Time flew by. It had already been two weeks since my first day with Sam and two weeks since I made up with Paul.

Everything had been great. Well...almost everything. The more I hung out with the guys, the more I picked up on their strange behavior. Every night, some of the guys would be 'off doing errands' as Sam would call it.

I knew he was lying. I mean how many errands could the guys make?

Of course, I didn't let it bother me. I ignored it and let it be.

I also picked up on the whole growling thing. I was guessing it was over me cause every time I would snuggle with Seth or sometimes Sam, the noise would be sounded throughout the room. Sometimes, Paul or Sam would even shake which kind of scared me.

The guys would all look at each other, Jake or Sam. It was like they were the leaders or something.

But beside all of the funny business it has been great. Sam and I were officially a couple and loving it. He was an awesome boyfriend and the more I spent time with him, the more I felt like I was falling in love with him.

We saw each other at least once a day, and if we couldn't, it would be every other day. It's kind of funny how inseparable we have gotten.

And as for Paul…well he's still crazy and possessive as always.

I know he tries to tone it down when Sam and I cuddle with each other or make some kind of contact, so I try to keep the PDA to a minimum.

The whole housing thing is still an issue with Paul too, but I have learned to roll my eyes and just ignore his comments. I will admit, as some points his snarky comments get to me, but we always end up forgiving each other.

Anyways, today I am getting ready for this big bonfire thing. Apparently Billy and all the guys come to listen to some old tribal stories and stuff.

It sounds like fun. I kind of remember going to something like that when I was little and with Charlie, but its very vague.

Sam is supposed to pick me up and then we are walking down to first beach together. He has been acting a little weird lately. When I told him about the whole Charlie thing and how I sort of remembered, I swear he was about to flip.

He kept asking me if I remembered anything which made me suspicious.

Of course, I repeatedly told him I didn't remember anything because I really didn't.

So now, here I am in the bathroom putting on some makeup and doing all the last minute things.

Just as the doorbell rang I was finished.

"Coming!" I yelled from my bedroom upstairs.

I shut off my bathroom light and grabbed my grey low top converse that laid by my bed. Running off to get the door, I didn't bother putting on my shoes yet.

"Hi!" I said breathless to Sam who was standing there waiting for me.

"Hey." He said nervously. I stood there for a second and cocked my head to the side. Something was off.

"Are you ok?"

He nodded and gave me a smile. "Fine. You ready to go?"

I stared at him one more time before nodding. "Oh, wait. I have to put on my shoes."

He let out a laugh and I gave a blush.

I sat on the steps, putting on my shoes. When I was done I gave a smile to Sam and walked out the door. We were driving to Jake's, even though he was pretty close by.

I was dressed in a grey v-neck tee shirt and a pair of ripped skinny jeans.

We were driving in silence. I stared out the window and watched as everything passed us by. I could feel Sam's gaze on me at least every few seconds.

"Would you quit staring at me? I starting to feel self conscious." I laughed.

Looking at him, I could tell he was blushing.

Since he didn't say anything else I shrugged and turned on some music.

'You Belong with Me' was blasting though the speakers.

I began singing along and messing up horribly. Sam was laughing, so that was a good thing.

Just as we were getting to the chorus we arrived at Jakes. Sam turned off the car and we got out. I was still singing as we made our way to the backyard. Our hands swung together back and forth and he stared at me.

We finally got to where everyone was and I stopped singing.

"Hey guys!" I smiled.

They all waved and Seth came over to hug me. Letting go of Sam's hand, I went off to get food with Seth.

"Ooo, carrots." He said, taking a bunch and sticking them on his plate. I let out a laugh as I watched him. His plate was like a tower.

"What?" he asked with his mouth full of food.

"You can come back for more you know?" I said still laughing.

He rolled his eyes and swallowed his food.
"You're just jealous."

I looked at him doubtful but nodded none the less.

"Of course, you know me too well. I am so jealous of you and all your food." I said sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes and bumped his shoulder with mine. We began laughing and before he could protest, I grabbed a carrot off his plate and munched on it,

"Hey!" he yelled.

I laughed and looked around. All the guys and Billy were looking at us. Sam gave me a raised eyebrow but I just shook my head laughing.

"Oops. My bad." I told Seth smiling.

