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Something was coming. I didn’t know how I knew. Maybe it was something in the wind. Maybe it was the way the temperature changed so suddenly. Maybe I was some sort of psychic. I don’t know. All I did know was something was coming and it was about to change the little town I lived in and my life forever.1

I woke up with this feeling. It was just barely into the summer months and still it wasn’t to warm but then again what else would you expect in Ohio. I smiled lightly at the crisp air and pulled on my shorts and a T-shirt. I looked in my mirror and pulled my long rusty brown hair into a messy ponytail and bolted out the door grabbing my flag.2

My town wasn’t very big. Its population barely reached five hundred people. It was easy to walk places and not to many of us had our drivers licenses for that reason alone. The football field, where I was going, was barely a mile from my house.3

“Hey Ellen” I called to my best friend and the captain of color guard.4

“Layla great I was just about to go over that new routine me and you came up with,” she said smiling at me her flag never stopping its incessant twirling.5

I grinned and ran over to the seven people besides myself on the squad. I stood next to Ellen and we showed the girls how it was done perfectly in sync. They awed at how well we had done all of them being first timers while Ellen was on her fourth year and I on my third. After hours of practice with our band we were all sweating and tired. The sun seemed to want to mock us today and came out full force.6

“That’s enough for today guys.” Ellen told the girls.7

“So we can leave,” one girl, Kayla I believe her name was, asked?8

“Yes you can go see your boyfriend now,” I snapped annoyed just because she never seemed to care about the guard.9

“Jeeze no need to be jealous Lay.” She said teasingly.10

I wasn’t jealous and I knew I wasn’t. I was fine without a boyfriend. All they did was bring trouble and hatred among friends. I knew that first hand. My best friend Ally a few years back got a boyfriend and she was always so paranoid thinking I would steal him away from her that soon our friendship was strained and it just broke. I couldn’t stand going through that ever again with any one of my friends.11

“Hey look over there at that cutie.” Kathy said pointing out a brooding guy walking through the town, what was worse was he was shirtless.12

“Arrogant that’s all I have to say about him. It’s not nearly hot enough to just walk around like that probably so full of himself” I say glaring at him.13

“Oh come off it Layla you know he’s hot.” Ellen said smirking.14

“That means absolutely nothing.” I said blushing and looking away.15

“He looks sad about something.” Amanda said in a quiet ethereal voice.16

“Probably because he just moved in from the city you know how they are when they first get here.” I simply said.17

“Why don’t you go and talk to him then?” Kayla said pushing me forward not stopping until I nearly ran into the boy.18

“Hey welcome to Cornel. I’m Kayla Sigmonds and this is Layla Allele.” She said politely.19

He growled and glared at us and started walking off. My mouth dropped. I may not want a boyfriend like other girls but rejection like that really stung. I walked up to the boy and grabbed his shoulder not noticing anything off to into my anger.20

“Hey the least you can do is tell us your name.” I said annoyed.21

“Buzz off little girls.” He said his voice sounded mad and annoyed but I couldn’t see any of that in his eyes.22

No his eyes were blank like he had been pushed one to many times to his brink. I took my hand back taking a light breath.23

“What I meant to say is that it’s only polite.” I said softly.24

“Jacob Black.” He said the mean look disappearing from his eyes.25

“Well Jacob Black where are you from and what brings you to Cornell.” I asked.26

“La Push . . . a reservation for Quileute Indians in Washington. And I came just to forget everything. Now get away from me kid.” He told me simply.27

“Don’t call me a kid I am seventeen years old.” I snapped at him.28

“Sure, sure.” He said condescendingly.29

I glared and turned away again going back to the field and grabbing my flag. When I turned around he wasn’t there anymore. I sighed and made my way home.30

Each and every day I saw him for weeks he kept coming down to the football field and watching us. Sometimes he would try baiting us into an argument most of the time it was me but none of us even paid him any mind anymore.31

“Okay everyone tomorrow is the fourth of July. We are doing great now and I think we’ll be even better in the parade.” Mrs. K our band instructor told us.32

We all grinned and me and Ellen especially remembered last year the near disaster as nobody showed.33

“Oh yeah color guard. If you wanna be a part of the team you will have to be there unless you had written consent from either a doctor or your parents!” I told them looking at the newbies.34

“Yes ma’am” they growled dejectedly.35

I grinned. “Good dismissed get some rest . . . you’re going to need it” I told them.36

