Christmas rolled up quickly as Phyre found herself floating in bliss with Embry.
It had been hard for her to focus at school when all she wanted to do was ditch to spend more time with him. However, she knew she had to work on her grades and try to get those scholarships. She had already filled out college and scholarship applications. Yet, she didn't need to screw it all up at the last minute. Plus, she had followed Embry's advice and taken a few kids under her wing, those who were more isolated for whatever reason and more of a target for bullying. They were in different grades and mostly introverts who didn't trust friendships yet. She completely understood. It had been difficult to really trust the pack and the relationships she had been building as friends and family. Trusting it all was still something she struggled with. But, slowly, they were making connections with each other, just as she had been. She had even witnessed one of the sophomore kids help another kid stand up for themselves. So, if anything, even more than the scholarships, she would continue going to school to be there for her little pack of misfits.
Plus, Embry did need to have time to work. She was already eating into his work time and she felt guilty. He needed to focus on work and getting paid. Normally, Embry would run patrols with Sam in the mornings when most everyone else was at school or starting work, except for the few that worked the really early morning patrols, and they were sleeping. Then, Embry would go into the shop around noon and work until dinner, maybe later. And, he still had his school work. With Phyre around, he always took the time to pick her up from school. They would go to his shop while he worked more and she finished her homework, then they would leave for dinner and do whatever after that. With a few exceptions of course, like study groups with Karen, Collin and Brady. And, Phyre would usually patrol with Collin and Brady later in the evening. It was a comfortable routine. Yet, Phyre knew that he worked less than he otherwise would. He tried to sooth her worry by reminding her that he worked all day on Saturday too, while she was in Port Angeles. Still, she worried she was taking too much.
She just wished she could find a way to fit more time into the day. He needed more time to work. She would love to get a part time job to help with things. But, she wasn't ready to sacrifice her limited time with him to accomplish those things. Grrrr.
She shook her thoughts loose as she walked across the street to the Quileute Oceanside Resort. Jared's wife Kim worked there in reception. Leah worked there as well, though hospitality and Leah don't really belong in the same sentence. No, she had gotten her massage license and was the in-house masseuse. Put her strength to good use. And, for the most part, she didn't really have to talk to people, just quietly work out their muscles. Win, win. And, since it was a holiday, the resort was a bit more busy than typical that time of year.
Phyre walked in the front doors and found Kim. She was busy explaining some of the rules and laws around the reservation to a family visiting from Seattle.
Once the family headed out to find their cabin, Kim ran over to give her a hug. "Thank you so much for coming to pick this all up." The woman led Phyre to an office area. "I just won't be off work in time to get it all over to Emily's and get it warmed up before dinner."
"Don't worry about it. I am more than happy to help. Embry will be here in a minute with a vehicle and then we will drop it all off at Em's... holy crap girl! How much did you make?" Phyre laughed as Kim pulled out boxes filled with chaffing trays full of food.
Kim glared at her. "Really? You know this pack. You could eat two of these yourself." Phyre smirked. Yeah, she probably could. Kim and Emily split up the majority of the menu for Christmas. Emily made the turkey, ham, steaks, and pies. Kim made the side dishes. Phyre felt bad that she didn't help, but they wouldn't let her. So, she and Anna had spent the days prior doing some cooking of their own... huge bags of home made popcorn drizzled in caramel and/or chocolate, tossed with nuts. Everyone got a bag as a gift.
"Alright, I know where it all is. Go back to work. Once Bree shows up, we will take it from there." She smiled at Kim.
About ten minutes later, Embry pulled up in Paul's truck. Phyre showed him the way and the two of them got to work loading up all of the food. However, just as they finished closing the tailgate, Phyre heard a voice that sent ice through her veins.
"Well, look who it is? What cat dragged you out of the gutter Phyre?" Phyre turned around to see A.J. Kissek. Her grief hit her hard.
"Leave me alone." She growled dangerously.
He arched a brow and smirked. "Aw, the little kitten thinks she is a tiger."
Embry stepped between them. "Do what she said and leave."
A.J. looked Embry over. He knew Embry was bigger. But, A.J. was just that kind of asshole who didn't care. He thought everyone bowed down to him. "I see you finally moved up a little in the world without that little queer holding you back."
