I could only assume the emptiness that I felt was the same emptiness Bella felt when Edward left. The type of empty that keeps you awake until your body fails, only to be woken up from a nightmare.
Jacob somehow got Seth to go with his makeshift pack, and Leah followed. I knew, in my heart, Leah needed to get away from Sam and the pack, as much as she claimed she was there to protect Seth. I spent days on the Cullens' couch and nights at my dad's house in my old bed. I couldn't go home to the space I shared with Paul. He seemed to be everywhere while still being nowhere.
My heart yearns to beat in sync with his; my arms itch to hold him. Being loyal to my sister had made me the enemy. I miss him. I could tell the separation was taking a toll on my body, and out of pettiness, I was hoping he was facing the same hell.
"Here you go, Rory! It's warm; be careful!" Esme said, snapping out of my thoughts. Placed in front of me was a warm glass of tea. Jacob was curled up in the corner sleeping; Seth and Leah were patrolling.
"You should go to him." My attention snapped from the tea to my nearly mummified sister. Her face was sunken in, her eyes dull. She looked like the embodiment of death, and for once in my life, I'm glad my dad didn't know. Bella looked terrible, but I could imagine I wasn't looking any better.
"He doesn't want to see me. It's ok. Maybe it's better this way." My eyes flickered in between my glass and Bella. Edward lingered by the window, looking over the yard. When Bella adjusted on the couch, so did I. My eyes flickered across the people in the room. Rosalie was sitting on the neighboring chair; Emmett and Jasper were bickering underneath the stairs.
"They're here." Edward said abruptly. Jacob jumped up from a dead sleep, stomping outside. Out of reflex, I moved with him. I felt like I was being pulled. Standing on the massive porch of the Cullen Residence, I saw him. He stood in front, Embry and Quil behind him. Upon hearing me, his attention met me, eyes locking on each other before he turned his attention back to Jacob. If my heart were a separate entity, it'd leap out of my chest and run home, run to Paul.
"You know, as soon as that leech kills Bella, it's dead. " I knew he was talking about the baby, but my mind wasn't focused on whatever he was saying; it was focused on him. I wanted him, yearned for him. He looked like he was in perfect health, so maybe I'm being over dramatic.
I stood there until the conversation was done, simply not wanting to miss a second of Paul. Jacob stormed off while I stayed rooted to the porch. The sudden urge to cry washed over me as I went back inside the Cullens' house. The collection of people in the room shared sympathetic glances, sent lightly my way. The eyes on me made me want to crawl out of my skin.
"βWhy don't you head home, Rory?" Carlisle said softly, his voice full of concern. "You look ill."
βIll. That was one way to put it. I felt like I were decaying from the inside out.
β"Yeah," I forced out, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, I think I will."
βNot waiting for them to respond. I booked it out of the glass house, almost running to the car just to escape the oppressive sympathy.
βThe drive was a blur of gray trees and wet asphalt. I didn't go to my dad's house. I couldn't. I couldn't handle Charlie's oblivious questions or the heavy, quiet guilt. Instead, I pulled into the driveway of the home I were supposed to share with Paul. The house that was supposed to be a sanctuary, now reduced to a hollow shell.
It was never supposed to be like this. It was always Bella's world, and we were all just living in it. The mess she got herself into was now actively ruining my life. Instead of fighting for the love of my life, my soulmate, I'm watching my sister die in slow motion.
βThe silence inside hit me like a ton of bricks the second I stepped over the threshold. It was too loudβthe quiet pounded in my ears, amplified by the ticking of the clock on the wall and the sound of my own loud, uneven breathing.
βPouring a glass of cheap red wine with trembling hands, spilling a few dark drops onto the counter, before walking into the bathroom and twisting the hot water tap on the tub. Steam quickly billowed up, fogging the mirror, hiding your sickly, exhausted reflection from view.
βI poured in a heavy splash of soap, watching the bubbles rise, desperately chasing anything that might numb the violent ache in your bones.
I was never one to sit with my feelings; when everything got too overwhelming, too loud, I wanted to disappear. In high school, Paul was the only one who understood what it felt like, how it made me act, until he too left.
βStripping off my dirty clothes, I stepped into the scalding water. It stung, but the pain was a welcome distraction. Slidding down until the water lapped at your chin, I rested my head back against the cold porcelain, clutching the wine glass against my bare chest like a shield.
βKnowing it would take me a second to slip under the water and never resurface, I opted to close my eyes, but it was a mistake.
βThe second the dark took over, Paul was there. The memory of his hot skin pressed against mine, the memory of his heavy arms wrapping around me in the pouring rain, his voice rough and broken as he kissed my cold lips.
βA harsh, broken sob tore its way out of my throat, echoing off the damp bathroom tiles. I pulled my knees to my chest, spilling wine over the side of the tub, unable to stop the tears that finally broke through.
βThe yearning wasn't just a thought; it was a sickness. It was an agonizing, ravenous hunger that consumed every single thought, every breath, every heartbeat. I hated him for looking fine. I hated him for being on the other side of that invisible line. Most importantly, I hated yourself for loving him so fiercely that choosing my sister meant tearing your own soul in half.
βLeaning my head against my warm, wet knees, drowning in the hot water and the freezing loneliness, praying for the wine to kick in, praying for the noise in your head to finally stop, praying for the ache to decimate me completely so I wouldn't have to feel it anymore.
summary: y/n's touch is the only thing that calms the storm under jacob's skin, but staying close to him is starting to feel far more dangerous than leaving. between quiet confessions in the rain and bitter jealousy over vampires, neither of them is ready for what this softness actually means (or) y/n is the only thing that makes jacob's change into his wolf better.
warnings: mild angst, jacob being a ittle jealous, y/n is a lil strange, implied supernatural abilities, y/n can calm wolves down and make there transition smoother, not a lot of back story because this was js a one shot idea i had!!, soft touching/hand holding, late night bedroom setting, unresolved feelings and twilight lore tweaks.
y/n/n = your nickname
βare you scared?β thereβs a morbidly curious look in y/nβs eyes, her soft eyes staring at jacob like he was a science project but for some reason jacob felt fond of the sweet look on her face. he let out a shaky breath
βnot when youβre here.β a sickeningly sweet admission that was true, it calmed when she was here. the burning in his chest didnβt stop but it suddenly didnβt feel as bad when she was touching him. she blinked at him a few times head tilting like a curious pet and jacob found himself feeling jealous of every other person who got to see her so close, to feel her presence this way. the thought flashed of y/n standing with edward before he had gone away, that stupid interested look in edwardβs eyes almost made his blood boil right there.
the idea that y/n mightβve liked edward felt like a knife in his chest. βbella is in love with edward.β he sputtered out before he coukd stop it like if he said it out loud sheβd crush any chance she mightβve thought she had with edward. her eyebrows furrowed at that suddenly leaning back away from him βiβm aware.β her hand slides off his chest and quickly, he regretted saying anything at all when y/n moved away from him βwhat is your point?β
the loss of her hand on his chest hits harder than it should.
not because it hurts.
because it changes the air.
jacob shifts slightly against the bed, still half-lying down, still trying to ride out the heat in his bones, but now everything feels louder again. the burn in his chest doesnβt spike the way it did before, but it sharpens in a different direction.
restless, watching and waiting for her to leave to set him on fire once more.
y/n is still beside him, but not touching him anymore and that feels wrong in a way he doesnβt like thinking about.
his jaw tightens as he exhales through his nose, eyes flicking toward her the second she leans back. βwhat is your point?β she asks again, softer this time, but it doesnβt lose that curious edge.
jacob doesnβt answer right away because his brain is still stuck on the shift, on the absence of her hand and how quickly his body noticed it was gone.
his fingers curl slightly against the sheets. then, almost without thinking, it slips out again
βand edward liked bella.β
it lands heavier this time but feels all the more unuseful.
y/nβs expression barely changes, just a small furrow between her brows as she leans back a little further like sheβs giving him space to explain something she doesnβt actually care about.
βiβm aware,β she says again, calm as ever. a knit of confusion in her brows at his words, jacob exhales sharply through his nose, gaze dropping for half a second before snapping back to her face again.
y/n shifts slightly, still kneeling close to the bed, but now thereβs distance where there wasnβt before.
he hates how his mind drifts to her with edward, the way edward eyed her like he was far too interested in her life, his voice comes out rougher this time. βedward liked you,β he mutters. her head tilts almost shocked at the sudden change of his word, she takes note of his off tone
jacobβs throat tightens slightly. he doesnβt answer immediately, eyes flicking over her face like heβs trying to keep track of something that keeps slipping just out of reach. she doesn't reply to him but there's a stitch of confusion on her face.
βdid you like him?β jacob asked finally, voice rougher than before like even asking it was getting him upset.
y/n blinked slowly like she was trying to understand why the question mattered enough for him to ask it. she lets out a soft hum placing her hands in her lap βwould it change something for you if i did?β
the room went strangely quiet after that.
outside, rain tapped softly against the roof in uneven patterns while the old fan in the corner pushed warm air around the bedroom without actually cooling anything down. jacob could still feel the fever beneath his skin, violent and restless beneath the surface of him, but now it had shifted into something worse.
something personal.
his jaw tightened hard enough to ache because the answer was yes.
yes, it would change something.
the idea of y/n looking at edward the way she looked at strange things, soft and quietly intrigued, made something ugly twist beneath his ribs.
edward understood things jacob didnβt. he belonged to the same cold unnatural world y/n seemed carved from.
that was the part jacob hated most. she fit too well beside the cullens when he saw it in his head.
too beautiful, too eerie, too strange and too calm around monsters.
he could still remember the way edward had looked at her that day before leaving forks. cautious but fascinated, like heβd found something he couldnβt fully understand and wanted to anyway.
and jacob hated how much that look haunted him.
the heat beneath his skin flared sharply at the thought.
his fingers curled hard into the sheets tighter beneath him before he even realized heβd moved.
βyouβre angry,β she murmured softly like he hadn't noticed his own emotions, jacob let out a humorless laugh beneath his breath, dragging one hand over his face roughly. βyou think?β
she watched him quietly for another second before leaning closer again, slow enough that he couldβve stopped her if he wanted to.
he didnβt. he couldn't because the second the thought crossed his mind he felt sick even thinking it. he watched the way she folded her arms on the bed leaning a little closer to his face and the second she moved nearer, the burning under his skin eased just enough to make his chest ache for an entirely different reason.
βyou dislike them,β she said eyeing him curiously like she was trying to read any one of his thoughts before he was able to say them. he clears his throat suddenly avoiding her gaze βtheyβre vampires.β he tries to make it sound certain, like it was the truth but it was only part of the actual truth.
βthat isnβt the reason.β her voice stayed soft. certain. and jacob hated how easily she pulled things out of him he didnβt even understand himself yet.
there was a pit in his stomach because she was right, it wasnβt just that edward was a vampire.
it was the way y/n stood beside the cullens like she belonged in the same haunting painting as them. impossible beauty and eyes that looked at people too closely.
sometimes jacob caught himself staring at her and thinking she looked less like someone who arrived in forks and more like something the fog dragged in by accident and the thought of her leaving with them someday made something vicious twist low in his stomach.
y/n tilted her head slightly, hair slipping over her shoulder as she studied him with that same strange fascination she always carried. βyou looked relieved when you found out he left,β she said quietly.
jacob froze.
the words hit directly somewhere ugly because he had been relieved.
relieved when the cullens disappeared.
relieved when bella stopped running after vampires.
relieved when forks finally felt quiet again.
relieved because y/n stayed.
his silence answered for him.
y/nβs expression softened slightly then, something almost thoughtful flickering across her face before her eyes dropped briefly toward his chest where the heat still pulsed violently beneath his skin.
βyou shouldnβt be so close to me when iβm like this,β jacob muttered after a moment, voice low.
y/n looked back up immediately. βwhy?β
because he could hear her heartbeat, because every time she leaned closer, the wolf inside him reacted like it recognized her, because some violent unfamiliar part of him wanted to pull her directly against his chest and keep her there until the heat stopped entirely.
jacob swallowed hard.
βitβs unsafe.β
y/n stared at him for a long second then slowly, carefully, she moved closer anyway sitting up more and using one of her hands to lift her up to sit beside him and now she was close, close enough that jacob could feel the coldness of her skin before she even touched him. the bed dipped softly beneath her weight as she leaned in, er eyes stayed fixed on him with that same strange endless curiosity she always carried.
like she was studying a storm without fearing it.
βyou donβt feel unsafe,β she said softly, almost thoughtful. her soft eyes made his heart race βthat-β he cleared his throat looking up at her fully βthat's not the same thing.β he tried to remain calm but he could smell the sweet scent of her vanilla perfume and suddenly, he took notice of the small beauty marks on her tan skin. she was enchanting almost.
βdo you think you'd hurt me?β she asked softly raising her hand and placing it on his warm chest, jacobβs breathing changed instantly the second her palm settled against the center of his chest again.
the burn eased. it wasn't gone but quieter.
manageable. βi don't know.β his voice was shaky like the thought scared him more than he liked to admit. she hummed again something he couldn't read in her soft eyes, her hand moved slightly sliding over his heart.
his eyes fluttered shut before he could stop himself, his body reacting to her touch before his mind even caught up to it. it wasnβt normal. he knew thatβs what her powers were but this felt so much different than what the others had described it was like the wolf under his skin paced relentlessly around everyone else but around y/n it quieted like it recognized her somehow.
or wanted her.
and that thought terrified him more than anything.
rain filled the silence between them for a moment before y/n spoke again unexpectedly.
βyou like bella.β
jacobβs eyes opened immediately. the words caught him so off guard he almost laughed.
instead he just stared at her while she sat there impossibly calm, fingers still spread carefully against his chest like she could physically hold the anger inside him still.
βwhat?β he muttered.
y/n tilted her head slightly. βbella,β she repeated quietly. βyou like her.β
it didnβt sound accusing.
if anything, she sounded curious like she was trying to solve him.
jacob exhaled hard through his nose, gaze dropping toward the ceiling for half a second before returning to her face again. βitβs complicated.β
βhuman feelings usually are.β
that makes him smile because she says things strangely sometimes, like she learned emotions from books instead of people. y/n always spoke carefully, observing everything with those soft eerie eyes that made jacob feel overly seen in ways he couldnβt explain.
βsays the human girl.β that made her smile and jacob swore the sight was one of the best things heβd ever seen. he never got this feeling around bella despite the fact he knew he liked her but with y/n it was something entirely different, something he couldnβt explain with words. her smile faded after a few beats.
βi donβt feel human sometimes.β she admitted tapping her fingers on his chest βlike i was meant to be something more.β her eyes softened when she spoke about it like it was something she never told another breathing person. βiβm not normal, what i can do to wolves isnβt normal. what i feel isnβt normal.β jacob didnβt intervene only listened laying on his back fully staring up at her as she spoke.
he realized he had never imagined her feeling this way, like she was so perfect he couldnβt imagine her feeling any other way besides confident but the way she spoke about herself was like she was a broken doll that needed to be fixed. βyou like bella because sheβs normal?β her eyes fluttered back up to his face and his body felt warm not in the burning kind of way but the kind of warmth where he felt so much affection in his heart without knowing where to place it.
he cleared his throat βno,β he shook his head quickly, the answer leaving him before he could properly think through it.
y/n watched him quietly waiting on a response.
jacob swallowed once, eyes dragging over her face without meaning to. the dim bedroom light caught against the soft curve of her cheekbones, against the dark lashes resting low over those strange thoughtful eyes and suddenly bella felt very far away.
βbellaβs easy,β he admitted eventually, voice rough from exhaustion and something deeper he didnβt fully understand yet. βiβve known her forever. liking her justβ¦β he paused, brows pulling together slightly. βmade sense.β
y/n stayed still beside him, hand still spread carefully over his chest while listening in that silent intense way she always did like every word mattered more than people realized. for a moment she thinks about telling him about how bella came looking for him, worried about him but for some unknown reason within herself she decides not to.
and then her nose scrunched the way it did when she was deep in thought before she took a breath βdo you think iβm strange?β her voice sounds insecure in a way that makes jacobβs chest tighten at the thought of her feeling any less than perfect. βyeah,β he answered immediately, the word coming out with a soft scoff like the answer was obvious.
y/nβs expression fell just slightly anyway and in that moment jacob realized his opinion mattered to her more than he realized.
βnot bad strange,β he corrected quickly, fingers tightening gently over hers where it rested against his chest. βjustβ¦ youβre weird.β
that only made her look more uncertain. her nose scrunched again, eyes lowering toward their hands like she was trying to decide whether he meant it cruelly. the sight alone made something ache painfully in jacobβs chest because somehow y/n, with all her eerie certainty and strange impossible gifts, still didnβt seem to understand how people looked at her.
or worse.
how he looked at her.
jacob shifted slightly against the pillows, turning more toward her despite the lingering heat still simmering beneath his skin.
βyou say unsettling stuff all the time,β he continued softly. βyou stare at people like youβre reading something written under their skin.β his thumb brushed absentmindedly against the side of her hand. βand sometimes you know things before anybody says them out loud which isβ¦β he exhaled a quiet laugh. βhonestly kinda terrifying but i donβt know, i kinda like it.β
y/n blinked at him carefully. silence filled the room immediately after that his own words seemed to catch him off guard too.
y/n looked up slowly, those soft brown eyes widening just slightly while jacob suddenly became very aware of how close she was sitting beside him.
too close to take the words back now. heat crawled slowly up the back of his neck.
βi mean,β he muttered quickly, trying to recover while avoiding her eyes for half a second, βnormalβs overrated anyway.β
that tiny smile returned to her face then, so warm and sweet in a kind of way that made something in him settle instantly at the sight of it.
like making her smile had become important without him realizing when it happened.
βyou donβt look at me like other people do,β she said quietly after a moment. for as long as she could remember everyone looked like they feared her, or wanted her to help them, like she was just this weird creature made for other people to use. jacob frowned slightly at that as he let his fingers wrap around hers holding them in his hand. βhow do they look at you?β
y/n hesitated before shrugging trying to seem unphased βlike theyβre waiting for me to say something wrong.β
jacobβs grip on her hand softened slightly before he finally shrugged one shoulder.
βtheyβre stupid then.β
y/n laughed softly under her breath at that and god, jacob thought he could spend the rest of his life chasing that sound.
βi must leave,β she murmured after a moment, the words quiet as she shook her head slightly like she was forcefully yanking herself out of the fantasy she had started to make in her head where jacob was in it. βhome awaits me.β
something inside jacob immediately recoiled at the sentence.
his body tensed before he could stop it, fingers tightening instinctively around her hand where it rested against his chest. the warmth beneath his skin flickered violently again at the idea of her standing up and walking out that door.
his wolf reacted worse.
restless panic scratched beneath his ribs so suddenly it almost made him nauseous.
y/n noticed instantly of course she did. her eyes dropped briefly toward the way his hand tightened around hers before lifting back toward his face again.
βjacob,β she said softly. he tried to be normal, to contain whatever it was inside him that needed her so badly. βwhen will you be back?β his voice betrayed him because the desperation still slipped through anyway.
thinly hidden beneath the roughness of his voice.
y/n studied him for a second observing him in that quiet unsettling way she always did, like she could see directly into the center of a person if she stared long enough.
βafter school,β she promised softly.
jacob physically relaxed at the answer. the smallest drop in his shoulders, the tension easing slightly from his jaw but y/n noticed that too. she noticed everything.
her thumb brushed once against his chest again, absentminded and soothing.
βitβs hard not to when youβre the only thing keeping me from exploding.β
y/n laughed softly at that, shaking her head once like he was being dramatic but there was something different twisting quietly in her chest now.
something she didnβt entirely understand.
and y/n hated not understanding things.
her eyes lowered briefly toward where her hand rested over his chest, feeling the violent rhythm beneath her palm gradually steady itself again. jacobβs heartbeat always changed around her faster than the others. sharper. more immediate.
more aware of her.
with sam and paul and the others, soothing them felt exhausting sometimes. like holding back a storm with her bare hands while it fought her every step of the way.
but jacobβ¦
jacobβs wolf didnβt fight her.
it listened.
that was the part she hadnβt told anyone yet.
because she didnβt know what it meant.
she felt it every time she touched him. the heat beneath his skin easing almost instinctively beneath her hands, his anger quieting not because she forced it down but because something inside him responded to her willingly.
like the wolf recognized her.
like it wanted her there.
the thought shouldβve unsettled her.
instead it made something warm bloom strangely beneath her ribs.
jacob shifted slightly beneath her touch, brown eyes flickering back toward her face when she went quiet for too long.
βare you okay, y/n/n?β
the nickname made something inside her shiver unexpectedly.
before jacob, y/n had never let anyone call her anything except her full name. every shortened version had always sounded wrong in her ears, too familiar, too soft around something that wasnβt meant to be softened.
but jacob said it differently.
y/n.
like it belonged to her.
like it belonged to him too.
and somewhere along the way bella had started saying it as well after hearing jacob use it enough times and for the first time in her life hearing her name changed didnβt feel unpleasant.
because when jacob said it first, it stopped feeling like something was being taken from her.
instead it felt strangely intimate.
y/n realized a second too late sheβd been staring at him again.
his eyebrows furrowed slightly beneath her silence, concern flickering softly across his tired face while his hand shifted against her wrist unconsciously like he was making sure she was still there.
that strange feeling in her chest worsened immediately.
dangerously warm.
too much.
βyeah,β she cleared her throat softly, finally pulling her eyes away from his. βgoodnight, jacob.β
the words came out quicker than intended.
almost rushed.
because suddenly staying here felt dangerous in a way wolves and vampires never had.
jacob noticed the shift instantly.
of course he did.
the second she began pulling her hand away from his chest, his entire body reacted before his mind could catch up. his fingers tightened briefly around her wrist, not enough to stop her, just enough to feel the loss already happening.
