*DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to the Twilight Saga and it's characters. This is purely artistic fiction drawn in inspiration from Stephenie Meyer's words.
*Hi folks! Been a while... I know. Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Spoiler alert: there is no J/B in this chapter. : ( But you get plenty of Quimbry content! : )
A FEW WEEKS LATER
Embry took a sip from the white ceramic mug he was holding, swishing the liquid around in his mouth for a few extra seconds before swallowing. Coffee, or any caffeinated beverage, didn't work on the pack. It was the same way with alcohol, among other things. Didn't stop Jake from buying a coffee pot for the office. Embry didn't care either, he liked the taste. Quil, sitting beside him, reached out and touched his fingertips to Embry's cheek.
"You alright, Bry?"
"I'm fine," Embry said, setting his cup down on top of the porch railing. He tried his best to lie, really he did. He was thinking about his mother again. Wondering what she was doing and how badly she was suffering while detoxing.
"You know I can tell when you're lying," Quil said. He let his left hand fall and come to rest on Embry's right hand.
Embry shook his head with a grin. "Yeah, sorry, I guess I'm easy to read."
"To me, you are. You just get this look, like you're concentrating too hard. Your face gets all scrunched up."
"Huh. Never noticed that before." Embry ran his free hand through his hair and scrubbed it down his face as though he were trying to reset it.
"Well, you wouldn't know. It's not like you're looking in a mirror all the time. Now, what's wrong? You still worried about Tiff?"
"Y-yeah." Embry's voice cracked, and he swallowed dryly.
"She's gonna be okay. I promise. All we need to do is give it time."
"Would you be upset if I said I wanted to go see her today?"
"No, of course not. Why would you think I'd be upset about that?"
"I don't know. Because she clocked me before? Figured you would be extra protective."
"I am," Quil said, lifting Embry's hand to his lips. He stamped a curt kiss on his knuckles. "But I also know when to back off. I won't ever come between you and your mom. I know she means the world to you."
"Which is why this is so hard." Embry shut his eyes tightly, causing white stars to blink behind his eyelids. He reopened them, licked his lips, and sucked in the bottom one to chew on.
"I know, Bry. I know." Quil threw his arm around Embry and pulled him closer. "She's in great hands. Sue is nursing her back to health."
"I don't doubt she is. I only worry because I'm not there to do it. I've spent so long cleaning her up, feeding her—making sure she didn't choke on her own vomit. I've forgotten what real life is like beyond that and shifting."
"You're not obligated to take care of Tiff. I know she's your mom, but she was making a conscious choice each time she cracked open a bottle of Captain Carrigan's." He laid his head against Embry's shoulder.
"No, you're wrong. She's sick. She has a disorder, an addiction. It's not her fault." Embry squeezed his other hand, the one that was on his shoulder. "She's fighting something neither of us can comprehend."
Quil smiled. "You're right. As usual." He tentatively rubbed Embry's back. "But as far as shifting's concerned... we don't have to keep doing it. The danger's past us. The tribe's safe."
"But what if a drifter comes lurking? Like the red-headed leech and the one with dreads? I can't just sit by and allow our friends to do the fighting. They could die trying to protect us."
"Oh. Didn't think about that."
"I'd like to keep shifting for another long while. Few years at least."
"If that's what you want, then I'll keep shifting with you. Can't leave you alone. Heaven knows what would happen to you without me."
"A lot of things. Probably."
Quil and Embry chuckled together, their laughter filling the crisp, snow-filled air.
Quil put the car in park, turning off the ignition. Embry faced forward, unmoving, unable to will himself to face the Clearwater house. Quil rotated slightly and grabbed his hand, holding it tightly.
"It's gonna be fine, babe. Deep breaths," Quil said softly.
"I know." Embry pulled his hand from his grasp, grabbed the door handle, and opened the car door, exiting the vehicle. Quil followed suit, trailing behind him as they ventured up the steps to the quaint little tan house. Embry knocked on the door once, twice, three times. "Hello? Mrs. Clearwater?"
Sue came to the answer the door, partially visible through the screening. She was wearing a white apron over her front, and a blue button-down shirt paired with jeans. Flour, sugar, and bits of what looked like chocolate were splattered over the apron. Her long black hair was held in a low ponytail, some of it draped over her shoulder. Upon seeing the two men on her porch, a warm smile spread across her face. She opened the screen door, gesturing inside.
"C'mon in, boys. I was just making some chocolate-chip muffins," she said.
