Three chapters one week, this fic has me in a chokehold. I live here for the time being.

I'm so honored to know that I tortured many of you with the last few chaps. This one had me rolling in mud and giggling while writing.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

It took everything in me to leave her at Emily's. The fear that she would vanish into thin air still ran rampant in the back of my head. I'd have to get back as soon as I could, after my ass-whooping from Sam and hopefully with Embry alongside us.

Quil and I jogged further away from the house and started up a thin trail in the woods.

Everything was happening way too fast. I felt like my mouth couldn't catch up with my brain, and my brain couldn't catch up with reality.

So when Quil asked, "And you're sure Liz isn't your girlfriend or anything? She's really just a friend like you told Em?" I wanted to bash my head.

"Christ almighty. No, no, no. She's not my girlfriend."

"Okay, so…"

"She's just a friend. I met her up in Canada. She's actually pretty cool once you get to know her." I dodged a low-hanging twig. "Seriously, cut the shit, Quil. You really fucking think I could have a girlfriend right now?"

We headed off the trail into a thicker, more dense part of the forest. The setting sun flashed through the leaves and moss-covered branches.

Quil told me the pack was spread out on patrol, but he knew where Sam was. Thankfully, he hasn't asked me to phase yet. I guess he figured I would want to talk to Sam first—face-to-face.

"Well, it's not just me that thought that. When we get back, you better talk to Bella and clear that up."

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure she thinks you imprinted. I mean, we both thought that. What else were we supposed to think? Like—"

I stopped in my tracks.

"What?"

Quil stopped and turned around to look at me, annoyed.

"What, you really didn't think that's how it would look? You've been gone, and you pull up with some random girl out of nowhere. Be serious. And no offense, you're not really the social type, Jake. You don't just go around making friends."

"Liz is not my imprint, and she's not my girlfriend. What did Bella say?"

"It's Bella." He rolled his eyes. "She didn't say anything."

"So how do you know she thinks that?"

He shrugged. "She doesn't hide her emotions very well."

I shook my head. "I don't get it. You're acting like you're friends with her. What are you suddenly tight with her now?"

"Well, yeah, I am. You've been gone; did you forget that?"

"Okay, but what is she doing hanging around you? I mean, he's allowing that?"

He glared at me in disbelief.

"Holy—Did you guys not talk?" He crossed his arms and snickered. "No, come on. You don't know?"

"Don't know what?"

He slapped his hand to his forehead and muttered, "Oh my God." He walked over to me. "Jake, what do you think happened? I mean, why do you think she's human?"

"I don't really know. They moved the date?"

"Jesus," he whispered. "Communication is a lost art."

"What? She married the fucker. How could she—"

"Bella is not married. I can't believe you didn't talk about this—"

"What do you mean she's not married? I watched…I saw. I was there. At the stupid fucking wedding."

He sighed. "Yeah, and if you stuck around for probably only a couple minutes longer, you would have seen that she didn't go through with it."

The cold wind erupted through the trees around us, soothing my overheated skin.

"What the hell are you talking about, Ateara?"

"She didn't marry him," he blurted out impatiently. " She ran off into the woods. She was a bleeding mess when I found her. There were vampires around, so I brought her down to the rez. She stayed at my place, and my mom took care of her."

Reality crashed around me, heavy and demanding. Was this an alternate dimension or something? Could my luck really be that shitty that I was apparently only "minutes away?"

There have been many times in my life where I've felt like a total dumbass. But I didn't think I'd ever felt more like one in my whole life. I left her this time. And for what? To go cry on the beach in Canada, to dump all my shit on a random girl, to feel myself become raw and undone, all for what?

"So she actually did get cold feet."

"Um, yeah."

I dragged my hand across my face and started walking again, not wanting Quil to see my embarrassment, but he clocked it.

"Feeling pretty dumb, huh?" Quil spat.

"More than fucking ever." I sighed. "I need to talk to her."

