A/N: Apologies for the delay my personal life caught up to me. Thank you for the reviews, follows, and silent readers. Please enjoy, and of course let me know what you think!

Leah's POV

Yesterday really threw me for a loop. After Will dropped me off, I did anything to distract myself. I took an extra-long shower, grooming myself. I painted my toes and nails (something I never did). I tried watching some good old fashion trash TV. Nothing helped. This nagging feeling I had wouldn't go away, and I had no idea what to do. I tromped through the house to the kitchen, opening and closing the fridge and pantry, as if the answer would magically appear.

"Honey, is something the matter?" Sue came to investigate the noise I was making.

"I'm fine…just not sure what I want to eat." That was partly true, I could always eat. Thankfully I didn't have to count calories, otherwise I'd end up on some reality TV show about obese people.

"There's some ice cream in the freezer." She pulled out a spoon from the drawer and eyed me.

"Sure, why not." I said exasperated. I was mad at myself. I went all valley girl on Will, and now I feel permanently embarrassed. I've never gotten like that over any guy, not even with Sam. Who the hell do I talk to about this? Definitely not mom, I trust her advice, but this is where I draw the line. I took the spoon Sue handed me and dug into the pistachio ice cream. Scooping a spoonful, I slowly licked it clean.

"So, who's this guy I heard about catching you falling at the beach?"

Fucking La Push.

"How'd you hear about that mom?" my eyes narrowed. I should've known that would spread fast. One of the many downsides to living in a small town. Especially on a reservation.

"Marie said her son was there, and had gone to help. But the boy you were with took care of you instead. Leah are you sick?"

"No I'm not sick mom. You know I can't get sick." My face contorted, and my head shaking.

"I don't know Leah! You've been cooped up in your room all day, which is so unlike you. I just wanted to make sure." Her hand reaching out to touch mine. I felt guilty for snapping at her then.

"I'm sorry mom…I just feel different after my run yesterday, and I can't shake the feeling. But I promise it's not anything bad, otherwise I'd let you know." Forcing a smile on my face. "I'm gonna take a nap before the barbeque." I stood, setting my spoon in the sink.

"Ok sweetie."

I shut the door to my bed room, picked up my phone, and dropped on my bed.

Just call him. Wait, most people don't talk on the phone anymore. Should I text him?

I felt ridiculous. I scrolled through my contacts to the W's, but couldn't find his name. I scrolled from the beginning noticing a new entry: "Beach Babe". I laughed. Will was definitely a beach babe. I pressed call and waited.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Will?" I started picking at the thread of my shirt.

"You mean 'Beach Babe'?" He was teasing me. "I was worried I got dissed for a moment."

"Very funny, Will. Are you doing anything today?" I sat up in bed, crossing my legs.

"Are you asking me out?" Now he's milking it.

"I'm only asking once." I said forcing myself to sound annoyed, but I liked it.

"Well if you are, I get off work in about an hour. Then I'll go home to change really quickly, and head over to pick you up."

"How do you even know that's why I'm calling?" I couldn't help the smile on my face.

"Because, I was thinking about coming out there to find you if you didn't call me today." His voice suddenly serious. "Also, that's what you told me."

"There's kind of a…family, barbeque later today. I mean if you're up for that." Biting my lip, I stood pacing the room.

"I love barbeque. I'll pick you up in an hour and half."

"See you later, Will."

"Can't wait."

I hung up, chucking the phone to the bed, and running my hands through my hair. What was I doing? There was a fluttering in my chest, I was excited to see Will again. Seth barged in.

"Hey sis, wanna ride together to Jake's?"

"Um, hello, I could've been naked!" I scolded.

"Right. Whatever. So?" Seth nearly took up the entire doorframe.

"You can ride with me and Will." I was surprised at how casually that came out.

"Who's Will?" sitting on my bed, Seth started looking through my phone.

"Give me that. I met him yesterday…on the beach."

"So it's true! I didn't believe it. Not my one and only sister!" I slapped him across the head.

"Yeah, so what. Do you want a ride or not Seth?"

"Of course! I gotta meet the man who swooped my sis off her feet!" he was laughing and wild eyed. Has everyone gone crazy? "Wait 'til mom sees this…Ma!" he shouted.

