a/n: Sorry its been a while since I updated. But life has been a little crazy. Its' a little short but it will have to do for now hope you like let me know what you think. R&R

"Do you ever think about opening your own bakery?" I asked around a mouthful of Emily's chocolate chip muffin.

"Once I did," she laughed wiping off the dish she just finished washing.

"What changed you mind?" I asked before taking another huge bite.

"Because all the decent schools are pretty far away," She sighed.

"Okay...?" The question evident on my face.

"I could never leave Sam for that long," she said with a wistful look on her face.

"Oh."

Part of me wanted to lecture her about not giving up her dreams for a man. But I would honestly feel like a hypocrite. For this very morning I thought about walking away from Harvard. A passing thought and one I would certainly not be acting on. I wasn't about to compromise myself for someone who only gave me whiplash. For someone who I didn't even have a relationship with... yet.

"Bella?" Emily asked breaking me from my thoughts, "Can you take this out side?" I nodded dutifully taking the tray of muffins from her. Praying I didn't trip I slowly made my way outside. The sun was setting painting the sky a ray of oranges and pinks and I knew the bonfire would start soon.

Jared had pretty much just picked me up and brought me here checking on me only a few times. But mostly he was giving me space. Lots of space. I felt he was just as nervous as I was and didn't really want to crowd me. Part of me was grateful but the other part wanted nothing more then for him to come and kiss me senseless.

I spied Jake by a tree. His back to me. I took the sight of him in. The muscles in back tense stretching his beautiful tan skin with each small twitch. And once more I found myself wishing it would have been Jake. Wishing it would have been him that I was now in almost shambles about.

He would make things so easy. He would be everything I needed. But my luck was never that good. And my best friend will be staying just that, my best friend.

"Jake?" I called as I neared him.

He turned slowly. And my breath caught in my throat. His eyes black as night stared deep into my soul. The raw pain consumed me. I've made such a mess. In all my indecision I've hurt the one person who meant the most to me. Words escaped me. What could I say? I'm sorry didn't just cut it. And in an instant I wanted to go back. I wanted a do over. I couldn't take the pain and hurt that laid heavy in Jake's heart. And I couldn't take the fact that it was me who put it there.

"Jake I..." I tried but we both know it was useless. I was no better then Sam... or Emily. I moved closer to him. I just wanted to hold him. To hug him and beg for his forgiveness. But I knew there will be no recovering from this. Even if the wound in our friendship healed there would always be an ugly scar.

I moved to touch him and he jerked from within my grasp. "Bella don't," he growled. Tears stung my eyes. As I watched him walk away. Someone pushed past me following him. Leah. In a sense I knew she would comfort him. Or they would just bad talk me and Sam. But then again we deserved it I thought with a sigh.

"Ready to go?" Jared asked from behind me.

"Geez," I gasped grabbing my chest, "I didn't even hear you come behind me."

He smiled softly and held his hand out for mine. I took it without a second thought. And for that moment Jake was nothing more then a distant memory all there was was Jared. And I was okay with that. I think. I pulled myself together and let him lead me to the large fire. Billy was sitting with a blanket thrown across his legs in his wheel chair. His black eyes shown bright in the light of the fire. I've been to hundreds of Bonfires since I a baby but tonight felt different. There was a magic about it and I was slightly unsettled about it.

Jared placed a soft kiss on my forehead. His arm wrapped around my waist. He seemed tense. I wondered if he felt what I felt.

Billy's voice silenced the group and within seconds he had us all captivated. It took me a minute to realize the story was different today. Instead of wolves he talked of love. And understanding the role of a imprint. He went to detail of how the pull between the wolf and his imprint was impossible to fight. That eventually even the most unwilling imprint will give in to the pull. My palms were becoming more and more sweaty with each word he spoke. Jared's large form was now becoming overwhelming. I couldn't breathe so close to him. Billy's words of emotions were hitting to close to home and suddenly I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the rest.

"Bella?" Jared asked his eyes full of concern.

His eyes stared deep into mine as if he could read my soul. His arm on my waist burned my flesh. I wanted to bolt. My heart quickened and I inched away from him. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. My face is flaming red and I'm not sure how much more I can take.

"Whats going on?" I choked out never taking my eyes from him. He nodded at Sam who seemed to be walking away from the group. And I realized that Billy had stopped talking. I looked over at him and he was staring at me.

"Bella you have been listening to our legends for years," He smiled softly, "In a way I always knew you would be joining us."

"I don't understand," I said shaking my head trying to comprehend.

"The legends are true," He said calmly. "The wolves have returned to La Push."

I looked around nervously. "Calm down," Jared whispered in my ear his hot breathe caressing my neck and let some of the tension go. That was until I saw a wolf black as night and as large as a house making its way to the fire. I thought my heart would jump out of my chest.

"It's okay Bella," Jared said rubbing my back, "Its just Sam."

"What?" I screeched, "Since when did Sam become a huge furry overgrown monster."

I jerked away from him. And stumbled away from the wolf. I have to get out of here. Now.

I bolted. I just ran. A pair of warm arms wrapped around me and I screamed.

"Relax Bella," Jake's gruff voice said in my hair, "Just relax."

I jerked out of his arms, "Are you one too?"

He didn't say anything. I could hear the crash of the waves in the ocean. I could hear the crickets in the woods. But Jake never made a sound. Matter of fact he wasn't even looking at me. Things began to click in my head. The high temperature. The fact that he went from being a normal seventeen year old to now looking like a body building twenty five year old. He always knew when I was coming. He was really fast. Hell My best friend was a god damn werewolf.

"How long Jake?" I asked but I already knew the answer. He eyes bore into mine. His month a thin line.

"There's more isn't there," I felt like crying. I wrapped my arms around myself hoping any minute now some would jump out of the trees and scream punked.

"Yes."

"Tell me damnit," I growled at him. I needed to know. I needed to understand what was happening to me.

"Come back to the bonfire and you will find out," He grunted motion with a jerked hand motion for me to follow him.

I did. But I also thought of everything I learned today. 'I could never leave Sam.' Emily's words came back into my mind. Tonight wasn't just about telling me about the wolves. No there was definitely more. Tonight Billy had talked about Imprints. He had talked about soul mates.

'He had no choice it was love at first sight' A gasp fell from my lips. I grabbed my chest and froze. Jake turned to me his eyes full of concern.

'We shouldn't have done that.' Jake's words after we kissed.

Oh sweet Lord Jared imprinted on me.