Cozy • An Embry Story

.33

Embry's POV

"How is she taking it?" Paul asks under his breath, glancing over our shoulders.

"Not well as expected."

The cook out has continued on in full swing. Sam and Jared put more wood to the fire, and it was like life turned back on again. The drinks were passed around and for the pack, fourth or fifth helpings of Emily's cooking put us back in high spirits. Jared and Kim went off to go make out at the beach. Quil was trying to trying his best to keep Enola's weed from peer pressuring his grandfather. The elders pass around a flask that I can smell from here. Seth won't leave Leah alone, but you can tell she secretly enjoys his company. Emily is debating opening what was left of the uncooked food to pack everyone plates for the road or to hope out we'll finish it. While Sam is desperately trying to get Emily to sit down and eat for the first time tonight.

Yet, Winnie sits unmovinginly on the log, her food untouched and forgotten next to her. While Sue Clearwater tries in vein to get Winnie breathe again.

I doubt she'll ask Quil to transform for her now.

"She looks like she's bugging out." Paul crosses his arms, titling his head as he observes her with a pinched face. "Oh wait, she's blinking. That's good."

"Paul doesn't understand women. Shocker." Leah says sarcastically as she passes us. Paul glares at her back, too scared to glare upfront to her face.

"Leah, you're a girl." Paul begins which earns him a venomous look from Leah. Her look is so scorching I should take a cautious step away but I'm too worried about Winnie to bother. "You could talk to Winnie."

"Sorry, I don't know how to French braid hair. Looks like girl talk is just going to have to wait." Leah rolls her eyes. We all notice that Sue is already fidgeting with Winnie's hair, mindlessly smoothing it down while Winnie doesn't even notice.

She's practically comatose.

"Oh god," Leah forces her plate at Paul, ready to intervene before Sue goes full coddling mood. It'll be easier separating super glue from rubber. Next thing, Sue will invite Winnie to spend the night and be so nice it'll be impossible to decline. "Hold this. Don't eat it."

"Winnie will come around. She needs time." Sam comes up to us, clapping a sturdy hand on my shoulder. While he's not the greatest at feelings, his advice is reassuring.

"She looks like she's going to pass out." Paul chimes in, making me shut my eyes as a new bolt of stress swells up in my gut.

"Embry will be there to catch her if he does." Sam nods nobly, giving my shoulder a nudge. It's rare for Sam to give a complement. It gives me a shiny proud feeling.

"I wish Jacob was here." I admit lowly. Sam shakes his head at the ground while Paul curses under his breath. Sure, Jared is the charming one, Quil is the funny one, Seth is the friendly one, but it's Jacob who knows the right thing to say. He's the kind of good that makes anyone at ease, that makes it impossible to be moody around. Though, he hasn't been himself since in years. This is the exact moment where I could use his help, because he would get Winnie to crack a smile, no matter how small it would be.

"It's hard for him." It takes a lot for Sam to admit that.

"It's like he's mourning her." While Sam struggles with words, Paul doesn't. It wasn't the Change that altered him, it was Bella.

The last time Jacob had attended a bonfire was when he brought Bella. She was the first and only non-quileutae to be allowed to hear these secret counsel story tellings. This isn't some  date night. The stories are sacred, only for those who have Changed, their families and imprints. To us, the pack and the elders, it was Jacob announcing Bella will be henceforth part of our pack, part of our community, part of our lives...