Embry

"Don't make a scene, son." Carlisle whispered to me softly.

I was furious. Jake had shown up at the hospital and demanded Seth and I leave to train. I knew we needed to, but I didn't want to leave Leah. I wouldn't have left, even when she ordered me away, if not for Edward pulling me along.

We all knew Sam wouldn't be in jail for long. He had already been arraigned and it was only a matter of time before his mother, Sue or even Emily came up with the money to bail him out. Leah was my priority, though, and I didn't want to leave her alone.

I stomped away from them and off to the nurses station. I made sure they knew that Leah was part of our family and we'd be back if she needed us. They all loved and cared for Leah, being her coworkers, but I felt I needed to reiterate how important she is to me. My sisters promised to stay and Carlisle assured me that Esme would be there, too.

We met the rest of the pack in a clearing off of the rez so my family could join us. We watched Jasper spar with Edward and then with Jake as he taught us about different techniques we could use against Sam. Paul looked deep in thought as he watched and it had me curious to what was on his mind. Paul wasn't aware of Jared's plan to follow Jake as alpha before Sam would challenge Jake. I kept an eye on Paul. He seemed to be more subdued than normal and struggling internally. Was he questioning following Sam also?

Paul was out of character. Especially as he spent extra time next to Seth asking about Leah and showing concern which I'd never seen him show for another person before, except for Bella. I still found that the satisfaction in sparring with Paul, wasn't as deep as I thought it would be. I hadn't forgiven him for his past treatment of Leah but my heart knew, his redemption at saving her life was starting to outweigh my resentment.

I knew he'd be tough to face, but I hadn't realized how badly I'd underestimated him until we sparred. He sank his teeth into me more than once, and even when Quil joined the fight with me we struggled to keep up with him. I felt more confident when I saw that Jared's skill nearly matched his. I just prayed that when the battle for alpha came, Jared and my family would be able to give us the advantage.

Paul's phone was buzzing when we finished, and he smiled as he read his text. He looked over nervously at Seth.

"Would it be okay if I go see her?" He asked. "Leah, I mean."

My wolf seethed at the thought of another wolf being so close to our mate, but I didn't respond. I shook my head slightly at Seth, but he gave Paul a half smile.

"I'm sure she'd love that. Ask her, though." He insisted.

I hoped Seth was only saying that because he believed Leah would say no to a visit with Paul. I was paranoid, struggling to determine his motive. Did he really care? Was he trying to get closer to Bella? Or was this just his way of spying for Sam?

"She said it's okay." Paul told him. "I'll probably go when we're done."

It took all of my strength, and a lot of Jasper's influence, to keep me from phasing as the words left his mouth.

"You can catch a ride with me and Em." Seth told him. "He's her doctor, I'm sure he'll want to go check on her."

I did phase that time. Jasper asked me to spar with him just as he could feel me losing control, so it didn't look suspicious to Paul or Jared that I'd been set off by the thought of him going to see Leah. If I couldn't get through talking about it, I had no idea how I'd get through this visit of theirs.

I audibly exhaled when we made it through the door of the hospital. The stubborn part of me was holding on to the small part in my heart that still wanted to hate and not trust Paul. Seth's cruiser had never felt as small as it had on the ride over. I listened to Paul talk about his budding romance with Bella as if he hadn't been in a committed marriage days ago. I should have been angry for Rachel, but I knew in the back of my mind I'd be doing the same thing with Leah if she'd have me.

My sisters and Bella sat in chairs around Leah's bed. Alice smiled when I walked in and started to stand from her chair until she saw Paul.

"Would you ladies mind giving me a moment alone with Leah?" He asked.

I fought a smirk as I knew Paul had met his match in Rosalie.

"No, thank you." Rosalie smiled at him. "We're fine right here."

