"You're being stubborn." I said. I didn't have the energy to yell at him anymore. Jake has had an attitude with me that has been getting progressively worst since yesterday. I couldn't mention Embry's name without him growling or making some snide comment. He was being so immature.

We were all at La Push beach. Jacob and I were separated from the pack so we could talk. He was livid. I couldn't believe the way he was treating Embry. It wasn't like he could control it and I didn't belong to Jacob in the first place. Werewolves were far too possessive. Pretty soon he'd want to pee on me to mark his territory.

"Bella, this isn't some stupid crush. He loves you. You are all he thinks about anymore. He wants you to be his. You don't understand the importants of-" he suddenly broke off.

I glanced up at him. He looked awe struck. His eyes were wide with wonder and curiosity. His jaw hung open slightly. The rock he had been crushing into gravel slipped from his hands. He was completely still as if he had stopped breathing.

"Uh Jacob," I asked. He didn't move a muscle. I looked in the general area he was gazing at. I saw Mike and the gang from Forks arriving. A few other people were with them as well. I could be wrong but it seemed as though he was staring at the new girl. She moved from Seattle last week. She was a pretty blond with a freckled face and blue eyes. She was athletic and funny. She wasn't that smart, but she wasn't stupid. Her name was Kelly Loid.

I felt a smile creep up on my face as it clicked in my head. Jacob imprinted on her! They would be perfect together. "Jake!" I grabbed a rock and threw it at him.

He flinched and blinked. "Umm…What?" He looked down at me. He was clearly confused.

"You imprinted so now you can't give Embry any crap."

"I-I…What?…Naw. That's…I didn't…" he stammered.

"Don't deny it Jake. You imprinted."

"Congrats man," Sam said as they all joined us.

Jacob sighed. I didn't get why he was sad about this. He was fighting a winless battle.

"I'll bring them over." I announced.

"No! Bella," Jacob complained but I was already headed over there.

"Hey Bella. I didn't expect to see you here. You said you didn't want to come," Mike said. By the smile on his face I could tell he wasn't heart broken about me crashing their group.

"Hey. Yeah, I'm here with some other friends. You know the ones I was telling you about." I pointed over my shoulder to them.

"Yeah," he said dryly. When I told them their grade I bet he assumed they wouldn't look like they did. Mike was kind of cute but he had nothing on them.

"You hang with a lot of guys," Eric pointed out.

"Yeah, I guess. You guys should meet them," I said nonchalantly. They all agreed, some more than others. The girls all seemed ecstatic about meeting them. I managed to walk beside Kelly.

"Just so you know," I said quietly. "my best friend Jake kind of likes you." Understatement. He was head over heels for her, even if he didn't want to admit it yet.

"Guys this is Mike, Eric, Tyler, Jessica, Lauren, and Kelly. My friends are Sam, Embry, Paul, Jared, and Jacob." I slyly bumped Kelly closer to Jacob. She made a quiet whining noise of embarrassment in her throat. I had to hide a smile.

After awhile the tension eased a bit. We all broke off into smaller groups. Jessica and Lauren were, shamelessly, flirting with Paul, who looked extremely pleased. Sam and Mike were throwing a football back and forth. Jared, Tyler, and Eric were surfing on the boards they brought. Jacob and Kim were walking near the water. He couldn't seem to stop staring at her. They looked so adorable together.

I probably should be jealous. Jacob and I wouldn't be nearly as close. I wouldn't have everyday to spend with him since he'd be with Kelly. I wouldn't have anyone to cry to or talk about my fears to. Although I'd miss him, I didn't have any bitterness. I wanted him and Kelly to be together. Jacob deserved happiness.

"What are you thinking about?" Embry asked me. He was leaning on the rock I was sitting on beside my legs. He was gazing up at me that adoring face.

"Jacob. Do you think he and Kelly will be together? He didn't want to admit he had imprinted."

"Don't worry about it. An imprint can't be denied. He was only upset because he loves you. He didn't want to imprint on anyone but you."

I nodded, absently. That sounded like Jake.

"Do you think he'll lay off me?"

"Yes. He may have acted mad but he was only jealous. He'll just have to accept that we weren't met to be."

Embry suddenly shifted so he was facing me completely. "So does that mean we were meant to be," he asked hopefully.

I smiled weakly. "In the future, maybe." I told him. It was getting easier to live without him…Edward. The pain, the hole, in my chest wasn't as overwhelming as before. I could stand to think about him without having a meltdown. Sure the nightmares weren't any better, but I'd deal with those. I wish I could just give myself fully to Embry but something was still holding me back.

"Are you just saying that?" He raised up on his knees so we were face to face. My breath caught in my breath at his closeness and his speed. Maybe it was his eagerness, but he was being inhuman. He must have forgotten we were on a crowded beach.

I stared at his gorgeous face. His hazel eyes were bright and wide with anticipation. His ears were perked up, awaiting my answer. His mouth was set in a soft smile.

"No, I mean it Embry." I swiped his hair out of his eyes. Before I could pull my hand back he grabbed my wrist and leaned into my hand. His eyes fell shut. His long eyelashes brushed against his cheek.

This was only the beginning of something I hoped I could handle.