My running grew slower and slower as I reached farther from him. I took one long drag of a breath and cussed. I knew I was within seconds of Jacob, so I continued walking in the direction, his scent more familiarized with each step

"Leah," he greeted, no smile on his face "Where were you?"

"Um..."

This is where things got tricky. I knew Jake told me to come meet the new wolf on Sam's pack, so I could get acquainted with his smell and not freak out if I ever come into contact with him, but I decided I didn't want to see Sam. So I stood around the river, hoping my scent would mix in with the swamp stench I despise and avoid this confrontation all together.

"Um what? Leah, you're my beta, you're supposed to be at these things. I looked stupid without you"

"Sorry, I lost track of time-" I tried to maneuver

"If you have a problem with Sam, then-" he began and my shoulders shook, I hated that he knew so much about me.

"For the last fucking time," I gritted somehow through my teeth "I don't have a problem with Sam"

"Then why weren't you there?" he implored. His stupid furry eyebrow raising with doubt. I was walking away now and he was following. My eyes couldn't refrain from rolling in the back of my head.

"I told you I lost track of time, didn't I?" I turned around, Jacob nearly crashed into me. He narrowed his eyes and with a swing of his wrist dismissed the issue.

"Well you're gonna have to meet Ben anyway, so I guess-"

"I already met him," I stated, quickening in my distaste "He met me in the woods and we got...acquainted"

"Oh..." Jacob narrowed his eyes again "What'd he say?"

I swallowed "Um...stuff."

He raised an eyebrow "Like what?"

"Oh nothing..." I hummed bitterly, deciding that the truth would be let out eventually anyways. Might as well. "He just imprinted on me. Nothing major"

Jacob snorted "Really...really? Ha. That's the funniest thing you've said. No, but seriously"

"I am being serious. He imprinted on me" I sat down on a nearby log and played with the blades of grass, Jacob's shadow stopped moving. It sounded weird saying it out loud. I mean I knew he imprinted...but admitting it was a different thing entirely

"Shit, you aren't kidding?" Jacob said, when he plucked down to sit across from me.

"Unfortunately, no." My mouth formed a thin line.

"Damn." Jacob began to laugh, looking at my initial reaction and picking the correct terminology "Sucks for you"

"Don't you have your darling devil spawn to coddle?" I sneered, snapping me head towards the Cullen's crypt

"So you're gonna go over your boyfriends house?" he cooed, ignoring my insult swiftly

"He is not my boyfriend and I am not affiliated with him in any way shape or form" I replied, indignantly

"Oooh. That's gotta hurt" Quil came and commented, Embry followed in.

"Shut up. This is all just a misunderstanding." I said, briefly wondering on how much Quil and Embry heard of the conversation. "I'll just tell him to fuck off and he'll go back to his little college and learn about the stars and blah blah blah"

"I'm sorry to say that it's not that easy, Lee" Jacob commented, his joking vibe erased. "If Nessie told me to fuck off, I wouldn't just leave"

"Well he's gonna have to" I sat more rigid as realization dawned on me.

"I feel sorry for him" Embry said quietly

"I do, too" I agreed. We both grinned.

"Whatever. Just keep him away from no man's land. I don't want to start anything with Sam"

"What'd I say Jake? I am not affiliated with him at all. I don't decide where he comes and goes"

"It might be different for him" Jacob hinted, raising his eyebrows and leaving this confrontation with his two best friends at his flank. I stared after him, dumbfounded for a second before realizing that this wasn't just a bug that could be squashed. As I had hoped.
This was a serious problem

Ben was going to be following me everywhere. He would be thinking about me non-stop. I would have to deal with his over-protective stances and his lovey dovy tones. I'd have to tell him to stop staring at me. I shivered at the thought.

Despite my defenses, I felt really unsafe. He could be here...he could be watching my every move. Just waiting for me to trip or something stupid so he could come to my rescue and I could stupidly fall into his arms. I could just admit my undying, feminine devotion for him.

I despised the weak minded, and what do you know? Every imprintee in the history of imprinting has been too fragile to make their own decisions. Well, with the exception of Renesmee, I noticed most of the imprints gave in, mostly because they were to dim-witted to choose another path.

I wasn't Kim. I didn't just crush on random people and wait silently for them to imprint on me, even though before this whole wolf thing he probably wouldn't have given me the time of day. I didn't just suddenly watch for his every move, and do whatever he pleased. I didn't scribble his last name after mine everywhere. I didn't want to suddenly become the passive woman. I wasn't a pushover. I had pride. Despite my self-loathing, I had respect for myself.

I wasn't Rachel. I'd never have hooked up with a low-life douchebag like Paul, who was La Push's biggest slut. I'd never compromise my career and life to stay home with an asshole, who has a temper problem and is to dense to even go on to college.

