A/N: I apologize ahead of time if some of the info seems a little jumbled. I have rewritten this at least three times and I tried to piece it together perfectly. So enjoy… hopefully.

D: Disclaimed

Chapter Fifteen

~SEBASTIAN~

January:

The month for resolutions and a chance to start off new for some, and sometimes a reminder to people that life just goes in circles until you age. As I thought about it, I kept thinking about how willing Jacob would be to age with me. I mean –it's not like we'd look old, but to live centuries with Jacob, still not sure if I could be okay with it.

But then, there was the New Year's Kiss. I emphasize on noting it because I find it hard to believe that I'm the one who implemented it. It wasn't Jacob but I. The more I tried to deny a lot of the feelings I have for him, the more it pains me. I'm not sure how these fears developed, and it even built a bigger fear that I wouldn't be able to drop the insecurities I had.

On the last night of the year we gathered on First Beach for the fireworks and the dance party Brady Fuller would be blasting from the back of his truck. When Jacob had asked me if I wanted to go, I wasn't sure at first. It was never really my scene to surround myself with a crowd of humans, and a part of my past was stick wedged in the cracks of my brains. The words monster would return more than often.

The thing was, Jacob had already known my about my reason for resistance and assured me that I would do fine. It was his promise really. He gave his word that he would stay by my side the whole night and he would pull me away if I happened to have slipped and almost lost control.

It was good to see some old faces, but also meet some new. Of course there was Brady Fuller, another pack member that had happened to have his own DJ equipment. Then Tyler Lahote broke the news to me that he'd be starting school in Forks in the next semester. I wasn't sure of the purpose for it, but I smiled at him and told him I was looking forward to it.

As the crowd seemed to liven over the hours that passed, it didn't surprise me that the alcohol was brought out. Most were staggering on the sandy-beach, but it seemed those in the pack sober just as I was. Jacob spoke about how in respects to what they are, the gifts that they receive from their descendants, none of them touch the stuff. I found it amusing to be quite honest. Call it quick to judge, but I always thought that Paul and Jared were the type to drink more than they could handle.

Thankfully the pair was in charge of lighting the fireworks after we welcomed in the New Year. So as the countdown began, a lot of things still remained on my mind. If this was the beginning of what Jacob and I had, then should we welcome it as most people would. I could see that most were standing next to their imprints as well as others with their lovers, and here I was standing next to Jacob. Imprint or not, I wasn't sure how he'd react if I had decided to kiss him. Would he want to wait longer, did I want to wait any longer? Was it just our excuse to hold off until I felt I was mature enough, that was until the thought came to mind.

Somewhere someone said that age is nothing but a number.

I could only think of a few that would disagree with us moving forward, but I knew that most that knew I was here with Jacob wouldn't give a damn. For once Jacob seemed to be clueless to how I felt too, and I figured that it would be the best moment. By the time the countdown reached five, I grasped onto his hand and reached for the other for him to face me.

Just as the nerves kicked in for me, it seemed to have the same effect for Jacob. Sure I had kissed him carelessly, rarely on the lips, this was a big step forward that I was taking, that we were taking. So as much as it made me nervous, I still found myself reaching my hands around Jacob's neck to pull him closer as the countdown reached one.

It was a lot different this time. Euphoric in fact. Far beyond something I could imagine. More personal than the first time we kissed on the beach. That was the touch of my lips against his. But now, it was more intense. My body melted into his as the kiss deepened. I could taste him this time as his tongue groped mine, as his lips bruised mine with every breath he moaned; with every breath I moaned. It was real.

It seemed as though the world stopped in that one moment, almost as if a dead silence filled the air as I stared into his dark eyes. His body heat radiated with more intensity as the usual, his expression softened as he gave me a loving smile before kissing me more softly and briefly.

I was sure what blood left streaming through my system was enough to make me blush like a fool. Lost in his gaze, it came to a surprise to see those who surrounded us; mainly Jacob's pack, cheered us on with excitement. This was the first act of our affection we displayed in front of them.

February:

Tyler Lahote.

