Hello UL readers! Lookit this! An UPDATE. I know it took a while, but I've been a bit busy - just this week and next of school left and I am SUMMER FREE! - and our comp had a virus that made it had to be taken to get fixed so I didn't have it for like... a week. (Which was conveniently the week that I had several projects due that were ON the comp. Perfect. Timing. NOT.)
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy!
Things weren't easy, dating a werewolf.
For one thing, there was the fact that Leah was.... Well, Emily wasn't sure she could find an accurate word for what Leah was feeling. It went beyond enraged, beyond betrayed, beyond hateful. Emily doubted Leah would ever be able to understand why Emily couldn't have just told Sam to get lost. Not because of the werewolf thing, but because of Emily's own growing feelings towards him. He was sacrificing, loyal, unbelievably kind, and hilarious.
She was finding it very easy to fall for him, odd quirks and all.
Of course, no other job ran as odd hours as his did. She never knew when he would be home or if he'd actually be able to make a date. Sometimes, when she'd come over to cook a meal at his house in hope of catching him, he'd walk through his door, shower, and then just lie on the couch, his head in her lap, and fall fast asleep. She'd sit there for hours, just running her hands over his short hair - he'd told her he cut it because if he didn't, it was bothersome - and lightly tracing the tips of her fingers over his features.
Besides the odd hours and the problem of Leah's hating her now, there was the fact that Emily was realizing that being with Sam meant absolutely positively no privacy whatsoever.
Sam and her had started moving past chaste kisses, though he was still always so careful when he touched her, afraid to hurt her again. The day after first time things had actually started... going somewhere, Jared had stopped by Sam's after patrolling. He'd seen her and started ragging on her about her and Sam.
Sam had growled and literally thrown him out the front door. That was when the whole wolf telepathy thing had come out and Emily had spent the next week blushing whenever Jared had walked into a room.
The worst part of the near two months they'd been together had been when Sam had disappeared without a word for five straight days about a month into their relationship. She hadn't wanted to seem like the kind of girlfriend who freaked out so early on, so she hadn't questioned anyone about his absence, and no one had mentioned it to her. She'd stopped by his house every day, but it had remained empty.
The day he'd come back, she'd been sitting on his couch, reading, waiting with the hope he'd show up. She'd been tempted to leap on him when he came in the door, and that was what surprised her the most. She wanted to tackle him to the floor, to wrap herself around him and kiss him until neither of them could breathe.
Instead of doing any of that, of showing that she wanted to do that, she simply looked at him and said a simple word. "Hi."
He stood frozen in the doorway, staring at her with an expression she couldn't describe or understand. She began wondering if she'd done something wrong and shifted uneasily on the couch, when he abruptly snapped out of it.
"Hey," he said, walking over to her and leaning down to kiss the top of her head. She blushed as he breathed in deeply, something he said he loved to do because her smell relaxed him.
She bit her lip, hesitating to ask him where he'd been, then finally just decided to go with it. It was a reasonable question. But as she'd opened her mouth, Jared had poked his head inside, expression serious. "He's freaking out again, Boss."
Sam sighed heavily and straightened, heading back towards the front door. He spoke quietly to Jared, a hand on his shoulder, and then disappeared outside.
Jared headed straight for the kitchen. "God, I'm starving."
Emily stood up, gently pushing him aside to get into the fridge and begin to make food for him and Sam. As she threw together something quick and easy, Jared grabbed an apple and scarfed it in less than a handful of bites.
As he grabbed another, Emily hesitantly glanced his way.
"Uh, Jared?"
He tossed the core of his second apple into the trash and grabbed a third without looking her way. "Hmm?"
Emily chewed her lip. Jared glanced up after a few moments and looked at her in concern. "What's wrong, Em?"
"Nothing," she said quickly, feeling herself blush slightly. "I just... I was wondering where Sam disappeared to for the past couple of days. I was going to ask him," she said quickly, "but he left so quickly. I didn't get a chance."
