#babboyembrycall

[blazingtheway]

Pizza Night - Storyline 21 - Together

≡ Embry ≡

“Never trust a bunny with your snake!”

≡ Leah ≡

“I told you bunnies aren’t as sweet as they look.”

≡ Embry ≡

“I didn't disagree!”

≡ Leah ≡

“Oh yeah. I was the one throwing them into you for a laugh.”

≡ Embry ≡

Clutches my non-existent pearls.

“Are saying it was something I did!?”

≡ Leah ≡

Pressing my lips together with a nod. “Spirits yeah. And you know it.”

≡ Embry ≡

Crossing my arms.

"And how exactly did I do this?"

Not sure I wanted to know the answer.

≡ Leah ≡

Mirroring his stand, with my arms crossed over my chest.

“Do you need me to show you a mirror?” Raising my eyebrow in a perfect arch. “Can’t blame the bunnies. They didn’t have a chance in front of a warrior.”

≡ Embry ≡

“Oh!!!! So, I was too sexy… so… my fault?”

Raises a brow.

≡ Leah ≡

“I didn’t say that.” Pointing to him. “You said it. I’m just pointing out facts.”

Tilting my head to the side.

≡ Embry ≡

“Let's get the mirror then and you can point out exactly what you are saying!”

Calling her bluff.

≡ Leah ≡

Narrowing my eyes at him. Biting on the inside of my cheeks.

“Fine… after you.” Nodding in the direction of the bathroom.

≡ Embry ≡

“Is this the part where you lock me in and install a cat flap that you slide my food through while you keep me hostage?”

Follows her anyway.

≡ Leah ≡

Rolling my eyes.

“It’s not a hostage situation if you’re a willing participant, Dimples….. I checked.”

Smirking.

≡ Embry ≡

I tilted my head and smirked... She had a point.

"Well... I suppose I can't deny that... both your point and my..." I waggled my brows. "Willingness."

≡ Leah ≡

Rolling my eyes again. Pushing the door of the bathroom open and stepping to the side.

“I’m always right. You just never listen.”

Motioning for him to go inside.

≡ Embry ≡

"Oh no... My mom raised a gent... Ladies first."

≡ Leah ≡

“My house. My rules. Guests first. Unless they are Chicken.”

≡ Embry ≡

Raises a brow.

"I think the last time that chicken line worked on me I was 11!" I chuckled. "Fine I'll go first... just to be a polite guest!" And because she was way more stubborn than me... I was too curious to wait.

≡ Leah ≡

Shaking my head.

“Nah…. I’ve known that Chicken word to work on you not so long ago, Dimples.”

Resting one shoulder on the door frame waiting for him to step into the bathroom.

“Tick tock… Embry… tick tock.”

≡ Embry ≡

I stepped inside careful not to turn my back on her.

“Always in a rush, Trouble!”

Teases.

≡ Leah ≡

“With you? Never.”

Raising my eyebrow.

“Where is the trust, Dimples?”

≡ Embry ≡

“Oh, I trust you.”

Chuckles.

“I trust you to be about 5 steps ahead of me!!”

≡ Leah ≡

“Five? There you go underestimating me again. Have you learnt nothing?”

Smile a little too sweetly.

≡ Embry ≡

"I said About!!" Sticking out my tongue.

"Could be more! See!" I pointed at her too sweet to be savoury smile... "I knew you were up to something! I'm gonna die in this bathroom." I turned to the mirror to fix my hair.

"At least, I'll still be pretty when I go."

≡ Leah ≡

Shaking my head. “Why are you so paranoid?

Rolling my eyes. “Only if I don’t smash your face in first.” I pulled the door shut. Not locking it, before making my way back to my living room.

“This should give me at least twenty minutes of peace. While you look in the mirror.”

≡ Embry ≡

Thinks about staying here to see what she’d do….

“Nah!” I decided it was more fun to mess with her now. So, I chased her down the hall and caught her around the waist from behind.

≡ Leah ≡

“Spirits!” I heard him before I felt him. My hands moved to rest over his, shaking my head with a smirk. “Really? Not even two minutes? This evolution thing sucks sometimes.”

No, it didn’t. But it was funny to tease.

≡ Embry ≡

I laughed and lifted her off her feet. Kissing her cheek awkwardly from behind. “I just decided there was something even better than me to look at… I thought you called that personal growth…” I smirked.

“You know. Evolution and all.”

≡ Leah ≡

Snapping my teeth at him. My hands holding on to his. “It’s why I said it sucks, Dimples!”

Spirits! My house sounds like a home filled with his laughter!

≡ Embry ≡

“Nah!!” Setting her down.

“We both know we are all for the evolution thing. Especially when it leads to…” I pulled her in. “This.” I leaned in to kiss her once on the lips sweetly. Then kissed her all over her face.

≡ Leah ≡

“Embry! Call!” Growling and laughing at the same time, I didn’t fight the attention. But couldn’t not growl at him… for the fun of it.

Curling my arms around his neck. I snapped my teeth pretending to try to catch his lips to bite them.

“You’re asking for trouble now.”

≡ Embry ≡

I wrapped my arms around her and locked her in (sort of) by grabbing my own wrist.

"I think you'll find I already have trouble, Trouble."

Smirks.

≡ Leah ≡

“Funny…” narrowing my eyes at him with a smirk on my lips. “Okay… I see what you did there.”

Kissing his nose. “Look who is stepping into his trouble now.”

≡ Embry ≡

It was the narrowing of the eyes that did it... I swallowed hard.

"If you promise not to knock me on my arse I'll make you my famous pizza?"

≡ Leah ≡

My foot was moving to curl up around his ankle and pull it out from underneath him. But I stopped.

“Pizza? Now?” I asked setting myself straight in front of him. “Hmm…”

≡ Embry ≡

I knew what she was doing… but I leaned in and dropped my voice the way she liked.

“You know you want to… hot… gooey... Makes you feel so good inside.” I brushed my lips against her ear. “Say yes, Trouble… you know you want to.”

And my stomach growled. It was saying yes first.

≡ Leah ≡

By the spirits! The way he did that! It did something in the core of my being!

Curling my neck I closed my eyes controlling the way my body told on me. Until I heard his stomach, and then I laughed.

“Pizza it is.” Snapping my teeth at him. “You have a way of making it sound amazing.”

≡ Embry ≡

I laughed. “Well… that's gotta be a record... Turning a woman on talking about pizza… do I get a prize?”

Awkwardly shuffling towards the kitchen without letting her go. She couldn't deny it, I could smell it.

≡ Leah ≡

Rolling my eyes at the comment and more so the way he had chosen for us to walk towards the kitchen?

“You know it’s not the pizza, Wisearse.” I wasn’t going to give him a big head by explaining my body's reactions.

“I don’t know… keep trying to mess with me, and No.”

≡ Embry ≡

I smirked and let her go and took her hand to spin her around. "Trust me... I know exactly what it is."

I stepped away and gave her a world-class view of my arse as I headed into the kitchen ahead of her.

"And that was a compliment... so I'll accept that as my prize."

≡ Leah ≡

My hair fell out of its bun, cascading down my back and over my shoulders by the time I faced the other direction.

Raising my one perfectly arched eyebrow, I crossed my arms over my chest taking in the show in front of me.

“You think me, telling you, to take a shower… is a compliment!”

≡ Embry ≡

I was momentarily stunned… like I always was when she took her hair down… It was even better when she didn't do it on purpose.

“Shower??” I scoffed. “All I heard was I turned you on by sweet talking into your ear.”

I found a frozen pizza first and had a thought. “Do you only buy these so there is something here for me to cook when I offer?”

≡ Leah ≡

I noticed that pause. And I also knew what caused it. Even if I didn’t plan it.

Following him into the kitchen. I jumped up to sit myself down on the countertop, watching him move around my kitchen without any hesitation.

Shrugging one shoulder. He knew the answer. I didn’t do frozen pizza. If I wanted to make pizza, I took the time to make the dough, and the sauce, and the toppings. Bring it together.

“Someone once told me it was a good backup plan. And tastes good when it’s pimped up.”

≡ Embry ≡

I laughed... my face buried in the fridge as I rummaged through her leftovers. I lifted out a tub that looked like leftover chicken and grabbed any cheese she had, plus some extra pepperoni too. When I pulled my head out of the fridge I saw her sat there...

"Now you're just trying to tease me." I laughed and put everything on the counter. Then I remembered I should have put on the oven first, to heat up.

"I'm not going to fall for your schemes, Trouble." I tapped my nose and wagged my finger at her. "I'm onto you." Then I tried my best to turn my attention back to my task.

≡ Leah ≡

Frowning a little. “Excuse me… Leah Clearwater does not scheme.” Shaking off the feeling of talking about myself in the third person.

But by the spirits… that sound… his laughter… yeah… so worth it.

“But if you can’t control yourself.” I jumped down from the counter, opening the cabinet behind me, to take out a bag of Doritos.

“I’ll leave you to it and go sit in the living room.” Pulling the bag open, I popped a chip into my mouth.

≡ Embry ≡

“You mean you don't scheme on purpose… it just happens naturally?” I teased and found a cutting board. I opened the chicken and sniffed it… it smelled like it would pair very nicely with pizza.

I scattered it on top and started to grate cheese. I laughed and abandoned my post. “Let’s not do anything hasty!” I chuckled and caught her lightly around the waist.

“This could be a teaching moment, Trouble.” I did the voice thing again. “You really gonna pass that up?”

≡ Leah ≡

“That is not classified as scheming.” I corrected him popping another chip. “It’s called adjusting to needs.”

Oh.. yeah…. That voice caused a reaction! My mouth stopped chewing, with heat crawling up the sides of my neck. By the Spirits! This was…. Becoming a habit.

My eyes dropped to the floor, waiting to see.

“Teachable moment for me or for you, Dimples?”

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled... another smile that only she brought out of me... slow, sexy... hungry. "Me, of course." I let my body brush against hers as I slipped my hands to her arse and lifted her, strong, toned... and lightly flushed form onto the counter again.

"We can call it a lesson in focus and self-control."

I grasped at the last remaining threads of both that I had and used them to step away, then returned to the task of spreading the cheese on top of the frozen pizza and shredded chicken pieces.

≡ Leah ≡

Rolling my eyes to the heavens, counting to five… nope… ten… to bring myself back into a mindful mode of not wanting to kiss his smiling face. And that voice! Why did it heat the depth of my core to life?

It took me a blink of two, shifting myself on the counter, and I was back.

“We all need a refresher now and then. So… sure… no time better than now.”

Remembering the bag of chips in my hand, I took out another popping it into my mouth while watching him make us dinner.

≡ Embry ≡

I watched her out of the corner of my eye. She was... ... as distractable as I was today. I found a cutting board and a knife with ease in her kitchen and started to slice the pepperoni.

"Exactly, I'm still part human... I'm willing to accept that my skills might need a little polishing from time to time." I smiled at her. She knew this smile.

"But with a willing and talented tutor... it hardly feels like work."

Flashes... so many flashes as I watched her propped up on the counter, eating those chips.

≡ Leah ≡

“Wait. Are you admitting to not being perfect? Embry Call! This is growth!”

In the past, we teased, joked, and laughed about things such as being perfect. It became a game, a challenge between us, who could come out on top.

Okay… the image of him being on top… wasn’t what I needed to see right now.

My so helpful warrior decided to show me images of me being on top….

“Spirits!” Shaking my head. “How times have evolved.”

Catching his gaze, and following it to the bag, I held the chips out. “Want some?”

≡ Embry ≡

"Hold up now!" I laughed. "Even perfect specimens might need polishing! The world is constantly moving forward, we gotta work to keep up, is all."

I quirked a brow... something was going on inside her head... and I wanted in on it!

I added more cheese... because... Well, it was cheese!

I slid the tray into the oven and set the timer... With her sitting on the counter like that, it was a sure thing I was going to get distracted.

I returned to her side and grinned helping myself to a chip... "Feel like we've been here before?" I smirked.

≡ Leah ≡

Flipping my hair to the other side, over my shoulder, so I could see him. I just smiled, raising an eyebrow with a small nod of my head.

“Hmm… I’d have to agree.” The image of the last time flashed by. “Feels like a full circle to me.”

Waiting for him to take what he wanted before my hand went into the bag for another chip too.

“Things are different now…” shaking my head. “Who even knew this is where we’d end up?”

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled, reaching up to twirl a strand of her hair around my fingers after she flipped it over to one side. "Hmm..." I stared at the way the silky black strands slid between my rough fingers.

"No denying that... I wouldn't have done this then..." I moved my gaze to her eyes my smile softened, while my heart jolted... every single time. It was funny but it was true.

"But it was the first time the urge to kiss you was almost too hard to resist... at least the first time I knew without a shadow of a doubt I was going to do it," I chuckled. "It was just a matter of when."

I grinned... 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 came pretty soon after that.

≡ Leah ≡

Head tilted to the side; I sat still taking him in. The way he was lost in thought, how his fingers played with the strands of my hair.. and by the spirits… the smile on his lips.

My own lips curled up at the corners, sensing the change in him. Also, at the realization of how I would have hurt him. If he had tried to touch my hair back then. Some walls were coming down, but nowhere enough to save him from a broken finger or two.

“Hmm…” His eyes lifted to meet mine, and I could see the memories playing there.

“Who knew, all it would take is pizza, chips, and a beer.” It wasn’t… it took a shed load more. And he knew it too.

“Wait…” it occurred to me… “The kitchen? When you were making us dinner?” My brows pulled together. “Not the couch?”

≡ Embry ≡

"Oh yeah, just the beer, chips, and pizza... That might be all it takes to get me in the mood..." I winked. "But you... are a far more complex being." I laughed and let her hair slide free.

I did a double-take... "You didn't know?" I laughed; her instincts were normally so on point.

"The kitchen was where I realized that I was done wanting to kiss you, and I was gonna try... As soon as you snapped your teeth at me." I snapped mine at her. "But I was planning to wait... build up to it... But the couch is where I remembered that planning isn't my strong suit."

I tilted my head... "How in the name of the spirits did you miss that one, Trouble... Were you living in the moment by any chance?"

≡ Leah ≡

I laughed with him, taking in the shape of his eyes, the way his features changed when he reminisced, and his far-away look, but at the same time, he was right here too.

“Spirits.” That snap did something, I stilled. Stopped breathing. Cleared my throat. And let out a low hum. Shaking my head slowly.

“I didn’t miss it… I felt… something… a draw… but… I didn’t know what….” Being honest with him.

“I dismissed it as you goofing around.. as…” What did I dismiss it as? “Hmm.. as..” I felt the meaning in my chest but couldn’t put it into words. Shrugging my shoulders.

“Maybe I was just lost in the fact, I was letting someone other than my ma feed me. And talk to me without passing judgment?”

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled... The way that she reacted to looking back on those memories. "It's strange isn't it?" I asked, standing in front of her now. "Looking back and trying to figure out exactly when and how those feelings started?"

I took her hand and placed it low on my stomach. "That night, I felt it right here… sometimes I'm certain it was the first time… other times I know there were a dozen more before that.”

I moved her hand up to my heart. “Later that night it was here; I couldn't remember the last time anyone made my heart race. But the thing that stands out the most is that… there was no end game… no desire for more than just that first kiss… just to know, to feel. All my life I talked about living in the moment, but I was never more focused on just one moment.”

I touched my forehead to hers. “It took me far too long to wake up.” I didn't apologize or justify my past behaviour; she didn't want that, and we’d been through it all. “But I'm wide awake now.”

≡ Leah ≡

Setting the bag of chips down beside me I followed his actions with my eyes, before returning to gaze in his eyes again.

Actions…. I smiled to myself….

I felt my heart returning his call to it, remembering my thoughts.. the moments… the feelings… all and nothing at the same time… okay… ‘nothing,’ wasn’t the right word to describe it… but I knew what I meant.

“So much for not hitting on me…” It was one of the first things he said to me. After I of course told him. “Or… there’s nothing I can see here I’d be interested in.” Paraphrasing. She sat up listening. Because she wanted credit. “She stopped me from punching you in the face.” Recalling the tsunami that took place internally when he kissed me.

Closing my eyes resting my forehead on his. Leaving my hand over his heart.

≡ Embry ≡

I chuckled softly, raising my hand to her cheek, leaving hers to look out for my heart. "Well, I meant it at the time... but the real question is..." I dropped my voice low again without having intended to. "Are you 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 now?"

We both knew that was not the word she had used. And that she had meant it at the time too.

"That's because out of the four of us here... she is the cleverest." I did so love to flatter her wolf, and I believed it... she had, after all the arse kicking her counterpart dished out, always protected the face.

≡ Leah ≡

At the way his voice changed, my eyes opened to look at him. Taking in the feel of his warm breath on me, that scent of his…

She was enjoying this conversation, of course, she was… he was charming her as always. But I let her have it.

“Hmm… maybe…” I snapped my teeth at him. “I told you before… watch the actions… not the words.” Brushing my nose with his.

“But… The friendship came first…without letting that door open, I wouldn’t have been there that night… I wouldn’t have let my guard down.”

Turning my head into his touch.

≡ Embry ≡

Her answer was all I needed. I smiled, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “So sexy," I whispered, my stomach doing that thing that we had only just talked about.

"I do so enjoy watching your actions." My smile turned a little more wicked. "The friendship came first." I agreed. "That was a night where we chose a path. Have I mentioned... or..." I paused and chuckled. "Have I shown you lately how glad I am that you picked the same one?"

≡ Leah ≡

Curling my bottom lip to suck it, those muscles in my stomach and even lower all letting me know that his proximity to me was being noticed.

“So sexy..” I agreed, smiling because his one was bloody contagious. Turning my head into his touch again. Before speaking.

“You’re cooking dinner. Isn’t that showing me how glad you are right now?”

My hand was still over his heart, feeling the pressure of each beat as we spoke to each other.

“How else would you show me?” Raising my eyebrow. Okay.. fine. There were lots of ways he’d shown me. And he knew it.

≡ Embry ≡

"I would say that we match..., but a thirty-five and a ten..." I chuckled. "Well, they really can't be compared." I kissed the tip of her nose.

"You make a good point... cooking every twentieth meal we eat together... I'm an absolute keeper, Clearwater." I teased. "But I'm sure I think of something... a song maybe... or serving myself up for dessert... you really did enjoy that."

≡ Leah ≡

“Thirty-Five - Twenty.” I corrected him. “I don’t need to cheat to win with those scores.” Wiggling my nose with that kiss making it tickle a little.

“I don’t keep you for the cooking, Call…” hundred percent truth. “I’m more than capable of feeding myself and you.” Not that anyone outside of the bubble knew this fact. “It’s the love of music, and the songs you sing.. that’s why you’ve not been kicked to the curb.” There were a few other reasons too. But why give him a big head?

≡ Embry ≡

A long exhale escaped from me at those words... 𝕜𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕪𝕠𝕦... Fuck! Why did those words make my stomach and my wolf prowl closer to the surface?

"Spirits, I like the sound of that!" I said in a low rumble. And then, of course, she had me laughing. "We both know I play better than I sing." I chuckled. "But I also sing better than I cook... so I think your priorities are well aligned."

The rest of her reasons didn't need to be said, Leah only kept people in her life because she wanted to, and she hadn't hidden her reasons for letting me in, for a very long time.

≡ Leah ≡

She felt him first, by a split second. His warrior was coming closer, making her dream of how we could do this. Wake him up…  “Because it’s the truth, maybe? Or the fact that we are fully honest?”

Now my hands moved up to his hair, combing it back and then tugging on it. “By the Spirits…” a low-pitched hum echoed in my head. There it was.. that sound we both liked to hear from him. Even my home came to life in technicolour when his laughter filled this space.

“Come.. on… you know better... I know where priorities come up the line.” I didn’t fight his comment about his singing. Because he didn’t hear his voice through my ears and heart. So, how was he to know any better?

≡ Embry ≡

She tugged at him... pulling him closer to the surface. I moved my free hand to her hip and pulled her to the edge of the counter, right as she tugged my hair, making me groan. Why was that so fucking hot!?

My thumb brushed the edge of her lip, and my teeth grazed her full lower lip.

Just as my heart rate reached its peak; the timer buzzed aggressively. I couldn't tell if the huff of indignation at the sound was me or my wolf... Who was I kidding; it was both of us.

"Saved by the bell, Trouble," I whispered before summoning every scrap of self-control I had to tear myself away to tend to the oven.

≡ Leah ≡

This time it was me who burst out in laughter. This couldn’t possibly be anything more than perfection.

“Spirits! Buzzers really like bringing us crashing to the ground.”

Not a moment too soon. He had electricity charging throughout my being. From my head all the way down to my toes.

I curled my bottom lip between my teeth, biting down on it to keep myself from wanting more from them.

Embry and his warrior… they pulled us to our awakening, and now it was up to me to push my control back in place.

Combing my fingers through my own hair now.

≡ Embry ≡

“It fast becoming my least favourite sound.” I chuckled and opened the oven. I lifted out the pizza tray. In need of a rather vital adjustment.

I rested and pulled a plate out to slide the pizza onto it. Glancing over at her I smiled… the signs were on her face just as plainly as mine.

“Flustered Clearwater?” I teased her. I found the pizza cutter with ease and ran it across the cheesy masterpiece. I set the plate in the middle of her table and went to the fridge for two beers.

≡ Leah ≡

To give my hands something to do, I slipped down from the counter. Opening the top drawer for a bag clip. Rolling the bag of chips closed and clipped it down.

Slowing the blood rush, the thudding heart, and the heat rising… it was all coming back… slower than expected. “Ahh.. someone in need of a cold shower, dimples?” Not answering his question. Because it was visible.

Once I put the chips away and turned back around. Leaning back on the counter I couldn’t help watching him.

Smiling, with my arms crossed over my chest, I tilted my head; he knew his way around. And sure... I knew this... but... it still made me stop and wonder what happened with us and this path we were both walking?

Shaking my head. “The pizza smells so good.”

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled watching her, the opportunity while she was distracted, and I had my back turned to 𝕗𝕚𝕩 myself. It wouldn't go unseen… but at least it was an attempt at politeness.

“Definitely!” I admitted. “But pizza first!” I laughed. I open the beers and put them on the table. “I'm sure whatever is on the chicken you made will make or break my recipe.” I smiled and slipped my arms around her pulling her away from the counter, kissing her cheeks, her nose, her lips, and her chin between words. “Will you join me for dinner, Ms Clearwater?”

≡ Leah ≡

Shifting my eyes towards the windows to give him some space to.. well… correct himself. I pressed down on my lips trying not to smile.

Good… he was in the same spot as me. Always good to know.

The aroma filling my senses was mouth-watering. Thinking about the leftovers in the fridge, I knew what he’d used. “It’s peri-peri,” I told him and stepped into him.

Now there was no stopping the smiles, who could resist?

“Thank you, Mr. Call. I will join you.” Biting his cheek before I made my way to take a seat.

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled and planted one last kiss on the corner of her mouth. Then I took my seat and rubbed my hands together in anticipation. “Peri-peri chicken and pepperoni pizza? I think we might have a new winning recipe right here!” I chuckled.

“We make a great team when you think about it. All those amazing leftovers you have in the fridge, they really elevate my pizza game.” I grinned and lifted a slice. The cheese was perfectly stringy, just how you wanted.

I could smell the chicken below the layer of melted goodness.

≡ Leah ≡

Raising my eyebrow in a perfect arch. “We make a good team, because of my leftovers?” Watching his jubilation for the cheese pull.

“There’s no other reasons we work, huh?” I asked taking a slice directly opposite from where he had. I had to give credit where credit was due. The pull from the cheese was so good!

The steam rose from the top of the slice, the crust browned perfectly, and the chicken seemed to glow underneath the glossy cheese.

That first bite was a sensation of flavours bursting and coming to life inside of my mouth.

≡ Embry ≡

"So hasty, Trouble!" I smirked. "Who said only?"

I locked my gaze on hers, my teeth pulling on my bottom lip, I watched her... thinking of all the reasons we worked so well. "We could make a list of all the reasons we work well if you like." I smiled. She liked a good list... and I liked... well, anything that made her smile.

I could see the enjoyment on her face when she took a bite, and I couldn't resist anymore. I took a bite and licked some cheese drippings off my pinkie finger. "Mmm... Yes! That is good. Peri-Peri chicken pizza... we'll start a new craze." I grinned and swallowed the bite.

"So... the list. In any particular order or, do we make the list first and then decide where they all rank?"

≡ Leah ≡

The pizza was good, the flavours all came together in my mouth as I chewed and married so well.

“The cheese, it’s always the extra cheese,” I muttered before taking another bite from the slice. Okay, so the chicken was good too. It’s always better the next day.

My eyes flicked over to him at the special word. “List?” My ears perked up, add to that the bloody lip bite!

“Spirits.” Closing my eyes and shaking my head, swallowing my mouthful. “I know what you’re doing. It’s not going to work.”

My eyes were back on him. “Everyone knows. List, then arrange.”

≡ Embry ≡

"You can never go wrong with extra cheese." I smiled and took another bite. "This one just might be my best yet."

I smiled... the sub-text in her body language shifted at the word list... Maybe even excited her, if not turned her on just a bit.

"Okay, fine… just that last bit. I knew the answer... I was showing off a little. Just to prove I was paying attention." I smirked. Like the mention of the entire list thing was to give her that look in her eyes.

"Okay then... I'll start..." I smiled that smiled She knew the one. "Let's start with simple, yet vital... Temperature. We match."[LB3] 

≡ Leah ≡

It’s a good one, top five for sure.” Leaning back in my chair, I moved my legs out from under the table to the side so that I could cross them.

“Look who is taking notes.” He had been listening and paying attention.

I took another bite, the cheese pulled as good as the first one.

Raising my eyebrow. “You’re starting off strong,” I told him covering my mouth as I spoke. “And I would say, that’s the next on the list… strength. We share that too.”

≡ Embry ≡

I winked at her and took another bite into the crispy crust of the slice... "You know... it always turns out so much better when I cook this here... I'm starting to think we need a new oven." I was thinking out loud.

I smiled at her choice... "Not worrying about breaking each other... that is a big one... a potential number one... top three at least." I smiled and lifted another slice.

"How about playlists?" I swigged from my beer, watching her. 

≡ Leah ≡

Chewing over the pizza in my mouth as well as his words. “Hmm… yeah.. when was the last time your oven ever got a deep clean or a service?” For once I wasn’t pulling his leg, it was a genuine question. “Don’t go buying a new one, without seeing if it’s a maintenance issue.”

I always left my crust to the end, enjoying that deep crunchy texture before the next slice.

“Top two. The playlist has to be in the top two.” This was a deal breaker. Music had to be one of our key things. Spirits, it helped me speak with him.

“Riding?” My next offering.

≡ Embry ≡

I stopped chewing and smirked. “Um…. Service? That's a thing? We wipe out the crusty bits…” I thought about it. “As for a real clean? When was the last time #Claire was mad at my wife?”

I grinned at her. “That's a good one. But we still need to get you on a machine built for cruising. We all live for the speed... But you need to try it my way too.”

I took another bite.

“Food… food is something we have in common too.”

≡ Leah ≡

I wasn’t judging them, but I chose to close my eyes and count to ten before saying anything. “The prom thing… I think.” In answer to the last time #Quil was upset enough to have one of his cleaning sprees around their home.

“You need to get that thing serviced!” I groaned after another bite.

He was trying it again, getting me to slow my ride down. “And upset my baby? Betrayal is what it’s called if you ride another bike and like it, Dimples. He would never forgive me.”

Picking up my drink, I took a pull, nodding my head. “Yeah. Food is the answer for all the warriors. We all enjoy food.’

Polishing off half a slice in two bites. “How about old horror?” I asked.

≡ Embry ≡

I chuckled at her reaction... "So... it might have been a while." I chuckled. "But you have a point... I'll make a call."

Now the chuckle was a full-blown laugh. "Okay... but what if... Just hypothetical. There was a sick baby... just out of rehab that needed a little open-road therapy. That would just be community service, right? I'm sure he’d understand."

"Oh!" I clutched at my heart! "Yes! That’s a big one... right there." Then I thought about it. "Climbing...  even if you are still new to it. Or at least new to doing it the human way. You liked it. Something we should do again."

≡ Leah ≡

My eyebrow raised over the bottle as I took a moment to understand the situation he dreamt up for us. Frowning due to the fact the logistics weren’t logical at this point.

“Why would a sick baby out of hospital be trusted to me? No one would say. ‘My sick baby needs a ride. I know. I’ll get Leah Clearwater, with her resting bitch face to give it one.’ It’s not going to happen.”

At this stage, I don’t even want to acknowledge the voice I made up. It was low pitched, and the only thing I could hear coming out.

Setting the bottle down, I picked the half-eaten slice, biting some off.

I hadn’t forgotten about the first date he took me on. The early morning start, the sandwiches and snacks he had ready, the drive to the place he took me rope climbing.

“It’s got to be on the list. It was a good day. The eagle and all.”

≡ Embry ≡

I laughed and shook my head. "Oh please... First of all, that resting bitch face is sexy as fuck... At least, I think it is. It's been a while since I've seen it... Owing to the fact that when you look at me all you're thinking about is when will you be able to take my clothes off." Was I seeing what I wanted to see? It was highly possible.

"But I have a way of taking beat-up old things and making them good as new again." I thought about the jeep and my bike... "Or... almost at least."

I smiled remembering the way we had reached the top... We could have scaled that ledge half a dozen times in the time it took us to do it once. But she did it... each and every step.

"I can't promise you eagles... but I can promise you new and exciting climbs."

≡ Leah ≡

“Wow… wow… wow!” Holding my finger up to stop him.

“What do you mean I don’t have my RBF anymore? I worked damn hard to put the ‘No Entry’ sign on my forehead.” Again, not a lie. “And no, I do not! The majority of the time I’m fighting her, to let me kick your arse.” Huffing, I got the added benefit of him.

My scowl became a smile, because as much as I liked teasing him about it. He was an old soul, drawn towards old things like his jeep and bike.

Raising my eyebrow. “Why does it feel like I should be highly offended by the ‘beat up old things.’ Comment?”

My eyes were back on him, tilting my head to the side, letting my hair fall freely down my shoulders.

“You don’t need to promise me anything. I know it will come to pass when it’s meant to.”

≡ Embry ≡

I laughed...  "Oh, I'm sure it is still there... it just turns me on now instead of making me shield my crotch."

I smirked. "She likes me too much." My wolf agreed, and there was no denying that we had a soft spot for that beautiful creature that lived inside her.

"Oh, please! If you even kinda thought I meant it like that I would be on the floor gasping for air after being throat punched." I winked at her.

"Hey, look another tick for the strength column!" I smiled. "There's another thing we share... No expectations... We just appreciate each other as we are."

I smiled. It was corny... But true. There wasn't a single thing I would change... not that I ever could, Leah was not the type to allow anyone to change her. Another side of her I found sexy as hell.

≡ Leah ≡

Okay, so not so much in the ‘evolution’ column per se, but I couldn’t help myself when I flipped him off.

Even with my heart doing that thing with my core, at the sound of his bloody laughter. Why did that sound so good?

“What can I say? I do like a well-executed throat punch.” She nodded her agreement. I just wasn’t sure if it was to me, or him. They both counted.

“You can’t use this one for the list, it’s too…. Well…. It’s just…” there was no fighting it. “Fine! I’ll let you have it. This time.”

≡ Embry ≡

I couldn't stop myself from touching my throat... even though... to this day I hadn't seen her actually throw one. "You know... I've heard getting punched in the throat can permanently change your voice." I chuckled... it was true and also self-serving. For some reason she liked my voice... which was at best: not unpleasant and on key... because I wasn't sure off-key was something I could do even if I tried. Perfect pitch and all.

I set my slice down for a second and eyed her with pinched brows. "Wait... Are we turning the list into a competition?" I laughed. "I don't remember signing up for that, Trouble."

≡ Leah ≡

“Well, I guess we have another something to add to the list. We both like your voice as it is.”

He had a tenderness to the way his voice sounded when he sang. It was Embry, but then I could also hear the spirits in there too. Because he sang from a pure place in his soul. I stopped chewing, shifting in my chair at the realisation that I did. Swallowing the food in my mouth, I just shrugged my shoulders. As if saying; ‘What did you expect?’

My eyes dropped to my slice, pulling off some of the chicken to eat.

“Not a competition.. not at all.” Looking up at him through my eyelashes, the smile on my lips growing.

≡ Embry ≡

I laughed. She had a point. I mean, if I had to pick between what my voice would be after a throat punch and how it is now, now would win.

I chuckled and then swallowed another bite. She had totally started to keep score. But it made me smile. "Never change, Trouble." I smiled... I was stating the obvious, Leah changed for no one.

"So... what is the score right now?"

≡ Leah ≡

“We never change, Dimples. We evolve on our journey.” Answering him and adding another item to the list.

Shaking my head I took another bite from the crust in my hands. Not really think before replying to Embry.

“It’s five, five with that last one.” Then I stopped chewing and looked up at him over the table. Spirits! He knew it was happening without me even trying or thinking about it.

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled at her... that was our thing... evolution, not change. Never change.

I sucked in a breath. "A tie..." I took another bite and contemplated. "I need to pull out a few good ones to get ahead." I chuckled.

"We both suck at asking for help but in entirely different ways." I laughed; it sounded like a negative but Leah had shown me that awareness of your flaws was all a part of the evolution process.

≡ Leah ≡

Falling back in the chair I clicked my tongue. “But at least we know we are bad at it. So… that’s a good thing, Dimples.”

Turning partly so that I could move my legs out from under the table. Crossing them as I thought about the list.

“Hmm… five.. six…” taking a drink before smiling.

“We both speak the language of eyes. Even if it took you some catching up on it.”

I always believed that the eyes told you what people didn’t see. You just had to learn their language.

“Six… six…”

≡ Embry ≡

I grinned at her. "I'm not quite so sure that was part of the Ancestor's lesson plan when they nudged us down the same road, Trouble." I bit into the crust in my hand and swallowed the mouthful. "They might have wanted us to do a little more than identify our flaws." I chuckled and lifted my beer.

"We both make excellent eye contact even without the conversation... even if it took some catching up on that one," I smirked, turning her words back on her.

≡ Leah ≡

“It’s a lesson, and we are learning. It counts, Dimples.” Smirking as I knew exactly what he meant. And knew #TheGreatWolf would agree with Embry too.

Raising my eyebrow over the rim of my drink, my eyes locked on to his every move.

Tilting my head to the side, my mind slowly considering the facts.

“I’ve never dropped my eyes. Not to any living person. But I know, I made it difficult for them to hold on long enough to hear or see what was there.”

Could it be considered confusion when we both knew it wasn’t a lie or hidden?

≡ Embry ≡

I nodded, chewing another bite. “I know, but it wasn't very often you would seek it out… not unless you were having an important conversation. But now…” I grinned at her. “Even across a crowded room… you look for it. And in private?” my smile grew… we both knew that our gazes met as often as possible.

≡ Leah ≡

Taking a pull of my drink, I set it down. He was right. Of course, he noticed these things now. He always said he missed too much. And had catching up to do.

Shaking my head. But again, with a shrug. “Hmm… it’s different in the bubble.” Setting my elbows on the table. Hearing Ma in my head. Saying to take them off. But instead, I rest my face on my palms watching him, locking my brown eyes onto his.

“You don’t have to look you know.”

≡ Embry ≡

I shook my head and grinned. “It doesn’t matter. The fact is you found a space in your life where you feel open enough.” I stretched one leg out under her table, touching my foot to the side of hers. “And it wasn’t a simple thing for you.”

I bit my lip… watching how she positioned herself with the sole intention of looking at me. Because this was what we did now. My eyes never wavered from hers. “There is never anything I 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 to do when it comes to you, Trouble.” I smiled. It was the truth. I mean… we had our rules, but we created those together.

“Seeking you out isn’t something I think about… it just happens. Like breathing. Like… looking at you is the most natural thing in the world.”

≡ Leah ≡

Curling my lower lip and licking it at the site of that lip bite he always did. Because. Yeah. Finding that attractive was a thing now. Gone were the days when my reaction was to slap him upside the head for doing that!

And then what he was saying sunk in. Making my heart skip, feeling the heat crawling up the side of my neck.

“There you go with your words again.” My eyes were still trained on his. “Showing me how those ‘feels’ we don’t feel, are working out for us.” My voice had become low, soft, and easy. Teasing sure, but reflective too.

≡ Embry ≡

My breath caught in my throat when her heart did that thing… Spirits! What a sound!

“Just the truth, Trouble.” I teased. “Never feels…” I winked. Clearly only one of those statements was true. “So… six-six?” I smirked.

≡ Leah ≡

Pressing my lips together so as not to smile. I pushed back to sit upright once again.

“Hmm…” arching my eyebrow with one nod. “Six… Six… Dimples.” Motioning to tell him it was his turn.

Eyeing the last slice of pizza in the middle of the table. Pushing the plate towards him.

≡ Embry ≡

I knew that look. That was her 𝓘 𝓪𝓰𝓻𝓮𝓮 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓘 𝓵𝓮𝓽 𝓱𝓲𝓶 𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓘 𝓭𝓸 look.

“Thank you.” I grinned, for the slice and the win. Sitting up straighter, I thought about it… “Hmm… my turn again.” I laughed then… taking a bit as I mulled this one over.

“We are both wrapped around our mother’s pinkie finger,” I added to the list. “And nothing in the world would ever make us want to change it.”

≡ Leah ≡

My lips parted and then clamped down, working my jaw. By the spirits, he knew this too! I always made it out as though I went along with Ma’s requests. But… yeah… he saw past that all now too.

“Seven… Six…” the only acknowledgement he would get to that one.

Playing with my drink, while thinking about just how unapologetic we both were to put our mom’s desires first. Even to the point I had coffee with one of the doctors they wanted to set me up with.

Shaking my head.

“So... my go?” I asked. Then continued anyway. “Even with the past we lived we both know it’s on us, to make the future better for those following in our footsteps.”

Raising my eyebrow. Waiting to see if he acknowledged his hand in giving the pups the safety blanket to know they had a place to go and be without judgment.

≡ Embry ≡

I grinned because I really thought that I would get just a little push-back on that one.

I finished the slice and wiped my hands on a paper towel. She had nailed it with that one and she knew it. It was why I had opened my home to the pups of both packs for exactly this reason.

“Wow… so we are getting deep now!” I smiled and reached across the table to take her hand. “Seven-Seven… I feel like this is going to end in a tie…” I raised a brow. “How would you and that gorgeous alter ego of yours take that?” I chuckled.

≡ Leah ≡

𝕊𝕙𝕖… about melted into a puddle when he took my hand, speaking about her. This came with an eye roll. Telling her to stop betraying me! She didn’t see it as a betrayal. Not when she used this game of ours as an example of why we were exactly where we were meant to be. “Hmm… not sure I want her to have her say. She’d be okay with letting you win.”

She disagreed because she said I would be a nightmare to live with. Also, true.

Turning my hand to lace my fingers with his. “We both know, doing this our way. Not following the norms is why this is working.” Edging to add another to the list.

I tried… I did… but still… I just couldn’t… smiling at him. Happy for him to end it with one of his own. Waiting to see what he did.

≡ Embry ≡

I saw the light in her eyes, and the shift in her body language… oh yeah… her Spirit Warrior was in her feels… I mirrored the tiny shift. Or He did. Looked like she wasn’t the only one.

“I can’t imagine why.” I laughed. I knew she hadn’t meant for her next comment to be added to the list… but… it was actually perfect for it… I could see the concession in her gaze. She would totally let me take this one. So, I smiled and said, “Hmm… Eight seven.”

Then I let her hand go, took the last mouthful from my beer, and stood up to take the plate and empty bottle to the sink. Because that look from her… That was all I needed. It wasn’t about winning…

“Evolution,” I whispered to myself as I rinsed the plate.

≡ Leah ≡

Falling back into my chair, my heart thumping, I felt like the wind was knocked out of me.

“By the spirits” mouthing it under my breath. His letting go and stepping away gave me a few moments to breathe and gather myself. Telling Her to go to sleep. Before slowly rising from the table to wipe down the counters, and table. Working on our own in a comfortable silence.

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled to myself as her body reacted to my gesture. We had once again proven to ourselves that there was nothing here that was about winning or losing… but that didn’t mean a little playful competition couldn’t be a whole lot of fun.

We worked side-by-side and when we were done, I leaned back against her counter with the ease and comfort I would in my own home. “How about another drink… something a little stronger?” I gave her that smile. Wondering how far we would take the recreation of that very first pizza night.

≡ Leah ≡

After washing my hands, I dried them on the towel, turning to face him when I heard the question. Leaning back on the sink, the towel working over my hands.

“Something stronger?” I asked. My lips just curled at the edges. Nodding my head. “Yeah. Sounds like a solid plan.” Folding the towel in half, before I hung it.

This night was a step into our history. Where it all began… but look at how far we had come since, I told myself.

Crossing the small space, I stepped up in front of him. Toe to toe. Tilting my head as our eyes connect.

“Two fingers or just the one?”

Reaching around him at the top cabinet, where his bottle of Jameson sat beside my bottle of Woodford.

Bringing them down one at a time to sit on the corner to his side. I may have made sure; he felt the caress of my body as I did so.

≡ Embry ≡

I bit my lip, and my body responded to her nearness by setting my hands on her hips. I tilted my head to the side when she reached by me. I ducked lower and pressed a kiss to her jaw… there was no way to resist… my heart skipped… she smelled like heaven.

I smiled 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 smile and met her eyes. My voice was low again. “Let’s start with two and work our way up. Shall we?” With all the implied innuendo in my tone. I slid my hands down lower on her hips and let my nose brush against hers.

≡ Leah ≡

Okay…. That most definitely did something. Biting the inside of my cheek, I had to press my thighs together to calm the plunging pulse down there.

“Hmm… it’s a good idea..” my voice matched his. Then my hands moved to his neck, and up into his hair.

“You’re getting into trouble, Embry Call...” whispering it into his ear. Biting his earlobe for good measure.

I closed my eyes. His warm breath; tested my willpower.

≡ Embry ≡

Fuck! Even before her scent shifted I felt her reaction, and it strengthened the reaction already started in me. The temptation to grab her by that perfect arse, lift her onto the counter and bury my face in the source of that scent… I cleared my throat… It was next to impossible to resist.

“It’s not my fault you are such a bad influence, Trouble.” The huskiness in my voice wasn't optional anymore. I bit my lip when I felt her teeth on my ear. “I…” I couldn’t gather enough air… enough concentration to speak. Her mouth, her voice… her fingers in my hair… Fuck! She smelled too good. “…Still...” I managed, my hands tightening on her hips. “…Owe you that song.”

I remembered our deal from when she was about to kick my arse in the hallway.

≡ Leah ≡

There it was proof we both reached that same space at the same time.

The thunder racing this way over my nerves, the pulsing all over, the sound and scent of him. I wondered if his warrior reacted to this like mine did?

But I shook it off. Tilting my face to find him. Kissing him once. Even with his grip on my hips. I knew the moment I took that step back. His hands would drop.

“Hmm…” blinking myself away from where we were headed. Licking my bottom lip as I pushed free. “And I have two drinks to pour. We wouldn’t want the bad influence to stop.”

Straightening myself out, my fingers moved up into my hair, combing it back and then over my shoulder.

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled, loosening my hold on her hips as she slipped away. Letting my fingers trail off. I instantly missed her heat. She was right there, and I missed her, craved to bite the bottom lip she licked.

But that would surely send me down a path that would keep me from following through with my promise.

“We wouldn't want that at all,” I smirked. My gaze lingered on her side profile as she busied herself. Then I not-so-subtly checked her out as I pushed off the counter and headed to the living room, where my Nana’s Gibson lived.

≡ Leah ≡

Oh, we knew, we didn’t miss a thing when it came to this man. We felt the way his eyes lingered those extra moments. Taking us in.

She smirked, turned and lay down to rest.

“You’re always so agreeable, Dimples.”

It felt strange now feeling the warmth of his touch. To be so close and far at the same time. And yet, the distance between us never felt like a chasm.

Shaking my head, I set the bottles back on the counter in case we wanted a refill. But I didn’t follow him all the way. Lingering at the opening of the living room, watching him.

≡ Embry ≡

“Good… Because it compliments your tenacity just perfectly.” I said as I moved across the living room. “Don’t you think?” We both knew I was asking her wolf. And we both knew her wolf agreed (Not that Leah would ever admit that).

I heard her approaching and I started to strum, confident she had it perfectly in tune… She always did. And I wonder if she checked it even when she wasn't practising. This one was in a key I wasn't normally comfortable with… but my Grandfather’s gift would see me through it… right?

≡ Leah ≡

“Tenacity?” Arching my eyebrow. “Is that the word of the day?”

Fine… she was agreeing but not showing me. But by the spirits, she knew when he spoke to her. So, I gave another eye roll, at how perfectly he managed to share moments with her. I had yet to speak with his warrior in the same way.

Leaning my shoulder on the frame beside me, I stood there making sure his Nani’s guitar was as he expected it to be. Before listening to his choice of song. Listening to where his heart, and mind were right now.

Smiling at the choice, I crossed the room setting his glass down on the coffee table, and sitting back on the couch with mine.

≡ Embry ≡

I would have told her that it was a polite way of saying 𝕤𝕥𝕦𝕓𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕟… but honestly… stubbornness was as much an asset as it could be a flaw. But I was already busy singing… plus, she was hot when she drew her line in the sand… and sometimes she rubbed it out and drew a new one… so it didn’t really fit into the flaw category.

I made a point to be looking right at her when I sang:

𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗜'𝗺 𝗮-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻' 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄, 𝗔𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗮

𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲

𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹, 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗯𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗱

𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻' 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲

And looked her right into those deep, always-thinking eyes.

≡ Leah ≡

My fingers combed through my now open hair pushing it back and then over one shoulder. Bringing my long legs up off the ground, I crossed them under myself sitting back and sipping on the delicious amber liquor in the glass.

The heat of it penetrates its way down, smooth and raw.

Thinking about the word… Tenacity…

I had no problems with it. Sometimes in life, we all need some resemblance of the trait. Hard decisions, tough reactions, and to stand one’s ground. I was used to being called the ‘stubborn bitch.’ So… Tenacity was a kinder way to say the same thing.

His eyes locked onto mine as my thoughts processed. I’m lost in the song for a minute. But I was back. Listening. Hearing. Processing.

≡ Embry ≡

I watched her intently… the way her hair slipped through her fingers. Her eyes were on me… making me feel all the things that only she could ever make me feel.

She had this way of paying attention to a person that made them feel seen… all my details and nuances were on display to her… not because I let them show. I hid very little in general… it was because she chose to pay attention. To see the things that meant the most to me and include them in our time inside the bubble. Like music… the way she always wanted to see what I would choose.

I finished the song and smiled at her. “I’ll have to teach you that one.” I chuckled, reaching for the drink she’d brought me. “You seemed to enjoy it.” She always did, always appreciated what I played or sang, because it came from a place inside my mind.

≡ Leah ≡

I’d been following the cords as he played. The upbeat rhythm of the song, and the way he chose to play, it all spoke to how he felt at that moment.

I was watching him over the rim of my glass when the song came to an end. The way he held the guitar even when he wasn’t playing also gave me insight.

“Hmm… I’d like that. It’s a good song to hear and try to learn.” Of course, me playing it wouldn’t sound anywhere as good as him. But we gotta start somewhere.

Guitar lessons within the bubble were our thing too. Learning to place my fingers just so, picking up the pieces of a song before putting it all together.

I was rubbing my fingers to see if any of my indents remained in place, but of course with my healing, my fingertips felt as perfect as they did the day before.

≡ Embry ≡

The guitar sat against my lap, and I watched her, watching me. I smiled. “If I can do it, you can do it.” I meant it, Leah was smart, coordinated and focused. She was already learning songs. It took me a while to get used to it and I had the advantage of knowing how to read music already.” Then I gave her 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 smile… she knew the one.

“But you have the advantage of looking three times sexier holding a guitar than I ever did.” I took another sip and set the glass down, nestling the Gibson in a place of honour on the armchair while I moved next to her. I brushed my calloused fingertips against her soft ones. “I have a feeling you’ll be like the Pup… the callouses might not come… but…” I grinned. “You can still outpace him with enough practice.” I knew it wasn’t about that for her.

I didn’t think it was even about obtaining excellence… which she did at everything she tried. It was just about making music and spending time… My heart skipped… because that time… it was with me. It was about exploring and learning, about being together and creating something that was incredibly and deeply important to us both.

It was about music.

≡ Leah ≡

“I don’t doubt I can, but I’m not in a rush with this.” Turning our hands over so now I stroked the soft tips of my fingers over his.

I tested the marble of his skin, told its own story of life, his passion, be it his, or one that came from being a Call. I found it fascinating.

Shaking my head, with my eyes still on his hand. “The pup and you are in a different league, and I’m not in a hurry to join you guys. I’ll get to where I am happy, and then keep going until I know I can.”

Thinking of the pup and his voice, his way of playing, and becoming something more when he was lost in his mind.

“Yeah... I don’t think music was born to leave a mark on me. Well… you know what I mean.” Of course, music left a mark, if it didn’t. I wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Lifting my gaze to his.

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled, that was exactly what I wanted to hear from her. I wanted this new journey to be slow and steady and something she did for the love of it and nothing more. My skin tingled where she touched my hands, tracing the marks music had left on me since I was a small child.

“That is exactly what I wanted to hear.” I smiled, speaking softly… like the bubble was so delicate now a loud sound could break it. “It has left a mark on you… on all of us…” I reached up and touched her cheek, stroking just beneath her eyes. “Yours just come and go… in your eyes when music touches you…” I moved my fingers to the curve of her neck and trailed them down her collarbone. “The way your skin flushes…” I rested my hand on her arm. “You get goosebumps…” I leaned in and kissed her. “Music has marked you, Trouble… in many ways.”

≡ Leah ≡

Each statement is a fact, one which would only be noted by someone who truly saw you, who didn’t just move their gaze away at the first sign of something they didn’t like.

I kept my eyes fixed on him, allowing my warrior and mind to follow the journey of his touches.

When his lips kissed mine, even for a brief moment I could pick up the taste of him with a blend of his whiskey.

“Hmm…” The soft hum was a sign of my agreement. “Things you weren’t supposed to see,” I told him in the same low tone he was using.

“But here we are.” He saw so much.

≡ Embry ≡

I smiled at her… my whole-body tingling from the kiss. I swear I had no idea what it was that this woman did to me… but I wanted more. Always more.

“Music isn’t just heard and these little things… They are all part of your album, Trouble. And missing out on that…” My smile grew. “That would be a tragedy. Our skin can be misunderstood… callouses… scars… they could be from a dozen different things… but chemical reactions? That’s pure… and you wear yours proudly.”

≡ Leah ≡

“I do?” The question took me by surprise. Because I worked so hard all my life to make sure nothing was visible to anyone else but my mirror.

But then she reminds me, there are no masks inside the bubble. Nowhere to hide. No need to feel like I had to show him anything different than the truth.

As it was, Embry Call had a knack for showing up at times when I had No way to hide my truths from him. And I didn’t lie about it either.

≡ Embry ≡

I chuckled. “Don’t worry. You are still a mystery to most… and me in many other ways.” I grinned. “But even in the bubble you still don’t do anything for show, your reactions are all yours, natural and untainted and you never put anything on for my benefit.”

I touched her cheek. “And that is why you wear them proudly. Because it is all 100% yours.”

≡ Leah ≡

My eyebrows pulled together, even if I moved into his touch.

“It never even occurred to me to put a show on. Not in here.” This was my safe space. “It’s why I didn’t know what to do with you the first time you showed up at my door… I wasn’t going to turn you away. But…”

But I didn’t know what it meant for me and the security I safeguarded in these four walls.

≡ Embry ≡

I wasn’t about to bring up other women inside our bubble… but women had a habit of telling me what they thought I wanted to hear… and I was sure men told her all the same things. It was likely the reason why neither of us ever saw most of them again.

Leah never spoke a word that wasn’t true and meant everything she said.

It was sexy as all hell!

I shrugged. “I like to keep you on your toes.” I took a breath… Remembering that day. “I never know if I regret my reaction or if it was all part of the path. But I do know that it wasn’t really anger that I felt that day. It was shame… shame that I didn’t step up for my mom and you had to do it for us.”

≡ Leah ≡

“Embry…” My eyebrows pulled together. Shifting to sit up and face him.

“You had the right to be pissed at me. I was set to face you, to let you react, whatever you needed. But… I wasn’t sorry for helping.”

I’d seen it in his eyes that night. It hit me so hard how he felt betrayed by me. And spirits it hurt.

“They send us the help we need. When we need it. That day. It was meant to be. Even if I get it. Understand your point. I wouldn’t change a thing I/we did.”

≡ Embry ≡

I wasn't sure about the having a right to be angry part... but I knew she understood why I had been. "Maybe... But I didn't have the right to show up like that and yell at you. But in some ways, I'm glad I did... It's weird... trying to sort out emotions from that day."

It was like I watched that day from a perspective outside of myself. Like someone caught it all on camera and I was watching the playback.

"Who knows what would have happened if we skipped that step." It wasn't a question. "And you don't have anything to be sorry for. Mom is doing  so much better with less stress... and." This pained me to admit. "If you'd come to me about it first; I would have said no. We both know that much."

≡ Leah ≡

By the spirits did I get it? If only he could have seen the internal dilemma I lived back when I knew I had no choice left. The feelings I knew I’d have to live with, to stand in front of those people. And ask them to do the right thing.

But. No one but her and I needed to know that part.

“Things happen for a reason. And that's all. Like I said. I’d do it again. And I won’t apologise for it. And yeah. I knew what you were going to say. It’s why I was waiting to see what you did.”

Shaking my head slowly. “But. You know. You like to surprise me.”

≡ Embry ≡

I shifted closer and leaned in to kiss her… because I knew she wouldn’t want to hear a thank you for what she had done. “I guess you aren’t the only one with a tenacious streak.” I chuckled; my lips still so close to hers that the sound rumbled against her mouth. I pulled back just enough to lock gazes with her.

“But I will always be grateful for the time I have with her now… time that isn’t sorting through stacks of bills. Hearing her play again.” I smiled. “And you say that like you haven’t ever surprised me." I laughed, setting my hand on her knee and sliding it up her thigh slowly. “Amongst other things, of course.”

≡ Leah ≡

Knowing this was true, made my heart do that stop/start thing. Understanding the situation and the pressure it must have put both of them under. And now. They could breathe. Take solace in their time together.

 “It was all worth it in the end.”

My lips parted at the bolt of lightning shooting its way up and down my leg. All thanks to his kiss and something as simple as a touch.

My eyes didn’t move from his face. Feeling his warm breath kiss mine as we sat here.

And once again I had to remember this wasn’t the first time he kissed me.

≡ Embry ≡

“There is so much about this…” my hand curved to the outside of her thigh. “That is… as natural as breathing… and so much that are lessons… I know that people say that nothing worth doing is easy. But I don’t think that it’s that black and white. I think it’s the easiest thing ever… and the hardest… and everything between the two.”

I kissed the corner of her mouth.  Those winged creatures took flight again in my stomach. “And other lessons that are far less deep… but just as important.” I chuckled. “Like the fact that butterflies aren’t just in movies and books.”

≡ Leah ≡

“Hmm…” he wasn’t wrong. Nothing was ever so simple. The grey areas in life were where the true lessons came from.

Reaching out I set my glass down on the table, before placing my palm on his chest, moving Embry to sit back into my couch. My long leg slid over his lap to straddle him.

“Tell me about those butterflies?”

Whispering as I sat on his lap on my heels. Keeping our eyes connected. I could feel the fabric of his jeans under my thighs, my shorts riding up just a little while I made myself comfortable.

≡ Embry ≡

I didn’t know why but I held my breath as she slipped onto my lap. It wasn’t the first nor would it be the last time, but every time… the thrill; it was just as intense as the first.

My hands slipped up along her thighs, my fingers tucking just underneath the hem of her shorts. Her hot skin was soft, but covering hard, toned muscle that drove those butterflies she was asking about even wilder.

One hand lifted and pressed against her stomach. “Well…” I smiled; gazes locked. “They start here…” I trailed my hand lower, firmly pressing against the strength that met my touch. “Then they move. Lower… faster… it’s like… cliff diving without the fall, trying to catch a breath against the rushing wind, without the wind. And when they finally get what they want… say a kiss.” I leaned in and kissed her.

“It’s like the plunge into the cold water, only full of heat.”

≡ Leah ≡

Heat crawled up the side of my neck listening and feeling his hand. My lips parted slightly to take in a gasp of air.

The realisation of the sensations I always feel in my stomach, the roiled muscles, the feel of something coming alive, the way that thirst is quenched only when we are together. Spirits… he knew that feeling too.

My lips brushed his. Barely a kiss, because.. come on.. teasing was fun too. I moved my hands over his shoulders, bringing them together on his neck. Enjoying the feel of his muscles beneath them.

Keeping my eyes open, I asked.

“Where does that feeling go… once it has what it was looking for? Does it just stop?”

I could imagine the rush of a jump and the excitement that comes with it too.

≡ Embry ≡

Spirits!! This woman! Every muscle in her body could express how she was feeling. And Fuck!!! She didn’t hold back. Just as I was wishing that sexy as-hell gasp had happened against my lips, she was leaning in; the heat of her breath, filling that craving. My shoulders relaxed and I rolled my neck against her touch, those hypnotic eyes of hers locking mine in. She searched it out as much as I did now. And every time it did something to me. That something ranged from a smile, to a racing heart, or a full-blown hard-on. Speaking of… I shifted under her just a little.

I shook my head… my gaze dipping to her lips. “No… after that… there’s the sensation of coming up for air again, taking in that first breath with your adrenaline pumping, the excitement… the tingling skin… the water clinging to your eyelashes that makes everything seem to glow a little.” I continued the metaphor so easily that I knew this was the best way to describe it.

“After that… sometimes it rises to your skin like an electric current, soothing and stimulating all at once, soft and intimate. And others it settles deep in the pit of your stomach and catches fire, burning deep and hot. Passionate.”

≡ Leah ≡

Swallowing back the next gasp my eyebrow arched up in that perfect way it did, whenever Embry found a way with his words. The man had a gift, that was for sure.

There were feelings, sentiments, and moments I knew this all first-hand. And I knew he wasn’t just talking about diving off the side of a cliff now. But for me… it was just those feelings and sensations I could put into words as beautifully as he did.

“Tell me more…” I’d moved in closer, my lips brushing the curve of his ear. Letting the warm breath of my mouth create its own warmth to tell him I was here… close… and still not.

Keeping a millimetre or two between my lips and his skin I moved down to his neck, letting the tip of my nose touch the spot under his ear.

≡ Embry ≡

Oh yeah… that was a whimper that had just, shamelessly, left my lips. My eyes closed now, to focus all my senses on the way her breath danced on my skin, the fact her voice sent a shot of pleasure straight to the hardness straining into the leg of my jeans.

My hand tightened on her thigh, I was greeted with the hard muscle and fucking perfect curves of her leg. “Fuck!” I hadn’t meant to say it. But I wasn’t about to start censoring my reactions to her now, not in the bubble.

The other hand slipped beneath her shirt. “Leah.” The word was almost a gasp as I ran my hand up her toned stomach. She was so fucking sexy I could hardly process her words. Just as my fingers reached the underside of her breast. My thumbs swiped the perfect swell hard enough to make her react… to want more. I slipped my arm around her back and crushed her against my chest in a flurry. “Next is the craving for pressure.” I could have pinned her to the couch for this… but she climbed on top of me. And if Leah wanted to be on top… then that was exactly what she was going to get.

“The need to feel the weight of your body against mine.” All metaphors were gone now because my mind was now flooded with Leah, Leah, Leah!

“To get closer than possible, they tangle our bodies together as deeply and intricately or souls are tangled together. We know we never will, we know that we can never touch each other that deeply with hands or lips. But it feels so fucking good to try. And the butterflies… they don't want to stop, so we hold on. We kiss, touch, and make each other moan, pull each other closer and closer… because the butterflies…” I smiled now. Turning into her neck, not kissing... Just like she did. “They demand satisfaction.”

Fuck! I was like a horny teenager around this woman. A horny teenage drama club nerd… fuck! I hadn't seen that guy in a long time.

≡ Leah ≡

That sound… spirits I craved hearing it now. He didn’t hide it from me, he didn’t hold back in some alphahole way. This was genuine, unassuming behaviour and reaction. And I wanted it all.

My eyes closed and then flew open as I felt how my closeness had him growing for me. This was enough for me to bite the soft skin on his neck teasingly. Then I sat back on my knees. Making sure my body lowered down into his lap at the perfect angle to give us both a jolt of pleasure.

My name on his lips made me instantly pulse, growing into a constant throbbing.

“Embry!” I gasped out his name, the electronic shock his fingers had made my nipples erect, pushing out the fabric of my bra. The feeling of them rippling the perfect brown circle of skin around them.

The scent of our desires mixed together before I inhaled it deeply with my mouth dropping open. And then he shocked me out of my stupor by pulling me in chest to chest.

Right… a moment of clarity… he was speaking… because I’d asked a question…

Nodding my head very slowly, my hands moved back up into his hair. “It feels like you are setting us a challenge…” of course that’s where my mind goes.

Because let’s face it. I wanted it. I wanted it all. What he said… The feeling of Embry’s weight holding me down. Knowing I could free myself in a move or two, but still wanting to stay. To be so enthusiastically entwined in each other, that you don’t know where one started, and the other stopped!

≡ Embry ≡

I groaned… biting my lip as she pressed against me perfectly. I knew by her scent, that if I touched her now… she would be just as turned on as I was. Just the way she said my name made me moan and throb in my too-tight jeans. I could not ignore the surge of desire that flooded me when she mentioned a challenge.

Because there were only a few unexplored ways for us to fill the 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓬𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓮𝓷𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 feeling… at least physically. “The only challenge right now…” I scraped my teeth along the shell of her ear… still not kissing her, even as I tugged on her earlobe. “…Is resisting the urge to tear off your clothes and taste the source of that fucking glorious scent.”

While I knew the path we were on was exactly where I wanted to be with her… There was no sense in denying the fact that I wanted her, I wanted to taste her, touch her, feel her shudder and come apart for me. I wanted it all… but I wanted it all at the right moment. And that was what always won… but that didn’t mean we couldn’t take each other to the brink… because it felt so fucking good.

≡ Leah ≡

I wanted him to devour me with that mouth of his, wanting that closeness which somehow never felt close enough. And yet I knew, this was the hunger for him speaking. The logical parts of my head weren’t answering the call right now. But still. Still, that part of me knew why we did things our way. Not carrying the pressure of the world on our shoulders inside our bubble. And we would get there. We would know. And we would be ready for what came with that act.

My nipples strained against my top, as my hands hooked around his neck. Letting my head fall forward and then I turned my lips to hover in the crook of his neck.

It was when my mind began racing, thoughts bombarding me with images of him doing the things he said. “Spirits… Embry!” The feel of him between my legs, the scent of him, they all spoke volumes too.

Slowly, my hips began moving. Small circles, a little pressure, a teasing touch just enough to make both of us want more.

≡ Embry ≡

Her name seemed to be the only thing I could say from the moment she started moving her hips against me like that. My hands moved, one to her arse and the other to her hip. I didn’t guide her movements, I let her move in her own way, but I needed to feel the way her muscles rolled and tightened… She was so strong… and yet she could move with a slowness and grace that blew my mind.

I pressed a kiss to her jaw now, the sensation building to a level that broke my train of thought. I trailed my kisses all the way to the hollow beneath her chin, tilting her face up. This made her piqued nipples press into me even through her shirt and mine. The hand on her hip travelled up, beneath her shirt, finding the swell of her breast. I groaned. I finally found more words than only her name. “Happy to see me?” I teased, biting her bottom lip at the same time as I rolled a calloused thumb over the hardened tip.  Like I could talk with the bulge I was sporting.

≡ Leah ≡

“Hmm…” as if there were any doubts in the question. I’d given up trying to stop my body from telling on me when it came to how much I wanted to see and feel him. Because within these walls, I didn’t hide.

I was still mystified by how my warrior, and I hummed together at the knowledge of how we made him come alive too.

“About the same as you by the feel of it.” That bite and the touch of my blossomed breast made all the muscles in my body judder, with a bolt of energy shooting to my core.

I pushed down into the thick, hard, delicious sensation caused by our bodies' connection, letting the soft moans of his name marry with the chanting of my name by him.

My tongue flicked a lick of his top lip, my teeth brushing the plumpness of his bottom one next, and then my lips were on his, hot and heavy needing to taste him.

≡ Embry ≡

I pushed my hips up in answer to her, like the word 𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕪 even came close to how I felt. The way her whole body reacted to a simple roll of my thumb over the piqued skin made a blot race through me, she was completely unguarded, completely free, deep diving into this moment alone… It wasn’t the first time… it wasn’t the tenth time… I had lost count she’d opened herself so completely for so long now that it shouldn’t have amazed me like this anymore.

But here I was. Amazed. Enraptured.

My name was like a song on her lips. And then those lips were on mine, I groaned into her mouth, cupping her breast completely, toying and squeezing. My head tilted up, opening for her,  feeding on her heat and her passion. Pouring every ounce of mine back into her. My other arm wrapped around her, pulling her tight against it. Closer. It was impossible… but FUCK!!! That was never going to keep me from trying.

≡ Leah ≡

These were moments you lived and sometimes, when you woke up… it all felt like a dream… Dreams I didn’t have.. but felt the best way about when it occurred to me that this was ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕝.

My back arched into his chest, the friction between us making my eyes open wide and then flutter closed again.

The scent mingled with the heat we radiated filling the living space of my home, raising bumps over my skin.

Gasping for air I broke our kiss, looking down at Embry, my hands moved to comb his hair back out of his face.

My hips worked in tandem with his. I let the tip of my tongue trace his mouth, keeping my eyes open to take him in.

Spirits! I moaned at the tingling sensation his day's growth gave my tongue.

≡ Embry ≡

This woman knew exactly how to set my blood on fire… and fuck!! I burned for her, and I never wanted to stop. The way she arched told me she was thinking the same thing: 𝕔𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕣, 𝕔𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕣, 𝕔𝕝𝕠𝕤𝕖𝕣! “Spirits!” I gasped… that scent… my wolf prowled under the surface. He was hungry for her… starving for them.

My eyes stayed locked on her when she swept my hair away, she moved in ways I never even thought a woman could move. It made perfect sense… she was always an overachiever. The brief thought made me smirk… of course, she was in a league of her own. There wasn’t another like her in this world.  My lips parted for her, letting her feel the heat of my moans and gasps. I arched my neck until my mouth was right by her ear. “When we finally taste you, Trouble.” Both my hands were on her hips now… not stopping her, not changing her rhythm. Just to feel the way she moved…

“This…” My hands tightened. “Is what we went to feel. Make us work for every moan… every scream.”

≡ Leah ≡

She flashed to life in my eyes. We felt the moment his warrior came to the surface, and yet stayed back too. It wasn’t the first time we felt them with us, making this a very real possibility that the four of us wanted the same fate all at once!

His hands tightened, and the statement, well… it made something come to life deep within my core.

“Nothing worth having…. Is given easily, dimples.” My voice was heavy with a deep want to feel every inch of him.

My hands moved to the head of the couch, keeping the both of us together. Making it harder for us not to feel the bodily responses from the other.

Closing my eyes, breathing from my mouth now. I dropped my head to his shoulder, still enjoying the feel of his breath against my ear.

≡ Embry ≡

Her reaction to my words was clear in her body, her heart, her breath… her scent! Fuck! Her wolf reached out to mine and mine to hers while they left us our own control and our own actions. I was pinned between her and the couch now and it was exactly where I wanted to be.

I was throbbing in my too-tight jeans… I really needed to rethink my clothing around this woman. I smiled wickedly thinking about just shedding layers after I crossed her threshold. I felt her drop her head onto my shoulder and I was reminded that these heated, passionate moments with her were also, always filled with the deepest intimacy I had ever felt in my life. The -only- intimacy I had ever felt in my life. The thought struck me, and I inhaled deeply.

“You…” I whispered breathlessly. “Always take my breath away, Trouble.”

��� Leah ≡

She roiled below my skin; her graceful movements took us to our destination when we tightened our legs around his lap.

Keeping ourselves upright at a time when we wanted nothing more than to give in to this pull we felt towards Embry and his warrior.

I was biting my lips, trying to recreate the presence of his lips against ours without letting go of my control fully at this moment.

“Me?” My voice didn’t sound like mine. “What… about you?” I asked him. Did he really believe he didn’t do that very same thing to me?

My hair had fallen over my face, hiding us from the breeze from the windows of the living room. But we still felt the freshness of it kissing our heated skin.

“Spirits!” Moaning softly into his ear, as it turned into a hum when a tremor strike hit at the connection we made. I felt the dampness grow.

≡ Embry ≡

I chuckled; it was a deep, heated sound. “There you go changing the subject, Trouble.” I teased her. I could hear how her breath caught in her throat too. She knew that I didn’t miss those things about her. “We’re talking about you right now.” I bit her bottom lip and scraped my teeth over the kiss-plumped skin.

Now I did take hold of her, stilling her hips as I surged forward lifting her and twisting us to one side. Holding her only by her hips, knowing she was strong enough to hold her upper body, while I lay her back on her couch. I kneeled between her legs and looked down at her… my heart skipping. “Fuck!” I groaned… she was beautiful. Her skin flushed and raised with goose bumps, the heat and scent rolling off her in waves. Kiss swollen lips… nipples straining against the fabric covering them. Chest rising and falling while she caught that breath she was talking about.

“How on Earth am I supposed to decide on where to start worshipping a goddess like this?” I leaned over her, slowly bringing my lips closer and closer to her until our eyes locked and I paused… because there. In those fucking incredible eyes, lay my answer.

≡ Leah ≡

“Hmm… if you play your cards right. Maybe.” I had to laugh and tease.

Gasping I tightened myself, moving with him until he lay me down on my couch. My chest moved fast; the air was welcomed by my lungs, but my lips missed the pressure of his against them.

Shifting my shoulders to loosen my freed hair out from underneath me, I moved my long, toned legs on either side of him. Not curling them around him just yet, waiting to see what he had planned.

I was smiling, licking my bottom lip with the sensation of his bite still lingering.

Even now I saw his words coming to life in those bourbon-coloured brown eyes of his.

I didn’t answer his question with words. I knew he read my eyes the moment they locked with his.

My heart skipped, those little creatures in my stomach came to life, and my core thrummed from the attention.

≡ Embry ≡

There was a 𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪 pronounced twitch in my jeans and I couldn’t take it anymore… even if her comment made it the world’s worst timing on my part…. I tugged the top button of my jeans open and slid the zipper down. She trusted me enough to know how far I would take it. The relief was instant… and the craving for exactly what she had teased me about sprung to life in me just as fast. Knowing what we both wanted still didn’t change the fact we were wildly attracted to one another and craved that release we weren’t quite ready for. Our hormones and wolves both thought differently.

I sat back on my heels… looking down at the glorious woman before me. My hand reached out to her, dropping to my sides where her feet rested on either side of me, my rough hands curled around her ankles. Then they slowly made their way up the defined calf muscles. When I reached the back of her knees, I smiled at her. “Legs like these… are a very powerful weapon…” I lifted one… Lowering my head until I could press a kiss to the soft almond skin just below her knee. My eyes never left hers. “In every possible meaning of the words.” I kissed her knee, then just inside of it… and higher…. Higher. My teeth scraped against her thigh… and with one last kiss, I set her leg back to my side and turned the same attention to the other side.

≡ Leah ≡

Not once did my trust in him shake. I knew what his fingers worked to free and why. And in the moment when the cool air brought his scent to me, I had to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from moaning.

I also had to fist my hands onto the couch. Because I knew then to let myself tease him by touching him.

“Embry!”

My lips fell apart, eyes widened as my leg easily lifted to the point where he could kiss the back of my knee. But it was the feeling of his calloused fingers on my tight skin followed by his kisses and teeth, which had my mind freefalling.

“These weapons are always ready to strike. So… be… careful.”

My hands moved into his hair. Raking my fingers through it, trying to stop my hips from arching up to meet his kisses.

≡ Embry ≡

I smirked when I saw her cheek dimple like that… and not the illusive dimples she had when she smiled or laughed. “Don’t take your frustrations out on the couch.” I teased her. Trailing my kisses along her other thigh now. Getting low.. closer and closer to the source of the mouthwatering scent. I exhaled heavily when her fingers raked through my hair, and I gave myself a second to gather together what was left of my self-control while my lungs weren’t filled with her intoxicating scent.

“If you can’t take the teasing I could always stop.” I had no intention of stopping… It was an empty threat. Just as I said this I rested her leg back where I had found it, and I was sliding her shirt higher and pressing kisses beneath her navel. The toned muscles had jolts of heat shooting through me… suddenly my open jeans were not spacious enough. “So… Trouble. Tell me… what do you want?”

≡ Leah ≡

I closed my eyes, the sweet sensations of pleasure making their way in waves of the ocean over me. My chest rose and fell quicker, telling me I wasn’t holding back from showing him my reactions to him.

I pressed my lips tightly together, the sounds of his kisses on my skin joining the rapid-fire of this discovery method Embry used on me.

“Hmm… Embry…” his name… it sounded so good to my ears.

Letting go of the couch, with a short burst of laughter. Because. He was right. I liked this couch. It was kind of the beginning of this story we were writing.

Opening my eyes, with my fingertips still playing with his hair. It was getting longer again.

“These…” As he moved up my body, my abdominal muscles clenched. Tugging at the fabric of his shirt. “I want this off…” my voice was coated with something uniquely feminine.

≡ Embry ≡

My next kiss was placed above her navel… one hand still sliding her shirt higher and higher, the other gripping her thigh and dragging up until I reached the sensuous curve of her arse and squeezed. I noted her chuckle and the fact she released her death grip on the couch cushions, with a victorious flick of my tongue between the lines of defined abs.

She lifted herself… not sitting up… just…. “Fuck!” She was tugging at my clothes… just when I thought there was nothing sexier than this woman running her fingers through my hair…. Fuck!! But let’s face it, whatever she did would send me right down this rabbit hole again. The sexiest thing Leah did, was always the most recent thing she did!

I was tempted to tear the shirt off WWE style… But decided to save that for a day we could both literally rip off each other’s clothes. “As you wish,” I said in the sexiest voice I could manage with all the breath stolen from my lungs. Then I straightened up, out of easy reach of her… I slowly peeled the shirt up over my head and dropped it next to the couch.

≡ Leah ≡

“Spirits!” Chewing on my lower lip, my brown eyes followed the hem of his shirt as it lifted higher, and higher over his body.

“So.. worth it…” I meant the loss of his hands, mouth and body pressing into mine.

I didn’t squirm. Nope. But I would forgive anyone watching for thinking, that was what I just did!

My hands traced the lines low and close to my hips. Each defined muscle, the thin line of hair disappearing below his pants.

Gasping, with a dry mouth at how he felt to my touch. Wanting to lick him, taste him, tease him…

Reaching up, I brought my hands around his neck to lower him back down with me.

“Come here…” my lips brushed over his. Slow and gentle, flicking the tip of my tongue.

≡ Embry ≡

I smirked… Damn!! I 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 liked it when she squirmed like that… but I knew pointing it out would make her stop. The trail of her fingers made each muscle jump, and the reaction spread lower. My open jeans were still not roomy enough. Then her hands were moving again and before she reached my neck and pulled me down I was moving, her gaze pulling me in telling me she wanted me closer.

Her kiss was slow, and still, I felt it all over, my heart raced and my skin tingled. There it was, that intimacy again. My hand slipped up her sides and over the gentle curve of her breasts, over her collarbone and all the way up to her hair. I exhaled, and our breath mingled. I kissed her, it was deep and slow, passionate. Intimate. Something only, she ever made me feel. “Still  Real,” I mumbled against her lips.

≡ Leah ≡

Letting my fingers travel down his chest, under his arms until my nails lightly raked his back. This was it…

“Real.” Mumbling back into his kiss.

Feeling the weight of him pressing me down onto the couch. Fully aware I could get out if I wanted to. But that was the key. I didn’t want to! I liked this. Only with him. Feeling him on top of me!

My legs curled around his waist, bringing him down even closer. Pulsating bursts of energy hit my core as my tongue entered his mouth, teasing, playing, deepening to pull those sweet sounds free. My eyes flew open the moment I felt the way his body responded to me. The girth of it, the feel of it rubbing in that perfect spot.

“Embry” His name was a prayer.

I moved my fingers down his back until it was stopped at the band of his jeans. Waiting for him to make the next move.

≡ Embry ≡

I drew in a deep breath, the hot air from her mouth setting fire to my nerves. My tongue swept in, tasting her, claiming her mouth, letting her claim mine. I moaned, the sound pulling from deep in my stomach. I let more and more of my weight down against her, not because she couldn’t take it all at once… she could take it and then some. This was all about teasing… she wanted that feeling, the fullness of my weight holding her down, and the knowing that one swift move on her part would turn the tables and she could have me pinned to the floor. Fuck!!! It was sexy.

My knees shifted, bringing me into perfect alignment with her. Just as my name on her lips had me throbbing again. Her hands stopped moving and I bit her lip, tugging just a little. “I’m yours to do with as you please, Trouble.” My fingers twisted into her hair. “If you want more clothes gone just say the word.” It occurred to me I should be stripping hers and not just pinning her with my body, so I had no access to removing anything. But… Fuck!!! The way her curves fit against me… Spirits it felt… extraordinary.  I kissed her where I had bitten and sucked in her lip again, scraping my teeth against the plumped skin.

≡ Leah ≡

She liked hearing that. It didn’t shock the two of us or stop us in our tracks hearing him tell us he was ours. But it still took my heart beat up a level and made her smug.

My body shook from the pressure of him pushing down, the biting, kissing, the sting on my skin. I knew all evidence would be gone. But it was a fact that it was there now.

I pushed his open jeans down. “I know… but…” I was still responsible to check I wasn’t pushing him too far.

“Spirits!” Making the best of how we were on my couch, two warriors fondling like teenagers! Both trying to make themselves feel the other up, without going too far! The thought made me laugh.

“Okay… this isn’t working!” I couldn’t push his jeans down much with our bodies pinned together.

≡ Embry ≡

“You say that like I can’t scent you, Trouble.” I groaned against her mouth. Fully aware that it wasn’t what she was talking about at all. “This is definitely working for you.” I ground against her and fuck!! She felt so… damn… good!

“Bedroom.” The word was hardly audible as I claimed her mouth again in a deep kiss. I swiftly pulled her up as I straightened, not worried about her ability to hold on. I set her on her feet and ran my gaze over her… her skin flushed, her lips full from the hard kisses.. hair and clothes dishevelled from the heavy make-out session like we were no better than two sixteen-year-olds. “Fuck! You look… edible!” I almost growled, then I gripped her waist and smiled evilly. “Don’t kill me,” I whispered before I swept her up and tossed her over my shoulder fireman style.

I was a dead man… but at least I would die happy and horny as fuck.

≡ Leah ≡

Gasping and growling all at once as my body lifted and my hair went flying, I landed over his shoulder. I knew what was coming as soon as he asked me not to kill him!

“Embry…. Fucking…. Call!!!” Laughing at how long it had been since he gave me a reason to use his name in that way!

Aware that the source of the scent he spoke of was right. So close to his nose…. I shook my head. My hands smacked his arse, with his half-hanging jeans.

“I can use my two feet!” And now I was laughing. Because she fucking enjoyed it when he took control.

She danced, prowling, excited, wanting so much more.

Upside down the world was a different place. With stone arms holding me, a muscled body carrying me.

Spirits! This so worked for me! The wetness I felt told me and him that. It’s how my body always betrayed me to him from the first time he kissed me.

By the SPIRITS! When did this become a turn-on?

≡ Embry ≡

I laughed when I realised she was not going to use those long, perfect legs to level a kick to my balls for picking her up like this. I knew it was a risk when I couldn’t distract her with my eyes. She slapped my arse, and I turned to bite her hip through her shorts and laughed. I shoved out of my jeans because there was no way I was shuffling down the hallway to her room with them caught around my thighs.

“But this is so much more fun!” I chuckled. “You can’t even try to deny it.”

My hands ran up the back of her thighs… “Fuck… Leah … That scent.” I bit her hip again as I crossed the threshold of her room and pushed the door closed with my foot. At the end of her bed, I tipped forward and let her fall back onto the neatly made covers. That was about to change. Even knowing she could easily drop back on her own my body reacted on instinct and my hand slipped up along her back as she settled, supporting her… or maybe I was just feeling her up.

≡ Leah ≡

“Stop making a mess of my home!” And then moaned! By the spirits! I moaned at the way his bite sent fire bolts through my core. Igniting so fast it was like a forest fire spreading its way across me.

“I’m not denying a thing.”

My body came in contact with the cool sheets, his arms coming around to slowly guide me down. My brown eyes found his right away because even if we both knew it wasn’t necessary. He had done it. Embry had taken a moment to support me.

“Spirits.” His laughter filled my ears. It filled my home. And mine was right there with it too. What was this man doing to me?

I pulled him down with me, making sure to free my hair before it got caught under the two of us.

My warm fingers brushed against his torso. Then my hands began to explore him. Lingering in places like the side of his midriff, the line defining his muscular grooves, and the inner parts of his arms. Lingering lower to feel the outlines of his tattoos.

≡ Embry ≡

I chuckled a little darkly… my lips finding that pulsating spot in her throat, I kissed her, sucking just hard enough to leave a mark that would only last moments while her hands roamed over my body. Each touch made me shiver and twitch far more freely now that my jeans were abandoned on her living room floor. “Do you want me to stop… Pick them up… fold them neatly and then…” My kisses trailed to her earlobe, and I tugged it between my teeth. “Come back and give you all the attention you deserve.”

I let my hand slide out from underneath her, down her sides to the hem of her shirt and started to push it up again. Slowly. Licking my lips as I watched each inch of perfect skin revealed. All the while every brush of her fingers gave me butterflies or goosebumps… or both.

≡ Leah ≡

By the spirits! The sweet sting made me clench my thighs together. I felt the way his mouth moved. I knew from the moment he sucked. I was marked.

“Yes…” my hands moved into his hair. The softness, and silkiness of it had my fingers playing. “… yes I want you to do all that.” Wait... “No!”

What was I thinking and saying?

“Embry!” Moaning his name my back arched up to meet him. My mouth dropped open gasping at the tension his actions were building up.

My nails moved through his hair and down his neck. Until I made them work around his shoulders. My hooded eyes witnessed him as his hands worked my top up. The lick of his lips, the way he took me in. Spirits. Just watching him was intoxicating.

≡ Embry ≡

I pushed her shirt up over the swell of her breast, engulfing her with my hand. A guttural sound escaped me as her hard nipple pressed up against my palm. Far too lost in her… how she felt… how she smelled, the way she moved under me… to have acted on her words before she took them back.

My voice dipped low. “In that case.” I planted my knees on either side of the thighs she was squeezing together, trapping them there… at least until she decided otherwise. I tore my eyes away from the pink and purple mark, barely visible on her throat and pulled her shirt up and over her head. With one hand on the back of her neck, easing her back down onto the bed, the other swept her hair over her shoulder.

“Fuck, Trouble…” I took in the sight of her. Dark hair spilling over one shoulder, that perfect dark, piqued nub poking through the strands. Her waist and abdomen… flattened and creased by solid muscles. I wanted to run my tongue through each and every groove. But first. I ducked my head and wrapped my lips around that sensitive nub. I moaned and my back bowed down bringing my chest against her bare skin.

“Beautiful.”

≡ Leah ≡

It was a good thing I wasn’t shy when it came to my body. Because when Embry Call was being so attentive to its needs, he was like a pilgrim paying tribute to his temple!

He shocked me into silence, taking those small steps people missed but I felt and saw. The way he held my head, gathered my hair, made sure I was at ease and comfortable. The way he paid attention to my reactions, and then gave me more of what he saw I enjoyed.

My body moved like a wave, first my hips lifted to meet his. Being held down I couldn’t move too far,  then it was my back that arched off the sheets. Pressing myself up into him to feel his skin on mine.

My lips dropped open, gasping for air when his lips closed around my sensitive nipple, sending sensations of fire through my nerves. The hum of the air, mixed with the heat we both created, with the fire he caused in my belly.

“Embry….” His name was whispered into a moan. Because that thing he did with his mouth, it sent shockwaves.

≡ Embry ≡

Her body arched and fuck!!! I wanted to ravage her! She could have broken free and made the contact she was clearly craving, but she stayed put… just because she wanted to. Her skin on mine was pure blissful heat. My teeth scraped the raised, rippled skin… each reaction she gave me feeding my desire.

