Chapter 11: Demons - Imagine Dragons

"This is ridiculous" I muttered to myself as I put on the contact. I blinked it in place and looked at my reflection. It truly was ridiculous, but my pride refused to let me drop the contacts and show the world how I had changed. My eyes were already a strong, warm golden colder, but I had gone out of my way to buy several packages of red contacts. I just couldn't let anyone know how I had changed for him. I couldn't even tell him! I had to change the contacts every other hour as they dispersed otherwise - something about the fluid in vampires' eyes being too much for the contacts fragile material. I had already changed those damn things four times this day and it wasn't even noon yet!

I sighed heavily before leaving the bathroom. Most of the pack was in the living room and I quickly found Embry sitting in one of the armchairs. They were all engrossed in some baseball game. I smirked and let myself fall gracefully down on Embry's lap. He smiled up at me and I planted a chaste kiss on his lips before turning towards the TV. His arms were snaked securely around my waist and I leaned heavily against his chest with a hand running absentmindedly through his hair.

"Why do you keep going to the bathroom, when you clearly don't have to use it?" Quil asked with a questioning smirk and I turned to look at him. He was sitting on the floor with his back leaning against the couch.

"Well, for one, It's really not your damn business and second, don't you have a kindergartner to run after or something?" I smirked. Embry chuckled.

"Oooh, shots fired" Quil said sarcastically and I stuck out my tongue at him.

"Yeah, be serious, Quil! She's probably just going to look at herself in the mirror" Paul mocked my vanity and I rolled my eyes. There was nothing wrong with wanting to look presentable.

"It's not easy being as beautiful as I am, but I do try" I smiled innocently with a toothy grin causing Paul and Embry to laugh good-naturedly while Quil rolled his eyes.

"Dinner is ready!" Ann yelled as she put down a pot of mashed potatoes on the dinner table, Emily close behind her with a gravy boat. The guys scrambled to the table and soon chaos seemed to break lose. They were truly animals.

"Why do you insist of cooking, when you can't eat it?" I had to ask as I sauntered a bit slower after the pack and stood beside Ann.

"It's fun" she beamed at me.

"Aha, well excuse me if I don't want to play American housewife"

"Hey, Beth! I dare you to eat something from the table!" Quil said with his mouth full and I scrunched my nose in disgust at the sight.

"I'll take a rain check on that" I went to Embry and sat down on his lap, even though he was still eating. He instantly put his arms around me and gave me his full attention with a dimpled smile. I put my arms around his shoulders and smiled wryly down at him.

"Too much of a chicken to do it then?" Quil pushed and I turned to him with a smirk.

"I'll eat human food the day you drain a bunny" my smirk grew as his face twisted in disgust. He didn't need to know I had often consumed human food in order to blend in.

"Who's the chicken now?" I murmured and felt the vibrations through Embry's chest as he chuckled.

"You can't really blame him, you know"

"I can blame the sucker all I want, thank you very much" I retorted though not as venomous as I would have if someone else had told me what I could or could not do. Instead, I gave him a big smooch on the cheek before standing so that he could finish his meal.

"Whose is this?" Kim wandered out with a small, square object that made me freeze on the spot – ironical since I was already cold. Yeah, I crack me up too.

"Mine" I said all too quickly as I rushed over and grabbed the damn thing from her nosy hands. Geez, I hadn't realized I had forgotten one of the boxes with contacts in the bathroom.

"What was it?" Jared asked. I knew my quick movement towards his imprint alarmed him, but he seemed to relax a little as he realized I hadn't touched her. Thanks for the faith, amigo! Geez.

I glared at said imprint, challenging her to reveal my secret. She squirmed uncomfortably under my glare, but I didn't give a flying rat's ass. She'd better not tell on me. This was not how I wanted Embry to know that I had been off the wagon for quite some time now.

"A mascara" Kim answered and I was actually surprised she managed to think of a believable lie. She didn't strike me as a dishonest person, but I guess it was different when one lied for a friend - or acquaintance as I didn't see us as friends quite yet… if ever. The pack seemed satisfied with the answer though I could see Embry eying me curiously.

