This chapter goes out with a THOUSAND apologizes for being so late! Thank you all so much for your email's of understanding! You guys truly are the best!

Embry's POV

A week had passed since I returned back to La Push. I had manage to find a job working for a garage in Forks and I was starting there in a few days. Sam and I had had plenty of talks concerning our new found relationship. We weren't exactly close as brothers yet, but it was nice none the less to know I still had family around. I was welcomed back into the pack with pretty much open arms. I had missed Quil and Jake so much while I was away and it was nice to be back with my two best friends. There was only two negatives in my life since returning. Seth and Leah.

Seth had been distant towards me since I came back. The first time I saw him after returning was the day I had the talk in the woods with Jake. I was walking home when I stopped by the Clearwater store for a soda. Seth was working the register that day. When I stepped up to the counter to pay, I smiled and said hello. Seth returned the greeting without the smile. Seth was always annoyingly happy, so when his infectious smile wasn't offered to me, I knew he was upset.

"Seth? Something wrong?" I had asked him.

He took a breath and held my stare, "Embry, I'm glad you're home, really I am. We've all been extremely worried about you and you're needed here. Not just for the pack, but for the people you left behind. I'm sorry about your mom. I've lost a parent too and I know the hurt and pain you've felt. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

"Thank you Seth."

"I'm not finished." He said with a hard look. "Embry, Remember when I told you if you hurt my sister I'd kick your ass?"

I nodded.

"The only thing that is stopping me from jumping over this counter and beating the shit out of you is Leah. I don't think she'd be happy if I was to do that. But you still hurt her. You hurt her bad Em."

"I know Seth. I never meant to, really I didn't." I said.

"You did none the less. I don't want you to see her. Let her be." He said.

"I already did." I informed him.

I saw the heat spread across his face and his eyes tightened.

"When?"

"Last night and again a little while ago." I said.

"Did you go to beg her back?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest.

I shook my head. "Seth I love your sister very much. She means everything to me. Nothing would make me happier than to take away what I did to her. Leah says she only wants to be friends, and I'll respect her wishes, but I won't lie to you. I miss her and I want her back. She's my everything. It hurts me that I've hurt her so much. I've missed her so much while I was away."

Seth stared at me a moment then gave a little chuckle, "You almost sound like a damn imprinted wolf." He waited for me to join his small laugh but I glanced nervously around the shop. His laughter stopped and her dropped his arms to his side. "You imprinted on my sister didn't you?"

Again, I nodded.

"Damn it Embry! What the hell? This is totally going to screw with her head!" He half screamed at me. "Does she know?"

"No. I haven't told her yet." I said lowly.

"Are you going to?"

"I don't know." I answered.

Seth put his hands to the counter and leaned over only inches from my face, "Either you tell her, or I will."

"I will, but not right now. Please Seth, give me some time to sooth things over with her. Please." I begged.

He stared at me a moment then sighed. "Fine. I'll give you two weeks. Then I'm telling her."

"Thank you Seth."

"Two weeks Embry, that's it. Even if she doesn't want you, she has a right to know." Seth said.

I nodded and left the store. I had run into Seth a few more times since then and we had been polite with one another, but there was always an underlying tension between us that I feared wouldn't go away until I had told Leah the truth.

Leah was still holding strong to her "friends only" card. That tough wall that took so long to come down all those months ago was firmly back in place. The wolf inside of me was constantly screaming at me to fix whatever was wrong with my imprint, but the man in me, the man that knew how much I had hurt Leah told me I needed to tread lightly.

I had managed the last few times I had been around her to put up the front that I was only there for her friendship. I had gone to the diner everyday she worked for breakfast since returning home. We talked casually back and forth. I even managed to make her smile a few times and those moments drove me on towards my goal of getting her back. Her smile could fill me up for days. The constant need to be near her was starting to drive me mad.

Today though I would get a little bit more time with her than I had lately. Today was Rachel and Paul's wedding. I was sitting next to Edward Cullen and Bella on the grooms side. Thoughts of Leah and I consuming my every thought.

"Embry?" I heard Edward whisper from beside me.

"Yeah?"

"Don't worry so much." He smiled.

I rolled my eyes, "Like that's possible."

"She'll come around." He answered with a grin. "Just give her time."

