I was brought out of my stupor when one of the guys started laughing. I realized it was Jared cutting up over my reaction.

"You'll get use to it." He and Embry started picking up scraps of clothes. "Totally shredded," Jared said holding up Jacob's shoe.

"That was his last pair. Looks like he'll have to go barefoot," Embry replied. That had been the first thing he had said since he arrived.

"We should get to Emily's. She'll have food waiting."

Embry looked up at me for the first time. "You mind giving us a ride?" He smiled softly.

I shook my head and forced my hands to my sides.

"You don't look too good. Maybe you should drive Embry."

"Yeah, sure."

"10 bucks she pukes."

"She runs with vampires. I'm sure she's stronger than that." He shook his hand anyway.

I shook my head. "Aren't you guys worried about them at all?"

They both looked at me with expressions of confusion on their faces. "Why?"

"They could hurt each other."

"I hope they do. That's what Jake gets for bringing his girlfriend."

"No. Paul overreacted. He deserves to get beat on." Embry said.

"Of course you think that." Jared snickered. He looked at me then back at Embry. A growl escaped from Embry. "Calm down man. Just joking. Lets go."

Embry came my way and opened the door. "You really don't look too good," he said as he helped me in. "You have to ride in the back Jared."

"Cool with me. I don't want to be in there when she blows."

Embry ran around and got behind the wheel. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"

I nodded. "I just wasn't expecting it. What did Paul mean?"

He shifted in his seat and stared intently at the road. "What do you mean?"

"He said if you can stay away, so could Jacob. What did he mean?"

He frowned. "Uh, well, I don't think you want to know."

"Yes, I do. Please tell me. It'll drive me crazy all day if you don't."

"I imprinted on you," he said quietly.

"Imprint? What is that," I asked. By the way he was fidgeting it didn't seem to be good.

"Uh…It's hard to explain…When a werewolf imprints, it's like the whole world stops and gravity shifts. You'll do anything for her, be anyone for her. The only person that matters in the world is her. You. I didn't have a choice in this. Imprinting is supposed to be rare but I'm not too sure anymore. Jacob hates me for it." He sighed.

Wow. I had no idea what to think right now. How was I supposed to respond to that? Someone I didn't even know was meant to be my soul mate. I was starting to feel as though I'd never have a say in my life. Everything seemed to be predestined. Embry had never approached me, and it seemed like he hadn't attended to. He probably wish he had another girl to imprint on. Someone a little more emotionally, mentally, stable.

"Is it like love at first sight," I asked trying to understand it more.

"A little stronger, but the same concept," he mumbled.

I nodded. "Wait, why does Jake hate you?"

"You're his girlfriend. He acts like I did it on purpose. If I had a choice, I wouldn't have. He's like a brother to me."

"I'm not his girlfriend," I said absently. "Can't you imprint on someone else?"

"No. I've tried. Don't feel like you have to act a certain way toward me. Yes we're soul mates but that doesn't mean we have to go out and get married. It's whatever you want me to be. Your friend, your brother. I know you still love the vampire and Jake. I'll deal with it."

I frowned. "It's not fair to you. You don't get a choice in who you fall in love with and you end up with someone who's damaged beyond repair."

"I can wait," he said quickly, all sadness suddenly gone. "As long as you want me to. I'll be whoever you want me to."

"You should move on. You can just get over me can't you?"

"No, but it's okay. I'll live with seeing you with Jacob." I could hear in his voice that it pained him a little to say that. I didn't bother repeating to him that I wasn't with Jake. He parked the car in front of a small blue house. I got out as Embry did. Jared was already heading inside. Both of them forgot about the bet.

"Who's house is this?"

"Emily's. Sam's fiancé. She's his imprint. Don't stare at her though. Sam really hates that."

"Why would I stare?"

"It's not always safe to hang with werewolves," he stated simply.

Her house was like Billy's, mostly kitchen. By the size of the boys I was sure it was put to good use. A woman was in the kitchen pulling muffins from the oven. She had long silky black hair and gorgeous copper skin.

"Hey guys. Foods almost done," she said then turned. I understood why Embry warned me not to stare. She had long angry claw marks running down the right side of her face and neck. "Oh! Who's this?"

"Bella. Who else?" Jared said, as though it was obvious. Guess I must have come into conversation once or twice around here.

"Hm," she hummed as she stared at me. "So, you're the vampire girl?"

My nose scrunched slightly. "Yes, and you're the werewolf girl?"

She laughed, along with Embry and Jared. "I guess I am. Where's Sam?"

"Paul flipped out…again." Jared told her.

She sighed. "I hoped they wont be long. I was about to start the eggs."

"Don't worry," Embry told her taking a few muffins. "We wont let any go to waste."

Emily chuckled. "I'm sure." She started rummaging around in the fridge. "Help yourself Bella."

"Thanks." I grabbed one and began to nibble on it. I leaned against the wall, feeling out of place. Jared sat to watch TV and Embry joined me.

"That bloodsucker in the forest wasn't a Cullen was he?"

"No, exact opposite."

"That's good. Didn't want to break the treaty."

"Treaty?" I sighed. "I'm new to this. I don't know all the werewolf terms yet."

He smiled widely at me and I realized how good looking he was. I hadn't paid much attention the first time we met. His once long, beautiful hair was now chopped short, tapered around his ears. I liked it better this way. He was slender, but muscular and he towered over me. He had to be only a few inches shorter than Jacob. His hazel eyes were bright as they stared at me, adoringly.

