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amirrorneverlies · 6 months

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No Man Left Behind - A story told with Jacob Black - Part 2

※ Jacob ※

I laughed at her comment and pointed to the chopped bacon. “I mean I do have meat there.” I laughed at the small portion, just enough to add that Smokey flavour. I put a deep skillet on the stove and heated just a little olive oil. I glanced over my shoulder waiting for a comment from the two carnivores across the hall… but they both exploded at the TV and #Charlie grumbled something about the ref needing to turn in his whistle. I just flashed Bella a grin. “They are finally distracted.” I laughed. “I think this is what new parents feel like when they finally get a screaming baby to sleep.”

I put the bacon into the sizzling pan and added in the diced streaky bacon. “All the recipes on YouTube say to add pancetta for flavour… but that's expensive… so, I thought. It's basically bacon… right?” I shrugged. “So, I tried it. And it worked.” When the bacon was browned, I added the carrots and celery and kept stirring it.

※ Bella ※

“Oh…” The brown eyes followed to where Jacob pointed. “Okay... so... I missed the pink meat sat there too.” Tucking a stand of loose hair behind my ear.

“Charlie is always telling me how I need to become better aware of my surroundings. I think he has a point.” I knew he didn’t mean not seeing things in front of me in the kitchen. I wasn’t going to allow myself to dive into the depths of why my dad said it. However, right now. I understood.

Half smiling at the parenting comment. “Sure, you and me. The bad parents who are leaving their two children in front of the TV for entertainment whirl making dinner. What would Jean Piaget say!” Glancing over slowly towards the dads, so not to draw their attention away from the game. “Okay fine. Now… I know I’m not a helicopter mom. That’s something, right?”

When I moved my attention back to Jacob the first thing I thought was, ‘Wow he really knows what he is doing.’ Then seeing how he wasn’t that different to me in some ways. It was hitting home again why we had become friends.

“It’s the same thing. They add a flash name to it, and they can charge more money for it.” Not hundred percent true, there were differences but also not a lie. “If you want it smokier, you know you can start the bacon off in a dry skillet.

Once it picks up some colour, then add a little oil.” Tapping the side of my nose. “Another YouTube tricks.”

※ Jacob ※

I shook my head a little. “That's always good advice… but not here Bells. You’ll always be safe here… it’s okay if nowhere really feels safe right now.” I am getting dangerously close to that line of mentioning that night she was lost in the woods. “But just remember… you’re safe here and with #Charlie.”

Then I quickly changed the subject. “I might have some crayon somewhere from babysitting my cousins.” I laughed. “Is that better?”

I grinned and Bella. “See I knew there was a scam there!” I chuckled. “For the sake of a few bucks, all it takes is a few minutes of chopping.” I listened to her and nodded, still stirring what was in the pan, adding the onions, and I minced the garlic into the pan.

“Oh really? Good tip! I will totally try that next time. You can come and taste the difference.” I was not thinking about how cute the nose-tapping thing she I did was as held up the bottle of red pepper flakes… “How much heat can you handle Swan?” I grinned. Handing her the bottle, there might have been a little challenge in my tone.

※ Bella ※

Dangerous…. His kindness and the meaning I found in those sweet, shared words had me in a path towards a dangerous future if I didn’t veer away from it now. Blinking my eyes, a circular motion of the neck, a gentle count to ten, with some easy breathing and I laughed softly, trying to hide the internal turmoil. Because this was #Billy and Jacob’s home. A happy place to visit, where no bad memories lived.

Not finding the courage within myself to reply to his words which felt like a sting and a warming balm all at once. “Crayons? Yeah. Hundred percent better. We could bring out their autistic side?” My voice bitching up into a question.

Half smiling, I nudged Jacob in his arm with my elbow. Shaking my head at his conspiracy theory over bacon and pancetta. “Oh, so now I’m your tasting guinea pig, as well as the fact that you are attempting to challenge me with heat?”

Tutting at him taking the small round bottle of red pepper flakes from his hands. Tilting my head to the side when I noticed how small the bottle appeared in his hand. “You know I’m an Arizona girl. We love our spice and heat. And you still challenge me, Black!” Twisting the lid off I began to tap the flacks out into his pan, while keeping my eyes on him.

“I hear the tone you’re using Jacob Black. Not cool.”

※ Jacob ※

Hell… this girl was so lost… it only happened for flashes, then she found her way back. But those flashes? They broke my heart a little every time. I laughed as Bella fearlessly tapped the pepper flakes into the pot as I stirred them in. Maybe if I let her have those moments and choose when she wanted to delve deeper into them… she’d realise I was here to listen.

Once she reached about the amount I would use; I held up my free hand in surrender. “Okay, okay… much respect. But let’s not overdo it.” I chuckled. I leaned closer and whispered “#Charlie can’t handle the heat as well as he thinks. Why do you think he always orders steak?” I smiled.

I laughed again. “Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition between friends! Especially in the kitchen. Plus, you have chocolate on your side! I need a little heat.”

※ Bella ※

I felt as though I hid my far away thoughts and emotions from those close to me. Keeping them away from the draining of my little happiness I’d begun to experience once again. So, they could see only the glimmers of hope I wanted them all to believe I grew within.

“Oh, thank God! You had me worried I needed to go out and grab something else for him.” Okay for me to play chicken with my new close friend, however my dad wouldn’t thank us if he suffered a bad tummy all night.

Nudging Jacob in the side while setting the pepper down. “Maybe next time we made sure we take Charlie’s position out before we go wild?”

At the mention of chocolate, I turned to pick the tray of uncooked brownies up and once again nudged him to the side to place them in the oven. “You know in Mexico they love adding some chilli into their chocolate, it enhances the flavour. Or so I read.”

Now wanting to try some, one day.

※ Jacob ※

I laughed and shook my head. “If I’d known how competitive you were I would have chosen my words more carefully.” I teased. I stirred the pot, the fragrance from it multiplying now with added flavour. I added in the last of the ingredients.

“Really? And here I was thinking that Salted Caramel and chocolate was a breakthrough.” I laughed. “Maybe the next time we will make a batch just for us… save the old timers some heartburn.”

I covered the pot and let the food simmer and the vegetables reduced down into a sauce. “I’ll be more help next time now that I’ve seen it done before. I honestly never really looked into learning to bake because none of it seemed suitable for Dad… but you managed to find a way around it, you can give me some tips.” I smiled and checked the pasta.

※ Bella ※

“Whomever found the combination of Salt and Caramel was a genius! The sweet and salty really does enhance the taste buds in an intriguing way.”

Left with nothing to do, instead of watching Jacob all attention turned toward the dinner table. Taking the time to clear the things which had been set upon it out of the way. (However, still within the eye-line of #Billy and Jacob). I began to set the table for four.

“I think it was a French chef, it had to be. The French come up with the best dessert ideas.” It took a couple of attempts to find the plates, and then the glasses.

“I wouldn’t say I’m an avid baker. But who doesn’t like watching a good baking show when you aren’t in the mood for anything else?” Nodding my head towards the dads. “I know Charlie hasn’t got the health issues like Billy yet…” emphasising the last word.

“However, I worry if he doesn’t change his habits. He could end up with some. Which is why I try to have him eating better…. And… Which is why I took over the kitchen duties.” A glance back to the dads to make sure they weren’t eavesdropping.

“Next time we can make red velvet cake, with beetroot. Charlie doesn’t know how good that cake is for him when he is scoffing down two slices with sour cream frosting.” Winking in a conspiring manner.

※ Jacob ※

“Agreed!” I laughed. “Let’s hope the chilli and chocolate people are geniuses too… Genius-ies… Genuises?” I tried to figure it out. “Genius-i…. Whatever the plural is.”

I added tomato paste to the pot and turned to her, wide-eyed. “Oh please, don’t tell me you watch that British baking show? Rebecca watched that things like it was a religious service.”

I listened to her talking about the worry for her dad’s health, it was something I could understand, I knew that in different circumstances my dad could still be walking. I didn’t blame him for not looking after himself better after Mom died. But I knew it was something that could have been avoided if he hadn’t had his world shattered.

“I understand that, even without family histories it's something to worry about. And I know it’s Forks, but his job still has its dangers, I know you worry. And that’s a good compromise, right?” I chuckled.

“Healthy cake but you still get a little frosting?” I kept my voice low enough not to carry over the sound of the TV. I couldn’t give away Bella’s secret.

※ Bella ※

A small chuckle leaving my lips, nudging myself on my toes and then back down again. “It’s geniuses... you had it right brains.” Shaking my head because he reminded me a little on my mom, she always questioned words and then went ahead and made her own up.

The look of shock covering my features, with a hand placed on my chest. I wouldn’t attempt a British accent because I knew I’d murder it.

“Do not judge me, or your sister. We have great taste, okay.” Feeling a blush creeping up my face. “Also, sometimes we all need something which is good for the soul. Watching something which is about people like me creating things I couldn’t imagine doing… it’s…. Well… nice.”

Smiling while i watch him as he cooked, hoping to learn something new as I did when watching Sue, from time to time. “I know you would understand. I tried to explain it to my friends at school. And they were… well… they didn’t get it.”

※ Jacob ※

I grinned at her. “I know…. It was a test. You passed.” I laughed, that was the goal really; to make her laugh or smile. I had succeeded at it a lot today, but it wasn’t going to make her feel better forever. But at least it relieved her burden for a few moments.

I chuckled, covering the pot now to let the sauce reduce. “I’m teasing… my weakness is those endurance contests, like American Ninja and the mud runs or spartan contests. Not that I really watch a lot of TV. But when I do I have a guilty pleasure too.”

I leaned against the counter. “I learned a long time ago that you can’t blame people for that. Most are used to their parents always looking after them, they can’t imagine a world where it's reversed. Not until they see it. Like #Quil… he worries after his mom since my dad got sick… but #Embry was right there too, and he can't fathom a world where his mother isn’t invincible. I swear that woman has never even had a cold.” I grimaced a little at the mention of #Embry. Did he still think that now? Or was that changed too?

※ Bella ※

The shift came so abruptly, just a small trickle of sadness in his shoulders when mentioning his best friends.

There were so many reasons to lose we I’d found out the hard way myself, that tonight I didn’t want him feeling guilty about anything else. And some part of me, should kick myself at taking this whole conversation back around to a place of deep thought and maybe some regrets when it came to #Embry. Even if I hadn’t meant too.

“I’m sorry... did you say American Ninja, and mud runs, and spartan contests? What in the world are those?” Emphasising each word to draw him out from the emotional state I knew looming over his head. “I feel like you are making it up.”

Pushing myself off to bend my knees. Looking into the oven at the state of the brownies baking. The scent of the chocolate hadn’t changed so I knew we still had a few minutes to go.

※ Jacob ※

I was grateful that she jumped right onto the topic of my silly TV shows. She was doing for me that I had done for her. I scooped up a spaghetti noodle and tasted it. “Perfection.” I grinned.

“Oh no, they are very real. It’s like endurance contests and races, they do obstacle courses like the ones people do for army training and stuff… it’s a race, a strength challenge, and a mental test all at once. I’ll show you sometime if you want. I’ll even watch your baking show with you and not complain.” I chuckled and set the big colander in the sink and turned off the burner with the spaghetti on it.

‘Getting hungry in here, kids!’ Dad called from the living room.

“Five minutes!” I called in. “Go wash up,” I smirked at Bella. “And they say teenagers are impatient.”

※ Bella ※

“Yes! I’m in!” In need for something more to do. Now that #Charlie’s shed was done, a gap had opened up for a new hobby. “If I’m not muscling into your time alone?”

“And you know you are always welcome to join in on the bake off. As long as know we will be baking afterwards too.” Thinking about the times we could have.

“Well maybe only on weekends. You need to prioritise your homework and studies. I can’t have the oldies saying I’m a bad influence. I’m meant to make sure things are don’t right.”

#Billy pulled on my attention, making me smile again. Turning to glance back over my shoulder when I stood towards where our dads grumbled something before getting themselves up.

Lowering my voice, “Whomever said that didn’t know these two.” Lifting my chin back now.

‘It all smells really good here guys.’ #Charlie went to the kitchen sink while #Billy disappeared into the bathroom.

“Jake here is a talented chef.” Going to the cupboard for some glasses and a jug.

※ Jacob ※

Her enthusiasm made me smile. I remembered #Charlie telling my dad about how Bella had lost all interest in anything that she used to enjoy. So, if she is excited about a TV show that used to bug the ever-loving hell out of me… then hell yeah, I would watch… Plus Bella was better company than my sisters so I was sure it would be much more fun.

“If you look up the sugar-free alternatives I will definitely be your humble assistant slash taste tester.”

I chuckled at her. One day maybe I would show her my grades… but if she was willing to help me with studying then maybe I wouldn’t let her in on how well I did… my main struggles were English and Math but everything else was good.

“Please!” I teased her with a friendly roll of my eyes. “Like you could ever influence me… Unless you have chocolate… then I am all yours to influence.”

I smiled when Bella called me the talented chef and I motioned to the Chief’s daughter, “And may I introduce our guest baker for the evening… the inspired young Isabella Swan.”

※ Bella ※

I’d bent down over at the oven to take out the tray. The heat hit as soon as the door was opened, followed by the sweet scent of the baked chocolate. It was heavenly.

Standing up in time for Jacob’s teasing. I took a small bow. “At your service, Gents.” Listening to the sound of their conversation and laughter made me still and allow this memory to sink in.

‘Please, Bella you could influence this boy just by looking in his direction. He hangs off your every word. Leave the chocolate here for me.’ It was #Billy’s turn to tease now.

My face flushed, and I distracted myself by setting the tray of baked brownies on the counter, out of the way for now.

“Uhm… can I help you with serving the food Jake?”

※ Jacob ※

I turned eagerly back to the spaghetti as I tipped it into the big serving dish when Bella bent down to the oven. Objectifying girls wasn’t exactly a hobby of mine… but I was human… teenaged… and let’s be honest, harbouring a massive crush and her father was in the room. So, spaghetti was suddenly very interesting. And then add in Dad’s comment to my already squirrelly behaviour and now my cheeks were flaming.

“Thanks for that dad!” I laughed… because what else could I do? He was just being a clueless parent.

“It’s normally just me and Dad so when we have company, we like to share it all out family style. Can you get the cheese from the fridge, please? There should be parmesan and pepper jack in there.” I took the Bolognese off the stove and added that into one of Mom’s old casserole dishes with flowers painted on the outside… just to make the table a little prettier. Dad gave me a side eye but said nothing this time. I filled four glasses of water too and set them on the table with a plate for each of us.

※ Bella ※

I would have died of embarrassment, the flush of heat on my cheeks told me I was kind of feeling it. However, Jacob took his father’s teasing in his stride. He didn’t flinch or storm off. This boy was so good with people of all ages, and his dad too.

“Sure, I’m happy to do that.” Doing as I’m asked without questioning it. I moved around Jacob to open the fridge.

Our father’s laughing and joking, talking about the rerun of the game they had been watching. When I took the cheese to the counter I went searching for a cheese grater.

Watching the three of them over my shoulder. A realisation dawned upon me once again. #Charlies was so at ease here. The same as he was at the Clearwater house, I saw how they all welcomed him with open arms. And I was the add on, without any questions they all seemed to engulf me with this same care and love.

“Here we go.” Coming to take a seat at the table, I placed two bowls of cheese beside the beautiful dish. “This dish is so pretty. Those flowers. Are they hand painted?” I asked.

※ Jacob ※

I grinned at Bella as she grated the cheese too… “Wow… aren’t we spoiled,” I said to the dads at the table. “We normally just grate it over our plates.” I chuckled.

I heaped a pile of spaghetti onto my plate.

‘Notice how Bella doesn’t lecture this one about carbs?’ #Charlie teased.

“I need the carbs… I’m having a growth spurt.” I immediately regretted the words; growth spurts were for kids… what was I thinking!!

#Billy turned to Bella and smiled. ‘They are.’ He answered her. ‘We got a whole set just like this as a wedding gift. My #Sarah thought they were too pretty to actually use for cooking but too pretty not to use at the same time, so she decided to keep them aside for special occasions.’ He smiled fondly. ‘Just like this one. Welcome to your first family dinner, Isabella. Would you mind if I said a blessing before this wild animal digs in?’

I froze with my fork halfway to my mouth and lowered to my plate in slow motion.

※ Bella ※

I could feel another blush creeping up my cheeks. I hadn’t meant to do anything which maybe seem too pretentious. I was attempting to help and be myself. So, I crossed my legs over one another sitting in my chair watching them.

Smiling at Jacob, he wasn’t lying about the growth. The boy had put on height and weight each time I saw him these days. My full attention remained on #Billy. Nodding my head along with his story of his late wife. A warm smile on his lips feeding my own too.

#Charlie served me before himself, teasing Jake about the cheese and the amount of food he could eat, wanting to challenge him.

“Thank you to opening your home, and your family to me.”

I meant it with all my heart. #Billy knew me and my history he knew everything that had been safe to share with him about the past two years. And he still didn’t mind me being in his house, and spending time with his son.

“Yes please, I feel we could all do with a little helping hand.” My glance turned to both Jacob and #Charlie, who were about to dig in.

※ Jacob ※

I smiled… I knew Bella and #Charlie had dinner at the table… like Dad and I did. But it was different with people over. Maybe we should make it a regular thing. I was about to suggest this when Dad mentioned a blessing and I dropped my fork. I grinned because I knew that this meant it was something special for Dad too… to share our table with Bella. He didn’t do this when it was just #Charlie here.

I took Dad’s hand and then Bella’s not thinking about it until it was done, and my finger wrapped around her hand, she was still a little cold… maybe a hot meal would finally get some heat into her bones. Dad spoke and I closed my eyes… trying not to think about her hand in mine as he prayed.

‘We thank Great Wolf for the resources that made this food possible. We thank the Earth Mother for producing it, and we thank all those who laboured to bring it to us. May the wholesomeness of the food before us, bring out the wholeness of the Spirit within us, and may it nourish our bodies so our journey on the plane is long and fruitful; that we may better serve the land of our ancestors. We thank Grandmother Moon for bringing a treasured daughter to our table to share in her bounty and pray that it will not be the last time she breaks bread at our table.’ He was silent a moment before the let go of his hand and said ‘Dig in guys and gal.’

I chuckled. “Gal? What are you? A prospector from an old movie?” But then I elbowed him lightly. “Nice one, Dad.”

‘Don’t call me chief or nothing.’ He served himself a great big scoop of pasta and then Bella next. I smiled to myself… wondering if she knew it meant to be served by an Elder.

※ Bella ※

The bless felt like an out of body experience. No one had even made my joining them for dinner the reason to give thanks. Making my heart swell.

#Charlie’s eyes were on mine and Jake’s hands clasped together for the blessing. He didn’t say anything, however I could tell he was astonished that I hadn’t pulling free.

I’d felt the initial urge to pull away, but the moment and the reason halted me. His skin was warm, giving a much needed source of heat to my always cold hands.

When my dad’s eyes continued to find mine he gave me a smile. We ate together as often as we could, however sometimes if he worked late, I’d be sat on the kitchen table alone with my book while I feed myself.

Tonight it felt different, I felt so welcome here, just as we felt at the Clearwater home.

Removing my hand from dad’s I met #Billy’s eyes lifting my plate as he smiled and served me.

“Thank you, Billy. It was a beautiful blessing. Maybe you should start doing it dad. You know. Give a little thanks?” I was teasing him of course. Our meals were a quiet affair, and we both liked it like that.

‘Nope, Billy does then best, so we will leave it to him to say a little something for us too.’ The two men laughed teasing one another.

When I set my plate down on the table, I noticed my hand. Leaning into the side I whispered. “Uhm.. Jake…. I’ll need my hand to eat dinner.” Nodding my chin to the hand he still held.

※ Jacob ※

“Hey, I’d love to hear #Charlie says a dirty limerick or two over a table of food.” I teased. I had a feeling that would be his idea of hell… unless he was talking to a room full of cops. I flushed a deep crimson… “Oh…. Um…” I let go of her hand and tried not to do it too fast and draw more attention to the fact I was still holding it. #Charlie and my father were exchanging looks and trying not to smirk. “Sorry,” I muttered to Bella.

‘So…” #Charlie saved me. ‘What did you kids get up to today?’ He asked swirling spaghetti around his fork.

“Oh… not much… drove out to the beach and then hit the diner for hot chocolate,” I explained, and the dads exchanged a look again.

‘Just… um…’ the chief pointed his fork between us, flicking a little sauce onto his shirt. ‘Just the two of you?’

“Yeah,” I said after swallowing the food in my mouth. Then I noticed the way they were looking at me… It did kind of sound like a date. “Yeah, I mean…” I didn’t want to tell Dad we went looking for #Embry, he had told me to leave him alone, he was going through stuff, and I should let him. “We just hung out and then we met the Clearwater’s, and we had something to eat with them.”

※ Bella ※

“Char…. Dad knows limericks. Why is this the first I’m learning about this?”

Saying so the men could hear. At the same time, I turned my hand around and placed it gently on Jake’s. Attempting to tell him it was ‘okay’, he didn’t need to apologise. Not after the day he’d had. Letting his hand go I picked up my fork, i twisted the utensil into the long spaghetti coated in the sauce.

The scent of the food was mouthwatering. Sometimes, the best meals were something so simple, made with love. It elevated the quality of the meal tenfold. And tonight, I felt the warmth from this family towards mine.

Taking a mouthful, I chewed enthusiastically as the conversation progressed around the table. Even though I could question the manner in which the two dads were acting. I chose not to right now. I didn’t add anything as Jake had a handle on what he chose to share and what he wanted to keep to himself.

Taking a napkin from the table to hand over to #Charlie I made a note to soak his shirt tonight, it would be the only way to take the stain out after all.

‘The Clearwater’s?’ This time #Charlie’s eyes were on me.

“Yeah.” I answered.

“Leah and Seth. We all shared fries at the dinner in town.” And then I added “Oh, and we all have plans to do our homework together.” Trying to show that we are also be responsible too. “Seth really does look up to Jake here. It’s kind of cute to see the hero worship.”

The dad’s exchanged another look, I wish I could read their minds! The moment the thought came to. I began choking on the next bite at the memory it invoked. Damn my mind and heart! Why??

Dropping the fork to the plate, reaching out to pick up the glass beside me to drink. My brown watery eyes moving to the three people around the table. Feeling of shame and embarrassment engulfing my soul.

“Sorry…” coughing I cover my mouth with my hand, then take another gulp of water. “Sorry!”

※ Jacob ※

‘Trust me, Bella…. You don’t want to get him started. They are awful.’ Dad smirked and added the cheese Bella grated to the top of his pasta. I watched to see how much he added. I didn’t want to correct him in front of Bella… but I wondered if Bella was doing the same with #Charlie, it was nice to have someone who understood what it was like to look after someone else’s health. Especially when that person should technically be looking after us.

#Charlie dabbed at the spot on his shirt, I could see the way the expressions at the table changed… Bella noticed it too this time. Did she mean me? Was I cute? No… she meant #Seth… but in an "𝔸𝕨𝕨 𝕔𝕦𝕥𝕖 𝕜𝕚𝕕" kinda way...

Before My cheeks had a chance to turn red again, she started to choke. When I saw that she was okay, I decided to turn the subject around... give her a second to gather herself.

“Yeah I told #Seth I could help with his history homework… and Bella is gonna share her wisdom on English Lit,” I told the dads.

‘Maybe you can point out some of the inaccuracies in Bella’s history textbook.’ Dad smirked at me.

Now I was blushing again. “Really Dad? Now?” I gritted the last word. “Besides, Bella is more than smart enough to read between the lines.”

‘Jake here is a bit of a history buff did he tell you that?’ Dad said, but at least he had steered away from the other topic.

“Like I have a choice living with you and all your stories!” I teased, but honestly, I really loved history, especially tribal history. I felt a duty to preserve it. Even if some of it was fairy stories… but they had cultural relevance, right? Every culture has far-fetched and high-flying stories or legends.

※ Bella ※

‘Harry’s been taking on the role of teaching Bella the history of the tribe.’ #Charlie said with great praise for his friend. As soon as he said it, I felt the table move and dad coughed. ‘But. Yeah. Yeah… Jake here is a historical genius?’ The statement felt more like a question. And he asked it of #Billy?

Taking another sip from the glass, frowning at the twilight zone Jake and I seemed to have stepped into with our dads.

“Uhm. Yeah. Like I would ever say no to learning something new.” A thought occurred to me as I spoke. “Jake, why don’t we make the learning outdoors? You know. On good days get some sun. If it ever comes out to play?”

#Billy and #Charlie both looked pleased with this, but it confused me as to why?

‘Yeah. Boy. You should take Bella up on that. You spend too much time in here bugging me, or in your garage anyway.’

#Charlie picked up the bowl of cheese to add to his plate, however before he could spoon any out. I took it from him.

“Not too much.” I told him. Spooning out a little over the pasta so it covers just enough to give him the flavour without the cholesterol.

“I don’t mind helping in the garage too?”

Both the dads shouted ‘No!’ At the same time. ‘Too dangerous in there for you.’

I couldn’t help but catch Jake’s eyes. The look in mine asking him; ‘Are you seeing this too? Or have I just lost my mind?’ Our dads were acting insane, more than the usual kind.

※ Jacob ※

“Outside…” I hadn’t ever thought about it… But I normally did homework with #Quil and #Embry and if you took ‘Bry outside to study; he would get too distracted, but he wasn’t going to be there. Actually, now that I think about it… Studying with a girl present might have the same effect on #Quil. “Outside... that sounds like fun… It would be a nice change.”

I laughed at the dad’s reaction to her being in the garage. And matched the look that Bella gave me. “You do remember the brand-new tackle shed of yours #Charlie? Bella didn’t just sit and watch… she helped, she learned how to use the tools, and she even helped with the roofing. I think she’ll be just fine.” I scoffed.

“Besides a car has to be running to be dangerous.”

※ Bella ※

#Charlie’s smile grew, and I could swear his cheats grew too listening to Jacob defending me and my clumsiness.

“You tell him Jake; I swear he believes I talked you boys into doing the work while I sat back and did my nails.” This made my dad laugh.

‘You have to stop biting your nail for you to be able to do them.’ And this was pay back for taking his cheese away from him. It had to.

“Hey, I’m not as bad as I used to be.” However, I hid my hands under the table. Then my eyes were on Jake and #Billy. “Didn’t you get Jake the parts you promised?”

As soon as I said the words, a flash of Jacob Black stood in the parking lot outside my prom came in technicolour. Threatening to drive an axe into the fragile walls I had in place.

“I mean…” Swirling my fork into the pasta. “Are more parts needed, or is it time to put them all together?” Maybe I took up too much of my friend’s time.

※ Jacob ※

I swallowed my mouthful and laughed. “Nope! That’s not how we roll, we would have done it just because you asked… but you wanted to learn so… you learned.” I smiled at Bella. I was lucky to have someone to teach me… so I knew the best way to be grateful was to pass it on.

“Hey… you and me both.” I nudged #Bella lightly with my elbow and flattened my hand on the table between us, showing bitten, broken fingernails. Most of it was from working on the car… but not all.

Then I blushed crimson! She remembered that! “Oh, he did but there are still a few more I need, I’ll need tyres too… but they don’t seem like a priority when it won’t even tick over yet. But it’s close. Once I get the starter motor, I’ll be golden. You should take a ride when I have it ready.”

‘Not until you get your license Jake.’ #Charlie warned and I smirked. So did Dad.

“I know… I mean… of course.” I cleared my throat.

※ Bella ※

And he did it again. My friend made me feel at easy as he proudly slapped his hand on the table for everyone to see. I occupied to me that Jake’s hands were well worn. You could tell the young boy worked with them. The telltale signs of working on cars, and building, not just those normal household chores being the reason.

Watching Jake tell #Charlie how he ‘rolled’, when it came to working on building the tool shed made me smile warmly. This boy could make the difference between not wanting to talk and particularly shut down, to being open, honest, and respectfully funny!

When my brown eyes moved over the others at the table, I caught #Charlie looking at me wilfully. My father smiled, shaking his head without hesitation, and continued to eat.

‘Good, good. We Swans don’t like hanging back.’ He said to Jake with a mouthful.

‘Unless it’s on a boat with a dead line.’ #Billy short off quickly laughing.

I had to laugh. “These two need to take this show on the road.” The way they chastised Jake about driving without a license in one breath, and in the next they were pulling each other’s leg.

“But… they are right. No driving until you passed your test.” Because even a blind man wouldn’t be sold on Jake’s performance in saying he understood.

“Do not make me tell you all the statistics of road accidents for underage driving. Because you know l, I know it all.” Giving him a mock stun look.

‘See… that’s my kid…’ #Charlie beamed pointing his fork across the table.

※ Jacob ※

I cringed inside a little when #Charlie looked at Bella like that. Had she told him she’d let us do the dangerous work? Had I just ratted her out?

I laughed and nodded to Bella… “I swear they snipe like an old married couple sometimes.” I teased, taking another bite.

When Bella agreed with her dad, I wondered what she would think if she knew I’d been helping with the driving chores since I was fourteen. It was a necessity… dad needed to get around and sometimes there wasn’t else to ask. The Rez cops didn’t really pay attention if you were being safe.

I laughed at Bella’s expression… “Did he make you watch those drivers ed videos with the wrecks and blood too?”

‘Hey, I wouldn’t have made you watch those if you were doing what you were supposed to.’ #Charlie warned, he had a good balance between family friend and cop in his tone. My dad just winked at me.

‘In my defence… Dad still has a license so I can technically drive with my permit. As long as he’s there.’ I pointed my empty fork at him and #Charlie gave a look that said he wasn’t buying it. I knew he’d seen me in Da’s truck with the guys and no adult at times.

“Fine, fine! I’ll take the test!” I sighed… If I ever had the time. I didn’t say the last part out loud.

※ Bella ※

I became silent, eating my dinner, sipping on my drink, and watching this unconventional family before me.

A pang of sadness blooming in my chest as it did when I saw #Charlie with the boys before. They got a part of him that I didn’t. And my dad wasn’t to blame for it. I was! I’d stopped visiting him here, instead he had to make the trips to Arizona for long weekends when his work allowed the time. Short visits, with a young daughter who had nothing in common, and even less to say.

Renée and drivers ed at my school had touch me how to drive. And the nerd in me had don’t all the research on the accident statistics from the library myself. #Charlie had actually been impressed when I told him about the data from Arizona, when he’d visited after I have my license.

‘Bells? You, okay?’ #Charlie brought me out of my thoughts.

“Yeah. Yes. I’m fine. Just listening to you guys.” Setting the glass down beside my plate.

‘Jake said he is going to take his learners test.’ Bringing me back into the conversation.

“That’s great. Have you set your theory? I still have my notes from mine, I’m sure. If not, Renee could send them over in a few weeks?”

‘This is why I say. It pays to have a brainy friend.’ #Billy teased.

‘Yeah, that’s why he is friends with me.’ #Charlie responded.

“God help me!” I laughed.

“Excuse me. Who is the brain here?” Pointing between Jacob and myself.”

※ Jacob ※

When #Charlie asked Bella if she was okay, I noticed she seemed to have spaced out again. Just for a moment... but that was a few times now. I wondered if today much for her after everything had been too she went through… with #Embry being so mean on the beach, then hanging out with #Seth and #Leah… now a big family dinner… She avoided people for so long. Was today too many people too soon?

I answered her… I wasn’t going to ask her any of this in front of her dad… or mine. Probably not at all, really. “Oh yeah, I did all of that. I have my permit… I just need to take the road test.”

‘He’s a good driver, he’ll pass no problem.’ Dad beamed encouragingly.

“I’m not worried about passing… I know I will. I just need to find the time to take the actual test.” I smiled at Bella. “But thanks for the offer… I can’t say I ever knew of anyone taking notes in drivers-ed.” I teased her a little.

‘Because there’s no such thing as drivers-ed in a Tribal high school.’ Dad pointed out. I just nodded in agreement… but I was sure that there had to be a tribe somewhere that had one… but it was nowhere near here.

I looked at the dad and they looked at each other and laughed. Neither was willing to answer Bella’s question first. ‘You both have unique strengths.’ #Charlie said and my dad laughed.

‘Wow, those sensitivity seminars are really paying off!’ He teased his friend.

※ Bella ※

“There is nothing wrong in making notes.” Trying to sound confident knowing it was anything but.

However, my mind became stuck on Jacob’s statement. What was I missing here? I made a note to ask him later when we were alone. What exactly was stopping Jacob from going to take his test? And was there anything I could do to help?

“Chicken!” Muttering the words loud enough for them all to hear, however at the same time trying to hide it too.

‘No… we just know better.’ #Billy laughed harder this time, making #Charlie do the same.

I of course, rolled my eyes at them all. “I’m surrounded by troublesome men.” Truthfully, they were far from troublesome. But… I could tease too.

“So…” unsure about the topic. “If the school here doesn’t teach the students to drive, how do they go about learning the theory and gain the practice they need to pass?”

Twisting my fork into an unruly spaghetti strand refusing to do as it’s told.

※ Jacob ※

I chuckled. “No shame. We all learn differently. I like learning by doing like, driving… shop class stuff like that. But you can’t learn everything you need that way.”

I scoffed and acted offended. “And I thought that we were a team, Swan!” I laughed.

Then Bella asked her question and I figured she would have learned at school so; it probably did seem weird to her. The community centre has the books. You can study there and there’s nearly always an uncle there that will quiz you. And when the internet works you can take a practice test on the computer. Then normally your parents or siblings teach you how to drive.” I took another big bite, then asked her. “What was it like learning at school? Was it one of your regular teachers or a teacher who only taught driving?”

※ Bella ※

“So, more of a practical hands-on approach.” Nodding my head. “I can respect that in a person.” I really didn’t want Jake to believe I didn’t see the benefits of one over the other. I knew everyone learnt and did things in their own way.

‘Sure can, books smarts are good and needed. But this.’ #Billy lifted his hand. ‘Knowing what to do with these is as important.’

He wasn’t wrong. “Yeah, hundred percent true. I’d have been lost without the three boys with the shed. Dad…” my eyes on him. “You should have seen them all. The way they knew what they needed, where to go, what to buy. And they even give me a great deal. All the help I needed for food and watering.” Nudging my elbow out with a teasing smile.

‘All you kids did good there. I can’t believe I have a new shed. Been talking about doing that for years.’

He spoke to Jacob now. ‘Thank you.’

We all ate, listening to Jake tell me about the way of learning on the reservation. Bother the dad’s nodding along with what was being said. I guess we both had a very difficult experience.

“Not sure I would have ever passed my test if I waited on mom.’ Smiling as I spoke between bites.

“We had a few teachers in the year, who doubled up for drivers education. Not all the students could be in the car at the same time. So, one would take us through the theory aspect of driving, and the other would take a small group of us around the school parking lot.”

※ Jacob ※

I listened to #Bella speaking with both the dads. I shook my head when #Charlie thanked me. “It was all Bella’s idea.” I smiled. “We were just the muscle.” Then I turned the Bella. “Plus, I got extra credit out of it for wood shop. So thank you!” I tipped my glass to her and took a sip. Then I reached for another helping of pasta.

I thought how different our experiences in learning to drive were… besides the obvious of me actually learning to drive at fourteen, before I ever learned any of the theory stuff. “I think it would be weird to learn from my teachers… but I guess it makes sense in places like Phoenix to learn on school property… our roads aren't really that busy… not like a city. It just goes to show that everyone’s normal is totally different.”

※ Bella ※

‘See, there’s those smarts we were talking about.’ #Billy says with pride, and rightfully so. I remembered the boys saying they would be able to use the project for their school work, it had been one of the reasons I accepted the help.

Smiling, my eyes met my dad’s catching him watching me again. He smiled back then rejoined the conversation.

‘You’re turning into a responsible your man Jake. Keep it up.’ #Charlie added before helping himself to seconds too.

There was an unspoken warmth I felt sat here at the Black dinner table, mirroring the sentiments of how welcomed Charlie and I were with the Clearwater’s too. As my brown eyes moved across all the faces before me, a thought occurred to me.

“Hold on.” Setting my fork down, to excuse myself from the table to run over to my coat beside the front door.

The dampness to my touch made my bones shiver. This was something I couldn’t get used to. Wet. Cold. Dark! Fishing through the deep pockets of the coat, I found my wallet, and then my fingers curled around the small square I was in hurt of.

“Got you!” Holding up the camera as I turned around to face the house. Walking back towards the table. “Okay. U need you all to move in a little closer. This moment needs to be remembered.

#Charlie looked stunned by the sight of the camera. His eyes looked me over with concern. ‘I didn’t know you started taking pictures again.’ He stated.

Shrugging my shoulders, I shifted on my feet. “I hadn’t, however… I think I want too again.” Shaking my head I monitored for them all to move closer to Billy. “And this is the first image I want to capture.”

This gift from my mom, could no longer be tainted by my choices.

※ Jacob ※

“We tried telling them it was for the Forks Chief of Police… but they said that only earned us brownie points, not credits.” I laughed. “Apparently #Charlie’s sway ends at the Tribal lines.” I teased.

‘Why do you think I made best friends with the Chief!?’ #Charlie patted Dad’s shoulder.

I smiled at the praise. “Thanks… I’m certainly trying my best.” Okay… well apart from the illegal driving. I was about to say 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙨 (even though I wasn’t done with my seconds yet), but Bella hopped up and vanished from the kitchen.

Then she came back with a camera, and I chuckled a little. I glanced around… and decided she was right. It was a dinner worth remembering. But then #Charlie and Bella’s exchange told me that this was more than just a photo… it was something she’d stopped doing…. But today… had given it back to her.

“Wait… we should all be in it… set the timer and come and squeeze in, Bella.” Everyone shifted closer like she’d asked us to.

‘Yeah, Bell’s you should be in here too. C’mon.’ #Charlie waved her to come back to the table too, smiling even bigger than he had all evening.

※ Bella ※

“Uhm….” Looking down at the small camera in my hands, glancing over the settings. “I’ve not used the timer on this.” I told them.

‘It’s okay, we will wait.’ #Billy added. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be in the picture itself. I hadn’t until now.

‘Take your time, Bells.’ #Charlie smiled, happily. When I pressed the button placing it on the counter and then checking the display.

“Okay. Here goes to nothing.” Pushing down again I rushed over to the table, making my way to squash in next to #Charlie.

I hear the small beep. “Smile guys. It’s about to take a photo.” Plastering on a smile for them on my own lips.

The telltale sign came with a flashed. Telling us it was done. “I’ll check it.” I called back. “Don’t move yet.” Picking the device up.

Smiling at the image looking back at me.

“It’s perfect.”

Walking the camera back to the table to hand it over to my dad for them to check it and pass it along.

※ Jacob ※

I had a feeling Bella was the kind that preferred to be behind the camera… I think most people did. But I was so used to it... Dad was snap-happy for years after Mom died… I knew it was because he wished there were more pictures of us with her. I mean we had loads… but I suppose when it's all that you have left, it never really feels like enough. He lost the drive a little after the twins left.

I smiled wide when Bella said, until the click and flash. She looked so happy looking at the picture on the screen. She was so pretty… beautiful really…

Dad nudged me with the camera, clearly, he had tried to pass it to me when my attention was elsewhere. I flushed and took it… grinning at the photo… “Well, aren’t we a good-looking bunch!” I laughed. “That one is definitely worthy of a place of honour on the fridge.”

※ Bella ※

‘Charlie and I are Delightful!’ #Billy’s laughter was a deeper version of Jacob’s. It hadn’t occurred to me until now.

My dad however, flushed a red shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Somethings about #Charlie I knew were family traits I had been born with too. Our need to be unseen being one of them.

‘Can we get a copy of that one please Bella?’ #Billy brought me out of my thoughts.

Nodding my head, I bite the corner of my lips. “Uhm… yeah… sure... I mean if course. I’ll print it out at home and bring it on my next visit.” Standing up straight, I went to sit back down in my chair. Looking down at my plate, then picking up the glass to have a drink.

‘I have so many pictures of the kids. There are around here somewhere.’ He pointed around himself as he spoke.

Glancing over to Jacob, I found myself half smiling. “Are we talking baby pictures, Billy? And school plays? Because I’m up for a little show and tell after dinner.” Teasing a little, however also wanting to see my friend before I knew him too.

※ Jacob ※

I tensed… froze with my fork in midair… who wouldn’t? But I took a breath and reminded myself of a parent's favourite thing:

Embarrassing their children.

So I took a breath, finished my bite, and looked at Dad. “Oh yeah! That sounds good… I think there are a few of Bella with the twins too. The albums are in the trunk under your bed. I’ll grab them after dessert.”

It was going to happen. The excited gleam in Bella’s eyes told me as much. I might as well lean into it. I grinned at Dad who gave me an 𝗜 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 kind of look.

“Speaking of dessert?” I looked over where Bella’s masterpiece sat and then at Bella. “Should we serve it up?” My plate was empty once more and it looked like the others were finished too.

“Who wants ice cream and who wants whipped cream?” I asked, wiping my hands on a paper towel before standing to start clearing plates.

‘I think I’ll skip the ice cream and have a nice big helping of what our young Miss Swan is treating us all to. ”Dad smiled at her.

��Look at you, being all responsible and stuff I teased him.” Rinsing the plates before stacking them to be washed properly after dessert.

※ Bella ※

Blinking with pure and unexpected joy as well as surprise. How had Jacob agreed so early to sharing photos? This boy was always dealing me the most unexpected hands, in our friendship.

“Yes, of course we should have dessert.” My face flushed with the excitement from #Billy. #Charlie knew better than to say anything which I could deem as a compliment.

“Let me help you clean up first.” Standing I took the bowl that belonged to Jacob’s mom, setting it down carefully beside him to clean.

I worked around Jacob, staying out of his way would be a better way to describe what I did. In our kitchen at home, I knew where things went, I knew how the ground felt, not trips or banging into doors. I couldn’t, however, take the chance here.

By the time I was done, all we had left on the dinner table were our glasses. “I’ll take the bowls and the spoons to the table.” I told him. Looking over to #Billy who laughed pointing to where I could find the items I would need.

‘Don’t forget to bring the tray of delicious delights with you.’ He added. ‘Oh, that’s what we should call it. Delicious delights’.

“Billy…” setting the blows and the spoons down I gave him a look. “You haven’t even tried them. You may want to wait. What if they taste like Devils from hell?”

※ Jacob ※

“Thanks, Bella,” I said when she got up to help me clear up. “We can just clear space, I’ll wash up later on.” I didn’t want the good times to turn into chores. “Can’t ruin an impromptu dinner party with premature cleaning.” I chuckled at my own cleverness.

I rolled my eyes at my father’s cringiness… “Really Dad?” I scoffed. “You couldn’t think of anything else? I lifted the tray of chocolate-smelling brownies. Muttering to myself about how good they smelled.

‘No way… not when my girl made them.’ #Charlie patted his stomach, in response to Bella’s 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 comment. ‘Not that dinner wasn’t great too #Jacob.’ He smiled at me.

“Thanks… But Bella helped with that too. I melted the chocolate like a chocolate melting pro!” I boasted and set the tray in the centre. “Okay, ice cream! I moved to the freezer. I think we only have chocolate and vanilla… but would it be too much chocolate?” I was partly thinking out loud.

‘I wouldn’t say no to a scoop of vanilla with mine please, Jake.’ #Charile said.

“What do you say, Bella? Should we double up on chocolatey goodness?” I gave her a wide smile for my spot in front of the freezer.

※ Bella ※

‘Impromptu cleaning is Bella‘s idea of a party.’ #Charlie advised the room.

