Lex awakes in a pool of her own sweat and a raging headache that feels as if one of those creepy carnival monkeys is clapping its cymbals down upon on her temples. She squeezes her eyelids together tightly, trying to tamp down the nausea that threatens to spill over. When Kim had suggested they have a night in on the Rez, she was picturing movies and popcorn and an early bedtime; she wasn't expecting the liquor, and the liquor definitely wasn't expecting her. Ugh. And Quil - how could she say no to that perfectly disarming smile, that infectious booming laughter that somehow managed to put her at ease? Kim and Quil were a dangerous combination, but it was only fair to admit that she was entirely complicit, at least after the first few drinks. Letting her guard down, actually speaking without excessively thinking beforehand, was thrilling in a so-not-me kind of way. She's envied Kim's confidence countless times over, and so what if all it took was a few gulps of dubious bathtub moonshine to achieve? Lex will definitely have to thank Quil for introducing her to that later. But first, food, if only to settle her ever-turning stomach.

She attempts to stretch, restlessly shifting on the couch, frowning when her body makes contact with another. Did she pass out with Kim last night? Lex opens her eyes, groggily blinking away the sleep that clouds her vision. It's so bright in here, too bright, but when she turns her head, she suddenly wishes she'd kept her eyes shut. Lex blinks once, twice, three times, as if it'll help her make sense of what she's seeing. Because somehow, she's seeing Embry snoozing on the edge of the couch, precariously balanced on the edge of the cushions, and she has half a mind to push him off. Maybe she should do that, pass it off as an accident, he'd never really know -

And then he's looking at her, those big brown eyes boring into hers, and she'd be lying if she said she didn't let out a squeak. He yawns, dragging a broad hand down his face, and she can't help the heat that creeps up from her collar. He's gorgeous, even more so in the warm winter sunlight that's streaming through the living room window, and it's like every speck of sunshine is clinging onto his features, illuminating his beauty in a completely distracting, overpowering, sort of way. His deep umber skin seems to glow in the morning light, a brilliant radiance that's almost calling for her to reach out and touch him, to properly appreciate the richness up close. She's painfully aware that she's staring at him, letting her eyes skim his features for far too long, but the way his eyelashes glint in the sunlight is totally unfair and entirely distracting.

His lips quirk up into a small smile - jesus, Lex, don't look at his mouth - that warms his entire face. "Good morning," he utters, so quiet she could have imagined it, and it's taking all of her composure to not shrivel up under the intensity of his undivided attention. He's still half asleep, but his eyes are roving her face, assessing and working on his usual project to try and figure her out. She could tell him, tell him that everything in her is screaming to kiss him, kiss him and then flee to never be seen again, but it's far too early for that kind of humiliation. Instead, she opens her mouth, expecting to say something friendly, normal, a simple good morning, but then she looks at him and the words fall out.

"You're touching me," she says, dumbly. It's true, sure, but it's quite possibly the single most embarrassing thing she could say. Okay, the second-most embarrassing thing. It's far too early to think about kissing him, even though she absolutely, definitely could right now, and isn't that a terrifying thought.

He lets out a small chuckle, a brief laugh that twitches his nose and crinkles his eyes that sends her brain into a tailspin of how can I make him laugh again? "Yes, I am. Is that okay?" he asks, his voice low and concerned, as if she's about to vault off the couch. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't thinking about it.

Is it okay? She can't let herself get in too deep, she can't fall for him, but there's nothing that says that friends can't cuddle on the couch. If it was Kim she wouldn't be thinking this hard about it; she'd be wrapping her arms around her right back if it came down to it. Yes, it's okay. They're friends, on the couch together, and that's okay.

So she nods, wincing as her head throbs with the motion, and tells him, yes, it's fine. She pretends not to notice the way his smile spreads across his face into a wide grin, pretends not to notice how lightheaded she feels when he reaches out to brush her hair off her forehead. Friends. He's a great friend, caring and devoted and doting, and she's lucky to have him. She tells herself that again and again as his fingers curl in her hair, trying to ignore the tiny voice that tells her to stroke his hair in return. Her body is traitorous, spurring her on in ways that will cross all sorts of boundaries, and it's driving her insane.

