AN: i'm sorry it has taken so long to write the next chapter! I have been out of town for three weeks on holiday etc, but I have a lot to catch up on now so there will be a lot more coming quite quickly!

I only own the plot and Lucy, the rest belong to Stephenie Meyer

Chapter 7 – Explanations

Seth's POV

I walked into the room, more than a little nervous of this new vampire. However I had told Jacob I would be there to be his moral support and I would never let my Alpha down like that.

Almost as soon as I had entered the room my eyes locked on the girl who was standing in the doorway, looking uncomfortable and quite out of place.

I was drawn to her. I couldn't explain what happened but as soon as I locked eyes on her, thankfully, golden ones, and looked at her messy red curls of hair that framed her face and fell to the middle of her back, I was hers. Anything that made her happy, I would do.

Yet at the same time I didn't understand it. She was a vampire; my natural enemy. How could I have imprinted on her? For that was what this felling was; I knew that instinctively. I was fighting two ancient urges and neither was stronger than the other, resulting in my vacant stare as they battled inside of me.

I just couldn't understand how I had imprinted on a vampire. A vampire, of all creatures! We all knew that imprinting was to make sure that the genetic line was carried on, and we also knew that vampires couldn't have children – frozen as they were. It was an impossible situation and I at least could see no way around it.

A small hand touched my face, and I saw myself looking completely gormless. I started; I hadn't been expecting it.

"Huh, sorry, what?" I'd been so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't been following the conversation.

Nessie asked Edward if he knew what was wrong with me as I still wasn't able to give a coherent answer. He looked uncomfortable and cleared his throat unnecessarily, playing for time while he tried to think of a way to change the subject.

However Jacob twigged what was going on and of course, being subtle as hell, blurted it out of the whole group. Of course it actually increased the confusion on everyone's faces, as they had the same knowledge as me and therefore most likely the same queries.

As expected a barrage of questions followed from the Cullen's – "How? What?! Why?"

"I don't know," I said over and over "I have a little idea as you do."

Finally I snapped "Shut up!" I yelled.

Lucy shrank back against the wall at my outburst.

"Sorry," I apologized, immediately contrite. I couldn't help it. She had to be comfortable, happy.

She relaxed again slightly, and making sure no one was going to start up the questions again said hesitantly, "I don't understand."

"I need to show you something," I replied gently. As the others, mainly Esme, started protesting I called over them, "She needs to know if she's going to understand fully!"

"He's right," Edward agreed with me. "Especially if she is here for any degree of permanence."

"Well I wasn't planning on leaving any time soon so sure, lets see whatever it is you have to show me." Her eyes were wide with apprehension but she still followed me outside.

Lucy's POV

I followed Seth outside, scared and slightly curious. I had no idea what he wanted to show me but I guessed it was something big if it was in the main house. I also supposed it was something to do with the 'imprinting' thing that everyone was banging on about.

Seth stepped into the middle of the clearing around the house while everyone else stood back. Bella stood next to me, assuring me I was safe.

Then Seth started stripping off. I was shocked. In my wildest dreams I hadn't thought he would… no that was rude.

"I don't need to see what you look like!" I cried disdainfully.

"No, no, said Jacob with a smile, "this is merely a practicality."

"If you insist" I replied sceptically.

Jake was now the only guy next to Seth.

"Are you ok with this?" he asked in an undertone, "I can always do it instead."

"Nah, I'm fine."

"Alright." He smiled reassuringly and backed off a good distance

Seth was now shaking slightly and, before my very eyes he seemed to explode. In his place stood a massive sandy coloured wolf.

Instinctively I dropped into my hunting crouch and a ferocious growl slipped through my teeth. This was my true enemy, more so than any other creature that trod the Earth.

Yet at the same time I was confused. How was it possible that an ordinary bloke could turn into my deadliest enemy? However if Jacob was the same it would explain the term 'pack'. But I was still confused about other words they used.

Seth whimpered and looked at me with one huge black eye. I stiffly moved out of my defensive position. It was strange, how I wanted to help him by not being aggressive, though I didn't know why, while the more vampirirc side of me was telling not to let my guard down at any cost.

"I still don't understand," I admitted, "What does this have to do with me and –" I indicated Seth, "ant this, what was it, imprinting thing?"

"Why don't we go back into the house to give Seth some privacy and we'll explain it all when he joins us." Said Bella, leading the way

Seth's POV

I quickly phased back and hurriedly put my clothes back on, hastening after Lucy and the others.