"Yeah, well, not right now. We need you to focus. You can deal with that later."

I picked up my pace and let the remaining questions swim around my head.

She didn't marry him, but where did they stand? Were they still together? Were they taking a break? Was this only because she didn't want to be a teenage bride? Maybe they'll still try to do the whole sick vampire/human thing. Because there was no way, right? She was set on the bloodsucker. Unless she really did come to her senses. But it's Bella we're talking about here, and we all know that's a rarity.

I couldn't get ahead of myself, couldn't expect that shit was actually gonna go my way for once. Gotta keep my expectations low and not jump to any conclusions. Hell, she could probably change her mind tomorrow. I've seen her do that before.

We crossed the street and went into another thick stretch of forest. Quil came to a halt.

"Sam said he was going to be around here. We'll get him to phase back to talk. I don't think the conversation will be particularly productive if we have everyone screaming in our heads."

Welp. Guess now was the time to tell him.

"Um, yeah, about that…"

He was completely done with my shit.

"What now," he asked with his hands on his hips. I nervously laughed.

"So, how do I—um, so you know how you guys thought that I hadn't phased for the month?"

"Yeah…?"

"I was phasing."

"What, like once or twice? I guess none of us were phased when you were."

"No, more than once or twice, and I know we were phased at the same time."

"I don't get what you're saying."

"So, you know how, technically, I was born to be the alpha, but I didn't want it."

He nodded his head, one eyebrow arched.

"Well, I found out that still stood. I was able to leave Sam's pack."

"What?"

"Yeah, so I'm technically a one-man pack now, I guess. I don't really know how it works all that well. One day, I noticed I could channel out. And on the day I left, I was able to get full control, and I didn't hear you guys anymore. My original plan was to live out my days as a wolf, alone, not bother you guys anymore."

"If you phase right now, I wouldn't be able to hear you? You wouldn't be able to hear Sam?"

"Maybe if I tried to tap in again. I'm not really sure."

He sighed. "I no longer have the energy for any of your BS, so I'll leave it to Sam to chew you out. Though it kind of sounds like a blessing, not having to hear your emo inner monologue."

I snorted. "Yeah, says you."

"Oh, quiet. You know I don't bother anyone with my shit. But then what does this mean?"

"I don't know. I gotta talk to Sam."

We found Sam on the edge of a cliffside, ways away from where he told Quil he would be. He didn't tell us why he was looking into the water, but I knew. And I felt fucking sick.

We needed to find Embry. Now. If he really was out looking for me and he got himself hurt, I'd never forgive myself.

When Sam phased back, he was furious, way more than Quil was. Sam's been pissed off at me many times, but this time, I didn't feel intimidated by him. I didn't feel my wolf cower to him. And when I told him that I was alpha of my own pack, he looked like he was about a throw me off the damn cliff himself.

Sam always had it rough. I knew that. Dude could never catch a goddamn break. I couldn't bring myself to fight with him or defend myself. Didn't have it in me. Didn't think there was anything to defend, either.

We phased, and I still couldn't hear their voices, but I was able to communicate a little bit with Sam. I did think that with more practice, I could probably tap in more. It just felt like too much of a mental strain right now.

After my verbal ass-whooping and Sam was all caught up, he let the pack know that I was home, so at least it would lessen their surprise when I saw them later. Either way, none of their reactions could be worse than Sam or Quil's. He also let them know that I brought a human girl along who didn't know about us. Sure as hell didn't want to hear what they had to say about that.

The sky grew dark as I was out on my own, searching a new path for Embry. Sam let me in on the schedule they'd been following and figured, since I'd been gone, that I should make the longer distance tonight.

But there was no sign of him, no scent, no prints, nothing. The moonlight shone on my path, and I realized I'd run out further than intended. It was refreshing, though, being back in my wolf—God knows I needed to clear my head.