“Dad!!!” I felt myself reddening with embarrassment again. “I just… well…”

‘It’s okay Bella… you don’t need to justify liking your home clean. Your dad’s a slob.’ #Billy came to my rescue. Jacob’s comments were my second favourite thing about the moment. The first being the way his features turned so sweet and innocent at asking for double chocolate.

“I say we bring on the chocolate-on-chocolate action!” OH MY GOD! As soon as the words were out, and I heard them myself… I wanted the ground to open up! “I mean…. Uhm… yeah… yes… Yes most definitely not too much …. to have two different… Uhm… types of chocolate desserts…. at the same time!”

Both the dads shared a glance and instantly burst out in laughter. ‘I told you…. Our kids are entertaining.’ #Billy jabbed my dad. Who was crying now shaking his head.

‘Give me one scoop of both Jake. Let’s try it your way too.’ #Charlie added and I didn’t stop him. Normally he was only allowed one scoop and he knew it.

To Be Continued....

#twilightrp #stories #twlight #auworld #bellaswan #jacobblack #twirp #No Man Left Behind

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written-within-the-stars · 6 months

Text

❁ Harper ❁

“Thank you.. Thank you..” soft whispers were all that could be heard from me. I hadn’t meant to push my fears upon his shoulders. However, here we were. His tears mixed with mine, over our soft kisses as sleep took a hold of me with both hands.

❁ ❁ On the Other Side of Sleep ❁ ❁

My dreams were a mishmash of so much. The nightmares came first, and they were full of scary faces coming after me, of people with sharp teeth, and blood-soaked mouths. Then came the dreams, of warmth, love, care, safety.

I was surrounded by the golden light of the sun; it seeped into my cold bones and left me feeling fulfilled.

I felt myself sinking into the welcoming waters of my inner shell, however at the same time knowing I did not wish to remain in there alone. I wanted to make space… but for whom? Then came the brown eyes, the kind smile, the crinkled eyes, and beautiful voice, and the four-legged heart with white and black fur.

Turning in my sleep, I stirred, smiling, as I watched myself engulfed in his arms. And then I was awake. “Collin?” Bolting upright but I couldn’t.

The mattress enforced my position, and I gave up the fight. My easy breathing now felt ragged. “How long have I been out.” I asked the body beside me. These strong arms still holding my sweaty flushed body close. The conversation from before I’d fallen asleep came back in drips and drabs, he’d thanked me for saving #Leah, he had promised me to stay safe. He had kissed me back and told me he would stay until I woke up. And here Collin lay.

“Did you manage to sleep at all?” I asked rubbing my eyes, still burning, still tired. Still restless.

❁ Collin ❁

“Sleep, sweetheart.” I whispered. The exhaustion and the heat of my body were taking hold. I stroked my thumb against her waist and her arm where I was holding her. I thought my heart would be racing, lying in bed with Harper but it wasn’t… in fact, it was steadily slowing.

I could hear the changes in her heart and breathing as she drifted off, her heart slowing as she sank deeper and deeper into rest. That was until the trembling and soft noises started. I pushed the covers away as much as I could without disturbing her, hoping she would cool off a little. I kissed her hair and whispered to her that she was safe. After a few moments, she settled. I smiled… maybe I was better at this boyfriend thing than I had been giving myself credit for lately.

I tried to stay awake, I fought it… but the comforting weight of of Harper laying on my chest… the sound of her heart and steady breathing was like a lullaby. It tried to pull me under. I needed to stay awake, I needed to protect her. The house became very silent on the floors beneath us. The tell-tale sounds of people were all I could make out. I opened my eyes.

When had I closed them? I had to stay awake. I had to make sure she was safe… But I had really good hearing. I could protect her while resting my eyes, right?

Next thing I knew Harper was turning in the circle of my arms and I was wide awake in a second. I was careful not to jerk upright or shift my body suddenly and hurt her by accident. I looked around for a clock or something... Damn, vampires and their lack of need to keep track of time. I looked to the still-open balcony door… Thank the spirits for that at least that would have helped keep her cool. The sky was as bright as could be expected for a Forks Day. I shifted gently, sitting up a little and letting Harper go, though she was still on my lap. The bedside table was stocked with rows of water, and I picked up a bottle and opened it before I handed it to her.

“It looks like it’s just past noon.” I had hoped she’d sleep longer, but I was just glad she slept. “Drink some water… Sharing a bed with a Spirit warrior is thirsty work.” I flushed immediately. She was exhausted; she didn’t need dehydration on top of everything else.

“I must have…” I chuckled. “I tried to stay awake... but I just…” How could I explain it to her? How her body sang to me just by merely existing nearby, how the rhythm of her breath soothed me into… I actually felt like I’d slept a solid eight hours, maybe more, just holding her had given me the best sleep I’d had in ages. “I guess I was just too comfortable.” I smiled at her. “How are you feeling?”

❁ Harper ❁

Sleepy eyes, croaky voice, certain my hair would be a mess. The realisation occurred as soon as I took the bottle of water and liquid dampened my dry lips and mouth. We’d spend the night together, with me in his arms and lap. And we both slept.

This shouldn’t have been comforting, for doe this amount of time for anyone to hold another human being. “Thank you. I feel like I need the water too.” Taking the bottle from his hand, grateful it had been opened for me.

Before I knew it the bottle had been partially drained, and my first have yet to be quenched. “I’m glad you slept too.” Speaking midway before drinking some more. “I hadn’t planned to sleep for so long. And…” My eyes found their way to his face. “And not like this. I’m not sure how you are supposed to find this comfortable.”

However, to see this man in the morning, without those dull dark grey clouds shadowing my view. The sound of his chuckles, all made me want to remain here.

“How am I feeling?” Reiterating his question. Where to begin? “I’m… still processing.”

Neck, shoulders, back, and knees were all still intact. “Actually, I’m not feeling too badly. I still have a way to go. However, I’d expected… not sure what, but more than this?” A question as I’d been uncertain what exactly I expected.

“How is the patient? Were there any issues while I slept at all?”

With my free hand I couldn’t help but stroke his cheek, a light stubble coating there. Glancing into his eyes, my mouth curled up into a soft smile.

“Good morning.”

❁ Collin ❁

I smiled as she took a long drink, I found myself wondering if sharing a bed with me was something she could ever see herself doing on a regular basis (someday)… I knew the answer. There were plenty of imprinted couples to look to fill in the blanks of that question. Yet, I couldn’t stop myself from wondering… I couldn’t imagine it was the most comfortable of experiences… not after a while, at least.

“It’s the 108-degree body temperature…” I shrugged like it was perfectly normal… because for me, it was. “Me obviously.” I gave an awkward laugh. “Not you.”

I laughed a lot less awkwardly at her next comment, I was at a semi-reclined angle against the headboard. "Oh… I’ve slept in a wolf pile, in a field, in the snow… So, this… this is luxury.” My gaze settled on her. “And with you…” I had no idea how to finish that sentence.

When she asked about Leah, I trained my ears on the house. Nothing had pulled my attention through the night… or early morning.

I turned into the touch and then leaned in to kiss the corner of her mouth. “Good morning, sweetheart. Let’s find out…”

I could hear #Leah murmuring downstairs. “#Clearwater?” I asked a little louder than how I had been speaking, just to get their attention. “How are you feeling?”

‘Fine!’ She sounded annoyed. I was taking it as a good sign. ‘Now can you and your girlfriend get down here so she can tell these fuss buckets to let me out of bed.’

I laughed.

‘She’s fine, her temperature fluctuated between 104 and 110 but she remained stable.’ It was #Seth this time. ‘And She is staying in bed!’ I could sense the glare in his tone.

“She wants to get out of bed… She was stable through the night but her temperature went up and down between 104 and 110.” I told Harper. “I don’t think they need you urgently if you want to shower first or…”

The moment I said it her scent hit me. By the Spirits! A whole night with me and the scent that was innately Harper had multiplied… and it was mixed up and twisted with mine. My heart raced. I reached out and lifted a lock of her hair, leaning in and inhaling… My eyes closed and a soft sound escaped from me. “You smell like me?” I whispered without meaning to and certainly not intending it to sound like a question.

‘Oh geez…’ Came from the floor below us. ‘Tell her to take a human moment… then come and bust me out of here.’

That broke me out of my trance. “Leah said you should look after yourself first and then come and spring her.” I chuckled. I was certain there was no chance of that. “You’ll have your hands full with that one.”

❁ Harper ❁

“We know that the Grey wolves ‘Run Hot’… hotter than other wolves that is. With a body temperature of somewhere between 104-105 degrees Fahrenheit… We are told they also possess two distinct and very thick layers of fur. Which is deemed partly to be the reason for the rise of temperature.”

It didn’t need much for my mind to kick into its Nerd gear, before I could stop myself. With flustered cheeks, partly from the moment of realisation, and partly due to my sleeping partner. - “I… uhm….” Rubbing my forehead with my hand I hit the empty bottle into myself.

“Ouch!” Setting it onto the covers before rubbing my forehead again. “Here we go again.” Whispering under my breath. I became a hot mess with Collin around. “I guess we both had some interesting experiences with sleeping quarters.” Blushing again. “I mean… Uhm… well… you know…. I mean… the wolf piles…” pointing to him. “The hay bales.” Pointing to myself. Then I gave up and closed my mouth. Because what could I say to the unfinished sentence he let hang in the air?

My cheeks flushed again, something I could acknowledge now in the light of day. The reaction my heart gave each time he called me ‘Sweetheart.’ The rush of heat to my face, the excitement, the longing to belong. It made me smile.

“Let’s.” I had been about to move when Collin called out to #Leah, or had it been #Seth? #Leah.. it was #Leah he spoke too. However, the distance between us shouldn’t have made it possible.

“You are speaking to Leah right now? On the lower floor? And you can hear and understand her?” Astonished as a speak. Shaking my head and taking in the silence, knowing he heard something I could not.

When he told me about the temperature. “That could be from an infection, we transfused and mended her on an apartment floor last nig—“

My words cut short, the world melted away leaving Collin and I in the centre of the daze I found myself entering.

His fingers curled around a strand of my hair, he inhaled, and my breath stilled. The slow motion in which his eyes closed, the whispered statement telling me I smelt like him? His sense of smell heightened of course with everything else. Then in a blink everything came into focus, and we were back.

“I… uhm… yes… yes of course.” What was I agreeing to? The freshening up, or the jail break for #LeahClearwater? Right now, it didn’t much matter.

❁ Collin ❁

There she was… my incredible nerd. I smiled and stroked her flushed cheek… By the Spirits, she’s beautiful. I winced at the soft thud of the bottle and took her gently by the wrist. “Careful.” I whispered and kissed the place where she bumped. “You can tell me all about your hay bail nights someday… and I’ll tell you about the wolf piles. But let's look after you first.”

I grinned at how she reacted to the conversation happening with the floor below. “Clear as a bell.” I told her. “You’ll get used to it.” I smiled. “It’s a blessing and a curse. But it's not like we have all that many secrets from the pack anyway.”

I watched her mind work… in seconds. Finally snapping back to the reality of the situation. “I don’t think you need to worry about infection. At least not the usual kind. My wolf cured bacterial pneumonia before I even phased for the first time… But the venom… and we’ve never had a Warrior need blood before…” I stopped because I knew that this was something that Harper would need to work out with #Edward or #DrCullen… The biology and science of what we were was never something I spent much time thinking about. I just thanked the Spirits for the gifts and honoured them in the best way I could.

“Okay…” I shuffled to the edge of the bed, my arms slipping beneath Harper to take her with me, the soft mattress shifting beneath us. “A hot shower is exactly what you need for those sore muscles. Then we’ll go and see your patient.” I sat Harper on the bed instead of my lap… trying to ignore the absence of her body so close to mine as I lifted the towels and clothes that Nessie had left for her last night, carried them into the bathroom and set them on wooden hamper that looked like cost more than my couch and turned on the water for her, the fixtures were so gleaming clean they looked like showroom models.

❁ Harper ❁

I reached out for my glasses when Collin sat me down on the edge of the bed. Things were being filled away for future reference such as how the wolf cured bacterial pneumonia, and how standard infection controls weren’t relevant. Also, what impact the vampire’s venom had to this situation with #Leah.

While my mind came to terms with the night I’d had with Collin and his extended family, meeting vampires, and werewolves… no… not werewolves… warriors of their people… what was the difference? These were things we had spoken about and still it felt surreal.

Standing at the foot of the bed before I found myself following the sound of the water. The sounds of Collin moving around the ensuite he’d vanished into. When I glanced in the room looked to have become bigger in the light of day, with some sleep clearing my vision.

Pushing the rim of my glasses up the bridge of my nose, I felt the warmth of the steam building behind the glass shower door in my mind. The anticipation of how the water would feel had been enough for me not to fight back and ask to see #Leah first.

“Thank you, for this.” He had set the shower to warm for me, even though the steam rising told me it wasn’t a water system that needs time to warm up. “And it’s a good idea. It will help to clear my mind up.”

Taking a few steps into the bathroom I stood looking around uncomfortably. This wasn’t my house, not my towels or my clothes. However, it was kind of Ness to make certain I had what I needed.

❁ Collin ❁

I casually wondered about how well Harper could see without her glasses. It didn’t seem to affect her much when she wasn’t wearing them… but her first instinct was always to reach for them. Habit or need? I wondered, but I could ask that question later.

She followed me into the bathroom, and I smiled when she thanked me. She never needed to thank me for looking after her… even these simple tasks I knew she was perfectly capable of doing for herself. But I was filled with a driving need to do something. I felt like nothing more than an observer. The only useful things I did here were to drive the truck and take care of Harper while she slept. The need to be useful was building up in me.

I cupped her cheek. “Thank you.” I smiled. “For letting me fuss over you.” I chuckled and kissed her forehead. “And if it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure these clothes have never been worn…” I looked at the jeans and the sweater #Nessie had left, she was more of a shorts and t-shirt kinda girl. She never really made the effort to blend in with humans, beyond hiding her gifts. “One of Nessie’s Aunts is a bit of a shopaholic. I’ll be in the bedroom. Take your time… I’ll knock if anything urgent comes up.”

And with a last light kiss on her lips, this time, I left her in the bathroom and closed the door behind with a click. I knew right away that Jake was at the door, he didn’t knock so he didn’t disturb Harper. When I opened the door, he handed me two cups of steaming coffee and he had clean clothes for me.

‘Brady dropped these off.’ He whispered. My phone was sitting on top of a folded shirt, and I grabbed it before anything else… Nova is fine, Rachel picked her up from Auntie Connie this morning and took her to the beach, she sent videos.’ He said and I paused my frantic scrolling through messages to look for updates to thank him and then I took the clothes.

#Jake knew I wasn’t going to shower here; I wouldn’t let Harper out of my care for long enough… not here… not after… I watched the video of Nova licking #Rachel’s face in the front seat of her car, the orange light outside the window showing the sun had only been rising. I couldn’t think about how close I’d come to losing her. I changed swiftly, and pulled my hair back as neatly as I could. Then I drank half of the coffee and watched Nova running on the beach while I sat on the edge of the bed, my ears trained on the bathroom.

❁ Harper ❁

He left me in the bathroom with reddened cheeks from the embarrassment of being so stuck in my ways. I hadn’t thought about it the clothes had been worn before. It was just… they weren’t mine. Of course, I felt grateful, and knew the kindness being shown. And I appreciated it dearly.

Pushing the thought out of my mind, because if I continued mulling it over, I’d find myself overwhelmed by how could have offended someone being sweet to me. Undressing, folding, I set the clothes I wore on the side before setting my glasses on the sink, and then climbing onto the shower I closed the doors to stand beneath the rainfall head. A sigh of relief curled up from within, letting my muscles relax and my body calm down from all the tightening and discomfort from the night before.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, when I’d turned the water off, cleaned the shower down and dried myself off. A towel wrapped around my head, as I dressed in the room with the steam disappearing so fast that the mirrors were clear by the time I stood before it, patting my long dark hair down.

The clothes fit as well as they could. There were height differences, and body type differences too. However, the kindness of #Ness out weighted it all.

When I opened the door with a click, I saw the back of Collin, sounds of a woman baby talking played from somewhere, so I cleared my throat. “Would you like to use the bathroom next?” I asked from where I stood.

❁ Collin ❁

I listened to her moving around as I texted my mom and told her everything was okay and thanked her for looking after Nova. I was sure #Sue was keeping all the pack moms updated about #Leah. Then as I heard clothing rustle I replied to #Rachel thanking her and letting her know Harper was okay, since most of her questions were about her… at least the ones she sent me. I was certain #Jake’s thread with #Rachel had #Leah’s name as often as mine had Harper’s.

I smiled at Harper when she stepped out of the bathroom. She looked more at ease and less stiff in her movements. I stood and moved towards her with the still-hot coffee in my hand and offered it to her. My first instinct was to say no… but there were still other needs that needed seeing to. “I will.” I told her. “But first… I thought you would like these.” I showed her the videos of Nova with Rachel and on the beach. Then after that…

“There’s also a ton of messages for you too… from the guys… from the other imprints. All thanking you for what you did, would you like to read them? Or would you rather wait until later?”

❁ Harper ❁

Taking the cup of hot coffee, I smiled. “Thank you, this is going to help today.”

I knew we hadn’t slept much, and my dreams had been shattered with images of what could have been only described as back renditions of Hollywood movies. Then seeing the videos play one after the other. #Rachel playing with #Nova, her little waggle became more distinct as she ran and then needed to rest. “She’s getting close now.” Sipping on the coffee to watch the next clip played for me. My heart leapt with joy at seeing the fur mommy happy with her auntie.

“For me?” I asked shaking my head. “No… no... it’s okay.” I wouldn’t read his message. “You can share the ones you feel comfortable with later.” Because how could all these people who didn’t know me, feel the need to ask after me?

As that thought crossed my mind, #Kenzi’s words replaced them. After a visit to La Push to see #Seth’s family. She had come back saying she had Been embraced by everyone she had met. How she felt like she belonged to this group of people who were now family.

And now, because of Collin. I too have people who are asking after me. Tucking my wet hair behind my ears I questioned my own thoughts. So much to take in and understand in so little time.

❁ Collin ❁

I smiled, there hadn’t been much chance for smiling in the last twenty-four hours or so. “I think so… she has that waddle going on.” I chuckled. She looked so happy to see #Nova on the beach that I couldn’t help but feel pride swell in my chest… there were still a lot of tough things to tackle today. But I was glad I could give her that moment.

I nodded about the messages and tossed the phone on top of the neatly folded pile of my dirty clothes. “I’m sure it’s strange… but they all feel like they’ve met you already, at least the guys do, and the girls can’t wait to meet you.”

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m going to go clean up a little. Enjoy your coffee and after you see your patient, I’ll find us some food.” I smiled at her before stepping away and heading into the bathroom to take care of a few pressing needs.

I washed my hands… still certain I had dirt and #Leah’s blood under my fingernails despite having scrubbed them thoroughly before I ever left Port Angeles. So, I washed them again, scrubbing my nails and splashing cool water on my face. I needed to shave, but I really didn’t want to take that much time in here. A quick glance in the cabinet showed it had been well stocked for a guy and a girl to stay in this room. New toothbrushes and various products I knew vampires had no use for… or hybrids for that matter. I cleaned up quickly, just running the tap in the sink and brushing my teeth. Brushing my hair which was just a little damp from running wet hands through it to get it tied messily at the nape of my neck.

Then I stepped back out into the room and asked. “Do you need anything else before we go downstairs?"

❁ Harper ❁

As soon as the door to the bathroom closed, i set the cup of half-drunk coffee down. Moving over to make the bed the best I could. Tidying up the tray of food from last night, and opening the balcony door to allow the cool, crisp air in.

When the room temperature dropped, I rubbed my arms to warm myself up, before my hands moved around my discarded clothes. I was sure my phone has been in there somewhere.

“There you are.” Frowning when I saw it was living on two percent of battery life. “Of course, you are.” Muttering under my breath. Would it be enough to make one call? I had to try.

Pressing call on #Jessica’s name I waited only for half a ring before her voice sing songs on the other end.

“Hey Jess.” I cut her off before she could ask a million questions. “I’m back in town today, so I’ll take the on-call emergency if anything comes up. With any appointments. Could you tell me if anything is urgent, please?”

‘Harper, what do you mean? You know Dr Diaz is here at the practice.’ Then she whispered. ‘The senior one. He is so handsome!’

My mouth dropped open and then closed, thinking thoughts at a million miles a minute. “What? Henry Diaz? Is here in La Push?” I asked flabbergasted.

Sounds of muffled conversation came next and then came a deep, calm, and collected voice.

‘Good morning, Dr. Jenkins, I hope you don’t mind, my brother and I have made ourselves at home in your Patrice today.’ It was him. he was here… ‘Juan told Rosa and I about your family emergency, and we wanted to support you. Don’t worry about the practice and your patients, here. We will manage it until you are back.’

My eyes began to prickle with the heat of tears. I felt overwhelmed with the support I’d been lucky enough to find since moving here.

“Thank you, Henry. Your support and kindness is appreciated… ready…”

‘Don’t worry. We have this in control. Go be with your family.’ He reassured me.

I heard Collin’s voice from behind, tuning to show him I was on the phone.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. I will keep you updated on the situation.” We said our good byes.

As soon as I ended the end my phone beeped indicating it had nothing left to give.

“That was Henry. He is here with Juan. They are looking after the practice for today.” Wiping my eyes, underneath my glasses, and pushed them back up the bridge of my nose. Giving Collin a small smile.

He looked so much better than I did I was certain of it. With his hair pulled back, his overnight stubble. (Which I’d never seen before.)“Just a phone charger.” Holding my phone up. “However, my spare is at home. I’ll do without.” Hoping the practice would not need to call me. Lifting my chin to the door. “Shall we?”

Walking over to stand before Collin, pushing my phone into a pocket, smiling up at him. I began walking towards the leftover tray to pick it up and take it down with us.

❁ Collin ❁

I heard her entire conversation, including some of the words from the other end of the line, even as I brushed my teeth. When I stepped out, I smiled at her, seeing the gleam in her eyes. I came to step in front of her, cupping her cheek. “Looks like you found yourself another great group of people there.” I was going to have to think kinder thoughts about #Juan after this. Even if I was always aware that my unkind ones were utterly unfounded, the only thing he had done was walk through a door at the same time as Harper.

I brushed my thumb over her cheek, I knew this was overwhelming for her. This woman, who had such a small, yet vital circle for her whole life, now she had an entire village. “We will all get through this together, Harper. We’ll get Leah through this; I just know it.”

When she picked up the tray, I held out my hands. “I can take that; you just go and focus on #Leah.”

As we headed down the stairs #Bella was already on the way up reaching out to take the tray from me. I kept my gaze on Harper, I knew it had to be strange being in a house where everyone was three steps ahead of you.

‘Good morning you two. And Harper, Nessie has a phone charger for you in the medical suite. Just in case your work needs you.” Then she turned amber eyes on me and smiled. “#Carlisle and #Esme are on the way; he wants to see #Leah with his own eyes. They arrive in a few hours.’

I nodded. I knew she was warning me specifically so I wouldn’t be surprised by the new arrivals like I was last night. Bella disappeared and I explained. “#Carlisle is the dad of the family, for all intents and purposes and #Esme is their mom. He was my doctor for the last two years before… well… before I stopped seeing doctors.”

I led her back to the room we were in last night, with everything so heightened I knew it was possible to get lost in this house easily. #Jake was still here. #Sam’s scent lingered but there was no sight or sound of him. He had probably gone home to check on #Emily… or keep her from making the trip here. #Jake and #Ness were cuddling in an armchair far too small for two humans let alone an Alpha and his long-limbed imprint. #Emmett and #Embry still stood sentry next to #Leah’s bed… Though the tension seemed to have dissipated.

I stayed right next to Harper.

❁ Harper ❁

“Super hearing.” Whispering to myself as a reminder. With fear her eyes, and a mind in a better state than it had been the night before, in the new light of day. Understanding came rushing in.

Nothing we had spoken of, or shared since this all began had been privileged too just us. Everyone in our vicinity knew. My fears, my concerns, my feelings. Nothing reminded mine.

And even as we walked down the two sets of stairs, with Collin explaining the importance of Dr Cullen and his wife to everyone in this house, I understood everyone but #Sue and #Kenzi heard it too. So, I just acknowledged with a small nod of my head.

The house seemed different with the dark daytime sky, in the dead of night with the dawn rising I hadn’t thoroughly appreciated the thought and energy placed into making everything just so… perfect. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have said it is a house which jumped off the pages of the AD magazine.

And now I stood in the door way of the room where we had spent the majority of our night, ensure I hadn’t missed anything when it came to #Leah. ‘Good morning, Harper.’ #Ness Gracefully dismounted the leap of her boyfriend, standing before in the blink of an eye. Without hesitation I jerked back a few steps, and she held her hands up.

‘I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to frighten you.’ Her voice angelic, her smile genuine. ‘Sorry Harper…’ she said again apologetically.

“No… no… I’m sorry. It’s okay. I’m fine.” Her eyes dropped to my chest, telling me she too could hear the way my heart thundered.

‘If you give me your cell phone. I can set it to charge over there on the desk.’ Without questioning I willingly gave it up. Seeing the chief’s son smiling from the place he remained seated.

#Edward wasn’t in the room when my gaze turned to take the rest of the room in.

My hand found Collins, giving a quick squeeze before stepping inside fully, across the space to go and sit on the still beside #Leah.

“Good morning.” Speaking softly with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

She seemed to be lost in her thoughts, her skin ashamed, paleness taking over her normally beautiful almond skin. A light film of sweat covering her top lip.

‘I hate to speak for Lee. So, all I will say is she’s been quiet. By Edward said everything looks good.’ The big one... #Emmett said.

‘Sprite, big guy. You’re brave.’ #Jacob chuckled from behind. ‘She has your throat for that when she is up.’ The two bantered back and forth. While my glance fell to kind man who smiled at me last night.

His eyes not moving away from #Leah until he too felt me looking. ‘How did you sleep Doc?’ He asked, I was sure to distract me from whatever I thought I saw.

“Very well thank you.” Smiling back.

‘Sure, you did. The pup is like a man size hot water bottle.’ He winked to me and then I guessed Collin behind me.

I reached my hand out to take #Leah’s wrist. “I’m just going to check your pulse.” I told her placing the tips of my fingers over the sensitive surface. Feeling a strong, too fast beating. They were faster, their body temperature increased, they healed exponentially, and their hearts beat stronger and faster too. So much to learn!

❁ Collin ❁

I smiled at her comment. “You’ll get used to it,” I whispered to her. “You’ve sort of been tossed into the deep end.” I could see how fascinated she was by the house and I had to stop my mind running away with itself.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦? 𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦? 𝘐 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦... 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦... 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘺, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥... 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦. 𝘚𝘛𝘖𝘗!

This was not the time.

𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙐𝙎 𝙖 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚...

“You’ll get used to her too,” I whispered when #Ness startled her. “She sucks at pretending to be human.” I was teasing #Ness, resting my hand on Harper’s shoulder, lightly. The little hybrid stuck her tongue out at me as she flitted away (Slower now) to charge Harper’s phone for her. I returned the gesture… Old habits die hard! I grew up with this kid… albeit a little slower than her.

My heart staggered in my chest when Harper reached for my hand. #Emmett and #Embry both smirked when they heard it and then turned solemn again when they realised, they both had the same reaction… Now it was my turn to smirk. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they were growing on each other.

I listened to #Emmett and I worried. It was only minutes ago Leah was awake and talking to me upstairs… and now she was… sleeping? Or unconscious? Was there a way to tell the difference?

Of course, #Embry was the first one to ask Harper how she was… and much my ears burned all at once. If #Leah had been awake she probably would have beaten him to it. ‘I can be your guinea pig if you need a baseline for shifter heart rates, Doc.’ #Embry offered, nodding toward me… this one’s heart is hammering like a five-year-old that just got a drum set for his birthday.’

I flushed…. #Jake burst out laughing… ‘Yeah… Auntie Connie still gives Dad a hard time about that.’

I glared at both of them as if to say: 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴!

❁ Harper ❁

“Together.” We would get used to it all together. I mouthed the word to Collin, he had been so attentive to my needs, my concerns, and my desires to this point. I wouldn’t judge without knowing what I could do to help him and his family here.

Of course, I took Embry up on his offer. Seeing the difference in his hearts performance would help me to set a guild line for Leah’s. Even if there could be a slight difference between the two.

Thanking him as I set to work, counting the beats at the same time as listening to the conversation around me.

“Collin can play the drums. Is there anything he cannot do?” Smiling at the men as they teased my boyfriend who brought me into this conversation.

‘Yeah, he can’t play it cool.’ Finally, #Leah was in the room again.

“I know agree, he is really cool in my eyes.” Resting my hands on her forehead and squeezing it a little. “Hey, how are you feeling? You had me a little worried there.”

She rolled her eyes. ‘Yeah, there is a lot more of that rose colours glasses thing to come.’ She lowered her voice. ‘But he will do anything for you.’ Her lips curling up into a half smile. Her discomfort apparent to me, but she hid it in a blink of the eye. ‘So… When are you and Edward going to let me go home?’ She glanced up at the men behind her. ‘Would you both move your arses. Before I kick them out of my space.’

They exchanged looks, taking two steps back in synchronisation. Until it became clear what they had done. #Jacob laughed from behind.

‘Why don’t I ever have my phone with me when things like this happen?’

‘Because you run around half naked. Now can you go get me something to eat. I’m starving.’ She snapped.

“You have your appetite; this is a good sign.” I told her. Looking over my shoulder to find Collin again.

❁ Collin ❁

Harper pressed her fingers to #Embry’s wrist, and I was glad it was him… no matter his reputation he always doted on all the imprints like they were his little sisters. Even the ones that were older. Everyone chuckled and shook their heads. ‘Nah… #AuntieConnie donated that thing to the community centre the second this one picked up a camera and never looked back.’ #Jake clapped me on the shoulder.

Harper made me blush… this woman has been through so much and yet here she stood teasing me and having my back all at once. Even with my cheeks and ears burning bright red; she made me feel a type of safe that I never knew was missing from my life. Leah spoke and so much tension seemed to dissipate from the room. Even I let out a relieved breath, as silently as possible so I didn’t draw her attention to it.

#Embry and #Emmett mirrored each other again… and my brows knit… they were… hovering… Was It over each other or over Leah? #Embry hadn’t left the Black’s when Jake was hurt either… other than patrol he was right there… and it was #Paul that #Emmett had beef with in the past not #Embry.

I saw #Embry roll his eyes at his Alpha but there was no denying what we had seen. I smirked and stayed focused on Harper and the wounded Warrior on the bed next to her. #Jake stood up, carrying his tiny little imprint with him, and setting her back on her feet.

‘I’ll go get her some food.’ #Jake offered and turned to Harper. ‘Anything in particular she should stay away from right now?’ He asked. When it came to food, we all pretty much ate everything. But with all the drugs Leah was on I had no idea what she should eat either.

“Maybe we should start with a little toast and juice?” I suggested. “That’s what mom always brought me when I wasn’t well.”

❁ Harper ❁

Once again without a thought my hand reached out towards Collin and then I stopped myself. I couldn’t keep reaching out for him, to hold and touch him! What was wrong with me? However, I couldn’t place a finger on the urge to do just that.

“Juice is good with the sugar helping to give some energy, and the toast is good to test Leah’s stomach. Maybe also some high protein-based soup too? With her… your metabolism, the toast won’t be enough?”

This was all new to me. I felt like a duck out of water trying to find my land legs. ‘I’m on it.’ The big tanned skinned son of the chief said leaving the room with his girls into. They were sharing a conversation; however, I couldn’t hear even a word of it.

‘I have to say, you’re taking all this stuff well.’ #Leah winced, sitting up a little. ‘I thought I’d have to go running after you by this point.’ She lifted her chin to Collin. ‘Or at least sent him after you across state lines.’

This in turn made me shrink into myself. “I…. Uhm….” Biting on my lips, feeling embarrassment engulfing me.

“I am… well…. I’m learning the value of not choosing… to leave… when I find myself lost.” My voice had dropped a few octaves as I spoke.

The two men behind #Leah chose to look away, to give my embarrassment a place to rest if it were possible in this room open to all in this house.

‘Sometimes… finding your grounding force can do that to a person.’ She glanced at Collin again. And I nodded.

“I’m meant to be looking after you. Not the other way around.” I told her, and with no hesitation she replied.

‘You are. It doesn’t mean I stop doing the same for you. You are family woman.’

And there it was. Collin had been right. I had found more family since being here in La Push, than my life before. Thinking how dad would have really loved to meet all these people, if only he had the chance.

❁ Collin ❁

I saw the way her hand twitched, and I knew what she wanted, I had the same urge. I wondered if she was trying to understand these new feelings, after spending the night in my arms her longing for that affection had probably grown just as much as mine. I placed my hand halfway up her back, giving her that contact and letting her work all at once.

#Jake and #Nessie left the room and I wondered where #Sue was. I doubted she would go home, and her scent was faint but still lingering, so she was here, and silent… sleeping maybe? Then I had a thought… What most of the guys thought a breakfast was for the Warriors. “That doesn’t mean fried meats, #Jacob. Maybe some eggs.” I called after him… but not really because he would have heard me whisper… but a human habit was to glance in the direction of the person you were calling out to and that was just what I did too.

#Leah’s teasing made me smile. “As soon as you are back on your feet, I’ll take her across as many state lines as she wants.” Then I smiled at Harper. “But I have a feeling she would turn right back around just to check in on you. And leaving isn’t always a bad thing… sometimes home is a place you need to find, not where you’ve always been.” And as much as I hoped that this was true for Harper, at least for a while… my home was where she was now… and that simple fact filled my life with new possibilities.

I gave #Leah a look that said, Please, just this once. Let her look after you. I knew how important it was to Harper for Leah to heal, but this was uncharted territory. I wanted to suggest that Harper ate too… but I knew I was fussing, and I should let her finish her checks first. Then I could find her some food too. And for me… as if on cue my stomach growled and #Embry laughed, despite his earlier attempt at trying to mind his own business… but he was never very good at that… not in a gossipy way… just… concerned.

I gave him a look that said I wasn’t leaving this room without Harper. ‘Don’t worry, Pup,’ He grinned. ‘We got you.’ That was when I smelled the food getting closer to the door by the second.

❁ Harper ❁

He knew me better than someone at this stage of dating should. Right? Sometime just clicked and I somehow found my soulmate? Here was a story book coming to life!

Collin’s gentle touch came with an unspoken understanding. One i knew to be filled with a safe and trusting environment. Allowing me to give my full attention to the patient before me.

The conversations continued around me; however, I fell into one of my zones upon seeing #Leah’s bandages stained. Asking her permission of course before I gloved up my hands and began changing them If I hadn’t see it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed the level of healing which had taken place while I slept. “This is incredible.” Whispering to myself as I used a gentle touch to clean the wound.

‘It’s a miracle. She whispered to me. ‘How the spirits help us, heal us, and protect us.’ Sitting back however, I could tell he didn’t miss anything.

“I wouldn’t say you had been injured over a week ago. But...” Finding myself lost for words.

It was still an angry injury, like something was fighting the healing process. And still somehow #Leah joked with a roll of her eyes.

‘It better leave a scar. I need to remember this one.’ The way she said it… it wasn’t out of pride. Befit I could ask her to elaborate. She moved on. ‘If you and Edward keep it up, I’ll be right as rain in no time.’ I could see she was hurting. And maybe… it wasn’t a joke after all.

She turned her attention back to the men in the room. Listening to them speaking, while I set to place a new bandage.

❁ Collin ❁

We all tried to look away; #Embry, #Emmett and I… but the scent of venom and blood.. the blood of someone we cared about, trained with, fought with and grown up with (I mean #Leah was grown before I joined the pack.. but I sure wasn’t). It was impossible not to be drawn to the source of that scent. I knew how much #Leah valued her privacy. But my eyes locked on the wound, and sure it was far better than last night… but… My eyes darted away, quiet panic filling them as I looked for #Sam first… He was not here… #Jake… Making breakfast… #Embry… ‘Bry was here. I locked gazes with his. As soon as he pulled his eyes from the wound too.

‘It’s okay, pup.’ He reassured me, reading my expression. But… was it? I had seen a Warrior’s bones take longer than this to heal… but flesh and skin? I had seen some gruesome wounds and they vanished overnight… maybe less… This…

It was better. I told myself again and again.

Better.

But vanished? Not even close. My heart raced… I had been so torn last night between worry for Leah and worry for Harper… but now… The reality of what this recovery could entail was sinking in and #Leah was making jokes about scars.

‘Littlesea…’ #Embry pulled my attention. ‘We’ve never seen anything like this before… #Leah’s got this.’

“I can still smell the venom,” I said and #Emmett nodded to indicate he could too. #Jake brought in food setting a tray on a table near #Leah and #Ness set another against the wall. I wasn’t hungry anymore. For the first time ever. A hand clamped down on my shoulder and my cousin nodded for me to step aside, was he hearing the chain reaction happening in my body? I gathered up a handful of Harper’s borrowed shirt and squeezed before taking just one step away. Still within arm’s reach of her.

‘Take a breath, Cuz.’ He said and I did, nodding. I shook myself and pulled myself together. ‘Harper, Edward, and Doc Cullen when he gets here will figure this out. Our job now is to give them anything they need to do their jobs.’ I nodded and cleared my throat. ‘Good… so back to work… you were always a better patient. Now you know what it’s like being next to the hospital bed and not in it. You got this kid.’

I forced a smile and stepped back. My hand went right to the same spot-on Harper’s back as she changed Leah’s dressing. I needed that connection, she grounded me. ‘Relax, Pup… I’ll be running rings around all you fool in a day or so. Have faith…’ #Leah almost smiled at me. ‘You always had enough of that for all of us.’

❁ Harper ❁

I felt an emptiness when Collin stepped away. This was silly! He stood only a foot or two away, and yet I felt hollow in my heart.

Concerned by the reactions, my nerves began to fray. My dark eyes moved over each and every one of the faces in the room It was #Ness and Collin who were the most transparent.

Here I sit this was a good sign, the way the skin had begun its process to knit together. But it was the way #Ness’s nose crinkled up. Like the smell…

“What do all of you smell exactly?” Looking to #Leah. “I’m sorry to do this.” Slowly pulled the tab from one side away to view the injury again. I couldn’t smell anything too out of the ordinary.

#Embry and #Emmett exchanged a look. It was #Jake who spoke. ‘It smells like rotten meat.’ Now I removed all the bandages, before standing up after that feeling in my chest retreated before of Collin.

“Could you please help me?” I asked them all not caring who it was. “I need you to move a little closer to the wound, please don’t touch it. I just need someone to point to where the smell is potent.” Looking over my shoulder as to where Edward had gone.

‘Dad and mom went for something to eat. They will be back soon.’ #Ness read my expression.

‘Here…’ #Jake pointed to the central edge. “And here too.’ This time pointing to the side. He’s moved in closer.

‘Why don’t you jump in!’ #Leah snapped at him.

‘Keep your kinks to yourself, Clearwater. I’m an engaged man.’ #Jake winked.

‘Yeah, and I feel sorry for her!’ This time she attempted to punch him, but by the way #Embry and #Jake exchanged another look. Something wasn’t. right there too.

Leaning back into Collin, I whispered to him.

“I think we need Edward. The smell means infection, I don’t know how bad it is by just looking. To me it feels like she is healing. But if her body heals with the inflammation and antibodies still living…” shaking my head. I felt so ill prepared right now.

‘Harper..’ this time it was #Leah. ‘Breath. You got this. If I was a wolf on your table. What would you do?’

I closed my eyes thinking through the list of checks, the items I would want to have full knowledge of. And then I set to work.

Checking her temperature, it was higher than it had been before hitting 115! The skin around her wound was hot, but her body temperature was always higher…. What to do… what to do????

“May I have that light please?” I hadn’t even pointed to it, and it was there.

The big guy gave me a smirk. ‘Told you I was faster than the pups.’ His chuckles were heartwarming. However, I was in my trouble shooting mode. ‘Tough audience.’ He nudged his niece.

“There… look… her skin… it’s inflamed around the wound. That wasn’t there last night.” Holding my hand out doing the ‘give me motion.

“May I have a pen?” One was placed in my hand in a flash before I finished asking for it.

“I’m going to draw on you Leah. Just to keep an eye on how much this redness here grows or subsides.”

She muttered something about getting another tattoo. But again, I was too engrossed in what I was doing to truly understand the whisper. And then she went silent one more.

❁ Collin ❁

I was so glad that #Jake was the one that got in close. #Emmett stepped away and flashed a reluctant side eye to #Embry. I couldn’t quite place what it was between them. But it seemed like Cullen was trying to make space, so his scent didn’t make it harder to pinpoint the source.

I froze for a moment…. #Leah missed. #Leah didn’t miss… No one was faster than #Leah… not even #Edward and he was the fastest vampire we had ever encountered. I rested both hands on Harper’s sides when she leaned back against me. I instinctively leaned closer, letting her shoulder rest back onto my chest, and offered a little support against the exhaustion she must be feeling despite having had a little sleep. “Do you think the venom could suppress our immune systems?“ I asked her, I was about to ask #Jake if we should fetch Edward… watching a vampire hunt wasn’t something most of us wanted to see, but the Black Pack had gotten more comfortable with it because #Ness hunted. But Leah cut off the thought before I could voice it.

My eyebrows almost vanished into my hairline… “Tattoo…” I muttered. Did she mean her Pack mark? Or did she have more? #Embry cleared his throat and gave a barely noticeable shake of his head… Right. Privacy. Respect.

Then an idea hit me… “The blood… Harper gave her blood. Could the clean blood be working its way out of her system? Like the morphine when #Jake was hurt?”

‘#Carlisle has some data on one of the off-network computers on vampire venom.’ #Ness offered. ‘I can start reading through it and try to narrow down anything that might be relevant while #DrJenkins works.’ She looked to Harper to see if she thought that would be helpful. My heart did a weird thump as she used my girlfriend's title. #Embry and #Emmett chuckled in unison… Again.

❁ Harper ❁

Had I imagined it? Or could I feel Collin’s chest expand behind my back? It hadn’t gone unnoticed by me that having him in my vicinity allowed the longing to subside within me, giving me the opportunity to clear my mind to consider what might have been happening inside of #Leah.

I wished #Ness’s dad wet here, the man had answers to questions I hadn’t even considered.

“The morphine would burn out of your body due to the speed of your metabolism. Which would explain some aspects, however not all.”

My eyebrows pulled together as I concentrated on what was visible. Making a list mentality checking them off. Pushing myself off my heels, where I had unintentionally been leaning back on Collin.

“Ness… yes please. If you do not mind, any data we have on how the venom works would…..” I cut off as I spoke. The venom… in her blood… in the blood of the others here. I pulled myself free from my thoughts. “Yes please Ness, and while you do so, I’m going to take a look at Leah’s blood.”

I didn’t need to take any more, #Edward had taken a few vials of blood when we were cleaning her up.

‘What are you thinking?’ She asked me, following me to the far side of the room where surgical equipment had been placed.

Glancing back over my shoulder to smile at her, Jake who was right behind her, and Collin too, whose eyes I found no matter where I went in the room.

“Process of Elimination… I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. Your dad most likely did, it’s why he wanted the blood. At least I’m guessing. We look at Leah’s blood, however it’s been tainted with the new blood supply we transfused into. So, then I would want to look at a virgin blood sample.”

