give us a better vantage point, but make sure it can't be seen easily from past the trees. Three is a place windy but not too much that it will blow scents completely away. Just enough to get it around, preferably in the direction of the entry point."

"Those are very specific requirements, Jasper." I said unsurely.

"You guys can do it. Now go." He said, walking away. "If Victoria's in the area, you three will easily overpower her."

I looked at the two wolves beside me.

"Have anything in mind?" I asked.

The two shook their heads slowly, looking at me expectantly.

I sighed. "I guess we have our work cut out for us. Let's start looking." I said, and we headed into the forest.

"Jasper!" I called out excitedly, running back to 'base', as Collin, Brady, and I called it.

"Did you find it?" Jasper asked.

"Yup!" I said proudly, and noticed that the wolves changed to human form and were now having Esme and Rosalie's lunch. It was like a party, as they even set up a grill and put some logs together in a circle — or, square — for seats.

Collin and Brady returned to the forest to change as well. Apparently, they're naked when they phase.

I checked my watch. It was already 12:20 and apparently we'd been searching for hours.

"Well?" Jasper asked, just as Collin and Brady came out from the trees in shorts and joined the other Quileutes.

I explained the site, and Jasper found it perfect. I gave him the coordinates which I got from my GPS, and he praised me and let me join the Quileutes for lunch while he rounded up Carlisle, Edward, and Alice to find the land.

"You must be hungry, Callie! You were out searching for hours." Esme smiled, handing Paul another loaded burger.

"Maybe a little." I smiled. "Glad to see you're making yourself useful for others than just yourself, Emmett." I commented snidely with my arms crossed, sidling up next to him.

He gave me a look. "Ha, ha, Callidora."

I stuck my tongue out at him.

"How would you like it?" He asked, and I moved next to him.

"Hmmm…" I tapped my chin, then grinned up at him. "Rare." I said.

"Oh, perfect for a hybrid." He smiled, and slapped a new patty atop the grill with a fizzle.

I rolled my eyes and walked to the Quileutes.

"You guys are eating like you haven't eaten in ages." I commented with a chuckle.

Nobody looked up. Not because they were busy eating, but more as if they were hiding something. I sensed it.

I pursed my lips, thinking of what else to say. Did they just not like me or something?

"Good job, by the way, you guys." I said to Collin and Brady, who were both three-quarters done with their first burger.

They looked at me and smiled briefly, then hurriedly returned to their food. Brady at least managed to give me a thumbs-up.

"Okay, what gives?" I went up to Sam. "You said it wasn't my fault for what happened yesterday."

He swallowed. "It's not." He burped, and hit his chest after.

I scrunched my nose in disgust. "So, what is it then?" I asked, my eyes trying to catch the attention of his.

He gave me a tired look. "You'll know when the time is right. It's just a little difficult for me and my pack to accept right now."

I gave him a confused look, then looked over at Seth, who was already staring at me. I walked up to him, and crossed my arms. "I'd like an explanation, please."

We locked eyes, and there was that spark again. I could smell him...

I gulped my saliva to contain myself, then cocked an eyebrow.

He looked to Sam, and I followed his eyes. Sam looked down.

I sighed and held my hands up in complete, idiotic surrender. "Alright, fine, let me live in guilt."

I sulked and walked back to Emmett, who handed me my plate.

"What's their deal?" He asked, pointing his spatula at the Quileutes.

I shrugged. "They're not telling me."

Rose then appeared beside me. "Maybe she can get it out of them." She said pointedly, referring to Bella who was sitting beside Jacob.

I gave Rosalie a look. "Rose, don't start with that again." I said. "But you do have a point."

"Yeah, didn't Bella say she thought she knew what it was?" Emmett said.

I nodded. "Maybe later tonight." I said, taking a bite of my burger. My eyes widened in surprise. "These are good, Em." I admitted.

"Of course they are." Rose smiled, tiptoeing and hugging him from behind.

Emmett turned his head smiling as well, and they shared a, for lack of a better word, showy kiss.

I averted my eyes elsewhere, fake-smiling and letting out a frustrated breath.

"Oh, Callie." Esme placed a hand on my shoulder.

I felt tears start to pool around my eyes. I hurriedly wiped them off with the back of my hand.

"I'm fine." I lied. "I just don't get why I've been so emotional lately, is all." I said.

