So I just want to note that this story was never intended to center around the Cullen's. I want this to be centered around the wolf pack. The Cullen's will make an appearance when needed but other than that they will not make that much of an appearance. We'll just assume Bella & Edward worked their shit out and leave it at that.

Language...

& Disclaimed.. no ownership...

Chapter 17…

"Are you sure? Have you checked your voicemail?"

"Seth, pup, I am sure. They have not called. I told you I would call you as soon as they call me. Besides you need to be there too."

"I know but…"

"Look, I get it. I'm worried too but we need to be patient. I will call you and you know I will," Sam tried to appease Seth yet again. It felt like that is all he had been doing these past two weeks. The elders still had not called them back and Seth was going out of his mind with worry. It was grating on the nerves of the pack especially when they would patrol with Seth. Being linked to a worried mind had its disadvantages.

"I know Sam. I'm sorry." He felt bad yet again. He knew he was pestering everyone especially Sam but he just wanted to know the outcome already. Lately he felt like all he did was hurry up and wait. Waiting was the hardest part. His mother was already at home resting and he called her every day since she got out of the hospital three days ago. He had yet to see her because he was ordered to stay on the reservation until the council called him in. Charlie was fuming that he had not gone to the hospital to check on his mother. He couldn't understand Seth's behavior. Seth had already informed his mother what was going on, so she was able to calm Charlie down, remaining him that this was one of those 'need to know' situation. Charlie knew this but it didn't stop his anger towards Seth. All he could do was understand and accept what was happening. Sue reminded him that Seth will come when he can.

Sue was finally released after waking up from her short comatose state. After the adrenaline faded, Sue's body had gone into shock from all the pain and injuries. She was out for six days. The doctors kept her another week to monitor her progression. Once she was finally deemed stable, she was release to her husband. Leah had gone to stay with them to help care for mother. Sam temporarily removed Leah from patrol duties so that she was able to stay with her mother. Sue was looking at another month and a half of being plastered in cast. Both her arms as well as one leg was covered in the stuff. Her ribs were wrapped nice and tight. She was order to be on bed rest for the duration of her recovery. Sue was never one to lay about but she had no choice in this matter. She was just happy she survived thanks to her boys and Dr. Cullen. She shivered at the thought of becoming a vampire. Her heart broke at the thought of what that would have meant for Charlie. She was extremely grateful someone upstairs was looking out for her that day and if you asked her, she would say her Harry had his eyes on her. And Charlie would respond, "Well thank our lucky stars for Harry!"

There was not a jealous bone in Charlie's body when it came to the memory of Harry. He knew how much he meant to Sue and would never disrespect the memory of his late best friend and Sue's first husband. This was one of the most endearing charms that attracted Sue to Charlie. With Sue back home and Leah temporarily living with at the Swan residence, this left Seth to his own accord. No one was around at night to keep him from worrying so much. He was left with his thoughts and his worries when he did not have patrol duties. He wasn't sure what his future held but he hoped that the actions he took to save Jacob would alleviate most of, if not, all of the problems caused by his trusting nature and his big mouth! Although Seth felt alone most nights, he had really only had about two nights by himself, because Brady and Collin took it upon themselves to keep Seth occupied. Two nights may not seem like a lot of time but when you have the fucking weight of the world on your shoulders, two days seemed like an eternity! Seth was utterly grateful for Brady and Collin and the fact that the pack had forgiven his transgressions. He was no longer getting daily beating although deep down he felt he still deserved them. Being around Brady and Collin, Seth was able to be freed from his thoughts and worries if only for a moment. If they were not at Brady's playing video games, they were at Seth watching movies. Most night, they ate dinner at Sam and Emily's. Life was starting to turn around for the young wolf and he couldn't be more happier.

