Her New Moon

15

"How did you end up in this mess?" Embry asked, fully clothed.

"I argued with someone," Driana replied. She slightly cringed at the memory. "Almost got a gnarly scar if Jared hadn't gotten me out of the way."

"Am I about to go through everything they did?" Embry timidly inquired.

"Yes," Driana confirmed. She smiled at him. "The best part is that you won't go through it alone."

Driana glanced at Paul, who walked ahead with Sam and Jared. After explaining the basics to Embry, Sam had Jared contact the council. The elders' reactions were, like Embry's, surprised. All members aware of the shape-shifters were present, anxiously waiting for the wolf pack to arrive.

"Driana?" Sam called.

"I know," Driana interrupted. "I'll be out here."

Sam nodded at her, turned to Embry, and motioned him to follow. Jared gave the boy a reassuring hand, leading him inside. Paul sighed, and Driana looked up at him. He towered over the girl and stopped himself from playing with her hair. It was something that he'd do whenever he was nervous.

"I'm not ready to head inside," Paul confessed.

"But you need to," Driana encouraged.

"Remember how you were told that some families had magic in their blood?"

Driana recalled Billy Black mentioning it to her. Billy had told her not everyone in the tribe carried the shape-shifting gene. She nodded in response. Paul balled his fist to avoid touching the girl's hair.

"We know Embry has one parent, his mother," Paul continued. "However, she isn't from here. This could raise issues on who Embry's father is."

Driana frowned. This would mainly affect Embry more than the council and the pack. At sixteen, he transformed and would have to deal with the guesses of which family he belonged to. The girl shook her head, feeling sympathy for him. The girl ushered Paul to head inside, and she rested against the railings. It took a while, longer than how she remembered when Paul transformed.

The thoughts of that day entered her mind. Paul and Driana never left the other's side, their hands intertwined in fear of getting separated. The quiet car ride heading back home and silence the next day. She never forgot the first time they embraced each other in relief after Sam permitted Paul to see her. Then again, complications made things end.

"Are you okay?"

Driana looked up, smiling at Jared, who joined her. "Just a lot in my head."

"Must be eventful going through this again," Jared sighed. "I'm sorry you got involved."

Driana shook her head. "I think there is a reason I was meant to see all of this. I guess I'll never know, though."

"Maybe you're lucky," Jared shrugged. "Perhaps you're meant to be part of our world." He looked back at the building before pushing himself off the railing. "They're wrapping things up. We'll take care of Embry, no worries."

"I'm worried this will strain his relationship with his mom," Driana said. "This whole thing didn't do any good with your families either."

Jared pouted. "We have no choice. Besides, we shift for a reason."

Driana knitted her brows. "Are you saying there's a trigger that causes the transformation?"

A look of horror covered Jared's face. He immediately shook his head. "I did not imply anything." He pressed a hand to her forehead, speaking in a deep voice. "I command you to forget what was said."

"Jared-"

"I command you to, or else I'll get in trouble from Sam," Jared rushed out.

Driana shook her head, chuckling. "I don't remember a thing."

"Good," Jared smiled. He jumped when the door opened, and he motioned Driana to follow. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. Besides, I don't know what you're thanking me for," Driana teased, earning an eye-roll from Jared.

Embry quietly stood behind Sam and Paul. The boy looked out of place. Driana ruffled his hair, reminding him that he'd be fine. Sam ordered Paul to drop the girl home. It was evident he avoided a particular conversation with Driana. Paul and Driana headed back to his house, making a drive to Forks.

Driana turned to Paul. "Did everything go alright there?"

"It felt more serious," Paul said. "Sam guessed in his head. He thinks Embry could be his half-brother."

"Why?"

"Well, above the surface, Sam's dad left. That's what only you know," Paul explained. "Beneath the surface, he's a typical deadbeat father who didn't do his responsibilities as one. Sam told us his father would come home late and argue with his mom. He claims it made sense if he and Embry shared one father. But we'd never know."

Silence filled the car again. How curious a different day brought them back to a familiar situation. Paul drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as he drove. He glanced at Driana, who faced him under the weight of his stare.

"What?"

Paul shook his head. "Nothing." He pursed his lips.

"Do you want to talk about earlier?" Driana hesitantly asked.

Paul heard the girl's heartbeat quicken. "Are you sure?"

"The topic will come up sometime," Driana shrugged.

"We'll have all the time we need," Paul told her with a smirk.