βoh,β he breathed out quietly.
and y/n hated the strange disappointment in his voice far more than she should have.
she moved off the bed carefully, smoothing her skirt down with slightly unsteady hands while avoiding looking directly at him again because every time she did, that warmth inside her chest spread further.
jacob pushed himself up slightly against the pillows watching her too closely now.
like he didnβt want her to leave.
like his wolf didnβt want her to leave either.
βgoodnight, y/n/n,β he said softer this time.
the nickname sounded rougher now.
sleepy.
fond.
y/n paused halfway to the door.
just briefly.
then she looked back at him over her shoulder and immediately regretted it because jacob was already staring at her in that open earnest way he always did, curls messy against his forehead, warmth still lingering in his tired brown eyes from where sheβd touched him.
something in her chest physically ached.
βsleep,β she told him quietly instead, almost avoiding the goodbye entirely.
then she slipped out of the room before he could notice how shaken she suddenly was.
but even once the door shut behind her, jacob could still feel where her hand had rested against his chest.
and worse.
he could still feel the wolf inside him searching for her.
a/n: hey!! i wrote this awhile back and decided to release this! thank you so much for your time and i hope you truly enjoyed this! please let me know your thoughts and like n reblog if u loved!! it means sm.
a/n: I have been rereading some of my old fics and have realized that I didn't do this one justice the way it should have been. I ended up splitting this into two parts, and the story doesn't move as quickly. I was way too forgiving back in 2021 when I first wrote and posted this. I have grown and matured emotionally since then, and I have experienced heartbreak a few more times. This story is still based on "Lover of Mine " by 5 Seconds of Summer, and Quil is still in touch with his emotions. I always felt that it only got heightened when he phased. Quil still doesn't imprint on Claire in this as well. I am open to taking requests for the people on my list as I am spending more time writing. ~Kenzie
Date posted: June 30th 2026
type: Angst to soft fluff, not quite a happy ending for the two yet.
word count: 3044
No pov
The hardest thing that Quil has ever had to do was walk away from her; it wasnβt his wish. He has known her since they were little, and they have been friends. Sometime along the line, they became more than friends. She was his first love, and he was hers. They had such a strong connection that one can only call it true love. They chose each other no matter how tough things got. When he phased for the first time, he was devastated. Sam made him cut everyone off for their own protection. He had no choice but to follow the alphaβs orders, and he regrets what he had to do every moment of every day. Ever since, he's been feeling like he is missing a part of himself, like what was whole is no longer complete. However, true love knows no bounds; the question is not if they can overcome the hardships and make it to the end, it is a matter of when.
Quil's pov
βYou want me to do what?β I question looking at my leader like he has lost his freaken mind.
"You heard me, Quil. You are going to break up with y/n; you arenβt allowed to see her right now. It is for the greater good." Sam sternly tells me as he hands me my phone.
"Greater good for whom, you? Sam, this is bullshit. She is just going to be crushed, and I am going to be crushed by this. Even when things got tough, we always had one another. I, I donβt want a life without her." I say with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart.
"It's alright, Quil, we all had to do it. Donβt sweat it; we will be there with you to pick up all the pieces of your broken heart." Jared states sympathetically.
βOh fuck off, Jared,β I seethe as the tears flow out of my eyes as I ask, "who is going to be there to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. We have been together for three years, Sam. I, I was going to propose to her this year; I just had to wait for my grandmother's ring to be resized. I am about to throw all of that away, and for what? I donβt want this. She is going to hate me for what I am about to do." I look up at all of my pack brothers and see them look at me very sympathetically.
βWe understand that you are frustrated and heartbroken, but itβs to keep her safe from yourself; your shifting is out of control. If you donβt want to hurt her, this is how to keep her safe. She will move on eventually, and so will you,β Sam states.
βSam, I donβt want to move on; I just want a life with my sweetheart,β I argue, but Sam has made his order, and I must follow it, no matter how much it sucks to do so.
I storm inside Emilyβs house and open up the messaging app on my phone. I click on the name that reads 'my sweetheart ', I breathe out a shaky sob, covering my mouth with the back of my hand to silence it. I take deep breaths through my nose to help myself calm down. I start typing out my message, 'I'm sorry that I have to do things this way, you deserve so much better, but I can't do this anymore. It wasn't anything you did or didn't do. I just can't be with you anymore.' I hit send and toss my phone onto Emily's kitchen table before putting my head in my hands, trying to cover my sobs.
I feel a comforting hand rubbing my shoulders. I look up and see the sad face of Emily. She opens her arms as she sits next to me. I allow myself to fall into her embrace, crying into her shoulder. "It hurts so much, Em. I love her, and I just fucking broke her."
"I know, sweety, I am so sorry that you weren't left with any other options and had to do this. I wish there was another way to go about this." She gently runs a hand through my hair, calming me down.
When I finally stop crying, my eyes are red and swollen. I pull myself from Emily's embrace, and in a small voice I say, "Thank you, Emily. Iβm sorry for breaking down. I think I am going to head home to process this." I slowly get up from the table and walk towards the front door.
"Quil, it is pouring down rain. Are you sure you don't want a ride home?"
"No thank you, Emily, I need to clear my head, but thank you for the offer," I state numbly before walking out of the front door.
Once I am outside again, I burst into tears as the heavy rain falls on my face. I start to slowly walk towards my house, which is about 2 miles from Emily's. By the time I get home, I am tired from crying and soaking wet from the rain. I walk into my house when my grandfather walks up to me. "y/n called for you, Quil. I want you to know you did the right thing, and I am proud of you."
"Yeah, well, it sure didn't feel like the right thing to do." I snap before going upstairs to my room. I regret it when I walk into my room because I am surrounded by pictures of y/n and I, throughout our relationship and childhood. We were there for each other to pick up the pieces when Embry and then Jake left our little friend group. I lay on my bed and put my face into the pillow that still has the scent of her shampoo lingering on the fabric. This brings on a whole new wave of tears, and I finally fall asleep.
Y/n pov
Heartbreak is one of the worst feelings that I have been no stranger to. I have had friends come and go with no explanation, no closure. However, nothing could have prepared me for the feeling like my heart was being ripped out of my chest only to be stomped on; to think this was all caused by some boy...well, not just any boy. The person whom I thought was the love of my life, whom I thought we were in it for the long haul, left me. I would have never imagined Quil leaving, especially since we have been friends since we were small children. I would have never thought that one day I would have to spend my life without him.
I just wished I knew the reasoning: was I too much, too little, was there someone else? I hope that there wasnβt someone else. Tears form in my eyes at the endless possibilities as to what could have caused this. I thought Quil loved me as much as I loved him, but now I am not so sure. Of course, he is dodging my calls. I just want closure so I can start healing. I deserve at the very least that much.
It has been about two months since Β I saw Quil, and he broke up with me over text. Today I am finally plucking up the courage to go and give him back his stuff. We were together for three years, and it is just all a constant reminder of what I once had. I constantly miss him, but I try not to. Quil's grandpa won't tell me how he is doing with all this...I just wish he is happy because even though he broke me, I don't want him to be sad.
A few tears slip out of my eyes as I pack up his hoodies and shirts that I had 'borrowed...they still smell like him. I havenβt worn any of them since the breakup. In another small tote, I put all of our pictures that were hanging up on my wall, as well as all the little knick-knacks that he had bought for me over the years. I put the tote in the back of my closet so I can forget about it. I look around my room and see how truly bare the walls now are. Quil was a bigger part of my life than I first thought.
I pick up the box and walk it out to my car. When I come back in, I am stopped by my mother's voice. "Y/n/n, what are you up to today?" she asks.
"Um, I am finally okay enough to go and drop Quil's stuff off at his Grandpa's house," I say nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.
I see her nod sadly. She adored Quil just as much as I did. "If you need anything, please call me," she states, pulling me into a comforting hug.
"Of course, Mom," I respond before leaving my house to drive a familiar route to Quil's grandpaβs.
When I pull up into the driveway, my heart shatters all over again. I see Quil with Jake and Embry. At least they are talking to him again; he was just as hurt as I was when they stopped coming around. Itβs been two years since I last talked to Embry and a year since Jake. Β I decided that I was not ready to see him, and I couldnβt do this. I am not ready to confront all three heartbreaks in one day. I start to put my car in reverse, but I see Jacob standing behind my car, and Embry sadly walks over to the window, leaving Quil looking pensive on the porch.
I roll down my window and look Embry in the eyes, "Embry."
"I'm so sorry, y/n-" he starts, but I cut him off.
"Don't please, don't. I donβt want to know why you, of all people, stopped being my friend. You were like an older brother to me, and you just up and left. I am just here to drop off some of Quil's things that I had at my place. Then I am going home."
" Ok then, I wonβt explain myself since youβre not ready. Just Y/n/n, he's a mess, seeing you would be good for him." Embry muttered softly
"What about me, Embry? I am also a mess. I never felt this heartbroken, not even when you and Jake stopped being my friends. And yes, that hurt Quil and I a lot. He doesnβt need me; he has you two to pick up the pieces. Do you know what it is like to go through heartbreak alone? News flash, Embry, it fucking sucks." I snap, turning off my car and unbuckling my seatbelt.
Embry opens my door for me, and I slowly get out of my car. I was just about to turn and close my door when Embry stopped me by pulling me into one of his famous best-friend hugs. I push him away slightly. I see the hurt that flashes in his eyes: βy/n/n, please just let him explain; this wasnβt our choice.β Embry said
βWhat do you mean it wasnβt your choice?β I questioned in anger
βI am going to let Quil explain; itβs not my place to tell. But just know I never wanted to stop being your friend; I was forced to, and I am sorry for going no contact. You were always the little sister I always wanted.β His expression is sad, but I can see in his eyes are telling the truth.
βSo it wasnβt something I said or did?β I question
βNo, it wasnβt; it was just how things had to be for a while.β This brings on a wave of emotions, and I feel the tears start to spill out of my eyes. Embry pulls me into another brotherly hug, and this time I donβt push him away; I let him comfort me like he used to when we were kids.
βYou guys hurt me a lot; itβs going to take a while for me to forgive you.β
βI know Y/n/n, I just hope you can find it in you to forgive us.β He whispers.
After a few minutes, I pull myself together and pull away from Embry, wiping my eyes. I close my car door and go to the back door to pull out a box. "I will give you two some time," Embry says, walking away with Jake. I look at the ground, taking a deep breath before walking to the porch. I can't bring myself to look at Quil, so I settle for looking at his shoes in front of me.
"Uh, you left some of your things at my house. I thought I would finally bring them by." I put the box on the porch floor next to his feet and turn to walk away.
I am stopped by Quil's warm hand gently grabbing my arm, "Wait, y/n/n, please just, look at me," he pleads, voice cracking slightly.
I feel my eyes well up again at the pain in his voice. I close them before turning my body towards his, "What?" I ask as my gaze shifts into his own.
I see him freeze for a second before smiling at me sadly, "I have a lot of explaining to do. Would you let me? Please?" He asks, still holding on to my arm.
"You have fifteen minutes before I walk away, and I just want to know why," I state, sitting down on one of the bench chairs.
He sits down next to me, "Sam Uley made me break up with you for your own protection. I didn't choose to break up with you; I was ordered to because I wasn't stable enough yet. I want you to know that what I did that day was the hardest thing I have ever had to do."
"What are you talking about, Quil? Did Sam have a gun to your head?" I snap
"Y/n/n, the legends are true, I am a werewolf; I wasn't allowed to say anything or see anyone until I had control over my shifting. I am sorry for what I did to you. If I could ever make it right, I will do whatever it takes for you to not hate me."
"Quil, you hurt really bad, but I could never hate you. I love you far too much, but that doesnβt mean that we are just able to jump right back into things. I need time, and we will be starting off as friends again. I wouldn't mind giving us another shot eventually, but we would be starting from scratch and no more secrets about anything." I state, grabbing his hand in my own.
"I promise no more secrets, never. Hi, my name is Quil Ateara."
"It's lovely to meet you, Quil. I am Y/n."
βWould you like to come inside for a bit, maybe watch a movie, as friends, of course?β He asks, pointing behind him at the door.
βDo you have any popcorn, Quil?β I guess a movie couldnβt hurt if Embry and Jake were there; we all have a lot to go over.
βMovie theater style butter.β He responds with a smile as it is my favorite.
βThat just so happens to be my favorite.β I gave him a small, sad smile as he remembered.
βMine too. Come on, Jake and Embry are inside.β He motions to the door with his head before holding it open for me.
βThank you.β I walk inside the familiar house and into the living room, where I see Jake and Embry sitting.
βAre you guys wolves too?β I questioned
βThat is why we couldnβt talk to you; we had to protect you,β Jake responds.
βWell, just like I told Quil, we are starting everything over. I donβt forgive you guys yet. However, I do understand where you are coming from, but it doesnβt make the hurt I felt any less.β Β I state as I sit down on the love seat next to the couch.
Quil comes in with two bowls of popcorn, and he hands me one before sitting down on the couch between Embry and Jake. βWhat movie do we want to watch?β Quil asks, going over to his grandpaβs DVD collection.
βThe matrix?β I ask after eating a piece of popcorn.
βIβm down.β Embry agrees.
Jake is about to respond when his phone goes off, βGuys, I am really sorry I have to cut this short; Bella needs me for something.β I see Jake get up and run out of the house.
βIs he still hung up on her?β I questioned out loud.
βYou have no idea.β They say at the same time.
βYou guys will have to fill me in later, but for now letβs watch the movie before the popcorn goes cold,β Β I state as Quil puts in the DVD and sits down by Embry.
βY/n/n, can you see the tv ok from there?β Quil asks, βIf not, you can sit on the couch with us.β
βYeah, we may be wolves, but we donβt bite.β Embry jokes before eating a handful of popcorn.
Smiling, I get up from my spot with my popcorn and sit down on the other side of Quil, βHere in case Embry eats all the popcorn.β I say, offering mine as Embry was famous for eating all of the movie snacks on movie.
βHey, itβs not my fault itβs good.β He says in a defensive tone.
βItβs okie, Bry, I know you are on a see-food diet.β I giggle.
βBut itβs popcorn, what do you mean?β he questions as my joke went over his head, but Quil gets it and laughs, βWhat? I want to be in on the joke too.β
βSheβs saying that when you see food you canβt help but eat it, a see-food diet,β Quil explains, laughing.
βReal funny y/n/n,β Embry teases, throwing a piece of popcorn at me. I just laugh as Quil starts the movie.
Seeing them is going to be good for me. When the time is right, I will let them know that I have forgiven them, but for now, I am just going to enjoy the moment.
taglistβββββmasterlistβββββwant to support me?
this was a request so hopefully you guys like it!! part one
being in a relationship with paul lahote (part two)
Loving Paul Lahote means discovering that beneath all that fire is someone who craves stability more than he'll ever admit. He'll complain every time you convince him to stay in for the night instead of going out, insisting he's "gonna die of boredom," only to end up sprawled across your couch twenty minutes later with one arm wrapped around your waist, half-asleep while some movie neither of you is actually watching plays in the background. If anyone asked, he'd deny enjoying quiet nights. But you know better. His favorite place has never been the beach or the woods or even the pack. It's wherever you happen to be.
Paul has this habit of reaching for you without thinking. His hand automatically finds the small of your back when you're walking together. His fingers brush against yours while you're standing in line somewhere. If you're sitting beside him, one of his knees is pressed against yours, like some subconscious part of him constantly needs reassurance that you're still there. It's never possessive. It's instinct. Before he even realizes he's doing it, he's already making sure the two of you are connected somehow.
For someone with such a loud personality, Paul becomes remarkably quiet whenever you're upset. He doesn't try to fix every problem or drown out your feelings with empty reassurance. Instead, he'll sit beside you with your legs thrown across his lap, absentmindedly rubbing slow circles against your knee while you talk. Sometimes the only thing he says is, "I'm listening." Somehow, hearing those two words from him feels enough. Because you know he means them.
He learns your moods almost as well as he knows his own. He can tell you're overwhelmed by the way you set your keys down a little harder than usual. He notices when your smile doesn't quite reach your eyes or when your laugh sounds just a little forced. Most people would miss those things. Paul never does. He won't call attention to it in front of anyone else, but later, when it's just the two of you, he'll quietly ask, "What's going on in that head of yours?" like your thoughts are worth understanding instead of ignoring.
The longer you're together, the softer his apologies become. At the beginning of your relationship, they came awkwardly, dragged out of him by stubborn pride and guilt. Now, he doesn't waste time. If he snaps because he's frustrated or lets his temper get ahead of him, he's knocking on your door before the night's over, shoulders slumped and hands shoved into his pockets. "I was wrong," he says, meeting your eyes without excuses. Loving you teaches him that admitting fault doesn't make him weak. It makes him someone worth growing beside.
He also learns that taking care of you isn't always about grand gestures. Sometimes it's filling your gas tank because he noticed the warning light was on. Charging your phone after you accidentally fell asleep on the couch. Picking up your favorite snacks without asking because he knows you're almost out. They're tiny acts that most people would overlook, but they're second nature to him. Paul has never been particularly good with speeches. His love has always sounded more convincing through actions anyway.
His jealousy doesn't disappear, but it matures. Instead of immediately reacting, he looks to you first. If someone flirts with you, his jaw still tightens and his shoulders still tense, but then you glance at him with that reassuring smile you've given him a hundred times before. It's enough. He trusts you completely. The frustration isn't with youβit's with anyone foolish enough to think they have a chance. Later, he'll wrap an arm around your shoulders with a crooked grin and mutter, "Can you blame 'em?" before pressing a quick kiss against your temple. "I'd be jealous too."
You become the first person he wants to tell everything to. Good news, bad news, stupid newsβit doesn't matter. If something happens during patrol, you're the first face he looks for afterward. If he hears a ridiculous joke from Embry or gets into another pointless argument with Paulβsomething he'll absolutely insist wasn't his faultβyou'll hear about it before anyone else. Somewhere along the way, you stopped being just his girlfriend. You became home. The person every road somehow leads back to.
There are nights where neither of you says much at all. You'll lie together beneath a blanket, your head tucked beneath his chin while the rain taps gently against the windows. His fingers trace lazy patterns along your arm, and every now and then he'll press an absentminded kiss into your hair. It's in those quiet moments that Paul loves you the most. Not because they're exciting or dramatic, but because they remind him that love isn't always found in the loudest moments. Sometimes it's found in comfortable silence shared with the person who understands you better than anyone else ever could.
And every now and then, usually when you're already half-asleep against his chest, he'll look down at you with an expression so impossibly soft that nobody else would ever believe it existed on Paul Lahote's face. He'll brush his thumb across your cheek, smiling to himself as though he's still amazed you're real. Then, so quietly you almost miss it, he'll whisper, "Got real lucky with you."
He never expects you to answer.
He just holds you a little closer.
Because after everything he's survived, after every mistake he's made and every battle he's fought, somehow the greatest thing that's ever happened to him is still the simplest.
Coming home to you.
And if he has anything to say about it...
He'll spend the rest of his life making sure you always find your way home to him, too.
a/n: Your honor, I love my babies together. Happy reading
<- Chapter 11 - Falling slowly ->
Stirring slightly, my face scrunched as the restless sleep slowly dissipated, still leaving me drained. I was surely paying dues for fainting in school and not finishing my class.
The smell of herbs and cookies filled the space, and with it the feeling of peace. Of belonging that no other place could offer. A cup of piping-hot tea clunked on the wooden coffee table, making me finally open my eyes, gaze landing on one of my favorite people.Β
βEmy!β I exclaimed drowsily, sleep still clinging to my voice. When I moved with the intention to stand up, arms snaked around my torso, stopping me in my tracks.
Emily only smiled in response before returning to her kitchen.
An incoherent murmur sounded from beneath me, warning me off. Not ready to give up, I gave a tug of resistance. As if on cue, his arms tightened their hold, squeezing breath out of me.Β Β
Paulβs half-asleep body was a very comfortable cushion to nap on; his possessive nature, even in his state, was less appreciated.Β
I shifted, trying to loosen his iron-clad grip. When it finally eased slightly, I lay my arms flat on his chest, cheek resting on top of them. A smile spread across my face as I looked into his eyes that were already tracking my every move.Β
βGood morning, baby,β I whispered, the smile turning cheeky.Β
βMorninβ.β He rasped, returning the smile. βHad a good nap?β
I nodded, βThe best. Youβre very comfy, so soft.β
βSoft?β His fingers dug into the flesh of my hips, pinching them in challenge. βAnd warm, like a giant teddy bear,β I added, grinning.Β
βYouβre lucky I love you.β He chuckled. βOh yeah?β I challenged, a smirk tugging on the corner of my lip.Β
βYea,β
He was right.Β
I was the luckiest person to have someone like this in my life. It was scary at first, the thought of eternal promise, where our souls would end up connected even after bodies were long gone and our lives forgotten. A love so unconditional it physically ached at times.
βThank you for taking care of me,β I whispered, my index finger drawing mindless circles on his chest.
There was a pause on his end while he searched my eyes, a smile playing on his lips. βCouldnβt leave you in the middle of the hall.β He teased, a smile turning into a grin.
Lightly smacking him across the chest before trying to rise again, his hands dropped back to my hips, squeezing them. An omen of him flipping us around on the already small couch, almost landing us on the floor.Β
A squeal escaped past my lips, swiftly silenced by his own on them within the next second. Gentle kisses quickly transformed, their pace quickening in tune with my own heartbeat.Β
We moved in sync, savouring each other's taste. Paulβs teeth grazed my bottom lip before sucking it in between them. The pang of pain caused by his action was drowned out by pleasure.
One sharp inhale later, his lips moved down, leaving a wet trail to the sharp edge of my jaw. To ease his access, my head tilted of its own volition.Β
It was an addiction.
