Chapter 25: I love your smile

I had never witnessed anything like this. Not in my human memory, or in the pack mind.

It only took two seconds, and then it was gone. Then Leah had flung herself towards Victoria and was knocked out. But two seconds was enough to understand what had happened, even if I had no experience in the area. Sure I had seen the results, in the minds of Quil, Jared and Sam. It was clear that their imprint was everything to them. The depth of the love and adoration was overwhelming, but it was nothing compared to the shock of that first sight.

I saw the fight she put up, I watched her save her little brother and finish off Riley. Meanwhile I was running as fast as I could. I kept my mind tuned in on Leah, searching for news about Bella. I needed to know that Bella was alright.

Leah turned towards the other fight and locked eyes with Edward. That split second, everything changed. I have never experienced love at first sight. With Bella, my friendship for her grew and from there on I fell in love with her. But what Leah felt went even beyond that. I saw Edward through her eyes, and he looked more than dazzling.

I remember being so disgusted by him and everything about him in the past, even just yesterday I would have been ready to kill him for kissing my girl in that tent. But what I saw in Leah's mind was nothing like this. He looked glorious to her. And it wasn't even about his looks. In his eyes she saw the reflections of everything that made him beautiful, the way he cared about others, the devotion he felt for his family, the pureness of his mind...

And she loved all of that instantly.

A split second later, there was a movement behind him. A blur, red like flames, jumped at Edward. He remained frozen, staring at Leah. I don't know if he felt the same way, or if he was shocked by what he read in her mind. Either way, he never saw Victoria coming.

Without hesitation, Leah threw herself in front of him. And me, after seeing what I saw in her eyes, I would have done the same.

By that point I had reached Bella and I kept her from running forward as well. Silently I begged her to keep safe, and even without the wolf mind, she understood immediately and she agreed. Leah was smashed down, injured badly. But she had stopped Victoria just long enough for the other wolves to arrive. We all took her down and burned her remains, along with the pieces that were left from Riley.

So this is what it felt like to imprint.

I didn't know whether to feel sorry for her or be happy for her. But knowing Leah, she'd probably hate it all the way. She was always against to the whole idea of imprint; we both actually were. To how it messes with your free will and makes you lose yourself.

She was already very much upset with the whole tribe, for passing on the genes that made her a wolf. The first female wolf in our entire history. She didn't have a choice. Fate had thrown her some wicked curveball.

And now this. Of all the people on earth, she imprinted on a vampire.

The legends hadn't prepared us for this. Both wolves and vampires were at a loss for explanations, since imprints were thought to secure the genetic line. All we could come up with was a theory about the imprint securing the treaty that may be of importance for the tribe.

Which ever happened next, the treaty definitely had a new meaning. Now Victoria was dead and her army was eliminated, we could have gone back to hating the Cullens, each staying on our own property. But one of the pack rules is that an imprint can never ever be harmed, no matter what, so the Cullens are free to do as they please. At least Edward is.

Leah hadn't talked to anyone since she woke up, not even Seth. Carlisle assured us that she was under heavy pain medication, so that she wouldn't remember anyway.

I was a little reluctant to tell Bella about the imprint, knowing how she still felt about Edward. I had hoped that he would step up, but he hadn't been around her house all week. I did appreciate the distance he took after their kiss. But it meant that I was going to have to bring her the news.

I had no idea how she would respond. She never spoke of him since the whole fight, but I knew he must be on her mind. She had just recently discovered that her feelings for him were more than the friendship she wanted to feel. And no matter how crazy jealous this idea made me, I understood that he had to be on her mind.

I didn't want to dwell on her possible reaction, or find the right timing to tell her what I knew. The longer I waited, the more upset she would be, for being kept out of a secret. So as soon as she walked through the door, I controlled my urge to pick her up and carry her to my room, to take off that sexy summer outfit she was wearing and repeat what we did in the tent. This time with a healthy girl. Instead, I kissed her softly, and then pulled back.

She leaned into me when my lips touched hers, eager for one more confirmation that we were alright. That I was still her wolf and she was still my girl. She hasn't been pushy or hasn't taken any initiative to make out with me, if I don't count that outfit, but I could tell that she responded to my every touch. She showed me guilt, relief and love with every look and was hungry for my affection, more than she's ever been. Even though a part of me wanted her to feel that guilt, I also started to feel sorry for her when it dawned on me that I would forgive her much sooner for her mistake in that tent than she would.

