#paul lahote fanfic

[nervoushottee]

whats hidden between us is better than what’s above

Bella Swan x Paul Lahote Fanfiction

The first time Bella Swan met Paul Lahote was by accident.

The second time she met him was at a La Push bonfire.

The third time she met him was fate.

Chapter 1: The first time.

Chapter 2: Coming Soon

Chapter 3: Coming Soon

May get cross posted to ao3

(Dividers by @saradika)

[fashionteahouse]

out of your league - paul x reader

AN: thank you sm for the love and support for the last eighteen parts ! 💜

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You downed the cups of coffee as your paintbrush swiped across material you were painting on. Your phone glowed with pictures of the selected model as you accurately got the pigment of her skin with the mixed colors.

You haven’t slept in two whole days but you loved it. It was currently dead in the middle of night, the honks and business of the city life pushed you to keep going. It reminded you that you did art to lead up to moments like this.

A sharp knock on your hotel door took your attention off of your art work and you didn’t want to, but you set down the wet brush.

Looking through the peephole, you sighed when you saw Edward. You crack the door, sticking your head out.

“What do you want?” Not caring how the tone sounded.

He holds up two small white pieces of papers between her fingers.

Your eyebrows furrow in confusion.

“What is it that?” you ask.

“Symphony Orchestra concert.”

“I have a lot of work to do.” you say shaking your head.

He grins a little, “Alice saw you will get finished…Before the due date actually. You should sleep.” he says.

Your eyes sagged heavily and it looked like you were going to fall over and crash at any minute.

“Why? So you can take a peek?” you say. The way his eyes tried his best to look beyond you, you knew what he was trying to see.

He softly chuckles and he haven’t felt this caught in a long time.

“I have to wait like everybody else?”

“Yes. Now shoo, I need to finish.” you say.

“You won’t finish if you spread yourself too thin. You have to sleep.” he says.

“Fine, I will.” You say after a long yawn.

You close your door. You looked at your work and you were already halfway done.

You washed your discolored hands. You didn’t close the cracked window, the room still needing to ventilate from the paint fumes.

You slept and woke up to it being past the afternoon. You call Paul back after seeing that he had called earlier.

“Sorry, I was asleep. I haven’t gotten any sleep.” you tell him.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I’m really trying to get this project done.”

“You will get it done. Sleep is more important.” he says and you let him know you agree.

You both stayed on the phone with no rush of getting off until it was you who broke the silence.

“You want to see what I have so far?” you ask him. He says yes.

“Okay. I will send you pictures.”

“Okay.” he says.

You do just that after you hung up with him. Before you hung up with him he says, “Just have fun. Enjoy yourself.”

You bite into the warm toasted sandwich as the wind blew in your direction. Even though it was cold, it was nice to be out of being cooped in the hotel room.

Suddenly, two cold hands cover your eyes from behind.

“Guess who?” the high octave voice says.

“Alice.” you say.

She laughs before moving around you to face you.

“You’re not wearing that to the symphony, are you?” she says as she looks at your lax outfit.

“Who said I was going?” you ask.

“Come on, what’s the point of being here if you’re not going to enjoy yourself?” she asks with a grin.

You sigh but she hurries with, “Please?” she says with her gold eyes smothering yours.

“Fine.” you say as you look down. She squeals and claps, “Good! We have to go shopping.” she says and tugs on your hand.

“Shopping?! I brought clothes.” you say but she shakes her head, “This is a shopping emergency. You can’t come to New York and not shop.”

Dragging you into a boutique, your eyes look to the racks of clothing.

Alice made you change into different articles of clothing. She watched as you stared at the outfit that you had tried on, you kept tilting your head to the side and she knew that it was something that you liked.

“It’s nice. But, there’s no way I can afford this.” you say. Your fingers ran over the fabric that was snug to your body.

“Y/N, would you quit with that? It’s on me.” she says.

“I can’t accept this.” you say.

“You can. And you will.” she says but it wasn’t harsh.

As you walk the busy streets with your bag, you call to her, “Alice.”

“Yes?” she answers.

“Why are you and Edward so involved with me?” you ask.

She smiles and says, “I can’t speak for Edward but, I guess you can say I have some sort of emotional attraction towards you.”

“Edward says that I was like morphine.”

She nods a little as she looks about, “I can see why he said that.”

“What does it mean? Did he say that because he can’t read my mind?”

“I mean..” she starts but lowers her voice and walks close to you, “I can be around you and not be thirsty. Maybe, it’s like that for Edward as well.”

Your mind drifts off, “I’m surprised you both want anything to do with me. I’m dating your enemy.”

She tinkles out a laugh, “How did you two meet anyway?”

“School. I’m glad I knew him before he turned into a wolf.”

“I guess he’s the reason why I can’t see your future. Everytime I try to focus in on it when you’re in La Push, it’s black.”

“My future. What do you typically see?”

“Hm.. Earlier I saw that a formidable art dealer will be sitting close to you at the symphony. You should talk to him.” She says as you both enter the hotel.

“Why?” you ask.

“If you show him your work, you’re set for life, that’s why.”

You press the elevator button to go up and turn to her, “I don’t know how to talk to people like that.”

“Just have Edward talk to him with you.”

“Why can’t you do it?” you ask.

“Because, just trust me. It will go smooth.” she says and enters the small box with you.

You add some extra work onto your piece until it was time for you to leave. You felt confident in what you were wearing but nerves were fluttering in your stomach.

“You look really nice.” Edward says to you and his eyes never leave your face.

“Thanks.” you mumble and look away, and decide to focus your eyes out of the car window, “Have you talked to Bella since you’ve been here?”

“No.” he answers.

“Why not? She’s your girlfriend.” you say as the driver maneuvers through the busy street.

“Not anymore. I told you she knew I was leaving.” he says.

“Does she know you’re in the same city as me?”

“Why would she know that? The last time I spoke to her was the night before I left. I’ve always stressed to her how menacing I am for her.”

You snort and shake your head a bit, “But not for me?” you ask in a mumble.

“Exactly.” he says and you take a look at him but he only stared straight ahead.

As you both sat in your seats in the concert hall, you turn to him, “I don’t understand your logic. I’m dating Paul. That alone should shoo you away along with your…thirst.”

As he held your gaze he told you carefully but low enough for you to hear him, “When you’re around, I have no bloodlust toward you. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. I’m used to the burning sensation in my throat I get when I’m thirsty but, it’s almost as if you took that away. If something’s hard to resist, it would be your presence. Your presence is powerful alone. I just care about being around you.”

The lights start to dim at that. The combination of the musical instruments moved you. As much as you didn’t want to admit it, you were glad that you came to see the act at least. Goosebumps rose on your skin as your eyes were glued to the stage. The conductor waving its magic wand to orchestrate bringing music to life, ignited your creative energy that surged through your body. You couldn’t look away from the first part of the show, even if you wanted to.

The intermission rolled in and you used the bathroom.

You decide to check in someone.

“Hey you were on my mind and I just wanted to check with you”

You send the text to Bella and made your way back to your seat. Edward taps you. You look.

“See him?” he asks.

A tall man with white hair on his head was talking in a near distance while wearing a pressed suit. You nod as you continue to watch him, he’s sitting several seats away just like Alice said he would be.

“That’s Larry Gagosian.” he says.

“The art dealer?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t talk to him.” you say, sitting back comfortably in your seat as you watch people kiss his ass and fight for his attention. You didn’t want to categorize yourself with them.

“Just be yourself.” he says. You continue to not say anything as you watch the older man.

“Do you want me to come with you?” he asks.

“You won’t listen if I say no. Alice said the outcome would be good if you did so, sure.”

He chuckles lightheartedly as he follows you. People haven’t came back yet and seats were empty. A window of opportunity was rearing its head your way.

Larry matched your gaze and you say something, “I like your tie.”

He chuckles as he straightens it out, “Thank you.”

Edward says your name to him and says, “She’s a fan of your galleries.” His hand rest on your shoulder.

“That name... Would I know it from somewhere?” he asks as he calculates you and this makes you feel nervous.

You let Edward take the lead, explaining the illustration that you did for a magazine while you were back home, the contest you had won, and how you’re in the city currently working on a project for the magazine cover that everyone knows by name.

You watch Edward with surprise as he explains it all with great passion and detail. Larry was entrapped with every word. Nodding and stealing glances at you before paying attention to what Edward was saying. The people who were around him, started to scatter away as they couldn’t get his attention anymore.

“Yeah, a friend of mine was just telling me all about this artist who was going to be the next big thing and it’s just my luck I end up running into you.” Larry says with a laugh.

You felt more relaxed and you did be yourself. The conversation flowed like a stream of water and he ends up giving you his personal number saying, “I want to see more of what you got. Keep in touch.”

As you and Edward go back to your seats he turns to you to say, “Wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“Not at all.” you say in a bit of a daze.

With more motivation, you stayed up through the night as you were back in your hotel room, finishing your piece.

You took a picture and sent it to Mark as the afternoon rolled around. The painting was drying off. Your sore back and your sore fingers let you know that the hard work was well worth it.

“It’s all done :’D yay!”

Not even a moment later your phone buzzes off.

“Gorgeous! Would really like it if you could come to the cover reveal meeting with the rest of the staff ?”

You tell him that you’re going to be there and fall into the bed to sleep without the bubble of stress hovering over you.

“You look like you’re about to fall over.”

Paul stared back at you.

You waved him off.

