Give Wide Berth

Embry glanced around, looking towards the parked cars for probably the 30th time since he had arrived, eagerly waiting for Freja to get there. She had assured him earlier that she would come, while he kept trying to tell her that she didn't need to bring anything. There was a ton of food and drinks, as the wolves could go through a lot with just themselves.

The last few days had been like a dream. What had started as a few hesitant texts back and forth quickly snowballed, with the two of them going on about their favorite movies and books and… whatever. Freja had mentioned her two best friends at Stanford. He had talked about Quil and Jacob. Though he was always careful about how much he mentioned. And, for some reason, he could feel her doing the same.

While they had no issues talking about superficial things, Freja never mentioned her parents. Embry was certain they had probably died when she was young, hence why she lived with her grandparents, but he had been too afraid to ask, feeling as though she would bring it up if she wanted to talk about it. He was taking Sam's advice to heart - moving at a slow pace and allowing her to set the course.

"Would you relax? She said she was coming," Quil said as he walked up and held a beer out.

"I know," Embry said, though he couldn't help but glance over, watching for the tell-tale sign of headlights. "Just wondering when…"

He looked around the bonfire, noticing that everyone else was already there. Sam and Emily were manning the grill while the others milled around, some standing in groups while others sat on logs or in lawn chairs. It was like it always was.

Part of Embry was nervous. Everyone knew about the imprint, save Freja. And she was about to walk into a literal wolves' den. While he wasn't worried about the others accepting her, he worried about what they might let slip by accident. He was the only one who had imprinted on someone who didn't already know the lore or stories. He worried about how she would take it when she did eventually find out. That conversation was sure to be a doozy. Already Embry had imagined several versions of it, and all ended with Freja running away screaming bloody murder. Which he supposed is how a normal person would react to finding out that he turned into a giant wolf.

"Hey… is that her?"

Embry looked up, following to where Quil was pointing. Sure enough, walking down the beach towards them was a lone figure. Even in the dark, he could clearly make out her hair that was pulled into a thick braid that went over her shoulder.

Instantly, a lot of Embry's nerves left him as a smile pulled across his face, though he wondered why she had chosen to walk, rather than drive. While not far, it certainly wasn't your normal walk down the street from Second Beach to here. He handed Quil his unopened beer as he started down the beach towards her, hearing Quil laughing as he went.

"You made it," Embry said as he came to a stop just in front of her.

He wanted to hug her, but wasn't sure if they were at that point yet, so settled for shoving his hands into his pockets. Freja nodded, her eyes widening slightly as she saw the large group around the bonfire.

"Invite the whole town?" she asked, glancing up at him though he noted the slight hint of nerves in her voice.

"Almost," he admitted as he fell into step with her, leading her back to the party. "A few are in town to visit and about to go back, so we thought we'd have one last shindig while we're all together before the summer ends."

Freja nodded, still watching everyone, her eyes moving quickly around the group.

"They're all friendly," he said, hoping to reassure her. Freja smiled up at him and nodded, though he swore he saw her gulp.

"Everyone, this is Freja," Embry said as they got back to the group.

All around, there were curious looks as they took in the newcomer. If Freja stuck out in Forks, she definitely stood out here.

"Nice to meet you," she said softly as Quil walked over, holding out cans to her and Embry.

"Good to see you again," Quil said before shooting a wink at Embry.

Rolling his eyes, Embry led Freja over to a log where they sat down. Her sharp eyes were roaming around the group, taking it all in.

"So many people," she commented, this now being the second such reference.

"Yea, we all kind of stuck together after school," Embry said. "We all grew up together so… easy to stay close…"

"I've never had such a big group of friends," Freja said.

Embry looked over, studying her a bit. He had gathered that much from their talks.

"Why not?" he asked. Freja shrugged as she took a drink.

"My grandparents… they're a bit… protective," she said, obviously choosing her words carefully. "And well… not living in town… made it hard to get together until I could drive."

"Just got here and Embry's already hogging her," Paul said as he walked up grinning, Rachel at his side. Embry shot him a look of annoyance. Just when they were about to get somewhere. "Paul Lahote. This is my girlfriend Rachel."

