"I thought he was on Bellaâs side," Sarah voiced, confused.
"I can't believe he threw us away like this!" Leah almost shouted in anger. What remain of the Black pack was still in the forest with Paul and Embry. Jacob left to go back to the Cullens. Paul called Quill about the sudden twist.
"Leah," Evie called in a unusual serious tone. It was quite surprising to them.
"You knew about this?!" The older Clearwater asked.
"He did what he thought was right," Evie said. Leah was about to say something but Evie beat her to this. "This was necessary," she added, looking straight at her sister's eyes.
Leah stayed silent. She knew her sister. She was never this serious if it was not necessary. Evie knew something. Something that she couldn't say in front of Paul and Embry. It was a plan.
The oldest Clearwater took a deep breath and calmed down. And the rest of their team seemed to have gotten the message.
"Seems like you and Jacob made up," Paul said catching everyone's attention.
Evie looked at him. By doing this, she caught a sight of Embry. He seemed interested but embarrassed at the same time. After all, he liked her. It should have never happened, but he still did. And it was quite insensitive of Paul to bring up the topic knowing damn well how complex it was between Jacob, Embry, and Evie.
"I can't see how it's any of your business," Leah shot back walking go stand next to his sister.
"Shouldn't you be with your imprintee?" Seth added, standing on the other side of Evie. Soon, both Aaron and Sarah joined their imprintee.
Embry looked at each and everyone of them. The Black pack was so close and protective of each other. Hd could see the bond that linked them. The Uley pack expected them to messy and unorganized as they were created out of nowhere and so recently. Not to mention that they had no council to guide them. The Black pack was basically freestyling. But the Uley pack was wrong and Embry could see it. The Black pack was somehow working.
Paul chuckled and held his hands in surrender.
"Relax! I didn't mean to offend anyone," Paul said. "Itâs just surprising how things changed so fast. Weeks ago you wanted to shred him to pieces and now, you two are lovers again,"
"A lot of things happened," Evie said. "He realized things and I realized some,"
"So... you are back together again?" Paul asked.
Evie stayed silent. It wasn't that she didn't want to answer. But she didn't know what to answer. Were they really back together? Were they boyfriend and girlfriend? They did kiss but they didn't talk about it. It wasn't really the right time. And besides...
Evie glanced at Embry. She knew she would go back to Jacob. The bond that linked them was unbreakable. She loved him to an extant she couldn't describe. But Embry liked her. And she didn't want to hurt him. She knew it would have eventually happened. But she couldn't bring herself to. The situation was already painful. Even though Embry lied to her and made a choice that wasn't his to make, Evie missed him. She missed her friend. Their hang outs, their conversations. They were so close and now... Everything was shattered. And she had no idea if they could recover what they had.
"I'm happy you two are back together," Embry said, snapping Evie out of her thoughts. It was quite surprising not only for Evie but for everyone else there. They all knew how the Call boy was fond of the Clearwater girl. And that was exactly why he said this. All he wanted was Evie's happiness. As well as Jacob's. "You look... better," he smiled.
Evie only softly smiled but kept her mouth shut. It was quite strange to talk about it with him. They hadn't talked since they argued. Many questions still remain unaswered.
The Black pack didn't come back to the reservation. Evie decided to stay in the forest, near the Cullen's house. She thought it was the best choice to make. And the rest of the pack followed her orders. In case something happen, they would be close enough to be quick to react. Of course, she didn't tell Paul this or he would have refused. So she told him that it was better to stay close to spy on them. So as soon as an opportunity show, they wouldn't lose a second to act. Besides, Evie had no desire to come back with the Uleys. She knew the pack would be wary of them and wouldn't trust them. They would be maybe even not okay with their return. Not that they were wrong anyway.
Eventually, Quil came back. Sam agreed to take them all back. But the middle child of the Clearwater family knew damn well he was suspicious of them. He may had even asked Quill to keep an eye on them. She couldn't blame him, she would have did the same things. Who would blindly trust people who left your pack then came back not because they realised their mistakes but because their alpha told them too. So yeah, Sam had every right to be suspicious.