I kissed my way back up to her collarbone, rough hand slipping between us to take over the task my mouth had started. My lips skimmed across the sweet dip at the base of her neck… all along her rapid pulse, her jaw… chin and finally her mouth in a deep, fiery kiss. I tasted her tongue, her breath, her lips… Swallowing the way she moaned my name.

“You…” I moaned between kisses. “Are addictive, Trouble."

≡ Leah ≡

Addiction had a new name in my world. Just as it clearly had in his. And this coming from a woman like me who didn’t give in to them. At. All!

My hands are in his hair, tugging a little at the length of it as our tongues dance a fast, heated dance. I felt the way his fingers played and teased, continuing the work his mouth left off, but keeping the pleasure flowing just the same.

My legs stretched out with his knees locking them in place, but even with the knowledge of how I could have him on his back in three moves. I didn’t want this to stop. Spirits! Why did it feel as though he was going to be the death of me? From simple looks, the way he sang for me, to the fires we set ablaze in our wake. I wasn’t sure what to answer.

My hands moved down the side of his torso, once again following the direction of his body with my lips catching his tongue. Sucking at it, playing, teasing with my fingers moving past the band of his boxers, digging my nails into the firm skin of his arse cheeks.

≡ Embry ≡

“Fuck!” Or at least that was what I had tried to say… the sound that came out didn’t resemble the word. Her hands were everywhere, and electric tingles sparked to life everywhere she touched.

I arched my back as her touch trailed lower and beneath the band of my boxers… every muscle clenched. The hardness in my boxers met the hard planes of her abs and I swear that was a growl. Was that me? Fuck… who knew! When she released my tongue I slid my hands down her waist, holding her against me instead of pressing her down into the mattress.

“See what you do to me?” I groaned; it wasn’t really a question. I began to kiss a trail back down her neck, not breaking the contact until I had to so I could continue my path down between her breasts.

≡ Leah ≡

He growled at me? She was awake and, Spirits! Did we like the way that sound riled our body, mind, and soul up?

She/ we growled right back at the connection between us. The moment his arm held us in place, we sensed the way his thickness felt on our stomach.

“Embry!” I was breathless, and hot, and of course, excited! Now wishing I had the freedom to move my legs around him.

But she stopped me. We liked showing him the trust we had in him. Because that is what this was.

“Still… Real!” My mouth dropped open, eyes closed, hands falling to the sheets fisting them to keep myself from doing anything to break the unspoken promise we had in place.

≡ Embry ≡

No one in my life had ever made my name sexy…. But of course, Leah managed to. My trail of kisses eventually meant I had to free her legs so I could continue the line down her stomach. Dipp my tongue into the defined lines between her abs, passed her navel…

She smelled like so… fucking… good. I ached to taste her… to feel her. And then her words grounded me. “Real…” I breathed into the curve of her hip. Scraping my teeth against her hipbone and groaning. “Still… very real.” My tongue traced the curve that vanished into her shorts, and I tucked my fingertips into her waistband.

“How do you always manage to have more clothes on than me?”

≡ Leah ≡

He got it. The understanding we never really needed to discuss and somehow fell into place.

I opened my eyes looking down the length of my body, seeing my chest heaving, the sound of our hearts in the perfect rhythm, the scent… Spirits!

Biting on the inside of my cheeks one of my hands combed his hair back. The muscles he licked and kissed vibrated underneath his attention.

“Because….” Breathing the word out… “I’m not just… a pretty face, Dimples.”

This time I made myself watch him, to continue following his actions with my eyes. But I had to smirk. Because he wasn’t wrong. I did somehow always manage to keep more clothes on, for much longer.

A memory flashed in my head. Embry, taking his work tee off at #HwH, throwing it at me. For me to bat it off to his fan club.

Dropping my head back to look up.

≡ Embry ≡

Fuck! This woman… she was perfection! I slid her shorts down her legs, I had to climb off the bed since we were still at the end of it. I didn’t fold them, but I did at the very least toss them onto the chair in the corner. I looked down at the glorious sight…

“It is one hell of a pretty face though…. And so…. SO much more.” My eyes travelled up and down her form on the bed before me.

I climbed back onto the bed and scooped her up. Clambering on my knees to the head of the bed where I let us both fall onto the pillows. “You and that pretty face better buckle up, Trouble.” I chuckled and pulled the sheets up over both of our heads, hiding us from the world. “We have a long… hot night ahead of us.”

Then we were lost in our very own world.

Next - Unmissable- Story: Dream A Little Dream For Me

[blazingtheway]

Everyone’s Broken and I’ve Got This Missing Piece - Storyline 20 - Together

"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.

•- 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 𝘆𝗼��� 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 �� 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.

•- 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 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 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.

•- 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.

•- 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...

[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.

[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

[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.”

Next Story: Pizza Night

[blazingtheway]

Dream a Little Dream for Me – Storyline 22 - Together

“Dare to dream big, then do something about it..” - Unknown.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

People say you need to worry when you feel you’re settling into a routine. But I don’t understand why.

Would I say Embry and I had begun to live a life of routine? No, not really… or had we? Maybe some part of us did a little?

It was the fact that Waking up to the sound of the spirits on the wind, and the soft breathing or mumbling of Embry asleep had become something I looked forward to. (As much as I wouldn’t admit it to the Wisearse on the best of days.)

Those quite moment, before the world pulled us towards the day and our commitments, they were ones to cherish. And this morning was no different.

We’d fallen asleep curled up once again, skin to skin, his hands always reaching out to find me if I stayed away, and now I found myself always coming back to him even in my sleep as though he were a magnet.

As my mind came around this morning, my sleep filled eyes opened to see the sun has come out. The perfect weather for what my day had planned for me. But it was difficult to think past the bubble, when the sunlight shone a bright stream into my bedroom. It kissed his cheeks like a dream coming true.

I could hear the murmuring of his voice while he slept. This was a sign I’d become aware of. When Embry dreamt deeply, sometimes he lived them, he felt them, and it made me smile.

I often told him to dream a little dream for me. Because I couldn’t remember a time where I could dream for myself. Embry on the other hand dreamed vividly. So, listening to him telling me the stories his mind conjured up was beginning to become a highlight of our mornings together. I didn’t ask him to share them all. Just when he felt he wanted to. They were enough to keep me going.

Leaning in I placed three softest of kisses to his lips while he slept, before slipping out of bed, pulling his shirt over my head, and leaving him to sleep in.

Embry had been working at Glamor last night before that his day had been full. Mine had began with my run with the pups and #Jake, followed by last minute errand ensuring the bar and Ma had everything needed for today’s festivities. #Seth, #Mac, #Charlie has worked long into the night after closing to set up the bar and the parking lot for today. Everyone had been working hard for a long time to make sure nothing happened that hadn’t been planned.

With my hair pulled up into my signature messy bun on the top of my head, I made my way into the kitchen. I wanted to cook us a good breakfast. But before anything could commence the first thing I had to do was switch on the radio. Smiling as the song began to play. It felt perfect for the occasion.

(Music: Dream A Little Dream Of Me (Acoustic) · Amber Leigh Irish)

Humming to myself, I set to turning on the coffee maker, gathering the ingredients for a Spanish omelette, while I now sang alone in a whisper.

“Stars shining bright above you. Night breezes seem to whisper.....

Birds singin' in the sycamore trees. Dream a little dream of me

Say "Night-ie night" and kiss me. Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me.

While I'm alone and blue as can be. Dream a little dream of me”

•- Embry Call -•

There were noises from inside the house, and I knew it made no sense because the only other person here; was Leah. I could feel her, the heat of her skin, her scent filling the space even with the window I knew she always left open. Her skin against mine… the next sound I  heard came from me. the soft hum of contentment. While the house was alive with something I could never identify… no matter how deeply I dreamt.

She was waking up, as it always did, Leah was a force and when she was awake, she charged the world in her immediate vicinity that could only be called: Get-shit-done energy. I wasn’t ready to let go of this half-dreaming state. Not until I figured out that strange presence was… that sound… Was it laughing?

Three kisses… they said everything and nothing, reinforcing everything she’d ever made me  feel; deeply enough that there was never any room for doubt. Then she was gone, and I clung to this moment, still too deep in this world of half waking. But it was okay, the only loss I felt was her skin on mine. But there was an unbreakable connection between us now, one I  felt no matter how far away she was.

She was cooking… I smiled… we had established some kind of routine… but wasn’t what I thought it would be… routines were boring… but Leah brought a different sort of energy to it. Then the music floated to me through the haze of that  lingering dream. The phantom tingle of three kisses was still on my lips as I smiled at the light trickling in the window. Just what we needed today.

I was awake now, trying to string together the pieces of the dream… I pulled the pillow from her side of the bed towards  me. Burying my face into it and inhaling her scent deeply, was there any other way to start the day? I waited for a moment… listening to her singing along in the kitchen.

Leah was a woman used to her space, and this home… this was where she let her walls down. So, I had  taken to staying in bed and giving her a few moments to herself in the morning. But even in those moments, she was sharing one of the most important things in her life. Her home.

But her music always drew me out to her. I grinned as I made my way barefoot and in nothing but my boxers (it wasn’t my fault she took my t-shirt… ignoring the fact there was a drawer with a few folded far too neatly) to the bathroom to brush my teeth before I went find to her.

She was standing at the stove those too-sexy-to-be-legal legs bare from where my shirt skimmed the top of her thighs. The cover of one of my mother’s favourite songs playing and her whispering along with the lyrics. I made my way across the cool tiles and rested my hands on her hips, pressing a light kiss to her shoulder. The last verse played and I sang quietly into her year.

“Sweet dreams 'til sunbeams find you Gotta keep dreaming leave all worries behind you But in your dreams, whatever they be You gotta make me a promise, promise to me…

You’ll dream, dream a little dream of me.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The moment I heard the bed move I set the toast on and set the table. Then the running water in the bathroom gave me a gauge of time it would take him to walk into the kitchen. I couldn’t help the smile growing on my lips as I continued to sing, something I’d never have done in the presence of another person before him.

When his arms curled around me, when he placed that kiss, listening to the sound of his voice singing the finale verse of the song, I couldn’t help but feel the warmth in my chest rising, as the spirits sounded their joy at us being here and listening to him sing too.

Leaning myself into his chest I closed my eyes for a breath. Just for the count of two before I was back. In bed, on the sofa, or here beside the cooker. His arms always seemed to fell perfectly welcoming. Add to the fact that, his scent mingling with that of the food as he stepped back now felt so normal. Something I’d began to miss when he didn’t stay over.

By the spirits! What had Embry Call done to me? A question I asked him often and he would reply. ‘The same as what you did to me.’ Which wasn’t a lie.

“Good morning, Dimples. How did you sleep.” I asked as I curled the edge of the omelette over.

The lack of him attempting to distract me wasn’t lost on me. But I knew it, he understood how important it was for today to go smoothly and without any hiccups. Which made me smile again. The next song began to play. The shuffle gods were playing some good ones this morning. Dermot Kennedy started singing.

(Music: Kiss Me (Guitar) · Dermot Kennedy - https://youtu.be/xBWM1ISPQXE?si=fpvQnoA2mpXodKuw)

Looking over my shoulder at the man finally the space in my kitchen. His hair showing evidence of the night’s sleep, his skin showing no signs of what occurred before sleep stole us away, and when he turned away to pour the coffee, his arse looked perfect in those boxers! I wasn’t blind. And I knew if the tables were turned… he’d so check me out and bite those perfect lips of his.

•- Embry Call -•

“Oh, you know me.” I grinned. “I sleep in vivid colour, lately. Especially here…” Even when I was at home, I still dreamt of her… those ones were normally a little more graphic… but they got me through the night.  I felt her eyes on me when the song changed, and I may have spent a little longer than necessary with my back to her while I poured us both a mug of coffee. It wasn’t like she could let on she was enjoying the show this afternoon, she might as well look her fill now.

“I can hear you checking me out, you know…” I grinned and turned  back to her. Setting her coffee next to the stove so she could reach it while she finished cooking. “You could just go all in and grab a handful.” I chuckled, my free hand brushing up the middle of her back over the age softened fabric of my shirt on her toned, hot… fucking  perfect… Nope! If I started down that road, we would never get out of this house on schedule. I cleared my throat and pretended like my heart hadn’t just kicked up a gear. “But if you do I accept no responsibility if your plans for the day are delayed.”

I glanced at the table, and she had already set everything out. “Anything I can do to help? Seems like you are even more on the ball than normal…” I sipped my coffee. “And I gotta tell you… That’s kinda scary.” I teased.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I’m glad my home can help you with your technicolour dreams.” Giving him a side glance as my hands continued working, my eyes retuning to the hob.

The music didn’t distract me away from the way his heart told on him. It made me smile and continue as though nothing happened at all. A cool breeze moved from the open windows through the kitchen as I thanked him for the coffee he set beside me with a smile.

“Don’t act like you’re the only one here with super sensitive hearing. Neither of us is the kid, but even I can hear what’s up in your chest, Dimples.” Flipping the cooked omelette into one of the plates. Taking a sip from the coffee mug, I begin to make the next one.

“I’m fully aware of my surroundings and what I could do. But I’m in control of my actions. My list is made, and we aren’t deviating from it today. So… what I am saying is… I know full well where my groping you will end up… and We don’t have time today for it.” Coughing with a grin. “If …. the ladies win today. Then you may get lucky tonight.”

Just as he asked to help, the toaster popped out two thick nicely toasted slices of a bloomer. “You could grab those and sit down. This one is nearly ready too.” Edging my chin to the pan.

•- Embry Call -•

My heart had betrayed me when I got distracted… let’s be honest I never tried to control it any more. Not here… it was hard enough with our families and at the bar. Here, I could be free about how my body reacted to anything she did. “Hey, I never said I didn’t want to  grope… or be groped for that matter. I’m just trying to behave myself and not throw off your meticulous plans.” I teased.

I headed for the toaster as she started to ask me to grab it, I set it all on a plate and took it to the table with my coffee. Then I gasped and clutched at my imaginary pearls. “Are you trying to blackmail me into throwing the bet? Leah Clearwater! So unlike you to cheat.”

I slid into the seat… my seat…  at 𝕙𝕖𝕣 kitchen table. “And if you think I’ll be going easy on you because you made me breakfast… you are  wr…” My stomach growled loudly, and I smirked. “… Probably onto something.” I laughed and glanced down at my impressive abs and whispered. “Traitor.”

But no matter how impressive they were it was going to depend on who decided to visit us today. Wet, soapy women were hard to compete with! And a lot of these women I thought of as sisters… I wasn’t sure how the guys would react to them getting checked out by others.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Okay this got him an eye roll. “Meticulous plans? There is no such thing with you and the pups in the mix. Let’s face it, you will have something up your sleeve to test me and the spirits today.”

I turned the hob off, before walking the two plates over to the kitchen table. “Do I look like someone who needed to Blackmail? It hadn’t even crossed my mind.”

Returning to the counter for my mug of coffee, I took a sip. “I have faith in the ladies. They won’t need to pull any tricks to make the most money. They also know how much I dislike giving rides on my baby. So, the pup is in for some disappointing times today.”

Sitting down I couldn’t help but smirk at him across from me. “The ladies have this in the bag. I need you, Embry Call, to set your expectations low for your side.”  Setting my mug down, I jumped up  again to grab the hot sauce from the fridge. The sound of his stomach giving him away making me laugh.

By the time I sat back down, the music had stopped playing, making me hum ‘Dream a little dream of me.’ My eyes warm with my body relaxed.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed… “No such thing and yet you keep trying,” I smirked and sipped on my coffee.

“Yeah, yeah… we just need to make sure the boys are distracted. They don’t react well when people check out the girls.” I pinched my brows and grinned at her. “Neither do you, even if you are… quieter about it.”

I thanked her when she set the plate on the table in front of me. It should have been almost normal at this stage… I had lost count of the number of times she had cooked for me in the morning. But every single time I was stunned, not that her food  was so good… which was proven by the sound I made when I chewed a forkful of the omelette… still each time I was amazed that I was in Leah Clearwater’s kitchen, eating a breakfast she’d cooked for me.

“We aren’t out of this race yet.” I boasted. “As long as your girls  don’t cheat and try to distract our weak links.” Of course, the imprinted boys weren’t actually weak links… but they were definitely easily distracted by their girlfriends, fiancés, and wives.

I couldn’t help but sit back and watch her… listening to her humming. She was  truly mastering this living-in-the-moment thing… I knew if she’d woken up alone today, she would already be out the door getting her day started. She was relaxed… happy. And a little bit of that was because of me… And that was even harder to believe than the fact I was sitting here eating breakfast with her.

“You know… I’m starting to see the benefit of these lists and schedules and things.” I grinned and took another bite. “If having your day plotted out to the minute, has you this relaxed… It goes right into the pro column for me.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Scoffing with a mouthful I crossed my long legs under the table, hitting my neck on the wood because his words made me growl a little.

“No one is ‘checking’ the women out. They have all been told, I’ll put them in a bloody burka if needed.” Shaking my head at the thought. “It’s a community event, with the Aunties and the uncles of those women bringing their cars over to #HwH for a clean, some music, some BBQ, a drink. Nice and clean.” That was the plan at least.

Continuing to eat, my eyes moved over my kitchen table and the man sat across from me as ease as a walk to the spirits. He had made himself at home, giving this home of mine, and me something different and unexpected to look forward to.

“Paul is your problem today. I’m not even going to smack him up the side of the head.” Let’s face it, he was the first name to come to anyone’s minds when it came to being distracted by his wife. They were still like teenagers in their honeymoon period, even after all this time.

Now he had my eyebrows raised, this time with the crunch of the toast in my mouth. I had to sip on my coffee before replying to this time around. “By the name of the spirits. Who are you and where is Embry Call? I never knew those words could spill from your lips.” And yes, my eyes linger on his lips as I spoke.

My own lips curled up into a broad smile, giving him a wink. “The first lesson of having a list... Is to stick to the time slots…. It’s where all the relaxation comes from. Knowing you can take the time to enjoy breakfast, before everything kicks off.”

Setting the cup down, I continued with another forkful of the omelette.

“Hey, how is your mom feeling? Do you think she will be up for a visit to the event?”

Our moms had working so hard to organise everything that was needed today. The car wash was only one of the many things they did for the community. All the proceeds from today were going to redecorate the community centre, and to make it more teenager friendly.

“I really want her to be there to see what it all looked like in its full swing.”  I added, knowing it may not be possible. And I had a backup plan if she did miss it.

•- Embry Call -•

I shook my head with a mouth full of food as I piled butter onto a slice of toast. I swallowed my food and laughed. “Trouble… you know what townies expect at a charity car wash right?” I grinned and bit into the toast. Even bread tasted better here.

“I can handle #Lahote…” I shuddered a little… “Not hands on flesh handle… I already told Rachel to take a pair of scissors to the mankini. Plus, I think the bragging rights of being let take your bike on a ride is far too good of a prize to pass up. If you can manage to keep #Rachel from cheating, we should be good…” I thought about it… “I’m 74% positive.”

I laughed again; we both knew those lists would only work for me in the bubble. My smirk grew cheeky. “Wait…” I sipped my coffee. “So, what I’m hearing is… you scheduled time to have breakfast with me?” The cheeky smirk became wicked. “So, this is kinda like a date?” I teased. My heart lurched. Traitorous letch.

I knew how badly she wanted Mom to see the fruit of her labour. And Mom wanted to be there too. “As of last night, she was feeling up for it. I told #Quil that I had to help put this morning; so he said he’ll pick Mom up and take Little Bear with him. He’ll text me as soon as he gets there. She won’t miss this though.” The last part was pure hope, I knew how excited she was.

“She’s been looking forward to it for a really long time. And there is nothing like a visit from Claire to give you a burst of energy.” That is true. Even I was excited to see her… It had been two weeks since her last visit. I missed the little sass machine when she wasn't around to give me a hard time. I took another mouthful of coffee… the food on my plate rapidly dwindling. “Spirits Trouble… you really can cook.” I flashed her that smile over the table. That one that is only for her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Swallowing the food in my mouth.

“Dimples… It’s a good thing I don’t give a crap what the townies exactly want.” I choked a little frowning. “It’s a good think I trust the ladies of La Push to have my back while I’m working. They will do their best to keep you boys in  your line while they win this bet for me.” Biting on the inside of my cheeks, wondering if I should’ve help them out for with car wash too? My gaze settled on his face, with the sound of his laughing echoing from the walls, it made me smile again. A Reminder of how far the two of us had come.

“He wasn’t joking about the mankini? He’d been in #HwH talking about it. But I put it down to jokes.” Shaking my head, “I should have really known better.” Pointing my fork to the window. “And I’m not sure Rachel would destroy it. Sometimes that woman likes seeing the disapproval on my face too much.”

I heard his heart, unsure what caused the change in it and then I was laughing too. “No… I made time for my own breakfast, you just happen to be here, Wisearse.” He was so asking for a kick on the arse. If only we weren’t eating!

When the eggs were gone from my plate, I buttered my toast and sat back. Listening to Embry’s plan for his mom today. “If you need some help let me know. We’ll have a seating arrangement set up for all the elders who want to stop by. That way, she won’t feel like we are babying she.” #TiffenyCall was a proud woman, and some o e I look up to.

“And we all know,  Bear will Mother Ma and MsC. She likes telling them both what to do.” And they adored the kiddo so much, that they didn’t complain. I took about bite from my slice of toast rolling my eyes at the man across from me.

“I will remind you. Tell anyone about this.” My hand moved over the table. “And you will be ten-foot underground.”

Narrowing my eyes to emphasise the point I’m making.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed because we all knew it was the truth. Leah didn’t put on a show for anyone else, so it meant she didn’t really care what others thought... she did what she thought was right and best, then dealt with the consequences of those actions; the good and the bad. And she had always done that alone.

She was doing that thing… biting her cheek like she did when she was thinking and making those perfect cheekbones completely irresistible. Making me want to bite that cheek and kiss those dimples. She really wasn't making this easy. “As long it's unfindable today… I don’t care what she does with it.” I chuckled again. “I made sure to remind her that Claire was gonna be there… A lot.” I stressed the last part.

“Oh right…” I smiled and sipped my coffee. When she claimed that I was just coincidental to her planning; if I wasn’t part of her plan… I wouldn’t be here. “My mistake.” But the smugness was impossible to hide.

I knew she meant that; which was why it meant so much. “It's all covered… I can make plans too. But if anything falls through then you’ll be the first person I come to.  I told her she should sit back and enjoy… the Masterminds like her and a #Sue makes the plans then sit back and delegate. I’m hoping she listens… with everyone around… I know that they look out for her. She’ll have a good day.”

I laughed again, almost choking on another  mouthful of coffee. “Even if I did tell… no one would believe that I was sat in Leah Clearwater’s kitchen, at the crack of dawn… eating breakfast with her in my boxers.” I finished my toast too and leaned back, stretching out a long leg to find her foot beneath the table.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There it was again, the sound my home craved so much. Gone were the silent mornings, there were replaced by his laughter, his beating heart, and of course music. 

I closed my eyes for a moment to shake the thoughts which kept coming, no matter how often he spent the night. I should be used to it by now. But I wasn’t. And it wasn’t a bad thing to feel this way. 

“Hmm….” Right then and their image of #Paul flashed in making me push it out as fast as it came. “Spirits… No…” shaking my head “Nope… Not even touching that with a barge pole. And if he doesn’t show up with nothing but a Mankini, he can be the one to explain to Emily why her little niece was made to witness his stupidity.” Safe to say, I’ll have kicked his arse by then. 

“Oh… moms… the elders… they will keep Paul in line too. Maybe I won’t ever need to get my foot dirty after all.” Smirking at the new image of Ma and #MsC smacking #Paul upside the head came to life. (Of course, the man was fully dressed in this image.) 

His foot found its way to mine under the table, making my eyes locked on his with a perfectly raised eyebrow. “Are you turning into a Footsie player now Embry Call.” My foot stroked the curve of his. 

By the spirits! What was this man doing to me? 

Clearing my throat, I moved to stand up before my mind went to places, we didn’t have time for this morning. Taking my dishes over to the sink. 

“Do you want more coffee?” I asked over my shoulder towards him sat at the table. 

•- Embry Call -•

She truly was 100% here right now, even with us talking about the car wash… she was still all ours. I bit my lip when her foot grazed mine. Laughing at her reaction… “He will keep it family friendly. He might be all talk but when he sees the Aunties and Nieces and Nephews  it’ll change his mind.”

#Paul was the kinda guy you had to trust to read the room… He was always going to talk big, but when push came to shove, he would behave himself when it was needed. “I’m turning into an anything-it-takes-to-touch-you player, Trouble.” I smiled watching her move across the room…

“And it was clearly effective if you had to jump up to avoid temptation…” I teased, my foot still tingling where hers had stroked. But I didn’t need to point that out, right?

As badly as I wanted to say yes to that second coffee, I  didn’t. There was plenty of time for morning coffees with her. “I should probably take a shower and head out… The boys will be on the move around the village early today.” I smiled. I didn’t say I needed to not smell like her before I left, we both knew that already… My  jeep was in the village centre car park, and I wasn’t planning on going home before heading to the bar to help with the set-up. “They are all very keen to impress the Clearwater women today.” I teased. They did want to make Leah proud, #Sue too… But with Leah spending more time with them outside of patrol and training… they were eager to prove themselves in this way too.

I stood up and took her my dishes. I set them next to the sink and grabbed a dish towel… the little routine we had established where she washed, and I dried made me smile. In  Mom’s house, the cook didn’t clean… But Leah seemed to like her process; so, I just found a way to fit myself into it and make myself useful.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Shut it, Dimples. Like I said. We have a plan to keep up with.” His that small touch of his foot had bolts of electrical energy shooting all over my nerves. But we didn’t need to give him a big head first thing.

“Jake and Sam have changed today’s runs up a little, giving all the guys time to come enjoy the show, and participate too.” Filling the sink with soap and hot water, I began to wash, handing the clean dishes off to Embry for drying.

“Ma and the elders will be impressed with anything the pups will do; they are good kids. Even if I still like kicking their arses.”

Speaking to them more, spending time with them off runs, and opening up some more had given me the opportunity to learn so much more. Like #Brady … and his stage presence and shyness. I didn’t the pup could perform the way he did at the open mic night.

Handing off another dish, I smiled. Yet another moment that felt so familiar and open between us right now.

“Why don’t you go jump in the shower now? I can finish off these?”  He was right about the pups being up and raring to go as soon as possible today.

“I don’t want you bumping into anyone... don’t want you to find excuses or tell lies.”  I didn’t do it. I wasn’t going to put him into a position to need to do it too.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled and played dumb. “That is exactly what I have been doing… I have been on my very best behaviour, thank you very much!” I nodded when she mentioned the runs. “He told me yesterday that I won’t be running because Mom would wonder where I went. But I told him I’ll sub  in if she goes home early. I don’t want the boys thinking I’m slacking.” I chuckled. I did feel a little guilty about that, but I would be happy to take a spot tonight and let the young one enjoy a few drinks in celebration. It was the least I could do after a whole day off.

“They’ll work hard… I know they will. And bet or no bet the moms will get their dream budget for the centre. And a little arse kicking is good to keep egos and work ethics in check.” I laughed. “Once it’s balanced with a little praise.” I couldn’t help the grin; Leah had made such a huge stride with the younger ones… And they were responding. There might even be a few budding but innocent crushes forming, not that they would ever act on it. But that is just how these hormone bombs reacted to people they looked up to, it was hard to separate those feelings at that age.

“I can spare five minutes to help clean u since you cooked... It's still weird to be letting you wash up. And if you ever tell Mom that… I’ll tell her you threatened me with bodily harm.” I smirked. I dried the dishes as she passed them to me, setting them into their correct places. “And I wouldn’t need to lie. They rarely hear me tell them to mind their own business, so when I do say it they leave it alone… Probably because they assume they really don’t wanna know if I’m not willing to brag about it.

But it gets the desired result in the end.”

I couldn’t say I was 100% opposed to lying. I lied every day to my mom, keeping her in the dark about what I was. I lied when I needed to protect the pack… I lied to the pups about my past… by omission, but it was almost the same thing. But I have managed to never lie about us. I knew how Leah felt about lying, and it wasn’t as though I enjoyed the sensation either. But her honesty was ingrained into the deepest parts of her being. It made lying about something that so profoundly included her at its core; feel like a betrayal.

It was when we finished up the dishes and I hung the dish towel back up that I leaned in and pressed my lips to her forehead for a long moment. My hands (respectfully) on her waist because anything else would have me breaking the schedule. I  kissed the end of her nose and then her lips just once, softly. Telling myself all the while that I had innumerable days ahead to kiss her and touch her as much as I wanted. Then I rested my cheek against her hair and inhaled her scent deeply. I couldn’t get this close to her once I showered, not today. When I was going on patrol, I left my clothes behind and on other mornings I normally went to see Mom or take her to appointments… her human nose couldn’t tell who I had been with beforehand. It was just one day that I needed to show a little  restraint… next time I had her all to myself I’d find a way to make up for it.

With my lips so close to her ear I couldn’t help but whisper. “Try not to miss me too much today while I’m right in front of you.” I dropped my voice low, knowing those words would sink in.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I closed my eyes letting his low whispered voice sink in deep. Everything about this morning felt so good, so together, like we had found a rhythm, and the true beat of our hearts and life.

Even if the sound of his voice and the heart of his breath on my skin sent a ripple through my nerves.

I turned into him, my arms moved to wrap around his neck, and I held him to me. The feel of his breath on my ear, the warmth and strength of his arms and body, the promise of what we had built and how we were on this journey together too.

“You’re only asking me not to miss you, because you know… you’re the one who is going to crack.” Whispering it right back to him.

I kissed him below his ear, the feel of his lips still lingering on mine as I pulled back to look at him. Resting my forehead to his I took a best of five, then glanced at him.

“You need to shower. And then so do I. Chop chop, Dimples. Before I roll up a towel to spank your arse.” Thoughts of the pups and all their hard work in the run up to this car wash still  fresh in my head. I knew what Embry was saying about them trying so hard, I wasn’t blind to it. Maybe I could ease up a little on them the rest of the week. Or at least give them a chance to get some fun while we trained?

Letting my arms drop, I kissed Embry once more. Soft, light, gentle before taking a few steps away.

“Are you waiting for me to kick your arse now?” My hands crossed over my chest with a smirk on my lips. Nodding my head towards the hallway.  “Get to it Call, we have got all day.”

•- Embry Call -•

That intense yet still subtle energy passed through me… over my skin and down my spine like it only ever did when I was near her. I told myself again that we had plenty of time for these moments later. But that thought slipped away when her arms came around me.

I smiled… the  kiss on my neck caused a tremor that I knew she felt. “Oh, I have no doubt.” I brushed my nose to the tip of hers. It didn’t cost me a thing to admit that I would crack first… We were built differently and somehow… unbelievably, built to fit together perfectly. It was how  the Spirits kept bringing us together. “But… you’ll still let me in. So that counts in my book.”

She was right, I knew she was right. But it felt wrong to step out of this hold, to break the contact between our foreheads. “Threatening me with a good time is not going to get me outta here any faster, Trouble.”

The kiss had that one-last-kiss sort of vibe. So, I lifted my hands to her cheeks and leaned into it. Then I stepped away at the same time as her. “Still threatening me with a good time…” I said, turning on the ball of my foot  and grabbing the clothes she cleaned the night before. Thankfully my usual style of black jeans, a band tee or a V-neck meant no one would ever notice if I wore the same thing two days in a row.

In her bathroom, I grinned at my reflection as I grabbed a towel and set my  clothes down. When the water was running; I stepped under it and started to sing as I washed away the lingering scent of her from my skin… my wolf grumbled in the back of my mind, but he knew we had to. To keep him at bay I kept singing.

(Music: Dream A Little Dream Of Me Cover - Chris Monaghan

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“By the spirts…” Shaking my head as I walked towards the cupboard with my cleaning supplies in it.  “What has this man done to me.”

The answer was clear for me to see, he had done what the Spirits had guides towards, but more importantly what we both agreed to.

‘His voice is blessed by the ancestors.’ My warrior lazed within the walls of our soul. We both stood still listening to the sound of his singing with the running water, and the beating of his heart. We both smiled getting to work.

The day was going to get away from us at some point, of course, I’d planned time in for it too. But it meant the chores around the house couldn’t wait until after my shift at the bar. Walking into the living room, humming along to his voice I began to set the furniture straight, dusting the table and the bookshelf. The TV had a good layer coating it, telling of how little we felt the need to turn it on.

‘He fills our time with more delight that a TV show could provide.’ She wasn’t wrong. ‘And music. Let’s also not forget the facts… He imbues our time with the pleasure of music too.’ Okay, not where I thought that was going. But. Also, true.

I worked around the house, cleaning and tidying while my warrior worked off a list of things which had evolved since the night Embry Call showed up on my doorstep  to kiss me. And because she was on a roll, she reminded me of the fact that I’d punched him in the jaw for pleasure, before running across the street to kiss him back.

‘And now…’ She was bloody talkative this morning. ‘…He is a part of us bubble, and we like it this way.’  I rolled my eyes at her. Reminding her that she was the reason Dimples hadn’t been killed ten times over.

She has stopped me in my tracks. When he had said something or done something like he’d said before going into the shower; “Stop threatening me with a good time, my arse.” Rolling my eyes and smiling at the same time as I thought about it.

‘Look, how you have evolved too.’ This deserved a snap of my teeth, but I was too busy hoovering the floor, still  feeling the lingering effects of him around the house.

•- Embry Call -•

She knew I could hear her, but that just made me smile even more. All those things others would miss… all those things that showed her openness. Her willingness to feel things out loud.

By the time I stepped out of the shower I heard her moving around the house… was she  cleaning? By the spirits, it wasn’t even 7:30 yet! Or was it? My phone was still on her bedside table. Regardless, it was too early for chores!

I chuckled as I brushed my hair and shaved… all in the name of putting my best foot forward for the tribe. My mind drifted to the  night before. Nope!

I put a stop to that right away. How about the first night we spent together? How well we both fit together on her couch? I smiled. That one would do. I kept that feeling close, living in that moment as I dried off and dressed then hid away any signs I  had been here. But I knew the only people that came here were #Seth and #Sue… they would be too busy to stop by today. Everything else I needed was in the Jeep waiting for me.

I stepped out of the bathroom and grabbed my phone and the hospital beeper, shoving both into my pocket. I found her in the living room cleaning. I chuckled. “You had housework on your list? Really? At this hour?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sound of the water in the shower turned off, and I could hear him padding about the bathroom. The thought of how I could tell what he was doing next made me smiles again.

This was the unexpected part of this journey. The way this had become my mornings when he stayed the night. Breakfasts, showers, sounds of laughter and teasing.

Shaking my head, I turned to face him. “If I don’t do it now, I will have to do it tonight. And knowing the pack, I have a feeling it’s going to be the last thing I’ll want to do.” Keeping the house and the bar clean and tidy were things I could control. It gave me a sense of security in some ways, to know no one else could control the tasks.

Leaning on the hoover I titled my head. The overnight growth was gone from his face, his wet hair drying before my eyes, and his freshly laundered clothes giving off the fragrance of clothes softer.

My gaze lingered on his lips a bet too long. Especially when I knew that o couldn’t walk over to him, and I definitely couldn’t kiss him now.

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned… leaning against the doorway… not daring to step all the way into the living room… not while she was looking at my mouth like that. Any other day? I chuckled. “Oh… right… of course. How silly of me to forget that the world would start spinning in the opposite direction if you skipped a day of dusting.” I teased her.

“They’re gonna work hard today. We need to let them celebrate afterwards.” I knew she would, she was starting to see the other sides of the guys, understanding the need to blow off a little steam with everything else  they had going on.

I looked at the lightening day outside her window. “Looks like the weather is on our side today.” I gave her that smile, the one that was only hers. “I told you today would be perfect. But… Time continues to be a cruel mistress.” I straightened up and stepped back from the doorway. “I should get going… The Jeep is in the village. Gotta has the boys test their skills on a real beauty.” I winked at her.

I checked the group chat. “#Seth is on his way…” I laughed. “#Littlesea is threatening to climb through #Fuller’s  window because he deadbolted the door and won’t answer it.” The pup had clearly seen the messages, is status read ‘online’. It was perfect timing. If I was the first to arrive it would raise eyebrows. Early mornings weren’t an issue for me… but being on time? I could  probably try a little harder. “Looks like I’m right on time!”

I headed down her hallway and slid my feet into my boots by her door. “See you soon, Trouble.” I said, sticking to our rule.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I wasn’t OCD by any means when it came to cleaning. But when the majority of your time was spent rolling and running in we mud in a forest, wanting the comfort of your home to remain in some form of order had become a necessity.

In the early day of moving in it had also been a ritual for me to calm that temper of mine. And now. It was a habit. One which helped when I needed time to think.

“Hey. I have fully giving into the fact that all of you need your time to celebrate any achievements. Now tonight unfortunately is going to be licking of wounds for you guys.”  Trash talk was all a part of the fun of the day, and it didn’t hurt to start now.

“Just make sure they don’t cut themselves on that rust bucket. We don’t need the pups showing off their healing skills to the rest of the tribe or townies as a side show.” I knew they wouldn’t, but didn’t hurt to remind the ring leader of Trouble of the dangers of showing off, right?

My eyes were on the sky past the windows, the storm from last night had passed leaving the day fresh. His phone began to come to life, making me turn to face him again. Watching as he made his way to his boots, and the front door.

“See you soon, Dimples. Have a good time today.”

Giving him the answer to that smile, with one of my own backs. His rule to never say ‘goodbye’, still going strong. As soon as he closed the door to my home, I’d began to replace parts of my wall. Today was going to be a test for the both of us.

•- Embry Call -•

I knew that her cleaning was all about routine… she liked to do things a certain way… it was one thing in the vast number of details that made up Leah Clearwater. Something I thought I knew before our evolution. But honestly… it was exactly and nothing like what I thought I  knew back then. And I had a feeling that my view of it would probably be a little different at some stage. Because this woman was constantly growing before my eyes.

“Oh!” I smirked. “Are you going to lick my wounds personally?… that might be worth throwing the game  entirely.” I laughed. “Hey!! My baby doesn’t have a spot of rust on her…” Then I added. “Anymore.”

I flashed her that smile… My hand was on her door. “You too, Trouble. And please… feel free to think about me in the shower.” I said before I slipped out and closed the  door. Damn! I wanted to kiss her!

But the door was closed, and my feet were moving. There was no turning back. I needed to get into the village before more of the Pups hit the streets to get their jobs started for the day. As I walked, I texted the group and told #Seth, I would meet him at the parking lot in fifteen minutes. Then #Brady to tell him if he wasn’t out of bed in five minutes; I was going to send #Paul over. And right on cue #Lahote texts back.

With:

‘𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝙸 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚜? ‘

Followed by #Brady:

‘𝙸'𝚖 𝚞𝚙! 𝙻𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚎  𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎!’

I grinned to myself. “Mission accomplished.” I reached my Jeep and climbed in. “Showtime!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The house was silent once again. The sounds of life were waking outside, but here in these four walls things were different.

I couldn’t help but glance towards the small hallway and then my front door. How could one man make all this sense so much more? My feet took me to my speaker, turning it towards the heart of my home. Before hiring play on shuffle.

(Music: Take It From Me (Stripped) - Jordan Davis)

“Of course!” Biting the inside of my cheeks, I continued to smile, then went back to work, singing along to the song.

My song shuffled from song to song, each one growing in tempo, leaning to the perfect tune to set me up for the rest of the day.

(Music: Pour Some Sugar On Me - DEF LEPPARD)

The song played low so my neighbours  wouldn’t be disturbed, but to me the sound was crisp and just want I needed. The shuffle gods were moving me along. With most of the cleaning, I gazed at the time.

“Spirits! I need to get a move on.”

Running into my room, I slipped out of the t-shirt I’d slept in, leaving it on the made bed. I knew I should change the bedding, but I’d run out of time. And then again, my warrior reminded me, he wouldn’t be back tonight. The pups would want to celebrate, and they deserved it.

“I’ll change it later tonight before I sleep.” It was a good plan.

I pushed the thoughts out of my head, “By the spirits! What is that man doing to me!”  Shaking my head I ran into the bathroom to shower and dress.

•- Embry Call -•

I connected my phone to the sound system and hit shuffle on the playlist I had put together for the day. I smirked and started the engine with a little love tap on the gas… She purred to life. “That’s my girl!” I stroked the wheel affectionately and pulled out of the car park a little quickly… but it was empty, so it was fine.

(Music: Imagine Dragons | Symphony (Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles Version)

I sang along as I drove through the village, tempted to crank the volume and wake people up to get them to the car wash. But I decided to behave for now.

“So, tell my mom I love her, call my baby sister

Should've hug and kissed her…

'Cause life is just a mystery…”

I pulled into the bar’s parking lot, and I wasn’t shocked to see people there already. #Seth was laying out cones for the different lanes. #Sue was setting up a table with the cash box and all kinds of community centre pamphlets. #Nessie was setting up a sound system. She was the closest to me, so I stopped the Jeep and called out the window. “Hey… where’s your lesser half?” I asked.

She didn’t even blink at the joke. ‘He’s picking up the meat for the barbeque. #Sam didn’t want it in his car. The smell of raw meat makes #Emily nauseous.’ She spoke. I instantly thought we needed a spot for her away from the cooking area, but Ness continued. ‘Text me the link to your playlist. I’ll add it to the mix.’ She said as she stripped a wire with just her fingernails and disappeared behind a speaker that was big enough for her to hide inside. I chuckled and told her I would send it.

“It’s gonna be a party.” I laughed and pulled over to the other side of the lot close to #Seth.

I jumped and header to see where we were in the setup. I wasn’t surprised to see Mac come out from behind the bar. He waved and I waved back… #Seth looked me up and down. “See something you like kid?” I teased.

‘You wish!’ He teased back, and it was all kinds of gross considering I just climbed out of his sister’s shower. I covered by shoving him playfully. ‘Seriously though… are you going to wash cars in jeans and motorcycle boots?’

“Is that a bad idea?” I looked at myself with a perfectly straight face, then back at him. “I thought I looked good.”

Seth looked at me like he thought  I was serious. “Kidding!!! Dude, I have shorts and trainers in the Jeep.”

He laughed and shook his head. ‘Sorry… haven’t had my coffee yet.’

“You should have said… The twins are on the way I’ll get them to pick it up.” I pulled out my phone.

‘No, Mom and I drove by, and Gemma was only arriving, they aren’t open…’ He started. But I already had my phone to my ear.

“Hey Gem!... How is my absolute favourite waitress?…” #Seth just rolled his eyes.

#Gemma was happy to help us out with our charitable endeavours today. I gave her all the coffee orders, teas to the mom and one of those weird, iced milk drinks with a tiny bit of coffee for #Claire. I’d tell #Quil it was deaf… but she could have a treat. I was sure she’d earn it. and texted the Pups to pick them up along the way.

“Okay!” I stuffed my phone into my pocket. “Where do you need me Pup?” He tossed a traffic cone at me, and I caught it, laughing… Then we got stuck in.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The call to feel the wind in my wet hair was too strong this morning. Rushing to leave the house once  I was showered and dressed meant I got my wish.

As soon as I received a text message from #Michael telling me my order was ready, meant I had no time to waste. The cloud casted over the sun for a little while, but it didn’t take away from the pleasure of ridding my baby down the still quiet streets.

Those who were up, waved a hand as I rode by. I knew Ma would be told once again, her daughter was racing the streets or the  Rez without her helmet on.

So much for wishing people would mind their own business. The less they knew about me, the more they were intrigued to learn. But as much as I allowed it to annoy me in the past, now it just made me nod my head and smirk.

Kicking up a gear, I leant in to the speed and the call of Grandfather as he sang my name telling me to take in his light, and let it shine bright.

Words danced on my lips, a song unheard, foaming and into something I’d never felt before. I could feel it deep inside of my soul, and it made me want to live this day with all its beauty and strength.

As I came to the parking lot before the bakery, I could hear the conversation between #June and her daughter #Jessica inside.

#June maybe be a Clearwater by marriage; however she had the blood of a warrior, and the heart of a mother rolled up in one. Most of the time she was kind, sweet, and easy going. Until someone crossed her with the wrong intentions.

She must have seen me through the window parking my baby up, because the next thing I heard made me groan.

‘Let’s see what your cousin has to say about this. Why can’t you be more like her? Look how she carries herself.’ The words no girl wanted to hear from the lips of her mother.

‘Mom! Stop… Leah doesn’t need to hear about this.’ #Jessica moaned, defeated.

I walked across  the lot, acting as though I heard none of what was taking place inside.

‘We are family. She will want to know.’

Really. No. I didn’t want any part of this conversation.

I pushed the door open, the chiming sound from the bell over the top sang, their heads turned at once towards me.

“Hach Chii.” (Good morning.) I said stepping inside.

‘I’m so glad you are here Leah. Hach Chii.’ My auntie moved to come around the counter.

“Hmm… your husband messaged to say my order is ready.” Hoping if i reminded her I had to go, she would back down.

‘Sure… Sure…. But I need your opinion on a situation first…’ she didn’t wait for my response and continued. ‘Your cousin is planning to wear this today at the charity event. Tell her how inappropriate it is, how all the aunties will talk, and what will the uncles think?’

#Jessica shrivelled up her shoulders and looked so uncomfortable as her mom held up a short cut tank top and ripped tiny shorts.

The first thing I thought was she would freeze! The sun was out today sure, but it was still spring. With the water spraying all over the place. She would be hypothermic before the morning was out. But it’s not what I said.

“What’s wrong with it?” This time I didn’t wait for a reply. “She isn’t a baby; Jessica is a young lady with her head on the right way. You can’t expect her to live her life in fear of what people will say. Or think.

If this is something you are happy to wear Jessica. Then fine. As long as you are wearing it for yourself.”

As much as Embry’s words about the Rez girls bugged me. I would never stop them from their choices. I would just punch anyone who looked at them inappropriately in the face?

No…. Spirits! Apparently, my warrior told me evolution meant, using my words and not my hands first!

‘Leah… you know how they all—‘ #June started, I knew where she was taking the conversation, and from the look on her daughter’s face, she knew too. But #June was cut off.

‘That’s enough!’ #Michael came out from the back with four bags full of buns and doughnuts. ‘This topic is over. We have work to do.’ He smiled warmly at his daughter and then me.

My heart stopped, his side profile was the same as his  brother, my father! But he was taller, a little more rounded, a little more worn  in his face. The first thought I had was about my Da. And if he would have the same look about him, if he were here today?

‘Hach Chii, I have everything you asked for here in these bags.’ Setting them down on the counter. ‘And Jessy there is packing everything we are donating.

Jessy will set it all up for sale. And when the Bakery closes, I will come by with more to help. Your mom works so hard for the community, this is our way to help too.’

“Thank you, but I’m not sure how I will take all this.” I should have known to bring a car and not my baby.

‘It’s okay. I’ll bring it all with me now.’ #Jessica told me, she’s taken the morning off from the practice to help. Her boss would be joining us a little later once today’s appointments were seen too.

•- Embry Call -•

#Seth and I finished laying out the lanes… making sure they were wide enough to accommodate trucks and still let people move around them. I watched as more people trickled in #Sue gave them jobs and then tried to do three jobs by herself. A light breeze came around us in circles, Sue scrambled to keep her flyers from scattering across the lot, weighing them down with little wooden carvings and totems… because of course, she came prepared. I knew this little whispering wind meant Leah was on the move. Watching #Sue I realised how much of her mother she had in her, despite being entirely unique… “Clearwater women.” I laughed and shook my head.

‘Huh?’ #Seth said from behind.

“Just noticing how well prepared the Clearwater women are and wondering what the hell happened with you,” I teased him.

‘Shut up.’ He  laughed and shoved me. ‘I’m surprised Leah isn’t here yet.’ He took out his phone like he was checking for a text.

“Oh, I’m sure she’s off doing something that no one else has thought about.” I looked up and saw #Littlesea’s truck pull in; with a hungover looking #Brady in the passenger seat. #Seth made a beeline for them, craving his caffeine fix.

‘You got Gemma to open early?’ The Pup asked getting out with the tray of drinks, while #Fuller passed one out of the window to #Seth, then climbed out with more. ‘You know she already works ten-hour days, right?’

“Not open early… Just help us out with the early start. I’ll make it up to her.” I told him and #Brady slapped my back. ‘I bet you will!’

I rolled my eyes. “She’s a baby… don’t be gross.” Gemma was a pretty girl, but I remembered when she sat in the corner of the diner; colouring pictures for her favourite regulars. She always preferred #Jake… I never knew why.

‘She’s like… nineteen…’ #Brady said like that wasn’t what I just said. The three of them started debating whether she was eighteen or nineteen.

“Guys!” I called to get their attention. “Can you continue this debate after I get my coffee please!” And #Littlesea handed me mine. “Thank you! Besides… if you’re all so concerned with Gemma… maybe one of you should take her out and treat her.”

‘Maybe I will.’ #Brady waggled his  brows.

‘What would your date from last night think about that?’ #Collin asked.

‘Who?’ He asked and Collin proceeded to fill us in and details of the half-naked guy in Brady’s house this morning.

I left them to it and took #Sue her tea, setting a green tea down for Mom when she got here. ‘Thank you… Well, aren’t they all rowdy this morning?’ Sue laughed.

“Just getting them energised for the big day.” I smiled at her.

‘Well… Let’s stick to one coffee each. Shall we?’ She suggested as someone called out to #Ness to remember to act human…  She’d crossed a lot a little quickly… and apparently the irony of what they said and how loudly they said it was lost on them.

“Good idea… Excuse me while I go crack some heads.” I said and by the way #Sue nodded I knew she’d heard it too.

Crossing back to the guys  gathered around the truck, they each got a swift slap upside the head (apart from Ness). Then I promptly reminded them all that we were in civilian mode (including Ness). And that Mac was still here, and other humans could show up any minute.

A few more texts came into the  groups saying that people were on the way. Then #Collin looked at me and spoke. ‘Hey, ’Bry… are you really going to wash cars in that.’ He pointed to what I was wearing.

“Why is everyone so obsessed with what I’m wearing today?” I grumbled.

‘Honestly…’ #Nessie chimed. ‘I’m just glad you didn’t show up in a thong.’

‘Please don’t give him ideas!’ #Seth groaned and I smirked at them all like it might just happen. They all cracked up.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The scent of the pups was in the air as I turned the corner and began the straight run towards #HwH. Nothing could prepare me for what the day held.

‘You will thrive today. We are helping Ma, and the tribe. The young who will become our future.’ I knew she was right, but I also knew I had to ready myself for it too.

I never really did well in a crowd, I wasn’t a bloody wallflower in any way. But I knew my limits on how much craziness I could take too.

‘Well… today is a test.’ She sounded too happy and ready to dive into the depths of  the madness!

Turning into the parking lot of our bar, I slowed down seeing two of the younger pups trying to put the big banner up on the road.

They joked, and teased until they heard the purring of my baby. They knew the sound well, so I wasn’t shocked by the wave and the call of my name.

Stopping I winked at them. “That banner needs to be straightened out pups.” Pointing to side which had been dropped.

‘Sure, Leah. Right away.’ One of them side, while the other smiled his eyes coveted my  baby.

I shook my head smirking. “You got to win the bet first pup, daydreaming about riding on my back of my boy… isn’t going to happen by itself.”

‘Sorry… he is just so beautiful…. and the sound….’

I knew what he felt so well. The rumble vibrated in our chests, the speed made you feel as though you were flying, and the revving of the engine… it was spectacular!

Reaching out my hand, messing  his hair up. “Get back to work. I’m sure there will be some breakfast waiting for you when you head back.” Kicking off, I rode nice and slow. Taking in the sound, sights, and smells as the surrounding area. Everyone had put in a lot of hard work.

My bike stopped behind the table and cover set up for Ma, as she worked on the flyers. She saw me coming and gave me her heart filled smile. ‘Good morning, Usdi, how were your uncle and auntie?’

Parking up, my long leg flew over the top of my baby, before I stood up. “Nothing new there. Michael said he is coming over after they close up later.” Walking over, leaning down  I kissed her forehead.

“And June…” Shaking my head. “I wish she would stop using me as an example.”

She listened to me as I explained the situation I found myself in before. Her brows pulled together, head nodding. ‘It’s not her fault, Usdi.  We were brought up to be unseen. Because it was safer that way. I’ll speak with her.’ She squeezed my arm.

‘Finally! I’ve been waiting for you.’ #Mac came up from the back of the bar. ‘The delivery came in last night as you planned. I don’t know what’s for today, and what we need to keep for Stock.’

Ma smiled patting my arm. ‘I think the boys have everything in hand out here.’ Her way to give me leave to get to work.

Shrugging out of my jacket, I raised my eyebrow seeing the group standing around the orange truck we all knew belonged to the Littlesea Pup. Embry in the middle, like a king  holding court with my kid stood right beside him.

“Work. Doesn’t happen by standing around. You gonna move those arses!” Walking away from the madness.

‘But it’s such a fine arse, Lee!!’ I had to smirk.

“Keep it up little Cullen, we’ll see where that lands you.” She giggled; it sounded like sweet bells chiming in the wind.

‘I lo… L… LIKE YOU TOO!’ She sang over the sound of the music.

Followed by a mutter. ‘Wow, Ness didn’t even get a snap for that one?’

Another voice added. ‘Don’t push your luck.’ Making me smirk. The sound of #Jessica’s car engine came down the street as I made my way inside to see what #Mac needed my help with.

•- Embry Call -•

I gave a quick glance to acknowledge Leah’s arrival… no one could ignore the beautiful bike… the sound of the engine. If I did… it would look like I was hiding something if I acted like I hadn’t heard her ride up.

I laughed and #Ness and Leah’s banter. “Should I toss your  coffee too then and Mac can just have his?” I called across the lot (just for the sake of the human) to her with a smirk. I handed to cups to #Seth and told him to take them to his sister. I could see the minute he took them he was confused. “Cappuccino for #Mac and Mocha for Leah,” I told him.

‘Since when does Leah drink Mocha’s?’ He chuckled and headed over like he knew she was going to send it right back.

“Chocolate is NEVER a bad idea.” I laughed… plus… she had made me breakfast, and I could repay it a tiny bit with a sweet treat.

As Jess pulled up noses lifted into the air, subtly enough that I didn’t need to correct them

‘Is that breakfast?’ #Brady groaned.

And #Jess parked the car, the door open and it was indeed breakfast. The boys almost swarmed her. The boxes in her arms.

“Oi!” I called to them. “Stop.” They did. “Stay!” I smirked and stepped between them to hand #Jessica a coffee cup. Patting the youngest pup on the head as I did. “Good boys.”

#Jessica laughed. “Vanilla latte for the lady…” I smiled.

‘How did you…’ She shook her head and took the cup. ‘Thank you.’

I asked her if she’d eaten, and she told me she had and couldn’t eat another bite after all the baking happening this morning. I relieved her of the boxes and grabbed a cup. I walked over to #Sue’s table and offered her first choice of food. “Auntie. Tea and first pick?” I smiled. She touched my cheek and smiled. ‘Such a good boy.’ She whispered.

Then I took the food back to the truck and set it on the open tailgate. “Have at it you savage! Save a doughnut for #Emily and a cinnamon roll for #Rachel.”

‘I see what you are doing Embry Call.’ Jessica wagged her finger at me and sipped her latte.

“And what exactly am I doing?” I asked and bit into a bear claw.

‘You are being all sweet and considerate to the girls to get them on your side today!’ She set a hand on her hip and gave a sassy little pop that  made me laugh.

“Am I?” I asked, my expression full of suspicion.

‘Dude!’ #Brady slapped my back. ‘That’s genius! Hey, #Jessica. You look gorgeous today.’

She clearly flushed but managed to effortlessly look him up and down and say ‘Ew’. Which was received with raucous  laughter and the pup faking a heart attack… or a gunshot wound. I shook my head… whatever it was it was very dramatic.

They were all having a good time… it was a good thing. “Okay, eat up and then back to work guys.” The two pups that had been hanging the banner came  back and I waved them over. “And save something to eat for #Leah and #Mac too.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Who is tossing coffee?’ #Mac questioned as I dropped my jacket in the office and pull my hair up over the top of my head into a messy bun.

‘Wow… Miss Clearwater!’ Turning to face him with a questioning raise of my eyebrow. ‘Are you trying to steal hearts today?’ This earned #Mac an eye roll.

“Are you looking for an arse kicking?” He just laughed and reached a hand out towards me.

‘You best save me a dance today. That’s all I’m saying.’ The sound of #Seth’s footsteps save me from replying. ‘So, there is a cappuccino here with  your name on it bro. And sis…’ he handed #Mac is coffee and then came to place mine down on the bar before me. ‘A mocha… for you?’ Shaking my head. ‘I think Call is trying to butter all the ladies up. He should know better than trying it on with you.’

I didn’t say  anything, just get myself to work.

“Less talk and more work. Bring me up to speed while you drink your coffee.” The both of them quickly rattled off a progress report as I moved stock around.

What was meant for the event today, I placed in a couple of tables in front of the bar, the other things I set down on the bar themselves.

Once I had most of the boxes in place, I stood taking the cup from the bar and sipped on it. Would I buy one of these for myself? No. But it was nice, and I could tell #Gemma had been the one to make it. Her scent lingered in the background of the cup.

Under the sound of the music outside, I could hear the way Embry had taken some form of control over the pups. They were all good kids, but I couldn’t tell the excitement of the morning meant they needed a little nudge to remind them why we were doing this.

“Ma. Why don’t you go grab yourself some breakfast. Jess is out there with some stuff from the bakery.” His eyes widened and he didn’t need to be asked twice. As soon as he was out of the door I turned to #TheKid.

“What is the plan for the runs today?”

He’s taken my cup from me, trying the drink and from his reaction liking it. ‘Sam, Jake, Jay have it covered, I’ll slip out later on, so Sam can bring Emily and Kishil down.’

Nodding my head as I listened. “You don’t need to slip out. I’ll do it. Take the late run too so you can kick back with the pups.”

He shook his head now. ‘We’ve got it in hand. So nope. You need to keep all this rowdy bunch in line.” He nudged me in the arm.

“Sure, sure. But it looks like Embry had it in hand.” #Seth stopped sipping from the cup. ‘Wow. Was that praise coming from your lips, Sis?’

•- Embry Call -•

It didn’t take long for the oy to start polishing off whatever they had selected for breakfast. And then I assigned the jobs that #Seth and I had talked about. Most of the kids were unloading supplies at the end of the temporary lanes. Making sure what we had was evenly distributed and each lane had everything we needed. We had a separate area for anyone willing to pony up a little extra for a full-on polish and buff with the repaired buffer from the carwash in Port Angeles.

I sent #Collin and #Brady to organise the hoses, Brady was, in general, a joker… but when it came to making sure everything was safe, those two worked the best together. They would make sure nothing was going to be a tripping hazard for us and anyone stopping by.

‘Someone told me there was food out here!’ #Mac came back outside. I told  him to help himself and he went to eat with the last kids who were finishing up their food.

I heard a familiar car pulling up and I smiled, already walking across the lot to meet it. #Quil pulled up right next to the table where #Sue was still sitting working away with only two bites of her muffin taken. I opened Mom’s door and helped her out.

‘Good morning sweetheart!’ She beamed… she looked good… she was even wearing just a little make-up. She was feeling good today. I was so glad… she’d so looked forward to today.

“Hey, you look great  today!” I smiled and hugged her. Walking her to the seat set out for her as #Claire and #Quil climbed out of the car. “Hey, Little Bear!” I turned just in time to catch her as she jumped up for a hug.

‘Look!! Momma T painted my nails!’ She was trying to show me her fingers  before I even set her down… each one was a different colour. I looked at Mom and laughed.

‘She couldn’t decide.’ Mom shrugged. ‘I was teaching her that a girl can have everything she wants.’ I grinned… I knew if I asked; what about boys? She’d tell me they grew up in a  different world and she was right.

“Hell yeah, they can!” I gave Claire a high five and #Quil went to move his car out of the way.

‘So… it’s looking good out there. When will we be up and running?’ Mom was all business.

“I’d say we could start washing cars any time now…  I’m not sure if we are supposed to wait on the food and everything, or if all that is for later in the day.” I told her.

‘We can get everything ready, but I don’t think we need to fire up the grill for a while. No one will want a burger at nine AM.’ #Sue said.

‘Burgers?’ #Quil said walking back… ‘There’s burgers?’ He looked around. The moms laughed.

‘Well, we can’t count these boys… they never stop eating.’ Mom teased. ‘They have to keep those muscles fuelled up.

Claire complained when we asked her to stay here and help out Mom and #Sue, only agreeing to stay put because we promised she could help with the fun part.

I was about to walk off and get back to work when Mom called out. ‘Sweetheart… are you really going to wash cars in those?’

I rolled my eyes. “Why is everyone so obsessed with my clothes?” I huffed. “I have shorts in the jeep.”

‘What are you waiting for then?’ Mom crossed her arms and popped a brow. There were snickers across the lot. I surrendered and went to grab my backpack and change behind my jeep.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Oh, my goodness! Leah…. You didn’t tell us there would be a show to watch this morning. I didn’t bring any ones with me!’

The mother, daughter duo who were our cleaning team came shaking their heads, and butts as they shrugged out of their coats. ‘Yeah Leah, I’d have offered to help that one out there with changing!’ The daughter added laughing.

#Seth beelined it out the back with the cooler boxes to fill them with ice. ‘Of course, Embry is putting on a show.’ He was laughing. Because of course he heard the full  conversation taking place outside. ‘He is setting up his dates for tonight.’ Then the sound of the ice machine came to life.

‘Jokes aside, I just told Sue this is such a good idea. And look at the young ones all coming to help out there.’ The mom moved to pick up the hoover.

‘Look more like a photoshoot for Abercrombie and Fitch if you ask me.’ Her daughter leaned over to look out the windows at the front of the bar. ‘We have some fine-looking boys and girls on our Rez.’ I mean, could we really disagree with her? “Okay ladies, you know the drill. Could I ask you to give it all a once over. And then you’re back tomorrow for a deep clean.” They got themselves to work. Singing around to #Nessie’s playlist.

Picking up two cases of beers (even if I could take more. But… humans…  I made my way outside. Stopping at the doorstep to let my glance fall over the view before me. The place was starting to come together.

‘Lealea!!!’ #Claire came bounding up from behind the table next to Ma and #MsC.

Setting the cases down I caught the teenager before she jumped up giving her a look. Bringing her into my side and kissing the top of her head.

“You’re growing a mile a minute, Bear. Didn’t we talk about slowing it down on your last visit?”

She beamed giving me a full 360 turn. ‘Dada  says I’m not allowed to grow. But Mom told him girls grow up too far.’ A conversation I was sure she wasn’t meant to overhear.

‘We’ve got to make the move of it Usdi.’ The two of us had started to walk up to see the moms.

#MsC nodding her head in agreement with her friend.

“Hey beautiful, ready to steal some hearts today?” Leaning down I kissed the top of her head.

‘Oh... stop…’ she blushed smiling up. Her temperature was okay for now, knowing full well the blankets were close by ready in case the wind picked up.

“You know Leo is coming with the Pizza truck. I’m sure he is going to be fighting for both your attentions.” I winked at them both. Turning my attention to the truck pulling up.

‘And not the party can kick into action.’ #Paul was hanging out of the passenger side of his truck while #Rach drove, with #Kim in the back.

“Here we go!” Giving him the mother of all eye rolls. “Bear, don’t you dare listen to a word that one says.” She giggles running off to meet the girls.

•- Embry Call -•

I heard the conversation inside and muttered. “Dammit!” to myself.

‘Really ‘Bry…’ #Quil called over. ‘There are bathrooms inside!’

I stuffed my legs into the shorts and pulled them up. I made sure not to look in the direction of the window. You know, acting human and all. “It's not like I got naked! I have boxers on.” My best friend just rolled his eyes, and I walked back towards the others. “Besides! If we have the ladies of the Rez worked up already then, we’re three steps ahead! Wait until the guys all take off their shirts.”

‘I’m not taking off anything!’ #Littlesea called out and I waved him off.

‘He’ll change his mind when that sweet new girlfriend of his shows up.’ #Quil chuckled. But I wasn't so sure. The pup was confident around his pack brothers… but today? Not that anyone would give him a hard time.

I  had to hold back a smile when I heard #LittleBear talking to Leah. But #Quil’s was on full power, and he watched the two completely unhindered. “She’s in a good mood today,” I noted.

‘Leah?’ He asked me with brows pinched.

“Claire.” I laughed and he joined me. “But Leah too.”

‘Yeah… for at least another week and a half.’ He smirked.

“She’s going through a lot… She’ll be fine.” I slapped his back. “Go do some work, will you? set an example for these layabouts.” I patted #Brady on the head as we passed. But he was clearly extremely busy; untangling a length of hose and he stuck out his foot to try to trip me which I side-stepped easily. “Nice try! Better luck next time.”

#Claire was running off to #Rachel and #Kim, getting great big hugs from them both. I gave both of the imprints a kiss on the cheek when Claire released them. “Good morning, ladies!”

‘I heard your uncle game was on point on #Claire’s last visit.’ #Kim beamed at me when she was sure #Claire was distracted by #Paul trying to teach her a ridiculous not-so-secret handshake. I just shook my head.

“Not really…  that was the bare minimum effort,” I admitted. “But if you deem it worthy of praise, who am I to deny you the opportunity?”

‘You know… sometimes I think you really would be perfect boyfriend material for someone out there…’ She patted my arm. ‘And then you open your  mouth.’

I laughed but tried to look offended as I said. “Rude!’

‘Are you pissing off the girls already? That wasn’t the plan Call!’ #Lahote jumped on my back monkey style and messed my hair. Then he jumped back down.

I whistled to the Pup nearest the orange truck and beckoned him over. He came running with coffee and whatever was left of the bakery boxes. “Coffee for the ladies.” I smiled and handed them each their cups. “And I can’t take credit for the breakfast… but only because Leah is right there, and I would like my arse to remain thoroughly un-kicked today.”

They both laughed and #Paul gave me a thumbs up. Then I spoke to anyone that was gathered around the table, the moms, Leah and even Claire sipping on her weird cold coffee thing. “We are pretty much ready to go in terms of washing cars… Is there anything else we need to set up before then?”

A few more of #Sam’s Pups came into the car park... walking, probably just off the night run.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I stood behind the two moms with my arms crossed over my chest. Watching, listening, taking in all the conversations, and best of all not reacting to any of it.

People were in their element with the new arrivals being welcomed, and those who were working already stepping  closer to the gazebo erected over the mom’s table.

Ma’s hand came to rest on my waist as she sat, when I let my gaze drop down to see her, I found her and #Seth sharing a smile and a look. “What are you both up to?”

‘Nothing at all.’ She gave me her hundred-watt smile, sharing something with #TheKid for sure.

“Sure, Sure. I’ll believe you, but a full jury of your peers may not, Ma.”

#TheKid carried the cooler out setting it down beside the table, before going to correct the cases of beers I left beside the door.

All eyes turned to me when Embry asked the question. I just shook my head and dropped my chin down to the two moms. “This is their show… Ma… MsC… What’s next?” They beamed glancing at one another.

Ma dropped her hand from me, and from my vantage point I saw her taking #MsC’s hand under  the table to squeeze it. ‘I think we should kick start the BBQ?’ #TriffanyCall came to life.

‘I know Leah has bacon and sausage in for a breakfast grill. The scent of food will pull the crowd in.’ She pointed out the cars and trucks in the parking lot that belonged to everyone here. ‘If it’s okay with Leah, Seth, and Mac’ The two boys straighten up hearing their names. ‘We could park them around the back, leaving space for people who want to spend money to park up front. Also…’ Now she was on a roll.

‘Maybe let’s begin cleaning some of them.’ She pointed at a few which really had a foot of mud hanging off the sides. ‘The best adverts are visual. People driving by will notice the signs, however seeing all of you at work will make them pull in.’ 

My lip curled up into  a grin. “You heard the lady.” I pointed to the far side of the parking lot. #Mac knew what I was about to say so began running towards his truck to start the parking line.

‘This way guys, If I park in the back, you can all block me in. I’m here until closing tonight.’ I raised my eyebrow at #Mac’s statement. We would see about. He could stay until closing tonight, but he wouldn’t be working all that time.

“Hey, Mac… Hold up...” Turning to follow him before he jumped into his truck.

‘What’s up?’ he asked, pulling the door open. I lowered my voice, aware of all the ears who could hear us. “Take today easy, okay. Have fun, help. But don’t let me catch up trying to keep up with the young ones.”

#Mac dropped his head little, kicking his boot into the ground, as he did when he was considering what  was being said to him. ‘I’ve got this. I’m doing better these days.’

He knew I would take him at his word. But I would kick his arse if he didn’t take care too.

•- Embry Call -•

I gave #Sue and #Seth a quizzical look when  Leah asked them what they were up to… I hadn’t noticed anything. But since when was Leah ever wrong about these things? Maybe today would have an interesting twist.

I was definitely not volunteering to start the grill, cooking for me and #Quil was risky enough… but humans? Nope… I couldn’t inflict that on the Reservation.

“Well, I’m not cooking!” I said quickly and I tossed my keys to #Fuller. “I’m gonna stick to my strengths...." Which they all knew was attracting attention. “Let’s have the twins move the cars around back. Pull up my Jeep and the goofy ones truck into the lanes and we can wash those, let people see what they’re in for today.” I swatted #Paul on the arm as his imprint laughed to #Kim about how she still thought it was weird we called them twins. Which made sense for a real twin. “You with me?” I winked at #Paul. The Pups were already moving the vehicles I asked them to.

‘You know it!’ He winked back.

I called across the lot to #Ness (for the benefit of the humans.) “Good to go #Ness?” She gave me a thumbs up. “You know  the one I want! Crank It!” She skimmed the screen of her laptop and laughed before the music changed.

(Music: Thin Lizzy - The Boys Are Back In Town - https://youtu.be/bawlZLHMEas?si=h_G6ctzoNsAO7fsn)

#Paul already stripped his shirt off and tossed it at #Rachel, who rolled her eyes. I did the same as I headed back to the lanes and tossed mine at a horrified #Seth.

Mom and Sue were in hysterics and trying to hide it behind their hands. #Sue shrugged at her son who was  holding my shirt between two fingers like it was a smelly sock. ‘At least they kept their shorts on.’ She laughed.

‘For now.’ #Rachel watched her man walk across the parking lot fanning herself. #Paul spun and blew her a kiss. I just laughed.

‘Boys are weird.’ I heard #Claire says and then #Kim… ‘You said it sister.’ Then she asked Claire to help her start getting everything ready for the grill.

I didn’t trust Paul not to mess with the Pup’s truck, but he respected the Jeep, so I let him wash it while I started on the bright orange and  perfectly clean truck. The rest of the vehicles in the lot were starting to move around the back. We could drive them back around if we didn’t catch any fish this time around. #Paul was singing along with Phil Lynott as he hosed off my Jeep.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Listening to #Paul’s voice singing ‘Boys Are Back In Town.’ I found myself rubbing my forehead, I drop my chin to hide the glimmer of laughter making itself known to me. She was smiling too, enjoying what we saw and heard all around us.

#Nessie was in her element, dancing and singing, with way more energy for this time of the day than anyone should have. 

‘All the packs coming together for one goal. This is how it is meant to be. How our warriors are meant to lead the way forward. Together.’ Lifting my gaze, to take all of it in. The ease, the teamwork, the laughter, the teasing. Things I had been blind to for so many years.

‘Well, you see them now. It’s why it’s called evolution.’ She wasn’t wrong.

Our eyes flowed over in the direction of Embry, moving over and then passed him as any other day  He has been the one to pull me down this side of the life I’d left myself out of. There was no question in my mind. Would I have ended up here by myself? Maybe. But it wouldn’t have been for a long time.

‘We want people to spread the word and spend their cash ‘Bry. No one wants you to give out food poisoning.’ #Seth laughed throwing the shirt in his fingers over the back of a chair. He pointed towards the pup. ‘Hey goofball, you’re the best of us when it comes to food. Take on the grill this morning? Billy will be here in a while to take over.’ 

#CollinLittlesea went beet red in his ears, telltale signs the boy was embarrassed by the compliment.

Turning I left them to it making my way back inside with two Danish pastries wrapped with napkins. “Ladies, breakfast is on the bar when you are  ready for it. I’ll put the coffee pot on too. So, help yourself.” They both acknowledged me as they hummed and danced inside the bar.

Shaking my head, I rolled up the sleeves of my button down, pulled my hair back up again into a messy bun, and began my own jobs indoors.

‘Leah?’ The pup’s voice came from the door, with only his head showing when I turned to follow the sound of his voice. ‘Uhm… well… you…’ I raised my eyebrow, telling him to spit it out. But I didn’t push him. ‘The food… for the grill…’ He finally asked.

“Hmm… Yeah. Of course.” Nodding my head towards the stock room behind the bar. “It’s in the big fridge back there. Want me to help you take it out?” He slowly moved to stand in the doorway and then slow ran around the bar.

‘No… no... It’s all good. I got it.’ His red  ears were still a beacon.

“Take out only what you need for now. We came always add to the grill.” I called out behind him.

‘Yes… Sure. We need to serve the food fresh and hot.’ This was why #TheKid picked him to work the grill. The pup got it.

“Exactly, pup… Exactly.”

•- Embry Call -•

I heard #Seth assign the pup to cook and smiled. A glance over confirmed that he had turned red and I chuckled. He’d do fine and he was even fussier than Leah so any humans eating his food would be safe as houses… like the houses the Pup built for a living… He was going to do  just fine. #Brady and some of the younger pups came over and started helping us out.

We took our time with the jeep and the truck since we really just wanted to draw people in. It didn’t take long before we had a car pull in. The smell of the food on the grill blew across  the lot. #Fuller looked up from where he was scrubbing his best friend's alloys and told me to go ahead and start and he would find the truck.

The driver stepped out and I knew immediately… I threw the Pup a glare. This was the date… He had showered… but any Spirit’s  Warrior worth his salt could smell the Pup and night activities still clinging to him. And he was currently doing everything possible to avoid the guy.

Any other day I would be all for wing-manning his way out of this. But there were bigger fish to fry today. Of course, I talked to him about cleaning his car I let on I knew none of this. “There’s food over by the bar doors… and the lovely ladies over there can tell you all about the event today. Why don’t you help yourself? We’ll get started on the car.”

He just mumbled a ‘Sure thing.’ And  handed me the keys. Then seeming to think that might have been rude he gave a more enthusiastic ‘Thank you’ before weaving carefully through the cones.

“Really! You’re just going to act like you don’t know him?” I sprayed the pup with a hose as I passed him.

He tried to  play dumb and gave up. ‘He wanted to come today and volunteer… just a little clingy… Not sexy.’

I looked back over at the guy. “He looks good from here,” I smirked. The Pup rolled his eyes. “What did you tell him?”

‘I told him it was private property and we’d already iled all the names of volunteers with the insurance company.’ He spoke as we each worked on the separate cars. #Paul was now driving my gleaming Jeep around the back.

“That was quick thinking,” I laughed. “But if he is going to hang out for a while you will have to speak to him.”

He groaned. ‘I’ll tell him I’m not out and I’ll text him later.’

“No!” #Paul and I said in unison, as he walked up to help me now. The pup's furrowed brow was all the question I needed to continue.

“I think you’ve forgotten that we had a front-row seat to you coming out, Pup. You can tell him anything you want but you won’t disrespect yourself like that.” #Paul slapped me on the back with a soapy sponge.

‘What he said!’ He agreed and I glared and pulled the sponge out of his hand.

The pup huffed. ‘Fine, I’ll go say hi! I’ll park this  first.’ He drove the truck around the back. I glanced over to see Mr. Clingy talking to #Collin across the grill.

‘Is that how you’re going to react when your previous hookups show up?’ #Paul teased.

“They won’t…” I glared…. Teasingly… mostly.

‘Or they will… and you won’t remember them.’ He laughed.

“Shut up and get to work Lahote… it's an actual paying customer this time.” I tossed the sponge at him. Even though there was no doubt that both Collin and I would drop a few bills into the kitty today.

‘Do you think the Pup knows his date  is loaded? This car isn’t even a year old and this model starts at thirty-five grand?’ #Paul was looking over at Mr. Clingy.

Then he started to sing along with the next song Nessie played. (Music: BANNERS - Someone To You)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

As the Banners blared out of the speakers. Stopped chopping the fruit for the bar.

My phone pinged in my pocket, it’s was #Leo’s son letting me know they were on their way. I hadn’t expected them to both come over, as I knew Leo liked to be present at their permanent truck in Port.

Replying to them quickly, giving some extra directions I spoke to #TheKid through the havoc taking place outside.

“Kid… Leo and his son are on their way. Can you make sure the electric regenerator is in place where we want to park them up?” I didn’t shout or call out. No one but him would know I was talking to him.

Pocketing my I went back to finishing off the morning setup for the bar. No customers would be allowed inside other than to use the restroom until midday. But I wanted to make sure that the place was clean and set to go.

‘Are you planning on coming outside anytime soon.’ #Rach stood in the door smiling in my direction.

“Why, are you bored of watching your hubs already?” I volley back.

She rubbed her hands together giggling. ‘Never… that man keeps me wanting more each and every day.’

“Rachel! Stop!” Screwing up my nose. “I’ve told you a million times. Somethings need to stay out of my head.

‘Leah Clearwater! Are you imagining my husband in bed?’ She pretended to look shocked.

Not missing a bet, I replied. “Nope… I’m  imagining your cum face and hearing your climactic moans!”

She went red in the face and cried laughing as she pulled her small frame up on top of the bar stool. ‘Okay… okay… you win!’ Lifting her hands into the air.

“You should know better by now, woman.” I couldn’t  sell alcohol, and I knew she was there for it. So, I turned my back on her, pouring coffee into the takeaway cups we’d bought.

‘The Aunties really did a great job putting all this together.’ She said changing the subject.

“Hmm… You should tell them.”

‘I did, but I wanted to tell you too.’ I raised my eyebrow looking at her through the mirror in front of me. #Rach was watching me work.

“Okay….” Facing her with a tray full of paper cups I crossed to set it down in front of her. “Why does it feel like there is more you’re trying to say?”

She smiled shaking her head. Jumping down to pick up the tray. ‘There isn’t. Other than…. It’s good to see our family all together doing amazing things.’ She started to walk back towards the door. ‘You should come out… we have our first paying customer.’  

I called out after her. “Oh, trust me… the first two will be paying too.” It didn’t have to be with money. But they were working hard for Ma and #MsC and the children of the Rez.

•- Embry Call -•

Another familiar truck drove past from the direction of. #Jacob was hanging out of the window wolf whistling and catcalling at the me and the guys washing the car. I just laughed… even with her headphones on #Nessie heard him… But she managed to react like a human. She waited until he pulled in and ran to him. Almost forgot to take off the headphones attaching her to the decks, she jerked back and slipped them off before sprinting (though it probably felt like walking to her) and jumping up into #Jake’s arms before he even had both legs out of the door. He caught her one-armed and laughed about only having seen her two hours ago and still covering her face with kisses.

#Brady’s clinger watched the scene with a big goofy smile that made me like him more… even if the pup had a point about the clingy thing.

‘One day someone will be that excited to see you, Call.’ #Paul would have sounded like he was teasing anyone else, even in his own pack. But I knew him in ways other people didn’t. He meant it… he meant to tease too… but more.

I just laughed and shook my head. “You think I’m pining?” I scoffed and tossed a chamois at him while I went to get a dry one. “I’m just happy for my friends.” And who knew when we would all be in the same place as this again? I looked over to Mom, the pup was handing her a bacon sandwich. And she was quizzing him about  his new girlfriend, he was only too happy to gush about her, which would, of course, make my mom’s day. She loved nothing more than a real-life love story.

And as he walked away, he said, for my benefit. ‘It’s turkey bacon.’ I think they all knew what Mom’s stomach could and couldn’t handle from listening to my internal monologues… no matter what pack they were from.

‘She looks really good today.’ He noticed with a goofy grin, now. ‘I’m glad she made it… she worked so hard… Hey, remember when I used to have a massive crush on your mom when we were kids?’ He whipped me with the cloth he had been using to polish water spots off the chrome finish of this fucking beautiful car… I mean it would be nicer in red… but damn!

I laughed remembering a recent conversation with #Leah regarding passed crushes and I tried  really hard not to look at Rachel; who picked this exact moment to come back outside.

#Brady was talking to Mr. Clingy now, he even leaned in and kissed his cheeks. “Do you know who that guy is?” I asked #Paul.

‘Not his name no… he just moved here from Neah Bay. He’s looking after the Fox kids… while their grandmother is recovering.’ He explained.

“Wow… kinda young to be an uncle. There’s what… three kids in that house?”

‘Had to… or they’d have probably been placed with townies. And there’s four… the eldest girl had a baby last  year.’ #Paul said this like it was a normal thing. And it was around here. We really needed this community project.

Okay… So maybe I liked this guy a little more, now. #Brady needed to make up his mind about this guy before letting it get too far. I’d always told all of  them to make the boundaries clear if it was a one-and-done situation.

“Might be a good idea for them to use some of the money made here today for sex-ed,” I muttered.

‘Didn’t you read any of the pamphlets they printed up?’ #Paul scoffed and I looked at him as if to say Did you? ‘They want to have sexual health talks and a parenting class. It’s a little bit of a contradiction… but I guess those kids need support too.’

“Wait… Hold up…” I stopped and looked confused. “You can read?” I said it with near-perfect conviction, right  before he tried to tackle me around the middle, but I was ready for him, and we tussled a little.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Giving the ladies inside a helping hand to reach the taller areas, I gave them their cheque for the last month. Thanking them for their hard work and reminding them to help themselves to food outside and to stay or come back depending on what jobs they had going on. I wasn’t surprised to hear they had changed their jobs around a little, so they could hang out and see how the morning pans out here.

Handing them two of them sodas I went to give the bar its final wipe down before standing back.

My ears heard the song, making me smirk. The girl had been busy finding the right tunes from playlists to set the mood today. This one had to have been pulled from mine.

(Music: Car Wash – Rose Royce)

As soon as the first notes played, I knew the song. It was one Ma and #MsC would appreciate.

I heard my name coming  from outside, so I set the cloth in my hands down to the side making my way to the owner of the voice.

“What’s up Jess?” I asked.

My eyes finding #Jake, giving him a nod, getting one back telling me the run had gone well this morning. And then I saw the reason, #Jess called me.

I crossed my arms over my chest at the sound of the bike turning around in the strew to come back towards the parking lot.

“Is this your doing?” I asked her. My young cousin vehemently denied having anything to do with the new visitor with the  Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250.

Juan Diaz was the part time vet on the Rez, and a helping hand to the pup’s new imprint. The man seemed full of himself, until you got him alone without an audience to play up to. He had taken care of the Pup’s imprints practice giving her a much-needed break from working 24/7! Which she had been doing happily alone until my cousin talker her into a job, and Juna’s family agreed to a partnership.

He parked his bike up and sat smiling in our direction. “Have you lost your way?” I called out. “The practice is about three miles down in the other direction from here.”

Setting his hand on his heart he laughed. ‘You wound me, Miss Clearwater. I saw the sign.’ Pointing his thumb over his shoulder. ‘And wanted to see if you were willing to give this beauty a once over?’

The mom’s sat up taking notice, the pups all rushed forward, I couldn’t feel them trying to fight one another to get there first.

“Hey. Stop!” I called out and then all did. “Take two steps back.” They took three. “I believe the man was asking me the question. This is a competition after all. Just because we gave you guys the first ride; doesn’t mean you get the next.”

#Juan sat on his bike smirking, watching it all unfold.  “Kim, grab my bike kit from the back office?” I called out.

‘Oh it…’ she told #Claire to head back to  the Aunties.

“Jess, you can help me.” I called out next.

‘Yes, Leah.’ She run over to #Juan giving a hug.

‘Hey sunshine. Did you miss me?’ He asked her. I turned my head distracted when the wind changed and it brought the scent of the new guy sat to the side, but it  was the mixture of him and…

“Pup?” I called out to #Brady who came half running, and half moseying on over. “That’s not going to be a problem today, right?” Raising my eyebrow. Ma didn’t need drama today or any day.

‘Nope… not today…’ he gave him is attempt of a charming smile, which didn’t fool me the slightest.

“Hmm…” my ears picked up on #MsC’s voice asking Ma who the cute guy on the bike is. And I stopped listening.

‘Here you go, Leah. It’s all here.’ I took the bucket from #Kim with a wink.

“Thanks. Now we need a  board up. I’m not having the guys accusing us of cheating when we wipe the floor with them last on.” 

#Kim giggled running over to the gazebo to see if there was something she could use. #Seth met her half way, telling her he would go grab one of the specials chalkboards from inside.

