Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all Twilight Saga and characters.

Leah

I tried so hard to put on a brave face for everyone but I couldn't. Shortly after the awkward barbecue, we all went back to Dartmouth. On the outside I looked the same but on the inside I was broken. I hoped that they couldn't see but I knew Harry could feel it and so could the others. I refused to phase. I wasn't about to subject my pack to this emptiness. The boys and the Cullens made sure that I was never alone. Bella and Alice or Rose would make excuses to come spend time with me. Esme and Eve would come over almost every day to cook. Soon even the Cullen boys needed help with something or needed to update something in the house. Edward was the worst because he would know that I knew his excuse for coming over was bullshit but he still went along and snaked my drains, hung new curtains, and he even got me to bake cookies with him one afternoon. I felt bad because I knew he was trying to be there but I just didn't want to talk about it to anyone, not just him. At nights Seth, Nessie, Brady, Jacob or Embry would stay with me at the house. I was never alone and I both loved and hated it.

Harry was different since we came back. I wasn't sure if he was upset about what happened with Kara or Picha Ka'l or some combination of both but I had to keep it together for him. It was almost a month before I felt him near me again. Chris alerted everyone and the house was on alert. I could feel him watching the house at night for the first week. The whole situation only made Harry more upset. He kept staying out of the house for long periods of time and would ask me if Picha made an appearance every time he returned home. I didn't understand what he was doing. It was like he thought Picha would magically fly down if he wasn't around.

One afternoon he seemed a little bit more depressed than usual so he went out for a walk. I decided to follow him in human form. I was worried about him. He got to the river and he sat on a rock. My heart felt like it was breaking all over again. That's when I saw my imprint sweep down from the trees. I hated that having him so close made the pain I had been feeling for weeks disappear like it had never been there. I hated that I longed to touch him. More importantly, I hated that just one look at him was making me consider forgiving him.

"Tired of stalking us. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be flying over to my mom?" My son growled at my imprint. I got up about to protect my son when I felt the deep regret my imprint felt. It was our imprint link kicking in. He look at my son with eyes full of regret. I didn't know what his regret was about.

"After what I have done, I doubt your mother would welcome me into her home." He looked over my direction and again he had that sad, remorseful expression that made my chest hurt. I was well hidden do I doubted he could see me but he could probably sense me.

"Well you're not welcome in with me. Why the hell did you fly down to me, anyway?" My son asked him defiantly.

"Because I remember who I am now." Harry's face got angrier.

"Really? Well congratulations! So does the new you hate us too? Is the new you still ashamed of my mom for having me and for being friends with the Cullens?"

"They have been kind to you and your mother. They protected you and all of Taha Aki's children when I didn't. For that, the Great Spirit has chosen to bond Taha Aki's own children to them. It will take time but I can accept this. These warm blooded blood drinkers will give birth children that are a part of me and this is something I cannot ignore."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He asked him in a clearly frustrated and disrespectful tone but my imprint didn't pay any attention to it. He stepped forward and knelt in front on my son. They were now at eye level. Harry shifted uncomfortably. Picha's gaze was intense, as if he could see into Harry's soul.

"It means that I remember who I am. You have helped me remember."

"Really, and how did I do that?"

"Your gift. I have felt it before. The feeling of someone trapping me, keeping me from my own body."

"I don't understand."

"You didn't just keep my body from moving. You kept my soul from having access to my body. I was disconnected from it just like before... I remember and I realize that you are all a part of me and as hard as I try I cannot ignore it any longer. I must make things right with your mother and with you. As much as I hurt your mother, I have hurt you worst of all. I should have been there for you. I should not never have let the burden of caring for your mother fall on your shoulders. I should never have rejected you for your father's mistakes. You are not a mistake." I saw the tears slide down Harry's face before he let out a sob. It wasn't until that moment that I realized that Harry blamed himself for Picha's rejection. I was so caught up in my own pain that I forgot about my son.

