Chapter 4: Yesterday

Yesterday by imagine dragons

Embry POV
I woke up with a headache. Too much thinking Quil would call it. I fell asleep in the woods just outside my house. Hopefully, Mom didn't notice I wasn't home yet. I was nineteen but as long as I was under her roof it was her rules. I transformed running across my lawn in hopes that no one would see, especially my mom.
Call if you won't be home until late, clean up after yourself, help with groceries, and no booze or drugs in her house. Those were her conditions while I was in school. No need for rent money if I was furthering my education. I crept in through my window hoping I was quiet. My clock read 7:30am, mom would be getting up now to go for a run if she hadn't already. Lying on my bed relaxed my mind started to wonder. The first thing I started to think of was Alaric.
Fuck it's already started. I knew this was going to happen someday but I had hoped it was going to be with someone less…Douchey. The feeling of shame wafted over me at the negative thoughts of my imprint. I must have passed out after that since when the clock struck 9:30 my alarm went off. Moms voice ringing through my bedroom door.

"Rise and shine sleepy head." Groaning I pulled myself off my bed and walked into the kitchen. Where mom had been making breakfast. I plopped down on the nearest chair.

"How was Billy's last night? Meet anyone new?" Isn't that the million-dollar question. I told her that I was going to a tribal meeting at Jacob's to meet new people. Close as I could get to the truth.

"Yeah it was fun. We're hoping we could do it again sometime."

"Anyone you like?"

"A few." She smiled at me shaking her head.

"Your so coy Embry someday someone's going to catch your eye."
If she only knew.

"But not before you finish school. Love comes second to an education. Only a few months left and you'll be working in Sam's shop."

It will be a strange feeling to finally put the books down and get to work at the shop full time. At least I would have a steady flow of cash. I did the math and was hoping by Christmas I could help mom pay off the mortgage. We chatted a little longer until she asked me to go grocery shopping with her. I couldn't say no to that since I was in desperate need for groceries.
Due to school being sometimes at night I had to make my own dinners to save money. Living off a baloney sandwich gets boring and not exactly the healthiest but it was the cheapest. I soon found I was getting bored though and challenged myself to make other dishes under a budget. It was surprisingly easy to do actually especially if rice was the main ingredient. We were in the aisle discussing what cereal to buy when I felt it. The pull the need to be close to my imprint to make sure they were safe. Alaric was close. I told my mom I was going to grab some deodorant and made my way through the aisles searching. Maybe it's just all in my head.

"Looking for me?" Turning around I came face first with Alaric's infamous smirk.

"You wish." I rebutted. He fidgeted with his hands not really knowing where to place them as if I caught him off guard.

"I do actually. But I see that it would be too much to hope for." We stood there in an awkward silence for a few moments. It surprised me to see that he was just as nervous as I.

"So how do you want to do this?"

"Excuse me?"

"The imprinting you and I are both in school. In different countries though I'll be visiting more to help with the treaty if Sam and Billy still agree."

"Why wouldn't… oh right." Remembering the lie Alaric told the pack about his grandfather being the Alpha.

"Look I didn't mean to lead you all on it was my grandfather's way of keeping the tribe safe while I'm at school." Alaric said remorsefully. My heart ached a little for him. I understood his reasoning.

"I get it. Keeping the tribe safe is important to a pack." He seemed to brighten up at that. Lips pulling into a hug authentic smile making me smile in return. He came closer to me as he moved out of the way for another customer coming down the aisle. I could smell the expensive cologne coming off his body. It was mouth-watering. I was praying to every deity out there that he did not notice my body reacting to his scent. My god can I please get through this without a full blown erection. If Alaric noticed he didn't show it, perhaps my scent had the same effect. We stood there in the middle of the isle in an awkward silence. Until he spoke up catching me off guard.

"You got a phone?"

"Yeah why?"

"Just hand it to me."

"Maybe you should use some manners."

He smirked at me.

"Please Embry may I have your phone." His voice had gone deep and husky. It took all my will power not to shutter from it. I pulled out my cell phone passing it to him. He looked at it confused.

"What the hell is this?"

"My cell phone?"

"From what year? 02?" I blushed it was a second hand flip phone I got from my mom when she upgraded her plan. He must of saw my discomfort with the subject and quickly fiddled around with it. Once done he handed the phone back to me. I read the screen. He had to be kidding.

