Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, items, products etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original character and plot are mine. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise, products or locations (They ARE NOT MINE). No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter Six

Ugh. Why did this happen to me? Everything had been fine; I was living a normal perfectly happy life here, blissfully oblivious to all things supernatural. All the times I had told myself I wanted to be a part of something amazing; I had never once imagined this. Was I going to be okay with essentially living in a glorified horror movie?

Embry's steps had slowed, and my eyelids felt like they were made of lead as I forced them open. The awful fog of the morning was dissolving and the sun was beginning to filter down through the trees. My twin glanced down at me, concern written on his face.

I attempted to plaster on a convincing smile, but failed miserably. My bruised jaw had started to swell, which morphed my wannabe smile into a grimace followed closely by a groan.

"Really, Em. I'm fine; you can put me down," I managed to mumble out, somewhat coherently, between groans. My mental inventory seemed to agree with my unconvinced brother. I wasn't fine, my entire body ached and throbbed. A far more optimistic plan would have been to focus on what parts of my body didn't hurt

"That's bullshit, Cassie. We're almost there anyway. Hang on," Embry said, grinding his teeth together.

My guilt grew as I looked up at my twin's clinched jaw. He didn't need to worry about me. Being a werewolf, I'm sure, came with plenty of problems, and he didn't need to concern himself with taking care of me on top of everything else. Ugh. I closed my eyes again and focused on being tough for Embry, Sam, and Jake. Pulling on the remaining shreds of my inner strength, I spoke, and my words came out sounding almost normal.

"Seriously, Em. I'm not going to die. I'm just a bit banged up…No big deal…" Embry glanced down at me as I continued, "Please, put me down." He wasn't convinced, but slowed and complied, gently setting me on my feet.

We were standing in the Uley's yard. Well, Embry was standing; I was painfully hunched, attempting to right myself. My ribs creaked and popped in protest and an involuntary hiss escaped from between my clenched teeth; so much for putting on a tough façade.

Never in my life had I ever been so in tune with my body, and boy was it communicating clearly. My brain was completely ignoring my usual mind-over-matter mentality and was screaming at me to curl into the fetal position and die and to do it now.

The screen door slammed open, and Emily's subsequent gasp forced my gaze upward. Her shocked face informed me that I apparently looked as horrible as I felt. Awesome.

"Oh my God! What happened!" Emily yelled. She appeared at my side an instant later, and when her arm laced around my waist, shooting pain laced up my sides. I sucked in a sharp breath and Emily immediately loosened her grip.

"Embry?" she dropped her voice and glanced at my twin.

"She's lucky to be alive, Emily. That scent we caught last night was fresher than we originally thought. There were two different pairs of them and one set had apparently doubled back on us…Jake got to her just in time." Embry sighed trudging behind me and Emily as we made our way into the house.

"I wondered where Sam went flying off too so early…I'll get Cassie all cleaned up, Embry. Why don't you go help the rest of the guys finish up? I know Jake would appreciate getting back here as soon as possible," Emily said, gently coaxing me up the stairs. I paused and partially turned to face my twin.

"Go ahead and go, Embry. I'll be fine. We can talk later, okay?" He was reluctant to leave me, but I didn't want him to be here during this. Resetting my ribs wasn't going to be silent process.

"Seriously…I could use a few minutes to myself anyway…" I trailed off as Embry's eyes glanced down at my form. Forcing myself into a somewhat straight standing position, I waved my brother off and climbed the stairs heading for the bathroom.

Emily and Embry exchanged a few more words before I heard the front door open and slam.

I had managed to drag myself into the bathroom and collapse on the side of the tub before Emily came in, bringing towels and a basin for water. Once she had filled the bowl with steaming water she turned to face me.

"Cassie, are you really okay?" Emily asked her voice full of kindness and concern.

"Oh yeah. I'll be fine." I gave her a small smile. "Do you have some clothes I could borrow?" The ones I was wearing had caked sand and mud smeared on them.

"Of course! I'll be right back to help you, so don't move," Emily said, quickly disappearing down the hall. She returned seconds later carrying some sweat pants and a t-shirt.

Removing my pants and shirt wasn't nearly as painful as I had anticipated, and with help it went almost smoothly. Standing in my underwear in Emily's bathroom however wasn't how I had pictured spending my morning. My body had definitely seen far better days, and judging from Emily's scowl, she agreed with my evaluation.

I took a deep breath I ran my fingers gingerly over my battered ribs. A few were cracked but mostly they were just bruised all to hell, which explained why breathing and standing upright was so painful. I wasn't going to need a trip to the Emergency Room, but hopefully the six Tylenol I had taken would start to work very soon.

