Chapter 9

JPOV

I returned to Kim's house after my run to find her still up, sobbing on her bed. I was horrified.

"Kim, what's wrong?" I lay behind her and my arms were around her instantly, "Talk to me." I didn't care what it was, I'd do anything to make her stop crying, to make her happy again. Her sadness was my sadness.

She just shook her head but turned around in my arms to bury her face in my chest, "I'm such a terrible person," she whimpered.

I cupped her face in my hands, "No you are not," I told her repulsed she could even think such a thing. "Why would you even think that? What's the matter?"

"It's…Seth," she said and I was confused.

"What about him? Was he mean to you or something?" With his father passing away he was most likely to act a little different than usual.

"He kissed me," she whispered but as the words sunk into my brain it felt more like she had screamed it. A rush of anger went through me, my heat growing, but I suppressed it. I would not let myself lose control this close to her. "I rejected him, pretty much shattered his heart. I tried to let him down easy, explain we were only meant to be friends but…he took it so hard. You should've seen his face!" she continued sobbing some more.

Despite her sadness I felt a surge of relief she had not kissed him back. I never thought I'd have competition for her with Seth Clearwater of all people!

I held her tighter, "You didn't do anything wrong," I kissed her forehead.

"I feel so mean though. He's always been so nice to me. He ran off without one word to me after I said I didn't feel anything for him. I want him to be happy too though," she wiped her eyes, "I bet he hates me now, and Leah will hate me too for hurting him."

I shook my head, "No one could ever hate you."

"Jared, how am I going to fix this? What should I do?" she looked up at me.

"I'll talk to him," I told her even though I didn't know what I'd say to him. I did know I was angry at him for making her feel this way. Seth was being ridiculous. He knew we were together so why would he try hitting on her?

"Can you tell him that you im-"

"No," I stroked her hair, "I wish I could but Sam bound us all to secrecy. Only wolves, imprints, and council leaders may know the truth."

She sighed, "Ok." Her crying was dying down and rubbed her back.

"But I will tell him I'm in love with you," I said softly smiling, "It is the truth."

She stared into my eyes and desire consumed me. My body got even hotter holding my imprint against my bare chest. "I love you too, Jared." I was unable to keep from grinning and I was quickly overcome with love for her and I kissed her passionately putting everything I felt for her into the kiss. Her hands fisted into my hair, tugging on it the way I loved to make sure I didn't stop kissing her. My hands were on her waist pulling her closer as our kisses deepened. She clung to me tighter and sighed into my mouth, and my self-control was being seriously tested. I could feel every inch of her that was touching me. I was worried even though she'd gotten more brave and less shy these past few weeks that I would accidently push too far and scare her, but that didn't change the fact the urge was still there, to mark her as mine. I hadn't even mentioned what marking was yet so of course it couldn't happen tonight.

She had to stop kissing me to yawn which was the perfect save.

I chuckled and pulled a blanket over us, "You're tired. Go to sleep, Kim." I held her and stroked her hair softly. She didn't answer. She was already asleep. Tired myself, I fell asleep a few minutes after her.

(The next morning)

Kim shook me out of a deep sleep, "Jared! Wake up my dad's home early. You have to get out of here before he sees you!"

It took me a second to wake up enough to understand the importance of what she was saying, then I was up and stumbling to the window. I yawned and sleepily looked at her still blurry from sleep.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Seth and everything will be fine. Love you," I said as I opened it.

"I love you too," she smiled, "but go!" I hopped out of the window. I nearly lost my balance since I was still dizzy, but I ran around the back of her house and phased the second I reached the forest.

Now I was awake. Not sure what I would say to Seth yet, I decided to run around the woods until an answer came to me. I went for miles up and down the mountain, leaping over logs and stuff and speeding downhill just for fun, still hoping for an answer. It came to me alright. It knocked me right off my feet.

I had collided right into another wolf when I jumped over a fallen tree and down a hill. Whoever it was, we both went tumbling and I heard and unfamiliar yelp. It happened too fast for me to see who it was. I half expected it to be Leah or Jake.

I got to my feet and shook the dirt off of me. Then I growled and looked to see who it was. The wolf had just gotten to its feet and I didn't recognize him. He was the smallest wolf I had ever seen so far, only about half the size of me and was an unusual color. He whined and crouched even shorter with his tail in between his legs.

What the…who are you? I stared at him.

Huh? How'd you do that? How are you talking to me? Did this same thing happen to you? Am I crazy? It was Seth's voice!

Seth? I stepped closer.

Who are you? What's going on here? How can we change back?

It's Jared. Don't freak out on me, and stand up straight. I'm not going to hurt you, I flattened my ears.

Jared? But how-

Listen, Seth, I snarled. I was losing my patience. This kid asked too many questions. You've heard the legends, I know you have. As you can see they are true. You are a werewolf, meant to be a protector of our tribe and stuff. Calm down, you're not stuck this way forever, to change back you have to focus and calm yourself also we can hear each other's thoughts. I need to talk to you now, so shut up and pay attention.

His ears perked up and he stood straighter.

Kim told me what happened last night, and I have to say I am pretty pissed off, I suppressed a growl and he backed up a step.

Look, I'm sorry but I've liked her for a while then you came along and stole her. I didn't know what she sees in you I guess she has a thing for bad-boys. I just wanted to protect her from you and your gang!

My gang? I was laughing in my head now, You just joined it!

What are you talking about?

My 'gang' is a wolf pack led by Sam Uley, and you are the newest member. Congrats, your sister is in it too. I pictured Leah in her wolf form just to prove it then I pictured the rest of the pack.

