I wasn't planning on updating until I got through exam week, but when inspiration strikes during a double period study-hall, who am I to ignore it? Not to mention the fact that several of my readers were threatening to die or attack me (with a rubber chicken, no less) if I didn't give them another chapter ASAP. This is signifigantly different from my first one-shot- darker, more exciting (I hope), and more emotional. But imprinting certainly isn't always light and fluffy- finding a soulmate for life is serious business. Anyway, I already have an idea for my next chapter, and that will be more on the romantic-comedy side of things, like the first one was. So, that's that. Love, LittlefairyAV

Intruder

Seth Clearwater's Perspective

Suddenly, every werewolf at the bonfire whipped his head towards the shadowy woods bordering the beach. We all started towards the edge of the trees, instinctively positioning ourselves in our pack formation, Sam in the lead. We had started our weekly pack meeting, and had been discussing a pair of nomads when we had all heard a distinct rustle in the bushes behind us. As we approached the source of the noise, Paul and a few other members of the pack began to shake in fury. Someone had been spying on us, and we were not amused. Sam motioned silently for them to remain calm and human, and then reached into the spring foliage.

Whoever was hiding in the bush gave a shriek of surprise and began to struggle. For some reason, the fearful cry sent a jolt through my heart, but I shook the feeling off. Sam grabbed the intruder by the wrist and dragged her with irresistible force out into the open, as we all growled in anger.

Suddenly, I saw the face of the intruder, and I gasped. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Her hair and eyes were the darkest black, and her honey colored face glowed in the afternoon light. She was strong, I could see that, but she was terrified. Her wide, frightened eyes met mine, and I took a staggered step forward, as if their midnight depths were magnetically pulling me towards her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sam was asking the girl angrily. "This is a private ceremony! Why don't you respect our traditions? Who do you think you are?"

"I'm sorry," the girl said, her lovely voice breaking. "So sorry. I was curious… I wanted to know why…"

Suddenly Sam slapped her across the face. Uncontrollable fury rose in me. How dare he? I growled, and raced to where the girl lay, crouched on the sand while Sam towered over her. Sam looked at me in confusion and frustration.

"Get back, Seth!" he ordered.

I fought against the order with everything I had- I could not let this perfect girl be harmed. I had to protect her; I had to comfort her. Sam's command could not bind me, could not keep me from the one I loved. I continued to walk forward, and with a single move positioned myself between Sam and the girl.

"No." I said through gritted teeth, pushing him away from where the girl lay shaking on the ground. He looked at me with shock and sudden rage.

"You dare to defy me? I am your Alpha! Let me by."

"I'll never let you touch her," I said, "No matter who you are."

I saw that many of the pack-members were shaking, fury burning in their eyes. To disobey the Alpha, to fight him? I had betrayed the pack. Yet, I felt no remorse- only rightness. I was protecting the girl, the girl I would do anything for.

I turned to her. She was looking up at me with an expression I could not understand. Seeing her face made me feel weak with love, and I willed her to trust me, to understand that I would take care of her. These moments in her presence were like nothing I had ever experienced. The thought of being away from her was unbearable, but I could see that this confrontation could easily become a fight, and I would not allow her to be in the midst of it. Any one of us might phase at any moment. "Listen to me," I said to the girl in a low and urgent tone. "I need you to run. I'll hold them off, and they won't come after you. If you stay here, you might be hurt."

"Seth…I…" she began, looking at me with such emotion in her eyes that I wondered if she could possibly care for me. "I… will I ever see you again?"

My heart was breaking as I whispered, "I don't know. I hope…" The growls of the pack interrupted me, warning me that I did not have much time. "Now go. You need to get away from here."

"Goodbye, Seth," she said. "Thank you." She stood and ran into the forest

As soon as she was out of sight, I allowed the scorching anger I felt at the pack to overcome me, and I phased into my wolf-form. The others changed as well, and the air was filled with an uproar of echoing growls.

