rhyme a dark imprint
TRANSCRIPT
8/2/2019 Rhyme A Dark Imprint
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rhyme-a-dark-imprint 1/37
idontownanythingStephenieMeyerownsthecharactersandtootooownstheplot
RhymeADarkImprint
Prologue
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ThefridgewhooshedanotherbreezeofcoldairinmyfaceasIdugmyselfinsideit.Themixedscentofgarlicandbeefalmostturnedmeoff,almostdiscouragedme.Mywillbuiltupinsideme.Youhavetodothis,Mary,Ithought,youhaveto.Bloodrushedthroughmyveinsandmytremblinghandwentinalittlefurther.Mybreathcaughtinmythroat,myheartdoingleaps.Theshiny,perfectbrownbeauty,hiddeninthefarcornerofmydisgustingbrother'stinyfridgewasdefinitelyworthit.Icouldimagineitinmymouth,desolving,sendingjoltsofecstasythroughmybody.
Finally,Iwasjustaninchclose.Thereitwas:themomentofvictory,ofpurebliss.
"Mariah!"
Ifroze.Perfecttiming,bro.Justplainperfect.
"Whatareyoudoinginmy-oh,"myannoying11-year-oldbrothersaidoncehesteppedinhisroom."Chocolateagain?Ithoughtwetalkedaboutthis."
Shamefully,Idraggedmyselfoutofhisroom,silent.Yousee,Iwasonadiet.Achocolate-freediet.Andme,beingthechocoholicIwas,couldn'tresisttheflamingdesireinsidemetocalmmyselfwithasoothing,largebiteofthisbrownbliss.Todaywasjustbad,andabitewouldn'thavemadeahugedifferencetomydietasmuchasitwouldhavetomyhappiness.
Thedaystartedoutprettysmoothly-Iwokeupatsevensharp,jumpedintomyf
avoriteskinnyjeansandredsweaterandwalkedtoschool.Schoolwasokay.ThenIgothome,andloggedintomyaccounts,andfoundarather-disturbinge-mailfrommybelovedex.
ThelastthingIneededwastoopenmye-mailtofindthis:
DearMary,
I'mgoingtofindyou.Youcan'tjustdisappearandexpectmetobeokaywithit,youknow?Youliedtome,youmademebelieveyouweresomethingyouneverwere.You'regoingtopayforthis,Ipromiseyou.
8/2/2019 Rhyme A Dark Imprint
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Chapter1
"...andthenJenniewaslike,whatthehellandthenIwaslike,youdeserveit.Thenshewaslike,ohyeah?Andshehadthislookonherface..likeshewasup
tosomethingbad.Idunno,Idon'treallycare.Imean,what'sthemostshecando,really?Manicuremylocker?She'ssochildish,youknow.Idon'tknowhow..."Stacyrambledinmyear.Itriedmybesttotunemyfriend'svoiceout,butitwasjustphysicallyimpossible.Iburiedmyheadinmypillowasshewenton."...alright?I'llpickyouupinanhour."
"Huh?"
Shesighed."Themall!We'remeetingtheguysatthemall.Nessiesaidshe'dbringsomeotherfriends,too-somepeoplefromForksIguess?Notreallysure..butthey'recominginJake'sRabbitsowe'regonnahavetofetchourownride.Tomsaidhe'ddriveusthere-getyourlazyassupandgetready."
Igroaned."ButIdon'tfeellikegoingtothemall,"Iwhined,"I'mtired."
"Get.Ready."
AndthenIheardtheoh-so-familiarbeepandIknewIhadnochoice.God,whydidIhavetoendurethis?IsweartheonlyreasonIeverhungoutwithStacyandtheguyswasbecauseofMatthew.MattandIwereneighbors,andhewasthefirst,andmostwelcoming,personImetaroundhere.SinceImovedtoPortAngelesaboutsixmonthsago,Matthasbeenmyclosestfriendandally.IrememberwhenIfirstsawhim,thedaywemovedhere,andhewassopissedathislittlesisterthathekeptyellingacoupleofherratherembarrassingchildhoodmoments,notnoticingtherewerepeoplearound,andIkeptlaughingathim.Ihadn'tlaughedsogenuinelyinages,soitwasmorethanrefreshing.
NextthingIknow,we'reinseparable.Wespentthewholesummertogether,sometimeshiking,othertimesjustwatchingamovieathomeormakingahugefamilydinner.Itwasn'tuntilschoolstartedthatIknewhewasoneofthoseboys-thejockthatonlycaresaboutsportsandhisratheridioticfriends.Butheneverforgotorignoredme.Andthisishow,ladiesandgentlemen,IwasfriendswithStacy(okay,somaybeshewasn'tcompletelybadbutshewasstillannoyingashell),hisbestfriend'sgirlfriend,Samantha,thechickwhosurfstoomuchandNessie,theCullens'centerofinterest,andthereforethemostfamousgirlatschool.
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Beingfriendswiththistypeofpeoplehadneverbeenaqualityofmine.ButonceIleftmyoldlifebehind,Iknewtherewasnocomingback,andhavingfriends,nomatterhowsuperficialIthoughttheywere,wasprobablythebestthingthatcouldhappentome.Mattneverknewofmypast,orwhomIleftbehind,butheknewsomethinghappenedandhewaskindenoughnottoaskwhatorwhy.
Igotupfrommybed,stretching.Afteralongdayatschool,allIwantedwastogetsomesleep,butohwell.Iquicklychangedintomyskinnyjeansandanextremelyoversizedt-shirtthatwentmid-thighandmysneakers.Stacywouldjusthavetodealwiththis.Iwasinnomoodfordressingup,especiallywithotherguysaround.Ijustwasn'tyetcomfortablewithhavinganykindofattention,nomatterhowminor,fromnewpeople.Iwasoneofthosegirlswhousuallydisappear-youdon'tnoticethem,notevenwhentheyspeak,andthelastthingIneededwasattention.Ilazilyliftedmyhairupinaponytailandthrewmyselfbackonthebed,myphoneinmyhand,waitingforStacytotextmewhenshewantedmetocomedown.
Aminutelater,thedoorbellrang.Didn'tshesayanhour?Whoelsewouldbehere?
KnowingMomandDadweren'taround,andbrodearneveranswersthedoor,Irandownstairsandansweredit,onlytofindMattinfrontofme.Unlikeme,hewasactuallydresseddecently-evenhishoney-coloredhairwasperfectlyputtogethe
r.Ismiled."Whatareyoudoinghere?"
Heleanedhisfigureonthedoorframe."Pickingyouup.Let'sgo."
"Isn'tStacy-"
"Icalledher.ComeonIwannashowyousomething!"hesaid,draggingmeoutside.WhenIresisted,heeyedme."Comewithme,orItellStacywhatyou'rewearing."
Ihuffed."Fine,"Isaid,lettinghimdragmeallthewayout,"Buthowareyougonnap-"
Istopped,staringatthebeautyinfrontofme.Shestoodproud,herbodycurvedperfectly,heraccessoriesasshinyasthestars,theleatherofherinteriorsevenshinier.InfrontofmewasamaroonAudi.Perfectiononearth.Loveexpressedinmetal.
"Is-is-"
"It'smine!"hesaid,wrappinganarmaroundme,"DadwasfeelingextragenerousthenightIwonthattennismatchlastweek."
Iwasstillperplexed,unbelieving.Withoutavertingmyeyes,Iaskedhim,"Doyoureallyfeellikegoingtothemall?"
"Well,yeah.Istillwannadrive-"
"Let'sgotoLaPush."
"What?"hesaid,droppinghisarm,"LaPush?Why?"
Irolledmyeyes."Totakethisbeautyforaride.Whatdoyouthink?Switchphonesoffandgo?"
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"Woo!"Mattsaid,onehandoutofthewindow,theotheronthesteeringwheel,"Howdidyouknowtherearen'tanyspeedlimitsinsideLaPush?"
Igrinned."WhodoyouthinkfinishedtheMercedes'gastanklastmonth?"
Heraisedhiseyebrows."Youdidn't!Yourdadwouldkillyouifheknew."
Ishrugged,smiling.Thesceneryaroundussoonchangedfromthetall,damptreestoacoupleofhousesandFirstBeach.Theairfilledmylungs,andIsuckedinadeepbreath."Nah,helovesmetoomuch,"Isaid,"So."
"So.."
"TellmeaboutEmma.Areyouguys,like,dating?"
Heshrugged."Yeah,alittle.Whythough?"
Iputmyhandonmychestandpouted."You'recheatingonme.Myheartisbroken.Idon'tdowhattodowithmylife.Oh,Iwannadie."
Helaughedandpulledovernearthebeach."Oh,dearMary,don'tbesosad,"hesaidandpinchedmycheek,"I'msureIcandatetwoprettygirlsatthesametime."
Istuckmytongueout."Veryfunny,Matthew."
Hechuckled,staringoutofthewindow.Hestayedsilentforawhile,hisfeaturesstill.Iclosedmyeyesandtriedtofiltermymind.Icouldn'tgetitoutofmymindhowmyex-boyfriendthreatenedme,toldmehe'dfindmeandmakeme"pay".Thethoughtofseeinghimagainmademeshiver,tearswellingupbehindmyeyelids.Iwasinnowayorshapereadytofacehimandthethreatitselfshookmelikenothingevercould,andtheworstthingwasthatIcouldn'ttellanyoneaboutit.Icouldn'tletitout,Icouldn'tseekprotectioninothers.Nooneelseknew.Ididn'ttellanyoneabouthim,atall.Ididn'ttellanyoneanythinganditchokedmealittlemoreeveryminute.
MyhandgrabbedMatthew's,squeezinggently.Ididn'tknowwhy,Ijustdidit.Iopenedmyeyestofindhimstaringatmebeforesqueezingmyhandback."Iseverythingalright?"Ishookmyhead,staringoutofthewindowatthebeach.ThewavesriffledroughlyandIusedtheirsoundtocoverupthesobthatechoedinthebackofmythroat.Ifeltsoweak,sovulnerable."Youcantellme,youknow.Youcantrustme,Mary."
Iwhimpered."IknowIcan,Ijust-"Itookadeepbreath."Matt,Ican'ttellanyoneyet."
Hesqueezedmyhandonemoretimebeforelettingitgo."Takecareofyourself."
Igrimaced."Look,I'msorrybut-"
"Youdon'tneedtoapologize."Hestartedtheengine."Justknowyoucancometome,alright?"
IsmiledapologeticallyandwasabouttosaysomethingwhenIsawthemosteccentricthingonthebeach.Acouplehundredmetersaway,therewasahuge,horse-sizedwolfstanding,whimpering,rollingonitsside.Igaspedatitssizeandcolor-graywithdarkspots.Itlookedabsolutelybeautiful,andatthesametimeextremelydangerous."Matt!Matt-go.Let'sgetoutofhere!Lookatthewolf!"
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"Whoa,"hesaid,speedinghiswayoutoftheplace."Whatisthat?"
"Noidea,"Imumbled.OncewegotoutofLaPush,Ispoke."YouthinkweshouldcallStacyyet?Shemustbeprettyangry."
Hegrinnedmischievously,lookingatmeforasplitsecond."No,Iwannaseethelookonherfacewhenweshowup,"hesaid,"Youknow,Ineverreally-"
Suddenly,andliterallyoutofnowhere,whilehiseyesweren'tontheroad,amanappearedinthemiddleoftheway.Helookedextremelypale,butthesternlookonhisface,theconfidenceradiatingoffhisshinyredeyesandhowhestretchedouthishandsonbothsidesofhimterrifiedme.Wewereonlyacoupleoffeetaway.Therewasnowaywewouldbeabletowalkaroundhiminsuchatinyroadonnearthecliffs.
"Matt!"Icried,"Mattwatchout!There'saman-watchout!OhmyGod!"
Chapter2
"Matt!"Icried,"Mattwatchout!There'saman-watchout!OhmyGod!"
Bythetimehecouldreactallhecoulddowasturntotheleft,hopingthemanwouldstepawayintime.Thered-eyedmanwouldn'tstopstaringatus,stayingcompletelyimmobile.Icouldhearmyheartpounding,mybreathsgettingharderandhardertocatch.Themanmovedtotheleftwithus,leavinguswithnochoicebuttotrytostopthecar.Thespacewastoosmall-themantoofast-andwecouldn't.Thecarstoppedwithaloudscreechandtheman,suddenly,hoppedoni
tsfrontglass.
MattandIscreamed,andheknockedwiththepalmofhishandontheglass,wherethemancrouched,stilleyeingussilently."Getoffthecar!"heyelled,"Doyouhearme?Getoffofit!"
Themangrinned,runninghishandovertheglassincircles.Once,twice.Withthethirdtime,helightlypushedtheglasswiththetipofhisfingeranditsmashedintofinepowder.
Igasped.Ididn'thavethetimeorpowerorfreemindtothinkabouthowhedidit,orwhyhelookedlikehecouldeatusalive.AllIcouldthinkaboutwashowtogetoutofhere,howtocallforhelpwithoutexposingourselvestodanger.
