Chapter 21 : Elcries Arrival

I told Mom and Charlie as much as I could without mentioning bloodsuckers, the Adlet or the fact that Elcrie was also a half shape-shifter. Which honestly is something I still don't fully understand myself, so there is definitely no point in mentioning that. I wasn't sure what all Charlie actually knew about the bloodsuckers. The last thing I wanted was to fumble the ball like Jacob had and divulge all of our tribal secrets to a Swan. Mom was in shock when she found out I had been "injured", as I delicately put it, in Canada. Of course she insisted she knew something had happened but she did not push the issue. I knew once we had a moment alone I would have to explain that further but for the time being she accepted what I was giving her. It was nice though to tell her about my time with Elcrie. Even the times I was terrible to him, I now found as we spoke, that they had become fond memories as I decided to look at them for what they truly were; opportunities for Elcrie to show his true character. Every time I fought him he held me closer, loved me harder until I couldn't help but trust him, accept him, and want to be near him. I was incredibly lucky and still in disbelief of it all. The more I talked about him however the more I missed him. Today would have to be the last day we were apart, I don't care how tired I was from traveling. I'd rest tonight and tomorrow I would bring him to meet Mom and Charlie, even if Seth still wasn't around.

"Wow, Leah. This Elcrie? He sounds amazing!" Charlie chimed in.

"He is, thank you."

"Well, where is he?" My mother asked,

"Um well actually, about that. I-uh, I need to go get him tomorrow."

"Oh okay, your car has plenty of gas but why didn't you just bring him with you?" My mother asked.

"That's all… Kind of hard to explain… But mostly I just wanted to make sure we were okay first." I replied looking into her eyes.

"Leah, my sweet little baby girl. Me and you are always going to be alright. I can't wait to meet this Elcrie? What a beautiful name." She replied, while smothering me in her chest.

"What's this fellas last name?" Charlie asked.

"Uh… He doesn't actually have one. Yet."

"Great." Charlie replied is disbelief.

"So, tell me everything are weee talking about grand kids or-"

"Mom, we're not even married yet! That note didn't-It didn't mean what you think it did. I was just messing around trying to get my head on straight is all." I replied as I felt my cheeks burning from embarrassment once more at the thought of the words I had written.

"Soooo when is the wedding?" My mother continued, picking fun at me now.

"Hopefully tomorrow." I said without thinking.

"What?" My mother and Charlie replied simultaneously.

"Oh it's- I'm joking. Uh, so how has everything been here?"

"Wellllllll. Emily had twins. Two boys. She and Sam decided to elope when they found out." My mother replied.

"Holy shit, I was gone for 6 months. How is that enough time to have twins?" I asked in disbelief that I could have been gone long enough for my best friend to become a mother.

"Emily said she tried to tell you before you left when she first found out but you wouldn't pick up your phone and then… Well you disappeared." My mother replied, trying to put it as nicely as she could, that I had been a terrible friend.

"I'll call her before I go to bed tonight."

"You could go and see her, they're home. Ness and Jacob are staying with them actually, just until our wedding. I'm sure that's where Seth ran off too." Charlie said as he sat back with a smile.

"Oh, why are they staying with Sam and Emily and not here?"

"Ha! You really think my granddaughter is gonna choose me over two little babies?" Charlie laughed.

"Oh, right. The old Babies vs Old folk war. You have my sympathies Charlie." I replied.

"Ha-ha." Charlie replied said as my mother and I shared a laugh at his expense.

*"RAWRRRRRRRRRRRR!"*

Elcrie?! The sound of his cry shook my entire body. It was distant but I was immediately certain it was him, I would recognize his sound anywhere. I could feel him becoming uneasy and I instantly began to panic. I had left him almost four days ago at our meeting spot near the highway. How the hell can I hear him this far away? What's going on? Is he being attacked? My mind raced as my body forced itself into action.

"Leah, sweetheart? Are you okay?" My mother said as she touched my shoulder gently.

I jerked my body away and stood up quickly as I now heard Jacob and Sam howling in the distance, a warning call. Wait, Is Elcrie here?! What? He can't be!

"Oh yeah I'm great! I just uh- I hear Seth calling me. I should go check on that!" I replied as I ran out of the front door trying not to cause a mass panic.

"Is something wrong Leah?" My mother asked as she and Charlie followed me out of the house.

