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Chapter Eleven: Love Equals Death
Embry POV
Stepping into the shower and allowing water to cascade all over me, I started thinking back to all the different ways my pack brothers told their mates about being shifters throughout the years.
For Bella and Jake, it was totally unreal. He imprinted on her after they crossed paths in some meadow when he was in wolf form. At that time, we had been tracking a leech with dreads. It turned out he was merely visiting Bella to warn her about some redhead vamp hell-bent on revenge because Edward killed her mate, James. This leech felt that a life for a life was only fair. We had plans to destroy the leech with dreads until he explained he had grown tired of killing humans and had adapted the veggie lifestyle, like the Cullens, and had fallen for another veggie vamp. The leech with dreads went by Laurent; he was a former coven mate of the redhead, and wanted to help.
Victoria wanted Laurent to give Bella a message: She was coming after her. Laurent wanted no part in it, and instead met Bella and us wolves in the meadow, explaining that he came in peace. He revealed Victoria's weaknesses and her whereabouts, which were just far off enough to mask her scent.
Our pack ambushed her with Laurent's help, and Laurent, for his help along with his new coven, the Denali's; were added to the same treaty as the Cullens.
Kim fainted when Jared phased in front of her.
Claire actually believed Quil with no demonstration needed, since his great grandfather was there and vouched for him.
Rachel found out on her own when she thought Paul had gone back to his man-whoring ways after sneaking away one too many nights when he stayed at her place. She followed him and saw him phase. Later on, Paul admitted to us that he knew Rach was following him. Damn wolf hearing.
When Collin told Bree, she demanded to see his wolf, screamed bloody murder, and then fainted just like Kim.
For Sam and Emily, things were totally fucked up. He was the first to phase and was with Leah at the time, but when he imprinted on Emily, who just so happened to be Leah's cousin, he called off their engagement and tried to tell Emily about the imprint. Emily shoved him away and called him a liar, saying that he was running away from his responsibilities just like our father did. Just the thought alone of being compared to our former deadbeat dad caused my big brother to phase; his fingers turned into claws and raked down Emily's face and right arm.
Sam actually thought he killed Emily and couldn't calm enough to phase back. Jared was able to hear him in wolf form, and contacted Paul and Sue. Being our rez nurse, she was made aware of our tribe's secrets. They managed to get Emily to the nearest hospital. To keep our secret safe, they told the doctor that a bear had mauled Emily. It took time for Sam to calm down and become human again, though he was still burned by pain. Jared kept him updated on Emily's condition, which wasn't as bad as he'd originally thought.
The next afternoon, Jared told Sam that Emily was asking for him. Sam went into Emily's hospital room and saw her face covered with bandages. They both knew that she was scarred for life. Sam asked her to tell him to kill himself so that he could escape the misery; he couldn't commit suicide without knowing for certain that this was what she wanted. But Emily had asked him to visit because she knew how horrified he would be and how unintentional his action had been. She didn't want him to blame himself for what was truly an accident. She had already forgiven him. She also had realized as she lay there in the hospital that the one person she really wanted there with her was Sam, since she felt lonely and incomplete without him.
Sam never completely forgave himself, but he put those feelings aside as much as possible to make Emily happy. Emily no longer fought her feelings. Though Leah was pissed with them, their relationship progressed easily as they found it effortless to be close both emotionally and physically.
Shutting off the water, I found myself no closer to knowing how I was going to tell Essie about our pack secret. A part of me wanted to call Seth and see how things were going between him and Abby, but I already knew if things didn't go well, I would've already been told by someone from the pack. I quickly got dressed and made my way back to the room where Essie was.
You can do this, I told myself before turning the knob and swinging the door open. Ester was sitting quietly on the bed. My basketball shorts went past her knees, while my T-Shirt looked more like a small dress on her. My scent mixed with hers was, by far, the best aroma I had ever inhaled. And even with clothes almost three times her size, she looked downright irresistible.
"You look cute." I chuckled, walking inside.
"I look like a twelve year old who stole her big brother's clothes." She rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest.
