Dirty Little Secrets: Imprinting

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters nor do I receive any monetary compensation for the webs that I weave. If I did I'd update more regularly. =P

A/N: Quick explanation - this chapter may be confusing because there will be a flashback within a flashback. It just made more sense in my mind as opposed to doing two separate short chapters.

The soft pitter patter of rain has always soothed Seth regardless of what kind of state he was in. Water just had a way of washing away everything. It was the most powerful element on the planet eroding away at huge mountains and leveling cities. It inspired a variety of emotions and thoughts in everyone and it was a critical part of existence. The party had cleared out fairly quickly after Mary's mischievous ploy to…Seth could only shake his head because he had no idea what Mary was trying to achieve. If she wanted to get Jett and Jay to fight then that failed. If she wanted to give Leah a reason to want to lay hands on her then that was a triumphant success. Also judging by everyone's reactions it seemed that she succeeded in becoming the most hated member of the pack as even her brother had walked by growling at her with a 'you're such a bitch'.

Then again what kind of party would it be if the Clearwaters and Uleys weren't going at it? The old adage was true after all 'the more things changed, the more they remained the same'. He'd probably have to have a 'little chat' with his sister about her anger and aggression. It'd be half-assed because he knew that Leah was justified. Not just anyone could mess with Leah's boy. But Seth would point out, 'but she's just a child' although twenty was far from being a child. Leah would quip back without missing a beat, 'I'll fight children too'. Currently, Seth was starting to think that Mary was way overdue for a serious ass kicking because he had overheard Sam telling her to not say a word about Jacob, Jett and Jay. 'It's not your place,' were his exact words but Mary Anne Uley never listened to her father and seemed to enjoy watching the wolves around her spontaneously phase. Hopefully, she now realized how dangerous the pack really was.

It was so easy to grow content and complacent with the way things are. But Mary and Jacob had proven that all it took was a certain mood or desire to prove how much their lives were like a house of cards. Seth couldn't help the growl that rumbled from his throat thinking how the news hurt his own son, Matt.

Seth had turned and looked over to see Matt and Jay, both leaned up against Billy's ramp and deep frowns on their faces. Both boys had a reason to be upset because the make-up of their families had suddenly changed. Jay now had a brother and Matt had lost a grandfather – or at least that was probably how he was looking at it.

Before Seth could get to the boys Jay suddenly took off running for the trees. A part of him wanted to follow him, ask him what was wrong, make sure that he was okay and reassure him that no one was blaming him – at least not yet. Instead Seth turned to focus on his own son.

"You okay Mattie?" Seth questioned taking the spot that had previously been occupied by Jay. It was a nickname that Seth called him when it was just the two of them. Matt had claimed to have outgrown it when the twins told him it was girly but Seth found it hard to let go.

"I take it that it's true, right?" Matt whispered softly. Seth felt his stomach churn when Matt looked up at him, his eyes big and sad, his light brown eyes that belonged to his mother were misting over with unshed tears and his full lips were turned into a heart wrenching pout that reminded Seth of Leah. Seth sighed and nodded his head. "Our family just got a hell of a lot smaller." Seth wanted to be surprised by Matt's choice of words but he wasn't a kid anymore, he was a warrior and now had full and complete access to the thoughts and feelings of his cousin and aunt.

"It doesn't change how everyone feels about you." Seth breathed out wrapping an arm around Matt's shoulders and pulling him in to a tight side hug.

"The only reason I got to call Billy grandpa was because he was Jett's grandpa." Matt's voice was laced with pain and what could've been jealousy. Matt was usually happy-go-lucky taking after his father but he still had his moods that were more Clearwater-esque: holding a grudge, never forgetting and slow to forgive.

"Listen, I'm telling you it doesn't change anything. In fact, our family has grown." Matt looked up at his father with a 'you're-kidding-me' expression. Seth pressed his lips together and let out a heavy sigh. "Go talk to Billy and see for yourself." Seth ordered giving Matt a playful shove. Seth looked on as Matt slowly walked over to Billy who was talking to Sue, Rachel and Paul with small frowns. The small group broke up their little meeting when Matt was within ear shot. Seth chuckled as they all welcomed him with the same love and affection that they've always held for him. The Blacks and Lahotes would always be Matt's family.

With things being so uncertain between Seth and Veronica, Matt's mother, the last thing he needed was to think that his family was shrinking.

A heavy fist pounding on the desk brought Seth out of his thoughts. Looking over he could see Paul sitting with a smirk at Billy's small kitchen table. Sue and Billy had asked Seth to stay behind and so he sent Matt over to Sue's as that seemed the most likely place that Jett would go to after he was done venting. The small group was here to discuss their 'family' which is why Seth wasn't surprised to see Paul and Rachel involved. What did surprise him though was that both Quils were present. Old Quil just seemed too old to care about who was seeing, dating or marrying who. Seth was convinced that Old Quil would never die but instead continue to shrivel and shrink with each passing year until finally he'd just POOF disappear into thin air like the Incredibly Shrinking Man.