"A word, Kim" I said through gritted teeth. It sucked that someone now knew, but I had to make sure she didn't tell Jared, because then Embry would find out – not to mention the rest of the pack. I wasn't ready to let them all know. At least, that's what I kept telling myself, but I knew deep down that was just a petty excuse. Well, I had always had a problem with my pride. It was my true curse.

Kim followed me into the hall by the bathroom as it was far enough from the others so that they wouldn't be able to listen in if we spoke in hushed voices.

"You can't tell anyone" I whispered sternly as soon as we were alone. She was clearly uncomfortable with being alone with me, which was understandable and gave me a pinch of satisfaction. I wasn't as keen on spreading fear and subservience like I was before I met Embry, but hey, one didn't change overnight.

"Why are you even using red contacts?" she whispered almost urgently, seeming to forget her discomfort. Shame.

"Take a wild guess" I hissed sarcastically and she pouted with a confused look in her brown doe-eyes.

"So you don't want anyone to know that you're not drinking human-blood anymore?" she asked quietly, but still clearly confused.

"Ding ding, we have a winner" I said with fake cheerfulness.

"But, why not?"

"That's for me to know and you to not. Just don't say anything to the others" I hissed. I didn't want to explain myself to the human. She annoyed me with her boring goody-goody attitude. Her eyes widened at me and I rolled my eyes. Whatever realization she just thought she got, it was most likely not even remotely true.

"You don't want them to know that you are a good person. You're afraid they will tease you for being something other than you appears" she smiled at me and I rolled my eyes yet again. All right, so she guessed it. Give the gal a star.

I decided to join the others before they came looking for us – probably fearing I would rip Kim's throat out or something.

"Beth, there's no shame in showing how you've changed. It might seem small and insignificant to you, but something like this would mean the world to Embry. I know he has been torn up about…" Kim rushed after me, still whispering hurriedly, but I didn't let her finish as I snapped around to look at her.

"Drop it, girly!" I hissed and left her standing shocked, though I could hear her following soon after. Kim's last, unfinished sentence ringing almost painfully in my ears long after we joined the others and soon after watched half the pack going on patrol.

.:-:.

"If you won't tell me where we're going, can you at least answer one question?" Embry asked a bit warily from the passenger-seat in my red convertible as I drove far above the speed limit on the twisted roads out of the reserve. I looked over at him without lifting my stiletto-clad foot from the gas pedal.

"Of course, my dear. Whatever do you want to know?" I asked in a sweet voice. It was fun teasing him a little – especially when he looked so squirmy.

"Do you ev… Please keep your eyes on the road – not all of us are invinci… Gah!" he said and his grip on the door tightened as I turned a sharp corner still looking at him. I giggled and rolled my eyes before doing as he requested. It wasn't as if I would ever crash with him in the car – and the few times I had wrecked a vehicle, it had been intentional, but let's leave the past in the past.

"Happy?"

"Not until we have arrived and I have solid ground beneath my feet again" he grumbled and winced as I did yet another turn. The woods planed out and the road widened. Soon I was driving down a far more busy main-road – not that it slowed me any bit, I just snaked my way through the other cars.

"Do you… God, Bee, watch out! Do you even have a legit license?" I swear to everything that was sacred – yes, I was talking Chanel, Jimmy Choo, the likes, who else? – that I had never seen him this tense before. I should probably do something to make him relax a bit. It couldn't be good for your muscles. Then again, he was a supernatural creature who had super-healing and a veeeery fine body.

"To kill?" I joked with a smirk and to my pleasure succeeded in making him un-tense just the tiniest bit as he chuckled at me. I bit back a smile at the warm, slightly raspy sound.

"No. To drive, 007" he took his eyes of the road and looked at me, though for his sake, I didn't turn to meet his eyes – and let me tell you, it wasn't easy to resist.

"What would I need a driver's license for? Cars wasn't even invented when I was born and I drive just fine now" I sugarcoated my voice in mock innocence. He snickered beside me.

"Yeah, right. You're a maniac on wheels"

"It's not the only time, I'm a maniac" I purred jokingly and slid a suggestive hand up his thigh for emphasis. I removed it with a giggle when I heard blush rush in his body and his heartbeat quicken.