Then there was Jacob and Nessie. Jacob was able to get out of bed by the fourth day. He had packed on a significate amount of weight and muscle mass and he was still gaining more day by day. His body was beginning to fill out and the ghostly look that had settled on his face was now gone. Nessie never left his side. She basically moved into his house. No one in her family was complaining one bit. They had not been apart from each other in the past two weeks. When Sue was released, both Jake and Nessie went to visit her. Sue was so happy to see Jacob going back to his healthy old self. She was over the moon that Nessie had come to her senses and accepted the imprint. She knew the implications of rejecting an imprint and was slightly afraid they had been too late to save both Jake and Nessie. Charlie was happy to see his granddaughter again. He had missed her these past three years. He was a little skeptical of her relationship with Jacob since he still could not get over the fact that although she looked seventeen, she was still only seven human years. The age gap between her and Jacob was bothersome for Charlie but Nessie didn't let that faze her. She told her grandfather that she was the happiest she had ever been and life without Jacob was not a life she wanted. Besides, her parents had given their blessings, well at least mom had. Dad is still begging her to take this slow, to think about what she is doing and to please always be careful. He still thought of Jacob as dangerous and didn't trust the wolf in him. Jacob was not worried about what Edward thought. He could care less. He only cared about one opinion in this world and that was the opinion of his imprint, his Nessie. Everything else did not matter.

Although Nessie stayed with Jacob, nothing had happen so far. They both wanted to wait until Jacob was strong enough, however there were many nights they had gone to the edge of no return. Jacob's wolf was still screaming to mark Nessie. Nessie really wanted to be with Jacob in the most intimate of ways, but she did not want to push him in his current state and he did not want to push her into something she was not ready for. Both were feeling the frustration building within themselves. The needed release was almost becoming unbearable for both. Nessie had confessed to Jacob she was scared because she had never been intimate with anyone. Jacob let her know that he was in the same boat. He had never had sex with anyone. Nessie was slightly relieved she would not be the only one in this relationship that would be inexperienced in the matter of sex. Of course, she now felt the added pressure of wanting the first time with Jake to be perfect or as perfect as it could be for both of them.

"Baby, what is running through that pretty little mind of yours?" Nessie was snapped out of her daydreaming about what it would be like to be with Jake.

"Huh? Oh, nothing, just thinking about everything that has happened," she lied. She was embarrassed about admitting her lustful thought about being with Jake. He smiled at her and pulled her in for a kiss. She loved the feel of his lips on hers. Shivers ran up and down her spine when his warm breath caressed against her skin. She love how he tasted and wondered what he would taste like when they finally made the move to go further in this relationship. She moaned into his mouth at the thought of his salty sweetness. He swallowed her moan and growled in response. He was able to smell her arousal and wanted nothing more than to taste her sweetness. Since she was sitting on his lap, he was sure she could feel his arousal as his jeans became tighter. They pulled away from the kiss, panting. Their hearts beating faster and the heat between them rising. Jacob was thankful Billy was not home at the moment. Even though the couple had not left each other's side, they had not had a real chance to be alone with pack members and their imprints coming and going, visiting their alpha and his imprint. Several nights, dinner was held at the Black residence to celebrate the reunion of the couple and when no one came around, Billy was there with them. This was his house after all!

But today he was away and that left the couple with much needed alone time. They sat in the living room watching a movie. Nessie nestled on Jake's lap, her head resting against his chest when they were not kissing, hearing his heartbeat. He could hear the rapid beat of her heart as it sped with his every touch on her skin. He smiled at the effect his touch had on her. While pretending to watch the movie, he experimented with the effect his touch had on her. With the arm that was wrapped around her waist, his hand crested the exposed skin of her hip. This touch seem to raise her state of arousal. He was able to smell her becoming more and more aroused as he traced patterns on her hip. The hand gently caressing up and down on her arm seemed to relax and calm her. Oh but the best touch of all was the touch of his lips on the crook of her neck, for this touch cause her breathing to hitch and soft moans to escape her lips from time to time. This was his favorite touch. The sounds of her moans caused his clothed member to become painfully engorged against her thigh and he knew she could feel him. This was his favorite torture. Even though his wolf was scratching at the surface to mark her, Jacob was simply enjoying the pleasurable torture he was afflicting on her as well as himself. The anticipation drove him wild with want. This was all he could enjoy until she was ready and he aimed to enjoy it to the fullest. He would wait.

