Chapter 15 - Bella

A/N: This chapter is one that I've been thinking about since I wrote Bella and Sam's conversation. This chapter takes place at the bonfire. I hope that you guys enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for reading everyone.

Arriving at the bonfire, Emily quickly got the guys to set up the tables so that we could get the food situated. It didn't take long. The guys had mostly spent the time playing in the water and gathering wood. After everyone had eaten and the sun was going down, Sam lit the bonfire. "You know…we hold these bonfires for a lot of reasons. We've held bonfires to welcome new pack brothers, new imprints, and even to say goodbye to Tribal leaders…but tonight we hold it for two reasons. The first is to officially welcome Bella to the pack even though she's already been a part of it… and the second is to celebrate the Cullen's leaving." Sam said. "Enjoy." He said lastly before sitting beside Emily.

I'd been sitting with Jared for a while when Leah came over. "Can we talk?" She asked me.

Jared looked a little skeptical at first. It wasn't a secret that Leah and I had our ups and downs, but once upon a time, we'd been best friends. "Sure." I finally said, standing up.

We walked away from the group a ways, and I knew it was because she didn't want any of the guys to hear our conversation. We sat down in the sand. "I've missed you Swan." She said finally. I smiled. "I know that I haven't shown it since I phased, but I have." She said.

"Well, you've had a lot of things to be angry about Leah. Your boyfriend left you out of the blue. He fell in love with your cousin. Your Dad died. You became a giant wolf. And you got thrown into my crazy messed up drama." I said looking out at the water.

"Through all of it…despite some of the things that I've said to you, I never blamed you." Leah said.

"I know that Leah. You were hurt. Your probably still hurting." I told her.

"I am. I just don't understand how imprinting can just change everything." She said.

I sighed. That was everyone's problem. Nobody really understood anything about Imprinting. "I think that's part of the problem. None of us really know everything there is about imprinting. What I can say, is that I know for a fact that Sam tried to fight it. But the pull of it is strong. I've been working for Old Quil…going through the old journals and digitizing them. And from everything that I've seen so far…Taha Aki believed that because of the spirit warriors, it was the Spirits way of giving them a reward for sacrificing their lives." I told her about what I'd learned so far from Taha Aki's journal.

"Do you think that Sam could have fought it if he tried harder?" She asked me.

I shook my head. "No. I don't think so. From what I've read... Emily is his perfect match in every way. I think originally the Elders thought it would be a way to strengthen the tribe...better breeding and what not. But if that was the case then why did Jared imprint on me and not a native girl?" I said. "I honestly think... even though I'm still looking, that imprinting is meant to be a support system for both the man and the wolf. The imprint is everything that they both need." I said.

"I guess I can understand that. Doesn't make it any easier. I loved him so much and for so long." Leah said.

I threw my arm around her shoulders. "I know Leah. It'll get better with time." I told her. "Who knows? Maybe you'll imprint yourself."

"Maybe." She shrugged. "I don't know if I want to though. It feels like a bunch of hocus pocus to me."

I laid my head on her shoulder. "It may seem like that but I'm telling you from experience it's anything but. You know, I used to think that Edward was my future and my forever...but then after the battle when I came to check on Jake...he opened my eyes about what I'd be giving up. It was like everything that had been clouding my head was cleared. On the drive home that night, I realized that even though I'd gone to Italy to save Edward that our problems weren't fixed. When we'd come back from Italy I'd just taken him back like nothing had happened. Then I thought about being someone's mate...if I truly was his mate, he never would have been able to be away from me like he had." I told her.

"That's true. Look at Sam and Emily. They can't go more than a few hours away from each other." Leah pointed out.

"Exactly." I said.

"So can I ask a question?" Leah said.

"Of course." I said.

"What did it feel like when Jared imprinted on you?" She asked me.

"It felt like the world stopped turning. The only thing I saw was him. The feelings that I'd had for Edward were gone. The few feelings that I had for Jake...they turned into familial. Suddenly, it felt like he was my brother." I told her. "When Jared and I talked about the imprint, we decided that for the time being we'd just be friends. Even though we know each other...we don't. Not to mention that Jared pointed out that I had just gotten out of a complicated relationship. Plus, with Charlie not knowing about the pack...I can't exactly bring Jared home to meet him yet." I told her.

"But..." She said.

"We've held hands, kissed cheeks. I can feel my feelings for him changing." I said.

"You know, when I first phased...Jacob was so sure that if he could get your mind clear of any influence from Edward that he'd imprint on you." Leah said. "But I think it happened the way that it was supposed to. I think that you and Jared are perfect for each other."

"Thanks Leah." I said.

"Anytime. I'll try to do better about being a better friend." She smiled.

"Just know that I'm here and I'm not going away." I said smiling back at her.

We stood up and made out way back to the group. When I sat back down next to Jared, he threw his arm around my shoulders. "Everything okay?" He asked me.

"Everything is perfect." I said looking up at him.