A/N:

Hey guys! I just wanted to thank everyone who's been reading for sticking around! I know my updates haven't been regular, and I'm sorry for that, I'm actually travelling and have been for the last five months :)).

I just wanted to make a note that this fic is a SLOWBURN! An attempt at a realistic relationship that has been complicated by the supernatural. If you're not into slowburns, this may not be the story for you, but I can assure you, that the endgame has been finalised for the characters, this story is about their story; the way their relationship has evolved. I'll make an effort to include more Jacob, as I've been getting some notes about the lack of the big bad wolf himself, but once again, tryna make this organic, and as it is told from Alex's point of view, Jacob isn't always with her; especially considering Jacob's story arc with Bella, which I don't want to dismiss as it plays an important role in shaping him!

Thanks again everyone! Lots of love to you all!

(if you wanted to read some stuff from my Ao3 account, I write under pie_pecans_and_parrots)

When Alex got in, both she and Paul fed her parents an elaborate story about how sick she was. Somehow, they fell for it, and Alex made her way slowly upstairs clutching her stomach and trying not to grin. Paul winked at her from the ground floor, before ducking into Kitty's room, and Alex listened to her sister's exclamation of delight for a moment before she went into her bedroom.

She felt a little more settled now; Embry was in good hands, and she'd be with him tomorrow anyway. The matter of his parentage was still heavy on her mind, but she knew all she could do was hope for a peaceful resolution.

Alex took a seat on her bed, running a brush through her wet hair, and stared out at the window. Somewhere, out there in the dark trees, Embry was discovering things about himself that shouldn't have been possible. Somewhere, Embry was afraid.

"Alright, are you ready?" Paul knocked on her bedroom door, and Alex straightened from tying her good hiking shoes on. It was early, and thought her parents were mostly likely already on their way to work, she'd be able to avoid her brother and sister. Topher would probably keep his mouth shut, but she didn't trust Kitty's indelible goodness not to make her let it slip that Alex was skipping out on school.

She met him in the hallway, and frowned at his shirtless state. "Ew."

Paul frowned, looking down at himself in confusion. "What's wrong with my eight-pack?"

Alex rolled her eyes, walking around him. "Um, six-pack, and don't you own a shirt?"

Paul bounced soundlessly down the stairs after her. It was unnatural and unfair, the size of them all, and the grace they somehow possessed. "I'll be taking it off anyway. What's the point?"

Alex shrugged. "I guess."

"Did you take your textbook?" Paul asked her, shutting the door quietly after them as they headed for his truck.

"No. Why?"

Paul sighed. "Sam says you have to do some homework if you're insisting on being there." He twisted in his seat to back out of their driveway, and Alex wondered idly when he had returned Sam's car and gone to get his own. "Embry's gonna be busy."

Alex sniffed. "Moral support never takes homework breaks."

Paul rolled his eyes. "You're so annoying. Don't you wanna go to college?" They coasted quickly through the main part of town; the school traffic not quite begun, and the early morning commuters already out of the main strip.

Alex shrugged. "I'm only a sophomore. I've got time to catch up. Besides, I'll probably just try for a sports scholarship." She set her shoulders. "This is more important."

Paul smiled to himself. "You really care about him, huh?"

"Yeah." Alex said quietly. "He's my best friend."

"You guys have been together for a while now. Do you love him?"

Alex choked on her own spit, coughing as she hit at Paul wildly. "Why do you people keep asking me that?! NO! We haven't even…" she trailed off, clearing her throat.

Paul, however, was insistent. "Haven't…? Haven't what?"

Alex shifted uncomfortably. "Doesn't matter."

Paul waggled his eyebrows, "C'mon, Big A, spill the beans to your favourite brother-in-law!"

"You've proposed?" Alex's eyes went wide, and Paul suddenly looked caught out. "What the fuck, Paul? You guys only just graduated!"