About two hours later, I turned back because it was getting close to the time we were all supposed to meet at Emily's. They'd been looking all night, doing shifts all day, so Sam thought we all needed to regroup.

Before I turned back on the trail, I looked over at a cliff edge. I didn't want to, but I did. I looked over like Sam did, scanning the waves for a sign—a familiar shape, a body.

I exhaled when I didn't see anything, feeling fucking sick again. The idea of anything happening to Embry was basically like cutting one of my limbs off.

I also felt sick because I knew that they probably did the same when I was gone.

I had to make it up to them. I had to show them that my birthright didn't go to waste. That I wasn't going to be some loser who ran, some wounded animal who couldn't care for himself, let alone his own family.

Words didn't mean shit; I had to show them I wasn't going to leave again. I ran back faster this time, more determined, more aware, more eager.

It didn't take that long to get back to Emily's. Hidden behind some trees, I spit out the filthy black tee and jeans I'd been carrying in my mouth, phased back, and put them back on. Brushing the dirt off my clothes, I jogged to the front door, which was unlocked. Idling in the doorway, my breath was taken away again.

She stayed.

Liz had fallen asleep on the couch, and Bella sat away from her with her arms wrapped around her knees, which were pulled to her chest. There was no ugly ass ring on her finger, either.

Quil was right.

I would never take her for granted ever again—I'd make it up to her, too. I promised I wouldn't ever hurt or leave her, and I did. Probably when she needed me the most. Guilt was pointless to feel; it wasn't like I knew any of this was gonna happen. I'd show her I'd be there for her if she needed me.

There was a hardness taking over her soft features, and she looked stressed as hell. Thank God I made it here before the rest of them. I needed just a small window of time to talk to Bella; I had to clear—

"Oh, look who it is! Hey, big man! How was your little vacation?" Paul called out from outside, approaching the house.

Then Jared. "Do you need your ba-ba? I'm sure Em's got some milk in the fridge we can warm up for you!"

I stayed in the doorway, holding the screen door open for the assholes. I bit back a laugh and just shook my head.

"You know, Jacob, this might be one of the best days of my life. Apparently, we don't have to hear your pathetic whining anymore? Please tell me it's true," said Leah, her voice closer.

"Yeah, it kind of feels like Christmas, right?" Paul replied.

I still didn't face them, but they all trotted up the porch stairs behind me. I walked through the door and sucked on my teeth.

"Let the roasting commence," I said, waving a hand around.

My eyes stayed on Bella, but she didn't say a word to me. She didn't laugh. Her face was totally blank. Was she actually mad?

The pack filed into the room, loudly laughing, throwing jokes and insults around. Some of them were pretty creative. Some needed more work.

Seth was the first to run over to me, arms outstretched for a hug.

"It hasn't been the same without you, Jake! I'm happy you're home!"

"Yeah, welcome home dickhead!" Jared said, punching my shoulder.

Paul pulled me in for a half hug. "You suck."

Sam crossed the room, looked at Liz, who was sleeping like a rock, and turned to Bella. "Emily still working upstairs?"

She nodded. He went down the hall and up the stairs since Liz was still here, and we couldn't go over patrol logistics yet. I'd have to drop her at Billy's first and come back.

Paul, Jared, Seth, and Quil all sat at the dining table, already digging into some pie. They didn't let me eat any. Leah sat on one of the stools, arms crossed.

"Jacob, how does it feel to be the most pathetic little bitch known to man?"

And though they were relentlessly attacking me, it felt good to be home. Even better with Bella here, though she looked like she was about to kill me. Was I a total piece of shit for kinda liking it, though?

Their laughter became louder.

"Guys, come on. She's sleeping."

"What?" Jared asked, rising out of his seat. He peered over the couch at Liz. "Oh shit. This is your new chick Sam was talking about? He was being serious?!"

Paul got up to investigate while Quil, sitting next to Seth, rolled his eyes and forked pie into his mouth.

Paul hesitantly hovered his hand over to poke her.

