CHAPTER 14

Embry POV:

I laid down and tried to sleep. I don't know why. I had so much going through my head, it was making me crazy! I kept thinking about my mom's story. How she was drawn to my dad and went away with him for three days! They were strangers, for God's sake! How could she do something like that? I really didn't think she was a slut or a whore or anything. I think she truly did love him. But what was it about him? And why did he just dump her off and leave? God I wished I could ask him somehow. Well, first I would smash his face in first then I would ask him! I had so many questions about him swirling around in my head. Questions that could never be answered.

And then there was Leah. Leah, who was ever present in my mind. Leah, who confused the hell out of me! I wasn't surprised to see her show up. As soon as I phased I knew she was out there listening, and I had a feeling she would come and find me. I knew she cared about me. I just wish she would realize how much. I was sick to death of this fucking imprinting thing being between us! Damnit all to hell! I knew now I was in love with her, but I didn't know how much longer I could take this. I wanted her so much, but not just because I found her hot, which I did. It was so much more than that. I just wish I could make her understand that. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her laying on her bed, her black hair against the purple pillow case. Her eyes black with desire. I could still feel how it felt to move inside of her. I really don't want to take another cold shower. I am fucking sick of that too! Maybe I was being a fucking idiot. I should just give in and be with her in any way that she would have me. I missed her so much.

I finally fell asleep somewhere towards morning. When I woke up and looked at the clock, it was almost noon. Shit! I told Jake I would be there by ten. I reached out and grabbed my phone to see that I had 4 missed calls from him. I still had the phone on vibrate, so I didn't hear it ring. I sat up and dialed his number.

"It's about fucking time," is how he answered the phone.

"Yea, sorry. I had a shitty night last night and didn't get to sleep until almost morning. But you know that already, don't you? Leah said she was patrolling with you last night. Look, I'm on my way."

"Alright. See ya soon. And just for being so late, you can pick up some burgers for lunch."

I rolled my eyes. "Yea, sure, Bossman! I'll be there soon." I hung up and ran my hand over my face and hair. I was going to need some coffee or something to keep going today. I jumped in the shower, brushed my teeth and got dressed. I walked into the kitchen and saw that Mom had left some coffee in the coffee pot. Yes! I poured some into a cup and put it in the microwave to reheat. It was better than nothing.

I grabbed the mug out of the microwave and took it with me to the truck. I drank it on the way to the burger joint. I went through the drive-thru and ordered 8 hamburgers and 2 fries and 2 large Cokes. I pulled into Jake's and carried the food into the garage. "Hey! Food's here!" I hollered out as I set the food on the bench. I turned to see Jake and Bella all over each other at the doorway that leads to the house.

"Geez, guys, come on!" I yelled.

They finally broke apart and Jake said to me, "Yea, you're 2 hours late, and you pick NOW to come strolling in? It was just getting good."

Bella smacked him on the arm and said, "Sorry, Embry. I was just going. I have to work today."

"I'll walk you to the truck," Jake said. They walked out and I dug into the bag of burgers, took one out and bit into it. Seeing them made me miss Leah so much. It was killing me! I dug my phone out of my pocket and started to dial her number then I stopped. Nope. Can't do it. I told her to leave me alone until she figured things out. I wasn't going to go running back. I wanted her to come to me.

I finished the burger while I looked over the car I was working on. Jake came back in whistling. "Do you have to be so damn happy?" I shot at him.

"Uh, yea! Have you seen my girlfriend? She is hot!" Jake said with a big grin.

I had to laugh at that one. He sounded like I used to. Wow! Things have really changed.

"Why are you so pissed? That talk with your mom still got you upset?" he asked. "I didn't get the whole story, but I got a lot of it. How do you feel about what she told you?"

I took a couple of steps over to the bench and grabbed a burger out of the bag and threw it to him. Then I picked up a box of fries and shoved some in my mouth. I swallowed and said, "I don't know how to feel really. I mean, I'm a little bugged about it, but I'm glad she told me. It really helped me to understand my mom a little better, you know? " I ate some more fries. "I just have so many questions to ask the guy. But, it's not like that's going to happen."