Glancing to Embry who was been kind enough to offer his.

“Collin explained to me you and your family.” Glancing to #Emmett too as I spoke “Are not like the… person who attacked in port, however if you have the same venom. I could see the reaction on the new blood sample.”

#Ness placed a hand on her chest. ‘I don’t have any venom. It’s the whole half human, half vampire.’ She gave an apologetic shrug of her shoulder.

‘I do.’ #Emmett stepped up, but his eyes went to Collin before speaking again. ‘I’ve seen how Carlisle and Edward extract the venom for experiments. I think I could help. I want to help.’ His eyes filled with want to do something for his friend.

❁ Collin ❁

#Ness looked like she was about to bolt for the computer in the room; but halted like a paused cartoon character when she heard Harper halt mid-thought. This girl was almost always in motion… sometimes I forgot how capable she was of a vampire's utter stillness.

When #Ness and Harper moved, #Jake and I moved. #Leah had her two chosen protectors, one from each species. #Ness was the closest thing to a scientist in the room next to Harper… purely because of how she was raised and the curiosity that went with being ten years old with the maturity and intelligence of a grown woman, the combination made for an unstoppable thirst for knowledge.

Despite the heaviness of the conversation between the two women, we all looked at each other and fought back a laugh when she used the word 𝓋𝒾𝓇𝑔𝒾𝓃 and looked at #Embry. Well… other than the Vampire, he wouldn’t know his reputation. And #Ness who, apparently, was the only other grownup in the room other than Harper, despite her ten short years on this Earth.

And #Leah… but she wasn’t exactly on top of her game right now and who could blame her?

‘Can we be grown-ups?’ #Call shrugged and looked around.

The two imprints in the room were talking about venom and then all our childish snickers stopped as soon as they mentioned extracting same. The room fell eerily silent and #Emmett’s gaze was still on me. I knew if I told him not to… he wouldn’t… But it wasn’t my call. Harper was a grown, intelligent, independent woman. I would never draw a line for her, but I wouldn’t let her make a choice like that without all the information.

“Wait, wait, wait… Harper. Sweetheart.” I looked at Leah but tenderly took Harper’s arm. I wanted to take her outside for this conversation, even though it would still just be the illusion of privacy. I knew she wouldn’t want to stray that far from her patient, so we would have to have the talk here. #Seth and #Kenzi reappeared now… and I knew #Seth had heard. He nodded to me, encouraging me to explain. He looked as afraid as I felt. #Embry had squared his shoulders, almost but not quite stepping in front of #Emmett like a human shield. To his credit... #Cullen let him. Jake was stepping up to #Ness.

“Handling vampire venom isn’t a straight-forward lab test. If you get exposed…” I stopped… I both did and didn’t want to frighten her. “You… you’ll die…” I turned to #Emmett. “No offence.”

‘None taken… I am dead… or my human self is…’ He shrugged.

He really is an easy-going guy.

“You could become a vampire… and we don’t know…” Spirits… I swallowed hard, was this a selfish thing to say?

‘It could break the imprint bond.’ #Leah said for me. #Kenzi gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. ‘But we don’t know that for sure… either way… It’s too much of a risk #Harper.’

“You’re human Harper and the venom eats through almost anything it touches… Even the smallest drop… you would become a vampire.” My gaze locked on hers, pleading with her to really think about this.

‘#Nessie… we don’t know what would happen to you either. You have a heartbeat… you can bleed… Just not easily… I know you and Carlisle played around with samples, but this is different.’ #Jake said softly.

‘I’m probably immune… and we need this to help Leah.’ #Ness said to her soulmate.

❁ Harper ❁

I clearly missed the joke they all shared by the looks being shared. Or was it something I said? Frowning I set the thought aside for now, we had more important things to work over right now.

#Mr.Calls request for maturity gave me an indication my thoughts were correct. So, something had passed between them that had gone over my head?

‘Nerd’s don’t see it all.’ #Jena’s voice told me in my mind. And fine, I agreed I wasn’t always aware of my surroundings or the double meaning in things I said. However, I was learning.

I became stationary at the concerned voice of my new boyfriend. My eyes moved to the hand on my arm asking for my attention, which he had always. It wasn’t something I could stop myself from doing.

And ‘Sweetheart’! Why did my heart flutter like a butterfly’s wings whenever he called me ‘Sweetheart’?

A blush clawed up my cheeks at how my body reacted to him, stepping into his hold, coming close to ease the tug in my chest. I hadn’t even noticed #Kenzi and #Seth’s return to the room until now.

#Kenz’s worried expression eased into a small smile. An unspoken exchange telling me she understood me, and the barrage of emotions and sensations I felt. I knew we would need to talk, she would give me everything I needed to better understand my feelings.

The atmosphere in the room had changed, some unexpected tension palpable, thrumming through the still people. Still.. but one. #EmbryCall had changed his position, from being stood behind #Leah, he now stood just to the side of, and two steps before #EmmettCullen. They all then seemed to be giving Collin and I space.

But why? My gaze set upon him giving him my full attention, listening to his concerns. My heart dropped at the fear I found in his beautiful dark eyes. He was so Worried. For me. My heart speed up like a runaway train, veering off the tracked as what he said sunk in.

“I wouldn’t say I know, Collin. However, I didn’t have inkling that Vampire venom, plus a human, would equal to bad things happening. Very bad things.” Not I took both his hands into mine. Squeezing them I spoke in a soft tone.

“I know how to deal with controlled substances, in my line of work, we are tough to keep ourselves safe. To protect our own health and environment before we take any action.” Titling my head to the side.

‘This is a hundred times more dangerous, Dr Jenkins.’ A voice came from the door. When i took my eyes off Collin to follow it, #Edward and #Bella was stood in the doorway.

‘I was gone for one hour. One hour, Emmett.’ He spoke to his brother and then his daughter. ‘And all of you are turning into Dr Frankenstein?’

He was a look in his eyes that gave me a shiver. However, his wife smiled and winked at me, taking some of the tension away.

They moved slowly into the room as #Bella spoke to her daughter. ‘We may believe you are immune, Little Nudger.’ She stepped around #Jake. But there is a very good reason we never tested the theory out. And let’s not start today, when your dad is here, and your grandpa is on his way too.’

#Bella kissed the forehead of her daughter, who smiled whispering something to her mom.

❁ Collin ❁

Even in my near-panicking state, I noted that flutter in her heart. There was nothing about her I wasn’t fully tuned into. Apart from her thoughts… which were steering toward handling the substance that very nearly killed #Leah.

“I know you do… but… this is… you can’t use a normal needle or syringe for this…. And…” My Heart raced faster. “I wish I’d had more time to tell you everything I know about this world. I kept thinking we had so much time…”

I knew she had training, and I knew she handled dangerous medicines all day… but I was pretty sure that none of those were so corrosive they dissolved plastic and stainless steel.

Then #Edward was back, and I was relieved, a complete turnaround from when they showed up yesterday. I instantly felt defensive when he implied the idea was akin to Frankenstein.

“No...” I blurted out. “It’s a good idea… I mean we need to… What Harper wants to examine makes perfect sense. I just think it would be better if the vampires… non-hybrid vampires…” I looked at #Bella and #Ness. “Handled the venom… the people we know it won’t hurt. You both need to know how this all interacts right?… and Dr Cullen too…”

I looked around the room. #Embry still placing himself between the largest Cullen and #Leah. #Ness Between her mom and #Jake. “This is another one of those moments… right? Like when #Nessie was born… a test… from the ancestors. Leah is one of a kind just like she is. Neither side can fix this alone. Shapeshifters… vampires…” I looked at #Ness, #Kenzi and then my beautiful, clever soulmate and touched her cheek. “And our fierce Guardians.” I smiled just for her. “We need to rely on each other to get through this… That means not endangering anyone and trusting each other.”

#Leah eased herself back into the bed and smiled to herself. #Embry grinned. ‘You're right, Clearwater. The pup really does have enough faith for all of us.”

❁ Harper ❁

My heart swelled with… With… well with Pride and something so much more I wasn’t willing to unpack here in a room full of strangers. My eyes stinging with a sense of tears prickling. The inside of my nose. I had to sniffle like a three-year-old! I had to get a grip!

When I felt eyes on me and caught them, I wasn’t surprised to find #Seth smiling at me. It felt as though this chest had grown with pride too, however one very different from what I felt in the moment. He brought his hand up to his lips, with #Kenzi’s small fingers entwined for a kiss. They both spoke in a language of their own. And my attention returned to Collin.

My boyfriend who had been against my idea at first, and now when it was brought to question, he had defended me profusely. It felt as though He fault for me, for my corner, for me to have my say. All things I knew I could do for myself, however, to have this unconventional approach of supporting something so unique. He did it without question!

Voices from behind us brought me back from my thoughts. However, my eyes were stuck on him.

‘Collin, I am not disagreeing with anything Dr Jenkins is saying. On the contrary. I agree with everything you are both deeming to begin the next steps. And I do believe we are both in agreement too about who should and should not involve themselves with the venom.’ #Edwards Amber eyes glistening with the light shining off them, filled with kindness as he held his hands in an open gesture.

‘Pup, your faith is what is going to be needed for the coming days. Don’t let this moment, and what you feel right now disappear.’ I hadn’t even noticed when #Sam came to sand in the doorway again. His hair mustered, no shirt, only wearing cut out shorts.

If all I found my voice again, addressing Collin. “We do have time. This isn’t the end of the story, it’s the beginning. You promised me an adventure, and you’re giving me one.”

‘I knew I’d like this one.’ The big guy muttered behind me, making #Leah chuckled a cough. I didn’t know if #Edward spoke of me or Collin. Really it didn’t matter. I knew I would like this man stood in front of me, and that’s all I cared about now.

❁ Collin ❁

My heart crashed against my ribs when I heard Harper’s reaction to what I said, And I wanted to pull her close and tell her I would always have her back. It was the truth… but I owed her honesty as well as support, so I had to tell her how I felt about her handling a potentially deadly substance like vampire venom… I could tell she was feeling a little self-conscious, actually now that I looked around the room; I was too. Everyone was looking at either both or one of us. I swallowed hard and decided not to hug her close like we (My wolf and I) wanted and instead, I set my gaze on Harper and hoped to convey all of my support and faith in her with a smile, giving her a light squeeze where my hands were on her arms, my thumbs brushing affectionately over her borrowed sweater.

I wasn’t shocked #Edward agreed with me, he couldn’t very well suggest Harper handle it and not allow his daughter to do the same, especially when there was a far greater chance, she was immune and zero chance that Harper was.

“You’ll talk her through it though, won’t you? I mean I hope it never happens but…” I started and #Edward read my mind. What if something like this happened again and the #Cullens weren’t close by? I hated it but it may be our only option someday.

‘Of course, we’ll teach her everything we know and learn a lot of things we don’t yet. We can never really know what the future holds… We must all be as prepared as possible.”

“#Sam!” I smiled; my attention redirected immediately. Sam was back… the relief I felt was only overshadowed by the fact that Harper was by my side. I had always admired #Sam, I even chose him over my own cousin.… but I couldn’t remember the last time I had been so glad to see him. “Your back.”

‘I wasn’t going to leave you all at the mercy of this one without backup.’ He teased and jerked his chin towards #Leah. ‘Has she tried to escape yet?’

‘Nah.’ It was #Embry who answered or… lied (kind of), no longer obstructing #Emmett now that the talk of handled vampire venom had been diverted from the imprints. ‘She’s been a model patient.’

I was flushing at #Emmett's words despite the fact he was clearly talking about Harper.

‘Perhaps we should all focus back on the patient.” #Bella said, her voice was shockingly smooth, and her brows pulled together. I had a vividly clear memory of a V appearing there when she made that expression, that wasn’t there anymore… No… It was… I looked around and found #Jake. It was a memory from Jake’s mind. Then My eyes moved to Edward who was reading my mind.

Well, this was awkward. Luckily #Bella had continued ‘#Edward, what do you need for the venom extraction?’

❁ Harper ❁

I could kiss #BellaCullen the moment she diverted everyone’s attention back to #Leah and the situation of her care, all eyes which begun to weigh on me moved away.

I stood there with Collin’s hands on my arms. My borrowed clothes, and messy hair in tow. I didn’t really consider the way I must look, in my day-to-day life, when you’ve been working for the number of hours I did, it all just seemed unnecessary and unimportant. And today was no different.

‘I have the tray set up; I knew we’d need to have some bloods ready to go for when Carlisle arrives.’ #Edward was already stood across the room. Leaving me and #Kenzi astonishingly quiet taking it in.

#Emmett must have noted, because he smiled to me, and then his eyes moved so I knew #Kenzi got the same too. A little comfort, a lot of cheek, and some reassurance.

‘That’s why I am here. Rose told the pups to let us know that Esme and Carlisle will be landing in a few hours. They are still picking up scents. The human element is causing some confusion.’ #Sam spoke freely, no whispers of hidden conversations. He wanted everyone to hear.

Now when I took the man in, I felt the leadership in him. The conditions of meeting him weren’t ideal, so getting to know him by his ethics and protection of those around him gave great insight into the person himself. I couldn’t help some part of me shaking, trying to understand the intensity of what we were now living. It was when I felt a soft hand slip into mine, did I turn to see #Kenzi holding it. Her small frame half turned into #Seth, and half into me. With Collin on my other side.

“It’s okay.” I told her. “This too shall pass.” Smiling and winking at her. It got the correct response from my sister.

‘Okay Tom Hanks. If you believe. I too will believe it.’ I squeezed her hand.

‘Harper?’ The delicate voice of #Edward beckoning me forward.

‘Would you like to see how we find it most effective to take blood from the pack?’

“Yes, of course. Thank you.” But then I stopped.

Glancing at #Seth and #Kenzi, asking her if she was okay with me doing this. She let my hand go nodding. Then I turned back to Collin.

“I promise to be safe, and not to do anything Edward isn’t happy for me to do.” Trying to give him some reinsurances.

#Kenzi knew me, she knew how I got in my head until I had my mind around a problem. I needed to resolve it. However, Collin and I were catapulted past that getting to know you phase when it came to things like this.

This would all be a learning experience for the two of us. For me to learn his way around situations too.

❁ Collin ❁

The speed with which the vampires moved unnerved me when I was on two legs… So, I knew that it had to freak Harper out a lot… #Kenzi too, she was used to life with a wolf but not vampires. #Sam confirmed that there was a human with the vampire. I made a mental note to tell Harper to be careful with strangers… which would be hard because her job required her to make house calls and see people all day.

I wasn't used to being disconnected from the hive mind… I was never the wolf with a human in the firing line… I was always where the pups are now. So getting the information like this still felt like I was missing out on much of it. But one look at #Harper… and I knew there was nowhere else I could possibly be right now.

When Edward offered to show her how they took blood samples from us my heart raced and that alone was enough to tell me that it couldn’t be me. My body was going crazy when without all of the added anxiety. But #Harper’s words soothed me. She told me everything that I needed to hear. “I know you will, sweetheart.” I squeezed her arm gently once more. “I’m going to keep out of your way and let all you science nerds do your thing… but I’m not going anywhere. I will be right here, okay?”

‘That's your cue #Call.’ I heard #Jake says. But he exchanged looks with both #Sam and #Jake. It was like he was waiting for one of them to take his place as #Leah’s sentry.

‘I don’t need a bodyguard.’ #Leah rolled her eyes.

‘No… but you do need someone to….’ #Embry rethought what he was about to say. ‘Encourage you to follow the Doctor’s orders.’ I smirked… he had a point.

‘He isn’t wrong.’ Emmett said to #Leah.

And #Jake took #Embry’s place with a long exhale.

I kissed #Harper’s cheek quickly and whispered. “Go be a genius, I’m here if you need me.” Then I let go of her but didn’t step away.

Then #Embry stood next to us and rubbed his hands together. ‘Okay… where do you want me?’

#Edward pointed to a seat that belonged in a doctor's office and asked him to sit down.

❁ Harper ❁

Emotions, sentiments, all combined with the invisible draw in my chest once again. I didn’t know words had the power to make you feel flutters in your tummy, the way Collin’s words did.

‘Sweetheart’.

One word.

Said with care and earnestness leaving nothing to question about its intention or meaning. Even when you were surrounded by fear and concern for the health of a loved one. And #Leah was loved by those who stood in this room.

From the way #Kenzi’s eyes were on her sister-in-law to be, to #Emmett, and #Embry standing watch. To #Ness and her parents hovering and helping, to #Jake stepping up to stand watch over her now too. However, for me. I needed to push my personal emotions aside, they weren’t to distract me from what I had to do.

Excusing myself from where I stood with #Kenzi, #Seth, and Collin, I crossed the room to sanitize my hands. Slipping on the gloves offered to me by #Edward. There was a thickness to the air in the room, and sure a part of me knew this mostly came from me and my anxiety about what needed to be done.

“How may I help?” I asked in a calm manner, ready to learn. My gaze falling on the tall man sitting himself down before us while rubbing his hands together.

‘For now, watch. Take it in, and then ask all the questions to your heart’s desire.’ #Edward set the tray down with his amber eyes on #Embry too. ‘Ready?’

‘You know, I was born ready. Let’s do this.’ He replied without even stopping to think. I wished I had a small percentage of his confidence.

#Embry’s smile influenced in a warm way. I couldn’t help but notice the way he had understood what was needed here and why. Without questioning, he stepped up and did it with no uncertainties.

I couldn’t help myself, as much as I knew I had to push everything out of my mind, I was only human. Turning my head just enough to see Collin’s shadow and frame still stood where I left him. Shaking myself back into what I needed to accomplish.

I came to stand beside #Edward who worked as a maestro. I could tell he was slowing down, explaining each step to Embry and I, before he actioned it.

‘The most common syringe type you may know to us for humans is 20- gauge. However, that won’t work here with the strength in the wolves…’ #Edward was cut off by #Leah’s voice.

‘Spirit Warriors!’ She growled making the vampire doctor chuckle.

‘As I was saying... the 20g needles will not work on the… Spirit Warriors.’ Giving #Leah a ‘Are you happy?’ look. From the way she turned her eyes back to the man in the chair, I guessed #Edwards too was happy to continue. ‘With the warriors Carlisle has found the 3/4-inch x 38gs.’

#Emmett snorted a chuckle. ‘Same as you would use on a Rhino.’

#Edward gave his brother a look, and then went back to taking blood from #Embry’s arm. ‘Do you know the Push and Pull technique?’ he asked, and I nodded.

“Yes, it’s a technique we use too. It ensures an increased to the pre-sample blood volume. Equivalent to three times the volume of the dead space in the catheter. By pushing and pulling the syringe it reinfused into the patient. This process is repeated a few times. A maximum of five to be exact.”

This was the easy part for me. Science, theory, knowledge. This I knew.

‘Yes. Good. Exactly. Taking what you know into account, now we add the fact that the Warrior’s healing process is expeditious. So…’

“By Pushing and pulling, we ensure that the flow of blood is continuous.” I finished for him, making him smile and nod.

‘You’re a quick learner Doctor Jenkins.’

He smiled while taking four vials full before removing the needle.

‘Thank you, Embry. This should do for now.’

❁ Collin ❁

I watched her closely as she drove in to help. I couldn’t help but be nervous… but so far all they were doing was taking Embry’s blood, which was completely safe. When Edward started the talk about the needle they used on the pack it made me think that Harper probably had an advantage there… they were using a veterinary standard needle after all. I caught #Embry’s eyes as Harper leaned close to see what #Edward was doing. He gave me a reassuring smile; it comforted me knowing she was close to another Warrior. No matter what pack you belonged to protecting the imprints was every pack member's first instinct.

We all had a little laugh at #Leah’s correction. Most of us were okay with Wolves, Spirit Warriors, Protectors, or whatever word was used to describe us… as long as it wasn’t gang or troublemaker .

‘Rhino?’ #Embry’s eyebrow vanished under his mop of hair that was clearly the worst for wear after the long night before. ‘There are worse animals I’ve been compared to.’ He joked… of course he did… It was kind of his thing.

I saw #Emmett wrinkles up his nose at the scent of the blood. Our blood must smell worse than we did to them… The vampire wasn’t being rude, He’d been here with pack members all night but the potency of the blood… then another idea occurred to me.

“Hey… #Emmett…” My attention on him while Edward worked. “Our blood… smells worse to you than we do, right?”

‘Yeah... It’s more… concentrated, intense. Why?’ He asked.

I turned to #Sam. “I don’t think it’s just the human element confusing the scent… that vampire would have been covered in #Leah’s blood…”

‘That’s a good point…’ #Sam looked proud.

‘We need to send Rose and the pack anything with Leah’s blood on it, so they track that scent.’ Jake said... ‘Wait… she wasn’t wearing anything. She was in wolf form.’

“No, but Harper was covered in Leah’s blood by the time we got there,” I explained and then continued… “But that's not all… Leah’s wound was deep… do we know what happens to vampires that ingest our blood? If their venom doesn’t turn us… what does our blood do to them?”

#Nessie's Attention shifted between #Edward’s lesson and us.

‘He could be sick…. Or even dying.’

‘That’s just one more theory we can’t test though.’ #Jacob said. ‘It’s great thinking kid, especially about the scent. But we can’t feed a vampire some of our blood to see what might happen.’

He was right of course. It was just a theory and a one that was untestable.

‘We can’t test it… but... it opens up more search areas… If I was compromised like that I wouldn’t be hunting. I would hold somewhere away from humans, so I didn’t run into any other vampires on the hunt.’ #Emmett said, looking towards #Edward.

‘I’ll call Rose and have them change up the search pattern.’ Emmett pulled out a cell phone and headed to the door.

The doctors were finished with Embry… and he stood up. ‘No problem… It’s not like you can put a needle in any of these other guys without their other halves getting anxious.’

❁ Harper ❁

The theories being presented weren’t difficult to follow, I could see the difference between the two ways we had planned to test, and the new path coming to light by Collin.

What, however, did cause a barrier for me is the possibility of being unable to prove or disprove the hypothesis. I couldn’t follow the evidence as I did not have any to see.

While the others spoke, I continued to watch #Edward and #Emmett. The first being a true professional in his works, and the latter trying his best not to react.

Scent… something Emmett mentioned before too, but I’d distinguished no such thing. Of course, I wasn’t going around sniffing all the men. However, Collin… falling asleep in his arms… his aroma had been divine. It felt like home. As though there were better fragrance in this world for me.

So, what could the vampire sense? Another question to add to my ever-growing collection.

When we were done, I took the tray with the blood samples to the lab area set up, as #Edward turned his attention to the patient.

‘Leah, would it be okay if I took a fresh sample from you?’ She agreed. Of course she did. And I had acted without being asked. Returning to their side with a fresh tray with needles ready to go.

“I know I shouldn’t…” I started. Because I knew what #Embry said about doing this to Collin would break me.

Even the slightest thought of causing him pain. It made my stomach drop, and I felt nauseous.

‘You wanna go, huh? Sure, go ahead.’ #Leah finished lifting her arm towards me.

#Edward paused for a moment, he looked around and then nodded. ‘It’s going to feel hard to penetrate the first derma layer. Just do not stop, keep going.’

“Like thick skinned ani….” I couldn’t finish the sentence. To me calling someone an animal wasn’t derogatory. However, I recalled Collin asking me if I thought he was a monster. And I just….

‘Yes, correct.’ He must have seen or heard my mind working, because he didn’t need me to speak my thoughts out. ‘I am here every step of the way.’

#Leah’s dull eyes found mine. ‘I have faith in you Harper. You so got this.’

As I began the procedure, I could hear the conversation taking place. The need for my clothes, this name Rose, coming up again. And then I felt him before I saw him. #Embry was taking his place beside #Leah. But he wasn’t really there too.

#Leah closed her eyes, no discomfort whatsoever evident as I pulled three samples from her.

‘Perfect! You’re a natural’ #Edward’s voice was cool and collected. ‘Now, let’s allow Leah to rest.’ His wife was beside the bed as we moved away.

“Now, for the venom?” I asked the just like that. The sounds of voices around me went quiet, and I could feel all the eyes on my back. “I’m not going to touch it. I promise.” I said quickly.

❁ Collin ❁

They moved over towards #Leah. I stayed close, but still out of the way. Then Embry asked. ‘Should we really be taking more blood if you needed to give her a transfusion?’

‘The rate you all replace your blood volume it wouldn’t be a problem. Leah’s Blood pressure is levelling out, it’s a sign she’s replenished any blood she’s lost; between her own healing and the transfusion.’ Edward explained.

I could see no trace of the pinprick on #Embry’s arm already. As he passed #Kenzi I saw her reach out and run a finger over the spot where the blood had been drawn. She pulled back fast and blushed. ‘Sorry, it still fascinates me. How fast you guys... and girl heal.’

#Embry smiled at her. ‘It’s fine… I can show you something cooler if the Docs wanna lend me a scalpel.’

“No!” Several voices in the room said, all at once. Mine and #Leah’s among them.

‘Stop trying to outshine me will you and go eat something?’ Leah told him and he grabbed a huge croissant off the tray of food and took his post again. Saying he was just fine where he was.

But I did take a slice of what looked like thick, toasted nut bread. I smeared it with a little honey and took a massive bite. I instantly tasted the avocado and made a satisfying sound. “Wow…” I was shocked. “This is incredible.”

‘Thank you.’ Edward smiled, after he coached #Bella through the extraction of the blood sample. ‘I’ll give you the recipe if you like… You like to bake, don’t you?’ I was stunned… He baked? But he couldn’t eat? How was this possible? He chuckled. Presumably at my thoughts

Heart rates all around the room increased, when talk to turned to venom… at least for anyone with a heart rate. I took a deep breath… glad I had finished that slice of toast because I suddenly didn’t feel like eating again.

‘That’s my cue…’ #Emmett was back, he took the seat #Call had vacated. He flopped into the chair and made a metal clanging that shook the instrument on the tray next to it, causing an echo around the room.

‘Please try not to break the equipment brother.’ #Edward scolded but he was half grinning. Sometimes I forgot he was frozen at seventeen and occasionally it showed, mostly with this particular brother… although for the most part, he was very mature and serious.

‘So, contrary to popular belief vampire venom isn’t produced in our fangs.’ #Edward continued. And Emmet sat back as Edward pressed a pedal on the floor that lay the chair back; like one in the dentist's office. The biggest Cullen opened his mouth. As you can see our teeth resemble a human’s since we are frozen at the time of our change. But they are infinitely sharper and harder than a human. The venom, we believe is produced in what was formerly the salivary glands. But we cannot confirm this as X-rays won’t penetrate our skin. But we do know venom enters the mouth through the parotid ducts in the back of the mouth and the submandibular duct underneath the tongue…’

My head spun from the words he was using… I wasn’t sure we learned this stuff in Biology class in school. But I knew Harper was following every word.

❁ Harper ❁

“It’s like an Amphibian worm. They hold their venom in their mouth and saliva too.” Thinking out loud.

‘Ha! I maybe a rhino, but you’re a worm.’ #Embry said in jest to #Emmett.

“But it’s Extraordinary!” The word slipped free as I bent over the two brothers watching with enthusiasm. Once again astonished at how Edward’s hands moved with precise precision.

‘Oh, you’ve seen nothing yet doc. I have so much more to give’ the giant winked.

A growl came from the woman in the bed. ‘Keep it up Em, and I won’t stop the pup from ripping a chunk of you.’ #Leah still had an air of ‘don’t mess with me.’ About her.

‘What? She said it. Not me.’ He teased his friend.

‘Brother!’ #Edward chastised. ‘Mouth open, no words. I’m trying to show Dr Jenkins here something extraordinary.’ He was teasing too.

The way these people all spoke, acted from one moment to the next, would give a girl whiplash. However, I found myself looking back to #Kenzi. She had a look on her face I knew I shared with her. This was all… Extraordinary! (I had to stop using this word!)

‘Harper.’ It was #Seth this time. ‘Could I please ask you to take a step back as Ed extracts to venom.’ He quickly added. ‘I’m hundred percent certain it will be done with perfection…’

‘I understand Seth. If it were Bella in her human life, or Nessie now I would react in the same way.’ The young doctor gave me a smile.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to get so close.”

Clasping my hands i wanted to touch them and their skin, to understand what X-rays would r Ben able to penetrate them? However; it would be rude. So, taking a few steps back, realising how close I had been.

‘Harper has always been hands on. She learns the best by watching and doing. Ever since we were kids.’ The warm smile #Kenzi gave me showed, we were both thinking of our childhood at the same time.

“Yeah. I need to learn to slow down.” The feel of a blush creeping up into my cheeks had me searching out Collin. Smiling when I saw him.

Behind him I noticed a shadow looming in the door, tilting my head to the side for a better look. I saw her.

#Sue stood clasping a tray in her hands full of cups. Her eyes taking in the view in front of her. Her eyes were rimed with red, and she chewed on her lips. Her gaze met someone behind me, and when he turned to leave without saying anything. I knew it must have been her daughter.

‘I’ll go.’ #Kenzi had caught my eyes and see the exchange too. She kissed #Seth’s cheek before extricating her hand from his. Rushing out of the room after her mother-in-law to be.

❁ Collin ❁

I couldn’t help but smirk at #Embry, this man had zero concept of comedic timing… but he sure knew how to cut through tension with highly inappropriate humour. I didn’t know if it was #Emmett’s word or the wink that had my shoulders squaring and my chest expanding. But #Sam’s hand was instantly on my shoulder, reeling it all back in.

#Leah’s words too… By the Spirits was it this difficult for everyone? Basic self-control… I had been in the guy's head… but I never imagined it was like this.

‘Don’t worry Collin.’ #Edward said, not looking away from his task once. ‘You are far better at regulating your emotions than… oh… say… Your cousin over there.’ He’d read my thoughts again… I supposed he couldn’t really help it.

#Jacob laughed and shrugged. ‘I wish I could argue the point… but… he speaks the truth.’ And honestly… it helped.

“In that case… maybe it’s time to stop calling me Pup?” I tested the room.

“Never.” Every wolf in the room said in unison.

I rolled my eyes… #Sam patted my shoulder and chuckled. ‘Nice try, Pup.’

I had been slowly inching closer to Harper without realising. But then, #Seth asked Harper to move back… and I released a breath of tension. There was no way I could have survived the last twelve hours without my brothers… Spirits had it really only been that long? Closer to sixteen maybe? But either way…

I moved closer to her when she looked for me in the room and I was done standing back. I stepped up behind her. I wanted to put my arm around her, but I didn’t want to hold her back from accomplishing her goals here. So I leaned in and whispered in that tone that I knew all the wolves would know meant it was private. “No, sweetheart… we need to learn to catch up.” I meant it too… no matter how I wanted to take her away from this substance that could cause me to lose her.

I witnessed #Sue’s entry… she looked so tired… And who could blame her? Then she was gone again and #Kenzi went after her. #Edward stepped away from #Emmett with a metal and glass syringe that looked like it belonged in a sci-fi movie.

‘We could give her something to help her rest.’ #Edward said looking from #Seth to #Leah.

‘She wouldn’t take it.’ #Seth said shaking his head. ‘But thank you.’ And #Edward gave a look that suggested maybe he could do it anyway.

‘Well, just let us know… Perhaps Carlisle can convince her to sleep when he arrives. He has a far superior bedside manner to me.’ He was taking the sample to the counter. There was a microscope and a large monitor set up there… along with everything else you needed to start a career as a mad scientist. #Edward chuckled and I blushed. Bloody mind reader!

❁ Harper ❁

‘Go…’ #Leah wasn’t speaking to me, I noticed how divided #Seth looked when his gaze found his sister. ‘Tell her I’m fine. This is nothing. The spirits are watching over me.’

He crossed the room to kiss his sister on the forehead. But stopped when he was close, then I could see his eyes on her again. He whispered something, before finishing off his reason for being next to her. They both closed their eyes before she told him to get his arse moving, and his tall, muscular frame run out of the room.

I stepped back into the warm embrace of my boyfriend. The feel of his chest against my back comforting and welcoming.

“You will never have any problems catching up.” I whispered. Because he had given me faith to hold onto. Trust to grow together, and kindness like I hadn’t felt from a partner before. “It’s a partnership, we won’t be leaving anything behind.” And I truly believed.

I heard a ‘Aww…’ and then a shift. Followed by; ‘sorry… sorry… I didn’t mean to listen.’ The sweet voice I knew belonged to #Nessie. However, I didn’t look to confirm my suspicions.

‘It’s okay darling. We all know you didn’t.’ This time I saw #Jacob draws her into his arms and kiss her temple.

#Edward clearly wanted to pull us all back on track. ‘Doctor Jenkins…’ he started.

“Please, call me Harper.” Certain I’d asked him before to use my given name.

‘Of course, Harper.’ Motioning towards the monitor. ‘Feel free to watch the screen here. If You can see here, I’m about to add a sample of Embry’s blood first.’

I could see the action he was taking underneath the statoscope a a few drops of saline solution.

“Is it okay for me to step closer to the screen?” I asked. He nodded his head.

‘Yes, of course.’ So, I did. This time my hand now free of gloves laced into Collin’s asking him to come with me.

I stood watching the screen at the images became clear. The room fell silent, until I brought it.

“Oh… wow.” My eyes were glued as he adjusted the scop from 40 x mag all the way to 1000 x. “That’s not what is expected to see at all.”

‘What do you mean?’ #Jacob questioned.

‘What D… Miss Harper is shocked to see here is the fact that venom in normal blood cells begins to clot. Thicken so that it stops moving, causing the persons to die.’ #Edward explains.

“And that was the first reaction. The venom hit the red blood cells and then began to come together, however then. When the white blood cells began to fight back, the opposite reaction started. To the point that the cells began sink, deform and eventually broke apart….”

‘And then they should begin to regenerate. But that will take time with their healing.’ He finished off.

“And that is what is happening with Leah now? But it’s taking longer? Longer than you all thought?”

‘Yes… it is taking longer.’

❁ Collin ❁

I watched #Seth go to comfort his Mom… It might have been the first time in my life I knew how #Leah was feeling. How many times in my life had I watched my mother leave a room to gather herself? Or so I wouldn’t see her cry? I smiled at the beta of the Black Pack and said, “Don’t worry… as soon as you're well; she’ll go right back to giving you a hard time. It's like a Mom thing, they just reset after each crisis so they are ready for the next one.”

Feeling Harper close again was exactly what I needed after seeing an Auntie so upset. I chuckled at Nessie… it was impossible to be upset with her. “You’re showing your age again, #Nessie.” She stuck her tongue out and grinned. Even a vampire hybrid couldn’t learn all the human social cues you needed in ten years… advanced algebra though… that she could handle. “Go be a nerd,” I whispered to Harper when #Edward called to her. Kissing her cheek, preparing to let her step away.

I had never been someone that liked public displays of affection… not that it bothered me when others did it… I was surrounded by deliriously happy couples all my life. It just never felt right for me to personally initiate… but apparently… things changed. There was no analysis needed… no overwrought processing, we just… matched. Always seeming to meet effortlessly in the middle.

But her fingers slipped between mine before she stepped away and I smiled… Spirits, was it wrong to smile this much when #Leah was so sick and #Sue was upset somewhere in this house? I didn’t search them out… allowing as much privacy for the mother and son as a Spirit Warrior could. I went with her; keeping my hand in hers as they showed images that looked like they were from one of Mom's medical dramas that always made her cry.

The way Edward and Harper spoke was far too familiar to me. “There are drugs you can use… for that isn’t there? To increase her white cell, count and prevent clotting… would they work on a Warrior.” Learning my lesson not to say wolf in front of Leah. I knew it was true for the white blood cells… I had been there far too many times.

‘Shouldn’t we be careful with drugs… Look at how the venom reacted to the morphine we gave #Bella… we have no idea how it could react to something else.’ #Emmett was back at his post by #Leah, I shook my head noticing Embry had eaten half a tray of breakfast pastries after his croissant.

❁ Harper ❁

‘I know, pup. The Kid has it in hand.’ Leah’s eyes were still on the open door.

Listening to Collin, reminded me of his childhood, the medical impact to his body, and i acknowledged for him to know this information. He had to have taken in the conversations taking place around him at the time. I didn’t feel sorry for him, however I squeezed his hand in mine. Because the thought of him being in pain. It broke my heart.

My gazed moved over those who spoke, confused as to what they meant with regards to Bella and her needing Morphine. She must have seen it on my face because the Auburn-haired beauty came to stand beside us.

‘I was human when Edward and I conceived Renesmee.’ She summarised the changes she underwent for the life she felt she was meant to live. From the way Edward stiffened, and Emmett stepped forwards towards his brother, and even Jacob’s stance changed. There was a lot more to the story that the girl shared.

“Okay… so no testing medications on Leah until we are fully aware of the side effects she could undergo.” It wasn’t a difficult decision to make. Right?

‘We need to understand it’s a good recommendation from Collin to try, and the medicine he is speaking of wouldn’t inhibit Leah in the same ways the morphine did for Bella.’ #Edward’s Amber gaze moved from the screen to #Leah.

‘It’s your call.’

Emmett and Embry both scoffed at the same time. Embry stopped chewing whatever he had bitten into. Both turning their eyes to Leah in synchronicity.

‘I think the pup makes a good point. Also, when are we next going to have the opportunity to test something like this out?’ Her gaze moved to Collin, giving him a look that seemed to speak volumes without a word being uttered.

❁ Collin ❁

When Bella explained her situation to Harper, I remembered how much I still had to explain to her. But when #Edward turned to #Leah and told her it was her choice I panicked a little… only on the inside. I mean yes it was my idea but #Emmett had a point. Wasn’t that why we said things out; loud to discuss them… to see how viable they were, talk about the consequences? But before I could say anything #Embry spoke.

‘Wait… stop… Think… ’ He was speaking to #Leah. ‘I hate to admit it… but the big guy has a point. We have no idea how the venom will react to this stuff… You’re already wounded.’

‘We can start off, with very small doses and watch closely for reactions.’ Edward said. ‘But only if #Leah consents.’

‘Fine… if it’s that easy then do it to me.’ #Embry added as though he was offering something as simple as a blood sample.

Edward shook his head. ‘No I’m sorry… we can’t…’

#Jake stepped forward and asked. “What in the name of the Spirits is this meathead thinking?”

‘He’s thinking that Edward doses him with venom and tests the drugs on him. And it’s not happening.’ #Leah said like she was the mind reader. Like she was the Alpha.

‘Not happening you bloody idiot.’ #Jake said.

‘#Jake… it makes sense. I’m the only one here without an imprint that would suffer too, and maybe you all haven’t noticed, but I haven’t been ripped open and stitched back together recently.’ I hated to admit it but he had a point… Not that I was agreeing with him. That was obviously not his best idea, even if the theory seemed solid… well semi-solid… maybe.

‘Fine…’ #Sam said and I could tell by the look on his face he was in that mentor mode of his. ‘Let’s get #Brady back here then… or any of the pups.’ He was calling #Embry’s bluff.

#Embry seemed to know that the argument was over. ‘That’s not the same thing and you know it.’ But his argument couldn’t hold up if he wasn’t willing to allow any of the others to try the same thing.

‘Can’t you test the drugs on the samples and see what happens?’ #Jake asked.

‘We could but that would only give us a read on initial reactions… as it spreads through her system the interaction with the venom and the drug would be vastly whispered. “We can’t break an Alpha’s order, no matter how badly we might want to, there’s no way around it.” But hadn’t I done it? Or at least stretched it.

❁ Harper ❁

My head moved back and forth like a tennis ball in a volley. The conversation took a turn which felt uncomfortable and awkward for an outsider like myself to be witnessing.

I couldn’t pick up on any malice or pride between those speaking. Just worry and concern for a friend. Except however, for the thunderous look #Leah gave in the direction of #Embry. Unsure if anyone else has noticed the way she stiffened, her hands fisted the blanket covering her, followed by her attempt to get out of bed.

The only one who had seen kept his eyes on the men talking but placed a calming hand on her shoulder moving her back towards the bed to lay down. And then #Emmett dropped the hand away as if it hadn’t been there at all.

Collin’s explanation did not compute. They couldn’t break their Alpha’s order? In the animal world. breaking the rules, or disrespecting the alpha would have consequences, such as being shunned from the pack, or even banishment. Would it be the same here with them?

Before I could think any better of it, my lips parted.

“I think we all need to take a step back.” All eyes turned in unison towards me. In any other situation I would go in fighting. I wouldn’t let them all scare me. I knew what I was doing… well…. In my world I did at least. But the logic would be the same right?

“How about we don’t use anyone as a test subject just now.” Pointing to #Embry. “As kind as the offer is, it’s not what we need for the person who is in that bed.” I turned to #Leah, #Edward and then to #Ness. Speaking to the latter first. “Please could you begin searching your grandfathers archives? You said he had information in there which could help us while we wait for him to arrive?”

Then I turned to #Edward. “I know I’m the outsider here, and the only none-fairytale, magical person…. However, coming from a scientifical standpoint. We are taught to test before actioning. So, doesn’t it make sense to test the samples we have extracted for the preliminary results. Giving us a slight indication of what we could expect to begin with?”

Frowning at all or nothing approach they seem to want. “I know I’m only human. And maybe this is why I need to say it… If things go wrong. The outcome is death. And I for one am not willing to pay this price. Not for anyone who is under my care!”

My breathing was out of control, as though I’d been running a marathon. Because I didn’t stop to take in air to my lungs while I told them all to back off in my own way.

❁ Collin ❁

I held onto Harper as the exchange happened, my free arm moving around her, my thumb brushing the back of her hand reassuringly. But as soon as Harper spoke I felt a pride swell, not that she had spoken up, I never doubted she would, she was just taking in everything they said… but at how they all stopped and paid attention. The respect they had shown her.

She was getting more and more assertive with every single word and… By the Spirits! No, no, no… I was almost as breathless as she was by the time she was done. That was… My mouth went dry…

‘Yes, I think this has taken a rather drastic tangent… We should regroup...’ #Edward cleared his throat, which had to mean something that I couldn’t figure out right now because vampires didn’t need to clear their throats. ‘𝓒𝓪𝓽𝓬𝓱 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓫𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 and come at this from a new angle. Ness will search the computer.’

I barely heard what he said because all my focus was on keeping myself from spinning Harper around and kissing her right here in a room full of people… including her current patient.

‘Pup… Harper… Why don’t you two grab a little fresh air?… you’ve not gotten outside since we got here.’ #Embry’s words were very pointed, and I swear I could feel his eyes on me, but the only way to confirm that was the take my eyes off her… and that was not an option.

‘Collin.’ #Sam’s voice broke through… ‘Take a break, we’ll call you both back if you’re needed.’

I leaned in close to Harper and whispered. “Will you come with me, sweetheart?” Damn… my voice had never sounded like that before… Oh hell… she smelled good. Did she always smell like that? “Just for a moment… Please.” What the… what was that tone… like a current running through the words. This was… new.

❁ Harper ❁

At first it felt as though my words were breaking through to those gathered, however soon I began to feel as though they were dismissing me. Frowning I wanted to step forward to demand they not play with Leah’s life in this manner. That we needed more than just regrouping. Tell them Their dismissal of my sound option couldn’t be brushed under the rug without further consideration. However, it wasn’t me they were aiming their comments towards when asking Collin and I to leave.

His hand rested over mine before me, I had felt this light touch of his thumb telling me that I wasn’t standing here in this room alone. I could gage the fact that Collin had been here for me no matter what the outcome would be. Giving me the overwhelming impression of true partnership.

I half turned my head hearing Collin’s voice in my ear, the burning gazes of the others in the room, and the way #Sam finally asked us to leave.

Had I over stepped?

