.
Chapter Twenty One
Nicky awoke terrified, her eyes open in sheer panic, her heart raced on as fear from last night events flooded all of her senses. She gasped, her breath catching in her throat.
The early afternoon light filtering in through the curtains did little to reassure her, in her state. The light only illuminated her anxiety. Nicky just wanted to crawl into a hole and be alone. She wanted to isolate herself. Confusion washed over her as she registered that she was in her own bed.
Someone had brought her home last night, but the fuzzy edges of her memory blurred any sense of comfort. She couldn't remember who had brought her home. She must have been too drunk to register who had brought her here.
She remembered being pinned down on the couch, feeling like she couldn't breathe and then her memory had gone blank until now. Anxiety rolled off Nicky in waves, chills went through her and she started to shake as she realized that she could've genuinely not been taken home before Jordan; his name sent chills down her spine, had been stopped and she'd been taken home.
Her thoughts immediately flashed back to the horror of the day before, to the predatory actions Jordan had made that had left her cornered and pinned, and the violation she had endured. A chill ran down her spine, freezing her in place as dread washed over her, reminiscent of the very moment it happened. Nicky shrank into the sheets, curling up into a ball, as if she could shield herself from the memories that clawed at her mind.
Thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm of fear and anxiety. Why had this happened to her? Why had she not fought harder? Who brought her home? The questions spiraled, each one heavier than the last, pressing against her chest until she could hardly breathe.
Nicky realized with a start that she was still wearing the same clothes from last night—the same clothes that had been torn and twisted during her assault. With shaky hands, she quietly peeled off the fabric that felt like a shroud and slipped into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. The soft material eased her skin, a small bit of comfort in an otherwise unbearable morning.
She steadied herself, her legs trembling as she made her way downstairs. Each step felt like a victory and a battle at the same time. The familiar sound of creaking floorboards echoed, a reminder that she wasn't quite sure what awaited her beyond the sanctuary of her room. She held her breath, each inhale heavy with the weight of yesterday.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Nicky hesitated, her hand resting on the bannister as a wave of nausea swirled in her stomach. The living room was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the walls. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to step forward. The house was silent except for the sound of her heartbeat, loud and unyielding.
She was bracing herself for how Paul would act, considering she'd stayed out late and drank way too much liquor. Would Paul be mad? Had Paul saved her? Had she been so blackout drunk that Nicky herself had walked or driven home in her state and crashed through the house at an ealy house and made her own way to bed?
Had Jordan brought her home after he'd… no. Nicky didn't even want to continue that thought process. Nicky didn't even want to think about how Jordan acted last night… and how'd he'd gotten so close to raping her… perhaps he even did. A chill ran down Nicky's spine and her legs began to shake as she stood at the bottom of the stairs.
No.. perhaps someone had saved her or Jordan had stopped and realized that his actions were wrong because Nicky had a vague memory of being in warm arms as she was carried, perhaps, home. Or maybe the warm arms that had carried her home were just apart of the dream that she had, had last night. Nicky didn't know what to think.
She was about to turn the corner and make her way into the kitchen, but her anxiety rose to a whole new level after she just took one step forward. Her heart dropped to her stomach, bile rose and she felt too nauseous to face Paul after she'd promised to be safer and make more mature decisions. On shaky legs, Nicky turned around, and started to walk back up the stairs.
Her legs carried her back up the stairs, and into her bedroom, where she closed her bedroom door and dove under the covers, as if they could protect her from the world outside. She hoped they would.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, each sob shaking her to the core. Huge sobs broke from her lips that wracked through her whole body, causing a seizure-like movement in her body. She leaned into her pillow and bawled.
As her huge sobs turned to quiet cries, until she'd finally worn herself out and she just breathed under the blankets, there was suddenly a knock at the door. Nicky's breath caught in her throat, and she hesitated calling out. She pushed off the pile of blankets that had covered her, encased her in warmth, safety and sadness and then she sat up.
"Come in." She called out in a waving, shaky voice and then the door creaked open, revealing Paul's concerned face.
"Can I sit down?" Paul asked Nicky.
He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, his presence bringing a mix of comfort and dread.
"Hey, Nicky," he said softly, brushing her hair back from her forehead.
"Everything is going to be okay. You were saved before he could do anything… you're safe now." He consoled, his voice soft and caring, bringing Nicky a sense of safety and protection that she hadn't felt since she'd awoken.
"You're safe. You're safe now." Paul repeated over and over, as he pulled Nicky into his arms, the blankets cascading around them.
As he spoke, Nicky nodded over and over, still trapped in the whirlwind of her thoughts, but his voice slowly soothed her racing, confused mind. She eased her head into Paul's chest as he rubbed her back with one of his large calloused hands and held her close and securely with the other.
They sat like that for awhile, with Nicky encased in Paul's secure arms, bringing her safety that she desperatly clung to. Once Nicky's breathing slowed down and her heart rate pulsed at a normal rhythm, Paul's eyes searched hers, full of concern as he took a deep breath.
