Chapter Thirty

Thank you so much for the reviews! Keep telling me about whether you prefer an Emmett/OC or Jared/OC.

Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight but I do own Hetani, Elisha, anyone and anything else unrecognisable.

Hetani POV

One week after I woke up, I was finally allowed to leave the hospital. My dad, being exceptionally worried after everything that had happened, had wanted to send almost the entire pack to escort me home but I assured him that it wasn't necessary. All the same, Embry, Jake and Sam were in the car with me to take me away from the hospital and I knew for a fact that there were at least three wolves in the surrounding forest too. They were taking it to extremes but I loved them all for caring so much.

"Home sweet home," Jake said when we finally pulled up in front of the little red house that I had missed insanely. Jake and Sam were out of the front seats quickly, Jake opening my door for me on his way to the trunk. Embry practically ran round from his side to help me gently out of the vehicle and it took a lot of convincing for them to let me walk. I was still completely knackered from blood loss and lying in a bed for a week and a half, so they were all concerned my legs couldn't hold me up. So, Embry had his arm around my waist to keep me steady without picking me off the ground and just carrying me. Jake followed us with the bag of stuff I'd been brought to entertain me in the hospital and Sam brought up the rear with the three large platters of leftover food and cakes that Elisha's mom had made. I was amazed that there were any leftovers, considering all the wolves that had visited me (and Nessie, who could really eat thanks to Jake's influence).

"Hey dad," I greeted quietly, sending him a smile before Embry led me over to the couch and sat me down very carefully. Dad grinned at me, pleased to see me home and almost in one piece. Sam walked past us all with the food and I vaguely wondered how long it would last. Snorting, I knew it wouldn't make it to the next day.

"Hetani, I want you to stay on this couch, alright? I'm going to visit Sue and Charlie, so I'm trusting you to behave," he lectured sternly and I nodded meekly.

"Don't worry, dad, these three will keep me from doing anything stupid." A sly grin suddenly lit up Embry's face and I looked at him questioningly. Jake sighed but there was a small smile of amusement on his lips.

"We're not going to be here," Embry began.

"And, despite her bad influence, I'm sure she'll be able to keep you in control," Jake finished whilst Sam moved to the front door and held it open. My confusion was momentary as Elisha waltzed into my house like she owned it, followed by her mom carrying yet more food. The food was deposited on the coffee table and Elisha put all the boxes in her arms on the ground.

"Right, I want my girly time, so you lot – scoot!" she called, gesturing for all the guys to leave. Embry grinned before kissing me on the cheek and leaving first. Sam nodded to us all and left too, followed by a frowning Jake. I rolled my eyes at him – even Elisha wasn't crazy enough to get me off the couch in my condition. My dad was the last to leave and he smiled at me gently before exiting. Elisha's mom beamed at me.

"You two have fun," she said lightly and closed the door behind her. Elisha's smile was so wide it looked painful but I let her have her fun. We hadn't seen each other so much over the week in hospital as I was always with one of the wolves or Nessie or an imprint. My eyes travelled to the boxes on the ground and I laughed just a little as I spotted Monopoly on top of the pile.

"Yes, Hetani, it is time to return to our childhood. And I'm going to kick your ass," Elisha declared, pulling the game towards her. She shoved the coffee table so it was pressed directly against the couch, meaning I wouldn't have to lean forwards so much. Then she shuffled behind me and propped me up on basically every cushion we had in the house and angled my legs so they were stretched along the couch. The board game sat on my right and I knew Elisha move the dog (I was always the dog) when it got out of my reach. Smiling excitedly, we both sat down and started playing. It was nice to have girl time.

XXX

Seth POV

Abby and I had been casually walking along First Beach after school when she suddenly stopped, turning to face me abruptly. I had been concerned about her returning to the school but she'd proven to me that she was strong enough to deal with it. Despite that, I knew for a fact she hadn't visited the library since Spring Break had ended. Something told me Hetani wouldn't either.

"I have something for you," she stated and I eyed her questioningly. She didn't have to give anything to me – I almost had her. There was just the slight problem of telling her I was a wolf and she was soulmate. I didn't let that bother me, though. I'd tell her in due course.

