This work is not being beta'd, be mindful of grammar mistakes that might slip through the cracks.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters or places found in Twilight which belongs to Stephanie Meyer.
The mood was severely dampened on their walk back to the village. Emmett was kind enough, as always, to carry the six point deer across his shoulders for her. Normally, carrying an animal of that size was no hassle for him, but his footsteps were lethargic. He was in no hurry to return. Selene kept her eyes on the ground, her countenance downtrodden and her speed matched his.
Emmett let out a small sigh, seeing the stone fence come back into view. They were too close to ending their wonderful morning. It would be a few days before they could escape again, since she only needed to provide game twice a week. He pulled her arm gently for her to stop.
She was still staring downwards, concentrating on their leather clad boots. His were more weathered than hers, a testimony to the hours he spent physically training for his upcoming duties.
She swiftly chased out that thought. It was more heartbreaking than their momentary separation.
Gently lifting her head to look at him with his free hand, he gave her a soft smile, "It's only for a few days, love."
"Exactly," she pouted up at him. "I wish I could get you for more than a few short hours at a time."
He kissed her until he felt the pout disappear and the corner of her lips turn upwards into the faintest smile, "You can surely live without me. It's me who struggles to live without you."
"I don't even know how you can say that," she whispered, her hands resting on his chest. It felt like her hours were spent counting down until when she would be with him again.
"By moving my mouth."
That earned him an eye roll and the dreary mood lifted. If he could spend the rest of his life making corny jokes to make her smile, he would happily do so.
The village was well underway for the morning preparations. Children were already at play, chasing away the cold from their bones by acting like a bunch of animals. All the chimneys were breathing out gray smoke that was signaling the warmth of every household heath. Mothers and fathers were making their preparations to go to the Dining Hall, making sure to stuff their baskets with whatever was required of them that day or trying to corral their rambunctious children towards the hall.
To the naked eye, one would not notice the distinction of classes between them. It was one of their pack priorities: everyone belongs, everyone matters. Alphas and Betas didn't get a free pass to use their status as a means to be the first in line or have the most food portion or bully for materials. They lived a balanced life where they served as much as any other member. It was this way because of their Alpha female Isa, who would greet each and every pack member at the doorway as they made their way inside the hall. It was her priority to make them all feel welcome. And with a warm smile she had been doing so since the beginning of her reign.
It was the little idiosyncrasies of everyday life that would enable one to notice any differences. The way a child would suddenly grow twice their size over the course of a summer as they began their intensive physical classes to protect the village as Betas. Or the way the people would stare with pride at their growing Alpha. Or the way Betas seemed to always keep a guarded look whenever their eyes wandered towards their stone walls; which was often and quick. Or the natural way that Alphas and Betas would lead in most situations, without acting like dictators or being oppressive. And recently the way the females around Emmett's age would keep glancing at him. Knowing soon their opportunity to be his mate would be coming.
The deer's body landed on the butcher's table with a loud thud. The smell of blood and salt saturated the air, making her stomach rumble for food.
The butcher came out from the back room wiping his hands, "Good morning, Emmett. Good morning, Selene. Had an early start again this morning?"
"You ask me that every morning I come see you," she smiled at the brawny older man. His apron and hands were already covered in blood from his morning duties. "This fella is for supper tomorrow."
He nodded briefly inspecting it, "It will be a mighty fine supper in deed. And the reason I always ask is because I think it's unfair you have to go out there and lug these in usually by yourself. Such a frail creature. Thank goodness Emmett has been so gracious and helped you out recently."
She felt uncomfortable with his comment. She doubted he would've ever said that to one of the regular women. But she didn't try to argue with him, there would be no use.
Sensing her discomfort Emmett stepped in, "You know she's quite capable of bringing them in on her own. She's been doing it for years! You should give her more credit for her hard work. Thank you for your work, Hugh. See you at breakfast," Emmett tilted his head forward not wanting to shake his hands given that his hands were disgusting and he was irritated at the man. Before Hugh could try to apologize, Emmett was walking out. Selene looked between them and decided to scurry out before he could say anything else to her.