"I'm Jacob's older sister," Rachel continued, holding her hand out.

"Nice to meet you," Freja said, her cheeks turning pink.

From there it was a long line as everyone made their way over to introduce themselves to Freja. If she was feeling overwhelmed, Embry had to admit she was good at hiding it. Though he could tell that she at least somewhat genuinely was enjoying the party and getting to meet everyone.

But then soon enough, everyone settled around the fire, caught up in their various conversations and Embry once again had Freja's full attention.

"Must be nice," she said, turning to him. "Growing up with this group."

"Yea, though we've had our moments," Embry said before taking a drink. "Jacob didn't talk to Paul for a few weeks when he- when he and Rachel got together."

Freja's eyebrows rose as an amused smile filled her face, though thankfully she didn't seem to notice his stutter. Or was too nice not to mention it.

And he had been worried about the others saying too much.

"And well, we are missing one. Leah Clearwater," he continued. "She lives in Portland and doesn't get back often."

"She related to Seth?" Freja asked. Embry nodded.

"Older sister," he replied.

Freja hummed in response, now back to looking around the group, a content smile on her face.

"I've always wondered what it was like… having a big group of close friends like this… did you guys have parties a lot here during school?" she asked, looking back at him.

"Here and there," Embry said, once again wondering just why it was that Freja didn't seem to have many friends. "But sure you guys had them at Forks all the time…"

Freja looked down at the can in her hand, a slightly embarrassed look coming over her face.

"Yea, I'm sure they did… just I never went to any," she confessed, now very intent on studying the can. She started playing with the pull tab.

"Why not?" Embry asked, before he could help himself. Freja glanced at him a few times and then took a deep breath.

"Oh, well… my parents died when I was really little… a… ah… boating accident," she said. "My grandparents liked to keep me home and all… And well… focused on my studies too…"

Embry's eyes widened at the confession. He had a feeling about her parents, but it looked as though she didn't talk about it much, seeing how hesitant she was to mention it.

"I don't really remember them… my parents," she continued on quickly.

"I never knew my dad, either," Embry said, his voice soft. Freja looked over at him. "My mom moved here from the Makah reservation when she was pregnant with me and never talks about him."

He looked around, his eyes finding Quil, who was off laughing with Jacob and Seth. He wasn't sure if he was ready to get into that whole mess. But it was hard to watch himself around her. He really just wanted to tell Freja everything. This was harder than he thought it would be. He wasn't sure if it was the imprint or just her.

"But you have your mother. And your friends," Freja said, getting his attention. She was smiling sadly at him. "That counts for a lot." Embry nodded.

"You've got Amy and Natasha and your grandparents," he said. "And well, guess now you have us."

A warmth spread through Embry at that. She did have the packs now and he knew that all of them would do anything to protect her. That they had already accepted Freja as one of them. He only wished he could fully convey that to Freja, but worried it was too much too soon. And well, the whole thing about them turning into wolves. He couldn't tell her that. Not yet.

Freja looked back at the can in her hands, the blush returning as she smiled.

"Yea… I guess so…" she said softly.

"Alright, who's turn is it this time?" Quil shouted, getting everyone's attention.

"Not Seth. He embellishes," Jacob replied.

"Hey, I'm a good storyteller!" Seth shouted back in jest.

"Do we really have to do this again?" Paul whined as Rachel hit him.

"Freja doesn't know the stories," she chided, looking over at the woman, who was now sitting up, wide-eyed.

"Oh… you don't have to do anything for me," she said quickly.

"Nonsense," Rachel said. She then looked over at Emily and Sam. "Sam tells them best. Why don't you go?"

Sam looked around the group, lingering a bit on Embry and Freja before clearing his throat and standing. Immediately, everyone fell silent.

"What stories?" Freja whispered to Embry.

"Just listen…"

From the moment Sam started speaking, his rich baritone filling the space, Freja was entranced, her eyes lighting up as she leaned forward. Sam worked through the stories of the spirit warriors and cold ones, everyone hanging onto his every word though all of them knew the stories by heart. Embry couldn't help but watch Freja as an expression of wonder came over her face. Another deep feeling of contentedness coursed through him at the sight.