A drug that I couldnβt stop taking.Β
My hands found their way into his hair, fingers tangling in its tips, tugging on them. A ghost of a smirk tickled the sensitive skin along my neck. His kisses continued down, trailing the artery as a predator would.Β
There was a cough in the background that my mind refused to acknowledge. It was clear that I wasnβt the only one who elected to ignore the disruption as the trail of kisses continued, their owner nibbling on a sweet spot just above my clavicle.Β
Another cough later, Paulβs grumble resonated through, sending shivers down my spine: βWeβre busy.β
βI can see that. There are ladies around; behave like it.β Samβs voice carried an order, something that shouldnβt be defied. Then again, Paul was never a stickler for rules. βI am paying attention to one right now.β A giggle escaped past my lips, earning a winning grin from Paul.Β
βLahote,β Samβs brows pinched together, tone dropping lower.Β
Paul rolled his eyes, his weight pulling off of me with a swift movement. βYouβre a dick, ya know?β
βHe really is like a dad,β I added when the redness of my cheeks subsided, accepting Paulβs help and sitting up. Taking a cushion, I tugged it underneath my chin, hugging it close to my chest.Β
βHe is annoying like one.β A pillow flew Paulβs way, which he caught with ease, letting it drop onto the floor. His arm casually resting behind me on the edge of the couch.
βBoys, letβs be civil in my house.β Emilyβs stern voice carried through the space from the kitchen.
βYes, maβam.β They said in unison, making not only me but also Kim, who had just appeared at the door, laugh out loud.Β
Her figure quickly moved through the space, stopping right before me, and plopping onto the last open spot on the couch. Her back hit the cushion hard, her head lulling back in exhaustion.Β
βI hate biology. Someone should curse Mr. Tanner. Or you know, seriously maim him.β She gave Jared, who stuffed his face with a still-smoking cookie, a special look. He only grinned, shaking his head at her batting eyelashes.Β
I huffed a response, putting the pillow behind my back, βDonβt bother, already tried that. That dude is invincible.βΒ
Shifting in my seat, I snuggled into a warm embrace, head leaning on his chest. Paulβs hand shifted to my knee, fingers drawing soothing lines up and down my calf.Β
βJoined forces?β She put her pinkie up.Β
I locked it with mine while a grin spread to my cheeks. βYou know it.β
βPoor Tanner wonβt know what hit him.β She said, a sinister whisper of a promise.Β
βYou guys know that we are supposed to protect people, right?β Jare sprawled on a bean bag across from the couch, his hand full of cookies. It was a miracle it wasnβt burned by the baked goods that just came out of the oven.Β
My index finger shot up. βShush, greedy.β
He cackled, rolling his eyes as he stuffed another cookie into his mouth. This time, he did it teasingly slowly, moaning as if it was the most delicious thing in the whole world. Kim laughed, stealing a cookie from a coffee table for herself. Emily was a saint who was prepared for the hungry stomachs.Β
βThat man is not a person,β I argued my case.Β
The last cookie went down his throat with ease. His fingers locked together, and his elbows rested on his legs as he feigned interest. βPray tell, what is he?β
βA devil is a strong contender,β I said, leaning in for my cup of tea. It was still quite hot, the sweet nettle smell filling my nose.Β
I took a sip, savouring the flavor. There was nothing more regenerating than a nettle and a bit of honey. Sitting it back down, I nestled myself back into Paulβs arms.Β
βIβll say. Youβll see in your finals.β Kimβs voice carried through the space, her eyes squinting at her imprint. It was rather obvious she didnβt enjoy him not agreeing with her.Β
βPff, Tanner loves me.β He huffed back.
βTanner doesnβt love anyone but his lab rats. And even that is questionable.β An image of those poor white babies in the cages resurfaced. He was the animal who should be in that cage, not those furry ones.Β
βSteal them and find out.β His eye twinkled with a challenge.Β
I leaned forward toward him, returning his cheeky grin. βYou wanna dare me, Mr. Cameron?β
A clap of hands ended our staring contest. βAll right, that is enough of chit-chat.β Emily appeared with Sam on her heels, sporting a stern look.Β
βBummer, it was getting interestinβ.β Paulβs tongue clicked as he brought me closer, a smirk playing on his lips. Another grin tugged on the corners of my lips as I rested my palm on his torso, running it up and down mindlessly.Β
Sam grumbled, βYou two should be studying, not sitting and looking stupid while doing it.βΒ
βAttack alert. What is it with your demeanor, Uley?β Jaredβs arms flew up in surrender, openly laughing in his face. Playing with fire was his favourite activity, apparently.Β
βOh, Iβm sorry. Do you want to repeat a year?β Sam bit back, brows rising as his hands flew to his hips. Teeth biting down hard to hopefully hold myself from bursting out laughing, I glanced between the two.Β
Wow, it was as if he was getting ready to be a father and practicing with his friend group.Β
It was sort of endearing how much he cared for their well-being. That and the fact that he was the one who could offer them a job as soon as they graduated. He needed the help, and they would need a living besides the patrol. Because that wouldnβt pay the bills.Β
And I knew Paul would be out of his fatherβs house as soon as he could be anyway.Β
He spent most of his time at my place or here at Emilyβs. Studying, eating, and going for a patrol. It was a grueling cycle at this point, but there was nothing to be done about it.Β
We did flashcards together, discussing what he had learned, even when he wanted to end his study session earlier. It was important that he could finish high school. No one wanted to stay behind.
Even with everything going on, I was hopeful that both of them would graduate without a hitch.
It would take some time to get used to being there without them. With everything happening, having Paul around most of the time was a safety net. Especially since the nomads were lurking around, threatening the safety of everyone in Forks and La Push.Β
Now that Amelia was probably joining the circus, it would only get more chaotic.Β
A pressure on my thigh pulled me out of my thoughts. I smiled up at Paul, whose concerned gaze was already burning into mine. βYou okay?β He mouthed.
I nodded, searching for his hand that was resting on my thigh, clasping it in mine, locking our fingers together. With a smile, he squeezed our connected hands, bringing them to his lips to lay a featherlight kiss on the top of my hand.Β
βIf we study, will you make a super delicious dinner?β Jare grinned, bargaining.Β
βIf you try your hardest, maybe.β A teasing tone accompanied Kimβs answer as she stuck her tongue out.Β
He jumped out of his seat, making Kim scream, and almost toppling over the couch just to get away from him. Laughter filled the space as they ran around the table, playing catch.Β
βIβm raising feral children.β A sigh left Samβs lips. βItβs okay, papa, you love us anyway.β He rolled his eyes at my response, but his poorly hidden smile told me I was right.Β
After half an hour and a lot of convincing, they finally went out on the porch to study, moving the chaotic energy outside. Or at least to give it their best shot.Β
βDo you guys remember Amelia Ateara? I mentioned her once or twice to you, right?β I asked, leaning over the sink to clean the plates left by the cookies. Food, especially baked goods, never lasted long around here.Β
There was a hum accompanied by nodding from both of my friends. I turned the faucet, not raising my gaze to meet them, but rather watching the water as it drained. As if it were more interesting. βGood news, we'll be seeing her soon.β
I could feel their gazes, burning with questions I felt almost exhausted just thinking about. βAnd I think sheβll be an important piece to our little family.βΒ
A piece that could complete the chaotic puzzle.Β
Leah was still apprehensive around us, not spending nearly enough time with either one of us. She was hurting, being around someone who betrayed her yet was much happier.Β
With all of us paired up, it was difficult to stomach.
βShe is a medium. Quite sensitive to the spirits. Great at dreamwalking.β I turned around, glancing at the open grimmore sitting on the counter. It was an old book, its pages yellowed by time, yet the string beads acting as a bookmark were a new addition. The worn leather binding was adorned with ruins, seashells, and patterns representing the Makah tribe.
Her home.
Kim teasingly jabbed an elbow into my ribs. βLook at you. Communicating with someone with such ease.β
βVery funny.β I shook the droplets of water stuck to my fingers on her. She only laughed, moving past me toward the counter, skimming through the open page.
βBesides that, she didnβt just pop in to say hello. She came with an omen, making the whole meeting a bit less enjoyable." I sighed before continuing. "Itβs crucial we get rid of the nomads. Otherwise, it might set things into motion that we wonβt be able to stop.β
βWe are already stretched thin as it is, sweetie. We are trying, you know this.β Emily tied a knot around a small bundle of sage, setting it next to her grimoire.Β
I nodded, sighing as exhaustion flooded my system again. It was grueling, the constant fear of our loved ones being slaughtered. It was what pushed us forward, yet the motivation was wearing thin. Desperation was creeping in with every fruitless attempt.Β
The worst was yet to come. Murders were stacking up, and with them, the dark cloud of anguish. Dad was at the station, leaving early in the morning, only to return in the late hours, exhaustion setting deep within his features.Β
It wasnβt just my family; it was the Clearwaters, too. Harry, a dear family friend, always seemed to follow my fatherβs footsteps. His seat on the council meant he was fully aware of what dangers were lurking within the shadows of the woods. Yet he wasnβt any less deterred.Β
βI know,β I let out eventually. βWell, letβs do the spell before the sunβs gone. Protection can be an effective tool, no?β
βThen I would use charcoal; it banishes the negative energy.β Kim chimed in, sending a supportive smile my way.Β
βI agree; candle wax infused with natural oil is spiritual, but itβs too pure. Do we have sun water?β
βOn the windowsill,β Pointed out Em, already preparing the cauldron. It was small, charred at the bottom from the constant fire, and decorated with painted sigils. Their bright color illuminated by the light.Β
I nodded, moving through the space, grabbing the vial surrounded by sunflower petals, carnelian, and citrine. Opening it as I crossed the kitchen toward the bowl with charcoal, I poured a bit of the moon water inside it.
Kim mixed it together, creating a runny consistency that would solidify in time. Dipping a brush in, she studied the sigil on the page, trying to replicate it onto her own skin.Β
The sigil decorated her palm, glossy in the light as she handed the brush. I finished her other palm, a match to her work, letting her paint the symbol on my skin.Β
Once we were done, letting the charcoal dry, Em prepared the ingredients. Jars of various sizes and shapes adorned the counter. Spices from dried lemon to chilli, and the bundle of sage were placed inside them, bursting with vibrant colors.Β
When the paint finally stuck to my skin, I turned, opening a drawer. Dinner candles were neatly stacked inside, each of a different color. Without hesitation, I grabbed a black one, lightly blowing on it as I stepped back toward the cauldron.Β
The wick swayed a little, catching fire instantly. It bloomed to life as I set it into a silver candleholder around our work station.Β Β
Creating the protective circle was second nature to each of us at this point. We worked in sync, breathing a little easier when it was time to work on the spell.Β
Specks of chilli were the first ones that made it inside the cauldron, followed by dried lemon and black salt. The water bubbled, turning murky as the next ingredient, a handful of soil, was added.Β
Sweet smell of sage filled the space once Emily kneaded the delicate leaves between the palms of her hands.Β
The room around us darkened, almost as if sensing the incantation. Hand in hand, covering the sigils on our palms, we voice the first syllables of the incantation, our minds focused on protection. Images of our loved ones and the land flashed before my eyes.Β
The intent behind each spell is the last ingredient, one might say the most important one. Without it, it is incomplete, failing or backfiring on the one casting it.Β
Taking hold of the silver candleholder with the last words of the incantation, I raised it high. The flame swayed with the sudden movement, dancing in the air before I smothered it in the center of the cauldron.Β
A puff of black smoke followed, rising from the liquid for a few seconds before disappearing, signaling the end of the spell.Β
βWhat happened with your hand?βΒ
My head whipped around in surprise, only to see Bells in the door with her head turned slightly to the side. The inquisitive glare she was sparing me would trouble anyone.Β
βStood too close to a bonfire.β I shrugged noncommittally, putting tape over the new printed photos of Paul and me.Β
It wasnβt that I enjoyed lying to my sister, but some truths were simply easier to evade. Especially the ones concerning her choice of a boyfriend.Β
I wasnβt completely sure what exactly he had told her, if anything. That was another can of worms that didnβt make me a huge fan of their whole relationship. Warming up to him didnβt mean I wouldnβt be happier if she found a sensible human to spend her time with.
But that was the thing. As much as I wanted her to stay clear of this life, it wasnβt up to me to make that choice. The only thing I could do was to try and protect her the only other way.Β
βRight. Is that why you didnβt come home for three whole days? Youβre lucky Charlie is rarely home to notice.β
My brows flew to my forehead before I could stop them. I was lucky? She was the one who was now rarely home, and yet I was the one who got lectured.Β
βI actually ran it by him. And not really. I just wanted to spend time with my friends before they graduate.β It was a good enough reasoning. The only one I could offer her for now.Β
βFriends or just Paul?β She quipped rather quickly. Unfortunately for her, I wasnβt about to let her get her victory. βLike youβre one to talk. You and Eddie-boy are probably the same.βΒ Β
βN-no. Thatβs-We are.βΒ
Laughter bubbled from my throat at her flustered expression. I missed this. Making fun of my sister. The mundane aspect of everyday life without thinking about the danger lurking behind closed doors.Β
She spared me quite the nasty glance before inching closer, her gaze landing on the new photo. It was taken by Emily, the flash lighting over smiles, yet neither of us cared enough to look at the camera, utterly lost in each other instead.Β
βYou two make a nice couple.β She hummed, her head resting on my shoulder. A grin split my face while my hand snaked around her, squizzing her side. βWe do, donβt we?β
β§β βͺΛβΉοΌ€ο½ο½ ο½ ο½ο½ οΌ€ο½ο½β§β βͺΛβΉ
Pairing: Jacob Black x Male Lycan Reader
Genre: Drabble, No Smut (I know, shock statement (α΅ β’ α΄ β’), Angst
A/N: Hey, so yβknow how I said I was working on some smaus? Apparently I have Coryxkenshin syndrome, and yes, itβs fatal because anytime I say Iβm gonna do something, I never end up doing it.
You and Jacob have been friends since you both were children, since youβd been making the trip from the southern side of the states to the northern Pacific to visit your meemaw.
And if you could say one thing, it was that heβs had a crush on Bella Swan for just as long. You hadnβt really been bothered by it then; he always made a space for you in his life, whether it was saving you a space so you all could make mud pies together or inviting you to play whatever game the awkward girl inculde jacob in.
So when you were attacked in the woods back home on that fateful evening, you knew that despite the terrible circumstances jacob would make room for you still. It didnβt matter that you were different. It didnβt matter that youβd had to move to Forks indefinitely; in fact, youβd say it had strengthened your already strong bonds.
He was never mad that you missed so many hangouts because you were βsickβ so frequently. He wasnβt mad when Sam scouted you out first, forcing you to join the hallway monitors on steroids, as you called them.
No, because in some weird, strange way, Samβs orders never held against Jacobβs presence. Never mattered when Jacob trusted you to always make room for him, like he makes room for you. So it shouldnβt have been a surprise when Jacob confessed to you that Sam was making him afraid with his staring, that youβd snapped on Sam the second you saw him at the place you guys usually met up at.
Snarling and growling that he needs to stay the fuck away from Jacob, that he shouldnβt even breathe in his general direction unless Jacob allowed it, which wouldnβt be happening anytime soon, so he needs to fuck off.
It had taken both Jared and Paul to pull you up out of his face and into the forest to cool off, even after Sam calmly explained to you that he had to make sure Jacob completed his transformation somewhere safe and not in the general area of nosy civilians. You hadnβt cared, and you told him as much. Jacob was your friend, yours to protect, so Sam could mind his own, and youβd mind yours.
By the time Jacob actually went into the state of transforming, tensions had run high between you and the pack; you never left his side, preferring to spend your days pacing the black residence waiting, watching, guarding...
Sam and the Pack had spent most of that time whispering and talking to Billy and the elders, discussing something you hadnβt cared to understand or listen out for. You were too preoccupied with the fact that your wolf hadnβt been let out in a while, and now it was circling restlessly in your chest, waiting for something or perhaps someone, but it didnβt really matter cause you were waiting too.
Waiting for him.
When Jacob had finally transformed, it was like the world had finally exhaled, breathed a giant sigh of relief as you chased his newly transformed self into the woods surrounding the Black residence. You howled in laughter as your wolf finally broke free, lowering yourself to four feet- well, on all four paws to be on equal standing with your alpha..
You ran circles around him, nipping playfully at his heel every chance you caught. Feeling freer than you had in years, you felt whole, like the part you had been missing had finally closed shut. After what felt like hours, you finally caught up and pounced, tumbling you both down a hill as you both detransformed, laughed, covered in dirt and leaves and tattered clothing, or at least you were.
You had landed on top of him, pinning him to the cold forest floor, but you both were beyond the point of feeling it, high on adrenaline and burning hotter than furnaces. Grinned down at him wolfishly, full of sharp fangs and equally sharp canines, straddling him as you both just looked at eachother , like really looked at eachother.
His blown out pupils swallowing all of his earth brown, and your pupils reduced to nothing but montserous slits. Though nothing mattered in this moment as you both just gazed into each other's eyes, it was as if the world had stopped for a moment allowing you both to ultimately exist in harmony with eachother.
Like it had always meant to be, like it had always been. You and Jacob, Jacob and You.
At least that's how it felt with jacob looking at you in awe and amaze like he was truly seeing you for the frist time, Like he'd always known he would. As if that had been the reson he'd never pushed you for answers, because he'd known justt like you'd known that he'd eventual get them..
He looked at you like you were hisβ
Untill he didn't. Untill howls broke out alittle aways from you both and your back meet cold hard ground, "Jacob-" You called sitting up just as fast as you'd fallen but it didn't matter he was looking at you with an experssion of horror so poltent it froze you.
There was nothing but hate and disgusted in that gaze of his, and it was pointed at you his friend- No his bestfriend.
You couldnβt understand, and before you could even ask, just as you were reaching out to stop him, he was running. Running from you, deeper into the woods as the pounding sound of paws meeting the ground drew near. But you didnβt notice; you couldnβt hear over the sound of something in you cracking, splitting open over that healed wound.
Something scratchy yet soft meets your shoulder, and still you donβt break eye contact with the black hole between the trees he disappeared into. You could hear someone talking to you, or at least attempting to, but you couldnβt understand it. You couldnβt understand anything that had happened in the last 5 minutes, or maybe it had been longer; you didnβt know.
You didnβt know anything except the fact that a pair of familiar rough hands had begun extracting you from the ground, like a plant being pulled from the roots. Roots that had begun to rot and decay, likeβ
βCome on, kid, itβs time to go home.β Yβknew that voice; youβd spent every moment away from Jacob at that voiceβs command; youβd argued with that voice days prior over the same man whoβd just left you in the forest with your rotting heart.
And now he was dragging you out of the forest. You knew that much, even though you could still hear howls from behind you; you somehow forced yourself to follow. Ignoring the instinct to follow the howls, distinctly aware that your instincts had gotten you in this mess in the first place, still you couldnβt help but ask.
βSam, whatβs happening?β Your voice came out wet and hollow like itβd been ripped from the inside of your throat, coated in blood and emptiness.
You turned to the man holding you for the first time since youβd begun moving, only to be met with the blurred figure of the rustic man you despised most days. You blinked, dispelling the water trapped within them, becoming vaguely aware of the fact that your face was now covered in dirt and Tears.
βThe boys went to grab Jacob, and Iβm taking you to Emilyβs.β He responded gruffly, tense and closed off, like that wasnβt all of it, like he wasnβt telling the whole truth, like he was hoping that if he was closed off enough, he could stop you from asking the question that mattered.
Stared at him silently for a few minutes, taking in the stiff way he held himself like he was minutes away from transforming or lashing out at what you didnβt know, βSam.β
βHmm?β
βWhy did he run?β Your voice came out like youβd choked on the question, wet and clotted like an open wound. Sam turned to you then, and you flinched at what you saw, tugging the blanket around your body tighter like it would protect you from the manβs clear ire; but you could also see the swelling grief like a tsunami that would drown you both.
He was hurting, and you were hurting, and you didnβt know if it had any correlation, but you didnβt like how that was an answer in itself. So the rest of the way was spent in silence, a silence that followed you all the way to Emilyβs front door.
It was then that you were met with Emilyβs noise, her question, and quiet fretting as she pulled you into her home, their home. Which, for some reason, caused a quiet ache to bloom behind your ribs. Sam quickly hushed her, instead opting to guide you to the guest bedroom the wolves sometimes used when they were having a bad time adjusting.
Which didnβt make sense since you were one of the most controlled wolves the pack had, but you didnβt think much after you were lowered into the soft bed. You just curled in on yourself and closed your eyes as they began to sting. Sam left after that, probably to tell Emily something to quell her worry. Maybe you should have focused on what they were saying; maybe then you could figure out what had gone so wrong, but you couldnβt do anything else but feel empty and tired as the darkness began clouding your vision and rotting your bleeding heart.
.α.α#| J3rryw-ot0m
A/n: WOw so that was intense, maybe I do like Jacob just a little bit but not romantically just as a concept of a love missed or lost. I just kinda feel like Jacob would have never quite loved his imprint like he should his love for Bella just runs too deep, and I decided to play on that or maybe it was my own failed almost relationships speaking but anyways enjoy your dog fic and unfortunately there will be a part two(Β¬_Β¬")
(Twilight what I would wear if i were Bella's older sister)
Jacob x OC fic based on the tiktok trend from a little bit ago where you make outfits and write a little blurb on that outfit. We're going to speed run the first movie and then go on to the second one so we can move onto him as a wolf. Bella and Jacob are 18 in their senior year of high school in the bulk of this story and OC is 20 because of being held back as a kid for plot reasons.
YOU ARE BEING WARNED. There is some 18+ content and suggestive themes in this chapter. I'll make it purple so you can skip it but there will eventually be some NSFW ;) I'll do the same thing then so you can skip if you would like to! Anyways! Happy chapter this time! ALSO SOME CUTE FLUFF
Link to vid
Part one Part TwoPart ThreePart FourPart FivePart SixPart SevenPart EightPart Nine
~Description: Being Bella Swanβs older sister was never supposed to change anything. Not with Charlie. Not with school. And definitely not with Jacob Black. But suddenly, Bella is everywhere. In the halls at school. In Charlieβs life. In Jacobβs conversations. And no matter how hard you try to pretend it doesnβt bother you, you can feel things shifting underneath your feet. Jacob starts keeping secrets. Bella starts falling in love. And you start realizing that maybe the worst kind of heartbreak isn't losing someone completely. Maybe it's standing right beside them while they slowly choose someone else. Or maybe you're just dramatic. Probably both.