"What is it?" I asked curiously, seeing her expectant expression. She smiled slyly and reached to her back pocket of her jeans, pulling out a folded piece of thick paper. It looked like it had been taken from an expensive sketchpad and I soon discovered it had been when she handed it to me. Intense intrigue took me over and I unfolded it quickly but gently, my jaw dropping open at the drawing. The realistic portrait showed every single detail of a wolf's posture and fur, a majestic creature on the top of a cliff, looking out over the sea. I could even see the minute lines that showed the wolf's fur moving in a breeze. Abby's name was signed in the bottom right hand corner but that drew my attention to the bottom of the page. In beautiful cursive script, there was a name.

Seth

"I know it's not perfect and I had to use charcoal because I've never actually seen your wolf form, so I don't know what colour you are," she babbled but I was in complete shock. She wasn't running, she wasn't completely freaked out, she was drawing me and saying that it was a bad likeness? I was seriously confused.

"Abby . . . what?" I stuttered and she finally looked up from her emphatic hand gestures with a bewildered expression.

"I know all about the Quileute legends, Seth. I just kind of put two and two together and poof! There you were in your higher-than-normal temperature glory." She was getting nervous, I could see that. Her eyes suddenly went wide. "Oh, my God, you are a wolf, right? I haven't just put my foot in it – oh, I'm sorry! You must think I'm completely nu-."

I kissed her. I had absolutely no control over my actions. I just saw her getting stunningly riled up and panicky and I had to soothe her. What I didn't expect was her to pull away abruptly and look at me with a horrified expression. She spluttered wordlessly and I knew I had to explain myself.

"I am a wolf a-a-and it's a great picture, really. I-I just . . . you're my imprint." Her face went as pale as possible as I blurted the truth out. She was shaking slightly and worry took me over. I approached her but hurt flooded through me as she stumbled back a few steps. Her eyes were round and almost fearful with a strong background of confusion. But I knew that she knew what an imprint was.

"I have to go." And she ran off. I didn't stop her as my heart constricted in my chest, knowing she needed time. But how much time?

XXX

Paul POV

I watched with something akin to sympathy on my face as Seth's imprint, Abby, scarpered off the beach. I left him alone because I was well aware of just how painful it was for an imprint to reject a wolf. Seth was just lucky it hadn't happened to him twice.

"She'll come around." My entire body went into denial. Even with Hetani's 'threat', Rachel had been avoiding me since her sister woke up. So, hearing her voice directly behind me struck me as unrealistic and I automatically assumed I was finally going insane. "Oh, are you ignoring me now? I guess that's fair." I heard an aggravated grumble before Rachel's familiar hand came in contact with my shoulder. Then I knew it wasn't a hallucination. I spun around to take in her gorgeous face, letting the coffee brown eyes envelop me in their familiarity. She was smiling hesitantly at me and I took a shaky breath to steady myself. She was really there, directly in front of me and her hand was still on my shoulder.

"Hey," I rasped out, cringing at the gritty texture of my voice. Her smile turned more relaxed as her hand moved down my arm, leaving a tingle of electricity in its path, and linked with my own hand. I immediately gripped back gently, utter elation spreading through my entire being as I realised she wasn't going anywhere.

"I finally decided that Hetani is right – I'm being really stupid. If she's forgiven you, then I should too. Granted, she's my baby sister and I am extremely protective of her – but I know you didn't do that on purpose. She's your baby sister too." With that, I knew I was forgiven. Unable to contain my euphoria any more, I scooped my imprint up and spun her around. Her beautiful laughter filled the air as I settled her feet back on the sand. A second later, our lips were pressed together. I let my hands run over her body, needing to really feel her. It had been the longest week of my life without her and I refused to let that happen again.

"I love you," I breathed against her lips, mouths brushing each other softly. Her glittering eyes looked at me unwaveringly.

"I love you too," she replied strongly. Thanking God, I pulled her in for another kiss.

XXX

One week later

Embry POV

Hetani's small body was pressed against my side as my arm encircled her waist, the pair of us walking towards the school. I could feel her shaking next to me and I squeezed her hip in reassurance. She didn't look at me, her deceptively blank gaze focused on the building we were quickly nearing. She had been put on bed rest for a week following her release from hospital and it was officially her first day back, the middle of the week. Feeling her tense, I narrowed my eyes at the groups of students around us who were openly staring at Hetani and some were even stopping what they were doing to gape at my girlfriend. I glowered at them all and sped up our approach. When we were inside, though, the staring didn't stop and Hetani buried her head into my chest in an attempt to escape the probing looks. I gently escorted her to her locker, whispering the occasional comforting word to try and soothe her as I got her books out (having easily guessed her combination). Thankfully, Hetani's rescue came in the form of her boisterous best friend.