So, while he waited, he placed feather light kisses on her neck, moving up her jawline until he reached her earlobe. He then nipped her earlobe between his teeth as she shivered at the touch. He moved back down to her neck and begin to place open mouth kisses against her skin as she exposed more of her neck to him. This simple act of submission drove his wolf wild. His wolf was pleased with the gesture. He placed his face into the crook of her neck and smiled against her skin as he deeply inhaled her scent. He could feel her quiver and smell her heighten arousal while she quietly moaned with pleasure.

"Jake…" she moaned and he almost lost it as he was momentarily dazed by the way she whispered his name. "Jacob…"

"Hmmm…" he murmured against her skin in response as he was buzzing with pleasure.

"Baby, your phone is vibrating," she said.

"Huh?" he whispered, kissing her neck, still caught up in the moment. She pulled away from him and a slightly shook him. He shook his head to release himself from his daze and looked at her. "What?" he questioned.

"You're phone is vibrating, baby."

"What?" he stated again and then, "Oh! My phone!" he said as he finally heard what Nessie was saying to him. He pulled it out of his pocket, slightly brushing against his erection causing himself to twitch. He looked up at Nessie and saw her bite her lip as she eyes his crotch area. She looked up at Jacob and blushed at being caught. He smirked at her, liking her response as he answered his phone. While he answered his phone, he caressed her jaw with the back of his hand and blew her a kiss. She blushed again as she giggled.

"Hey, what's up Embry? Long time no see, bro!"

"Hey Jake! Been awhile, man! How you doing, bro?"

"I am doing so much better," he winked at Nessie. She blushed again.

"Yeah? How's that pretty little lady of yours treating you now-a-days?"

"Ah man! You know how it is! She's great! I love having her back!" he smiled at her and she leaned over for a light kiss he was sure Embry could hear.

"That's great news Jake! I'm so happy for you both!"

"Thanks man! I couldn't be happier!" he beamed.

"Oh I can think of a way she can make you happier!" Embry teased. Jacob laughed knowing exactly what he meant.

"God, don't I know it!" he stated as pulled Nessie closer to him.

"How is that going?"

"Slow man. Very, very slow."

"Blue balls slow?" Embry laughed.

"You know it!" Jacob confirmed while laughing. Nessie glared at him because she could hear Embry laughing on the other end of the phone. He looked at her and innocently shrugged his shoulders.

"Anyways, Jake! I called because of bonfire!" Embry said with enthusiasm!

"Oh! No shit! When?"

"Tonight man!"

"Sweet! I'm down!"

"Of course you are moron!" Embry stated laughing.

"Fuck you, bitch!" Jacob stated back playfully while laughing.

"Haha! You wish fucker!"

"Not even close!"

"Yeah, that's what she said!" Embry roared with laughter. Jacob could hear Quil laughing in the background.

"Oh is that how it is!" Jacob asked still jokingly.

"Apparently, blue balls!" More laughter from both Embry and Quil.

"Ah man! Fuck you and Quil! I can hear his ass in the background!" Both Embry and Quil roared with laughter again.

"Ah! I'm just kidding! I'm just kidding man!" Embry said as he was trying to contain his laughter. "But for real man. I will see you at the bonfire."

"Yeah, alright man. I will see you there and tell Quil I'm gonna beat his ass when I see him!" Jacob threatened while laughing.

"Quil said you wish!" Both Embry and Quil roaring with laughter again!

"You know what! I'm gonna hang up now!" Jacob warned lightheartedly.

"I kid! I kid! A'ight man! We'll see you later! Tell Ness we said hi!"

"Will do! Later fuckers!" Jacob said as he hung up, shaking his head while chuckling at his best friends antics. Both Embry and Quil were still roaring with laughter when Jacob hung up with them. It had been so long since they had joked around like this. Quil and Embry were happy to have their best friend back. They missed the old Jake. The one that they could play around with and joke with. They both appreciated him as their alpha but he was their best friend first and foremost!