Hadn’t they asked for my help?

Didn’t they want me to give my opinion? Did my lack of understanding of the world here make me a liability?

To an extent, yes. I guessed it did. However, my thoughts all came crashing to a stop when he called me, ‘Sweetheart’. That word shouldn’t cause my tummy to fill with butterflies right now when someone needed our help, and still, it did.

“Of… course… of course I will come with you.” It wasn’t even a question. #Leah was stable, we had no clear plan for next steps. Right now, it was a waiting game until there was some data to analyse. Most of all, I could feel his need to leave somehow too.

Shifting myself to turn around fully in his arms to face him, I couldn’t explain the look he gave me. It was intense, and brooding, and… Well… I was about to find out, I guessed.

“After you?” As I had no way of knowing where we were to go for said ‘Fresh Air.’

❁ Collin ❁

I kept her hand in mine, and I led her out of the room… I knew I owed her an explanation… but in front of all these people? Where could they all still hear us? No, I needed to get her alone and explain. We passed #Seth and #Kenzi.

‘Hey… Where…’ He reached out towards me but #Kenz pushed his arm down.

‘I recognise that look. Sush.’ She whispered to him, and I heard Seth laugh softly.

As soon as we got outside, I helped Harper into my truck… “I promise I’ll explain everything… just not where they can hear us.”

I hear #Call inside chuckling ‘It’s always the quiet ones.’ And then a slap… followed by a second louder one that made him grunt.

I drove down the long lane leading to the Cullen’s house until I couldn’t hear them anymore. My phone was in my back pocket if we were needed, they would let me know. Trying to keep my mind on the task of just driving. My heart was racing the entire time. And despite the fact that everyone in that room probably knew exactly what I was thinking; my body hadn’t seemed to have realised that, because my skin wasn’t flushing the bright red it normally did.

I didn’t even pull the truck over to the side of the road. I just hopped down, left the door open and sprinted to her side of the truck, all human pretence had left me. But the moment I opened the door, everything slowed down… I had her all to myself now.

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t do this with all of them watching.” I leaned in and brushed my fingers along her cheek, the arch of her perfect lips and kissed her, holding back my wolf, convinced that she would be freaked out by all of this… She didn’t need me jumping on her like a wild animal.

By the Spirits she smelled so good…

My arms moved around her, and I lifted her out of the truck with ease, holding her body against mine. She felt so good. I deepened the kiss, sweeping my tongue along her lower lip. “Remember.” I breathed into the kiss, setting her on her feet. “How I told you that imprinting… at first… it's like puberty all over again?” My hand moved to her waist, her hips, up her back and back to her waist again… my mouth was still on hers, with only the slightest tilt of my head.

“Have I ever told you how hot it is that you’re practically as tall as me?…” I laughed and tried to shake that thought away… getting side-tracked wasn’t going to help right now. I rested my forehead against hers and breathed in deeply.

“Apparently… that wasn’t even close to a strong enough description.” One hand came up to cradle her cheek… “Never in my life would I have believed the need to kiss someone this badly could take over my entire mind and body.” I kissed her again. “You… Are… Incredible.” Each word was punctuated with a kiss.

❁ Harper ❁

I did not say a word as Collin took my hand, showing me the way out of the room, and then the house itself. I could feel all the eyes turning to glance anywhere but at us. Even #Kenz and #Seth did not stop us to question where or why we were leaving.

I didn’t even question Collin when I could clearly see that we were heading to his orange truck. Any other day, any other time, and I would have been trying to remember everything about this moment, however… My first ride in Collin’s truck had been marked by the nightmares of the night before.

Sitting in the passenger seat, I worked my hands in my lap. Trying to gather my thoughts, because when I glanced over to Collin, his features were gravely incensed. Had what I articulated in the room to the others, been so out of line? I thought about apologising, However, I hadn’t said anything that were not facts and the truth. So, why would they expect me to? But… It was Collin. This kind man who had cared for me and shown me respect and even stood by me. If saying sorry to those who he loved, would help… I could do it….

I wasn’t sure how far we had driven when he stopped. I turned to face him, however before I could say anything he was gone. The driver side door left wide open! Following his progress around the truck, I felt my heart trying to leap out of my chest. Nerves becoming unbearably high. I couldn’t explain the experience of these mixed emotions flooding all in the moment.

Not fearful, no. I felt safe in his presence, there was something else charging the atmosphere here however I couldn’t place it.

All these thoughts were beginning to take over, and then…. He pulled my door open. Before I could say anything at all, Collin stepped into my side, holding me to him and kissed me, pulling me free from the seat!!!

Pure molten laver poured from my core pulsing with electricity, up to my stomach, through my chest, up my neck, and over my cheeks and ears! I lost the power to stand, all of a sudden grateful for the arms he placed around my body to hold me close. Because the jelly like sensation in my legs told me, that if Collin hadn’t held me, I would require help to be lifted from the ground!

My hands wrapped themselves around Collin’s neck holding myself upright in front of him. I wasn’t aware of the world surrounding us right now. All I saw and felt, were the high levels of the heat radiating between him and me. Words were so lost, thoughts absent. His closeness, his lips, his hands consumed me solely.

Our noses crashed together; my glasses pushed into the bridge of my nose making me wince. But he tasted like nothing I had savoured before, the way he kissed me, it wasn’t like any of the sweet kisses we had shared with one another to date. This was… Well…. hallucinatory! Because this couldn’t be real? Or Could it? His words rang from afar however, I had my arms wrapped tightly around him. The chimes ringing in my ears, where identifiable as my trouncing heart.

I moved to cup his face with my hands now, drawing his lips back to mine. Kissing him with enthusiasm like never before. I could not stop myself, I needed more of him, more of this closeness. More… Just More…

My tongue roaming freely over his lips. Tasting my boyfriend, connecting with a part of me I hadn’t even known existed within this body of mine. I felt every bump, groove, and curl of his lips. The nights growth on his face prickling me until I was out of breath, and my lips began to tingle slightly.

“Puberty.” Whispering breathlessly. The first word to leave my lips. Attempting to understand where it had come from, in the first place.

❁ Collin ❁

Her scent deepened, my skin burned… my wolf prowled, urging me forward. Shivers ran through her as she wrapped her arms around me and kissed me back with just as much eagerness.

By the Spirit’s… That scent.

I held her tightly against me… certain that she wouldn’t stay upright if I didn’t. Was that my doing? Was that 𝓌𝑒𝒶𝓀 𝒶𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓀𝓃𝑒𝑒𝓈 thing real? Not just one of those things you read in books or that people said to make a point. My stomach was swooping with each touch of her lips and her tongue… the taste of her drew up sounds from deep in my chest. She pulled me back to her for more… and it was impossible to deny her. Why would anyone ever stop kissing this woman? I let my tongue sweep in to taste her.

Yup… there it was… the thing with the knees. It only took half a step to the side to press her against the closed rear passenger door of my truck. It felt like we… my Warrior and I… never needed to modulate our strength for her. I leaned against her, knowing with certainty that we wouldn’t hurt her when we pinned her between me and the truck. The feeling of her pressed against me set a fire in my veins.

I chuckled breathlessly at the only word she seemed to have grasped. “Definitely not a strong enough word for this.” I listened to the pounding of both of our hearts. “I just couldn’t help it… seeing you take control of that whole room like that… a room full of creatures they make scary movies about and you just…” I drew in a breath and kissed her again. Knowing that she was safely held between me and the truck. I took off her glasses and reached over to set them on the passenger seat through the still-open door. The vibrations of the engine were almost drowned out by our hearts.

“You...” I kissed her again, teasing her top lip with my tongue. “Are… so sexy.” My hand tightened on the waist of her borrowed sweater. “And as much as I enjoy showing off my, sexy… adorable… highly intelligent girlfriend…” I kissed her again, deeply… releasing a sound I was certain I had never made before into her mouth. The kiss was long and slow and made my wolf begs to come to the surface. “This…” I was breathless. “Is only between us.”

❁ Harper ❁

Words? Who was thinking straight enough to find the best way to describe what all this means and how it all came about.

My hands moved down and around his torso as our feet stepped to the side and back. It’s wasn’t until my back met the cold metal of his vehicle that it dawned on me that he had me pinned in.

Our lips moved with a sudden burst of excitement, filling me with even more anticipation of how much I hadn’t expected this to feel so… extraordinary.

When my glasses were removed, I closed my eyes again. There was nothing I wanted more than to see Collin, however, to feel his presence pressed up against me. My feet moved together between his legs with the thrill of feeling his weight press upon me.

“Uhm... help… yourself…” repeating words at random as they made no sense to me, not when the sounds Collin made into my mouth reverberated in my chest! Sending strict message of pleasure to my mind!

My hands fisted up his shirt. Tugging him even close as if it were possible! I parted my lips for him, breathing in his taste, playing with his tongue. Wanting to kiss him like this all day and night.

Then a moment of clarity… and I wondered Why was I burning up? From my curled toes in my boots, to my face… it was all ignited like I was stood before an inferno! Passion came a thought! This had to be what passion felt like with the right person?

Then what he was sharing between those sounds, and kisses I began to understand why he sounded the way he did back at the Cullen house, why he had been trying to get us out of there. Why he didn’t look in my direction until we were here!

“You….” My lips moved to kiss him…

“You weren’t mad or upset with me?” I asked. Pulling him into me again. Biting his bottom lip and tugging on it. “I thought you were going to tell me... you were disappointed in my performance there.” But he thought it was sexy?” Breathlessly I kissed him again, this man was becoming my drug of choice, and I was going to become addicted to him!

❁ Collin ❁

The way her hands moved over my upper body sent a wave of contractions running through each muscle… and made me want to touch her, to pull her closer. But there was no 𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓈𝑒𝓇… there was no space left between us. My hands moved lower; to her hips and my wolf pushed and struggled against my willpower.

I kissed her with every drop of passion and affection I held for her. Her heart quickened and it was music to my ears. I couldn’t comprehend how it could ever be possible to stop kissing her. She bit my lip… and my wolf almost… No, not almost… that was without a doubt a moan… and it was far from soft. She said something…

Words…

She was speaking… ‘Pay attention!’ I told myself, but my whole body was reacting to her now, too. She kissed me again and the scramble in my brain to translate the sounds I heard into words I could understand, slowed down… Not that it mattered because as she pulled me closer the hem of her sweat slipped higher. My fingers brushed against the bare skin just above the waistline of her jeans. All I could think about was all the other places I wanted to kiss her, to feel the softness of her skin. “Harper,” I whispered on her lips, hardly breaking the kiss to do it.

It was the formation of that one word that allowed me to once again comprehend the English language. I pulled back a little, just my face… the rest of me stayed neatly pressed against her. “Mad?” My brows pinched and I thought back… trying and mostly failing to see everything from her point of view. “Spirit’s no…” I kissed her again, nipping at her lip so gently that my wolf protested loudly in my head. “Seeing you stand up for what you thought was best… with Alphas and Spirit Warriors and hundred-year-old Vampires in the room…” The second was more of a tug on her plumped lower lip… making my wolf settle. “And #Leah was intimidating before she ever joined the pack.”

I moved my kissed to her jaw.

“I'm sorry you thought that… I was just trying to keep myself in control until…” My lips trailed down the curve of her neck. Her scent was so strong now. “…We got somewhere… “Damn, you smell so good…” And now my body finally remembered how to feel embarrassed. I tried to continue my sentence like I hadn’t just said that and stammered out. “Th-they couldn’t hear us.”

❁ Harper ❁

The bolt of lightning coursing thought Collin’s touch made my eyes fly open. I couldn’t help the excitement rushing its way over my entire being at the sound I draw forth from within him.

Dropping my head back into the cold metal of his truck, I watched the grey sky above us. My hands remained in place in the fabric of his shirt as I didn’t trust myself from lifting it to feel him as he felt me.

My lips throbbed, the sensation ripping from below my tummy, making my eyes close. Heat bets, pulse drops, explosions of all these what’s and needs all coming to a head together.

My eyes opened hearing my name on his lips. Another wave of blood rushed over filling me with heat and warmth again. How powerful my name sounded when said by Collin. When said enthralled by passionate touches and kisses.

I could heard him speaking again… Unbelievably I could just about control myself to listen.

My hands moved into his tied by hair, when I hear a soft caress of a whimper…. That had been me? Answering him? His kisses? Those bites! Oh, lord have mercy on me! I wasn’t expecting myself to come apart, however willingly participated too!

“Don’t… please.” I closed my eyes and then opened them, following his lips working their way down over my throat. “Don’t apologise… you did nothing…” and then it connected somewhere. He said I smelled good? As in the shower gel or shampoo I used? Confusion soon forgotten at the understanding.

“You’re…. Turned on… because I … I… spoke up?” Damn this man! He found it sexy that I stood up to his extended family and friends? Not at all the things which had been in my mind…

“Collin!”

Whimpering his name my hands moved over his shoulders fisting the fabric there, because I couldn’t pull him in any closer. There was no space….

Oh!!!!

My eyes opened wide at the sensations of something of his pushed into me. My face burned with the heat of realising what it was!

❁ Collin ❁

My hand tightened on her hips, the struggle not to grope her was real now. '𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨?' My wolf intoned in the back of my mind. He really wasn’t helping. '𝘞𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴.' Of course, I did… But that didn’t equal consent.

And she had managed to keep her hands… polite up until now… but her fingers in my hair… Spirits. I felt like I could combust. My lips moved against her soft skin. I curled my tongue against her earlobe, testing each and every reaction of her body, which spots brought out those little noises… and the bigger ones. We… I wanted to learn everything that made her feel good.

All of this also sent me spinning deeper into this haze of, Harper… Harper… “Harper.”

There was nothing in the way she said Don’t… while she pulled me closer and touched my hair, that implied I should stop; so I didn’t. Then it all seemed to dawn on her. With one last nip at her ear, I pulled back to see her face; her wide-eyed expression and… Oh…

I think I turned red from head to toe now… “Um… Yeah…” Was that a bad thing? “Is that… bad? I… eh… guess that started the spiral I couldn’t really get out of… But… it was…” I struggled for words… and air… Was it hot out here? I’m a Spirit Warrior I should be able to handle the heat! “It was kinda building… since um… we woke up, really.”

I still hadn’t made any space between us. Should I be making space? My wolf growled a no… I mean it was a little late to hide 𝒾𝓉 from her now. And I had no reason or desire to hide how she made me feel… physically, emotionally… anything.

“But the guys noticed I was… um… struggling so they tried to give us an excuse to slip away.”

❁ Harper ❁

The gasp of pure pleasure freely turned into a moan as his tongue did that thing to my ear! What was it? How did that cause me to feel a growing dampness between my legs?

There was a thrill, a need, a desire to free myself from all the normal of politeness and devour my need to feel him. Whereas I had to bite my own lips to bring back the sensation he had left there after kissing me. Because he said my name again… and I knew it… I was his for the taking!

“Collin…” his name came out in another moan… My hands moving around his shoulders, up his neck…

But… then… it stopped… he moved his face away from mine…. No… no… no…. Don’t stop I screamed internally! I wanted to keep those feelings alive and wanted to feel him on top of me!

“No….” Shaking my head of my head, with my glasses gone, I couldn’t still see him, but the haze of the light of everything we were feeling make things a little all over the place.

“No… it’s not bad at all… it’s…” trying and failing to find an articular way to explain. And then giving in. “It’s sexy! So sexy when a man loved seeing a woman speak up and shine… green flags…. Nothing but green flags, Collin.”

The fact that his friends could tell this about me, whereas I had missed it all. Said more about me I guessed than them.

My hands moved to his collar and drew him back in. Bringing his nose to nose. I flicked the tip of my tongue to trace his lips.

“I never wanted to you to struggle.”

Kissing his lips I curled my food around his thigh keeping him close to myself. Pushing my hip off the truck and connecting with him and the gift he was keeping up for me. “I didn’t know… I’m sorry…” lips moving to hover over his before I brought mine in kissing him with my all.

❁ Collin ❁

I thought my whole body was going to catch fire when her scent hit me all over again. My wolf couldn’t decide if he wanted to rise up and take control or just enjoy the ride. His mind was as fogged as mine.

She said my name and my knees got that shaky feeling again… not so shaky that I thought they wouldn’t hold me… but still new and strange.

I smiled… Sexy... Green Flags… We could take that. “Good…” My smile had taken over my whole face. “Because this is 𝓃𝑜𝓉 going to be the last time.” She pulled me closer, and it wasn’t a conscious effort to let her. She wanted me closer, and it happened.

I wanted to explain to her that self-control was something we would need to learn together like we were starting at the beginning. But she was hooking her leg around mine and my jeans were suddenly, very, very tight. And that was it, my wolf stretched his influence and my hands moved. I gripped her upper thighs, lifting her, sliding her carefully up along the door to of truck… Avoiding the handle so it didn’t dig into her back. I wrapped her legs around my hips and fixed my stare in those beautiful eyes. “Let me help you out, sweetheart…” I chuckled and kissed her.

Was that… Was I teasing her? The way she pressed herself against me… I knew what she wanted… That was yet another strange feeling… not to be plagued with the doubts of ‘Is this, okay? Is this really what she means? Is it too much? Too soon? Not enough? Too late? How? Why? What if?’… her wants were my wants. And that was all.

Now she had the best seat in the house, and I had no reason to hesitate… I slid my hands from her thighs to her arse and squeezed a little. I groaned on her lips… She was so sexy… perfect. “No more apologies,” I whispered onto her kiss-plumped mouth. Neither of us had anything to be sorry for. “Just kissing.” I brought my lips to hers for the slowest, deepest kiss yet, tasting her tongue, her breath… everything. I never wanted to stop kissing her. My stomach turned over and over, shivers ran through me… moving through my veins until they turned to twitches and throbs.

She felt incredible… the feeling of her wrapped around me… The way her body heat built to match mine. She was a perfect fit… We were a perfect fit. My wolf let out a long, low rumble of pleasure and it took a moment for me to realise that the sound wasn't just in my head.

❁ Harper ❁

That sound he made! Oh… My! Good… Lord! Someone pinch me and tell me I wasn’t dreaming. Because it all felt a little surreal. The way his hands came around to lift me, like I was nothing more than a feather to collect, his touch made every muscle coil in the sweetness way making my legs shake.

Thank goodness he had me pinned otherwise there was no way I would remain in place up here!

The cold metal of his truck gave a sense of relief from the pulsing heat radiating from my skin, and yet I still did not want this to stop.

It took me a while to understand him, to know what we were to each other. However, now it was crystal clear! We were two sides to a coin. We were a flower to a bee… we were…. Harper and Collin… we were met for one another…

The thought came rushing into my mind without any provocation, and I welcomed them. Because in my heart… in my soul… I knew they were true.

“Collin…!” His name came from my lip into his lips. Moaning as he consumed me wholly. My thought belonged to him, my mind was his, my body and now I could see my soul too was his.

My hips curled up once more into him, my jellyfish legs trying to curl my ankles to keep me there. But it was his tongue, his lips, his tastes! I wanted to have it all.

My eyes fluttered open again, my I hand, and my fingers in his hair. This time I managed to find his hair tie, gently undoing it and pulling it onto my waist. Letting his hair fall open so I could caress it. Curling, stroking, tugging at it I tilted my head. Matching his speed, his want, and my desire to never stop this journey with Collin.

I let out yet another whimpering sound, as my hips curled and moved over his. The sound was of pleasure from the friction caused by what I felt there. Naturally my body repeated the action with the same intensity and reaction again…..

“Collin…. Collin…. Collin…” his name on my lips, in my mind, my heart…. I gasped as a cold gust of wind unleashed the reality of what I was doing and… where!

Gasping again…. I was about to apologise… to say I was sorry… but he has said… no more apologies… “I….” My lips still kissing him, slower and slower… until I fought myself to rest my forehead to his.

“We...” my heart thundering in my chest cage… my breathing raging for domination over my words.

“We… are on... the side of a road….” I finally managed to say between soft kisses I kept going back for.

Finally managing to open my eyes to look down at him from where he placed me up. I knew if I didn’t say it now… my next instinct would be to lift his shirt up off his back…. Leading to I didn’t know what…

❁ Collin ❁

This heated passion was a part of our bond we hadn’t explored yet. But here we were falling into it, and it was pure magic. She said my name again and my wolf was mindless with pleasure… who was I kidding? We both were. This haze of consuming lust… something I had worried would taint our bond… but it wasn’t, mixed with this passion and affection… it was another string among the dozens that connected us.

By the Spirits, I never wanted this moment to end.

Felt her legs quiver and my hand slipped back to her mid thighs… not because I could better support her there, I could have very easily held her here for hours with one arm. But it would feel more stable for her, she had plenty of time to learn the limits of my strength. The fact that I got a chance to feel up her legs at the same time was a pleasant coincidence.

My hair fell free and her fingers plunged into sending a surge down my spine that had me arching against her with another moan. This, of course, caused an entirely different surge of pleasure. I wanted to devour all of those delicious sounds she made.

I was trying to listen to her… I really was, but until her forehead was pressed to mine her words hadn’t truly processed. Breathing hard, each inhale filling me with her scent; I listened between all of her kisses. My grip tightened slightly on her thighs, fighting the urge the reach up and brush my fingers across her flushed cheek… but wanting her to feel safe and secure would always come first.

“It’s okay, this is all private land… #TheCullens own it, no one comes here but them.” I explained. “No one will be using this road until Dr Cullen and his wife are back. I will hear from anyone long before they get close.” I kissed her again, much softer, much sweeter than the heat and lust of just seconds ago. “I want the whole world to know how I feel about you, Harper,” I whispered. “But I want you to be the only person that sees me like this, and to be the only person who sees you like this.”

I would have never kissed her like this, without absolute surety that we were alone. And certainly not picked her up and pinned her to a vehicle. I don’t believe I had ever envisioned a scenario remotely like this. Then again… I hadn’t envisioned her taking a room full of supernatural creatures to school either and yet here we were. I smiled at my inner monologue. “You are going to keep me on my toes Sweetheart… aren’t you?”

❁ Harper ❁

My core was on fire! There was nothing i could do to help the tension building in the depths beneath my tummy. I found myself shaking from the adrenaline rushing through my body, each time we connected. These whimsical moans becoming more frequent!

My inhibitions were nowhere to be found when I knew he’d somehow managed to think this through. Collin had kept himself together until he knew we would be alone, without any eyes being able to witness this moment which was private. However, most of all he had the same thoughts and concerns as I have. This wasn’t the first time we had both come to the same conclusions. And... it was so Sexy!

“No one…” lips kissing him between words. “can... see us… or hear us…” nodding my head slowly, each kiss lasting longer, and going a little deeper. “Just you and I!” I couldn’t explain the whole situation of hearing him admit I would be the only person to witness him this way! The way those words made me feel empowered… and confident…. And … belonging…

My conscious worries vanishing with the wind that threatened to bring me back to my senses. I didn’t want that! Not with his hands on me… his strong arms holding me up like I was a bar of candy!

“Oh… I’m not going to… apologise for …. standing my ground… so… yeah… most probably…” I couldn’t help myself. When I became passionate about something, when I cared, when I saw a need. I never backed down.

My lips began to kiss up his jawline. Following the grooves of his sweet face. I tucked his hair behind his ear, and then let my tongue flick and tease before my lips closed around it to suck.

“May I say…. I love it when you call me… Sweetheart!” I had to tell him. My tummy was full of butterflies frantically fluttering over all the other sensations.

Kissing my way down his neck now. My handed moved to find a way between us, tugging on the fabric of his shirt. I couldn’t stop myself from tugging at it until it was free from around his waist when my legs curled around him.

Pulling the hem of his shirt up, my fingers caressed his back. The whole time thinking how much I loved all these little things that we could have together.

❁ Collin ❁

“Not… a… Soul.” I breathed between kisses. I would have explained to her that I drove until I couldn’t hear anyone in the house and then kept going for a count of ten seconds to factor in #Seth’s incredible hearing. But that was a lot of words and less time to kiss her.

“We’re all alone,” I promised her. My senses were still trained on the world around us and yet my attention never deviated from her. She had woken up a side of me I hadn’t known I had. I had always been aware of the world… but now my focus is still between her and our surroundings effortlessly.

“Never apologize for that…” I spoke onto her lips. “In fact, you should do it frequently.” That was another tease. She was drawing out parts of me I had never been confident enough to let out before, each moment with her revealed something new.

Her next comment did make me chuckle… It had started as a little bit of a joke. But honestly, it felt… right, it fit, and I loved how it sounded and how her breath caught just a little every time I said it. “You know… I didn’t expect it to stick… but I like it too.” She was certainly a sweetheart, but she was strong and confident, especially when it came to her patients. And it was so sexy!

My lips hardly left hers, until she moved to start kissing my jaw and I tilted my head, letting her have all the access she wanted. When she started tugging on my shirt the fires were lit anew. Her fingers against my skin raised goosebumps, not just where she touched me… and all the breath rushed out of my lungs with her name on my lips. She moved her kisses, and I tipped my chin up, she could explore anywhere she wanted to. I was hers and hers alone. Her lips on my neck were pure bliss, I closed my eyes and revelled in them.

Another cold breeze blew, and I moved my arms up and around her. “Don’t worry,” I whispered. “I can hold you up. You aren’t going anywhere until you ask.” I wanted to keep her warm… we hadn’t exactly stopped to grab her a jacket on the way out. I wasn’t about to feel guilty for that, I could keep her warm very easily. “I know you don’t like promises that that can’t be kept… but I can promise you with certainty; I will never, ever drop you.”

❁ Harper ❁

The franticness of the moments whereby words refuse to develop into fully coherent sentences within my mind should have been frustrating. However, this was far from the truth of the matter. Collin spoke, his attempts were unsuccessful until i interrupted myself to from this concentration on how great his tasted, and how my lips were pulsing, or how waved of excitement and adrenaline made themselves known.

I made myself aware of what he was saying….

The promise I believed to be true… I knew we wouldn’t be here.. like this… if it were untrue….

Not to mention how he thought it was sexy to be myself… and he wanted to see more of it? Well… if he was going to stick around… if I was…. I knew this wouldn’t be the last opportunity for him to witness it…

The nickname… it wasn’t meant to stay… okay… well… I didn’t want it to go now…

The last thing… it made me pull back, just enough for me to find his eyes. “You can’t hold me?” My chest rising and falling as if I’d run a mile in under a minute! “Now I am impressed.”

My hands moved up his lower back feeling his skin on the way up. And then I pulled them out from under his shirt and back into his hair, tasselling it back off his face from where the wind had blown it forward.

“Some promises… I somehow know… will not be broken. Somehow… there is this faith…” I pressed a hand on his chest feeling it as ragged as mine beneath the fabric of his top.

I moved to close the space between us again. Kissing his chin, his jawline, coming back over his cheek with my fingers curling his hair before our lips brushed together, I kept the movement soft, slow, with each burning sensation within me asking for more… asking me to press my lips to his and breathe him in.

❁ Collin ❁

I chuckled and nodded lightly. “I can hold you… for hours… days… easily.” My voice grew quieter with each kiss that travelled along my jaw… my face, but that quietness; was nothing that I would call softer by any definition of the word. It was low, like my wolf’s voice only it was me speaking each and every word.

Her fingers in my hair felt like… I couldn’t find any words… it sent shivers up and down my spine, waking up my senses to every kiss and touch. Her lips moved with mine and my tongue caressed hers with a kind of synchronicity I knew could only come with a bond like ours. Low breathy sounds came so frequently that time blurred and I was hardly aware of how long had passed. But my phone hadn’t buzzed in my back pocket, so we were fine…

How was I ever meant to stop kissing this woman? My stomach was filled with fluttering creatures, my heart was pounding, skin was electrified. She made me feel things that I never knew possible. The breeze came again carrying a scent of rain. I could keep her warm… but dry was outside of my control. “Rain is coming,” I whispered into our kiss, I teased her lips with the tip of my tongue. Then I touched my forehead to hers again and took in a deep breath. “As much as I would love to stay right here… we should probably head back before you get soaked. You’ve had an exhausting two days…” She had been on call for twenty-four hours before all of this happened too. “The last thing you need is to get drenched and catch a cold,” I smirked then, giving a little chuckle. “On the other hand… could be a good excuse to play doctor.” I laughed. By the Spirits… who was I? How had she brought out to the side of me, normally I would have blushed just for thinking that and never would have dreamed of voicing it.

Of course, I wouldn’t ever allow her to get sick if I could help it… but it was fun to joke with her… The confidence I felt with her was unlike anything I had ever felt before.

“Is it wrong to be so happy it’s silly with everything that’s going on?” I pulled back enough to take in all of her face. She was flushed, her lips were luscious and full… begging to be kissed again, so I did… just once so we didn’t get caught up again and then ended up out in the rain when it arrived. She was beautiful, that incredible soul of hers was shining through stronger and brighter than anyone I had ever seen.

❁ Harper ❁

It’s felt as though I were floating on a cloud, witting warm beams of sunshine kissing my skin, and the promise of fresh baked banana bread with nut butter sat beside me!

A waking dream? No… this moment felt reminiscent of happy times, memories to match and this one exceeded it tenfold over.

My eyes reminded closed, aware of the fact that Collin’s eyes were taking me in. However, I wished to lock everything about this time with him down. Just like every other time we were alone… the beach walking with Nova, dinner at his home, making pizzas, laughing and talking, watching movies, or our very first hot chocolate meeting… they all meant something special.

When I finally found his eyes on me, my swollen lips curls into a shy smile. I could only imagine the messy I must look like to him. I was wrapped around his, not concerned about the world. Kissing him as though my life depended on him kissing me back.

“Rain is coming?” His words sunk in, with my gaze moving to the sky above. The shy was grey, but it always seemed to be. “We should go…” I agreed.

“Just…” his kisses even the short soft ones, were making my legs shake. “Give me a moment?”

I whispered with hot cheeks. Playing Doctors and nurses bought back even more flying butterflies, feeling of childish excitement and giddiness at what the game meant, and how it still meant something.

Shaking my head slowly, I found myself kissing his nose. However, I was in conflict with myself. “I’ve been asking myself the same questions ever since last night, Collin. I feel so happy to have you with me, to see you, to touch you, even to worry about you.” Now my fingers lightly combed his hair back out of his face, and I couldn’t help kissing him again.

“I shouldn’t be so sure about this… about you… and I can’t not be true to myself... and right now... I don’t feel the guilt I did last night, or this morning. And I know I should!”

And then it occurred to me. “How do you know rain is coming?”

Had he check the weather app? Glancing up at the sky again, I couldn’t see anything telling me of any changes in the weather. I gathered his hair together, tying it back up with his bobbing from around my waist.

❁ Collin ❁

I kissed her again and again until she said she needed a moment then I resisted… She wasn’t the only one that would need a moment before we got back there… And there was no doubt I was going to need two or three moments.

By the Spirits I wanted to kiss those flushed cheeks!

“You are as astonishingly… lovely.” I flushed… my attempt at finding a word other than beautiful was a little corny… But I did not want it to lose its meaning from overuse; no matter how truly I meant it every time. Her fingers in my hair sent more heated currents of sensation through me… each one was adding more and more moments I was going to need before I could walk back into that house.

“There’s not a single person in the house that would want you to feel guilty about feeling all of that, Harper. Not even Leah, even though she’s hurt… or #Sue who is worried for her only daughter.” I spoke in a tone that conveyed certainties. “This bond we have is sacred. Even the vampires get it to a degree. I mean Edward has had a front-row seat to it but the others… Vampires have a sort of bond too. They call each other mates. I’ll admit that all of this… the happiness and joy combined with the worry and responsibility is…” What was the word? “Conflicting. But trust me… we are impressing everyone in that room with how focused we are.” I flushed a little.

“Probably why they gave us an easy way to escape for a minute alone.”

I laughed a little when she asked about the rain. “Oh… Um…” Would she think that was weird? “I can smell it. It smells like fresh salt water and damp earth; the clouds are coming in from the coast… it’s probably already falling in La Push if I can smell it here.” By the time I finished my explanation, she was tying back my hair… my heart started to beat wildly again.

This unbelievably kind, caring woman was my soulmate… this was who the ancestors, the Spirits and the Great Wolf believed I belonged with. I set her carefully back on her own two feet holding onto her as though I was steadying her, but I wasn’t ready to let her go. When I was certain she was steady though, I brushed my thumb over her cheek.

“How did I get this blessed?”

❁ Harper ❁

Cheeks blushing a deep red at the compliment, I truly love them, and at the same time had no indication of how to describe the feeling of being out of place with them too. I would get better, at least I hoped I would.

As he sat me down, I couldn’t help feeling that bulge once again. Heat curled through, leaving me breathless. Reminding myself to think PG-12 thoughts! And not the R- rated ones now!

My feet may have settled on the ground; however, my legs hadn’t received the message as of yet. They shook like wobbly jelly, with sensations shooting up and down the full length.

“Are you telling me...” My mind still has a glaze of fast blood rushing through my veins. “Those people in the room, your cousin, Leah, Edward, Sam. They all wanted us gone so that we could do this?” Pointing between him and myself. A fresh rush of heat consumed me. How had I missed all those queues?

“Oh boy, so they know what we were doing?” I asked.

My hands moved to straighten down his shirt, because I was fully aware I’d been the one to disrupt his put together looks.

I knew I shouldn’t however I could stop myself from placing my hands on his chest and kissing him. Once… twice… three times. Each kiss giving me strength to be honest about how discovering this side had come at a shocking surprise to me.

“So, what I am hearing is… my boyfriend is a living, walking, and breathing weatherman? Up to date information at my reckon call? Talk about superpowers.” Looking up at the sky, to realise I didn’t have my glasses on.

Dropping my gaze to meet his, I shook my head slowly “You are not the only one who has been blessed, Collin.” My thumbs stroked his cheeks. “Somehow I was blessed too.”

❁ Collin ❁

I flushed, feeling my ears burning with heat. “Um… well… Sort of… They could… People… Even Spirit Warriors, they all smell unique, but the scents shift almost constantly… Some things are easy to pick out like fear, anger, anything hormonal…” It seemed to tell her we could scent things like pregnancy. “But… um… Arousal… that one is impossible to miss. So, the others… They knew I was… um… Well…” I cleared my throat, she was still pressed against me. Did I need to say it? “And the fact that brand new imprints have a proven history of lack of control in those… matters.” By the Spirits!! I was a grown-up, why couldn’t I use grown-up words?

I chuckled a little at her embarrassment. “They’ll also know what we weren’t doing… We wouldn’t be back for… 𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈.” I stressed the last word before I even really realized what I’d said. Spirits!!! Now my cheeks burned too. “I mean… um… sorry… I...” This was not the time or place for this conversation.

Her weatherman comment brought me crashing back, laughing as the momentary panic dissolved. I smiled at her; this was it… this was what it was like to be paired with your perfect match. Nothing you did or said couldn’t be balanced out by their presence. I turned to press a kiss to her thumb and pulled her in for a tight hug, this time it was nothing like the passionate embrace. It was sweet, bonding and grateful. “There are ways… to give thanks,” I said softly. “I’ll teach you if you want, when everything… settles.” Stepping away was hard… but I could hear the rain now. I handed Harper her glasses back and helped her up into the truck. “Okay, we really will get wet if we don’t get back into the truck now.”

I ran around to jump into the driver’s seat and reached over to the back seat. I grabbed a grey hoodie and handed it to her. “This smells like #Brady and #Nova…” I explained. I was a little stunned at how difficult it was to say the next words. “It will help to hide your scent from them. They won’t try to catch your scent… but this will make it harder to pick up just by virtue of breathing.”

I didn’t like it… He was my brother, though… this was stupid.

'𝘐𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘺.' My wolf growled.

❁ Harper ❁

We were back to our normal selves once more. Find words difficult, together. Feeling the colour of embarrassment coating our cheeks… together.

More importantly understanding the importance of being able to express yourself without quite knowing how. Together!! This was how I knew; I have made the correct decision in dating this man. He not only accepted my quirks, but he also embraced them and then added some of his own too.

Nodding my head, “Yes, please. I truly appreciate it when you take the time to show and teach me something.” The nerd in me loved any learning. But to learn to give thanks, no one should say no to it.

Before I could unpack any of it, the hug, the things Collin shared with me, how the word ‘𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈’, kept repeating itself in my mind. Even when I was attempting to fathom the meaning of everything. He had lifted me up and set me back into his truck.

With my glasses on, and as I sat here, I knew it would be rude, however I had to. Bringing the hoodie up to my nose. Taking in a small sniff first, and then a longer one. I could make out #Nova, and wood, with varnish maybe? As I was about to pull the hoodie on, something stopped me. That invisible sensation in my chest, the telltale beating of my heart, the way my mind….

Thunder clapped so hard that I jumped in my seat my eyes darting to the windshield looking like the sky’s opened letting out a heavy burst of rain coming down fast.

“Wow!” Three letters. One word. All I could say. I watched as lightning struck, with another clap of thunder. “You... weren’t... lying.”

I set the hoodie down on my lap, pulling my seat belt on again. Making the decision to only put the clothing on once we were closer to the house.

❁ Collin ❁

I smiled a little too wide at her eagerness to learn. It was something I was planning to do to honour the ancestors for bringing Harper into my life… but sharing it with her would be even more meaningful. “I’d love to, and doing it with you will mean so much to me.”

I grinned as she lifted the hoodie to her nose… feeling oddly satisfied that she chose just to hold onto it for now. “Don’t worry he didn’t wear it on a date or anything,” I said before remembering that she’d have no way of knowing he was a bit of a serial dater. “But #Nova being pregnant means she leaves a very strong scent everywhere she goes. Just to protect your privacy.” In all likelihood, it wouldn’t take long before both of us stopped worrying about it.

My hand moved to her thigh when the thunder made her flinch and I chuckled at her comment.

“Real-life weatherman!” I said it like a boast and then I started the truck, popping it in reverse. The camera binged to life but I had always preferred the mirrors as I reversed back up the lane until I found a spot wide enough to turn the truck without much fuss.

I was not in a rush. I needed time to… settle down… before stepping back into that room. “Ready to get back in there?” I asked her. “You were… are incredible you know that? The way you stand your ground for Leah, for what you believe is best. I know that this… It can’t be anything close to what you are used to doing and you’ve not flinched you just keep going. Its…” I smiled wide. “Astonishing… everything you’ve learned about the world in such a short time, and you are just taking it all in stride.”

I pulled up outside the house and #Bella was waiting for us at the door with a large black umbrella. As I climbed out and rounded the truck to open Harper’s door, she darted over to me and handed over the umbrella. “Thank you.” I smiled but she was gone in a blur.

I opened the door holding the umbrella high to keep the heavy drops soaking her while she was still in the car. “Ready, sweetheart?” I asked offering her my free hand.

❁ Harper ❁

My cheeks flushed. “No.. I.. I wasn’t…” shaking my head profusely. “I’m not judging the cleanliness of the garment.” Covering my face with a hand. Then rubbed my cheeks. “I… just…”

What was I going to say?

‘It’s just that I have a feeling deep in my soul not to wear it until it’s absolutely necessary?’ How insane would it sound? I was thinking the whole thing over and it seemed judgy to even me! Thankfully Collin didn’t linger on the subject, so I didn’t rectify any assumptions.

“Yes, I’m ready.” I told him, hope that the irregular heartbeats behind my rib cage would come to a natural rhythm soon.

“I’m no different than anyone else in my position, Collin. Everyone with a heart would do anything in their power to help. All Life comes before trying to get your head around the mayhem. We have time for all the questions, all the answers, and everything we are feeling. But Leah… it’s up to us to decide whether we want to help or not. And... me… I want to help.” Giving him the most honest answer possible.

I placed my hand over his on my lap, noticing the heat radiating from this small touch in comparison to my cold fingers. Turning his hand around, I laced my fingers into his, just to see how they looked together before I freed his hand so he could drive.

My eyes kept drifting back to watch him, the moment I caught myself staring, I’d shake myself off, chastise my overly active imagination. And smiled. Because I had earned this moment surely?

Our friendship… relationship… had a rocky beginning sure, however we were working together to understand one another’s feelings and worlds. (Even if there were no self-help books, covering the subject of : ‘My boyfriend becomes a giant wolf.’) We were working on it.

When Collin turned the bend in the road, I saw the house come out of the tree canopy with #Bella waiting for us. “She heard us coming, didn’t she?” I asked taking off my glasses and setting them down. I finally pulled on the hoodie over my head, pushing my arms out of the sleeves. Then I freed my hair, reset my glasses on myself.

Smiling at Collin, who now had an unexpected umbrella in his hands and #Bella was gone? My heart skipped a little at the surprise of it all. But not enough to stop me from climbing out with the oversized garment hanging from me.

“How is my ... Uhm… scent?” Sheepishly asking as the sound of the rain drowns my voice out.

❁ Collin ❁

Was she feeling my hesitation? Or was her instinct telling her she didn’t want to smell like another man either? Was it a male thing? When she put on #Nessie’s clothes I hadn’t felt like this… it was a little strange, but they had mostly smelled of detergent. But Ness was imprinted… so was that a factor? There were too many theories, and I didn’t really have time for any of them.

“Harper… I believe that people… humans… are mostly good. I really do, and it's something you learn a lot about growing up sick. People, mostly, want to lessen the suffering of others.” I smiled, glancing over at her. “But if that comes with putting themselves in potential danger or even at a cost… like their time, their energy… they tend to shy away. That doesn’t make them bad people they just have their own priorities. But then there is the rarer person… the nurse who will sit for a whole shift with a six-year-old boy with bacterial pneumonia in horrible plastic, sweaty protective gear, just so he wouldn’t be alone because his parents had a small baby at home and couldn’t risk her getting sick. Or the vet that will stand in a room full of creatures she never knew existed before now all to help cure her friend from a toxic venom that she also only learned existed.” I paused. “I can tell that you were always this person, willing to give all of yourself to help whoever it is that needs it the most. But that’s not humanity's default setting. But the fact that it’s yours?… It's one of the greatest qualities a person can have. What you are doing is and will always be incredible to me, Harper.”

I chuckled. “I’m sure she heard us from a half mile away.” I saw her looking for #Bella, who was gone before she stepped down. “Gotta be fast to dodge the raindrops.” I laughed. “Not that the rain would bother a vampire. Temperature doesn’t affect them.”

I inhaled as she pulled on the sweater. “Its…” My mind was a little boggled. “Confusing.” I couldn’t get the scent of her out of my head… I knew I would register that more than the others, but it was enough to just give them the mental jolt to fix their senses elsewhere.

“Confusing it what we’re going for,” I assured her. I closed the truck and wrapped my arm around her waist. “Let’s go, sweetheart.” It was going to get cold out here. I walked her into the house, staying close to her under the umbrella. Even if I would be dry in moments. I closed the umbrella on the porch and dropped it into an ornate stand inside the door before I led her back to the room.

#Embry was already smirking… and as we passed, he sniffed the air, #Brady's scent catching his attention since he wasn’t here… ‘Did you…’ he chuckled. ‘You never were like the other boys, Pup.’ He was shocked. #Sam was grinning. They were all amused… may be impressed with the fact Harper was wearing another man's scent… and I wasn’t looking to kill anyone… #Brady might take a punch later… but he wouldn’t mind. He was good like that, he probably wouldn’t even ask why.

The corner of #Edward’s mouth twitched up.

‘So… Harper.’ #Leah spoke now. ‘What’s the plan for getting me out of this bed and back where I belong… kicking these idiot’s arses?’ She seemed to include all the men in the room only.

‘Kinky!’ #Emmett and #Embry teased in unison, prompting them to glare at one another. #Leah looked like she was going to slap them but thought better of it.

