Narrator POV

Sam appeared in Embry's yard almost as soon as Tiffany pulled into the driveway. Embry and Quil got out of the car when they saw him.

"How was the trip?" Sam asked.

"Good."

"Any problems?" Sam frowned at Embry's non-informative answer.

"No blood, fangs, or claws. Or signs of anything freaky," supplied Quil. "A few idiot teenage guys running off their mouths, but nothing major."

"Glares and set-downs took care of it," Embry said. "Shouldn't be a problem."

"Anything else I need to know about?" the Alpha inquired. Embry and Quil exchanged a glance.

"I'm gonna run home now. I ought to spend some time with Mom and Grandpa before they go to bed, and I need to ask Grandpa something before I forget." Quil was off like a shot before either of the other could say anything.

"Embry?" Sam asked. Tiffany had gone into the house and the pair was now alone outside.

"I'm okay. Never felt like I was going to lose control or anything. I mean, I did get a bit pissed off at what those guys were saying about the girls, but any decent guy would have felt that way hearing that stuff."

"But...?"

The younger wolf was silent for a minute and the elder allowed the quiet to linger. Finally, "I put a little bit of a hickey on Bella's neck, that's all."

"Did you break the skin?" Sam's tone held a bit of sharpness.

"No! I didn't bite her."

The Alpha held his packmate's gaze for a long minute. "I believe you. But you have to be careful about this, Embry. You've got to watch yourself around her, and keep your wolf under control. Don't underestimate his need to have his-your-mate marked. I'm not trying to butt in where it isn't my business-I just don't want your life to get any more complicated than it already is."

"And marking would be a complication," it was a statement more than a question.

"Right now, yes. You and Bella are both only seventeen, Embry. Marking and its resultant consequences would be problematic for you both at the present time."

Embry defended himself, repeating his earlier assertion, "I didn't feel a need to bite her, Sam."

"And that's good. Just be careful when you're with her in that way. I'm not asking you to step back from the physical relationship-neither you nor he would accept that-just be careful, alright?"

"I will." Fortunately for Sam, Embry's usual good nature let him take the advice in the spirit it was intended, and not in the way that a possessive wolf might see it.

"Goodnight, Embry. Thank you for telling me what happened."

"Wasn't sure that I would say anything," Embry admitted. "But it wouldn't have looked good for me to try and hide it-and Quil knows about it, anyway."

Sam cracked a smile. "Self-confession before inadvertent confession-best practice, for pack as well as for parents."

Laconically, "That's what I figured."

"Get some sleep. You're back on patrol tomorrow afternoon. Emily and I usually host a Sunday brunch for everyone, so you're welcome to come if you want to-Bella, too. It isn't required, though."

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The pack brunch ended up going on without the presence of the newest imprinted pair. Embry really didn't want to attend if there was a chance that Jacob might be there, and Bella didn't push the issue. She wasn't any more eager to spend time around her former best guy friend than Embry was, and didn't mind postponing the inevitable meeting until it was mandatory. So she cooked up a full spread just for herself and her boyfriend and they snuggled together on the couch watching movies before he had to leave for his patrol shift.

To cap off Bella and Embry's weekend of togetherness-the bonfire Friday night, Saturday's lake trip, and just hanging out and cuddling the rest of the weekend-Tiffany Call invited the Swan's down to dinner on Monday night. The recent bombshell of Embry's paternity wasn't brought up at all; in fact, they all seemed to have a silent mutual pact to avoid it. Most of the conversation revolved around the classes Embry and Bella would be taking at our respective schools, as well as the ones they'd have together. Both single parents also spent time watching their children, not out of any real concern, but more out of pleased puzzlement. It was unexplainable how in-tune Bella and Embry seemed to be with each other, words often unnecessary, bodies anticipating the other's movement. Embry's attentiveness to whatever Bella needed made Tiffany proud of her son and Charlie favorable toward his daughter's new boyfriend. But at the same time, both wondered what was so different about him compared to most teenage males.

