Breaking Boundaries | Jacob Black

Gingerbread men

"So how is it going with you and Jake? Any improvements in the romance department?"

Natalia's head whipped up, eyes widening in horror at the knowing look on her mother's face. Her dear mother, who now knew more than anyone else that there were creatures— fantasy creatures you'r read about in story books — that actually existed in close proximity of their town.

But after all that happened, all that Mrs. Ling seemed to be focused on was the blossoming relationship she spotted between her daughter and the Black's son. Not that she minded, really. Anyone with two eyes could see that she approved of Jacob. A kind, sweet young man who seemed to have the heart of gold and made a lot of sacrifices for his father's sake. Mrs. ling believed Jacob wasn't given enough credit where it was due.

Which was probably why she seemed so invested in asking Natalia about it at the breakfast table the very next day. Christmas.

"Nothing's going on," Natalia said quickly, too quickly, and with a blush that gave her away, "Jacob and I are just close friends."

"Close friends, is it?" Mrs. Ling raised a brow, "but let's be honest Tally, isn't he the most handsome boy you've seen in this town?"

"Ma," Natalia replied sharply, "please. That's gross."

"I'm just saying that I think he's very much into you and it would be a waste not to take him into consideration," her mother raised her hands in mock surrender to show that she didn't mean any harm, causing the said girl to roll her eyes in hopes that she wasn't sporting any blush in relation to the Black boy.

God. If only her Ma knew about the imprint. As much as Natalia debated about this topic, she thought it best to leave it until she was certain about her future concerning Jacob.

Right now, they were barely out of crisis and still in the process of getting to know each other, so Natalia didn't want to put a label on whatever they were doing right at this moment. The pressure was not something they needed, not after all that.

Although, if she had to say so herself, Jacob had become a little more touchy ever since the War. Not that she was complaining.

For instance, he'd always set his hands on her hips — whether to move her out of his way or just hold her while they're standing with her back to his chest — or bump his nose into her hair. He loved trailing his fingers through her locks and twirling it around his fingers when he thought she wasn't looking, and — what frazzled her most — the way he'd bury his face into the crook of her neck with his lips barely fluttering over her exposed skin.

Yes, Natalia was right to say that there was nothing. That didn't mean it wasn't soon going to become... something.

Nevertheless, she wanted to take things slow and try not to think too much about what could or what might happen, for fear that she'd pack her bags and just make a run for it. Knowing her cowardly tendencies, it would be more than tempting.

Christmas was not something to be celebrated by the Lings, so they were more than happy when Billy invited them over to the local community gathering by the beach, hosted by one of the residential bartenders and his wife and family. The Christmas tree had already been set up alongside the humongous six feet tall bonfire, and when Natalia pulled up with her mother in the parking lot she wasn't surprised to see that most boys were already set to work on kickstarting the flames, shirtless and sweaty.

"Is Leiana coming?" Her mother asked as they started pulling out each tray of lavishly decorated gingerbread biscuits out of their boot and onto one of the tables set for the bring and share. Natalia had invited over the Indian girl in hopes that they could catch up -- the wolves had decided to throw the excuse that she was busy with relatives and family during the time that Natalia was cooped up at the hospital, not wanting to worry Leiana anymore after their run-in with the vampires -- but Leiana had other plans.