a/n--Thanks everyone who left us nice reviews for the last 3 chapters. It really does mean something to both me and Jen. Tons of you have this story on alert, but only a handful are reviewing it. I'm not asking for much, just a simple 2 word review would be great.

Also... I'm on a mission to find EVERY WOLFPACK website that exists. If you know of any please PM me and tell the address to it. If you haven't yet been to www(dot)quileutewolfpack (dot) com (( I am Tee on the blog)) then please do stop by there and see the site. Its coming along nicely if I do say so myself. We have a great Contest going on for Kiowa/Embry personalized photo with his sig and a quote from New Moon on it. ((Yes I am advertising Lol)) and also.. go check out KGO, its another site I do associate with, its a Kiowa Gordon fansite.

If you are going to ANY of the con's, and you don't mind, let me know which one, I think I have a special job for you :D and actually if anyone is planning on going to New Moon Rising over AZ, shoot me a message :D

I do apologize that it takes me so long to update, I have an extremely busy schedule lately and its getting harder and harder to find time to write, so please do take that into consideration. Special thanks goes out to Amanda aka Agh, This story started out as a Paul story actually, a one shot for her, and I turned it into an Embry fic with Jen's help. Jessica1018, thanks for putting up with my random pics and texts! Jess from KGO-- you rock! And of course... CrazyApril-thanks for your moral boost when you come in at night and ask me if I'm writing or not lol.

This is co-written with LilJenRocks. Show her some love as well.

Chapter 4 -- My Friends

No school today. Normally a thought I would've been happy with, only it was killing me to be so far away from my friends.

Embry, quit thinking about Jake and Quil all the time. It makes me uncomfortable and it's a little weird, Jared said .

Sorry, I just miss my friends, I sighed in my head.

Well, you do have us, you know, Paul said.

Not the same, I sighed again.

We wandered around the east edge of the reservation, keeping our eyes peeled for anything unusual.

Why the hell do we have to do this? I mean, have we found anything in the weeks we've been doing this? Paul thought.

Shut it. Keep checking for that scent, Sam said in his Alpha timber. We'd heard there was a stray vampire somewhere, getting close to La Push. It was a thought that actually terrified the hell out of me. I hadn't ever been a violent person, and after a week, I had been taught the finer points of vampire destruction, apparently not something that can be done with wooden stakes or garlic cloves. Who knew?

Do you smell that? Jared said. It smells like cotton candy, is that a bloodsucker, Sam? Jared pushed his sight to us and we were all overcome with the scent.

It wasn't Sam that spoke, though. It was Paul. No, you dumbass, that actually is cotton candy. There's that fair just outside of Forks. Idiot…Paul trailed off.

We walked more, this time rounding the north side of the rez. I broke off a bit as we kept running, getting near Jake's house. I could hear him in the garage tinkering away at the bikes and wanting so bad to join him but remembered Sam's worrying the minute I got close. Damn pack mind…

So I sat for awhile, doing nothing but listening. I heard tools hitting the floor and words that were a slur of obscenities escaping his speech. He was my friend, my brother, and I had let him down. I walked off, my tail between my legs as I approached the small creek, stopping for a drink. I turned next and headed to Quil's, Old Quil sitting on the porch.

"Evenin' Embry," Quil Sr. said casually whittling away at a small piece of wood. I nodded my giant head to him. "How are things? You feeling any better?"

Well, health wise, though my temperature was still well over the normal 98.6, things were fairly normal. My wolf-side was physically older and my muscles hurt like hell when I phased back, but it had gotten easier to deal with. The part that I had difficulty with was the loss of my friends.

I nodded to him again. What was more interesting about all this, Sam Uley, the man that I had hated prior to wolfdom, treated me very different than he treated the other wolves. They were subtle differences, not making me patrol at certain times with the others had to. He even seemed to hesitate when he had to tell me, yet again, I couldn't talk to my friends or even Leni. I wondered if becoming a wolf had contributed to the snug condom during our last attempt at a tryst.

"Did your Mom answer your question for you?" he asked.