"Get out!" I pushed him out the door, quickly shutting it. I started digging through my closet for something other than cutoffs and tank tops. I rarely bothered to buy new clothes since phasing, I didn't want to risk ruining something cute or expensive. "Great, I have nothing to wear." I kept digging, until I came across a green sundress. It still had the tags on it. I took another shower to cool down, feeling hotter than usual. I slipped on the spaghetti strapped dress with a V-neck line. Luckily I'd already painted my nails, and started on my hair. I opted to wear my hair down, and let it air dry; I preferred the messy hair look anyway. I put on a little mascara and some tinted berry lip balm. I also grabbed a gray cardigan, just in case.

"Leah, your boyfriend is here!" Seth stopped by the bathroom. "What the…"

"Don't. Say. Anything." I pushed past him, grabbed my phone from the room, and headed to the front. "C'mon pooch." I called out.

"Leah is that…" Sue's face glowed with excitement and shock. I was too embarrassed to take in the fact that my mom looked happy again.

"Yes mom. We'll be back later, love ya!"

"Amazing, right?" Seth chuckled and kissed Sue, "I'll bring you back a plate."

As soon as I saw Will, I felt a huge grin spread across my face. He looked even better with clothes on; perfect fitting jeans and a white t-shirt. It should be the go-to outfit for any guy, in my opinion.

"Leah, you look beautiful." Will met me halfway, wrapping me in his cool arms. I instantly relaxed, feeling calm. I couldn't help myself, and I quickly inhaled his natural scent. I was glad to find out he didn't bathe in cologne like some guys. "Thanks, you're not so bad with clothes on either." I joked. "Will, this is my younger brother, Seth. Seth this is Will."

They shook hands, "I guessed brother, but I wouldn't have guessed, younger." He said with an amused look on his face.

"Brawn runs in the family. Nice to meet the guy who's got my sister looking like a new woman."

"Can we go now?" Maybe I was making a mistake inviting Will. I could only imagine how things would go with the pack. We all got in the truck and headed to Jake's. Seth and Will talked sports for the short ride, and I sat back, feeling nervous about what lay ahead. As if he knew, Will grabbed my hand, giving it a squeeze.

"I haven't seen my sister hold anyone's hand since-"

"Seth." I warned, before he could get the name out.

"Is she always like this?" Will had one hand on the steering wheel, the other still holding my hand, and looking in the rearview mirror at Seth. "You have no idea." Seth winked at me. I sunk myself lower in the seat. "Turn up here." Seth pointed out. No turning back now. I could hear the pack's snarky banter already. Will Parked behind Sam and cut the engine. "Seth go ahead, give us a minute." He grunted in response and jumped out the truck. "Will, just a warning, the guys in my family are…aggressive…and more often than not assholes." All eyes of the pack were on the truck. Will lightly laughed, "Thanks for the heads up. Don't be such a worry wart, we'll have fun." Leah's stomach twisted in knots, as their hands broke loose, opening the door and sliding out of the truck.

Jacob's body language was open, "Leah" he reached out with a squeeze of her shoulder. The Alpha's sunny smile and touch only briefly calmed her nerves. Will had snuck his hand back into hers. "Hey Leah" the rest called in unison. "Hi guys, this is Will." Proceeding to go around the circle naming everyone to Will.

"Bella and Emily are in the kitchen." Jacob jerked his head towards the house. I felt a sting of annoyance, "Trying to get rid of me already." Just like the guys to shove off the women to the kitchen. Jacob raised a placating hand, "No, I'm just saying." Lifting the amber bottleneck to his mouth. Will's cooling touch at the back of my neck caught my attention, "It's OK Le, I can handle my own." Rolling my eyes at Jacob, I relented, "Play nice boys".

The sweet smell a baked goods wafted over me, filling my senses. Collin, Brady, and Mike were strewn across the living room, watching some game, and talking over each other. "Hey boys", they only nodded in response.

"Something smells yummy!" Emily turned around, setting down a plate of cookies, "You're here!" she looked better. "Leah, that dress looks great on you." Bella complimented, leaning against a counter. "Thanks…I'm glad to see you're OK. " Maybe I could try being more social with Bella. "And I really like your outfit too." Bella ducked her head in acknowledgement.