"Then it must be Leah," Jake said. He pushed the last of the burger into his mouth and wadded up the wrapper.

I was surprised to hear the harsh laugh come out of my mouth. "Yep. She's driving me crazy, bro. She still wants me to kiss her and hold her and screw her, but not love her. Do you get that? She's terrified over the imprinting thing. God! I can't fucking take it anymore!" I turned and slammed my fist onto the bench. My Coke flipped off the bench and hit the floor. "DAMNIT!" I yelled.

"OK, Embry, chill!" He bent down and picked up the cup and grabbed a couple of shop rags to soak up the pop.

"I'm sorry, dude," I said as I hung my head and covered my face with my hands. I pushed my bangs out of my face and said, "She is making me crazy. How did this happen to me? ME? I was always so smooth with girls. I never felt nervous around them. I could have any girl I want eating out of my hand! I made out with 43 girls, Jake! 43! I've lost it, bro. I have really lost it. I fell in love and I know you think its sweet, but I fucking hate it."

He put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Look, Embry. I patrolled with Leah last night. I saw some things in her head. You two were hot, by the way!" Jake grinned like a little kid. I rolled my eyes and he went on, "She wants to love you, she really does. I think she's close to giving in. Just try to be patient with her, bro."

"I'm trying! I'm trying so fucking hard!" I shrugged Jake's arm off of me and stared pacing back and forth while I talked. "I have never been this patient with a girl, you know that! It's just . . . I'm afraid, too! God, I hate sounding like a chick. But I am. I don't want her to imprint on some other guy. I'd have to kill him, you know I would!"

He laughed. "Yea, I know. Look, this is a weird situation for both of you. But, Embry, I wouldn't miss being in love for anything. It will get better for you two. I've been there, remember? Remember when Bella got engaged to Edward? " He closed his eyes for a second, then opened them and went on, "That was a knife in the heart. I wanted to kill that guy with every fiber of my being! But I bided my time, and I got to her. I knew she loved me, but she didn't want to admit it. I made her face it. I had to. And now, well, now it's like it should have been all along. I'll never let her go, ever."

I went back to the bench and threw him another burger from the bag and got one for myself. I got quiet and just ate, so Jake sat down at the bench to look through a car magazine he just got. I thought about what Jake said while I ate my burger. I didn't know how to make her face it, but I had to find a way. I couldn't go on like this much longer.

We finished our lunch and got to work. I cranked the music and just focused on fixing the engine. That's the one thing I could get lost in, working on cars. I loved trying to figure out what was wrong then finding a way to fix it. It was like solving a riddle or a puzzle that no one else could do. We finally quit around six. Jake asked if I wanted to stay for dinner, but I told him no. "I need to spend some more time alone to think through some shit."

"Alright. I'll see ya tomorrow," he said as he walked toward the house.

I got in the truck and headed to the beach. Since that night that Leah and I first talked here, I found myself coming here more and more when I wanted to think. Most of the people had cleared off for the day, but there were a few walking here and there.

I walked down the beach slowly and let my mind drift to Leah. I felt really bad about yelling at her last night and telling her to "leave me the hell alone." I guess that was a little harsh. I looked out at the water and I could see someone swimming. Now there's a great idea! I took my shoes off, and pulled my t-shirt over my head and dropped it on the sand. I took off running toward the water and dove in. I swam out through the waves and let the water run over my body. It felt really good. I pulled through the water and didn't realize how close I was to the other person in the water until I almost ran into them. I put my head out of the water and said, "Wow! I'm sorry, I didn't see . . . Leah?"

"Embry? I thought that was you! Did you come out here after me?" she sputtered. She wasn't wearing her usual black bathing suit. She had on a dark blue bikini top with board shorts. Her bikini top wasn't hiding much.

"No, I saw someone swimming from shore, I didn't know it was you. I just thought it looked like a good idea, so I just dove . . ." my voice faded away. We were treading water looking at each other. I tried to force myself to keep swimming, but I couldn't move. She was looking at me with those big, beautiful eyes, and I was drowning in them. It was like being hypnotized. She drew in closer and put her hands on my shoulders and said softly, "Embry, I'm so sorry for the way I've been treating you. I don't like being apart from you. I miss you so much. You're right, I do have feelings for you and it terrifies me! But I don't want to be afraid of them anymore. Help me, Embry." Then she pulled herself closer by wrapping her arms around my neck and putting her lips gently on mine. I thought my heart would explode! I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her close. I could feel her skin on mine and I deepened the kiss, and she responded quickly. I pulled back and said, "Let's get out of the water before we drown."

