Alani sat beside Hillary on the cliffs over- looking the ocean. She had slowly but surely been falling in love with this place and the people over the last few of weeks that they had been there. She knew that she would have to go home. She only had one more year to finish her degree, but she had a feeling that she would come back.
Hillary nudged her shoulder, seemingly knowing where her train of thought was going. Alani had a rough home life, but loved her family. She, however, had always felt out of place in her family. Her step father married her mother. She didn't know who her birth father was and her mother refused to talk about it. Even with Kahale, she never really felt complete. Since coming to La Push it was like something clicked and she finally felt at home.
She and Hillary had spoken off and on for days about how she was feeling. Hillary offered her a place to stay if she did decide to come to La Push after graduation, with a soft secret smile on her face. Hillary laughed it off and said that she knew that she would return and would be a welcome part of her family when she was ready.
Hillary glanced over at her friend and sighed. She knew that Embry had imprinted on Alani. She also knew that Alani was returning to Hawaii to finish school. Hillary knew that the separation would be hard on Embry and Alani, but it was too soon to let her in on things. She just hoped that they would be okay. For now Embry was just being Alani's friend.
Kahale had left suddenly, taking Honi with him back to Hawaii the day after the barbeque. He had apologized for leaving and for Honi's behavior. He promised that they were still friends, but he needed to take Honi back home before he did something stupid. Kahale had hugged both girls tightly and smiled encouragingly at Alani, promising that she was still his best friend and that she should do whatever it was that would make her happy.
Hillary remembered how confused Alani had been after he had said that. She also knew that Kahale had seen her and Embry at the bonfire. He truly did just want her to be happy. He had confided in Hillary that he had met someone, but wanted to make sure that Alani was fine before making a move. He grinned and told her all about the woman he bumped into at the café on campus.
A rustling sound drew both women out of their thoughts. Hillary grinned over her shoulder and saw Jacob and Embry approaching them. Her heart raced seeing Jacob walking towards her with his cargo shorts slung low on his hips. She felt a blush burning on her cheeks as she saw that Jacob caught her checking him out. But really, who could blame her when the man hardly ever wore a shirt. He had certainly grown up in her absence in his life.
Hillary glanced at Alani and saw that she was having similar thoughts about Embry and laughed. Goodness they were both in so much trouble with these boys. Alani's eyes snapped to hers and they both laughed. Standing they turned to face Jake and Embry.
"Hey," Hillary said as Jake pulled her against his chest.
"Hey," he said with a smirk. "We need to head down to the beach. We're almost ready to get set up for the bonfire later."
Hillary nodded and grinned up at him. She cupped his cheek with her right hand and he nipped her palm, nearly buckling her knees. A deep laugh rumbled through his chest as he heard her gasp.
Hillary looked up at him through hooded lashes and gave a small smirk of her own. "Don't start something you won't finish, Jake." She said.
Jake looked down at her heatedly and leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke. "You just say the word, Hillary." He said gruffly. "Just say the word and I promise you we'll both finish."
She pressed her chest more fully against him and subconsciously moved into him. Her breath caught in her thought and she fought back a moan. Oh this man, she thought. This man was very dangerous to her sanity. She felt a smile tug at the corner of her mouth and she looked up at him. She knew that she was playing with fire. She had been home for over three months and they had maintained and were rebuilding their friendship, but with each passing day it was harder and harder to not cross the line.
"Promises, promise," she teased and stepped out of his arms, racing down the path towards the beach.
Hillary knew that she had left Alani and Embry gawking at her, just like she also knew that Jacob would easily catch her. If she was lucky he wouldn't go all caveman and drag her off in front of everyone that was already gathering on the beach. They had been dancing around one another since she returned. Alani would be leaving tomorrow afternoon, tonight was a bonfire as a farewell, but also as a way to ease her into their culture. She would be the second outsider to ever hear their legends. When she returned she would hear them again and then Embry would make his move.
She was drawn from her thoughts as she heard Jacob's rapid footfalls gaining on her. Hillary squeaked and giggled, picking up her pace. As soon as her feet hit the sand, she caught Rachel's eye and raced towards her. She could heard Jacob behind her and felt her laughter bubble up. Before she could get too much farther she felt hot arms band around her middle and spin her towards the equally hot chest.
