Unsuspecting

Chapter Twenty-Five

Alex's POV.

I woke up next to Effie and Josh again. Every night since they'd been here we spent the whole night talking and joking till we eventually fell asleep. I was getting pretty knackered as I still had school to go to in the morning. And to say that Embry was getting pissed that he wasn't allowed to sleep here was a bit of an understatement.

"Something's going on, isn't there?" Josh mumbled sleepily, but it still made me jump.

I put a hand over my erratically beating heart as I tried to calm down. "What are you talking about?"

"With Effie. There's something going on involving Effie. And you have to tell me, now." He said sternly and I sighed.

"Come on then." I said and dragged him out of the room and down the stairs. I sat down on my sofa and Josh flopped down next to me, waiting patiently as I tried to gather my thoughts until I finally spoke.

"Effie's dad came here." I said quietly and Josh's eyes widened and he started to shout something but I covered his mouth with my hand, just in time so that he wouldn't wake everyone up. "Shh! Will you just listen?"

He sighed but calmed down a little, but only a little, blazing fury still present in his eyes and his breathing was heavy and his body was shaking slightly. Not like 'I'm a werewolf and I'm so angry I'm shaking until I eventually transform into an animal' sort of shaking but like 'I'm a human and piss angry so I'm shaking a little so I don't start running around smashing everything to pieces and screaming'.

"I beat the shit out of him." I said proudly and Josh laughed as he leant his head against my shoulder. His dirty blonde hair was sticking up at random places and it tickled my arm, causing me to laugh. He rolled his eyes then rubbed his head down my arm, causing me to squeal with laughter again. "Josh!" I shouted at him and he chuckled lightly but moved away. "You're not going to like what I say next, okay? So just, don't freak out on me. Please, don't." I paused and waited until he nodded. I took a deep breath before starting. "Your aunt and uncle have been sending him fan mail while he's been in prison and they plan to hurt her when you return home." I said quickly and Josh's eyes widened once more and his mouth gaped open.

He stayed like that for a couple of minutes; just staring at me in absolute shock. Then he shook his head, as if trying to clear his head, and wiped his eyes in disbelief. "And you believed him? They- they'd never do that to her." He said, but his voice was quiet and uncertain.

"I don't want this to be true anymore than you do. But it is. We can't let her get hurt again, Josh." I said and he nodded as he rubbed at his temples, moving to lean his elbows on his knees.

"Why the fuck does everyone keep wanting to hurt her?" He murmured softly and I nodded unhappily as I leant back. "What's the plan of action then, Lex?"

"She's staying here." I said and he snapped his head up to look at me.

"No! Absolutely not!" He screamed and I hushed him again as his breathing picked up. "She can't! She's my cousin, I have to look after her!"

I sighed and shook my head. "Your mother would never agree to it." He sighed and chucked his head back in defeat.

"The officer who worked on her case has been a great help. Like, so much. I just need to sort some more stuff out with her care worker. And I don't know how the hell we're going to tell Eff." I said and Josh nodded and he looked deep in thought. I stroked his face gently before getting up to get ready.

I had a shower and put on my jeans and a faded grey and black tee. I flung my hair up and put some make up on before pulling on some shoes and grabbed my school bag and ran down the stairs. Josh was still sitting in the exact same spot, his face in his hands.

"Eveything's going to be okay, Josh." He looked up at me, his eyes filled with hurt and my heart lurched.

"I know." He said softly and I smiled sadly at him.

Then I heard the door open and my mind sort of flooded of all negative thoughts and I ran at Embry as he and Brady made their way through the front door. I jumped on him and hugged him tightly. He chuckled softly as he picked me up, wrapping my legs around him and hugging me tighter to him. I smiled against him, it felt so good to have his body against mine. Knowing that he was okay, and that he was all mine. Possessive much? I know. I can't help it though, I can understand sometimes when he doesn't like me talking to other guys, but I just don't get the extent to which he worries. He knows that I'd never do anything with another guy, that's how this imprinting thing worked after all.

I kissed him passionately until I eventually had to pull back for that little thing we need call oxygen. Is it weird that I get pissed of with it because it broke up an amazing kiss? Well I am.

"I think I can get used to this as a greeting." Embry said breathlessly, his eyes sort of glazed over.

I laughed and buried my head in his neck. "I love you so much." He murmured into my hair as he leaned us against the wall.

"Stop staring at her like that!" I heard Josh shout and I pulled back, eyes wide.

Effie had just come down the stairs and apparently Brady was kind of ogling at her because she was just wearing underwear and a vest top. I couldn't really blame Josh for getting pissed.

"What?" Brady said, slightly dazed, as he looked away from Effie, whom was now as red as a fucking tomato. She murmured something about clothes and hurried back up the stairs as I climbed down from Embry.

"You! I'm fed up of it. The way you look at Effie! It's fucking sick! You don't even know her!" Josh growled and Brady started shaking violently. "You're just some stupid little fucking kid, who are you to stare at her like she's you're fucking sun?"