•- Embry Call -•

Mine and #Paul’s little wrestling match was over fast… mostly because I won. I saw the bike pull in… It was a thing of beauty but still paled in comparison to Leah’s. Until Leah spoke, I wasn’t quite sure who it was, I smirked... this dude liked her… I remembered him trying to flirt with her that same night he realised the Pup’s new girl only had eyes for the Pup. To his credit it wasn't that one girl blew off him and he moved on to the next; he had cast a wide net. Kept his options open… until he laid eyes on her. And who could blame him?

He had good taste. No chance… but good taste.

‘Oh, I call dibs on that one!’ #Paul grinned at the bike.

“I think the girls already called it.” I laughed.

‘Damn! I mean… About time!’ He called across the lot. ‘Leaving us lads out here to do all the dirty work! Get moving ladies!’

I muttered. “You are going to pay for that!”

I refused to let #Paul drives the fine car out of the lanes because:

A. I won the wrestling match.

2. I had the keys.

C. Didn’t trust him to not take a little joy ride.

Leah was definitely rubbing off on me.

In hindsight, I should have let him, the car was automatic, which was an instant demerit in my book. Also, the second I turned the key something started rolling against the small of my back making me flinch until I found the button that turned it off…

So, this thing was nice to look at… but definitely not for me.

I parked the car close to the exit hoping that Mr. Clingy would take a hint and not make the rest of the day awkward for the pup. I headed over to him and gave him back his keys. “That is one good-looking vehicle,” I told him.

‘Thanks…’

He looked at me far too intently. ‘You are really tall!’ I laughed… he was not looking at my height. #Jake came to stand next to me just to make a point. He put his arm around my shoulders and pulled it back fast, brushing off the sleeve of his shirt… ‘Ugh!! You’re wet!’ he  groaned… I snorted and just shrugged as if to say… It is what it is.

‘Wow! I guess everything is bigger in La Push.’ He was shameless! And I could appreciate that. I sensed restrained laughter all around me.

“Actually, I’m Makah.” Jake elbowed me and quickly realised I  wasn’t just wet but also covered in something a little sticky… bordering on slimy. I was blaming #Paul. “And Quileute... but most of my family is from Neah Bay.”

‘Ah! A hybrid… Like me… my mom was from Beecher Bay. But I grew up in Neah Bay. Do you have any family there?’ He asked genuinely interested.

“Oher side of the border!” I chuckled. “Not anymore… but a lot of people will still remember the Call’s up there,” I explained.

‘Oh!’ He snapped his fingers. ‘It was after I graduated but... the high school got a new auditorium, and they named it the Call Memorial Hall.’

“The Chenoa Call Memorial Hall… I voiced my complaint about the lazy rhyme, but I was overruled. But yeah... that would be my grandmother. She was very dedicated to all the arts programs in the high school.”

‘DUDE!’ #Brady looked shocked. ‘Your Grandma has an auditorium?’

I laughed. “No, they just named it in her memory.”

‘Everybody knows this!’ #Claire chimed in and #Jake nodded.

I saw #Seth re-emerges chalkboard in hand, and I rubbed my hands together. “Oh! If you’ll excuse me… I have a contest to win!” I made a beeline for him to make sure we got our fair shake.

Mom rattled the cash box to me as I passed, kissing the top of her head… ‘This isn’t a charity mister… you had your car cleaned!’

“Yes, it is and all my cash is in the jeans you bullied me into taking off! I’m good for  it… probably!” I teased her and she laughed.

I glanced briefly at Leah; the sight of the specials board reminded me of the bet I lost that prompted me to sing in public.

‘Feeling lucky?’ #Seth asked.

I shook my head. “You chose this one on purpose, didn’t you?” He just  nodded and smirked.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Hey, it’s not my fault the spirits are with my sis when it comes to you trying to bet with her.’ I head #TheKid teasing Embry.

When I turned my head back to look in their direction, Seth had placed an arm over Embry’s shoulder and promptly removed it. ‘Yuck, ‘Bry!’ Jumping back away.

‘You have an…. Interesting bunch to keep you company.’ #Juan had returned to my side, kneeling down with a microfibre cloth in his hand to help.

“Yeah… you know what they say about that...” I said nodding over my shoulder.

‘If you can’t beat them  join them?’ He laughs.

“No…” shaking my head. “Kick their arses anything they fall into line.” I smirked.

‘Oh… I like yours better.’ He agreed.

‘You know, you’re not meant to help with the cleaning. It’s the point of a car wash.’ We both glanced at #Claire with her hands on her hips standing over us. I felt her coming so wasn’t surprised, but #Juan jumped a little unawares we were being watched.

‘Okay…’ he looked to me, but I wasn’t going to help him. ‘I have to get to work soon, so thought I’d help Miss Leah here?’ He added with a shoulder shrug.

#Claire was now tapping her foot on the wet ground. ‘You know this is a boys versus girls competition. You are on the wrong side.’ She added.

I pressed my lips together. “So, does that mean you’re going to pick up a cloth and free me Bear?” Asking without  looking away from the frame.

She went quiet, shifting on the spot. ‘Oh look… Mama T is calling me.’ #MsC was not. But I let it slide. The teachable moment would come later. I’d let her go for now.

‘Damn… All the girls in this place are ball smashers!’ #Juan let out a  heavy sigh.

“It’s in the water.” I amused hearing a car pulling up.

‘That’s Mom… don’t worry I’ll find a lift home.’ The youngest pup of the park jumped out from the back seat waving at his mom who drove him. Running towards us all. His mom was turning her car around when she saw Ma and #MsC and decided to park up to go see them before she left.

‘Auntie, would you like us to clean your car while you have something breakfast and coffee?’ #Rachel put on her charm. ‘Kim and Jess will do an excellent job for you.’

The keys were exchanged  and the girls all jumped around a little too excited.

“Hey... young one… come here.” I called him over to the bike I was cleaning. His eyes widened with enthusiasm. I wasn’t sure for what exactly.

‘Morning, Leah…’ he acknowledged #Juan too. ‘Sorry I’m late.’ I waved the comment off. “Don’t worry about that. Why is your mom driving you?’ I asked.

‘Oh… Uhm...’ he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Spit it out…” giving him my no-nonsense glare.

‘My kid sister crashed our other run around. She’s still learning, you see... and she didn’t make the turn…’ he shifted on his feet.

“So, your ma came to drop you off after working nights?” I asked. “You didn’t think to call one of us?” Raising my eyebrow. “Next time you need a lift. Call me or Seth. We will make sure you and your siblings get to where you need to go. Let your ma sleep.”

His looked at me with doe eyes. And my heart was locked down, otherwise it would had dropped.

‘Thanks… thanks Leah… can I help you with the bike?’ He asked.

 “No, go and eat something first. Littlesea is on the grill.” I sent him off.

‘That was nice of you.’ #Juan had remained silent during the exchange.

“We look out for those who are younger than us.” Now my brown eyes were on him. “Not so different from when you let our vet have the time she needs when she told you she had a family emergency.” I saw him.

He may be tried to hide behind this personality he had created. But I saw the good, the bad, and the not so ugly. Just as I did with most people.

‘Leah just spoke to me!’ I smirked hearing the pup telling the others as they  clapped him on the back welcoming him.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed at #Seth. “It was #Paul! And its shampoo… it may be sticky… but it's clean…” I sniffed myself and muttered. “I think.”

‘We’ll hose you off later.’ #Seth laughed and somewhere near the grill, I heard Mr Clingy mutter. ‘Oh, I’m definitely sticking around for that.’

#Fuller bristled… Maybe he likes this guy more than he lets on.

We were all chuckling at #Bear. We all knew she would be helping #Quil when the novelty of the contest wore off and she just wanted to spend time with him. I turned to #Quil and set my hand on his chest  when #Juan made his comment about the girls being ball smashers. “Easy brother… it was a joke… she didn’t hear it… and he kinda has a point,” I whispered. He took a breath and calmed quickly, shaking his head and laughing…

‘It’s okay I don’t like that guy either.’ Paul added. I shook my head. We all kept our voices low.

“You don’t like him because the Pup didn’t. He’s over it, you should be too.” It was hard to separate emotions sometimes, which we had all gotten good at… but the Uley Pack had an out-of-the-blue imprint… it was a strong  emotion for all of them the protective instinct and then being bonded with the Pup’s mind too… It was a lot and #Paul, for all his bravado, his biggest flaw was he 𝕗𝕖𝕝𝕥 too much and covered it with much macho bullshit that no one really paid attention to it.

I heard the  youngest speaking to #Leah and #Jake nodded to me, going to speak with Auntie to have it towed to his place. #Quil and I could help with labour and if it wasn’t fixable we could make them a few dollars stripping the parts. He seemed very excited to hear the Goofball was  cooking… but who wasn’t? The Pup knew food.

I followed him to the grill, not until I confirmed #Seth had written up the scores properly. ‘Hey if you need to take the bike for a few weeks let me know, okay? You know where the keys are.’

‘Yeah, that would be great… but I can’t pick up my sister from school on a bike… Mom would kill me.’ He laughed. ‘But if it's just me… then it would help out. Thanks. I’ll look after it,’ He promised.

“I know… but Leah is right. Someone can help you okay? Just ask.”

He nodded and smiled wide… taking a  sausage sandwich from #Littlesea. ‘Leah said I could call her.’

“Well, Leah never lies. So, you better take her up on that.” I patted his back and grabbed a fork, stealing a sausage off the grill. The pup yelled after me as I fled; that it was not fully cooked yet… but it was close enough in my opinion.

‘The girls are closing the gap! We gotta pick up the pace.’ #Quil called out.

I pulled out my phone. “I guess we'll be finding out if this model really is waterproof,” I muttered… it was soaked! I fired off a quick text and got a reply right away.

𝟷𝟶 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚞𝚝

“Don’t worry guys I have us covered.” I grinned and Mom started scolding me about my phone and told me to leave my phone with her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Earth to Leah, are you okay there?’ #Juan leant over the saddle, his arched brow giving me an intense expression.

“Yeah, all good.” Shaking it off.

I froze midway through standing up. Unable to understand what had happened. My intention was to stand up from what I was  doing, to go check on #Quil, I knew overhearing the conversation #Juan and #Bear had shared and his comment, as innocent as it was, they could provoke the warrior. We all knew if unchecked, it wouldn’t end well for the vet. But before I could make it across the parking lot…

No… Before I could even get up from where I was… Embry had stepped in to calm the situation.

Then when I let my gaze move to Embry over the body of the bike, catching the look shared between him and #Jake. I knew… I knew they were doing for the pup and his mom, what I had been thinking, before I even had a chance to walk over and speak to #Jake. This was proven right by the follow-up conversation between Embry and the pup. He… Embry… Embry Call… picked up where I left off?

‘This is the path you both walk. Now that you have let him in, he sees more than you have shared with another person in a long time.’ She watched from her lounging position. She was completely at ease here. After the initial checks we always did, she curled up to rest. Hers and my sight always returning to the mom’s and the Imprints whenever we took in the scene.

‘Of course…’ she continued. ‘We cannot take away from his own hard work. His learning… his evolution coming to life before our eyes.’ And of course she was right.

‘Oh good…’ #Juan had continued to speak. ‘I thought you were about to go running.’

“Why would I go running? And where?” I had several places I ran, but what did he mean.

‘Far… far..., away?’ He whispered. ‘That big one over there.’ Nodding his chin towards #Paul. ‘He looks like he wants to eat me alive.’ At this I had to grin, standing up to wipe my brow with the back of my hand.

“Don’t worry. His wife will make sure you are dead, cleaned, and cooked before she lets him get his teeth into you. She likes to know where his mouth has been, at all times.”

Winking at him. Of course, at the same time #Paul made a point to walk past snapping his teeth into the air, before offering to help his wife with the car she was cleaning.

“Spirits give me strength.” I murmured.

‘Hey, you gave me the idea!’ His low reply came with a heartly laugh.

“Arsehole!” I batted back.

‘Just, as you like me!’ another laugh.

“That wash still counts as one of ours.” I called out when #Rachel handed the sponge over to her husband. “Don’t go getting any ideas.” #Paul just laughed.

‘You are really competitive, aren’t you?’ #Juan questioned.

‘Oh. You don’t know the half of it.’ #Kim giggled skipping past for what reason I didn’t know.

“Get back to work Kim!” I growled, rolling my eyes. “If you’re going to do something.” This was to #Juan. “You do it right, and the best.” Moving on to cleaning his wheels. Spirits, it was a good-looking Harley. But my baby… he was something else!

Turning my head fully, this time making a point to look at Embry Call with narrowed eyes.

“What are you playing at?” in a low tone, but in a louder one I called out to his mom. “You tell him, beautiful. Your kid is up to no good over there!”

•- Embry Call -•

As I was speaking to the pup, I kept glancing back at #Quil, but he was standing by the #Mom’s now, talking with #Claire telling her she was too big to get carried around all the time when she was asking for a piggyback. We had talked about how Claire seems to not act her age around him and that he should try and encourage her to be a little more independent.

I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, I knew he would give in… but it was a step in the right direction. My wolf knew that Leah’s eyes were on me, and it was really hard not to look over to where she was. I gave her a quick glance and a cheeky wink that no one who saw would believe it was nothing more than an attempt to wind her up.

“#Lahote! Stop fraternizing with the enemy!” I called out. “Plan A is rolling in in five minutes!” He flipped me off and #Sue immediately reprimanded him.

‘I have no idea what Plan A is!’ He called out, for the sake of the humans.

“It’s the one that comes before plan B!” I laughed. #Rachel batted her eyelashes at her husband, and he got right back to work.

I saw #Sam and #Emily’s car coming up the street… and I turned to the Pup on the grill. “Give them some time to get settled and then let #Sam takes over…” I grinned at him. “I’m gonna need your eye for detail. Luckily the timing was perfect to cover a completely different smirk when the vet noticed Leah’s competitive streak… He really didn’t know the half of it, just like #Kaya said.

“Me? I’m raising money for the community centre.” I smirked.  “Why what are you doing?” I quirked a brow concealing that smile my wolf and I consistently wanted to flash her.

And right on cue  the cavalry rolled up… one van and two cars… The van emblazoned with 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖗𝖔𝖕𝖘 𝖔𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖘𝖍𝖎𝖊𝖑𝖉 and image of four boys driving the rain printed on both sides. And contact information for the band.

“Nice one ‘Bry!’ A few of the pups called out, many of the of-age Pups met the band when I invited them to gigs to make sure the guys had a friendly crowd to play to. They pulled in just after #Sam and #Emily. I stopped to greet the Alpha who high-fived me and smirked. ‘Well played, Call.’

‘Or cheating!’ #Emily pointed to us both then laughed, hand on the belly. She knew it was all for a good cause.

“How are you?” I asked her.

‘Sore, tired, huge… full of joy… I can’t find my ankles and I need to pee.’ She was still beaming a smile.

I winked at her. “Keep it up!” I teased her. “You’ve never  looked better.” I kissed her cheek, and she shuffled off to the bathroom… or so I hoped.

‘You know she really appreciates that right?’ #Sam said.

“My backhanded compliments?” I chuckled. They weren’t… but the cheekiness made her smile. I grinned then, watching #Collin closes the lid of the grill as she walked by. He was a good kid.

‘Now the fact that you always ask about her before the baby.’ #Sam said and my brows knit.

“Oh… I mean, yeah… the baby isn’t growing another human…” #Sam just patted me on the shoulder.

‘You just keep on being spectacularly clueless, Embry. It's working for you.’ He said and made his way over to #Littlesea. I wasn’t sure what I had done to earn the praise, but I’d take it.

#Tony and his bandmates were climbing out of their vehicles now and I started heading across to them. I whistled. “Boys! Let’s get to work!”

Jessica’s head popped up from behind the Auntie’s car and she called out Tony’s name giving him an enthusiastic wave. Claire turned at that and squealed for #Tony. She didn’t see him a lot, but she remembered him from when we bought her guitar. She started to run across the parking lot, and I was already too far away to get to her before she stepped into the lanes. All at once fourteen guys and, of course, Leah reacted. Hands were reached out and 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕡𝕤, 𝕟𝕠'𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥'𝕤 were all called out. 

#Jake got there just a second before #Quil and the only sound for a few seconds was the music.

Music: Movie Central - Ready For The Fire - https://youtu.be/xNDOhWxAIdc?si=Rnx6zzBPhGwxXBdW)

Claire wasn’t phased by the reaction however, she had seen this side of the guys all her life, but there were a few people who might think it was weird. #Jake explained to her that I wasn’t busy yet, but she couldn’t be running out into the lanes without looking, probably to spare #Quil the potential bad mood if she felt like she was told off.

I turned back to the band making a fuss about their arrival to deflect from the scene, #Jake had Bear; everything was fine. I got loud and fired up to see the band, hugging #Tony and lifting him off his feet. I high-fived and fist-bumped the guys. ‘Christ, Embry!!” he rubbed his fingers together and touched his shirt, his nose wrinkled up. ‘What the heck are you covered in?’

“It’s been an exciting morning #Tony…” I shrugged and now the guys I had high-fived were taking the  wet rags the boys offered to wipe their hands.

The Pups came over to get to work. #Claire was working her way across the lanes now, watching carefully and I could hear all the raised heartbeats around us. ‘Hi Tony!!’ #LittleBear bounced on her toes and proceeded to rattle off all the new chords and songs that she had learned since the last time she saw him and my friend was all ears.

“Okay boys a wash and full detailing on the cars and wash and dry the van carefully, it was only wrapped two weeks ago… be kind.” A couple of the boys mentioned that they had no idea how to use the buffer. “Leave all of that to the twins.”

#Fuller and #Littlesea were making their way to us now that their Alpha had taken over the grill. The drummer of the band looked at them and leaned in to… ‘Wait, they are twins? They don’t even look related…’ He was amazed.

“Oh well… that’s because they aren’t really…” I offered no other explanation, it was likely they were very distantly related, but many generations passed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“By the spirits!” Muttering the words to myself I stood still once things eased off. My eyes darting around to check on each and every person in the parking lot.

Claire’s antics were going to get her a good telling off too. And the war breaking me down internally was witness  to this fact.

The reality of our relationship was entangled in so many soul strings, that to break down the anger, annoyance, frustration, worry, fear…  the list of emotions was endless. And all the while, no one in this country, sharing this air with me could see them all battling inside as I stood here with my walls built high.

‘Is the kid going to be okay?’ #Juan asked coming to stand beside me again. ‘That looked…’ his words cut off when my eyes moved to him. ‘Well.. Uhm… thanks for the wash.’ He stepped away seeing something in  my face now. ‘I’ll just go and pay those delightful ladies over there.’ Speaking as he was already making his way towards Ma and #MsC.

‘Why does it look like that child isn’t learning to grow up?’ #Mac came to hand me a bottle of water. ‘Everyone loves her so much, maybe  they aren’t giving her the room to learn and spread her wings.’ He stood next to me watching #Jake with #Bear, and #Quil.

I didn’t snap #Mac’s head off, because this man beside me I trusted. He didn’t know the truth of what we were, but his ethics were aligned with those we lived.

‘Sometimes, teens need to make mistakes.’ He added.

He wasn’t wrong, I knew that. But remember all those emotions waring inside my head? They weren’t so easy to control at times when #Claire or any of the imprints were  unsafe.

‘Anyway. Leo just called; they are a few minutes out. Are we still parking their truck over by the front of the lot?’ He asked. Nodding my head I gave him his answer.

Letting my gaze falling to #Quil, I knew  how hard all this will be on him. Always wanting what was best for #Claire.

‘Lee?’ My head slowly turned to follow the voice. #Rachel beckoning me over.

Packing up my cleaning kit, I picked the bucket up and made my way over the car they were cleaning. ‘Did you see the ace ‘Bry pulled out of his back pocket?’ She had her eyes on the guys all  getting to work on new arrivals. Crossing her arms over her chest, attempting to mimic me when I am thinking about a way out of situations.

A few minutes passed without me saying anything. ‘So… what’s our plan?’ She gave up waiting for me.

‘Clearwater, always has a plan.’ #Paul was about to chuckle but cleared his throat and got back to work.

“It’s early Rach, let’s see where the day takes us.” I make my way over to the moms, to set my bike cleaning supplies down behind where Ma sat. Opening the bottle of water #Mac has given me, I handed it to #MsC.

‘Thank you darling.’ She took a sip or two before smiling up tapping my arm. ‘Doctor Diaz was so charming.’ #Juan waved from his bike before he rode away.

“Yeah. Are you looking at two timing me and Leo now?” Giving her a huff, which just made the two moms giggle.

‘Not for me silly.’ She wiped her eyes.

“He is a little old for Jess, but if you want… I’ll ask her.” This set them all off into hysterical laughter.

‘I have a niece if he is free.’ The pups mom chimed in.  Setting the three moms off some debate or another.

I stood watching the guys, my arms crossed over my chest. I had to give it to Embry, he most definitely came with a game plan.

I saw #Emily coming out from the bar, making her way over as she spoke to everyone. I moved to reach for another chair, setting it beside Ma.

‘Leah.’ She smiled. Her beautiful face glowed even if she looked a little tired. She came to hold my arms, bringing her forehead to mine.

“May the spirits give you strength and comfort, cuz.” I whispered in our  language.

‘May they guide you to your destiny, sister.’ She wished for me. She closed her eyes holding me for a moment longer before letting go.

“Come on, you look like you need a seat.” I told her. “Are you sleeping, okay?” I asked.

‘Careful, Leah. People will start saying you’re going soft.’ She teased sitting down on the cushion I set on the chairs to make them a little better for the ladies.

“Please, they wouldn’t believe false rumours.” I shot right back.

‘Well, they don’t know you like we do.’ She asks the moms to join in. Which of course, they did.

Thankfully before they could drag me in deep, #Leo’s pizza truck turned the corner. “I gotta go…”

•- Embry Call -•

I had heard that some of the humans had noticed the pack's overprotectiveness. I would have to mention it to them to leave her safety to #Quil and I… he would have easily gotten to her before she’d been in one of the lanes.

But asking them to turn off the instinct for an  imprint. Some things just weren’t possible, but I knew they would try.

I watched #Quil as he heard what #Mac said to Leah, and when his eyes met mine, I knew my friend was seeing it all from an outside perspective. #Claire was more than capable of being a responsible  fourteen-year-old. She did it all the time at home… but when she was here, she was too used to being looked after. It was our fault, not just #Quil’s.

Once #Clair was done telling #Tony all about the new things she had learned I asked her if she wanted to go help the girls and finish up the car. And she just looked a little disgruntled. ‘Well, would you mind showing me where I can pay for the washes instead then? Maybe show me around this cool set-up you have here.’ This seemed to be a much more agreeable idea as she took #Tony’s hand and led him to the table where Mom beamed at him, and he leaned over the table to kiss her cheeks. Turning the conversation from setting up Leah with #Juan, or #Juan with several other nieces… to which niece would be perfect for #Tony. Who managed to smoothly dodge bringing up his disastrous date with #Jess.

I headed over to #Quil who had just moved the band's van and was climbing out the start washing it. “You, okay?” I asked.

‘I think she’s mad.’ He sighed quietly… and this was the part where the pups knew to keep out of it.

“Of course she’s mad…. She wants to be treated like a child, but then when she is treated like a child all of a sudden, she becomes a grown-up. That’s just how fourteen-year-olds work.” I said and he nodded. He started to hose down the van. I let him and just followed; working was how he  worked through his issues. I could always tell what kind of day he had, by the state of the house. The cleaner it was the more dire the situation. “She’ll get over it… But we all need to start letting her grow up. It's not just you.”

He started to spray the van with the  foaming shampoo I was sure had left the sticky residue with which I was currently covered in. ‘Am I really holding her back?’ He asked as quietly as he could.

“Yes,” I said plainly, everyone stopped working for a second. But Quil wasn’t the type to blow up over the answer to a question he had asked. “But it is not irreversible. You have different challenges than the rest #Quil. You see #Claire as she is, perfectly happy and content. You think that everything should stay the same. That’s not how people work, especially kids. We’ve all got to work  on it. She won’t like it but she’ll be okay.” I started cleaning the van with him and said no more about it. I had told him about #Claire worrying that #Quil wouldn’t want to look after her if she grew up. I knew he had this talk with her, but now he needed to follow up on it.

When we started rinsing the shampoo off the car, I found myself accosted by two hoses. The Pups yelled that they were cleaning off the goo I was covered in, #Quil shrugged and joined in too. I tried to dodge it… but I really couldn’t spend the day like this. So, I gave a let them hose me off… It the barely a second before  #Nessie changed the music mid-song.

(Music: Pour Some Sugar On Me - DEF LEPPARD)

I just laughed and ducked my head under one of the hoses. When I slicked my hair back to wring out the excess water, one of the ladies that cleaned for #Seth and Leah, #Brady’s not-boyfriend and the Pup’s auntie all made an array of sounds and exclamations. “Shit!” I laughed  and got right back to washing the van, pulling my shorts up a little higher they were soaked and slung low now.

#Brady grumbled. ‘Since when are you modest?’ His partner in crime rolled his eyes at his mood.

“My mom and #Sue are right over there,” I said… It was a convenient and honest excuse.

#Fuller pulled a face and I saw #Sam considering reprimanding him for disrespect, but I shook my head subtly.

‘If you keep sulking, I’m going over there to tell that man you aren’t interested. So, kill the attitude or go over there and lock it  down.’ #Collin leaned across the car they were cleaning together. I stifled a laugh and winked at the pup. Being imprinted suited him, he had really started to come out of his shell. He’d corrected the pup before I had a chance to, so I decided to leave it at that. We all left him alone to finish the job and think about it.

The #Ness showed her skill again and picked a song that would break even a jealous pup's mood. After the first chorus we were all singing along as we worked.

(Music: Believer – Imagine Dragons)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking #Leo’s hand as soon as he stepped out of his truck, I thanked him for coming out this far for our event. Once again, I told him I would cover his event costs and the man places his hand over his heart.

‘You offend me, Bella Signora. Helping you here today. It is a joy for me and my son, we like to support those who have been there for us too.’ The man had an old-time fascination about him. I could see why women were drawn towards this man’s charisma. #Leo’s accent, his Italian looks, with is grey hair well cut, and his facial hair groomed. Add the scent of pizza as his cologne. Yeah… I got it.

It didn’t take long for #Mac to explain the plan of the day to #Leo, who had brought three assistants along with him. His son staying back to man their main truck in Port. #Mac took the blackboard with their name; Pizza A Legna. The Best Authentic Woodfired Pizza, written on the top, followed by today’s menu. They explained how they would provide a basic set of choices, to make sure everyone got something they would enjoy eating.

‘Not one person will leave without licking their fingers, I promise you this...’ #Leo said clapping his hands.

As we all spoke, my ears kept finding their way into listening to Embry’s voice. Following the rhythm of his beating heart. I would pull myself back, because I didn’t want to eavesdrop into the conversation between him and #Quil. But then again, I found myself drawn into him again.

I shook my head, biting the inside of my cheeks, when I heard #Mac thanking the two girls and the young guy with #Leo.

This was when the Pizza master turned to take in the bar and then his eyes lit up seeing the moms. #Leo excused himself to ‘Pay his respects.’ Leaving #Mac and I stood shaking our heads.

‘I so want to be Leo when I grow up.’ #Mac laughed.

“Sure, you do,” softly nudging my shoulder  into #Mac’s side. “But for now. Why don’t you take these guys inside and show them around. Make them feel at home.” #Mac was gone taking the assignment like a champ. My ears heard the giggles coming from the gazebo, the moms and #Emily too were taking #Leo’s charms in  their stride. But the way in which I caught #Tony’s gaze worship the older man, I could guess he too wanted to be him when he grew up.

#Claire had #Tony by the hand, telling him how much the washes would come to, telling him all about the work the moms were doing to make today a success. This told me this teen saw it and heard it all. She just picked and chose when to use what she had learnt.

‘Just a normal, perfect teen.’ She whispered to me.

“Playing the sides.” I told her, but she was busy observing the imprints here so far, making certain they were safe and happy. “Push over.” I growled at her but didn’t stop her from continuing… for now.

The audible gasps brought my attention back to the sight before me, making me really roll my eyes. Of Course he was putting on a show. And #Ness!  She was right there with the right music setting the mood for the whole thing!

‘Lee?’ #Kim called my name, and I saw her waving in a couple of cars. ‘We are taking these ones?’ I nod my head towards her.

“Sure, I’m with you.” I told her.

‘How come no one is telling Leah to get out of her jeans?’ One of the pups teased, earning himself a smack over the head from #Seth.

‘Because she knows how not to mess shit up.’ #TheKid told him. ‘Now get back to work.’

The place was picking up, laughter being in the atmosphere fuelling the energy of the people. Other than the one moody pup, who’s partner in crime had stepped up to correct him.

‘Look at that, who would have believed the goofball would step up to the challenge?’ My warrior’s chest doubling with pride. #CollinLittlesea may not be in our pack, but we saw them all as one.

‘Leah!!! I need you… I cannot reach the top.’ #Kim pouted her lips at me.

Making me raise my eyebrow at her.  “Did you really think that would work on me?” I asked, making my way over to her side. “Give me the clothe woman. I’ll go high, you go low.”

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned as we all worked, which was fine as we were all singing along to Nessie’s tunes… The arrival of #Leo and his famous pizza truck brought up memories of Leah now too. My time with her had become the first thing to come to mind when I looked back… and I had no  complaints! Whatever had this woman done to me? I liked it.

I heard #Quil chuckle. ‘#Leo still has game!’ he laughed watching how the moms giggled.

‘The man is a legend.’ One of the pups chimed in. ‘Do you think he’d teach us his ways?’

I rolled my eyes. “Even if he did, you couldn’t pull off his moves Pup!” The kid flicked the towel he had me and I caught hold of it before it made contact. “Nice try! Keep practising.” I teased and he scurried to the other side of the van.

‘Mamma T looks happy.’ #Quil smiled at me.

“Yeah, she’s having a  good day. She loves to have #Bear around, she always wanted a little girl.” I said, starting to dry the van.

‘Oh, please! She wouldn’t have traded you, even when you had her tearing her hair out.’ He scoffed and I laughed. She had always been one of those overprotective mothers.

“Okay let me rephrase. She always wanted a little girl, 𝕥𝕠𝕠.” I added.

#Littlesea laughed, he and the pup across the lot were the only ones here with younger sisters. ‘I’m just trying to imagine you as a big brother! Scaring off her dates.’

“Not scare them off… just lay out clear and vivid consequences!” I laughed. I honestly wouldn’t know how I’d react. “Just because you’re happy to let your sis run wild!” I teased. He was a great brother… there wasn’t much he wasn’t good at… if you didn’t count socialising outside of the pack.

‘Hey, I don’t need to worry about her… if anything I should worry about the guys. She’s the heartbreaker in our family.’ He laughed.

I looked and… more people were pulling in, #Collin and #Brady was getting ready to bring the two cars over for buffing and polishing. The girls were getting to work, and Nessie was leaving her set up and going to get her hands dirty at last. The moms were still flushed from their encounter with #Leo. Who was now speaking in enthusiastic Italian to #Tony… He was a regular at the truck in Port.

I  was pretty sure it was the only pizza she allowed into her home that she hadn’t made from scratch. #Claire was fussing like a pro over mom now, handing her a bottle of water while chattering away to her #AuntieEmily to hide the fact she was being minded. The watch on # Sue's wrist beeped, and she reached into a bag for my mother’s medication.

#Sam appeared a second later with grilled veggie skewers, so she wouldn’t be taking them on an empty stomach. #Quill was watching me watch everyone else and he threw his arm around my shoulders. ‘It’s gonna  be a good day, brother.’ He beamed and planted a kiss on my cheek. I laughed and shoved him away.

“Fuck off!” I teased and tossed him the keys. “Park the van will you, I’ll go and get #Seth to mark us down for three more.”

I passed the girls and winked at #Kim. “Hey, Kaya… next time you need a few inches just call my name!”

She rolled her eyes. ‘My fiance is taller! I’ll wait for him… if Leah here is already occupied.’

I waved her off and continued across the lot. He wasn’t… he was just a little shorter than me… but arguing with an imprint about inches would never end well. I’d let her have that one.

#Seth updated the board, and I just watched the scene of the day for a little while until #Sam whistled for me. He handed me a burger and filled me in quickly on the next shift for the Pups to patrol so I  could help him round up the busy ones without it looking like a mass exodus.

A tiny green vehicle rolled into the lot and out of it came the newest member of our massive family and a familiar rotund ball of black and white fur. “Of course, he had her bring the dog!” I  scoffed.

‘All her sitters are here today.’ #Sam chuckled. #Claire squealed with delight and fell to her knees for puppy kisses. ‘Looks like we found her a caretaker for the day.’ It was his turn to laugh now.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

See… this is what I called evolution…  Embry Call and his smart-arse mouth should have gotten him a wet sponge at the back of his head, for what he said to #Kim. But instead, I just narrowed my eyes making a note to bay him back for it later on.

While I continued to work, the girls all ran off to hug and welcome the newest addition to the pack family. She still looked like a deer in headlights as some points, and then other times , the girl knew her shit and owned her space.

My attention followed her, watching to see how well she had come to independently finding her place in the universe she had chosen to occupy. First, she made sure the puppy was safe, letting #Bear take responsibility of taking care of her. Then she went back to her emerald green bug to bring out jugs of.. juice? I heard her saying.

‘Watermelon and mint, carrots, apples, and ginger. And pineapple with oranges.’ When the moms asked.

She spoke to the moms with respect. Calling them all aunties! Taking the attention from the pups, just like a sister would, becoming a part of the imprints like she had  always been here.

Seeing the way everyone worked so well together gave me hope for this and the next generations. My lips curled up into a smirk.

‘Leah Clearwater. Are you smirking?’ #Sam had made his way around the parking lot to come stand beside me. ‘She is a good fit.’ His eyes were on the vet too.

“Hmm…” I moved to scrub the roof of the car I was left cleaning on my own for now.

‘I like how the pup has begun his journey to change.’ He added.

“Evolution… it’s not the same thing as change.” I told him. This made #Sam laugh.

‘You always have all the answers, Lee.’ Shaking my head and then shrugging. I pointed my chin over the goofball.

“That is evolution. He is cleaning that car, doing what he was doing. When in truth he most likely wants to run over there, sweep  the girl off her feet and kiss her.” #Sam followed me as I moved. “And the same for her. She is greeting the elders, the young ones. When her eyes are searching for him.”

#Sam chuckled. “None of you arses had that much control. To be able to deal with your emotions and  carry on with what was needed, when your partners were near.” He was nodding his head, listening as though it hadn’t occurred to him.

“Evolution… the next generation is doing something those before them couldn’t.”

We watched, as the vet filled glasses of the juice, sharing them out before she picked up the last glass and crossed the parking lot.  The pup stopped what he was doing, now he wasn’t hiding his sneak peeks at his imprint. They exchanged words, she gave him the glass, and he kissed her cheek.

‘Do you remember Paul and Rachel?’ #Sam shook his head. We’d all heard them at one stage or another going at it.

“Don’t remind me!” I scoffed and smirked again.

•- Embry Call -•

Had I felt Leah’s gaze on the back of my head as I walked away? Yes. Was I expecting some form of retaliation? Absolutely! Did I brace? Hell yes! Because regardless of whether or not I woke up in her bed this morning… This was kind of what we did.

I caught sight of Leah after #Sam left me to go and speak to her. A few of the pups and guests were fawning over the dog now, under #Claire’s strict instructions to be gentle and take turns. The girl was a paradox. It made me smile. Our newest addition was passing out juice and offered me a selection. “Have any recommendations?” I smiled at her.

‘The watermelon is #Collin’s favourite.’ She blushed.

I picked up the one that she pointed to. “Well, that settles it… the Pup has great taste.” I chuckled and she flushed a deeper shade of red. It had nothing to do with me and  everything to do with her fighting her instinct to run right to him. I sipped the juice… “Wow…” I looked at her impressed. “You’re doing great Doc…” I didn’t wink or hug her like I would with the other girls… It was still fresh. I was sure the Pup would deal, but she was  still getting used to us all. I wondered if she’d even registered, she was in a carpark full of shirtless guys… It was shocking how quickly they stopped noticing that detail.

I tried not to watch her reunite with her new boyfriend. But it was like looking away from Leah when she was in her kitchen, wearing my t-shirt before the sun was even up… they were so happy you just couldn’t help but want to witness it. Everyone else was thinking the same thing so it was the perfect chance for me to sneak a peek at Leah as she cleaned the car solo and talked to #Sam.

I finished my juice and made my way over to the car, calling to the girls. “C’mon, ladies! Where is the sense of teamwork?”

I moved to the other side of the car and started on the hood. #Sam was still watching the Pup. “You did good with that one… his focus and control are probably the best I’ve ever seen… even better than his cousin.”

Sam nodded and turned to me with a laugh. ‘I can’t take much credit for it… he was more or less like that when I got him.’ The pup across the lot flushed, hearing everything we were saying.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Stop eavesdropping pup, and don’t even think about stealing her car. I’m calling dibs on it next.” #Sam bursts out laughing when he heard me talking to the goofball.

‘Good luck with that one. He isn’t going to let anyone but himself, and maybe his twin touch her little bug.’   I knew #Sam was right. I only said it to see if I got a rise out of him.

The pup dropped his head, and then shook it. Glancing at me and smiled with red ears. He clearly saw me smirking.

The music was on auto play now, a mix of playlists which I know both #Ness and Embry  would have put some effort into collating for the day.

Only our people here could turn a car wash into a full-on party, as more people began to pull up. The scent of wood fire danced in the air, and I knew that in its own, would draw in anyone who thought they could drive on by.

‘I did come over to give you a helping hand. But looks like your third is on the ball here today.’ #Sam walked off, patting Embry on his shoulder before leaving to go talk to the others. ‘I’m going to go try that juice before there nothing left. Want me to  bring you some?’ I shook my head at him.

“Nah, let the pups drink it up.”  #Sam waved over his head at me. Telling me I was missing out.

I knew this already, but I also got to taste the drink when the vet brought a jug or two over to Ma’s home. Whenever she came over for dinner, or breakfast. The girl never came empty handed.

My eyes moved over to the other pup and his not so one-night stand. The two of them were laughing and smiling now, small touches, certain looks shared. I shook my head again.

“Clingy my arse.” I muttered. The pup was going to learn a valuable lesson. Sooner or later. I just hoped it didn’t come with heart break for him or anyone else.

Working on the roof I arched my perfectly shaped eyebrow. Watching the interloper making himself at home, on the same car as I was cleaning. “If you think I’m giving your credit for this car, you’re mistaken Embry Call.”

Pointing to the patch beside his hand.

“You missed a spot.”

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled at the interaction between Leah and the pup. That kid was truly one of a kind. I laughed at #Sam… “If you stop cooking, we’ll lose half of our volunteers #Uley!” I clapped him on the shoulder.

I gave Leah a smirk over the hood of the car. “Sometimes it takes a minute to actually see what’s right in front of you.” I kept working, no one here would think I was talking about anything other than the wild twin. “Besides… we all know that no one can go wrong with a good-looking Makah boy.” I saw #Brady choke on the juice in his hand and Mr-Not-So-Clingy patting his shoulder and wiping his chin with a napkin… Oh yeah, he was the type of person #Bray needed. That boy was a walking dumpster fire. We all knew that his twin was the only reason he didn’t live off cereal and takeout. I was also pretty sure he  had his mom do his laundry.

He needed someone who expressed themselves by looking after people and he had plenty to give back.

“I didn’t hear you give #Lahote this kind of grief!” I acted offended. “You were there first, this one all for the ladies… I just don’t like to be  idle.” It was a little fib… I loved to be idle… sitting around with the guys… playing guitar… talking about nothing in particular… That was idle, right?

And other things I couldn’t think about right now… but there wasn’t much I did with Leah you could call idle… even sitting in silence (as silent as I could manage, at least) was filled with meaning.

I mock glared at her… “I’m getting to it.” I deliberately avoided the spot. “I have a complex system. You have to trust the process.” I glanced around, smiling. “It’s getting busy now…”

Then out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of the fur ball trying to climb onto Claire's lap where she was sitting on the folding chairs. One of the pups gave the actual pup a careful boost and both the troublemakers looked very happy.

“#Bear is going to regret that in about ten minutes.” I chuckled. You tell by a glance at the dog she was about to knock out for a legendary nap. “And #Quil is scheduled to be bugged by #Claire a puppy in about an hour.” I looked at my non-existent watch.

“It's great having almost everyone in the same place… isn’t it?” I grinned in the direction of the mom’s. “They’re having a great day so far too… I really hope #Sue knows how thankful I am for how well she takes care of her.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

That perfect arch of my eyebrow was back. The double meaning wasn’t lost to me. It was a good thing I had learnt a long time ago to control myself and my emotions.

Things like skipping hearts, or blushes on cheeks, any slight change would be picked up by all non-humans. And I wasn’t in the business of being seen.

Shaking my head I continued working, my ears picking up the kerfuffle behind me.

“I don’t need to give Lahote any grief, because that’s what his wife is here for. Anyway. It’s not my fault if Paul did a  good job without being told.. for once.” I knew the fool would be puffing his chest out at hearing me say this. “Now if only she would stop talking for an award and get some cars cleaned.” I could see #Paul telling his wife what I was saying. Then she turned to look at me and blow a kiss. Taking the girls to another car.

Now I glanced over the car, to the tall shirtless muscled man, making himself glisten under the light of the day. As he stretched out…..

By the spirits!

Where the hells did those thoughts come from? Frowning internally  as she lay there with not a care in the world. And I knew right away. She did that to take me off my guard! Damn! My warrior was going to be the end of me!

Biting the inside of my cheeks, I stepped back to look over the roof of the car. Making sure I had it all. “Idle is your dream state, and we all know it.” I told him, even if my mind was listing a number of things we’d witnessed him doing.

I finally glanced around the lot again, seeing the puppy getting herself comfortable on #Bear and smirked. The imprints were popping about Catching up, the moms were in their element, the pups all busy with goofing around while they got their jobs done.

Setting the rag in my hand down, I moved on to cleaning the windows, he wasn’t wrong when it came to seeing the atmosphere around us.

“Yeah, it’s always nice to see everyone come together. And for the moms, and the community... Trying to achieve something they had dreams of awhile. It’s… it’s a moment to appreciate”

Standing to catch his eyes when I spoke. “She wouldn’t want you to think of it like that. You know how the two of them are.” Nodding my head back over to our mom’s. “They do it for each other, without thinking about you or me.”

As I looked back over my shoulder, I saw #TheKid smile. His eyes melted when they caught mine. He knew this too, and the slight nod of  his head in agreement told me he saw it in the same way I did.

•- Embry Call -•

If that eyebrow thing was an Olympic sport Leah Clearwater would take the gold. I would have said it out loud… but then she’d have to throw something at me, and I had just had a hosepipe shower… so I gave her 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 smile… for a second. Just long enough for her the know I was thinking something I shouldn’t say out loud.

I laughed… “Oh come on! A wedding ring has never stopped you from kicking arses and taking names when arses need kicking and names… well, you get the message.”

Judging by her reaction my smile had the desired effect.

I  knew that Leah was right… but still, the gratitude was there. I knew if it wasn’t for #Sue being here I probably wouldn’t be messing with the pups and singing along to #Nessie’s tracks with the guys. I would just be looking after Mom. She didn’t want that, #Sue had a way  that she looked after people… and they never knew she was doing it. I wondered if it was purely a mom thing because I had only ever seen moms pull it off.

“Yeah, I know. She doesn’t look after people because she’s supposed to or because she feels responsible. She does it  because it just wouldn’t ever occur to her not to. She sees someone who needs something, and she helps as naturally as breathing.” I pretended not to notice the kind looks the siblings exchanged… feeling that age-old pang of having wanted a sibling all my life… It didn’t sting like it used to when I was a kid. I had more brothers and sisters than I knew what to do with now… but it wasn’t the same as sharing a home and a childhood with someone.

All the same, I sought out #Jacob and #Quil standing and making some kind of plan together… I grinned. I could have done a lot worse with my found family.

Just as I thought that an elder drove in and #Seth was right there… opening the door and offering a hand to the driver. I chuckled. “Apparently it's genetic. ” I nodded towards her brother… but this was Leah, she wouldn’t have missed it. “Definitely #SueClearwater’s son.” I knew he could hear me. But he did a good job of acting like he didn’t.

I moved the clean the front bumper, once I finished the hood… including the spot that she’d said I missed. “And he even claimed a car for the  team!” I chuckled. He had been trying to stay neutral in the competition, but I was only going to let that slide for so long. Two pups in muddy trainers came into the lot casually and Jake whispered to another two to grab a bite, then head off the take their place on patrol. Two at a time wasn’t our normal rotation… but it meant we didn’t have too many kids arriving and vanishing at once.

I lowered my voice so only those with super hearing might pick up my words. “I still feel bad not pitching in on the runs today… I mean it makes sense and  all… but I don’t like not pulling my weight.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

By the spirits! That smile.. yes 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕆𝕟𝕖.. the one which told me nothing good was happening in his head, was on show. Making me bite the inside of my cheeks, all I could do was narrow my eyes, telling him ‘𝔻𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕕𝕒𝕣𝕖!’ Not that I knew what it was in the  first place.

“Hold up… who said anything about a wedding ring stopping me? You who she is…” clearly meaning the fact that she is an imprint. “And how we all like seeing her smile and happy…” pointing my thumb over my shoulder. “Those two… weird

arse kinks.” As I said it, the parking lot all groaned, made vomiting sounds,  or (I knew it was #Sam) said if ‘Nope. I’m out.’

I of course grinned, as they all tried to turn their respective reactions into something believable by the humans surrounding us.

‘There is nothing wrong with having a few exciting things in the bedroom.’ #Rachel played a long as soon as she was told what I said. But my eyes went to the newest member of this dysfunctional group. Making me smirk seeing her face as red as a beet.

When my gaze moved back to the car Embry and I were  working on, I caught his attention following it to #Jacob and #Quil. Just like that, I knew his mind had gone to Family! With his questions about growing up in the same house

, and that sibling rapport which only came from the corresponding closeness.

“Blood is not the only form of brotherhood. Who knows that better than you.” My voice low for him to know I got it. But he had something with Jake and Quil no one else could come close too. Again, I wasn’t going to undermine he’s emotions or feel of missing some part of life too  My smile was back when he spoke about #TheKid. And of course, I knew what was happening behind me. I hadn’t switched myself off from knowing exactly what was happening where, and with whom.

“Yeah. He and Jess are the best of what the Clearwater’s having to offer this world.”  I truly believed it with all my heart. And now it was #Jacob’s voice I heard. ‘We all have our way to help, Bry. Today you are needed here more than ever. We’ve all got this.’

Listening I didn’t say anything, because Embry and I were in the same basket. I felt extremely  uncomfortable with not leading one of the runs today.

‘Leah?’ The nerd rolled her sleeves up. ‘Where would you like me to start.’ She asked. Followed by. ‘I could take the roofs of the cars?’ She was the next tallest of the women here. At 5’10 the woman wasn’t so far from my own height.

“Sounds like a good plan, but make sure you eat something too. I know you started early to make the time up for being here.” She blushed red again. Pushing her glasses up her nose. “You should know, nothing goes unnoticed by me.” Giving her a wink. “Maybe you can do a better job than this one. Look he missed another spot.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed… the reaction of the Pups around the lot… But really, they all loved to see how happy and passionate those two were. But I was sure they would love to see less of the private pictures that Paul shared with his wife when he sent them to our group chat instead of to her alone.

“A few?” I mouthed to Leah, so Paul couldn’t see or hear and relay this to #Rachel… we all knew those two had more than a few of these so-called exciting bedroom habits.

I followed Leah’s gaze to the vet… chuckling quietly at her reaction. Most of the time I would say it was only a matter of time before a new imprint would get used to this pack banter… but with this one… I think the only thing she was going to get to was a near-permanent blush when she was around her soulmate’s friends. Her newfound family and by the way the  pup leaned in to kiss that blush… he was just fine with that too.

“I know.” I smiled at her. But still, I knew, always in the back of my mind that one of these men… was my brother by blood. I knew it didn’t matter; they were still my family. But it was a fact I could only push to the back of my mind and never truly forget.

I nodded to #Jake, I knew it was true. With mom here… I needed to not have her question why I was running off in the middle of the day. There is a low chorus of approvals from the others that only those of with heightened  senses would pick up… There was no one else here that would ever view my not taking a run today as anything but what was needed to be done.

I grinned at the interaction between the two women. “I’d tell you you’d get used to her, doc… but it would be a bald-faced lie…  We’ve had a lifetime, and she still keeps us all guessing.”

“Okay ladies… I know that my assistance is invaluable, but I gotta go wrangle some Pups for their shift.” I grinned noticing that #Littlesea had claimed the little green bug for the boy's team. He was doing me  proud.

I headed off the the two young ones who were due to swap out next, I took their place finishing up the car that they were washing.

By lunchtime, the scoreboards were still playing a game of chicken and the banter was high starting to get busy. The Chief had shown up  and was settled under the gazebo with to the moms and other elders that had shown up. And I wasn’t too sure when I had decided to do it… but I pulled Billy aside for a private conversation. Or as private as it could be with two whole wolf packs in the lot.

“I wanted to talk to you about… um…” I took a breath. “About enrolment… in the tribe.”

#Billy locked the wheels of his chair and looked at me. ‘You’ve never wanted that before… Embry… You’re enrolled as Makah and that gives you all the same rights as any Tribal member on this reservation.’

“I know… but…people have dual enrolment, right?” I asked him.

‘Of course… but.. why now Embry?’ The Chief looked serious.

“Because…” I looked around. “This is my family.”

‘Enrolment won’t change that, Nephew… But come to me tomorrow and we will talk about it, okay? And I promise you, I’ll hear you out and do whatever I can to help.’ Then he looked over his shoulder. ‘Have you spoken to your mother about this?’ I shook my head. ‘Well, I think you should… think about it and if you decide to tell her, you can bring her when we speak tomorrow.’

I had assumed that this would be a simple thing… I had lived here all my life; it would hardly be an ordeal to have ℚ𝕦𝕚𝕝𝕦𝕖𝕥𝕖 stamped next to 𝕄𝕒𝕜𝕒𝕙 on my ID card. I just nodded respectfully and spoke. “Okay, Thank you, Uncle.” And I wheeled  him back to his spot with the moms.

Then I did what I was good at… get back to the task at hand.

TBC.....

[blazingtheway]

How Much Have We Learnt? – Storyline 19- Together

(Music: Children of the Sky · Imagine Dragons)

•- Embry Call -•

Sets a bright pink on Leah’s bed for her to find.

The tag reading;

“From one Alphahole to another.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising an eyebrow, my curiosity got the better of me. The thing on my bed taking up my sleeping space was Pink. And the message on the card too.

And then I pulled out the sweatshirt. Pressing my lips together but I laughed so hard and loudly. Shaking my head A different kind of tears in my eyes now after finishing his exact book this afternoon.

Finally seeing the beautiful edition of the book accompanying it too. “He gets me.”

Sending him text.

[Thank you. For the gifts and the laughs. And Here I thought you were simping on Lehabah. But it was always JJ for you!]

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled at her text and replied.

[Hell yeah! I’m not sharing Lele with anyone… Not even you, Trouble. And JJ make me of the goodies in that nightstand of yours.]

I hit send and followed it up with a quick.

[Happy Birthday, Leah.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking my head as I reply.

[Fine. But Syrinx is mine, Dimples. And I’m not sharing the furball with you. As for JJ and where your mind is going. Keep wishing.]

Half smiling at the next text.

[Thank you, Embry.]

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed out loud and grinned at my phone.

[Okay… Fine. But only because it’s your birthday and I don’t fancy having my arse bitten by a magically feary dog. You’re welcome… You are one of a kind so, you deserve a one-of-a-kind gift.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my eyes, still laughing.

[ I’m telling my Warrior you said this. Oh. Wait. You’re talking about Syrinx! Oh, he is so biting your arse. You have me laughing today of all days. It all means a lot. ]

Setting the phone down to really give the book all my attention.

•- Embry Call -•

I rolled my eyes. But now I was picturing the beautiful white creature.

[She would never believe I spoke ill of her. While you’re chatting with her ask her what she’s wearing… its getting a lonely over here.]

I knew her birthday was difficult. It was why i let her find her gift instead of giving it to her in person.

[Wait… are you laughing with me or at me? Because I only intended for with me.] I hit send again.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

She was awake, she never left me alone today. And she was smiling too. Telling me what to reply.

[ She said you would combust if she told you. And she likes you too much to let that happen. Even if you like Lele more than her.]

And now I laughed a little again.

[ I’ll leave it to your imagination as to which one. ]

•- Embry Call -•

[Combust really? At least Lehabah would be proud.] I chuckled as I typed. [You know how wild my imagination  is... so until you're for a random appearance on your doorstep you might not want me to set that particular beast loose.]

That may have been a subtle to give her an option to invite me over without actually having to say it. I knew where her mind went today... She always knew that telling me she wanted space was okay. I always told her that being alone and being lonely wasn't the same thing... and she was starting to notice the difference.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

[When has she ever lied? She believes it to be true.] raising my eyebrow as I continued. [Isn’t random appearance your middle name? But we get it. Done beasts are better left alone at times.]

It wasn’t until I hit send did, I wonder if he had been asking for an invite over? I wouldn’t do that to him. Tonight wasn’t a night for company. Even if for the first time I had laughed and smiled.

•- Embry Call -•

Dammit.... It was too late... all this talk of fire fairies had me thinking about Leah's heat.

[It is a skill of mine. But you know all this evolution lately has me trying new things. Like understanding why some people like or need time alone...]

I couldn't help but want to be with her when she was hurting. But it was about what she needed, trusting her to know what she needed and asking for it. Even if that took the form of a tiny hint. I was good at reading between the lines. [I've got you, Trouble. Anytime.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Laying back in my bed, my new book set on my chest, and the sweatshirt on instead of my tee.

Trying to understand why this man saw things differently than the rest of the world. How when he was across town, he somehow still picked up on what I was going through. It took me a few attempts before I knew what to say.

[And what is it you’ve learnt with this experience in evolution?]

Taking a deep breath, with my warrior curling up, she made my heart feel the lack of his heat beside us in the bed right now.

[ I know you do, Dimples. ]

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned heading out to the back porch with a beer.

[I think part of me always thought that when people said they wanted to be alone it meant that they didn't know how to be around people with whatever they had going on in their heads. That if you were kind enough, understanding enough or said the right thing they would be happy you stuck around. But I learned that sometimes people just like their own company or time alone with their thoughts. Even if it seems... strange to me.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I could understand his take on the situation. Embry Call wasn’t a guy who saw being alone as an option. Or this was my opinion over the years. But the fact he saw this now, it was learning for sure.

[ Does it still scare you? Being in the silence, I mean. Being with your own company without anyone disturbing your thoughts? ]

He wasn’t the only one who saw things.

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned, leaning against the post of the back porch. Sounds of the tv and quiet chatter coming from inside.

[Sometimes. But I'm starting to think it essential for all of us… at least sometimes. We are all so bonded, I think we need to remember (I need to remember) we are capable doing things ourselves. But I always know where to go when things get dark… or to ask for help.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He’d hit the nail on the head. Or at least for me. Our journey to find our missing warriors were very different. And I didn’t need to relive it in this moment.

But being alone, not speaking with my voice, not having all those minds feeling invasive. I needed it. So, much so. It became a way of life.

[There are the hardest steps. Knowing when to share and say… ‘I need you’. Not something that always comes naturally.]

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled. the simple fact she phrased it so boldly was proof of how far this evolution had taken her. Those were words she would have accepted from anyone else but never herself. And sure, it is a rhetorical conversation. But she had done it in the past. Her birthday last year came to mind.

[Something you've gotten good at, no matter the words you use to express it.]

So good, in fact, that when she didn't ask me to come over, I didn't question it. She was choosing her own company for the right reasons.

[Even when it does come naturally... Sometimes there are certain things harder to ask for. I let pride get in the way, when I should have focused on those I trust before stubborn pride.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Turning my entire body towards the window, i brought my knees up to curl up. Even in the darkness I could see the light. The spirits setting out a guild for us to follow if we needed it.

Witnessing the journey another taking  their evolutionary consciousness wasn’t the same as going through it yourself. Moments like now were where the definition came into play. How you handle a situation in different ways told a story, if you listened to it telling you.

When the buzzing of the phone I read his reply. This conversation in itself told of the journey I’d taken. And he had too. The smile he’d taught me to share came to life.

“He gives me too much credit.” Whispering to the spirits and to her.

‘You don’t given yourself enough.’ She told me. Showing me where I had been two years ago, last year, and not this year. How I went from spending the whole night with my sins and asking for forgiveness. To sharing the night with Da, to spending time with Da and now returning to myself before grandfather sun came up.

‘See, this is how we see you growing.’

[Every journey has to begin with something, what you can see what happens and how it could have been. You know you have passed this point and grown.]

He had grown so much, and so much which he has hidden had come to light. Not just the bad, but so much good. I didn’t even know about the work he did with the school and the kids there. And I had mistaken him and #Quil all this time with opening their doors to the pups too.

‘And there is your learning to appreciate when you were wrong.’

•- Embry Call -•

I pick up the guitar that I had left sitting against the porch rail and hit the voice note button. I played...

She was right... And she had shown me things about myself I never gave myself credit for. I was normally quick to give myself credit for anything. But apparently not everything.

I sent the note with the caption. [And it all started with Silence.]

(Music: Beethoven's ''Silence'' on Classical Guitar Vitor Almeida)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The whispers on the air picked up, making me slip off the bed and walk bare foot to my window. Closing my eyes my chin lifted to the sky I listened to them speaking.

They were filled with joy, calm, excitement. And I could tell…. “Is he playing for you?” Something in my chest sat as I continued to take the night and them in. Sometime had passed when his next message came. And I played it right away.

The music filled my silence, setting the spirits off once again. My face lit up and my heart beats speed. Listening to him from afar wasn’t the same as when he sat in the room with me. But it was still beautiful.

Understanding filled my heart, my fingers tapped a message out.

[Even silence speaks if you know how to listen.]

I finally replied and pressed play again.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled at her text but set my phone down, hearing footsteps from inside. ‘Hey ‘Bry. Mom just text and said the baby is up so on gonna head home before she settles again.’ The pup said, he stayed here after late runs so he didn't walk up his new baby sister.

“Drive safe, Pup.” I told him and as he retreated. “And don't just go home and crash! Help out a little.” uncalled after him as he disappeared back inside.

He just laughed and agreed. When I heard the door close, I knew that only Quil was left inside, sleeping. I picked up my phone.

[Music was always like for me… my life was always so full of it. But I'm glad you walked in on me playing that day… my life hasn't been boring for single day since that evening.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He hadn’t replied right away, so I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and get myself ready for the night. I’d planned to watch something, but as I stood looking at myself in the mirror. I knew it wasn’t going to happen.

The un-aged, perfect face in the mirror looking g back at me smiled this year. Not a full blown, the world is right smile, but a ‘we are healing, it will take time. But we will get there someday.’ Kind of a smile. And I didn’t curse myself for the thought.

Splashing water on my face, before patting dry I took a moment to tidy up my bathroom. And then his reply came.

“That…. Day….” My warrior showed it to me as it was yesterday.

Me letting myself into MsC’s home thinking she was having a good day. Which was why she was playing so beautifully. His scent was there, but that wasn’t unexpected. It was his mom’s home. He was always coming and going. But I froze, seeing MsC wasn’t the one playing. Embry had been lost in his world, not even picking up on my arrival as he played for her.

Shaking myself out from the memory I searched my saved sounds. Finding the one I wanted to hear.

[The last thing I expected that day, was an insightful view into you. And I thank the spirits for showing me where I was needed that day.]

Adding the first song he played for me the Christmas after. It was the first time the music he played was meant for my ears. And I listened to it all the time.

[Your music hits differently with me. It’s unexpected the reactions it gives me.]

(Music: River Flows in You · Yiruma)

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled reading her message. She was never phased by the gaps when I wrote back to her. She knew that my house was a revolving door, and I wouldn't risk our bubble by being careless with anything she sent me or I sent her.

 [I know. It can be something you've heard a hundred  times. But it means something else when it's created before your eyes. I grew up with it every day and it's still special. Like the first time I heard you sing.]

I remembered that day with a smile and followed up with another text. [I had no idea how badly I needed you that day... not someone. You... if it hadn't been you... I think I would still be drowning in so many ways.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Recalling all the time the spirits had placed me by Embry. At time when he was alone and lost in his music. His mom’s home. Seattle…. They were showing me a path, I wasn’t even aware I needed to witness.

My bare feet moved soundlessly though my home, locking the doors, the windows which always remained open when I was inside. Ending in the kitchen for some water.

When his reply came the music played in the background. Biting through inside of my cheek I ready it again. Could anyone have seen what I had? Surely #Jake and #Quil….  I didn’t know what to say. So, I replied with.

[Thank the spirits I didn’t kick your arse for not telling me anything about where you were before. Even if I hadn’t made it easy on you to share.]

I knew I failed him and the other pups too.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed at her reply.

[I think I got that from my mom.]

I typed, walking back inside, empty bottle in hand.

 [When I was growing up, she would take offers of help… like babysitting me after school even hand-me-down clothes from the neighbours with older kids. But she would take help with the bills or loans… she would work 3 jobs and let #Sarah or #Joy watches me after school. But never money.]

I followed it up.

[I softened you up with the music. Font worry, I fully expect an arse kicking if it happens again.]

I still remembered the stack of  bills she took… the envelope that contain my mom’s will… one I still hadn’t looked at today.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

[I know. It’s one of the things I learnt from watching her. There is no shame in working hard, to meet your needs]

I didn’t write how I learnt the other lesson from her too but took it to an extreme I don’t think she approved of.

[Doesn’t mean I’m not thankful, you let me in.]

I wouldn’t have lived with myself if things had gotten worse for them. Remembering the way, he watched me as I read the bills, as it all came out and became clear to me. And Ms C’s will… by the spirits… that document wasn’t an easy read. After sending my reply, it was time to hers back towards my bedroom with my water in hand.

•- Embry Call -•

I picked up the handful of bottles that were dotted about the living room/kitchen... while #Quill insisted he would do it after this level as he played his X-Box.

"I'm heading to bed..." I told him mussing his hair. "Don’t stay up all night you have to be up at seven." I  filled a glass of water and headed to my room guitar in hand also and I flopped down onto my bed. Which protested loudly.

[It's true... but there's no shame in asking for help either. I'm thankful I let you in too... even if my initial reaction didn't seem like I was.]

Then to ease the heaviness on a day I knew was heavy enough for her.

[ So… What are you wearing?]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Memories flowed in and out of my mind, my warrior curled up watching them with me. Clearly things when I found myself rethinking how I could have done better.

My clothes discarded into the laundry basket beside my closet, I pulled open the chest drawer for one of the tee’s  I’d began sleeping in.

Before he started spending nights sharing my bed, I’d have climbed into bed after showering naked. My heat made it so that dressing to sleep didn’t bother thinking about. But then… being with him meant having a boundary in place. To the point now, I found myself in a tee even on the nights I sleep alone.

The creamy tee slipped down my torso, with my hands pulling my hair out to fall freely down my back. And of course, I smiled and rolled my eyes at his reply. His reaction…

“Sprits!” Muttering. My heart fell to  the depths of hell recalling the look on his face that day. How he stood before my door, and then in my living room. The betrayal written in those eyes.

‘He didn’t understand. Don’t hold it against him.’ She whispered.

“I don’t… never… I should have found another way…”

‘No… you found to right way… now… tell him you are naked and waiting for him. We can count and see how long it takes him to run over.’ She was pulling me out of my hole.

[I’m wearing…. Wait… What do you think I wear to be when you aren’t here?]

•- Embry Call -•

I found myself wishing I had more than memories to keep me company... something that smelled like her. Which was, of course, impossible... there were warrior in and out of this house like it was their own and even a single shirt hidden away would be scented.

So, I put in my earbuds and pressed play on a playlist I knew she would appreciate. At least, my grandfather’s gift let me recall with perfect clarity the sounds of her existence, her breath... heartbeat... the silken slide of her against a pillowcase. even as John Legend started to sing Conversations in the dark.

then her reply made me laugh. She didn't question the question the sharp change in direction, so I was comforted that it was a good call. [Nothing... or what you wear when I'm there] We knew that was one of my t-shirts.

[Both are perfectly acceptable.] I added quickly.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

As soon as I pulled the sheets back the scent of him became stronger in the room. I knew I should have changed the sheets this morning. It was something I did to protect our bubble. But right now, I didn’t overthink it.

Walking over to the windows with one final glance out, I pulled my hair up into a messy bun on the top of my head. The spirits were calm, they were there, but they were calm. A sign the patrolling pack were fine.

“Look over them, protect them, and keep them safe.” Whispering a prayer to those who listened.

His reply came as I climbed into bed. Biting on the inside of my cheek, with a shake of my head. Because I was sat here with one of his tee’s on.

It felt comfortable to sleep in, falling mid-thigh, baggy. And sometimes when he wasn’t here, it felt like his gentle touch mixed with the scent of him too.

[Perfectly acceptable? Remind me to snap at you.]

Chuckling, I crossed my legs thinking about how I used to sleep, and how I do now.

[Some parts of my sleeping habits have evolved since I freely started to share my bed. I like the touch  of fabric on my skin when you aren’t here.]

My eyes fell on my bed. And how I was sat on ‘my side’ leaving ‘his side’ vacant.

•- Embry Call -•

[Oh yes, please!!] I fired off fast with a low chuckle. #Quil would just assume I was amused at the memes flooding the group chat for unofficial pack talk.

[Missing the touch of someone…] I deleted the last word because it wasn't someone, for either of us. She felt as I did. It was my touch she was looking for, just like I was missing hers. [Me next you. I know the feeling. Sharing a bed with someone was always annoying to me… awkward. Not that it happened often. But with you… in the bubble. I just want you close.]

Now that twinge of missing  her stretched out again. But I smiled… I had something… shared something with someone else do powerful and deep it was worth missing.

[That feeling… missing you… it reminds me that we have something worth missing. People say it's supposed to feel bad but it's not, I  suppose it would be if we couldn't see each other. We created something together that is worthy of being missed. Isn't that incredible?] I hit send before reading it. Texting wasn't my favourite kind on communication, but it had benefits. Like talking to Leah with #Quil in the next room.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Such a Wisearse.” I didn’t reply with this, just said it out loud making my warrior chuckle. She liked this side of him. The cheeky shit, who got under my skin.

But when we read what can in next. I was left wondering again.

‘He is doing it again. Shining a light.’ She wasn’t wrong.

Missing someone…. No… missing him? Missing our conversations, our silences, the way he fidgets when I want to read. And still manages to give me the time I need to decompress.

I hadn’t had this before. Only my family understands this part of me and gave me what I needed. Even if they wished I would want to willingly be alone.

[I don’t remember saying I missed you.] I could tease as well as the next person.

[But… if I did… I guess I can see where you are coming from. After all, I’m a gift from the spirits, of course nights without me are challenging.]

The next text I let the jokes go.

[You are right, it’s new to have something worth all this. Worth protecting. Worth sharing.]

•- Embry Call -•

I shook my head with a wide grin at her first message and before I could finish my reply she text again.

[You didn't? Wow... In that case, it must be a mind reader! You should try and sleep, Trouble. You had a long day.] I this was a day she struggled with and even if it made my chest ache... it was her struggle, her journey. And I needed to let her make it her way. I sent a second message.

[No storm can burst this bubble, Leah]

(Music: The Bones (with Hozier) · Maren Morris · Hozier)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

You guessed it, it earned him an eye roll. But the music was his saving Grace from a sarcastic reply.

[Keep dreaming, Embry. Good night.]

And I meant it, his dreams were a place of good. When he chose to share them with me, the made me smile.

Tapping on play, I set my phone down on the pillow beside me.

Letting my hair drop open, I lay back willing myself to relax, to be, to… spend tonight not punishing myself for the first time since I lost my Da.

The End

[blazingtheway]

Fond Memories! – Storyline 18- Together

•- Embry Call -•

“I have some fond memories!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Of how your arse hit the ground for the first time?”

•- Embry Call -•

“Sometimes a swear you are a mind reader.”  Grins.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Tapping the side of my head. “I’m observant.”

•- Embry Call -•

“And oh, so many other things!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“The list is never ending.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Is that a hint to start making a list? I know lists turn you on!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“S.E.X.Y” smirking. “A good list can make the right woman wet.”

•- Embry Call -•

“S… Strong.

E… Enchanting.”

Damn X was tough.

“X… eXquisite

Y… “ I licked her cheek. “Yummy!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at him when he licked me.  “Always the Wisearse.” Unable to stop the smirk.

•- Embry Call -•

“You know you wouldn't change a thing." I smiled because it was there.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pulling out my notebook.  “I’m sure I could find a few things, Wisearse. The question is, where to start?”

•- Embry Call -•

I smirked and crossed my arm over my chest. “Okay… let’s do it. Number one, what should it be?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Startled at the turn taking place here. “Really? You want me to list things to change?”

Rubbing my forehead because the joke backfired. “You know I was messing. I don’t believe in changing someone, it’s better to watch their natural evolution.”

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled and took her hands, taking her and away from her face and tugging her towards me, notebook, and all. “I’m calling your bluff.” I chuckled. “I know you never would think anything like that… never mind make a list.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at him. Maybe imagining kicking his arse too, I took a few steps closer.  “Stop it, I’m still not used to people calling my BS out. I like the way they turn tail and run.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed. “I know you don’t like promises… but! I promise to ALWAYS call you on your BS.” Given her the email as our eyes met.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together with my eyes narrowed. “People always do this…. I know you don’t like it… but….” Shaking my head at him.

“Then you go and make a promise. Dimples do we need to revisit the rules?”

•- Embry Call -•

“We never made a rule about promises.” I grinned.

“And is it really a promise to do anything other than what comes naturally to me?” I laughed, wanting to kiss that sexy scowl. But that might well earn me an arse kicking. So, I stuck with that smile she like oh-so-much.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I know… I’m saying we need to add one.” Rolling my eyes with the mother of rolls.

“Don’t…. Don’t you dare give me that smile of yours. I’m not going to look at it.” Closing my eyes just to make my point.

•- Embry Call -•

“So hot.” I whispered low at the eye roll. “All previous rules were agreed by both parties. If you want to make an addendum, you'll have to butter me up first.”

I laugh... Spirits she was gorgeous when she was playful. But… I was never one to overlook an opportunity, so I licked her from her chin to her forehead while her eyes were closed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My face crinkles up and I call internally for the sprites for strength not to kill him about now! “Embry… Call…” saying his name in a calm and collected way. “You are going to pay for that.” His tongue had made a wet line which dried right away from the heat of my body.

Eyes shot open and I wipe my face over his chest using his shirt as a towel. “And this is us discussing the new rule. I’m not planning on side swiping you. As much as the thought being fun.”

•- Embry Call -•

"Worth it!" I said, sounding far more confident that I was right than I believed.

Then I laughed. "Well... that makes you a much better person than me." I smirked. "Because I plan one milking you for all I get. And they sounded way less creepy in my head!" the last part added as a run on sentence.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Looking at him with a perfectly arched eyebrow, trying to figure out what he meant and then I just rolled my eyes. “Has anyone told you… you’re a little fetish!” Turning him around to face away and kicking his arse for good measure.

•- Embry Call -•

I tilted my head and laughed.… “A few times actually. This is probably the first time it even closes to deserved though.” One-night stands didn't leave room for exploring kinks.

“Hey!!” I protested when she kicked my arse. Then spun around quickly and pinched hers.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hey right back!” Smacking his hand away and then pitching his too. Laughing when I did and then flat hand smacked it too for good measure.

“Oh really? Want to elaborate on it?” Raising my eyebrows while walking off to grab something to drink. “What a drink?”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed; I was as far too slow to smack her hand before she pinched me. More she was far too fast… because I was pretty fast.

“Be rude not to!” I winked at her. “Thanks… so speaking of fetishes?” my brows waggled. “Got any to share?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Blinking back the quick turn around there. “You’re asking me to share? Do you know me at all?” Grabbing two beers from the fridge before returning.

“Why would I make things too easy for you?”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed… she shared so much more than she knew. Even when teasing and joking like this. “Can't blame a guy for trying…”I chuckled.

“It will a lot more fun to explore all that one risky move at a time anyway.” I winked at her. “Learning each reaction as it happens… facing potential consequences.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

By the spirits… the sound of his laughter! Clearing my throat because the image conjured up by my minds eyes. Spirits it made the muscles in my thighs clench and my stomach twist.

“Hmm… I’ve always said. Actions are the best way. I’m all for the hands-on approach.”

•- Embry Call -•

I didn't miss that reaction. "That all well and good for you to say." I teased. "No one would ever dare break your fingers..." I smiled that smile that only she sees.

"Especially not when they're doing... what they do." I waggled my brows at her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my tongue over my teeth, my eyes were glued on his smile. I was hoping the spirits would have my back because he wasn’t making it easy.

“What can I say, it’s a gift given to me by the spirits. It would be a shame not to use it. Even if I draw a line at boob groping.”

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled. Rolling my eyes, a little.  “It’s a good thing I don’t grope then.” I let her get another good look at that smile. My gaze locking hers in.

“I worship.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pointedly crossing my arms over my chest. “Is that what we call it now? Let’s see how things work out for you.” Arching my eyebrow again.

•- Embry Call -•

“Right now?” Smirking.  “You know I’ll never say no.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Right now…. You always dive in head first.” Smirking right back.

•- Embry Call -•

That smirk made me hesitate… she could have on my arse in seconds…  I grinned.

That’s sounded fun too. I stepped up. Spinning her around to pull her back flush to my chest. “True… but i never rush the action…” my hands squeezed her waist. Lips grazing her ear.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

By the spirits! Those little feelings in my stomach came to life making me gasp.

Shaking my head feel if the fog about to settle in, I took a hold of his arm around me, kicked back my bare foot into his leg to take him off balance.

Bending at the waist, I brought him up and over my back. Hitting the floor before me as I flicked my hair back standing over him.

“I did warn you…”

•- Embry Call -•

Spirts… she smelled like trees and salty rain. A hint of the shampoo of hers I couldn’t quiet name… a sweet hint under the richness—

“Shit!” I was flying. I let myself get distracted and she got me. I tucked my chin in to keep my head from hitting the floor. The air left my  lungs and the refilled them with a chuckling inhale.

“It’s doesn’t count when you warn me and then distract me right after by smelling like that.” I grinned. I hadn’t even tried to take her down with me… this one was too fast.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Clicking my tongue, tilting my head to watch him splayed on the ground I took a few steps back and out his his reach. I’d learnt the lesson the last time he brought me down on top of himself.

“No… however it was you who became distracted… I didn’t say you should loose yourself, now did I?”

Smirking now I couldn’t help myself. Waggling my eyebrows and winking before walking off towards the back door of my house.

“It’s a shame, I’ll have to tell Jake, he needs to work with you on how not to be taken down.”

•- Embry Call -•

Laughed and hoped up swiftly, padding after her on bare feet that weren’t nearly as silently as her, but still shockingly so for a man my size.

I wrapped my arms around her from behind on a awkward, not at all sexy bear hug. Knowing I only caught her because she let me.

“Oh really?” I chuckled. “Are you going to explain to home how I let my guard down because the way you smell turns me on?” I buried my nose in her hair. “And how it turns you on when my trail my nose along your neck and breath in that incredible scent of yours?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Chuckling my hands moved to sit over his around me, tilting my head to see him better. “No… when have you known me to explain myself.” Snapping my teeth at him laughing. Leaning into him a little.

“I’ll be sure to leave you both speechless and awkward. You won’t want to share.” Turning myself around in his strong arms. Holding me, but not keeping me in place.

•- Embry Call -•

It was true… she didn’t…never had. She twisted in my arms. She could have broken free even if I tried to hold her, but she didn't, but that was never my style. She was choosing to let me hold onto her.

“When have you ever known me to be speechless?” I teased. Because with  it happened a lot! I kissed her nose softly. Hoping she would be to distract to mention that point.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at him, my eyebrows raised in a perfect arch. He knew the answer to his question. But…

“Hmm… let’s see…

Our first night together…

The first time I kissed you…

The first time I let you ride my baby...

the  first time you saw me naked….”

My smile growing with each point. “Do you need me to continue, because there are many more where those came from.”

•- Embry Call -•

"Well if you're going to bring out the big guns!" I chuckled. "But since we're being all honest and crap...  and making big swings....you left out a few things. Like the first time I heard you sing. when you showed up at my mother's house when I was so lost, I couldn't find my way out." Only the pack knew what it meant for 𝕞𝕖 to get lost when the Spirits made a living, breathing homing beacon.

"When you showed me how to hear the Spirits." I chuckled. "Cooked for me... Woke next to me, still curled around me. And every time you open up that door."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Throwing my hands up and falling gently down into my couch. “There you go again, all those words. The kind ones that talk of all the true moments dudes aren’t meant to remember.”

But he wasn’t like them, he spoke to the truth. Even when it annoyed the life out of others. I respected it.

“In my defence, I didn’t think you picked up on most of those things.” Undoing my hair to let it fall free, rubbing the tips of my fingers into my scalp.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled and sat next to her. “I’ve never been that guy…” it was true, I was the first to notice when the guys had something on their minds… remembering their wins and losses. The moments I could use to pick them up when they were down.

“But I never thought that it crosses  over into this kind of situation.” I smiled at her.

It was true. I always assumed I would shit at THIS, but I guess that's what happens when you haven’t explored anything like it before. And this… with Leah? There was no way I could this with anyone else… and not just of  Spirit Warrior in us both. Because Leah… she was one of a kind.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Tuning my head towards where he took a seat beside me, my eyebrows pulled into a thoughtful expression.

“That’s where I messed up for years, Embry. At the time I didn’t see what building walls so high would mean. Not just for me, but those around me. The pack, my family. some of the things I should have seen fell by the wayside.”

Turning my face up to look at my ceiling thinking about how much this evolution means and what it was teaching me.  “I’m glad the ancestors didn’t give up the fight with me.”

•- Embry Call -•

"You did what you needed at the time, Leah." I kept my gaze on her. "And I can understand why it became necessary." I hated it. I hated that we had been so awful when she phased that she shut herself down so thoroughly. But I didn't dwell... We'd already processed all of this.

"Just because they are happy about it know doesn't mean they were suffering before." I smiled. "They... We missed out on getting to know more of you... but now... they can."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“You know it. All of you missed out the opportunity to spend all that time with the awesome me.” All of this, it didn’t need rehashing, we’d done it a few times now. Life now was about the path we walked with our ancestors.

“Think I should start charging you? Because you know you’re glowing in my greatness.” Elbowing him in the side.

•- Embry Call -•

"We... but you're giving us all a second chance now." I smiled at her and laughed.

"Hey, we already agreed I could pay you in songs and guitar lessons. If you wanna renegotiate you better sweeten the deal!" I nudged her right back.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my eyes at him, thinking the second chance thing was a two-way street.

Blinking and tuning to look at him. “Sweeten the deal?” Motioning to myself. “Have you seen me? I’m a gift of perfection from the ancestors. What more are you looking for, Dimples?”

•- Embry Call -•

I tilted my head and smirked. Okay, fine. She had a point… when I was with her… there nothing else I wanted. But teasing was fair game…

“Naked guitar lessons sounds good.” I smiled, but we both knew I would be able to speak… let alone teach her anything in that scenario.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow, I shook my head at him. “You would be in a puddle on the floor. And I want lessons to learn, so.. nope. Try again.”

•- Embry Call -•

She was right… there was no denying it…  “Okay. We can keep the nudity until after the lesson.” I said as if the nudity was already a given.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my tongue over my teeth to stop myself from laughing. “Hmm… who said there will be nudity? What if it’s a bad lesson, I might end up kicking your arse out.”

•- Embry Call -•

"There's no such thing as a bad lesson." I smirked. "Even if you get everything wrong... as long you keep working it you've accomplished something. Even if you only learn how not to make a chord... you've learned something. Break a string... you learn to change it. or just  learn to have little patience with yourself... no such thing as a bad lesson." I said it again because it's true.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Well… that took an unexpected twist. How did this always happen? We went from teasing, to joking, to laughing, to seriousness, and always truths.

“I guess I never saw it that way. Learning  come in different forms sometimes we forget it.” Rubbing the back of my neck as I considered of many times, I’d done just what he said. Kept going because downing something wrong, taught me a lesson.

•- Embry Call -•

I circle my hand in front of my face and smirked at her. “Not just a pretty face.” I use her phrase on her, laughing quirky. “But still… it's a pretty good face… wouldn't you agree?”

A single brow lifted. “Some might even say kissable.” Both brows waggled now.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow, I snapped my teeth at him. “Stealing lines now, that’s unbecoming of an award-winning wordsmith.” Then my eyes dropped for a second to those lips. Spirits help me!

•- Embry Call -•

I easily noted the way her gazed locked on my mouth. “Your words say thing…” I smirked. “But your body language say you agree with me… For a woman used to taking what she wants… I can’t help but wonder why you’re still sitting there thinking about kissing me instead of  doing it.” I bit my lip, grazing my teeth along it. “I thought you were all about action, Trouble?” A dare lingering in my eyes.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Oh.. no.. he.. didn’t!

“Are you changing me to step up and take what has freely been given to me, Dimples?” Rolling my eyes at him with a snap of my teeth. Spirits, he knew what he was doing right now. The small lip licks? The teeth grazing his lips, asking for my  attention.

Moving into him, our noses tip to tip, my warm breath kissing his skin I kept my lips away. “Here I was trying to be respectful and responsible.” Tilting my head just enough to line up our lips, again without touching.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled, feeling the heat of her breath on my lips... but her lips remained out of reach. "Exactly..." I dropped my voice to a deep whisper. "I'm all yours... so you have no reason to hold back." I brushed the tip of her nose with mine.

I chose those words because I knew it gave her those low-down flutters in her stomach... just I had from saying them. "We aren't breaking any rules... we're in our bubble... the outside world doesn't need us for now. Sounds pretty responsible to me."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Three words with this man to knock me off my trajectory and sent my body reacting without hesitation. If it wasn’t I’ve got you, it was I’m all yours and then who needed three words when two could take my breath away with Still Real.

‘Spirits give me strength’ I thought. Add to all that his closeness, the feel of his breath, and the sound of his voice. All things considered it was impressive I hadn’t kissed him.

This time Embry had come with ammunition too? I let the tips of our nose touch, an arch of my neck making my lips brush his like a ghost.  “Sounds really responsible when you put it like that.” Head crawled up the side of my neck.

•- Embry Call -•

I knew it worked... She was a woman of action... but those words. They confirmed something that was underlying everything... that I had completely handed over all of my trust to her. Beyond the trust that was innately part of the pack, it was everything, all my secrets, dark  and light.

I dropped my gaze to her lips and caught a glimpse of red spreading up her neck and I ducked my head to press a kiss to the flushed skin.

"It would actually be irresponsible not to take advantage of this rare moment to...." I smirked... kissing her jaw now. "... Indulge our urges."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My gaze flicked up towards the ceiling, biting on my lips to stop the sound I could sense foaming in my throat. My hands knew what they wanted, to touch him, to feel his warmth, to let myself breathe him in.

“Indulgence…” whispering the word to let it sink in, something  I’d only allowed myself once when I bought my baby. But it wasn’t the same as this. My fingers worked over the soft skin of his neck, up the sides until they were lost in his hair.

“Teaching me to enjoy myself now, are you.” As much as I tried to convince myself to keep a hold. My voice gave me away.

•- Embry Call -•

I didn't even try to hold back the soft sound that bubbled up in my throat when she slipped her hand into my hair. "Oh no..." I whispered, low and deep. "You know perfectly well how to enjoy yourself."

I took advantage of the space she gave me and buried my face into the crook of her neck. I pressed a kiss to her pulse, sucking on the skin just enough to level a mark that would take mere minutes to heal. "But... When to enjoy yourself..." I smiled against her skin. "That I can definitely teach you."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sensation and the prickliness of what he did registered right away. The pull of his mouth bringing my blood up to the surface of my skin. I knew what he had created. His mark, which of course my warrior would have healed before I could physically see it. “And letting myself be marked. What does that say?”

Now I pressed my lips together, licking the lower one when I tightened my thighs to give friction to the growing throbbing in me.

•- Embry Call -•

My heart kicked up a gear. The only marks I have left on skin until now had been that flush and spread up her chest and neck, of her own bodies making. It stirred the animal inside. One spin and few steps had her pressed against the wall, my chest flush with hers but not  pinning her. There was no need. I smiled, a little wickedly, pulling back to see the redness I left behind and then I locked our gazes.

“It means you’re all mine, too.” I whispered. “By your own choosing.” And that was why there no need to pin her here… not that I was opposed to it… that part could come later.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My heart matched his when we moved. It felt like a dance without music. He spun me and my body moved gracefully with his, the unsaid movements of the warriors knowing what to expect. My back pressed against the wall had that heat crawling it way up the sides of my neck my heart beats faster with our chests pushed together, and our brown eyes locked in one another.

