Chapter 4

JPOV

I had no idea how to explain the whole imprinting thing to her, but I knew it had to be done. The longer I avoided doing it the weirder it would seem for her. I decided I would take her someplace calm and peaceful and try to break the news gently. I dreaded it. She'd probably think I was crazy.

I led her out of the school to the parking lot where my truck was parked.

"You have your own car?" she asked timidly as we walked.

I nodded, "Do you?"

She looked embarrassed and said, "No. I haven't got my license yet. I take the bus."

"Well that's fine. You'll get it eventually, it took me a while," I smiled at her as I opened the passenger side for her.

She hesitated then climbed in. "Don't worry, I'm a good driver," I told her before I shut her door. Then I strolled to my side and got in. I started the engine and drove out of the parking lot heading towards La Push. Even though I'd wanted someplace special, she'd probably freak out if I took her home or to the middle of the woods. It was probably better if we went someplace familiar.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"La Push." I told her.

"The beach?"

"Yeah," I said glancing at her, "Haven't you been there?"

"Yeah, but not since 5th grade."

I laughed thinking she was kidding then said, "You're serious?"

"Yep."

"But it's a popular hangout spot. There's always parties and stuff there, how come you've never gone?"

"Parties just aren't my thing," she gazed out the window.

"I see, and what is your thing?" I asked curiously. After all I wanted to know her inside and out.

She shrugged, "I don't know. Nothing you would be interested in," she chuckled.

"Try me." I could already smell the ocean even though we weren't there yet.

She was quiet for a moment then said, "I like reading," she said softly, "and dancing," she added.

This girl continued to surprise me. Dancing? I did not see that coming with how timid she was, but I would love to see her dance.

"What kind of dancing?"

"Any," she smiled a little, "What about you? What do you like to do?"

I stared at the road thinking about it. I was always outdoorsy as a kid, and even more now I was a wolf. I'd enjoyed hunting with guns but now I did it without any tools just my claws and teeth. I never wanted her to see that side of me, the monster. I finally shrugged and said, "I like hunting."

I parked near the beach which was mostly empty since it was a weekday. That was a good thing in case she freaked out. I opened my door and hopped out of my truck. I watched her get out carefully as if she was afraid of hurting my truck. It brought a smile to my face. As if I gave a damn about that truck now. It was important to me before but not now. She was all that mattered. She was so damn cute. I wanted to wrap my arms around her again and never let her go.

Despite my newly found need for her I controlled myself, and tried not to make an ass of myself. We walked onto the beach and we removed our shoes. Her feet didn't have any nail polish, but were still adorable.

"So do you want to walk or just sit somewhere?" I asked.

"We can walk for a while," she said softly and I nodded grinning. It was windy as usual but I wasn't cold nor likely to get cold. Another benefit of being a wolf. I noticed her shiver.

"You cold?" I asked even though I knew she was. I was already taking off my jacket for her.

"Oh no, I'm fine," she started then I handed it to her. She smiled and blushed, "Thanks, but won't you be cold now?"

I shook my head, "I like the breeze," I told her, "So tell me about your family."

She shrugged, "I have a dad, my mom gave me up after I was born I never knew her, and I have an adult brother and sisters who are out of the house and living on their own, it's just me and my dad."

"That's cool. With me it's the same thing just the wrong parent. It's just me and my mom, it's my dad who left," I told her. We already had things in common.

"I'm sorry."

"Its fine," I smiled at her.

I saw Sam up ahead, with Emily holding hands and walking towards us. Now I understood why he'd left Leah.

"Hey," he greeted us and Emily waved very friendly. I noticed Kim's face retort into a frown after looking curiously at the scars on her face. I was confused as to why before I understood. Leah had been Kim's best friend and she thought Emily was relationship wrecker. Soon she'd understand.

You imprinted. I heard Sam's voice in my head. He stared at me and I nodded even though it wasn't a question.

"So who's this?" Emily asked and motioned toward Kim.

"This is Kim. A girl from school. Kim, this is Emily and I'm sure you've met Sam," I knew she had.

"Yeah, we've met but it's been a while, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said in a flat tone.

You haven't told her yet? Sam's voice once again echoed in my head.

Give me a break. I was trying to work up to it when you two showed up!

I know. Sorry, I didn't know you'd be here. I'm also sorry I have to steal you away from your imprint tonight. He stared at me then smiled at Kim.

What? I ran patrol yesterday! It's Paul's turn! I clenched my fist and glared at him.

"There's a bonfire tomorrow night at my place, I'll see you both there right?" Emily asked smiling.

"Uh actually-" Kim started and I cut her off.

"Yeah we'll be there," I said and Kim gave me a look. I knew she was mad at me but she wouldn't be after I told her everything.

The redhead is back, and Embry has phased. He's freaked out and ran off, I have to track him down. While I'm gone you and Paul must on the lookout for the redhead. If she comes back Paul can't catch her on his own. He stared at me.

Like hell I will! Paul can handle himself just fine!

If you don't the whole town could be in danger including your imprint. You're going. That's an order.

I stared at the ground. There was no getting out of it now.

"Come on, Em. We should head home," Sam said draping his arm around her shoulder.

"Ok. It was nice to meet you, Kim. I'll see you both tomorrow night," she said kindly and they turned and walked away.

As soon as they were far enough away Kim looked at me, "Why did you say I'd be there? You can go but I don't want to go. I never go to bonfires, and I don't want anything to do with Emily."

I nodded, "I understand, but we need to talk," I took her hand and led her toward a log that was big and sturdy enough to sit on.

"What about?" she asked nervously as we sat.