"Guys, come on. Let her sleep."

"Jake, this is crazy. I thought you were Bella-sexual," said Paul.

I shot a glance at Bella, who stood up and headed to the hallway. Crossing over to her, I caught her shoulder.

"Listen, we're gonna talk in a minute, okay?"

"I need to use the bathroom," she muttered, jerking away from me. She stormed off down the hall.

Damn. She was jealous.

I had to fight a smile.

"Oh shit," said Paul.

Liz started to turn, and I pushed the guys away from the couch and shooed them to the table.

"Go fucking eat your pie." Happily, they obliged.

Peering over the couch, Liz looked up at me, her eyes blinking. "Oh, hey, Jacob. I didn't even realize I fell asleep." She sat up and looked around. "Bella left?" Then she peered over the couch and waved. "Oh! Sorry! Hi Quil. H-hi everyone!"

The two idiots burst into laughter, but they waved along with Seth.

"That's Paul, Seth, Jared, and Leah," I said, pointing to each of them.

"Did you guys find your friend?"

"No. We're gonna look more tomorrow."

"So, are we staying here for now? We have to push the trip back?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry, Liz, I can't leave."

"Here we go again," mumbled Leah, who stared at the ceiling, arms crossed. "Just some more messy bullshit from Jacob. What a shocking—"

Then Leah looked over at Liz. And Liz looked back at her.

Not often did Leah shut up. She always needed to get the last word out. And immediately I knew what just happened, well, we all did.

Leah's jaw hung open, and any of the typical hardness on her face disappeared. Her eyes were wide and watery, and she couldn't speak. There was a moment of pure shock in the room. All of our eyes darted from Leah to Liz to Leah, to Liz, trying to make sense of it. Though our hivemind was only activated as wolves, we all knew what we were thinking.

Bella came back into the room, her eyebrow raised, looking to see what caused the silence.

I covered my face with both of my hands because, ya know, how much more insane could shit really get?

"Jesus fucking Christ," I muttered to myself, pulling my hands away from my face. I exhaled and looked down at Liz.

"What?" she nervously laughed. "What just happened?" Liz waved to Leah. "Hi?"

"No way," said Jared.

Bella stood there, confused. Then her eyes went wide, and she looked at me. I just nodded.

"Hey, Leah," Seth called out. "Are you okay?" But she was in a trance.

Liz nervously looked up at me. "Jacob?" She fully sat up.

"It's nothing; you missed an inside joke. It's getting late." I rubbed the back of my neck. "You should get some sleep."

She looked over at the VCR clock. "But it's only 9?"

"Yeah, but we had a long day in the car, you know?"

Sam and Emily's footsteps came from down the hall.

"Sorry, guys. I had to get everything ready for class on Monday. That took way longer than I expected," said Em.

Looking around the room, they both knew something was up. When they saw Leah, they looked at each other.

"Liz, this is Sam. Emily's fiancée. You're gonna stay here tonight, okay? My dad's is way too cramped anyway."

"Okay! Is that alright with you guys?" She asked.

Leah began to compose herself, blinking rapidly. Sam and Emily tried not to show their shock.

Sam cleared his throat. "Yeah, absolutely. Emily will get everything ready for you. Em, maybe you can get her to the spare bedroom now?"

Trying to come down to earth, she nodded. "Yes. Come on, Liz. The bed is far more comfortable than that couch."

"I wouldn't mind hanging out with you guys. I napped for long enough."

"Everyone's gonna leave now anyway," said Sam, letting everyone know the change in plans.

"Oh, okay." Liz got up off the couch.

"I'll bring your suitcase up in a bit," I told her.

"Wait," Leah said, hopping off the stool and walking over to Liz, who stood next to Emily.

It was the first time I'd ever seen Leah nervous. She cleared her throat.

"Nice to meet you." She outstretched her hand. "I'm Leah."

Liz shook her hand, smiling.

