CHAPTER 41

Leah POV:

Emily stood up to answer the phone. "Hello?" Emily turned her body enough that I couldn't hear who she was talking to.

I looked over at Angie and could see how tightly she was wound. She had her legs crossed under the table and her foot was bouncing up and down. Her future depended on the outcome of this meeting. I knew how badly she wanted to marry Josh and be a family. She stared at Emily's back, waiting to see if there was news.

Emily hung up and came back to the table. "Does anyone want more coffee?" she asked us.

"No, I don't think I could stand any more caffeine right now!" Angie stated. She was right!

"Em, who was on the phone? Was it Sam?" I asked. The curiosity was killing me!

"Oh, no. I'm sorry! It was Jake. He said that he and some of the pack were going to meet with Sam in the backyard and he just wanted to give me a heads up. I'm not sure what that's all about. But he said that the guys should be home soon."

I shook my head. Why didn't they call us? Why was the pack meeting here? Did the elders kick Josh out? Was Sam going to try to do something about it? I shouldn't try to speculate. It could only drive me crazy! "I better go out back. I'll let you know as soon as I know what's going on." They both nodded as I got up from the table . I walked to the back porch and looked out to see if anyone else was here yet. I didn't see anyone. I walked over to the firepit to sit and wait. The sun was going down and it was just beginning to get dark outside.

I heard some noise from the woods and saw Jared and Quil walk out wearing just their shorts. They waved as they made their way toward me. "Hey, what's up? Do you guys know what's going on?"

"Embry didn't tell you?" Jared asked.

"No, I haven't heard from him. Jake just called to tell Emily we were meeting out back here. Embry went to the elder's meeting with Sam and their dad. Is that why we are meeting? Did something go wrong?" Oh God, does Sam want us to do something about it?" I was peppering them with questions. I couldn't help it. All of a sudden I felt like I was freaking out!

"Leah! Stop!" Jared yelled at me. He smiled. "Look, Jake took us out on patrol earlier. They were some hikers camped up north that were killed. Jake heard from Charlie they thought it was a bear, but he thought we should check it out just to be sure. He told us to meet here so we could report to Sam about it, OK? Chill!"

I sighed and smiled. "Sorry, guys. I didn't realize how worried I was about the meeting with the elders. So, did you guys find anything?"

Just then Jake, Paul and Seth came running up. "Hey sis," Seth called. "They back yet?" Jake asked.

"No, not yet. Jake, what's going on? What did you find?"

"Not much. You hear anything from them yet?"

I shook my head. "Oh, here they are," Jake said. I turned to see Embry and Sam make their way across the yard. On instinct, I got up and walked to Embry and took his hand.

"Hey, baby," he said as he bent to kiss me quick on the lips. He led me to the firepit and we sat down. While everyone else was settling in, I quickly asked, "Can he stay? Tell me!"

He smiled and squeezed my hand. "Yes," was all he said. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. "I am so glad, Embry," I whispered into his ear. I forced myself to let him go and turned to listen to Sam and Jake.

"OK, listen up!" Everyone stopped talking and turned to Sam. "First of all, I want to let you know that the elders granted my dad a 6-month probationary stay here on the rez. After 6 months, they will all meet again, and if everyone is satisfied that things are working out OK, he can stay permanently and be reinstated as a tribal elder." He smiled at Embry and everyone cheered. I looked over at Embry's face and could see how happy the elder's decision had made him. I couldn't wait to talk to Angie!

"OK, now on to why you're here," Sam continued. "Jake? Tell me what the hell is going on."

Jake stepped up and looked around. I knew he wasn't real comfortable in this role, but at least he was trying. He told us about hearing from Charlie about the hikers that were camping and were found this morning. The official report was bear attack, but he didn't think it was a bear. "We didn't pick up any bloodsucker stink anywhere. But we did find a scent, something different. It was like . . .us, but not us."

"What the hell does that mean?" Sam asked impatiently.

"It was a wolf scent, Sam. But none of ours. It wasn't a bear, or a regular animal. I can take you there and you can smell for yourself," Jake said.

Sam was standing there staring at Jake with his hands on his hips. I looked at Embry and whispered, "Do you get this?" He looked at me and shook his head no. "But I know someone who might," he whispered back. "Jake?" Embry called. "Did they say how long the hikers had been dead?"

"Um, Charlie didn't say. The bodies were found early this morning." Embry nodded. I looked at him and was trying to follow his train of thought. He couldn't think . . . no. Not . . . his dad?

Jake said to Sam, "Carlisle would like to meet us at 10. Is that OK with you?"

