Give Him Time | E. Call
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Genre: fluff Character: Embry Call x Reader Word Count: 6.5k Warnings: cursing, kissing/making out, use of Y/N Summary: Embry tries to keep his distance but gives up when he realizes that he no longer has a choice. Requested: Yes (from anon: "embry x reader he imprints on reader who just moved to forks (no relationship with bella or anyone in the books she jus moved thered with her family) and he imprints when shes at a bonfire on la push beach. he is around with a couple other pack members and he’s supposed to jus keep watch and he takes a while to build a relationship w her") Note: characters are aged up (around 20).
a/n: kinda hate this, but it's been ages since I've posted, and this has been sitting in my drafts for a while.
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One week. I've been in Forks for one week and I've already been roped into attending some kind of late-night social gathering at a beach in La Push by a group of friends I met while working at the local grocery store in town. That would probably be exciting for most people, especially if they're new in town and know absolutely no one, but I don't see it that way. I would much rather be hiding away in my room, curled up under my weighted blanket with a good book and a hot cup of tea, not freezing my ass off at a bonfire on the beach surrounded by strangers. Despite it being late August and technically still summer, the nights are significantly cooler than the days, which aren't very hot themselves. Thankfully it's not raining out. I would have turned down the offer to come had it been anyone other than the sweet, kind-hearted Angela who'd asked. But since I didn't, I'm stuck listening to the annoying, air-headed Mike Newton go on an over-exaggerated tangent about the time got caught sleeping in his math class in high school and received detention for it.
As I try my best to be attentive, I can't help but let my eyes drift around the large group of people that surround the area. It was only supposed to be a small gathering, and that's how it started out, but as it gets later, more and more people show up. I sigh, continuing to scan the crowd until my eyes land on a small group of guys standing nearby. Just by their appearance, I know who they are. Jessica made sure to inform me prior to arriving about the "weird" reservation kids who act like they run the area and would probably show up to stand watch like guard dogs. She and her friends had a lot to say about the four guys, none of it being particularly nice. I don't see the problem, though, because they have kept to themselves the whole time. They speak when spoken to, but other than that, they keep conversation amongst themselves. I find myself intrigued by the reserved strangers.
My gaze lingers a little too long because one of them looks up and our eyes lock. Instantly, a shiver runs down my spine, a sudden rush of warmth replacing the coldness I'm feeling. Something about him draws me in and pulls me towards him, yet I can't find the will to move. He's beautiful, in a boyish kind of way, wearing khaki shorts and a black cut-off T-shirt despite the chilled weather. He's the one to break the impromptu staring contest when one of his friends nudges his side and steals his attention. I'm a little disappointed when his rich brown eyes look away. I watch for a little longer as they share a few hushed words before all of their eyes shift to me. The extra attention forces me to finally divert mine away.
"Hey," I lean closer to speak to Angela, "I'll be back. I'm gonna take a walk down the beach."
"Okay." She nods, "Do you want me to walk with you?"
"No, it's okay. I won't be gone long."
I walk along the shore, kicking rocks until I get far enough away that the loud music and shouting sound like a soft murmur in the distance. I find a washed-up log and sit down, watching the waves crash against the shore before retreating. It's quiet and peaceful. I could probably fall asleep sitting here. The sound of a stick snapping behind me ruins that thought. Turning my head away from the water and towards the forest, I come face-to-face with the handsome boy.
"You shouldn't be wandering around out here by yourself. It's not safe." He speaks as he takes a hesitant step closer to me.
"I could say the same to you."
"Why did you leave your friends?" He asks, coming to take a seat on the log next to me, making sure to leave a little space between us.
"They are hardly my friends." I laugh dryly, staring back out at the water. "I didn't even want to come."
"Then why did you?" I shrug in response, not really having a reasonable answer to give. "I could give you a ride home if you want."
"I don't even know you." I chuckle. "Didn't you just lecture me about it not being safe to wander off out here alone, and now you're offering me a ride home. Talk about stranger danger. This is literally the plot and premise of every teen slasher film."
"It was hardly a lecture. More of a piece of valuable advice." He smiles, offering his hand to shake. "I'm Embry Call."
"Y/N Y/L/N." I reply, grabbing his hand. It's unbelievably warm yet comforting.
"Now we're not strangers. Want to take me up on my offer now?" He asks. "If not, you could always go back and ask that Newton kid to tell you another story to help pass the time."
