Chapter Twelve - Leaving
The crackling fire was the first thing I heard, and it felt like it was lodged in my ear. I could hear every piece of bark being crisped and toasted. The waves crashing onto the shore seemed right at my feet but when I gazed up to look, I was at a great distance and so was the campfire. I looked at my hands and they were normal, but whose clothes was I wearing? They were mixed match.
It was still late in the evening, but I didn't know what time it was.
A familiar scent caused my nostrils to flare and the rustling sound behind me triggered my ears to turn around.
My breathing changed. My heart was palpitating out of my chest. Her eyes locked with mine, and I was in a hypnotic state. My body froze. The only sound I heard was my own slow heavy breathing.
Ashling. She was different. When I saw the moonlight reflect against her smooth skin; it was as if the light was dancing in unison against her skin with every movement she made while walking towards me.
I tried to get up, but my knees prevented me from standing. Maybe it was her affectionate smile with the perfect dimples that indented into her cheeks. I don't know, but my heart felt heavy and as if it was confined. The closer she walked towards me, the more pressure I felt in my heart and the more I felt pulled to her. My mind tried to deny it but my body wouldn't allow me to forget my fate.
This was imprinting, the sensation of losing all my will to her. I broke a smile to her. I wanted her. I needed her. I felt owned by her yet having the urge to protect her. She was mine.
"Ephraim, you're finally awake."
I stood myself up and locked my eyes with her. I didn't waste a moment and my lips almost bruised hers as I claimed her mouth. It felt different this time, as the passion seemed to ignite both of our senses.
She didn't fight back at all. Instead she placed her arms around my neck while my hands slipped behind her small indented back. She was ice cold, but it burned the moment I touched her.
She moaned from the back of her throat, and I nearly lost it. The hair on the back of my neck stood straight up at her provocative sounds.
We were fire and ice that shouldn't have come together, but it didn't stop us from the sensations we had been fighting all along. We belonged together, and for once, I never felt so powerless.
She pulled away, and it'd about killed me. Just one more kiss, I told myself. She gave me another small graze on my lips with hers. My mouth moved across her cheekbone, and I started to nibble her ear.
"Ashling." I whispered her name so she would recognize it was me who belonged to her.
"Yes." Her soft whimper came as I moved my mouth along her neck. She tilted her head more to let me know she was pleased by my kisses. I realized I had to stop now though it would have been better to shoot myself in the foot.
Soon our foreheads were against each other. I didn't want to let her go, but she managed to slip out of my arms.
She took several steps back, but still held onto my hand. I was her captive now and whatever she wanted, I was going to give it to her.
"That was something else, Ephraim."
I was still lost for words. The only thing I was able to mumble was, "Yeah."
My mind tried to trail off, so I could have better control of my selfish need for her.
"Where are we?"
She looked around the shoreline then sat by the fire. She pulled my arm down so I could sit beside her.
"I believe we are on Bainbridge Island? I'm not sure. When I broke into the house to grab you some clothes, I saw the address on the envelopes in the house."
I couldn't believe her. I wanted to laugh.
"You broke into a house and stole clothes?"
"Well, I very well couldn't lend you my T-shirt and walk around naked. Plus, you needed trousers. You were in the nude when I pulled you onto shore."
So she saw me bare. I didn't know how to respond.
"Don't worry, Ephraim. I didn't take advantage of you if that's what you're worried about."
Was she jesting? I couldn't tell. She finally belted out a laugh and threw her head back. I don't know what came over me - confidence, embarrassment, revenge, but I turned to her and pinned her down with my body. She was immobile and this time my strength surpassed hers.
"You dare laugh at me?"
"No, I'm sorry." She broke a smile and bit her bottom lip to stop her laughter.
I saw it as an invitation to place my mouth over hers. I don't think I was ever going to get tired of her lips, especially if they taunted me. She didn't resist either as she pulled me in closer to her.
My heat always overtook her icy cold skin. It always burned me at the first touch, but now it felt as if an electric shock occurred each time and was masked by the most pleasant sensation.
We both heard a rustling sound, and I instinctively threw her body behind mine. We were both down on our knees and stared directly at where the sound came from. My arms still guarded her.
"Well, if you're both finished. There's no time to waste. Let's go." The familiar husky voice gave me comfort.
Paco. How did he know we were here?
He didn't look pissed, more embarrassed at finding me barely dressed on top of Ashling.
"Paco, how did you find us?"
"Ashling called me. We can talk about this later. Let's leave or else Luca will manage to find us again, and I may destroy him before a proper trial. And I don't think your mom is going to accept that."
We headed back to La Push and the ride home was a silent one. I felt timid all of a sudden around Ashling, maybe because Paco was here, and I couldn't act like a foolish person.