He's finally awake. Awake and mostly healed. The relief still hasn't worn off. Every now and then I catch myself staring at him just to make sure he's actually conscious and breathing and smiling and not lying motionless in a bed while I wait for him to open his eyes again.
Jacob claims he's fine. Completely healed. Good as new. I don't believe him for a second. Which is why my head is resting on his arm instead of his chest. Because if I put my weight against his ribs and he winces, I'll lose my mind.
He's argued with me about it three separate times. The last argument ended with me threatening to sit in a chair all night instead. So now he lets me have my way. Mostly because he knows I'll win.
We lay side by side in his bed. The room is dark except for the soft glow coming through the window. The house is quiet. Billy fell asleep hours ago. The rest of the pack has finally stopped stopping by every five minutes to make sure Jacob isn't dead.
For the first time since the battle, everything feels normal. Or as normal as it can. My fingers are laced through his. His thumb lazily brushes over my knuckles every now and then. The motion is absentminded. Comforting. Familiar. Like we've done this a thousand times before. Maybe we have.
Just without the hand-holding.
Without everything finally being out in the open.
"So Seth swears he could take Paul in a fight now."
Jacob snorts.
"Paul almost threw him into a tree."
"Details."
"Important details."
I grin.
"You weren't there."
"I heard about it."
"You hear about everything."
He gives me a look.
I smile innocently. Jacob rolls his eyes. I watch the movement and immediately smile wider. Because for a while I wasn't sure I'd ever see him roll his eyes at me again. That thought hurts enough that I shove it away immediately.
We keep talking. About Seth. About Embry. About the time Quil accidentally fell off a cliff trying to impress a girl when we were twelve. About absolutely nothing. Every topic carefully avoiding the one sitting between us. The one we both know is there. The one hanging over the room.
Heavy. Waiting. The Volturi. Our imprint. The future. Everything.
Neither of us touches it.
Not yet.
Instead Jacob tells me a story about Paul getting sprayed by a skunk when he was thirteen. I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. Jacob starts laughing too. The deep warm sound filling the room.
For a second everything feels easy again. Like we're kids. Like there aren't vampires hunting people. Like my sister isn't engaged to one. Like ancient vampire royalty isn't probably planning a visit. Like Jacob didn't almost die yesterday. Like I didn't spend an entire night thinking I was going to lose him.
My laughter slowly fades. The silence that follows feels different. Softer. More honest. I stare up at the ceiling. Listening to the steady rhythm of Jacob's breathing. Listening to the sound of his heartbeat.
Still there. Still strong. Still mine to listen to.
"I was really scared."
The words slip out before I can stop them. Jacob goes quiet. I don't have to explain what I mean. I know he understands. His hand tightens around mine.
Just a little.
"I know."
I swallow.
Hard.
"When they carried you back..."
My voice trails off. The memory still feels too sharp. Too fresh.
"I know."
This time his voice is softer. Careful. Like he's handling something fragile. I turn my head slightly. Looking at him. He's already looking at me. Those dark eyes are warm. Steady.
Full of things he isn't saying.
"I'm okay."
"I know."
"You don't sound convinced."
"I'm not."
A small smile pulls at his mouth.
"Fair."
I move closer before I can stop myself. Not enough to hurt him. Just enough that our shoulders brush. Jacob immediately turns his hand over and threads our fingers together properly. Like he belongs there. Like this belongs.
The gesture makes my chest ache. Because it feels so natural. Like we've always been heading here. Like every moment before this was just the long way around. For a while neither of us speaks. The silence stretches comfortably between us.
Not awkward. Never awkward. Just waiting. Patient. Eventually Jacob sighs. Long and slow. The kind of sigh that says he's finally run out of ways to avoid something.
I feel it the second it happens. The shift. The change. The moment he decides.
His thumb brushes across my hand once. Twice. Then he looks down at our intertwined fingers.
"I know I owe you an explanation."
My stomach immediately flips.
There it is. The thing we've both been dancing around. The thing that's been sitting between us since the mountain.
Since his confession. Since everything changed. Jacob squeezes my hand. Still not looking at me.
And for the first time since he woke up, he looks nervous. Actually nervous. Which is somehow more terrifying than anything else.
"I just..." He laughs softly. "I wanted one normal night first."
My chest tightens.
Because I understand exactly what he means. One night where we get to pretend we're just Jacob and Kylie again. Even if only for a few hours.
I shift closer. Carefully.
Resting my forehead against his shoulder. The safest compromise I can manage.
"You got it."
Jacob lets out a quiet breath. The tension leaving him little by little. Then he presses his cheek against the top of my head. And for another minute neither of us says anything. Just listening to each other breathe. Knowing the hard conversation is coming. Knowing neither of us can avoid it forever.
I'm pulled out of sleep by giggling. Then a loud shush. Then more giggling. My eyes stay closed for another second as I try to figure out where I am.
Jacob's room. Jacob's bed. Jacob's arm draped across my waist.
The realization settles warm and comfortable in my chest. Then someone snorts. Another person immediately shushes them.
I slowly blink my eyes open. And nearly jump out of my skin.
The entire pack is standing at the foot of the bed.
Watching us.
A dozen pairs of eyes immediately lock onto mine.
I stare. They stare.
Seth is grinning so hard his face looks like it might split in half. Embry looks seconds away from laughing. Quil isn't even trying to hide it. Paul looks deeply offended that nobody let him be the first one to wake me up. Jared and Brady are absolutely enjoying themselves. Leah is standing near the edge of the bed with her arms crossed, trying very hard not to smile. Failing miserably.
I slowly turn my head toward Jacob.
His face is pinched. A look of pure suffering written across his features. He's glaring at all of them. Clearly trying to telepathically force them to leave without waking me.
Apparently it didn't work.
"She's awake!" Seth announces.
The room immediately erupts. Jacob groans. Leah smacks Seth upside the head.
"You idiot."
"What?" Seth protests.
"You woke her up."
"She was already awake."
I shift a little closer into Jacob's side. Instinctively. Without even thinking about it.
Leah's hand flies over her mouth. A grin breaking across her face. Seth makes a choking noise. Quil falls sideways into Embry.
And Jacob? Jacob immediately notices. The annoyed expression disappears completely. Melting into something soft. Something so stupidly fond it makes my stomach flip.
"Hi," I mumble.
His smile somehow gets even worse.
"Were you just pretending to sleep?"
"Maybe."
"Liar."
"A little."
The room collectively gags.
Seth dramatically throws himself backward.
"Oh my God."
Paul groans.
"Please stop."
"They've been dating for like twelve seconds."
"I hate this already."
Jacob flips them off without looking away from me.
Leah finally gives up trying not to smile.
"So she finally knows."
Jacob immediately narrows his eyes.
"Leah."
"Oh no."
She points directly at him.
"We are absolutely talking about this."
"Leah."
"You tortured us."
The room explodes with agreement.
"You absolutely tortured us."
"It was painful."
"We suffered."
"You were unbearable."
Jacob looks horrified.
"I was not."
The pack erupts into laughter.
"You were."
"You totally were."
"You were pathetic."
Jacob points at Seth.
"You cried when your favorite baseball player got traded."
"That is unrelated."
"Is it?"
"Yes."
Leah is practically glowing now.
"Oh, please. Every thought was Kylie."
The room immediately starts shouting examples.
"'Ky would like this.'"
"'Ky would think that's funny.'"
"'Ky likes strawberry pancakes.'"
"'Ky said this.'"
"'Ky did that.'"
I slowly turn toward Jacob. His face is turning red. Actually red. I didn't know that was possible.
"Oh my God."
"It wasn't that bad."
"It was worse," Leah says.
The entire room nods.
"Way worse."
"I know things about your feelings I never wanted to know."
"Same."
"Traumatized."
Jacob drops his head back against the pillow.
"I hate all of you."
"No you don't."
"Nope."
"Not even a little."
Leah's smile softens.
Just slightly. The teasing fading for a moment.
"I'm happy for you guys."
The room quiets. Not completely. But enough.
Embry nods.
"So are we."
Quil points between us.
"It took you two forever."
"Seriously."
"Everyone knew."
"Literally everyone."
I bury my face in Jacob's shoulder.
"Please stop."
"No."
"Never."
"Absolutely not."
Jacob laughs. The sound vibrating beneath my cheek. Warm. Comforting. Alive. The knot that's been living in my chest since the battle loosens a little more.
Because this feels normal. The pack teasing each other. Jacob laughing. Everyone together.
For a moment I can almost forget everything waiting for us. The Volturi. The future. The uncertainty.
I poke Jacob in the side.
"Want breakfast?"
His head immediately turns toward me.
"Baby."
The nickname still makes my heart stutter.
"I'm going to make you breakfast."
I blink.
"What?"
"I'm making you breakfast."
"But you're hurt."
"I'm healed."
"But..."
"Wolf healing."
I narrow my eyes.
Jacob narrows his right back.
Neither of us budges.
"I don't mind taking care of you, Jake."
His expression softens immediately.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Because that's the look that always gets me.
"You take care of me all the time."
He reaches over and brushes a piece of hair behind my ear. The movement is so casual. So natural. The room immediately starts making gagging noises again. Neither of us pays attention.
"You know you're mine now, right?"
The words come out low.
Warm.
Certain.
My entire face heats.
Around us the room explodes.
"Oh my God."
"Jacob."
"That was awful."
"That was smooth."
"No it wasn't."
"It absolutely was."
Jacob ignores every single one of them.
"I'm gonna treat my girl right."
The butterflies in my stomach immediately declare war. Before I can think of a response he stands. Stretching. The movement pulling his shirt up slightly.
The pack immediately starts throwing things at him and leaves. Mostly because they're annoying. Partly because they're jealous.
Jacob ignores that too.
He crosses the room toward his closet and pulls his shirt over his head. My brain immediately stops functioning. Fuck, his back is muscular, and the skin stretches tight as he lifts his arms over his head, revealing every corded muscle underneath his tan skin.
The shirt lands on the bed beside me. I stare at it. I wonder what it smells like...nope. I immediately stop staring at it.
Instead I clear my throat.
"Can you grab me a shirt?"
Jacob glances over his shoulder. A smile immediately appears. The smug one. The dangerous one.
"Aren't my shirts too big?"
"No."
"Need shorts too?"
I grin.
"No."
The room goes silent.
Jacob freezes. A low sound rumbles in his chest. Not quite a growl. Not quite not a growl.
My grin widens.
"I like when you do that."
Jacob just stares at me. Dark eyes locked on mine.
"Do you now."
His voice drops lower. My stomach flips. He walks back toward the bed carrying one of his shirts. Then stops directly in front of me. Close enough that I have to tilt my head back.
His hands settle on my hips. Warm. Steady. Possessive in a way that somehow feels comforting instead of overwhelming.
"You're making it really hard for me to go make breakfast."
I smile.
"I'll come with."
Something flashes across his face. A full blown internal debate. I can practically see it happening.
Part of him clearly wants to wrap me in blankets and keep me hidden in his room forever in his shirt and nothing else. The other part wants to show me off to the entire reservation in his shirt and nothing else.
Eventually one side wins. A slow smile spreads across his face. He holds out the shirt.
"Get dressed, baby."
A hand still rest on my hips as I maintain eye contact and peel my shirt off my body. His eyes widen, and I scoot back and out of my shorts.
Jacob freezes.
Completely.
His eyes widen slightly, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.
For a second he doesn't move. Doesn't blink. Doesn't breathe. Just stares.
His gaze drifts over me, taking everything in.
His body is rigid and frozen. His eyes slowly roam across my body. I came prepared. Little does he know I've been prepared for months. Every time I've stolen one of his shirts. Every time I've curled up in his bed. Every time I've walked around wrapped in something that smelled like him. I've been wearing stuff like this underneath.
I lean backward, propping myself up on his bed. Lace.. That's what his eyes are stuck on. Deep red lace. The delicate floral pattern is impossible to miss, standing out against my skin, small, and sheer lace. His eyes continue to wander a path down my stomach, stumbling across more lace, cute and comfy little lace briefs. Jacob's eyes lock onto it immediately. Stay there. His expression shifts. Something warm. Something dangerous.
Hey if I'm gonna wear lace it's going to be comfortable and cute and not up my ass.
His eyes keep switching between my barely covered breasts and my panties. His eyes narrow and darken, spotting my nipples peaking out of the lace. His gaze lifts to mine again. Then drops. Then lifts. Like he can't quite decide where he's supposed to be looking.
I didn't realize how cold the room was. It's that, or his hungry eyes raking over me are making goosebumps erupt all over my body.
He growls again, and I wasn't lying when I said I loved that sound. It sends a pleasant pulse down my body between my legs. His nostrils flare as if he can smell how I feel right now.
A grin spreads across my face until...there's a banging at the door.
A voice, I think Seth's, yells, "Whatever you're doing, please stop, we don't wanna hear it."
I giggle a little and reach for the shirt in Jacob's hand. He tries to keep it from me, moving it back and forth between his hands.
"Hey"
"What"
"I need that"
"Do you really"
"Yes!"
I laugh and pull him to the bed, wrestling it from his hands and ending up on top of him.
"Oh, hey"
"Hey"
More banging at the door. Fuck.
I throw on the shirt, hopping off of Jacob.
"Cmon it's time for breakfast"
Jacob has that dopey grin back on his face, and I'm sure I have one too as we head into the living room to make breakfast.
For a moment I just stand outside Jacob's bedroom, listening to the familiar sounds of Billy's house.Β Voices.Β Laughter.Β The television playing somewhere in the background.Β Normal.Β I glance down at myself.
At the oversized gray t-shirt hanging off one shoulder.Β Jacob's t-shirt.Β The corners of my mouth pull upward before I can stop them.
Then I step into the living room.Β The conversation dies almost immediately.
Not completely.Β Just enough.Β Enough for me to notice.Β Enough for me to realize every pair of eyes in the room has landed on me.
Embry is the first one to grin.Β Slow.Β Knowing.
"Well, look who finally joined us. You and Jacob were in there for so long after we left I wonder what you were up to."
A few chuckles ripple through the room.Β Not mean.Β Not teasing.Β Just warm.Β Like everyone is sharing the same joke.
My eyes narrow.
"What?"
Quil gestures vaguely in my direction.
"The shirt."
I look down.Β Then immediately groan.
"Oh, come on."
Seth looks seconds away from bursting.
"You borrowed the shirt."
"It's comfortable."
"Sure."
"Shut up, Seth."
Paul snorts from the couch.
"You know Jacob's been waiting years for this."
The room breaks into laughter.Β Not loud.Β Not cruel.Β Just the kind that comes from people who've spent years watching the same story unfold.
My face burns.
"You're all insufferable. It's not like I haven't worn his clothes before"Β
"That's fair"
"Completely fair."
"Never like this though."
I hear footsteps behind me.Β Before I can turn around, warmth settles against my back.Β Strong arms wrap around my waist.Β Comforting.Β Familiar.
Jacob's chin drops onto the top of my head.
"Why are you bothering her already?"
The room immediately points at him.
"Already protective."
"There he is."
"Took you long enough."
Jacob groans.Β I can feel it rumbling through his chest.Β But when I tilt my head back, I catch the small smile he's trying to hide.Β The one that never quite reaches his mouth.Β The one that's only visible in his eyes.Β And despite the embarrassment radiating off him in waves, there's something else there too.
Relief.
Like seeing me walk out wearing his shirt feels a little too right.Β His arms tighten slightly around my waist.Β Just for a second.Β Then he presses a quick kiss into my hair.Β Absentminded.Β Comfortable.Β The kind of affection that feels natural instead of performative.
The room goes suspiciously quiet.
"Don't."
Jacob points toward the kitchen without even looking.
"I know that silence."
Leah laughs.
"He's learning."
"I hate all of you."
"You love us."
Jacob mutters something under his breath and starts toward the kitchen.Β Only after giving my shoulder one last squeeze.
The second he's gone, Seth slides up beside me and leads me to the couch.Β Leah follows a moment later.Β Both of them wearing identical expressions.
The kind that means I'm about to be interrogated.
"Oh no."
Seth grins.
"Oh yes."
"Leave me alone."
"No."
Leah takes a sip of her coffee.
"So."
I already know where this is going.
I pull my knees up onto the couch.
"We're figuring things out."
Seth nods.
"So not official."
"Not official."
"Yet."
I throw a pillow at him.Β He catches it effortlessly.Β Still grinning.
Leah studies me for a moment.Β Then her expression softens.
"You know about the imprint?"
The room grows a little quieter.Β Not because anyone is trying to eavesdrop.Β Because they care about the answer.
I nod.
"Yeah."
"And?"
I look toward the kitchen.Β Toward the sound of Jacob moving around.Β Making breakfast.Β Probably pretending he can't hear any of this.
"It's a lot."
The answer earns a few understanding nods.Β Because it is.Β The imprint.Β Everything that comes with it.Β The future suddenly feels a lot bigger than it did a week ago.
"But we're talking about it."
Leah smiles.
Small.
Approving.
"Good."
A few minutes later Jacob walks back into the room carrying a plate.Β One waffle.Β Covered in strawberries.Β My favorite.Β Of course it's my favorite.Β And of course he remembered.
The second he sets it in front of me, Seth points dramatically.
"See? That's what I'm talking about."
Jacob rolls his eyes.Β I can't stop smiling.Β He reaches down and brushes a hand behind my neck before pressing a kiss to the top of my head.Β Soft.Β Brief.
Comfortable.
Like he's done it a hundred times already.Β Maybe in his head he has.Β The room fills with quiet laughter.
Happy laughter.
The kind that says finally.Β Finally.
Jacob shakes his head and heads back toward the kitchen.Β Completely done with all of us.Β But not before I catch the smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.Β And somehow that makes my chest feel warm all over again.
I still haven't been able to make myself go home.Β Every time I think about walking through the front door, my chest gets tight.Β The last few weeks.Β Everything that happened.
It's easier to stay here.Β Easier to pretend the world has narrowed down to Billy's house, Jacob's laugh, and the constant noise of the pack.
So I called Charlie.
Asked him to pack me a bag.Β When he showed up later that afternoon, I nearly cried.Β Not because of the bag.Β Because of him.Β He looked tired.Β Not exhausted.Β Just worn thin around the edges.Β Like he'd spent the last week carrying something heavy.
I threw my arms around him before he could even say hello.Β The hug caught him completely off guard.Β For a second he just stood there.Β Then his arms wrapped around me.Β Tight.Β Safe.Β My dad.
"You sleeping?" I asked against his jacket.
He sighed.
"Trying."
"Dad."
"I am."
"You better be."
He huffed out a laugh.
I pulled back enough to look at him.
"And stop worrying so much about the missing person cases."
Something shifted in his expression.Β Tiny.Β Almost impossible to notice.
But I saw it.
A tension I hadn't realized he was carrying.Β Like he'd been waiting for permission.Β Waiting for someone to tell him it was okay to set the weight down for a little while.Β His shoulders relaxed.Β Just slightly.
But enough.
"I'll try," he said.
"You better."
He rolled his eyes.
Then squeezed my shoulder.
"I love you, kid."
My chest hurt.
"I love you too."
After he left, I took the bag back to Jacob's room.Β And immediately realized there was absolutely no way Charlie packed it himself.Β Not a chance.Β I unzip the bag and start pulling things out.Β Every shirt I would've grabbed.Β My favorite sweatshirt.Β The good pajamas.Β Extra socks.Β My hairbrush.Β Face wash and full skincare routine. Silk bonnet.Β The book I'd been reading.Β Even the stupid lip balm I always lose.
I stare at the pile.Β Then close my eyes.
Bella.
Of course.
Part of me is annoyed.Β Part of me is grateful.Β Mostly I don't want to think about it.Β So I don't.
Instead, I focus on the note Jacob left on his pillow.
The grocery store is a mistake.Β A complete mistake.Β Because apparently shopping with Jacob Black is impossible.
"Do we need marshmallows?"
I look over my shoulder.Β Jacob is standing in the middle of the aisle holding three bags.
Three.
"Why do you have so many?"
"Options."
"Jacob."
"What if we want variety?"
"We are making s'mores."
"What if you're feeling adventurous?"
I laugh.Β Actually laugh.Β The kind that bubbles out before I can stop it.Β His entire face lights up.Β Like he's won something.Β Which only makes me laugh harder.
A few aisles later he's carrying the basket because apparently I am incapable of carrying anything myself.Β His words.Β Not mine.
I reach for a box of graham crackers.Β His hand brushes mine.Β Neither of us pulls away immediately.Β The moment stretches.Β Just a little.Β His eyes meet mine.Β Warm.Β Soft.Β Dangerously distracting.
"Hi," he says.
I roll my eyes.
"Hi."
His grin widens like that's somehow the greatest thing he's ever heard.
The beach is nearly empty.Β Just us.Β The ocean.Β The wind.Β And a sky slowly turning gold.Β Jacob gets the fire going while I arrange blankets around the pit.Β By the time the sun starts sinking, we're sitting shoulder to shoulder watching flames dance across the sand.
The air smells like salt.Β Smoke.Β Summer.
Jacob hands me a roasting stick.
"Ready?"
"Always."
Ten minutes later we've already burned three marshmallows.Β One was entirely my fault.Β Two were definitely his.
"I'm sensing a pattern."
"I'm sensing slander."
I bump my shoulder into his.Β He bumps me back.Β The fire crackles between us.Β The sky deepens into shades of pink and orange.Β Beautiful.Β
But not nearly as distracting as Jacob looking at me.Β I catch him staring.Β Again.
"You're doing it."
"What?"
"That."
"What?"
"Looking at me like that."
His smile softens.
"I like looking at you."
The butterflies are getting ridiculous at this point.Β Completely ridiculous.Β I focus very hard on my s'more.Β He laughs.Β Quiet.Β Fond.Β The sound settles somewhere deep inside me.
Comfortable.Β Safe.Β Eventually, the conversation drifts.