"So what? Now you're ok with me being a half leech?"

"You may be the son of a cold one but you are mine too."

"I'm not yours, I should have been but I'm not."

"You are your mother's son. Your father is irrelevant."

"Well you're the only one who thinks that... I was so stupid to try to become human. It doesn't matter if I'm human or not. Everyone will always see me as his son." Picha stood up once again and looked my direction. His gaze was still intense. He looked at my son again and continued.

"Perhaps your ancestors and your mother's ancestors can override your father's lineage. Perhaps it will help you see that you are my son too, you are a part of me."

"You keep saying that. Why do you think everyone is a part of you?"

"I do not remember much of my past life but I finally remember who I am. Before I became Picha Ka'l I was called Taha Aki. He is the father of all the wolf lines. He is a part of you and I am one with him." Harry's mouth dropped open as did mine. Was my imprint crazy?

"That's impossible! He died a long time ago after his imprint killed herself to save the village." Pain flashed across Picha's face.

"Yes. He watched her die before his eyes and his wolf responded in kind."

"That's right. He was old. His wolf had a white muzzle and he ran off to the words to die." Harry said, completing the tale he heard dozens of times.

"Only he didn't die. The wolf must always be strong, this is why the boys who turn when they are young, age quickly and it is why Taha Aki became young again after his wolf returned at his old age. He begged his sons to kill him but they did not. They could not kill their own father. Taha Aki laid in the forest waiting for the pain to consume him, when a great eagle saw his suffering and offered his release. Taha Aki's sons were no spirit warriors, the spirit warriors were long gone by then. Their spirits were tied to their bodies and to the wolf's body but Taha Aki was not. He was a spirit warrior before becoming the wolf and knew how to separate his spirit from his body. He thanked the wolf for letting him share his body and then he released his spirit so that he could take the form of the great bird. The great bird did not share Taha Aki's love for Kitsa, for she was the wolf's imprint so I was able to live my life in peace. For long time I watched over my sons until they no longer needed my protection. It was difficult to see my son's and daughter's die. I decided to give myself a new name and allowed the bird to take over. It was so easy to forget. Peaceful. I only returned when I felt a sharp pain calling me back to my lands. I knew that someone was calling to me, to my spirit. When I returned I was confused by what I found. I had forgotten that I was Taha Aki but I remembered parts of his life and his enemies. I was not expecting Taha Aki's children to be joined to cold ones. I certainly was not expecting to imprint again on one of his descendants, my descendant from another life and another body."

I was pretty sure that I had the same dumbfounded expression my son was wearing. I had imprinted on my ancestor! That was just so fucked up! I felt the shock hit me like a freight train. He must have felt something because Picha's face went rigid. Taha Aki was my mate...

"Holy crap!" I said out loud by accident. Both them looked my way and I finally came out of my hiding place.

"You're Taha Aki?!" He nodded but didn't say anything. In fact he wasn't even looking at me. He was looking at the ground at my feet.

"I hope you can both find some way to forgive my previous behavior, for I did not understand. I did not know who I was then or who you were." He started walking away.

"Wait!" I said quickly but I didn't know where to go from there. He stopped and turned to look at me. He waited for me but I had nothing so he flew off.

"Chris is gonna love this one." Harry said sarcastically. I just glared at him.

"Lets just go home." He walked me to the house and as we got closer he took my hand.

"At least, he was nicer this time. Maybe he really is who he says he is."

"He felt regret. I could feel how deeply he regretted hurting us."

"That's a good sign right?" He asked me.

"I guess. Why? You ready to just forgive and forget?" I asked him.

"I want you to be happy mom. You deserve to be happy."

"You make me happy, kid. Imprint or no imprint, you're always going to come first Harry. I love you so much. You are the best part of my life. You get that, right?" I couldn't help the tears forming in my eyes as I told him this. He nodded and hugged me tightly. I hugged him just as tight.