They both stepped through the threshold, Quil opting to go first. Embry reluctantly followed. His sneakers felt like they had concrete in them; like he might take another step and drown in an imaginary sea. Sue sensed Embry's uneasy nature and drew him into a comforting side hug.
"Tiffany's in the living room, hun'. I'll bring the plate of muffins when they're done."
Embry and Quil rounded the corner, heading directly toward the den. As soon as he saw her, Embry felt a pang of sadness spear through his core. Tiffany lay on the green couch, huddled up in a multi-colored crocheted blanket, shivering away. Embry immediately came to sit beside her, threading his fingers through her messy black hair, smoothing it. Sweat clung to her forehead and temples, beading on her face. Tiffany's skin looked too tight, and sallow. Her bloodshot eyes cracked open to see Embry in front of her; a remorseful expression washed over her features.
"Hi baby," she whispered, her voice brittle and strained.
"Hi mom," Embry said, tears building in his waterline. He blinked them away, wiping the excess moisture onto the back of his wrist. Quil sat down across from Embry in the recliner next to the TV. He didn't want to crowd him right now.
"I see you brought Quil with you. I swear, you t-two are as thick as t-thieves. Never leave each other's s-side." Tiffany slowly smiled. It was a rare and beautiful sight, aside from how disheveled she looked.
Embry held his tongue; Tiffany still didn't know they were together. "How're you feeling?"
"Awful." She stifled a cough, her shivering became worse. "Just awful."
"I'm sorry, mom." Embry squeezed her hand. "Wish I could take it all away."
"Don't you worry about me, baby. I'll be right as rain soon enough."
"You know me. I'll always worry," Embry said, rubbing his thumb over the pallid skin on the top of her hand.
"You've always had a big heart. I am blessed to have such a sweet son."
Embry remained quiet once more, sitting in silence. A few beats passed before Sue came into the living room, carrying the promised plate of the muffins in one hand. In the other hand, she held a sleeve of saltine crackers along with a ginger ale under her arm.
"Here we go, Tiff. Let's get something into your stomach," Sue said.
Tiffany struggled to sit up. Embry helped stabilize her somewhat, the tremors subsiding for the moment. She leaned into him for support. While Embry and Quil ate their muffins, Tiffany fought hard to eat one single cracker. Sue handed her the ginger ale and Tiffany took an errant sip. It helped to wash down the salty dryness of the cracker. The rampant nausea she had was strangling any hunger she might have had, but she knew she needed to eat. She'd already thrown up twice today.
"You're making progress, Tiff." Sue sat down in the other chair in the room, an oak rocking chair.
"I'm trying." Tiffany finally finished the cracker long after Embry and Quil were done with their two muffins.
"You're doing good. In a few more weeks, all your symptoms will go away. You should be better in time for Christmas."
"Christmas? But it's July, isn't it?" Tiffany swallowed slowly, munching on another cracker.
"No, hun', it's November. Christmas is around six weeks from now."
"Oh. I'm losing my mind. I thought it was still summer. It's so hot in here."
"It's because you're running a fever, Tiff."
Tiffany lifted her free hand from Embry's and placed it against his forehead. "You're not running a fever too, are you? You feel so warm."
"No, mom, it's because I'm wearing this flannel," Embry lied.
There was an awkward silence.
He continued, "but there is something I've been meaning to tell you."
"What is it, baby?" Tiffany set her hand on Embry's.
"I don't want to keep lying to you. I haven't been telling the truth about a few things."
"I'll go get the acetaminophen for your fever. Be right back." Sue stood from her chair and left into one of the other rooms.
Embry continued, "mom. There's no easy way to say this."
"What is it, Embry? You can tell me." Tiffany sat up more straight, concern washing over her expression.
"Well, Quil and I, we're sort of... more than best friends."
Tiffany narrowed her eyes in thought, looking at Quil and then back to Embry. "What're you saying, baby?"
"I'm saying... we're together. Like together, together. We've been dating in secret for the better part of five years. I love him." Embry stared at Tiffany, whose eyes widened as her jaw became slack for a moment. He steeled himself, expecting her to say something that would hurt him.
Tiffany shocked them both. She shook her head and waved her hand in a dismissive manner. "Goodness, I thought you were gonna tell me you crashed your car or got a tattoo. I've known you two were close. Just didn't know how close. Glad he has you." She patted Embry's hands and smiled at Quil.
"You're not... you're not mad? Or upset?" Embry gawked.
"Mad? Hell no. If anything, you should be mad with me. I couldn't get myself together to kick this habit sooner." Her voice had a sad lilt to it.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, ma. You're battling an addiction."
