Hurt No More

I knew where Jacob's house was. I knew where all the pack lived actually. Embry told me, just in case in an emergency I needed one of them.

Normally I would never walk down the roads at night. Especially knowing about the supernatural. But I had faith that Brady and Collin were keeping watch. They were meant to be on extra alert tonight and I trust them.

I walked for a while before I saw Jacob's house. I noticed the lights were on, even the front light. Not totally strange since Billy lives there. And he would probably stay up until Jacob returned safely.

What was strange was the amount of people standing out the front of the house. Including Billy in his wheelchair.

As I made my way closer, I realised it was the pack standing out front. Now I was starting to get worried. I scanned the group until I saw Embry sitting on the wooden railing of the house.

Eventually I got close enough that I stepped into the light. I must have made noise as everyone's eyes suddenly snapped to me. There was a mixture of shock and surprise in their faces.

Embry instantly pushed himself off the railing as he jogged towards me. "Maddi, what are you doing here?" He said, voice coated in worry.

Seeing him make his way towards me made my unconsciously relax. "Oh, thank goodness, you're okay." I muttered as I hugged him, ignoring everything around us. "I was so worried."

Embry pulled away before moving some of my hair out my face. I can only imagine how much of a mess I looked like. "Told you I'd come back." He stated with a kind smile.

We stared at each other briefly before I spoke up. "Why are you all standing-"

My sentence was cut short as a bloodcurdling scream emitted from the house. I recognised the voice. It was Jacob. He was screaming in agony.

My eyes went wide as my mouth opened slightly in fear. I tried stepping forwards but I was frozen. Suddenly, Embry embraced me, holding one side of my head to his chest and the other covered with his arm, trying to block out the screams.

I clenched my eyelids tight and tried to block out Jacob's cries. When they finally subsided, Embry let me go. I looked at the house before scanning the rest of the pack. They all had their heads down, refusing to look at the house.

I glanced back at Embry who wore a sad expression. "What's wrong with Jacob?" I asked with in a panic.

"He got hurt." Embry stated solemnly. "A newborn got his arms around him and broke his bones. They healed but in the wrong way. So they need to be broken again."

I could feel my jaw hanging. No wonder everyone was outside looking like this.

We all fell silent until Sam's voice spoke up. "Maddi." He started to get my attention. "What are you doing here?"

I gulped. I forgot to answer Embry when he asked. The pack turned to look at me, curious as well. "I'm not really sure." I admitted honestly. "I had a dream and thought Jacob might be in trouble so I came to his house…" I trailed off.

Everyone looked confused by my response before Sam continued. "It's dangerous to walk around by yourself. Especially at night." He warned. "Don't do it again." He stated sternly but kindly.

I nodded. "Okay." I said sadly for getting scolded. I knew they were just worried I might have got hurt. "I'm sorry." I apologised to everyone but focused it mainly at Embry.

He gave me a sad smile before wrapping an arm around my shoulder and guiding me closer to the house where he originally was.

Suddenly, a red car pulled up as Bella jumped out. She looked like a panicked wreck. She awkwardly moved closer to the pack. "Hey-" She started before Jacob screamed once more.

I noticed Billy gasp and flinch from his son's screams. It must be painful for him to hear and be unable to do anything.

Bella also was startled from his cries. She froze. "It has been going on for a while." Quil explained to her.

"Doc is breaking his bones." Jared added to the explanation.

Suddenly, Leah perked up. She kind of jumped on the spot. Not happy but full of energy. "He didn't have to butt in. I could have taken it-"

Paul cut her off. "Oh, give it a rest, Leah." He shouted at the girl to make her stop talking.

I may not have been there but from what I gather, Jacob was trying to help Leah with a vampire and got hurt.

Suddenly, the door opened as a familiar face walked out. The doctor that treated Skylar, Carlisle. "The worse is over." He announced to the group.

Unconsciously, I felt myself tense from fear. He was a vampire after all. I felt Embry wrap his arms around me reassuringly but continued to listen to the doctor. "He'll be alright. I gave him some morphine but his body temperature will burn it off soon." Carlisle explained.

"Thank you." Billy stated to the doctor earnestly as he held out his hand. Carlisle accepted it as they shook hands.

Carlisle glanced around at the group before he looked at me. I felt my breath hitch as a look of recognition crossed his face. He turned to Bella. "He's asking for you." He told the girl before walking away.

Bella looked at Billy, as if asking for permission to go see him. Billy gave her a nod before she walked past everyone and disappeared into the house.

There was a few moments of silence as no one spoke. But worry got the best of Jared as he addressed me. "Maddi, where's Kim?"

