Chapter 34

Annalise's POV

I sit on the hospital bed in Grandpa's office. My legs swinging back and forth as I hum waiting for Grandpa to finish looking at the chart. "Well," he starts; his eyebrows knitted together. He clicks his pen closed and looks at me smiling. "Seems like everything is perfect. Now we can eliminate the blood bags from your diet and you can go off hunting,"

I swallow staring at him blankly. "Hunting…" oh god…no. I look at the time. It's been more than 15 hours since my last blood bag… I need to feed soon and-this can't be happening.

He nods and places the clipboard on his desks. "Yes, you're healing is complete. No need for the blood bags."

I hop to my feet. "So everything is… er…fine?"

He chuckles lifting his gaze from a book. "Yes sweetie." He frowns studying me. "Why do you ask?"

I giggle nervously. "No reason," I give him the best smile. "I was just asking to…um… make sure I wouldn't get hurt if I pounce on an animal or something."

After a brief pause he starts. "It took longer for you to heal completely giving the fact of your extensive wounds and broken bones but I waited a day to be sure. You are in complete health to go off on your own."

"Ok…" He smiles at me once last time before he resumes reading the book from before. "So…" I'm not ready to leave the room. I know Nessie heard; she promised to wait for me. She wanted to make sure I was doing well. I was expecting for him to tell me that my bones are alright but I need the strength like last time. He kept giving me blood in a cup and I liked it that way. I was able to drink human blood without endangering a human. Now that it's gone… it's my worst nightmare. "Have you heard form Momma and Daddy? They left for Canada a day ago? Shouldn't they be back?" They left because of some old, ancient vampires that came here; and I needed to take Haylee far, far away from them. Vladimir and Stefan left unsuccessful to convince Grandpa to start a war with the Volturi. I was just glad Haylee wasn't here to see how creepy they really are.

Grandpa's eyes snap towards me. He clears his throat and gently shuts his book closed. "Yes," He closes his hands together. "They just needed to take care of things before returning,"

"Jessie's death?" I ask quietly. I remember telling him that that's what needed to be done. He was upset but understood why. What had him so freaked out was riding in a car with Haylee.

I watch as he places the contact lenses to resemble his human eyes then looks at me. "Jessie, you'll be fine. I know you don't want to hurt her and you won't," I reason with him.

He frowns angrily at me. "How do you know that? Do you not remember what happened last time?" He whispers frantically.

"Yes I do but…" I sigh as he shakes his head looking everywhere but me. "Hold your breath,"

He looks at me. "Will that be enough?"I can see the desperation in his eyes. It almost feels like I'm talking to the human Jessie.

"It will be."

"Can I go running?" I shake my head and he groans. "Why?"

"We can't risk anybody seeing you run faster than a car,"

"This can't be happening…" He mumbles under his breath. "Can't I just fake die here?"

"People need to believe that you're dead. Meaning your neighbors, classmates," I pause looking at him intently. "You're mother…"."

He snorts. "Well," He sighs. "We're going to wait forever. God knows where she's traveled. I don't even know if she's in my house."

"Jessie, please." I hold his hand. "Be strong. This needs to be done before your mom finds out you're missing and what about school? They can wait so long before they start investigating the reason you haven't been in school,"

"Same thing for you," he states.

"Axel is taking care of that. I trust he knows what he's doing," I shrug as he rolls his eyes. "Please Jessie, Please," I plead holding his ice cold hand; running my thumb over his smooth hard skin I wait for his answer.

He sighs and nods before turning and walking away. He awkwardly taps on the car door and he graciously slides in. I watch as they pull out and drive away. I wave as the car drives faster, disappearing. My head snaps towards the woods as I hear a howl. Jake. I run to the house seeing my family already waiting on the two vampires coming our way…

"Yes," Grandpa answers. Something about the way he answered made it sound like he's hiding something. "Amongst another things," Grandpa maintains his poker face.