He narrowed his eyes at me and moved his plate out of my reach.

"Yea, it's your bad alright." He grumbled and went to add some more good on his plate.

When he was finished putting a whole ass load of food on his plate, we went and sat down next to the rest of the guys.

As it got darker, we lit a fire and eventually Sam and Billy came around.

"Hi." I smiled to Sam.

"Hey." He smiled back. Kissing my forehead, he moved so he was sitting behind me and I laid in-between his legs.

Billy began all of these really fascinating tribal stories about the 'cold ones' and the human shape shifter people.

Apparently, the cold ones drank human blood and were obviously cold skinned. He also described them with super strength and razor sharp teeth. Obviously, it sounded pretty cool. Well all except the fact that you were pretty much a living dead person. That was kind of a creepy benefactor.

Billy also explained a treaty that was once made by the shape shifters and cold ones. I thought it was kind of weird how he made it sound like all this was real. I mean, there are no such things as people turning into big fur balls and vampires right?

Anyways, the treaty was apparently a line separating La Push and the rest of Washington. Forks was the no mans land apparently.

The terms were that the shape shifters wouldn't attack if the cold ones didn't bite anyone or turn them. I thought it was a pretty good idea, and I was amazed that the humans could actually kill one of those walking dead people.

Billy explained a few more things, which sounded kind of familiar. He went into details about the shape shifters and their purpose in life. They were the protectors of La Push.

Personally, I thought it was a huge expectation and responsibility for an 'alpha' as they called it.

I mean, taking care of all the inhabitants in La Push and fighting off bloodsucking creatures, now that was just a lot to handle for a guy…or girl I guess.

When Billy was done, everyone was really quite. I was curious, but didn't really think much of it. Maybe they were just really into the stories?

My heart pounded a little and I knew I was fooling myself. This is why they were acting strange wasn't it?

"Wow, those were cool." I voiced from my dry throat.

As I looked around I found anxiousness written all over their faces. They all kept looking at each other, almost daring for someone else to speak up.

"Bella….do you…." Billy hesitated.

I looked at him funny. What was going on?

Turning around, I looked at Sam, whose eyes were focused on my shoulder.

"Sam?" I asked worried.

The pit in my stomach grew and I knew something was up.

A part of me knew what they were trying to say, but I didn't want to admit it to myself just yet.

"Bella, those stories…" Sam started. He took my hands from my lap and began playing with my fingers.

I waited for him to continue but he seemed speechless.

"They are what Sam?"

He licked his lips and took in a breath. "They are real." He whispered.

I took a sharp intake of breath and looked at everyone. This was a joke right?

"Sam, they are just stories. Myths. They can't be real. A man can't just change into a huge werewolf." I said, denying his answer.

"They aren't just myths or stories Bella." He said shaking his head.

"How do you know?" I croaked with fear. Everyone's stare was beating down on me, watching my reaction.

My breath started to become labored and I felt a bit lightheaded.

"Look at me." He commanded softly.

I shook my head and diverted my eyes. I didn't want to know the truth. Those people were not real. They couldn't be.

"Bella, please." He said, cupping my face with his large warm hand.

Slowly, I took a chance, trusting him with more than my life itself. I looked up to him and found his soft brown eyes analyzing mine.

"I know they are true because that's what we are. We are the shape shifters."

Giving myself a moment, I processed all of this information. They were werewolves…ok.

"Wait, What?" I squeaked.

As I tried pulling out of Sam's arms, he held me tighter. Freaking out, I felt myself getting a little claustrophobic.

"Wait. Bella! Just wait!" He said.

I looked at him, totally scared and freaked out.

"We are the protectors remember? Nothing bad is going to happen to you. We are still the same guys, nothing's changed." He cooed.

I shook my head and tried again to get out of his grip. I wasn't scared of him; I just…feeling trapped in the corner made me freaked. It only happened one other time…when I was in the car with my mother.

We were driving in the rain, and when the car hit us face on we flipped and then rolled. I was trapped between the pavement and the rest of the car.

When he finally let go and I got away from them I took a few breaths.

My eyes gazed over all of them. Nothings changed. - were Sam's words that played over and over in my head.

"I-…." I tried to formulate words in my head but I couldn't. A flash from the accident went past my eyes.

