Guidance
Chapter Five
Previously:
"Burden," Quil scoffed. "I think it's cool."
"So you're shape-shifters?" I asked quietly. "And my parents really were killed by vampires, weren't they?"
This last part, some people didn't know had happened; I could tell by their surprised expressions, though minutely restrained. So Sam hadn't told that last one to everyone.
"Jani—" Sam started. I interrupted.
"Nice to know," I muttered bitterly.
"Jani, we—" Emily stopped short when I turned my glare on her. I saw her look a bit hurt, so I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Whatever." I exhaled slowly, then inhaled, but when I tried to breathe, I felt a sharp pain near where I guessed my left lung was. "Ah," I breathed, clutching my abdomen as the pain left. I couldn't move—it hurt too much. I couldn't breathe too deeply or it hurt even worse. It felt so uncomfortable.
"Are you okay?" Embry asked quickly, hovering by me.
"I'm fine," I mumbled. It was still quiet as most eyes were on me. It was an awkward silence. I looked towards Emily, keeping my breathing normal. I managed a weak smile. "So… Spirit Warriors?"
Emily looked as if she'd just remembered something important—which she probably had. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "I forgot, I'm sorry." I noticed many of the gazes that were on me moved to her. "Was it?"
"Was it what?" I asked.
"Well… Was it anything like yours?" Emily asked tentatively, not sure if she should give it out. I gave a halfhearted smile.
"Somewhat," I replied with a weak chuckle. "Though I think I'm afraid of projecting now that I've heard that story."
"Will someone explain what's going on?" Paul asked, looking to me. Only Sam, Emily, Embry, Quil, Seth, and maybe the Elders knew what we were talking about.
"I'm part Navajo," I started. I noticed, across the fire, that Bella had dozed off in Jacob's arms. My lips twitched in amusement, though I was still pretty mad she was messing with his heart. I shook my head.
"So?" said Paul. Embry, I noticed, glared at him.
"I'm part Navajo and part Quileute," I repeated. "See, the Navajos have legends, too—I'm not so sure about them, though, and I only really know one, and not even that well—"
"Just explain, Jani," Quil interrupted. I shot him a glare.
"Well, Navajos have something like Spirit Warriors. We can use astral projection—I'm not sure if that's maybe what the Quileutes did, because we can do things a little differently. It's, well, it's like the Spirit Warriors. You send your spirit out, your psyche, your soul. We have a sort-of rubber band, as I call it, that tethers us to our body—I think it's called an astral cord. I still don't know if we can inhabit others' bodies—I haven't tried and I'm not going to try with my sisters. The best way to explain would be to show you."
"But we wouldn't be able to see you," Jacob commented, a bit puzzled but looking interested. I grinned.
"Actually, now you can. I've been practicing." The confusion was palpable, almost. I looked towards Embry. "Mind making sure I don't hit my head or something?" He opened his arms. I rolled my eyes. "Fine, whatever." I closed my eyes and felt myself lifting away. It was getting easier each time I practiced. I saw my body fall limp against Embry, who immediately caught me and settled me in his arms.
I felt warmth flood my cheeks, even in astral form. I shook my head and walked over to Paul. I made myself visible.
"Boo."
Paul's yell was the most hilarious part of the demonstration. I was laughing, as were the others. He glared at them and they shut up for a short minute, but still chuckled.
"Aw, Polly Pocket, did I frighten you?" I teased in a childish voice.
"Amazing," Billy commented before Paul could reply. I grinned and in a second was standing in front of him. He looked at my self, in Embry's arms, and then at my astral projection. "How can you make yourself visible?"
"Practice," I responded proudly.
"But you're fading," Quil pointed out. I looked down at myself. I was fading. I frowned.
"I'm still not too good at it." I faded away.
"Jani? Jani? Where is she now?" I grinned, knowing my next victim. I wondered… Could I control the wind in a similar way to that when the Spirit Warriors did? I tried to focus, tried to soar through Quil. "Ah!" I heard him scream. Everyone looked towards him. "So cold…" He shivered. "Jani, not cool!"
I laughed, and I heard my own laugh carry out in the wind. I made myself visible. "I'm like a ghost now," I muttered, shaking my head.
