.
"He wants to see you."
Leah blinks in surprise. "What?"
Embry sighs. "I know you don't want anything to do with him, honey. And that's okay. But I promised him I would ask."
Leah raises her eyebrows at the statement. Clearly Jacob Black had not left the area like she assumed, and her husband was still in contact with him. She contemplates the request seriously as she coddles a tiny newborn tighter to her chest. With her son fast asleep in the cot, she glances down at the child. Her eyelashes are long like her father, but her hair is all Clearwater. Her lips, her chin, all her father, while their son is almost a splitting image of Seth at the same age.
"So, you've been talking?"
Embry nods at the question. "I didn't purposely deceive you. I did it to protect you. I caught him snooping around the yard one night. We had words."
"Words?" Leah scoffs, knowing the protectiveness of the wolf often controlled Embry whilst she was pregnant.
"At first at least." Embry grins. She remembers that night, she'd been woken by Embry searching for the first aid kit before locking himself in the bathroom. "I didn't want to tell you, just in case-"
"In case what?"
He turns his head away in embarrassment.
"You didn't tell me because you thought I would choose Jacob? Even after all this time? After I married you? You are a stupid man, Embry Call."
She fixes her bra and top before laying her daughter down in the cot opposite her brother. Intent on leaving the small nursery, Embry catches her wrist softly and drags her to him. She feels his long arms envelope her and chooses not to fight him. She leans into his chest with a sigh even though she wants to punch him in the stomach from being such a douche.
"I'm sorry," he whispers into her hair, dropping a kiss against her crown. "I know what I thought was stupid. I know you love me. I just - you are mine, Leah. And I fight for what's mine. It's not only the Alpha in me, but the man. And I've spent too many years wasted without you. I'd make damn sure I'd never be without you again."
After a moment of silent embrace, Leah pulls back and looks up at her husband. "Why does he want to see me? Why now?"
Embry's eyes are steeled, but his grasp on her waist is gentle. "He wants to apologise. As much as it kills me, he also wants to be a part of your life. As a friend."
Leah frowns. "And you agreed to that?"
"I didn't agree to anything. He told me what he wanted, and I told him I would ask you to hear him out. I still want to break his nose each time I see him, but he's your imprint. And I can see his pain."
Leah does whack him on the chest this time. "You let him back into the pack?"
"OUCH - Hey! It's conditional! He knows the rules. Should he break any, he is gone."
"What rules?"
Embry laughs. "Sweet, beautiful, nosey wife of mine. What shall I ever do with you?" he hums, brushing his nose down her cheek to kiss her neck.
Leah grumbles at her husband. "He only wants to talk?"
"Yep." The man in front of her nods.
"Urgh! Fine. But I want you there. Not listening in, but close enough."
"Deal." He grins, before sweeping down and kissing her mouth.
.