Paul coughed. "Well, I haven't proposed yet… but I'm going to. It sorta has to happen."

Alex shook her head, confused. "Does Kitty know? Is this why she turned down college? Because mom is still kinda mad about that."

"No! No – I mean, we haven't had the conversation. She turned down college because, well, her future is with me." He sounded oddly guilty, and Alex tilted her head.

"What do you mean, Paul?"

He shifted in place. "I mean, there's no harm in you knowing, I guess…" he said, almost to himself. He took a breath. "You know how me, and your sister are, like, amazing together?"

Alex rolled her eyes. "I guess?" Her sister had never been happier. Like, ever. Alex thought Paul was a pretty cool guy, but never in a million years would she have guessed they would click as well as they had.

"Well, it's not just our sweet, sweet chemistry. It's, um, fate. Kinda." Paul hedged.

Alex made a continue gesture with her hands, impatient. She'd heard her sister spout some of that crap before. "Yeah, yeah, you guys are destiny, and nothing can break you apart, blah, blah, blah."

Paul made an amused noise. "Literally. Literally nothing can break us. I Imprinted on your sister back when I first Phased, and it's been bliss since then." He winced. "Well, mostly bliss."

Alex didn't care about the majority of his statement, but the odd word there caught her attention. "Imprinted." She repeated. "I haven't heard that word before."

Paul groaned. "This feels so weird. I feel like I'm giving a pseudo sex-talk." He gave Alex a pleading look. "Can't you get Sam to tell you about it?"

Alex gagged. "Ew – why did you say that? Now you have to tell me, or I'll assume it's something gross."

Paul sighed. "Fine! Fine – it's a wolf thing-"

"Obviously." Alex snorted, and he glared at her. "Sorry. Go on."

"As I was saying; it's a wolf thing. It's supposed to be rare – it's a connection between souls."

"Soulmates?" Alex asked, as they turned into Emily's driveway.

"But real; terrifyingly, all-consumingly real. Your Imprint is bound to you just as you are bound to them. They become your reason for existing. You would do anything for them, become anything for them; a brother, a friend, a lover. They make you stronger, better." His eyes were a little glossy, and Alex stared at him. He sounded deadly seriously. "To be without them is to die. To hurt them is to die. Trust me when I say that." He looked at her, and gave her a half-hearted smile. "I never thought unconditional love on the sort of scale that I feel it, was real. But it is."

Alex nodded weakly. "Wow. Okay." She hesitated. "H-how do you know when you Imprint, I mean, if you've been Imprinted on."

Paul shrugged. "It's different for everyone. I mean, I think it feels a little like you snap into place, like magnets, y'know, a sudden realisation that holy shit, this is it. Jared said it was like being electrocuted. Sam said it felt as if he was suddenly drifting away, and then in the next moment – all his strings, everything he was, got attached to Emily. She became his gravity, his reason for being." He gave her an appraising look. "I don't actually really know what it feels like on the other end. Kitty never really talked about it, and when I Imprinted, she kinda fell unconscious." There was an old pain there, a memory that Alex knew was too tender to touch on. She let it be.

"Huh." A thought occurred to her, and she winced, looking at Paul. "Embry hasn't…?"

Paul shook his head with a bark of laughter, and parked the truck. "I might not know what it feels like, but you would know if he had. We'd all know."

Alex felt a little stupid. "Right." She opened the door, and jumped down onto the gravel, closing it with a slam, and joining Paul as he jogged towards the house. Her stomach rumbled. "God, I'm hungry."

Paul sniffed the air. "Same. I think breakfast is on the table though." They exchanged a grin, and ducked into the house.

Breakfast was indeed ready, and the inhabitants of the house, plus Jared and Embry were already eating. Emily looked up at their entry, and smiled widely. "Morning, guys – help yourselves. There's juice in the fridge." Alex stared; Embry had cut his hair, buzzed it short. He looked like a different person.

