Chapter Eight

Here you go: Hetani's birthday bonfire!

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight, all rights to Stephanie Meyer. I do own Hetani though.

Embry POV

In true Quileute fashion, we had all decided to have a bonfire to honour Hetani's birthday. It had taken over an hour for us to convince Jake that inviting Bella was not the best idea in the world and then a further half an hour to get him to call Bella and tell her that she couldn't visit. The beach was darkening as the sun set and cast an orangey glow over the dark sand and I waited in anticipation for Jake to bring Hetani over. Everyone was there (something Hetani had panicked about slightly when I told her) and Emily had cooked up a storm. My hair was a mess from where I had nervously ran my fingers through it so often and Jared kept giving me amused looks over Kim's head. Kim wasn't what any of us expected, given Jared's taste in females, but she was well integrated into our lives. He had been sitting next to her for years and then returned after becoming a werewolf. As soon as he looked into her eyes, he was lost, just like I had been. She wasn't what many people would consider a beautiful girl but neither was Hetani. After five minutes of watching Jared around Kim, you could see everything good about her. According to Paul, it was the same when I looked at Hetani and that just increased my nerves tenfold. Jake had given me permission to ask her out but it was terrifying to think about. My thoughts were cut short by the arrival of Hetani and Jake and I felt my breath catch in my throat. She looked absolutely gorgeous in pale pink skinny jeans, black ankle boots and a white tank top. She had a bulky jumper clutched in her hands that I knew she would need later when the temperature truly decreased. Due to my staring, I hadn't realised that everyone had (slowly) converged on her and wished her a happy birthday. When they had finally dispersed, I took my chance and approached her. She gave me one of her heart-stopping smiles as I hesitantly pulled her into a hug.

"Happy birthday," I whispered directly into her ear and I had the pleasure of feeling her shiver. I remembered, all that time ago, when Jake told me that she had a crush on me. Maybe there was a chance.

"Thanks," she replied as she pulled away, blushing.

"Let's go and enjoy your party," I suggested, leading her over to the large fire.

XXX

Hetani POV

I sat talking with Paul – who was probably the wolf I was closest to besides Jake and Embry – and laughed lightly at the stories he was telling me. I suspected that he didn't even know how hilarious he was but I had already fallen off my log once from laughing so hard. The fire was blazing bright orange, a stark contrast to the dark night sky. I would have been freezing were it not for the flames and the heat practically pulsing off Paul in waves. I felt eyes on me and glanced up to see Embry giving me a small smile. Naturally, my heart briefly stopped beating and I'm sure Paul heard it because he started snickering beside me. I ignored him, smiling back at Embry and admiring the way his skin glowed in the firelight and his eyes reflected the flames. He was so damn attractive!

"If Embry is so much more interesting, maybe you should go talk to him." I rolled my eyes but returned my attention to a smirking Paul. He was the wolf with a temper but there was a softer under-layer that few people were privileged enough to see. I sure hoped Bella never saw it and suspected that she wouldn't – she wasn't special enough.

"Sorry Paul," I apologised sincerely and he just shook his head in amusement.

"Anyway . . ." And I was swept up in another story, one that almost made me pee my pants with laughter. When it was over, I slowly walked over to the drinks table that had been set up and where Embry was stood, pouring myself some water.

"Hey," I said simply and he instantly turned to me with a wider smile than the previous ones he had been sporting around me, instantly knocking me breathless.

"Hey, are you having fun?" he asked, throwing a glare in the direction Paul was sitting. Why had he done that?

"Yeah, it's great. Why are you glaring?" I asked, looking around to find Paul talking with Jared and seemingly ignoring Embry's looks. I was very confused and frowned to show it. Embry stopped glaring and looked at me with a softer expression.

"No reason," he answered airily but I sensed he was lying. It wasn't difficult, his eyes were shifting around and he was chewing his lip nervously. I reached out shakily and pressed my hand on his arm, causing his eyes to immediately swivel back to mine. I looked at him imploringly, begging him to tell me the truth. He didn't glare at just anyone – he was Embry Call after all, he was so carefree. Glaring meant that he must have been very angry and I didn't get it. What had Paul done to deserve it?