Before I could speak to him the music started and the doors opened. I watched as Jared, holding Kim's arm in his own started down the aisle. When they reached the end he placed a soft kiss to her hand and went to stand behind Paul. Next came Jacob and Leah. The sight of her arm resting on his as he lead her to the front set off the wolf in me. That was my imprint, even if she didn't know it yet, and he was touching her. I took a deep breathe and focused on her, hoping to slow the shaking that was starting. Leah looked beyond beautiful in her flowing v-neck powder blue dress. Her long hair pulled back into a high ponytail and curled to hang down her neck and shoulders. My breathing became shallow as I watched her. She smiled softly at the guest as she passed them. When her eyes fell to mine, I was surprised to see her give me the same smile only slightly bigger. My heart took off like helicopter blades as I smiled back at her. She looked back to the front and continued her walk with Jake. When they reached the front Jake released her and she took her place behind Kim. As the others turned to watch Sam and Emily who were the best man and maid of honor make their way down the aisle, my eyes never left Leah. Once Sam and Emily were in place, the bridal march started and we all stood. Leah beamed as Rachel made her way down the aisle. She looked to me to find me not even looking at the bride. My eyes were still firmly on her. She finally registered the intensity of my gaze and her brows knotted up slightly. She forced her eyes from me and looked to Paul and Rachel.

Through the service Leah's eyes would look to me every few seconds to find me still staring at her. I paid no attention to the ceremony. I couldn't help myself. I was swept away in the sight of her.

The service went by quickly, at least for me. I was entirely focused on her. Before I knew it Paul and Rachel had said their "I do's" and we were all standing in the community hall of La Push waiting for the wedding party to enter. I was standing near the bar with Quil, Claire, Edward and Bella when I felt the pull at my center. I looked to the door to see Jared with Kim on his arm enter with Jake escorting Leah. The four made their way to the wedding party table and were soon joined by Sam and Emily. I watched Leah for a moment. She was smiling as she talked to Jake and Kim, but when the arrival of Paul and Rachel was announced, I pulled my eyes away to give my two friends the attention that I didn't give during their actual wedding. Rachel was stunning in her ivory white floor length dress and Paul looked great in his black tux.

As time passed they shared their first dance and cut the cake. Sam and Emily both gave wonderful speeches, but I only paid half attention to it all. I was trying to build up my nerve to ask Leah to dance with me. I wanted so badly to hold her in my arms, but I was terrified of getting rejected. I was watching her as she talked with Emily and Kim at the table. She was laughing at something Kim had said and the three of them kept looking over to where Jared stood with Sam and Billy.

"If you stare any harder you'll burn a hole in her head." I heard from next to me.

I looked over to see Jacob taking a seat next to me. He had already pulled off his tie and removed his jacket.

"Just ask her to dance already." He said leaning back into his chair.

"Easier said than done." I sighed.

"Oh…is itty bitty Embry scared of getting turned down?" He laughed.

I rolled my eyes at him and folded my arms over my chest.

"Quiet being a wuss and ask the girl."

I gave him the finger before standing from my chair. Jake was right, I needed to stop being scared and just ask her. I took a deep breath and headed towards her table. As I drew closer to her, I could see her body tense as if she could feel me coming. When I was only a foot or two from her, she turned to look at me. I stopped in front of her and smiled. She smiled uncertainly at me.

"Leah." I said with a smile.

"Em?"

"Would you like to dance?" I asked holding my hand out to her, then held my breath as I waited for her answer.

I could see the internal debate going on behind her eyes as she looked to me. She looked to Emily quickly who winked, then back to me.

"Um…s-sure." She said then took my hand.

I felt the sparks as soon as her skin touched mine. From her fast in take of breath I knew she felt it too. I lead her to the dance floor as a new slow song was starting. I put my hand to her waist and kept her other in mine. I looked into her brown eyes as I pulled her tight against me and held her. I waited for a moment, just staring into her eyes, then, slowly started to move us. She felt so good in my arms. I had missed her like this so much. And now, with the imprint, it felt divine. I moved my hand from her hip and around to her back. When my warm hand touched her skin through the thin material, I heard Leah gasp and then she squeezed my shoulder where her hand was resting. I pulled back to look at her.

"Everything ok?" I asked as I could hear her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

"Yeah, just a cold chill." She said looking down to the ground.

"Cold chill?"

"Yeah, since my body temp slowed I tend to get them every once in a while." She smiled.

I nodded and continued to moved us slowly. We didn't speak for a couple of minutes. Her heart beat never slowed and neither did mine as I held her.

"Rachel looked beautiful tonight. Don't you think?" Leah asked.