Emily was a godsend; she followed my directions and helped me set and then tape up my ribs. Keeping my screams under control managed to help me not pass out and, we had been able to move on to washing and re-bandaging the cut on my arm.

My shins were covered in angry deep-red splotches where I had kicked the vampire's granite bodies. Those would morph into beautiful deep purple bruises in no time. My right elbow was swollen and tinged with purple from where it had contacted the vampire's torso. The various frozen vegetables Emily brought me had started to bring down the swelling and the hot tea she had made was doing wonders for my scratchy throat.

Once we had me cleaned up, I changed into clothes that weren't infused with vampire stench, and I worked up the nerve to look at my neck and face. I gingerly splashed cool water on my face, and prepared myself for the worst.

Emily must have known what I had been thinking. "You'll be wearing turtlenecks for awhile, but it's really not that bad."

"Thanks, Emily." I looked at myself in the mirror and grimaced.

There were deep purple contusions already forming under my jaw. Faint, finger-shaped marks were slightly visible over my mouth and cheek where the vampire had clamped my mouth shut. The worst was by far my neck. Ugh. I would definitely be wearing turtlenecks for a few weeks. There would be no way to hide the huge purple "c" shaped bruise, which wrapped menacingly around the front of my neck.

Emily steadied me as I sank backwards onto the toilet.

"I'm very lucky to be alive." I hadn't realized I had spoken out loud until Emily responded.

"Yeah, you are. It's a really good thing Jacob is so in tune with you."

"What do you mean? Jacob and I just met." My eyebrows raised and I looked questioningly at Emily. She gave me her classic genuine half-smile.

"Well, with you being his imprint and all..."

My forehead creased as I cut her off. "What does that even mean? Quil said something about that last night."

Emily's dark eyes widened in surprise and her lips became a thin line as she processed her answer.

"I thought Jacob would have told you. I'm sorry. I didn't want to be the one to…uh…explain..." I nodded and she continued after several seconds of silence. "This is so much for you to deal with, Cassie..." Emily knelt down in front of me, placing her delicate hands gently on my hunched shoulders. Her eyes swam with emotion before she cleared her throat and soldiered on.

"Obviously you know that our guys – your brothers – and their friends are a pack of werewolves, or shape shifters to be more appropriate, and they protect people from vampires…" I nodded again; that part I was clearly aware of. Emily rocked back on her heels and massaged her temples. "Basically an imprint is like a werewolf's soul mate. A werewolf is connected biologically, mentally, and permanently to their imprint. So, it's really more of like a soul mate on steroids. Jacob's bound to you forever, eternally connected to your soul. He's now living his life totally for you; you're the center of his whole universe…" Emily didn't finish whatever she was going to say, but stood up and gave me a lingering haphazard hug.

What the hell? How could I be Jake's soul mate? We had met once. I had thought it had gone well, but eternal-soul-mate well? My brain hurt along with the rest of my body, but I must have managed to choke out some semblance of comprehension along with my nod because Emily continued.

"I know how much this is to take in, Cassie, but I promise you're not alone. Okay? We're all here for you, you know. Are you ready to face the pack? They're waiting downstairs," Emily asked, releasing me as she stood up.

I couldn't meet Emily's eyes. I wasn't ready to face the guys, and maybe I never would be, but I did need to get a grip before I could even dream of venturing downstairs. Emily didn't appear eager to push me into a decision and allowed the silence to awkwardly stretch on.

Somehow the voices from downstairs seemed to have grown louder, as if they were clearly talking right outside the bathroom door. There was no way I could actually understand what was being said and who was saying it. Even if I was hypersensitive and overly aware right now that just wasn't possible. I'm delusional. Perfect. As I shook my head to clear it I dragged my eyes to Emily's. She briefly mirrored the indecision on my face before making up her own mind.

"Why don't you wait to come down for a few more minutes? I'll get rid of most of them, if I can." She gave me a weak smile before leaving and gently closing the bathroom door.

Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back against cool tile wall and tried to organize my jumbled thoughts. My brothers turn into huge dogs –okay, I can deal with that. I wasn't even really freaking out about the whole vampires and werewolves thing – I was hung up on the fact some gorgeous shape-shifting guy had decided I was his forever mate. What was I supposed to do about that!

The voices from downstairs continued to be clear, but I tried to ignore what was being said. Paul was ribbing Jacob about rescuing me. He was apparently under the false impression that I could have handled it alone if Jake hadn't of stepped in. Whatever! I couldn't turn into a huge dog and protect myself. I wasn't the only delusional person today. Emily's normally sweet and patient voice finally broke over the guy's commotion. For not being a wolf she sure had influence, because after only a few whispered exchanges, the front door opened and closed several times.

