She looked at the bruises on her upper arms. The dark purple, blue and green looked almost pretty, in a disgusting kind of way.

The ringing phone broke her from her daze. She ran over to it.

"Hello?"

"Grace! It's me, Aunt Joy."

She smiled. It was their weekly phone call, and nothing could make her happier. "Hi Aunt Joy. How is everything at La Push?"

"Same old, same old. Anything new with you?"

Grace sat on the chair, the cordless phone clutched tightly. Going through the kitchen brought the idea of her escape. It would be tricky, but possible.

"Do you still have the shop next to the grocery?"

There was a pause. "Yes. That's was the old carpentry shop before it was gutted. Why?"

She swallowed. "I found the old recipe books of mom's and grandma's."

"Oh sweetheart. You have those? They were wonderful bakers."

"Aunt Joy, you can bake and cook too, you're wonderful."

"Tell that to your cousin."

Grace laughed, it felt good being natural instead of fake. "I was wondering if a bakery would be beneficial there."

She heard her aunt's intake of breath. "Oh honey! Tha-"

Grace looked at the phone in her hand, and saw 'disconnected' on the screen.

"You aren't going anywhere."

She froze, and turned looking at where he stood. "I was just-"

"Leaving me?" His eyes went dark as he moved forward glaring at her. "LEAVING ME THE ONLY ONE WHO WOULD TAKE YOUR PATHETIC SELF IN?"

His fist flew, and all she could think of was where the make-up to hide this bruise was in the house.

Grace placed the bread loaves into the oven, closing the door and setting a timer.

"Grace dear?"

"In the back Aunt Joy!"

Joy Ateara was about 5'9, dark black hair, with no grey in sight. She was fit, but had laugh lines around her eyes and mouth, and those were a surprise to most because of her husband's sudden death. Joy smiled at her niece, holding up a plate.

"I brought you some breakfast."

Grace smiled. "Thank you!" She kissed her aunt on the cheek, taking the warm plate from her. Eggs, bacon and some fruit, Grace sat down at the table and took a piece of bacon in her mouth, she began to load the display trays with the fruit pastries. Joy sat down across the work table, taking the cookies off the drying racks onto the sheet for fridge storage.

"How are you doing Grace?"

Swallowing, Grace replied, "Doing well. Profits were up last month,"

"Grace, I wasn't talking about business. I know you're doing well. How are you doing?" Joy's dark brown eyes stared at her niece, ensuring her meaning got across. Grace sighed, and rubbed her arm.

"I'm fine Aunt Joy. Nothing is wrong."

Joy nodded. "I just worry. It took so long for you to come here, and after what happened." She closed her eyes and Grace walked over to hug her aunt.

Feeling the tears prickle in her eyes, Grace squeezed her aunt. "I know. And I am sorry that I took so long to come. It would have made more sense to accept your offer at the funeral, but I was stubborn and Zachary.." Grace swallowed. "I made poor decisions that I have to live with."

Joy wrapped her arms around Grace, and patted her back. "I didn't come down to relive the past Grace. I just wanted to know if there was anything you needed."

Nodding, Grace leaned back from the embrace. "Who is Jacob Black? Besides him being the Chief's son."

Her aunt's brow furrowed. "He's sixteen, born the same month as you. He hangs out with Quil and Embry. Jake has taken care of his dad since his mom died and the girls left for college. He also works on cars." Looking over her niece's flushed cheeks, Joy's interest was piqued. "Why do you ask?"

Grace looked down at her hands, moving back to the other side of the table "I met him yesterday. I've met Embry once before, but Jake.. I don't know. He seemed different to me." Her cheeks turned a darker red. "I just wanted to know more about him."

It hit Joy then. Her jaw almost dropped.

Could Jake have imprinted on her niece? Oh, that was wonderful! They could both heal from their past choices. Except Grace escaped from hers, Jake's was still around. Would he even honor the imprint?

Joy frowned. Oh he better, or she would make sure he was running on three legs.

"Aunt Joy?"

She looked over at Grace. Joy smiled. "If you want to know more about Jake sweetie, read up on the Quileute legends. They're our tribe's heritage and as the future chief, Jake will be more entwined with them than anyone else."

