Chapter Thirty One

Hello! Thank you for the reviews/alerts/favourites, I appreciate every single one. Right, I decided to hurry this along a bit, so you'll see where we've now ended up. And, for the first time in a WHILE this is ALL Hetani's POV.

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

Time went by, sometimes slowly and sometimes quickly – but every second was treasured. There was something about a near-death experience that put everything into perspective and I found myself relishing in the little things, like the sound of my family's laughter, Embry's eyes every time he looked at me and the warm feeling I got when I was with my family. After a while, in the middle of May, I finally brought myself to return to the library. It hadn't lasted long, just the length of time it took to check out a book I wanted, but it was progress. Everything had definitely taken a better turn but the best part of the few months leading away from my shooting was Abby and Seth. Paul, after making up with my sister, had taken it on himself to inform me of the predicament with Abby and Seth. Naturally, I chose to approach her first.

"You knew," she said before I had even opened my mouth. It was the day after I'd returned to school and I had tracked her down with Elisha's help to the outside benches, where she sat alone.

"Yes and I still do," I confirmed and she looked up at me beseechingly.

"The wolf thing I can handle . . . but the imprinting? I'm just a freshman, Hetani. I don't need that kind of pressure!" she exclaimed and I paused, smiling at her a tiny bit. She was clearly too freaked out to remember everything about imprinting. Shifting slightly, I winced as my shoulder moved the wrong way. Abby looked apologetic. "Listen to me, complaining about boy problems, and you're sitting there after being shot. How are you?"

"I wish everyone would stop asking me that. You better watch out, though. If Elisha hears you . . ." I trailed off to laugh at my best friend. She was wrangling anyone who brushed me, irritated me or questioned me on the library and she was giving them Hell.

"I'll bear that in mind."

"So, you do realise you don't have to be tied down, right?" She looked bemused at my statement and I sighed, looking at her imploringly. "A wolf is anything you need to be – a friend, a brother but always a protector. You don't get a choice in that." It was strange to be the grown-up, giving advice to the latest imprint. Sure, I'd done it with Rachel but she was my sister – it was expected of me. Abby suddenly brightened up.

"Really?" she asked quickly and I nodded.

"Yeah, he's yours to command," I joked and she looked a lot more confident about the situation.

"Thanks Hetani," she said then rushed away.

Seth had become just what Abby needed; a best friend and confidant. I knew from Embry that she spoke to Seth about everything, including the trauma of the shooting, and he listened with apt attention. Meeting him had come at the opportune time.

"Come on, Hetani, move!" Jake yelled and I smiled, looking in the mirror. My junior year had ended, passing pretty uneventfully and it was time for Embry, Jake and Quil's graduation. I was dressed in a cream silk dress covered with lace with a boat neck and sleeves that only covered my shoulders. It clung to my torso then flared out at the waist, falling just above my knees. I had bright red heels on, only three inches high so I could walk and my hair was straightened especially.

"I'm coming!" I called back, smiling with my clear glossed lips at the sound of my brother. I grabbed my little purse then went downstairs, where my dad and brother were waiting. Rachel was going to arrive with Paul and Embry was going with his mom.

"Finally," Jake grumbled jokingly and I snorted, letting him have his fun.

"Let's go," I replied, leading the way out of the door. Jake's Rabbit sat waiting and I climbed into the driver's seat as Jake helped dad in the back. I just grinned teasingly at Jake as he glowered at me from the passenger's seat. I had gotten my driver's license during my junior year and Jake had to suffer through me constantly stealing his keys. As predicted, Rachel didn't let me near her car.

"I hate you," he complained and I just rolled my eyes, driving towards the high school. Surprisingly, the gym was big enough to hold the graduating class plus guests. I pulled into a parking spot easily before climbing out. Jake clambered out of his side and helped dad whilst I analysed people in the parking lot. Families were smiling, taking pictures and laughing joyously at the fun event and I found myself grinning along with them.

"Alright Jacob, get that robe on and say cheese!" I cried happily, brandishing my camera. Jake moaned but put on the royal blue robe without further complaint along with his hat and stood next to dad. I took several pictures of them together before asking Sue, who had just appeared, to take some of the three of us.

"You look beautiful." I beamed widely, spinning around and into Embry's waiting arms. We held each other tightly before splitting apart and kissing each other briefly.

"Wow, I really like this blue on you," I complimented, eyeing him appreciatively. He looked absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous in the graduation robe and I noticed he'd tilted his hat to the side cheekily. He kissed me again and I saw several flashes from the camera. Great, those would be talked about in years to come.

"Let's go, lovebirds, we've got a graduation to get to!" Rachel shouted from the entrance. Paul looked at her adoringly, a small smile on his lips and I let Embry lead me over.

