1: I Have A Crappy Sense Of Direction.

Juli HOW DO YOU get lost in the tiny town of Forks, Washington you ask? Simple, have a terrible sense of direction! I scowled as another yellow house blurred passed my Harley Davidson and me. Bella did you ever get lost in this stupid town? I wondered as I eased up a local gas station. A burly man with a thick handlebar mustache sat behind the counter, reading a thick-looking book. A romance novel with a barely-clad woman clinging to the gay-looking mans chest. Gross. I rolled my eyes and picked up a packet of Jolly Ranchers. Hey, do you know Charlie Swann? I asked as he rang me up, looking me up and down, head to toe. I tapped a black combat boot against the floor and leaned forward, using the counter as leverage. Yeah, he said in a heavy Russian accent. What ya want to know? How to get to his place, I answered, breaking open the bag and popping a Strawberry-Watermelon one into my mouth. I handed him two and brushed a

piece of hair from my face. I whipped out a notepad and listened. Go down Johns Street and keep going til ya reach the fork in the road and take the right one. Keep going until you get to Kruse Drive and turn left. He should be the man pursed his lips and squinted. Thesixth house on the left. I thanked him and left, replaying his message in my head as I tucked the Jolly Ranchers into my knapsack and kicked my bike to life. Sixth house on the left, sixth house on the left, I chanted to myself, spotting Bellas old pickup and a tall, I mean scary tall, guy getting out. He looked fourteen maybe fifteen, and had long, glossy black hair pulled back with a rubber band at the nape of his neck. His skin was beautiful, silky and russetcolored; his eyes were dark, set deep above the high planes of his cheekbones. He was tall, almost sixfeet, and he was smiling as he helped Billy out of the truck. Another Indian boy, this one was slender, and almost as tall as Jacob. His black hair was chin-length and parted down the middle, one tucked behind his left ear while the right side swung freely in the quiet breeze.

Billy twisted in his wheelchair and smiled. Juliet! How nice to see you! he yelled over the delicious roar of my bike as I eased up the driveway and kicked the stand. I popped another Jolly Rancher into my mouth as I walked towards him, hugging him tightly. Nice to see you too, Billy, I responded as I straightened, nodding to a grinning Jake and silent type Embry Call. So wheres I was interrupted when there came a cry of JULI! and I was ambushed by a bunch of idiots. Seth Clearwater was the on top, Quil following his lead down the stairs the one whod hollered and followed by Leah, who was skipping and not racing towards me. Cmon, give her some room, she looks like shes been squashed, Leah shot a glare at Quil, who held up the open bag of Jolly Ranchers triumphantly. I smiled and said, Go ahead. But share, otherwise Ill have to hurt you, He smirked since he knewas well as I didI couldnt hurt him. Stupid werewolf advantages. Embry took two and took his time unwrapping the grape flavored one, refusing to look at me as though I were a Cullen. Embry? I asked softly, stepping

beside him. He jumped, obviously startled, and his wide dark eyes met mine. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him, feeling his skin bring feeling back to my numb limbs. Its good to see you, I told him. He made a noise in the back of his throat and looked away. Yeah, he whispered in a husky voice after a moment, his dark gaze trained on the forest, Its good to He paused to cough into his fist, See you too, Juli. I smiled as we were called in for dinner, Emily ecstatic by my sudden arrival and Charlie even more; he was practically bouncing off the walls like a new father. And then the guys went out to watch the game on the TV and Embry insisted on helping me with the dishes. Emily and Sam were gone, saying they had some things to do but I could tell they wanted to get in their bedroom as fast as they could, so I let them go. How bout you wash, I dry? Embry suggested as I scrubbed baked-on lasagna from the pan. I blew a stray lock of hair from my eyes. Sure, I responded as he handed me the Dawn soap bottle. After a few minutes, I got tired of the cheering of the

crowds from the TV audio and turned on my iPod speakers, blasting some techno music. Embry closed his eyes and smiled as the plate Id been scrubbing slipped from my grasp and sent a wave of soapy water onto his chest. The grey V-neck hed been dressed in clung to him like spandex, defining his hard eight-pack as I babbled an apology. He smiled quietly, somewhat reserved, and pulled it off. He was ripped. Not like steroids but kind of like a football player, someone who played sports. I knew it was because of the active werewolf gene but I couldnt stop staring at his washboard tummy. His abs were defined, his chest broad and heavily muscled, his nipples hard against the sudden change of temperature. I really am sorry, I blurted as he toweled his chest quietly, his hair falling into his eyes. He smiled at me when I went to hand him the next plate and toweled the plate. Well, thats the last of them, he said. I stood there, rooted the spot like a statue. You okay? His burning fingers brushed my elbow and I jumped.