What could I really say about him? He has become one of my closest friends from the reservation. It was actually easier to relate to him then to anyone else. His story somewhat familiarizes with mine. He too has faced abandonment once his mother finally found his father. According to Jacob, Paul's father had got around with the women, and Tyler had been one of the unplanned children that had happened to catch up to him. After getting to know Tyler more, I found that him and Paul hadn't always met eye to eye, in fact, in the beginning; Paul resented his half brother and made sure Tyler knew of it. Which kind of makes me question why Tyler isn't as volatile as his father and brother. Tyler is far more polite than Paul and I'm sure their father, the man I refuse to meet.

When Tyler arrived at the end of January at Forks High, two things happened that day. The first would be my realizations that I was so close to finishing school before I knew that it just had begun. Then there was Tyler imprinting on my best friend Audrey.

Before Tyler had actually begun school at Forks High, I questioned Jacob of Tyler's decision to move schools and if it had some sort of relation to Jacob always worrying about me during the day. At first, before I knew that Tyler had somewhat inherited his father's attributes, Tyler was close to being expelled for his final year, which Paul actually suggested to Jacob that Tyler transfer. Then I soon found out that Tyler was set to be my bodyguard to ease Jacob's worries.

But getting to know Tyler, I knew it wasn't entirely Jacob's fault for wanting to constantly hover over me; Tyler felt he owed us both for the ankle incident. In Tyler's perspectives, he needed to make it up to his alpha, and his alpha's mate.

I may have been seen as Jacob's mate, but it still wasn't finalized. I couldn't say it, and he couldn't ask. There was a big lack of communication there. It was often too that others would ask where we stood, if we were a couple or not. My grandparents, my parents, the pack, everyone pretty much were just as confused as we were.

It was until Seth actually mentioned that we wouldn't know what we really have until I finally tell Jacob that I'm ready to be his. If I keep building the walls to keep him out, one day he won't be strong enough to break them down. Seth has been very observant on the whole imprint thing, seeing that he still hasn't found his.

Seth had become a questionable topic for me. There were days I hardly seen him upset, but at those times, I knew it all came down to him never finding his other half. Sure he has dated according to the pack, but it would never last long for the fear that he just might find his imprint at the moment he fell in love with another.

Another reason Seth refuses to quit phasing. Though it's far from mostly everyone in the packs plans, Seth is one of them that is still determined to find that one person to share the rest of his life with. I did ask him if sexual preference was a deal for him, his simple answer was 'Love is love, whether his imprint is a man or woman, he just hopes that it would be just as great of an experience as he heard of.'

March:

My parents.

My mother still seems to be stuck on Team Switzerland when it comes to me and my father's disagreements. There are times I believe that my dad is coming around, but then I'm constantly reminded that he still isn't a big fan of Jacob. That he still questions my decision to stay behind after graduation for a couple years to be with Jacob. So it didn't make matters easier when I decided that I would finally ask Jacob to be my boyfriend.

March eighth was the day I finally built up the courage to ask Jacob out on an official date. Even though I had worried about practically nothing, it was one of the most nerve-wrecking days of my life.

"I have to admit that I'm confused Seb." He spoke to me from across the table.

"About what?" I replied puzzled.

"About us." He admitted, "there are days I feel like I am more than just a friend, and there are days where I feel exactly that. Just a friend. I worry that this is all we're going to be. I admit that I said I would wait, but when you continue to throw me signals, I've become reluctant to react because I'm sure that you're caught in the heat of the moment."

"I see." I replied, now staring down at my food, twirling my fork in the spaghetti without a clue how to reply.

"I don't mean to upset you." He reached over and put his hand on top of mine, "but if we are going to be friends for now, we need to set boundaries. Lately it feels as if we're on a rollercoaster and I'm not sure the moment I wake up if I'm going to be able to kiss you or just hold you. I need to know that if I am going to be more than just a friend, you need to tell me so I don't mistake a gesture for something more."

"I know." I sighed before glancing over. His eyes watered as he spoke, and a tear trickled down his cheek before he quickly wiped it with the back of his hand. "I haven't been fair, and I feel like I've been stringing you along when you don't deserve to be pushed in the background until I'm ready. I want nothing more than to define our relationship, but I want to know if you're ready."