"Please?" I pleaded, knowing he would understand my query. He swallowed but shook his head, reaching for the pocket of his jean cut-offs instead. I cocked my head to the side contemplatively as Embry began to draw his hand out but then froze.

"Close your eyes," he requested and I did so with no hesitation, knowing he wouldn't hurt me. The sounds of the talking and laughter and the crackling of flames died out as I felt Embry's soft fingers brush my wrist. I frowned again when I felt something slightly rougher brush too and then felt Embry tie it. When he told me I could open my eyes, I did so and glanced down at my wrist. On it was a beautifully intricate bracelet in soft greens and a dash of purple ran through the centre of the twisting beads and threads. I felt happy tears well up at the thought of how much time must have gone into making the bracelet and looked back at Embry with a watery smile. He looked concerned as he saw the tears but I shook my head and threw my arms around him. His own arms wrapped around my waist and I let myself be encased in his warmth, feeling my feet leave the ground as he was too tall for me.

"I love it," I assured him softly, breathing right in his ear. His arms tightened but disappointment swelled in my chest as he put me down. I saw him glance towards Jake before looking at me once more.

"Do you want to come on a walk with me?" he asked quietly, as though afraid I would say no. As if I would do that. I nodded as calmly as possible and it took all of my self control not to gasp happily when his large, warm hand wrapped around my smaller one. He led me away from the party and soon the noises were just distant murmurings as we walked along the beach, water not quite reaching our feet. Embry stopped us before the light from the very large bonfire could be completely lost and I looked up at his face, highlighted by the faint glimmer of the distant flames and the pale light of the moon overhead. The entire scene was beautifully romantic. We stood in front of each other and, if I had stepped forward, our chests would have been pressed together. That thought caused an instant blush to flare in my cheeks.

"Embry?" I prompted, knowing he would understand. He always did – he was so good at knowing what I meant before I said it. He gave an adorable little half-smile that made my heartbeat quicken. My entire being hummed when his hand left mine to run along my cheekbone, sweeping a stray strand of hair from my eye. His expression was one that I had rarely seen – only on Sam's face when he was around Emily or Jared's face when he was around Kim. It was a look of pure adoration and love and it left me slightly breathless. Sam had told me that the imprint did not necessarily mean falling in love but what if this imprint did? What if Embry's imprinting on me caused him to fall in love with me?

"You're so beautiful, Hetani," he breathed so quietly that I barely caught the words. When I did register them, my breathing hitched and I searched his eyes, finding no sense of deception. He was telling the truth. "I know Sam said the imprint didn't mean love. But I think this one does. You're more than a friend to me, Hetani, and you're definitely not a sister. I will be your protector but I want to know if you want more, like I do." His voice was so soft and husky that I was just enveloped in the tones.

"The imprint . . ." I began hesitantly, chewing my lip. His finger pushed my innocent lip from my teeth and he shook his head.

"I liked you before the imprint, Hetani. My feelings for you have been building since the moment I saw you come out from behind that worn out armchair. Please tell me you feel the same," he begged and I considered how obvious my feelings were. I had thought I was being far too blatant but apparently it had gone right over Embry's head. Happy tears pooled in my eyes once more and I nodded, a wide smile breaking over my face.

"Of course I do, Embry. Of course I do," I whispered and I had never seen such elated happiness spread over his face than in that single moment. He wrapped me in his arms and swung my small form around, laughing loudly. When he put me down, I returned my eyes to his as his hands linked with mine. His face slowly lowered to mine and I waited in tense anticipation for what I had always hoped to come. When his plump lips pressed to mine, I knew that I would never change my mind about Embry. I would never want anyone else or to be anywhere else. He was my future. With that in mind, I flung my arms around his neck and pressed my lips harder against his. Yes, there was no one out there as perfect for me as Embry Call. And I sure as Hell didn't want anyone else anyway.

Right, I'm off to take an exam and then I'll come home and weep about it. See you in three days! Love Bianca :) x