This couldn't be happening. Nope. It's not possible. You can only imprint one time. Just once. You only get one soulmate. And I already had mine. I couldn't get a second one. So why did Jacob have to say something like that? Was he insane? Or a liar? Did he enjoy messing with women's hearts? I had too much on my mind already to deal with. I couldn't manage any more stress. And that's all this situation was. Stressful. I've never been more thankful than to see Alice, still in her spot, waiting for me to return.

Surprise colored her eyes as I approached her. An eager smile took over her face. "Bella, you are back already? I can't believe it. I was sure that you would end up ditching me for the rest of the day."

"What kind of best friend would do something lame like that?" I sighed, moving to sit down next to her. We sat on the same oversized wooden beach chair. The weather had improved a little. Alice had her jacket down off her shoulders. Her head was turned up towards the clouds. A hint of sun was just peeking through. It was a rare sight, one that I welcomed. It was usually so cloudy and rainy. Skies were gray and dull, even on the best days. I dreamed of nice warm weather, sun shining and sandy beaches. Some day, I would love to escape this place. But that probably would never happen now. I was locked down with Sam. He held the leash. And he always would.

"So what was the meeting about? Or is it top secret?" Alice wondered, leaning her head back against the seat. She watched me with an eager grin.

"Nothing too crazy. Sam just wanted us to be aware that the other two packs aren't on very good terms. We have to be mindful of how we act at the meeting. Or it could lead to a war between the packs."

Alice's eyes widened. "That sounds kinda serious, don't you think? That's really scary."

"I guess that's true. I really didn't think that far into it." I admitted. Everything else Sam told me had distracted me from tomorrow's meeting. Alice being adopted. And then there was this thing with Jacob.

"Damn, so should we all be a little worried here? No one is really trained for war. Especially if these leeches get involved." Alice said with a sour look.

"It's hard to say one way or the other. I'd like to say that everything should work out fine. But there is something in my gut telling me, we should prepare for the worst." I sighed, looking out towards the ocean. The sun was just starting to set, hidden behind the clouds. It wouldn't be too long before it would be dark.

"Well that's just great," Alice muttered, pulling her legs to her chest. "I wish I could go to that meeting. I'm great at talking to people. I'm sure I could have everyone getting along and best friends. It would only take an hour."

I rolled my eyes, a grin coming to my face. "Is that so, what would you even say to them?"

"Oh jeez, I don't know. I'm no good at being put on the spot like that, you know that Bella." She laughed nervously.

I chuckled, letting myself relax a bit. It was nice to just spend time with Alice, talk and laugh like we used to. It made me feel normal. Even though I was certain that would be a foreign thing to me, for a while now that I was part of the pack. It was nice to just be her friend. And not think about the other stuff.

Alice and I talked, until the sun was no longer in sight. She wasn't ready to head home, so she came over to my house. She planned on spending the night. I already knew that it wouldn't bother Rene, so I didn't call her. Alice reluctantly called her parents to get permission. Of course, they agreed, as long as I promised that there wouldn't be any boys over. As much as I wished to see Edward right now, he wasn't here. I was sure that I'd see him again before the meeting tomorrow. Maybe he was just too busy.

"You're still mad at your parents, huh?" I asked from my spot on the living room couch. I was already in my pajamas. A box of popcorn was between my thighs. A scary movie was on, the one I've seen several times and probably knew every word to it. A classic, but I knew Alice wouldn't like it one bit.

Alice was in the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of ginger ale. She was having a bit of nausea. I worry about her, now more than ever. She said it was no big deal, but I could see the anxiety in her eyes. Something was really bothering her. But I was afraid to upset her, by asking.

When she returned, she plopped herself down next to me, josling a few pieces of popcorn out of the box. I didn't bother scoping them up. It could sit there until morning, for all I cared. Rene wasn't home, she was too busy hooking up with Phil. She didn't have time to notice what went on in this house, while she was gone. Then there was Charlie, I saw him every day. But even he kept secrets from me. There was some secret woman in his life, his imprint. I didn't have a name, what she looked like, nothing.

Alice and I just sat there for a while, glumly watching the horror movie play out in front of us. It was cheesy, it usually lifted our spirits. But it wasn't taking the edge off tonight. There was just too much going on.

"I was meaning to tell you," Alice started, ducking her head. She clutched her fist tightly around her glass of ginger ale. "My period is late…"

My jaw dropped open partly as I eyed her. She didn't make eye contact, she kept her head lowered. "Wow, uhm, are you sure?"

