— WHAT Rory did not expect when she arrived back home was the amount of people in Bella's front yard, Jonas included. Rory dragged her friends over. "Dad, what's going on?" The brunette asked her father as she approached.

"Bella's missing."

Jacob seemed to freeze, it was no secret that Jacob was in love with her. He always had been.

"How long?" The boy asked Jonas. Rory's father only shrugged, "I'm not sure. Charlie said she was gone when he got back in."

"Sam Uley's out lookin' for her, he's got some other boys with him. Billy says they know the forest better." Jonas explained, causing Jacob to roll his eyes.

"What are they, some superheroes now?" Embry scoffed, the brunette beside him nudged his shoulder aggressively. "At least they're helping."

Rory noticed a tall figure coming from the tree line, Sam.

Bella was limp in his arms as he approached, she noticed Jared and Paul sticking by the tree line. "Charlie!" Rory called, pointing a finger in Sam's direction.

Charlie let out a relieved breath, rushing towards them to get Bella.

She was safe.

—

It had only been a few days since Bella's incident, Rory hadn't seen her since that day. Mike becoming her daily ride to school since Bella hadn't even spoken to her, or anyone for that matter.

Rory noticed the way Bella would sit alone at the Cullen's old table, sometimes she'd sit with her, her way of offering comfort. But even then, Bella never spoke. It was as if she was moving on autopilot.

"Y'know, now that Bella isn't driving you." Jonas' voice carried from the living room to the kitchen where Rory was. "You ought to start learning how to drive."

The girl let out a groan. "Dad!"

"I'm just saying! Maybe it'll be good for you, get yourself around. I'll even go car shopping with you." His footsteps got closer as he made his away into the kitchen.

"You're my dad, isn't that like your job?" she raised an eyebrow, squinting her eyes at him when he took a strawberry from her fruitbowl.

"Well...yeah."

"Anyway, is it okay if I go to Embry's later? He's been dodging my calls, apparently he's not answering Jacob and Quil either." The girl asked.

"Am I going to have to drive you?" Jonas deadpanned and Rory gave him a sheepish grin.

"It would be greatly appreciated."

"Fine, I'll take you in a bit." He agreed reluctantly. "I'm signing you up for driving classes!" Rory groaned in response, watching as he disappeared right back into the living room.

"I mean it!"

—

Jonas had indeed driven Rory to Embry's house. She was watched as her father drove away before marching up the steps to Embry's home. "Embry!" She knocked on his door.

The door opened to reveal Tiffany instead. "Rory?" Said girl gave the older woman a smile. "Hi, Ms. Call. Is Embry home?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. You just missed him, he left with those boys." Tiffany informed her. "Jacob and Quil?" Rory asked but was shocked when the woman shook her head.

"No, those other boys—let me think." Her eyes shut as she gathered her thoughts. "Paul and Jared!" She finally remembered, causing Rory's eyebrows to furrow.

What was Embry doing with Jared and Paul?

—

"I can't see my friends?" Embry repeated Sam's words, the older man gave him a nod in confirmation. "If I'm right, Jacob should be the next to phase." His words caught Embry's attention.

"Jake too?"

"He'a got the gene, same with Quil." Sam explained, "It's only a matter of time before they join us."

"What about Rory? She can't know either?" The younge boy asked, Rory was his best friend, he didn't want to leave her in the dark.

"She'll know eventually." Jared spoke up, mouth full of muffin. Embry's eyebrows furrowed at Jared's words. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean...Rory's a part of the pack, she just doesn't know it." He shrugged carelessly, not catching the glare Paul had sent his way. If looks could kil...

Jared would be six feet under.

"Would you stop speaking in code?"

"Jared..." Sam warned, but it wasn't enough to stop his blabber mouth.

"Paul imprinted on Rory." Embry's jaw dropped slightly, his mouth forming an 'O' shape. Imprinting was something the legends spoke of, along with the legends of the spirit warriors.

The fates chose them for the wolf, the bond being whatever they'd decide on. Whether it be a brother, friend, lover, imprints were a part of the pack.

"No way." Were the only words that fell from Embry's lips.

"Yes way." Jared said in an obnoxiously loud tone.

"You..." Embry's gaze moved over to Paul, disbelief clear on his features. "...and Rory?" Paul rolled his eyes, he thought Embry was being dramatic.

"Yes. Now, would stop staring?"

"Sorry, s'just...you're so you, and Rory's like so not you." Embry pointed out, causing Paul's face to scrunch up.

"One more word out of your mouth, Call. You're done." Paul threatened. Embry nodded, lifting his arms in defense.

"Yup, shutting up."

—

rory not knowing how to drive is so silly