Jake was finishing patrol by the cliffs when his mind shifted to the day before. Bella leaving with the Pixie leech, meeting Grace, the imprint.

"Jake! You imprinted on my COUSIN?" Quil's voice filled his head. Jake winced, turning around to face his friend.

"Yes?"

Quil sat, tilting his head at his friend. "Was that a question or an answer?"

"Jeez Quil, what's with the 'big brother' interrogation."

"I care about my cousin. She has been through hell in the last year, and I know that you are still in Bella-land."

Jake laid down, putting his head on his paws. "Truth Quil, I don't know what I want anymore."

Quil moved, laying down next to his friend. "Imprinting is a big thing."

The russet wolf nodded. "Yes it is. But I thought Bella was it for me. Now, after yesterday, I am wondering if I should even consider fighting the imprint. Or convince Grace that we're better as friends."

Quil growled. "Don't even think like that. You won't be able to convince Grace of anything. It took eight months for my mom to convince Grace to come and live here. Then another two for Grace to.." Quil immediately started thinking of Disney movies, trying to shift back to human.

Jake immediately shifted back too, pulling on his shorts, as Quil stared at the ground. "Quil? Grace said her parents died almost a year ago? What took her so long to come here?"

Quil didn't answer, he just kept staring off into space. Jake put his hand on his friend's shoulder. Quil looked up, and Jake saw the pain in his friend's eyes before the mask settled on Quil's face. His heart tightened. If something had happened to Grace, he should know.

"Look man, I just want to know if anything happened to her. I do care for her, she is a wonderful person."

"I understand Jake, but I won't tell you. We can't tell Grace about the pack, and I won't betray my cousin to anyone, not even you her imprint." He looked at Jake. "If you want to understand her, just talk to her. Take it slow, don't push, just show her you care and want her here."

Jake frowned, but nodded at his friend.

It was dusk by the time Jake got to Luna's Bakery. Jake stared at the sign, and shook his head. Maybe Joy did it as a joke, but it was beginning to grow on him. Stepping on bare feet across the porch he froze in front of the door.

Jake felt like he was making a big decision, that this would possibly define his life. He felt almost like he was being torn in two. One part Bella, one part Grace. His wolf and a part of him wanted Grace, the other part of him wanted Bella, and to see if he could save her.

"Are you going to stand there Jake?"

He looked up and saw Grace, smiling at him while leaning on the open door. Jake smiled back, his heart beating a little faster. "What if I do?"

Her eyes twinkled. "Then I'll call Old Quil down so he can whack you with his stick for loitering."

Jake's jaw dropped, knowing that the elder would do that to him in heartbeat. Putting his hands up he pleads, "Please, have mercy on me. I just wanted to know if you wanted to chat."

Grace's eyebrows raised. "Why?"

He shrugged. "I like talking to you Grace."

She narrowed her eyes. "Did Quil put you up to this?"

"No one did. I enjoyed our talking yesterday, and was hoping to catch you before you went home."

"Home is upstairs next to Aunt Joy." She muttered still staring at him. "What's the catch?"

Jake shook his head, and stepped closer taking her hand in his. "No catch Grace. If you don't want to talk, I'll leave, if you do I'll stay."

Grace stared at the man. He didn't look Quil's age, but then again Quil didn't look his age either. Jake seemed a bit sad too, and that struck a chord in her. Maybe Jake needed a friend outside of Embry and Quil. She had been reading the legends in between customers and orders. They were fascinating, and to know that your life was to carry on those legends had to be a hard truth to live up to. Realizing she had taken too long in thinking, Grace smiled at Jake.

"I would love the company while I clean up." She held the door open for him as he walked inside.

"If you need help, I'm happy to provide some."

Grace laughed. "What's the cost?"

Jake smiled. "Do you have any brownies?"

Walking around the case, Grace pulled out two boxes. Putting them on the counter, she pointed to the back room. "Help me clean up the kitchen and I'll give you these brownies."

The shifter walked around and glanced at the boxes. "Two boxes of brownies for me?"

Grace shook her head. "Nope. One box for you, the other are ones I made for your dad." She walked through the door to the mixer, leaving the door swinging near Jake's stunned face. Once again, she had surprised him.