Suddenly,Mattpushedmyshoulder,unlockingthedoors."Getout!"HehoppedoutofthecarandIfollowed.Forasecond,Ilookedathimandwesilentlyagreedtorun,butmyhopeswerecrushedonceIfelticycold,rock-hardarmaroundmyneck.Iscreamed."Matt!"
Mattlookedbehindhimandfrozeatthescene,hyperventilating.Thestrangerchuckled,anditsoundedmorelikemusicthanalaugh.Ifmybloodhadn'talreadyleftmyhead,maybe,justmaybeIwouldhaverelaxedathisvelvetvoice."Ihaven'tsmelledsomethingso...deliciousinsolong."
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"S-Stayawayfromher!"Mattyelled,stridingtowardsus."Lethergo!Whatdoyouwant?"
Thestrangerignoredhimandproceededapproachingmyneckwithhisface."What'syourname?"
Igulped,tryingtowigglefree.Needlesstosay,myeffortswentinvain.Herepeatedhisquestion,tighteninghisgriparoundmyneck."M-Mary."
"Mm,"hesaid,lickingmyneck.Ishiveredinfear."Howoldareyou,Mary?"
IlookedatMatt,begginghimtosaysomething,todosomething.Hiseyeswerewideassaucers,hislimbsshaking.I'dneverseenhimsoterrified.Mybodywastrembling,bothfromfearandcoldness.Iclosedmyeyesandtookadeepbreath,collectingmystrengthandattemptingtopunchhisstomachwithmyelbowjusttodistracthimforaminuteonlytobemetbyabodyashardasbricks.Iwhimperedinpain,afewtearsescapingmyeyes.
BeforeIcouldcatchmybreathagain,Iheardahowlfaraway.Great,bothbrick-manandthewolf.Mydayjustcouldn'tgetanybetter.
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Embry'sPOV
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Eh,justwhenthedaycouldn'tgetanymoreboring.First,JaketakesSethandNessieout,thenIhavetogoonpatrolaftertheleechesthathavebeenhoveringaroundtheareaforawhilenowallalone.Icouldn'tevenhavetheluxuryofhavingPaulorJaredpatrolwithmeaseveryoneonthereservationwasgettingreadyforPaulandRachel'sweddinginafewdays.Andnow,Iwasgettingthisweird...pull.LiketheoneIgotwhenEmilybakedfreshcookies,butalittledifferent,moreintense.
Thewavesofsaltywaterinfrontofmewentquieterand,todistractmyselffor
awhile,Ilistenedtotheatmospherearoundme.Trustme:therecouldbesomeseriouslyamusingconversationsaroundtheres.Thistime,allIcouldhearwasagirlstutteringthroughhername.Inmywolfform,Iwasconfused.
NotasecondlaterIheardanear-piercingshrillthatmademyheartache.Fuck,itwasanattack.Buttheleechescapedintothewater...wasthereanotherone?Ididn'thavetimetothink,Ineededtogetthereassoonaspossible.Ihowled,lettingthebloodsuckerknowIwasthere,markingmyterritory.Theywerestandingacoupleofseconds(ofrunning)awayfromme.Therewasaboy,aboutsixteenorso,wasstandingacoupleoffeetawayfromthebloodsuckerwhohadhisarmaroundthegirl,hisfacenuzzledinherneck.
Igrowledbutthevampirewouldn'tmove.Iwalkedbehindhim,crouchinglow,rea
dytopouncewheneverhesteppedawayfromher.Withoutturningaround,hespoke."Goahead,killme.AnymoveandI'llkillhertoo."
TheboylookedconfusedandIgrowledlouder.Helookedatme,thenthegirl,thenhiscar,obviouslycalculatingtherisksofrunningaway.
Thankfully,Ifeltsomeonephase.Iheardyouhowl.Whatisit?
Comeoverhere,Leah!Ineedsomeoneontheothersideoftheroad.
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OnceLeah'spawsapproachedthearea,thevampirevisiblytensedandvanishedintothinair.Ha.LookslikeEdwardfoundamatchforhisspeed.ThegirllostbalanceandifIwasn'tinmywolfform,Iwould'vecaughther.Instead,Iletherfallandturnedtheotherway,runningtowardsthewoods.
Thatwasclose,Leahthought,thatgirllooksfamiliarthough..IthinkIsawherattheCullens'before.
Imentallyfrowned,hidingbetweentrees,hearingtheboytryingtocomfortthegirl,apologizingabouthowhecouldn'tprotecther.But,hey.Hewouldn'tbeableevenifhe'dtried-thatwasthebestscenariopossible.
Doyouthinkshe'safriendoftheirs?AfriendofNessie's,maybe?
Couldbe,Leahthought,afteralltheydoattendhighschoolnow.
Yeah.
Iphasedbackintohumanformandjumpedintomyshorts,runningtothemontheroad,tryingmybesttolooklikeIwasjoggingnearby.Sure,Iwasashirtlessjoggerinmid-November,buttheywouldn'tknowanybetter.
WhenIwentthere,Ifoundtheboy,probablythegirl'sboyfriendorsomething,crouchinginfrontofherwhileshesatinthecar,examiningherswollenelbow.
"Ithinkyoubrokeit,"hesaid,"I'msosorry,Mary.IwishI-"
Shesniffed,pushingastrandofherbeautifulblackhairbackbehindherearwithherundamagedhand.Herpainfullypalecomplexionsentdaggersthroughmyheart,forsomereason.Sheletoutasilentsobashepressedonthesideofherarmagain."Wha-Whatwasthat?"sheasked,"Whathappened,Matt?Istilldon'tgetit."
Brokeit?Well,maybeifwecouldmakeittotheCullensintimewe'dbeabletogethertreatedwithoutsomanyquestionsonthe...typeoftheattack.
"Igothisfeaturesmemorised,wehavetoreportthis."Well,damn."Ithinkyourdadcangetthingsdoneprettyquickly,right?"
Sheshookherhead."Whatarewegonnasay?Somefreakbroketheglassthenhewas...lickingmyneck?Someonejumpedonacar-"
Hesighed."Igetit.Butwegottagetyoutothehospital."
Iclearedmythroatandwalkedclosertothem."Iseverythingokay?Whathappenedhere?"
TheyexchangedglancesandMaryclosedhereyesandleanedonherside,takingadeepbreath."Justabitofanaccident,"Mattsaid,"Youknowanyhospitalsaroundhere?"
Ifrowned,feigningconcentration."Welltherearen'tanyhospitalstoonear,"Ilied,"Butthere'sthisdoctorwholivesjustabitaway..he'sDr.Cullen,ifyouknowhim?"
MattstoodupandMaryfrowned,stillclosinghereyes,clenchingherjawsduetopain."Yeah...yeah,Dr.Cullen-Iheardofhim.Hisdaughterisactuallyafriendofours."
Ismiled."Nessie?Alice?Rosalie?"Isuggested,"Bella?"
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Henodded."Yeah,Nessie.Doyouknowthem?"
Morethanyouwouldthink,boy."Sure,sure.Canshewalk?"
Hereyesstillclosed,shenodded."Ican,yes.Butit'salongwaythereisn'tit?"
Withthat,sheopenedhereyes.Withthat,myworldstopped.Justwiththat,Iimprinted.
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Mary'sPOV
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Oureyesconnectedforwhatseemedlikeages.Iforgottheaccident,thepain.Hell,IthinkIforgothowtobreathe.MyheartcaughtarapidpaceasIlookedintothosedark,sparklingeyes.Somethinginmewantedtoknowwhothatboywas,somethinginmeencouragedmetospeak.
"Iknowyou,"Isaid.Idid.IwassureIdid.How?Ihadnoidea.Buthisfaceseemedsofamiliar..."DidyouattendForksHighatsomepoint?"
Heshookhishead,whisperinga"No."
Andthenithitme."IsawyouatCharlieSwan'shouseacoupleofyearsago,amIcorrect?Doyouknowhim?"
"Charlie?YouknowChiefSwan?"
"Yeah,hewasDad'sboss..."Itrailedoff,leavingoutthepartwherewemovedaway.
Mattclearedhisthroat."ShouldwegethertotheCullensalready?"
TheboynoddedthenlookedattheAudi."Canweusethecar?"
MattlookedattheshapeoftheAudiandwincedwhenhiseyeslandedontheglass."Y-Yeah,Iguess,"hesaid,"Hey,canyou-canyoudrive?Idon'tthink-"
Theboydidn'tlethimfinish;hewenttothedriver'ssiderightaway.Matthelpedmerotateinsidethecarandclosedthedoorbeforehoppingintothebackseathimself.Assoonastheboystartedthecar,IheardMatt'sshallowbreaths.Iturnedmyheadabit."Areyouokay?Didyougethurt?"
Heshookhishead."I'mfine,don'tworryaboutme."
"Butyou're-"
"I'mfine,Mary!"hesnappedandIgrimaced,lookingbacktotheroadthroughthecrushedglass.Theboybesidemeshiftedslightlyinhisseat.
"I'mEmbry,bytheway,"hesaid,"EmbryCall."
IpulledthecornersofmylipstothenearestthingIcouldmanagetoasmilewhileinsomuchpain."I'mMary,andthegrumpyoneinthebackisMatthew."
"NiceAudi,Matthew,"Embrycommented,smilinglightly.
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"Yeah,"Mattgrunted,"AnicecrushedAudi."
Embrychuckled."Don'tworry,man.Iknowsomeonewhocanfixitupinnotime."Helookedatme."JacobBlack.Doyouknowhim?Nessie'sboyfriend."
Inodded."He'sgoodwithcars?"
"Excellent,"EmbrysaidasweturnedtotheCullens'mansion."How'syourarm?"
Isighed,lookingbackatMatt,whomovedforwardinhisseatandpattedmyhead."Sorry."
"Stopsayingsorry,"IinsistedasEmbrypulledover,"It'salright,trustme.I'mgonnabejustfine.I'vebeenthroughworse."
Heballedhishandintoafistandslammeditbesidehim."Icouldn'tprotectyou,damnit!Whatifsomethinghadhappened?Whatifhe'dkidnappedyou?"
Ihuffed."I'mfine,Matthew!I'mjustfine!We'regonnagetthisdone-youcallJakeandgettheAudifixed-andthenwe'llgohomelikenothingeverhappened."Herolledhiseyes."Plus,Icould'vetotallytakenhimdown.Ijustneededonemoreminute."
HechuckledandEmbrythrewa"Yeah,right."Ismiledathim."Soyou-"
IwascutoffbyEdwardknockingonthewindowbeforeheopenedthedoor."Hey...Mary,Matt,"hesaid,duckinghisheadin."Embry?Whatareyoudoinghere?Andwhathappenedtothecar?"
"Therewas-"
IcutMattoff."WewerespeedingdownatLaPushandsomerockflewandbrokethewindow."
Okay,thatwastheworstlieever.
"Oh,"Edwardsaidthoughtfully,"Andthatrockmagicallyhurtyourelbow,true?"
hesaid,eyeingmyswollenelbow.
"Mary,don't,"Embrysaid,"Justtelluswhathappened.Didyouguyshitsomething?Someone?"
"CanIjust..."Isaid,"Edward,isDr.Culleninthere?Iwasjustwonderingifhecouldtakealookatmyarm."
"Yeahsure,"hesaid,"Comeonin."
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Embry'sPOV
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IsunkintheCullens'comfy,whitecouchnexttoBellaasMarywentinsidewithDrCullenandMatt,whoneededtosterilizeafewminorcutsthatresultedfromtheglassbreaking.Itookadeepbreath,tryingtograspthewholesituation.Couldanyonebelieveit?Afteralltheseyears,Ifinallyimprint.Iimprintedonastunninglybeautifulwoman,withlongblackhair,creamycomplexionandthemostamazingeyesIhadeverseen.AndonthedayIimprint,mysoulmategetsattackedbysomerandomsadisticvampire.
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"Lookwho'sthewhippedonenow.Gofindyourselfsomethingtodo,wolfie,"Bellasaid,grinning.
"She'shurt,"Ireplied,"Theleechwastoofast-evenLeahcouldn'trunafterit."
"Atleasthedidn'tbiteher,right?"
Isighed."Yeah,Iguess,"Isaid,"Hey,youcallJakeyet?"
"I'mrighthere,"Jacobsaid,walkinginwithNessie,wholookeddisturbed."What'stheemergency?"
"I-she-"Istuttered,"Ikindofimprinted."
Helaughed."Kindof?"herepeated,"Alright,andwhat'swrongwiththat?"JustwhenIwasabouttospeak,hecutmeoff."Don'ttellme...you'regayaren'tyou?Iknewit.Ialways-"
"Whywon'tyoujustshutupforamoment?"Igrowled,shakingabit.
HewrappedanarmaroundRenesmee,pullingherclosertohim."Em,calmdown.Tellmewhathappened."
"IimprintedonMary-youknow,yourfriend,Nessie?"
Hereyeswidened."Mary?Wheredidyoufindher?Shewassupposedtobeoutwithustoday,butwhenwecalledher,herphonewasoff."
Inodded."Shewasoutwiththatdude-Matt-herboyfriendorwhatever,"Isaid.IcouldseeNessiewasabouttosaysomethingbutIwentonnevertheless."Theywereattacked-orratheralmostattacked-byoneoftheleecheswesmelledtheotherday."