Though I had respect for her, I wasn't a Renesmee, who'd fall in love with a man who had a sick obsession with my mother. That sounds like something that'd be on Jerry Springer.

And last but certainly not least, I was never ever going to be an Emily. I would never ever fall for a guy who was in love with my best friend. My family. I would never think to go behind her back and marry the man she loved.

But Emily was always weak. She was the silent type who lingered in the corners, whereas I was the opinionated, impulsive character. I could fight for myself. She couldn't. We were different.

But she was the one who ended up with him.

Fuck

The movement of the still waters snapped me back to reality when I realized that I ended up in my own spot again, the river that Ben had found me. This place now had a disturbing tint. I felt disgusted. And suddenly, very furious.

The one place I held dear to my heart now had a sick memory tied to it. Every time I see this river, I was going to remember Ben. And how he imprinted on me

Must everything I own get ruined? I couldn't even bring myself to get angry at this abomination, instead, I found my mind wander on the other parts of Leech land that I could control. But this was a river and it effectively covered the parasite stench – it also was the farthest piece of land from the Cullen's manor. It was the invisible border between the wolves and the vamps, the place closest to home.

And I didn't even have that anymore.

I hissed at the waters. They looked so beautiful yet uninviting. I felt as though if I touched the water, something bad would happen. Just like before.

I shut my eyes and ignored that screaming feelings and decided staying here was going to keep Jacob off my back and possibly a few hours to myself. I definitely needed a few hours to myself.

And just when I overcame the fears, it hit me. The familiar yet terrible scent came over me and I growled to see him again.

"Ben. Get out of here"

He made himself seen from the bushes, he looked like Tarzan from the way his ripped khakis and bare chest implied. I didn't like him, but hey, he was hot.

"Lee." he smiled. "I've missed you"

I rolled my eyes. "This was perfect timing, I just want to tell you something, I um, don't want to be with you. At like, all. So you can run along and go somewhere. You have my permission"

He shook his head "Leah. I don't want anyone else..."

"But I don't want you" I said, with such a monotone voice, I was stunned at how cruel I could get.

He closed his eyes, his mouth tight shut as if he was experiencing physical pain, the slight tremor he released displayed that he was angry. I smirked. I really was a sadist. Huh.

"Okay..." he said slowly "If I can't have you, I don't want anyone"

"That's cool with me. Peace"

I turned my back on him, but the wind gushed behind me and soon his hand griped my arm slightly, I cringed to his touch and I found myself grinding my teeth almost immediately. What is he doing? Newbie must be unaware of the boundaries.

"Leah" he said at once "Please. Give me a chance. I know, you're angry. I get it. Let me help you...I'm here for you"

I rolled my neck around to face his eyes and gave him a snare, my breath hitched in my throat before I could have any opportunity to growl. He took my silence positively and released my forearm, I squinted my eyes to let him know his welcome was misunderstood. "I don't need help."

"You think you don't." he said

I raised an eyebrow "No. I know I don't"

"Fine. You don't. But I'm still here"

"That's...great. Good for you." I said sarcastically, as I raised my chin and pointed past him "And I'm over there"

He grabbed my forearm again and I hissed to meet his passionate eyes "I don't think you understand"

I stared at him with disgust for one full minute while I worked up enough self-hate to speak. Naturally, the only thing I said was a sprang of curse words and demands that he'd let go of my wrist. When he obliged, my curiosity deepened and I asked him what the fuck he was talking about.

"I mean. I know you don't need help. But you do need certain things. And I'm here for whatever, whenever..."

The way he spoke seemed so dirty, or secretive as if he knew I knew, but in reality I had no clue of what he was saying. Sounded like gibberish. Like yeah, I need things. But I sure as hell won't get it from him. Whatever it is.

"I don't know what you're talking about" I stated bluntly, looking at him in the eye, not a trace of desire to figure what he was saying. Even though I was itching for him to get to the point.

The corners of his lips raised slowly, but devilishly, I scrunched my face in response. He winked at me and I was still left in confusion. I shook my head to let him know that I had no idea what he was saying. He chuckled silently and tapped his chin as if trying to find a way to explain to me.

I cleared my throat and tapped my invisible watch, he came closer and I stepped back. And in that instant, he grabbed me and pulled me closer. Close enough to feel certain things that I'd rather not know about...

I shoved his chest in effort to escape but all he did was pull me tighter, I grasped his biceps, my intents on scratching the shit out of them before I began to marvel about how perfectly sculpted they were. Then I snapped out of it and continued to dig into his flesh until blood seeped out. He didn't flinch, instead, he removed my hands gently and held them to his hearts center. I growled at him, he smiled back.