"I really like your hair."

Leah smoothed her hair. "Thanks. Sleep well, yeah?"

"Oh, I will! It has been a long day. Since Jacob and I are staying for a little, maybe we can hang out at some point."

"Yes. I mean. Only if you want to. Yes." She tried to hide the urgency in her voice but failed.

Liz nodded, beaming. Em guided her down the hall and up the stairs. We heard the door close. We all looked at each other.

"I imprinted."

"Yeah, we figured that out," said Paul.

"Whoa. Seriously?!" exclaimed Seth.

"Oh, Seth. Poor oblivious thing," laughed Quil, patting him on the back.

"I didn't even know that was possible. A chick imprinting… on another chick? What the fuck?" said Jared.

Leah ignored them and looked at Sam. "What the hell do I do?"

"Well, we're gonna have to tell her. You can't live without her."

"I want her to do what she wants. I'm not gonna pester her like you did to my cousin." She rolled her eyes.

"You're already feeling the pull. It's impossible to break."

Leah swallowed.

"Yeah, well, I'd rather jump off a bridge than force someone to be with me." She turned to me. "Where did you find her?"

"Canada."

"So she doesn't live here?"

"No."

I saw her going over things in her head.

"Well, whatever, it's up to her. I would never make her stay here. She may not even like me."

"Been there," Paul called out. "Worked out, though."

"Did you guys seriously move past the fact that there's two gay wolves in our pack? What are the odds?!" Jared snorted.

See, there's an example of a roast that needed more work.

"Really, Jared?" It was the first time Bella spoke. Was she sticking up for me? Or Leah? Were they tight now, too? You know, a month was really starting to feel like a whole fucking year.

"What! It's no secret. Wait, Leah, does this make you a lesbian? But you dated Sam? Bisexual?"

"I think Liz-sexual," said Paul.

"I'll rip your throats out," she growled.

"Enough! Stop it," Sam ordered, and they all shut up. "We'll deal with this tomorrow. Leah, Emily, and I will explain everything to Liz."

"She's my friend. Maybe she would feel better if I was there too."

"No, we need you on patrol."

I nodded.

"Everyone else, you know your patrol times?" Everyone confirmed. "Alright. We'll have to regroup and restrategize tomorrow. Let's get some sleep. Recharge."

"I'm going back out to look," Quil protested.

"No, you're not. We all need to be efficient and sleep." Quil couldn't resist his order.

When everyone dispersed, I went over to Bella. "Just wait here. Give me five minutes. Please."

"I honestly should get going—"

"Please."

She sighed and nodded.

It took longer than five minutes, but in record time, I ran upstairs to get the car key from Liz, who was half-awake, ran all the way to Quil's to get the ZJ, drove it back down to Emily's, got Liz's suitcase, ran it upstairs, and left it outside the spare bedroom door.

Bella was still on the couch.

"Okay. You ready?" I asked.

"Let's go," she said impatiently.

I opened and held the door out for her to leave. The night air felt good, and the moon was big and yellow in the sky, brighter than before.

We both got into the unsightly Mercedes parked next to the ZJ.

"So, where should we go?" She asked, putting the key in the ignition.

"Anywhere."

She nodded and started to drive slowly. The sound of the dirt under the tires filled the silence as we both processed whatever the fuck just happened today.

"It's been a day," I said.

She laughed, and there was a hint of delirium in it.

"Very eventful, indeed."

"I swear this life was becoming more and more like a damn soap opera."

"Never a dull moment."

I blew out a breath. "I'm sorry. I wish we could have talked more earlier. It was just crazy, you know. I mean, I'm–I'm still in shock about you being here."

She drove for a few more minutes before pulling down a dead-end road near the beach, away from the houses. She parked. It was quiet aside from the ticking of the engine cooling down, crickets, and the faint sound of the crashing waves.

I looked at her moonlight-illuminated face.

And despite how crazy everything was, I just smiled.