"Second most beautiful in the room." I answered looking into her eyes.

Leah looked at me with a half smile, "What do you mean second most? She's the bride, she was the only beautiful one."

"Second compared to you." I said stroking her back softly.

Leah's eyes became misty and her heart beat sounded like it would take flight.

"Embry…."

I smiled gently at her and leaned into her softly.

"You're the most beautiful woman in any room." I said softly to her.

I then kissed her softly. It only took a second before Leah kissed me back. Her lips were softer than I remembered and her touch had my blood racing through my veins. Our kisses had always made me feel happy, but this kiss was ten times greater than any kiss we had ever had. We had only been kissing for a few seconds when suddenly Leah pushed me away from her. As I looked at her, I could see the tears in her eyes and the painful look on her face.

"Leah? What is it?" I asked already worried.

"I…. I can't…. I have to go." She cried and turned away from me and ran out the door of the hall.

As I stood in the center of the dance floor looking to the door where Leah had disappeared out of Seth and Jake came up to me.

"What happened? Did you tell her?" Seth asked.

"No."

"Then why kiss her?" Jake asked.

I didn't know what to say…

"Go after her." Jake said.

Without looking at either of them I made my way out the door. Once I was outside closed my eyes and focused on the pull to my imprint. When I opened my eyes I followed the pull only on few feet from the hall and into the cemetery. I walked past the gate and down the short tree lined path when I felt the sharp pull. I looked to my left and saw Leah standing over Harry's grave. Her back was to me but I could tell by the heaving of her shoulders that she was crying. The sight of her in pain caused me pain. I took a deep breath and made my way towards her.

"Go away." Leah said when I was only a few feet from her.

I froze. "Lee…"

"Please Embry just go away."

I still advanced her. "What's wrong?"

She spun on me. He bloodshot eyes were wide and filled with tears.

"YOU! You're what's wrong!" She screamed at me.

"Leah, please let me talk to you, let me help." I begged reaching out to touch her.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ME!" She screeched. "You don't get to touch me! You don't get to kiss me! You gave up that right when you left me! YOU LEFT ME!"

The look of pain and anger in her eyes caused my to stand frozen to the spot I was at. I had seen Leah pissed before, but this was beyond anything I'd ever seen. She looked broken, defeated.

"I never meant t-…"

"Oh please don't say "I didn't mean to"! What right do you have to waltz back into my life and confuse me with all these conflicting emotions?" She yelled staring at me.

"I love you." I said softly and truthfully.

Leah huffed. "Love me? How do you claim to love me? You don't leave those you claim to love."

"Lee, I was crazy upset that night. If I had had my head on straight I never would have left, never." I pleaded looking into her red watery eyes.

"But you did." She said softer then dropped her gaze down to the ground, "What I don't understand is how I was so easy to cast aside. What makes me so easy to walk away from?"

My already broken heart shattered into ten million piece's at that one question. "Lee, you're not easy to cast aside and certainly not easy to walk away from. Everything in my body was screaming at me to turn around and go back to you that night and every night I was away since."

She looked up to me with tear streaked cheeks but didn't speak. I moved towards her and reached out to touch her arm, she flinched back away from my touch and took a step back. The guilt and pain at her rejection shot through me like a thousand needles.

"I loved you so much." Leah whispered looking up at me. "So much."

"I know you did Leah and I hate myself every day for what I did to you, to us."

Leah raised her hand and wiped a tear away from her cheek.

"Leah, I can't keep pretending that I'm ok with just being your friend because I'm not. You mean to much to me. I love you to much and I know you still love me. I can sense it. I know you do too. I love you…. And I want us back." I said taking hold of her arm even as she tried to pull away.

"Embry.. No…"

I dropped to my knees in front of her and wrapped my arms around her waist as the tears I had been fighting to hold back finally broke free.

"Please Leah, please. I love you so much. I miss you. I miss us. I know I can never take away what I did and I hate myself for hurting you but you're my everything. My entire world. Please…" I cried into her waist.

I felt her fingers tighten on my shoulder for a second, then push me away. I looked back up to her to see her beautiful face staring back down to me.

"I don't love you anymore Embry. I can't do this." She said stepping away from me, "Please don't come near me again."

Without another word she turned from me and disappeared into the darkness. The moment she was out of my sight I felt myself disappear into a sinking black hole inside of myself. What ever thoughts I had about winning Leah back died then and there. My imprint hated me…