Jasper knew that his wife was on edge, what with Bella still in transition, the Volturi attack on the way, and the hazy vision she'd received which promised that when the Volturi left they would've done so having destroyed the Olympic Coven. Yes. He knew she was on edge, and yet there was something more to this, something else she wasn't sharing with him, was shouldering alone.

The feeling of despair and confusion poured from her pores in a sharp, pungent scent. He'd tried getting her to speak to him, had tried influencing her mood, and it'd helped somewhat, but she was resisting any form of help he tried to offer. That worried him more than anything.

"You need to give her a little space," Carlisle offered his fatherly advice when he'd come to check in on Bella, and had found Jasper there alone, a worried expression on his face. He'd easily gotten the issue out of Jasper, and after listening, he's placed his hand on Jasper's shoulder and imparted his wisdom. "Alice's power is a very big burden, one that weighs heavily on her."

"I know that, it's why I want to be there to help her shoulder it," Jasper interrupted in frustration. "She's always allowed me to do so until now, so why won't she?"

"Maybe you taking care of Bella gives her the peace of mind she needs to try and sort out what she's been seeing." He ran slender fingers through his blonde hair. "Now that the issue with the Rez Pack has been resolved there's one less thing for her to worry about, concentrate on." He smiled tiredly. "You know better than anyone, Jasper, that sometimes Alice just needs to be alone to sort through her visions and what they mean."

"She's so sure the Volturi are going to destroy our family," Jasper whispered worriedly.

"I won't let anyone harm this family, Jasper," Carlisle swore as his grip tightened on Jasper's shoulder. "I promise you this."

Jasper sighed, rested his hand on the one on his shoulder, and hoped that whatever Alice saw changed, and soon.

…

"What are you doing?" Leah asked in confusion as she watched Seth stuffing two pillows and a blanket into a duffel bag he'd found in one of the rooms.

"James isn't going to come down for the rest of the night, he'll want to stay up there where he can get a whiff of the Volturi the second they come into range," Seth responded without even looking up. "I'm going to keep him company."

"Just because he stays up there in the cold doesn't mean you have to," Leah reminded her brother. "He's your Imprintee, not your master. You don't have to do everything he says."

"You think he told me to do this?" Seth snorted. "Please, you obviously don't know him. Right now he's using that time to try and figure things out, and since he doesn't sleep he'll spend the whole time trying to come up with reasons why he's not good enough for me, and crap like that. I'm not going to give him the opportunity to think too much about this when it's all so simple. He's stuck with me for the rest of our lives so he'll just have to get used to it."

Leah opened her mouth, closed it, and then cleared her throat. "Were you gay before meeting him? I have no problem with you being gay, obviously, I mean, Chelsea, I'm just wondering whether I didn't notice something and you were going through that alone." She'd have really been a shitty sister if that was the case.

"I don't think I really had a 'deal' before him," Seth admitted after a moment's silence. "I thought girls were pretty but I never really felt much for them, but I wasn't lusting after guys either." He shrugged. "But with James? It was instant, but I didn't understand what it was for a long time because I hadn't actually felt it before."

Leah nodded before she stopped, and sighed. "He didn't, you know, take advantage of you any time during the trip, right? I mean, I know you're Imprintees, but you're really innocent and I know you'll be angry I asked this - but I want to make sure he didn't ever force himself or use the Imprint to make you do anything before you were a hundred per cent ready or comfortable to do it."

Seth finished filling the duffel bag, swung the strap over his shoulder, and turned to his sister with a grin. "Leah, if anyone came on a bit strong, it was me."

Leah just couldn't see it. He was her innocent, sweet, little brother.

And yet, as Seth patted her shoulder on the way out of the room, the smirk on his face was one she'd never seen before.

Damn it. Her little, baby, brother had grown up.

…

Rachel Black was a werewolf.

The college girl just stared at her reflection as she tried to digest that fact. She'd thought Carlisle Cullen insane when he'd told her to shift - but then Jake had taken her aside and told her he was a werewolf and his boyfriend a vampire - and then she'd thought Jake was either on drugs, or a part of some weird cult.

And then her little brother had turned in front of her.

Rachel Black was a werewolf.

Rebecca too, which was probably the only reason she was still alive.