When I pulled back from the kiss, the face fell a tiny bit. Her anxiousness took over when I said, "there's something I need to tell you."

"Sure," she said, trying to sound casual, and sat down on the couch. I sat down next to her and quickly continued, not wanting to distress her any more than necessary.

"Do you remember the fight, the moment that I stopped you, right before Victoria was killed?"

"I don't remember Victoria being killed, I do remember our moment," she said, not sure where I was going with this. I moved a little closer to her, hoping to ease her mind.

"Right before that, when Edward suddenly stood still."

She nodded, more confused than anything.

"Why do you think that was?" I ask.

"I don't know, I haven't seen him since, but I think he was surprised to see Leah get there first joining the fight?" It was clear that she felt uneasy to talk about Edward, and so did I.

I replied. "He knew before she got there, he can read the pack's mind."

"Oh," she said, and then shrugged. This had been her only explanation. I had no idea what she was thinking or feeling, I just wanted to get this over with.

"Do you remember what I told you about imprinting, about gravity shifting?"

"Yeah, you told me about Sam, and Jared…"

She thought for a bit and I let her mind do the work. Suddenly her face started to fall, and I think she understood something.

She looked at me with wide eyes, "did Leah show him something? Did you… imprint?"

"No no," I quickly interrupted, happy that it was me she was afraid for, "she did."

"She did what?"

"She imprinted."

"Oh, that's great, right? So she doesn't have to suffer over Sam anymore."

She smiled, and I still didn't think she got the whole picture.

"Bella," I said patiently, "she imprinted on Edward."

"What?" she looked confused, "how is that possible?"

"I don't know. Apparently Leah is exceptional, in more than one way. But it's true, I saw it through her eyes, it's very real. There's no escaping it."

"So are they together now?" If she was jealous or hurt by this idea, she didn't show it.

"No, Leah is still recovering from her injuries. And she hasn't spoken to anybody. We haven't seen any of the Cullens, apart for Carlisle, and he didn't know what to say about the matter either."

"But they're in love? That's what the imprint does, right?"

"I don't know. Strictly, it doesn't have to be love. The imprint makes sure that the wolf is everything the imprint needs at that moment, whether it's a friend, or a lover, or something else."

She was silent for a while, and then said "I don't see how that is going to work. I don't know much about Leah, but from what you told me, she couldn't be more wrong for Edward."

"People change," I said simply, "and if she doesn't, then I don't envy him."

She chuckled, "he's patient enough, and if she'll turn into whatever he needs, then how bad can it be really? This is supposed to make them happy, right? All the imprinted wolves and girls in your pack are happy?"

"Yes they are. And I think it's supposed to make them happy, yes."

"Then that's good," she said determined, "I hope it works out for them."

She smiled and it looked completely sincere. I searched her eyes for something.

"Aren't you… like jealous?"

She smiled even wider and shook her head, "as long as you don't imprint, the rest of the world can turn completely upside down for all I care."

I pulled her onto my lap and kissed her. Her eagerness was back instantly as she pressed her body against mine.

I was so relieved with this response and I was starting to believe that this imprint indeed might be a good thing. In the long run maybe.

"Tell me again why that is," I murmured against her neck, letting my breath flow over her warm skin. She let out the most sexy gasp ever, which made me smile with anticipation for what was to follow and her reply made my heart leap.

"Because you are my Jacob, my sun, and you're all I want."

"I love you, Bells."

"I love you too, Jake…"

~~ The End ~~

I love your smile - Shanice (AN: this is my personal happy song and since I always end my stories with a song I picked this one, I feel like it fits the chapter)

Time came and showed me your direction
Now I know I'll never ever go back
Taught me that
I can be a better girl with love you give
You rock my world

'Cause I love your smile

AN: I hope you enjoyed the story and thought it was All sorts of Beautiful. Is this an ending you can find peace with? Would you like to read more? How about a sequel about the imprint between Edward and Leah? Please let me know, I can't wait to read what you all think...