Leah's eyes hadn't left Paul's since he entered the room. I was terrified she'd realized he was the wolf that saved her. How could I convince her to believe me over him if he twisted the events? I hadn't even been there, but I knew Sam did this to her. Paul could tell her that it wasn't Sam that hurt her, or that he saved her because Sam wasn't there and she'd believe it. The silver wolf was her hero, and I hated that it was Paul.

"Bella," she said without taking her eyes off of Paul. "Will you go get me a blanket? I'm cold."

Bella was oblivious. "Of course! They have newer ones in the pediatric wing. I'll be back."

The tension in the room was thick as Bella ran out. Paul didn't tear his eyes from Leah's, and neither of them said a word. Leah was marveling at him now. She knew it was him.

"She knows, Paul." Seth said softly. "She knows Sam is the one that did this to her. She says a silver wolf saved her."

His eyes went wide before he chuckled and turned to Seth. "You know how ridiculous that sounds, right? Sam being a wolf? Another wolf saving her?"

Tears started to run down Leah's face and I could feel her heart breaking. Rosalie reached across her bedrail to grab her hand. I could hear her whispering something to her but I couldn't make out what she said.

"You know none of that happened, right Leah?" Paul asked her. "How could a wolf save you?"

Rosalie started to speak up, but Seth beat her to the punch. "I just told you she knows the truth, asshole. She just doesn't know who saved her."

Paul raised his hands. "I have no fucking idea what you're talking about. Leah, I'm sorry they're bothering you with scary campfire stories while you should be recovering, but Sam isn't a wolf. I'm not, either."

"Nobody said you were," Alice smiled. "But I'd bet if you were a wolf you'd be silver."

Paul dropped his facade and grinned for a second. It wasn't long, but Leah saw it. He wasn't confirming it was him, but he didn't deny it again either. I know I would be confused if I didn't know it was Paul, and I hoped Leah would be, too.

"If you do happen to know who the silver wolf is, tell him I said thank you." Leah said. "Tell him that saving me was the bravest thing I've ever seen anyone do." Paul's eyes softened and he swallowed hard.

Paul walked slowly over to Leah's bedside and wrapped his arms around her frail body. Seth was smiling, and I wasn't sure why. I didn't want her to trust Paul. He may have saved her, but he was still dangerous. He was Sam's right hand man.

Bella returned with Leah's new blanket and the seven of us sat together in her hospital room for the next few hours. Leah complained about being hungry and not wanting hospital food, so Seth left to get dinner for everyone at the diner in Forks.

Paul fit in more seamlessly with my family than I imagined he would. Every time his abrasive personality came out, Rosalie shut him down. It was the best thing I'd ever seen; Paul being put in his place by a female vampire.

Rosalie and Alice stayed through dinner. It made me sad for them to see them eating human food for Bella. I knew they couldn't digest it and they'd have to make themselves sick later, but it also spoke to the lengths they'd go to be there for Leah. After we all finished eating, Paul offered Bella a ride home and my sisters excused themselves. Seth claimed he had to go to the station to do some paperwork and would be back soon, but I knew it was just an excuse to give me some time alone with Leah.

"Is Paul the wolf?" She asked me. "I can't tell from his eyes, and he said I was crazy, but he didn't correct Alice either."

I shrugged. "I'm not sure. I thought you didn't want to know anyway."

She twiddled her thumbs. "I guess I don't."

I marveled at her for a minute. Even sitting here in a hospital bed, bandaged up with a pitiful expression, she was still the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen.

"Okay, new subject," I said. "Tell me a something nobody else knows about you."

She chuckled. "By nobody do you mean Sam?"

I shook my head. "Nope, you're not getting off that easy. I want a deep dark secret you've never told anyone."

I didn't think she had any dark secrets, but if she did I wanted to know them. I wanted to know everything about Leah, and nothing I heard would ever make me love her any less.

"Fine, but you have to promise not to judge me." She said. I nodded and she continued. "Do you remember Aly Fuller?"