Embry chuckled as he hung up with Jake, shaking his head. Quil contained his laughter long enough to ask, "So, he coming right?"

Embry nodded his head, unable to speak. Quil sensed the shift in Embry's mood. He stepped up to him and took him in his arms. This was all Embry needed as he began to sob into Quil's shoulder. The emotions overtook him and he just let the tears escape his eyes while holding onto Quil for support. Quil didn't say a word. No words were needed. He just held his friend until Embry was able to collect himself again.

"I-I t-thought … I-I w-wa-was s-sure…" he sobbed into Quil shoulder. Quil held him tighter.

"Yeah. I know man. I know," was all he needed to say. He knew what Embry was feeling. He felt it too. They thought their best friend was lost. They would never see his smiling face again. That night when the monitors stopped, they thought they had lost him for good. They hugged each other that night like they were hugging now. Each supporting the other. The dynamic trio was almost down one member. Embry sighed, collected himself and wiped away his tears. Quil pulled back and tilted his head slightly to catch Embry's gaze.

"All good brother?" he asked his friend, his brother.

"Yeah. I'm good," Embry said as he was nodding his head and wiping the last of tears. "All good."

"Good. Now let's go collect the firewood before Sam has our hides!" he said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. Embry smiled and mock punched his shoulder, showing his appreciation for his presence. With that both gave each a final hug then headed out in search of wood for the bonfire being held tonight.

Sam had announced a bonfire was to take place tonight to celebrate the acceptance of the imprint for their alpha and the release of stipulations on Seth. Earlier that day, they finally received the phone call they had been waiting for. The council members decided Seth had paid for his transgression and were releasing him from his stipulation. They stated he was allowed to do more research since this is what helped saved the alpha. The tribes privy library were once again assessable to Seth. This time he would not take the information, contained within the library, lightly. This time he learned to respect the histories and secrets of the tribe with more reverence than in the past.

After leaving the town hall, Seth broke down feeling the weight of the past three years being lifted off his shoulders. He was finally able to breathe again. He felt lighter than he had ever felt before. With his new found freedom, there was one thing he knew he wanted to do above anything else. He needed to see his mom. With that thought, Seth raced out of the town hall and headed towards the Swan residence. This time, he did not need to wait for anyone to chaperone him. This time he could come and go as he pleased. He never again wanted to find himself in that position again. He vowed he would never forget the effects of his mistakes. He wasn't afraid of being kicked off the reservation and forced never to phase again. That he could handle. What he couldn't handle was losing his friend, his alpha, his big brother. That would have been a worse fate, worse than anything else that was thrown his way. No. Seth would never forget the effect of running his stupid big mouth when he had no right too.

As he neared, the Swan residence, Seth practically jumped out of his car before he could put it in park. He raced up the steps and knocked excitedly while waiting anxiously for someone to answer the door. Chief Swan ripped open the door about to rip into whoever was disturbing his peaceful household when his eyes caught the sight before him. Seth! Seth had finally come to see his mother. Charlie was not sure what took him so long but he knew it must have been something important to keep Seth away from Sue. He was always by her side since he was her baby. Charlie stood back and welcomed Seth into the house.

"Hey Seth! Long time no see! Everything alright?" he questioned, cocking an eyebrow.

"Everything is perfect now Charlie! Everything is perfect," Seth beamed.

"Well good! Now go on upstairs. She is in her room on bed rest. She's been waiting to see you," he stated as he gestured towards the stairs. Seth's face lit up as he thanked Charlie and bound up the stairs, taking two at a time. He raced down the short hallway and as he entered the room, his face fell and shock dominated his facial features. There on the bed laid his broken mother. Her broken limbs covered in plaster. Tears begin to well up in his eyes. She looked at him and smiled, tears filling her eyes as well.

