A/N: Okay, I had the next chapter written half ways, but I lost it with my jump drive, so that totally sucks. I actually have a weekend to myself, and am finally getting back into my routines; it's just a matter of fitting my updates back into it as well. So before I continue to ramble on… enjoy.

D: Don't own it.

Chapter Fourteen

Okay, maybe this was an excuse to void my own problems, and I'm not saying it's the best, but it's the best I could come up with for helping Seth find his best friend. I could see he was crushed with every thought of losing his best friend. I knew it could be possible that Jacob could try to hurt himself from the heartbreak, but maybe his family and the pack were enough to make him think twice. Maybe his friendship with Seth could be enough for him to double-check his ambitions on life.

I began to loathe how unfair life was treating Seth. I mean, Seth is just so caring and considerate to others, so why did he have to go through something similar to me. I mean, he's being tested with the facts of love and life. Mine just differs by whatever adoration felt for me was fixated through tradition, it wasn't love, it was arranged. Seth's differentiated by loving someone who might not love him back, and I didn't want to think of something so cruel on the pup, he deserved Jacob's love as much as Jacob feels he deserves Bella's love. This is just a series of people loving the wrong people. When will fate get this right?

I've heard once that life is just one big test. Not sure where, but it's been said that every obstacle we face is like a lesson in life, a chapter through the textbook of life, it's just a matter if we learn or lose from it. Maybe this is just one of the big things Seth has to make sure he passes. Maybe this is a big test I have to pass. I'm beginning to hate this lesson.

'What's the point?' Seth whined, slouching down and falling to his belly.

We've been following Jacob's feint trail, picking up the last of what scent we could pick up, and it felt like hours since we left the rez. I was becoming exhausted too, but I didn't want to give up on Seth, but now it seems he has, which is not like him. Seth can be very persuasive when he wants to be, and confident when he's sure of something true to his heart.

'I can't do this anymore Em, I'm sorry I dragged you into this.' He apologized, panting as his tongue dangled from the side of his mouth. 'He probably knows by now he's being followed, he won't let us find him.'

'Seth, what's wrong?' I stopped in front of him.

'I'm tired Embry.' He stared up at me. 'I'm tired of all of this. It feels like a dead end every time I get closer, he just shuts me out.'

'You can't give up now Seth, especially when you're sure you're close.'

'That's the thing.' He softly growled. 'I'm not sure anymore. I want to believe I have the chance, but I don't want to be the last option.'

'Like an imprint.' I muttered, lying next to him in exhaustion.

'I don't know Embry.' He nudged me. 'I always thought of an imprint to be a secure and safe route. I know pretty much everyone in the pack despises the thought, but I find it to be a rarity that we take advantage of. I watched it break my sisters heart, but mend and build something stronger between Sam and Emily, I mean don't get me wrong, I still feel bad for my sister, but I know she'll find someone ten times better, someone who will love and cherish my sister, and without an imprint.' He gave the first wolfy grin of the night. 'Then there is Quil and Claire. I along with the others thought it was strange at first, but as I watch them, no one needs to worry so much for the toddler. She literally has a knight in shining armor that will become her prince charming when she grows up. They're just made for each other.'

I scoffed at the thought.

'Then there is you and Paul.' I scoffed again. 'No, just listen to me Em. As rare as it is for imprints to take place, it almost hasn't been heard of for same sex imprints. In fact, from what I've read and heard, they usually only happen once in a pack.'

I then realized when Seth's head dropped slowly to where he was getting at. Because of Paul imprinting on me, there was a slimmer chance of Jacob imprinting on him. I know he hoped for it, and as crazy as it sounds, now I think I wanted it for him.

'I'm sorry Seth, I wasn't thinking.'

'It's fine.' He murmured. 'Please, just don't… just don't surpass any chances with Paul. He's in pain, and I know you know it to, just don't overthink it. I know there is a reason you're his imprint, just talk to him, and work this out. I know it will be a difficult task seeing how he approached it rationally rather than telling you, but he's confused, and just like every other shifter that finds their imprint, or so I've been told, their biggest fear is being rejected.'

'I wish it were that easy.'

'It'll never be easy Em,' He chuckled. 'You both have monsters on your shoulders that you need to deal with, and I know you can help each other get through this.'

'You're starting to sound like a therapist.' I chuckled at the thought of me lying on the couch with him and his notepad sitting in a chair behind me.

'Well some of us are just born with the gift of word.' He said. 'Just listen to my plea Em, don't let your anger overshadow what you could have. Paul is a good guy once you get to know him, he is the only other person who really knows how I feel about Jacob, and has never judged me.'

'That still doesn't change the fact that he bullied me throughout my high school life.' I complained.

'I can't speak much to that, I hadn't been true to you either, and I should've defended you when I had the chance.' He added. 'But just because Paul hadn't judged me, doesn't mean he wasn't shocked to find that he was becoming more and more attracted to you. I mean… I'm not trying to make excuses for him, but Paul doesn't know how to deal with his emotions, and when I noticed that not only he was gaining interest in you, he was afraid, so he reacted the only way he knew how and that was through anger. He didn't know why he was starting to notice you, but it was most likely due to your gift, but he freaked out and hadn't told any of us that he imprinted on you, heck I didn't even know that.'

