Being back in Forks was something that Jordan had quite obviously expected, but this didn't mean that the boy was ecstatic about his trip back home.

   Things in Denali had been easy—there was no expectations for him to be a ball of light, Carlisle and Esme understood completely what Jordan was going through. They had done it themselves. They knew that someone who had recently been turned wouldn't be themselves immediately, or at all.

   But this is something that the people Jordan had been avoiding by taking the trip would not know. Jordan didn't know if he was ready to see Alex or to confront the issue of her making the choice to change him. Because Jordan didn't think that change had brought on anything good—not from what he could see anyway.

   Returning to Forks also meant that Jordan was confronted with the fact that he couldn't go home. He couldn't go wrap his mom up in a hug or ask his dad to go out fishing to pass the time. Odds are that the boy would not see his parents ever—Carlisle had told him that they would have to come up with an excuse soon as to why he couldn't come visit. His scholarship for the football team he had received in Ohio was working for now, but there had to be a more permanent solution.

   Jordan could feel his heart tug at the thought of his parents holding a funeral for him and crying in each others arms at the loss of a child. He didn't think he could handle them being in that much pain, all for him while he could see it happening.

   Being in Forks also meant that Jordan would have to confront the people waiting for him —Alex in particular. The girl had texted Jordan more times than he could count, although they all went by without a reply. He had no clue what to say. 

    Usually the twins could talk to for hours, Jordan didn't think there would ever be anyone he would talk to more easily than his sister. But ever since his return to the world as a vampire and the knowledge of her being the one to make the choice of turning him, his mind couldn't come up with anything to say. So there was silence on his end. If he did open his mouth to the smaller girl, he was terrified at the anger that would bubble up. 

   And you can't take back words once they had done their damage. Hurting Alex was never an option—not even when his brain could rationalise doing so. It was one relationship in Jordan's life that he would never sabotage, because he was well aware that it was a bond he wouldn't know how to survive without.

   Alex wasn't the only one who had been trying to contact him in his absence from Forks. Paul Lahote had sent him more messages than he thought necessary—sure he knew the boy before everything happened and he was his sister's boyfriend, and he knew that was the main reason for the contact. He was trying to make Alex happy in doing so.

   Other members of the pack had tried to make contact with Jordan, but the main message that Jordan couldn't stop staring at was the one from Embry Call.

   Just one message. The only one he had left since Jordan had been gone, and it was definitely after the boy had come and visited him in Denali.

   That interaction between the two had replayed a million times in Jordan's brain since the day. He couldn't stop thinking about the way Embry had turned up with only good intentions, and  Jordan had shut him down in anger with things that didn't even concern Embry.

   Jordan had essentially used him as a punching bag to release the pent up emotions that had been lodged in his brain since he first awoke over a month ago. But why the hell had he done so? The two barely knew each other —the only connection they had being he was Alex's best friend. That was the things they had in common, and that was why Embry had been checking up on him. 

   It was because he was the only person there at the time that didn't get what he was going through—it was the only rational reason the boy could come up with as to why he went off on Embry Call so harshly.

   The one text in his inbox from the boy was ingrained in Jordan's brain since it was sent to him just over a week ago. He didn't even need to keep reading over it on his phone, it was memorised since he first received it.

   When you're back in town we need to talk.

   It stuck out to Jordan not just because he knew that he had to apologise to Embry Call for his outburst, but because the words sent a nervous chill down his spine. It was ominous, he had no clue what their interaction would bring.

   The brown haired boy always seemed to illicit this reaction in Jordan— a slight shake of his hands, a nervous hand through his hair, a chill down his spine. 

   Embry Call made Jordan Santiago nervous, and he had no clue what to make of it. 

   It was this reaction of nervousness that was tingling all over the boy as he waited for Embry in the forest, sitting on a huge broken down branch, his knee bobbing up and down showing said nervousness in action.

   The pair were meeting in neutral territory —Jordan knew Embry didn't like stepping foot in the Cullen house unless absolutely necessary because of his allegiance and Jordan didn't feel welcome in La Push despite Embry saying he was. He didn't like being the exception—none of the Cullen's were welcome, so why should he be allowed.