When Sam finished, she blinked a few times, almost as though she were coming out of a trance.

"That was amazing," she said, turning to Embry as conversations broke out around them again. "And these stories… does everyone on the reservation know them?"

"Yea, most, I think," he replied.

"My grandparents like to tell me stories… they're from th-… Sweden," she said, stumbling over her words slightly. "Lots of folklore as well…"

"Really? Tell me some," Embry said, leaning closer to her.

"Another time…"

OOOO

Freja took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, taking in the countless stars, as she and Embry walked down the coast. She told him that she was perfectly fine getting back on her own, but he had insisted, though was still a bit curious about why she had walked. Freja made up an excuse about it being the easiest way to get there, though truthfully it was because she knew her grandparents would hear her drive off. And well, she had had a few beers at the party. It was probably for the best that he walk her home.

And truthfully, she wanted to spend more time with him. She had enjoyed herself at the party, thrilled to be so readily accepted by his friends. She had seen the other kids at Forks get together and hang out. Heard about the parties. And had always wondered what it was like to live that kind of life.

Now she was finally getting to.

But just as she wrapped herself in happiness, she remembered what was happening. As if to remind her further, her arm started itching and Freja couldn't help but scratch at it, keeping the patch hidden under the long sleeves of her jacket.

"So… your grandparents are from Sweden?" Embry asked, breaking the silence. Freja looked over at him and nodded. "Freja… is that Swedish?"

"It's Scandinavian, yes… Freja was the Norse Goddess of Love," she said, a soft smile coming over her face. "My mother was in love with all the old stories… especially those about Freja."

"I have to admit that I don't really know much about them," Embry said, his arm brushing against hers as they walked. Freja tried not to linger on the contact, but it was getting harder to keep her thoughts straight around him.

She took a deep breath, focusing on the stories she knew.

"Well… Freja was the Goddess of Love, but also fertility, beauty, witchcraft, battle and death. It's said that whenever there was a battle, she and Odin would split up the spirits of those who died, with half going to Valhalla with Odin and the other going with her to Fólkvangr, which was a meadow with a large hall, where they said love songs were always played…" She paused for a moment, trying to decide what to tell him next.

There really was a lot about Freja. At least from what her grandparents had told her.

"She was one of the most beloved goddesses and her image was all throughout history. So much so that when Christianity moved in, she was often vilified as this evil witch. When really she was just a powerful woman with agency of her own," Freja said. "Apparently the church doesn't like that much."

"Seems your mother put a lot of thought into your name," Embry said. Freja blushed slightly. She never really thought herself much like the goddess.

"A lot of Scandinavians name their daughters Freja," she said quickly. "It's really popular…"

"How did your parents meet?" Embry then asked. Freja frowned, wondering how she could tell this story. "I mean… if it's not too much to talk about…"

"Well… my mother really liked to travel. Wanted to see the world. And then one day she met my father while… doing study abroad," she said.

Part of her was pleased with how quickly she came up with the story that was basically true. But the other half was terrified. She hadn't even really spoken about her parents all that much, even with Amy and Natasha.

And she was certain her grandmother would not like this at all. Which only fanned the flame of rebellion that had sparked up in Freja.

"I've been told that… it was like love at first sight… the first time they met, it was… instantaneous. And they couldn't be parted. My father was from Forks, so she moved here to be with him and then my grandparents followed her," she said.

There. That wasn't so bad. Freja was sure that tons of people did that. Embry didn't need to know all the details.

"Wow… sounds… romantic," Embry said. He then stopped, making a face as though he hadn't meant to say that. Freja couldn't help but chuckle.

"It was terribly romantic," she said. She looked back down the beach. "But then they died when I was still very little…"

"I'm sure that must be rough," Embry said. Freja shrugged.

"It's all I really know," she replied with a sigh. "It's always been me and my grandparents. And the shop."