'I don't see a purpose for my gift.' I mumbled. 'I mean, isn't it supposed to be useful to the pack, I only see it causing trouble.'

'I kind of do,' Seth thought reluctantly. 'I think it has to do with imprinting too as well. When a shape shifter is bonded to someone, they become stronger in so many ways. I think you can use your gift to amplify that bond and strength to make the pack mere indestructible; you just need to figure out how to master your talent. And as for the others who haven't imprinted, I think your presence gives off that some sort of effect. Most of us feel we need to protect you, and that urge to make sure you're safe strengthens our abilities to a certain degree, I know I feel it sometimes.'

'How the hell did you get so smart pup?' I stood up and shook the dirt off my fur.

'That's what happens when you're an observer and curious as a toddler.' He chuckled. 'Maybe that's my gift.'

'I think if you have a gift Seth, it would be something a lot cooler than an observer.'

'Yeah, you're probably right.' He shook the dirt off his fur.

'So, let's keep looking?'

'No.' He indicated. 'I know Jake won't do something stupid… I hope. But I'm not going to chase after him if he doesn't want me to. If he needs me, he knows where to find me. If he wants more with me, than he's going to have to do the convincing, as much as I keep hoping for it, and as much as it would pain me to let him go, then I'll try.'

'But what if he does come to you?'

'Then he'll have to prove to me that it's real.' He said bluntly. 'Don't get me wrong, I'd be ecstatic, but he needs to know that I'm worth fighting for too. Don't you think?'

'Couldn't have said it any better kid.' I stretched out. 'So what do you say we phase back and head home, from what you told me, you have a wedding to attend to.'

'Just one sec.' He turned and faced the opposite direction. 'Jake? If you're hearing this, don't do anything stupid. Please.'

It almost felt like he was saying goodbye. I wasn't sure if Jacob heard him out, or if he heard our entire conversation, but I'm thinking that Seth was hoping he did. I know I was. Jacob needed to know what he had, and how special that person was. How special that person is.

As we phased, we set out and raced back to La Push in our naked glory without a care in the world and a smile for once attached to my face. As strange as it might have looked, we didn't care.

That was until we came across two concerned wolves stopping us in our tracks and altering our smiles to disappointment. Leah and Paul. That's when I pulled the shorts off my ankle and dressed as fast as I could the same time Seth did. And they followed suit, Leah looking pissed, and Paul looking concerned.

I didn't catch much of the argument between Seth and Leah as they trailed off and ditched me with Paul, I just knew that Leah was giving him shit about worrying her. Yeah, thanks for your concern over me too. I thought sarcastically as I was ready to follow.

"Wait." Paul said almost too quiet to the point I hardly heard him.

I don't know why I stopped too, but I did. It was like I was frozen in my steps, and he knew he could have that effect. I made it to step forward again before he pleaded louder.

"Please Embry." His tone sounded conflicted, "just give me a chance to explain.'

"Explain what Paul?" I growled. "That you played me again and again?"

"I deserved that." He slumped.

"Yeah you did." I turned to see his saddened figure and lonely gaze staring at the ground. "Why? Why now? Would you be here if it wasn't for the imprint, if it wasn't for me being a fucking charmer?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Not the answer I was looking for." I said annoyed and walked away again.

"Because I was afraid okay." He shouted, making me stop. "I was afraid that I would mess things up, but I somehow managed to anyways," I turned to actually see a tear trickle down his cheek. "I want to be fully honest with you Embry, and I'm sorry if the truth may hurt you, but the fact is, I'm not sure if I'd be here if it wasn't for the imprint or your gift. But I'm here now, and I want to fix things between us."

"There is no us Paul."

"I know, but I want you to know that I will never leave you again, I will never hurt you, I will never make a promise that I can't keep. I just want a chance to get to know you."

"Why?"

"Because… I can't stop thinking about you. I admit, I tried, but I can't see a future without you in it." He convinced. I couldn't seem to stop looking at him, to have sympathy for him. "Just please say you'll give me a chance to prove myself."

I wanted to deny him, but Seth's words of wisdom plagued my every thought. What this was, was rare, hardly heard of. If Seth couldn't have it, and he wanted me to, then I guess I could try. I guess I could see where this goes.

"I'm not saying yes, but I'm willing to do it only on my time, you can't expect me to come running into your arms do so." I negotiated. "And I don't want you to get your hopes up for this to happen just at the snap of your fingers, it's going to take time."

"Agreed." He said with a smile slowly creeping upon his face.

"Now," I dug my hands in my pocket awkwardly, "I'm hungry, so are you coming or you going home?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm sure Sue wouldn't mind." I turned and quickly notice he picked up his pace and walked next to me nervously.

Seth is going to be jumping like a puppy.

A/N: I actually enjoyed writing the conversation between Seth and Embry; I didn't plan on them helping each other so much. So… in future chapters, as it progresses between Embry and Paul slowly, do you think Jacob heard Seth's plea, and do you think he'll act on it?

As always, big thanks to the reviewers of the last chapter, I really appreciate them. Abysslullaby, Thornesedge, rAbiDmutt03, sibaruneko, SoundShield11, Georgia, and luvinlapush, thank you all so much.

Much Love,

TurnItUp03