What is wrong with you, Seth? Why did you protect the spy, the intruder? Sam asked in his mind.

What choice did I have? I thought. I couldn't allow her to be hurt.

My mind filled with thoughts of that girl. She was so beautiful. Whatever happens now, it will be worth it if she is safe. Still, it hurts to think I may never see her again. I wish I could have held her and comforted her; she looked so sad and scared. I wish I could have kissed her goodbye…

Sam interrupted me, reminding me that everyone could hear my thoughts. Seth. That's enough. Change back now. We need to talk.

Promise me no one will go after her, I thought, resisting the order.

Alright, everyone. We'll leave the girl alone. No one chase her, Sam thought, right before he changed back into a human

I was surprised that he had agreed to my request. Shouldn't he be furious at me? Now that I knew no harm would come to the girl, I phased.

Sam said, in a tired voice, "Come with me."

I walked down by the tide with him, wondering why he wasn't ripping me to shreds.

"Sam, I..." I began. He cut me off.

"Seth, listen," he said, looking at me. He let out a heavy sigh. "I owe you an apology. I'm so sorry. I should have realized what had happened when you disobeyed me. I was angry, but that's no excuse."

"What do you mean?"

"Seth. You imprinted."

I gasped. Everything had been happening so fast, I hadn't had time to wonder why I felt so much for the stranger. But now I realized that Sam was right. "Oh my god." I said. "I did, didn't I?"

"There is only one thing stronger than a wolf's bond to his Alpha. It is his bond to his soul-mate," Sam said in a low voice, his eyes on the distant horizon. He finally broke from his abstraction, saying, "Of course you acted the way you did. If anyone struck Emily…" He shuddered. "I'm surprised you were able to keep from attacking me." He laughed bitterly. "Now, go find her. You can't live without her for very long. You already miss her, don't you? Well, go now, I'll talk to the others. Go."

"Thank you, Sam," I said, as I ran into the woods to search for my true love.

Dusk was falling, and the forest was shadowy and cool. I walked quietly under the moss covered branches, all my senses alert. I felt a longing in my chest to see my imprint again. Finally I came across her scent, a scent so compelling I felt my heart begin to race. She had gotten farther than I had expected her to, and by the time I found her, shivering on the forest floor in the hollow root of a tree, the light had faded. She stood up, relief and powerful emotion on her face, and I ran to her, wrapping her in a tight hug.

She looked up at me, her tear-stained face filled with anxiety. "Did they hurt you? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine." I assured her. "How are you? Why didn't you go home?"

"I was so scared, Seth. I got lost," she said, tears rolling down her perfect face. "Oh, Seth. I'm so glad you came back. I was afraid they would fight you. They all looked so angry, and..." she broke down.

"Don't cry," I said, "Please don't. Everything's alright. I'm here now."

"What happened? Why didn't they fight you?"

"Well… normally, you're right, they would have… I mean, doing what I did- I broke every rule... they were furious… but I talked to Sam. He understands now."

"What do you mean? What did he need to understand?" I gazed into her eyes, so dark and endless and dizzying.

"He needed to understand that this was… a special circumstance."

Her face held so many questions, but I wasn't ready to answer them in words. So I held her close and kissed her softly in the darkening forest, the sound of our heartbeats mixing with the rustle of the leaves in the wind.

Fine

A few notes on this chapter:

1. In my interpretation of the Twilight series, werewolves can break official commands for the sake of their imprint. Sam couldn't tell Leah the truth, but once he found Emily, he could tell her everything. Why? Because the imprinting bond is stronger than any other.

2. I have nothing against Sam. I just think he takes his responsibility very seriously, and that character trait gave me the basis for his actions. A spy learning pack secrets could have serious repercussions on the entire tribe. Of course, the irony is that now, 'the girl' will learn everything anyway.

3. I picked Seth because I could, not because of any specific character trait. So if that bothers you, pretend it's somebody else.