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Chapter Six

This was the fastest I'd saw Quil move yet, I was just behind him… instantly. He had me flushed completely up against his backside before I could fully register what was happening, as he continued growling viciously.

Sam had almost immediately threw his arms up in surrender, taking several steps back quickly diverting his eyes from me as fast as he could. I did see him shoot a worried glance Emily's way. I too glanced on the porch at the shocked woman. I'd almost forgotten what happened to her. Of course he'd be worried for me with me being so close to Quil while his wolf was so clearly in control. I briefly asked myself if I should be worried as well. No, I was bonded to this man in ways I don't think anyone really understood. I knew he was angry, protective, possessive even right now, yet the emotions were different. Unlike anything I'd ever felt. They felt…. Primal, animalistic. Logically I knew these were Quil's emotions, but my brain was having a harder than normal time registering that, with them being lined in code it'd never had to decode before. It was like suddenly being able to feel the emotions of animals, you'd be able to feel them, but not quite understand what you were feeling. Only the most primitive emotions were able to register in my mind. It was more than a little overwhelming.

"Fuck, I should know better. Jacob, Embry back away now." Sam commanded with an ire tenor to his voice. They both were moving as soon as the words were out of his mouth, like their bodies registered his command before their brain was even finished doing so.

"Mine! Mate!" Quil roared again, my body responded to him on its own accord. I was suddenly sliding in front of him, his hold on me never wavering even as he allowed me to move. His eyes were squinted in fury but most notably, they were glowing bright blue. The same icy color I'd saw when looking into the eyes of his wolf. They weren't exactly like his eyes when he was phased, they were still regular human eyes, but his irises were different. They glowed in a way they didn't in his wolf form, I'd never seen anything like it. As I stared into his illuminating eyes, he still only had eyes for his pack brothers who were continuing to slowly back away. My head tilted automatically, the need to bare my neck to him almost as powerful as the need to breathe in that moment. I didn't know much of anything about what was going on right now, but I tried to relax as much as possible and let my instincts guide me. Quil's response to my display of submission was immediate. He ran his nose along my skin stopping above my mark, inhaling deeply before he brought his tongue over it and licked it. Not softly, sultry or sweetly. He was full on lapping at my neck, predatorily. I wasn't bewildered by this like I probably should have been, I just somehow understood what was happening. He was dousing me with his scent, his eyes never leaving Sam's all the while.

"Yours." Is all Sam said as he continued his steady retreat. A few minutes went by with Quil still holding on to me like his life depended on it while continuously surveying the area and starring his pack brothers down. When I reached my hand up to gently brush against his cheek he finally snapped his eyes to mine. Then, he was touching me everywhere. Not in a sexual way, he was checking me over for injuries. His wolf was ensuring I was still in perfect health, physically accounting for every inch of skin that was exposed.

"It's okay Quil. I'm okay, I'm right here with you. I am yours and you are mine and we're both safe here. I'm okay baby, I promise." I whispered to him, knowing I didn't need to raise my voice. He pulled me into a gentle but nonetheless tight hug. I hugged him back just as tightly, rubbing my hands over his lower back and as far up as I could reach in an attempt to soothe him. I could tell when it started working and his breathing began to even out, coming out less animalistic and erratic.

"That's it, just breathe baby. I'm right here, I'm right here." I breathed out, as calmly as I could in the current situation. Our lives had changed so completely in the last several hours. You could tell we were both overwhelmed with the amount of unknown urges and emotions we were experiencing for the first times. Just a few minutes ago, it was Quil calming me down from a near panic attack brought on by said emotions. Soon his breathing had leveled out to just slightly quicker than normal. I pulled back and looked up at him again. His eyes were almost back to normal, all but a thin blue ring on the edges of his pupils. I moved up as much as I could, pulling him down the rest of the way to kiss him desperately and roughly. He responded after just a second of hesitation with just as much fervent. It wasn't that long of a kiss, but when I pulled back the blue was completely gone from around his pupils.

"Bella." He whispered. And then his eyes grew wide. "Fuck baby. I'm so sorry." He said quietly, before rushing out, "I must have scared the shit out of you. It just, like… took over, I'm so sorry." I shook my head.

" I wasn't scared and if you allow yourself to think straight, you'd know you would have felt it right away if I were. There's no way you could have known your wolf would react like that, it's not your fault." I reassured him.

