Lunar Ascension

Chapter 15: What Now?

Disclaimer: All things in the Twilight universe belong to Stephenie Meyer and her publishers. The song and lyrics belong to the band and their representatives. Any other copyrighted material included in this story belongs to their rightful owners. Cheers ma dears! Rated M.

***Small Lemon included***

I want to be wild and bold enough to run with you, my baby
I want to skip time lay the hours aside and stay with you , my baby
But oh if I look down now , will I fall
And what if the water's cold , when I fall
When I Fall by Lizz Wright

The trek toward Forks was made quickly, and silently. The only sound among the group was the panting from Greg and Steve who were being carried by Edward and Emmett. They didn't really like the speed of it but there was no way they could keep up, even with their long ass legs.

All of the minds in the pack members were focused on their mates, their children, and what failure could mean for them all, the mood was somber but there was one amongst them all that stood out. One that was filled with a different kind of pain, one with anger that wasn't directed at the foreign vampires, but at me.

'Spit it out, Embry. Get it off your chest. You'll feel better.' I sighed at him, hoping that the others were too preoccupied to listen to our conversation. Though I figured if his mental voice was as loud as his pictures it wouldn't take them long to notice.

'I'm not you, Leah. I don't need to air my dirty laundry for everyone to see. We'll talk about it later,'he said, locking me out of his mind as best he could. It didn't stop me from seeing that Brady had imprinted though. Now the kids were starting to go, and Embry was feeling more and more alone. For a second I realized that he'd never expected me to imprint.

It wasn't that he hadn't wanted it for me, that wasn't who Embry was. I think he just had it in his mind that we were meant for one another. We'd always had a passion between us, but I couldn't deny that it was nothing compared to what I had with Travis. I wanted that for Embry, I wanted him to find the one person that would make him feel like the most important person to exist, but he would never find it in the boundaries of the reservation. As soon as this thing was over, I was going to take him to Seattle with me, and I was going to open his mind so he could finally live. It had worked wonders for me.

The wolves split off from us as we breached the treaty line that no longer existed. Embry gave me a look that asked if I was coming but he refused to actually talk to me, so the only option I had was to show him a picture of Travis with the Cullen's, and hope he understood. I couldn't be away from him after this revelation. I needed the reassurance that he was still within my reach. I knew the three that were with me felt the same way. All three brothers were anxious to see their mates, even though, without speeding, it was a two hour drive so we still had at least another forty-five minutes until they arrived.

Embry followed the pack back to the reservation, his head down, ears flicking with agitation. He looked back only once, and I was still watching after him. I couldn't feel guilty about needing to see Travis. Part of me knew I had time to kill, but my heart was in control as it lead me toward the house the Cullen's had occupied up until eighteen months ago. I knew Charlie wasn't going to complain, he called Bella and Nessie every night. Having them just up the road was going to be a treat.

Edward starting removing dust sheets and polishing surfaces the moment he opened the door, but I stayed on the porch and kept my eyes on the driveway, unable to shift or even breathe. My sitting turned to curling up with my head on my paws as I waited, Greg and Steve eventually made their way to me and took their places beside me. I knew it was stupid to stay in this form, but I couldn't shake all of the information from my brain. It was only going to be worse in human form, as a wolf I had the ability to push away some of my humanity in order to do what we needed to do. The moment I was in my human skin, it would all come rushing back and it would set me on edge.

I heard the car engine long before I saw it, Edward and the others met me on the porch with anticipatory glances through the trees. We were all stood shoulder to shoulder as the small train of cars finally pulled up the driveway, and I was actually pleased to see that Carmen and Eleazar had been nice enough to bring my jeep.

When the doors started to open I was sure my tail was actually coasting side to side in my happiness, but I didn't turn to check it out and nobody commented so I just went with it. I leapt from the porch in one swift movement and trotted to the car I could see Travis sharing with Jacob, Bella and Nessie. It took me a second to realize that I was still in wolf form, but I wasn't going to phase with an audience.

I couldn't blame Travis for climbing out cautiously, he knew I still had my mind but it was the first time he'd seen me as a wolf since the night I'd been shot and I wasn't taking offense to it. Instead, I pushed my muzzle under his arm and actually groaned in happiness. Just having that touch made my heart calm and my body relax.

"You're beautiful in any form," he whispered, running his fingers through the rough fur around my neck. I simply sighed in contentment, almost itching to get back into my own skin so I could close the distance between us. His hands moved over my body, brushing the fur of my cheek, gently running over my stop and tugging on my ears gently. I let him examine my wolf form before I would nag for clothes and some privacy.

