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You Don't Know Me and If You're Not the One

Chapter 10: Can't Hide Everything

Leah POV

It was no longer a laughing matter when we found out Opal's mother was demanding that someone pay her daughter's hospital expenses. There was a strong possibly that she may need plastic surgery. If Abigail wasn't willing to pay, Opal's parents were geared up to press criminal charges.

Fortunately, Joshua Uley already volunteered to pay for EVERYTHING. I could tell by the pissed off look on Embry's face that he wasn't too pleased about 'Daddy Warbucks' stepping in and cleaning up his mess without him even asking.

See, even though Joshua Uley returned years ago, things were still really strained between him and his sons. They held a lot of anger and resentment towards him. I didn't blame them, and I mean – who would? Embry decided to let things go. For now.

Josiah once ran his own private practice in Port Angeles, however – just like Joshua – he decided to move his business to our rez to better assist members in our tribe. I guess in a way it's good thing, cause let's face it, with so many jacked up people imprinting into our pack, having professional help around was becoming a necessity.

Given the fact that he was really good at what he did, more than half of his patients continued seeing him. Josiah offered to take on Abby as his newest patient. He would immediately start looking into alternate forms of treatment for her that weren't so invasive. Seth was pretty happy to hear that; he was still really upset about his mate being heavily sedated at the time.

"I'm sorry our first meeting had to be like this," Billy told Essie after things were explained to the Elders. I watched our chief study Essie carefully before continuing on. "Seeing you is like stepping into a time machine," he added nostalgically. "One thing Opal was right about was that you definitely look like the women of the Moonflower clan. I have so many albums I can share with you of your dad in his prime, along with-" Essie stunned Billy silent as she rushed past Embry and embraced him.

"Thank you," she murmured, kissing him on the cheek.

"Well, ahem." It took Billy some time to reign in his emotions as Essie pulled away. "I can bring them by for Sunday dinner."

"Sunday dinner?" Essie raised one brow at Embry.

"Yeah," Embry rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "It's sort of a tradition; something we've been doing for the past few years. The elders, along with the majority of everyone you met at the beach, as well as Bell's dad. It's at Josh's, since his place is the biggest."

"And he'll be back tomorrow," Tiff added, trying to hide her excitement. Who the hell was she fooling? Embry looked down at the floor. He was most likely trying to hide his contempt towards his mom for still having feelings for his dad. I've told Embry time and time and again, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink. No matter how he may feel about his mom still loving his dad, there was nothing he do to change her feelings.

"If you don't mind, I would like to check on Abigail before we go," Jake's dad added. I watched Essie's expression change from delight to horror. Instantly, I knew what she was thinking. Opal told the Council about Essie looking like the Moonflowers, which only meant she must have told them about Abby's rather pale complexion.

"She's still resting," Essie responded hesitantly.

"I'll only be a minute," Billy replied, rolling himself down the hall. As soon as he disappeared, Essie looked at me anxiously.

"Hey," Embry took Essie's face into his hands, "it's going to be alright." Essie shook her head, gazing worriedly into his eyes. Within seconds he had her in his arms, rubbing her back comfortingly as if to silently assure her that everything would be okay. A few moments later, Billy returned looking slightly taken aback. Essie slowly pulled away from him and walked towards Billy.

"Billy, I can explain," Essie began to speak, but Billy raised one hand and shook his head.

"Did Tim claim that young girl as his own?" He stared at Essie carefully, all the while his eyes remained kind.

"He did. Abigail has my father's last name, and he loved her as much as he loved me." Essie answered confidently. How I admire her fearlessness, she was so sure of herself.

"Then Abigail is as much a Moonflower as you are. No one will hear otherwise," Billy responded, extending his hand out to Essie. She took it without hesitation.

"Thank you," Essie replied as happy tears rolled down her face.

After checking in on Abby one last time, I decided to relieve Brady.

~XOXOXOXO~

The night was still, the hours passed slowly, and the only sound that could be heard was the crickets and small animals nearby. Everything seemed so calm, but it all changed when Embry's frantic thoughts came racing in out of nowhere, along with Essie's stunned expression; she looked ashen, as if all of the blood had completely been drained from her face.

"Call, have you lost your fucking mind!" I snarled angrily.

"She demanded to see me in wolf form," he barked back as Essie's body started to sway. "Shit, she's gonna faint!" Suddenly Embry's thoughts vanished. How could he do something so reckless? I could tell by the surroundings in Embry's head that he was at his dad's place. I raced there with plans to dismember Embry from limb to limb, but was stopped by Jake's massive figure waiting at the front door.