My breathing was the first sign at how much of a turn on this man’s actions were. “It’s always… been about choice with us.” Each of the words rang in my ears as I spoke to them. His… I was his… by my own admission.

My hands curled around his neck, slipping up into his hair. Curling and playing with the stands as I closed what little space remained until our lips touched.  I bite his lower lip first, then allowed my tongue to trace its way around.

•- Embry Call -•

There it was... those words that this was a choice... her choice to be here. I pressed my body against hers pinning her between me and the wall until I could feel her heart was beating against mine. And the sound... Fuck! That sound. Her fingers in my hers... her lips on mine. Nothing else existed. Just her and me... and the cool wall against her back. I groaned when my tongue swept in to find hers, she tasted like paradise.

 I swept her hair over her shoulder, so it wasn't caught between her and the wall before I gripped her hips and I  lifted her up gripping her thighs and wrapping her long, powerful legs around my waist. She was... "All mine!" After all... in this moment at least.

I would give other parts of her back to the rest of the world when it needed her, but not yet.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The moment was a played off in a slow motion. The way his tongue felt and tasted setting the fire in me free, the way he cared to move my hair. The roil of excitement when my feet literally flew around his waste, and I locked my thighs in and my ankles too. I wasn’t going anywhere.

My eyes widened hearing those words, and she stirred awake now too. Her eyes glistened in mine, as we both took in the message together.

The moan was meant to be words, but I didn’t pull our lips free from his. Instead to give him a reply. I stilled my lips over his. Parting both of our mouths and began to steal his breath. A slow count…

One…

Two…

Three….

And then I gave him mine…

•- Embry Call -•

I saw the beautiful creature inside of her come alive in her eyes when she locked her long limbs around me. Those sounds she made heated my blood. The kiss fanning the flames as my hand roamed up the tights muscles of her waist and sides, I didn’t need to hold her in place. She was doing maths all by herself, leaving my hands free to play.

Then the whole world went still. She was sharing breath with me… life and soul and I gave it all to her. Then took everything she offered in return. Because this was a two-way street and I was, “All yours.” Too.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I closed my eyes and gave myself to the moment and to him. We were lost without knowing what it meant, within the safety of our bubble. Or at least I was. Another sound mumbled into his mouth at hearing his words. Except they were just words. They all had meaning behind it now.

My thighs tighten around his waist feeling his touch, my body arched into his. Becoming closer to him my mind following the fire lit because of his touch. I didn’t need to claim him, I showed him what he meant to me by deeply kissing him as he had done.

•- Embry Call -•

My heart flew with each squeeze of strong legs around my waist. Her heart drummed right against mine making me smile into the deep, intense slow kiss. Tongues sweeping and twining together. My hand moved up following each tense line as firm muscles held her securely in place.

I felt the sweet curves of her neck and cupped her face. My guitar-calloused thumb brushing the flushed skin of her cheek. The sounds coming us both was our anthem, hearts and breaths and soft, low groans.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The perfection of the warriors came with the humidity in us all. Our bodies healed but some scars were left to remind us of the importance of our birth. His hands on my face reminded of this often.

Catching his tongue between my teeth I sucked on it before letting go. my own hands dropped to wrap around him slipping beneath his shirt to stroke his skin.

•- Embry Call -•

Behind closed eyes I could picture her in perfect detail. Her live body wrapped around mine. A gasp escaped when she caught my tongue. And my groan when her fingers slipped under my shirt and sent electricity zinging over my skin.

My fingers traced the column of her throat. finding her pulse, felling her deep breaths.

I briefly wondering how anyone could wrap their hand of someone they cared for and squeeze… I pulled my lips from hers and pressed to her neck everywhere my fingers had just been. I pressed my hips up against her for good measure.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Embry…” his name came out in a gasp when his lips found that point where it caused me to melt. “Sprits!”  My hands flew up over his shoulders and neck then into his hair, tugging playfully.  Closed eyes rolled back. My head moved into the wall, and I felt my torso slide up against the coolness of the wall behind me.

Sensation roiled through me all at once, shivers, heat, want, and desire setting the sound of my breathing and heart off like a marathon was being run.

•- Embry Call -•

I was breathless... the way she gasped my name. The tightness in my jeans grew uncomfortable... and at the same time. "Fuck!" The word was barely a breath as i ground against her again, longing to cause her any pleasure that would to more and more of those addictive sounds she sounds she made. To deepen the scent of her arousal, my stomach was alive with fluttering creatures.

 I pushed aside the collar of her shirt and continued the heated trail of kisses to her collarbone. My tongue traced the grove of her collarbone. "You..." I gasped. "Taste so fucking good."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I tasted go? By the spirits he smelt so good! But could I put those thoughts into words? No… Chewing on my lips I sucked on the lower one moaning out, my hips moving naturally towards him to gain the sensations and weight on us coming together.

I felt the dampness in my panties, the scent blossoming around us making me swallow back the sounds he was pulling free.

My fingers tugged at his hair again, this time I arched my chest into his. The feel of my harden sensitive nips brushing the soft fabric of my bar.

•- Embry Call -•

Spirits! That scent… my mouth watered and ached for a taste… a real taste. Instead… I slipped my hands to the hem of her shirt. Tugging it up inch by inch... Struggling because I wasn't willing to create any space between us both. My fingers brushed skin and muscle, heat and  strength. The soft fabric on her bra. The curves there driving my desire even harder.

Then finally and pulled the shit over her head and tossed it behind me somewhere.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Cold air kissed my skin as my shirt lifted to the point of being removed. Heat radiated from the both of us as the frantic movement were mirrored.

He worked to free my top, and I didn’t the same to free him from his. A split second of a thought to make sure I didn’t tip the  fabric as it follows mine to some spot of the clean kitchen floor.

The song on the wind lowered in my ears, all the room consumed by him and the feel of his muscular body under my roaming hands.

•- Embry Call -•

I only took my hands off of her long enough to let her peel my shirt of too. The cold air from the open window drove home how warm she felt against my skin. “So… Fucking. Hot.” I moaned the words, meaning them in every possible way.

My hand moved to her arse, squeezing and  feel that unmistakeable twitch her perfect ass caused before I slide her higher up the wall and away from that growing ache so I could kiss my way down her chest until my chin brushed again the soft fabric of her bra.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Sprits!” Their name came as a moan too. My back slide up the wall, my hair pulling against it. I moved forward pulling it free from the pull and let it cascade down the sides. Biting the insides of my cheeks, making my eyes open to look and take him in. My fingers roamed over his shoulders, into his hair again.

I felt his attention in the pit of my stomach, with a monsoon of fluttering following soon behind. My ankles, abdomen, all the core muscles tightened to hold me up against the wall.

•- Embry Call -•

Those sounds she was making were driving me crazy. I squeezed her arse again... Just as my teeth found that sweet nub pushing out the fabric of her bra. I bit light and tugged. She moved her hair, so it brushed against my rough cheek.

I locked my gaze with hers briefly... then turned that same attention to her other breast.

I felt her strong body ripple as she held herself effortlessly in place. A fresh wave of arousal fanned the flame already burning hot. "I could drop to my knees right now..." I growled, kissing along the cusp of her bra. "Put these exquisite thighs on my shoulders, bury my face between and feast until you can't hold yourself upright anymore." I dragged my hand along those thighs... "I'd have to remove a few layers first."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

If he kept this up the Spirits would start answering my call to them. Because the imagination worked overtime. Picturing him doing exactly what he said. My core throbbing, my arse clenched, the peeks of my engorged nipples sending fire sparks through.

“Why does that….”  my breath caught on a moan, making me hum before picking up my thoughts. “… sound like a challenge?” I had to ask.

My back arched once again, feeding him as he played with the rest of breast. My hips curled up and then down, he wasn’t wrong about clothes  at this stage.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled against her skin… nuzzling the aside to give her what she wanted… judging from the way she pressed her chest against my roaming mouth.

“You do enjoy a good challenge.” I said breathlessly onto her skin, curling my tongue against a peaked bud with a deep groan.

“We could call it an experiment… how many times can I make you come apart for me before those sexy as fuck muscles just can’t take it?”

My lips clamped around her nipple and sucked; my heart raced. “But I know how much you like a challenge.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The ignited fire was roaring from beneath my skin, the flames burning so hot I saw them with a colour of blue and pupils, the same as the saltwater driftwood burning at the beaches.

Another moan, another gasp, with my nails tracing the length of his shoulder blades. “I not apologising…I was made to push the boundaries. To question what the world thinks it knows… so… I’m never backing down from a challenge to push my limits.” The words were breathy and low.

Bolts of fire chased from where his month teased all the way through to my core.

•- Embry Call -•

The promise of those fingernails against my shoulder blades. My imagination ran wild with all the things I could do to her to have her clawing those nails down my bare back... My jeans became extremely tight at that thought.

I squeezed that fine arse again. "That sounds like a challenge for me." I said in a low rumble. I tilted my chin up to her.

"Bedroom." I flashed a wicked grin. "You are definitely wearing too many clothes." I pulled her away from the wall. knowing she was more than capable of holding herself up.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Every muscle clenched into place the moment he began to pull us away from the wall. There were no more words needed in warning to hold myself up. Because the wicked gleaming in his eyes spoke louder than ever.

Then my mouth found his. My lips on his, my tongue tracing, teasing. They had been gone for too long.

My thoughts went to all the right placed as I held on with my legs around him and dropped just enough to feel him hard for me. It was excitement at what was to come, making me smile.

“Stop threatening me with a good time.”

•- Embry Call -•

Fuck! I could feel those muscle ripple and contract, including her extraordinary arse. her mouth found mine and I kissed her back, finding my way to her bedroom door effortlessly. Flattering a step only when she gripped with her thighs and pressed against me making me moan into  her mouth and capture her tongue to suck on it.

I pressed her against her door and smiled wickedly. "Never, Trouble. And that's a promise." I kissed her again Grinding my hips against her as I found the door knob. "See what you do to me?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

When my back knocked on the door gently, I snapped my teeth at him. Looking down at him in the shadows of my dark hallway without the lights on.

I could make out the glint in those eyes of his. Feeling the door falling open from behind. “Making sure you keep that promise.” His lips were back on mine before I could say anything more. Could I feel what I did to him? Spirits, yes. I could feel it all.

•- Embry Call -•

"Damn! That is too fucking sexy!" I groaned when she snapped her teeth at me! "That one promise I couldn't break... it feels too good when I keep it." I rolled my hips against her again just before I opened her door and stepped inside her room.

Still holding her, I pushed her door closed with my foot and carried her to bed, my mouth claiming hers again and again.

When my knees hit her bed, I tilted forward and lay her back, sweeping her hair out from under her and spread out over her sheets. I pulled up... enough it she all of her... I ran my hand up her torso. Starting below her naval, and sliding up between breasts, over her chest, the graceful curve of her neck. Her jaw... I leaned in close again, locking my gaze on hers. "Look at you..." I smiled, my fingers brushing against her cheek."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My long legs untangled from around his waist. My hands unfolded from around his neck. My body slipped freely onto the cool sheets of my perfectly made bed, and I stretched out.

My dark eyed gaze remained on him at all times, as I moved the flats of my feet up bending my knees on either side of him. My arms moved up over my head allowing as much of my bare skin to enjoy the contrast of temperatures. Hot… cold… warmth… it all mixed together.

My body danced for his touch, moving with it as though there were a song playing just for us. The lips  he’d been kissing were tingly and plump from the attention. Missing the feel of him. So, I pressed them together before letting them fall apart with a soundless gasp. He knew how to make my body speak to him, and by the spirits he listened intently. “What do you see?”

•- Embry Call -•

Spirits!! Even though she hardly moved her body sang to me. The ripple of muscle beneath my palm, the tiny arches into my touch. They were a song, a dance. “Oh, you want me to give it all away?” I teased her. “It's not enough that you know all my secrets.” I smiled.

There was nothing I saw her I wouldn't put into words… and so many things that had no words fitting to describe. But I could give it my best shot.

“I see trust…” I said first because here we were in her room… she lay herself open to me in the act of asking that question. “Loyalty, faith.” I stroked her cheek. “I see beauty and strength… I see darkness and light. And the strength it takes to share that darkness. I see softness and humility... When it's needed. I see a proud Indigenous woman, a daughter, a sister… an Auntie, a niece, a cousin. A friend…” I smirked. “A lover. And a warrior. I see a leader waiting for her time to come. I see drive and passion; I see growth and reflection. I see patience and impatience. I see gratitude. I see hope.”

I never broke her stare. Not until I lowered my body over her and  kissed her. “I see you, Leah.” I whispered. “All of you. And you… are astounding.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Blinking my eyes as it all sunk in. Unsure what I expected when I asked the question. But this wasn’t it. The man had opened his eyes and saw things no other had dared, and then kept looking deeper.

My face flushed for a different reason now. Spirits was this how it felt to  be seen? My hands came to his face to hold it as our lips moved together. Soft kissed this time, in shock of what had been said as those words all rang in my ear. By the spirits…. He did it again, just when I thought there were no ways left for him to shock me. Here we were.

“Embry…” his name was a whisper on his lips. But nothing else was said by words. My lips moved over his, my tongue parting them to taste him. To take him in, to tell him I heard him. And I wasn’t running. Not this time.

•- Embry Call -•

I murmured and soft “Shh…” onto her lips, brush the tip on my to hers. Then I met and answered every bridge on her lips and tongue. Nuzzling my cheek into her palm. “I know…” there was nothing she needed to say. Nothing she hadn’t told me in her own way.

Nothing she hadn’t  made me feel down to my core. All the way to my marrow. I let her in, my tongue dancing against her and the taste of her pulled a longing sound from my throat.

“Despite.” each word was broken by a kiss. “All. My. Deep… insightful. Words. I'm still. Taking. Your clothes. Off.” But I kept kissing her just like that. Long and slow, deep and filled with so many unspoken things.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

And just like that… Embry Call took the emotions into a different dimension! I was now laughing into his kisses. My nails digging into his back as to say, “insightful? Really? Is this what you are going for?” The next dig said,

“Hmm… Like if expect anything else, Wisearse!” But the thing was, it was this… the unexpected that had me breathing harder, wanting more. Because not only did he see, but he also heard too. So, I did what I knew was the best reply. Bite his lips and then kissed him deeper.

•- Embry Call -•

That laugh told me I had given her exactly what she needed. I smiled onto her lips… “Insightful is exactly the right word.” I arched against at the feeling of her nails! Fuck!! Yes… that shift is the mood… it was just right.

My hands roamed the hard planes of her torso. Not neglecting those sweet, peaked breasts. At least, not until she caught my lip with her teeth, and I moaned deeply. I needed her skin on mine. I moved to unbutton her jeans, slipping my hands inside and stroking her just once through her panties. My hands on her  who knew what that would do to my self-control?

I kissed her, hard and deep before climbing off of her long enough to strip them away. Then I lay back pulling her bare thigh across my body and sliding one arm beneath her lifting her, flipping her until she lay on top of me, skin-to-skin.

I let out a long, low sigh of relief. Feeling her skin against mine was like satisfying a carving I'd had for years. “Spirits.” I whispered. Finding her lips again.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Smooth…. Being with him felt good in a number of ways. The heat, the understanding, the loss of control when it came to worry about harming the other person. But more the confidence that he knew what I hide from the world. I was my true self with him. And he was still here.

“By the Spirits! Embry!” He pulled a willing hum of satisfaction from me. The way we turned, my jeans were off and now I lay over him with the cool breeze on my back, with his heat below. My hair cascaded down to cocoon us as I lift my upper body up to gaze down at him. The pulsing he began by touching me throbbing now.

Our lips were back on one another, my fingers grazing the side of his torso as I sat up straddling him. My eyes wondered from his face down his chest, with my nails following the trail. Until they stopped at his waist, making quick work of his belt, my fingers gracing his harder bulge as I freed him from his jeans, letting them fall to the ground of my room.

“That’s better.” I left his boxers in place as now I lay myself back down over his stomach, firm body.

•- Embry Call -•

Then she was lowering her body to mine. her silky hair brushing against chest and shoulder. My cheek, as she shielded us from  the world with a dark curtain of hair.

Every sound she made had muscles low in my abdomen clenching. I lifted my hips to let her free my jeans... my body sang at the release of the pressure. "So much better." I confirmed. One hand slipping over her hip to her arse the other  hand to her cheek pulling her in for a kiss.

Her heat and scent enveloped me. "Nothing will ever beat the feeling of skin on mine..." I nipped at her lip. "So warm"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He said what I’d been thinking. Lying next to him, under him, or even on top of him. The first thought had always been  about our temperature. How everyone always felt cooler to the touch. And how he…

“So warm”

Tracing the tip of my tongue over the line of his lips, biting the lower lips, and sucking on it. And then I parted them to taste him again. My arms moved to rest over the bed beside his head. Brushing my hands through his soft dark hair. Pulling back just enough to take him in and breathe in some cold air I flipped my hair to the side.

•- Embry Call -•

The soft quality of her voice caused my body to react with the exact opposite of softness. I let her in moaning at the taste of her. I squeezed her arse and slipped my other hand back into her hair.

I lifted my head from the bed, following her trying to prolong the kiss. But swish of her hair... I dropped back to the bed with a groan. "Fuck... that is so hot."

I let my eyes run down her body appreciating every muscle, that perfect almond skin. The strong thighs on either side of me.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My lips were set with the smile he brought out of me. Sitting upright over him, my arse muscles clenched themselves. Shots of sensations rolled up my skin causing the heat to crawl its way up the side of my neck. I didn’t say anything at all. My eyes at first stayed on his face. Watching his reaction, and then I felt his reaction below me pushing up between my legs.

His lightly tanned skin underneath my fingertips as I traced the curve and the lines of every one of his muscles. Around his peaks, down his perfectly fine six pack. The touches were soft, light, teasing, so different from the hunger we feed before, but no less a delicious desire to be close and want him.

•- Embry Call -•

I bit my lip as I watched her straighten up her sleek, strong body over mine. My eyes travelled to the place she straddled me, perfectly placed so when I adjusted my hips.... just getting comfortable... I jolt of pleasure shot right through me.

Her hands set fires everywhere she touched me. My gaze moved back up, taking in all her, my hand moved to her waist. "Now who likes what they see." I smirked at her.

���- Leah Clearwater -•

“I’m not ashamed. It’s hundred percent me right now. No one would ever hold it against me. I know who I like, and I’m just taking him in.”

One of my hands combed through my hair, pushing it back over my shoulder. I bit my lower lip when he adjusted himself, because it sent a ripple of pleasure with it.

“Do you want me to stop?” Asking the question as I lean down into him. Coming so close that our noses touched, feeling his warm breath on my face.

“It’s only fair I ask. Wouldn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.” Rolling my hips down into him.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled up at them, fixated on the hand, sliding through that beautiful, silky hair. I licked my lips when she bit hers, goosebumps raised all over my body even before she rolled her hips against me and ripped a moan free from me.

I brushed my nose against hers. "Spirits, no!" I lifted my head enough to kiss her. I slid my hands to her back and ran them up, all the way up, slipping the straps of her bra off her shoulders. "Never stop, Trouble."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Smiling I kissed him back. The shoulders he made, had my body humming with different reactions. A throb in my core, a flash of heat up my neck, my skin burning freely at his go ahead.

“Consent is sexy.” Muttered it into another kiss. Moving my weight back onto my knees  I remained over him, just freeing my hands and arms to fish them free of the fall straps of my bra.

The crips air felt like a sensation over the brown ripping skin of my peaked nipples. Reacting back, unhooking the band of my bra. I let it fall off to the side. Sitting up once again, this time letting him roam his haze over me.

•- Embry Call -•

Her scent deepened and I could feel the effect I was having dampening the fabric between us. I kissed her back, my tongue dancing against her as she. Her line made me grin. My heart started to reach as soon she reached back. The soft fabric brushed against my chest while she dropped it to one side.

The world slowed down as she sat up, baring herself to me. My mouth watered and I bit my lip. The simple fact of her sitting up meant the sweet spot between her legs rolling again the length hardening even more in my boxers.

I worshipped every inch, every line, curve, and peak. First with my eyes then with my hands. Paying very careful attention to those beautiful dark peaks. “So, fucking sexy.” It was an agreement to what she said and a statement on the vision towering above me.

I sat up in a fluid moment and took one of sensitive buds between my lips. My intention was to be slow and soft, make her tell me she wanted more, but that first taste. I couldn't hold back. I groaned, sucking and licking, my hand cupping her other breast making sure she had all the attention she deserved.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Closing my eyes, and letting my head fall back, my chin pointing up towards the ceiling I let out a pleasure filled moan. Chewing on my lips I felt my hair falling down my bare back. The strand tickled as the breeze blew in from the open window.

His mouth consumed my beast Before I had the opportunity to tears of pulled at him. He was up and his mouth closed around me all of a sudden, a tremendous shudder coursed its way up and down my spine. Opening my eyes, I draped my arms over his shoulders holding him close to me while my fingers combed  continuously, needing to touch him in some way.

“Embry!” His name was let out with a gasp, one I repeated over and over again. He knew what he was doing, and by the spirits I wasn’t afraid to say it felt good.

When my mind clawed some form of rhythm to think. It told me to move my hips, small soft circle at first. Feeling all my muscles tighten. My breathing quickens. And then I added a little more pressure down feeling the dampness growing between us.

•- Embry Call -•

Every touch and stroke of her hands shivers up and down my spine. My teeth grazed her nipple, then a slow teasing flick of my tongue. My teeth took it again a little harder this time.

I tilted my head my attention switching to the other side. A muffled moan escaped from me. Fuck. My arm wrapped around her. The other hand moved to her waist to feel the way she moved. With each glorious, rippling muscle, I swelled and throbbed against the growing wetness between us.

My heart thundered and I moaned onto her skin as my teeth and tongue and lips devoured her.

“Spirits, Leah!” I groaned my voice low and my hips driving up against her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He called on them before I could get a sound out. But mentally I moaned out to the spirits too. My eyes widened as I moved over him lap. My hand tugged at his hair and a hiss of pure pleasure sounded in the quiet room. Only the sounds we were making, with the thunder of our  hearts, and the ragged breathing to accompany the rest of the song out bodies sang right now.

“Embry….” Moaning his name my eyes glanced down at him, witnessing what he had done to me. It wasn’t hidden right now.

My fingers buried into his hair again, with the nails of  the other hand digging into his shoulder. Making it hard to sit still over him. Finally, I had to feel his lips on mine, so I tugged his hair back bringing my lips down over his. At first, I bite his lower lips, tracing my tongue over that bite just as he has done to me. And then I kissed hard, making sure he felt it.

•- Embry Call -•

By the Spirit's... those sounds she made! My stomach flipped at the tug to my hair! Fuk! Why was that so fucking sexy? My fingertips dug into the firm muscles of her side, I felt them flex and tighten with every single move she made against me. Her own finger pressed into my shoulder. The sound of my name on her lips was enough to make my skin tighten.

When she tugged her this time, it was hard to pull me back with one last flick of my tongue against her nipple. She bit my lip and my length twitched against the growing wetness between her lips. I kissed her back, groaning into her mouth as her lips crashed against mine. The arm I wrapped around her slid up her back and to her hair, my tongue met her stroke for stroke. the heat between us multiplied.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

And he always said I was killing him? What was this mad doing to me? My mind was consumed by him right now. Where his hands were, how it felt when his finger dug into my skin. The smile it brought to my lips as we kissed.

I could feel him! The heat, the strength, his ability to keep me engaged and wanting more…. Taking a found of his tongue between my lips I sucked on it, pushing it in and easily slipping it out. The taste of him brings another moan to the forefront.

My hands moved down his neck, down his back I let my nails leave raised scratches lining down. I knew they would be gone before this night was over.

•- Embry Call -•

The kiss was deep and passionate and fuck!!! She was going to kill me… and I would go, blissfully. I groaned at the pleasing sting of her nails leaving her mark on me it blended seamlessly with the pleasure she sent coursing through me with each grind and swirl of her hips  I nipped and sucked at her bottom lip like she with my tongue. I sucked in a breath and whispered.

“Fuck, Leah.” I held her tightly and shifted to kneel on her bed, with her still on my lap, making it easier to…

“Fuck!!!” her the word dragged out of me slowly as I rolled my hips to meet her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hands felt onto him when his weight moved beneath me. The sound of my bed groaning making my smile. One of these days, the poor thing would give out under us if we kept this up! Our lips parted as he replaced his weight and our angles, making it so—-

“By the spirits!” He stole my breath away from me as I could feel him. The think fabric of my wet panties and his boxer shorts leaving nothing at all to the imagination. The gentle caress seemingly moving in the perfect direction to send fire though my veins.

“Embry!” Resting my forehead  to his, stealing a moment to ground myself. To take in the share length, thickness, and position of him. My mouth went dry. Holding myself still, chest to chest. My hard, rippled, and peeks nipples pushing into his skin. “I’ve… got… you….” Finally whispering, my eyes locked onto his. Seeing in them the same as I was sure he could see in mine.

•- Embry Call -•

I sucked in a breath; her scent and her reaction flooded my senses and fuck!!! I wanted more. Even now... even with two small layers between us, I could feel the shape and slickness of her. I could pinpoint all the sensitive and tender sot that would coax those delicious  sounds from her.

Then I felt her forehead on mine and heard those words that meant so much... everything. It still the wildness and moulded the pleasure and passion into something else, just as potent but slower, deeper.

She locked in on my eyes and I almost moaned. "Those eyes." I smiled at her and whispered. "You always do, Leah."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There he was. And here I was lost in the embrace of desire and still holding on to the choices we had made together. My lips touched his once, twice, three times. Feeling the smile he only gave me. My chest heaved, my hair falling to the side as I tilted my head. 

Repeating his words. Well. One of them. “Always.”

Shifting to rest my elbows on his shoulders, my hands locked around the back of his neck, my fingers finding Their way into his smooth silken hair.  When I felt his bulging length touch me just where we both wanted. I began to slowly circle my hips. Up. Around. Down. Feeling those bolts of pleasure strike.

Again. I moved up his length beneath the too thin fabric between us. Around for the friction. And then down into him for the pleasure chamber which came to pull out the hum of a moan.

•- Embry Call -•

Those kisses, each one was a balm, and a fan to the flames at once. I could feel the smile on her lips as she kissed me, and I returned with my own.

She fit her body against mine. Fuck!! it was perfect, two notes that blended seamlessly together, two pieces of a much larger symphony.

I kissed my way along her jaw to her throat, my lips, tongue, and teeth worshipping at the point where her pulse fluttered wildly as she moved on me. Hard nipples pressed against my chest, her fingers moved through my hair as she rocked, and stroked and ground that perfect body on mine. Each circle and roll had me moaning deeply against her neck, my arms wrapped completely around her, and it still wasn't enough There was no way my body could hold as much of her as my heart, soul and mind held. There is nothing in this physical plane  that could compare the depths this woman had shared with me. The innermost pieces of me I had shared with her.

And suddenly I understood... The waiting... it had always been something I was certain of... certain it was what I wanted, what we wanted. I'd never needed a  reason. My mind expanded with the knowing of it now and her body coaxed a moan from deep inside.

The hardness between thrummed and twitched and I knew she could feel it all. One hand drifted to her arse, moving with her as she pleasured herself atop me, sending me closer and  closer to the ledge we had yet to cross.

My tongue swept into the graceful dip of her collarbone. "I get it now." I whispered. The words breathless, soft, and joyful... laced with deep, gratifying pleasure. "It all makes sense."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It this exact moment, in all came together for him. ‘Finally,’ the spirits sang. The sound of their stories coming to life.

My ears rang with their called of joy, my body mind and soul all at once connected with them, and with him. This was a turn in the path. One I was told to wait for. Another moment like in by the waterfall and the basin where Embry would find his answers and his understanding would fall into place.

And I was witnessing it again. “They…..” his hot mouth, tongue, hands were all consuming. “They… were… waiting….”  letting the pitch of my voice bear witness to all his actions and thoughts. And their energy too.

And … me… My body it felt like a sponge soaking it all in. Dropping my head back, my long dark hair caressing my back with gentle strokes. Holding me up were his hands and my willpower. Tugging at his hair, I pushed my breasts into his chest. The movement on my hips kept the pressure pace set to ensure we kept ourselves just where we needed to be.

•- Embry Call -•

The air around us cooled like it was challenging the heat we created. I could hardly get a breath down and it wasn't because of the fire and pleasure she sent coursing through me. It was the realisation… that some part me still held on to the possibility that I could make  her understand how I felt, what she meant to me… through sensual touch and carnal delights.

I couldn't.

Those things were incredible when shared with her. Unlike anything I had ever felt. And definitely would not stop. But the depts of our bond… they were beyond that  world of heat and bliss and… I groaned, her body coaxing mine to heights I hadn't thought possible without exploding. My lips trailed hot, wet kisses past her clavicle and down the centre of her chest.

I couldn't tell her how profound my feelings were for her, not with  words. I had known that much before I had ever dared think, about kissing her. Not with my body either. All I could do was feel it, and hope she felt it too. Like I felt her soul brushing so close to mine. Hope that she knew, as I pressed a kiss above her pounding heart, what I knew deep in one heart and soul too.

“Sorry I kept you waiting.” I whispered and kissed her thunder heart. I might have been talking Leah or the Spirits or both.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The momentum and rhythm remained slow, steady and wanting between us. These pulsing vines spread all over me, inside of me, they seemed to sing their own song in perfect harmony with those sang by the spirits.

The language i spoke with them, and with him hadn’t meant to had become shared. But now it was, there was no taking it back.

I could read his touches, the kisses, the way he moved with me, the warmth of him guiding my way. I listened with every part. My senses asking to be let loose, but I needed to keep a hold of them. He was speaking, whispering. To me? To them? The thoughts of Embry in conversation with his ancestors who wanted to make him aware of their existence should fill him with an accomplishment. He did this. He opened himself up to hearing them.

Leaning down I kissed the top of his head. He spoke to my heart, and I answered right back. Holding him close, keeping him from falling down when we had so far to go.

•- Embry Call -•

She could read my body as well as I could feel my reactions, she moved, creating the perfect amount of friction to keep me right there on that fine line that we walked.

I pressed another kiss to the centre of her chest again. My hands moved over her body, up the curve of her hips, her waist. One hand moved and cupped her breast, a tilt of my head had my lips engulfing her dark, peaked nipple.

Her lips pressed against my hair and the breeze through her window picked up again. She held onto me just like I held onto her... trying to get impossibly closer. I rolled my hips up to meet her strokes and swirls. The sensation rocked through me too.

"I've got you," I said to her this time.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

And I knew, down in the depths of my soul I could feel he had a hold on me. With that thought my eyes flew open… the reality of what is just told myself. “Spirits…” The breathy whisper lost with no sound other than a moan and the radiating pleasure coaxing me.

“Embry….”

This time his name came free of my throbbing lips. Because of the bit I’d just taken. His touch sent shivers up the back of my spine as he met me stroke for stroke. My hands curled into his unruly hair. Tugging his head back my lips found his. I needed to taste him again. My tongue traced its way over and then parted his lips. Entwining with his tongue to feel the heat, to taste him and to seek that connection in answer to his works.

•- Embry Call -•

My breath caught at her plea to the Spirits. And the way my name sounded in her mouth, drew up a groan from inside.

"Leah." I whispered and moaned and breathed until the deepening of my breath whisked her name away on the breeze through the window. Then she pulled my hair, and a far more feral sound came out of me.

I teased, letting her tongue pry my lips apart before giving her access. The taste of her lit sparks in my blood. Then my tongue swept in, tasting every corner of her mouth. In a single swift motion; I gripped her arse, pivoted on  my knees, and lay her back onto the pillows. I made a small amount of space between us, just to allow us a moment to inch back away from the ledge we tethered on.

I smiled down at her and rested my hand on her cheek, the other hand freed her hair from where it was trapped beneath her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My stomach flew up into my mouth in anticipation of what was to come. His playfulness making my smiling into our shared kiss. By the Spirits all my thoughts halted when he swung us over and my back felt the coolness of the sheet underneath.

Lifting my head and shoulder  I let him free my hair instead of doing it myself. Feeling the sensations of the night air finding its path between our bodies when he pulled back. I let my legs pull up on either side of him, my feet flat on the bed. Our eyes met when his hand rested in my cheek.

No words, just looking up at him. My chest moving with each breath I drew into to ground myself with the space he had given me. Turning my head my lips place a gentle kiss on his palm. A whispering telling him; ‘Still Real, Embry.’

•- Embry Call -•

After a few heartbeats, I dropped my weight onto her... Just a little. Fitting my hips and still wide-awake hardness between her legs and maybe... Just maybe I rolled the muscles in my back. The words filled my mind like they had been spoken... And her lips met the skin of  I rested my forehead to hers and whispered.

“I have no idea how you do that.” I smiled… whispering. “I hear them…. So clearly when I'm with you.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My back arched up just a little, the feel of his weight made me relax and come alive with a new wash of sensations. My hands moved around him. Dawning soft stoked over the side of his torso as I breathed in his scent, felt him gently place himself between me, and tease. Not once did I close my eye or look away. I didn’t want to miss a moment of this closeness I felt with him.

“It’s not me…” Whispering, not wanting to stop him from listening to them. “You are the one letting them in.” This was his journey to them; I was only to guide and help.

•- Embry Call -•

Shivers ran over my skin everywhere she touches. Making my body shudder against hers when she arched up and I rolled my hips slowly, firmly along the sweet wet heat.

I smiled and brushed a story hair from her forehead. She gave me more credit than I deserved.  “Well then I have great teacher.” I whispered and pressed my lips against hers again.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Another shuddering moment, my own hips rising to greet his. Adding a circular motion to give him the right amount of focus again his hardened bulge. (Even if it gave me pleasure too.)

Before I could say I agreed with this statement. And how awesome my skills were, his lips found mine. A new moan drawn free, my new wave of joy at tasting him, another feels of his weight pressing down on me.

•- Embry Call -•

My tongue teased her lips apart, slipping in to find hers. I answered her moan with my own another slow rock dragging my length against that apex, her body answered mine and made my eyes rolled back under closed lids.

I added more of weight onto her. I wasn't taking for her there was nothing I could throw at her that she couldn't handle. But I did enjoy teasing this woman. I smiled onto her lips, kissing her sweet and slow with long, deep sweeps of my tongue against hers.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

This became a dance of sorts, he led with the first step this time and I asked without hesitation. The truth and truest built between left no space for questions, or to wonder the intentions behind the act. I smiled back into our kiss, my chest heavy, breathing unevenly because of his ability to make me relax and give myself over to him.

I mirrored his moves. Rocking in time, our lips, our hip, the need to keep the others want their desires met. My fingers slipped around his back, stoked his smooth skin with patterns of circling eights.

•- Embry Call -•

There were these moments in time where we moved like we shared one mind... and like this, with our wolves roiling beneath our skin it wasn't the hive mind. This was one of the times, she moved in answer and request, just like I did. We knew what the other wanted, we knew what pleased the other best while threading that fon line.

My body shuddered against hers, and not from the cool air drifting in the open window. From that pattern, she traced on my skin. I smiled into her kiss, remembering when she told me the story about that number.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It was my turn. Lifting my head my lips moved to his shoulders, placing as bite hard enough to be felt to leave a mark. But also know it would disappear before the night sky became day.

I pushed up into him, curled my legs around his waist and locking them in. pressed against his chest and rolled myself against him finding a shiver creeping its ways from my core to my toes.

Softly moaning his name, my eyes closed as I arched my back again, curling my fingers onto his silky hair and tugging on it.

•- Embry Call -•

She stole my breath away. It was cliche... but fuck! Her name rushed off my tongue. It was fucking hot when she left her mark on me, always just the perfect mix of pleasure with a slight edge. Her body answers mine without hesitation, she took hold of me with those powerful  legs.

My hands moved down her body and squeezed her arse before moving down to worship those perfect thighs she had locked around me. She was killing me... and fuck I would beg her not to stop if I could stop kissing her long enough to do more than whisper her name.

"You feel so fucking good." I moaned into her kiss.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sound of that voice sent terrific trembles down my spine. Never before had this feeling to pleasure come from hearing my own name on another’s lips until him….  I let go of my arms around him, falling back into the softness of my covers. Pushing my shoulders into the mattress as I broke the top half of our contract, keeping my legs locked around him.

His strong hands made me hum and shift under his weight. My mind only controlled by the movements of his hands. I took him in, every inch visible to my eyes were taken in for a memory of this moment.

“If only… you could see through my eyes…” A broken whisper filled with a moan and then a gasp when his hardness sent another rippling of pleasure across my nerves. My hands cupped my own breasts, the tightness aching for attention as I kneaded them harder.

•- Embry Call -•

She melted into my touch, her body language telling me she approved of me squeezing that perfect arse and grinding her against the throbbing bulge pressed between her thighs.

I bite my lip, watching her strong body stretch out beneath me. My lip broke free when a smile took over my features. "Name the time and place, Trouble." I said, breathless. My length twitched against her when she touched herself. I groaned. Spirits that were fucking hot.

"I have quite a few things to show you through mine too." I rolled my hips, dragging my length along her hearted centre.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hands continued their pace, and Everything felt like a walk in the clouds. Every sense of the world melted away and all I could scent, feel, and taste was him.

Another burst of our scents went wild, I felt the connection to him, and shuddering began to flow through my core. The muscles tightening, my eyes on him as I let my legs fall back down to the bed.

I felt the dampness flowing between my legs, coating the fabric of our underwear. The moans becoming more pronounced, as my body quivered beneath him.

“Embry!” His name another moan, breathless and asking for more at the same time.

Arching up to meet him, guided by the way his hand felt up my backside. “Spirits!” I rolled up towards him, feeling my pleasure in every inch of myself.

•- Embry Call -•

The way she moaned my name setting on a chain reaction in my body, blood heated in my veins, my heart pounded, breaths coming faster. I watched the way her body moved, with rippling muscles and smooth almond skin. “Fuck, Leah!” I groaned. “Look at you.”

My voice was thick, and breathless as I held onto my self-control as tight as her legs wrapped around me. She was beautiful. She was strong, and in this moment… all mines. And I was hers,

My balls drew tight as she pleasured herself against me. I leaned down kissing her lips, soft at first… Spirits! I had missed those lips; one taste had my mouth crushing against her again.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

When his lips crushed mine, I slid my arms free from between us, sliding them down the sides of his torso, to his waist leaving a red raised line with my nails.

His breathing, the hamming of his heart against my chest, the taste of his mouth on mine. Spirits it all pushed me further along the path towards that cliffhanger.

I pushed myself up into him, again, feeling the strength of his presence pushed right back. The sounds we both heard from the other adding to the excitement.

My bloody rushed, my toes curled, a spasm hit the muscles in my legs and then his words reverberated.

Fuck, Leah… Look at you…

Look at me…. Spirits! Look at me….

“Embry!” I stopped, still. Breathing into our kiss, pushing my hips down into the mattress before I pushed him too far. “I got you….” Muttered it into  our kisses. Slowing the process down but still holding him close enough too.

•- Embry Call -•

The sweet sting of her fingernails had my back arching. Her body responded to every move I made and mine to hers. Like magnets being drawn together. I felt those powerful thighs tremble and I knew she was tottering on that glorious ledge with me.

Just feeling that shiver was almost enough to finish me. But my name sounded different on her lips know, grounding. Calling me home. Holding me together.

My hands move to her quivering thighs, light, soft strokes. Brushing away the tension... But I didn't close the space she made between us. Not until twitching and throbbing eased... And that could take a while. She had me… my mind was melted… thoughts were like liquid, impossible to hold onto. All that existed was her and me and the cool night air on my skin.

“You always do…” I whispered, kissing her slowly now but  just as deeply. “Still… real.” I breathed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

This was the harmony between us, the way we knew what the other needed and when to give it and when to prepare to hold back enough to keep our unsaid promises.

My fingers moved over his skin in a pattern; kissing him with the same intensity as his lips were touching mine. Nothing more important than us in this moment within our bubble as I reply to his two word, which spoke a million more unsaid ones.

“Still Real….” Our lips moved with the same intensity. The feeling of the throbbing, the tingling sensation, a telltale sign of our time together. It gave a sting of pleasure often, reminding me for a little while after what we had shared.

As the pulsing slowly drifted into a manageable throb my eyes flickered open. Seeing him so close  lost in me as I was in him.  My hands slipped down to his arse. Tracing each one of those perfect muscles as I went.

•- Embry Call -•

I listened to the sounds of her existence, breath, heart, the rustle of sheets and hair when she moved, all those tiny things that most dismiss. Proof of a living moment… all a part of the soundtrack that was Leah Clearwater, mixed in with my own.

Each sweep on her fingers  soothed the pounding blood in my veins. Like always we climbed to the precipice to get hers, and we eased each other back from that high too… although she might have been doing most of the heavy lifting this time.

I chuckled when she slipped those skilful hands all the way to my arse. “Spirits… I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, Leah.” I kissed her again propping up on one elbow and trialling my fingers across her chest, still riding, and falling faster than normal. “Even just once.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Our breathing mirrored, the beating of hearts too. The sounds he always spoke of were in my ears too. The cooling kiss of the breeze helping us to step back away from the edge, mixed with the heat of him willing me to go on.

My eyes fully opened to take in the outline of him. even if my fingers where the ones laying the ground for my mind to see. “Hmm…” my lips kissed his, peppers of them, a mixture of hard, soft, hungry, and calming all together.

“What would I see that the mirror doesn’t show?” My voice deep and restless. I couldn’t understand how he saw anything different to the world we lived in. I wasn’t aware of the existence of a single thing that was different.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled as she planted kisses on my lips my finger still trailing. Through the dip of her collarbone and down, circling around the underside of her breast with a feather-light touch.

"That kind of beauty that you feel and don't see." I her voice was somehow satisfied and full of want at the same time. Just like mine.

"You could feel..." My finger moved to circle her nipple. "All things I feel..." I kissed her once. "When those dark eyes pull me in. See the strength that isn't muscle. The leader waiting in the wings." I kissed her again, drawing a line from her nipple to her heart. "The woman that kept me from drowning. So much I don't have words for." Finger trailing down the middle of her chest towards her navel. "So many things I missed that I never will again. So many things taken for granted."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The exact moment his finger traced around my nipple, the dark skin ripped and tightened again. My body spoke in answer to his touch in its own telling ways. Small soft moans were heard from me, the muscles he touched reacting to the sensation of his warmth.

But it was what he said that pulled my mind from the fog of us. There were a few things I could foresee him saying or teasing me with. But by the spirits. How could he see so much I could never know.

“You…” The muscles in my stomach contracted. “Give me way too much credit.”

“All those things… and me?” Shaking my head slowing, I couldn’t see it in myself.

•- Embry Call -•

Sometimes I could swear our bodies were primed to react to one. I knew that their no one else that make feel this much heat and passion just from watching her react to my touch. Every moan, hitched breath or tremor had my stomach stirring.

“You give yourself too little.” I  whispered. “You've told me time and time again that you've seen all of these things, told me how far I've come. All that I've learned and the growth you witnessed. Why is so hard to believe me when I tell you it's because of you I was able to see all the potential and chase it?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I didn’t know! And to acknowledge the fact had never been something I needed to do. If I lacked the ability to understand, I didn’t let it show and found the answers out. But right now. Naked in bed. With Embry laying over me…. How does someone work things out? So, I did the first thing that came, because it was the truth.

“I don’t know. I see how I could do better. Never thought of what worked well I guess.”  My hands stopped drawing over his skin with my head now on this thought process.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and kissed her all over her face. “It's a start!” I teased. Dropping my chest to hers and dropping her up to roll us over, so she was lying on my chest and she bed cried in pain.

“I’ll take it.” I smiled sweeping her hair behind her ear. “It's okay to look at  someone and think ‘I helped this person get there… and I'm proud.’ and you can be proud of yourself for your role. And them for the work they did to get there.”

Having her top of my wasn't helping to redirect blood flow... But the conversation was calming.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Everything still pulsed, throbbed, and was sensitive to the touch. Lips tingling with a pleasant sensation. And my mind…. Embry Call had it trying to deconstruct my personality?

Fisting my hands, I used them to prop my chin up on his chest. Closing my eyes as he moved my  hair out of the way so that we could see each other clearly. I didn’t spend too much time thinking about the cry from my poor bed. But made a note. DIY to make a stronger frame was moving up the list.

“Wouldn’t it take away from the achievement of the person? Why would I  take any credit for their work and actions?”

•- Embry Call -•

I heard what she was saying, and she had a point... I thought about it, tracing that the figure eight against her spine. Smiling as she settled on my chest like it was the most normal thing she's ever done.

"I guess it could come across that may with the wrong words or with someone that doesn't understand you or feel the same way." The fingers that weren't tracing infinity on her back ran feather-light along her arm. I thought about it again.

"How about... saying you are glad that you got to be a part of that journey? It's corny, realistic and... takes nothing away for the other person."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The air between us had changed slightly. From the hunger and the need, it bounced into a thought-provoking sense. It made me smile to myself because this wasn’t the first time. And I knew it wouldn’t be the last.

“Hmm…” Closing my eyes to follow the sensation of his touch on my hot skin, it acted like a cooling balm.

“So, coney…” I agreed “But I guess it’s better than trying to over shadow a person’s hard work. Maybe…”

I didn’t add the fact that most people didn’t see me the way he did. That to the world I was still the perception I had created for them. So, there was No way from anyone to know where my heart was. And most of them never knew I had helped. Which was perfect and just how I liked it.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled. “You don't have to tell me anything.” I my fingers still moving. “As long as you know you are part of a lot of my evolution, whether it was inspiration or the sprits made you think about it, something in a new way… of just believing that I could. You planted seeds.” I smiled at her.

“And none of that minimising the things of done and worked on. I wouldn't want this journey with anyone else. Just the ones I took with Sam and Jake when I was younger. I wouldn't change them either, not even the childish mistakes I made.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Nodding my head slowly once. I could give him this one… for now. “We’ve embraced this journey we set on together, Embry. There is no denying it.”

Resting my chin on his chest with my eyebrow raised in a perfect arch. “Hmm… tell me more about these so-called childish mistakes you don’t regret?”

I was a big believer in learning. And it came from mistakes. But then again, I held myself on a different level to everyone else in my life and the pack.”

•- Embry Call -•

"No chance!" I chuckled when she asked me to recount my many mistakes. I slipped both hands to her arse. "You want me to list the reasons you should kick my arse while you're lying on top of me?" I smirked.

lifted my head to kiss her, squeezing her arse at the same time. Maybe later."

I let my hands move up the small of her back. "I think we all hold a different role... not just the ones we were given like Beta and Third...  the ones we took upon ourselves."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“By the name of the spirits, those things must be bad if you’re not willing to spill them.”

Snapping my teeth with the arse squeeze, he pushed my body up towards him and I kissed him back. The moan into his mouth wasn’t planned, but his hands on my soft skin sent delightful. waves of warmth through me.

Biting his chin, “There’s no doubt about it. We all have more of a role than the ones being in the pack made us. And I am proud of how we all came to appreciate it all. It wasn’t easy getting here.”

•- Embry Call -•

Fuck! I swallowed that fucking glorious sound... breathed it in like it was oxygen.

"I'm sure you already know most of them... just not that I regret them." I teased, flicking my tongue against her plumped lower lip. I laughed deeply when she bit my chin, make her rise and  with my chest.

Moments like this... they were the ones that made my heart skip. "Nothing with doing is easy." I smiled and lifted only one hand to brush her cheek, the other was very happy where it was. "Except maybe... this." My gaze locked on hers.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sound of his heart, and then with our dark gazes locked the bubble fell as though it strengthened the walls around us. Giving us the time and privacy needed to bare all our truths out.

My heart mirrored his, without doubting why it happened. He was his mother’s son, after all.

Truth, openness, and honesty lay in the eyes. And behind all of it lay our true strength. Giving each other what we needed on this journey we walked.

Leaning into his touch, I kissed his palm softly. Once… Twice… Three times as my answer.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled; this was a small barely detectable tugging on the corner of my lips. But still a true, deeply felt smile. Three kisses… why I counted them I had no idea… but I did.

She knew the mistakes... No not mistakes… missteps I had taken in my life. But I found my way out, never back… out and forward. Like she had. Another thing we'd in common all this time and not noticed. Some of it, I did alone, some I had guides… some I outright had someone I love to reach out and drag me from the mud I found myself in.

All of those experiences made up the map of my life. She had her own. Lay them side by side and somehow, we met in the middle. I kissed her forehead. One. The end of her nose. Two. Her lips. Three.

“I see you.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shifting my hands slipped around the edge of the sheet. Pulling it up to cover over our bodies. I moved to lay myself down next to him on the bed facing the dark ceiling, our bodies still touching.

Letting out a slow deep breath, still feeling the three kisses he returned. Hearing him tell me something I knew.

“I know you do.” Whispering, I closed my eyes. “And it doesn’t seem to make me run anymore.”

The lateness of the night began to pull on me, the heavy pull to go under. The sounds of our hearts and breathing were so calming to me now. “Get some sleep Embry, before the morning catches us out.” Turning on my pillow to face him.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled, watching the unique kind of peace that slipped into her eyes. The kind that only shone when sleep began to catch her. "Spirits you are so beautiful when you're sleepy?" I chuckled and kissed her again.

"You were going to run... you chose this the second you chose not  to kill me when I kissed you the first time." I chuckled; it had taken me a while to figure that out. "It would be like you made a mistake to run from it." Okay that last part was purely teasing, she admitted when she was wrong, but unfortunately for the rest of us, that was an extremely rare occurrence.

"Sleep, Trouble. And we'll see if your more beautiful when you wake up than when you fall asleep."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My legs entangled around his, one arm draped over his middle section. My lips curled up into a smile just for him. And I whispered.

“Don’t kill me, Leah.” Those word had been engraved into my memory.

“See… you are still alive.” Darkness fell before my eyes, as I began to  drift into sleep. Touching him skin to skin, with a think cotton sheep covering us, with a cooling breeze from the windows blew my hair over my face.

“Good night, Dimples.”

The End

[blazingtheway]

A Little Tech with Life– Storyline 17- Together

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Which of these apps can I live without? There’s way too many on my phone!” Looking at my screen.

“Facebook and YouTube. Done.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Agreed! All you need is YT music!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Exactly. Who even opens YT anymore?”

•- Embry Call -•

“No one until they need to fix a door.” Stares pointedly.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together. “Hmm… or you know… a pushing friend is a better option if you ask me.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Is it pushy though? Seeing something that needs to be done then just doing it? Seems highly efficient if you ask me.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm… showing up in someone door step without a call, or a heads up? No. Not pushy at all. Also. I had it handled.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Okay the showing up part I can concede to…. But! In my defence I knew you’d send me packing if you didn’t want company. And I would have gone” I made the lost phone with a smirk. “But the door fixing… purely selfless helping out. No matter how handled you had it.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Crossing my arms over my chest, with a raised eyebrow. “My Ma brought me up better, just because I made it uncomfortable for people to come knocking. Doesn’t mean I’d turn someone away from my door.”

Rolling my eyes. “It closed. Isn’t that what it’s meant to do?”

•- Embry Call -•

"Setting basic boundaries is not bad manners, Trouble." I grinned at the eye roll.

“Normally... External doors are supposed to lock."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Not opening the door when someone knocks is. You never know when that person may really be in need of help. I’m a protector. My personal needs are out weighted, by my calling.” Raising my eyebrow in a perfect arch.

“Weren’t you one of the ones who thought I was too closed off?”

•- Embry Call -•

“But you can open the door and say… I think I just want some me time today. But thanks for stopping by.” I smiled at her… she has me there.

“ I did… but opening up is your choice. And just because have been, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have done he space you need sometimes.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking my head slowly. “Not my way. I don’t send people away… I don’t bring them close either… but I don’t send them away.” Rolling my eyes.

“I didn’t say it wasn’t my choice, but it sometimes helps to be told there is another way. That’s all I’m saying.”

•- Embry Call -•

“I know it was… but I know that people haven’t always wanted to just… let you get on your own terms.” I smiled and stepped closer.

“And you can always tell me you want to just enjoy your own company… I’ll just… come back the next day. No questions.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I knew this of course. My eyes moved to his feet as they came a little closer.

“Now that you mention it. I still have a few episodes of the Witcher left. And there’s a book I’ve been meaning to start. So….” Nodding towards the door with a smirk.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled… she was a tease. “Sooooo… Quiet time?” I smirked  and set my hands on her hips.

“I can do that too. I’ve been practicing.” I could her so well now, it was a good feeling.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow at him. This wasn’t him exiting, it was him showing me he could give me something I needed while not leaving me alone to do it? Maybe?

“The last time we tried it we were rolling naked in the floor.” Pointed saying it.

•- Embry Call -•

I raised an eyebrow right back at her. “Wait… that wasn't the whole point?” I smirked.

“It’s hardly my fault anyway… you were the one smelling all sexy and stuff.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking my head. “Your scent is good, you don’t see me jumping you’re bones when you’re playing your guitar.”

Having a lightbulb moment. “Why don’t I do that? Oh yes. I have control.” Smirking.

•- Embry Call -•

"OOOOOOOH!!!!" I grinned wide. "Okay I get I now!" I nodded.

"Wait for the show to end... THEN jump your bones?" I phrased it like a question. "Like you do when I play guitar. Okay. I got it. I can work with that."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my tongue over my teeth, a smile coming to life over my lips. I reach out placing a flat palm over his face and playfully push it away.

“Not the point I was trying to make here, Wisearse.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Are you sure?” I arched a brow…

“Because that's exactly what it sounded like you were saying.” I teased, stepping into her, and wrapping my arm around her. Resting them at the small of her back.

“I’m a Kinaesthetic learner… maybe you could show me?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Kinaesthetic?” Dropping mg head to the side not understanding the word but trying to figure it out. “Fast? Enthusiastic? What does Kinaesthetic mean?”

Curling my arms around his neck, my fingers moving into his hair.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and shook my head. “No… just means that I learn best by doing.” her finger in my hair made it hard to keep a line of thought.

“Just a fancy word I learned when the high made me get tested for… well everything they thought was wrong with me.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Tilting my head to the side, I learnt in and kissed his cheek listening carefully. “You are the words award winner. I know, it’s a competition I lost.”

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned... My eyes closing when her lips pressed to my cheek.

I turned in to kiss the corner of her mouth. “We all have our strengths. Unlike you… who has several.” I chuckled. “I always hear you.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm..” that warmth crawled up my skin of my neck feeling his lips. “So..” I whispered into his kiss. “Does this mean you will play me something?”

•- Embry Call -•

Something stirred... low and hot. "Only if you promise to jump my bones after." I teased... okay so I didn't really mean that! But... There was no way I couldn't WANT that. Considering the topic of conversation.

My teeth skimmed her lower lip, already moving toward the Gibson...

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm…” By the name of the spirits… his action twisted the coil deep in the pit of my stomach.

“Oh… it’s on the cards… if I get Believer… otherwise I’ll consider your request.”

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned as I turned to find the case where she always kept it. She never made requests... and I knew that this one was because she knew I loved to play this one.

"You've to yourself a deal!" I unclipped the case and lifted out the beauty of a guitar.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you.” I joked.

Making my way over to my couch. Sitting down with my legs crossed underneath my butt watching him.

•- Embry Call -•

I perched on the arm of the armchair. Settling the Gibson across my tight I checked the string. Tuning one just a little, she really did tend to this baby when I wasn’t here.

“Always is.” I winked and played a little differently tonight. (Music: Believer - Imagine Dragons - Fingerstyle Guitar Cover)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Spirits… he knew how to shut up the smartarse in me. We were locked into every single second of this performance. The way he looked, so calm, so together, and so in the moment. Anyone would be envious of him.

•- Embry Call -•

I knew that she was watching me. She always did... she saw how the music moved through me and felt herself just as deeply.  My tongue pressed into my lower lip as  I played. My eyes flicked up to hers, because this song as in my blood, I could play it blind and deaf without missing a chord.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My lips curled into a pure smile watching his fingers move over the cords. Perfection as always.

Then my eyes lingered on his lips. The concentration caused him to bite and lick his lips, this time was no different.

And then our eyes locked in, the depth for the deep brown of his spoke boldly to mine. Spirits…. So many languages… and we spoke then all.

•- Embry Call -•

“Ready to jump my bones yet? Or…” I smirked and plucked out the first chords a song in a loop.

“Will you sing for me?” I knew she knew this song; I knew how perfectly it would suit her voice. “For them?” My eye flickered to the open window.

(Music: She Will Be Loved (Maroon 5) - Luciana Zogbi & Gianfranco Casanova – Cover)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm..” My gaze followed his to the window as my lips parted with the sound of the song flowed so easily now with him in the room.

Before I’d never have sang with someone else listening, but now… he and the spirits all listened, and I allowed myself to relax into the melody.

•- Embry Call -•

I played a few more bars into the song… seeing the way her eyes softened, because her body never appeared tense, even though she was always ready, always alert.

I almost held my breath in anticipation of her voice… a rare blessing from the Spirits. One that I never take for granted.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There was a freedom to the momentum of the movement. Singing had become my little secret, one which helped in times when I wanted to make something work for myself.

Being at home or working. Where no one heard me but the sprites… Just as they were now. His playing, my singing. It all made sense. It came together just so.

When the last note had been sung. I closed my eyes. Listening to the sounds on the air, and his finger strumming the end of the song.

•- Embry Call -•

I set the Gibson carefully on the armchair and moved to crouch in front of where she sat with her eyes closed. I reached up to her face.

Stroking fingers across her cheeks, along her jaw and down the curve of her neck. Until my hand rested over her heart. “Your voice… is so  beautiful.” I whispered.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I could hear each of his movements and choose to follow with my mind and hearing. Leaving my eyes in the dark. My lips parted with a sweet gasp falling free at his touch, still I kept my eyes closed. Heat radiated up the side of my neck, lacing it’s way to my jaw  and cheeks.

Even now I had to remind myself; “Still real.” Finally opening my brown hues, biting on the inside of my cheeks.

“A gift from the ancestors.” I couldn’t help but taking in all over his features.

•- Embry Call -•

I saw the flush of her skin and my body responded with a stammering heartbeat. "Still real." I whispered. I bit my lip... knowing her eyes were moving over my face. "Your voice or my face?" I teased.

I let my knees hit the floor and straightened up bringing my lips close  enough to press them to hers.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Why not both?” Whispering my reply. My eyes dropped from his lips to his chest. Tilting my head to the side I listen carefully to the sound coming from inside of him. Then our eyes locked once again.

I could hear the uneven sound of my own breathing when our lips touched.

•- Embry Call -•

I smile against her mouth. “I think you as good as me at this living-in-the-moment thing now.” I chuckled and flicked my tongue against her perfect lower lip.

“Keep this up and you'll surpass my expertise.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Catching his tongue between my teeth, sucking on it and letting it go. “You know I aim to be the best in everything I do.” Knowing full well I was nowhere never as good as him with the living in the moment thing. It was second nature to him, whereas I still had to remind myself.

•- Embry Call -•

My fingers pressed into her thighs, and I groaned. That taste her sinking into my senses. "Seems to be a running theme." I teased her. "Which is why I will teach you to play the guitar and not the piano." I chuckled.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pulling back just enough to come face to face, with the tips of our noses touching. “And why wouldn’t you want to learn the piano?” Safe to say I knew the answer myself but would make him say it too.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled. "Just so I'll always have a way to fill your life with music that no one else we know can."

She knew it, I'd told he that the fact I could play piano had long faded in the memories of our friends. All probably assuming I'd found a greater love in the guitar.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Head tilting, I took him in. Without hesitation I said. “I told you before, no one plays the way you do.” Taking one of his hands gently placing it on my chest to feel the heart that reacted to him. “There’s an unexplainable connection here with your music.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled, my eyes closing for a moment while the soaked in the rhythm of her heart beneath my hand. It was true, even though my mother taught me, if we played the Sam composition it would sound different. She taught me to play my feelings.

“There’s a reason you walked into my to my mother’s house that day.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sarcastic side of me wanted to, without a beat say, ‘Yeah to deliver soup and a casserole.’ But the evolved side of me slowly nodding my head didn’t feel the need to answer. It was his time to speak.

‘This is what evolution looks like.’ My wolf whispered. And I had to agree. And truth be known, I was kind of lost in watching him as he sat here listening to me.

•- Embry Call -•

“Is she telling you again about my incredible talent?” I chuckled.

“When you go all quite like that and eyes soften, I know you’re talking to her…” I touched the space between her brows. “And you go get a little crease what here when she scolds you… or you scold her” I tilted  my head. “I can never be sure who’s getting the upper hand.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Wait.. what…” straightening up I was out of all minds and thought gone.

‘No… way…. He can tell…’ she started, and I told her to hush.

“You really can tell… can’t you…” those signed were closed to the world. When you stood in the back of the room, making sure no one. paid attention to you. Things you did weren’t noticed.

‘It also helps why you threaten to break their fingers if they look at you.’ I winched at that one. It had been a bad day, and the OGs were pissing me off.

But he picked up on something I didn’t even know. A crease between my eyebrow?  Did I did that?

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled a little. “I mean I'm not sure about my accuracy rate.” I smiled at her… I could see the shock and maybe a little unease at being seen in a way she hadn't known before.

“It took a while to figure out the difference from when you talk to…” I glanced at the open  window, smiling inwardly at how an open window had become a symbol for the spirits and our ancestors.

“Them… but, you're more still with them… and usually not fighting the urge to roll your eyes.” I grinned. “With her… your defiant. You challenge each other, in a good  way.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My gaze moved to the window, the breeze and the song which hummed on it. They were always here but kept to the outside since the Greet Wolf taught me about setting boundaries.

When I turned back to Embry, his face, that smile which came with its own calm expression. I shook my head.

“We like testing one another.” My hand moved to my chest rubbing it without thinking. “And when you are.. around… she’s reminding me of my lessons.”

‘Not so much now, you’ve learnt to listen without hitting first.’ She joked.

“Apparently, I’m learning to use my words” that’s what he always side when I hit first and then spoke. Tilting my head, my fingers moved into my hair tugging it back and over one shoulder. “When did you start seeing so much? Has it been there all the time? Or since… well… since the walls began to open a crack?”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her… “Our warriors test us all… even mine… and we are basically the same person…” I laughed again… but apparently, mine was even hornier than me… at least when it came to the right person.

“I was always observant… but your walls were… effective and I was… well you know, you were there. I was an angry bitter kid wrapped up in my own issues. I fell to easily into the same trap as the others... Overlooking you. Hero worshipping #Sam… and in a way I still do, just in a very different way now.

But my life has been in flux  for a while now and instead of shutting down like did with parts of myself before I tried to open up… see more… I failed in some places… but apparently not when it came to you. Not this time.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The frown between my eyebrows deepened as we listened to him now. (She listened as closely as I did.)

Everything he said seemed so sincere, it always was, when it came to the Call’s. But hearing it out loud like this, it made my bucket of sun rattle hard.

“The world’s Hero worship has some form of stigma attached to it… at least most of the time people say it… but you know… The woman I am today can say there is nothing wrong with looking up to the person who stood up for you and gave you a family when you felt your world  was coming apart.”

I didn’t stop to say how I didn’t have that. Because…. It was the past. I didn’t comment on being overlooked. Because it was what I wanted back then. It was my safe place in a way.

“We all had a lot of crap to deal with, maybe that’s why we in our own ways try so hard with the pups, making sure they don’t have to deal with anything the way we did.”

Biting the inside of my cheeks, considering. “You took ownership of those failures, you learnt, you made up for it.”

Shaking my head, a little, I closed my eyes resting my head back. “And for me... even now you keep surprising me.”

•- Embry Call -•

"I still look up to him... but in a different way now. Leaving his pack never changed that. He is still someone I love and respect." I knew all of our experiences were vastly different. But for her and I out joining with the pack stood apart... hers for so many reasons, which  I was sure that I hardly knew the half of, even now. For me... my world turned on its head and the relationships with my friends and the men that had stepped up to fill the role of an absent Father became shadowed. I questioned them...

"We can teach them to be better than we were... and they will teach the next pack to be better than they will be." I smiled. "But... You aren't the only one getting surprised every day. In the best possible way."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I may not have said it, but I got it. I really did. Even if my personal experience had a roundabout way of getting me to the place I stood today in my life.

“Sam Uley is not a bad person to place your respect in. He is a good man.” All true. “A Good person to look up to for guidance. And if you tell him I said this. I will definitely deny it and then kill you.” Saying the last part with a small smirk.

The thought of there being more warriors had a bitter /sweet taste in my mouth. The connection it brought to our spirits and ancestors was one to  be cherished. But... the truth was that there would only be more pups if our people were in danger, and that… that part made my warrior and I crack our necks, wanting to safeguard the next generation even harder.

“Better, stronger, knowledgeable, and kind. That’s the aim here. It’s why we set the standards and the ground rules. It’s just Jake, Quil, Seth, and your way to reach them have been different to mine. But I get it now. I get how the pups needed to have that too. We each bring something different to the mix.

But when that mix is done… it’s a bombshell.”

At that thought I chuckled. “Breaking my own rules here now.” Shaking my head. “Look at me complimenting everyone.” It wasn’t really a rule, they all just didn’t need any more attention to grow their big heads.

•- Embry Call -•

“My lips are sealed…” I grinned running my finger along it like i was closing a zipper. “But he knows how much you respect him; you know that right?” I smiled at her and nodded slowly. “We were all chosen for different reasons. I don’t think that we know the full extent of it even know.

“What I always say… rules were made to be broken!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hey! Somethings in life don’t need to be said or acknowledged. They are... well they just 𝕒𝕣𝕖.”

I didn’t like to think about how people knew think I wasn’t comfortable talking about. If they figured it out. Good on them.

Shaking my head, his smile was back, and spirits  it was a sight to be seen. I pushed the palm of my hand into his face. “Rule breaking  could be bad for your health, especially if I kill you for it.”

•- Embry Call -•

I licked her palm, slobbering as much as I could and laughing. “Might be worth it… especially if I get that kiss.”

I caught the wrist of the hand she smashed my face with. and tugged her towards me awkwardly. I leaned in until my lips were close enough to kiss her. “See…  I’ll even make it easy for you.” I teased, sliding my arms around her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The growl was out before I could stop it and I snapped my teeth at him, the sound of his laughter twisting something warm in my stomach making the moment full of teasing and playfulness.

“You’re so helpful, Dimples.” My voice had changed, breathy and uneven as I stood chest to chest with him.

The warmth of his breath kissed my lips, even if he didn’t. He was waiting, asking me to take that step.

My heart stuttered; lips curled up into a smile. And then I licked his lips, his nose and then his cheeks, breaking free with one tug of my hand. And running the opposite direction.

“Nope….” Laughing as I ran. “You need to work for it.”

•- Embry Call -•

Fuck!! The growl… the sexy snap. This woman was something else. Even since I learned she could sing I realized how she so easily how to use her voice alone to make my blood rush south.

That sound… her heart… my tongue traced my lip once more before I leaned in to take that  because who was I kidding? There was no chance I could hold out longer than her.

Then she… I laughed hard as she licked all over my face. And she was gone! I didn't think before chasing her, it was pointless. No hope I'd catch her until she wanted me to.

“I need to start holding onto you a lot tighter.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“You could try...” Turning my head back as I ran into the kitchen, and right out the other doorway by the front door. Stopping to see which way he went.

“But who are you kidding? You’re too easily distracted… one snap of my teeth and you are lost, Dimples.” Something which should have been my first sign that things had changed between us. Before I’d snap my teeth, and he’d be ready with a sarcastic response.

But then one day, I snapped my teeth and Embry fell silent. Watching me for a beat before gathering himself. My warrior, and I saw it. She knew something new had occurred, while I told her he was just slow on his feet.

Pulling my hand up into a messy bun over my head. I ducked down walking back around to the living room.

•- Embry Call -•

She had a point and could very easily get free even if I tried to stop her. But that wasn't really my style. My heart stuttered at the mention of the snap.

"Because it's cheating, and you know it!" I laughed chasing after her. I should stop and strategize...but out-strategising  Leah Clearwater was about as likely as out-running her.

She double backed to the living room. "Sneaking, Trouble! So sneaky!"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His heart gave him away. Even the mention of me snapping my teeth had a reaction from this man. “It’s not cheating, it’s using the card I’m dealt. Or at least it is if I use your method of thinking, Dimples.”

He continued the way I came, and I ran around the far side of my couch, stopping with my back to the windows. “Don’t act like you wouldn’t do what it took to win, Embry Call. You’re as competitive as I am too.”

Biting the inside of my cheek and smiling when I saw him coming.

•- Embry Call -•

"I mean if we are playing cards the Spirit's dealt us." I chuckled and started to follow her a little more slowly. I peeled my shirt over my head and let fall, knowing she would hear the rustle of the fabric. And that even if I couldn't seduce her... maybe she'd hunt me down making a mess.

I smirked and made a loud point of unbuckling my belt. "Let's play, Trouble."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My heart gave me away, (traitor!) because the sounds of his shirt being removed followed close by the belt. “Now who is changing the rules?” Spirits give my strength because he was a sight to behold.

Closing my eyes I shook my head slowly, my feet shifting around the couch for some more space between us. “Cheating is not the same as playing the hand dealt to us by the ancestors and the spirits, Call.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Who says this is cheating?” I smirked stepping into the living room. Sliding my belt free and tossing it onto the couch, fully aware i was leaving a potential weapon within her reach.

“The spirit’s decided to bless me with this innate sexiness…” I prowled forward keeping between her and door… for all the goo it would do. “It with be rude not to use it.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His shirt was missing on the floor somewhere if I had to place a bet, and now the belt laying here on my couch. Making itself at home.

“Are you on a mission to make a mess?” Keeping my head on that so that I could continue to control my response to his bare chest, those strong muscles, and the….. STOP! Damn this wasn’t working.

Eyes remained on him as I shifted on my feet towards the door until he blocked the way. “As though you’ve never been rude before.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smirked not daring to take a step forward. “Making a mess might be a small part of my strategy.”

I watched the little shuffle… oh I was getting to her. “In this case… not being rude helps my agenda.” I shrugged, popping the button on my jeans so they slung low on my hips.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His eyes glistened with mischievous excitement. I knew the look really well. It is the one he gets when he is on a mission. And the other end of said mission was trouble.

“Oh… now I know you’re going to pay for that.”  I kept my eyes on his face, until they moved to his waist.

•- Embry Call -•

My teeth caught my lip while she made a point to keep her eyes on my face. But eventually, they drifted. I lifted my arm bragging my hand through my hair,  mostly as an excuse to open up my chest and let all the muscles in my torso tense... For her viewing entirely. Nothing does  petty as showing off in the slightest.

I took two steps towards her, my jeans slinking lower. I scanned her head to toe too… my heart stuttered. Beautiful didn’t even come close.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Embry knew exactly what he was doing. The body created by the spirits of a warrior wasn’t something you could look away from. Not when your own sent shivers down your spine.

“You know…” I started my eyes now finally trained on his. “You’ll end up tripping over yourself.” Lifting my chin to the ground at how his pants dropped showing off that perfect “V” embedded below his waist.

My heart stumbled making me bite the inside of my cheek. And I crossed my arms to distract from this fact. He hadn’t moved, so I kept my spot with the couch between us.

•- Embry Call -•

I smirked at her, tilting my head... Oh, she wanted me to keep going. She was daring me. "If you want me to strip all you have to do is ask, Trouble." With a swift push, I let my jeans drop to the floor and stepped out of them."

I tapped my own chest then pointed to hers. "You know I can hear that... Right?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Everything tightened all at once, my core, the muscles in my stomach, the flush growing up the side of my neck. Resulting in me biting the inside of my cheek to stop from gasping at the side of that Adonis before me.

“I know…” Whispering, my eyes roaming unapologetically over him. “On both accounts.” Continuing to speak with my gaze locked on him.

“Who am I to stop a show when the performer is willing to give a performance of a lifetime?” This was his game, wait.. was it mine? Who was winning?

“Oh… screw it…” My hands gripped the back of my couch and in one graceful leap I jumped over it. Landing on my feet on the other side, two steps and my lips were on him with my hands curled around his muscular smooth body.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled a little, of course, she did. I never turned down the chance to remove a layer or two of clothing. But with her... it was completely different.

I grinned when she retreated a little into her eyes like she did when she was having an internal discussion. Then she  was moving.

Fuck! he was so fucking hot. I was already moving towards her before she landed and not even a second after she made a near-silent impact on the floor I had her lifted up into her air and kissed her.

Laughing and smiling against her lips. "Gotcha." I teased.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“No!” Laughing with him. This sound. The one with his laughter filling my home, it was my favourite sound now. “You didn’t got nothing. I came to you Wisearse.” Kissing his lips my long limbs in the air as he held onto me kissing me back.

“You aren’t winning here. I got the  kiss I wanted from the man I want. So, I’m the once gotchaing here.” He’s moved as fast and nimble on his feet at I had. He reached me in no time just as I reached him.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed again. “Came to me or took my bait?” My arm hooked beneath her knees holding her like a girl… not like I usually did with her leg wrapped around me.

“It certainly feels like a Gotcha moment to me… here you are in my arms… telling me you want me… you might be wearing too many clothes but….” I paused for emphasis.

“Yup… feels like a win!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Okay, fine he had a point. But it didn’t mean I had to agree outright.  She shifted, a joyful glee in the way she loved within me. No words, this time she sent a wave of emotion and feelings through our bond.

In answering them both I snapped my teeth and growled with a chuckle.  “It’s all in the way you see things, I guess. From where I am…. Being held.” This got another snap. “You’re near naked in my living room. I’m the one with the perfect view. And I wanted to kiss you. So… I win.”

•- Embry Call -•

Something twisted blissfully inside me at that snap... "You are totally right, Trouble." I admitted easily. "It's all about perspective. And from mine... that's the beautiful thing about us... one of us can't ever win."

I smiled and kissed her all over her face. "It's both of us or neither of us."

It was true, that both of us were equals in this. We won and lost together, in all things... but this... without a doubt was a win.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Laughter flowed freely from me with my eyes closed. The kisses consumed me in the moment. With one arm around his neck and the other pressing against his chest the thudding of his heart is what I wanted to hear.

“See…” finally getting a word out when the kisses slowed. “I knew you’d see it my way.” Because he hit the nail on the head.

Kicking my legs out, my mind began to wander how I even let myself be cradled in his arms? The answer there in a beat… trust… I trusted him to hold me.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed, lightly biting her cheek… no more of a touch of my Getty to her skin really. “Now all we have to do is figure out how I always end up with fewer clothes on than you… since you are a perfect 30 and I'm just a lowly 10 and all.” I teased her.

I noticed the way she  swung her legs and debated if I should put her down or wait and see how long could get away with this.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes were stuck in the way his face shone with his laughter. The crinkle in his eyes and the way his mouth looked. The sound which filled my quiet home. He’d brought more laughter to this home than I had.

“Hmm… the last score sits at 35 / 20 to me, Dimples.” Saying it with a matter of fact. “I don’t need to cheat to know I am winning this competition right now.” Laughing with him.

“And we all know, you end up with less clothing on. Because if it were up to you, this is how you’d walk around the village all the time.” Sure with him being close to bake I should have told him to walk towards my bedroom. To have the time of his life… but… this was more than the physical for me… for him… so I pointing to the chair in the corner of my living room. By the window sat his Nani’s Gibson.

“You could play for me? It would be a view and music all wrapped in one.” Glancing towards the floor and pointing. “Planning to set me down anytime soon?”

•- Embry Call -•

"Oh!! So sorry... I almost forgot." I chuckled, brushing my nose against the shell of her ear... It was meant to tease her, but... Fuck!!! She smelled so good.

My chuckle got a little darker, she was right.  I wasn't shy about removing a few layers. "Hey, I run hot! you know  how that feels!" I smirked. She could feel it right now. "But for once!" I teased. "You are wrong, Trouble. I only want that kind of attention from one person lately."

I smiled at her when she asked me to play. I knew when she did that it was as much my enjoyment as hers. "I  was waiting for you to ask." I explained, bouncy her a little in my arms. "You seemed so comfortable... why would deny you that?" I grinned.

I walked over to her sofa and set her down. I might have leaned over her a little more that I needed to before I slipped away to retrieve Nana's guitar.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“It’s too late for our customers at #HwH, your bar performances are sort after. You know.”

The last one had #Paul and him up on my bar top, shirts off, dancing and performing for the crowd. Hey, I wasn’t going to complain, it kept the drinks flowing, and they all cased no danger or damage. But it wasn’t going to be repeated.

“Since when do you wait to be asked to play?”

How could anyone pass up the chance? I wasn’t going to. So, I bite his shoulder. Not hard. Not leaving any marks. Just a ‘I know what you’re doing’, kind of a bite. Curling my hair around my fingers I tied my hair up on the top of my head into a messy bun, then sat back with my feet tucked in underneath my arse.

Watching him in his boxers crossing the room to collect his guitar, my lips curled up in a real smile. The smile he brought out of me.

•- Embry Call -•

"Ow!!" I laughed when she bit me and pinched her nose as I stepped away.

I chuckled and unclipped the guitar case. "I was waiting for you to ask to be put down... But I won't lie... when you ask me to play it causes..." I thought about it because I knew the word Feeling would send her running out of her own house. "Reactions." I raised a brow.

I perched on the arm of the chair and settled the guitar on my lap and played a song that was very fitting for the way she was looking at me right now. (Music: Andrew Foy –Shape of You)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I snapped my teeth at him, of course he was across the room. So, it was fine to do it. “Reactions…” repeated the words, thinking why he had stalled when saying it, and knowing he had corrected himself.

The moment the first cord was strum everything else was from my mind.  I kicked my legs out, turning to grab a cushion to place between my head and the armrest to lay down.

Still facing him, watching him losing himself to the song we both seemed to list to a lot. And I liked it even more when he played it with his own twist on it.

•- Embry Call -•

My lips curled a little when she repeated the words... she got it... or at least... she got a sense of it. I let the music sweep in like cool air from outside the window, it was the only thing reminding me I was sitting mostly naked in Leah Clearwater's living room.

Her heated  gaze on me, and the night air on my skin as I finished the song. I didn't need to look up to know her gaze was on me. But when I did, I saw her laying on the couch, in the dim light and her hair twisted on the top of her head.

She was so beautiful. I smiled at her in a way that told her exactly what I was thinking.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

They were listening, when they went quiet the way they were it had to do with his singing or playing. Then again, I was silent too. Feeling the way, the air blew in, the way it allowed his music to dance on the breeze too.

Letting out a deep breath, stretching out where I lay, I raised my eyebrow when his gaze lifted to find mine. That look in them speaking loud and clear.

But did I want to tease him about it? About how he had picked up the language I spoke, and now chose to speak it too?

•- Embry Call -•

That lifted brow said everything and nothing all at once. It said, ‘Do I look ready you to stop?’ And ‘I see you’ All at once.

It said, ‘Since do you speak my language.’

It said… combined with the stretching of  that long, lean body…. Fuck! she knew her legs were irresistible! ‘Hell, yeah I’m beautiful!’

So, to reward that silent wordiness, I spoke my language to her.

(Music: Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely - Fingerstyle Guitar Cover By James Bartholomew)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The smile grew on my lips, he of course heard it all and then some. And in his reply, he picked a song from Stevie Wonder. One of my Ma’s and Da’s favourite.

That memory should have had my heart freeze, it should have had me up and running for the door, running for air to  breathe and run so hard I wouldn’t have anything to think about other than the pull to my Warrior.

But I didn’t move, I lay here facing him. Watching, listening, my lips dancing with the words bubbling in my chest. Letting the warmth of the song wash over me freely.

•- Embry Call -•

I smile at her; she was deep in some kind of thoughts, but she never looked away. When the song was over, I set the Gibson on the armchair. Giving her the seat of honour.

Then I climbed into the couch. Sliding my mostly naked body between her and the back of the couch. I settled  one arm over her waist, my hand resting against her stomach. I propped myself up on the arm of her couch.

I pressed a kiss to her temple and considered asking her to tell me what she was thinking. But something told me I should let her keep this one.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I closed my eyes at the soft kiss. Moving and shifting listening to the sounds my poor couch made. The two spirits Warriors somehow just managing to lay on it. The light dim in the living room, with the cool air coming in from the open window. His heat and mine merging  together, and I let the memories and the song he played for me, came to a peaceful climax.

My heart dance a little, but he didn’t question me. Didn’t ask questions, wasn’t pushing for more than I was willing to share. Before I knew what I was doing…..

“Ma and Da really enjoyed Stevie Wonder….” My voice was a low whisper. “Da used to play the dirty dancing sound track all the time when he messed up. Or he would pull out Stevie if he wanted to sing to her.”

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled softly. Then found of her heart was as enticing as any well-played music. The simple fact she shared that with me made my heart skip. I kissed her temple again a long, gentle press of my lips to her heated skin.

"Harry had good taste... and good game." I laughed  softly. "You know after the confrontation with the Volturi... when we were in that field for days waiting on them and Mom had no clue where I was... #Harry gave me a copy of Dirty Dancing on VHS and pizza money so I could go home with a peace offering."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Eyebrow raised but I didn’t turn in his arms to gaze at him, I just listened. “I… I didn’t know… no… but it doesn’t shock me.”

My Da looked out for all the kids on the Rez, but Embry… I used to hear whispers between my parents with his name being mentioned. They worried about him.

“The Ma’s still have their date nights with the movie and themselves.” My lips curled into a smile. “Spirits, I got an invite to the last one.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed. “That doesn't shock me… he never did anything for the credit. But he knew what he was doing… we still had a fight. But not that night.” I paused. “We just ate pizza watched the movie and went to bed… then the morning she woke me by throwing a shoe at my head.” I laughed at the memory now. “But we had that that night… and I knew I deserved it.”

I laughed again. Kissing her temple. “I remember… mom talked about it for a week afterwards. Best ladies night every apparently.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Closing my eyes, his bark skin pressed to the back of me. His muscular arm holding on. The warmth of his breath on the side of my face. And I listened. With my lips curled up into a smile.

Listening of how my Da has managed to give Embry a memorable moment, something he  remembered to this day. My heart did that thing, stopping for a count of two and the starting again.

Embry’s choice to keep his mom out of our world cased him difficulties, it meant he didn’t have the understanding the rest of us did. But I got it. Even if at the time, I may have questioned it. Thinking it wasn’t necessary. Now. In hindsight. Seeing the worry on my own Ma’s face. I got it.

“Your mom is as bad as you when it comes to charming. Such a silver tongue.” Meant with total respect. “They had a good time, I just sat there on the floor watching the two having the time of their life.”

•- Embry Call -•

I kissed her again in front of her ear as she spoke. My fingers splaying a closing over her stomach. It was impossible not to touch her when I was this close. The thought struck as I trailed the tip of my nose along her neck. I smiled to myself.

“Oh, they all are.” I chuckled  kiss below her jaw. “But even those ladies had nothing on my Grandad… and I learned from the best. I intend to do him proud.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

At first my hand moved to rest over his on my stomach. All the muscles there tightened as the feel of his touch. My eyes remained closed listening to his voice and the hum on the wind. Laughing softly.

“I have memories of him when I was younger. The way he spoke to people. But mostly, the way he looked at your nani.” It was as though he would give up the world if she asked.

Titling my head, I reached over to stroke his cheek with a soft sigh. Just the lightest touch to my neck made electric course its way through me.

•- Embry Call -•

"I didn't realise you'd ever met him..." But now that I thought about it... They used to visit us here when I was little... but then as they aged, Mom insisted we made the trip instead.

I chuckled though. "Yeah, she was his whole world. Well, most of it. Then there was Mom and  me." I pressed I kiss to her neck again. Then her palm when her touched my cheek.

I held her a little tighter, so my next sentence didn't send her running. "He always told me you need to try and get a woman to fall in love with you... Just make her mom love you and you're  in." I laughed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I only have a few memories. I was really young. But even then, I didn’t sit still for long. Or so Ma keeps telling me.” I was always chasing the spirits, without knowing what or who they were.

His hand tightened around my, and my breathing stopped as my hand on his  face stilled too. I knew what he was doing… saying… but it still made me swallow and open my eyes. His laughter in my ear pulled me free from the thought. Biting the inside of my cheek. I didn’t say anything, I didn’t know how.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled a little at the rare insight into her childhood. “I don't think any of us sat still at that age for long.”

I felt that stillness wash over her and I let it. Just holding her. I spread my finger under her hand and let our hands join, squeezing lightly. I pressed a  kiss to her neck, then to her palm. It wasn't until a few moments passed that I whispered. “I miss them.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

This is the part I knew he got. The silence. He didn’t crawl to fill them, when they fell into place, Embry let them be. Let me be. Maya it’s why I didn’t feel the need to hide in the bubble. I knew for sure; I spoke inside this bubble of ours more than I did in weeks  sometimes. When the silence broke, I felt my heart drop. I got it. I knew the feeling well.

