The first thought that entered Embry's mind when he watched Alex and Jacob crash into each other was not so much a thought as it was an alarming pulse of pure dread.
The Pack mind was alight with much the same; panic and fear – and anger that wasn't their own, anger that belonged to the Imprints before them, anger which had been so intense that it roused them where they had been sitting down for breakfast.
Paul was essentially bellowing, and Embry inched away from him as the grey wolf exploded forwards to separate the tangle of fur and human limbs. SHE'S DEAD, SHE'S FUCKING DEAD, HE FUCKING KILLED HER, I'LL KILL HIM, SHE'S-
Paul – none-to-gently – separated Alex's body from Jacob's and for one long horrible moment, Embry almost joined Paul's nonstop internal stream of nameless emotion. Because Alex was still, eyes-closed, and limp as Paul nosed her over on her back. But then he realized Jacob was just as still and wasn't reacting to Sam's fangs around his throat as his Alpha roughly dragged him away from the prone girl.
Then Embry noticed that he couldn't hear Jacob either, and at his realization the others quietened.
Jared, who had been running anxious circles around the scene, stopped. Did they kill each other? His voice was uncertain, and he sniffed at both of them. They're alive. His voice was still as nonplussed.
Sam – who Embry realised had been blocking his thoughts from them – exploded into the forefront of all of their minds. His voice was a threat within itself. Someone get Billy Black. Now. With their Alpha tuned back into their stream of consciousness, Embry was treated to Sam's recollection of the scene, stomach turning at Sam's pure fear at seeing the pair collapse, the stark contrast of Alex's breakable form against all of Jacob's power.
He whimpered, and as Jared turned tail and ran, padded towards Alex. She was alive, he had smelt what Jared had smelt; her blood, still running hot through her veins, heard her heart beating through his pack-mate's ears – but he needed to know himself.
Embry hadn't been fair to her, leaving her, ignoring her afterwards – though she hadn't been fair to him either, had given him much of the same treatment – he didn't want the last memories of each other to be so tainted. If she-
She's alive, Embry. Don't worry.
Sam's voice shut down his line of thought, and he whined again, huffing into her slack face and listening to her heartbeat himself. It was strangely elevated considering her unconscious state, but it was beating, which was all that mattered.
Sam had retreated to watch Jacob's still body, and Embry turned to his friend. It was odd – and he marvelled briefly at what had become his normality – to not hear Jacob despite his wolf being present right in front of him. As he watched however, Jacob's form twitched, and he straightened, alert – Sam hastening to join him, putting a precautionary paw over Jacob's throat.
They watched, nonplussed as he began to twitch and thrash, voice still absent from their heads, still visually unconscious. Embry looked at Sam, but Sam's wordless worry and confusion did nothing to quell his own discomfort. Embry whined again, and lowered his head to nuzzle his friend.
Wake up, Jake.
It worked. It had worked.
Alex had hoped, prayed that she could do it, that she could exert some kind of control over Jacob just as she had done on Saturday. She hadn't expected it to work so well.
They had been both pulled into the unconscious state she so often found herself in as she Walked, but this time, she wasn't alone.
Jacob, spitting mad, was with her too, and this time he was aware of what she had done.
Get out.
A growl, a wordless, bodiless growl – Jacob pushing at her with all his strength, to get out get out get out get out get out-
But she was stronger here, in this realm, and he didn't have his physical strength to rely on, and she wrestled him away from consciousness at the same time as she wrestled for control of his body. She could sense he was too angry to Phase back, the shock of her being in his head not enough to change him.
Stop it, Black.
For all her own anger, here, so close to him, she was finally able to ascertain what was her own emotions and what were his, and at this realization, at this clinical dissection of where she ended and he began, she realized she was calming down.
We shouldn't have fought.
You started it.
He was right. She had started it. But she could end it, if he just stopped fighting her-
I'm not some puppet you can play with.
