Her New Moon

34

"How long has it been?" Emily asked, rubbing her arm as she stared out her small window.

"A day or so," Driana replied, staring blankly at the round table.

Neither of them barely moved from their spots since the pack left. Emily, for the first time, stood in place. Thoughts of worrying about Sam made her struggle to eat and sleep. Driana used her powers, looking through the eyes of the wolves. She assured Emily they were safe but hadn't caught Victoria. There was no use with Victoria's eyes. The vampire's enhanced ability in self-preservation must've played a part in making her view secretive. Sitting the whole while shifting through visions, Driana felt like a television screen changing channels.

"Are the guys doing okay?" Emily asked again. "Is Sam alright?"

Driana went through all their perspectives, each running with no end. "They're fine."

"I wish they'd come home soon," Emily huffed. She turned to stare at her stove before looking back out the window. "It's suffocating in here. I'm used to doing something. The only motive I have to stay sane is teaching children at the school I work for."

"At least you have a reason," Driana grumbled, still looking through the wolves' eyes.

Emily sighed at her. "You know that Sam meant well by keeping you here." The older girl patted her arms to remind Driana. "He wants you safe. After what happened to you that day, Sam doesn't want to risk you tracking out there with them."

"I told Sam not to feel guilty," Driana groaned. "Heck, I constantly remind the boys not to feel that way! Accidents happen, things happen. I get that I've been on the end of unfairness. But you can't stop the unexpected."

"You may say that, but it won't change their minds," Emily told her, picking at the window putty.

"Not like it ever will," Driana scoffed, pulling away from the boys' point of view.

"When you entered the world of supernatural," Emily began, facing her back at Driana. "You don't know how many times Sam talked about you. He said he'd do his best as the first protector of this generation." Emily looked at the reflection, staring at Driana. "Imagine how devastating it was for him and them to have lost against their enemy. You aren't just a friend, Driana. You're part of this family, too."

Driana slumped in her seat, staring at the wooden ceiling. "I get your point, Em."

Emily lightly chuckled. "Good."

"I wouldn't want anyone I care about getting hurt either," Driana said. "I guess I never prioritized myself in a way, thinking others are more important." She crossed her arms.

"You're first than others," Emily encouraged, leaning back against the window.

Driana bit the inside of her cheek, unsure how to respond.

"And that starts now," Emily ordered with a pointed look.

"Perhaps," Driana spoke low. "Like how Sam says abe՛՚ yapo⋅՛tߴal life." She made eye contact with Emily. "Because life is difficult."

In the following days, Driana continued her stay with Emily. There were no signs of the pack returning anytime soon. Flipping through visions, Driana noted that the split groups the boys were in circled the land. Paul, Jared, and Embry ran along the edges near the water while Jacob and Sam guarded the entries to the reservation and Forks.

"Emily, eat," Driana begged her. "You're working tomorrow, for heaven's sake!"

Picking at her food with a fork, Emily stared at it. "I'm scared I can't stomach it."

"If I were human, I'd eat it for you," Driana said.

"It's just the emptiness without Sam," Emily mumbled.

Driana frowned, comforting Emily by rubbing her shoulder. "I'm sure he feels the same, Em. I bet he wants nothing more than to be with you. He'll come home soon."

Emily placed a hand on top of Driana's, squeezing it. "Thanks."

The telephone rang, causing Emily and Driana to stare at it curiously. Emily rarely got calls, which was odd. Standing up, she cleared her voice before picking up the handset. Driana moved beside her, listening.

"Hello?" Emily answered.

"Emily?" Aunt Sue's clear voice came in a harsh whisper.

"Yeah, it's me," Emily said, quirking a brow at Driana, who raised hers.

"It's about Harry," Aunt Sue heaved out. "We're at the hospital."

Emily's hand flew up to cover her mouth in shock. Driana leaned against the wall in disbelief. Those who knew Harry Clearwater were aware of his heart issues. Aunt Sue would scold her husband to eat cautiously, something he'd brush off and claim he was still better.

"What happened?" Emily inquired.

"L-Leah and I were arguing with Harry around," Aunt Sue explained. "She.... transformed."

"No!" Emily cried. "That's impossible, right? The stories told mentioned the men as the shifters."

Driana's head spun at the news. Why was this happening? Not to Leah. The poor girl didn't deserve that. And Uncle Harry. He must've had a heart attack when Leah unexpectedly transformed. They all suspected Seth, not her. Oh, how Driana wished she could comfort the family.

"Where's Seth?"

"He's not home," Aunt Sue told her. "He's at a friend's place."

Driana let out a sigh of relief, pushing herself off the wall. She looked through each of the boys' visions, knowing this wasn't the news they'd want once they returned. Emily reached out for Driana's arm to hold herself steady.

"Has Leah shifted into a human yet?" Emily asked with concern.

"No," Driana could hear Aunt Sue sigh. "With Sam or the boys not around, I doubt she can."