“You are allowed to miss them.” Tightening my hold I squeezed his hand. “Am I allowed to say… I know they are watching over you. Our elders… they never travel far from us.” With our warriors connection to the spirit world, the veil was thinner for us.

•- Embry Call -•

"I know." I whispered. "And I feel them all the time, around mom. When I play. But I'd still do anything for one more conversation." I knew that she knew exactly what I meant, tenfold.

"I'm starting to figure out there are lots of things I can miss even when they are right  there in front of me." I kissed below her ear again. Or ever after just an hour past."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Understanding rushed in like a high-speed train hitting me at full pelt. Regret was my guilt. That one more conversation for me would have gone so much deeper and further. It would have been filled with apologies and regret and pleading for forgiveness.

I closed my eyes when he kissed me. Because the dark hole I was digging myself into stilled, and the heat of his arms, his hand, his kiss began pushing me out of it into the light.

•- Embry Call -•

I stayed quiet, I knew that one conversation she would love to have was different from mine. But I had no doubts her father would have twice as much to say to his daughter that carried too much… too much on her shoulders. No matter how strong those shoulders were.

Mine… all  I wanted was to sit at Nana’s table while she fed me pie and my grandad blatantly checked out her arse until he was caught and got slapped upside the head. Then she’d sit on his knee like they were too teenagers and ask me about Mom and my friends.

Then my grades. That was never fun. But she never made me feel bad. Then Grandad would play the piano and Nana would sing. That… would be everything. No goodbyes… just moments.

I tightened my hold on her, smiling. Only then did I realise I hadn't said all of those thoughts out loud. I'd just let  her have her moment in silence... But she'd let me be here for that moment…. And that was everything too.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Unsure of the time passed between us with Embry in his thoughts, and I in mine. The only thing holding us in place, the silence, and the hum of the spirits beyond the window. They sang to ease the pain, to bring better memories, to remind of times filled with laughter, and togetherness. Things I overlooked too often.

‘You are not alone. You have us.’ She had woken up, feeling my deep sorrow. With Embry holding my body, she held my soul.  I laced my fingers into his hand on my stomach, squeezing gently when I felt his breathing change.

Telling him this was fine; we were here in the bubble. A place where his good fortune and my ability to become lost in my head could live side by side. No questions asked.

With my eyes reminding closed. I took a few slow and deep breaths. “Do you realise, you’re laying behind me on my sofa practically naked?” My lips curled up into a small smile. What better way for me to pull myself together, than by teasing him?

“What would your Nana and Granddad say?” Squeezing his hand again.

•- Embry Call -•

We could have stayed like this until morning. It wouldn't be first night we spent on this couch. But the night air drifting in from the window was all I needed to prove we hadn't passed that much time here. It was easy to lose track of. Easy to just be here. Breathing in her scent, cherishing her heat.

Then she had me squeezing her fingers between mine and laughing. “Grandad would say, ‘It's about time that boy finally opened his eyes!’ and Nana… she would say ‘She sings like the earth and fire. And he plays like the wind and water. It’s a  perfect circle.’”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It’s not hard to understand why Embry is the way he is. With the influence of his grandparents, with his mom, with the men of our tribe he chose to look up to. And then there was the man himself. He was different, so much more that everyone saw. More than I had allowed  myself to see.

He had me convinced I’d kill him. (I liked keeping the option open. Even if my warrior was there to dampen my desire too.)

“Earth and Fire…. Wind and Water…” I liked the analogy. It was…. What we were… “Like the moon and the sun…” both were needed to survive… “Hmm… those two knew their stuff.” My voice such a low and calm whisper as I spoke.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled... she got it. Without any need to explain... she just got me. "Are you sure there isn't any Makah blood in your heritage?" I chuckled. "Nana always said that Grandfather moved the Earth and fire, and Grandmother moved the water and wind." I smiled again pressing my lips to the shell of her ear.

"Did I ever tell you how I have a Native last name even though my great-grandmother married an Irishman?" I said softly, the story leaping to my mind because we were talking about my grandparents.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I just smiled; We were talking about the same thing. We called the Sun Grandfather, and the Moon Grandmother. The two hands in hand were powerful and passionate, which is why there weren’t allowed to come together into the skies.

“If there is Makah blood in my heritage….  It would be an honour.” The family on his Makah were good people. And I wished I could say the same about the other half of his blood. Just the thought raising the need to protect. An extinct I knew came from the Beta in me. But there was more to it too. It wasn’t the same feeling as I felt before when I thought of the sperm donor.

My eyebrow raising at his question, but as much as I wanted to turn around on this tight couch to look into his eyes. I stayed still. “No, I would have remembered that story if I heard it.” I never really asked questions, let alone pry into anyone’s history unless they shared it themselves.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled, there were a few Quileute’s that expressed this… You’d think after so much oppression Neighbouring tribes would bond but the small-town sickness wasn’t just for the townies.

I felt her wolf stir and wondered if that was what she was thinking about. How I was treated as a child for that blood she’d be proud to bear. “Easy,” I whispered, smiling as I brushed my nose along her neck kissing her again, just behind her ear.

“My great grandad father…” I started the story; we could get back to that little protective…. Something that just riled her a little. “Came over from Ireland, he was the oldest of twelve siblings only one sister. He landed in New York, like most Irish immigrants did at the time. And he worked there for years, delivering coal.”

“He hated it. He was a fishermen’s son, who wanted to be by  the sea… said the city felt wrong because even though the sea was so close... You could never see it and the bay didn't count.” I laughed… I had never been there, so I had no idea if it was true. “He got a job as a truck driver, just to see where it might take him and somehow, he made it all the way to Seattle and when he was there, he stumbled into a native festival where my great grandmother was performing, dancing in a drum circle. He claimed to have immediately fallen in love and badgered her all night with questions.”

I laughed. “In  the end, he won her over, she didn't want to leave her people, so he lived with her on the reservation… not until they were married… you know how the councils were back then. But she was the only child of an only child. The last of the Call’s… like me. So, he took her name. Said he had more than enough brothers to keep his alive. They were both in their late thirties before my grandfather was born. He grew up on the Rez and fell in love with the girl next door. Or so I was told.” I chuckled.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

History…. Ours was full of the past, of the lessons and the stories. Here I learnt a new one. One I hadn’t taken the time to ask or listen to. Certainly, his mom would have shared it. But I was never close enough to hear. And some part of me was glad in this moment. Hearing it for the first time though Embry’s mind, and his voice. Somehow made it that more peaceful.

My heart skipped a beat when he told of his great grandfather’s pull to the sea, of the journey he embarked on to find that missing part of his soul. The world he saw until his true calling came before him.

My hand moved to sit over his, at the part where Embry spoke of the tribe councils, the people who had been fighting for their right to live, but at the same time, didn’t look kindly on outsiders. It came from a place of hurt, betrayal, a place of protection and fear. And like everything which is born from fear. Kindness was never the first instinct. And still, still his great grandparents found each other.

“It was meant to be…” I hadn’t spoke for a while after the story ended, letting  it sink in. “They had to walk their paths, the good, the bad, and the ugly to find each other.” But then I smiled. “Wait… are you telling me your Irish great grandfather came across the sea, and found his beautiful wife at a Powwow?” Tutting with humour “Of course the Irish man knew where to find a good party.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed softly and nodded. “So says the legend of Padraig Call. But yeah… he might a girl at a powwow and followed her from Seattle to Neah Bay. The Irish are like bloodhounds when it comes to finding a good time.” I took her fingers between mine again. It was still  strangely wonderful to just lay with her and talk like this, so much so that I thought it could never be old.

“His family weren't too impressed he took a woman's name, but they moved past it…” I wasn't about to bring up the similarities… I was telling a love story. The rest could be told another day. “But he loved his life on the Rez, and the community accepted him… after a while… he came from a colonized people, he understood probably more than they ever expected from a white man. He respected his elders, he learned our traditions, and  taught them to his son.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Padraig Call….

I never knew the name of Embry’s great grandfather on his mother’s side. But it was etched  to my memory with the names of those who he passed. Our spirits and our ancestors. This man had crossed the oceans to find a new life, to make something, following his calling and his journey had brought him to the door of one of our own.

He was destined to become a part of my colourful history, as his blood would be named in our stories because he was now the great grandfather of a Spirit Warrior.

“I wonder….” I started  and then stopped. I could hear the similarities in his story, his history. The need his great grandfather would have felt and the longing to bring him here. The Call family had a few epic journeys and battles which brought them to who they wanted.

Listening to Embry laugh. Feel the ease in his muscles pressing into my back. The sound sang through my home, warming it.

Then I tried again. “I wonder what he would have said if he knew of our history here.” Meaning the Quileute’s relationship with the spirits.

•- Embry Call -•

“Who knows.” I smiled. “Maybe when the comes I'll hear the rest of the stories right from the source. He dedicated his life to the tribe; I see no reason he isn't resting with our ancestors.”

I pressed my face into the curve below her jaw. Closing my eyes and breathing in her scent.

“But from what I was told about him he would definitely approve of a woman who had his Great-grandson strip to his underwear to tell her his story.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes closed, I found myself smiling some more. I could feel his need to believe and because of it, I believed too. Someone who gave his life to a tribe he married into and gave up his name with the name of a tribal family to progress. This man would be, should be welcomed with open arms.

“Wait… what?” Snapping my teeth at him, his closeness had distracted me. It’s why it took an extra second to hear his comment. “His grandson stripped down by his own accord. Even if I am a gift sent by the spirits. Thanks.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and buried my face deeper into her hair, pressing a kiss against her neck like it was as natural as breathing. I smiled even wider when I realised... it was as natural as breathing. What was this woman doing with me?

I held onto her tighter when she snapped at me.

"Because there was no way in hell, I could catch you." I laughed. "So, I laid a very clever and irresistible trap." I pressed her back against me with the hand resting on her stomach. "They definitely broke the could when they made you, beautiful."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Something stirred in my stomach, and I didn’t know what cases it. Had it been the way he held me? Or the way I could feel him taking me in? Or the fact that he called me beautiful?”

It wasn’t the word itself I knew it. I’d been called it by everyone. But the way in which it  was meant.

There had been a time, when Embry would tease me about my beauty, and I never knew how to react. So, he always got a slap up the side of his head for it. And now….

Reaching back and up, my hand stroked his cheek. Leaving his hand holding me in place. “Sure … they know perfection cannot be created twice. So why even try.”

•- Embry Call -•

I turned into her touch, the day growth on my cheek brushing against her palm. I pressed a kiss there and smiled. "You are one of a kind, Trouble. not one in a million, or even 8.1 billion, a lifetime or millennium."

I tilted my head back to her and kissed her jaw. "You are a once in a universe sort of magic."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

What was I even to say to that? I mean the normal line would be to play it up and scoff. But we had passed that in moments like this. Teasing and playing sure. But tonight, the conversations we’d had.

So, I just stroked his cheek with my fingers. Closing my eyes when he kissed me. The heat of the kiss turning those creatures in my stomach towards life.

•- Embry Call -•

Once again, I wasn't sure how much time had passed just laying here with her. Being with people was something I excelled at, I was patient and (I hoped) understanding... I was also honest, sometimes brutally, when people came to me for advice. But, with Leah... I could be still  and silent, I could stop and listen to the world around us. The seen and unseen world was clear as day.

I sank further into that all-encompassing calm I only felt with her. And before it could sweep me under with that blissful, deeper kind of sleep... I whispered. "I should  take you to bed before we fall asleep."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm….” Reluctantly I willed myself to slowly sit up. Letting my ling legs slips down from the couch until my bare feet touched the cold ground. I had lost track of time. Something which only happened when we were within our bubble, with nothing needed from either of us in the world beyond my front door.

Stretching my arms, back, neck, turning my shoulder, before I pulled my hair up into my hands above my head to tie it into a messy bun. “We should make it to bed tonight…” something which wasn’t guaranteed, from the number of nights we  spent on my couch. “Would you like to take the bathroom first, or shall I?” Looking back over my shoulder I smiled as how tired and restful he seemed.

•- Embry Call -•

I tighten my arms around her for a second, even though moving was my idea. I didn’t wanna let go. But after giving her a squeezing let go. “Ladies first.” I smiled sitting up too. “In all things.” I winked.

I watched stretch that lean body and sweep up her hair in that way made my mouth go dry.

I leaned in and pressed a kiss to her, now, exposed neck. “I’m already dressed for bed. You go ahead… I promise to lock up exactly as you do.”

She knew I watched her routine. But I also knew she probably walk around the house anyway. There was a  comfort in routine, and she was only human… well mostly.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Tilting my head to the side letting his kiss linger in my thoughts before I rolled my eyes at him. “I’d be disappointed in it weren’t true. Your Mom raised a gentleman, not a heathen.”

Standing up, taking my eyes around the room. “Thank you, I won’t be long.” I knew he would take care of my home as it were his own, and he’d been taking the time to understand why and how I did things in these walls which were my sanctuary. It seemed okay to not overthink this time.

“Don’t think I don’t know how you gave yourself a head start at getting ready for bed.”

Bending down, giving a kiss to his lips once softly, and then I walked bare footed towards the bathroom. I hadn’t noticed the fact that I had been humming as I closed the door behind me.

How things had evolved for the two of us….

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled. “I try, but sometimes I slip” I chuckled. “But… those slips are a lot of fun… for both of us.” I returned her kiss and shrugged. “Hey, it’s not often I’m the one who's a step ahead!” I teased.

I moved to her living window and closed it, drawing the curtain and  then started to gather up my discarded clothes as I made my way to the front where I left my boots neatly next to hers. Then I checked the front door locks twice and turned off the lights as I made my way to the kitchen. Checking all the things she did, the back door last. I  grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge.

In her room, I even folded my clothes (and left them right where she would see them when she walked in… brownie points were fair game, right?). I set the bottles on either side of the bed and opened the window. I placed my phone and hospital beeper on the locker next to the bed, channelling my mom’s lessons and staying in the now when I saw that tiny device.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

As I worked around the bathroom, readying myself for bed I smiled listening to him and the house speaking to me without words. When I was brushing my teeth I could hear the sound of his footsteps, following his progress throughout the routine he mirrored which meant he  truly had been watching me closely.

Washing and drying my face, combing my hair. And then by the time I was done, walking out the bathroom towards my bedroom, stopping at the door at seeing his clothes. Folded and placed in a clean and tidy pile my eyebrows lifted. Until my gaze found him.

Following his glance down to my bedside table and the small device he stood beside. I knew what he felt when he saw or felt that device. The times I had seen him in the past feeling in his pockets for it without really thinking of the action.

What hearing it go off would mean. The joy and the sense of guilt that would eat him up all at once. Walking up behind him, I kissed his shoulder. My eyes taking in his side profile. I didn’t say anything, just stood next to him.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her when she came in, she’d spotted my clothes. Spotted what had steered my thoughts moment. The sweet kiss… whatever parts of my mind had drifted away floated, and I kissed her forehead. My finger twisting in the fabric at her waist.

“I’ll be right back.” I whispered. A swift kiss against her lip, mint and heat  stirring a soft hum from me. I padded, bare foot to the bathroom, feeling a chill of the tiles. Giving her time to check the house again if she wanted to. These little routines gave us comfort… so why deny anyone that?

I took care of business and cleaned up, brushing my teeth at an easy pace. All the ponder the path that led me to be standing in Leah Clearwater’s bathroom in the middle of the night, getting ready for bed like it was the most normal thing in the world. I smiled at my reflection.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

As soon as he walked away my eyes followed him. Watching how his shoulders sat, the tilt of his head, looking for any signs telling of the depth of his thoughts. But this was Embry, he took it in his stride.

Without really thinking my fingers curled around the small device, taking it over to my side of the bed to deposit it on my table. Stopping when my own thoughts stopped on the faces of our moms. And then she stirred to whisper…

‘My side.’ Our gaze now to…. ‘His side.’

“By the spirits!” Smiling with a shake of the head I undressed. Pulling the shirt up and over my head, my hair fell open and cascaded down over my face, shoulders and back.

Unhooked my bra, it folded the shirt into the clothes basket, panties next too. Before I replaced the panties with a fresh pair, and a sleeping tee. Leaving my hair down, turning to leave the bedroom to check over the house, but I stopped. Or she stopped me?

‘Trust in him. He closed up. You heard him.’ Chewing on the inside of my cheek my heart did a dance. I always checked my homes was in order for a good start the next morning.

‘Trust him.’ She said again.

And I did. How did I know? My feet carried me to bed, I opened the bottle of water taking a drink (another thing he’d noticed), before pulling the sheets free. Lying down on the cold crisp sheets which had been changed this morning, the lavender fragrance burst into bloom around me. It spoke of clam and tranquil moment, with the cool breeze floating in from the window now open in here.

Embry Call really had been paying attention.

•- Embry Call -•

I waited a few more moments, I heard a few steps in the bedroom that froze. I heard the shuffling of sheets and I grinned, hanging the towel back on the rail and heading back to the bedroom.

I closed the door and smiled at her. Fighting the temptation to tease her about not checking the house. She was a creature habit... and there was nothing wrong with that.

I spotted the beeper... she moved it to her side of the bed. and even though we both knew if that thing went off it would likely even wake the neighbours too. But the little act... it  lifted a tonne off my shoulders. Multiplied the utter peace I felt just being with her by ten. I slipped into the bed and reached her, shuffling closer and pulling her in all at once.

I pressed my face into the curve of her neck, inhaling deeply and pressing a kiss to her throat. I wouldn't thank her; she wouldn't want me to. And I knew there was no need, she knew what it meant for me to share this weight. I pulled back to smile at her in the dark... brushing back a stray hair that hadn't made it into her bun. "Miss me?" I teased, just a little.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together and biting done on the inside of them to keep from laughing. It all happened at once. My bed ducked down, the weight shifted the mattress, the scent of Embry mixed with the minty freshness of the toothpaste took over. And then came the shiver from the kiss.

“Like a kick in the arse…” now I had to laugh. Curling my leg around his waist, I feed my arm under his head and kissed his forehead.

There was something so satisfying about how we linked together at the end of the night like this. How, is gone from never sharing my space to now looking forward to the nights he stayed.

“What are you doing to me…”

Whispering a question he often asked me, into the dark, a second kiss placed on his forehead had a sudden effect of calm.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and lifted my head my hand sliding down her side to her thigh as she fitted herself against me and I pulled her leg over mine, slipping my knee between hers like it belonged there... because right now... it did.

My other hand draped across the pillow above her head, stroking her loosely tied-up hair. I closed my eyes at the sensation of her kisses.

"Anything you want me to, Trouble." I teased. It hadn't been a question. And even if was, she knew... we both knew. "And I don't want to stop," I whispered like there was some one that could  hear me other than just her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

By the spirits! That sound! In the dark it lit the room up somehow. Feeling the warmth of our skin together with it, and the rumbling of his voice. He was killing me. “Don’t give me ideas, Dimples.” But it was too late. I left the Imagining to him on the most part. But every now and then I let my own mind wonder too.

Taking in a deep lung full of air with eyes closed, I allowed myself to feel the soft touches of his hand to my hair, on my leg, the way our body fit. And I knew. This was right. This place, these feelings. With him.

Eyes remaining close I snapped my teeth playfully. “Go to sleep. Your dreams are waiting for you.”

•- Embry Call -•

I couldn’t deny the way the rhythm of her heart changed when I laughed made me feel something stuck somewhere between pride and joy.

“Don't doesn't nearly as fun.” I grumbled. That sweet sense of belonging and comfort settled into my bones. I closed my eyes. Breathing deep, she smelled of sea air, lavender, and Leah. The snap me chuckle and squeeze her leg between mine.

“Sleep sweetly, Trouble.” I whispered and felt my wolf brush against my ribs, getting as close to that magnificent beast beneath her skin as we could.

The End

[blazingtheway]

Your Top-shelf is Going to be Mine. – Storyline 16 - Together - Part 1

•- Embry Call -•

“Keep it up and I'll use your top-shelf bourbon has mouthwash, Trouble!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Smirks.  “Is someone a little touchy this morning? I’ve told you before to stop putting crap in your mouth. You don’t know where it’s been.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Could be worse! At least I didn't wake up to an instant family! Single Mumming in tough. But I have faith in you!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Aww, are you jealous it wanted a long-term relationship with me, and just a shag from you? Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find the one.”

•- Embry Call -•

Throws up a little in my mouth and turns green. “Low blow!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together so not to laugh. “Too soon, should have given it a day. Maybe.” Motioning to his teeth. “You missed a bit.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Too soon! Are you not going help me clean up.... I might need a little in the shower to scrub off the stench.” Smirks like what I just said was the ultimate foreplay.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rubbing my forehead to hide the grin coming to life on my lips. Did he think that wasn’t cheesy? Coughing to clear my throat.  “If you hadn’t chomped on your playmate, you could have saved yourself the trouble.”

•- Embry Call -•

“There’s only one playmate that I'm interested in and you know it.” Smiles.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Licking my lips, with a tilt to my head.  “Oh, do I? Who could that be?”

•- Embry Call -•

“Come closer.... It's a secret.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm… how close?”

•- Embry Call -•

“Close enough to hear what I'm thinking of course.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I could do that from across the room.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Sure.” I smile and set my hand on her waist, stepping in until I feel her heat. “But it wouldn't feel the same.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Heat erupted up the side of my neck and my heart did it’s delicious dance. “Hmm…” Closing my eyes, I cupped his face leaning into his chest, letting my lips touch his.

•- Embry Call -•

Fingers curled in the fabric at her waist, and I kissed her, resting the other hand lightly against her cheek. “What were we talking about again?” I whispered and sucked softly on her bottom lip.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Lighting struck with the teasing of my lip, my breathing shallowed and my core pulsed. The tip of my tongue slipped over his top lip as my hands moved around his neck. “Top.. shelf.. bourbon.” I whispered before kissing him again, slow and steady.

•- Embry Call -•

“Now I remember.” I teased, lifting her off her feet. I slid my hands to her thighs and held her in place. I returned that deep, unhurried kiss… sweeping my tongue past her lips.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits!” The word a gasp with the wind and the way he took me off my feet made my stomach twist. Wrapping my legs around his waist I held myself upright with every muscle in my torso tense to attention. My lips parted to welcome him, with his taste feeding the sensations.

•- Embry Call -•

Fuck! That little gasp... my jeans were instantly tight. I groaned, tasting her tongue again and I pressed her back against the wall. Sliding my hands over those insanely powerful muscles along her waist. "So strong." I murmured onto her lips.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My back hit the wall putting a moan out while I kissed him with intention. “Hmm…”

My hands moved under his arms and around his back, fisting his shirt to feel the closeness. Tightening my legs around him I arched my back pushing my chest against his.

•- Embry Call -•

It was impossible to get enough of her, and way she gripped my clothes and pulled me closer had my bucking my hips up against her with a deep moan.

If she wanted closer… that’s exactly what she would get. My hands slipped under her shirt, feeling the heat of her skin that matched mine. “So hot!” I growled this time. Meaning it in every possible interpretation.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits!” One-word moans were all I had to offer today with my mind taking on all the sensations bombarding me.

My back pushed up the wall, pushing at my hair. My eyes widened. By the Spirits he wanted this… as much as I did. Feeling him between my legs, stimulating not just my core, but my mind too. That’s what this man did.

Biting his lips before deepening the  kiss again, our tongues entwined with a rain full of taste, touch, and scent. Every muscle his fingers moved over tensed sending lightening jolts. My hands tugged up at his shirt too.

•- Embry Call -•

Her scent set off a wave desire and we both dove deeper into the kiss. Tasting every inch of her mouth didn’t sate the longing to taste the source of that mouthwatering scent… But it still set my heart racing.

I pulled her away from the wall long enough to free her over her shirt and sweep her hair over one shoulder, so it wasn’t trapped between her and wall when I pressed her back the cool surface. Then let her rid me my shirt.

“Fuck!” I groaned when I felt her bare skin on mine, leaning in chest-to-chest to bring my lips to the pulse of her throat. Leaving just enough space between us to cut the prefect slope of her breast over her bra.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Even with the current state of my mind, I couldn’t help but smile at the way he took the time and care. Moving me, my hair, holding on when he knew I had control.

Our shirts gone, his smooth skin and mine touching. And still I thought how he was like no other. Our temperature this wasn’t going to get old. All this time, and it still for a split second came to mind. I let my head fall back against the wall, arching my hips down into his, pressing my chest into his palms letting my eyes close so that my mind followed his touches.

“Spirits”

Biting down on my lower lip I let a moan out. The heat grew melting part of the  hold I kept on myself. I knew my boundaries, and his. And they were aligned.

•- Embry Call -•

My tongue tasted and teased the sweet spot, I let my mouth move up to the hollow below her jaw and run and a line or heated but slow kisses along her jaw.

My thumb rolled over the pert nub that pressed into my palm through the soft fabric, the other hand feeling it’s way over every curve and muscle until I gripped her arse, lifting her a little higher against the wall.

I kept her pressed tightly against the wall with my hips, leaving three or four between each slow roll now.  Just enough to cam her heart rate high without pushing our limits.

My lips moved to her collarbone, and I swept my tongue through that mouthwatering little groove.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Embry…” his name was the only think I could think of. The rest of the world has melted away. Each movement of his hips were met with my own, like a dance with the music being shared by our uneven hearts.

My fingers tugged at his hair, just enough to be felt. Biting my own lips at the sensations he caused to build a rampage within as a distraction hadn’t helped, as I let out a moan.

I wanted his lips on mine, but I so wanted him to continue the way he worshipped the rest of me too.  “Spirits!” I gasped circling my hips into him.

•- Embry Call -•

I groaned and scraped my teeth over her collarbone before I brought my lips crashing into her, the sound of my name setting off an unmissable twitch in my jeans.

“Every time you moan my name, I have to thank the Spirits for the strength does not rip every last shred of clothing left on your body.” I whispered hurriedly onto her lips and claimed them again in a deep, heated kissed.

How had been possible that I missed her lips in the few minutes I had been worshipping the rest of her? I kissed her like I hadn’t felt her lips on mine in weeks.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He was a mind reader, he had to be. I wanted his lips back on mine, and there they were. “Let them know…” muffled word’s through rough hunger kisses. “The next time you sing…” I managed.

Digging my nailed into his back I pulled them up together his shoulder blades. fully aware the marks would be gone before they were evidence of what had taken place.

Catching his tongue I sucked, feeling just how he had reacted to to my last moan. I let this own building out freely. I was doing that a little more now. Not holding my moans back.

•- Embry Call -•

I was about to ask her to elaborate on the but then that sweet sting, ending on pleasure climbed its way up my back. I squeezed her arse, pulling hard against me... grinding our bodies together.

My moan was swallowed up by the way she captured my tongue, and I slipped my other hand behind her back and pulled her away from the wall. Stepping backwards towards her couch.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Spirits! Every step of the way he matched me in all the ways. The sarcasm, the honesty, the willingness to learn, the strength, the heat, the desire, and most of all the heart. I could hear the both of ours singing their songs together with their rhythm.

His actions  gave me no choice. I could feel the pool gathering thanks to him, the constant presence of an entire army rampaging in my core, calling for more.

He pulled me off the wall, and my hair fell back off my shoulder with the cold air taking up its place.  My arms locked around his neck as I held on. My lips moved to his jaw, biting his chin before finding his lips again.

•- Embry Call -•

The sound of her and that fucking irresistible scent had me changing my initial plan. She was going to be the death of me. I spun us both, side stepping her coffee table and laying her back on the couch. I planted one knee on the couch and the other still on the floor holding over her, looking down at that gorgeous, slightly flushed face. I freed her hair from beneath her and trailed my hand down her torso.

“That scent isn’t making it any easier not to tear your clothes off.” I teased her and kissed a line down her chest between her breasts, over her bra… I unwrapped her legs from around me and kept moving lips down. Closing in on the source of that mouthwatering scent.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Do not break anything!” My breath voice muttered into his mouth. Something in his head changed. Where or how or what… spirits.

Right now, I didn’t care. I just knew that the last thing that broke in this living room, had a million questions from my Ma and Kid. I never lie so the blank ‘You’re not getting an answer.’ Look frustrated them.

“Spirits… Embry!”

The coil in my bottom on my stomach turned deliciously feeding the fire heating me from the inside out.  My heart stopped when he hovered there, his eyes taking in the sight of me but it was the tenderness of him moving my hair which made me blink up at him.

How… how even now… did this man do things that made me want him even more? (Not that I’d admit it to him or myself.)

‘I’ll admit she.’ She was wake. I growled this was our time as her. my eyes and hand moved down his chest as he spoke.

“Who said this path was easy?” The words catching on a moan, my body curved up into his touch, every muscle going tight sending shivers. My hands slipped into his hair, and I closed my eyes, pressing my lips closed.

•- Embry Call -•

"I  only plan on breaking your self-control." I whispered. I didn't... and not just because I knew that I couldn't.

I felt it instantly, that incredible Spirit that lived beneath her skin waking up. She liked us... my own wolf just knew even if she never let us into her mind.

I pressed my lip to her toned stomach, just below her navel. "Who said I was looking for easy." I mumbled onto her skin. I felt denim brush my chin as my kisses reached that mouthwatering dip in her hip that disappeared into her jeans, and I let my tongue follow it. The act made my stomach and the bulge in my jeans twitched and strained.

Fuck! I loved it when she played with my hair. I popped the button on her jeans and very slowly slipped them off her hips, that delicious scent flooded the room, and I felt my wolf stir in my chest.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

That comment should have become a challenge I would rise to. But right now. It was bloody hot! The moment that thought hit me, I knew it was hers, making me snap my teeth. Then there was a moment of silence in my mind before it roiled at the scent taking over the space around us. This time it wasn’t just me, it was him too. Did he know just how good his scent was?

I shook my head, my fingers curled into his hair letting me tug at it a little. swallowing back the pleasure I bit down on my lips. The sound of my jeans opening made my head jerk up off the armrest of the couch. Gazing down to see the top of his head.

“Embry…” his name was a moan again. Arching my hips up as much as I could with his weight over me.

•- Embry Call -•

I shifted back onto my heel so I could strip her jeans off the rest of the way off and dropped them to the floor. "Fuck, Leah!" I groaned and pressed a kiss to the inside of her knee.

My eyes roamed up her body... her perfect almond ski, every toned, tight muscle that jumped when I pressed another kiss to her leg... higher up on her thigh. I lifted her legs and rested her calf against my shoulders, my hand and lips kissing and touching every inch.

"You know... I could spend days just worshipping these legs."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes darted to the clothing hitting the floor. My warrior just rolled her eyes and laughed at me. (In my defence. I didn’t overthink it. Or go to pick them up!) He had all my attention back with that kiss on my heated skin, it had sent sensation spiralling towards my core pulsing and a sweet throb took my mind into a calm and excited place.

My hands moved up the sides of my torso. Following the curves of my own body. The cool air making me tingle. My low smooth legs stretched out to rest over his shoulders, making my hips lift from the couch.

•- Embry Call -•

My hand ran down the inside of her thigh, following the carved line of her defines muscles, until the back of my fingers brushed the damp fabric of her panties. A rush of desire moved through like a bolt. “Fuck Leah!” I growled and my pressed my lips to her leg again.

I kissed a slow line up the inside of her leg, squeezing her arse once… or twice before I leaned forwards and eased her back to the couch.

My teeth scraped against her inner thigh, the scent getting stronger and stronger, setting my stomach routing.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits…. Embry…” His name rolled off my tongue as though it were the only words I knew.

I pushed down into the couch as his lips left a trail of fire in its wake. I called for my control only to hear a whisper of ‘live in the moment.’ Over and over like a record player stuck in one place. My breathing grew heavier, as he slides his attention down my legs.

“Embry….” I moaned his name, my hips circled trying to gain friction. He moved even close as he took the journey back down towards the precipice of my desire. Fuck for sure! My eyes moved down to look, when I gasped and dropped my head back into the armrest again.

•- Embry Call -•

That scrap of my teeth turned the light bite when she pressed her hips down against my hand. My moan muffled and the tensed muscle. The light mark on her skin would fade long before anyone would see it... though the pack never saw her transition into her wolf anymore.

The sound of my name not once but twice set a fire in my veins. The animal half of my soul woke up, feeding into the sensation she clearly wanted. I turned my hand and pressed my finger to the same spot in a slow circle. Once.

I moved my lips to her stomach... knowing there was only close I could get before my self-control cracked and I took that taste I had been craving.

Twice. Another slow circle and my slipped hand away... sliding it over the fabric and up along her stomach in the wake of the heat I ran up the centre of her abs.

If she wanted more, I had no doubt she would let me know. That thought made me smile against her skin. I couldn't about anything but how to coax the next breathy sound or moan out of this incredible woman.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

She stood awake pushed to let out a roar. I curled myself around her spirit and held her in. Remembering her this was our time. That I shouldn’t need to be keeping her underground when I should be with him.

‘He is awake.’ She felt him a split-second before I had, the scent, the aurora, the way Embry moved. I could tell his warriors had awoken too. Except his wasn’t as much as a pain in the arse as mine.

She growled at me, settling but still listening.

Once she moved out of my mind, I looked down. “Ouch!” Even that came out as a sound of desire. “You… bit… me!”

It wasn’t a question because I had that jolt of excitement coursing through my veins. My core spasmed as I melted beneath his attention. “Spirits!” I moaned out. He was on a mission. He opened the door a crack to air the fires he’s set and then closed it shut right again, leaving me wanting more, so much more.

“Embry!” This time his name came out louder and I cupped my mouth.

My hands moved to caress my face, then moved into my hair, pulling, and tugging it back as I rivalled the movement my hips and muscles made with his mouth moved north up my stomach.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled a little breathlessly, my kisses feathering along her ribs now. "I had to do something to stop me from replacing my hand with my mouth..." I flicked my gaze up to hers. Fuck! She was running her finger through her hair and moaning my name again. Another twitch in my Just as my hips fitted between hers when I crawled up over her beautiful body. My hand slipped over the mound of her breast the fabric of her bra couldn't conceal the hard nipple beneath.

"Fuck!" There wasn't a thing about this woman that wasn't a turn-on.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I found his eyes, so much in there to see that I was captured from the get go. Trailing the tip of my tongue over my lips, I let my hair go. It cascaded freely down the side of the couch.

My legs slipped easily around his waist, bringing him down into me. I arched my back to push my breasts into his touch, the sensation feeding the sensitivity that my bra couldn’t protect me from.

I circle my hips until he was in that pressure filled spot. Letting out a hum of excitement when I heard him again saying ‘Fuck’. And I didn’t tease him. This time.

•- Embry Call -•

Hers eyes locked on mine and there was so much my hatbit nwad impossible to unpack. I just rolled my thumb over the peaked breast she’d willingly pressed into my hand and moved my hand to her cheek. My fingers sweeping below her eye, feathering against her temple and along her jaw.

“Spirits.” I rolled my hips down, letting her lock me in with those powerful legs just right. “Those eyes.” I smiled and moaned as I grind my hips against the pooled heat. I dropped my voice to a whisper. “Don’t look away.” I gave her a playful, wicked grin and bucked against her again, faster this time.

That would surely give me the time I needed to read her mind, right?

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Spirits, no part of me hadn’t reacted. The hands, fingers, the mouth, the weight of his body, the length fully pushing down into my melting core.

“Spirits.” I gasped as my legs began to fall apart until I took control of them again.

Pressing my lips together, the hum of electrical charge coursed it’s way between us. My hands moved into his hair, doing as he asked. My eyes remained open and on him. I could do this. I knew it… Whispering his name this time, I felt the same sensation over my face as I did that first night he kissed me.

•- Embry Call -•

I felt it that moment she lost focus and the hold loosened… because this woman never went weak… not matter what she felt, or how close to that edge she got… her hold me never weakened. Legs, arms, hand… fuck even if her ankles locked around mine. She held onto me until we reached that line… when we stopped… a gasping, heart pounded mess of limbs and lips.

And now… now that I told her not to look away all I wanted was to kiss her, but I wouldn’t look away. My moved against hers, with her. Heat and pressure and tremors of pleasure flowed through me. My eye never hers even as I breath became hard and fast. Not until the reach the line, just before we might tip over the ledge.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I placed my hands onto both of his shoulders and mouthed the word.

“Stop!” It took everything in my will power to think the words and then share it in that moment.

Breathless, sensitive, filled with the desire to push until we were free falling urged me not to halt the build, he had created for the both of us. But we were on the cusp of falling.

Heat and Blood thrummed in my vision, I shuddered beneath him, pulsing and shivering all while my eyes stayed where they were.

“Embry…” my shaken voice whispered as I slipped my hands to cup his face. Letting my legs come apart to rest on each side of him as I pulled myself up and him down to meet me.

“Spirits...” I whispered again kissing his bottom lip, and then slowly kissing his top lip before I deeply kissed him to say all with this one action.

•- Embry Call -•

She had barely parted her lips to say the word when I stilled my hips and made space between our bodies. The way her pupils flared, and heart lurched told me she was close. Just as as close as I was.

We were both breathing hard. Heat radiated off of us far more than usual. Was her body screaming for more too? While her heart and would told her this was our path, we hard more road to travel before we should make that fall together.

I moved the lower half on my body, so I wasn’t between her legs any more. A safe place to drop my weight onto her as pulled me down, without relighting the fire.

The second my weight was off my arms those shivers of pure pleasure took over. And a definitely whimper escaped my lips when she said my all shaky and breathless like that. Fuck!! That was a sound I would never get sick of.

Then she was kissing me. I slipped one arm under her turning her, so we were side-by-side on her couch. My other hand on her waist keeping her from rolling off of the couch. The kiss was slow and so deep that when my tongue hers the groan came from somewhere deep in my soul.

“When you voice get soft, and gamy like that…” I whispered between kisses. “It does things to me I can’t describe… it’s like the opening notes of a song you’ve never heard… but you just know, it will change your life.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Twisting my body in his hold, my hair tangled under me, but I still managed to free it without breaking away from him.

I had come so close, the pulsing in my core, the hammer in my chest, the heat that bonded all around us. Stood there as witness to this new reality that was us, we had said it from the start. Comments about being ourselves, not holding back, not worrying about hurting the other, the heat of our bodies, the ability, and the stamina. It all came into his ginormous melting pot that was Embry and Leah.

My eyes fluttered open hearing his voice, it was evident how he too had been close. My lips moved to his cheek, to his jawline, to his chin giving him the time to share his thoughts. My heart jumping as it all sank in.

“Art of conversation…” I whispered. It was something he could never lose. The way he always knew how to say things. While I never could find the correct words.

•- Embry Call -•

Her heart was still racing, the sound of it mingled perfectly with mine. I tilted my head so she could get any access she wanted. I soft hum on my lips, those kisses could have added to the hunger burning in my body, but the softness, the way she touched me was all intended to soothe the desire.

"The art of body language." I whispered right back. She always made herself heard one way or another. She always made me feel heard, no matter what she did or did not say.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm…” my lips curved up into that smile only he caused for me. Keeping my body still beside his. I didn’t push into him, no matter how much the need for friction called to me. I knew we both needed the time to gather ourselves. And I would give that to us.

“It’s the best way if you ask me.” Still whispering. Listening to him had become so much easier now. I knew what his heart told me loud and clear. But then there were the things I’ve missed for years. Because I didn’t care to search them out.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled, now that she was settled, and we were climbing down from that ledge…. I slipped my hand up the curve of her spine. She could keep herself from falling, my hand stops on the back of her neck, feeling the silkiness of her hair on the back of my hand as my fingers started the slow steady pattern that brought that deep soulful connection to the forefront.

The reminder that would had so much than this fucking incredible physicality. “I’m definitely seeing the benefits I never knew to look for before.” I smile, that light figure eight playing against the top of her spine. “You make me feel things that no one ever could words. Just in the way you look at me.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

That smile… By the name of the spirits, it meant so much to see it on his lips. Leaning in I kissed it, before settling into his side on the couch.

It was a tight space, but somehow, we always made it work for us.  I closed my eyes following the trail of his hands and listening to messages he shared there as well as the one he spoke.

“Still… real.”

What he said meant a lot, and it had been the same for me. His eyes found me in a sea of this world, and he dared to look when others turned away, because that was what I had wanted. And now he saw me, and I wanted him to see it all.

•- Embry Call -•

Those words... how the softened her voice. How deeply they touched me, and how much I knew they meant to her. That soft kiss could never put out the fire in my veins, but it certainly softened the flames, a kiss intended to create closeness not arousal.

"Still real."  I whispered. Slowly, slowly coming down from our high. I caught my lower lip... getting lost in those eyes. "Those eyes... astonishing."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The eyes he spoke to fell to his lips. Leaning in I kissed him softly away. “A window to the story no one dared to read.” And I was proud of this fact, until now. He read it, and never judged me for when he learnt.

I closed them to stop him. Because the Call’s had away. Embry and his mom. Spirits, I didn’t know how. But they never backed down from the fear my eyes placed in others.

•- Embry Call -•

Her lips were soft and still plump from our amorous activities, I flicked my tongue against her lower lip. I smiled when she closed her eyes... like that would stop the unspoken messages she was sending with her kisses, her touch... and simply being here with me.

I kissed each closed eye, softly. "I still see you." I whispered so softly only a Spirit Warrior could hear I slipped my fingers into her hair.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

A warm shiver passed over my skin, the hum on the air sang it’s song. And I relaxed now when he played with my hair. His voice sounded over the hum of the spirits, making my smile a little.

Lowering my voice too. “I’m not hiding in the bubble.” With him here, I no longer felt the need for those walls. He’s brought them down, one brick at a time.

•- Embry Call -•

"I know." I whispered, and I meant. Because of her touch, her closeness, her heartbeat... all of them spoke to me.

"You haven't truly hidden anything from me since the first time you kissed me first." I smiled and pressed my lips against her once. "When you made that choice, you didn't just choose to kiss me... you chose this path."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My heart began to speed up at the memory coming rushing back. At how I had opened my front door, walked around the street, and kissed him. Breaking my own rules.

“I… knew… I had to make sure, but then I knew…” my eyes told you. Screamed. That I knew then I could trust him. pressing my lips to his, and sighing I closed my eyes again. Taking a minute as that feeling from that first kiss, it hadn’t changed.

•- Embry Call -•

I remembered turning and standing in the street after she opened the door to watch me go. Telling her everything was fine. To trust that I respected her choice. But unable to walk away, the voice in my head gold me I should that it would be easier for her if I kept walking.

But those phantom whispers on wind told me something else. Then she stunned me beyond belief.

“l was willing to wait.” I whispered. "The path might have been different after a few weeks. But I wasn't, walking away entirely. I was in too deep. Have you any idea how happy you made me when you stepped out of your door that night.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I have an idea.” Whispering I moved to rest my forehead to his chin. I wasn’t hiding, just being. In the moment and in the past at once.

“You’ve never pushed, even when I asked you to leave. When I told you it wasn’t going to happen.” He believed and waited. “I didn’t know how to react. How to process it all. I needed time.” And he gave it to me.

“Always so patient in waiting.”

•- Embry Call -•

“I suppose you do.” I smiled. Breathing in the scent of her hair. Insecurity was never something I struggled with… but somehow it was too easy to slip into thinking that I was one getting the best out this… but she was always quick the remind me that it wasn’t true.

Everything between us went both ways.

“I get it… it was sprung on you.” I smiled. “When I went back and asked you to open the door… I’d made my choice. You deserved the time to make yours too.” I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and rested my chin back there.

“You didn’t keep me waiting.” I whispered. That fact made me smile. I was more than willing to wait, and I would have… but everyone knew I was a fan of instant gratification.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Curling my arm over him I didn’t move. Just listening, taking the other side of the same event in on his view point. “Don’t kill me…” I smiled. “Those three words… I should have known then.”

He had taken me off guard, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. But something had changed Curling my arm over him I didn’t move. Just listening, taking the other side of the same event in on his view point.

“Don’t kill me…” I smiled. “Those three words… I should have known then.” He had taken me off guard, it hadn’t even crossed my mind. But something had changed.

•- Embry Call -•

My skin tingled everywhere it touched hers. I pulled her flush against me in the tight space of her couch. "It was a genuine concern..." I chuckled. "Metaphorically at least. And I was partly speaking to the Ancestors. I knew we were being drawn together and I hoped I wasn't taking us off the path they were guiding us to." She fit against my body so perfectly that it was like we were designed to do exactly that. Fit together.

"But every time I was around you felt this heat, I don't mean because we're the same temperature... but it built until I I knew I needed to let it just flow and see where it took us. And I know you are a woman of action... It was the easiest way to let you know exactly what I was feeling and prove I would take any chance to follow this path all at once.

There is no way to misunderstand that." I chuckled. "Of course, afterwards I realised you could have assumed instantly that I just wanted to get you into bed... But luckily for me... you knew me better than that be then."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Metaphorically?” Raising my eyebrow “There he goes using big words again.”

I curled my legs around his. This shouldn’t feel as comfortable as it did. Spirits, there was a bed in the next room that would be somewhat more comfortable. However, this was where we always ended up together and at peace.

My eyebrows pulled together. “It never crossed my mind that you were doing it for that reason.” Even before my walls came down, I’d never listened to the rumours about him. We had and most likely ever now were the most talked about singletons on the Rez.

“And if you had a one-track mind. Our first night together wouldn’t have been like this laying and talking on a couch…. With some kissing…. Neither of knew the meaning of taking it slow. And we both came to that same conclusion without even knowing it was happening.”

Shifting to look into his eyes. “The ancestors clearly had some faith in us. We aren’t bending pulled in other directions, or being told we are doing it wrong. So, far…”

•- Embry Call -•

"Really?" I shook my head at her. "It's a fairly common word regardless of how long is." I deadpanned. Or... I try to... but I was grinning.

She wrapped her legs around mine and tangled my ankles with hers, tying us both into a complicated knot. I took it as a sign that we had no intention of moving tonight. I was a little shocked at her answer. "Really... never? I mean I knew you didn't at first... but even now... it's never crossed your mind? It's not like I ever discouraged my reputation... if anything I added fuel to the fire regularly. So I wouldn't blame you if had a moment of wondering."

I smiled... we had pushed a line or two... even that night I think our bodies had cravings for the other. I chuckled as a memory resurfaced. "I remember asking you to stay and just keep kissing me." My heart raced and I kissed her just like that, again.

"I had never felt so much from just a kiss... it was impossible to stop."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Leaning into the kiss, I felt those sensations pulsing through my veins even today. It hadn’t stopped over time. Pulling back to meet his eyes, I took him in.

“Never. You seem to forget o am the queen of feeding a reputation. Whenever something is said about me… I may not feed it myself, because that would be lying. And my soul couldn’t take that. But my actions… they send a message until they all believe their own lies.”

Kissing his jaw. “I knew when you were lying or embellishing. when you stayed quiet letting others write their own stories about Embry Call. And I watched and saw when you patted your own back. ‘metaphorically’, at a job well done.”

Finding his eyes again. “Was I wrong? Should I have questioned you?” I didn’t need too, the spirits saw his pure soul, and so did I.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled. Spirits… did she have any idea what just that one word - Never - meant to me? “For someone that prefers actions over words, you certainly have all the right ones.” My fingers twirled a strand of hair right by her ear.

She'd trusted me from the first moment... Maybe not as much as she did now but that's okay… that took time. But she trusted that when I told her I just wanted to be with her… she believed me.

“No, not you… never you. This was always… more than anything else. And I don't mean hookups. What we have… it doesn't even live in the same part of my memory as that. There's no connection, this is a whole new album. I mean everything… from the start there was a bond forming.” It wasn't a word Protectors used lightly. “And I wanted it… I couldn't walk away… not permanently at least. It felt like… coming home and smelling your favourite food, hearing your favourite song the second step inside.”

This was getting a little flowery… but it was also still true. “If all we ever did was curl up on this couch and talk… or not talk, until we fell asleep. I would still show up every chance I got.” I released her hair and stroked the apple of her cheek. “As long as I can see these eyes. And hold onto you in whatever way you want me to. I'm here.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shrugging my shoulder, a little. “I have my moments. And then the words are gone from awhile.” I knew he was teasing. And at the same time, kind of right. I didn’t have words often.

My finger tips worked that pattern he always painted onto my skin on his back, stopping when what he shared sunk in.

‘This is a whole new album.’

I liked the sound of this, we were walking our one path, but… we were writing our own songs to tell our story. The way of our ancestors, and their spirits. But it was;

‘From the start there was a bond forming. And I wanted it.’

“A bond?” Moving so that I could see his face. Did he understand what he was saying? The meaning of such a thing?

‘It felt like coming home.’ He… felt all this?

Swallowing that feeling growing inside, one I could never put into words. I searched his face. “Embry?….” Heat radiating up the sides of my neck as my wolf stirred without saying a word.

•- Embry Call -•

I felt the twisting unbroken pattern she painted on my skin. I felt the power of it sinking into my being and stretching right through me and into her. Tying us together by our own choice.  I closed my eyes an let the feeling fill l me up.

Her wolf roused mine and I knew the word that was catching them both. “I know.” I whispered. Speaking to both of them. We spoke to both of them. “I know it’s a big word for all of its four letters.” My fingers trailed down her cheek and along the curve of her throat. “But it’s what we believe.” I never spoke for my wolf like this. He was me; I was him. But this was about them too. “We feel it all the way down to our soul. It doesn’t need a name, who knows if there even is one that could ever sum it up.” I smiled at them… and I swear I could see the lighter shade of her  warriors eyes reflected in the woman’s before my.

“And I want you know. I will always hear anything you want to say to me… but when the words don’t come, just believe, there’s nothing you could say to me that would make me feel more seen, more known… or safer, happier… or  more wanted than you make feel with every touch, and look… or kiss.” I smiled a little cheekily. “I won’t lie… we are particularly fond of the kissing.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Our eyes searched his until she saw him first. Embry and his warrior, in unison. “You’re speaking for him…. you never speak for him.” My voice low for his ears only. We all have individual relationships with our warriors, some it was a guiding force, for others a partner in crime, for some like Embry, they were one and the same.

She pushed forward to feel the moment as I did, but at the same time she wanted to take her own memories from it. She knew at some stage she would need to show this back to me.

Four small letters. Brought with it the power of many generations from before us. I closed my eyes for a few seconds while my mind followed the feel his touch on my skin. That touch spoke so loud in my heart that my ears weren’t needed. He was here, with me, together.

When I opened my eyes  again, I knew, I knew for the first time she’d come out to show herself to him… to them… she knew the true meaning, she understood, and through her, Embry, and the sight of his warrior’s eyes looking back at me. I did too.

Moving myself up into my elbow, I pushed my hair  back over my shoulder before leaning down to touch his lips with mine.

My hand cupped his face, the tingle of his one-day growth on my palm. I deeply kissed him. My lips moved over and with his, gently gaining access I swelled my tongue with his. A burst of him washing over  my entire being. All as I hoped he was listening.

I was telling him without those words, that I heard them, that I understood now what it all meant. What this unnamed bond between us had grown into.

•- Embry Call -•

“He really wanted her to know he was here too and he sees her… both of you… I know some people think he’s quite… but we just… blend so well as a human and a wolf.” I smiled. “There’s only one thing we differ on right now and been a long time since that happened.”

I chuckled maybe that was why I was speaking for him right now.

Then she was there, her eyes liking down into mine… making me feel so much all at once that a few months I would never have thought it was possible for a body to hold this many emotions at once.

And that was before she  kissed me.

I slid my fingers into the hair she had carefully moved… undoing at least half of her gesture. Her mouth  was soft against mine, her lips soft… still slightly plumped from our early activities. A deep satisfied sound bubbles up from my chest when I tasted her tongue in mine. I pulled her closer, clasping fingers gently in her hair.

I kissed her, giving her everything she was giving. I held nothing back even allow my partner in crime the rise up and share the moment since he wasn’t his usual animalistic self, he was soaking up the feeling, happy this bond he felt had been acknowledged. “We. Hear. You.” I whispered between kisses.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I closed my eye tightly my hand moving down between us to stop over his chest. Hearing and feeling the thudding of his/ their heart. The rhythm of which matched mine/ ours too.

This became the first moment in which we all shared, another first. Up until now it had be about  two. But now I could feel the draw of all four. And it didn’t fill me with fear.

She and I both heard them. We knew they would hear us; they would understand.

Finally pulling back, I rested my forehead to his. My breathing unsteady, my lip’s swollen and tingling. still wanting more. Why could I not get enough of him?

Opening my eyes i gazed down at him, feeling his warm breath on my face. She pushed me to ask a question… but I couldn’t… I didn’t do that.  I told her, it was between them. If they wanted us to know, they would tell us.

•- Embry Call -•

Her hand rested over my heart, as she did so often. I couldn't put a time on how long we were kissing like that, but when we stopped, we were breathless.

Both of them look down at both of us, our fingers moved through her hair. Along her back and arms, touching her letting him Feel the delicate seeming skin that was anything but delicate. But his curiosity was much deeper than touch.

I wrapped my arms around her waist, in an illusion of keeping her close... If she wanted to run l would it and couldn't stop her. "Don’t run when you hear this  because he can be patient." I paused. "He really wants to hear her voice. I've told him that will come in its own time. It's not as easy as that with the other guys around.”

Her voice was obviously metaphorical… we knew what her wolf sounded like. But it had been years since we heard her wolf's mind.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His touch to my hair calmed now where as once it made me angry. Not just him, anyone. But with Embry, and now knowing his warrior was awake too. It was a soothing experience.

My heart stopped. And my warrior stilled. “Whenever you say not to kill you… or run… I should  know by now, something is coming.” His arms moved around us, more of an ask to stay close. As we both knew, if we needed space. Needed to move. They would let go.

“He wants to hear her?” I asked a little confused.

‘He knows my voice; I am his beta.’ She told me as confused at the ask.

“Because of me…” it clicked into place. “Because we have learnt to keep you out.” I continued as the realisation dawned on her too.

“I’ve kept them apart all this time.” Even now, I still kept her safely inside me. Only opened those walls when it was. absolutely necessary. “Spirits, it hadn’t occurred to me.” I said to all three of them.

‘It’s okay, we both made the choice.’ She told me. But I knew she did it for me.

•- Embry Call -•

"Maybe that's the wrong word..." I explained. "He wants to share her mind; feel the way her thoughts move... hear the unspoken things we all share." I brushed my fingers against her cheek. "Not always, he knows that not how you want to live. I guess what he really wants is for  both of you to choose to be in that..." I couldn't say hive mind... because we would never ask her to open herself up to the others.

"Space with us, let us see more than just what you choose... feel what you do. Let you feel how we do when we're with you. But only if you make  the choice. I know how much it is to ask... so does he. We aren't asking... just.." I smiled. "Letting you know... we might. Someday."

It was a huge ask. but it was something he couldn't help feeling. We revelled in 90% of the mind-to-mind connection it was how we detected  problems the kids were having. We relied on it the monitor how #Quil really felt about #Claire growing up.

To keep the pups from walking the wrong path like I had. To make sure they were all... happy.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

We listened to him, well I listened. She knew this was coming and understood why. I guess some part of me had known too, why wouldn’t they want to be a part of her as much as me. We were a package deal. She had been his biggest advocate from the start, she had pushed me to open up, to become friends, to let him in. And here they were. I could feel his warrior from time to time. Feel him, and mine had been sensing him frequently.

But I had pushed her back, told her it was Embry and my time, that she had to wait. But why? Why has I made her wait?

‘Stop it. Don’t do this to yourself. We both made choices. And you needed this, you needed to see where this was going.’ I nodded my head. To her, to them.

“I don’t want to promise when, just say someday. If that is something you can both be happy with.” biting on the inside of my cheek.

“It’s been years since I allowed anyone…. In…. I cannot imagine doing it without hurting you. Him. Her. Unintentionally.”

I knew myself. “I may not mean it, but the walls could come up… and I’m not sure I could live with who that would  impact and how.” Honestly was the only path I would take. My eyes were on them, taking in everything in case they pulled away from us. “Can you… both of you… give me time?” I told ‘me’ because she would be happy to hear them. She wanted to know too.

•- Embry Call -•

I nodded and smiled. "We can do that. He's happy to have been heard... I've kept him quiet about this for a little while about this. We don't want to ask anything of you that you aren't perfectly happy to give."

I cradled her check then. "Leah... You won't hurt us. I know that  there are things in your past that we won't like to see. Things that may even cause us a little hurt or pain or whatever else. But that won’t be your doing, Trouble.”

I looked deeply into her eyes. "That's called empathy... It's sharing your experiences with someone who  cares about. Someone that wants to learn everything you are willing to let us see.” I stopped. "Willing isn't the right word... Everything you are happy to let us know. And if the walls come back up it means it's not the right time.”

I kissed her softly. Then... He did. “As much as you need, and that's a promise we can easily make.“

•- Leah Clearwater -•

We couldn’t take our eyes of them, seeing them together in the same place. In our bubble, one that I knew belonged to the four of us. Then deserved to have their time as much as we did. My heart belongs in this bubble and they all made it a safe space together. I couldn’t  believe I hadn’t seen it before now.

‘You weren’t ready until now.’ She whispered.

I closed my eyes when Embry kissed me, I pinpointed the second he moved forward, and all the walls came down for her. I let her feel him… we felt them together… the key word for this moment TOGETHER Pulling back just enough to see them again.

“Please don’t do that again…” I started. “Don’t silence him. Don’t feel like you cannot ask something, because of how it makes me feel. By now you know where I am… how I am… I hope… if I cannot answer  I will ask for time.” As I had just done.

I moved my hand to hold him. “Thank you both. For giving me the time.” I shook my head a little, he’d pulled some of my hair forward and it rested against my neck. “I never intentionally want to hurt either of you.”

She was quit, not saying anything. I frowned checking in with her. But she didn’t speak.

•- Embry Call -•

“That’s not what it was... I just told him it was the right time and he agreed… to a point.” I smiled at her. “And today was that point.”  My palm came up to rest on her cheek.

“You don’t have to thank us for that, Leah. Don’t thank people for not forcing you into something  you ready for.

I kissed her again softly. “Getting hurt isn’t a bad thing… it sucks. But it happens, it's part of life… its part of every journey. This thing between us keeps picking up momentum… we will probably hurt each other, maybe more than once… never on purpose.

Maybe out of some absent-minded comment… maybe something bigger. But it will be okay because it will never be to cause pain. Then… we’ll be right there, helping to heal whatever wound we caused.”

My gaze stayed fixed on hers. “I know you would never hurt  me intentionally.” I smiled a little cheekily then. “But if do… I promise to let you make it up to me. If you promise to tell us if we ever ask for too much. Deal?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I am only thank you out of respect. Others aren’t so lucky.” I told him, tuning my face into his touch. This night has taken a turn, but then any nights with Embry Call did. He kept me guessing, and it was something I had disliked before. The unknown, the unplanned. But with him. It seemed to work out.

“Speak for yourself if you hurt me. They won’t find you. Because you will be at the bottom of the sea with blowers weighting your down.” Snapping my teeth at him but smiling at the same time. Because I knew it was true. We will hurt with all the laughter and smiles, hurt was a learning path too.

Leaning up to kiss his chin. “Embry, it’s always a deal.” Thinking for a moment. “I shut down when I cannot process, but I’m learning how to deal with it.” My lips curled into a smile again. “Even though  the last few times I couldn’t process…. You showed up on my door…. And helped me get there.”

I shook my head slowly. “By the spirits…. You helped me when I didn’t understand how to help myself.”  I rested my forehead to his chest moving back to lay down beside him.

•- Embry Call -•

There was about the action of her leaning her cheek into my palm. The fluttering in my stomach returned hard and fast.I chuckled. I could have pointed out that she had just admitted that she'd just let me in deep enough that l could hurt her. But she knew we both knew how  true that was.

I smiled at her. " Maybe you used to, Leah. But now... You don't. You stay...you change the subject or maybe go quiet. But if you truly shutdown you would ask me to leave." l whispered. "You let me be here for you... That's not shutting down."

Hearing her next words made my heart thump out of time. Whoever would have thought that someone like me would have anything to offer someone like, Leah? "That’s a two-way street." My voice was soft. "And I don't mean what you did for me and mom. I just mean everything you've done for me  personally.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He wasn’t wrong in the slightest. “Evolution… isn’t that the reason it is working between so far? The ability to create, maintain, and develop a relationship where we once never thought even a friendship was possible?”

I couldn’t understand all the ins and outs of the why. Or even the how. I just knew He had a way to show me the part of information I would miss. With the pups, with Ma, or the Kid… with the tribe…

Shaking my head. “You don’t have to mention what happened… with… Beautiful and you. Anyone would have stepped up.” I didn’t like being reminded of things like that. “Help was needed, and the spirits sent me that day and not Ma.”

Lifting my head to look up at him again. “Two way… like you just said… you and I. We got this. I got you.” That was a promise that would never go away, no matter where  life took us.

•- Embry Call -•

My smile widened at her use of the word relationship; it was instant proof of the evolution that she had been going through. "I know" I whispered. "I'm only speaking for myself for now."

I knew there were a lot of people who would have helped us if I hadn't been so stupidly stubborn. But to the extent that she had. 18 #Sue had come over that night there was no way I would have left that stack of bills out. l still wasn't sure why did when Leah came over.

"And I got you. Don't ever forget that." I whispered.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“By the spirits… that smile…” my hand moved to cup his cheek, letting my thumb glide over his lips, as my eyes followed. I knew he could heart it, when my heart miss that beat, he would have known it happened.

“I know you do.” And I said it with confidence. Because of the trust we’d been building together.  My smile mirrored his. “I need to stop smiling so much. I have a reputation to uphold.”

•- Embry Call -•

My smile grew and I moved my hand to rest above her tell-tale heart. Moments like these with her... they were too [precious to not commit to memory. It was strange just because you'd think moments you never wanted to forget would be rare... but with her... they were abundant.

"Don't worry, Trouble." I tapped out the rhythm of her heartbeat against her collarbone. "It will be our little secret."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at him, the smile reminded in its place. Is closed my eyes to listen to the thunder of my heart being played out with his touch.

“If you don’t, I know where to find you when you are asleep. So….” I left the rest for him to imagine. A persons imagination was so much more than if you completed a threat itself. (Not that I would see it through. Because SHE wouldn’t let me.)

•- Embry Call -•

"And I don't doubt for a second that you wouldn't." I laughed. Although the idea of her using my open-door policy to sneak into my room at night was intriguing.

"I you smiling I'll continue to keep your secret, I smirked. "I like this smile." I kissed the place where her mouth turned up. "I miss this smile when too long goes by since I've seen it." I kissed the other side of her lips. "And it makes your eyes even brighter."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“That sounds like blackmail to me.” Attempting to frown at him. But the way his deep brown eyes saw me, it was difficult to contain the smile he was speaking of.

“It’s never far or hiding in the bubble.” I whisper as his lips touched the corner of mine. “There’s is guy, you might know him. He’s a right pain in the arse.” Shifting up closer to him, I kissed the tip of his nose. “He has a talent to bring the smile out of me.”

And he really did. But it was more than that. He wasn’t the only reason for my smiles. It was the fact that he’d helped  in the evolution of the walls coming down when I was in a safe space. Now it was easy for me to feel that in other places too.

•- Embry Call -•

“It kinda does actually, doesn't it?” I smirked at her… but damn… those eyes. And I knew that it was true, and seeing her smile so easily and freely was the highlight of the days I saw her in our bubble.

I closed my eyes briefly when she kissed the end of my nose, but I  never wanted to look away from her for too long.

“Sounds like a stand-up guy to me.” I teased. “Going out of his way to make someone smile? The man is clearly a Saint.”  I slipped my arms around her. Clasping my hands at the small of her back and pulling her flush against me.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I don’t know about being a Saint, may give him a mighty big head if he hears us talking about him like this.” I curled my legs around his, my arms slipping in to hold him too. How easy touch has become for me with him.

My eyes worked their way over his features, taking in  every aspect of him. “But he had put up with his arse hitting the flood a lot, and still kept coming back for more.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed, easing my body into her as she moulded herself to min. “There's nothing wrong with a little ego stroking from time to time.” My forehead moved to rest against hers. “He sounds like a guy who knows what he wants and goes after it.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Embry Call, you give yourself an ego boost just by the fact that someone waved in your direction. Saying nice tinting, in front of you. It’s always been a no-go area for me.”

I had to snap my teeth playfully, staying where I was with my eyes closed.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled. “And here I just thought you liked confident men.”

I rested my chin on the top of her head, giving a small, contented sigh. There was so much comfort in these moments. “Did you ever you'd feel like this just be holding onto someone?” I was mostly asking myself, but my mouth always had a habit of spilling my random thoughts.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my tongue over my teeth I just smiled. “There is nothing as sexy as a person who knows their worth and is unapologetic about it. But… It Doesn’t stop me from pulling their legs.”

My eyes moved to the window; he was settling in by the sound of his beating heart. Then he made that smile grow. I could tell it was more for himself than me.

“Would I have thought of it?” He knew the answer. “Never in my wildest dreams.”

•- Embry Call -•

"I guess that describes both of us." I chuckled. "In very different ways." Her self-confidence manifests in a much less boastful way than mine. "But I've only recently started to realise my worth is a lot more than just how sexy I am."

I smiled... Leah Clearwater... talking about dreams with her arms around me. "Never in my wildest dreams." I whispered, agreeing... and feeling the exact same way.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The smile grows into a frown, my eyebrows pulled together deepening the frown somewhat.

“Your worth was always more than your outer shell, Embry. It’s one of the reasons I used to smack you upside the head so much. You always laid it on thick on the wrong sides of you.” thinking around it a little more.

“Then again... I also missed seeing so much of you. Underestimating your intentions even.”

•- Embry Call -•

"I know... I mean, I think I always 𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓌 that on some level and then on another I didn't..." I chuckled because that statement was so true and made no sense all at once.

"I did play up to it a little too much at times... I guess you all have walls of some sort... or maybe mine was more of a mask. Either way, I was hiding parts of myself too."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“And now?” I wasn’t ever the kind of person to ask questions of anyone. If I weren’t willing to answer, then myself. What right did I have to ask?

But with him. I asked. Because it was an open and honest conversation after all. He’d learnt how to ask questions of me where I didn’t work my way through or around the meaning. And my walls were down with him too.

•- Embry Call -•

“Now?” I smiled at her… so curious now. I mean she always was, but now she out right asked instead of silently pondering it like she did in the past. “Now I just know… I can’t slip back to thinking maybe it’s all I am. Because no one looks at someone the way you look at me  just because they’re gorgeous.” I smiled. There was more.

“You showed me how to step outside myself and see what the people who love me see.” I locked our gazes. And those eyes almost stole my train of thought. “You helped me let the spirit back into my life and feel how  chose me… even if I know I feel like there more they want from me than I thought when I fist phased. But that’s okay… they’ll show me a path when it’s time.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Moving to sit upright and straighten myself out. Our eyes were connected, in a way that I didn’t expect I would allow with another person. Yet here we sat.

I crossed my legs underneath my arse, tilting my head as I listened carefully. Not missing anything as my mind worked  to understand.

“Evolution…” the word came out in a whispered breath. I was seeing it in him as it was happening. Before my eyes. Chuckling a little i bit the insides of my cheeks. Shaking my head as it all came together again.

“They knew…. They knew this….” I pointed between us. “It was how the two of us were supposed to have met at this stage. So that you could open your eyes to your true self.”  There was no other explanation.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled upon hearing that word. It was like our mission statement at this point. I watched all the little changes in her posture and the way her cheek puckered, making me want to kiss the upturned corner of her mouth.

"Oh, they knew." I agreed without a hint of doubt. "They were just biding their time until we were in the right place in our individual journeys to cross our paths..." I shook my head... "How many times do you think we pissed them off by passing each other by like ships in the night... So close... and so..." I shook my head.

Unwilling to let the thought of the distance between us intrude into our bubble.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Biting the inside of my cheeks I let the reel of time play in my mind. She chuckled with the pleasure of recounting the number of times I wanted to kill him.

“Hmm… too many to talk about.” Shaking my head. “They played a dangerous game if you ask me. The number of times you came so close to your next life…” shaking my head again.

“I’m sure they would have made me pay for it, if I had snapped your neck.”  And now, the thoughts made my stomach churn.

•- Embry Call -•

"They did... so you think this was always the plan> I asked genuinely curious. "I mean I wouldn't say that I believe that every little thing happens for a reason... but we of all people can't deny destiny exists and predetermined fates are at least laid out for us to choose." I  smiled her, watching all the possibilities churning in her eyes.

"How long was this on their map? Since you phased? Since I did?" Then a thought hit me that brought this to a whole new level. "Since Mom decided to raise me here instead of going back to her parents when she  realised, she'd be doing it alone?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

So many questions and answers to them all were possible if I asked them. But did we need those answers?

“Yes, to all and…. No too…. And even Maybe?” My expression turned thoughtful.

“The way I have come to understand things… it’s all a fine line, paths, directions full of  possibilities. Each choice made opens a new cross roads, each with its own unique purpose. The only difference is what we pick and how we choose to use them in our own lives.”

Still considering it all.

“When Ms C chose to stay here in La Push, she opened your path to our ancestors here. Because if you weren’t here in La Push and had left…. Would you step into this world have occurred? Would we have been a pack without you, what would have happened to us all with that one moment in her lifetime if she had said ‘I’m leaving.’ ?”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled... all the answers and nothing truly answered at the same. But I hadn't really been looking for answers. Those were the types of questions that were the best left as thought-provoking.

"I'm fairly sure I wouldn't have phased if I was in Neah Bay... and if I did...." I  had shuddered many, many times at the thought.

"I would have been in completely alone." I knew it was unlikely, the chances I would have crossed the part of a vampire that far away was slim... and even if I did, I wouldn't have been called to protect Quileute land while living in Makah lands,

"I'm grateful that she stayed. I wouldn't want to change my life... but I do wonder if maybe she would have... moved on if she wasn't here. I'm sure she got lonely."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Have you ask her about it?” The questions were coming fast and hard from me this evening. What was going on with me?

“About her choice, I mean. How she came to it, why? How she feels about it now?” In my eyes Tiffany Call is an amazingly talented and strong woman, who  opened my eyes to a way of living that saved me.

“Without her guidance and advice when I didn’t even know I needed it, I wouldn’t have made it this far…. So, if she had left… who knows where I would be today.”

•- Embry Call -•

"About why she stayed... yeah... she wanted me to know about my Quileute heritage... figured she could teach me about the Makah." I nodded. "About why she never really dated?" I shook my head.

"No... I was a little I was the reason she chose to be alone. And she still wears the necklace my father gave her. I always thought that maybe... she still loved him... even after... everything."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I knew the necklace she wore; it never came off. And some part of what he said must be true.

“She’s an incredible woman.” All I could say. She has gone through so much, and never once had his mother given the world a reason to question her dedication to her son.

“She had to think about how you would be treated too.” This had been a conversation I’d had with my Ma.

“Mothers, don’t like rocking the boat when it comes to their kids.” I truly didn’t deserve the mother the spirits had given me. Her life…  I stopped those thoughts shaking my head.

•- Embry Call -•

"She really is... I think there was one time in my life that she had three jobs." 

I nodded that is what I had been about hearing. "I know... and I can understand that... And it does not like she never went on dates. She just always... seemed disappointed after them. And I don't think it was because they we're bad guys or anything like that... I don't know. I just hope she didn't think she needed to be alone for my sake."

I looked up and Leah reached over to rest my hand on her knee. "But i do know we were both blessed with the two greatest Mom's  In history."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes settled on his hand on my leg, I wasn’t ready to look up just yet.

“You’ve said it before Embry, maybe her heart wasn’t hers. At least that part of it was given to someone who didn’t Deserve it, and all the rest… she gave to you and the rest of us..” for those who his mother cared for just like mine.. they were given the world.

Finally letting my gaze find his dark eyes I just nodded once. I knew he was right.

•- Embry Call -•

I nodded… “Yeah…. But she deserved… someone. She’s never admitted that missed out anything raising me… but…” I shook my head. It wasn’t like it was something I could fix.

“She’s a romantic… you know… she deserved her epic love…” I exhaled heavily, even saying that and truly meaning it. I shuddered internally at the thought of sharing my childhood and my mom with a stranger.

Of course, whoever it was wouldn’t have been a stranger for long…

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Turning my hand to find his I laced me fingers. Squeezing a little telling him how I understood, how much I agree with him too.

His mom really did deserve an epic romance like nothing before. One that would become a story we told for generations to come.

But I couldn’t bring myself to promise him it would happen. Because it wasn’t my promise to make. His mom had to be the one who took the first steps. Even if it was unexpected and uncomfortable to start with.

•- Embry Call -•

I appreciated her silence. She never offered hollow reassurance. Just her presence and as enough… those specific worries I had only ever expressed in words to #Jake and #Quil before.

Saying them to her… I smiled… it reminded me that there was so much more to this than the soul-deep and physical bonds we were building.

We were building a true friendship too. I laughed. “At least she will always have you trying to steal her heart.”

Then I point between her and I “You know what conversation means right?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Okay this made me laugh. “I didn’t want to remind you of the fact… but he did promise to consider my offer if I was… ‘persistent’. Her word… not mine…”

Squeezing his hand, my own way to tell him I would always listen. If he needed to talk. No matter the time of day or night.

But right now, he made me frown, and then rising my eyebrow. “What does this mean?” Had I missed something?  My wolf rolled her eyes, turned around showing me her arse. She saw it? But what was it?

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed.. I loved the banter the two shared. I knew how much they both enjoyed it. I wagged my finger between us again. Smirking.

“We’re friends!” I announced confidently. “Well on our way to bestie territory.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at that finger, my eyebrows pulled into a frown.

“Hey… hey… wait up a minute.” Shaking my head my lips pressed so that I wouldn’t laugh as the realisation hit me. Spirits…..he wasn’t wrong.

“What are the rules of this evolution? I’m not sure I’m up for it.”

•- Embry Call -•

I just rolled my eyes and chuckled.

“Please… if that was true, you'd be long gone…” I thought about the rules part. “I’m not sure.” I rested my hand on the back of her neck. “I've never had a friend I wanted to do this…” I drew her in, pressing lips to hers lightly at first. “With.” I finished and deepened the kiss.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“You’re such a Wisearse!”

My fingers curled around a cushion beside me. My head turned to him as his hand brought me in and my fingers loosened from the fabric with shivers freely moving down my spine.

Why was it so easy with him? To go from kissing, to making out, to joking  about liking him, to music, to…. Well everything that made us… us?

Flicking my tongue over his lips I bit his lower lip and tugged on it before he deeply kissed me. My hands moved to around his neck pulling him in closer.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled as she kissed me, letting her pull me in and responding by slipping my arm around her waist. "See." I snapped my teeth at her. "That banter..." I kissed her again, pulling her flush against my chest. "BFF material." I bit her lip this time.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

That snap of his teeth reverberated through to my core. Spirits! That was so sexy! Giving him a huff, after kissing his lips, I bit his lips and rolled my eyes.

“I don’t know, still feels like I should put you through some trail before allowing you the pleasure”.

•- Embry Call -•

“Do I get to put you through trails so the same pleasure?” I teased. We both knew the answer. “Let’s start with all the places you like to be kissed the most. Shall we?”

I smirked and dropped my face into and from on her neck pressing a maddeningly featherlight kissed to her  pulse point.

“This one work best for I’m behind you are tilting your head back onto my shoulder. But… this way is still 90% as effective. With the added bonus of seeing, you face as I lean in.” I kissed her  little more firmly, my tongue tasting skin.

“How did I do? A plus?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking my head slowly with the smallest of movements. “Already asked... and... answered I believe.”

His closeness and the kiss sent my heart off beat, the betrayal made me groan. Leaning back into him wasn’t difficult anymore. Because the trust was there.

“Hmm… it has its perks I guess.” His scent filled my senses. The deep breath brought the forest, his shower, the shampoo, with some parts of his work lingering at the edges.

“There is always room for improvements, Dimples.” I wasn’t into handing out brownies points at the first ask.

•- Embry Call -•

I moved to let my teeth graze her earlobe. "Even if I promise to never stop improving?"

I knew I wasn't going to get a full grade from her... but would be a lot of fun trying.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

He wasn’t making this easy on me. Just the touch had me tilting my head towards him. A shiver of excitement and then I snapped my head out of it and snapped my teeth tuning around to face him.

“Evolution means to kept improving. So, let’s face it… you have a long road ahead.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed against her neck. She spoke like I couldn't feel her reaction. My hands moved down her sides. “Your words say one thing… your body says another.”

I swept my tongue along the shell of her ear. “Since you're a woman of action. I think I'll listen to your body.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Tremors course their way through my stomach making my core clench tight, small gasp caught on my lips.

“It’s treacherous if you ask me, how my body speaks to you without my say so.” My ankle curled around his calf, pulling his leg out from underneath him. And I pushed him back.

•- Embry Call -•

Dammit! How did she always to distract me when I was trying to distract her? I managed the stumble back into her armchair and clutched at her waist the drag down, very inelegantly with me.

“You know… you could just say, come on in, have a seat.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

By the Spirits! Why hadn’t I moved out of his reach? Snapping my teeth at him.

“Since when do you wait for an invitation? Don’t you just show up and make yourself at home?” Shifting myself to sit on his lap. Hoping my armchair isn’t damaged.

•- Embry Call -•

"You make a good point..." I laughed... "But you have to admit..." My arms wrapped around her waist like they were always meant to be there.

"It would be kinder to your furniture if you invited me." I chuckled and quirked a brow.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My gaze flew across the room to where there was an open space, where there once had been a side table before beside my couch.

“Okay…. Fine… maybe… and I mean… Maybe… there’s a point. Maybe!” I clarified again. “Still I’m not saying this way isn’t more fun.”

•- Embry Call -•

I knew what she was looking at… or rather not looking at. But that one was partially my fault for showing up here to scream at her… what had I been thinking? Under it all was the urge to be near her, conflicted with everything else I was feeling. The hypocrisy I couldn't  break free of.

“See, I can make good points too!” I chuckled. “But I agree that this way is more fun.” I leaned in my brushed my lips against her jaw, just next to her ear.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth, to hide the shiver the kiss sent dancing down my spine I rolled my eyes. “Someone please take note of the time, the date, and have him sign it three times! Embry Call just agreed with me?”

Clicking my tongue with a “tutt, tutt, tutt.” Adding in for good measure.

“People are going to start talking. They’ll say I bewitched you. Be careful.” Turning to rest my forehead to his, breathing in the scent that was so Embry.

“Have you eaten? I feel like cooking.” The urge had been growing to make something.

•- Embry Call -•

I rolled my eyes at her... "That 𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕖 will have nothing on the parade I will throw when you agree with me."

I chuckled and kissed the end of her nose. "I will correct them and say I was enamoured." I laughed.

I looked at her like she was crazy. "Am I hungry? For your  cooking? That's a rhetorical question, right?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow at the eye roll. Was he taking lessons from me now?  “Enamoured?” I asked rolling my eyes now. “Did someone use a word of the day toilet paper this morning?”

Kissing him once I pushed off his lap. “You’re always a Wisearse.” Leaning down over him, resting my hands on his shoulders.

“Well, what are you waiting for? An invite?” Snapping my teeth at him again, before straightening up.

Walking towards the kitchen, pulling my hair up and rolling it around my hand then into a messy bun, I looked inside of the fridge.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed, that eye roll was epic. "If you think a roll of toilet paper can last that long in my house..." I let the thought hang in the air unfinished.

"I had to switch back to the calendar." I smiled and chased her lips for a second kiss but... "Always to quick!" I teased  finishing the thought out loud.

"You always make it very clear that I never needed one in the past... so I take it that you mean I never 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 one." I followed her... watching her do that thing with her hair that always set off the winged creatures in my stomach.

Spirits..." I muttered. "Why is that so sexy?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Leaning down I moved things around the fridge, not quite sure what my stomach was calling for tonight. But hearing him had I shaking my head.

“What do you expect from a group of pups and you?” Chuckling because I was sure he was using a calendar. Gathering what I had decided on in my arms I stood up and closed the door turning to find him behind me.

“Hmm?” Raising my eyebrow at him. “Why is what sexy?” Stepping around him to set the ingredients down on the counter.

“I’m thinking grilled chicken and pasta, are you game? I marinated  the chicken last night.”  Turning to move around him. I kissed his shoulder. “You do still need me to answer that question?” 

He knew the answer. He had too. By the Spirits he was stood in my kitchen, that was answer enough.

•- Embry Call -•

"But a calendar!" I chuckled. "That lasts a whole year!"

I watched her distracted as she searched her fridge. Until I heard the word chicken. Then she was walking past me and passing a kiss to my shoulder... like this was a daily routine. Me standing in her kitchen, watching  cook or go about her routines...  and I supposed it was... okay so not daily... but not rare either. I smiled, a simple kiss... raw chicken and a messy bun. Is that my new definition of happiness... I think it is.

I stepped up behind her as she worked and rested my chin on  her shoulder, my hands on her hips and whispered. "You just did."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm… I’m sure I did too.” Whispering it for his ears only. Beginning to chop, clean up the vegetables to use with the chicken and pasta. Smiling that smile only he could see.

“Are you planning  to watch me cook, or are you going to help?” Pointing my knife towards the  fridge. “There are beers in there with our names on them. And a table which could be set, Embry Call.”

I had no shame in putting him to work. Even if it felt unreal to have his arms around me right now. This ‘normal’ living thing. We found our way of doing it.

•- Embry Call -•

“I was planning and watching…” I chuckled. That was, of course, code for checking her out. “But I won’t have anyone say Embry Call doesn’t do his share.”

I placed a kiss where my chin had rested and then I stepped away and grabbed the beers from the fridge, opening them. I one next to Leah on the counter and swigged from the other as I gathered plates and cutlery from her cupboards.

“My Mom raised a gentleman after all.” I teased.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Was I ashamed of the way my eyes followed him to the fridge? Nope. Did I enjoy the sight of his pants tightening with his bend? Spirits No. It made me smile. Because I could appreciate the beauty in the work of our spirits in creating him.

“I have not doubted in Ms C’s teachings. It’s how much of her lessons, made it in past the thick skull of yours!”

Smirked as I moved to the sink to watch up before setting the skillet on the hob, and a pan of water to boil for the pasta.

•- Embry Call -•

I felt the heat of her gaze on my arse as I leaned into the fridge. I smiled... apparently, my hotness stood the test of time. Even after all our encounters, she was still eyeing me up.  Not that I doubted it... but, confirmation was always nice.

I rolled my eyes. "You know very well that the thickening of my skull is a direct result of the wallops I got when I didn't listen." I laughed.

I set two glasses on the table for water and made my way back to her. "Want me to help with anything else?" I asked.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Laughing between sips of the cold beer, nodding my agreement at the alleged punishment.

“As if you didn’t deserve each one of them.” Taking another sip, I set the bottle down measuring out the correct amount of pasta into the boiling water.

“No, thank you. I’ve got the rest handled here. As soon as the pasta was on, I began cooking the chicken breast in the hot skillet.

•- Embry Call -•

“I wouldn't say all…. Maybe 75%…” it was definitely all… “but my point is, I learnt my lesson... Eventually.” I laughed. I moved around her kitchen, finding the cutlery and napkins easily. The jig of water she kept chilled in the fridge.

Then my inner child took over. “Nice breasts you've got there.” I said matter-of-factly. “Very… succulent…” trying to remain stoic. I had no regrets.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Again….. again, the sound of his laughter filled my home. And again, my warrior stroked my calm, because it was becoming… no… had become a welcome addition to life for us. The moment soon progressed to me rolling my tongue over my teeth, with my warrior Reminding me not  kick his arse… too hard…

“Hmm… they are, they taste so much better when your lips curl around them. A teasing bit..” A hum of sarcasm coating my words. It’s when I turned to see him walking past, so I kicked his arse with my bare foot. No comment. No explanation needed.

•- Embry Call -•

My laughter grew and I set my hands on her hips from behind. “Damn, Clearwater.” I growled into her ear. “You drive me wild when you talk dirty like that.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

So, I’m not going to admit it. But that made my core clench. So, I snapped my teeth at him while turning the chicken over in the skillet.

“Keep it up Call, see how wild it can get in a hot kitchen.” Growling right back at him and his warrior, who I knew must be liking it too.

•- Embry Call -•

I buried my nose against her neck and inhaled deeply. “You know your entire scent changes when you’re turned on, right?” Of course, she did. I chuckled. “Not just…” My hand slid from her hip the very top of her thigh. She would get what I mean.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Of course, I knew! It’s why I always controlled myself outside of these walls, and our bubble. “Bloody ancestral pheromones! We couldn’t have evolved into hiding that crap?”

My lips parted taking in a breath, I closed my eyes for a brief moment. It was heady when my walls came down. And he was blood talented. “Don’t start something you cannot finish, Embry Call.” He errands another teeth snap.

