Harry opened the door. Bella smiled at him. "I'm here to pick up Leah for our date."

"Yeah, I know, Bella. Have you talked to Sam about it?"

"Not by choice. Paul made me."

"It's none of Sam's business!" Leah called, coming into the living room. She was kinda mad her dad even asked Bella that.

"That's what I said!" Bella replied. "Sam still lectured me, though."

Harry stepped aside so that Bella could see Leah. She was wearing a short black skirt and a black tank top with an embroidered pattern down one side. She looked ravishing.

"Have fun, girls," Harry said.

Bella opened the passenger side door for Leah. When Bella got in the car, Leah asked, "Isn't this Paul's car?"

"We traded for the night. My truck is slow." Bella turned on the car and started toward Paul's house.

"So you and Paul must be pretty close?"

"Fuck yeah! I'm close to all the guys."

"All the guys in Sam's gang?" Leah asked.

"It's really not a gang," Bella insisted. "I told you. We just work together. We work for the council."

"Everybody on the rez calls it a gang. You're the only one who doesn't." Leah didn't know what to believe. "So what do you do for the council then?"

"Oh, it's kind of complicated but it's security adjacent."

"Security adjacent? So you're like a cop or something?"

"No. I have no authority to arrest people," Bella said with a chuckle. "My dad's a cop though."

"Yeah, I know." Leah knew Charlie Swan. Everyone knew Charlie Swan.

Bella parked in Paul's driveway and ran to open Leah's door before she had a chance.

"You're pretty fast in those heels, Bella." Leah enjoyed seeing Bella hustle in her blue dress.

"Thank you. It's from practicing at the club."

"Do you go dancing at the club a lot?" Leah knew what the club was all about. She had only gone once but decided the scene was not for her. Her depression just didn't allow her to enjoy it. Casual hookups weren't her style anyway. She wondered if Bella was looking for a casual hook-up with her, if that was the whole purpose of this date.

"On the weekends, sure," Bella answered. "I didn't know anyone around here so Paul took me as a way to meet more people."

Bella held Leah's hand as she walked her into Paul's house. Leah's hand was warm and it made Bella feel relaxed, almost like Leah was pack. Bella got the bag of sandwiches out of the warmer and dumped all four on the table. She got plates, a knife, and two cans of soda from Paul's fridge.

"I'm kind of a big eater," she told Leah. "Got to fuel this physique." She patted her flat stomach comically.

Leah laughed. "I've got a healthy appetite as well, not enough for two large sandwiches, but we'll see." She started unwrapping one and saw that it was chicken parmesan. "Did Sam tell you what kind to get?"

"Yes…" Bella wondered if Sam was trying to sabotage her but quickly dismissed the thought. She knew that Sam loved her. "I got chicken Parmesan and meatball subs. Are those still your favorite?"

"Yep." Leah put half a chicken Parmesan sandwich on her plate. "When did you ask him?"

"Before I went into the sandwich shop earlier."

Leah held her sandwich still while asking, "He went with you?"

Bella sighed. "Paul invited him and Jared to run errands with me. He wouldn't give me the car keys until they got here. They're kind of protective of me because I'm the only girl on the crew."

"Bella, honestly, I don't even understand how you're here." Leah was starting to sound tired.

"Paul said I could use his house. I knew he would."

"I mean living on the rez… working for the council… getting your own house." Leah put her sandwich down to ask, "Why did Sam invite you to live with him in the first place?"

"That's a long story." Bella thought she could turn the tables on Leah to avoid it. "Hey, how did you come to live on the rez?"

Leah had to stop herself from bursting out laughing. "Both my mother's family and my father's family have lived here since before white folks came to this region. As far as we can tell, we're as close to full blooded Native Americans as they come. There are no white folk in our family tree, as far as we know."

"So I'm mostly white but my grandfather was Quileute. His name was William Black." Bella took a big bite of her sandwich.

"Oh shit! Billy's dad? Well that actually explains a lot."

Bella put her hand over her mouth to ask, "It does?"

"Because Billy is sort of the chief," Leah explained. "So if you're his niece, it makes sense why you're given special treatment."

"I don't think I've been given special treatment," Bella said, a little defensive. "All the guys have the same privileges as me."

"But how did you get this job with the council?"

Bella gulped. "I think it was because I'm Billy's niece," she admitted.

Leah nodded, feeling like she understood the situation a bit better now. "So why are you living with Sam and not Billy?"