"I would rather step on a Lego than listen to another one of his stories." I scoff. "But I should let Angela know I'm leaving first."
"Let's go then." He chuckles and stands up, waiting for me to rise to my feet before leading me back to the bonfire.
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The drive to my house seems to go by quickly. We make small talk here and there until the conversations eventually fizzle out completely and we fall into a comfortable silence. There's a weird tension that lingers in the air. Not a bad weird, just different. I want to know more about him but he's a little closed off. When we speak, it seems like he wants to let me in, he wants to talk to me, but something is stopping him from getting too deep. Despite that, he makes me feel at ease.
"We're here." he speaks softly, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Oh, okay. Thanks for the ride." I reply, attempting to hide my disappointment with a smile. "And for not killing me." I tack on a joke for further convincing.
"No problem." He laughs as he opens his door to get out. He comes around to my side and opens my door for me, grabbing my hand gently to help me out of the truck. "I'll wait here until you get inside."
"Okay," I nod. "Will I see you around?"
"Maybe." He shrugs.
"Goodnight, Embry."
"Goodnight, Y/N." The way my name rolls off his tongue so soft and smooth sends a gentle shiver running through me. Every thought in my brain vanishes and it's only the sound of his voice playing over and over again like a broken record.
By the time I make it up to my room, I'm smiling hard and surely sporting flushed cheeks. I look out my window to check, and there he is, still waiting like he said. I wave down at him once we make eye contact. He smiles and waves back before climbing into the truck and reversing out of the driveway.
I go about my usual nightly routine before finally settling into bed. The smile that this mysterious boy has somehow managed to plant on my face has yet to disappear. I think back over our interactions throughout the night, and although they had been small and more than likely meaningless to him, they had me giggling and kicking my feet like a little schoolgirl. Figuratively, of course. Once I manage to calm myself down, I close my eyes and begin to drift off to sleep, whispering a quick prayer that tonight was only the first and not the last time I would be seeing the handsome stranger.
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"That movie was awful." I scoff, walking with the rest of the group out of the theater.
"I thought it was awesome!" Mike exclaims.
"How? There was an unnecessary amount of blood and gore that did absolutely nothing for the plot, and the graphics were horrible."
"Woah there! Didn't know we had a professional movie critic on our hands." Mike jokes, receiving laughter from the rest of the group.
I roll my eyes as they begin gushing and raving about the action movie as we walk down the street. I fall back behind the group a bit, putting a little distance between me and them, but not too much that it's noticeable. Not that I think they would notice anyway. Despite having hung out with them numerous times since the bonfire two weeks ago, my friendship with them hasn't progressed at all. I just don't feel much of a connection with any of them, other than Angela.
"Hey, Y/N!" A call of my name pulls me out of my thoughts. I look up at Angela and her friends to find the source, only to see them looking back at me, confusion written on all of their faces. "Hey!" The masculine voice calls again from behind me, a little closer this time. I turn around this time, coming face-to-face with one of the guys from the bonfire, Embry and a couple of others not far behind.
"Do I know you?" I ask.
"No, but I know you. I'm Jared Cameron." He offers me his hand to shake.
"Y/N Y/L/N." I shake his outstretched hand. The next one to introduce himself has short, curly hair and a boyish grin on his face.
"Quil Ateara. The fifth, but the greatest." He chuckles, shaking my hand. The last one steps up wearing a smug expression as he introduces himself.
"Paul Lahote." He smirks, grabbing my hand and bringing it up to his lips. However, before he can make contact with my skin, he is stopped by Embry's stern voice.
"Enough, Paul." He orders to the snickering man.
"Hi, Embry." I redirect my attention to the boy who stands a few steps behind the others.
"Hey." He replies, our gazes locking briefly before he looks away.
"We're heading to a little restaurant down the street," Jared explains. "Wanna join?"
"Oh uh-" As I try to find the words to respond to his spontaneous offer, I'm interrupted by the voice of a female, that I have come to realize I am not the biggest fan of.
"Hey, Y/N. Who are your friends?" She asks, leaving me no time to respond before turning to introduce herself. "Hi, I'm Jessica Stanley." A chorus of 'hey's and 'hello's come from the group in response.
"We're heading home if you're ready." She directs her attention to me this time.
"Okay."
"We were actually offering her to join us for dinner," Quil states, presenting the offer Jared had extended to me just a few moments ago. "If she hasn't eaten yet."
