Chapter 37 – Becca
I had no idea what I was doing here. Nine Cullens, seventeen wolves, three elders, Tiffany Call, Emily Uley, and I were gathered in a circle inside the schoolhouse.
Sue Swan clasped her hands together, and the room turned toward her. "The tribal elders have met and have made a long overdue agreement." Her voice was not commanding like my dad's, but she spoke with authority and confidence. "The tribe stands with the Cullens. Our past treaty will not be amended, but the goodwill between the tribe and the Cullen family of Cold Ones will be forevermore one of goodwill, trust, and partnership." The other tribal elders nodded. The Cullens stayed perfectly still, but Carlisle nodded.
"To that end, upon the recommendation of the two pack leaders, Sam Uley and Jacob Black, the plan devised between the warriors and the Cullen family is sanctioned and may be executed." Quil Senior nodded to Sam and Jacob, who stepped forward to present the plan to the larger group.
It seemed that everyone in the room knew of the plan except me and Renesme, who stood to my right and gave me more than one nervous glance. I knew how she felt. She and I were basically playing the role of bait, and we'd have to do so convincingly or many people's lives would be in danger.
The thing is, I didn't mind being a part of it. A week ago I would have fled at this much drama, but now I felt like it was my duty. It felt good to be able to do something to protect the ones I loved.
And the one I loved most in the world, standing across the circle from me, had no idea how I felt. I hadn't known until Rachel had knocked some sense in to me. I still didn't know what I was going to do about it, but I didn't want to go too long without telling him. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that life is short.
The meeting broke up. I smiled at Renesme and then darted across the circle to Embry. He was talking to his mother in hushed tones.
Tiffany nodded at him with a confident smile and then turned to me. "Good luck tomorrow, Rebecca." Her smile turned to an odd mixture of concern and confusion. I had no idea how I'd earned her luck or her concern, but I smiled back and thanked her.
"Embry, can I talk to you?"
"Sure."
I pulled him outside into the night. He stood against the building with his arms crossed. The light from the high windows blinded me of his expression. He was a dark, hostile silhouette.
"I don't want to fight with you," I said.
"Don't do this."
"What?"
"Don't apologize, Bec. I don't need it. I don't want to hear your excuses again." He spoke softly.
"I wasn't going to give you any excuses. I was going to tell you … that I care about you."
"You care about me."
"Yes. I care about you. A lot. I want you to be safe. I don't want you hurt. I don't want anyone hurting you, ever, including me."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yes, you've said your piece. Thank you for telling me."
"Embry! Listen to me."
He grunted and dragged me into the nearby woods. I'm sure every wolf and vampire could hear us anyway. He pushed me against a tree and kissed me without hesitation. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close to me, trying to show him how I felt. His big body pressed into me so there was no boundary between us. There was nothing in the world but him and me. I kissed him, wanting him to see how much I cared, hoping he could see that I was scared but I was brave too, and that we could protect each other.
But his kiss meant something else. It was reckless and hopeless and angry. This one meant something: Goodbye.
He pulled away. I shouted, "No!"
He was a dark shadow ten feet away from me. His voice was rough and chilling. "You'll be safe, I swear it."
I shivered. "Embry," I begged, wishing for the words that would prove how I felt. They didn't come, so I blurted my biggest fear. "Please be safe tomorrow."
He nodded, and then disappeared.
Tiny Embry scene next and then full on battle from Becca's POV and then Embry's. So fun!
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