"Sethy…" she whispered. "My baby! Come here!" she cried. He did what he was told and fell into her plastered arms and cried into her shoulders. If she was able to move her arms, she would have certainly have held onto her son and rocked him while she comforted him. "Shh…it's okay sweetie. I'm okay. I will be fine. Just need time to heal these old bones. Sethy look at me, please." He looked up at her with tear stained cheeks. "Oh baby. Don't cry. It's going to be all good, okay?" He nodded and proceeded to wipe away his tears and hers.

"I love you mom!" he bent over and kissed her cheek.

"Oh, baby and I love you! Momma will be okay. I'm here. I'm alive and I'm not a damn bloodsucker!" she laughed. He chuckled and nodded. "Now come on. Leah, get up so your brother can sit down and tell me what he has been doing these last two weeks." It was only then that Seth had realized his sister was sitting beside their mother. He turned around and looked at her.

"Hey." He smiled weakly at her. She stood up and took him into an embrace. Leah was a cold-hearted bitch. Life made sure she was. She had harden her heart to everyone but when it came to her baby brother she couldn't help it. She had a soft spot for him. She was very protective of him. She did not show it very often and there were times her show of affection was through anger, but she loved him and he knew it. She pulled away and softly punched his shoulder. He smiled at her and then sat in the chair she had occupied before.

"Tell me," his mother begin. He knew what she wanted to hear.

"I'm free. Everything is lifted."

"Oh Baby! I'm so happy for you sweetie!"

"Thanks mom! I'm so relieved."

"I know baby."

"Mom, I'm sorry," he began, "I was wrong and I have learned my lesson. The tribe secrets are to be respected. I'm sorry I ever disrespected them and in turn disrespected my elders, my tribe, but most of all I disrespect you and for that I am truly very sorry. I sit here now begging for your forgiveness mother. I'm sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"

"I already have, sweetie. I already have," she smiled lovingly at him. Tears once again streaming down both of their faces.

"Mom, you have to tell him," Leah interrupted.

"Tell me what?" he looked at both women, confused.

"Mom," Leah pleaded. She looked at her mother and her mother nodded.

"Seth, it's nothing bad. It will depend upon how you look at it."

"Okay, you're scaring me. What is it mom?"

"Seth calm down. Okay so for the past six months or so, I have been having these dreams. Your father is in the spirit world and he is trying to reach out to me."

"What?" he wondered.

"He was trying to tell me something. When I was in a coma, I found myself in his presence."

"Oh mom!" he whispered.

"Yes. I know. I missed that man so much. He told me how much he missed me and how much he misses you, the both of you! He is so proud of you two! He only wished he could have been here when you phased."

"I wish he was here too. I really miss him." Seth said.

"I know Sethy. I know. Well anyways, he was finally able to give me the message he had been so hard trying to tell me through my dreams. Seth, before I tell you this, please promise me you will keep an open mind?"

"Yes mom, what is it?" he gulped and wondered what the message was?

"Seth, this is for you and your sister. Your dad told me that both of you will imprint," he smiled at this revelation, "however, Leah's imprint will solely depend upon yours."

"What? What does that even mean?"

"Seth, if you imprint before your sister, her imprint will be lost to her, forever." He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Just a few minutes ago, he was light as a feather with the weight of the world being lifted off his shoulders only to have it come crashing down on him again only this time it was ten times worse. How could this be? "Seth, honey, please don't be upset."

"How am I not supposed to be upset? My sister's happiness is dependent on me! Wait! Are you saying that if Leah imprints before me, than we will both have a chance at imprinting, at happiness?" Seth questioned.

"Yes, that is exactly what I am saying. But this will not be easy especially with your sister being here helping me out. Secluded," she waited for Seth to pick up on the meaning behind her words.

"Fuck…I'm going to have to stay out of the public eye aren't I?"

"Language Seth and yes." She let this sink in. Seth had finally got his freedom back but now he would still have to be under house arrest until Leah imprints and there is no guarantee when that would be. If he became selfish and went out and risk accidently imprinting, then there went her chances. He cursed internally. Shit!

"Seth, there is good news."