"That's so kind of you." Jessica speaks with fake enthusiasm.
"Will you?" Jared questions, eyes trained on mine.
"Sure." I nod, turning to the group I had come with. "If that's okay with all of you."
"Go ahead." Angela is the one to step up and speak, a small but noticeable smile on her face. "Text me when you get home?"
A simple nod is all she needs before she grabs Jessica's hand and guides her back over to their group.
"Let's go," Paul speaks, throwing his arm over my shoulder as if we've known each other for years, and begins to lead me away. "I'm starving."
The restaurant we end up at is a cute, family-owned Italian place. It's cozy and welcoming, much like the rowdy group of boys who invited me to it.
"You have got to try the pizza," Quil leans in from his chair beside me to show me the options on the menu. "It's amazing."
"You think so?" I ask, amused by his never-ending enthusiasm.
"I know so." He winks, flashing me a toothy grin.
"The chicken alfredo is also really good." Jared adds from his seat on the other side of the table. I take their suggestions into consideration as I browse the menu.
"Everything looks and sounds delicious," I say, a sigh of defeat passing through my lips. "I don't know what to choose."
"We could order a couple plates of pasta and a few large pizzas to share. The portions are pretty big." Jared suggests.
"That's fine with me." I nod. "I'm still kind of full from the popcorn I ate at the theater so I won't be able to finish a full meal by myself."
"Don't you worry your pretty little head," Quil taps the tip of my nose with his index finger, forcing a giggle out of me at his antics. "Whatever you don't eat, I can gladly finish for you."
"Sounds like a plan then." I smile.
Once we finalize our decisions and put in our orders, we fall into easy conversation. A majority of it is Jared, Quil, and Paul bickering about random stuff or asking me questions. Despite their endless chatter, I can't help but let my mind linger on the quiet male sitting directly to my left. Before I can gather the courage to talk to Embry, Paul grabs my attention.
"How come you hang out with that Newton kid and his friends if you can't stand them?"
"Huh?" His question throws me off a bit.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you didn't seem too thrilled when we saw you outside of the theater." He elaborates. "And you looked a little annoyed when that Jennifer girl butt in to our conversation."
"You mean Jessica?" I chuckle as I correct him.
"Yeah, her." He nods.
"I wouldn't say that I dislike them, necessarily." I shrug. "I just don't click with them well, I guess. Angela is cool, and Eric isn't too bad, but the others are just so...I don't know. Jessica has to always be the center of attention, and Mike is overly flirtatious and too handsy for me."
"Handsy?" Embry questions, addressing me for the first time since out intial greeting outside of the theater. "Has he touched you?"
"It's nothing bad," I assure him. "It's just little things like trying to hold my hand or mess with my hair. Just weirds me out a bit."
"He still shouldn't be trying to touch you without your permission." He grumbles. "Someone needs to put him in his place."
"It's fine." I shrug. "He's harmless, just doesn't understand boundaries." Before he can say anything else, the food arrives.
"Is there anything else I can get for you?" The waitress asks after placing all of the food on the table. A chorus of "no's" and "no thank you's" float around the table. "Okay. Just call for me if you need me." As soon as she walks away, we all dig in.
"I am stuffed!" I exclaim after taking the last bite of pasta on my plate. There's still half a dish of pasta and a full pizza left on the table, but at the rate that the boys are eating, I'm positive it will be gone soon.
"You humans and your small appetites." Quil laughs around a mouth full of pizza. His comment earns him a harsh glare from the others.
"Humans?" I laugh at his strange words. "What are you, then? A dog." The table falls quiet as the four share a look before breaking out into nervous laughter. Ignoring their weird response, I change the subject.
"So, what is school like on the reservation?" I ask.
"Boring," Jared replies. "And a lot smaller than public schools."
"What do you do for fun?"
"We spend a lot of time hanging out with our friend Sam and his fiancee, Emily, at their place. It's our home away from home." He answers.
"Or going cliff jumping." Paul adds.
"Cliff jumping?" My eyes widen as I repeat the words back to him. "Is that even safe?"
"No, but it's fun as hell." Quil chuckles. "Gives you a huge adrenaline rush. You should come with us and give it a try some time."
"Absolutely not." Embry interjects, shutting down his suggestion before I can answer for myself. "She could get seriously injured, if she doesn't die from it."
"She'll be fine." Paul jumps in. "Jacob's little leech lover did it and survived."
