Chapter 6- Home's Epitome
Disclaimer: As awesome as it would be, I don't own any of these characters. They all come from the brilliant mind of Stephanie Meyer.
Summary: What happens when a wolf sees a certain girl in one's mind? Is it an imprint, or not? Will Jealously rear it's ugly head and blur the lines of friendship. Or will Understanding reign? ...And will Bella find her heart with a wolf that she never saw coming, or hush the call of Want, Love, and Trust? Rated M for violence, swearing, and future lemons.
Thank you to taoist elf for the awesome reviews and never-ending support! Also a big thank you to Preetoaka Raven Potter Weasley. Love you both! Thanks for the amazing reviews- trockodile, Dizzy4u, and StephJ. And to everyone else who reviewed! Your feedback means so much!
Jared POV:
Her doe eyes are locked on mine for what feels like hours. I can feel the devotion, wonderment, and even hints of love burning into my gaze from their warmth. But there's something else detectable there…Trust. Out of all of the people in the world, through all of the pain that she's been through- I'm the lucky one who got paired with her. And she trusts me. I can feel it emanating from her every pore, as she snuggles even deeper into my chest. That can't be right, can it? Jesus, holy fucking Nutcracker, get ahold of yourself, Jared!
"You imprinted on me."
I open my mouth to speak, but choke on my vocals. The man and wolf beginning another frantic inner monologue. What if she doesn't accept us? Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! C'mon, boy, this is not the time to panic. Speak, you ding-dong!
"Yes." Another minute passes by. Bella, just looking up at me, love swimming in her stare. If it weren't for my wolfy strength, she'd be cutting off my air supply with how tightly she's grasping my waist.
"So…You're tied to me? What does that mean?"
"Bella, you're my soul-mate. My mate. I'll be anything you need. It's up to you to accept the imprint or not, although even if you.." My stomach threatens upheaval, and my face contorts in pain merely at the thought. Wincing, I know that she feels my pain- her pain. But I have to get this out, at least for the sake of explaining the whole truth about imprinting. "…even if you…deny the imprint, it will still always be there. The pull. You could go on to find someone else, but I never would. I'm tied to you forever, Bella."
What's that? I place a hand up to the side of my face, smudging my tears across my cheek. What? Now you're crying? Wow, man, you've got it bad.
She reaches one hand up to cover mine and I close my eyes at her touch, pressing my cheek farther into my own palm in an attempt to make more contact. "Shh..Shh. It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I didn't understand it yesterday, but sitting with you, I just felt so…right. You comforted me- you were there. Sitting in your arms just felt kind like…home. Kind of cheesy, huh?"
I light up, crooked smile and all for her, as a breathy guffaw rolls past my lips. 'Like home, she says. I let out a slow, shaky breath and lean down to place a soft peck on her forehead. She accepts us. Oh, Taha Aki…
"I just have to ask…"
Running my thumb gently over her creamy palm from where it still rests upon my face, I beseech her to continue. "Anything, Sweetie."
A small hitch tugs at the side of her mouth. "Do you want me? I mean do you want me? Or is it just the imprint?"
"Oh God, Bella, yes! Of course I do. Sam had a feeling that I would imprint on you. When Jake phased, I saw you in his mind. I was struck dumb. All I could see, all that I could focus on was you. Then, coming over here yesterday, all that I wanted to do was take away your pain. Mon Petit Amour, that fucking leech never deserved you." Oh, fucking greattt! Did I just say that out loud? What the fuck's going on with that French thing? I begin to growl at myself, when her giggle brings me back to the moment at hand.
"Mon Petit Amour? What's that?" She snickers.
I roll my eyes. "I have no fucking idea. It just kind of keeps popping in my head whenever I think of you, ever since yesterday. I think that I heard it in a movie somewhere once? I guess that my wolf just likes giving you a pet name." Now it's my turn to laugh, but she continues to laugh right along with me. That's it, Jared. Keep her smiling.
"I like it."
Biting her lower lip, she shifts her gaze back and forth between my eyes before refocusing on my gawp. "So, you want me?" Poor Bella. My poor, strong Bella. That leech should have his balls shoved down his throat for ever making her feel unwanted- unloved. I suppress another growl, rumbling in my chest, as I nod my assent.
