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CHAPTER 9
When Paul and Zoey arrived to Sam's, Embry was the only one outside. Embry saw Zoey walk over with Paul and growled. He knew she would be with him. She was probably
going to see him when she was in such a rush this afternoon. When she had rejected him, she was going to see Paul. He stormed over to them and stopped in front of them.
"I knew you would be with him," Embry growled. "What is it about him that's so fucking special that girls are willing to take a number to fuck him?" he asked angrily. "Did you get your number Zoey?" he snapped.
"Embry don't talk to her that way, Zoey and me aren't like that and we're not going to be like that," Paul told him. "We're actually looking for Jake, do you think he'll be happy about the way you're talking to her and what you did?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Embry asked irritated.
"Do you remember grabbing her arm this afternoon Embry?"
"Yes," he said. "Why?"
"Have a look at what you did," he told him. "Show him Zoey."
"Paul, its not necessary, I told you he was upset and he didn't mean to."
"He knows better Zoey, he knows he's supposed to keep in control because he's stronger than a lot of other guys." Paul said looking at Embry who just scowled angrily at him. Paul was the last person that should be talking to anyone about losing control. "Go on Z show him." Zoey let out a sigh and held out her arm and Embry saw the bruise where he held her.
"I did that," Embry said his scowl fading. "I left a bruise on you."
"Its fine," she told him.
"Zoey," Paul said.
"I told you it was fine, I'm fine, its not a big deal." she told him frustration evident in her voice.
"It is a big deal Zoey because it could have been worse." Paul told her.
"I'm not you, I don't loose my temper over nothing and try to hurt people, I don't go looking for fights." Embry growled.
"Neither do I," Paul growled back.
"Guys," Zoey said.
"Yeah you do, you fight all the time, did he tell you that Zoey," Embry asked her.
"No Embry but everyone's told me he has a bad temper, I haven't seen it yet." she told him.
"Give him time and you will." Embry rolled his eyes. "He doesn't want to be your friend Zoey, don't let that lie fool you, he lies to girls all the time." he told her. "But I can tell you that he definitely does not want to be your friend he wants to be your fuck buddy its all he wants Zoey," Embry said meanly and Zoey took a step away from him but he stepped closer to her. She was stuck between Embry and Paul. "I never thought you would be like that, but then again I guess I don't know you that well," he said and Zoey saw he was beginning to shake.
"Zoey move away from him," Paul said and gently grabbed her arm but she jerked away from him.
"Embry." she said, but he paid no attention to her, he just seemed to get angrier.
"I never thought you'd want to be one of his sluts after saying over and over again that you were not that type of girl," he spat.
"Embry I…" she began.
"Don't try to say you haven't thought about it Zoey," Embry laughed. "Because you have." he shook his head. "I really did believe you when you said you weren't going to be a notch on his bedpost, shows how wrong I was." he said disgusted. "I guess I'm kind of glad you turned me down," he told her. "I don't want anything that's been touched by Paul," he told her.
Jacob and Quil had just stepped outside from Sam's kitchen after getting something to eat.
"What's going on over there?' Quil asked and Jacob turned and saw Paul, Embry and Zoey and it seemed as if they were arguing and Zoey was between Paul and Embry, Jacob saw that Embry was shaking.
"Go get Sam!" Jacob ordered and walked off the porch and headed towards Embry, Zoey and Paul.
"I really hope you enjoyed fucking him Zoey because I know that's where you were running off to this afternoon," he shook his head. "I never expected you to be the one to give in to Paul, to become his slut," he said and before Paul could do anything he heard a loud SMACK, Zoey had just slapped Embry across the face. He was shaking so fast he was almost a blur.
"Damn it Zoey, get behind me," Paul said quickly trying to pull her out of the way, he was trying not to hurt her and get her away from Embry at the same time.
"How dare you say that," Zoey said as her eyes fill with tears.
"Zoey please, get behind me," Paul said again and he looked up and saw Jacob was now running towards them, just as Jacob reached them Embry phased and Paul gave Zoey a push away just as Jacob dove between them pushing Zoey further out of the way.
"Jacob what the hell," she said and looked up in time to see Paul turn into a giant silver wolf and her eyes widened as she took in the other wolf, a grey wolf that was growling and snapping at him as it lunged at the silver wolf and the two of them were snapping and rolling around fighting.
"Jake," she said her voice trembling.