"She's right. There's no way you could've known how your wolf would react to that, but I should've known better. Your wolf thought I was challenging your bond. I was sure it would emerge fully, I've never seen anyone in that state for that long… I'm the one that should be sorry though, I shouldn't have put your mate in danger." Sam spoke to Quil from the tree line, just barely stepping out at first.

"She's never in any danger from me." Quil snapped. I placed my hand on his bicep, trying to calm his nerves. I could feel he was still very on edge.

"You're right. You've come back to yourself though, so Im hoping you're thinking clearly enough to imagine why I'd always be worried about the safety of our pack sisters around a newly turned wolf. No matter how uncalled for unfortunately." Sam said mutedly, looking at the spot Emily had been before she'd made herself scarst in the commotion. I instantly felt bad for Sam. I wouldn't have been able to blame Quil for hurting me accidentally so close to his change, but Quil would have never forgiven himself. Like Sam, who was absolutely entrapped by the smallest reminder of the incident. Had I been the one to hurt Quil no matter if it was accidentally or not, I'd torture myself every chance I got. I'm sure he did. I wish there was something I could do to help with that unbearable load, but I knew there never would be. Sam's reminder had Quil physically shaking his head, trying to expel the anger he was so muddied in.

"Yeah man, I know. I'm sorry about all this, everything's still so new." Quil told him honestly. I could still feel his anxiety and restlessness through the bond. I continued rubbing my hands over his warm skin wherever I could reach.

"What the fucks going on here?" A new voice asked roughly. I was immediately behind Quil again. "Whoa chill pup, it's just me." The man said. I was sure it was Jared or Paul, I hadn't talked to them both in so long though, I couldn't know which for sure.

"Paul, stay where you are. Quil just skinwalked for like five minutes straight. He's just now come out of it." Sam said pointedly.

"Holy shit! Five minutes? But he's a freaking puppy!" He exclaimed in disbelief.

"Paul, quiet." Sam commanded. He had that powerful inclination in his voice again, that I knew had to be the Alpha Tenor.

"Until I say otherwise none of you will speak unless spoken to." He commanded.

"Quil, are you okay with me coming a little closer?" He asked. Quil's grip had loosened from around me as soon as he realized who Paul was.

"Yeah, I'm still cool Sam I swear. I was just startled, didn't realize who Paul was at first. I'm good now." He said taking my hand in his. I needed the comfort, of course he'd know. Sam walked a few feet up the driveway but still stopped a good ways away.

"Are you okay with talking to me about the marking of your mate?" Sam asked deliberately. Quil's muscles tensed slightly under my hand. I immediately understood why Sam had alpha ordered the others to remain quiet when Paul threw his hands up and then smacked his hands on his cheeks dramatically, eyes wide. He was clearly very surprised at the mention of my mark. Sam must have knew he'd say something when finding out about it. I was suddenly glad for his wise foreshadowing, I definitely didn't want a round two of wolf takeover. Sam glared at Paul, causing him to press his lips into a line exaggeratedly and cross his arms.

"Yeah, pretty sure I'm not gonna go wolf or whatever that was again." Quil told him. Sam nodded.

"We call it skinwalking, it's basically the opposite of the phase. When we phase we take over the wolf's form, but when we skinwalk the wolf takes over our human bodies. The longest any of us have done it is about a minute. And the only reason I walked at all is because my mate was injured and my wolf was attempting everything it possibly could to get to her, my human side was putting up the fight of its life against my instincts knowing she was in surgery. Your extended walk is impressive but really more baffling than anything. I'll have to ask your grandfather about it. Your training is gonna have to wait now, this has unraveled a completely new list of must do's." Sam explained. I see why he seemed much older than his actual age, apart from his physical appearance. His position was aging him, the responsibility was clearly heavy. The obligation to make every pack member's problems his own had to be exhausting.

"The Elders have to be informed you've marked Bella. You are not only the first of the pack to mark their mate but the first in several decades, with the last marking happening two generations ago. The elders will want an in depth recount of it." Sam explained. Quil growled at the end. "Of course it is up to you what or how much you are comfortable sharing. I'm just warning you of the undoubtedly profound interest they'll have in this matter and why. It's probably gonna be a bir annoying, but it's important for future pack's to come. The better we document these things as they happen to us, the easier understanding those things will be for the next pack and generation. Imagine if we didn't know about imprinting and marking. Imagine how much harder everything would be if we had to figure it all out on our own. It's much nicer to be left details and insight from our ancestors who've actually gone through this. That's why the Ancestral Journals and Archives are so important. It is in no way in direct relation to you or your mate. Of course Old Quil and Billy will no doubt be very interested in your union, you are technically married now." He smirked. "Congratulations by the way." He followed up a bit stunned.