“Rousing speech Miss captain.” Jacob said from behind me.37

“Buzz off.” I snapped.38

“Aw you’re hurting my feelings” he joked.39

“Oh just shut up. Why don’t you go back to your damn Quileute nobody would miss you here” I snapped annoyed already.40

“You wouldn’t even miss me dear captain.” he said grinning.41

“I would be the first to through a party for you being gone” I said grabbing my flag and stalking back to my house.42

He wasn’t leaving me alone today though and followed me. I growled and swung my flag behind me thinking I would hit him on the head. That didn’t go as planned though as he grabbed my flag and yanked it from my grip.43

“Look just leave me alone I can’t stand a prick like you.” I yelled at him.44

He pouted and had this absolutely believable kicked puppy face on which of course made me feel horrible. I sighed and rolled my eyes.45

“I’m sorry.” I told him.46

He grinned look a fool...which he was. “Great. Hey look I’m sorry bout how I was when I first came here.” he told me.47

“Don’t worry about it.” I told him.48

“No I hurt you when I said what I said didn’t I.” he said.49

I nodded lightly blushing I had never been a ‘wear your heart on your sleeves’ girl but he seemed to notice everything so easily.50

“Friends.” he said grinning a grin where his eyes crinkled up in the corners.51

“Friends.” I said smiling back. “Would you like to come in you have to be frying in this heat.” I said.52

He grinned and nodded his eyes shining with barely contained happiness.53

“It’s never this warm back home” he told me.54

“Well you know what they say don’t like the weather in Ohio wait ten minutes.” I say laughing.55

He raised an eyebrow in question and I just shook it off walking into my house after him and going into the kitchen.56

“Would you like something to snack on or drink?” I ask.57

“Sure.” he said shrugging.58

I get two waters and a few snacks out then look a him.59

“Where you living.” I asked.60

He says nothing and takes the water drinking it. I sigh waiting for an answer.61

“What you in some sort of cult or something Indian boy.” I say.62

“No” he says “I just don’t think you know the place.”63

“I know everywhere in Cornell that’s the beauty of it being on a few miles.” I tell him. “You are living somewhere right.”64

He doesn’t answer me and looks over my shoulder at a few of the pictures on the walls.65

“If you need a place to stay you can stay here I mean we have a few extra rooms and we’re always taking in some random person or another.” I tell him.66

“Don’t worry about it.” he told me. “Is that you in that picture there.” he asked pointing to a picture of me when I was barely seven with my grandparents and my older brother.67

The picture was taken in the forest around here. People always ask about it because of the large wolf in the picture standing next to me.68

“Yeah and before you ask the wolf is real. I love wolfs their probably the most beautiful wild animal. They seem to like me to I’ve never had on attack me.” I say grinning then laugh. “Everyone around here has some horror story or another of either themselves or a family member being attacked and or maimed by a wolf but they seem to like us.”69

“Maybe it’s cause you’re to frail looking.” he teased.70

“Hey I’m tough. Probably tougher than you mister brooder.” I say crossing my arms over my chest.71

He rolled his eyes at me then started laughing. “Just the thought of you tough...” he said.72

I glared and took my water throwing it on him.73

“Wow that is so tough acting like a girl in some cheesy soap.” he said.74

“Rot in hell” I say my cheeks burning with embarrassment.75

“Sorry kid.” he said ruffling my hair.76

“I am not a kid.” I snap.77

“Sure, sure.” he simply said as he had back when we first met.78

I growl and tackle him out of the chair he was sitting in. Then I grin as I have him pinned79

“Still think I’m frail.” I say.80

“Yes” he replies easily lifting me off of him and setting me on a chair.81

“Stupid horrible strong boy acting like falling didn’t hurt” I mumble lightly annoyed.82

“Oh calm down little girl” he said ruffling my hair.83

“Lay you home!” came my brother’s voice from the den.84

“Alex!” I say excited running out and hugging the older boy tightly. 85

“How you doing baby sis.” he said grinning showing off his perfectly straight teeth.86

“I’m good. Drop out of college yet.” I teased then felt his arms stiffen around me. “What’s wrong?” I ask softly.87

“You have a boy in the house without supervision.” he said his voice tense.88

“He’s just a friend Al.” I say softly.89

“That’s what they all say.” he said.90

I roll my eyes and grabbed his hand. I pulled him into the kitchen where Jacob still waited.91

“Jacob Black this is my brother Alex. Alex this is my friend Jacob.” I said introducing them.92