She nodded meekly. "Yeah, it's never been late before… my mom is kinda freaking out."

Don't tell me. She can't be.

"I mean, do you think… you're pregnant?"

"I don't know Bella, I hope not. My parents have been hounding me to take a pregnancy test, but I just can't. I don't want to know."

"Alice, that's a big deal, you have to find out." I stressed to her.

She shrugged her shoulders. "What's the point, no matter what, I can't keep it."

"And why not?"

"I'm only seventeen, I don't know anything about raising a kid. I'm still a kid myself. Plus… I'm afraid… if I am pregnant… I'm scared the baby would look like him."

Mike Newton. He would be the only possible father. Alice has never been in a sexual relationship before the whole Mike incident. It disgusted me, to my core. He continues to put Alice through so much torment. He didn't even have to be in the same room. What he did, has left an emotional scar that Alice would have to carry forever. And if she was pregnant with his child. The poor baby would just be a reminder of that awful night. I couldn't imagine what Alice was feeling right now. I didn't know what to say to her. So I pulled her in close, resting my arm around her shoulder.

She leaned into my side, weeping silently. I stayed quiet and just let her have a moment. Maybe she just needed to know that I was here for her. "No matter what happens, I'm right here with you. Every step of the way. If you do decide to take a pregnancy test and you don't want to do it alone… call me, or better yet, come over. I'll be right here for you."

This seemed to make her cry a little harder, she clung to me tightly. My shoulder started to feel a little wet from her tears. I averted my eyes, not wanting her sadness to make me start crying as well. I hated to see her cry. But lately, that's all she has been doing. How much more pressure could she withstand, until it broke her?

By the time she calmed herself down, the movie was over, the end credits were rolling down the screen. I grabbed the remote and just turned it off. Now it was my turn to get something off my chest. She trusted me with something deep and personal, I would do the same. That's what it means to be friends, isn't it?

"I wanted to tell you something too. Something that happened today that really has me confused." I spoke quietly.

Alice watched me warily. "Well, I'm sure it's not as bad as my situation, so let's hear it."

"Well, on my way back to you, I ran into a guy." I started peeking at her a few times. "And he said that he imprinted on me."

Now her eyes bugged out of her head. "Are you serious? Someone other than Edward?"

"Yeah, some Jacob guy. He is the alpha of the eclipse pack." I muttered, letting my eyes move to the window. The moon was shining brightly in the sky. A rumble of thunder was heard in the distance.

"You gotta be kidding, what is it with you seducing alphas?" Alice laughed, without any sign of humor on her face. In fact, she looked a bit annoyed.

"It's not funny and it probably wasn't serious. He is just some asshole, trying to get me all flustered." I sighed heavily.

Alice snorted, taking a few sips from her ginger ale. "Whatever you say Bella. But it sure sounds like you're in a mess. I'm not even sure how that would work."

"It's not possible, Alice. You can only imprint on one person."

"Correct, Edward imprinted on you, that's one person. You imprinted on Edward, that's one person. Now this Jacob dude, he imprinted on you, again, that's one person." She said with a frown.

"I've never heard of anything like that." I grumbled, glancing at her. "It's a mistake. I'm sure we all will have a big laugh about it, once we see each other again at the meeting."

"Not if Edward kills him, on the spot, signaling a war between the packs."

My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. Alice's face was clouded in seriousness. It wasn't a look that I was used to seeing on her face. She couldn't mean that? There was no way.

"It's not going to happen."

"You don't know that for sure Bella."

I sighed, rested my head back to stare at the ceiling. "Should I call and tell Edward about this? I mean, before this meeting."

"Yes, I think that would be a good idea. If this Jacob guy really did imprint on you. You need to tell Edward. Before something stupid happens." Alice muttered, looking down at her hands. "It's funny, all I've ever wanted was to become a wolf and finally feel like I'm part of the pack. And to find my imprint. Look at you, a wolf with two imprints. Isn't the world funny that way?" She looked really annoyed.

I wasn't sure how to respond to her comment. I didn't want to get her more upset, or to diminish her feelings. But I just felt that there were bigger problems here, bigger than me and bigger than her. I just hoped Edward wouldn't fly into a fit of rage. Or war, might be a real possibility.

Lost in my thoughts, there was a gentle knock on the door. Alice and I stared at each other, frozen. Who was it? Edward or Jacob?

A/N: Thanks to all who took the time to review the last chapter. It means a lot to me. I hope you are all enjoying the story so far!