Chapter Sixteen

Hello! I know it's the afternoon but I only woke up half an hour ago as I had to catch up on much needed sleep. It feels weird having lunch now.

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight but I do own Hetani.

3rd June

I crawled onto the roof of my house, glad I (for once) wasn't being supervised. One of La Push's many bonfires was being held on the beach but I had opted out, despite Jake, Paul and Embry all protesting. I still hadn't said anything besides 'Bella' and I could see everyone was beginning to worry about me. Jake had apologised for phasing and I had just nodded, walking away and hiding in my room. Every time I thought of Jake, heard Jake through the wood of my door or glimpsed him when I left my room for food and the bathroom, I flinched and flashes of the wolf Jake and the cracking of wood that could have been me tore through my brain. It was hard to forget that moment and I didn't speak for fear of doing more damage. And I wondered, just a little bit, if it had been partly my fault. I didn't move, I didn't run away like I should have and I completely ignored Leah's warning because I was being stupid. If I had just walked away, Jake wouldn't have phased and I wouldn't be scared out of my mind to anger anyone else.

My eyes travelled across the red roof of my house, over my slightly shaking hands to the distant beach. The fire was up and there were barely visible people gathering around it, their dark shapes interfering with the flickering orange light being the only thing that gave them away. Sighing, I drew my knees up to my chest and hugged them tightly, thinking of Embry. I knew it would take a lot to anger him because he'd had practice and it was me, but I was too afraid of making him mad. I was too afraid of making any of them mad. Sighing, I rubbed my face, pulling back in surprise when I felt the wetness. Figured I would cry over my own weakness. I wiped the tears away, praying for no more at the feeling of helplessness.

"It's ok to cry you know." I gave a small shriek and almost fell off the roof at the sound of the new voice. Turning, I saw an expectant face.

Embry POV

The bright orange light of the fire blurred as I eyed it, Billy Black's calming voice fading into the background as my mind firmly strayed to Hetani. I wasn't surprised that she hadn't come but I was a little hurt. She hadn't left her room since after Jake apologised (bathroom breaks and food notwithstanding) and she wouldn't speak to anyone. To be away from an imprint was painful for a wolf, but to have her ignore you? It was agony. And I knew it wasn't so much to do with me but I had no clue what her reasoning was. My thoughts were halted when Leah suddenly stood up and jogged off. For a brief moment, everyone was silent as we watched her go but Billy then continued on as though there was no interruption. Paul's eyes caught mine across the fire and I could tell he was thinking the same thing as me: what the Hell had gotten into Leah this time?

Hetani POV

Leah perched next to me on the roof, looking at me pointedly.

"You're not going to piss anyone off if you speak, Hetani." I continued gazing solidly at my knees, wanting to ignore her. I didn't want to talk, I didn't want my feelings out in the open and I just wanted to be left alone. I didn't say any of that though, so she stayed firmly by my side. "It was me that said it, if you remember. I told you what was going on, you didn't say anything." I looked at her resolutely, knowing she had enough practice to get my silent message. "Alright, so you didn't move. You thought that handling Paul was the same as handling Jacob and it's logical. It's not right, but it's what you thought. Everyone makes mistakes, Hetani. The point is that you eventually tried to move and you've definitely learned from this. But you can't stay silent forever, you do know that, right? You can't hide away in your room because you think you're going to cause a wolf to go nuts. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and get your ass down to that bonfire because Bella is there and I am not going back without you." I sighed, rubbing my arms as I weighed the pros and cons in my head.

"What if-?" Leah placed a hand over my mouth, shaking her head instantly.

"No, no 'what if's'. Get dressed and let's go. Embry's pining for you like a wounded puppy." Finally, I moved and climbed carefully back down, slipping through my window. I dressed quickly in comfortable jeans and a thick hoodie, sliding my flat leather boots over the top of the jeans. A brush was run through my hair hurriedly and Leah led the way (as usual) out of the house. Our walk was filled with companionable silence, which neither of us seemed to mind. It wasn't a very long walk and we soon stopped before the tree line. I nodded once at Leah's inquisitive look before the pair of us stepped out. The storytelling seemed to be over and I huffed angrily at having missed the best part of all the bonfires but brightened upon seeing Embry's gaping mouth. He was the first to move and dodged around the fire to pull me into a tight embrace. I happily returned it, feeling guilty that I had left him stewing for two days. We pulled apart only centimetres before our mouths locked, making me sigh. My arms wrapped around his neck as his clutched my waist and I found myself wondering when the last time we'd kissed was. 'Too long' was my eventual conclusion.

