I hadn't slept all weekend. I spent the majority of my time at the reservation library reading up on the old legends trying to find some way to break an imprint bond… unfortunately there was none. I considered talking to Sam again, seeing if he knew of a way, but I couldn't build up the courage to do it. Every time I thought of going to his house I just saw flashes on his and Emily's faces and heard Embry's heartbreaking sobs.

Embry…

He had tried to call all weekend, to the point where I had to turn off my phone. He showed up to my house and I would sit on the floor of my bedroom and wait for him to go away. Sad howls filled the silence at night and I knew it was him, and I knew he was breaking. I had to stay strong though. I didn't want him. He didn't want me. It was just this stupid, sick, cruel joke! How dare the fates do this to me! How dare they… after all this time.

Truth is, I wanted Embry first! When I invited him to come play with me and Shay the first time I had a crush on HIM. Shay didn't even want him to play with us! I defended him because I liked him. I liked him all while we were growing up but he never looked at me like that… he wanted Shay. She was beautiful and fun and outgoing. I was boring and ugly. When I went off to college I worked so hard to become what I am. I wanted to make some sort of impression coming back. I had a sick thought (that I pushed to the back of my head) that maybe Embry would like my new look… and apparently he did… but not because he wanted to.

I cried myself to sleep every night for the past couple of days. I could feel an ache in my heart and I knew it was him. Apparently we can kind of feel what the other is feeling. How stupid. He was hurting and it was because of me and I could FEEL it. I hated it. I wanted out. This wasn't fair.

I spent so many years convincing myself that my crush was just superficial. That it didn't mean anything. I only liked him because he was my friend and the only boy who'd ever been nice to me, really. I was just finally getting over it! Just finally ready to move on! I shouldn't have come back. I needed to start looking for jobs elsewhere, maybe even back in New York.

—

Embry's POV

I had stayed outside Kai's house for days. I watched as she paced back and forth for hours cursing herself under her breath. I heard her sobbing into her pillows at night and it took all I had not to rush in and hold her. I wanted her so badly, and I was finally starting to accept that she was it for me. I spent these days thinking.

I remembered how her face lit up when I came around, how she always laughed at my jokes, how she knew something was wrong with me before anyone else did. She knew how to make me smile or when to give me the tough love treatment, she knew how to fix everything. Somehow, I didn't see her. I took her for granted… I was so stupid.

"You didn't know Embry."

Fucking Brady. This asshole thinks he can just show up whenever he wants and patrol around her house. I fucking hate him.

"Love you too dickhead."

"What do you want Brady?" I snapped. I felt him wince a bit. He hesitated for a bit before finally answering.

"How is she?" He finally asked. I could feel his apprehension and anxiety over asking. She may be my imprint… but he was someone who was really important to her.

"She hasn't cried yet today. She's been pacing more, lots of phone calls to her friends in New York. I think…" I paused. I felt overwhelming sorrow build up in my throat. "Brady… I think she's going to leave. I think she really meant it when she said she didn't want anything to do with me." His wolf trotted up to where I was laying and laid down beside me. I felt his sadness.

"I know you're finally ready to accept the imprint and I'll back off… but she's one of my best friends Em. I really don't want her to leave." He confessed. I nodded my head in agreement and then laid my head on my paws and watched her house from the woods.

She was getting ready for work, rushing around grabbing her bag and coffee cup and running out the door. This was a usual thing for her it seemed. Every day this week has been the same, it made me smile a little thinking about how she hasn't changed much. I stood up and shook my coat out a bit and stretched preparing for the run to the school.

I've taken to patrolling around her house every morning and night and then following her to the school and patrolling there until she heads home. I've officially reached crazy stalker level. I've been ignoring Shay's calls and texts because I know I have to end it with her, but she's already livid so I decided to skip the fight we were bound to have this week. I was suffering enough.

She drove off down the road and I followed her through the woods. Her driving was always so erratic, I'd have to talk to her about that… assuming she ever talks to me again. She arrived at the school on time, as usual, and rushed inside. Thankfully her classroom faced the woods so I could lay in the cover and watch her. She always left her windows wide open, said something about how the natural light helped the creative juices flow, and today was no different.

She was getting settled in for the day when he walked in. Every morning this jackass stopped by her classroom to "chat". His classroom was on the other side of the building, he was making a hell of an effort to flirt with my imprint.

"Morning K!" What a stupid fucking nickname. Her name was Kai, say it right you asshole. She smiled at him showing off her perfect white teeth.

"Morning Dakoda. What brings you to my side of the school this fine Friday morning?" she asked. He smiled and leaned on her desk a bit, obviously giving her a once over. I can't blame him on that one. She was wearing a skin tight black pencil skirt with a loose olive green top tucked into it and 3 inch heels. Jesus she was beautiful.

"Well, I was wondering if maybe you'd be interested in going out to dinner with me tonight? I'd really be interested in getting to know you a bit better." Fuck. Off. She is MY imprint. She was NOT going out with another man, nope. No way.

"Actually… I think that sounds like a lot of fun. I would love to. Just let me know what time and where and I'll meet you there!" Fuck. Me. No! She can't go out with this guy… she just can't! No no no no no no no.

Fuck.

I want to apologize for how long I've been away. I know that there are so many who are invested in this story and I feel so bad. But I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things. Much love to you all.