Chapter 22
Kim's point of view
It's been a week since Jared's birthday and I've been trying to get the courage to tell him my secret. I've decided today's the day to tell him. I asked him to meet me at the beach in ten minutes. I keep telling myself that he's not going to react badly. But what if he does? What if he hates me? What if he never wants to see me again? I can't handle that! But he won't say those things, I know he won't, hopefully.
When I arrive at the beach Jared's not here yet. I walk onto the beach and look out to the strong and rough ocean. I start to play out the way I'm going to tell Jared my secret. I get so lost in thought that I don't notice the time go by. Something covers my eyes and I gasp jumping away in a defense position.
"Easy tiger it's just me," Jared says and I sigh in relief.
"You scared me," I say.
"Sorry," he says and I enter his awaiting arms.
"What did you ask me here for?" he asks rubbing my arms.
"I um have something I have to tell you, something important," I say pulling away and looking into his eyes.
"What is it?" he asks a little worried.
"Well you see I've been trying to tell you this for a while but haven't had the courage to tell you," I say.
"Kim what is it?" Jared asks.
"You see I..." I start but a howl interrupts me.
"That's Sam, I have to go but please head home or go to Emily's," he says and starts to run to the forest.
"Jared wait!" I yell.
"Kim I have to go," he says as we enter the forest.
"I have to tell you," I say.
"It can wait now go," he says and pulls off his shirt.
"Jared," I yell and he looks back at me. A smell hits my nose and it burns. I start to shake and then phase. Jared's eyes widen as he watches me change from girl to wolf.
"The red headed leech is here!" Paul yells. I then catch a glimpse of red but it's too late. The leech tackles me to the ground and I struggle against her grip.
"KIM!" Jared yells and phases. He manages to get the leech off of me but she ends up on him. When I get up I hear a scream and feel pain serge through my heart and mind. I look to Jared and see that he's laying on the ground motionless. My heart sinks and I jump on the leech clawing at her face. She punches my jaw and manages to get away.
"Sam and Embry after her!" I command and they take off after her. I phase back and hurry over to Jared.
"Jared please stay with me," I whisper. Paul kneels down next to me in his human form.
"How the heck are you a wolf?!" he yells.
"Not now, help Jared phase back and get dressed," I say and look away. I hear Paul talk to Jared and whimpers come from Jared.
"You can look now Kim," Paul says and I find Paul helping Jared stand up. I rush over to Jared and wrap my arm around him to help keep him steady.
"Kim how did you phase?" Jared whispers.
"Shh baby we can talk later," I say and he nods. We slowly get Jared to my car and drive to Emily's.
When we arrive at Emily's Paul and I help Jared get out. He's already healing but is still hurt.
"EMILY!" I yell and she runs out of the house.
"Oh my, what happened?" she asks worried.
"He got hurt by the red-head leech," I say. She runs back inside to get the guest room ready. We help Jared lay down on the bed and Emily comes in with all her medical stuff.
"Paul call Sue," Emily says and he walks out of the room.
"Kim," Jared whispers.
"I'm right here," I say taking his hand.
"Stay with me," he says.
"Always," I say and squeeze his hand lightly. Emily gets to work on him while I watch and assist when needed. Sue arrives minutes later and helps Emily.
After an hour Emily and Sue are finally done healing Jared. He's sleeping now but asked me to stay by his side. I hear the door open and see Sam and Embry enter the room. I look to Sam and he shakes his head.
"She got away," Sam says and I sigh.
"You'll get her next time," Emily says.
"What's Jared status?" Embry asks.
"He has a broken shoulder and a few cuts, he should be healed by the end of the night," Sue says.
"Thank you Sue and Emily," I say and they nod.
"I'm going to head home but call me if you need anything else," Sue says and we nod. She leaves the room and I look back down to Jared.
"So Kim are you going to tell us why you turned into a golden wolf?" Paul asks folding his arms.
"What?!" Embry asks shocked. He wasn't paying attention when Paul saw because he was chasing the leech.
"Not now Paul, I think Jared deserves to be told first," I say.