“Nice to meet you.” Jacob said with a snarl.93

“Likewise.” my brother replied. “Lay go upstairs I want to talk to Jake.”94

“You can’t order me around like some dog Alexander.” I growled.95

“GET UPSTAIRS BEFORE I THROW YOU UPSTAIRS!” he yelled.96

I glared but did as he said laying down on my bed and screamed loudly to get my frustrations out. I waited in my room nearly an hour as my brother and friend talked. One of them noticed every time I tried to come downstairs and yelled at me to go back up.97

“Layla.” came my brother’s soft voice as he walked into my room long after dark.98

“What do you want.” I snapped.99

“I wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have gotten so enraged or yelled at you.” he said sitting on my bed and stroking my hair.100

“Why don’t you like him. It’s not like I would even consider dating him.” I whispered.101

“I thought the stupid Quileute had told you something that should remain a secret. That doesn’t matter anymore though because he is leaving soon. His two friends are coming to pick him up.” he said.102

“What would he have told me.” I asked moving a bit so I could lay my head in Alex’s lap like when we were younger.103

“Something bad that you don’t need to know about.” he whispered softly kissing my forehead.104

“You’re not going to tell me are you” I say.105

He grins and shakes his head. Then lifts me up placing me back on my bed and covering me up.106

“Sleep tight baby girl.” he said softly leaving the room.107

After a few minutes I hear some fighting and kneel over my headboard to see out my window. There was Jake and Alex. I watched as Jake started trying to punch Alex and Alex kept moving away or blocking him.108

I was so scared that one or both of them would be hurt. Then I saw Jake nearly roar in rage and turn from the boy I knew to a huge russet wolf. My breath caught as I watched the fear flash in my brothers eyes before he phased into a beautiful red wolf. I watched as both boys started fighting in there new forms. 109

“Jake...Alex.” I cried running down the stairs and into the front yard.110

The wolf that I recognized as Jake noticed me and bounded towards me while my brother ran in front to protect me. Jake came to a stop and licked at my hand walking closer carefully and rubbing against me.111

“Jake.” I whispered softly hugging the large wolf then looked over at my brother. “Is this the secret you didn’t want me to know.” I said lightly.112

He nodded his head once and I scratched him behind the ear and moved over to hug him.113

“I wouldn’t have minded to know that my big brother was a werewolf.” I said lightly kissing his snout.114

He grinned and licked my face before phasing back. I blushed and turned away while he pulled his clothing on.115

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag.” he said to Jake. “Just be careful around here until your two wolf buddies come.”116

“Fine don’t worry I won’t be seen or hurt anybody.” he said from behind me.117

“Sorry you had to find out about your family this way kid.” Jake told me ruffling my hair.118

“Stop calling me kid you mutt!” I yell at him.119

He grinned and just walked away from us. “You’ll have to tell her everything now you know.”120

“I know.” my brother said softly. “Lay come on we need to talk.” he said pulling me into the house.121

“How long have you been able to...” I ask softly.122

“Ever since I was sixteen so about five years.” he told me.123

“And you couldn’t have told me in any of that time.” I say hurt at the huge secret my big brother kept from me.124

“Baby girl I couldn’t even tell mom. Dad didn’t want you two burdened by the secret.” he told me.125

“Five years Al. Five years. They’ve been gone three of those five and you couldn’t find any time to tell me.” I say looking up at him with unshed tears in my eyes.126

“I’m sorry I just thought it was better for you.” he said hugging me gently.127

“Where have you really been for the past three years Al.” I ask.128

“Of course you had to ask that.” he said chuckling lightly then sighed. “I’ve been hunting vampires.” he told me.129

“Why though.” I asked.130

“Mum and dad were killed by vampires Lay I couldn’t let them get away with it.” he told me softly sitting me on his lap.131

We spent a lot of time that night talking mostly him answering my questions on werewolves or vampires before I fell asleep right there.132

The next morning I woke up on Alex’s lap when his muscles tensed and he started growling.133

“Al” I whispered groggily.134

“Lay stay asleep the Quileute wolves are here.” he said picking me up and setting me on the couch.135

There was a knock on the door and I heard muffled voices. I stood up walking to the den outside the door and eavesdropping. I knew they knew and that they didn’t care.136

“Why don’t you just leave Quileute.” Al snarled.137

“Because I wanna say goodbye to my friend.” Jake said I could hear the grin in his voice.138

I can into the room seeing the two boys both with short-cropped black hair and russet skin standing on either side of Jake.139

“There you are kid. I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.” Jake said walking past my brother and over to me. He brought me into a tight hug.140