"Thanks, Em." Paul said, and headed towards the kitchen.

"Good morning." Alex said, and when Embry finally looked up, tired and gaunt – despite all the extra mass he had gained – she made a beeline towards him, bypassing the food, and settling herself in beside him. Sam made a noise, and she shot him a glare before she turned a smile on Embry. "How are you feeling?"

Embry's smile grew slowly, despite the gloom that hung over him. "Tired, sore, and really, really hungry." He set down his fork on his plate, and turned his hand palm up. Alex slipped her hand into his, marvelling at the size difference. His smile bloomed fully. "But better now."

Alex bit at her lip, squeezing his hand and leaning her head into his shoulder for a moment. "Good." Embry tilted his plate towards her, offering, and she took a piece of toast, chewing slowly, and trying not to be too endeared by the way Embry had begun to endeavour to eat one handed, seemingly reluctant to let go of her. She looked up, meeting Sam's gaze. He was frowning at them, and she resisted the urge to stick her tongue out. "What's on the wolfy-agenda today?" Embry stiffened momentarily beside her, and she squeezed his hand again.

"Phase control. The most important thing." Sam said after a moment.

Jared grinned through a mouthful of egg. "Don't worry, Embry – some of us," he gave Paul a pointed look, "Are still trying to master the art of anger management."

Paul scowled, "Fuck you, Jared."

Embry smiled a little, shy. "Okay." He looked a little uncertain, "How long will it take?"

Sam was impassive. "As long as it takes."

Alex did end up doing homework. Emily procured a beaten copy of her literature book, and an empty notebook, and made her do a few practice essay prompts. Turned out La Push High hadn't changed their curriculum very much in the few years.

She perched herself on the kitchen island and watched Emily bake in between scribbling down lines about why Frankenstein's monster was a representation of the wave of revolutionary thought that had swept through Shelley's society. Or something along those lines. She was struggling with her third paragraph, and was a few minutes from giving up. She should ask Embry for some help-

The thought occurred to her, the realisation that Embry's future, his college dreams, were uncertain now. The wolves were bound to La Push. Her own sister had given up her own college acceptance to stay with Paul.

She set down her pen carefully. "Emily?"

Emily looked up from her furious whisking of a bowl of egg whites, giving her a questioning look. "What's up, chicken?"

"Can…um, Pack leave La Push?"

Emily nodded, "Of course, they're not confined to the borders of the reservation. You know that." She laughed.

"I meant like, holidays, or like – college." Alex clarified.

Emily looked hesitant. "Well, I don't know. Probably…probably not. The Pack is bound to the people, to the Tribe. And until their safety is guaranteed, which it's not so long as the Cold Ones exist here, the Pack have a responsibility."

"But the Cullens are gone." Alex said, confused.

Emily bit her lip. "There've been reports of attacks in Seattle, ranging down the coast. Sam isn't sure, but he's being cautious."

Alex blanched. "I didn't know that."

Emily smiled slightly. "It's nothing, baby, don't worry about it."

Alex nodded. "Okay. I trust him." Emily tilted her head, and Alex clarified. "Sam, I mean. I think he does a really good job of looking after everyone."

Emily's smile widened. "He'll be happy to hear it."

Alex wrinkled her nose. "Oh no, don't tell him – it'll only make his head bigger." Emily laughed, a lovely sound that made Alex grin. She stretched, and looked out at the grey sky. The rain seemed to be holding for now, and she wanted to go see Embry. "I'm gonna go for a walk."

Emily hummed, frowning out of the window, but into the trees. "Just be careful? And if you get told to go, come back right away, okay?"

Alex sighed. "I'll be fine. Embry won't hurt me." She wound her scarf around her neck and zipped up her hoodie. "No one has any faith in him, I swear!"

Emily looked pained. "We have faith in him, Alex. But we have to be careful." Absently, her hand fluttered to her neck, fingers brushing over her scars. Alex felt a sudden flood of guilt, and moved towards her, kissing her on the cheek and squeezing her gently. Emily gave a soft surprised noise, but smiled.