"So I'd like to call to order the first meeting of 'Blackwater Love Anonymous'." Paul said beating his fist against the table. Seth groaned and rolled his eyes none too pleased about having been invited.

"Why are you here?" Seth asked eyeing Quil suspiciously. Quil was Jacob's cousin but Embry's best friend too…possibly Jacob's still despite the time and distance apart.

"Jake's my cousin and you gotta admit, 'a happy wife makes a happy life'." Quil said with a shrug from the stool he was perched upon. Seth couldn't argue with his reasoning. Leah was at her happiest when Jacob was around and they had struck up their relationship. But whatever void Jacob left had been filled in by Jett and the pups.

"And what's with the name?" Seth asked looking over at Paul who for some reason had nominated himself as leader of this claptrap group.

"It's like how years and years ago everyone combined Brad and Angelina's name? First names sound gay so I went with their last names. And I know none of us would ever want to admit to having a hand in this plan if things go sour." Seth and Quil quickly nodded their heads. If Leah found out their was plan to hook her up with Jacob Black she'd have their balls dipped in bronze and tie them on the back of her truck. Seth liked his balls where they were and it wasn't fair that Matt should remain an only child by violent assault.

"Yea sucks to be you boys." Rachel said with a giggle.

"She'd take yours too." Paul stated with a smirk.

"Let's stay focused and get this started." Sue declared with a deep frown as Rachel let out a high-pitched whimper, her arms tightening around her chest. "Matt's at my house alone and there's no telling when Jett will show up. The last thing any of us want is Leah and Jett knowing anything just yet." There was no arguing with that kind of logic because Jett was every bit of his parents – not that Seth would be telling him that any time soon. "So has anyone confirmed that Jacob came back for Leah?"

Everyone looked around the small kitchen and the lack of a response frustrated Seth. Hadn't anyone bothered to question Jacob? Of course not, Rachel and Billy were just happy to have Jacob back and didn't want to ruin the mood. Paul possibly kept tactfully quiet not wanting to upset Rachel which would affect his sex life. Jacob had been smart and avoided Leah and Seth altogether whenever he was on the Rez. Seth slowly raised his hand with a deep frown on his face. He had spoken to Jacob after sending Matt to be consoled by his family.

"I talked to him – seriously," Seth said fixing accusing glare at Rachel, Billy and Paul.

Seth walked inside the house and froze to find Jacob and Leah in a compromising position. Jacob was on his knees, his right arm twisted back in an angle that made Seth cringe as Leah stood over him growling.

"You've got some nerve," Leah snarled pressing on Jacob's arm causing him to gasp out in pain. "I have given you a lot Jacob and you have only taken."

"Jay took off too," Seth stated after clearing his throat when neither seemed aware of his presence.

"Took off where?" Leah asked with a small frown. Seth could only shrug his shoulders as Leah breathed a curse out. He wasn't Beta of the pack and even as third-in-command he really didn't take much of his responsibilities too seriously. His primary concern was his own son. Jacob silently nursed his arm which was healing in a matter of seconds as Leah stomped passed her brother and slammed the screen door shut.

Seth remained in the kitchen as Leah gave a sharp yelp calling the Quil and twins, she'd have them go out and figure out where Jay was. Seth didn't doubt that the kid couldn't handle himself out there but with an enraged Jett running the territory it'd probably be an ugly scene if Jay crossed his path while still wolf.

"What could you have possibly said?" Seth asked with a tired sigh. Jacob only stood up popping his shoulder back in place and let out a heavy sigh of his own. Seth got his answer – Jacob had touched his sister and probably said something that was probably sweet, endearing and lovey-dovey but it was much too soon for that or probably too late. "You're not going to go look for your son?" Seth questioned.

"She's worrying too much." Jacob stated and busied himself with wiping the dry blood off his chest.

"Don't tell her that." Seth said with a sigh. He tilted his head to the sigh and regarded the man who once upon a time used to be his idol and hero. Seth used to want to be like Jacob Black and jumped on every opportunity to follow him. Now, years later Seth is glad that he hadn't. Leah knew Jett well enough to know that he was pissed and it was best to leave him some space but was Jacob even aware of how Jay was handling the news? Did the kid know about Jett? And what else could he already know? "Were you even aware that he had run off?" Seth asked eyeing Jacob suspiciously.

"Seth," Jacob signed and that was all Seth needed to hear. Jacob hadn't known but he was ready to throw up some excuse.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Jacob." Seth interrupted him. "Look, we all know why you come back after all these years." There was a beat of silence between them before Seth signed out Leah's name. Hie eye twitched as Jacob let a small smile slip out and his eyes took on a far-off gaze recalling some intimate memory.

"Yea but let's not forget you came back with your wife, Nessie." Seth pointed out kicking the door shut with his foot. Seth had to get to the bottom of whatever game Jacob Black was looking to play with his sister, their families and hearts. Leah had been good for the pack and the Rez, the role of chief was passed off to her and she was even more surprised then anyone else when the job was laid at her feet. It took a whole lot of convincing for her to accept it.