When I looked into Sam's eyes, they were full of hurt and pain which I couldn't bear to see.

"I-….couldn't…I can't….sorry." I stuttered. I was going to explain my behavior, but when I looked at them I felt like the worst person in the world. All of their eyes mimicked Sam's. They were all crushed.

"Bella?" Seth asked concerned.

Seth got out of his seat and held his hands on my arms.

"I…its ok. I'm fine. I-…its ok." I replied. Another flash went past me and I winced.

"I think she has gone nuts." Quil murmured to Embry. I heard a whack and saw Paul giving Quil a murderous glare.

Looking at Paul, I couldn't get over it. He was a werewolf. A giant furry werewolf.

"Bella?" Seth asked again.

Snapping out of it, I looked at Seth.

His eyes were analyzing mine and my pulse began to race.

"Everything is ok." I said, holding his forearms and trying to back away. Unlike Sam, he let me go.

"I get it. You're...werewolves. All of you." I swallowed hard. I didn't want Seth to read me. He could do that better than anyone. They were all focused on my thoughts of them being massive fur balls; but I had different problems.

"And how do you feel about it…?" Embry asked, looking at me closely.

"I…." I didn't know what to say. I was ok with it… right?

Flash.

The voices of my mom groaning out my name in pain hit me.

Running a hand through my hair I took in a breath. My head was starting to throb and my throat was beginning to close.
"I'm fine with it. I get it…or accept it or whatever. You are who you are…I just need to get out of here." I rushed.

Turning my back to them, I began making my way to the beach just a ways away from Jake's

I could hear Sam's voice call out to me.

"Bella! Wait!"

I felt guilty for not stopping, but I needed fresh air. I needed to think and close away those dark memories I kept hidden away.

-SAM'S POV-

I was about to run and catch up with her when someone grabbed my arm.

I turned back sharply and felt a growl surface in my throat.

It was Billy who was holding me back.

"Let her go Sam." He told me with certainty.

I knew he was right, but I was feeling so angry and upset that she was dealing with all these demons alone made me began to shake.

Calming myself down, I thought of how Billy knew best and she would return.

Nodding my head and sat back down.

We all waited for a few minutes, just letting the time pass in silence.

I glanced at Billy and found him with a sad conflicted look on his face. He was resting a hand on his chin and staring into the fire.

After a while I couldn't take it anymore. Billy was making me anxious and she hadn't come back yet.

"Seth and Jake, will you just go watch over her please? I need to make sure she is ok." I ordered.

Seth looked relieved with the order and Jake looked serious.

He was glancing at his dad, who was still staring into the fire. I watched the gaze between Jake and his dad.

Jake seemed nervous and scared maybe?

"I can have Paul do it." I growled.

Jake snapped out of it and shook his head. "No, I can do it."

I watched as Jake ran off with Seth who was already gone to find my Bella.

That kid. He's may be the youngest of the pack but I envy him. The way him and Bella get along is something I could never destroy or fully understand.

"What's the next step Sam?" Leah asked softly.

I looked at her confused.

"Are you going to tell her about the whole imprinting thing?"

I closed my eyes and hung my head in my hands.

Was I going to?

-BELLAS POV-

I sat on the cliff, letting the breeze hit my skin. I was starting to calm down. Back there, where everyone was…it was just…overwhelming.

All the flashbacks and panic attacks. I hadn't had them since I was in the hospital.

Dangling my feet, I stayed there a little longer. I brushed some hair out of my eyes and let my thoughts wander. After a little while, I heard some rustling and the twigs crack from behind me. I knew it was some of the guys.

Sam being Sam, he wouldn't let me go too far. He was way too paranoid. It was like I was some prized possession or something.

"Its ok guys. I will be right there." I told them, not looking back.

I heard a grunt, so I looked behind me. There were 2 giant wolves, laying down some distance behind me.

Smiling slightly, I shook my head at their silliness. I was fine by myself.

After a few more minutes of breathing and closing the visions, I got up and went to the wolves.

I looked at them both for a few seconds, analyzing them.

"Seth….and….Jake?" I guessed.

The wolf on the left, which I guessed was Seth lolled his tongue out to the side and nodded a loopy grin.

