7. This Sucks...Maybe

Embry

Gemma would never find me.

I ran through the woods at a million miles an hour; surely tears would have been raining out of my face, had I been human. But I wasn't. I was a wolf.

I ran for nearly a week straight, stopping only when necessary, to eat, trying to clear my mind. School wasn't any of my concern. Hell, it hadn't even been a concern before. I was following an order now, an order to stay away from Gemma, and I had to follow it whether I liked it or not.

Every so often, Jared or one of the other guys would change and check up on me.

Where are you? They'd ask.

Dunno, I'd reply. Somewhere in North Dakota.

And then they'd be gone again, off to tell Sam I hadn't violated his word.

It was killing me not to see Gemma. Sometimes the aches I felt weren't from running, but from my longing to see her. I needed to know how she was doing, how she was healing.

After a week, I'd stopped counting. Everything had escaped from my mind except her face, even where I was. If I was to guess, I'd have to say I was gone about a month after the last time I'd heard anyone's voice in my head before I heard Sam.

Embry, he said calmly. No one else was there, I could feel it. It was me and Sam, one on one once more, only this time there was half a country between us. He knew I saw her face, because he could see it himself; my thoughts and impressions being poured into his own sight.

How is she? I dared to ask. I wanted nothing more than to know she was safe. Well, of course, I wanted her in my arms again, but that wasn't going to happen.

She's healing quickly, and more and more anxious to see you every day.

How is her leg? I asked, praying that I hadn't hurt her too badly.

It will heal. Emily has been delaying taking the bandages off. We don't want her to see the teeth marks.

I was already getting mad again, but I couldn't tackle him now. I growled and gnawed a huge branch from a tree, throwing it as far as I could. Of course, he couldn't see that. All he could hear were my thoughts.

I messed up, okay Sam? Can I just... come home? I pleaded, trying to get her face out of my mind for at least a second. He had to know I wasn't playing around.

Do you think you're ready? He asked.

I'm ready.

There will be conditions. As soon as I heard that statement, I spun in place, darting off. I could come home. Finally.

First, you will not tell Gemma where you have been.

Are you kidding me? I screamed, still pushing myself to run faster than I ever had before.

Next, he continued, seemingly unaffected by my protests. You will not tell her about what really happened that night.

What's the point of coming home then, I retorted dully, slowing my blinding run to a jog.

Do you want to see her or not?

Of course I want to see her. God dammit Sam, I growled. Everyone, everyone knows how much I love her. Everyone except her. It sucks, man. Why can't you just let me have my way? Just once?

Did I say you couldn't date her? He interrupted dully. Did I just hear him wrong? My slow jog continued, and I huffed. Reece has reluctantly agreed. As long as it's okay with her, it's okay with the pack. But no secret telling. I'm not kidding.

I won't let you down, Sam.

And then my head was empty aside from my own thoughts of Gemma.