•- Embry Call -•

“Spirits I hope we never do.” I inhaled again dragging the tip of nose along her neck. “You smell… so. Fucking. Good.”  I chuckled and pulled back… just my face. Mg hands stayed on her hips… “Almost as good as that chicken.” I teased her. She smelled better… but we couldn’t waste food by getting distracted…

Or we shouldn’t. My stomach growled loudly, and I laughed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Laughter… it was coming from me…. This man…. Only he could turn you on, and then make you laugh out loud.

“Your stomach agrees, the chicken is better.” Turning the meat in the pan, I saw the pasta boiling. “Let’s give your hands something to do. Could you drain the noodles?”

•- Embry Call -•

“My stomach is an idiot! You should see some of the  things I’ve eaten in the past.” I kissed her temple. “But this time I think it’s onto stomach. The food smells amazing too.”

I picked up the pot and took to the sink it drains the noodles… before my idle did start to wander.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Veggies cooking, the chicken too, I moved to set the sauce going next then walked over to the speaker in here turning it on. “We need some music.” It wasn’t a question, I hit play on my playlist and let the music gods do their thing. (Music: Take It From Me – Jordan Davis)

•- Embry Call -•

I couldn’t help myself… I watched her until she had nothing in her hands, and I took her by the wrist to to spin her into my chest.

“Can’t let a song like this go to waste.” I spun both of us away from the counters and wrapped my arm around her waist.

TBC.....

[blazingtheway]

Unfair Advantage - Storyline 15 - Together

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The idea was simple, a night in with the Witcher on TV, something sweet to eat, and an early night.  “Let the truth out. Let is all BEGIN.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Is it Netflix and chill time?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Shh.” Turning the volume up.

•- Embry Call -•

Coughs. “MyArseIsBetter.” Coughs.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow. “Are you in competition?”

•- Embry Call -•

“When it come to my arse there is no competition.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pausing the show, then crossing my arms over my chest.  “Someone’s confidence level are spiking again.”

•- Embry Call -•

“Would you rather I act shy and beat around the bush for compliments? I could give it a shot if that’s your thing.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pulling a face.

“Spirits, don’t you dare. I’ll have to kick your arse from here to third beach. And who has time for that on a Sunday night?”

•- Embry Call -•

Biting my lip and waggling my brows.  “Are you threatening me with a good time, trouble?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Licking my bottom lip with a smirk.  “It’s only a threat if I’m not likely to follow through, Dimples.”

•- Embry Call -•

Stepping a little closer and smiling.  “You say all the right things, Trouble.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes drift to his feet moving closer, then his lips and eyes.  “Are you saying you want me to lick your arse?”

•- Embry Call -•

Planting my feet firmly. Watching for her next move. “You heard me.” Smirking

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The smirk growing, I slowly bring my fingers to the zipper of my jacket. Bringing it down before removing it one arm at a time.

“See, now you’re just playing with my emotions… or lack thereof them.”

•- Embry Call -•

My teeth slowly drag off of my lower lip, watching the slow progress of that zip. "Is this the dinner and a show we spoke about before?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Folding the jacket, to place it down to the side. My eyes never once leaving his face. “It depends… are you planning to go grab the Chinese food, after your arse hits the ground?” Undoing the button on the cuff of my shirt, I begin to roll it up a few folds.

•- Embry Call -•

Her heart didn’t so much as flutter. She meant business. I shrugged out of my jacket and tossed it aside. “Depends on whether or not you’ll go get it if yours hits ir first?” We all knew how this was going to end.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The lip bite thing he does wasn’t missed, I just had my eye on the win now. With a small groan and a roll of the eyes, at the way he discarded his jacket.

“Hmm… only if it means you’ve learnt a few new moves?” My hands moved up to my hair, pulled it into a messy bun.

•- Embry Call -•

I tilted my head and let my eyes sweep along the curve of her neck as she twisted her hair up onto the top of her in the way she did. I chuckled a little at the noise she made when I tossed the jacket after she'd carefully folded hers.

"Only one way to find out." I smirked stepping forward.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Only one way to find out.”

The second his feet moved forward., I side stepped and turned myself to face him on his left-hand side. I wasn’t going to make it easy on him.

“That’s an old move, Dimples. Don’t make me take you down without a fight.” Smirking at him with a wink

•- Embry Call -•

When she moved, I realised I had dropped my guard without thinking. "And that's a sneaky move, Trouble." I smirked... she was taking advantage of the fact that she was a leftie.

"Who said it would be without a fight?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking my head nice and slow, I moved to circle him. My eyes on him at all times.  “I don’t sneak, you know me better I’d hope. It’s not my fault I’m too fast for you too keep up.”

Rolling the tip of my tongue over my bottom lip, he’d picked up on the move I’d made.

•- Embry Call -•

I tested my balance, my eyes following her as she circled me... I didn't turn, favouring firming footing over a line of sight when she reached my blind spot. I could still hear her.

Fuck she was sexy when she slipped into predator mode. "I thought I was keeping up  pretty well... come closer and I can remind you." I glanced to the side as she came back into view giving her a slow, seductive smile.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm…” I wasn’t going to hit him in his blind spot, I wasn’t a monster! (Well…) My eyes moved to his feet once again. He was digging in there for sure.

“You may want to bend at the knees a little. You’re leaving yourself open to having your legs pushed out.” He’d recover  from it, he was agile on his feet.

“Does Catching up really count?” It did, hundred percent it counted.  Once back around to the front, seeing that smile should and would have made my heart do that stopping thing. But it was in lock down.

“Is someone becoming impatient?”

•- Embry Call -•

“Are you analysing my form or checking out my arse because the latter is far more fun, Clearwater?” I laughed… but damn she was tough. I knew that smile could get to her… but she had her head in the  game right now.

“If you’re ready to cross that finish line, Trouble… we  can see where we land.” I smiled because I knew that would g t her mind racing.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Unlike most… I know how to multitask.” Tilting my head to the side, with one eyebrow raised.

“Dimples… are you trying to get under my skin and make me break?” The sound of his laughter make my lips curl up a little. This would be incredibly interesting. knowing he wasn’t going to take the first move. I side steps quickly after my sentence has finished.

Taking a hold of his left arm, I turned it up and over my head. Planting the weight of my body into his side to push and lift him up and over my hip.

“But then again, I didn’t take you some someone who rushed to the end.” He was planted hard. I put the rest of my strength into the tug, bringing him up off his feet and around my body.

•- Embry Call -•

“Unfair advantage if you me!” I laughed and I tried the tech around and grab her, but she was just so fast. I was already moving under her force before I gripped the arm that she was holding mine by.

But it was enough to take her down with me when she maneuverer me to the  ground in a move that was totally unpredictable!

It was a soft impact this time… not her usual kick and dirty flip, was she going soft on me? I laughed when she landed half on me and half next to me.

“Like anything we do could ever be called rushed.” I teased. But I  meant it… we followed a path the flowed naturally for us. And all teasing aside, we would continue to do that. But the teasing wasn’t going away.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His grip told me I was going down too. Damn I should have let that arm of his go before he had a chance to get a hold.

“Something about working with the card we are dealt.” Huffing the words out as I landed half on top of him.

Using the momentum of the fall, I rolled my body off him before back flipping myself half way up. Landing on my knees, my eyes found him on the ground right away.

“You’re the one talking about rushing to the finish line.” Raising my eyebrow with a smirk. My hand up and motioning for him to come at me.

•- Embry Call -•

I watched the way she flipped herself back up without even trying… or at least without looking like it took any effort.

“Fuck, you’re hot!”

I turned onto my side and propped myself onto one elbow, grinning up at her. “I never said we would rush… In fact… I think  when that time comes… its going to take an entire night… an probable most of the next morning.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

What the actual name of the spirits was happening here? My eyebrows pulled together, and I tilted my head to the side.

“Did we just jump from fight talk, to sex talk?” It wasn’t the first time sure. But he was just lying there like he was waiting to be feed grapes off a vine.

“How do you know you will last that long? What if I were you out? Or you know.” My eyes move down to there. “You’re a little performance shy? Because you know… I’m that fucking hot.”

•- Embry Call -•

“I made the just a few minutes ago… I think you just caught up.” I smirked and never once took my eye off of hers.

“Even you don’t believe that trouble.” I smiled. We had spent hours and hours doing what we do… if I was performance shy…. Well, I didn’t need to specify. “As  for wearing me out?” My smile turned mischievous. “Promise?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Did you just say I am slow on the uptake?” Narrowing my eyes at him. He was really pushing his luck today. And I liked it.

“Are you Maybe a little over confident in what I believe?” The smirk on my lips was too telling because I wasn’t hiding it from him.

Pushing myself  back so my arse hit the floor, I crossed my legs underneath. “Promise.” I finally said. “As you asked so nicely.”

•- Embry Call -•

There it was... through all the teasing and joking. The unguarded smile. I reached out and rested my hand on her knee after she settled herself. My gaze fixed on the slight curve of her lips.

"See that... right there. My favourite part of our little bubble."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Me not kicking your arse because you talker yourself out of it? That’s your favourite part?” Tiling my head before reading my hand over his on my knee.

“And here I thought it was my whiskey, music, and food.”

•- Embry Call -•

“See those are all. Very good things too…. But -“ I kept my gaze on that smile. “This that definitely my favourite.” I tilted my head, thinking.

“Sometimes it takes a takes second place after that gorgeous laugh… when you totally let it free and laugh with your whole body… nothing beats that.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

A jolt of electricity shot its way through, for some bloody every time this man paid a compliment my body reacted in ways it didn’t when others did it. He wasn’t joking or pulling my leg, the way his eyes were trained on me, told me so. Pressing my lips together. The smile was his doing.

“Why don’t you take a picture, you know it’ll last longer.”

•- Embry Call -•

I turned over my hand and took hold of hers. "It would... but would never be as good as the real thing." I smiled and pulled her closer as I sat up and met her halfway, pressing my lips softly against hers. "Plus... we both know that my phone isn't exactly private."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shifting closer with our hands interlocked, my lips touched him in a soft kiss. Then I pulled back with my eyebrow raised. Had he just taken my words literally?

“You know the picture thing was a joke? Sarcasm, right?” His phone was like his house, and like his soul. Open to all

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and shook my head. "No... but trust me... if they were for my eyes only I would definitely fill my phone with pictures of you."

I kissed her again. "But they would still pale in comparison to the real thing. But on a cold lonely night..." I waggled my brows.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Kissing him once before my hand covered his face to push him back playfully. “And you were doing kind of okay, until you told me I was good for your wank bank.”

Punching him in the chest. “Arsehole, now I guess you’ll have to do a better job with your imagination.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and licked the palm of her hand, with as much slobber as possible.

“I have a little class! I call mine a spank bank.” I winked. “And don’t think I don’t know I’m not in yours.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Doesn’t make it any better.” Grimacing I pulled my hand away to examine the wet line of drool he left behind.

“By the name of the spirits… Embry Call!” Whipping it down the front of his shirt.

“Glad to know we have it all cleared up. I’m in your bank, and you are not in mine”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and shook my head. "If you insist!" I smirked because I had let this house with her telling me she was going to go and finish what I had started.

"But now.... I gotta change this shirt." I pulled it off in a shift motion and tossed it at her. This one is filthy now!"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I didn’t say a thing, just agreed with what you said.” Mimics him. “𝔸𝕟𝕕 𝕕𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕟’𝕥 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕀’𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕚𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤.”

Catching his shirt before it hit my face, my eyes slowly wondering down those perfect muscles.

•- Embry Call -•

“Oh I was embellishing when I should change…. What I really meant was…” I smirked and pointed the glorious ness of my shirtless form.

“I don’t actually walk around with extra clothes in my pockets.” I chuckled it was true. I typically had extra clothes… but only in my Jeep

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Chewing the inside of my lip I raised my eyebrow. “So…” folding his shirt and setting it down beside me. “What you meant to say is… I’m just going to sit here in your living room shirtless?”

Sure seeing the guys like this was second nature to me. But seeing a Embry now. heat crawl its way up my neck. However, I sat there still as a rock.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled and nodded. “I mean it wouldn’t be the first time. Right?”

I could easily go and get on of those shirt she kept in her room to sleep in… but then I would miss out on that delicious hint on pink creeping it’s way from the neckline of her shirt to her cheeks.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Sure. Sure.” Shifting I stretched out picking my phone up off the side table behind me. It didn’t take me long to find that I was looking for and hit play. Smirking at the song played out of my speakers.

(Music: Magic Mike XXL Soundtrack - My Pony - https://youtu.be/S7N17zaLjJo)

•- Embry Call -•

I raised a brow and  looked over at her. “Is someone hoping for a show?” I smirked. “I’m talking about your better half of course.” I laughed, referring to her Spirit Warrior.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Her eyes opened with a jolt and she held her head up at attention.

‘Get back down.’ I told her in my thoughts.

‘He’s the one who called for me.’ She huffed. Rolling my eyes at them both.

“Why do you want her out for a date?”

•- Embry Call -•

I saw the split-second conversation in her head and smiled.

"Oh hell yeah... but only when we are far enough away so we can have you both all to ourselves." I grinned and my wolf agreed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

That… Smile…

Why in the name of the spirits did something just come alive? The fact that she now sat up straight thinking about it.

“Clearly you and your warrior both want your arses kicked.” She was interested, but in more thing than that. ‘Stop it!’ I chastised her internally.

‘You cannot blame me, we both know we like forward thinking. This is me doing just that.’ Said with such smugness.

“Arseholes.” I muttered, but again the heat grew, and it wasn’t just her.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled at her like the prospect of her wolf laying in mine was the hottest thing I had heard.

“Oh! Is that a promise, Trouble?”

The idea of rolling around on the forest floor with that magnificent white creature was enough the get my heart rate kicking up a gear.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes darted to his chest, I must be mistaken, I couldn’t have heard that, right?

“Keep it up and it is, yeah. And she won’t go easy.” Or she best not, she had a soft spot for this man. But was it the same for his warrior?

She just laughed a growl at me.

•- Embry Call -•

"Can't wait." I kept my gaze locked on hers. "We still have those plane tickets right?" I quirked a brow.

"Surely they will take us far enough way the keep that beautiful mind of yours all to me." I knew by how her gaze dropped she'd heard the change in my heart.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“The plane… tickets…” biting the inside of my cheek as I thought about our upcoming plans. “You still want to come with me?”

Raising my eyebrow, Seattle didn’t count. This would be the first time we’d actually leave the Rez together.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled and reach out the twirl and strand of her hair between my fingers. "I told you I would find a way to let you in... see through my eyes..." I smiled. "That first night... Seems like the perfect opportunity to do just that."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Licking my lower lips, my heart did that thing whenever he played with my hair. It made me smile. Because the urge to have his arse hit the ground was now gone.

“You did.” He had promised, but I wouldn’t have held him to it. “So, we are going…” my brown eyes locked to his.

•- Embry Call -•

Spirts! “Those eyes.” I hadn’t meant to say it out loud… but my heart was giving me away either way.

“Good… because your wolf like me better that you do… so I might even bet a glimpse through yours.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Tilting my head to the side, those eyes he found himself lost in remained on him. His heart singing to me as it often did. And then his words sink in.

“Oh, so there is a plan here. You and she are going to gang up on me? Is your warrior in on it too?” Damn, my eyes dropped to his lips before going straight back to his eyes.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled. “Of course.”

“But you already knew that.” I smiled at her. We weren’t like most of the others. When I spoke, so did he… When I thought, he thought the same thing and when I kissed her…. He kissed her too.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My lips turned up into a smile. He and his warrior both had a different relationship to my warrior and I. We all did.

“It me about this plan, I feel like I’m on the outside.” She rolled her eyes at me now.

•- Embry Call -•

I winked at her. “Then our plotting it is working out perfectly!” I chuckled. “Think of it as an exercise in trust.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Trust?” One short word with heavy gravity. For me at least. But it wasn’t a wall up when I heard it, not like it had been before.

“Fine, but there best be a bottle of bourbon in it for me at the end. Speaking of which.” Jumping up to go pour drink.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and locked dark brown eyes on hers. “That sounds fair. We’ll see what we can do.” I smiled that smile that only showed itself for her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I’ll hold you to that, Dimples.” Turning my head to catch that smile of his that made my heart do things before disappearing into my kitchen.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed watching her leaving without a word. “And the mystery deepens.” I teased not that watching her walk away wasn't immensely enjoyable.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Speaking while I took out two glasses, a bottle of Jameson, and a bottle of Woodford. Pouring doubles of each.

“Weren’t you the one who dared to tell me I was the Mystery on this rez ?” Shaking my head as I recalled one of the earlier conversations we shared.

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned, I could hear and smell exactly what she was doing in there. I got up and moved to the couch hitting shuffle in my phone to find it had automatically connected to her sound system...

“And I still stand by that.” I chuckled. “Especially while you are proving me right.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm… if you say so.” My hands stopped midway to closing the cabinet, listen to the sound of the music.

Lips curled up into the smile that music bought I closed the doors, taking the two glasses and a bowl of chips back into the living room. Finding him on my couch.

•- Embry Call -•

I grinned at her over my shoulder. “The music gods are speaking.” I chuckled and waited for her to join me.

“I know You love the stand around and check me out… but its cruel to tease a an with chips and whiskey you know.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my eyes at him. That word making me cringe just enough for my stomach to feel it. “Who said you are getting any of these chips?”

Slowly walking towards the couch, I kicked his leg playfully as I steps around him to take a sat holding his glass out towards him.

•- Embry Call -•

I saw that brief moment of tension... I knew that word made her uncomfortable but it had just slipped innocently into the sentence.

I laughed when kicked me as she passed my leg... She wasn't holding it against me... I knew she wouldn't. But I couldn't help but notice how she shook off these little slips of mine so much faster.

I took the glass and leaned in, brushing my nose against the shell of her ear when she sat down. I pressed ad small kiss to her cheek just in front of her ear. She wouldn't want to apologise. So I didn't.

"No one needs to say it." I beamed a smile. "You're #SueClearwater's daughter..."

I laughed. The was no disputing the Clearwater's were raised to feed guests in their home. Or suffer the consequences with their mother.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Unspoken conversations with him where always something that were unplanned, mainly as I had never been around someone who heard them.

Closing my eyes, with a slight tilt of my head into his kiss. I knew the meaning. This had to be growth, right?

“You wouldn’t tell her if I didn’t feed you.” My free hand moved up to rest on his cheek, slowly stroking the days growth there.

But the fact was, he knew food wasn’t something I would ever gate keep.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled leaning into the touch. She knew, she understood... in a way I never thought I would be understood. I kissed her again and chuckled. "But... are you sure enough to take that risk." I teased, trailing the tip of my nose along her jaw.

Her fingers sent prickles of heat  that i knew were not just from her body heat, skipping along my jaw.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Spirits… I opened my eyes partly still not moving away. The closeness to him had started to feel ever present now. “Hmm…” my fingers still moving gently over his cheek, and along his jawline. “Not a risk in my eyes.”

By the spirits, I’d just said it. That melt trust... in  him. In this thing between us. That made my hand stop for a moment or two.

•- Embry Call -•

We'd come so far on this journey… for us to sit here like teasing and sharing this kind of deeply, bonded affection. “We’ll see…” I teased. We both knew Sue would believe a story that I recklessly showed up unannounced at Leah’s door. But we both knew I wasn't going to at the same time.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and leaned back into the deep cushions of the couch.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Bringing the glass up to my lips, I took a sip of the auburn liquid. The taste of a deep wood, with a spice, and the vanilla sweetness aftertaste my eyes moved to the TV.

“And to think this all came from you not being happy with Henry Cavill On my screen.” Shaking my head.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed! Damn... she was right. "And I have yet to see a single second of that glorious man on screen." I sipped on my drink and leaned into her ear dropping my voice to a low growl.

"Too busy indulging your curiosities with me. All. Night. Long." I paraphrased the famous lien.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Spirits, that voice stirred something sweet inside, making the heat crawl its way up the sides of my neck.

Snapping my teeth at him because he must know that wasn’t hot the lines went. But, by the spirits with him saying it in this way.

“Hmm… you have a way in making sure my side guys don’t get a look in.” Smirking while I took another sip from the glass. Curling my long legs under myself to get comfortable.

“Now. Are you going to let me finish this episode? Or do I need to kick you out?”

•- Embry Call -•

I felt the flush of heat I had caused. It was different from the usual heat that rolled off her skin. The snap had me biting my lip. Fact! Why was that always so damn sexy?

"It's hardly my fault that can't they compare." I teased.

I pulled her closer to me, my arm was still  around her. I settled in next to her and sipped my drink again. My fingers drew slow circles on her bicep just above her tattoo.

"Ready when you are, beautiful.” I whispered with a grin.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Here is a guarantee. There had been a time when Embry Call would have found himself arse first hitting the ground about now. The touching, the pulling me in. The teasing and the nicknames…

Now… He earned a roll of my eyes, and my warrior smiling all proud of my evolution. if she tried to Pat my head, then his arse was fair game.

I shifted into his side. Because even if I didn’t admit it, it felt good, it felt… I shake my head at the thoughts.

“I’m about to hit un-pause.” I warned him. “Right now.” Showing him the remote. Then hitting it.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled at the multiple warnings... I knew it meant that if I interrupted her show l would pay with pain.

And it would be justified.

l pretended to zip my lips and sent a silent wish to my ancestors to give me patience. It was just about a TV show. it was about  it was about this path of evolution we were both on.

Learning to be still, to be silent. Learning find calm in quiet things. Just like she was learning to find calm in the crazy and unpredictable.

It was going to be difficult; I didn't really follow the show would  have to save my questions until the end.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pulling one knee up to my chest, I rested my glass on top of it. I knew this was outside of his comfort zone, and for Embry to sit still and take In a show or a movie that wasn’t a classic would be difficult.

Reaching out I found his free hand with mine, curling my fingers  to lace his. Letting my thumb rub circular patterned so that he knew he wasn’t along right now.

Taking a sip from the glass my lips curled up and I could feel the questions piling up. So, I whispered. “Just ask as you think of one. Don’t hold them till the end.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled to myself… the way she took my hand, those small little movements that help release the energy that built up in my body all the time. It was her showing me it was a two-way street. Just being with her calmed that… and everything else… she took care of.

I chuckled. “Wow!” I lifted my glass to my lips. “Are you going soft on me, Trouble?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It was the first episode of the new season. Gerald, Yennefer, and Cini were travelling to stay out to the reach of the king and his guard. Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “This isn’t a punishment, Embry. You said you wanted to do things I liked. I read books, fix crap, and have one or two shows I watch, if I’m not watching movies.”

Shrugging my shoulders, a little. “I could turn it off, do something else.” Pausing the show. Maybe it was too much to expect him to sit still for that long?

•- Embry Call -•

I rolled my eyes at her. “I know! But I'm still going to tease you… as much as I can, and as often as I can.” I took the remote and hit play. From aping my arm back around her shoulder after I set it down again.

“But I bet I can figure it out... Witcher’s…” I stressed the  ERS. “Witches and princesses, right? And a singer guy… see I'm practically an expert!”

I tilted my head and wondered if the two blondes on the screen were related…. They must be. Father and daughter? Maybe brother and sister? I'm sure it would come up soon and could act like I knew it all along.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Parting my lips to tell him there was a little more to it Thant witches and princesses. But then thought and spoke. “That will do you for now.”

Shifting to make myself more comfortable, wondering how long it would take him to work out what he was watching. Taking a sip from  my glass, I reached out and set it down on the side table. My arms curling around the leg I brought up to my chest.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled… I would have teased her about the fidgeting. I would normally say bit l I’ll e her… but we hardly ever watched tv together… and both time we did it was laying down, so I honestly had no clue.

I learned back into the corner of the couch, tugging her closer she  could lean back against my side, and I had the added bonus of wrapping both arms around after I set my glass down. And rested my cheek to her hair.

Someone was in the dog house already! I gave a small chuckle as the creepy/attractive dude blocked  the witch from the house.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sound of his soft chuckle should have annoyed me. But it made me smile. (Spirits! was I going soft?)

When he guided me closer into his side my body moved without a moment’s thought. Without wondering what, where, or why. Did he understand the trust it took for me to be  this way with him? The answer came from his number one fan in the room.

‘Of course, he does.’ And I knew she hit the nail on the head.

“She stole his daughter...” Pointing to each character as I spoke. “To give to a witch, to get her lost powers back.” Damn right Yenn  wasn’t getting in past the front door.

•- Embry Call -•

"I knew they were related!" I laughed. "It's the hair."

Thought I had the say... from what I knew of this show, he wasn't exactly Father material. I brushed my cheek again her hair as she leaned back. the gently tightening and releasing of my arms was all that was needed to  show her. I saw her... I saw how she made this space for me in her life, in her home.  I was here and she could trust me. She could trust that one word was all it took the get that space back, and tomorrow... well that would be a brand-new day.

Neither of us could do wrong  here. That was what set this path apart from any other journey.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm…” I made a face seeing how the seasons changed, and the locations too. The letters Yen left, okay. Fine. As pisses as I was with her. I had to admit she was trying.

“He isn’t her father by bloody. He is her ..Well you can say guardian

By the true Law of Surprise.” his arms held on to me tightly for a few moments before they loose and again. The unspoken had been heard from him. I knew that it would be difficult for others to understand. But I got it. And I knew it was true. That he would give me whatever I needed, but did he know I would give him what he needed too?

•- Embry Call -•

The trio were clearly in hiding and damn! That dude can hold a grudge! “Law of…” I tilted my head and raised a brow. “Oh yeah… that old thing, make perfect sense now.”

I watch as the witch though the girl magic. “The kid seems to be over the kidnapping thing…” I breathed  the scent of Leah’s hair.

The closeness I felt with her… people always I ducked a being alone. It was true, I didn’t like it. But even surrounded by a dozen I loved and who loved me? I never felt this seen…  this wasn’t merely sharing space… or watching tv… or cuddling…  Which… damn! Who knew!? This was every part of her, and every part of me down to our souls twining together. With her I was least alone I’d every felt. And the feeling didn’t fade once I walked out the door. It stayed me.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My lips curved up again into a smile before I elbowed him.

“He saved the kiddos. Dad from death from her grandmother. She. The law of surprise was his ask, because he didn’t want to be paid to the save. He just didn’t know it would end with him having to become the Guardian of a girl, who… it to be queen.”

Okay. This wasn’t something I was used to. Watching with him, it wasn’t annoying me as much as I knew it should. I liked that he wanted to know and was being himself. He wasn’t trying to be what I wanted in that aspect. We were both just us. I took in a deep breath, smiling again as how the scent in my home changed when he came. It had taken on the musk of him, with the mixture of bourbon and whiskey.

“Keep doing that and I will change for it.” He much have known I would know when he sniffed at my hair?

•- Embry Call -•

"Wait... the dad gave his daughter as payment for a life debt?" My brows knit together. "Maybe she's better off with this Witcher dude."

I laughed then and rubbed my cheek against her hair. "I can't help it...  you smell so good... and even better when that beautiful warrior  of yours stirs."

I wasn't like I didn't she was doing the exact same thing... she was just less obvious. "You can have a whiff of me anytime you want to."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyebrows pulled together. “Hmm. No. Not really. He didn’t want to do it. And it was his wife not him.” Okay this wasn’t so easy to explain. “I’ll have to make you watch it from the start. Season one is when they all got naked. A. Lot.”

Smiling when I recall a text conversation with Embry while I’d been watching the Witcher taking a bath in the season.

“A whiff?” Turning my head to snap my teeth at him. “As inviting as those sounds. I’m okay.” His scent was in the air. Just breathing bought it to the forefront.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed against her hair and squeezed her gently.  "If you want to watch porn with me, Trouble... all you have to do is say so." I smirked. "I told you I'd try anything once."

I pressed my fingers into her stomach playfully. "Please... You know you do it too! I just like for you to know when I'm appreciating all these aspects of you." I chuckled. "But I do enjoy your covert style. It's sexy when you pretend you aren't checking me out."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together to muffle my laughter. I rolled my tongue over my teeth. My hands moved to rest over his, holding them over my stomach too. “Porn is free, I pay for Netflix. But if you want to share in a night of porn. Sure. I’m not against it.” turning my head to glance at him.

“I’d be worried if you missed those things. Maybe even need to talk to Jake about demoting you… if you couldn’t tell someone was eyeing you up.”  Tutting a little teasingly.

•- Embry Call -•

"Oh, my stars!" I clutched my imaginary pearls! "Leah Clearwater! How on earth do you know such things!" I teased her, trying (and failing) not to laugh.

We both knew there was no way I would... I liked having her undivided attention... and it wasn't like i would ever take my eyes  off of her.

"Wow!!! Is that an admission, Trouble?"

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“By the spirits.” I whispered my eyes moved slowly around my living room and then to him. The sound of his laughter even now, bounced off the walls like no sound had before.

I raised my eyebrow. “Why, because only men can watch porn? Next, you’re going to tell me women  don’t pleasure themselves!” This got a teasing eye roll.

Shaking my head slowly. “I never admit to anything. You’re welcome to make of it what you like.”

•- Embry Call -•

Her reaction to my teasing was astounding... like the sound of my laughing was one of those phantom breezes that swirled around us when she called on the Spirits. "Well, I can't speak for all men... I would never." I teased... it was a joke of course.

I chuckled... not  commenting on her final question. It was necessary tension relief sometimes... but porn had lost its appeal. When I could so clearly recall the sounds, she made... how her body felt against mine... The heat of her skins beneath my touch. No image on a screen could compete.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His eyes changed. Lost in his thoughts as I sat here beside him. The show was being forgotten because now I was watching him. My lips curled up into a smile, spirits. yeah, he was going to pay for these comments.

I placed my hand on his knee, slowly swirling my fingers up his thigh. Spirits… I could feel the shape of his toned muscles through his jeans, as I moved my hand gently caressing him.

“Lost to the world, or to me?” I asked with a soft low breathy voice about where he’d gone.

•- Embry Call -•

All of my attention was on that hand... winding and teasing its way up my thighs. My eyes never left her face... but my whole body tuned in to only that sensation and the sound of her voice.

"All to you.." I admitted, easily. Honestly. "When I look at someone else... I can't  any hidden depths I want to explore... When I crave contact... I know no one else's would compare because there'd be no heat... no strength.  I reached up to brush my fingers along her jaw. "No... connection... and without that... nothing feels... right."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The tips of my fingers drew pattens over the flats of his thigh before moving up again.

“Hmm…” licking my lower lip, I considered his statement. “So, what I’m hearing is… if there were another female warrior, you’d be there with her too?”

The fact that his touch to my jaw  had my clenched with those things in my stomach coming to life. I let out a small audible sigh.

•- Embry Call -•

She was testing me… the way her hand over… she had to be. “They still wouldn’t be you.” I smiled… “They wouldn’t have swung open so many doors… inviting me in. They wouldn’t have shown me how reach out and ask for help when I’m drowning and have no idea how, but standing in  front of a fire squad for me, and mom.” I smiled. Brushing her cheek again. “There’s only you Leah. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment… but I only see you… I’m all in. I’m all yours.” I smiled. Still unsure why she would want me to be… but she did, and she didn’t hide it.

“This is the path I want to walk… I don’t care if ten more women phase.” I brushed my lips against her temple. “Because the very first one” I was whispering now. “She chose me… and she’s all mine.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hand moved to circle the cusp of his inner thigh. Playing with the fabric of his jeans by dragging my nails against the it.

Moving to push my hand flat then slipping in down between his two legs and squeezing playfully, appreciating the strength he held within him. Spirits. That smile. The innocence in it, the openness, the willingness to share it with me. It was one of them reasons my heart skipped its beating.

My hand stopped and my head spun. This wasn’t the first time he’s told me he was mine and only mine. But each time he did. it hit me how different my life was now. How my eyes should have darted to the door, or a joke about finding my runners. Or jumping up to go get a drink, just to give myself space to think, to breath. To question why he was here and wanted me.

All those feels were gone.

•- Embry Call -•

My brain was definitely losing the battle for blood flow. The slow drag of her nails over the denim… I smiled at her. Not even of flicker of doubt, her eyes never faltered. Her breathing and heart rate were unchanged.

Just her eyes on mine telling me, no running. No hiding. No regrets. No turning back.

I leaned in and kissed her softly. "Such a chatter box tonight, Trouble.” It sounded like a tease, but it was my way of telling her I heard her. "You and me against the world.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hand reached up to rest on his cheek, the hint of the day’s growth ticking my palm as I bought my lips to him. My breathing dipped as I felt that twisting feeling of excitement just before his lips touched mine.

“Stop… making me share.” The whispered breath on his lips. Heat radiated up the sides of my neck. “You and me… against the world.” And I believed each word.

•- Embry Call -•

I turned to kiss her fingertips. “Please!” I chuckled. “Like anyone could make you do anything.”

I pulled her into my lap now, brushing my nose to hers. I wrapped my arms around her. “Now hush up… you’re missing your show.” I shifted her on my lap to face the tv. Acting  I wasn't using it as an excuse the bury my nose in her hair again.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Those things in my stomach came to life again. “You’ve clearly forgotten about Sue Clearwater and Tiffany Call.” Scoffing like a scorned teenager. (What I truly felt for those two women was anything but.)

I allowed him to lift me into his lap. My long legs. Curled up with my feet on the couch. “Oh, now he is worried about my show.” Teasing, as I lay back into him. Resting the side of my head into his shoulder as we felt silent with my eyes back on the TV.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed softly and brushed a stubbly cheek to her silky hair. “Those two are impossible to forget.” I said... And not just because they were our mothers… anyone that met them would never forget the experience.

“I wouldn't go that far…. But happy to point out that you were  the one to get distracted….” I paused for effect. “Definitely!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There it was again that sound. Filling my home, breathing life into the walls. It made me smile. Elbowing him. “Shh… this is not what you expected. I’m giving you live entertainment with your TV.”

Making it so he wouldn’t think sitting down to watch something was a punishment.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled and closed my eyes for just a second. the feeling of her body on my lap... the heat... did she realise that just listening to her heartbeat and breathing was all the entertainment I needed around her. Not that I wasn't up for any extra entertainment I was more than  happy to bear witness.

"Just being here is all the entertainment I need, Trouble." I tried that teeth-snapping thing she does all the time. "Now stop wiggling on my lap or this will become a true Netflix and chill really soon." I chuckled.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits.” I froze for a couple of beats of the heart. Him snapping his teeth like that sent a ripple of excitement like a lightning bolt through me.

“Stealing my moves now too Embry Call?” My voice came out a little breathy, but I kept my eyes on the screen. Taking in a couple of deep breaths, I stilled myself. “You’re the one who named me Trouble, il just living up to the given name.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed. "I learned for the best." I teased her. That moment of stillness hadn't escaped my notice.

"Oh really?" I teased her. "Maybe I should come up with a few new names for you then!"  I leaned into her neck and smiled against her hot skin. Felling her chest expanded in circle of my arms. "And you say you don't make it obvious when you're catching my scent." I whispered, brushing my lips against her skin as I spoke.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“New names? How many more do u need?” Biting the inside of my cheeks, my breathing stopped, and my core pulsed making my close my eyes.

The feeling is his lips to my skin lifted the bumps on my arms. The vibration of his voice sent a tremble making my lick my lips. I rested my hands over his around me. Opening my eyes as he spoke. “I never said I was hiding it. Just that I know how to control the process.”

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed. "I'm not sure... I guess we'll have to keep going until I'm satisfied." I kissed her hair again because she was right there... and why wouldn't I?

"If I started calling you Naked, would you try to live up to that... or are there limits?" I grazed her ear with me teeth.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at him. “That depends, would it get you all hot and bothered under the collar? In which case I may just for the laughs.”

Turning my head to kiss his cheek. “Or I could just kick your arse. Both work for me.”

•- Embry Call -•

“I’m hot and lot.” I grinned at the double meaning. “And I’m hot and bothered no matter what you wear… but I have a feeling that would…” I cleared my throat.

“Be impossible to resist… but there’s on one way to find out!”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I closed my eyes, slowly shaking my head at the meaning behind his statements.

“Hmm…” chewing in the inside of my chew acting as though considering his dilemma. “So… if I were to…” my fingers curled around the top button of my shirt. “Start to remove clothing. That works?”

•- Embry Call -•

I sat up a little straighter. Watching her hand like it was the best show I’d ever seen. "That works.” I added. My heart making itself known.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Pressing my lips together to keep from laughing. He shifted, I could feel his eyes on me, as I kept mine on the screen.  “Just works? Is that it?”  Fingers making easy work of buttons two and three, the fabric falling open with cup of my sports bra visible.

•- Embry Call -•

My mouth watered… watching as just a little more my more skin was revealed. Struggling to keep myself from pouncing…. As my blood flow redirected.

“Oh… It’s extremely effective…” I chewed my bottom lip… the tv completely forgotten.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm…” Trying not to laugh at the change of mind. Listening to his breathing, and the rhythm of his beating heart, I continued to open buttons until my shirt fell open.

Showing off tanned smooth skin, with the well-defined muscles. I let the tips of my fingers play over them.

•- Embry Call -•

I bit my lip and watched as she revealed more and more skin, my eyes fixated on the way her fingers moved. Craving to replace her touch with my lips.

When she reached the last button her shirt and it felt open... slipping off her shoulder. The smooth muscles, almond skin... delicious curves and groves...

"Fuck!" I sprang into action, lifting her off my lap, and twisting my body as I turned to lay her flat on the couch and straddled her. I licked my lips looking down at her... "Spirits.... you are..." I smirked. There were no words. I leaned  down and kissed her chest below her bra between her perfect breasts.

"So..." I moved my nose brushing the fabric, I kissed the swell of her left breast where the fabric cut across the perfection. "Fucking..." Then the right... And just to be unpredictable I finished with. "Distracting."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I felt the change before he acted, the way his breathing stepped up. His heart beating faster, and the scent in room filled with enthusiasm. He moved so fast, making my gasp out his name, and call on the spirits. Gasping from the excitement, laughing, my body moved in a swoop, sending my hair flying around my face. As soon as my back hit the couch, I heard it crying out.

“I am no such thing!” I snapped my teeth looking up at him sent my blood rushing to my brain. My hands had moved into his hair. Tugging at a handful and I arched my back up pushing my skin to his heated lips.

“Spirits… Embry!” I closed my eyes, moaning the words as I felt my nipple push up and harden thanks to his attention.  My legs slipped around his waist licking at the ankles.

•- Embry Call -•

Fuck! That breathy sound had blood flowing in a direction that was not conducive to chilling on the sofa watching TV.

I bit my lips and groaned when she tugged my hair, she arched against my mouth, and I answered that act with teeth, tongue and lips. "Oh yes you are, and you  know it too." I murmured against her skin.

Her scent began to shift, and her legs locking around me told me that she'd forgotten all about her show too. I lifted my head to look up at her, but I was instantly distracted by the perfect peaks showing through her bra. "Spirits..." I let my palm slide along her torso and palmed her breast.  "I'm adding Tempting to that list too." I lowered my head again, bringing my mouth to the other peak and grazing it with my teeth. Fighting the urge to slide the fabric aside and take her heated skin  into mouth.

"So, Fucking. Tempting." I almost growled onto her skin.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

This was not the plan… but then nothing planned ever worked out the way it was meant to with Embry in the bubble. It was elevated into something more.

“Spirits!” The word a gasp. Biting on the inside of my cheek, those sounds he always pulled free from me came in a rush. my eyes fluttered with the sensations in my stomach rioting so much that I clenched to steady myself.

My shouldered pushed down into the couch and my eyes glanced down to watch him.  “You’re…. Just… adding words now.” There was a soft hum in my voice, one that sounded so unlike me, but it had most definitely come from me.

“What... about you…?” I questioned with my fingers twisting into his hair, then down his neck, and over his shoulders.

•- Embry Call -•

I pressed a kiss between her breasts my hearing focused on all those sexy little sounds she made.

“The Art of Conversation is my forte, right?” I breathed the words moving my lips along the cusp of her bra nudging it aside minutely as I went.

My palm slid firmly up her torso cupping her other breast, making sure she got all the attention she deserved.

“Me?” I teased dropping my voice low. Finally, slowly revealing that exquisite peak and curl in my tongue again dark skin with a low groan that sped up my heart. “That would be up to you, beautiful.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I wouldn’t even attempt to find the words. It wasn’t in my mindset to think in that way. For me it was a feeling, an emotion, an experience that resonated.

“Embry!” My eyes widened wildly, his attention hadn’t been divided at all, he could think of words at the same time as he paid attention to my needs. But this was a need I didn’t even know of.

“Spirits!” I moaned out.

Tugging on his hair as fired inflamed from in me. My body was shaking thanks to his actions, and I couldn’t think about what I was about to say.

•- Embry Call -•

A low groan ripped its way up from deep in my chest. Why was it so fucking hot when she [pulled my hair like that? "My name could certainly go onto that list." I teased then took the pert bud between my lips and rolled my thumb over the other.

She'd been the one to open her  shirt after all. I wasn't about to deny her the attention she was clearly craving. The way she shivered beneath me told me I was on the right track. So did the growing bulge in my jeans.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Damn him and his… “Wisearse mouth!” What was he talking about? What list? I shook my head learning it back to rest on the armrest of my couch.

My fisted the fabric of his shirt and began to pull it up towards myself. He was over dressed, and I was craving the feel of his skin on mine now.

Out of curiosity I made myself open my eyes to glance down at his muscular figure engulfing me, with the illusion of being pinned, the weight of his body pushing me down into the cushions, and I gasped once again at the attention he so carefully gave my breasts. my eyes darted to the screen once at the show of a fight breaking out. Only because I’d also forgotten it was on.

“Spirits!”  I gasped out tugging his shirt all the way up to his arms and then it was stuck.

•- Embry Call -•

I sucked on her peaked nipple hard. Just to make my point, swirling my tongue around. My body automatically reacted my pressing my hips down on hers. The growth there aching from friction.

She was tugging up my shirt allowing more and more of my skin to connect with hers.  Not even the sound of a battle on the screen could divert my attention. I broke away long enough for her to free me from my t-shirt and then instantly buried my face against her neck, my mouth claiming her pulse point hungrily.

I rested my weight down on her feeling her hot skin on mine. “Fuck! That will never get old.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Never…” I managed to say, dropping his tee to the ground beside the couch.

When he lifted himself, a rush of cooling air filled the space between us, adding to the sensations his tongue elevated before it was gone. Laying here, watching him moved on top of me his muscles flexed and tense from the excitement in this moment with me. Damn. It was opening my eyes to a new perspective.

My body thrives underneath him, a shiver rippled through at the heat of Embry’s  mouth calmed that perfect pleasant spot on my neck.

Another gasp my hands moved around his back, feeling the smoothness of his skin as my hips automatically lifted to meet him.

“Spirits….”

I felt him, the dampening in between my legs gave witness to this fact. The scent  bursting freely around us betrayed me.

•- Embry Call -•

I saw it… in a mere seconds the was above her… she was checking me out, then her hand did the work her eyes couldn’t when kissed neck. Groaning when she moved her body into mine like she read my mind.

“Spirits!” I murmured on her skin. Her scent bloomed in air. “You really do smell too good.” I played on her teasing from early at the way I scented her almost every chance I got. I side effect of my wolf and I been as unified as we are perhaps?

I hooked my arm under one knee, unlocking it from around me and pushing it up towards her. I rolled my hips down… a long, slow stroke against the dampening spot.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My legs unclasped follow his lead this time as to how he wanted to come closer, the twisting of my core tightened that much more with the speed of lightning.

I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound muffled with the excitement and energy building.

“Such… a… weirdo..” I teased because the fact was, weirdo was meant as a compliment in this context.

My nails raked down his shoulders and back as he moved around with me mirroring the action. Kept shift, push and dip being matched. Physically my body began to learn what he liked and where. And mentally I was trying to stay in the moment with him.

•- Embry Call -•

"You are full of compliments tonight." I teased, low and breathy. My lips feather along her jaw towards her ear.

Her body moved with mine like we could read each other's minds. The little sounds she made heated my blood in that way only she could.

I groaned at the sweet sting of her nails. The marks they would leave, that would fade before we ever left this room.  I sucked on her earlobe and flicked my tongue against it before pulling back to find those captivating eyes. "Such an enigma." I smiled and brought my lips to hers.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My fingers slipped into his hair, tugging it just a little at his tease. Okay fine. Maybe calling him a weirdo when we were…. Making out?  (By the spirits! I didn’t want to think of a name for this particular activity right now!)

But… in my defence… I liked weirdo’s  they were where the good times were at in my opinion.

“What can I say?” My voice shook at the attention he showered me with. Biting on my lower lip when his eyes mine. “I’m a gift of the spirits.” My heart rocked its rhythm with his lips one mine.

•- Embry Call -•

I groaned, biting my lip and burying my face into the crook of her neck when she tugged on my hair. "Spirits!" I breathed... that was so fucking hot.

I ran my tongue along the pulse point of her throat, and my hands moved over her body as much hers did mine... moving form my to my hair... Like me... she just couldn't get enough.

"You have no idea how true that is." I teased and kissed my way back to her mouth, freeing her lower lip she I could replace her teeth with mine.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My eyes fluttered before closing once again. Our tongues found one another, soft teasing, entwining, and tasting him woke up all those senses that stood to attention when he came close.

I took his lower lips between my teeth, tugging on it before allowing the tip of my tongue to trail over them. My hands moved down his back, to the furthest point I could reach laying beneath him. I pulled my lips free just enough to whisper.

“Trust me…”

Then his lips were mine again. Following the waist line of his jeans, my hands came between us, I pushed  my hips down to give myself room. Pushing my legs down a little still keeping myself open to him. My fingers crossed and following the shape of his bulge.

She woke as the explosion of thoughts, the barrage of sensations that this small act awoke in us.

•- Embry Call -•

The kiss was intense... deep, teeth and tongue... I just couldn't get enough of her. I kissed her back all the same passion she gave me, moaning with every touch of lips and taste of her tongue.

When she broke my kiss, my lips chased hers until I heard her whisper. "Always." I  whispered back, slipping my fingers into her hair.

My body reacted to hers trying to make a space between us and I braced my other hand on the couch to lift my weight off her chest. But still close enough for her lips to find mine again.

Jolts of pleasure coursed through me  when her hand passed over the front of my jeans. The length in pants throbbed against her palm. My elbow threatened the buckle with the tremors that flooded my body. If I were human, it would have. My teeth caught her lower lip and tugged with a low growl.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The gasp escaping my lips came without warning, the sensation his teasing bit cased tightly held into my stomach which began to fill with those sweet feelings I couldn’t control.

The tip of my tongue flicked to lick his lips before I whisper for his ears again.

“I’ve got you.” it wasn’t a lie. I wouldn’t let him fall, not alone. Just like the night he took me off the side of the cliffs, and I turned us away from the rocks below. I would jump with him tonight, just to protect him.

“Breath Embry…” my own voice felt disjointed and distracted by his reactions. I wanted to read him, to know when to stop and not push him too fate off the path.

My fingers slowly, softly, with intent caressed the shape of him. Moving down along his inner thigh. Unable to understand how I had managed to not touch him? “Is that okay?”

•- Embry Call -•

"You always do." My voice rumbled low and deep. My lips found hers and I did exactly what she said and drew in a breath from her hot mouth. The scent of her filled my lungs.

I almost chuckled at her question. There was nothing she ever did they wasn't okay... She never pushed... Spirits, she probably knew my limits better than I did.

"So much more than okay, Trouble." I breathed and kissed, again and again. Small, singular kisses, letting her explore while I  revelled in the carnal waves that rolled through my body. I gripped the edge of the couch, breathing in her scent like I needed in more than air.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Was his faith in me overly optimistic? I’d never once lost myself once I came to terms with my faith. However, this was difficult.

She stirred and stroked into an awakened state, her eyes wide and wildly aware of what I was doing.

The sounds of pleasure and excitement came  from her, and him too. But it was the sharing of a breath. Something I’d heard of, but never done until now.

Curling my fingers around the tip of his length not daring to un-belt him, even though I could feel his need for the relief, I wanted to take this slow.

My eyes remained closed as I mirrored his kisses. Small, chased, meaningful.

•- Embry Call -•

She never took her mouth from mine, ever as her fingers never relented her careful caress.  Every stroke and curl of her fingers should have sent closer and to that animal inside… but her wolf burnt low like ambers and mine brushed up against hers savouring the heat.

I should have been hit with the urge to buck into her Juanma, the crave and seek more friction.

But I was perfectly happy to ride in the waves on pleasure she sparked in me, perfect patience and enjoyment. The sounds and gasps never stopped coming.

Her lips pressed into mine I every time mine come down on hers. “Spirits.” I murmured… feeling the way the wrapped her fingers around me through my jeans.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I flattered my eyes open at hearing him. One hand moved up between us to cup his cheek, while the others continued with its soft tenderness around his arousal.

“Tell me… tell me what you want?” This was really still something we were re-learning. Being genuinely curious, about one another’s needs. The ways in which we wanted to be held, or touched, or even when to stop. So far, we’d managed so well without the words. But now. I wanted to hear the breathlessness.

cause by me, in him. It had become another turn on. Knowing how I could be the reason for Embry Call to sound like this…

My own muscles reacted to the thought, blossoming into a scent that filled the room again. “Treacherous” I complained to myself.

•- Embry Call -•

My breath came out in a jagged Oh and I lay my forehead against hers. Tell her what I wanted... Spirit's... how could I ever put that into words. I wanted her, I wanted to taste the source of that sweet, tempting scent. I wanted to feel her lose herself for one sudden, unstoppable moment. I wanted to feel every inch of her skin against every inch of mine... but none of that was greater than one single, all-encompassing, all-consuming need.

"You." I breathed, kissing her palm, and moving one hand to mirror her touch against her own cheek. "Leah... only you. More than anything... you and me... just like this."

I already had everything I wanted... My eyes locked on Leah's... how could anyone ever want anything more?

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Everything went still, the sounds of the spirits singing hummed softly, the cool breeze kissed my hot skin with some relief. Telling me this was all still real…

“Me…” I repeated in a gasp.

With our eyes connected there was no need to hide. He saw it all. But more so…  I heard it all. What Embry said, what he felt, how in the moment we were in may have been why I asked, and he answered. But… the truth of his statement was the sweet weight on my chest.

“You’re killing me…” I hadn’t allowed anyone close enough to want me… and here he was. my lips found his, I closed my eyes letting these sensations he caused wash over me.

•- Embry Call -•

The way her voice sounded made my length twitch against her hand, despite my non-sexual answer, I was still a man (mostly) and I was still straddling the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and her hand was… where it was.

Then her mouth was on mine to, and the kiss was deep  my tongue found hers and I moan.

“That’s a two-way street, trust me.” My voice was low and rumbled again her lips. “Because I also want to bury my face between your thighs and take a taste, then stay there until you’re trembling and tugging on my hair because you can’t take anymore.” I growled that low against her ear.

But something told there wasn’t much I could throw at this Warrior that she couldn’t take. But it was going to fun trying when the time came.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The heat rushed up the sides of my neck like a match to dry grass. Spirits the feel of his hot breath by my ear, elevated each sensation by ten!

My fingers around him created a slow motion that began to build, stroking the full length and girth of him the best I could, ending with my nails teasing the placement of his tip.

My hips lifted up off the couch just a little needing some friction myself, but I would wait. Right now, I wanted to feel him in my hand.

“That…” my voice breathy “is a two-way street too….” My hand on his cheek moved  into his hair. The soft black locks curled around my fingers as I tugged on them. Kissing him again, but this time I captured his tongue with my lips. Sucking on it before letting it go. “I want to taste you too.” Our scents mixed together were intoxicating.

•- Embry Call -•

My breath was getting heavy again, every move of her hand lit fires under my skin. How the hell was it possible for her to do this to me when I was still dressed? She teased another breathy moan from me with her fingers against the denim and my mind racing.

I felt her hips arch. I would have commented on it, but she was dragging my mouth to hers and taking a taste... making it all too clear that she was craving a different one. making me throb in my too-tight jeans.

It wasn't time to fulfil that craving yet. But.... I let my hand glide down the  curve of her throat, over her breast stopping to give her nipple some attention before continuing down her stomach. My heart somehow managed to speed up even more as my hand slid over the front of her trousers and between her legs.

Giving her the friction, I could feel her body craving. "Now who is trying to kill who?" I whispered.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I could feel my pulse pounding in my cheeks, hear prickled beneath my skin with the radiation of our heat waving off one another. Letting his tongue and lips go with a soft moan, my nipples pushed up against the soft fabric of my bra and shirt.

I tugged on his hair again, just enough to make him look into my eyes, so he could see himself reflecting off my irises. My minds eyes followed the trail of electricity his hand left in its wake, knowing his hand would stop at the waist of my jeans, until they didn’t.

“Spirits!” I gasped out at the same time, my core throbbed and clenched so tight, my eyes rolled back, my back arched as my head dropped back. “Embry!” His name was a moan too.

•- Embry Call -•

I bit down on my lip hard when she moaned my name. The tug to my hair had other mains breaking free. Her face flushed, a deep pink staining those perfect almond cheeks. I brushed my lips against them, circling my hand against the heated, sensitive place. Adding a little pressure.

“Two. Way. Street.” I managers the words between kisses and bites to her lower lips. Both of us giving an off heat and scents mixing in the air.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Brain fog from pleasure was a real thing, this all started to provide the proof of it.

Our lips worked at one. They just knew how to dance this tango without needing any guidance. The kissing grew more intense, my lips swelled by the bites he showed on me, and my body began to shiver.

My fingers moved up the surface of his jeans, taking notice of the tightness and how that would feel for him.

“Trust me.” Whispering those words again, I freed my hands from his hair, the other moved up to his waist. Pushing myself down into the couch  I made quick progress to open his belt, and then his jeans. Kissing him the whole time. Biting his lower lip as I felt him free above me.

•- Embry Call -•

There was a perfect synchronicity in the way we kissed. Like shared thoughts, but as someone who frequently shared the inner workings of my mind, I could confidently say this was something entirely unique between her and I.

Just hearing those two words from her had  anticipation flooding my body, so much so that I hardly processed that she was unbuckling my belt until I felt her fingers deftly undoing my jeans in the narrow space between our bodies.

Her lips never left mine for me to assure her I trusted her, but I knew that she was well aware.

She bit my lip and I groaned, I felt the relief of loosening on my jeans, the near freedom. The release of pressure that gave way the new burst of longing and lust, "Spirit's Leah."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I didn’t touch him again to start with, needing him to understand that I would never do anything to jeopardise his will to wait… our choice to wait in any way. This had been done for one reason only, to give him some form of relief in these circumstances we had come to. “I’ve got you.” I muttered against his lips. Kissing him again. Slowly bringing one hand back to his cheek and stroking it gently.

“For as long as you want to me too.” My other hand slipped back over his jeans. Stroking the full length of him, this time with my eyes open and watching his reaction to my touch.

•- Embry Call -•

I turned into her touch kissing her palm. That simple touch was as pleasurable as any other touch… sending electricity dancing along my nerves. Then our settled and locked on one another.

My eyes rolled back with each stroke of her other hand, always finding hers immediately.

I circled my hand against that apex point again, feeling only the seam of her jeans and the pulsing heat between her legs. I groaned, my wolf crying out to feel the shape of her, the slick wetness we knew was beneath those clothes. But was my self-control as strong as hers? “I’ve got you too.” I whispered and closed my eyes just long to kiss her. “Tell me what you want.” I said in a low rumble before another soul-deep tremor ran through my body.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Once again my hips moved to meet his fingers, the touch was light from over my jeans. The hum of another moan created thanks to him and the sound slipped from my lips.

I’d closed my eyes swallowing a lump in my throat as pleasantly surprised bolts of energy pulsed  through my nerves.

His question made my eyes drat open to find his looking down in that hunger way I was sure mine were in too.

What did I want? I’d never wanted for anything, being thankful for what the spirits had given me. But now… words formed in my mind….  Words I can’t explain….

Him… of course I wanted him, in all his glory and kindness, his passion and care, his humanity and his determination. I wanted Him!

I wasn’t a martyr…. There was a beautiful man on top of me, one who shone so bright beyond he himself was  aware of…. I wanted his skin on mine… I wanted to kiss every inch of him, to taste him, to curl my legs around his bare arse and pull him so close that we were connected until we both had out full fill….

“You….” My jittery voice whispered…

•- Embry Call -•

Her body reacted to my touch, telling me the answer to my question in a way that she couldn't in words. But she said it anyway. The way her voice shook had my length twitching against her hand.

"Already yours." I whispered and brushed my nose against her and bore down with my where I knew that sweet, sensitive nub would be.

That answer meant everything... I knew she meant it in all the ways I had... and all the more carnal ways I had too. That thought gave me a wicked idea. I nipped at her bottom lip. Maybe I needed to get more specific. My wolf  and thought we had ourselves under control.

"What do you want me to do to you?" I kissed her and sucked lightly on the spot that I had bitten. "Where do you want me to touch you? Kiss you?" My imagination ran wild and my length throbbed.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His scent took over the room as he spoke to me, mine bloomed once again as the reaction to his handy work. “Spirits!” I gasped closing my eyes as my back arched up as far as it would go.

“I…” what was the question? My Wolf flew into action, wanted more of him. She didn’t A push her need on me. But at this point we were both on the same page.

“Where?” How did he think I wanted him right now, with the placement of his hand and mine telling their story.

My fingers curled up and slipped into his jeans, only dragging my nails over the fabric of  his boxers. Giving me a better grin around his bulging hardness.

“I want you to miss my lips… I want you to kiss my breasts… I want to feel your tongue and mouth linger over my peaked nipples; I want you to set a burning path down my torso… I…. I….” A shiver pasted over  me, making me bite his lips and suck on them. “I want your mouth to taste the spice you are cooking up from me… that talented tongue… I want you to use it to make me scream Your Name!”

Most of the words were of my warrior. She was done playing nice… and I wasn’t disagreeing  he asked after all.

•- Embry Call -•

Fuck! She was… that scent… that heat… her voice. The way her body reacted to every stroke. Her hand slid beneath my clothes, and I rocked against her touch. Every word gave me chills without the actual chill. Everything with her was warmth, heat…

I gasped, my heart raced, she wanted everything I wanted, and for a woman that claimed to be no good with words she had no problem saying it out loud. And all the while she had a hold of me… literally and figuratively.

I claimed her mouth with mine… she wanted me to miss her lips after all… so, I took a long, hard taste before I let my lips trail to the hollow beneath her jaw.

“Let’s see what we can do about that list.” My voice was low and vibrating against her pulse. One hand slipped beneath her, deftly unclasping her bra. the other left her wanting, to finish opening her shirt. My lips still moved down my, my tongue tracing her clavicle before making a heated path down the centre of her chest.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The vibrations of his voice called to me, a tug to my chest like the spirits call often did at the dead of night. But I couldn’t easily explain why it was.

My wolf growled at me because she thought my attention was moving, but it was far from the truth. He was sexy, hard, beautiful, strong…. The words he used all became a rhythm with the racing of my heart. The stop/ start filled with anticipation and excitement all mixed in with us…. US…. We were here together….

“Embry!” Him name came like a moan and a prayer… was he listening to what he had created within?

My legs curled around his hips loosely keeping myself in place under his weight. My fingers picked up the rhythm of his heart too, sliding the full length of him from base to tip.

There was an awkward shuffle trying to understand what he was doing and then it all clicked.

“Spirits…” he was… “Embry!” My eyes close, and I lifted my torso so that he could gain the access to work down my list.

•- Embry Call -•

I heard the growl coming from deep inside of them. It was a good thing I knew how much her Wolf liked me… Us.

I heard how her breath was uneven like she was waiting for something, her heart… the way she said my name. All the sounds that made up… her. The scent, the feel, the heat.

Even as my hand slipped from beneath her to tug aside the fabric of her now, almost, free bra she never stopped. Those smooth, full strokes coaxed moan after moan from me. Even as my mouth found her breast and teased even inch of soft skin before giving her what she declared she wanted. Then, finally, I flicked my tongue against one budded nipple. Wrapping my lips around the peak and sucking, licking, gently biting the tender flesh.

She wasn’t quite screaming my name… but we were making progress. I delicately wired the button on her  jeans until all took was a light tug to undo the zipper. Never once letting up my tender attention on her breast.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits….” Moaning into the ruthless pleasures of his attention told me we had maybe underestimated how he would react. Words were his thing…. Actions were mine… He was paying in a hell of a lot of action right now!

When his moved down to tease the hardened mounts of my breast, my hold around him faltered. He had moved himself out of my reach, but it didn’t stop me from curling my spine just enough to play with the top of that hard girth in his boxers.

The dark skin around my nipples rippled setting off a sensitive sensation to my core  the electrical signals making the sensations wild and terrifying good.

•- Embry Call -•

I took my time, paying careful attention to each breast in turn. My length twitched against the tips of her fingers before I reached between us, took her hands the pinned to the couch on either side of her head.

I flicked my tongue against her pert nipple again and tilted my face up to catch her eyes. "I have a that's on our list, Trouble." I let my teeth trail off a hard peak.

"Ladies first." I whispered and moved planting a kiss between her breasts, lower, lower... my hands trailing off of her hands and down along her forearms as I left a trail of heated kisses down the centre of her torso. Just like she's wanted. The hard muscles of her stomach flexed beneath my lips. "Spirits, Leah." She was so fucking beautiful.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The excitement rushes that o got from the way his strength shows sometimes in these moments was never going to get old. Heat rushed down me, each muscle reacted in unison as his lips did as I wanted. He himself with his weight slipping down played with my mind.

The anticipation of what came next sure, but more the fact that each act… it made the bloody in my veins sing!

Arching my back to push my breast closer, my legs curved around him but not holding him in place. It wasn’t like room was a plenty in my couch.

But when our eyes locked, what I saw in them. “By the spirits…. Embry..!” My hands slipped down his arms, over his shoulder and into his black, thick, soft hair, making my scent fill the room again.

•- Embry Call -•

My tongue flicked between the grooves of every, perfectly chiselled abs. Her skin tasted like bliss... and I couldn't stop my wolf from carving to taste everything else, but I was not going to allow home to rush us.

My hands moved down her body slower than my mouth. Playing  just as much careful attention to all her sensitive places. I kissed a path below her naval until the waistband of her jeans brushed my chin.

I moved my hands to the waistband, tucking my fingers beneath her jeans and panties and prizing them just an inch lower. Her scent had me throbbing, and my heart pounding. I kissed the curve of her hip as her fingers combed through my hair. "You'll be the death of me, Trouble." I groaned and ran my tongue down the sweet dip that disappeared into her underwear.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My skin came to life in a new way, the blood in my veins ran hotter them what was normal for me.

The pulsing took over all over, not my just core, but my cheeks, my fingers, my toes curled up with the nerves firing up too.

“By the spirits…. Embry!” The words came out with short breaths as I tried to control the ways in which my body wanted to move.

Arching my back and pushed my head into the armrest, I grounded my hips to stop them from keeping his attention too fast. Slow motion we’re so much more effective when teasing, even if he was the one teasing me.

“You are killing me….”  Moving my hands to trailed up the fire path he’d created. “Embry!” My voice cut off when I bit my lips.

•- Embry Call -•

Those sounds she made drove me wild. I shifted further down the couch. My feet dangling off the end. I tugged her jeans lower.

I kissed down into the sweet, tantalising crease inside her thigh. Her scent was overwhelming, and I moaned.

"In that case, we'll go together and go  together... and happy." I straightened up a little, tugging her jeans off of her hips. The room was already filled with her sent but now... My wolf stirred, both of us carving her scent. Needing to hear our name on our on her lips, getting louder and louder until she screamed  it like we both wanted. My eyes locked on hers, making sure neither of us got lost in the passion and lust... this was still our path of evolution. Still, the women I built this incredible bond with.

I freed her from her jeans and dropped them next to the next, lifting her leg and pressing a kiss to the inside of her knee.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Of course, he’d happiness take death if it came with a smile, and joy. This man once took me off the side of a cliff, to show the pups what “Unity” and being a “team player” meant.

My eyes widened as the cool air began to kiss my legs. He moved down and my elbows pushed me up the couch. Sitting parting with my elbows propping me up. When our eyes locked the heat in my body was pulsing vigorously in need of some form of relief.

My long stretches up into the air bending me at my waist, making me tilt my head to the side to watch him. I bit the inside of my cheeks closing my eyes for a second with the ripples of pleasure from such a small thing as a kiss do more for me then touch had done before.

That’s when I saw myself, tangled up with my shirt, my bra undone, my jeans on the floor, and Embry Call at  the bottom of my couch kissing my skin.

“You’re planning to die happy, and take me with you?” Panting not from exhaustion, but from all the excitement heaving at my chest.

•- Embry Call -•

She was a vision, her clothes a mess her chest rising quickly as she drew in air. “A man can dream.” I smirked and slid my hand up her other thigh my lips moving higher, leaving a wake of kisses, bringing my body lower and lower. “I'm sure there would be questions when we’re found…” My thumb swept over the centre of the wetness on her underwear. My mouth watered; my wolf rumbled a low pleasing sound.

“You are so beautiful.” My gaze swept over her again, her flushed face. Her hair still perfectly sleek, fucking gorgeous breasts, almost dark peaked nipple begging to be kissed… but I had a list to complete.

My nose brushed the crease of her inner thigh. My finger still light sweeping over the fabric of her panties. She smelled like heave… my Wolf and I both groaned.

“Trust me.” I whispered and pressed my  lips against the fabric where I could feel that sweet nub rolls beneath my fingers.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“So, many question. Undoubtedly.” I managed to say. Biting down on my tongue to silence the moans and thrills making their way to the surface.

The attention I’d been trying to fold on to with the grit of my teeth had slowly begun to diminish, still some part of me held on to  the ledge adamant to take care not to push us both too far.

“Embry!” His mouth was always talented when it came to speaking his way in and out of situations, but the coil of heat he kissed now that sent my head to drop back, my core to throb with desire, my stomach twisting  with excitement, and my mouth dropping open with his name falling free. Crap! He was going to kill me.

My warrior curled up into a ball and then she stretched out splaying herself calling to him and his warrior. She would have purred like a bloody kitten if she wasn’t willing to pull my mind out of this intoxicating moment to have a go at her.

Shivers…. He made my 108-degree skin shiver from the attention…. My mind couldn’t comprehend it. He wasn’t going to stop… his lips touched, and I froze at the same time as my warrior preened her pleasure at this step we were taking.

“Embry….” I moved myself quickly, knowing my own strength i freed my legs from his hold. Opening them to curl around his chest and then I took us off the edge of the couch. Making his back hit the ground, my hands moved to cradle  the back of his head, so it didn’t hit.

My chest moved so face, the blood rushing all over me, my eyes focused on him as I freed my hand from behind his head. And removed my shirt and bra, setting them to the side with my jeans.

I dropped; my hands flat on the ground beside his head. Breathing hard and fast locking my eyes. “We put a pin in that until later…” I whispered straddling him. I didn’t need to apologise to him, I knew he saw that I had gone as far as I could for now.

•- Embry Call -•

We felt that powerful she-wolf reaching out to us from inside her skin. That thought had my wolf reaching back for hers and wishing he were beneath her skin too. Not tonight I told him. He knew but that never stopped him from craving them.

I knew by the way she gasped my name the second time she wasn't quite ready to finish that list of hers. The next thing I knew I was falling, and my back hit the floor and somehow, as always, my head didn't.

"Fuck!" I sucked in a breath.... and then "Fuuuuck!!" she slipped out of her shirt and settled herself straddling me.

"Spirits, you are stunning." My hands found her waist and started to glide up. "Leah Clearwater leaving a list uncompleted?" I teased her my thumbs brushed the underside of her breasts. I smiled up at her. "Later." I whispered... Her scent was still heavy in  air... I knew her body and soul were reaching for different things right now. Just like mine.

"I got you, Trouble."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“It’s all a part of the evolution, Wisearse.” My chest moved rapidly still, because this… us… this game of edging we played… it wasn’t over.

I let my hair cascade over him, hiding us under the veil so it would give the illusion of freedom from the temptation. But his hands  feeling their way up my body felt so good to me. Those hands so warm that I couldn’t even imagine the cold with him under me.

I couldn’t help but smile, slowly moving my hands under his shirt. Undoing the buttons as my fingers slipped higher and higher. One of us was seriously overdressed, and considering I was on top of him in nothing more than my panties. It wasn’t me.

“I know you do, so…. Now.. shut up and kiss me.” My lips found his and I kissed him deeply, equally curved my chest into his hands.

•- Embry Call -•

Her hair made a silky curtain between us and the world creating that even more sacred inner sanctum within our bubble. Her hands moved up my chest lighting fires everywhere they touched.

I was definitely over dressed, her nearly naked body above mine setting off a twitch in my  boxers.

“Anything you….” I was cut off by her lips on mine. The feeling her skin on mine made me moan into the deep kiss. Her hard nipple brushed my chest and setting of another reaction in my underwear. I slipped my arms all the way around her, fighting the temptation to roll us over. She had let me take control… so I could let her have her fun now.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I pulled back in our kiss, just enough to trace the tip of my tongue over his lips. Tasting him with our scent filling my senses so intoxicating.

Parting his lips with my tongue, I cupped his mouth with mine. Pulling on his breath to share mine with him.

I breathed him in  the sensation of his hot air filled my lungs. And then I returned it to him. The First lent a connecting force between us, the second pulled me in closer pushing me chest to chest, the third… spirits… it moved me to a plain so bright that I could see string’s joining our souls….

Pulling back, I was breathing fast and hard. Moving my lips down his jawline, to his neck.

“You…. You taste good.

•- Embry Call -•

Fuck!! Kissing this woman was an entirely spiritual experience, the connection... the way she seemed to slip her feelings into me; communicating them in her own unique way.

The heat of our shared breaths filled my lungs and sent shivers up and down my spine. I knew the word I  used one time to describe shook her. Bond. But now I felt her leaning into it, soul-to-soul. Letting it deepen and grow roots, from her to me. Her Spirit animal to mine.

Her lips on my skin... sensational heat, blissful fire...  "Then we make a good pair... You are addictive... and I didn't even make it to the main course."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There was so much to unpack in the moment, however my warrior blocked my mind showing me the bubble and the man laying beneath me.

It worked, the lights that had begun to fire my thoughts dampened allowing my to feel and not think right now.

I had to smile, because tasting him had been the only way for me to verbalise all the information. But there was more to it. So much more…  “The appetisers are far better in my opinion.” Teasingly I bit his bottom lip tugging on it.

I knew in my soul. We were doing this the right way. The way neither of us had dared to allow before. My walls had come down for him, and I knew what that meant for me.

My lips began a slow and soft line of kissed. From his lips to his chin, down his neck, letting my tongue tray his Adam’s apple before continuing across his broad shoulders.

•- Embry Call -•

“Now, now.” I teased he with a click of my tongue. My hand moves up and down her back, her waist. Her unbelievably squeezable arse and back up into the hair she shields is from the world with. Always moving, slowly, worshipping every inch.

“You can't judge a meal before you've  tasted it.” I smirked.

“But it would be a terrible waste bit savour the appetizers before moving on… so when it comes done it…” I quirked a brow. “We're on the same page.”

Her eyes were deep pools inviting me in deeper than ever before giving me so much… but this time … . Her intent gazes the way she fell into mine time. This time she was fully aware that her gates were wide open, and she wasn’t rushing to close them. “I've got you.” the whisper was contrary to my teasing but true. Always true.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Fire coursed its way through my veins, it wasn’t the standard 108 I ran at. No, this was his doing. Because I still hadn’t come down from the tension coil wrapped around my need for him. He’d walked me to the top of the cliff, and I had been the one to pull back from the edge  before my coming climax rolled me full speed into a place, we weren’t ready for just yet.

“Hmm…” the throbbing between my legs, the dampness of my underwear left a trail down his torso as I slipped further south.

“It’s not judgement, when you are trying to enjoy the moment  isn’t that your tag line?” My teeth grazed his nipples. Biting one with a pull, before my tongue eased a circle around it.

I froze, swallowing hard feeling my pulse betting unevenly in my face. It still cased a reaction when he told me. Even though I knew, hearing it brought to different levels of attention to his worlds. “I know… I know Embry…” My nails racked lines over his chest with my hair following with a soft caress.

•- Embry Call -•

I watched her make her way slowly down my body, my lips hummed with the desire to kiss her again. But my body… Spirits… It cried out for her attention.

That damp heat running down my centre… Fuck! when day came that I finally got that taste? I twitched and throbbed at the  Thought… but our path… would make each new step we took even sweeter.

“Hm… sounds like you’re agreeing with my core philosophy.” I teased; a small hiss of pleasure punctuated the words when her teeth took hold of my nipple. Then her nails…. leaving barely-there pink traces on my skin, the silk of her hair brushing over the next.

“Spirits!” I breathed. “You feel so good.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Such a Wisearse!” There just behind my words I could feel a sweet laugh trying to release with my words. So, to hide it I bit the skin I could catch over his ribs.

It was all pure muscle, sharp lines, indents following a little teasing line south. His skin teasing divine on  my tongue the scent of him, heady to the point I had to close my eyes to ground myself as I felt the throbbing growing again between my legs.

Kissing my way over his perfectly chiselled abdomen, I moved my legs inside of his legs pushing them apart enough to rest my knees  between them. Then my fingers hooked into the belt loops of his open jeans, tugging them down his thighs while my tongue followed the dip of that Adonis belt.

“By the Spirits!” I gasped out. The perfect V-shaped muscle that runs diagonally from his hip bones to the pelvic region, it made the dampness in me grow.

•- Embry Call -•

That sound… even now with her scent about to drive me insane with wanting and with the most beautiful, mostly naked woman in the universe kissing her way down my body… the hint of innocent joy in her voice brought a smile to my lips.

The fire of her kisses never faded as I  lifted my head to watch her, she took her time, and I soaked up every second.

Without hesitation, I made room for her between my legs. I lifted my hips letting her slip my jeans lower and dropping them with a moan when her lips found that highly sensitive area. A far more  throbbing in my length, freed for the denim entirely now and her scent announcing itself unmistakably once more. My mouth watered; remover how sweet that almost-taste was.

My hand slipped into her hair as softly as her name slid off my tongue, not gripping or guiding, just felling the silk between my fingers, anticipating her next move.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There it was another reminder of how much we had evolved. A simple grasp of my hair, something I had broken fingers over before. Felt natural when he did it.

“Stay still.” I whispered, squeezing his hips letting my nails dig in and up his sides. I liked finding his appendix scar. Using my tongue to trace it and kiss it too. This was our witness to his humanness, and innocence before it was revealed that he was a warrior of our people.

A small hum established its freedom when I scented him. The twitch under his boxer shorts couldn’t hide from me.

My eyes glanced up to find his watching, sending thoughts of how to make the both of us happy rush through. Which of course my warrior appeared to approve of. She made my mouth water, keeping my eyes locked on Embry’s while continuing south biting his things one at a time.

•- Embry Call -•

Stay Still? She said like she wasn't asking for a miracle. the bite of her nails made me bite my lip. And pressed my hips down into the floor before I was able the process the thought that it counted as moving too. I tried to stop. holding as still as I could.

I groaned, digging my teeth further into my lip. Why was the scar so sensitive? Has it always been? Or was it just her?... sharing this evidence of my humanness with her.

When his eyes met the stillness became easy... that was until her lips continued moving lower. The light of her wolf glinting in her eyes.

Hip wanted to move, to arch towards her I contained it to a slight wiggle. "Staying still was never my strong suit."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It was payback, and a precaution. Asking him to stay still was his equivalent of me not striving for my pleasure.

“If it were easy, it wouldn’t be a challenge, Embry.” My voice was breathy, pent-up enthusiasm and want had to go somewhere. “You crave bringing me to the edge and stopping…. I crave seeing how long you can stay still without needing touch me.”

He taught me something new, something I never thought I could do. Rampant desire... leading to a calm stillness, and it was so pleasant and peaceful. Something I hadn’t touched in myself. the sweet sounds he made had me biting my way down his leg as I pulled his jeans off the rest of the way.

Setting them a side I sat up, combing my finger through my hair pushing it over one shoulder looking down at him.

“By the Spirits…” He was a gift from our ancestors!

•- Embry Call -•

A challenge? I smirked. "Oh, believe me... The 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 is there... always..." I drew in a breath. Her lips and teeth against my thighs... there were certain muscles that were outside my conscious control... no matter how much I struggled with the ones I should be in command of. kiss and bite had a muscle... or something else... tightening, throbbing, or twitching. Sometimes all three.

Then I was as naked as she was. "The only question is how long I resist." The way she looked at me... the way she looked sat on the floor between my legs, running her fingers through her hair.

"You are a fucking Goddess..." I said at the same time she called to the Spirits.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Yes, I am. One you cannot resist for long. But I’d never set you up for failure.” The tip of my tongue roamed it’s ways over my lips, nice and slow, a delicate balance between my fingers and my tongue stroking his thighs.

The urge to bite him took a hold again, making me leave my teeth marks on his inner thigh recalling a time when he asked me if I was a biter when I was intimate. He knew the answer to his question tonight.

“Now…” my eyes were on him as my tongue make a fire trail toward his cusps of his boxers. Biting his hip when I reached it. “Remind me… Who is winning?”

•- Embry Call -•

“Nothing that ends with me being able to touch you will ever be a failure in my eyes.” I looked down my own body… seeing her head lowered like that between my legs? It was almost impossible not reach out and take of her.

Bringing her mouth to my skin…. Sharp teeth biting  expertly on solid muscle… just enough to leave a mark but no damage. It reminded me of how the other guys described their excessive strength being instantly moderated with the imprints, their body automatically knowing how to touch them without hurting them.

Not like mine  Leah’s history… With every touch needing to be controlled. But not between us… and was more than just the fact we weren’t breakable. It was instinct.

“Well, I have the sexiest woman I have seen leaving lo…” I stopped myself saying, Love bites… “Teeth marks on my thighs… That sounds like first place to me.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His voice spoke a different language and story to the words coming out of it. But then again, so did mine. I wasn’t out of breath, but it was strained due to the height he’d taken me to, and what I was doing to him only added more.

“Hmm… are you sure?” Who was I kidding? this was a win for the both of us. The scent in my living room, hit me again. It was a heady mix of intoxicating arousal, and I craved it now.

My stomach twisted and turned at the thoughts rushing through my head. And she was enjoying the turmoil I felt as much as I was. My eyes moved to lock onto this time, combing my hair out of the way, I then placed them down on his hip. My nails lightly playing with his skin with my fingers curled under the band of the thin fabric between us.

My mouth watered, and the pulsing muscles between my legs  should have make it hard for me to think straight. However, I had full confidence in my ability to make this happen to a point.

“Let’s see how it goes, shall we?” The sound of my voice echoed through my chest as I shifted down a little. Placing kissing and then my tongue traced a path from his navel, down the chiselled muscles reacting to mine being there. Down to the fabric, which is pulled and teased with my teeth, over the top of it to the hard, engorged bulge where my tongue circled the tip of him through his boxers.

•- Embry Call -•

Spirits, yes! I was sure! But my teeth were bearing on my lips as I resisted the urge the ache my hips towards her.

She was so sexy... her eyes locking mine in and her fingers in her hair... mine flexed, they wanted to bury themselves in the dark silk strands. The way she tucked her fingers beneath the elastic of my boxer made everything in the region clench... Her scent was potent. This was turning her on almost as much as I was. Every kiss set off a series of clenches and twitches.

Breathy groans escaped and the need to touch her became  urgent.

Then...

"Spirits, Leah!" I moaned and lifted my hips just a little... It couldn't be helped, Pleasure and desire buffeted through me. I reached for her, one hand over hers on my hips and gliding up to wrap my fingers around her powerful forearm. The other wove into her hair draped on my lower body.

"Trying." I breathed... moisture beaded and soaked immediately into the straining fabric of my boxer. "To. Kill me."

And I did not want her to stop... not yet. My wolf basked in her attention. Coiling beneath my skin.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My arm was strong enough to withstand the pressure of his grip. Once again, I smiled at the idea of how Embry is the only man I’d been with where I didn’t knowingly commit to being careful all the time. And he could do the same too.

“Embry…” his name inaudible, but the sound  was clear. Getting a response from him made my skin come alive with pearls over it. And the fact that he was oh so trying.

“Never…  going… to happen.” 

My attention moved to below his waist. Knowingly I dipped my head down, following the shape outlined in the fabric of his bulge. From the tip which has come to play, all the way to the base.

Slow and steady pressure, my tongue circled the base giving a little more attention there before the trail moved around to the other side and up again.

•- Embry Call -•

She had no intention of stopping until I told her how much I could take. My Wolf growled at me, knowing that I would stop her before reaching that peak point. He wanted the release, to see her wolf’s eye flash being the human ones when she scented what she did to us.

My mind reeled, imagining her mouth wrapped around me, her tongue on my skin. Everything clenched, I throbbed in her grip, against her tongue and her lips.

“Fuck! Leah!” the words dragged out on a long breath. I pulled light on her arm, a silent message, I was threading that fine line we had drawn.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

His body language was being heard loud and clear, the movements, the sounds, the touches. I could read him.

When he touched my arm, I heard the warning his lips wouldn’t want to say. I knew his warrior would be pissed, mine knew my limits and his and as much as she wanted to glimpse what came next, she had control of her needs like me.

My lips parted ways moved to kiss his stomach before I slowly sat back looking down at him. Small fingers strokes replacing the attention my mouth had been showering him with.

“I’ve got you, Embry.”

•- Embry Call -•

My warrior stirred wanting more... The last kiss pressed to my abdomen gave me shivers. It told me she was reading my unsaid words. My wolf settled a little at the sight of her.

I slipped my hand up her arm and tugged her closer... even now she still kept contact... the light strokes of her fingers still fed the waves of pleasure. But enough to not press my self-control as much as her mouth had. She knew what I could handle as well as I did... maybe better.

"I know." I whispered when she was close enough to move my hand to the back of her neck.  "Kiss me." I groaned drawing her in, craving her lips on mine.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Hmm...” no sarcastic comments, no teasing, no making him ask nicely. My lips brushed his softly, I combed my hair off to the side to keep it out of the way.

My body lay down over his craving the skin-to-skin touch which still was so new with him.

A deep breath brought his scent to fill me inside and out. And I kissed him.

At first it was a light kiss to his top lip, then to his bottom one. Then the tip of my tongue asked for access with a flick before one of my hands moved to his face, feeling his stubble. And the other rested on it elbow holding me up just so that I could see his eyes before mine were close, and I kissed him deeper.

•- Embry Call -•

A deep sigh escaped when I felt so much of her skin on mine. Even with the pleasure sh gave me…. Fuck… I missed that! And her lip on mine… our breath mingling.

Each of her kisses sent a twitch lower… My hand moved over the planes of muscles up and down her back. Soaking in as much contact as possible.

I kissed her back, parting her lips with my tongue, tasting her with a moan just as deep as when her mouth was much further south… “Spirits, Trouble.” I breathed. “What are you doing to me?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shivers travelled freely up the line of his touch. My stomach filled with that sensation I couldn’t name, and I relaxed into him. Tasting him and being connected in this way with him, it never became old.

“Me?” Speaking between kisses, soft, hard, deep, and teasing. “What you asked me too.” Biting his tongue then sucking on it.

Fingers curling around his hair. I didn’t even know this about me. How playing with a man’s hair feed the need and the desire too. Spirits! What was he doing to me?

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled but it sounded more like a soft moan. “And you do it so well.” My voice was a low rumble. “You cheated though… made me stop before I really got my mouth on you.” I smirked. Her lips, her teeth… punctuating each sentence. Spirits! She was addictive.

But she knew, we both knew. The barest taste of her would have dissolved my self-control. I would have torn that fabric free and buried my face against her. My body arched up at the simple thought of it.

Her touch in my hair soothing away that animalistic edge. “It feels greedy…. Even though I didn’t want you stop… I missed feeling your skin against mine. Missed kissing your lips… like I can’t ever get enough of you and have everything I need all at once.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I didn’t need to say anything, I knew. He knew. Even the spirits knew.

Biting his lips, I kissed him again before rolling off of him. Laying myself down on my back on the cool ground beside him. I felt the twitching sensation at my hip and knew we could both do with a little  space to come back down from the high.

Listening to him, his voice, his heart it was the anthem I looked forward to.

It’s when the cold air kisses my hard nipping, did I close my eyes, pulling my feet togethers my arse closing my legs to calm the throbbing.

“Not sure  greedy is the right word for it.” I’d felt it too. Wanting to kiss him and feel him and hold him. Spirits.. it was all sort of part of our bubble.

•- Embry Call -•

I kissed her one last before she rolled away... I groaned in protest but only feigned an attempt to keep her where she was. She was probably right about needing a little space to... cool off.

Plus... I tilted my head to the side... fuck! She was hot. Dark nipple begging to  kissed.