"Just think, Tani, this will be you next year," Rachel pointed out and I felt myself go pale. What would I be doing in a year? What did I want to do with my life? I started panicking.

"Don't scare our little sister, Rachy," a voice I hadn't heard in years said.

"Becca!" I cried jubilantly, turning quickly and hugging my other sister. She, being Rachel's twin, looked just like her. They weren't completely identical but it was obvious they were twins.

"Hello, Tani," she greeted as we parted. She exchanged greetings with the rest of the family and then was introduced to Paul and Embry, who she ate up with her eyes. I sometimes forgot she was married. "Nice going, little sis," she whispered as we entered the gym. I flushed, knowing Embry could hear her anyway and ignored her. Jake and Embry went to stand with Quil whilst I sat in between Rachel and Rebecca. Finally, the graduation began.

"Quil Ateara," our kind of greasy principle called out. Everyone, the entire two packs included, cheered for him as he walked across the stage. The four year old Claire cheered too from her position on Emily's lap. A couple more people went before Jake was called, earning the same response as Quil. Once more, a few people were called before Embry. Whistles and cheers echoed through the gym then more sober applause was produced for the rest of the graduates. I looked around everyone, seeing Embry, Jake and Quil lined up with those who had already received their diplomas and I knew I was truly happy.

XXX

"Won't you come on and, come on and raise your glass!" I danced embarrassingly to the loud sound of Pink's voice tearing from the speakers nearby. In true La Push fashion, the graduation after party was being held at the beach with music, a bonfire and underage drinking. As Rachel, Rebecca, Paul and Jake were present, there was no chance I was getting any alcohol but that didn't mean I wouldn't enjoy myself. Elisha had even shown up and it was her that had dragged me out to dance. Abby was there as well, talking avidly on a log with an animated Seth. Rebecca was talking with Emily and Kim, probably catching up on anything she'd missed in La Push as Rachel and I weren't very good at concealing secrets from our sister. The two women seemed to be doing perfectly fine with her, though.

"We can always, we can always party on our own!" Elisha yelled loudly and we broke out in chorus together, not caring that we probably looked ridiculous. It was nice to let loose every once in a while and school was out for summer – it was acceptable! We giggled like we were drunk although I knew both Paul and Jake were sniffing my drinks to make sure I didn't fall under the influence. I couldn't say the same for Elisha, who seemed a bit too excitable.

"I think she's drunk," Embry's amused voice whispered from behind me as his arms wrapped around my stomach. I leaned back against his chest, watching as Elisha stumbled and almost face-planted the sand. Were it not for Quil's astonishing reflexes, she would have had a mouthful of beach.

"I think you're right," I agreed, eyeing her with concern. She attempted to sit on a log next to Rachel but ended up on her back. My sister looked caught between amusement and disdain, eventually settling on the former and picking my best friend up with the help of Paul.

"We'll take her home. You two kids have fun," she informed me, walking off in front of her boyfriend, having surrendered Elisha's sleeping form to him completely.

"Yes, let's have fun," Embry growled lowly in my ear, sounding different from any other time I'd ever heard him speak. We started moving to the beat of a slower song, his hips moving against his back and I instinctively tensed as I felt the reason behind his low voice. Since he had told me he would wait for me to be ready, a year ago, we hadn't progressed much further. We had gotten to being able to get my shirt off but pushing any more than that was impossible as I shut down and couldn't go any farther. Embry, though I knew he understood and definitely wouldn't pressure me, was obviously frustrated. He was eighteen years old and his girlfriend wouldn't have sex with him. Deciding to avoid his, uh, issue behind me, I turned gently in his arms and looked up into his curious brown eyes.

"I love you," I breathed and his face split into a grin. He moved his head down to rub his nose against mine adoringly, his arms encompassing all of me and surrounding me with his beautiful warmth.

"I love you too," he replied easily, like it was the most natural thing in the world. In some ways, it was, as we would never love anyone else like we loved each other. That internal epiphany rocked me silently to the core and, although I was certain it didn't show in my expression, I knew Embry noticed. We would never, could never, love anyone else like we did for the other and I didn't want to. Neither of us did. A flood of heat at the realisation, not from Embry's muscled form, but from within, surged through me and I felt what Rachel had been talking about on the morning of my sixteenth birthday. I felt ready.

"Embry?" I questioned softly, his eyes burning into mine. He looked at me expectantly. "Make love to me."

So, what did you think? I'm estimating we have no more than five/six chapters left of this but I am seriously considering the sequel with the kids – I actually have the first chapter (which is odd, seeing as I haven't finished this yet), so thank you for the encouragement. And the votes are vastly in favour of Jared/OC, so work has started up on that too! Thank you and I will see you soon. Love Bianca :) x