Embry stiffens suddenly, glancing over the arm of the couch to peer down the hallway. "Kim and Jared are getting up. You want coffee?" he asks, detangling his fingers from their place at her neck as he sits up. Lex almost whines at the loss of contact - he's so warm, too warm, but being without him is definitely worse - but forces the sound right down, burying it deep with everything else she's left unsaid this morning. The best she can do is nod, offering up a tiny smile in an attempt to appear friendlier, like she isn't in the midst of an actual fucking crisis. It's enough, though, and he sets off towards the kitchen with only two backwards gazes, like he's still expecting her to disappear if he looks away.

She hears Kim well before she sees her, footsteps pattering on the wooden floorboards. All of the men are eerily quiet when they walk, so lithe that they make her feel like a total oaf. Kim brightens seeing Lex on the couch, excitedly vaulting over the back of the couch to land beside her.

"Hi, friend! How you feeling?" she chirps, her voice like a corkscrew into Lex's pounding head.

"Be nice, Kim," Embry calls from the kitchen, his voice reverberating in the otherwise quiet home. "She's pretty fuckin' hungover."

Kim laughs as Lex drops her head to her knees, groaning. "You're such a baby," she coos, rubbing her back. "Come on. Let's do breakfast."

Lex raises her head slightly to look at Kim, wondering how much of last night involved Embry. She drops her voice to a murmur, hoping that the boys won't be able to hear her. Their hearing is far too good to be trusted, and she would die if they heard this.

"Embry was here with me when I woke up. Was he here last night?" she whispers, her eyes flickering towards the kitchen. Please, God, if you're real, don't let him come out here.

Kim's eyebrows raise infinitesimally like she's trying to hide her surprise, and Lex is all too aware of the fact that her penchant for freaking out is becoming a widely known thing. "Uh, yeah, he was here last night. He came over with Jared when we were a few drinks in. You were pretty happy to see him," she teases, poking Lex in her side.

It's coming back to her, painfully slowly, in bits and bursts. She has a little flash of a memory in her grasp, of her and Embry, curled up on the very same couch they're sitting on, and her stomach twists uncomfortably.

Kim frowns slightly, squeezing her shoulder lightly. "Don't get weird. You didn't do anything embarrassing."

Lex forces herself to nod, to follow Kim into the kitchen, as if getting within arm's reach of Embry isn't the last thing she wants to do. It's official: she's never drinking again, and she's definitely steering clear of the moonshine when Embry's in a fifty-mile radius. It's the only sane solution.

The four of them end up going out for breakfast, an option quickly decided after Kim discovers Jared's raided her fridge the night before. They pile into Kim's car, and Lex swears she laughs the whole way, completely overcome by the giggles at the sight of Embry squished in the backseat. His knees are practically by his head, body folded in two to fit into the seat, and it's easily the funniest thing Lex has seen in a long time. When they finally arrive at the diner - it takes five minutes, but his whining makes it seem as if it's been five years - Embry makes a big show of stretching out his legs, unfolding his body dramatically, like he's been caged for an eternity.

"Remind me to never sit in the backseat again, Lex," he groans, shaking his body like a dog.

Jared scoffs. "Yeah, I'm sure she'll hold you to that."

He ducks, anticipating the slap, but Embry's too quick, wrapping him in a tight headlock that has Jared begging for mercy. The boys are up to their usual antics, tussling in the parking lot without a care in the world, pausing only at the sudden whistle that rings out from across the way. Lex's head snaps up at the sound, her eyes focusing on the older woman leaning out of the front door of the diner.

"Boys! Please, no fighting here. Take it to the woods," she scolds, her stern voice carrying with a clearly practised ease.

Lex is astonished to see Jared and Embry straighten up instantly, ducking their heads in a show of contrition - wrestling is practically a way of life, and she's never seen them defer to authority. Even Kim's given up on keeping Jared in line. Embry rubs the back of his head - he's nervous, she knows that tell - as they approach the diner, the woman still watching.

"Sorry, Mrs Clearwater," he mumbles, abashed, and Jared murmurs something in agreement.

She nods, the serious expression melting away, and she turns towards the women with a warm smile. "Oh, Kim, it's been too long," she says, drawing her in for a hug.

Kim laughs, embracing her tightly. "I saw you last weekend!"

Mrs Clearwater sighs. "You're right. The days feel like weeks in here. I swear I never see you kids anymore," she says, shaking her head. She turns to Lex, greeting her with an unsettlingly friendly gaze. "And who is this?"

Lex's mouth feels like it's stuffed with cotton. She's clearly an outsider here, an unknown, and it's like someone's pulled the carpet out from beneath her feet. She shouldn't be here. She doesn't belong here.