"I missed you," Embry breathed when we finally split. I smiled apologetically.

"Sorry," I replied, equally as quiet. He just shrugged, kissed my forehead before relinquishing me to a reprimanding Emily.

"Never again!" she scolded, hugging me tightly then letting go. I smiled innocently, shrugging my shoulders as I retreated back to Embry. My boyfriend instantly wrapped his arms around my stomach as everyone smiled at me before returning to the bonfire. My relieved smile turned to a glare as I saw the familiar pale faced brunette next to my grinning brother. For once, it seemed that Bella wasn't the object of the grin, but me. I waved at him and, for the first time in two days, I didn't flinch in fear. It was just something that had happened and no one had gotten hurt. That was it. That was all.

XXX

8th June

Embry stopped me walking into the house a few days later with an expression somewhere between a smirk and annoyance on his face.

"Jake and Bella are inside." I nodded, instantly turning around to walk away.

"Let's go!" I called quietly over my shoulder. I had managed to avoid Bella at the bonfire by talking to everyone except her and Jake (unless Jake came over without her) but I couldn't avoid her in my own house before hitting her. Embry's amused laughter hit my ears and I rolled my eyes. He was so happy that I was talking again that nothing else seemed to really affect him. Even his problems with his mom didn't seem to affect his overly good mood.

"Wait a sec," he suddenly said and I reluctantly turned back into his side. He didn't say anything else so I simply followed his focus to find Jake and Bella leaving the house. Jake looked absolutely wiped, like he'd fallen asleep, and his hair was sticking up strangely. Bella had a look of concern yet interest on her face and I fought the urge to walk up to her and push her. Hard.

"What are they saying?" I asked in annoyance, unable to hear from such a far distance. Embry grinned down at me and skulked through the trees so that we were closer to Jake and Bella. I assumed Jake was too busy to hear us sneaking around and eavesdropping. I listened to the conversation with growing anger, Bella's over-the-top addiction to her boyfriend making me cringe and Jake's obvious adoration for Bella making my heart pang with sympathy. Expressions on both ends (mostly Bella's though) transformed through various stages as Embry and I gazed at the pair. Given that Embry had forgiven Jake (after a lot of convincing on my part), I could tell it was hurting him too to hear the confessions and the pathetic words out of Bella's mouth. I noticed that, since Jake had grabbed her chin earlier in the conversation, he hadn't let go as yet. My eyes widened to the point where they almost fell out of their sockets and I felt sick as I watched Jake press a kiss to Bella's lips. It looked uncomfortable and nowhere near the kind of kiss one would want to receive.

"Oh," Embry breathed but I didn't pay attention. Jake was gripping Bella's head too hard and I saw her struggling, despite him not appearing to notice. I didn't like Bella but she shouldn't be forced into something she didn't want to do – not even she deserved that. Then she stopped. Her arms dropped down, she ceased her struggle and seemed to be waiting. Eventually, Jake stopped too and I sighed in relief, glad that part was over. They exchanged some more words and then . . . Bella hit him. I couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped me and Embry just shook his head at me. Bella shrieked, stupidly waving her hand about like she was having a fit and I finally came out, waltzing over casually. By the time I got over there, Bella had resorted to insulting Jacob.

"I can't wait to see what Edward does to you! I hope he snaps your neck, you pushy, obnoxious, moronic DOG!" she screeched and I paused next to them.

"You were the one that hit him," I pointed out gleefully. I was in no way admitting I'd felt sorry for her previously. She glared at me and I just raised my eyebrows in a slightly challenging way. Bella seemed to realise that, even though Jake had a ridiculously soft spot for her and had just admitted his love to her, she would get eaten alive if she so much as touched me. That was reaffirmed when Embry came up behind me and firmly held my hand. Bella breathed harshly at the pair of us before climbing into Jake's car nearby. I grinned at Jake who just rolled his eyes at me playfully and climbed into the other side. They drove off and I waved sarcastically before kissing Embry cheerfully.

"You're out of control," he joked, nudging me playfully. I gave him my best innocent expression before giggling.

"Let's go – we actually have the house to ourselves." And I dragged him inside so we could relax alone for once.

I just feel the need to justify myself – Hetani hates Bella so much because of the danger she's bringing to her family (biological as well as the pack) and because she keeps coming back to Jake. Anyhow, I will see you Sunday morning (British time) for an update! Love Bianca :) x