"What? No no! Everything is great, he just uh- needs some pants! You know Seth, always forgetting extra clothes." I replied as I panicked and plucked a pair of shorts off my mother's clothing line.

"Uh okay… Just be safe! Be kind to your brother please!" My mother shouted.

"Of course!" I shouted back as I raced through the wood and shifted into my wolf leaving the pants and my own clothes behind.

I sprinted until I was close enough to hear Jacob and Seths thoughts. Images, warnings and questions began to flash into my mind as neared, all of a large white wolf-man that Seth, Jacob and Sam were now circling in the woods. I picked up Elcrie, and Seth's scent and was there in seconds. Elcrie! I panicked as I heard Jacob lining up an attack. STOP! JACOB STOP! My heart was pounding and just before I could get to them Jacob was slammed into a tree with ease as Elcrie defended himself. I ran in front of him and growled at Seth and Sam as they aligned to attack Elcrie once more.

"Ow! Fuck! What the hell are you doing?! RUN! That thing is gonna kill you!" Jacob shouted at me from his human form.

He was on his back and his shoulder bone was sticking out of his arm as he began to bleed out and cry from the pain.

"Serves you right! Why the hell would you attack something this large dumbass!" I shouted back to him telepathically not letting my gaze off of Seth and Sam who were backing down but still clearly uneasy about the situation.

My anger was at a peak, I wanted to attack Jacob myself now just for being this stupid. Then I felt a large familiar paw run its hand up my back gently absorbing my anger as it went closer to my neck. Elcrie met my eyes in his human form and I quickly shifted back into my own.

"Stop that, I can handle my own emotions." I said to him as I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him close. "I thought you were going to wait for me?"

"I was… But then I didn't…On the bright side however, I now see why you… Wanted me to wait." Elcrie said as he looked at the two wolves and Jacob who was whining in pain now.

"Oh my god…" I laughed as we kissed quickly.

"UM WHO THE HELL IS THIS?" Seth now in his human form shouted, breaking up Elcrie and I's sweet moment.

"Um… Seth, Sam… Jacob. This is my fiance. Elcrie." I replied as I stared into Elcries beautiful eyes.

"Hello." Elcrie politely replied.

"HELLO? WHAT THE HELL MAN YOU-JAKE-WHAT?" Seth continued to shout in confusion.

Elcrie walked over to Jacob who was now becoming slightly unconscious.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Seth shouted in concern.

"Something I wish he wouldn't." I groaned.

"WHAT THE HELL?! IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT ANY OF THIS LEAH?" Seth said as he continued to shout.

"Seth. Please stop yelling." I asked politely as I watched Elcrie lean down and start to heal Jacobs' injury.

"Oh shit… Wow… This feels amazing." Jacob said with a smile as his eyes rolled to the back of his head.

I watched Elcrie roll his shoulder in pain after a few moments, he must have stopped to hunt and rest before he came here. That was the only way he could absorb this large of an injury after traveling so far. Watching him take on Jacobs' pain made me incredibly uncomfortable.

"Okay Elcrie that's enough, he's not bleeding any more. The bones back in place he can handle the rest on his own." I ordered.

"Leah he's done when I say he's done this was my doing, I need to fix this." Elcrie replied.

"Jacob, stop being a fucking woss. He's absorbing your pain right now, everything you felt he now feels! Tell him you're good or I'll break your other shoulder!" I warned Jacob telepathically cutting off Elcrie for a moment.

Jacob looked at me quickly to ask if I was serious, I nodded. He then looked at Elcries black hands and shot up, realizing that I had imprinted and he was in a sense hurting Elcrie.

"I'm good uh… Thanks." Jacob said quickly as he scooted himself away from Elcries touch.

"Don't thank me. If I hadn't trespassed none of this wouldn't have happened. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen, I swear. Here let me help you up." Elcrie replied, his hand turning black as he continued to sneak pain away from Jacob while he helped him stand up

"That's enough Elcrie!" I snapped.

Jacob then looked down and pulled himself away from Elcries touch once more, this time ensuring to move himself out of Elcries reach.

"Oh come on! Look at how cute this one is! How could you not want to help him? He reminds me of Uley! Look at those cheeks!" Elcrie smiled as he continued to look at Jacob.

"Elcrie. He's a full grown man, he can take an aspirin if he needs anything else." I replied annoyed now at his insistence to continue to try and take on Jacobs pain.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Elcrie asked Jacob softly, like a dame mother bird.

"I'm fine, really. Thank you." Jacob replied.

