Chapter Nine
Embry handed me my keys at Sam's, telling me he would be back as soon as he could. I walked in the house, people still gathered there, food piling up over every empty space in the kitchen. I dropped my bag on the counter nearest the door, barely acknowledging everyone as I made my way towards the room that held my mother and father's last breath. I stood outside the door, breathing as I gathered the courage to open the door. With a gentle push it opened. I knelt at the edge of the bed, my face already dripping with tears as I remembered that just yesterday they had both laid here, both been alive. I wanted to be angry, angry that they had both left me, had left me alone and an orphan. I wanted to scream out at my mom, that she had taken me away, had prevented me from ever knowing my father. I wanted to yell at Sam, that he hadn't found us, had made my mom feel like there was no other choice for her but to take me and flee.
I grabbed at the glass next to the bed, throwing it against the wall. The shattered brought Kim and Rachel to my door, the worry plain on both their faces. I pushed past them, walking into the woods, needing to do something to burn off the anger that threatened to erupt. I pushed through the trees, tearing at the ferns the tickled at my arms. I found a path, it looked well used, both bare feet and large paw prints covered it. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps coming up behind me, Embry in his uniform.
"Are you ok, Kim called, scared that you ran off." I held out my hands as he walked towards me, not wanting him to come any closer.
All the pain, the hurt, the anger I felt at my parents bubbled over and I yelled at him. "You, you make me sick! I know who you are, what you did. YOU are the reason my mom ran away with me, she had to protect me from you!" I could see the pain on his face, but I continued. "How could you have imprinted on me? I was just born; I didn't even have a chance." Tears burned just behind my eyes, "you couldn't even protect me from being attacked!" I pulled back my blouse, ripping open the two top buttons as I showed him the scars that covered my neck and shoulder. I took a step towards him, the venom practically dripping from my words. "Some protector you are, you're nothing!" I reached out, bringing my hand down on his cheek, pain shooting up my arm. I stepped back, watching a sea of emotions churn across his face, his hands almost vibrating.
His voice was a growl, "Run, just leave." I looked at him, the same black eyes of my nightmare attacker staring at me.
"Maybe it wasn't a dog that attacked me, I bet it was you." My words were a hiss. I knew it wasn't fair, taking all my hurt and pain out on him, but I couldn't stop. I heard a crack, watching as Embry's body contorted, falling forward while I listened to a horrible ripping sound. Pieces of his tan uniform leapt off like water in a frying pan. If I had blinked I would have missed it. I screamed, terrified of the giant wolf who stood in front of me. I could hear footsteps running towards me, the spotted grey wolf snarling at me. I took a step backward, tripping over a root and falling on my butt. I covered my face with my arms, certain that I was about to be attacked.
"Embry what have you done?! Get her out of here!" I could see a flash of someone in the trees, Seth suddenly walking towards me; a scrap of what had been Embry's uniform barely covering him as he struggled into his shorts. Jake was beside me, helping me to my feet. I looked to where the wolf had been, but it was gone. "Seth's going to take you home." Jake looked at Seth, "I'll go after Embry, let Kim and Rachel know what's going on."
I was numb as Seth led me back to Sam's house, gently patting my hand as he whispered quiet words. "It's alright, you're ok, we'll explain everything, just take some deep breaths."
Rachel met us at the back door, Seth hastily explained that Embry had 'phased' in front of me. I must have been in shock; nothing was making any sense to me. Rachel and Embry led me to a chair, Rachel kneeling beside me, her hands checking my pulse as Seth handed me a glass of water. Kim stood next to Seth, his voice just a noise to me when he explained what happened.
I was still sitting there, still not believing what I saw when Jake walked it. I jumped, putting Seth between me and the door when I saw Embry behind Jake. Jake spoke softly, his voice calming. I listened as he explained. My father wasn't a leader of a cult. No, he was the leader of a pack of wolves. The pack, the protectors of La Push, were all the guys I had seen, had met. I was still in disbelief; everything felt like it was crumbling around me. As he finished explaining he held out his hand. I placed my hand in his, amazed at how warm he was. He moved slightly, allowing Embry to come closer. He transferred my hand from his to Embry's, slowly backing away as I met Embry's eyes.
"I am so sorry; I didn't mean to scare you, to frighten you. What you said, you were partially right." His voice cracking, "I didn't attack you, but I did hurt you. I had you out in the woods with me, you were riding on my shoulders, you and Claire used to play together sometimes, being so close in age. Quil and I phased, letting the two of you ride on our wolf shoulders, if we were going to race we knew we were faster in our phased forms." He looked down, no longer holding my eyes. "I was worried about you; you were younger and smaller than Claire. Quil took off, running at full speed, but I was afraid you'd fall if I did that. A mountain lion crossed out path; I could tell it had our scents. I reared up, trying to frighten it away and your hands let go, you were too little to hang on. I saw the lion leap and I turned, protecting you with my body, I had to move you, get you somewhere safe. I picked you up with my mouth, my teeth scratching you in my rush." His breathing was ragged as he continued. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I had to get you out of the way, and as soon as I saw what my teeth were doing I dropped you, using a paw to push you under a bush while I fought the cat. When I came back I saw what I had done, in my hurry, in my panic I had accidently hurt you, scratched you and left bite marks." He dropped to his knees in front of me, wrapping his arms around me as he pressed his head into my stomach. I stroked his hair as he continued his voice a muffled mix of emotions. "I had to get you home, I was too worked up from the fight, I couldn't phase back, I called out for someone to come, to help. Eventually Quil got there, taking you and Claire here in his human form. Your mom knew what had happened as soon as she saw you. She recognized the wounds." He pulled his head back, searching my face. "Right after your dad phased for the first time, he didn't know what was going on, there was no one to guide him the way he guided us, he argued with your mom, she was too close to him when he phased, he scratched her. She forgave him, she loved him still." He paused, the meaning of what he was asking sinking in. "I never ever meant to hurt you; I was only trying to protect you. You mom left with you right after that, scared I guess that you could be hurt again." I knelt down with him, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him close to me. At least now I could understand why my mom left, what she thought she was protecting me from.
