Twilight Imagines

38. Get Away (Embry Call)

(Published February 13, 2025) 

   Was it stupid to run through the woods so close to sunset?  Yes.  Did I care at this point?  Not one bit.  My feet pounded on the mossy ground, taking me further from the place I lived and the screams coming from inside of it.  My parents were still fighting, oblivious to the fact that I had fled.  They wouldn't be oblivious for long, but I didn't care.  Not this time.  

   Tears streamed down my face, making it hard to see.  I continued running, pushing past brush and dodging trees.  A branch hit me in the forehead, leaving a stinging feeling behind that was probably because of a fresh cut.  I stumbled over a rock and slowed my steps just a little, trying to catch my breath.  I stared off into the darkening woods, my thoughts still running uncontrollably wild.  Choking back a sob, I started running again.  I had to get away.  

   "Cassie!" 

   Embry's voice ran through my mind like an echo, making me question if I had actually heard him or not.  He did spend a lot of time in the woods, but typically he was in wolf form.  It was likely just wishful thinking.  I pressed on, pushing away a pine branch as I clambered over another fallen log.  

   "Cassandra!" 

   I stumbled again, slowing my steps.  He rarely used my full name, and my mind wouldn't have said that one it's own.  Turning, I scanned the woods as best I could through tear filled eyes.  A blurry human figure was running towards me, leaping easily over obstacles like the woods was his second home.  It had to be Embry.  Another sob slipped out of my lips and I began running towards him as fast as I could.  He slid to a stop as we neared each other, but I didn't.  I simply launched myself at him, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him as close as I could manage.  Burying my face into his shoulder, I let go of the waterfall of tears I had been fighting to keep in. 

   "Shhh, it's okay," He whispered as he hugged me tightly.  "Breathe, baby.  It's okay." 

   I managed to take a shaky breath.  My sobs slowed, turning into gasps and small streams of tears.  Sucking in a deeper breath, I pulled back just far enough to wipe my face with my sleeve.  I used the damp sleeve to wipe off his bare shoulder, too, feeling bad for all the tears glistening there.  Finally, I dared to look up into his dark eyes that I knew were taking in my terrifying appearance.  I didn't even want to know what running through the woods had done to my hair, and my eyes had to be red at this point.  I sniffed back another round of tears and tried to give him a small smile.  

   "Hi," I managed to choke out.  

   "Hi," He ran a hand down the side of my face, stopping to cup my jaw.  "Your parents are fighting again?" 

   I sucked in another shaky breath.  "Yeah.  Mom took a hammer to Dad's laptop this time.  I had to get out of there." 

   "I don't blame you." 

   Stepping to the left, he sat down on a large clump of moss next to a thick tree.  He gave my hand a tug and I obliged right away, sinking down into his lap.  He pulled me close, his warm arms chasing off the chill of the night.  The sun had almost set now, leaving us in a dark woods that was somehow more comfortable than the place I was supposed to call home.  I leaned my head against his shoulder, drinking in the scent and feel of the boy I was quickly growing to love.  

   "Maybe you could move in with Emily," He spoke up after a long minute.  

   "I don't want to inconvenience her like that," I replied honestly.  

   "Cassie, you can't stay where you are.  If I was normal and had a job, I'd have a place for you to get away to, but I don't." His tone hinted at his frustration.  Being a werewolf wasn't always very convenient, either.  

   "It's not your fault.  It's genetic," I murmured.  

   "Emily would probably like the company.  You wouldn't be an inconvenience," He insisted.  

   "I don't know..." I was an inconvenience at my own house.  Making someone else who wasn't related take me in just felt wrong.  

   "I'll ask her.  It doesn't hurt to ask." 

   "Okay," I sat upright to look at him, a question pressing on my mind.  "How did you know I was out here in the woods?" 

   "Leah and I were both on patrol and you ran right past her.  I wasn't far off, so I just shifted back and ran to catch up with you on two legs." He wrapped his arms around my waist and his fingers gently messaged my back.  "She can handle patrol until Jared and Jacob take over." 

   "Are you sure?  I don't want you to get in trouble," I pointed out.  

   "I won't.  Sam's imprinted, so he gets it." 

   Imprinted.  I still couldn't get used to the idea that this boy was madly in love with me and always would be.  How did I get so lucky?  

   "I'm really glad you're here," I whispered.  

   "Me, too.  But I still think you should go to Emily's tonight." 

   I didn't want to think about that yet.  Instead, I leaned closer to him, letting my lips hover over his for a moment.  I knew he wouldn't object to me kissing him, but I always found myself hesitating at the last second.  It felt odd, not asking permission first.  He had insisted that I didn't need to, though, so I closed the last few millimeters between us and pressed my lips to his.  He didn't hesitate, he just kissed back with the loving emotion he always managed to use.  Our lips danced together slowly, making for a delightfully lingering kiss.  The last of my pain sunk back inside of me, replaced by the love he was radiating.  It was a long minute before I could pull away and end the kiss.  

   "Feel free to use kisses to shut me up anytime," He teased quietly.  

   "I may take you up on that," I shot back with a grin.  

   "Good.  Alright, stand up.  We've got to get to Emily's before she goes to bed." 

   I stood, but I wasn't completely ready yet.  "Embry, I really don't-" 

   "Please, Cassie?  I don't want you to get hurt again like last time.  Just...  Trust me." 

   He held out his hand to me, wanting me to physically show him that I was going to trust him.  I let out a small sigh, but grasped his hand in my own.  What choice did I have?  Go home and get yelled at and then ignored some more or worse, or go to Emily's and get away from the drama for a while?  It wasn't a hard decision.  

   "Just for tonight?" I clarified.  

   "Well, we'll start with tonight," He agreed.  "But she'll take you in, you'll see." 

   As he began to carefully lead me through the darkened woods, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.  I had Embry.  Tomorrow when the sun arose I might not have a home or anything to call my own, but I would still have Embry.  I gave his hand a gentle squeeze.  He glanced over his shoulder and the dim moonlight gave enough light for me to make out his fond smile.  Things might start being okay, if his plan worked.  Suddenly, I found myself ready to visit Emily.  

   It took a while, but we finally broke through the tree line and ended up on the road that led to the wolf girl's house.  It was only a short walk now, and I didn't mind.  The lighting was a little better here, making the night feel a little less oppressive.  Now I could walk beside Embry, holding his hand and bumping his shoulder with my own when necessary.  I bumped his shoulder now and he glanced down at me with one eyebrow lifted.  In return, I gave my werewolf a grateful smile.  

   "I love you," I whispered.  

   "I love you, too.  And I'm going to keep you safe.  I promise."