What? He cocked his head, For how long?

The day your dad…I trailed off of that thought and Seth lowered his head, Anyway, I would never hurt Kim. Now that you are a wolf too, I can tell you why. I imprinted on her, she's my mate. Before he could ask any annoying questions I showed him my memories, when I first saw her after phasing in class and the gravity shifting. My body heated up when her face entered my mind and I missed her. I was never complete without her. I wondered if she was thinking about me too back at home. My heart beat a little faster and I knew she was.

Seth's head bowed lower, Ok so now what? You're just rubbing it in my face? Hey did I imprint on her too?

I growled, No. 2 wolves can't imprint on the same person. All you have is a crush that you can get over.

Well what's the difference?

I snorted and explained how it all worked even though it was Sam's job. How that one person we imprint on changes everything and your whole life belongs to them. What a powerful bond it is combined with real love eventually.

Oh…oh wow, Jared. If I'd known all that I wouldn't have tried to move in on her, but I was sad for my dad and lonely…do you think I'll ever imprint on someone? His tail wagged slightly and he stood up taller.

I don't know. It's possible. But I'm not pissed off at you because you tried to kiss her, I growled a little at the words, I'm mad because you made Kim feel like such a jerk she spent half the night crying feeling awful about herself. She didn't want to hurt you but you didn't give her a choice! To put emphasis on that, I remembered the image of her last night sobbing on her bed.

He whined a little, I did? I didn't mean for that to happen I'll go talk to her and let her know we're cool. I had a pretty bad night too. Right after my rejection I ended up like this. And you're really not mad I tried to hit on her?

Only a little bit. I wasn't worried she'd choose you over me 'cause she loves me and feels the pull too. She's my mate, my other half, her face entered my mind and I was ready to excuse myself from this talk and go running back to her as fast as my legs could carry me.

Ok I have one more important question.

I groaned, What?

What do we do in the pack? I mean like why are you guys always running around the woods and stuff is it just for fun? Scaring tourists or something?

I was laughing in my head again, We hunt vampires.

Yeah right, good one but I'm not going to fall for that just 'cause I'm new. But seriously, Jared, what do we do? His ears perked up.

I just growled and stared at him.

His eyes widened a little, Oh…you're serious…

LPOV

I have to say besides the awkwardness and the reminder of everything that has happened when I see Sam's face, this wolf thing might not actually suck as much as I thought it would. The rest of the pack was pretty welcoming besides Paul and stupid Jacob Black, but Paul didn't get on my nerves too much I think because of our small talk in the forest. I don't think we're friends or anything but he knew I did not want to deal with being made fun of or anything. And Jake? I can handle Jake. It's good to have someone to keep me on my toes otherwise pack life would be pretty boring.

Things that suck about being a wolf:

When you phase back I did not know that you would be naked. (I found out the hard way)

Not as much in control of your body and anger.

Having to deal with Sam's thoughts about my cousin on a day to day basis…

If you accidentally phase you ruin all of your clothing.

Things I love about being a wolf:

Being a wolf is freedom in a way even though I'm stuck in a pack. I can go running all over the woods to beautiful places I've never seen before where it's quiet and I can leave all my problems behind.

If any man tried to get fresh with me I can scare the shit out of him. (Can't hurt him though. Hurting humans is a big no-no)

I am just as strong as the guys when I'm in my wolf form, agile, beautiful, dangerous, and quick. Qualities I never possessed as a human.

It gives me excuses to get out of the house. I can't stand o see my mom's depressed face since my dad is gone.

You can howl at the moon. It's so fun.

Who knows? Maybe I'll imprint on someone.

WE GET TO KILL VAMPIRES.

Right now I am at Emily's with the rest of the pack except for Jared and Sam. I'm not really complaining. I grabbed a muffin and took a huge bite out of it chewing in silence feeling uncomfortable. Why do we have to hang out here of all places? She could poison my food if she had a mind to and who'd care?

Quil nudged me, "Tense much?"

"No," I hissed. Actually that was a lie. I felt almost ready to phase right here at this table just from nerves alone.

He grinned and grabbed another muffin to eat. My fingers found their way to my shoulder, tracing over my new tattoo. I thought it was ridiculous we had to be tattooed. No wonder people thought we were up to no good, and it's not like there is more than one wolf pack to get confused with.

"I like the tattoo. I think it looks badass," said Paul glancing at his own.

"Can't you guys just stay out of my head for two seconds?!" I stood up noisily and stomped out of Emily's back door. Now I was sure close to phasing. The cold air felt nice and I could see my own breath. A regular person would be freezing, but not me. I wore a thin shirt and jean shorts to deal with my own never ending heat.

"Leah?" Sam was walking toward me with another tall tan guy. It was probably Jared. He noticed me shaking, struggling for control. "Calm yourself," he ordered simply.

"Just because you are Alpha doesn't give you the right to boss us around like a bunch of-" I stopped. The tan guy he was walking with was not Jared. I'd never seen him before. He was handsome with kind eyes and my whole body heated up when our eyes met.

"Oh, my bad, Leah this is Connor, another new member of our pack, come say hello," he grinned at me. Crap he'd heard my thoughts!

Connor stared at me so intently I thought I was going pass out with nerves. What was wrong with him? Hadn't he ever seen a girl before? His knees buckled and he fell to his knees still staring while Sam was beaming at him then at me. Now I knew.

"Leah don't," Sam started but I had already phased and fled to the woods as fast as I could go. It was too soon for this to be happening, and I was so frightened I ran away. However the farther I went, the more something tugged on my heart more and more to go back, to return to this tall dark stranger I didn't even know.