“You’re not getting any sleep I bet either.” you say back.

“You should take it easy.” he just says.

“I have to do this. You know this.” you say. You finish with the buttons on your top at this statement.

You hear a sigh as you hold up a pair of pants. You don’t hear anything else which makes you turn around and peer at the open laptop.

Looking back at his face, you set the pants aside and push the laptop further up on the bed as you lay on your stomach.

“What’s wrong?” you ask.

He groans a bit dramatically and say, “I can’t touch you. Or hold you. Or kiss you.”

“You’re making me even more depressed.” you say as two hands rest beside your head as you stare at his digital entity.

“Is that all you’re doing? The meeting I mean?” he asks.

“Yeah. That’s all I agreed to.” you said.

Paul stared back with a hidden wave of relief. Earlier, he listened as you went on about your now finished project, the meeting, the show that you saw, and who you met.

The emotions were shared between you two as you explained to him how you felt. To him, it felt intimate but, you were just really excited.

“Call me when you get back. I want to show you something.” he says as he grins at your face. You know that tone. You nod as you couldn’t help but grin back. It turns into a soon shared laugh as you both gazed at each other. It’s interrupted by a sharp knock.

You look to the door and put your head down and sigh, “I gotta go. But, I promise I will call you.” You say.

“Who is that?” he asks.

You shrug and call over, “Just a minute!”

“Open the door.” he says.

“I don’t have any pants on. I’m running late anyway.” you say with a slight frown.

He sits up straighter as he peered at you, “No pants on?” he purrs and you laugh.

“I’ll call you later.” you say and press two fingers from your lips to the camera and you hang up.

Hurrying your pants on, you then swing open the door.

“What?” you say.

“Come on, your ride is downstairs.” Edward says.

“I was coming, I didn’t need you to remind me.” you say.

You turn around and grab the chosen pair of shoes that you were going to wear.

As you slide them on, you look up for moment to see Edward stood in front of your painting.

“I didn’t say you could see it.”

“Y/N, it looks like a live picture.” he says.

You roll your eyes and grab your coat and slide it on.

You search and find a scarf that you brought and wrapped it around you.

You walk over to his still form as he was still looking at what you made and you stand beside him as you waved your hand up and down a little.

He grins with amusement. You look at the big picture, you turn to him, “Can you help me carry this?”

He walks over to it and carries it as if it weighed a feather and really takes a look at it. He’s still looking at it as if you had nowhere to be and it’s annoying to you. You roll your eyes and almost stamp your foot, “Edward, I thought our ride was downstairs?”

He slowly looks up with a quick look of great smitten. It caught you off guard. You turn and walk out of the door and you hear him close the door as you walk to the elevator.

You kept your eyes to the floor as the elevator rode down with each soft ding of the numbers counting backwards.

You fold your arms as your car door was closed by him. You didn’t look at his face.

You looked up as Mark sat with a smug smile. The long table had people who seemed to not be happy with any ideas. Mark got up while you sat in the rolling chairs, and presented the painting and said, “This is the direction I feel we should be going with.”

People tuned in as they took in and couldn’t believe that the model that they seem to all know was displayed in a painted medium.

People were in your face as the meeting was over and you were tired of saying your name. Your mind was focused on getting back to your room to talk to Paul.

You turned down the invitations to go out afterwards. You left out of the building and took in a breath of air. Before you could walk further, a car swings and pulls over. Edward steps out of the driver side and opens the passenger door.

“How was it?” he asks. You shrug and say, “It was alright.”

As you drove, your eyebrows furrow as the car pulls beside a restaurant.

“I figured you would be hungry. You were in there for two hours.” he says.

You both sat across from each other and you stare at him.

He stared back.

You couldn’t figure him out.

“What’s your motive?” you ask him. He takes his eyes at the glass of water that was in front of him, “Could you be more specific?” he asks.

“I asked a question first.”

“I don’t know what you’re implying.”

“Yeah, you do.”

He looks back at your face with a poker face, “What makes you think so?”

“I don’t believe that you just simply like being around me for whatever reason.”

“If you wouldn’t push me away so much, you would know.”

“I have a boyfriend.”

“I didn’t ask to marry you.” he says with a grin.

“But…” you say and shake your head.

“This isn’t a date. I’m not asking you to leave..Paul. We’re enjoying ourselves.” he says as if he’s piecing everything together.

“Are we? Or is it just you?” you ask in thought as your fingers brush across your forehead.

"I hope its not just me." he says and leans back in his chair. The waiter drops your plate in front of you and you thank him.

The waiter turns to Edward, "Are you sure you don't want anything?"

Edward shakes his head and politely says, "I'm alright."

The waiter walks off and you start chewing.

"How is your food?" Edward asks.

It was the best steak you ever had. But, you didn't tell him that.

You shrug, "It's alright."

He nods and you take a look at him.

"Is being in your life lonely?" you ask in a quiet tone knowing his ears would be able to pick it up easily.

"It can be." he answers with boredom as if the same question had been asked before time and time again.

"How did it happen? Was it by accident?" you ask.

That's how you knew how Edward and Carlisle's father son relationship had transpired. How the Spanish flu that was promised to take his life was halted. He was hesitant to let the next piece of information out. But, he pushed through. With a somewhat empty plate, your mind reeled as he talked about his struggle of adapting to the diet and justifying it by only killing 'the bad humans'.

You questioned Edward's philosophy and wondered if there was something to be gained for him.

"How did you stop?" you ask.

"I had enough of the lamentable after effect."

In the car, you can hear the soft purr of the engine along with outside life, you stare ahead.

"Say something." he whispers.

"I didn't know your kind could have a rebellious teenager phase." you say. He found this to be funny.

"Only because I didn't like how Carlisle restricted my diet at first.”

"Father knows best."

Edward nods with a smile as he watches the red light.

"You left Forks for good?" you ask.

He slowly nods.

"Do you miss it?" you ask.

"No. I don't have to pretend that I am a seventeen year old high school student anymore."

"Why did you and your family do that anyway?" you ask.

"The younger we start out somewhere, the longer we can stay."

You shake your head and let out a chuckle.

"What?" he asks.

"Why not just isolate? I could see you and your family doing that if you were feeding on humans to integrate better with society but, how you guys are doing it is just putting you all at greater risk of discovery."

"You're giving me lessons now? You think you can be a better vampire than me?"

"The double life charade makes you guys have to move all of the time. You have forever so, you all don't have to spend it with high school kids. You had to have done something way more interesting than that." you pointed out.

"I have two doctorates in medicine." he states invitingly.

"And a music prodigy." you add on.

"You liked the cover that I did?"

"You did..Alright." you say and he takes a glance at your face and he emits a deep chuckle.

"How did you even find out what I was talking about anyway?" you ask to stop his laughing.

"You're the one who called me the prodigy. What did you expect?" he replies in amusement.

"It's gone to your head I see." you say as you playfully roll your eyes.

"If you could live forever, what would you do?" he asks.

"It's pretty obvious." you say.

"I really would like something made by you." he says.

"We all would like things, wouldn't we?" you throw out.

"I fed you information. What do I get in return?" he asks.

"Your hopes up." you say and he pulls up to your hotel to drop you off.

"Make me something. Please?" he asks in a mellifluous voice.

Before opening the door, you say softly, "I'll think about it."

You video call Paul once you're comfortable in your room. He picks up after two rings.

You smile at his face but he says, "What took you so long?"

"I grabbed something to eat afterwards." you say.

After he knew what you ate in detail, you showed a bit of impatience, "I thought you had something to show me."

"I do." he answers.

"Okay..." you say and wait for him to spit it out but he just looks back with a neutral expression.

You lay back on your pillows with a soft sigh as he then made your heart stop with one statement, "Take your top off."

Your fingers undo the buttons and he watched. With your shirt open, you were on display.

He makes content noise, "I miss you so much."

"I miss you too." you say, focusing in on him.

"You do?" he asks.

"Yes."

"Take your pants off."

You do as you were told and you groan as the window blows its own cold air into the room. You forgot you had it open. You shuddered and your chest poked out from the draft.

"If you were here you could've kept me warm." you say.

"If I was there, how would I touch you?" he asks you.

Your fingers smooth over your skin as you watch him follow your every move.

Paul felt frustrated but he couldn't look away. He had his back against the headboard as he palmed himself. He was throbbing and aching and his grunt though your laptop let you know just that.

As your hand cupped the front of your panty covered mound, he adjusts his own device and you now see his erection as his large hand wrapped around himself.

Your movements became more frantic as you slide your underwear down. You rise on your knees as you sigh out and show him how needy you were as you buck on your hand. You were very close to the camera and Paul grunts as he stared while pumping himself.

The fact of him watching you pleasure yourself alone was driving you crazy. You craved some sort of pressure and you let him know in a soft but frustrated whisper, "I need you so bad."

"I need you to come home." he says through a grunt.

He then slows down his movements and tells you, "Grab that pillow behind you."

You sit back and grab it.

Staring at you as he wet his lips he says, "Ride it."

It only made you crave Paul more. You whine out his name as you were very close to reaching a climax but your grinding couldn't bring it out.

He tells you to slow down and to focus. Your hips shift as you maintain to hit the deep tingle that was aching with the friction of the pillow. Through your deep sighs outs, you hear him say, "Just like that."

Not too long after you shuddered out a built up orgasm, he comes as well with a moan.