The only people left were Emily, Sam, Embry, and Jacob. Even though Jacob had barely spoken I knew he was there. It was almost like I could feel their essence through the floor boards. God. I was losing it, and completely out of my mind. When the silence downstairs was only broken by an occasional whispered question to Emily, I forced my thoughts to focus. I had to wade through this mess of information.

I had to give Jacob a chance, didn't I? As easy as it would be to turn tail and leave; I wasn't ready to give up my family. Shape shifting aside, Jacob didn't seem anything short of someone I just might want to spend forever with. Granted, one magical walk on the beach wasn't enough to start planning a wedding, but I could at least be open to the idea, right? There was no harm in giving it a go; if it failed, then, I could leave.

After releasing several measured calming breaths, I slowly stood up. One thing at a time, that's what I could deal with. First things first, my family was worried and needed to see that I was okay. And really, I was feeling much better –physically. My body must have giving itself over to the drugs, because other than some dull aches, I felt almost normal.

As soon as I turned the door knob, all conversation ceased from downstairs. Forcing another deep breath into my lungs, I started down the stairs, and my steps echoed loudly throughout the Uley house.

Emily was stationed at the bottom of the stairs, tucked into Sam's side. When Sam glanced at me and took in my appearance he kept his face mostly impassive. But I caught the slight movement in his shoulder muscles as they tightened around Emily and pulled her closer to him.

Both Embry and Jacob's attention had snapped to me as soon as I had come into view. After Embry gave me a brief once-over he turned to glare daggers at Jacob like it was somehow Jake's fault this happened. As Jacob's black eyes locked onto mine he seemed to tune out the rest of the room, as if it was just me and him standing there. His gaze was so intense my eyes began to tear up as I stared back at him. Everything Emily had said –how important I was to him– he was able to convey in one powerful look. He had been so worried; he was beyond angry I had been hurt; he deeply cared for me. No one had ever looked at me that way. Even as I had watched my parents die, I had never experienced such a raw emotional projection. Jacob's emotions threatened to overwhelm me. Focusing on chewing nervously on my thumb instead, I tore my eyes away from his.

It seemed so wrong. Guilt washed over me. Because of me, Jacob had to feel all of those powerful emotions. It wasn't fair. You shouldn't be forced to care about someone that deeply so quickly. Why did some mystical power get to play cupid like there weren't going to be consequences? I knew there would be consequences; there always were. I just prayed the consequences wouldn't make any casualties.

Looking at the floor I spoke, directing my quiet words at Jacob.

"Can I talk to you outside for a second, please?"

"Sure. Anything." Jake's perfect voice answered me, and before I had even taken a step he was at my side. Werewolves were apparently fast even out of canine form. Gently placing one of his huge warm hands onto the small of my back, Jake guided me out the front door.

Jacob steered me across Sam's yard until we stood several yards inside the tree line. As I turned to face Jake his hand slid down my back then over my hip, leaving a wake of warmth behind. He was visibly fighting to gain control over his emotions without much success. Jacob's jaw clenched and his deep onyx eyes tightened as his heated gaze dropped to my bruised throat. He blinked repeatedly before looking away. Jake's hands clenched into painful fists at his sides as his body started to shake. The battle over whatever small amount of control Jacob had worked up was quickly being lost.

Reaching out, I pried apart his tense fingers and interlaced them tightly with mine. Jacob took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Then we both spoke at once.

"Listen, Jake…"

"Cassie, I'm so sorry…"

Jacob continued as I paused, "Cassie, I'm sorry. I should've protected you…"

"What? Are you kidding me?" I asked, shocked. Jacob didn't answer; he just kept staring at our intertwined hands. I dropped my voice several octaves and went on.

"Jake, listen…" His eyes flicked to mine; I had never called him Jake before. "I would be dead or worse if you hadn't shown up. You saved my life. Thank you."

"I should've acted quicker," he mumbled.

"Look. I'm not dead, and I wasn't bitten, so I'm not going to turn into a vampire. I'm a bit banged up, yeah, but some of us are weak humans and bruise." Jacob's hand tensed beneath mine, and my memories suddenly clicked into place. Bella's not a human, and Jacob loves her, or loved her, but… if Bella is a vampire…

"What were you going to tell me before I interrupted you?" Jacob asked, yanking my focus back to his gorgeous face.

"Oh…umm…" My revelation of Bella being a vampire had jacked up my train of thought, and I had to pause for a second. "Oh. I was just going to tell you that I'm slightly overwhelmed with everything that's going on. This is all brand new to me, and I'm still just trying to make sense of everything."

"You can take all the time you need to process and let things sink in. I'm not going anywhere." Jacob's voice was even as he squeezed my hands.

