CHAPTER SIX

"I'm not trying to find a reason!" Maya shot back, her voice thick with frustration and anger. Her chest heaved with the force of her words as she glared at Embry, who had been relentless in trying to convince her not to even entertain the idea of returning to her parents.

His refusal to back down was only adding fuel to the fire of her emotions. She was tired of hearing the same argument repeated over and over again. It wasn't like she didn't understand his point of view—he cared deeply for her, and his protective instinct was fierce. But it wasn't as simple as just making a decision. It wasn't something she could just shake off, no matter how much Embry wanted her to.

"How ridiculous do you think I am?" Embry's voice rose, frustration lacing each word. His fists clenched at his sides, his tone a mixture of anger and disbelief. "They don't care about you, Maya! You have to see that! They don't even treat you like you're a person, just a thing to be controlled. How can you even consider going back to them?"

Maya's stomach twisted at his words, but she wasn't ready to admit it—not yet. "I'm not—" she began, but Embry interrupted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"You're just going to let them dictate your life, let them control everything about you? How is that even a choice?" He shook his head, his tone incredulous as he stared at her, his emotions raw and unfiltered. The more he spoke, the more Maya's resolve wavered, but she clenched her jaw, refusing to let her emotions get the best of her.

Seth, who had been silent for most of their heated exchange, finally spoke, though his voice was quieter, more measured. "Embry," he said, trying to de-escalate the situation, "Calm down." His words were calm, a stark contrast to the storm brewing between the two cousins. But Seth knew better than to challenge Embry when he was like this. They had spent hours arguing—hours where emotions ran high, but Embry was still not backing down.

Tiffany had left them earlier, needing time alone to process the situation. She had been the one who had been most affected by the letter from Maya's parents, and it was clear she was struggling with her own feelings about what was best for Maya. She had left the room quietly, but it was evident to Seth and Embry that she had stepped away to give them space to work through their own emotions.

But as soon as she left, the tension had heightened between Embry and Maya. He was frustrated—furious that she could even consider going back to her parents after everything they had done. His words felt like daggers, each one aimed at her heart, but he wasn't the only one feeling the weight of the situation. Maya could feel the pressure building in her chest, the conflicting emotions warring inside her, making it almost impossible to think straight.

Seth, ever the calm and patient one, tried to steer the conversation away from the escalating fight. He understood where Embry was coming from, but he also knew that Maya was fighting her own internal battle. The last thing she needed was the constant pressure to make a decision that she wasn't ready to make. Maya didn't want to be told what to do. She wanted the space to think, and to process everything she was feeling without being bombarded by everyone's opinions.

The argument continued for hours, each of them pushing their point, their frustration mounting as they went around in circles. Seth had tried to intervene more than once, but it was clear that Embry and Maya were caught in a cycle of tension that neither could easily break. Maya, who had always been the more independent of the two, was finding it harder to voice her own feelings, unable to fully articulate what she was going through. Embry, on the other hand, had no filter—his words flew freely, each one dripping with raw emotion, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for Maya to deal with.

Eventually, in a burst of annoyance, Embry left, storming out of the room without a word of apology. It was the first time in years that they had fought like this—so fiercely, so intensely. Normally, they could talk through anything, but this situation had thrown them both off balance. Maya felt a sense of loss as he left, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of relief. The tension in the room had become unbearable, and she needed space to breathe.

Seth remained behind, his presence quiet but steady, like a rock in the middle of a storm. He had always been there for her, offering support without ever pushing her too hard. As much as he wanted to argue with her, he knew that Maya had to make this decision on her own. It wasn't about what he or Embry wanted—it was about what Maya needed.

Maya sat there for a long moment, her thoughts swirling like a storm in her mind. She knew Embry's anger came from a place of love, but the weight of his words had only added to the confusion in her heart. It wasn't just the external pressure—Maya was battling her own emotions, struggling to reconcile the desire to remain in La Push with the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, her parents could change.

Seth, seeing the turmoil in her eyes, finally broke the silence. "Maya," he said, his voice soft but steady, his eyes searching hers for any sign of clarity. "I get it. I don't know how you feel. I probably never will. But I can't pretend to understand your reasons, no matter how much I want to. But if you think forgiving them is what's best for you, I'm not going to stop you."

Maya turned to him, her emotions still raw and unprocessed, her chest tight with unshed tears. She didn't know how to explain the conflict that raged within her. "What do you mean?" she asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seth reached out and gently took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "I promised you, remember?" he said, his voice soft but firm. "Years ago, before anything changed. Before all of this chaos started. Do you remember what I said?"

Maya closed her eyes at his words, and for a moment, everything seemed to pause. She nodded slowly, her breath catching in her throat. She did remember. How could she forget?

It was a long time ago—before Seth had phased before the danger of vampires had crept into their lives, before everything had become complicated. Back then, they had been just two teenagers, struggling with their own issues, trying to figure out who they were in a world that felt far too big for them. And somehow, through it all, they had found each other. It had been innocent—uncomplicated.

Before Seth had imprinted before he had become a shapeshifter before any of the madness had started. She remembered how they had leaned on each other, how they had shared their hopes, their fears, and their dreams for the future. And now, as she looked at Seth, she realized how much had changed, and how much he had always been there for her, even when everything else felt uncertain.

"I remember," Maya whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She could still feel the warmth of his hand on hers, the connection they had shared so long ago. Back then, they hadn't known what the future would hold, but they had promised each other that no matter what, they would always be there for one another.

And in that moment, she realized something—Seth had never wavered. Through the years, through the transformations, through all the challenges, he had remained steady, a constant presence in her life. And that was something she couldn't take for granted.

"You're not alone in this, Maya," Seth said softly, his voice full of sincerity. "No matter what decision you make, I'll be here. I've always been here."

Maya took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace settle over her for the first time in hours. She didn't have all the answers. She didn't know what was right or wrong. But for the first time, she realized that whatever happened, she didn't have to face it alone. Seth was here, and he always would be.