Jacob tugged her flush against him and fisted his hand in her hair and captured her mouth with his own. He nipped, teased, caressed, and eased his way through the kiss. Hillary couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't stop. Wrapping her arms around his neck, pressing more fully into him, she lost herself in him.
Jacob pulled back, "Tell me to stop, Hillary." He demanded. "Tell me you don't want this before we get too out of hand."
Hillary looked up at him with red, puffy lips. Her eyes were dark and she was breathing heavily. Looking up at him she saw all of the emotions in his eyes. She could feel his body trembling, through their bond she felt his need, felt his uncertainty, felt his love for her.
Hillary pulled his forehead down to her own and looked him in the eye. "Right this second is not the time or place," she said softly. "But, I'm not telling you no, Jacob. You can feel it too. It's fast, and maybe too soon, but I've waited for years for you. I'm not sure that I want to wait anymore."
Jacob closed his eyes and swallowed thickly. "When you are sure, you tell me," he said. "You're right, now isn't the right time or place. But Hillary, I will be coming for you soon. Don't make us wait much longer."
He dropped a kiss on her forehead and stepped back. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder he led her towards the rest of the pack. There were wolf whistles and catcalls as they approached. Hillary buried her face into his side, causing him to laugh in response.
"You're not going all shy on me now?" he teased as they approached the group.
"I guess you guys have made up?" Rachel asked with wide eyes.
"Made out is more like it," Paul said with a laugh.
Rachel rolled her eyes and nudged him in his side. He looked down at her with a soft smile and kissed her cheek. Rachel leaned into his embrace and laughed softly.
Alani and Embry approached the group slower, talking quietly to one another. Hillary watched as they subtly brushed against each other as they walked. She grinned when she watched Embry hold a hand out to Alani and help her step over and then sit on the large driftwood log. Hillary leaned against Jacob and watched the flames dance in the fire.
Jacob subconsciously pulled her closer into his side when he felt her emotions in turmoil. He looked down at his little mate and wondered what had her so confused. He felt her lean into him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
He knew that they were both struggling to make sense of their relationship. They had a long way to go before things would be normal for them. He had a lot of making up to do, a lot of groveling to do still. He had hurt her, and that thought made him sick to his stomach and made his heart ache. Jacob knew that he needed to start showing her what she meant to him.
Glancing across the fire towards his pack brothers, he knew that they could see his thoughts and feel what he was feeling when they were phased. Each of them had offered advice and their assistance in his plan to try to win Hillary over. They wanted their soon to be Alpha to be happy and to be with his mate. They also wanted Hillary to be happy. It ate at them that they had been part of the reason that she had left three years ago. Their behavior and actions hadn't helped the situation back then, but they planned to help and be there for her now.
Billy Black was wheeled closer to the fire and began to tell the legends of their tribe and ancestors. Hillary glanced over at Alani and found her transfixed on the Chief of the tribe. Embry slid closer on the driftwood and watched his imprint carefully as she listened closely to what Billy was saying. Hillary winked at her friend when Alani caught her eye and leaned into Jacob's warmth when a cool breeze rolled in off the water.
"Are you getting cold?" he murmured against her temple.
"I'll be alright," she replied. "The breeze caught me off guard."
"I can go grab a blanket out of the truck?" he offered.
"I have a sweatshirt in the truck," she whispered back. "I can go grab it and Alani's while I'm there."
"No, stay," he said, extracting himself from their spot. "I'll be right back with the sweatshirts."
When she tried to protest, he waved it off and turned to walk swiftly to his truck. Hillary shrugged and turned to the fire once more. Jacob returned and dropped her sweatshirt on her lap and brought Alani's to her as well. The girls tugged their sweatshirts on and leaned into the men sitting beside them. Hillary met Alani's eye and smirked. She could tell that her friend was starting to have feelings for Embry, she had admitted as much earlier before the guys showed up on the cliffs.