"Right," I stare at him as he stares at me. His back straight, his hands in the same way; I sit on the little chair he has and I smile. "And Axel?" It's hard trying to read a vampire. For a human you can see if they're anxious, happy, relieved and more by the simple little reactions the body makes. A vampire on the other hand can go on for hours even days without moving a muscle. Especially a vampire that has centuries of practice.

Grandpa's flesh stretches into a smile. "Well he is doing great. He has convinced the principal that the family moved and is getting the transfer papers for the both. He will be joining Emmett, Rosalie and Jessie when he's done,"

"That's good," I sit back. "It's weird not seeing him for this long. I use to see him every day." Well almost every day. The days that didn't consisted in me healing… my body shakes in revulsion and I look back at Grandpa. I feel relieved that he didn't notice it as he's gone back to study some chart.

I turn around to someone knocking. I stiffen as Nessie pokes her head thought the side of the door and smiles. "Is Annie's check-up done?" She walks in. I smirk as I look at her. We both know she knows the answer to that.

"Yes," Grandpa nods smiling.

"And?" she looks between us. I roll my eyes.

"She's in perfect condition."

"Knew it!" Nessie does this little jump.

Grandpa and I laugh. "No…you heard it," I point out.

Nessie giggles. "That too,"

"Why don't you two go hunting together," He suggests. "It will be great."

"You're right Grandpa, it will be fun," Nessie nods and takes my hand. "Bye!" She yells as she literally pulls me out the room. "Bye Grandma!"

Grandma looks up from her sitting position on the couch and smiles. "Goodbye darlings,"

We run outside in silence. Standing in the middle of the woods "Can you get your head together," She whispers.

I frown. "What?"

"Your thoughts are all jumbled up. It's making me dizzy,"

My frown deepens. "Why are you reading my thoughts?"

"Well," She shifts her weight. "Ok, well, you were taking so long and I heard the way you kept starting a conversation," I nod slowly frowning for her to keep going. "Almost like you were trying to prolong the meeting; so, I wanted to know what has you so freaked out,"

"Oh," I swallow. "Did you get anything?" I tense up. As she shakes her head I sigh in relief. "Please don't read my mind. You can choose to read it, right?" She nods looking at me intently. "If something is wrong with me I'll tell you." I feel horrible lying to her. "It's just… going back out there is scary," not a lie.

"I understand. And I'm here for you." She holds both my hands. "I'm here no matter what,"

"I know that and thank you." I squeeze her hand. "Just please, don't read my thoughts. Don't be like Uncle Edward,"

She snorts. "Ok I won't read again. Just don't compare me to the old man," We laugh.

I hold out my pinky. "Promise?"

She immediately holds her pinky out. "Promise," Nessie looks down when we hear a 'ping'. She takes out a smart phone from her front pocket of her pink jeans. She unlocks it and begins smiling at the screen.

"Ok first, when did you get a phone? And two, is that Jake?" I wiggle my eyebrows.

I hear the fast clicks of the keyboard that appeared on the screen, her thumbs moving fast before locking it and looking at me. "First question; Momma got it for me last weekend; something about me being responsible enough to get one. Second question…" A cute blush appears on her cheeks.

"You don't have to answer anymore," I shake my head laughing.

"He wants to take a walk in the beach," She says smiling.

"Take a walk in the beach? Romantic," I laugh as he blush deepens.

"Yeah, well, I can say I can't if you want to hang out. I mean you've been back only for two days. And-"

"-Nessie its fine. Go have fun with Jake,"

She bites her lip. "Are you sure? What about our hunting trip?"

"Yes I'm sure. About the hunting trip…that can be later." Much later. Not all if possible.

She smiles widely. "Alright, well, see you around."

"Don't do anything crazy!" I yell as she runs. I hear her laughing before she's deep into the forest. My smile slowly disappears as I remember Grandpa's words. I look around, feeling the slight breeze pick up. I close my hand in a tight fist. "Calm down," I whisper to myself. The wind stops, altogether. I let out a breath and the wind returns to its natural state.

