★★★★★

FIVE; TRAINING

     "I REALLY DON'T THINK this is a good idea," Blaire commented, combing her hair back into a ponytail. She jumped out of the car and walked alongside Bella. The brunette believed she had an excellent idea of allowing Blaire to travel with the Cullens to the woods. Embry was very hesitant, but since the shifters and vampires were planning on working together, Blaire saw herself as a peace offering.

     Rosalie glared at the girl, who reeked of Embry's wolf scent. "Don't worry, Blaire," Edward assured. He stared down at Bella's hand, Jake's werewolf charm hanging off her bracelet.

     "It's a graduation present," she explained. The family gathered together in couples while Blaire stood off to the side. She heard the snapping of twigs before the wolves emerged, Sam's figure being the first to appear. Embry was beside him, his figure being distinctive from his gray snout. Dahlia wasn't too far behind him, emitting a low growl when she saw her sister and their sworn enemies.

     "They don't trust us enough to be in their human forms," Edward spoke to Carlisle. The blonde man didn't seem discontent.

     "They came. That's what matters. Can you translate?"

     There was a rumble in the pack when Dahlia and Embry began growing irritated. They didn't enjoy seeing Blaire standing on the other side. The oldest Thompsen seemed to understand as she held her hand out and gave them a stern gaze. The ring on her finger sparkled in the light.

     "Welcome," Carlisle greeted. Blaire was sure he could feel the hostility. "Jasper has experience with newborns. He'll teach us how to defeat them."

     "They wanna know how the newborns differ from us."

     Blaire moved next to Alice and Bella, seeing as Rosalie wasn't going to warm up to her any time soon. "They're a great deal stronger than us because their own human blood lingers in their tissues. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in the our first several months of this life." Carlisle moved so Jasper could speak.

     "Carlisle's right. That's why they are created. A newborn army doesn't need thousands like a human army. And no human army could stand against them." Blaire felt a shiver run up her spine. "The two most important things to remember are first, never let them get your arms around you. They'll crush you instantly. And second, never go for the obvious kill. They'll be expecting that, and you will lose."

     Jasper called Emmett up first and the two battled. Blaire had to excuse herself in the middle of the brawl, feeling an immense headache take over her mind. Embry followed after her, phasing back into his human form. She felt him rub her back gently and kiss her cheek.

     "Bear, what's wrong?"

     She could feel it. She could slowly feel the wolf roaring inside of her, and she gripped his forearm. "It's the Cullens. Being around them-"

     He scooped her into his arms before dragging her away from the scene. He couldn't believe he forgot about Blaire's phasing. Being around a group of vampires surely didn't help. He ran all the way back to Emily's. The woman was cooking at the stove, prepared for a pack of wolves to enter her home and complain about vampires. She was surprised to see only Embry and Blaire.

     "What happened?" She questioned, noticing beads of sweat falling from the girl's forehead. Embry set her down on the couch, worry filling his eyes.

     "Almost phased. Can you get her-"

     "Got it." Embry blinked, surprised at how quick Emily moved. She dabbed a wet cloth on Blaire's forehead, attempting to soothe her nerves. Her fingers were shaking and Embry intertwined their hands.

     "Babe," Emily spoke, sighing. "Maybe it's not my place to say this, but as long as you live in La Push, you're going to have these daily struggles. Becoming a wolf isn't so bad. I'm getting married to one."

     "It's the responsibility," Blaire choked out. "The patrol shifts, the hostility at school, and the fact that I'm barely human anymore. I might not even get to have kids of my own, Emily."

     The woman's eyes softened and for a brief second, she thought of her scars. She thought about how angry Sam was with himself for not having any control. He almost injured himself on purpose because he was overridden with guilt. Being a shifter wasn't easy, but neither was trying to keep it contained.

     "Why did the gene have to get passed down to me? Dahlia's the strong one."

     "B, you're the strongest person I know," Embry confirmed, kneeling down. He ran his hands through her hair. "Don't ever think you couldn't handle becoming a wolf."

     "And hey, Dahlia and Leah aren't supposed to be shifters anyway. Anything's possible, Blaire, including kids."

     "You okay?" Blaire heard her sister's voice. She ran the fastest after the meeting with the Cullens. She wanted to help Blaire but Sam ordered for her to stay back and let Embry deal with it.

     "Fine," Blaire said, throwing her head back against the couch. Embry ran the palm of his hands over her forehead. "That was a stupid idea on Bella's part."

     "Which part? Teaming up with the Cullens or standing by their side when we all know you're bound to shift at any minute?"

     "Alright, Dahlia," Embry shook his head. "Ease up on her. She was only trying to keep the peace."

     "And failing," Paul entered the room. "I still hate those nasty bloodsuckers."

     "Thanks for your concern, Paul."

     "Anytime, Thompsen."

     "Alright, Blaire, no more meetings for you," Sam spoke after kissing Emily. "We can't risk another episode like that."

     "I'm just a walking time bomb, aren't I?"

     Embry kissed her forehead. "A cute walking time bomb."

     The pack groaned.

★★★★★

     "Not too close," Embry warned. "We had an incident yesterday."

     Edward called Sam again after Bella's sudden idea. She noticed that it was harder for both her and Edward whenever they were apart, and he decided it would be best if he didn't engage in the fight.

     "So what's the plan?" Jake asked, standing next to his pack member. Embry had Blaire in his arms, who was fast asleep.

     "This field will give us an advantage in battle. We need to lure the newborns with Bella and Blaire's scent. It needs to end here," Jasper said.