You both didn't hang up with each other as you clean yourself up. You hop back in bed, not bothering to put clothes back on and he talks to you until you're fast asleep.

Waking up, a black screen stares back at you. You groan softly as you realized the laptop had died. After you plug it in, you hurry up and put clothes on because of the cold autumn air that blew in. You slide the window shut.

You call Paul with your cellphone but there's no answer and you assume he has to patrol. You text him.

"So sorry. My laptop died :x "

You seen a text from Jared.

"This week needs to hurry up and end so you can take Paul back he's driving me crazy >_<"

You chuckle at this as you miss them all.

It felt nice to walk the streets without having to go somewhere important. You thought about just heading back home, but it seemed to be promising here. You were a bit conflicted. At a bookstore, you were in the middle of reading the back of a book, you felt wave of overwhelm.

You look up. People around you seem to walk and chatter about. Minding their business. You just didn't understand why you felt a cloud of impending doom.

You walk further in the cozy store as you try to shake off the feeling. It just felt like something or someone was watching your every move. You started to feel like maybe your brain was playing tricks on you.

You give up and move your legs fast toward the exit, only ending up bumping into something super hard.

You couldn't even say sorry because you were a bit stunned by the impact. A pair of eyes stared back at you as they held your body up. You felt uneasy under this gaze. He looked unsettling.

"There you are. I've been trying to find you." you hear a voice.

You felt your arm being tugged away and you realized the voice came from Edward. He glared at the man who stared at both of you. It was as if Edward was telling him a lot with only one look.

He tugs you out of the store and you wait for a moment to ask, "What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it." he growled out lowly.

This was the first time you've seen Edward look so dangerous. Your legs struggle to keep up with him but you do. You look down and realized both of your hands have been intertwined. You retract it and put your hands in your pocket.

This slows his steps, he calls your name.

"Just tell me what happened. Why did that guy make you so upset?" you ask.

"I need something to keep my mind occupied." he says as he shakes his head.

You enter a record store, music plays overhead. You both search pretend to search through a row of vinyls.

"He was thinking of ways to lure you with him so he could drain you dry." Edward says with hardness but it was low so no wandering ears would have questions.

Your hands stopped at one record as you felt confused, "But, his eyes were brown. Not like yours or red."

"Contacts. It's nothing new to him." Edward confirms.

"Hm.." you mused as you looked at the colorful art of the vinyl cover.

You look up to him smothering his own intense gaze over you and you ask, "Why didn’t you wear them? Especially if you were going to school?"

"The venom dissolves them just way too fast. He was dangerous. He had a plan that he was willing to carry out swiftly.”

"I thought I didn't make you guys thirsty." you say in a hushed tone.

"I can only speak for myself. Alice as well." he says.

“So confusing…” you whisper out in frustration.

It’s quiet for a moment until you ask again, “How did you find me?”

“Alice seen where you were. You decided to go into that bookstore.”

You nod in understanding.

You did buy a CD and Edward advised you to not go to your hotel room just yet.

“I need to make sure he doesn’t try to follow you.”

“But, there’s nothing else for me to do.” you say. You wanted to call Paul again.

He takes a look at you and ask, “Have you been to the Gagosian gallery?”

You shake your head.

“Let’s go.”

You look about because you’re hesitant.

“What’s the problem?” he asks.

“It..It feels too intimate.” you voice out.

“How?”

You shrug. But, you knew. You would rather go with Paul. You missed Paul so much.

“Why not tell Larry you will be there? I’m sure he would like that.” he says to you as you both start walking again.

“He’s a busy man. He couldn’t care less.” you say.

“You never know until you try.” he says back.

You check your phone as you felt it buzz.

“Charge it smh can you call me ?”

You type back with a response.

“I put it on the charger before I left. I’m going to a gallery now I will call you after”

“Aren’t you worried someone will point out..” you say and point toward your eyes.

He smirks, “In a big city they will just think I’m expressing myself.”

You chuckle at the accuracy.

You greet Larry with a text, tell him how you were enjoying his gallery so far. You compliment him to add a cherry on top.

It was true. There was so much to see as your eyes take it all in. You forgot that you even came with someone as you went off into your own world. All you kept thinking about one of your pieces being hung here.

The talent in the room swallowed you whole. You heard some gasps. You look and Edward was standing near you with a small grin. He tells you to look, your eyes follow where he’s looking and you look.

Larry looks around and smiles a bit as he sees that you’re still there. He comes over and says hello to you.

An arm is wrapped around your shoulders as he asks someone to take a picture.

You look to him in surprise as he whispers while smiling, “How would you like to be represented by me?”

A small smile is brought on your face at the promise as the camera that Edward holds up is flashed, blinding you by the white light.

[runwithwolvcs]

You Know I'm No Good

Rewritten

Chapter one

Warnings: Drug and Alcohol Use, Mental Health, Self Destructive Behaviour

Tallulah Forrester wasn't supposed to be out. Like, obviously. But there's only so many times you can stare at your ceiling, counting the glow-in-the-dark stars you stuck up there when you were twelve and still believed in wishes, before you lose your actual mind. Besides, she was basically a professional at this point - the careful slide of her window, the silent drop onto the grass below, the way she could time her exits perfectly with her mom's alcohol-induced sleep schedule.

God, she was such a cliché.

The thought hit her as she sat on Wyatt's suspiciously stained couch, vodka burning pleasantly in her veins, making everything soft around the edges. Sneaking out? Drinking? Hooking up with the resident bad boy? She might as well be the protagonist of every YA novel ever written. Except those girls usually had some kind of redemption arc waiting for them, and Tallulah? She was pretty sure she was just spiraling.

Wyatt wasn't helping. He was looking at her weird tonight, all intense and focused in a way that made her skin prickle uncomfortably. They had a thing - had been having a thing for about a year now - but it wasn't supposed to be... whatever this was. It was supposed to be simple. Easy. The kind of arrangement you could walk away from without looking back.

"Damn, Luie," he said, his voice rough with alcohol as he invaded her personal space. "You look fucking hot tonight. Like, seriously..."

Tallulah's heart stuttered in her chest. This wasn't their script. Their script was simple: party, hook up, pretend it never happened, repeat. There weren't supposed to be compliments. There weren't supposed to be feelings. That's why she picked him in the first place - because Wyatt didn't do feelings. Everyone knew that.

"You're drunk," she said, trying to laugh it off, but the sound came out all wrong, like static on an old radio.

His grin turned predatory, dark eyes fixing on her face with an intensity that made her want to crawl out of her own skin. "Yeah, I'm drunk. But it doesn't mean I'm lying." He shifted closer, his thigh pressing against hers. "Luie, you've always been beautiful, but tonight? Damn."

The vodka bottle in her hand suddenly felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. She should have known better. Should have seen this coming. Should have realized that nothing in her life could just stay simple and uncomplicated. But that was Tallulah's whole problem, wasn't it? Always thinking she could outrun the consequences of her choices.

"You're just drunk," she repeated, the words falling flat between them. "You don't have to say that. You're fine. Just—just chill."

But Wyatt wasn't chilling. His hand found her leg, fingers splaying possessively above her knee, and Tallulah felt her entire body go rigid. The bass from someone's speakers vibrated through the walls, matching the erratic rhythm of her heart. This was wrong. Everything about this was wrong.

"Don't act like you don't know it, Luie," he murmured, leaning in close enough that she could smell the tequila on his breath. "I can see it in your eyes. You want this too. You want me, right?"

Three words flashed through her mind like emergency sirens: Get. Out. Now.

But where was she supposed to go? Amelia had disappeared an hour ago with some lacrosse player, probably making out in someone's parent's bedroom. And wasn't that just perfect? Her best friend was living her best rom-com life while Tallulah sat here drowning in her own bad decisions.

She looked at Wyatt again, trying to find the guy she'd been hooking up with for the past year - the one who kept things casual and never asked questions. Instead, she found something softer in his expression, something that looked dangerously close to actual feelings, and panic clawed its way up her throat.

"I need to go," she blurted out, the words tasting like copper in her mouth.

Wyatt blinked at her like she'd started speaking in tongues. His hand circled her wrist, grip just tight enough to make her pulse jump. "Come on, Luie," he said, voice dropping into something that might have been meant to sound soothing. "You don't have to go. I don't get it. You're fine. You've been here a hundred times, right? Just... let it happen."

The words hit her like a bucket of ice water, washing away the pleasant buzz of alcohol and leaving nothing but crystal-clear clarity in its wake. She couldn't do this. Not tonight. Not ever again.

"I really gotta go," she said, voice trembling like a leaf in October, and god, when did she become this person? This girl who shook and stammered and let boys make her feel small?

She yanked her arm free and stumbled to her feet, the room tilting dangerously around her. Wyatt stared up at her, confusion morphing into something darker. "What the hell, Luie? Come on, it's just us. You want me, I know you do."

But Tallulah wasn't listening anymore. The walls were closing in, the air growing thin, and she had to get out. Had to find Amelia. Had to find anyone who could pull her back from this edge she'd been dancing on for too long.

"I can't stay," she mumbled, backing toward the door like she was facing down a wild animal.

Then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her with a finality that felt like the end of a chapter she never should have started.

She had to find Amelia. Had to find something - anything - to anchor her before she drifted too far into this ocean of bad choices she'd created for herself. Because as much as she wanted to believe that everything could stay casual, stay uncomplicated... she was so far past that point now. The walls were closing in, and she was about to lose herself completely.