Once they were outside, Emmett took in a deep breath of fresh air, "It always reeks in there."
Selene shrugged assuming she had a stronger stomach than him to tolerate blood, "You know he didn't mean to offend me."
"I didn't care. I didn't like it."
The bell in front of the Dining Hall rang, cutting off what she was about to say and signaling the serving of breakfast. Groups of people started their way towards the building, the housing section diminishing slowly.
She suspected Amada was waiting for her somewhere near the front of the building. A few people glanced their way. The looks weren't prying, but being around an Alpha during this time as a female always drew immediate attention. Not wanting to cause anymore scenes, she turned to Emmett and stuck out her hand, "Thanks for your help, Emmett."
The distaste in his eyes was clear; a handshake is not what he wanted. It was cordial and distant. The sudden lick of his bottom lip gave her a good idea of what he wanted. The distaste was replaced with a heated look that told her he was remembering why they snuck away to the woods in the first place. He clasped his hand around hers and shook it. She was about to let go, but he suddenly pulled her closer and dropped his tone so only she could hear the need in his voice, "My pleasure, Selene."
Her knees seemed to quiver at the way he savored her name; she had to hold on to his hand longer than would be appropriate to recollect herself. She managed to tear herself away from him, but not before turning her head back to stick out her tongue at him. She could just kill that man. He loved pushing her buttons in public, due to the fact that she would always trip over his teasing and become a blushing, giggly school girl that he saw veiled by a mask of annoyance that everyone else saw.
There was a line that went outside the building, but the efficiency of the servers kept it moving at a good pace. She took her place at the back and scanned the surroundings for her friend. It wasn't hard to spot her given her eager waving near the front.
Amada had been born shortly after Selene had been brought to the village. Her warm amber skin seemed to be kissed by the sun and helped her vibrant emerald eyes almost glow against it. She tried daily taming her wild, black, kinky curls into a ponytail, but it hardly worked seeing that one or two always managed to escape from their place. It didn't take the girls long to become best friends. They were neighbors and Amada's disregard for rules and elders always provided an entertaining time for Selene. Amada was a bright Beta, destined to always keep Emmett on his toes with her opinions and attitude. She abandoned her place in line and walked back to join Selene. She wove her arm around her best friend's, "I was wondering when you were going to grace me with your presence this morning."
Selene pushed back one of her own curls from her face, glancing over at Emmett who had positioned himself with his mother at the doorway. It took but a second for him to feel her gaze, turn, and shoot a secret smile her way. With a blush, she quickly looked away, "It took longer to hunt something this morning."
Amada watched the exchange between them and gave her a small nudge, "I can't imagine why."
"Good morning Amada and Selene," Isa gave them a warm greeting when it was their turn. Isa was shorter than Emmett, her hair was golden unlike his bronze hair, and she was quite petite making her son look like a behemoth beside her. It was her smile that could make anyone else feel cared for and warm inside that Selene knew Emmett had inherited from her. "I hope you girls aren't getting into too much trouble this beautiful morning."
Selene gave her a tight smile, "Of course not." Just casually necking and possibly, erm, definitely grinding with your son in the woods.
"You know they are my generation's best trouble makers always doing things they shouldn't," Emmett spoke up on her other side. He had a very cheeky smile, letting her know just where his mind was. Selene could just kill him.
"The Spirits just blessed us with extra creativity," Amada retorted and quickly led Selene away; making sure to glare at him as they scurried past. She lowered her tone as best as possible when they were far enough from him, "Keep it together, Selene."
That was easier said than done. It was hard to keep it together around him, around any of his family; especially when she was keeping a steamy secret. She glanced back at Emmett and he dared to give her a mischievous grin before turning back around to his mother. Selene could just kill him.
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