"Who am I to- I'm her fucking soul ma-," He started, as his shaking got stronger but I cut him off.

"Calm it, guys!" I slapped Brady gently on the arm to get his attention and he stopped trembling and controlled his breathing.

Effie came down the stairs, a pair of sweats on now, with Theo and they stared awkwardly between us all, tension thick in the air.

"Let's get some breakfast." Josh finally said bluntly and dragged Effie away. Brady growled but when Effie looked back longingly, it subsided and he just got this really sad look on his face as he looked after her when the kitchen door closed shut.

We stood there quietly for a moment and all you could hear was our breathing.

"So… school?" I said quietly and Brady unhappily nodded in agreement and stalked out. I winced and laced my fingers with Embry's before we all followed Brady.

When we reached the car Embry pecked me softly on the lips as he opened my door for me. I laughed and rolled my eyes as I got it while Embry smiled brightly and ran around to his side. He winked cheekily at me as he got in at his side.

"When are you going to tell Effie?" I asked Brady after there was another silence.

He groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't have a fucking clue." He said and banged his head against the window.

"Hey! Watch my baby!" Embry protested as he looked back, expecting it for damage.

Brady snorted as he rolled his head off the window. "I thought Alex was 'your baby'?" He asked with his eyebrow raised.

Embry smiled goofily as he turned to me, causing me to start laughing. "She is." He said smugly, causing me to laugh more and I gently shoved him in the ribs. He laughed softly and caught my hand as I pulled away and brought it to his lips, kissing it loudly.

I laughed harder as Brady and Theo made gagging noises while Embry just chuckled and pulled up outside of our school.

We got out the car and started walking towards the school as Theo and Brady ran ahead to Seth and Collin.

"What have I got first?" I asked Embry and he frowned and pouted.

"Music." He said and I laughed softly as I hugged him to me tightly.

"It's just one lesson apart, Em." This was one of the few lessons I didn't have with him.

He groaned. "A whole lesson were something life endangering can happen and I won't be able to save you!" He whined and I laughed but when I pulled back I saw that he was being one hundred percent serious and my smile faded. "I swear to god the teachers just put us in different classes to torture me."

"Aw, I'm sorry, my love." I said, well, I sort of sang the 'my love' bit as we made it to the outside of my classroom.

He kissed me softly and then hugged me tightly. "I love you."

"I love you more!" I said and smiled brightly before disappearing into my class. But I saw him scoff just before the door slammed shut.

"Lex!" Doug called and I smiled at them as I bounded over and took my seat.

We spent the whole lesson laughing as he, Matt and Luke tried to teach me how to play a riff on the guitar. I wasn't very good at it. The teacher had set us to learn it a couple lessons ago, but I just really couldn't do it.

When the bell rang we exited the class, Doug's arm around my shoulders, to see that Embry was already waiting. I tried to slip out from under Doug's arm inconspicuously as I walked over to him, but he noticed. Damn. It's not like me and Doug felt anything for each other, but Embry didn't believe that. The fact that anyone wouldn't be in love with me baffled him. This silly imprinting stuff proper shits his head up.

I buried my head in his chest as I wrapped my arms around his waist. He sighed and hugged me back.

"So…?" I started, my face scrunched up as I tried to remember what I had next.

"Drama." Embry provided and I smiled happily.

"Yay! This is a well easy morning." I said and rolled his eyes as we started to walk to drama with Doug, Matt and Luke.

I smiled up at Embry. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt. Double yay! The white clashed well with his tanned skin and made his muscled, yet lean body look brilliant. I looked back up at Embry's face to see his eyebrow raised as he tried to hide a laugh. I rolled my eyes and shoved him playfully, turning my head so he couldn't see my blush.

He groaned and pulled me to him, lifting my feet of the ground. I squeaked in surprise and the guys rolled their eyes and carried on as Embry chucked me over his shoulder.

"Put me down, now!" I shouted but Embry chuckled and carried on walking. This was so embarrassing, literally everyone that we passed in the halls were staring at us. I groaned. "Embry! You better put me down, right now, or- er," I tried to think as he laughed some more, knowing that I couldn't ever physically damage him. But, ha! I have something he wants. "No sex for a month!" I whispered into his ears and he stopped dead in his tracks.

"You wouldn't." He whispered back and I laughed shrilly.

"Do you really want to take that chance?" I said and he waited for a minute, pondering weather I would follow through with it. The truth was, I wouldn't. But he didn't need to know that, now did he? I smiled madly as he put me down grumpily. I grabbed his hand and started skipping happily and he laughed at me. He didn't even have to quicken his pace as I started skipping quicker.

""Stupid werewolf legs." I muttered and Embry laughed more, smiling down at me, like, adoringly? He's the cutest thing ever.

We went to the back of the class room to our space while the rest of the class started talking about what characters they were going to be for the play we were doing.

Embry pulled me to sit on his lap and I did so, smiling. He kissed me softly before moving down to my neck.

