Just Hold Me Close (A Seth Clearwater Love Story)

Chapter 3

Sam had come back a little less than two weeks after Ellie was told what was really going on. Keeping the secret from Seth was the hardest thing she'd ever done, considering she told him everything.

It was even harder to keep it from Leah. Ever since Sam had come back, he hadn't talked to her and every time Leah saw Ellie, it just reminded her of her distant boyfriend. Ellie tried to talk to Sam about it, but he'd always avoid the conversation. Sam had met another girl. Emily. Emily just so happened to be the Clearwaters' second cousin. It was so messed up and totally uncalled for, but Sam couldn't help himself.

The council had gathered the two of them and told them the rest of the werewolf stories. Why it was happening. What Sam had to do. There was going to be more that were going to shift and Sam was going to have a pack. Until Jacob Black shifted. When Jacob shifted, he would become the rightful alpha since his great grandfather was the last chief. But until that happened, Sam was responsible. The council, specifically Billy, told them about imprinting, which is what Sam did to Emily. It was totally different than what Sam had with Leah and definitely heart-wrenching. Ellie could see how much more Sam and Emily clicked than Sam and Leah and she felt so horrible for believing that. But it was true. Sam and Emily were like two puzzle pieces. It was hard to imagine Sam with anyone else after seeing him with Emily.

It was hard at first. Neither of them liked the idea of Sam patrolling through the woods. Especially when he was alone. But then Jared shifted and then Paul and Ellie felt safer when the three were together. There was less of a chance of losing her brother.

It wasn't long before Embry phased and Jacob followed. However, when Jacob was offered the position of alpha, he declined and Sam got to keep the title.

Emily eventually moved in, much to Leah's dismay. Leah hardly ever kept in touch anymore and Ellie couldn't blame her.

While Ellie wasn't a werewolf, she played an important part in the pack. She kind of kept everyone peaceful, knowing the boys could lose their tempers quite easily. Sam had demonstrated that when he clawed Emily's face. It took her almost a month to fully heal, but she was left with a huge scar that ran from her hairline down to her right hand.

Being around the wolves was dangerous, but Ellie didn't mind. It was sort of her life now and she was okay with it. She helped Emily cook a lot and made sure the boys had enough to eat. It was the least she could do knowing that they spent their nights running around the forest. All of the boys looked like they hadn't slept in a year.

When Sam had informed Emily and Ellie that there was a vampire on their territory, it shook up Ellie's nerves. That meant there was a real possibility that her brother or her friends could get hurt.

She still couldn't tell Seth about the whole wolf thing and she doubted she would ever be able to unless he phased. It was highly unlikely since Seth was so young, but it was definitely a possibility since he had all three bloodlines running through his veins. She hadn't been able to spend as much time with him as she liked but she tried to spend every moment of her free time with him.

Today wasn't one of those days, though. Ellie had heard the whole commotion between Jake and Bella and how he wasn't allowed to see her, so when she found Bella on the edge of a hiking trail, she decided to join her.

"Hey, Bella," she greeted with a smile as she approached the pale girl who had a large map and a compass in her hands. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just going on a hike," Bella replied, her eyes scanning over the map furiously.

"Oh!" Ellie exclaimed, "I'll come with! I love hiking."

Bella seemed to look up at her for the first time, "Oh, thanks, but I think I can just go alone."