She laughed and nodded her head. We swam for shore and walked out of the water. "My stuff is down the beach a little," she said. I reached down and picked up my shoes and shirt and we walked down the beach.

I was afraid to talk. I didn't want to say anything that would fuck this up! She at least admitted that she has feelings for me. That's a step in the right direction. We got to where she had her things laying in a heap. I put my arms around her and pulled her close. I could barely contain myself seeing her in that bikini top. I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Leah, I want to be with you." I couldn't help it. I couldn't stay away from her any longer!

She whispered back, "Me, too." Keep it together, man. Then I found her earlobe with my lips and I nipped at it with my teeth. She shivered.

"I know a little place down the beach that is fairly secluded. Wanna come with me?" I pulled back and looked into her eyes. She stared at me intently and said very quietly, "Yes."

She picked up her things and shoved them in the bag she had. She took my shoes and shirt from me and shoved them in the bag, too. I took the bag from her and took her hand and we ran down the beach. Neither one of us spoke. I felt like I had electricity running through me. Every nerve was raw. The spot I had in mind was behind some rocks, so I helped Leah over them and we found ourselves in a little spot that was sandy, but hidden by the big boulders on three sides. The open side faced the ocean. The sun was sinking quickly and the sky was turning purple, pink and orange. "Do you have a beach towel or something in your bag?" I asked Leah.

"Yes," she answered. She pulled it out of her bag, and I laid it down on the sand. I took her hand and we sat down on the towel.

I looked into her eyes and put my hand on her cheek. "Leah . . ." I put my lips on hers and instantly I felt the fire ignite. I tried to be gentle, but it wasn't long before I had my hands wrapped in her hair and my tongue was caressing hers. She moaned a little in my mouth and I thought I would come undone! We kissed and she ran her hands over my shoulders, and down my arms. I laid her back and took my lips from her mouth and kissed her neck, her throat, and nipped at her shoulder. She put her head back and whispered, "Embry." My hand was running up and down the side of her body. Her skin was so soft, and it felt so good to touch! She pulled my face back to her lips and she licked at mine until I opened them to her.

We devoured each other's mouths. I couldn't take it anymore – her bikini top was driving me crazy! I pulled back and reached up and untied the strings at her neck. She smiled as I pulled the strings down. She looked up at me and I was so amazed at what I saw. She wasn't embarrassed or ashamed. I smiled and leaned over and kissed her. My hand crept up and settled on her . . .

What the hell? We pulled apart quickly and she looked at me. "Did you hear that?" she asked quickly.

The wolf call. Sam was calling us all together. It sounded like an emergency!

"Shit! Damnit all to hell!" I muttered. I sat up and ran my hand through my hair.

Leah quickly sat up and pulled her top back up and tied it and smiled at me. "Yea, I second that!"

I laughed and said, "I think I might have to dive in the water real quick. I don't know if I can phase and run in this condition." She nodded and I took off for the water. I dove in and tried to get my body to calm down. Why now, Sam? You couldn't have waited, oh I don't know, another 15 minutes? I swam back to shore and Leah had her towel in the bag and was ready to go.

"Do you have the truck?" I nodded. "Can I put this in there?"

"Yea, come on," I said as I took off running down the beach. We ran fast, but I noticed that Leah stayed with me instead of taking off like she usually did. We got to the truck and she threw her bag inside. I took her hand and we ran toward the woods to find a place to undress so we could phase. I stopped and slid my shorts off and smiled at her. She smiled back and untied her top. I turned to give her some privacy, even thought it was killing me. Oh come on, man! I don't have time to run back into the ocean. I kneeled down to roll my shorts and tie them to my ankle. "You ready, Leah?"

Just then I saw a blur run by me and Leah phased right in front of me. I smiled and took off and phased on the run. We ran hard to get to Sam's. We were the last ones there. Sam noticed. Everyone was in wolf form.

