The next few days were a blur. Sam and Paul forced Embry to stay away from Phyre so that she could learn to control her wolf nature without him. As much as he soothed her, she really did need to learn control. Just the idea of him leaving her side sent her into fur and paws. She hated that he was not there. But, he could not be with her every second of every day. She needed to learn.

Though, once he was gone, it did give her more time to think about how she really felt about the whole imprint thing. Not that she would admit that to anyone. It was just so strange to Phyre that she could feel so completely comfortable with Embry, that he could calm her in extreme ways just by being close to her, yet, she didn't know him. She knew practically nothing about the man. And, that just messed with her head.

By the third night, there was a lot of discussion happening around the pack when Phyre phased again. She had successfully managed to stay human for several hours before any mistakes.

"Hello again." She grumbled.

"Hey Phyre." Several people responded across the pack mind.

"What triggered you this time?" Sam chuckled.

Phyre rolled her eyes. "Embry was sweet and picked up a bunch of school supplies for me, for when I start in a couple of days."

"And you turned wolf because Embry was sweet?" Quil asked.

Phyre growled. "No. Because Sam won't let me even talk to him on the phone or let him turn wolf now so we could talk here. I miss him. Why do I miss him so much?" Okay, it wasn't just about the supplies. It was that Phyre found that he had written notes into the margins of her notebooks and hidden cards in some of the books and pockets of her backpack. Lots of 'I miss you' and 'I can't wait until you are back with me' or 'Keep up the good work' type of stuff. How could a girl not get all mushy and miss him for that?

"Who knew Embry could be romantic?" Seth teased. She growled in defense of her imprint.

"That is the pull of the imprint. You know that." Sam said calmly.

"Well, that's just stupid." Everyone seemed to just accept it at face value. There was no real question or fight about it all. And, Phyre still had so many questions. She had been controlled for so long, she didn't want to be controlled by some magical matchmaker scheme. She didn't want him to do those things just because his wolf told him to. Phyre wanted Embry to like her for her. But, since they couldn't spend time together, he didn't know anything about her. Grrr.

"Phyre, calm down. You will get control over the wolf soon enough. You are already doing better." Sam encouraged.

"Everyone else had control by now." She pouted.

Sam sighed. "That is because no one else had to deal with the stages of grief at, let alone the emotions of being imprinted at the same time. Both of those have added to your anger and instability. The funeral is tomorrow, so no one expects you to have control while you still face that hurdle. But, take as much time as you need."

"Fine. So, what was everyone talking about when I came in?"

Dead silence.

Phyre growled.

Quil's thoughts started to wander and Sam told him to stop. Seth remained dead quiet.

"Oh for heaven's sake. I hear and see you boys think about sex all the time. Get over it." She really was used to it. She heard that boys think about sex a lot, but damn, having access to their heads like that... whole new understanding.

"Well..." Quil started.

Sam growled. "It is not for you to tell her."

"And you won't let Embry near her right now to tell her himself. We can't keep this quiet for long." Quil argued.

The alpha relented.

Phyre could sense Quil brighten up. "Embry had a good long talk with his mom about who his father was. His mom never wanted to drag down anyone's reputation, so she had always refused to say. But, with you being his imprint and vice versa, he was able to finally get an answer."

"And..." Phyre prompted.

Quil brightened more. "I have a brother! That totally works since Em and Jake are my best friends." She let go of the breath that she had been holding. Embry was not a Uley. Thank you ancestors for not making things more awkward!

"We have agreed to keep the information secret, just pack will know. Tiffany is a sweet woman who said that it was a mistake. Quil's dad was drunk and kept calling her by his wife's name. She was too drunk to really notice until after the fact. And, she was not even sure he remembered doing it. But, since Quil's parents died in a car crash years ago, they are not here to defend their honor. We will do what we can to uphold their wishes." Sam stated. There was a pause. "Speaking of family secrets. Perhaps we should talk about what information you share with people around school and La Push, Phyre."

"I had already thought of that." She answered. "I don't want to hide that I am Paul's sister. And, since my mother's maiden name was Uley, it makes more sense to not say who my father was. Stay Deborah Uley's daughter, born under my mother's maiden name. Still Paul's sister. Still your cousin."

"That sounds perfect." Sam agreed.

"Alright class, we have a new student. Miss Phyrianna Uley."

"Phyre, please."

"Alright, Phyre. Can you please take a seat in the back next to Brady?" Ms. Smith directed.

