" Are you upset with me?" I asked earnestly. I don't know what happened but the loving dynamic that the two of us had been sticking with for the past few weeks was gone. I couldn't find any warmth in Paul's eyes. He was going to break up with me, I could feel it. I was stupid and got attached to him. I started doing the 'girl thing' of picturing us falling in love and being a real couple. Someday he would get down on one knee and I would tear up because this was the moment I had lived my whole life for. I was an idiot. I gave my heart and he was about to smash it. I contemplated breaking up with him first but I didn't have the words. My mind thought back to Jake and my sister. Those two were obviously happier than clams. I thought everything was going fine- apparently I was wrong.

"Upset with you?"

"Yeah? You know, angry, hurt…those general words?" I couldn't take this game. I felt my eyes start to tear up like a child. My hands were shaking under the table. I probably deserved what was coming to me.

"Loretta, that is ridiculous, what are you talking about? Why would I be upset with you?"

"You are tense and cold and have barely said anything all night. It's the fifth Saturday Paul so if you are going to break up with me, just do it. I don't have the ability to wait around all night for you to get the guts" I was panicking inside, maybe if I got angry enough it wouldn't hurt as bad.

"Oh, Loretta, I am so sorry-"

"Don't be sorry, thanks for whatever this was" I stood up from my seat and grabbed my jacket. I wasn't going to offer to pay, my tiny bit of pride held me back.

"No- honey, you are misunderstanding me, I don't want to break up with you" my body actually sagged in relief. I would never admit it outloud but I had never been so happy to hear a sentence. I looked at him to judge whether or not he was lying so I wouldn't make a scene. I sat back down in my seat. "Loretta, sometimes I just do not understand what is going on in that head of yours. Are you unhappy? Do you want to break up?" his voice strained and he sighed in relief when I shook my head. "I have to tell you something that could change everything. I just can't tell you here" I stared at him. Why in the world would he drag this out? Was he dying and he only had one week left? Was he moving to another country? Did I repulse him?

"Okay, then let's go" I tried to sound confident in my speech. I failed miserably. We paid and walked to his truck in silence. He didn't try to open the door for me or touch me in anyway. My stomach twisted in nervousness and I prayed that I wouldn't throw up. He was being so serious. We drove past a sign that said, "LA PUSH" and parked at the beach we first met at. He would bring me here to tell me horrible news wouldn't he?"

"I love you"

"We have only been seeing each other for a little over a month" I tried to argue with him. He can't just throw around words like that. Those are words that could hurt me.

"Loretta, I am part of a tribe. We are descendants of wolves. The stories I joke about- the ones where I explained to you that my people turn into wolves is true" I snorted then wacked him on the shoulder.

"Paul I thought this was a serious conversation- you got me all worked up for nothing" I stared at his dead serious face. "Paul? Paul, come on, ha ha you win it's funny" his face didn't change.

"Loretta, I am telling you the God-honest truth. I am a werewolf. That is why I am so much bigger than the other boys you know. I am warmer and sometimes you can't reach me. It's because I am patrolling" he studied my face. I had no words to describe how I was feeling so I just stared back. "I'll show you" he stood up so quickly I felt the wind caress my face. Almost as if he had never left, a large wolf came around the tree. I felt my breath catch. He wasn't lying. I didn't know what to do so I sat there. Moments later, Paul returned. I said nothing. "Loretta, say something"

"Well that is certainly different than what I was anticipating"

"How are you feeling?"

"Confused"

"Do you hate me?"

"Hate you? What?" his question took me out of my trance "I don't hate you, that is silly. I just don't understand yet. It's okay Paul. I just need time to digest"

"There is more"

"What? Are there such things as unicorns too?" I needed to lighten the mood. He looked so serious and I didn't understand why I was being so utterly calm.

"You are my mate"

"Excuse me?"

"I imprinted on you"

"Paul-"

"I was made for you Loretta. From the first second we locked eyes you became the most important thing to me. Your happiness comes first in my life. Am I even making sense?"

"Not really, but I think I get it" I wasn't lying. This did explain my intense feelings for him. We were meant to be together. The urge I had to glue myself to him didn't seem so wrong anymore. The ache I got when I didn't see him for a long time stopped seeming like a little girl crush. The beautiful boy in front of me, loved me, like no one else had before. He wanted to stay with me because we were meant to be together. I don't know what came over me, perhaps the relief of knowing that there was an explanation for my luck or the fact that the moon bounced off his face perfectly that made me launch myself at him. I threw myself into his arms as hard as I could and held on for dear life. His grip on me tightened and I was reminded of the first day we met. I don't know how long we stood there, him holding me. I felt better knowing that he obviously had some super-strength thing. I didn't feel guilty that he was holding me. I felt him brush the hair away from my face. It was stuck on the tears I didn't know I had. We didn't talk but he put me down and we walked towards the water. We sat down, close together, his warmth radiating through me. I held his hand and when he tried to speak, I shook my head. I didn't understand and I probably wouldn't for a while. All that mattered was that we were together and that maybe, just maybe for the first time, I didn't need to be terrified. I didn't need to wonder what he saw in me. We could just be. He kissed me on the forehead.

"Are we okay?" he looked at my longingly. I smiled.

"We are perfect"

"Do you have questions, Loretta, you have to want some answers. This whole thing is nuts, I know, but-"

"We'll figure it out in time"

"Ok" We kissed as he pulled me up and started walking back to the truck. Everything was going to be okay. "Tomorrow, you get to meet the pack" or so I thought.