I shook my head no, knowing now, from the thoughts of my pack, there were three possible choices for my father. I liked to look at it as a game show: "Who's Embry's Dad?" or something like "Dad or no Dad?" I had seriously spent to much time thinking over it, the three choices quite interesting: Quil Ateara, Sr., Billy Black, or Joshua Uley. Joshua Uley was the only one I knew nothing about. Well, that's a lie. I did know a little bit, only what I'd seen through Sam. He seemed like a douche, not the caliber of the well-respected Quil or Billy. I tried to figure out which of the three it could be but to no avail.

I heard Quil coming down the stairs, smelt his scent and I took off before he could come near. All contact with anyone outside of the pack was banned. I kept running, running, running, until I reached Sam and Emily's cabin. There were giggles coming from the inside, before a long moan, and I decided it was best to stay outside until I heard a loud low, growl, phasing back quickly and busting through Sam's door.

"What the fuck, Embry?!" Sam yelled, covering Emily with a quilt from the back of the couch.

"I'm sorry, I thought…I heard a growl…I thought," my voice shook as Emily covered her entire body, even her head with there quilt. Sam stood in front of me naked, turning around and yanking something before facing me again.

"Sam, I think he thought you were hurting me," Emily mumbled under the quilt. I nodded to Sam, who was holding something in his hand.

He shook his head and rubbed his neck with his free hand. "Fine. Let me get dressed and take care of this and then you and I need to have a serious, serious talk."

Then I realized what was in his hand, not only did I walk in on them having sex, Sam was holding the used condom in his hand. Gross!

I walked back out the door, stopping at the bottom step of the porch. "I'm sorry," I said, hearing Sam approach.

"It was an accident," Sam sighed, joining me on the step. "Look, um, I need to have a conversation with you but it's a little awkward. So, just bear with me." Sam took a deep breath. "Are you…have you…you're not a virgin, are you?"

I looked down. This kind of conversation was easier with Jake and Quil, where I was telling them all about my sexual conquest. This was Sam Uley though, my Alpha, the man I'd just walked in on mid-romp. I was more embarrassed about it with him. "Um, no, I've, um, done it," I choked a little on my words.

"Okay, well, now that you're, you know, a wolf, things are gonna be different in that area," he said.

"That area? Like my junk or like the whole sex area in general?" I stuttered over my words, just a little, trying to figure out.

"Oh, well, I guess both," Sam said. "You probably noticed that things are different in that section of your body." Oh, geez, not this talk…your body's changing, hair starts growing…the last time I had this talk, Billy had Jake and Quil and I around the couch in the Black's house, rolling back and forth in front of the fireplace, spouting out words like hormones and sexually transmitted diseases. It was awkward, and that was when we were 12, way before any of this shit, and now that I'd done it, I wasn't sure what the hell was going to be said. "Um, you know how your body is hotter right, like temperature?" I nodded. "Well, when your with a lady, or whatever you choose to do it with, you have to be careful you don't smother her, that she doesn't get too hot. One time, when Emily and I were—"

I put my hand up. "I'm sorry, um, I can't hear about Emily, she's like our Cub Scout Mom, so I can't hear about that."

"Sorry, I was just trying, you know…anyway, watch body temperature. Um, before, did you use rubbers?" I nodded as he pulled a box out of his pocket. "These are for you. The ones before are probably too small." He handed the box to me: Magnum Condoms. I blushed a little at the sight.

"Thanks," I sighed, taking the box from him. "Yeah, um, I tried the day I phased and it was…sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you this."

Sam chuckled. "It's cool, think of me like, hmm…like a big brother or friend or something. You don't have to be totally intimidated by me, Embry. I'm one of you guys, I just happened to be first and get to make you guys do things."

I nodded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Sam said picking up a rock and throwing it.

"Um, what happened with Leah?" I spit it out really quick, hoping I wouldn't get punched in the face or the balls for that matter.

Sam rubbed the back of his neck. "Leah…well, you know how, shit. Okay, we wolves, we have this thing called imprinting. It's when we find out soul mates, it's very rare and Billy says its purpose is to produce better wolves. Well, when we imprint, we don't see anyone but our imprint. Do you get what I'm saying?"

It was really sad to figure this out. I hadn't imagined that there was a mythical reason why they were apart. "Emily's your imprint?" I semi-asked, semi-said.

Sam nodded. "Yep. I love Emily but I really hate myself for hurting Leah. I just didn't, couldn't do anything, or see anyone other than Emily."