Ashling must have read my mind because she took my hand and held it on her lap. She rested her head on my shoulder and traced her finger at the jagged lines on the palm of my hand.
"These hands are exactly the way I had I imagined. I've sketched your hands multiple times, always wondering why I felt the urge to draw them. Yet when I drew them, I knew they weren't a stranger's hands. It was as if I've touched them before."
She wasn't expecting an answer from me. She sat silently staring through the window until we arrived home. I wish I could read her thoughts because something was bothering her.
"Are you ok?"
She looked at me, forced a smiled and never made a single comment. I didn't know how to take it.
I followed Paco into the house but not before she pulled me back. She placed her hands on my face and pulled me down. She kissed me as if it was our last kiss. My arms were around her waist, and I pulled her closer until there was no more space between us.
She finally released me and took a step back. Without a word, she moved further away from me. With each step, my heart felt a dagger piercing it. She wouldn't look me in the eyes.
"Ashling. What are you doing?"
Her mouth parted slightly, but no words came out. She wouldn't look at me.
"Ashling?" I took one step forward and she pulled further away.
"Ephraim. I'm sorry. I thought I could, but I can't."
"You can't what?" In my heart, I knew her intent was to leave, but I didn't want her to. "Don't leave me. Don't."
"Ephraim, nothing's changed from when I was here last.
I grabbed her hands and placed them on my lips, "Everything has changed since then." Was she not aware of my imprinting on her? She had to have known or was she fighting it?
"Ephraim, I'm still trying to figure out my place in this world. For Christ's sake, I just learned what really happened with my father. All the truth I knew was covered and I don't understand any of it."
It was selfish of me to keep her, but for some odd reason, I understood how she felt.
"Where will you go?" I needed her to remain close to me, but what authority did I have over her? She was my imprint, but her feelings didn't have to be mutual. It seemed so easy for Sara and Michael, but I've heard of stories before of how the feelings were not reciprocated. I didn't want that to be our story.
"Maybe go back to Italy. I want to hear the truth from my mother." She struggled to let the words come out, "Ephraim, I understand your acquirement of phasing and what was bestowed on you."
"You mean imprinting."
She nodded her head in agreement. "I'm sorry. I do care for you, maybe more than I should be, but I can't help but think that I need to seek some answers about my life."
I was at a loss for words. Before I could utter another word, we were interrupted.
"Ephraim. Ashling. We need to talk now."
My mom was adamant with her stance. She stood at the door with her arms across her chest. Her one eyebrow rose up, and I didn't hesitate but walked towards her. I turned around and held my hand out to Ashling, though she took my hand with reluctance. We walked pass my mom and into the house.
My father and Paco sat waiting for us in the living room. I could feel Ashling tighten her hold on me. Neither one of us knew what was going to be said, but we sat patiently waiting for my mom to speak.
"Ephraim, I want to know first, how you're feeling after your phasing."
"I'm fine, Mom." The phasing didn't affect me like I thought it would. I was terrified at first knowing it could be a possibility, but when it happened my thought was only about rescuing Ashling at that time.
"Do you have any questions for your father and me?" She was being sincere and a concerned mom with her light tone.
"Mom, I really am okay. It was nothing. Yes, it was a surprise, but in hindsight, I'm pleased it happened." I was being truthful because I was glad it happened. It allowed to me find Luca before he could harm Ashling, and at that moment it was the only thing that mattered.
"And what about your thoughts on . . ."
She was trying to force herself to say the word that I had denied for the longest time.
"Imprinting?" I finished the sentence for her. "I can't deny that it happened."
I didn't even realize Ashling had let go of my hand, and when did she let it go? She didn't even look at my mom. Instead she was eyeing the floor as if she was troubled to confess something.
"Mrs. Black, may I first say that I do apologize for everything that's happened to Ephraim."
I didn't want her to apologize. She had no reason to, "Ashling, none of this is your fault . . . "
"Ephraim, please let me talk."
She started to explain herself to my mom again, "As much as my feelings for Ephraim are strong, I feel compelled to leave here and wish to go back home. I would very much like to speak to my mother and get her honest story about my father."
Hearing her wanting to leave had me grasping for air. I wasn't use to these overwhelming emotions. I had only hope my mom would understand how I felt and persuade Ashling to remain in Forks.
"If you feel inclined to leave here, then you are more than welcome to go. I can't force your decision."
My mom's answer shocked me. "Mom!"
"Ephraim, she's a grown lady. She has to make her choice willingly. There's nothing I can do."
"Then what the hell is the sole purpose of this imprinting? You and Dad tell me that it's going to happen and I have no choice of the matter, yet in the end, I have to live with this fate of her leaving?"