"I'll always be waiting." He admitted. "But I can't stand next to you if you don't want me there yet."

"Jacob." I sighed, "I've come to realize that there will always be setbacks –for me at least, and I don't want to overthink a lot of it like I have been doing lately. You know the age barrier is always on my mind, and I wouldn't doubt that it's on yours." He nodded reluctantly. "But then I also come to realize that you look not much older than me just I don't look young enough to be considered a young teenager. Age is nothing but a number when it comes to our consideration. I want to be with you, but in order for us to be together, I want you to know that it may take awhile before we even consider taking our relationship to the highest levels. Right now, I want to be your boyfriend, and I want you to be mine."

"So are you saying what I think you're saying?" He questioned anxiously.

I nodded. "I'm ready to be committed to you just as you have been to me. If you're up for it, we can let everyone know that we're together. That we're a couple. Of course, that's if you still want to be."

For the first time tonight, Jacob smiled. "I'd like that."

"Me too."

~April~

~May~

June:

Graduation Day.

The highlight of everyone's week except mine, I was looking forward to the celebration, but after everyone began to make a big deal out of it, I began to care less. My parents were all over the place and for once my father hadn't been on Jacob's case about this and that. My mother and grandmother's made it their mission to find me the best suit they could find along with Jacobs, as well as renting the fanciest car for me to arrive in. I stopped that within a second. I told them how upset it made me that they were making this far more of a big deal than they already have. I wanted it simple.

As small as the town was with less than a hundred that were graduating today, I figured that the town would still be skeptical that I'd be bringing another man for a date, but I hadn't been the only one. There were a few of us actually, which thankfully wouldn't make it awkward for both Jacob and I. Of course he didn't seem to care ever since we began to date. As long as he was by my side, he was happy with anything thrown his way.

But his temper did worry me somewhat. Even though he's much calmer nowadays, he lets it slip when it comes to someone insulting me or teasing me to extremes. I felt bad for Tyler and Paul since they couldn't seem to let a joke pass without Jacob glaring them down, even if I had convinced him that it was just play-talk. So I was a bit sketchy about tonight since I knew there would be some homophobe that just might try to stir things up.

But then, Tyler would be there too. I figured that things would settle once Jacob and I decided to start dating, but no, they've intensified. Not only has Jacob been his protective self, so has his pack, and especially Tyler. If he wasn't hovering around Audrey, he was not far behind me. Which meant that most of the student body knew to leave me alone, not that they've tried to bully me in any way.

I didn't think things would become more difficult once I had become Jacob's boyfriend, but they seem to stir a few things up. My father was furious when he heard I was going into this so young. After nagging me about being too young too date, he made my mother sit with us while they gave me the sex talk and the importance of protection. To be honest though, I hadn't thought that far. I admit that there were times my hormones would kick in, and I'd feel guilty for pushing Jacob beyond his limits sometimes, but we've never went as far as kissing and groping each other.

Then of course there was the council. Jacob hadn't voiced it out till about a couple weeks ago that they were on his back about being with me. I never understood them to the fullest either. I always thought that they would be proud of their alpha finally moving closer to his imprint, but then the thought would fly over my head, as I would remember that I wasn't exactly their idea of a perfect imprint for their alpha. I was far past the opposite actually, and they've voiced it out to the pack that there had to be some way that they could break the imprint.

The scary part of it though, I was kind of hoping that they would. There were so many things going through my mind that I was sure that somewhere, someone made a mistake in the spirit world by putting Jacob with me. A part of me always knew that the love was fixated, and as much as I was told that an imprint was a destined love; to me –it was more of an arranged marriage. The biggest question was, what was the reason for me being the alpha's other half when I couldn't give him what he needed.

None of it made sense.

There is still a part of me that fell in love with Jacob. I couldn't deny it even if I tried. As much as I thought about the Quileute's finding a way to break the imprint, the more it bothered me to. I was far beyond conflicted. For now, I just wanted Jacob to find happiness. As far as I knew, before me, he was straight. He had never felt anything for another man other than me. I was beginning to think that the Quileute's were right.

