A new beginning

I need you

Nessie's POV

I am frozen in shock. Thousands of emotions race through me, and in the end I just feel numb.

What? - I don't recognize my own voice. I have imprinted on you. - he still holds my face in his hands and his eyes all full of hope and concern and... love. It's love. His eyes are full of love. Please say something. - he whispers, because I am still frozen in shock. I need air. I need space. I push his hands down, and swim away a little, just to get a few feet of distance between us. It's annoying that I instantly miss the heat of his body. When? - I whisper. Right after you were born. - his eyes bore into mine. We are both whispering.

Okay, now I am really shocked. That is so weird... is that even possible? Imprinting on a baby? He sees my sudden disgust, because he quickly starts explaining.

It's rare, but it happens, and it's not what you think. I wasn't in love with you or anything... I felt the imprint bond, I knew I had to protect you, and my purpose was always to make you happy... I didn't even think about you growing up into a woman, that's not how it works. The wolf becomes what the imprint needs. You were a baby, a little girl, you needed a friend, a protector and that's what I was. That's why you stayed... after my mom became a vampire. - it makes so much sense now. And I don't have the energy to think about the fact that this is the first time I referred to Bella as mom. Yes. - he nods. - I was very angry.. when she turned into a vampire, I don't think I could have accepted that without you. You changed everything for me. It broke you... when they took me away. - I think loudly, putting the pieces together.. why he felt so guilty, like it was his personal responsibility to keep me safe.

The emotion in his eyes takes my breath away. It broke him... it really did. The pain in his eyes are so deep it takes everything in me not to swim into his arms again.

Yeah. - he whispers. - I should have been able to protect you... I ... It's okay.. we talked about this. It wasn't your fault, let's not talk about that again.

I can't take it if he breaks down. This is too much. I keep staring at him, my heart is racing and a chill runs down my spine. And I don't know if it's because of the cold water or because of his stare. It's like he sees every part of me...the good, the bad... and he wants all of it. It's intoxicating.

You are my imprint. - he swims closer, and I don't move. - You are my world. I would do anything ... be anything for you. - the determination in his whisper shakes me. And then there are his arms again around me, pulling me closer until our body is almost one. The warmth is back. I let out a sigh. And it was different when you were a child. But ever since you came back, and I got to know this beautiful, strong, amazing woman... I fell in love with you. - he strokes my face again. I can't speak.

I am shaking. I don't know what to do. I never thought this could happen to me. I respect the imprint bonds, they are so beautiful and precious... two souls destined to be together. I always wanted something like that when I watched grandpa and grandma... but I always accepted that it's not for me. And after everything that happened with Leo, I thought it's better that I don't have that. It's incomprehensible that I have had a soulmate since I was born.

I need you. - I whisper before I could think, before I could analyze the situation and convince myself that this is a bad idea.. even if I am his imprint, it's still so complicated.

But I am lost in his eyes, I am lost in his touch... and I am lost in the realization that this man loves me. And will always love me above everything else. A shaky, broken part of me feels more complete by this knowledge. Jake lets out a groan before he kisses me. And the way he does it... Every kiss is different with him. This one is gentle, firm and sweet and he puts so much love in it that I feel my tears escaping my eyes. He kisses them away too. He kisses my eyes, my nose, my forehead, he leaves a hot trail down my neck. He teases my earlobe with his teeth's, and I moan so loudly that the whole cave echoes with it.