A/N: I know this is rushed but I'm going to be super busy for the next few days and I wanted to get the update out before I got too sidetracked. We're moving away from the triangle for now. I don't want this to turn into a bad soap opera. That being said this chapter is seriously bi-polar.

LPOV:

They were both staring expectantly at me. After Embrys little display of testosterone I wanted to say yes to Jake just to piss him off. In truth I agreed with him. Segregating the pack over something as petty as a family feud was childish and not the behavior of respected leaders. Then again being in Jared's head as well as the brothers Grimm over there would probably be enough to make me claw my brains out. I had Seth to consider as well. No doubt he'd cop a few images he could do without as Embry seemed prepared to flaunt them in front of Jacob. I had let my mind wander for a minute as Jakes voice brought me out of my thoughts, his confidence now wavering.

"Ah Lee, so are you? In that is?"

"Jake do you mind if I talk to Embry outside for a second?" Jake looked shocked, Embry's face lit up into a triumphant grin.

"Don't get ahead of yourself punk, this is strictly business" I spat. It had no effect on him as the smile turned into a smirk once again. I made a point to kiss Jake on the forehead already feeling the warmth that slowly returned to his skin. He tilted his head back and his lips met mine as he gave Embry his own little show. I should have been furious, just like the kiss with Embry, but it was the first time Jake had kissed me and although I broke out of it quickly my head was spinning. I could hear Embry's jaw start to grind. He always did that when he was angry. Had it not been for regenerating teeth he'd probably have none left.

"Back in a sec, we'll just be in the hall." I said as I dragged Embry out by pulling at his T-shirt.

"What right here right now Lee? Its pretty public but I could make an exception..." His hands fell to the curve in my back as he swayed me slightly from side to side. I swiftly closed the door behind me as I scowled at him.

"Do you want to have kids Em? Because pretty soon you aren't going to have anything down there to try!!" I fought the urge to raise my knee again.

"Is that an offer?" He laughed and I saw the double meaning in my words.I forgot about just how much arrogance came with being an alpha. You'd think I remember with the first one...

"Ugh, shut the fuck up ok, got that? No double entendre, no need for spiteful comments at Jakes expense. I talk and you listen." He sighed as he decided to play nice without an audience. He slumped into one of the cold plastic chairs lining the wall and I sat next to him.

"Ok, first things first. I was pretty clear to never lead you on." He opened his mouth as if to object "Uh uh uh, my turn to speak." He shut it loudly clearly annoyed at my challenge of his authority. "This whole thing between us, it was fun. Sometimes more then fun, but it was always going to end. I don't see how I could have made that clearer?" The bitchy, emotionless Leah was in full force now. She wasn't going to back down due to some puppy dog eyes and a pout. Embry didn't stand a chance.

"It changed Leah, whether you knew it or not it changed"

"No, it didn't. It was always the same for me" Lies. Lies for his benefit.

"Well it changed for me"

"Damn it Embry, why can't you just face the fact….."

"…when I fell in love with you." His tone was strikingly serious as he reverted back to the Embry I knew. I was caught off guard which was obvious from my reaction. My eyes shifted to the ceiling as I felt my whole face burn in a crimson blaze. The last time a guy said those words to me was the happiest moment in my life. This was beginning to be one of the worst.

"Just the fact that you consider this love shows you have no idea. You're too young to understand it. This is infatuation, lust. It's about as far from love as I can think of."

"Stop playing the age card, you're only a couple of years older then me and you were in love at my age." He faced me locking his eyes on mine. The conviction in his words was unnerving.

"That's different because…well…" And then I knew he was right. There was no difference between us. I had worn my heart on my sleeve, Sam was also my first and I fell deeply for him in a less time then Embry and I had been 'together'. I could see it through his eyes now as I remembered a time of innocence, when love was love, black and white. Long before I found out how quickly it could morph into something disturbing enough to change your whole being. My stomach began to turn as I remembered the pain incurred after Sam's disappearance followed quickly by his sudden devotion to Emily. The worst part was the holding back, staying strong for others and exploding when I was alone. It got to the point I would cry even after my tear ducts were empty, just a sound. The lack of hunger, the lack of sleep…. I witnessed the happy teenage girl inside being burnt alive, leaving only the bitter outer shell. It was hell, beyond torture, and now I was responsible for inflicting the same pain on someone else. I felt so guilty I would've jumped off of the roof if he had asked me too. I grabbed his hands as I looked deep into his eyes.

"Em I'm so, so sorry. I never meant…I should have but I just never thought…I…ugh". He let out a deep sigh as he prepared himself to comfort me now, a role he was used to.

"Its ok Leah, really" Lies, from him this time.

"No its not. I know that. I used you for a quick fix when I felt like it but Em you should've stopped me, if it was too much, if I was too much, you could've turned me away. You always had that option"

"I didn't want it"

"Embry listen to me, I deluded myself into thinking that if I could break away so easily you could too. I don't know why you would want someone like that in your life. I should know. You need to move on, find someone who actually has a heart, one that she's willing to give to you."

"I don't want to move on."