-------

Tallulah's room looked exactly like what you'd expect from a teenage disaster: half-empty bottles hidden behind AP textbooks she never opened, clothes strewn across the floor like confetti after a party no one enjoyed, and everywhere, the evidence of a girl trying desperately to be anyone else but herself.

She slipped through her window with practiced ease, the cool night air raising goosebumps on her arms. The silence felt wrong immediately - too thick, too intentional. And then she saw why.

Winona Hayes sat at Tallulah's desk like she'd been waiting there all night, which, knowing her mother, she probably had. The desk lamp cast harsh shadows across her face, deepening the lines of exhaustion that seemed permanently etched there these days. The sight made Tallulah's stomach drop like she'd missed a step going downstairs.

"You're home," Winona said, her voice flat enough to land planes on. She didn't need to ask where Tallulah had been. They both knew the answer would be another lie anyway.

Tallulah shifted her weight, feeling suddenly dizzy with more than just alcohol. "I was just at Amelia's," she said automatically, because that's what good daughters did, right? They lied to protect their mothers from the truth of who they really were.

But Winona's eyes narrowed, and Tallulah knew she'd made a mistake before her mother even opened her mouth.

"I spoke to Amelia's parents," Winona said quietly, each word dropping like a stone into still water. "They called... asking if you were okay. Amelia told them you were having an emergency."

Well, shit.

"I—" Tallulah started, but the words evaporated on her tongue. The room spun slowly around her as she tried to find solid ground, something to hold onto. Her fingers found the hem of her sleeve, twisting the fabric like it might somehow provide an escape route.

Winona rose from the desk with the careful movements of someone trying not to startle a wild animal. When she spoke again, her voice carried the weight of a thousand disappointed sighs. "Where were you, Tallulah?"

The truth slipped out before she could stop it: "Wyatt's..." The word hung between them like smoke, impossible to take back.

Her mother's sharp intake of breath cut through the room like a knife. For a moment, Winona's face went perfectly blank - the calm before a storm Tallulah had been running from for years.

"I told you not to see him." The words came out tight, controlled, but underneath there was something raw and desperate - the sound of a mother watching her daughter self-destruct in slow motion.

Tallulah backed up until she hit the wall, wishing she could just phase through it and disappear. The air felt electric, charged with all the things they never said to each other.

"I—I'm sorry, okay? It was just... I don't know. I don't know why I—" The words spilled out of her like water from a broken dam, but they weren't enough. They were never enough.

Winona held up a hand, and Tallulah fell silent. For a moment, her mother looked impossibly tired, like she'd aged ten years in ten seconds. She crossed the room with measured steps, each one echoing with finality.

"We'll talk about this in the morning," she said quietly, but they both knew what that really meant: We'll pretend this never happened, just like we always do.

Tallulah wanted to scream, to explain, to make her mother understand... what, exactly? That she was drowning? That she didn't know how to be the daughter Winona deserved? That she was sorry for being such a spectacular disappointment? But she just stood there, frozen, as her mother opened the door.

"I can't keep doing this," Winona said, her voice cracking just enough to break Tallulah's heart. For a moment, there might have been tears in her eyes, but she was gone before Tallulah could be sure, the door clicking shut with devastating finality.

Tallulah stood in the middle of her room, heart pounding against her ribs like it was trying to escape. She wanted to run again - it was what she was best at, after all. But what was the point? You couldn't outrun yourself forever.

She'd pushed away everyone who might have helped - friends, family, teachers, even her own reflection in the mirror. And now she was left with nothing but the bitter taste of vodka in her mouth and the crushing realization that maybe she wasn't the hero of this story after all.

Maybe she was just another cautionary tale waiting to happen.

[4veslil]

realised my Paul Lahote fic may not be as long as I thought it’d be, probably 20 chapters at most which means i’m a 1/4 of the way through at most! so exciting!

[fanfictiongirlie]

Twilight: Some Soulmate - Chapter Three

Click here for masterlist

Parings: Paul Lahote x Reader

Description: Y/N a member of the Cullen family is imprinted on by one of the wolves, she is shocked, he is shocked. She is struggling with drinking animal blood over human, and he is disgusted by a vampire for a soulmate… But maybe it could work..?

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: None

Words: 1,374

Time to meet my mate. 

I followed Sam, keeping my guard up. 

"No one will hurt you" Sam said as we walked.

"What about Paul?" I asked. 

He avoided the question. "Are you one of the adoptive children of Dr. Cullen?" He asked. 

"Kind of, Carlisle more of a brother to me, but I look 21 so I can go to school with the others, I didn't feel like getting a job yet" I answered.

"How old are you actually?" He asked. 

"I'm 154" I answered. 

"Wow that's old, here we are" 

We left the forest, to find a little cottage covered in vines and leaves. 

"It's beautiful" I whispered, Sam, smiled at me, and opened the door. We walked into the cottage there was a woman standing there, she must have been Emily, she was gorgeous but with the scar marks on her face.

"Hello" I smiled and curtsied slightly, I'm old fashioned and nervous. 

"Paul's imprint?" She asked I nodded. Sam walked over to her and kissed her all over, it was sweet, I looked away, feeling the moment didn't need me oogling. 

"Paul is outback, I can't promise he'll be please to see you" Sam muttered. I nodded and sped towards the back door. I opened it and stepped out, the sky was starting to brighten. I wonder if my family were home. They were probably worried about me. What if Paul killed me, they wouldn't know. 

"Hello, Paul" I whispered, he was leaning against the fence with his back facing towards me. He turned around, and if I could breathe my breath would have been caught. He was breathtaking. 

"Wow, you're lovely to look at" I whisper, hating myself once I had said it. Luckily no blush. 

He just stood there, his dark eyes staring at me. 

"Say something" I said, stepping forward, he took a step back. Oh, I was right he hated me.

"You're a vampire, I imprinted on a vampire" He muttered "The world is cruel"

I sniffed, it hurt. I couldn't tell how he felt about me, it confused me. I stepped backward. He didn't want me. 

"Wait" He called as I rushed out. I sped home, I didn't even say goodbye to Sam and Emily. 

Carlisle and Esme met me at the door when I got home, they pulled me into a hug. 

"Where were you, we were so worried" Esme whispered into my hair. 

"I met him" I signed. They pulled away from their hug.

"Where's Edward?" I asked. 

"With Bella at the hospital" Carlisle answered.

They explained to me what happened, James was killed, and Victoria, the redhead got away. The other one, Laurent went to stay at Denali with our cousins. I made a mental note to visit them soon. 

