Disclaimer: The Twilight book series and all recognizable characters and situations belong to Stephanie Meyer I don't own any of that. But I do so love her stage.

Thank you for reading, following and reviewing this story. I really appreciate it!

**Please see the authors note at the end of this chapter for more info and acknowledgements*****

Anything written in italics is a flashback, random thought, or text message depending on the context

Chapter 11: Divided We Fall

Jacob's Pov

I felt inexplicably drawn to this girl. It's like I have known her my whole life. She must have felt me staring because she looked up at me. When I met her mesmerizing gray eyes gravity shifted.

I remembered something Earl said once, "An imprint doesn't automatically stick. It has to be accepted sub-consciously by the imprinted. When this happens you will see visions of the two of you together." My imprinting went flawlessly.

Leah sat the ice cream on the table. "Did I just see what I think I saw? Answer me Black did you just imprint?" she asked her voice shocked.

'Oh yes,' I answered drawing the words out.

Her face crumpled slightly. I know my beta, she is worried Coinin might imprint. My imprinting on our first day here couldn't help matters.

Meanwhile, my imprint was checking me out. She said something to her friends and they started sneaking covert glances at me.

"Do you think she knows?" I asked.

Leah smirked, "I'm sure she does Black. It was written all over you."

She put Lily into a booster seat and started feeding her some ice cream. "So what was it like?" she asked.

I sighed, "This indescribably good heat filled me and I felt drawn to her. It's like her energy accepted mine and pulled me in. I felt gravity shift and realign itself around her. I saw us on First Beach holding hands, then we were at a birthday party with kids. It's hard to explain, she makes me feel more alive than anyone ever has, even Bella."

She fed Lily another spoonful of ice cream. "Jacob is it the imprint magic or are you really happy?" she asked quietly.

I sighed, "She's my soul mate! I know she is! Right now she is my gravity, I would do anything to please and protect her. The rational side of me knows it's my enhanced senses magnifying my attraction to her. I don't want to think about that part. I just want to enjoy...being around her."

Leah smiled slightly, "So you're not madly in love?"

I said, "I haven't had time to fall in love. Earl said there is compelling evidence we would love our imprints even without the magic. When dormant packs first start to phase again, it's not uncommon for those so inclined to imprint on their wives or girlfriends"

"So you think she's your one true love?" she asked.

I shrugged, "She's my other half. Why wouldn't she be?"

"So what now? Are you going to try to talk to her?" she asked.

I knew communicating with my imprint would be challenging but I didn't want to take my frustration out on Leah so I stayed quiet.

Leah said, "Maybe you could use the online translator on your cell phone..." She glanced at something behind me.

I followed her gaze to see Adam greeting a shifter who resembled him. I listened in on their conversation.

Adam was saying, "What are you doing here? I thought you were still at Leydwolf."

The other shifter said, "You know how he likes to hide in plain sight. We stopped here to sign some papers. I stayed behind to do some recon. What about you shouldn't you be at Ivan's Peak?"

Adam said, "We had some flight delays. I was just rounding up the pack for lunch."

The shifter leaned in and said something I couldn't make out to Adam. The two men had a whispered conversation before walking over to our table. I don't know what was said but I've never seen the unflappable Adam look so shocked."

Adam introduced us, "Alpha Jacob Black, Dr. Leah Clearwater, meet my cousin Julien Lightfoot. We shook hands briefly. Julien's eyes lingered on Leah speculatively.

Adam said, "Miss Leah your mother asked me to find you."

Leah said, "OK but can you help Jake first? He just imprinted and needs a translator."

Adam grinned at me, "Congratulations Alpha Black. Who is the lucky lady?" He started looking around.

Leah said, "She's the one in the lace dress." nodding towards their table.

Adam and Julien looked over. Julien frowned slightly, "You mean Lady Miriella Eryin?"

Adam's eyes narrowed. "That's Miriella Eryin?" he asked Julien with raised eyebrows."

Julien muttered, "Uh-oh." under his breath.

Adam looked at me, "I am acquainted with her brother but, I've never had the pleasure of meeting her."

Julien said, "Let's go meet your lady."

"Wouldn't it be more polite to wait until they finish eating?" I suggested.

Julien said, "No need. They would expect you to join them."

Adam picked up Lily and we walked across the square to my imprint's table. Julien started speaking to them in their language. Adam was playing with Lily but he was obviously following the conversation.

My imprint started speaking to me. She paused waiting for me to respond. I swallowed and looked at Julien expecting him to translate. Julien, Adam, and my imprints group burst into laughter. Leah and I looked at each other confused.

My imprint smiled mischievously at me and said with a heavy accent, "Just kidding you won't have trouble speaking to me in English."

Julien said, "May I present Lady Miriella Eryin." He introduced the other girls as Nadia Dimir and Camila Iagar.

Julien turned to Adam and said, "Ladies meet First Beta, Adam Lightfoot."

Miriella's group went still their eyes meeting each other.

"Charmed to meet all of you. Lady Eryin, congratulations on your imprint," Adam said formally.

Miriella's smile should have lit up her face, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you sir," she choked out stiffly. I could almost touch the tension in the air.

