Chapter 2

Embry POV

Once we went into the house we all basically stood in a line so that Paul could introduce us to the girl he was talking about. I was the last on in line as I wasn't in any particular hurry to get to know her. I still thought this was some stupid waste of my time. Although, my mind was completely changed when I looked up and my eyes met her eyes. It was like there was a sudden rush of realization coursing through me. In that moment I knew what the others felt when they met their imprints.

I almost didn't catch her name when Paul said it. Rilynn, what a beautiful name but not nearly as beautiful as the girl that it belonged to. Her height reaches that of my shoulder. Her eyes are an intoxicating shade of mossy green and her light auburn hair falls into tight curls about six inches past her shoulders. Her skin is fair in color with a slight golden glow and appears to be flawless. As I stared at her she looked away from me to Paul. Any little movement that she made seem to make me feel mesmerized.

"Embry, quit staring at the girl you are going to scare her."

I looked away from her and over to Jared when he said that. All of the guys started teasing me like we had each one of our other brothers. When I turned back to look at her and finally say hello she was gone. Moments later I felt a sadness fall upon me, but what did I have to be sad for I just imprinted. I then realized that is was coming from her and not me. I needed to find her and know what was wrong and how to make it right. Rachel suddenly pushed past me and into the living room. I moved to fallow Rachel watching quietly. Rachel sat down on the couch next to the angel that is my imprint. I stood in the door way listening to everything the two of them said. When they hugged I knew that Rilynn caught me watching them. She must think I am a complete creep now. I moved out of the doorway so that she could no longer see me.

Rachel came back into the kitchen a made a plate of food. She tried to take it back to the living room but Paul stopped her. He took the plate and handed it to me.

"Embry, take this to Rilynn and try not to scare her."

I took the plate from him and headed to the living room. She was sitting curled up in a ball at the end of the couch where she was before. I walked over and sat down beside her. She didn't move or even look up at me.

"Rilynn I brought you some food."

"You can call me Riley."

She sat up some at that point and looked over at me. She seemed to be taking in every little detail about me. I tried to hand her the plate of food that I was sent in with.

"I'm not hungry, but you should go ahead and eat it."

She smiled then and it felt like a small bit of the weight from her sadness was lifted off my chest. It made me smile back at her.

"Well, go on. You can't tell me a strong guy like you isn't hungry."

I laughed a little at that. She was right I am hungry and the food smells good.

"Alright you got me there."

She watched me while I ate. You would think something like that would feel uncomfortable and maybe if it was anyone except her it would. As I was finishing the food I noticed her staring intently at the bottom of my pack tattoo that was showing under the edge of my tee-shirt sleeve because I hadn't pulled it down properly.

"Would you like to see the whole thing?"

She blushed a deep red color and nodded. It was cute to see her blush. I pulled up the sleeve so that she could see the whole thing. She tilted her head to the side as she was looking at it. After a moment she reached out and traced the outline of the wolf in it with her finger tip. The soft touch sent a wave of heat though me, I almost didn't notice that her fingers where cold. I reached up with my other hand and took her hand. She shied away from me and whispered sorry like she had done something wrong.

"Don't be sorry Riley, just come closer you are cold."

I gently pulled her closer to my side and wrapped my arm around her. The rest of her body felt just as cold against my skin as her fingers had. I was almost ready for her to fight against my hold but she seemed to move closer. I guess she likes my warmth.

"Embry, why are you worried about me?"

"It's my job to worry about you and make sure you are safe. That will always be my job from now until the end of forever."

I was prepared for her to question what I had just said. She laid her head against my chest instead. It was weird for me compared to what the other guys had said about having to explain the whole imprint thing to their girls. Riley seemed to except it even though I haven't told her yet. It was like she was automatically comfortable with me. Almost like Nessie was with Jake. Although she was a baby at the time he imprinted on her and later had to explain it to her. I'm sure once I tell her then I will have to explain it too. I looked down at Riley and she was sleeping. I tried to stay as still as possible not wanting to wake her.

I listened to my brothers talking in the other room. They talked about Riley and how she is being hunted by some vampires that are trackers. Sam said it was important that I hear all of this to so they came into the living room. I'm sure the others could tell that Riley had fallen asleep.

"Did you get her to eat anything?"

"No, she refused when I offered."

"Rachel, she will eat when she gets hungry."

"I promised that I would take care of her and make sure that she was eating and sleeping like she is supposed to."

"Rachel, Paul is right she will eat when she is hungry. I don't think she feels well at the moment. She is cold to the touch and fell asleep within seconds of me holding her."

Paul grumbled a little bit about that. He didn't seem overly happy that I had imprinted on her. Although I don't understand why, usually the pack is happy when one of us imprints.

"What is it that we have to do to protect her?"

"Oh, so now that you have imprinted you want to protect her."

"Shut up Quil. You know that I would have done my job either way."

"Riley, has classes that she must attend in Seattle on Mondays thru Thursdays. That is why it is more important than her just being on the reservation. Someone will have to travel with her."

"Wouldn't it be safer for her not to go to those classes?"

"Yes, it probably would be safer for her not to go but I was told she only has a few months left until she graduates."

"Wait, what can you tell us about who sent her here to you?"

"There isn't much I can tell you guys, Brady. I was asked not to tell you the little information I know. I mean if there is something that she wants to share there isn't much I can do about that. I wouldn't suggest asking her questions."

Paul looked right at me as he said the last sentence. If he thinks it will be difficult for me to find out information about my imprint he is wrong.

"I suppose we will have to take turns traveling with her and whoever is available will go. We haven't done anything like this in a while and all have jobs we need to attend. Normal patrol has to continue to get done and we will have to add a few more times or lengthen times as well."

That was probably the most alpha thing I have ever said. It didn't really matter to me who is after Riley just that we keep her safe.