"OI! Move it along, she's a girl, not an exhibit. Now, shift!" Elisha yelled at them all, waving her gloved hand at them all. Apparently striking the fear of God into the crowd, they all bustled about in their business, only the smallest glance drifting Hetani's way now and again. Elisha huffed loudly before halting next to us.

"Thanks Elisha," Hetani mumbled, coming out from her hiding spot. Elisha rolled her eyes affectionately, looking at me pointedly. I handed over Hetani's books (as they were still too heavy for her to handle) to her best friend just as the bell rang.

"I'll see you at lunch, sweetheart," I whispered in Hetani's ear, pressing a kiss to her forehead before I left the two girls alone in the corridor. I desperately wanted to escort Hetani to class because the last time those two had been alone in the damn school, they'd ended up in a hostage situation. Swallowing the bile rising in my throat, I insisted she'd be alright and walked into class at the same time as Jake and Quil. It would be a long day.

Hetani POV

Elisha, being the best friend that she was, had taken me to all of my classes and carried all of my textbooks for me. She had even made sure to clear a path through all of the hallways because people walking into my left side really wasn't a good idea. By lunch, the entire school population had stopped staring and just sort of fell out of the way when we came along.

"Right, your books are in your locker and your friends await!" Elisha declared and I suddenly felt like she was trying to get rid of me. Slowly, so as to not attract her suspicion, I glanced around the cafeteria. Elisha's eyes kept darting somewhere to my left and I saw why. An attractive boy sat alone at a table nearby, his eyes darting over to Elisha every so often. His black hair fell in soft waves to his shoulders and he was well built but not as strong as the wolf packs.

"Hm, yeah, I do see them." I cleared my throat, looking at her significantly. "You two have fun," I teased before slowly backing away. Knowing she'd been busted, Elisha's cheeks flushed bright pink under her russet skin but I just left her to her business. I would find out all the details later.

"Hey you," Embry said affectionately, his arm sliding around my waist as I sat next to him. I leant my head against his left shoulder and looked at everyone at the table. Paul was stuffing his face with food next to a disgusted looking Jake (the hypocrite). Jared and Kim were sitting much like Embry and I were except they were feeding each other and Quil had just sat down on the other side of Jake, eyeing the couple with grossed out amusement.

"Tani, how's your . . . shoulder?" Jake eventually asked. Even though it wasn't really my shoulder that had been injured, I understood his hesitation and let it slide.

"Oh it's fine. Elisha has made sure no one has come within three feet of it," I assured him and he smirked, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, so we heard," he replied and I giggled. Elisha's reputation preceded her clearly.

"Fancy a walk?" Embry breathed into my ear and I nodded. He helped me up and we bid goodbye to everyone before leaving through the cafeteria doors than led outside. We walked hand in hand, close together with the occasional comment. But it was nice to walk in relative silence as just the sounds of nature accompanied us.

"Embry, what's on your mind?" I queried when we'd been walking quietly for around ten minutes. I knew there was something on his mind from the delicate frown denting his forehead and he knew that I knew it. Sighing, he turned to look at me properly as our walking stopped.

"I'm just worried about you," he confessed and I smiled lightly, moving my hands carefully to cup his cheeks. He looked at me unwaveringly and I saw the pure devotion in his eyes.

"Embry, I'm OK. I'm not great by any means, but I am doing better. And I will be great eventually," I told him softly and he closed his eyes briefly before opening them and moving his hands to hold mine.

"I just can't stand to see you hurting again," he whispered brokenly and I wrapped my arms around his waist. His arms gently wrapped around me too, wary of my shoulder.

"I know and I don't want to hurt again. But something like this won't happen to me again. I don't want you to worry too much – it'll torture you." I was begging and his arms tightened in response to it.

"I'll always worry about you, honey. You're my Tani and I love you," he breathed into my ear and I smiled widely in response.

"I love you too, Embry. And we will be just fine." And we just stood there, holding each other in an effort to reassure the other that everything would be alright again. And it would be – eventually.

There you have it! The next chapter will have moved on from the drama of the shooting. So far, we've have two votes for Jared/OC and one for Emmett/OC – keep telling me! Oh, and I'm thinking, JUST THINKING, of a sequel to this with kids or something, what do you reckon? Love Bianca :) x