Julien ignored it and continued, "Meet True Alpha Jacob Black and his Beta Dr. Leah Clearwater and the little one is ..." He looked at Lily questioningly.

Leah said, "This is my second cousin Lily Uley."

Nadia was staring at Leah with curiosity. "You're a shifter right?" she asked.

"Nadia! Don't stare it's rude. Of course she's a shifter!" Camila scolded.

Nadia blushed to the roots of her streaked blonde hair, "Sorry it's just I never met a lady shifter before." she sputtered.

Leah took a step back, "It's OK I get that a lot."

Miriella smiled, "Would you all like to join us for lunch?"

"I would love to," I answered.

"Beta Lightfoot?" she asked politely. Even I could tell she was hoping he would say no.

He answered impassively, "No thank you. I already have plans."

Leah hesitated, "Maybe Nadia and Camila should join our pack for lunch."

Miriella's face lit up, "That's a brilliant idea." She looked at her friends.

"I'm sure Cevin would love to hear about us having lunch with the First Beta," Nadia said sarcastically.

Camila looked at me taking my measure. She said, "You seem nice enough Alpha Black. I'm warning you True Alpha Cevin is going to demand you join the Eryin." She smirked at Adam. What?

"This is both inappropriate and childish. I'm tired of it," Julien said to low for human ears to hear.

"Agreed! Jacob, Miss Leah, this is about politics. I will explain the details later. Meanwhile, with your permission Alpha Black I'm going to put a stop to it," Adam answered again too low for human ears.

"Do whatever you need to do," I said keeping my voice low also. I trusted him.

Adam turned to Miriella's friends. "Alpha Black is a member of Pack Bishop out of North America. I'm sure True Alpha Eryin would agree that suggesting he change packs is a bit premature," he said mockingly.

Nadia rolled her eyes, "I'm glad you find this entertaining Beta Lightfoot!"

Adam stood there perfectly relaxed. "I'm going to meet my Sue for lunch. I don't have any more patience for this," he announced.

He glanced at Julien," Come meet my Sue you will like her." He took off in the same direction he came from still carrying Lily. Julien went with him.

Camila gaped at his retreating back. "Beta Lightfoot has a woman? Who would date him?" she asked peevishly.

Leah snorted. "Why should I tell you?" she snapped hurrying off to catch up with Adam and Julien.

"What's her problem?" Camila wondered out loud.

"You just insulted her mother," I said gently.

I watched her expression change from indignation to embarrassment. "Let me guess this Sue is her mother," she said guardedly.

I let silence answer for me.

Miriella bit her bottom lip in a strangely vulnerable gesture, "Alpha Black…, she started.

"Please call me Jacob," I said.

"Jacob," she said her gray eyes meeting mine. "We owe you an apology…."

"You don't owe me anything," I insisted.

She picked up a clutch handbag and put some money on the table, "Look girls I'm going to walk around with Jacob. I'll see you when I get home," she said.

Nadia said, "Have fun. I'm so happy for you two." Camila just waved at us. I wondered why she seemed so unhappy. Something about her reminded me of the way Leah used to be.

Miriella and I wandered around looking at the exhibits. She treated me to a corn dog from a food vendor. We walked over to a bench and sat down. "So what's your story Jacob Black?" She asked.

I told her all about La Push and our legends. I told about the construction business I co-own with Sam. I described my family. I didn't want to keep any secrets from her, so I told her all about Bella and Nessie. I surprised myself with how much I opened up.

She told me all about herself in return. She's a biology major at the local University. She hopes to become a Marine Biologist. She spends some of her weekends and down time at her family's estates in Eryin. She described Eryin as a coastal region stretched along the Black Sea. Camila and Nadia are her roommates.

Her family history is fascinating. Her late father Ivan Eryin was a direct descendant of Bronwyn and Grigore of Eryin. In 1798 Prince Grigore of Eryin was killed in a hunting accident. He left a widow Bronwyn and two sons. Coincidentally King Logan Hemming of Leydwolf was also recently widowed. His wife died in childbirth leaving behind an infant son."

Bronwyn a warrior in her own right found her principality besieged by the neighboring Vin Luna. She sued for peace to King Logan Hemming of Leydwolf. Logan agreed on the condition that she marry him. He promised her descendants would always rule Eryin. He named her oldest son Duke and even today her descendants are the governing families of the former principality.

Miriella revealed a little of her more recent family history. Her brother True Alpha Cevin currently holds the title Duke of Eryin. Her father Ivan Eryin was the reigning Alpha Rex until Matthew Hemming defeated him in an alpha challenge. He died in exile because of a rift between the Eryin and Pack Hemming.

Miriella didn't go into details and I didn't push her. I figured I would get the other side of the story from Adam.

Leah's Pov

I followed Adam and Julian to meet the pack. Adam seemed subdued while Julian was covertly watching me. He was sizing me up, noting my actions like he was waiting for something. Adam led us straight to a pizzeria. The cooks were busy preparing pizza's by hand to bake in traditional wood burning brick ovens. Trust the pack to find greasy fast food instead of trying the local cuisine.