“You’re the only thing I’m going to miss about this place.” he told me softly.141

“I can’t say the same about you.” I said teasingly then lean over and give him a chaste sisterly kiss on the cheek.142

“Hey Jake this family wolves to.” came one of the boys voices.143

“Yeah stupid red wolf loner over there wanted to rip me to pieces.” he said growling at my brother.144

“He seems strong. Lone wolf huh. Got any other family. No. Hey Jakey boy maybe you don’t have to miss your little girlfriend if her brother is a wolf we can bring him into our pack right” he said grinning.145

“Quil that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.” Jake said.146

“Well hey we all have the same goal destroy those damn vamps right.” he said shrugging.147

“Quil listen to yourself when you speak our pack is big enough and complicated enough with Leah just leave it be.” the other one said.148

“To bad she’s cute it would have been nice to have her around.” Quil said.149

“Do not act flirty with my sister as you have no reason to see it through.” Al snapped at Quil.150

“Hey man calm down it’s not like I was asking her to...” he started but a hand was clamped over his mouth by the other.151

“Come on idiot think this is her older werewolf brother you are a very young werewolf you will get eaten alive if you insinuate anything.” he growled.152

“Nothing Em but it’s fun to push him.” Quil said grinning.153

“Will it be fun when he’s beating your ass and neither Jake or I help.” Em said.154

“Fine Embry.” He snapped pulling out of the larger boys arms.155

“It was nice meeting you Miss Layla I wish we could have had more time to get to know one another.” Embry said coming over to me and taking my hand bending over it and kissing it.156

I blushed bright red at his simple act that seemed so romantic.157

“Oh god no” Jake muttered grabbing Embry and pulling him off. “Quil come on we leave now.” Jake snapped at the other boy who hurried off after them.158

“What was that about?” I asked my brother confused at the rapid departure.159

“Stupid Quileute. Don’t let me ever catch you around my sister again.” he yelled after the retreating wolves.He growled and glared at us and started walking off. My mouth dropped. I may not want a boyfriend like other girls but rejection like that really stung. I walked up to the boy and grabbed his shoulder not noticing anything off to into my anger.160

“Hey the least you can do is tell us your name.” I said annoyed.161

“Buzz off little girls.” He said his voice sounded mad and annoyed but I couldn’t see any of that in his eyes.162

No his eyes were blank like he had been pushed one to many times to his brink. I took my hand back taking a light breath.163

“What I meant to say is that it’s only polite.” I said softly.164

“Jacob Black.” He said the mean look disappearing from his eyes.165

“Well Jacob Black where are you from and what brings you to Cornell.” I asked.166

“La Push . . . a reservation for Quileute Indians in Washington. And I came just to forget everything.” He told me softly all walls seemed to be down now.167

“The Quileute.” I said then my eyes started shining. “Seriously I’ve heard a lot about the Quileute and their stories and such tell me, are the legends real they all sound so grandiose but I never believed someone could actually make something like that up.” I say eager to know more.168

“Wow kid. You are one strange person.” He said laughing lightly his eyes scrunching up.169

I frowned and looked away embarrassed. My cheeks were a bright pink and I turned to leave. To retreat back to all my band dork friends but they had left. Nice they abandoned me.170

“Hey sorry didn’t mean to make it uncomfortable for you. I just have never seen someone outside the Quileute take interest in any of the legends . . . well except for her but she doesn’t really count.” He said the last part sounded more like an assurance to himself to for me to hear.171

“An old girlfriend.” I said looking at him.172

“No I never got the chance. I did love her though.” He said softly.173

“Hey look if it was meant to be . . . I mean truly meant to be it would have happened. If she ever cared about as a friend, brother, or even lover, she wouldn’t want you acting all mopey now would she.” I said softly placing my hand back on his shoulder then pulling it away quickly.174

“Damn you should get to a hospital you’re burning up” I snapped cradling my hand blowing on it to cool it down.175

“Sorry my body temperature is a bit higher than most.” He said.176

“Yeah maybe about ten degrees higher.” I said.177

“Sorry kid.” He said softly.178

“Stop calling me a kid I am seventeen years old.” I snapped at him.179

“Sure, sure.” He said condescendingly.180

I glared and turned away again going back to the field and grabbing my flag. When I turned around he wasn’t there anymore. I sighed and made my way home.181

Each and every day I saw him for weeks he kept coming down to the football field and watching us. None of us even paid him any mind anymore.182