❁ Harper ❁

Information overload is a given in my line of work, however when you take work up to the level of your ultimate position. You somewhat thrive on learning as much as you possibly can.

My mentor had always told me to learn to read the room. To understand when information must be shared, but most of all. Learn when to remain quiet, listen and gather as much knowledge as possible. The walk into the Cullen house had been one of those times.

Listening to Collin, trying to read him with what I knew about him. Fighting this internal battle against the fire he had awoken.

Lord! I needed help when he spoke with such high regard of me. Identifying my personality, and my working ethics just made me more comfortable with him. Building a strong foundation for our new relationship.

Whispering. “I hope you calling my sweetheart, never wears off.” It was a wish and a pray. I wanted to feel this giddiness for days, weeks, months… dare I think it… years…

I couldn’t help but bring the hem of the hood to my nose, seeing if I could scent what it is he was. But it just seemed… normal and not so confusing to me.

When we stepped into the room with #Leah and the others, with everything Collin had shared with me. I saw everyone in here in a new light. Gone were my misunderstandings of them not wanting me here. And in their place were big smiles, dropped eyes (mine mostly). However, most of all. I saw pride, love, and joy with true kindness towards my boyfriend.

My nose senses tingling, and my eyes burning at little with a feeling I couldn’t place. Maybe this is what #Kenzi meant when she returned from her first visit here with #Seth. She felt at home…

When I saw #Edward smiling, shock pulled my free from my thoughts. The only think I wanted was not to share those private moments Collin had fought for us to have to be shared. So the first thing that came to my mind were…

Crocodiles!

‘𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴.

𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧 30–40 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧 60–70 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.

𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵-𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 70 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴.’

Until #Leah spoke to me, and I saw #Edward laughs but hide it at the same time; “Sorry? Oh… Uhm.” My eyes flew to Collin, staying closely tucked into his side. His strong arm curled around my waist. “Next steps?” Taking a deep breath, I gathered myself.

Clearing my throat, I pulled my shoulders back, looking to her and no one else. Because she somehow managed to keep me on track. Even with the word; 𝒦𝒾𝓃𝓀𝓎 being batted around the room.

“Where are we with the test results?” I asked.

‘The preliminary results are up on the screen. Edward was just saying his opinion is to give a small dose of the medication see how things react and then we carry on.’ She told me.

“Looks like we returned just in time.” I replied.

‘We were waiting for you.’ #Edward came to stand beside the bed now. ‘I wanted to make sure you are in agreement with my thoughts.’ He added, and my heart stilled. They were waiting for me?

My shocked gaze moved over the two speaking to me.

‘You really think we would act without you? Not happening nerd.’ #LeahClearwater winked half smiling.

❁ Collin ❁

I grinned hugely at her whisper. Should I tell her that imprinted couples had no such thing as a honeymoon phase? The excitement, the flutters, the adoration, the craving for each other’s company and the giving and taking of affection were a constant… should I tell her that we wouldn’t ever run out of things to talk about? That we would both sit and listen to the details of each other's day with rapt attention; because we had spent that whole day wondering what the other was doing. Should I tell her that, yes; familiarity, comfort and routine would come with time, but it would come alongside the butterflies and running late just to share one more kiss before we left each other’s company? That we would drive to anywhere the other was even if we knew we would only have five minutes together before one of us had an obligation to get to…

That 𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 wasn’t going anywhere…

Nah… Time would let her know all of that. “What if you get tired of it?” I teased her. I think we both knew that this pet name wasn’t going anywhere.

I could tell Harper was concerned about Edward reading her thoughts, but I knew it wasn’t something he could switch off. And In all my time around him I had known him to be respectful… maybe not so much with #Jake in the pre-Nessie days… but that rivalry had been kind of mutual. And he was reading these thoughts right now… Damn!

But he said nothing… because… well, because of that thing I had just thought. The vampire was looking at Harper… mildly amused… what on Earth was she thinking?

Another giant smile took over my features… they had all waited for her opinion before proceeding. #Leah affectionately calls her a nerd… Then worry… that I had kept her away for so long… had Leah been in pain? Had my lack of self-control cost her valuable time? I knew I should, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel guilty or bad about the time I had with Harper. Was it selfish?

‘Don’t worry, Collin. While we haven’t given Leah any experimental medication. We have been managing the pain she is pretending she doesn’t have.’ #Edward was talking to me but looking at #Leah accusingly. ‘Fucking mind reader!’ This time it was #Embry and #Leah at once but the former was grinning, and the latter was scowling.

I squeezed Harper’s hand, said. “Why don’t you go take a look at the results with Edward and I’ll see what #Nessie has found in the computer?” I wasn’t going to be helpful with the biology stuff… but I could be helpful with guiding Nessie’s focus.

I had noticed how #Jake had stayed by #Leah… he knew he was her biggest distraction. But that wouldn’t be a problem with me.

❁ Harper ❁

I looked between #Embry and #Leah with amusement. These people had a synchronisation not only in the way they worked together, but within their thoughts and their sentiments too. Between them all, I could feel a synergy of a perfectly formed group of individuals, who were both equally powerful, and capable of making their own decisions, based on their beliefs too.

Andy then there were people like me, human, normal, intelligent beings sure. But we were shadows in comparison. And yet, I couldn’t help but think of the tales Collin had shared with me about their ancestors. Stories? No. Their history!

“That would be really helpful, thank you Collin.” Squeezing his hands right back letting him know how thankful I was to be able share our life in this way as well as… well… the new door that had smashed open a short while ago.

‘Spirits. Who bet on them not cracking? I owe them $10.00. These two have it on lock down.’ #Emmett sulked a little. Was that a pouty lip I saw on the vampire? ‘This way Dr Jenkins.’ #Edward led the way dismissing his brother fun without comment.

“Please. Call me Harper.” I told him again, but he just smiled rolling out two stools. I didn’t miss the fact that he kept them at a greater distance than the one he say on next to #Leah or his wife.

‘Newly imprinted wo… warriors have a little difficultly when anyone is too close to their mate. Even if young Mr Littlesea is showing a great deal of resistance, let’s not tempt fate shall we.’ He explained to me.

I heard the muttering begin behind me, was that money exchanging hands?

To be Continued...

#twilightrp #twirp #au #harperleejenkins #storyline #collinlittlesea #you are not alone

0 notes

whenthetablesareturned · 9 months

Text

Will You Share Your Heart with Me? - A story by Emberly Call and Lee Clearwater- Storyline Four

ᴡɪᴛʜ: @TheMakahWolf

ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: La Push, Washington

◄ Lee ►

When you promise the most beautiful woman in your life a date night, you better be willing to step up and make it happen. We aren’t talking cheap beer and pizza, not this time. If I wasn’t willing to take it seriously, then I shouldn’t be doing it at all. (At least that was the advice from my Ma and baby brother.)

The two of them have been bombarding me with questions, suggestions, and were willing to discuss with deep details why I had to get this date right! I am not ashamed to say I left for my run that night with sweating armpits and palms.

But when I met up with #Jake, he laughed slabbed me on my back, and told me clearly.

‘Just do what feels right for you and Emmy. She will love the fact that you were doing this for her.’ Being one of my girlfriends best friends, I was inclined to agree with him. Which brought us to the big night. The night I wanted to take my first girlfriend out.

With wet hair, a towel around my waist, my cell in my hand I texted her.

[Work is over, beautiful. I’m running on time. I can’t wait to see you tonight.]

Hitting send, I threw the cell on the bed beside the clothes the kid pulled out for me. The boy wanted to help, his excitement became contagious, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing with him.

‘You’re going to be the man Bro.’ He said smiling.

◄ Emmy ►

My phone buzzed and I leaned forward to grab it from the small desk I used to study on and now… it was basically filled with books and music. Occasionally I cleared enough space to place a mirror there and do my hair and makeup. “Shit!” I grumbled reading Lee’s text… I was so not on time! “OW! Mom!” I turned to the woman behind me who had just yanked on my hair.

‘I told you to hold still!’ She laughed and grabbed my head turned it back to the mirror. I could have stopped her… but she still had a grip on the extensions she was clipping into my hair, so I behaved. I held my phone high and shot off a text to #Rachel.

[Help!]

The reply was almost instant.

[Please Darling!! We’re 2 minutes away.]

I smiled to myself. Mom had seen the message. ‘Did you think they were going to let you go off on this date without a prep team?’ She laughed her musical laugh. ‘They know how excited you are.’

They…. WE…. Damn… Who the hell was on their way to my house?

‘You know Lee likes your hair short, don’t you? You really don’t need to wear your extensions.’ Mom told me and I laughed.

“I know… But he promised me to dance, and you know how much I love a dramatic hair swoop!” I smirked at her through the mirror.

Mom rested her hand above her heart and smiled. ‘That’s my girl. As long as you’re doing it for you.’

I heard a car pull up outside and Mom pinned in the last one. I cycled through who it could be… but it sounded like #Quil’s car. I knew there was no way he was coming over to help me get ready for a date with the group of unknown we’s.

But then…. That was him… laughing with #Ness and #Rachel… And #Kim’s quiet footsteps.

They let themselves in and #Quil took the stairs three at a time and burst into my room like a hurricane. ‘Your make-up artist has arrived!’ The last word went high as #Ness jumped on his back lemur style.

‘Not a chance in hell! That beautiful face is all mine!’ She hopped down. My Mom kissed the top of my head and left me to my friends' capable hands, but not before gripping #Nessie’s face. ‘Try not to break my house, you beautiful little weirdo.’ She teased her… It sounded harsh. But coming from Mom that was a compliment. Everyone laughed at the reference to a time Ness broke a chair in Mom’s kitchen. There was still an odd chair at the table that was famously known as Nessie’s chair.

Rachel brought wine and curlers, which she and #Kim tag teamed my (and not my) hair into perfect waves while Ness sat on the table in front of me and helped… let’s face it did my make-up… something I was never good at. For a girl that never wore makeup, she was insanely talented. But she was always good at everything she tried. We laughed and primped while Quil sat on my bed and chimed in when he got a chance.

I picked up my phone and text Lee when it looked like I was going to be on time after all… with a little help from my friends.

[I would never keep you waiting. See you soon, boyfriend.]

I wasn’t even blushing typing that word… it never got old.

◄ Lee ►

I was rolling up the sleeves of my shirt, when I heard the car pulling up outside. “Hey Kid, can you get the door?” Calling out, and then hearing the toilet flush. “Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”

Chuckling at the ‘thanks, bro.’ I took two steps at a time, combing my fingers through my hair when I opened the door.

“Hey Jake, what are you doing here?” He kicked the door of his car close with both hands full with flowers. Arching my brows while watching him walking up the path to our door.

He watched me, giving me a wolf whistle and an eyebrow dance. ‘Don’t you scrub up well. Give me a twirl Clearwater.’ I gave him a middle finger with a chuckle.

‘Prince Charming for Emmy, and a dickhead for me? Nice! Anyway… Your mom didn’t want you to be late. And she knew you would have ordered these to collect on your way over to Emmy’s so, she asked me to rescue you.’

This got him an eye roll. “I never run late, and you both know it.” Stepping to the side to let him in. He pushed the flowers into my arms heading to the kitchen, when he reappeared there was a bottle of beer in his hand.

“Sure Jake, come on in, Make yourself at home.” Laughing while I set the flowers down on the table. He knew was always welcome, what was ours was his, as it was with the rest of the packs too.

‘It’s thirsty work you know. Picking up flowers.’ Kicking his shoes off he fell into the couch.

“You best have picked some up for Ness while you were there.” I warned with a chuckle.

‘Picked them up, delivered them before she left to help your date get ready.’ He chuckled too.

My fucking heart did something to draw Jake’s eyes to me. He shook his head grinning. ‘Are you nervous about tonight?’ He asked drinking his beer.

“Me? Hmm… maybe I am. I hadn’t considered it. But…. Yeah maybe. She means a lot. I don’t want to mess up. You know?”

The Kid made his way down, clapping Jake on the shoulder and falling down next to him. ‘You’re overthinking it bro, you want this, Emmy wants it too, just chill and let the night unfold.’ That was easy for him to say.

“Yeah, sure.” The two of them laughed.

‘Kid are you forgetting who you’re talking to here? Lee doesn’t know how not to overthink.’ #Jake joked.

“Not true… I’m easy and laid back. I know how to go with the flow.” Now I needed a beer, but I didn’t have time. My phone buzzed and I smiled reading her text.

[Good to know. I am coming for you, girlfriend. I’ll be the handsome one on your doorstep.]

As soon as I hit send, all the built-up tension disappeared in an instant.

“But for now. I have a date waiting for me. So… laters suckers.”

Pushing my wallet into my back pocket, my keys in my hand, the flowers were next. The boys followed me to my truck while shouting. out words of wisdom. Until I reminded Jake, he hadn’t been on a first date since secondary school, and the kid needed to be reminded I was the one who taught him his moves.

◄ ◄ ◄

The drive over to the Call house wasn’t long, I had the windows down and the music loud.

Those nerves showing themselves again as I turned down their street, turning the music off before pulling up behind the cars telling me with the scents, I could pick up who had shown up for Emmy.

◄ Emmy ►

I closed the last button and stood in front of the mirror. “I haven’t worn heels in over a year.” I said twisting to the side… “But damn… they make my arse look good.”

‘Walk to me.’ #Kim said from across the room. And I did… navigating the heels expertly. ‘Spirits damn your perfect coordination Emberly Call.’ She laughed.

“I was a dancer before I was a Warrior, Kaya.” I teased her. “Heels are easy. I’ll give you a lesson… just not tonight.” I took #Kim’s hands when I reached her.

‘Are you nervous Emmy?’ She asked and I pulled my hands back… they were a little clammy.

“No!” I rolled my eyes… #Nessie arched a single brow like she could represent the country in the eyebrow Olympics. She had heard my heart skip. “Maybe… Yes.” I sat on the bed next to #Quil and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

‘That’s a good thing, Emmy… It means this is a big deal. This is important to you.’ He grinned and lifted his hand the muss my hair. He was stopped by a chorus of shouts which had him and I laughing far too hard. ‘You deserve to be a big deal.’ #Quil’s head snapped up to the sound of a truck pulling up outside.

#Nessie started clapping and the girls rushed to the window. “Really!!” I huffed “You ladies have zero chill… You know that right?” They waved me off and started chattering about how good he was going to look and complaining that he hadn’t gotten out of the car.

I huffed again, but it was hiding a laugh at the faces crowding the window like school girls. I wondered what it would look like from outside the house. “I’m going to answer the door.”

‘Nope!!!’ #Quil jumped up… ‘That’s the big brother’s job!’ hadn’t gotten out of the car.

I huffed again, but it was hiding a laugh at the faces crowding the window like school girls. I wondered what it would look like from outside the house. “I’m going to answer the door.”

‘Nope!!!’ #Quil jumped up… ‘That’s the big brother’s job!’ spend far too much time with those boys!’ She propped her tiny fists on her hips, and I tried to look chastened, but a chuckle rumbled in my throat.

I headed for the door. ‘No… you need to wait here and walk down the stairs when Lee is inside!’ #Kimberly insisted. ‘It would be so cute!’

I shook my head violently. “No way… No, no, no.” I wasn’t turning this into a scene from a teen rom-com. I placated them with a top-up of the clear, lightly gold-tinted lip-gloss they had painted me with. I had to admit. #Nessie’s job on my makeup was flawless and the barely their gold sheen made me want to kiss myself. So, it was an easy compromise. I headed to the stairs and saw #Quil and Mom standing waiting to open the door.

Mom beamed. ‘Oh, my darling! Aren’t you a vision? I love this outfit on you so much.’ I looked at the clock behind her.

“Wait… Am I actually ready on time?” I said in utter shock. #Quil laughed.

‘Like this prep team would ever let you down.’ He winked at the women descending the stairs behind me. I knew that Lee was right outside, and my heart was already starting to race.

◄ Lee ►

‘Would someone let the man in, you know he is on the other side of the door listening to every word.’

Hearing the conversation had a hundred-watt grin plastered on my face. Seeing and feeling the eyes on me as I’d walked up the path to the house didn’t phase me. The girls always wanted a front row view whenever they could. However, this one was different. It felt so to me anyway, maybe because this was my first date where I felt like I had something to lose maybe?

Wiping my hands on my black trousers, my Wolf chastised me. And yeah, I knew we had this in our stride. But still.

Combing my fingers through my black curly hair, I checked the button on my jacket. Held the flowers in my hands, hoping she felt the same as I did.

I wanted to see what they had down for Emmy, she was beautiful without being pampered, so the spirits would only know what my heart was going to do when I landed my gaze on her.

Lifting my hand to knock on the door once again in case they really had forgotten I was here for her. The door opened slowly leaving me standing there with my fist made to knock.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, how are we all tonight? ” Correcting myself I smiled my eyes searching her out.

◄ Emmy ►

I laughed and #Quil finally opened the door, my heart literally stopped only for a few seconds… but, there was a definite pause. He looked… “Wow…” Wait… I heard that. Did I…? The girls giggled and I knew, yes, I had said it out loud. “Um… Hi.” I came down the last two steps of the stairs while #Nessie unhelpfully filled in the others about how my heart had skipped a beat and set off another round of giggles.

I ran my gaze over him once… twice… settling on his face and breaking into a wide smile. I felt #Quil’s gaze on me every second.

‘Okay…’ He said, opening the door the wider. ‘That’s good enough for me.’ He clapped his hand on Lee’s shoulder. ‘Keep making my best friend smile like that and I’m all for this…’

I stepped forward, never taking my eyes off of him. As he asked how we were I noticed the arm full of flowers and smiled even wider. He was here… I was on time… everything was… Perfect. This was going to be a life-changing night.

◄ Lee ►

She was…. Stunning… stood up on the stairs I’d walked up and down so often, never once had I stopped to look at Emmy the way I was now.

Everything and everyone faded out of my vision, all I saw was her. Her hair, lips, eyes, the clothes she’d picked out just for tonight. My gaze returned and fell on those lips, glossy and plump, so sweet and kissable.

Slowly the world came back into focus and reluctantly I answered #Quil. “I fully attend to make her smile for as long as she wants me.” I didn’t break my eyes away from her. Taking a step forward towards her. Once again, I forgot about the audience.

“Hey, baby. You look extremely sexy.” Holding the flowers out towards her. “These flowers are falling short before your beauty. However, I hope you don’t mind I bought them for you.”

◄ Emmy ►

He was looking at me in that way of his, the way only he ever looked at me. The way that made me feel seen like never before, understood… and beautiful. Not in the usual only-girl-in-the-room way I was used to. Not like the best friend… not like the girl-in-the-club-that-I-want-to-take-home way.

Just… Beautiful.

I bit the corner of my lip. #Quil stepped back into the living room doorway, letting Lee come forward. Only when he mentioned them did I let my eyes pull to the flowers in his hands. I smiled even wider and reached for them, leaning in to inhale the scents, starting with the lilacs… Did he know that this was my all-time favourite scent? And probably flower, really … It wasn’t something I had ever given much thought to. That was probably what I got for being best friends with all boys.

“They’re gorgeous. Thank you so much.” I reached out and brushed my hand down along his lapel. He was… ravishing. “And aren’t you… handsome.” I smiled… I was certain I had never had occasion to use that word and mean it.

I instinctively rolled up on my toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, Even if my heels brought me a few inches closer… knowing if my lips met his my heart would go even crazier than it was already.

‘Let me take those sweethearts, I’ll put them in water and leave them on your vanity for you.’ Mom said. It was my desk… but tonight I supposed it was my vanity. ‘You two get going now and have a good night. You both deserve a good time.”

◄ Lee ►

Each flower in the arrangement was picked with her in mine. From the early bloom of the daffodils which brought joy and brightness at the start of spring, to the lilacs, peonies, and wild flowers which I identified with an element of her personality. If she were flowers, this would be how I imagined her to look, smell, and be.

I placed a hand on her lower back when she came in to kiss my cheek. An overwhelming urge to kiss her pushed, but I knew the meaning of control. I wasn’t someone who loved an audience, nor did I hide. But this was different. Hard to explain.

“Thank you.” I kissed the top of her head and then I moved to kiss her mom’s cheek as she ushered us out the door. Thanking her too.

‘Eleven pm, we want her home by eleven!’ The girls all giggled trying to set some boundaries. “Sure… sure… Eleven pm tomorrow it is.” My eyes were on Emmy tucked into my side when we stepped out into the cool breeze.

“Are you okay little minx?” Her heart had done those telling skips and jumps. And she hadn’t said as much as she would have usually. Guiding her towards my truck I opened the door, at once hearing the outburst of ‘ahh…’ from behind us.

“Together those three are going to expect and play by play of the whole night. So, you best take notes.”

◄ Emmy ►

I glared at the girls. I had told #Quil not to pull any of his Big Brother moves… but apparently, he wasn’t the one I needed to worry about.

But I was smiling again instantly when he kissed Mom. Then she leaned in and kissed mine too. Whispering ‘I love you, have fun.’ In her native tongue. The language was so close to Quileute that I knew they would all understand it.

I fit neatly against his side, even though the truck was a few steps away I leaned into him, taking in a deeper breath of scent now… savouring each and every moment with this man.

I smiled, wrapping my hand around the one he had over my shoulder. “I’m excited…” I smiled. “And a little nervous… but in a good way. You know? And no one has ever bought me flowers before.” I chuckled and pressed a kiss to that same hand. I glanced back at the door, hearing the muttering behind it… but I was more focused on Lee.

“They’ll hear what I deem shareable… but there’s so much of you I plan on keeping all to myself.” I beamed and heard #Nessie scoff behind the closed door so loud that no matter what I was focused on it couldn’t be missed.

◄ Lee ►

“Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.” Ushering Emmy and myself into the truck, I waved towards the living room windows. The curtains twitched telling me exactly where they had all rushed off towards.

It made me smile, she was loved and cared for. It’s a gift we were both blessed with.

“They care, however I like the feeling that we can keep some of us, to just us… you know.” Turning the key, my hand moved to the gear. But then I stopped to look at her again.

“You’re breathtaking little minx.” Reaching over placed my finger under her chin and kissed her once. “Now. Let’s take my girlfriend on our first date.” Winking at her, a grin on my mouth.

“You asked for dinner, music and me baby, let’s see if we can tick your list off.” I was the list man in this relationship. But I liked going off the beaten track with her.

I pulled out of the parking spot driving towards Forks and then to Port.

◄ Emmy ►

I nodded. That smile of his made my heart skip. I rested my hand against his chest and slid it down… just a little, I was aware of the audience. “I know.” I smiled. “You look amazing. It should probably be illegal for a couple to look this incredible together. It’s hardly fair to the rest of the human race.” I gave a soft laugh.

“Yes... Boyfriend.” I smirked without a hint of shame. I was starting to adore that word. “Let's see if you can tick all of my boxes.” I smiled, I had no doubts that he would succeed. Because time with him would make this perfect.

He drove and I watched the trees flit by… and his stunning side profile. It made me want to bite that fucking perfect jawline. I cleared my throat and reached for the stereo… Nope! We could not start down that road while he was driving. I selected a song… “You are in for a treat Clearwater. I have the best road trip playlist ever.”

(Music: Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine)

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◄ Lee ►

Sweet child of mine’s intro hit, and my grin grown. “Fucking love this song!”

Reaching over I placed my hand on her knee and squeezed it gently before turning my palm up for her hand. Bringing it up to my lips placing soft kissing on the back of it. “I have no doubt that if anyone we know is going to have killer playlists… you’re going to be the one.” Stealing glimpses of her while keeping my eyes on the road ahead.

I had to slow down with it the town lines of Forks, speeding wasn’t going to help our night start the way I wanted, but as soon as we hit the road out of town, I put my foot down.

And then I began to sing along, still holding her hand to my mouth kissing it with our fingers laced. “So, the team showed up to help you get ready. And you didn’t kick them out?”

◄ Emmy ►

I laughed and slipped my hand into his when he rested his hand on my knee. “Good! Because not liking this song is a deal breaker.” I said unapologetically. “Everybody likes this song. As they should.”

I brushed my thumb against the side of his hand, holding it lightly so he could let go to shift gears when he needed to. He wasn’t in a rush… I smiled because there was nothing about this that I wanted to rush either. My heart gave a few loud thuds when he kissed my hand, interrupting his car karaoke for a short moment.

I grinned as I watched him sing along. His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes, he was a fine specimen of a human… man, woman everyone in between… no one compared, no one set my mind, heart, body, and soul on fire like he did. And I knew that no one else ever would. Then I joined in for the second verse.

“She’s got eyes of the bluest skies,

As if they thought of rain.

I’d hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain.”

We sang our way through the whole song, hand-in-hand, all dressed up in our best clothes… but acting like teenagers on a road trip. I laughed, beaming ear to ear when the song ended. “Spirits I love that fucking song!” I smirked.

◄ Lee ►

Her voice… it took you on a journey with a one-way ticket, it wasn’t new to me I know it. But something changed, now I heard it in a different language and feeling in tow. Now I heard it the way the pups did when they were crashing on this incredibly beautiful creature.

“You say it how it is woman; I’ll back you up if anyone disagrees. Not that they would dare to say it to your face unless they want to die.” Ok she wouldn’t kill them per-say. But fuck me they would wish they were dead when she was done with them.

Watching her out the side of my eyes, I took the road to port and put my foot down.

“You’re going to need the truck DJ whenever we are driving. It’s a done deal. Even when you hit shuffle, the music spirits are on your side. It’s so unfair!”

Joking and not all at once. Because it was kinda true.

◄ Emmy ►

I chuckled. “I’m just glad I was there for a lot of the little pups… guiding their journey for musical discovery. I might have needed to kick a few arses.”

“Yeah, the music gods are good to me.” I smiled. I shifted in the seat, turning towards him a little. I could hear Rachel in my head telling me I was wrinkling my jacket. But just because I loved to get dressed up on occasion… some things were never going to change. My need to move being one of them.

“So… are you going to tell me where we’re going or is it a surprise?” I asked, it was clear we were heading towards Port Angeles. But… was that the final destination? Was it in town or somewhere nearby? There were far more options here than at home, or even in Forks. But each mile marker we passed had giddy excitement bubbling in my chest. And the want to touch him building… not necessarily in a sexual way… there would be plenty of time for that. I reached out and rested my hand on his to sate the urge; as the next song played. My fingers tapped out the chords on the back of his hand and my own knee.

(Music: The Killers - Mr. Brightside)

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◄ Lee ►

The killers blasted from my truck, and it wasn’t the first time. I’d knew our taste in music had been similar, but just how close, now slowly came to light.

“Tell you? I mean I’m shocked you don’t know already with the way things work on the Rez.”

Smiling because in reality I didn’t mind. People in a small community like ours were tight knit. We all looked out for one another, and we took care of business within ourselves too.

“I thought dinner at Casetas in port? They turn the place into a salsa bar after, so... food, music, dancing, maybe a little drinking? How’s that sound?”

I didn’t want to keep anything from her. I’d chosen the small family run Mexican restaurant, as Seth and I had done some work for them. Seeing firsthand how much love they put into the restaurant, and the food they served making it the perfect spot to bring someone you cared for.

So far, I hadn’t made it back here since our work completed.

◄ Emmy ►

I beamed; I hadn’t been there, yet… but I had heard about it from #Tallie. As soon as they put in the dance floor it became their favourite date night spot. Although… Part of me hoped tonight was not one of those nights. I wanted to have him all to myself, without prying eyes.

“All of that sounds amazing…” I smiled. “Mexican food… salsa…” I quirked a brow. “Do you know how to salsa?” I asked. My heart kicking up a notch. Fuck! Just thinking about dancing with Lee… but salsa… My face flushed.

The fast music didn’t help with the surge I felt at the thought. “I have to say… It’s probably a good thing you planned our first date.” I scraped my teeth over my lip, tasting the gloss painted there.

Then the music seeped into my bones. Even just talking about dancing made me want to move.

“But she's touching his chest now.

He takes off her dress now.

Let me go.

'Cause I just can't look, it's killing me.

And taking control.”

◄ Lee ►

Fuck. So maybe I hadn’t thought this through before booking a table. However, my mind had been on making this a perfect night for my little minx.

“Uhmm I’ve tried it once or twice and didn’t hate it.” Glancing over at her. Her face laced with shadows as we drove on the unlit roads. This being where I thanked my warrior wolf for his senses and sight, because I saw her perfectly.

“I was hoping you would teach me? But also…” I added quickly “there are lots of people there who know what they are doing. So, you will always find someone who will match your skill.”

The thought of her dancing with someone else didn’t bother me, I knew how much she loved to dance. Seeing her in her element would make this even better.

Dammit! I caught her chewing on her lips, the glittering shimmering to them telling me she had something on them.

“Fuck.” The growl came out the minute her scent changed and floated to my nostrils.

“I swear Emberly Whitney Call... if you keep that up, there will be a repeat of the last time on the side of the road. And I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”

My hands squeezed her knee, and I didn’t dare sliding it up her pant leg the way I wanted too.

No woman had ever had this effect on me. Sure, I had a healthy appetite for sexual pleasure, but being with this woman made me feel like a starving man who had lived without until she kissed me! “Spirits give me strength!” Muttering under my breath.

◄ Emmy ►

I chuckled at the nervousness that crept in when he started to think about salsa dancing with me. “Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you.” I teased. Every mile marker we passed had anticipation building in here like a child on their way to Disney World. “I’ll teach you a few steps… You’re a Spirit Warrior, you’ll pick it up fast. Salsa is all about your passion for your partner… you won’t have any problems there.” I brushed my fingers along the back of his hand that rested on my knee. “And don’t want to dance with anyone but you… tonight is about you and me. I expect all of your attention… so you’ll have all of mine too.”

I watched the lights of passing cars move across his features, casting shadows and light, to the light of the moon… the angles and planes of his face. This man’s beauty was enhanced by all I knew about him. He was a walking enigma; Strong and gentle, sarcastic, and kind, funny, and authentic, structured and free. I smiled, independent…. And all fucking mine!

His body tensed and I knew he scented me. “I can’t help it if I wear my emotions on my sleeve!” I laughed.

◄ Lee ►

“I didn’t say I don’t love it that way. Just saying….” Taking my eyes off the road to look at her “tonight I want to show you off to the world as mine.”

Winking before my gaze returned forward, I noted the change in her. Or it was the way I saw her? “You know you have all of me, little minx. It kinda goes without saying, as much as I love reminding you of it too.”

Turning my hand to lace her fingers into mine. Squeezing once to say. ‘I’m right here with you.’ The next song came on and again I smiled. The soundtrack to this journey wasn’t disappointing.

(Music: Backseat boogi – Airborne)

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I drove until the lights of Port came on shining in the darkness ahead of me. Giving me a small glimpse of the world out here and how different it was to ours. Once in town, I dropped the speed. I didn’t want this night beginning either a ticket.

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled. “You know… I had the exact same thought.” I laughed. “I’ve been looking forward to getting you all dressed up and showing you off. The way his fingers laced through mine gave me shivers along my spine, every single time and in the best possible way. There was a deep kind of intimacy that came from the touch, and despite my scent filling the truck… it was an emotional intimacy, not sexual. But we had buckets of both kinds.

I grinned a little cheekily… and a whole lot of cockiness. “Oh, I know.” I fixed my gaze on that side profile in the fading light. By the Spirits! How was I going to make it through the night without tearing his clothes off before we got behind closed doors. “I did tend to hold attention.” I laughed softly… but it was all him. He didn’t hide it, the attention he gave me didn’t need to be fought for, he gave it freely and openly.

The next song that came on made my grin wider. “This is just what we need… a little classic rock before a night of Latin sensations.”

◄ Lee ►

Because of Emmy and her ability to make any situation better I couldn’t take the grin off my face. Her deep earth brown eyes were taking me in, and I didn’t stop it from happening.

We didn’t just talk with ours words, our bodies and scents did a lot of talking too. And my truck of need to be off bounds for a few days after tonight. I wasn’t going to let anyone scent this conversation.

Shifting my eyes to her, and then back to the road. Singing badly to annoy her and as a joke maybe. I pulled up into the full parking lot. “I hope you like this place. I haven’t seen it since we worked on it. But hear good things.” Bringing her hand to my mouth, kissing it before I set her free to park up.

“Welcome to our first official date night, beautiful.”

◄ Emmy ►

I tilted my head; he was having some kind of internal conversation with himself. He was grinning but a hint of seriousness shone in his eyes. “What on Earth are you thinking?” I asked with a smile.

I loved watching him sing along with the radio, with no pretence or ego… just the love of good lyrics and perfect composition. When he pulled up, I gasped. “Oh my…” I turned to the window. “It's like stepping into another country!” I beamed. “Did you…” I scanned the architecture. “Did you and #Seth do this? The exterior I mean?” He mentioned he had worked on the place, and I knew they were incredible… but this… this was like a whole new world.

“It's amazing…” Then… then the scents hit me. “Oh wow!” And the music! A sound that might have been a girlish squeal from someone else escaped my lips. When his lips brushed my hand, it snapped me out of my daze. “Let’s go! I can’t wait to see the inside of this place!” I tugged on his hand, still holding mine, like I was going to pull him out of the car on my side.

◄ Lee ►

“Thinking? Right now?” Waggling my brows still teasing her. “I’m think I need to stop giving people rides in my truck for a few days. I don’t want them scenting you the way I do.” Honest and sincere I wasn’t going to hide it from her.

Watching Emmy with all my attention drawn to her at the reactions from the first sight of the restaurant. “Uhm… yeah. The kid and I worked hard to meet the client’s needs. The mom wanted this please to give the feel of her village down in Mexico. And this is what we came up with together with a lot of reaching.” Looking up and the building before us.

All the vibrant colours, the shapes we chose and the way they came together told a story of this family over their relationship with food and their want to become a place to share their culture with the world.

Laughing I winked. “Wait here.” I told her.

Kissing her hand again before letting go. Jumping out of the truck, I straighten out walking around the front to her side and opened the door. Holding my hand out as the air around me brought the night breeze, the sounds of people having fun, food and good times beating down.

“Let’s go beautiful.” Smiling from ear to ear, my eyes were on her now.

Taking her hand in mine, helping her out of the truck, not because she needed the help. But because I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone, and of course I wanted to touch her and walk step in step with her.

◄ Emmy ►

I laughed… but he was right… we hadn’t even kissed each other on this ride and the truck was filled with my scent. “I can’t help it…” I shrugged, feigning innocence. “It’s not my fault you’re so attractive… You should really work on that.” I grinned.

I beamed at him when he said that they had completed the exterior work on the building. “It’s incredible…” I told him. “I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.”

My hand stilled on the door latch when he asked me to wait… remembering my mother telling me to let him open the doors for me. That it wasn’t about girls and boys, and who should fill what role. It was about Lee and me… it was about the man his father had raised him to be and how I was in a unique position (because everyone knew that Lee and I didn’t do the couple thing) to let him connect with that part of himself. So, I waited, smiling as he climbed out of the truck, my eyes tracking him as he walked around to my door.

I took his hand, my dark gaze locked on his as I stepped down. Actually, using the step below the door, I had lost a few too many pairs of shoes by forgetting my own strength and these were my favourite. My heart gave an extra loud thud. Mom was right… it was a moment, for Lee and I… nothing else.

Even in heels, he still towered over me. I laced my fingers between his and walked with him to the door. Stopping to admire the details of the building that were lost even to Spirit Warrior eyes from a distance. I knew that they were talented… but this… “This place is unbelievable Lee, you and your brother…”

Then the door opened, and a couple walked out… the scents and music from inside hit me harder than before. “Wow!” It was out before I could stop it… “By the Spirits that smells good!”

◄ Lee ►

With each step we took my eyes were on her. Trusting my wolf, her and her wolf. And my keen sense not to make a fool of myself. But I couldn’t help myself.

The red of her suit, her shoes, her makeup they were all incredible of course. But the women behind it all, the beautiful heart which sounded loud for me. The eyes appreciating the time and hard work the kid and I put into this place. My heart belonged to her.

“Thank you, we try our best to give our clients what they dream of. And they had pictures on the walls inside… it’s their home away from home.”

Chuckling I opened the door to the restaurant, letting the sounds, and the smells consume the two of us.

“It’s really going to boo your mind. This place is a mix of generations coming together. Truly amazing people working hard.” Stepping inside transported the customer to a different time and experience. My eyes wondered taking in how our work has held up so far.

‘Lee? Lee! It’s you! Hola mi chico! Cómo estás?’ Mr Miguel greeted me.

“Estoy muy bien señor Miguel ¿y usted?”

‘Better now I see you my boy… come come…’ his eyes moved to Emmy, and out joined hands. ‘Who is this beautiful young lady?’ He stepped forward with his hand reached out to her after shaking my hand.

“Emmy, this is Mr Miguel. He is the owner of this fine restaurant.”

◄ Emmy ►

I felt his eyes on me, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the artwork that adorned the doorway… because that is what it was; art. Not décor, pure talent, and art. “I love it. I really feel like I've stepped into another world. The building, the sounds the smells!” My senses were soaking up all the sensations around us.

The closer we got the better everything smelled. I had eaten just enough to keep my stomach from growling before I started to get ready… I knew there was no chance I would spoil my appetite. I didn’t think that it was possible for a Spirit Warrior. And it wasn’t exactly the sexiest of sounds… and sexy was what I was going for tonight. I wasn’t the kind of girl that needed to show skin to ooze sex appeal. Especially not around Lee.

As soon as we stepped inside, he was greeted, and about all I understood was Hello and the pure joy at seeing him. This man was clearly overjoyed at seeing him, it made me bristle with pride to be on the arm of a man who was greeted so warmly by a former client.

I beamed a smile at him when he turned his attention to me, and I took his hand… which he lifted to kiss, very lightly, very respectfully… but right where Lee had kissed me in the truck, and it made my cheeks heat. “Hola, Senor Migeul.” He seemed very pleased at (as far as he could tell) making that hint of pink fill my cheeks.

‘¿Habla español?’ he asked… and that one I knew too.

“That is probably the extent of what I remember from high school.” I said a little sheepishly. He nodded; I was sure he got that answer a lot. “This is a beautiful place…” I looked around… almost gaping. The old-world style with modern hints mixed in and the music… Spirits… the music. It called to me. I slipped my hand around Lee’s powerful biceps…

“But… that…” I motioned around the room in a way that could only mean the music that was coming from everywhere… but the sound system was clearly well hidden to preserve the feel of the place. “That is a language I speak fluently.”

◄ Lee ►

‘In which case, you will have the best seat at the table. Where the laughter is plenty, and the music of our souls loud.’ #MrHugoMiguel was a man of charm, even if he were a man in his sixties, he knew how to make women blush.

Seeing the effect, he had on Emmy made me smile, and she thought she couldn’t be charmed off her feet! I couldn’t help it, leaning in to kiss the top of her hair I took in her sweet scent. Having Emmy by my side, taking in the work my brother and I did, it was kinda a moment of relief when she liked it, and I didn’t know I cared.

#MrMiguel stole Emmy from my arm, and the minute he did something felt lost from me. My Wolf stirred growling, until I calmly followed the two before me though the restaurant.

‘Wait until you taste our food señorita, they are a mix of my mother’s recipes, my wife’s mothers, and hers of course, too.’ Walking us to a table for two, lost behind green plants making the table feel it had a sense of privacy.

He pulled the chair out for Emmy, beckoning for her to sit. I waited until he was done.

◄ Emmy ►

I beamed a smile at the man, “That sounds perfect.” Flushing even more at the kiss to the top of my head. This place smelled divine! I was going to have to restrain myself from trying to taste everything on the menu.

#MrMiguel slid his arm into mine and stole me away from Lee. I looked up at my boyfriend with a smile that said 𝕓𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕟 and I let him lead me… but my gaze moved all over the restaurant. Taking in #Seth and Lee’s work. It was incredible. “This place is so beautiful.” I said, glancing fondly at Lee.

‘Si… Thanks to this young man and his little brother. Very talented boys who made our dream come true, they never told us it was too much or not possible. They found a way to make everything we wanted to happen.’

I looked over my shoulder at Lee. “Yeah, those boys have a way of making dreams come true.”

When #MrMiguel mentioned the food, I grinned. “I cannot wait to try it, what do you recommend? And don’t hold back, I might look tiny… but I can eat.” I slid into the chair he held out for me and thanked him. “A girl could get used to being spoiled like this by two handsome men.”

◄ Lee ►

‘You speak to my heart señorita. Leave your order to me. You will enjoy it very much.’ With a flurry he kissed Emmy’s hands again before rushing off to welcome another table in his way to the kitchens.

“Well…” unbuttoning my jacket to sit down with my attention returned to my beautiful girlfriend. “I think he likes you.” Grinning with a wink, my hand finding hers again. I needed to touch her again,

“He doesn’t welcome everyone like that, and nor does he take away the ordering process from them too.” Shaking my head because I knew the magic of Emmy Call on people.

Before I could say anything else, a waiter came over with two bottles of beer, and cocktails too. Setting them down on the table.

◄ Emmy ►

I thanked the man as he walked away and smiled across the table at Lee. I laughed softly. “I think I like him too. Señorita…” I tried to imitate #MrMiguel’s accent, and I was pleasantly surprised… I guess the voice lessons paid off. “I could get used to that.” I winked at him… but deep down nothing would beat him calling me Baby… or Little Minx. I smiled at the thought.

I laced my fingers through his… and no number of kisses from the sweetest restaurant owner I’d ever met, could compare to the feeling of holding Lee Clearwater’s hand. I smiled at him when the waiter set down cocktails and beer. “Wow… they really do know you here.” I smiled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you took dates here regularly.” But he didn’t… I flushed again… just me.

◄ Lee ►

Arching my brow at her comment, up until that point all I wanted to know was, ‘what is she thinking?’ But that comment about bringing others here. It kinda stung. “This is my first visit since the place opened in the summer. I’ve been meaning to come. Just hasn’t happened until now.”

We both had a past, but out of the two of us, she was the one with a normal ish dating life. My past had brought me up in front of her older brother, and our moms telling me I wasn’t their first choice for her.

Taking a chest full of air, I let it out. “The beers are a foresight for sure. But those.” Lifting my chin to the cocktails. I think he is trying to impress you with those choices.”

I could scent the tequila in the concoction while my dark face fell to our laced hands.

◄ Emmy ►

Something darkened in his eyes and I instinctively tightened my hand; laced with his. As impressive as those cocktails were... I focused on him. “I know you haven’t brought any dates here. I was just teasing. I’m sorry if it was a step too far.” I never wanted to hurt him, not even if it was only for a moment. I lifted our hands and pressed a light kiss to his knuckles. He was plenty tall enough that his powerful arm reached across the table. “I’m glad you see it again for the first time with me…” I smiled. “So you can see how amazing your work here is through my eyes.

His gaze was on our linked hands mine only broke from his face long enough to note where his lay. “Tell me what you’re thinking, baby?”

◄ Lee ►

“I know… of course I know.” With my free hand I rubbed the back of my neck and shook my mind out of it. It was then, in that moment I got it. My wolf and I we both feeling things for the first time. And the reactions were mess up.

Seeing her bringing my hand to her lips made my smile. A full of heart kinda of a smile too. She calmed him and me all at once.

“This is all new.” I started because I wasn’t going to lie. “Things which didn’t course discomfort before, now all of a sudden sting. I know you’re joking; you knew if the tables were turned, I’d make the same joke.” Now I had to laugh. “Little minx, you’re turning my head and heart into a million bucks worth of a scrap heap, and I’m here for it.”

