A Shot Across the Bows

Embry glanced over at Freja, seeing a soft smile on her face as she leaned against the window of his truck, watching the scenery pass by. A week had passed with no word or sight of Sven and he was starting to hope that maybe that would be the end of it.

And he couldn't help but feel happy that finally they were getting the chance to get away on their trip. Excitement had settled into his stomach last night as he finished packing, making it slightly difficult for him to fall asleep the night before. He had then suffered through work all day, causing Gramps to let him go a bit early, knowing how badly Embry wanted to set out for the weekend.

Of course, there was also the so-called main event of the trip that had Embry nervous, excited and in general buzzing with an unceasing energy, even though he was driving. He was glad that Freja couldn't see the fact that his left foot was tapping non-stop.

But, he was pretty sure it had been on Freja's mind as well with how she had nearly pounced on him as soon as she opened the door when he went to pick her up. Then she had grabbed her stuff - which had been on the floor next to the front door - and nearly shoved him out of the house, not really giving him anytime to say anything to her grandparents.

But at least now they were well on their way, neither saying too much of anything as they listened to the radio. Embry was focused on the road, though he struggled to keep his mind from wandering to finally arriving at the cabin. Or wondering what Freja was thinking about.

"So, Sam suggested this place?" she asked breezily, glancing over at him. Embry nodded, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Yea, apparently they aren't super busy this time of year so it was easy to get a reservation," he replied. "Not a lot of people want cabins in the winter, I guess."

"I don't know about you, but I'm ready for winter to be over," Freja said with a sigh. Embry chuckled, glancing over at her.

"You've grown up here. You know how long winter lasts," he replied. "And what it's like."

"Yea, but doesn't mean I enjoy it," she said. "Or, well, no. That's not true. I like it well enough. Just ready to get back to summer. When it's not too cold to spend all my time on the beach."

"You and the beach," Embry said with a chuckle. Freja looked over at him and smacked him lightly on the arm. "I know, I know. That's why I got a cabin near the beach so you can see the ocean."

"Really?" Freja asked, her eyes lighting up. Embry nodded, glancing at her and then turning back to the road.

"We're almost there."

OOOO

Freja sat up in the seat as Embry maneuvered the truck down a small road and came to a stop in front of a quaint building. He then took off his seatbelt and looked over at Freja.

"I'll get us checked in," he said, flashing her a grin.

He then got out of the truck and trotted up to the building, walking in as a bell dinged. He glanced around, seeing it was part check-in, part general store with a scattering of tourist items on sale ranging from towels, to sunglasses to hats and shot glasses with the inn's name and logo on them. He then walked up to the desk and waited until an older man walked out, smiling at him.

"Checking in. Embry Call," he said, suddenly feeling a rush of nerves.

They were almost to the cabin. While he had taken a bit of Quil's advice, deciding not to plan too much, he was suddenly worried that he should have planned something more.

He did have champagne and strawberries packed with the food, thinking that was something romantic that Freja would like. But he then worried that he should have maybe brought candles or, well, something more.

Embry shook his head slightly, willing himself to calm down. This weekend was going to be fine. He needed to get out of his head.

The old man smiled as he studied Embry while pulling up the reservation on a computer, almost as though he knew that he was here for a romantic getaway. He then handed him a key.

"No. 10. Just follow the lane down. Should be a little sign to show you where to turn off. Enjoy your weekend," he said.

Embry gulped and smiled nervously as he nodded.

"Thanks," he said before turning and walking back out to the truck. He got back in and pulled out, starting down the lane.

Freja was looking out the window, watching for the cabins through the trees. They were all set off by themselves, each getting their own little bubble of seclusion.

Finally, he was turning down the lane marked No. 10, slowing down until the cabin came into view. Freja's eyes widened as a grin filled her face.

"Oh, it's beautiful, Em," she breathed, her eyes fixed on it. He grinned, pleased with her response as he parked the truck and turned it off. Both of them got out and grabbed their bags before heading to the front door.