I'm sorry. I know. Can you just- we're too close. Physically, she meant. Here, she was at least able to consider the fact that she had foolishly attempted to fight his wolf, had ended up well within reach of his claws and jaws. If she retreated now, if he woke up this furious, then she was probably going to get hurt. More hurt.
I wouldn't hurt you. He seemed almost offended at the suggestion, and their shared memories spilled between them like water, her own desire to mark him laid bare, his own true wish to do the same, before them both and all followed with incredible regret from both of them, so powerful that they shivered together.
I wouldn't have. He said, but sounded less sure, in light of what had just happened. And then he was remembering the way he had thrown her around the forest like a plaything and his curdling shame as enough to make her recoil alongside him. Did I hurt you?
His voice was small, as if he had suddenly shrunk, and she considered it – with some difficulty as she couldn't quite sense her physical body like this – but she was pretty sure she was fine. If you had, I probably wouldn't have attacked you the other two times.
You bit me. He thought with a small measure of amusement that warmed the spark between them. Alex, I-
You should talk to Bella. Even as she gave him the notion, she could sense the closure of whatever tentative offering had sprung between them, and felt a measure of regret. And it's okay, Jacob. I'm fine.
I don't understand what happened though- she could sense his mounting agitation, his physical form beginning to come life, and she held him still, unwilling to let him up. Sorry, I can't – I think I'll-
Will you trust me? Just this once. I promise I won't again, I just want to make sure you're not, like, on top of me or something.
More discomfort, but it was a physical sensation she was sure they could both feel when he wordlessly agreed, and she slid into place in the forefront of his conscious, and gently opened his eyes-
Jacob's eyes opened suddenly, and the sudden horror movie-esque moment made Embry jump in place. Billy – from where he was leaning over his son's still head – didn't react. Sam had remained in his wolf form, but Embry had shifted back to help Jared bring Billy to the scene. Paul was still too worked up, and secretly Embry was glad to get out of his head. He wasn't sure how Sam could handle Paul's constant stream of negativity, but figured the Alpha probably had practice at shutting him out.
"Hey, son." Billy said, and then frowned. "Alex?"
Jacob – but it wasn't Jacob – whined softly, and Embry stared hard at his friend's body. He saw it then, a different softness in his friend's amber eyes that wasn't Jacob. "Her- your body is fine." Billy said, almost knowingly, and Sam growled as Jacob – no, Alex – got unsteadily to his feet. Alex turned Jacob's head to look for her form, and when she spotted it, there was an odd moment of nothingness in Jacob's irises.
The sudden gasp from Alex – the real Alex this time – drew Embry's attention and he turned to see her sit up like a corpse possessed, face alive, but pale. By the time he looked back at Jacob, his friend had Phased human, and was sitting at his father's feet looking shell-shocked.
"I'm okay, Paul." Alex was muttering, and Embry turned to see her wrapping her arms around Paul's big head. "Go home." She said a little tiredly, and Sam let out a growl that made Embry's stomach flip, his wolf turning in anxious circles. Paul took off, and Embry looked at Sam.
Embry didn't need to be Phased to read Sam's expression, which was clearly telling him to buzz off, but then Alex stood and put a hand on his arm. "Can he stay? Please?" she sounded tired, but she held Sam's gaze with intent. Finally, Sam snarled, and turned to Jared instead.
"I'll stay close-by." Jared said, sounding more somber than Embry had ever heard him before. Sam huffed in acknowledgement, shadowing his Second out of sight.
Embry turned to Alex. "Are you okay?" he asked her lowly, unable to keep the urgency out of his voice. She shrugged, eyes going to Jacob, and Embry realised their friend was listening, shivering with something other than the forewarning tremors that usually plagued him. "What happened?"
"That's a question I think we'd all like the answer to." Billy said, and leveled Alex with a look so serious that Embry wondered how she didn't crumble before him like he thought he probably would. "Jacob?" he turned his eyes to his son.