That was the last straw. Embry grabbed Phyre by the waist and pinned her to the truck. It was too public. There was no way to hide. He could not let her phase there. He kissed her with everything he had. Her emotions fought with themselves. She was in full fury. She knew what he was doing and why, but she was angry at Embry for holding her back. Yet, despite how much she wanted to fucking kill that asshole, Embry still edged her away from phasing. Still angry, but more controlled. She clung to him for that control.
"Oh shit. You have got to be fucking kidding me." A.J. lashed out. "What a hypocrite."
Embry slowly pulled away. "You good?" She could only nod slightly. Once he was sure she would not phase, he turned to deck A.J. in the jaw.
"Fucking hell, you asshole!" The boy screamed.
"What seems to be the problem?" Sheriff Call happened to walk up, just as A.J.'s parents walked out of the resort lobby.
A.J. seethed in his anger. He wanted to fight back, but with his parents and a man in uniform there, he held back to point an accusing finger at Embry and Phyre. "That shit just punched me for no reason."
The Sheriff crossed his arms and glared at them all.
Phyre was still furious. But, she would not let Embry take the blame. "Sheriff..." But, the man cut her off.
"See, the problem I have with this situation is that I witnessed the whole damn thing." He stated.
A.J. paled. "Now, I don't know what is going on. But, no one has the right to hit my son." His mother spoke up.
The Sheriff raised a brow. "You are not in the United States any more. This is reservation land. We are a sovereign entity with our own laws, police, and Tribal Council. So, please be mindful of our culture and laws. That being said..." He looked at Embry. "I think apologies are in order." A.J. smirked until the Sheriff turned to stare at him.
"What me? He is the one who hit me!" The boy whined.
"You were hit because you knowingly insulted his future wife."
A.J. looked between Phyre and Embry like they had just turned purple and sprouted wings. "She can't get married, she is only 17."
Sheriff Call rolled his eyes. "Future does imply not now."
"What did you do?" A.J.'s father asked him gruffly.
The boys eyes went wide. "Nothing."
Phyre couldn't stand it any more. "Nothing? Nothing? You ass! You bullied my little brother because I wouldn't go out with you. How could I ever agree to date a guy like you? A guy who tried to force himself on me and was only stopped when my brother showed up. You couldn't fight both of us off. So, after that, you took all of your frustration out on him. Told the whole school that he was gay, so they all joined in on his torment. You and your cronies pushed him so hard that he killed himself. I found him! Then my dad broke down and shot himself in front of me. Because of you and your friends. Never leaving him alone. Always there to push him down, and degrade him. For what? Because I fought you off when you wouldn't take no for an answer? Then you show up here and had the nerve to rub my face in that loss?" She was trembling but her voice was tight and controlled.
"Shut up! You bitch!" A.J. roared. Phyre ignored him.
A.J.'s mother covered her mouth with her hands as Phyre spoke. Phyre recognized the shock. "What did he tell you about his broken nose? That it was a football accident or something?" She scoffed. "No. That was from my elbow, the day he tried to pin me down against my will. And, the fucking school covered it up for their star football player."
"Oh God, you poor girl." The woman muttered.
At the realization that his parents knew everything and believed what Phyre said, A.J.'s anger spiked. He started to move toward her, only to be cut off by his own father and the Sheriff.
"Embry, take her to Sam's." Sheriff Call turned to kiss her forehead. "Calm down sweetheart. We'll sort this out."
Embry quickly got her into the truck and took off. He was shaking he was so angry, knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. Phyre didn't know what to do. She knew he was angry in defense of her. But, was he angry at her as well? He hadn't said one word to her since he heard what A.J. did. If she could just calm down, she could try to calm him, to fix it. But, she just couldn't calm herself. As soon as he could find a place to pull of near the trees, he stopped the truck. "God, I want to kill him." He muttered. "He won't hurt you again. I promise. I won't let him near you."
Minutes ticked by as they both tried to calm down. It wasn't really working. The fact that Embry was so angry, just upset her more. She didn't want him to be upset like that. Her wolf was whining to calm him down. And, at the same time, seeing her so upset, just pissed him off more. The whole two wolves imprinted on each other sure did complicated things. Both fighting the animal instincts to just go back and kill A.J., both fighting desperately to calm each other but losing in the hurricane of their own emotions. Eventually, Embry opened the door.