"Jani!" Quil glared at me, now that he could see me.
"Don't worry, Quil. I'm so not doing that again," I said in a disgusted tone. "Believe me, going through you was swimming through a swamp." I heard laughter around the bonfire.
"T-through me?" Quil squeaked. "It felt like icy rain! Don't do that, I'm begging you!"
I grinned and tapped the side of my nose. "No promises to any of you." I faded and laughed again as I saw some of the guys looking around them warily. I snapped back to my body, jolting upright in Embry's arms with a shock. "Ow," I whimpered. My side hurt—where it had hurt earlier, when I was breathing after glaring at Emily. It hurt worse, like a bruise. I raised my shirt up, ignoring any comments from the guys. I heard the collective gasp when I found a bruise on my side.
"What happened?" Embry blurted. "Are you okay? Was that my fault? Does it—"
"Embry, shush," I interrupted, pulling my shirt down. "I've got to stop snapping back… It's giving me bruises."
"You mean," Seth began, "you're getting bruises from doing—from projecting?" He looked horrified, and subconsciously pulled Cali closer to him. I understood his concern—Cali projected often, too.
"Cali doesn't snap back like I do," I stated. "She lays back down into her body. I usually take the rubber-band route." I narrowed my eyes slightly. "Seth, I'm sorry but I've got to ask. Why the fascination over my sister?" It was quiet after I said that, like no one wanted to answer. Seth's eyes flickered over to Embry, who was still holding me.
"Well," Embry said, "there's this thing that we do—we're shape-shifters, like you said, werewolves." He looked at me so intensely, as if he was gauging my reactions. It almost shocked me, or would have if I didn't feel so warm inside. "See, we do this thing called imprinting. It's kinda like we see someone, no matter how old they are, who's our other half. We don't care about anything except making them happy and protecting them."
"So, Cali is Seth's…imprint?" It took a second to register, and I looked at Seth, who nodded. I sighed. "Well, at least I know you're not a pedophile… I think..." There was some laughter from the guys, though Seth and Quil protested.
"Hey!" Quil looked a bit put out. "Well, at least I'm not alone in this."
"Wait, you imprinted on a kid, too?" I questioned. Then it clicked. "Oh—Claire!"
"Yup," Quil said, grinning. He smiled softly.
"Well, she'll be good for you, then."
"How do you figure?"
"You definitely act way, way more mature and calm around her," I jibed.
"Hey!"
"Oh, shut it, Quil. So, wait, let me guess," I said, looking around at the people. "Emily is Sam's and Kim is Jared's, right?" I received an affirmative from the group. Then my gaze fell on the sleeping Bella in Jacob's arms. I grimaced. I still didn't like her much. "Please tell me she's not—I mean, never mind." Jacob scowled at me and I thought I saw Leah smile for a second.
"Jani?" I looked back at Embry, my breath caught slightly. I smiled slightly, and he reciprocated the smile.
"Hello," I said pleasantly. Embry rolled his eyes. Then he got serious. He looked at me worriedly. I frowned. "What's up, Embry?"
"I…er…Do you want see my wolf form?" I had the lurking suspicion that that wasn't what he had originally wanted to say. However, I stuffed that suspicion in the back of my noggin.
"Sure." He got up and, when I was about to stand, offered a hand to me. I smiled and took his hand. He led me to the forest near where we were on the cliff. I barely registered that we were leaving a group of people behind with the bonfire as we headed to the trees. He stopped abruptly and dropped my hand, turning around to look at me for a moment.
"Please don't be afraid…" he said softly. I reached out a hand towards him, but he backed away and walked deeper into the forest. I stood there, waiting. I felt a little hurt, a little stung, but I shook it off—there was no reason to feel that way… He'd already said he was going to show me his wolf form… I should've kept that in mind…
I heard a low whimper and vaguely saw a figure coming from the darkness of the forest. As it got closer and my eyes adjusted, I saw it was an enormous wolf—a bit bigger than a horse. It was gray, a light gray, with, I think, black spots on its back. It was beautiful—I'd always loved canines like wolves and coyotes due to my background. It took me a moment to realize it was Embry. Even so, it didn't hit me until the wolf was right in front of me, whimpering slightly. I remembered how Embry looked so hurt, how he would be so concerned about what I thought. I was just standing there, rooted to the spot. What would he think I thought of him? I must have given him the wrong impression. The wolf whimpered a little more. I fought back a smile and reached up to pet it—him. Embry came closer and nuzzled his head into my hand. I smiled and hugged him around the neck.