Jake nodded and gave me a lick on the arm.

"Eww Jake." I laughed.

I gave them each a rub on the head and had them follow me back.

As we were walking back I could hear Sam's frustrated voice.

"I don't know!" he yelled.

"Well your going to have to decide sooner or later!" Leah yelled back.

When I stepped through the woods, I found Sam and Leah standing up on opposite sides of the fire.

"Everything ok?" I asked nervously.

All eyes turned to me and Sam visibly relaxed.

"Bella." He let out.

Leah sighed and sat back down.

I looked at her and gave her a puzzled look. She met my eyes but shook her head.

Seth and Jake came out of the woods after that and gave Sam a meaningful look. I watched as they all exchanged looks with him. He looked troubled and everyone else looked determined; like Sam was hiding something.

Seth and Jake sat on each side of Leah. It was kind of like they were waiting for Sam to say something.

Just as I was about to ask what was going on, Billy interrupted.

"Well, this old man is off to bed." He grunted, backing away from the fire.

Jake was about to get up and help his dad when Billy said something that shocked us all.

"Bella, would you come and help me. I just have a hard time with the grass and stuff, getting back up in the house."

I looked from Jake to him, puzzled. "Um…sure. Why not?" I laughed of the awkwardness and walked over to him with my hands stuck in my back pockets.

As I walked him back up to his house I turned back to the guys. They were pretty much looking at Billy and I. The way the fire hit against Sam's face, kind of made my heart feel like goo.

We made it all the way to the kitchen. And when I was about to tell him goodnight and go back out to the guys, he stopped me.

"You weren't freaked out when Sam told you, were you?" he asked, sounding almost like a statement.

I bit my lip. I didn't lie to Billy. It was just something I don't do, and never will.

"Nope, not really." I admitted.

"It was when Sam wouldn't let you go that you seemed to panic, almost like your mind was somewhere else." He stated.

I nodded, and stuck my hands in my pockets.

"Care to share?" he asked.

I sighed and looked out their kitchen window. The guys were all yelling again, or at least it looked like it.

"Bella?" Billy asked.

I sighed and turned to him.

"Truthfully?" I asked.

He nodded and encouraged me to go on.

Taking in a deep breath, I began. "Truthfully I was sort of scared. When you told me the legends were real, I just kind of got freaked out. I mean, men…and Leah turning into a bunch of furry dogs was news that you wouldn't get hit with on a daily basis." I joked.

Billy smiled and nodded to continue. "So yea, I was a little freaked out, but then Sam grabbed me…and wouldn't let me go. I wasn't afraid for my safety or anything like that…I was just…."

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath, I continued. "I was having some flashbacks. Some things I didn't want to remember or be reminded of ever again. And I couldn't get rid of them, and when he wouldn't let me go…I just got so-…so scared and I couldn't handle it."

"I didn't want to hurt him." I whispered, bringing my eyes down to the floor.

"Sam." Billy stated.

I nodded. "I saw that hurt look in his eyes, like I wouldn't accept him for who he was; and that wasn't it at all."

"You were just having flashbacks…from the accident." He guessed.

I looked up at him teary eyed. "How did you-….?"

"It's not that hard. The look on your face…it was like you were claustrophobic."

"Please don't-…"

"I wont." He interrupted, knowing what I was saying. The secret was safe between him and me.

"But Bella, maybe you should tell them. Those ghosts aren't easy to keep in the closet." He advised.

I nodded and let out a breath. "Ok, I will think about it."

"Thank you Billy." I hugged him tight and stood back up. It was time to get back to the guys.

Just as I was about to leave, I turned back around and went to the kitchen again.

"Billy, what are the guys talking about?"

He looked at me and sighed. "It's not my place to say. But Bella, please keep an open mind."

My heart fluttered and I raised my eyebrow at him. "What now? Please don't tell me you guys can turn into something else too."

He shook his head and laughed. "No, nothing like that."

I nodded, it couldn't be that bad. "Alright, well I will try and be open minded. Thanks for the advice Billy!"

He nodded and gave me a smile.

"And Bella!" He yelled as I got to the front door.

"Yea?" I asked.

"I'm here if you need me. Ever." He stated.

I nodded and gave him one last smile before walking off.