CHAPTER 43

Embry POV:

As I left Leah's, I had a feeling she was watching me. I looked up to her bedroom window and saw her standing there. She smiled and waved at me and I did the same. Man, I love that girl! I climbed into my truck, started the engine and took off for Sam's.

I was supposed to be there at ten, and I was cutting it pretty close. Sam would probably chew my ass out, but I didn't care. It was definitely worth it. Thoughts of being with Leah went running through my head. I couldn't get enough of her! I was really losing it.

I pulled up to Sam's and got out. I threw my shoes in the truck and closed the door. I suddenly saw Leah picking up my t-shirt and slipping it over her head and down her body. Just knowing she was lying in her bed right now wearing it and nothing else . . . OK, you better get a grip. I slammed the door shut and jogged around to the back of the house.

Paul was already there, so I knew I was really late. He was always late! "Bout fucking time! I've been waiting for ten minutes."

"Oh, chill, Paul. Ten minutes out of your life. If you knew why I was late, you'd be fine with it."

He grinned and said, "Getting some action, bro?"

I grinned back and said, "Oh yea, dude. And it was hot. Believe me, it took every ounce of strength I had to get out of that bed and drive over here."

"You were in her bed? Dude, that is hot!" he said. Just then Seth and Jared came jogging out of the woods.

"Hey, shut up around Seth, OK? He doesn't need to hear about it," I warned Paul. He nodded. "Anything we need to know about?" I asked them when they were closer.

They both shook their heads. "Sam said that the Cullens will be running patrols, too, so that should take a little of the stress off us," Seth told us. "I think he said that Emmett and Jasper are out tonight, and Sam gave them permission to cross the line if they needed to. We have that same permission."

"Good. This has to be tough on you guys that aren't in school. You have to run twice as many patrols as we do," I said to Paul.

He just shrugged. "It's OK. We do what we gotta do. I just wish we'd come across the fucking thing that did this." That was Paul. Always looking for the fight.

Seth sighed. "I'm tired. See you guys tomorrow!" He took off toward home.

Jared added, "Sam and Quil are already out there, and I guess Leah and Jake will come out later."

I nodded as Jared turned to go. "See you tomorrow at school!" I called after him. He held up a hand as a wave as he ran.

I looked over at Paul and said, "Well, let's go!" We stripped down and phased and went running toward the woods.

"You guys pick up anything new?" I sent out to Sam and Quil.

"No, not yet, bro," Sam returned.

Paul and I ran along at an easy pace. No need to be in a hurry. Four hours was a long time to run around in circles. I tried very hard to stay focused on my job and not what I had been doing for the last few hours, but I was finding it very difficult. Flashes crept creeping in and I would quickly push them out. I kept telling myself to focus, focus, focus. It was like a chant in my head as I ran.

"Geez, bro, chill! What's got you so worked up?"

"You don't want to know, Sam. Please don't make me go there. It' already weird enough that Leah used to be your girlfriend, and now she's mine. You don't want to see what's got me worked up!" As hard as I tried, I couldn't keep a quick scene of what happened in the truck between Leah and I from flashing through my mind. "I need something else to think about. Anything else!" I started reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in my mind.

"Whoa. Dude. That was really hot! Who knew Leah was like that? "

"Shut the fuck up, Paul," Sam growled.

"I take it she wasn't like that with you, huh Sam?" Paul was really asking for it.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP, PAUL! That's an order!"

I looked over at Paul and I swear, even in wolf form, I could see the smirk on his face. "You're in for an ass-kicking, Paul, I swear you are."

I got tired of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, so I moved onto the alphabet then I went to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Finally, I felt like I pushed it away enough to again try and focus on why we were out here. I thought about asking Dad to come out and take a look at the campsite. I didn't know if he could help, but it was worth a shot. Maybe he should also drive around LaPush and see if he recognized anyone.

"Now you're finally thinking, bro. Those are good ideas. Especially having Dad drive around and see if recognizes anyone. I can't believe I didn't think of that."

"That's because you're still holding back when it comes to Dad. I know you tried hard with him at the cook-out, Sam, and I was really proud of you. Of both of you. But you have a ways to go before you totally trust him, and I get that."

"Yea, I guess. I want to trust him, but . . . what the . . .?"

"What is it?"

I focused on Sam and what he was seeing in his mind. "Couple of teenagers, down by the lake. Skinny dipping? Isn't it a little cold for that?"

"Let's go take a closer look!"

"Geez, Paul! Don't you ever get enough? I mean, you and Rachel are like rabbits, dude."

"Shut up, Quil! Jealous cause you only got a toddler to play with?"