"Make you howl? Really?"

"That way you'll know it's me."

"Could have just put your real name."

"Where's the fun in that."

"Is it always just fun and games with you?"

"Do you wanna find out?"
Did I? He wasn't exactly my type, too pompous and arrogant. Yet the way he looked at me with his amber eyes it was as if he valued what I would say next. As if his whole world rested on my response. I could hear someone calling me but my eyes were still locked on his. Alaric broke contact first turning to the side to let the new person come into our bubble.

"Embry?" It was mom. I immediately snapped out of my trance.

"Sorry mom I got distracted."

"I could see that. Who's your handsome friend here?" My breath was caught in my throat, what do I say. He's a friend? My crush? My imprint? Alaric took pity on me jumping in.

"My name is Alaric Hill Ms. Call. Embry and I met last night at Mr. Blacks." Mom lit up as if it was Christmas.

"Oh at Billy's. Embry told me he met some people. Did you just move to the reserve?"

"No miss just visiting, I'm from Canada. Work trip with some time to mingle."

"That's always nice when you have time to meet locals. What field of work are you in?"

"Mom I'm sure Alaric doesn't have time for twenty questions." I had to cut this off before she somehow gets Alaric to slip about the pack. I didn't get a chance to tell him that she wasn't Quileute she wouldn't know about shape shifters.

"He's right I'm afraid just picking up some snacks before we depart town. It was very nice meeting you Ms. Call. I'll see you around Embry." Alaric left with a quick wink at me. My mom turned to me with a knowing smirk.

"He likes you." I rolled my eyes linking our arms guiding her towards the pharmacy section.

Later in the day I was finishing some homework when I received a call on my cell. It was from 'Make you howl.' A rush of excitement filled my body.

"Embry speaking."

"Well I certainly hope so."

"How was your ferry ride?"

"Uneventful we just got to the hotel. I have a few minutes to myself."

"So you decided to call me?"

"Is that wrong of me?" oh so he wants to play. Okay I can do that.

"No just figured an accomplished Alpha university student like yourself would be catching up on homework. Since you've been away on pack business."

"Touché. Your right I should be catching up on homework. Midterms coming up. Then finals. Possible graduation with honours." He drawled the last bit nonchalantly, as if he was reading a grocery list.

"Think you're getting ahead of yourself." I laughed to him. We continued talking for at least an hour getting to know each other. I found out he was going for a business degree and was in his last year. He preferred
moose burger over regular beef but would trade all that for salmon any day. I told him about my schooling in Olympia, obsession with dirt bikes, and my sweet tooth for chocolate. I found there was a lot more to Alaric then his pompous façade he put out into the world.

"This is nice I never expected you to enjoy baking."

"Yeah well when you're craving cookies in and alone in a dorm." I heard aloud hooting and hollering from the other line. Alaric had to speak louder into the phone.

"Guess it's almost game time."

"Big sports fans your pack?"

"Hockey fans really. Gramps is a big fan of the Canucks."

"Who's your favourite team?"

"I like the Canucks but Oilers for the win. Can't beat Gretzky."

"I have no clue who that is."

"What! No way the legend! Your dad not a hockey fan?"

There it is. The bane of my existence question.

"I don't have a dad. Or at least one I know about. I was raised by a single mom." I could hear Alaric hiss on the other line, as if he knew he stepped on a touchy subject.

"Embry I'm sorry that was a stupid comment. I am so sorry."

"It's okay you didn't know."

"No ill make it up to you."

"I'm not mad don't worry about it."

"On a positive note I talked to Sam today. He's going ahead with the treaty with the extra bonus of more money."

"That's good. I guess I'll be seeing you more?" Oh my god did I just do that. I'm turning into one of those love sick teenagers. Please don't let that go to his head.

"Eager are we?"

Damn.

"But yes I'll be down in a few weeks to go over some paperwork and training."

"Training?"

"All in good time pup." I blushed my heart fluttering at the endearing term. The background noise got louder and it sounded like they burst through his door. Hooting and hollering ringing through the line.

"Hey Embry I gotta go I'll call you later okay?"

"Sure have fun at the game."

The line went dead and I couldn't stop myself from having those happy butterflies in my stomach. My stupid grin wouldn't leave my face either. I tried to finish studying but my mind wouldn't leave Alaric. Handsome, cocky, egotistical, charming, loves to bake, great ass Alaric. God I can't believe this is happening to me. My phone rang from across the room and I leapt for it.

