.・。.・゜✭・.

Evangaline Swan didn't say she hated things often, in fact, she actually disliked the use of the word. It was bitter and harsh and sounded odd coming from her lips. The last time she had said it Charlie laughed at her, saying she sounded more like a toddler throwing a tantrum than a sixteen year old girl. But Eva knew one thing for certain, she hated school.

The stares, the whispers, the equations that seemed to ripple on the page as she tried to work them out. The frowns on her teachers faces when they handed back her homework, the paper marred with thick red ink. She hated watching Bella, the way she slipped into her work so easily, loosing herself in a book or a work sheet, while Eva would spend hours staring hopelessly, wondering what an earth she was even doing.

At least in Phoenix they had a special programme for people like her, extra support, one on one time with tutors to help improve your grades. But Forks High School was much too small for that kind of specialist education. Here, they treated everyone equally, even if it was tearing her at the seams.

It was times like this, when Eva was tucked into a corner in the library during lunch, her eyes glued to a book she was supposed to read weeks ago, that she missed the Cullens. While they never made much of an effort with her, on days when her mind was a little too staticy and the walls seemed to crumble around her, Edward and Bella would appear, the boy helping her with her work quietly, while Bella watched on with a small smile. It was nice, and always made Eva a little more comfortable around the strange boy with golden eyes and skin as pale as snow.

She was just about to give up, to slam the book shut and flee from the room when a tap came from the window behind her. It was sharp, echoing through the mostly empty room, and when Eva turned, her mind went steady.

Embry.

He was stood in the window, his lips twisted into an easy grin, eyes bright. Only a thin grey t-shirt stretched across his broad chest and a pair of denim shorts hung low around his hips.

"Hey," He mouthed, smile widening at the wide eyed expression he received from the girl. Quickly Eva leaned over to the window, pushing it open.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, her voice hardly above a whisper as to not alert Mrs Miller of what was going on. "You are supposed to be at school!"

"Got let out early, big game today down at the rez," He shrugged, crouching down so that he was at eye level with Eva. "Thought I would come and say hi." He was so effortlessly beautiful it made Eva's chest ache. She had missed him and it had only been about twelve hours since she had last seen him.

After they finished the movie the pair had chatted for hours, enjoying one anothers company until Embry took Eva home, promising to see her soon. But this... Eva didn't know what to say.

"You're crazy," The girl told him, but she was smiling, so impossibly wide. She wanted to be closer, not talking to him through a window. She wanted to feel his arms around her, the warmth of his chest, the soft scent of vanilla, sandalwood and pine that clung to him like a second skin.

"For you," Embry said, with that boyish charm that set Eva's nerves alight. "Come out here," He prompted, stepping back from the window, gesturing for the girl.

"You want me to climb out the window?" She asked, stunned.

"Mm," He nodded, "Come on, Evie, can't always play by the rules." Evie?

"I... um..." Eva glanced behind herself, there was no one around the small section in the library she had chosen, not even a whisper drew close as she looked back to the window. If she was caught she could only imagine the reaction she would get. Evangaline Swan, the strange shy daughter of Cheif Swan who couldn't even put her hand up when the teacher forgot to hand her a work sheet, climbing out of the library window for a boy. A boy who was six foot tall with rippling muscles and a smile like sunshine at that.

Her head was spinning.

"Okay," She whispered, more to herself than to Embry as she stood up, pushing the window open a little more so that she could slip out and placing her feet on the chair and sliding out into the icy air of mid winter of Forks.

"Atta girl," Embry praised as Eva sucked in a lungful of air. She couldn't believe she had just done that.

"You are a bad influence," Eva scolded but her voice was light as she pulled Embry in. Her hands sliding up his arms, over his biceps before settling around his shoulders, pressing her face against his warm, solid chest. Embry's arms fell around her easily, so strong against the small of her back, encasing her entirely with him. She could stay like this forever.

"God, why do you have to go to school," Embry murmured, "I hate being away from you," His words kissed the top of her head, lighting her up like fireworks.