"I understand, I think," I smiled at him, patting his back. "Emily's great, seriously."

Sam nodded again, smiling with a look in his eyes that I hadn't noticed before. "Yep. She really is."

I got up from the porch, brushing my pants off. "So, is it ok if I like.. don't patrol tomorrow night?" I asked bravely.

Sam got up too, looking up at the sky. "Why not? The pack comes first."

"I kind of wanted to.." I felt my cheeks blush and looked at the grass. "I wanted to spend some time with my Mom. We usually have like.. A date type thing on weekends."

Sam laughed loudly, it sounded like a real laugh which I didn't hear from him often. "A date huh? With your mom?"

I kicked at the ground feeling like a major wimp. "Yeah a date. Its just the two of us you know, so she like.. Wants me to hang out and stuff. I mean didn't you and your mom---"

Sam cut me off. "No we didn't. She was usually at work at the docks late. It was just the two of us too, I know that's what you were going to say."

"So umm. Do you like.. Remember him?" I dared to ask. This conversation was completely different than anything I'd ever talked to Sam about before. It was more personal, and honestly I hadn't even discussed my dad dilemma with Jake and Quil.

Sam shrugged and leaned on the porch rail, folding his arms across his chest. "Not really. Not the stuff most kids remember anyways. I remember he left when I was about 4. I didn't need him though. Not until all of this happened. Billy and Harry are good with it though, helping us through, explaining everything. I'm better off without him."

I leaned on the opposite rail, looking at him. No studying him more like. Sam was holding his jaw in a way that I did when I was thinking hard on something. I stuffed my hands in my pockets nervously, knowing I might cause an argument with what I was about to ask. "So um. Do you.. Do you think your dad is… my dad too?" I asked before I could lose the courage.

Sam gave me a look and turned away. "Don't worry about patrol Saturday night. I'll take care of it. You want to go hang out with me and the pack for a while?" he invited.

I felt a hurting in my chest. Sam was lying to me, he knew something and he wasn't telling me. "Yeah sure. Let me call my mom first though." I said ruffling my hair.

Sam jabbed his thumb at the house. "You know where the phone is. I'll wait out here."

I slunk off inside the small house feeling like a dog with its tail between its legs. I picked up the phone and dialed the souvenir shop number and told my mom I'd be back before it got too late, then started back out. Emily looked up from her book when I walked by her. "He doesn't mean to be so cold about things Embry." she said quietly.

I just shrugged at her and went out. Sam was waiting in the yard with Paul and Jared, both had on cut offs and no shoes. "Come on Momma's boy." Paul called out.

I flipped him off and joined them, listening to their talking while we walked down to the cliffs. I'd jumped from the lower part before, but not the top half. I wasn't sure if I wanted to try either.

"Don't worry. You can't die if you jump. You just might break a bone and have to regrow it or something dude." Jared encouraged me.

I looked at the choppy waves nervously. "I don't know.."

Sam rolled his eyes at us. "Fine I'll go first." he decided taking a few steps back.

We backed off watching as he took off at a run and flung his body at the water. I heard a roaring sound and turned at the same time Paul and Jared did. Jake and Bella were driving by in her beat up red truck, looking at us. "Me next." I said suddenly.

Once my body was in the air, I felt free. I felt like nothing else mattered while I hit the water hard. I stayed under a couple of minutes before I came back up for air. Major adrenaline rush.

All during the week, Jake was showing "the signs" as Sam called them. He looked annoyed and kept shedding his jacket just like I had been doing. Sam and Billy were convinced he was next, but I didn't think so.

I didn't want Jake to go through this It would be great to have him and Quil in on this, but I liked the idea of them having each other better than one of us being separated completely. I had Sam and the other guys, I wasn't alone. Saturday rolled around I was relieved for a break from everything. I'd ran patrol almost every night during the week, and then got up and went to school, came home, did more patrol and passed out. I was exhausted.

I was walking towards the shop with Paul and Jared tagging along with me. They were heading over to the beach to chill for a while, they were going girl hunting. I chose to opt out of that one. I didn't have time to even think about a girlfriend.

