Total eclipse of a heart (Embry Call)

13. Let him go

That ache in my heart came back, multiplied by a dozen. I've barely listened to the vampires running around the house talking about what they could do, focusing only on the arrows Jasper fetched for me from the city. I'm not sure where he found them, but he brought some things for me to use besides them as well. Guns and ammunition to my surprise. I suppose no one here wants the wolves to live if there is a conflict.

"You're still at war with yourself." The familiar southern accent breaks my train of thought as I pause, putting down my trusted crossbow.

"And you're still using your mojo on me without permission." Raising an eyebrow, I turn to face him and the ever growing cocky smirk of his. He's very sure of himself, there's no doubt about it.

"You didn't mind it back when you felt your soul almost leave your body from all the nerves." Jasper draws out, lifting his chin up like a prancing peacock he is. Don't get me wrong, I do like Jasper...he's okay....for a vampire.

"Yeah...you try dealing with all this new information and supposed soulmates as a hunter meant to kill the very creatures you call my endgame." I sigh, shaking off the dreadful feeling inside my gut. Not only did I shoot Embry, I would have killed him too and all without even making a conscious decision. I was all too willing to hurt him, because shoot first - ask questions later is the way I've been brought up.

"They are your destiny. You can try and hide from it...deny it, but you will find yourself having to choose to either kill one if not both of them, or accept something you don't understand that could make you truly happy." Jasper's tone is soothing, but it lacks the persuasive undertones he uses when his powers are at work. This is a genuine advice on his behalf, one I cherish.

"What if I can't do either?" I press my lips together to stop them from quivering. I may not care for the vampire 'soulmate', but I can't deny I care for Embry. He and I share a mutual understanding, a similar loss in our past that defined who we are today. He also made me feel human for the first time in my life and it felt...good.

Until it didn't.

"Then let it all go. Leave and don't look back." Jasper leans in, his undisputed coldness crossing to me the moment his shoulder brushed mine. Even the clothes can't keep his freezing body at a normal temperature.

"But you'll still be haunted by your connection. No matter what you do, he'll always be in the back of your mind. In your heart. Maybe the bravest thing here is to stay? To fight your instincts and let the love in. Because he does love you." The absolute conviction in his voice makes me flinch, my breath caught in my throat with the words.

Love...

He loves me? But he barely knows me! How could he love something he can't understand...someone who showed him only what she wanted him to see but hid the best parts of herself all along?

"Love radiated from every pore of his body when he came in here. He was genuinely worried you might be hurt by us that he broke the treaty against his alpha's wishes and came not only onto our lands, but our home where he could have easily died." Jasper continues and I wonder why he's so adamant on me accepting Embry. Why would he care?

"I don't mean to sound rude, but why the hell does this matter to you?" I look into his jade eyes and bite my lower lip in anticipation, looking for any clue of emotion on his face.

"Because a wolf rejected by an imprint is a pain many die from and I believe Embry to be a good man and someone who doesn't deserve to feel all the pain this world has to offer." My heart clenches, uncomfortably so as my breath comes out in a strangled puff.

"And I think you deserve such unconditional love too." Jasper adds, nudging me lightly.

However, before I have a chance to properly react, my choices are taken from me and new developments leave me defenseless against the future.

Jacob storms in and I stand as quickly as possible when the vampires turn to him with a fighting stance. Jacob is out of breath, in his shorts alone and his hands in fists by his side. He's clenching his jaw, gritting his teeth and narrowing his eyes as they flicker from me to the rest of the Cullens.

"They're coming for her. Tonight!" He informs, practically growling the words and I feel my heart pick up the pace. Despite not knowing what's growing inside that human girl, she is still human and very much alive. She is the very reason why I do what I do - protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

"They won't touch her." Edward growls out, his seething rage clearly stating he would die to make sure this human stays alive. But so does the rest of the clan. They all seem ready to do whatever necessary to protect her and the unborn monstrosity in her belly.

A vampire willing to die for a human? That's unheard of.

I might be ready to hear Embry out, but if he's seriously willing to stand on the other side of the invisible line that was just drawn out...then I have been left with no choice. I didn't want to make him my enemy, but he made a choice and took the same from me.

If he's willing to kill a pregnant human, he's too far gone and that makes me right.

Now, he's truly the enemy.

I pick up my crossbow in one hand, the loaded gun in other and take a deep breath as I cock both weapons and make peace with my decision.

Soulmate or not, I won't let anything hurt this woman.

"I agree." I pipe in, feeling their eyes on me.

"Let's start by making a proper plan."