This is from Sam Uley's point of view =]
Hope you enjoy it!
My eyes found her face.
I was so unused to anything hurting me in this tougher body that when I felt adoration and shame punch into my stomach, I tensed with the effort of not moaning.
Leah introduced Emily. Automatically, I reached forward to shake her hand, dropping my girlfriend’s to do so and actually gasped at the soft touch. Shame stabbed at me again. Emily’s eyes were so clear, I was sure she knew by the heat in my cheeks what I could only tell from sneaking the briefest of glances into the soul of her eyes; that through some horrible twist of fate it didn’t matter what I felt for her cousin behind me; what mattered was that I didn’t leave Emily’s side. The realisation made me tremble and Emily’s eyes widened with surprise as I tightened my grip in an effort to gain control. With no explanation I fled the room. I felt like the handshake had been a kiss, the most passionate of my life, with which I betrayed the girl I was sure I loved. I heard Leah excuse me, and in my mind’s eye Emily stood as I had left her, hand still outstretched to take mine. Her family would think it was shock. I knew she was waiting until I returned.
Harry, seeing my tremors, already had answers in his face when he found me.
“So, what are we talking here? Love at first sight, realising your life’s meaning, knowing true contentment?â€
“Something like that,†I muttered.
“It’s rare among wolves, but heard of. I can’t really blame you. It’s called imprinting.â€
“Of course you can blame me, I’ve just... I have control over my own feelings!†Harry laughed. Seriously, he laughed as though I were entertaining ridiculous preconceptions.
“No you don’t. Imprinting is instinct. Irrevocable. I won’t condemn you for loving Emily.â€
“I will.â€
Within seconds, I had phased, running to rid myself of burning guilt. I can’t remember where I ran, how long. But I remember the desperation that grew the further I ran from her; the anguish as I stopped, realised I was at the wrong home; thinking I should go to Leah; pushing open the door to go and see Emily instead.
I re-emerged hours later, after the sun had disappeared. Perhaps leaving Emily was why the sun had disappeared. I could hardly tell in my confusion.
I left, knowing that I would be back the next day.
I knew I couldn’t explain to Leah that, despite all I had promised her and the hatred I felt for myself realising I had lied without knowing it, loving her wasn’t enough.
Not for the first time, I wished she were a wolf, so she would know my thoughts, how sorry I was. But Emily was in my every thought now and Leah probably wouldn’t, couldn’t, listen.
As a talisman to my overwhelming remorse, I whispered one word the whole night long. It stopped me howling to the high heavens.
“Emily.â€
Rosie Al-Mulla {17}