Embry
I held Ruthie in my arms all night. Every now and then she'd stir due to various things, off balance temperature, pain, or nightmares. Every time she woke I'd fix the problem, kiss the top of her head, and she'd fall back asleep. While she slept I thought about how I was going to show her that I'm a wolf, and also that she's my imprint. I had to make it good. I wanted it to be something that was remembered. It had to be original, so the beach was out. I finally decided around 3 am what I was going to do. It was perfect. I found myself dozing off, hoping that Ruthie wouldn't need me for a few hours while I slept.
When I woke up light was pouring in through the window. Ruthie's arm was draped across my stomach.
"Morning sleepyhead." She said sweetly.
"How are you feeling?" I asked immediately.
"You can stop worrying so much Em. I'm definitely better." She said, slightly annoyed. I smiled at her sass.
"Ok sassypants. I have some plans for today, unless you're not up for it. They can very much wait if you need them to." I said cautiously. I didn't want to push her into doing anything.
"Can we just lay here a while? I'm really not in the mood to move." She said. I graciously pulled her in closer to me. We laid there for a while, talking about everything under the stars. I liked that it was just how it had been before, but we were closer than that. Eventually Sam came into my room, as we were laughing about some dumb joke I had remembered.
"Ruthie, nice to see you're doing well again. Embry, can I speak to you for a moment?" He said. His eyes were Alpha eyes.
"Yeah I'll be out in a sec." I said.
"I'll be right outside if you need anything." I said as I extracted myself from Ruthie's embrace, worried about leaving her alone. She put her hand over mine and gave me a reassuring look.
"I'll be fine." She said. I kissed her forehead quickly, then dashed out the door.
"What do you need Sam?" I said, already worrying about Ruthie.
"Paul and Jared found traces of Leech in our borders. I just wanted you to know. If I send Collin or Brady over, then I need you to come fight. But stay alert." He said. I nodded, dying to get back to Ruthie.
"Can I go now?" I said, already halfway through the door. Sam laughed once.
"Yes you can." He said. I got back into my room as quickly as I could, relaxing when I saw Ruthie sitting up in my bed, a sleeve of crackers in her hands.
"Everything ok?" She asked.
"Yeah, just some news he wanted me to know about work." I said.
"Will you show me now?" She asked eagerly. I laughed nervously and sat on the bed next to her. I put my arms around her as she settled onto my chest.
"I was going to, I promise. That's what my plans were. But with what Sam just told me, I don't know if we should today. I don't want to put you in danger." I said.
"So it's dangerous. Whatever Sam told you is dangerous. And you sneak out at night for it. Are you like a spy or something?" She teased.
"Honestly I kind of am, just less cool." I laughed.
"Because you are so Mr. Cool." She said sarcastically.
"So even though there's danger, can we at least go for a walk? I need to stretch. No offence Em, but your bed is tiny." Ruthie said a little while later.
"I need to be able to keep you safe if I get called in. Why don't we go visit Scarlett and Paul?" I said. I knew Scarlett and Paul could be intimidating, but it was close enough that Ruthie wouldn't have to walk too far, and it was definitely a safe place for her to be if I had to leave. Ruthie nodded, so I helped her sit on the edge of the bed.
"Em, I'm still wearing your clothes." She said, panic stricken.
"Scarlett won't care. She wears running shorts and pinnys all the time. It's no big deal." I said, trying to keep her from worrying. I helped her tie her sneakers, since she only had one hand, then pulled her gently to her feet.
"I missed this." She said, moving around slowly. As I laughed at how happy she was to be walking, she surprised me by pulling me into a hug. I cradled her gently in my arms, keeping her safely next to me.
"Ok, we can walk now." She said happily, moving towards the door. I grabbed her hand and followed her out.
"We're going to Paul's mom!" I called, before shutting the door. Ruthie and I walked slowly. It was a beautiful day out, and somebody was quite chatty. I was only half listening, however. I was extra aware of anyone who may try to harm my girl. When we made it to Paul's, Ruthie became her shy self again. I knocked on the door, then Scarlett answered.
"Hi! This is a nice surprise." Scarlett said.
"Ruthie wanted to go for a walk, but I wanted to keep her safe. Is it alright if we chill here for a bit before going back?" I asked.
"Of course. I think Paul was going to be heading out soon anyways. It'll be nice to have some company so I'm not worried the whole time." She said, sitting on their couch and turning on the TV. I sat on the armchair and pulled Ruthie into my lap.
"Honey I'm heading out." Paul said, coming down the stairs. Scarlett sighed, then stood up.
"Be careful." She said.
"I always am." Paul replied. He kissed her once, long and slow, before slipping out the door. Scarlett sat down again.
"He's way too excited for this." She said.
"Sam said it was only one. It should be easy." I said. Scarlett laughed.
"Sam said one slipped through the borders. That means you have to find it first. There could be more waiting." She said. Ruthie looked at me confused.
"What are you talking about?" She asked quietly.
"Our job is less like spies, more like hunters, or protectors. We've had a security breech, so we now have to go fix it." I said, trying to tell her enough without giving it away.
"You haven't told her yet?" Scarlett asked.
"I was going to today, I swear. But I won't until she's positively safe." I said, hugging Ruthie closer to my chest. It wasn't long before Scarlett got up and started roaming around her small house.
"I'm bored out of my mind!" She yelled ten minutes later.
"Let's go somewhere else then. We could go see if Emily and Claire are home. We could go get Ri to come with us too. As long as I'm with you, nobody should care." I said.
"No, but what if they need you?" Scarlett continued her pacing. I was about to argue, when Collin appeared at the door.
"Embry, Sam says that he's sorry for it, but he needs reinforcements." He said. I sighed.
"Ok Collin. I'll be out in a minute." I said, looking at Ruthie, who had worry streaked in her eyes. Collin stood there a minute uncomfortably, then said,
"And Scarlett, Paul says..." He coughed. "Paul says he loves you and that he can't wait for tonight." He said quietly, his cheeks flushing with color. Scarlett laughed loudly.
"I'm sorry Collin. He can be such a jerk sometimes. He just wanted to make you uncomfortable." She laughed again, going over to Collin and hugging the boy.
"Tell him I'll be waiting." She said with a wink. Collin dashed out the door. I scooped Ruthie up in my arms, hating that I couldn't tell her exactly where I would be.
"Stay here with Scarlett. I'll be home before you know it." I said. I kissed her head softly, hugged her tightly, then put her back in the chair. I saluted Scarlett, then ran out the door. I phased as quickly as I could, searching my head for where Sam wanted me.
Take the east border with Paul Sam directed. I ran to the line, keeping my ears alert and my nose in the air.
Scarlett called you a jerk I teased Paul, showing him what had happened with Collin
Some couples have pet names for each other, but I'm Jerk and she's Annoying. He said.
Lots of love in the LaHote household. I said sarcastically.
Pay attention boys. Leah scolded.
What are we looking for? I asked.
There have been multiple different leech trails, trying to find a way in. I think our scent on our patrol lines have deterred them. I want to catch them now. Sam said. Paul and I kept running our line. I liked working with Paul. Although he could be a major jerk sometimes, his energy rubbed off on me. I just wanted to get these leeches so I could go back to my Ruthie. After what had seemed like ages, something finally happened.
Four leeches, north side! Jared called. Paul was about to start sprinting up there, but Sam called him off.
There could be more trying to break in on the other sides. These could be a distraction. Stay at your posts! Sam barked. Sure enough, another leech appeared on our side. Paul and I ripped him up easily.
All in a days work Paul thought contentedly. I just wanted to get back to Ruthie.
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