Hillary leaned in and let Jacob draw her into his arms. She let his body heat warm her as she watched the pack around the bonfire. In the three years that she was away from home, she had missed this. She had missed home and her friends. Her parents, well her father really, was trying to come to terms with her budding relationship with Jacob and the pack. Her mother had some reservations, but just wanted her to be happy. Her mother knew that as an imprint she was tied to Jacob and the pack forever. Regardless of the nature of her relationship with him, as an imprint they would always be part of each other's lives.
The warmth of Jacob and the lull of the bonfire celebration was lulling Hillary to sleep slowly. She rested her head on his shoulder and felt him holding her against his side. She felt his warm lips brush against her forehead as she felt sleep taking over.
Jacob looked down at Hillary and breathed her in. He knew the instant that she fell asleep. Her heartrate and breathing slowed as she fell asleep against him. He marveled at her very existence and that she was really there with him. She was his, his imprint, his everything.
Glancing across the fire towards his pack mates, he nodded. It was time. It was time for him to step up and be the man that he needed to be, that she deserved, that his pack and people deserved. He caught Sam's eye and nodded, causing the other Alpha to smile slowly. Sam whispered something in Emily's ear and she turned to face Jacob with such a look full of gratitude and happiness that he couldn't help but smile. He and Sam had spoken a few days before about him stepping down and Jacob taking over the pack and taking the rightful mantle of Alpha. Sam agreed to help and phase in case of an emergency, but he would be stepping down and focusing on living a normal life with his wife.
Jake pulled Hillary in his arms and stood, holding her bridal style. She murmured in her sleep and burrowed her face in the crook of his neck. The feel of her warm breath along his skin sent a shiver down his spine. He looked over at Embry and Alani speaking quietly as he walked towards his truck. He knew that Embry would make sure that Alani would get to the truck fine.
Placing Hillary gently in the cab of the truck, Jake buckled her in and walked around to the driver's side of the car. He turned the truck on and cranked up the heat. He heard and saw Alani and Embry hop into the back of the truck. He pulled the truck onto the road and towards the Brigs' home. Hillary leaned against the door of the truck and burrowed further into her sweatshirt.
When they reached the house, Jake carried Hillary to the front door behind a laughing Alani and Embry. Hillary's parents watched him carry her upstairs to her room with wide eyes. Jacob just smiled at them and let Alani pull back the blankets of her bed before carefully and gently laying her down. He pulled her shoes off of her feet and pulled her blankets over her, tucking her in.
Crouching down beside the bed, he brushed her hair from her face and leaned in to kiss her brow. He chuckled softly as he watched her sigh and smile softly in her sleep. His breath caught in his throat as he watched her for a moment, once again marveling over how lucky he was. Running a hand through his hair he stood and turned to find her father standing in the doorway watching with a blank expression on his face.
"She's happier," Jack said gruffly. "Happier than she has been in a long time. Don't do anything to change or ruin that." He said before turning and walking back down the stairs.
Jacob stood in shock for a moment before switching off the light in Hillary's room and leaving. Embry was sitting on the bed of the guest room beside Alani talking to her softly. They were both blushing and he winked and walked past them. He made his way downstairs to where Hillary's parents were talking in the kitchen.
They greeted him politely as he waited for Embry. A few minutes later his best friend entered the kitchen with a dazed look on his face and a dopey smile. Jacob laughed and steered his friend back towards the front door and out to the truck in the driveway.
"I'm guessing that everything went well?" Jacob asked with a knowing smile.
"She," Embry stumbled over his words. "She knew the legends weren't just stories. Jacob, she guessed at what they meant."
"What?" Jake asked incredulously. "Did you tell her about the imprint too?"
"No!" Embry squeaked. "It's too soon, but she did say that she felt a pull and would be coming back after graduation."
"So what does it all mean for you?" Jake asked.
"It means that we're going to keep in touch while she's in school and then she wants to move here," Embry said in a daze. "She said she felt like she was coming home when she got here."
"Congrats, man!" Jacob said with a smirk.
They drove in silence back towards the beach. The pack was still there, but most of the elders had gone home. Billy had gotten a ride from one of the others it seemed. Jacob sat on the driftwood that he and Hillary had been on earlier with Embry at his side. Quil had come over and sat on his other side as they watched Sam get everyone's attention.
