this ain't for the best, my reputation's never been worse

so you must like me for me

It was easy to understand that Alina's trust was rarely distributed, not that Embry could blame her, considering what he knew so far about her. He was as patient as anyone could be, afraid that she'd retreat back into herself should he push her too far. So, instead, he would tentatively reach out a hand, and let her do the rest.

They'd reached a relatively reliable routine; every afternoon - for the past two weeks - she'd cycle to the beach, bum a cigarette off some loser, and wait by the benches for him. The smoking he could do without, but considering that she barely let Sam and Emily tell her what to do, he kept that to himself. Sometimes, when the weather was decent, they'd walk across the sand in silence. It was comfortable, one that didn't feel like a void desperate for filling. Sometimes Alina would ask him questions, and sometimes she didn't. He took the fact that she never told him to go away as a good sign, because he knew she liked having him around.

Small moments where she'd catch him looking directly at her, for too long, would increase her heart rate. He'd never mention it, he knew she'd probably sneer at him if he did, but she liked it.

Embry was certain she probably had never had someone look at her the way he did, and he intended it to stay that way. Which was why he had deliberately been avoiding patrol with Sam as much as possible, because Alina's curt 'don't tell Sam' the first time she had lit a cigarette in front of him had him equally scared of both parties.

Sam's voice boomed throughout the house as he screamed out Alina's name, and Embry visibly winced in the corner of the kitchen as he then proceeded to scold Alina about her smoking.

A set of dark eyes focused on Embry, and the scowl that deepened what new wrinkles she had made his stomach drop.

'You snitched?!'

'I- I couldn't help it! He can s-see my thoughts!' Embry's voice stammered for a moment.

She pointed an accusatory finger in his direction, her voice never rising, but tone cutting. 'Are you not supposed to do and be anything I need?'

Before Embry could open his mouth to confirm that statement, she barrelled on.

'Well, what I needed you to do was not snitch, asshole!'

'Alina!' Sam boomed, his brows furrowed in annoyance and frustration as he stood in from of Embry, both he and Alina squaring each other down. She wasn't planning on backing down.

'There are rules I have explicitly explained to you that you must stick to while you live in this house!'

'it's just one damn cigarette, and I smoked it like two miles away from here! You couldn't even smell it on me!'

'That's besides the point! You deliberately broke the rules, and a sixteen year old shouldn't be poisoning their body with that crap.'

A laugh, an actual laugh escaped her lips as she folded her arms petulantly. Embry was sure her lack of fear of Sam was a death wish. 'What are you gonna' do, ground me? You're not my dad, you know.'

'Well be thankful he's not here to see what a disappointing brat you are.'

'Sam!' It was the first time Emily had raised her voice in a while, the usual soft and placated smile that occupied her face was gone.

A thin line replaced it, her eyes ablaze in anger at her husband's outburst.

Alina showed no sign of shock, and instead remained stood in a silence that drowned the entire room in it. Quil looked at Leah, who looked at Embry from their spot by the dining table, wondering if they should excuse themselves. Instead, it was Alina who left, scoffing and muttering a quiet 'fuck you, asshole' as she slammed the door closed behind her.

'Don't.' Leah called out to Embry, who had turned to follow after her. 'She's pissed at you, too. Let her cool off.'

He faltered, realising she was right. Embry's shoulders slumped in defeat, before making his way back to the table. He looked pathetic, Leah thought, she had almost forgotten how pitifully puppy like the members could be in the throes of their imprint. The last one had been Jake, who had calmed down significantly. She almost felt sorry for Embry, it wasn't his fault he'd imprinted on a juvenile delinquent.

Leah picked up her bottle of beer. 'That was shitty of you by the way,' she said to Sam, before taking a sip.

Alina let the screen door slam behind her as she stomped down the steps of the porch, ignoring the fact Paul had arrived, helping a girl out of his truck.

'Brat, say hi to my girlfriend, Milena.'

'Suck my dick, asswipe.' She shot back, not raising her head as she dug her hands into the pockets of her hoody and stalked off. Ignoring the mud that dirtied her sneakers as she walked down the path.

'Well,' Milena said softly, eyes alight with humour, looking at Alina's retreating back, 'she's exactly how you described her.'

It started raining not long after she began walking, which made the road muddier as she continued on. La Push had several types of stages for rain, but this one in particular was heavy. Alina's hair soaked quickly, sticking to her face and neck as her grey hoody darkened from the water it absorbed. She knew she'd eventually have to turn back, since the rain and mist were making it difficult to see far ahead, but she wanted to wait it out.

A car honk disturbed her from her thoughts as she was forced to halt on the side of the road, Paul's black truck coming to stop beside her. His passenger side window was rolled down, face neutral - for once - as he yelled over the rain.

'Get your ass in here, let's go for a drive.'

If the weather had been better, and if she hadn't have been visibly shivering, she would have said no. Instead, she waited in silence, at least trying to pretend she didn't want to. Paul gave her a pointed look, as if he could past through her theatrical facade, and waited in silence until she opened the door, climbing in.

Paul didn't speak for well over ten minutes as Alina used the heater to warm herself, which she appreciated since she had been silently crying. He didn't even cast her a side glance as tears dripped down her cheeks.

'I'm not crying because I'm upset,' she said quietly, feeling the need to defend herself, 'I'm just pissed.'

'I know.' Paul said matter of factly, before they descended back into silence.

He focused his gaze on the road, the radio off as the sound of the pouring rain consumed their senses. It was the most calmed Alina had felt since her walk at the beach, even then there was a level of discomfort, her body was always so aware of Embry beside her. This was different, because Paul didn't seem to expect anything from her, in fact he was incredible attuned to whatever it was she needed, which was time.

'It's only because he cares about you, you know?' Paul said, breaking the silence. 'Don't get me wrong, he's an annoying asshole and he was out of line, but he means well.'

'I didn't ask him to care about me.'

'It's just his nature,' Paul snorted, dark gaze never straying from the road, 'he knows what it's like to feel alone, so he doesn't want anyone else feeling that way. Especially a kid like you.'

Alina didn't respond, instead she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

'Besides, you know you were in the wrong.'

'Shut up.'

Her response earned a low chuckle from Paul, and she bit her lip to avoid a smile presenting itself. Paul didn't say anything for the rest of their ride, he just kept driving. She was thankful for that.

Edited version. Hope you guys like it, I really wanted to do a scene with Paul. Please review!