Chapter 10
Kim's point of view
Ten minutes later I ask where we're going.
"We're almost there, just a few more steps," he says. I hear the ocean near by and next thing I know we're at the beach.
"I thought we could walk along the beach and look at the stars," he says and I smile.
"Sounds perfect," I say and he smiles. We walk along the beach and I take a deep breath-taking in the sea salt air and Jared's forestry smell. I sigh in content and close my eyes listening to the owl's hoot, waves crash onto the shore, and wind whispering in the air. I feel the salty wind on my face and smile. I open my eyes and see that Jared's staring at me. I smile at him and look up at the stars.
"They're beautiful aren't they?" I ask.
"Beautiful," he says still staring at me. I blush and he looks up at the stars.
"My mother used to tell me that when someone dies a new star forms in the sky for that person," I say.
"That's cool," he says.
"Ya," I say.
"My mother says that if you ever get lost follow the stars and they'll lead you where you need to go," he says.
"That's sweet," I say.
"Ya," he says. I lay down on the sand and look up to the stars. Jared does the same thing and our arms touch lightly. I smile and look over to him. He's already looking over at me and smiles.
"This is really great Jared, thanks," I say.
"Well I had to do something to make it up to you," he says.
"I understand Jared, trust me," I say.
"My work takes up a lot of my time and I could be called to work at anytime," he says.
"Jared I understand I really do, I work like that too," I say.
"Really, what do you do?" he asks. Busted!
"Um I work with animals," I say.
"What kind of animals?" he asks.
"Um wild ones," I say.
"Isn't that dangerous?" he asks concerned.
"It could be but I'm an expert so I'm okay," I say.
"Do you like it?" he asks.
"Ya, it's nice," I say.
"What type of wild animals do you work with?" he asks.
"Wolves," I say and his eyes widen.
"Wolves?" he asks.
"Ya you know like bigger sized dogs," I say.
"Oh ya just a little bigger than dogs," he says.
"Yep," I say.
"It's getting late, I should take you home," he says and I frown. Why does he have to be such a gentlemen? I want to stay here with him longer!
"Okay," I say and he helps me up. We start walking and I take his hand in mine. I look to him and he grins at me. We walk in silence until we get to my house.
"What are you doing Monday?" he asks. Winter break just started and I have no plans beside Christmas.
"Um nothing that I know of," I say.
"Would you mind going out with me that night?" he asks.
"I'd love it," I say and he smiles.
"Okay I'll see you Monday," he says.
"Monday," I say. I look up to him and he looks down at me. We get lost in each others eyes and don't notice we're leaning in until we're inches apart. Then it happens, Jared and I kiss! I've been waiting for this forever! His lips are soft and warm against mine and feel so good. I wrap my arms around his neck and he places his hands on my hips and pulls me closer. He pulls back and I look up at him. He's grinning and I smile.
"Goodnight," I say.
"Goodnight Kim," he says and pecks me once more. I let go of him and climb up the side of the house into my room. I smile down at a shocked Jared and he waves. He leaves and I shut my window and lock it.
"Kim are you back?" Katherine asks coming into my room.
"Ya just got back," I say smiling.
"Did you have a good walk?" she asks.
"The best," I say and fall onto my bed.
"What's got you so happy?" she asks.
"Nothing," I say.
"Ya right," she says but doesn't ask and leaves the room. I take my shoes off, turn off my light and get under my covers. I cuddle into my bed and slowly fall into a peaceful dream of Jared and his lips.
When I wake up I have a smile on my lips. I get up and stretch for a minute before I write a note telling Josh and Katherine reminding them I'm on patrol. I put it on their bedside table in their room and then run out the back door to the forest. I take off my clothes and phase into my wolf. I sigh as I feel the dirt under my paws.
"Someone's happy this morning," Jared comments.
"Ya I had a good night," I say smiling.
"Me too," he says.
"I'm sorry you missed your date," I say.
"It's okay I made it up to Kim," he says.
"Oh, how?" I ask.
"We walked on the beach and looked at the stars," he says.
