AN: thanks for the reviews and thanks to my beta and co-author GeorgiaDawgette for editing, adding her own lines and making the story so much better.

AN2: I published another story: Forever is never enough, it's a Bella/Jacob fiction, if you have time, have a look at it and let me know what you think.

12.

When they walked back into the living room everyone was watching them with careful expressions. Jared let go of Bella's hand, and went to sit in a comfortable chair across the room. Having been left to choose her own seat, Bella glanced around the room, and after smiling towards Jacob without really considering what she was doing went to sit on Jared's lap.

Sam cleared his throat. "Bella. You are aware that there are free chairs."

As Bella looked around, she was met with many amused stares. She blushed, feeling both embarrassment and a bit of anger that the pull towards Jared was working so strongly on her. But then he caressed her back, and the combination of his warmth and touch instantly relaxed her.

"Man, I wish I had that kind of hold on my girl!" laughed Paul.

Jake threw Paul a heated look. "And what exactly would you do to my sister if you had that kind of control?"

Paul put up his hands in surrender. "Easy there little Alpha; she may be my imprint, but your sister is more that able to kick my ass anytime."

"Actually Jacob, Isabella can be quite feisty too," added Jared.

Bella blushed a shade deeper, she hadn't liked Paul's comment about Jared's control over her, but there was no need for Jared's comment either. She knew that he was thinking about her actions in her bedroom, and she desperately hoped he just kept his mouth shut about that.

Jake turned to look at him. "Why do you call her that? She likes to be called Bella."

Jared leaned forward and whispered near her ear while caressing her back, "Don't you like that I call you Isabella?"

Bella closed her eyes, and sighed not really knowing what he was asking, but it didn't matter as long as he kept touching her.

"Bells snap out of it already!" shouted Jake.

She opened her eyes, and blushed. "Ahhh… I'm sorry, what did you ask me Jake? Right... Hmmm… I generally don't like to be called Isabella." and she saw Jake smirking at Jared. "But... I guess I don't mind Jared calling me that... it's...ahhh...sexy." she finished in a whisper. Way to go on not embarrassing herself, she did as much damage as Jared; she would have to research whether imprinting causes the imprintee to lose her clarity of thought. If so she would be teased by the pack for many years to come.

Jared chuckled. "There, you have your answer Jake. Now are you going to antagonize me every step of my relationship with her?"

Bella saw Jake give her a quick apologetic look, and then looking at Jared he said challenging. "I loved her first, and I care about her wellbeing. I'll make damn sure that she is happier with you than she could ever be with anyone else. Yes, I probably will check every step of the way. Remember Jared, that eventually I'll be Alpha."

Jared seemed serious. "You never wanted that position before."

"I would take it, if it meant that IsaBells is well cared for," said Jake giving her a wink.

"IsaBells? Jake! Why?" she asked. That nickname was incredibly annoying, but she knew that Jacob was just being silly. However, she was moved by his declaration. He would take the Alpha position just to ensure her wellbeing; Jacob had really a heart of gold.

Jake laughed. "Well I guess if he can have his nickname, then I want one too." he then added," Seriously though, Jared if she is happy I won't have any complaints."

Jared nodded. "Fair enough. I promise you I'll take care of her. However, like she said before, what we do together is our business. I let you see how the relationship developed between us, but it was a conscious decision. From now on you won't get anything else from me. If Isabella chooses to talk about our relationship that is her own choice, but frankly you don't get a voice or a vote when it comes to what happens between us."

Bella grimaced. "No way! I was lucky enough to get the mysterious wolf, so I'm going to enjoy my privacy. Sorry Jake, but I don't kiss and tell." She winked and at his depressed expression she added, "But I promise you that if he mistreats me you'll be the first one to know along with Leah." Although she knew that Jared would never harm her. Jake was important to her and she liked knowing that she could count on him.

Leah laughed. "Right you are! Jared, I'll be the one to kick your ass if you step a paw out of line."

Everyone watched Leah in fascination; she had never looked so relaxed since becoming a wolf. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and all of them knew exactly what it was.

Bella turned to look at Sam, and she didn't miss the pained look that crossed his face. He hid it quickly, but she knew that Sam would probably regret for the rest of his life the pain he unintentionally caused Leah. So many lives had been destroyed by the imprinting; when she saw the pain it caused she still didn't really like that it existed at all. However, while she didn't understand its purpose at times, she was becoming more and more grateful that it brought her and Jared together

Sam then spoke, "Bella, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"

Bella was surprised, but agreed.

Sam walked towards the door, and she followed. They walked out onto the porch and continued towards the woods stopping a good distance from the house.

Bella was wondering what Sam wanted to talk about, hoping that he wouldn't bring up Jared's bite again. It really was only her and Jared's business; frankly she was sick of people bringing it up. She turned to look at Sam, and found him looking deep in concentration over something.

After a moment he nodded. "Perfect, here nobody will hear what I want to tell you." She thought that if he felt the need to move so far from the super-hearing wolves, it must be important.

"Bella, I usually don't interfere in any of my pack's relationships." Sam started to pace. "But with you and Jared, I just feel the need to help level the playing field between the two of you. A second imprint isn't a problem we have ever dealt with before, and typically when a wolf imprints and the imprint work the couple learns about their connection together. But since Jared has already been through this, he's a step or two ahead of you when it comes to understanding the bond between you."

He stopped and walked close to her. "Now, can you tell me how he has so much power over you?"

Bella bit her lip, and she thought seriously about the question. "I guess it's a combination of wolf power and physical contact."