"Go inside and stay with Quill and Emily," he told her. "NOW!" he yelled and Zoey took off running to the house she looked back in time to see Jacob turn into a russet colored wolf as well as Sam came running out.
"Zoey are you ok?" he asked as he looked her up and down.
"I'm fine but…but…Paul…fur…wolf….Jake….."
"I'll explain in a few minutes but right now I need you to go inside and stay there ok." she nodded and ran inside. Quill walked over to her.
"Zoey," he said quietly. "You ok."
"I don't know," she whispered.
"Come on, come sit down," he said and led her to the kitchen table.
"Are you ok?" Quill asked.
"I think I might be going crazy,"
"Why?" Quill asked.
"Because I think I saw Paul and Jake turn into giant wolves."
"Sam is going to explain things when he gets back ok," Quill said.
"Fine."
"Why was Embry so mad anyway, he usually doesn't get that way."
"He asked me out earlier this afternoon and I told him no and he got upset about it. Thought it was because of Paul and kept saying all these really mean things to me because he was positive I was going to be with Paul. Basically called me a slut and accused me of fucking Paul." she sighed. "And its not like that with Paul and me, I'm telling the truth when I say we're only friends but Embry doesn't believe me he's convinced I'm fucking Paul even went so far as to ask me what day of the week Paul assigned me and what number I was."
"Damn," Quill said. "I can't believe Embry."
"He was mad because I walked here with Paul."
"So you met Paul after you talked to Embry?" Quill asked.
"Yeah, we just talked on the beach nothing happened, he didn't even try anything," she said nervously.
"So what was going on with you three then?" Quill asked.
"Well when Embry started saying all those things to me at home I went to walk away from him and he grabbed my arm and when I was talking with Paul he noticed the bruise on my arm and it was where Embry had grabbed me earlier."
"So Embry left a bruise on your arm," Quill said.
"Embry was upset about me and Paul walking here together and he started saying all these things to me again and he started shaking and Paul was trying to get me away from him and to stand behind him, I ended up slapping Embry and next thing know…wolves," she said. "Paul was trying to pull me behind him but Paul pushed me away just as Jake tackled me to the ground and…wolves…Paul….Embry…Jake….wolves." she told him as Sam and Jacob walked in. Sam walked over to Zoey and knelt down in front of her.
"Are you ok?" he asked concerned.
"I'm fine Sam," she whispered. "Where's Paul and Embry?"
"Outside for now," Sam told her. "I've talked to Embry and Paul and found out what happened."
"I can't help that I don't feel the same way about Embry that he does about me," she said as her eyes filled with tears.
"I know," Sam whispered. "I know that."
"Paul and I aren't doing anything Sam, no matter what Embry thinks, its not like that with me and Paul." she told him and wiped tears away.
"I've talked to Paul and Embry and I think I understand what happened," he said. "Paul said Embry left a bruise on your arm."
"He didn't mean to Sam," she said quietly and Sam shook his head.
"He knows better than to do something like that when he's upset," Sam told her.
"Are they ok?"
"Both of them are fine Zoey," Jacob told her. "And why didn't you move or get behind him when Paul told you to, you should have listened to him."
"Well if I knew that there was a chance that Embry was going to turn into a giant wolf I might have listened," she said and crossed her arms over her chest. "So do I get an explanation or not?" she asked and looked over at Sam.
"Yeah, you get an explanation, looks like the secrets out now anyway." he sighed. And stood up and sat down at the table with Zoey and began talking. Sam told her all about the legends and vampires and how the guys and Leah phase into wolves, that they were the tribes protectors. He then explained to her about imprinting and that Paul, Leah and Embry were the only ones who didn't have an imprint.
"Oh wow," Zoey said. "I though I was hallucinating when I saw Paul turn into a giant silver wolf," she sighed. "Guess not."
"Paul and Embry are really ok?" she asked concerned. "They didn't hurt each other?" Jacob smiled and chuckled quietly.
"No Zoey, we heal really fast, so the two of them are fine." Jacob assured her and walked over to her. "Embry and Paul are fine Zoey," he told her and sat in the chair with her. "But the only thing I care about is if you're ok."
"I'm fine Jake," she assured him.
"Zo, where is this bruise Embry left on your arm?"
"Its not a big deal Jake, I tried to tell Paul that but he acted like it was a big deal."
"It is a big deal because it could have been a lot worse than a bruise." Jacob told her.