Like it always does.Β From nothing.Β To everything.Β Jacob pokes at the fire.
"You know some Quileute?"
"Like five words."
"You know more than five."
"Seven."
He laughs.Β Then starts teaching me.Β Patiently correcting my pronunciation.Β Making me repeat words until I get them right.Β Or close enough.
Most of the time he's laughing too hard to actually help.Β At one point I threaten to throw a marshmallow at him.Β He claims that's cultural disrespect.
I'm fairly certain he's lying.
The fire burns lower.Β The beach grows quieter.Β Eventually neither of us says anything.Β Just listens to the waves.
Then Jacob speaks.
Softly.
"So."
I glance over.
His eyes are fixed on the flames.
"The imprint thing."
The smile slips from my face.Β Not because I'm upset.Β Because it's complicated.Β And he knows it.
Jacob lets out a slow breath.
"I don't want you thinking I'm expecting something from you."
My chest tightens.Β He keeps looking at the fire.
Like it's easier this way.
"Because I'm not."
The flames reflect in his eyes.
"If all you ever wanted was friendship?"
His voice stays steady.
"I'd take friendship."
I blink.
"What?"
He finally looks at me.
And suddenly all I can see is sincerity.Β Pure and honestΒ Jacob.
"The imprint isn't about forcing somebody to love you."
His expression softens.
"It's about being whatever they need."
The ocean crashes somewhere behind us.
Steady.
"If you needed a best friend, I'd be your best friend."
His eyes don't leave mine.
"If you needed someone to protect you, I'd do that."
A pause.
"If you needed space, I'd give it to you."
My throat feels tight.
Jacob reaches over and takes my hand.
Carefully.Β Like he's giving me every opportunity to pull away.
"I just want you happy, Ky."
The words hit harder than they should.
Because I know he means them.Β Every single one.Β No conditions.Β No expectations.
Just love.
"I want you to know it doesn't make me love you either. I just do. With my entire being, I do."
Before I can think myself out of it, I lean forward and kiss him.Β His breath catches.Β For a second, neither of us moves.Β Then his hand slides gently against my cheek.Β Like he's afraid he'll scare me away.
When we finally pull apart, he's smiling.Β That stupidly cute smile.Β The one that makes me fall apart every single time.
"Hi," he says quietly.
I groan.
He laughs.Β And kisses me again.
The tent is warm.Β Warmer than it should be.Β One of the many benefits of dating a human furnace.Β
Outside, the waves continue rolling onto shore.Β Inside, Jacob has both arms wrapped around me.Β Holding me against his chest.Β My head tucked beneath his chin.
Neither of us seems particularly interested in sleeping.Β Not yet.Β I trace lazy circles across his arm.Β Listening to his heartbeat.Β Strong.Β Steady.Β Mine.
Well.Β Maybe not officially mine.Β Yet.Β But hopefully someday.
Jacob presses a kiss into my hair.Β Then another.Β Then another.
Like he can't help himself.
"Jacob."
"Hm?"
"You're clingy."
"I know."
No shame.Β None whatsoever.Β I laugh.Β His arms tighten.Β Just slightly.Β Then his voice drops low enough that I almost miss it.
"I'm in love with you."
Everything inside me stills.Β The ocean.Β The wind.Β The entire world.
Just for a second.
Jacob presses his forehead against my hair.
"I love you so much, baby."
My eyes burn.Β Full and Overwhelmed.
I feel...Safe.
"I'll do anything for you."
His voice is barely above a whisper.
Completely sincere.Β Completely Jacob.
And wrapped up in his arms, listening to the waves and his heartbeat, I think I've never felt safer in my entire life.
Synopsis: The town of Forks is home to few and a stranger to newcomers. Bella Swan's return to her hometown initiates an unprecedented change in a universe far from her understanding. As her curiosity fuels her obsession over her mysterious yet isolated classmate -- Edward Cullen, Circe Woods falls victim to a curse that has hovered over her family for generations. Forced into a vulnerable state, Circe and her family are forced to take arms against their greatest threat. That 15-year-old girl she once was has been reborn.
Prologue | 1 |
My life has been centered on something far bigger than myself.
My mother would always say that our existence is sourced by a form of nature we as humans overlook a lot.
She, nature, portrays our emotions. Our tears and our angers. Our happiness and our anxiety. However, she lacks a face. She lacks the ability to create a tangible relationship with her children.
Instead, she births life to those who are to enforce her wrath. Enact her joy and protect her from her horrors.
Circe Woods and her mother, Corinne Woods, were not strangers to the damp, somber atmosphere of their little town of Forks, Washington. The home of 3,120 people, constantly covered in shrouds of clouds and rain, its people live within a bubble β surrounded by forests and wildlife, far from the crowded bustling urban world. A town filled with families that know one another, privacy a lack luster fantasy.
In the eyes of their fellow townsfolk, the Woods have always been a good family. Granted, their family name hadn't lived in the town for centuries, but the impact of Corinne's parents and their legacy spoken so grand it could be mistaken as an art of mythology, was enough to cement the family in a good light. Circe's uncle, Charlie Swan β another Forks borne hero, was an even stranger story.
The Swans β a midwestern family conjured of farmers and hunters β made Forks a home where their son, Charlie, felt accepted. His childish soul found solace in the presence of other children by the names of William 'Billy' Black, Harry Clearwater, Quil Ateara IV, and Corinne. Though separated by their racial differences, the group had found a family in each other.
To put it bluntly, Circe was a genuine mistake. A child born of blind intimacy, her lack of a father was a weaponized joke used to attack her own character and that of her mother's. As her mother's best friend and the girl's godfather, Charlie had proudly taken his stance as a father in Circe's life. Undoubtedly, she, too, had filled the hole in his heart left behind by his daughter, Bella.
Left alone and forced to face the grief of his parents' passing by himself, Charlie had solely lived his life without a thought. His responsibility as Chief of Police, sworn to protect the home of his family and friends, motivated him greatly but even then β it could never compare to the warmth that settled in his heart whenever he was around his wife and their little Isabella. And now, after years of living away in Phoenix, the young Swan was to return to her hometown and live out the last of her high school years with her father.
"Are you excited to see Bella again, love?" Corinne asks, eyes focused on the road before her.
Circe hums in thought for a moment, almond shaped eyes studying the repetitive blur of trees from her window. "Somewhat," she answers. "Bella's not going to remember me, much less socialize with the likes of a freshman."
"Oh, don't be so ridiculous," Corinne scoffs. "If she is still the same Bella as before then there's no doubt, she'd be happy to have a familiar face at school."
Corinne pulls into the muddy driveway of the Swan house; the duo jumps out of the F-150. Circe snorts, "at least she won't have to spend her time parenting her dad."
"Eh!" Corinne gasps, lightly smacking her daughter's stomach. "I told you that in secret. Don't say any of that in front of Charlie."
Bursting through the front door of the white, two-story house was a tall, slightly muscular man dawning a black, badged fleece lined coat. The uniformed man was of cool ivory skin and dark features. His dark brown, nearly black, hair was cut short and pointed every which way. His moustache was rounded and brushed over his top lip. Earthy colored eyes carried a natural sink that drastically contrasted against the slight bemusement that flashed across the onyx gems.
"Corinne, Circe," he happily greets the mother and daughter. His arms wrap tightly around Corinne's waist, landing a swift peck on the woman's cheek. "It's good to see you both."
He lets go of Corinne and pulls Circe into a one arm hug. Behind him, a short β almost frail β appearing girl steps onto the small porch. Her small figure inches towards the three, hooded brown eyes darting between the wet dirt under her battered Converse and the mirky eyes of Circe.
"Bella, you might remember them, but this is Corinne Davis and her daughter, Circe," Charlie introduces each party.
Corinne smiles at the girl, greeting her with a nod. "It's good to see you, love." Bella nods back, "it's good to see you as well."
"Hey, I'm Circe," the 15-year-old waves. "We used to play with the hens on my family's farm." Bella nods, a light chuckle slipping past her lips. "I remember."
She points at the younger girl, eyes squinting. "Is the one... it was like, black and gray. Very aggressive β" The short teen giggles, "Lucille is still kicking. Literally."
The sound of an engine revving down the slick road, a soft honk splitting the awkward tension. Two smaller, older trucks pull in front of the house. The slim, rusted champagne truck was driven by a natural golden man with silk dark hair dressed in flannel and a trucker hat.
Ahead of him in the orange truck was a boy that appeared as a younger copy of the older man. The boy jumps out of the truck, jogging over to his father's truck. He picks up a folded wheelchair from the bed of the Chevy, opening and locking it outside of his father's door. Charlie walks over to the truck and helps the boy pull the man from his seat.
Settled, the three return to the girls. Charlie looks at his daughter once more, nodding at the newcomers. "Bella, these are the Blacks," he introduces.
"This is Billyβ" Bella interrupts with a warm shake of the hand as she greets the elder. "Billy Black, you're looking good," she smiles.
The man shrugs, confidently, "well, I'm still dancing." Corinne snorts, "more like spinning." The three adults giggle, sharing glances. Billy continues speaking to Bella, "I'm glad you're finally here."
"Charlie hasn't shut up about it since you told him you were coming," he sides eyes the Chief. Charlie rolls his eyes, turning to walk away. "Keep exaggerating, I'll roll you into the mud," he playfully threatens.
Billy spins in his wheelchair, "after I ram you in the ankles." The two begin to wrangle in the street, Corinne rolls her eyes and follows them.
In the meanwhile, the long-haired boy steps forward with a sheepish look. "Hi, I'm Jacob," he silently gulps. "We used to make mud pies together." His puppy-like eyes bounce between the two girls.
"Right, right," Bella nods. "I remember. Circe would make these huge ones and nail her mom's dates with them." Jacob chuckles, nodding.
He fully stares at the shorter party, studying the appearance of his friend. Circe had a beauty that was seen far and in few with almond eyes fueled with mirth and logic. Thick hair was braided and twisted, spiraling down her spine and brushing the middle of her back. The dark brown tresses mix with platinum strands like the most delicious two-toned ice cream.
Unlike most of the adolescents of Forks, she dawned dark clothes and thick boots. Her loose, knitted sweater overlapped the dark grey camisole and the sleeves droop dramatically past her small digits. Her fitted yet baggy jeans were held to her waist by a thick, bejeweled belt and torn at the knees while the shiny yet scratched tips of her boots peak through the mounds of fabric. Her accessories were a consistent theme of turquois, symbols of balance, and spiders.
She sends him a slanted grin, "Jacob." He turns flustered, back straightening as his hands dig deeper into the back pockets of his jeans. Nervous, a chuckle escapes him before a quiet: "Circe," leaves his tongue.
Outside of Nature creating these divine children, there's an aspect of life that not even she could outsmart.
Every creature that exists has another half. A friend. A lover. A sanctuary.
And despite our hearts being promised at creation, the journey to find one another is a test crafted to rebirth the souls as one union.Β
[Aged up!!! Reader:21 Paul & Jared:22 Sam & Leah:23]
Paul always had shitty luck. His family was broken. His anger issues caused too many problems to count. And he had been in love with you since the day he met you. To top it all off you were Jared's girlfriend. Pretty unlucky, right?
After another turn of fate, the universe curses Paul with the spirit of a wolf. Maybe this time lady luck will bless him with you as his imprint.
Is fate finally on his side?
[last chapter bbys i hope you liked it! sorry if the ending feels rushed i didnβt want to drag this out anymore than i already did lol, NSFW: ladies and gentlemen we finally be fuckinβ]
Reader POV
Waking up to the sounds of soft snoring in your ear was jarring. Where am i? And what the hell is that noise?! Looking up at the ceiling of the small cabin, you remembered curling up on Samβs couch whilst waiting for Paul. WAIT, PAUL!!
The snoring grew louder as your brain began to shake the sleepy fog that was clouding your thoughts. You fought with the blanket in hopes of getting up, and turning to your right you realised why you were pinned in place. Such a puppy dog. Paulβs soft features and muscular frame were curled around you peacefully sleeping, and for once you didnβt mind the sounds of snoring. For a man that usually looked so tightly wound, it was comforting to hear how relaxed he was. You leaned in closer and enjoyed the warmth of his smooth skin and the smell of woody musk.
A loud bang in the kitchen broke through the calm morning air and Paul shot off the couch at the speed of light. βWha- whatβs wrong?! Whatβs happening!β He groggily asked, his eyes not fully open. You giggled to yourself and his rigid shoulders relaxed at the sound.
Samβs apologetic smile appeared from behind the fridge as he held up a glass of milk. βSorry you two. Was trying to be quiet.β He finished the glass in one large gulp and turned to leave you alone with your sleepy imprint. βLooks like you had a good sleep!β He shouted from the kitchen with a laugh.
βThanks for the wake up, dickheadβ Paul grumbled. Scratching his stomach, he noticed he was shirtless and an alarmed look flooded his wide eyes. βIβll find some clothes Iβmβ¦ Iβm so sorry I shouldβve gotten dressed before sleeping on you like thatβ¦β a deep blush dusted the tops of his ears as he scrambled to find a spare top. You couldnβt help but chew your lip and smirk. Adorable.
βItβs okβ¦ thank you for coming back.β You quietly said, staring at the floor as you stood to stretch and find your shoes. A pair of large calloused hands pushed your boots into view and his rough morning voice soothed your beating heart, βIβll always come backβ.
Paul simply refused to let you walk home alone. It wasnβt worth arguing with the hot-tempered man, so you waved a quiet goodbye to Sam and followed Paul into the warm sunshine.
Thirty minutes of scuffing along dirt roads was filled with quiet conversation and a warmth that buzzed beneath the surface. ββ¦And thatβs how I got my arm stuck in a vending machine.β Your body shook with laughter at the mental image of an angry 9 year old Paul with his arm shoved through the metal slot. βI can almost see it!β You wheezed out between choked breaths.
βGeez, way to make me feel bad!! Iβm never telling you anything embarrassing ever again!β he bantered lightheartedly, softly shoving your shoulder. Wiping away the happy tears streaming down your cheeks, his adoring smile came into view.
A memory of the same smile plastered on his boyishly thin lips had you speaking before you could stop it. βYou know, Iβve seen that look on your face before,β You scanned the horizon to soften the intensity of your words, βIt was the first time I met you. On my way over to the diner booth, I dropped a whole slice of apple pie on Jaredβs lap and you laughed so hard I thought you were gonna faint.β You smiled to yourself and tried to ignore the way he cataloged you. You both knew what happened next - it was obvious in the way he tensed.
βAnd then Jared introduced us and I saw the light leave your eyesβ¦ like Iβd personally done something to youβ¦ I really did care for him you know? I spent so long worried about how our issues made Jared feel, that I never truly stopped to ask myself how I felt about you, Paul.β Youβd both stopped walking. The electrical current surging through your non-verbal conversation was palpable.
βAnd how do you feel? A-about Jaredβ¦ about me.β He asked in a frightened tone.
You offered a private smile and a pounding heartbeat. βI will always have love and respect for Jared, but,β you bit your lip, βheβs not my future. I know where my future is.β Paul tripped on a rock and cut through the heartfelt moment like a real idiot. (Okay, it was kind of cute)
βWellβ¦ I guess this is you.β He mumbled, jerking his chin towards the front door of your empty house. The thought of ending your warm conversation made the pit in your stomach heavy with a tinge of sadness. I donβt want him to go. You scrambled for reasons for him to stay.
βYou know, Iβve got nothing planned todayβ¦ If youβre not busy would you wanna hang around for a bit?β You fumbled nervously, toying with the hem of your shirt. Paulβs breath caught in surprise, βReally? I mean yeah I- Iβm not busy. Iβm sure I could stick around for a bit.β He coughed and straightened to gain composure. YES!!
Relieved to have him stay, you smiled and dragged him inside before he could talk himself out of it. Giggling happily to yourself you said, βWell come on in! Iβm starving and by the sounds of your stomach you havenβt eaten in a decade.β
Seeing his massive body squeezed into the small seat at your breakfast bar was a sight to behold. As you pulled every ingredient from the cupboard, his watchful eyes tracked your movements. Heβs so cute when heβs nervous.
βIβm thinking pancakes and maybe some bacon?β You asked, already pouring flour into a large mixing bowl. His dazed expression and lazy smile stayed fixed on your left cheek. βPaul? Hellooooo, earth to Paul.β You waved a hand in his face and flinched as his own fingers reached up and intertwined with yours on instinct. βSorry I- umβ He looked between your hands and your cheek. βYouβve got flour on your cheek.β He muttered, reaching up to brush it off. The slow movement of his thumb sent a warm shot through you and nestled in between your thighs. Where else could he place those big fingers? How big would he look kneeling over me? Oh shit am I really thinking about this right now?Jesus, calm down tiger!!
Brushing off the dirty thoughts, you continued mixing the batter and making small talk with the god-like man before you. βWant to help me with the stove? Iβll even show you my secret trickβ trying your best to be flirty, you threw a wink at his flustered face and turned to start cooking the pancakes. In a flash, he was stood at your side watching closely.
βSoβ¦ whatβs your secret trick?β He asked, inching closer until his arm ghosted your waist. As the stack of perfect pancakes grew higher, your courage had grown as well. Time to show off. βPrepare to be amazed!β You giggled, grabbing a can of whip cream out of the fridge and shaking it like a cocktail. βAs long as you save me some cream for my breakfast, Iβll clap as loud as you wantβ he joked.
Keeping eye contact with Paul, you squirted a large dollop onto the back of your left hand and smacked your wrist with the other hand. His eyes grew wide as the cream flew into the air and landed neatly on the tip of your tongue. βTa-da!β And with a dramatic bow, your trick was done. Paul erupted into laughed and slowly clapped, βLet me have a go. Bet I can do it higherβ, his competitive nature shining through.
The cream flew through the air, and his cocky smirk vanished as it landed on his nose. βIβ¦ guess itβs a lot harder than it looksβ he admitted sheepishly. You reached up and swiped the mess off his face, giggling at his embarrassed expression. βIβll just have to teach youβ, and without thinking you stuck the creamy finger into your mouth and sucked it clean. His pupils grew impossibly wide, and once again, you leaned into his orbit like a comet falling to earth. βYour eyes are gorgeous in the sunlightβ, he confessed as if the proximity was forcing his thoughts out like shared secrets. You blushed and turned away like a coward, Food before kissing!!
Sitting quietly across from him, you watched as he devoured every crumb on the table. His cheeks were full with food as he scooped up the next bite and you laughed in shock at the speed of his hunger. βGlad you like my cooking, Lahote. You act like youβve never had a home cooked mealβ You joked, but the look of hurt on his face wiped the smirk off of yours.
βIβm sorry if I said something wrong I-β You hurried to make it better, but Paul pushed his plate away and cut you off.
Swallowing the mountain of food in his mouth, he said, βItβs fine, Y/N. Donβt freak out on me, itβs kinda true anyways.β Your head shot up in surprise. It was a joke! Surely heβs got someone at homeβ¦ you thought.
βI didnβt mean anything by it, iβm so sorryβ¦β Your head hung low with shame. Fuck sake! How stupid can I be?! Jared TOLD me heβd had a hard life! His silence made the shame worse as you rambled to soften the rift between you, βI just wanted to make you a nice meal to say thank you for being so sweet and for saving me yesterday.β The silence stretched.
Swallowing your pride, you finished what you started, βAndβ¦ If you ever need a listening ear or a warm meal Iβm here. Always.β
βYou really mean that?β He questioned quietly, toying with the last of his bacon.
βOf course, Paul. We may not have started off on good terms but weβre in this for life, right?β You smiled warmly at him. βSeriously though, thank you for protecting me in the forest. I donβt know where Iβd be without youβ The icy wall between you had finally melted and you were thankful that you could talk your way out of the pit youβd dug.
Sparks flew as he traced a circle on the back of your hand, βIβll apologise for eternity for the way I treated youβ¦ jealousy is a disease, Y/N. So as long as you want me Iβll be here to make up for the past and chase the monsters away.β His body tensed like he was anxious to continue.
βIβve had a tough life. Never had a real home. Iβve spent my whole life being kicked around and fucked over. Itβs worn me down. Iβve had to be strong; to survive Iβve had to be rough.β He admitted, turning to meet your worried eyes, βBut for youβ¦ Well, for you I would be softβ His cheeks flushed with impossible heat and your heart rate soared. He nervously scratched the back of his neck and played with his fork like a small boy confessing to his schoolyard crush.
The hard shell of Paulβs exterior cracked open and you saw him for everything he was - a loving man that had been weathered from years of abuse and violence. All he wanted was a woman he could curl into when times were hard, and someone to hold his hand through the storm; and you had the unbelievable chance to be that woman. Iβm so lucky.
βLet me help you with those dishesβ He insisted, carrying the empty plates to the sink. Standing behind his hunched shoulders you placed a gentle hand to his spine and stroked lovingly. His anxiety defrosted as you squeezed his bicep and willed him to look at you. Leaning in, you sunk into the warmth of his onyx eyes and whispered, βYou donβt have to be toughβ¦ I can be your home.β His hot breath fanned over your face as you stood on tippy toes in search of his mouth.
Caught off guard, Paul dropped a plate into the sink and a tidal wave of soapy water crashed over your shirt. βPAUL!β Squealing, you jumped back.
βFuck, Iβm so sorry!β he scrambled to wipe you off with a towel and accidentally smeared pancake batter into the wet mess. He loudly grumbled and threw the rag in the sink, βIβm so sorry I didnβt want it to happen this way.β
With his head in his hands, he looked defeated and deflated. Thoughts of resuming your interrupted kiss were too important to let this moment end. Grabbing his hand you cooed at him βHey, itβs alright! Donβt be silly, Iβll just shower this offβ¦ and maybe we can continue this talk after? If youβll stay?β
Paul POV
Sitting on the edge of your bed, he took in every inch of your room and every quirk that reflected your warm personality. I canβt believe Iβm really hereβ¦ her room screams βY/Nβ for sure, he thought with a soft smile.