"Yea. That gives me time to run up to the site. Jake, you can take us there. Embry, Leah you need to come too and catch the scent. We leave in five." Sam leaned over to Jake and said something then turned and jogged toward the house. I looked over at Embry and he said, "I gotta go talk to him."

"Maybe you should wait until we get back," I told him. He shook his head and said, "I can't." He was already up and moving. I followed him into the house.

Sam was in the kitchen talking with Emily. Their heads were close together and they were talking quietly. We walked right by them and Embry went to stand beside his dad. "Dad, can I talk to you a minute? Outside?"

His dad stood up right away and said, "Sure, son." Embry walked toward the front door and Josh followed him. I wanted to follow, but thought better of it. Angie looked at me and said, "Leah? Tell me, what's going on?"

I sat down next to her and told her quickly what was happening. "Embry and I have to leave in just a couple of minutes to go and pick up the scent." She nodded. I hated to worry her, but she had a right to know what was going on. I stood up and told her I had to run out back and get ready to go. I hoped I could roll up my sundress small enough to tie to my ankle!

Embry POV:

Dad and I walked out on to the front porch. I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to say to him, but I had to know. Dad looked at me and asked, "What's going on?"

I took a deep breath and tried to steady my voice. As I kicked off my shoes, I said, "Dad, Sam is leaving in a few minutes to go up to that campsite. He wants Leah and I to go along to catch the scent that Jake told us about." I stopped and took off my t-shirt then said, "He said that the scent wasn't vampire, or bear. He said, it was like ours. Like a wolf, only not. He didn't know how long they had been dead, only that they found the bodies this morning. Dad, you didn't . . . I mean . . ."

His eyes grew wide as he realized what I was asking. "You think it was me?" He looked out at the woods for a moment then took a deep breath and said, "When I phased back on Thursday, I was 50 miles east of Port Angeles. That's 100 miles at least from here. I usually don't travel that far. I waited until Saturday to come here to make sure the phase was over and it was safe to come here." I could see the disappointment on his face.

God, I'm an ass. "I'm sorry, Dad. That was stupid. I shouldn't have said anything." I hung my head and felt horrible. I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"I get it, Embry. We still don't know each other that well. You had to ask. I understand." I looked up at him and he added, "But son, I want you to know something right now. I will never put you or your mom, or anyone in danger like that. I will put myself as far away as I can from here. I want you to trust me on this, OK?"

I nodded and he pulled me to him for a quick hug. He let go and said, "But, just because it wasn't me, doesn't mean it wasn't someone like me. It's unusual, but not impossible, I suppose."

Sam came out on the porch and said, "Hey, let's go!" I looked over at him and noticed he had shed his shirt and shoes and was ready to go. I nodded then said quickly to Dad. "What would we look for?"

"Well, I'm not sure. Like I said, I don't have any memory after, but in being around others, the hunting is very frantic. There's no careful planning or trying to hide anything." I nodded as Sam called again from the house, "Embry! Now!"

I handed Dad my t-shirt and shoes then took off my watch and handed it to him. I smiled at Dad and said, "The Alpha calls. Gotta go!" I turned to go then called, "Thanks!" over my shoulder.

"Be careful, son!" Dad called after me. I trotted around the house to the back yard. I caught sight of Leah jogging toward the woods. I knew she would want to phase in private, but if there were werewolves around, I didn't want her out there alone. I took off at a run after her. I came up behind her and called, "Leah!"

She turned to look at me and smiled. "Hey, I don't want you out alone tonight, OK?" She gave me a weird look and said, "OK." I took her hand and we walked into the woods together. She stopped and reached behind her neck to untie her sundress. I put my hands up to hers and said with smile, "Please, let me. I've wanted to do this all day."

She grinned at me and put her hands down. I untied the straps and pulled them down. I smiled and bent down to kiss her. She had her hands on my chest and she pushed at me gently. "I would love to take this further, but I really don't want Sam coming out here and screaming at us in front of everyone."

"You have a good point. OK, I'll be good," I said. I quickly took off my shorts and bent to roll them and tie them to my ankle while Leah pulled off her dress and underwear and did the same. I looked over at her as she worked and she looked at me and smiled. "This is weird," I said.

She laughed and said, "Yea, it is." We finished and I said, "Let's go!" We both took off and phased on the run. I watched as she ran ahead back to the yard where everyone was waiting. God she's just as beautiful in wolf form as she is in human form.

"I need to talk to Sam as soon as he phases."

"Well, here he comes!"

I looked and Sam phased on the run right toward me with Jake beside him. Leah and I joined them. As we were running I made my way toward Sam. "Sam, I talked to Dad. He thinks it may be someone like him. He said that it's unusual, but not impossible."