"Barely." Embry scoffed. "Jacob had to pull her out and perform mouth-to-mouth on her."
"Well, it's a good thing she will be with us then." Paul responds cheekily. "What do you say, Y/N? I don't mind providing a little mouth-to-mouth if necessary."
"I'll pass."
"You should come hang out on the rez, then? At Sam and Emily's place." Jared suggests.
"I don't know." I shake my head. "I don't want to intrude. You seem like a really tight-knit group."
"It's fine." He waves me off. "You'll fit right in." A smug look flickers across his face, as if he knows something that I don't.
"Maybe, but not tonight. I need to get home soon."
"Of course." Jared nods. "Let's pay the bill and then we can head out."
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"Are you sure this is okay? They won't mind that I'm here?" I ask Quil as we make our way up the drive way toward Sam and Emily's house.
"Of course not." He gives me a reassuring smile. "We've told them all about you, and they are excited to meet you. Emily's happy to have another female to hang out with. Something about there being too much testosterone around here." He rolls his eyes laughing. "Word of advice though. Don't stare at Emily's face. It pisses Sam off."
"Noted." I nod as we walk up the steps.
"Honey, I'm home!" Quil shouts into the house as he throws the door open.
"Please leave." Paul deadpans.
"Hi! You must be Y/N." A woman greets warmly as she makes her way across the kitchen, making sure to smack Paul in the back of the head and telling him to be nice. "I'm Emily Young." She introduces herself as she pull me into a hug.
"Yes, I am." I nod smiling, reciprocating her hug. "Nice to meet you."
"I'm Sam Uley." A man steps up next to her, greeting me as he does. "That's Seth and Leah Clearwater," He gestures to two other unfamiliar faces sitting at the kitchen table. "And you know the rest of the hooligans."
"Hooligans?" Jared scoffs. "I'll have you know that I am a very distinguished young man." He says as he adjusts his invisible tie.
"Yeah, maybe compared to a caveman." Paul retorts, causing Jared to retaliate by intiating a wrestling match in the small kitchen.
"Enough, you two." Sam barks, trying and failing to hide his amusement at their antics.
"Come sit." Emily turns to me, gently ushering me to the only empty chair at the table, which happens to be right next to Embry.
"Hey," He greets in a quiet whisper as I take a seat.
"Hey."
"Are you okay?" He questions, a look of concern on his features.
"Yeah," I nod. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"You just seem a little tense." He answers. "And they can be a lot sometimes, even for someone like me who has spent years dealing with them."
"I'm okay," I assure him with a smile. He simply nods before turning to finish his lunch as Emily sets a plate down in front of me.
"I'm not sure if you've eaten already but I saved a plate for you." She explains. "Food doesn't last long around here with all of these men so I made sure to put some aside when I heard you were coming."
"I'm starving, actually. I haven't eaten yet today." I reply. "Thank you!"
"You haven't eaten? Like, at all?" The boy named Seth asks from his spot opposite of me.
"No." I shake my head. "I was up late last night writing a paper for my English class and started working on it again as soon as I woke up. I guess I got a little too carried away and forgot to eat anything. But hey! At least I finished my paper. Four days early at that."
"You should still make sure you're eating properly though." Embry states.
"Of course." I nod in agreement. "It's a bad habit I've been trying to kick for years. Once I get locked in on something, it's hard to step away. My mom has lectured me, like, a million times about it."
"So it happens often, is what I'm hearing." Emily steps in, her mom voice making an appearance."
"More often then it should." I respond sheepishly.
"That settles it then." She shakes her head in disbelief. "I'm now making it my personal duty to make sure you are eating three full meals a day. Can't have you getting sick on us."
"You don't have to do that." I argue.
"I know I don't have to, but we take care of our own around here. I know you're new to the group, but I already consider you one of us." She explains, her tone leaving no room fro argument.
"Okay." A blush warms my cheeks as I finally begin to dig into my food.
"Embry." Sam calls his name from where he stands by the kitchen door. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
He responds with a nod before rising from his chair and following Sam outside. They are standing on the porch right outside the door, speaking in hushed whispers. As the conversation goes on, Embry seems to grow increasingly frustrated or angry, I assume by the expressions on his face. A few more words are shared between the two before Embry stomps off the porch and Sam returns to the kitchen, letting out a heavy sigh as he enters. The others give him a questioning look, but all he does is shake his head in response.