"So Jacob made you his Beta," Evie heard. She turned only to be faced with Embry.
"How do you...," she managed to say.
"Come on, I know you," he chuckled as he walked to stand beside her. "You didn't stop to be so serious and you were the only one to not be angered by Jake's decision. So I assumed you knew,"
Evie kept quiet and only nodded with a soft smile. Embry had always been good at reading her. It was annoying but good at the same time. It was hard to keep secrets from him. But his ability to read her was of help when she wasn't feeling good.
"And I know Jake too," he added. "It only makes sense that he chose you as his Beta,"
Evie glanced at him. She didn't know if she would ever get used to talk about Jacob with Embry. It was wierd. Embry liked her, but Evie and Jacob loved each other. And for Evie to talk about her relationship with Jacob with tve guy that had feelings for her... she felt like hurting him on purpose. She didn't want that.
"Look, Embry-"
"I'm fine," he cut her off. Evie stared at him. "Everything that happened, this broken relationship between you and I... it's all my fault,"
"Embry-,"
"No, don't try to say it's not," he said. "Because it is. And I'm sincerly sorry for that. I knew, from the beginning that you and I would have never worked out. Because it had always been Jacob and you. I never had a chance and yet... I still let myself falling for you... I still let myself hope knowing damn well I would never get your love in return,"
Evie looked down. She clenched her jaw. Hearing Embry saying he wanted her to love him. It was painful. Because she could do that. She wanted him to be happy. She was a dear friend to her. But the only thing that would make him happy... she couldn't give it to him. And she hated that. Her heart had always and will always want Jacob. She couldn't do anything about it. And it was hurting her friend. She didn't want that. But she knew it would have eventually. No matter how hard she tried. One of them would have end up hurt. If she forced herself to stay friend with both, they would all be hurting. Because none would be with the one they wanted. If she chose Embry, Jacob would be hurting. And even though she knew she would somehow be happy with Embry, she wouldn't feel complete. And if she chose Jacob, Embry would be hurting. No matter what choice she make, pain would be there. Everyone couldn't be pleased.
"And because I was so stubborn and so childish... all this mess between us three happened...," he continued. "I lost my best friend... and I lost another you...,"
"You didn't loose me," Evie said, looking up at him. Embry looked at her. "And you didn't loose Jacob either. This situation is... something. But I cannot blame you for having feelings and for hoping to be happy... I was angry at you but looking at what is happening right now... Bella, our shattered Quileute pack... I don't want to be angry at you anymore. But I don't want to hurt you either,"
The Call boy softly smiled.
"It will pass," Embry reassured. "My feelings for you will disappear. And one day, I'll find my imprintee. So don't cut your own happiness just to please me. Think about yourself first,"
Evie looked at him and sigh.
"I'm so sorry. I wish I could give you what you want-"
"Don't," he smiled. "Things like this happen. The one we love doesn't always love us back. And that's okay. I'm just glad we're okay,"
"Thank you," Evie softly smiled. "I know it's a lot to ask but-,"
"Of course we can still be friend!" Embry laughted. "Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily? Please," he rolled her eyes.
Evie chuckled and opened her arms wide. Embry smiled and hugged her tightly. Even in this crazy situation, both of them where thrilled to see their friendship restored. Now Evie felr complete. She had her dear friend back. For days it had been bothering her. She felt like something was missing. And this something was Embry. She missed her relationship with him. But now even in this grave time, they had found a little happiness and happy ending.
But suddenly, Evie's senses sharpened. Someone crossed their perimeter. She and Embry pulled away as they turned toward trees. Evie squinted her eyes and sighed, annoyed.
"Jay, what the hell are you doing here?!" She exclaimed. "I told you to not come anymore!"
"If I want to know what's going on I must investigate myself!" He pouted.
"This is not some game, Jayden," Evie seriously told.
"Then tell me whatâs going on and why everyone is so worked up and I'll stop coming!"