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The students of Forks and La Push went back to their respective schools on Tuesday morning with great reluctance. It was obvious to the rest of the La Push student population that the breach between Embry Call and Jacob Black was still in full force-at least on Embry's side. He absolutely refused to look at Jacob, and ignored his attempts to talk. Some students probably would have tried to make something of that by targeting Embry, which a few of them had already done over the summer...but they didn't. The fact that Embry was clearly hanging with Paul Lahote and was just as big as him-Paul, whom they all knew ran with 20-year-old Sam Uley and 18-year-old Jared Cameron and was about their size-was enough to make them keep their distance. In fact, the student body seemed inclined to also include Jacob as well as Quil Ateara in that avoidance bubble. There was just something about the unwilling quartet that everyone else noticed and didn't want to get too close to. If Sam, Jared, and Paul weren't known to have chased more than one would-be drug dealer away from La Push, then whispers of steroid use would be natural. Instead, most people in the community simply assumed it was growth spurts or pumping iron. Since Sam and Paul were cousins, just like Jared was cousin to Jake, and Jake to Quil, the assumption that it was inherited was a logical one—even though no one had any idea just how right that belief really was.

After enduring a morning of stares and whispers, Embry gratefully retrieved his helmet from his locker and headed outside to his bike for the trip to his classes in Forks. His wolf relaxed once they were away from the annoying teenage humans and almost danced in metaphysical pleasure that they would soon be with their imprint. The wolf really didn't like being away from her all night long, but until they graduated, there really wasn't much choice that wouldn't evoke unwelcome questions and comments from all quarters-or a close encounter with Bella's father's service pistol or shotgun.

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Bella POV

I was facing the direction of the exterior cafeteria doors-just like I'd been last year on my first day here when the Cullen's had entered both the cafeteria and my life-so I saw my boyfriend coming even before he walked in. Embry wore a sleeveless t-shirt with a pair of worn jeans and boots; a backpack was slung casually over one shoulder. He stepped inside and immediately started moving my way. I stood up from my table-completely interrupting the story Angela was telling-and began walking toward him. As soon as we were face to face, Embry dropped his arm to let the backpack slide to the floor, continuing the limb rotation to lift me upward. Automatically my legs rose to lock around his waist. Heads tilted and lips met, gently at first but soon with growing intensity. The world-and the whistles and cat-calls of my fellow students-faded away as a slow burn began to grow inside me-inside both of us.

"That's enough. Break it up." The voice-belated identified as that of the principal, Mr. Green-only gradually penetrated the haze surrounding me.

With obvious reluctance-obvious in the presence of an erection pressed between us-Embry relinquished my lips and let me slide back down to the floor. He kept hold of me, thankfully, since my legs were none too steady at the moment; the fact that my body was blocking anyone's view of his groin was just an added bonus. "Sorry," he told the principal-although everyone could tell that he wasn't in the least bit apologetic. "Just happy to see my girlfriend."

Mr. Green's eyes tracked up and down Embry's six feet plus of solidly muscled body, and then over to me as I turned around-doing a double-take to confirm that it actually was me. "Sorry," I echoed Embry with an equal lack of sincerity.

"I don't recognize you, young man. What's your name?" Mr. Green asked my boyfriend.

"Embry Call. I'm part of the shared studies program with the La Push school this year."

"Well, welcome to Forks High School. But that kind of PDA isn't the best way to start the year, Mr. Call." The principal tried for sternness even though the student he was chiding towered over him.

"Guess not," Embry grinned. "Couldn't help it, though. I love my girlfriend."

There wasn't much Mr. Green could say that wouldn't be taken as inappropriate, so he just repeated, "No PDA," and headed across the room to deal with a group of students and their horseplay.

"Not gonna happen," Embry whispered. "I'm gonna PDA you as much as I can. Gotta keep all those guys away from you-and the girls away from me."