"You still look good," I told her, flopping down beside her.
"Whatever," she scoffed; trying not to smile as I playfully tugged a piece of her wet hair.
Just tell her already, Embry! The sooner we get this out there, the better…but I still couldn't speak; I was afraid it would push Essie away. I had just gotten her to drop her guard, but what if telling her who I truly was and what I was capable of doing just undid everything that was accomplished between us today? Still lost in my own mental trance, Essie broke our awkward silence. "Just tell me this; you don't have a girlfriend, or a wife…or some psycho baby's mama looming around."
"No," I assured her. "No girlfriend. No wife. Definitely no baby mama drama," I added, trying not to laugh.
"Good," Essie instantly relaxed. "Just tell me then." I took in a deep breath.
"Essie, do you remember when we were on the beach earlier and you joked about our tribe supposedly descending from wolves?" She nodded. "What exactly did your dad tell you?"
"Are you serious right now?" Essie stared at me dubiously. "You're asking me about tribe legends at a time like this?" She gestured wildly with one hand.
"I am. It sort of ties into what I have to tell you," I told Essie when she gave me a disbelieving look. "Please."
"Fine." She exhaled as she cleared her throat. "My father used to tell Abby and I that, according to Quileute legend, the spirit warriors were the first to shift from humans into wolves. Quileute population was always small, but they never disappeared since it was believed they had magic in their bloodlines." Okay, so Tim did cover the basics. After a while, Essie spoke again. "Oh, and my dad also told us about the Third Wife and her sacrifice." Now we're getting somewhere!
"Can you tell me what you remembered from that story?" I asked as I took her hand in mine.
"I remember it all; it's not a story you can easily forget," she explained, looking me directly in the eye. "Several young women from the Makah tribe started disappearing at alarming rates. It was believed that the neighboring wolves were to blame. However, all the wolves knew it was none of them because their minds were still connected with each other and the Quileute tribe. Taha Aki, the chief at the time, did not want a war, especially since he could not lead his people any longer.; Years had passed and he was a frail old man now. He gave his eldest son, Taha Wi, the responsibility of finding who was to blame. Taha Wi led five wolves in search through the mountains, looking for evidence, but they only found a strange, sweet scent. They followed it, and the journey took them so far north that Taha Wi sent the two younger brothers back to inform the chief. Taha Wi and the other two never returned."
She paused for a moment, looking at me as if to make sure she was telling the story right. I nodded encouragingly so she could continue. "A year later, two Makah maidens were taken from their homes and the Makahs called upon the wolves. The Quileutes found the same sweet scent and went on the hunt once more. Only one of them returned. Yaha Uta, the eldest son of Taha Aki's third wife, returned carrying strange cold pieces of a corpse. He described what had happened to his brothers. One of them underestimated the strength of the creature and became a victim." As I continued holding Ester's hands, I allowed the words to flow freely. "Yaha Uta and his other brother were more careful, but the creature matched their movements and got his hands on one of them. Yaha Uta found an opening on the creature's throat and began tearing at him, desperately trying to save his brother. It was too late, but he succeeded in ripping his enemy apart."
Tim told Abby and Essie everything! I was pleasantly shocked by the amount of detail that he told his daughters as she went on tell me about the cold woman's revenge after the pack killed her mate, and how the third wife sacrificed herself for her tribe. I listened intently as she proceeded to finish the story. "Taha Aki's descendants no longer turned to wolves when they reached manhood. Only when a cold one was near would they return."
"What if I told you that the story of the Third Wife and her sacrifice was actually true, that Taha Aki was truly the first shape-shifter of our Quileute tribe and had passed his genes on to three families: the Blacks, the Uleys, and the Atearas." I watched Essie swallow hard.
"I would say," she shakily whispered, "that abusing psychotropic drugs makes you believe anything and can cause massive hallucinations!" Pulling her hand away from me, she shot up. "Damn it, Embry! I thought you had your shit together, but you're just as fucked up as Diane!" Essie hurriedly grabbed her clothes and her shoes.
