Total eclipse of a heart (Embry Call)

28. Heaven and Earth

People write about moving heaven and earth for those they love, but what does that really mean?

How far would one go?

Is there such a thing as too far?

"Elaine?" I could hear my father's voice, the way it wavered and the way it cracked as he stood in the doorway, his feet spread apart. The monsters were gone, but my mother told me to stay hidden and I did. I couldn't move, holding my breath for as long as I could, taking shallow breaths in between.

"Elaine?!" I watched his feet move closer, the old combat boots stained with mud from his recent hunt. I've heard him cry as he picked her body up from the bed, the weight shifting as I muffled my sobs. She was dead, I knew that even before hearing my father's reaction, but to know she died while I cowered in fear? It killed the last piece of my innocence, the child within.

"I will find them. I will move heaven and earth, but I will find them." My father promised as I laid my cheek against the dusty floorboards and made my own vow.

I would never be so weak again.

My father had made it his mission to find the creatures who had torn my mother's heart right from her chest and he did it while shaping me into a hunter. He never talked about that night not about her, but I could see it in his eyes - he resented me for it. He hated me for being the reason why those things came to our home and he resented me for looking so much like my mother that he was faced with his failure, her death.

It is why had such fear of emotions, of feeling a damn thing. If I let it consume me, I would drown in the pain and Embry let me feel, slowly and with a promise of understanding not hate. And the thought of seeing him now after all this time terrifies me.

What if he had moved on?

What if he hates me for leaving?

What if everything that happened between us is now ruined after he had time to think about things I've said and done and he found me to be a waste of time?

That is why I'm taking baby steps, stopping right by Billy Black's house. He deserves an apology on the behalf of my family and so do Rachel and Jacob. Although I have a feeling they might see me as the enemy, I have to try.

Knocking on the door felt like my heart set itself on fire, spreading the flames to every part of my body. The wait for the door to be opened felt like forever, making me sweat, knees shake and crack my knuckles until my joints hurt.

Swallowing thickly, I let out a heavy sigh as I realize no one is home. Or worse, they're home and they just don't want to open the door because it's me. I'm persona non grata.

"I'd know that sigh anywhere."

Startled I turn to face the person speaking, nearly bumping into a naked chest. Smiling, I look up, finding an overly confident wolf grinning down at me.

"Came to see me before your imprint? I'm honored!" Jacob chuckled, pulling me into a bone crushing hug, his chin resting on top of my head as he sways us left to right, his hands keeping me steady.

"Jake!" I tried to remind him I'm only human and his inhuman strength might break me, but he seemed to be ignoring me.

"Let her breathe!" And there she was, slapping him over the back, having me released only to grab me even tighter.

"Rach, you're incredibly strong for a human." I managed to crack a joke, but luckily, her hug didn't last long and my lungs got their chance to fully expand once more.

"I take it you're not here for a visit? Business as usual?" She raised an eyebrow, her playful tone lost.

"Um...I, uh, got some news about the Volturi and their intentions of starting a war, but apparently someone got me beat in that department. Leah filled me in." Shifting my gaze from Rachel to Jacob, I could tell they had many questions and even more to say about what happened the last time we saw each other, but I wasn't ready to get into the way my family operates.

"Thought I'd stop by and apologize for the trouble I've caused you." I shrug, dropping my gaze in shame, wondering if everyone feels the way Leah did.

"At least you're alive." Jacob scoffed, pressing his lips together. "We thought you were ten feet under." He adds and I look up, finding a sour smile on his lips.

"Embry's little voicemail is all we got? It's been months!" His roaring voice paired with a tremble spreading throughout his body was enough for me to take a step back.

"Drop it. You have no right to be jealous, Jacob!" Rachel snapped and I frown. Jealous? He's not still interested in me? Embry is my imprint, he needs to accept that.

"I SAW HER FIRST!" Jacob screams, Rachel moving over to me now as well. He is losing control and I don't want to hurt him. I will if it comes to it, I will not cower in fear. I'm not weak.

"Why does some stupid magical connection decide my life for me? For you?! Why are you letting it take your choice?!" He continued, backing me and Rachel in a corner. Sliding my hand down to my back pocket, I tap blindly in search of a silver blade, knowing my gun is in the glove compartment of my car.

"Stop!" Whipping out the dagger, I step forward. Arm stretched out, hand firmly holding onto the handle, sun reflecting of the blade and my glare - it was enough for Jacob's eyes to widen, his shoulders dropping and body relaxing.

"I didn't mean to. Valerie, I'm so sorry!" Jacob began but he didn't have a chance to speak as a growl ripped through the air and another wolf stood his ground. Majestic in the sun, the wolf stands fiercely, his teeth bare his eyes chained to Jacob with an obvious warning to walk away or there would be blood spilled.

"Jacob, go." Rachel pushed him gently, walking inside with her brother, giving me a chance to take a deep breath and face the wolf...MY wolf.

"Hey, Em."

A/N - Jacob sure has some issues and Valerie is losing her patience and Embry is on edge too. But the two are back in the same timezone, face to face, but what will their reunion truly amount to? Is Alec letting Valerie be or does he still have plans for his little huntress?