Saturday evening, Embry's mother had invited her over for dinner. Phyre wasn't sure what to make of it. She and Embry had only had one date. Friday night was spent at Emily and Sam's with the rest of the pack. And, earlier Saturday was spent in Port Angeles with Anna and Leah. So, it seemed kind of rushed in their relationship. Embry tried to help her relax. He had tried to not tell his mom about the imprint, but when he pushed the question about his father, he had to explain why. Fortunately, she already knew about the pack and what an imprint meant. His mom was just too excited that he met a girl that he was serious about. Que motherly guilt trips about wanting to meet her. Embry promised to make it up to Phyre with a date the following day. Phyre took a deep breath. She could get through this.
"Mom, this is Phyrianna." Embry started introductions, but was cut off as Tiffany Call grabbed Phyre into a hug.
"I am so happy to finally meet you!" The woman's joy was almost tangible. But, finally? Phyre had only arrived in La Push a week before.
Phyre wasn't really sure what to do. She had never met a boy's parents before. "Ah, please call me Phyre."
"Come in, make yourself at home." Mrs. Call said. But, the throat being cleared by Sheriff Call made it very well known that he would be watching her and not to make herself too at home there. Lovely. The man seemed to think she was going to steal from them. "Philip, be nice." Mrs. Call scolded her husband.
"I guess I deserved that." Phyre muttered. It was Embry's turn to clear his throat as he glared at her for taking that responsibility. "It's the truth." Phyre defended. "The only times your dad has seen me was when he caught me shop lifting and again in the garage after I failed at trying to steal a car."
The Sheriff growled. "You were trying to steal a car?"
She shrugged. "I was sick, turned into a wolf, found out I had both a brother and cousin that I didn't know about, then had them turn their backs on me. Kind of a crazy night. I just wanted to get away from the insanity. Even thought about going straight to Forks P.D. and having them commit me to an asylum or something."
Embry and Sheriff Call both scowled at her. Though, probably for different reasons.
Tiffany just squeezed Phyre's hand. "Don't worry dear, things will blow over. I can't imagine the stress and shock you were going through that day. But, it really is lovely to meet you. Any girl that can get my boy to pine like a lost puppy must be special."
"You pined?" Phyre blushed.
Embry shrugged. "Sam wouldn't let me see you for a few days." Then he held out a chair for her at the dinner table. Phyre sat down with a shy glance at the gentleman he was.
"You two are cute. Already so smitten with each other." Mrs. Call said.
"Well, you know mom... What's not to love?" Embry gestured to himself with a cocky grin as he sat beside Phyre.
Oh, that just was not happening. Phyre let out a half laugh. "That arrogance for one." Embry's jaw dropped. However, Phyre did not stop. "That sexy smile of yours won't get you brownie points with me mister."
His mother cackled in laughter. Even the Sheriff chuckled. "Looks like you met your match boy." Embry looked around. Seeing that he was out numbered, he slumped his shoulders.
Phyre leaned over. "Now this side of you... that looks unsure of things... this I like." She nudged him with her elbow and he grinned. "And, I really like when you are confident. Truly confident. Not that over the top womanizing crap."
It was embarrassing once Phyre remembered that they were not alone. She dropped her eyes and blushed fiercely. "So..." Tiffany spoke into the awkwardness. "Philip told me about how you made your way to La Push. I am very sorry you struggled so. However, it sounds like you have a fresh start here. Do you have any plans?" She asked as she carried out a casserole dish of lasagna, a bowl of salad, and a platter of grilled steaks. The woman was obviously used to feeding huge appetites.
Embry helped Phyre fill her plate as she was too shy to take much. He kept adding more. She giggled. "Well, honestly, I don't know yet. There have been so many changes. A month ago, I was studying hard, hoping to get a scholarship to Washington State. I had planned to push my dad to sign over guardianship of my brother to me so that we could just get out." She took a deep breath. "Now... I don't have a little brother to raise and apparently I can't have kids of my own because of the wolf thing. And, for the time being, I am technically a ward of the state until everything is done and the brother I never knew about will become my guardian. Everything has changed."
Phyre drifted off in her grief. Embry hugged her close.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"No." Phyre cut the woman off. She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "It's alright. It will take time to process it all. But, I am good. And, after Embry told me about the online degrees that he and Quil are working on, I kind of thought I could do the same eventually. If I can still get the scholarships. So, I do have some plans still."
Sheriff Call looked up. "Your taking online courses?"
Embry shrugged. "Yup."
"You never told them?" Phyre chuckled. That boy was determined to push his fathers buttons and then hide his accomplishments. Embry just shrugged. "Silly boy."