"So everything is back to normal?" I asked, they nodded and we walked into the house. Alice and Rose grabbed me and they took me to my room, for I presumed a girlie evening. 

~~~~~~~

Another week past, it was prom night. Alice and Rosalie convinced me to go, alone. I decided on wearing a dark green dress that complemented every curve and made my boobs look amazing. Alice told me Mike had asked Jessica Stanley so I didn't have to worry about him. I loved Rosalie's dress more than anything, it was red and she looked like an angel. 

We arrived at the school, I saw Edward and Bella, I skipped over to them. 

"I'm glad you're okay Bella" I smiled, I meant it. 

"Give me a moment" Edward smiled and disappeared.

"Hey, Bella!" I looked up to see Jacob, I smiled and waved. 

"Oh Hey Y/N, Paul Lahote wants to speak to you, he is waiting over there" He smiled, awkwardly. I nodded and walked to where he came from, in the forest.  Paul was standing there, in a suit. He looked mouth-watering. 

"Y/N, wow you're beautiful" He whispered. 

"Thank you" I answered. Not really sure what's happening.

"Are you here with anyone?" He asked I shook my head. 

"Nah going solo" I joked. 

"Maybe, I could come in and dance with you?" 

My eyes went wide, what. He wanted to dance with me. I looked at him and concentrated, he wasn't lying. He still wasn't sure about me, he didn't trust me. I could feel him wanting to like me though. 

"I'm a vampire Paul, your sworn enemy," I said, sadly. 

"But you're also my imprint, please, one dance?" He asked. I nodded and held my hand out. He hesitated. 

"You need to take my hand to dance with me" I smirked. 

He reached forward and our hands touched, we both flinched and jumped back from each other. 

"You're so hot" I gasped, he smirked, "I know"

"I didn't realise how cold you were" He added. I smiled, and took his hand, we both shivered and I pulled him towards the school. 

"Wow you're strong" He chuckled. I smiled as I walked past Edward and Bella. 

We walked into the school, having our picture taken at the door. 

I saw Alice first, she along with Jasper rushed towards me. 

"Who is this?" She smiled, holding her hand out. Paul didn't shake it. 

"Paul" I answered.

"Oh" Alice smiled, and Jasper smirked at me. I rolled my eyes and pulled Paul to the dance floor. I wrapped my arms around his neck, resting them on his shoulder careful to not put my whole weight down. He shivered, at my coldness. And he placed both his hands on my waist. I shivered.

"You're supposed to move when you're dancing!" Emmett called over, I flipped him the finger and stepped closer to Paul, our bodies were barely touching now.

We swayed to the music, staring into one another's eyes. His eyes were lovely, chocolate brown might be my new favorite colour. 

"Do you think this can work?" He whispers, his hands tightening on my waist ever so slightly. I shrugged

"We're complete opposites, vampire and a werewolf, cold and hot" I start, his face falling. "But maybe if we take it slow and try, maybe it can"

He looks up at me hopeful. 

"I'd like to try Y/N" He smiled, leaning forward. I thought I was going to kiss me. I froze, did I want this? But his lips met my cheek. 

"Thank you" He whispered against my cheek. He stood back from me and spun me on the spot, and then brought me even closer to his body, we were pressed up against each other. I'd be lying if I said that didn't affect me, it had been a while. 

We carried on dancing for the next few songs, eventually, my head was resting on his shoulder, and his arms were draped completely over me, holding me close. I felt his feelings change, it felt happy and I could feel him start to like me. It made me smile. 

"I like you too" I whispered absently. 

"How'd you know I was thinking that?" He asked. I looked up.

"I have a gift" 

"Like a superpower?" He asks, I chuckle and nod. 

"I suppose so, I can feel and tell what someone thinks about me" I explain, he nods and then pulls me close again, I rested my head on him again. He was so warm. I hadn't felt warm in so long. 

"Hey Y/N, we're heading home now" Rosalie said, tapping my shoulder. I nodded. 

"Okay, let me say goodbye?" I asked, she nodded and left, I watched her, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice walk out of the hall. 

"Let me walk you out" Paul smiled, linking his hand with mine. We walked towards the door, and left the hall. 

"Tonight was lovely Paul, thank you. I understand this was probably hard for you" I say, leaning forward and kissing his cheek. 

"I won't lie, it's very difficult, but I'll learn if it means knowing you" He smiles, cheekily. 

He kissed my cheek and ran off to the forest. I smiled to myself, and meet up with my siblings. 

"So that's Paul" Emmett teased, I punched his arm and got into the car. I felt good, my mate wanted to know me. We had a long way to go. But this was nice. 

Previous Part - Next Part

[crazyk-imagine]

Paul Lahote Master List

*image coming soon*

Fics

Misunderstandings and New Found Love // Ao3: Misunderstandings and New Found Love

Summary: You've gone through enough as it is, adding shifting and finding out the stories you heard as a child were true… icing on the crap cake. Then your life got even worse, most of the town hated you but not the alpha and his girl. Nope, they checked in on you and honestly, helped change your life, for better or for worse, you don't know which yet.

Mean // Ao3: Mean

Summary: You're reminiscing about an ex of yours and want to show him that you're doing better now than when you were with him. It gets even better when you go visit your friends and they decide to change your lives for the better, after you two have a brief chit chat and go out for a (non-official) date, soon you'll see.

Flickering Lights and Butterflies // Flickering Lights and Bonding // Ao3: Flickering Lights and Butterflies

Summary: You and Paul knew each other as kids but due to a falling out, you haven't spoken to each other in years. Emily and Sam have been your go to people to talk to since before the pack shifted. You knew of the legends because of how often you and Paul hung out as kids but also because of your dad. You didn't know how real they were until it happened to you. There's only so much you could listen to from Emily on the whole subject but now that you're thrown into it, without so much as a head up. Things aren't easy and don't get easier... with how stubborn you are.

Headcanons

How they feel when they find out you're their Imprint Headcanon // Ao3: How they feel when they find out you're their Imprint Headcanon

Summary: How the Uley (*cough* and Black pack *cough*) pack members feel when they meet their one and only, meant to be, forever person aka their imprint

[jupiterwrites99]

You're On Your Own, Kid -- Chapter 14

“Are you sure this is--” Jacob started to ask as he pulled up to the homey cottage. She had convinced him to let her see Josh, to tell him where she had been. Sage need to rid herself of the guilt of the lie Sam and Paul had made her tell.

“Joel,” Sage jumped out of the car before Jacob had even put it in park. “Oh, my god,” She said in disbelief as she ran towards the boy on the porch, “What are you doing here?!”

“I didn’t know where else to go. I figured you’d be here.” Joel answered, grinning as he took her in. He picked up her braid as if mesmerised by how long her hair had gotten before dropping it,  “I was clearly wrong, but Josh let me know you called so I figured I’d stick around and eventually you’d show up.”

“I missed you so much,” Sage murmured softly before hugging him tightly. She let him go to introduce him to Jacob before her new friend got the wrong impression, “Jacob, this is Joel. He’s a friend from home.”

“Your old pack,” Jacob countered.

“Yeah,”She nodded, confirming that Joel was a wolf too. Looking back at her old packmate she asked gently,   “How bad was it?”

“Alec lost it when you left.” Joel admitted, “I get why you did it, but I wish you had told me. I would have come with you.”

“I didn't want them finding out.” She frowned, “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all good.” Joel waved her off, before mentioning, “Laila and Charlie want out too.”

“What's so bad about this pack?” Jacob intervened with the two friends at the mention of two more wolves wanting to leave the pack Sage had left on her own at seventeen. “You never mentioned.”

“They have this allegiance to these royal vampires or something.” Joel explained,  “We’ve never met them, but there's rumours that they only want wolves strong enough to continue their legacy.”

“Wolves with enhanced abilities.” Sage added,  “Like my hearing and speed, I can use both to evade, well, everybody.”

“So I’ve noticed.”Jacob chuckled, as if it were still fresh in his mind how she evaded Sam's pack with a broken leg for nearly an hour before being cornered by Quil, “You’re all like that?”

“Yeah, we do a series of tests when we’re young. If you don’t pass, you get sent away. Never to be heard of again.”

“I have a brother.” Sage spoke solemnly,  “I haven't seen him since I was ten. He was only four years older than me,”

Jacob looked at her with sympathy, like she was a never ending list of lost things, “And who are these royal vampires?”

“The Volts or something.” Joel shrugged.

“I think I know who you are talking about,” Jacobs face hardened “We’ve got to talk to Sam, Sage.”

“No way, he’d never believe it.”

“Who's Sam?” Joel asked, cutting off Jacobs next statement.

“His alpha.” She said with the roll of her eyes “He kicked me out, literally.”

“Sounds great.” He snickered

“Sage?” A deep voice came from the direction of the cottage. She knew it well.

Sage couldn’t help the smile on her face as she turned to see the one person who let her be in tune with her humanity. She took off running towards him and quickly latched on to the older man in a hug, “I’ve missed you so much, Josh.”

“You don’t look a day over seventeen,” He spoke with a big grin on his face as he took a step back to really take her in. Josh was the only human she was allowed to see. Once a week she would visit him at his cottage by the lake so he could teach her fishing or how to start a bonfire. Her parents told her the only reason they allowed it was so that she could learn to take care of herself as a human, being the runt meant she would never really be involved in the pack long term. She had always been afraid she would be sent away, but the day never came. “Hey, Joel. Jacob.”

Sage looked up at Josh in confusion, “You know him?”

“Mr. Uley.” Jacob started sarcastically, “Haven’t had time to stop by Sams?”

“I’ve been a bit busy, looking for Sage.” Josh stated, pinching her cheek with a toothy smile, She couldn't help but smile back, she had missed him so much.

Jacob scoffed at the older mans statement, “Right,”

“Okay, what's going on?” She demanded, her hands placed on her hips as she furiously looked between Jacob and Josh. Sage trusted Jacob, but the way he was speaking to Josh made it seem like there was bad blood between them. Joel slung his arm over her shoulders and looked at her with a grin.

“Don’t you just love drama?”

----

“If he yells at me I’m leaving,” Sage stated as the car pulled up to the old cottage she had called home for the past four months. Her wolf was already whining about the fact that they would see Paul again. Two weeks apart had been near torture. Despite the feeling of betrayal she had originally felt, she knew he didn’t have a choice in any of what had happened.  He had tried to stop her from hitting Jacob, but she didn't listen.  Though she did want an explanation as to why he had gone to see Rachel, yet told her he was going to work.

“He won’t,” Jacob reassured, bringing her out of her thoughts before getting out. She hadn’t even realised he had put the car in park.

Looking back at Joel to make sure he was still onboard, she was met with a wide grin, “Where's this mate of yours?”