Theybothgasped."OhmyGodissheokay?Whereisshe?"Nessieasked,breakingoutofJake'sgrasp.
"She'sfine,justafracturedelbow.LeahandIgotthereintime,thankfully."
"She-shedoesn't...know,doesshe?Whatitwas...orwhatyouare...or-"Ishookmyhead."OhthankGod."
Carlislecamedownthestairs,hisfeaturesneutral."Maryhascalledherfather,he'scomingheretopickherandMatthewup,"hesaid,"They'regoingtoreporttheattack."
"Bella,"Edwardsaid,"CallCharlie,heknowsherfather.He'stheonewhomovedhimtoPA.Makehim...explainitwasanaccident.ThelastthingweneedisPAPDonthisone."
Shenoddedandgotup.IlookedatCarlisle,waitingforhimtosayanythingelsebuthedidn't.Foramoment,theyallgotsilentandonceIheardthefootstepsIknewwhy.MaryandMattweresteppingoutsidetheroom,walkingdownthestairs.Shehadherfreearmrestingonhisanditburneddeepinmychest.Iwantedtobetheonesheleanedon,dependedon.
But,lookatme.WhatwasIbutsomestrangerontheroad?Ashadowshedidn'tnotice?
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Chapter3
"Soyouwentoutwithouttellingus,"Dadsaid,grittinghisteeth,"Wenttothereservation,switchedoffyourphone,gotintotroubleandcouldn'tbothercallingusuntilDrCullentoldyouyouhadto!"
Igrimaced.Momnudgedhimsubtly."Easyonher,William.It'snotlikeshemeanttogetintotrouble."
"Yeah,Dad,"Isaid,"Thatguyjustappearedoutofnowhereand,and-"
"Andwhat?Heldyou?Anunarmedmanhoppedonacar,brokeitsglassandthenheldyouagainsthimandyoucouldn'tresist?Matthewcouldn'thavedoneanything?"hemocked,"Howwouldyouexpectmetobelievethat,younglady?"
"Well,itwaswhathappened!"Iyelled,gettingupfromthecouchinourliving
room,fedupwiththeirdoubts."Andifyoutwojustcan'tbelievemethenit'sjusttoodamnbad!"
"MariahJaneAndersondon'tyoudare-"
IcutMomoff."Stopfuckingdoubtingme!WhywouldImakethisup,huh?"Isaid,"WhywouldIdothis?"
"Watchyourlanguage,younglady!"Dadyelled.
Ibitmylipinfrustration,pullingonthesleevesofmyshirt."Youneverbelieveme,"Imumbled,"Notnow,andnotevenbackthen.YouwouldneverbelievehowyourbelovedJacksoncouldever-"Ipaused,tearswellingupinmyeyesinthe
memoryofmyex."Howcanyoueverexpectmetocometoyouwhenyoucan'tevenbelieveme?"DadcursedandMomkeptexchangingglanceswithhim,lookingbacktomewithanapologeticeye."Youknowwhat?Just...justleavemealone."
Iranmywaytomyroom,slammingthedoorshutbehindme.Myparentswerealwayslikethat.TherewasnothingIcouldtellthemtheycouldtakeforgranted-therewasnothingItoldthemtheybelievedwithoutsolidevidence.Ihadnoideawhytheynevertrustedme,itwasn'tlikeIdeceivedthembefore,orusedtolietothemthewholetime.TheywerethereasonIeverbecamefriendswithJackson,thereasonIkepttellinghimeverything,bondedwithhimnotbecauseIlikedwhohewas,orthoughthewasmyprincecharming,butbecauseIneededhim-Ineededsomeonetolistentome,tobelieveme,tosootheme.AllIeverwantedwastothemtothinkmyfeelings,myemotions,werevalid.Itwould'vebeennice
totalktothemwithoutbeingtoldIwaslying,orIwasbeinganemotionalbitch.
Hewasmyresort,mysafeharbour.Wewouldtalktoeachotherthewholetime,texteachotherthewholeday,hangoutwitheachothereveryminuteofeverysparehour.Itdidn'ttakeuslong,aboutacoupleofweeks,togoouttogetheronrealdatesanditonlytookonedatebeforewewereofficiallyacouple.Thefirsttwomonthsofourrelationshipwereheaven,Ihadtoadmit.Mylifedependedonhispresence.Icouldn'tdoanythingwithouttellinghim,couldn'tmakeadecisioncompletelybymyself.Instead,Ireliedonhim.Ididn'tevenletmyselft
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hinkthingsthrough,andheknewit.Heknewjusthowmuchhecouldcontrolme.Heknewit,andheusedit.
Iburiedmyselfunderthecovers,savouringthewarmthofthebed.Icurledinaball,takingdeepbreaths.IthasbeentwomonthssinceIdumpedJackson,butwheneverIrememberedhim,mylifewithhim,everythinginmeshook.Sometimes,atthebeginning,Imistookthatformissinghim.Truthwas,whatImissedwasn'tJackson-hellno-butthefeelingthatIcouldtalktosomeone.
Somethingnotevenmyownparentscouldgiveme.
SometimesIwantedtotalktoMatt,myclosestfriend.Butnomatterhowclosewewere,howmuchIknewIcouldtrusthim,Ijustcouldn'tdoit.Somethinginmewasconvincedthatwhathappenedwasn'tJackson'sfault-itwasmine.Itwasmyfaultwhathappenedactuallyhappened.ItwasmyfaultIlethimcontrolmelikethat.Ididn'twanttomakeanotherJacksonoutofMatt.Iwassafealone,withoutanyoneinterferinginmylife.True,itburnedandchokedmethatIcouldn'ttalktoanyonebutmyself-notevenmydiaryinfearsomeonewouldfinditsomeday-butitwassafer.
MyphonevibratedinmypocketandIsliditout,answeringit."HeyMatt,"Iwhispered,clearingmythroat.
"Jakegotitfixed,"hesaid,histoneflat."Mary,look,Igotta-"
"Ifyou'regonnaapologizeagain,Iseriouslydon'twannahearit."
Hesighed."Notreally,"hesaid,"Iwannamakeituptoyou."
Irolledonmyside."Yeah?Makemyparentsbelieveme.AllIwant."
"Whathappened?Whatdidyoutellthem?"
Ihuffed."Whatreallyhappened,"Isaid,"Itoldthemeverythingthatreallyhappenedandtheycouldn'tbringthemselvestobelieveme."
"Aw,I'msorry,"hesaid,"Wannahangoutsometime?"
"When?Today?"
"Nah,"hesaid,"Tomorrowmorning.IgotthistennisthingandthenI'mfree.Nessiecalledmeawhileago-shesaidyouwouldn'tanswerher?"
"Oh,"Isaid,"YeahshecalledwhileIwasarguingwithDad."
"Yeah,anyway:shewaswonderingifwecouldjoinherandJacob,andacoupleofguysfromLaPushinabonfiretheyhaveonFirstBeach,"hesaid,"Whatdoyousay?"
"Wellthatdepends,"Isaid,"Canyougetmeacoupleofbarsofchocolateonou
rwaythere?"
Helaughed."Yeah,sure.Seeyouinthemorning-I'llwakeyouupwhenI'mdonewithtennisandthenwecanhangoutsomewherebeforegoingtothebonfire,maybe?"
"'Kay,sure."
"Alright,bye!"hesaidandhungup.Ismiledandslidmyphonebackinmypocket,gladthoughtsofJacksonweregoneandclosedmyeyes,hopingI'dgetsomesl
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eepinsteadofhavingtodealwithlefamilyduringdinner.
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Itwasmyweddingday.TowhomwasIgoingtogetmarried?Ihadnoidea.Buteveryoneseemedhappyforme,soIwentalong.MyfriendsfromForkswerehelpingmewithmymake-upandIhadthemostgorgeousweddinggownI'deverseen-brightwhitewithrifflesandsparklygoodness.WhileIwasstaringatmyreflectioninthemirror,Ifeltmyfeetgetwet.Forsomereason,itdidn'tbotherme.Thewaterkeptrisingup,soakingmeinmydress,bitbybit,untilIwasallcoveredinwater.Istruggledtobreathe,alltheoxygeninmylungswasspentinasplitsecond.
Iwokeupwithagasp,stillstrugglingforbreathasIdidinmydream.Isatup,tryingtocalmmyselftogetsomeair.Mychestwastightening,hurting,witheverybreathItriedtotake.IfeltmyfaceheatupandIhadtoendurethepaininmychesttogetsomeairuntilitwasunbearable.Itriedtoscream,butitwasuseless;Icouldn'tevenbreatheletalonegetoutanytypeofsound.ItriedtowakesomeoneupbutIcouldn'tmove,andmyvisiongotblurriereverysecond.
Iclosedmyeyesandworkedmybesttocalmmyself,toslowdownmyheartbeat.Ihadn'tgotanyoftheseattacksinalongwhilenow,butwhenIusedtogetthem,mydoctorhadtoldmetheywereallpsychological,thatIcouldcontrolthem.
ItriedmybesttofocusbutallIcouldthinkaboutwasthewholeday-Jackson'sthreats,theaccident,myparents,everything.
Itwasn'tuntilacoupleofminuteslaterthatIcouldbreathenormallyagain.OnceIcould,Iwentintotears.Itwaslikeeverythingwasbackagain.Myoldlifestruckbackwithfullforce.Iglancedatthealarmclockonthesidetabletofinditwasabitafter1am.Icouldn'tbringmyselftosleepagain,afraidImightgetanotherattack,andIcouldn'tcallMattorStacyoranyone-noonewouldbeawakethatlate,wouldthey?
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Embry'sPOV
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Icouldn'tsleep.
AllIcouldthinkaboutwasMary.Mary,Mary,Mary.Technically,Iknewnothingaboutthegirlyet-butthefeelingsIhadforherwereasstrongassteel.OnceIsawher,myworldbothphysicallyandmentallyshifted.Thecenteroftheuniversewasn'tmacandcheeseanymore,itwasthemostbeautiful,angeliccreatureIhadeverlaideyeson.Shewassoincrediblyamazing.
ButthefeelingsIwashavingnowweren'tofloveoradoration,butofworry,ofanxiousness.Somethinginmewasn'trelaxed-Ihadafeelingshewasn'talrigh
t,thatsheneededmyhelp.Ibrusheditoff,though;wehadfoundthevampirethathaddaredtolayhandsonherearlierandIhadthehonoroftearinghissorrylimbsintotinyshredsandsettingthemonfire.Theotherleecheshadescapedintothewater,anduntilthisverymomentnoreportsofanyscentsweregiven.Maybeitwasjustsomething...natural.MaybeIwasjustworriedbecauseshewasn'trightinfrontofme,butratherfar,faraway.
Icouldn'twaituntilthebonfiretomorrow.Iwouldseeher,here,andspendsometimewithher-maybeeventalktoher,whoknew?
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"I'msodamnhappyyouimprinted.Youknowwhy,Em?"Leahsaid,grinningmischievously,sittingbesidemeonthecliff.ItwaswhereIwentwheneverIcouldn'tsleeporrestathome.
"Why,Iwonder?"
"Becausefromnowonyoucan'tthinkaboutthoseskanksyousleeparoundwith."Shelaughed."Atleastitwouldbeonlyone."
Iplayfullyhither."Don'tcompareMarytotheothers."
Sherolledhereyes."Yeah,yeah,yeah.Ibetshe'sthisangelicperfection-on-earththathasneverbeeninarelationship,"shesaid,"'Causethat'stheonlywayshe'lleverbeyourgirlfriend."
"Ouch,"Isaid,"Takethatback."Shelaughed.Isighed."Nah,shehasaboyfriend."
Shefrowned."Thatboyshewaswithearlier?"Inodded."Aw,I'msorry,Em."
Ishrugged."I'mwhateversheneedsright?We'redestinedtobetogether,I'msuretherewouldbesomewayIcould-"
Leahgasped."Whendidyougrowupsomuch?"
Ihuffed."Leah..."
Shechuckled."Alright,alright,"shesaid,"Sotomorrow-thebonfire-it'sacodered,eh?Nomentioningwolves,imprints,vampires..."
"Yeah,youknowthedrill."
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IwasonFirstBeacheversincethesunrose,justsittingthere.IevenhelpedEmilyandKimwithsettingupeverythingforthebonfire.Wehadburger,saladandlotsofdrinks-andatonofdesserts:cupcakes,cookies,muffins,thewhole
thing.AsEmilyputit,itwas"awaytokeepthepupsmouthsshutandnotexposeoursecret".Throughoutthewholeprocess,EmilykepttellingmehowhappyshewasIfinallyimprintedandkeptshoweringmewithquestionsaboutMary-howshelookedlike,howIsawher,whetherornotIdidsomethingdumbwhiletalkingtoher(whichbarelyhappened).
Byseven,everythingwasready.Theeldersweren'tgoingtoattendtonight-thewholethingwasjustanexcusetomeetheragain.Andhonestly,thelastthingwewantedwasforhertoconnectyesterday'saccidentwiththelegends.IbasicallywenttoJakeandbeggedhimtosetadatewithherforme,andhewasallforthebonfireidea.Everyonewasherenow:Seth,Amy,Jared,Kim,Sam,Emily,Paul,Rachel,Brady,Collin,Leahandacoupleofnewly-phasednewbies.Wewerecircledaroundthefire,eachchattingwitheachother,waitingforJake,Ness,Ma
tt(unfortunately)andMary.JakeandNessiewerepickingMattandMaryup.
IheardtheRabbitscreechintotheparkinglotandmyheartspedwithexcitement.Ilookedtheirwayastheyapproached,myeyesonlyfocusedonMary.Shelookedabsolutely...miserable.Ifrowned.Hereyeswerehalf-closed,theareaunderhereyesdark,therestofherfacepale.Shewasdressedinanexcessively-long-sleevedpulloverandskinnyjeans,herhairliftedupinaponytail.Sheclaspedherhandstogether,rubbingthem.Hershoulderslookedlikegravityhadbeenpullingonthemfordays,andshewalkedsolazily,lifelessly.
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"Hey!"Isaid,wavingtothem-orratherjusther.Shelookedatmeforasecondbeforerecognitionhitherandherlipsspreadintoasmallsmile.
"Embry,"shewhisperedsolowthat,ifIwasn'tawolf,Iwouldn'thaveheardher.
MattandJakesaidsomethingaswell,butIdidn'tpayattention,nordidIcare.Iwasonlyfocusedonher,muchtonoone'ssurprise."Guys!"OnlyMary,please."Comeoverhere!"
Abunchof"Oo"'sand"Ah"'sspreadacrosstheguysandPaulnudgedmyshoulder."Whippedpuppy."
IrolledmyeyesandwatchedherasshewalkedawkwardlytowhereIwas.Sheturnedtotheothersandsimplywavedatthem,theysmiled-somelaughed-andwavedbackather.Thenshelookedupatme,anditwasthefirsttimetonoticehowshortMaryreallywas.Shebarelymadeittomyshoulders."Embry,right?"
Ilaughed."Yeah,"Isaid,"Mary,right?"MariahAnderson,junioratPortAngelesHigh.Nessieonlytoldmethatmuch.
Shenodded."Yeah...Inevergottothankyoulastnight."ShelookedbacktofindMatthangingoutwithNessieandJake,gettingintroducedtoafellowtennisplayer,Collin."Thanksalot,foreverything."
Igrinned."Anytime,Mary.How'syourarm?Feelin'anybetter?"
Sheonlyhalf-smiled."Yeah,sure.Alotbetter."
"Didyoureporttheaccident?"IsaidasIsatdownandpattedthespacebesideme.Shesatdowntoo,nexttome.
Sheshookherhead."Nah,notreally."Hervoicewasstrained,broken.
"Iseverythingalright?"
Shefrowned,hereyesconnectingwithmine."Um,yeah,sure.Why?"
Ishrugged."Youjustdon't...soundthatwell."
Shelookeddownatherhandsandwinced."How'dyouknow?"
Oh,Idon'tknow.Ijustimprintedonyou-soIkindoffeeleverythingyoufeel,tosomeextent.Icanreadyoulikeanopenbook.Andallthat."Idunno,Ijustdo.Yousoundabitoff."
Sheavertedhereyestothesceneryaroundus,takingadeepbreath."Hey,doyousurf?"
Ishookmyhead,smiling."You'reimpossible,"Imumbled,"Yeah,Iusedto,back
whenIwasseventeenoreighteen."
Shefrowned."Oh?Howoldareyounow?"
Aboutsevenyearsolderthanyou."Hey,youwantsomeburger?"
Shelaughedandgotup."Yeah,sure,whatever."
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Mary'sPOV
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Everyoneatthebonfirewasprettynice,especiallythatEmbrydude.Hekeptfollowingmearoundlikealostpuppy,andsinceIhadnothingbettertodo,asJakeandNessietookMattawaytoshowhimsomethingatthecliffs,Ijustplayedalong.Hetooktheresponsibilityofintroducingmetoeveryonethere-andtheywerealot.
"Sothoseweretheguys,"heconcluded,"Andtheirgirlfriends-wifeinSam'scase."
"Aha,"Isaid,"Areyouall,like,relatedsomehow?"
Helickedhislips."Notreally-like,Samismyhalf-brotherandall,butotherthanthat,wejustgrewuptogether,Iguess.IevenworkwithJakeandPaulatJake'sgarageinPortAngeles."
"Ooh!"Isaid,"Nice.Soyou'regoodwithcars,Igetit?"
Hesmiled,lyingbackonthesand."Iamgreatwithcars,myfriend."
"Ohyeah?"
"Thebest,"hearrogantlysaid.
Irolledmyeyes."Andmotorbikes?"
Heflexedhishands."Please,you'reoffendingme,"hescoffed."Imadeoneofthosebabiesfromscratch."
"Showmeoritneverhappened."
Withouteversittingup,hepointedatashinywhitemotorbikeintheparkinglot,standingproudly,elegantly."That'smybaby."
Iwasalmostdrooling,lookingathowmagnificentitlooked."Nowayinhellyoubuiltthat!"
Helaughed."Comeon,you'reunderestimatingme!"hesaid."Youknowwhat?HowaboutIpickyouupfromschoolMondayandI'lltakeyoutothegarage-soyoucanseemagichappenrightinfrontofyou.We'reworkingonthisPorschethesedays-absolutelybeautiful."
Igrinned."Soundslikeaplan,"Isaid,"I'llletthefolksknowandseeifIcanspendthewholeday-Jakewouldbetheretoo,right?"
Hefrowned."Ah,yeah,sure,"hesaid,"Whydon'tyoucallme?Lemmeknowifyoucanmakeit."
Ibitmylip.Therewasnothingwrongwiththis,anditwouldbemorethanamazingtobeabletowatchhimworkonarealcar-andaPorscheforthatmatter.Islidmyphoneoutofmypocket."Yeah,sure."Ihandedhimthephone."Saveyournumber."
Hegrinnedandtypedinhisdigits,makingsuretoringhimselfsohecouldsavemynumber,too.Assoonashegavemebackmyphone,itrang.IthoughtitwasMatt,so,withoutevencheckingwhoitwasagain,Ianswered.
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"Heyyou.Wherehaveyoubeen?"
"Lookingforyou."
Ifroze.ItwasJackson.Igotup,walkingawayfromEmbryandeveryone."Whatdoyouwant?"
"Iwannaseeyou,"hesaid,"Comeon,Mary,Ijustwanttoseeyou."
"Howdidyoufindmynumber?"
"Ahforfuck'ssake,Mariah,stopaskingsomanyquestions."
"Stayawayfromme,Jackson,"Isaid,"IsweartoGod-ifyouevercomeanywherenearmeI'll-"
"What?Reportme?Tellyourdaddy?"Jacksonmocked,"Becauseyoucan'tandyouknowwhy.YouknowwhatIcando,Mary.Youbetternotmesswithme."
Isobbed,mychestclenching."Please,Jackson,don't."
"Thenmeetme."
"Look,Ican't,but-"
Hehuffed."Butwhat,Mariah?"
Ittookmeallmycourage,allmynerves,tohanguponhim.Iheldthephoneclosetomyheartandrantotheparkinglot,notwantinganyonetoseemeasIcried.Ihadn'tfeltsoweak,sovulnerableinsolong.Myheartwasracing,mytearsunstoppable.Iwrappedmyarmsaroundmyselfandsatontheground,hidingbehindacar,sobbing.Ikeptshaking,myheadgettingheavy.Myhealthissuesneverhelpedwiththisbullshit,butIdidmybesttocalmmyselfdown.
"Mary!Mary!"Embrycalled,lookingforme.Itriedtostopcrying,butIcouldn't.Itwasoutofmycontrol.
"Whereareyou?"Matt'svoicejoinedin.
Ididn'tbothertomove.IwaswellawareofhowpatheticIlooked.Hell,EmbrymightnotwanttohangoutwiththeemotionalbitchIwasanymore,butIdidn'tcare.Iwasabsorbedinmyownpains,myownmemories,andthelastcoupleofdays,inadditiontotheeventsofthepastyear,camehittingmewithfullforce.
"OhmyGod,"Mattmumbledwhentheyfoundme.Hekneltdownbesideme,andEmbrydidthesame,onmyotherside.TheonlydifferencewasthatMattwaspattingmyshoulder,half-huggingme."Mary?Mary,whathappened?Didyougethurt?"
BeforeIcouldanswer,Embryspoke."Shewasalright,laughingeven,andthenshegotacallandwalkedaway."
Mattpulledmeabitcloserandmovedhisfaceinfrontofmine.Iheardagrowlsomewhere,butIignoredit.Iwasstillcrying,shaking."Whocalled?"
Ishookmyhead,refusingtoanswer.Hedidn'tknowanythingaboutJacksonnordidheeverneedto."Nothing.Noone."
"Mary,thisisserious,"hesaid,"I'veneverseenyoulikethis.Tellmewhathappened,please."
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CouldI?CouldItrusthim?CouldItellhim?Ididn'tknow.Icouldn'tthinkstraight.Icouldn'tdoanything.Ineededtobesafe.Safe,yes.Safewaskeepingthesecretburiedinsideme.Nooneeverneededtoknow,nomatterwhat.
"Pleasetakemehome,"IwhisperedasIstoppedcrying,mychestheaving.
"Didanyonebotheryou?Youcantellme,eh?I'llteachthemalesson,"Embrysaid,smiling,tryingtolightenthemood.I'dalmostforgottenhispresenceforamoment.
"No,Embry.Noonedid,"Isaid,wipingmyeyes.Mattpattedmybackgently."I'msorryfor...this.Thebonfirewasgreat.I'llseeyouMonday,"Isaiddismissivelyandstoodup,bothofthemdoingthesameasIdid,andturnedtoMatt."Takemehome?"
JacobclearedhisthroatfrombehindEmbry."Embry-takethekeystotheRabbit.Igottastayhereforawhile.Drivethemhome,Mattwilltellyouwheretogo."
Henoddedandlookedatme."C'mon,let'sgo,"hesaidgently,hisvoicesoothing.
Mattkissedthetopofmyheadaswegottothecar."Feelinganybetter?"Inodded,lying."Cool.Givemeyourphone."Ifrowned,butbeforeIcouldprocesswh
athesaid,he'dalreadytakenit,scrollingdownmyReceivedCallslist.HesentJackson'snumbertohisphoneasheopenedthecar'sdoorforme."There.Ihaveit.Now,doyouwannatellme,ordoIhavetofindoutformyself?"
Chapter4
Mary'sPOV
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"Y-youcan'tbeserious,Matt,"IwhisperedassoonasEmbrydroppedusoff.Thewholeridewassilent,tensed.He'dtoldmetothinkaboutitandeithertellhimwhathappenedorlethimfindoutforhimself.
"ButIam,"hesaid,"You'remyfriend,Mary,andfriendslookoutforeachother."
Igrimaced."Yeah,Iknow,but-"
"Nobuts."Heranahandthroughhishair."Look,Iknowyoucan'ttalktoyourfamilyaboutwhateverthathappened,andyou'remybestfriend-yougottatellme,Mary.Icanhelpyou,Ipromise."Ilookeddownatmyfeet,silent."Comeon,yourparentsaren'texpectingyouhomenow.Whydon'tyoucomeoveratmyplace?Everyone'shomebutIbetwecanhavearoomtoourselves."
"Matt,no."
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Hesighed."Mary,lookatyou,"hesaid,"You'reamess.C'mon,Icanhelp,Mary.Evenifit'sjustlistening."
Ishookmyhead."Youdon'tgetit.IfItellyou,you'llnevertreatmethesameagain."
Herubbedmyshoulderssoothingly."You'llalwaysbemybestfriend,alright?Ipromisewhateveryou'regonnasaywillneverchangeanything."
Iwished.HowwasIsupposedtobelievethat?AssoonasItellhim,he'lleithernotwanttoknowmeanymore,orhe'llstarttreatingmelikeaninjuredkid.ThelastthingIneededwassympathy.Yes,Ineededsupport,Ineededhelp,butIdidn'tneedsympathy.EspeciallyfromMatt.
WhenIdidn'tanswerhim,hepattedmybackgently."Comeon,let'sgoinside."
Inodded,surrendering.Hetookmyhandandledmeinsidethehouse.Hisparentsweresittinginthekitchen,havingdinner."Hey,kids,"hisfathersaid,"Whatbroughtyouhomesoearly?"
"Werememberedwehadthisschoolprojecttofinish,"Mattlied,"Soifyou'llexcuseus..."
Theynoddeddismissivelyandwewalkedupthestairs."Matt?"Iwhispered.Helo
okeddownatme."Areyousure?"
"Totally,"hewhisperedbackaswegottohisroom,"Trustme,Mary.You'relikealittlesistertome."Assoonaswegotin,Isatdownonhischairandhehoppedonhisbed."Spill."
Ilickedmylips."WheredoIstart?"
"Fromthebeginning,"hesaid,"Whocalledyou?"
"AguyIusedtoknowinForks."
"Afriendofyours?"
Ishrugged."Youcansaythat."
Heleanedhiselbowonhisknee."Whatdidhesaytoupsetyousomuch?Wereyouguysclose?"
Irubbedmyhandstogether,hesitant.EventhoughI'dobeyedhimandwentupwithhim,Icouldn'tyetbringmyselftotellhimeverything.Iknewhesaidheregardedmeasalittlesister,anditmademerelaxalittlebit.ButIcouldn'tspeakupuntilIkeptremindingmyselfhowitwassafetotellhim,thatitwouldfeelbettertoletsomethingout.MaybeIwouldn'ttellhimeverythingjustnow,butatleastI'dlethimknowwhoJacksonwas.ItwastimeheknewifIwantedanyonetohelpmeagainstJacksonincasehethoughtoffindingmephysically-
ofwaitingformeatschoolorshowingupsomehow,somewhere.
Thechairwasbigenoughformetocrossmylegs,andIdid,sighing."Hewasmyboyfriend."
Mattfrowned."Andyoubrokeupwhenyoumoved?"
"Notreally,"Isaid,"I'ddumpedhimawhileafterthat.Abouttwomonthsago."
"Why?"
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Ibitmylip."Idon'treallywannatalkaboutit."
"Fine,"hesaid,"Buttellmewhathappenedtoday.Whywereyousoupset?"Ilookeddownatmyhandsandshrugged.HestoodupandcametositdownonthearmofthechairIwassittingon,leaninghisarmonitsback.Hisotherhandwasbroughttomychin,liftingit."Whatdidhetellyou?"
Iwasn'treallysurewhathappenedthen.Hiscloseness,maybe,orhiscaringtone-Icouldn'treallyputmyhandsonitbutsomethingmademewanttoconfideinMatt.IknewthatIcouldrelyonhim,likeasisterdoesonabrother.Ilookedupathimandtookadeepbreath.Thatwasit.Iwasfinallygettingitout.Someonewasgoingtoknow,andtheworldwasn'tgoingtocrashdownbecausehedid.Iswallowedthelumpinmythroat,collectedeveryounceofcourageIhad,andspoke."Hetoldmehewantedtomeetwithme.Idon'twannaseehimanymore."
"Thenwhydon'tyoujustsaynoandthat'sthat?What'ssoupsettingaboutrejectinghim?"
"I-"Iwhispered,"He-Backwhenweweretogether,hewasn'texactly...nicetome."
Hefrowned."Whatdoyoumean?"
Ifeltbloodrunawayfrommyface,mylimbsgettingcold."He-he-"Istuttered,"Hehitmeandblackmailedme.Alot."
"What?"Mattsnapped,"Areyouserious?Whileyoutwoweretogether?"Inodded."Why-whywouldhedothat?Whywouldyoustaywithhimafterhedidit?"
Tearsrolleddownmycheeks."Whe-WheneverI-messedupor-saidsomethingwrong..."Itrailedoff,"OrwheneverIwouldn't-wouldn'tbewithhim...or-or-"Icouldn'tgoon.Ibrokeintosobs.Matthuggedmeclose,soothingme."AndIjust-itwasmyfault,allthetime.Icouldn'tjust-"
WhenIcouldn'tspeakanymore,Mattpattedmyback,stillholdingmeclose."Itwasn'tyourfault,Mary.Trustme."Ishookmyheadandhesighed."It'soverno
wanyway,okay?Nomatterwhathe'stellingyou,youcan'tseehimagain,"hesaid,"You'reluckyyouleftForks."
Iwrappedmyarmsaroundhim."Buthefoundme,Matt,"Imumbled,"AndI'm-I'mafraid..."
"Whydon'tyoutellyourparents?"hesaid,breakingthe(prettyawkward)hug,"Whydidn'tyoufileforarestrainingorderifhewasabusive?"
"MomandDaddidn'tbelievemewhenItoldthem,"Iexplained,"TheysaidIwaslying."
"Whywouldyoulieaboutthat?"Ishrugged."Unbelievable."
"I-Ican'tmeethimalone,Matt.Imean,Ijust...Iwon'tbeleavingthehouseforawhile.Homeandschoolandthat'sit,"Isaid,"ImightgotoJake'sgarageforEmbry'ssake-ImeanIcouldn'tthanktheguyearlier-butthat'sit."
"Forhowlong,Mary?"Hewalkedtowardshiswindow,hisbacktome."Forever?You'reboundtomeethimsomeday."
"Iknow,but-butIcan't.Idon'tknowwhatmighthappen...howangryhewouldbe-anything."
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Heslidhishandsinhispockets."Callhim,"hesaid,"Callhimnow.TellhimtomeetyouatJake'sgarage-whenareyoumeetingEmbry,Monday?"Inodded."TellhimtomeetyouthereMondayatthree,rightafterschool.I'llbethere,JakeandEmbrywillbethere.Nothingcanhappen.Howdoesthissound?"
"Areyousure,Matt?You'ddothisforme?"
Heturnedtofaceme."IsweartoGodifheeventriestolayhandsonyouI'llfuckingkickhissorry,woman-beatingassupuntilhebeggedformercy."
Ihalf-smiled,wipingmytears."Thankyou,Matt.Thankyousomuch."
Hesmiledfaintlyatme."Justcallhim,"hesaidandtypeddownJake'sgarageaddress.Igotoutmyphoneanddialledhisnumber,myhandshakingslightly.Ihadmoreconfidence,though.AsJacksonanswered,IputhimonspeakerphoneandmotionedtoMatttocomecloser.
"Hello?"
"H-Hey...Jackson,"Isaid.
"Ohlookwho'scalling,"hemocked,"HaveyouthoughtaboutwhatItoldyou?"
"Yes,"Ibreathed,justloudenoughforhimtohear."HowaboutMondayatthree?Afterschool?"
"Brilliant,"hesaid,"Where,Princess?"
Iwinced."There'sthisgarageI'mgonnabeat..because..um-"Mattmouthedanexcusetome."BecauseI'mgettingmycarfixed."
"Car?Yougotacar?"
"Yeah,sure,"Ilied.
"Ha.Thatwouldbefuntowatch.Alrightthen..givemeanaddressandI'llbeth
ere."Idictatedtheaddresstohim."Cool.Seeyathen,Mary."
"Bye."
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MondaymorningIdidn'tevenwanttogetouttabed.
MystomachtwistedassoonasIheardmyalarm,butIknewIhadtodoit.Ihadtogotoschool,actlikeeverythingwasokay,andgoonwiththerestofthiseventfulday.IcalledEmbrylastnighttotellhimIwasgonnameethimandhesoundedprettyexcitedaboutit.Iwasn't.ButthefactthatIwouldhaveMattwithme,inadditiontotwo(very)hugeguys-bigenoughtoscaremyfatheroff,
andhewasacop-mademefeelatadbetteraboutit.
Igotup,didmymorningroutineandstoodforwhatseemedlikeagesinfrontofmycloset,tryingtopicksomethingtowear.Iwasn'tusuallytheonetobotherwithpickingcertainclothesfordifferentoccasionsbuttodaywasspecial.TodaywasthefirsttimeImeetJacksonafterIleftForks.AccordingtoMatt,Ihadto"deliverthemessagethatIwasmuchbetteroffwithouthimandthatIneverdidoreverwillneedhimtofeelgoodaboutmyself".Inshort,Ihadtowearsomethingthatsaid:confident.
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Iendedupwithashort,beige,sleevelessdress,matteblacktights,myblackblazer(theheavyonetokeepmewarm)andblackballerinashoes.Ileftmyhairlooseonmyshoulderswiththeexceptionofaclippedstrandontheright.Iusuallywentwithoutmake-up,buttodayIframedmyeyelidswithablackeyelinerandmascara,withaslightlightbrownglossonmylips.Itookalastlookatmyreflectioninthemirror,abittakenabackbythechangeinmyshape.IalmostlookedlikeIusedtobeforeknowingJackson.Almostlikeagirl.Ha.
MyphonerangonceandIlookedoutofthewindowtofindMattwaitinginhisAudiforme.He'dagreedtodrivemetoschooleveryday,sincehewastheonewiththecarnow.Foralazyasslikeme,thiswasalotbetterthanwalkingthereanditofferedmetwentywholeminutesofextrasleepeverysinglemorning.Read:heaven.
Irushedoutoftheroomanddownthestairs,throwingMomaquick"bye"beforeIwentoutandrantothestill-beautifulAudi,hoppinginside."Mornin',Matt."
Heturnedtolookatmeandhiseyeswidened."Whothehellareyou?"
Irolledmyeyes."Comeon..."
"No,seriously."Heshookhishead."You?Inadress?Andloosehair?And...make-up?"Hestartedtheengineanddrove.
"Goodenough?"
"Morethanthat,"hesaid,"Youlookgreat.That'sexactlywhatImeant."
"HeyMatt?"
"Yeah?"
"Everythingwillbeokay,right?"
Hesmiledatme."Don'tworry.Everythingwillbeperfect."
Isurehoped.
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Assoonasthefinalbellrang,IfoundMattstandingoutsidetheclassroom,waitingforme.HeheldouthishandformeandItookit.Myheartwasbeatingrapidlyinanticipationandfear,both.IwantedthistobeoverassoonaspossibleandIwasafraid.Afraidhemightthreatenmeagain.ButthistimeIhadpeopleonmyside.ThistimeIwasn'talone.UnlikewhatIthoughtbeforetellingMatt,Ididnotinanywayregrettellinghim.Atleastnotyet.
OnceIwasseatednexttohiminthecarhestartedtellingmestufflikeitwasn'tabigdealandthathewasthereforme.Iappreciatedit.Really,Idid.ButinordertorelaxIneededtoatleastpretendtoforgetwhatwastocomefor
amoment.IfeltabitbetterbutIwasinnowayrelaxed.AllIcouldthinkaboutwashowIwasgoingtomessuporhoweverythingwasgoingtogothewrongway.
WhenImadeittothegarage,at2:30exactly,IfoundEmbrywaitingforme,ahugegrinonhisface.Agrinthat,bythesightofMatthew,gotsmaller.Igrimaced."Hey,Embry-sorryIdidn'ttellyouearlierbut..um..Mattthoughthe'dcomewithme'causehe...err-"
"IneedtoaskJakeacoupleofstuff,"Mattliedandpattedmyback,gettingin
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thegarage,leavingmewithEmbry.
IhadtotakeastepbacktobeabletolookatEmbryintheeye.Hissmilewassowideandsosurprisinglycalmingthatmyheartbeatgotslower,morerelaxed.Hisrussetskincontrastedwithhisbrightwhiteteeth,makinghimlooksostunninglyamazing.Iwouldstopdrooling,butIneededadistraction.
"Youlookpretty,"hecommented,eyeingmyoutfitandhair.
IfeltmycheeksgettingdarkerandIlookedattheground."Thanks.So...uh,"Isaid,"AreyouworkingonthePorschenow?"
Hechuckledandtookmyhand.HishandwassostunninglyhotthatIgaspedinwardlybuthedidn'tseemtonotice.HeledmeinsideandshowedmethewhitePorscheJakewasburiedunder.Jacobslidout,hisfaceallgreasy,andsmiledatme."Ohhey,Mary,"hesaid,"Whatchadoinghere?"
IlookedatEmbrywholookedlikehecouldshoothisfriendandbackatJake."IcameheretocheckifEmbryreallycouldworkwithcarslikehesaidhecould."
Jakelaughed."Embry?Cars?NahIbringhimaroundheretomoptheground."
Embryrolledhiseyes."Stopthat,she'llbelieveyou."
Jacoblaughedharder."Alright.Look,Maryhe'sgreatwithcars,"hesaidbeforelookingathim,"Happy,Em?JuststayawayfromthisoneuntilIchecktheengineagain."
Hechuckled,raisinghishandsintheair."Whatever."Heturnedtome,releasingourhands."Lemmeshowyoutheplacethen."
Thegaragewasprettyplain-thewallswerecoveredwithwood,wheretheyhungtheirtoolsonlittlehangers.Inside,theyhadalittleroomwheretheykeptalltheheavierstuff-theboxesandsparepartsandallofthat.Theyalsohadasecretaryandall-someblondethatlookedlikeshecouldn'tadduptwonumberstogether.
Weendedupsittinginacorner."Sohowarethings?How'syourelbow?"
Igrinnedathim.Hewasjustsoeasytobewith."Yeah,I'mfine.Howareyou?Youstilljogshirtless?"
Helaughed."Yeah,sure.It'sfun.Youshouldtryitoutsometime."Hewiggledhiseyebrows.Igavehimalookthatsaid'Seriously?'towhichherespondedwithawideeyeandadefensivemanner."I'mkidding!Jesus."
Ilaughed.Mattwalkedtowardsusthen."He'shere,Mary."
Chapter5
Embry'sPOV
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HersmilewasthemostamazingthingIhadeverwitnessed.Imagineanangel,withlonghairthatwentalittlepasthershouldersanddark,sparklingeyes,spreadinghershiny,fulllipsintoaperfectsmile.IwishedIcouldpausetimeandjuststareather.True,IhopedIcouldbealonewithher,withoutherboyfriendorJakeoreventheamountofgreasearoundhere,butIstillcouldn'tbelievethatshewassittingrightinfrontofme,talkingtome.Thatpersonwasmytruesoulmate,andshewasrighthere.Iwoulddoanything,nomatterhowimpossibleitmightseem,tobewithherfortherestofourlives.Justlookingathersmile,Ivowedtoloveher,protectherandkeepherhappyfortherestofbeing.Iwantedthatsmiletolastforever.
Muchtomydisappointment,itwasreplacedwithashakygrimaceassoonasMatttoldhersomeonewashere.Mybrainglitchedforasecond.Who?Whowashere?Didshetellsomeonetomeetherhere?Wasthatwhyshewasalldressedup,lookingashotasever?Tomeethim,whoeverhewas?
Shelookedatmeapologetically."Look,I'llexplain,"shepromised,"Butforthemeantime,just-"sheglancedatMattandthenatme,"Stayclose,alright?"
Wasitjustmeorwaseverythingsuddenlydisordered?Icouldn'tunderstandathingandseeingbyhowfastshewentupandoutofthegarageIdidn'thavetime
tounderstandanythingeither.Shestraightenedherdress,flippedherhairandwaitedinfrontofthegarageforacoupleofsecondsuntilatallkid,abouteighteenbythelooksofit,joinedher.Shekeptherdistanceanddidn'ttouchhisoutstretchedhand,muchtohisobviousdismay.Mattleanedclosetome."He'sherex,"hesaid,"Juststaywhereshecanseeyoubecauseshecoulduseasmuchsupportasshecouldgetatthemoment."
"Why?"Iasked.
"Juststickaround.Ican'treallytellyoumuch."
Ihuffedandwentouttostandacoupleofmetersawayfromthem,soonlyshecouldseemeandhecouldn't.Theybothstayedsilentforawhile,juststaringat
eachother.Shehadthatlookonherface-alookthatstrivedtobeconfidentandcarelessbutontheinside,Iknew,Ijustknew,thatshewasshakingwithfear.Whatthehellhasheeverdonetohertoscarehersomuch?
"Lookatyou,"hesaid,"Youmissme,don'tyou?Isthatwhyyou'realldressedup?"Shecrossedherarmsoverherchest,silent.Heapproachedherfacewithhishandandshebackedawayforamoment,butitdidn'tstophimfrompullingastrandofherhairbehindherear.Shewinced,forsomereasonandIgrowled.Howdarehetouchherwhensheobviouslydidn'twanthimto?
"Whatdoyouwant?"
Hehadahandonherneckandheleanedclosertoherlikehewasgoingtokiss
her.Herbreathaudiblycaughtupinherthroatandshebitherlip.Butinsteadofkissingher,heleantclosetoherear."Youoweme,youlyingbitch,"hewhisperedandkissedherearlobebeforebackingaway.AtearsliddownhercheekandittookmeallthecontrolIeverlearnttostayinmyplaceandnotbeathimup.IwasshakingsohardthatevenJakenoticeditandfromhisplaceinthegarage,hemouthed,"Staycool."
IglancedatMatt,wantingtoseehisreactionandhisjawwasclenched,hishandsballedintofists.Imightnotexactlyliketheguybutseeingthisreactiononhimpleasedmejustatad.Marylookedatthekidwithbeggingeyes."Whatdi
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dIeverdotoyou?"shebreathed.
"Ha.Letmecount,"hesaid,"Youliedtomeaboutlovingme.Rememberwhenyouusedtosaythatyoulovedmesomuchyouwoulddoanythingforme?"Hetrailedhisfingeronherforearm,"AndwhenIaskedforonesimplething..."
"Iwasn'tready,"shesaid,hervoicechoking,"Andyougotwhatyouwantedintheend,didn'tyou?"
"Butthenyouleftme,Mary,"hesaid,"YouleftmewhenItoldyounotto.YouleftmewhenIneededyou."
Herhandsgrippedherelbowswhileherarmswerecrossed.Shelookedawayfromhimandatthesky."DoyouevenknowwhyIleftyou?"
"Honestly?No.Itreatedyoulike-"
Shecuthimoff."Likeafuckingslave.Youthreatenedme,youtreatedmelikeshit,yougoteveryfuckingthingyouwantedfrommewhetherIlikeditornot."Hervoicewasmenacinglycool."Ibarelyslept.Ibarelysawmyfriends.Ibarelyhadalife.YoutookawayeverythingIhadandgavemenothinginreturn,Jackson."
Iwasshakingsohard.Extremelyhard.Ifitwasn'tforJake'salphaordertost
aycoolIwouldhavephasedrightthereandthenandkilledthatasshole.No,Iwouldn'thavekilledhim.Iwouldhavetorturedhim,tornawayhislimbs,burnthimandmadehimbegformetokillhim.And,trustme,Iwouldn'thavehadanykindofremorseorregretafterdoingthat.None.
Mattwasstandingrightbehindher,pretendingtolooktheotherwaybuthisfistswerereddeningfrompressure.Bythenon-surprisedlookonhisface,IhadasensehealreadyknewaboutJackson-enoughthatherwordsdidn'tsimulateanykindofsurprisefromhim.
Jackson'sreactionwasimmediate.Hedidn'tyell.Allhedidwasslapherandpullonherhair,pullingherclosetohim."Youfuckingbitch.Iwouldhavedoneanythingforyou."
"Stayawayfromher!"Iyelled,yankinghimawayfromherfromhisshoulder.Shescreechedalittleashepulledonherhaironemoretimebeforereleasingher.
Mattwalkedoutandgrabbedherarm."Getinside."
Shelookedoncemoreatus,thenatMattbeforerunninginside.Icouldhearherdrysobsanditenragedmeevenmore.IturnedaroundtofaceJackson,whopushedmyhandaway."Whatthehell?"
Withouttalking,myfistconnectedwithhisface.HebackedawayslightlyandItookastepforward."Listen,yousonofabitch,"Ihissed,"IfyouevertrytoseeherortalktoheragainIwillkillyou."
HetriedtopushmebackbutIdidn'tbudge."Mindyourownbusiness!"hesaid,wipingawaythebloodfromhisnose."Thisissomethingbetweenmeandmygirlfriend."
"Maryisnotandwillneverbeyourgirlfriend,Jackson,"Mattsaidcalmly,crossinghisarmsoverhischest."Isuggestyougoawaynowandnottrytocontactheragain."
"Orelse...?"Jacksonaskedmockingly.Igrowled.
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"Orelsewefileforarestraining-"
IcutMattoff."Listen,Jackson,"Igrowled,takingastepclosertohim,"I'vekilledbefore."Killedvampires,yes."Sodon'tyouthinkforasecondthatIwouldhesitatetohurtyou."
Hetookastepback,lookingbehindmeatMary."Slut,"hemumbledandgotinhiscar.IturnedtoMary,findinghersittingonJake'schairwithabottleofwaterinherhand,courtesyofJake.Herhandsweretrembling,herhairfallingdowntocoverherface.BeforeIcouldmakeittoher,Matthadalreadyrushedbyhersideandtakenherintohisembrace.JealousyburnedinmychestandifMarywasn'tthere,ifIwasn'ttryingtogetasmuchtimewithheraspossible,Iwould'veranawayandphased.Whileshewashugginghimshewaslookingatme,mouthinga'thankyou'.ShepattedMatt'sback."Thanksforbeingthereforme,"shewhisperedinhisear,"Iappreciateit."
"I'llalwaysbethereforyou,Mary,"hewhispered,"Nomatterwhat,alright?ButI-I-gottagonow,I'msorry.Ihavethispracticethingfortennis..."Hebroketheirhug.
"But-Butit'sMonday..."
"It'san...emergencything,forthematchnext...Thursday,"hesaidhesitantly.
Shenodded."Sure,goahead.I'lltakeacabhome."
"Yousure?"hebreathed,pattingherhead,"'CauseIcancancel-"
Sheshookherhead."Don't.Pleasego,"shesaid."Thanksforeverything."
Heturnedtheotherway,facingmeashegotout.Hepattedmyshoulderashedid."Thanks,man.Takecareofher."Hiseyeswerered,hisvoicestrained.InoddedandhetookoffinhisAudi.Ididn'twaitforhimtoleavebeforeIwenttothecryingbeautyinthegarage.Ikneltdowninfrontofher.
"Iseverythingokay?"Iasked."Doyouneedanything...?"
Shelookedatme,hereyesfulloftears."Thankyou,Embry,"shesaid,"Thankyousomuch.Iowe-"
"Youdon'towemeanything,Mary,"Iinsisted.
"ButIdo.You-"
Ismiledathersimplicity,tryingtolightenthemood."WellIknowawayyoucouldrepayme..."
Sheblinkedawaythetearsinhereyesandstaredatme,herfacebreakingintoasmallsmileafterawhile."HowcanI?"
"Dinner.Withme."
Shegrinned."Oh?"
"Mhm."
"Asinafriendsthingor..."
Morethanfriends,Iwished,butIknewIcouldn'taskherthat.Ididn'twanth
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ertofeellikeshewasgoingoutwithme,asmorethanfriendsbecausesheowedme.Icouldwaitforherforever."Friends,sure.Whateveryoulike."
Shesmiledandnodded,runningherhandthroughherlong,wavyhair."Ahdamn."Shestretchedherarmsbesideher."DoyouknowanyplacewhereIcangetsomechocolatearoundhere?"
Igrinnedather."Whydon'tyoucomewithmeandwe'llgetyousomechocolate?"
"Awesome,"shesaidandgotup,walkingwithmetomybike.Todaywasmydayoffhereanyway,theonlyreasonIcamewasforMarysoIwassureJacobwouldn'tmind.Becausesheworeadress,Imadehersitinthefront,sothatshefacedtheright.Isatrightbehindher,stretchingmyarmsonbothhersides.Shelookedatme,blushing,asthebikeroaredtolife.Sheclungtomyt-shirtaswegotoutoftheparkinglotandintothemainstreet.Assoonaswestoppedacceleratingherhandrelaxedonmyshirt,butshestillclungtoitslightly.
"There'sthisplacetwoblocksaway-asmallcandyshopIguess,"Isaid,noteventryingtohidethehappinessinmytone."ButIwasthinkingmoreofarestaurant.Whatdoyouthink?"
"Thecandyshopsoundscool."
"Okaythen,"Iagreed,"Whateveryouwant."
WestayedsilentforamomentuntilIstoppedinfrontoftheshop.Shestayedseated,lookingatme."Look,Embry,aboutJackson..."shetrailedoffandIkeptmymouthshut,waitingforherexplanation,"I'msorry.Youdidn'thavetoseethis."
"Mary,don't-it'sokay,"Ireassuredher."Idon'tmindlookingoutforyou."
Hereyesconnectedwithmine."Butyoudon'thaveto-Imean,Ijustmetyouacoupleofdaysago..."
Ihalf-smiledather."Youhavenoidea."Ibreathed,toolowforhertohear."Mary?"
"Hm?"Hereyesweredreamy.TheymademefeellikeIcouldstareatthemforever.
"I'llalwayslookoutforyou,"Iwhispered.OurfacesweresocloseIcouldfeelherbreathonmymouthanditdroveeverycellinmecrazy.Iinchedalittleclosertoher."Always,Mary."
Shelickedherlips."Butwhy?"
BecauseIimprintedonyou.Becauseyou'rethecenterofmyuniverse.Ibreatheyou.Iliveforyou.Myuttergoalinthislifeistobewithyou,toprotectyou,tobeeverythingyoueverneeded.Iamyourgenie,Mary.Icanbewhateveryo
uwantmetobe.ButIcouldn'ttellherthat,couldI?IfIwantedanythingtoeverhappenbetweenusthelastthingIneededwastoscareheroff,oroverloadherwithinformationshecouldeasilylivewithout.Iwasnotabouttotakeherlifeawayfromher.IwasnotabouttobecomeanotherJackson.
ButwhenIleanedcloser,andIgentlykissedherlowerlip,allIcouldthinkaboutwashowmuchIlovedher-howmuchIwantedtoforgeteverythingandbewithher.Itdidn'tlastasecondandIbrokeitoffimmediately.Ididn'twanttoscareheroff.WhatIfeltforthatmomentwastoostrongtoignore,though.Andmaybe,justmaybe,shewantedittoo.MaybethatwaswhyIfeltthatwaytost
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artwith.
Iwasabouttogetoffthebikewhenshegrabbedmyarmandpulledmeclosetoher.Ididn'tresist.Shemovedherhandstothebackofmyneck,oneofthemslidingupinmyhairandsheroseherbodyuntilourlipsmetagain.Thistime,shekissedme,lickingmylips,takingmylipsinhers.Imovedmyhandstoherwaistandpulledhercloser,sothatourchestsweretouching,kissingherdeeper,unconsciouslylickingherlipsandsheopenedhermouth,lettingmytonguein.Assoonasourtonguestouched,wemoaned.Shesuckedonmytongueforasecondandkissedmylipsforonelasttime,breakingoffthekissaltogether.
Wewerebothbreathingheavilybythenandherfacewasflushed.Igentlyranafingeronherwarmcheekandshekeptlookingatmeforasecond.Wedidn'tsayawordandshebitherlipandhoppedoffthebike."Let'sgo."
Ipulledoutthekeysandwalkedbehindherassheproceededtowardsthestore."Mary,wait!"
Sheturnedtome,herlipsquivering."This."Shelickedherlips."Neverhappened.Okay?"
Ilookedatherwithsympatheticeyes.Iknew,Ijustknew,Icouldn'taskherforanythingmorethanbeingfriendsfornow.Whatsheneededthemostwasafriend,Irealized."Okay."
Shesmiledfaintlyatmeandskiddedtowardstheshop,pushingthedoorin,rushinginside.Iwaitedforherbythecashierandwatchedherasshepracticallytookabitofeverythingthathadthehintofchocolateinit.Marywasn'texactlyfat,butshewas...curvy.Shehadthosedeliciouscurvestoherbutshewasn'twhatonewouldcallfat.However,bythelooksofit,thoselittledemonsshehadinherhandsprobablyhadmorecaloriesinthemthanmydailyaverage.Andthatwasalot.
BeforeshemadeittothecashierIhadalreadypaidmorethanshewouldneedtocoverforherchocoholicdose.Surprisingly,shedidn'tobject.Assoonaswelefttheshop,though,Iknewwhy:she'dleftherbookbag,whichhadhermoney,inMatt'scar.Shekeptramblingabouthowshe'drepaymebutIcouldn'tcarele
ss.Mymoney,body,soulandeverythingIhadwashersanyway.
"Iknowtheperfectplacewhereyoucaneatallofthose..."Isaid,"Stuff."
"Mhm?"shesaid,suckingonapieceofchocolate-flavoreddriedstrawberryandIstartedtheengine.
"Yeah,"Isaid,gettingoutoftheplace,"ThecliffsinLaPush..it'sonlylikefifteenminutesawayifwe'refastenough."
Sheshookherhead."Nah,"shesaid,"Ihaveabetterplace."
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"Thetopofaveryoldbuilding,"Istatedassoonaswewerethere."How...romantic."
Shelaughed,throwingachocolateballinhermouth."It'snotmeanttoberomantic,idiot."
"Right."
Fromourplacehere,wecouldseethewholecity.Thelights,thebuildings,the
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houses.Italmostlookedmagical.Exceptthatthecliffsweremuchmorebeautiful,butanythingshesaidhadtobedone.Shecrossedherlegsandsatontheground,puttingtheloadofsugarinfrontofher.
Isatdownbesideher,butstillkeepingmydistance."Youcan'tpossiblyeatallthat,canyou?"
Shenarrowedhereyesatme,thenhesitantly,afteramomentofthinking,shepickedoneofthebarsinfrontofherandhelditouttome."Wantsome?"
Ilaughedandshookmyhead."It'snotthat."
Shesmiled,eatinganothermouth-full."Youknow,Embry?"shesaid,cockingherheadtotheside,"I'venevergoneoutwithsomeoneIdon'tknowallalonelikethat."
"Ifyoudon'tfeelsafe..."
"No,no,it'snotthat,silly,"shesaid,"Thiswasjustmywayofsayingthanksformakingmecomfortable.Andforbuyingmechocolate."Shemoaned."Damnthisisheaven."Shestuckhertongueout,laidanotherchocolateballonitandIwasdyingtotakeitawayfromherwithmymouth.Unfortunately,Ihadtoshakeoffthosethoughts.Fuck.Icouldn'tforgethowherlipsfeltonmine,howhertonguetastedsodelicious."Ohlook!"shesuddenlysaid,pointingatthesky."A
shootingstar!Makeawish.Outloud.Let'sbothgoatthesametime."
"Iwish,"shesaid,closinghereyes."IneverhavetodealwithJacksonagain."
"Iwishthisdayneverends."
Shelookedatmeandsmiled,herlipssmudgedwithchocolate."Metoo,"shebreathed."Imean,lookatallthischocolate..."
Ipattedherhead."Eat,eat,"Isaid,"Thismightbethelasttimeyouevergettoseesomuchchocolateinoneplace."
Shegrinned,eatinganotherbiteofanewbar."Iknow,right?TheysayIhavea
sweettooth."
"One?Moreliketeeth."
"Haha.Veryfunny,Embry."
"I'mjustsayin',"Isaid,"Youlooklikeyouhaven'thadanysugarinages."
Shelookedatme."Lookslikesomeone'sjealous."
"Me?No!"
"C'mon.You'reasdistractedbythischocolateasIam."
"Nope.I'masfocusedasever."
"Yeah?What'sthetopspeedoftheFerrari458?"
"2011?"
"Mhm."
"Abouttwo-hundredmilesperhour."
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"Damn."
"Iknow,baby.Iknow."Igrinnedsmugly."Iamawesome."
Sherolledhereyesandrolledonhersideassheunpackedthelastbarofchocolate.Hereyeswerehalf-closedandhercheeksbrightred.HereyelinerwasruinedfromhercryingearlierbutIcouldn'tcareless.Shebentherkneesandmadeherselfcomfortable."Ifeelsogoodrightnow,"shesaidandIkeptwatchingher,amused,"Youhavenoidea.Chocolategivesyouthissortof...highfeeling.Ifeelsohighrightnow.ThelasttimeIfeltthatwasbackwhenIusedtosmoke...Ha.That...uncontrollablefeelingofbeingsofree,soamazing."
Ifrowned."Yousmoked?"
"U-usedto."Sheyawned,leaningherheadonherarm.
"Whatdidyousmoke,Mary?"
Sheyawnedagainandstretchedherarms,rollingonherback."Sometimescigarettes,sometimes..weed..."
"Youserious?"Ibreathed.Itwassounbelievable.Itdidn'tmatchtheangelthatlaidinfrontofme.Iwasn'tdisappointedinheroranything,butitwasabi
tofashocktome.
"Mmhm."Sheclosedhereyescompletely."Hemademedoitacoupleoftimes,butit'snobiggie.It'snotlikeIdoitanymore."Sherestedherhandsonherstomachandstretchedherlegs."Ah,I'msotired."
Ileanedonmyside."Youwannasleep,Mary?"
Shedidn'tanswer.Herchocolate-smudgedmouthopenedslightlyandhermusclesseemedtorelax.Thebarinherhandobviouslystainedherbeigedressbutshedidn'tcare.Shewasalreadyinanotherworld,adreamyone.Shealmostlookedlikeachild,withherchocolateandherinnocentface.Achildthatgrewuptooquickly,agirlwithhopesanddreamsprobablyassimpleasakid'simagination.I
tookoffmyjacketandlaiditoverherbodyandsherelaxedabitmore.Ismiled,watchingthislittlekid,mistakenlyaseventeen-year-oldgirl,sleep.
Chapter6
Mary'sPOV
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MycheekswereimmersedindeliciouswarmnessandittookmeawhiletorealizethatIwassleeping-thatIneededtowakeup.WherewasI?ThelastthingIrememberedwasbeingonthetopofanoldbuildingwithEmbryandalotofchocolate.DidIfallasleep?Apparently.ItriedtoguesswhereIwasbythefeelingofit,butinsteadofthecoldfloorofthebuildingIwasonawarm,comfysort
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ofcouchorbed,Iwasn'tsure.Iyawnedandthewarmnessonmycheekdisappeared.MyeyesflutteredopenandIfoundmyselflyingdownonthebackseatofacar.ThedoorwasopenandEmbrywasstandingnexttomewithasmileonhisface.
"Lookwhowokeup,"hemumbled,touchingmynose."C'mon,weneedtogetyouinside."
Ifrowned."We?Where?WhereamI?"
Hissmilewidened."YoufellasleepwhileeatingchocolateandIcalledNessie,whocameandpickedusup.YoulookedsopeacefulsoIdidn'treallybotherwakingyouup,"heexplained,"We'reinfrontofyourhousenow.It'saboutseven."
"Mhm,cool."Iyawnedagain."Thankyou."Isatupandrubbedmyeyes."Um...where'smybookbag?"
"WithMatt."
"Right."Icrawledmywayoutofthecar.NessiewasstandingbehindEmbry.
"HeyMary."Shewavedatme,grinningwideandexchangingglancesbetweenmeandEmbry."Hadagoodtimetoday?"
"Todaywasawesome,"Imocked."Thebestdayofmylife."
Shefrownedandtiltedherheadabit.Embrygaveheralookthatsaid'I'll-explain-later'."Ookay,let'sgetyouinside."
"Um,"Isaid,"Icanfindmyownwaythere,thanks."Iclosedthebuttonsofmyblazer,coveringthechocolatestainrightonmytummy.Howdidthathappenanyway?Embrylookedalittledisappointedatmyresponse."But,"Isaid,"Thankyou,Embry.Foreverything.Forthethingatthegarage,andthechocolate-"andthatdamngreatkiss"-andall."
HeflashedmeadazzlingsmileandIhadtorememberhowtobreathe."Canwehangoutagainsometimethen?"heasked,"Asfriends,ofcourse."
Ofcourse.Damnmyluck.Okay,somymindinsistedthatIcouldn'tbeinarelationshipatthemoment,andmyheartseemedtoagreewithitonthatone,butagirllikessomeattention,somepersistence.Itwouldn'thurttohangoutasfriendsthough.Embryseemedcool.
"Yeah,sure,"Isaid,"Gimmeacallsometime,I'msurewecanworksomethingout."Amomentofawkwardsilence."Alright,Igottago."
Withoutanyintroductions,orwarnings,Ifoundmyselfliftedupfromthegroundandintoabearhug.IttookmeasecondtowrapmyarmsbackaroundEmbry.Asmuchasitsentbutterfliesthroughmybody,Ileanedclosetohisearandwhispered,"Okay,youcanletmegonow."
Hesetmebackonmyfeetslowlyandwhispereda"takecare"intomyearbeforehoppingintothecarwithNessieandleavingmeonthepavementofmyhouse.IwasgoingtowalkinwhenIrememberedIhadtopassbyMatt'sfirst.Hishousewastheonenextdoor,soitdidn'ttakemealotoftimebeforeIwasonhisdoor.Irangthebellandwaited,rubbingoffthechocolateonmymouthandeyelinerbeneathmyeyeasIdid.
Afterawhile,hismotheransweredthedoor."Ohhello,Mary."
"Mrs.WilliamsisMattbackfromhispracticeyet?"
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"Practice?"sheretorted,"It'sMonday,dear.It'shisdayoff."
Helied."Um,yeah,mybad,"Imumbled,stickingmyhandsinmypocket,"Isheherethough?Hehassomeofmystuff."
Shenodded."Comeonin."
IwalkedintotheirhouseandstraighttoMatt'sroom.Itwaslocked.Iknockedtwice."Goaway,Kelly."
"It'sMary."
Iheardhimfallandcursebeforeheopenedthedoor."Hey,whatareyoudoinghere?"
Ieyedhismessedblondhair,dirtyshirtandtired-lookingeyes."Areyouokay?"
"Areyouokay?"
Ismiledcunningly."Ihadthreebarsofchocolateandabout200gramsofmixedchocolatecandy,"Isaid,"I'mglorious."
"Youdidwhat?"Hiseyeswidened."Tellmeyoudidn't."
"Idid!"
"Well,whataboutyourdiet?Whataboutyourhighbloodsugarlevel?Areyoutryingtogetyourselfintoacoma?"
"Idon'tgiveafuck."
"Language!"Kelly,Matt'syoungersister,remarkedasshewalkedintoherroom.Hepulledmeinhisroomandslammedthedoorshut.
"Beforeyousayanything,"Isaid,eyeinghissmasheduproom,"Ijusthadabad
day.Speakingofwhich,whatthehellhappenedtoyourroom?"
Hesighed."Ijusthadabadday,"herepeated.
"Soyouwentupsmashingeverythingineyesight?"Iasked,lookingatthecrushedvaseanddisorderedclothes.Mattwasoneofthoseguyswhocouldn'tstanditiftheirroomwasjustalittlebituntidy,soseeinghisroomlikethatwaslikeseeingafishwalkonland.
"Iwasjustupset."
"Youliedtome,"Istated,"Youhadnotennis.Why'dyouleave?"
Hethrewhimselfonthebed."Youmattertome,Mary,"hesaid,"Youmattertomesomuch.Youhavenoideahowmuchyoumeantome.Andseeingyou...likethat...todaywithJacksonwasjust...unbearable.AndIcan'tbelieveIwassocalm.Iwantedtoyell.IwantedtosmashhisheadbutIwasjustso...calm.Ifeltlikesuchafailure-Imean,youdependedonmeand-"
"DoyoureallythinkIwantedabloodbaththere?"Iasked,"Ifyou'dhithim,youwould'vebeenwithEmbryagainstone.Somethingseriouslybadwould'vehappened."
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"Youdon'tgetit."
"Well,enlightenme!"Iyelled.Hestaredatme,silent."Sorry,"Iwhispered,"Ijusthateseeingyoulikethat.Imean."Ipickedupapieceofglassfromtheground."Ihadnoideayourvase'sinteriorwaspink.Thisishorrible."
Hiseyesconnectedwithmineandwebothresistedlaughingforasecondbeforewebrokeintohysterics.Hestoodupandhuggedme."I-"hestartedthenpaused."Ineverknewitwaspink."
Igiggledandhuggedhimback."Whohasavaseintheirroomanyway?"