The following evening I felt my imprint outside. I was in the kitchen making dinner with Seth and Eve. I looked out the window and saw my son outside, laying some clothes on the ground. My imprint then, flew down and swooped up the clothing. A minute later he re-emerged from the treeline and walked towards the house with Harry. Seth was already outside by the time I walked out with Eve. I could see by the look on his face that Seth simply wasn't having it.

"I invited him for dinner. Let him in uncle Seth."

"Hell no!" Picha Ka'l looked at all of us. His expression became hard. I could feel his irritation and guilt.

"Seth Clearwater! Behave or so help me I will tell mom. Why don't you go have dinner at Cullen's tonight?"

"I'm not leaving you alone with him. Eve, call Edward ad have him come get you, sweetie."

"I'm not leaving, either." Eve and Harry went into the house hand in hand leaving Seth, Picha and I outside by the door. Seth and I stared at each other until he finally huffed and went into the house quietly.

"May I come in?" He looked at me. My heart was beating faster. I hated it. I nodded and signaled everyone for him to come in. He looked rough even in normal clothes. His hair was unkempt and dirty. He sat around the table and everyone took a seat. It was all so civilized that it seemed ridiculous. I much rather be screaming. The food was already set on the table so everyone just stated eating, my imprint smelled his food before putting it in his mouth and then he went at it wholeheartedly.

"I guess you're not used to eating human food huh? When was the last time you were human?" I asked him

"I turned human before my youngest daughter died. I went to her deathbed at night while the others were asleep, to bid her goodbye."

"That's awful. I can't even imagine outliving my child." I felt a shiver down my spine at the horrific thought.

"She was an elder. She was ready but it was still very painful. It is why it was so easy for me to let the bird take over. There were many things I wanted to forget."

"So what made you remember?" Seth asked him.

"He did. His gift was very familiar to me." He said looking to my son. "Then he told me what happened to his mother. Her sacrifice… just like Kitsa…" Everyone was silent. No one liked to talk about that night, especially me. Eve started to tear up. Seth became uneasy and picked her up to place her on his lap. She was really too old for that type of stuff but she calmed down as soon as she was close to him.

"Do you remember your childhood?" I asked trying to change the subject. Eve was definitely a little different from Nessie. She was emotionally fragile and I didn't want her to go back on all her progress.

"Some but not much. I remember the night Kitsa died and the days that followed but anything before that is a fog. I remember the faces of most of my children. They were many of them. I still feel the connection to their descendants. You and your brother share the strongest connection, followed by your son and your alpha. But there are many, all across the world. I sense them all." He took another bite of food. His brows were furrowed as if he was thinking about something, then he continued.

"Being in a body that is different from your memories is very disorienting. I remember parts of Taha Aki's life but not all of it. The people he loved are easiest to remember."

"So you remember and just like that we're supposed to welcome you with open arms." Seth said angrily.

"Seth!" I said quickly but Picha didn't really looked too offended.

"My family has been beaten, broken, abused and cold ones had to step in to protect them. I think its about time I returned."

"The Cullens are more than just allies. They are family." I told him.

"I know." And that was the end of that conversation. My imprint refused to spend the night claiming that it wasn't proper for him to stay. He left the clothes he borrowed out in the changing shed and he flew off. I wasn't sure when he would fly down again but I knew he would stay close. I knew he wouldn't stay away long and I had a lot to think about anyway. Stupid spirits and their creepy sense of humor.

The next few weeks were interesting. Picha came over for dinner almost every day. Sometimes Seth would join us, sometimes Embry, Brady, or Jake would join us but no matter who it was, nothing changed. Everyone ate and talked but my imprint would say very little compared to that first dinner. I could tell he was trying hard to be comfortable with the situation. It was strange having him around. He would often look at me whenever he though that I wouldn't notice. He never really look at me directly. Every little word we exchanged made me feel things I never felt before. I was falling in love with him and I didn't even really know him. On the third week, Nessie decided to come over with Jake. As usual she picked up on the awkwardness of the situation, it would take in idiot not to.