"Thank you." I gave him a small smile before I asked the question that was burning itself into my brain. "Why was I picked to be your soul mate? Or 'imprint'? Or whatever…" I trailed off, my eyes meeting Jacob's.

He thoughtfully chewed on his bottom lip for several seconds as he debated his answer. It seemed like every time I was around Jacob I was forced to notice his perfect lips. Was he chewing on it on purpose just to distract me? I should have minded, but there was something completely entrancing about his perfect white teeth kneading his bottom lip. Eventually, Jacob let out a deep sigh and I was able to re-focus back into his dark eyes. I saw nothing but honest determination.

"Do you want the brutally honest truth? Or the straight-from-my-heart truth?" Jacob asked, as he ran his warm fingers gently across my bruised jaw. I closed my eyes and carefully leaned into him.

"Both, I guess." My eyes opened just in time to witness Jacob's torn expression.

Jacob cleared his throat before dropping his hand from my face. His warmth was missed immediately.

"Okay…Well, the straight answer is…ah…you're from a strong bloodline." My eyebrow quirked up at his statement, so he continued, "basically, you have a strong wolf gene from your dad. And your genetic make-up mixed with mine will produce stronger wolves for coming generations."

My mouth dropped open and I stuttered, grasping for a coherent response. That wasn't anything close to the answer I had been mentally preparing myself for.

"So… this," I gestured between us, "is just like some mystical mating imperative…You're only into me so we can procreate? I have great wolfy genes and what? Good birthing hips?"

My voice was a higher pitch than I would have liked, but this was insane. I had really started to like Jacob, to the point I was going to open up and maybe even let him get to really know me. But no. I pick some smoking hot wolf-boy whose inner canine was solely looking for breeding buddy. Period. How awesomely perfect. I sure did know how to pick them.

My head was spinning as I let go of Jacob's hand in order to rub my temples with my fingers. Deep down I had known that Jacob Black really liking me was too good to be true. How stupid was I? I should have known better. Things that seem to good to be true probably are. What an idiot I was to fall for it!

Jacob was able to gently place his burning hand on my shoulder before I could shrug it off, and he let his arm drop heavily to his side.

"Listen, Cassie, there's more to it than that…" Jacob tried to continue but I held up one finger silently asking him to give me a second, and to be honest I would need a helluva lot more than a second.

Seconds turned into minutes as I stood staring at Jacob's muscled chest. My brain focused and unfocused as I again grappled with coming up with an action plan. What even were my options for dealing with this? Only a single clear thing kept coming to mind; I needed to get out of here. Now.

"I need to go home. I thought I could handle everything, but I just can't…not right now." Meeting Jacob's eyes, I forced myself to keep going, "Look, I'm sorry…this isn't…I'm just not ready for all this…" I couldn't finish without breaking down, so I just turned and escaped back towards Sam's house leaving Jacob standing alone in the woods behind me.

I didn't look back. I didn't need to see how much I had probably just hurt Jacob. Berating myself for being a coward, I trudged across the yard; why was I having trouble rationalizing? Leaving was the only thing that should be making sense. I should have moved to Seattle in the first place. There would always be holidays to spend time with my brothers, right? Jacob could find someone who could be his equal. He needed someone who could fight monsters with him; someone who completely understands. I could never give him that; he deserved someone who could.

As soon as I got close to the porch, the screen door swung open and bounced against the wall. Embry had been waiting for me and he was at my side in an instant. I didn't move as he threw his arms around me hugged me to his chest. He always seemed to know what I needed; maybe twins were mentally linked to each other.

"Take me home, Em." My twin just nodded and steered me towards Emily's car.

After he buckled me in the passenger seat, he gently closed my door. A second later he was in the driver's seat and the engine purred to life.

I could feel Embry's eyes on me, but I didn't turn to look at him. I let my head fall backwards, and it bounced lightly off the headrest.

"Are you okay, Cas?" Embry asked. I wondered if he could hear my brain slipping into overload; I swear I almost could. My blood pounded in my ears and my vision swam with tears blurring the dirt road in front of us. Tightly shutting my eyes I hugged my arms around my body and pulled my legs to my torso.

"No. I'm not okay." My whole world was screwed up, my body was broken. Every single thing was messed up. I felt like I had an extreme fever and chills all at once. I knew I could figure this out, but my brain just wouldn't focus on the answer.

AN:

I really appreciate all of you for reading! You rock, and make me feel like my 'silly hobby' isn't a complete waste of my time

*hugs and wolfy kisses*

Shout out of thanks to PTB's Robotprospektor, for her persistence and patience with my continued lack of comma usage. I will in fact single space the beginning of my sentences from now on! Promise! Thanks to DreaC, too! She's my lovely beta from wolf corner!