"He won't touch you again." He snarled. Phyre watched in horror as Embry phased and ran off in wolf form toward the resort. No! He couldn't.
She quickly phased and took off after him. That was the push she needed to get past herself and focus only on him. "Embry! Don't! Please Embry, you can't go after a human!" She screamed through the pack mind.
"What in the hell?" Quil and Jake replied.
"Embry stop!" Sam ordered. Embry froze at the alpha command. But, he fought it. Hard.
However, it gave Phyre a chance to catch up to him and tackle him to the cold, wet ground. "Bree, please, look at me. I need you."
Embry was so lost in his rage and blood lust, that he refused to look at her.
She howled in the pain that it caused. "Please Embry. Please don't reject me now. I need you. Be angry at me for being weak. That is fine. I will hurt, but you will be safe. But, you can't go to the resort like this, in public. They will shoot you. I can't lose you to prison or worse over someone like A.J. Please choose to stay with me instead of throwing your life away because of my past."
Embry turned and snapped at her. He fought her off and pushed her away. Phyre was so stunned, so hurt, that she didn't even put up a fight. He had never pushed her away before. Her heart was shattering into a thousand pieces.
Quil and Jake had caught up to the two. "Embry! What in the hell man? Are you seriously going to reject your imprint over an asshole?"
Embry snarled and snapped at his friends. No thoughts, just rage. He was completely feral.
Phyre collapsed from the pain of his rejection. Her breathing was labored as the world spun. "I can't live without you." She whispered.
She felt so lost. So hurt by the past. So scared of the future if Embry were to leave. Her fears of abandonment raced to the front of her emotions. Fear that Embry would leave her because she wasn't strong enough. She was never strong enough. She couldn't stop A.J. on her own, Jax had saved her. She couldn't face it all on her own, she needed Embry. She was a wolf, she was supposed to be strong. But, she crumbled in her grief and fears. Why would anyone want her?
She felt his cold nose press against her. "I'm not leaving you Phyre. I am never leaving you." He laid himself next to her and wrapped his neck over hers. "Why didn't you tell me about him?" Something in the moment had finally reached him. She had been too lost to see it.
Phyre whimpered. "I never wanted to think of him again. He tried to rape me. He tortured my brother. He ruined my life. How could I want to think about him let alone talk about him?"
"God Phyre, I just can't stand the thought that he tried... that he could ever hurt you again."
"He won't." She insisted. "As long as I have you to protect me, he won't."
Jake and Quil moved over to lay down with both of them. Everyone understood Embry's anger and desire to punish the boy that tried to rape his imprint and cause her so much hardship. But, Phyre was right, if he had gone after A.J., they would have all lost him. It was too close of a loss for anyone to even speak for a while as they all settled their nerves and slowly found comfort in each other. In the peace of knowing that Phyre's need was able to stop him before it was too late. They could all feel Sam in the link, nervous to leave Emily, but unwilling to leave them just yet.
"How did you know Sam?" Embry finally asked.
"Your dad called. He was worried, said something happened and you were likely to lose control."
Embry sighed. "Did he say anything else?"
"No. But, if you are going to behave and stay put, I will give him a call." Sam said.
"Thanks."
Phyre felt so drained. Her emotions were still in over drive. Why couldn't the past just stay in the past? As soothing as Embry had been. As happy as she had been in the weeks prior. Seeing A.J. had its impact on her. She felt herself slipping away. Back into her depression. Not wanting to be near anyone. She felt cold and detached. Everything was numb.
Embry growled. "No. You are not going there."
Phyre snorted. She didn't want to argue. She didn't want to try anymore.
"Guys, can I have a moment alone in here with my imprint?" Jake and Quil quickly phased out of the pack mind and sat on a log, vocally stating that they were happy to give us space.
Embry rolled his eyes at them. It was good to have his friends there when he needed it. But, this was something for Phyre.
"Phyre, listen to me. I am not going to let you give up. You hear me?" Embry started.
"I miss him Bree. My brother saved me and I couldn't save him. I shouldn't have gone to school that day. I should have stayed home. I could have stopped him." She broke down again. "I haven't done anything right. A.J. took everything, he almost took you. It's all just wrong. And, I don't know how to fight any more."
He nuzzled further into her neck. "You know that you won over my dad when you admitted that you made mistakes and said that you would make more, with confidence."
