Cozy • An Embry Story

.13

Embry's POV

"You look nice." My mom comments from the bathroom door. She just came home from her second job, still buttoned up in her office clothes, yet everything else about her is loose. She looks tired, her shoulders are hanging slightly, her hair is coming out of its bun, and she kicked off her heels by the door. Despite being so young for a mother, all the years of two and sometimes three jobs has aged her sooner than she should have. My mom had grays and frown lines my whole childhood, which have only deepened and taken more dye to cover up.

"I'm not even ready yet. How do I look nice?" I question through a beard of shaving cream. I'm in a wife beater and gym shorts, with a razor to my face. I doubt I look nice. She gives me a knowing smile, but it looks tired as her.

"Because you look happy." My mom answers, but she's not looking at me. Her eyes are drifting down the hall towards my baby pictures hanging on the walls. "You're going on a date with Winnie, right?"

"Yeah," My mom looks back at me, her grin growing when she sees me beaming.

"Long time coming." My mom comments, which I agree with a nod. "I can't wait to meet her."

"I can't either. Winnie got shy and nervous when I brought her over."

"My future daughter in law has nothing to be nervous about." My mom yawns. I try to make my mom dinner most nights, but a majority of the time she's so tired she often skips them to go bed earlier. By the look of her, she is most likely going straight to bed after I leave.

"Well, Winnie doesn't know she's my imprint yet." I clarify, finishing up my shaving without any knicks.

"But, she can feel it." My mom points out. The thought makes my chest warm, and I grin at my reflection.

"So what are you going to wear?" My mom prompts, now undoing her bun and handing me the bobbi pins to put them away in the draw.

"I'm not sure yet," I scratch the back of my head. "I was hoping if you could help me pick something out?" My mom's face softens, her smile growing at my favor.

"I'll go check in your closet." She goes off towards my room as I try to do something with my hair. I miss the long locks, where I use to be able to do buns and braids, now I have nothing to work with.

The door bell rings, but I already know whose at the door with my hearing. Where my mom use to ask me to go answer the door, we've fallen into step where she now asks me whose at the door ever since I changed.

"Hey Jared," I greet him, noticing he must have just shifted back since he's only in his shorts and barefoot. He doesn't come in like he usually does. Instead, he hovers out front with his arms crossed, looking pissed but worried.

"Embry—Hey," Jared keeps looking off towards the tree line, with his arms crossed and fists tight. He's suppose to be patrolling tonight with Paul over by the border.

"Did something happen?" I ask, already sure something has.

"Yeah, Paul's dad came back into town. We saw his car drive through, now Paul isn't changing back. I can't get him to calm down. He's storming through the forest, someone might see him." Jared explains, looking ready to run back for him. I try to listen for Paul, but he's already long out of ear shot. I think I can barely hear the sound of trees falling a mile away. Paul sounds like he's heading for the center of the Res.