Aly Fuller was Leah's age, so a few years older than me. The rez was small, we all knew everyone. And unfortunately most of everyone's business, too

"Of course I do. She dated that tool Eli. Didn't Sam beat the shit out of him?"

I remembered because Eli never came back to school after Sam was done with him. His mom was Makah and they moved there after the fight.

"Do you remember why Sam did that?" She asked.

The official story had been that Eli had hit Leah, but she hadn't had a mark on her. She was also glued to Sam, so it didn't add up, but nobody questioned Harry Clearwater's daughter.

"I'm assuming the story I heard wasn't true?"

She shook her head. "I saw Aly in the bathroom one day, but she didn't see me. She was crying, and trying to cover a bruise under her eye. I heard her asking herself why Eli would do that to her if he loved her. She was sobbing. It broke my heart. So, I went straight to Sam and Paul crying and told them Eli had shoved me into a locker. I even made a fake bruise on my arm so they'd believe me, and I told them I said something to him and he said 'what are you going to do, sic your pathetic boyfriend on me?'. That really set Sam off. Paul and Rach stayed with me while Sam confronted him."

I could tell she was ashamed of her lie, but I was proud of her. "Why is that a dark secret? You did a good thing for her, Leah."

She shook her head. "I manipulated Sam and Paul, and to this day they don't know. Sam could've gotten in a lot of trouble, Embry."

"You're right, but he didn't." I told her. "What ended up happening to Aly?"

A small smile crossed her face. "She's married now, to one of the cops Seth works with. He's a good man. They have a family."

"Did you ever tell her what you did?" I wondered. Leah and Aly had never been friends as far as I knew.

"Of course not, but she knew. We never talked about it, but she went out of her way to be kind to me after that. I was just glad I helped her."

I grabbed her hand. "You didn't just help her, Leah, you saved her." I thought for a moment before I spoke again. I didn't want to cross a line, but I knew Rosalie had been able to get through to her in the past. "Now you need to save yourself."

"Sam isn't Eli, Embry," she argued.

I nodded. "You're right. Eli was stopped."

We didn't talk again for a while. She wasn't mad, but I could tell what I said had gotten to her. I felt bad, but that was the point. She needed to think about the abusive cycle she was in. She needed to admit to herself she was a victim, and much worse off than Aly had been when her boyfriend hit her once in high school. I wanted to save Leah, but the truth was that only she could do that.

It was about an hour later when we heard a knock on the door. It was far too late in the evening for a normal visitor. Leah's face was flushed and I knew she had the same fear I did. Had Sam been released? Was he here? If it was Sam, he'd have to get through me to see Leah. I had no qualms about baiting him into hitting me again. I stroked her hand softly before letting it go and crossing the room to open the door.

Quil was standing on the other side.

"Hey guys," he said. "I hate to interrupt, but we need to get to an emergency council meeting. Jared and Paul are outside and I've called Seth."

An emergency council meeting could mean Sam had been released. Were we really going to do this right now?

I looked over at the nurse's station. "Callie?" I called. "Can you please give Rosalie a call and ask her to keep Leah company? I have to leave for a bit."

I said goodbye to Leah and followed Quil out. I wouldn't have left her if I thought Rosalie would be long getting here. I knew exactly what this was. Sam had been released from jail. My heart was pounding hard against my chest. We weren't ready for this. Even with Jared switching sides, we needed more practice. I couldn't take Paul right now.

I followed my friend to the parking lot where we loaded up in the car. 'Where's Jake, Quil?' I said starting to get concerned. Quil answered quickly 'With his dad.' A horrible feeling started to settle over me.

We drove to a clearing just on the Cullen side of the treaty line. Jake was pacing next to Harry, Billy, and Charlie when we arrived.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked.

Jake glared at Paul holding back tears and shaking slightly. "Rachel has been in an accident. She's in the ICU at a hospital in Hawaii, it doesn't look good. The doctor said we need to get down there to say goodbye. Do you want to come, Paul? Or would you rather keep cozying up to Bella?"