That was terrifying. How could the twins have been something for all their lives without having ever known? Sure, according to Jake girls didn't shift - Leah Clearwater was supposedly the only girl to have ever shifted - but still. This was in their genes! Even if they had never shifted if they'd had sons they would've! The girls should've been told!

Don't get angry, this all happened because Rebecca couldn't keep her temper under control!

Rachel's twin had appeared at her dorm, completely soaked and terrified, not telling Rachel anything except that they had to go back to the Rez - now. She'd tried explaining things to Rachel during the drive but it had all been very confusing - and no one answering Rebecca's many constant, urgent calls - had made her temper fly - as did Rachel not quite getting what her twin had tried to tell her.

Next thing she knew, Rebecca had done - something - and then Rachel had lost control of the truck and - well - they would've died if Jake's hot Beta and Seth Clearwater hadn't yanked them out of the river. And yet that wasn't the end of her weird night.

Vampires exist, and my brother's boinking one.

That was a hard one as well. Not the gay part, but the vampire one - and apparently they sparkled. Bram Stoker would be rolling in his grave if he'd realized that he'd left out such an important part of that mythos.

"He was actually a friend of a vegetarian coven," a surprising voice declared as Edward Cullen appeared by her side. "He wrote all that nonsense to throw people's scent off of them."

Rachel's eyes widened as she stared at the cute guy. "Vampires can read minds?"

"Just me," he responded sheepishly. "Some vampires have special abilities, mind-reading is mine." He cleared his throat. "It's a pain in the butt. Most people merely are thinking about sex or money." He rubbed his hands over his skinny jeans. "I've never officially met anyone in Jake's actual biological family, I'm Edward Cullen, your brother's mate." He cleared his throat. "I know vampires and werewolves don't usually get along, but I love your brother."

Rachel took a moment to look the vampire up and down. Her father had warned her and her sister to stay away from the Cullens but had never said why, so to be honest the twins had wondered whether the 'family' were some weird sort of sex, Manson-esque cult. Yet instead of that, they were vampires, and one of them was totally getting boinked by her brother. At least he was seriously cute, although she'd have to help him with his style. No brother-in-law of hers would wear that much hair gel.

Decision made, Rachel put her hand in his and shook Edward Cullen's hand. "I have access to Jacob's embarrassing baby pictures."

Edward's smile grew as his grip tightened on hers. "I think you're my new favorite person."

Rachel returned his smile before sighing. "Look, I don't pretend to understand all of this, or any of it if I am being truthful, but my father was wrong for cutting Jake off for having a boyfriend, or a vampire lover - I'm honestly not sure which it is. How I see it, and I know Becs will feel the same - if you're Jacob's mate there's nothing to argue about." She pursed lips. "What I do want to know more about is this vampire royalty WWE smackdown happening tomorrow. Jake was really cagey, not wanting me anywhere near it or to know anything since 'it wasn't safe'." She planted her hands on her hips. "So how about you be a good mate and keep me from pummeling my infuriating little brother by telling me what exactly is going on here? What's happening tomorrow and why?"

Edward sighed, looked around, and then returned his gaze to her and did just that.

…

Sam and Garrett had gone for a walk in the woods, and James had made his way back up to the roof, watching them until they disappeared from sight. Honestly, James had no idea how to feel about any of this. While he was glad that his fledgling wasn't the one that Sam had imprinted on, he had mixed feelings about poor Garrett getting the wolf. Sure, his friend was a pain in the ass most of the time, but James knew Garrett was a loyal friend, and wouldn't ever really wish anything bad on him, and Sam was the worse.

What exactly did this mean? Would Sam leave when Garrett took off? Would Garrett try life staying in one place? Would this work? Would Garrett make Sam less sucky or would Sam changed Garrett? James had very few people he knew he could trust unconditionally, and while Garrett was a total idiot most of the time, James had never doubted him or his loyalty. Even when he'd doubted Riley, James had never doubted Garrett. The idea of losing that to Sam was—-.

"What are you growling about?"

James peered over his shoulder, eyebrow raising in surprise and amusement when he noticed that not only had Seth joined him once more, but he was lugging a duffel bag filled with… something… inside of it. "Was I growling?"

Seth nodded, looking amused as well as he sat down next to him. "It was real guttural too." Opening the duffel bag's drawstrings, Seth yanked out two pillows, stuffing one behind James' back before putting the other behind his own so they were ridiculously comfortable on the rooftop. "So what were you growling about?"

