Chapter 25

Leah's POV

"I'm so worried." Emily laments for the thousandth time.

"Well maybe if you would've just let the right people take care of her, we wouldn't be in this situation right now!" I growl.

She gives me a sad look, "Leah I just wanted to help! She's my brothers daughter, for gods sake! I just wanted to help!" She continues, as tears fall out of her eyes.

I scoff, not easily believing a word she just said, "No, Emily, you were being selfish! You wanted a piece of your brother, so you stole it! Don't you think there was a fucking reason she was supposed to be with us and not you?! Did you even think about her well being?" I yell angrily, shaking slightly.

"I just wanted to help," she sobs again.

"Well you've done a fine fucking job!" I seethe, gesturing to the room where Jaycee has been for the past two and a half weeks.

It was a long time to be away from our other halves. And with the level of depression Jaycee is obviously in, I don't wanna even wanna know how bad Jacob is. It's a wonder we haven't heard a thing from them.

Jacob's POV

I pace the floor angrily.

"Knock it off!" Sam growls.

"The next time it comes to my imprint, stay the fuck out of it!" I yell, pointing at him.

"I was doing what I had to, and you will not ever tell me what and what not to do again." He growls back, standing to his feet.

"You just wait," I snarl, "You just fucking wait."

I turn, and run out of the door. Barely able to control my already blurring body, I manage to get my shorts off and around my ankle before shifting. I sprint through the woods quickly, damaging the vegetation on the way.

I release one last rebellious howl, before digging deeper and sprinting faster. I feel Embry shift in, and feel slightly relieved, at least I won't have to bear the consequences of this alone.

Maybe Ciara is right, maybe you are an asshole.

Whatever

So we're finally gonna go get them? What finally made you snap?

I appreciate the way Embry asks to see my thoughts, even though they've probably already flooded his head.

Yeah, that's what you love about me. Yeah right. We all know you fell in love with me in second grade purely because of my looks. I'm fucking beautiful.

I roll my eyes, this is going to be a long run. Embry may not say much, but his mind is a completely different story. I show him what just happened between Sam and I, and realize what I said. I just implied I would become alpha because of Jaycee.

Well of course you would. We would all do anything for them.

Alpha, Embry. Just stop and think about that one. I wasn't even willing to do that for-

Bella isn't your imprint. Of course you weren't. Jaycee, is, on the other hand. Being alpha is a big responsibility. Of course you could do it with her because she makes you stronger.. Bella barely understood you. I know you were willing to do a lot for her, but nothing compared to do what you would for Jaycee. Understand? Of course you do.

Then he appears next to me, and we run together, both our thoughts now completely immersed in our seemingly missing imprints.

I just wanted to hold her again. You know, to kiss her and hear her say she loves me. 'Cause I can't even count how many times I've wanted to say it these past two weeks.

I can't get her beautiful brown eyes out of my head, framed by her long eyelashes, her cute little button nose, and her soft peach colored lips. And her scent, the pleasant vanilla that soothes me completely. Her little smart mouth, and that beautiful laugh.

I just need her back with me, where she belongs.

Jaycee's POV

Numb.

Yeah, I wish I felt numb. But no, I'm laying here like I have been for an eternity or so now, completely swamped with pain. Yeah, it's fun.

I am well aware how selfish this is, keeping them from their lives because I'm throwing yet another pity party. But I can't help it, I feel absolutely horrible.

In all reality, I feel too much.

I feel like it's my fault.

I feel like they never really loved me.

I feel like I'm just a burden for everyone that knows me.

I feel completely alone.

I feel like there's never gonna be happiness for me.

I feel like I have to go home.

What what?

Home, where Jacob is, you idiot. You know that currently missing puzzle piece that makes you feel oh so much.

Right. Jacob.

Now I feel really, extremely, overwhelmingly selfish.

Shit.

I swing my legs off of the bed, and stand up-a little too quickly; I sway a couple times before catching myself. I take a swig from the water on my bedside table, then rush into the adjoined bathroom. I strip faster than humanly possible, and turn on the water. Surprised at my speed-I wash myself thoroughly in under two minutes.

I wrap a towel around me, and burst out of the bathroom, and drag out my suitcase. I unzip it, and quickly throw on a soccer warm up jacket and some baggy gray sweatpants, before closing it again. I cross the floor to the door, and stop dead in my tracks when I hear a slight knock.