"Sam invited me to stay with him so he could help train me better. Leah, I think how Sam ended things with you is really shitty. He's admitted all that. But that's not the man I know, you know? He's been really good to me. So I hope you won't hold it against me that I'm tight with him and Emily."

Leah sighed. This wasn't an easy topic but she didn't want to talk about it with Bella. She considered her words carefully so that could move on. "I loved both Sam and Emily. I know how easy it is to love them and trust them. I would still love them, if they hadn't… well, you know. I'll try not to hold it against you that you love them now."

"Thank you," Bella said, feeling like they had an understanding there. (They did not.) "So the way Sam talked about you, I thought you were in the same grade as him. Is the Shakespeare class for college or what?"

"We were in the same grade. I was supposed to graduate high school last year but everything got messed up. I had to repeat some classes and I needed half a fine arts credit to graduate."

"Fine arts? Is this a theater class?"

"Yes, it was the only half year fine arts class available."

"Is there going to be a play?" Bella was getting excited.

Leah closed her eyes and cringed. "Yes."

"Can I come?"

"That would be really embarrassing."

"Why?" Bella asked.

"Because I'll be in a play."

"Who are you playing?"

Leah answered reluctantly. "Hermia."

"Ah, the young maiden in love! So fun. I'm so excited!"

"Could you not be?"

"I can help you with your lines. Do you have to memorize them?" Bella asked.

"No, thankfully I don't."

"Still, what fun!"

"Were you a theater kid in high school or something?" Leah asked.

"Something like that. Where I went to school in Phoenix, gay guys were on stage; lesbians were backstage. I did set crew. But I've helped a lot of girls learn their lines."

"Is that a euphemism for something?"

"No," Bella laughed awkwardly, "but I did hook up with some of them, Leah. I hope that's not a problem. But that was when I lived in Phoenix."

"That's not a problem. I just met you today."

"Yeah, but like, Leah, this isn't just a one date thing," she said, trying to convey how she felt. "I'm going to help you learn your lines and come to the play."

"I don't even know if there's going to be an audience."

"I could volunteer to be part of the set crew!" Bella exclaimed, maybe forgetting she didn't attend that school.

"I think it's just going to be in the classroom. There isn't even a stage at the rez school."

Bella looked so crestfallen.

That made Leah feel bad. "Listen, if you still want to come when it happens, I can ask my teacher if you can sit in the back. Maybe Billy can help get you in. Jake is in the class."

"He is? He's my cousin!"

"Yeah, I know. And Rachel is your cousin too. Are you tight with her too?" Leah asked.

"Yes, she's Paul's girl. She lives here," Bella said, pointing to the table. "But since I found out she was my cousin, I stopped hitting on her."

"That makes sense. It's weird to hit on your cousin, Beautiful." Bella blushed at Leah's name for her. Leah loved it. She loved that she had an effect on this gorgeous woman.

Bella got up and got the book she picked up from Charlie's. "It has diagrams of all of the relationships and a useful timeline of events." She opened it to one of the diagrams she thought Leah would find useful.

"This is really cool. Can I borrow it?" Leah asked.

"You can have it."

"I won't need it beyond this class. When did you graduate?" Leah asked.

"I was supposed to graduate this year but that also got messed up. That's what I went to see your dad about. I need to get my GED."

"So you're not going to college?" This was disappointing to Leah. She knew her own goals. If Bella was planning on being a rez rat, they had no future together.

"I can't right now anyway. I have commitments to the council with my job. If I want to go in a few years, I'll have to start at community college."

"Yeah, I think they take pretty much anyone."

"I hope so," Bella said.

When they finished eating, Bella set up the DVD then sat on Paul's couch. Leah sat beside her. Bella had grown a lot in her transformation. She was taller than Leah, but still lean with curves.

Bella put her arm around Leah's shoulder, their thighs touching. They sat like that for almost two hours. As much as Bella wanted to make a move during the film, she wanted Leah to watch the movie and pass the class. Leah was her imprint and she wanted what was best for her.

As Bella watched the movie, she was startled by the similarities between the play and pack life. The love potion was like imprinting. It was so powerful. They had no control over it. Imprints consumed the whole life of the wolf. This might be a good way to open a dialogue with Leah about imprinting, but she'd have to mull it over.

When the credits started to roll, Leah turned to Bella. "That was really helpful, Bella, thank you."