"Remember" he said, daunting like "You kissed me first"

My brain searched frantically on why that would be relevant to the statement. I hadn't know much about imprinting, just the fact that most of the 'Lets just be friends' or 'Get off me you creep!' relationships crumble into dust before the imprintee just says 'fuck it' and gives in.

I remember being in those heads during the times. During an imprint, rejection is inevitable, and when I went through the minds of Jared and Paul, I thought bitterly to myself that they were just worrying about nothing. The little rats will change their mind anyway.

And that is when it hit me. Will I change my mind? Will I be a rat?

Ew.

"I know what you're thinking" Ben said immediately, at my horrid facial expression "But I want what you want...and clearly that's not a relationship. Yet"

I hissed at the last word, he raised his hands up in defeat and admitted that there was no possible thing between us. None whatsoever. Nu-uh.

He shook his head and continued "But that doesn't make you any less of an imprint. I love-er, I care for you, and I'm willing to do anything"

"That's great." I said, making a mental note. Next time I need someone to run to 7/11 really quick, I'd have to give him a call. Suddenly having someone imprint on you didn't seem that bad. Full protection, and his willingness to do whatever I wanted him to do without contest? I liked that idea.

When I made my thoughts known, he shook his head again "No, not like that. Though, I would get you anything you want...I mean...well, you know"

My eyebrows furrowed "No...I don't"

"You do" He raised an eyebrow "You just felt it two seconds ago"

I turned my mouth up in disgust again "Oh, wow. A boner. That's cool." Then I returned my infamous sarcastic vibe "No, seriously."

"That's it"

"What the fuck does your dick popping up have to do with me?" I spat, and then froze. It was meant to be sarcastic. Honest. I realized what he meant as soon as I said it, and almost blushed at my mistake.

He chuckled, giving me an impish look that made my bones shake with insecurity. A shiver flew up my spine when he spoke:"Lots of things"

"Okay. I get what you're saying. Ha. You're funny." My heart went into overdrive. I was stunned at how calm I appeared to be externally, when inside I was going insane

"It's not in the way you implied..."

"So you want to be fuck buddies? Golly Ben, sorry to disappoint, but I'm not a whore."

"You wouldn't be a whore. You're just getting what you need"

"How do you know I need that?" I said, my voice cracking. By this point, I lost it.

"You're horny" He said simply with a disturbing smile "And I'm instinctively here for anything you need..."

"How can you tell?" My curiosity soon deepened into fear. How did he know? Did the others know as well?

"I just know. You're my imprint, remember?"

"Oh please" I scoffed "You're the horny one, I never asked for sex. Don't think you can into my pants that way either"

"Are you implying that there's another way?" he raised an eyebrow, God, I wanted to punch him so badly.

"What kinda girl do you take me for?"

"The kind that will take an opportunity when placed right in front of her"

"Thanks. But, no thanks." I spit.

"Leah" he rushed up to me, stroked my arm and removed it before I could claw his eyes out "I don't think lowly of you. I just want to do what you want. I'm sorry, but thats what my gut says. You want sex. Not a boyfriend. I get it"

"I don't understand where you get this from" I said, shaking my head and walking away from this awkward scene.

He stood his ground "I can tell from the way you talk. How you walk. How your arms swing, the way you look around if anyone is watching you. I'm watching you, Lee. I understand. You don't have to hide it, no one has to know"

I swung on my heel "Ben, you're offering to have sex with me, and you assume that no one will know? This is a fucking pack, for fucks sake. Everyone knows everything"

"It doesn't matter. You're my imprint. And you already kissed me"

"Yeah, so?"

"When you kissed me, you kinda gave me the wrong impression." he winked, his voice getting desperate.

"Yeah, but I told you to fuck off afterwards. Does it get any more clear?"

"How do I know what you meant? You could've said 'fuck me'. Maybe I'm just doing you a favor"

"Look, Ben, I appreciate the offer" I retorted, with the as much sarcasm I could muster, "But, there is no possible way this will happen."

"Hey..." he tapped his temple "The offer stands. Consider it."

"Yeah...sure." I rolled my eyes "Bye"

I turned to leave him, before he called out "wait!", I regrettably rotated my head to give him utmost irritated, evil-eye, I-hate-you-so-fucking-much look, and all I got was a mind-shattering, beautiful smile from my counterpart. He made me so angry.

"I forgot to tell you" His smile deepened. I wanted to choke him. "Ol' Quil's throwing a bonfire tonight. He wants Jake and the pack there."

I grunted. Not another bonfire. I swear, we have too many of those.

"Fine. Goodbye" I hissed.

I took off in the opposite direction, growling with each step as I cursed Ben with ever swear under the sun, he interrupted my relax time. For the second time.

That's not cool.