"So Picha Ka'l, that's an interesting name. What made you choose it?" She asked him.

"This is my third life. It seemed appropriate."

"May I call you Kal. Picha Ka'l is a mouthful." She gave him her most charming smile but Picha just frowned.

"My name is Picha Ka'l." He told her.

"I kinda agree with the kid. Your name is a mouthful." I told him and for once he looked at me. His bow lifted and he gave me a very sexy yet annoyed look.

"Kal is a good name. Its normal." Jake said with a mouthful of food in his mouth.

"Jacob Black where are your manners?" Nessie reprimanded him but he just smiled at her.

"I would prefer you call me by my name." Picha said out loud to no one in particular.

"In our world, normal names are better and my mom likes Kal. Right mom?" Harry said to my imprint.

"Right?" I said. Picha looked at my son with narrowed eyes and Harry just smiled at him. Now I was confused.

"Fine." Something was going on with those two but I couldn't figure out what. We finished our meal and Kal excused himself and flew off. Nessie and I went for a walk to get some 'girl time'. She rambled on about all the wedding details. She was so happy that it was contagious. She even got me smiling. Finally when she was done explaining every detail her and Alice had chosen she finally got to a more interesting topic.

"Kal seems to be calming down about our blended family."

"Yeah, he only seemed moderately uncomfortable and annoyed instead of extremely."

"He's very handsome."

"If only he would let me get near him I could tell you exactly how handsome he really is."

We both laughed as she shook her head.

"So what's going on between him and Harry?"

"You caught that too huh? I have no clue what that was about. Harry has been pretty secretive lately and I caught him going off into the forest. Do you think they've been talking or something?"

"Why don't you ask them?"

"Because I don't talk to him. And Harry won't tell me anything. I already tried. This is such a nightmare Ness. I love him so much already but every day he comes in and says next to nothing and I sit there and eat. It's all so ridiculous it makes me want to scream or kick his ass."

"Leah you have to talk to him at some point. Why don't I head back to the house and you call your birdy back so you can talk. Next time I come here, I want to see that man cooking breakfast for you in his underwear."

"Ha! I wish!" She ran off at inhuman speed laughing. I followed her advice and tied to pinpoint my imprint using our connection. I followed it though the forest and I was surprised to find him and Harry talking again. Harry was teaching him English. I was a little jealous that he would ask Harry and not me but I was more glad that they were forming a bond than I was jealous.

"No. When you pronounce your M's and N's you have to make a nasal sound."

"I am tiered of this. Your mother is here for you." They both turned to look at me. I stepped out of the bushes and crossed my arms at both of them.

"So this is where you have been running off to."

"Sorry mom. He wanted help."

"I just wish you would have told me. I could've helped. I am a teacher after all."

"Well then I'll leave you to it." Harry told me with a smile and he walked back to the house, giving me a wink as he passed by me.

"I am sorry if you were worried. I found him out here alone some time ago. He seemed upset and I thought he might like a distraction."

"Why do you care so much about him? Don't get me wrong, I'm happy you two are getting along but when I first met you, you were disgusted by him, by me…And now you're magically ok with all of it? It just seems so hard to believe." I tried to keep my voice steady when I said that last part but my damn voice broke so I cleared it trying to hide it. He came closer to me. His facial expression was hard as always. He touched my face with the tip of his fingers and picked up a tear that I didn't even know I had let fall.

"The day I remembered, I was overwhelmed by the memories. I was even more overwhelmed when I realized I had returned to find my family broken, violated." He started shaking. That was the first time I have even seen him loose control. He was breathing hard and deep trying to calm himself. I felt brave and I finally put my arms around him to hug him. It felt amazing! He stopped shaking. He put his arms on my arms, I thought too bring me closer to him, but instead he pushed me away.

