Chapter 3 – Dinner Run In

Friday had come fast, Veronica woke up, her muddy blue eyes looked at the wolf on the wall and she smiled softly. She thought back to the previous few nights before hand, she'd made a habit out of going to the beach after mid-night to draw and just like every other night, when she was sketching; she couldn't help the feeling that she was being watched. And when she decided to head home at 2 am, she felt like someone was following her. But she wasn't scared. She felt safe and protected. She couldn't understand why. She should've been terrified but she wasn't. She pulled herself from bed and showered. She dressed in jeans, white sneakers and a white form fitting t-shirt. She'd dried her hair and left it down. Embry had called the night before and told her him and his friends were having a bonfire later that night to welcome her to La Push.

Embry was bouncing on his heels with excitement and anticipation, not able to wait to introduce his sister to everyone in the pack. Emily was having a cookout, which was a weekly thing for the pack, a chance for everyone to gather and simmer down from patrolling and the fire house duties, to have fun. He wore a simple black t-shirt with black cargo shorts, ignoring his sister's incredulous look when she walked out of her room fully dressed and ready.

"I'm not cold." He stated when she questioned his attire, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and watched as she immediately snuggled against him. "I know I'm warm. Come on, mom is over at Sue Clearwater's for the evening and made me promise to get you out of the house. You'll love everyone." He then led her out of the house toward his car, opening the passenger door and sped off to Emily's moments later.

Veronica followed Embry into the house; she smiled brightly as Embry introduced her to Emily. The woman was beautiful. Even if three claw marks marred the right side of her face. Once Emily pulled her into a tight hug, she pulled back and looked at her and the scars had suddenly disappeared. Roni sat down at the table and Emily handed her a glass of water. She watched as Emily filled a cookie sheet with raw dough; as they made small chatter waiting for everyone else to show up.

Veronica got up to go to the rest room; she'd heard the front door open and close a few times and could hear more people talking. Once she finished she walked back down the hallway and suddenly bumped into someone, hot hands grabbed her upper arms to keep her steady, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry."

Paul hadn't budged an inch, though he was certain whoever plowed into him had gotten hurt. He heard the voice and slowly looked down at the small woman in his hands, eyes widening slightly at the sight of the beauty he'd been watching at the beach. Suddenly, it was as if a gravitational force field had concreted his feet to the flooring and all Paul could do was stand there and stare into her beautiful brownish blue eyes.

They were the most unique shade he'd ever seen on a woman and Paul had his fair share of women throughout the years. She was beautiful from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. He swallowed hard, the pull was already there and Paul knew right then and there what happened. He'd imprinted on Embry Call's little sister, Veronica. "No need to say sorry, it's my fault, miss." He decided to play dumb because knowing her name before they were properly introduced wouldn't have been a first good impression. "Are you okay?"

Veronica smiled up at him as she tried to steady herself as well. He was gorgeous. His dark eyes were almost onyx. He was at least a head taller than her, his hands finally left her upper arms and she suddenly felt cold. "Wow what do they feed you guys here? Embry used to be a scrawny little kid, now he's got muscles in places I didn't know he could have." She couldn't pull her eyes from him as he looked down at her, "I'm so sorry, I'm so rude, my name is Veronica Call. I'm Embry's sister." Veronica held her hand out as she felt him take it into his large warm handshake it gently.

"It's very nice to meet you, Veronica." Her name was a smooth caress escaping his lips, a jolt of electricity flying up his arm, sending shivers down his back. Her touch was so soft, Paul wondered what other parts of her were soft, immediately dismissing them. Or rather pushing them in the back recesses of his mind for a later time when he was alone. He smiled and gave her a cursory once over, making sure he hadn't hurt her in any way. "And they feed us anything and everything around here." He winked, smiling easily and finally released her hand, not wanting to scare her in any way.

Veronica giggled, "Yea mom said Embry is like a garbage disposal with a tape worm and a bottomless pit. I think maybe you guys have been eating miracle grow by the handfuls." She raked her fingers through her long hair as she smiled softly, "I better get back before Embry comes looking for me. He'll have an aneurism. It was nice meeting you. I hope we can talk more later." She brushed against him since the hallway was small with his huge body, she could feel something in her that made her want to stay and talk to him until the earth stopped rotating, but knew Embry would be looking for her.

