Before The Storm | J. Hale & A. Cullen

1.5

Michael was standing in the kitchen, talking to Esme when Jasper rushed inside the house. His hand clasped around Michael's wrist, and he was pulling the brunet out of the room after muttering an apology to Esme.

Michael followed along, curious as to what was happening.

The second they were alone in Alice and Jasper's room --or their room, considering that Michael had been staying in it for a few weeks now-- with the door closed, he knew something was wrong. He had always been good at reading Jasper’s emotions, but he didn’t need to be at this moment. He could feel his emotions. It seemed as if Jasper was accidentally projecting them onto him.

Panic and anxiety were two of the most prominent. Hidden beneath it, though, was pure hunger. Bloodlust. It was strong enough to make the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as he let out a quiet growl. He was sure his eyes were black as his gaze met Jasper’s head-on.

Inhaling deeply, Michael forced himself to gain more control. Reigning in his emotions to help as much as he could, Michael approached the blond male. He noticed how Jasper’s demeanor changed to cautious as he neared and he knew why. He knew how he looked when he felt like this. He looked feral. All he needed to do was release a snarl and, when paired with his black eyes, he could send most people running.

But as Michael had always known, Jasper wasn’t in any way “most people.” He never had been, and he never would be.

Even then, he could see how tense Jasper was until Michael pulled him into a hug. He didn’t do a single unsettling thing in nature.

He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding when Jasper melted into him. He felt Jasper’s arms hesitantly snake around his waist and Michael couldn’t help but pull him closer. He simply held the blond male in his embrace for a minute before he spoke in a low tone, his voice raspy as he still felt the burn of thirst in his throat.

“What’s wrong, Jazz? Don’t lie to me, you know that doesn’t work. Please, just tell me.”

He didn’t dare let go of Jasper, relishing the feeling of being this close to him. His grip tightened more as he felt the blond push his face against his shoulder as if he was trying to hide from something.

Jasper remained quiet for a few seconds before he spoke, tightly clutching the material of Mike’s shirt in his hands. “Something’s wrong with me,” he said. “I tried hunting some animals after what happened. The first time since I bit you a couple of days ago. It didn’t work; it just made the burning worse and it tasted horrible. I feel like it’s harder to control myself. It’s like I’m a newborn all over again. The only problem,” he said while pulling back a bit, his gaze meeting Michael’s once more. “Is that what I’m having to control myself from, is you. I can’t get you out of my head anymore. Since the second your blood hit the back of my throat, you’re all I’ve been able to think about.”

Michael didn’t say anything, holding his breath as he waited for him to continue.

“I talked to Alice. I know she knows what’s happening to me, but she won’t say what it is. And it confuses me because we tell each other everything. Do you think she’s upset with me? Because I like you more than I should right now?”

Michael’s breath caught in his throat as Jasper gazed down at him. Before he even realized he was moving, he pulled Jasper down into a passionate kiss. And for a moment, his hopes lifted as he felt the blond start to kiss him too.

But then he was harshly shoved backward, a sharp fang catching his lip in the process. His hand instantly moved to cover his mouth as he felt warm blood run down his chin.