Author's Note: Ok guys I'm REALLY sorry that this chap is so short but my 'rents r coming to visit so I can't exactly have them read my stuff so I gotta post this ASAP! Again I'm like really sorry bout this guys, but I promise the next chap will be a lot longer!! R&R!

Disclaimer: sadly I don't own any of these freakin awesome characters. :P enjoy!

Chapter 3

"She didn't tell you anything . . ."

I woke to the delicious smell of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes. This was the reason I loved staying overnight at Emily and Sam's—there was always food. I slowly opened my eyes and immediately remembered why I was on the couch. Leah was still fast asleep in my arms. She must be exhausted from all that vomiting last night. I gently kissed her hair and untangled myself from her arms that were around my waist and got up. Hoping that she wouldn't wake up, I tiptoed out of the living room and walked to the kitchen.

The guys were already huddled around the table stuffing their faces as Emily cooked another batch of eggs. I laughed and grabbed myself a plate before sitting down next to Jacob and Paul.

"Well, well, well if it isn't Sleeping Beauty," Paul teased nudging my side with his elbow.

"What time is it?" I yawned and stretched my tired muscles.

"Ten," Sam answered. "You and Leah have been sleeping for almost twelve hours. You're lucky I didn't want to wake up Leah by dumping a bucket of ice on you at 6 a.m."

"Yeah, jerk. We all had to run morning patrol," Quil snapped, reaching over to hit me on the back of my head.

"Hey, no fighting at the breakfast table," Emily said in her motherly 'I'm in charge" voice. "Take this plate to Leah," Emily handed me a plate with small portions of food on it. "She'll need to eat something." I pushed myself from the table and grabbed my untouched cup of orange juice and walked to the living room. Leah opened her eyes sleepily and groaned as she sat up on the couch. I sat down next to her feet and placed the plate of food on her lap.

"Thanks Embry," she said smiling at me. I smiled back and reached up and touched her cheek. I was relieved to feel that her temperature was back to normal but I had to admit she still felt pretty warm, even to me.

"No problem," I replied. "Just eat, you must be starving." She laughed and nodded and started with the bacon. She took a small, cautious bite as if she was afraid her stomach would blow again, but relaxed when it didn't.

"So do you mind telling me why you were sick last night?" I questioned, pushing a strand of hair from her face. She blushed with embarrassment and looked at me sheepishly.

"Well . . ." she began, hesitating before continuing. "You see, when I get pounded with loads of information like that, I get a little overwhelmed and dizzy and the next thing I know I'm hunched over a toilet puking my guts out," she said in a rush to get the words out.

I sighed, "I'm sorry I had to pull you into this mess. I know how confused you must be and if it weren't for imprinting then I would never put you in danger like this." She looked at me with her head tilted to one side trying to comprehend what I said.

"What's imprinting?" she asked.

"Ugh, Em didn't tell you anything did she," I mumbled more to myself than to Leah. She just pursed her lips and disappointedly shook her head. She must have gotten sick before Emily could explain everything.

"All Em said before I puked was that the reason I've felt so drawn to you this past week and the reason that you kept avoiding me was because of imprinting," she said softly. "Then I just had to puke because she told me that Sam still had feelings for me and that's why he freaked out."

I sighed, leaning forward onto my knees holding my head in my hands. She swung her legs off the couch and linked an arm under mine, resting her head on my shoulder. "I wish I could explain that imprinting is something so . . ." I struggled for the words to say, ". . . strong. Leah, it's not something you can turn your back on." I lifted my head, putting one hand under her chin. I looked into her beautiful light brown almost hazel eyes. I could see in them that she understood and that she probably felt the same way about me that I did about her—just a less intense passion.

"When a werewolf imprints it's like they can't live without that person and they'll go crazy if they don't have them. Naturally that person will eventually feel the same and they'll end up with that person even if it takes them a long time." There, that was the best way I could explain it. I couldn't help but hold my breath while she took all that in. What if she was freaked out that I loved her so instantly and she never wanted to see me again? Could I bear to let that happen? Would I let her just walk away?

As if she had read my thoughts she took my face in her tiny hands and said, "I'm not going anywhere." She pressed her lips lightly against mine and I couldn't help but hug her closer to me.

She leaned back and smiled sweetly before taking my hand and leading me into the kitchen. Everyone was done eating and was just relaxing now. There were no more seats at the table so I leaned against the counter with my arm around Leah's waist.

"Nice to see you bounce back pretty damn fast," Paul said chuckling. "I wonder how fast you can get over a hangover."

"Well if you wanna know just ask, I'm sure I can out-drink you any day," Leah retorted with a smug look on her face.

"Ha! You're on!"

"Fifty bucks and I'll be happy to take your money."

"Deal." Paul leaned back in his chair and shook hand with Leah. "Look at you, you're already one of us." Everyone laughed and I sighed. I'm glad everything was pretty much back to normal. Well, almost.