AN: Hello again, friends! I'm back with the 3rd chapter of our story.

I want to thank everyone who has read the first two chapters, and who have followed, favourited and reviewed this story, so far! It's nice to be welcomed back so warmly after a few months away. I'm still not physically or creatively back at 100 percent yet, but I'm getting there, slowly but surely!

Before we continue with this next chapter, I'd like to take a moment, as always, to respond to the reviews left on the last chapter:

HufflepuffHugs: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and that you thought it was sweet!

Kouga's Older Woman: Thanks so much, I'm glad it came across as sweetly as I intended it to.

To answer your question about Seth and Bella's ages in this fic: Seth will be turning 16 very soon, and Bella has been 18 for a few months.

Asia-Joanna-7334: Aw, I'm so glad you loved it, and that you thought it was another great chapter! The next update is here!

TraciMyles82: I'm glad you're excited to read more, because the next update is here! I agree, both about stories featuring Bella and the wolves, and about Seth being a sweetheart. He's definitely one of my favourite characters in the whole Twilight series/universe!

DecadenceOfMySoul: Thank you so much! I'm thrilled you enjoyed it!

VeldanTwilight: They are cute, indeed! As for Jake, stay tuned! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! I'll keep them coming as quickly as my body and my creativity allow!

MMTyler: Seth is very adorable! I just love him, as for Jake and Leah, well, you'll just have to wait and see!

ABaker9: Seth is indeed a sweetheart! I'm glad you're excited to see where I take this!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. The series was written by Stephanie Meyer and adapted to film by Summit Entertainment.

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 3: Aftermaths and Goodbyes

My father's cruiser and most of the other cars are gone when Seth and I follow Sam back into the Clearwater house, where the Pack waits for us.

Immediately, all eyes are on me, and I take a moment to gauge reactions:

Sue's eyes are glassy with unshed tears, but her smile is genuine. Emily is beaming. Embry holds an excited Quil back before he can reach me. Jared and his imprint, as well as Jake's sister Rachel look pleased as well.

Paul looks indifferent, which I can accept. Jake looks wounded, and Leah Clearwater looks murderous.

When my eyes meet hers, I flinch under the weight of her icy glare.

"Really, Seth?" she says. "Imprinting is such bullshit. And even if it weren't, you could sure as hell do a lot better for yourself than Bella Swan."

A traitorous part of me knows that she's right. I'm a mess, a danger magnet, and Seth is pure, concentrated sunshine. He could do much better than me.

His fingers tangle with mine, and he angles his body as if he can physically protect me from his sister's harsh words.

"I don't want better, Bella," he whispers quietly. "I just want you, okay?"

He holds my face until I look at him, and I finally nod.

"Leah!" Sue looks horrified. "Imprinting is a sacred tradition of the Pack, and the Spirits have chosen Bella as your brother's imprint. You will show her the respect that she's owed."

"I don't owe her anything," she scoffs. "I'm just saying what we're all thinking. She'll use him just like she used Jacob, and the second her precious bloodsuckers come back, she'll forget Seth exists. Besides, she's way too old for him anyways."

You can hear a pin drop, and anger bubbles up inside of me, boiling over.

"Listen, Leah," I grit out. "I understand your cynicism about imprinting. I do know how it feels when someone you love leaves you for seemingly no reason, after all. That said, I'm not just going to stand here and let you insult me."

"Neither am I," Seth agrees. "I love you Lee-Lee, but I'm almost 16, and my imprint with Bella is absolutely none of your business."

"They're right, Leah," Sam interjects. "You have no right to speak on something you couldn't possibly understand. I'm sorry that I hurt you so badly. I'll never be able to say that enough, but if you can't accept Seth's imprint with Bella, or my imprint with Emily then I'll have no choice but to Alpha order you to stay away until you can."

"Oh, fuck off, Sam!" she spits. "You're a goddamn hypocrite."

With that, she spins on her heels, and storms out. A howl let's us know she's phased.

"I'll… just go check on her," Paul says, awkwardly. "She's volatile. She shouldn't be alone right now."

Sam nods his ascent.

I pull Seth towards the couch, and sink down into the cushions, sighing. "That could've gone better."

"She'll come around," Seth assures me. "She's just… this is a sore subject for her, and with everything else that's happened today…."

I cuddle into Seth, and let his warmth soothe me, in a way that Jake's never could.

Speaking of Jake, he's standing taut and tense, and his warm brown eyes are clouded with an anger that I've never thought him to be capable of.

He opens his mouth, and I brace myself for whatever he has to say, but Rachel beats him to it.

"Don't you say a word, Jacob," she warns, voice tinged with steel.

"But Rach, I… she…"

Rachel crosses her arms, refusing to budge, even as Jake begins vibrating.