"Enough you guys! Focus on why we're out here, will ya?" Sam had edged closer to see what was really going on at the lake. I finally caught up to him so I could see for myself.

There were two people, a guy and girl, and they were older that we originally thought. They were naked and they were just having a little fun. I didn't think we should be watching. I wouldn't want someone spying on me and Leah.

"Come on, I don't think we should be watching, do you, Sam? They're just having a little fun."

"Yea, but maybe they should be warned that it's not safe to be out here right now with something running around killing people."

"I don't want to interrupt them right now, do you?" I put my head down. They were going at it. This was really awkward. Paul seemed to be enjoying it though.

"OK. Let's just circle around here for awhile and make sure there's nothing in the area. We don't have to watch. Do we Paul?"

"Geez, you pansies! If they didn't want people to watch, they should stay at home. Or in their truck."

"Shut the fuck up, Paul! I mean it!" I was ready to kick the shit out of him. I snarled at him and heard Sam tell me to wait until later and he would help me.

We circled around the area to make sure there wasn't anything else around. Sam stopped. "You guys smell that? That scent?"

I did. The same scent as before. Just then, a scream ripped through the quiet night. We turned and ran back toward the lake. I smelled vampire stink, too. Cullen stink. Emmett and Jasper were close, too. We all focused on the lake area. It only took us all seconds to arrive after we heard the scream. We found the guy on the ground, in a pool of blood. I wondered how Emmett and Jasper would react to that. Emmett bent down to take a look then said, "He's dead." He stood quickly and looked at us. Wow! He completely ignored the blood. Amazing.

"Where's the girl?" I wondered. We quickly tried to pick up the girl's scent so we could find her. Sam said, "They headed back to the north. Embry, Quil go northwest, Paul and I will go northeast."

We headed out and Emmett and Jasper went right between us straight north. We followed the scent and felt we were getting closer when we heard another scream. Quil was just ahead of me as we entered a small clearing. He pulled up and stopped and I ran into him. "What the fu . . "

He moved and I looked out into the clearing to see the girl lying on the ground. She was alone and still alive, naked and completely terrified. She was bleeding from some cuts and scrapes, but other than that, she didn't look hurt too badly. Jasper moved over to her and bent down. I remembered Bella telling me that Jasper has some freaky vampire power that he could help calm people. He must be using it on the girl because she wasn't screaming anymore at the sight of two vampires and four very large wolves!

Sam and Paul were quickly scouring the area for a scent. "North!" We immediately ran north following the scent. Emmett came running with us and Jasper stayed with the girl. This thing was fast – at least as fast as a vampire. I noticed Emmett was running higher in the trees to try to get a visual. I knew we would hit water before too long and I wondered if this thing could swim like the vampires did.

We reached the edge and there was nothing but water. The scent was gone. Emmett did a perfect swan dive and disappeared into the water. We scoured the area to try and pick up the scent, but it had disappeared. It must have gone into the water. There was nowhere else to go.

"Embry, Quil, you two wait here for Emmett. Paul and I will scout around." I looked over at Quil and sat on my haunches. I could use a break. I stared out at the water and thought about the girl. I hoped she was alright, but would she remember what she saw?

It didn't take long for Emmett to reappear over the cliff edge. He looked at us and shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't see anything. Whatever it was, it's gone. I'm heading back to the clearing to see if Jasper is still there." I nodded and he took off.

I thought about what Emmett had told us so Sam would hear. "Shit! How could this thing just disappear? We haven't picked up anything. Let's head back toward the clearing and see if we can pick it up anywhere else."

Quil and I got up and ran back toward the clearing. It was empty now. Jasper and Emmett must have taken the girl with them. I figured they would take her to Carlisle. I knew he would take care of her. Funny that I trusted the vampires to take care of the human. Something just wasn't right about that!

"I was thinking the same thing, bro! It's too weird trusting vampires." Quil thought.

From the clearing we fanned out to try and pick up the scent again. Nothing. It was almost time to change patrols, so Sam wanted to head back. Sam led the way with Paul right behind him, kissing his ass as always, and Quil and I lagged behind a little.

"Are we having a test tomorrow in Government? I can't remember if it's tomorrow or Wednesday." Quil was a little more diligent student than I was and he paid attention to that kind of stuff.

"Well, she said Wednesday, which means you should be ready tomorrow. She's been known to pull that shit before."

"Really? There's some kind of monster out here killing people that we can't find and that's what you're worried about? A fucking test?"

"Come on, Paul! I'm just as frustrated as you are. But, I have other things on my mind, too, and one of them is getting grades good enough so I can get out of school in January. Then I can be a pain in your ass all the time!"

"Yea, that's just what I need."

