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"How are you feeling?" Evie heard which made her snap back into reality.
The memory faded in her mind as she turned to meet Embry. He was softly smiling, hands shoved into his jeans' pocket. He then walked over to her and sat next to her on the wooden log.
"I noticed you were kinda off earlier," he said.
Evie slightly smiled. Embry was always so caring toward her. He was always to kind and lovely, so sweet and gentle. He always checked on her to know if she was alright, or knew what to say to make her feel good. If Evie was getting better, a big part was because of Embry. And she was grateful to him.
"How did you find me?" Evie only asked.
Embry playfully scoffed.
"C'mon, I know you, V," he smiled. "You've always loved the sound of the sea. So I figured you would be either here or at the cliff,"
Evie's smile widened a bit. She felt quite flustered. Embry and she had always been friends. But this months together brought them even closer. Embry saw Evie in a state she would have never allow anyone but her family to see. He saw her at her lowest. So the bond their share was even closer than before. Even stronger. Embry was there when she needed him. Evie felt incredibly grateful but guilty at the same time. He was giving her so much of his time. She felt like she was being a burden.
"I'm sorry," she suddenly said. Embry frowned and looked at her. "You should be having fun with the others. Not worrying about me,"
"Don't talk rubbish," Embry scolded. "I don't mind being here. I want to be here. How could I ignore you when you not all right. I told you, I'm here for you,"
Evie felt even more grateful. She didn't know what she had done in her previous life to deserve having him by her side. But she must have done something incredibly heroic. The more she spent time with Embry, the more she grew fond of him.
"The person you'll imprint on will be one lucky person," she smiled. "I envy them,"
"Well, maybe I'll never find an imprint," Embry said.
"Don't say that, you surely will," Evie reassured.
"No, I mean..." Embry paused a moment. Evie looked at him. He was staring at the sea. "Honestly, this soul mate thing is kinda scary. Being connected with someone forever... I mean, what if you hated the person at first and it turns out they are your imprintee?"
Evie chuckled.
"Yeah, it would be awkward,"
"And then there is this situation with Leah and Sam," Embry continued. "They were together but she wasn't his imprintee. He had to break up with her to get with Emily. Who's her cousin. I mean, it's pretty messed up,"
"Yeah but you're already a shifter, so you'll know who will be the one," Evie reasoned. "So it won't happen to you,"
Embry stayed silent a moment and looked down. Evie clearly saw something was bothering him.
"What is it?" She asked.
Embry sighed. He seemed to be debating to talk or not.
"Hey, you saw me all crying ugly and talking about how I feel," she joked making him slightly smile. "You can talk to me, I will listen,"
"It's just... There's this girl I really like," he smiled. Evie oo-ed with a knowing smile. "Don't laugh," he chuckled.
"She's so... good-hearted, selfless, kind, gentle, but brave, and always stand for herself. Even scary sometime," Embry said, looking dreamily.
Evie looked at him with a soft smile. She was happy Embry finally found someone. He deserved it. But if he was bothered, it meant that something wasn't right. And they were talking about imprinting... then it hit Evie.
"You didn't imprint on her," she guessed. Embry shook his head.
"Yet I still freaking like her," he bitterly chuckled. "Worst thing is-"
But he cut himself off. Evie frowned.
"Just forget it," he shrugged it off.
"Are you sure? If it's bothering you, you shouldn't keep it for yourself," Evie said.
Embry seemed to be debating again. He opened his mouth but then closed it. He sighed.
"We should head back home," he stood up and headed out of the beach.
Evie's frown deepened as she quickly stood up and followed him.
"Hey, Embry," she called as she caught his up. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"It's just-" Embry sighed and turned to her. "It's useless anyway. I don't stand a chance,"
"Did you at least try?"
"What's the point? I didn't imprint on her," Embry said. "I wish I did, she deserves so much better," he muttered the last part but Evie heard it all right.
"Em," she called as she gently cupped his face with one hand, making him look at her. "It will be hurtful, but one day, when you'll find your second half, it might be worth the pain. You'll find someone better for you,"
"I don't want someone else," he muttered, looking at Evie straight in the eyes.
He gently reached to move a lock of her hair behind her ear. He seemed in a daze, mesmerised by Evie. Slowly, Embry took a step and leaned in. His face was getting closer and closer to Evie's face. Her heart was beating fast, she could feel his breath on her face. She stood still, letting Embry getting closer. Then, he softly pressed his lips on hers. Embry cupped her cheeks and brought her closer to her. The kiss was soft and gentle. Embry was telling her how much she meant to him through this kiss.
Evie closed her eyes. She enjoyed the kiss. This gentle and soft feeling. But there was something different. Something was off to her. And then she saw him. His face in her mind. It was like a slap to her face. Evie broke the kiss and pulled away.