"I know I hurt you. I am sorry for this. I am deeply ashamed of my behavior before. I had no right to speak to you or your son the way that I did. I am unworthy." He looked away from me.

"Is that why you've been so distant. You really think I would regret being around you or getting to know you."

"Would you have forgiven me that easily if you had not imprinted on me?" He looked at me when he asked me this.

"I know the imprint is strong. But trust me, my son will always come first. The only reason why I even let you in my house was because you seem to be acting decently towards him. That's why I forgave what you said to me and how you treated me."

"He is a good son. He protects you well. I see a part of me in him."

"Well you are his ancestor."

"Taha Aki was his ancestor and yours and mine. I am a different being now."

"Good. Cause imprinting on my ancestor is pretty weird." He smiled at me.

"May I walk you home?"

"Yea sure. Um about that, I was talking to Jake and he has no plans of moving back home now that he's getting married so I was thinking that you might want his room. He has the top room in the house up in the attic. It has a balcony so you can fly in and out as you please. It's the largest room in the house, it has a nice comfy bed, your own bathroom. Plus, it would be nice to have someone else in the house again."

"I don't think it would be proper for me to live in a house with my imprint while we are unwed." My heart started beating faster. Did this mean he was thinking about wedding me? 'Focus Leah! We are literally just getting to each other.' I told myself. I wanted to fall down this rabbit hole with him but I have been burned too many times. My life wasn't a damn fairy tale. I was never going to imprint and then we just magically fall in love and get married the next day and live in imprint happily ever after. I lived in the 'real world' and in the 'real world', shit like that didn't happen. At least not to me. I needed to stay objective and be practical about the situation. He was a homeless man from a different century. He needed to adjust to this new world. We needed to take things one step at a time and it began by getting him a roof, a shower and some normal clothes.

"Um.. I sleep on the first floor with Harry. The guys had all the upstairs for themselves. There will be an entire floor between us and Seth lives there too. I really want to get to know you. We never have any time alone and it will be nice for Harry to get to know you too." He was silent for a moment, considering it. He looked straight into my eyes, causing me to loose focus again.

"I will try it."

"G-Good. We can start tonight and see how it goes. Seth is going to be staying home tonight so you don't have to feel uncomfortable."

"Very well." I couldn't believe that worked!

Kal adjusted well to living with his imprint, me on the other hand, not so much. I was having a real hard time keeping my thoughts PG. Overall, our routine didn't change, he only came down for meals, the conversation was limited and I was getting nowhere. The only thing that changed were that we had more movie nights and that I had more sleepless nights of dreaming of my naked imprint. Finally my family took pity on my and Bella asked Harry and Seth to sleep over to give us some privacy.

"Where is everyone?" He said in broken English when he saw the table was set for two. He was getting better but he still had a strong accent.

"They're at the main house. Esme made a big fancy meal for everyone and then they are having a movie marathon so they'll be gone all night." I sat at the sable and he finally he sat too.

"Why are you not with them?" He asked me as I was serving myself some salad.

"I didn't feel like dealing with Emmett tonight. Besides I much rather stay here."

He furred his eyebrows as if he was annoyed. Did he not want to be alone with me? I didn't know what his problem was but I was getting pretty sick of it. I set the salad back down, hard.

"If you really want me to go, then I'll go." I got up from the table but his stare kept me frozen. He looked as me as if he wanted to say something but he kept his mouth shut which was very smart of him at the moment.

"Stay." It wasn't a request. For some reason it felt more like a command. I settled back down but he kept looking at me. Finally he relaxed into his chair and started eating.

"I'm surprised you weren't the first one to turn into wolf with your temper." He said casually as if we didn't just have an argument. I almost dropped my fork. Did he really just tease me?

"Maybe I wouldn't have a temper if my so called imprint would give me the time of day instead of treating me like a leper. You do realize that you haven't talked to me or been alone with me since our talk in the forest?" He sighed.

"I'm sorry. Its not easy being around you, Leah."

