Love is heavy and light,

Bright and dark,

Hot and cold,

Sick and healthy,

Asleep and awake-

It is everything except what it is!

-William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet

Chapter Four

Embry sat with Quil as they listened to Jacob detailing his plans for Renesmee's surprise party. He rolled his eyes; the whole idea seemed pointless to him- Renesmee's birthday had been celebrated almost a week ago and they had had Bella's in between, what good was it throwing Renesmee a party for a birthday she had long since celebrated?

Of course, Embry wouldn't say any of this to his alpha or friend. After all, despite everything that had happened, Jake was, and always would be, one of his closest friends. They had been through a lot together and it troubled Embry that he was now having to keep one of the worst secrets he had ever kept from his best friend. It was far worse than waiting for Jake to finally join Sam's pack, at least then he hadn't had to look his best friend in the eye and know he was lying to him.

"Are you all on board?"

Jacob's question snapped Embry out of his reverie with a sigh. "Of course, Jake. I think she'll like that."

"Great, oh and Embry? I'd like you to be the one to bring her to the house. After all, not including me, you probably are closer to her than anyone else."

You can't even imagine.

Embry ignored the pointed look Leah was sending his way. He knew she was planning a lecture later.

*x*x*

Renesmee watched placidly as Alice hummed, dancing her way around the house as she often did. "What's the occasion?"

Alice paused mid-step, tapping her nose secretively with a dainty finger. "All in good time, young lady! Good things come to those who wait."

Renesmee frowned as she realised Alice was beginning to act the way she always did when there was a party involved. She felt something resembling dread begin to build in her stomach. "I'll take your word for it."

Alice beamed, skipping from the room. Rosalie scoffed from her seat across the room. "Don't look so worried, it probably doesn't involve you."

"Like you don't know what she has planned!"

Rosalie arched an eyebrow. "Are you accusing me of being involved in your aunt's hideous plot against you?"

Renesmee stared at her aunt, using her best pout the way she had perfected when she was very young. Rosalie was usually the toughest to win over in the house, at least according to Renesmee's parents but she had quickly figured out the easiest way to the blond vampire's heart. "Yes, I am. Please tell me, Auntie Rose?"

Rosalie chuckled, holding her arms out for a hug which Renesmee gladly accepted. "I'm sworn to secrecy, Little One. Maybe you'll have better luck asking one of the wolves. I'm sure Jacob will tell you. Or Embry?"

Renesmee hoped foolishly that her aunt would not notice her stiffen at the mention of Embry's name.

"Are you okay, Renesmee?"

"I think I need some air."

Without a backward glance Renesmee rushed from the house, getting as far into the trees as she could, hoping that no one would come looking for her, Jacob and Embry included.

"Brown Eyes?"

She silently cursed her horrible luck. With a certain degree of unnecessary trepidation, she turned to look at Embry. When their eyes met she tried to remind herself that, strictly speaking, they had done nothing wrong. She had wanted to kiss him and, evidently, he had wanted to kiss her too. If they had been two normal people there wouldn't have been anything wrong with what they had done.

But you're not normal. A voice in her head that reminded her suspiciously of her mother reminded her annoyingly. You never have been and you never will be. You are the imprint of his alpha.

They stared at each other for a few agonisingly awkward moment. Clearly neither of them wanted to talk about what had happened but it was clear that the dynamic between them had changed markedly.

"Hey, Embry," Renesmee said tightly, trying to keep her expression as neutral as possible. A surprisingly hard task she discovered after a few failed attempts.

"Hey."

Is this what we've come to? She thought miserably. Only a day ago they had had no trouble talking for hours. One little kiss had ruined it all. At least you finally understand what they're talking about in those silly romance books you always read.

"About what happened before-"

They stopped, blinking at each other as they realised what they had just said.

"After you," Embry offered, stuffing his large hands into the pockets of his shorts.

"I-I don't know what there is to say. I'm still not sure how I feel about it, Embry." She paused- judging from the look on his face she wasn't saying what he wanted to hear. Not even close. "I wanted to kiss you and I still do, it's just-"

"It's just what, Renesmee?" Embry asked though clenched teeth. Even though his hands were concealed in his shorts she could see they were balled into fists. "You're the imprint of my best friend and alpha? Is that it?"

That's exactly it. "It's not just that, Embry. I never wanted to hurt anyone, especially you or Jake but my family expects certain things from me and I can't just ruin everything they've worked so hard to achieve. It's selfish."

Embry narrowed his dark eyes. "I've heard you say before that it was selfish of your parents to rely on you to make sure everything goes to plan. What happened to that Renesmee, Ren?"

"She grew up."

"It was only a few days ago."

"A lot can change in a few days, Embry."

"Yes. It can." Within a few strides, Embry had closed the distance between them and was holding her face in his hands. She blinked up at him. Without any warning Renesmee was pulled into kiss, one that she just could not bring herself to stop. It was becoming a dangerous pattern.

Renesmee stretched onto her toes to wrap her arms around Embry's neck. It was a difficult task considering how much her towered over her. Apparently this was all the encouragement the shape-shifter needed and he deepened the kiss. Silently she willed herself to stop him- there were in plain sight after all, it wasn't like the first time when they had been fairly well concealed by the trees.

"Embry!"

Renesmee winced as she unlocked her grip, stepping away from Embry with reluctance. She recognised the voice immediately and groaned as her fears were confirmed. "Leah-"

Leah shook her head. It was obvious that no amount of explaining was going to help this situation. Even so, Renesmee knew she had to at least try.

"Leah, please, listen to me."

Leah shook her head, not even looking in Renesmee's direction, her cold, disbelieving glare focused instead on Embry. "Don't, Renesmee. Go home. Now. Jacob's waiting for you."

Renesmee looked at Embry, trying to saying everything she couldn't say out loud with one glance but, like Leah, he wouldn't look at her. Trying to hide the tears beginning to build up in her eyes she rushed towards her house, barely taking a few steps before she heard shouting which was soon followed by growls, barking and yelps.

XXX

A/N I'm sorry about the delay with this chapter, I don't have a good excuse. I sat down and wrote this in one sitting so I apologise for any errors and the fact that this chapter isn't very good at all. I wanted to get this up ASAP because it's unlikely there will be an update next week. It's very hectic, I won't have internet access for a lot of it as I'm going south for a funeral and I probably won't have the chance to write anything anyway, I'm just not feeling it right now, there's so much going on. Thanks for the reviews, they are all so lovely and helpful! Please keep 'em coming!