Title: Quia Nunc

Genre: hurt/comfort

Rating: T

Pairing: Embry/Leah

Word Count: 500

Disclaimer:

All characters and known situations belong to their respective owners. Everything else came from my own mind. In no way shape or form have I made nor do I intend to make a profit from this story…. All rights still belong to Stephenie Meyer…

Author's note:
So… this one goes along with my one shot Breath of Life. Little snippets leading up to the one shot… I may flesh this out later… but it's been on my mind lately… and this is the result… I'm working on getting over a writers block for my other stories… driving me nuts -.-

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Sad brown eyes followed her as she waltzed through the room of a house she despised being in. She could think of a thousand places to be, but here she waited until her alpha finished dolling out patrol schedules for the week.

"You gonna tell her?"

"Does it look like I have a death wish Jake?"

"You should tell her soon. She might surprise you."

"Maybe."

"Come on man… let's go for a run."

Embry sighed and shook off his thoughts of Leah. His imprint wanted nothing to do with the pack. So he'd stayed away from her.

For now.

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"Morning."

"Whatever. Let's just get this over with."

"Sure, sure."

"Damn happy ass fool."

He sighed and emptied his mind. He'd learned after a week how to clear his mind and remain completely quiet in his wolf form. He couldn't afford a slip-up and have Leah learn his secret before he could talk to her face to face. She tolerated his quiet presence for the simple fact that unless she wanted conversation, he remained mute to her.

"Embry?"

"Got something?"

"You're overly quiet today?"

"You like me because I'm quiet, remember?"

He chuckled when she huffed. He'd tell her soon.

"Take a walk with me."

Embry eyed his alpha warily. He followed him, his mind racing with unease. "What's wrong?" He thanked the spirits for his calm demeanor.

Sam turned to look at the quiet wolf. "What's going on with you and Leah?"

His wolf growled inside. Their alpha still loved her. He had an imprint, yet he still loved the she-wolf. Why hadn't he seen it before? "Nothing. She's a friend."

"Whatever you're doing, thanks. She's less aggressive.." Sam muttered.

Embry nodded. "She is."

Sam sighed. "Just don't hurt her."

"I won't." He promised. He couldn't if he tried.

"Call! Get your ass out here!"

Embry arched an eyebrow at Quil and Jacob before setting the wrench in his hands down on the concrete. He poked his head out of the garage and blinked at the agitated she-wolf standing on his front lawn.

"Issues?"

She glared before grabbing his hand and pulling him away from his house. She knew Quil and Jake would be listening. "What did you say to Sam?"

Embry's wolf whined. "Nothing. I swear. He asked if there was anything between us."

"And you told him...?"

"The truth." He bit out, his voice bitter. "We're friends."

Memories surfaced through the fog of sleep as Leah woke. Embry's lips ghosting over her skin, his voice husky in her ear- She grinned when she felt his arm snake around her waist. She turned her head to him, offering him a kiss.

"Hey Leah I'm home from- Oh wow…" Seth stopped in her doorway and stared at the two.

Embry arched an eyebrow. "No hiding." He whispered.

She nodded, kissing him again. "No hiding."

"What's going on?" Seth wondered.

Embry kissed her then, smirking when Seth pretended to gag.

Leah smiled. "I'm happy again, Seth. That's all that matters."