"I like how you think," I breathed in reply. "It probably won't work with any of our 'admirers'-persistence isn't always a virtue-but I like the thought."

As Jessica had predicted over the weekend, Embry got quite a bit of attention on that first afternoon of the school year. He would have been noticed in any case, just from being a new student, but his new appearance ramped that up exponentially. The guys eyed him because of his height and muscles-probably fearing for their starting spots on the sports teams, or else as competition for the girls. The girls...the drooling was so unbelievable that it almost made me want to head to the Thriftway after school to pick up packages of baby bibs; either bibs or a diuretic to be mixed into bake sale offerings—assuming the diet-obsessed girls would indulge in such treats. I had no doubts about Embry's commitment to me, though, and the imprint was only a small part of the reason why.

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Embry POV

I insisted on walking Bella to her locker after school to grab the books she'd need for her homework, and then carrying her backpack out to her car for her. I knew I needed to get going to be on time for my patrol shift, but I selfishly was putting that off for as long as possible in favor of being with Bella. If Jared was right about the proximity urge of imprinting fading as time passed, I was going to take full advantage of it in the meantime.

"So how was your first day?" Bella's friend Jessica bounced up to us.

"It was a blast," Bella replied blandly. "Embry?"

"The chance to spend more time with my girl...it was great."

"I bet," laughed Jessica. "Just so long as the teachers don't catch you studying Bella more than your textbooks."

"Won't happen," my retort was swift and accurate-with the senses I had now, no ordinary person would catch anything I didn't want them to.

"What won't happen?" Jessica snorted. "You studying Bella, or you getting caught?"

"Getting caught, of course." To think that I wouldn't be exploring Bella in detail inside and out was ludicrous.

"Want to come to my place?" Bella asked me.

"Do I want to? Always. Can I? No..." I sighed. "Tribal job calls."

"I forgot. It's every day after school, right?"

"Unfortunately. Too bad-I'd love homework sessions with you."

"What do you think the weekends are for? Charlie goes fishing with Harry and Billy for two days straight almost every single weekend." Bella's eyes shot to mine when she unconsciously used my sperm-donor's name. I let it slide. I knew she hadn't meant to upset me-I wasn't going to let myself get upset-and I could hardly expect Charlie Swan to ignore his lifelong best friend just because of me. Okay, so maybe I selfishly wished he would, anyway, but I wasn't going to ask. Weighing against that desire, however, was the obvious advantage to me if my girlfriend's father was gone all weekend long: uninterrupted time along with Bella, in her bed more likely than at the table studying. So perhaps I'd be altruistic after all and encourage the fishing trips to continue. My body definitely liked that idea, and I again cursed the fact that I had to leave soon to patrol.

To distract us both, "Tell him to stock up on fish. I'll find you lots of new recipes...and I'll even clean the fish for you."

"Okay."

"Ange and I will be your study buddies since Embry can't, Bella," Jessica offered. I'd almost forgotten-or at least I hadn't cared-that she was still standing next to Bella and me and had heard our implied plans for the weekend.

"Sounds good. We can even start today."

"I'll grab Angela and we'll meet you at your house, okay?"

"Sure."

"Bye, Embry." With a wave, Jessica headed off to find Angela, leaving Bella and me blessedly alone. I peeked at Bella's watch and knew I'd have to leave now or really risk getting in trouble. I was at least going to see her safe to her car before I left, though. After Bella had opened the back door to toss her backpack onto the seat, I shut it and spun her around until her back was pressed against the door.

"I want to see you after patrol. Leave your window unlocked-open if you can manage it."

"My window?"

"There's a tree outside your window, remember?"

"You're going to sneak into my room?" Bella squeaked.

"Of course."

"Every night?"

"If I can."

"Embry, my dad...we can't-"

"I know. That's what weekends are for," I gave Bella back her words from a few minutes ago. "But I want to see you, touch you, smell you..." I put actions to words and stepped closer to my girlfriend, running my hands along her arms, breathing in her scent, memorizing every detail of her. Reality intruded in the shrill ringing of my cell phone. I didn't even look at it before answering.