Jared stared at her with wide eyes. "Shit," he muttered. "Didn't think about that...." Emily started to feel uneasy, until he said sincerely, "Emily, I'm sorry. I'm sure Sam is, too, but I guess we just didn't think of it."
"Of what?"
"Of warning you," he explained. "See, another guy phased. Paul. We were all waiting for it, so when it happened Sunday night, we hurried to be there for him. It's terrible when it first happens," he added. "You're so confused and scared and freaking out. And anyone around you is as well, which just makes everything worse. So Sam and I wanted to be there as soon as possible."
Jared shrugged, looking a bit annoyed. "I guess I didn't really think about it. If I had, I would have thought one of the Elders would have let you know. They know what you are to Sam. They should have told you." He rolled his eyes then glanced apologetically at me. "Sorry if we upset you just disappearing like that."
Emily shrugged, not wanting to make a big deal out of it.... But then Sam's voice spoke up, startling her.
"Emily, it won't happen again. I promise to always let you know when I'm leaving," his deep voice promised her.
She turned to smile at him. "It's okay, Sam. Thank you."
Sam nodded at her, expression rather stony, then looked at Jared and jerked his head. "Stay outside with him. I'll call you when the food's done."
Since then, Sam always left a note for her to let her know when he was out, what he was doing, and how long he expected to be gone. It was a sweet, considerate gesture that was rather unnecessary but always made her smile.
Emily let herself into Sam's house and closed the door behind her quietly. It was early on a Monday morning, and she knew Sam had been running patrols late last night and didn't want to wake him. She tiptoed into the kitchen, setting the box of doughnuts on the counter in the kitchen with a note that told Jared and Paul to keep their paws off - pun absolutely intended - or else. Grabbing the cupcake she'd carefully stored in the box, she stuck a candle in it and crept to Sam's bedroom.
He was sleeping on his stomach, one arm over his head and the other cushioning his cheek. The blanket had twisted down around his hips and one leg, leaving all the intimate bits of him covered, but leaving everything else open to Emily's gaze.
Thank god werewolves run such high temperatures, Emily found herself thinking, Because otherwise I probably wouldn't have this view.
Grinning, Emily snuck up and carefully eased onto the bed, one knee at a time. Sam didn't move, didn't even flicker an eyelid as the bed shifted under her weight. She sat on her legs next to him, holding the cupcake in the palm of one hand and tracing the other over his back. The skin was deliciously warm and smooth, covering the firm muscles of his back. Another thing to be thankful for. There was no such thing as a fat werewolf. It was wonderful and probably rather vain of her, but a girl couldn't help herself when faced with such masculine perfection.
Oh well. Emily couldn't really find it in herself to care about her vanity.
Sam made a sleepy, pleased, deep sound that she'd found easiest to describe as a rumble. Too rough to be a purr but too soft for a growl. She ran her hand through the short strands of his hair, scratching his scalp lightly with her nails and the rumble deepened and grew louder.
Sam's eyes slitted open and he stared at her with a look that came close to freezing the air in her lungs.
"Good morning," he murmured, his deep voice rough with sleep and other things.
Emily swallowed. "Happy birthday."
Sam's lips pulled into a slight grin as he sat upright, keeping the sheet over his hips, and faced her. "Who told you that?
"Harry," Emily shrugged lightly and offered the cupcake.
Sam laughed, grinning, and Emily smiled. She loved making him laugh. Loved it when he was carefree and forgot the responsibility that was unfairly laid on his shoulders, yet he handled with grace and without complaint. Sam Uley was a good man and he deserved to be happy.
She laughed when he took a bite, which consumed half the treat, and got frosting on the tip of his nose. Leaning forward, her hands falling to rest on his thighs just above his knees, she licked the frosting off and kissed the tip of his nose tenderly.
The words came to the tip of her tongue again, eager to be said. But she didn't want to say them until she was positive she meant them. She didn't want to ever hurt Sam by saying something and then having to take it back. She suspected such a thing would crush him, though he'd never show it to her.