"Callie," Rosalie started.

"I think I'll eat over there. I've been meaning to re-read Sophie's World all day." I said, and began to walk to the other edge of the clearing where my stuff were, and I sat there by myself.

I never felt more alone.

Thankfully, I managed to keep busy by multitasking. I listened to music while I read my book, while I walked by the tree line.

By dusk I finished my book, and decided to watch them train again.

Bella came up beside me.

"It's really amazing how they can do all that and not feel pain." She said, clearly fascinated. Her bottom lip was caught by her teeth as she watched the sparring mates, a common subconscious habit of hers.

I raised my eyebrows in agreement. "Yeah, totes." I said monotonously.

She looked at me weirdly. "What's been going on with you lately, Callie?"

I sighed. "Decades of loneliness finally catching up to me I guess." I squinted as dust rose as Emmett was thrown to the ground before me.

She looked down.

"Can you please tell me what's going on with the wolves? What exactly happened yesterday?" I asked desperately, looking to her with distress on my face.

"Edward knows. He's your family — he'll know if you need to know." She rocked on the balls of her feet.

I scratched my head. "Is it something he should tell me or Sam? If it's Sam, then I'll stop." I said.

She looked up and squinted her eyes as she thought about it. "It's really breakeven."

I sighed. "Nothing seems to work right for me."

"Don't say that! I'd say your birth in itself was something already very right for you. And believe me, this whole thing is very right for you as well." She nudged me with her elbow.

"How so?" I asked.

She pursed her lips. "Just ask Edward. The more I think about it, you deserve to know."

I gave her a small smile. "Thank you."

She smiled back in response.

"That was an exhausting day." Emmett stretched, transferring his heavy weight from his feet to the couch. "Good thing we're just going to spend the day hunting tomorrow."

Rosalie took her place beside him, and Alice and Jasper took their seats on the other couch.

"Don't you want to sleep now, Callie? You were running this morning, too." Esme asked, setting down some stuff on the floor with Carlisle after unloading the cars.

"No. I want a family meeting." I announced.

They all looked at each other confusedly.

"What for, Callie?" Carlisle asked.

"When Edward gets here." I said with finality, because I knew otherwise I would be met with lackadaisical backlash.

He nodded. "Okay, we'll just wait for him to return from dropping Bella off."

I nodded, and sent him a text telling him to come home right away. He arrived within the next ten minutes.

"What is it?" He asked, entering the living room.

"Bella said I had the right to know." I said, looking him straight in the eye, all business.

He looked at me confusedly. "Right to know what, Callie?"

"You know. About what happened yesterday." I demanded.

Esme looked at Edward, in a confused way as well. From what it looked like, we were all just really confused right then.

"Edward, what happened yesterday?" She asked, placing a gentle hand on his bicep.

All eyes were on Edward now.

He looked up, trying to think.

I huffed. "Tell me, dammit! Do you know how much I hate trying to have a nice conversation with people but it not working out for reasons I don't even know of? A lot. I'm left alone there by the sidelines just watching you guys with practically nothing to do and nobody to talk with, and having been locked up in this house the past few weeks? It's hell for me, especially because of the army. How would I know if my friends have been taken?"

"Calm down, Callie." Esme reached for me.

"I can't calm down!" I burst. I suddenly felt a weight lift off my chest, and I closed my eyes at the sensation of feeling lighter.

"Jasper, please." I asked, and he toned it down.

I took a deep breath. "Ed, please tell me."

He sighed, and took a seat next to Emmett. I sat on the coffee table to face him, my hands tugging on each other, resting on my knees.

"The werewolves... they have this ability to imprint." Edward finally said.

I gave him a go on gesture.

"Well, basically, they do this to find their soulmates. By imprinting, a werewolf will do everything in his power to do whatever his imprintee wants, be whoever his imprintee wants. A werewolf will feel incomplete whenever he is not around his imprintee, and if rejected, he will be in deep emotional pain. It's more than love at first sight, especially as this is meant for them to find their soulmates, and most likely, their lifelong partners. It's been a… thing of theirs since the first of their kind."

"Okay, wait, so why are you giving me a history lesson?" I asked, and everyone else wondered the same thing.

He looked at all of us and rubbed his hands together, as if preparing for something.

"Because Seth Clearwater imprinted on you."

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