2 Months Later

Embry was in back in California working another bartending job at night. He and Sam came to an understanding that he could leave pack business behind him. Jake and Sam were in the middle of discussing how that transition would work peacefully but Embry told Jake regardless he wanted out. Sam and Jake were super reluctant at first but understood why he needed space from the reservation. Leah needed space as well. She had stopped phasing and spent the majority of her time with her dad. It killed Embry to leave Harry but harry knew why he chose to leave. Just like he understood why Leah left all of those years ago. Harry wished he could fix it all but there was no fighting fate.

Embry had checked in occasionally with Quill, Jake and Seth. Seth had told him that Milo was adjusting just fine. Surprisingly well. He actually thought it was just like a book and he geeked over the history and the stories. Seth kept asking Embry to come back though. Embry was honestly doing poorly and would often think to the last thing he said to Leah when he left that night.

Flashback…

"Embry now is not the time to start shit again." Quill muttered thinking he was picking a fight with them.

"No Quil. Like we can't continue Lee." Embry said shaking his head and running his hand repeatedly on the back of his neck.

"Guys you have bombarded her enough tonight can we just all go home?" Harry sighed knowing what was about to happen. Everyone including Sam backed off and disappeared into the woods. In two seconds Embry and Leah were alone.

"I am sorry all of that happened to you Lee." Embry said softly. He ached to reach out to her but held back.

"I was devastated. I thought I didn't deserve to be happy at all. He could live his life with the girl who could give him kids and I couldn't. The doctors told me the odds of the baby surviving in my body were low from the start. But I felt excited after a while and then I felt stupid for getting my hopes up." Leah sighed wiping some tears with her shirt.

"You know I just can't do that to you. Put you through that again even if it was just me imprinting. I wish I could tell you with certainty that it wouldn't happen but…" he trailed off.

"But neither of us can promise that." Leah answered and they just stood there staring at each other nodding.

"It was some pretty good sex though." Leah laughed wiping away her tears. Embry chuckled softly.

"It really was Lee." He smiled softly. She turned to let him go and to walk inside. But he turned her around roughly and kissed her. She had returned the kiss and tangled her fingers in his hair before he slowly pulled away.

"Sorry I just had to one last time." He apologized backing away from her. She stood there speechless as he began to pace a bit.

"Listen Lee. I am fucking in love with you and I don't want you to say anything back. I fucking love you and I fucking should shut the fuck up. But I love you and please Don't say anything because if you don't feel that way that would suck… but if you did that would kill me. Because I would be choosing to walk away from you. I know we are saying goodbye right now and its for the best. I don't want to be in Sam's shoes and hurt you like that. You've been through enough. But I fucking love you and I just had to be selfish and tell you." He said his eyes strained and slightly damp.

Her heart sunk and fluttered at the same time. She didn't know what she could say or do. She knew the moment he left she would be devastated. She was losing someone she cared about and had become her anchor in her life. She had never felt so happy before they met. She never thought she could have it all with someone before him. She knew she was going to lose her best friend in that moment. She felt her walls build up again and knew she would have to build them higher than before.

Present…

He had told her. He had finally told her and he told her he didn't want an answer or response. He knew not knowing hurt but it was better than knowing the truth about how she felt. If she had turned him away he would have died. If she would have said she loved him and he would have imprinted on someone else he would have died. He was miserable not knowing but he was still breathing. Well… barley. He was heartbroken and devastated. Not to mention all alone in another state away from his pack. He heard a knock on his door suddenly and he moaned getting up.

"Emily? Claire?" He asked shocked when he answered the door.

"Well don't forget me." He heard Quill's voice laugh down the hall.

"Damn he's really shocked." Claire laughed.

"Yeah I am surprised on what you are wearing young lady? Isn't that a little bit for a twelve year old?" Embry teased rolling his eyes.

"Seventeen jackass." Claire rolled her eyes pushing past him.

"Dude don't even get me started on that." Quill moaned dramatically. Quill was twenty one and his imprint was seventeen and starting to dress a more mature way and was getting very flirty with Quill. Quill acknowledged the age gap wasn't too bad and she would be eighteen soon. He also figured she wasn't as innocent as she looked. Not to mention he wasn't either. But when he first phased she was twelve so he didn't know how to feel during this transition phase. He was a guy too and when a hot girl throws themselves at you all the time it's easy for his mouth to say no but his dick is hard for hours.

"Okay that's enough looking at my cousin's outfit like that." Emily scorned.

"Its crazy how your bitch faces are the same but you two look nothing alike." Embry laughed at Emily. Emily playfully punched him in the shoulder.

"Well we are the pale faces Embry." Claire laughed making Embry high five her. Claire had blonde hair and blue eyes. Embry had a bit of a tanner complextion but his features looked more white than the rest of the group. His eyes were grey as well.

"What brings you guys here?" Embry asked handing them some water.

"You need to come home." Quill sighed knowing it was a slim chance. Embry crossed his arms and shook his head.

"She's not herself." Emily almost whispered. Embry growled deep within his chest.

"Well considering if I had continued and imprinted she would have been devastated…. I'll take she's bummed." Embry rudely barked back.

"Embry. Come on. Come home. Your family misses you. I'm not talking about your mom. I'm talking about us. We miss you. Fuck even Sam hates this." Claire began.

"Last time I saw Sam he and I almost killed each other." Embry snapped at her earning a warning growl from Quill to chill out.

"Sorry Claire." Embry said taking a deep breath. He knew Quill wasn't cool with him talking to her like that and Embry hated himself for snapping at her. Embry looked at her as a little sister.

"Sam feels terrible. He hates himself for bringing up the baby and he feels like he should have reacted to you both being related. He never had siblings and he sort of was excited long after the anger faded. Sam hates letting people down and he knows he let you down." Emily explained. Embry didn't know what to think about that. Yes they were brothers but he only focused on the fact they fought because of Leah.

"You aren't mad that he got territorial over Lee?" embry asked genuinely wondering how Emily was coping with this news.

"I was pissed but I also know they were best friends long before they dated or before I met him. I can't get mad at them for having history. Or even part of him for getting defensive with her. It wasn't him marking his territory it was him protecting his old love and best friend. Sam loves me and I love him… they have memories together. We can't hate them for that." Emily sighed sipping her water. Embry was at awe of her in that moment. How she could just accept the past and keep moving without any hate or jealousy.

"Harry is dying. Probably won't make the next couple weeks." Quill added looking down.

"Quill you better be serious right now. Because if this is some sick way of getting me back I will fucking put you through a wall." Embry threatened as he began to pace with his hands on the back of his head. Quill locked eyes with Embry and nodded. This let Embry know he was being so sincere.

"Okay." Embry said grabbing a duffel bag quickly. Emily, Claire and Quill looked shocked as Embry packed in three minutes. He was at the door as all of them stood there shocked he had agreed to come one.

"So who is driving?" Embry asked snapping them out of it.