Jacob stood and made his way beside Sam. They looked out over the quiet group as Sam began to explain the change of power in the pack. As he spoke the group felt the shift in their bond. Sam was still pack, but Jacob was Alpha. With wolf whistles and shouts of congratulations they began the celebration once more.
Jake smiled and accepted their congratulations and nodded to Embry and Quil, telling them they were his Betas. Paul and Jared took it in stride and agreed to help their younger pack mates transition into their new roles. The celebration lasted long into the night.
Hillary woke the next day still fully clothed and in her own bed very confused. Alani pounced on her in the morning and woke her up. Alani had packed her things in the days leading up to her departure. She and Hillary clung to each other. It would be a year before Alani returned, but she already planned to stay with Hillary.
Hillary had been hired on by the tribe to work on bettering the community and expanding business ventures of their people. She looked over a number of local business proposals from locals that wanted to start up. She also proposed a few of her own to try to bring more revenue to the tribe. Some of them were more touristy ventures, thus some of the elders were weary or skeptical of bringing in outsiders.
Hillary understood their reluctance, but she had succeeded in convincing them that starting up a business to sell local crafts would be beneficial. By having an online business plan it allowed for flexibility, but also kept outsiders off of tribal land. The idea was met with enthusiasm.
After breakfast Jacob and Embry arrived in the truck to take the girls to the airport. Hillary didn't want to go alone and Embry wanted to say goodbye to his imprint. The drive was somber as each passing mile seemed to weigh on Embry and Alani.
It was a tearful good bye at the airport. Alani hugged Hillary tightly before turning to Jacob. She hugged him and threatened to skin him alive if he ever hurt Hillary again. Pulling back she turned to Embry. He looked physically pained to be letting her go.
Alani stepped forward and threw herself in Embry's arms. She breathed him in and held him tightly. She didn't want to leave, but she wanted to finish school. She would finish school and she would come back even though every part of her was screaming to stay, to not leave, to be with him.
"I'll be back," she murmured against his chest. "I'm coming back, Embry. I promise"
He breathed in her scent and held her against his chest. He knew that she needed to go, but he hated the thought of her being so far away. The thought of her being so far away from him, from his protection was terrifying.
"You have to be careful," he said hoarsely. "You can't let anything happen to you, Alani."
She pulled back and looked up into his eyes. Alani knew that there was more than he was telling her going on. She knew that there was more to the pull that she felt. Glancing over at Jacob and Hillary, she saw them giving them privacy from nearby.
"What is this?" she asked softly. "It hurts to think about leaving you."
Embry closed his eyes as if pained by her admission. "Alani," he said in a pained voice.
"No, Embry," she cut him off. "You have to tell me what this is. How am I supposed to get through this, if I don't even know what this is?"
Embry swallowed thickly and leaned down to breathe in her scent again and took a deep breath. He explained that there was more to the legends and reminded her of the Third Wife. He emotionally told her what imprinting was and what it meant. Before he could finish she pulled back and looked at him carefully.
"You imprinted on me." She stated more than asked.
"Yes," he said softly. "I imprinted on you."
"What does this mean for us?" she asked.
"This is whatever you want it to be, whatever you need me to be," he told her gently.
Alani looked up at him and reached up her hand to cup the side of his face. She watched as he closed his eyes and leaned into it. Her heart raced as she looked at this ruggedly handsome man that had just told her that she was his soul mate and other half. During his explanation something seemed to click and her world, her life made so much more sense.
Hillary watched her friends uncertainly. Jake sighed and whispered that Embry was telling Alani about the imprinting. Hillary's breath caught in her throat as she watched two of her best friends talking quietly. She watched as Embry looked so lost and vulnerable. Then she watched as a change seemed to come over Alani.
Jacob chuckled as Alani threw her arms around Embry's neck startling him. Hillary blushed as Alani tugged Embry's face down and kissed him deeply. She turned to Jacob and found him smirking down at her. They were startled by the boarding call for Alani's flight to Hawaii.
Embry pulled back reluctantly and looked down at his imprint. His heart was racing and heat was pooling low in his belly. How the Hell was he supposed to survive a year without her now? She accepted him, his imprint. Swear softly he pulled her in and slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her deeply. A low rumbling sound came from him as he pulled away from her.