Jacob's face had darkened and Seth was glad for it. Problems weren't worked out by avoiding the issue – that was back under Sam's reign. During Jacob's they were simply excused. But Leah was in charge and all issues were addressed and hashed out. Nothing was suppressed but that didn't mean that they were to be discussed by the entire pack. You kept your privacy by sharing with someone and it didn't have to be Leah. Bottom line: nothing was just swept under the rug. Leah and Jett would sit down and have a serious heart-to-heart once he calmed down.

"You remember her, don't you?" Seth asked as Jacob growled.

"As much as I'd like to but no, no I have not." Jacob growled out, his eyes darkening.

"Good," Seth nodded his head. "So here's a bit of advice for you since you're going to be playing this Game of Hearts. Leah is the Queen of Hearts but just like any other deck there are others to keep an eye out for. Leah hasn't sat here just waiting for you to come back."

"Embry," Jacob cut in with a deep frown. Seth nodded his head in agreement. Embry Call was the King of Clubs in this deck.

"Just to name one," Seth stated. He knew he was playing with gasoline telling Jacob about Leah and Embry. Jett was on the right track of giving Jacob Black a wake up call but Seth was an advocate for the nonviolent approach.

"To name one?" Jacob questioned. He had suppressed his growl but Seth could still feel it in the air.

"Yea, sometimes Sam comes sniffing around." There were other men who weren't worth mentioning simply because Jacob probably wouldn't even remember them. "You really didn't think it was just your imprint on that was the rocks now, did you?" Seth asked with a smirk. Jacob looked stunned at the news. "The imprints have already been broken." It was said with a shrug and Seth leaned against the counter.

"It all started not too long after you left with the Cullens. At first, no one knew what was going on. The imprinted couples were fighting – like really seriously having arguments. Rachel and Paul had their squabbles and everyone was used to it but this was Sam and Emily. Sam had walked out on Emily and the kids and that was the very first sign of trouble." Seth had never forgotten that day it was the day Seth found out that his, then girlfriend, Veronica was pregnant.

Seth's head was spinning – still spinning even after having hung up the phone. Veronica was pregnant. He wasn't ready to be a father because he barely managed to be an uncle to a toddling one-year old Jett. Tears sprung to his eyes because he didn't know what to do – should he go see Veronica? Ask her what their options were? Should there be 'options'? Seth found himself really missing his sister and growled ready to curse –

A heavy and urgent knocking on his door pulled him from the pits of his own confusion and despair. Seth was surprised to find a rain soaked Sam Uley standing at his door looking every bit of wide-eyed and confused. If Seth hadn't known any better he would've thought Sam had just phased – for the first time.

"Sam…is – is everything alright?" Seth asked looking the older man up and down.

"I need to talk…to someone." Sam breathed out and Seth quickly stepped aside to let him in.

Seth got Sam some towels to dry off with and a change of dry clothes since he had stopped phasing he was just as susceptible to pneumonia as the next person. Sam had thanked him and even shivered either from the cold or whatever had brought him to Seth's doorstep.

"I can't go back there." Sam blurted out just as Seth sat down ready to question him.

"Go – go back where?" Seth asked highly confused.

"Back to that – that house," Sam growled hugging the towels around him tighter. "All Emily does is bitch at me. I'm not doing enough, I'm working too much, don't spend enough time with one kid, too much with the other. I don't talk to her, I don't listen to her, I don't do this and I don't do that. I'm just so sick and tired of her…face." Sam's words hit Seth like a freight train because he had never heard or even imagined that Sam would say anything harsh about Emily. She was his imprint, his everything, reason for living, breathing and just existing.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Seth said holding his hands up. And here he thought he had problems. "Sam you can't mean that."

"I do,"

"Sam! You just can't – it's impossible." Seth said looking into Sam's eyes but he could see it was true. Sam Uley loathed his wife at that very moment.

"I don't know how but I do. I hate her, Seth. I just walked out. It was all I could to do keep from hitting her." Seth gasped and Sam at least had the gall to look ashamed.

"You know the last thing I need is a broken imprint on my hands right now, right?" Seth breathed out leaning back in his chair. Seth couldn't wait for Leah to get back and handle –

Seth quickly sat up and glared at Sam. If the imprint was broken then where did that leave Sam and Leah?

"You were looking for Leah, weren't you?" Seth growled out. The idea suddenly hit him that Leah had mentioned that Emily had been bitching to her about Sam and his 'odd behavior'. Sam had even started to hang around Leah more, bringing Levi over to play with Jett and the two would sit on the porch watching their sons play.

"She wasn't home," Sam admitted with a frown. Seth wanted to question him more about his intentions for his sister. If one imprint was weakening what did that mean for the others? But Sam hadn't offered anything else after that and the two sat watching movies, drinking beers and avoided their paternal responsibilities and the heavy questions of imprinting, if just for a few hours.