"Anything else?" I ask.
"Nope," he says. I can tell he's trying not to think of the kiss.
"Well I got to go but happy patrolling," he says and phases back. I'm glad Jared had a good time. I hope Embry is doing okay, he was pretty freaked out yesterday. The thing is though, how did he phase? Only people from the Ateara, Black and Uley blood lines can phase. My family are descendents from the Uley line, I'm Sam's third cousin or something like that. So Embry's either Jake, Quil, or Sam's half brother. I don't think Billy would cheat on his wife so he's out. That leaves dead Quil Ateara IV or Joshua Uley, the terrible father. I bet Joshua is Embry's dad, I can see the resemblance between Sam and Embry. I wonder if Tiffany, Embry's mother, knew that Joshua had a family or not? Hmm it's a mystery that may never be found out.
It's nine thirty when I finish patrolling. I phase back and head inside for breakfast.
"Morning Kim, anything happen on patrol?" Josh asks as I sit down.
"Morning and nope," I say.
"I've been meaning to ask you where did you go for your walk?" Katherine asks placing a plate of food in front of me.
"The beach," I say and take a bite.
"Anything happen, you were so happy when you came back?" she asks and I shake my head no. Just the best thing that's ever happened to me! She looks curious but doesn't say anything else.
"Do you want to go Christmas shopping this week?" she asks.
"Sure, what day?" I ask.
"How about Monday," she suggests.
"Can't, busy," I say.
"You only have patrol in the morning and in the afternoon that day," she says.
"I have other plans," I say.
"Like what?" she asks.
"Jared and I are going out," I say and she smiles.
"I knew you were too happy!" she says. That was part of it, but mainly it was the kiss.
"Okay then how about Friday?" she asks.
"Sounds like a plan," I say.
"Can I help you with your outfit again?" she asks.
"Of course," I say and she smiles.
"I wonder how you're going to react when Avery starts to date," I say and Josh chokes on his coffee.
"That's not for another twenty years," he says and I roll my eyes,
"You can only control her until she's eighteen," I say.
"Not if I can help it," he says and I chuckle and Katherine shakes her head.
"Speaking of which I still need to speak with Jared," he says and I sigh.
"Fine," I say and finish eating.
After breakfast I take a shower and change into sweats, a tank top, and slippers. I check my phone and see that I have twenty messages from Carlie. I quickly call her to see if it's something important.
"Carlie, what's wrong, why did you call me so many times?" I ask worried.
"Nothing's wrong Kim, I just wanted to know about your date with Jared," she says.
"Oh it went great," I say smiling.
"Where'd he take you and did he like your outfit?" she asks.
"Um we went for a walk to the beach and he didn't say anything about my outfit," I say.
"WHAT!" she yells and I hold the phone away from my super ears.
"Ow!" I say.
"Sorry, but how did he not say he liked it?" she asks.
"Maybe because I was in black soccer shorts, a blue tank top, black converse, and a gray sweater," I say.
"What!" she yells.
"Um the clothes I had on sorta got ruined," I say.
"How?" she asks.
"Avery spilled her food on me," I lie.
"Why didn't you at least put something nice on?" she asks.
"Because he got caught up at work and I didn't think he was going to come," I say.
"He stood you up!" she yells.
"No, he came after work and we had a very nice time," I say.
"What'd you do" she asks and I go quiet.
"KIM!" she yells.
"We looked at the stars, and may have kissed," I say lowly so Katherine and Josh won't hear.
"OMG!" she yells.
"You really have to stop doing that, I'm starting to lose my hearing," I say.
"I can't believe you and Jared kissed, how was it?" she asks.
"Wonderful!" I say dreamily thinking of how his lips felt.
"I told you this was a good idea," she says and I roll my eyes.
"Whatever, hey I got to go I have to do homework," I say.
"It's break!" she exclaims.
"I want to get it done so for the rest of break I can have fun," I explain.
"Okay good girl, talk with ya later," she says.
"Bye Carlie," I say and hang up. I grab my homework and start it but can't help but think of Jared.