Sam nodded. "And what have you noticed about the physical part?"

"Well when we are in the same place I just feel drawn to him, and when he touches me nothing else seems to matter but him " she replied.

"Exactly, now do you think that the pull between you is only one-sided?" asked Sam.

"He does seem to have a stronger hold on me than I have on him" reflected Bella.

"The key word there is seems. Bella, you have as much power in the relationship as he has. Actually, because you are the imprintee, you could have the upper hand." Sam passed a hand through his hair nervously. "You notice your dependency, but think back, is there any time he has seemed to be drawn to you? What about him coming to you this morning? And all the times he came to see you since he imprinted?"

Bella's mind started to put all the pieces together. How did she not see it before? "What you are saying is that he needs it every bit as much as I do." then it was Bella's turn to start pacing. "If I have this strong call to his body, then he has it the same way to mine. So if I manage to keep some modicum of control, he'll be the one to come to me. How he sways me to his will with just a touch, I could turn it on him too."

Sam smiled. "That's sums it up perfectly. Now, like I said before he had previous experience with Kim so he is aware of a lot of things that you'll have to discover along the way; but I hope that you understanding the imprint better will ultimately help you both."

Bella smiled back. "Thanks Sam. I ... I really appreciate you doing this."

"Don't mention it, I like you Bella and Emily likes you too. Beside... what happened today finally gave back some peace to Lee-lee. And I'm more than grateful about it," said Sam with a somber expression.

"I know how it feels Sam... if you ever need to talk about it... well I'm here," she said softly.

"Thank you Bella, likewise. I might not have a completely closed mind, but I can keep my thoughts to myself a bit too. Now let's head back before we have Jared and Jake heading out here." said Sam.

Bella put a hand on his arm to stop him. "Sam? Will... Jake be all right?"

Sam smiled sadly. "Your fainting, and his awareness of how the imprint affects you will bring him some peace of mind. But, I guess like you, me, Emily, and Leah... he will have scars. The love we had before the imprinting will never be taken from us. Never... I wouldn't want it any other way. Don't get me wrong, I love Emily and she is perfect for me; but like you she wasn't my choice and the pain that it caused Leah burned both of us. Now things are looking better, Leah seems to be coming around, and that will give peace to both mine and Emily's mind. I'm happy Bella."

Bella felt the mix of happiness and sadness radiating from him, but she felt reassured that eventually she and Jared would be at the same level of comfort and joy that Sam and Emily shared.

She could see their love for each other in so many ways. From what she remembered, imprinting is supposed to identify the person in the world who will make you the happiest, and already she could see that a relationship with Jared would be far better for her that either Jacob or Edward.

When they came back, everyone was watching them with curiosity. Finally Quill asked, "Well? What was that all about?"

Sam laughed. "That's none of your business. It's between me and Bella."

Bella laughed along with Sam. "Such a nosy wolf you are Quill!" Then she went to sit near Leah a few chairs away from Jared.

She noticed that Jared hadn't taken his eyes off her since she came back, and now was trying not to show his surprise at her choice to sit away from him. She smirked internally, the pull towards him was still there, but she needed to see if what Sam had told her was true. It was hard to stay away from him, but if the theory was true, then it was just as difficult for him.

She picked a muffin from the table, and started to eat while the others discussed the evening's bonfire.

After a few minutes Jared stood up and stretched. Bella eyed him hungrily before scolding herself, and forced herself to concentrate on eating the muffin. Bite, chew and swallow. Bite, chew and swallow. "Ahhhh!" she jumped when she felt hot hands on her shoulders. Jared had walked behind her without her noticing. SO maybe Sam was right, he was trying not to show his need for her, but it seems that he couldn't resist her any more than she could resist him. She wanted to laugh out loud at the little piece of intelligence, but she didn't want to give away her knowledge of the pull. Jared was going to learn the hard way not to mess with Isabella Swan…

Everyone looked at her, surprised at her outburst, and she saw Sam hide a smirk.

Bella blushed. "Sorry Jared, I didn't see you coming."

Jared leaned on her and whispered, "No problem."

She shivered, and inside she rejoiced. The imprinting pulled at him all right! Her wolf just had more experience at this than she did, but now that she understood what was going on, she could play this game too. An almost evil smile appeared on her face.

Jake spoke. "Uh, oh. What are you thinking about so intently IsaBells?"

Bella shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing, just happy that I finished school."

Jared whispered. "Liar."

Bella chuckled. "Bite me."

While everyone was laughing Jared whispered again, "It will be my pleasure, Isabella."

Bella shivered again and sighed; he was good, really good. Though at least now she felt more confident. She stood up and turned to him, after all this wasn't a game for cowards and it was time Jared understood that. She moved closer to him, and she saw his eyes darkening as she leaned towards him. Then she purred. "I'm sure it will be." Quickly she turned on her heel and walked to the kitchen where Emily was cooking. "Can I help you Em?"

Before Emily could reply, she felt herself being pulled up into hot strong arms. "I'm afraid Isabella and I have a few things to discuss. I'll give her back to you sometime later," Jared said gruffly to a surprised Emily.

Jared headed out to the living room while everyone was watching with amused expressions on their faces. "I'll see you all later, I haven't yet showed my place to my mate," said a smirking Jared.

Bella blushed, and put her head on his chest. She had no desire to see the looks on the pack's faces. She knew that there was going to be very little sightseeing.

She gulped; Bella was very aware that she was being taken to the wolf's lair.