All of the imprints were affected but none more so than Sam and Emily's who seemed to have based their entire relationship upon the magic that bound them. Sam was everything that Emily wanted and she took full advantage of it but when he stopped and fell short of the mark she wasn't equipped to handle the disappointment. Rachel and Paul had always been the most vocal but that was just their personalities and Rachel loved a good fight and Paul the great make-up sex. Jared and Kim had their issues but it was milder and it seemed because Kim was more easy-going and with Jared's laid back attitude their arguments were less violent. Even Quil and Claire experienced a change when Quil woke up one day, was walking with Claire through the mall and about broke his neck checking out a woman that walked by. Claire had been stunned and told Quil what had been on her mind since she was little, 'And all this time I thought you were gay'.

Sam had walked out on Emily and the kids seven times. Walked out on Emily and took the kids an innumerable amount of times that Seth had stopped counting. The two were even currently separated; Emily at home with the 'kids' and Sam staying with a cousin who was currently working at the same logging site. The strain of the imprint on their relationship was probably why Mary jumped on the chance to torment Jett, Leah and Sam.

"Leah doesn't take Sam seriously, honestly," Seth admitted as Jacob stood melting the kitchen tiles with his glare. "If that's any consolation." Seth felt a twinge of guilt thinking back on all that he had just unloaded on Jacob after the commotion earlier: Jett punching him, Leah twisting his arm and Jay running away. There had been a dullness in his eyes as he told Jacob that Leah hadn't been waiting for him. The spark had returned at the idea of other men talking to her, possibly trying to raise 'his' son. Watching those emotions Seth felt his wolf whimpering because he was playing with a powdered keg. The wolf reminded him how he felt when Veronica had some strange man around Mattie and despite his own feelings towards Jacob and Leah, he just couldn't use something so personal as a weapon. That and he'd have a lot of explaining to do if Jacob showed up at Sam's door looking to tear him to pieces.

"What's the deal with her and Embry?" Jacob pushed with a deep frown.

"They…have their moments." Seth didn't want to say too much out of respect for Embry and to be honest he wasn't too sure where the two currently stood. Some days they were the almost-perfect couple and other days they couldn't stand one another. Theirs was a rocky road that was plagued with wolves, vampires, absent fathers, broken hearts and poorly chosen words that left wounds that still hadn't stopped bleeding almost sixteen years later.

"Listen, Jake, I'm not going to tell you what to do – I can't. I can give you a bit of advice: everything that worked when you two were young, stupid and wild isn't going to work now." Jacob looked at Seth with a blank expression. Seth knew he was listening, taking in his words and storing them away. "Leah's had to mature and not just for Jett but for herself, this pack and the tribe as a whole. Her top priority will be to her boys and if you want to impress her then start by showing her what kind of man you've become. And that very first step is to show what kind of relationship you have with Jay."

"What has he said about Jay?" Sue asked looking around the room.

"Said he's a good kid, a bit shy, soft-spoken," Billy threw out with a heavy sigh. Seth could see the old man comparing his two grandsons despite his parental instincts to never do such a thing. It was obvious just looking at the two that they were night and day – had the environment really had such a strong affect on them?

"Leah will help him out of that phase." Rachel stated with a soft nod to herself. Now that Jay had his official introduction to the pack Leah would take him under her wing. The time she'd spend with Jay would give Jacob at least some foothold and now that the secret was out about Jett it was added incentive.

"So what are we going to do?" Paul asked looking around.

"Honestly, I say we stay out of it." Seth grumbled.

"At least for now," Quil offered with a shrug. "Things have changed and they'll have to get a feel of one another again."

"True but I highly doubt Leah is going to want to be alone with Jacob anywhere." Rachel said with a frown.

"So…we'll just have to figure out ways to give them 'alone time'." Billy stated with a teasing smirk. That was a task easier said then done considering how busy Leah was with work, being a Chief, raising a son and running a pack. Then there was to consider that Jacob had already said something to piss Leah off to the point that ripping his arm off and then beating him with it seemed probable. Seth decided to keep that tidbit of information to himself as the first meeting of Blackwater Anonymous was dismissed.

"Guess we're up first." Quil said rolling out his shoulders, the bones cracking under the pressure. Seth could only groan his assent as chances were that Jacob was with Leah right now – just not alone.

La Push was a small seaside town like Jacob had said. There were a few residents out milling about with raincoats, umbrellas and some with just hoods to protect them from the rain that was falling. It was a light rain and it cooled Jay's skin but the wind picked up the droplets prickled his eyes. The town was small with a quite of bit of houses on the coasts, a harbor filled with boats and a schooner which Jett explained that there was some pale face that was sailing along the coast and docked there. Jett's knowledge of La Push's goings ons became apparent as he walked alongside Jett Black, his newly discovered half-brother. Even in the setting rays of daylight people recognize Jett from afar and greet him warmly and kindly. The older men and women ask if he's 'behavin' and taking care of his mother', girls were quick to flirt with him and he did the same in kind and some others invited him over to someone's house party that Jay felt certain that he'd never know and the few children still running around make a game of Jett's size: testing his strength by grabbing hold of his huge legs to be dragged down the street, they want to play tag with him and awe at him when he agilely climbs up a tree, retrieving someone's cat. The feline hissed and spat, its claws digging into Jett's shirt as he shuffled back down less then gracefully with an air of annoyance and aggravation that was even less then so. Jett cracked a smile after the cat took off like a bat out of hell once on the ground, children chasing after it calling it back when a little girl tugs on Jett's sleeve and gives him a quick peck on the cheek before chasing after her friends. The whole town knows Jett Clearwater and he is theirs as much as they are his.