   Once again, Jordan could sense Embry being there before he laid eyes on him. The same wet dog smell that the boy was getting used to filled his nose and he could hear footsteps on the forest floor. Jordan was becoming more aware of his senses but also letting certain ones take priority, in order to not get overwhelmed—it was hard when they were all so loud now.

   Embry came to sit on the ground opposite Jordan, not moving his eye line away from the boy as he did so. No words came from his mouth, he just watched Jordan with large eyes, curiously.

   Jordan tried to not squirm on the branch. His eyes moved slightly as not to hold eye contact with Embry for too long—his heart fluttered when he did that. He let his gaze roam the boy, quickly to not be too obvious, and seeing so much of his russet colored skin did not help the butterflies in his gut. Embry sat shirtless, clearly unbothered by the wind that ripped through Forks. 

   Even though the two boys had completely different body temperatures, Jordan cold as ice and Embry hot as the sun, they both were unaffected by the weather. Jordan sat comfortably in a thin cotton shirt.

   The two sat there for a minute or two—silence filling the woods. Jordan could tell by the tightness in Embry's jaw as it clenched, and the almost fire behind his eyes that he was not going to be the one to talk first here, despite asking to meet in the first place. He supposed he understood, the last time he talked Jordan almost bit his head off.

   Jordan sighed. "If you're waiting for an apolog-"

   "That's not what I want," Embry's gaze softened slightly as he spoke, body shifting almost uncomfortably despite the hardness set in his gaze. "You don't have to apologise for saying things you meant."

   "I didn't need to bite your head off to say what I wanted to," Jordan concluded, knowing that he meant it. He could feel the guilt chip off his shoulder a little at an attempt to reconcile. 

   Embry shook this off however, shaking his head at the words. "You're allowed to be mad. Do you think that every single one of the pack members wanted to be wolves? It's important to our heritage and we love it now—but when I first shifted I wasn't elated with joy. I was mad at what I would lose and scared at what it would make me do. It's not black and white. There's room for grey areas."

   Jordan realised his ignorance as Embry spoke, in thinking that he wouldn't understand the emotions that clouded his head. Their situations were different and maybe he didn't lose as much as Jordan, but he still got it.

   "You can be mad at the situation. You can be mad that this all happened to you—not one person is telling you not to be," Embry spoke, and Jordan could feel his stomach start to drop at the hardness that set back in his gaze. He could see the anger moving through him, changing him back to how he looked as he arrived. His gaze was determined and filled with fire that Jordan could see had been built up. "But you can't keep blaming us for expecting too much from you, when you won't even talk to us. You have to let us say our side."

   By us he meant himself and Alex, and presumably the rest of the pack. All of whom he had minimal contact with since the bite happened last month.

   "We don't expect for you to be yourself. We know how big this is, we aren't stupid, but you won't talk to any of us for five seconds to let us explain all this."

   Jordan had the urge to quip back that he had let Embry talk to him for more than five seconds, on multiple occasions. But only him. And Jordan didn't know why that was and how he would explain that to him, so he didn't say a word. 

   Embry sighed, but it wasn't one of boredom. It was the sigh you make when you're done, when you have given up. Jordan winced at the disappointment in it. 

   "You have no right to be mad at us or to cut us out. If you want to do so, you explain it. You tell us, you tell Alex. I won't let you be a coward and just stop talking to her. She deserves more from you, she deserves an explanation," Embry continued. His eyes hadn't once moved from Jordan's, the eye contact holding strong. The fire in those brown eyes of his continued to burn brighter and brighter as talked. "Alex a made a decision that day you got bit. She chose to keep you alive. She saved your life."

   "She made me like this," Jordan interrupted, feeling the anger that always emerged when he remembered how this all went down shoot up his legs, down his arms and radiate through his body. "It was Alex that chose this for me. She made me a vampire. She made me lose so much."

   "You want to stand there and tell me you wouldn't do the same thing?" Embry questioned now, his body shooting up to stand. His frame was leaner than the rest of his pack, but right then with the fire in his eyes and the passion in his voice, Jordan saw how strong he was. He didn't need absurdly large muscles to be that way, it was all in him. "You would let Alex die and not turn her if the roles were reversed?"

