Embry

Ruthie hesitated before entering the house. She looked nervous, and I knew it was because she hated social situations.

"Hey, I'll be right here all night." I said, placing a hand on her back. She looked up at me and gave me a shy smile. I opened the door and followed her in. Everybody was already here, so it was pretty crowded. The pack had known Ruthie for a long time too, and they knew her story just from being inside my head. Not all of them knew she was my imprint, however. Guiding Ruthie towards the living room, I helped her sit in an armchair next to Ri. Ri immediately began talking to Ruthie, and I felt Ruthie relax a little.

"I'm going to go say hi to everyone. Will you be ok here?" I asked, leaning closer to her so nobody could hear. She nodded.

"I'll bring you food when I come back." I said, standing up and moving away. I first went over to Paul, who was in the kitchen with Scarlett.

"Embry! Glad you could make it!" Paul said. Scarlett looked up from what she was working on and gave me a quick hug.

"Is Ruthie here too?" She asked.

"She's over with Ri. Not too fond of crowds." I said.

"I'll have to go say hi later. Help yourselves to the food. Make sure you eat before Paul does." She teased, hitting her boyfriend lightly on the stomach. In return he tugged at the end of her ponytail. I left the kitchen and found the food. Quil was sitting on the floor with Claire near the table.

"Claire sweetie you have to eat."

"Don't wanna." She said stubbornly. I nudged Quil lightly with my foot, then picked up two plates and filled them. I made my way back to Ruthie, saying hi to everyone as I passed. I handed Ruthie her plate as she talked with Ri, and sat next to Seth on the floor.

"So how are things?" Seth asked. He knew about my imprint, just because he was the only one on patrol when I had phased after imprinting.

"Same as they were I guess. I don't want to push anything further than she wants, but I don't want to push her away, you know?"

"Have you told her about your furry problem?" He asked.

"No. She doesn't need that. I'll tell her when she's safe." I said, leaning back against the chair Ruthie was sitting on. She put her hand on my shoulder absentmindedly. The rest of the night went smoothly. A lot of people came over and talked to us, and Ruthie seemed to become more comfortable even though she knew all of them. When I finally started walking home with Ruthie, she seemed exhausted.

"Hey Em?" She asked tiredly.

"What's up?" I said.

"How come all the guys look at their girls the same way?"

"What do you mean?" I said, confused.

"Like, Seth looks at Ri like she's the only person in existence that matters to him. And so does Paul with Scarlett. And Sam and Emily. And Jake and Nessie. And even Quil and Claire. Their relationships are all different though." She trailed off, lost in thought.

"To them, their girls are the only people they see." I said. Maybe I could tell her about imprinting before telling her about being a wolf.

"In the legends, the spirit wolf people would sometimes find someone that they became fully attached to. Like, love at first sight kind of thing. They called it imprinting. Sam thinks what he and Paul and Seth and Jake and Quil all feel is like remnants of that." I said, choosing my words carefully.

"So the legends are real?" She asked.

"Somewhat." I said, shrugging it off.

"Do you have someone that you've imprinted on?" She said after a moment of silence.

"If I did you would know." I said, even though I knew it wasn't entirely the truth. As we approached the gate to her yard, Ruthie stopped me.

"My dad doesn't need to know you're here." She said, pushing me back with one hand.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked.

"I'll try my best." She said, before turning around and entering her yard. I watched her go inside, then jogged off into the woods, phasing once I hit the trees. The guys were discussing who was running what patrol lines.

I'll take one. I said. Sam directed me to where he wanted me to run, and I started running with my nose to the ground.

So you and Ruthie are together now right? Quil thought as he ran beside me.

We're getting there I guess. I'm not pushing anything. I said firmly.

What do you think would happen if you tried to make a move? Seth asked.

She'd be scared. As much as she thinks she needs me, I need her even more. I can't scare her away. I said, although I wasn't convincing myself. I had definitely thought about trying, but it was more likely for me to tell her I was a wolf than for me to tell her I loved her.

Her reaction may not be what you expect. Sam said.

Yeah, remember when Scarlett beat up Paul when he told her? Collin said. Brady barked a laugh, as Paul growled.

She didn't beat me up. She just hit me. He clarified.

Man, your wolf wants to be with her too. Quil said. I brushed it off, pushing all thoughts of Ruthie out of my head. I ran until it was light out, then went home hoping to sleep before meeting up with Ruthie. After another lecture from my mom, I crashed on my bed. When I woke up, it was almost noon.

"Ruthie called. She said she can't see you today." My mom said when I lumbered through my house. Regardless, I grabbed my keys and drove to the beach. I sat watching the ocean for the rest of the afternoon. For some reason I was really worried about Ruthie. Finally as the sun set I phased and ran another patrol.

I was further out into the woods than we normally run, the wind was fierce and it was torrentially down pouring. The weather made it easier for me to focus on what I was doing, until Leah was loud in my head.

Guys! She showed us what she was seeing. A person was laying in the woods, soaked through to the bone. Her light hair was plastered on her face, obscuring it. Her cheeks and arms were red with blood, and on her wrist was a bracelet. I stumbled in recognition. That was the bracelet I had made for Ruthie in third grade. She never took it off. I picked myself up and ran as fast as I could to where Leah was. Most of the pack was already there when I arrived. They were discussing what to do.

DONT JUST STAND THERE. WE HAVE TO GET HER SOMEWHERE SAFE. I thought angrily, stepping closer to her.

We don't know what her injuries are. Or where to take her. Sam said. I rolled my eyes and curled my body around her. I felt her shaking with cold, which meant she was still alive.

Should we take her home? Seth asked.

No! I thought, growling.

Let's take her to my house. I snarled.

Then Doc Cullen can come take care of her. Jake said. I nodded my approval, phasing into human form and picking Ruthie up in my arms. I held her close as I ran towards my house.

Seth opened the door for me, following me into the house. My mom was in the living room. She looked like she was about to scold me, but saw Ruthie in my arms. She then was going to start treating Ruthie, but Jake stopped her and explained what was going on.

By the time Doc got to the house, I had almost phased three times due to stress.

"Embry, can you just sit over there so I can examine her?" Carlisle asked calmly. Paul and Sam each grabbed my shoulders and pulled me out into the kitchen. After what seemed like hours, Carlisle came into the kitchen.

"She had a cut on her forehead that needed stitches, a couple more on her arms, and a broken wrist. Not to mention multiple bruises." He said.

"Keep her warm, she's just resting now. I'll be back tomorrow to check up on her. If she wakes up, see if you can find out what happened, but don't push it." He said. I didn't need to be told that. I had spent my whole life not pushing her, and I had a pretty good idea what had happened. That night was the longest night of my life. I didn't sleep, just sat by her bedside, protecting my imprint.


hello! To make up for the short-ish chapter earlier, this ones fairly long. Enjoy! Review please! :)