Jay can feel Jett's eyes on him every so often, the older boy more then likely feeling the shift in mood in the air around them. It had started to rain and an old woman had broken their silence telling them to, 'get their asses out of the rain'. Jett had promised her they were headed to his grandmother and the woman's response was something in a tongue that Jay didn't understand which prompted Jett to run to her and return with an umbrella and old yellow worn raincoat that had seen better days…probably twenty years ago. With the borrowed umbrella and poncho the two had to weave their way to Sue's house through the roads – road rather. Jett had explained that the woman was a great aunt on his grandfather's side.

Along the way Jett broke the silence not talking about anything specifically but he seemed uncomfortable with the silence hanging between them. Jay looked and listened as Jett pointed out houses and who lived there. The entire town seemed to be constructed of a variety of families; some tied in with the pack and the rest holding some distant relationship. The Cullens loved the small towns as they were the ones more likely to be wary of new strangers but not where everyone was so closely interconnected.

"Over the river and through the woods to grandma's house we go." Jett muttered aloud as a two-story yellow siding house appeared. The home was set a good distance from the road with a graveled driveway. The lawn was manicured with some flowers planted in the beds in the front. With a shed in the back off to the side, the only other thing that stood out about the home was the huge tree next to the house. It was as if the tree and home had come to some sort of agreement – a balance that allowed the tree to grow with its branches barely touching the roof.

Jett's heavy boots echoed on the steps and Jay frowned in disappointment, mostly at himself, as he felt self-conscious that his own steps didn't sound nearly as powerful. The poncho was shed and tossed onto the porch swing. There was no knocking on the door or even the ringing of the doorbell; instead Jett walked in as if he owned the place, shaking what rain water did remain in his hair out.

"Leave the umbrella open and on the porch so it'll dry out." Jett stated and then shed off his shirt and went to work on his boots.

Jay was curious about this strange ritual that Jett had about entering Sue Clearwater's home but did as he was told and followed suit.

"Grandma gets pissed when we track in rain and mud." Jett explained as he walked in the house. Jay's eyes widened as Jett walked in and slapped someone in the side of the face followed up with, 'Sup Mattie' before jumping over the couch and landing on the cushions.

"Don't call me that," Matt growled but stopped when he saw Jay standing behind him looking lost and out-of-place. The two cousins exchanged glances having some silent conversation that ended with Jett shrugging.

"Found him on the cliffs. He wasn't too pleased finding out that we shared a common paternal gene." Jay wanted to correct Jett, tell him he was wrong but it'd mean opening up and admitting more then he was ready to deal with. Matt only sighed and nodded his head before turning back to the game he was playing.

"Grandma's not back yet." Matt said after a couple of minutes of comfortable silence. Jay had sat down in the recliner and watched as the two played some shooter game either against one another or together – he couldn't tell the difference.

"She probably cleaning up," Jett supplied never tearing his eyes from the screen. It was different being in a house with two boys close to his age, watching them interact. There was no music playing, the only sounds were the explosions, rapid firing of a weapon and the cry of pain from some poor soul. The home wasn't immaculate, overly sterile and filled with items that looked and screamed expensive but they did still look irreplaceable. The house was a home; it was warm, cozy and the wind blowing outside made it breathe and come alive.

"So what's your dad like – or I guess our dad." Jett asked when the round had ended. Matt had held up another controller silently asking Jay if he wanted to play. Jay quickly shook his head 'no' and looked at Jett unsure how to respond.

"You gonna start callin' him Dad?" Matt asked with a smirk, his thumbs quickly working through the game options.

"Hell no," Jett snarled. "He's more of a father then a dad." Jay had only shrugged his shoulders but both turned to look at Jay for his answer.

"Well…he's," Jay frowned and his brow furrowed trying to think it over. No one had ever gotten close or comfortable with him enough to ask about Jacob. He was surprised at how quickly Jett and Matt had accepted him. Was it because he was going to join the pack? Was it because Jacob was his – their father?

On top of that what could he say about Jacob? He thought he knew the man that had raised him but he was changing as if over night since arriving in the Olympic Peninsula.

Jay took a deep breath and told the two boys about Jacob. He was at times very taciturn, intimidating, commanded respect with just a glance and reclusive.