"You're beautiful, Embry," I whispered. Embry seemed to purr, almost, if wolves could. I kissed his muzzle, moving my hand along his wolfy face and through his fur. "You know… Navajos have legend about Coyote, who was a God to them… But I think I like wolves more." I smiled as Embry let out a bark of laughter. I pressed my cheek to his face and kissed his snout. "I've always wanted a dog… But, now, I think I'll chuck the dog and stick with the wolf. What do you say?" The wolf-Embry licked the side of my face and nuzzled his nose into my neck. I laughed. He stepped away and turned to go back into the dark forest. When Embry came back, human, he was beaming.
"So you weren't afraid?" he asked excitedly. I grinned.
"Never!" Before I knew what was happening, Embry was spinning me around. I shrieked with laughter, and he laughed along with me. Then he set me down and hugged me to his chest tightly. He was so happy, it was contagious.
"Oh, God, I'm so glad," I heard him say under his breath. I blushed, but pretended not to hear. Embry looked down at me and grinned. "Any questions?"
"About being a teenage werewolf?" I joked. He nodded with an even broader smile. I smiled at my own joke. "Hmm… None that I can think of now. Though I do have a question."
"Ask me anything."
"Okay, well, explain imprinting. I kinda didn't get all of it, I'm guessing." Embry's face fell slightly, and he looked serious. He sighed and ran a hand through his short hair. He took my hand and led me out of the forest. "Embry?" I asked. He didn't head for the bonfire, but instead we walked down to the shore. Somewhere far enough away from the shore that we wouldn't get wet, he sat down and I followed. Embry lied down on his back, arms folded behind his head as I've seen him so many times before. I propped myself up on my elbow, staring down at him.
"Imprinting is…" Embry sighed, closing his eyes. "When a werewolf imprints, it's like his imprint is his world. She's what holds us to this world, not the earth—she's the gravity. They're what we love the most, what we need. It's almost like an obsession. The moment he sees her, she's our everything. It's impossible for us to be mad at them. We treasure them above all else, even oxygen. It's like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time… Like a mother seeing her children for the first time when they're born…"
"So…is it like your soul mate?" Embry took my hand absentmindedly.
"Maybe," he answered truthfully. "It's stronger than that… We're anything and everything to our imprints… It's like, we're their friend, lover, brother, father—anything they want us to be. We exist for them."
"So… Seth's not a pedophile, right?" Embry chuckled and I couldn't help but smile.
"No… Just an overprotective big brother," he replied. "Just like Quil is a much abused nanny. But, in the future, Seth might marry Cali."
"Wait, wait, wait," I interrupted. "First off, won't he be too old?"
"We don't age as long as we phase, or change into a wolf, regularly."
"Sweet. But still, I practically already have a brother-in-law!" He smiled. There was a comfortable silence for a moment. I laid down on my side, facing Embry. There was something comforting about being with him…something I couldn't place…
"Jani…" Embry breathed. He turned over, facing me. He was lying on his side, our intertwined hands between us on the sand. I felt my heart racing.
"I have another question…" I said quietly. "Why are you the one to tell me this? Why not Seth since he imprinted on my little sister?" Embry looked up at me, but I couldn't decipher the emotions in his eyes.
"Jani, the reason why is because…I imprinted on you."
I felt my heart stop for precious moments. I was suddenly aware of my breathing, my hand in Embry's, his gaze on me, and just how nervous I was. That possibility—that he might have imprinted on me—never occurred to me. However, now that I think about it, I'm sure I would've been devastated if I had given thought to the fact that Embry might imprint—well, if he hadn't already—on someone besides me. It was confusing, it was frightening.
"Jani?" Embry's tone broke my heart. It felt like a hole was left in my chest and being vacuumed. I squeezed his hand and gave him a soft smile. Embry looked broken. I didn't want him so broken. I wanted Embry better.