The door was left open a crack and hot steam from your shower seeped through the room; the foggy clouds were swirling with your scent and Paul loved it. This was a moment he had prayed for, wished forβ¦ would do anything for. βUh, Paul. I forgot my pants. Iβm sorryβ Your little voice in the hallway jerked Paul out of his trance.
His palms started sweating at the thought of seeing you naked. Come on man! Put on the Lahote Charm!! he talked himself down as he pushed the fantasy aside. Paul cleared his throat and tried his best to sound seductive, βDonβt worry, beautiful, I wonβt bite unless you want me to.β A soft whimper from behind the door told him everything he needed to know. Letβs fucking go!!!!!! If it was acceptable for him to howl, he would have.
Closing the door, you were stood shyly in front of him in nothing but a crop top and a thong. If Iβm not dead already I will be after this. Paul took his time dragging his eyes over your lower body and up to the outlines of your hard nipples. This was new territory for him, heβd never wanted someone like this before. βCome here, babyβ he growled in a deep tone. You bit your lip and took a step towards his large frame. He took your hand in his and enjoyed the jolt of electricity shooting through his body.
βPaulβ¦ I thought I was supposed to be getting changedβ You giggled nervously, but the way your body responded to his touch was noticeable. You obviously werenβt planning on getting dressed anytime soon. βShhh pretty girl, I just wanna make you feel goodβ he cooed at you, βI know weβre moving fast but Iβm not going anywhere.β his voice dropped into a seductive whisper. You pressed a quick kiss to his temple and assured him, βIβm not going anywhere either, Iβm right here.β
With shaky hands, Paul placed you on his lap and ran his fingertips up both of your arms. The goosebumps spreading over the exposed skin reassured him that you needed this just as much as he did. βIf we do this, thereβs no going back, youβre mine. for lifeβ he whispered into the crown of your freshly washed hair. The soft moan of his name that crawled up your throat was like a siren call begging him to cross the line - to jump head first into a sea of hopeβ¦ and for you he would jump. Brushing his nose against yours, he felt your breath hitch as he closed his eyes and pressed forward. This is it.
The taste of your lips was the sweetest flavor heβd ever experienced and he would savor this moment for as long as he lived. The kiss was slow and meaningful and the soft sounds of your moaning left him lightheaded. Your knees caged his muscular thighs and his hard cock strained in his shorts. The smell of your arousal was like a drug to Paul, and like an addict he needed more. His wolf circled close to the surface, happily yipping at how much Paul affected his imprint.
Pulling away for air, he continued planting open mouth kisses across your collarbone. βIβve been waiting for you my whole lifeβ, the honesty pouring from his lips in a husky moan. Lying to you was a sin and Paul had turned his back on the Devil a long time ago.
βPaulβ¦ pleaseβ you groaned as he lightly wrapped his hand around your throat, feeling the thudding pulse flowing through you. Your nails scratched up his spine, hands finding purchase in the hair on the back of his skull. Your eyes rolled backwards as he lightly squeezed your neck and the scent of your arousal spiked. holy fuck, he thought. This couldnβt be real. βYou like that, baby?β He whispered. All you could do was nod rapidly.
Gripping your hip with his free hand and moving your clothed heat against his hard member, Paulβs eyes studied the look of ecstasy on your face. Hand wrapped around your throat, swollen lip pulled between your teeth, and your pupils blown wide. You looked like an angel. His angel.
βFuck beautiful, you donβt know how many times iβve wanted to do this to you,β he whimpered in your ear whilst slowly pushing the hand on your hip up the back of your crop top, βYou were made for me. Youβre mineβ. The sound of your breathy whining filled the room and he knew he wouldnβt last long.
βYoursβ¦ Iβm yours Paulβ you promised, taking his hand off your throat and sucking the long index finger into your warm mouth. Your hips quickened and you were now rocking on his lap all by yourself. The mixture of your innocent eye contact, and the dirty vision of you sucking his finger, caused a growl to rumble through his chest. You pulled back from him to remove your top and Paulβs mouth watered at the sight of your hard nipples bouncing in his face.
In one smooth motion you were lying back on the bed as he towered over you, kneeling between your open thighs. His hot hand dragged up your leg and settled over the wet fabric of your underwear. You jerked your hips up at his touch and through breaths you begged him, βPleaseβ¦ I need youβ.
βGod baby, I need you more. You donβt understand what you do to meβ Paul whispered as he pulled the wet fabric off your soaking wet pussy. Sliding a finger through your perfect folds, he thought he was going to cum before heβd even taken his pants off. βTalk to me baby, tell me what you want.β He groaned as his large finger circled your clit. Your hands gripped the sheets and your voice tangled in a loud moan at the pressure. He stopped for a moment, waiting for an answer. A look of embarrassment crossed your face as you finally spoke, βStretch me out firstβ¦please, sir.β Paulβs cock jumped at the nickname.
βDirty girlβ he growled, bending forward to suck on your neck and slipping two fingers into your dripping heat. The muscles gave way for him as he eased his hand back and forth, pushing his middle finger further in and curling upwards. βFuck! Mmm, Paul!β You whined, rocking your hips onto his hot fingers. Your hands flew up and gripped his back with such force that he knew it would scar for a few hours. This was officially Paulβs favorite day ever.
Before you could climax, Paul withdrew his fingers and watched as your big beautiful eyes begged him to keep going. βIβm not done yet, pretty girl, let me finish you properly.βHe reassured you. Keeping eye contact, Paul stuck both fingers into his mouth and savoured the flavor of you. Need more.
Pushing you higher up the bed, he fell onto his stomach and wrapped your legs around his head. You screamed in shock and pleasure as his tongue lapped hungrily at you. Moaning into your wet heat, Paulβs hips rocked against the mattress aching for relief. Spreading you open with one hand and assaulting your clit with flat strokes of his tongue, you rocked your hips against his mouth leaving a trail of slick wetness along his face. He was truly in heaven.
Your hands gripped his hair and Paul growled so loudly you felt it rumble through your entire body. βBaby! Fuck, Iβm -β You couldnβt even get the words out before you came undone on his tongue. Your body shook as he licked every drop of sweetness from between your thighs. βYou taste like sugarβ He groaned, getting to his knees and dragging his tongue from the top of your clit, up over your stomach, and sucking a nipple in between his teeth. Your hips continued to grind against his thigh and Paul moaned around the flesh in his mouth.
βI want all of you baby, I want to watch you whine,β he said, biting at your earlobe, βWant you to let me fuck you senseless, can I do that beautiful?β Your eyes fluttered shut as βyesβ rolled off your tongue at the speed of light. If he waited any longer he was going to ruin your sheets - Paul needed you now. Ripping his shorts off and pumping his painful erection, he watched as you all but drooled over the sight of him. Pressing a kiss to your lips, he slid into your waiting folds. FUCK. Your legs wrapped around his waist as he sank fully into you.
Paulβs hip quickened as euphoria washed over him. This is exactly where he wanted to be; now and forever. Your messy hair and whiny moans looked heavenly beneath him and he needed to make this a moment to remember. βCome on baby, let goβhe cooed at you as he sped up the pace, leaning forward to press a breathless kiss to your puffy lips. Your back arched to meet his thrusts and he knew you were close.
Your moans grew louder, and as your walls tightly clamped down on his length you screamed out for him.
Oh. My. God. The sound of you screaming for him, and him alone, had Paulβs mind going blank.
His head dropped into your neck and your name fell from his lips like a prayer.
After a warm shower, and one too many hours spent watching shitty TV movies, the two of you were sprawled across your bed in silence. Paul traced circles over your naked back and smiled to himself.
Cupping your jaw, he urged you to look into his loving eyes.
βYou wanna know something?β He asked. You nodded quietly and softly stroked his muscled stomach. βAs long as itβs not another vending machine storyβ you giggled, dropping your cheek to his chest. βRemind me to never tell you anythingβ He laughed, βY/Nβ¦I love youβ¦ Iβve loved you for a long, long timeβ Paul whispered and kissed your smiling face.
βWell Mr. Lahote, If every day with you makes me feel like this, I wouldnβt mind being loved by you for the rest of my life.β Your sweet honesty shot an arrow through Paulβs heart. If he wasnβt already bound to you for eternity, he wouldβve fallen for you all over again. βIn that case, I wouldnβt mind loving you for the rest of time. Goodnight, beautifulβ He said, kissing your forehead and pulling the blankets up.
Paul curled you closer to his chest and thanked the Spirits for bringing you to him. His duty as a shifter was a heavy burden to bear, but it had given him the greatest gift of all - You.
Every cold one he kills, every argument that ends in a blood bath, and every step heβll take to mend his friendship with Jared β¦ it will all be worth it for the slow kisses he shares with you at the end of a hard day. There was a long road ahead but he knew you were going to be there every step of the way.
Loving you was better than any fantasy he couldβve ever imagined, and for the first time in his existence, Paul felt worthy.
In the end, the hands of fate had dealt him a wonderful life.
Paul is grumpy because his everyone is coupled up with their imprint and his is away for college but at the bonfire the girls surprise Paul with his imprint and he goes from a mean grumpy to a clingy sweetheart
βΛΰΏ a very grumpy wolf | p.l
pairing. paul lahote x f!reader
type. fluff, requested <3
warnings. female reader, none
a/n. thank you so much for the request!! again this is an old one but i thought it was just too sweet :3
SUMMARY. paul misses you a lot when youβre away to college. every year you have this tradition to meet up to celebrate the start of the summer, when you canβt make it his mood turns very sourβ¦ until a surprise changes everything. 1.1K!
"Come on, Paul, lighten up."
"Stop pouting in your corner."
"I'll take away your reason to live, and we'll see how you do."
Paul's direct, albeit dramatic way of expressing himself silences the group. They can all easily imagine how hard it must be to see everyone happy with their other halves while he is stuck alone, and missing you like a vital piece of him has been taken away.
Nobody is prouder than Paul when it comes to your decision to leave for college to become a teacher. Seattle isn't that far away, and you usually come back for all the important events, except this one. Deadlines to meet before the end of the trimester prevented you from joining the packβs traditional bonfire to celebrate the start of the summer, causing him to be a very grumpy wolf indeed.
And not just typical sorta irritated Paul, but Mayor Cranky of Grumpy Ville.
What he doesn't know is that Emily and Kim, much too aware of his condition, have been texting you updates and helping you plan a little surprise.
You're so excited, you're basically bouncing off your seat as you drive down the familiar roads of your hometown. The news you have to share with the group is not helping dampen your excitement. You pull up in the woods at a walking distance, not close enough to immediately alert the group of shapeshifters gathered around the fire. Even from afar, you can hear their familiar bickering and can't help but smile at the sound of home.
"I told you I'm not pouting!" You hear a very familiar voice seethe.
Your heart skips a beat, your feet walking faster of their own free will. Like your body knows he's close, the invisible string in your chest connecting you to Paul feels pulled taut.
The bickering gets louder as you get closer. Seth, standing off to the side, sees you and is about to say something when Embry suddenly shoves him. After seeing you approaching, he playfully makes sure the younger member doesn't ruin the surprise by roughing him up under the appreciative hollers of the other guys.
Paul is too busy laughing and shouting at the friendly brawl to notice you sneaking up on him.
You're about to put your hand on his shoulder when he whirls around. "Which of you fuckers thought you could sneak up on me?"
"This fucker?" The cocky sneer on his face immediately falls as he takes you in. He stares, mouth agape. "Surprise?"
Tension builds for an unbearable second until he chokes up, "You're home."
Faster than should be possible, you're swept up in the air, giggling like crazy while your friends hoot and applaud. His face buried in your neck, his voice sounds rough when he whispers, "I don't believe it. Are you really home?"
Your hand slides in his short hair as you softly kiss his cheek. "I really am." His strong arms squeeze you tighter in response.
"You have to share her, Paul!" chides Emily as she clears a path to you. He grunts, but relents, softly putting you down.
You're hugged left and right by the girls, hair ruffled by the boys, and welcomed with a bunch of 'It's great to have you home!' All the while, Paul barely lets you move a foot away from him as if he's afraid you're going to disappear. "Surprise, Mister Grumps! We couldn't bear to see you so miserable," laughs Kim.
He seems so happy he takes the teasing good-naturedly; he can't even deny anymore how cranky he was before you got here. Entranced by your presence, he lets the members joke while you move towards the fire. "How?" he simply asks.
"Pulled a couple of all-nighters to make it in time. I wouldn't miss tonight for the world."
He tries to admonish you for the sleep deprivation, but ultimately, nothing can make him mad at having you here within arm's reach after months away. Being back feels so right, like finally all the pieces of the puzzle are in place. You're glued to Paul, and although his presence is calming, you know he can feel the odd energy rippling from you in waves, as evidenced by the careful glances he keeps throwing you.
Clearing your throat to gather everyoneβs attention, all eyes turn to you. "I really wanted to be here tonight to celebrate the start of summer, but also because I wanted to tell you all in person the news. As you know, I'm coming up to the end of my degree and have to do an internship, where I will hopefully be able to work permanently if things go according to plan." You let the silence stretch, your eyes moving from one expecting face to the other. "I hope you guys are ready because the school has accepted my proposition. I'm coming back here until I get my degree."
There is complete stillness until you are once again swept off your feet by the whole group. They all cheer at the amazing news of your return, Emily and Kim the loudest of them all.
Paul seems in shock. This man who usually cannot keep his mouth shut to save his life sits completely motionless, eyes boring into yours with his mouth agape, again. "I think you broke him this time," teases Quil.
"Give him some time to digest the happy news," advises Sam with a reassuring hand on Paulβs shoulder.
Seth, oblivious as ever, cuts in, brandishing a gigantic bag of marshmallows. "Well, what are we waiting for? Letβs celebrate with S'mores!"
As your friends gather around the fire to prepare the snack, you feel big hands on your hips pulling you back. Paul twirls you to face him, his brown eyes shining with blinding happiness. "You're serious about this? This isn't some twisted dream?"
You kiss him softly. "Definitely not a dream."
Dark eyes open after a few seconds of blissful appreciation. "And you're sure this is really what you want? You're not just doing this for me?" His tone is unsure, and you could melt. You know how hard the long distance is on him, and still, he'd be ready to keep this up for your happiness.
"This is my home. Teaching here and helping my community has always been a dream of mine. I'm over the moon. Being able to be with you again is just the best bonus of all time."
A big breath leaves his lungs as he rests his forehead on yours in complete surrender. "I love you so much."
"I love you more, Lahote."
"Impossible," he growls.
"Very bold of you to assume that I donβt need you as much as you need me. Iβm extremely pathetic when it comes to you."
"Oh yeah?" A big smirk stretches his lips as he wraps his arms around your waist, more than ready to pull you in for what would most likely be a dizzying kiss.
However, your friends have other plans, and urge you to come eat the biggest S'mores you have ever seen in your life. You let yourself be pulled by the love of your life, knowing that youβre in for a lifetime of kisses with Paul Lahote anyway.
Your jaw was slack as you couldnβt stop staring. It was like a spell. Who wouldβve thought such simple gestures could captivate your attention.
But, it was just because it was Jacob.
You chewed slowly as you watch him dip piping hot cookies into a glass of milk without blowing the cookie to cool. The roof of your mouth was even burning just by looking at him.
βWhat?β
βWhat?β
βEat your cookie before I eat it.β he says.
You look down and realized it looks like you barely took a bite. You take a large one just for him.
You scrunched your face as it was hot but manageable, but still uncomfortable. You shouldβve blew on it first.
He chortles under his breath. You eye roll but your heart was full.
βSave the peanut butter for Paul.β Rachel says with confidence.
Paul doesnβt say anything as he already has chocolate chip in his hand that he already took a big bite of.
Rachel moves with her own and plops right next to him. He doesnβt budge. Their shoulders touch.
Billy had disappeared into the living room with Solomon to watch television while Rebecca was looking for something sheβd forgotten.
You comfortably sat beside Jacob, picking apart a chocolate chip cookie while Jacob somehow managed to eat his third.
βYouβre eating them too fast.β you quietly say to him with amusement.
βTheyβre cookies.β
βYou barely tasted it.β
βI absolutely tasted it.β
βYou inhaled it.β
Rachel laughed from across the table. You stifle a smile. Paul sat beside her, one arm resting along the back of her chair. His mood had improved enough that he almost looked normal again.
Rachel reached for another cookie.
She held up a cookie piece to his mouth. Paul sighed.
Across the table, Jacob immediately started laughing.
βOpen up baby Paul.β
βShut up.β Paul grits out.
You barely swallow your bubbled laughter as Jacob didnβt hide his laughter. He had contagious laughter. You both looked immature but itβs not like you both cared.
Rachel held the cookie toward Paul, βCome on.β
βNo.β
βPlease.β Rachel widened her eyes dramatically. Paul stared for another second, then sighed heavily through his nose.
βDo it.β Jacob says. Paul shot him a look. Jacob looked delighted. Rachel nudged his arm.
βPlease?β
Paulβs expression softened despite himself. After a moment, he leaned forward slightly. Rachel immediately fed him the cookie piece. Jacob started laughing. Rachel looked incredibly pleased with herself. Paul chewed slowly.
βHappy?β
βVery.β she smiled softly.
βYou act like Iβve never eaten before.β
Rachel laughed and leaned against his shoulder.
Beside you, Jacob nudged your shoulder lightly.
βYou want another cookie?β
You looked at the plate. There was one left. Jacob followed your gaze. Then immediately grabbed it.
You gasped.
βJacob!β
He took a huge bite, βToo slow.β
βYou are so....β you groaned.
Jacob grinned around the cookie, but despite yourself, you laughed again. He held the cookie out as an offering and you gladly take a bite off of him.
Paul stared down at his plate and didnβt say anything.
Rachelβs room smelled so her. You take the pajamas she offered.
βAt this point, just come in my room and wear whatever.β she sighed lazily as she took things with her so that she could go to Paulβs house.
βAre you sure you donβt mind?β
βYouβre getting special treatment donβt mess it up.β
You both chuckled at that.
βThanks.β
βYeah, anytime. See you tomorrow.β she gives you one last smile before she gives you a quick hug.
βYeah, see you.β you say as she excitedly heads to the living room to get to the front door.
The television in the living room had long since been turned off. Rebecca and Solomon had gone to bed and even Billyβs room was dark.
Only the soft sound of rain remained. You sat cross legged on Jacobβs bed, in the pajamas Rachel had loaned you. They were comfortable.
The lamp beside the bed cast a soft golden glow over the room. Jacob eventually stretched out beside you on top of the blankets.
You place a palm on his bare chest. He glanced at you.
βYouβre so hot.β
βThanks.β
You rolled your eyes, βYou are but thatβs not what I was talking about. You feel like you have a fever-β you scoot away with your hands up, βOh, god, Jake are you sick? I donβt want to get sick. I hate having a sore throat-β
Jacobβs gaze drifted briefly to your mouth before returning to your eyes which made you stop talking. He leaned in slowly enough that you knew exactly what was happening, giving you every chance to pull away if you wanted.
You didnβt.
The kiss started softly, just the light brush of his lips against yours. Your eyes fluttered closed almost immediately. You relaxed further without realizing it.
Jacob smiled faintly against your lips at that. The smile made you laugh softly, which only made him smile more. Your foreheads bumped lightly afterward, both of you grinning.
Jacob looked entirely too pleased by your reaction, then he kissed your cheek, followed by another near your temple.
When you both finally settled back against the pillows, Jacob immediately reached for your hand. Your fingers intertwined easily beneath the blanket.
Outside, the rain continued tapping against the windows. Inside, Jacobβs thumb lazily brushed over your knuckles.
Morning arrived far too quickly. At least according to Jacob. The room was still wrapped in soft gray light from the cloudy sky outside. Rain had stopped sometime during the night, leaving only the occasional drip from the trees outside the window.
You was curled beneath the blankets with your face half buried in a pillow. Jacob wasnβt much better. Somewhere during the night, heβd ended up close enough that neither of you had bothered moving away. His feverish and heavy arm was draped on your body and you felt safe.
The bedroom door suddenly opened. Rachel stepped inside. One look at the scene made her grin.
βOh, this is disgusting.β
Jacob groaned immediately without opening his eyes.
βGo. Away.β he spoke deeply in his sleepy voice.
βRise and shine.β she sing songed.
βNo.β
Rachel laughed. You sat up and you were still tired.
βWhat time is it?β you croaked out.
βTime to stop being lazy.β
Jacob made a sound that strongly suggested he disagreed with that statement.
βCome on. Dadβs ready.β
Jacob cracked one eye open, βFor what?β
βBoat maintenance.β
Jacob immediately sat up, βOh.β
Rachel looked smug, βFunny how that woke you up.β
Jacob frowned at her.
Meanwhile you were still trying to process being conscious. Rachel turned toward you.
βRebeccaβs already ready.β
You blinked, βReady for what?β
βThe movies. Duh.β
βOhβ¦Oh, yeah.β you blinked fully awake. Rachel immediately grabbed your hand.
βCome on.β
Before you could fully wake up, Rachel was already tugging you toward the hallway. You looked back helplessly and saw him staring at the sight with an amused look on his face.
Jacob simply grinned, βGood luck.β
βYouβre no help.β you say.
βLove you too.β
You almost froze at the simple words. Rachel made a fake gagging noise and dragged you away. Clothes covered half of her room already.
Rebecca was brushing her hair in Rachelβs mirror. She looked up immediately.
You laughed, βNow why are you guys ready before me?β
Rebecca pointed at Rachel, βSheβs been here for an hour.β
βI was excited.β she defended with a shrug.
βYou were bored.β
βSame thing.β Rachel immediately opened her closet, then started pulling things out. You watched nervously as you saw what outfit she was putting together.
βRachel.β you start.
βHm?β
βI donβt think this is going to work.β
Rachel looked confused, βWhy?β
You stared at the outfit you had just been handed.
βThat shirt is like tiny.β
Rachel looked offended, βItβs normal sized.β
βIt absolutely is not.β
Rebecca looked over. Then immediately started laughing. Rachel ignored both of you.