"You go to school too," Eva pointed out, but she nuzzled in closer. Warding away the cold with the heat that seemed to radiate from Embry.

"Mm, do I?" The boy drawled, drawing one of his hands from Eva's hips to fall to the base of her neck, tilting her face up slightly so she was looking at him. The act so intimate it sent shivers down her spine. "This is way better than school,"

"Embry," Eva whispered, voice thick as a flush began to blossom across her cheeks.

"Eva," The boy replied, tone as heavy as her own. He was so close, so intoxicating, her blood was fizzling in her veins. She wanted more. She wanted to be closer. So impossible close, as if she could sink into him, burrow herself beneath his skin and stay there. Their two souls united as one.

"Can I... can you..." The words jumbled on her tongue, Eva wasn't even sure what she was asking for, but Embry leaned in closer, his lips a breath away from hers. Everything was burning. Her face, her hands, her lips. Her very heart.

"Tell me," Embry prompted, voice veiled in desperation. He needed her to say it. To admit it.

Eva sucked in a breath, fingers trailing up his shoulders and along the top of his spine before settling in the tangle of curls around the nape of his neck.

"Embry..." Her words were cut off by the bell chiming loudly. Instantly Eva tore away from the boy, suddenly frantic. "Oh no!" She gasped, "Embry, I have to go!" She exclaimed.

"Go, go," The boy prompted, ushering her over to the window, giving her one last hug that hardly lasted a second before boosting her up and through the open window. She stumbled slightly, cheeks aflame as she gathered up her things from the desk.

"I'm sorry," Eva whispered as she turned back to face the boy, her books clutched to her chest.

"It's okay," He smiled, "I'll be back later, I need to talk to you about something." He said, face suddenly going dull, Eva's gut clenched. "Nothing bad, sweet girl," He said quickly when he saw the panic flash in her light eyes. "It's just important that you know. Now go, don't be late to class," And with that Eva had to turn away and head to History. Even though her head was now spinning. Every thought consumed by him.

.・。.・゜✭・.

By the end of the school day Eva was exhausted. Head aching and eyes heavy. After seeing Embry her mind was a mess, she couldn't focus on anything but him. Mind swimming with possibilities. What was it he wanted to tell her? Had she done something? Had he? She felt ridiculous. Eva worried about everything, constantly overthinking, never sure on what she was doing and why. But this... she had never panicked about a boy before. Never let one get in the way of her already tedious school work that rendered her into a mess of tears almost every night.

But Embry was something all consuming, a fire that had been struck in her heart and was slowly spreading throughout her body, burning her into something unrecognisable. She despised it, but also couldn't get enough of it.

She was so lost in her tedious train of thought she almost missed the sight of Embry parked up beside the cafeteria, he was standing against his car, a light sheen of rain coating his russet skin. He looked just as good as he had the few short hours ago when she had seen him outside the library. Now maybe even better with the way the rain had sunk into the fabric of his shirt, drawing it closer to his abdomen, revealing the sharp lines of his abs beneath. And Eva was certainly not the only person that noticed him. Girls were stopping to chatter about him, shyly giggling amongst themselves, daring to just get a bit closer.

But he saw her, his smile wide, and before Eva could even truly process what was happening he was jogging over to her and sweeping her into a hug.

"Finally," He groaned, sweeping her off of her feet and spinning her around eliciting a screech of giggles from the girl.

"What were you doing standing in the rain!" Eva scolded once Embry set her back down, running her fingertips down the front of his shirt. The damp fabric frozen against her fingertips.

"I was making sure you saw me," He shrugged, his eyes glued to where Eva's hand had settled just bellow his pecks, palm pressed against the ridge of his abs. His smile twisted into something sweeter.

"Just me?" Eva said, her eyes trailing over to some of her peers, their faces twisted in disappointment at the sight of Eva and Embry together.

"Is that jealousy I hear in your voice, Evie?" Embry questioned sounding delighted.