"What in?" His father mumbled.
Embry looked over and opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. Probably meant to say something cheeky. "Environmental Studies. Eventually could work for the Parks or something. Help on the rez. Or travel."
"And you told your new girlfriend, but not your parents?" Again, Embry shrugged. He really wanted to drive his father nuts.
Tiffany tried to save the situation. "So, what are you thinking of getting your degree in Phyre?"
"Psychology." She said quickly. "I wanted to do more to help my brother. With the abuse, the depression, the bullying. I just didn't know how. But, maybe with training, I could help others." Embry smiled with pride.
"Are you sure that you are ready for something like that?" The Sheriff asked. "You still have some issues to work out if you were trying to steal a car."
Embry growled at his step-father. Phyre put a hand on his arm quickly. "I know that I made mistakes that day. Hell, I am still making mistakes as my emotions bounce faster than a ball at an NBA game. And, I probably will make other mistakes through life. But, I know where I am at. In my grief. In my abandonment issues and other baggage. I didn't need Paul or that Mrs. Pullman lady to suggest counseling. I had been seeing a counselor at school for a long time. I am seeking help for my issues. And, I have at least seven more years to work through it all before I get a Masters to get into counseling, let alone try for a PhD."
That managed to crack the Sheriff as his lips tugged up in the left corner.
The rest of the dinner, Sheriff Call and Embry nettled each other into frustration. Phyre liked to see Embry's mind at work. He was fast and sarcastic. He tried to play off as uncaring, but he was so passionate. Tiffany obviously loved both of her men, but shook her head at them together. The poor woman.
By the end of the night, Sheriff Call pulled Phyre aside. "You sound like a good kid with a good head on your shoulders. Stay focused." He paused and rubbed the back of his neck, a gesture that she saw Embry do as well. "I know the stealing and stuff was mostly out of desperation and I hope you never feel that desperate again. You don't need to feel so guilty or shy around me."
"Thank you."
The Sheriff looked at Embry who was helping his mother clean up the dishes. "You have an affect on him. He seems calmer, more grounded. And, you don't take his stupidity. I really hope he doesn't screw this up."
"And what makes you think that he will?" Phyre was instantly defensive of her imprint. Her wolf snarled at the implied insult.
"I just worry." He said.
She growled. "Yeah, well. I don't know what you worry about. He is 21 years old, already owns a house, is a partner in a business, is taking online classes, and turns into a wolf to protect his people. I don't know very many other college students his age that could claim anywhere near that level of stability, strength, and maturity."
He tilted his head. "And, I don't know many 17 year olds that would recognize those traits, let alone value them the way you seem to. You both had to grow up too fast. And, you carry a lot of weight on your shoulders. I try to walk a fine line between wanting to be the father that wants his son to be carefree and young, and being the Sheriff that wants enough maturity that laws and hearts don't get broken. I make my mistakes as well. But, I try to find the balance between the two." He leaned over to give a chaste kiss against her forehead. "Welcome to the family Phyre."
"Fucking hell!" Phyre screamed as she turned wolf in the woods just outside of the school, the following Tuesday morning.
"What happened?" Sam and Embry both questioned in the pack mind.
She growled. "Stupid pricks." Her anger was tangible through the pack mind.
"Can you make it toward us safely?" Sam asked.
She had to crouch to maneuver the paths closer to the buildings, but she made her way to open forest and ran in the direction that Sam and Embry were. Along the way, she replayed her memory of heading to class to see some of the younger students bullying another classmate. It was a nerve that was still so open and raw. She wanted to rip the punks apart, but Brady was there to pull her out to the trees.
"Well, it looks like you are learning your triggers." Sam stated. "Jealousy and bullying seem to be what set you off the fastest."
Embry nuzzled her until she calmed. "Your alright Phyre."
"Can we just run?" She asked as she absorbed the comforting support from Embry, he still calmed her so much. She could have turned human and gone back to class, but she was scared she would see those kids and blow up again.
Sam gave her a small nudge. "Yeah. But, you are not making it a habit to skip school."
"I do have scholarships that I am trying to get, remember? Bailing from school too much would screw that up." She retorted.
Embry nudged her. "So, what do you plan on doing when you do go back?"
"I don't know yet, I want to do something about the bullying. But, beating the crap out of the bullies only makes me the bully. I do recognize that."
"That is a relief to hear." Sam remarked. Phyre rolled her eyes.
Embry paused. "Perhaps you could form your own pack."
Sam and Phyre stopped and looked at him. "Huh?"