"Thank you." Quil smiled softly in return.

"Yeah, and thank you for being so great about all of this Sam. You've been very patient while explaining everything to us so thoroughly. Your Alpha status really becomes you." I told him honestly. He'd make an excellent father to his and Emily's future children. His patience and ability to think clearly in chaotic situations was truly third worldly. Quil squeezed me affectionately, nodding his agreement to what I'd said.

"I appreciate you saying that." Sam answered a bit quietly. "It's the least I can do. Te cuna ahi, han ta aja. t: We are family now, remember that always." He said smiling.

"Alright, we have a hell of a lot more shit on the agenda now, so let's dive right in. Do you guys think you can manage to part long enough for Quil and I to go fill the elders in at the Hall?" He asked us both. Again, a crippling fear ran through me causing me to grip Quil's arm tightly. I had expected it this time though and I quickly focused on my breathing, determined to fight it. I took a final deep breath and looked up at Quil, then Sam.

"I can try." I answered. I knew it was irrational and I felt like I was behaving like a baby being taken away from their mother. I was trying my best and would continue to fight it as best I could, but I knew it wouldn't be easy. Sam nodded, smiling encouragingly.

"What about you Quil?" He asked. Quil looked down at me, seeming to draw from my emotions before answering.

"I can try." He smiled crookedly down at me, but I could feel his emotions for the most part. I knew he was just as worried about the idea of leaving me as I was. I hugged him tightly, this was so much to take in and navigate, but we were doing it. Sam chuckled, smiling lightly and then sighing.

"Okay, well let's get a move on if that's ok with you.." Sam grunted turning around heading back toward the others. Quil waisted no time gathering me up into a tight hug, nuzzling my face and neck.

"I'll make this as quick as possible, I promise kitten." He told me seriously. I wanted to say it was okay, and he should take his time and I'd be fine. But we both knew, I'd be counting down the seconds. Our bond was too new, it was clear it was going to take real time and effort to be able to even act normally again. Finding your soul mate is as magical as one could expect, but I was beginning to realize being supernaturally bonded came with supernatural consequences. So instead, I nodded mutely, fighting through the overwhelming desire to latch onto him and demand he stay with me. He kissed me briefly, sweetly and then he was running to catch up with the others. Before I did something stupid like run after him, I forced my body to turn in the other direction and rush inside the quaint cabin. I hadn't been across the threshold more than thirty seconds, before I saw Emily rushing forward to gather me in her arms.

"Oh Bella, this must be so overwhelming for you. Are you okay?" She rushed out before she pulled back. Her hug was comforting and even though she is basically a stranger to me. She felt very familiar in an odd way, like I'd known her much longer than a day. I'm not sure if it's because she's the Alpha's mate or just because she's another pack member but I was positive it had to be something along those lines that made me this comfortable around her and so quickly.

"I'm doing okay, I think? It's just been so much happening, one thing after the other being thrown at me. Before I've even really had time to digest one thing, something new is happening. It feels a bit like I'm getting whiplash trying to keep up with everything." I answered, surprisingly honestly. Emily's entire presence screamed maternal or care giver. She exuded kindness and something about her made sharing a honest answer instead of a polite one, second thought to me.

"I know exactly what you mean. I was in your shoes not so long ago, I know exactly what you're describing. Luckily it does get better, you get used to it and pretty soon you feel normal again. Just forever emotionally altered is all." She said chuckling. I laughed too, I could tell she was trying to help take my mind off the gnawing pull that felt like it was physically pulsating through my body and I was grateful, it was working.

"Of course I'm sure it's much harder with your guy's marking… I'm sure that adds a whole new depth to things for you two but still, I know it will get better in time. Congratulations on that by the way! How do feel about being married ?" She asked happily. We'd made our way into the kitchen dining area, and she gestured for me to sit at the table as she went further into the kitchen, reaching down and grabbing a kettle from the cupboard. I sat down with a smile on my face despite the still very prominent and uncomfortable ache I felt in my chest.

"Surprisingly, I feel great about it. Which also makes me feel a bit insane. Realistically, Quil and I have only been a couple for a freaking day. Even with the realization that I've loved him for longer than I consciously knew, one day of dating and then marriage still sounds completely insane right? And I was so adamantly against the idea of marriage at all when I dated Edward that I truly thought I never wanted to get married. Of course this marriage is unconventional in the sense that I would have never been able to foreshadow it like a traditional one, even still. I can't bring myself to find any negative emotions about it. It's a bit confusing." I sighed heavily, " Thank you." I said, taking the mug of hot tea Emily offered me before sitting down adjacent me and sipping from her own mug.