"Of what?" The girl replied airly, but they both knew she was lying. "Now, can you tell me what it was you wanted to talk about? I was hardly able to focus after I spoke to you," She said, and Embry fell sombre again. His demenour was scaring her. What could he possibly have to tell her that was causing such a drop in the boy who had only been sunlight and stars since she met him.

"Come on, I wanna take you somewhere," He requested, grasping her hand and leading her over to his car. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of Bella stood beside her old truck. Her older sister sent her a wave and a grin that Eva could only return half heartedly before she was barreled into the passenger seat of Embry's car.

"I want you to meet someone," Embry said once they had begun to drive, the scenery of Forks melting into a blur of green and brown. "Well, two people technically," He continued, reaching out and twisting the volume of the radio. 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac ringing out through the small space.

"Technically?" Eva said lightly.

"I want you to meet Emily, she's Sam Uley's fiance. She kinda took us all in when we started hanging out with Sam. She's great, and I think you would really like her," He said, nervously twitching his fingers on the steering wheel.

"Okay," Eva agreed, "Does this have to do with what you want to tell me?" She asked, glancing out the window, she could see the rolling sea churning in the distance as they drew closer to the reservation.

"Yes, and I know you aren't a huge fan of meeting new people but this is important. I wouldn't do this is it wasn't." He swore, looking away from the road to look at her for just a moment.

"I trust you," Eva told him.

"You do?" Embry asked, his lips twitching slightly at the admission from the girl.

"Always." Eva declared, reveling in the way Embry's smile widened. But deep down her stomach was tight.

She did trust Embry, more than she had ever trusted anyone apart from her father in her entire life. From the moment she had met him she had felt safe. He knew exactly how to settled the storm within her that somtimes threatened to consume her soul. He had offered her nothing but kindness and support in the short time that she had known him, and that's what scared her. She hardly knew Embry, while they had spoken for hours, discussing the little things in life, she didn't know him. She didn't know that he wouldn't do something that could hurt her.

But at the same time... she did. Deep in her soul she knew. And that scared her even more.

She was tied to Embry in a way she could not explain. Could not fathom, all she knew was that he had slipped his way into her life and she would be damn sure that he would not be leaving any time soon.

The pair didn't speak for the rest of the drive, not until they pulled up in front of a tiny faded blue house. It was old, obvious through the old fashioned windows and sweeping porch, lined with flower boxes of yellow and orange marigolds that brought a cheery feel to the home.

"We're here," Embry said, pulling the car up to park. "You ready?" He asked and Eva nodded, not allowing herself to swell in doubt any longer as she pushed open the car door and stepped out into the rain. It was heavier than before. Fat droplets clinging to her face, dripping down her chin and splattering on her thick black rain coat.

Embry grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly before hurrying her out of the rain and through the front door.

Inside the house was much cozier than Eva had been expecting, a large dining table took up most of the room, to the side a small orange and yellow kitchen sat, a style reminiscent of the seventies in the bright cabinets and patterned tiles. To the far left, a small two seater sofa sat facing a TV, the coffee table littered with magazines and empty wrappers that obviously belonged to the two boys stood there, eyes wide.

"What are you doing here?" Embry questioned, voice harsher than Eva had ever heard it before.

"Sorry, man. Sam called us over, we were meant to be gone by now but Emily needed his help outside so we stuck about longer than expected," As if on cue, two people entered the house from behind them, when Eva turned she was met with the looming figure of Sam Uley, beside him, brushing rain drops out of his hair was Emily. Eva hadn't seen her since the accident, down the side of her face three grizzly scars mared her russet skin. Eva didn't linger on her face, instead glancing back to Embry who looked annoyed.

"Sam," He greeted, tone clipped and cool.

"Embry," The man nodded, before looking over to Eva, his face softened, a small smile breaking across his broad lips. "Eva, good to see you again," He said, he didn't reach out to shake her hand. Eva liked that.

"You too, Sam," The girl said with a sweet smile, she had only seen Sam briefly since he had found Bella that night all those months ago. She didn't like to think of that night often.