By the time everyone took his or her places, Jacob and I made our way to Fork's hall for the graduation ceremony before attending the celebration at the school gymnasium, then the one aunt Alice had been planning since September. With the info my parents had given me, she was going all out with the planning and the guest's gifts that would be from me. Something I found a bit concerning, I knew that she'd go to extremes and probably give them something expensive.

Tyler and Audrey followed us into the lot with the rest. Mrs. Alger assembled us in the meeting room to put on our grad gowns before arranging us in alphabetical order. It was nerve-wrecking once I had finally realized that I would be walking into a crowd of people taking pictures and aweing over the fact that we were all graduating and moving on with the rest of our lives.

I'm not sure why I had been so nervous, but I was once they called my name to walk across the stage and to the podium to receive my graduation diploma. Of course my family made a big deal about it by making sure that they were heard throughout the entire building, but more of it was Jacob shouting along with the rest of his pack. It was a bit too much for me, but somehow I managed.

I felt disconnected from the crowd as the valedictorian made her speech. In fact, I found myself getting a bit restless to leave by the first hour. The more people that had stepped to podium, the more annoyed I had become, and I knew I wasn't the only one seeing how I watched Tyler and a few of the others move uncomfortably in their seats.

When they finally wrapped things up, we were more than willing to stand and throw our caps in the air in celebration. Thankfully everyone had began to clear out and began to make their way to the celebration at the school, me, I just needed my space. I didn't think it would bother me much, but now I was beginning to realize lately that my gift was beginning to grow day by day. I didn't really have to make contact anymore when it came to reading people. It was becoming similar to my father's and now I was becoming telepathic along with empathic. It made me very uncomfortable.

"Are you okay Seb?" Jacob asked as soon as he found me in the crowd.

"Yeah," I muttered. "Why?"

"You're sweating like crazy, and that usually doesn't happen." He noted as he wiped my forehead with his sleeve. "It's beginning to worry me."

"I just need to get out of this crowd." I admitted.

With that, we quickly made our way out just as Tyler offered to bring my grad gown back to Mrs. Alger.

I wasn't sure why I was feeling anxious, but it was becoming hard to handle. Thoughts were thrown. Emotions were heavy and my sight began to become blurry. It didn't help when my parents began to hover around me along with grandpa Carlisle and a few others. I could only hear muffled voices just as soon as I realized I was passing out from all of the chaos.

By the time woke up, I was in my bed with Jacob and grandma Sue next to me. My eyes were still closed in realization that it hadn't been only them with us. It was their thoughts. My grandma Sue worried that I had come across a virus that could harm me, Jacob's was more for my safety and something I just couldn't place my finger on.

Then there were my parents. My mother hadn't a clue of my condition, but it still worried her as she questioned herself time and time again to what could be wrong with me. But my father knew. The entire time, he had been instructing me how to take control, how to block out all the thoughts by thinking of only our conversation we were having telepathically.

'You're becoming stronger.' My father thought with pride. 'You're gifts continue to evolve and have surpassed most of us.'

'How can you handle it dad?' I winced.

'They'll soon become faded thoughts in the back of you mind once you're able to decipher who's thoughts are who's.' He replied with calmness. 'You just have to categorize those thoughts to who they belong to, and you should be able to shut out the ones with least importance.'

'What about the emotions?' I questioned as I envisioned my father's face.

'You're uncle Jasper might be able to help you with that.' I could hear him chuckle internally. 'But for now, you just need to remain calm.'

'I can't with all of these people surrounding me,' I said frustrated as I opened my eyes.

Voices. They were everywhere. Echoing through my cranium with every spoken word and unspoken thought. Vibrating like sound waves to the eardrums. Each of them more clear then before, and maybe even louder to begin with. Until it came down to the silence of one voice I needed to hear. Jacob's.

He was silent. Still. Emotionless.

With everyone crowding me, he remained motionless and quiet as if he wasn't consciously with us. I watched him in his daze, and I knew then that something was bothering him still, and it just might have been far more of a concern than my breakdown. It was something he wasn't telling me, and I was afraid to ask.