"Damn" he muttered under his breath.

.:-:.

"A nightclub? Really? Why doesn't that surprise me?"

"While you enjoy tumbling through the woods like the animal you are, I'm starting to get cabin fever and this is the perfect cure for me" I winked at him.

"That explains why you're all dolled up and made me wear a dress-shirt" he smirked at me before taking my hand and planting a gentle kiss on my temple.

"Is that another way to tell me how irresistibly sexy I look?" I smirked at him and he let out a chuckle.

"Yes and it was also a way to tell you that I think you're too beautiful to be out in public. I don't like the way every guy is staring at you" his eyes flickered around and his possessiveness made butterflies roam my belly and a small smile stretch my glossed lips. Men had been jealous over me before, but it had always made me feel superior. Embry's jealousy and possessiveness made me feel precious and protected, which had never happened to me before him.

I gave his hand a gentle tug, which immediately earned me his undivided attention. I put my free hand on his cheek and let myself disappear into the brown orbs that reflected something so strong and intense; it would've scared me if it had been anyone else.

"What other guys?" I asked him with a smile and he grinned down at me, before leaning down and softly capturing my lips. I sighed with contentment into the kiss. It never ceased to amaze me how gentle and careful he was with me even when he knew I wasn't some fragile human.

When we pulled apart, I gave his collar a gentle tug.

"As fun as it is standing outside a nightclub kissing you… let's go inside. I want to dance" I made a slight whiny-noise for emphasis and he chuckled – albeit with a hint of nervousness that made me a little excited.

"Alright, but I can't dance" oh so that's why he was nervous. I took his hand in mine and intertwined our fingers. His calloused hand was burning hot against my delicate, cold one, but the contrast was intoxicating and sent shivers down my spine.

"I'll teach you" I whispered in a slightly husky voice and held back a smirk when I heard his heartbeat pick up and blood rush to his ears, visibly reddening them.

"Good luck with that" he muttered sarcastically though his ears was still slightly red and I hid a grin by my shoulder.

.:-:.

We had just pushed and shoved our way through the overcrowded nightclub – or well, I had shoved and pushed, while Embry had asked for passage… as if that would work on inebriated humans. It was the fourth nightclub and/or bar we had been to and seeing as the sun was rising in a few hours, we had agreed it was time to go home. Embry put his arm around my shoulders with a content sigh.

"I admit, I had fun despite the massive crowd of drunken people and despite not being drunk myself" he joked and I smiled up at him.

"And you thought it would be dreadful after the second guy spilled his beer all over you" I teased and he laughed.

"Yeah, this shirt is so going in the trash when I get home. I will never get the yeast smell out of it" he frowned before stopping abruptly, forcing me to stand still as well.

"Crap, we forgot our jackets. I'll be right back" he said apologetic and briefly pecked my cheek before running back to the nightclub. I chuckled and leaned lazily against a nearby light post, so I wouldn't stand out too much by standing completely still in the middle of the sidewalk. There were many people out on the streets even this late at night, but it was clear by their wardrobe and mannerisms – here included stumbling and too loud laughter and yells. Most ignored me, and those who cast glances at me or even tried to approach me was met with a glare that immediately made them divert their attention. I didn't want to deal with stupid, drunk humans – no matter how shortly. I hoped Embry wouldn't have a too hard time fighting his way to the cloakroom in the nightclub. He was probably waiting politely 'till it was his turn even though the queue was most likely more chaos than an actual queue. I smiled at the thought. I had never known anyone who was so much of a Good Samaritan as Embry. It really had been fun tonight. My mate had been clumsy and stiff on the dancefloor, but had started enjoying himself and relaxing a bit as the night grew older. He had thrown back a few beers and bottles of water, but only to keep hydrated. His metabolism kept him from becoming intoxicated. I had ordered a cocktail at one bar we had been at just to keep up appearances, but it had tasted like dirt, just like everything else that wasn't blood. Several bimbos had eyed him, which he of course didn't even notice, but I had made sure to mark my territory. On the other hand, he had noticed whenever I got male attention, but it hadn't interested me like it did before. I hadn't exploited it to start fights and drama like I would have in the past. I hadn't even considered anything of the sort. I had only thought about how none of them was Embry. How they weren't lean and tall like Embry. How they didn't have the same brown eyes as Embry. How none of them had that little dimple in their chin like Embry. I wasn't dense. I knew what it meant.