Sam followed after her as she leaned back, his lips chasing hers and his teeth playfully nipping. He tasted of sugar and chocolate and cake on top of his natural Sam-flavor. Emily hummed happily, lifting her arms to wrap them around his neck. Sam set the cupcake on the bedside table and pulled Emily onto his lap, deepening the kiss. She was even sweeter than the cupcake. And much more enjoyable in his opinion.
She smelled better, tasted better, and she was his.
The wolf in him sighed in satisfaction at the thought. Emily was his.
His hands trailed down her back to her bottom, pulling and clutching her even closer. One of her hands ran down his chest while the other scratched at the base of his scalp, sending static shocks thrilling through him. He slid his parted lips over her cheek and each of the scars there ever so gently, tracing them down her throat to where they disappeared into her collarbone. Then he slid his tongue back up them to the underside of her jaw as her head fell back.
He kissed her again, groaning low in his throat as his body heat soared.
Sam began lowering her forward, onto her back on his bed, keeping himself elevated just above her as he broke away from the kiss to put his lips everywhere he possibly could. He wanted more of her, but was waiting for her to give the okay. She hadn't yet and he would never rush her, never put any pressure on her to do anything.
Both of them were panting as Sam slid his hands just under the hem of her shirt, trembling at the feel of the bare smooth skin of her tummy.
Emily made a low, feminine sound of approval that came from the back of her throat and escaped past her parted lips on a breath of air. Her hands ran down Sam's arms, feeling the muscles tense and loosen and quiver at her light touches.
His hands were skimming agonizingly slowly up under her shirt, bunching it around his wrists.
"Whoa!" a voice said quickly, as another voice started laughing, hard.
Sam pulled his hands back with a growl, lips curling back in a snarl at the two boys in the doorway. Emily blushed, until she saw Paul eating a doughnut.
"I said to leave those!" she snapped.
For a second, Paul and Jared both froze and looked at her in shock, but then Paul just gave her an arrogant smirk and took a huge bite of the maple bar in his hands as Jared laughed.
"Wow, Boss, have you been teaching her your Alpha tone?"
"Out!" Sam snapped, growling slightly.
"Is that-"
"Yes!" Sam groaned in annoyance, rolling his eyes. "Now out!"
"Okay, okay, we're going," Jared chuckled, holding his hands up an backing away. "Sor-ry."
Paul snickered. "Yeah. Real sorry to have interrupted."
Sam threw a pillow at his head that the boy just barely managed to duck. Sam listened as they walked into the kitchen, pausing for a few moments laughing and snickering to each other, stealing doughnuts probably, and then left the house. When he was sure they were actually gone and not hovering outside to eavesdrop - he'd learned to start being able to get a sense of their general whereabouts while even in human form. An alpha perk he was sure - he turned back to Emily and pulled her into his chest again, subtly making sure the blanket was between them.
"Now... where were we?" he teased.
Emily laughed, swatting his shoulder lightly. "You were getting up."
Sam frowned. "Isn't it my birthday? What if I don't want to get out of bed?"
"Fine," she said, rolling her eyes. But he could see the amusement and care in her eyes. "I'll just-"
He tightened his arms around her and made a disagreeing tsking sound. "Where do you think you are going? It's my birthday. And I want to spend it right here, with you, all day. No worries, no pups, no anything."
She raised a brow at him facetiously. "What about food?"
He cocked his head to the side, pretending to think. "Okay. I suppose food can be an exception."
Emily laughed, resting her head on her folded hands, which were resting on his chest. Again, Sam felt that sense of satisfaction and rightness just being with her, like this, and momentarily tightened his hold on her.
Emily began tracing patterns on his chest, which felt both pleasant and drove him insane. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, watching her intently through his lashes. Which is how he quickly realized she was thinking of something she wanted to say and deciding if she should bring it up and how to do so if she decided to. Whenever she was thinking of how to say something, she'd chew her lip, but when she was pondering even saying it, she simply bit into it.