   Jordan paused at the question, not expecting it. The accusatory tone that filled Embry's voice only pushed the anger through his body faster. How in the hell was Embry turning this onto him and why the hell was he still seated on the ground? Jordan felt himself stand and storm closer to the boy without even thinking.

   Embry didn't let the boy get a word in, despite posing a question. He spoke again, "It's a choice that none of us could dream of making, and Alex was on the spot. She didn't turn you, Jordan, that was Victoria. Victoria bit you. Victoria killed you. It was Alex who saved your life, she made a decision and it was the right one. You would have done the exact same in her position."

   "Are you trying to make me feel worse than I already do?" Jordan's voice was quieter now, his stomach clenched in what he could only interpret as guilt. He was aware before this conversation that he was irrationally angry at his sister—he knew it wasn't her fault, that she hadn't purposely let him change into a vampire to lose his parents and football scholarship. But being mad at Alex made it easier, he could focus on that instead of the sadness that wracked his brain at not being able to be the old him ever again.

   Embry hesitated in shaking his head, Jordan could see it. He paused slightly as he thought about what he wanted to say. "Partly. I think someone needs to say it to you straight—for Lexie's benefit. She's my best friend and I watch her try not to cry every time she sends you a text only to get no reply. I've watched her fall apart over the last month while knowing there isn't a damn thing I could do about it. You're the only one that can fix her, not Paul or me. You. So yeah, maybe I did come here to make you feel bad. But it's not for selfish reasons, it's for your sister."

   Jordan swore he could feel his heart crack slightly at the mention of his sister in pain, and that it was him who had caused that pain. He didn't think there had been a moment in their lives that he had caused her to cry purposefully—sure he had said some mean things when they were younger and maybe wrestled her a little too hard when they were play fighting in their living room. But they had never been on purpose—they were all accidental. The past month had not been however, Jordan had purposely been ignoring the texts Alex sent knowing how hard it would have hurt her.

   He wanted her to hurt like he did. He wanted her to feel what her decision had lead to, ignoring the pain he knew she was in for having to make said choice.

   "And it wasn't just her," Embry's voice was full of less anger now, it was a lot softer when he spoke. "Alex asked me that night what to do. She didn't know whether to let you turn or not and I told her you should. She had the final say but I influenced her."

    Jordan hadn't been expecting that. Before the change the boy had known Embry for less than a month, so why would Alex ask for his say? Because they were best friends? But it wasn't just that thought that made Jordan's head swirl with confusion. Embry was a wolf, the mortal enemy of vampires. There is no explanation that would warrant him advocating to let Jordan turn. It was against his nature and beliefs.

   Jordan took a step closer to Embry before his brain had decided to, yet again. He watched as Embry himself took a step, smaller than Jordan's, forward. The two were drawing closer together, like magnets. One moved, so did the other. 

   "Why would you want me to be a vampire? Figured you would rather me dead." From the angle he was at, Jordan could see so much of Embry Call. He could see the slight beading of sweat dotted on his hairline, the tiny freckle on his collarbone and the golden specks in his eyes that Jordan was becoming rather attached to. The wolf smell filled his nose more, but it was a smell that Jordan wasn't bothered by, just something he noticed. 

   Jordan swore he could see a familiar tinge of pink on Embry's cheek, like when they were on the mountain in Denali. It only occurred to him now that it had nothing to do with temperature change like he had originally put it down to, like himself Embry didn't get bothered by the cold anymore. It was a blush flushing against his golden cheeks. Jordan didn't know what to do with that information.

   "I'd rath—Alex would rather you alive. I'm sure we can all deal with her brother being a vampire if it means she's happy." Embry seemed to stumble through the sentence, Jordan watching as his eyes moved away from his for the first time since he arrived. He missed the golden sparkles as soon as they were taken from him. 

   Jordan nodded in acceptance. He could feel Embry's breath feather onto his chin with how close the two were, Jordan only slightly towered over the boy. 

   "That's what I came to say—you need to make up with Alex," Embry got back on track with his words as his gazed steeled on Jordan again. His bravado had creeped back to him. "You don't get to blame her for this anymore, blame me if you need. Just get back to being best friends—you both need it."