"It's the imprint." She said definitively, taking another sip of her tea before setting it on the table and continuing. "It's not just a gift from Taha Aki, like the spirit wolf is. That is passed down from their ancestors who were blessed with the magic, and that magic is passed down in their dna to their descendants. The imprint is not diluted or inherited though, far from it. It's a pure, unadulterated taste of God's very own magic. Every moment we spend in their presence embraced in that unearthly bond, it feels like time cease, as if the laws of it don't exist anymore. One single day with your soulmate embracing that all consuming magic/ bond is more than a hundred perfect days we could spend with any one else. There's no way to explain it to someone who hasn't experienced it without sounding like a trippin hippy honestly." She laughed lightly at the end. I took in what she said and contemplated it carefully knowing it to be true having experienced it myself.

"I wish you were able to give me insight on the marking like that, who knows how much or differently this will affect us." I sighed.

"Yes, I wish I could too. You'll have to be the pioneer for this for the rest of us imprints unfortunately. I'm sure the elders will be able to foreshadow a good amount of the effects, with access to the Ancestral Archives and journals though, so that's good." Emily answered.

"I sure hope so. Being the first to experience it is a little scary. I don't know how you did it being the first imprint. I know it must have been so confusing and conflicting for you. Sam told Quil and I what happened between you, Leah and him last night after you'd fallen asleep…. To feel the full weight of the imprint pull and still try to do what you thought was right by your cousin is incredible you know. I'm sorry you got hurt of course, and I'm sorry if I'm bringing up a sore subject, I just wanted to tell you how much I respect and admire you for that. " I told her. Emily looked a bit sullen at the reminder, but then she smiled softly and genuinely.

"Thank you, I appreciate you saying that. It was the absolute hardest thing I've ever tried to do. Walking away from a man my soul ached for in a supernaturally and bewilderingly intense way. Which was baffling in itself, because I didn't understand why it was so hard to walk away from him. I had no clue what I was experiencing just that the man I was feeling those things for was my favorite cousin's ex-fiancé who'd quite literally just broken her heart. I always say I got the physical scars from that terrible situation, but Leah got the emotional ones. She still doesn't know…" Emily whispered sadly. I grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. There wasn't much I could say to that and we both knew.

Emily and I kept talking for a while after that, moving on to lighter subjects. She was explaining everything I could think to question as best she could. It was honestly relieving to have somebody to talk to about all of this. Although I knew Quil would listen and try to help in any way he could, I knew he had enough on his plate himself right now. I didn't want to add my crap on top of it, and I didn't want to hurt my mate by talking about the things I'm struggling with incase he blamed himself. It was great talking to someone I could confide in and receive advice from. Advice I was actually receptive to, knowing Emily had experienced the same things I have for the most part. I definitely could see us becoming quick close friends, she was very similar to me personally wise and she was such a natural care giver that you just felt comfortable in her presence.

Pretty soon I was helping Emily finish up an early dinner while we chatted. I noticed that eventually I was actually able to focus on our conversation more than the unwavering and tumultuous strain of the pull, for the most part.

We'd just started setting plates out when I felt the constant ache and pulse hitting me like a heartbeat through the bond begin to lessen. It wasn't drastic or sudden, it felt gradual but it was receding quickly. Quil was coming. I actually gasped aloud, cutting Emily off mid sentence. I turned around as quick as I could and ran to the front door pulling it open as fast as I could.

"Whe- what's wrong Bella? Are you okay?" Emily asked worriedly, jogging up behind me as I starred giddily out the screen door.

"Nothing's wrong, everything's right. Quil is coming!" I practically squealed I actually did a little bounce of excitement like a little girl or Alice. Emily was right behind me now, peeking over my shoulder out the screen.

"I don't see anyone, what do you mean?" She asked confused. I was briefly distracted from my excitement at her confusion.

"I can feel him coming to me. I can feel the difference in the ache, It's receding quickly. Probably at the same speed he's running. You can't feel Sam? Is he not with him?" I asked the last part after seeing Emily's stunned expression. She shook her head slowly,

"I don't know if Sam is with him or not, I've never been able to feel Sam coming to me. I feel an ache when he is away and complete when he is here, that's all. That must be an effect of the Marking. Are you sure what you're feeling is him coming here?" She asked.