"I should be harder on myself. Especially for what I did to you. All because I was drunk." She frowned, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It was an accident."
"I know. But in my right mind, I would never harm my baby."
Sue came back into the room, carrying a bottle of acetaminophen.
"Tiff, take these," Sue said, handing her two pills. Tiffany promptly took the medicine with a gulp of ginger ale. Once it was down, Embry pulled the blanket up and covered her as she laid back down on the couch.
"You should feel a little better soon." Sue picked up the plate of muffins and walked back into the kitchen.
"Is there something else you want to tell me, baby? You said 'things'."
Embry exchanged a look with Quil, fear prickling under his skin.
"I can't really tell you. I'd have to show you."
"Well, show me then."
"I... can't. Not in here."
"Where then?"
"Outside."
"I don't think I should go outside right now."
"I could probably show you through the window. But before I do, promise me you'll keep an open mind and try not to freak out."
"I promise." She beamed up at him.
Sue came back into the room, touching Embry's shoulder as he stood from the couch.
"I'm not sure she can handle that," she whispered.
"I've got to tell her. I've kept these secrets long enough," Embry said.
"What is it? Why can't you just tell me?" Tiffany asked.
"It's really better if I show you, ma."
He walked away from the living room and out the front door, leaving the screen to slam shut. Once he was outside, he walked up to the window behind the couch where Tiffany was sitting. Quil listlessly stared at him, his eyes following Embry as he stripped off most of his clothes.
"What is that boy doing out there? He'll catch a cold," Tiffany remarked.
"No, he won't," Quil said.
Embry started to channel his anger and hurt into energy. He could feel it flowing through his body, and outside it burning on his skin. The rage consumed him whole, and he felt the snapping of his bones and rending of flesh. Soon enough, the transformation was complete. Thick fur replaced skin, and big paws replaced hands and feet.
Tiffany screamed, nearly falling off the couch before Quil caught her.
"What... what is that?!" she choked out. "Where did Embry go? Where is my baby?"
"That is Embry," Quil said.
"But that... that's not possible. What happened to him? Why is he like this? Can he change back?"
"Originally, we thought it was only a legend passed down to us by the elders. But that wasn't the case. We all started to shift when vampires came into the area. It's in our blood. And yes, he can change back."
"How do you know so much about this? Can you do that too?" Tiffany looked on in horror, watching the giant wolf through the window pane. Embry trotted closer, pressing his nose to the glass with a high-pitched whine.
"Yes. We're both wolves."
"Can I see him?" Tiffany asked, pressing her hand to the window where Embry's nose was touching.
"You can. He's not dangerous. Bry won't hurt you."
"You knew about this?" Tiffany asked Sue.
"Leah and Seth are both shifters. I found that out the day Harry passed away. He was arguing with Leah, and she shifted right in front of him. The shock ended up giving him a heart attack."
"How many more of you are there?" Tiffany continued her game of twenty questions.
"Ten in total," Quil replied.
"Who else?"
"Jacob Black, Sam Uley, Jared Cameron, Paul Lahote, Collin Littlesea, and Brady Fuller. Jacob is our pack leader, but it used to be Sam."
"So I see. It must have been passed down from his father because I'm Makah and we don't have stories of men turning into wolves."
"Yeah. Makes sense considering Sam is Embry's half brother and they both have the gene." Quil patted her shoulder. "Ready to go see him?"
Tiffany nodded and began to shakily stand from the couch. Sue helped her up and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders, leading her to the front door. Embry was stationed right outside it, still in wolf form. Quil followed behind the two of them. Once they were past the threshold, Tiffany leaned against the railing of the porch for support. Embry slowly inched closer, taking small and calculated steps toward her.
"Can I touch him?" Tiffany asked Quil.
"If he allows it. He'll come to you."
Embry lowered down on his haunches, tip-toeing forward until he was right in front of Tiffany. She reached out her hand to touch his fur. The large tan and grey wolf whined and leaned into her hand, rubbing against her.
"He's so soft," Tiffany exclaimed, a smile tugging at the corners of her perfect lips.
Quil smiled back, gazing at the two of them. Seconds later, Embry shifted back and quickly changed into his clothes. The three of them headed inside so Tiffany could rest.
"I can't believe you're a wolf. A giant one at that," Tiffany said.
"Neither can we. It took a long time to be comfortable with the aspect," Embry replied, "I still struggle with it. But we need to keep shifting to protect everyone."
"Protect us? Ah, yes, that's right. Vampires are real?" Tiffany blanched, squeezing Embry's hand.