There was a time when Jacob was…well, his Daddy. In those times, Jacob was attentive, caring, a moving giant of sunshine. That Jacob adored his son and always stopped what he was doing to listen to Jay prattle on about something he saw. Father and son were inseparable but then one day…they just weren't. Jacob had fixed him with such a glare of disdain that Jay immediately shied away from him. Jay had been raised to not form attachments, to blend in and not stand out. To just accept the way things are and so he did that. He avoided thinking about where he went wrong, what could've happened to change Jacob so.

"That's it, huh?" Jett questioned aloud as Jay shook his head and returned to the present.

"That – that doesn't sound anything like the Jacob Black we've been told of." Matt stated with a small frown on his face. Jay couldn't help but notice a look of disappointment on Matt's face to the man who would, basically, be his uncle.

Jay felt relieved when the two Clearwaters didn't pressure him for anymore information. They went back to their game and ransacked Sue's pantry littering the coffee table with bags of chips, fruit snack wrappers, the occasional rinds of eaten fruit and empty liters of soda. The two ate without abandonment and Jay wondered where it all went. He had a 'healthy' appetite as Esme would put it but compared to those two he was a featherweight.

"You – you were going to tell me about imprinting," Jay said holding half of a foot long sub that Jett had forced upon him.

"Oh, right," Jett said pausing the game as his eyebrows disappeared underneath his unruly hair. "Shit, I had forgotten," Jett admitted as Matt tossed down his controller and put his feet up on the table, his behind his head with a mumbled, 'this oughta be good'.

Jay listened as Jett went into the history of imprinting, the story of the Third Wife. Imprinting was rare and was recorded to have happened one other time prior to the last generation that included their parents. Suddenly that number increased with Sam imprinting first, followed by Jared, Paul, Quil and finally Jacob. Jacob was the last one to imprint.

Jay's eyes widened as he looked at Matt in surprise. He – he had just naturally assumed that Jett was the only one to not be an imprinted cub. Matt smirked at him obviously reading the surprise on his face. "What can I say? I was born the good, ole fashion way." He stated with a shrug. Matt was ranked third in the pack and the youngest, shy of David by a couple of months.

"So we kind of disprove the theory that an imprint makes a stronger wolf," Jett said motioning between him and his cousin. Jay had to nod his head in agreement because if anything two wolves bred the stronger cub. "But, that's not to say that imprinting doesn't serve a purpose." Jett said with a frown and half-hearted shrug.

"For a while, imprinting was about finding your 'soul mate'," Matt said with air quotations. Jay could attest that was a load of crock watching Jacob and Renesmee interact on a daily basis. It was borderline torture witnessing the faux-smiles when either felt like putting on airs. Whatever love had once existed between them was now long gone, dead and buried or maybe gobbled up like Renesmee's wound. "Yet, it seemed to be more about the wolf at that time." Matt continued oblivious to Jay's sudden discomfort at the grim reminder of the price Renesmee paid to birth him.

"My Dad went through and looked back at those who imprinted at the time and…well…they weren't exactly playing with a full deck of cards at the time." Jay looked up. "Sam had imprinted right before the Elders even knew what he was. He had kept it secret and limited his interactions with Aunt Leah. It seemed as if he was thinking of calling off their wedding, anyway, and just taking off. Instead, he saw Emily and as they say the rest his history."

"It's a fairly weak argument," Jett jumped in with a frown.

"Why is that?" Jay asked his throat dry.

"Well…imprinting tends to…rose-color everything. Sam's account can't be trusted same as the others because once they imprinted all of their troubles, as song goes, seemed so far away." Jett hissed as Matt smacked in the back of the head.

"You're misquoting the lyrics, idiot." Jay stiffened as Jett growled at his cousin. "You never misquote the Beatles."

"Your Dad misquotes the Beatles." Jett grumbled as he rolled his eyes.

"He has never," Matt declared his body trembling violently.

"See this?" Jett pointed with a dark smirk. "Mattie here is a music snob." Jay's eyes widened as Matt snarled out a 'don't call me Mattie' and defended himself as the tremors eased up. The two boys moods were sporadic and their attention spans short. His stomach churned just thinking about having to deal with temperamental wolves on a daily basis.

"But the point is even the wolves' themselves are untrustworthy test subjects. Mom said until the imprint broke Sam believed that Emily shitted muffins and sneezed rainbows. Then when the imprint broke it took so hidden strength to not just force her out into traffic." Jay's eyes widened as that seemed extreme. Given that Jacob had hoped on many, many occasions that Renesmee just simply didn't exist…but…still. Did this mean that everyone else had a rough home life too?

"Don't listen to Jett," Matt said.

"Whatever, the point is that imprinting happens for a reason that we may not understand. We really don't discuss it much since it only seems to piss everyone off. You can't explain it one way or another without someone getting hurt, feeling cheap or used." Jett said in his own defense.

"But…everyone seemed,"

"Happy?" Matt supplied for him with a small smile. Jay nodded his head. "In that moment, but Sam isn't at home for the moment – he's staying with a cousin on the coast. They are by far, the worst of the imprint couples. Levi's pretty cool with it now after so many years." Matt added with a shrug.

