TWO DAYS IN A ROW!!! Someone has to sign me up for a world record or something! Anyways, 10 PM, and my ancient ass usually is crawling underneath the covers until the Lord comes back. Or that's the intention. However my mom irritated me, so I have nothing better to do than upload another chapter.
Side note in case you haven't noticed, assuming anyone is reading this anyways, Kensi is kind of the main character. I absolutely love Embry as a character, the kind of man everyone wants to find (or me at least lol) and like Jake just ad much, only a little less because Mrs.Meyer assassinated his character so that everyone would like Deadward better. (can you tell I absolutely hate Edward? Don't know if it's because I can't be part of the stereotype or listening to my best friend drone in about his sparkling that killed him) Anyways, the Cullens make only a few appearances. Further: Embry and Kensi are basically the main character, and I try to squeeze Dani and Jake in as much as possible.
DANI
Embry has moved from Emily's back bedroom to the couch when we get back.
Quil is waiting there for us along with the rest of the wolf pack, now just ten wolves.
"You called us here?" Quil asks.
I nod pursing my lips. I sit beside Emily who looks downright distraught. By now everyone has to know something happened to Sam. There are tracks left by tears on her face and she looks extremely pitiful.
I wrap my arm around her pulling her into a hug as I sit down. Meanwhile Kensi makes a bee-line for Embry. My twin kneels by his head, one of her hands streaked with blood and dirt finds his, while her other intertwines in his hair.
"How you feeling?" She asks immediately.
"I'm alright." Embry lies. Kensi scowls at him so he caves. Maybe it was her grip tightening on his hand, her dangerous and strong hands, softening on his skin, smoothing down the callouses on his that made him change his tune. "I've been better." He relents finally.
Kensi nods. "Whoever did this pulled the O2 out of the air so him and Sam were breathing straight CO2. That in itself is enough to render someone unconscious, but whoever this was, struck Embry with the intent to kill him."
The room is silent. The glarinf fire is evident in Kensi's eyes. There's venom in her eyes, and her tone as she speaks. I wonder if Embry knows that whoever hurt him, will die by Kensi's hand.
"I went ahead and invaded the mind of an elk that happened to see the scene unfold. The assailant was up in the trees, and came down and attacked Sam and Embry from behind."
Emily cries into my shoulder and I press my hand over her ear so she doesn't have to listen to this.
"She struck Sam with the hilt of her sword, intending to render him unconscious, but took Embry with the blade. She intended to kill him. She proceeded to stare at him for a few seconds, removing the breathable air from him, and left him for dead. We assume she quickly realized a mistake because she apologized right afterwards. She then picked Sam up by manipulating the air, and carried him through the forest. The trail goes cold at the road where she loaded him into what we assume would have to be a very large van." Kensi's eyes are tortured as she realizes how close she was to losing Embry. Her grip on his hand turns her knuckles chalky white.
"The fact that she carries no scent indicates that she is one of the Queen's guards, either Colette, her Captain, or Mara, her Lieutenant." Kensi explains.
"I can't remember any of this." Embry groans. Kensi gives him a sympathetic glance, her fingers smoothing down the shiny black hair of his head. I hear Embry's wolfish whine that escapes from the back of his throat at Kensi's gentle tugging on his scalp.
"And she wiped his memories as I expected." Kensi says quietly. "Another trait that only the hierarchy possesses."
"We didn't know what happened either." Jared points out. "Sam cut out mid-sentence and we felt Embry's pain, but then there was nothing. They both just dropped out."
Kensi flinches at the mention of Embry's pain. She can try to deny it, but I know how deep she cares about him. And especially her show of devotion has sealed the deal.
"We went to where Embry and Sam last were and found Embry out cold, and Sam long gone. But there was no trail to follow." Paul explains. Rachel and his daughter are sitting beside him. Rachel plays with Mackenzie but her heart isn't into it.
"Because she floated Sam out, left no trail on the ground for us to follow." I explain. My voice causes Jake's eyes to snap to mine and he stares for a few more minutes than usual. I can tell he's afraid. With Sam gone, now he's the alpha of the pack.
"We don't know why she took Sam." Kensi starts. "But we have ideas."
"Leverage." I begin. "They want to use Sam against Kensi. But we don't think this is it because if they wanted to use anyone, they would've used Embry as leverage against Kensi. Hell, Mara and Colette think Embry imprinted on her."
Embry shoots me a panicked glance as if to ask silently if Kensi also thinks this. A subtle nod tells him that she's beginning to speculate. And if she hadn't, she does now. Hell, I doubt she isn't just doing this to get a reaction out of Embry. No, no, Kensi isn't that cold. I don't think. She's not that desperate yet.
Kensi shakes her head. "So we think leverage to get me to take their job offer is out of the question. They would've started with Embry if they wanted to blackmail me, and they wouldn't do that if they wanted me to work with them because I would only murder them in the end anyways. Which I will, kill whoever is responsible for messing with my tribe."