We trotted back to Sam's and waited for Jake and Leah to arrive.

Leah POV:

I hauled my tired butt out of bed and dressed quickly for patrol duty. I made my way quietly out of the house and ran for Sam's. I went around to the back of the house to wait for Jake. No one else was there yet, so I sat down and let my thoughts drift to earlier tonight. I smiled as I thought about Embry telling me about his plan to marry me. I knew I wanted to marry him, too, more than anything. I was so amazed at the turn my life had taken. Just a few months ago I was so miserable and sure that I could never be happy again. And now . . . well, now, I was so excited at what the future would bring.

Just then I saw him. Embry was walking out of the woods talking to Quil. He looked up and saw me and came running. I stood up and waited for him. It amazed me how I felt so giddy just at the sight of him! He pulled me into his arms and held me tight. A little too tight. Like he was worried about something. "Embry? What's wrong?"

I pushed him away to look at his face. "You found something, didn't you?"

Sam and Paul had made their way to us so I asked Sam, "What's going on?"

"Jake here yet?" Sam asked as he looked around.

"Yea! I'm here," Jake called as he came running up. "Sorry I'm late. What's up?"

Sam took a deep breath then launched into an explanation of everything that had just happened. I closed my eyes when I thought about how this girl must be feeling. To watch in horror as this thing killed the guy you were with? Especially in such an intimate moment. He went on to tell us that this thing just disappeared. What? How could it just disappear?

"So, Jake, Leah, it's your patrol, but I don't feel good about you two being out there alone. I'm keyed up enough to go back out with you. Embry and Quil need to head home. They have school in the morning. Paul, you go catch some sleep then you can relieve me later. I think maybe the Cullens will send someone back out, too. Emmett and Jasper were out but I didn't get a chance to find out if they were coming back out after they took the girl to Carlisle."

I could see the anger on Embry's face before he erupted. I put my hands on his arm to try and calm him, as he said, "There is no way in hell I'm letting Leah go out there without me. I'm in." Sam looked over at Embry and glared at him.

"You think I can't protect her, bro? It's my job to protect her!"

That did it! Embry put his finger in Sam's chest and yelled, "It's not your job anymore to protect her! It's MY job now!" Sam put his hands on Embry's chest and shoved him back. "Back off, little brother!" he shouted.

I stepped in between them and yelled, "ENOUGH! What the hell is wrong with you two? Why do you both think I need protecting? I can't stand you both treating me like this! You don't treat Seth this way, or Quil, or ANYONE ELSE! Either I'm a member of this pack, or I'm not, and right now . . . I'm not! I'm out of here!"

I took off running as fast as I could. I knew I was faster than any of them, and I was counting on that to take me away from both of them. I couldn't stand them fighting over me! I was very surprised to hear someone running up behind me. "Leah! It's me, Jake! Stop!" I slowed down so Jake could catch up to me. We jogged to a stop near my house.

"What's going on here, Leah? Would you really turn your back on us? Would you really quit the pack?" he asked me.

"No, I don't know, Jake. I don't even know if I CAN quit the pack. I just had to get away from the two of them. I just can't take them treating me like I can't pull my weight. Like I'm some . . . fucking idiot, or something," I told him.

He smiled and said, "Yea, I get that. I would hate it, too. Look, I'll talk to both of them, and get them to back off, OK? But for right now, will you run patrol with me tonight, like we had planned?"

I put my head down and thought about it. I couldn't leave the pack, I knew I couldn't. I looked up at him and said, "Yea, YOU I like, right now. Give me a second to undress and phase, OK?" He grinned and pulled me to him for a quick hug. He turned and headed out into the woods. I quickly undressed and phased and caught up to him.

Embry POV:

I watched Leah run off and turned to follow her when Jake caught my arm and said, "Let me go after her, OK?" I nodded and he took off. I looked back at Sam and put my hands on my hips. I noticed that Quil and Paul had backed off and were sitting over by the firepit giving us a chance to fight this out.

He had his head down, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked up at me and said, "What the hell was that all about, bro? It is my job to protect her, just like I protect ALL of you. I'm the Alpha and it's what I do. I don't like that you don't trust me to watch out for her!"

"I know that, I know," I said. I had calmed down considerably and was starting to see things a little more clearly. "I guess I still have some jealousy that I have to get over. Sorry, Sam."

He nodded. "She's right though. We need to back off and treat her like a member of this pack. She made one stupid mistake, but we have to give her the chance to prove to us that she learned from it."

I knew he was right, but I couldn't help it. I couldn't stand the thought of Leah being hurt again – or worse. It was killing me!