She growled slightly.
"I'm not kidding. He really likes you. So does my mom. And Leah... come on, you have to give yourself props for winning over Leah. Hell, the whole pack loves you like a sister. Paul, more than the rest, but I guess he has a good excuse."
She gave a half laugh.
"Let's see, then there is Karen who truly loves you as a friend and Seth who is forever indebted to you for introducing him to his imprint. Even more for loving his imprint enough to protect her from her own bully, before he was in the picture. And, we can't forget Collin and Brady who can't shut up about how cool you are and how you make them laugh at school. Or your whole pack of misfits who are banding together to protect each other. What would they do without you?"
Embry paused and leaned back to look at her. She was trying hard not to react. So, instead of returning to his embrace, he put his head on his paws.
"I know that Anna loves you as a sister. You two have way too much fun dancing around the house while making cookies. And, don't think that I don't know about your plots and plans. I know that you did not come up with that costume idea on your own. Anna, she is too much of an introvert to put that much into someone she didn't truly care about."
Phyre turned and watched him. "What is your point?"
"My point is that you are loved. You might not have been here long. And, I know you came from a place where it is difficult to fully accept what is being given to you and trust in it. But, it is true. It is real. You are loved. You are welcomed. You are appreciated. You are wanted. And, not just by me. So, you can't blame it on the imprint bond. You are accepted and wanted by all of us. So, I won't sit here and feel you pull away and closing yourself off because you think that people don't want you. I know you have a lot to work through and it is a process. But, I will fight with everything I have to keep you here with me. Just like you did for me a few minutes ago."
"Why?"
Rather than speak, Embry showed her. He showed her the way he saw her. His memories of her smiles. Of her laughter. Of the times when she made him laugh or made him feel better after a bad day. Of the way he felt confident and empowered when she encouraged him to be himself, not just a piece of candy. Of the pride he felt when he heard her defend him to his father. Embry showed her memory after memory. Trying to show her just how much he loved the passionate, strong, sexy woman that she was.
"I love you too Bree." She licked at his face.
"If you two are going to get all kissy faced, can we switch roles? We still have a patrol to finish." Jake whined.
Phyre had completely forgotten that he was still there with Quil. Oops. She and Embry made their way back to the truck and delivered the food. Phyre was still hesitant in her emotions. However, Embry wouldn't let go of her. She really needed that physical contact and he gave it without her needing to ask. It meant everything to her.
"So, your dad said that the family you had a run in with left the rez. Apparently the parents were quite upset to learn just what their son had been doing and decided to return home. Don't really know what happened, but sounds like their departure is for the best." Sam informed them once they settled in.
Yes. Definitely for the best.
"Da-da, da-da!" Rory called as she wobbled her way into the house on her own two legs.
"You are doing good jelly bean!" Paul beamed with pride as he knelt down a few yards in front of her with his arms out. Rory had been taking steps between short distances for weeks, but Paul and Anna tried to encourage her to walk farther before she would squat down to the floor and crawl.
Emily smiled at the sight. "I still can't believe her first words were da-da."
Anna scoffed. "Are you kidding? Sometimes, I am surprised that she even knows I exist. She is a total daddy's girl." Just then, Rory tripped and started crying. Anna quickly scooped her up to sooth her, but Rory reached for Paul. "See what I mean?"
Paul kissed Anna on the cheek. "Just remember that you are the one that she wants to rock her and read stories at night. She won't let me put her down to sleep."
Anna smiled at that.
Rory wiggled her way down again and wobbled herself over to Phyre. Rory and Phyre had gotten along just fine. Phyre dove right on in to help with the little rascal when she moved in. Changing diapers, feeding her, giving her baths, all of it. And, given Phyre's nerves, it felt really good to have even the baby seek her out for a few minutes. Phyre picked her up and cuddled her close.
"You would be a great mom." Embry whispered.
Phyre smiled. "Maybe one day, when the vampires stop showing up and we can stop phasing." She leaned her head against his shoulder.
In that moment, she actually did regret that she could not have kids. A family of her own. Still, being an aunt to Rory was more than enough while she was still in school.
An aunt. She had not really thought about that before. Embry reminded her that she really did have a family now. A real family. She looked around at the pack that gathered. A family that wanted her.
Best Christmas ever.