"Do you like playing music?" Embry then asked. Freja bristled slightly, then hoped that he didn't notice.

"Sometimes," she lied.

She loved playing the piano and guitar, but if she told him that, he would want to hear her play. And Freja wasn't sure if she could come up with enough excuses to hold him off.

Under no circumstance could he hear her play or sing again.

"You seemed pretty good the other day," he said. "From the bit I heard, anyway…" Again, Freja shrugged.

"Just part of the job," she said casually.

The two settled into awkward silence as they kept walking. Freja wracked her brain for something to say, but at the same time worried she would once again say too much. She had already told him too much as it was. This was going to be a lot harder than she thought.

"So… any scary monsters in Nordic folklore?" Embry then asked. Freja looked over at him, catching his smile. She laughed softly.

"Well… we don't have spirit warriors or cold ones, I think," she replied. "Though there are these creatures called Draugar. They're undead… but more like zombies than vampires. Then the usual… dwarves, elves. Ah, we do have some tales of wolves. The most famous being Fenrir. It's said that the gods tricked him into being chained up and that when he breaks free, it will be the start of Ragnarok and he will have his revenge… Quite a lot of wolves, now that I think about it..."

Freja lost herself a few moments, excitedly telling Embry some of her favorite stories about the various creatures and beings. Truthfully, she wasn't sure how many of them really existed, but wouldn't be shocked to find out if they did. She existed, after all.

She was broken from it by the sound of Embry's laughter, causing her to stop and look over at him, blushing slightly.

"Sorry… sometimes I get caught up a bit," she said, feeling a bit foolish for going on so long. She looked down the beach, noticing they were nearing her house.

"It's fine. I like it, actually… hearing you tell stories," he said. Freja turned to look back at him.

All of a sudden, the desire to kiss him overcame her, but she fought it, staying a good foot from him.

"I, um, I had fun tonight," Embry said, suddenly looking down at his feet. "I'm hoping we can do it again. Meet up." He looked up at her, and Freja felt her heart clench.

She knew that she should say no. That she had promised her grandmother that she would stay away from him. She wasn't even sure just how much of an effect she had had on him. But then again, Embry seemed fine. Perhaps they were all worried about nothing.

"I… sure," she said, slightly breathlessly. "I would like that."

Embry smiled and nodded, looking down the beach where her grandparents' house was barely visible. He turned, intending to walk her all the way there. Freja reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Here is fine," she said quickly, letting go of him as soon as she felt the jolt of electricity. She wrapped her arms around her middle just to resist touching him again. "I mean… I told you that my grandparents are protective… I actually kind of snuck out tonight…"

Embry's eyebrows rose slightly. Freja closed her eyes and rushed through the next part.

"And well, I can't really let them know about… this… not yet. Please understand," she said.

She then opened her eyes, worried about what she might find in Embry's. She didn't want him to think that they would disapprove of him. But she wasn't sure how to get that across without telling him everything.

That her grandparents didn't want her around any human man. For his safety more than hers.

"I… okay," he said, putting his hands in his pockets. Freja breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's not you, it's just… they're… old-fashioned," she explained weakly.

"It's fine," he said. "Just as long as I can see you again."

He then smiled again and Freja felt her stomach flip-flop.

"Of course… I want to see you again too," she said, unable to hide her smile. Embry nodded.

"Until next time, I guess," he said.

"Yea… next time," Freja said.

She then turned and started towards the house, though kept looking back at Embry. He stayed put, waiting until she was creeping up to the side window she had left open when she snuck out earlier. Looking back, she raised her hand to him. He raised his in return and then turned, starting back down the beach.

As Freja climbed in through the window and then silently crept up to her room, she couldn't help but smile deliriously. Even though it was possibly the worst decision in the world, she couldn't wait to see Embry again.

OOOO

Well, someone was productive today (on this story, at least). Went and wrote three and a half chapters - trying to finish up that last half before bed. Even though I should have been working on something else. But giving myself a bit of leeway since I'm on vacation. But though I'd get another chapter up for you guys since I got so much done.

.2020 - Thanks!

As always, thanks for reading and following!

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