Chapter 44

Annalise's POV

The world around me disappeared, fading away, as my world stood before me.

His strong figured appeared not seconds later at the cliff. The scent enveloped me so quickly and strongly that I almost lost my footing. There he was, panting, his broad shoulders moving harshly, his once soft ruley hair was now straight and wet clinging to his forehead and temples.

His brown eyes melted in pure relief when they found me. His body moved quick but stopped so abruptly I wondered what happened.

Was he hurt?

My eyes examined trying to figured out why he was suddenly paralyzed and it wasn't until I took him in that I saw why he hesitated. There he was, strong, tall, beautiful … and all male. Completely bare.

Embarrassing heat surged through me and I looked away. I was mortified. My body began to tremble and shake once again.

"Annie, I'm sorry. I …" I pick up the uneasy and embarrassed tone in his voice. "I needed to find you. I didn't … think."

I swallowed and peeked through my eyelashes. My face felt hot all the way to my neck. "No. I mean, it's okay." I squeaked.

His face was passive and still. The eyes intense watching my every move, his jaw clenched and his lips were in a firm line. I couldn't help but admire the tut tan skin, hard muscles and define torso. I didn't dare to look south again.

"Why did you leave?"

My eyes bounced to his face and my chest tighten when I saw the hurt expression. He looked lost and scared.

"Why …" He inhaled strongly. "Why did you leave me?"

I inhaled sharply at his accusation and held back tears."What … no, I didn't leave you, I-"

"Then why?" His lip quivered and then tears started to roll down his face. He clenched his fist and banged them on the ground. "WHY!"

He had kneeled with one knee. His back was curved and his fist still laid firmly on the grown. I took a step back gripping my hair in shock and all at once I was kneeling beside him, my hands quickly cupping his face. The stubble tickled my palm and fingers as I tried to bring his eyes to mine.

"Am I not enough?" He whispered crushing me.

"Embry ..." I pleaded a silent plea.

When his eyes found mine I felt like if he'd kicked me. I would've preferred it. The brown was dull and they were blood shot. And lost. I fell apart. I sobbed so hard because I've done this to him. My protector. My mate.

I'm selfish and a coward … I am useless.

But I love him.

Amidst my sobbing I could hear him cooing and stroking my hair. His arms had wrapped around me, holding me tightly.

"Don't cry beautiful." He cooed again softly in my ear as he rocked me back and forth.

My small arms threatened around his torso and I pull him close if possible. Again, in my selfishness I used him as my lifeline, or like the air I need to breathe.

"I'm so sorry." I sobbed, my cheek pressed over his hard bare chest. "I broke you."

He felt him tense under my touch and then began shaking. It started as a low rumble before I heard a growl. He held me tightly, painfully tight before he released me. He made sure I was looking at his eyes that were deep with emotion.

"Don't you ever say that." He gritted.

My eyes widen. "How can I not say that when it's the truth?"

His nostril flared and his jaw clenched painfully. "Stop. You did not break me, you saved me."

I struggled out of his hold until he reluctantly let go. I shuffled away from him and glared. With my hand I motioned towards him. "Is this what a saved man looks like?"

His lips clasped shut and he started at me. I look back at his eyes only to see them darken. His shoulders swell and his muscles looked bigger. He looked the perfect predator and I was the prey.

In a swift movement he reached for my hand pressing it against his chest, over his heart. My fingers sprawled over the smooth warm skin as stared deep into his dark eyes.

"Do you feel that?"

My palm almost bounced at how hard his heart was pounding within his chest. It matched my own. His large callous hand kept gripping my wrist to keep my trembling hand on his chest.

"You-your heart."

"You are the only one that makes it beat. When they took you I swear it stopped beating, I felt like a dead man." He paused and swallowed. It was difficult to talk about those years. He suffered too. "So yes, this is what a saved man looks like. I might look a little torn but because I am not fully complete until my beautiful Annie is happy. And even then I will dedicate my life to never see her cry."

I swallowed and hiccupped. "I'm broken … too broken."

He lenas in giving me a soft wet kiss on my cheek. "I don't see you that way. Not broken, not like monster you say you are. You are perfect."

I shrug. "I don't see it."

His large hand finds the back of my neck and brings me crashing his lips with mine. He kisses me so hard our teeth clash. His body flushed against mine.

We separate to catch our breath. His eyes are blazing, almost scorching. "Let me show you, how perfect you are to me."

I bit my lower lip, my eyes bouncing between his. I know what he's asking and I need it, I need him. I felt ready to show and be showed what love looks like. I slowly nod. He grunts and crushes his mouth to mine once again.

***Mature Content***

He lowers me down on the rock floor slowly and gently. He kisses me with so much passion it makes my body ignite. His hands roam all over, everywhere leaving hot trails behind them. The fingers rough against my skin.

He looks down at me examine my face. "Are you cold sweetheart?"

I frown slightly and shake my head.

"Why are you trembling?" He murmurs and continues to look at me.

I swallow. "I'm nervous."

He grants me a small smile. "Don't be, it's just you and me. I'll take care of you."

I look around only noticing the tip of the trees since we're so high up. I move my wrist creating fog around us, sheltering us away from everyone and everything. I sheepishly look up at him and he's looking down in pure adoration. He says nothing but dives once again to kiss me.

His hands this time down stop their trail. His hands went under my shirt caressing my flesh. A small delighted gasp left my mouth when he soundly cuffed my mound, stroking the pebbled nipple. He release my mouth as I moan. his hot wet kisses continued down my neck making me shiver in delight.

The manly groan that came from him made my inside quiver. I started to feel liquid heat between my legs. He was silent but kept looking at me for reassurance if this is what I really wanted. I kissed him every time for my response.

The clothes left my body swiftly and my face heated. My arm was quick to cover my breast from his greedy eyes.