Bella turned her whole body to face Leah. "I'm so glad." Bella caressed Leah's cheek, looking deep into her eyes. She pulled her face up a little and slowly brought her lips to Leah's. Leah's lips were soft like clouds and boobs. Bella wanted her mouth all over them.

Leah gripped Bella shoulder, then ran her fingers over Bella's thick hair. She had been wondering if there really would be a kissing part. She had been hoping. The kissing was more than she expected. It felt so good, being connected like this.

Bella could smell Leah's arousal as her hands began to wander. That scent gave Bella the confidence to move to the next step. It also got her excited. She was making her imprint wet!

Slowly, Bella lowered Leah onto the couch so that she was over her. As she deepened the kiss, she played with Leah's breasts through her shirt, easily finding the hardened nipple. Bella's thigh was between Leah's legs and she was gently rubbing on her core. This felt so right.

Leah's hands were flat on Bella's chest, pushing. Everything was moving way too fast for Leah and she felt herself losing control.

Bella realized that Leah was trying to push her away. She sat up on her knees. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so…"

"Aggressive?" Leah sighed. She wasn't ready for all this. She needed more time. "Bella, I don't sleep with someone the same day I meet them. That's just not me."

"Ok."

"I'm going to go."

"You don't want to practice lines?" Bella asked, trying to hide her desperation.

"I think it's best if I go."

"When can I see you again?"

"I'm not sure."

"Let me drive you home," Bella pleaded.

"I'd rather walk. I only live three houses down, Bella."

"Did I fuck everything up?"

Leah looked at Bella with a deep compassion. "No, you didn't. I'm just not sure we're after the same thing." She closed her eyes to think. Why was it so hard for her to tell this girl the truth? "I feel out of control with you. I'm just not ready for all this." Leah stood and started moving toward the front door of Paul's house.

Bella was following Leah to the door. "I thought we were having a good time. No shame in that. But I won't touch you if you don't want me to. We can just chat or practice lines, there's no right or wrong way for this night to go. But you leaving this early, it doesn't feel great."

Leah turned to Bella and said, "I don't want to practice lines. I feel like I've done enough school work by watching the movie and looking at the book."

"We don't have to do that."

"And it's a personal rule not to sleep with someone on the first date."

"What is the timeline there?" Bella asked. "Just so I know what to expect."

That was all Leah needed to hear. She didn't know what Bella's motive was before. She had thought maybe it had to do with Sam. But now she was pretty sure it was just sex. "Bella, would you even talk to me again after you got me in bed?"

"Of course! Why would you ask me that?"

Leah gulped. "You remind me of some players I know. Once they get you into bed, they're not interested anymore."

"I'm not. I swear! That's not me. I went to the club because I just didn't know anyone around here and I was too busy with work to meet people."

"Ok. I'm going to go. If you want to see me again, feel free to stop by."

With that, Leah left.

Bella had never felt so rejected in her life.

She sat down at the kitchen table. One by one, she ate all the leftover sandwiches. She licked Leah's plate then her own. It only took a minute to clean the dishes and put them away. She didn't want to leave a mess in case she ever got a second date with Leah. She'd want to use Paul's place again.

Finally, she drove to Sam's. The whole pack and all the imprints were in Sam's living room. Bella stormed right to her room.

"Bella," Sam called, "how'd it go?"

Through the shut door, Bella yelled, "it's not even 9:00 and I'm home. How do you think it went?"

"Give her a minute," Emily said.

"This is what I was afraid of," Jared said. "She's never been turned down and Leah is just as strong headed as Bella. She's going to have her own ideas of how things should be done."

"So you don't think this was a rejection?" Kim asked. "She seemed kind of down."

"No. Leah's her imprint. It won't be a rejection." Jared sounded so sure. "It'll be a 'maybe later.' But when does Bella get told 'maybe later'?"

"You're calling her a spoiled brat?" Paul asked, a little defensive of the girl.

"I can hear you!" Bella yelled. Everyone ignored her.

"No, she's so beautiful and obviously great with the girls at the club," Jared said, "but Leah isn't one of the girls from the club. She didn't agree to a hookup. She agreed to a study date."

Bella opened the door. "How do I fix this? I practically assaulted her."

Emily got up and gave her a hug. "It's going to be ok."

"Don't tell her that," Sam said. "It'll only be ok if she fixes it."

"What do you mean you practically assaulted her?" Kim asked with concern.

