I was leaning against Jared as we rocked slowly to the first slow song of the night. It was the 'Farewell Dance' and there were only seven days left until I had the entire summer to spend with the guy I love and my two best friends. My mother was even going back to work part-time in a month so she wouldn't be in my hair, and Libby was signed up for daycare so I was free of babysitting.

As I leaned my head on Jared's warm chest I thought about our relationship. It had started fast and in the beginning I worried it would keep speeding by, but we had just reached a comfortable place and sort of…settled, and Jared was certainly not pushing me anywhere. Though that isn't to say we hadn't had some intimate moments. I remembered earlier this evening when Jared had come to pick me up.

Earlier that evening…

Jared had come to pick me up, with a beautiful yellow rose in hand. I had answered the door and he handed me the flower before kissing me softly on the cheek. My parents had gone through the whole, curfew, be safe, and picture taking, embarrassing routine. And then we were free to go. As soon as we were out the door Jared had pulled me quickly to the passengers side of the car. He pushed me forcefully, but gently enough so it didn't hurt, against the side of the Jeep and the he kissed me. He kissed me more passionately than he had ever before and my hands instantly shot up to his hair, one f his harms was still braced against the Jeep but the other found its way around my waist.

After several minuets Jared pulled back and we both sorted ourselves out, straightening hair and clothes. Jared opened the car door for me and ran quickly around to the other side of the car. After he pulled away he looked down at my dress. It was pale green and strapless, it came to about mid thigh and just under my bust the fabric pulled to one side. I really loved it and both Liza and Katie approved so I bought it on the spot a couple weeks ago with money from my artwork.

"Kim, are you trying to kill me?" Jared suddenly burst out halfway to the school.

"Excuse me?"

"That-that dress!" He eventually stuttered out. My face fell.

"You don't like it?"

"No! No that's the problem Kim! You look outstanding; it was torture keeping away from you while your parents were with us. And now we are headed to a dance with a bunch of guys, guys who will be looking at you, you are wearing that dress. I swear to god, you are going to give me heart attack."

"Aw, I really do find jealous Jared awfully cute. But you know the solution right?" He shook his head implying no. "Just stay with my all night."

"Sounds like a plan." He grinned. "You really do look amazing Kim. And I love you, you put up with my stupid over protective self and somehow still love me." He pulled into a free space and I leaned over to kiss him.

"It's a gift."

And now back to the present…

It had been the perfect start to the perfect evening. As the song ended Jared and I pulled apart and agreed we would sit this one out. I went over to one of the cafeteria tables that had been set up and Jared went over to another for some water. He came back and sat down, as I took a sip of water and leaned my head on Jared's chest Embry cam over, his eyes wild.

"Jared! Dude I imprinted! I never appreciated this stupid transformation but… It was amazing I feel so alive man…she's a freshman her name is Sarah, and man she is amazing! I mean I saw what is was like for you and Kim, for Sam and Emily, and for Quil and Claire but…whoa!" Quil was another Quilet kid in our grade who had started hanging around with Jared and everyone; I think he was working for Sam like Jared and Embry were. It was some kind of security gig.

But right now I was going over what Embry said trying to figure out what he was talking about. You and Kim…imprinted…saw what is was like…transformation…I couldn't figure it out, like it was some weird code. I looked to Jared to see if he knew what Embry was babbling about, Embry who had drifted back to whatever girl he was talking about. It seemed he did and whatever it was made him really angry. His large for was shaking and he was muttering under his breath; "Damn it Embry!" over and over.

I rested my hand on Jared's arm and the shaking slowed and after several minuets stopped. I knew I ought to leave it but I was sick of leaving it. I knew in my gut this had something to do with whatever Jared wasn't telling me. The secret that kept me up at night wondering what was so bad that he couldn't tell me. And I was willing to wait, I really was. But that was when I thought it was just something bad he did in the past or something else insignificant. But I knew now this was about us and I was done waiting.

"Jared," I started softly. "It is time to spill the beans."

"Yeah Kim, I know."

We were sitting on the beach now, about a quarter of an hour later. Well, I was sitting on the beach looking up at Jared who had been pacing back and forth for about five minuets driving me crazy. Just as I was considering screaming or at very least hitting my head into something Jared dropped onto the sand in front of me sitting with his legs crossed.

"Kim you know the old tribal legends?" He looked desperate and upset but I couldn't just forget about the reason we were here.

"Um Jared? You're supposed to be telling me…something, not making small talk."

"I'm getting to it I swear. Please just answer?"

"Fine! Yes, about the "sprit wolves and cold ones" a.k.a. werewolves and vampires. The protectors and that guy Taha Aki with like three wives throughout his like freakishly long life. I don't know why we couldn't have had normal…Jared what's this got to do with the price of eggs?"

"Eggs? What?"

"Its an expression Jared!"

"Oh, right. Kim?" He grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes as if looking for something. To be honest I was a little freaked out. "The legends are real, true stories, and I'm living them." Slowly I pulled my hand from his. Warily.

"Jared what are you trying to say?"

"Kim, I'm a werewolf."

"Excuse me? Excuse me? Are you having a laugh Jared?"

"No Kim, ugh this isn't…Kim it isn't a joke!" He looked upset and confused, like he didn't know what he was supposed to do next. I guess there isn't exactly a book titled, How to Tell Her You're a Were Wolf: For Dummies.