I nod agreeing with her. "There'll be hell to pay for certain." I confirm. She's scarier than one of Hells angels looking like that. Blazing fury.
"Next reason: the vampire army." Kensi says. Emily shakes beside me, quivering like a leaf. Kensi shoots her a sympathetic glance but keeps going. "Mara and Colette, and as a result, the Queen, all know that the wolves are going to be our allies in taking down the vampire army. It wouldn't make sense why Mara or Colette would kidnap a wolf when we're on the same side. And since whoever took Sam almost killed Embry, it's safe to say they are not on our same side." Kensi concludes.
I agree with her there.
"Tift is out for blood now that we killed his mate and his brother, as well as the rest of Tift and Morrow's family. If we can find a link between this coven's army, and someone of authority among the Elemental Guardians, we can narrow down who did this, why, and where to find Sam." I explain.
"We need to find Sam." Billy says. "Quickly."
"Trust me, Billy." Kensi whispers. "No one wants to find the fucking asswipe that did this more than I do. Not a single one of you but maybe Emily. And when I do find the stupid, probably blond, bitch that did this, I will end her shit. That's a promise."
Kensi's voice is low and serious, and I know she just made a vow. A serious one. In fact, thunder rumbles outside sealing her word. I can hear the crashing of thunder in the sky, feeling the tremors it sends through my body. Embry glances up at his imprint, feeling the conviction in her voice through the bond.
"For some reason, whoever did this wanted that wolf with Sam dead." Kensi snaps. "As luck would have it, that wolf was Embry and that is not something they can get away with."
"They apologized though." I point out.
Her sapphire eyes are alive with murder as she glares. "The point is they still almost killed him. And then they were smart enough to realize that it was Embry and I would come after and kill them. It has to be Mara or Colette, they're the only ones that would apologize to Embry."
She's so protective. Embry clearly is surprised by this, the dumb fuck. As if he didn't know how deeply she cares for him. How much she loves him. Hell, she talks about him in her sleep. I do not know how he didn't wake up to her whispering his name in her sleep.
"Until we find Sam." Sue begins. "Continue with patrols with the highest amount of care."
Her gaze lands on me. "What are you girls going to do
Kensi and I share a look. "We can't tell anyone without the hierarchy finding out, and if they know, then it'll do one of four things." Kensi begins. "Get us killed being option one." Her voice is cold and cruel when she says it. "Or, we're cast off and ignored. We might get support from the hierarchy. Or, we make whoever did this nervous and that will make them dangerous."
"So it sounds like asking around your people isn't a good idea?" Quil asks.
Kensi and I share a look before Kensi continues. "We can give it a try but it will be difficult not to reveal too much.
"Don't put yourselves at risk." Quil says. "Please." Old Quil looks to his grandson as he departs from the room. He pats his grandson's shoulders, wishing him safety out there, and he leaves without another word.
"Dani." The voice is far off and very distant. Warm hands gently shake me awake however.
"Dan." The voice is also soft and deep.
"Dani?" The voice inquires with an edge of worry behind it. Oh! I know the voice! It's my boyfriend!
I groggily sit up and look around, eye landing on Jacob finally.
"What are you doing here?" I ask looking around my kitchen. The green numbers on the stove tell me its past midnight.
"Sneaking in to sleep next to you like I always do." Jacob answers. "Only problem is you weren't there."
"Oh. Kensi fell asleep a few hours ago and I had Embry take her back to bed a little while ago. I guess I fell asleep out here."
Jake looks at the mess of papers our kitchen table has become. "And what's all this?"
"We're looking for Sam." I answer with a yawn. "We're digging up everything we can on Mara, Colette, and Queen Marnie without being conspicuous or too obvious."
Jacob sighs. He pulls my chair back away from the table before picking my hands up and tugging me out of the chair. "We all miss Sam, and we all want him back here. But Dani… you have to think about yourself. I know you and Kensi blame yourselves for this happening."
I scoff. "Kensi blames herself. I see this as inevitable."
Jacob shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. You and Kensi are both working to the limit. When you aren't training, you're working on this stuff. You hardly eat anymore, and you hardly sleep."
I sigh. "Jake I… those things seem so small compared to finding Sam. I know we're all looking for him, you guys are running patrols all the way and following every 'nonexistent' scent there is to find him. And you're following his scent everywhere but no luck."
"We know what Sam would want, Dani." Jacob says. "We know that he would want us to find us, but he wouldn't want us to kill ourselves in the process. He wants us to find him, but I know he wouldn't want two imprints killing themselves and their wolves trying to find him."
I sigh looking down. "It's how I'm coping with it. Kensi and I are coping with this our own way."
"I know." Jake says. "But you need to know that you need to take time out of this to be healthy."
I rest my head on his chest too tired to even keep it up anymore. I warp my arms around Jacob's neck, letting him hold most of my weight.
