Defining Normal | EMBRY CALL

Chances

Four days. Four days was all it took for Embry to convince Lex to hang out with him outside of college. He considered that a tremendous win, especially as she'd only just grasped the concept of actually texting him back. Her absenteeism wasn't a huge issue - he'd gotten into the habit of picking her up before and after work each day, and they frequently crossed paths at college. Still, any substantial acknowledgement of his existence beyond the bare minimum was very exciting. Sure, Collin had taken immense joy in ribbing him mercilessly, calling his mooning over Lex pathetic. And sure, the past Embry would have considered this kind of barely requited devotion pathetic. Things were different now, though; a look was more than a look and a touch was more than a touch when it came to her. She had changed everything.

Before Lex, his understanding of imprinting had been heavily tempered by the memories of his brothers. Sam's experiences, in particular, had led Embry to see imprinting as a sort of unwilling slavery, a predicament in which there was no alternative but to accept the bond. None of the wolves in the tribe's history (that they were aware of, at least) had ever refused their imprint, though not for a lack of trying. With this knowledge in mind, Embry had expected his relationship with Lex post-imprint to be strained, tempered by his anticipated bitterness at the forced connection. Once he'd gotten past the initial shock, sitting through many long conversations with Jared and Quil, he'd turned towards the phenomenon with an open mind. Quil was passionate about his own theory of imprinting, arguing that it was a spiritual connection that joined the wolves to the person who could best complete them. He was sure that imprinting didn't necessitate a romantic relationship, instead believing that it would lead to some kind of mutually fulfilling bond that could take a variety of shapes.

Embry had first thought of the theory as laughable - all of the imprinted wolves (bar Jacob and Quil) had romantically pursued their imprints, who had all responded enthusiastically. The more he'd thought about the theory, though, the more comforting he found it. Embry liked the thought that he was tied to Lex for some greater purpose than mating, and he was especially comforted by the thought that his growing attraction to her was voluntary. Embry wanted to grow with Lex, discover things about her simply because he, the human, wanted to, and not because a strange biological imperative compelled him to do so. Quil had harped on about his theory at one of the bonfires a few summers back, enough so that Old Quil had eventually agreed that the theory made sense. Regardless of what shape the relationship took, the imprint bond would strengthen the wolves and give them a stronger incentive to protect the tribe. Old Quil's consideration of the theory gave it enough legitimacy that Emily had even agreed to make a note of it in the tribe's written history she was working on, which was a pretty monumental achievement. Emily had become surprisingly strict with what she was willing to include in the tribe's official history, opting to exclude the more entertaining aspects of their physiology (such as their heightened alcohol tolerance, which Embry argued was essential information for future wolves). Nevertheless, Quil's theory had been recorded - something that he had bragged about for weeks - and Embry was left reassured that whilst protecting Lex was mandatory, loving her would be entirely his choice.

Discussing feelings was almost always a non-option for Lex, and her opinion on Embry was no exception. She'd never confess it to Kim, but she was slowly growing to adore his near-constant presence in her life. She was expecting the ride from work a week prior to be a one-off favour, but as sure as the sun rose, he was there to collect her day after day. Embry was around so much that he'd become a staple in her daily routine. Lex was growing used to seeing his name flash on her phone, even coming to recognise the sound of his truck pulling up outside her house. She felt a slight flash of guilt whenever she thought about his way of doting on her, though. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate his thoughtfulness, his giving nature - his frequent kind gestures were a real testament to his excellent character. It was more that Lex was uncomfortable with his growing attachment to her, a level of care that went beyond what she could comfortably reciprocate. Shit, she still struggled sometimes to open up to Kim, whose intentions and motivations were crystal clear. Embry was more of an enigma, and that frightened her.