"What are you doing tonight?" He asks, coming to sit at the table next to Emily.
"Nothing really." I shrug. "Planned on just hanging out at home and reading a book."
"Lame!" Quil and Jared shout simultaneously.
"I'm hosting a bonfire tonight if you would like to join."
"Please do!" Emily almost begs. "You can meet the other girls as well. Kim and Rachel, Jared's and Paul's girlfriends."
"Sure," I nod. "Why not?"
"Perfect!" She smiles. "Would you like to run into town with me? I need to grab some groceries for the barbeque."
"Of course. I don't have anything else to do."
"Let me go grab my purse."
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"Hey, Emily. Can I ask you something?" I ask as we walk down another aisle to grab the things she needs.
"Ask away."
"Does Embry not like me or something?" I question. "Like, did I do something wrong? Or offend him in some way?"
"Of course not." She shakes her head at my words. "Why would you think that?"
"I don't know." I shrug, nervously fidgeting with the loose threads on my sweater. "He just seems closed off when I'm around. I just thought maybe it was something I did."
"That's just Embry." She reassures me. "He's always been more of an introvert compared to the other guys."
"You sure?"
"I'm positive." She stops walking and turns to face me. "Don't read too much into it. Just give him time. He'll come around." I nod in response, choosing to trust her words and expel those negative thoughts from my head. "Now come on, we only have a few more things to grab and I'm afraid those bozos might destroy the house if they are left alone too long." She giggles as she begins walking again, me following close behind.
When we return to the house, the guys are horsing around outside, as Emily and I head to the kitchen to put everything away. Once all of the groceries are in their rightful place, she begins to prep what will be needed for dinner.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"No, I got it, but thanks." She politely declines. "Why don't you head outside. Or you can hang out in the living room and watch some TV. Whatever you want to do."
"You sure?"
"Yep."
I begin to make my way towards the door to go outside when I notice Embry sitting on the couch by himself. I hesitate briefly before making up my mind and stepping towards the living room instead.
"Hi, Embry." I speak softly, as not to startle him.
"Hey, Y/N." He greets, glancing at me over his shoulder and then turning his attention back towards the TV.
"What're watching?"
"Nothing, really. Just flipping through channels to see if anything good is on. So far, I've found nothing." He shrugs.
"Do you mind if I join you?"
"No, I don't mind." He scoots over to make room on the couch. We fall into a tense silence as he continues to flip through channels before he finally settles on a true crime show.
"Are you excited for the bonfire?" He asks, finally breaking the silence and turning his head to look at me, our gazes interlocking.
"Yeah, actually. I am." I reply, smiling. This is the first time we've had an actual conversation together since the one we had on the night we met and I can't help but feel giddy about it.
"Good." He nods, he lifts one of his hands to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "You look beautiful, by the way."
"Oh, uh, thank you." I can feel my cheeks heat up instantly. "You do, too. Look handsome, I mean. Not beautiful. Not that you aren't beautiful, I just-" I blush harder as I stumble over my words.
"Thank you." He interrupts, chuckling softly.
Our conversation dies out as we stare into each other's eyes. However, the silence this time is much more comfortable. Without realizing it, we had begun to lean into each other. So close that our noses are almost touching.
"Can I-" Embry begins to speak but is cut off as Sam's voice carries through from the kitchen.
"Embry, come out. I need your help gathering the fire wood."
"Okay, be right there." He replies, backing away. "I'll talk to you in a bit, okay?"
"Okay. Yeah." I nod, another blush dusting my cheeks as I start to think about what would have happened if Sam hadn't come in.
Embry then gets up from his spot beside me, leaving me with a soft smile and following Sam out the door.
• ───────────────────────────── •
The bonfire burns brightly, providing some warmth against the chilly night air. I sit with the other girls, talking and laughing as the guys kick around a soccer ball off to the side. Just like Emily, Kim and Rachel are kind and inviting, making it easy to fall into comfortable conversation. Even Leah, despite her quiet nature.
"So, you and Embry, huh?" Rachel nudges my side gently with her elbow, wiggling her eyebrow suggestively.
"What about me and Embry?" I ask confused.
"Are y'all, like, a thing?" Kim is the one to ask the question.
"Oh, no. Definitely not." I shake my head, laughing at the incredulousness of the idea. "If you haven't noticed, he barely speaks to me."
"Which is kind of crazy to me because the guy can barely keep his eyes off of you." Rachel says.