I stared out at the waves wondering where to begin, "Ok. Do you know the legends of our tribe? How we descended from wolves and the cold ones?" I looked into her eyes. She immediately blushed.

"Yes."

"It's true. All of it. There are spirit warriors and…and I am one."

She stared at me and I waited for her to call me crazy or something. She didn't.

"Really?" she asked timidly.

I nodded, "Do you believe me?"

She stared out to the ocean, "Could you show me?"

"Yeah, but not here. We'd have to go into the woods where no humans can see."

She nodded, "So you're saying you're a…a werewolf."

I nodded, "That's why I've missed school and changed my look. I'm actually new to the whole wolf thing. Sam and Paul and now Embry are wolves too. Sam's the pack leader." I almost had to cover my own ears so I couldn't hear how crazy all of this probably sounded to her.

"That actually makes sense. You do look a lot like them…body wise," she said blushing and I grinned.

"Yeah, getting buff is another wolf perk. I also never get cold. We're always 108 degrees," I told her.

"That sounds pretty cool. Must be nice never getting cold. I'm always cold," she said.

Now she had me to keep her warm.

"Could you show me now?" she asked. I think she wanted to make sure I was serious.

I nodded, "Come on," I took her hand again. It wasn't a long walk from the beach to the woods. I led her into the trees until we were far enough from the edge.

I turned around to her, let go of her hand, and backed up from her a good 20 feet. I wasn't taking any chances of having an incident like Sam and Emily's.

"Before I show you this, I want you to know that I would never hurt you and not to be afraid of me," I told her.

"I'm not afraid," she said.

"You might be," I took off my shirt which caused her to blush again even though she tried not to stare, I could see her checking out my chest. I didn't mind at all and tried not to smile like an idiot.

"What are you doing?" she choked out when I started unbuttoning my pants.

"I like these clothes and I don't want them ripped to shreds when I change, silly," I grinned holding back a laugh as the pants went off. This time she looked away.

"Look at me," I told her and she did. Her eyes locked on mine and I let the heat in my chest consume my body before I shook and phased.

I kept my head low and tried not to look harmful. I growled softly and swished my tail back and forth. Her mouth dropped open and she backed up but tripped over a branch and fell on her butt. I wanted to rush over to make sure she hadn't hurt herself but I didn't want to scare her. I slowly walked toward her, whining softly. When I came close to her I dropped to my belly and stared up at her.

"Jared?"

I wagged my tail more and licked her hand.

"Wow. You weren't kidding," she chuckled nervously.

I stood up and turned around.

"Where are you going?"

I picked up my clothes in my teeth and phased back behind a bush. After putting my clothes back on I ran back to her.

"Are you afraid of me now?" I asked sitting next to her.

"No. If you were going to eat me you would've done it already."

I laughed, "Kim, we don't eat people."

"You don't?"

"No. And we don't turn on full moons and silver bullets don't kill us either, and you have to be born with a gene not be bitten by one to become one," I told her, "That's only true for vampires."

"Vampires?" She looked shocked at me, "You mean the…the cold ones are real too? Are we even safe?"

I nodded "The rez is safe because that's our job is to protect the humans and our tribe from them. There is only one coven of vampires in the area and they only feed on animals. We made a treaty with them and they never come on our lands. That's the only thing we go after is vampires, and you will always be safe with me," I said softly.

She blushed and said, "I have one more question."

"What?"

"Why are you interested in me now when you never have before?" she asked.

"Do you remember anything else from the legends?"

She shook her head.

"Ok." I took a deep breath, "Well, after we phase, if we see the right girl, we do something called imprinting. It happens when we see our soul mates, it's kind of like love at first sight but it's a lot stronger than that. Gravity shifts and suddenly you don't care about anything else except her," I looked into her eyes now, "Nothing else matters. You would do anything, be anything she needs you to be. A friend, a brother, a protector, to eventually a lover." She was blushing again now, this time her whole face was red.

"I see…and what does that have to do with me?" she asked softly. I just smiled at her adoringly.

"No…no you couldn't have imprinted on me," she said shaking her head.

"Well, I did," I told her, "There is no controlling who it happens with. There is also no fighting it, ignoring it, or getting over it. It will always be you and no one else. The same thing happened with Sam and Emily."

"So Sam imprinted on Emily?" she asked. I could tell by her face she was sorry for being rude to her.

I nodded, "He hates himself for hurting Leah, but he couldn't help it."

"But Emily wasn't forced to be with him?"

I shook my head, "She didn't want to at first, but that level of affection is hard to resist. She started to feel the pull too and soon fell in love with him."

"That's so…" I waited for her to say something like mean or messed up but she said, "Beautiful."

"But I still feel bad for Leah, she did love Sam," she said.

I nodded, "I know."

"So…does this mean we're friends now?" she asked timidly.

"Of course. I'll be whatever you want me to be," I said softly. I hoped she wanted to get right to the lover stage. That was what I desperately wanted.

"I think…I think we should just be friends for now. Until I get used to this whole imprinting thing, if that's ok with you," she said looking down.

My heart sank a little but I smiled and said "Ok. If that's what you need me to be."

KPOV

I did not want to be just friends. Even though my heart was screaming tell him what you really need him to be I said "friend" due to the smarter part of my brain, the cautious side. Yeah, he was a werewolf who knew? But what if he was just making the whole imprinting thing up? As much as I wanted it be true, why would he go for someone as plain as me? It just didn't make any sense. He was perfect, I was nothing.

Sorry it took so long to update, thank you for the reviews I tried to make this chapter good and long for you guys. Once again plzzzz review! I spent all day writing this. Who wants them to kiss in the next chapter? Yes or no? Be sure to review and tell me :P