Embry unlocked it and pushed it open and walked in, looking around. Though it was small, it still managed to be spacious and was decorated modernly with a large open living room and eating area. There was a wood-burning stove on one wall with a stack of firewood next to it. The entire back of the cabin was solid windows that looked out over a deck and then farther on to the beach.

"Gods, this is gorgeous," Freja breathed, walking over towards the window and dropping her bag to the floor before pulling off her winter coat. Embry shut the door and chuckled, making his way to the small bedroom next to the kitchen, taking in the plump white bedspread.

He dropped his bag on a nearby dresser and the bag with the food on the floor, and then pulled off his coat, dropping it on the bed before he turned to walk back into the living room. Freja was still in front of the windows, so he walked up and wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissing her cheek.

"So you like it?" he asked. She looked up at him, laughing softly.

"Uh, yea," she replied before kissing him softly on the lips. "It's perfect."

He grinned down at her before looking back out the window, pulling her closer, enjoying the feeling of her in his arms. They stood there a few moments before he kissed her head and stepped away.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"Just… getting some things ready," he said, glancing over at her. He walked back to the bedroom and opened the bag with food, checking it out and then carrying it to the kitchen.

He started pulling out items, making sure to put the champagne and strawberries into the fridge and then pulling out other food items, packing them away. He then stopped and looked down into the empty bag, frowning slightly, knowing there was supposed to be something else in there. Something kind of important. Glancing back into the living room, he saw Freja settled on the couch, still staring out the window. He turned and walked back into the bedroom and towards his bag.

He swore he had tossed the box of condoms in with the food stuff, nearly forgetting it. But maybe he had put them in the other bag. He started getting a bit frantic as he pawed through the clothes and then checked all the side pockets.

Shit. He had left them sitting on his desk. Taking a deep breath, he looked around the room and then towards the open door. He knew it wasn't the end of the world, but he had been meticulous with everything else. And he wasn't sure if Freja had packed any and was too embarrassed to ask.

They could always go without, but he wasn't sure that was smart, considering they weren't exactly sure how their supernatural sides would work with each other. While he loved Freja, Embry was not ready to be a father and didn't want to take any chances.

That and he was sure his mother would throw a fit. While she had declared that she liked Freja and they had started talking about possibly having both Embry and his mother over for dinner to meet Freja's grandparents soon, Tiffany Call had been adamant that Embry be safe and not father any children until he was ready to take on the responsibility.

Sighing, he realized that the best option was to go out and buy some. They had passed a small drugstore on the main road before getting to the cabin. It was only about a 10 minute drive, if that. He could go out and get them and then they wouldn't have to leave the cabin for the rest of the weekend.

He pulled on his coat, grabbed his keys and walked out.

"Hey, I just realized I forgot something. I'm just going to pop down to that drugstore and then I'll be right back," he said.

Freja popped up from the couch, looking back at him with a furrowed brow.

"Won't take long, I promise," he said, smiling at her and praying he wasn't blushing. Her furrow smoothed out as she smiled back.

"Okay. I can start on dinner. Don't know about you, but I am hungry," she said, pushing up from the couch.

"Okay," Embry replied. He then turned and walked outside. Once he had the door shut, he nearly ran to the truck and quickly started it before pulling out.

While he tried to stick to the speed limit, he couldn't help as he sped a bit more than usual, then quickly hopped out of the truck and made his way into the drugstore. Looking around, he sighed in relief that it was empty. This would be easier, he thought, buying them somewhere where he was a stranger. The person working the counter at the drugstore in La Push had been a substitute teacher when he was in high school and he had nearly died putting the condoms down on the counter in front of the plump elderly woman, especially with the look she gave him.

He quickly perused the aisles before finding the one he wanted and quickly grabbing a few boxes as soon as he saw the brand he had gotten before, not paying too much attention to how many it was until he put them down on the counter. He flushed slightly when he saw he had more than he needed.