"We baked peanut butter with chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake brownies."

"Actually, Bella did. I just licked the spoons clean. But I did bring potato salad."

"Either way, I'll be eating them." This wasn't so uncomfortable. It'd be nice to have other females to be around, rather than just testosterone fueled animals. Emily started filling an ice chest with a variety of drinks. "Let's go see what the girls are up to. They've been gossiping since they got here." She was right, they were worse than women sometimes. We all headed out to the yard.

My eyes immediately found Will's from the porch.

"Bella!" Seth nearly squealed as he jogged over scooping her up. "Seth you're gonna break my ribs again! Put me down." He treated her like a sister.

"I brought out more drinks for everyone." Emily said to no one in particular. Sam left his post at the pit to relieve Emily of the cooler. The guys swarmed the chest, digging out their choice of beverage. Will strode over to me, resting a buff arm over my shoulders.

"Glad to see you're still in one piece." He winked at me, taking a gulp of his drink.

Emily nudged me, Bella gawking at her side, "Leah! Are you going to introduce us?" The girls looked at me with knowing eyes. "Oh crap! Will, this is Emily, my cousin, and that's Bella." A split second of panic came over me, I forgot to mention Emily's scars. Will shook the imprints hands, greeting them with ease. "Nice to meet you two. Glad to see Leah's not completely surrounded by dudes." I could hear his relief.

"Don't worry, she's all yours bother." If looks could kill, I would have murdered Paul a hundred times over. "Time to eat!" Sam piped up, quickly diffusing my fire. He was good, I'll give him that.

Top 40 hits began to dance across the yard, as Brady turned up the stereo, and Collin set out lawn chairs for everyone. "You hungry babe?" Will asked rubbing my arm. "Yeah." I watched Will, and for a moment it seemed like he actually fit in with the pack. It was a crazy thought seeing as I really didn't know much about the guy. He sat down next to me handing me a hefty plate filled with sausage, a few pieces of ribs, potato salad, baked beans, and corn on the cob. "This is really good" his mouth full, "Yeah Jake and Sam are the best on the grill." I couldn't deny that, as much as it pained me to ever compliment either of them out loud. Paul also sat with us talking to Will about whatever, I was vaguely interested in the conversation. Across the yard, I could hear Bella asking about Will and I glanced up to the couple. Jake jumped up with a wide eyed look, "Leah!" motioning me over. "I'll be right be back" I said out of the side of my mouth to Will.

"What?"

"Follow me."

Jake was heading towards the side of the house, "For w-"he cut me off, "Just come!". I followed him, becoming increasingly irritated when I saw him strip then phase in the trees. What was he thinking! "Seriously Jake, now?" he answered by turning around on his haunches. With a huff, I took off my clothes not wanting to ruin them, and phased.

What the hell Jacob! Why are we phased?

Leah, what happened when you met Will?

I thought about the run for the beach, and how good I felt. Then catching the football, and finally seeing Will's beautiful green eyes…

Leah, you imprinted!

My memory stopped, like one of those record players.

I…I-imprinted? On Will?

I didn't think I could imprint…I thought about how Will made me feel, suddenly it seemed familiar; Emily and Sam, Jake and Bella. Oh God.

Holy Shit, Jake…

You need to tell him, Leah.

I can't just tell a guy I met YESTERDAY that I IMPRINTED on him. And oh, by the way, I change into a WOLF!

I wasn't prepared for this possibility.

Relax, we've talked to him, he seems like a cool guy. I think you'll be surprised. Plus he's native, so maybe their tribes have stories too.

Will's native?

Half, Choctaw…C'mon lets go back, just think about it.

I phased back, put on my clothes, and we headed back to the party. This was gonna suck.

…

Bella's POV

…

"I can't believe Leah IMPRINTED!" when Jake came back from disappearing with Leah, he told me what happened. "I know, none of us thought she would. Leah actually thought she couldn't." She did look happy for the first time since I met her. Leah deserved it though, I hope she tells him. Overall, everyone had a great time talking, laughing, and of course some roughhousing. I was also surprised at how natural it felt to hang with the girls, things were starting to feel right…Almost too right.