"When's the wedding?" I joked. Embry grinned and he laughed. "I'm sorry. It was just a shock for a moment—I'm good now, though."
"You don't mind?"
"Not any more than I mind having Seth for a future brother-in-law," I assured, though, truthfully, I wasn't sure. It was still a little weird, knowing Embry and I were meant to get together, but it would work out. For now, we were good friends.
I woke up late the next day. It was afternoon, and I could hear sounds of people—of the pack—hanging out in the living room. I didn't even bother brushing my hair before I walked out of my room and looked into the living room. Unfortunately, they saw me before I could run back to my room.
"Hey, Jani!" Quil greeted exuberantly. He wriggled his eyebrows at me. "So, when's the wedding?" I yawned and walked out to the living room to slap him on the back of the head.
"Shuddup, Quilt," I muttered. "I will laugh when Claire goes through puberty." Quil promptly shut up. The rest of the guys who were there—Jared with Kim, Paul, Jacob, and Seth—laughed. I grinned triumphantly.
"Hey, Squirt," said Paul, "nice pajamas." I scowled at him.
"There is nothing wrong with my choice in sleepwear," I protested. Sure, I was wearing Spongebob Squarepants print short-shorts and midriff, but it wasn't bad. A bit revealing, I now noticed, but not bad. I could smell Emily cooking in the kitchen—chicken, I think.
"I'm not saying there was," Paul commented, rolling his eyes before giving a smirk and winking.
"Eat your heart out." I blew a kiss at him. "I should've probably brushed my hair, though." I ran my fingers through my hair, removing whatever knots I could. "Oh, well." I skipped over to Jacob, grinning saccharinely all the while. "So, Jakey, how's Bella?" Jacob looked at me, trying to decide whether or not I was with him or against him here.
"What do you think about Bella?" he asked. "I know some people don't like her, but she's not bad! She's amazing, and beautiful, and sweet, and—"
"Jacob, I really don't want to know your reasons for, er, being attracted to her," I interrupted. He frowned at me. "Honestly, I kinda don't like her." He opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. "Were it not for the fact that she's playing you like a fiddle, I might kinda like her. Maybe. Not really."
" 'Playing you like a fiddle'?" Quil repeated.
"She's not playing me!" Jacob growled angrily.
"Jacob, you're going to get hurt," I said bluntly. "There's no other way to put it. She's playing you, and you're going to lose."
Jacob started shaking horribly, and the guys were tensed and watching him. Quil and Seth leapt up and went over to him, just in case something happened. I guess he was angry enough to phase into a wolf, if that's how it worked. I had half a mind to astral project right now—I'd want to see how he'd look after seeing me drop to the ground, unconscious, practically dead. Then again, he knows what I can do…but still. Were it not for my pride, I would've backed down and just gone to my room to cool off. However, I was staring him off with an almost-dead emotionless expression on my face. Stupid decision? You bet'cha. But, hey, I just woke up. He stopped shaking gradually, then he stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him. Emily came rushing out of the kitchen.
"What happened?" she asked quickly.
"Jacob just got a taste of reality, that's all," I replied coldly. I went to my room, already tired of all the eyes on me. It might've been wrong of me to say that about Bella, and it might've been wrong to say it so callously, but Jacob was blind. That girl had a boyfriend. That girl was also cuddling up with Jacob at the bonfire, accepting his advances and leading him on—that girl conveniently forgot about her boyfriend. Looks like she doesn't care about either of them. Whoever her real boyfriend is, I feel bad for him. With every negative thought about Bella, my initial indifference to her grew to dislike and to hatred.
I heard the doorknob turning and the door to my room opened and closed. I was sitting on my bed, facing away from the door, but I'm sure I knew who that was.
"Jani," Embry's voice called. I fought a smile and instead turned over and laid down on my bed, facing the ceiling.
"Let me guess," I said dryly, "you're here to scold me, right? About how I shouldn't tell Jacob the truth because it'll hurt his feelings and about how I shouldn't insult Bella by assuming such things? If that's what you're here for, save me the lecture. I wouldn't listen, anyway—I'm much too stubborn." I frowned at the ceiling.