Jake walked through the front door and an empty can came sailing through the air and smacked him in the forehead, "Damn it Emily! I'm only 5 minutes late. I was trying to finish paperwork at the station."

Emily scoffed, "I don't want to hear it Jake. You were supposed to be here at a certain time so we could get dinner on the table and then start the bonfire. And stop calling Claire and trying to smooth shit over. It's going to take her a little while to not be pissed off at you. She'll be here tonight with Quil so just leave her alone." She nodded with finality.

At that moment, Quil and Claire walked inside the house, Claire sticking to her boyfriend's side like glue. She lowered her eyes at the sight of Jacob and couldn't handle it, walking right back out. Quil glared angrily at Jacob, wanting to rip him to pieces because he'd gotten called every name in the book by his imprint. He had to change his cell number and made Claire a promise he would not give it to Jacob, which sucked considering they were best friends. It was like he was torn between his best friend and his imprint, though Quil knew he would obviously choose his Claire Bear over anyone, even someone who was like a brother to him.

Jake frowned; he knew he had to make things right for Quil and Claire. Jake looked at Emily as she glared at him, "I'm sorry Emily, I'm not going to ruin every ones night. It was a prank that went too far and I didn't mean to hurt Claire. I'm just going to patrol. It will keep me out of trouble. And Claire can have fun tonight." Jake walked out of the house and passed Claire on the porch. Jake looked at Claire but didn't say anything to her as he jumped off the porch and phased before he hit the trees. Running through the trees at a fast rate.

Quil watched as Jacob phased and frowned, feeling bad for his friend while Claire went to talk to everyone like it was no big deal. He actually glared at Claire and crossed his arms in front of his chest while she laughed at something Leah said, her mood completely changing as soon as Jacob left the bonfire. "You know what? I'm gonna go patrol with Jacob." Quil announced, causing Claire to turn around as their eyes locked and she could see the anger in his eyes.

"Quilly?" Claire frowned, not liking the look on his face and grabbed his arm before he could walk away. "I thought you were mad at him like I was?"

"I was…until I saw how heartless you were by acting like it was okay not to have him here with us. It was a stupid prank not even meant for you, Claire. You take shit way too personally and I'm sick of it. You need to remove your head from your tight ass and learn how to take a joke otherwise you might as well not even come to these gatherings anymore. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find Jake and bring him back here. Feel free to leave if you want."

Tears instantly slid down Claire's cheeks as she watched Quil phase and took off into the woods after Jacob, her eyes widened to saucers.

Everyone was shocked, including Emily, because Quil was normally the quiet one of the pack who just shattered his imprint.

Veronica walked into the kitchen and sat at the set table next to Embry who nudged her with his elbow and she yelped and rubbed her ribcage. "Are you made of iron or something Embers? Damn I think when you elbowed me just now you poked through my ribs and stabbed my left lung." She couldn't help laughing when Embry's grin turned into a frown. She smiled softly when she noticed everyone sitting down and a warm arm brushed against her upper arm, she looked over and saw Paul. She'd found out his name once Embry introduced her to everyone.

Leah couldn't stop the giggle as it escaped her lips, "Embers?"

"Huh what?" Embry had been staring straight ahead and became lost in thought, finally noticing that Paul had so conveniently sat beside his sister. He stood up instantly and lifted Veronica up, placing her beside Leah so he was sitting beside Paul, smiling innocently. "Sorry, are you having fun Roni?"

"Real subtle." Leah grunted, causing Embry to glare back at her, refusing to allow the hot head anywhere near his sister.

Veronica pinched Embry's arm, "Embry Call that was rude, I was speaking with Paul." Embry just shrugged his shoulders at her.

He could already tell there was a connection between them and Embry hoped it wasn't serious. "Bring on the food, Em. I'm starved!"

"Yeah - yeah hold your damn horses, Embry Call." Emily growled good natured, causing Sam to blink because he'd never heard her do that before and found it incredibly sexy.

"Damn, do that again."

Emily promptly popped him in the back of the head with her wooden spoon. "Later; if you're good."

Everyone began laughing as dinner was served, Claire having gone home after crying her heart out with Leah and Emily, promising to call them later.