A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Glad you all enjoyed it!
Again, I do not own the Twilight Series in any way.
Thank god for Emily always leaving some spare shorts out in the edges of the woods by her house, I really did not feel like trotting inside naked right now. I pulled up the mesh shorts, tying them since they were a little big and meant to fit Sam. When I reached the front door I found myself hesitating a little bit. No, this was beyond stupid. I pulled it open and walked in.
I casted my eyes around not letting my muscles relax until I found her sitting at the table. She didn't look too afraid now, shook up sure. The others must of talked to her.
Embry turned to me with a huge smirk apparent on his face. I narrowed my eyes at him. If he wanted to keep his head attached to the rest of his body he'd quit with the taunting. Right now.
I turned my head when I heard someone clear their throat. I gave Emily a nod sucking in a deep breath.
Bella locked eyes with me for a moment, then turned down with her cheeks changing color into a shade of pink. I wonder if she even felt what had happened. Did she feel anything? It'd be fucking cruel if she didn't. What did I ever do in my life to deserve this...this torture?
"Muffins are ready," Emily said cheerfully. I watched as she set a huge plate stacked full in the middle of the table. "Bella help yourself."
Bella nodded, absently reaching for a muffin and nibbling at it like a bird. I took a seat next to her. "Where's Jake?" her tiny voice asked, looking up to the others and then resting her eyes on me accusingly.
That should not have hurt to hear her asking about him, that should not sting right now. And above all I should not be getting pissed about it. But I couldn't, she was sitting inches away from me and I couldn't hurt her. My insides winced at what that would feel like if I did. It would fucking kill me. I shook my head quickly, knowing all but a few seconds had passed. "He's fine." Dammit, the words came out a lot harsher than I thought. "Sam is with him, he's fine," I amended trying to make my voice soft.
She tried to glare at me, at least that's what it looked like. I couldn't help but smirk. Her face softened and she looked back down at her muffin, taking more nibbles out of it.
"Do you want something to drink?" I offered, not really knowing what to say. I didn't want to leave. I was glued next to her and didn't want to be apart from her, so any excuse to stick around right now would work. Would I really have to tell about what I did?
Her eyes locked onto mine and if I could possibly melt into a little puddle it would of happened then and there. When she gave a little nod I couldn't jump up fast enough and dart into the kitchen area. Emily gave me an odd look, and guessing by the look I felt on my face she instantly understood. She gave me a smile and reached over to pat my shoulder as if to say it was going to be alright. I didn't say anything, just got a soda out of the fridge and went back to the table. "Here," I muttered as I slid it to her.
Somehow, and only Bella could do this, she nearly tumbled out of her chair by just reaching her arm across the table. I cursed to myself as I jumped up to grab a hold of her before she could hit the ground. "Watch what the hell you're doing." My voice was meant to be harsh, but it was coming out soft. There really was something wrong with me.
"I..Sorry," she looked down again. I sighed letting go of her arm I was still hanging onto. Her skin was so soft against mine, it felt...nice actually. No stop that!
I opened the soda for her, not wanting her to cut herself or something on the tab if that were even possible, but right now I was sure anything was possible.
When I looked up and saw Embry and Jared giving me amused expressions, I figured I might as well talk to her at least. It wasn't their place to tell her anything but who knew with them. I glared at them, daring them to say anything. They quickly looked back down at their muffins, taking huge bites out of them.
Clearing my throat I looked down at her. "Bella when you're done will you...go for a walk with me? I want to...talk to you," it was hard getting the words out without clenching my teeth together and shutting up. Somehow the feeling of rejection was the one thing I feared the most. What would she say once I told her? Surely if she did reject me it would be for the best. I was just a wolf with a temper, I shouldn't mean anything to her.
Which brought me to my next conclusion. This imprint thing was some sort of punishment. I scrunched up my face.
"Su..sure." Bella finally stammered out, bringing me back to reality.
I nodded, sitting back at the table beside her and devouring my share of the muffins in front of me. You had to be quick around here or everyone else would gobble everything up, and I sure as hell couldn't cook. I could burn instant mac & cheese in the microwave, I really shouldn't even be allowed in a kitchen.
When she finished I stood up, offering my hand to help her up. She took my hand after looking at it for a few seconds and I pulled her up gently. I lead her outside in silence and off the porch.
"Whats going on?" She finally broke the silence and asked in a quiet voice. If I was in my wolf form my ears would of lowered and tail would of went between my legs hearing how...scared was it? she was.
I still hadn't let go of her arm but I was careful on how hard I was holding onto it. A first, having to make sure my grip was soft. I would of snorted at the thought in any other circumstance.
"Do you know why we exist?" I asked, keeping my voice cool. "Us werewolves, I mean."
I snuck a quick glance down at her, hiding a smile as I looked back ahead of us. I wasn't really heading anywhere particular with her, just walking away from the house. Like I could explain all of this crap to her with Jared and Embry snickering in the background. They were both shitheads in my mind at the moment.
"Jake told me once..the legends...the cold ones, it's kind of how I figured this out," she admitted softly.
I ground my teeth together. "Yes, they're why we exist. To destroy them. They're our only enemy." My voice went flat as I explained. She gasped and I looked down at her. "Oh don't worry, your precious bloodsucking Cullens are safe," I all but spat.
I could see what the name did to her instantly. She froze and seemed like she couldn't breathe. Dammit, now what the hell did I do? I looked down at her frantically, remembering the memory from Sams mind of her being found. How lost she looked. How broken she seemed. I gulped back, stepping away from her shaking with fury.
"Bella, fucking stop! Why do you care? Look what the hell they did to you!" I yelled at her, pointing at her accusingly. How could anyone hurt her like this? It made me livid, and I imagined myself killing every single one of those filthy bloodsuckers my own self.
She looked up at me with tears threatening to leave from her eyes and trail down that beautiful face and my fury was forgotten. I instantly stepped forward and embraced her to my bare chest with my arms. I held her tightly. "No one will ever hurt you again," I murmured down to her. It broke my heart to see her cry, to hear her choke on her sob then gasp for air into my chest. I rubbed over her back slowly, squeezing my own eyes shut. "Please don't cry Bella," I pleaded in a whisper. This hurt way too much, more than I ever could imagine.
This, this right here, was way more than I ever bargained for.