𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙨 𝘼 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙙 ━━ Embry x Reader x Paul

II

Y/N stared blankly up at her ceiling, glowing stars decorating the blank space. The events of the day were more than a little difficult for Y/N to wrap her head around, new information swirling around in a mess of memories she was only just beginning to understand.

They hadn't gone too far from the house, just to the edge of the treeline in Emily's backyard. Paul still looked agitated, but not as angry as he was before Embry told him off for whatever it is that he said. Y/N didn't know what to expect from this talk, and couldn't think of what an imprint could be besides the obvious, literal definition of the word.

When the three of them got out far enough, Embry turned to look at Y/N, an anxious look on his face while he tried to gather his words, shooting Paul desperate looks every so often as if to ask for help. The two of them had always been able to talk to one another without hesitation, so seeing it now, so blatantly obvious on Embry, made her scared of whatever he was going to tell her. Y/N looked to Paul to find that he was in a similar boat, but she couldn't tell if that was out of character for him or not.

It was silent for a while, the two of them seeming to communicate silently when they turned to each other. Though reluctant, Paul gestured to Embry, who took a deep breath before turning to Y/N, a look of determination on his face, "Okay, just, pleases don't freak out, okay Y/N?"

"I'll try."

"Thank you," Embry takes a breath, steadying himself, "As a shifter, we are genetically stronger and faster than humans, with an abnormal amount of endurance, and heightened reflexes. On top of all these physical attributes gained from being a shifter, we also have imprints. The reason they exist is unknown but there are some theories about them.

"When you see your imprint, it's like the earth shifts, ripped out from under your feet. Gravity isn't what's keeping me here, it's her. She's all that matters, her safety, her happiness. She's what keeps you going, giving you the will to fight, the strength to win. She's everything... She's you."

The info dump was overwhelming, Y/N tried her best to understand what she was told, of who she was to them. When Embry didn't say anything else, she spoke up, "What does that mean for me?"

"What do you mean?" Paul asked, Embry nodding along in his confusion.

"Like, as an imprint, what do I have to do?"

"Nothing you don't want," Embry reassured, "We are your protectors, and whether that's like a brother, a friend, or-or something more, that's completely up to you. I don't know how this is going to work with three of us, but..."

Y/N nodded, though she didn't really understand at all. It was too much all at once, but one thought kept coming to the surface, that no matter what, she would not be without Embry, not when she liked him for as long as she has. Not when he needed her, too.

"Could I maybe have some time to think about it?"

"Yeah, yeah of course," Embry assured, shooting her a slightly strained, but comforting smile, not liking the idea of Y/N being alone and away from him for any period of time, "Just don't tell anyone about us, okay?"

Y/N nodded, giving the two of them a tight-lipped smile, then left, hoping to catch the bus before it left.

[to Embry]: what's Paul like??

It took three-seconds for Embry to start responding, grey dots popping up as he typed his response.

[from Embry]: he's annoying, short-tempered and cocky.

"That sounds promising," Y/N thought, remembering how quick he was to anger earlier that day, but focused back on the screen when she saw more dots appear on her screen.

[from Embry]: but he's also funny, and kinda childish. I think you two would get along.

Y/N didn't respond, but smiled down at his message. Instead, she closed out of the app, and opened up a web browser, typing into the search bar. She didn't know how well the two would take to this, hell, she didn't even know if she was really ready to immerse herself that deeply into their world, but she was willing to try for Embry, she was willing to give Paul a chance.

Tapping on the Wikipedia page, Y/N read through the article, wanting to know as much as she could before she brought it up to the two boys. It was an interesting but long read, and at the end of it Y/N had a headache, but she felt that it was worth it.

Y/N scrolled back to the top, 'Polyamory' staring back at her. It was a long shot, one that Y/N hoped paid off in the long run. She continued to go from webpage to webpage, wanting to know as much as possible before bringing it up to Embry.

Clicking through a few more websites, Y/N gives up the search when she notices the time, 1:37 am staring back at her in small, black numbers. She reopens the chat with Embry to shoot him another quick message.

[to Embry]: can the three of us meet up tomorrow, I have an idea.

As soon as the message delivered Y/N muted the phone before shutting it off. She placed it on the bedside table, and then promptly when to sleep, wanting to be fully rested for what was to come tomorrow.