"I know. I'm sorry." Alex told, before she turned towards the door.

"Bye, Alex."

"See you soon, Em!"

Alex jogged into the trees, unsure where she was going, but knowing that they'd probably find her before she found them. She was right – Alex only walked for a few minutes until she became aware of the soft padding of paws to her left. She turned, meeting Jared's lolling tongue and characteristic dark grey 'mask' around his eyes, which Alex had always privately thought made him look like a bit like the Hamburglar. "Hey, Jared."

He yipped at her, and ran around her, herding her slightly to the right. She followed him easily as he headed deeper into the forest, breaking into a light run to match his loping stride. He slowed for her as they reached a thinning of the trees, and Alex began to catch glimpses of the dark grey ocean and equally tumultuous sky through the trunks. She wondered where they were to be so close to the ocean, and to be out in the open – as she watched, she saw a flicker of silver on the sand, Paul – it must have been a very isolated stretch of beach.

Jared broke into a gallop to join his brothers on the shore, so Alex made her way onto the sand alone. Sam was standing, Unphased, watching Paul and who Alex realised was Embry. They were snarling and swiping at each other, locked in a brawl. Paul was larger than Embry, not by much, but clearly enough to matter, especially when Embry's inexperience was factored in – and it was clear Embry was tired. He was panting and favouring his right hindleg. Alex winced, and headed towards Sam.

"Is fighting really necessary?" she asked, and he turned, having heard her over the wind and waves. He waited until she was within human hearing distance to respond.

"It's a good way for him to get used to his new form." Sam told her, still watching the pair scuffling. "Plus, he needs to know how to defend himself."

"How's he doing?" Alex asked, watching as Embry darted out of the way of a swipe of Paul's paws.

"He's…calm." Sam admitted begrudgingly. "Certainly, a whole lot better than Jared and Paul were." Both of the wolves in question swung their massive heads around, and Paul bared his fangs at them.

Alex snorted, and gave them a wave. "Embry's always been a peacekeeper." She said, smiling faintly. "He's one of the nicest guys I know."

Sam hummed. "Yeah." He dropped his arms, and nodded towards the trees, catching Jared's attention. "We'll start heading back for lunch." Before Alex could even vocalise her question, he shook his head. "You and Embry can catch up later."

Alex grinned. "You're the man, Sam."

"Yeah, yeah." He said, and began to jog towards the tree line.

Alex made her way towards Embry, who had collapsed onto his belly, and was watching her approach, panting heavily.

"Hey, Em." She said softly, and he perked up slightly, drawing his paws slightly closer to his body as she crouched beside him. Slowly, she reached out to stroke the soft fur of his large cheek. His eyes closed and he gave a low whine. "Tired, huh?" he whined again, and she laughed, scratching behind his ears.

He was softer and sleeker than the others; she wasn't sure if it was because he was younger, or if it was just Embry himself. He was mostly a smoky grey, a deeper colour than Paul's own silver coat, and had a light underbelly, and several black spots across his coat, and a dark grey muzzle. Like his human form, he was leaner than the others, but still formidable, with powerful legs. Alex thought he looked fast, looked like he was built for speed.

"Sam says you're doing well. Guess you won't be missing the Frankenstein essay after all." She said, grinning. He stiffened beneath her, and then stood, shaking her hand from him. "What?" she asked him, worried. What had she said? He looked at her for one long second, familiar eyes in an unfamiliar form – and she could almost sense his rising frustration as they struggled to communicate. After a moment, he turned, and ran into the forest.

She didn't wait long; Embry stepping out from the trees again, buttoning up a pair of shorts and looking tense. He made his way towards her, and she wrapped her arms around herself as the cold wind picked up. "What did I say?" she asked him, as he came to a halt in front of her.