The emptiness of the house, the note Bella had left on the table. The sun falling from the sky. The silence, the panic. Charlie's face when Eva told him that Bella had never returned from her walk in the woods after school. The group of people all crowding around the Swan household, sweeping the woods hoping to find the eldest Swan girl while Eva remained frozen, Jacob's arms around her doing little to fight off the cold that had ruptured beneath Eva's skin. But then Sam had burst from the dense brush, his arms cradling the limp body of Bella. She looked so pale, so small. She could almost have been a broken doll.

It was the night everything had changed.

"Paul, Jared!" Sam then called over to the two boys, "Let's go!" Instantly the two boys were rushing for the door, and then they were gone. Only the sharp crack of the door lingering, and then there was silence.

Eva glanced up at Embry, half curious, half terrified.

"Let's have some tea," Emily said, brushing past the pair and going into the small kitchen.

"Embry," Eva whispered, slipping her fingers up Embry's arm, holding onto his bicep, squeezing it lightly and drawing his gaze down to the girl. His eyes were dark and clouded, something was haunting him and it tore Eva's heart in two. "Are you okay?"

"Yea..." He murmured, lips twitching into a frown, "I just don't want anything to change," Eva rose her brows, head tilting slightly.

"It won't, not if you don't let it," She said, horrified when Embry's lip trembled, his arms slipping around her hips and pulling her in. Burying his face into the crook of her neck, holding her so tightly, as though he was scared she was going to vanish from his arms.

"It's not me I'm worried about." Embry said, his voice so quiet Eva wouldn't have even heard it had it not been for the fact that he was so close to her. His lips pressed against Eva's neck, tickling the sensitive skin there. Eva pulled back, ignoring the distress on Embry's face and instead cupping his cheeks, more forward with him than she had ever been in her life.

"Nothing could change how I feel about you." Eva said, her eyes burning, and it scared her because it was true. She didn't think Embry could say anything that would stop her from wanting him. That could draw his face from her every thought. That could stop her from feeling this way, something so indescribable, something so world altering.

"Oh, Eva." Embry whispered, leaning in so that his nose brushed against her's. "My sweet girl," Eva sucked in a breath, he was so close to her that Eva could feel his breath on her lips.

"I like when you call me that," Eva said quietly, cheeks flushing.

"Yea?" Embry asked, and finally he was smiling again.

"Tea's ready," Emily called and Eva quickly pulled herself away from Embry, cheeks going darker. She had forgotten that the woman was even there, so lost in Embry's orbit that she had fallen away from Sam and Emily's home and was somewhere entirely different where it was just her and Embry. "Come sit," She said, gesturing to the large table where three tea cups were sat, a plate of biscuits sat in the middle.

Emily sat at the head of the table, smiling as Eva and Embry sat down beside each other with Eva closest to Emily.

"I haven't really introduced myself," The woman said, "I'm Emily, I've been looking forward to meeting you properly."

"It's nice to meet you too," The youngest Swan said with a smile. She had seen Emily about a few times while she was at the reservation, but they had never interacted past a few smiles when they saw one another.

"I don't know if you know much about me and Sam," She started, picking up her tea and taking a sip, Eva followed her actions, the tea was a rich golden colour and smelled vaguely spicy with hints of pine. Though the taste was far lighter, distinctly aromatic with the soft sweetness of honey beneath. "But Embry tells me you know Leah, so I guess I should explain. I met Sam when I was here visiting my family, he had only just broken up with Leah and I never intended to fall for him. Honestly, I had met him a few times before, but this was different. I saw him and everything changed." She explained, she was smiling but Eva could see the tremble of her fingers around the pale yellow ceramic mug.

"Leah is your cousin right..." Eva said softly and Emily nodded.

"Yes, and I know what you are probably thinking. I was wrong to fall in love with him, and maybe I was. But the connection I have to Sam is the same as the one that you have with Embry." She confesses.

"Connection?" Eva says with a small frown glancing over at Embry who remained silent, the grip on his cup so tight Eva was worried he would shatter it.