"Yeah?"

"You better get your ass moving before Sam kicks it," Paul didn't bother with a greeting.

"Damn."

He laughed. "Yeah, too bad for you, my man. But you did get to see Bella all afternoon. And I wouldn't be surprised if you don't sneak over to see her again after your patrol, too. You'll be fine for a few hours without her."

That's what he thought. "Paul...after you meet your imprint, I will so remind you that you just said that-and then laugh in your face."

The silence on the phone said that I'd scored a point. With imprinting being a question of when rather than a question of if, he knew that I was likely to be right on how he'd act once he found his mate.

"Whatever," Paul finally said. "But if you don't want to be running during Quil's shift, too, you'd better get to a spot where you can ditch your bike and get phased."

"Okay. Fine. Bye." Refocusing my attention on Bella, I murmured, "I've got to go. Paul and Sam are waiting on me."

"I better go, too," Bella was equally reluctant. "Ange and Jess will be sitting on my front porch if I don't leave now."

After a quick check revealed that most students had left and that teachers were still inside the school, I claimed Bella's mouth in a deep and devouring kiss. We were both breathing heavily by the time I let her go. I helped her into the driver's seat of her car, shut the door, and watched her drive away. Only then did I walk to my bike to start my own trip, following her part of the way until she turned off the main street running through Forks.

I left my bike in a hidden clearing just off the road inside the La Push boundary. After shucking off my shoes and shirt, and hiding my wallet and keys, I walked into the cover of the trees before stripping off my jeans and tying them to my ankle with the cord Paul had given me last time. I took a deep breath and let the ever-present anger toward my unacknowledged father fill me. The fire raced through my body and I fell to the forest floor on four paws.

How did your day go? Sam's voice greeted me in the pack mind.

Okay. Got a lot of stares from everyone.

It happens. Any problems?

Nope.

That's good. I'll phase out now and let you run with Paul. Paul, you sure you're up for running an eight-hour shift?

It's no problem. I can handle it, and I like hanging with Embry anyway.

Okay. Your call. Remember, howl if there's a problem, or any sight or sound of something that shouldn't be here.

Got it.

And Embry?

Yeah?

Move a little faster next time, okay? It's not fair to any of us to have our patrol replacement be late.

Sorry.

Sam snorted mentally. I can see that. Just don't push it too far, okay?

I won't. Sam registered my promise and was gone.

Protective much? I asked Paul after Sam had gone.

Maybe, but that's not always a bad thing. Like I said before, he had a hard time coping with all of it in the beginning-no one he could turn to for help or advice other than some old men who'd never been wolves themselves, who'd just been kids the one time they ever saw a protector. He doesn't want any of the rest of us going through anything like that-not when he can do something about it now.

I'm doing fine.

Yeah, you are, he agreed. But you're still new at this, and you haven't faced a vampire yet—not as a wolf.

Did fine as a human, didn't I?

You did. But he also seemed the sort to play with his food first—if he'd wanted to, he'd have killed you both before you ever knew he was there.

Part of me wanted to protest on principle, but I knew Paul was right. That bloodsucker had been toying with us, drawing it out. Not that I was complaining, as it meant Bella and I had gotten the chance to survive.

Sorry. I know I shouldn't be cocky.

Except around Bella, right?

Shut up!

Okay, okay. No, you shouldn't have too high of an opinion of your abilities right now. After you've faced down a few vampires, then that'll be different.

Think one will come around soon?

That redheaded female is still out there. Eventually she's going to wonder why her friend hasn't reported back to her and come sniffing around again for answers. Seems to be her pattern: flit around for a while and then vanish for a spell, then come back…

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Narrator POV

Neither Embry nor Bella could complain about the start of this new school year. Having Embry at Forks High every afternoon was great in both their minds. It was even better that he ended up sitting either next to or just behind Bella in all their classes. That hadn't been the original plan of the teachers by any means, but Embry's new height of well over six feet tall meant that his spot in the front row of desks would have resulted in him blocking the views of anyone behind him. So he'd graciously volunteered to move to the back of the room, while totally not mentioning his girlfriend's placement there.