I rub my arm as I walk into the forest. The squirrels run around; birds flying freely. I can hear the crunch of the wooden sticks under my feet, echoing in my ears. I stop short when I begin smelling the mountain Lion. I can hear the purr it makes as the feet tiptoe on a fallen tree branch; the blood squirting rapidly through the veins. I scrunch my nose not liking the smell of it. For four years I have fed on the sweetness of a human…but I also have to remember that there was a time where I fed on animals too. Can I go back to that?

I look at it as it stalks an elk. The elegance of its steps would have me terrorized if I wasn't half-vampire. I run smoothly through the forest, being as silent as possible. The eyes of the lion are only fixed on the elk, oblivious to me. As it comes to a stop, ready to pounce, I come from behind and tackle it down. With my body I hold his and I bite down hard on its neck, ripping his skin apart. I suck like my life deepends on it. And all too soon it stops. I growl and throw the limp body down.

I need more. That wasn't enough! My eyes scan the forest to see the elk run away. I jump to my feet and swiftly follow, catching up to it fast. I trip it and I break the neck; hearing the bones crack. I'm so hungry… I can't get enough. As I near the neck all I see is red, frenzy, wild need…

…

"Annie!" I feel the familiar warmth hold my arms. I spin around and growl fiercely as I take my hunting stance. My eyes squint in anger. "You're ok," the voice says. "It's me," The voice continues. I frown in confusion as the red frenzy vanishes to reveal concerned brown eyes. "It's me Embry."

My eyes widen looking at him. "Embry?" What is he doing here? I thought I was alone.

"Annie, it's alright." Why is he saying it like that? Like if I was a scared child?

I notice his palm is covered in blood. His shirt is splattered in it. Is he hurt? I reach for him, "Embry are you-" I stop noticing my hand is completely covered in blood; red liquid running down my arm. My eyes dart to my light purple dress only to see it hang off my body in shreds; it barely even covers me, all splattered in blood. My eyes widen further in horror as I look at the ground. "What…" My hoarsely voice vanishes taking in the scene: a mountain lion, about five elks, and a bear...all dead. Their skin torn savagely, flies hover over the dead bodies spread around. This time the air stood deadly still.

"It's ok."

"What?" I walk backwards looking at the bodies. My eyes glance over at Embry. He stands still looking at me like if I was about to explode. "What happened?" My voice shakes. My feet still walking backwards; I feel numb from head to toe. I feel cold as the wind hammers against me.

Very slowly he speaks. "I came looking for you. You weren't at the main house and I knew Nessie was with Jake." He begins walking to me with slight, careful steps. "Then I found-"

I close my eyes. "-Don't say it. Please," I feel hot tears leave my eyes. This can't be happening. Not only did I lose control but… Oh god… Embry saw me. "Go," I sob. I sit below a tree and I bring my knees up hugging them. "Leave," I whisper.

"I'm not leaving Annie."

"Go Embry! Leave me alone!" I cry as I see the dead animals on the floor. I look at Embry still standing there, looking at me in shock. He probably thinks I'm the biggest monster ever. "LEAVE!" I scream as I hide my face in my hands. I feel the small droplets of water fall hard on me. "Go away," I sob. My body shakes.

I'm startle when I feel his giant hands carefully bring my hands down. "Don't cry," It sounds like someone is strangling him.

My eyes closed. "Please leave Embry. Go far away from me,"

There's a pause and I cry harder. He does want to leave me… it makes sense after what he saw. "Never," He whispers. My eyes pop open. He's image is blurry from the tears. His giant hand palms the side of my face. "I will never leave you."

"Why?" I sob. "I probably disgust you,"

His thumb wipes away my tears as it falls. His wet hair sticking at the temples; his hand never leaving my face with sad expression. He's probably sad to see how pathetic I really am. "I can never leave you Annie, not even if someone threatens to kill me if I didn't leave you."

