Both Sides

I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm going off. I rolled over groggily and turned it off. I yawned as I rubbed my eyes. It took a moment before I remembered last night.

I sat upright in a bolt and scanned my room. No sign of Embry. He must have left before I woke up. I smiled to myself. I never thought I would be able to fall asleep but I guess his presence is enough to ease my fears.

I got out of bed and stretched my arms. I guess I better get ready and go to school.

The day went by like any other school day, except for two main differences. First, Skylar was still bandaged up like a mummy. I'm surprised she actually came but I'm glad she did.

The second difference was the empty table where the pack sits. The pack is meant to be doing some training, preparing for the newborn army fight, hence their absence.

Skylar and I sat down at the table to eat our lunch. "How are the injuries coming along?" I asked the girl before taking a bite of my sandwich.

"I'll survive." She stated while opening her yogurt. She looked at me with a sly smile. "Plus, these bad boys…" She held out her arm wrapped in the bandage to prove her next point. "…allowed us to be seen by the hot doctor."

I almost choked on my sandwich. "Dr Cullen?!" I asked with a cough.

Skylar scooped a mouthful of yogurt in her mouth and leaned back in her seat. "Yep." She said, popping the 'p'. "He is so dreamy and good-looking." She stated with a dreamy look in her eyes.

I must have had a disgusted look on my face since Skylar called me out on it. "What's that look for?" She challenged.

"No, nothing. I mean I guess he is attractive, just not my type." I quickly averted my gaze from hers. I couldn't tell her that he was a vampire and way older than he appears.

"I would hope so." Skylar commented. I looked at her with a questioning expression. "You have a boyfriend already." She stated like it was the most obvious thing.

Now my mind was thinking of Embry. I missed him already. I already planned to go to Emily's tonight so I could see him when he got back. I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Skylar complaining. "Great, now you're thinking of him." She said sarcastically. "Besides, maybe Dr Cullen isn't your type since you're friends with him."

I quickly shut that down. Maybe too quickly. "He's not my friend." I said with distaste.

Skylar looked a bit taken back but still asked. "But you were talking to them?"

"They wanted to talk to me. I've never met them before." I tried to clear up the misunderstanding but I was probably making it worse.

"Then why did they want to talk to you?" Skylar asked with confusion.

I swallowed nervously before thinking of a cover. "Eh, I've met Bella before so she must have mentioned me and they wanted to meet me."

Skylar looked a little suspicious but rolled with it anyway. "Right. Well, that doesn't change the fact the doc is still hot." Skylar stood up with her tray. "Come on. The bell's about to go off. Let's start getting our books." I followed her as we left the cafeteria.

School had ended. Without the pack there, it felt like something wasn't right. It was incomplete. I know they were currently training with the Cullens but I missed them. Just like Embry and I agreed on, we would meet at Emily's, hence I was driving there while also taking Kim too. I guess she couldn't wait to see Jared.

By the time we got there, Emily was cooking, as usual. She was preparing enough food for when the boys got back. Maybe this was her way to distract her from missing Sam.

Kim and I sat down as we chatted with Emily joining in here and there. Time seemed to fly until we heard the familiar cries and whistles of the boys, signalling their return.

They all filed into the house as Sam walked straight to Emily, kissing her scarred face. Kim ran to Jared who happily received her kiss. I waited until I saw the person I was waiting for.

Embry wandered into the room and I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. When his eyes found mine, they seemed to light up. I jumped from my seat and ran into his arms, embracing him in a hug.

I could feel his arms wrap around me and pull me closer. "Hey, Maddi. I missed you." He cooed in my ear.

I rested my head in his chest. "If you couldn't tell, so did I."

I could feel him chuckle at my words. I reluctantly pulled away from Embry as I heard Emily speak up. "How was the training?" She asked.

There seemed to be mixed emotions. Most of the boys were fine but there were some that were obviously not happy. Particularly Paul, Leah and Jacob.

"Why do we have to help protect Bella?" Paul spat as he sat down on a chair. "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to sink some teeth into some blood suckers but why do we need to team up?"

His words earned a glare from Jacob who seemed annoyed. He wasn't pleased with the whole Bella comment I assume.

"It's our duty to protect the tribe and humans." Sam explained to make sure everyone was clear of the objective.

I thought Paul would make another snide remark but surprisingly he kept his mouth shut. The room seemed to calm down because of Sam.

I managed to find my voice as I nervously asked. "When is the fight taking place?"

"The day after tomorrow." Sam answered.

I felt my eyes widen. It was that close?

Seth broke the tense atmosphere. "Which is why tomorrow we are all going to first beach to play some soccer." He said with a grin.

"And you're going to lose." Paul teased as he ruffled Seth's hair while everyone else laughed.