His eyes soften a fraction from the intensity and he lowered to kiss my arms then gently separating them away from my body. He stopped all movement and took me all in, all of me. I bit my lip from letting it quivered.

"You are absolutely and breathtakingly beautiful." He whispered between each soft kisses. His eyes found mine scarred ones as he brought my knees to each side of his hips. "You can stop me at any time, you understand?"

I bit my lip harder as I nodded. I want this, I really do. I was just a little scared.

I felt something hot, hard at the center of my heat. I knew he was there. My eyes widen when his hand quickly found my mound and his long fingers began stroking. My eyes flutter closed and my lips parted in delight. His fingers worked magic as he stroked and circled my nub.

"Fuck, you're beautiful." He murmurs in a strained and husky voice.

My breathing quickened and a strangled moan escaped my throat as I felt like I was going to exploded. As I felt like I was at the edge he lower his head towards me and said, "I fucking love you," and he pushed himself in.

He captured my cry in his mouth as he plunged into me slowly and fast all at the same time. At first it felt like he was invading me, like he was taking my space. It hurt, so bad.

"Relax, sweetheart. Relax. I love you." He kissed my cheek and then my other as he moved.

My knees tighten around his hips and my hands found his back, bringing towards me. Soon the pain left, it was all pleasure that was left. I wanted more. I palmed his butt cheeks and brought him closer making him groan in pre adulterated pleasure.

He kept whispering my name and telling me how beautiful and perfect I am. And for the first time since it all happened I felt it. Here I was bare, complete myself in front of him and he still saw me perfect.

I felt the building begin and this time I felt like I was going to exploded like the atomic bomb. His thrust that were powerful were now getting sloppy but stronger. My body was on fire are our skin rubbed against each other in perfect friction.

"I love you, Embry." I gasped as I fell over the edge and soured. My world shattered amazingly.

He shivered then stilled and groaned so loudly the whole forest heard him. He kissed me over and over again as he fell over his edge. His body strong, soft, hot, male, and all mine.

***End of Mature Content***

Once he stopped his moaning he laid carefully over me and I found my hand massaging his head. My fingers working over the soft locks of hair. He let out a sigh of content and I couldn't help but smile. Here in his arms I wanted to be forever.

Now, without a shadow of a doubt, we belonged to each other.

After a moment his large arms threaded and hugged me close. But it seemed close wasn't close enough.

My face heated and cringed as I asked. "Was I ...okay?"

My face heated more as he chuckled wholeheartedly. "You were absolutely perfect, Annie."

A small smile stretched my lips and I hugged him harder. "No, you were perfect."

He chuckled and looked at me. His eyes were now filled with mirth and pure joy. "There is no competition, you're the perfect one here."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Fine, if you insist."

His face brighten and held me tighter. "I love you so much."

I stroke his cheek, "I love you." I whispered.

He moved next to me bringing me down so I can lay on his chest. And we fell in peaceful silence. He found my wet clothes not to far away and covered the bottom part of us with them. With his body heat he'd dry them instantly. I wasn't cold, maybe from the excitement or it was just him. I didn't put too much thought as I held on to him and looked up at the starry sky.

"Embry?"

"Hmm," He hummed lazily in response.

"Does …" I swallow not sure to ask but wanting to know. "Does my family hate me?"

"Absolutely not." He answered without hesitation. "They don't, and never will. They love you almost as much as I love you."

"Almost as much?"

He looked at me and chuckled, his eyes shining. "I love you more. A million and trillion more."

I giggled. He was being silly and I absolutely love it. This side is the one I came to love along with his protector side, his loving side, his dominating side …. I just love all of him.

We fell in silence again just enjoying each others company. Nothing was needed to be said because everything was perfect.

"Nakoma came?"

I nodded over his chest. "Yeah."

"Did he tell you?"

I smiled. "That he found his mate. I am so happy for him."

He frowned lightly. "Oh, he did?"

I paused. "Yeah. He told me before he left …" I sat up a little the clothes scrunching at the side of my hip. I ignore the sweep of embarrassment as i sat next to him with a bare chest. I looked down at him in confusion. "What else did he need to tell me?"

He looked torn. Maybe he just wanted to enjoy this time together and forget the conversation but knowing myself I wasn't going to stay calm until I knew. He knew that too. He sighed and rubbed his face before sitting next to me. He kept a firm grip on the clothes and my hip.

"It's about Haylee."

My eyes widen and I looked over his face wondering why he looked sad. "What's happened? Why do you like that?" I rushed out and this time I kneeled and the clothes fell off me completely. "Is she okay?"

I felt my eyes tighten with unshed tears. All horrible thoughts came rushing. And I panicked.

"Sweetheart, relax-"

"Embry tell me." I commanded.

He sighed in defeat. I prepared myself knowing he was about to tell me something … something bad. The air around us stilled, to a complete stop.

"Haylee is descendant of Eagles."

The shocked knocked the breath out of my chest. "Wait, what? That's not possible, I never smelled anything off her."

"That's because she hasn't turned because she wasn't exposed to vampires. Until now."

In all of this I couldn't find why his voice was strained and tainted in sadness. Do the wolves not like Eagles? I didn't get it.

I held his hands. "So she's an Eagle. That's good, right? I mean, she'll leave forever with us and with Seth."

His sigh was so sad I shook in anticipation. "That's the issue. She either remains human to stay mate with Seth or …" He looks at me. his brown eyes looking with my scarred ones. "Or she accepts her heritage and brakes the mate bond."

A/N: So? Don't worry a lot more is to come. I just need to know how I'm doing. I know it was probably too fast but Annie needed this and maybe this will help her know she's not alone. She's been through too much already I believed she needed some happiness. Please leave review and I will love you forever!
All the love

~R