I roll my eyes annoyed. "The whole imprint thing. You can try, be far away as possible," I sigh closing my eyes. I feel like my heart is contracting in pain. Like if someone was clawing my insides. This pain I've never felt before; and I know pain.

"It's not the imprint thing…" His soft voice says. "Look at me," I open my eyes but I stare off his shoulder. "Look at me dammit," he strongly adds.

My eyes bounce to his in shock. His once soft brown eyes are staring at me with intensity. They have turned into a brown flame; burning bright. We stare at each other for some time and I realize he doesn't deserve this. Why is he still doing here? He's too good for me, yet here he is. The rain stops instantly. I frown angrily. "Get away from me." I push his shoulders with force causing him to slump on the ground. I stand. "I'm no good," I wipe my tears.

He's quick to get on his feet. "What?" he asks confused.

"I'm no good. You deserve to have someone…" I stop thinking of the perfect words. I grip my wet hair from the sides. "Someone…" I pace side to side.

"Someone like what?" I can sense he's angry.

I stop in front of him. "Someone less damaged!" I yell.

"Someone less damaged." He repeats with irritation.

"Yes. I'm damaged. I keep messing up left and right. When I first came I cried in the shower thinking they came back to kidnap me again." I laugh walking aimlessly like if I'm going crazy. Maybe I am. "I heard her voice. The voice of the vampire, who along with Richard, tortured me. Then to top it all off Jessie, who deserves a normal life, was turned into a vampire because of me. Haylee was almost got killed by him, who was like her brother, and the ancient vampires. What kind of a person am I?" I walk to him with sharp steps. I jab my index finger into his shoulder, he doesn't move. "I will tell you. I'm not a person… I'm a monster,"

"You are not a monster," He whispers frowning.

I laugh loudly at that. "Not a monster? NOT A MONSTER?!" he shakes his head. I feel the tears return. "Well you don't know me as well as you think you do," I chuckle darkly. "I've killed humans," His eyes widen looking at me; staring at me to see if I was joking. "Yes, I've sucked the life out of innocent people." I say in disgust.

"What?" he asks like if he didn't hear right.

Then it's like a thousand bricks fell on me. What have I done? I look down ashamed. I take a shaky breath. "They made me do it all the time. But even if it was forced I shouldn't have. They were people who deserved to live." I look at him. "I am a monster,"

He stands his ground. "Annie, they forced you."

"Yeah, but I should've fought harder," I look away from his face.

"Stop it," He says forcefully. "Stop it,"

"Stop what?" I look at him with cold eyes. "Stop saying the truth?" I snap.

"Annie-"

"Embry," I sigh. "Just go. I need to be alone."

"I. Am. Not. Leaving," he growls under his breath.

We're looking at each other like if it was staring test. "Leave!" I yell. Doesn't he understand I am no good for him?

"No,"

"LEAVE!" Before I know it his lips came crashing over mine. I felt like he was devouring my mouth in a wild need. His arms around my waist, my palms pressed on the sides of his torso. With hand on the small of my back his other snakes all the way to my neck, pressing me harder to him. A wave of strong emotions crashes over me. My face is wet but not because of the rain but from my tears mix with his. I whimper against his lips, pressing my body further into his. How can I ask him to go? I could never live without him.

We separate to catch our breath; his eyes red form the tears, "I can never leave and it's not because of the imprint thing." He adds immediately. "But because…" he trails off.

"Because why?" I whisper low.