She met my eyes hesitantly, and a little smile crept up on her lips, too.

"Bella—"

"Jake—"

"No, you go first," she said.

Knowing we had limited time before she had to get home and we were thrust back into the chaos tomorrow, I spit it out.

"Quil told me that you thought I imprinted on Liz; obviously, you see now that isn't the case—"

"I'm still wrapping my head around that. It was crazy. I felt it."

"Yup. Shit is wild. Also totally proved Sam's theory wrong about it being for procreation. Leah didn't even think she could imprint, either."

"Well, it's clearly something that isn't fully understood. Quil and I found some new information about it while cleaning out his father's belongings. They'll show you what we found, but long story short, we found that female shifters were expected to exist."

"Damn, I've gotta see that. I mean, I didn't think she couldn't imprint. I'm mainly shocked that it was on Liz."

"What do you think is going to happen with it?"

"I don't know. I guess we'll see. Her and Leah are polar fucking opposites."

"Sometimes that's better, though. Opposites attract."

I swallowed.

"Yeah, so we'll see. But, anyway, I'm sorry you thought I was with Liz in whatever capacity. I just couldn't think straight. I was still stuck on you being here, Embry, Liz freaking out and being confused. I've told her about you, too. She…sort of also thought you were dead. Except she got the digestible human version of the story, ya know. I'm sure you could imagine her confusion."

Bella scoffed. "It didn't seem like she knew who I was. At all."

"Probably an awkward conversation. And she's too polite."

"Mhm."

"But whatever, I'm sorry you had to think that. Sure bothered the hell out of you."

She shot a fake confused look at me. "What bothered me?"

I rolled my eyes and snorted. "C'mon, Bells."

"No, what do you mean?"

"You thought I imprinted, or you thought she was my girl. Made you jealous."

I held back my smirk. I didn't need to embarrass her.

"I was not jealous," she lied. And I knew it was a lie because Bella was a really bad liar. She didn't lie often, but when she did, it was hilariously obvious. She'd be the type to instantly fail a polygraph with the way her heart was going berserk.

"Sure, sure. Alright." I hid my smile behind my hair.

She just shook her head, annoyed. I knew she wouldn't entertain my teasing, at least not now.

While, fuck, did I revel in her jealousy and fibbing, I felt my stomach sink at the possible implication of it. Did her lying mean she was still with the leech, just not married? Was that what the 'opposites attract' comment was about?

"Quil also told me that you're not married."

Again, I looked down at her left hand, fourth finger, just in case. Still no ring.

"I feel really stupid. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left. You know, I could have been there for you—"

"No, Jake, I understand why you left. It was better that you did, in a way. And clearly, it was for a reason—you found Leah's imprint. I'm sorry. For everything."

I reached over and took her hand.

"S'okay. I'm just happy that you're here. Alive. That you're you. You surprise me every day, though, Bells, I gotta say. You keep me on my toes." I rubbed my thumb along hers. "But can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you… plan to stay human?"

She pursed her lips and nodded her head up and down.

I let out a big breath and stared up at the moon through the windshield.

"Really?"

"Yes, Jake."

"Can I ask what changed your mind?"

"A lot. I'll get into everything another time."

Nothing in this world could ever make me happier than that. Solace. Pure fucking happiness.

Everything paid off. The fight to keep her heart beating was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I would do it all over again, a million times over again, if it meant it would come to this moment. I'd fuck off if she wanted me to, and I'd run off smiling as long as I knew she chose to live.

It couldn't get any better. Unless.

"Last question."

"Hm?"

"This, you know, may not be the most important question considering everything, but I've got to ask. Are you, are you still with him?"

She looked out the window, avoiding my gaze. It took her a moment to answer, and within that moment, I held my breath.

Finally, she said, "No. I can't. I can't be with him."

I just nodded. I didn't want to pry. I did want to do a fucking backflip and a half, but that wouldn't be exactly appropriate.