He regarded me with the same reverence he always did, there was no longer fear or trepidation for this huge beast in front of him, I don't think there ever really was, but his curiosity now was killing me, because my body was sensitive to his touch in any form and he was making it very hard to concentrate.

"Why is she not changing back?" Travis asked Edward, his hand rubbing my neck in idle circles. "Is she hurt?"

I looked at Edward and laughed, he was still wrapped around Bella and Nessie, but raised his head to look at Travis with amusement.

"She needs some clothes, and I think she's enjoying the belly scratch."

'Shut it, Edward. I was just starting to like your smelly ass. Don't make me change my mind.'

It only made him laugh harder, but Travis was already digging through a duffel bag filled with my things, he didn't hand them to me though, he simply walked toward the garage and nodded his thank you when someone hit a clicker opening it. I entered and waited for him to hit the mechanics on the wall to close it. Without all of the Cullen's cars inhabiting it, the garage was a cavern.

I phased back into my body only to be swept into Travis' arms. His strong arms folded around me and pulled me into his chest leaving me very little room to argue. His lips dropped kisses into my hair as we stood in silence. I was finally getting a feel of how concerned he'd been.

"I'm fine," I mumbled into his neck, wrapping my arms around his waist. "I'm sorry I worried you."

"Leah, I love my fucking dogs, but if you ever pull that shit again I swear on my life, I will lock you in our home and throw away the damn key."

"I love you too," I laughed, dropping a kiss on his neck. "But I'm fine, a little pissed off but nothing killing a couple of non vegetarian vamps won't cure."

He snorted and pulled me close again. His breath making a warm path through my hair. This is what I'd needed, this was what I'd been waiting for sat on that porch. I needed his arms steady and solid around my body letting me know that he was here and how much he loved me.

"They're gonna think we're having a sweaty reunion in here." I laughed, pulling my head back to look at him.

"Not a bad idea," he chortled nodding to one of the empty work benches. "If you sit on the edge it's just the right height for . . ."

I shut him up by slapping him on the chest, but it didn't stop him from hooking his hands behind my knees and picking me up. He jogged across the room, his shoes squeaking on the painted concrete. When he deposited me ass first onto the counter, his lips immediately pressed to mine.

Our usual crackle seemed to ignite and dance around my body sending the small shock straight into my belly where the anticipation grew into a small ache of need. I was more than aware that I was buck ass naked, but I could have cared less, when his hands gripped my thighs and pushed them aside he stepped between them until his body was flush with mine.

It wasn't romance driving us, it was residual fear, the need to feel alive in the others arms. There was no pretense needed and as I unbuckled his belt and pushed his pants to the floor in one fell swoop. I knew I should be showing self control, that there were a houseful of vampire stood on the other side of very flimsy metal doors with extra sensory hearing, but I couldn't have stopped if I'd have tried.

Travis gripped my hips and pulled me to the very edge, without hesitation he pushed into me.

We both let out breaths that said more than a simply bodily function. It was a breath for pleasure, a breath for satisfaction, a breath that the other was here and there was finally a connection neither of us could deny. There was no slow movements, no worshipping, just skin on skin, need driving his movement, the need to feel alive.

Waves of pleasure rolled through my body as his hands gripped my hips and drove into me, he kept up the tempo while I moved my legs further, lifting one of them on the counter so I could feel the joy of being one with him as it undulated up my spine.

Our skin pebbled, as it dampened with sweat. We worked together, and at one point Travis stifled my moan with a hard kiss that had us scraping teeth. When both of us were close, he hooked his arms under my knees and let them slide to the crooks of his elbows as he drove himself home. I could feel my body moved and tighten, and I wasn't surprised by his surge of power as he fell closer and closer.

He knew the moment we were both about to fall over the edge, he could feel me just as clearly as I could feel him, he covered my mouth with his as he swallowed my call of elation and pure unadulterated pleasure. This was the reason I lived, he was the reason he would always be the reason. It took a second for the reality of the situation to crash over me, but one moment I was panting with pleasure, the next I was crying and folded in his arms.

"I'm sorry, I thought . . ."

"It's not that," I sighed into his shirt. "I wanted to it's just my mind won't shut down and I can't figure out how this is all going to end."

"Baby, no matter what happens we'll face it together. We're all scared, whether we want to admit it or not, Jacob barely let go of Nessie until he absolutely had to. None of us know what's coming or what it all means, but you have me and I have you and I intend to fight for that."

"God, I love you," I half wept and half laughed.