He didn't seem to want to look at her, eyes on the horizon. He looked older without his long hair, strong jaw pronounced and eyes distant, angry. "It's not you." He said finally. He didn't seem to notice the cold. She waited, patient. "It's… I mean, shit, how the hell am I supposed to just go to school, go home, hang out with Jake and Quil?"

Alex bit her lip, and took a small step towards him. Above them, thunder rumbled, the sea turning an ominous green-grey. "It's a big secret." She began, "it's gonna be hard to keep it."

"You kept it." He said, and Alex looked at him sharply – but he didn't look resentful, just sad. "You never said a word."

Alex nodded. "It wasn't mine to tell."

"Sam says that I probably shouldn't talk to them." He said. He looked heartbroken.

"What do you think?" Alex asked gently.

He shrugged, looking angry for a moment, a faint tremor passing through his body before his expression smoothed again. It must have been so disorientating for him; to have all that anger, that power in him, where before he was just Embry. "I think that it'll hurt." He said. "It'll hurt to be with them and not tell them. They won't understand." He looked out to the water again, blinking hard. "I have- I have responsibilities now. They won't understand." He said, but he sounded so hurt that Alex reached for him.

"I understand." She told him, and took his hands in his.

Embry's jaw worked, and his eyes dropped to their interlinked hands. "You'll- I mean, you'll be with me, yeah?" Alex was dismayed to see a wet shine to his eyes, and stepped closer still.

"Hey! Yes – of course I will be. Of course, Em. You don't even need to ask-"

Embry descended upon her, and she flinched as his mouth collided hard with hers. He sprung back the next second looking equal parts horrified and embarrassed. "Sorry…" he whispered, taking a huge step back, and avoiding her eyes.

Alex didn't let him go far, reaching out and catching him by the shoulder. He stilled, and slowly, she stretched herself up on her toes, willing him to close the rest of the distance between them. "It's okay." She murmured, heart beating quickly. Embry lowered his head again, and she pressed her lips to his, just once, quickly – but far less violently than before. She giggled, involuntarily, making Embry's eyes go wide. "Shut up!" she told him, pressing a hand to his chest.

"Can we do that again?" he asked, and she nodded, with another nervous giggle.

This time, it was slower, and Alex shut her eyes, trying to feel her way. He was hot against her, hands shaking slightly where he had placed them on her hips – and she had an odd flash of déjà vu from the dance. Kissing Embry was…weird. Not bad – but she couldn't be entirely sure, because she'd never kissed anyone before – but it wasn't what she had been expecting. His lips moved just slightly against hers, and it made her stomach flip and arch a little involuntarily into him.

He made a noise, and broke away, eyes wide again and breathing a little hard. She felt a little breathless herself. "Whoa." He blinked down at her, and she could see herself reflected in his blown pupils. "I'm- well. Why didn't we-?" Alex dragged him back down, and he went willingly. Above them, thunder rolled again, and the sky split – rain bucketing down upon them. Alex just pressed herself closer, and it was only when she shivered, cold settling into her skin as her hoodie got soaked through, did Embry pull away again. "We should get inside before you drown."

He was grinning, and looked entirely unaffected by the rain. Alex shuddered again. "Might be a good idea." She admitted, as her teeth began to chatter.

He laughed, loud and boisterous, and drew her under his arm. "C'mon." she tried to keep pace with his brisk jog, but slipped a few times on the stones and then slick forest floor. "Can I?" Embry asked her suddenly, and she stopped, still feeling a little stupid.

"What-? EMBRY!" She cried, as her feet were swept out from under her, Embry scooping her up like she was a child and cradling her easily. "You, you, you, caveman!" she managed finally as he began to run through the trees again.

"You're far too slow, Alex, and I'd actually like to eat lunch today." He told her laughingly. Alex threw her head back dramatically, smacking herself on his bicep. She rolled her eyes. Ridiculous. She couldn't help but smile.