"What is it?" a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Her imprinting depended on the acceptance of the alpha imprint. Once that happens then she is close to finding her imprint."

"Wait! How is Leah's imprinting dependent on Jacob's? What does that even mean?" he was really confused.

"Seth, all I know is what your father told me. I don't know any more than what I have already told you." He sat there molding over the information he had just received. How was Jake's imprint related to Leah? It didn't make any sense. What sucked worse was having to be under house arrest again just so he wouldn't fuck up her chances. Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Did he mentioned if I was going to imprint on a man or woman?" he asked his mother.

"So you know?" she whispered in surprise and relief.

"Yes, I know I'm a submissive but I do have a chance of imprinting on a woman and she will carry my children but I also have an equal chance of imprinting on a man which means I would be the one to carry his children."

"Sweetie, you do know it's not just any man?" she wondered.

"What now?" she piqued his interest. What was she trying to tell him?

"Seth, if you imprint on a man it will be a shape shifter. A dominate," she informed him. His eyes widen for he knew when a dominate imprints on a submissive, he will stop at nothing to mate with him as soon as the imprint takes place, regardless if the submissive imprints on the dominate or not. He was in risk of being taken without his permission. No. This can't be happening. How is this happening to me? This must be punishment from the spirits for having revealed the tribe secrets to an outsider. Shit!

"Seth talk to me," his mother asked with concern. She knew exactly what it meant to be submissive. She had done her research as soon as Seth was born and it was revealed what he was. She was scared for her baby.

"Mom, I just don't know. It's a lot to take in. I just…" he trailed off.

"Seth…" Leah spoke. He looked up and met her gazed. "I'm sorry," she whispered. He swallowed hard and slowly nodded his head. He knew she could not control this. It was not her fault. He couldn't place blame on her. His heart sank with this new information. He sat back in the chair and sighed heavily. His heart sank. He was screwed.

"Mom…" he whispered. She looked at him from where she laid.

"Yes baby?" He stayed silent for a long time before he spoke again.

"Why?"

Her heart shattered into a million pieces at the sadness in her son's voice. She wanted to take away his pain. She wanted to shoulder his responsibility.

"oh Seth…" she cried softly. "Baby there are times we have to do things that we don't want to do. It's what's makes us stronger. Your father always told you that you had to take the good with the bad but to always look at the good in life because life is too short to worry about the bad. I'm sorry you have to go through this baby and I wish I could take this from you. No mother ever wants to see her child in pain however we know we cannot prevent it. We can only be there for you. I love you sweetie but I'm not sure why? That is one question that is so hard to answer. The one question I wish I had the answers for." He smiled at her and knew she would not know the answer. Who does ever knows the answer to that question? He had just plummeted from his high of being released from the stipulations. Now he life is in his sister's hand or rather in the hands of the imprinting gods. Damn this suck! He sighed heavily. He placed a smile on his face a looked at his mother and sister. He didn't want them to feel sorry for him. He did not need their pity. He will just continue to do what he has been doing for the last three years. He would just continue to avoid everyone's gazes until the day Leah imprints. Whenever that day may be? He was glad he would not have to wait that long because Nessie had accepted the imprint and that just meant his happiness is one day closer. He will just have to wait for the news that Leah had found her imprint.

"I'm good. Seriously. I can handle this. I will make you proud. This is my chance to redeem myself for the disrespect I have shown towards everyone," he stated with renewed determination. It felt like the spirits were trying everything to break him down and there were times he just couldn't seem find his way home but he would not let this break him. He would prevail because now is the time for him to rise up to this challenge. He was determined to take his life back and he knew his sister and himself deserved their happily ever after. He was determined to see to it that this would happen for them besides he had already went through three years of hell. If he could survive that then he can certainly survive this.

He will just have to pray and hope the spirits take mercy on him and let him imprint on a female because he was too scared to find out how he would deliver his children!

As always...please review. I'm still working on who Leah will imprint and for Seth...man or woman? Bonfire and possible lemony goodness will be next chapter... Until then I hope you enjoyed this chapter...

Much love...