“Just spit it out Edward. I’m not a child. I can handle it.”

I regretted my tone instantaneously. It was apparent by the darkening of his eyes that I had hurt him, but of course he continued without a hitch.

“Jacob’s back.”

I was distantly aware of Edward releasing his grip on me, but I could only focus on one thing. Jake was finally home. He was back.

So many questions were racing through my mind it made me dizzy. What did that mean exactly? Was he over me? Why did this solicit such a negative response from Alice? Why was Edward still looking at me like there was more?

“Oh, is that all?” I could tell he sincerely wished I didn’t ask him that.

“Yeah love there’s more.”

I waited patiently for him to continue. He had given me the time to think, and I would do the same in return. Whatever it was, I knew it would be difficult for him to tell me. I prayed his cautiousness was an overreaction. Jake was back, how bad could it be?

“Well, when Seth called with the news, he also told me that, upon his return, Jake has imprinted.” He stopped for a moment searching my face for something. I don’t know what he saw, but all the same, he continued on.

“Jake’s imprinted with Leah.”

“Leah,” the shock was not well concealed from my voice.

Imprinting was something that happened to the werewolf race. It could be compared to what you would call soul mates, just a lot stronger. Another thing you could link it to was love at first sight, you knew right away. Jake and Leah had known each other for ages though it didn’t make any sense.

“Yes. It seems that Leah and the pack have known for a while. The only one in the dark has been Jake himself.”

“How is that possible?”

“Well, he was too stuck on you to be aware of it. I guess with the time away he was able to think and focus better so that by the time he came back,” he trailed off at a loss for what else to say.

“Oh.”

“There’s more,” he visibly cringed at the words.

“More?”

“He’s obviously still living with Billy to help him out and everything, but she’s moved in with them . . . with Jacob.”