"Right!" Kim exclaims. "Glad I'm not the only one who noticed."
"You're seeing things." I argue.
"But you like him though, don't you?" Leah asks.
"Would you think I'm crazy if I said yes?" I bite my lip nervously. "He. doesn't even give me the time if day. Today was the first time we've held a conversation that was longer than three words since the night we met, but I can't help but be drawn to him. Like some kind of invisible string is keeping me tied to him. I sound weird and obsessive, don't I?" I sigh, feeling embarrassed at my admission.
"Not at all." Emily smiles, providing me with some comfort. "Like I said earlier, just give him a little time."
"You should-" Before Rachel can finish what she is going to say, they sound of men arguing grabs all of our attention.
"I said back off, Paul!" Embry shouts angrily at his friend.
Paul laughs menacingly. "Oh yeah? Or what?"
Embry lets out what I can only describe as a deep growl as his body begins to shake in anger.
"Careful there, Call." He says mockingly. "Don't want to lose your cool in front of your girlfriend." Those words seem to be the final trigger, because on my next breath, Embry's clothes shred to pieces as he turns into a giant wolf.
All of the air leaves my lungs as the scene unfolds. Paul is next, shifting into a massive beast in the blink of an eye, right as Embry lunges for him. The two begin to fight, large jaws snapping at each other as they roll on the ground.
"What the actual fuck?" I whisper as I finally catch my breath.
"Leah, Emily." Sam calls. "Get her inside." As soon as the words leave his mouth, a black wolf, larger than the other two, takes the place where his once human form stood. The others soon follow, beginning to chase after the two who have now managed to tumble into the forest.
"Can someone please explain to me what the hell just happened?" I gasp out as we make our way into the living room.
"It's not really our place to say, but Sam can as soon as he gets back." Emily places a comforting yet firm hand on my shoulder, forcing me to take a seat on the couch.
"They're not gonna kill each other, are they?" The horrifying thought leaves my lips before I can stop it.
"No," Rachel shakes her head. "They'll be fine. This actually happens quite often."
"That doesn't make me feel any better." I look at her as if she is insane."
"Sam will calm them down, and then they will all return safely. Not scratch or bruise in sight." Kim explains. I nod, taking a deep breath.
"So they're werewolves?"
"We prefer the term 'Shifter'." Leah states.
"Can all of you do that?"
"Nope. Just me and the guys."
"You're the only female that can turn into a wolf?"
"The only one known." She nods.
"Okay." I nod, trying to process the new found information. "Wow! This is a lot to take in."
"You're handling it pretty well, though." Kim giggles. "I half expected you to run off screaming."
We sit waiting for about ten minutes, them answering the questions they are allowed to answer, before the door swings open. Jared, Quil, and Seth walk into the house, Sam, Paul, and Embry moments after.
"Sorry about that, Y/N." Paul laughs as he throws himself down on the floor in front of where Rachel sits.
"No problem." I respond before turning my attention towards Sam.
"I'm sure you have a few questions."
"That's the understatement of the century." Sam chuckles at my response as he begins to explain everything. Their history, abilities, what causes the first shift, what triggers every shift after, how they control it. He goes on for what feels like half an hour until he feels that he has covered everything.
"Now that that is out of the way, there is one more thing you must know, but it's best if you and Embry discuss that privately."
"Um...okay?" I turn to look at Embry, who is still standing next to the door.
"Can I give you a ride home?" He asks. "I'll explain on the way there."
"Sure." I nod, standing from the couch. "Thanks for inviting me. Despite all of the chaos, I really enjoyed spending time with you all."
"Of course, Y/N." Sam smiles gently. "You're welcome any time."
• ───────────────────────────── •
The first ten minutes of the twenty-minute drive pass in silence. Neither of us willing to break it, but eventually I speak, not being able to stand the tension anymore.
"Embry?" I call his name softly, my voice coming out as almost a whisper. "There was something you wanted to tell me."
"'Want' isn't exactly the word I would use, but I don't really have a choice." He sighs heavily. "For starters, I want to apologize. I didn't want to drag you into this. I tried to keep my distance, but my friends were hellbent on playing matchmakers. If it had been up to me, tonight wouldn't have ever happened."
"Oh." His words trigger an ache in my chest.
"It's not that there is anything wrong with you. You're great, actually. It's just that I didn't want to bring you into my world because it's too dangerous for you."