"You smell real good." He murmured and I cleared my throat awkwardly.

"Erm, thanks."

He laughed and pulled away from me, his beautiful brown eyes sparkling, making it immensely difficult to not smile back at him.

"You're so c-," He started but I covered his mouth with my hand as I groaned.

"No! Enough with the compliments! It's killing me!" I whined and he just rolled his eyes, pulling my hands away from his mouth, holding them securely in his tough, warm ones as he traced circles on my skin with his thumb.

"How did you know I was going to compliment you, Miss Modest?" He teased and my face burned red. I buried my head in his neck as he laughed at me.

"What were you going to say?" I muttered as he played with my fingers with his.

"I was going to say that you looked really cute when you're embarrassed, but, you didn't know that." He said and I laughed and nipped the skin of his neck with my teeth.

He growled lightly before pulling me closer and kissing me forcefully, gently nibbling on my lower lip.

We unwillingly and unhappily pulled back when we heard our teacher screaming our names. I turned just as she came towards us and thrust play books in our hands.

"As you two seem so fond of showing affection, you two can play the German couple; Genevieve and Bernard. Now, remove yourself from Mr Call, girl!" She said and stomped off. I laughed as I slid of Embry.

"You look like a Bernard." I said and Embry nudged me with his head playfully as he flicked through the script.

"Ah! Let's go through scene eleven." He said and smiled madly at me as he placed the book in front of me. I laughed at his enthusiasm and laughed harder when I saw what bit he was pointing to.

'(Bernard enters, stage left.)

Bernard: Ah! My dearest Genevieve! We have returned at long last from the great battle!

(He reaches her and sweeps her into a passionate kiss as the other men walk on stage.)'

"I think Drama's quickly becoming my favourite class." He whispered to me and I roll my eyes before he leans down and kisses me.

And thus, we spent the rest of the lesson rehearsing our, err, lines.

"I can't believe what you did all lesson." Matt said and laughed as he nudged me with his elbow after class. I just laughed and wrapped my arms around Embry after waving goodbye and we made our way outside.

"Will you come over tonight?" Embry asked and I swear my breathing caught. Shit. "My mum was moaning that she hasn't seen you in a while." He said with a laugh and I could see him blushing a bit.

"Er, I've got some stuff to do tonight, but tomorrow I'm free." I said and he nodded. I sighed in relief quietly but he heard and pulled as both to a halt and turned to look at me, eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"What are you doing tonight?" He asked.

"Oh, just going out with Effie." I said and ran a hand through my hair.

"Your heartbeat speeds up when you lie, Alex." He said while frowning and a hurt look on his face that broke my heart.

"It's nothing, Embry. You don't need to worry about it." I said and turned to start walking but he kept my hands in his as he just closed his eyes.

"You know that now, all I'll be doing is worrying." He said quietly.

"You shouldn't, its really unimportant." I tried to convince him and he opened to look at me, his eyes still filled with hurt and I very nearly collapsed to the floor under the mass of guilt that was pushing down on me.

"If it's really not important, let me come with you."

"No!" I practically scream in his face. Great- good one Alex.

He backs away from me, looking like I just stabbed him in arm. Trust me, I know what that looks like.

I groaned and scrunched my face up when his hands left mine. "Embry…"

"Alex?" He says sharply and I groaned again and walked to him, wrapping my arms around him. He sighs but hugs me back.

"I just can't tell you yet, but it's nothing. I'm just being silly. I'll talk to you about it later." I said and he huffed but nodded.

"Fine, but you call me, wait, better yet, come round as soon as you're finished whatever you're doing, right? And you can tell me then?" He said and I bit my lip hesitantly but agreed none the less.

"Sure thing, Embry. But I tell you now, you're just overreacting."

AN; oooh, what's that all about? :L Hope you like the chapter. Arg! I've got the worst hiccups ever right now, I swear to god, they hurt so bad.

Thanks to everyone who read and reviews or added!

You all seem to want a bit of Theo action :L I did think about him imprinting, but I'm still contemplating on who it could be. Any ideas?

+ I forgot to say last chapter - I saw new moon! Ahh! Yay! :) It was really good, although, obvs not as good as the book, I wanted her to be more depressed :L And see some more topless werewolfs :L

iPuppyDogFace: ahaha! Great :L Thank you :D

TheStoryOfMe: :L Sorry, what was it you wanted again? :P

JJ-Jefferu: Thank you! :D I'm not sure yet, def thinking about it :)

lionandthelamblove7: Aha, yeah. Bless them both, silly protective boys. :L Thanks for the review :)

lilmaher: Thank you! Nah, they don't know about them. They just got told about the ledgends, thinking that they were just stories and not actually true :)

whizabeth: :L yeah, bless him :D

starlight5577: Ahaha, nearly all of you want him too :L I thought it would be better than having another gooey chapter :)

Hope you liked this chapter, any ideas on what's going to happen? Review! :D x