βYouβll look good.β
You wasnβt convinced.
The plum top slid over your head like water. It was soft, clingy fabric that hugged every curve and dip. The jeans came next and you had to wiggle to get them past your hips. When you finally buttoned them, the denim sat snug against your thighs and waist, outlining a shape you usually tried to downplay since your breakup.
βThis feels illegal.β you say.
Rebecca laughed from behind you, βYou look great.β
βI look uncomfortable.β you frowned.
βOh itβs okay. You just look like youβre not used to dressing like Rachel.β Rebecca chuckles.
Rachel gestured triumphantly at her body, βAnd yet I look a-maz-ing.β
You couldnβt even argue. Rachel always looked amazing. Even now. That wasnβt the issue. The issue was that lately you usually preferred oversized sweaters and looser clothes. This felt entirely outside your comfort zone.
You folded your arms, then immediately unfolded them, then folded them again. Rebecca finally stood.
βIf you don't stop that with the whole insecurity thing? It doesn't look good on you."
You sighed.
βYeah. You look good.β Rebecca says with a smile.
Rachel nodded immediately, βReally good.β
She circled you like a general inspecting troops, nodding approvingly.
Your shoulders relaxed. Rebecca laughed.
βJake's gonna go dumb.β
You widened your eyes and the shyness immediately came flooding back. Rachel immediately started laughing. Both sisters looked entirely too pleased with themselves.
You hated that Rachel was right. As soon as you watched Rachel and Rebecca argue with earrings would match with what they had on, your heart was pounding so hard, you felt like it was going to fall out of your chest.
You hated that you had to go through the living room to reach the front door. You took slow steps as you brushed your sweaty hands on the skin tight jeans.
The living room was quieter than the kitchen had been. The afternoon light slanted through the windows in golden rectangles, catching dust motes floating lazily in the air. Jacob was on the loveseat on his phone.
Paul was there too.
He was leaning against the wall near the front door, his arms crossed, his dark eyes fixed on nothing in particular until you walked in.
His gaze shifted, tracking yout movement across the room. You felt it like a physical weight, that slow, assessing sweep from your shoulders to your hips and back up again. His expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes.
You ignored him as your focus was on Jacob, who looked up from his phone and was now staring at you with an expression that made your stomach flip.
"Wow." he said.
"Rachel's clothes. She said they shrunk." you gestured to your outfit.
He shook his head, a grin spreading across his face.
"You look amazing."
The heat that had been lurking in your neck since you put on the outfit bloomed into a full body flush. You crossed to him, very aware of Paul's gaze still following you and leaned down to wrap your arms around Jacob's neck.
His hands tightened on your waist, pulling you closer. What had started as a simple goodbye hug shifted and deepened as his lips found the corner of your mouth. He pulled back and pressed his lips again. Then full on, his mouth moving against yours with an intensity that made your knees weaken.
You should have been shy especially since Paul was right there. Anyone could walk in. But Jacob's hands were sliding down to your hips, tugging you forward until you was practically sitting in his lap, and you couldn't help it, you melted into him.
"Jake-" you gasped against his mouth.
"Just one more." he murmured and kissed you again. His tongue traced the seam of your lips and you opened for him without thinking, your fingers curling into the nape of his neck. The kiss deepened, turned hungry, and you completely forgot about Paul.
From somewhere across the room, you heard a quiet exhale. Not a sigh exactly, but something sharper.
Jacob pulled back, his forehead resting against yours. His eyes were dark, his breathing uneven.
"I'm going to be thinking about that outfit all afternoon."
"Good." you said, surprising yourself.
His grin was crooked and warm.
"I'll tell you all about the boat maintenance when you get back. Every boring detail."
You laughed, the sound lighter than you expected.
"I'm sure it'll be riveting."
"Absolutely. You'll be on the edge of your seat." He pressed one last kiss to your forehead, then helped you stand. "Have fun. Don't let Rachel be too much of a bad influence."
"Too late," Rachel announced, appearing in the hallway. Her eyes swept over Jacob and yourself and she smirked. "Ready, Y/N?"
You nodded.
She then turned her attention to Paul.
She crossed the room with that purposeful stride of hers and Paul straightened slightly, almost imperceptibly, as she approached. When she reached him, she rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"See you." she said, her voice carrying that particular edge it always had around him.
"See you." Paul replied.
His voice was flat and neutral, but you saw his jaw tighten. You saw his hands flex at his sides, like he was holding something back. Rachel pulled away.
You shrugged on the jacket Rebecca handed you, a lightweight thing that smelled faintly of her floral detergent and glanced back at the room. Jacob was still on the loveseat, watching you with that warm, private smile. You shyly waved goodbye. Paul was still by the door, his expression unreadable.
Rachel claimed the passenger seat, leaving me in the back, and as soon as Rebecca pulled away from the house, she twisted the radio dial.
"No." Rebecca flicks Rachel's hand away.
Rachel scrunches her face, "What?"
"Driver picks the music."
Rachel groans. Rebecca found a pop station and within minutes, all three of you were belting along to a song you all apparently knew by heart.
The theater parking lot was half empty when you arrived, the early afternoon sun catching the glass doors and throwing prisms of light across the asphalt. You tumbled out of the car, still humming fragments of the last song, laughing at Rachel being funny by doing a bit of dance moves and made your way inside.
The lobby smelled like artificial butter and sweet popcorn, that particular movie theater scent that never changed no matter where you were. Rachel marched up to the ticket counter, purchasing three tickets while you and Rebecca waited.
"Concession stand. I need popcorn. The largest bucket they have." Rachel announced, pointing.
"Your funeral." Rebecca said mildly.
"And M&Ms. And maybe nachos. Do they have nachos?"
"Rachel."
"What? I'm like so hungry."
You ollowed them to the concession counter, your eyes scanning the menu board. When it was your turn, you ordered a medium popcorn and asked for an extra straw.
Rachel raised an eyebrow as she sipped on her slush.
"Why two?"
"You'll see." you just say.
You all collected your snacks and Rachel was already shoveling popcorn into her mouth and Rebecca was carefully arranging her small bag of chocolate covered raisins.
You took your extra straw and pushed it down through the top layer of popcorn until the tip touched the bottom of the bag. Then you lifted the butter pump from the condiment station, fitted it over the straw's opening, and pushed down.
The butter flowed down through the straw, dispersing evenly through the popcorn instead of pooling on top and leaving the bottom dry. A perfect distribution. You pulled out the greasy straw and tossed it in the trash, then shook the bucket gently to mix everything together.
Rachel was staring at you.
Rebecca was staring at you.
"What. Is this not a thing?" you asked.
"Why have I never seen anyone do that before?" Rachel breathed.
"I don't know. I've always done it. It's just... butter distribution." you shrugged.
"It's science," Rebecca said. She grabbed her own straw and reached for Rachel's popcorn bucket. "Give me that. I'm trying it."
"You have your own popcorn." Rachel frowned.
"But yours needs butter."
"It already has butter."
"Not evenly distributed butter."
Rachel watched, bemused, as Rebecca inserted the straw and pumped butter through it with the precision of a surgeon. When she was done, she pulled out the straw and offered the bucket back to Rachel. She ate some and her eyes lit up.
"Mmm. Try it."
Rachel took a handful of popcorn, chewed, and her eyes widened. "Every piece tastes the same. That's insane. That's revolutionary."
"I know." you said, grinning.
"Jake's is so lucky. You're practical and you make good cookies and you have butter distribution technology. He hit the jackpot." Rebecca said, shaking her head.
Your face heated with pleasure, but before you could respond, Rachel grabbed your arm and pointed toward the theater entrance.
"They're seating. Come on, I want good seats."
You all gathered your snacks and hurried into the darkness, the previews already flickering across the screen. Rachel claimed the perfect seats with ruthless efficiency, plopping down in the very back of the theater and immediately putting her feet up on the empty chair in front of her.
Rebecca settled in beside her and you took the seat on Rachel's other side. The theater was cool and dim, the previews loud enough to feel in your chest, and the popcorn in your lap was perfectly, evenly buttered.
"Hey. Thanks for coming." Rachel murmured, leaning close.
"Thanks for inviting me." you whispered with a smile.
She nodded, her sharp eyes softening in the flickering light.
"You're family now. Get used to it."
Rachel grinned, settling back into her seat. You smiled too, sinking into the plush theater chair, your borrowed clothes finally feeling less like a costume and more like something that belonged to you.
The television continued playing quietly in the background while everyone drifted into different conversations. Rebecca had claimed one end of the couch beside Solomon, who had his arm around her shoulders. They looked really comfortable. Billy sat comfortably in his wheelchair, and Jacob had practically folded you into his side without realizing heβd done it.
You sat tucked against him, your shoulder pressed lightly against his arm while his hand rested lazily along the back of the couch.
Billy looked up from the television first. βSo.β Billy grinned. βHow was the movie?β
Solomon perked up, βYeah, what did you guys go see?β
Rebecca immediately started laughing. Rachel started, βThere was this woman.β
βWhat woman?β Billy asked.
βThe main woman.β
βWhatβs her name?β Solomon asked.
Rachel froze. The room erupted into laughter.
βI donβt know!β she defended.
βYou donβt even know the main characterβs name?β Jacob asked.
Rebecca was laughing too hard to answer. You covered your face.
βIt sounds worse than it is.β you said.
βIt sounds exactly how it is.β Jacob said.
Solomon was openly grinning now. Jacob looked between all three of you, then rolled his eyes.
βYou didnβt watch the movie. What was the point of even going?β
βWe watched parts of it.β Rachel argued.
You laughed quietly.
βI bet you guys talked through half of it.β
Rebecca immediately started laughing again.
That answer alone confirmed everything. Billy groaned dramatically.
βMm, mm, mm. Wasted money.β Billy spoke.
βIt wasnβt wasted.β Rebecca protested.
βWe had fun.β you said.
βDoing what?β Jacob asked which made Solomon chuckle as he watched Rebecca as if she held the whole world in her hands.
Rebecca pointed at you immediately. βActually, Y/N improved our movie experience.β
You immediately looked sheepish. Jacob narrowed his eyes. βWhatβd she do?β
Rebecca sat up straighter. βShe taught us a popcorn hack.β
βIt was actually genius.β Rachel says as if she discovered light.
Jacob looked skeptical, βWhat popcorn hack?β
Rebecca grabbed an imaginary popcorn bucket, βShe took the straw from her drink and stabbed it all the way down into the popcorn.β Rebecca mimed pouring. βThen she poured the butter through the straw.β
βOhhh. It gets butter all the way through. Sweet.β Solomon smiles with a nod as he figured it out.
Billy looked genuinely impressed.
Jacob looked impressed too. βHuh.β
Rachel agreed. βItβs revolutionary.β
The room laughed. Everyone except Paul.
His gaze settled on you before he could stop himself. You felt it almost immediately. You looked up. Eyes met across the room.
Suddenly, you knew exactly what he was thinking too. The memory flashed through you instantly.
Paul complaining about uneven butter as you poured the melted butter on the top of the shared popcorn he bought. He proudly showed you the trick like heβd discovered fire.
You felt heat creep into your face as he gave you a look that showed, βDonβt forget where you learned it but Iβll let you take the credit.β
It felt strange realizing you still carried little habits from that period of your life. Paul didnβt look away. For a few seconds you two simply stared.
There was something uneasy about it because Paul knew things about you nobody else did. Not just the important things but just hundreds of little things.
What you sounded like when you laughed so hard you couldnβt breathe.
The songs you skipped every time they came on.
The tiny habits people only learn by loving someone for a long time.
You knew things about him too.
That history still existed.
Eventually you looked away first and the moment vanished. An entire history passing between you two without words.
Nobody else noticed.
The conversation had already moved on. Rachel stretched dramatically across the couch.
βAnyway. I bet boat maintenance was incredibly boring.β she looked over at Jacob.
Jacob immediately looked offended. βIt was not.β
βIt was maintenance.β
βIt was interesting maintenance.β
Rachel laughed, βListen to yourself.β
Jacob sat forward now, βThere are different types of engines.β
βOh my God..β Rachel said.
Billy chuckled. You smiled quietly.
βWhat?β Jacob asks you.
βNothing.β you stifle your smile. You shook your head, βI just think itβs cute.β
Jacob groaned, βCute?β
βYou sounded excited.β
βBecause I am.β
βSee? Cute.β
You closed his bedroom door behind you, leaning against it after you two decided to dip off while the others were still watching tv. Even though they were laughing and talking more than seeing what was on the television. He patted the bed beside him.
You crossed the small room, settling onto the mattress next to him. The sheets were still rumpled from the night before and the faint scent of him clung to the pillows. His arm slid around your shoulders, pulling you against his side.
"So, did you really have a good time? Or were you just being polite?" he asked, his thumb tracing lazy circles on your upper arm,
"I really had a good time. Rachel and Rebecca are... they're my favorite people. Your whole family is." You tilted your head to look up at him.
Jacob's eyebrows shot up.
"Your favorite people? What about me?"
"You're in a different category."
"A different category. What category is that?" His voice was mock offended, but his eyes were bright with amusement.
"The boyfriend category. It's separate."
"Separate and inferior, apparently."
"Separate and different. You know what I mean." You was smiling now, unable to help yourself.
"I don't know. I think I need convincing."
Before you could respond, he shifted fast, fluid, all that muscle moving with grace and suddenly he was hovering over you, his hands planted on either side of your shoulders, his face inches from yours. You could feel the heat radiating from his body like a furnace.
"Admit it. I'm your favorite." he said in a low rumble.
"You're my favorite boyfriend."
"Favorite boyfriend?"
"You win by default."
"Not person?"
"Mmmm..." you think in a playful way.
He made a sound of outrage, low and playful and dipped his head to nuzzle against your neck. His nose traced the curve of your jaw, his breath warm against your skin, and you felt a giggle bubble up from your chest before you could stop it.
"Jake-"
"Take it back."
"I can't-.." Another giggle escaped you as his lips brushed the sensitive spot below your ear. You squirmed beneath him, your hands coming up to push at his shoulders, but he was immovable and solid. "You're tickling me!"
"Admit I'm your favorite." His voice was muffled against your neck and you could feel him smiling.
"Never."
He shifted lower, his stubble grazing your collarbone, and you shrieked, a sound that was definitely too loud, you were sure the others heard you. You clapped your hand over your mouth, your shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
"Okay! Okay! You're my favorite! You're my absolute favorite person ever!"
Jacob pulled back, his expression one of pure, smug satisfaction. "That's what I thought."
You was still laughing, your chest heaving, your face sore from smiling. The plum colored top had ridden up slightly in your squirming, exposing a strip of bare stomach, and Jacob's gaze dropped to it. His expression shifted, the playfulness softening into something deeper, warmer.
Jacob, looking at you like you was the only thing in the world worth seeing. He leaned down and kissed you.
It started soft, a gentle press of lips, a question more than a demand. You answered by reaching up, your fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer. His mouth moved against yours, slow and sweet, and you felt your body relax into the mattress, the tension of the day melting away.
His hand found your bare arm, his palm warm and rough against your skin. He traced the line of your shoulder, the sensitive crease of your elbow. The touch was feather light, exploratory, like he was memorizing the texture of you.
"I was thinking about you," he murmured against my mouth. "The whole time you were gone."
"What were you thinking?"
His hand slid from your arm to your waist, his fingers curling around the curve of your hip.
"You. Walking out the door while I had to stay here and work on a boat."
"Poor you."
"Poor me," he agreed and kissed you again.
The kiss deepened. His tongue traced the seam of your lips, and you opened for him without hesitation, a small sound escaping your throat. His hand tightened on your hip, and you felt him shift above you, his weight settling more firmly against your body.
Your arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. The fabric of his shirt was soft under your fingers, and you could feel the heat of him through the thin cotton, could feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat, a little faster than usual.
His hands moved, sliding up from your waist, under the hem of your borrowed top. His fingers traced the curve of your spine, leaving trails of warmth in their wake, and you arched into his touch. The sensation was electric, skin on skin, his rough palms against the sensitive plane of your back.
He made a sound low in his throat, his lips left your mouth to trace a path along your jaw, down your neck. You tilted your head back, giving him access, and felt his teeth graze your pulse point.
The world narrowed to sensation. His mouth on your throat. His hands on your back. The solid weight of him above you, around you, everywhere.
He pulled back just enough to look at me. His eyes were dark, his breathing uneven.
He shifted, leaning back against the headboard, and pulled you with him. Before you could process the movement, you was straddling his lap, your knees bracketing his hips, your hands braced on his shoulders. The tight jeans Rachel had given you stretched taut across your thighs, and you could feel the heat of him through the denim.
His hands found your hips, fingers pressing into the curve of bone and muscle.
He pulled you closer, and you felt him, the hard line of his desire, through both your jeans. A very small gasp escaped your lips, and your hips rolled instinctively, seeking friction.
You both moved together in the dim light of his bedroom. His mouth found yours again, and your breathing mingled with shared air, shared heat, shared desire. His hands slid up your back again, under your shirt, and you shivered at the contrast between the cool air and his warm touch.
His mouth was hot on your neck, his hands were everywhere, and you was falling apart in his lap, your fingers clutching his shoulders, your breathing reduced to gasps.
Your foreheads pressed together, your breaths mingled. The world outside his room, the house, the family, the hundred complicated dynamics you was still learning to navigate, faded to nothing. There was only Jacob. Only his hands on your body. Only the pressure building in your core, coiling tighter and tighter with every roll of your hips.
Right there, balanced on the edge, his name a prayer on your lips, the door handle turned.
You moved before your brain caught up, off his lap, onto the mattress, your back against the headboard. Jacob shifted too, adjusting his position, running a hand through his cropped hair in what might have been a casual gesture if his breathing weren't still ragged.
Rachel's head appeared in the doorway.
"Hey, Y/N-" She stopped, her sharp eyes sweeping the room at your flushed face. At the careful distance between you two on the bed.
"Am I interrupting?" she smirked.
"No." Jacob said, too quickly.
"Yes." you said at the same time.
Rachel snorted. "Well, sorry to break up... whatever this is." She gestured vaguely at the two of you. "But you need to come pick your pajamas. Unless you plan on going to sleep in those jeans."
You slid off the bed, your legs unsteady beneath you.
"Coming." you said, your voice was almost normal.
Rachel was watching you with that knowing smirk, the one that said she'd pieced together exactly what she'd walked in on but she didn't comment, she just turned and headed down the hallway, expecting you to follow.
You glanced back at Jacob. He was still sitting against the headboard, his chest rising and falling with deep, measured breaths. His eyes met yours, something passed between you two, a promise, a question, a silent acknowledgment of what we'd almost finished.
You followed Rachel down the hall to her room, your heart still hammering against your ribs. The band posters curling at the edges. Rachel had pulled open a drawer and was rifling through it with the same aggressive energy she'd shown that morning.
"I have flannel pants or these shorts with the drawstring. Your choice."
"The shorts. Please."
She tossed them to you, then pulled out a faded t shirt. She threw it onto my pile.
You began peeling off the tight jeans. Your skin was still flushed, your breathing still uneven, and you was very aware of how close you've come to completely losing yourself in Jacob's lap.
"So, you two were having a moment."
"We were talking."
"Talking. Right. That's what we're calling it."
You pulled the borrowed t shirt over your head, the soft cotton settling around you. Rachel was sitting on her bed, her back against the headboard, her expression unreadable.
She shifted, pulling her knees up to her chest and you caught something in her expression, a flicker of sadness, there and gone.
"Hey. Are you going over to Paul's tonight?" you asked as you sat on the end of her bed. She was in her own pajamas.
Rachel's jaw tightened.
"No."
"Oh. How come? You always go home with Paul."
"He left." Her voice was flat, but you could hear the hurt underneath. "After you guys were back in the room. That's what made me get up to fetch you... He just got up and... left. Didn't say anything...I don't know what made him act weird like that."
You didn't know what to say.
"His loss." you said finally.
Rachel looked up at me. Her eyes were bright, too bright, like she was fighting back something she didn't want to name.
"Yeah," she said. "His loss."
The silence stretched between you two.
"Hey, you know what we can do?" you asked, your voice lighter.
"What?"
"Stay up all night. Watch more reality TV. There's got to be some garbage on at this hour."
Rachel stared at you for a moment, then, slowly, the corners of her mouth lifted.
"More housewives?"
"More housewives." you smiled.
"That's... actually not a terrible idea."
"I have those sometimes."
She laughed, a real laugh, not the bitter one.
"Fine."
She swung her legs off the bed and stood, but she paused before you two reached the hallway.
"Hey, Y/N?"
"Yeah?"
"When Rebecca goes home... will we still do this?" Her voice was quieter now, stripped of its usual sharp edge. "Will we still hang out? Like we are now?"
The question surprised you. Rachel had always seemed so confident, so sure of her place in the family, in the world. But standing there in the dim light of her childhood bedroom, she looked almost uncertain. Vulnerable.
"Of course. I love hanging out with you and you're so much fun to hang with and that doesn't change just because Rebecca goes home."
"You mean that?"
"I mean it. You're stuck with me now."
Something in her expression eased. The tension in her shoulders loosened.
"Okay. Good. Because I'd have to kill you if you were lying."
"I'm not lying." you laughed.
"Good." She pushed open the door, her sharp grin returning. "Now come on. I want to see what those housewives are screaming and crying about this time."
You followed her toward the living room, the soft flannel of your borrowed shorts brushing against your thighs. The house was quiet now, Rebecca and Solomon had apparently gone to bed, and Billy's door was closed. But the light was still on in Jacob's room, a warm glow spilling into the hallway.
You paused for just a moment, your hand resting on the doorframe. He was in there, waiting. Later, when the housewives had finished their screaming and Rachel had fallen asleep on the couch, you'd go back to him.
* Embry loves waking up before you because it means he can quietly enjoy listening to your heartbeat while you peacefully sleep
* He always wants to tell you about the latest comic book he read or the newest sci-fi show heβs obsessed with. Including you in his hobbies makes him happy because he knows you wonβt judge him.