"I know this is hard, but I want to ask if you're ready to see someone." He asked Nicky, while she had her head on his chest and was clinging to him like a lifeline.
Nicky blinked, her heart racing as uncertainty gripped her. She didn't know who he meant until she saw the familiar figure standing hesitantly at the door—Embry. The sight of him sent a rush of warmth through her, a sense of relief that momentarily lifted the weight of her despair.
Embry walked in, his expression serious yet soft, and it felt like a beacon of light in her dark world. It had been weeks since she'd last seen him, and in that moment, all the isolation she felt seemed to melt away.
"Nicky," he said gently, his voice like a balm to her wounds.
"I missed you."
Tears welled in Nicky's eyes again, but these were different—tinged with a glimmer of hope. Embry always knew how to bring joy into her life, and maybe, just maybe, he'd help her find her way back to herself.
Embry had taken away so much of Nicky's joy and love for life when he'd left her and LaPush, and that crossed her mind but then she quickly pushed those thoughts away. Right now, she just wanted to revel in Embry's presence. Embry was here. Embry was back.
Paul untaangled himself from Nicky and then he got up and stood beside her. Nicky reached out for Embry, and as he sat on her bed and wrapped his arms around her, the warmth of his embrace enveloped her like a safety net.
Nicky let out a shuddering breath, allowing herself to relax just a little. In that moment, she realized that while the shadows of her past would take time to fade, she didn't have to face them alone. With Paul beside her and Embry back in her life, perhaps she could start to heal and reclaim her sense of safety, piece by piece.
…
The soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting delicate patterns on the bed where Nicky rested in Embry's arms. It had been weeks since their lives had last intertwined. Weeks filled with silence, uncertainty, and shadows that crept into the corners of their hearts. Embry gazed down at Nicky, his heart heavy with remorse and guilt as he absorbed the stillness that enveloped them.
Without Embry, Nicky had become lost. She didn't know if it was because of how deeply she felt about Emby or if it was the imprint. But, honestly they hadn't had enough time to connect for their relationship and friendship to progress and grow to making it life changing when they faced time apart. Nicky thought it was mostly the imprint, their connection that had drove her to insanity and recklessness without him.
WIthout Nicky, Embry had become lost too. They'd both become lost without eachother. Guilt wracked through him for weeks. Guilt about hurting Nicky and then for not being there for her. Guilt on her perspective on life without him, guilt about what he'd done to her, mauled her, brocked her bones, almost killed her…
They'd both become so lost and only more brocken without eachother.
Nicky lay in Embry's arms feeling like a small child. She felt fragile, as if any sudden movement might shatter her to pieces. The world outside continued unaware, but their shared cocoon of quiet spoke volumes.
Embry held her tightly, wishing he could transfer his strength to her, wishing he could shield her from all the pain she had endured while he was away. He could sense the weight of her pain, how it clung to her like a heavy shroud. The assault she had recently experienced echoed cruelly in the silence between them. The past few weeks, with his absence hadn't been easy for her either, especially while dealing with her recovery from his attack, without him.
"How are you holding up?" Embry whispered, his voice barely breaking the stillness.
He wanted to know, to understand, but feared the answer. Nicky turned her face slightly, allowing him to see the vulnerability shining in her eyes, eyes that had once sparkled with joy but were now clouded with hurt.
"I'm… trying. I've been trying." she replied softly.
Her voice wavered, a testament to her fragility. It pained Embry to realize that she had fought through this storm alone, without his support. He wished he could go back in time, rewind the moments that had separated them and reprioritize what truly mattered.
As he held Nicky, he couldn't shake the images from the night before: the desperation in her bruised hands from fighting back, her unconscious body, the menacing figure of Jordan looming over her— having her pinned down, the sickening realization that she had been in danger.
In that moment of chaos, instinct had taken over. Embry had pushed Jordan off her, a fierce protectiveness directing his movements as he carried her home, back to the safety of familiarity.
"I was the one who found you last night," he admitted, his voice cracking under the weight of the truth.
"Through the pack mind, I found out that you never made it home and Paul was so worried. I ran back to LaPush and found your scent. Then, I pushed him off you, Nicky. I got you back here. You were never alone with Jordan for long. He didn't do anything to you. I got to you first. And, you'll never be alone again, if you'll have me back." A heaviness settled upon him as he spoke, the admission of him finally deciding to stay and no longer running away from his problems stirred up the guilt that churned within him.
He should have been there before, should have been vigilant, he should have always been here, protecting her, being apart of her life. But he had allowed his fears and insecurities to pull him away when she needed him most.
Nicky's breath hitched, memories flickering with her pulse as she processed his words. She looked up into his eyes, searching for reassurance, for the warmth that had always comforted her.
"I thought… I thought I was going to be raped or killed." She confessed, the raw honesty spilling from her lips like an open wound.
Embry's heart ached, a deep-seated sense of guilt flooding through him, and he gently, held her tighter.
"You won't ever be alone, ever again." he vowed, gripping her shoulders gently.
