My heart soared when I ran into Embry on my way home.
"Hi," I said.
"Hi," he replied, his mouth curving slowly into a smile.
I quietly sucked in a breath. His hair was disheveled, his clothes were wrinkled, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days; still, he was gorgeous…unbelievably so.
I put my hands in my pockets to resist the urge to reach out and touch him.
I'm supposed to be afraid of him, I reminded myself.
We stood for a moment, watching each other. I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind.
"It's been a while," I finally managed.
He looked down, but his eyes found mine again. "I figured you were going through a tough time."
I raised an eyebrow. Why yes, yes I had.
Embry groaned. "I'm an idiot. I knew you were upset, and I didn't go to see you because I'm a coward, and I was busy with everything Sam was having us do, and…"
"Stop, stop," I said, holding up a hand. "It's okay." Would I have even talked to him if he had approached me? I'd been so moody and emotional lately, I couldn't answer myself.
"You," he said, stepping toward me, "should come to Sam's house tonight."
I smiled. "Oh yeah? What's happening at Sam's?"
"Emily's cooking," he said, his smile widening.
"As usual," I replied, smirking.
"And a movie," he added. "We're going to watch one of those."
"Uh huh," I said. "Why should I go to Sam's house to watch a movie when I can watch anything I want at home?"
Embry shrugged, still smiling. "The guys miss you."
"Oh, just the guys?" I replied.
"And leah. And Emily," Embry said. "And…maybe me."
I bit my lip, still smiling despite the turmoil brewing inside of me. I wanted to go, but…how could I face everyone when I knew their secret?
I looked up at Embry again. The smile was gone from his face, and instead he was watching me intently.
"We should probably…" I started, taking my hands out of my pockets. He leaned toward me, and I lost my train of thought completely.
He kissed me, and he literally swept me off of my feet.
I could get used to this.
I knew the movie would be completely informal (not that I completely doubted the Pack's ability to clean themselves up), but I still wanted to look nice. Call me cheesy, but I wanted to make Embry sweat.
"Mom," I called as I ran down the stairs. "I'm going to Sam and Emily's house!"
"Okay," she said, drying her hands after doing the dishes. "Wear a coat."
"I will," I lied, skipping out of the house.
So what? It's not like the cold bothered me these days.
I shouldn't have been surprised when Embry met me at the porch and told me the plans were off. It was my classic bad luck; things had gone well, so now they had to take a turn for the worse.
"I'm sorry," Embry said, his face giving away how upset he really was. "Things have just been…hectic."
I nodded slowly, then asked, "Can I come in, though? Just for a minute?"
I walked straight to the kitchen with the knowledge that the inevitable? It was happening.
"I know what's happening," I said.
Sam glanced up. "What's happening?"
I laughed, and it wasn't a friendly one. I didn't mean for it to escape, but it did. "The legends. They're coming to life. Actually…they already have."
Sam looked surprised.
"I'm not stupid!" I yelled.
Sam held up his hands in a gesture meant to calm me down. "I know that."
"How much is true?" I demanded, gripping the table tightly.
"All of it," Sam said, then paused. "Well…most of it."
I saw Embry out of the corner of my eye.
"What about imprinting?" I asked.
Sam hesitated.
"Answer me!" I yelled shrilly. I was slowly getting more and more worked up; I worried that I might explode.
"Imprinting…it's real," Sam finally said.
I noticed Embry run his hands roughly through his hair like he tended to do when he was stressed or annoyed or angry.
I didn't know if I should have felt accomplished or mortified.
"I knew it," I finally said, feeling the shaking in my body subside.
"What's happening now?" I asked.
Sam sighed. "I can't tell you."
"I have a right to know," I retorted through clenched teeth.
Sam and Embry exchanged a look.
"A fight," Embry said, stepping closer to the table. "Or…a battle."
I took a deep breath. "Why?"
"We're protecting someone," Embry said. "If we don't, the whole reservation would be in danger."
"Who's attacking?" I asked.
"Vampires," Sam said. "In the legends, they're called the 'Cold Ones.'"
This can't be real, I thought. But…it has to be.
"How can I help?" I asked, slowly sitting down.
Sam patted my shoulder lightly. "By staying safe. If not for yourself, for Embry."
I glanced at Embry, and then looked back at Sam, nodding.
I'd do anything for Embry, for the Pack that had become my family…but could I be scared witless in the process?