I knew he was worried about her. "Don't worry. She's asleep on the couch." I saw him visibly relax and smile at the thought. I turned to Sam. "And so is Emily." Sam tried to hide it but I swear I saw him smile.

Jared clapped his hands together. "Okay. I'm gonna head back to Emily's." He stated with excitement although he was trying to tone it down. He desperately wanted to see his imprint.

Paul was ready to join him. Sam also decided his presence was no longer needed. "Don't stay too long." Sam told the rest of us. "Jacob needs rest." And with that, the three left.

"Come on, Seth." Leah suddenly instructed as she began to leave as well. Seth hesitated as he looked at the rest of us. "Seth!" She called again. He gave a reluctant look before following his sister.

"See ya." Seth told us as he gave a small wave.

Quil returned the gesture while Embry nodded his head. "Bye." I told the boy with a smile which he returned.

This only left Quil, Embry, Billy and I outside. "I assume you would like to see Jake before you leave?" Billy asked the boys.

Quil awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "We won't be long, promise."

Billy smiled. "You can wait inside." He said as he wheeled himself inside his home.

Just as we were heading in, Bella was leaving. "Hey, Maddison. Can I talk to you for a second?" The girl asked as we passed each other.

This caught me off guard as I stared at the girl. "Eh, sure." I commented as I looked at Embry. "Go talk to him. I won't be long."

Embry gave me one final look before walking inside with Quil to see Jacob.

I turned around to face Bella. "What's up?" I asked with a tilt of my head. I had no idea what she wanted.

"I wanted to apologise." She started awkwardly.

Now I was confused. "For what?" I asked nervously.

"For bringing you into this." She tried to explain while gesturing with her hands. "As in, this world."

I held my hands up in defence. "No, no. It's okay." I tried to reassure her. "You didn't bring me into anything. Frankly, Embry did since he imprinted." I realised how that sounded and tried to explain myself. "Not that I'm complaining because I love him and I wouldn't want it any other way."

Bella caught my panic as she let out a chuckle. "Don't worry. I know what you mean." I could feel my face turning red from embarrassment. I don't know why I panicked to her. It's not like Embry was here and I needed to clarify it with him. "But that's why I'm apologising." She continued. "He and the pack risked their lives to help me."

I felt my arms drop to my side. "I won't lie." I admitted to her. "I was against him and the pack going. I was so worried for them." I took a deep breath. "But it was their decision to fight."

I could see the guilt on her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't want them to get hurt." She glanced at the house. I knew she was referring to Jacob. "I'm sorry I made you worry about them. I'm sorry that Embry could have gotten hurt."

I gave a sad smile. "But he didn't." I told her. "So, you have nothing to apologise for." She still looked sad. "If you want to apologise for something, apologise for me meeting the Cullens. Not a big vampire fan." I joked.

She chuckled at that. "Yeah, that's understandable. Sorry." We both fell silent. "Well, I better go." She mumbled as she turned away.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked the girl. Bella turned back to face me. She looked like a deer in headlights that was about to start crying. Bella looked at Jacob's house and back to me. I frowned slightly. I don't think this was just about Jacob's injury. "Come on. Girl to girl."

Bella hesitated before she spoke up. "I made my choice." She said with sadness. "I love him but I love another more."

I nodded my head in understanding. She had just told Jacob she chose Edward. "If I'm being honest." I started to tell the girl. "You love who you love. I can't imagine a world without Embry now." I stated with a smile. "There's nothing wrong with you loving the person you do."

I took a deep breath before continuing. "I know you choosing was hard but it was the right thing to do." I said seriously. "One of the worst things you can do is toy with someone's feelings. Never lead someone on if you don't truly love them."

I knew my next words might hurt her but it think it's best she hears it. "Jacob loves you so much that he risked his life and got hurt to save you." I was right she looked hurt. "You can't keep toying him along. Don't hurt the person who risked so much for you."

Bella seemed taken back by my words. I wasn't trying to be accusing. I will admit, I didn't like how she dragged Jacob along knowing how he felt. "I'm not trying to start anything." I quickly clarified with her. "I'm just glad you made a choice." She seemed to relax at that. "I wish you happiness with Edward." I said with a smile.

Bella finally smiled. "Thank you, Maddison." She said earnestly. "I wish you the same with Embry."

"Thanks, and please, call me Maddi." I grinned as we exchanged knowing nods before she walked away to her truck. I gave her a wave as she drove off before entering the house.

I made my way into the kitchen to see Billy. He must have seen my lost expression as he guided me in the right direction. "Continue straight and on your right."

"Thanks." I said with a smile before following his directions.

I made my way through the house before I found the room with voices. I carefully poked my head into the room to see Jacob, Embry and Quil laughing.

Quil noticed me first. "Look who it is." He grinned.