I should've been devastated for my friend that he was losing his sister. I should've been sad for Rachel and Rebecca because they were like older sisters to me growing up. My world felt like it was falling apart for another reason entirely, though. Without Jake, there would be no taking the packs from Sam. Without Paul, Leah would have to face him alone. Guilt washed over me as I felt the weight of my selfishness and fear.

A single tear ran down Paul's cheek as he responded. "Yes, of course I'll go."

"When are you leaving?" I demanded.

Jake scoffed. "We're not made of money, Call. We'll have to look for the cheapest option. We're going to Seattle now, though, to wait for whatever flight we're getting out on."

I reached in my back pocket without hesitation and handed him my AmEx. "Consider it covered. Book first class. They should have something going out tonight I'd think."

Jake was proud, but we'd been the closest of friends our entire life. He wouldn't reject help from me.

"Thank you, Em." He responded quietly as we embraced.

Harry looked at Seth. "Don't worry, son. Paul may be gone, but your sister will still be safe. I spoke with Bella this morning. She'll be moving in with Leah as her in home nurse for the next few weeks while she recovers."

That caught Paul's attention. His head snapped toward Harry. "Bella will be alone with Sam?"

Harry gave him a puzzled look, but I knew exactly what he was doing. Jake did too, and he was seething. "Is that a problem, Paul?"

Paul sank to his knees and sobbed. Jake still wasn't amused, but Billy actually had sympathy in his eyes.

"Son, you don't have to go," Billy told him. "We can call you so you can say goodbye. She probably won't know the difference." He choked up. "They said she's... she's brain dead. Wrapped her car a-around a tr-tree.." He starting to sob and my heart ached for him. Chief Black had always been such a strong man.

Paul wiped his eyes and looked up at Jake. "Jacob, I can't leave Bella here with Sam. She doesn't like Emily, and she runs her mouth a lot. If his wolf goes after her like he did Leah... I couldn't even protect her.."

Jake was crying now, too. "Paul, please. I can't.. I can't do this alone. You're my brother in law, her.. her husband, and you need to say goodbye."

"Jake, I..."

Paul didn't get to finish his sentence before Jake's first collided with his face. "I talked to Becca, you son of a bitch. Lauren Mallory saw you with Bella and told her. Rachel's a good driver! She wouldn't have fucking wrecked if she wasn't so upset!"

Jake sank to the ground and Quil joined him, wrapping his arms around him. There wasn't a dry eye in either pack.

"Come on," I said to Jake after a few minutes. "I'll drive you to the airport. Harry and Charlie can take your dad."

He shook his head. "I won't leave without you, Paul. If I have to order you to come with me, I will."

"Rachel wouldn't want that, son." Billy said. "Your sister was hurt, but she's always been proud. She would want him to be there because he loves her, not because you forced him to be."

"Fine." Jake spat. "I won't forget this, Lahote."

Charlie helped Billy into his cruiser and called out to us. "Take Seth's car. Use the sirens if you have to. We've got to get you two to Hawaii."

We were climbing in to Seth's car when I saw two figures stalking toward us. Seth reached for his gun, but moved his hand when he realized who it was. Edward and Alice stood before us. I was nervous, because I knew even if Paul was cordial at the hospital, he and Jared saw them as the enemy. They also didn't know they were my family, so they wouldn't practice the same verbal restraint my pack had grown accustomed to.

"Good evening," Edward greeted us. "My sister and I need to speak with Chief Black and Jacob."

Paul, already emotionally wrecked, sneered at them. "They're not interested in what you have to say, leech."

"Son, go home." Billy scolded him. "Take Jared with you."

He hesitated but reluctantly retreated. Once they were out of earshot and it was only our pack around, I confronted them.

"What are you doing here?" I asked them.

Edward was stoic as he spoke. "Carlisle sent us. We know about Rachel's condition, and we want you to know you have another option."