"Sam and Garrett," James admitted, intrigued when Seth yanked out a blanket and proceeded to cover them with it. Neither of them would be cold really, vampires didn't feel the cold, and Seth was like a water heater always burning hot, but as Seth shuffled closer and leaned his head against James' arm, the vampire realized this was more 'setting the mood' than anything else.

Intrigued and slightly fascinated by this side of Seth, James found himself shifting and wrapping an arm around Seth's arm, allowing the wolf to cuddle into him, finding a comfortable position for the both of them as they stared out in the surrounding forest.

"What would happen to Garrett if I killed his Imprinter?" James wanted to know, only half serious in the question.

Seth let out a little scoff. "I know you don't like him, but Sam isn't as bad as you seem to think he is."

"Bullshit," James declared immediately. "He treated you like shit while he was your Alpha. He got your cousin killed. And then, on top of everything, he led an attack which could've killed you."

There was a pause, and then he felt Seth smile against his shirt.

Sighing, James stared out into the darkness surrounding them. "Maybe if I do it before they actually get to know each other—-." He grunted when Seth slapped his stomach, and then frowned, petulant. "I refuse to have Sam as a best-friend-in-law!"

"Best-friend-in—?" Seth snickered, curling in tightly around James as he let out a yawn. "I'm going to sleep. Don't do something stupid in the meantime, okay?"

"I'd be saving Garrett in the long run," James reassured Seth, only to grunt when Seth slapped his stomach, again, harder. "Fine." He glanced down at the top of Seth's head, watching the younger male shifting until he found a more comfortable position. "You really planning on sleeping?"

"Not everyone lives eternally awake," Seth muttered, sounding a little jealous of that. "You're not going to want to go downstairs because there are too many people, and since someone has to make sure you don't do something stupid…"

James scoffed, yet couldn't help the smile on his face. Honestly, what the hell was going on here? Had anyone else done something like this James would've not only felt boxed in, but he'd be almost itchy with the desire to get away! And yet, with Seth's breathing growing deeper, his body growing heavier with each breath, James merely shifted enough to make Seth more comfortable as the wolf fell asleep.

Was this what Imprinting did to you? Did it change you so fundamentally? Before Seth James would've never tolerated this kind of clinginess, and yet it not only didn't bother him, but felt right. And that was scary as fuck. Had anyone told the version of him before he'd met Jacob that this would be happening in his future he'd had burst out laughing, just the idea would've been ridiculous, unthinkable, and yet here he was.

He didn't know how long he sat there, listening to Seth's breathing and keeping an eye on the surrounding forest. Nothing but Garrett's footsteps returning could be heard in the distance. Garrett was coming back alone, and James had no idea if that was a good thing or not. Hopefully Garrett had murdered Sam and buried him out in the forest, but he honestly doubted that had happened. Damn it.

Finally Garrett appeared and noticed James immediately, using the trees closest to the cabin to jump back and forth, higher each time, and finally land on the rooftop. He looked pensive, which was really odd on Garrett's usually always grinning face. The vampire eyed James and Seth, head tilted to the side, before he sighed and came to sit down across from them.

When he spoke, his voice was low, clearly trying not to disturb Seth's sleep. "He's so cute."

James raised an eyebrow. "I'm the only one allowed to call him that."

Garrett rolled his eyes and shifted to lean forwards, elbows on his knees. "So, I think we both know what Sam told me out there in the creepy forest. Dude has no sense for setting the mood."

James made a face. "I was kind of hoping we were wrong, that he just wanted to know where you got your jacket."

"Yeah… that wasn't it." Garrett made a face. "It's complicated, Emily just died, and there's this war, and he only believed the whole vampire and werewolf imprinting because of it happening to him. I think a part of him still doesn't want to believe it - the part that feels guilty because of what he did to Emily probably."

Even though he wasn't exactly the type to talk relationships, James figured he owed it to Garrett to at least listen while his friend visibly tried to work the situation out himself.

"Also, on my part, he's not exactly adorable." Garrett frowned at that. "You know my type. I like guys like Seth. Even Riley is too uncute for me."

"So while you were traveling together you never—-?"

"With Riley?" Garrett brought a hand to his chest, looking incredibly scandalized at the very thought. "He's a pain in the ass! Definitely kills any sense of attraction his face and body might bring out in me. It'd be like screwing a gnat while it chews painfully on my balls. The dude's as fuckable as a botfly."