"I'm fine I promise," she assured them. "I'd like to talk to Paul and Embry."
"You can go talk to Embry, I need to talk with Paul first," Sam told her. "Embry's out back."
"Thanks," she smiled and stood up.
"Be careful Zoey," Jacob said and she smiled.
"I will," she told him and walked out the door and saw Embry sitting on the porch. She sat by him. He looked over at her and then looked away.
"Embry," she said quietly.
"I never meant to hurt you," he told her. "I usually don't loose control like that, I could have really hurt you and I'm really sorry about that." he said quietly.
"Its ok, I'm fine," she told him and laid her hand on his arm, her jerked away. "Are we going to be able to be friends?"
"I hope so," he sighed. "I hope so," he said again.
"I'm sorry Embry, that I don't feel the same way about you," she told him. "And there's someone out there a lot better for you than me." Embry looked over at her.
"If you say so," he replied. "I'll see you later," he told her and stood up and ran off. Zoey covered her face with her hands, she had no idea what she was going to do about Embry.
When Sam finished talking with Zoey he went around his house where Paul was waiting for him in the front yard. Paul was leaning against a tree as he waited for Sam, he had intentionally kept Embry and Paul apart for now. When Paul saw him walking over he glanced up at him and walked to meet him.
"Zoey's ok?" he asked and Sam noticed he seemed concerned.
"She's fine Paul," Sam told him. "She's ok."
"Good," Paul said relieved.
"I have a few questions for you and I want you to tell me the truth."
"Ok."
"Are you and Zoey sleeping together?"
"NO!" Paul exclaimed. "Zoey and I are just friends Sam, there's nothing going on, She has a date with Ethan Reed from school next Friday," he told him. "Friends is all we are Sam I promise."
"Ok," Sam said. "Another question?"
"Ok."
"Did you imprint on Zoey?"
"No Sam! I did not imprint on Zoey!" he exclaimed. "I think I would know if I imprinted on her and I haven't Sam." he assured him. "We really are just friends, I like Zoey, what is so wrong with me liking Zoey."
"Nothing Paul." Sam sighed. "Just I hope you know what you're doing."
"I usually don't," Paul sighed. "Can I talk to Zoey?" he asked.
"As soon as she's done talking to Embry," Sam told him. "You can come inside now." he added.
When Sam and Paul walked inside Jacob and Emily were the only one's there.
"Where's Embry?" Sam asked.
"I think he left," Jacob answered.
"Zoey?" Paul asked.
"Still outside," Jacob told him and he walked over to the door and looked out and saw Zoey sitting on the porch with her head in her hands. Paul opened the door and walked outside and sat beside her.
"Z," he said and she looked up at him.
"Paul," she said.
"You ok?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she said softly. "Embry hates me."
"No he doesn't," Paul told her. "He just needs time Z, he'll get over this."
"I know," she whispered.
"So why didn't you listen to me when I was trying to get you behind me?"
"Well if I knew you and Embry were going sprout fur and paws I would." he smiled.
"Yes Z I can phase into a wolf," he said. "And so can all the other guys and Leah."
"So did I see you turn into a silver wolf?"
"Yes Z I'm a silver wolf when I phase." he told her.
"Do you hate it?" she asked.
"I did when I first phased. I didn't want any of this. I'm stuck here forever because I'm a tribe protector, I had plans to get out of here after graduation," he admitted. "And now I can't do that."
"That sucks," Zoey said and laid her hand on his arm. He looked over at her and smiled.
"Yeah," he sighed.
"What about imprinting?"
"I hope I never imprint," he told her. "Its bad enough that I didn't have a choice in what I am, that I can't walk away from being a wolf, that all of us are forced into this. But I want to have a choice on what girl I love, the imprint seems to much like two people being forced together to me but everyone says its not like that."
"Maybe its not," she told him and he shrugged. "So you being a wolf is that why you're so hot?" she asked and he smirked.
"Well Z…"
"You know what I mean," she interrupted.
"I know, yes its why my body temperature is so high and its why we eat so much," he told her. "All the phasing." he added.
"And did you look like this before you phased?" she asked gesturing to his body.
"No," he answered. "With the phasing I got stronger, got more muscles, everything got bigger," he added.
"Everything?" she asked quietly.
"Yes Z, everything." he smirked.
"Paul," she said and he shrugged. "Well are you still going to run with me in the morning?"
"I'll run with you every morning until you tell me not to," he told her and she smiled.