The bed dipped as Embry's weight settled on the end. I didn't like it. I knew he was on the end of the bed, and that was a little too far. I felt like I had when my parents died and I cried to him—like he would judge me and leave me. I was ashamed of what I did, not for Jacob or for Emily and certainly not for Bella, but for Embry.
"That's not what I came to say," I heard him speak. I closed my eyes. "I just wanted to tell you—I'm asking you, don't bait him."
I sat up and opened my eyes, staring at him. No scolding? I blinked. "What do you mean?"
Embry opened his mouth then closed it and looked away for a moment, running a hand through his messy short hair. I was distracted for a moment, and then he looked back at me.
"Don't get him riled up," he said. "He might attack you, and I don't want you hurt." I felt the corners of my lips twitch, and I couldn't stop the smile that spread on my face, try as I might. So he was worried?
"Thanks," I said softly, reaching for his hand.
"For what?" Embry asked me, intertwining our fingers.
"For caring." I looked up at him, at his warm dark eyes, his soft, reserved smile, and his lightly tinged cheeks. "And, of course, for not scolding me for saying…er…some bad things about Bella." His face dropped, but only by a bit.
"Well… It's hard to… I can't be mad at you, remember?" I grinned at him. "And, anyways, most of the guys agree with you…"
"Well, that makes me feel better," I joked. Embry smiled—I liked his smile. "I was meaning to ask this… Why are you here? You weren't even in the house when I yelled at Jacob…"
"Ah… Well… We can hear each other's thoughts when we're in wolf form," Embry explained. "As soon as Jacob phased…we all heard." He sounded like he was editing. This disgruntled me.
"What else?"
"Huh?"
"You're not telling me something," I insisted. "What happened?"
Embry sighed. "Well… Jacob was pretty pissed off at you…and I kinda had an…argument with him." I frowned, but accepted it.
"Well…moving on," I said, changing the subject. "What's up in the world of my teenage werewolf?" Embry brightened almost immediately, and I beamed at the contagious happiness he radiated.
"Teenage werewolf? Will you never stop with that?" he muttered teasingly. I shook my head.
"Never!" He laughed at me. I saw something in his eyes—an emotion I couldn't name. "Hey, do you think you could, kinda, you know, get out? I need to change clothes," I added hastily when I saw his smile about to fall. Embry, a slight red tint to his cheeks, nodded and kissed my forehead, then got up and left the room. I bit my lip and fell back onto my pillow with a barely audible sigh.
When I did come out of my room after ten minutes of day dreaming and five minutes of quick changing—into dark green cargo pants and a green tank top—the people in the room were different. Jared and Kim weren't there, and neither were Quil, Paul, or Seth. Embry was here, and so was Leah. Sam and Emily were, undoubtedly, sitting together on the loveseat, much to Leah's disdain. When she saw me enter, though, she managed a small smile—it looked odd on her usually angry and bitter, but beautiful, face, but I smiled back. At least she was trying.
"Good afternoon," Sam greeted me. I looked at him oddly, waiting for him to scold me about riling up Jacob, but the lecture never came. It seemed like we were all just putting the incident behind us. Either that or, like Embry said, most of the pack agreed. I greeted all those who were here, then headed to Embry.
"Walk with me?" I asked. His face lit up and he nodded, following me out. "I'll be back later, Emily." She told me to be back for dinner. I grabbed Embry's hand as I closed the door behind us.
"Where are we going?" Embry asked with a slight smile as I led him down the road. Truthfully, I didn't know.
"Anywhere," I answered, throwing my free hand up in the air. "Everywhere. I don't know. Where do you wanna go?" I stopped and wheeled around to face him.
"Mind if I ask why we're out walking?"
"I needed to get out."
"Where do you want to go?" he asked me. I shrugged.
"I don't have a specific place in mind. I don't exactly know this place very well, either." I looked around us, then up at him. "Surprise me?"
Embry grinned and lead me along the edge of the forest. We walked peacefully—I swear the smile never left my face—and he never walked too far from me. All in all, it was a sweet moment. By the time we reached First Beach, my grin was already broader than it's ever been. When Embry looked back at me, I blushed. His own grin grew and he kissed my forehead before leading me down to the bottom of the cliff. I looked at him curiously as he let go of my hand and walked down a short, steep slope, then looked back up at me with a grin and held his hand out. I smiled and Embry helped me down to, I soon found, a very beautiful place.
