Time Heals All Pain

As we reached First Beach, the pack seemed to separate to do different things.

Claire raced towards the ocean with Quil close behind her. Sam, Jared, and Paul set down the bags with the food and equipment. Emily, Kim, and Rachel laid some towels on the sand for people to sit on. The rest of us just hovered around.

I felt Embry slip his hand into mine. I looked down at our hands, intertwining my fingers with him. When I looked back up, he was smiling down at me.

Embry started walking towards the ocean, gently towing me along.

We stood on the shoreline. I watched as the waves nearly reached my feet but fell short of making contact. I need to talk to Embry about the whole not ageing thing, but I just couldn't bring myself to ask out of fear of the response.

"It's a shame that it's always cold and dark here." Embry spoke from beside me, still holding my hand. "If it was nicer weather, we could be swimming but it's too cold." Embry was staring out into the never-ending sea with sad eyes.

"You're a werewolf. Your body temperature is high." I told the boy. "Even if the water is cold, it shouldn't bother you that much, right?" I nodded towards the water. "You can go swimming if you want."

I saw Embry smile before he turned to face me. "There would be no point unless I was swimming with you."

"Oh." I mumbled in embarrassment, glancing away. I used my free hand to scratch my chin awkwardly. I didn't realise what he meant. I really can be so dense sometimes, I wonder how he can put up with me.

"I would love to go swimming with you." I said as I looked back at Embry. "I really would, but…" I trailed of I as I looked down at my clothes. "…I haven't got on any swimming wear."

Embry chuckled. "Even if you did, I wouldn't want you to get sick. So maybe we can wait until it's a warmer day."

I smiled at the boy. "I'd like that."

I felt Embry squeeze my hand gently as I did the same back.

A loud whistle made us turn around to see Sam raising a soccer ball. "Alright, let's play." He called out to anyone who was interested.

Most of the pack members gathered around, whooping and cheering. I could see Paul saying something to Seth, most likely stirring him up since Seth looked like he was ready to tackle the bigger boy.

I glanced at Embry. His face showed he looked torn so I made the decision easy for him. I pulled my hand out of his grasp and gently pushed him back towards the others. "Go destroy them."

He looked back at me with slight shock and confusion before a grin broke out on his face. "You got it." He said before jogging away to the others.

I made my way back to where Emily, Rachel, and Kim were and sat alongside them.

"They haven't even set up goals." Kim commented as she watched the pack.

She was right. They were just kicking to ball to each other.

"They are just mucking around." Emily spoke up as she laid out some sandwiches she made. "Feel free to have some. Although, the boys already ate majority of them." She gestured to the few sandwiches leftover.

"Don't mind if I do." Rachel said as she reached for one.

Kim and I followed her action. As always, Emily's cooking was amazing.

As I ate the sandwich, I watched the pack kicking the ball around to each other. From a glance, it looked like just ordinary mucking around to the average person. But I realised, just how overpowered this game was.

Each time the ball was kicked, the force it created was beyond imagination. Just hearing the sound of it being kicked and received showed how much power was in that ball. It must have been their enhanced werewolf strength.

I watched as Jared kicked the ball straight at Embry. It flew incredibly fast with a lot of force, but Embry received it like it was nothing before kicking it at Seth.

If any ordinary person was playing with them, it wouldn't surprise me if their leg was ripped clean off. The thought sent shivers down my spine so I had to look away.

I glanced at the three girls beside me who were watching the boys as they ate. Maybe I should ask them about the whole not ageing thing.

But I just couldn't bring myself to. I feel like this is a question I need to ask Embry first. Maybe then I could talk to them about it later. I sighed before finishing off my sandwich.

Quil carried Claire over sitting her down next to Emily. "She said she was hungry." Quil explained.

Kim grabbed the sandwiches' tray, holding it out to the little girl. "Here you go." She said as Claire happily grabbed one.