The older woman there, just raised an eyebrow at him, but didn't say anything as she rang him up. Embry bounced on his toes, suddenly feeling rather rushed to get back to the cabin. He chocked it up to an eagerness to get back to Freja and let the weekend really begin.

After he had paid and the woman put the boxes into a bag for him, he offered a quick thanks and then rushed back to the truck, tossing the bag on the seat and starting it up. He drove even faster to get back, the sense of urgency building the closer he got. It was a bit strange that now he would suddenly feel this anxious.

It let up just a bit as the cabin came into sight and he parked. As he got out of the truck, he stopped for a moment, his brow furrowing as he looked at it. Holding the bag tightly in his hand, he walked to the door and walked into the cabin, immediately sensing that something was off.

"Freja?" he called out. He heard nothing but water boiling in the kitchen and soft music playing.

He walked over, his heart nearly stopping as he saw the overturned coffee table and then looked into the kitchen, seeing dry pasta all over the floor and kitchen utensils tossed around. He dropped the bag and looked back around the living room, seeing the back door wide open. Heart pounding, he ran out to the beach and stopped, seeing Freja's shredded clothes where they had washed up on the beach.

"No," he whispered, before closing his eyes and breathing deeply. He wasn't sure why he was trying to scent her. They obviously went into the water and there was no way he could track them.

Growling in frustration, he turned and ran back into the cabin, looking around as he breathed deeply. He could smell Freja and then two other unfamiliar scents. So it wasn't Sven, but likely two others doing his dirty work for him.

For a moment, he was overcome by warring emotions. He was worried and afraid for Freja, angry with Sven. And then there was hopelessness. He had failed. Thinking there was no longer a threat, he had let his guard down and they had taken Freja. They had discussed this possibility - he shouldn't have left her alone. Breathing heavily, he looked around the living room before falling down on the couch and running his fingers through his hair as he began shaking in anger. He then looked up and out the windows.

He couldn't afford to sit here and freak out. The longer he waited to act, the farther away they got with Freja. He stood and ran to the bedroom, packing up his things quickly and then going to the kitchen where he turned off the stove. He should clean it up, but he didn't have time. He then grabbed all the bags and tossed them into the back of his truck and climbed into the cab. As he pulled down the lane, he pulled out his phone and called Jacob.

"Get everyone to Freja's," he ordered as soon as Jacob picked up.

"What the hell is going on, Embry?" Jacob asked, clearly worried.

"It's Freja. They've taken her."

OOOO

Freja didn't stop struggling against the two Havsfru that had literally dragged her to the water and then managed to swim rather quickly even though they were pulling her along fighting the whole way. They were much larger than her and full Havsfru, making them far more powerful, but she wanted them to know that she wasn't coming willingly.

Though she swore that one - Aleksander - had given her a sympathetic look as though he didn't want to be doing this. Maybe she could use that to her advantage. Unfortunately, the other - Oliver - seemed more than happy to be taking her to Sven.

For a moment, she thought she had victory, managing to smack Oliver with her tail hard enough that he let go, Aleksander then letting go of her as well out of surprise. She managed to swim a bit, but her happiness was short-lived as Oliver recovered quickly and caught up to her, yanking her back by her tail and then grabbing her hair in such a way that she shrieked in pain. Once again, they both had a strong grip of her, pulling her along as they swam

She then calmed down a bit, trying to take stock of where they were going, which wasn't to the clan. Maybe they had already moved. Or maybe Sven had a hideout somewhere else.

Far too soon, they were coming up to a half-submerged rocking island with an underwater cave opening, pulling her through as she continued to struggle. After swimming through a tunnel, they all surfaced, yanking her over to the edge of the deep pool. Oliver got out and then turned, yanking Freja out of the water and tossing her onto the rock, causing her to hiss in anger and try to claw at him, still in her Havsfru form.

"This could be a lot easier for you, you know."

Freja spun her head around, seeing Sven walking towards her. She hissed at him.