It was a cove. It was incredible. It was dimly lit, of course, but whatever light there was reflected slightly off the shiny pebbles and rocks scattered about. A few little whirlpools, which I saw to be free of any life (thankfully, because I was a bit squeamish about being in the same water as urchins and other sea creatures). I walked around with an amazed grin as I looked at everything and took everything in. To some, this might seem a bit dull or boring—it was just a weird cave, right?—but it was beautiful to me. I crouched down near one of the pools and let my hand glide over the surface of the water. It was cool, clean, and still.
"You like?"
I almost—almost—forgot that Embry was there. I looked back at him, noticing how he appeared a bit nervous. I smiled.
"It's amazing, Em," I said breathily. "I mean, I've never been in a place like this—it's so pretty." A wide grin split his face, and his white teeth gleamed in the dim light.
"Really?" I nodded and got out of my crouch.
"Really," I insisted, taking his hand. "You worry too much, Em." He shrugged sheepishly, never once taking his eyes off me. I let out a short laugh.
"What?" he asked, lips twitching.
"Nothing, nothing." Embry was just…Embry. There wasn't a word to describe it. What made me laugh was the fact that, were it anyone else, I wouldn't take it all in stride. But he was my best friend, my imprinter, my werewolf, and my supposed soul mate.
"Sure, nothing." He ruffled my hair and pinched my cheek teasingly. I stuck my tongue out at him.
"You're only a year older, don't act like I'm five," I deadpanned. Embry kissed my forehead.
"You don't have an age in my mind…strangely enough," he muttered. I smiled.
"I don't have an age in my mind, either. But, then again, I usually never see others for their ages except little, little kids."
"And I'm sure Cali appreciates it," he said sarcastically. I snorted at that.
"No kidding," I agreed. Then I grinned at him. "But thanks. Nice to know someone else sees others agelessly as I do." I placed the back of my free hand to my forehead and sighed dramatically. Before I knew what was happening, I was lifted up off the floor. I wrapped my arms around Embry's neck and clung to him, terrified, as he spun around, laughing. "Not funny, Embry!"
"I thought it was pretty funny," he jibed. When he stopped, I blew a raspberry at him. He smiled.
"Ugh, fine," I muttered darkly, though I had to bite back a smile. "It was a little, a very minutely little, funny, okay? Satisfied?"
"More than satisfied."
"I'm sure." I decided—in a split second, spur-of-the-moment thing—to do something and take him off guard. I went to kiss his cheek but instead, licked his cheek like a kitty would. Then I laughed at his surprised expression.
"What was that?"
"That was me wanting to see your reaction," I answered. "Although, truthfully, it was only a little bit as funny as what I thought it'd be."
"Sorry to disappoint." Those words made me pause for a moment before a grin spread over my face—not that hadn't been one there before. For some reason, these words meant something different. Did Embry disappoint me? No. Was I sad that he imprinted on me, because, technically, it meant I had no freedom to choose who I was destined with?
"You don't."
There was a silence and, for a moment, I thought I must've done something off. Then Embry let me down and took my hand, giving it a light squeeze.
"Let's head back," he said. For some reason, I felt like my heart dropped into my stomach. I expected him to say something more than that, something…something… I didn't even know. Whatever I expected, it wasn't that.
When we got back to Emily's—I guess I really should start thinking of it as my home, too, now—most of the pack was there. It was getting to be late afternoon. When we walked through the door of the house, we were immediately bombarded by the loud noises of the pack. Some of the guys were discussing stuff, others watching sports. Leah was in the back, arms crossed, sitting by her own, just looking around the room with a cold and distant expression. I waved at her and offered a smile, and she nodded, a ghost of a grin on her features. I was ecstatic that I was getting through to her.
I suddenly felt myself being pulled into a tight hug and felt another, smaller person clinging to my side.
"Jani, I'm so glad you understand the whole imprinting deal!" Seth said. "I never really got to tell you that before." I heard a growl from behind us and looked back over my shoulder to find Embry, looking somewhat strained. Seth quickly released me and scooped up Cali, who was beaming at me. Seth smiled at her and she hugged him tightly.
