★★★★★

SIX; FUTURE

     "SHE'S GOING TO LEAVE."

     "Don't you think I know that? We've discussed it and this information is nothing new to me."

     "Are you ready to let her go?" Sam said, leaning forward in his chair.

Embry sighed, twisting his hands together. He stared at Sam — his alpha and his friend. "I was thinking," he breathed. It was harder to say now that Sam was looking at him so intently. He had been reviewing what he was going to say all night, but the words were still sitting at the back of his throat. "Blaire is my life. There's no one else, and you know that. If she leaves, I need to go with her."

     Sam's head bolted up as quick as lightning. "Leave the pack? You want to leave the pack?"

     "I didn't say I wanted to," Embry paused, trying to conjure his words carefully. "But I need to. Blaire's my other half; she makes me whole. I'll travel across the world with her if need be."

     Sam could hear Paul's hollers from a distance. They were slowly approaching Emily's house, and Sam didn't want them to hear what Embry was attempting to explain to him.

     "We'll speak about this later. Think about this more clearly, Embry. You're not just leaving the pack. You're also leaving your home."

     Paul came racing in. Jared was right on his tail. Quil slapped Embry on the back. He quickly noticed the frown upon his friend's face.

     "What's got you down?"

     "Blaire's probably giving him the silent treatment or something," Paul snickered, opening Emily's fridge. Sam shot a warning glare at Embry, telling him that it was unnecessary for the pack to know of Embry's future plans.

     Embry cleared his throat. "It's just this stupid vampire. I mean, I get why she wants Bella, but does she have to come after Blaire too? It's not our fault we were trying to defend the land when she was here."

     Jake entered. "Quit your whining, Embry." The two glared at one another. "Alice says they're approaching fast. We start preparation tomorrow. Embry and Blaire will be up on the mountain along with Bella and Edward. I'll be keeping watch. Tell Blaire to keep warm — temperatures are dropping rapidly."

     Embry scoffed as if it was nothing. "Please, we're werewolves. I'm her personal heater."

     Leah entered, holding Dahlia's hand. Sam had to avert his gaze.

     "What are you idiots talking about? My sister?" Dahlia rolled her eyes. Blaire was currently on rest mode, and she was sleeping heavily before the fight. She knew seeing Victoria again would only cause nightmares to appear. After multiple attempts to stay, she finally kicked Embry out of the house so she could get peace and quiet.

     "Why do you Thompsens always think the world revolves around you?" Paul said teasingly.

     "Shut up, Paul. No one cares about your opinion."

"Geez, if you and Leah weren't together, the sexual tension between you and Paul would be off the charts," Jared said. Leah grabbed his ear and made him apologize to her girlfriend.

     Quil chuckled at the pack's antics. He focused on Embry once again. "So how's Blaire feeling about all of this? About becoming a member of the pack?"

     "She's not a member yet," Jake corrected. "She's trying to fight it off."

     "Like that's going to work," Paul said, clearly paying attention to the negative side of the story. "I remember when I phased. The anger was too much to handle that I couldn't avoid it. Blaire's going to phase."

     "Don't say that." Embry was uncomfortable at the thought of Blaire becoming something she didn't want to be. He only wanted his girlfriend to be happy, but the universe was challenging him.

     The phone rang. Emily was upstairs, sleeping after cooking five meals for a hungry pack. Sam was instructed to do everything in his power to not set the house on fire. He answered the phone, wincing when he heard the tone of Blaire's voice.

     "Embry, Blaire says she misses you. She also wants chocolate, and for you to bring a sad romance movie to watch. Better get going. She sounds stressed."

     Embry stood, ready to leave. Sam spoke once more, the emotion of his voice ranging from commanding to understanding.

     "Be prepared for tomorrow. We don't know what's going to take place and how strong these vampires are. Embry, think about your decisions. Make the right one."

     The pack was thoroughly confused, but Embry knew. Sam wanted him to stay and defend the people of La Push. It was easier for him to talk when Emily was completely happy living in La Push for the rest of her life. Blaire would always be unhappy in their hometown, and Embry would do everything in his power to lift her spirits.

     He stared directly into his alpha's cold gaze. "I know what the right choice is, and I've already made it."

★★★★★

     "Do you think this tent is big enough? Billy was right, we should've bought the other one."

     "Would you relax?" Embry chuckled, kissing his girlfriend's forehead. "This is fine. Would you rather be sharing a tent with Edward and Bella?"

     Blaire thought about the awkward tension in the air between Bella, Edward, and Jake. If she had to witness another one of Jake's rants on why Bella should be with him, she would kill him before any of the newborn vampires got a chance to.