"God, I never thought of that. It wasn't him, was it?"

"No, he phased back on Thursday 50 miles east of Port Angeles. He promised me that he would never have been here yesterday if he felt the phase wasn't over. He told me we had to trust him on that. He won't put us in danger. But he told me what to look for at the campsite."

"OK, let me know when we get there." I fell back in beside Leah and we ran at a good pace behind Sam and Jake to the campsite. I picked up the scent before we got there. Jake and Paul were right. It was very strange. Like us, but not like us.

"Dad said when they hunt, it is very frantic. It is not planned in anyway, so I guess we should see a lot of blood and fur. Stuff like that." There were lots of prints, but some of them were from our pack. It was hard to tell the difference. As we nosed around I found bits of fur, some blood and shreds of clothing. I was pretty sure it wasn't bear fur. It smelled like wolf.

"Alright, I've seen enough. Let's go." Sam took off toward home and we all fell in line behind him.

Leah and I hung back behind Sam and Jake. She wouldn't want them to see her phase back. For some reason she was getting better about watching us phase, but she wasn't so comfortable with us seeing her. Sam and Jake phased back to human form just before we got to Sam's backyard. They quickly untied their shorts and pulled them on and walked toward the house.

I looked over at Leah. "Well, what are you waiting for, baby? It's just you and me now."

"I'm worried about what we found, Embry. What if it was someone like your dad? They could be human now and walking around town and we would never know it. How will we know? How will we find them before they do this again?"

"I don't know. I guess I hadn't thought that far ahead. Maybe Dad can help us somehow. He may be able to recognize them if they were up north with him."

"Has this been a really strange day or what? Spending time with him as a family? Sam did really good today. I'm proud of him."

"Me, too, baby. He even hugged him after the elder's meeting, when we heard the decision. I think this will all work out."

She nuzzled me and rubbed her head against me and I found it somewhat comforting and a turn-on at the same time. I really didn't want to think about us . . . doing that as . . . so I quickly phased back into human form. She phased then and stood there laughing at me. "You think that's funny, huh?" I pulled her to me and kissed her. She wrapped herself around me and kissed back. I felt the fire spreading through me quickly as our tongues played with each other and she put her hands in my hair and pulled. Mmmmm, her skin touching mine. . . I slid my hands down to grab her ass and . . .

"Embry! Leah! Come on! We're waiting on you!" Shit! Sam. I pulled away and yelled, "Yea, give Leah a minute to get dressed!"

I reluctantly let her go and she bent down to untie her dress. "Oh, look. Now it's all wrinkled," she muttered. I pulled on my shorts and she slid the dress over her head. "Here, turn around I'll tie if for you." She did and I quickly tied the straps together. She pulled on her underwear and took my hand and we ran out of the woods.

Paul gave me a sly grin as I walked by him and he shoved me. Jared laughed and said, "Sorry to interrupt, dude!" I noticed he was eating a piece of my mom's cherry pie. "That better not be the last piece, dude, or you will be very sorry," I threatened. He gave me a sheepish grin and shoved the last bite into his mouth.

I rolled my eyes and joined Leah by the firepit. "Alright, so, here's what we know," Sam started. He went over everything that we had learned tonight. "Jake and I will meet with Carlisle and we'll let you know if there is anything else. For now, we need to step up patrols again. Four at a time, 24/7. First patrol, Embry and Quil take the outer perimeter. Jared and Leah, the inner. Go now, and meet back here in four hours. Then Jake and Seth, you'll take the outer, and Paul and I will take the inner. Got it?"

What the hell? Why would he separate me and Leah? Everyone nodded and stood up to go do as they were ordered. I went right to Sam. "What the hell, bro? Why did you separate me and Leah? We've patrolled together before. You gotta know I'm worried about her with whatever is running around out there!"

"Yea, I know. That's why I separated you. I didn't want you completely focused on Leah. Jared will protect her, bro. I trust him and you should, too. You are one of the best scouts I have, Embry. You and Quil work really well together, that's why I put you on the outer perimeter. Leah and Jared will be on the inner, which means she is closer to me if anything happens, which it won't. Look, bro. I'm the Alpha and I have to make decisions based on what's good for everyone, not just you. I can't play favorites. You should know that."

I put my head down and my hands on my hips. He was right. I knew that, but it didn't mean I had to agree with it. But he was the Alpha, so I would have to follow orders whether I liked them or not. I looked up at him and said, "Yea, I get it. Doesn't mean I have to like it."