"And it would be easier to talk if you would transform," he added, coming to a stop a few feet away.

Freja glared at him, breathing heavily as her scales smoothed away into skin and her tail separated, quickly forming two legs. Once able, she jumped to her feet and stormed up to him, her claws out and ready to add more scars to the three on his cheek. But before she could touch him, Oliver rushed up and grabbed her arms, holding her firmly in front of him.

"I told you, Sven! I don't want you! I've already chosen my mate," she spat at him, fury roaring through her veins. Sven only smirked at her as he walked closer.

"I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement," he said, looking her up and down in a way that had Freja's blood running cold as she narrowed her eyes at him.

"It can't be undone, you idiot," she growled. He only raised an eyebrow at her. "Wolves imprint. It's an instant, unbreakable bond. I'm Embry's and he's mine. You can't break it!"

Sven didn't respond for a time, seeming to think over what she had said. He then turned and walked away from her.

"I'm sure I can find a way," he said lightly. Freja struggled against the two brutes holding her again.

"What part of unbreakable do you not understand!" she shouted. He stopped and turned back to her.

"Nothing is unbreakable, Freja," he said calmly. "In fact, I can think of one way that would likely do the trick."

Freja stopped struggling as her eyes widened slightly, realizing what he was talking about. He was going to kill Embry. As far as she was aware, that was the only way to break an imprint, but even then they weren't completely sure as no one in the packs had died yet.

"No! I won't let you hurt him!" she shouted, doubling her efforts to break free. A cold, cruel smile spread across Sven's face, the scars along his cheek making him appear more sinister.

"Ah, so death can break the bond. I wasn't sure, but thank you for confirming it," he said. Freja stopped struggling, the impact of what she had just done hitting her like a mac truck. "Take her away for now. I'll talk to her again when she's calmed down."

Freja began breathing heavily as Oliver started dragging her away towards a corridor that led somewhere else in the cave, her heart pounding like crazy and the rocks scraping against her bare feet. She then managed to get herself to calm down somewhat, paying close attention to where she was going.

She knew that she needed to find a way to escape and get back to Embry to warn him. Maybe they could run away somewhere inland where Sven wouldn't dare go. Somewhere far enough from the ocean. It would be uncomfortable for her, but she could manage. She wasn't about to let Sven hurt or kill him.

"Right. Stay calm, Freja. You can get out of this," she told herself. She wasn't sure just how she was going to do it, but she knew she needed to find a way.

She had to save Embry.

OOOO

Huzzah! I finally broke through my small bout of writer's block and got the damn fight chapter written. Then proceeded to finish the chapter after that. All I have is the last chapter to write, meaning I can commence with posting the last few chapters as I plan to work on it tonight and hopefully get the last chapter and all my editing done over the next day or so. There are only 30 chapters in the story, so I was really pushing to try and finish this so I can start focusing on the next installment in the series (calling it "The Others Series" - original, I know) which is currently tentatively named "Tell No Lie" (though I really like that, so I don't think I'll change it...). I have chosen Paul Lahote as the main lead for that one (going off canon with the Rachel imprint) and well, yea, so far the planning has been fun though I haven't actually written a lot on it (got the whole story plotted though). Basically... just imagine what would happen if a troupe of bored faeries descended upon Forks...

Anyway, I think we all knew this was coming. Sven wasn't going to roll over so easily. And yea... I went back and forth on why Embry would end up leaving Freja alone at the cabin and this was the most realistic situation I could come up with. I mean, gotta be safe and all. Practice safe sex, everyone.

.2020 - Thanks!

Guest - Thanks! Haha, I'm not sure just why that idea came to me and wouldn't leave, but figured it could be fun. They are all going to be standalones so there's no pressure on myself to come up with a much of connecting plots, haha. And well, I don't know if/how long I'll keep up with it. Could be something fun to come back and write various things for when the mood strikes me. ^_^

Thanks for reading and following!