The thought made me feel restless, I needed to get out of the house. "Jake, I'm heading out for a bit. I need some air."

"Want me to come with you?" Jacob was in the bathroom shaving over the sink.

"No, I'll be back in an hour babe." I stood on the tips of my toes and kissed his lips.

"Love you Bells."

Picking up my parka and grabbing my bag, I headed out. The warm weather didn't last long, of course, it was a drizzly afternoon. I decided to head to the library, maybe I could find a good book. Plus, I enjoyed the silence and smell of the books. Pulling up to the lot, I was glad there were only a handful of cars at the library. Pulling my hood over my head, I ran inside in vain attempt to avoid getting wet.

Entering the double doors, I inhaled the comforting scent of aged books. The secretary at the checkout desk gave a friendly smile, and I returned the greeting. Sliding the hood of my parka off, I started making my way through the tall shelves of books. I picked out a classic mystery novel, and sat in one of the large cushion chairs. I'd already read it twice before, so I skipped ahead some chapters. I silently read one part to myself, "I still think it would be wonderful to have a man love you so much he'd kill for you."

"But you did." I was startled by the voice, and a chill ran over me. Hesitating, I slowly looked up from the book. My stomach dropped at the sight of the person sitting across from me. "Strangers on a Train, is a very good book." The silence around us was so loud, I know this is a library, but it felt like nobody else was here.

"What are you doing here?" my voice came out in a whisper, but I knew I was heard.

"This is a public library."

"Don't patronize me. What are you doing here?" The embers of my anger were starting to flicker. My instincts had been right.

"I wanted to see you, of course. It has been a while."

I slammed the book shut, and stood.

"Are you leaving so soon?"

"I told you before, I don't want anything to do with you." I started towards the front, but my arm was caught in a steel grip. "Let. Me. Go." It was a double entendre that couldn't be more accurate.

"I tried to let you go, but I can no longer sit back and wait for you to come back to me."

My blood was boiling now. "Come back to you? Edward, there is no us, anymore. I'm with Jacob now, he imprinted." I needed to be strong, I needed to stand my ground. "Now let go of me."

Slowly the grip loosened before letting go, he sighed heavily, and put his hands in his pockets. Edward had conceded to me, for once. I continued my path out of the library, digging for my keys in my bag. I needed to get back to Jacob.

I practically ran to the new-used car I'd gotten after the incident. Quickly I put the key in the ignition, starting the car, but the engine wouldn't turn over. It kept making a clicking noise. Déjà vu hit my like a freight train. I had a white knuckled grip on the steering wheel, taking a deep breath, I quickly pulled out my cell to call Jacob.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." I should've known it wouldn't be so easy.

"What do you want Edward?" My voice calm and steady.

"You." It was plain and simple.

I tried to call Jacob anyway, but as soon as the line connected, the phone had been snatched from my hand. I mustered every ounce of courage I could, glaring through amber eyes.

"Just hear me out Bella. Please."

I already knew what I needed to do to keep the situation at bay, despite the fire coursing through my veins. "I'm listening." I kept my eyes trained on the library in front of us.

"Isabella, I love you. I always have and always will. You said you wanted a normal life, and I will do everything in my power to give that to you. Bella you loved me once before, surely there is still something left." Edward was pleading, he reached for a hand. "I only wanted to protect you in New York, you were alone, I had to make sure you were safe. Is that so wrong?"

"I appreciate you looking out for me. But I don't need protecting."

"I saw what happened Bella, Alice showed me."

My heart stuttered, and the pull was aching. I hoped Jacob could sense my anger and fear. "I survived as you can see…Edward, I did love you, but I fell out of love. You need to accept what is, now." I didn't want to give him any false hope, no matter how scared I suddenly felt. The air in the car was thick, my throat felt dry, and muscles tense. I knew he could hear my heart racing, but I maintained composure on the outside. I was going to hold on as long as possible.

Edward leaned back against the headrest, a show of frustration. We both knew better. He raised his head, eyes piercing through my very core, "Bella… I'm afraid…I cannot let you go."

Quicker than my mind could process he replaced whatever he removed under the hood, got back in the car and told me to drive.