"Missed me already?"

"Well I saw you last night but sure."

"Quil HI!"

"Expecting someone else?"

"No"

"Oh my god you were! Spill!"
I ended up telling him about running into Alaric at the store then the phone call. Which somehow made his day.

"I'm happy for you bro. He's quite the catch." I had to change this subject or else my face would be permanently flushed.

"Have you talked to Paul yet?"

"That asshole needs a time out. He started this whole mess." Quil said angrily. I could see his point but I could also see Pauls side too.

"Well you were flirting."

"Embry, I didn't mean the mess last night I meant us being friends with benefits. He doesn't get to pull stunts like that he's not my mate or boyfriend."

"Your right but why keep doing what you're doing if he's going to react that way."

"Well maybe I won't be any more I got Bruce's number. He's actually pretty interested." Quil purred over the line. I couldn't help but roll my eyes leave it to Quil to push things under the rug. Especially his feelings.

"Did you wanna go to the beach later?" I asked.

"You forgot about Leah's thing didn't you?"

"Your right I did I can't believe she's heading back to school already. California crazy."
La push was going to someday have its own doctor. Leah's plan was to finish school but do her residency in Seattle. Like on those doctor show.

"Yeah Seth just text me looks like he's bringing someone. Oh try not to laugh at this. His exact text was 'I'm bringing someone to the dinner tonight please be nice. He's white.'" We both burst out snickering. I found myself pipping in on the gossip.

"I think he's trying to make Jared jealous."

Seth had a crush on Jared. It was his hope that they would lock eyes and imprint. But Jared refused too. He just laughing it off whenever Seth would get in his face. Jared's feelings for Seth were real but he wanted Seth to experience being young. Go off to college see the world. Not being attached to some apprentice carpenter whose only dream is to have own his own carpentry business. I found myself feeling sad for my two pack mates.

"Pizza night at the Clearwater's nothing better than that for entertainment." Quil replied laughing.

We talked a little more until it was time to go to the Clearwater's. The set up was nice nothing fancy. A few balloons floating around, a homemade banner hung was up in the kitchen saying Good luck. Most of the pack and the Clearwater's were there including Charlie swan. He and Sue had been dating for a while but still hadn't moved in together. Seth said she wants to wait until her kids are done school. Which made sense Seth was going to Seattle U in the fall and Leah had one more year of University. Speaking of which I saw Leah talking to a few other guys in the pack in the kitchen and decided to make my way over.
I walked up to Leah to tell her good luck in school but then I remembered about last night with Alaric. I wondered if I could turn around and leave without being noticed, but it was too late she had seen me. She saw my hesitation and smiled. Leah motioned for the pack members she had been talking to too leave. They didn't question it. She now held authority in the pack, seen as an older sister to most. Someone to get guidance from or help with homework from the younger members. Somethings never change though she was still known for her famous temper.

"Embry do you have anything to say to me." I was confused slightly scared but I replied.

"I'm sorry about last night. You guys really hit it off and…" Leah held her hand up to silence me.

"It's okay Embry last night was fun but that was all it was supposed to be. Alaric Hill is a fuck boy. Nothing more."
I was shocked but saddened about her response. Getting away from the tribe had really helped Leah realize how to let things go. Especially in the medical field people did die every day. The fuck boy comment got to me though, she was right Alaric was loose with his morals. What hope would I have in entertaining a future with him? She surprised me by pulling me into a hug.

"But I'm sure when you're done with him he will be husband material. You'll have him wrapped around your finger in no time." Leah winked at me making me smile. We chatted uninterrupted for a bit while eating pizza until Jared came by. He came up to say goodbye giving Leah a hug. She was confused looking at her watch.

"Leaving already? Your patrol shift doesn't start for another hour."

"Thought I'd be nice and relieve Brady. Kid said he's got a lot of homework."

He was telling the truth about Brady but I saw him look towards Seth and his date on the couch. They were laughing together. Jared looked pained but didn't question Seth's decision if he couldn't be the one to make Seth happy he was glad someone could. Honestly he was being an idiot those two should just imprint and kiss. We were about to see Jared off until we heard Charlie whisper loudly on his cell phone.

"What do you mean Sam Uley is in jail?"

Notes:

Sorry for taking so long. Life you know.