"I'm sorry...," she whispered.
Embry seemed to be hit by reality as realisation took over his face.
"No... I... I'm the one who should apologise- I am sorry, I shouldn't have," Embry stressed out. He looked away from her then quickly walked away.
"Hey- Embry, it's okay," she tried to reassure.
"No, it's not! You're Jacob's imprintee! I... I am sorry," he said. He then phased and dashed off.
"Wait! Em!"
~~
The next night came quite fast. Evie hadn't talked to Embry since the day before. She would have but he didn't show up at Sam's place. But she knew he would be there at the bond fire. The entire pack's presence was required for the two new shifters. So here Evie was, sat in the backseat of the family car with Seth. Mrs. Clearwater was driving to Billie's place. Leah was on the passager seat.
Actually, it would be quite weird to Evie to come back to the Black residence. She came from time to time to visit Billie. He too was affected by Jacob's departure. But it had been quite some time she hadn't visit him there.
After a few minutes of drive, the Clearwaters finally arrived at the Black residence. They went out of the car and headed to the Black's backyard. The pack and the elders were already there.
"Dude, you better hope Jacob never find out about this," Quill said.
"Well, he have come back for that," Embry bitterly said.
"Embry," Sam started but was cut off.
"I know, I know, I messed up!" He stressed, taking his head in his hands. When he looked up, his eyes met with Evie's who was coming their way with Leah and Seth. Embry instantly looked away.
"What happened with Embry?" Seth asked, noticing the awkwardness and tension between the two.
"Um... we uh... kissed," she muttered.
"You what?" Seth almost shouted as he widened his eyes. "If Jacob-"
"He's not here anyway," Leah said. Both Evie and Seth frowned as they look at her.
"I thought you would be the maddest about this," Evie said, voicing her shared confusion with Seth.
"Embry is the one who was with you when you needed it. Jacob is the one who caused you pain. The choice is quickly made," Leah said.
"But it's not that simple," Seth pointed out.
"Sadly," Evie said as they reached the group and sat on a log.
Two new shifters were sat next to Billie. A girl and a guy. The guy was around Leah's age. His black hair styled on the side, he was talking with Jared and Paul. Next to him was a girl around Seth's age. Her hair were cut short but was a little longer than Leah's. Evie remembered her hair to be even longer the last time she saw her. But right now, the new shifter didn't seem delighted to be here.
"Sarah," Evie called, catching the young new shifter's attention. Sarah looked to her and Evie tossed her a wrapped burger. The young girl smiled. "Don't worry, you'll get use to them,"
"I can't imagine how hard it must have been for Leah when she first phased," Sarah said.
"It was hell," Leah admitted. "It still is," she added, making the two girl chuckled.
"Come on, it can't be that bad," Paul said.
"It is," both Evie and Leah said.
"You don't know how relieving it is to have a new girl with us," Evie said. "We're becoming less outnumbered,"
"You make it sounds as if we were bad people," Seth pouted.
"Aw, not you Seth. You'll always be an exception," Evie reassured as she put her arm around her little brother's shoulder.
"Everyone favorites him," Quil scoffed.
"I mean, it's Seth so yeah," Leah defended her brother. Seth smiled ear to ear as he hugged his sisters.
"Uh, I wish I had a cute face like his," Quil complained, making everyone laughed.
"Hey, Seth-" Evie called turning to her baby brother.
But she stopped and frowned she saw him frozen, staring at one thing. Or more like one person. Evie followed his gaze and saw Sarah looking back at him, seeming in a daze. Evie smiled ear to ear as she happily ruffled her brother's hair.
"Hey!" Seth complained.
"Congrats, dude," Paul said. "The kid finally grew up," he joked.
Seth's cheeks grew pink as he looked away. Sarah took seemed to be quite embarrassed. Especially with her brother who kept teasing her.
"Joke aside," Aaron said. "You and I need to talk, Seth,"
The youngest Clearwater swallowed hard. Aaron was an intimidating guy. Being a shifter now, it was even worst.
"Don't worry about it," Leah told her brother. "He's just acting brave and tough,"
"Says the one who always act brave and tough," Aaron said.
Leah scoffed and was about to shot back but stopped as she met Aaron's eyes. The both of them froze as the pack oo-ed at them. Leah was the one who looked away first, clearing her throat. Evie chuckled and playfully nudged her sister as she teased her. Leah just told her to shut up which made Evie burst in laughter. Evie knew that even though Leah was acting unbothered, the oldest Clearwater was all flustered.
That night was filled with laughter and joy. Everyone's problems seemed to have been pushed aside.
But after the sun always comes rain.