"Why?"

"Because I desire you. Because I look at you and I forget that I hurt you, that I am living in your house where your son and your brother also live." He told me as if he were scolding me.

"Well they're not here now."

"I cannot. I will not dishonor you that way."

"Fine." We both remained silent. It actually hurt me to have a fight with him. He also looked unsettled so I decided to change the subject.

"How did you know I wasn't the first wolf to change?"

"I kept a watch on my family for a long time but after my youngest died, my daughter, it was too painful. After that I changed my name and let the bird take over my mind. I forgot who I was. Nevertheless, my bird felt a connection that lingered even if I didn't remember what it was. It flew back every time the connection was at its strongest. Usually it was when a new wolf phased. Last time it happened had been so long that when I felt it happen again I wasn't sure what it was. Then I felt another one and another one so I went to investigate them. That's when I saw the wolves. I didn't know what to make of it and my bird wasn't interested enough to find out. I lost interest so I flew off. The connection kept getting stronger as more wolves phased and I thought it was odd that I was connected to them but the bird was no longer curious. It was only when I felt your pain that I knew I had to fly back. If I had only returned before…"

"I wouldn't have Harry. So that's not an option. "

"I don't like it Leah. I hate that he touched you. I hate that he is Harry's father even more than he does. I don't hate your boy. He is a good son, protective, proud, smart. He is exactly the type of son I used to have and the type I hope to have again." I couldn't contain the emotion that bubbled up in my chest. Again that little glimmer of hope and excitement came back. A tear escaped my eyes and I quickly rubbed them away. I couldn't let myself get excited. My life wasn't a fairy tale, marriage and children would take time.

"Thank you." I love you. I wanted to say but it was too soon. We finished dinner quietly and I put the dishes in the dishwasher.

"Do you want to watch a movie?" I asked him but he had been contemplating something else so I wasn't sure if he heard me.

"Your son told me something once. He said that you have been hurt by imprinting before. He mentioned that the first alpha, Sam, imprinted on your cousin. I do not understand this. Why were you hurt by this if you knew that you were meant for someone else?" I swallowed hard. I didn't want to have this conversation.

"Because at that time, I loved Sam. I was going to marry him and she was like my sister. I felt betrayed and in one swoop I lost two of the most important people of my life. Then I phased and my father had a heart attack. He died because of me. Once I phased, I had to share my mind with Sam and feel his love for her. It was like pouring acid on my wound. Then to top it all off I realized that I wasn't having my female cycles anymore which meant that I couldn't get pregnant. I felt like everything in my life was going wrong. Like God was playing some sick joke on me."

"I'm sorry that happened to you."

"So am I. The pain that I felt changed me. You were right about coming back to a broken family. I was definite a broken woman. All I saw was darkness and anger, and hate. I was drowning in it. My only relieve came when Jake left the pack and I didn't have to deal with Sam anymore. I actually allowed myself to hope. I thought he was my chance to be happy because Jake understood what I felt. Then he imprinted and I felt alone again."

"Then why do you like her so much? I would have thought that you would hate her too."

"I wanted to hate her just like I hated all of the Cullens but I couldn't. Its impossible to hate Nessie. She was the sweetest kid I ever met and she reminded me of myself a little bit. It's funny how the same people I blamed for ruining my life also saved it. Carlisle, Esme and the boys were protective, like my parents and my pack. Rosalie hated being a vampire and she understood what it was like to be a genetic dead end since she also couldn't have kids. Even Bella and the Alice were ok. The Cullens paid for my college tuition. They never judged me for resented me for hating them."

"That was very generous of them."