"Yeah, well, it's fine," I assured. "I really don't mind. However, I'm so not helping you when you go to tell her about it, years from now." I grinned evilly. Seth looked a bit frightened at the thought, but shook it off and went to pay attention to his little imprint.
"So!" Quil's booming voice alerted me to his presence. He draped an arm over my shoulder, giving an odd hug. He grinned at me almost mockingly. "Dear little Jani's accepted the imprint, it seems?" I was then aware of Embry glaring at Quil, who then stepped a few feet away from me, and of the other occupants of the room listening, at least halfheartedly. "Well?" I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, what am I supposed to do? It's smart to accept it—we'd be miserable without—er—each other." I stumbled over saying that last part, but continued. "Besides, it's not a bad deal. It's like…well, I wouldn't exactly call it a fairytale, but it's definitely up there."
"Oh, it isn't a fairytale? I would've thought so with all the werewolves running around," Seth joked.
"Oh, shut up," I muttered with a half-smile. "It's kind of weird, though. I would've thought, with my sometimes-overreactions, it'd be—I dunno—Paul. Or even you, Seth, since we're both sweeties." I grinned toothily. "But I'd much rather save you for my lovely sister. We both know she'll be a bombshell, that girl."
"I don't doubt it," Seth said, grinning almost proudly at the little girl in his arms. Cali rolled her eyes—something I bet she'd picked up from me…
"So Paul, then?" I felt my insides freeze. Embry sounded empty, emotionless. I knew, somehow, that it was a mask. I looked back at him, at his now stoic expression. I took his hand, and he didn't protest.
"Embry, you're much too sensitive," I tried to joke, tried to make the atmosphere a little lighter. If it lightened, it was very little. "Besides, I'm actually relieved and very glad it's you, not Paul."
"Really?"
"Yup," I said brightly, pinching his cheek. "Besides, you're kinda cute." Embry reddened slightly and I grinned as Seth and Quil laughed.
"Ha! So when's the wedding?" Quil teased. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Oh, I dunno, maybe on October twenty-sixth of the year—shut up, Quil!" I told him.
"Hey, no need to get testy with me, sheesh." I rolled my eyes at him.
"Gee, I wonder when Quil's honeymoon will be!"
Quil narrowed his eyes at me. "That was a low blow."
The next few days passed uneventfully. Embry and the others were busy with what I heard were patrols—they were looking for some vampires, apparently. Oh, yeah—vampires exist, how could I have forgotten? Aside from Embry telling me more about the pack and werewolves and vampires and the pack members' histories, there wasn't much to keep me occupied. He usually went out on day shifts, now, and he'd come back at night to eat and crash on the sofa. It made me feel bad that he was out there working so long. Seth had much of the same things to do, though he seemed to take it a bit easier than Embry—or, at least, I think he had the same things to do. Cali and I, being without our wolves, usually practiced astral projection. Cali still wasn't able to keep herself visible, let alone solid, but she was getting somewhere.
Then, one day, something happened that made me feel a bit smug yet angry. Embry came in the afternoon to tell Sam and Emily something. I was happy to be able to see Embry again—whether it was the imprint or not, he was my favorite person, and I hadn't seen him often because of all the patrols he had to do. However, when he arrived, he went straight to the kitchen where Sam and Emily were. I only knew he was here because of his voice—that, and I could just sense it was him. I went to the kitchen after a few minutes, feeling a bit left out. Why didn't he come see me? Was it something to do with patrols? Even though it was probable that it had to do with patrols, I still needed reassurance—as if I had to check if it was a suitable excuse for not greeting me.
"Embry?" I asked, opening the door to the kitchen slightly. He, Sam, and Emily looked up at me at my entrance. I offered Embry a tentative smile, which he reciprocated. It was weird, but I'd gotten used to their—the pack's—half-nakedness. "What's going on?"
"Uh… The usual," he replied. I frowned.