Embry wraps his arm around her shoulders, squeezing firmly. "This is my friend, Lex," he says, casting her a cautious look. "Lex, this is Seth's mom. You met Seth awhile ago at Sam and Emily's."

She remembers him, the quiet younger boy that seemed to stick to the sidelines more often than not. Lex liked Seth. At the very least, he made sense to her.

Lex is uncomfortably aware of the group looking at her, waiting, and she realises she hasn't spoken once. She clears her throat nervously, and Embry rubs her arm with an unexpected gentleness that sends butterflies careening through her body.

"I'm Lex. It's nice to meet you," she says, forcing the words out. It comes off a little stilted, but it's enough for Mrs Clearwater, whose smile seems to grow even wider.

"Oh! Lex, it's so lovely to meet you. Come inside, let me get you all something to eat," she says, turning and bustling back inside to the warmth of the diner.

Kim and Jared follow closely behind, already talking about breakfast, but Embry lingers on the stoop. For one terrible moment, she's worried he's going to comment on how awkward she was, that she's ruined the morning, but all of that nervousness is swept away as he wraps her into a hug. He squeezes his arms tightly around her, his warm hands lightly skimming her sides, and his insane heat helps to melt all of her tensions away. He lowers his head until his lips are resting beside her ear, blowing warm puffs of air onto her neck that steal away any remnants of logical thought. His lips are close, so close, that if she turned her head, even slightly, she could kiss him. The knowledge is both electrifying and terrifying; she likes that he's normally so far away, that she can't impulsively kiss him. Embry, up close and personal, is a whole different beast, accessible and alluring and all too tempting. When he speaks, Lex is sure that the resulting tingles are going to set her body alight.

"You're doing amazing. Let's go get some waffles."

She doesn't think she'll be able to look at waffles the same way again.

He waits four hours before texting her. It's not that he's trying to play it cool - okay, he totally is - but he genuinely needs her help, and talking about university stuff seems to be a safe topic with her. His dreaded composition assignment is due, and with everything that's been running through his mind lately, it's been left stranded by the wayside until the night before.

Poetry analysis, he reads, the dread settling in his gut like an iron weight. Select a poem and write a short response detailing your interpretation. He needs to pass this assignment, he can't fail one of his only essential units, and yet all of the suggested poems have his head swimming like he's an incompetent toddler at the pool for the first time. And so he calls her, fumbling to dial her number - yes, he has it memorised, it feels more special than pressing "call" on the contacts list - instantly filled with trepidation. Will she even answer him? Is she sick of him already?

Somewhere, out there in the universe, there must be a spirit rooting for him, deciding to cut him some slack, and she miraculously answers on the final ring. She clears her throat quietly before speaking.

"Embry?" Her voice is soft, angelic, and even though he's seen her earlier that day, he didn't realise how intensely he was craving her company until he has it.

"Lex! Uh, hey," he says, trying to restrain his excitement. Playing it cool, remember? "Um, do you have a second to talk about this poetry assignment? I need some of your brain cells."

She lets out a sudden laugh. "Of course I do. What poem are you working on?"

He glances down at the sheet. The words are jumping around the page, changing places when he thinks he finally has them in his grasp. She's waiting on his answer - it should be an easy one! - and he grapples for the first name he can read.

"John Donne," he says, trying to keep the frustration out of his voice. Fuck reading, fuck English, and fuck all of this poetry shit.

He isn't prepared for the little squeal she lets out. "He's my favourite! Oh, good. Do you have a specific poem?"

He scans the page hopefully, looking for something useful. Nothing. "Uh...it says we can choose something. Fuck, I should have done this earlier. I am so fucked," he groans, feeling the anger prickle at his skin.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, I can help you. Let's do my favourite one," she says. He hears a soft thud as she puts her phone down, followed closely by the sound of keys tapping away. "Okay, you got a pen ready? Let's talk about this one...it's called The Sun Rising, can you look it up for me?

For her, he'd do anything, but it's probably the wrong time to say that. Instead, he obliges, bringing the poem up on his laptop. If he thought the task sheet was bad, the poem is worse, and the lines are near incomprehensible. He rubs his temples firmly, cussing as he does, wishing it was all over already.

"Em...you okay? Do you want me to read it out?" she says, and he can't agree quickly enough.