Glancing her direction with a fetish, grin. “Still want to know what I’m thinking, beautiful?”

◄ Emmy ►

The tension eased… I could see it in his eyes. There was so much going on in our heads and hearts. Falling for Lee Clearwater was like a second, highly adult puberty. I returned his bright smile, keeping hold of his hand. “It’s a rollercoaster, right?” I pressed a kiss to his knuckles again, longer this time. “I want you, Lee. Exactly as you are. There’s nothing in your past I would change because then you wouldn’t be the same man. I don’t want who you were, or who you could be… I want you, as you are moment-to-moment, who you are right now.”

Then I grinned. “But I will always tease you.” Maybe a little more carefully, but teasing was a speciality of mine.

I eyed him; freeing his hand and picking up the cocktail, sipping it. They had not held back on the tequila… I made an approving sound. “Only if it’s not gonna make me crawl over this table and into your lap… because these drinks are too good to waste.” Of course, I wanted to know. But that look he was giving me already had my heart speeding up.

◄ Lee ►

“More like a rollercoaster on steroids if you ask me.” Emmy got it, of course she did. We were riding this journey together after all.

Each kiss my little minx planted on my hand made me grin and easy more into the moment again. “I don’t want you to stop. You’re teasing, the joking, the banter, and foreplay… all of it. I want you as you are. I don’t want to change you or stop you from being you.” All true without a doubt. “Any now you have me imagining you on your all fours crawling over this table.” Clearly my throat, my eyes flashing with mischief, adding a growl and a wink.

She drank the cocktail; I squeezed her hand and then took the drink from her hand giving it a try too. “That’s… actually good.” My gaze back in her listening to the song of her heart. “You realise I can hear you, even in this busy restaurant. All I hear is your heart.”

◄ Emmy ►

I laughed softly and sipped on the cocktail again. “Always trying to one-up me.” I squeezed his hand. I beamed because everything that he said I knew to be true. But I did love to hear him say it too. I pressed my thighs together, my teeth catching my lower lip. I visualised myself crawling to him.. thinking about what he would do to me if I did.

I released the drink to let him taste it… it was too good not to share. My heart continued its erratic beating. “I know…” I smiled. “And it's probably one of my favourite things about you. You know what I feel before I say it.” I was well known for being open about how I felt… and I was with him too. But he could read me… my body… my reactions… my scent… Spirits… even my eyes. He saw it all before I could even take a breath to say the words. “And I’m glad that’s all you hear… It means that I have your complete attention. Which is exactly what I want tonight.

◄ Lee ►

The drink tasted great, not being a cocktail guy, I couldn’t tell you want was in it. Other than the tequila of course. But I knew a good thing when I tasted it, and this was it. “I don’t want to one up you. It’s not my intention at all. Just making it clear how you are making me feel.” Returning the glass to sit before her. Because I wasn’t letting her hand go. Not just yet.

“Don’t know little minx, you’ve been reading me like an open book since our first kiss. And you’ve been matching every step with your own. I’m gonna say it’s a two-way street.” Her beauty glowing worth her teasing smile, the fact we were here speaking by so openly, holding nothing back. I liked it.

“There’s nothing more beautiful than you, nothing more interesting than you, I have to desire to share my attention. You are the sole owner of it all tonight, beautiful.” Her hand in mine, shifting forward I kissed her knuckles one at a time.

◄ Emmy ►

I quirked a brow… “You’ve never hidden how you feel.” A shudder ran through me… thinking about the things he could make me feel. “Except for maybe before that very first kiss. But looking back now… knowing how much and how passionately you feel… I have no idea how you managed it. It's proof that you were the perfect choice for second.” I didn’t want to use words like Beta here, not when all my attention was on him and a waiter could pass by at any moment.

Each kiss made my skin sing. By the Spirits! The way this man made me feel! Like the centre of the universe. “When I’m with you, just you and me… it feels like the rush I got from being on stage. Not like a performance…” I wasn’t sure how to put it into words. “It’s the atmosphere… like the world stops and is laser-focused on us. We own those moments and live in them minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour. We can put other things aside and just be Lee and Emmy.” A smile took over my whole face. “It’s thrilling.”

Then the scents in the restaurant changed and I could see #MrMiguel and another waiter… No… The uniform… Chef. It was the Chef carrying platters to our table. My mouth watered and I squeezed his hand. “You must be a very important guest here.” I smiled at my boyfriend… MY BOYFRIEND! “To be personally served by the Chef!”

◄ Lee ►

“I know the feeling, beautiful. It’s been something I’ve been trying to place for a while now. But the spirits haven’t been keen to help.” No… they had wanted us to find this path together without outside interferences.

It had to be insanity; no other word could describe it. The mixture of all of this which shouldn’t mean much when spoken together, and yet. I understood what she was attempting to share. The world, how it melted down into a nothing when I was in her company. Emmy felt that sentiment too.

“The chef?” I asked arching my brow. I heard the footsteps coming up from behind me, the scents in the air, and then the clearing of that throat. My lips curled up into a wide grin when I set Emmy’s hand down on the table gently with a squeeze. Pushing back from the table and standing.

‘Well, I’ll be dammed… Paps wasn’t lying about the company you keep Clearwater. Going up in the world now, huh?’ #EduardoMiguel beamed a smile with his arms flying open to engulf me the best he could. He wasn’t short, 5”11 was a respectable height. He just happened to be friends with a Warrior who towered over him.

We flung our arms around one another again, patting each other’s backs before stepping back to grin at the other. “Finally found the right woman who can take me places you could only dream of Eduardo.” Reaching my hand across the table. “Emmy, I’d like to introduce you to Eduardo Miguel.”

‘My son and our very talented chef.” His father #HugoMiguel proudly chimed in setting food down on the table.

◄ Emmy ►

I bit the corner of my lip every word he said sinking in. #Jake, #Quil and I rarely disagreed on things… but never in my life have I been so completely on the same page as someone as I was with Lee.

I curled my fingers against his palm as he let go of my hand, but I let him go to greet his friend. I grinned to myself when Lee hugged him. This boy was bloody tall! But next to him? I knew in my heels he would tower over me like Lee towered over him. I waited for him to set the dishes down before I stood and offered my hand. Tearing my attention away from the food was an effort… But I channelled my mom and put manners over the mouth-watering scents.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I smiled and he took my hand.

‘And you are too.’ #Eduardo shook my hand and gave a pointed look between Lee and I; clearly noting the height difference. ‘Aren’t you a dainty little thing?’

I smiled with a wicked glance at Lee. I could take this man apart in a matter of seconds. Even in these heels. I was used the conclusion… Especially when I dressed like I did tonight. Not that I dressed intentionally to hide my strength. ‘May I ask how long you’ve been making all this guy's dreams come true?’ He continued.

I laughed softly. “Well, we’ve actually known each other our whole lives… but the last few months…” I smiled and took Lee’s hand, turning my gaze up to him. “Tonight is our first date.”

#MrMigel smiled. ‘That’s wonderful… all the best relationships should include friendship.’

◄ Lee ►

“Don’t be fools by this beautiful woman’s height. She’ll have your begging for mercy in under two seconds if she wanted to.” And that was a fucking turn on to say with a chest filled with pride. Taking her hand in mine again, grinning and nodding my head in agreement.

“Friendship is the best place to start. I agree fully, it makes the rest of it feel so much more.” The father and son both nodded too. ‘Please enjoy your first date, we will leave you to get back to it. If you need anything at all.

Please. Lee… Miss Emmy… do not hesitate to ask for it. Enjoy your food.’ #Eduardo patted my shoulder seeing my hand was full, taking his father bat towards the kitchen with him. Greeting a few more tables on their way back.

Sitting down again, smiling. “Are you ready to eat baby? I can see your mouth watering you know.” Winking at her.

◄ Emmy ►

I grinned at the way he spoke about me and then gave the father and son standing before us a look that said it was true. I could he straightened, how those words made him proud to be standing next to me. I laced my fingers through him when he agreed that friendship was key.

When he turned back to me and asked if I was ready to eat, I sighed heavily. “By the Spirits, Yes!!” I slid back into my seat. “You have no idea how hard it was not to just excuse myself and bury my face in one of these plates!” I chuckled. My wolf was awake and starving! I took another sip of that glorious cocktail and surveyed the feast on our table. It looked like mostly share-platters instead of individual portions.

“I’m guessing they’ve seen you and #Seth eats before; judging by the sheer amount of food here.” I grinned at him. It was far from a complaint. “Where should we start?” I asked but I was already reaching for what I assumed was a chicken taco, stuffed to the brim and I added a scoop of avocado salsa on top. I took a huge bite and looked to him for his answer… as though I hadn’t just answered it myself.

◄ Lee ►

Laughter erupted from my chest before I could or would want to stop it. “So, fucking sexy.” And I fucking meant it too.

Leaning my elbow on the table (I know my Ma would kill me.) I held my chin watching her instead of answering. Because she didn’t need me too. Just watching her making her taco up the way she enjoyed it and taking that first bite. I wanted to witness her pleasure. (Of course, this being a completely different experience than the one in my bedroom. But it was as sexy!)

“You went exactly where I would go to start with.” I finally answer when those eyes deemed to be mine again. Nodding my head, I followed her lead taking the other of the tacos adding lime on my Avo and sour cream too.

“Oh yeah, they know how the kid and I eat. They would test out the menu items and we were…. Let’s say always willing to help with the feedback.” Taking that first bite with a hum of gratitude as soon as all the spices, the freshness, and the taste all exploded in my mouth. “Damn… I missed these flavours.”

◄ Emmy ►

I grinned because he meant it when he said it was sexy to think of me making a pig of myself. He would sit back and watch and then call for more food… because I didn’t need to censor myself around him. I had no experience with it… but there wasn’t a doubt in my mind if I ate my fill on a date with any other man they would be horrified. Lee, however, for him it was a challenge, or a turn on… maybe both.

I smiled when he started to assemble his taco, but a groan of pleasure left me at the first bite. My plan to devour this thing in two bites went out the window. I closed my eyes and chewed slowly, savouring every single flavour. “Oh wow…” I finally glanced around, just in case that sex noise I had made was loud enough for anyone else to hear. But all the other patrons were intently focused on their own meals and company.

“Is this what tacos are supposed to taste like?” I beamed at him. “This is nothing like what I’ve tried before.” This one didn’t have a lot of heat… but so much spice and so much flavour. “If they ever need a new taster I totally volunteer.” I took a sip of the cocktail and followed that with another bite. My eye went right to his… saying all the things I couldn’t with a mouthful of food. At least, not without bringing shame on my mother… a rule of hers that I would abide by for tonight.

“I have no idea how you stayed away knowing what this food tastes like.” I said after I swallowed my bite. And examined the feast before us. “Okay… what next?” I smiled, actually waiting to follow his lead this time.

◄ Lee ►

“I know what you mean, once you eat the real deal it’s hard to go back to the fake stuff.” And this was hundred percent the real deal.

“Don’t you go and try to steal mine and Seth’s side gif out from under us.” Teasing her about the side hustle we #TheKid and I had been tricked into when we were working on site.

“Honestly, this family is as bad as my Ma. The moment they see you have a free hand; they fill it with food. So, there is enough to go around.”

Two bites, it’s all it took for my taco to vanish. However, the taste explosion remained for a while. A sip from the cold bottle of beer helped to elevate in a way I didn’t know possible. It had all been so well thought out.

Wiping my hands on the napkins I pushed the small plate of stuffed jalapeños towards my beautiful girlfriend.

“Those. They are next. They aren’t hot.” Trying to explain. “There is heat, but it’s sweet with the queso blanco, and with...” rubbing my fingers together to find the correct way to describe it. “Well, it’s a welcome heat. Like the way I make you feel when I suck on your neck.” A fools grin on my face

“Try them… the Chiles Rellenos. If you don’t like them. You don’t have to eat any others.”

◄ Emmy ►

I chuckled. “Hey… it’s a testament to your self-control that they had enough food left to open the place.” I examined the dishes he pointed to, and I focused my senses; inhaling the scent of them and trying to block out the rest… but when everything smelled so tasty, it wasn’t like tracking. There was no need to deny myself these pleasures… so I didn’t! “I probably would have eaten them out of business.”

I picked up a fork… wait was it socially acceptable to eat a taco with your hands… I mean…. How could you eat one with a knife and fork? Damn, Mom and her insistence on table manners. I speared one of the cheesy jalapeños, savouring the scent before taking a small bite… mostly to save my suit from my not-so-impressive table manners. For someone with as much dance training as I had… I was severely lacking in grace at the dinner table.

I let out a hum of pleasure, once again there were so many flavours filling my senses, then he mentioned the things he did to my neck and my gaze locked onto his mouth, my knees pressed together, and my heart skipped loudly like a traitor. I swallowed… there it was… that heat! Was it the food or was it his words pulling up that memory?

I quirked a brow. “Oh really?” I played nonchalantly, letting my gaze drift over his insanely handsome features until it settled on his eyes. “Are you sure? We might need to try it later, just so I can compare…. You know, while the memory is fresh.” I finished the forkful, never faltering from his stare.

◄ Lee ►

“Trust me, it wasn’t easy to stop. And we kept warming them. Even Ma told them the kid and I could eat them out of house and home.”

Wiping my mouth and beard, always taking care not to leave anything behind for later in there. The music and the voice of the people all around our table still sounding like a distant future. They all still remained blended into the background, and she shone like the warriors star in the night sky.

Arched brow my head jerking up into her direction. Her scent overwhelmed over the food and the people. The sound of her heat out of its normal rhythm perked my hearing. And the glint in my eyes mirrored the look on her beautiful face.

“I see… my little minx needs a trip down memory line? Or.” Licking my bottom lip, when my mouth waters not because of the food in front of us. But more importantly the flashing memory of her with her legs spread open to me. Fuck! My wolf opened his eyes. And that shout of him in mine was dangerous.

“If you don’t take my mind off those nights with you. We... are going to have a sharp exit before the night is over. Just to refresh your mind.” We growled grinning at her like a hungry wolf who hadn’t had his stomach full for weeks. And of course, Emmy was dinner.

Sitting back, shifting in the chair to adjust the tightness in my pants before picking up the next taco with my hand. Never once taking my darkened gaze away from her. “What do you think.” Lifting my chin to her plate. “Is it good?” Noticing the deep low edge to my voice.

◄ Emmy ►

I saw it, the way his eyes darkened, and his attention zeroed in on me. Which was astonishing on its own because he had given all of his attention to me, but now it was laser focused. I raised a single eyebrow. “Wants… needs… all of the above,” I smirked and speared another jalapeño with my fork, but before it reached my lips I bit down on it, hard. His was there, prowling behind his dark enticing eyes. His scent shifted too.

I chuckled. And extended my arm across the table to him, loaded fork in hand. Food was always the best… or only way to distract a Spirit Warrior, I knew that from experience. “This music is incredible,” I said, giving in to the request to change the direction of both our thoughts. I let the music seep into my bones, knowing it would settle the scent I knew I was putting out… but all I could focus on was his. And the subtle way he leaned back… I had to flick my eyes away.

“Of the food?” It took my mind a moment to process the question. “It's really good… so many flavours, that it's almost impossible to describe.” I turned my attention to the second dish he pointed out and tasted that too… I closed my eyes and hummed. Everything was so delicious, fresh and packed with flavour.

◄ Lee ►

“The music?” The change in subject was apparent and appreciated. I wanted to give Emmy the night she deserved. The food was only step one. The music and the dance were the main reason for me bringing her after dinner.

Turning my head a little to listen to it, and she was right of course. “You’ve got a good ear for it, and I’d expect nothing less from you.” She was talented.

I like the way you can hear the traditional and modern twist. It makes you want to enjoy yourself.

Listening to it for a few more minutes before returning to our conversation. “It’s a good sign for his things switch up here after the dinner rush.” At a glance you could see how some people moved in their chair while still eating. Feeling the music too.

Taking another mouthful, I could stop another grin. “We don’t need to have the words to describe everything. Ma once told me, we sometimes need to feel and let it be enough to know. And I have to say. Food feels like one of those things.”

(Music: Baila Baila Baila (Remix) · Ozuna · Daddy Yankee )

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◄ Emmy ►

“It’s been a long time since I danced to music like this.” I smiled, feeling the beat through my shoulders to my hips. I could tell that a huge part of the appeal of this place, was the music for him. He knew I’d be perfectly happy with the pizza truck on the way into Port for food.

I grinned at him. “You did promise me dancing,” I remembered him asking me what I would like for our first date… Food, dancing, and him were my only requests. I glanced around us and took another bite that elicited a moan just soft enough for only him to hear. I smiled at him and gestured up to where the music was coming from with my fork. “That…” I paused, taking in the Latin fusion music. “That… describes this food perfectly.” I felt it in my bones again.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how you move to music Clearwater.” I arched a single brow like a pro. “See if there’s any skills I can put to use in other places.” Then I remembered his request to change the direction of the conversation… “I mean training of course. Brute strength is sexy… but there’s something to say about flexibility and elegance too.” I gave a wicked grin and pulled another plate towards me. Finishing the cocktail next to me.

◄ Lee ►

Wishing a word being spoken a waiter stood beside our table with a tray with another cocktail and beer. Removing the empty and replacing them. My eyes moved only out of respect to acknowledge the man before returning to my beautiful date for the night.

Listening to the music my head moved with the tempo and the rhythm of the song. “You know, I never thought of the music and the food in that way before.” My glaze melted when I turned my eyes back to take her in. Seeing her enjoying herself. It was all I wanted for tonight.

She worked so hard, with her job and the pack. She deserved this. Growling at her, because it was too late her innuendo had landed. I wiped my mouth with the napkin before speaking after my bite.

“Have you ever seen a man at my height and weight do anything with the elegance of a dancer? Don’t put your hopes up. I can move, but I’m no Usher.” Best to set the expectations before the dance floor opened up.

“But then again, I’m always willing to learn sweetheart.”

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled at the waiter, thanking him politely… but briefly, because I couldn’t keep my eyes off my boyfriend for more than a couple of seconds. My heart quickened when his eyes came back to mine in the same amount of time.

I grinned and examined the new dishes… were they smelling better with each course? “Life imitates art, baby.” I sipped on the cocktail. “I think we all see the world through our art… and I love to dance, I love performing… but music… singing, playing, listening… its life to me, it's an epic soundtrack. We all have a medium.”

I thought about it… filtering out the memories of the way he moved, the sleek lines of the fucking beautiful wolf, as they ran in formation, always in the lead, how the Spirits intended when they gifted him with that speed. The way his tall, muscled body moved through the world of people, despite his size he had the innate grace that came with strength, perfect balance, and unparalleled reflexes. But dancing was a little different… mostly because it was intimidating, I knew this from teaching some of the boys for dates or prom.

Nothing fancy but, I was in their heads after and dancing with a trained dancer when you aren’t one was the thing that made them nervous. I knew there was nothing this man could do on a dance floor that I wouldn’t love.

Then of course… sweetheart… Spirits that gave me goosebumps!

“All I want is you and me… moving to music.” I never let my gaze falter from him. “You think I’ll be remembering any steps with all six and a half feet of you pressed up against me?” I sipped on the cocktail… eyes always on him. “And a few of these in me?” I smiled.

All I wanted was him, to be where he was, to share his space and his time, to share my love of dance and music with him in a way I hadn’t yet. I had sung to him… for him, it was my purest expression. One I couldn’t and wouldn’t ever hold back. But tonight dance… and then we have shared everything that matters most to me after the people in my life.

◄ Lee ►

The beautiful woman in front of me was being kind. She forgot how I saw her lessons with the pups through their memories.

How watching her give her time to teach them something she excelled at and had a passion for would give anyone else a sense of accomplishment when she praised them. And she did it often. Never once laughing at or making them feel silly when a mistake happened.

I witnessed the joy it gave her to help, to share something she loved. But more so. I witnessed how she moved.

Going out with her in the past was different, I didn’t pay attention in the same way. Other than to acknowledge her presence and movement with music. But now, tonight. This was next level.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Teasing with a wink. “My medium comes from colour, from life, from my experience with the world through my eyes. But yours… it’s passion, and—” Rubbing my fingers together in the air trying to find the right way to get my point across.

“— And a feeling.” Touching my heart. “It’s a beautiful thing that makes you see you belong to the sounds of this world.” Shaking my head. Because I couldn’t help myself, expressing myself so she saw how I see her.

“I’m talking out of my arse. Or at least it feels like I am.” Shaking my head again.

More food had been set on the table; we were being treated like royalty. I made a note to thank the men of this family for their hospitality personally.

“The drinks and the food, help most definitely.”

My eyes were still on her, even though the sounds of conversation, laughter, and people having a good time engulfed us now. Taking another taco from the table and biting into it.

◄ Emmy ►

He was looking at me in that way of his again. In a way that no one else could. In that way only someone who had known me for years, but recently began to know me in a whole new light could. In that way, he looked at me and saw all of me.

I smiled at him, seeing the slight flaring of his pupils and the seeping thought when he thought of the things that gave him joy. And it was so sexy. “No, you’re not. You’re pouring your heart out, and no matter what books and TV lead us to believe; it’s never poetic in real life. But… it is real. And it’s extremely attractive.” I smiled, taking another sip of the beer on the table. “Well, you’ve seen me in my element.” I quirked a brow and followed his lead picking up a taco. “Do I get to watch you work?” I asked with a crooked smile.

I smiled at the man who had laid yet more food on the table. They loved him here. This was my boyfriend… the kind of man who treated people with such respect and kindness that they returned it in a way like this. Boyfriend… it still thrilled me… and still some weird logical instinct in me felt like it should be scary or intimidating… I had been a girlfriend once and even though I hadn’t really chosen it, I did it. And I royally screwed it up. But I had a feeling no matter what… I couldn’t screw up with Lee. Because I could talk to him… I knew that there was nothing that I couldn’t tell him… even if I knew he wouldn’t like it or agree, he wouldn’t judge or tell me my thoughts or feelings were invalid or wrong. He would talk to me, hear me. I was a dreamer and follow-my heart kinda girl, but I wasn’t naive. I knew that we would probably fight on occasion… but it didn’t worry me. Because we’d be fighting for each other…

Boyfriend. I smiled. Not scary… exciting, challenging… safe. And it felt fucking amazing.

“I should warn you though… The only time I’ve held a paintbrush in my life was when #Jake helped me paint my room black one day when my mom wasn’t home.” I chuckled. #Quil had been too scared of my mom’s wrath and bailed on us. “It was an emo phase.” I explained.

◄ Lee ►

“Why can’t it be both? Poetic and Real at the same time? Hidden moments with both sides of passion shining through? It’s not a lot to ask for. Or is it?” Asking with even more food being set down before us.

This time it was a mix of a light and dark Molay, with homemade chips, pico de gallo on the side. My mouth watered.

Lifting a spoon, I served Emmy first, a few spoonful’s of each thing for her to test and try, before pouring some into my own. Laugher once again gave me a reason to sit back to observe her. She had shown me her love for performance, without holding back.

A burst of laughter came from me again. “I can’t see how Jake had the balls to face your mama. And touching her home? It’s why he is our alpha.” Laughing again. “I remember that Emo chick phase.” Shaking my head. “Ma used to say you were expressing yourself, finding you soul. I guess she was right.”

“You want to watch me work?” Arching my brow. Not sure she understood the ramifications of it. “You do know most people don’t do elaborate works like the Miguel’s here.” Lifting my chin to the intricate walls #Seth and I had painted. “It would be a lot of waiting around watching walls dry.”

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled at him. “It can be… and coming from you; it usually is. But rambling is cute too… and it is the intention that matters the most.” My eyes never left him, he was just so gorgeous and so open… and that combination? Fuck! It was sexy.

Then, of course, he blew that thought out of the water by making me a plate of food. So caring, attentive, and so kind in a way that just flowed from him like it would never occur to him to be any other way.

I flashed my black painted nails. “And some things just never change.” I grinned, looking over the plate he’d put together for me… very neat and even… he was kind of a nerd under all that hotness. But I knew I could eat five more plates like this, and Lee wouldn’t look at me any differently. “It was about following the music for me…” I made my way around the plate, tasting each thing one at a time.

One corner of my mouth curled up. “Who said I would be watching the walls?” I smirked; I definitely wasn’t thinking of him painting with his shirt off. “What about the new space in the community centre that your mom has been fundraising for?

Bet I could find a way to raise a little more for supplies…” I raised a brow. “We could convince them to give you a wall… do something awesome for the kids.”

I was trying really hard not to get distracted by the flavours on my plate, but everything was really good. Another quiet sound of pleasure left my lips as I bit into a chip loaded with anything I could fit on it really.

◄ Lee ►

Arching my brow, I finished my mouthful before wiping it. “If I didn’t know any better, I’m say your flirting with me Miss Call.”

Smiling warmly at the black nails. “I wouldn’t want to see you any other Emmy, you always remain true to yourself. Which is extremely rare and sexy in its own rights.”

Sitting back with my drink I took a gulp watching her eat. She tried it all, not once turning her nose up. And the sounds she made?

“Fuck!” Muttering the word to myself. I outstretched my long legs on either side of hers. Whispering. “You’re trying to kill me here.” Reaching over to serve her a better position of everything I saw her enjoying. “With you watching me work, not sure I would keep my time lines. Because body painting is something I’m now very interested in doing.”

Picking up a chip and chewing on it, I considered her question. “The community centres? The work our moms are doing for the kids of the Rez?” Nodding my head once. “The kid and I said we would go in and paint for them. But…” now she has me really thinking. “Are you thinking something like this?” Pointing to the walls. “Or something like a mural wall or something?”

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled at him… a little bit warm and a whole lot cheeky. “You know, I think you might be right Mister Clearwater. But I guess you’ll find out at the end of the night.”

His next words sank straight into my soul. I was always a strange kid… outside of #Jake and #Quil. I was the Makah girl… the girl with no dad, too much of a tomboy for the girls, too much a of girl for the boys; other than the best friends I was blessed to have. But through it all, it never dawned on me to be more like… well, anyone really. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe that.” This man saw me. And not just because he had inside access to my mind and how it worked.

Also… he was too fucking tall. Even though we're sat here in a restaurant… knowing he had his legs on either side of mine had an erotic charge humming just below my surface. “I could say the exact same about you… and that having my body painted suddenly sounds like a dream come true.” I moved my knee, so it brushed against his.

Then he started to think about helping with the community centre and got deep into thought. “This is beautiful.” I motioned around the elegant room we were sitting in. “But it might be a little too sophisticated for the average teenage mind, a mural maybe… something representing the tribe, give a little pride in where they came from.”

◄ Lee ►

Fuck! In the name of all that spirits showed us. They didn’t show me how thing would unfold this evening. Conversations with Emmy were always interesting. You never knew where they would take you.

Sometimes she was a girl with a mission, and other times one of the guys, giving as hard as she got.

But lately, with me, with us… it was a fucking rollercoaster ride. One minute she said something which made my pants tighten. And the next minute it was something enlightening and profound.

Tonight… it was all the above.

Shifting in my chair to ease the pressure, my mind went to my ‘cool shit, down’ thought. Standing up with a hard on, in a family restaurant, before the night begins. Wasn’t the look I was aiming for.

“Yeah.” Choosing the safe topic. “Maybe something a little modern, that pays homage to the past and our history?” Nodding my head slowly thinking it over. “I think we could come up with something. Or better…” thinking as I speak. “Let the young ones come up with a few ideas we could implement?”

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled; I knew what that little seat shuffle meant. I raised my fork to my lips again and told myself I needed to let him cool down… Unlike me… and with what he was packing in those trousers, there was no way he could hide the arousal I was scenting. For me and with only humans around… only Lee could tell how turned on I was.

I nodded and tilted my head… “That’s a really great idea. Getting the kids involved in their own space… it would give them a sense of ownership, and pride. Get them digging into history to find a good pitch…” My mind was racing now. “I’ll say it to #Jacob…. He was always a history buff, I bet he could help them out.”

Then I smiled and did what I knew would help him switch up the direction of his blood flow. “We should run all this by the real bosses first though.” I took the last sip of my cocktail. Damn, these were good. “We can’t go making plans before we ask the moms for opinions… This project is their baby after all.” I dug back into my rapidly diminishing plate.

◄ Lee ►

The one word which could wake me out of all madness was deployed by Emmy. “Moms… right… yeah. Hundred percent we need their buy into this plan.”

Lifting the bottle of beer to my mouth to wash down the… well… you know.

Clearly my thought before proceeding with the conversation, I could see/ scent how much the little minx needed help too. Being a gentleman, I continued.

“Jake’s always had a good head for the history and how it has developed within the tribe. I think it could become another project for him.”

Our friend and Alpha had always put the youth of the tribe first. The pups had rules to protect their education needs, as well as any other youngster who needed the guidance.

“What about you? Are you going to offer up you’re dancing and musical talents to the youth centre too? I know you have a lot on your plate. But…” I couldn’t see her turning down any opportunity to spend the love of music.

There… a safe topic for the both of us. One I really wanted to discuss with me too.

◄ Emmy ►

I grinned. I knew that would be the equivalent of a cold shower. Would a cold shower work on him with his body temperature? The shower we shared was steamy, and it hadn’t held him back in any way. The train of thought abruptly cut off when Lee said the M-word. I would have to thank him for that later.

“I’ll have to talk to him about it… I know he has a lot going on. On the note of teaching… I’ve never tried to teach anyone music… I’m not sure I could… I learned to read music when I learned to read… I wouldn’t even know where to start. Dance I could help with. When I stopped performing, I helped with the choreography for the theatre group. I think having a few events for that age group each week would be good… but Mom and I thought it was important not to schedule every minute, you know. So they have a safe space to hang out without structure and a little freedom. A mix of both should be good.”

I smile at him. “I think I can manage it, my shift pattern is pretty regular so making plans is easy enough. And it still leaves me plenty of time to be utterly spoiled by my brand spanking new boyfriend… maybe even spoil him once in a while.” I waggled my eyebrows and picked up the beer and took a sip. Everything they had set on this table was perfect, all the flavours enhanced the others, even the beer.

◄ Lee ►

The grin stayed in place while I drank from the bottle, my eyes and brows doing the talking for me.

I couldn’t help it. Fuck she was beautiful. So, listen and watching, and not missing a thing that came from her wasn’t difficult at all. I had no interest in anything else. >

Hearing her speak about growing up with music was the same as #Seth and I growing up with painting. Sure, we painted walls, and she made magic with her talents. But the point was… I got it.

“I didn’t think of that. How offering too much could have the opposite effect of what we are trying to achieve.” Setting the bottle down on the table. I sat forward a little.

“You and your mom have been thinking about it all for a while huh? Knowing what to expect and how best to prepare the kiddos. We are lucky… the women in our life have a better handle in it all.”

◄ Emmy ►

Being the centre of attention was something I greatly enjoyed… not that I was spoiled, (Okay maybe a little!) or an attention seeker. It happened when I performed or played… I didn’t seek it out. But when it happened, I basked a little… that wasn’t a crime, was it?

But Lee… when his attention was all on me it was better than any stage or spotlight. It took my breath away. And that was saying something considering I was trained in how to breathe while I sang.

“I was thinking about the things #Jake, #Quil and I did… sneaking beers… avoiding the community centre and village. Just the constant feeling of being watched or told what we should do… you know. It was okay for us… we had each other, and we never really took the misbehaving too far.” I paused. “But so many didn’t stop there… We watched too many of our class take it too far. Just because they wanted somewhere to be. They just need a place to be with their friends where they can be away from those influences.”

He leaned forward and he was the centre of my whole world, my eyes on his… food, drinks, conversation… Was this dating? Because honestly… imagining this with a stranger just had no oomph to it, no… this was beyond dating. “It's all mom and #Sue really. They just asked me about the things I might have responded to when I was younger… Honestly, it was harder than I thought to think like my fifteen-year-old self… and it wasn’t all that long ago.”

◄ Lee ►

“But at the same time, it still feels like a life time ago, too.” Agreeing with her. “You world changed so much, and so quickly. Let alone the norms of living a teenagers life on the Rez.”

See this was it, what and how I found myself opening up and talking with this woman. I just couldn’t with another. And in all seriousness being a part of this great world of the spirit warrior wasn’t the main reason. It was Her! How she made me feel.

“It’s who is there to support at those junctions in a young person’s life. It could be a passing comment, conversation, or a life time of reflection. It counts when you feel like you’ve been heard, right?”

Tilting my head, keeping my eyes on her. I didn’t want her to stop. I wanted to hear more. I wanted insight into her thoughts that didn’t come from the hive mind sharing.

“Did you ever feel like this town was too small for you? We all at some point may have thoughts about leaving. Did you?”

◄ Emmy ►

I laughed and held out my bottle to clink it to his. “Hear, hear. I couldn’t have said it better.” I know he was older but not so much that he didn’t get it either. We all face the same struggles on the Rez… not that everyone didn’t have their own story.

“I think I was lucky… I always had the guys… but there were parts of my life they couldn’t really get, you know? It wasn’t their fault, they weren’t girls… they weren’t two-spirit… but I was lucky to have #Tallie to talk to as well.” I chuckled when he mentioned a passing comment. “You know it was a passing comment that solidified my friendship with that weirdo.” I used the word lovingly. “They walked up to me after rehearsal one night and told me how fine one of the alumni volunteers was. They just looked at me and knew… it was…” I smiled… remembering how it felt to be seen clearly like that for the first time. “Like an obstacle was just shoved aside.”

He was right. It really was that easy to change a life.

Then his next question pulled up all those old dreams. “Sure, I wanted to leave… but it was never about getting away.” Everyone knew New York was my dream, one I set aside to fulfil my calling. “It was about chasing a dream. I never planned on leaving forever. I know that a lot of aspiring performers on the Rez felt like they were stifled, there weren’t a lot of chances to learn or perform. But I always just made the most of what I could. I had Mom and my grandparents, between the piano lessons and Nana’s vocal coaching… I always felt like I had an edge. I guess I just accepted early on that I would need to leave… but it was never about just leaving. It was New York,” I said it like that answered all his questions. “It was busking until I was under the stage lights. It was my name in a program. It was my family in the front row on opening night. It was… taking a bow to the sold-out theatre.”

I was smiling like a fool thinking about it. It never happened… but there was a thrill in thinking about it. No one could ever tell me I didn’t dream big. “What about you? Did you ever have a plan?”

◄ Lee ►

Bottles clinking, I sat there watching her with my gaze taking every moment and expression in. The joy, the thrill, the dream came to life as she spoke about it. She was glowing under the lights of the picture she told.

I’d seen all this and heard it too from others, #Quil always said he would be so proud when she saw her name up in lights, and #Jake said he wanted her to live her dreams, but it wasn’t to be. But hearing it from her lips now, seeing the want of that dream in her eyes as they sparked. Fuck. I felt like giving her everything and more.

But I couldn’t. I couldn’t make her dreams come true.

Shaking my head, I rubbed the back of my neck taking another pull from the now empty bottle, setting her down.

“Me? No.” My eyes dropped to the table. “I never had big dreams like yours. I’ve always been happy with being in La Push, to take over Da’s business and take it even further.

The Kid. Now he wanted the one who wanted to travel. To see the world, to go to the Great Barrier Reef and swim with sharks. He wanted to climb to the top of Machu Picchu and see the Taj Mahal. Me….” Shaking my head. “I was happy watching him dream and work hard to make those dreams come true.”

Letting my eyes find hers. “I’ve not been able to help him live his dreams yet. But I will. Some day. Soon. That is my dream.” I knew it wasn’t anything like hers, and maybe I should have been more careful about sharing it. But I wanted to be open and honest, and transparent with her.

When the waiter came back to clear away the dishes, he set another bottle of beer before me and Emmy too.

◄ Emmy ►

See this was the thing about Lee… I could see for a moment that he wished I’d had all of those opportunities. He knew I made my choice and while I would never say I didn’t miss it, the stage, the rush of throwing myself into a performance… I was happy with my choice. Because as much as I missed the stage… It was nothing compared to how much I would miss my Wolf. I couldn’t imagine severing my soul, not even for the thrill of applause.

He didn’t pity me for it, even if he wished for a moment that I had the choice to have both.

I smiled when he talked about all of #Seth’s dreams, rather than his own. I watched him across the table and took a sip from the fresh, cold beer. “You know… I always believed that people that dream for others have the biggest dreams of all.” And now all I could think of was kissing him… this man… He was so devoted to his family.

“Not all big dreams mean leaving home. Finding a way to stay is often just as hard as leaving.” My gaze locked on his and I took him in… this man who gave all of himself for everyone else and I marvelled at the fact that he was mine… he was still a brother, a son… an uncle… mentor, and so much more. But he was mine too.

“You just keep on surprising me, Clearwater.” I smiled. “Every day… you show me something new.”

◄ Lee ►

“It definitely does.” Agreeing with her was easy because I knew it was true.

“Sometimes everyone expects the first born to leave, to build a life for those who are going to follow. But not Ma. She wasn’t someone who pushed me to do anything I didn’t want to.” Her eyes were beautiful and becoming my new favourite place to became lost. Tonight was no different.

“This time I wasn’t even trying.” I told her honestly. I spoke from the heart; at no point did I want to surprise her. Taking another drink of the bottle, my mouth curved up into a grin. “But I’ll take it, can’t go knocking a gift down.” Chucking.

Before I could ask her another question the waitress came on by. With a try full of small desserts. Everything from Flans, Churros, and Dulce de Leche brownies.

“Damn, we should have asked for dessert to be served first.” With a sweet tooth, it was a sure thing. I’d be trying them all. Pushing the plates before her first. “Ladies always go first here, sweetheart.” Winking at her.

◄ Emmy ►

“Well… I didn’t get to grow up with my big brother from the start… but #Seth was lucky to have you to hero worship.” Then I thought of his parents. “They wanted you to be who you were born to be and nothing else… it’s beautiful.” I smiled.

I loved #Sue’s relationship with her boys. She had no qualms about shoving them off a path that led them too far astray… but she still let them make their mistakes and let them fix it… My mom was a fixer… I had to remind her to back off and let me grow up sometimes… but it was just a different way to love.

I tilted my head and smiled. “I know… and that’s the best part,” I told him just as honestly.

When I saw the tray of sweet things… my heart might have skipped the way it did when Lee walked into the room… Just once. “Wait… that was an option?” I asked, grinning.

My eyes flicked to the waitress. She laughed. ‘Well, if you want anything packed up to take home just let me know.’ She offered and I laughed now.

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll find room. Thank you so much.” My full attention was back on Lee.

I couldn’t stop the low-down flutter… it wasn’t the first time I heard him say ladies first, in far different circumstances. “You might regret that.” I flashed a wicked grin and reached for a churro first. Taking a huge bite. I closed my eyes and made 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕤𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕… I couldn’t help myself! I had a sweet tooth!

◄ Lee ►

My thoughts went into the past for a flash. Thinking of my dad, how he watched #Seth and I grow. How he taught us to be kind boys, and then men.

How the look in those eyes changed once #Sam shifted, he knew something was coming, but he couldn’t tell us until it had arrived. And then, how every day after until his heart attack he guided us, taught us, and showed us how to navigate through this maze life had thrust us into.

It was Emmy’s conversation with the waitress to bring me back, seeing the way people were drawn to her, line a knew soul finding joy in the company of each and every one who crossed her path.

When I heard her heart, I had no choice but to laugh. “Now I’m jealous of these.” Pointing to the small plates. Shaking my head, with an arched brow. My tongue licked my bottom lip watching her every movement, and that sound! Fuck! I closed my eyes, shifting on the chair.

“You can eat it all, beautiful. I won’t bad an eye.” Opening my eyes to find her. “But making that sound isn’t a good idea here.”

Reaching out my hand, I wiped some powdered sugar from the side of her plump lips, and then glanced over my shoulder at the people eating around us.

◄ Emmy ►

I gave him a cheeky smile. “Trust me… by the end of this night… you’ll forget all about your churro envy.” I teased. Then his reaction… I laughed softly. “Sorry,” I muttered, swallowing the bite. But I was only the tiniest little bit sorry. “We have to enjoy the little things in life as well as the…” I found his foot under the table and slid mine up the inside of his leg, just a little. “𝓑𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 things too.”

He reached across the table… another benefit to have a boyfriend this tall. The affectionate brush of his thumb had me wiping my hand on the napkin by my plate. I rested my hand on his, keeping him from pulling back. I pressed a kiss to his fingertips. I followed his gaze; no one was watching us… other than the usual way people took in their surroundings. “Looking for anything in particular, baby?” I asked, seizing the opportunity to know the innermost workings of this man’s mind. Taking in the comfort and gratitude for how completely he’d opened himself up to me.

◄ Lee ►

“Are you telling me churro envy is a thing?” Leaning over the table I half locked my hand on the table to stop from getting up to kiss her.

Her foot played, leaving me twitching where I sat and made me laugh to cover up the groan. This woman knew how to tease the life out of me in public, and I was here for it.

“Oh... baby… I know just how well you are capable of handling my big gifts. You mouth and hand coordination is top-notch.” Arching a brow and laughing again.

The rumble of laughter made me sit back in my chair before I did finally stand and lean over the table. My thumb under her chin I lifted it and kissed her before sitting down. “So sweet.”

Letting my tongue lick my bottom lip. “That is what I was looking for, darling.” The music’s tempo became louder, and the lights dimmed. “I think it’s time to see what moves everyone brings out tonight.”

I loved the way her hair danced over her shoulders, the red from her jacket, glittering with her skin tone. She was… beautiful! And mine!

◄ Emmy ►

I laughed and covered my mouth, of course, he waited until I took another bite to say this. “Oh yeah.” I swallowed. “There are many kinds… The very basic.. 𝐻𝑒𝓎 𝓈𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑜, 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝒶 𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑜... That is the most common then there’s the 𝒟𝒶𝓂𝓃, 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓇𝑜 𝓈𝒽𝑒'𝓈 𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔. Far more complex and a little rarer.” I tried to think of a third. “Okay… maybe there are only two kinds.”

I sucked on my bottom lip and pressed my thighs together at the thought of the teasing! Fuck! Okay, I deserved that. “That was….” I look up at him through lowered lashes. “Fair turnaround,” I admitted. “But I’m still going to make you pay later.”

I smiled before he even leaned over the table, lifting out of my seat a little to meet his lips. I closed my eyes and kissed him back with the taste of sugar on my lips. It took a minute for me to realise that the music was actually louder, and the light had really dipped. It wasn’t just me seeing nothing only him.

I kept his hand in mine as I was finally able to look around… taking my eyes off of him was always an exercise in self-control. My fingers slipped between his over the table. “Well then… This should be fun.” I smiled watching a few of the braver couples starting to rise from their tables… being the first on a dance floor was intimidating to some people, or so I had heard. It wasn’t something I had ever experienced. But I did love to people-watch… so it was interesting to observe.

◄ Lee ►

Shaking my head grinning, I wiped my mouth with my hand sitting back.

“No.. there is a third.” Leaning forward, I lowered my voice deep and raspy for her ears. “I want her to be that churro, with the salted caramel, so I can devour her.” Tilting my head to the side, giving her a wink to sit back again.

Fuck! That did something inside of me.

“There you go promising me a good time again.” Licking my bottle lip. “We will have to see, who ends up paying for what later, little minx.”

My glance dropped to our hands, taking in the view before me. How our hands looked together. The reality of how she was mine, and I was hers. I didn’t give a shit about our past, because this here. Her. She was my now.

Lifting my eyes to take Emmy in, she watched the world around us, and I witnessed the moment when she heard the music, the way her gorgeous brown eyes followed people. And I smiled.