"Embry, please go home and get some sleep. I promise that I won't let anything happen to Leah. Jake and I will treat her like a member of the pack, but we will stay with her, OK?" He had his hand on my shoulder and giving me that "I'm the Alpha and I know what's best" look. I hated that look right now.

I rolled my eyes and said, "Fine. I'll go home and TRY to sleep, but I know I'll just lay there and worry until I know that she is home."

Sam laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. "That's my boy! I'll make her call you, OK?"

I nodded and looked over at Quil. He nodded and got up to go with me. "See ya," I muttered. Quil and I walked around the house and got into the truck. I started the engine and Quil said, "I know this must be hard for you, Embry. I know how much I worry about Claire when I'm not with her. But, she's only 3 and Leah's . . . well, Leah is a grown woman. She's tough and she's stubborn. And we need her."

I looked over at him and smiled. "Yea, I know. Thanks, man." I took off and headed for home.

Leah POV:

Sam joined up with Jake and me. "Leah, I'm sorry that Embry and I acted like asses. You know it's just because we care so much, right?"

"Yea, of course I know that. But I'm not stupid, OK? Don't treat me like I am."

"OK, I get that. I'll try harder to treat you like any other member of the pack, but I can't make that promise for Embry. You'll have to work that out with him. Are we good?"

"Yes, Sam. Thanks for that. Wait, was that an apology? Jake? Did I just get an apology? From Sam, our fearless leader?"

"Uh, yea. I think you did. Way to go!"

"Alright, enough of this shit. Let's go." And Sam was back to himself.

Sam led us to the lake to see if the body had been taken away. The cops were still there, and there was a body on the ground with a sheet covering it. Charlie was there with a couple of other officers, and I saw Dr. Cullen there with them. He looked up and I swear he looked right at us even though we stayed back in the brush! We circled the area to see what we could pick up. The trail was very cold. No new fresh scent anywhere.

Just then, I saw Emmett and his blonde chick. They were patrolling together. I wondered if he was "protecting" her, or if he would treat her like he treated Jasper. It was a fine line, I knew it was. I suddenly wished I could talk to her and ask her.

They acknowledged us and went on toward the north. We headed that way, too, but still found nothing new. We spent the rest of the night patrolling the area, and still came up empty. I looked over at Sam and could see him lagging. He had been out here eight hours straight. He hadn't had any sleep in almost 24 hours.

"Sam, head home and get some sleep. You won't be any good out here dead on your feet."

"Taking over as Alpha now, Leah?" he teased me. "Don't you wish!" I shot back.

Jake added, "I just might if you don't get your ass back home, Sam. Leah's right. Go get some sleep."

"Alright, I fucking give up. I'm heading home. Paul's had some sleep, so I'll send him out. I need to call my dad, too, to see if he can drive through town to see if he recognizes anyone. Come back in a couple of hours, OK?" He finally left us and headed home.

"So, now what, Jake? We've been over and over the area. Where else can we look?"

"I think we should head back up to where the trail disappeared. Let's go."

I followed him by the lake. The cops had finally left the scene, but there was that yellow caution tape all around the area. We headed north and ended up at the cliff edge that overlooks the water. On the other side of the water was Canada. The sky was getting brighter as the sun crawled up over the horizon.

"Do you think there's a possibility that the thing drowned? Maybe a body will wash up?"

I looked over at Jake. "I don't know. Maybe." We stared down and tried to look for anything unusual that might have washed up along the shore.

All of a sudden, I smelled vampire. I crouched and growled which got Jake's attention. He looked and relaxed. It was Emmett and his girl. I relaxed, too, as Emmett said, "We didn't find anything. Are you looking for a body?" I nodded and he smiled.

"Yea, I told Rosalie that maybe we should go for a swim and look for a body," he said with a grin. "We'll let you know if we find anything."

Jake nodded and Emmett dove off of the cliff and slipped into the water. Rosalie – that was her name – looked at me. I found myself again wishing I could talk to her. She turned and dove off the cliff to join Emmett.

"Is she as cold as she looks?"

"Colder, why?"

"I don't know. I guess I was wondering about them patrolling together. You think he treats her any different?"

"Oh geez, Leah. Give it a rest, will ya?" He turned to make our way back toward Sam's and I followed behind him.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I picked up the scent. Before I could even think, I was knocked on my ass! Something really huge had knocked me down then before I could even try to fight it off, it picked me up and ran. It squeezed me around the middle so tight I could barely breathe. "Jake! Help me!"

"Leah? Where are you? You were right behind me? That scent!"

"This thing. . . this . . " I was losing consciousness. I couldn't breathe . . ."Jake, I can't bre . . ." Everything went black.