Listening to her read to him is something else entirely, something that could have him falling in love with poetry (and her, too, though that's a given). She intersperses each line with her own commentary and translation, and within minutes his hand's all cramped up in his haste to write down everything she shares. Lex doesn't speak much, so he's grown accustomed to hanging on her every word, and tonight is no different. He's surprised at her choice of poem - it's loving, it's intimate, and it's definitely not what he would have expected her to like. She talks for a long while, and he listens dutifully, his entire focus on her. By the end of their call, he's actually got a passable draft completed, and even better, he has a decent understanding of what she's been talking about. Lex is smart, far too smart for him, the kind of intelligence that makes him feel like he needs to hole up in a library for weeks on end to get even close to understanding her. She's patient, though, making sure he's understanding it all, and she doesn't even get annoyed when he asks her to explain the same thing again and again.

Even though his assignment is well and truly finished, her dialogue isn't, and Embry ends up roaming the house with his phone cradled to his shoulder as she talks on and on. How can she possibly have so much to say all of a sudden? He's positive that she's never said this much in the entire time they've known each other, and with one mention of literature, she's ready to spill her guts to him without hesitation. As he passes through the kitchen, he grabs the first bit of paper he can find - the electricity bill, I should probably pay that - and scrawls down poetry, underlining it thrice for good measure. Surely, between Kim and the library, he can find some beginner level stuff that he can use to impress her, if that's what she likes. By the time he convinces her to go to sleep - he can only listen to her soft yawns so many times before he starts to feel bad for keeping her awake - they've been on the phone for three and a half hours. Embry blinks at the dimming display of his phone, scratching his head as he tries to figure out where the time's gone. Three and a half hours? Hours with Lex pass like seconds, the time melting away as he becomes lost in her. Embry's all too aware that with every passing day he's falling deeper and deeper into her orbit, and he can only pray that she's beginning to feel the same way.

Lex doesn't see Embry at all the following day. She hitches a ride to campus in the early morning to finish preparing for a day of assessments that occupy every second of her usually free day. Thankfully, Kim's more than willing to drop her off at the gas station on her way back to the Rez, where she's unluckily been posted for a killer twelve-hour shift. It's busier than usual, the normally dead station overrun with plenty of truckers and loggers passing through after the sudden changes in weather, and it's hours before she's free to flop down in the break room. Her jubilant mood is disappointingly short-lived, vanishing the second the door chime sounds from the lobby. She sets her mug aside, mentally promising that she'll return soon - is this what insanity feels like? - before hustling out to front counter, hoping that her customer hasn't grown too impatient.

"Lex!"

She jumps at the sudden call, jerking her head up to look for the culprit. To her surprise, she's greeted by Seth, his lanky form stretched out against the sunglasses display. He straightens up as she approaches, immediately towering over her like the giant beanpole he is. There's something colt-ish about Seth, like he's some sort of creature that's yet to grow into his body, and his awkwardness is both endearing and amusing to her. Lex wipes her hands on her apron, hoping to clear away some of the grease and gunk that's permanently stuck on her at work as she hurries to meet him.

"Hey, dude," she says, feeling a little uncertain at her greeting. Does she sound too eager? Too familiar? He's a friend of Embry and Kim's, sure, but she doesn't know him all that well. Her worries melt away as he shoots her a wide grin, pulling her forward into an easy hug. She stiffens at the touch, but he doesn't seem to notice, squeezing her briefly before releasing.

"Hey, stranger. Thought I'd come and say hello while I get gas."

The smile comes easily this time; his friendliness and warmth are touching, unexpected, and it helps her relax just that little bit. "It's good to see you. You know, I saw your mom this week. She's...nice. Great waffles."

He laughs, just as raucous and booming as his older friends. "I could live off her waffles for the rest of my life and I'd still die happy. She mentioned seeing you, actually. Said it was good to meet you," he says, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the grimy counter.

Lex arches her eyebrow, thinking. Mrs Clearwater mentioned seeing her? She's surprised that her appearance even rated on the older woman's radar, considering she's practically a stranger around the Rez.

"Don't look so shocked," he says, laughing a little. "She's heard about you a lot from Embry. Oh, he's probably going to kill me for telling you that."

"Your secret's safe with me," she says, nodding in mock solemnity. Lex manages to hold in her snort for a short moment - shoot, I need to lay off the coffee - and Seth shakes his head in amusement.

"You know, Lex, you're actually pretty cool. I might just have to buy gas here more often."