"Look, I know you're pissed, Leah," he held up his hands, "but hear me out. Embry realizes it was a dumb move, but you have no idea how desperate he was." I folded my arms across my chest and glared at Jake. "Essie refused to believe Embry when he told her about us. She cursed at him, and said he was just as fucked up in the head as her mom!"

Damn, that's gotta hurt. My anger subsided a bit. "She was already damn near out the door. He was afraid he was gonna lose her forever. He was at his wits' end!" Jake snarled.

I guess I could understand his logic. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but still: I was pissed. I knew Jake really didn't have to explain Embry's side to me, but he did it only because he knew how protective I was of Essie and Abby.

"Is she okay?" I finally managed to ask through clenched teeth.

"She's still passed out," Jake replied. "But Tiff checked her vitals, and she's fine," he quickly added. I moved past him so I could get upstairs to see for myself, but he stopped me. "Look, Leah, this isn't the first time one of us has done this; showing our wolf to our imprints to prove we're telling the truth."

"I know," I sneered furiously. "I don't need a reminder. Kim fainted. Bree fainted, and surprise, surprise! So did Essie. That's strike three!"

"You're right," Jake sighed, shaking his head. "And because of that, I'm ordering you and Brady to never do what Jared, Collin, and Embry did." The Alpha command hit me like a ton of bricks, but I quickly recovered.

"I'm not that dumb!" I snapped, finally walking past him and running upstairs.

Seth, Abby and Tiff were already in the room. Essie was resting comfortably in bed. She was breathing steadily and her heart rate was normal. I immediately felt better, seeing that Abby was awake, but as soon as I got a vision of Embry, I got pissed all over again.

"What the hell, Call?!" Embry whipped around, and immediately starting backing further away from me.

"I don't need this shit from you right now, Leah," he growled as he placed a composition book on the nightstand. He walked over to the window. Did he just turn his back on me? Was he crazy? I was in front of him within seconds.

"Can't believe you phased in front of her, Embry!" I smacked him upside the head.

"Ouch, Leah! Damn it! She didn't believe me! What else was I supposed to do?" he replied, rubbing the sore spot where I hit him.

"You could have called me!" Tiff hissed. I couldn't help but grin smugly at Embry. He wasn't just in trouble with me, his mom was pissed, too. "Surely she wouldn't have thought I was lying as well."

"Tiff has a point. Having both your mom and mine around really helped in convincing Abby that I was telling the truth – no demonstration needed," my brother added. That's because Seth actually had something called common sense. Just then, Essie began to stir in bed.

"I think she's coming to," Abby whispered, full of relief. Slowly, Essie's eyes started to open. "Essie!" Her sister ran to her side and hugged her. "Are you okay?"

Essie slowly sat up and began scanning the room. Tiff took a seat at the edge of the bed while Seth and I stood by the doorway. Embry played it smart and decided to stay by the window until he knew for sure that Essie wasn't pissed off or afraid of him. Her expression showed no anger or fear.

"I'm fine," Essie assured us. "Is it alright if I talk to Embry…alone?"

"Are you sure, Essie?" Abby studied her sister's face.

"I'm sure." Once again that same sureness and confidence I had seen earlier was on her face. This girl never ceases to amaze me.

Tiff rose from the bed. "We'll be right outside." She leaned in and kissed Essie on the forehead before walking out. I felt Essie was letting him off too easily.

"If you get pissed to the point that you wanna get violent, don't do it," I told her. "We're pretty solid and you might break your hand," I advised her. Essie's eyes widened, slightly shocked. "Call me instead. I'll get him good." I winked at her.

"Leah, out of the room!" I heard Jake bellow from outside. Damn him. I quickly stormed out of the room.

"You never let me have any fun, Jake!" I yelled, slamming the door behind me. I wasn't surprised when I saw Jake waiting for me by the stairwell, his arms folded across his chest.

~XOXOXOXO~

"We need to talk, Leah." I didn't like his tone as he headed outside and I followed him. Jake had grown in stature since he took on the role of Alpha; making him look even more intimidating than he had before. His broad shoulders were defined in his tight t-shirt. He wears those a lot more often these days, cause Bella loves them. He so whipped.

But in all seriousness, was he really upset with me for threatening to kick Embry's ass?

"Jake, I was just joking," I sniggered. Okay, maybe a little bit.

"That's not what this is about, Leah," Jake replied, walking to his new Chevy Silverado. "Get in." We drove around in silence for thirty minutes before we pulled up to the mechanic shop. It was closed, of course, and there wasn't a soul in sight. He put his truck into park before finally speaking.

"Am I a good Alpha to you, Leah?" Jake stared at me with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Of course, Jake," I said, incredulously. Where the hell did that question come from?