I was royally screwed. And I couldn't help but smile stupidly about it. I hid my mouth against my shoulder as I tried to make my expression neutral again. Lately I had had a hard time hiding my emotions as I used to, and I knew it was only a matter of time before I wouldn't even care about hiding. But not yet. I wasn't ready to tell anyone – especially not Embry – how I felt. I knew he knew by now, and that would have to be enough until I could get over myself and my imbecilic pride. It was like Embry and I promised; baby steps.

"Well, well, Elizabeth, long time, no see. What are you doing in Seattle? I would've thought somewhere a little more glamorous would be more you're scene" a dreadfully familiar voice pulled me brutally from my thoughts and I briefly closed my eyes in dread and a sort of exhaustion, my good mood completely vanished. This could not be happening. Was this the infamous karma coming back to bite my ass? I should've guessed he would come around. He had hunted me almost two centuries and I had stayed in the same spot too long. The last time I did that, was when I met Noel – then I had managed to stay hidden in the boarding school I met my best friend for so long I had begun to become paranoid, but enough of that. I had to focus on the present.

I turned around with a sugar sweet smile and venomous glare.

"Why, isn't it funny to see you here, Louis? I'd hoped I wouldn't have to see your ugly ass again. Not since what happened in the 60's" gosh I hated that French douche, but it was more than mutual – in fact, I was on top of his to-kill-list. I hope to God he wouldn't try anything in front of Embry – who could be back any minute with our jackets by now. I knew I should've gone with him, but oh no, I let him be a gentleman once again!

"You know all about my ass, don't you?" he smirked as he sauntered closer.

"Yeah, well, it's hard to forget that hairy monstrosity"

He laughed before meeting my glare. His hand brushed down my arm and I had to control myself in order not to rip his arm off. Louis had always made me question whether vampires could indeed feel physically nauseated.

"I had forgotten how feisty you could be. Why don't you come with me and we can reminisce on the past together? I brought snacks" he said seductively and nodded towards two young women who was sending daggers my way. Sluts. Despite his flirting, I could easily see the threat looming in his eyes. I knew he wanted me dead for what I took from him in the past. He knew he couldn't create a scene or the Volturi would have his head and he was far too fond of having it attached to his neck to even dare trying to kill me in public. Besides, I would think he would very much like to torture me first.

"Nah, I think I'll pass. I got better things to do, like pouring acid into my eyes just to get the image of your ugly face out of my head" I smirked, but as I turned to leave, he forcibly grabbed my upper arm – not that anyone around us seemed to notice. Great. When I was standing by my beautiful, lonesome self, people constantly tried to approach me, but when I wanted someone to create a distraction, so that I could escape and find Embry, they suddenly grew blind. No one even noticed! God! I knew most people on the street were drunk out of their minds, but come on!

"You know I like your feistiness, but I will not tolerate you insulting me" he hissed lowly. I was ready to give him a smartass remark, but I was interrupted before I was able to do so. Unfortunately, it wasn't by some disposable human.

"Bee, you are not going to believe how... Let go of her" Embry's cheerful voice grew dark and threating in a matter of seconds as he realized the situation I was in – or at least a part of it seeing as I hadn't told him about Louis before. I ripped my arm free from Louis' grasp but stayed put so I wouldn't show any sign of submission. Furthermore – and most importantly -, I didn't want him to see how much Embry really meant to me. I didn't want anything more than to stand protectively in front of my mate, but I could not afford showing such a great weakness to someone like Louis Desrosiers. He would have a field day if he knew I had found a mate, and he would exploit it in ways I didn't even dare imagine.

"Bee? You let a human call you by such a pathetic nickname?" Louis snorted, but I was just felt relieved he didn't know what Embry truly was. Louis was just lucky we were in a populated place, or my boyfriend might just go all wolf on him. Embry would rip that French tart to pieces if he knew how much of a threat Louis really was to me. I wasn't even sure a crowd could stop Embry if he saw red. I knew anger made it almost impossible for the wolves to control their shift. I any event, it was time for Embry and I to get out of here – hopefully without a certain French immortal in our tails.