"Dangerous? How? What does any of this have to do with me?"
"That leads to my next point. There is this thing that us Shifters do. It's called imprinting." He explains as he slows the car down before pulling over to the side of the road and putting the car in park.
"Imprinting?" I ask as he turns to me, eyes locking onto mine.
"Yeah. In looser terms, it's kind of like finding our soulmate. The one person we are destined to be with. When we find our imprint, they instantly become the one thing in this world that we would do anything for. We will become anything they want or need us to be. A protector, a friend, a lover. They become the center of our whole world. The gravity that holds us to the Earth. Everything and everyone in our lives suddenly comes second to them."
"Are you saying that-"
"Yes," He nods, responding before I can finish my sentence as if he had read my mind. "That night we first met, on the beach in La Push, I imprinted on you. It's not something we can control, it just happens. We don't choose who we imprint on. The moment I looked into your eyes, my fate was sealed."
"Is that why you avoided me? Did you want it to be someone else?"
"No." He shakes his head. "I was avoiding you because bringing you into all of this is dangerous. There are other supernatural beings that exist, and just you breathing puts you in danger because of the connection we have."
"Other supernatural beings? Like what?"
"Vampires. Those are our biggest enemies and what triggered out phases."
"Vampires," I mutter his words back to him in disbelief. "Here in Forks?" He nods in response.
"So if you don't have control over the bond, what would happen if I didn't want it?" I question. "Not saying that I don't, just asking." I quickly explain.
"You could reject it, but it wouldn't be easy. For either of us. The longer we spend apart, the more it will begin to hurt. Not just emotionally but physically too. We would both grow weaker, and it would affect my shifting and other abilities."
"Wow."
"And I'm not saying that to scare you at all, just answering your question honestly."
"So what does that mean for us?"
"What do you want it to mean? Like I said, you are now my sole purpose of living. Your safety and well-being, your life, are now my greatest priority. I will be whatever you need me to be."
"Okay. So, if I wanted to pursue something romantically, would you only be doing it because you have to? Because I actually really like you. Like a lot. But I don't want to force you into anything that you don't actually want."
"I like you, too. And I'm not just saying that because of the bond. I do genuinely mean that. I know it didn't seem like it because of how I acted and how I treated you, but the more time I've spent around you, the more my feelings have grown. My feelings for you are real, they are just amplified by the connection we have."
"Okay."
"Is that want you want?" He asks. "To pursue this romantically?"
"Maybe." I shrug. "Do you?"
"I would like that." He smiles softly.
"Me too." I return with a smile of my own, subconsciously leaning closer to him. "We should probably take it slow though."
"Definitely." He responds, moving in more. Our noses brush gently as he speaks. "Would you be mad if I kissed you? Right now."
I shake my head at his question. "I think I would be more mad if you didn't"
That's all that needs to be said before he leans in the rest of the way and molds his lips softly to mine. Butterflies erupt in my stomach instantly. My body feels like it's on fire, but in a good way. His hand finds my cheek, angling me to deepen the kiss as both of mine find the nape of his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair.
Once we both run out of breath, he pulls back, pecking my lips a few more times.
"I should probably get you home." He whispers, resting his forehead against mine.
"Yeah, you probably should." I whisper back, brushing my lips against his softly. He groans softly, caving in and kissing me hard.
"Okay." He moves away to settle back into his seat. "For real, I need to get you home."
"Sorry." I blush.
"Don't apologize." He says. "I didn't mind at all. And now that I've gotten a taste of what its like to kiss you, I don't ever want to stop, but we've been sitting here for a while out in the middle of nowhere."
"You're right. Let's go."
The rest of the drive is spent with light conversation and giddy smiles shared between the two of us. He keeps my hand interlocked with his the whole time and places light pecks against the back of it every now and then. We finally make it to my house, much to my disappointment. Embry, being the gentleman he is, walks me to the door.
"I guess this is goodnight, then." He says, hands still holding mine tightly, as if he doesn't want to let go.
"I mean, it doesn't have to be." He quirks an eyebrow at the insinuation behind my words. "Do you want to come in?"
"I shouldn't." He shakes his head, releasing one of my hands so I can unlock my front door.
"But I think you should." I open the door, tugging on his hand as I step inside. I watch as he battles with whether he should decline or give in. I wait patiently as he makes his decision.
"Fuck it!" He finally says before diving in for a kiss, kicking the door closed behind us as we stumble into the house.