“Okay everyone tomorrow is the fourth of July. We are doing great now and I think we’ll be even better in the parade.” Mrs. K our band instructor told us.183

We all grinned and me and Ellen especially remembered last year the near disaster as nobody showed.184

“Oh yeah color guard. If you wanna be a part of the team you will have to be there unless you had written consent from either a doctor or your parents!” I told them looking at the newbies.185

“Yes ma’am” they growled dejectedly.186

I grinned. “Good dismissed get some rest . . . you’re going to need it” I told them.187

They all trickled out. I looked at the field sighing as I saw all the litter both the band and the color guard left on the field and went to pick it up.188

“Rousing speech Miss captain.” Jacob said from behind me.189

“Buzz off.” I snapped.190

“Aw you’re hurting my feelings” he joked.191

“Good. Your voice is hurting my ears.” I said teasingly.192

He smirked and grabbed me about the waist. I screamed lightly and started giggling when his fingers danced over my ribs tickling me. He grinned and leaned down caressing my mouth with his in a soft sweet kiss.193

“Layla” he whispered softly.194

“Jake. What was that about?” I said blushing a bright pink.195

“I couldn’t help myself you were just to beautiful to pass up.” he told me.196

I blushed looking away still feeling his abnormally warm hands on me. He held me close to him for a while.197

“I’m going to have to go back to La Push soon.” he told me softly.198

“Oh.” I whispered feeling horrible that he was going to leave.199

“Come back with me.” he whispered stroking my cheek.200

“I don’t know if I can give up my life here.” I say softly thinking of the friends and the things I would be leaving behind.201

“Please.” he begged.202

I sighed then smiled, “Sure.”203

He grinned and kissed me again. “You won’t regret this Layla.”204

“When are we leaving.”205

“Soon”206

“How soon.”207

“Tomorrow morning”208

I nodded and kissed him lightly feeling such an odd pull towards him I couldn’t help but agree.209

The next morning I woke earlier than normal and left a message for Ellen telling her I quit the team. I grabbed my bags I had packed full of clothing books and other essentials. I ran down stairs before leaving a note for my parents telling them I went to Washington and probably wouldn’t be back.210

It wasn’t like they would care either way. They didn’t need me anymore. Not now that they had my little perfect sister. I sighed and rushed down to the football field where Jake told me to meet him pulling my long hair back as I went.211

“Layla there you are.” he said when I got there.212

“Am I late oh I’m so sorry.” I said softly.213

He smiled and brought me over to a bright red porsche. I put my bags in the car and hopped in. He climbed in as well and started driving. Much faster than I had ever been driven. I watched the speedometer raise from fifty to sixty to seventy before we ever got out of town. 214

“Can we slow down a bit.” I said softly the speed scaring me a bit.215

He just grinned, “If we wanna get to La Push soon then we have to go fast.”216

I groaned thinking what did I just get myself into. Within moments we were outside the border of Ohio and still gaining speed.217

By the time we got to Washington only maybe a day and a half passed. We drove into an Native American reservation and he started slowing the car.218

“Here we are. La Push home sweet home.” he said.219

“Jake good to have you back never thought we’d see you again when you started running” came a guy’s voice.220

“Running... you ran all the way.” I said shocked looking at the man beside me.221

“Embry.” Jake snapped glaring at the Quileute.222

“Sorry Jake could of told me you hadn’t told her yet.” he said sheepishly.223

“Told me what.” I said softly.224

“I’m not allowed to say.”225

I rolled my eyes then leaned over him. “I’m Layla...Layla Allele.” I said grinning.226

“Well Madame I am Embry and this...this is Quil.” he said motioning to the other boy.227

“Hey Em is it just me or does she look like Bella.” Quil said.228

“Woah you’re right she does.” Embry exclaimed.229

“Bella?” I asked.230

“The leech lover Jake was in love with.” Quil said.231

“Leech lover?” I questioned.232

“Yeah as in she loved a vamp...ow what the hell Em that hurt! Oops” he said.233

“Vamp...as in vampire.” I said my eyes widening.234

“Yeah” he muttered lightly.235

My mind started working. The love of Jake’s life was with a vampire. And I look like her. That must be why he kissed me like he did. I settled back into the seat just barely catching Quil tell Jake something about this Bella chick getting married tomorrow. I got out of the car and looked at the boys that noticed me.236