"This is none of your business," Quil said as he arrived behind his little brother. "What in the hell are you doing here? This is a dangerous place. Go back home!"
"See! You won't tell me so I had to come and see for myself!" Jay exclaimed. Quil sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know it's something about that Bella girl,"
"How do you- you never stopped coming?" Embry asked.
"I just stayed out of your perimeter but enough to see," the boy said in triumph.
"You- I swear to god you better come back home," Evie scolded in an angry tone. "You shouldn't be here when-"
But Evie couldn't finish her sentence when they heard a scream from the Cullens house. Multiples panicked voices errupted into the living room. It was enough for Evie to understand. Something had happened and Bella would deliver sooner than expected.
"Evie," Aaron called in a hurry as he and the other joined her.
"I know," she only said, the face grave.
"Jay? What are you doing here?" Sarah asked, surprised.
"We'll take of of him later," Leah said. "What do we do now?"
"Nothing," Paul said as he stood a few feet behind them all. "You are not with them anymore. Whatever is going on inside is none of your business,"
"But Bella could be dying!" Seth exclaimed.
"She is not under out protection anymore," Paul continued. "Whatever happen to her does not concern us in any way,"
"But-"
"Seth," Evie cut off, lips pressed and not liking what she was about to say. But at the moment, they were part of the Uley pack. And they couldn't do anything anyway. They would only disturb Edward and Rosalie. She just wished Carlisle was there. "We do nothing. Sam's order,"
It cost Evie a lot to say that. And her fellow pack members could see it. It was not the moment for them to act. Not yet.
No one knew seconds, minutes or hours passed. All they knew was the killing anxiety of the moment, of not knowing what was happening. They stood outside of the house, watching for any sign of life. But all they could see was an empty living room. Until someone moved.
Evie took a step as she saw Jacob abruptly left the house. Blood on his shirt, eyes full of tears, face rigid, he looked at Evie. He shook his head left to right. It felt as if the oxygen was knocked out from Evie's lungs. Her heart sank deep in her stomach which twisted as she struggled to realksed.
"Bella's dead," Sarah muttered in shock.
As soon as the words excaped her lips, Paul and Quil left to inform Sam in a hurry just after that Quil shouted to his brother to go home. It was now only a matter of time before the battle.
Evie took a deep breath and fought the tear away.
"Jay get inside the house," Evie ordered, catching everyone's attention.
Sam and his pack would be showing up in a few minutes. And Evie didn't want Jay to wander in the forest in the middle of the night. So the safest place for him was the Cullen's house.
"What? Why?" Jay asked confused.
"Get inside. Now!" Evie ordered.
"Sarah, Seth, you stay with him," Jacob added, as he composed himself. "You'll protect him and the baby. Evie, Leah, Aaron, and I will keep the Uley pack away,"
The two yougest members of the Black pack nodded as they leaded Jay inside the house. Usually, Seth would have argued to stay with the oldests to fight. But it wasn't the moment. And it wasn't like any fights. Jay did not protest and only followed them. He noticed how serious and shaken they all were. And he didn't want to get scolded anymore.
The rest of the pack joined Jacob. Evie walked over to him and embraced him into a tight hug. He burried his head into the crook of her head for a moment, inhaling her soft scent. She was calming him. They eventually pulled away.
"No killing," Jacob ordered. "We tire them and hope for Carslile to reason Sam,"
"And if he can't," Leah pointed out.
"Then we'll see," Jacob said.
"I'll help you," Embry suddenly said. Everyone looked at him, surprised. "I don't want to fight you. And I don't want to kill a newborn either. Vampire or not,"
Jacob stared at him for a moment. It was as if he was trying to analyse him, to find any trace of lie. Evie anxiously watched him as he made his way towards Embry. She knew Jacob would eventually forgive him. But she didn't know if he would now. But she eased as she watched the Black kid extanding his hand to his friend.
"Good to see you back," Jacob smiled.
"I should be the one saying that," Embry smiled, taking his friend's hand.
"Let's fight for what is right,"