He smiled at that. "No, you don't. But, I'm the boss, bro, so deal. Get your ass out there and I'll see you in four hours." He slapped me on the butt and walked away. I just shook my head and looked over at Leah. She was standing with Jared and they were talking. I trotted over and said, "I gotta go. Please be careful, OK?"

She smiled and kissed me on the lips. "Stop treating me like a girl! I'll be fine."

Jared smiled and added, "I'll look out for her. It's the least I can do since I ate the last piece of your mom's pie. Damn! That was good!" He laughed and ducked as I reached out to grab him. "Meet you out there, Leah!" He said as he took off for the woods.

I turned my attention to Leah. She smiled and said, "Really, it's OK. Do your job, and don't worry about me." I folded her into my arms and held her close. This was a lot harder now that I knew I loved her so much. I pulled back and kissed her. She smiled and stepped back then she turned and jogged toward the woods.

Quil walked up and said, "Come on, bro. We better get going." I nodded and we both slipped off our shorts and tied them to our ankles. I stood up and said, "Let's go." We both took off and phased on the run then headed out to follow orders.

Leah POV:

Jared and I were running the inner perimeter, which was more boring that the outer. It was smaller, so it was going around and around the same ground for four hours. Of course we didn't find anything, which was a good thing, but also added to the boredom.

"So how are things with you and Kim? We don't see her around here enough. She needs to hang out with me and Emily more."

"She'd like that. We have school right now and she's really smart. Since she started helping me with my homework, I'm getting grades I never got before. I swear my teachers think I'm cheating!"

"Yea, I suppose they think the same of Embry. He's smart, just lazy. I'm guessing you might be the same."

"Hey, I heard that." Embry. "I'm not lazy. I would just rather do other things than homework. Like making out. That's a lot more fun than homework!" Embry shared a memory of us making out on the couch and getting a little carried away.

"Stop eavesdropping and behave yourself! You know the guys don't want to see that even though you love to share it! Go on, Jared."

"School's boring, you know? And like, what do I need it for? This is what I was born for, and this is all I need to know."

"But how are you going to support you and Kim? I assume you guys will get married, and have babies. How are you going to feed everyone? Where are you going to live? With your parents?"

"Geez, Leah. Way to be a buzzkill! I'm only 18! I'm not ready to get married yet."

"Maybe not today, but you will someday. Come on, Jared. You're smart, I know you are. Have you ever thought about being a teacher, like your grandpa? You know, the teachers at the rez school are all getting old. Someone is going to have to step up and take over. I decided that's what I'm going to do. I have been taking college classes online for awhile now working toward my teaching degree."

"Really? Wow. I didn't know that. That's cool, Leah."

"Yea, thanks. Think about Jared. I think you'd be really good at it."

"Me, a teacher. I can't wait to tell Kim that one!"

"Oh man! I love it! 'No homework today, class, cause it sucks! Do whatever you want!'"

"Embry will you knock it off! He would be a good teacher. I think he'd be really good with the younger kids."

"Yea, at least I could go out for recess!" Jared had to add. Boys. They just don't get it.

"Oh we get it. We just don't like to be as serious as you," Embry inserted into my thoughts.

We continued around our circle until our time was up. Thank God! I am so tired.

"Me, too. And I have school in the morning. And I still have homework that I didn't finish. Kim will be pissed at me."

Jared ran ahead and phased at the edge of the woods. He pulled his shorts on and jogged up to Sam who was waiting for us in the backyard. It was starting to get a lot cooler now when the sun went down. I could see their breath as they talked. Not that it bothered me. My toasty temperature kept me from feeling the cold like I used to. I phased back into human form and dressed quickly then waited there at the edge of the woods for Embry.

Embry POV:

"Hey, baby." I heard him whisper in my ear as his arms went around me. Quil gave me a small wave as he walked by us and jogged up to Sam and Jared. I leaned back into him and let him hold me for a moment. I loved the feel of his arms around me.

He was nuzzling my neck and putting kisses on my throat. His breath would hit my ear just right and it sent shivers down my spine. "I really want you, Leah. I need to feel you, be with you," he was whispering. "You have no idea how hard it was to keep those thoughts hidden while we were out there."

I turned to him and said, "Let's go get this over with and find somewhere we can be alone." He grinned and took my hand and we ran to the others.

"How did the meeting go with Carlisle?" I asked Sam as soon as we got to him.

"OK. I tried to fill him in as best I could. He actually said he would like to talk to Dad."

I looked at him in surprise. "Why?"

"Well, if what we are dealing with is . . . like him, Carlisle would like to ask him some questions."

I nodded. "Is it OK if we go now? We're pretty tired."