The pack had pushed tables together and were just starting to dig into the mounds of pizza. I heard Adam introduce Julian and say something about Jacob not coming. However, I wasn't really listening.

Jacob imprinting shook me more than I let on. I had almost believed them, these men who have been shifters for years. I had almost believed it, when they said we as shifters have a real shot at love. Earl Bishop once looked me in the eye and assured me imprinting really is rare. I'm starting to feel skeptical about dating shifters again.

It's not that I'm looking for some cosmic love without risk or effort. My break up with Sam traumatized me way more than it should have. I just don't have it in me to go through that again.

I'm flirting with the idea of just sticking to casual relationships. In the private recesses of my mind lives another fear. One I can hardly admit even to myself. I'm afraid I might imprint and do to someone else what Sam did to me. If that happened, I couldn't live with myself.

Mark and Collin started an eating contest and Seth rushed to get in on the action. I was glad their antics helped get my mind off things. Old Quil managed to draw Julien into a conversation about the La Push legends. Adam's cousin seemed to have infinite patience as he listened to the older man ramble on and on. I tried to just relax and enjoy the company but I couldn't settle down.

Emily slid gentle fingertips over the back of my hand, "Leah are you OK? You seem distracted like your mind is somewhere else." I shouldn't be surprised the two of us have always been in tune with each other.

"I feel edgy and emotional but I can't put my finger on it," I admitted.

"How so?" my mom asked.

I looked around to make sure no one was paying attention. It felt strange to open up around Emily, but in the spirit of mending our friendship, I leaned towards the two women.

"I feel like I'm reaching for something that's teasing me just out of my reach. Then I feel bereft when I don't know what I'm yearning for. It's similar to mood swings, but this is deeper," I tried to explain.

My mom sighed, "Did something' happen? Maybe something upset you that's making you feel this way?" Could this really be about Jacob imprinting making me feel the void in my life? No this started before he imprinted.

I sighed, "Now that you mention it, earlier I felt a strong connection to some strange energy. I felt transformed but craving more. I really don't know how else to describe it."

Julien and Adam went completely still. Julien was staring at me with understanding eyes. Adam just looked resigned.

"Are you feeling OK Miss Leah?" he asked quietly?

"I think I'm just tired," I tried to brush things over.

After lunch our group broke up and everyone went their own way. I tagged along with Coinin, Old Quil and Julien. About an hour later my mom sent a group text with directions to meet at a park just off the square.

I was surprised to see Jacob so soon. Sam and Emily had spread out a quilt and were sitting near the twins who were asleep. I idly wondered where they found the quilt. Eventually everyone arrived and we sat informally in a semi-circle.

Jacob was beaming when he said, "If you haven't heard I've imprinted." The pack was immediately clamoring for details. Jacob avidly described his imprinting in detail. He preened when the pack offered their congratulations. Of course everyone was anxious to meet her. Eventually Jacob remembered to ask Adam about the shenanigans with his imprint and her peers.

Adam said, "There has always been a rivalry between the two packs Eryin and Hemming. Some among the Eryin believe Prince Grigore of Eryin was the true High King. When he died and his queen sued for peace with King Logan Hemming they saw it as a betrayal of her sons. Bronwyn knew she couldn't hold Eryin against the aggression from the neighboring principality of Vin Luna."

Julien said to Old Quil, "It's noteworthy that at the time Eryin and Vin Luna were principalities subordinate to Leydwolf. It's also interesting that Leydwolf and Vin Luna were named after strongholds while Eryin carried the name of its Prince."

Adam picked up his story, "When High Alpha Ivan Eryin became Rex a courtesy title in his case, he decided to "Right the wrongs of history. He used his position to attempt to usurp the throne from the rightful heirs. This was a rough time in our history. Eryin abused his alpha voice to compel the packs into alliances. He served on the Council of Four and refused to recuse himself.

Eventually the abuses were just too blatant. Just as things were coming to a head Matthew emerged as a High Alpha and Challenged Ivan and won. Ivan's last words before his exile was a plea to his heirs never to enter Leydwolf unless it's to sit on the throne."

Jacob said, "So that means..."

Adam cut him off, "Jacob Lady Miriella and True Alpha Kevin are his children. So far Cevin has proven himself an outstanding Duke of Eryin. Although High Alpha Hemming is content to leave him alone, Cevin is determined to honor his father's last wish. He has a grudge against High Alpha Hemming due to his father's fate. It's hard to admit to flaws in one's parent. I can invite Lady Miriella to Leydwolf aka Pack Hemming Territory but I can't make her accept."

A/N: If you left me a review, Thank You!. I was really looking forward to reading your reactions to the imprints last chapter. I am still curious about that and to hear more of your reactions to this story. If you don't want to review please feel free to pm me. I look forward to feedback as much as readers anticipate the next update. I want to know how I am doing.

Teaser: Next chapter Jacob's dilemma grows. Leah gets a shock and Sam and Emily make an announcement.

Disclaimer: Jacobs description of imprinting is based on info from the Twilight Saga Wiki. I tweaked it a little to fit the perimeters of this story.

One more think: I know I promised Coinin would find out about his parents in this chapter. sorry I couldn't make it flow.