Thank God, there was a familiar face her first day of school. Both, Collin and Brady were in her class.

Phyre sat down and leaned over to give Brady a quick hug. "I am so happy to see you two here." Collin grinned from the other side of Brady.

"One or the other of us will be in all of your classes, both for three of them." Brady whispered. "Paul thought it would help you settle, and we can get you out if you start to blow."

She was irritated that everyone treated her like a fragile vase. But, regardless of the reasons, she was still happy to see the boys.

By the fourth class, she chuckled as she was directed to once again sit near her one of pack mates. "Was the seating arrangement planned by Paul as well?"

Collin grinned. "Na, we are just too tall to sit in front of anyone else. Always in the back. Just happens to be where any empty seats are too."

Phyre shook her head as she opened her notebook to take notes. She smiled as she found another note written across the top. 'I miss you beautiful.' Collin looked over and chuckled as he muttered something about Embry being whipped. Phyre quickly elbowed him and blushed.

A girl one row up and one seat over, looked back. "Are you two dating?"

Collin's eyes went wide as fear crept in. If Embry heard that, Collin would be toast. Phyre started cracking up. The teacher glared at them for the disruption. Once they were able to regain composure and the teacher turned again, Phyre leaned over to whisper back to the girl. "No. I already have a boyfriend. Not at the school though." She left it there. No need in stirring up too much drama her first day.

"Claimed already." Collin chuckled. Phyre rolled her eyes.

She did her best to pay attention in class, but her thoughts kept wandering back to Embry. His bright, glowing eyes. That luscious creamy mocha skin. The soft shaggy black hair. His rippling muscles. The tender way he held her close and soothed her emotions. Those lips that just begged her to kiss and give permission to explore her skin...

Her thoughts were interrupted as the girl who had asked her if she and Collin were dating, giggled at Collin. Was Phyre in the middle of a flirt situation? Damn, it just made her miss Embry more.

"What was that?" She asked Collin as they left the class to head to lunch.

He looked confused. "What?"

"The flirting?"

"Oh!" He grinned. "Yeah, the girls love the pack look. All the muscles and the bad boy image."

Phyre arched a brow. "Bad boy image?"

"Yeah, you know. Half the tribe thinks we are all on steroids and have some gang or cult thing going on." Okay, she could see that. Especially with all of the secrecy over the wolf part. "And, of course the frivolous dating."

The what? "Frivolous dating? Don't you take women seriously?"

He shook his head. "It's not like that. Well, maybe a little like that. It's just, we know how much it hurt Leah and Emily and Sam when... well, Sam and Leah had been together for a long time. But, then he imprinted on Emily. They tried to fight the imprint bond, but eventually they gave in. Leah was really hurt to loose her man to her own cousin. It has made us all nervous about having real relationships. We don't want to repeat that history. So, best to be up front that anyone who wants to date us is not going to keep us. No ties. No hidden agendas. Hook ups and nothing more." Collin shrugged.

"All of you do this?" Phyre stopped in the hall.

"Everyone who doesn't have an imprint." He answered before he realized what he walked into. Collin froze and looked back at Phyre. His eyes were wide as she was shaking in anger. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into an empty classroom and closed the door. "Shit. I'm sorry. I didn't think. I thought you knew. I mean, he is 21. But, now he has you. It is different. He's different now." Collin rambled as he fumbled for his cell phone and called Embry.

"Is everything alright?" Embry's voice sounded panicked.

Collin put the phone on speaker. "Talk to her man before she phases in the Chemistry Lab."

"Phyre? Honey? What's wrong?" Embry asked quickly. Hearing his voice did calm her from the edge of phasing, but her anger still pushed. Her wolf was howling in jealousy. It wanted to shred every woman he touched and bury them in the woods. Mine!

She growled. "How many?"

"How many what?" He was honestly confused.

Collin was ready to fall apart. "Fuck man, I'm sorry. Some girl was flirting with me. Then came all the questions about the pack and dating. I didn't think. But, you gotta calm her down."

Phyre heard Embry let out a string of curses and then let out a long breath. "Phyre. Everything was before you. I swear. Now it is you and only you. Even if we are not having sex. I will wait. I can't even think about anyone else."

"How many?" She repeated. Her voice was controlled. Too controlled.

Embry whimpered. "I don't really know. It's not like I was keeping a record."

"How many times am I going to be somewhere with you and have some ex-fling try to stir up drama? How am I supposed to believe that you actually want me, not the wolf imprint thing, but me when I am just another girl in a long line of them?"