"You've felt it," Emily said softly, "That draw to Embry, the way you can't get him out of your head no matter what. How safe he makes you feel, how comfortable..." She trailed off, watching as realisation takes over the younger girls face.

"You are saying there is a reason for it?" Eva questioned, "The way that I feel, it's caused by something?"

"Yes," Emily nodded, "There is a reason. It's the same as the reason that all of the boys are here with Sam. Even if they weren't friends before." Eva looked to Embry once again, and he was shaking. Intense vibrations that took over his entire body and in a move so quick Eva almost missed it he was out of his chair and rushing for the door.

Eva remained in her seat. Stunned.

"He'll be back," Emily said softly, "He's been so worried about telling you. Sam was worried he never would at first." The woman continued. Eva sucked in a deep breath, taking another sip of her tea, eyes still fixed on the door.

"What is going on, Emily?" The girl whispered, "What is this?"

"You come to the reservation a lot right?" Emily said, "Your dad is best friends with Billy, I'm sure you know a few things about the Quileute legends?" She pressed.

"Yea..." Eva agreed, "I've heard a few stories from Billy and Harry over the years." She said, turning back to face Emily, her eyes lingering on the woman's face for just a moment too long, her eyes running over the deep scars that marred her face.

"Then I'm guessing you know about the legend of how the Quileute's descended from wolves. Wolves that were turned into men, but allowed to shift back whenever they pleased by Taha Aki. They have defended the Quileute lands ever since." Emily said and Eva furrowed her brows.

"Yes I've heard the stories," Eva nodded, "But what does that have to do with this..." She paused, words sticking to her tongue.

"The stories are true, Eva." Emily said gently, "They are all true."

"You can't... is this a joke?" The youngest Swan whispers, shaking her head in disbelief.

"No." Eva spun around and there was Embry, he had come back. Only now he was missing his shirt and shoes. Only a loose pair of shorts were hung loosely around his hips. Shorts he had not been wearing before. "It's real, Eva."

"I... how is that... I mean... what?"

"It happened to me for the first time a few days after I saw you that day in town. I was in school when all of a sudden I started getting really hot, I thought I was just running a fever but it just kept getting worse, and I was just so angry... I hardly got out of school that day before I shifted for the first time." Embry explained to her, his face so impossibly sad. Suddenly Eva had a memory of dream she had weeks before, the one of boy screaming and crying out, his limbs snapping and bending in unnatural ways.

"Does it hurt?" Eva said slowly and Embry blinked.

"Only the first time." He said.

There was a stagnant silence. So heavy Eva could feel it settling over her skin like tar, it crawled up her spine, along her throat, almost choking her as she sat there.

Eva had never been a believer, she had stopped believing in Santa by the time she was six because a boy in her class had cruelly announced it to everyone in the room. She never enjoyed horror movies, especially ones with supernatural creatures, she found them corny and unrealistic. Things like this didn't happen, people didn't turn into wolves, it was unnatural, impossible. But then, why would Embry be saying it? Had this all been a ploy, an long elaborate joke to tear the girl in two? But then how would Emily know how she felt? How had she described so accurately what Eva was feeling for Embry if she hadn't even told the boy half of it herself.

"I need to see it." The girl said finally, "If this is true.. I need to see."

Embry exhaled loudly, running a hand through his cropped hair.

"I was worried you would say that," Embry said, taking another breath before holding his hand out for Eva. She stared at his hand for a few seconds before standing from her chair and walking over to him. Taking his hand in her own.

"I'll be in here if you need anything," Emily called but Eva could only send her a short smile before Embry was leading her out of the house and into the rain.

.・。.・゜✭・.

🪐 and eva finally knows ! well almost,,,

🪐 honestly i found this chapter really hard to write so sorry if it isn't very good i was STRUGGLING. like trying to show that eva is absolutely baffled but also trusts embry sm so her brain is just fried. yea we will see how it goes in the next chapter 😭

🪐 also we almost got our first kiss but oh no the bell rang ! so cliche but oh well.

🪐 anyways i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and i'll see you all soon ! mwah !