"Yes. But they're not like the movies portray them. They look like perfect statues. They're hard like granite, and they sparkle in the sunlight. The ones that blew through Forks killed a dozen or so people, including an attempt at Bella's life more than once."
"Bella? Bella Swan?"
"Yep."
"Why was she so special?"
"The Cullen's. The youngest one took a liking to her."
"Didn't she leave Forks for a while?"
"Yeah, she married him but realized it was wrong and came back. She's with Jake now." Embry shook his head. "I forgot. I guess I should tell you about imprinting."
"Imprinting?"
"Yeah. It happens to each wolf. It's like love at first sight. All of us, except Seth have imprinted."
"I'm guessing you two were each other's imprints?"
"Spot on, momma bear." Quil nodded.
"Yes, we imprinted on each other." Embry smiled.
"When did you know it would happen?"
"None of us did. There was no warning when it happened. It was jarring at first."
"Jarring? You said it was like love at first sight."
"Kind of like it. Kind of not. It's much more intense. It's absolute true love. You would die for your imprint. Do anything for them, if they wanted it."
"Even if they don't accept the imprint back?"
"That's what Paul is going through right now. He imprinted on Jake's sister, Rachel. But she doesn't know about us or imprinting, so she blew him off. He's taking it pretty hard."
"This is... a lot." Tiffany shook her head gently. "I can't believe you waited this long to tell me."
"Sam had a gag order on all of us for a long time. We couldn't tell anybody even if we wanted to. Alpha's orders get obeyed whether we like it or not," Quil said.
"Alpha?"
"Pack leader. There's alpha, first in command, and beta, which is second in command. Right now, Jake is alpha and Paul is beta. It typically goes to the strongest out of us, but Jake has chief blood in him, so that's why we think it passed to him next."
"Chief blood?"
"Yeah, Jake's grandpa was the chief of the Quileute tribe in his time."
"Oh, I know about that, silly. The way you said it made me think it was something else wolf related." Tiffany glanced over at Quil. "Now that that's out of the way, I want to know when the wedding is."
"W-wedding?" Embry stuttered.
"Yeah, I want to know so I can start helping with wedding planning."
"We're not engaged yet." Embry grabbed Quil's hand and held it briefly. "We think Jake is gonna pop the question to Bella first."
"That fast? Didn't she just leave what's-his-face?"
"Yeah, but they were meant to be together. They've been in love with each other since they were kids."
"I can remember the four of you running around Sarah's yard, playing in the mud." Tiffany smiled, but a frown soon replaced it. "That was before the accident."
The three of them sat there in silence.
"Well, I think Tiffany should get some more rest," Sue interrupted.
"I agree. We've stayed long enough." Embry nodded.
"I've enjoyed your company. Wish I could catch up more." Tiffany touched her hand to Embry's cheek, softly brushing her knuckles against his cheek bone.
"I almost forgot, mom. You can't tell anyone about us. Not about the wolves, or vampires. Not that people would believe you, anyway."
"I won't. I know how to keep a secret, baby."
"Good." Embry pulled her in for a short, albeit tight hug. "I love you, ma."
"I love you too, baby." Tiffany gestures at Quil. "Come give me a hug, boy."
"I'm goin'." Quil replied as he wrapped his arms around her neck for a terse hug. "See ya later, momma bear. Take care of yourself, now."
"I'm working on it, Quil. You take care of my boy, you hear?"
"I will." Quil laced his hand with Embry's and they turned to face Sue.
"See ya later Mrs. Clearwater," they said in unison.
"Bye boys. I'll see you soon," Sue said.
With that, the two of them exited through the front door and screen, heading out to Quil's baby blue car. They sat in the car for a few minutes before backing down the drive.
"I think that went well." Quil placed his hand on Embry's left thigh, threading his fingers through his.
"I do too. Surprisingly well." Embry chuckled.
"What do you want to do now? We have the rest of the day to ourselves."
"Wanna get some snacks and go sit by the ocean for a while?"
"Hell yeah."
The two of them drove into town, doing just what Quil suggested. They sat at the edge of the ocean for a while, allowing the frigid waves to lap over their feet. Sundown came sooner than expected, and they enjoyed it before it slipped beyond the red and orange painted horizon.
*Sorry for the delay on chapters. I've been relentlessly plunking away at my book which should be ready for publication at the end of this month! :D
*I'm reaaaaally gonna try hard not to two ~almost~ two months between updates. No promises though...
*Stay tuned for the next chapter! Please leave a heart/review! They mean the world to me~ 3