"Phyre, you are not just another girl. I swear it. I can't prove that to you over the phone. I can't even prove that to you today. It will take time. Getting to know each other. Building trust in each other. Please. Calm down. Sam said that if you could make it through the school day, I could pick you up and we could have the rest of the day to spend time getting to know one another."

"And, you want to do that? The guy that has been with too many women to count, no strings attached, wants to spend all day with me?"

"Yes!"

"Why? And, don't just say because of the fucking imprint." She was slightly shaking once again.

Embry's voice was calm and soothing. "Because you are passionate. You are loyal and protective to those you love. You have an amazing heart. I might not know much about you, but I am positive of those things. I saw them in your memories, in how you loved your brother. How you fought to make your lives better. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, inside and out. And, I want to get to know you more. I want to be able to make you laugh and smile, to protect you from any more pain. Just please, give me a chance."

The more he spoke, the calmer Phyre became. By the end, she was blushing.

"So, what did you have in mind for the day?" She tried to hide her change in mood. Not that she was very successful at it with Collin in front of her, grinning like a fool.

"A date." Embry replied.

Phyre's cheeks darkened. "When?"

Embry chuckled. "I was just going to pick you up from school."

"What?" She was stunned. "What about giving a girl a chance to get ready and shit?"

"You're already are beautiful. You don't need to add any primping and crap. I like the natural you."

Collin rolled his eyes and groaned. He was not thrilled at being in the middle of the love fest. "Great, it's settled. Call will be here after school. You keep a handle on your temper until then. Now give me my phone back so we can eat before lunch is over."

Collin and Phyre entered the cafeteria as nonchalantly as possible. Still, people stared. Phyre expected it. New girl with the big beefy guy that apparently got around.

They sat next to Brady at a quiet table in the back. Collin quickly filled him in on the reasons for the delay. Much to Brady's amusement.

"So, you are part of the La Push Gang?" A voice rang behind Phyre.

She turned to see the girl from the previous class. The one who had been flirting with Collin. Phyre grimaced. She could see all of the eyes on her. Waiting for her answer. Wanting to know all about her. So much for a drama free first day. "I don't know about any gang. But, if you mean the neighborhood watch that my cousin runs, then sure." Phyre turned back to her food.

"Sam's your cousin?"

"Well, my name is Phyrianna Uley. I thought that would be obvious."

The girl sat down next to Phyre. She was a persistent little bugger. The boys kept their mouths zipped tight.

"I am Karen Beckett. Nice to meet you." She extended a hand. Phyre eyed her askance for a moment, looked at the boys who were no help what so ever, and shrugged. Why not? So, she shook the girls hand.

"I didn't mean to be rude about being Sam's cousin. It's just, no one knew that his uncle had kids." Karen spoke.

Phyre fought hard to keep her emotions under control. She closed her eyes for a moment before she laid out the partial lie that she and Sam had discussed, with Paul's approval. "I am not Thomas's kid. My mother was Deborah Uley. Or, I guess, Deborah Lahote. Paul Lahote is my brother."

"Oh!" The high pitched squeak was getting on Phyre's nerves. But, better to admit to just being a bastard child from an extra marital affair than being the bastard child of an incestuous extra marital affair.

"Whatever. Mom had me and abandoned me. Name on the birth certificate was Uley. Now I am here and living with my brother. End of story." She pushed out through gritted teeth.

To her surprise, Karen placed a hand on Phyre's arm. "Well, I am glad you are getting to know your brother." Then she leaned over. "But, seriously girl. If you are not dating one of these two, who is your boyfriend? Cuz, how can you pass up the hunks in that gang?"

The boys finally lost it. Phyre's face turned red again.

"There is no hiding it Phyre. Embry is picking you up after school. In front of everyone!" Collin poked. Uggh! She wanted to hide.

"Embry Call! Your boyfriend is Embry Call!" Karen giggled. "Damn girl, you got game to snag that one into slowing down. And, he is 21! Shit, I'm jealous!"

Phyre dropped her head into her arms against the table. Despite the embarrassment and annoying persistence, she was kind of starting to like Karen. At least she didn't appear to be judgmental about anything yet. Well, not judgmental in a bad way at least. But, then her paranoia started to kick in. Had Karen been with Embry?

"Please tell me that you haven't dated Embry." Phyre blurted out. Somewhat more harshly than she had intended.