"I'll be back, Embry," she promised. "We can talk every day and email. We can make this work."
Leaning his forehead against hers he said, "We will make this work."
Alani pulled away and raced toward the gate for her flight. She looked back and waved before turning towards her terminal at a run. Hillary watched her best friend go and turned to Embry in concern. Jake stood beside his friend and clasped a hand on his shoulder. The trio left the airport and made their way back to La Push in silence.
Hillary and Jacob didn't know what to say to help their friend. Embry sat quietly looking down at his hands. His phone buzzed and he looked down with a sad smile. Hillary guessed that Alani was messaging him somehow.
They arrived at La Push sometime later and dropped Embry off. Jacob looked over at Hillary and asked her if she wanted to go for a ride. She nodded and they drove to the northern part of town. They were heading towards First Beach before they turned off onto a side street. Hillary looked at him in question, but he just shrugged. She watched as he pulled into the driveway of a house she hadn't seen before.
"Where are we?" she asked in confusion.
"Well," he said uncertainly, "I know that it's a long way off and we need to figure things out. But if, well, if we do decide to give this a go, this could be our home someday. If you wanted."
Hillary looked over at him in surprise and then back at the house before her. There was a detached two car garage and a few other outbuildings. They house itself was older and looked like it needed some serious TLC, but it seemed have good bones. It had a large porch on the front and was two stories. Nothing too large, but not small either.
Smiling softly, Hillary looked over at Jacob to find him watching her with a hopeful, but uncertain look on his face. He looked so vulnerable at that moment that she wasn't sure what to say. She unbuckled and slid out of the truck and began walking towards the house without saying anything to him. Chuckling softly to herself she heard him scramble out of the truck and head towards her.
"Well, what do you think?" he asked.
"Can we go inside to look around?" she asked.
Jacob nodded and pulled a set of keys from his pocket. "The Council agreed to let me buy this house and fix it up when I took over as Alpha." He said sliding the key into the lock.
Stepping back he let her walk in ahead of her and held his breath. The house needed work, but it had good bones. More than that though, he could picture himself making a life here, a life with Hillary here. He knew that she loved the beach and had since they were children. They were close enough to everyone, but far enough to have their own space. The house was also situated close to the forest that bordered the property.
Hillary walked around and could picture it. She could see the layout of the cozy family room surrounding the fireplace as the focal point. She could see the wall opened up to the kitchen and adding built-ins on the wall. There were two bathrooms and four bedrooms. None of the rooms were overly large, but it could be perfect, would be perfect.
Hillary turned towards Jacob as they walked back down the stairs towards the back door. She reached the door and stepped out onto a back patio and breathed in the air. She could smell the forest and the ocean. She could hear the ocean and smiled. There were two sheds in the back yard. The yard itself was huge and she could already see where she would plant a garden.
Turning she threw her arms around Jacob and laughed. He caught her and spun her around. Looking down he caught her eye and then kissed her with everything that he had. The world around them dropped away and they lost themselves. When Hillary thought she would lose her mind he drew the kiss deeper, hotter.
Pulling away he looked down at her with his eyes darkened. "So I take it you like the idea?" he asked softly.
"Someday we can make this into a really great home, Jake," she said softly.
He closed his eyes and nodded. Part of him was relieved, but another part of him wanted that life now. He knew he didn't deserve it, but he couldn't help it.
"Are you alright?" she asked quietly. "Jacob, what's wrong?"
Opening his eyes he looked down at her with mixed emotions flashing in his eyes. Hillary tugged him to sit beside her on the back steps. Jacob let himself be led to wherever she wanted to go knowing that he could have easily prevented her from moving him at all.
"Will you tell me why you're so upset?" she asked.
"I'm not upset, Hillary," he said tiredly. "Well, not really and not at you. This could have been our life already if I hadn't fucked things up Hillary, I'm well aware of that fact. I don't know how to fix this, how to fix us. I don't want you to feel like you have to be or do anything. I just realized that I really want this to work, and I really want this life with you."
Hillary regarded him carefully and nodded. "I know," she said softly. "I want this and us to work too. We've been doing a good job at working through things. I know it will take a while and that's mostly my fault. I feel like things are almost like they used to be."
