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𝐌𝐢𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬. There was something comforting in the flicker of flames, the smoky scent of pine, and the low hum of laughter around her. These nights were sacred—filled with warmth, food, and the kind of camaraderie that made her feel less like an outsider and more like she belonged.
Hours had passed since Jacob had led Bella away, giving her the truth about their world. The sky had shifted from dusky blue to slate gray, and the bonfire had shrunk to glowing embers. The light it cast was dim now, thanks in part to Jared, who had yet to return with the firewood he swore he'd gather an hour ago.
Mia sat nestled beside her uncle, head resting on his shoulder as he chatted with Sam and Emily. She tried to stay awake, wanting to savor every second of the gathering, but sleep tugged heavily at her limbs. With a soft tug on Jay's rolled-up sleeve, she gave him a look that said everything she didn't feel like saying aloud.
"What's the matter, Mimi?" Jay asked, slurring slightly. The old nickname made her groan quietly, especially since the hint of alcohol in his voice was hard to miss. The others turned to glance at her, concern flickering in their eyes.
"Just tired," she muttered, crossing her arms with a small pout as the younger boys laughed behind their hands.
Jay immediately stood to help her—too fast, apparently, because a moment later, he stumbled and landed hard on the ground. A stunned silence gave way to roaring laughter. The ever-serious Jay, tipsy and flat on his back, was a sight no one expected.
It had been a stressful week, and with a few rare days off, Jay had decided to unwind. Unfortunately, that left him in no shape to drive Mia home, creating a problem neither of them had anticipated.
"I can just walk," Mia offered with a shrug. "It's not that far, and Paul taught me how to use nunchucks last week—so if Victoria shows up, I'm ready."
"No!" came the chorus of protests from every corner of the yard. Mia groaned louder this time.
The Uleys had only one spare room, and sharing a bed with the pack wasn't an appealing alternative—especially after Jacob accidentally kicked her onto the floor last time. Sleeping beside her drunk uncle didn't sound much better.
"I'll text Jacob to meet me halfway if that'll calm everyone down," she said, trying to sound rational. He'd already messaged her earlier asking to crash at her place, and she'd agreed without thinking twice. Despite everything, he was still family.
Before the argument could pick up steam again, Embry quietly spoke up. "I can drive you home. I'm heading to my mom's tonight anyway—it's on the way."
It wasn't, and everyone knew it. Paul shot him a glare that could've singed bark off trees, but Embry didn't back down. He just waited, hopeful.
Mia's face brightened. She quickly kissed Emily's cheek, shouted goodbyes to the pack, and made a beeline for Embry's car. Behind her, she caught sight of Paul sulking until Emily smacked him playfully with a dish towel. Mia couldn't help but giggle.
"You buckled in?" Embry asked once they were inside. He was fidgeting, clearly thrilled just to be alone with her again.
She nodded, and they drove off with Cupid's Chokehold humming gently from the speakers. Conversation flowed easily, and before long, they were pulling into her driveway, the soft porch light casting long shadows across the lawn.
As Mia unbuckled, Embry beat her to the passenger door, opening it with an awkward kind of chivalry that made her heart flutter. She gave him a smile that could've lit the entire street. He lingered. So did she.
His eyes kept flicking between hers and her lips. He was nervous—adorably so—but she had no patience for hesitating tonight.
"Don't hesitate," she said quietly, eyes locked on his. "Just kiss me."
That was all he needed. Embry leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a tentative, sweet kiss. Mia let out a breathy laugh and kissed him back, bolder this time. Their bodies pressed closer as she leaned against the car, the cold metal sharp in contrast to the warmth between them.
His hands found her waist, moving gently, almost reverently, as if memorizing the feel of her. She sighed into him, her fingers pressing against his chest as their kiss deepened.
Embry was clearly inexperienced, and that somehow made everything more intense—the slight awkwardness, the tentative touches, the way his whole body seemed to tremble with restrained excitement. Mia nipped playfully at his lip, drawing a soft sound from him that made her smile even as he kissed her harder in response.
Eventually, she pulled back, breathless. They rested their foreheads together, letting the silence between them buzz with unspoken feelings.
"I should get you inside," he murmured. "Jay'll kill me if you catch a cold."
Reluctantly, he let her go and offered his hand. She took it, heart thudding as they walked toward her front porch.
"Jacob's probably just a few blocks away," she reminded him playfully. "Don't keep your mom waiting."
Embry nodded, but in truth, he had no intention of leaving right away. He'd stay parked out front until Jacob arrived—he wouldn't sleep until he knew Mia was safe inside.
At the door, Mia kissed him again, soft and lingering, before slipping inside. She leaned against the wall just inside the hallway, watching through the window as Embry returned to his car. Only when he disappeared behind the wheel did she close the door, a smile etched across her face.
Outside, Embry rested his forehead on the steering wheel, a grin spreading across his lips as his heart raced with everything that had just happened.
But in the darkened woods beyond the house, Jacob stood in silence, his expression twisted in disbelief and simmering anger. He had seen it all—the kiss, the closeness, the spark—and it struck something deep in him, something unsettled.
And he couldn't shake the feeling that something was very, very wrong.