Karen giggled. "I wish. Don't rip my head off in jealousy here. But, seriously he is hot!"

"What am I? Chopped liver?" Collin pouted.

Karen smiled and winked at him. "No cutie. If you don't screw things up, you might be a lucky boy at the Halloween Party next weekend." That shut him up. Phyre couldn't believe how bold and blunt the girl was with Collin. She quickly looked around to see if others were still watching. But, by then, the general attention of the other students moved on. Away from Phyre.

"And, you are okay with that? With Collin?" Phyre asked.

"What's wrong with me?" Collin grumbled. Brady elbowed him to shut up.

Karen's eyes darkened a little, but she smiled through. However, her voice had dropped to little more than a whisper. "Let's just say, that I have my reasons. Doesn't hurt that he is fucking hot as hell to boot." Something about the pain in Karen's eyes pulled at Phyre. So, grabbed Karen's hand and dragged her out of the cafeteria and into the girls restroom.

"Explain." Phyre pushed.

Karen just looked at her.

"What reasons for publicly stating that you were going to sleep with Collin, knowing that it was a one time thing? I know this is a different school than the one I was in, but seriously, it can't be that different where everyone sleeps around casually with no reputation issues or something." Phyre searched for answers. There was something in the way that Karen looked that reminded Phyre of her brother. Come to think of it, Karen had spent all of her time talking to Phyre and the boys. No one else. The way she was so persistent to talk to Phyre. Did she not have other friends? Karen was cute, friendly, nothing that visibly stood out as a common trigger for bullies and shit.

Karen still watched her. Indecision written all over her face.

"Fine. Explain where your friends are?"

Karen flinched.

"What is going on? You came to me, trying to start a friendship it looks like. So explain it to me."

The girls lip trembled slightly. "It is just stupid."

"Try me." Phyre shot off.

"I, I- I was going to Forks High. And, I was dating this boy, Eli for the last year. Things were going good. Until a few weeks ago. I was stupid and in love. He pressured me into having sex. God, it was awful. I mean, every teen movie bad sex scene rolled into one. He was, was..." She shivered. Phyre could relate to crappy first time. She hadn't had sex, but making out with Jason Cruz was horrid enough. "Anyway, the next day, he had told everyone that I was too fat, that he couldn't even get hard. All of my so called friends were dating his friends. So, they wouldn't stand up for me. I was horrified. I transferred here last week. I know who people are because I live here, but I am kind of new to the school like you."

Phyre wanted to fly into a rage. To go to Forks High School and kill that Eli boy. But, more than that, she wanted to protect Karen from more pain. Phyre pulled her into a hug as the girl broke down into tears.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push myself on to you. I just saw that Collin and Brady had taken to you so quickly, that it gave me the courage to try to get to know you all." Karen said wiping her tears. "Then, when Collin flirted with me, it made me feel pretty again. I know I won't get a relationship. But, at least a night with a guy who would help me erase those horrible memories."

Phyre smiled. "I am glad you talked to us. As for the sex... maybe we could find a way to boost that self esteem in another way?"

Karen sighed. "But, he really is gorgeous. And, from what I hear, experienced enough to make it good. I want to know what good feels like."

"Alright, how about just table the option for now and try something else. We can always work our way back to that one if needed. I don't think Collin is going anywhere." Phyre teased. "Seriously, I am not judging your choices. Just imparting some lessons learned."

"Like you have anything to fret over. You are gorgeous and have all these hunky friends. And, and, you are dating Embry Call!" Karen exclaimed.

Phyre rolled her eyes. "Okay, horror story to share. I met Embry while getting hot and heavy with his friend Seth. I was in that moment of emotional need that you described. I needed to feel like someone wanted me. Then, Embry walked in. Embarrassing as fuck."

"You and Seth?" She squeaked. The look on her face said she was hurt by that.

Phyre grinned. "You have a thing for Seth?" Karen looked horrified. "Don't worry, there is nothing between Seth and I. I swear. I was actually trying to steal a car but didn't have any clothes on, he was in the shop, so I kissed him to try to hide my reason for being there. Then, my baggage kicked in. It was seriously a screwed up situation. Poor boy didn't know what hit him. But, then I met Embry. And, his dad, Sheriff Call walked in. While I was still naked. Triple fucking embarrassing."

Karen bust out laughing, but hugged Phyre tighter. That made Phyre smile. She actually made a friend! Not just pack. But, a human friend!