"Fine but you're not leaving until we all know the story," he says and I nod.
"Come on boys there's food to be eaten," Emily says and she, Embry and Paul leave.
"Are you okay?" Sam asks and I nod my head.
"So how'd Paul find out?" he asks.
"I was about to Jared about my secret when you guys howled about the leech," I start.
"He took off but I wanted to tell him, so I went after him; I caught a whiff of the leech's scent and phased in front of Jared," I say.
"You know the rest," I say.
"I'm sorry your explanation got interrupted," he says.
"It's fine, I probably would've chickened out again so it's good that he saw," I say.
"Come get us when he wakes up," he says and leaves. I turn back to Jared and look at his sleeping form. I rub my thumb over his cheek as the sun shines through the window. The sun lights up Jared's beautiful face. I close my eyes and silently pray that he's going to be okay, I know he didn't seriously get hurt but he's my imprint and I care about him, even if it's over the smallest paper cut. I feel pressure on my hand and open my eyes. I find Jared gripping my hand and blinking a few times.
"Am I in Heaven?" he asks and I chuckle.
"No," I say smiling.
"Then why is an angel here?" he asks staring up at me.
"It's me silly, Kim," I say.
"Kim," he says and smiles.
"Ya, are you feeling better?" I ask.
"It hurts a little but it's bearable," he says.
"Sue says you should be healed by the end of the day," I say.
"Kim," Jared says.
"Yes," I say.
"How did you turn into a golden wolf?" he asks and I sigh.
"That's what I wanted to tell you Jared, I'm a shapeshifter too," I say.
"But how?" he asks.
"I'm your alpha Kimmi, the golden wolf," I say.
"When did you phase?" he asks.
"When my parents died, I was fourteen," I say.
"That young?" he asks.
"Yep," I say.
"Before Sam right?" he asks.
"Yep," I say.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asks.
"I didn't want you to think of me badly," I say looking at the ground.
"I could never think badly of you Kim," he says.
"Jared I've had a crush on you forever," I say looking into his eyes.
"You have?" he asks.
"Yep," I say.
"I wanted you to like me but I knew if you knew about my secret you'd think I was a weirdo," I say.
"Kim I love you, even if you were a vampire," he says and I smile.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I kept chickening out," I say.
"It's okay, I was that way before I told you," he says.
"Remember when you missed our first date because of the leech?" I ask and he nods.
"I was understanding because I knew what you were doing," I say and he nods.
"Kim did you imprint on me?" he asks.
"Yep, the day I came back to school after the first time I phased," I say.
"Why didn't you try hang out with me then if you knew we were soul mates?" he asks.
"You were with your friends and girlfriend, all I wanted was for you to be happy," I say.
"And you were happy, without me," I say.
"That's because I didn't know what I was missing," he says and I smile.
"Are you hungry?" I ask.
"You don't even have to ask," he says and I chuckle.
"I'll go get you some food," I say standing up. I head into the kitchen and find everyone, minus Embry because he's on patrol, at the table.
"Is he up?" Sam asks.
"Ya, he's hungry," I say.
"I'll make him some food," Emily says. Sam and Paul head into the guest room with me behind them.
"How are you feeling?" Sam asks.
"Fine," Jared says.
"Emily's making you some food," I say and Jared nods.
"Kim can you tell us why you're a wolf now?" Paul asks.
"Well I already told Jared and Sam and Emily already knew so I just have to tell you and Embry," I say.
"Sam and Emily knew?" Jared asks.
"Sam figured it out when I met him," I say.
"That's why he was acting weird that day and staring at me," I say.
"Is that why Harry was watching you too?" Jared asks.
"Probably," I say.
"Does your family know?" Paul asks.
"Yes, I phased in front of them for the first time," I say.
"Wow," Paul says.
"Yep," I say. Emily comes into the room with a plate of food and hands it to Jared.
"Thanks Em," Jared says.
"You're welcome," she says.
"I'll go get Embry and you can tell them your story," Sam says to me. I nod and he heads outside to get Embry.