"Yes, yes I'm pos-" I started and stopped midway through, bursting through the screen door making quick work of the few stairs in my way. I ran faster than I felt like I ever have toward Quil who had just now broken through the cover of trees as he ran up the driveway. I had barely made it off the porch before he was in front me, him being so much faster than me. I don't know how I knew when the right moment was, I just instinctually through myself forward and I was being caught and lifted into Quil's large arms. Home. We both let out loud relieved sighs of contentment as I wrapped my legs as tightly as I could around his waist and my arms around his neck. Quil squeezed me to him tightly, burying his nose in my neck next to my mark. The feeling of the pull disappearing was breathtaking, I felt whole again. It was like having the worst Charlie horse of your life and then that feeling you get when you finally get rid of it, only like times a hundred.

"Fuck did I miss you kitten." Quil said breathily and somewhat quietly into my neck. I didn't move, continuing to hold onto him like my life depended on it. I did nod in agreement though.

"I missed you too, so damn much." I told him truthfully relishing in the warmth of his hand as it rubbed my back under my shirt.

"Jesus Christ it was a few hours. You guys look like Quil just got back from Afghanistan." Embry scuffed. I lifted my head to see him, Sam and Jacob walking up the driveway having just made it to the end of it.

"Oh shut up you dork. Just wait until you imprint, I'm never gonna let you hear the end of it just for that." I told him playfully, releasing the lock my legs were in behind Quil to jump down. But Quil just moved his hands from my waist to my ass and then slid them up to the crooks of my knees catching me before I could.

"Now, now just where do you think you're going lil lady." He smirked at me.

"I was gonna get down so we can walk in the house, Emily and I cooked las-" I began but was interrupted by Quil hoisting me over his shoulder as we were suddenly moving toward the cabin quickly.

"You mustn't say more ma lady." He said rushing us inside as I giggled. He had went from a heavy southern accented lil lady to a just as heavy English my lady. He sat me down gently in the living room, quickly giving me a sweet kiss as he did. I zoned out a bit just looking in his eyes, so overwhelmingly happy he was back. It seemed like he was thinking the same, as he brought a hand up and gently stroked my cheek with his thumb.

"Will I sound as cheesy as I think I will if I tell you I missed you again?" He asked me smirking. I was about to answer him when Jacob butt in.

"Yes! Yes you will. Look at the lot'a ya it's sickening." He said from his place at the kitchen table. I'd somehow missed him coming in, making a full plate and sitting down. Embry was next to him, wordlessly destroying his own seemingly silently made plate of food. I also caught sight of Emily and Sam in much the same position as Quil and I in the entry way to the kitchen, and realized Jacob was talking about the four of us. I rolled my eyes and looked back to Quil. Sam and Emily hadn't even acknowledged Jake, probably used to his antics by now.

"Come on, let's go eat before those two only leave us the fresh parsley and dirty dishes." I told him taking his hand leading him in the kitchen.

"Fresh parsley huh? That's the green leaf stuff on the top right?" Embry asked quickly before continuing to shovel food in his mouth.

"Yes Embry." I said exasperatedly.

"It's good enough, I wouldn't leave you guys any of it. I'd be cool if you guys wanted to stay over there making googly eyes at each other for a bit longer, this lasagna is amazing." He said eating some more and moaning. "I mean it's terrible, not great, honestly nothing to concern yourselves with go back to your eye fucking over there." Embry said making a shooing motion with his hand.

"Oh please, like you'd ever eat in this kitchen again if you didn't save the people who made all of this some." Emily said coming up behind me. We all laughed, and Embry nodded sarcastically resigned.

"Go ahead and sit down baby, I'll make your plate." Quil said quietly pulling the chair I was standing in front of out for me. I looked back at him appreciatively, loving him more and more every minute. I sat down and before I could thank him, he was already in the kitchen. I barely situated myself comfortably before he was returning with a much fuller plate than I would have made for myself.

"Thank you, but I won't be able to eat all of this Quil." I said shaking my head while smiling softly.

"Oh? Whatever will we do in that case? I guess I'll have to take one for the team and eat what you don't. " He said faux sadly. I scuffed, he'd definitely done that on purpose. By the time he'd come back with his own plate and sat down next to me everyone had made it to the table.

"Is that true Bella?" Sam asked me looking away from Emily over to me. I looked over at him confused, I must've missed something being said while I was busy watching Quil's every minuscule move.