"We were kissing on the couch after the movie and she was into it. I could tell she was into it. I could smell it on her, you know? So I pushed her down, gently, started playing with her nipple and rubbing my thigh on her hoo-ha, all while still kissing her." This description made Sam uncomfortable but Bella didn't give a shit. "Then her hands were on my chest and I thought she was going to play with my tits but then she was pushing me away." Bella threw her hands up in despair. "But I'm so strong, you know, the wolf, that I didn't move until I realized what she was doing."

"How long did it take you to realize she was pushing you away?" Kim asked.

"Two or three seconds."

Everyone let out a sigh of relief. "That's not assault, Bella," Jared said in his comforting, kind voice. "It's just a misunderstanding."

"Did she agree to a second date?" Rachel asked.

"She says to stop by if I still want to see her."

"So what's the problem?" Emily asked.

"She has a policy of not sleeping with someone the day she meets them. Who does that?" Bella shrugged in frustration.

"Most people, Bella," Jared said, grinning at her.

"What do I do?" Bella whined.

"Go back tomorrow and ask for another date," Paul suggested.

"Even better," Emily piped up. "Go back tonight and ask for a date tomorrow."

"Is that romantic or stalkery?" Bella wasn't sure. She didn't even know if the pack knew the difference. None of them had normal relationships. They all moved way faster than any other relationships Bella had seen in her life.

"It's on the line," Kim said, "but I'd be into it."

"Noted," Jared said.

"How do I look?" Bella asked, trying to gather the confidence to try again.

"Perfect!"

"Beautiful"

"12/10."

"Gorgeous!"

"Sophisticated."

"Smoking hot."

The last one was from Bella's cousin. She grinned at all of them. "Paul, can I have my truck keys?"

"Trade," Paul said, pulling the keys out of his jeans pocket.

They threw the keys at each other, both catching them with ease thanks to the grace of the wolf.

Bella was nervous and excited as she pulled into the Clearwaters' driveway. She knocked on the door. It was opened by a kid she had never seen before.

"I'm looking for Leah," Bella said.

"Seth! Some hot chick is here for Leah!"

"Ok, Quil," Seth said from inside the house. Bella saw Seth jogging toward the door with a giant smile. "Bella! I thought Leah was with you."

"She said she was walking home. That was like… more than 20 minutes ago."

"Hi Beautiful," a rich feminine voice came from around the house.

"Leah! I was worried!" Bella cried, walking toward her imprint swiftly.

"I was just sitting out back, thinking," Leah said. "Then I heard a monster truck pull into the driveway and I thought I should check it out."

Bella stood right in front of her. "That's my truck," she said, pointing.

"I figured," Leah said, smiling up at this woman who, once again, had her completely enchanted and she didn't know why.

"I wanted to see if you could make time for a second date with me tomorrow."

"I have to work," Leah said, a little sadly.

"From sunup to sundown?"

Leah laughed. "No. From 6:00 am to 2:30."

"But you don't want to see me again?" Bella asked in a melancholy tone.

"I didn't say that. I just figured… I didn't think you'd want to. Maybe you didn't notice but tomorrow is Saturday. Don't you want to go to the club this weekend?"

"No! I wouldn't be asking you out if I wanted to go to the club instead. I don't want to go to the club at all anymore, not now that I know you're here."

"Bella, I can't offer you the same things as the girls at the club," Leah whispered nervously.

"There's no rush. We can take things slow." Sadly, she added, "We can even just be friends if that's what you want."

Leah brushed her fingertips over Bella's cheek. "That's not what I want." She entwined her fingers into Bella's hair and pulled Bella's face to hers. Bella could feel Leah's breath on her chin, then she felt soft lips brush against hers.

The softness sucked them both in deeper until their tongues were wrapped around each other in a sensual dance. Bella wanted so much more but she wasn't going to risk pushing Leah away. Leah wanted to stay in Bella's arms forever, but she knew she had to pull back eventually.

To Leah's surprise, Bella was the first to pull her mouth away. "When can I see you tomorrow?" She asked, her face still so close to Leah's.

"Meet me here at 5:00," Leah said. "I'll plan the date."

"What should I wear?"

"Something warm that you're comfortable walking in."

"I'll be here at 5:00, Leah. I'm looking forward to it."

"I hope you really do come." Leah didn't trust her yet, even though she wanted to.

"I'll be here. You can count on it." Bella moved her lips back to Leah's briefly before heading home.

Back at Sam's the whole pack was still in the living room. "Don't you have anything better to do?" Bella asked, grinning. "Shouldn't one of you be patrolling or something?"