The males at Forks High started warming up to Embry after hearing him turn down every single sports-coaching teacher who invited him to try out for their team.

"I've got an after-school tribal job that I've just started, so I won't have time for sports between that and getting my homework done. Can't let my grades slide just because I'm a senior this year-I want to get some good college scholarships."

Those same guys also seemed to finally start getting the clue that Bella Swan was firmly off the dating market. Embry didn't have to say anything-he just looked at them long and hard, and kissed Bella anytime that teachers weren't in sight. By the end of the week, a few bold souls even dared to approach him and offer suggestions of the best hidden make-out spots on campus. It took longer for the message that Embry wasn't looking for a girlfriend to sink in with Forks' female students, who kept trying to snag Embry and earning themselves lectures and detentions from teachers for inappropriate skirt lengths and cleavage-revealing shirts.

"I have a girlfriend," he told them, "and for you to try and proposition me right in front of her is unbelievably rude and disrespectful-to Bella, to me, and to yourselves. There are plenty of guys here who'd make good boyfriends-no need to waste time by going after a guy who's already committed. I'm a one-woman man, and that's never going to change."

Jessica and Angela kept close to Bella when Embry wasn't at the school-no way were they going to let any of those jealous girls get a chance to make any moves against Bella for having the hottest boyfriend in the history of Forks High School. Embry was grateful to them for it, and kept his word to help keep the guys like Mike Newton at bay.

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Bella POV

Yet again, I was falling into the habit of leaving my window open—or at least unlocked—when I went to bed at night. This, though, was wildly different from before, just as Embry was vastly incomparable to Edward. While I now recognized how weird and creepy Edward's nocturnal visits had been—can we say 'stalker'?—Embry…My wolf needed and wanted to see me, be close to me, and I felt exactly the same way about him. A faint tapping sound sent me scrambling out of bed to my window just as another small rock sailed up to hit the glass with a soft whack.

"Move back," Embry whisper-called up to me. I moved more the side than back into the room, wanting to see—or at least attempt to see—how he got up here. It was easier to follow than vampire movement had been, but was still much faster than a human could ever manage. Embry used the tree and side of the house as springboards, bouncing off one and then the other, back and forth, until he swung his body through my open window to land silently inside my bedroom. Moments later, we were in each other's arms.

"How was your patrol?"

"Boring," Embry replied as we settled down to spoon on my bed. "Paul ran with me most of the week—because he wanted to, not because Sam ordered it—but he took tonight off and I ran solo."

"What's it like?"

"Its lots of running around, looking and scenting for anything that shouldn't be there—which there hasn't been."

"That's good, right?" I snuggled a little closer to Embry's warmth and his arm tightened around me in response.

"Yes and no. It's good because then no one's in danger here. Bad, because we can't kill them if they aren't here."

"Are you worried about that? About killing one of them? They look human, act human."

"But they aren't human—not anymore. I don't think I'll have a problem helping deal with them."

"You'll be careful, right?" I twisted around to face him. "I know you've got teeth and claws now, but vampires are fast and strong"

"So are we." His reply was automatic. But after looking at my obvious disappointment with that answer, Embry added, "I'll be careful, I promise. Sam and the others won't let me go and do anything stupid."