I felt like banging my head against the wall. Then I felt like banging his against the wall in an attempt to beat my words into him. My head dropped into my hands as I let out an exhausted sigh. The words were muffled as I spoke into them.

"You're so important to me, I can't even begin to tell you, but if you don't give up on the idea of us I'm going to have to cut you out of my life. This is just…it's too hard and I can't pretend to have the strength to deal with it." I looked up now as he had remained quiet. Finally I saw his eyes register the sincerity of my words. It was the most honest I had ever been with him. He concentrated on the linoleum floor below his feet for a good minute before breaking the silence.

"You know he wants you, all of you. He won't settle for an empty relationship. You'll have to open up, to let him in. He's broken too and I know how hard it is to be with someone like that… You need patience and understanding. The emotionless sex, he's not strong enough for it. It's going to be work Clearwater. Do you think you're ready for that?" He looked up at me finally.

"I don't know. I guess I'll find out." I said nervously. I wasn't ready in the slightest. Exposing my emotions made me vulnerable. It turned me into that teenage girl with a gapping wound in her chest, an empty cavity where her heart once was. Embry was the easy option but I couldn't spend my life wondering what could have been with Jacob Black.

"I'll be here if it doesn't work out." He said as he put his arm around me leaning in for a hug.

"Please don't, I'm not worth it. You'll find a girl who worships you and you'll forget about me in a second."

"I wish you could see yourself through my eyes for one day Leah, I think you'd be surprised."

"Stop dodging the issue. Your perfect girl could be walking these very corridors. Just keep an open mind ok?

"Yeah, yeah…"

"Good." I paused for a second before changing the heavy subject matter.

"I think it's pretty clear I'm going to be part of Jacobs pack right? We have too much of a history for me to run with you."

"Yeah I guess"

"Seth will join me so I can keep an eye on him and Rachel will probably make Paul join to keep an eye on Jacob. That leaves you with the 2 new recruits, Jared, Quil and Sam if he's willing to stick around for a little while longer". Does this work for you?"

"Its not like I can change it." He said in the same defeated tone. He changed it now as he thought of the pack. "Sam will be my beta and we will train the new additions. Jacob can do what he likes but he'll need to get over himself enough to join me at council meetings."

"Agreed" I said keeping the conversation formal.

We both stood up as we headed back to Jakes room. I stopped before we opened the door turning to face him now.

"So…are we ok?"

"We're about as ok as we've ever been" his failed attempt at humour.

I tried to smile at him wishing the guilt that filled me wasn't so painful. A familiar scent ran through my nose as I heard foot steps followed by rushed breathing. We turned to see Emily with a look of panic on her face.

"Have either of you seen Sam? He hasn't come home and I can't get him on his phone. Quil didn't turn up either. Paul and Rachel said they left here together and now no one can find them"

"No sorry, I know they were packing up to leave but I didn't see either of them. They can't be far though…" She cut me off.

"Leah I can feel it, something bad. I don't know what but I can just feel that he's in trouble." She broke down now, leaning into me as she started to soak the dress I was wearing with black liquid. I pulled her closer and began stroking her hair. My own recent hysterics gave me the strength to deal the small baby bump that was pressed against my hip.

Although it was possible Emily was overreacting we couldn't take the chance knowing there were vampires in the area. Embry was filling in Billy with words meant for Jacob's ears. He took off outside as Jacob walked slowly towards me, not fully healed but a far sight better then just thirty minutes ago. I was holding Emily upright now as I tried to soothe her. Jake put his hand reassuringly on her shoulder as he looked at me with worry in his eyes. The imprint bond was strong. Strong and accurate. Embry ran back inside as he did the top button on his shorts, his t-shirt slung over one shoulder. He grabbed Jake pulling him out of earshot and looked at me to keep Emily occupied. I couldn't hear anything over her low wailing but if Jake and Em were communicating it had to be important. Embry turned back towards the door but hesitated for a moment. He shot me a look I didn't understand and then continued outside. Jake walked over to cup Emily's head in his hands as he looked at her tear stained cheeks.

"You know this worrying isn't going to do you and the baby any good. He's probably fixing a flat somewhere with no reception. You think anyone is going to take on both Sam and Quil? Really? The only problem they'll be dealing with is changing a tyre in this weather. Sam is probably worried sick that he can't get in touch with you and that's why you're feeling so worried now. Mix in some pregnancy hormones and of course you're going to be beside yourself."

She used her sleeve to wipe at her tears as she started to breathe easier.

"You think?" She stammered a trace of hope in her voice.

"I'm sure of it" his forced smile almost as real as his genuine one. Billy wheeled his way over.

"You want to give an old man a ride home? We should be waiting by the phone incase Sam tries to call you there." He could see that we needed to talk. Emily looked back at us as we both broke out our best encouraging faces. Smiles, head nodding. She was sold.

As they left Jake grabbed my arm.

"He can't hear them"

"What?" I asked, almost missing the quiet whisper of his voice.

"Embry, he can't hear them. He's their alpha and he can't hear anything, he tried to….."

The sound of an ambulance pulling up, sirens blazing, drowned out the rest of his words.