"Jared you better be kidding!"

"I'm not!"

"What are you skitzo? Like seriously Jared, cause I'll totally stick by you if you need some professional help."

"Kim I'm not crazy." I snorted. "There's kind of…more." He winced, bracing himself for my reaction and I didn't disappoint.

"More! My boyfriend who is apparently crazy drags me out to a beach to tell me that he turns into a wolf at will and then says there is more?" I roared incredulous.

"Yes."

"Pray tell Jared, what is this 'more'?" I asked pseudo calmly.

"Well it's about imprinting, what Embry was talking about earlier. Kim I imprinted on you."

"Okay Jared, that's nice and all, but the word doesn't mean much to me." I was being hostile and I knew it but didn't really care at that point, werewolf and imprinting weren't really part of my vocabulary, crazy was however.

"When a wolf sees his…soul mate I guess you could say, for the first time after he begins to phase he knows just by looking at her. And it is so much more, her happiness means everything to him, her safety too and it is like gravity just shifts and she is the center of your universe."

"Excuse me?"

"Do I have to say it all again Kim? You have to admit that was a pretty hefty, and also impressive, speech."

"No I just- I just want to know something. Lets' pretend for a moment you haven't completely lost your marbles, this wolf power thing, imprinting or whatever, that is the reason you decided to acknowledge me? That is the reason you love me?" Salty tears were burning down my cheeks.

"What? Kim no! ...Albeit yes that is the reason I knew I was meant for you but Kim I love you because you're smart, and funny, and your gorgeous and talented and so sweet! I love you Kim!"

"Yeah b-but only because some freaky voice in your head said you should. And why, if this is all true, didn't you tell me before?"

"Aw Kim I wanted to but I also wanted us to be as normal as possible for as long as possible, you know for a mythical creature and his imprint... Plus I wanted you to love me for…me, not because you had to, you always had a choice."

"But you don't! And you didn't!" I was sobbing now and could barely see Jared in front of me, but I knew him well enough that I could tell by the sound of his voice, he was close to tears himself. I shouldn't feel bad, but I did.

"Kim I love you for you! There are no voices and I'm not crazy! It isn't just me, Sam and Embry and Jake all of them are going through this too, well Jake hasn't imprinted but…you know what I mean. Kim, please say you believe me? Say that it's okay! Say you still love me! Please?" He whispered the last word and all I wanted was to fling myself at him and kiss him, but I couldn't.

"No Jared, I'm not sure what's going on and I do love you, but I don't think things can go back, it isn't okay. I don't know if this is some lame attempt at a joke or what but...you should take me home." I was still crying but now was doing so silently, it was more like...leaking.

Jared drove me home just like I asked. He didn't say anything the whole ride there but honestly there wasn't anything he could say. When he dropped me off he waited in the car and watched until I was safely inside before pulling away. More than anything else that had happened that night, him driving away probably broke my heart the most.


Saturday, the next day…

I had walked in the door still crying and ran into the kitchen, I dug around in the back of the freezer for my emergency Ben & Jerry's and then ran up to my room. I tore off my dress ands pulled on my oldest and most comfortable pajamas. I locked the door to my room and bundled up in my comforter, I was buckled down ready for a day of wallowing with the guys who had gotten my through the hardest times in my life.

It was past noon on Saturday now, I had an ice-cream hangover and I was still in the same spot. I read somewhere once that you could only cry 64 tears at a time. What bull! My Dad had come to the door asking what was wrong, Larry had offered to beat up Jared, even my mother tried to help. I just ignored them though. I was going to wallow the old fashion way, alone.

But unfortunately someone thought to call Liza and Katie, and Katie, with her years of eavesdropping for gossip, knew all too well how to pick a lock. They had burst in my room each with a large duffle bag and a gob of bags from the grocery store.

"Kimmy baby get ready for the ultimate slumber party! We are armed with beauty products, chick flicks, candy, and ice cream and have forced your father to order three very large, very cheesy pizzas!" Liza exclaimed as she burst into my room.

All I wanted to do was wallow, over the fact that the guy I loved was insane or had a really bad sense of humor, and I certainly didn't want Katie bust open my door then come over to the bed in order to yank on my blankets forcing me to roll out of them and onto the floor.

I also hadn't planned on outrageous makeovers, a zillion movies, so much junk food it was a miracle I didn't barf or reading tens of trashy, girly magazines. But that is what I got and though it wasn't what I had imagined for my weekend it was a perfect solution.

And I was more grateful to my friends than you could possibly imagine.

So there you have it kids The Chapter. In both imprinting stories I have done this is probably the hardest chapter to write so please, please tell me what you think. Last chapter went over better than I thought, since it is a filler/possible building block for later. So thanks reviewers!

I've started the next chapter but I don't know when I'll get it up, the chapter should be fairly long though...

Now, please let me know. Sequel later once I wrap this up, or Fewer Updates and keep this one going ?

So LJ moment! Some of you may have noticed I like nifty phrases like 'Cool Beans' 'Aces' 'The Pits' and so on and so forth. Well I picked up a new one! 'Unchallenged'. Not really sure where...it just kinda popped out earlier and I liked the sound of it so...it is now part of my vocabulary :)

But yer, thanks for reading and (hopefully) reviewing, past present and future.