red.

But he and Emily 

Ill get to that  its part of the story, he said. He inhaled slowly, and then exhaled in a gust.

I supposed it was silly for me to imagine that Sam had never loved anyone before Emily. Most people fall in and out of love many times in their lives. It was just that Id seen Sam with Emily, and I couldnt imagine him with someone else. The way he looked at her . . . well, it reminded me of a look Id seen sometimes in Edwards eyes  when he was looking at me.

Sam came back, Jacob said, but he wouldnt talk to anyone about where hed been. Rumors flew  that he was up to no good, mostly. And then Sam happened to run in to Quils grandfather one afternoon when Old Quil Ateara came to visit Mrs. Uley. Sam shook his hand. Old Quil just about had a stroke. Jacob paused to laugh.

Why?

Jacob put his hand on my cheek and pulled my face around to look at him  he was leaning toward me, his face was just a few inches away. His palm burned my skin, like he had a fever.

Oh, right, I said. It was uncomfortable, having my face so close to his with his hand hot against my skin. Sam was running a temperature.

Jacob laughed again. Sams hand felt like hed left it sitting on a hot stovetop.

He was so close, I could feel his warm breath. I reached up casually, to take his hand away and free my face, but wound my fingers through his so that I wouldnt hurt his feelings. He smiled and leaned back, undeceived by my attempt at nonchalance.

So Mr. Ateara went straight to the other elders, Jacob went on. They were the only ones left who still knew, who remembered. Mr. Ateara, Billy, and Harry had actually seen their grandfathers make the change. When Old Quil told them, they met with Sam secretly and explained.

It was easier when he understood  when he wasnt alone anymore. They knew he wouldnt be the only one affected by the Cullens return  he pronounced the name with unconscious bitterness  but no one else was old enough. So Sam waited for the rest of us to join him. . . .

The Cullens had no idea, I said in a whisper. They didnt think that werewolves still existed here. They didnt know that coming here would change you.

It doesnt change the fact that it did.

Remind me not to get on your bad side.

You think I should be as forgiving as you are? We cant all be saints and martyrs.

Grow up, Jacob.

I wish I could, he murmured quietly.

I stared at him, trying to make sense of his response. What?

Jacob chuckled. One of those many strange things I mentioned.

You . . . cant . . . grow up? I said blankly. Youre what? Not . . .aging ? Is that a joke?

Nope. He popped his lips on theP.

I felt blood flood my face. Tears  tears of rage  filled my eyes. My teeth mashed together with an audible grinding sound.

Bella? What did I say?

I was on my feet again, my hands balled up into fists, my whole frame shaking.

You. Are. Not. Aging, I growled through my teeth.

Jacob tugged my arm gently, trying to make me sit. None of us are. Whats wrong with you?

Am I the only one who has to getold ? I get older every stinking day! I nearly shrieked, throwing my hands in the air. Some little part of me recognized that I was throwing a Charlie-esque fit, but that rational part was greatly overshadowed by the irrational part. Damnit! What kind of world is this? Wheres thejustice ?

Take it easy, Bella.

Shut up, Jacob. Just shut up! This isso unfair!

Did you seriously just stamp your foot? I thought girls only did that on TV.

I growled unimpressively.

Its not as bad as you seem to think it is. Sit down and Ill explain.

Ill stand.

He rolled his eyes. Okay. Whatever you want. But listen, Iwill get older . . . someday.

Explain.

He patted the tree. I glowered for a second, but then sat; my temper had burned out as suddenly as it had flared and Id calmed down enough to realize that I was making a fool of myself.

When we get enough control to quit . . . , Jacob said. When we stop phasing for a solid length of time, we age again. Its not easy. He shook his head, abruptly doubtful. Its gonna take a really long time to learn that kind of restraint, I think. Even Sams not there yet. Course it doesnt help that theres a huge coven of vampires right down the road. We cant even think about quitting when the tribe needs protectors. But you shouldnt get all bent out of shape about it, anyway, because Im already older than you, physically at least.

What are you talking about?

Look at me, Bells. Do I look sixteen?

I glanced up and down his mammoth frame, trying to be unbiased. Not exactly, I guess.

Not at all. Because we reach full growth inside of a few months when the werewolf gene gets triggered. Its one hell of a growth spurt. He made a face. Physically, Im probably twenty-five or something. So theres no need for you to freak out about being too old for me for at least another seven years.

Twenty-five or something.The idea messed with my head. But I remembered that growth spurt  I remembered watching him shoot up and fill out right before my eyes. I remembered how he would look different from one day to the next. . . . I shook my head, feeling dizzy.

So, did you want to hear about Sam, or did you want to scream at me some more for things that are out of my control?

I took a deep breath. Sorry. Age is a touchy subject for me. That hit a nerve.

Jacobs eyes tightened, and he looked as if he were trying to decide how to word something.

Since I didnt want to talk about the truly touchy stuff  my plans for the future, or treaties that might be broken by said plans, I prompted him. So once Sam understood what was going on, once he had Billy and Harry and Mr. Ateara, you said it wasnt so hard anymore. And, like you also said, there are the cool parts. . . . I hesitated briefly. Why does Sam hate them so much? Why does he wish I would hate them?

Jacob sighed. This is the really weird part.

Im a pro at weird.

Yeah, I know. He grinned before he continued. So, youre right. Sam knew what was going on, and everything was almost okay. In most ways, his life was back to, well, not normal. But better. Then Jacobs expression tightened, like something painful was coming. Sam couldnt tell Leah. We arent supposed to tell anyone who doesnt have to know. And it wasnt really safe for him to be around her  but he cheated, just like I did with you. Leah was furious that he wouldnt tell her what was going on  where hed been, where he went at night, why he was always so exhausted  but they were working it out. They were trying. They really loved each other.

Did she find out? Is that what happened?

He shook his head. No, that wasnt the problem. Her cousin, Emily Young, came down from the Makah reservation to visit her one weekend.

I gasped. Emily is Leahs cousin?

Second cousins. Theyre close, though. They were like sisters when they were kids.

Thats . . . horrible. How could Sam . . . ? I trailed off, shaking my head.

Dont judge him just yet. Did anyone ever tell you . . . Have you ever heard ofimprinting ?

Imprinting? I repeated the unfamiliar word. No. Whats that mean?

Its one of those bizarre things we have to deal with. It doesnt happen to everyone. In fact, its the rare exception, not the rule. Sam had heard all the stories by then, the stories we all used to think were legends. Hed heard of imprinting, but he never dreamed . . .

What is it? I prodded.

Jacobs eyes strayed to the ocean. Sam did love Leah. But when he saw Emily, that didnt matter anymore. Sometimes . . . we dont exactly know why . . . we find our mates that way. His eyes flashed back to me, his face reddening. I mean . . . our soul mates.

What way? Love at first sight? I snickered.

Jacob wasnt smiling. His dark eyes were critical of my reaction. Its a little bit more powerful than that. More absolute.

Sorry, I muttered. Youre serious, arent you?

Yeah, I am.