The others turned to look at me as I gave a small nod. "Come on in, Maddi." Jacob called from his bed.

I carefully made my way next to Embry as I looked down at the injured boy. He was covered in bandages and sweat. "How you feeling?" I asked gently.

"Seen better days." Jacob admitted with sorrow.

Quil and Embry continued to joke around with him but I wondered. Was he referring to his physical injury or his confrontation with Bella? I feel like it was the latter. I frowned.

"We better go and let you rest." Quil finally concluded since Jacob looked tired.

Embry nodded in agreement. "We'll come back and check on you later." He grinned at his friend.

"Not like I'll be going anywhere else for a while." Jacob joked causing us to laugh.

The boys walked out first saying their goodbyes as I followed. I stopped at the door and turned to the boy. "You'll be okay, Jake. Time can heal any pain." I smiled at the boy who looked surprised before walking out. Whether he understood my other meaning or not, I'm not sure.

As soon as we walked back into Emily's, I was smothered in a hug. "Where were you?" Emily was asking me in a panic. "When I woke up and saw you were gone, I almost had a heart attack."

"I'm sorry." I apologised to the girl as she released me. "But I had faith Brady and Collin had the area secured." I tried to reason.

Paul ruffled my hair as he walked past me. "You trust the pups?" He joked but I knew he trusted them too. He turned to Quil. "Come on. We have to take over from the two said pups." He gestured to the door.

Quil let out a sigh of annoyance. "What?" He complained. "Why me?"

Paul leant against the door. "Because Jared has taken Kim home. Sam and Embry are going to be with their imprints." He started to explain as I snuck a glance at Embry. He looked unfazed by Paul's explanation. He was going to stay with me or something?

Paul continued talking. "Jake is out with his injury. Seth and Leah will take over from us since they're probably sleeping right now." Paul looked Quil straight in the eyes. "That only leaves us since our imprints aren't here."

Quil's face showed he wanted to object but knew there was nothing he could do. He screwed up his face before reluctantly walking towards the door.

Paul smirked as he wrapped his arm around Quil's shoulder. "Oh, cheer up." He grinned. "You get to be with me."

Quil's face filled with horror. "Nope. I'm out." Quil objected as he turned away. But it was too late. Paul had a grip on Quil as he dragged him out the door.

We all stood in silence as the two disappeared. It was Emily who broke the silence. "You two are welcome to stay the night." She directed her comment at Embry and I.

Embry glanced down at me, as if asking what I wanted to do. I held a finger to my chin as I considered it. "Thanks, but I better go home. We do have school tomorrow."

Emily nodded in understanding as I grabbed my car keys off the bench. "I'll drive you." Embry spoke up.

I rose an eyebrow at him. "Then how will you get home?" I questioned.

He let out a small chuckle. "Pretty sure I'll survive." He gestured to himself as I realised. He literally could turn into a wolf and run. It's not like he would ruin his clothes since he was only wearing his shorts. He didn't even have shoes on.

"Sorry. Dumb question." I mumbled as I threw the keys towards Embry.

He effortlessly caught them thanks to his reflexes. He gave me a soft smile. "You could never ask a dumb question." He reassured as I walked towards him as he stood by the door.

I playfully scoffed as I opened the door. "Oh, trust me, I can." He smirked as we stepped outside. "Bye, Emily, Sam." I waved goodbye, a favour they returned before Embry shut the door.

We made our way to my car as I hopped in passenger. Embry went driver as he drove me home.

It was the perfect time for us to chat. "How did the battle go?" I finally got to ask.

"Besides Jake's injury, it went smoothly." Embry stated as he focused on the road. "We got all the newborns and no one else got hurt."

I tilted my head to the side. "Does that mean Bella's safe now?" I asked. "Victoria and Riley won't come back?"

Embry glanced at me out the corner of his eye. "Yes. They are both dead. You don't have to worry about them ever again." He reassured me.

"Thank goodness." I stated with relief.

The car fell silent until Embry asked me a question. "What was this dream you spoke of? About Jacob?"

I waved my hand in the air. "Oh, nothing. Just dreamt about Jake getting hurt by a vampire." He quickly looked at me as I clarified. "It didn't happen how you guys described it. It was just a dream. Coincidence."

Embry looked unconvinced. "It was nothing. Just a dream." I repeated.

He dropped the subject as we pulled up at my house. We both hopped out as he walked me to the front door. "You going to sleep okay?" He asked as he gave me back my car keys.

"Yeah. I'm tired." I told him. "And if I can't, you'll be the first I call." He smiled at that. "Now go home and sleep. I'll see you tomorrow at school."

Embry gave me a smirk before he ran off towards the woods. I watched as he vanished before entering my house. Right now, I just want to sleep.