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Charlie POV

I drove across the border of the La Push reservation before dawn on Saturday morning, still half-convinced that I ought to turn around and head home. Leaving my teenage daughter home alone for the weekend while I went fishing didn't seem like the best idea right now. I couldn't put my finger on why, exactly, but things were different with Bella and Embry than they had been with her and that Cullen kid. It wasn't just that Edwin Cullen had had the 'perpetual suffering' look down to an art or a science. It wasn't even that Bella had gone and put herself back onto birth control—and, heavens, how even the memory of that conversation was enough to embarrass me. It was mostly the way that Embry watched Bella lately: like he wanted do was devour her—an idea that didn't seem too far-fetched with how different he looked and acted now. He looked so much like Jacob Black and those other boys that ran with Sam Uley that it was almost eerie. I didn't think it was just because I now knew Embry and Jake were actually brothers—which also meant Embry was related to most, if not all, of the others in that group, too. I wondered what they all thought about it now that they'd had some time to think things through. And I wondered how others in the tribe were feeling about this, too, after hearing how Billy had acted both before and after his affair. Was he finally going to step up and do the right thing, or just keep trying to ignore it all? Maybe I'd get to find out today. But to do that, I'd just have to trust my daughter and her boyfriend to continue being responsible and hope that they would do the right thing. I thought I could count on Embry for that-given how his own existence came about. But then again, he was a teenaged guy, and I wasn't so much a stick-in-the-mud that I didn't remember what guys were like at that age.

I hoped for answers from Billy, but when I pulled into Harry's driveway, it was clear that I wouldn't be getting any of those answers today.

"Billy called to say he wasn't feeling too good this morning," Harry told me. "Said he was sorry to bail on us, but for us to have a good time anyway and catch a few fish for him."

"Uh huh," I wasn't convinced by that, and clearly Harry felt the same way. But we didn't say anything more about it until we were out on the lake, poles out, baited, and in the water.

"He said anything more about it? About Embry?"

Harry shook his head. "No. I haven't asked. Haven't seen Billy since the council meeting, truth be told."

"How could something like this happen, Harry? How could Billy cheat on his wife, and then reject the son that resulted?"

Harry sighed heavily. "I wish I knew, Charlie. Spirits, I wish I knew. I would have expected this from Josh Uley. I'd even have considered Caleb Lahote, my brother Michael, or Sue's brother Lucas as candidates for something like this before I'd have suspected Billy."

"What happens now?"

Twitching his fishing pole, Harry rubbed his face with his free hand. "I wish I knew that, too. Embry will be enrolled as a member of the tribe, there's no question about that. Somehow, we'll have to do whatever we can to help him accept things; same thing for Jacob."

"And Billy?"

"I'll talk to Old Quil and to Sam about that, and to Tiffany and Embry, too. Reparations will have to be made somehow-but honestly, Charlie, how in the world can anything we impose on Billy ever make up for what he did-and what he didn't do?"

It was my turn to sigh. The Native American custom of a guilty person making amends to those they'd wronged was alien to my law enforcement standard of the guilty being punished for their crimes, but most of Billy's misdeeds weren't ones that any legal system was designed to address. Okay, granted, Tiffany could have taken-and still could-Billy to court for unpaid child support, but other than that...? I didn't see her doing that, though. Not that Billy didn't deserve to be publicly held to account for the son he'd never claimed, but Tiffany and Embry didn't deserve to have their reputations dragged through the mud in the process for only a small slice of Billy's disability income.

That idea about reparations made me think of other things; that, and Harry's comment that Embry would be acknowledged as part of the Quileute tribe. "Harry, if Embry becomes a member of the tribe, you're going to have to say how, aren't you?"

"Ah, hell," he groaned. Clearly, that was something he hadn't fully thought about before now.

"Have Billy's girls been told yet? Do Rachel and Rebecca know about Embry being their brother?"

"I don't think so—not unless Billy called them, and I doubt he'd have done that. They left here years ago the second they legally could and haven't been back. Probably never will be if they can help it. I don't think either of them has kept up with many of their old friends, either. Leah was the exception and she's off at school now with Rachel and just as much in the dark about all this."

"Unless Bella says something to her about it—they got to be really good friends this summer, remember."

"I know, Charlie. But Sam Uley's been helping Embry out a lot lately, and with the history he and Leah have…would Bella bring it up given how Leah feels, knowing that sharing about Embry will bring the rest of it out, too?"