"Ok well I have to go, I'm cooking dinner tonight."
"Well I'll see you in the morning then." Paul said and the two of them stood up as the door opened and Jacob walked out.
"Zoey," Jacob said. "Where are you going?"
"I told your dad I was making lasagna tonight so I'm going home to cook."
"I'll be home later." he told her.
"Ok, Paul come by on your way home and I'll have a plate for you ok."
"Thanks Z," he said.
"See you two later," she said and walked away from them.
When she was gone Paul looked over at Jacob. Neither one of them said anything, Paul let out a sigh and turned to walk away.
"Thanks for trying to protect Zoey." Jacob said.
"Well if you hadn't dived between me and Embry she would have gotten hurt," he said. "She wasn't listening to me."
"She doesn't listen to me either," Jacob sighed. "I'm going to head home." he added. "Don't forget to stop by later."
"You're not going to try to tell me not to?" Paul asked surprised.
"Zoey would know I did if you didn't show up." he sighed and Paul nodded. "See you later," he added and walked away.
Zoey was thinking the whole time she walked home. How did she get herself in this situation with Embry. He had told her he wasn't going to ask her out and she was relieved but then he did ask her out and she hated how much she hurt him when she had to tell him they couldn't date that she really didn't feel the same way he did. She really hoped the two of them would be able to be friends because she meant it when she said she wanted to be friends with Embry and that he would find someone a lot better than her to date and fall in love with. Then there was Paul no matter what Embry or anyone else believed the two of them were just friends, they weren't sleeping together. She actually genuinely liked Paul. He has a bad temper but so could she if you knew how to set it off. Yes Paul was really attractive, like a work of art, perfect six pack abs, lean muscular arms beautiful brown eyes, they were such a beautiful light brown and they sparkled when he smiled instead of smirked. It was also a lot easier being around Paul than she thought it would be. He was easy to talk to for some reason and she found herself telling him things like being afraid of the Child's Play movies and the Chucky doll and how she hated talking dolls. She found herself admitting to him she thought her dad paid Billy to let her stay and how she hoped Embry never asked her out. He knew about her date with Ethan from school, no one else knew that yet and she had to tell Jacob about it before he found out somewhere else. Zoey was so lost in all her thoughts that she was standing in front of the place she called home before she realized it. She took a deep breath and went inside. Billy was watching Tv, he turned and smiled at her as she walked in.
"Hey Zoey," he smiled.
"Hey Uncle Billy," she replied. "I'm going to start dinner," she told him and went to the kitchen and washed her hands and started pulling out pans and bowls and things out of the refrigerator. Billy had made his way to the kitchen and was watching her.
"Everything ok?" he asked concerned.
"Its fine," she sighed. "Jake should be home soon." she told him and he nodded.
"You sure you're ok?"
"Of course," she said. "I'm just going to cook," she told him and he let out a sigh and left.
Zoey busied herself cooking the meat for lasagna and mixing together the stuff for the cheese sauce and boiling lasagna noodles. Then she layered everything in one large pan and one medium sized pan and put it in the oven to cook. Then she took out the bread she bought and covered it with a garlic butter spread she mixed up and put it on a pan to put in later. Jacob walked through the back door just as she did this. She looked up at him.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey Jake, dinner will be ready soon," she told him.
"I'm looking forward to it, and Paul will be by later."
"You didn't try to forbid him from coming by," she said surprised.
"No Zo," he said quietly. "You invited him and I'm glad he was there this afternoon even if you didn't listen to him."
"Well I know to listen to him next time," she told him and Jacob smiled.
"Food smells good," he told her.
"Thanks," she sighed and opened the oven to check on the lasagnas. "I need to tell you something else to before you hear it from someone else."
"Ok what is it?" he asked.
"I have a date next Friday," she told him.
"With Paul?" he growled.
"No Jake, Paul doesn't date," she told him. "A guy from school, Ethan Reed."
"Oh," Jacob said. "He seems like an ok guy." he added and Zoey smiled.
"So you're not going to go all protective on me and threaten him?"
"Only if I need to," he said and she smiled. "Or if you need me to," he added.
"Thanks Jake," she smiled and stepped forward and hugged him. "Now why don't you get cleaned up because everything should be ready soon."
"You need some help?"
"You can help after you get cleaned up."
"Alright," he smiled and ran to the bathroom to get cleaned up for dinner.