"But listen. Jake, that doesn't mean anything. I can't be with anyone right now. I don't know what's gonna happen. In the future and—"

"No, no, look, Bella. I'm not expecting anything, okay? I know I was a dick in the past about this, but all I wanted was for you to live. I don't need anything more. If you want to go ride into the sunset with that Mike Newton guy at the end of all this, I'm not gonna stop you. I'll just judge your taste a little bit."

She laughed hysterically—my favorite sound in the world.

"I'm just here for you. I expect nothing, I swear. You've been through too much, you know? We've both got shit to work on." I gave her hand a light squeeze.

"Wow. Is that a maturing Jacob, I hear?"

"I don't know if I'd go that far, but maybe."

She laughed again, but then her face fell, and she sighed.

"It's…it's not just that. Like I've told you before. Staying human has consequences, too."

I shifted in the seat, my knees cramping. God, I hated this dumb car.

"The Volturi are coming here."

"They're coming here to do what?"

Nothing was ever fucking easy, was it?

"I don't even fully understand, to be honest. The Cullens are hoping to make some sort of deal with them. A deal to spare my life, where they may join the guard."

"Why do they have to come here to do that?" I said through my teeth.

"Edward said that they also want to see the aftermath of the newborn battle and ensure everything is orderly. Trust me, I feel it's ridiculous for them to come here, too, but they can't stop them."

"The pack knows about this?"

"Of course. And that's another issue. The Volturi don't know about your existence. It puts everyone on the rez at risk."

"Fuck."

"But that was inevitable, I realized. Aro is a mind reader, too, though his power is different. The next time the Cullens were to come into contact with them, all Aro would have to do was take one of their hands, and he'd see the pack. He'd see you fought alongside the Cullens. No doubt would he insist on investigating."

"I guess it means another fight then, huh?"

"Well, I hope not, Jake. I really, really hope not. This isn't like the newborn battle. This isn't something that you should be excited for. Really, I don't want any of you to even be here when they come, but Sam insists on staying."

"Yeah, because if they start going fucking ape shit, eating everyone in La Push, Forks, and all of Washington, we are the only ones to stop it."

"But you shouldn't have to."

"I know we shouldn't have to, Bella. But guess what? We don't have a choice."

"I don't want to think about this. I can't think this way. The deal with the Cullens has to be enough. That's it."

"So when is this happening?"

"I have no idea. They've been corresponding with the Cullens, and they'll let us know when."

Too much, too much. Too much in one day. Great things. Bad things. I've never felt such a whirlwind of emotions in one singular day before. The shit was never-ending.

"I'm just drained, Jake. I'm tired."

"I know."

"Sometimes I wish I never moved back," she whispered. "Things just would have been so much simpler."

I sighed, resting my head against hers.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we were just, I don't know, ants or something?"

She laughed. "Maybe. But who knows? I mean, they can get stepped on any minute, too."

"Yeah, well, nothing's guaranteed in this life, Bells. All we can do is fight. Try. Keep the ones we love close."

I leaned away and looked at her face until she looked back.

"I'm not gonna leave again. I promise. I'm right here. You're not going through anything alone, Bella. It's always been me and you, stuck in the thick of it. And guess what? I wouldn't want to be dragged through hell with anyone else. You're my little sidekick through the chaos. We'll get through this."

She nodded, lacing her fingers through mine.

"I should probably get you home. Billy needs to see you."

"Yeah."

"But Jake?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad that you're back."

Notes:

I prob made it too obvious that Leah x Liz were gonna be a thing since I tagged Leah with an OC, but I hope you see the grumpy x sunshine potential with these two! Imprinting has always been one of those weird things to me but imma try to work with it. Fated mates can be cute tho so I'll see it like that. What's not cute is the against someone's will imprinting and complete personality change post imprint and baby shit. That's not happening, you're safe here3

Again, tysm for the kudos and comments 33333