"What do you say?" Emily asked her niece.

"Thank you!" Claire said cheerfully.

"You're welcome." Kim smiled. "Do you want one?" She offered Quil.

"Sure, thanks." He picked one up and ate it in two bites. "I'm gonna go join the others." He said before jogging off. "Pass it here!" He called out to receive the ball from Brady.

I glanced around to spot Jacob sitting on a log by himself away from everyone else. He was staring out into the ocean.

I stood up making the girls look at me. "I'm just going to see Jacob." I explained before heading his way.

"Hey, Jake." I greeted the boy as I sat down next to him. "How you going?"

"I've seen better days." He said flatly, not giving me a glance.

Seems he wasn't in the best mood right this moment. "Have you completely healed up after that battle?" I asked. I knew it was a stupid question and I already knew he had but I didn't know what else to say.

"Yeah." He answered before finally turning to face me. "I know about your 'gift'. That's why you came to my house that night, right?"

"I guess you saw Embry and the others' thoughts." I said as it was my turn to look at the ocean. "They don't usually happen in dreams so it could have been a coincidence but yeah, that's why I came."

"You knew it was dangerous to leave the Emily's house?" He asked as I nodded. "Thanks for coming to check on me." He spoke quietly.

"You're welcome." I turned to the boy with a smile. "And I'd do it again."

Jacob finally smiled. It was small but it was definitely there. But it quickly vanished. "About that night. What you said to me, about time healing all pain. What were you talking about?"

Jacob had a knowing look in his eyes and he obviously wanted confirmation. "Bella spoke to me that night. She told me she made her decision and that she told you." Jacob remained calm so it was hard to determine what he was thinking. I wasn't sure if I should say the next part but decided to. "So, while I meant time would heal your physical injury, I also meant it would heal your emotional pain too. And I still stand by it."

Jacob slowly nodded his head before asking me about my injury. "How are your wrists?"

I held my arms in front of me. "There is still some colouring but it no longer hurts. Well, unless you apply a lot of pressure. Guess vampires have a strong grip." I gave a half-hearted laugh.

Jacob gave me a sad smile but didn't say anything. He looked deep in thought. Almost like he wasn't completely here.

"Jake?" I questioned with concern.

"Right now, I just wonder if she's dead already." Jacob stated out of nowhere.

It caught me off guard slightly. Guess we were back on the Bella subject. "Or maybe she's fine." I proposed.

"No." Jacob said flatly. "She's either dead or turned. Either way, she's no longer alive." Jacob clenched his fist tightly.

Seth and Embry came walking up to us. Seth sat between Jacob and I while Embry sat on my other side. "What you guys talking about?" Seth asked with a cheerful smile.

Jacob glanced at the boy before looking back at the ocean. "Don't pretend you don't know. I'm sure you all have been eavesdropping."

Seth's smile disappeared quickly as he looked sad. "Yeah, about what's become of Bella."

"She left for the honeymoon with the plan of staying human." Embry spoke.

"Which likely means she is dead." Jacob said coldly. It was like he had cut of his emotions. "I wonder how they will tell everyone. Maybe they will say she was in a car crash. Or maybe she tripped and fell off a cliff."

Paul kicked the ball on a bad angle causing it to roll in front of us. Sam jogged to pick it up.

Jacob continued. "At least I'll get one thing out of it." He had an angry but satisfied grin on his face.

Everyone seemed to understand but I was confused. "What do you get?"

"To kill that bloodsucker-" Jacob started.

"No, you won't." Sam stated, cutting Jacob off. He stood in front of us with the soccer ball in his hands. "The Cullens are not a danger to the town or the tribe."

I noticed out the corner of my eye Leah walked over to stand next to Jacob. She was listening in on the conversation.

Jacob shrugged his shoulders a little. "Well, he's either gonna kill her or change her. And the treaty says-"

"I say, Jacob." Sam cut the boy off mid-sentence. "I say."