"Do you trust me?" his obsidian eyes bored into mine.

"Jake!" I exclaimed, shocked, "How could you ask me something like that?" I demanded. "Of course. I trust you with my life."

"So you'd tell me anything, without fear that it would get back to the other pack members?" he went on, I nodded my head. Jake was Alpha. He had the ability to shield all discussions other pack members shared with him in confidence.

"Jake, you're starting to scare me-"

"Who is he, Leah?" he cut me off.

I was totally confused and slightly alarmed by his line of questioning. I had no idea what the hell he was talking about. Who was the 'he' in question? I shook my head, confused beyond belief. I honestly had no idea. Jake sighed heavily and shook his head.

"Being Alpha, Lee, you should know; not only can I shield others from sharing our private conversations, but I'm awarded other certain abilities. I can see things – like memories – that the rest of you try to hide."

I let out a shaky breath. No! He hasn't seen him, please no!

"I assure you, Leah, no one else knows about this guy. I've been shielding you," he added quickly.

My pulse quickened. No, he's not referring to who I think he is! There's no way he knows about Rich.

"Usually it's easy for me to see right through the walls all of you put up," Jake went on, "but yours are the hardest. That brick ass wall in your damn noggin leaves little room for even a damn window." He chuckled to himself before growing serious again.

"Most times I never needed to shield you because you've been doing it yourself. Locking it away from prying eyes," he continued. "Perhaps you're an Alpha female, because honestly, I hadn't even really seen him until a few days ago and even with everything I've tried, I still don't see him clearly."

Alpha female? I never would have thought of myself as that.

"I can't even get a name, but his eyes come in quite clear. Green, right?" I found myself nodding. "And his eagle feather tattoo," he added.

I shut my eyes just as the vivid designs of Rich's tattoo filled my thoughts. I could still see the amazing ripples in his arm as the simple black lines that formed into two separate feathers. At the very top they were joined. One represented him. The other represented me. Two souls connected forever. So I thought.

I had dropped my guard. I had gotten too comfortable in my head. Damn it! I was so angry with myself. Livid tears started to stream down my face.

"I wouldn't pry if I didn't feel the need to, but it's the emotions you carry when you think of this guy. You never even felt that way about Sam. Lee, please." I could hear the insistent tone of his voice—the sheer concern.

"I can't, Jake. I can't talk about him. It just hurts so much." The burn in my chest intensified. "It's been almost three years since I last saw him," I croaked. "He was everything to me."

"Three years!" Jake gasped. "That's how long you've been holding this in? Shit, Leah," he cursed. "I'm so sorry, I never realized you were dealing with so much." The remorse in his voice rang through as Jake tried to reach out towards me, to lend a comforting hand, but suddenly I wanted to be out of here, away from it all.

I swung the door open and made a mad dash into the cool clear night. Jake didn't call after me. I spent the next several hours crying on the beach, cursing my life and how it became this way.

~XOXOXOXO~

Right before the sun came peaking over the horizon, I made my way back to Embry's dad's house. No matter how bad I felt, I just had to make sure Essie was okay.

Jake was waiting for me. Shit.

"Jake, I don't really want to talk about him." I was physically and emotionally exhausted.

"I'm not going to ask you again, Lee," he assured me, extending his hand out. This time I didn't pull away as he gripped my hand. "Whenever you're ready, I'm here to listen."

"Thanks, Jake," I whispered softly just as Jake pulled me into a hug. "And I promise that when I'm ready to talk, I will." I slowly pulled away.

Jake gave me a sad smile and exhaled. "Essie and Embry talked things out. Both of them are still sleeping."

Well, that's good, I guess. At least someone's happy.

"Abby's fine too," he added. "She's resting with your brother." I didn't say anything else; I just merely nodded and headed upstairs.

"Leah?" I turned around to see Jake nervously fiddle with his hands before looking at me. "What is it about Essie and Abby? I mean, I know you're protective of the other imprints, but with them, it's different. It's stronger," his voice was soft and inquisitive. "What makes you care so much for them?"

If I knew the answer, I would tell him, but I just didn't know why my need to look after them was so great. My connection to Abby and Essie was sisterly, even motherly at times. I felt devotion towards them beyond my own understanding.

"I don't know, Jake," I answered honestly. "I just feel like I know them somehow. I can't place it." I'm sure I sounded crazy, hell, I felt crazy. "And I feel this urge to look out for them," I exhaled. "They matter to me."

"I know they do," Jake agreed. "I just wish I knew why." He sounded just as frustrated as I felt. "Get some rest, Lee." My Alpha didn't press me any further. I made my way to the room I slept in whenever I was at Joshua's place and finally allowed sleep to wash over me.

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