   And he was right, Jordan knew that. He always needed Alex—it used to be for their conversations and companionship, but the boy knew now that it was for more than just love. He needed her to keep him sane and push him. Alex was going to be the only family he had left and eventually he would have to live in a world without her. Their moments together now were more important than a grudge he unfairly had against her.

   "Thank you," Jordan muttered, knowing he didn't have to talk loud for Embry to hear him. 

   Jordan tried not to jump when Embry's hand wound around his wrist and gripped his warm skin to his. The brown haired boy had expected it to feel different with their temperatures, but it felt normal. A slight tingle lingered where Embry's skin met his, but it was nothing like Jordan expected. He was amazed at how natural it felt. 

   "I get how you feel—the anger, the sadness, the pain—and I'm here to talk if you need."

   Jordan nodded, not knowing how to focus on replying when all that ran through his brain was that Embry was touching him. He could feel it in every part of his body, not just where he had grabbed his wrist. 

   But his words still meant something. Jordan realised that he may have lost his family—knowing that eventually his parents wouldn't be able to know he was alive to protect them—but he may have gained some things in the process of this all.

   It didn't make up for the loss, but with Embry and the Quileutes, and the Cullens, and his twin sister, maybe Jordan would be okay.

   At least that's what he held onto.

---

   "How frustrating is it to not read my thoughts?"

   Jordan smiled at Edward as he asked this question, his eyebrows raised tauntingly. The pair were among the vampires in the room, the other Cullen's seated around them. Jordan had become to enjoy the company they offered.

   It also helped that the Cullen residence was rather nice. With high ceilings, expensive furniture and high tech electronics, it was definitely a step up from the dingy room he had occupied in Ohio. It seemed he not only upgraded on the company, but his place of living also.

   "Considering my girlfriend is immune to my powers as well, I've grown used to it." Edward smirked with his answer.   

   Jordan's switch power made him immune to any kind of power a vampire could offer. He had the unique ability to essentially switch powers on and off and hopefully one day he could project it beyond himself as he practiced to make it work outside his own mind. Meaning he would actually be able to stop others from using their powers full stop rather than just on him.

   "I, however, am not used to people not being in my visions," Alice butted into the conversation as she glared jokingly at Jordan from where she sat next to Jasper on the living room couch. "I can't wait till you can figure out that damn switch in your head so you can let me see your future."

    "That's assuming I would turn your power back on with the switch," Jordan shrugged innocently at the girl, watching her face turn in offended dismay. "Maybe I would turn off your visions for everyone."

   "Please do," Emmett's voice boomed from his place beside Rosalie. His wolfish grin flashed at Jordan. "Then she can get out of my business and stop telling me who wins each football game just before the damn game starts."

   Alice huffed from her spot. "Rude."

   Carlisle entered the room just as everyone had hushed down from their laughs and conversation. His face was a little more somber than usual, Jordan sat up a little taller in his seat at this look. 

   The blond vampire smiled weakly before he spoke. "The situation in Seattle is growing."

   Jordan knew exactly what Carlisle meant when he said these words. The Cullen's had been monitoring the deaths in Seattle that began a little over a month ago. At first it was innocent, a few murders and animal attacks could be a number  of things—they could actually be what was mentioned or just a nomad vampire passing through. 

   "Two more people are missing and I think it will continue to rise." Carlisle didn't say this with any joy, and the room was somber around them. This could mean trouble for the Cullen's and that meant trouble for Jordan. He was with them now.

   "Should we be doing more?" Edward asked curiously, wanting to ensure the safety for not only the people in Seattle but also his family here. Trouble always seemed to make its way to Forks.

   Carlisle shook his head. "Not yet. We'll keep an eye on it and step in if we need. For now—we wait."

   Jordan really did hope it was nothing because the boy didn't know how much more he could handle.

---

   hello?? is this thing on???!!

   hahaha hello! i haven't updated this story in so long so if you are still here and sticking around, then thank you. i love jordan and embry and this series so much that i feel like i have to conclude it. i'll be trying my best to keep writing in the isolation my country is in, at least it will give me something to do.

   i'm not promising anything (because i always say this) but hopefully i can update more and get this story fully out for you guys.

   once again i'm sorry and thanks for sticking around. hope you enjoyed the chapter!!