"Yes. I would very much like to know why the fuck you were fighting with your human Imprint." Sam's voice made Embry flinch, feeling the urge to tuck his non-existent ears back, to put his non-existent tail between his legs and bare his neck in submission. "You could have killed her. In fact, I'm surprised you didn't."
There was an edge to Sam's voice that Embry had never heard before and he found himself sinking to his knees in response, Jacob's head tilting instinctively, open lines of his throat bared. Even Billy twitched, fingers tightening on the arms of his wheelchair.
Because this is what Sam knew. Sam knew just what damage could be inflicted, had inflicted the damage himself – and he and Emily hadn't even been fighting, hadn't been so close that the sheer weight of Sam could have crushed her, not close like Alex and Jacob had been – and Sam knew that it was irreversible. Sam knew that scars didn't fully heal, that a loss of control left a mark, and that Jacob could have killed Alex.
Jacob could have killed Alex.
"It's not on him, Sam." Alex spoke, the only one of them unbent by the sheer power the Alpha was exerting, radiating in his anger. She did, however, flinch a little when his eyes landed on her. "It's not all on him." She amended. "I started it."
"Do you really think," Sam began, obviously fighting to maintain control. "That I care who started it?" he made a wordless sound of disbelief. "This isn't some childish, playground dispute. This is life and death, and do not for one second think I am not angry about you placing yourself in harm's way." Sam continued. "The pair of you are-"
"If I may, Sam." Billy interrupted gently, and though it took Sam a moment to clench his jaw and nod, he gave in with grace to the elder. "I would like to know why this all happened, and what exactly happened."
Alex looked at Jacob, who was still staring at the ground. He was naked and shivering, and she bit her lip, guilt and sorrow rising in her so swiftly she felt her eyes well up. She blinked hard, dispelling the unwanted moisture, and cleared her throat. Embry was still on his knees beside her, and though she knew how uncomfortable he must have been, she couldn't help but be grateful for his presence. She didn't exactly want to get into the finer details of their argument, nor did she think Sam would like to hear that she'd 'placed herself in harm's way' twice before he had arrived. "We were just-"
"We were talking. About her Dream Walking." Jacob spoke for the first time, voice hollow. "Then we started arguing. She told me that it was because of me that it happened. I didn't like that. So then I said-"
"He called me stupid." Alex interrupted him. He looked up, frowning at her but she ignored him. "So I told him to go fuck himself. And then we started fighting. I tried to claw his eyes out." She said, in a matter of fact tone that drew a faint smile from Jacob as he lowered his gaze again.
"You tried to…" Sam drew in a deep breath. "And then?"
"Then he pushed me away, I fell, and then he Phased." Alex continued, trying her hardest to avoid looking at Jacob. "You came when I jumped at him again. I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking." She said, lowering her own head. "I was just so angry."
From beside her, Embry shifted. "Yeah, we could – well, we definitely felt that."
Billy made a small noise of understanding. "The Imprint bond strengthens the emotional connection. You are, all of you, connected in a way. Emily to Jared through Sam, Paul to Alex through Kitty and Jacob. A web of connection – with none so strong as the direct bonds between the Imprinted and Imprintee." Billy folded his arms across his chest. "I'd guess being apart would have created a build-up of emotion. Together, it gets let out, and together, you feel it." Alex grimaced. "Like the breaking of a dam."
"Great." Sam said, a little sarcastically, "Well, now we've gotten to the bottom of why exactly you thought it was a good idea to have a brawl in the forest, can I ask why exactly the pair of you tapped out?"
"What do you mean?" Jacob asked, frowning a little.
Embry got to his feet, brushing down his knees. "You were both unconscious. Jake – you weren't even in the," he tapped his temple, "Pack-link."
"I think that was me." Alex said, raising her hand and feeling stupid when they all looked at her. "Well, I mean, I've Walked in Jacob before, and I made him stop…" she explained a little unsurely to Billy, casting a glance at Sam for help.