I slipped my arm beneath her head... that was innocent enough, right? I tucked her against my side, not ready for a total loss of contact.

"I don't think there are any words in any combination that could properly describe any of this... But I have a habit of saying what I think... so I'll keep saying it." I chuckled. "Even if the words always fall a little short."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Moving, shifting, lifting my head to pull my hair free of his arm and the floor. This was new too. The… connection… the heat… the not wanting to dress right away and get out…

“I’m not going to stop you from being you. Words are your language… and you use them well.” turning my head to the side. He was right there. Beside me. His arm becoming my pillow.

“Do you think we will even make it to a bed?” Teasing, but wondering too. “My living room and couch are becoming a tradition.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled... I knew she never would. Even though she was very openly a woman of few words. She always heard me out, even more than that actually. She took everything on board, she took me seriously.

I chuckled... shifting a little as my blood flow slowly diverted. "I mean we do  when we want to sleep... and occasionally for other things." I smirked. "It's the heat of the moment... we tend to get carried away with each other... But you just say the word and I'll carry you to bed anytime."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at him. “It’s your fault. You know that right? This is all because we are living in the moment.” Poking him his ribs with my elbow. “I have legs. They work. I can walk my way to the bedroom.”

Biting the inside of my cheeks, the first time he lifted me off my feet, it was so unexpected, I didn’t know how to react, I wanted to kill him, and kick arse all the way to the bottom of the village. But now, even the thought of it. The fact that he could pull me into those strong muscular arms and carry me….

“Spirits!” Muttering it to myself.

•- Embry Call -•

“I will happily take all the blame for that!” I chuckled. Turning my head to brush the tip of my nose against her hair…

“I’m aware… but it’s so much fun when I do it.” I had flashes on pinning her the walls and leaving a trail of our clothes through her house. It sent a twitch down south. We were meant to be cooling off a little not getting turned on again!

“And you think so too…” I teased. “I can tell every time I pick you up and don’t get my arse kicked for it.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Turning into him I lay on my side. My head still resting over his arm. Reaching up do stroke his cheek and trying not to smile at this man right now. So relaxed, so open, so himself.

Curling one long leg around his thigh I shifted into his side. “I’m not saying anything. not going to agree or disagree.” My hair covers his arm. So, I went into kiss his chest.

•- Embry Call -•

A soft hum settled in my chest at how easily she melded against me, coiling her long, powerful limbs around me. I rested my hand on her thigh, sweeping the pattern she knew too well.

"I know." I chuckled. But she was telling me right now as she was here with her hair brushing my arm and her lips pressing to my chest. "Not a single word." I said...  because that was how she said the important things. Without words.

End of Chapter

[blazingtheway]

A Mothers Blood Will Never Flow Without Pain – Storyline 14 – Together - Part Two

•- Embry Call -•

I looked down at my phone reading her message as I slide the rest of the lasagne back into the oven. The only reason I left any; was so mom would have food when she came home.

[Thanks for looking out for her too. Let Mom help you, you know how much she likes to feel needed. And I never do… Everything is going to be fine, Leah.]

I cleaned my plate and glass and scrawled;

Thanks Mom, I love you.

On the back of the note that she had written for me.... because I  was just as bad at the texting thing as she was.

I climbed into my Jeep and pulled out my phone again to text Leah... now that texting was on my mind.

[And get some sleep, Trouble. Seth can handle the night shift. Sleep… Your mom is going to need you and that means you need to be fed, watered, and rested. Trust me… I’ve burnt out, and it ends badly for everyone. The Kid has got this.]

Then I started the engine and made my way to the club.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Who is that?’ #TheKid asked as my phone went off again. He wasn’t used to hearing the sound of my phone, which remined me to set it too silent.

“Call, I told him were keeping his mom for the night.” He nodded handing me a cup of coffee before coming to sit on the floor of the living room beside me. We sat there drinking our coffee’s before he spoke.

‘Aren’t you going to reply to ‘Bry?’ Pushing my phone towards me.

“Do I need to?” I asked with my eyes on the cup in my hands.

‘Sis…’ He could feel his eyes  burning into me. Picking up my phone I replied.

[Ms C is helping more than you can imagine. And you are only getting this reply because the Kid is making me. Now get to work. I am fine. -L]

“Happy?” I pushed my phone to the far side out of the way. He turned himself around, laying down with his head in my lap.

‘I was so scared sis.’ He finally said. One hand moved to stroke his hair, listening to him. ‘When I came here, and the scent of the blood…. The… sight of it… it wasn’t so much… but… it… it was… hers….’ I felt his tears fall into my lap and soak into my jeans. ‘I… I couldn’t think… I was….’ I knew what he was trying to say.

•- Embry Call -•

One Republic blared through my stereo as I drove to Forks. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I figured it was Leah. I didn’t try to reach for it while I drove. I’d reply when I got to work.

I pulled into the staff-only car park behind the club and spotted #JoeWalker’s car… he wasn’t supposed to be here today at all after swapping shifts with me yesterday. The sight distracted me enough that I didn’t stop to check the text message on my phone before I went inside to see  what was going on. I found him inside chatting up one of the bartenders. But he excused himself the second he saw me.

“I didn’t think you’d be here today.” I said, stuffing my keys into my pocket.

‘I just wanted to pop in and see if everything was okay.’ Joe replied. ‘What happened?’

I explained to him that my Auntie hurt herself and ended up in the hospital overnight I was helping out her kids. That ended with me needing to explain to him that on the Rez most elders were Auntie and Uncle and the Chief was Uncle or Grandfather depending on your age. I told him that everything was going to be okay and that it was Mom, but she was with the family now helping out. This made Joe chuckle.

‘She’s some woman.” He said as though he knew her well. “Sick herself and still lending a hand to a friend in need.’

“That’s my Mom… I have a feeling she’ll be spending the night there.” We walked to the office together and I cocked in.

‘Will she be okay? Doesn’t she have meds to take?’ He asked.

“She’ll be fine Leah will make sure she has everything she needs.” I realised my slip immediately. I had only given him vague details, adding in just enough small ones to discourage too many questions.

‘Oh… This is Leah’s mother then? The lady that got hurt?’ He gave me a knowing smirk. ‘The knight in shining armour routine. Why didn’t you just tell me that on the phone.’

I shook my head and laughed. “It wasn’t like that… her brother and I are close friends, he called me asking for help so I helped.”

‘So, she didn’t call you, the bother did?’ He tutted shaking his head. ‘You have so much work to do on that one, Call.’

“You’re an arsehole.” I laughed and elbowed him. “Now fuck off, it's supposed to be your night off.”

Joe finished up a few things that really could have waited until tomorrow while I started the fire check. After  checking the last door, I remembered my phone. I replied to Leah:

[𝙰𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙷𝚎'𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚔𝚒𝚍... 𝚂𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙, 𝙲𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛.]

Then I text Seth. [𝙼𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚋𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚜𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙. 𝚃𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝙹𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝. 𝙷𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍]

I had no guilt volunteering Jake’s time just like he would none volunteering mine. I would have offered up #Quil’s too if it wasn’t his night with #Bear.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The house was quiet, the light out. The windows in the living room opened by the kid because he knew the song of the spirits would help to settle me. I didn’t need to ask, or say anything. He had just gotten up, opened them and then curled back down with his jeans on my lap.

My phone flashed on the floor beside me, with Embry’s name and message. And then #TheKid’s phone buzzed next to mine with his name and message on it. Embry Call was in his way looking out for the Clearwaters.  Slowly I shifted #TheKids head off my lap, and onto a pillow under him. Slipping out of the living room, listening to the two breathing waves from upstairs.

It was the best sound I could hear. Ma, #MsC and #TheKid fast sleep.

Looking at the time I went into the kitchen looking at the pain meds for Ma, taking the ones she needed to take, and then I looked over the med bag for #MsC. Two glasses of water in a tray, the meds I went up softly waking them for them and then letting them go back to sleep.

I didn’t know how they did it, but this wasn’t the first time they had slept like this. It mostly happened when #MsC had bad nights. With Embry working night at the club, Ma would find reasons to stay over. Even if they lived close.

When I made my way back downstairs, I scented them outside in the back. Opening the back door, to walk to the back of Ma’s yard with my hands pushed into my back pocket.

To anyone looking at me they would think I was talking to the trees, but hidden in there stood a dark, ashy-brown furred wolf. And a reddish-brown patch work furred wolf.

“She is okay pups, you shouldn’t be here. Your petrol is due to the far side of the cliffs tonight.” They whimpered and I knew  why. “You can come see her tomorrow, she is asleep right now.” Theirs brown eyes moved to the top floor of Ma’s home. To her window, before they both nodded, stepping back into the woods.

•- Embry Call -•

The hours dragged by… I mean, slow nights happened but tonight I felt like I needed to be somewhere else. It was even longer. I knew that I couldn't drag her to bed with me so that she would finally sleep, so the heat and heartbeats or whatever it was when we were together could lull her into a real sleep. But even if I could just... be there... It wouldn't be suspicious. I always made myself annoyingly present when shit like this happened.

On my break a replied to a few    texts from the pups telling that had dropped by and that Leah told them Auntie Sue was okay. I replied to them all saying the best thing they could do for the Clearwaters right now was to fulfil their duties and be ready to help if they were needed.

Because I couldn't help myself I text Leah while I was sitting on the loading dock getting some sir before I had to go back inside.

[𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜?]

Then added

[𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚙𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐]

I  laughed at myself. "Way send mixed signals, Call." I swigged the last of my beer and chucked my pizza box into the dumpster nearby before heading back inside to take up my least favourite post, Joe's usual role... manning the door.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I was sat on the back porch looking up at the overcast sky when I heard his foot steps.

“Why are you awake?”

He held out my phone to me, with a small frown. ‘Why is Embry texting you this late?”

Raising my eyebrow, my chin dropped to glance at him.

“I just meant it really late.” He was back tracking now. He knew the rules. And saw walls had been coming down, but some were still up and in place. Taking my phone I opened the text and read it. Showing #TheKid the first one.

[𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜?]

“He is checking in your mom, and his mom who I kept here tonight.”

He winced as he read the message. “That is the first and last time you are seeing any messages on my phone.” My voice told him I wasn’t kidding here.

‘So—‘ cutting him off.  “If you are about to say sorry, stop. If you used your brain to think. You wouldn’t have needed to over step.” It wasn’t deflection, this was fact. No man was going to get away with talking to me that way. No even my baby brother.

“Go to sleep, I’ve got this watch.” I told him and watched him go back inside before closing my eyes and breathing. Going into my phones settings I turned off message preview before replying.

[𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚏𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚛 𝚖𝚎.]

•- Embry Call -•

The night hadn't picked up much... but considering this as the one and only nightclub in Forks and the only place open after midnight; a slow night was almost at capacity and a slight queue at the door... just to lure people in. There was room inside to let these folks in with breaking fire codes... but the line outside was a hook. And one I kept moving enough to stop people from giving up and going home.

I pulled out my phone smiling and tucked it back into my pocket. There  was a good chance #Seth was keeping a close eye on her sister, hoping for the chance that just once she might let him look after her even if all that it entailed was staying awake s she could sleep... Maybe, someday she would let the Kid have that. Or it was possible the guys who could get away like #Jay, #Sam or #Jake would stop by. If I was texting her all night, it would be a giveaway.

Plus... I knew without a doubt that even now... with everything that was happening with Everything happening between us... she still was not even a little worried about m being mad at her or not. I smiled again at the thought.

One of the turn-offs of relationships for me had always been the dependency... the idea that someone's day, week or life would hinge on whether or not another was mad at them or missing them. But Leah would never be like that, she was her own compass.

I wondered then if that was why it was so easy to talk to her... I wasn't worried  That my sadness or stress would drag her down... or talking about a good day would be seen as self-involved because she had a bad one. She just heard me out... and then if she was so inclined... shared a little something too.

I wasn't sure how long I had been lost in those thoughts, so I allowed in the next group of people. Some nights... manning the door really wasn't that bad.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

When I finally came back inside to my spot in the living room. Sitting on the flood, with my back against Ma’s couch, and with my legs outstretched. #TheKid took his place too. His head in my lap and he turned to fact me.

He used to do it when he was much younger. Hide his face in my stomach and close his eyes. Then tell me a secret or share something that had happened to him.

Now the conversation from outside, gone. My eyes in a book that I try to read. My fingers Playing with his hair. Stoking it like I did back then, not needing to think of my action until a thought came to life. I missed his hair. His long silky dark hair. He never let it grow back now. Some of the others in the pack grew theirs out a little. I had grown mine out completely. But not #TheKid.

‘Sis?’ Arms curled around a cushion as he spoke.

“Hmm?”

‘Are you alone?’

Still reading I answer “No, I’m with you.”

He sighed. ‘No. Wait. It’s not what I mean.’

“Okay.”

There was silence again for a while as I turned the page.  ‘Are you lonely?’ His voice is a soft whisper.

“No, I have you and Ma.” Turning the page again.

‘You know that’s not what I mean. I know you don’t like talking about … well…’

“Kid. Do you really want to hear about my sex life?”

He shuddered and shifted to sit up. Taking the book out of my hands. And then he sat crossed legged facing me.

‘1. No. And B. Not what I meant. People can be surrounded all their lives, with thousands of people , and still be lonely. Are you lonely?’ His light brown eyes were watching me.

“No. I’m not lonely. People are lonely when they can’t be happy with themselves. When they can’t have happiness in being… just being… I am not that kind of person. I am happiest when I am with my own thoughts. Why are you asking this?” He’d never asked me it before.

‘Just…’ he shifted his tall body to lay his head back down where it was.

•- Embry Call -•

The night went smoothly, most nights went off with a hitch, and fights weren't common. Most of the time people were thrown out for being too drunk or too wasted. Tonight, it was the usual few drunks tossed and no big hassles.

Lock-up seemed to take as long as the rest of the shift and I knew that it was because I was wondering how things were at the Clearwater's... and not just about #Sue and  Mom. I wished I knew how #Seth and #Leah was too. They had both been so shaken in very different ways.

I wasn't naive enough to fool myself that my concern for Leah wasn't any different than it would have been a few months ago. Then I would have thought she was fine, that she was rationalising everything and coping by managing the situation and being her usually responsible self. But now I knew better.

And yes, everything I would have thought then was true and sill was now, but there was more. So much more. She would be wrecked with guilt, thinking she should have been able to stop the accident, that if she had anticipated her mother's needs better maybe she wouldn't have even gone to the shed, to begin with. All of these things were outside her control... and even if I could be with Leah now, I couldn't convince her of that.

Not that I would try to... but there it was. The reason I wished I could be with her. She knew I wouldn't try and convince her not to punish herself for this... So she would voice all of it, let those thoughts run free in the world and maybe... just maybe it would make things a little bit lighter. Maybe if she lay next to me with all those sounds and scents that accompanied us being together she would sleep.

Maybe.

But I knew that wasn't an option.  I told myself she was fine... she was with #Seth and even though most people looked at him like he was one that needed taking care of... he was good at looking after others. He just wasn't afraid to need people too.

That train of thought kept m company the whole way home.

I resisted the urge to text either of the Clearwater siblings on the way inside. The house smelled like #Bear and popcorn. there was a book on the couch that I picked up and opened to the bookmarked page...

I cringed... Some dude covered in bandages getting busy on a couch... not fourteen-year-old reading material. But I could deal with that in the morning.

I grabbed a beer and a guitar and headed out to the back porch where I sat on the back step and swigged from the beer.

It was cold and dry... the clouds weren't too thick, and the house was close enough to the beach to smell the salt in the air but not quite hear the waves. Home was the sound of trees and the smell of the sea for me.

I picked up the guitar and played... for the Clearwater's, for  #Sue to heal quickly and for #Seth and #Leah to know that they weren't alone in this.

(Music: Leave A Light On - Tom Walker (Guitar arrangement) )

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The house was quite once again, with the moms fast asleep upstairs. (I knew because I never stopped listening to their breathing and hearts.) And #TheKid was now fast asleep with his head still in my lap.

Allowing myself to close my eyes after watching my baby brother for a long while, try to understand where his questioning came from tonight. But it didn’t make any sense to me. Somethings were never solved, I guessed this would be one for tonight.

They started to dance, and then they sang. The flurry of the wind came in from the windows I’d opened in the living too. And I knew without a doubt what and who had caused it. Embry was home, and he was playing.

It was something I started to notice since Seattle, the fact that their joy was connected to our joy, and their sadness was too. They had been a soft hum all day today, the sound of the spirits praying and calling for protection over Ma. But now it had changed a little. They still prayed for her, but they also danced in the spirit of the Warrior who played in his back yard without know what reaction he cased in them.

Reaching out and shooting over a text.

[Get some sleep, it’s been a long day and night for you. -L]  

•- Embry Call -•

I picked up the phone on the step beside me and chuckled at her message, she always knew.

[𝙸'𝚖 𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎, 𝙸 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞? 𝚂𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙... 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢'𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚔𝚊𝚢.]

I didn't like this feeling, I felt like I needed to be there the feeling of being in the wrong place at the wrong time was undeniable.

[𝙸 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚍𝚘, 𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.]

I hit send, knowing that was a message were would both need to delete too. I picked up the beer to take a swig. I knew I would have to get to bed soon... but I couldn't help but want to be next to her so I knew that she was at least trying to sleep. Part of me had no doubt that she would sleep, we both would... if we were together.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I knew when I saw my phone flash that he was still aware, even if the spirits had slowly died down outside. I also knew the need to unwind after work. I couldn’t just go home and crash. And I had learnt he was the same.

[𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘. 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. 𝙸 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖..]

The sleeping sounds from upstairs and from the kid with his head in my lap, I could tell that we were on the way out of this nightmare.

And yet Sleep still couldn’t take a hold of me When I noted the time, I knew that the moms would soon need their meds again. And then after an hour of two they would need feeding. So really, was there any point to sleeping now? I could do it later? Or at least I thought it was possible.

•- Embry Call -•

I set the guitar aside and took another mouthful of beer before I replied to her.

[𝙸𝚝'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚖'𝚜 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝, 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜. 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑...]

I paused and took a breath because I wasn't sure how to say what I wanted to say.

[𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚢𝚘𝚞. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚒𝚝, 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘... 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝙸 𝚍𝚘. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚐𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜. 𝙰𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜.]

I hit send wondering if that was the right way to say what I was trying to say. I went back inside to take a quick shower... maybe it would make me feel a little more prepared for sleep... but that was when I noticed Claire wasn't there.

I knocked and Quil's door and he explained she was sleeping at Emily's... I wanted to know more but I let him go back to sleep and I could find our tomorrow.

I took the quickest shower ever.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

It took a long moment for unpack the meaning behind what Embry was trying to say when I read the replies. I hadn’t known him to be someone who hadn’t the words to say how he felt, and yet here we are.

Sitting here I looked over the screen feeling the reply and then I began to form my own words.

[𝚆𝚑𝚢 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎?]

I wasn’t one to ask questions, however this path meant I couldn’t wait. I was learning to step up at times like this. Hitting send before there was time to rethink or changed my mind about this conversation. It would have been one of those we’d have shared in the bubble. But this was different.

•- Embry Call -•

Standing in my room in a towel  I read her message.. and I had absolutely no idea how to answer that question.

I pulled on a pair a boxers and climbed into bed, picking up my phone again.

[𝙸'𝚖 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚞𝚛𝚎... 𝙽𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝙸 𝚐𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚘. 𝙸 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚎𝚠 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐. 𝚁𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞... 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚏 𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚊 𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖.]

I chuckled when I hit send and followed it up with...

[𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚊𝚖 𝙸 𝚔𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐? 𝙸 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗... 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚐𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊 𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚎... 𝚒𝚏 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛.]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I’d made it back into the kitchen, this time a fresh pot of coffee had been put on and I was looked in the freezer as to what I could cook everyone for breakfast in a few hours.

Finding a fresh loaf of bread, I set the oven on to bake it, knowing the rest would be easy. Ma has some rolled oats soaking, bacon and eggs. Some muffins. It wouldn’t be a bad start at all.

When the texts came in, I had to lean on the counter to read them, hearing his low voice in my mind as the words registers. What could I say to that? He felt like he wasn’t where he should be? But he had to be there. #Quil and #Bear needed him. He wanted to make sure I slept. We both knew that wouldn’t happen, not here, not tonight. Not while I still felt like I failed to be there when Ma needed me.

I stood watching the screen, trying to find the words for all that I was feeling. But I couldn’t. I wished sometimes that I could put all that was in my head into letters and words. But that wasn’t who I was or would ever be.

[𝚆𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗’𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚠𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚐𝚘 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘. 𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜. 𝚆𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊𝚛𝚎. 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚍𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚖 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚜.]

I didn’t say anything about him wanted to see me at peace. Because what would that even look like?

•- Embry Call -•

With my headphones in and music playing I read her reply and smiled.

[𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚔𝚜. 𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙼𝚘𝚖 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚊𝚏𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚋𝚎. 𝙸'𝚖 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞... 𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎? 𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸'𝚖 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛... 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘.]

I closed my eyes, leaving my phone on the bed next to me. I knew she would understand if I fell asleep before she replied. I turned it over and over in my head, I knew that Leah was blaming herself for all of this. #Seth... hopefully sleeping but I knew that he had not only his mother’s wellbeing on his mind... but then his worry for his sister that he had expressed to me earlier as well.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Sipping on the cup of coffee in my hand I shook my head. I knew what he had been trying to tell me. What he had openly told me. That he was here for me, that he wanted to be in the same room as me. And it was something new. That he would want that? No. But that I could see him sat across the kitchen table from me right now. Yes.

And that realisation was….

‘Sis? Did you sleep at all?’ #Seth came out of the living room, with his heavy feet padding on the wooden floor. He made a point to walk in Ma’s house with heavy footing so that she could hear him coming. ‘Why are you cooking breakfast. You know after the day we all had yesterday there is no way the moms will be up at the crack of dawn.’

I pocketed my phone before turning to look at him stood in the door. “Just wanted something to do.” I told him as he came to still beside me, taking my cup of coffee and drinking from it.

‘I know you won’t believe me. But you need to sleep too. come on.’ Setting the cup down he curled his fingers around mine standing and making me follow him to the couch. ‘You sleep, I will take the next watch. I will give them their meds when they wake up and I will keep my ears on them at all times.’

Setting me down, he pulled the throw over my legs and kissed my forehead. ‘Please. Sleep.’

Giving his hand a squeeze, I turned to free my hair from under myself before curling my legs to fit on Ma’s couch. Thinking of Embry’s words.

‘𝙸'𝚖 not 𝚜𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛... 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝙸 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘.’

Taking my phone out I sent a quick short message hoping he will see it in the morning after he had slept.

[If only you knew what having your close by has done for me.]

•- Embry Call -•

My alarm blared... well... not really because my phone was permanently on vibrate. But my head ached from the lack of sleep, so the buzzing was the most irritating noise I had ever heard right now.

My phone was still next to me, I lifted it and cancelled the alarm. Snooze was never something I needed; it was one of those things that people found shocking about me... they assumed my laid-back approach to life meant I liked to stay in bed. But I was a morning person.

I read  her text and smiled. Because I could imagine... If it was even half of what she did for me? Well... that would be something for sure.

I knew it was true and knew that it wasn't easy for her to say even that much. I knew she could never ask me to be there for her... but maybe that was exactly why the ancestor steered our paths this way. I never needed to be asked or invited, I was really good at just showing up anyway.

[𝙸 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚠𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝... 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔... 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎? 𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚊 𝚋𝚊𝚐, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚊 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛... 𝚖𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚗𝚊𝚙.]

My patrol would be finished at about that time and I could spend a few hours with her if she could ta herself away... but this was Leah. The chances of her putting her needs first were slim. But I would just keep trying.

I got up and headed out to the main room of the house... it was only when I saw #Quil, up and dressed that I realised the house smelled of coffee and  bacon.

I looked around the room... "What the hell? What's wrong? Why are you up?" It was normally my waking him up... but breakfast was a bowl of cereal... not... I followed the smell. It was making my stomach growl.

'Littlesea dropped off breakfast... he figured we all had a day yesterday.' #Quil stuffed his face with a sausage. 'Damn that pup can cook!'

I laughed. It was true. But was a greasy fry-up... not his usual healthy version. "He's a great kid... I never even heard his truck."

'He walked up from down the road; he didn't want to wake you up because you had been working.' #Quil explained.

"Of course, he did." I laughed and made myself a plate from the food wrapped in tin foil on the counter.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sound of the truck wasn’t new to my ear. I knew that sound anywhere. #TheKid was walking towards the front of the house before the wheel had turned into Ma’s drive way.

‘Did I wake you?’ the soft voice whispered.

‘No, not at all. I was just in the shower.’ The scent of soup was in the air. Not that #TheKid would lie.

‘Good, I made you all some breakfast. I wanted to make sure you all had some down time this morning.

#TheKid laughed. ‘Sis made breakfast at the crack of dawn. But you know we will never say no to your food Pup. Come on in.’

I sat up on the couch, pulling my hair up into a messy bun before standing and stretching my body out.

‘Good morning, Leah, did you sleep at all?’ #Collin smiled from the living room door.

“Is that your way of saying I look bad?” I asked narrowing my eyes at him.

‘Uhm… no… n… No… not at all…’ his face and ears were turning red.

“So, now you are checking me out while you are standing in my Ma’s house?”

‘NO! NO… I promise you….’ The pup moved from foot to foot pulling on the collar of his shirt.

‘Sis, would you stop messing with the pup. He brought us all food.’ #Seth placed a protective arm around the pups shoulder and squeezed him. ‘She’s always in a bad mood when she doesn’t sleep. It’s why I put her to sleep.’

The pup’s eyes moved from my brother and then to me and back again. ‘I should go.’

“No... No, you shouldn’t. get your arse in the kitchen and eat some breakfast with us, and then I promised you, and Fuller that you could see Ma today.” Looking out at the street and the other Pup made his way up the path. “Speaking of.”

Letting the boys set up breakfast I went to brush my teeth and clean up, seeing the missed text from this morning from Embry. I knew he was right, but I also knew myself. And I wasn’t going to be able to leave Ma, not while she was hurting.

[I can’t make promises I have no plans to keep. I know I should, but I can’t leave her like this.]

•- Embry Call -•

#Quil and I ate, and I had the mid-morning run. For #Quil, it was time with his imprint, and I would probably go to see Mom for a while before I spent a little with Bear too... before she had to go home.

I waited for #Quil to go to the bathroom before I took out my phone and smiled at my phone.

[𝙸 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍. 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎... 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚊𝚗, 𝚘𝚛 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍. 𝙶𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝙼𝚘𝚖 𝚊 𝚔𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚜𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜 𝚞𝚙. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚂𝚞𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚏𝚊𝚋𝚞𝚕𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚎.]

I felt the need for a  Shower... but i didn’t see the point.  would just grab one at Jake's after my patrol and save myself a trip home.

I finished eating and washed the dishes. by the time #Quil was done in the shower, we made short work of tidying up and putting the leftover food in the fridge. There was enough left for both of us to get a decent dinner. That young pup always planned ahead.

"I'll tell Mom and Sue you said hello." I told #Quil before we got into separate vehicles.

'You  know there's no way Claire will leave with seeing Sue and Momma T... tell them we'll drop by for a visit. We won't stay long so they can get their rest.'

I just smiled and promised I would before I pulled out.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The Mom’s both awoke to a house full of worried people. I helped Ma to shower and change before #TheKidd carried her down the stairs. ‘It’s my arm not my feet that is damaged.’ Ma said still not quite herself yet.

‘I don’t care, I’m carrying down and that’s that.’ He laughed.

Then came a soft laughter of #MsC and her giggles. ‘Put me down young man.’ Someone had taken a hold of her too?

‘Nope, you are both being carried like the goodness of the Rez.’ #Brady was following the lead of #TheKid.

‘You’re listening to what’s happening inside.’ #Sam was beside me holding the door of the shed open. While I checked over everything that was in there. All the tools were backed away safely, and it was clean in here, however still Ma had injured herself.

“I like to keep an ear out.” #Sam stepping in to grab some clippers and move them to their rightful place.

‘Yeah, I know. But no sleep, thinking it’s all on your shoulders, not asking for help. Leah it’s all going to come to a head.’ Turning my head as my hands reset my Da’s tool box.

“And yet here you all are. At the hospital, now, so do I need to ask for help?” His wife could be seen from the kitchen window, the sound of laughter coming from the house that had too many people in there which was why I made myself useful out here.

‘And you’re out here hiding from them all.’ #Sam finished off.

“I don’t hide. Just…” he shook his head as I spoke.

‘Sure, sure. You came out here to investigate, how Sue was hurt, and how it can never happen again. Things happen Leah, we can’t watch over them all the time.’ There was some truth in his words, I knew it. But some part of me still couldn’t let go. ‘Come on, Emily brought some food with her. And the Pup did well with the food he brought too. We should show them some love by eating it.’

I threw a car wash sponge at his head. ‘Hey, I know you can eat too.’ of course he caught it.

“How about you get your arse in the kitchen and let you wife sit down.” Snapping my teeth at him that just made him laugh.

‘Have you forgotten I’m banned from ever going close to her or anyone’s kitchen?’ He was laughing.

“Stop blowing up the toasters and they will let you back in.”

‘Leah, Sam. Come in lunch is ready.’ Emily opened the door and called out. We both looked to the house, knowing that Emily had only done that because #MsC was there.

#Sam rushed off inside giving me a moment of alone time. Stepping back my eyes evaluated the changed I’d made in here. Bringing tools Ma was likely to come looking for lower and to the front, meaning she wouldn’t have to go hunting.

When I finally read the message Embry sent I closed my eyes and rubbed my forehead, making my way inside. I watched the people inside trying to make space and still over taking the kitchen. It was an extended family that was all here to help look out for my Ma.

Walking around Emily and Sam, I went to wash my hands  before Kissing Ma and then MsC on the head and sitting down to my bowl of soup and grilled cheese. “Your son has been checking in all night. He thinks I’d have you out all night dancing by the way he has been acting.”

‘He is a good boy.’ She spoke smiling. ‘And he knows you would take good care of me.’ Squeezing my arm.

‘Speaking of.’ #Emily held out two bags making my frown. ‘You and Seth need to go home, we have the day shift covered.’ I shook my head. ‘Leah, trust in us.’ she added giving Seth his bag. ‘Take your sister with you. I will call if anything changes of if we need you. But as much as I know you will say you don’t need to sleep. You do.’

“When did you become so forceful?” I asked my cousin.

‘The day she gave birth.’ #Sam replied earning himself a slap from his wife. ‘Hey! You know it’s true, beautiful. He kissed her cheek and then went to sit beside #MsC.

#MsC watched every moment between us as she took it all in, her hand reached out and she stroked #Sam’s cheek gently like a mother. ‘You are so luck to have such a beautiful wife who loves you so much. Make sure you never take a moment with her for granted.’ She smiled that warm smile that the Calls kept for those they cared for.

‘I promise Mama T, I will never do that. Ever.’ He kissed her forehead placing an arm around her shoulder to keep her close. He had noticed the same shiver that I had, and he knew too, that #TiffenyCall did like to be ‘handled’ due to her illness.

‘Time to got Leah.’ #Emily told me. ‘I have an over night bag and #Seth has remade his bed for me. I’ll be here.’ Because she knew that I would say that she should be taking it easy and resting too. ‘The ladies and I will be going up for a nap soon anyway, and then we have some shop talk to do.’ Winking at the two Moms who nodded their heads in unison.

“Why do I feel like it’s a conspiracy going on here?” I asked crossing my arms looking between them all.

In the end it was Ma and #MsC who had told us to go rest, and not to worry. I knew MsC was here to help her friend and sister. But it didn’t feel right to leave them. And in that moment, I understood now what Embry had been feeling last night. Feeling like you are in the wrong place… it was a strange sentiment.

•- Embry Call -•

When I arrived at the Black’s house to pass off Mom’s beeper to Billy for my run… once I arrived, I had been questioned about where I hadn’t swapped my run after the day I’d had yesterday. “The pups need their day to see that #Sue is okay. And I know the young ones really wanted the check on Seth too.” I said right as a message came into the group chat. #CollinLittlesea sent a picture of #BradyFuller and Seth on the stairs,  fireman-carrying #Sue and my mom down the stairs. I  laughed and showed #Billy.

‘Wow… They are really hunkering down over there.’ He chuckled.

I replied saying: [Tell Fuller to stop flirting with my mother!]

A reply from another pup not at the Clearwater house shot in.

[He always had a thing for older women! Better watch out Call!]

The exhaustion I was feeling left my body when I made it to the small grove behind the Black's house. My wolf lurched into being and brought with him an abundance of energy. As soon as the  other's minds linked with mine that were asking what was happening and how #Sue as I blocked out the conversation, I had with Leah that night by showing them all the image of the moms getting the royal treatment.

"They're okay, Sue has recovery ahead of her, but she'll be well looked after." I assured them all, and I got them all back on track. We had a job to do and #Sue would not be impressed if we didn't do it to the best of our abilities.

Today that was the only motivator  I needed to get them on track today.

After my run, I showered at Billy's place, and read through the conversation that had occurred in the group chat in my absence. Laughing at the back-and-forth banter about who I was going to thump for flirting with my mother.

Instead of replying to them, I text Leah.

[Finished my run... is everyone still at your Mom's place?]

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Standing under the water I closed my eyes. Visions of my Ma in the hospital flashed on a loop. The scent of her blood remained in my nose, the memory of the way I found her made my heart stop. “I should have been there.” I told myself.

Keeping my hands flat pushed against the wall was the only way to keep the younger Leah from breaking out.

‘No, you need to understand that accidents happen. You where there when you were meant to be.’ My wolf spoke to me softly, trying to talk me down from the ledge I’d been climbing onto.

By the time I was done, with a towel wrapped around my steaming body, another in my hands drying my hair. I stepped out of the bathroom, walking my way back into my bedroom. The sound of my phone going off brought me to the phone charging on the side.

I hadn’t replied to his last text, knowing he would be on his run and his phone wouldn’t have been with him.

[How was the run? Do they need me out there? I can take the next run. No, no one is there. Emily kicked everyone out. She wanted the moms to rest.]

Hitting send, I went to stand before my closet. Thinking, maybe I should head out for a run? The others had picked up my slack, and I hated it..

•- Embry Call -•

I stole a razor from under the sink and shaved… I notice that my hair was at that awkward length where I either needed to cut it or deal with it falling into my face for another few weeks. I swept it back off of my face while it was wet and pretended as if it might just stay there after it dried. It wasn’t going to happen.

I read Leah's message and shook my head. “Of course, she did.” I chuckled to myself quietly. I had really wanted to see Mom before work today… but I still had an afternoon to kill before my shift. I could let the moms have a nap and see them later… I was sure they had to be exhausted.

[They’re in good hands… Wait? Does that mean she managed to kick you out too?]

I sent back… not really believing it. She had to have meant that she kicked everyone else out and not her too. I mean… #EmilyUley was a formidable woman, but would she really have talked Leah out of her mother’s house? Even if it was for her own good. I made my way out to the kitchen and poured myself a coffee.

‘I thought you would be racing off to see your mom.’ Billy said from behind a copy of The Talking Raven.

“Apparently, she has been sequestered away by Emily.” I chuckled and took a sip. “I’ll wait a while; I’m sure I’ll get a chance to see her before my shift starts.”

‘Yes, yes…. Working late nights is no problem for the young and energetic.’ Then he examined me. “Although… you aren’t looking particularly energetic right now.’ He added.

“I didn’t sleep great… fretting about Sue, she was still really pale last time I saw her.” I admitted, and it was true… but Leah and Seth had been on my mind too.

‘You should have just stayed there last night. Sleeping on a floor is a better night's rest than tossing and turning in a bed.’ He folded one corner of the tribal publication.

“I’m not so sure Leah would have stood for that… It was a miracle Seth talked his way into staying.” I chuckled.

‘Ah… yes. Leah… I find with that one… sometimes. Asking for permission isn’t nearly as effective as just doing what it is you feel you need to.’ He smiled.

“Well… not all of us are her elders.” I smiled back.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Rolling my eyes when his message flashed up onto the screen.

[Have you tried to flight a prego woman? Add to it when she is an imprint of an Alpha who is taking her side, and she has both the moms emotionally blackmailing too? I know Em will take care of the moms. And if by leaving for a few hours it given them three a sense of peace of mind. I will do it. -L]

Just how stubborn did he think I was exactly? Sure, I was hard headed and sure it was kind of killing me not hearing the beating heart of my Ma, however I could respect someone’s need for space. And their need to feel like they are achieving something too. And both the moms where so alike in some ways. Ms T wanted to feel like she was helping, and I know E would be there to keep things in check.  

I found myself standing in the kitchen as my mind worried over everything I need to do to pay back the time all the others have put in to pick up after the Kid and I. Both in the pack and with the bar. Turning in a full circle I ended up filling a glass of water to take over to the couch. Could I eat? Yeah of course, but I wasn’t feeling the pull towards cooking. So, grabbing a banana I ate it disgracing the peel before sitting now and hitting play on my phone. Something needed to calm the uncertainty I could feel building,

A small smirk escaped my lips when I heard the song the shuffle gods had picked for me. “Of course.”

(Music: Sam Hunt – Outskirts)

Lifting my feet up off the floor I shifted my butt, laying down outstretched on the couch, listening to the music, the words, with my eyes closed and my arm dawned over my eyes to close them with a little darkness.

•- Embry Call -•

I sipped my coffee and read her reply… once… twice… three times. ‘You know I’ve found that no matter many times you read something the words never change.' #Billy raised his cup to me.

I smirked. "No... but our understanding of them can."

He gave me that look like I had exceeded his expectation and laughed. 'Touche, my boy. Touche.'

I took another big gulp of the coffee and then stood up pouring the end of the cup into the sink and and setting it on the side.

'So, now you're in a rush?' #Billy chuckled. 'Where are you off to?'

"Somewhere else I don't have permission to be." I grinned at him. "Mind if I leave the Jeep here for a while?"

'You should... even my old ears can hear that old girl coming a mile away.' #Billy picked up his paper again.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Uncle." I called to him already heading down the hallway to the front door. I heard the floorboards squeak as he wheeled himself to the kitchen door.

'It's been a long  time since called me that, Embry.' He said with a small tremble in his voice. I knew why... but the second the word slipped out; I had felt a catch in my own throat.

"Far too long." I smiled back at him.

'Let's not leave it so long next time, shall we?' The chief nodded.

"You got it." I tried to hold back a smile.

'Get outta here will you... I'm a busy man.' He showed me with his paper, and I laughed. Head ing out and making my way where I wanted to be.

The walk from here was a little longer, but with music in my years but really it was just five songs. I smiled, my mother often measured time in song lengths.

But there it was... five songs later and I was knocking on Leah Clearwater's door.

And instantly remembered I hadn't texted her back. "Damn it!" I laughed at myself and pulled out my phone to turn off my music.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I must have drifted off to sleep, not sure how long had passed when the spirits came to life and began to sing, they kissed my skin with the air with a scent of….

“Embry?”

His name slipped from my lips, as Brothers Osborne’s were singing Stay a Little Longer now. 

But it was the spirits I honed in on. They were talking about him, and his scent hit my sleepily mind, making me wake up with a shock Reaching out I checked my phone, there were no messages or missed calls on it.

I heard the sound of his footsteps, the whisper of his music. Making me Jump up from the couch, I was across the living room and up the small hallway to the door just as his knocked.

The door hadn’t even fully opened when I asked.

“What happened? Are the Mom’s, okay?”

Only then did I notice the smile on his lips. He was smiling? That had to mean they were fine, right?

My eyes moved past him to the street, but there was no jeep, no bike, no one else.

“What’s going on?” Asking with confusion in my eyes.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and rolled my eyes at her. "Every once in a while, they sneak up on me before I get my shoes on to run."

I smiled when she invited me in... even if it was to stop her neighbours peeking out their windows. "Oh, I know you 𝕔𝕒𝕟 look after yourself, Leah." I said and slipped out of my boots next to the front door before I followed her.

"I just also know you won't when you feel like someone else needs you."

I stood next to her at the fridge. "Hey... you don't need to be a hostess right now. I just wanted to see how you were doing. Are you okay?"

(Music: Dean Lewis – A Place We Knew )

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Freezing with my fingers curled around the handle of a jug, the other resting on the door of the fridge. Times like this the need and want to lie was strong in me, but it didn’t happen often as people never questioned me so directly. Except for Embry, of course.

Continuing to pull the jug out I closed the door holding it up. “The Goofball came with some stuff. And Em sent me off with this.” The red liquid looked vibrant and delicious. “Watermelon juice.”

Moving to take our two glasses, I poured thinking of how to answer his question.

‘Are you okay?’

“No…” finally saying it I set the jar down and flattened my hands on the top of the kitchen counter. Shaking my head slowly from side to side. “I’m not okay… but I will be… I….”

The waterfall of emotions that I had been bottled up were pushed at me and I pushed back.

•- Embry Call -•

I breathed a sigh of relief when she said she wasn’t okay. I know that might seem callous but when it came to Leah, it was a good thing that she was admitting her feelings. It was the better option than bottling them up like she normally did. I watched the way she braced herself on the counter and I stepped up behind her; wrapping one arm around her. The other slid slowly down her arm. “I know.” I whispered, leaning my cheek against the side of her head. My fingers brushed over the back of her hand, and her fingers, waiting for her to release the tension in her hands and let it all out.

“I’m not okay either, I hardly ever remember seeing #Sue look tired. Seeing her in that bed was…” I shook my head. Closing my eyes, trying to push away the image.  “I know what that’s like… and I wouldn’t want anyone to feel that.”

I kissed her temple, still holding onto her from behind. “Don’t hide from it, Leah. Just for a moment… fall into the feeling. I’ll catch you.” Then I whispered too softly in her ear. “I’m here, I’ve got you."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Of course, if anyone understood everything fighting inside of me right now it was Embry. With everything his mom and he were fighting in a daily battle, the good days and the bad ones. The hospital visits and the dialysis… And I couldn’t hold it together with this?

My hands fisted so tight that my nails bit into my palms. But I didn’t flinch or stop myself.

I closed my eyes when I felt his support, his touch and then his words. Because they really mean something to me. To have someone who understood the importance of the relationship between my mom and I, because he had the same with his own mom.

“It… it’s not easy to do that. It feels too vulnerable.” Once again, I was being honest with him and myself. I wasn’t used to showing this side of me. Showing how lost I felt… this was new that he was able to witness it.

I’ll catch you…

I’m Here…

I’ve got you…

All words… word that had no emphasis on my life… Before Embry Call.

Now….

Now I leant back into his hold. I swallowed back the emotions still trying to free themselves. I stood in his arms.

“I shouldn’t be this way… not when you deal with so much more everyday...” but he felt it too. “She… they... they’re so fragile Embry... both of them… Billy too… Spirits… I can’t…”

•- Embry Call -•

“I know it does,” I whispered. I forced my finger between hers when she clenched her fists. Finding the other hand too and doing the same. She might dig her fingernails into her own skin, but she wouldn't do it to me, or anyone else. Even if that person would heal in moments.

I kept hold of her hands wrapping my arms around her and her own as well. “But there's some vulnerability that no one ever tells you.” I kissed her hair again,    feeling her lean back into me. “Without it there is no such thing as bravery. So be brave, for your mom.”

I flashed  back to moments ago, the look on Billy’s face when I called him Uncle. #Sue, smiling though all her pain. Mom, curled up on the couch with one of her fevers. #Harry… already lost to next world. She was right they were. And we couldn’t ignore that fact. “I know, I know they are. And you can, Leah. Let me show you how.” I let it hit me then all at once, and let the tears come. Squeezing her hands, a little.

“Everybody is safe, recovering… taken care of. Now we can cry… or scream or hit things, we can be afraid. We can’t hide from it or bottle it up because they still need us. And holding it in eats away at us. We can’t afford that because we need to be strong when they need us again.” I took a long shuddering breath. All those faces in my mind. “They did it for us all our lives, now we do it for them. We hold it in… until the right time. Then we let out all that pain.”

(Music: Save Me · Noah Kahan)

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hands unclenched the second he placed his in them. I wouldn’t… I couldn’t bring harm to him. My heart stopped and didn’t start for a few best while I pushed harder and hard while he told me off this ledge, I had brought myself too.

Until now I could have drowned myself in something, work, dealing with the pack, or the imprints, or even fixing my baby until I could stop thinking of whatever it was, I wasn’t ready to face.

But Embry was making me face it, here and now There was no hiding when you were being told you aren’t alone.

My breath caught in my throat, thinking of times when I looked up to the strength of my elders, and then came a day when I passed them. I… we…. Now were  the stronger ones…

I closed my eyes trying to fill my lungs with air, but then I heard the crack in his voice, and it broke me. His hands held me to him, his body curled around me. But he was crying… and my stone heart broke.

“We’ve got this…” the tears Came at last, flowing down my cheeks. The harder I tried the more they fell.

I turned myself around in his arms. I didn’t tell him it will all be okay; I didn’t wipe his tears away. I hugged myself to him, my forehead touching his and I let it all flow free with him, because he was right... this was our time… our time to be there for our elders.

•- Embry Call -•

I felt the tension leaving her hands as the subtle message sank in through touch alone. She was leaning into feelings and not letting them burn away beneath the surface and bearing them all alone.

She was leaning in and opening up and allowing the pain of the last two days to be felt. I unlaced our fingers as she spun inside of my arms, resting my forehead against hers. “We’ve got this.” I returned the sentiment that meant so much to both of us. I didn’t expect tears or sobs… even if anyone else in her position would be fully allowed the scream, cry… whatever it took. Spirits know I did when they put my mother on the transplant list. But she wasn’t me… and she didn’t need to feel in any way other than what came naturally.

“I’ve got you.” I whispered. “And that means all of it… all of this. Your mom… #Seth.” I pressed a kiss to her cheek and closed my eyes. “All of you. I’ll take it all exactly as you are.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Closing my eyes I let the time pass. Allowing his words to sink in, because here in my kitchen, a place where many people left me to be. Embry Call pushed in at first, then he became comfortable, and now I looked forward to seeing him on my doorstep.

But now… crap! By the Spirits I had to let my wolf listen and replay his words again and again..

‘I’ve got you. And that means all of it… all of this. Your mom… Seth. All of you. I’ll take it all exactly as you are.’

It wasn’t that I needed anyone to hold me or my family together. It wasn’t that I wanted anyone else to be around to hold the walls up. It was the fact that he said it knowing me. Knowing that it came straight from the depths of his heart.

‘I’ll take it all exactly as you are.’

Exactly… as… you… are…! He didn’t want to change me, to adapt me. His lips felt warm on my cheek. Making my arms close tighter around his shoulders.

The words Thank You, seemed underwhelming. Saying anything in this moment felt wrong. I didn’t have words; I very rarely did. But I knew he understood me. Even if at times, the words helped.

So I moved my head to rest on his shoulders, my arms moved around his waist and I held him. Not hiding, not holding back, trying to tell him, his offer was understood, and I was grateful for him choosing to be here when he could be anywhere else.

•- Embry Call -•

I stood there with her, silently. Holding onto her, and her holding onto me. I didn’t say anything else, there was nothing else that was needed. For years and years Leah had been left alone in this kind of pain, I wasn’t about to let that happen again not for as long as she wanted me here. And from the way she lay her head on my shoulder and hugged me close… Then I was all in.

If she didn’t want this, I would ensure that she knew I was and let her feel this in her own way. We stood there for several long moments, my fingers painting circles on her back where they rested, these tiny things were what helped me be still in moments like this. But, with Leah… the unease and restlessness never seemed to build. She helped me feel at ease in silence and stillness.

I finally lifted one hand to her cheek, and tilted her face to mine, pressing a kiss to her forehead before I took her hand from around my waist and laced my fingers between hers, leading her out of the kitchen and into the hallway towards her bedroom. As we walked, I set a two-hour timer on my phone and when I sat her down on the bed, I showed it to her before I set on her bedside table.

l Lifted her legs up onto the bed and sat next to her, still never uttering a word…. I really was learning from her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Time seemed to still, the hum of the spirits growing silent while I stood in his arms. The tension in my body slowly easing to the point I stopped clenching my jaw.

There were still spurts of anger at myself. I knew mentally how wrong it was to think I could have stopped my Ma from hurting herself by doing someone as simple as wanting to put up a new picture on the wall. I knew that telling her what to do, wasn’t an option. Spirits, I was her daughter! But still… When my feet began to follow, my mind still felt full of a whirlwind of thoughts. All trying to push out at once. But his kiss silenced them.

He had learnt my language, the one were words said nothing but your action screamed from the rooftops.

I could have pulled my hand free, stopped walking, shook my head to say “No I can’t.” But I trusted him. I trusted him enough to give him this. When my head rested on the pillow, I turned towards the side table. My eyes on the phone sat on top of it. The two hours on the clock giving me the permission and knowledge that this sleep wouldn’t take me away from my responsibilities. And yet my eyes still wouldn’t close.

In that moment the energy in the room changed and I heard the voice whispering.

‘Galvdi Ayoli, Uha Gohiyudi Nasgi asgaya.’ (Sleep child, have faith in him.)

But I did, I had faith in him. It was why I lay my head to rest. Reaching out I placed my hand on his lap. Just a small touch. My way to say, “thank you.” As my eyes closed finally.

•- Embry Call -•

I hadn’t actually believed that she would surrender and rest, but I had hoped. And the worst-case scenario… she knew that I tried… I cared, and she would do whatever she was going to regardless. 

But with next to no objection, she was laying down, I brushed my fingers over her cheek. It was strange, being here like this… tucking her in as I reached for the blanket at the foot of her bed and pulled it up to her shoulder. She didn’t need it… none of us did, but it was a comfort, a human desire that never seemed to fade.

But the strangeness of looking after her was a welcome one… even if I wasn’t naive enough to believe she needed me to. She was more than capable of looking after herself, it was the trust she was putting in me more than anything that made that new kind of warmth spread across my chest.

I pulled my legs up and lay down next to her, resting my hand on her cheek and pressing a kiss to her forehead. Watching the features of her face relax, slowly. I listened to her heart as it became steady, and her breath grow softer. 

One more kiss to her forehead, telling her I was here… and there was no where else I would rather be right now.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Sleep… for the world the meaning was simple; 

‘A condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the eyes are closed, the postural muscles relaxed, the activity of the brain altered, and consciousness of the surroundings practically suspended.’

A place where the; 

‘Consciousness of the surroundings practically suspended.’

And at this time is when a person, dreams or has nightmares. When their body rests l, and their mind takes the time to process the events of the day. 

It wasn’t the same for me. 

I didn’t dream, my nightmares came to life in the waking world. My body rested sure, but my mind never stilled as it traveled the night with the spirits. Learning and listening to the lessons of our ancestors, and that of #TheGreatWolf himself. 

Only a handful of times do I recall being able to wake with the knowledge that I had dreamt in the night, I could count them on one hand. And now, the spirits were allowing it again. 

They eased me into a sleep, with the touch of the man who I cared for keeping watch over me. 

My heart began to beat out of rhythm as the images of the day flashed through. How it all had started, where it had gone, and then the deep brown earthy eyes that looked down at me before I closed mine to drift. 

Each vision told its own truth, the fact that destiny was defined before the act even took place. 

That I had lost faith in those who had sworn to protect the peoples of our land. Of which my Ma was one. That when I was told her time hadn’t come, I had still taken on the guilt of what had happened. And that no matter what they said, they knew that this part of me wasn’t going to change. 

‘The path of a great warrior is not and easy one. Making a mistake is not what holds you back. It’s not learning and repeating the same mistake over again that does.’ Their voices sang to me. 

The cold darkness I came to expect from my heart when sleep came had now been replaced with warmth, light, and a touch that told me ‘I’ve got you.’ In which I knew my faith was unconditional. 

Not sure how much time had passed; my eyes slowly began opening as sleep let its fingers uncurl from around my body. I didn’t speak, I didn’t move, I just slowly opened my eyes feeling the heat radiating into my side. And I knew he hadn’t left me. He had stayed with me. 

= The End =

[blazingtheway]

A Mothers Blood Will Never Flow Without Pain – Storyline 14 – Together - Part One

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Smirking to myself. I took in the mix of his scent with my shower gel and shampoo. I could get used to it.

“I thought you might say that.”

A shape intake, after his word had me lost. Even though we were close there was something in the sweet kiss that did more to me then I cared to admit right now.

My eyes closed by themselves, and for a moment too long I was without words.

“See you soon Dimples.” I whispered, before finally stepping back from him. My brow eyes on him.

•- Embry Call -•

I let my nose brush against her as I stepped away, my fingers and trailed off of her cheek. Her reaction made me smile, and it was the only acknowledgement that I needed that she felt the same.

“By good.” I winked and made my way from her room. At the door, I grabbed my jacket and slipped my feet into my boots.

“Text me later when you start to miss me.” I said back to her, knowing she'd hear me without raising my voice. “I can send you selfies from work... I know how much  like me in my uniform.” I chuckled as I pulled open the door and stepped out in the cool morning air.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I stayed where I was, watching him step away. The first thing I noted was the heat, from his touch, his body. And then his scent. It was still in the air, but there was something missing when he was walking away and out of the house.

“Don’t hold your breath. You may suffocate.” I crossed my hands over my chest before I started towards my bedroom door.

“Get a larger T-shirt you himbo.” Laughing now, he wasn’t going to. The size of those things were like that for a reason.

•- Embry Call -•

I rolled my eyes and stepped back out into the world outside of our bubble.

“Never!!!” I called back… not loud enough to bring the neighbours to the windows. I had my headphone in my ears by the time I crossed the street, and Picture This played as I blindly hit shuffle.

The difference was immediate, the absence of her heat and her scent of all but gone, by the time I made it made all that would be left was a smell of her shampoo.

But even with those things gone… the sense calm and ease I had around her lingered and I knew that would last most of the day. It was a combination of the effect she had on me and how well I slept when we were together.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I stood looking at my bedroom door longer than I should have. There was a swift change in the atmosphere of these four walls the moment he wasn’t there.

‘Are you missing him?’ My wolf woke up and stretched herself.

“NO!” I shot back, combing my fingers through my hair and pulling it to one side. “don’t be ridiculous.” I continued.

Stepping out of my room, at the sound of the wash being over I went to put it out.

‘Okay, that was a little too fast for someone who likes to think things through won’t you agree?’ She was goading me.

“Why are you up now anyway?”

She just laughed and clicked her tongue. “Well, I miss him. You are half tolerable when he is about. You let your masks down long enough for someone to see the real Leah.’

I set to pulling the wash out of the Machine and headed out the door. Stopping at the sound of my phone ringing from its charging point.

‘Ma?’ She said, and I thought at the same time. It was her ring tone.

•- Embry Call -•

By the time I made it home that feeling still hadn't faded. I heard the sounds of the shower from the front porch Which meant I had time to change... it was unlikely Quil would smell Leah on me after the walk home, especially considering I just showered before I left.

"Honey I'm home!" I called from the front door.

'Fuck you!' #Quil laughed through the bathroom door.

I changed and gathered up any laundry littered around my room, then I gathered up Quil's which was Actually in a hamper, even though he rarely did laundry. But he did almost all of the other chores happily.

'So, you gonna tell me her name yet?' he asked as I loaded the washer, coming out of the bathroom in a towel.

"How do you know it's her?" I asked, brows raised.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Usdi?’ Ma said and I knew something was wrong.

“What happened and where are you?”

My wolf and I contemplating if I need to jump on my baby, or run out the back door and into the wood for my four legs to get me to her.

‘I am at home. And —‘ I cut her off.

“I am coming.” The washing forgotten, a friend deep on my forehead. I was in the back door and running to the front pushing my feet into my boots and grabbing my keys.. “what happened.”

‘Usdi!’ She was going  to argue with me.

“Ma, stop. I can hear it in your voice.” Her normally calm and easy voice was set to a higher pitch, and there was pain rattling in there too. I was out the door with my legs flying over my baby, the phone held between my shoulder and chin.

‘Ride safely.’ She said as I reluctantly put the phone down before pulling my baby off his kick stand and setting off at top speed down the street.

•- Embry Call -•

#Quil laughed. ‘Hey you can cheat on me with women all you want. But another man!?’ He clutched at his imaginary pearls. ‘That's just a low blow Call!’

I laughed and hit the start button. “What are you doing today? You aren't working, right? Wanna hang with me at Mom’s?”

‘Way to change the subject!’ he teased and poured himself a cup of coffee, then one for me. ‘I have a run this afternoon. But I could use a dose of Momma T. She's good for the soul.’ He smiled fondly. ‘When are you leaving?’

“As soon as you’re ready. I’m not in a rush, I don't have a run today so I’m free until work.” I grinned and sipped on the coffee he gave me.

‘Awesome I’ll go and get dressed.’ he took his coffee and went to his room. While I got grabbed what I would need to change for work if the day got away from me and I was with mom until I needed to run to work.

#Quil turned to me and grinned. 'So... Are you ever going to tell me where you're spending your nights lately?' he asked, there was no judgement, just curiosity.

I laughed and shook my head. "C'mon you know me." I kept my eyes on the roads. "I don't even get names half the times I hook up."

He shook his head and laughed. 'See you think you're slick... but that wasn't an answer. I know she's on the Rez.. and that's not like you. So spill!' He nudged my bicep with his elbow. I shook my head. I couldn't lie... not when it was about Leah, I knew how she felt about lying.

"I want to keep this one to myself..." I glanced sideways at him. "It's... important."

#Quil leaned back in his seat and examined me. Realising that I had meant it. 'Okay... I get it.' He ran his hand over his face like he didn't really. 'You've been happier lately.. you know not as stressed even though you'd never admit that. You've been around more with the pups instead of chasing girls. As long as whatever to whoever it is... is making you happy...' He trailed off.

"Okay... spill it. There's something bugging you?" I huffed. "Don't take it personally #Quil it's just..."

'No, it's not that you want to keep it to yourself... it's just why you...' He took a breath like he always did when he was about to get real. 'Please tell me she isn't marri-'

"I'm not sleeping with a married woman! Fuck!" I snapped, squeezing the steering wheel a little too hard. "That happened once and she fucking lied to me about her age and name and everything. If that happened to any one of the guys you'd all be defending him."

#Quil threw his hands up. 'Okay, okay... your right. I just... I don't want you to get played like that bro', it's not like you to be this private. I just want to know it's for the right reasons. You seem happier lately and I just don't it ending badly for you.  That's all.'

I took a breath... he was looking out for me? I laughed... of course he was.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I rode low on my baby, his speed hitting faster than I knew Ma would be happy with. But this wasn’t a debate I would entertain.

Right know my wolf and I needed to set eyes in her. And slowing down wasn’t an option.

My jaw was clenching tighter and tighter until we were pulling up to her house.

Eyes scanning the front of the house, nose taking in the scents, ears listening for all the sounds and searching for that tell tail sound of her heart.

‘Can you smell that?’ My wolf and I ran around the outside of the house and into Ma’s yard. Coming to a stop at Da’s tool shed and growling at the sight and smell of her blood.

‘What was she doing out here?’ Our own heart was beating with anger.

We rushed into the back door and found Ma holding her hand up over the sink. Her hair a mess, and she was leaning off one foot.

“Spirits Ma! What happened?” Rushing  over to her, we undid the towel around her arm we now saw, where blood was pooled.

‘It is nothing.’ Her words were slurred, and she looked pale faces.

“Just please, for once tell me what in the name of the spirits happened.” I’d slowly walked her over to the table. Sitting her down, and then started to check her over.

‘I needed some tools. I bought that painting I told you I fell in love with.’

I was growling, bending down on my knees I held her foot in my hands and slowly rotated it. “And you couldn’t wait for the Kid or me to come and help you?”

She didn’t give me an eye roll. That was telling.

‘I don’t need help to look after my own home. I just tripped and took a shelf down with me.’

I brushed her hair off her face and saw the ballooning bump growing on her forehead.

“Ma. That’s not what I was saying.” She winced. “Sorry… It’s not broken. But. I think you need to go to the hospital. Your arm needs stitches, this foot needs an X-ray at least. And that bump on your forehead. You could have a concussion.”

‘No, it’s fine. You’re overly protective.’

I frown, shifting to old the towel around her arm. “Ma, see. We. Are. Going!”

I looked around before lifting her up into my arms.

‘Leah Angeni Clearwater put me down.’ Moving her over a little so I didn’t bang her head on the door frames. I grabbed her jacket in my hand and kept walking.

“saying my full name won’t make me stop. Act like a kid, and I will carry you like one.” My heart was pumping so hard. But I was in control.

•- Embry Call -•

I was quiet for a moment, contemplating the irony of how someone looking out for you could also feel like a judgement.

But #Quil... he never lied to me. Even when he was calling me out on my shit. 'I won't ask again.' he said after a beat. 'I believe you. And as long as I know this newfound... calm that you seem to have isn't something that ends badly for you. Then...' He shrugged. 'That's all I need to know.'

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm doing good. Really good... all things considered."

I pulled into the empty driveway. Mom's car being gone was always a sign that things weren't as good as they used to be. But her waves of sickness and dizziness could come with hardly any warning, it made no sense to keep her car sitting there.

#Quil barely waited for the car to stop before jumping out to bound inside. 'Momma T!! Your favourite son is home!!' He yelled before walking in."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hands were tight around the wheel, my eyes darting from the road to Ma who sat in the passenger seat drifting.

“Ma. Keep your eyes open.” I told her placing a hand over her lap and squeezing softly.

‘Usdi. I am…’ I cut her off.

“If you say you are fine. I swear to the great wolf. I will go apex Predator on you.”

She chuckled ever so softly and winced again. The drive to the hospital didn’t take long. As much as I hated being in four wheels, I still knew how to Use them to my advantage.

I wanted to carry Ma in.

‘You cannot usdi. People will question how you could do it.’ She tapped my shoulders for me to put her down.

As much as I hated it, I know she make a valid point.

“Stay here. I’ll get some help.”

At the front entrance I found someone who gave me a wheelchair. So that I could roll ma inside.

•- Embry Call -•

I was sitting at the kitchen table, mo had handed me a coffee and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cut it into triangles like she used to when I was little... and the same for #Quil. Only when we were little we had milk instead of coffee.

My phone buzzed on the table and # Seth's big goofy grin appeared on the screen... He never called me unless it was pack business. he was all about texting. I rubbed my hands on my jeans and mom slapped me on  the bicep... lightly she had learned many years ago that even a light slap hurt her. I looked to #Quil and he started distracting Mom so I could slip out the back door and take the call. 

"Hey kid, what's up?" I pulled the door closed with a light click. 'Um...' His voice was strange. 'I'm... um I'm not sure.'

I took a few steps from the door. "#Seth take a breath and tell me what's going on."

'I'm at Mom's... her car is gone and Leah's bike is here but they're gone...' He was talking too fast for that to be all.

"That's not unusual #Seth why are you panicked." I pressed.

'I can smell blood but Leah didn't answer her phone. and mom's is still here.'

"Okay, we're coming kid. Stay there, Call the Rez Clinic and see if she went there." I went back inside and mouthed to the Mom and #Quil.  that we needed to go. "Wait for us right there."

He promised he would and then I explained everything to mom and #Quil as she gathers her things and we all piled into the jeep.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Leah? My dear what are you doing he… oh Sue!’ I was so thankful to see #Deb working the front desk at the ER.

The woman knew so much and most of all, knew how to get things done. Some part of me missed seeing #DrCullen here at times like this.

‘It—‘ I came to a stop and frowned down at Ma.

“Ma is going to tell you it’s nothing.” I told her trying to keep a check on the anger bubbling within me. I didn’t let those younger years out bursts rule me anymore. But it didn’t Mean I didn’t feel it from time to time.

‘Sue, we can all clearly see that there is something. Leah wouldn’t bypass the Rez and bring you here if it weren’t. Leah, dear. Could you roll your mom in and I will have her seen too.’ This was the no nonsense woman I needed to see.

“Yes, ma’am.” This time a little relief washed into my words.

Ma was quite now, which in itself was saying a lot. She didn’t fight the young doctor when he came in to examine her. She didn’t even Notice his ring less finger and start the questioning as to why he wasn’t married.

‘Your daughter is correct in bring you Mrs Clearwater.’ He said as he worked in stitching her arm up. ‘You needed some help with these injuries.’

The two kept talking and I could see what he was doing. His fingers working fast, and precisely. Trying to leave the a clean line in his wake.

I stood by the wall, arms crossed frowning.

‘Don’t look so worried. You did the right thing.’ He Smiled up at me, I wasn’t sure I could reply without saying something sarcastic. So I just nodded.

‘We are going to take your mom for some X-rays now. Would you like to wait—‘

“I’m coming with her.” He just smiled wider.

‘Sure, why don’t I take you instead of waiting for a porter.’

Ma and he started to talk as we left the ER. And I reached into my back pocket for my phone. I needed to tell #TheKid

“Crap.” Biting down on the inside of my cheek. Glancing back.

‘Usdi!’ Ma tapped my leg as I walked next to her.

‘Everything okay?’ He asked. Looking up at me.

“Sorry. Yeah. I just can’t find my phone.”

•- Embry Call -•

#Seth was making his way to the ar before I even pulled up by the curb and he climbed into the back of the Jeep. ‘The colonic said that Mom hadn’t been there today.’ He told us and I was already turning the the car around.

‘So Leah took her to the hospital.’ #Quil explained in that perfectly logical way of his and put his hand on the kids shoulder.

‘He’s right #Seth, I’m sure we’ll find them there. Your sister just took her to fix whatever happened.’ Mom twisted in her seat, looking back at him. ‘Everything will be okay, sweetie. You’ll see.’

Mom didn't lecture me for driving too fast, but u was still holding back because she was in the car.

I parked the jeep and #Seth made a beeline for the hospital and #Quil ran with him so I could walk with Mom.

By the time we got to the emergency room reception a nurse I recognised was telling #Seth that his mom was taken to x-ray and she would let us know when she came back up.

“Come on, Kid.” I put my hand on his shoulder and pulled gom back when he looked like he was going to press for more information.

“We will take a seat and Deb will your mom and Leah know that we are here, right?” I smile at the nurse.

‘Of course, they took her right down. It shouldn't be long.’ She smiled encouragingly at #Seth. ‘The doctor is with her, she’s in good hands. I promise.’ she closed the chart in her hands and made her way through the double doors.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘Here you go, you can us this.’

I was stood by the wall, my back leaning on it and my arms crossed over my chest. Biting the inside of my cheeks as I waited for Ma to come out of X-ray room.

The young doctor had raved off, if assumed to an emergency, however he was stood in front of me now with a phone.

‘You said you have some calls you wanted to make. And couldn’t find your phone. I had to run to my locker to get this.’

He raised the phone up between us. “You didn’t need to do this.” My eyes not leaving his face.

‘I don’t mind. Make your calls, I will go and check you mom is done in there.’ He smiled warmly, this time I took the phone.

“I’ll only make one call.” The woman now willing to take the help from a stranger ( also thinking how to pay it back. ) whereas a year ago this wouldn’t have happened.

I knew the number off by heart, I didn’t even need to glance at the screen as I tabbed it in. Waiting for the answer ‘Hello?’ His voice was wrong, and I guessed he knew.

“Kid—“

‘Lee!!! Where are you? Where is ma? Is she okay? I went to the house… the bloody… there was blood… Ma’s blood….’

“Kid. Shhh… I am on someone’s phone. So, listen. I’m at Forks Hospital. Ma hurt herself and I made the call she needed to come here. She is having some X-rays. Have had to have ten stitches in her arm. She is okay. Just weak.” I wasn’t going to tell him any more untold I knew myself.

We know. We guessed this is where you would be. I’m in the ER. I’m coming up.’

‘We?’ My eyebrows pulled together.

‘Yeah. Mama T, Quil and Bry are here too, they drove me here.’ His voice shook and I knew what this would do to him. Seeing Ma’s house and not knowing would have killed the kid.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call you before.” I told him.

•- Embry Call -•

'It's okay, Lee.' #Seth said. 'You did what you had to in the moment.' he repeated almost exactly what I had told him on the drive here. It had happened to me so many times before we got Mom's condition under control. I would find her in agony or with a burning fever... I would get her to the hospital and then call someone. Someone always came.

#Sue always  came.

#Quil was already texting the group chat and telling them what he heard from Leah's end of the phone. 'I'm gonna come up.' #Seth said again. His voice shook but with something like relief. Not the terror of his first call. as soon as he hung up I was next to him, clamping a hand on his shoulder.

"She's gonna be okay, kid." I said. 'When you see her you'll feel better, I promise.' #Seth looked passed me to my Mom and I knew what he was thinking...  He was remembering the times I wasn't there when Mom was rushed to hospital and I was the one in his place. He nodded.

'I'm sorry... sorry I fell apart.' He said quietly.

"No... you didn't #Seth. You didn't know what to do so you asked for help. Leah... she knew what to do and she did it. Neither of those were bad choices. I've been through it... I've done both and I've done the wrong thing." I explained to him. He looked at me like he wanted to ask... "Freezing... doing nothing. That's the only wrong thing to do. You do something or you get help. Nothing else matters"

Then, I sent him to go she his mom and sister.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The doctor came out of the room and closed the door behind him. I held his phone out to him.

“Thank you for this.” I glanced over his shoulder at where my Ma should have been.

‘If you need to make other….’ I shook my head.

“No. Thank you. Just the one call to my kid was all I needed.” His face dropped and he looked me up and down. Until it clicked. “My kid brother.” His mouth turned into an ‘O’, and he smiled.

“Where is my Ma?” I asked

‘Right, your mom. There is Nothing to fear.’ He started my my heart sank and beat harder all at once.

“Why do people say that before giving bad news?” I was frowning, holding it together.

‘You were right to think that your mom was concussed. With the blood lose, and the concussion would like to keep her overnight. Just to be certain.’ I rubbed my temple thinking over what I needed to do. ‘We have found her a bed, and they are taking her to level four room 404. You can make your way up.

‘I could walk you up?’

‘Thank you, Doc. I can walk my sister up there.’ I felt him and smelt him before I saw and heard him. His heart was racing, and I knew he heard it all.

‘Oh. Yes. Sure.’ The doctor stepped to the side as #TheKid came to stand in front of me. He was shaking, and his eyes were full of fire.

“Thank you for everything.” I told the doctor before he left, and I pulled #TheKid into my arms. This was something Ma would do. She would hold him. To whisper It would be okay. To give him what he needed. All I did was open my arms and he did the rest. His forehead on my shoulder, his arms engulfed me, and I felt the warmth of his tears.

“She will be fine.” I whispered to him. His fear had been one I knew, I felt it too. We just reacted in different ways.

‘I.. I.. I thought…’ I placed a hand on the back of his head.

“Shh. I know. I. Know.” The fear of losing out only Parent was crippling for him. ( and me. )

•- Embry Call -•

Mom sat there wringing her hands. I cover both of hers with one of mine, stopping the nervous tic. "You okay?" I asked and that drew #Quil's attention too. He examined her from head to toe for any signs that something was wrong. It was the wolf in him... in all of that did that.

'Oh, I'm fine sweetheart. Just worried about #Sue.' She admitted. I offered her a smile. "Me too. but she'll be fine. I'm sure #Seth will text us soon with an update.

Mom nodded and dropped her  gaze to the floor. "What is it, Mom?" I knew when something was bothering her.

'Just... Seth's face. That poor boy was so upset and afraid...' Her voice quavered a little. "I know... but he's a tough kid he'll be fine once he sees her."

'I'm so sorry, Embry...' My brows pinched together. at her words. 'For the number of times I've done that to you.' er glistened a little at the corners.

"No, Mom." I wrapped my a pulled her to my side. "You being sick isn't anything like coming home to find no there and blood all over. It's not the same."

'I suppose so... but it's still frightening.'

"It is... but no more frightening than all my ER trips? Right?" I tried to make her smile. She did... but only humoured me. "Don't worry about me Mom... or, at least... not because of that, okay? Yes, there were bad days... scary days. But you were always right there with me... and I know what to do now." 'Jacob and Nessie are heading to #Sue's to clean up so #Sue doesn't have to see that when she gets back home.' #Quil came to the rescue with a change of subject. 'And #Seth they are taking her to 404... to give them time to settle #Sue in and then we can come up.'

"Okay... let's grab a coffee and give them time. Then we go see them." I stood and held out my hand to help her up. Mom told #Quil to text Jake back and have Nessie make a bag for #Sue... She thought that a woman would know what comfort items to bring... but Nessie... I chuckled at the thought of what she might bring for her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

As soon as we saw the room #TheKid let go of me and rush into the room. The nurses were still helping Ma into bed and he took over. Charming the nurse into letting him help.

I stood back by the far wall, waiting and watching Ma. She was slow, her skin pale, her arm was wrapped well now and her forehead was bruising out. They placed a pillow under her leg and to her side, which made her wince and my eyebrows pulled together. She had kept that from me! ‘Stay calm, you won’t help by upsetting Ma now.’ My wolf told me as I bit the inside of my cheeks. ‘And stop that! You won’t have a cheek left if you keep it up.’ She chastise me.

‘You had me so worried Ma! Mama T, Quil and Bry are downstairs. And everyone else is asking to come.’ He was kissing her all over her face, trying not to hurt her. But he needed to know she was there.

My chest constricted, he had found time to keep the others informed of everything? And I couldn’t even find my bloody phone!

I shook my head. ‘Usdi. Come here.’ Ma saw me, even with me trying to melt into the background. Her hand was outreaching for me. #TheKid turned to look over.

‘Sis?’ He said and I shook my head, clearing my throat.

“It’s okay. The Kid is here. I’m going to go sort some things out at home.” I told her, my eyes looking and not looking at her all at once. “Kid, do not leave Ma alone.”

Ma dropped her hand and gave me a smile. ‘Usdi—‘ I cut her off.

“Please. Just rest. I will be back ready soon.” Taking out the keys to Ma’s car I set them down on the side, telling #TheKid where I had parked it before I turned to leave.

‘Leah?’ #Debbie called out from behind me as I rushed towards the stairs, I wasn’t going to wait around for the elevator. ‘Is your mom all settled sweetie?’ She smiled.

“Hmm.. yes. Thank you. She is. 404.” I pointed to the door. “Thank you for all your help. I..” she squeezed my arm.

‘Happy to help sweetie.’ By the time she let me go, that feeling in my chest had grown into a chasm. And I couldn’t breath.

I ran down the stairs three at a time. Four flights of stairs where a breeze for me, and not enough to give me what I needed all at once.

•- Embry Call -•

I passed out the cups of coffee as the machine in the lobby spluttered them into the paper cup. Mom had become a bit of a tea snob lately with #Sue and Leah bringing are all of that special tea... so she opted to treat herself to a hot chocolate.

#Quil's phone rang and it was #Jake with all sorts of questions about what to pack. Mom took the phone and just as she was telling Jake that #Sue's slippers would be by the back door if they weren't by her bed.

I saw Leah appear at the bottom of the stairwell. I gave a #Quil a nod and he nodded back, telling me he'd stay with Mom.

"Leah." I said quietly as I approached her. "Where are you headed? #Jake and  Ness are at the house packing a bag for you Mom for the night." Even from the whole way across the lobby I could hear Mom say.

'Oh, and her favourite picture of Harry and kids is on her bedside table you should grab that too. No Ness, one change of underwear will be fine for one night.'  Sometimes I wondered if there was any human in the woman. "Luckily Mom is walking them through it." I laughed and looked back at her. Extended her the weak excuse for a black coffee. "We have it covered you can head back up."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits!” I said under my breath. Coming to a holt with Embry voice calling me. All I wanted to do was run. To leave. To explode. To let the volcano in my chest free and not care what and who was in the way. But that was the old young and misguided Leah. This Leah had walls, she had masks, and she knew how to lock herself down.

I glanced past Embry as he spoke, the buzzing in my ears and the red in my eyes subsiding enough for me to hear #Ness’s sweet voice, and #Jake’s frantic one asking #MsC a million questions.

#Quil’s eyes met mine, and that boyish smile of his was covering up the concern for my Ma. He placed one hand on his chest and dipped his chin. Telling me I was not in this alone.

Even with her mind on the phone call, I wasn’t sure how #MsC knew. But her eyes searching until then locked onto mine, and she beckoned me over with her hand.

‘Go to her, she will help. She always does.’ My wolf told me. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t risk them all. I couldn’t risk the lobby full of innocent people.

“I..” when I finally looked to him, his smile and that laughter. The hospital coffee we all were used to held out to me. The burning need to run from here, and everything fault against the clam these people brought with them.

“Your Mom knows how to get the best out of people.” I say with the strongest of wills I could pull out and together.

“Thank you.” I told him. My eyes met his and I hoped it was for more than just the cup in my hand now. He was here, he looked after my kid, and now they were all helping in their own way.

Taking the coffee, my eyes darting to the doors and my way out. But my feet slowly started towards where #Quil and #MsC were sat.

She ended the call and reached a hand for me. “She is in room 404. On the fourth floor. They have taken good care of her. And the Kid is with her.” I filled them all in of what I knew. “Maybe she will tell you more than she would me.” I finally told #MsC. “But you should head up there. I’m sure she will kill me if she finds out you are down here and no one had taken you up.” Giving her a half smirk.

She gave the cup in her hand to #Quil, taking my free hand in hers she pulled me down to my knees before her. She cupped my face and really locked those deep brown eyes of her with mine. It was like looking into her sons eyes and my heart tried to react, but I stopped it.

‘We are here. You are not allow. And this is not on you my sweet child. We all know your Ma can be somewhat stubborn when she sets her mind to something.’ Now she whispered and I felt #Quil turn away to give some room. Even if I knew he heard it all. ‘This is not your sin.’

She all but crushed me. She saw me when no one else did. She knew what was hidden under the mask.

I lowered my head and cleared my throat. “Go up. See your sister. She needs you.” I whispered for her to hear.

•- Embry Call -•

Her reaction told me she was probably looking for space. Somewhere to be alone and clear her head. I followed her gaze behind me to Mom. "Yeah, she's always been good at that." I smiled and then turned that smile back to her.

"We will; we were just wanted to give her a little time to catch her breath." I said, following her towards Mom... if anyone could stop Leah from wanting to run it was Mom.

#Quil got up and came to stand, by me, giving them some semblance of privacy. We Heard Mom's words and even though #Quils eyes dropped to the floor, he couldn't have known how fast my heart dropped into the pit of my stomach.

After a too-long moment of silence, I spoke. "Hey, why don't you take Mom up ahead up and I'll follow in a second." I smiled at #Quil then Mom, nodding my head to the elevators. Mom stood and kissed the top of Leah's head, then my shoulder as she passed me and whispered. 'Good boy.' I stepped up next to Leah when they were gone and brushed the back of my knuckles against her arm. "What do you need, Leah?" I said for only her to hear. "Do you need me to cover for you up there for a while? Whatever it is... Just tell me." If she needed time I could make sure she got it. if she needed to hit something... hell she could hit me.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

That kiss to my head from #MsC about crushed me. If I hadn’t have had years of practice in hiding in plain sight, the cracks would have shown to anyone who set their eyes on me.

I stood up when she did, my eyes were on the door once again as she moved to join the guys. With that growing need to get away from anything and everything. I wanted no witnesses to the turmoil rampantly trying to drag itself to the surface. It was the touch from him drew me back. I felt the knee jerk reaction only step away, but his voice, the way he looked to me, wanting to give me support I never expected from anyone.

“Me?” What did I need? No one had asked me that before. Spirits even I hadn’t asked myself that question before. But what did I need?

“I need out of here. And I need to know Ma and the Kid are taken care of. He is soft at heart, this is breaking him.”

The words low for him and only him to hear. “And for me to be his strength. I need out right now. Five. Ten. I will be back. I… I…”

My eyes were on him to read the need to shed the fear I felt when my mind played tricks on me at smelling my Ma’s voice, at wondering what could have cased it and how I wasn’t there with her.

And just like that it hit me. I was telling him. Telling him that I needed right now. In a way, asking for help.

•- Embry Call -•

I watched her, and gave a small nod, my eyes meeting hers. “Okay, go... Get some air.” I smile, filling the expression with understanding. I'd been there... And the only reason I had been able to run (briefly) away was because of Sue. “Your Mom is looked after. And don't worry about the Pup. I’ve got him... And #Quil.”

I took half a step back giving her space but only half because my natural instinct was to go to her and comfort her. But that wasn't how to comfort her.. That was the generic assumption: human contact equals comfort. But people weren’t one size fits all. I prided myself on being able to tell what people needed. At least, for the people I cared about and something time that meant contact even when they thought the didn't need or want it, like when I hugged her in Seattle. Sometimes it meant giving them room to breathe.

Right now... She needs to breathe.

“He did really well understood you know. He didn't panic... He was in shock and couldn't think straight. So he called for help. He asked for help... He did and you Mom proud. He did Harry proud.”

I stepped back again. “You made him proud getting her here so fast. Take all the time you need. I’ll stay with them until you get back, no matter how long... #Quil can take mom home if it gets late.”

I had work, but the was several hours away. And Joe Walker was a lot of things... But when it came to family matters, I knew I could call and tell him I needed to be here. He wouldn't question it. He would cover for me himself if he had to.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I wanted to touch him, just a squeeze of the arm, of a touch of a finger. Tell him 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦. That him stepping up for Ma and the Kid, he got the meaning of Family. It was more than a word to us, and his actions proved it to me each time.

I glanced over him and saw #Quil give me a half smile waiting with #MsC for the elevators. The nod from him said. ‘We got the kid, don’t worry.’ But this also meant that he saw what I looked like right now, and he heard some if not all of what was said.

I took a few steps back away towards the doors. “You got them.. See you soon.” I said before turning around and walking out of those doors without looking back.

The thudding in my heart pushed the fear I felt higher, the pain of seeing my Ma in pain threatened to show itself. I willed myself, as I broke into a run as soon as I was outside. Heading straight for the forest and out of sight of people.   

•- Embry Call -•

I could so many unsaid things in her eyes... I acknowledged them all with a small smile and the slightest lowering of my chin.

"We've got them." I added and I turned away when she did... Watching her go would set alarms bells off for #Quil and full-blown sirens for Mom.

 But as I walked to the lift to join them, I felt a tug on my left shoulder to just glance back. But I didn't. Her thumping heart didn't make it easy.

Mom looped her arm through mine, and we stepped into the  Elevator. 'She will be fine, sweetheart.' She said.

"Leah?" I asked raising a brow. "Of course, she will. She's a Clearwater." I smiled and the lift started to rise. I was tempted to text her and tell her to take as long as she needed. I would be here. But I had told her that I knew she heard me and trusted I would stick to it. Texting her would only make me feel better.

It was what I did with the guys when things happened... keeping in contact, making sure they knew I was there. And for them,  it was the best thing to do, the regular reassurance.

Leah didn't work like other people. she had her way... and she would be back when she was ready.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

There was nowhere I could go and not be heard. There was no way I could run all the way back to Ma’s for my bike just for this. And there was NOWAY I would leave to go that far with Ma, in hospital and the Kid in turmoil.

The best I could do for myself was this, staying on two legs I ran, I ran as fast as the spirits blessed me. Ducking and turning from the trees and their branches. Jumping and the fallen logs and rocks.

The pressure building with every stride I took, the air in my lungs not even at its capacity. I was in pain and my body felt nothing. I pushed, and pushed, and pushed some more. Needing to feel something. Anything!

‘STOP! Leah!!!! STOP!’

She halted me at the precipice of the edge, pushing my body back from taking the leap I knew too well that I couldn’t make on two legs.

‘You can’t hurt yourself like that, they need you.’ She growled from within me. ‘You can’t become so blinded with your grief. This isn’t who you are anymore.’

She spoke to the lost girl who tried everything in her power to punish yourself when she killed the only man who loved her.

“I…” I couldn’t think. All I saw right now was where I wanted to be.

So, I took off running to the river’s edge where I knew I could made the crossing.

‘Shift!’ She told me.

“No!” I snapped back.

‘LEAH! SHIFT!’ She pushed to come out. But I held her back.

“NO!!!” I screamed at her, and the took the leap over the Cullen’s treaty line.

I ran as hard and fast as I could before my legs were taken out from under me. I tumbled; my body rolled into a ball as I hit the ground with velocity. And then came to a stop.

My face was in the ground. My breathing harder now, but not where I needed it to feel the burn.

‘Breathe Leah. She is okay, Ma is going to be fine.’ But all I saw was her blood that had been spilled on my watch.

“I should have been there. I should have done.. I should have….”

‘Should have read her mind and known she is as stubborn as you at times, and has ideas of improvement in her home? Leah. Be realistic here.’

But I couldn’t. Not when it came to Ma or the Kid. Their pain. I couldn’t take it. I burst out into a silent scream. One I had perfected over the years. When you lived where every sound was heard. And you were judged. There had to be an outlet that no spirit warrior could hear.

My body tensed and my fists banged into my chest. Making that hurt rush out. My eyes closed as I let out everything that had been building into that volcano that needed to be let free.