"Yea, bro. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Um, thanks for coming today, by the way." I smiled and said, "Thanks for having us – all of us." I patted his shoulder as I walked by. I took Leah's hand and led her toward the house.

It was after one in the morning, but Emily was still up. I wasn't surprised. "Hey, Em. Did my mom take my stuff, or did she leave it here?"

"Um, I think she took it with her. Everything OK?" she asked. I could see the worry in her eyes. Sam was going out on the next patrol. I guess it must be hard to always be left behind.

"Yea, it's quiet out there. We're heading home. See ya, sis. Thanks for today."

She smiled at me. "You're welcome, little brother." She reached up and gave me a quick hug. She hugged Leah, too, who thanked her for everything. I smiled as I took Leah's hand and we walked out the front door to my truck. We hopped in and I looked at her. I pulled her to me and kissed her. Man, I need her. I wasn't sure why that feeling was so strong all of a sudden. I just knew that I needed her, and it had to be now.

I broke away and started the truck. I was trying to think where we could go. I was sure Mom was home, and I knew her mom was at her house. Think, Embry, think. "Embry? Are you OK?" Leah asked quietly.

I glanced over at her. "Yea, why?"

"You're driving like a crazy man! Slow down, will ya?" I looked down to see I was going 55 around a curve that is marked 30. I hit the brake and slowed down. "Sorry, babe, I guess I wasn't paying attention."

"Yea, I could tell. What is wrong with you?" She scooted closer to me and put her hand on my leg. I was already in some distress, and with her touching me like that, I felt like I might explode! I quickly spotted a road off to my right that I knew had a little private lane just off of it a mile or so down the road. I quickly turned the truck down the road. "Embry? Where are you going?"

"Um, taking the scenic route home," I lied. Where it is? I know it's here. It was one of my favorite make out spots. I finally spotted it and turned down the lane and as soon as we had the cover of the trees, I stopped and shut off the lights and the engine.

Leah turned to me and I could see the confusion on her face. I took her face into my hands and said, "Do you remember what I told you in the woods?" I leaned closer and said, "What I whispered in your ear?" I kissed her ear and down her neck. She turned her head to look at me. "I need you, Leah. Now. I don't know why, but I can't let you go right now."

She reached up to touch my face as she looked into my eyes. I can't explain the connection that I felt at that moment as our eyes locked. The fire that was always there whenever I touched Leah was spreading like wildfire through my body. I couldn't wait much longer. She leaned forward and put her lips very softly on mine. I closed my eyes and tried hard to contain the lust for Leah that was spreading through me. She pulled back and l opened my eyes to see her staring at me. "I want you, too, Embry. So much." Her desire was shining in her eyes.

She scooted back toward her side of the truck and pulled me to her. I scooted over toward Leah away from the steering wheel and pulled her in to my arms. Our lips met and neither of us could hold back any longer and we didn't. It was pure lust that took over as we devoured each other. Our hands and lips were everywhere. I was lost in Leah. I could feel her everywhere around me and through me. I had my hands wrapped in her silky hair and she had her head back so I could ravage her throat and nip on her shoulders with my teeth. Before I knew what was happening, she climbed onto my lap facing me. She reached up and untied her sundress and let the straps drop. I buried my face in her and heard her moan as she had her hands in my hair and she pulled. I kissed and teased her and heard her cry out . . . then she moved off of my lap and reached for the waistband of my pants. I quickly helped her and they disappeared onto the floor. She reached under her dress and quickly disposed of her underwear. Then she climbed back onto my lap and took me inside her. I gripped her and held on as she began to move. Oh, that is so fucking awesome! She moved slowly at first, then frantically and just as I didn't think I could hold on much longer, she cried out and shuddered and then I let go. We sat there panting, trying hard to catch our breath. Leah was laying on my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight. I just closed my eyes and tried hard to hold onto this feeling.

"Embry, what just happened?" Leah whispered into my ear. "I felt like some force had taken over my body or something. Does that sound weird?" She pulled back to look into my face.

"I don't care, baby. It was fucking awesome!" She laughed at me and I joined her. I loved the sound of her laugh here in my truck. It was so intimate. It was just us. She kissed me softly and laid her forehead on mine. "I feel so slutty . . . but I really liked that, Embry. A LOT!"

I laughed again and said, "It's not slutty to like being with me, Leah. We love each other. We belong together." I kissed her on the lips and she touched my lips with her tongue. "Oh baby, you have to give me a little time, you know, then I promise you, I can do that all over again." She gave me the sexiest smile I had ever seen and moved just a little. "Then again, it may not take that long," I said with a grin.