Forbidden Imprint [Book 5] ✔️

7 • No Expectations

EMBRY'S POV

I walked eagerly through the airport terminal as I made my way towards the gate where Rebecca's plane would be arriving. I had volunteered to get Rebecca, since Rachel was in the hospital and Paul didn't want to leave her side.

I got to the airport an hour early. I didn't want to make Becks wait if the plane got in before it was supposed to. So I had nothing to do but sit while I waited for her plane to arrive. I grabbed a coffee from one of the airport's shops and grabbed a seat near a large window that would allow me to see the planes come in.

I noticed a woman sitting across from me, eyeing me with interest. At least, I assumed that's what it was since I couldn't see her blurry face. I didn't really care either way. Since that fiasco with Quil's ex, I had slowed down on sleeping around. I wasn't living the life of a monk. If the needs of my body demanded satisfaction, then I would find someone, even if the pain I ended up having wiped away the physical relief I experienced. But I stopped using sex as punishment for imprinting on someone I couldn't have, which is what I realized I was doing.

I played with my plastic coffee lid anxiously. I was nervous. I hadn't seen Rebecca in three years. I had no expectations on this trip. Rebecca obviously wanted to be nothing but friends. Why else would she stay away so long? But I knew she was planning on staying for a few weeks this time, and I was going to cherish each second with her. I was like an addict who was receiving a small dose of their favorite drug. I would take in my fill of her while she was here and then go through the pain of withdrawal when she left again.

I glanced at one of the screens that announced flight arrivals. Rebecca's plane was expected in 20 minutes. I wondered if she would look any different. I wondered what she had been up to all this time. Why had she stayed away so long? Did she ever think of me while she was away? These thoughts kept racing through my mind as time slowly passed. Then I suddenly felt my connection getting stronger to her. I looked out the window and saw a plane landing in the distance. Looking at the flight arrival screen, it confirmed that her plane just arrived. I patted my hair nervously and stood by the gate as I waited for my imprint to appear.

When I finally saw her, I felt the most overwhelming sense of relief. It was like the other half of my heart was finally found. I walked towards her with a smile brightening my face.

She looked incredible...her face had matured in a way that made her even more perfect to me. I was startled to realize that Becks was now 31. As I got closer, I noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the strain around her mouth. But she still smiled at me as soon as she saw me.

"Hey Em," she said.

She hesitated for a moment before she wrapped her arms around me in a hug. I hugged her back, bringing her close to me. I closed my eyes as I breathed in her sweet lavender scent. I was home. It didn't matter where I was in the world; as long as I had Rebecca in my arms, I was home.

"Hey Becks," I murmured against her hair.

She seemed to pull away reluctantly before glancing around.

"I need to get my suitcase," Rebecca reminded me. She looked down at the ticket in her hand. "I'm supposed to pick it up at station three.

We made our way to the baggage pickup area. I couldn't take my eyes off her and she seemed to keep glancing at me as well.

"Have you heard from Jacob?" She asked.

"He and Ness are going to try to come in a few days." As sad as the circumstances were, I was excited that Jake was coming back to town. I hadn't seen him in two years.