She didn’t say anything, she watched. She protective, and held my soul, she cradles me as she had from the moment, I excepted her as mine. My wolf let me have my moment. She Let me be a kid, with the fear riding me She know I couldn’t lose my only Parent. Not like this. Not after what I had taken from my family and this world.

•- Embry Call -•

I was distracted until we got to the room that #Sue was in. I heard Mom whisper something to #Quil about how I hated being here… but that wasn’t exactly true. I felt a lot of things here. I spent a few horrible days and night in the ER here and  then the treatment that kept Mom ali— healthy happened here too.

I smiled brightly at the ghostly woman in the bed. She was laying against #Seth’s lanky frame perched awkwardly in the edge of the bed one foot still firmly on the floor. Or it would be awkward for a human. The Kid looked wholly unphased.

“Well, well! Look at you, as beautiful as ever! Worrying us all just for attention, are you?” I lied with beaming smile. #Sue lifted her hand to her cheek like she did when she blushed. But no colour stained her cheeks.

‘Oh stop!!’ she waved me off with a tired laugh. Mom was already at her side adjusting the pillow her injured hand rested on more carefully than I thought I would ever be capable of. #Seth extricated himself, leaving a kiss on the top of his mother’s head. He looked from me to #Quil and the door. ‘She just needed some air.’ #Quil said before I could.

Our attention went back to the women who we heard. ‘You shouldn't have come, Tiffany. You could pick up all kinds of infection that could set you back.’ #Sue was insisting.

‘Nonsense.’ Mom replied. ‘This isn't just like any old appointment, how many emergency trips to the hospital have you made for me?’

I could see the, ‘But this is different’ in #Sue’s eyes, but she would never dare say it. Even though all of us, Mom included were well aware it was different.

But I also knew the value of Mom being here for her dearest friend too. That boost to her would of being the supportive hand she has always been needed too.

“Jacob is bringing you a little sleepover kit so you can spend the night in style.” Just like that my phone rang and I excused myself. After I stepped into the hall and explained it to be Jake, that Leah didn't have her phone, I told him where to find us. He said he could find us, and I didn't need to meet them downstairs.

I took the chance to call #Joe. He answered with his usual. ‘WALKER!’ much louder than necessary.

“Hey, it’s Embry.” Joe was in his words far too busy to check caller ID.

‘What do you need Call?’ anyone that didn't know him would take it as rude. But it was a genuine question.

“I’m at the hospital, I might not make my shift tonight, can you line up #T just in case, and I’ll call you with a solid answer in an hour or two.”

‘Is your mom, okay?’ He asked, abrupt but really wanting to know. I explained the situation with as few details as possible.

‘Okay so I’m gona I just take your place on the floor tonight, and you take my shift tomorrow? It's easier than maybe’s and what ifs.’

I agreed and thanked him. When I stepped back into the room, I knew the wolves in here had heard. ‘Your boss is pretty easy going.’ #Seth stage whispered.

‘I still don't like him.’ #Quil said. #Joe set his wolf’s instincts off... He set off all the wolves' instincts really.

But I was free to stick around as long as I needed to know.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I sat on my knees, kneeling forward over the water with my reflection looking back at me. I was taken back to a day when I last felt this lost and broken.

A younger, 20-year-old me, with her hair cut short, and a newly formed tattoo on her forearm. The pain of what she had done telling her that if he wasn’t on this earth, then she had no right to be too.

I closed my eyes and opened them again. And the vision was of the now. The fact I’d let my mom down

feeding the fear of losing her.

Taking the count to ten, with deep breath I started to lock myself down. When I knew that it was safe again I

opened my eyes.

Splashing some water from the river to cool and watch my face, I straightened up. That was it, the fear, the sadness, the want to punish myself pushed deep down to the point that Even I couldn’t feel it any longer.

‘We, will be fine.’ She told me, and even if I didn’t feel it. I believed it. ‘Where to?’ she asked.

“Back to Ma, and the kid.” I told her.

‘What about the house?’ She played the conversation from the hospital, the part when we were told that #MsC had been talking with #Jake  and #Ness.

“After.” I told her. I knew they would take care of things. But I also knew that Ma’s level of clean wouldn’t be

met by anyone.

‘After.’ She repeated as we both started back towards the way we had come. ‘We will go there after and do it the right way.’

•- Embry Call -•

#Jake and #Ness arrived with a bag so large that it made mom and #Sue laugh and make there isn’t that so cute faces to each other. ‘We wanted her to be comfortable.’ #Ness whispered when #Seth, #Quil and I eyed the bag that Mom was already unpacking. Setting a photo of a young #Sue and #Harry on the bedside table.

‘We’ll take home whatever she doesn’t want.’ She insisted and I could see her cheeks flush. Her understanding of human needs wasn’t always quiet right, I draped my arm over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head “You did good little one.” I whispered even though it was pointless, they all heard. All but the two women carefully arranging a hand-woven blanket across the patient's lap, whispering about what good kids we were.

The hybrid beamed and swatted #Jake’s chest. ‘Told you.’ He just rolled his eyes and smiled she pushed past all of us and pulled out an iPad she must have sweet-talked someone into lending her, I knew she  didn’t own one. She stood by the bed, keeping a cautious distance. I could see that seeing a human she cared about in such a frail state was getting to her… so many people in her life were indestructible. It was a hard pill to swallow.

‘We brought your book too… but I downloaded the audio version and skipped ahead to where you bookmarked. So, if you aren’t feeling up to it you can listen instead.’ She leaned in conspiratorially and whisper. ‘I downloaded season one of Bridgeton. I hear it's the steamiest.’ She grinned.

I left them to it and turned to Jake asking him about the house. ‘All cleaned and locked up.’ He assured me that when it came to blood Nessie knew how to clean up. It made sense, given that she mostly lived off of it.

When they left, I convinced #Quil to take Mom too. He offered to stay in my place, and I told that was my role as Third. To be here for the kid, and it was true. But mostly it was the promise I had made.

I knew #Seth was worried about his mom… and his sister. His eyes kept moving to the door. “She’s fine, Pup.” I whispered as #Sue dozed off. The wasn’t the truth… so I corrected myself. “Leah will be okay, she’ll be back.”

‘I know, I know.’ He finally stopped chewing on his thumbnail. ‘You don’t have to stay you know… I’ve got this.’

“I know you do… You’ve got her, I’ve got you. I can be here or in the waiting room. It’s your choice.” This wasn’t unusual, this was the  role I had taken on… built for myself. It wouldn’t be the first time I hung around a hospital for one of the pups. So, #Seth accepted it easily and we sat there quietly, taking turns fetching coffee and letting the nurses come and go as they performed their tasks around the sleeping woman.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

When I arrived back at the hospital, I kept my eyes forwards and my hands pushed down deep into my jeans. No one at a glance would tell that the broken youngster had come out to show her pain now.

‘Leah!’ I heard my name being called from behind me. Stopping as I saw #Debbie trying to catch up. She wanted to stop me, to tell me that Ma’s room was over flowing with visitors, and that she would go and ask them to leave so that I could go in.

“It’s okay. I can wait.” I told her, even if she gave me that ‘I don’t believe you’, look.

I remained in the lobby, pacing back-and-forth but knowing that Ma was in good hands. Finally, I gave up and went to the cafeteria to buy a selection of sandwiches, and whatever else I could get my hands on before coming out. ‘There you are.’ My Alpha stood in front of me. ‘I’ve been following your scent all over the hospital.’ He pushed his shoulder into my forearm. ‘She is going to be okay Leah.’

I knew this. “Thanks for…” he frowned at me and cut me off.

‘Since when do you thank anyone for doing their duty? This was our duty; we all wanted to be here and do whatever we could for Sue. No thanks needed.’ He told me that they were heading out, that Embry was still with Ma and #TheKid, I looked to the clock on the wall and the time frowning.

Once #Jake was gone, I ran as fast as I could up the stairs. The elevator wasn’t fast enough for me. Rushing and slowing down at the same time when I reached the correct floor, I dived around people to reach Ma’s room.

I wasn’t out of breath, but my heart was pounding in my chest. I saw them both sat there in the room, with Ma on her bed asleep. I spent a moment too long looking her over, listening to her heart and her breathing.

Then I looked around the room. The photo of Ma and Da by her side, and her favourite blanket draped over her bed. Her book, an iPad, and a full bag of things set to the side.

#TheKid was already looking to the door before I came in, his shoulders had been tense, but dropped a little on seeing me.

“Are we moving in?” I muttered under my breath Not waiting for a reply, my eyes found Embry, and I wanted to say so much to him. But I tapped my wrist.

“Call, you’re going to be late for work. You need to head out.” I hadn’t meant to be gone this long. I hadn’t paid attention to the Burden I was placing on his shoulders.

•- Embry Call -•

I knew that #Seth heard the hurried footsteps in the hallway too. It was much quieter than a human would be when they ran, but not out of our hearing range. Especially not #Seth's, he had always had the most sensitive hearing of us all. Something I always thought of as an extension of his kindness.

He gave me a look as if to say, Does, that sound OKAY to you?

'Ness went a little overboard.'  #Seth offered his sister a smile. 'The nurses said she's doing fine; her blood pressure is coming back up steadily.'

I watched the way they both looked over #Sue, and my chest tightened. I had been where they are, this was how they all felt when they stood and watched me stand over my own mother's sick bed. I shook that off.

"It's okay." I told her. "I switched shifts with Joe." I added quickly before she could say anything else. "Family first." That was the rule, right? I wasn't losing out on a day's pay; I wasn't letting anyone down. Family and  the pack came before work, they had to.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Nodding my head to acknowledge #TheKid, my dark eyes were on the monitors as he gave me Ma’s update. I held myself beside the door, but just inside so that it would close behind me. I also made a note to thank #Ness in my own way, something told me that this visit wouldn’t have been easy on her. I knew that she could speak to #Jake about everything and anything, but still I always gave her to option to have my ear if she needed it.

Embry had me stood looking at him, it was #TheKid clearing his throat. ‘I’m going to go grab us all some coffee.’ He spoke. I held the bag in my hand up telling them both I got whatever food I could from downstairs. #TheKid took it and put it down on the side table before walking past whispering. ‘Don’t be too hard on him please.’ And then the door closed.

Looking to Embry, I didn’t say anything. I just shrugged my jacket off as I walked to my Ma’s bedside and set it down over the back of the chair. Looking down over her, I softly combed so stray hair out of her eyes. She looked peaceful, that pained looked on her forehead gone for now. Only when I was sure she was indeed asleep and pain free, did I step back keeping my voice low as I spoke so that #TheKid didn’t hear me.

“You are playing the rules card at me now? For someone who doesn’t really do rules, you were fast to understand them.” I half smiled but there was too much amiss from it right now. I couldn’t find it in me to mean anything. “I don’t like you owing Walker anything, especially because of me.” What was that man going to ask as Payback for this favour I wondered. “I didn’t mean to mess you about with your work, I –“ I was lost for works, so I took a step back with my eyes locked.

Telling him that I was sorry for putting him in this situation, for placing what was meant to be my responsibility on his shoulder. That I failed my Ma today, and now #TheKid and him too. I wanted him to hear it all, but words never came easily to me.

•- Embry Call -•

My stomach growled when She mentioned she'd brought food. I had been so distracted that I hadn't even smelled it when she walked in.

I didn't say anything to #Seth as he left. I knew he was leaving his Beta and Third-In-Command alone for a moment as much as he was leaving his sister and his friend.

Her smile was half-hearted, and I knew why, she believed this to be her responsibility, her burden to bear alone. But she didn't get to do that... she couldn't tell us that we couldn't be here for a vital supporter of the pack when she needed us, that we couldn't stand her and hold up our brother while he cares for his mom, because she would never look for that kind of support. I knew that she knew that too... her dual natures had to be warring with one another right now.

"It's not about the rules..." I whispered. "Not just, at least... #Seth was... When I picked him up, he was... panicked. I wouldn't have left even if you stayed. You know that."

Then I took a breath and stood in front of her, fighting the urge to touch her arm or her shoulder... any of the normal comforting gestures that wouldn't mean the same thing to her. 

I knew if it were my mother in that bed she would lay her hand on my shoulder, because that was what I would need... but this was about what she needed.  Not that she would admit to needing anything... but that was okay. "And I don't owe Joe anything... I know he's not exactly a good guy. But when it comes to things like switching shifts, he really doesn't care as he gets Thursday nights off... he's pretty easy going."  But I was fairly he'd covered a few Thursdays for me when no one else could.

I looked around the room. "This is what I do... just with most of the time I'm in the car park of the cafeteria waiting on news." There were so many of the kids that it was too hard to explain how were friends with the age difference. But I was close by when accidents and illnesses happened. I'd always felt a little useless as a third... so I made things like this, my responsibility.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

When he told me how he found #TheKid, my bucket of sins grew. I knew I should have been there for my younger brother. The fear he must have felt in the moments that followed when he didn’t know what took place, just that it had been our mothers blood that had been spilt.

“I know…” I gave in because that was Embry. He was the one that always stayed with all the pups and the pack. I didn’t have a bone in my body that could be still long enough. Not as he did. And He was a calming influence too. No matter the reason the pack were in this place, or anywhere. Embry Call somehow knew how to show them a light and the silver lining.

He came to stand before me, and I saw how his fingers twitched. And without the words needed, I knew what he wanted to do, and knew he wouldn’t too.

I rubbed my temples with my index and second finger. I wanted to tell Embry, that I may not know Joe Walker, but I knew men like him very well. That it may seem like he wanted nothing for these things, but someday He would ask for his pound of flesh. And I wouldn’t be able to stand back and let that happen. But now wasn’t the time.

I stepped back to the table the bag of food sat on and slowly and carefully started to remove everything from inside. A mix of a few sandwiches, some bags of chips. A few slices of pies and cake. Really the as a meal it made no sense, it had been what my hands reached for when my heart and mind were elsewhere.

“Will you eat something now?” I asked him over my shoulder. “I know it’s not home cooked, and if Ma wakes up she will have a million reasons why we shouldn’t eat any of this.” I heard the footsteps of #TheKid coming back, and knew he could hear us. “But it’s something, right?” I threw a bag of chips over my head knowing that he would catch them.

•- Embry Call -•

I knew that she was punishing herself. but I couldn't do anything about that right now... maybe not at all. But I could try, when the time was right.

"He did really well... he froze for a second, but instead of giving in to it... he asked for help. He did you proud." I smiled.

I  smiled when she asked if I would eat... it wasn't that I hadn't eaten... anytime one of us left the room we came back with something... but her haul was far better than the vending machine fodder that we had settled for.

"Hell yeah, I will," I said with as much enthusiasm possible while still keeping my voice down. "Pie!!!" I whispered-screamed when the slices started to appear from the bag then, I had the lid flipped open on a slice of pie and a bamboo forkful shovelled into my mouth before I could reply.

"This..." I pointed the ridiculously tiny fork at the spread. "Is everything."

"We'll make the kid eat and I'll convince him to go home. He can stay at The Sanctuary." I said this knowing that he would hear me. I gave her a look that said so many things that I couldn't say with the world's most sensitive ears so close by. 'Will you be okay here?' 'I can leave him with #Quil and come back.' I knew she would say no. 'I'll just be a text message away.' 'I really don't want to leave here without hugging you or something similar that will piss the fuck off.'

'You know I heard you talking about me, right?' #Seth snatched the bag out  the air and smirked.

"Good." I turned to face him; shovelling in another tiny bite of pie and spoke with food in my mouth. "Because it's happening. You can take my bed... just this once."

'Thank you... But I think I should stay. Just in case, and you know Leah won't leave either.' He insisted.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I rubbed my forehead with the back of my hand and turned away from Embry the moment I heard the kid’s hand on the door.

I heard his unsaid words, but I couldn’t. Not right now. I couldn’t deal with it.

When I turned back my eyes rolled at the sight of Embry’s big hands with that small fork in them. “Spirits.”

I rolled my eyes again smacking the kid upside the head to keep his voice low, ma shifted and winced in her sleep. And my heart stopped, and it stung to see that pain on her face.

“Listen kid, Mac and Charlie have close up, however we need to make sure someone is there for the delivery. We both know Mac will step up. But we won’t do that to him.”

He was about to speak. “Also, we cannot have the three of us missing runs. I know Sam, Paul, Jay, Quil will all step up with Jake. But again. We have a duty to the pups and the packs too. Clearwater’s will not back down.”

His face changed from the son of a mother to a brother of a pack. ‘What about you?’ He took the pie and the fork I handed him.

“What about me? I got this. And you will come once your run is over and then I will take over. We got this Kid.”

He was frowning. When I looked to Embry and then back to him. “You did Ma proud today. We got to keep it up. Go with Call. Get some rest. I got this from here.”

I believed in that for now. Even if I kept telling myself that she shouldn’t have been left to do this to herself.

•- Embry Call -•

My eyes moved between the siblings. After seeing that #Sue had settled I buried the pang in my chest... It was an all too familiar feeling.

"I can rope one of the pups into helping with the delivery before my run tomorrow if you'd like. Mac can do the business end and we can do the heavy lifting." I offered.

"As for runs... we can cover it so you two can be with your mom for a few days. She'll need help at home and you guys will need to take turns at the bar."

I could see the pride on his face. but it quickly flooded with self-doubt, and I resisted the urge to shake the kid.  I could talk to him later.

'You need to sleep too, sis. I'll come back in the morning and promise you'll go home and rest?' He was resigned to the fact that she was going to make sure that he got home.

I wanted to insist that Leah sleep too.. but I knew it would be days before that happened. And it wasn't like I could have that conversation with her right now. I Finished the pie and tossed the plastic box into the trash can in the corner, careful not to let the lid slam when I lifted my foot off the pedal.

"Okay come on kid." I pulled out my phone. I'll get Quil to set up the sofa bed for you." I said and started to type.

'Thanks, bro' but I think I really just want to head home.' He was trying to do the independent thing... but he was independent. He had nothing to prove.

"Cool." I said without missing a beat. "I'll sleep on the couch." His jaw twitched to protest and before he spoke. I continue. "Fine, you can sleep on the couch. I'm not gonna turn down a bed when it's on offer." I rested my hand on his shoulder. "One night Pup... just indulge me?" I raised my brows and grinned. #Seth huffed but that smile of his showed through and I knew it was a yes.

I winked at Leah... not a flirtatious wink. My normal the charm offensive wins again wink, and I went to say goodbye to #Sue.

I touched her Forehead lightly and whispered. "Goodnight beautiful." I smiled as she stirred from her light doze. "I'll come to check on you tomorrow."

'Don't worry about me, sweetheart. I'll be just fine.' She said softly.

"Oh, I know. you are tough as nails. But I will just be a wreck if I don't see for myself." I grinned.

‘Oh, you really do have your father’s charm.' she patted my cheek, and I repressed my flinch. It was the painkillers. That was all. #Sue would never...

I kissed her forehead and smiled at her. Giving nothing away.

"Get some sleep, I'm going to take Seth home to rest too. I'll tackle the other one in the morning." I jerked my head to Leah and grinned. When I stepped away #Seth's eyes were the first that I saw as he approached the bed to say goodnight. They were full of apology. I gave the tiniest shake of my head, there was nothing to apologise for.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Now it was my turned to watch the exchange between my kid brother and Embry. It wasn’t unseen, and it wasn’t like we didn’t know how Embry worked his magic. It was more the fact that he took the time to make the other person think they had a say in what was happening. When I knew the truth. This used to be one of those things that I used to roll my eyes at. When I saw him playing someone. But now, now that I’d let him in and seen his full view too. I knew there was no Playing, about it. This was his way to help others.

I didn’t know how I would repay him. I hadn’t expected any of this from him. But this was him... This was  Embry Call in his heart and soul.

I arched my eyebrow at him when he gave me that wink, and #TheKid whispered. ‘He still has a death wish, at least he is in the hospital’

I stepped back and whispered to #TheKid when Embry went to say night to Ma. “Don’t you let him take your bed.” Nudging him in the side.

‘Ma, would kill me if I didn’t.’ he nudged right back with a half-smile. He reached out, squeezing a few fingers on the hand closest to him. and I knew what he was trying to do and say to me. I did it right back.

We both watched him and Ma whisper, however it had been a clear conversation to our ears. We both stilled and stiffened. I wanted to reach out and squeeze Embry on the shoulder, tell him that Ma didn’t mean it. That it had to be the meds talking. She would never hurt him in that way. But #TheKid did it with one look.

My eyes found Embry’s, wanting him to know that this all. It meant a lot. That I didn’t even have to ask. He had just been here. And I knew that all of this, seeing Ma this way. It would be testing him too. I knew how I felt when I spent time with #MsC in this place.

“Okay, that’s enough. Get out so Ma and I can have our sleepover.” I stepped backwards and pulled the door open for them both to leave.

•- Embry Call -•

I heard the two of them whispering and grinned. I wasn't going to take the kid's bed... not tonight at least. Any other time, I probably would.

There was a lot unsaid in Leah's eyes and I smiled at her. I knew most of my friend's parents knew who my father was, or at least had their own ideas of who he was. But I didn't want to know... If mom chose to tell me then I would hear her.

I stood next to Leah while #Seth said goodbye. I was close enough to let my arm brush hers  for the briefest moment.

It wasn't for her benefit, it was for mine... It was quick𝕀'𝕞 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖;  even though I was leaving, I wasn't going far.

#Seth came to the door with us and before I could he said 'Text if you need anything.' And gave her a look that said he meant it.

"And Jake said he can come if you need anything, too." I knew she wasn't going to call anyone. And normally this wasn't a shock, but there was a worry building. Because this  wasn't work stuff or pack stuff... it was #Sue... and I alone in this... Like was for everything hated to think of her being alone in this like she was with everything else.

Because we had let her down.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Just they were leaving a nurse started towards Ma’s room. ‘It time to go, Mrs Clearwater needs her rest.’ She wasn’t rude about it, and I knew she was just looking out for Ma.

‘Sorry, we are just leaving.’ #TheKid gave me and then Ma one last look before heading out.

My eyes found Embry for a second. There wasn’t anything I could do to tell him how much this meant. That I knew my kid was in good hands. And that… he had known it all.

As the sport closes the nurse Started to adjust Ma. “Here let me help you there.” I told her, going to stand beside the bed, I curled my arms around Ma and slowly lifted her, making it look like it was a team effort. So, that she didn’t question how I did it.

‘He is such a good boy.’ Ma said.

“Yes Ma, Seth is a good boy.” I whispered back kissing her forehead.

‘He is… but I meant Embry.’ She sleepy whispered before curling up the best she could and fell asleep.

“You mom is a little lost on the Pain meds.’ She told me. Then felt. I pulled the chair close to the bed, the door opened, and the nurse was back.

‘I brought you a pillow and a blanket. Just in case.’ She set them to the side and then it was just Ma and I.

•- Embry Call -•

When #Seth spoke to the nurse I caught Leah's eyes. You’ve got this! I hoped my eyes told her. Then they flicked to Seth and back. I’ve got this! I hoped the said now.

It was strange how it felt to leave her in that room. I knew she didn't need me there... but maybe she could want me there? I shook away that thought because, no... she would want me with my mom looking after her... working or with the pack... anything but hanging out in a hospital room just to keep her company Did I want her to want me there?  would that be a bad thing?  But all of it, it was all new and strange and oddly welcome. All the contradictions and mixed emotions seemed to all fit together somehow, wrapped up neatly the idea that looking out for #seth is what those two strong-willed, completely different, and utterly similar women we had left back would want me to do right now. If they ever needed anything from me, it was this.

'Dude your miles away... what are you are you thinking?' #Seth gave a half-hearted chuckle and I only realised that we were in the lift when we stopped walking.

"Oh... Just don't like the idea of Leah being left here alone when your mom will be out like a light all night." I offered, not a lie.

'That's how she likes it.' I could hear the frustration in his voice, he loved his sister deeply, but I knew he felt like she kept him at a distance sometimes.

"Being alone isn't the same as being lonely, Seth." I said the same thing to him that I had to his sister before.

'I know... But how can we know which when she is if she never shares how she feels?' He was so calm when he said it. It cracked my heart a little. It would have been less heart-breaking if he was pissed off. But this was a deep-rooted concern.

"Ask her." I said simply, my eyes fixed on his side profile as he stared at the crack of the door and laughed. 'Yeah right.' He scoffed, not taking me seriously.

"I mean it Seth." We stepped out and made our way across the nearly empty waiting area to the door.

"Just talk to her, ask her how she feels how she really feels." I continued.

'Like walk right up to her and say,  Hey sis, are you lonely?’ He laughed like it sounded ridiculous... and it kind of did but...

"In exactly those words if you want to... Leah appreciates directness." I stuffed the key into the lock of my Jeep and we claimed in. I could tell he wanted to defend against my Point... but instead he pressed his lips together and thought about it.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I sat there watching Ma sleeping now, counting the number of times her chest went up and then came down. Making sure that the monitors weren’t giving the wrong data to the nurse when they came in from time to time to check on her.

They would tell me to sleep, to close my eyes. That Ma wouldn’t be awake until the morning with all the meds pumped into her. And yet I couldn’t. My mind kept telling me that she may need me, that she was in pain, or that I couldn’t just sleep when I should have stopped this from happening I the first place.

Finally, I stood up and walked to the windows. Wishing that I could open them needing to feel the touch of the air, the one that say, ‘You aren’t alone.’ Listening to the whispers of the spirits saying that it would all be okay. But tonight, there was silent and the beeping of the monitors.

I rubbed my face; I blinked away the unsure feelings taking a hold of me. I pulled my hair up into a bun and then took out my phone. Sending one short message to him.

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞 -𝙻

Text To Embry Call -  {Thank you. – L}

I knew he would understand the meaning. It was hard for me to leave today, but if I hadn’t, I wasn’t sure what or how I would have managed to hold it together. Not with Ma this way. And even the fact that I was so weak that I needed to leave was filling the balance of my bucket of sins. I should have been stronger.

A light knock on the door startled me out of my thoughts. And when I saw #Pauls head pop in and then his smiled I looked confused.

‘Hey.’ He whispered for the first time ever.

“Hey” I whispered back.

‘Thought you could use some company.’ He was inside, with a box of pizza and a six pack of soda. ‘I know you aren’t all that keen on soda, but tonight I have a feeling all the sugar in the world would help.’ Setting the box and the cans on the side, he went to Ma’s side and kissed her head. ‘You will be fine Aunt. You have to be. OR who is going to control your Hot Head?’ He kissed her head again, and the back of my eyes prickled.

Walking over he took my seat and pointed to the couch. ‘You take that, eat and then you sleep, and I will sit watch.’ I opened my mouth to say no, but he rolled his eyes. ‘She isn’t just your mom Lee. She belongs to us all. Let her sons step up for her too. Now will you give me some food. I’m starving here.’

•- Embry Call -•

#Seth was quite a lot of the way home and I knew that there was a war in his head between worrying about his sister and worrying about his mom.... and then probably a little guilt that he was worried about Leah and #Sue was the one that was hurt. That kid was a pro and at feeling all the things all the time.

"C'mon kid... spill?" I asked him when we finally got back to his place.

'It's nothing really...' Seth sighed before he even finished the sentence because he knew I didn't fall for that shit. 'It's just stupid to worry about Leah when Mom is the one that got hurt.'

"There it is!" I clapped my hands on his shoulder and steered him to the living room. "Go... Sit... I'll make get us a drink."

He started to protest and I called back from the kitchen. "It's not optional." I grabbed us both a beer, knowing he would be fine to drive if he was needed back at the hospital and I sent Leah a text saying that Seth was home.

Then I settled on  the couch across from him so we could talk this thing out and I could send him to bed for a little rest.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Slapping #Paul on the back of the head. “I thought the pizza was for me.” He’d downed half of it.

‘No, I said the soda was for you.’ He smirked. ‘And that slap was for free. You know. Because you are so happy to see me.’

Rolling my eyes o gave him another. When I phone pinged. I took it out reading the text before putting it back away.

‘Aren’t you gonna reply?’ He asked with a brow raised.

“Doesn’t need one.” I told him.

We settled in for the night. ‘So, what Happened?’ It was a good question. Rubbing my face my eyes went to Ma and then the soda.

“I wasn’t there.” I told him.

‘I call bull shit.’ He said matter of factly.

“That’s your choice.” I returned in the same tone.

‘All this growth, and you still can’t see it… that you can’t stop us all from making stupid decisions. But you can help us learn from them HotHead. I know. I’m speaking from experience.’

I gave him a look and he just smirked holding the pizza box up.

•- Embry Call -•

#Seth and I talked for a long time. We were both really curious about how her injury actually occurred but I told him there was no point trying to figure that out, we needed to head that from #Sue when she was well enough.

I sent the kid to bed and then I get myself another drink settling on the couch. I scrolled through the group chat. It seemed like all the other were being very careful about flooding the chat with question, there was only a few then and message.

from Jake telling everyone that she should be discharged tomorrow and she was in pain but it was being managed. That was one thing about #Jake he didn’t lie to them, he didn’t tell them everything was fine just assured them that it would be.

It was hard to do it the way he did. In cases like #Sue’s it wasn’t easier, he would heal… but in cases like my Mom’s when she was really sick I had no idea how he kept them all so calm.

Sure it was their mom… Most of them never met her in person… but in so many more important ways they had all met her and loved her through the pack member that were in her life daily and they loved her like we all did.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

#Paul made me rest my head on the couch and took watch if Ma, I couldn’t sleep so he handed me a book and told me to read.

The words were dancing on the page as my eyes kept going to ma when I thought I head her move, shift or moan in pain. But it was all in my head.

At about 3am there was a new scent coming towards us and then #Sam was stood in the room, kissing Ma’s forehead and telling #Paul to go home.

I sat up narrowing my eyes at him.

‘Don’t look at me like that You know this is where I want to be.’

I shook my head. “You need to be at home with your wife and baby boy.”

‘I was, I dropped them off to Neah Bay, she wanted to visit home before she starts showing. So, there is where I need to be.’

He took the seat #Paul vacated. ‘Paul said you weren’t sleeping. Close your eyes, Lee. I’m here for Sue.’

I lay back down, watching him from behind. This was my Ma. She loved people so much, that they were showing up for her now.

•- Embry Call -•

I woke up with my feet hanging off the edge of the couch at five AM and by five thirty I had given up on the possibility of falling back to sleep. I sat up and ran my hand over my face and through my hair, shaking away the remnants of sleep... the soft breathing from the other side of the house told me Seth was still sleeping. Good... but I knew it wouldn't be long.

I text Leah  [𝙷𝚘𝚠 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚎? 𝚃𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝙸'𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚢 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙸 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎  𝚋𝚊𝚛. 𝚂𝚎𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚕𝚎𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚘𝚔𝚊𝚢. 𝙷𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚗 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚘𝚘𝚍.]

I didn't need to ask her how she was. I knew what the answer was and I knew what the answer she would tell me was too. I also had a feeling she knew she'd been on my mind all night too.

I pulled on my jeans but stayed barefoot, wanting to let #Seth sleep as long as his worried mind would allow. His kitchen wasn't a carbon copy of #Sue's Like his sister's was, but it was still tidy and had a semblance of order.

I turned on his coffee maker and poured myself a bowl of cereal just as I heard a car pulling up... but it didn't pull into the driveaway. Then there was a crunching of gravel beneath feet and a hushed reprimand of 'Will you wait in the car... you sound like a baby elephant stomping up the driveway!' I laughed silently.

Emily.

And bacon.

I abandoned my cereal without a second thought and opened  the door to find #Sam and #Emily whisper-yelling at one another at the end of the drive. Though, #Sam had a huge goofy grin on his face as he taunted his wife just enough that she didn't quite get mad at him for real.

A dangerous game to play with a pregnant woman. I laughed again when they noticed me and #Seth's bedroom door opened. 'Do I smell bacon?'

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I wasn’t sure what the time was when I made #Sam leave, He could spend all night sat here, and the sun would be out soon, bringing in a new dawn with it.

Ma woke up and with her sleepy eyes gave me a small smile. ‘You didn’t need to stay here Usdi. I’m a big girl now.’ She said as I help her out of bed to the bathroom. She drew the line at letting me help her inside saying. ‘I am the mother here!’ And even though I could given some form of a witty reply, I knew now wasn’t the time.

Leaning on the wall, I took out my phone when it buzzed reading the text on the screen. Something in my stomach twisted as I typed out a reply.

[ Up and telling me she is the mother here. So good sign? Don’t need anything. Ness took care of all of Ma’s needs. I can do the deliveries. It’s okay. But thanks for staying with the kid. He wouldn’t have been okay alone. -L ]

Hitting send I pocketed the phone as I heard the flush go and then the tap turn on. I helped Ma back into bed as I nurse came in with some more meds. ‘Mrs Clearwater, you are looking bright this morning.’ She was full of energy for this time in the morning, However I have to give her credit. The woman was like a wave of lightening looking over Ma, her meds and then telling her to sleep.

•- Embry Call -•

‘We can’t stay, my cousin is in the house with Kishil, he’s still sleeping and #Sam has work.’ Se explained. That meant the #Bear was here, I forgotten she was visiting tonight. #Emily told us there was breakfast and muffins for us and #Leah and few treats for she with some cleverly disguised flaxseeds and oats to give her a boost. Then she was on her way.

#Seth was laying out the food in the basket and I pulled out my phone to reply to #Leah. [Business as usual! Okay… let me Rephrase; I will be helping with the delivery at the bar. If you still want to help the cool, we’ll be done twice as fast, and you can get some sleep. Or you can let Mac and I help out and just get some sleep. It’s up to you.]

I had already texted him to tell him I could out he refused at first, but I convinced him it was a good plan and he agreed easily.

“We should eat and then you need to shower and head to the hospital and try to convince Leah to get a few hours of sleep.”

#Seth agreed and we tucked into our food, Leaving the box for #Leah well wrapped. 

Then we both started to get ready Just like it was on cue #Quil showed up with a back pack of clothes and a little hellraiser on his back. ‘Bry!!!!’ She cried and reached out for me to take her before #Quil could even say hello.  she was far too big for this, maybe because we never told her she was getting big for it she just never stopped… I mean that was why people stopped picked their  kids up like this, right? They got too heavy. But not to us.

I scooped her off my best friends back and hugged her, her leg dangling in the air and she squeezed with all her might. ‘Quil said you needed a Bear hug.’ She whispered and kissed my cheek. ‘“I always need a Bear hug.” I told her and kissed her cheek a half dozen times.

‘Where is mine!?” #Seth called out, coming out of the bathroom fully dressed with wet hair.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

[Lee, we got this. The Bar is covered you don’t need to come of worry about it, just spoke to Seth and Embry too. He is coming to help me.] I re-read the text from #Mac. And I knew that news was spreading. People were slowly starting to wake up and hear that Ma was taken to hospital.

Just as I was about to hit reply. Embry’s reply came in and I rolled my eyes. “These men are trying to gang up.”

Replying to Mac [Thanks, I owe you and will pay up I promise. -L] Hitting send.

Then reply again this time to Embry. [You always have the answers don’t you. Thank you for helping. It means a lot. -L].

This was something new, help… Accepting it and  not feeling like I had failed. ‘You are learning on your journey.’ My wolf whispered as she watched Ma with me. She had been awake the whole time keeping me in check.

I sat up and my eyes jumped to the door, the sound and the scent came to me and he was at the door. ‘Is this her way to get out of helping with the event next week?’ The nurse held the door open and then left us to her as Billy took his hat off. ‘How is she?’ He asked with concern in his eyes. ‘Why didn’t you call me last night?’ He gave Ma a once over before turning his chair to me and scolding me for trying to always do things alone.

“I wasn’t alone. The Kid was here, Ms C. Quil, Embry.. Jack and Ness too! And then Paul and Sam came…” I stopped because the door opened and #Jay was stood there.

‘I just got off my run.’ His eyes went from Ma to Billy and then to me. ‘What did I miss?’  

•- Embry Call -•

#Bear wriggled and jumped down to run and give #Seth a hug. and she started to bombard him with questions about #Sue. And to his credit with each answer he seemed to relax more, like the act of explaining it all delicately yet honestly was making him start to see that his Mom was really going to be okay.

"I'm sorry man... It completely slipped my mind that #Claire was coming." I whispered to #Quil.

'Don't worry about it. As long we can pick up some slack for Leah and Seth  that's all that matters.' He whispered back as #Seth deflected questions about visiting her in the hospital but he told her she was coming home today and we'd have to wait and see how she was feeling.

That was when #Quil decided to rescue him. 'C'mon #ClaireBear. Let's go home and make Auntie #Sue a card or something.'

I waited for a teenage eyeroll and the retort that she was too old for arts and crafts, but she smiled and agreed... because of course she did. This was  #Seth got another hug and then it was my turn. 'Are you going to be home later?' #Bear asked.

"Sorry Little Bear I had to change my shift so I could be at the hospital the #Sue, But I'll work things out and make sure I can at least have dinner with you guys. And you can wake up first thing in the morning and we'll do something fun." She beamed... I would have woken up when she did anyway as I always gave up my room for Claire when she stayed. It just made sense since I was the one coming home between two and four in the morning.

After they felt Seth and I finished up I skipped the shower because I was going to need one before work after my run anyway... Though the hospital smell was still lingering. but that was probably in my head because I was so tired of that smell after all the trips with Mom.

I drove #Seth back to his Mom's and get his truck and we went out separate ways with a hug and the promise he would text me if he needs anything. He went inside, probably to make sure that it was tidy for #Sue when she was home. But I turned the Jeep around and went right for the bar. I was already halfway there when I remembered never replied to Leah or told Mac I was on my way.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The morning rounds started with the nurses coming in to check on Ma and how she has slept. They offered her some breakfast which she hadn’t hardly toughed. #Jay and #Billy refused to go home when Ma told them that she would be fine. However, they did go outside when the Doctor finally arrived to check.

He was happy with her sticks, with the sleep she had, he told us his blood count was up, however he also told her that she needed to eat before they would let her go. Ma smiled her trademark smile saying that she would eat something nice and big once she was home and showered. She didn’t like to have her breakfast before she showered. So, I didn’t push. This was when I knew that she would be okay.

The minute the doctor was done with his work, she started to quiz him on why there was no ring on his finger. And I closed my eyes and counted to five before she said. “My daughter Leah, she’s right there behind you. She is single too. She is such an amazing young lady.” And I wanted to ground to open up.

When I opened my eyes, they were both looking at me, and the doctor for once had the look that said. “I get it, my mom does the same to me.” 

This time I didn’t even have a go at Ma when he and the nurses left. I didn’t care what she did, as long as she was here, fit and healthy. When #Billy and #Jay returned I asked if they could stay with Ma and make sure she eats her breakfast.

‘Where are you going Usdi?’ Ma asked, I kissed her head.

“I need to go and pay the bill Ma, I will be right back.” Kissing her head again, I left the room. I had only gone a few steps when I hear #Billy calling out my name from behind. Worried something had happened I ran back to him. “What happened? Is…” He held up a leather wallet. “What is this, Billy?” I asked

‘It’s what I have at home. Jake is going to the bank right now and will be back as soon as he has taken out what we have. Together we will pay this bill Lealea.”

I swallowed down that hard lump in my throat again. My hand on the wallet I lowered it to his chest. I knew how hard he and Jake saved. This money would be the reason what Jake would be happy to leave Billy. Knowing that his dad had something to fall back on.

“Billy, you have nothing to worry about. I have the money. The bill won’t be that much.” He gave me that look. He knew what the care in this hospital would put us back. “Have faith in my Billy. I have Ma covered. I have this covered. But…” I bent down on my knees to come eye to eye with him. “Thank you. Thank you for offering.”

•- Embry Call -•

I stepped out when I parked the Jeep at the front of the HWH, I stepped out. I could hear the truck approaching, but only barely SO I pulled out my phone and typed back to Leah:

[𝙰 𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝙹𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝙷𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚜' 𝚋𝚎𝚜𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗.]

Then a second one:

[𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝟸]

I smirked and made my way around to the back of the bar the double door were open and Mac walked out just as got there.

'What are you smirking about?' He asked. 'Good news from the hospital?'

"Yeah... #MrsClearwater is coming home today... but it could be a long few weeks of recovery. But I was just telling Leah she owes a few beers for helping out." I laughed ryly... just in case my expression gave any other ideas.

'How do figure that will work considering she insisted she could be here and she could handle it?' Mas teased as the truck pulled carefully around the building.

"Doesn't matter... Leah hates to think she owes someone. Even is she didn't ask... she still has the reward hard work." I smirked. It was true... she wouldn't really owe me... but it was how she saw things so if a few beers evened the scales I would drink them with gusto!

Mac tossed me a pair of work gloves and I pulled them on just the play human while we worked. "Alright, then boss... tell me where you want these?"

We got stuck in, I moved what the driver unloaded inside where Mac told me to take them while he checked everything off a list.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

From Lucky - [𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚊𝚌𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚍. 𝙸𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎, 𝙸 𝚊𝚖 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚘𝚊𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞.]

I read Lucky’s text twice before pocketing my phone and stepping out of the elevator on the admin floor. Feeling useless in this building whenever I came into it. Until I realised that I could help people by taking the pressure off of them when it came to this finally walk to pay the bill.

Then I set Ma’s insurance card down the woman behind the desk gave me a look. I knew what she was thinking. People like me didn’t tend to have insurance, people like me tended not to come off the Rez away from our small doctors clinic. Let alone the shock on her face when I told her I would clear the rest of the bill with my bank card and not a credit card.

‘It’s a lot of money dear.’ She smiled with a patronising tap on the back of my hand when I set the card down Before her. “I know. Funny enough I know how to read, write and count. Now… do your job… and take the payment.” One glare from me has her quaking in her heels. “And I want a full brown down invoice while you are at it….. thanks.”

I was never rude to the staff in hospitals. But women like this one, she thought herself high and mighty because she felt she had power. Little did she know.

My phone buzzes, I took it out and shook my head reading the text from Call.

To Call: [𝙸 𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎. -𝙻]

Hitting send I smirked a little. Not telling him what the better would be

•- Embry Call -•

#Mac finished checking off the delivery notice and started helping me move the boxes. I had taken care of the kegs first… they didn’t weight that much more than a case of beer bottles.. but they were more awkward to carry and knew he had an issue with his back already.

“Take your time will you?” I teased him. ‘You’re making me to look bad.” I tried to keep him talking as we worked but he was still lifting two cases at a time.

‘Do you need a little more time in the gym, Call?’ He laughed. ‘I’ll give you some pointers if you want?’ he teased right back.

I responded by lifting three cases and following him into the stock room. “I think I’m good!” I laughed. I felt my phone vibrate but I didn’t want to stop until this was done.

‘Show off!’ He scoffed. ‘I could do that.. but… I’m not as tall as a tree so I wouldn’t see where I’m going.’

“Keep telling yourself that.” I laughed.

And then he started to ask about the open mic night… things like why I never told anyone I could sing… and how shocked he was by Nessie’s voice. He wondered why neither of us ever pursued it as a career…

“Wait like… sing for a living?” I scoffed. “Nope! Were you not there that night? I about shat my pants on that stage!”

‘Only for the singing… I bet you’d get over that.’ He replied. Stopping the gulp down half a bottle of water.

I used the chance to reply to Leah.

To Leah:  [𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚛 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚍… 𝙷𝚘𝚠’𝚜 𝚂𝚞𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐? 𝙰𝚗𝚢 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚊 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚎𝚝?]

“Nah… what’s that saying about never doing what you love for a living? I think Ness feels the same.”

‘There’s a saying about that?’ Mac seemed to think.

“Isn’t there?” I shrugged. “Feels like there should be.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

‘How much stuff did Sue need for one night?’ Jay asked the moment the door was opened and I stepped inside.

“Ness.” Is all that had to be said, he smiled as he would knowing the meaning right way. We all knew the imprints so well, especially Ness. We all had spent time with that kid, as she grew up before our eyes. And now we knew how she would react, and this had her stamp all over it. Hadn’t I had this conversation already? I didn’t know it was all becoming one to me right now because my mind was on Ma in that locked bathroom.

‘I’ll take these down to the car and then be back to help.’ He said before lifting the page and heading out.

The sounds coming from the bathroom told me where Ma was, I gave the room a once over before turning to find #Billy right there looking up at me. ‘Well? How much was the bill?’

My eyebrows shot up with a roll of my eyes. “I told you Billy, it’s covered. We are all good.”

This man had been one of the first to pick me up when I came home. I heard the stories from Ma and Da about Aunty Sarah and Billy coming rushing over to decorate our home to welcome. So, he always thought he could read me. And at times he could because I left him a few bread crumbs. But today wasn’t that day.

The door behind him opened with Ma coming out. ‘Fine, but this conversation isn’t over.’ His voice low enough for me to hear but not for Ma.

“Yes, it is.” I muttered before worked my way around him to Ma’s side. “Are you really to go home?”

‘I am, I need a shower to get this hospital smell off me.’ I knew what she meant. It was something I was used to. Once I’d been around the Cullen’s for long enough everything else smelt like roses. ( Not really but yeah. )

‘The doctor said he would be back with some medication, then we can take Sue home.’ Billy told me. The two of them began to talk about something but I tuned it out. Leaning on the back wall I crossed my ankles and arms over my chest to watch them.

When my phone went off, I pulled it out and rolled my eyes.

To Call. [I was talking about lasagne, Wisearse! We are waiting for Ma’s meds and the Doc, should be out and bringing her home before lunch. -L]

Hitting send, I shot off the same ish text to #TheKid, and #Jake too. just letting them know.

•- Embry Call -•

Once we finished putting the boxes away #Mac tossed me a soda and sat at the bar next to me. “It’s weird seeing you on this side of the bar.” I chuckled.

‘Honestly… it’s weird sitting here.’ He admitted with a chuckle. ‘Lee and #Seth are gonna as take this hard.’ He said with a sigh.

“I stayed with #Seth last night, he’s okay. I’d say he’s at the hospital now… they’ll be fine once they do it together.” I assured him.

‘You do that a lot don’t you?’ He asked, brows pinched until a V appeared between them. I gave him a look that said ‘Do what?’

‘Look after people... Without them knowing you're doing it.’ he continued.

“Not really... I don't really do anything I'm just... There. Most of the time people know exactly what they need to do. They just need someone there... So...”  I shrugged.

‘That's still more than what a lot of people do... Probably better because you let them figure it out themselves.’ he was thinking out loud... I swigged from the can and pulled out my phone.

[That’s exactly what I had in mind. The bar is sorted. Try to rest when she is settled at home.]

Then I followed it up with another. Knowing we would both need to delete the message immediately. But it said everything that was needed to be said, I was here... No matter what she needed.

[I got you]

‘What about your mom?’ #Mac asked. ‘How is she doing?’

“Oh...” it was a topic I want expecting, which was stupid considering the topic was sick Moms. “I'm...  Yeah. She is doing better. I mean the only cure is a new kidney. But the medical grant from the council really took the pressure off and bring less stress out seems to have had a major impact.”

‘Seems to have worked for you too... You hadn't been the guy I was used to seeing around here for the last few months.’ #Mac added with a knowing look.

“Yeah... Trying to keep the bills paid and mom looked after... It was... Hard. But now I can focus on her.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I knew he was coming from the sound of his feet and his scent. Before he was at the door, I opened it and stood back so he saw Ma sitting up in bed laughing with the doctor and #Billy. His heart was hammering in his chest, and I could tell he was trying and failing to control himself.

“She is going to be okay kid.” I said in a low voice as he came to the door and stopped.

Watching him from the side I gave him the time he needed to take her in, to see for himself, because I knew I would have needed to confirm it for myself if I were him too.

‘She’s going to be fine.’ He repeated.

‘Here he is. My baby.’ Ma held her good arm outstretched towards him, beckoning him to come in. When he did, I kept the door open because I could hear #Jay coming too.

‘All set?’ he asked rubbing his hands together. Just as the Doctor gave Ma the sign off to leave.

“Looks like it.”

I took the prescription from the nurse giving it a once over. Letting the guys take Ma as I listened to the instructions of what was needed and when. Being told to keep the bandages dry for at least 72 hours, which meant we would have to be careful when we took her home, and she showered.

Leaving the room behind the others my phone went off and I read the two messages. A rush of calm came over me, and I knew I should delete that last part. Three little words, and it was so much more that I heard from it.

[Sure, you did. Thank you -L]

I didn’t need to say ‘thank you for helping Mac, for stepping in for the Kid and me, so that we could be here for Ma. Thank you for saying you have me. That no matter what, you will be beside me.’ Because he knew it was all inclusive.

Hitting send I rushed down the stairs as the rest went to the elevator. Running down then four steps at a time, I made it to the pharmacy on the ground floor. Showing then the discharge papers and prescriptions. Gathering them just as the others arrived in the lobby.

‘Sis, it may be best to take Ma home in mine, Jay is going to take Billy home, and…’

“I will drive Ma’s car back. It’s a good plan.” The porter rolled Ma out into the waiting area as the Kid came around. Only once they had all left, did I make my way to the parking lot to follow them back to La Push.

•- Embry Call -•

I helped Mac restock the bar… but they seemed to get most of that done after closing. Then I said goodbye to #Mac telling him to text me if he needed anything else.

I headed straight to #Billy’s I knew he wasn’t there but #Nessie’s had offered to stay so she could take my phone and the hospital beeper while I did my run. When I got there she was sitting on the porch at the top of Billy's wheelchair ramp staring out at the road instead of the trees… that is how I knew something was wrong.

I stood next to her and squeezed her shoulders.  “What’s on your mind little one?” I asked.

‘I just... it’s…’ she sighed. ‘They’re all going to die.’

I flinched; tact was never her thing. But neither was malice. Her hand flew up to her mouth. ‘Oh my god!’ She stood up in a flash and hugged me. ‘I’m so sorry… I shouldn’t have said that… not to you… I just…’

“It’s okay Ness. You can say these things. I know how you feel.” I hugged her back. “I know it’s hard for you to see them sick or hurt.” Them being the humans she loved. “It makes sense… most of your family is essentially indestructible. But you love harder than anyone i have ever met Little One. And every single human you’ve ever met is better just for knowing you.”

She sniffled now and I squeezed her a little. ‘But what do we do when they’re gone?’

“We hurt… until remembering them doesn’t hurt as much. And we love them anyway. We make them proud to have loved us when they were with us and remember everything, they taught us.”

She sniffled again and pushed me away. ‘I hate you sometimes, you know that.’ She wiped away her tears, but a weak smile broke through I could tell she was breaking through the dark cloud.

“No, you don’t.” I teased her.

‘You should go before you’re late.’ She swiped at her face again.

“Do you need me to call someone to keep you company? #Kim is home today…” I offered but she cut me off.

‘Quil is bringing Claire over…  We’re going to make jewellery.’ She laughed and I started to see the optimistic Ness again.

“As long as it's not leather…” I pointed to the cuffs on her wrists. “I think Quil would kill you.”

She shook her head and laughed. ‘No… she had a beading project for school. I said I would teach her since #Emily is so busy.’

“Awesome… Get her to make something pink and sparkle for Leah… she could use the laugh and she can’t say no to that girl.” Then I headed for the trees with the sound of my best friends imprint laughing behind me.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

With Ma settled in bed, I left her with #TheKid to get started on making some dinner. I knew that even one night away from home would had been hard on her. So, it would be best not to make her eat anything from outside. And really, I wanted to cook. Ma had always been in love with cooking, for her it was a art form that she would feed those who she loved with. She never backed down from feeding anyone who stepped foot into her home, or if she found out they were under the weather.

She had a fresh chicken and vegetables in her fridge, which meant I got to work on a soup. The chicken went into the oven to roast with some herbs, onion, garlic, and butter. And the veggies I began to clean  and chop.

#TheKid came down some time into the day to take ma up some tea, and then returned to help. ‘Ma’s sleeping. She cannot keep her eyes open.’

“It’s been a lot on her body. Sometimes… I guess we forget just how human she really is.”

We didn’t say anything else. I cooked and he baked. He wanted to make something, anything, it was more about doing something without time, because if we stopped, we would think, and if that happened. Then we would… I didn’t want to think about it.

Two hours later there was a knock on the door, we found #MsC and #Emily came in with a bag filled with food.

‘Leah. You should be sleeping. We have dinner made.’ I could hear the sounds of a kiddo in the bad, and then he was rushed in on the shoulders of #TheKid making my lips curl up into a smirk.

“I needed something to do.” I told them shredding the chicken.

‘Let’s face it. This house is going to be busy for the next few days. It will add be eaten.’ #MsC said as she was about to sit down on the table. I stopped her.

“No. In the living room. Or you can go and climb into bed with Ma. Your choice.” She smiled patting my cheek.

‘With Sue.’ She said. #The Kid handed the kiddo over to me and helped #MsC up to settle her with Ma.

‘Leelee.’ The Kiddo asked.

“Hmm?” 

‘Where is Ulisi Sue?’ (Grandmother)

“She’s not feeling well kiddo. She’s resting. You can play with Uncle Seth for now, and then later you can see her. Okay?”

‘They—’ I cut #TheKid off.

“Want tea.” Handing the kiddo back over I let #Emily do, her thing I told her she should be resting. And she said the same back to me. As I got to boiling some water for the tea and finish off the big pot of chicken soup.

•- Embry Call -•

After my run, I spent a few minutes with Claire at the Black's house, with ended with me covered head to toe in glitter and sporting a fabulous new red and black bracelet.

I made my way home to shower and shave (which I really needed). I knew I wouldn't need to leave out food for #Quil, he mostly ate at Emily's when he had #Bear.   Then I changed into my uniform and shot off a text to Leah.

To Leah - [Leaving the Jeep home tonight just in case. I know you hate driving, but you can’t exactly get your mom on the back of your bike. You won’t need it. But just in case. You know where the keys are.]

I took my bike to my mom’s, but the house was locked up and there was a note on the fridge - she was just as bad at texting as I was -  saying Emily had taken her to #Sue's the help The Kids. I laughed and stuffed that into my pocket because would get a kick out of being called a kid. The note also mentioned a language and specific instructions to reheat it in the oven and not the microwave. So, I naturally put a 𝕤𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕖 (half) of it into the microwave for five minutes. How had fifteen minutes to wait for a lasagne?

I poured a glass of milk and sorted through the mail. checking on Mom's pill organisers and checking to see which of her prescription needed to be refilled. Until the timer went off and then I sat at the table to eat with my music as loud as my phone would go.

I fucking hated eating alone. Guilt crept in at the  thought... what a stupid thing to think after everything that had happened... But I let myself feel it, then reminded myself what was important.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The mom’s ate their dinner in Ma’s room. The two were catching in low whispers the last time I listened to see if they needed anything. It was a  little tricky with #MsC here, Ma couldn’t just say she needed some water and then have me or #TheKid show up with a bottle. So, we had to listen and then go up asking if we heard them in need.

‘I cannot believe even Sue’s frozen soups taste this good.’ #Sam said standing from the table. He has arrived here from his run, to check in and then take his wife and son home. However, with dinner on the go. He wasn’t going to leave without eating.

‘No matter what she makes, it’s like eating in the land of the spirits.’ #Emily tasted her husband.

#TheKid glanced up at me from where he stood refilling his and #Sam’s bowl but didn’t say anything to the two. ‘Yeah, The Clearwater’s have magic in their hands.’ He finally said sitting down with the two bowls.

Once dinner was over, Sam said that he would drive #MsC home, however I frowned. Going upstairs to the two. “Hey Beautiful, why don’t you stay here the night? I can make up my bed for you. It would help the Kid and me a lot as your friend here will never listen to us.” Giving her the biggest ‘You would be saving me’ look I could. She had her evening meds with her, and I could drive her back home in the morning in time for her morning ones.

Telling the others of the change of plans, I set my room up for #MsC, giving it a quick dust, changing the covers, and making sure she had everything she needed for a comfortable night. I didn’t know why, But knowing that Embry was working tonight, I just needed these two women where I could see them.

‘I’ll take them up some tea.’ #TheKid told me when I came back down, the house was quite again with the little one gone. Giving me a moment to check my phone. It had buzzed which I was changing the bed.

Glancing over my shoulder, I stood reading his reply once again before replying.

To EMBRY - [If I need it, I will take it. The Kid is here for now, so things should be okay. I am keeping your mom here too. I need them both where I can see them. Don’t work too hard. -L]

Unsure how he would take the fact that I have kidnapped his mom,  my eyes were on the back yard and the shed. Slight scent of blood still in the air, however #Jacob and #Ness had done a good job with the clean-up. I knew I would have another go at cleaning in the morning.

‘Hey, are you heading home?’ #TheKid came back into the kitchen with the used cups from the Moms.

“No. I am staying,” I told him.

‘Sis, you were at the hospital last night. Go home, shower, change, sleep. I will be here all night. I am not going anywhere. I got this.’ I knew he did. But I couldn’t leave. I just couldn’t.

To Be Continued in Part Two

[blazingtheway]

Taking a Leap with  Faith - Storyline 12 - Together

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Why do I need to fool someone? Do you have someone in mind?”

•- Embry Call -•

A little memorized by those eyes… “Um… what were we talking about again?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking my head. “You are taking a running  jump off the cliffs. Are you game?”

•- Embry Call -•

“You know I’m always ready cliff dive!” Grins and rubs my hands together excitedly.

“You brave enough to join me without the audience this time?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising my eyebrow. “This was my idea, wasn’t it? So, what do you think?”

Looking over my shoulders to see who could be around.  “And no one to see how amazing I am? That’s harsh.”

•- Embry Call -•

I waggled my brows. “I’ll be there! I’ll see you.”

I smirked. “C’mon then, Trouble! On your bike.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“So, now you’re testing that whole being demanding thing too?” Walking away towards my bike.

“Race you up there, Dimples.” Throwing my leg over the body of my baby.

•- Embry Call -•

Damn that was sexy… I bite my lips and admire those long legs, straddling the powerful machine. Which was more powerful I wondered?

“Always a race with you!” I chuckled and mounted my old lady. There was way she could keep up with Leah’s beast. But it as one of the reasons I loved her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My baby sang with his power, no revving was ever necessary. I didn’t need to show him off. He did it for himself.

Shrugging my shoulders. “I didn’t mean the ride. I meant the moment we are off them and, on our feet, Wisearse.”

There was no fun if it wasn’t a fair competition  “So, see you at the bottom of the cliffs.”

Not a question, a statement instead as I pulled my baby off his stand and set off without a backwards glance.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed. She would never go for an easy win. “We’ll see… I can’t promise I’ll give t my all though… I like the view from a few feet behind you.”

My old lady started smoothly and like a ten-year-old engine… She was always reliable. I took off and followed her along the route all of us took. Never pushing the bike beyond her comfort zone. She was always good to me when I was good to her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sound his bike make wasn’t one you could mistake for anything else. We all knew it and recognised it.

My lips curled up into a smile, the wind blowing into my face and hair was enough to send me to my happy place.

Even without music playing, the wind has its own tune, and it sang it loudly.

I rode in and out of the few cars and trucks we passed by. Leaving them all behind without even trying to.

•- Embry Call -•

The traffic was light, and my bike may be older than me... But she easily outpaced the trucks and most of that car too... Just enough that I don't lose sight of Leah.

The salt air on my face was a welcome and at the speed of it whipping by it made my blood hum for the thrill of the fall.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

The sounds are f the world wasn’t what I heard as I took the winding roads. It was the hum of the spirits, with the call of the forest on one side and that of the ocean on the other.

Our ancestors were calling, where speaking and it gave me a rush to answer them in my own  way.

As soon as the ocean came into sight, I kicked my foot to change gear and turn off towards the edges of the climb.

We created our own trail up the cliffs, one that no one would follow. Keeping it well hidden from any roaming eyes.

•- Embry Call -•

Off the road, the scent of sea and forest mingled together with an intensity that reminded me of sleep all wrapped up with Leah. This was where she picked up that scent that lingered in her hair.

We followed the trial worn into the earth after so many  years of feet and tyres  wearing it smooth and bear.  When the trail ended, I rested my bike on the kickstand and turned off the engine. "I'm guessing this race of yours starts now?" I smiled as a light rain started... that meant that the beaches would be empty in minutes if they weren't already.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“No. No.”

Not turning to face him, I could hear it all. The bike being set up on her kickstand, Embry climbing off, and way the forest waiting with the anticipation of what was to come.

“It… starts now!”

The words left my lips and my feet and body turned to the tail setting off. I wasn’t going to give him a head starts. And he should have been prepared to go the second his feet hit the soil.

The wind blew my hair back off my face, and I Turing my eyes back for a beat to see where he was, and the look on his face.

•- Embry Call -•

Even if I had started running the second, I was off my bike she still would have caught up and passed me... So, I wasn't about to add insult to injury by taking off early and still losing. I chuckled... Silver lining; the view from behind was spectacular!

I still took off as fast as I could to keep her in my sights. The rain whipped against my face the smell is sea breezes and the damp earth was at its freshest. And keeping hidden the fact we were here alone... Together.

Timing.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Those first drops of rain in the day had an impact on your senses. It was like a clean morning with nothing but sunshine (even when there was no sun anywhere. If you know. You just know.)

tilting my chin up I let the drops of rain fall in my skin, seeing the heat of my body evaporating it, leaving the ocean behind.

My wolf pawed at me, this was her time. The forest, the damp soft ground under our feet, the breeze in our hair, the rain…. It was all something we looked forward to.

But she knew. She knew we couldn’t shift. The moment we did we would be found. And the bubble would be broken.

•- Embry Call -•

Water steamed around us; Leah’s face was tilted high. The rain drops clung to her eyelashes and ran down her cheeks. The sound of waves on rocks called to us. Pulling us towards shore, towards that glorious drop.

The trees thinned and we stopped right at the edge of the cliff. The wind whipped fiercely here, and I laughed, holding out my arms. I was thoroughly soaked my t-shirt clung to my torso. I felt the rushing air and the salt spray they didn’t quite reach us, the rain…. The hum on the wind.

“Ever feel like the Spirits are trying to tell you something?” I smiled wide. They had given us a perfect moment hidden and unhidden all at once.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Standing at the edge of the cliffs I didn’t look down, my gaze moved out. Out into the heart of the ocean, where the spirits showed me the boats of our peoples past. The hum of their song, and moments in which they worked for their tribe.

I smiled when his footsteps came rushing up from behind, turning my head just enough to see the sight that would have made my heart jump in the bubble. It wasn’t that he looked like Adonis on top of this cliff, with the small break in the clouds shadowing the light  on him. but that smile, the sound of his breathing and his heart. The scent of him mixed with the world that we were born to protect. And out in the open, the spirits had made sure we were alone.

However, right now with the walls up inside of me, everything was still. Telling me it would hold on to this moment for me to live later.

“They never stop telling us things, we just need to close our eyes and listen.” Which I did. Turning back to the water, my eyes closed listening to them and with it the beating of his heart.  

•- Embry Call -•

She turned her gaze back to the ocean but mine stayed on her. She was beautiful… that word wasn’t nearly strong enough to describe her.

I turned to her, my senses casting out into the woods behind us, having checked all the beaches were empty. I touched her cheek, leaned in like I might kiss her and paused.

What would it be like? To kiss her here?... In this spot where so much our evolution was sparked?... By me throwing her off this very cliff. But we were here... Together. Just us... The ancestor protecting our moment of freedom.

“Take your clothes off, Clearwater.” I whispered my voice deep and a tiny bit breathless, but not from the run. It was the closeness and excitement for the dive.

I stepped backed and kicked out of my boots as I simultaneously pulled off my shirt.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Turning into him, the space closed between us and yet the wind still blew through the distance left there.

My eyes opened to find his, the earthy colour that opened up a vault of feelings and emotions that belonged to him.

His breath was felt on my skin as I held mine. There is was again. That sound, his beating heart I would know without seeing him.

Pressing my lips together, my eyebrow arched up. My heart betrayed me with its reaction, but I stayed still.

Watching him kick his boots off, and then his skin came to light as his shirt dropped.

A flash back to the night it all began. This evolution between us, came rushing back.

“How didn’t I see this coming?” I whispered.

Slowly, my boots came off one by one. And then my jacket. My fingers worded the buttons of my shirt before I slipped it off too.

•- Embry Call -•

My gaze fixed on hers, she always held her breath when I pressed against the edges of her boundaries. My heart fell out of time, and I smiled; apparently, I didn't need to kiss her to have the desired effect.

I stripped down to my boxers, there was no point trying to find somewhere out of the rain to leave our clothes... They were already soaked.

I watched Leah remove her clothes... Now my heart was racing, my teeth caught my lower lip.

“Because then you would have had a head start.” I answered her whisper. “And there's no way I could have caught up.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

"So, what you are saying is..." Folding my clothes even if they are wet, I set them on the rocks for later. "...Is that the Spirits stacked the cards against me? Interesting."

They hadn't. It wasn't how they worked. But to keep me in one place long enough to see my path that they would have done.

"I could still run." My brown eyes darkened moving to his chest to where his heart gave him away.

"Eyes up Call. Don't want you having a heart attack right here. Would be hard for me to explain it to the others."

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled... "Maybe they were just levelling the playing field considering you're normally ten steps head."

I smiled at her, she wasn't going to run... But I had promised I wouldn't chase her if she did. I couldn't help but wonder if that was a promise I could keep after all that had happened now.

I didn't let the thought linger... because that just wasn't how my mind worked.

My brows raised. "She says as her eyes move south." I teased her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Arching my eyebrow, now my eyes were on his. The look on my face deadpan as I curled my lip and said. “Don’t worry yourself Embry Call, you have nothing…… I don’t have already.”

The words had changed slightly since the last time we were up here. But it was still as true as the first night we had that conversation. I didn’t want anything, because now. Now we had each other in so many ways.

“Now, are your planning on staying up here acting like you are a runway model. Or are we jumping?” Moving gracefully towards the edge.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled... "Oh sure... nothing you left nightstand can't fix right?" I winked. "That's why you keep letting me in. "Besides... it's still too soon to really know if that nightstand is... up to standard."

"Please! Runway models wish they could be this hot." I stepped up next to her and looked at the waves below, then back to her.

"Together?" I smiled that smile she couldn't resist.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Shaking my head. “Your kind of hooked on my nightstand, aren’t you? Want me to give you both some alone time?”

My laughter escaped from deep inside. “I’d be worried if you thought anyone could put shine you.”

My gaze turned to the waves below us, the wind blowing and the ocean spray. “Scared to jump alone?”

Turning to face him again. My hand slowly opened up in offer to him. “I’ve got you.”

•- Embry Call -•

I winked at her and leaned in to whisper. "I just want to blindfold you... open it up and see what sounds I can coax out of you with your stash." There was no chance of me being heard here. But my lips against her ear just added to my words.

I looked down at her hand and my heart gave me away. Did Leah Clearwater just hold out her hand to me? I mean... she'd taken me by the hand metaphorically a lot recently... but this?

This was a first.

I slipped my hand into her and squeezed. "You have no idea how true that is." I said with a smile... and she had more and more of me the further we travelled along this path.

I strode for the edge of the cliff and with her hand still in mine... We jumped.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Thanking the spirits for my walls because that should have had my insides melting. The images that could have come to life in my mind if we were in our bubble would have churned me full of energy and pleasure.

But this wasn’t the time or the place, even if his breath tickled my ear. I didn’t need to say another as we stepped up and then stepped free of the land. The air came blowing up, my hair flying freely my body arching and turning to fall fast down the sides of the cliffs. My breath flowed easily from my lungs and my lips curled up into a smile.

This was the best of it all. Where the heritage of our lands, the water, the air and the fire within took over and everything else was forgotten for the few seconds of weightlessness.

•- Embry Call -•

She was so much better at self-control than I was.

But the fall. The freedom and thrill of it. Adrenaline pumped through my veins. I let go of her hand as we both twisted into the dive… as epic as it would be to both dive into the ocean with our hands locked… it wasn’t even the tiniest bit practical when hitting the ocean at this speed.

But Leah Clearwater offering me her hand was epic enough for me today.

The Ivey water reached up to greet us… The cold embrace of the sea against searing hot skin was always and exhilarating shock .to the system.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

As soon as he let my hand go, they came together over and above my body, making the tip of a hot knife as it cut through the ice-cold water.

I was listening to his heart the whole way down. It was so unlike me. I liked to listen to the world, to the sky, the ocean. But today. it was Embry’s heartbeat.

Hitting the water just at the moment and point of entry we all knew so well. Missing the rock that could rip in apart, into the ocean who opened her arms to welcome us.

Down.. down.. down… I went, until I tuned myself and kicked up.

•- Embry Call -•

We dropped below the surface; I sank down and watched Leah twist her live body beneath the waves. Her powerful body kicked to the surface. She was a goddess... Strong, gorgeous... And slipping father from my reach.

That just wasn't acceptable.

I swam to the surface, shook the hair from my face and let out a satisfied laugh.

After a quick glance to the cliff top, I reached out to her and took hold of her pulling her close and dragging both of us under the water. The heat of her skin on mine always excited me. But here... In the icy water it was even more intense. I kicked my legs a spun us both in the water before surfacing again. “Looks like I've got you too.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My hands cupped together like a comb, moved from my face back into my hair pushing the water off me as I opened my eyes for the second time. “You have some balls Embry Call!” Laughing now as I bobbed up and down in the water.

For the second time my eyes scanned the shoreline as well as looked up at the cliff face where we jumped from. No one had come out and we are still alone. The rain battering down helped to keep the beached clear, a helpful hand for those who watched and sang over out souls.

“You were the one to push me down Wisearse.” Two strokes and I was up by him again, this time both my hands flat on his shoulders and my feet kicked up to give him an almighty push back down under the water.

•- Embry Call -•

I watched the way she slicked her soaking hair back from her face. Sexy… distracting. But I just shook mine out of the face again. Leaving strand plastered to my forehead and cheeks.

“I think we’ve already established that… more balls than common sense.”  I laughed. The  rain was louder on the water, and the sound was perfect. Keeping our voices from carrying.

Then she dunked me, and my arms reached to grab her and drag her down with me, but she was too quick.

I swam under her and popped back up behind her. “You know… it’s unfair that  you’re that quick on land and in the water.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Me eyes reminded on his form under the water, the waves and the rain distorting the view a little as I searched for him, following the sound of his heart.

I swirled around in the water kicking my legs and my arms, to find him breaking up through the water behind me. Me eyes reminded on his form under the water, the waves and the rain distorting the view a little as I searched for him, following the sound of his heart.

I swirled around in the water kicking my legs and my arms, to find him breaking up through the water behind me.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed. "I mean it's not that hard when I can see everything they can see. Also... Because I can do it means anyone else in the hive can see it too... Your speed is only ours. And way more useful."

I splashed her when he brushed my hair from my face. "Unless there's wolves rogue and we can't find them."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Snapping my teeth at him, my hand came up to cover my face from the water out of habit. Because let’s face it, the rain and being in the ocean. There was no way out of being wet.

“Waiting. Is Embry Call under selling his skills? Not taking credit for something he can’t do  better than anyone else? Spirits. We didn’t see that coming.”

Pushing back against the waves hitting my back.

“My skills. I’m kick arse. And all of you know it.”

•- Embry Call -•

I just laughed. “The spirits give us what we need to fulfil our duty. It a one of the many, many skills I have that I don't brag about. I'm just grateful it was gifted to me.”

The sea rocked us closer together and further apart as she saw fit. It was one of the things I liked about being in the water, the constant motion it took just to keep your head above water. Not a frantic struggle... But still, every kick stroke had a purpose.

“Do you want to swim to the beach or brave the slippery climb?”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“So, unlike you. I’m not used to you not bragging about something or another.”

But as I said the words, it occurred to me. He wasn’t doing it as much these days. Embry Call’s path of evolution had come with so much of him I didn’t even see coming.

My eyes moved to the climb  and then the swim. “Rock face you have the upper hand, the swim... I do. Which shall we pick?”

Without saying another word, I started swimming towards the cliffs. “I do like a challenge.”

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled... "If make you feel any better, I still maintain I'm the best-looking guy in the pack... and of course, my musical skills are top class."

I grinned when she started for the cliffs. "You never take the easy road do you." I chuckled and swam after her. It was a treat  her I could admire one day and next it meant she was beating herself up about something beyond her control.

When we tucked in close to the cliff face and took hold of her. Bracing one arm on the rocks peeking above the surface to stop the waves from pushing us into them. We were hidden here. From the beach and cliffs.

"Don't drown me." I smirked before I kissed her.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“You learn nothing on easy roads. I want to learn.”

And I knew he would teach me. I was never ashamed to say show me or Tech me. Learning was a gift; one I could appreciate.

The moment his arm came around me and he pulled me in. I could have punched him in the face.Because I saw it in his eyes now. Just before he did something. And then those words asking not to be killed.

We were hidden, but this wasn’t the bubble. And rules were in place for a reason. But I kissed him back once before mumbling.

“First warning. Next time you die.”

•- Embry Call -•

Her kiss was brief but still... My heart had barely started to relax from the thrill of the jump, it sped up again. I chuckled looking up at the rain. “They’ve given us a perfect moment. I know you love the rain...” I pressed our bodies as close she would let my, still braced away from the rocks with one strong arm.

“Are you telling me that kissing me here... Out in the wild where belong isn't doing something for you?” I smiled. “They've protected us here.” I believed it was true... I could feel as easily as I could feel the heat of her skin even freezing water. “Remember the part about being grateful for the gifts the Spirits give us?” I brushed the tip of my nose to hers because she hadn't moved away. Then I let her go, because this wasn’t our bubble and stealing kisses, she wasn't expecting inside of our safe space was fair game... But here. We both had to want it.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Glancing all around us, the cliffs above us, the water under. The wind and the rain keeping the sounds of our words and our heart hidden, as well as the sea and forest keeping the scents flowing away from the lands.

I closed my eyes listening to the songs in the wind. And all  they were doing to keep us out from being found.

“Spirits.”

They were listening for me so that I could…. “Live in the moment.” I whispered just as he let go of me. My hand reached out gripping a hold of a smooth rock with a grove unit just the right size for my fingers. the wave moved me away from him, and then back again.

“You know what you are being close to me does.” My body always betrayed me. But I had it on lockdown. Until now. Until now I didn’t show what the touch of his kiss, the sound of his heart, the heat radiating between us did to me. But all at once I let my walls down just enough for him to witness it first-hand.

•- Embry Call -•

I smiled when she said my mantra out loud. "Wise words!" I chuckled. "And because of that philosophy, I can now officially say that I've kissed a woman in the rain... and in the ocean."

I watched her easily hold her own against the waves. I took the first handhold at the bottom of the cliff.

"Ready to climb... or are you still..." My gaze locked on her... those eyes always made my heart beat double time. "... Living in the moment."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Raising the eyebrow, I snapped my teeth. “Glad I could help mark things off your list.”

Our eyes locked, I pulled myself up out of her water to below my chest. My hand holding on tightly.  “I’m ready to see how this works out for you. Shall we?”

Eyes now on the rock face my hand reaching out to the next edge to grip, using my upper body strength to pull free of the icy waters while it steamed off my body.

•- Embry Call -•

I swallowed… hard. This woman was hot as fuck… but she was soaking wet, steaming like goddess, and hauling herself up a cliff face… ever muscle in that powerful body primed and ready… she defied description.

Even in the frigid water my blood rushed.  “Uh…” I chuckled. “I might actually need a minute.”

My toes found purchase on a ledge below the water. “Apparently the Pacific Ocean isn’t a cold enough shower when you’re around.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

My bare feet found a slot and I hung there looking down at the water and the steam coming off his skin. With an almighty roll of my eyes my lips curled up into a smirk. Thinking of the words he always uses on me.  “Why, do you see something you like? Take a picture. It’ll last longer.”

Reaching up with my free hand to the next rock, my hand slipped. But I caught myself trying again, while waiting for Embry to ‘cool down’.

•- Embry Call -•

I had no doubt that she could catch herself I did tense a little… falling here would not be fun. Not that it would do any damage they wouldn’t heal in a few hours from this low down… we were built to protect. None of us could stop that reaction.

“Need me to catch you if you  fall Clearwater?” We couldn’t help but tease one another.  “And you already know I like everything that I see.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Growling as I looked down over my shoulder at him. “Just move out of the way and let me fall. The spirits of the ocean will cup their hands for me.”

Also, it would mean that I wouldn’t take him down if I fell. Hurting myself I could deal with. Hurting another because of my own mistake was unacceptable to me. “You do know this is a race, right? Or are you planning to test how long it takes your skin to prune?” 

The answer… our skin didn’t do that, it was always healing and protecting.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed... "Oh yeah sure... Is that even biologically possible?" My brow raised. We both knew it wasn't, those instincts to save and protect profuse every fibre of our beings.

"Maybe I'm just enjoying the view?" I chuckled and reached out long arms the hoist myself up until I was level with her. "Try to keep up." I pushed up with my legs, toes gripping the narrow crags in the rockface to push me higher.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Arsehole!” Laughing as I said it, because of course his arms were longer. And the way he came up from behind and now I was looking up at him as he took the lead.

“Maybe I should have made the most of my head start. You’re just showing off now.” who could blame him, looking up at the view of him from behind have my hackles rising. The way his muscles curved….

“Such a distraction.” I muttered.

‘But what a view!’ My wolf pruned.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed... she knew I could still hear her. "See something you like, Trouble?" I glanced down at her, but I didn't stop. As soon as she started to move, I would lose my lead fast.

The question was; would I lose it before I reached the top?

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Shut up!”

Snapping my teeth at him I hung from one hand, wiping my hand over my face to clear away the salt water and rain from my eyes, and then I began.

I’d watched his route and I wasn’t ashamed to follow in his trail. Heaving myself up one length at a time.

��- Embry Call -•

I laughed and kept climbing, my glances down showed me that she was reaching for the handholds I had used. Clever... I wouldn't call myself an avid climber... But thanks to #Sam’s literal approach to rising above our interpersonal issues in the pack I was experienced at it... This was something she’d learned not that long ago. She was never the type to ignore a chance to learn.

“Someone learns fast.” I chuckled.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Someone isn’t a fool.” Gritting the words out of my teeth as my arm muscles tensed as I pulled myself up the next level shy of his feet.

“Where would I be if I didn’t pay attention?” Biting the inside of my cheek, I hunt myself with my toe pushed into a crevice, looking, and finding my next hold.

•- Embry Call -•

"Oh, I've noticed." I laughed and heaved myself up another arm’s length. "And smart women are really hot."

She was definitely learning Normally she flew up the side of the cliff but lost perches when they crumbled under pressure. Testing the sturdiness was faster, you didn't  lose time catching yourself and starting to climb again.

"Almost there."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Just like musicians are nerds, huh?”

My next hold caught loose rocks making that hand slip, however my other hand was still holding strong. So, when my body fell, I dangled looking down at the dark waves crashing into the rocks below.

“Spirits, need to slow down.” I muttered to myself before swinging myself around finding another hold.

Taking a few breaths my eyes scanned the cliff side to see where to go next.

•- Embry Call -•

“Don’t forgot let the hot part.” I chuckled. I looked down but didn’t insult her by asking if she was okay. One crumbling handhold was enough to bring her down. “Musicians are HOT nerds.”

I waited her catch up, just a little bit. “See…. Racing is overrated sometime, Isn’t it?” I teased.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Sure, sure. If it helps you live a little happier, I guess you could have it.” My muscles tensed and then relaxed into an even rhythm when I found myself moved upwards again.

“It’s like a song. Climbing? Once you pick up the sound and the beat.” My hands and get just moved together keeping my body moving forward.

“Racing is never overrated. It’s like you don’t even know me.” Reaching up I smacked the back of his calves. He was in reach of me now.

•- Embry Call -•

I glanced at her and smiled; her skin was still steaming... Probably from the rain at this stage. From this angle she was incredible, every line and curve of muscle... My mother watered. “I supposed it is a combination of technique and inspiration...” I flashed her a grin as I reached for the top of the cliff, one last push to the top.

“Never.” I smirked. “Even when you lose.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Spirits!” Growling as I pushed myself up another arm’s length, but it wasn’t fast enough to catch him. Seeing him pull himself that last edge and over I knew I’d lost.

‘Gives us more of a reason to keep trying.’ My wolf grumbled because she disliked losing as much as I did. “Keep up the smugness Wisearse. One day…”

I moved faster having remembered the placement of his hands and feet, I followed them. “…I will win, leaving you in my dust.” Pulling myself up and over the ledge. Looking to find him right away.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed and pulled myself up over the ledge just ahead of her. "I do not doubt it."

"I do not doubt it!" I smiled down at her, watching her pull her live form up over the ledge with an ease that would have had blood rushing if it wasn't for the fact, we were no longer  hidden at the base of the cliff.

There was zero sarcasm in my tone. I knew it was true as much as she did. "And when it happens, I will enjoy the view immensely."

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“I would expect nothing less, your eyes are going to get your arse into trouble someday.”

Turning to face the water I sat on the ledge I just climbed over. The rain was still falling, steaming off my body, my muscles felt alive and ready to climb a mountain however, for me the view was the thing that made me still.

“It always feels peaceful up here.” I told him as I noticed the break in the weather in the distance. It would be heading inland soon I was sure by the way the wind was blowing.

•- Embry Call -•

I dangled my feet over the edge, sat next to her. Following her gaze. “It sure us… until it’s over run by a hoard and of stomping, gossiping, hyperactive puppies.” I chuckled.

“But even then… there’s something special about too. I spent a lot of time here when it was just  four of us. It was the only place I felt like I wasn’t hiding.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

I pulled my eyes free from the horizon to gaze over to him. Taking in his side profile as he took in the world. I’d heard the pack all exchanging stories of their step into finding their warriors. But I never asked questions. I didn’t want to know because I had no plans on sharing my own.

“Sam, Jay, Paul, and You lead the path. Such show offs.” They we’re far from it.

“We still have to hide, Embry. Look at the pups who are trying to find their way through it all. Sure, they have the OGs to support them. But… somethings have to be done alone.”

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled. “I know... I don't just mean hiding our calling... I mean back then, with my temper... While we were still learning we vented... We fought... Maybe even cried. We just got to let it all. And it wasn't just bad stuff either.”

I didn't try to deny the showing off  part... There was no point. I would lose, and I knew it.

“Then the others started to phase and there just more and more memories made here.” I bumped her shoulder with mine. “None are better than tackling you off the cliff.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Slapping his shoulder, I also snapped my teeth at him. Before combing my fingers though my long-wet hair pulling it all to one side listening to him.

Rolling my eyes at the last comment. “Oh please, I’m sure you had more fun showing your skills off to the girls you jumped with.”

Some of them used to do that (from much lower down of course. Because who in their right mind would jump from up here?) “I still think I should have drowned you that night.” So much had happened that day with me. “If only there weren’t any witnesses.”

•- Embry Call -•

“So hot.” I muttered almost silently when she snapped her teeth. The way she wrongs her finger through my hair made mine twitch with the want to do the same.

“Never brought girl to the lower cliffs.” I chuckled. “Seemed too much like a date… I did flirt with the girls the brought though.” I winked.

“This place was always just for us.”

•- Leah Clearwater -•

Resting my palms flat behind me, I leant back with my gaze back out on the water. Watching the clouds beginning to break. “Too much like a date.” Repeating his words. “We don’t do dates.” My lips curled up a little.

Both Embry and I was known for it. (Well, he was. I was  just known for not seeing anyone. There was no insight into my life.) “And this is why the pups don’t want to bring their dates around us.” It wasn’t true, just a tease. “You are showing them up.” Tutting I clicked my tongue.

•- Embry Call -•

I chuckled, following her gaze out to sea where a clear break the rain cloud could see. Making it was toward us. It was like an hourglass on our time here. The Spirits telling us  that not all perfect moments needed to last forever; they were only to be remembered, always. And lived in the now.

“Nope… not at all. We don’t do dates.” But I didn’t think a date would be an inaccurate description of today. I laughed again. “Hey… if they aren’t afraid to lose her or him then they don’t deserved them in the first place.” I was talking the guys that dated… fear of losing an imprint was different.

•- Leah Clearwater -•

“Fear of losing is once thing. Fear of losing to you… that’s a challenge.” Half smiling at the comments and the teasing I’ve seen over the years between all of them while I stood back and away. It was a good way to gather the bigger picture and see things they couldn’t.

I sat for a little while just looking from the sea over to him. Something had changed that day when we were last up here. I hadn’t seen it in that moment, or maybe I had but had not indication as to what I was witnessing.

Finally, I shifted. “It’s time.” With no need to say anything else. The moment had come to a close. It was going to become a memory now. One that I wanted to keep close for a long time.

•- Embry Call -•

I laughed… “It not my fault my that the ladies love me. I’ve tried to teach the pups my ways… but they just can’t pull it off.”

I turned to smile at her. “I think it is.”

It had a great, unexpected afternoon. The rain was still pouring and shielding us discovery here. Our combined scent washing away before it could settle.

“Let’s go, Trouble.” I pulled myself up to go and get redressed into my rain-soaked clothes.

𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔼ℕ𝔻