Rhyme A Dark Imprint

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.



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.



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!"



"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."



"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.



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?"



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.



"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.



"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?



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



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



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?



"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.



"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.



"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."



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."



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?"



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."



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.



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



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



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.



"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



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



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



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."



"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



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?"



"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."



"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



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



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



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.



"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."

Rhyme A Dark Imprint

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