“Shut up,” She groaned. Sage knew Joel would just push Paul's already limited patience. She did too, and the two of them together were a cause for chaos. “Lets get this over with,”

The young she wolf stepped out of the car and could instantly feel the stir of her inner wolf at the familiar scent of cologne. He was here. This was happening.

Oh my god, I am going to phase. No.No.No.

“Sage?” Jared questioned from his spot on the porch steps, a young woman sat in his lap. Sage couldn't put a name to her face but from the look on both of their faces as they glanced at each other, she knew it was his mate.

Sage took a deep breath before opening her mouth to speak, “Where’s--”

Strong arms wrapped around her waist, turning her quickly, causing her to stumble into a rock solid chest with a gasp. If his scent didn't make her feel dizzy, she would have panicked, but the safety of the arms around her small frame relaxed her frigid body, melting into him as he held her head to his chest. Though the anger in his voice scent a shiver down her spine as he gritted out, “Don’t ever do that again,”

“I’m sorry,” Sage murmured, pulling back slightly to look up at him, “I broke my promise,”

“I don't care,” Paul muttered, before kissing her forehead gently. He let his lips linger as he took a deep breath. She felt as her mate physically relaxed and softened in front of her, allowing her own worries to subside. Sage had remembered what he said about being a ticking time bomb of anger, and had secretly worried that she had set him off by leaving. With a small stroke down her spine, Paul quietly asked, “Are you okay?”

“No,” She shook her head.

The older wolf unwrapped his arms from around her, placing his large hands on her shoulders as he looked her over, looking for signs of any injuries she may have gained in her time away, “What's wrong?”

 Sage grabbed his hands from her shoulders and intertwined their fingers, “Did you know Sam is my brother?”

“I found out while you were gone.” Paul admitted tentatively. He was clearly wary of her reaction, and Sage couldn't help but frown at the new information. Sam knew and he still kicked her out like a bad puppy. “He was trying to get in contact with Josh, he figured that's where you were going.”

She shook her head with tears filling in her eyes and he hugged her tightly. Sam quickly proved her fears to be correct, he wasn’t much better than the pack she had left behind. The only thing worth sticking around for was Paul, who had his own faults, but those came from Sam. He was just obedient, Sage would never hold that against him.

“Who’s this?” Sage heard Sam's voice ask from behind Paul. It was as unwelcoming as it could be, and Sage wondered if he would have had the same reaction had he not known Paul had imprinted on her.

“Joel,” Her friend said confidently, looking Sam up and down in the process, “You must be the alpha,”

The eldest wolf nodded. He crossed his arms and puffed out his chest before gruffly speaking his own name, “Sam,”

“Ahuh,” Joel acknowledged before crossing his arms to mirror the older wolf. Joel was a fighter, he would never back down from a challenge thrown at him. That's why their old alpha liked him so much, he was strong and loyal. Though, it seems that he wasn’t exactly loyal to who Sage assumed he was. Joel walked to where Sage and Paul stood, nearly mirroring her mates stance. Both hulking wolves flanked her sides, partially shielding her from Sam.

“We need to talk,” Jacob spoke up, rolling his eyes at the way Sam and Joel were having a standoff “All of us,”

Sam took his eyes off of Joel to look at Jacob, “About?”

“The Volturi.” Jacob announced, leading the Uley pack to all turn rigid. Paul's hand had tightened around her so hard she thought he'd break a bone.

“You all know them?” Joel asked for both of them. Paul looked down at her, and the only thing she could see swirling around his mocha brown eyes was pure rage.

[iveleftitwithyou]

guyssss thank you so much for getting casual to 100 notes!!!! i’m so happy you guys are enjoying my writing it means so much ❤️

more coming this week i promise! :)

[foxintheferns]

WILD HEART - Chapter One Release!

a Twilight-Paul Lahote Fanfiction

***Short summary for my antsy gals: this bitch with childhood trauma, no real family and a passion for animals goes to live in the woods outside of La Push beach for her job, and guess who’s not happy she’s there because now they have to worry about this human who’s put herself smack in the middle of bloodsucker city, where they have an instinctual obligation to protect her. And guess who’s even more angry that he suddenly feels an undying and relentless, fiery need to be with her all the time? Angst, tension, passion, anger, love, jealousy, perhaps even some betrayal? This story’s got it all babes (yes, even the smut) - it’s just one of those slow burn, then-suddenly-everything-is-fuckin-crazy-and-the-angst-is-unreal fics, you know? stay tuned ;)

A/N: Finally starting my long-form Paul Lahote fic. Truly I am so JAZZED. I would love suggestions and comments as the story builds. Please enjoy the very first chapter! It’s a lot of character and setting development that’s much heavier than it will be in following chapters, so just bear with me 😫 I’ll be uploading pretty damn regularly, 2nd chapter will be up tonight!

CHAPTER ONE:

“All by yourself?”The grey haired, pinch-faced man tipped his face down to look at me incredulously from above his wire framed glasses, which drooped to the tip of his nose in response to the movement. His gravelly voice was muffled by the cloudy glass that separated his cubicle from the rest of the Forks Department of Motor Vehicles waiting room. The question was getting all too familiar to me, and it took more of my energy than it should to not roll my eyes at his curiosity, which was clearly laced with disapproval. I decided a soft smile, one that only I would know was almost painfully forced, seemed manageable.

“All by myself!” I responded curtly and with feigned enthusiasm. My eyes squinted as my cheeks were pushed up towards them by the effort of my smile. How many times did I have to have this conversation? Was it really that unheard of for a woman to live in the woods by herself? On second thought, maybe it was. But this was Washington! I expected my job title to be a bit more of the norm here. The man blinked at me, pursed his lips into a thin line, and shifted his sharp eyes back down to the work forms I had provided for him. He cleared his throat, tilting his head back again and holding the pages further from his face to peer down through the square lenses of his glasses at the top sheet. He brought his hand to his mouth and licked his middle fingertip, bringing it back down to the papers and flicking to the next page. I sighed and shifted my weight onto my other hip, trying to not tap my fingers against the linoleum countertop in my impatience. Maybe I was taking his words personally, but I felt his distaste for my plans radiating out from his cubicle, washing over me in judgmental waves. It made me itch to get the hell out of there. I didn’t need any more resistance, having already gone through hell to leave my life in Maine behind for the next year and a half. He hummed a low grumble and proceeded to put the papers down on his desk, bringing his hands over his keyboard and beginning to type. He paused, then, peering up at me again. “Sullivan, Harley? Date of birth October nine-, no, erm,” He squinted down at the computer screen, “eighteenth, that is… of 1999?” His voice was more practiced and formal now, establishing that he had clearly decided to give up on the interrogation and go through the motions of providing me my updated license, one that would state my new residence in Washington. I nodded with an affirming smile, and he went back to typing. After a minute or two of clicking, tapping and sighing, the older man, whose name tag pinned to his blue button down read ‘Tom’, proceeded to stand up with a small groan from his chair. He slowly paced over to the large printer in the corner of the small carpeted room, clicking several buttons on the side of the massive contraption. Moments later, he pulled a shiny rectangular card from the tray of the machine, lifted it up to the light to eye it carefully, then lumbered back to the window where I waited.

“Well, Harley, you’re all set,” he announced, placing my new license along with my work forms down on the counter through the small window under the glass, “I wish you luck, on your… well, whatever it is you’re doing. Stay safe out there, kid.”

I nodded, shooting him a final grin.

“Thanks.” I grabbed the license and papers out from under the glass divider panel and turned on my heel, heading out through the small gathering of chairs lining the waiting room, and opened the glass door. The frigid air hit the skin of my face in a less than gentle breeze, causing my eyes and nose to scrunch against the sensation. My hair whipped behind me and I gritted my teeth. Welcome to Washington, I supposed. I walked swiftly over to my car, noting how dirty the side was. Scoffing to myself, I wondered if I’d ever again have a clean car in this rainy, muddy state, and then questioned myself as to why I cared so much. My white 1987 Ford Bronco wasn’t exactly the flashiest car around, and to my surprise it fit right in the with the extensive collection of old classic vehicles that called Forks, Washington home. I opened the squeaky door and quickly threw myself onto the driver’s seat, slamming the door closed behind me. I exhaled loudly once I finally sat down, leaning my head back against the headrest. My trip to the Forks DMV didn’t take nearly as long as I’d thought it would, and I knew that was probably due to the ridiculously low population that the town had to its name. However, it wasn’t the last thing on my to-do list for the day. I opened my wallet, placing my new license into the clear display window pocket, and tossed it across the seat next to me. I put the car into first gear and pulled out of the parking lot, eager to get myself situated in my new home. Groceries, gas, firewood, I repeated to myself out loud, knowing that if I didn’t make a list - even a mental one, my obligations would be doomed. Despite my repetition of my to-dos, I almost drove right past the tiny gas station that was settled in next to an old diner. After filling the Bronco up with gas and then buying firewood in the tiny convenience store, I looked up the nearest grocery store on my GPS, and found that Forks Outfitters wasn’t more than five minutes down the road. There was something very satisfying about being in such a small town. I proceeded to spend far too much time and money in the grocery store, not sure if I was over or underestimating the amount of food I would need, and having no idea what I would want to cook for myself for the next few weeks. My new house was quite a bit off the beaten path, and I knew I wouldn’t want to be making the trip to the grocery store in Forks too frequently once I was settled in. With a trunk full of grocery bags and firewood, I slammed the Bronco’s back door with a tired sigh, and walked over to the driver door, opening it with a loud creak. Gonna have to grease those hinges again, I thought to myself with a loud sigh.

“Miss?” I heard a deep voice from behind me. I spun around, one hand still holding my door open, and my eyes met a kind and gentle face. A middle aged man, who sat in a wheelchair and had long black hair that flowed from under a cowboy hat, met my gaze across the small parking lot, a slight smile on his lips. His chair was stopped in front of the automatic doors, off to the left of the entrance, and his eyes were on me. I smiled back timidly and then noticed his right arm was outstretched, his fingers pointing down at the ground leading to my car. I followed his finger and saw the sparkling blue of my debit card on the ground that I must have dropped on my way out to the parking lot.

