Chapter 9: Acceptance

I woke up, trying to recall what happened last night. 'Okay. Bonfire. The legends. A walk with Embry… Embry. Embry is a werewolf.' My eyes widened and I went into shock again.

"Gabby, are you alright, dear?" I jumped at the voice, quickly standing up and finding it's source, Emily.

"Em-Embry-y. H-he's a werewolf-f." My voice managed to choke out.

"I know, sweetie. They all are. Even Leah. But they're not going to hurt you, I can promise that." She must have seen the fear in my eyes. 'But if they weren't going to hurt me, then what happened to Emily? Did one of them attack her?' I tried to avert my eyes away from her scars before she could see, but I was too late. "Yes, I got these scars from Sam. He-he was a new werewolf, the first of this pack; he didn't have control over himself. One day, I pushed him too far and he shifted in front of me." She smiled sadly, looking down. "I forgave him but I still remember that day. Although, even if he had made a mistake, I still love him. Sam is my other half; and I couldn't imagine life without him."

I felt realization sink in; it's like the same feeling I get when I'm with Embry. It makes me hate myself for lying to him. But I just don't know how to tell him the fact that I live in a castle; let alone I'm engaged. He had been so sweet and sincere to tell me his biggest secret. And here I am, scared to look at him. But why am I afraid? I wasn't afraid of him before he told me; he's still the same caring, loving, and generous man I first met. I needed to see him; to apologize.

"Where is he?" I asked Emily. She smiled and hugged me.

"He's in the front with the guys." I nodded and walked, cautiously, to the porch. Embry was with the others, talking. He had his back to me, but turned around when he saw the guys looking at me.

"Gabby." Embry said, breathlessly; almost as if he couldn't believe I was there.

I glanced at him, but I couldn't look at him just yet. "Embry." I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry… for freaking out on you yesterday." He opened his mouth to say something, but I silenced him. "I was just overwhelmed with… what you told me. And… I can't say I'm not afraid to be here right now." I saw his face fall a bit. I looked up and found his eyes. "But, I just can't seem to stay away from you. I feel this pull and it aches inside of me when I can't see you. I-I just…" I didn't know what else to say, I've said all that I could. Yet he still hasn't made any movement or sound. I felt like such a fool. I turned to run back but he caught my wrist and pulled me to him, in a hug.

"Shh. S-shh. Its okay, Gabby. Stop crying." He comforted; making circles on my back with his hands. I just continued crying; but they, soon, turned into tears of joy. I was in Embry's arms, he had forgiven me, and that's all that matters right now. I looked around and noticed the rest of the guys had gone inside; probably to give us some privacy. I laughed internally, 'I never got privacy back in the castle. My whole life was like a television show.' As I cried silently, Embry told me all I needed to know about 'shape-shifters.' He told me that they fought vampires; that idea frightened me, but he assured me he would never leave my side. He explained about how and why they shift. And a vampire family named, "The Cullens" who only drink animal blood; they were still not on good terms with each other, but they should be harmless.

After my crying died down a bit; Embry broke me out of my thoughts. "Gabby, there's something else I need to tell you. It's something every werewolf has." He said, looking into my eyes.

"What is it?"

"A soul mate. They call it imprinting. Imprinting is where we find our other halves. When we see them, it's like our whole life revolves around them." He explained.

"So, like love at first sight?"

"In a way, but it's even stronger. And… I imprinted… on you." Me? That means I was his true love. It means that we are destined to be together. I look up at him in surprise; and he smiled a smile that would even put the Cheshire Cat to shame. His eyes kept looking up and down; from my eyes to my lips. I took the chance and closed the distance between us; pressing my lips against his. Our lips moved in sync; as if we were two puzzle pieces, fitting together. At that point, nothing else mattered in the world; all that I cared about was staying here, with Embry, for eternity.