"It was more than generosity. They welcomed our entire pack into their family. They included me in their family just the way I was. They didn't care about the girl I used to be and that I should just get over what happened with Sam. They accepted me and, thanks to that, I found myself again. I found traces of the girl I used to be before I phased. When Nessie and I got kidnapped, I knew what was going to happen even before they took us to that factory. I knew why they wanted her and I couldn't let it happen. That little girl helped me gain my life back. She brought light to her family, my alpha and me. I couldn't let them take her. I couldn't. I'm not sorry I did what I did even if Harry hadn't resulted out of it. I had to save her. Harry was like my miracle, like a gift for doing what I thought was right."

"They are very different from the cold one's I have met before. They seem more like a family than monsters. I never thought that could happen. It is very confusing, like going against my natural instincts."

"I know. But sometimes love can override those instincts. I mean, birds and wolves aren't supposed to imprint on each other and yet…" He smiled at me. I took the opportunity to get near him. He was leaning against the counter watching me as I talked. Before I even knew what I was doing, I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. I needed to be near him in the worst way and when he smiled at me like that it made me feel like it was ok. He didn't push me away as I expected him to. He wrapped his arms around me and nestled my hair.

"I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make sure you are never in a dark place again." I looked at him and saw the conviction in his eyes. Then right there, in the corner of my kitchen next to a dishwasher full of dirty dishes, he kissed me. It wasn't fancy, but it was perfect for us. His lips were so damn perfect. They perfectly molded with mine. His scent was too intense. I couldn't even think. His arms around me suffused me and I don't think either of us was quite prepared for the power of that kiss. It was slow, firm, gentile, as if our lips were speaking their own language. A language we couldn't speak for ourselves. My hands seemed to have a mind of their own as they caressed his chest. I unbuttoned the top of his shirt so that I could feel his skin. His hands moved from my back and caressed me up my arms until they wrapped firmly around my wrists. That's when he put a stop to our kiss.

"This isn't appropriate. There will be plenty of time for this after." He his voice was a little strained but not from anger.

"After?" I asked him confused.

"After you are my wife but not before." My heart went into overdrive again. He must have heard it because he smiled at me. It was an amused smile that looked very sexy on his face.

"Are you proposing?" I was trying to make a joke but some little part of me hopped that he was. It was squashed as soon as he shook his head.

"Not yet. There is still much that I must learn about you and about this new world so that I can be worthy of you." He brought up my hands to his lips and kissed both my hands.

"You are more than worthy." I told him. His eyes were still amused but he shook his head.

"After." He said firmly. I rolled my eyes and smiled at him. We spent the rest of the night sitting on the couch, talking and getting to know each other. He told me what little he remembered about his past and his children. We sat facing each other, at first. He would stroke my hand or my face whenever I said something sad. When I told him about my father, he held me against his chest. It felt so perfect to feel him holding me, I felt safe. I told him about what it was like to go to high school and college. I told him about teaching and how much I loved my job. He listened intently the entire time. He looked into my eyes and listened as if I were telling him the most amazing story in the world. I finally started to get drowsy and he walked me over to my room. He thanked me for sharing my life with him but he said it in a way that made me feel like he was talking about more than just my story. I kissed him again, on the lips. It was a quick kiss this time but once it was done, he pressed his forehead to mine and told me the sweetest words he could say to me.

"You are a miracle. You are a dream that became real. You give me something to live for. You are why I survived, why I endured. I know you have not lived an easy life but thank you for existing." He pressed his lips to my forehead. It wasn't 'I love you' but it was pretty damn close.

The packs and the elders were all very excited about having him in our lives. We soon discovered that he was linked to us through our mental link. He just had to open his mind to us and there we were, sharing our thoughts. It made it incredibly useful for patrolling and it helped him learn English a lot faster.

After almost three months he finally agreed to meet the Cullens. After everything he knew about them, he actually started to like them. He especially liked Carlisle. Of course, Sam was extremely irritated that our ancestor was actually getting along with the Cullens. I, however, was glad that he was starting to integrate himself into my life and that finally things were working out. I never knew happiness like this even existed. Before I even realized it was happening, I found myself excited about the possibilities that my future with Kal might bring—I allowed myself to hope.