"What is it?" he asked quietly.
Emily glanced up at him, then back down at her finger tracing a flower over his chest. "I got a call the other day. From my college."
Sam couldn't help it. He tensed up, his instincts warring. On the one hand, he wanted her happy and free and able to live her life the way she wanted to live it, as long as she was safe and happy. However, on the other, he wanted her here, with him. Not away at college a couple hours drive from him.
Forcing himself to relax, Sam gently asked, "What did they say?"
"They said my spot is still open come the winter semester, if I feel up to attending. They held it because of my accident and gave me this time to recover, but they won't hold it after next semester."
Sam stayed quiet, waiting for her to say more. When she didn't, he once again gently prodded her. "Does your friend still have room for you in her apartment?"
Emily looked up in absolute surprise. Of all the things she'd expected him to say, that wasn't one of them. "Uh... yeah. She had another roommate come in but she's temporary as I understand it. Actually, I think Sarah's close to begging for me back. I don't think she likes her."
Sam swallowed, licked his lips. Forced himself to stay calm and speak. "Do you need help moving back there?" The words were a little hoarse, but he didn't think Emily noticed. She stared at him, and he at her, neither of them moving.
"I don't know yet," she finally said into the still silence.
Sam nodded.
"I don't want to decide anything today. I want today to be happy. I wasn't even going to bring it up, but...."
"It's okay," Sam said quietly. "I'd rather know what's on your mind than be worrying about it all day."
She nodded, then settled against his chest with a sigh. "Staying in bed all day sounds like a good idea after all, now that I think about it," she whispered. Her warm breath flitted across his bare chest, tickling and cool.
He just silently kissed the top of her head and held her to him.
Late that night, Sam slipped easily into his other form and began running. He caught Paul's griping thoughts as he muttered about Sam taking forever and then they cut off as he phased back to human. Jared's thoughts were strangely muted and quiet and for a long time, neither of them thought anything to the other.
I heard Emily's thinking of going back to Seattle.
Sam winced as Jared's voice finally spoke up in a kind and considerate tone that suggested he knew how much it was tearing Sam up inside to think of her leaving.
She's not sure yet.
But they both knew, even if she didn't.... Emily would want to go back to school. She wouldn't be able to give it up without hating herself.
I don't want her to always wonder if she made the right choice, Sam thought abruptly. But I don't want to lose her.
She'll just be... away. It doesn't mean you'll lose her, Jared pointed out soothingly.
Sam wasn't as convinced. Things are different off of the rez, you know that. We all know that. It's another world out there. What if she realizes.... What if she realizes how I'm holding her back. How much the rest of the world has to offer....
She's not going to find someone else. Jared said firmly, discounting the one fear Sam refused to acknowledge.
You can't know that, he thought sadly. And if she does? I can't - won't - do anything to stop her.
They fell silent again, patrolling the quiet and serene night. Sam reached the far border and began to follow the curve of it to the front of the rez.
You're going to let her go? Without any kind of fight?
Sam scoffed. I just want her happy, Pup. If that means I don't get to have her, so be it. But the thought tore him up inside, making him anxious and full of a searing pain in his heart.
Jared sighed, but didn't say anything more. The next two hours they both spent running, neither of them said anything and neither of them thought about Emily or college or anything beyond mundane things or patrol.
Right before Jared phased back at the end of his length of patrol, he thought one last thing, his voice wistful and miserable. I'm really going to miss her.
Yeah, Sam thought once he was alone in his head again. I'm really going to miss her too when she's gone.
Don't worry, don't worry. The boys might just be overreacting....
HEY NO THROWING THINGS! IT'S RUDE!
Review? lol ;D And wish me luck for Friday - my senior project oral presentation is then and while I'm not all that concerned, a little luck never did anyone any harm. (As long as it was good luck, that is.) After that's finished, I'm basically through with school except for one or two minor things, lol.