"Bout fucking time, you two!

"Come on, Sam, what the hell is going on?" That was Paul. Always itching for a good fight.

"Jake got word from the Cullens that there is a small group of vampires around. They think these may be newborns due to the damage they found. Three hikers were killed yesterday up on the northern ridge. Emmett and Jasper gave chase to them just an hour ago, but lost them to our side of the line. They want us to spread out and find a trail. They think there is at least three of them out there. Let's stay together in one pack until we pick up something, then we'll split up. Let's go!"

The pack ran together with our noses to the ground trying hard to pick up a scent. We all knew this woods, every inch of it. If there was something out here, we would find it. We had been out for a short time when we heard Sam. "There's the stink! You guys got it? To the north!"

The pack turned north and followed the trail. We hadn't seen anything yet, but we were close. Jared said, "Another scent – different. Splits here and goes west! What do you want to do?"

Sam said, "You Paul and Seth, follow it!" The three of them broke off and went west. The rest of us stayed with Sam. I kept close to Leah. The scent was stronger. We had to be getting close.

Out of nowhere, a vampire blurred through the pack! What the fuck! It was just one, but we were on it. Chasing a vampire is what we were born to do. The adrenaline sped through our bodies, and our hearts were pounding. It was a male and he was fast. But so were we. Sam was out front and almost to it with Jake right behind him. Sam leapt on the leech and took it down. Jake joined in and they had the thing in pieces in no time.

All of a sudden I picked up a new scent! My body was on automatic now, completely focused on the scent. "Sam! New scent – south!" Quil heard me and followed me as I stayed on the trail. I saw it just in front of me! I sped up and launched myself onto its back. I took it down and Quil was right there with me. We tore at anything we could get our teeth into. An arm went flying in the woods. A chunk of leg. Suddenly the monster swung its free arm and knocked me off and I flew into a tree. I laid there on the ground, stunned for a moment. We had just learned that newborn vampires were really strong, and this one was no exception. He and Quil were tangled up and all of a sudden he threw Quil off and ran. I shook my head and checked on Quil. He was already up and ready to give chase. I joined him.

We took off and ran after the thing. It was bouncing off of the trees up high where we couldn't reach it. We still followed. We could hear Paul. "You're running it right at us, Embry. Keep at it! " He was really excited so we figured he was close. Everyone was thinking at once and shouting, and it was confusing trying to follow everyone. The only voice I wasn't hearing was Leah's.

Quil and I kept chasing the fucking thing and it jumped down onto a ridge, right where Jared, Paul and Seth were waiting. Paul was the first one to jump at it, of course. I couldn't believe what I saw! The thing picked up Paul like he was a toy and was squeezing the shit out of him! Jared and Seth went after him and tore at him until he dropped Paul like a rag doll. I ran over to him to see if he was OK.

"Paul? Dude? You OK? Paul!" He's out. What do we do with him?"

Quil came over. "We need to get him back to Sam and Emily's. Can he phase back?" We tried to get him to phase, but he was out and couldn't do anything. "Where are the others?" We tried to get a read on where everyone was and what was going on. As far as we knew, we got two of them, and there was one more out there somewhere.

Jared and Seth finished up the blooksucker, and came running over. "He OK?" Seth wanted to know. "We don't know. We need to get him back to Sam's. Where is Sam?" We focused and found Sam and Jake chasing Leah who was chasing the last vampire. She was way out ahead of them, as usual. She jumped at the thing to take it down but it knocked her aside like she was a mosquito. She turned and leapt at it again and it grabbed a hold of her just like that fucking thing did with Paul! NO, LEAH!

I left everyone there with Paul and took off. Seth was right behind me. We ran as fast as we could toward where we thought they were. I could see Jake had a hold of the last bloodsucker. I concentrated on him and could see he was tangled with it, but where was Leah?

The next think I heard struck me with terror. It was Sam: "Embry! Seth! It's Leah! She's hurt! HELP!" I took off at top speed and raced to her.

A/N: I had a tough time with this chapter. I just don't like the vampires, so I have a hard time writing about them. I also know I need to work on action sequences. Not my strong suit!