"Kensi…" I trail off. "She views emotions as weakness. She sees anger as a temporary asset, but emotions like love and the like make you weak. She… Kensi believes that when people get close to you, they become weapons for the opposite team to use. She's right, but that's the risk you take when you love someone. Kensi doesn't think the risk is worth it sometimes. She's blaming herself for not fighting her feelings harder, as if she could've prevented her own dangerous lifestyle from ruining your guys' lives."
"She's wrong." Jacob says looking down at me. His arms wrap around my waist pulling me tightly against his body. "I think Kensi is very wrong. Because love gives you someone to fight for, something to defend. It keeps you humble and human. Because at the end of the day, no matter what happened, no matter what you did, or what you said, when you come home at night, the love and affection of someone whom you love, will keep you to the ground and make sure you don't lose sight of your humanity. Love is empowering, it isn't a weakness."
"You might be right." I answer. "But Kensi-"
"I'm sorry Dani, but Kensi is incorrect. She has it twisted. Love is powerful. Love is stronger than Anger. Because Anger is fleeting, it is only a temporary fuel that is burnt quickly. But love is a never-ending and ever-burning fire that will never go out no matter how much time you spend going over it in your head."
Jacob looks down into my eyes. "I would know, Dani."
I furrow my eyebrows in confusion for a few seconds. "Jake-"
"Dani, I'm in love with you." Jacob says. "And I don't care if you aren't ready to say it back yet, I really don't. I just need you to know that I love you. With everything that is going on with Sam, and how terrified Emily is, I don't want to waste another second of my time with you because I can't guarantee that I can come back. I can't guarantee that you're going to come out of the woods sometime. With things as dangerous as they are now, Dani." Jacob laughs softly. "Dani we can't afford to let any second be wasted."
My mouth hangs open agape as Jacob's words settle on me. He loves me?
"I love you Dani." He whispers again brushing my hair off my face. "Neither of us have any room to talk with our jobs being equally risky and dangerous. But I know that I want to spend every possible moment with you. I don't know how many moments that will be. I don't know if there are going to be more wolves that go missing, or if we'll find Sam and Kensi murders whoever took Sam and that's the end of this. But I do know that I want to be with you, to love you, and to tell you that every damn day."
I swallow hard in shock. My tongue feels like a thousand pounds as my heart beats wildly against Jake's chest.
"Then we should probably start by making the most of every second." I whisper looking up at Jacob. His deep and soulful brown eyes are ignited with love and adoration.
The kitchen is silent as I slowly gravitate closer to Jake. Sparks fly off my skin as his fingertips brush my arm on their trip to my face. His fingers very gently grab my chin, his thumb dragging over my lips as he stares into my eyes.
The world could be ending but I wouldn't notice right now. I can only notice how close Jake is. How warm he is. I notice the warmth that spreads through my limbs making every hair on my body stand up on end.
Jake's thumb is replaced by his lips in one smooth movement. His hands slide up my waist, hiking my shirt up only a little bit. Jake's fingers tangle into the black curls that spill down my back. He pulls me closer to him, so I can feel the smooth and hot skin of his stomach against mine thought the gap that my hiked-up shirt left.
Sparks travel the length of my body, making everything from my scalp to my toes prickle with warmth and safety.
My own hands quickly cup the back of his neck, pulling him down further, and deepening the kiss. My fingers play with and pull gently on the small locks of hair that brush against the back of his neck.
Jake breaks away from my lips breathing heavily. His kiss leaves me breathless enough as it was, but when he starts kissing up and down my neck I can't even think. And it isn't because there's nothing to think, it's because I'm thinking so many thoughts at once.
Jake's mouth finds my own again as I push him backwards against the counter top. He releases a throaty sigh, as he pushes the kiss forward, as his teeth graze my lip.
I can't be good at kissing for never having done it before, but Jake is an amazing kisser.
I open my mouth giving him access. His hands trail down my sides leaving hot tendrils of fire in their place. He grabs me around the waist and lifts me onto the counter top before kissing down my neck and down my shoulder as far as my tee shirt would let him.
"You're not going to regret this in the morning are you?" I whisper quietly.
"Oh hell no." Jake says in a husky and smoky tone. His eyes are alive with passion and fire, but his face says he's a little concerned.
"Well then." I whisper leaning forward. "Guess if neither of us are going to have any regrets there's nothing to lose right?"
Jacob nods his head before grabbing my legs behind the knee and lifting me off the counter top. He carries me back to my bedroom, wary of the squeaky floorboard, before setting me down on my bed.
He carefully lowers his weight onto me, but most of that weight he keeps off and on his arms that are above my head, fingers already tangled in my hair.
"Whatever happened to the lecture you were giving me? About not sleeping?" I tease as Jake kisses up and down my neck again.
"You don't seem very sleepy to me." He echoes back. "I'm just simply wearing you out."
I snort humorously. "This is the very exact opposite of wearing me out. It's adrenaline."
"Guess we should find a way to use that too huh?"