"Okay."
"Okay, what?"
"Okay, Jared. I…I want you. But I need to take this slow. Can you do that for me?"
"Of course," I move my hand underneath hers, kissing her ivory flesh. She shudders at my touch, and I can already smell the arousal blossoming between those glorious thighs. "Eventually, my wolf will want to claim you. Will need to claim you…Physically. I'm already feeling the need to make sure that everyone knows that you're mine, without question. But, sweet Bella, I'll do the best that I can. Take it as slow as you need. I…I won't hurt you."
Her next move, I'd never have predicted. At least not now- but my inner wolf howls in delight. Steadily, she slides her hand to the back of my neck and slowly pulls my face down towards her own. The moment that my lips touch hers, lightening sets itself ablaze in me. So soft. Perfect. I could get lost in her kiss. It starts off innocently enough, but quickly escalates to immense, fiery need. She deepens the kiss, pushing on the back of my neck. I snake my hand around her waist. Her body's now molded against mine; her bottom lip between my teeth as she lightly licks my upper lip. It's for certain- she can definitely feel my excitement, hardened and pushing into her sweet, plump ass from underneath. Oh, Bella… It almost kills me, but I rip my mouth away from hers whilst still holding her in my embrace.
"Bella…Bella, we have to stop now. Or I- I won't be able to stop."
She stills in my lap, but presses a soft kiss to my lips once more. "Jared.."
"C'mon. Let's get some sleep. I know for a fact that you didn't sleep much last night."
"'Kay."
I shift myself under her, moving backwards on the bed and pulling her with me. I move again, this time to get up, once she's situated under the sheets. Her hand finds my arm.
"Stay?"
A wholehearted smile brings itself to life upon my face, and I slide back under the sheets. My arms encircle her as I cuddle myself up against her back. Sleep soon hovers on the horizon of my consciousness. Home.
Sam's POV:
Three wolves phasing at one time really does make for quite the conundrum. Especially Leah…Poor Leah. I love my Emily…my imprint. But Leah will always hold a piece of my heart. No ancient magic could change that. And now? Now she's been brought into this. This past lover-present lover-and man in the middle triangle is making my brain split in two. My sweet, understanding Emily's been so great about the whole thing. Leah's now part of the Pack, a Sister, and there's no going back. Not to mention poor Seth- so fucking young and the weight, along with the pride, of being a protector's already befallen him. Don't get me wrong, he's a tough little wolf. He won't have any problems adapting, and within these two short days is loving the Pack life already. Quil too, I'm not as worried about him. But on top of all of this, especially with fragility of the situation of Jared's imprint and all that's occurred, I think that- Taha Aki forgive me for putting more on Sue and Charlie- that it's best to give this more than a few days to settle. Jared's wolf will be in protective overdrive. Possessive anguish, at least until he and Bella can seal the bond. And Leah… Oh, Leah… Will need at least a little more time to adapt to the whole thing. Swimming in her mind when she first Phased killed me. Killed her. And I know that Emily can sense all of the pain. Hell, she's in pain. For me, her mate. For her cousin. But she's like a breath of fresh air right now, bustling around the kitchen, never failing to make enough delicious grub to keep up with our bottomless wolf bellies. A clearing of the throat pulls me out of my mental wandering, and back to the scene before me.
"So…When can I see Bella?"
I cross the room to place a firm grip upon Jake's shoulder. "Not yet Jacob. Your feelings towards her will make the situation, with the leech in the background, all the more vulnerable. And you're the best with…" Thank the Spirits that I put her on patrol with Paul. If she heard this, she'd ring my neck. Yes, the big Alpha is a little afraid of his ex. "…with Leah, She can handle herself, oh yeah, but she needs a strong backbone, a strong Brother right now. You're not going to Swan's just yet."
"But I-"
"No, Jacob. I'm sorry." I let my sympathy shine through my eyes. The poor guy. He'll just have to get used to it. Adapt. "I really am. But Leah needs more time. Fuck, we all do. I'm calling Charlie today and telling him that we need time."
"What do you mean, Sam? Does he know?"