"I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. Not again. If you'll have me, if you want me." The sincerity in his tone hung in the air like an unbreakable promise.
Nicky's gaze locked onto his, uncertainty still lingering in her eyes, but something else began to take root—a quiet spark of hope. She could see the determination etched on his face, and for the first time in weeks, a flicker of warmth sparked within her chest. It was a fragile flame, but it was there, and it ignited with the potential of healing.
"I want you to stay." Nicky whispered.
"Then, I'll stay. Forever." Embry vowed.
As Nicky leaned into him, Embry breathed in her scent—familiar, comfortable—and found solace in the moment. Together, they were a fortress fortified against the storm outside, walls built from love, trust, and the unyielding wish to reclaim what had been lost.
"Embry…" Nicky's voice trembled, as if she was still afraid to ask for what she truly needed.
"Will you stay with me tonight? Just… don't leave. Please."
"Always," he replied vehemently, resting his forehead against hers. In that intimate space, he could feel the pulse of her heart, the rhythm like a gentle reminder of life, of perseverance.
They would heal. Together.
In the depths of the afternoon, they sat entwined, each heartbeat a step toward recovery. The sun outside continued its trajectory, growing into a setting sun as the day passed on while they stayed entangled in eachothers arms, because inside that small room, nothing else mattered. Embry was here, and he vowed to fend off the darkness.
For Nicky, he would fight. For her, he would be strong. And he promised himself that this time, they would navigate the storms of life together, forging a bond that would withstand even the harshest tests.
No more separation, no more fear. Just love. Just hope. Just them.
Embry knew that he'd have to regain Nicky's trust, break her walls back down and help her through the attack she'd just encountered. But, he'd be there. He'd never leave again.
That was an oath.
…
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the last rays of light painted the sky in hues of orange and pastel pinks, casting a warm glow over the small reservation of LaPush. Inside a modest house, Nicky lay nestled in the strong arms of Embry.
They had longed for this moment, their scents blending in a way that felt homey and right, the weight of separation melting away under the evening light.
But the serenity of the moment was soon shattered. A long, mournful howl pierced the tranquil night, sending shivers down Nicky's spine. It was a call to arms—a warning from the pack. Nicky stirred, instinctively moving closer to Embry, whose expression shifted from peaceful contentment to urgent alertness.
"Did you hear that?" Nicky murmured, her voice barely a whisper as she blinked awake.
"Yeah," Embry replied, his brow furrowing with concern. They both knew the significance of that sound.
It was the voice of the pack, warning of a vampire in the area, most likely the one after Nicky; James.
Another howl echoed through the air, followed by the quick patter of paws on the ground outside. Paul, Nicky's older brother, had arrived. His protective nature kicked in as he burst into the room, eyes fierce, jaw set.
"Nicky!" he called, urgency flooding the room.
"We need to get you over to Emily's. Now."
Nicky sat up, heart racing.
"What's going on? Why can't I stay here?"
"Just trust me, okay?" Paul's voice softened slightly as his gaze flicked to Embry.
"It's not safe. Not for you. Not in this house. Because of las time.." Paul's eyes flickered to Embry.
"...Jared will be guarding Emily's while the rest of us hunt this leech. Embry will take you to Emily's where you and all of the imprint will be guarded collectively. Come on." Paul said to Nicky.
"Come on, let's go." Said Paul, waving her on with his hands, as they slightly trampled from an incoming phase.
Nicky's stomach twisted. The memories of the last attack flooded her mind—the cold grasp of vampire hands, the feeling of helplessness, the stone hands around her neck. No, she thought. Not again. Not when she felt so safe, so secure in her brother's presence and in Embry's warmth.
This time would be different, she vowed.
But she still started to panic, regardless of her newfound confidence. She started to breathe roughly, deeply and fast through her mouth. Her body started to tremble. Embry could feel Nicky's panic and her body start to tremble against his chest. Embry lifted Nicky off of him, placed her beside him on the bed, took her hand in his and looked into her eyes.
Embry lifted Nicky's chin, his eyes a mix of calm and determination.
"I'll come with you. Of course." Embry said.
Paul nodded, but the tension was still evident in his shoulders. Considering what had happened last time during a vampire attack, this situation was definatly putting Paul on edge, as well as Embry but they barely showed it.
"Good. Let's get moving."
They hurried through the house, Nicky's heart pounding in her chest. She felt the urgency prickling at the back of her mind, the gnawing fear that something was out there, lurking just beyond the safety of their walls.
As they stepped outside, the twilight air was thick with the scent of salt from the ocean and the pine of the surrounding forest. Another howl echoed from somewhere deep in the woods, a volley of deep growls and hasty movements indicating that the pack was already mobilizing, gathering like shadows in preparation for the threat that loomed.
Nicky felt Embry's hand give hers a squeeze, reassuring her that she was okay. As they moved swiftly through the pebble driveway towards their cars, with her brother leading the way, Nicky couldn't shake the feeling that danger was closer than they realized.
Review if you like.