I felt heat rush to my cheeks, and I glanced back up at the man.

“Oh, thank you!” I stammered and walked swiftly over to my card, laughing awkwardly and bending down to scoop it up. He nodded once, his smile reaching his eyes now, which then flickered to my car. He lifted his hand again, this time gesturing towards the Bronco. “Visiting from Maine?” He questioned, his voice curious and friendly. I glanced over to the rear of my car, which still had a Maine license plate bolted on. Tom from the DMV had let me know during my visit to come back in a week to pick up my new Washington plates.

“Oh, uh. No, actually…moving here!” I said as I looked back over to the man.

“Wow! Don’t see that often,” He grinned, then hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly, “Why exactly? Not that we’re not happy to have ya, there’s just not much here, hey?”

His demeanor was one of genuine interest, and his questions did not provoke me to feel alarmed, as they likely would have from any other strange man in a grocery store parking lot. I didn’t think it was just because of the wheelchair, although I kicked myself internally for making the mental note that he wouldn’t be able to catch me if I had to run away from him. Oh, the joys of being a woman traveling solo. I shrugged, still maintaining the smile on my face. “Have a job out here, actually. Wildlife biologist.” I saw his eyebrows raise slightly in response to my words. For whatever reason, telling this stranger of my plans didn’t feel as tedious as it had throughout the lengthy process of my settling into Washington, when the many questions of ‘why?’ and ‘but won’t you get scared, or lonely?’ had come up too many times to count.

“Impressive…lots of wildlife here, that’s for sure.” He seemed slightly fascinated, which was one of the two reactions I tended to receive. I wondered how he would react to the whole ‘living in a cabin the middle of the woods alone’ part of my plan. I decided it was probably smart to avoid letting the stranger know I’d be dwelling in the forest all by myself. I nodded, my smile unwavering.

“Yea, erm, I’ll be doing a good amount of data collection down at La Push, some of the species I’m focusing on are beach-goers,” I said with a slightly awkward laugh. His expression wavered infinitesimally, his eyes flickering with some expression entirely unreadable to me.

“Ah..,” He mumbled, glancing down to the ground briefly before looking back up to my face, “Well, let me know if you ever need some direction or help. I live down on the Quileute Reservation, La Push is on our land.” He paused again, then continued, “You can come by the main shop on the beach and ask for me, I’m nearby. Billy Black.” I took in the expression on his features once more, giving up at attempting to understand the man’s genuine kindness. It wasn’t often that strangers didn’t have some ulterior motive, but the man’s calm nature brought me a sense of safety and sureness. It almost felt fatherly, as if he knew I’d be out there by myself, despite my not mentioning it. “Thanks, Billy,” I responded, flashing a grin and holding my debit card up briefly as my expression of gratitude, “I’m Harley…it was nice to meet you! Glad I know somebody around here now.”

He nodded again, this time adding in a slight bow of his head that acted as a polite goodbye. I waved and walked back over to my car, starting the engine and getting my debit card situated back in my wallet. I put the car in reverse, and backed out of the parking spot, finally ready to make the drive to what would be my home for the next 18 months as I completed the work mission assigned to me by Washington state’s Wildlife Conservation Department. As I was preparing to pull out of the store’s lot, a glance in my rearview mirror showed a very tall, muscled, and longhaired young man exiting the store, hanging two grocery bags on the handles of Billy’s wheelchair and pushing it towards an old tan pickup truck in the lot. The boy looked around my age, and his features strongly resembled Billy’s. I quickly put together that they were likely father and son. I saw him glance towards my car as I waited at the stop light that swayed slightly in the wind above the small intersection, and quickly tore my eyes away from the mirror when his dark eyes seemed to find mine. I was grateful when the light turned green, and I took a deep breath as I pulled out of the parking lot, starting down the road towards my future.

_________________________________________________

After the 20 minute drive from the town of Forks to La Push, I pulled out the map that my new boss had emailed to me before my trip, pointing out the minimally marked trailhead towards my new home. I would be staying in the observational shelter that was provided by the state of Washington for whatever brave soul decided that conservation work was more important than their social life. I chuckled lightly to myself as I scanned the tree-line along the road, trying to match the trailhead on the map to any visual marker around me. The sun was just starting to come down, and I worried that I wouldn’t make it to the house in time. Then, I saw the small wooden sign, next to a long chain that was strewn between two short posts, that read ‘National Park - Protected Land, Do Not Cross. Washington State Dept of Fish & Wildlife appointed entrance ONLY’

Well, I thought, there’s my new driveway I suppose. My boss had provided me with the key for the chained entrance when I had arrived two days ago in Port Angeles and checked in for the start of my 18 month shift with the National Park center. I put the car in park and got out, key in hand, feeling giddy as I used the key to unlock the heavy rusted padlock. With effort, the heavy chain fell and I pulled it to the side. I got back in the Bronco and pulled it through the entrance, getting out again after I was through to re-lock the chain. I drove for about 5 minutes, my car struggling in only a few places that had an excess of mud, down the dirt path. The path eventually came to an end, where it widened out to a space about the size of three cars. I had been told that this is what it would look like, and felt pride in myself for not screwing any of the directions up yet. I parked the car at the end of the makeshift road, turning off the engine. I peered around me at the massive forest, ferns and moss lining the floor, and massive trees reaching up towards the sky. My eyes found the smaller, narrower footpath that I had been told would lead to my house. Another duplicate chain and sign hung between two trees at the front of this smaller trail, and I took out my next key. Next was the fun part. I pulled my massive hiking pack out from my backseat, unsure if grabbing the groceries as well was a good idea on my first initial hike to the house. I decided against it after feeling the forty pound pack on my shoulders. I began my trek down the path, taking in the greenery around me. I breathed in the cold air, smelling salty sea air mixed in with a fresh and endless scent of dirt and spruce trees. The hike was relatively easy, my excitement and interest in seeing my home for the first time pulling my body along. After a ten minute trek, I saw the outline of a structure begin to take shape in my vision, and almost squealed with anticipation. A few more yards in, and I could see the brown wooden house, an A frame cabin with a chimney that poked from its slanting roof. It had a small porch that wrapped around its perimeter, and a large sign next to it that once again clarified its State-regulated use. I was thankful for the minimal steps up to the porch as I approached the front door, and threw my heavy pack down onto the wooden platform of the porch. I dug into the pocket of my sweats and pulled out my car keys, which had the red key to the house dangling from the round keychain. I gripped the key in my hand, breathing intentionally to calm myself down, and stuffed the key into the lock, turning it until the door allowed me to push it inward. The door creaked just like the Bronco’s, and I smiled as it slowly revealed the interior of the structure. Well, that’s pretty much exactly what you expected, I reminded myself as I took in the small home. The front door opened to a tiny living room on the left that flowed directly into the minimal kitchen on the other side. Between the two sides, a small hallway flowed to the other end of the house, which was only about another 20 feet. I wandered down the hallway slowly, rubbing my hands back and forth on my arms as the icy air that filled the cabin chilled me to my bones. My boss had advised me that they’d left the faucets dripping to prevent the pipes from freezing over completely, and I breathed a sigh of relief to see the kitchen sink leaking ever so slightly. The next room to the right, behind the kitchen, was a small bathroom, and on the left behind the living room was a tiny bedroom with a queen bed. The room had a dresser leaning against one wall and a window that looked out to the forest. I noticed the stack of blankets on the floor that leaned against the bedside table, and knew I’d probably be grateful for those later.

I spent the next hour bringing my groceries, firewood, and supplies from the car to the house. I was told I was allowed to chop felled wood for the wood burning stove in the house, but had known that I wouldn’t have the energy after the long day of traveling and settling in. I was grateful I’d made the decision to buy the firewood, and got the fire started quickly after emptying my car. The small size of the house helped greatly in filling it rapidly with the heat from the stove. I was quick to close the blinds of all the windows, already feeling the reality of my solo isolation settling into my psyche. I locked the door, ensuring to lock in the deadbolt as well, and grabbed my bear spray from my pack, hanging it from one of the coat hooks along the wall by the door. I sighed and got started on dinner, playing music from my phone and swaying around the kitchen as I cooked.

Within a few hours, darkness had fallen on the house, and I was full of Mac and cheese, watching downloaded Netflix episodes on my laptop, strewn across the couch next to the fire. I felt gentle sleep begin to take hold of me, its warm arms wrapping around my body and urging me to close my eyes. I thought I could recall a rustling noise outside the house as sleep pulled me, but it wasn’t enough above the tapping and creaking wind for my brain to register the sound. And with that, I slipped under the immensely heavy blanket of rest, the odd image of a large grey wolf standing among tall pines, and then of Billy Black’s inquisitive expression as he stared at me in the parking lot of Forks grocery store being the last images my brain displayed on the backs of my lids before I was pulled under completely.

…………………………………………………………………………………

A/N: okay, so Harley is literally in the middle of nowhere, yikes, is it crazy to say this is my dream job? Well, maybe if I had a Paul Lahote who was out in those woods somewhere… cough. If you made it to the end of this chapter, you are a warrior. Development for such a niche plot like this is kinda exhausting but really fun! If you’re a romance girlie, I PROMISE this fic is for you. I swear on my LIFE. Just hold on and have faith 😭

➡️NEXT CHAPTER

[andreafmn]

Guys, I’m gonna need to understand y’all’s obsession with Speak… I’m a sucker for soft Paul, I get that. But, man, one chapter gets more interaction than a whole series…. What am I missing here? 😅😅 please, sound off in the comments. Genuinely curious.

Thank you for the love on it though, I do like writing it. It’s just still so perplexing to me 🫣🫣

[vhygoxo]

Pale Moonlight

After your grandfather Atera passes you decide to move in with your grandmother. Since this is your gap year after graduating, you get to decide what you want next, assuming this is a great opportunity. Moving to one of your home reserves you're ready to start your new life. When you finally come back after being distanced for so long secrets and mysteries of the reserve start to unravel.

