I don't own anything but Erin.

Emily's house was big, like way larger than I had been expecting. At first I thought it was weird because it was just her and Sam, then I remembered that the boys were probably here often and those were some big boys. This way the guys had personal space when they came over and plenty of room.

Emily sat me down at a kitchen island, squeezing my shoulders before going to the fridge and taking out five containers of chicken breasts. She smiled at me, "Lunch."

"Wow." I muttered, looking at the food. She noticed and nodded, looking exasperated.

"You wouldn't believe how much they eat, sweetie. The changing, running, and fighting works up an appetite." She took out a pan and poured oil in it, placing it on a burner, "Work on your cooking skills now. Wolf girl is a lifelong title, you know."

I gulped, thinking about a whole lifetime with Seth. It seemed too big of a commitment to grasp at the moment. And that whole lifetime having to deal with Seth running off to fight the unknown? I really didn't love that idea. Emily noticed my expression, "It's okay, I promise. Sam has always come back."

I gave her a forced smile and nodded. Emily watched me and sighed, "I better put you to work, get you mind off things. Get up and finish this chicken. I'll make rice."

Emily and I worked silently for a while before Emily tried again for conversation. "So, is Seth your boyfriend? Or do you want to stay friends?"

I shrugged, "I don't know."

Emily stirred the rice, nodding. "I see."

"I told him I was falling for him." I admitted, biting my lip. Emily grinned and glanced over at me.

"So, I'd say if you're not in a relationship, you will be soon." We both turned out heads, hearing laughter outside. "Like right about now, soon." Emily finished, pushing me towards the door, taking over the chicken.

I tried not to run outside like some pathetic, needy, gold digging girlfriend. I tried but my legs just wouldn't listen, rushing me onto the porch.

Paul Lahote and Jared Cameron were coming up the stairs, chuckling and shoving each other. I guess I expected them to give me dirty looks due to all the times I'd snapped at them and yelled over the past months. However, they just nodded in greeting, Jared even gave me a smile and a pat on the shoulder as he passed.

Sam walked by me, nodding and smiling. I rolled my eyes. What? I'm not a saint! I'd spent months convinced Sam Uley was trying to personally torment me, it would take awhile before any friendship was built there, if ever.

I stumbled forward, seeing Embry, Jake, Quil, and Seth come out of the trees. Seth stepped on to the first step of the porch before my arms were around him, standing two steps above him so that we measured in at about the same height. I heard a growl from someone but ignored it, breathing in that fresh, woodsy scent that clung to Seth, like evergreens, rain, and salt water.

Pulling away, my hand found Seth's and I pulled him up the rest of the steps, smiling. I turned to Embry, Quil, and Jake. Jake looked like he'd eaten something sour but Embry and Quil were mockingly rolling their eyes.

"So," Embry started, "Finally saw the light, Baby Erin?"

"I mean it only took you five years and an imprinting to realize Seth's been stuck on you forever." Quil added, rolling their eyes.

I stuck my tongue out, glaring playfully. Letting Seth's hand go, I moved forward and hugged Embry then Quil. "I missed you, dummies." I muttered, pulling away from Quil, keeping up my glare, tears building up behind me eyes.

Embry shrugged, "Lucky thing Seth imprinted, I missed you too. Though it was kind of a given."

"I missed you as well." Quil muttered in a buttery tone.

They turned to go into the house but I called after them, "Wait!" They both turned. "I'm sorry, really. For everything that I did and that I said. None of what happened was your fault."

Quil shook his head, "Everyone made mistakes, not just you, Baby Erin."

I turned to Jake, who was glaring as Seth. I rolled my eyes. "Jacob Ephraim Black, you better wipe that glare off your face before I sick my werewolf buddies on you. Three on one does not leave the odds in your favor, Jakey."

Jacob looked away from Seth, eyes landing on me. He just stared for a second, "Missed you, cuz."

I nodded. "Likewise."

Jake pulled me into a hug, squeezing me tight. I clutched his shoulders, remembering how up until about two months ago, Jacob had been my big brother and one of my best friends. It was nice being able to hug him again, being angry was so exhausting. He pulled away and nodded, glaring at Seth before he walked inside.

I watched him, wondering why he was so bitter. I mean, Bella was back with her boyfriend, and that sucked, but what had Seth done? Maybe he was mad about Seth imprinting on me? I shook my head, wrapping an arm around Seth's waist. I was a big girl and I could be with whom I pleased, I thought, looking up into Seth's eyes. He seemed to read my expression and smiled, wrapping an arm around me, hooking a finger in one of my belt loops.

Seth and I ended up on the couch after lunch, me leaning against an armrest, my feet in Seth's lap, talking about a bunch of different wolf things. Embry and Quil sat on a different couch, playing a video game and breaking in every now and then to correct Seth or to tease me. Emily and Sam were talking in the kitchen in hushed tones. Jake sat on the floor next to me, staring at Embry and Quil's game like he couldn't even really see it. Jared had left with Paul, saying something about having to get back to his History class?

"Okay, so, wait, Leah's the only girl to change, right?" I asked. Seth nodded. "So, what do you know about her? Can she imprint?"

"We have no clue." Seth told me. "Like you pointed out, there's no history to look at for answers."

I nodded and shook my head, "She must be in hell, with your dad and this," I gestured around, "and that." I gestured to the kitchen this time, talking about Sam. Seth frowned and nodded.

"She may be in hell, but she doesn't have to make us all suffer." Quil muttered, angrily. Embry and Jake nodded in agreement. I glared at their insensitivity.

"Shut up! Leah's just having a hard time." I scolding them, adding effect by lightly smacking Jake's head. They'd already explained the don't-hit-to-hard thing so I made sure to barely tap him.

Jake snorted and shook his head. "You said she's in hell? Well, imagine being in her head then. You feel that pain. And it sucks."

"Her satanic attitude doesn't help at all either." Embry added.

"Not to forget the way she continuously brings up the fact that-" Quil stopped, glancing at Embry, who'd stiffened, then back at the TV, "That she's the fastest in the Pack, like it matters."

My eyebrows knit together as I watched Embry relax, shooting a zombie in the head. What was that? I looked at Seth who gave me a look that said, 'Later.' I gave a slight nod, going back to my millions of questions.