I blushed lightly at their attention and turned away.237

“Layla are you alright.” Jake asked me.238

“I’m fine.” I said softly then walking off.239

“What’s with her.” I heard Quil ask.240

“Who knows.” Jake simply told him.241

I walked off into the forest. I had no sense of direction but I didn’t really care. I wanted to get lost. I sat down on a boulder and buried my head in my hands crying hard. The first time I open my heart to a guy and he smashes it to pieces.242

“Is someone out there.” I heard a soft voice call.243

I looked up scared just now realizing I was in a forest that I didn’t know. That could hold danger. I looked around quickly and saw a girl about my size. She hurried over to me.244

“Are you alright.” she said quickly noticing my tear stains.245

“I’m fine” I told her softly.246

“No you’re not.” she said softly wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “I don’t believe I’ve ever met you. I’m Isabella Swan nearly Cullen but Bella for short.” she told me.247

“Bella. Quil or Embry I’m not sure which said something about you.” I tell her.248

“Ah you know the La Push gang.” she said grinning.249

“Yeah...I just came here with Jake from Ohio.” I told her.250

“Bella.” came a soft voice from behind us.251

“Edward.” she squeeled throwing her arms around him. “This is my Fiancé Edward.” she said.252

“Nice to meet you two. I’m Layla.” I told them softly.253

“Nice to meet you to Layla.” he said smiling then grew a pained expression on his face.254

“Quil told you about us didn’t he.” Edward said snarling slightly.255

“He said you were vampires...and he told me I looked like Bella.” I said softly.256

“That damn mutt.” he growled a sympathetic look in his eyes.257

I raised an eyebrow at his outburst.258

“What is it Edward.” Bella asked softly.259

“He’s using her to replace you Bella.” Edward said.260

“What Jake isn’t like that.”261

“Well that seems to be what she thinks...and yes I can read your mind.” he said then grinned at the next question I presented him in my mind.262

“Yes.” he simply said.263

“I thought so.” I said softly.264

“Thought what.” Bella asked.265

“Jake was a werewolf.” I say grinning.266

“How...Edward why did you tell her.” she said disappointed.267

“Well he told her about us and she had it all pretty much figured out anyway.” he simply said.268

“Here I’ll lead you back to La Push to talk with Jake.” Bella told me.269

“Thanks” I said softly.270

We walked back as close to the reservation as possible and she told me the rest of the way not wanting to get to much closer. I got back and looked around for Jake.271

“Layla there you are thank god. We need your help.” Quil said grabbing my arm and pulled to where two boys were fighting.272

“I can’t believe you. I thought you were my friend and you go and imprint on her.” Jake yells throwing a punch at Embry.273

“I can’t help it. Anyway you just want her to replace Bella.” Embry replied ducking and fighting back.274

“They got into a fight over you.” he said his eyes wide.275

I looked back and in the place of the two teenagers stood two large wolves one a beautiful russet the other gray with darker spots on his back. They started fighting tooth and nail then chasing after one another.276

Quil at my side ran off to get someone. That much was certain. I started shaking and slid down a tree hugging my legs to me in fear. After a few moments Quil came back.277

“Sam will stop them.” he said wrapping an arm around me.278

“What happened” I asked.279

“We transformed to find you easier and well we’re all connected to each other and can hear each other’s thoughts. Embry imprinted on you. That like love at first sight only stronger. And we saw that Jake is only using you. Both got a bit mad at each other I just barely got them to switch back to humans so they didn’t rip each other apart.” he told me kissing the top of my head in a brotherly way. “Jake loves you just not in that way so don’t think bad of him.” he said.280

I nodded my head then wrapped my arms around him and cried into his chest.281

“You smell.” he said teasingly. “No I mean you were around a Cullen weren’t you. Those vamps smell horrible to us.” he said after I raised an eyebrow.282

“Oh” I say softly.283

“Hey it’s okay don’t worry” he told me able to tell I was about to break down again.284

“Hey guys.” he said.285

I jumped shocked having not heard them then turned back to look at Jake and Embry as well as an older tougher looking guy who I believed to be the Sam guy Quil said something about.286

As soon as I looked into Jake’s eyes I began to cry again. I felt a warm body grabbing me into a hug and whispering nonsense into my ear calming me down. My sobs slowed and I looked up at the man who was hugging me. Embry’s smile was soft and caring as he kissed my forehead.287

“It’s alright” he told me.288

For some reason I believed him. He leaned down and gave me a soft kiss and I just melted into him. Jake’s kiss may have turned my knees to jelly but this made my whole body into goo and I realized while I cared for Jake it was no where near what I felt for his best friend. I was grateful now that he used me or I wouldn’t have come here and met the love of my life.