Silence fell between everyone. Sam saw the conversation was over and began to walk back to the others but not before exchanging a glance with Leah. I couldn't help but pity her. Her face said it all as she watched him leave.

"You know, if you wanted things different, you should have become alpha." Embry said to Jacob.

Jacob had a look of regret. "Turning it down seemed like a good idea at the time."

I had heard Jacob was the grandson of the chief. Supposedly when he first shifted, Sam offered the alpha position to him but he turned it down.

"Jake, you really think you can kill Bella if she comes back a vampire?" Seth asked. His face showed he knew Jacob couldn't.

"No." Leah answered as she sat down next to Jacob. "He'd make one of us do it, and then hold a grudge against us-"

"Oh, shut up, Leah." Jacob replied as he looked away from her. His tone showed he wasn't in the mood to deal with her.

Leah refused to back down. "Would you just get over it." She told the boy. "It's not like you imprinted on her."

Everyone's head turned to look at the imprinted couples on the beach. They had stopped playing ball after Sam lectured Jacob. Instead, they were sitting on the beach snuggling up with each other and laughing. Brady and Collin sat near the group as they ate while Claire and Quil were back by the water.

"At least they look happy." Seth commented. "Some people are just lucky, I guess."

"Lucky?" Jacob questioned but his voice had a hint of anger. "None of them belong to themselves anymore. And the sickest part is, their genes tell them they're happy about it."

Embry let out a fake cough to catch the group's attention. Out of all of us, we were to only imprint couple there. Embry gave Jacob a warning look. Jacob dropped his speech and glanced away.

But Jacob's rant stuck in my head. Was that really what imprinting is? Is it just Embry's genes telling him he's happy while really he isn't? Would Embry have loved me if it wasn't for imprinting?

I didn't get time to think further on this as Leah spoke up.

"At least if you imprinted on someone, you'd finally forget about Bella." She shared a glance with Jacob before turning her head to see the rest of the pack with their imprints. "I mean, being any kind of happy is better than being miserable about someone you can't have."

It was obvious she was referring to Sam. I really felt sorry for the girl.

The group fell silent at Leah's comment. Saying it aloud must have affected her as she solemnly stood up and began to walk away.

I don't really know why, but I felt like I had to go to her. I stood up and stepped forwards only for my hand to be caught. I turned to see Embry looking at me with concern. His eyes asked me silent questions.

"I'm fine." I told the boy. "I'm just going to check on Leah. I'll be back."

Embry's eyes flickered to Leah's retreating figure. He looked unsure. It seemed like Embry didn't want me to go. "I don't think that's the best idea." He warned.

"Leah is sensitive about this topic." Seth spoke up. "You don't want to be too close if she gets angry."

I know about Leah's mood swings. I knew she was easily angered. It was hard to hold a conversation with her too.

This seemed to confirm Embry's feelings. "I don't want you to get hurt." He told me.

Seth seemed more relaxed about the situation. He was Leah's little brother so I'm sure he has seen every side to her. "Just give her time to cool off."

I watched as Leah walked towards the tree line. The atmosphere about her, it didn't seem like she was angry. It seemed more sad. "Is that what you guys always do?" I questioned. "Just leave her to sort herself out?"

Seth looked over to his sister. "Pretty much. She never likes it when we talk to her about that stuff."

"It's best to just let her be." Jacob agreed.

I glanced down at my hand that Embry was still holding. I gave it a soft squeeze. "I'm still going to try. Maybe it will be different talking to someone who is not part of the pack. Someone who is also a girl."

"I can't let you put yourself in danger if she reacts badly." Embry objected to the idea.

"She won't. She's just Leah, not some uncontrollable monster." I stated. "And if you can't trust her, trust me. I'll be fine."

"But-" Embry started.

"Trust me." I cut him off with determination.

Embry finally gave in. "Just don't get too close to her. And yell if you need me."