"When you're equipped like he is, he can call me whatever he wants, but unfortunately you wouldn't know anything about that" I smirked evilly while wriggling with my pinky mockingly. I knew it was a bad move. I had always had a way too big mouth and apparently, I could never shut up, but with an ego like Louis', hopefully, it would throw him off long enough for Embry and I to disperse into the crowd. We had headwind, which meant we could detect Louis' smell, but he wouldn't be able to find ours unless he got around us. Furthermore, there were so many people out, and there was nothing better to get lost in than a crowd of drunk humans. They were loud, unpredictable and often carried a rather potent odor.

I turned around and took ahold of Embry – who was blushing furiously at my last comment.

"Let's go, sweet cheeks" I told him as I snaked my arms around one of his and even though my voice was calm and collected, my eyes urged him on with worry.

As we hurriedly walked to Embry's car, I reprimanded myself. I should have kept my fucking mouth shut – or at least been more delicate with my choice of words. This could easily have fatal consequences for Embry. He could get really hurt if – or when – he was caught in the crossfire of one of my feuds. God I was so thoughtless sometimes!

"What just happened back there? Who was that?" Embry asked once we turned a street corner and walked into the parking lot behind a pizzeria.

"I'll tell you later, ok?" I asked a bit impatiently as I fidgeted at the car door – not sure, I really wanted him to know. Embry unlocked it and we both got in, although he didn't turn the engine on. Instead, he turned to look at me. I let out a frustrated sound. We had to get home right this instant! We were far too vulnerable this far from the rest of the pack.

"Beth" he said all cute and serious, though I didn't think he was trying to be cute, but he was just so bad at being stern. It was distracting.

"Embry?" I smiled innocently at him as I turned my front towards him.

"Should I be worried about you?" he asked and my smile fell. Was it even possible to convince him not to be? Maybe I should just be honest with him... at least partly.

"He is a thing from the past and I honestly didn't even like him back then" good, keep it vague.

"So… what does he want from you?" his brows were knitted in confusion. I really didn't want him to know how Louis and I was connected as it belonged to the darkest parts of my past, but I had to tell Embry something or he wouldn't let it go. I couldn't outright lie to him (yeah, milestone for Beth here, thank you very much), but I could bend the truth just a smidgen.

"Well, I did reject him and insult his best friend…" I pointed indiscreetly to my crotch, before continuing.

"… which is the two things he can't handle, so he might just come after me and try to kill me. Or maybe he is just going on a random killing spree. Who knows? But let's not wait to find out so just drive already" I offered him a very fake and toothy grin, but he did not seem amused – at all. Amusement had just left and gone to a convent where it would never be touched again. Ok, that wasn't my best pun, I'll admit.

"Beth…" he sighed tiredly and closed his eyes as he turned to face the steering wheel. He started the car though so that was a win.

"Why do you always have to agitate everyone? Can't you just… back down?" he asked as he drove out on the street and headed back towards La Push. I noted Louis and his two bang-and-eat-buddies was nowhere in sight, which I wasn't sure if I should take as a good sign or not.

"Beth!" Embry regained my attention and I turned to look at his profile. Apparently, he had asked me something.

"Yes, sweet cheeks?" I tried faking ignorance, though Embry saw right through me as he shot me a quick look. I sighed and crossed my arms childishly.

"He started it" my childish comment did nothing to appease my mate, so I decided to change tactics and distract him with something beside the point.

"Besides, I'm spoken for" I grumbled, too embarrassed by the little confession to look at him. I didn't want to tell him, Louis had wanted me dead for decades.

"Yeah, you are and that damn bloodsucker has no idea who he is dealing with" he said through gritted teeth and his knuckles grew white as he tightened his grip around the steering wheel. I smiled wryly at his protectiveness. I pushed the thoughts of Louis to the back of my head and focused on calming Embry down instead. Before long he was relaxing in his seat and smiled warmly while I talked about the most unfortunate hairdos and fashion I had to suffer through in my time.