There was a 'ding' from the oven and Emily perked up. "Food's ready." She sang out as the boys pushed each other trying to get to the table as Emily brought over some food to the table.

I turned to look out the door. The sun was starting to set. Embry must have seen me as he questioned. "Do you want to go for a walk?"

I gave a small nod. "Hold on." He told before he ran towards the table before coming back. He handed me a kebab with a grin.

I smiled as I took it. The wolves and their appetite. We ate the food as we walked outside. By the time we reached the road we had already ate the kebabs so we threw the sticks in the rubbish bin nearby.

I felt Embry grab my hand as he led me towards the woods, walking along a small path. We walked for a while as we watched the light slowly fade. By the time we reached the edge of a cliff, the sun was almost impossible to see.

The cold was beginning to get to me as I shivered. Embry released my hand and instead wrapped his arms around me.

I could feel the heat radiating from his body, warming me up. He was like a portable heater. "What's the matter?" He asked gently.

My head snapped up to him but he was just smiling softly out to the ocean. In only a short few moments he could tell something was wrong with me. I sighed as I looked out to the ocean too. "It's only two days away."

"I know." He comforted.

I escaped his grasp as I turned to face him directly. "Do you guys have to do this?" My voice sounded almost pleading.

Embry looked taken back by my small outburst but gave me a sad smile. "I have to."

"Why?!" I croaked out. "I understand what Sam means but still."

Embry interrupted me. "I'm not doing it just for what Sam said."

His reply surprised me as I furrowed my brows. "I've already told you before." Embry explained. "Yes, it's to protect the tribe and people but my main reason…" His eyes softened. "…Is to protect you."

I glanced at the ground. I know that. He has already told me before. "I know." I whispered. "But when you say it like that, it's my fault you're going to fight."

Embry chuckled. Not the response I was expecting. I snuck a glance at him to see him staring off in the distance. "If I never met you. If I never imprinted. I would still be going to fight in this battle. I was built to fight them. I'd be following orders, protecting the tribe, the people. But now I want to go fight. Because now I have something to fight for. You." He turned to face me with a loving smile.

I could feel the tears pricking at my eyes. "Y-You cheesy dumby." I stuttered. I was no good with things like this.

Embry laughed. "That's one I've never heard. Didn't think you were capable of that." He moved behind me and pushed my shoulders in the direction back to Emily's. "Let's head back." I could hear the smile in his voice. "But I meant every word, girlfriend of the cheesy dumby."

We walked back through the forest but we could see extremely well still because of the moonlight. A curious thought hit me. I snuck a glance at Embry out the corner of my eye. He was smiling to himself as he stared ahead. After a brief moment of hesitation I decided to go for it. "Hey, Embry." After I heard a 'hmm' from him I continued. "You said you were built for this. Are you talking about the wolf side?"

"Yeah, guess so." He answered.

I stopped walking which caused him to look at me in concern. "Can I see it? The wolf, I mean?" I carefully looked at his eyes. He had an unreadable expression, slight hesitation maybe. "I'm sorry. You don't have to. That was rude of me."

I stopped talking as Embry raised his hand. "Don't apologise. I was just surprised is all." He lowered his hand and looked at me. "Are you sure you want to see it?"

I gave a small, determined nod as I looked at the ground. "The first time I saw it wasn't under the best circumstances." I glanced up to meet his gaze. "But the wolf is part of you and I want to know both sides."

Embry remained quiet as he searched my eyes for any fear or hesitation. "Okay." He finally stated. "Wait here." He instructed as he walked behind some trees.

After watching him leave I stared up into the night sky. The moon was shining down as the stars glittered. It was beautiful to look at.

A small growl drew my attention as I watched a large grey wolf emerge from behind the trees. He was more slim, which would mean he is quite agile. He had dark spots covering his grey fur. Most noticeably, his nose was black contrasting against his white face. He was beautiful.

Embry approached me carefully, as if not to startle me. He stopped in front of me as I gulped. Even though I was standing at my full height, he was still taller than me. "Y-You're tall." I stuttered accidently.

I heard Embry whine which snapped me out of my daze as I realised what I said. Embry suddenly lowered himself so he was laying down making him more my height. He must have realised he was slightly intimidating me.

I started to reach my hand out to his face but hesitated. I heard him whine again.

I was being stupid. This is Embry, no matter what form he takes. He would never hurt me. I smiled gently as I reached out my hand and patted his head. He rubbed his head against my hand as I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips. He was like an overgrown puppy.

I outstretched my other hand to cup my hands either side of his head. I stared into his eyes and saw they were the same ones as when he is human. I fell to my knees and hugged him around his neck. I could feel his head resting against my shoulder. "It's official." I muttered. "I love both sides."