"Can you guys leave us?" I muttered to my grandmother and the others. "I'd like to speak to Jacob in private."

The moment I had spoke his name; he looked at me for the first time. But not with concern, but with confusion. Our expressions mirrored each other. I could tell that it was in his best efforts to retreat from my gaze, to ignore the fact that I had just cleared out the room for a private conversation. Now he looked more nervous than ever, like a child who was in trouble. Like he was caught.

"Is something bothering you Jacob?" I asked concerned, now reaching over to cover his large hand with my smaller one, "you haven't been yourself lately."

"It's nothing." He shrugged and attempted to cover the discomfort with a chuckle.

"Did I do something wrong?" I asked with worry.

"No, no, it's not that Seb." He quickly exchanged his sad expression with a grin, "I'm just glad you're okay."

"But even before then." I muttered. "Lately it seems you're… detached."

"Just have a lot on my mind that you don't need to worry about." He chuckled, pulling me in for a hug.

The problem about being in contact with Jacob now, my gift just seemed to give up. Though I'm happy that his touch no longer alarms me with visions I would rather not see of his past, but now I couldn't see what was on his mind, but more of feel what he felt. He was the only one my gifts limited themselves too. I hadn't told him or anyone, but now it was beginning to bother me that I had some worries that Jacob was hiding something from me.

We lacked communication once again.

I admit that it wasn't one of my strongest attributes, but I'm working on it. Jacob was an entire different subject when it came to facing the truths. It just seemed easier for him to hide things from me until I found out. It wasn't those facts that upset me, but it was all for the reasons to keep me safe.

"Do you understand that this has to work both ways?" I addressed him, "do you understand that not only is it you that worries for me, but I worry for you. I'm afraid that once I give you my all, someone somewhere will take you away from me."

"That will never happen." He replied as he moved closer and placed both of his palms on my cold cheeks, "which is why I look forward to the day where can actually claim our love for each other. Every day I'm afraid that I'll never get that chance and something bad could happen to the both of us."

"Then we can't keep secrets from each other." I wrapped my hands around his wrists. "It's not fair that I can feel the stress and agony that you go through without a clue to why you're feeling this way. It leads me to think that I've done something wrong and I have to walk on eggshells to make sure that were okay, that I don't mess up again. I get lost Jake, I get so lost when I feel that you can never talk to me."

"You called me Jake." He whimpered a breath. "You never call me that."

"Yeah, and I don't know why I haven't." I shrugged, "but did you hear a word I said?"

"Of course I had." He shuffled and moved closer, "believe me when I say that none of this is your fault and you could never do anything wrong. I admit that I have to learn to talk to you, but I just don't want to burden you with my problems when you have your own…"

"… but you see that's the problem Jacob." I interrupted, "you see them as your problems as your problems, and mine as mine. When we became a couple, I thought that whatever challenges we face, we face together. You need to stop leaving me out of the loop and wait for me to figure things out on my own. I need you to trust me just as much as I trust you."

"I do trust you." He pulled me in for a hug. We sat for a few minutes in silence as he ran his hand up and down my back in comfort. "It's the world I don't trust. It's my own people I'm not sure I can trust. I just didn't want you to feel that you needed to fix it when I know I can."

"But you know I can help." I murmured, "what is it really? Why can't you trust anyone?"

"It's the disapproval." He said with a bit of anger. "Sam wont say it, but I know the council sees our bond as an abomination and I'm sure that they've been plotting a way to break us apart. I wished and hoped that I was wrong until a few of the pack members heard it through the grapevine that they just might have found something."

"What?" I stared puzzled. "What do you mean that they found something?"

"They might have…" he corrected.

"Does it make a difference?" I asked a bit annoyed. "How long have they've been searching? Have they always been searching? Could they ever be okay with us? Is it really the fact that I'm a man rather than your sworn enemy?"

"Seb!" Jacob held onto my shoulders and met me eye to eye, "it doesn't' matter what they say, I'm not giving up on us. I won't let them. I'd sooner leave the pack and my home just to be with you. I've said this over and over."

