Chapter 4

Embry's POV

Good thing it is Friday night and I don't work tomorrow. I'm staying and doing overnight watch for Riley. At this moment I'm still a little upset at Collin for falling asleep during his watch. Luckily Paul and Rachel don't mind me hanging out around their house.

I did notice something a little strange when I was sitting in the chair with Riley tonight. She felt really warm to the touch tonight compared to what it usually is. If I didn't think it was impossible I would say that her temperature matches mine. She fell asleep in my arms for the third time in the last week. I gently got up from the chair and took her to bed. I was careful to not to wake her as I tucked her in under the blankets. I couldn't help myself and gave her s soft kiss on the forehead before turning off the light and leaving the room.

I headed out to sit on the porch for a while. I need to figure out how to tell Riley that I imprinted on her. She seems to be connecting to me really easily. I'm afraid that it may scare her away from me.

"What's bothering you Embry?"

"I was just thinking about how to tell Riley that I imprinted on her."

"From what I learned from my own Imprint is that you shouldn't be worried about telling her. Its better if you just tell her the truth."

"What if she doesn't except the imprint?"

"Have any of the girls said they didn't want their wolf?"

"Well, no."

"I have never seen two people that have ever become so close and easily connected. Other than Jake and Renesmee and that is another type of story."

"Do you really think that she won't have any problems with it?"

"Embry, I honestly believe that she will love the fact that you imprinted on her. I know I said that there wasn't a lot I could tell you guys about her family but I think this is something you need to know since you imprinted on her. Riley has had to live a pretty lonely life so far. It has been two years since she has seen her family other than her Uncle that she was living with before she came her."

"Where is her family?"

"They have been trying to protect her. They put her into hiding hoping that they could keep the vampires away from her. She is safer by not being with them. In all honesty I don't think she has even been able to talk to them. You would be a new lifeline for her and give her new support that she needs in her live."

It broke my heart to know that she hasn't had the life she deserves. It also makes me angry to know that it is all because of leeches. I sat there in silence for some time letting my anger burn. I decided then that when Riley wakes up in the morning I am going to tell her about the imprint. Paul was just about to leave and head to bed.

"Wait, something is wrong?"

"What do you mean something is wrong?"

"Her heart beat just got really fast."

I got up and almost ran back into the house. Paul was right behind me the whole way to her room. When I reached her, she was tossing in bed. I reached out to hold her to calm her down. Her skin was like complete ice.

"Paul, she feels like ice and earlier she felt like she was burning up."

"We need to wake her up."

He came over and gently shook her to wake her up. She stirred a little but not much.

"Rilynn, you need to wake up."

"What's going on Paul?"

"Hun, remember what you told me what needed to be done to take care of you?"

She nodded in response to him and looked over at me nervously.

"I feel cold to you guys don't I?"

"You feel like ice to me."

She started to get up after I said that but Paul didn't let her. He picked her up instead.

"Embry grab her grey bag that is on the chair."

Paul carried her out of the room and to my surprise out of the house. I fallowed them closely not sure what is going on. When he reached the edge of the woods he set her down. She looked back at me with a pleading look in her eyes.

"Embry, please don't freak out and be angry with me."

'I couldn't possibly be angry with you."

She then turned to Paul.

"I know I didn't tell you this but I wasn't supposed to share this yet."

I tried to walk toward her but Paul stopped me. I didn't understand at all as to what was going on. Riley walked about ten feet or so away from us. And then apparently what I thought earlier to be impossible was not true. Riley phased turning into a russet colored wolf. Before Paul or I could say anything she disappeared farther into the woods. I didn't wait to see what Paul's reaction was I phased and went after her. It took longer than I thought it would for me to catch up with her. Once I did I found her lying next to what it looks like used to be a deer.

"Riley?"

"I'm sorry Embry, this is not at all how I wanted to tell you that I am a wolf."

I couldn't help but laugh at her and myself.

"What is so funny to you?"

"I was worried about you knowing that I am a wolf."

"Oh"

"What did you do to make such a mess?"

"I hunted a deer and I probably need another one. That's why I was so cold. When Collin was sleeping I got permission from Paul to go out. I hunted one earlier but it wasn't enough and that's why I got really cold."

I didn't understand it but it seemed to be something that she needed to survive. I would do anything to protect her.

"We can find you another one but there is something that I need to tell you."

"Alright, I'm listening."

"How much do you know about the wolves?"

"I have grown up with knowing all of the stories about them, why?"

"I'm not sure how to tell you this so I am just going to say it. Riley, I imprinted on you."

"I know silly. I have known since it happened but have just been waiting for you to come out and say it."

She waked over to me and gently pushed her head against my shoulder. I helped her track down and catch another deer. It was interesting to watch her hunt. She is so graceful in the way that she hunts and moves in and out of the trees. What she did after we caught the deer I then understood how she made such a mess out of it.

"Riley, may I ask why you need to hunt the deer."

"I'm not exactly the same type of wolf that you. I want so bad to explain it but I can't completely. You know how as a wolf you heal fast when something happens?"

"Yeah, what should take month, like broken bones only takes a few minutes."

"Well, for some reason my body burns off its own blood. I don't completely understand it myself or I would at least try to explain it better to you. Maybe once my family comes they will be able to explain it."

"We'll figure it out together then. Let's head back to Paul's house now so you can get some more sleep."

When we got back to the yard, the bag that Paul had me when we left her room had clothes in it for Riley. She dressed in a light grey tee-shirt and black sweat pants. Before she could get to putting on shoes I scooped her up and took her into the house and back to her room. I set her back down in bed where she belonged at this late hour of the night. I kissed her forehead just like before.

"Goodnight beautiful."

"Embry, don't leave me. Please stay, what if I start to get sick again?"

She didn't have to say all of that. The moment I heard don't leave from her mouth I was turning off the light and coming back to her. She slid over so there was room for me and then cuddled against me when I lied down. She felt warm again but not hot like earlier. It was only a matter of minutes until she fell asleep. Once she was sleep it was easy for me to fall asleep as well.