Trying to figure out the logistics of that imagery, James tilted his head before shaking it, deciding to let it go. "Want me to kill Sam for you?"

Garrett snorted, clearly amused with the offer. "No."

James flinched. "Oh god, you're going to give him a chance, aren't you?"

Garrett shrugged. "I'm curious to see how this plays out." He then grinned and leaned back. "There's always the whole Volturi thing tomorrow, we might all die, and then I won't have to worry about this whole thing." His gaze shifted onto Seth. "So… you two are looking pretty cozy all of a sudden." He grinned teasingly. "Dish."

Rolling his eyes, James shook his head. "Make yourself useful and help keep an eye on our surroundings."

"Stingy," Garrett snickered before getting up and jumping back down, using the trees to help soften his landing.

James sighed, glanced down at Seth, and then cleared his throat as he looked away. "Hey Jake."

There was a little chuckle and then Jake finished coming up the same way Seth had. His Alpha paused a second as he noticed Seth and James, and then shook his head and came to sit down where Garrett had been seconds before.

"I was trying to give you and your friend some privacy."

"I know." James nodded.

Jake cleared his throat. "So. You and Seth."

Oh wow. This was awkward. Even more awkward than he'd thought it would be! Here he was, with his Alpha, and honestly one of the most important people in his life - and then he was also here with Seth, who was his Imprinter and, well, damn it. He'd thought it awkward when he'd given Jake his necklace back, but this was so much worse.

"I only just realized it was Imprinting," James admitted with a look towards Seth. "We're trying to figure things out."

"Seth's young," Jake reminded him. "But once we shift we're considered men in our tribe." He ran a hand through his short hair. "And once we Imprint - James - I need you to understand just how important this is - how…" He cleared his throat. "If anything happens to you, Seth isn't going to want to live anymore. You're basically the reason he lives now. I know this mightn't be what you were expecting, or maybe even want, but you need to understand just how grave this could be."

"I know I'm not a wolf, so I'll never be able to fully understand what it's like to Imprint on someone," James admitted, "but I'm not taking this lightly." He chuckled darkly. "Seth wouldn't let me even if I wanted to, he's surprisingly determined once he's put his mind to something."

Jake's lips twitched. "He sounds like Edward."

James scoffed immediately. "Dude. Take that back! He is so not Cullen! He's, you know, no offense or anything, but Seth's like a hundred per cent better."

Jake bit his bottom lip. "I disagree, but that's an Imprinter for you. Your Imprintee is the best person in the whole world to you."

"Seth would never leave me the way Edward left you." And then James not only realized just how disrespectful that was to his Alpha… but the fact that that was a hundred per cent true. Seth wouldn't leave him. He wouldn't. Not for anything. Seth had basically told him it straight to his face earlier. James was stuck with Seth… and that didn't bother him.

A sigh escaped Jake's lips as he leaned back on his elbows. "I haven't forgiven Edward for that yet, not fully."

"You should make him suffer," James advised.

Chuckling, Jake shook his head.

James sighed, not sure why in the world he was doing this, saying this. "I planned on stealing you from him, you know. I really had feelings for you."

Surprise widened Jake's eyes.

"Yeah." Honestly, why was he telling Jacob this? It was better to just let this embarrassing failure die, and yet… "I don't know a lot about what's going on now, with the Imprinting and everything, but Seth's the only reason I can be around you guys and not want to kill Edfart and myself." He ran his fingers softly over Seth's hair. "Don't get me wrong, I still don't like your boyfriend, probably never will, but I don't want to kill him anymore for taking away someone I wanted with all my being and changed myself so much for." He chuckled darkly, thinking back to what he'd been like before Edward had come and destroyed any hope he'd had of being with his Alpha. "I'll admit a bit of it has to do with not feeling good enough, but I'm beginning to get the pull an Imprint creates in you."

"I don't know if I should say this or not," Jake admitted oddly after a moment's silence, "but I need you to understand, and know, that you're not only important to me, but to my pack. You're my beta, James. That means I depend on you, my pack wouldn't be the same without you." He inhaled deeply. "If it wasn't for you both of my sisters would be dead - I'd love you even if only for that."

James nodded, awaiting his Alpha's attempt to let him down softly.