"I don't want them to be the way they used to be," he said sharply before catching himself. "Hillary, when we were kids we were best friends and I loved that and missed that, but I want so much more. Hillary I'm in love with you. I don't need you to say it back, not until you're ready. You're it for me and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you."
"Jake," she said sadly, "I was already half in love with you when we were just kids. Before phasing, before Bella, before all of this, I was already in love with my best friend."
His head snapped towards her and his eyes blazed into hers. "Say it again," he demanded.
"I've been in love with you for years, Jake," she said sadly. "I was just waiting for you to catch up."
With a groan he pulled her across his lap and into his arms. He cupped her face and kissed her with all of the emotions and all of the love that he felt for her. Her lips parted in a gasp and he deepened the kiss, spiraling them both into heat.
Hillary fisted his hair and pulled, causing him to groan into her mouth and shift beneath her. She shifted, straddling him and pressed against him. She felt him band his arms around her torso and pull her closer until they were chest to chest. They were so lost that they didn't notice that they had company. Jake pulled away and nearly snarled when someone cleared their throat nearby. He looked over and noticed that the pack was there and staring with various looks of amusement and shock.
Hillary buried her face into the crook of Jacob's neck in embarrassment. There was no way she was going to face any of them at the moment. She needed a moment to catch her breath and try to get her brain functioning properly.
"What?" Jacob growled at a smirking Paul.
"You said you wanted us to stop by later," he replied with a laugh. "It's later, Jake. We need to know the new patrol rotation and plan."
Jacob sighed and shifted Hillary to sit across his lap. She still wouldn't look at the pack and he could feel her embarrassment rolling off of her in waves. He chuckled softly as he nuzzled into her hair before looking back to the pack, his pack.
"We can keep the same patrol rotations," he said firmly. "They were working before, I see no need to change them now. Does anyone have anything they'd like to say?"
"Congrats on the house," Jared said with a mischievous grin.
"Thanks," Jacob said with an answering grin tugging at his mouth.
"So what's your plan with this place?" Paul asked leaning against one of the large trees in the backyard.
"Well, we're going to be fixing this place up a little at a time," he replied looking down to find Hillary looking up at him. "I'll be moving in and staying here so that I'm available for the pack whenever and not disturbing dad."
Hillary smiled up at him and found the courage to turn and look towards the pack. She met their gazes and found acceptance. Laughing slightly she shifted to face them and felt Jacob tense beneath her. Glancing up she caught his eye, knowing what his issue was, and winked. His nostrils flared a bit as his eyes heated.
"Hey now!" Quil shouted, "Save it for when we don't have to watch!"
Hillary grinned and looked over at him playfully. "You're just jealousy, Quil." She said with a laugh.
"Jealous!" he said in an offended voice.
Hillary grinned and shifted in Jacob's lap causing his head to drop to her shoulder as he fought back a groan. She winked at the shocked looks on the faces of the pack members. Sighing she decided to have mercy on her poor wolf. Sighing she shifted so that her weight was resting on his left thigh and her legs were swung over his right across his lap.
"Tease," Jacob grumbled against the back of her neck causing the pack to laugh.
Hillary smirked over her shoulder at him. "I think perhaps I found a way to get pay back," she said teasingly.
"Holy Hell," Paul said laughing, "looks like little sweet innocent Hillary, isn't so sweet and innocent."
Jacob growled against her temple and Hillary felt his body tremble slightly. She knew that he would never intentionally hurt her, but perhaps having him be teased in his current heightened state wasn't a good idea. She glanced at the pack and saw that they were moving forward ready to intervene.
Hillary slid from his lap and turned to face him. "Jake," she said softly. "Look at me."
Jacob fought for control. He knew he had no right to be angry or jealous of anything that may have happened in the three years that she was gone. Rationally he knew it, but his wolf was snarling and chomping at the bit to hunt down anyone that dared lay a hand on his mate.
"Jacob!" she said sharply. "Look at me. You and I both know that nothing happened between myself and others. I couldn't, I would physically get ill if anyone even touched me."
"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked with his chest heaving.