"No. I'm going to tell him that we've found Leah and Seth, but that they're still in shock from Harry's death and need time. At least a week, Jacob."
He growls his discontent.
"I know." I squeezed his shoulder, where my hand is still placed, with a little more vigor. "But we need to give this time. Especially while searching for the bloodsucker." My turn to growl pronounces itself.
"Sam, I know, but I-"
"You will not see Bella Swan. Not yet." I hate having to alpha order his ass, but what else can I do? He's practically jolting out of his seat, wanting to see her. Jared, you're gonna have your hands full. I know that when he does tell Jacob, it could turn ugly. Fast.
"Fine. But what are we gonna do about the leech? We can't let her get away, Sam. We just can't. She caused Harry to have a heart attack. The fucking bitch! And now we think that she's after Bella."
"We don't know that for sure."
"Yes we do. I showed you. Fuck, I showed you what she said, Sam. She dove into the water, after Bella, shouting 'I'll fucking get you!' How much clearer could that be?" Tremors begin to roll off of him, signaling the appending phase.
"Okay, okay. She's after Bella. Calm down, Jake."
His shaking ceases, bringing Quil's voice into the scene.
He pounds Jacob on the back, causing him to grunt a bit. "There ya go, Jakie! We'll get the leech. No worries!"
Seth hollers comically at us, imitating a cheerleader from where he helps Emily in the kitchen. "C'mon, Wolf Pack spirit! Gimme an L-E-E-C-H! Gooooo, team!"
Leave it up to Seth and Quil to lighten the tension in the room. I guess that now's as good a time as any to make that phone call. Withdrawing my cell phone from my pocket, I scroll through my contacts and hit 'send.'
"Hey, Charlie? It's Sam."
Jared's POV:
I awake to the most intoxicating aroma. Ginger. Jasmine. Bella…Mine. My arms, still surrounding her, pull her closer as I nuzzle her neck. She stirs, turning around in my embrace to face me.
"Hi," she whispers, smiling sweetly at me.
"Hey you." I lean in to taste those plump, soft, pink lips. It's a gently kiss, but all of the want still swims, achingly, right below the surface. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better." Her stomach lets out a low rumbling right at that moment. "Hungary?" I chuckle, raising a brow in humor at her belly's protest, when she tries to shake her head in disagreement.
"Okay, sleepyhead, let's get you something to eat."
I'm at her side of the bed in a flash, about to help her to her feet, when my cell vibrates from within my jeans.
Pulling it out of my trousers, I check the time before clicking open my text inbox. 11:30. Damn. We were out longer than I thought.
"It's Sam. He's giving them more time to settle down. Leah and Seth won't be home til then end of the week. He's already talked to Charlie…Told them that they found them, but that they're in shock about Harry's death and need more time."
"What does that mean?"
"He wants me to be the one to stay with you."
"Yeah?" A smile lights up her face.
"There's a leech. A redhead."
"Victoria…" Worry now etches her every feature. I growl loudly, beginning to tremble. "Shh..shh.." She places a soothing palm on my bare chest. "You're protecting me. I'll be fine." I instantly calm, pulling her to her feet and back into my arms. Bella…Mine.
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Chapter 6 Playlist:
1. "Dream On" -Aerosmith
2. "Spirit Of The Stairwell" -Circa Survive
3. "Compendium" -Circa Survive
4. "Don't Worry Baby" -The Beach Boys
5. "Letter" -Tinsel Korey
6. "Monsters Under The Bed" -Eugene McGuinness
7. "Love Will Keep Us Alive" -Eagles
8. "Paranoia In B Minor" -Avett Brothers
9. "Guns And Dogs" -Portugal. The Man
10. "Blood" -Band Of Skulls
11. "The Book Of Love" -Magnetic Fields
12. "Everything With You" -The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
13. "Lua" -Bright Eyes
14. "Wonderwall" -Oasis
15. "By The Way" -Red Hot Chili Peppers
16. "All The Same" -Sick Puppies
17. "Just Got To Be" -The Black Keys
18. "Our Swords" -Band Of Horses
19. "Cloudwalker" -Horse The Band
20. "All'improvviso Amore" -Josh Groban