"It doesn't matter now because Seth and Ed—," he hesitated. "But had Ed not come back… I'm really oblivious about a lot, especially when it comes to romance, but I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't attracted to you."

It was surprising to hear Jake admit that. The attraction itself wasn't surprising, James had known, given time, he and Jake would've drifted together. He'd been expecting it. Eagerly awaiting the time his Alpha would realize James was the one there for him, that betahood was just the very least James could, and wanted, to offer him. But the fact that Jake would admit to it, out loud, especially after Edward had come back and they'd cemented their bond - was really the shocker. To be honest, James kind of respected him way more now, and he'd already respected Jake more than he did anyone else.

"I know," James admitted, not sure why it meant so much that Jake had actually said that. "I also know I was the alternate Imprintee for the Original Wolf's essence. But I also know you had a choice, and you chose Edward, and I've been told you chose him with all your heart—-without a hint of doubt." That really stung his pride, but it was probably because Edward was really stupid, and annoying, and not as attractive as him. Honestly, all Cullen had going for him was that weird hair of his. "I'm just going to say this once: I would've been a way better Imprint than Edward. I'm hotter too. Hell, I'm the best Imprintee ever."

Jake looked amused, as always, whenever James let his ego show. "I'm sure Seth agrees."

James sighed and looked down at the sleeping wolf once more. "I think I'm a bit over my head with this one."

"How so?" Jake asked curiously.

Was there really a need to say anything? He didn't think so. Not when Seth was sleeping against him while wrapped up in the blanket. Did Jake really think James was the type of guy to tolerate this sort of stuff? If so, he was completely wrong. This was so not James, or his style, and yet… "He really deserves better than me."

The smile on his Alpha's face was disgusting. "Didn't you just finish telling me about how great of an Imprintee you are?"

"Shut up," James muttered before sighing and leaning his head back against the pillow Seth had brought for him. "I know what a good Imprintee I would be for you, I'm a perfect Imprintee for you, but I'm not sure what a good Imprintee for him would be."

Head tilted to the side, Jake eyed him curiously. "If you weren't perfect for him as you are, you wouldn't be his Imprintee." He seemed assured in his logic. "I see why you'd be a perfect Imprintee for me, you're my beta, my second, the person I'll depend on for most things in the pack - having you be my partner in life as well would make sense." Those brown eyes danced over James and Seth before his lips twitched in amusement. "But I can also see how Seth is the perfect Imprinter for you."

James didn't want to show just how intrigued he was to hear this, so he merely asked nonchalantly. "How so?"

"Well, I haven't really seen much of you two together, but I've known Seth for years, and I know you." Jake went silent for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Seth has always been a good kid, you know? He's sweet, considerate, mannered, and manages to make friends with everyone no matter how unlikable the person might seem to be."

"Jake, it sounds like you're about to insult me via contrast," James only half joked.

Holding his hand up to stop James, Jake continued. "Like you, he's really close to his sister, although unlike you he's been trying to find his own footing, away from her protectiveness, for a while now. It's half of the reason I sent him with you, as well as the fact that I knew he'd keep you from doing something stupid and getting yourself killed."

That was kind of sweet. James had been annoyed by Seth's inclusion, and then by the fact that Jake had just sent Seth on what could've been a suicidal mission, but hearing his Alpha's reasoning made it all make sense. And in its own way, Jake had gotten what he'd hoped - James had changed his gameplay - hadn't taken the risks he would've if he'd been alone - in order to keep Seth as safe as he could.

Hell, he'd almost called off the whole thing right before the actual fight, all out of a fear of putting Seth in danger!

"Seth needed to get some independence from his sister, from Forks, from everyone back here who'd overprotect him, and I knew you'd be the one to help him get that taste of independence. I hoped you two would get close, I just never expected that you'd get this close." A chuckle escaped his lips before he continued. "I also hoped that Seth would rub off a bit on you, no pun intended. I mean, you're very closed off, James, to anyone. Other than Bella and me, you and Victoria hadn't made an effort to make friends with anyone else in town. I wanted you to be able to make more friends, and since Seth is able to make friends with anyone he seemed like the perfect person to slowly open you up more."

"So what, I was the Grinch and he was Cindy Lou?" James raised an eyebrow, hating himself a little for remembering the damned movie Bellsy had forced them to watch once.