"I'm sorry Sam is what true?" I asked embarrassedly, knowing everyone would know I was too busy starting at Quil to tune into thr conversation.

"You could feel Quil approaching before we got here?" He asked. I nodded.

"Yeah, I almost forgot Emily said that's not normal? I knew the moment he decided to come back, and the ache I've felt all day started to go away. It was like every mile closer to me he got, the less it ached." I explained.

"I know we're werewolves but that is some next level supernatural shit." Embry said.

"I read about it in one of the Archives, it's because we're marked. We'll be able to physically account for each other in time. Meaning, in time we'll be able to actually concentrate hard enough and know exactly where the other is. Right now, like Bella said we can physically feel the closer and farther we are to each other."

"Wow that's incredible, that would be incredibly handy if one of you were ever in any danger." Sam noted.

"How did the meeting go anyway? What happened?" I asked Quil quietly as everybody started talking amongst themselves and eating.

"It was to be expected, long and tiring. They wanted to know basically everything I knew about the mark. After way too many questions they finally went over the Marking Archives with me. Which was also long and tiring. I learned about Marking Ceremonies, it sounds just like it is, a ceremony to honor our marking and union. It's a bit unconventional and I'm afraid you might think the ceremony is a little outdated, but the elders say tradition calls for it to be done to bless our union as a marked pair within three days of the marking." Quil explained before continuing to eat.

"Unconventional?" I questioned.

"I'll explain everything in detail later tonight. Billy told me to tell you he's happy for us, but fucking Gramps…" He trailed off shaking his head with a smile. I smiled too, you'd have to be blind not to see how much the man loves me, I of course knew he'd be ecstatic.

"He just went on and on about how he knew it, and if we'd listened to him from the start we could have been together ages ago. He's a shaman for a reason, he can sense these things and someday we will learn to heed what he says yard yada yada. When Billy finally got him to shut up about being right, a few minutes later he wouldn't shut up about you officially being his grand daughter now. Hey! Come to think of it, I don't think he congratulated me once, he only cares he gets you not that I get you too I'm telling you." He shook his head while I laughed.

"I'm sure he's going to tell me all those things all over again once he see's me." I told him. He nodded his agreement, before shivering more food in hiw mouth.

"Hey did the elders tell you why you, you know did it in the first place? The wolf chooses when to mark our mates right? Did they have any ideas on why your wolf chose now?" Embry asked curiously. I looked over at Quil also curious now.

"No, they were just as surprised as Sam. Everyone thought it was something that happened after years of being mated. I have to go back tomorrow and read through the Archives more, I didnt finish today of course. " Quil answered.

"Alright guys I gotta go relieve Jared, thanks Emily and Bells the food was amazing." Jacob said grabbing my attention from his place in the kitchen where he'd just got done washing his plate. He sat it in the dish drainer and made his way to the front door.

"Of course, be safe Jake." I responded.

"Sure sure, I'll catch you guys later. Tell Charlie I'll be around soon." He promised and then took off.

"Speaking of Charlie, he knows we're talking again and he wants you to come over for dinner tonight Em. Oh….I almost forgot I told Charlie I'd cook dinner tonight. I'm gonna have to get going to get started on something."

"Nonsense Isabella Swan…. I mean Ateara. We just spent hours making this food! I don't care how much you like cooking, you must be exhausted after the day you've had. We've got plenty left for the remaining pack members to eat if they stop by and some, take some lasagna and garlic bread. I don't think there's anymore salad mix in the fridge, so hopefully you've got some at home and that'll be all you have to whip up." Emily dismissed helpfully.

"Thanks a lot Emily, that does make things a lot easier for me." I thanked her, she smiled and said of course.

"I'll ride with you when you guys leave, I've missed the old man too." Embry responded to my earlier statement.

Pretty soon Quil, Em and I were in Quil's Highlander on the way to my house. The first half of the drive was spent in peaceful silence with just the radio as low background music. As soon as we turned on my street though Quil and Embry simultaneously tensed and quickly looked at each other.

"What's wrong?" I asked worriedly. I could tell by Quil's emotions he was suddenly very on edge and very worried.

"There's a vampire here." Quil told me seriously and quietly. He was driving almost suspiciously slow now, still approaching my house. My heart rate had already accelerated, but now it was humming like a birds wing.

"Here? What do you mean here, at my house?" I whispered fearfully.

"It's a Cullen." Embry said stoically.