Herubbedmybackandwestayedlikethatforamoment:hisarmsaroundmywaistandminearoundhisneck.Toastranger,itmusthavelookedlikewewere...romanticallyinvolved,ifthat'sthewordforit.Buttous,itwasnothingmorethanabrother-sisterrelationship.Mattwasmybestfriend,afriendascloseasabiologicalbrother.Though,Iwouldarguethatnotallbiologicalbrothersareclose.ExhibitA:mybrother.
Suddenly,myvisionblurredandmyheadfeltheavy.Icouldn'tholdmyarmsaroundhim.TheyfellandIclosedmyeyes,tryingtoregainmybalance.Hetightenedhisgriponmywaist."Whoa,areyouokay?"
Inoddedandpracticallyfellonhisbed.AssoonasIlayback,myvisionstart
edgettingbetter."I'mfiiine,"Isang,"YouhavenoideahowawesomeIfeel."
Hecrawledbesidemeonthebed."Canyoubreathewell?"Ijustrolledmyeyes.AsmuchasIlikedhowclosewewerebecomingIhatedthat,duringthepastcoupleofmonths,Mattwitnessedmeperformallofmymagichealthtricks.Losebalance,faint,haveapanicattack-thewholelot.WhenIdidn'tanswer,heunbuttonedmyblazer.
"Hey!"Icomplained.
"Itlookedtootight,andyoujusthadalotoffood..."Heshruggedandlaydownbesideme."Youshouldprobablystaylikethatforawhile."
Ilaughed."Thisdayisweird,"Isaid,"Imean,firstwithJackson,andthenEmbry,andthenthechocolate...andthennow..."
Hechuckled."Howwasyourday?Didheshowyouthecarthing?"
"Nah."
"What,then?"
Ismiled,thememoriesofmyfewhourswithEmbryfloodingback,makingmycheeksredden.Iflippedonmyside,facingMatt,myhairfallingonbothsidesofmyface.Helookedatme,anticipatingmyanswer.Ibitmylipthenspoke."Heboughtmethechocolate,"Iwhispered.
Hemock-gasped."No!"Hesmiled."Whatelsethough?"
IhadnoideawhyIsawMatttodayinatotallydifferentlight.Suddenly,heseemedsoclosetome.HegavemethisbrotherlycarethatI'dalwaysstrivedfor.IfeltlikeIcouldcompletelyandblindlytrusthimespeciallyafterheknew.Maybehedidn'tknoweverything,butheknewjustenough,andthefactthathedidn'tseemlikehewastreatingmeanydifferentlymademerelax.
"CanItellyouasecret?"Iwhispered,bitingmylips,leaningsoclosetohim
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thatmyhairwastouchinghischeek.Hegentlyputitaway,nodding,keepingeyecontact."Beforewewentintogetthechocolate,Embry-"Ipaused.DidIwanttotellhimthis?Imean,I'dtoldEmbrytopretenditneverhappened.Itsuredoesn'tfeellikeitdidn't,butacoupleofhoursearlierIregrettedit.IregrettedthefirstkissI'deverwillinglygrabbedaboyfor.Theonlykissthatmatteredsofar.Akisssogentle,soloving,soheavenlybutso,sowrong.Itwaswrong,Icouldfeelitinsideme.WheneverIrememberedhissmoothlipsonmineIcouldn'thelpbutrecallthelasttimeI'dkissedanyone.Imust'velookedseriouslypathetictohavehimkissmelikethat-likeImattered.Likehewantedtobewithme.Thethingis:Ididn'tmatter-nottohim,nottoanyone.MaybetoMatt,asasister,butthat'sall.Iwouldneverdeservetobetreatedlikethosefairytaleprincessesorthoselittleangelicgirlseverybodylove.
Ihadtoremember-Iwasme.IwasMary.Iwasprobablythesinglemostpatheticgirlinahundredmilesradius.Iwasworthless.Ididn'tdeserveanythinglikethat.IfIdeservedanything,itwouldbethetreatmentI'dgotfrommyex.
Ifeltthetearswellupinmyeyes,mylipsshaking.Mattlookedconfused,hisbrowsfurrowed,butIlookedaway.WhatwasIdoinghere,claimingcarefromsomeonewhoshouldn'thavetoworryaboutmeorlistentomeatall?WasIreallythatdamndesperate?
Iquicklygotup,buttoningbackmyblazer,grabbingmybookbagfromwhereitlaynexttoMatt'sdesk,flippingitonmyshoulder."Igottago.Sorry."
Mattfollowedme,ananxiouslookonhisface."Mary,wait!What'swrong?Whathappened?"
Tearswerethreateningtorolldownmycheek.Ihadtoholdmybreathtoholdthemin."Nothinghappened,Matt."
HegrabbedmyarmasImademywayoutofhisroom."Lies!WhatdidEmbrydo?Didhetellyousomething?"
"Nothing!Okay?Justleavemealone."
HetightenedhisgriponmyarmandIwinced."Tellme,Mary."
Athisroughtouch,mymindwentbackfourlongmonths,onthedayItoldJacksonIwasleavingForks.He'dgrabbedmyarmintheexactsamewayanddraggedmeallthewayacrosstheroom,throwingmeonthebed.
"You'releaving?"Herepeatedforthethousandthtime.Inodded,frightened,coveringmyfacewithmyarms."Whydidn'tyoutellmeearlier?"
"I-I-Idid-didn'tknow,"Istuttered,mybreathcomingoutinshortwaves."IswearIdidn't!"
Heyankedmyarmsawayfrommyface,slappingme."Liar!"
"I'mnotlying,"Ifoundmyselfwhisper,"IswearI'mnot.IswearIdidn'tknow."IwasshakinghardandInoticedhowMatt'sgriphadloosenedconsiderably.Istruggledtocontrolmybreathing,feelingmyselfdrownasI'dfeltearlierthismorning,closingmyeyes,lettingmytearsfree.Icouldfeelmyfacelosecolorandmylimbsgrowinsensitive.MyvisionwasgettingblurryandIhadtofocusonhowtobreathe.
Inamoment,IfoundmyselfwrappedinMatt'sarms.Hekepthushingme,runninghishandonmyhair,whisperingthingsIcouldn'treallymakeout.AllIwastryingtodowasstayconsciousandIcouldn'tevengetmyselftomovemyarmsand
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wrapthemaroundMatt.Myheartwasdoingleapsandmykneesweregivinginandifitwasn'tforMatt'ssupport,Iwould'vebeenonthegroundbythen.
"Ifyoudon'twannatellme,it'stotallyfine,"Mattwhisperedafterawhile,"Butifit'stoobad,Iwanttoknow.IfEmbry-"
"It'snotaboutEmbry,"Iwhispered,"I'lltellyou.Everything."
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Embry'sPOV
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Igrowledhard,gettingoutallthenegativeenergywithinmysystem.Paul,asawolf,growledback,hoppingbesideme,movingtobitemyneckbutIdodgedhim,pushinghimaway.
That'sit,boy,hethought,letitout.Hurtme.
Ihavetofindhim,Ithought,Ihavetokillhim.Ihowled,lettingmyselffallontheground.
I'dspentallthetimeeversinceIleftMaryatherdoorinmywolfform,runni
ng,fightingmy(verywilling)brothers,tryingtowrapmyheadaroundwhathadhappenedtoday.Notthelastpart-no.Thefirstpart:thepartwhereMaryslippedfrommyhandstohisinablinkofaneye.ThepartwhereIstoodandwatchedhimtreatherlikehefuckingownedheranditenragedme:itsentwavesofflamethroughmybeing,literally.
Therewasthisthingaboutimprinting(whichsometimessucked):wheneveryourimprintfeelssomething-anything-youfeelit,too.AllwhileshesleptIcouldonlyfeelmyrage.Whenshewokeup,herpurecontentandhappinesscooledmedownalittle.HertouchfrozeanykindofhatefulfeelingsIhadtowardsanyone-includingthatasshole.Butnow-allIcouldfeelwaspureagony.Iachedforher,forhersuffering,foreverythingthathappenedandIhadnoclueof.
Ihowledagain,wishingIcouldbeonherside,comfortingher,makingherfeelbetter.Icouldn'tgetoverthescenariosthatkeptrunningthroughmymind-thevarioussituationsthatcouldhavehappenedtoherandIdidn'tknow.ThevariousscenariosthatcouldbehappeningtoherwhileIwasaway.Iwantedtotakeherandkeephersafe,rightundermysight.Iwantedtomakesurenoone,nothing,wasupsettingher.
Shehatedherself.Icouldtellthatmuch.Why?Ihadnoidea.Sheneededtobeprotected,evenfromthosethoughtsandfeelings.Ineededtoprotecther,yetIcouldn't.
Paulsighed.Anotherdifficultimprint.I'msorry,Embry.
It'snotjustdifficult-it'simpossible.HowwouldyoufeelifRachelhadbeensobroken,huh?
Hewantedtostaysilent,butIsawthroughallhisthoughts.Hewouldfeelexactlythesame.Hewouldwanttoprotecther,buttakerevengeatthesametime.Iwantedtoseethatbastardfuckingdie.
ButhowwouldIreachhim?HowwouldIknowwhohewas?
Fromhowitseemed,theyhadbeeninaseriouslylongrelationshiptogether,so
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hemighthadknownherfromwhereshewasinForks.Forks,yes!ShesaidsheknewCharlie!Shesaidherdadwasacop,too...
Thatwasit,Charlie!Charliewouldknowhim.Afterall,Forkswasallacoupleofhundredpeopleorsomething.Theyallkneweachotherandmostimportantly,Charlieknewthemall.
YouthinkIcantakeJakeandgo?
WhyJake,though?Paulasked.Charlieknowsyou.
BecauseImightloseit.Idon'tknowhowI'dreactifIfoundthatsonofabitch.
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WehadtowaituntilthemorningbecauseJacobwantedtosleep.FuckingAlpha,bossingeveryonearound.IwasinteriorlygladNessiewaspartvampire;noonewantedaminiJacobtobossthemaroundinthefutureaswell.IwaitedinhisRabbitwhilehekissedhisfianceegoodbye.WhileIwaited,Icheckedmywatch-great,itwastwelve.ItwastimeforMary'slunchatschool(itwashelpfulhowNessiewenttothesameschool,butskippedtoday).Idialedhernumberandheardthephonering.
Once.
Twice.
Fifteenfreakin'timeswithnoanswer.
Ihuffed,onlyatadworried(shecouldstillbeinclassforanyreason,afterall),waitingforJacobtojoinme.Ipushedthehonktogethisattention."Comeonalready!"
Herolledhiseyesasheslidinside."Idon'tgetwhyyouwanttogotoCharlie."
"Ineedinformation."
Thecarroaredintolife."About?"
"AboutJackson."
Hefrowned,gettingonthemainroad."Seriously?"
"DoIlooklikeI'mfuckingkidding?"
Hegrimaced."Lookwho'sgrumpy.."
"Ijustfuckingam,okay?"Iyelled,"WhenNessiewastheoneabused*youdidn't
seemlikeyouhadaproblemkillingtheguy."
Hisgripvisiblytightenedaroundthesteeringwheel,histeethgrittingtogether."Fine.Youhaveapoint."
Therestoftheridewascompletelysilent,thetensionalmostvisible.WemadeittoCharlieatthestationinnotimeandhewaswaitingforus,ashisgranddaughterhadcalledhimearliertogivehimaheadsup.Weallsatathisdeskinawkwardsilencebeforehedecidedtospeak.
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"Igetityouwantedtoaskaboutsomething,Embry?"
Ishiftedinmyseat."ChiefSwan,didyouknowMariahAnderson?She'sthedaughterofacolleagueofyou,Igetit.TheymovedtoPortAngelesawhileago..?"
Hefrownedinconcentration."Mary.Yes,Iknowher.Issomethingwrong?"
Iturnedtowardshim,lickingmylipsinanxiousness."ShehadaboyfriendnamedJackson,right?"
"JacksonStorms-theyusedtodateforawholeyear,Ithink."
"Yes-thatone.Doyouknowanythingabouthim?Like,didhehaveviolenceproblemsatschool.."
Charlie'sshoulderssuddenlytensedandJacobwarninglykickedme.Icouldhavecrossedaline,butIcouldn'tcareless."MayIaskwhyyou'reconcernedaboutthekid,Call?"
IexchangedglanceswithJakewhonodded,givingmepermissiontospeak.Charliewaspracticallyfamilyanyway."Imethim.IknowMary.Iwasjust-"
"Interfering.Gettingyournosewhereyoushouldn't,Call."
"Charlie,"Jakespokeforthefirsttime,"Thisissueconcernstheelders.Mary.."HelookedatmeandbackatCharlie."Maryisanimprint,"hewhispered,leaningclose."Embry's."
Charlie,duringthepastcoupleofyears,hadgrowntoknowprettymucheverythingaboutus,wolves.Maybenotallaboutvampires,buteverythingaboutus-mostoftheinformationwascourtesyofoneofthemostimportantelders-SueClearwater(soonSueSwan).
Suddenly,Charliestoodup."Thentheeldersshouldbetheonescontactingme.I'mafraidthismeetingisover,gentlemen."