Laughter escaped Jake's lips as he most probably remembered the night the pack watched the movie, as well as James' and Victoria's endless bitching about it. He then froze, hand over his mouth, clearly afraid that he might've woken Seth up, before finally relaxing when he realized Seth was still very much asleep.

Despite that, when Jake spoke again, his voice was much lower. "Look at how the two of you were with my sisters. You actually let Rach hang on like that, when I know you wanted nothing more than to brush her off. Instead, you were there for her. Seth on the other hand? The Seth I know would've never acted so obviously possessive and, well, jealous - selfish when it comes to someone else."

A part of him was ridiculously proud of that. "So you're saying he made me nicer and I made him meaner."

"Kind of, but that's not it exactly, it's actually really obvious in my mind but when I try and put it to words it jumbles up," Jake bemoaned before he let out a deep breath and met James' gaze with his own. "I want you to know that you're my beta, I'm here for you, and I only want the best for you. If Bella were here she'd be telling you the same things as me - you deserve to be happy. If Seth Imprinted on you it means he's what will make you happiest."

Uncomfortable with these heart to hearts, James cleared his throat. "Have you heard from Alice and Jasper on how Bella's doing?"

Able to read James like only an Alpha could, Jake allowed him to change the subject. "Jasper keeps sending me updates. He said the venom's still working its way through her body."

"Three days is, what, tomorrow?" James made a face at the memory of his own turning. It hadn't been an easy one to say the least, at least Bella wasn't alone. Then again, he hadn't been alone. "Did I ever tell you about the wolf that watched over me during my turning?" He didn't let Jake answer. "For a while I figured it was a sign that you and I were meant to be together."

Jake kept silent, eyeing his beta curiously.

James exhaled deeply. "Maybe it was just the spirit of the Original Wolf watching over me, maybe it's why I felt so connected to you." He tilted his head to the side. "I was told that I met you, that I felt what I did for you, to prepare me for what I am supposed to do, who I am supposed to be, and I guess, who I'm supposed to be with." He let out a dark chuckle as he softly ran his fingers over Seth's hair. "If I hadn't felt what I did for you, I never would've been able to accept the feelings I have for—-." James froze, eyes wide. What the hell had he been about to say?!

As always, Jake read him, and the smile on his Alpha's face was brilliant as he got up and clapped James on the shoulder. "Try and rest, we've got a big day tomorrow."

No answer escaped James' lips as he was left alone with a sleeping Seth. What had he been about to say to Jake? I would never have been able to accept the feelings I have? He'd been talking without thinking - so what did that mean? Did that mean that, even if only subconsciously, he'd not only accepted the fact that Seth had Imprinted on him - but had feelings for the wolf as well? He—-he knew he'd grown to care for Seth - and fucking hell - he wanted him - but this was different.

Reaching out, he untied the leather strap holding Seth's hair in a loose ponytail, and when it fell away, his hair falling around like black silk, James found himself fingers-deep in the wave of black. Seth's scent seemed thicker somehow, and James raised a handful of that soft black to his nose, taking in a deep breath of it.

Golden light sparked around his fingertips, visibly encircling Seth's hair.

James removed his hand as if burnt, but when he look at his hand the golden light was gone. Confusion filled him as he reached his hand out to Seth once more, and the second he touched the wolf the golden light, that glow, returned, covering his hand and bleeding into Seth.

"Seth." His voice was soft as he pulled his hand away. "Seth, wake up."

Seth complained slightly before yawning as he sat up, his hair falling in his face, forcing him to brush it away, revealing his tired eyes. "What?"

Instead of answering, James placed his hand on the the wolf's arm, letting the instant golden glow speak for itself.

Immediately all sleep left Seth's eyes as he sat up straighter. "What is that?"

"I don't know," James admitted as he let his hand fall, revealing how the glow stopped the second he did. "It only seems to happen when I touch you."

Seth's brown eyes rose to James in surprise at that, and then lowered to James' hand. Licking his lips, Seth shifted a little closer and reached out to slide his fingers through James', both vampire and werewolf watching as the glow sparked fiercer than ever from their touching palms like a ball of living, golden life which quickly covered their hands and entwined its way up their arms, an intricate cord of gold which slowly enwrapped Seth and James.

"Does it hurt?" James asked softly, watching the way the light continued its dual entwining of their bodies.

"No, does it hurt you?" Seth sounded worried.

"No." James shook his head, although it was tingling.