She rolls her eyes as she rings up his purchases, but a hint of a smile peeks through.

Seth's almost out of the door when he pauses, turning around slowly. He's got a cheeky smirk on his face, the kind that says I shouldn't be trusted, but she'd be lying if she said she wasn't curious. "What are you doing this weekend?"

Her hands still, the coins from his payment rolling across the counter. Is he seriously hitting on her right now?

He's clearly on the same wavelength, and he hurries to backtrack. "No, no, not like that, don't worry," he rushes, holding his hands up in surrender. "I was just going to say that you should come to the bonfire we're having Saturday night. Billy - Jacob's dad - is going to be telling the legends again, and I think you'd really like them."

Lex pauses, thinking. Embry told her about Billy's storytelling awhile ago, and the thought of seeing some real-life history up close and personal is tantalising. And so she nods, sealing her plans for the weekend, recklessly agreeing to something social that she'd normally avoid like the plague. The thought keeps her mood aloft long after he leaves; the idea that she's actually changing, morphing into someone better, makes her feel grateful for coming to Forks.

Seth manages to keep his secret for a total of ten minutes before a brief image of Lex, glancing up from her coin rolls, slips through his tenuous mental shield.

Dude, don't tell me you went to see her, Brady thinks, recalling the stern warning Embry'd given them all the week he'd imprinted. The pack was pretty free and loose with social stuff, and imprints were typically fair game, but Embry was firm in declaring Lex as strictly off-limits. He was worried they'd scare her off - as if, Seth had thought - and so far, he's managed to keep up his end of the bargain.

I needed gas, okay! he thinks defensively, trying to rationalise his unapproved visit. Okay, his gas tank was half-full, but it was between driving to Forks or doing his algebra homework, and the latter wasn't appealing in the slightest.

Brady, the traitor, howls, and Seth thinks that he'd absolutely bite that tattle-tale if he could just manage to get close enough. Brady's no fool, though, and he's keeping a close eye on Seth's vision as he darts further and further into the scrub.

As if you're getting a piece of me, Clearwater. Not like there's going to be anything left once Call's finished with you.

What's with the howl, Jared thinks, hastily casting his shorts aside as he makes his way further into the forest.

Seth's got a little secret to tell you, Brady taunts, offering a little flash of Seth's earlier memory.

For god's sake Seth, have you heard of leaving things alone?

It's too late. Within moments, Embry, Quil and Leah are all phased, ready for whatever's coming their way. Thoughts, too many thoughts, are filling his brain, clouding the pack mind, but it's not enough to drown out his guilt.

Embry's after him in a flash, snapping closely at his heels as he bolts deeper and deeper into the bush.

You did WHAT, he rages, lunging forward to sink his teeth into Seth's hind leg. Seth howls, long and deep, feeling the pain ripple through his body. Embry's standing over him, his teeth bared in their entirety, and in that moment, Seth starts to feel like he really maybe truly messed up.

Embry forces him to replay every second of his interaction with Lex, snarling when he recalls the hug, the bonfire invitation. He lowers his muzzle close to Seth's so they're snout to snout, far too close for comfort, and he's seriously worried that he's about to lose the tip of his nose.

I'm tempted, Embry thinks, trembling in his anger. I wasn't ready. She wasn't ready. What part of stay away from my girl do you not understand?

She was ready. She said yes.

Embry bites him again, tearing into his shoulder, and Seth can only let out a pathetic whimper. He's fucked.

Okay, okay, my brother's a dumbass. Stop chewing on him.

Embry moves aside, still deferential to Leah's old beta energy from when they were in Jacob's pack, but Seth knows it isn't over.

Damn right, it isn't. Stay out of my shit. Lex is mine, he growls, staring at Seth for another moment before turning to head back towards the house.

Seth lies on the forest floor for a long while, aching and itching as his skin moves and melds to become one again. Leah waits with him, resting her head on his back as he whimpers and whines, feeling his pain through their link.

I love you, but I hate you. Don't do that again.

Yes, Leah.

A/N: Thank you for all of your comments! I was blown away by the number of reviews last chapter - so many lovely sweet people, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I try and reply to every comment, but unfortunately, I can't do that if you're reviewing as a guest or if you've got PM's disabled.

I'm thinking of making this review deal a regular thing - six reviews on this chapter and I'll get the next one uploaded before the one week mark. Thanks again for reading!