"You know. That safety in numbers thing. Take those kids that are being picked on under your wing and help them build strength together. The way we do as a pack."
Phyre slowly let the pride spread over her and then pounced to tackle Embry to the ground. "You are brilliant, and wonderful, and sexy, and amazing, and..."
"Okay, I get it." Embry laughed as she licked all over his face. "Your welcome." He beamed from the compliments and affection. But, mostly because he felt her emotions and how much she really meant ever word. But, Sam was there, he didn't want things to get too personal.
Sam rolled his eyes and laughed at them quietly.
The three of them continued the patrol along the eastern border. When they caught the whiff of something sickeningly sweet. Phyre knew from Sam and Embry's thoughts that it was a vampire. It was the first time that she smelled a vampire and her wolf was desperate to track it down and kill it. The instinct to kill their enemy was strong.
"Slow down Phyre. I want you in between Embry and I. Your first hunt. Let's play it safe." Sam said.
She followed orders as they raced through the woods, tracking the scent. It was fresh and the creature was not too far ahead of them. She had learned that vampires could run fast, but the wolves were faster. As they realized the direction that the trail was headed, they pushed even harder, the cold one was headed toward a cluster of houses at the southern end of the reservation. There were three young families that lived there with children too young to go to school yet.
"Embry, flank left. Phyre, flank right." Sam ordered. They obeyed. Phyre replayed what Sam had taught her in her head. Don't let the vampire get it's arms around the body. Try to remove the head. The body must be burned. By the time they caught up the very pale looking man with long brown hair, Phyre let her wolf take over. Let instinct be her guide. One vampire against three wolves was not a balanced match.
At one point, the bloody leech had turned on Phyre. She fought on pure adrenaline and wolf instinct. But, Embry panicked. He tried to get in the middle of the fight rather than just attack the vampire. He was more focused on trying to protect her than ending the fight. In the chaos of the change in tactics, the vamp had managed to break Phyre's arm. She howled in the pain. And, Embry rushed to her side.
"Damn it Embry! Stay focused!" Sam yelled. "Kill the enemy first." He used his alpha command.
Embry returned to the fight, though his emotions showed he really wanted to disobey and stay with Phyre.
As Phyre tried to regain focus and push through the pain, she heard movement to her right. She turned to see two children hesitantly walking toward them, drawn by the sounds of the fight.
"Sam!" Phyre screamed, showing him that the kids were too close. "They can't be here."
He could see what she was thinking. "Go. Phase and get them out of here."
She turned human quickly though the shifting of her bones as her limb was broke made her scream out in the pain.
"I'm alright Embry. Stay focused." She said through gritted teeth before she ran through the trees and ferns to scoop up the boy and girl. They looked like they were around two and three years old. They squirmed and fussed against her which added to her pain. Her arm was not badly broken, but bad enough that she should not have been carrying a two year old that was fighting to get away. She made her way back to the tree line to see a worried young woman looking around for the two little ones. She set them down and told them to run back to her.
The two year old quickly obeyed and screamed about the mean lady. That just panicked the young woman more. She called out for the older boy who stuck his tongue out at Phyre and then ran to join his sister. Phyre would have stepped out to sooth her worry, but she was naked and there was still a vampire fight going on not too far away. The fear would help the woman rush the kids inside.
Phyre turned, only to see the vampire make one last run at her before Embry and Sam were able to get a firm hold and take the creature down.
She was pissed.
She was in pain which set off her anger to start with. But, she wasn't a little girl to be protected. She was part of the pack. Yes, it was her first fight, but she didn't think she was doing anything wrong or fighting poorly.
Once Sam and Embry killed the leech, Embry phased and ran back to her side to check on her.
"Embry!" Sam scolded. "Phyre is a part of this pack now. She has to be trusted to fight. This got way too close for comfort because you were distracted."
Embry whimpered. "I know. My human mind knows. But, my wolf was so desperate to keep her safe. She's my imprint. That is what my wolf is supposed to do, protect my imprint."
"And you are mine, it was hard to watch you fight without me because I was stuck here useless with the broken limb. I wanted to protect you too. But, Bree, I have to be a part of the pack, not the pack mascot to be played with and pushed aside when things get dangerous."
Sam sighed. "You were not useless. You noticed the children and protected them. You did good Phyre. But, we have never had an issue of two wolves being imprinted together before. The instinct to protect each other is strong. Obviously it can be distracting from the function of the pack during a fight. We are going to have to work on that. For now, I don't want you two patrolling together. We need to make sure that you are both clear headed enough to focus on the goal."