"Fine…" Elcrie whispered, disappointed clearly that he couldn't help anymore.

"Come on Elcrie, let's go." I continued, holding my hand out towards him.

"HOLD THE HELL UP." Seth chimed back in, unfortunately still shouting. "NO ONE IS GOING ANYWHERE!"

"Seth come on…"I replied, annoyed that he was still dragging all of this out.

"EVERYONE, TAKE A SEAT." Seth ordered.

We all groaned, except Elcrie who sat down by a tree without hesitation. This should be good, I told Elcrie as I sat down in his lap. Sam shifted into his human form to my surprise and he and Jacob sat down next to each other.

"Okay." Seth continued as he took a deep breath to calm himself, "So Leah. My dear dear long lost sister. Who the hell is this gigantic wolf man that almost killed Jacob?!"

"My fiance, Elcrie. I already said that." I replied leaning into Elcries chest.

"YEAH. I get that. WHAT is he exactly?" Seth snapped back.

"That is none of your concern." I replied.

"Ha! Can you believe this Sam? None of our concern!" Seth said as he shot Sam a look as if to ask for backup.

"Well I-" Sam began.

"SHUT THE HELL UP SAM!" Seth interrupted quickly as he turned back to me. ""None of our concern", yet here he is trespassing on our land! You teach him how to sneak up on us like you did? How the hell did I not see you coming?"

"I don't know, maybe you're a little… off your game." I replied as I began to trace the lines inside Elcries giant palm.

"HA! Jacob, are you hearing this?!" Seth asked, though he did not look at Jacob as he continued to stare me down.

"I-" Jacob began.

"NOT NOW JAKE!" Seth interrupted. ""Off my game." WOW, I guess so. So what? You ran off with this giant man beast and decided to not give your family a phone call to let us know you're alive?! Do you have any idea how worried we've all been about you Leah?!"

"I did call…" I whispered not meeting his eyes as I played with Elcries hands.

"She called once." Elcrie said.

"Whose side are you on?" I replied to Elcrie alone, sitting straight up to look him in the eyes.

"Wow! One phone call in 6 months isn't that just lovely, huh Sam?" Seth said sarcastically as he folded his arms.

"Are you actually gonna let me-'' Sam began quickly, almost getting a full sentence this time.

"READ THE GODDAMN ROOM SAM! THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND LEAH!" Seth shouted back at him though his gaze never left me.

"Alright in that case, let's go Jacob." Sam replied as he stood up.

"After you, good luck Leah, and uh nice to meet you Elcrie." Jacob said as he nodded in Elcries direction, Elcrie nodded back in respect.

"Oh Leah, there's two babies and a mama who would love to see you, if you have time." Sam smiled as he spoke gently to me while Seth began to pace.

"So I heard-" I began.

"She'll make time." Elcrie spoke for me excitedly.

"I will." I continued, "Thank you. Oh and Jacob, never gonna forgive you-"

"All is forgotten!" Elcrie spoke over me while covering my mouth.

"No it's not." I spoke into Elcries head, as I bit his fingers.

"Yes it is." Elcrie replied as he pulled his hand away.

They both forgave Seth for his ridiculous behavior before they took off towards Sam's home. Leaving the three of us alone in an awkward silence.

"So… what now?" I asked Seth.

"I don't know Leah…" Set said as he began to slow his pace. "Why… Why did this wolf-man call Jacob "cute"? That's just weird, oh and who is Uley? Did you show him a picture of Sam or something?"

"No, Uley was his sister's name." I replied not wanting to devolve anymore information on the topic.

"She died 175 years ago, your Jacob reminds me of her. Uley was incredibly adorable." Elcrie continued with a smile as if he was enjoying this conversation.

I groaned loudly in response to his words, annoyed with the fact that I might now have to give Seth more information than I wanted to.

"Well. Can't wait to unpack that." Seth said, rolling his eyes, "I'm hungry. I'm going home… Are you… Are you two coming with me or what?"

"Not yet, I wanna show him the woods, unless you're hungry?" I whispered to Elcrie looking deep into his eyes.

"Oh, I'm hungry alright," Elcrie said as he brought his lips to mine, making me laugh hard as he kissed my lips and neck sporadically with joy.

Elcrie filled my head with images Seth definitely did not want to see and I warned Seth to leave before he saw more than he ever wanted to.

"Well that makes me wanna die so, goodbye." Seth said as he took off into the woods.