Sam nodded, "It wasn't like the other times, Billy. She was there on Saturday, in my head for a moment, but when she went to Jacob, she was able to take control. It's like you said, the connection between them is stronger."
Like he said? Alex wanted to ask what exactly had been said in this apparent private conversation between Billy and Sam, but at Billy's hum that usually preceded a thoughtful speech, she held her tongue. "You're not wrong, Alex." He said, and she started a little in surprise.
"I'm not?"
"She's not?"
She and Jacob spoke at the same time, both with the same – insulting, coming from him – surprised tone of voice. She glared at him, and despite his shivery state, he managed to muster a similar scowl. Billy chuckled. "When you said that Jacob was the reason for your Walking. It can be the only reason. Just as you seem to be able to exert an amount of control over him, unlike the other Walks."
"What's the use of that?" Alex blurted before she could stop herself. "Sorry – I just…I don't really see how me being able to take the wheel of Jacob's wolfy-body really helps anybody."
Billy smiled slightly. "Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for that either." He sighed, and looked from the back of Jacob's head to her, speculatively. "But I want to think there is a reason."
Alex shook her head, and turned her gaze to the sky. The cloud cover was lifting slightly, fast moving clouds moving to reveal a watery blue sky. She felt tired. She hadn't been telling the entire truth; her body ached, and she had no doubt she'd be bruised by the ordeal.
Sam uncrossed his arms. "Alex, Embry will take you home now. Have a shower and something to eat, but know we're not done." He turned. "Jared!" he called, and within the minute, Jared reappeared. "Will you take Billy back up to the house?"
The two under orders set about it immediately, and though Alex wondered if Sam knew he was imbuing so much Alpha directive into his voice deliberately. She still dug her heels in as Embry began to gently but firmly direct her out of the clearing. "Wait – Sam." Sam looked at her, and she swallowed. "Can we… I mean, I don't want my sister to know."
Sam frowned. "She probably knows already, Alex."
"Right." Alex sighed. "Okay. Um. I guess I'll talk to you later."
"Come on, Alex." Embry said quietly, locking his arm around her waist a little more firmly, and pulling her along with him. When they were mostly alone – she couldn't say they were out of earshot – he stopped, and turned her by her shoulders, holding her firmly in place. "What were you thinking?" he hissed, eyes suddenly alight with worry and anger.
"I wasn't." She told him honestly. Embry deserved honesty. Embry deserved… well better than her. "I'm sorry, and not just for all this. I'm sorry for being a shitty friend, Embry. I'm sorry for not being more understanding about…" she gestured between them.
Embry gave her a pitying look. "It's not just you. I'm sorry too." He let go of her shoulders in favour of grabbing her hands, and squeezed them. "At least I know why I liked you, though." Alex frowned, and he barked a laugh. "Jake's Imprint; it was just pulling me to you. As the only one close to Phasing, it makes sense right?"
"Right." She echoed faintly. Then she frowned. "Wait, so you're saying you would have never had a crush on me if not for Jacob?" At his nervous giggle, she withdrew her hands from his and punched his shoulder. He winced more out of commiseration for her yelp of pain, and slung an arm around her shoulders instead. "Fuck you, Em. I'm a catch." She grumbled.
"Hey, you're a good kisser, I'll give you that much." He said with a laugh, and the distinct feeling of discomfort made her squirm out of his hold.
"Never say that again." She said, "Or I will find a way to kill you."
"Sure, sure." Embry said, and reached for her hand again. This time, she let him take it, and though it was a reminder, it also felt right. It felt good to have Embry smile at her again, to be his friend again. She interlaced their fingers, and swung their arms lightheartedly. She knew that Embry's reproach would only be the first of many, and truth be told, it was starting to hurt to even walk, her shoulder hurting as she moved her arm.
But she was alive. That was that mattered – and she would never let it happen again. She had to find a way to stop their anger getting the better of them. She had to.