* Embryβs usually quiet around groups of people but the second youβre alone he wonβt stop talking. Heβs loud and funny and animated, you bring out the light in his eyes and he canβt help but be excited when heβs with you.
* He knows you love him, but he gets jealous easily. When he sees another guy showing interest in you, heβll go quiet and watch the interaction. Heβs not the kind to blow up or get angry - heβs the type that gets stuck in his thoughts and worries he isnβt enough for you. Later heβll ask about it and try his best not to sound jealous when you know he is. Cuddles and kisses always make him feel better though.
* When the boys hound on him for being whipped over you, he just shrugs them off and blushes. They donβt see the way you hold him after a rough night of patrolling, or the way you kiss him until thereβs no breath left in his lungs.
* βYou guys donβt get itβ heβd say, drifting back to a daydream of your pretty lips
[iβve finished the last chapter of βhands of fateβ just want to do some finishing touches then itβll be out tmrw i swear x]
Warnings: MNDI!!!!!, no Bella au, Edward and Jacob are kinda friends, y/n is any mythical being youβd like, Edward has visited her before, smut, short, rushy, p in v.Β Β
Summary: If werewolves and vampires are gonna get along now, Edward might as well show Jacob to his favorite spot.Β
β What the hell?! One of your favorite places is an old tavern β Jacob frowned at Edward.
Edward smirked at him, walking into the bar β Oh, itβs older than old. It's been here way before us β
Jacob followed him in, scanning the tavern's possible exits and threats. Edward could hear Jacobβs rambling thoughts, making him laugh to himself.
β Relax Jacob, Itβs not an ambush. No one is gonna hurt you β
β Only if you say please β a female voice spoke.
Edward and Jacob looked forward, seeing you walk through your beaded curtain door. Your skin was flawless, you were sparkling more than Edward does in the sun. Your hair looked like it felt so soft and had a shine to it. You walked towards them, Edward meeting you first. Jacob just stared, he couldnβt get over how beautiful you were.
Edward took your hand and kissed it, you smiled at him.
β What brings you to town, Ed? β you smirked.Β
Edward chuckled, you always used every name but his actual one.Β
β You know itβs always for you β Edward said
You peaked around his shoulder, seeing Jacob and then moved past Edward. Jacob was weary of you, but you stepped toward him anyways.
β You brought me a wolf this time, very thoughtful. I was honestly getting tired of seeing your brothers β you said as you walked around Jacob, checking him out.
β Wellβ¦ actually weβre getting along now. So I thought Iβd show him to you β Edward says.
Jacob flicked his head to Edward, glaring at him a little. Edward didnβt have to read his thoughts to know what he was saying.
You noticed. β Speak for yourself Eddie. This one does not like you β
Jacob's head turned back to you. You came even closer, asking if you could feel his arms. He let you, wanting to one up Edward a bit. His biceps were nice and tough, just how you liked them. Jacob felt nervous, this much attention was never paid to him.Β
β Soβ¦ uhh.. What do you guys do? β he asked.
Edward shook his head, Jacob was so oblivious.Β
You looked up at him, now slipping your hands up his shirt. The feel of his rock hard abs, makes you wanna bite them.Β
You could sense Jacobβs nervousness, so you backed away.Β
He immediately missed your touch, it cooled his skin in the best way. You looked at Jacob, seeing a hungry look in his eyes. You peaked at Edward from over your shoulder and smirked at him.
β Whatβs your name kid? β you asked.
β Jacob, but I go by Jake β he said.
β Iβm gonna call you Jakey, come β you say, grabbing his hand and pulling him forward.
Jacob let you drag him, he watched your hips sway with your walk. Edward smiled to himself, following shortly after you two went past the beaded curtain.Β Β
You sat Jacob down onto your sofa, immediately sitting into his lap. He felt like he was in a dream, he had to be, no woman as fine as you would sit in his lap.Β
His hands went to your hips, but fell short, not wanting to make you uncomfortable. You place his hands on your hips, sliding them down to your ass.
β Oh we got a respectful one. Donβt worry Jakey I wonβt break β you say, your lips coming close to his face.
He gained a little confidence and lightly pressed his lips to yours. Your lips were so soft against his, he wanted to feel them again. So he did, bringing you back in for another kiss. You let him take his time, he was new after all, no rush. You could hear Edward in the background, he was just watching.Β
Jacob let your lips go, needing to breathe. You smiled at him, reassuring him.Β
Edward was behind you now, lips at the space in between your ear and shoulder. He gave you small kisses and your head fell back against him.Β
Jacob watched every bit of it, loving the small gasps you made. His clothed length grew below you, now poking through his jeans.
Edward slipped your shirt off and you leaned towards Jacob, capturing his lips.Β
He devoured yours, desire running his conscious decisions. His natural dominance turned you on more, your hips now grinding against his. Jacob moved down to your neck and your hands unbuckled his belt. You dipped your hand into his boxers, rubbing and stroking his member..Β
Your hands felt so good on his length, nothing compared to it. He couldn't concentrate, his body letting you do as you please.Β
β Do I make you hard, Jakey? β you ask, enjoying his sounds.
He nods, his face twisting in pleasure. You speed up out of nowhere and groans fall from his lips. He was so cute like this, hungry and desperate for your touch. You could watch this all day, everyday.
β Heβll be done for tonight if you keep going, y/n β Edward chimed in, seeing the way Jacobβs body reacts to your touch.
You ignored him and squeezed your hand a little more around Jakeβs length.
β oh fuckβ¦. ye- so good.. β Jacob moaned. β gonnaβ¦cum β
You instantly stop, his length twitching from the loss.Β
The wolf inside Jacob felt a little frustrated, it felt so good, but it knew you were gonna stop sometime.Β
You get up and undress, Edward taking the opportunity to have you to himself.
His hand roamed up your torso, the coldness of his touch lingering on your skin afterwards. Edward gave you a quick kiss, letting you get back to Jacob.
He was standing now, shirt off, you led him into your private bedroom, sitting down onto the mattress when your calves hit the bed frame.Β
Jacob was in full desire mood, instantly pushing you back fully onto the bed. You could hear a small growl escape his mouth as he claimed your lips. More slick pooled at your entrance, excited for the wolf.
Edward walked into the room, upon hearing a tearing noise. He saw Jacob all over you, both of your clothes ripped to shreds. He shook his head, how impatient
You let Jacob do as he pleases, getting lost in the feeling of him, the dominance, the claiming. His large body caged you in,Β your hands grabbing at his body, trying to keep up with him.
His fingers rubbed at your bud, getting you all wet and sloppy for him.
β Jake, slow down β Edward threw in his input.
Edward got a growl of a response from Jacob, but a worded one from his thoughts. The wolf insides wanted to devour you, eat you alive, it needed the feeling of your flesh, the feeling of your walls around it.
Jake's member was poking at your entrance now, his patience now running thin. He had a little control, him looking up to you for permission. You find his resistance endearing, though you wouldn't have cared if he just shoved it in.
β Come on Jakey, don't go shy on- Β β
He took in your answer and cut you off, the wolf inside shoving himself in.
You let out a loud grasp, the stretch giving you a big surprise.
Edward could hear the fast race of your heart and the rushing blood from the tear of your walls. He put his hand on his shoulder, halting his movements.
β You're hurting her Jake β
β She didn't say stop βΒ
Edward knew the desire was talking for him, but he couldn't let you get too hurt.Β
β Let her adjust, wait for her to give you the sign β
Edward let go of his shoulder and Jake waited, but you quickly recovered yourself, the torn bits and pieces healing themselves
β Don't lecture him too much, he's always gonna be impatient β you say.
β I'm fine now, Jakey g- β you didn't finish, Jacob had silenced you with fast thrusts.
Moans fell from your lips, your nails scratching at the skin of Jake's back. You could hear his heavy breathing, low growls came from his throat when he pulled out of your cunt slightly.
Edward watched with composed eyes, your sounds making his member grow in his pants. Deep inside he likes the way Jake was handling you, like a beast. The monster inside would love to ravish you, but he was afraid of it.
He was so lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed the shaking of the bed, until it made a loud bang.Β
One of the legs broke, the bed falling to the floor a little, but this did not stop Jake. He kept going, he just adjusted your position, flipping both of you over, you on top of him now.
The flip did more than just a position change, he was back to the shy, introverted boy you met earlier and you were gonna milk the hell out of this. Figuratively and Literally
You paid him back for earlier, immediately bouncing at a fast pace on him. He gripped your hips, a small groan spilling from him.Β
His length twitched inside you, signaling his release, his hands gripping tighter. You were close as well, but you could always hold it, Edward was definitely gonna draw a few climaxes out of you.
β I'mβ¦ I- β a strangled moan interrupted his words.
You pulled off of him, his cum shooting onto his stomach. You licked up his chest, taking up some of his seed as well and stopped at his lips, giving him a quick kiss.
You moved to the side and Jake laid back, spreading his limbs out, taking deep breaths. You were watching him, still amused by his 2 sides.
Edward was at your side now, looking over Jake's tired form.
β He's gonna be out for a while. He doesn't get much action β Edward pokes at Jacob's ego.
β Oh stop, Jakey here probably gets more than you have in 100 years β you joked.
Edward helped you up, guiding you back to the lounging area from earlier. He took his coat off and put it on the couch. His shoulders were relaxed and a playful vibe came from him.
Now it's time for the real fun, you said to yourself, smirking.
In that same second Edward zoomed you both to a wall, his lips taking yours.
He was quiet on the outside, but once you got in, he was an unstoppable machine on the inside.
You pushed him to another wall, bringing your lips back to his and raking your hands through his hair. His lips were like flower petals and you could feel the poke of his fangs on your tongue.
Edward hiked you up and zoomed to the front bar, setting you on the counter tops. You tore at his shirt, feeling at the skin underneath and wasted no time unbuckling his pants.
He pulled away, grabbing the drink next to you and laying you down on the bar. Ohhh belly button shot
The liquid was warm on your skin, making you feel fuzzy. Edward drank it up quickly, kissing up your chest. He put the drink down and pulled you up, centering you on the counter top.Β
He smirked at you, knowing damn well you were surprised by his recent actions. You rolled your eyes at him and pulled him back in for a kiss. He stripped his pants and boxers down, kicking them away from him.
You scooted closer to the edge, bringing your legs around his waist. One hand held one leg, the other held your back. You lined him up to your entrance, teasing yourself a little before guiding it in.
Edward's hand squeezed around your leg, his hips slowly pushing the rest in. You pressed at his lips again, moaning in-between them, your hands wrapped around his shoulders.
He stilled for a second after bottoming out, letting you adjust to him. You give him the greenlight early, needing to feel him. He pounds into you slowly, aiming to hit harder and deep instead of faster.
You both let out small moans, your hands repositioning, needing something to anchor on. Edward held onto the counter top and you pulled him closer, your chest meeting his, your arms fully around his shoulders, fingers grabbing at his back.
You hated his slow pace, but the hard hits were worth it. Every pound was like a hit of a joint, strong and addictive. Edwards lips moved to your neck, his fangs pricking at your skin. You pulled him down, encouraging him to take a bite, but you know he won't.
Your heart beat pounded in his ears, its rhyme like a baseline of a pop song. The faster your heart pumped, the more blood flooded through your system andΒ it called to the inner monster.
He'd give in a little, burying his nose into your neck and speeding up a little. Your release was upon you and you let go, your walls squeezing around him, making him hiss.Β
The pleasure egged the monster on, his length pulling you through your high, his hips speeding up. He was pounding into you relentlessly, his fingers tightening around the countertop, knuckles turning white.
His pace built the tension back up inside.
Edward flipped you around, your chest now touching the surface of the counter. His pace never stopped, the force of his hips pushing you forward into the countertop.
You had no control over your body, Edward filled every sense, every breath, every motion, nothing was yours anymore.Β
He hit a spongy spot inside, making you see blue and red streaks. You cried out his name, feeding the selfish desire inside more. His grip broke through the counter top, but he didnβt stop.
β hngm fuc- ohm you feel- hmn- β Edward groaned out loud.
More moans left your lips in response to him, but were quickly silenced by his bruising pace, the band snapping again. Edwards slowed down against you and pulled out, his climax hitting him as well. His cum shot up your back, a few strangled moans leaving his throat. It was rare that Edward let out any sounds, today was a treat for you. In more ways than one.
Edward cleaned you up, zooming you both to a bath he made up. You offered for him to join, to which he did as well as Jacob. It was steamy in the shower and not from the hot water. Round 2 was on you and you paid it in full, the nice relaxing shower turning into a hotspot for horny goers.Β
A few hours later you all settled down, grabbing a few drinks and talking. Edward and Jacob explained the agreement between the wolves and the vamps, which you assumed would be broken in a few decades because of a girl. They gave you a disappointed look, which further proved your point.
Sadly time flies when youβre having fun, making the boys head home for the evening.Β
β Donβt be strangers, boys! Especially you Jakey β you cooed at him.
Jake flushed a little and Edward shook his head. He walked up to you and gave you some money, even though he knew you of all people didnβt need it. You gave him a strange look.
β Itβs for the counter top and the bed. Till we meet again, darling β
Edward was truly a sweet heart and you loved him for it. So you took the money, stashing it away in your pockets. You then gave Edward a hug and they were off, disappearing in a blink of an eye.
Every time I get sick I revert back to loving twilight and I'm on my period and it's doing it againπ
Seriously, same.
My period sucks so hard and I always need things that comfort me...the hours I've spent in bed, suffering though cramps and listening to the soundtracks endlessly, oh my god. Imagining the wolves being cuddly and comforting helps too.
So here are some random period thoughts for the pack:
π€As a weird affect of imprinting, all of the wolves get super concerned for their partners during their periods. So, as a rule, that's time off for that particular wolf.
π€Sam is the guy that keeps period products/your favorite snacks at his place and, if he doesn't have them, then he's going to go out and get them. No matter the time, weather, or whatever, he's there for you, Sam's a problem solver sort of guy. He likes to help by doing something, making himself useful, but cuddling, you remind him, is doing something...so he makes sure to do that too.
π€Jacob is the most casual about it. He has sisters after all so he knows all about that stuff and isn't at all uncomfortable with period talk. It's just a part of life, you know? So he makes sure you have whatever you need, lends you one of his tee shirts, and just holds you for a while. He'll put on your favorite music and just chill with you until you feel better.
π€Jared is all about cuddling. He doesn't really know what to do at first and, when it doubt, he holds you close and keeps you safe and sound in his arms. That's the perfect place for you anyway, you fit perfectly! In time, he'll figure out the other stuff too but cuddles is still his go to move (and if he can't be there, he gives you this giant teddy bear that smells just like him as a back up).
π€Paul is awkward about it but he's trying not to be. In his defense, he grew up with a single dad and didn't have a lot of female friends, he's late to the game and figuring stuff out. He had some misconceptions at first. In the beginning, he thinks that getting you supplies and food and leaving you alone is good enough. But when you remind him that menstruation is not contagious and you like his company, especially when you're blue, Paul kind of kicks himself for being so awkward about it and cuts it out.
π€Seth is super cool about it. Much like Jacob, he gets it, he's got a sister and everything. There's period products in the house, of course, but he also keeps some in his backpack in case you need it. He's actually very good at picking up on your feelings/noticing you acting off before you even notice it, but that's just Seth being super empathic. He'll bake you something with one of his mother's recipes, whatever you want,
π€Quil brings food and fun. He's got all your favorites in all of the flavors, salty/sweet/savory, whatever you want, baby, he's got it for you. The first couple of times, he's little over concerned about it (and that can be cute to witness), this isn't a super familiar situation to him. But he'll calm down quickly enough and figure out how best to be there for you.
π€Embry is gentle and sweet. He makes up the bed with your favorite stuffed animals, puts on your comfort shows/movies and just chills with you, sharing snacks and making you laugh when you didn't even want to smile. His calm energy is very comforting in times like this, Embry is just a naturally soothing sort of guy.
π€Leah gets it. She's been there and she'll be there for you. Has a little care kit, both at her place and in her car, just in case of an emergency. Your favorite snacks are on hand, your favorite comfort shows and movies are ready to go, you can borrow her clothes and cuddle in bed together, holding the teddy bear she got you (his name is Frost, for the poet) and just soaking in her warmth.
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jacob black who never expected to imprint after bella's wedding
After leaving the reception with his heart in pieces, the last thing Jacob expects is for his entire world to stop all over again. He'd spent so long believing Bella was the center of it, convincing himself that if he couldn't have her, then maybe he simply wasn't meant to have anyone. Then he sees you, standing on the edge of the crowd with the brightest laugh he's heard all day, talking animatedly with a group of people as though the room itself revolves around your energy.
At first, he doesn't understand what's happening. One second he's consumed by heartbreak, convinced he's finally reached the end of something he'd been chasing for years. The next, every painful thought simply... falls away. Not because it never mattered, but because suddenly there's someone else standing in front of him. Someone whose smile somehow feels brighter than every miserable thought he'd been carrying all afternoon.
You're completely different from everything he expected. You're the kind of person who introduces yourself before he even has the chance, offering your hand with an easy smile and asking if he's alright because he looks like he could use someone to make him laugh. You don't know the storm that's been raging inside his head all day. You just see someone standing alone and decide they're worth talking to.
He can't stop watching you after that. You laugh with your whole body, tell stories with animated gestures, make friends with strangers in the span of minutes, and somehow convince everyone around you to join whatever ridiculous idea you've come up with next. Being around you feels like standing in the sun after weeks of rain.
The thing that surprises him most is that you never try to fix him. You don't pretend his sadness doesn't exist or force him to move on before he's ready. Instead, you simply make room for happiness beside it. If he wants to talk, you listen. If he doesn't, you never push. You'll chatter happily enough for the both of you until he eventually catches himself smiling without even realizing it.
Before long, he finds himself laughing more during those first few weeks than he has in months. You'll drag him to the beach just because the weather's nice, convince him to race you down the shoreline even though you know you'll lose, challenge him to stupid games just to hear him complain, and celebrate every tiny victory like it's the greatest thing that's ever happened. Somewhere along the way, he forgets what it felt like to carry heartbreak everywhere he went.
You slip into his life so naturally that it's almost frightening. Billy adores you almost immediately, always happy when you stop by the garage just to keep him company while Jacob works. The pack grows used to your voice mixing with theirs around bonfires and gatherings until it feels strange whenever you're missing. Somehow, without trying, you become part of all the places Jacob already considered home.
He falls in love with the ordinary moments more than anything else. Lazy afternoons spent working on motorcycles while you sit nearby rambling about your day. Grocery trips that somehow turn into competitions over who can finish the shopping list first. Evenings where you're dancing around the kitchen while making dinner because you refuse to cook in silence. They're simple moments, but they're yours, and that's enough.
Somewhere between your spontaneous road trips, your contagious laughter, and the way you somehow make every ordinary day feel exciting, Jacob realizes he hasn't thought about the future he imagined with Bella in a very long time. Not because he forced himself to forget, but because he's finally too busy living the future that's actually waiting for him.
He never gets tired of how openly affectionate you are. You'll throw your arms around him just because you're happy to see him, grab his hand in the middle of conversations without thinking, and proudly introduce him as your boyfriend before he even has the chance to say hello. Every little gesture reminds him what it feels like to be chosen without hesitation, loved without uncertainty, and wanted without conditions.
Together, you build a life one ordinary day at a time. It isn't made up of dramatic declarations or impossible promises. It's built through shared breakfasts, inside jokes, late-night drives, quiet mornings, family dinners, and all the little routines that slowly become the foundation of a home. One day he catches himself watching you dance barefoot across the living room while music plays through the house, and it hits him just how far he's come.
He once believed the end of Bella's story would also be the end of his own. Instead, it became the beginning of yours. And when he looks at youβlaughing too loudly, talking with your hands, already planning your next adventure togetherβhe can't help but smile to himself.
Because somehow, life had been quietly leading him toward you all along.
And for the first time in a very long time...
He wouldn't change a single step that brought him here.
Embry and Quil do a lot of things together so it kind of makes sense that they fell for the same person.Β
Their whole lives were spent together attached at the hip with Jacob occasionally adding a third shadow to theirs, and more frequently once they got to high school.
They got their licenses within months of each other, sharing the responsibility of getting to school on time once they saved up enough money to get a car they could share between them. They did homework together, citing their inability to focus without each otherβs presence. They went through all of high school's highs and lows together, never once wavering in their loyalty to each other. Until Embry shifted, Jacob following shortly afterwards.Β
Quil, all alone, started to fail his classes and spent most of his free time in his room listening to the mix tapes that he and Embry spent an entire summer curating together. It was in this period of loneliness that Quil realized that he was probably in love with Embry; the hurt ran too deep for the feelings to stem from just friendship alone, no matter how close they were.Β
When Quil phased for the first time he was all alone. Sam came to him the next day and explained everything.
Quil joined the pack. He had Embry again. But it was different now. Quil was different now. They both were.Β
No longer were they two scrawny boys sitting in Quil's room on the carpeted floor trying to figure out the computer software to put music on those damn CDs. Neither of them knew how to talk to each other anymore.
When Embry imprinted, Quil thought his heart was actually breaking into a thousand tiny pieces. He just looked so happy, joy palpable, eyes sparkling, million dollar grin on his lips. Quil thought he never looked more beautiful.Β
When Embry brought you around for a bonfire, Quil was resolute in his decision to hate everything you stood for. Everything you stood in the way of.Β
But then his eyes met yours. You were smiling. Itβs the prettiest smile heβs ever seen (and he grew up with Embry), and your perfume was the sweetest heβs ever smelled.
Embry realized Quil had imprinted before he did.Β
He put his hand on the small of your back and guided you towards Quil, slow enough to make him panic thinking he was going to lose his best friend again. But Embry is smiling at him the way he used to when they were younger and it suddenly struck Quil that this was still his Embry. Those are his Embryβs eyes and they're shining for him now in the firelight. Heβs still as beautiful as heβs always been.
Then Embry is introducing you, and the rest of the night is spent with you sat between them like this was always how it was meant to be.