Sorry, he apologized quietly. I stepped away; blushing until he gently took my chin his hand, tilting my face up to meet his eyes. Do you want tomaybeum His voice trailed off. I smiled. Sure, I said as Jake and Quil wolfwhistled, making kissing noises as Embry pulled away from kissing my cheek. See ya, Juli. He loped off into the night, exploding into a beautiful wolf at the edge of the forest. Quil followed in his wolf skin as well but Jake lingered. He turned to me, grinning. Hes a great guy, he just needs some time to warm up to you, I know. Hes always sodistant when I come into town. Has heimprinted yet? No, Jakes dark eyes burned with intensity as he pulled me into a nearly bone-breaking hug. He pecked my nose and scampered off, yelling behind him, No! I know youre glad so you smooch him! You want to hold him, you want to smooch him, and you want to In the middle of Jakes singing, out of nowhere, Embry appeared, snarling at the Jake wolf. Jake snapped at him playfully and they sprinted off

into the trees. I smiled to myself. Good kids, I thought as I pulled off my bra and t-shirt and unzipped my jeans. As they pooled around my ankles, I unlaced my boots and chucked them into my open closet. I had just pulled off my panties when I noise pulled me from undressing. Carefully, I tiptoed to the window and saw Embry sitting there, tail wagging and ears pressed against his skull when he saw me. I pulled a wolf shirt three sizes too big over my head and some clean panties where he couldnt see me and some grey pajama shorts. He barked quietly and then he ran off. I crawled into bed, frowning. Weird, but I guess thats just them. Sleep came swiftly and devoured my sight, hearing, sense of touch and taste. 2: Witness Embry JAKE CONSTANTLY TEASED me as I looped back to him. Was she naked? Quil asked eagerly. I bared my fangs at him. Shut up, you perv! We have little ears listening! Screamed Seth dramatically. I sighed and shook my

muzzle, shuffling my huge wolf paws. No, she wasnt, I lied, keeping the image of her from my head. Are you okay? You look like youre going to be sick! Jake said, looking worried. I nodded. Fine, Im fine, I answered, looking out towards the moon. Shes fine, I told myself as we ran back to La Push. 3: Friends and Alibis Juli A LOUD CRACK woke me up the next morning. I caught glimpse of my dream. A boy? Awolf? Blood. The only thing I was certain of there had been a lot of blood. There had been blood, I was sure, as I tiptoed downstairs, armed with my baseball bat. Hello? I called out in a voice husky with sleep, adjusting my grip on the bat. A figure appeared, dark eyes bright and curious, russet lips pulled back in a smile. Embry, I realized as he started towards me, dressed in only a pair of low jeans. I focused on his face. His lips were pulled back in a grin, his dark eyes bright and twinkling like gems, and his hair short now. You got your hair cut, I commented because

that was the only thing I could think of that was appropriate to say. Not how much I wanted to kiss him or how much he drove me up the walls whenever he looked at me. His bare feet made no sound, as he got closer. Sorry bout the noise, Juli, he apologized as loud crash was punctuated by the scream of a curse. Shut up! screamed Leahs voice, followed by a smacking sound. I smiled, shaking my head as Leah burst from the kitchen, dragging Quil down with her as they hit the wall. Embry gave me a look that said are they serious? as I stepped forward, gripping the baseball bat tightly. Leah had Quil in a headlock as I approached, holding the bat over my head. I swung and heard a sickening crack as the wood split and splintered off, burying themselves in my palms and my bare forearms. I cried out, falling on my back as I lost my footing. You broke my bat! I screamed as Embry picked me up by the armpits and swept me into the kitchen, setting me quickly into a chair, carefully squeezing out the splinters. Blood ran down the wounds and stained the

stainless-steel sink. Im sorry, I hung my head in shame as he bandaged the wounds tightly and suddenly, he was pulling my face up, his warm, sweet breath cascading over my lips. Dont be. He didnt pull away like expected him to, like he always did, he instead leaned in closer. I could feel the heat of his lips on mine and wrapped my arms around his neck, tugging him closer. Our lips were a few millimeters away when Billy and Charlie came in. Embry turned his head towards them, his eyes cast down as he unwound my arms from his throat. I think I whined a little. 4: Unexpected Events Embry NOTHING WAS GOING for me today, honestly. I ruined my favorite shortsonly shortsand had to borrow a pair from, ugh, Edward, seeing as I had been running to go see Bella and Renesme and how they were holding up. Then, I had to run back here because these idiots were going to attempt at making breakfast. Usually, I try not to be mean but Leah and Quil were not a