     "Me, Edward, Embry, and Blaire are going on a campsite. Even if he carries me, they'll still pick up our scents."

     "Your stench, however, is revolting."

     Embry snorted. "Dude, you really don't want to start comparing stinks." Jake rolled his eyes.

     "What he means is that your scent will mask mine if you carry me," Bella explained further in detail. Blaire stirred before she awoke, her eyes widening once she caught sight of Edward and Jasper. She was being very cautious because of the mishap that took place yesterday. Embry held her closer to his chest.

     "Done," Jake easily agreed, very compliant to spending some alone time with Bella without having Edward in his way.

     "This is not a good idea."

     "Edward, they won't want to get anywhere near his," Jasper paused, looking at Jake. "Odor."

     "Alright." Bella left Edward's side for Jake's, and he picked her up bridal style. Blaire's grip tightened around Embry's neck and he leaned down to kiss her.

     "Eau de wolf coming up."

     "Run," Edward demanded.

     Embry smiled when him and Blaire followed after, taking their sweet time as if they were on an afternoon stroll. "You're very cute when you sleep, you know."

     "This is the kind of stuff that makes you lose all credibility with the pack."

     "They know how much I love you."

     She cooed and kissed his cheek. "Aren't you a sweetheart?"

     His expression softened. "Promise me you'll try to stay out of trouble in battle. Don't go playing hero and saving everyone, okay?"

     "Same goes for you," she challenged. "I don't want you getting distracted because I pulled a muscle or something."

     "I swear," Embry clicked his tongue. "If she gets anywhere near you again, I'll kill her myself."

     "And what if she does?" Blaire said. "What if she does and I have no capability to defend myself?"

     There was a sullen silence. Embry knew what she was thinking, but he wasn't sure he wanted to hear it. Blaire looked up at him. "Do you think I should stop fighting the wolf? Just let it take over me?"

     He kissed her forehead. "Bear, no matter what you choose, it's going to hurt like hell. And yes, would I like to know that you can defend yourself against filthy bloodsuckers? But I don't want you to become the monsters we are. None of us got to finalize our decision and some of us are okay with that, but some of us aren't."

     "You're not a monster. You're my Embry," she whispered, running the back of her hand over his cheek.

     "Who's the cheesy one now?"

★★★★★

     "Can we talk?"

     As soon as the words left Leah's mouth, she knew she would grow to regret this conversation if she chickened out. Dahlia nodded, opening the door wider for her so she could step inside.

     Caleb was seated at the couch and threw his hand back to wave at his daughter's imprint.

     "Let's go into my room," Dahlia blushed. She realized her father would only humiliate her if they stayed in the living room.

     The two trudged upstairs and passed Blaire's room, where she was kissing Embry on her bed.

     Typical.

     "I have to run patrol later so I'll make this quick," Leah murmured awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck. Dahlia closed her bedroom door so they wouldn't hear Blaire and Embry laughing, completely in love.

     "You want to know what we are, I'm guessing," Dahlia said. Leah's eyes widened.

     She didn't know she could ever love someone after Sam. The man was always going to be a part of her life, no matter how much she tried to kick him out. She wasn't sure when she imprinted on Dahlia. The whole experience was frightening to her, but she was seeing her best friend in a whole new light, much like Blaire had done with Embry.

     Leah could recall every moment she wanted to kiss Dahlia. It was a surge of confidence, but she quickly pushed the thoughts away whenever she saw Emily or Sam. They were a reminder of her past and her broken heart.

     "I don't know, Leah," Dahlia sighed. "I care about you so much, you know that."

     "I just wanted to clear everything up before we go into battle with these leeches," Leah hissed at the name as if it was poison on her tongue. After she shifted, it became almost a natural instinct to immediately dislike vampires. "Your sister's in danger and so is the whole pack. I don't want to get injured without telling you how I feel."

     Dahlia squirmed. This was a conversation she had been dreading. If Leah told her she wanted to be friends or anything along those lines, she would probably break down and cry.

     Dahlia stepped forward. She took Leah's hand in hers, and intertwined their fingers. "Is this okay?" She questioned sheepishly, flipping her hair to the side.

     Leah blushed. She nodded, squeezing her imprint's hand.

     Dahlia brushed a strand of Leah's hair behind her ear and ran her thumb over her cheek. Leah blinked, staring up at her. Dahlia swore she had never seen something more beautiful. Leah took her breath away.

     "And this?"

     Leah nodded again, feeling her insides turn into jelly. She pursed her lips, sensing what Dahlia's next actions were going to be.

     The youngest Thompsen walked forward again until they were inches apart. Her eyes trailed from the features of Leah's orbs down to the shape of her lips. Dahlia felt her heart beat faster. There was pure silence between them, and even with the door closed, she could still hear Embry's laughs.

     Dahlia pressed her lips to Leah's. The Clearwater girl had naturally taken direction, wrapping her arm around Dahlia's waist.

     Dahlia felt the fireworks. She felt the same tingly feeling that Embry would always speak about. She was kissing her whole world, the center of her life.

     They pulled apart. Leah, to Dahlia's amazement, was the first one to laugh. "Well, that was nice."

     The door opened.

     Caleb was the first one to emit a celebratory cheer, with Embry and Blaire behind him. Blaire's hair was sticking up and she looked quite disheveled from her and Embry's kissing session. Embry whistled, keeping one arm around Blaire.

     Dahlia blushed, burying her face into Leah's shoulder. Leah chortled, her face beaming. She figured that this was her new family and she would have to grow to love them.

hell yeah i'm rooting for dahlia and leah