"Take it outside, Jacob," Sam says firmly. "I've already told you to stand down. I won't do it again."

With a look of disgust at the two of us, and a sharp, dagger-like glare for Sam, he does so.

"Anyone else have commentary?" Seth sighs, running a hand over his face.

Everyone mercifully and—if the look on Seth's face is any indication—wisely keeps their mouths shut, and Seth turns to Sue.

"Can I go take a nap, mom? I'm exhausted."

"Of course, my son," Sue agrees, kissing his cheek. "We've got a few hours before the ceremonial bonfire."

Seth nods and offers me his hand. Despite his grief and fatigue, his smile is bright as he asks, "Are you coming, Bella?"

I nod, putting my hand in his. It's amazing how, just hours ago I could think of little but Edward and now, with Seth's hand in mine, he's the furthest thing from my mind.

Seth's room is small, and cluttered in a typical teenage boy kind of way, but it's warm and cozy.

"I'm sorry for the mess," he says, shyly. "I wasn't really expecting visitors when I woke up this morning."

"It's okay, Seth, I get it."

"It's not much, but…"

"Seth!" I cut in, cupping his cheek. "It's perfect. It suits you."

He leans into my touch, and exhales. "Okay… shall we? I mean, if you want to... I can just as easily take the floor."

"I'm not letting you sleep on the floor in your own bedroom, Seth. I trust you. We can share."

"O—Okay," he stammers, blushing.

I pull back the covers, and we slide in side by side, cuddling up together.

"Sleep well, Bella," he gets out around a yawn, tucking a stray piece of my hair behind my ear.

"You too, Seth," I say.

The minute his eyes close, he's out like a light.

I wake it feeling warmer, more comfortable and better rested than I have in ages. As the world comes back to me, my eyes find Seth's sleeping form.

I'm struck by how peaceful he looks, and not for the first time, I lament that the wolves have to grow up so fast. Seth may only be 15, but he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders.

As I resolve to ease that burden as much as I can, I realize that his warm amber eyes have blinked open.

"Hi," he yawns out, giving me a sleepy smile.

"Hi, yourself," I say. "Did you have a good nap?"

"The best!" he enthuses. "Waking up with you in my arms, and in my bed was even better, though."

"I liked waking up in your arms too," I admit, with the promise of a blush high on my cheeks.

"I'm glad!" he beams, twining our fingers together, and pressing a sweet but uncertain kiss to my knuckles.

He seems to realize what he's just done, and drops my hand as if it had burned him.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry," he rambles. "I know we're taking this slow but—"

I lean forward, and press a finger to his lips. His pupils dilate and any further words die in this throat, as he looks at me with wide-eyed wonder.

"Seth," I say softly, but firmly. "You don't have to keep apologizing. It's very sweet, but if you do anything I'm not comfortable with, I'll let you know, okay?"

"Okay," he nods, exhaling loudly. "Sorry, this is just kind of… new… for me. I've… I've never… had a… a girlfriend… before."

"It's okay," I soothe. "I've had exactly one boyfriend before but this imprint is new for both of us. We'll figure it out together, though. Okay?"

"Okay," he smiles. "What time is it?"

"5:30," I say, after consulting my watch. "We've still got some time before the bonfire. Are you hungry?"

"Always!"

"Let's go get you fed then, huh?"

He smiles brilliantly, and his warm hand clasps mine.

"Where… where do you put all that?" I marvel, as Seth finishes yet another plate of the spaghetti I made for him, Sue and I.

"I dunno," he says. "It was just so good and I was hungry, and…"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," I smile.

"You two are adorable, you know?" Sue says, smiling.

"Mo-om!" Seth groans, blushing. "Can you like… not?"

Sue laughs. "I'm just saying… you remind me of Harry and I when he first imprinted on me."

"You'll have to tell me that story one day," I smile.

"I will," Sue agrees. "In the meantime, I can't wait for the two of you to write your own story together."

I look at Seth, who is smiling in spite of his blush, and then back to Sue.

"Me neither, Sue."

The flames cast an orange glow over all of us as they crackle in the centre of the Clearwater's backyard, where the Pack has gathered to say goodbye to one of their own.

Being here feels somewhat intrusive, but the way Seth is squeezing my hand lets me know that he needs me, and that is all that matters.

"I'm right here," I whisper gently.

He looks at me, and for the first time, he looks scared, sad and lost.

"Stay," he whispers urgently.

My heart breaks into pieces at that, but my reply is immediate.

"Always," I promise.

AN #2: Well, this one took a lot longer than I wanted it to, and I'm still not 100 percent happy with it, but I hope y'all enjoy it all the same.

Feedback and constructive criticism are always welcomed!

Until Next Time,

WritingIsLoveAndLife