His eyes trap me into a prison I never want to leave. "Because I love you,"

"You wha-"

"-I love you. I love all of you. You can never be a monster in my eyes; you are the best thing that has happened to me. Don't you see?" His eyes, filled with so much emotion, bore into me. "I could never leave you because leaving you is like, me, not wanting to breathe… Annie," He sighs and looks down taking a few breaths. I have stopped breathing all together; a swarm of butterflies lose in my stomach, my heart soaring. He looks at me with his eyes glassed with tears. "When I lost you," My body tenses as the tears wet his face. My lip trembles. "When they took you from me it was hell,"

"Embry. You don't-"

"-Let me finish," He gently says. I nod slowly. "I sometimes couldn't eat because it was too painful. In my head I kept replaying the way you screamed for me to run faster and I…" His voice brakes. "I couldn't," He shakes his head taking calming breaths. "I looked for you day and night. At one point I thought I was going crazy." He chuckles bitterly. Then he locks his eyes with mine, moving his side to side. "Then we found you," He gives me a small smile. "Even from all the scratches, the bruises you were still so beautiful to me and I kept thanking my lucky stars that you were safe." He takes my hands in his. His large hands look to be swallowing mines; but it's still perfect. "What happened then doesn't matter. I don't care. I care that you're here, right now, with me. I would rather chew on glass if it meant you were going to stay here with me forever,"

I cringe at that image. "But what about those humans? The ones…" I couldn't say it anymore. It was too horrible.

"Like I said you where forced by them… the real monsters." I look down. I feel his finger curl under my chin as he lifts my head to meet his gaze. I bite my lip so it wouldn't tremble from the deep emotion I'm feeling. Hs melted chocolate eyes show me just how much he cares about me. "I will never let you go. I know how it feels to be apart from you and I will never go through that again. Do you understand?" I nod. I look down and stare at our joined hands. What did I ever do to deserve him? A comfortable silence has fallen around us. After a short pause I begin shivering. I look down to see my damp ripped clothes sticking to me; the wind picking up. I feel it's about to rain. "C'mon,"

"Where?"

"To get dry clothes for you." Suddenly he cradles me in his strong arms. My hand pressed on his chest. I lay my head over his heart listening to it, my favorite music. What I wouldn't do to stay like this forever; his protective arms around me and his scent invading my nostrils; perfect.

He walks in silence holding me securely. With everything that happened I didn't even notice it was dark now. I turn to see where we're headed when I noticed a small wooden house in the distance. The familiar faded yellow color, the brown roof. "You're house?"

"I… um… It was closer. I didn't want to take long."

"Closer?"

"You were in La Push," Oh. I traveled that far?

Soon we where there. He sets me on my feet and opens the door for me like a gentleman. I step right in. It's been years since I've been here and yet it seems exactly the same. Its small compared to what I'm use to but I love it. As Embry closes the door he takes my hand and leads me to his room. When I walk in I notice it's really clean. I mean I heard boys are messy. His scent seems stronger inside making me love it even more. I wouldn't mind sleeping here forever. Embry shuts his door behind him and I awkwardly stand in the middle of the room. He swiftly walks to the drawers and pulls out a shirt.

He turns around and stretches his arm handing me a dark blue t-shirt. "Here… my pants will fit you big," I can see a blush creep in.

I feel my face completely hot. "Ok, thanks." I smile and take the shirt. He stands looking at me. "Um…Embry."

"Oh," He chuckles nervously. "Right," He adds sheepishly and turns around giving me his back.

I set the dry t-shirt over a chair and I look at my torn dress. "Embry, the blood,"

He spins on his heels to look at me. "You want to use the bathroom?"

"Yes, please," How embarrassing. He nods once before opening the door and leading the way. I hold the dry t-shirt in a tight grip. I walk past him and into the small bathroom. I flick the light switch on, close the door and I look at my appearance in the mirror. Dry blood covers the whole area of my mouth and down my neck. I tear my already torn dress off my body and I look at my arms. Dry blood all over them, my whole body. You're disgusting, I sneer to myself. I take a calming deep breath and turn to the shower. As the water falls form the shower head I jump in and I begin rubbing hard against my skin to take it all away.

The water beneath me is completely red. I turn it off and I dry myself with the available towels. Drying as fast as I can I step out and slip the huge t-shirt on. I drape the towel over a hook and open the door. Embry stands there with his hands stuffed inside his sweat pants pockets.

Seeing him there I begin crying. He crashes his body to me; he hugs me hard. "I looked horrible. Why weren't you disgusted?"