"Jacob Black you stop it right now," she said firmly putting her hands on her hips.
"Hillary," Embry said cautiously. "You need to step away from him now. Step back slowly, okay?"
She made no move or acknowledgement that she heard him. Hillary looked at Jacob and saw his eyes meet her own. She saw the questions there, the uncertainty.
"Jake," she said softly. "When I was away at school I tried to push back against the imprint. You didn't want me, so I tried to find happiness in other relationships. It never worked. There was never anything there."
"Hillary," he said brokenly rubbing a hand tiredly over his face.
"I dated three different boys, Jake," she told him honestly. "It never went beyond kissing really. Whenever things seemed like they were going to progress, I just couldn't. It felt wrong, so I ended things. I always knew I was going to end up coming back here, I just didn't know if you would be with her or someone else by the time I had returned."
"There is no one else, but you," he told her firmly, standing to take her hand. "The day you left shifted everything into perspective for me. There has been and will be no one else."
Embry and Quil stepped beside them and looked to Jacob in question. The pack relaxed when they realized that he had calmed down. They quietly waited for the Alpha pair to both calm down and come back to their surroundings. Hillary ran a hand through his hair and watched his eyes close. He kissed her inner wrist and pulled her to his side, slinging an arm around her shoulders.
"So," Jared began cautiously, "there's no one we have to hunt down in Hawaii for deflowering you?"
Hillary snorted and rolled her eyes at them. "No one to hunt down in Hawaii," she stressed.
"Wait you're not saying what I think you are?" Quil asked with wide eyes.
"Are you idiots asking if I'm a virgin?" she asked tightly.
"Um, well that's not to say," Embry stumbled over his words. "Shit someone say something."
Hillary crossed her arms around her midsection and scowled at all of them. She had felt Jacob tense beside her. It was no one's business whether or not she was a virgin, not even Jacob's at the moment. This whole situation was mortifying.
"Hillary?" Jacob asked hoarsely.
"And you are?" Hillary asked him tersely, knowing that he wasn't. "If I'm not, isn't it a bit hypocritical for any of you to be upset about it?"
Jacob swallowed and fought for control. Jealousy raged within him. The rip out someone's throat was strong. It all crashed down around him that he really had no right to hold anything that happened in the three years that she was gone against her. She left thinking that he didn't want her, believing that he loved someone else. Closing his eyes he fought the emotions that were swamping him.
Hillary couldn't stand it anymore. She turned to face him and tugged his face to hers. They were nose to nose when he opened his eyes to look into hers.
"Not that it is anyone else's freaking business," she ground out loud enough for the pack to overhear, "but no one has ever touched me like that. Now please change the subject and get over it. If I had slept with someone, Jacob, it wouldn't have been any of yours or anyone else's business."
He nodded slowly and held her against him. His body trembled slightly with the emotions raging through his veins. Drawing a deep breath he met the shamed gazes of his pack. They knew that they had crossed a line with their teasing. They also knew that he would take it out of their hide later.
Hillary bid her good night to everyone, not meeting their eyes. Jacob offered to drive her home, but she refused. The pack felt the shift in the mood and knew that they had made a mistake. Jacob had a couple of the younger pack members shadow Hillary to make sure that she got home safely.
Jacob sat on the steps of the patio with his head in his hands. Whatever progress he had made with Hillary went up in flames with one teasing comment from Paul. Paul looked at him apologetically, opening and closing his mouth trying to find something to say.
With a snarl, Jacob ran and phased on the run, taking to the woods. The rest of the pack joined and tried to calm him. Nothing they could say or do would help this. They tried to keep up with him, but he barked out orders for patrol and for everyone else to go home. Only Embry and Quil remained with him trying to calm him down.
Hillary made it home and curled up in her bed. She had avoided her parents and shut herself away in her room. Taking out her laptop she messaged Alani to let her know when she got home safely. She researched a few other business plans before exhaustion finally caught up with her.
Blinking tears from her eyes she fought the pain and betrayal that rose within her. Just when she thought that they would be okay, things blew up in her face. How could they go from nearly starting a relationship to having everyone question the type of person that she was? Sighing she rolled over and finally let sleep take her.