Leah's eyes narrowed. "Now? You expect me to believe that you're imprinting on me NOW? After I've known you all my life, we've had sex a hundred times...come on, Jared. You're not that good an actor." The baby squirmed in her arms.

"One hundred and twenty-six times, if you count all the different...umm...varieties. Would you like me to list them? In order?" His dark eyes smoldered.

"No! Please, no." Leah cracked a smile. She couldn't help it.

"Believe what you want, Leah. Maybe it's because of the baby, but it's real. I don't know why it happened now, but I do know the symptoms. I've witnessed it before, through the mind link." He held out his arms. "My son."

"Our son," Leah corrected as she placed the baby carefully in his arms. James looked up at his father with large eyes so dark they looked black. There was no question that they were father and son; James was a miniature of his dad.

As for Jared, his heart melted. He didn't even notice the tears dripping down his cheeks as he bent to kiss the little head. Ignoring Leah for the moment, he backed into a chair and whispered to the baby. "You must have been wondering where I was, little guy. Believe me, I have loved you from the moment I saw you. In Jacob's arms," he added, his jaw tightening.

Seeming to finally remember Leah, Jared looked up at her. His brown eyes, so like his son's, were filled with pain. "Why would you do this alone, Leah? Did you doubt me? Did I ever give you reason to?"

Leah sighed and perched on the arm of Jared's chair. "You know the answers to all those questions, Jared. I needed to be alone, and I wouldn't take a chance with another shifter - a chance that you might imprint on someone else. I've found a new life for myself and James - in Portland. It's not so far away. My nursing credits were transferable, so I finished my LPN."

Her voice had remained strong and confident up to this point.

"I have to find an apartment though," she said more quietly. "My boarding house is for singles. And I need to find a real job; my pay as a waitress won't support both of us."

"Won't you give me a chance, Leah? I haven't figured out how to live without you - and now I'm not sure I can."

Leah gazed lovingly at her son, who seemed to be studying his father's face. She knew she had to make a decision. Unable to sleep, she had been tossing and turning for weeks about this. "I have to go back, Jared - at least long enough to tie up some loose ends. I promise to give it some thought, okay? It's the best I can do for now."

The baby started to fuss. "He's hungry," Leah explained as Jared reluctantly handed him back. "Is there someplace I can go…"

"Really, Leah? Modesty? I think I can get a glimpse of your lovely breast without losing control."

"Sarcasm is petty, Jared," Leah complained as she sat on the couch and lifted her shirt. James latched onto her breast and breathed a sigh of contentment.

Jared paced. "Is there anything I can get you?"

She smiled at the baby and looked up. "Water would be good. Thanks." He brought her a bottle from the fridge and uncapped it, setting it on an end table at her elbow. They both heard the back door open, and Jared rushed to the doorway intending to block the newcomer's sight line to Leah and the baby.

"Jared? What are you…" His mother's voice died away as she glanced over his shoulder. "Leah? But wait...what?"

Shaking her head, Leah smiled. "Come in, Mrs. Cameron. It's okay, Jared. Your mom needs to meet her grandson." Leah quickly rearranged her clothing.

Jared's mother looked dazed. "Grandson? But...I didn't even know you two were involved! Why all the secrecy? May I?" She stood before Leah, her eyes on the baby. "He's beautiful. What's his name?" Leah placed the baby in her arms and his grandmother closed her eyes, breathing deeply of his baby scent.

"His name is James Clearwater Cameron. We didn't mean to be secretive, but it's a long story."

"Mom, do you mind if we go for a short walk while you get acquainted?" Jared looked at Leah and she sighed, nodding once. He was careful not to touch her as they sat on the front steps. He clasped his hands and rested his forearms on his knees.

"I love you, Lee. You know that, right?"

She nodded. "I do, Jared. But I'll be honest. I have to do some thinking about this whole 'imprinting' thing. And I do need to go home to Portland, at least for a while. I'll give you my address, and I'll leave my phone on - as long as you promise not to haunt me. Do we have a deal?"

He looked unhappy. "Isn't there anything I can say to make you stay?"

"Not now." She reached for his hand and clasped it. "I'm not shutting you out of our son's life. I know that wouldn't be fair. But you'll just have to give me some time."

"Okay. It looks like I don't have a choice," he grunted. But I need to be near you as often as I can. Is it okay if I come down to visit next weekend? I'll get a room."

Leah smiled. "You bet you will! My landlady doesn't stand for any canoodling - her word. And my friend Aiyanna is dying to meet you. Hey - maybe you two will hit it off! She met Jake and Seth and just about swooned."

"Very funny, Leah. I'm not interested. I'm a one-woman guy, now more than ever." He ignored her eye roll.

Leah looked at her watch. "I have to get going. I want to stop and say hello to my mom before I head back. So I'll see you next weekend?" she said over her shoulder as she walked back inside. "I'll text you my address."

Sue was thrilled to have even a short visit with her grandson. "I'm so glad you don't have to worry about that imprinting thing any more, honey," she said to Leah as she cradled the baby in her arms and kissed his cheek.

"Wait - what?" Leah frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, dear, imprinting is all about preserving the bloodline. Since you and Jared now have a pup together, neither of you will have to worry about imprinting."

Leah nodded. "Interesting…"

A/N: Thanks to everyone who is following and asking for MORE! I thought I was finished, but I listen to my readers :) Thank you!