Looking around I frowned a little trying to gain the attention of the wait staff, but they were all busy. So, I sat back joining her, as she enjoyed herself.

I felt someone watching me, I heard their footsteps even with the rhythm of the music beating in my chest. It was the waiter who had been taking care of us. He placed a note in my free hand, then slipped away.

Unfolding it I read:

𝒟𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒶𝓈𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝒾𝓁𝓁. 𝒥𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓊𝓅, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓈𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒.

Glancing around I caught my friend’s eyes. Eduardo winked before disappearing back into his kitchen. Oh, I would find a way to make this up to the Miguel’s.

Clearing my throat, I pushed the note into my jacket pocket and stood up.

“May I have this dance with you Miss Call?” Still holding her hand in mine. Giving her the choice as to if she were ready to take the floor.

◄ Emmy ►

I pressed my thighs together harder… biting my lip to keep a whimpering from escaping. “You can eat caramel off of me any time you like, baby…” I whispered. Because if he could flip it so could I.

I watched a middle-aged couple sway almost in place to the music… arms around one another and eyes only for each other, not dancers but clearly very happy. Not that there was a lack of talent on the floor. There was a couple that must have been in their sixties though she looked much younger, whether she liked older men or just took good care of herself I wasn’t sure. I smiled when I noticed she held her elbow high… I tilted my head and pondered, “Former competitor?” I hadn’t meant to mutter the words. They moved confidently; each step flowed like muscle memory from them both.

Then Lee cleared his throat, and my attention was back on him as he asked me to dance. I gave him a demure smile that would have fooled a human as to how my heart raced with excitement. But not my boyfriend. “I would love to Mr. Clearwater.” I rose to my feet and dropped my napkin next to my place setting.

I walked with him to the floors, brushing my long-for-now hair back over my shoulders. I smiled up at him when I turned the face him. I was still amused that he was this much taller than me even in heels. I reached up and placed my hand on his shoulder. “Just me and you, baby.” I whispered. “No one else.”

◄ Lee ►

Total Grace! The first thought to occur as I walked her towards the dance floor. The hair flip wasn’t missed by me of my wolf, and it did something in the pits of our stomach.

The smile on my face show like a man winning the lottery, because the sound of my girlfriends heart told me she felt the same way about being here as I did.

“Just you.. and Me baby.”

It wasn’t hard to block the world out when you stood before your dream coming true. And a damn dream you didn’t even see for yourself! Being surrounded by madly happy couples made it impossible to not believe in these feeling I felt for Emmy. But I hadn’t thought I would feel it.

My thumb brushed her cheek. As the lighting changed, it felt like her eyes did too. A glance of the brown shines with the tone of the reflection in which I see myself.

“I’ll need you to give me trips.” Whispering with a grin on my face.

I moved one hand to hold her waist, and the other to gently rest on her back. Bringing her in close to me. In this time the world melted away. The sounds of laughter and conversations gone. All I sound, felt, scented… was Emmy!

I began to move. One step to the side and then back. Back then forward then back. Side and back… moving her with me for now. It wasn’t fancy... it wasn’t award winning. But it was with her!

◄ Emmy ►

I bit the corner of my lip when he brushed my cheek… sliding my hand over his shoulder and up to the column of his neck, my fingers sweeping up to feel the heat of his skin and toy with the ends of curls at the nape of his neck. Then returning to his shoulder before the temptation of burying my fingers completely in those blissfully soft curls became too overwhelming.

He pulled me in closer and I felt my breath catch, the whole world became only him, I left the room only to hear where the other dancers were on the floor. Waiting for him to move was a natural thing… even though I had danced with another person like this in class and contests. Sure I had danced with people recreationally… but never like this and never with someone who set my soul on fire like he did. Never with someone who made me feel like I was the centre of the universe, or who I had given my all to, and who had given their all to me. I stepped with him… smiled wide as soon as we were moving.

“Confidence, Clearwater.” I winked. “The most important tip in every dancer's pocket.” He had much longer legs than me… but it wasn’t hard for me to match him step-to-step, letting him lead. I smiled, “Well that and don’t look at your feet.” I laughed. “But you have something far more interesting to look at right here.” I lowered my lashes and peered up at him. “You are doing just fine,

Lee. You and me… moving to the music.” I was reminded of the only things that mattered. I moved closer to him, my eyes on him, One ear on the floor and the other trained on the sound of his heart. But he was a protector, so I wasn’t shocked at how he reacted when another dancing pair was nearby, effortlessly redirecting us… almost gracefully. Warrior reflexes… they had so many added perks.

◄ Lee ►

“Confidence I was born with Little Call, but you got seconds in your bucket when the spirits were handing them out.”

My little Minx made me look and feel good. The way her body moved with mine made it feel flawless. Good thing, I knew not to ever dim the shining light of a woman’s soul. I was taught to step back and let them blind the world.

“You know how to keep my feet moving in the right direction.” Leaning down to whisper in her ear. “And you do it looking like a vision, Emmy.”

Lifting my arm about her head I spun her around in our spot, only when I knew we were clear of the others dancing around her did I twirl her out and then bucked my arm to bring her right back to me.

Once again, her face, her eyes, the way she bit her lips. Fuck. How did I get so lucky? The music changed around us, picking up the tempo again. I knew when I was in deep waters. But with Emmy in my arms, I was willing to see how far I could go without making a fool of myself. And then, I’d push it even more.

◄ Emmy ►

When he leaned down to whisper in my ear I broke my ballroom instructor's biggest pet peeve and stood on my toes, leaning into him. His hot breath on my skin sent a shiver down my spine. Then he twirled me away and I laughed with sheer glee. This… was a move I could execute on my toes without breaking protocol, my hair fanning out around me as my feet took the momentum without hesitation. (Loose hair was another thing my instructor would cluck at… but tonight… I was just Emmy)

I smiled wide as I spun back to him. Closer than before, my chest brushing his… but not bumping into him. “You look pretty good on a dance floor too, baby,” I whispered. “Definitely my most handsome dance partner.”

The next song was faster, and I saw the moment he realised this too. “You can do it, Clearwater.” I encouraged. I was close enough to him now for him to feel the way my hips moved. “Short, quick steps… work the hips.” I flashed a cheeky smirk and let my hand slide down his arm… “The Spirits didn’t give you this spectacular arse for you not to use it.”

Then I leaned in, kissed him quickly and spun away a few steps… Noticing briefly the floor had many more dancers now, not just couples... before and gave him a full view of me dancing right back into his arms. A group of girlfriends had noticed Lee… which wasn’t a shock, he towered over everyone on the floor and then once you set your eyes on him it was impossible to look away.

(Music: Alvaro Soler La Cintura Letra/Lyrics English Translation)

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◄ Lee ►

Bending over backwards I laughed hard! “Thanks for the compliment and the trust in my ability, beautiful.”

The woman was a siren on the dance floor. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she moved. Those hips, her feet, her hands, shoulders and even her eyes danced like nothing else mattered, and I fucking loved it! We always had so much we did for others, seeing this side to Emmy, her love for music and dance. This was what I didn’t notice before now. This was an insight only someone who was in my position now got to witness.

“Come here!” My big hands cupped her face when she was back engulfed by my body. Coming down to kiss her deeply. I didn’t give a shit who saw, or what they thought.

My mouth moved with hers, tasting a mixture of Emmy, cocktails, beer, and sweetness from the sugar.

“Fuck!” Placing small kisses on her mouth, speaking through them. “How did I get so lucky?”

Now I was following the directions of the music like she said. And her too. My hands moved down her back to her hips, feeling the sensation of them gliding in the air before me. This is when I got it. Got what I was told about Latin music and dance. It was sexual, drawing out your inhibitions to the point you were lost in your partner.

◄ Emmy ►

Back in his arms, I leaned up onto my toes again, claiming his lips just like he claimed mine. The heat of his hands against my cheek made me want to be closer. He tasted like dessert… cocktail and… Lee… He stole my breath. The kiss… gave me butterflies like the very first time we kissed. When he broke the kiss to speak, I licked my lips to taste him again.

It didn’t matter that it was barely for a second. I needed more of him.

“Probably the same way I did.” My hand locked onto the back of his neck, and I nipped lightly on his lip. “If I figure it out first, I promise to tell you,” I whispered… not because I didn’t want anyone to hear… just because I was breathless.

And then he started to move differently with me held against him… Oh yeah, he was trying to steal all the air from my lungs.

The music changed and I smiled.

(Music: Sofia Reyes, Becky G - Mal de Amores)

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I kissed him one more time. “See… there it is.” I bit my lip and let the music sink into my bones. “This music… it’s universal… it soaks into your soul and makes you want to move.”

I spun inside his arms and leaned back into his chest; every move sensual… graceful. I reached up to wrap my hand around the back of his neck and made sure he felt every sway and swirl of my hips.

◄ Lee ►

My hands slide around her waist, over her hips and then rested on her stomach. Leaning into her hold of me, I pressed her back against my chest. Resting my chin on her head to move in a way that complimented her.

I thanked the ancestors and my wolf, because the slick movement came that’s to them.

Dancing her around the floor, without taking her eyes from her. We didn’t hit another soul on the dance floor.

She knew how to keep herself fluid, following the song change with ease and Grace. And she made me look good too. I could hear whispers of voices, talking about her, her graceful dancing and her beauty. It filled me with pride. Because she picked me. And I picked her.

Then I heard the words of the song, grinning to myself. Moving myself to go cheek to cheek for a moment. “You’re stealing hearts Little Minx.”

◄ Emmy ►

I had done a lot of dancing in my day… but this? Dancing with Lee… with him touching me like this? I had to fight back a whimper. I tipped my head back, knowing he had to lean down to rest his chin, on the top of my head, made me and distracted me enough to not make the noises he was struggling with tonight.

I smiled at his words, laughing softly. Unaware that anyone else existed right now. “I turned back to face him, placing both my hands on the back of his neck and still, keeping my body in contact with him as I danced. “Oh please… I stole your heart and your Warriors a long time ago baby.” I smiled and leaned up to kiss him again.

The song ended and a slightly faster tune played. I peered up at him and whispered. “Let’s get a drink?” I asked. “I don’t want to overwork you on your very first date.” I smiled and looked around, noticing a few glances in our direction. Even Mr Miguel was watching us as he worked with a proud smile on his face.

◄ Lee ►

The first thing to note is the way she turned in my arms, how her hair flew around her face framing it.

Fuck! ‘Her hair framing her face’? That’s what we noticed now? My wolf and I were grinning like fools. It was a thing. And we were noticing it all tonight! “If that’s what you want beautiful. But if you want to dance. We keep dancing.”

Did the speed of the next song send shivers of panic in me? Sure. But my wolf and I were up to any challenge!

My finger under her chin lifting her eyes to mine. My mouth on hers for a kiss. (These kisses weren’t going to get old!)

“Come on. Let’s get you a drink.” The tables around the dance floor area had been cleaned and pushed back slightly, giving more people the opportunity to shake their thing. I curled her hand into mine. Bringing her in front of me and pointed in the direction of the bar. “We are going there.” Then I let Emmy lead the way.

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled seeing that grin on his face. Definitely worth letting Mom tug on my hair for an hour. “Oh, trust me, we aren’t done… I just want to keep you hydrated… and lightly buzzed. Like any good girlfriend would.” I shrugged… I assumed. I hadn’t much experience to go on.

It seemed my body was instinctively reacting to that touch beneath my chin by rolling up onto my toes to get closer to his lips. My heart and stomach both leapt and danced at the kisses. “Spirits,” I muttered breathlessly. I smiled looking around the transformed room, following him to the bar. “They aren’t just passionate about food here, are they?” I looked at all the space they had dedicated to dancing with a smile.

At the bar, I slide up onto a stool, even with my few extra inches I had to put my hand onto the seat to lift myself up like the polite lady my mom would expect me to be.

◄ Lee ►

“Thank you for keeping my hydration in mind, Little Minx!” The laughter boomed freely for me, with my gaze moving down her profile, I bit on my lip, stopping myself from smacking her fine arse in those red pants. My wolf made a sound, and I let it out, we could appreciate the view and respect the woman before us.

Grinning as we followed her across the room, watching her hips sway from side to side. Groaning to ourselves, “In the name of the spirits!” Being with Emmy tonight… now… Damn it caused a reaction, making me clear my throat.

Coming to a stop, I stood beside her, holding the back of the stool until she was situated. Once again, I shook my head. She was such a small creature with such mighty strength, with a wolf inside that could and would kick my arse, and I would let it happen!

Listening to her speaking, I turned my attention to the bar tender for a moment, giving him a nod so he knew we were here and would wait for service.

“They are passionate about life, baby. They, told the kid and I, ‘To live, you need good food, music, laughter, dancing, and passion’, which is what they wanted this place to represent.”

It had been the family’s way to describe their vision for this place. “And it looks like everyone in here understands the sentiment, wouldn’t you agree?”

Seeing the bartender making his way towards us I leant down a little to kiss the top of her head. “What are you feeling this time?” I asked as she’d tried all the cocktails before, and I was curious on what she would like to try now.

◄ Emmy ►

“Trust me… its purely selfish… I need your stamina at peak performance later on.” I said quietly enough for only him to hear… not that anyone here seemed inclined to listen in.

I heard him checking me out and I definitely played up to it. My hand found the arm he steadied my chair with and slid up to his shoulder, I couldn’t help but see that flash of my father looking back at me through his eyes when he made those gestures. I smiled at him, a silent sign of gratitude.

“Well, no one looking around here tonight would deny the truth in that statement.” I scanned the room again. Even the staff looked like they were loving every second. I could see this same sentiment on Lee’s handsome face too. And the fact it wasn’t a new sight to me made my heart swell. It was always a privilege to witness someone’s joy… but there was something infinitely special about being a large fraction of the causes of Lee Clearwater’s joy.

It wasn’t boastful to believe this. He made sure I was well aware of the happiness I brought him, just like I made the same clear to him.

I nodded in answer to his question. “I do agree… this place… it’s so alive. Everything from the walls to the people. It’s full of passion and energy.” I picked up the cocktail menu at his next question.

I loved a nice cold beer… but while I was here, I wanted to try a little of everything. I scanned the Spanish and English on the menu, a cute touch I could really appreciate even without speaking a word of Spanish. “Hmm… I don’t think it would be right to leave without trying the house special margarita.” I smiled at the bartender.

‘Are you sure… It’s a strong one, senorita?’ He smiled at me, politely.

“Challenge accepted. One for the big guy too… and two beers. Whatever you recommend.” He gave me a nod… Impressed by the order. Most people were when they saw me drink… They related size with how much alcohol someone could handle… Okay, I was one of those people too. But for obvious reasons, those standards didn’t apply to me.

◄ Lee ►

“Of course you do, you want me fighting fit for the dance floor once you are done with your break.” Chuckling and offering her the arm she held onto.

I couldn’t help blocking out the mayhem occurring around us as I lost myself in the kind smile Emmy offered in thanks. She didn’t need to thank me for such things. But you could see elements of her mom and herself in moments like this.

I stood listening to the sound of her voice over the laughter and music as she gave her take on the decor of the restaurant, and more so the mission of the Miguel family. Knowing they would be overjoyed if they heard Emmy now. This got it… she understood what went into a work you were passionate about. For my brother and I were so proud with our small part in bringing this place to life.

Shaking my head with a grin plastered on my face, her banter with the man behind the bar made me laugh and so proud of her. Yup, she was my date tonight! And she wasn’t letting the side down.

“Are you trying to get me drunk Miss Call? So I worry about what may come of my virtue by the end of the night?” Arching my brow, with a shit eating grin on my face.

She knew I was joking. We do wouldn’t be drunk. The alcohol would burn out of her blood stream before we called it a night. But… like I said … teasing this beautiful woman, whose hair I curled around my finger. Was fun!

◄ Emmy ►

I chuckled at him, “At least we’re both on the same page!” I teased. When he asked if I was trying to get him drunk, I grinned at him. “You see right through me Mr Clearwater. And not too drunk… I want you to remember every second, but I also want to keep you in the dancing mood.” Not that I could ever get him that drunk… maybe with enough moonshine…. But… Then I leaned in closer to him and whispered my next answer. “As for your virtue?” My hand slid up along his impressively muscled arm. “We can have a discussion all about that a little later.”

The bartender returned with the cocktail in a lavishly decorated glass with a lime slice propped onto to rim and a deep red liquid that smelled divine. Then he sat two bottles of ice-cold beer onto the bar too and said. ‘Salud.’ Giving us both a polite smile.

I picked up the cocktail and inhaled its scent, Cointreau and Tequila filled my senses. I turned my gaze back to my incredible date. My boyfriend. My Lee.

“So, what should we toast to?” I asked him, a smile on my face… this night was already so perfect. The more time we had, the more of this preposterously flawless memory we would have to look back on. I was in no rush… even if talk of his virtue had a fire sparked deep in my belly.

◄ Lee ►

Sliding a note to the bartender, my eyes return to Emmy. The silly grin I’d been wearing most of the night still in place.

“I had no doubt in my mind baby, you and me. We somehow made it easy to find the middle ground. Without any effort.” Something no one would miss. Even when I disagreed with her, I would a way to see her point too.

Emmy made me laugh again. “Please. Don’t give up trying. Ply me with all that you have to offer.” Leaning down into whisper into her ear. “I’m all yours to do with what you want.” Placing a small kiss under her ear before standing up to my full height again.

I took the lime off the side of my glass, setting it into the drink to float. Before picking it up. Thinking about her question on the toast. “To never giving up, to… having faith in things that feel right... to... beautiful company... and to your smile... because it steals my heart whenever it comes to play.”

Laughing I shook my head. “Was that too corny?” I asked feeling myself a little self-conscious about the fact, I didn’t want to hide anything from Emmy. When I felt it, I wanted to share it… because that’s the kinda person she was.

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled at him… “Sometimes I think it all happened at once and then other times I have a clear view of a slow but intense burn, that all came to a head when I kissed you.” I smiled at him remembering that day. “Spirits that was a hell of a kiss,” I whispered under my breath.

I knew he would be the only person capable of hearing me.

I sipped on my cocktails and hummed in approval. “That is a lot of tequila!” I noticed the bartender grin out of the corner of my eye. It would look good for our ruse of being human. “Don’t worry… I’ve never been a quitter.” I chuckled.

The kiss he placed had my pulse and my lashes fluttering. The things this man could do to me with the simplest action… I loved them all. My eyes never left his as he made his toast, and my smile got wider… how had the Spirits led me to this man? “No…” I shook my head gazing at him with more fondness than before. “That was exactly corny enough… Boyfriend.” I smirked and clinked my glass to his.

I took a bigger mouthful this time, the flavours playing on my tongue and my hand drifting to the spot beneath my ear that was still tingling from his kiss. “You know what?” I said with a grin, looking around for a second before turning my attention back to him. “I think for two novices we are rather excellent at this first date thing.” I laughed softly. But I had declared this night a success the moment I was ready on time, for a change. There wasn’t that could have made it less than that in my mind once Lee and were together. I saw #MrMigeul approaching us, I knew there was no need to mention this to Lee.

‘I hope that our special guests for the night are enjoying themselves?’ It wasn’t really a question, but he made it sound like one.

“Oh yes, everything is wonderful… the food, the music, the drinks.” I took another sip. “And your staff are incredible.”

‘I’m so glad to hear it.. and Señorita,’ He smiled at me. ‘You may not speak Spanish, but you certainly speak another of our languages.’ He nodded towards the dancefloor.

I smiled and looked down for a second, “Oh… yes. I love to dance.”

‘You have… practised?’ He tested the question to see if it was prying too deeply. I smiled and nodded.

“When I was younger yes, I took Latin ballroom classes.” I also took, classic, contemporary and tap but there was no need to go into that.

He turned to Lee now. ‘A beautiful woman who can dance… Never let this one go, mi chico.’ I smiled. I didn’t need to speak Spanish to know that this was a term of endearment.

◄ Lee ►

Shaking my head looking into the glass I held after taking a mouthful. I knew this has been a free pour. Emmy’s charming personality hit the ball out the park again, with the people she met. They were drawn to her like bees to honey.

My Ma always said it was because of her soul. Also, because She was so kind and welcoming. Taking another drink, when I went eyes on us. But I didn’t move knowing who was coming towards us. Standing beside Emmy I listened to the two conversing. It was clear for everyone to see #MrMiguel was impressed with my girlfriend. Some part of me felt proud at how he acknowledged her presence, her hard work, and her talent. And this was after he saw her dancing with me. I wasn’t the worst by any means, but she is dancing and moving skills were of a different calibre.

Which is why when his attention turned to me, I grinned nodding my head. “No te preocupes, tío. no lo haré.”

The elder chuckles looking up at me, reaching high to tap my shoulder. ‘Bueno escuchar.’ His eyes and smile told anyone watching he was being honest.

‘My Maria loves to dance too. Oh… if you had seen the way she told to the dancing. Her legs. Her hips.’ #MrMiguel was far away thinking of times past. ‘I could believe she loved a foolish boy like me. And look at us now.’

My eyes moved to Emmy, taking her in. Nudging her a little to get her to look at me and then I winked at her. I placed one hand to her lower back. Thankful she agreed to let me take her on a real date.

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled at the two men as they spoke, my lips pressed together. Why was it so hot hearing him speak a language I didn’t even understand? I could tell by their smiles that it was all good things… or maybe it was their very obvious kind souls. I smiled, I had always been very lucky to find myself surrounded by kind-hearted people.

I beamed even more when he spoke about his wife, he was clearly so in love. It made me turn to gaze at Lee again as he towered over me… the wink made me smile even wider. “You know, Uncle… I think I know exactly how you feel. I wondered what he saw in a wildling like me.” I grinned at Lee, and patted the lapel of his jacket to ensure he knew he had cleared that question right up.

#MrMiguel laughed. ‘No, no, no… I do not doubt that it’s quite the opposite.’

I sipped my drink again. “Well Lee here is just a little older than me… and when I was younger this one,” I nodded to Lee. “He was a cool kid around town… All the girls wanted to date him; all the boys wanted to be his best friend. And was…” I tilted my head… “A quirky drama geek.” I laughed. “But look at us now.”

The older man smiled. ‘Well, if your love of drama led you to dance you followed the right path. It clearly gives you joy.’ He gave a smile that proved to me in an instant that this man was a great father. He valued happiness above accomplishments.

“It all started with music,” I told him. “My mom would sit at the piano with me since I was a newborn… I think I learned to read music at the same time I learned to read English.”

‘A musician and a dancer?’ He looked impressed and I felt a swell of pride.

“Musician, vocalist, dancer… and if you ever need your car fixed… I’m your girl.” I boasted, sure I like to be the center of attention, but this fatherly approval of my talents was addictive.

He looked a Lee and said something in Spanish with a serious, and mildly cheeky expression then back to me. ‘Well, I won’t steal any more of your precious time together. Señorita… It has been an honour to meet you and I do so hope we will meet again.’ He took my hand in both his and patted the back of mine with a smile again. ‘If you need anything…’

I nodded politely.

“I’ll know exactly who to call. Thank you so much, we’re having a wonderful time… and it's truly been an honour to meet you.”

He said a few more words to Lee and headed off to greet a group at the other end of the bar, fondly. Then I looked up and Lee with hooded eyes. “What did he say to you?”

◄ Lee ►

In the name of all our spirits! Was there anyone on this earth, who this woman couldn’t flatter or charm? #MrMiguel was enthralled by her talents and accomplishments, as was I.

The Call women had always been able to make you feel like you were the only person who could make them happy when they spoke to you. And right now, I was witnessing it all first hand as her boyfriend. And boy! She made me grin and swell with pride.

I had to laugh because #MrMiguel didn’t mince his words. Telling me to lock her down! Which makes me gulp my drink. I did tell the man this was our first official date. But he just rolled his eyes at me, the kind which would make my Ma proud. I had to feel for #Eduardo and for #Sara on the other hand they were lucky like me to have a father who supported their dreams. However, on the other hand.

The man missed nothing!

Shaking my head at the final words the man said before his left. Ordering me to take my beautiful date to the dance floor.

I took another gulp from the glass my eyes moved to meet Emmy’s. Of course she would ask what the elder had said. “Hmm… should I make you work for the answer.” Kissing her on the top of her head. Finishing my drink, I set the glass down. “But… you’re lucky you’re so sexy… he told me to get you back on the dance floor right away.”

Both my arms engulfed her pulling her in. “Once you’re ready that is.”

I wasn’t planning to rush her, to. It was nice to stand her and see her enjoying herself. The food, the people, the drinks and the music. It was all worth the time we took to wait to make tonight about us.

◄ Emmy ►

I didn’t miss the hard swallow. Something the older man had said had made him nervous… in a good way, but it still made me smirk. I narrowed my eyes at him when he translated for me. “Mhm…” I said with all the sass. “Sure… that’s 𝓪𝓵𝓵 he said.” I sipped on my cocktail and let him keep it all to himself, knowing he’d come clean at the right time. I trusted him to pick that time.

I smiled. “I never doubted that you would leave me with only that one adventure onto the floor. But these drinks are far too tasty to abandon.” I sipped again, whatever tequila was in here was clearly top shelf. “We can drink… and people watch. And talk about you being a dark horse on the dance floor.” I grinned. “You seemed nervous but you have moves, Clearwater. I was impressed.” I leaned up from my seat to kiss his jaw… and might have sneakily squeezed that fine arse now that we were alone enough to get away with it.

“You looked happy out there… and that is what dance should be all about.” I looked at him knowing that I would be happy with him absolutely anywhere, but he had planned this night thinking of only me and all the things that I love the most. He always made sure that I knew he was thinking of me and that he knew me. He saw me. And I… we… felt like we never had with anyone else.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to top this for our next date… But I’m gonna try.” I teased, there had really never been any competition with us. But I still wanted to do for him that he had done for me tonight. But that planning would come later. Right now, I wanted to appreciate everything he had done for me.

◄ Lee ►

Shifting under her scrutiny, but not uncomfortably. More the case is I didn’t know how she would take hearing what the elder had teased me with. And it wasn’t that I didn’t trust her, of course I did. Otherwise, we never would have made it this far. It was just a matter for another time. Or was it?

My wolf huffed at me; he knew maybe I had in a second overthought the whole situation. But the spirit in my soul trusted me with this. For now, at least.

Reaching out for one or the two beers, I felt the couple sat behind me most and up and move. So, I pulled one of the stools with my foot towards me and sat down facing my date.

“We aren’t in any hurry darling, if you want to still and talk. It’s what we will do.” Taking a pull from the cold Mexican beer bottle, the wedge of lime in the neck of the bottle elevating the taste and my sense of smell.

“I am happy whenever there is music and a good time to be had. And so we are clear. I never said I couldn’t dance. Just said I wasn’t up to the standards you’re used too.” Taking her freehand in mine, I wanted.. no needed to keep touching this girl.

“You know how the ancestors have blessed us. Agility , speed, even being soft footed. Comes from the spirits.” And then it occurred to me.

“I don’t really think any of us are back dancers?” My brows knit together.

“Well. Jay and Paul maybe. Those two have heavy stances at times.”

My gaze was always on her, the rest of the place melted away. I knew my wolf would be on lookout for me tonight.

“What do you mean? You don’t need to top a thing. You are my only desire, baby.” My hand moved up, so my thumb could stroke her heated cheek.

Fuck… she was perfect for me tonight. It was a reoccurring thought constant returning to the forefront of my mind.

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled swivelling on the stool to fully face him as he settled himself on the one next to me. “No rush.” I smiled. “I want to treasure all of our firsts.” I propped my elbow on the bar… it was clean enough that you could almost forget it was actually… a bar. My chin propped on my palm and I watched him. Taking in all that was this incredible, sexy man before me. And I could feel the eyes in the room that agreed… but they would never know… never see all that I saw.

All they saw was the surface. But Lee Clearwater had depths and I still had many left to explore. There might have been a woman or two in here who gained insight into him if they noticed how he looked at me, how he spoke to #MrMiguel and how he treated the staff. But even those women couldn’t dream of scratching the surface of the man that was my boyfriend.

I smiled… He had me there. “It’s not like I’m a pro, I just learned what I could when I had the chance to. And when it comes to dancing for the simple act of dancing with someone there are no standards. Only that you are together and loving each moment.”

He wasn’t wrong… The warriors had an upper hand. There was no denying that all my instructors noticed a marked improvement in my skills when I phased. “It really does help…” I chuckled. “I remember my mom telling me how even my tantrums were more graceful after I joined the pack.” She had a way of finding a silver lining. Even if I hated that she called them tantrums… it was hard. As much as I love my wolf, learning to manage her emotions was no easy task.

I smiled at him. “Okay… so not trying to top anything… how about… another first? Just because it’s a second date doesn’t mean it can’t be a first in its own right… right?” I finished the cocktail and felt my eyes flutter closed at the gentle touch. My tongue slipped across my bottom lip. No one ever touched me the way he did… I turned into him and kissed his palm.

I turned my gaze to his. “Every time you do that, I get butterflies.” The admission was easy and comfortable… it didn’t even feel like vulnerability because there was no such thing with him.

◄ Lee ►

“But that’s what makes it even better, little minx. You’re so good at it, but you make anyone dancing with you feel like they know their shit. When next to you.” She had to know what a talent it was.

“Anyone can make themselves look good. You on the other hand. You’re making. your partner looks good too.” The grin was back in place, my feet on the ground, facing her head on. This was a first. It had been so long since I’d been on a date, wanted to spend time getting to know someone, and not want it all to stop.

“Tantrums!” Now I was laughing, not to mention recalling those times in the past. “We all had those tantrums, but you know... yours sincerely were a lot more graceful. Da and Ma had to replace so much broken furniture with the kid and me having those ‘tantrums’, at the same time.”

Leaning in so I knew she couldn’t see anything but the truth in my eyes. “First thing is… you’re thinking about our second date while we are on our first. What happened to your living in the moment speech I’ve heard over and over again?”

Of course I was teasing her, but I wanted her to not overthink the next step before we were done with this whole night. “Second. You know how to make a guy feel comfortable with his choices. Something must be going well for you to want to do it all again. I’ll take it as a win.”

Nodding my head in agreement. “I want to have all our firsts. And to remember them and enjoy them to the fullest.” Fuck! That kiss on my palm. It was so sweet and charged with electricity all at once.

◄ Emmy ►

I smiled. “I think I know a few pups that would disagree with you.” But I was glad that he felt that way. “It’s so different from performing and classes, you just live it with someone you care about… It feels right. And the love of it… that’s what makes you look good.” I nodded to the older but not elderly couple on the floor, clearly practised dancers… who had slowed down due to age or just not dancing as much. They were beaming, talking, missing steps and laughing. The husband stole cheeky squeezes of her arse and got himself a swat on the shoulder.

“Like them… they don’t need the big moves and flashy footwork… they look incredible just because they feel incredible together.” I smiled and turned all my attention back to Lee. It was what I had told the pups when they wanted to impress a girl… all she would care about was the fact he cared. That they wanted to spend time doing something she loved with her.

“She always called it a tantrum… because it stopped me being mad about whatever it was, and I got mad at being accused of having a tantrum… and that inevitably led to my laughing because I was sixteen and essentially… having a tantrum.” I laughed. “It was a rather genius and slightly risky solution… but mostly it worked.”

He leaned in and all I wanted to do was kiss him. But he made me smile again. “Okay, you are right… Besides, I can’t give away anything before I even ask you out. So I will save my plotting until a later date.”

There was that look in his eyes again. The one that made me feel like I was home. No matter where I was… those deep, warm eyes… they were home. “I don’t want to miss a single thing with you… every step… every first and journey.” I laughed softly. “Even if we are making up all of our own steps.”

I held up my bottle. “Another toast… to exploration and a shared adventure with you.”

To Be Continued....

#LeeClearwater #EmberlyCall #LeahClearwater #EmbryCall #GenderSwapped #Twilight #TwilightRP #TwiRP #AU #Stories #Youtube

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screamsofasongbird · 3 years

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// Hello everyone! Pandabear here. I’m still getting Adris backstory written down so that won’t be up for a little bit. But! I’m looking for plots and banters to get this ball rolling! //

#fiercelyuntamed #still fairly new #ocrp #fandomless original character #fandomless roleplay #fandomless oc #fantasyrp #horrorrp #strangerthingsrp #tvdrp #tvd rpg #twilightrp #slasherrp

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hisangelrosalie · 4 years

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𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞; 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐲

#I. ( promo ) .#twilight rp #rosalie hale rp #twilightrp #rosaliehalerp #vampire rp

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adeityofshadows · 4 years

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⤪ — 「 Sulpicia Volturi.. 」 — ⤨

▐ ❝If you are working on something that you really care about, you don't have to be pushed.❞▐

✗ #Twilight. ✗ Dark Themes. ✗ Searching for storylines ✗ Crossovers are welcome. ✗ Potential To Ship. ✗ Penned by #ThisMogwaiSlays.

#roleplay #twilight #sulpiciavolturi #thismogwaislays #twilightroleplay #twilight roleplay #twilightrp

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isolateddamsel · 4 years

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⤪ — 「 Bella Swan. 」 — ⤨

▐ ❝I don't wanna lose you.❞▐

✗ #Twilight. ✗ Dark Themes. ✗ Searching for storylines ✗ Crossovers are welcome. ✗ Planned Ship: #Jella / #EmpyreanMogwai. ✗ Penned by #ThisMogwaiSlays.

#roleplay #twilight #bellaswan #thismogwaislays #jella #jacobxbella #empyreanmogwai #twilightroleplay #twilight roleplay #twilightrp

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gildedclarity · 4 years

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⤪ — 「 Esme Cullen. 」 — ⤨

▐ ❝You're what he wants. It will work out, somehow.❞▐

✗ #Twilight. ✗ Dark Themes. ✗ Searching for storylines ✗ Crossovers are welcome. ✗ Potential To Ship. ✗ Penned by #ThisMogwaiSlays.

#roleplay #twilight #esmecullen #thismogwaislays #twilightroleplay #twilight roleplay #twilightrp

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blazingtheway · 1 month

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Everyone’s Broken and I’ve Got This Missing Piece

"I love the way your hair falls in the summer. I'll treat you like your father treats your mother, and I'm kinda scared of your older brother."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Coughs.

“Stalker much?” Smirks

•- Embry Call -•

“Are you shocked about the stalking or about how long it’s taken me to find you here?”

Grins. Knowing the answer.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow. “You know which is the most shocking? Just went I was about to call out a Friday man. Here you are.”

Smirks and winks.

•- Embry Call -•

Looks around.

“Well then I’m just in time… no one else is here! I must have beaten the Friday guy. And just so you know the Saturday and Sunday guys asked me to fill in for them.” Smirks.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Laughs.

“Oh. Really… Did they now… I call it poor service on their end. I’ll need to have some words. Pawning off their duty isn’t good form.”

•- Embry Call -•

“It’s not on you… they just feel like I provide a better quality…” Eyes her. “Service. And even though they’ll be sad not to see you… they know you only deserve the best.”

Waving my hands up and down to display the goods. “So, they sent me.” Grins.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Oh, I know it’s not me. Have you seen this face? I’m a gift from the Spirits. So, it’s always them and not me.”

Smirking.

“Hmm…. I mean….” Turning my finger in a circle telling him to turn around for me. “I could have fun with you I guess.”

•- Embry Call -•

Of course, I did a little turn for her. Maybe flexed a little under the tight t-shirt.

“You guess?” quirking a brow. “I better get to work easing those doubts.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together to stop me from smirking or even laughing. Because I’d expect pushback from this. But he was doing it and flexing too!

“Hmm…. Just so you know… you may need to put in the overtime too. Maybe into Monday.”

•- Embry Call -•

“I’ve never been afraid of a little over time?”

Running my gaze up and down. “Especially when the task is so pleasing to the eye.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Smirking, I pressed my lips together again. “Are you telling me, or asking me? Because it sounds like you’re not sure.”

Tilting my head to let my hair fall down freely. Knowing he enjoyed the sight of it.

•- Embry Call -•

“All I’m questioning is why you still have weekday guys at all…. You know I'm just...” I smirked and eyed her.

“Better suited for the task… these humans. They just don't have the stamina… or the heat.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together, so I didn’t laugh. My eyebrow curved up in a perfect arch.

“Hmm… You make an interesting point, Dimples.”

He knew it was just teasing. There was no one else. Only him. But I wasn’t going to say it.

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned wide.

“Okay then, glad we settled that. I'll inform the rest that their services are no longer required. Don't worry I already have their names, phone numbers and addresses. And a couple of grainy photos some weirdo took from the bushes.”

I laughed… if she wanted to play I could play. She'd been all mine for a while now. And that was a two-way street.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Blinking at the camera joke, and the rest now that I thought about it.

“Spirits, they knew what they were doing when they made you, Embry Call.”

Shaking my head, but the sound of his laughter was contagious making me laugh too.

“You’re such a Wisearse, and I know… I know… you are aware and proud of the fact. But it seems like a good time to point it out again.”

•- Embry Call -•

I couldn't help but laugh again. “I may be a Wisearse, Trouble.”

I bit my lip with intention, quirking a brow.

“But I'm your Wisearse… and that sounds like a pretty good deal to me.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“My Wisearse?” My lips curled up into a smirk which turned into a smile. Something came alive in my stomach before I controlled it and pushed it down.

“I think we should look at tattooing that line on you somewhere.” Hundred percent joking. Because that wasn’t going to happen.

•- Embry Call -•

Both brows lifted now, stands of hair falling into my face.

“Hmm… interesting thought…” I reached for the hem of my shirt. “Should we choose a location now… or later?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rushing forward my hand stopping his from moving any further. I darted my gaze around the place.

“No… no we don’t need to pick a location for it right here and now.” Now when I glanced at him I noticed how his hair had grown. “I was thinking of your forehead anyway.” Winking.

•- Embry Call -•

I smirked. Twisting my hand to grip her wrist and pull her in. “Really? You wanna mess with this face?” I chuckled and peppered hers with light playful kisses.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Growing up, with a snap of my teeth, I caught his lips and kissed him once. “I don’t like sharing. It’s becoming clearer. So, why not?” Smiling that smile only he was allowed to see.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled wide at that sexy snap. “Sharing… not an option. I do not consent to being shared… and you know: Consent is sexy!” I released the hem of my shirt and wrapped that arm around her instead.

“Your eyes only.” I chuckled and kissed each eyelid. “With or without a tattooed forehead.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Laughter escaped my lips, with a badarse roll of my eyes too just before he kissed them closed. Because I knew that he knew that I stole his line.

“So, what I am hearing…” my arms around his waist, hooking my fingers into his belt. “The tattoo is still on the table.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed out loud. “Sure… but only I get to put you on a table and have free reign.”

I smirked. “But there be no needles involved.”

Waggling my brows.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pulling back to look at him with a raised eyebrow, until his meaning sunk in.

“Do you take me for a fool? It’s an uneven deal. You would get so much more out of it than me.”

•- Embry Call -•

I arched my brow. “Okay… I'll sweeten the deal… after I'm done I’ll make you scream my name on that table…” I smirked.

“You can pick any song you want, and I will play it for you. If I don't know it... I'll learn it. For you.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My warrior was shouting to ‘Take the deal! Take the deal!’ But I was reminded still. Even if internally, I felt every muscle in my body tighten and hum.

“Interesting… Let me consider it…”

She fell flat inside, rolling onto her side and snapped at me for being no fun.

•- Embry Call -•

I leaned in close to her ear. My fingers twisted into my shirt at her sides. “On the piano,” I whispered.

Utterly confident this would seal the deal.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I worked my jaw. Closing my eyes when I felt the warmth of his breath on my skin and his whisper in my ear. He knew me. By the spirits, he knew me well enough to know this would work.

“D… E… A… L!”

‘Finally!’ She growled making me smirk.

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned. Far too pleased with myself.

“What’s first? The tattoo parlour, the table or the music?”

I pressed a kiss below her ear then stepped back and held out my hand for her to take and lead me towards her choice.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Even with a strong shiver working its way from the spot of the kiss, it took no time to say.

“Music, music always comes first.” Giving him a look and telling him he should have known.

Lacing my fingers into his. With a small nod towards where his Nana’s guitar sat.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at how she took my hand without even thinking about it. I squeezed her fingers to let her know I'd noticed and walked with her.

"Do you have a song in mind, I did say any song of your choice." I grinned, only slipping my hand from hers to open the case and admire the beautiful instrument.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Letting his hand go, I walked away backwards thinking. “No. I want you to play what you feel right now.” When he played the first cord. It always gave me a sense of peace knowing the song without knowing he was going to play it.

“I’m grabbing some beers.” Walking off barefooted.

•- Embry Call -•

It was her usual choice… but it was hers to make. And she made the one that gave me the most joy, to play what I felt. So, I played before she’d stepped back into the room. A song I knew would give her just as much joy.

And I sang. Just to convince her not to tattoo my forehead… not because I was a singer! Nope. Not at all.

youtube

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My feet stopped on their own accord. The first cord did it. The words danced in my mind and over my lips. The lips which curled up into a smile, only for him and only without our bubble.

Continuing towards the kitchen, my bare feet stopped before the fridge, taking out two cold ones.

Humming a little. But mostly I listened.

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱

𝗕𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗲

𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗱….

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled. She was hiding in the kitchen I had the glass bottle click. But I just kept singing, she’d be back.

𝕀 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣 𝕗𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕖𝕣

𝕀'𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕞𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣

𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕀'𝕞 𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕒 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕓𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣

𝕆𝕙 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕙

The thing about lyrics they always be made to fit to any situation.

𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕀'𝕞 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘

𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕣𝕖 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕀'𝕞 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘

𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕀'𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕜𝕚𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕤𝕔𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕘

𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕘𝕠 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Listening intently, I twisted the two bottle caps off. Throwing them into recycling. But then I stopped. My eyebrows pulled into a frown because he sang the song wrong.

“And I'm kinda scared of your 𝕆𝕝𝕕𝕖𝕣 brother...” and then I laughed softly. He’d made the song work for us? Shaking my head as I returned to the living room. His voice and the sound of the guitar took over every morsel of air in the room. And I wondered, was he scared of #TheKid? My younger brother adored this man.

Setting his bottle down on the coffee table. I clinked out bottles, my eyes not drifting always as the words began to take a sharp turn and form before me.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧

𝙒𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤

𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙣'𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙄'𝙢 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙨𝙤 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪…”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her correction from the other room. So much so that I missed a note... but never a chord. But then she was sitting there, beer in hand and singing too. I sang a line or two with her and then stopped to admire her voice.

But there was one line I had to sing with her.

"...𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕞𝕪 𝕔𝕝𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕤 𝕤𝕠 𝕘𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕠𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦

𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕞𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖'𝕤 𝕟𝕠 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣

𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕀'𝕞 𝕟𝕠 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕤𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕓𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣

ℍ𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕕, "𝕨𝕖'𝕣𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕠𝕝, 𝕞𝕒𝕟, 𝕀 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣"

𝕆𝕙 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕙

𝕀'𝕝𝕝 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕚𝕟 𝕝𝕠𝕒𝕕𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕓𝕝𝕖

𝔾𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕠𝕦𝕓𝕝𝕖

𝕎𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕕𝕣𝕦𝕟𝕜 𝕒𝕟𝕕

𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕕𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕞𝕦𝕕𝕕𝕝𝕖𝕕

ℕ𝕠 𝕔𝕚𝕘𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖 𝕤𝕞𝕠𝕜𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕦𝕣𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕓𝕦𝕓𝕓𝕝𝕖

𝕆𝕙 𝕟𝕠"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My lips curl up into the smile only Embry Call had witnessed as I let him take the song by himself.