good mix, like Quil and Leah and flammable appliances. I stepped back as Juliet looked upset, obviously wanting me to kiss her, but I couldnt with Billy and Charlie and the Pack here. What happened? Charlie snarled through grinding teeth, reaching in the hallway and pulling out his shotgun. I hit Leah with my baseball bat and it broke, Juliet whispered, balling her hands into fists. She kept her blank gaze on the ground, her eyebrows drawn together, hunched over. Her head shook, sending her black tresses everywhere as she pulled her legs close to her chest. Im fine. Just some splinters. Got them out. Just punctured the skin. Her pretty mouth puckered. I realized how much I wanted to kiss her, parents here or not. I backed away, assaulted by images of us, and hit the fridge. It teetered back and forth and landed on its side with a low thump. Juliets sad eyes looked at me, growing moist and glassy around the edges, as I turned on my heel. I made a beeline, tremors shaking my body, fire racing along my body, curving into my muscles, driving like knives.

I barely managed to get outside before I exploded into my wolf self and raced forward. *** My lungs ached and burned as I ducked under a bush and headed back into my yard. Im sorry, I justI had to get out of there before I hurt her, I told Jake apologetically. I spotted him. Leah sat beside him, human, and he was in his human form as well, playing with Nessie. She spotted me, smiling widely and ran towards me. I bumped my head against her tiny warm hand and sighed. And then I smelled her. I froze, my muscles locked, as Juliet stepped out of the house, holding herself confidently when she noticed me. I heard her breathing accelerate, her breathing hitched as she kept on her poker face. I heard her whisper, Why? quietly. I approached and phased back, savoring that familiar, sweet crunch of my spine as my wolf skin dropped away and I walked on two legs. She kept her gaze locked on my face as she wordlessly handed me a pair of sweats. I pulled them

on, noticing Jake had put his hand over Nessies innocent eyes. Dont want to scar her for life, he mouthed with a shrug. I glared at him, mouthing back Its more likely youll show her yours before she sees mine, and he turned away, back to us, Nessie wedged between his legs as he told her what a pretty princes she was. Out of the blue, she asked, Am I a freak? Jake lightly kissed her temple. No, sweetie, no, of course not, he chirped as I faced Juliet again. Her russet face was twisted with pain and anger. Her hand lashed out, striking me across my face. I heard an angry crunch and she began to cry, tears running down her pretty face as she cradled her hand, cursing loudly, jumping up and down. Cmon, Ill take you to the She swung her foot and kicked me in the stomach hard, it didnt hurt, but at least she didnt break her foot. She fell to her knees, crying. I hate you! she sobbed. You ran out on me when I needed you the most! BecauseI was afraid I couldnt control myself.

All these pictures inside my head mad mewant to make them real. I was afraid of hurting you. 5: A Little Help In The Love Department Juliet I STARED AT him, completely shocked at his words. Did he just admit he loves me? I wondered absently as a strong, burning hand helped me to my feet. I was limp as Embry dragged me back into the house, sat me down and gave me an ice pack. Im sorry, he whispered quietly as he held my hand, the unbroken one, and kissed my fingertips. I love you, yes, that was a confession, he murmured. I wrapped my hand around his, squeezing til my knuckles were white. He got to his feet and in one move, had me in his lap, setting me on the couch. Have youimprinted on anyone? I asked shyly. He smirked like a fox. Yes, he said and my heart dropped to the hole on the toe of my sneaker where it shattered on the floor. Let me go, I hissed, my voice cracking as I struggled. My hand felt on fire as I moved it

accidentally. His strong arms tightened around me as I squirmed. Who is she? Shes the most beautiful, most intelligent, most funny girl Ive ever met. Shes had a slightly rough life and owns a Harley Davidson, he answered. Bella, I thought immediately then remembered, she was married. As a smile broke out across my lips, tear ran down my cheeks as my shattered heart glued back together and fell back into my chest. Me? I croaked. He smirked and kissed my jaw tenderly. Who else? The tears still ran but at least I was smiling as we kissed. And no one interrupted us for once. And we braved forever together.