They were all sitting down in the living room, in all their pairs. Lucy was by herself on the end of one of the sofas. I approached her.

"Do you mind?" I asked, looking pointedly at the empty space next to her.

A wary look appeared in her eyes, "I suppose not."

I plonked myself down next to her. It was amazing being so close to her. But when her skin brushed mine, she gasped at the heat of it and scrunched herself further into the corner of the sofa.

"Sorry" I apologized and moved away from her. Anything to make her more comfortable.

She relaxed fractionally but the tension was apparent in her voice as she cried "So is anyone going to tell me what this is all about or not?"

"Well as you just saw, Seth and Jacob are werewolves. Technically they are just shape shifters but they prefer the term werewolves." Edward explained.

"'Cause it's easier to say and we're used to it." Interjected Jacob. "And can I explain as it's about me and my pack?"

"Ok," said Edward amenably "If Nessie is the only person sleeping at our house tonight."

Bella's face split into a huge grin but my spirits sank. It meant Jake would be in a foul mood.

He ignored Edward "Anyway, as you may have realised the vampires are our enemies. It's our job to protect our clan, the Quileutes, from them so when they turn up the young generation turn into wolves around about puberty. But, because these vamps don't hunt humans my grandfather made a treaty with them about seventy five years ago so they didn't hunt on Quileute lands, just so you know but the Cullens will make sure you don't go over the line." He glared at Edward who shrugged.

"All's fair in love and war." He was obviously answering Jacobs's thoughts.

Jake scowled and went on with his explanation. "Anyway, once the wolves have appeared through the gene… I mean us because we can turn into wolves, we have to continue the genetic line. This is where imprinting comes in. we imprint when we find our soul mate as they are most likely to carry on the genetic line."

"But I can't," Lucy said, confused. "You know, the whole frozen in time thing. I an never have children." A note of bitterness had entered her voice. She must have wanted them when she was human, although she seemed a little young to already be broody.

"You wanted children?" asked Rosalie, an uncharacteristic gentleness in her voice. Although she had mellowed out after Nessie was born, she was still antagonistic at times.

"I still want children!" she snapped " just because I can't have them, it doesn't lessen the motherly instinct or desire for my own children!"

"This is a subject you feel strongly about." Observed Edward dryly

"Yes." But it was more of a sigh as she slumped into the chair as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders. I wanted to comfort her, lessen the strain, but I knew she was still wary of me so I resisted the temptation.

"I was brought up in a large family and it was always and expectation for me to provide the grandchildren my parents coveted, as I was the thick, pretty one. All the others were clever and they knew what they were going to do with their lives." She listed them off, "John, lawyer, Sophie, doctor, Lauren, scientist, Ben, football player, even though he was a weed." She smiled mistily at the memory.

"Football? Footballers aren't weedy – they have to be huge." Emmett frowned.

"Sorry, soccer." She imitated an American accent as she said this. "I forgot you didn't speak the same language as me!"

I laughed while Jasper and Emmett grinned. Jake didn't even smile; he was too pissed off at Edward

"Anyway," she continued, sobering up, "I never minded that I was to be the housewife, providing children for my already overlarge family to dote on. I looked forward to it and couldn't wait to fell a small child in my arms. Then, as soon as I got my first boyfriend, this happened!" she gestured to herself disgustedly. I felt so sorry for her; she didn't want this any more than anyone else had. Once again vampires had interfered with someone's life plans.

Lucy's POV

Almost as soon as I had finished I felt three sets of strong arms around me. I squirmed uncomfortably; I wasn't really the touchy-feely type

"Gerroff me!" I complained. The three women withdrew respectfully.

"Oh Lucy, you poor thing!" cried Bella

"I didn't know you felt that way; I was exactly the same!" exclaimed Rosalie, biting her lip. "Forgive me for being so rude!"

I gaped at her. "You wanted children?" she didn't seem like the type. I would have thought more model material than mother.

"Yes," she smiled, "not five though, like your mother."

"Seven," I corrected returning the smile, "Tom and Luke were still in junior school and weren't old enough to know what they wanted to do. They were only eight."

"To lose all that at fifteen," murmured Esme, sympathy etched all over her face.

I gave a small laugh. "I've got used to it now. Although when I heard that you were living here in Forks it reminded me of them. We were going to move here. It was all arranged before I 'drowned'. After they couldn't go through with it."