     Blaire stuck her head out of the tent. The sun was still shining brightly, almost mocking the fact that there would be a heavy storm later in the evening. "Jake!" She called out to her friend, holding a bag of snacks. "Eat before you start thinking about munching on my boyfriend."

     The werewolf jogged over, twisting his nose in disgust. "Ugh, I'd never eat Embry. If anything, Quil would be the one I'd eat first."

     "Thanks, you asshole," Embry said from inside the tent.

     "You sure you don't need a blanket for later? I know you guys have constant body temperatures, but I'm still worried."

     "I'm fine, Blaire," Jake shrugged off. "Besides, it's Bella I'm worried about. She could freeze and that bloodsucker won't-"

     Blaire shut the tent, refusing to hear any more of Jake's constant rambling. He was her friend, but he needed to get a grip on his romance situation. Embry laughed at Blaire's actions. In the beginning, she used to listen to Jake go on and on about him and Bella because she felt bad, but now, she was tired of it.

     He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. "Whatever happens today or tomorrow, just know that I'm always going to stick by you through thick and thin. Your decisions are my decisions, and I fully support you in all of them."

     Blaire blinked, looking up at her soulmate. "I love you, Embry."

     He was suddenly captivated by a vision. A wolf with light brown fur, treading lightly on a patch of snow. The wolf's eyes — they were Blaire's. They were staring back into Embry's own, glossy and afraid. Embry felt his heart skip a beat.

     "I love you too. More than you'll ever imagine."

     The storm hit hard. Blaire could hear the wind blowing violently outside, and snow was falling on the tent at a fast pace. It closely resembled the snow falling when Blaire came back to La Push after Audrey's doctor visit in California. She remembered not being able to fall asleep and Caleb sending her to Embry.

     It was dark, and she almost stepped on his sleeping figure. Her six-year old self giggled softly as she slipped in next to him. "Embry," she whispered, attempting to stay as quiet as she could in fear of waking Jake or Quil. Although, with Jake's loud snores, there was a guarantee they would stay asleep.

     The boy opened his eyes. It was almost like seeing an angel in front of him, and a huge grin spread on his face. "Hey. What are you doing here?"

     "Can't sleep. My dad said I should come see you." She felt his warmth radiating from his body and for some reason, it settled her. She couldn't even hear Jake's snores anymore and her eyes fluttered shut.

     "Good night, Blaire."

     Now, looking at the man she loved, she felt that same comfort when she was only six-years old. She wasn't scared of what was to happen tomorrow because she knew he would be there with her.

     Every step of the way, he would stand right next to her, defending her.

★★★★★

     "Hi, Seth."

     The wolf next to her nudged her side gently, indicating her monotone voice wasn't making the situation any better. Blaire rolled her eyes.

     "Is my sister safe with yours?"

     Blaire swore she heard Seth's wolf snicker. Before she could question, Embry came outside and laid one hand on the small of her back. "Sam says it's time for me to go." She was deeply upset by his statement. She understood why Sam placed Seth at the top of the mountain, where he only had to battle two vampires instead of the newborns. However, she wished Embry would stay with her. It felt right. "You watch her, Seth, do you hear me?" He said strictly to the wolf in front of him.

     Their lips crushed together before he pulled away, shifting and running through the pile of snow.

     Seth left to disguise himself as a sneak attack against Victoria, and Bella came outside of her tent.

     Embry had wrapped Blaire in four layers of comfort and warmth, and she was currently peeling them off. Bella looked at her, unsure of what to say. For the first time, they were fighting on the same side.

     Blaire spoke first. "Do you ever think that we're a burden? That maybe they wouldn't have to fight if we weren't around?"

     Bella sighed. "All the time."

     Edward came over and pulled Bella aside. Blaire tried her best not to eavesdrop, but when Edward called Bella Mrs. Cullen, she couldn't resist.

     Blaire saw Jake first. She saw the heartbreak splayed across his features. Her heart clenched. Jake was her friend, and Bella just ruined him.

     "You're marrying him?" There was no tremor laced in his voice, only anger.

     "Jake, I-" Bella began to reason her actions, but stared at Edward in disbelief. "You knew he was listening!"

     "He deserves to know."

     "Jake, stop!" Edward tried to stop his irate girlfriend, but only received backlash. Bella chased after Jake, and Blaire took a step closer to Edward.

     "You did the right thing. Jake should've known by now," Blaire whispered, knowing well he could hear her whether she spoke or not.

     Edward glanced at her. "What does she see in him? Why does she love him?"

     Blaire paused. "The same way I love Embry. He protects me, and comforts me even when I know I've done something wrong. He loved me before he even phased. My dad says our love was already written in the stars. There's something Bella sees in Jake that makes her feel that way."