"Essie, wait!" I reached for her, but she jerked away.
"Don't touch me!" Ester screeched. "Or I swear…I'll kick you in your fucking balls!" she threatened, marching downstairs. I followed behind her. "After I share some of the most painful shit of my life with you, you feed me this crazy Voodoo Hoodoo bullshit!" She continued ranting as she made it downstairs.
"What do I have to do to prove to you that I'm telling the truth, Essie?!" I watched the girl I love whip around.
"Turn into one right now!" she demanded.
"I can't!"
"Why not? Do you need a full moon or something?" she challenged, putting one hand on her hip.
Josh's wide hallway leading to his front door had more than ample amount of space, but I was more concerned with how Ester would react if I changed before her eyes.
"No, I don't need a full moon. It's just; we're huge, like the size of grown horses. I don't want to scare you, Essie," I pleaded with her.
"Either you change into a wolf right now, or my ass is out of it here." She leaned forward. "You didn't actually believe that with the amount of trust issues I have, I would believe you just by your word, did you?"
"Fine!" I backed up. "Don't say I didn't warn you." I told her, taking my shirt off.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Essie dropped her clothes at her feet and immediately covered her face, "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I guess she wasn't ready to see me naked.
"I can't phase with my clothes on; I'll ruin them," I explained.
"Well, you're just gonna have buy a new pair of basketball shorts," she sassed. "As if you're really gonna turn into a fucking wolf anyway," she mumbled her last sentence. "Go on." She gestured with her hand. "Phase." It came out more like a challenge then a request, but if that's what she wanted, then that's what she'd get.
Seconds later, I was in wolf form and linked to Leah's thoughts. The first thing she saw was Essie's stunned expression.
"Call, have you lost your fucking mind!" Leah exclaimed.
"She demanded to see me in wolf form," I snarled as Essie's body started to sway. "Shit, she's gonna faint!" I quickly changed back just in time to catch Essie before her head hit Josh's marble floor.
Essie's POV
Did I just see what I thought I saw? Did Embry just turn into a giant, sleek, gray wolf with back spots? As I tried to recall exactly what happened, I remembered I had felt myself losing my balance, but my head had never hit the ground. Embry must have caught me. I was now lying comfortably in a bed, in what I presumed was Embry's room.
"Can't believe you phased in front of her, Embry," Leah screeched, followed by a loud cracking sound.
"Ouch, Leah! Damn it! She didn't believe me; what else was I supposed to do?" Embry replied remorsefully.
"You could have called me!" That was definitely Embry's mom, and she sounded pissed. "Surely she wouldn't have thought I wasn't lying as well."
"Tiff has a point. Having both your mom and mine around really helped in convincing Abby I was telling the truth-no demonstration needed," Seth added. Okay enough of this; it's time to let them know I'm awake as I shifted a little in the bed.
"I think she's coming to." I heard my sister's concerned voice whisper. I fluttered my eyes open. "Essie!" My sister rushed over to me. "Are you okay?"
I slowly sat up and leaned against the headboard to take in my surroundings. Abby and Tiff were sitting down on the edge of the bed, while Seth and Leah were standing near the door. Embry was furthest away, standing next to the window fidgeting and looking downright guilty. I felt bad. I mean, this was my fault: I did demand for to phase—I think that's what he called it-on the spot. I didn't think he actually could! We needed to talk—now.
"I'm fine. Is it alright if I talk to Embry…alone?"
"Are you sure, Essie?" Abby eyed me carefully.
"I'm sure." I responded back. Ease up off me, well you?
"We'll be right outside." Tiffany leaned in and kissed my forehead before walking out.
"If you get pissed to the point that you wanna get violent, don't do it. We're pretty solid and you're liable to break your hand," Leah advised me. My eyes widened, slightly stunned. "Call me instead. I'll get him good." She winked at me.
"Leah, out of the room!" I heard Jake bellow from outside the room. She let out slight growl before leaving.
"You never let me have any fun, Jake!" she yelled as she slammed the door.