My body temperature was rising, my breathing was getting heavier. I stood up trying to calm myself, but it made matters worse. My dad soon stood beside me and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Son, we have no choice on our side of imprinting, but Ashling still does. Forcing her isn't going to make it better."
I felt like ripping the world apart. My heart felt torn already and deeply wounded. The cold touch on my hand calmed me, and I knew it was because she was holding onto my arm.
I fell down onto the sofa and leaned my head back. What kind of life was this? Tormented by an uncontrolled force and now having my heart ripped away from me.
My mom stood up and addressed us both, "Ashling, you may take our private jet to Italy. I'll contact our pilot to prepare for your departure. I know one day you'll be back, so I won't say goodbye now."
"Thank you, Mrs. Black."
"As a mother, I know Sulpicia will be thrilled to see you, and I'm sure she has a lot she wants to share with you that she's been holding back all these years."
I couldn't take it anymore. I bolted out the door and headed towards the dark evergreen forest. My body phased into the wolf that I was born to be. I heard them calling my name, and heard the worried voice of Ashling. To hell, she wanted to leave me. I wasn't going to sit there and say my goodbyes to her. She was destined to be mine yet she was leaving me. Leaving me when I needed her the most. When did the disconnect happen? Was I being selfish in wanting her to stay? Either way, brushing against the branches of the trees kept me from feeling sorry for myself. I needed a plan and needed one quick. I realized what I had to do, and God so help me, if this backfired at least I gave it a try to fight for her.
It was completely dark. I didn't move and tried not to breathe so heavily. I was uncomfortable but I knew I had to wait only a few more minutes.
I heard voices and recognized them. Once I heard the speaker and the one sound I needed to hear to confirm I could come out of hiding, I finally did.
I felt my stomach turning upside down, and the turbulence started to shake me against the enclosed wall. As everything settled, I forced myself out.
"Oh my God!" She was in shock, of course.
I was on my knees and hands and tried to find my balance. I looked up at her. Her face couldn't get any paler, but nonetheless she was still a sight to see.
"Ephraim! Have you been hiding there the whole night?"
I smiled at her in hopes she would be happy to see me. I stood up in front of her. I pulled her against my body.
"You're not leaving me that easily, Ashling. Not when I just surrendered my soul over to you."
I didn't let her speak. My mouth wanted her. Her icy touch always calmed my soul, and it was what I needed after this rebellious act. She kissed me back, convincing me that she was happy to have me there.
"Are you sure you want to do this? Leave home for me?"
"I don't think you understand how this imprinting works. You're my pull to this world. Wherever you go, I go.
"What about your mom and dad? How did they feel about you leaving?"
"I kinda didn't tell them directly. I left them a letter."
I did feel guilty for how I left without a word, but I didn't want to hear the backlash from my parents. I knew they would be fine without me for a while. If anyone understood, it had to be my dad. I'm sure they must have found the letter by now.
****LA PUSH – Nessie's POV****
Something seemed off, but I couldn't pinpoint it. Yet, I found something that caught my attention on my nightstand. It was a piece of paper that wasn't even folded evenly. I opened it and without a doubt, I wasn't surprised by Ephraim's scribbled confession and apology for leaving La Push.
"Jacob! It looks like your son is going to travel internationally." I cracked a small smile and lifted the letter to my mouth. He was exactly like his father. Chasing his lady for love, not that he had a choice, but it was still endearing.
"Jacob!" Why wasn't he answering me? I stepped out of my bedroom and immediately smelled all that too familiar scent, but what caught me off guard was Jacob's motionless body on the floor with the vampire on top of him. Billy and Sara were beside him and unconscious. At least I could detect their heart rate and hear their silent breathing.
Before I was able to take one step towards them, my face was masked with a dark cloth. My strength was no match for them and I could hear them screaming at one another. It seemed they weren't well prepared.
"Shoot her, dammit, before she phases into the wolf and we're all dead!"
Shoot? With what? I felt a sudden sharp sting. It had to been a sharp object to be able to penetrate through my tough skin, but within a few seconds I felt the effect of whatever was in syringe streaming through my blood.
"What does she have in her hand?"
"It's a letter from Ephraim. Looks like we're going to Italy, boys."
"Lucky Ephraim wasn't here or else we'd all be dead."
"Bah. He doesn't realize his power yet, so we're all safe unless you open your stupid mouth and tell him."
Ephraim. How was I going to protect him? I only heard a few simple sentences of their means to take us as hostages before I slipped into a deep sleep.
A/N: Alright, I apologize ahead of time for the delay. It truly has been a busy time for me, but I wanted to get this chapter out because it's been sitting in my brain for a while. Thank you for always reading and don't forget to leave a comment! 3
-kl