"She might not want to," I sighed, "but Bella hates being lied to, whether directly or by omission, and keeping this a secret from Leah would probably feel a lot like lying to her friend. Plus Bells is a terrible liar—even if she tried to, Leah likely would figure it out."

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Embry POV

I showed up at the Swan house long after Charlie left, backpack in tow in case any nosy neighbors decided to keep the chief apprised of activity at his home during his absence. The textbooks and spiral notebooks were going to remain zipped up, however, in the bag I dropped on the floor just inside the front door.

"Hungry?" Bella asked once the outside world had been shut away.

"Yeah. Oh, yeah, I'm hungry," I rumbled, advancing on my imprint with purpose.

"Emb-" my name turned into a squeal when the wolf swept the girl up into our arms and started a rapid ascent of the staircase.

"The...food...is...downstairs," Bella gasped out each word.

"What I want is right here," I contradicted. "I'm hungry for you."

"But-oh!" Objection trailed off when I pulled down the neckline of her camisole and commenced worshiping her breasts with my fingers and palms. Bella's hands alternated running through my cropped hair and clenching as much of it as she could when sensations overwhelmed her. Knowing how much I affected her made me consider growing my hair out at least a little bit and just accept any inconvenience it might cause in my animal form. Awareness returned to her eyes somewhat when I let her go long enough to strip off my shirt and all of her clothes. Bella gasped at the first contact of my blazing-hot body against her much cooler skin, writhing against me.

My wolf and I rumbled in pleasure, too. If we had our way, we'd be like this all the time. Nothing was better than having our imprint pressed against us—best of all if she was naked as she was now. I kissed my way from her lips, along her neck, and down to her breasts. One of my hands snaked between us to delve into the cleft of her legs, stroking, rubbing…

"Emb-ry," moaned Bella. "Need…mrr."

I needed more, too. In a blur, I rolled both of us over, coming to rest on my back with Bella suspended over me. "Ride me, Bella," I growled, plunging her down onto me and forcing a strangled scream out of her throat. Bella's head arched backward, her hair brushing against the tops of my thighs in an erotic whisper of movement. Moments later, her hair blinded me when her body bowed over mine.

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Bella POV

Embry and I lay on our sides, spooned together so that his body heat soaked right through me—the warmest I'd been since leaving Phoenix. I'd happily stay like this forever if it was possible—but it wasn't. He'd have to leave later to run his patrol, though he promised to come back as soon as it was done and stay until my dad got home.

"Hungry?" I murmured the question.

"Always," replied Embry. For which answer he got a feeble swat against the arm he had draped over me.

"What?" he protested. "It's true. I am always hungry—both for food, and for you."

"Well, you've had me—more than once already today. So it's time for food." I started trying to extricate myself from the bed, but didn't stand a chance when Embry tugged me back against him. "I'm hungry, too," I explained. "We both need to eat—and I would love to have a shower."

The ravenous look in his eyes softened. "I'm pushing again, right?"

"No, not really," I assured him. "I want you, too. I'm just not quite as tough as you are. But get me some food and a shower, and…maybe…we can…fit in…once…more…before you leave." My fingers trailed along his arm.

"In the shower?" Embry wheedled.

"Uh," I was nonplussed, trying to figure out how it would work. Though, judging from the wickedly mirthful expression Embry sported, I probably didn't need to worry. And indeed I didn't. Embry's body anchored me against the shower wall and ensured that I would fall asleep that night in satiated satisfaction.

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AN: I'd apologize for not having this, but I just didn't have the time over my Christmas break that I'd hoped to. But I've got this done now, and (fingers crossed) I ought to have a long-awaited update to "Revenge is a Dish Best Served Hot" up this week as well.

Readers: If you have any good ideas on what kind of restitution Billy and Jake could be called on to make (to Embry, Tiffany, tribe, etc.), let me know in your review. Let's keep it legal and non-lethal, though.