"Um…okay…" I backed away from the doorway and left, heading to my room. Why didn't he say hi? Why didn't he greet me with a big smile and a hug? I felt panicky. Yet, a part of me wanted to slap myself—You're being stupid, this little action means nothing; Embry still cares; he imprinted on you, after all; he's not just going to toss you aside; you aren't drifting apart… The arguments, sensible, were there. My psyche didn't listen, though. Sometimes I really hated this imprinting thing, though I'd never admit it to Embry. He was my best friend, yes, and I'm grateful that imprinting brought him to me, but the emotions that it made you feel—all extreme, usually for little things, too—were just very draining and very damaging.
"Jani?" Embry asked from the doorway of my room. I lied in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He came in, closing the door behind him.
"Yes, Embry?" I pulled myself up and sat back against the headboard of the bed, crossing my legs. He sat down in front of me on the bed.
"What's wrong?" he asked concernedly, taking my hand.
"I should be asking you that," I said.
"What?"
"You know 'what.'" Embry frowned.
"No, I don't." I sighed exasperatedly. Deciding to omit the part about where he didn't come say hi to me, I asked a different question, one that was less embarrassing.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"With what?"
"What happened that you had to come tell Sam right away?"
"Oh, that," he said. Then his lips pulled up into an amused half-smile. "I was actually going to come tell you—I know you'll find it funny, at least one part of it. Jake's torn up about it, though."
"Jake? What happened to Jake? Did Bella finally ditch him like we all knew she would?"
"No," said Embry. "Not exactly."
"Oh, please tell me it's 'I-told-you-so'-worthy!" Embry smiled slightly.
"You're not gonna rub it in Jake's face, are you?" I faked an appalled gasp.
"Of course not! I thought you knew me!" I pouted. Then I smiled again. "No, I'm not, which is the point. He'll be expecting me to."
"Smart," Embry complimented.
"So, the story?"
"Right, well, it seems Jacob and Bella got into a little…disagreement, so to speak…"
"What kind? About her bloodsucker boyfriend?" Embry chuckled.
"No, not about the leech." Embry paused, gazing at me thoughtfully. "He—er—did something that she didn't agree with."
"What'd he do? Call her boyfriend to tell him she's been naughty?"
"No." He sounded amused.
"What'd he do?"
"Jake kissed her." There was a pause.
"Like…on the lips?" Embry nodded. "How many times?"
"From what I saw of his memories, about four." My eyes widened and my mouth opened, astonished.
"What—the—heck!" I exclaimed. "And he has the nerve to argue with me when I say she's leading him on!"
"Well, he's a werewolf… It's not like she could get out of his grasp…" Embry trailed off. "Plus, he really thought she liked him back—"
"That's what leading him on is," I pointed out. "Believe me, were that me, I'd've slapped him and fought my way away, friend or not!"
"If that was you, he'd be dead," Embry said lowly, looking utterly disgusted at the thought. I frowned.
"Sorry, forgot," I muttered. "But that's not the point. She probably didn't even slap him! Not that I think it would've done much good—he is a werewolf…"
"She didn't slap him, no," said Embry. "But she did punch him." My eyes widened again, and I felt the grin on my face.
"Oh, really? Is there any chance I could get that on video?" Embry rolled his eyes, a small smile on his face.
"Jake feels terrible." I frowned slightly.
"Well, he should've—" I sighed. "So she punched him?"
"Yeah. She broke her hand." I winced and clutched my right hand. Embry chuckled.
"Not funny! You know how much that would hurt?" I protested. Embry took my hands and brushed his lips lightly over the back of them and over the knuckles of each hand. I blushed lightly. "What was that for?"
Embry smiled. "Just because." I rolled my eyes, trying to play off the blush creeping up my neck.
"You're so weird." Embry just laughed. "You know, I don't think I can remember a moment when you're not smiling."
"That's because you make me happy," he stated, as if it were just that simple. I rolled my eyes, though, internally, I was melting.
"That's so cheesy," I told him.
"Maybe."
Alright, I want to thank some people for wonderfully, kindly, beautifully reviewing and showing me they care. :')
Thank you to fantasywriter11, katie (who doesn't have a fanfiction account, but should, because FF is awesome:]), ValerieKathryn, and Danika-chan07! Thanks!
I like when people review, especially people with stories—I tend to go see their profiles and check out their stories, and in turn review them. Chain of events here, people!
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter—please review!
HunnyABee