Ghost of Ourselves (Twilight X Reader)

Chapter 20: Night Watch

"Yes." His voice is barely audible. "That first day, when you came to the beach. It's why the pack is so protective of you, why they accepted you instantly. You're... you're mine. ...To protect. To care for. To..." he trails off, his own face flushing.

I sit there in his oversized clothes, trying to process this revelation. The way they all gravitated around me, the instant acceptance, the fierce protection—it all makes more sense now.

"So does this mean..." I fidget with the sleeve of his shirt, breathing in his scent that now surrounds me. "Are we supposed to be together? Like, romantically? Are we soulmates or something?"

Embry's nervous pacing stops, and he kneels in front of me, his warm hands finding mine. "That's the beautiful thing about imprinting—it's not as rigid as people think. I can be whatever you need me to be. A protector, a friend, a brother..." He swallows hard, his dark eyes intense. "Or yes, something more. If that's what you want."

"So you're not, like, cosmically bound to be my boyfriend?"

His laugh is soft, relieved. "No, though I wouldn't mind that path." The admission makes both of us blush. "The imprint just means you're important—sacred to the pack. It means I'll always be there, in whatever way you need. Some imprints become lovers, others best friends. The choice is yours."

"That's... actually really beautiful," I say softly. "Not being forced into anything, just... having someone who'll always be there."

"Always," he confirms, squeezing my hands. "Though I should warn you—" his lips quirk into a slight smile, "—I already know I want more than friendship. But there's no pressure, no timeline. And if your heart leads you elsewhere..." Something flickers in his eyes, like he knows more than he's saying about my complicated supernatural associations.

"Even if..." I hesitate, thinking of cold touches and red eyes. "Even if there are... others?"

His thumb traces patterns on my palm. "The imprint means I'll support whatever makes you happy. Even if it's not me. Even if it's..." he grimaces slightly, "...complicated."

"This is a lot to process," I admit.

"I know. And you don't have to figure it out now. I just... needed you to know. Especially with everything else going on."

The way he says it makes me look up sharply. "You mean what happened in the woods today?"

"Among other things." His expression grows serious. "There are dangers circling, and you being my imprint means the whole pack is bound to protect you. You're family now, whether you choose me romantically or not."

I think about the red blur in the forest, about Laurent's warnings about James and Victoria, about Alice's concerned visions. "Is that why you told me now? Because something's coming?"

He stands, pulling me up with him. His hands cup my face with infinite gentleness. "I told you because I couldn't hold it in anymore. Because every time you smile, it's like the sun rising. Because watching you play in the waves today made my heart feel too full to contain this secret."

The raw honesty in his voice makes my breath catch. We stand there, me drowning in his clothes and his scent, him looking at me like I'm something precious, something sacred.

"Embry..." I start, not sure what I'm going to say.

A howl makes Embry tense, though his hands remain gentle on my face. "That's Sam. Council meeting." He drops his hands reluctantly. "I should take you—"

"Can I come?" The words surprise us both.

His smile is soft. "You're pack now. Of course you can."

The meeting place is a clearing not far from his house. Jacob's already there when we arrive, his face lighting up when he sees me, then falling slightly at my outfit—clearly recognizing Embry's clothes. The others filter in gradually, arranging themselves in what I now recognize as pack hierarchy.