"What is this?" Seth asked softly as he observed the light encircling them. "And why is it happening now? What's different?"

James froze, eyes wide. It couldn't be! Right? But what if that was what was happening? What if - was if this was something to do with the Imprint? What if - what if it was happening because James had finally realized—-?

Surging forwards, James cupped Seth's face with his free hand and kissed him, swallowing Seth's gulp of surprise and confusion. Yet, in almost seconds, that confusion seemed to melt away from Seth as his scent got deeper, muskier, and the wolf's free hand not only found James' shirt but yanked him closer to him with it while deepening the kiss.

Even as James' eyes closed, even as he let go of Seth's hand to urge the wolf up onto his lap, James could feel the golden light still surrounding them, clinging to them, and, oddly enough, binding them together.

Seth slipped onto James' lap, his hands losing themselves in James' hair as his hips moved. He swallowed James' groan and sobbed one of his own when the vampire grabbed him by the hips, pressing him down hard so James' suddenly desperate cock rubbed his ass.

While every logical part of James' brain screamed that this was not the time to do this, especially with Leah Clearwater within hearing distance, every instinct in his body wanted him to tear away the material between him and his Imprinter and bury himself inside of Seth's body.

He nearly lost it when Seth began frantically undoing his belt and buttons.

James grabbed Seth's hands to stop him. "Your sister's downstairs."

"And?" Seth asked despite the blush forming on his face.

The vampire removed Seth's hands from his belt and buckle, and when Seth opened his mouth to no doubt complain, James kissed him, chasing away each complaint with his tongue. When he finally pulled away, he stared into Seth's flushed face, and the words just came out. "Let's do this."

Seth grinned eagerly, and his hands went to the belt once more.

Once more, James stopped him.

"But—-," Seth complained.

"No, I didn't mean this," James explained awkwardly as he caught Seth's confused gaze with his own embarrassed one. "I mean this. Let's do this."

Seth went still, his eyes wide, his heart racing, his voice surprisingly soft when he asked: "This this?"

"Yeah." James nodded as he reached up to cup Seth's face. "Honestly, I think you're getting the crap end of the stick, but the more I think about it or talk about it, the more I realize that although I have no idea what I'm doing or how this will end up going - I want you." He cleared his throat. "I not only want you, but I like you, I really like Seth."

Seth's cheeks warmed hotter and hotter as he pressed his face into James' palm. "I really like you too."

James couldn't keep the grin off of his face. "So, after we deal with the Volturi, and we don't have to worry about any of that anymore…" he cleared his throat. "How about we move your things into my room?" He hurried to quickly explain when Seth went absolutely red. "Don't feel pressured or anything, we can take as long as you need before we—-."

Seth surged forwards and kissed him, deeply, before whispering against his lips: "No take backs."

James chuckled against those lips, all nervousness gone as he kissed Seth harder, and harder, battling his desire to take the wolf right then and there, but able to do so knowing that they didn't just have tonight… Seth was his Imprinter… They had forever.

Warmth like nothing James had ever before filled his body like a damn fading away to normality, and when he felt Seth shiver he opened his eyes to question if the wolf was okay - only to realize the glow was absolutely gone now. It'd been there mere seconds ago, but not anymore. If Seth noticed he didn't seem to care as he smiled down so happily at James it was unfairly adorable.

James opened his mouth to tell him that, when suddenly millions of different scents hit him at once like a shot to the face. He let out an unmanly bawl as he covered his nose and leaned his forehead against Seth's chest, trying to calm himself, trying to bat those scents away, but they were endless and assailing.

"James?" Seth sounded terrified. "James, what's wrong?" He wrapped his arms around James' body, surrounding him in his scent, and somehow, somehow, James was better almost instantly. "What can I do? James?"

The vampire let out a relieved breath, and was about to let Seth know that whatever it was had passed - when suddenly horror filled him and he pushed away from Seth. "Go find Jake."

"Why? What's wrong?" Seth wanted to know, worried as he hurriedly stood up along with the vampire.

"The Volturi," James responded as he looked around the forest. "They're here. It's faint, almost as if their scents are being masked, but they're here. And close, very close."

Seth's eyes widened and in a second he was rushing down to warn everyone in the house.

James walked to the edge of the roof, stared out into the darkness, and took a whiff.

His perception of the world, and his ability, changed forever in that second.