"The treaty is to keep the Cullens' off our land. If they bite or kill anyone the treaty is broken and we attack. If we kill one of them, they attack," he explained.

"Oh."

He changed the subject. "I've seen your bike in Jake's head. You're really good at riding."

I smiled. "No. I'm not."

"Ok. No, not really," he chuckled. "I'd still like to ride with you sometime. It'd be cool." He smiled shyly.

How could I say no to that? "Sure Embry. I'd like that."

The door suddenly opened before the guys barged in. Embry rubbed the back of his neck before walking away and sitting down by Jared.

"Emily," Sam said with so much love saturated in his voice. He was soon taking her face in his hands and was kissing her. Is that how Embry felt about me? I sighed before realizing I was staring. I blushed and looked away.

"Hey Bells," Jacob greeted me cheerfully. He grabbed a few muffins and joined me. "Sorry, about before," he muttered under his breath. "How are you holding off?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" I whispered. It hurt that Jacob would keep something like this from me. I guess it shouldn't surprise me. Jake was full of secrets these days.

He tilted his head to the side. "Tell you what?" I looked pointedly at Embry. Jacob growled, a nonhuman sound. "You told her!" A strong ripple ran through him. I wanted to back away but I was already pressed against the wall.

"I had to," he defended himself. "You know I can't say no to her."

"You had to say something to her! She doesn't even know what it is!"

"I had to explain it. It's Paul's fault!"

Before Paul could jump in, Sam did. "Knock it off! We are not here for that. Both of you calm down."

Embry, who was shaking more than Jacob, got up and went outside. "Stop overreacting," I said, the agitation clear in my voice. Jacob's head snapped back to me. I was surprised to see such fury in his face. I narrowed my eyes at him, daring him to piss me off further. I wasn't in the mood. He sighed, or hissed, and slid down the wall beside me. He leaned his head against my leg.

Sam filled Jared and Emily in on Laurent and Victoria. I wasn't paying much attention. I spent half the time scanning over Jacob to see if he had gotten hurt during the fight. The other half I thought about Embry. I was probably making the whole werewolf thing much more complicated. He didn't just have to worry about phasing out of no where and being dangerous and having to chase after vampires. He also had to deal with an imprint who didn't love him.

"Food's done," Emily said. They all went to Emily's tiny table. I stopped Jake before he could go.

"I'm going to check on Embry," I told him.

He frowned at me. "You don't have to be with him just because he imprinted on you," he grumbled.

"I know that Jake." I walked out the front door. Embry was sitting on the porch with his head in his hands. I sat down next to him. "Are you ok?" I asked softly.

He lowered his hands but kept his head down. "Yeah. I just lost my temper. I have a hard time controlling it sometimes. That's the worst part about being a werewolf. I'm afraid someone's going to set me off in public and people see me. Or worst, someone gets hurt."

"I don't think you would ever let yourself hurt anyone Embry," I told him softly. "Besides you're still on two legs so you're control can't be too bad. I can already tell your control is better than Paul's." He smiled a little at that. "Is it really the worst thing though? I thought it would be this imprinting thing."

"No it's not that bad. I didn't describe it as best as I could. Imprinting isn't like Sam and Emily. It's whatever you want it to be. If it makes you happy, we can only be friends. I'm fine with that. I just want your happiness over everything else." I could tell he was being sincere by the look in his eyes.

"What about your happiness? Will you ever love anyone?"

He dropped his eyes and gave a little shrug. "No, but who cares?"

I sighed. "I'm sorry Embry. I wish I could change things." I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He turned and pulled me closer. I couldn't even begin to imagine what was going on in his head. Was I making this harder on him? I wasn't being fair. "This is forever right?"

He silently nodded.

"Give me some time and than I'll try to make things work." I promised. I wasn't sure it would be too hard to do. Being in his arms felt, right. He was so warm and his scent was something that I wanted to keep in my memory forever. It wasn't so hard to picture him in my future. I would be willing to try. If not for his sake then mine. I didn't want to be hurt again and I don't think it's a possibility with a guy who is programmed at birth to love you.

I could practically hear the smile spread across his face. "Really? What about Jacob?"

"He's my friend. That's all he's ever been." I assured him. "Come on. You better get in there before they eat everything."

"Wait," he said before I could pull away. "Just a minute longer. What was the meeting about?"

"Victoria, the red head, is trying to kill me because E-Edward killed her mate, James. Laurent was just there for convenience." I explained. He was breathing deeply, only his hands were shaking. I ran one of my hands through his hair. "Calm down," I murmured. "You guys have done a pretty good job at keeping me safe so I'm not too worried."

He sighed. "Right." After a few more deep breaths he pulled away. "Okay, come on." He stood then helped me up. When we got inside everyone had already made their plates and were eating. Embry joined the guys at the table. I went next to Emily who shoved a plate into my hands.

"How's Embry," she asked as the guys talked and joked among themselves.

I shrugged. He was hard to understand.

"Is he mad at Jacob?"

"Other way around. Embry was under the influence that Jacob and I were dating. Wonder where he got that idea, " I said sourly.

We continued talking until I had to leave. We decided that I'd stay in La Push as much as possible until all of this was over. No telling when that would be.