Heat crawled itself up the side of my neck as the meaning of how he was singing to me. Then I took the last of it.

𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙜𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜

𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙

•- Embry Call -•

I played out the rest of the song, the only thing keeping me from biting my lip as I watched that hint of blush spread up from her collar were the lyrics coming out of my mouth as easily as breathing. I knew this song like the back of my hand.

When the last note faded into the breeze coming through her window I smiled at her.

“I guess that means you approve of my choice then?” I said, still balancing the guitar on my knee.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He always found a way to turn any song into his own, and this was what I needed to see. To feel. To understand. By asking Embry to pick the song, he gave me insight into where his mind went, and how his soul felt, and he was never disappointed.

Raising my eyebrow at him, I sat back on my couch, curling my long legs under myself. “When have you known me not to approve? You can never be wrong when you are asked to play what is in your heart.”

My gaze moved over the way he sat there with his Nana’s guitar on his lap.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her. She knew that music was a way for me to say things that I had no words for... it was a strange sensation for me. I was used to saying what I felt and thought... and now, there never seemed to be any words strong enough for those feelings.

So... Music.

"Oh, I get it now!" I smirked at her. "Letting me pick the sang is your version of me getting behind those walls." I pointed two fingers to my eyes and then hers. "I see you, Trouble. I see you."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Took you long enough. A little soft of the uptake as always, Call.”

I just wink with a smirk on my lips. He had to have known this, it wasn’t a secret I hid from him. But really, some part of it was more about me than Embry. Asking for a song felt too intrusive. Giving him the choice felt right.

Bringing the cold bottle of beer to my lips, I took a pull before setting it down. Holding it would make the beer warmer far too fast for the evening vibe I was on.

“I’ve stopped hiding within the bubble, Dimples. So… see all you want.”

So, yes. It had to be true…

“Evolution…” This time a pull from the bottle allowed the cold bitter liquor to flow down my throat and into my stomach.

“We would need to have something to do for our journey this far. Shining lights in dark places has become a huge problem you know.” Teasing him of course.

•- Embry Call -•

“And she says she doesn’t have a way with words.” I smiled at her. That one only she ever saw. “But I will disagree with one thing… I teased, knowing she meant it only as an observation. “It’s not a problem. Shining a light on all those dark places…” I grew a little more thoughtful.

“Bringing those secrets out of the dark… some are difficult, some are even joyful things we put away for whatever reason. But they are all better shared. Maybe not with the world, but with someone you trust because they’ve shared their shadowed place too.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Setting the beer down on the side table, I didn’t want it going warm in my hands. My mind became thoughtful now. His statements always had a way of making me think about what he wanted me to see from another view.

His smile, of course, gave the man sitting across from me such a brightness I couldn’t imagine his darkness at that moment. Even though I witnessed it first-hand.

“So, what you are telling me is…. We need a mix of both. For us, we see the difference between what should be left in the dark, and what we should leave out there too?”

•- Embry Call -•

Now she was asking the tough questions.… I took a long drink from the bottle. “Yeah, I guess… but it needs to be the right person too.” I paused sitting forward on the arm of the chair. “I mean… look at the secret I shared with you. If I'd shared that with someone else it could have been a totally different situation. What I did, what I made Jake do to hide it. Someone else would have reacted badly and I don't know where I would be right now if you'd reacted differently.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Eyebrows pulled together in a thoughtful expression, trying to understand the point he was making. And I wasn’t surprised by the fact that I did. I knew better than most how your life can change by someone else’s perspective of your life and the direction you choose to take.

“Okay… I get it. It’s not about the honesty or the facts you share. It’s about knowing who the right person is. Good or bad, it’s about trusting your instincts and understanding what they say could change your life?” It came as a question, but I meant it as a statement.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her. “That… and you know… timing,” I remembered Seattle. Forcing myself not to wince when that knife-like memory of the disgusting excuse of a human connected a blow to her ribs.

“Like you showing up at my mom’s house… or me showing up… well, you know.” it was the way she owned her that made me realise it was time to start owning mine and sure… only she knew… other than #Jake and then I knew #Quil had some idea, but he wouldn’t push. He would just be there.

“Trust, instinct… we pretend we hone these skills of time and I'm sure life experience plays a part, but really all of. These things…it's all actions and reactions.

And you never get a second chance at a first reaction.”

I remembered storming into her living room and yelling, I had a choice rage, shame or humility that day. Only one was right. And I chose wrong.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Dragging another pull from my beer, because the inside by him was loud and clear. The spirits had thought it was funny (not really, but it felt that way.), To show the two of us what our eyes had missed.

We both crossed paths in a way that hadn’t happened by accident. I didn’t believe in coincidences at all. There is always a reason for it all.

When he made the choice to open up to me, the spirits showed him what I’d been doing alone. Showed us both how in some ways our lives had been on the same parallel existence.

Seeing him that night, his scent hidden in the crown who came to see the underground fight, but my warrior and I found him still. Saw his face, his eyes. The shock of me being in the ring….

Letting out a “Hmm…” I nod my head. I got it. I understood. “Sometimes, you need to give people a second chance. Let them go through their emotions before the brain cells kick in.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her; Leah was all about second chances. And third. If she knew your motives were pure…. There was no mistake she couldn't forgive. Unpure… you might get one more try. Both would earn you an arse-kicking and a lesson. I chuckled at the thought.

“Second chances are a must… but that’s something that you give to others… when you react wrong to something; flying off the handle or spiral, we do that to ourselves as much as the person on the receiving end. Sure, you can ask for a second chance, but you can't take it back. Disappointing someone else can be fixed if you put in the work. Disappointing yourself… it's a lot harder.”

I smiled at her though. “But self-forgiveness… it's possible. Someone taught me that recently.” Even if she still refused to grant it to herself. But this… it was something I could live for her to see, to recognise its possibilities. “It's fucking hard… but it's possible.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes shot up to his, and next time his words hit a target I hadn’t thought possible.

By the spirits, I swear my heart stopped, and I clenched my jaw. He wasn’t wrong. In the Name of the Spirits! Embry Call wasn’t wrong! And here, now, like this, he was making me look into a mirror. (It’s how I felt at least.)

Clenching my jaw again, my fingers tapped on the side of the bottle in my hand. The beads of condensation trickled down the sides to fall over my fingers.

What could I say? I wouldn’t lie, I wouldn’t hide. It was the deal to make it work, to keep our bubble safe. “It’s…. Harder….” It was, forgiving others was easy. But yourself? No… I couldn’t do it so easily.

“Maybe….” My throat felt dry because I couldn’t even face myself to say maybe someday forgiveness would come. Because I didn’t know if it would.

•- Embry Call -•

I could see the internal struggle; she had her own process. It was something Leah could move through in her own time. “It is, and it's personal...

I rested my hand on hers and laced our fingers. “Harder… but not impossible.” I offered her a smile. “And... there is no time limit,” I said, knowing what she was thinking. But Leah’s journey was always going to be hers, on her terms. Exactly like it should be.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Seeing how our hands came together was always telling. It told the story of the journey we were on, the lessons we had learnt, the faith I had in him. To allow him so close, that he didn’t think twice when telling me I had been missing something valuable.

“Hmm…” nodding my head slowly, biting the inside of my cheeks.

I let my thumb roam over the back of his hands. And then turning them upside down, I felt those telling calluses. They told me of a story too. Of his road to being threading, with the guidance of those who believed in him.

•- Embry Call -•

Staying quiet and letting her process her thoughts, not asking her what she was thinking or trying to talk through it was difficult for me. I spent a lot of time supporting the pups and they were talkers. That was because I had pushed them to talk about things... so they didn't end up how I did.

Surrounded by people I cared about and who cared about me... but still felt isolated enough that I walked the dark path I walked.

But for Leah... I (almost) always managed to let her have her moments. I smiled when she turned my hand over tracing the callouses on my skin. "Are you starting to wish that you learned to play before shifting?" I grinned. Because I had certainly noticed no matter how much she practised her fingertips were always soft against my skin.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My fingers didn’t stop. “Hmm…” asking his question. “Yes and no.” Gathering my thoughts as I sat beside him. “I’m not sure I was ready for it back then. But if I had… I would find myself lost in that world more than this.”

Everything happened for a reason. “The spirits knew I had to work hard, or they waited to show me this path and choice.”

I still didn’t look up into his eyes. “Even if I really found myself at peace whenever your mom played. And I caught myself stopping to listen.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled, because more and more lately it was becoming clear that life was all about timing. “Yeah… it's all in the timing…” I smiled. “Plus, if you learned before… then it wouldn’t be me who got to teach you. And after learning so much from you over the years… I finally get to give a little back.”

Okay, sure I gave her a lot more than music lessons… but this was something else… something that I could have given her without the intense bond we formed along the path. “You don’t need to play music to truly love it. It speaks to everyone… whether they play an instrument or not.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“You give plenty back, Embry.” Now my brown eyes moved to find him and did right away. “Even if I don’t give you credit for it.” My mind listed the number of times he’d stepped up and picked up where no one else could or would.

“I know. Music… it speaks a language you have to feel here.” One hand moved to my chest, tapping out the rhythm playing behind my chest cage.

“Not everyone unfortunately understands it, but those who do… they are most certainly aware of it everywhere.”

I found myself shaking my head. “When did we become so philosophical?”

•- Embry Call -•

“I know…” I gave her a smile I hoped made it clear that I truly did. She always found ways to make me feel appreciated…. Valued. No matter what she did or didn't say. “But those lessons… they're something outside of our bubble…” Sure we weren't really talking about it to anyone else. “Something apart from our other... Explorations.” I fished around for the word.

“Something we could do no matter what path we'd chosen… they would always fit. I guess it's like the one thread… that fits into every possible version of our story.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm…” I hadn’t thought of it like this. Yes, anything thing he brought to this invisible table of ours. Helping me to see the universe with fresh eyes.

“I like that, thinking that no matter what. You’d find your way.” Nodding my head once. As I asked my warrior and she agreed too.

“All in the of Evolution, Embry Call… all in the name of evolution.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her. “I don’t think either of us can deny our paths were laid to bring us together… we had a lot of turns to choose from. But I think we chose the best one.”

I thought about all the ways it could have gone. It made me smile. “Grandmother had big plans and I think we say with certainty that they all ended up with us in each other's life in a big way… she just gave us the option of what that was going to look like.”

I rested my hand over hers and felt her tapping out that beat was her heartbeat… her soundtrack. “What it was going to sound like.” I grinned, recalling with perfect clarity the sounds I could coax for her.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Letting Embry’s hand rest on mine I glanced to the window and then back to him. I knew it was true. There were no doubts in my head at all. But still. It was moments like now I had to say, “Still Real.”

Smirking a little I turned my attention back to him fully. “She’s a crafty one. She likes to keep everyone guessing, but her kindness and openness also show everyone where she is heading. If they want to look.”

The smile playing on my lips was one he brought to life. And one I only shared with him.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled, those words… they meant everything. Reminding us, that we were here, we chose this… we took every twist and turn together. We were still fascinated by all of this, even now with all of your little routines… everything still felt new and thrilling.

“Still real, Trouble.” I whispered with a smile. “Always real.”

I listened to what she said about Grandmother… “You when I first started to hear them reaching out to me I never thought it would be Grandmother… but at the same time, I wasn’t at all shocked. Does that make any sense?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes darted up to find his, and they did. Right away. The warmth which always found a way to show my thoughts crawled up the side of my neck because even today the reaction to him reminded me of the same as the first night Embry kissed me.

Shaking my head out of the past I spoke softly. “We don’t choose them; they are the ones who know we need them, and they come.”

I knew this feeling of his so well. “And I get it. I didn’t expect #TheGreatWolf to show up to smack me upside the head.”

Motioning for him to continue his thoughts.

•- Embry Call -•

“We definitely don’t… I mean look at my history and for whatever reason the protector of female spirits has a plan for me?” It still baffled me. “It doesn’t shock me that he had a path for you… it was always clear there was a big plan for you… even if I was too dumb to see that at first.” I ran my hand through my hair and settled next to her, settling my arm over her shoulder and shifting closer until we were fitted perfectly side by side.

“Besides… no one else could bring us down this path… the plans he has for you are going bring the packs back together, bring us into the world we live in now, not our great-grandparents' generation. Protecting people will always be what we do but… how we do it… that’s evolved… especially in the last decade.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shifting forward, I pulled my hair out of the way as his arm came around to rest on my shoulders. And here lay a testament to how we had grown. His arm was around me, and it was still attached to him. Evolution!

“I have a theory about you and her.” Pointing out the windows, even if she was hidden behind the clouds. We knew she was there and watching.

“Do you think it’s because of your mom?” Resting into his side until we were comfortable. “I mean, we all know Grandmother protects the female souls. She guides them and shows them the way. But with you… and Ms C… I just….” What was I trying to say? “The sacrifice and strength of your mom, meant she ensured your protection no matter where you went?”

I went silent as his assessment of my relationship with my spirit guide, and the way things were evolving for all of us. But pushed it to the side. There was so much to unravel.

•- Embry Call -•

I thought about what she said… remembering that night I saw Her. “It's definitely possible… but I don’t think it's just her. When I first saw her, she looked like my Nana… but she changed. She was Mom. #Sue… #SarahBlack, you… the twins, my old music teacher, and a dozen other faces that I think were all of you, at different ages and times… I’m certain I saw the seventeen-year-old version of Rachel that I crushed on when I was thirteen.” I laughed softly. “All the women that had ever fought my corner… I’m not saying there weren’t men who impacted my life too. Maybe she decided they needed a hand and stepped in to help them all out.”

She was quiet for a moment, and I let it stretch out around us. “I think there’s been a bigger picture here for a long time. Maybe at the start, I wasn’t part of it, until paths crossed, and courses changed… but… Maybe I am supposed to be a part of this journey with you.” Then I laughed again. “It sounds a little self-important when I say it out loud…”

Comparing the things, I was seeing and feeling with becoming an Alpha? There was no comparison with the responsibilities Leah was destined to shoulder.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Don’t do that,” I said right away when he laughed. Because in this laughter I felt self-deprecation and not the evolution we both knew he had begun to develop.

“Don’t underestimate yourself and your ability to give what is needed on this journey we call life.” He’d done it all his life. Questioned his birth and his place in his tribe.

“I know I never stopped you when I should have before. But I am now.” I knew it came out harsher than I intended. But I couldn’t help it. And I wasn’t going to apologise for it. I didn’t know when my hand found his over my shoulder, but I was aware of my fingers lacing into it across my chest.

“I can’t tell you how to decipher her meaning. That’s what this path is all about. What I may see, and what you see are going to be different, mean different things. But I do know. It all means something in the end.”

Turning my face to look at him. “Even if you’re seeing your beautiful teenage crush.” Smirking a little. I knew the Black twins were the dreams of many boys and girls. And who could blame them?

•- Embry Call -•

My first instinct was to correct her and downplay it… but this was Leah… and we didn’t do that. Not anymore. So, I gave it a minute to sink in and I turned to press a kiss to her hair. “I’m not sure why I do that… but… I’m working on it.” I said softly.

“I think by showing me all the women that impacted my life she was showing me where her strength comes from, in a way I could relate to it…” I squeezed her then and chuckled. “And don’t be jealous… I saw my beautiful current crush too.” As if Leah would ever stoop to something like jealousy. “I always saw how hard the women on the rez worked… for their friends, their families… the community. I took it for granted. Especially my mom… but not anymore.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It earned him an elbow in the stomach, of course.

“As if I would be jealous of the twins. They are beautiful women. But… keep reminding Paul you crushed on his imprint. Let’s see how he tries to break your neck.” Smirking. “And I wouldn’t even jump in, because we don’t do that.”

Pretending to write a note in the air. “Buy more popcorn for the show.”

Smiling, I closed my eyes. Letting his kiss sink in.

“What’s changed for you? I mean. Opening your eyes to what was unseen doesn’t come without consequences. But for you, it sounds like you’re just taking it in your stride.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed… “Just kids’ stuff… Looking at how happy she is now… It was always meant to be. That much is very clear.” I grinned. “You know now that I think about it… we never butt heads over that. I even saw #Rachel before he did when she came home for that visit. But so much time had passed by then… all that was long forgotten. But everyone stopped teasing us about that crush afterwards.” I chuckled. I hadn’t been the only one guilty of a childhood crush on one of the twins. “I guess they didn’t want to rock the boat… and they were so great together. Bickering like an old married couple from day one. #Paul struggled a lot with his temper, no one wanted to ruin it for him.”

I thought about her question… So much has changed, and nothing has changed at all. It was more my point of view, that had shifted. “I mean I always knew my mother was a powerhouse. But I guess I realised that’s not just something you are… you aren’t strong because you always were strong. People are strong because they learned to be, they struggled and fought to be strong, and they grew into it. No one is born that way… and Native women… They learn fast and young.” I took a slow breath. “And it can be taken away from any of us in the blink of an eye.”

Okay… so maybe not the blink of an eye… a least not in Mom’s case… but fuck! It sure felt like it.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Resting my head back, I was looking up at the ceiling remembering how Rachel and Paul came together. How they found their footing with each other, and still Paul messed up a few times.

“The main thing is Paul learnt from mistakes, and so did Rach. People forget imprinting does guarantee good times. Life still happens. Those two have learned how to make it work for them.”

Tilting my head to glance at him, I took in and understood everything he shared. “Hmm…” It was true, and the fact that Embry had been aware of the issue, I hoped would help in the long run of things.

•- Embry Call -•

I felt her shift and turned to look at her, meeting those deep, brown eyes with a soft smile. “I guess it doesn’t… but I think they all found it. There’ll be struggles and a little heartache from time to time. But with feelings that strong, it can’t be helped.”

I could see her mind working behind the scenes. “Besides… is it even possible…” I considered the words carefully, but talking about the imprinted couples I was sure she’d be fine with it. “… To love someone if you aren’t afraid to lose it? Can people feel that kind of attachment to something if they know without a single doubt it will always be there?”

Then my mind started to run wild. “I mean we can all love things that are infinite… the Ancestors... the Spirits… any god or deity from religions all over the planet… but everything we love in this world… is finite… it's limited… and People even more so. There are so many ways to lose a person. No matter the bond they share.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Every muscle in my body froze solid. My body reached to the mercy of that word and all the loss I defined it meant to me.

Was it logical? Spirits No.

Did I know? Spirits Yes!

But did it stop the irrational fear from coming to life? Fuck No!

Without saying anything I stood up to make space for myself. Looking around for something, anything to keep the hole in my soul from scratching and ripping my heart out.

Desire to flee began to grow, but her voice soothed the need. To the point that a walk into the kitchen to find my bottle of bourbon would replace the need to run from my own thoughts.

“I’m gonna get a drink. You want one?” I was gone before waiting for a reply. Making a list of the things I needed to do.

1. Get a glass

B. Take out the bourbon

3. Pour two fingers

D. Down it in one.

5. Repeat!

•- Embry Call -•

Shit! As soon as she was gone I dragged my hand through my hair and tipped my head back against the couch. The urge to call after her and say I was sorry was immense… but what was I sorry for? What I had said? No. How she was feeling? No. I didn’t like that she was hurting… but that wasn’t something to be sorry for… The fact that she felt like she needed to feel it in private? Maybe…

Spirits.

I didn’t answer her question. But she had asked it, so I didn’t think she wanted me to leave her alone for the rest of the night. But she knew all she had to do was say so if she needed that… right?

I listened to her moving around the kitchen, I said nothing… giving her space. Space to let me know what she needed… space to feel her feelings… space to (I hoped) remember she could feel those feelings right here with me if she wanted to.

Then the music played in my head; the perfect way to tell her:

I’m here.

I see all of you.

All your broken and unbroken pieces.

And I wouldn’t change a single one.

I picked up my phone and scrolled until I found it.

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•- Leah Clearwater -•

Times like this had become few and far between, where I felt like climbing the walls, like running until my heart, legs and chest couldn’t take anymore and then keep going.

Downing another pour of the amber liquid, not allowing myself to taste or enjoy it, I set the glass down and gripped the counter hard. Reminding myself not to break it!

Closing my eyes, I felt my hair falling open, hiding me from the spirits who watched. Ashamed of the reaction I still felt an emotion people seek out in life. And here I was, running from it?

‘You don’t give yourself enough credit. You are holding on to it because you can’t see how your world has evolved in this way.’

I didn’t believe her, there was no evolution here. Replaying Embry’s words:

“𝕀𝕤 𝕚𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖… 𝕋𝕠 𝕝��𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕟’𝕥 𝕒𝕗𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕚𝕥?”

The fear of losing that person was what had my stomach churning?

“ℂ𝕒𝕟 𝕡𝕖𝕠𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕙𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕒 𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕝𝕖 𝕕𝕠𝕦𝕓𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕒𝕝𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕓𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖?”

I guess I couldn’t. The fear of feeling that broken, that lost, that unhinged made my walls go up so hard and fast, that I didn’t even want to consider the alternative.

And then we heard it. The words spoken by another. But saying the things we couldn’t say ourselves.

Embry Call had learnt how to speak to me when I had no words to share!

•- Embry Call -•

I set my phone on her coffee table and stood still, watching the doorway and trying not to act on the tell-tale sounds of her internal struggle in the kitchen. She wasn’t like anyone else in my life… I wouldn’t need to think about following one of the guys and putting a hand on their shoulder or hugging them… if they truly want to be alone they would tell me to fuck off and then it would be forgotten the next day.

Leah was different. Intruding into Leah’s grief would be a violation, it was something she’d held inside for her alone. Only once had I been invited to be with her in one of those moments and I didn’t want it to be the last time. I wanted to be a part of her hard days too… But I knew that would take time… Time I was more than ready to give.

It was when Lily sang “𝔸𝕝𝕝 𝕠𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕖𝕕𝕘𝕖𝕤 𝕗𝕚𝕥 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖.” My wolf took us around the sofa, and we headed to the door, convinced that at her side was where we were supposed to be right now. From the second my feet began to move… I could no longer think of a single reason that he might be wrong.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I stood there in silence, listening to the song, and breathing deeply to control this outburst. And my warrior allowed me to gather myself.

Even with my eyes closed, I heard him setting his phone down, heard his footsteps coming around towards me and I held my eyes open. Running this madness of emotions through my head. What had I been thinking? It wasn’t fair on Embry to see all of this!

Rubbing my face with the back of my sleeve, straightening up I took out the bottle of Jameson I kept in the cabinet for him, and a glass. Pouring him two fingers I turned to face the door. Holding the glass out towards him.

•- Embry Call -•

I was just in the doorway when I spotted her… Waiting for me, of course… whiskey in hand. It made me smile; despite knowing she was in turmoil. Because this was, Leah… in a dark moment she wanted to be here for me. No matter how the tables should be reversed, this was where she came back to herself… doing for others. #Kim and #Claire would call it her love language… what was it they said? 𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕚𝕔𝕖.

So, for this reason alone I took the glass and took a mouthful… “Thank you,” I told her before I set it down on the counter next to her. I touched her cheek and slipped one arm around her waist; stepping in as I pulled her close at the same time. Kissing her forehead. One. The tip of her nose. Two. And her lips. Three. She tasted like her usual bourbon.

I took my hand from her face and wrapped it around her too, leaning my cheek against her hair. I whispered. “I got you.” Nothing else needed to be said as shuffle did the talking for me.

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•- Leah Clearwater -•

This is where that evolution kicked in. The knowledge that I didn’t have to push him out the door, I could say the word and he would leave without a question. Let me stew in my own thoughts until I dug myself out of the hole I’d fallen into.

Knowing, I didn’t have to explain myself in any way gave me the confidence to understand he was where I needed him to be.

I closed my eyes resting myself against his body. Our bodies came together with my arms slipping under his arms and around his back holding him to me.

His heat matched mine, his heartbeat calm against mine. His whisper…. Spirits! I knew it was true…

“Dance with me?” My reply. Because standing still knowing where my mind wanted to live, and I didn’t want that. I wanted to be here present with Embry.

The song spoke a story that was equally beautiful and painful. Reminding me that life came with all aspects, and without one, we wouldn’t know our truth. Because let’s face it. The pain is where our strength comes from.

‘Not just pain… there is more to strengthen.’ She showed me my Ma, the Kid, MsC…. And….. Embry’s eyes!

•- Embry Call -•

My heart stilled when she eased against me, and I knew there was no one else in this world or the next who could understand how it felt to have Leah Clearwater lean on them… literally and figuratively.

It was a trust beyond measure.

I smiled, eyes closed when she made her request, committing the moment to memory. It might seem weird… she was hurting… and this was one I decided was unforgettable. But trust me… this was a moment to remember. “I thought you’d never ask.” I gave a small chuckle and held her close, moving in slow, small circles.

I pressed a kiss to her temple as James TW sang out our truth from the next room.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Moving into him took no thought. Resting my cheek on his shoulder had no thoughts too. Holding him and being held by him… no thoughts at all. It felt right and natural to do.

I didn’t need to thank him or say a word for him to understand where I went. But in my evolving sense, I began to think of ways to articulate what it was that made me run. What made me react? And why hadn’t I moved past it all?

But closing my eyes, breathing him in, letting the words of the song sink in, it was all I needed right now.

I let Embry lead the direction of our movement, I trusted him with my truths, a dance in the kitchen was fair game.

•- Embry Call -•

My heart gave a few erratic thumps… I couldn’t think of anywhere else in the world that I would rather be in this moment. Dancing with Leah, to this specific track playing from the other room, now, tonight. This was part of an intricate plan that was set in place by forces bigger than us and the fact that the two of us chose to follow the path had led us here.

It made everything feel bigger like it was part of a grand scheme.

I rested my cheek against the top of her head. My hands kept a firm hold of her, letting her know without words that I wasn’t letting go, the fingers resting on the small of her back-traced a small, sweeping figure-eight against the fabric of her shirt.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The symbol he was drawing on my back spoke volumes in the silence that held us in this moment.

The sound of his heart did the same over the words and the rhythm of the music playing from the other room.

I knew I didn’t need another person in my life to make me feel seen, heard, and even safe.

But to have someone who was a friend… who was more…. They were a person willing to see the world through my eyes, to understand my feelings and my outlook. But still waited for me to come back to them. By the spirits… it was a first with Embry.

I kept my eyes closed, turning my head on his shoulders to face him. Placing one soft kiss on his neck. In my own way saying. ‘Still real. And I know. You got me.’ Because he did.

•- Embry Call -•

I let out a soft hum at her kiss, it made my heart stutter a few beats... speaking to her as the shuffle gods worked their magic with the next song.

There wasn't anything I needed to say... or anything she needed to hear right now. All we needed was to be right here. After years of hiding away, these deep scars were slowly melting away. I didn't know how long it would take for her to stop hiding it when it accosted her unprepared... I wanted to be here for it. I smiled a little... Spirits, what was this woman doing to me?

She was letting her need me... she could get through these emotions alone... It would look a lot different, but she had done it many times and she could do it again. But right now, she was letting me in, and the music was speaking for me.

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•- Leah Clearwater -•

His heartbeat spoke volumes louder than words ever could. Even if Embry Call had found a way for me to hear the words too.

I couldn’t be any more thankful to him, because he didn’t ask for an explanation or search for answers. He didn’t expect anything from me, other than what I was willing and able to give.

When the song changed, my heartbeat gave a kick. This song brought back memories, emotions, and unspoken conversations between us.

Moving slowly, swaying from side to side. I listened to each word, and the message of this song always hit hard. I just never understood how much until now.

•- Embry Call -•

There was a strange sort of contentment at this moment with her. It seemed strange... but in all the ways that mattered, it wasn't strange at all. No one was ever going to go through their life without pain, upset and trauma. The best we, the people who care for the hurting party, could hope for was to make the journey through that pain a little less difficult. I would never presume my presence alone could lessen what Leah was feeling. But I was here, and I was wanted here. I wasn't going anywhere.

We danced... more like swayed in her kitchen, and it was all that mattered, we were here... holding on. Until...

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[Body Like A Back Road – Sam Hunt]

I couldn't stop my chuckle.

"Well, I guess the shuffle gods have a limit on reading the room."

Then again... maybe that was exactly what they were doing.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Turning my head so that my face was in the crook of his neck my lips curled up into a smile. Slow, small shake of my head I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop from laughing. Because that would just be crazy come to roost!

“Of course…” I whispered. I knew I had to come out of this hole I began digging. But I also knew it wasn’t as deep as it used to be. “There is a limit to gloom… within the bubble,” I added.

Sighing before pushing my head up to hold myself straight. “And the perfect song choice too. I can’t be mad at Sam… he is my guy.” Half smiling now.

•- Embry Call -•

I could feel her smile, by the tell-tale shifting of her cheek on my shoulder and I couldn’t help the jolt my heart gave. When she lifted her head I held her gaze. “No…” I shook my head. “No limits, you can take as much time as you need. No matter what song is playing, Trouble. Always… Okay?” I hoped she understood. I would always make the time to be here for her when she wanted me to be.

I tilted my head at her comment about Sam. “Oh really!” I smirked… “Might be time to take him off the playlists then… Not sure I can compete.” I teased and turned us both around like I was about to head to the living room and turn off the song.

I knew there was no competition. She didn’t want anyone to compete for her. I’d never really seen the idea of competing for someone as a compliment anyway. It was about your own ego and not the person you were supposedly fighting for. I kissed her forehead… and whispered. “I got you.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Closing my eyes, I dropped my head letting his lips and kiss leave their mark. Not a physical one visible to others. But this one was for me and my warrior.

“I know…” I told him. For both knowing I didn’t have to rush out of this darkness, and the fact that he had me.

“Wow.. wow.. wow..” Not letting go of him, even if I knew he was joking.

“Let’s not make any harsh decisions about Sammy, the human worked hard to make a place on the playlist. We can’t just kick him off.”

Turned us around 180 degrees so that he couldn’t just rush off to the living room.

“We should sleep on it, think carefully, and maybe even think about a cooling off period before doing something you might regret.” Looking into his eyes now as I spoke. “After all, he did have a lot to do with our first open conversation and the laughs which came with it?”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed, never taking my eyes off her. The fact that she could change my momentum so easily… without any hint of effort… there was no denying it. It was sexy as fuck.

I thought about her proposition. “Okay… fine. But!” I added the caveat. “If he keeps flirting with you through song; I might just have to go full alphahole on our dear Sammy boy.” I raised a brow. “I don’t think I can be responsible for my actions.”

I smiled and kissed her softly. “Let’s sleep on it.” My eyes stayed locked on hers… her way of saying 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕪 echoed between us very clearly. “I suppose we owe him at least that much.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

First things first. I’m not a damsel who sits her arse down waiting to be saved or protected. I am the protector! So, when I feel that clenched muscles in the depths of my body. With a heat lacing its way up the side of my neck. All in reaction to him joking about going 𝔸𝕝𝕡𝕙𝕒𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖 on a musician's arse. This wasn’t the reaction I was expecting at all!

When his eyes caught mine, the unspoken word was heard loud and clear. So, I nod my head slowly with my fingers coming to stroke his cheek.

Lowering my voice. “You can’t hold Sammy responsible for his actions. Have you seen me? It’s beyond his control.” Half smiling still as I spoke. “But I’m glad we could come to some agreement on the matter, Dimples.”

•- Embry Call -•

A slow smile spread across my face… She liked that…

“Well, well.” My voice was low and rumbling. “Isn’t this a revelation?” I leaned in and inhaled deeply. The cheeky smile turned soft at her touch, now she was doing that thing with her voice that made my heart skip. “Oh, I have seen you, Trouble… but it’s a sight I don’t think anyone could get enough of.”

I kissed her one more time and said, “Shall we?” The music in the next room was playing still.

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[Catch – Brett Young]

I grinned as I stepped away from her, letting my hand trail off of her hips. I downed what was left in my glass… it would be a crime to waste it after all. Then I grabbed her empty one and took them to the sink to wash them. She was a meticulous creature and we both knew she wouldn’t sleep with dirty dishes in the kitchen.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

That was going to happen when the walls I had up came down within our bubble. Of course, nothing was hidden from him within these walls.

My first reaction should have been to punch him /Hard/. But there wasn’t where our evolution brought us now. So, I shrugged my shoulders as to say. ‘Now you know. And what?’

I let him go, stepping away until I felt the counters behind me, tilting my head to watch as he closed my kitchen for me.

By the spirits, he had really made his place in my home. Just as he now had ‘his side or the bed.’ One I didn’t even notice when or how it had happened. One day it wasn’t, and the next…

I licked my lips, listening to the music, letting myself go with the rhythm and the sound of his heart beating calming me too.

When I saw he was done, I held my hand out towards him.

“We shall..”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her… So, jealousy was sexy now… that was where we were at? I chuckled and licked my lips as I glanced over at her, setting the glasses on the side. Even if it was hypothetical jealousy… Apparently, I liked it as much as she did, maybe more.

She hadn’t gone to check the house was locked up… I tilted my head, drying my hands before I slipped my hand into her outstretched one. Nothing about this journey with Leah was mundane in any way… but some things were routine, and even I was shocked at how much I liked it… maybe it was because I knew it gave her comfort. But that didn’t matter, maybe it was the routine or maybe it was how she felt, that made me like it… all that mattered was that we both liked it.

But this… My thumb brushed the back of her hand… this was a deviation from the routine… I smiled at her. It wasn’t the first and it wouldn’t be the last. “Lead the way, Trouble.” I smiled. And follow her, I would. To whatever end.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Feeling the way his touch felt in my hand made my heart and stomach do something they did when he was close, in our bubble.

“Hmm… all because you want to check me out from behind.” I teased. Of course, I did. But at the same time, I did lead the way. Stopping at the living room, to find the windows closed.

I knew my house was closed to the world outside, but I also knew I no longer needed to make sure it was. Sure, I didn’t need someone to feel secure. I had myself in check when it came to that. But with Embry here… this just felt right… like a step was taken on our journey together. Reaching out as we walked by, I pushed the button to turn the speaker off, before taking him down the hallway to the bathroom door. Turning I kissed his cheek.

“You can go first tonight.” Kissing his cheek again letting him go.

•- Embry Call -•

A smile spread across my face. “That is a definite perk.” I laughed, but I already told her when it was her time… I would follow her lead. And I still meant that.

And follow I did… dropping my gaze to her arse and smiling. “Spirits! What a view!”

She didn’t let go of me to go through her routine, instead headed towards the bedroom. I leaned in and kissed her once. “Okay…” I opened the door, still holding her hand. “Feel free to be undressed when I walk into the bedroom.” I teased her… but I was certainly not opposed to the idea in the slightest.

I let her go and slipped inside, Retrieving the bag she kept in a drawer for me and started to clean up before bed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I knew he was checking me out from behind. It was an absolute pleasure to have his eyes on me.

Then his comment about being undressed made me laugh and shake my head.

“What and give you a heart attack? What would the spirits say?” Keeping my tone light with the tease.

Once he went into the bathroom, I walked to the back door. Locking it and checking the windows to the utility area there before making my way to my bedroom.

Heading straight to the windows, I opened them both wide. Letting the sound of the rain, and the cooling breeze in. Closing my eyes, to listen to the sounds of the night, hearing the thunder coming from afar.

The spirits were singing in a low hum, welcoming the thunder and the rain to our lands. So, I whispered a prayer along with them. Wanting the night to protect those who needed it and give strength to those who had lost theirs.

I began humming to myself as I undressed from my clothes. Undoing my bar and slipping out of my underwear. Setting everything into the laundry basket.

Once upon a time, I would be done, ready to climb into my bed but now. I’d moved to my drawers to pull out one of his T-shirts. Slipping it on, before I began turning the bed down.

I could hear him moving around, with my eyes set on ‘his side’, of my bed.

•- Embry Call -•

“Spirits!” I muttered. “At least I would go smiling and horny.” I laughed as I vanished behind the door.

I listened to her moving around the room as I readied myself, brushing my teeth and washing up… even cleaning out the sink for her when she came in here next.

The scent and sound of the rain in her room made me stop and smile. But the sight of her in 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 t-shirt… made my heart stop and restart a moment later. This woman was one of a kind. I wrapped my arms around her from behind and whispered. “Thinking about stealing my side of the bed?” I asked her. I knew what she was looking at. I had stood in the same place thinking the same thing, many times. “I’ll fight you for it?” I teased.

I rested my chin on her shoulder, listening to the world beyond the window. “Spirits… That is the best sound isn’t it?” She’d know I meant the rain… it made me bury my nose in my hair. She always smelled of rain, sea air and the forest… like she had just been for a ride in typical La Push weather. “The scent always reminds me of you.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“There you go… promising me a good time again.” My lips curled up into the smile only he witnessed these days. “I’m not sure she would let me. She may even hold me back.” She was listening. Saying nothing. Leaving me to have my time with Embry.

I closed my eyes with his arms around me. Heat rose up the side of my neck at being caught out, with the reality of how he knew just where my mind had gone.

It wasn’t that my warrior and I hadn’t heard him coming. It was that we chose to remain in our memories and mine space because we trusted in him.

The scent of Embry filled my space, mingling with the rain, fresh mint, and soap. Each fragrance completely transformed my mind to different places in my memory before I was back in this room.

Resting my hands over his, leaning into his hold and body, I took the time to refresh all those memories with this scent. This feeling of being held by him.

“Hmm…” I finally opened my eyes. Knowing he meant the rain. “But listening from my ears… It’s even better…” because I could appreciate the sound his heart added to the mix.

My heart betrayed me again, but this time I just went with the flow. I turned myself around in his arms. I kissed his lips softly. “I won’t be long.” Kissing him again.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled. “Trust me… I know. She’s sixty percent of the reason I’m here to start with.” I laughed, my breath dancing against her skin. The way she let her body ease into mine always gave me the greatest kind of chills. It was trust… and trust I knew she hadn’t shown anyone else. It was a spiritual experience every time.

“So corny.” I teased her and kissed her quickly beneath her ear, hearing how her heart gave her away and then mine skipped… like they were having a conversation in a secret code we weren’t allowed to know. She spun inside my hold, and I smiled widely when those eyes linked with mine for that second before they closed when she kissed me. “Try not to miss me.” I teased and slowly trailed my hands off her hips as I let her go.

I moved over to the chair I normally kept my clothes on and made sure to lift my t-shirt before she stepped out of the room.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Such a Wisearse!” Smiling, I backhand slapped his arse walking away from him towards the bedroom door, turning to look back over my shoulder not expecting anything, until my core and all the muscles in me clenched tightly.

Shaking my head. “Tease!” Smiling, I walked barefoot down the hallway. Closing the door and readying my back on it. My eyes up asking the spirits what he was doing to me!

When I glanced around the bathroom, a frown and a smile popped over me at the same time. He’d used the space and left it clean, tidy, and set to use again.

Yeah… He most definitely… found himself fully integrated into my home life.

•- Embry Call -•

“Kinky!” I laughed when she swatted my arse. Honestly, it was kind of a turn-on.

I folded my clothes and set my phone and the hospital beeper on the bedside table. I hummed a Brett Young song as I did… since he was fresh on my mind and the tune was particularly relevant. By the time I reached the chorus, the words were playing in my head.

𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼

𝗚𝗼 𝗼𝗻, 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿

𝗕𝗮𝗯𝘆, 𝗸𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗲𝘀

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘆, "𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲'𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲"

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵

𝗜 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂

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[Dance With You – Brett Young]

Before I knew it I was singing out loud as I climbed into 𝕞𝕪 𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕖 of her bed. I smiled and inhaled the cool night air filling her room… the night had been heavy… but there wasn't a thing I would change. We were here for each other… and I knew that wasn't easy… but it was effortless.

And that meant something. Right?

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My mind wasn’t racing, it was calm as still water while I made my way around the bathroom preparing myself.

The conversation of going through my thoughts, the wheres, hows, and whys of the time spent, and each time I came to understand a part of the conversation. His smiling face flashed. At how easy it was to let myself be seen by him, to react honestly and openly. To step away and take time, and how he was there telling me by his actions when that time was enough.

Embry allowed himself to step back. Gave me time to collect myself. But... then, stepped up… showed me, told me… I wasn’t doing this on my own anymore.

It was when I was drying and cleaning the sink that he began to sing. Through the mirror, my gaze sat on the door listening to him. Smiling at him naturally expressing himself.

Turning the lights off, I slowly made my way down the hall. Pulling my hair out from under the tee, where I had left it while washing my face.

When I came to the door, I stood there listening to him sing, watching him climb into bed. Feeling the warmth in this stolen moment into his nighttime routine.

“Great choice in songs.” Finally stepping into the room out of the darkness of the hallway. “Don’t stop?” It was an incredible way to look into his soul. By the songs he picked.

Walking up to his side table, leaning down to kiss him once. My fingers reached over to curl around the beeper.

When I stood again, I brought it with me to my side setting it down beside my bottle of water before climbing in beside him.

•- Embry Call -•

I did stop for a second when she spoke… I smiled up at her as she leaned down to kiss me. I wondered for a moment why she wouldn’t have climbed in and given me that kiss. But she answered that by picking up the beeper. Even now… after the storm of emotions she’d weathered tonight; she still lifted this burden. I didn’t stop her, Leah knew her limits and I wasn’t going to question them.

I watched her walk back around the bed and gave her her request.

“𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕪. 𝕎𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘.”

Singing without music… either playing music or singing along to a track; I had done before… Spirits! Even when I sang in the shower I normally had music. This a cappella thing… it revealed the flaws in my voice. But that was okay.

She climbed in next to me and I turned to her. My hand reached across her and slid her closer by her waist.

“𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕓𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕥𝕙 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟, 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕚𝕟'𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕟' 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕘.”

I leaned in and the next words were spoken more than sang.

“ℂ𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕕𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕖, 𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕛𝕦𝕤𝕥, 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕞𝕪 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There were no flaws in his voice. How could there be? He sang from the heart, and the spirits accompanied from outside.

The way he slid me across the bed and into him, made my blood roil in a pleasant way. Sure I knew his strength. But this, seeing it first-hand. Especially when you took things like this for granted. It came with the added bonus of being shaken for a moment.

I did as he sang and said. Entwining my legs around his, my arm slipped its way to rest over his waist. My head was over his arm, and I kissed the crook of his neck, taking in this scent I seemed to crave so often when we were apart. When.. well.. when I missed him!

His voice was just what this night needed. This… laying beside him and falling asleep with him beside me.

“Sweet dreams, dimples,” I whispered. Breathing him in again.

•- Embry Call -•

She twisted herself up with me, making my breath catch… and yet she wanted me to keep singing? Thank the Spirits I never claimed singing as one of my many talents. But, still… she would get what she wanted, even when that kiss made me forget the words for a second. I kept singing once they returned to me.

“𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕨𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕟, 𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕒 𝕤𝕠𝕟𝕘, 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕠

𝔾𝕠 𝕠𝕟, 𝕝𝕖𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣

𝔹𝕒𝕓𝕪, 𝕜𝕚𝕔𝕜 𝕠𝕗𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕖𝕤

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕤𝕒𝕪, "𝕃𝕚𝕗𝕖'𝕤 𝕒 𝕕𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖"

𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕚𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕥𝕙

𝕀 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕒 𝕕𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦

𝕀 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕒 𝕕𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦”

Here I was… in Leah Clearwater’s bed… holding her, singing to her… Singing to her about holding her… about dancing with her through this crazy, whirlwind, exhilarating path. I rested my cheek against the top of her head. Listening to the rain and lingering echoes of my borrowed words. “Sleep well, Trouble.”

#LeahClearwater #EmbryCall #TwilightRP #TwiRP #AUWorld #HotHeadSheWolf #SpiritsHotHead #BabBoyEmbryCall #Youtube #storyline21 #Everyone’s Broken and I’ve Got This Missing Piece

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