Ever since the wolf sex talk though, I really had an urge to go see Leni. Sam claimed I wasn't stable enough for a physical relationship yet, but I think it was really more of a he didn't want us having any fun type of thing. "So what's the deal with this whole date night with your mom thing?" Paul asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "We always do it." I said shoving him out of my way.

Paul growled a little bit and pushed me back, elbowing me in the side. "Watch where you're going Call."

"You watch it. You're in my space." I snarled back, the wolf anger coming out in me.

Jared pushed in between us. "You both shut up and watch it. We're in public. We can't fight."

"Yeah well, I'll see you after your date night with Momma." Paul snapped throwing me a look when I smiled and waved and went into the shop.

Mom was behind the counter counting her til. "Oh Embry, you're early. Give me just a few minutes to finish up."

I nodded and flipped my hair out of my eyes. Mrs. Oena was tying on her apron. "Hello there. Its been a while since you've came around here." she commented.

"I've been busy." I said looking at the candy. I grabbed a candy bar and then pulled a dollar out of my pocket and passed it over to Mrs. Oena.

She eyed me carefully. "Hanging out with those hooligans?" she said accusingly.

"Yeah me and Paul get along great." I shot back at her.

Mrs. Oena puckered her lips. "Paul doesn't hang out with that Uley boy anymore. He's not allowed."

I snorted loudly and unwrapped my candy. "Yeah ok. Besides, Sam is harmless." I defended him. It was an instant reflex. You always protect the Alpha.

My mom sighed loudly and got her purse from under the counter. "Come on Embry. Let's go get our stuff for later."

"You'll do well to keep him away from those boys Grace." she warned my mom as she came around the counter.

"I think I know how to raise my son thanks." My mom snapped and grabbed my hand pulling me out the store.

I followed her down the weathered sidewalk to the video store and grabbed a family friendly movie, our next stop was the pizza parlor, where we got two pizzas. I needed a whole one just for myself now. And finally, an hour later we were headed home to our small house.

"I got some cookie dough too. I figured you'd like some of those sugar cookies you like to eat." Mom said as we went inside.

I put the pizzas down on the counter and grabbed us some plates from the cabinet. "Yeah, I'm starving."

"You're always starving. You're eating me out of house." Mom said putting the drops of dough on a cookie sheet and sliding it into the oven.

We carried the pizza into the living room and popped the movie into the DVD player, Snow Dogs. The movie was fitting for me. I propped my feet up on the coffee table and waited for my mom to get done changing out of her work clothes and to get the cookies out of the oven before I started it. It was peaceful and serene to be hanging out at home with Mom.

Half way through the movie, I kicked my sneakers off and laid back in the couch, tossing an arm over my Mom's shoulders. She smiled a little bit and hugged me back, both of us totally into the kid movie we had rented. Half of the cookies were gone by now, and the pizza was demolished. My eyes were drooping when I heard a knock on the door. "I'll get it." Mom said getting up and padding to the door in her slippers.

I sat up, watching as she opened it. No one ever stopped by our house. "I'm sorry to bother you so late, but is there a chance I could talk to Embry?" I heard Sam saying.

I got up from the couch and walked behind my Mom, opening it up wider. "I'm here. What's up?"

Mom stepped back. "Why don't you come in?" she invited.

Sam's eyes were hard and cold. "No thanks. Embry?" he said nodding his head outside.

I glanced at my Mom and back at Sam. "Yeah ok. I'll be right back Mom." I told her following Sam outside onto the doorsteps. "What's up?"

Sam looked irritated. "Don't plan on being here much longer. Jake's fixing to phase. The second he does, you have to come calm him down. Billy said he left and looked awful."

"Oh… " I said unhappy at once for my friend. I was dreading this happening to him. "Just howl or come and knock on my window. I'll just slip out. I want to help with Jake."

Sam nodded. "That's why I stopped by." He said the irritated look coming back. "I guess I'll let you spend some more time with your Mom." there was something in the way he said mom, that I didn't like.

"Yeah. We're watching a movie and stuff." I explained. "She kind of likes me to stick around the house with her. She doesn't get out much. Well not since I came along." I said with a grin.

Sam laughed harshly. "Yeah I can see why. Look I'll be by later for you I'm sure. I'll see you then."

I waved to him, watching him jog off to the woods. The howl told me that he had phased. Something bugged me about him. He would never tell me though.