"What about your mom?" Jay asked carefully. He'd met all of the family units and the only persons missing a 'significant' other were the two Clearwaters. Jay regretted his question as Matt's brow furrowed and a dark cloud fell over his features. He had never been interested, or gotten close enough to anyone, to take an interest in their family and the first time he did – he put his foot in his mouth.

"She's…she's not around." Matt stated before tearing a bag of chips.

"She and Uncle Seth never got married," Jett continued with a sad smile. The subject seemed to be a tender one but Jett pushed on without any grievance from Matt. "She claimed to 'not be ready' to be a mother. Mom won't let her anywhere near the Rez and when she does come to visit I hear it's only when my Mom isn't within running distance." Jett chuckled at some unshared thought, memory or image.

"She – she doesn't want you?" Jay asked stunned. He hadn't imagined that amongst this pack of tightly closed knit individuals that there would be someone…unwanted – unloved. That maybe he had something similar with someone besides the wolf gene in his DNA.

"And I don't want her either." Matt snapped angrily but his toned calmed down when Jay threw his hands up defensively. "Sorry," He grumbled. "I – I didn't mean to snap at you." Jay nodded his head in silent agreement. He could understand how he felt because it was his own secret feelings towards Renesmee. At least Matt's mother had taken it upon herself to not be so selfish to make both Seth and Matt suffer.

Matt and Jett returned to their game and snacks leaving Jay to his thoughts. He felt as if he knew a bit more about imprinting then before he met Jett and the pack. The fear of imprinting had always loomed over his head, ordered his steps, preventing him from ever showing an interest in meeting Nahuel and his sisters. The idea of being tied down to another hybrid – a female that would eventually come to hate him as much as mother hated him and his father was too much of a heavy burden. However, Jett and Matt had given him a ray of hope, that if it did happen that it wouldn't last forever and that the relationship didn't have to turn sour like his parents did.

He was still nursing the foot long sandwich that Jett had forced upon him when suddenly the two boys stopped their trash talking and sat up completely still and erect. Without warning the two set to work on cleaning up the mess they had made, the wrappers were thrown away, the liters disappeared with Matt out the back door and the remaining drinks were placed on coasters. Matt quickly returned with clean shirts and some napkins that were quickly utilized and just as the two sat down breathing out a sigh of relief the front door opened and Sue Clearwater walked in

"Hey Grandma," Jett and Matt greeted in a tone that was just too innocent – even to Jay's ears.

"Boys," Sue said hanging her raincoat on a hook with a smile. "Impressive – you cleaned up very nicely." Jett and Matt chuckled and shrugged as Sue walked in and planted a kiss on both of their foreheads. Jay felt a twinge of jealousy as she ruffled Jett's hair and grumbled about him needing a haircut. Esme had tried to kiss him when he was little but her lips were too cold and it burned his skin. "Oh, Jay," Sue exclaimed surprise as she saw him seated on the floor holding a sandwich.

"Hope you don't mind, Grandma, I found him and invited him over." Jett said as Sue walked around and smiled down at Jay.

"Of course I don't mind. Are you going to spend the night?" Sue asked. Her eyes were warm dark pools of maternal love. Her smile was inviting and put Jay at ease as he nodded his head. "That's – that's great," Sue said standing up suddenly and clearing her throat. "Does your father know that you're here? You should call him and tell him."

"He doesn't care," The words came unbidden out of his mouth and Jay froze. The warm smile on Sue's face had turned into a stern and disapproving straight line of pressed lips. Jay felt nervous unsure if Sue was upset because of what he said or that he said it.

"Of course he cares," Sue grumbled but there was a hint of a threat in her tone. "At least he better." Sue tacked on disappearing into the kitchen. She soon quickly returned handing the phone to Jett. "First, call your mother and tell her where you are."

"Grandma, she can just feel me out." Jett whined with a sigh as he turned to hand the phone to Jay. A quick slap to the back of the head and Jett was dialing his mom.

The conversation didn't take long as he talked to Leah. He told her he was over Sue's, that he was alright, that he wasn't 'mad – per se' and that he had found Jay. Jay's eyes had widened when Jett handed the phone to him, his head nodding alerting him that it was for him. His heart was in his throat thinking that Jacob had gone home with Leah and now wanted to talk to him, make sure he was alright, and apologize for not telling him that he had a big brother.

"Jay, this is Leah, are you alright?" Leah hadn't waited for Jay to speak but seemed to just know when he had brought the phone to his ear. Her tone was anxious – she sounded concern. He stuttered out a 'yes'. "Jett didn't say anything, did he? I know he can be…crude at times. But you're alright? How are you feeling?" Jay's head swam as Leah rattled off one question after another inquiring about his overall well-being. "I'm sure that this has been just as big as shock to you as it was for Jett." He dumbly nodded his head before shaking his voice free and answering back. She understood about the whole thing – she actually seemed to understand and cared. "Are – are you spending the night there? If so that's great. And I want you to tell me if Matt or Jett cross the line."

