Chapter 2: Proximity
Jared watched Bella move around the kitchen as he sat at the kitchen table. His eyes followed her every move. His wolf was antsy, clawing to be let out. Bella sighed for the fifth time in two minutes and his eyes immediately settled on her, his ears listening for anything out of the ordinary. "Isabella?" The name slipped from his lips and Bella froze. Nobody called her by her full name. Ever. Her heart started beating fast and her breathing started to speed up as today's events caught up to her. Edward watching her at school, the strange call she received from Old Quil...something felt off with that man and Jared was sitting in her kitchen. She wanted to know what this feeling was and it was overwhelming her.
Feeling his mate's oncoming panic attack, he stood swiftly and in two strides he had her in his arms. "Hey, it's alright. What's wrong?" Bella looked up at him, her eyes held confusion. She could make out the small yellow ring around the dark brown. It was enchanting. Jared turned her around so she could face him. "What is this between us? This electricity? I know we haven't really been around each other and everywhere I look, I see you. I look for you and it's not normal. I-What is this?"
Letting his hands slide from her shoulder's down to her waist, he pulled her close. "One thing we've never told you about the legends is that wolves have a thing called imprinting. It's when a wolf finds his soul mate. It doesn't mean that it has to be romantic, but it pushes the wolf into the right direction of the one he needs to be with. Who will complete him and vise versa." Jared's thumbs caressed the side of her hips gently waiting for her to understand. Bella pursed her lips and a million things crossed her mind.
Noticing that her silence went on for a little longer than he thought, he grasped her hips and sat her on the counter. His warm hands cupped her face as he looked into her eyes. "Hey..don't freak out on me here." Bella shook her head trying to clear it. "So, I'm your imprint?" Jared nodded and stroked her face. He always had to be touching her. "We don't have to rush Bella. Our relationship doesn't have to go fast. Understand that I can never be with anybody else but you, never love anyone else but you. I'd die for you Bella." His admission had tears shining in Bella's eyes. It was a bit overwhelming and Bella wanted to take it slow with him. If they really are soulmates she wants to get to know him more. Another thing crossed Bella's mind. "But I'm not Quileute."
Jared's lip curled into a snarl as he growled. Bella gasped slightly as the yellow ring expanded until that's all she saw. His hot hand grasped her chin. Their eyes met and Bella felt like she was looking into not only his soul but his wolf as well. ''Who told you that?" He growled deep in his chest. Bella frowned. "Old Quil. He called earlier today rambling on about the wolves and legends and I just assumed as he said to be apart of the pack the heritage had to matter." Jared stepped away growling. His wolf was ready to tear something apart. The old man wanted to play games with his imprint.
Bella hopped down but kept her distance. "Jared?" He kept pacing as if he didn't heat her. She tried again. "Jared? Hey, if me being not apart of your culture is an issue..I don't..we.." Bella couldn't finish that sentence as throat closed up. She couldn't even say the words. "Don't have to be together." It came out rushed and her heart immediately flared in pain. That caught his attention as he was in front of her in seconds pushing her against the wall gently. His yellow eyes burned into hers as he shook just a little. "Don't you dare say that. That has nothing to do with you being my imprint. He should have never said that to you in the first place. You are mine and I dare anyone to try telling you otherwise." His wolf was out and ready to play.
He pulled Bella close to him and kissed her deeply. He licked her lip and she gasped. He used that as an invitation as their tongues battled. Her hands weaved into his short hair and she could feel his fingertips digging into her skin and she loved it. He trailed his lips down her jaw and neck. Her little moan brought him back to reality just a little. He stepped back while moving a strand of hair out of Bella's face. "I'll have a few words with Old Quil. Don't worry about it. Go back to making your sandwiches." Bella blushed and nodded. She was getting hungry anyway. Jared sat back down watching his imprint once more. He licked his lips tasting the sweet taste that was Bella Swan. His fist was clenched under the table. Jared wasn't happy..not one bit. His imprint with Bella was trying to be broken by an old geezer that believed too much in morals and stuck in time.