"But what about out there?" I asked as I glanced at the window, "what about the packs out there? What about the covens? If we get through this, we still have to face them. They're never going to give up on this until we're no longer bound."

"They can't and they won't." He stopped me from continuing. "I've already told the pack, and as much as I tried to talk them out of it, they're willing to walk out with me. If that means we all have to leave, they will never break us apart."

"Then that means they'll have no more wolves to protect them?" I replied with concern, "you can't let them either way. We'd be putting your tribe at risk, and I can't be held responsible for that."

"It's done." Jacob deadpanned, "a pack always remains loyal to their alpha. It took me a lot to finally realize that. No matter where I go, they're willing to follow without question because that mean's you are the alpha's mate. And as much as most of us will never understand why you are my imprint, they would rather protect you than question the spirits. I'm their alpha, and so are you."

"But what if they did find a way to break the imprint?" I asked worried. "I don't think I can handle it Jacob."

"Neither can I." He mumbled to himself, "but I'm sure that what we had built so far together will be enough for me to remain by your side, imprint or not."

"But you could imprint again." I stated with worry. "You see," I took a long pause, "I'm finally understanding why they chose you for me. I'm finally beginning to know why I'm your imprint on my behalf." He gave me a puzzled look. "You'll always protect me. What more of a warrior to keep me safe other than a born alpha, a man who should be my enemy and yet became the man I fell in love with. If you say the spirits had done this, then I should probably thank them for giving me that knight in shining armor."

"I get a part of it." Jacob shrugged, "and I will always protect you imprint or not, but why would you need an alpha to protect you?"

"Because one of the biggest covens in society wants me dead." I admitted. "Aro and his coven may say that they would never harm me as long as I abide by the vampire's laws, but one day they might decide that I have become a threat and want to kill me. But…" I reached for his hand, "Even he would have a hard time facing an alpha."

"Seems that we're both still unsure." Jacob mumbled with a chuckle. "But can I just say this so that it's clear for the both of us, and you don't have to reply with the same answer, but I want you to know this Sebastian." He pulled me forward and faced me eye to eye, "I love you. I always will. No one can change that."

"I love you too." I smiled.

"You're not just saying that?" He questioned.

"No, I'm not." I grinned even bigger. "I was afraid to say it before, but to see you express it ensures that I feel exactly the same."

"I can't stop smiling," he snorted a laugh, "and know this Seb, even if they do find a way to break the imprint, and if it works, I'm still coming back to you."

"Please don't make any promises that you're not even sure you can keep." I pulled from his gaze. "If you fall out of love, I will understand. I won't like it, but I'll understand. Or at least I'll try."

"I'm not and I won't." He hugged me again. "I'm not going to let anyone break what we have."

"You may want to hold onto that thought." I hadn't realized the door had opened, but it came to our surprise to see my father standing with a saddened expression.

"What's wrong dad?" I wiped away the tears I hadn't realized fell.

"Your aunt may have come across something that has us all questioning what is going to happen." He muttered.

"The Volturi?" I panicked.

"No." He replied, "but it could be just as bad."

A/N: It's late, but it's here, and I hope that you are still enjoying the read. In the beginning, I wasn't really sure where I was taking this, and I'm still a bit befuddled of the outcome. I do have an idea, and someone had asked me for an m-preg, and I was about to go with the route, but decided that it was too easy to give them that, and besides, I kind of want to keep some reality to it. As it goes, it's still undecided how I will end this, but I will try to give the pair their happily ever after.

Before I give shout outs, I did have an idea to give this a real twist, but I'm sure none of you would be pleased of what I did if I had. Just know that if I had, the pairing wouldn't have made it and it would have been the least expected. Maybe I'll give a brief summary of the alternate ending after I'm done; of course if it interests you guys.

Anyways, as always, my thanks goes to lytebrytehybrid88, Shalette, Tricks8, Hank's Lady, rAbiDmutt03, carolinagmanhaes, FreeSpirit15 and SoundShield11 for the awesome reviews. And of course to those who alerted and favored.

Much Love,

TurnItUp03