"Because I only saw you." He whispers in my ear. "Nothing else. I saw my perfect Annie." As the tears continue he hugs me with no complaint. Once they stop we separate and he wipes the tears on my face. "C'mon," He takes my hand and again we're in his room. We both stand there.

"Embry?"

"Yeah," He says studying me.

"Um," Wow, I don't know how to say this. "Can I use one of your underwears?" I look down once I've said it.

When he says nothing I look up to see his whole face red. "Ah, yeah." He walks to the drawers again and hands me a soft gray boxer brief. He doesn't look at me as he passes by me and sits on the bed; giving me his back; more like giving me privacy.

I put it on; it's big, great. "Do you have a hair band?"

"I think there some in the bathroom," He says calmly.

I nod and walk out holding the underwear from the waist band. When I find one I bunch the underwear at the side and I tie it. There, now it's not going to fall. When I walk back to his room he's still in the same position. "Ok," And he turns around. He smiles at me and stands. I walk to him and he flings his covers giving me a pass to lay on his bed. "You know, you're room is very clean,"

"I don't really use it," He shrugs.

I frown. "What?"

"I can't sleep so I'm mostly out patrolling, working and spending time with you,"

"Why can you not sleep?" I ask with concern.

"I get nightmares," He whispers. "Every time I close my eyes I live in a world without you… my hell. So I keep myself busy."

"Embry-"

"-its fine."

I stand in front of him. I need to tell him. I need for him to know. "Embry," He looks at me and suddenly I feel nervous. "I need to tell you something."

"What is it Annie,"

"I love you," I blurt out. And it felt good. "I love all of you too,"

Then it's like the sun started to shine the dark of night. His gorgeous smile appeared. "Annie," He whispers and then he's kissing me. As he continues to kiss me I feel him step forward causing me to gently fall on the bed. He falls on top of me but he uses his hands to stop from putting his whole weight on me. "Say," Kiss. "It," Kiss. "Again," Kiss.

I separate and look deep into those melted chocolate eyes. "I love you,"

He closes his eyes in satisfaction and moans. He crashes his lips with mines again taking me by surprise, a good surprise. "I love you too," My body ignites with passion as he whispers to me in-between kisses. I feel hotter in the places he touches me. His hands find a way under the t-shirt and I moan. My hands wonder over wanting to do the same. My fingers ripple over his tones abs. Our kiss becomes more savage as his tongue invades my mouth. Our tongues begin doing the tango. This is haven.

He sucks on my bottom lip as his large hands and long fingers travel north. My eyes closed savoring the… I can't even thing right now. "Embry," I Pant. "Embry we need to stop," Do I want to stop? I have no idea. The emotions, sensations I'm feeling are clouding my judgment.

He pulls away panting, catching his breath. "Right," His eyes are clouded with passion, probably mirroring mines. He hesitantly moves form on top of me and lies next to me. We look at each other and start laughing. He stands and I crawl under the blankets. He throws the blankets over him when he lies down and he turns off the lamp. He wraps and arm over me; my back to his chest.

I bite my lip trying to keep from moaning. I keep remembering what just happened. And thinking of what could've happen if I didn't stop. My kin fills with goosebumps when I feel his hot breath near my ear. "Say it again," He huskily says.

I smile from ear to ear. I turn around, still with his arm over me. Even in the dark I can see his perfect features. I don't know if it's because of the dark or because of what happened a few seconds ago but his eyes look heavily dark. I bite my lip and giggle. He smiles again, "Again?" I ask. He nods. "I love you,"

His smile widens. "Again,"

I giggle. "I love you,"

"Ok, you can go to sleep now," I slap his arm playfully and he laughs. I turn around and he tightens his arm around me. I close my eyes breathing in contently. My smile never leaving my face.

"I love you too," He whispers and I drift into a peaceful and happy sleep.

A/N: Awwwwww! Please tell me what you think! Like always you all rock! :))))))))))))