I turn on my heels slowly, and almost burst into tears when I see Jacob outside of my window. A smile fights it's way onto my face, and I practically run to the window. After flinging it open, he jumps in with about a foot of snow.

Throwing my arms around him, I pull him into a hug as tears fall out of my eyes like a waterfall. He picks me up, and my legs wrap around his waist, and truth is; there's no likelihood of me letting go anytime soon.

"Jaycee." He whispers against my neck.

"Jacob, I'm so sorry." I blurt. "No, it's okay, you don't have to be sorry. It takes time, it's a process,

I understand, baby." He whispers. I hug him tighter, "I love you." I say quickly, smiling. He pulls back and smiles too, "I love you more." I pull his face to mine, and crash my lips against his.

"Promise you won't leave me?" I whisper. "I promise." He responds, and rejoins his lips with mine. My fingers tangle into his already wild hair, and he grips my hips tightly.

And it only got awkward when someone clears their throat. I pull back immediately, and jump out of his arms, only to see Embry by the window, an embarrassed blush on his cheeks. We make eye contact, and both look away immediately. This couldn't get any more awkward. I slap Jacob's arm, "What the hell? Why didn't you tell me he was here?" I hiss, my cheeks burning. He shrugs, grinning down at me, "I didn't really care." He says cheekily. I narrow my eyes at him, "You're horrible. I'm so sorry Embry. My fucking god." I mutter, and hide my face in Jacob's chest. He immediately wraps his arms around me, and kisses the top of my head.

"Can I see Ci now?" Embry says quietly. I nod, "Just a minute." I tell him before returning to Jacob's warm embrace.

"Jacob," I whisper. "Yeah?" "Just say that you forgive me." I say quietly. "I forgive you, but you didn't do anything wrong." He says, looking me directly in the eyes. I smile, shaking my head, "How in the world did I get so lucky?" I ask, laughing slightly. He just pecks my lips in response, "Just go get Ciara, babe."

I walk over to the door, and unlock it, pushing it open. I walk into the living room, and everyone looks up, shocked. I force a smile onto my face, "Hi guys." I whisper. "Jaycee!" Emily exclaims. "Hi, hi, hi, can I just talk to Ciara. And Leah." I say quickly, backing up from Emily's quickly approaching embrace. I just don't wanna be crowded right now, ya know? Ciara and Leah stand up, and follow me into the bedroom.

Ciara literally screams when she sees Embry and jumps on him. Leah rolls her eyes, "I've known that you've been here for an eternity now. I thought Jaycee's fucking face fell off, for gods sake." Jacob doesn't even respond, just rolls his eye at his slightly sarcastic pack member. "We're gonna head home, okay?" He says to her, drawing me into his side. She nods, and smiles a little, "What makes you think I'm not coming with you?"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

By four thirty, we're back home, in LaPush. Not wanting to face both Sam and Emily after what I did, I go to Jacob's house instead. Not really sure how my luggage is going to get back here, but that's not my main worry. Leah stayed behind with Emily to help her pack up. Ciara and I left with Jacob and Embry, and Leah joined us not soon after. There's no doubt that Sam'a gonna be pissy about us letting Emily drive home alone, and since she's pregnant it's gonna be even worse. But I don't feel like the... extra stuff they seem to bring into my life right now. I just want to be with Jacob.

Jake and I walk into the clearing, hands intertwined. The leaves were falling everywhere in brilliant colors, and the pond was clear and reflective. We sit down on the stones surrounding the pond, my toes barely touching the surface of the water.

"Do you see how different I look?" I muse randomly, staring at my reflection. "What?" He asks with a chuckle. "I said, 'do you see how different I look'. Like from the time I got here 'till now." He shrugs, "A little. You're still beautiful." I shove his shoulder, and continue, "What I mean is my face looks older than I am." He actually looks at me for a minute, "No. It doesn't. It looks perfect to me." I roll my eyes, "Could you stop for two seconds? I have dimples.. And visible cheekbones Jacob! And my hair is red! It's like I aged a couple years." He pulls me closer to his side, and kisses my cheek, "Well... I don't mind." I finally just give up, and laugh, "Stop being so fucking cheesy, Jacob." He laughs too, "I'm not being cheesy, I'm being honest." I smile up at him, honestly just glad to be back in his arms. I peck a kiss to his lips, then lean my head against his shoulder, "I think I'm gonna be just fine." I whisper.

"Yeah?"

"Mmhm."

"Good."