"I love you too," he grinned. "Say it again."

"I love you."

"One more time."

"I. Love. You."

"Just one more . . . Ow!" he laughed rubbing his arm where I slapped him.

Thankfully, when we emerged from the garage the Cullen's had been smart enough to cut and run. I was Sure Travis' intentions had been more than obvious when he'd guided me away from the group, but if that hadn't been enough Iw as sure the squeak of his shoes had been more than enough of a confirmation.

We all sat in the living room in various states of shock, I could see Bella looking thoughtful and I was certain she was masking us all with her shield. When she finally turned her head and our eyes met, I gave her a small nod. I knew she had to be feeling the same way I did.

"Are you hungry?" she asked me suddenly. "I haven't forgotten how to cook just yet and we bought some groceries on the way up here."

"Bells that would be . . ."

"Great," Bella said not waiting for him to finish. She hopped up from her seat next to Edward, when he moved to get up with her she pushed him back into his seat. "Leah, would you mind giving me a hand?"

She wasn't fooling anybody with her terrible acting, but at least everyone knew to butt out while we had a heart to heart in the kitchen. If I was rewarded with some of her killer lasagna at the end I was not complaining. I gave Travis a peck in the lips before following her example and clambering to my feet, and tracking her into the kitchen.

I parked it on one of the stools by the island and cupped my cheeks with my hands as I balanced my elbows on the counter. She flitted around the kitchen like a hummingbird, her mahogany hair trailing behind her as she moved.

When she finally had everything she needed, she leaned against the counter, her hands still moving with a blurring speed, but the rest of her was somewhat still.

"I hate this," she finally said. "I can see it in your eyes that you're blaming yourself as well."

"It's us they want," I replied, confirming without really confirming. "But I think I know somewhere inside that there was nothing we could do to stop this, other than not being born which is just stupid."

Bella laughed and stabbed the knife into the wooden board without conscious thought, she made another hummingbird impersonation before settling again.

"I just can't believe that power hungry bastard is at it again. I'm tired of feeling as though I'm constantly looking over my shoulder for him. I realize we embarrassed him, but you'd think he'd figure out that we're not willing to go down without a fight."

"No offense, but he's a centuries old vampire, the vampire that governs vampires, in fact. Did you honestly think he was going to walk away. We all have something he wants, and he's going to keep trying until he gets it. We should have just killed the fucker while we had the chance."

Bella was already putting the layers of lasagna down and I was watching her with shock. That was some fast prep time. When she pushed a bowl of meat sauce and a spoon at me, I didn't even pause before inhaling it.

"Do you put crack in this?" I asked between mouthfuls.

"It's the paprika and herb mix I made. Do you think we could have killed him?"

"Who? Creepy vampire guy that smiles a lot?"

Bella snorted and leaned against the counter, watching me inhale more of her sauce. "Aro, yes."

"Honestly, I don't know, but the way those on the sidelines jumped ship, I would say yes. They couldn't use their most valuable weapons on us because of your shield thing. I don't think we would have all made it out alive though."

"You're right, Leah. I just hate this, it's always something with them. Do you think it ever occurred to them to ask for our help against Maria?"

"You're way too logical, Bella," I teased. "I don't think that's how they see the world. They want something. It seems as though they think they have the right to take it."

"And doesn't that just piss you off?"

"Yes actually, it does. It feels like every time we seem to find a comfortable path and start getting happy, they rear their ugly heads. I actually started to believe that I was going to finally have a happily ever after."

"You will. I'm determined you will. Travis is good for you."

"I think so." I grinned. "I think I probably owe you several apologies for the crap over the years, but . . ."

"Don't you dare apologize, Leah," she laughed sweetly. "We all make mistakes and the only time you ever really yelled at me, I think I deserved it."

"Well, thank you, but I think you're entirely too forgiving."

She laughed and continued to clean up the small mess she'd made in the kitchen. This was possibly the strangest day I'd ever had, a death threat and a new friend all in one afternoon. I just hoped that I lived long enough to enjoy the bridged gap.

A/N: I know it was a relatively slow chapter in comparison to the last few, but I figured that it was time for them to regroup, get their priorities in order and finally communicate with one another. Poor Embry, against all the odds, he still ended up in love with Leah.

Thank you to all of you who read, alert, favorite, and review. Again, you astound me with your kindness and your involvement with the characters. I love hearing your thoughts and opinions. You're all amazing!

To Hev99, Sabi'sSookie, and PinkIndeed... Thank you for being there and for all the pre reading and advice. I love you guys loads! MWAH!