     When Bella returned, Blaire knew something had happened. Bella was acting like she was guilty of a crime. Blaire saw the swelling of her lips and her disheveled hair, connecting two and two together.

     After a brief reminder that Bella loved Edward more than she could ever love Jake, Seth approached the trio. Edward read what was happening in his mind.

     "It's starting."

     Blaire didn't understand the full extent of Edward's powers, but he was staring off into the distance as if the fight was happening right before him. "Jacob just got there." Bella released a sigh of relief. "He's good."

     When Edward's emotional state changed from calm to terrified, Blaire felt goosebumps rise upon her skin.

     "Someone's hurt?"

     Flashes of Embry getting injured whirled through her brain, but she pushed them away.

     "She's close! I can hear her thoughts. Seth, go."

     Blaire spoke up. "Seth, be careful!" The wolf acknowledged her concern before disappearing into the woods.

     Edward pulled Bella close to him, and Bella pulled Blaire close to her. The snow suddenly felt immensely cold now, and Blaire was shivering. Her eyes were roaming around the scenery wildly, afraid to see Victoria's red hair. Her hands instinctively flew to her throat, where Victoria choked her the last time she encountered the redhead.

     A man approached. His stance was threatening, and Blaire gripped Bella's forearm. Her wolf was roaring again.

     "Riley, listen to me," Edward said. "Victoria's just using you to distract me. She knows I'll kill you." Suddenly, there she was. The same bright color of red matching her cold eyes. "In fact, she'll be glad she doesn't have to deal with you anymore."

     Her voice was smooth and luring. "Don't listen, Riley. I told you about their mind tricks."

     "I can read her mind, so I know what she thinks of you."

     "He's lying."

     "She only created you and this army to avenge her true mate, James. It's the only thing she cares about, not you."

     Riley was now on edge, gazing over at Victoria. She spoke, but Blaire could sense she was lying. "There's only you, you know that."

     Blaire knew Edward's way wasn't going to work for much longer. Victoria had a hold on him, a connection she had been working on for months before this. "Think about it — you're from Forks. You know the area. That's the only reason she chose you. She doesn't love you."

     "Riley, don't let him do this to us. You know I love you."

     Riley stared at the ground, trying to make his decision. He looked up and Blaire recognized the fire in his eyes. "You're dead."

     He started towards them, but Seth jumped from the woods, biting Riley's shoulder. He tossed the vampire around before shattering his hand. Blaire and Bella began backing away from Edward when Victoria took off on a run.

     "You won't get another chance like this again!" He called out to her. "You want her. You want both Blaire and Bella. You want me to feel the pain when I tore him to pieces. When I turned him," Edward was now painstakingly close to Victoria. "When I turned him into nothing."

     The fight began. Edward and Victoria were a blur of figures, dashing through the woods. Seth lost control of Riley and both of them had Edward in a headlock, ready to end him.

     Blaire decided the best way to ruin her life was to save someone else's.

     The anger she had built up in the past couple of months came through. The wolf inside of her finally released itself.

     Bella's eyes widened when she witnessed Blaire transform. Instead of a small teenager, Blaire was replaced with a shaggy brown wolf.

     She didn't think — just ran. She aimed for Victoria first. She clashed with the redhead before reaching down and biting her neck, tearing it off. She tossed it aside as Edward dealt with Riley, throwing him to Seth.

     Blaire sneered. She backed away from Victoria's lifeless body. Edward grabbed a lighter from his pocket and threw it at her, ensuring she would never come back to harm them again.

     Blaire was suddenly taken over by a new mindset.

     Blaire, that was the coolest phasing I've ever seen! Of course Seth would be the most excited.

     Out of all the voices in her head, one in particular stood out. I love you. She raced down the mountain, wishing to see Embry to make sure he was okay. When she reached the grounds, it was almost clear of all vampires.

     Embry took her in. She was just as beautiful as she was in human form, even with her long mane. He nudged his nose against hers, and the sadness in her eyes quickly changed.

     Another newborn appeared from behind a boulder, and Leah decided to take him head on. Blaire could hear her sister screaming for Leah not to, but it was already too late. The vampire almost crushed her neck until Jake stepped in.

     They wrestled on the ground when the vampire gained his dominance. He locked his arms around Jake's middle, and Blaire heard the cracking sound of his ribs.

     When Jake shifted back, he was in more pain than he ever could have imagined.

for those of you rooting for blaire to phase, here you go

dedicated to JustSav because i love her and her writing is the greatest! also, what do you guys think of me extending this book until the end of breaking dawn?