I gave him a grin before running after Leah.

Maybe the pack were right. Maybe I might be a nuisance to her and she will react badly. But maybe, just maybe, she had given up trying to get the pack to understand her feelings. Maybe she didn't want to be alone. Maybe she just wanted someone to understand her.

She had just entered the forest. It didn't take me long to reach the tree line as I ran after her. I weaved my way through the trees before I saw her.

"Leah, wait." I called out just as I almost reached her. I extended my hand, grabbing her wrist.

Images flashed through my mind like a movie reel. It was Leah and Sam. Together. They looked happy as the held each other, smiling and laughing. They were in love.

But then it took a drastic turn. Sam was telling her something and Leah looked hurt. Like someone had just ripped her heart out. She was desperately trying to talk to him but he walked away. He left her standing there all alone as she watched him leave helplessly.

Sam was with Emily the rest of the time as Leah had to watch on. She had to watch as the two fell in love. She had to watch as Emily experienced everything Leah had. Sam had moved on after imprinting on Emily but Leah could not move on so easily. She couldn't just abandon the years of loving him. All Leah could do was watch.

By the time I snapped back to reality, I could feel the wetness on my cheeks. Leah must have been in pain all this time. I couldn't imagine having to watch the person I love, to watch Embry, fall in love with someone else.

Leah looked at me with concern. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked.

Looking at her only made more tears flow down my face. I could feel my legs struggle to hold myself as I stumbled a bit. Leah caught my forearms, helping me stay upright.

"Oi, what's wrong?" She questioned.

I shook my head slightly as I stared at her eyes. "It must have been so painful. Seeing the one you love be with someone else." I said in a whisper. "I'm so sorry."

Leah looked taken back at my words. "You saw something." She stated. I couldn't tell how she felt. Whether she was angry or not.

I nodded my head slowly. "But even if I didn't, I would still feel the same way."

"It's none of your business." She said a little snappy.

"I know and I'm sorry." I told the girl. "And I know there is nothing I can say to make you feel better. But if I could somehow take away your pain, even if it is only a little, I would do it in a heartbeat."

Leah closed her eyes. "But you can't and there's nothing anyone can do." She said solemnly before her voice started to raise a little. "Instead, I just have to watch as Emily, you, and all the other imprint couples get to live the lives that were taken from me. The lives I was living."

I could feel Leah's arm begin to shake. This was a sign she was close to phasing. Embry told me to not get too close to her. I should back off, but by doing that, nothing will change. Leah's heart would still be in pain.

I lunged at the girl, embracing her in a hug. "I'm sorry for what you had to go through. I truly am sorry. I can't begin to imagine your pain."

I could feel Leah begin to shake even more. "If you understand then-" She started with gritted teeth.

I cut her off. "But I won't apologise for Embry imprinting on me." I said into her ear. "And none of the other imprints should have to apologise either. You guys say that you can't control who you imprint on. Then Sam couldn't control it either. And that's the cold, hard truth."

I took a deep breath before continuing. "It's a shame you weren't Sam's imprint and I'm sure he feels bad about how things turned out. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm sorry you had to lose the one you love." My voice raised a little. "But there's nothing you can do that will change the fact the Sam and Emily love each other."

I could feel Leah had stopped shaking. "I get that it is painful and it hurts. No one is saying you can't feel that way. And if they are, then screw them because they are wrong. But you can't use it as an excuse to drag Sam and Emily down. You just can't." I told her bluntly. "But time can heal all pain, even yours. And someday, I hope you find your imprint because, speaking from experience, it is the best thing in the world. Just like Sam found his, I'm sure you will find yours."

I felt Leah's legs give way as she fell to her knees, me doing the same. I pulled out of the hug to see her staring at me with her mouth slightly open. She looked like she wanted to cry but no tears fell.

She looked into my eyes before leaning into me. I held onto her as we stayed like that for as long as she needed.