"Is – is Ja, I mean is my dad there?" Jay asked interrupting Leah. His heart was pounding and felt like it wanted to jump out of his chest. He didn't mean to interrupt her but he had to know and suddenly realized that he was afraid of the answer or more likely just unsettled by it.

"Yea, he's here." Leah grumbled. That was all Jay had wanted and felt his blood chill as Jacob spoke into the phone.

"You're over at Sue's?" His voice wasn't cold or stern. He sounded genuinely interested and hurt at the same time. Had something happened? Was he more upset that the phone had rung and he had to stop pawing over Leah Clearwater?

"Yes," He answered.

"That's good. Is it just Jett?"

"No, Matt's here too."

"Okay, listen Jay…I – I…I'm sorry." It was the first time Jacob had apologized to him. Was the apology for not telling him about Jett? Was it for not having run out to locate the son he's known since birth? Or was he apologizing to Leah? "Sue is great and she'll take good care of ya while you're there." There was a moment of silence as Jay tried to process what was happening and Jacob tried to find the words. "If Matt is like his father he'll be great and if Jett brought you over then that's a huge step – I'm just thinking if he's anything like his mother." The last part was directed at Leah who must've hit Jacob as he hissed out in pain. A short laugh followed from Jacob that surprised Jay even more.

"Look, I – I know we don't talk much but…I want you to at least talk to them. They are your family, Jay. And I know it'll take a while for you to believe and accept this, but…this is where you belong."

The words continued to ring in his head long after Jacob had hung up and Sue had given them dinner.

"Jay you're not paying attention." Jett growled as he roughly elbowed Jay in the side. Matt and Jett had talked Jay into playing the video game with them. The two had looked at him, stunned and stupefied when asked how come he didn't want to play. 'Well…Edward and Bella said that video games would rot my brain' had been his answer and then a few seconds later the two were laughing at him. Jett then proceeded to tell Jay that 'this Edward and Bella sounded like some idiots' as Matt, in a much subtle and tactful approach, said that video games helped with hand-eye coordination. Since then Jett and Matt had been switching back and forth between playing and coaching Jay on the finer points of the game. "You can't expect to get better unless you focus. So now focus." Jett said with narrowed eyes, chocolate eyes following every flicker and movement of the screen.

It was hard to focus when everything around him was changing – was different. Jacob had said that he belonged here but what if he didn't? Wasn't there a possibility that Jacob belonged but he didn't?

"You feeling alright?" Matt asked as each boy made a pallet on the living room floor hours later. Normally, each boy slept in his parent's old room but with Jay staying Sue said they could move the furniture. Jay didn't think that either would notice how quiet he had become.

"Yea," Jay lied with a weak smile.

"You're a horrible liar." Jett said coming down the stairs, his hair still wet from the shower he took. "What's wrong?" Jay stiffened as there was an underlying hint of an Alpha command in Jett's tone – just a hint. "Look, you're going to be apart of this pack so you're going to have get used to everyone making sure you're alright. If you're not happy or something is bothering you then it'll affect the rest of us." Matt nodded his head in agreement and looked up at Jay from his spot on the floor.

Jay couldn't say it – it was too personal and they'd probably think him weak for saying that everyone was happy before he was born. Maybe he never should've been born.

"Don't pressure him," Matt grumbled as Jett took a step toward Jay causing the smaller wolf to back away.

"Don't make me out to be the bad guy," Jett growled down at his cousin. "Look, one way or another it'll come out what's your problem." Jett stated glaring down at Jay. "In a pack, we can't keep secrets and if you're going to be our brother you gotta trust us. If you don't trust us then how can we trust you? This won't be all about bonding and making friends. This is," Jett stopped talking and let out a tired sigh. Jay was lost on whether he was tired physically or just tired of dealing with him. "You know what…I'll knock that wall down another time." Jett said dismissively waving at Jay before settling down into his own pallet.

Jay drifted off to sleep thinking about moments of happiness frozen in time, Jett's promise to 'knock down' his wall, Leah's concern, Renesmee's hatred of him and the 'walls' erected by both him and Jacob. Jett promised to knock them down. He wasn't the first one to make such a promise and deep down inside Jay didn't want him to fail or succeed either. Turning over with a heavy sigh Jay wondered who would cave in first: Jett, Jacob, Renesmee, Leah or maybe himself? And to what end?

A/N: Alright sorry for the long delay but it's been uber busy at work leaving me with very little time for writing and no energy to proof. But I'm hoping with the lull in the workload I can get back on track but I'm not making any promises especially since I'll be on vacation soon. So you all know what to do...if you're still with me. As always I appreciate all of the reviews and faves, alerts that you all send. They make my day!

And before I forget I had a banner made for this story by pmu! Thank you sooo much! Now...if only...I could figure out how to adjust the size so that the whole thing isn't just a thumbnail. =\ Any advice is greatly appreciated.