"Essie, could you do me a favor?" Abby stood up. "Just hear Embry through. Let him get everything out in the open before you make any rash decisions?" Out in the open? There's more?! He already turns into a big ass wolf, what else could there be? I gave Abby a quick nod as she leaned in and gave me a hug.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only one who's fainted," Seth laughed. When I didn't join him, he sobered up as I folded my arms across my chest, glaring at him.
"Come on," Abby grabbed Seth by the arm and guided him out of the room. As soon as the door shut, I climbed out of the bed.
"You shouldn't do that, you just woke up," Embry recommended, making his way over to me. Just before I lost my balance, I was in his arms, being steadied by his embrace. I allowed myself to selfishly lean in against him and take in his scent. The amount of security I felt almost made me forget I just witnessed this same man turn into a wolf. "Are you alright?" he whispered into my hair.
"I wish everyone would stop asking me that," I groaned, finally pulling away. Slowly, I walked over to the sofa and took a seat. Embry joined me.
"Do you have any questions for me?" he finally asked, taking my hand into his. Why did this feel so right? Why wasn't I freaking out? I should've been afraid of him, but I wasn't.
"The legends," I started, "spoke of cold ones. It's the reason you become this." I gestured, stroking his tattoo with my free hand. "But what are the cold ones?"
"Vampires." his response rang through my ears and I felt my heartbeat began to quicken. "But contrary to popular belief, they don't burn in the sunlight, and a stake through the heart won't even break their skin," he elaborated. "The only way to truly kill them is by ripping them to shreds and burning the pieces like the legends say." For the first time in my life, I was happy I threw up earlier, because I was quite certain I wouldn't be able to hold anything in after being told some crazy, twisted shit like this.
"Who else is like you?" I managed to ask him.
"Everyone who has the tattoo." he answered. Shit, that meant Leah, too. "Jake's Alpha; he's in charge since he's a direct descendent of Taha Aki. I'm his beta. That just means I'm second in command."
"Who all knows?"
"The Council…amongst others." he sighed nervously.
"Others?" I repeated as Embry broke eye contact with me. Then I remembered Seth telling me I wasn't the only one who fainted at the news of discovering that the guys and Leah were wolves. Seth told Abby, that I was sure of, but why? Why were we trusted with such a massive secret? "Embry," I used my hand to pull his face in line with mine again, "Why did you tell me your secret?"
"Because…I imprinted on you," he shakily responded. Was I supposed to know what the hell that meant? "It's this deep, intimate phenomena that occurs when we, us shifters, see the person we're meant to be with forever. Soul mates."
Soul mate…he just called me his soul mate.
"I am unconditionally bound to you for the rest of my life, Ester."
Any other woman would feel overjoyed by such news, being bound faithfully for all time, but for me, I felt panic-stricken.
"I'll never love anyone as much as I love you, Ester. You're the one."
Suddenly all of his words started merging together, as I tried to process everything he had been telling me. My whole entire life I had been avoiding with the success the one thing I thought I could protect myself from, if I didn't get too close to someone. No love, no broken hearts, only to find out it was done all in vain. I was doomed, my inner turmoil was at its peak, I couldn't listen to anymore. I had enough.
"No!" I argued, pulling away from Embry and standing up. "No, Embry. I can't be the one." I shook my head frantically, stepping farther away from him. "I can't be your soul mate. This imprint-or whatever the hell you call it—is a mistake." I could see the rejection and hurt spread across Embry's face as he stood up. My heart ached for him and it took every ounce of my strength not to take back what I just said.
"Why?" he whispered in defeat, coming closer to me. "Why can't you be the one?"
"Because I don't want to be like my father!" I began to sob uncontrollably, fearing my demise would come sooner than expected. "I don't want to die of a broken heart!"
A/N: Want a sneak peak of Chapter 12? You know what you gotta do my faithful readers…review Chapter 11 and a nice sneak peak will be sitting in your inbox. Please don't forget to add If You're Not The One to your alerts and favorites. Thanks once again for reading.