Paul Lahote x Reader

Chapter 6: Discovery

Finally back with a new chapter! Which is probably surprising lol since I took a long break. But I do have more chapters in store. I want this story to be focused on not only being Paul's imprint, but also into the life of the reserve, the characters stories. But other than that enjoy! I know we're in a drought for Paul lahote content. I’ll also be uploading imagines and other Wolfpack content in the future 🫶

Chapters

1. Homecoming

2. Emissary’s

3. Connection

4. Prey

5. Awakening

6. Discovery

As the next morning came I tried to stay in my bed for as long as I could. My eyes eventually fluttered open, my bones felt weary, throat dry and parched.

I wasn’t so sure I wanted to get out of my bed. Not after everything I experienced yesterday. Thinking of all I have to face it made me stuck to my bed.

It’s still hard for me to digest everything. How am I supposed to live knowing what’s truly out there? What type of life awaits me for me?

Vampires are real and one had attacked me. Until Paul Lahote, a man I barely know, was the one to rescue me. All in the form of this huge vicious grey wolf.

Learning about Paul’s true nature, including the others, about how they’re all ‘shifters’. It all made me feel crazy. I wasn’t sure how to react to their explanation. What made me feel crazy was that I somehow understood everything.

Living with my grandparents in the summer and visits in between I learned a lot. Many stories live in my head because of me simply listening to my grandfather.

He wasn’t the type to sit us kids down. Just a few times in the winter for story time if we were lucky. Other than that you’d have to catch him at the right moment.

He’d tell them randomly, while we drank tea, or went for a car drive, even just sitting quiet at home. It all depended on what mood my grandfather was in.

I always believed him even when his stories seemed ridiculous. Our people, indigenous people as a whole, we have certain ways.

Somethings that are even mysterious to us. Stories of folk tales and local creatures were common to hear and know about.

It’s a totally different experiencing said stories in real life. It was easier to think of them as just stories. But now I know that there is truth to such stories. It all made life feel surreal for me.

Eventually I crawled out of bed once the questions in my head started to eat me up. I needed answers, explanations, anything to help me understand. I knew there was only one person that could help me.

My grandmother was up and waiting for me downstairs. I could sense her as I got my self ready. The air was filled with tension and uneasiness.

“My girl” She exclaimed as I came down the stairs. I gave a weak smile before we headed to the couch. Sitting down beside her she squeezed my hand comforting me.

“How did you rest? Are you feeling okay?” My grandmother fussed over me as she brushed the hair away from my face. I smiled and cupped her hand softly.

“I rested well enough. How are you holding up?”

“Oh my girl… I couldn’t help but worry over you. I know you must be going through a lot right now… Thinking a lot… Here have something to eat first. Get your strength back”

With the food ready she and I ate our breakfast. I somehow felt at peace once we began to eat in silence. For this brief moment it felt as if nothing had changed. All I focused on was my grandmother and this moment. Bracing myself for what I know I have to face eventually.

Once we had finished and cleaned up we sat back onto the couch. My grandmother had stepped into her room. Before she came back out carrying a small cedar box.

“What is that?” I asked once she sat down with me. She smiled at me softly before she opened the box. It had initials and some florals carved into the box. Once opened there were small carved trinkets and pictures.

“Your grandfather made me this box. Originally it was meant for jewellery. When he’d go hunting he’d carve me pieces of jewellery made from antlers and bone. Necklaces, rings, earrings, all hand made by him. Little tokens of love and affection. He carved this box for me to keep everything in it. Over the years I kept our memories together in this box”

She skimmed through her stacks of pictures. Old pictures of her and my grandfather as a young couple. Their friends and events they attended. She pulled out a set of pictures for me to look at.

“This was around the time your grandfather shifted. He had just turned 17 before a stray vampire began to lurk around the reserve. It made him and his fellow pack members shift. All of them were only 16-18 at the time”

“Pack members?”

“…What exactly did Sam and his friends tell you?”

She paused to look at me after questioning me. I stopped looking at the pictures to focus. Trying to remember what I was told.

“Well… I know everyone besides Kim and Emily is a wolf. I—I mean shifter, that they take on their spiritual forms, which is the shape of the wolf… right?”

“Yes they’re called shifters. For you to understand I need to explain some things”

My grandmother looked at me eager to know my decision. I could see she was nervous as I was. But I trusted her to know that she’ll be honest and explain everything I don’t understand. I nodded my head in agreement before she started.

“Long ago Taha Aki and our ancestors were blessed with their nature from our relatives the wolves. Fierce spiritual warriors stronger than any force. As a means to protect and guide our tribe. Only certain men in the tribe are blessed with this gift. It’s a lifestyle few can walk”

She handed me a picture of a huge dark grey wolf. Almost as if his fur was black on the top. Looking at the handwriting on the photo inscribed was my grandfathers name.

“They had dealt with the colonizers easily enough. It’s why despite our small tribe we always kept our territory despite many enemy attempts to take it. When our people first came across the cold blooded vampires it changed everything. We had never come across such a threat. Whole villages would be slaughtered in a matter of a few hours at the hands of a few vampires. They looked human but quickly our shifters knew they were unnatural”

I felt my own blood run cold. Terrified at the thought of vampires. My throat felt as if it was slowly closing as I remembered Victoria. How fast she was and how close I was to death.

“When the first shifters killed them they ripped them to pieces. Our warriors decided to collect all the pieces to place together. To inspect and see the vampire up close. Everyone in the village had gathered to come take a look at the beast. It laid there stiff, it’s insides grey and solid, the skin reflected like gemstones. Everyone was amazed our warriors killed such a powerful creature. All until the limbs started to move, quickly the body squirmed to join back together, some pieces did and tried to fight back once more. Pale and cold because they’re undead, immortal, their bodies are made of stone”

I gasped shocked at what I was hearing. It made me think of how Victoria’s skin felt. Like cold sandpaper but solid and hard. There was no softness in her icy grip. Even when Paul bit down onto Victoria I could hear crumbling and cracking. I almost thought she was a porcelain doll with how awful the cracking sounded.

“Quickly the body was tossed and burnt in the fire. All until nothing but ash was left. Burning them is the only way to truly kill a vampire. Our shifters are the only force powerful enough to defeat them. This has been their duty for centuries. Our true protectors and guides of the Quileute tribe”

I sat quiet dumbfounded at what was being told to me. My grandmother just patiently waited and observed my reaction. My mouth was agape from shock and surprise. I wasn’t quite sure what to say but I knew I had questions

“Wow… I… I somehow understand… But I still have a few questions if that’s alright”

“I understand my girl. But you need to know what a heavy responsibility it is to be a shifter. It takes great discipline and dedication. It’s a delicate balance between spiritual and physical nature. If you aren’t balanced it can be volatile. It can be a difficult process harnessing their true nature. There are some aspects you can’t control”

“…Such as imprinting right?” I asked which made her whip her head at me taken aback. Even I sat up straight nervous. I could tell it caught her off guard as she coughed.

“Grandma … I don’t fully know what an imprint is. I didn’t get to fully ask either because I was too shocked and upset. I understand somewhat about how shifting works… All I know is this imprinting with Paul involves me. That’s what they told me from what I remember. I… I just don’t know how I fit into all this. I’m not a shifter or anything magical as far as I know. Or am I? Is this what you're struggling to tell me?”

“No no you’re not a shifter my girl” She said slightly giggling at me. At this point I had too many questions. But I really wanted to know what an imprint is. Since I know this connects me to Paul somehow. What role do I play in all of this? Grandma sighed before she recollected herself.

“Well… Even for me it’s difficult to explain. An imprint connection really depends on the people in the connection. You see when the colonizers came, they took almost everything from us, you know? Genocide, Residential schools, day school, all of it took a toll on our people. It was a struggle to even carry our traditions so most of our teachings about shifters, their nature, what we knew was lost. It’s been about 3 generations since your grandfathers time and since we last had shifters amongst us”

She explained as I sighed defeated. Slowly sinking into my seat. My grandmother rubbed my back in comfort. Before she started to explain once more.

“Over the years we’ve gathered what info we do know about shifters. Some of the teachings have been coming back. All we understand is it’s a lifelong bond. That only happens once a lifetime between a shifter and their imprint. It’s a strong spiritual bond that links two for life. Some even believe it lasts beyond life”

I sat silent for a moment to think. It made me rethink of Paul’s words before I left. His brief explanation to me of what an imprint is.

I remember the look on his face, a frown filled his face with eyes that were sad, one of the reasons I wanted to leave so quickly. I caused a lot of trouble for not only him but for everyone.

“... Y’know…That’s all Paul really said to me before I left… Now that I think about it. I didn’t really understand what he meant at the time. But he said that we— that I can choose what we mean? I’m guessing he meant this imprint connection”

She had grabbed my hand and held it close to her. I sat worried until she gave me a warm smile. There was a short pause before she sighed

“My girl… As much as I want to sit here and explain everything to you. I think it’s best you just talk to Paul”

I felt uncomfortable as soon as she suggested such. I didn’t quite know how to face Paul. I had hardly knew him before all of this. Now I’m suddenly inter-soul-twined with him? It didn’t help he was quite upset about all of this.

“Grandma—“

“Remember I’m an imprint myself. When your grandfather imprinted on me he made sure I understood right away. He just wouldn’t have it either way”

“You were also the one to say you and grandpa got married quickly. Is it because he imprinted on you that you guys got hitched?”

Her face had flushed red it was the first time I’ve ever seen her get flustered. I felt I should’ve bitten my tongue to stop myself. But it was too late the words were spoken.

“Y\n”

“I’m sorry! But I’m just worried. I still don’t fully understand what any of this imprint business has to do with me and Paul. Does this mean I have to get hitched with Paul right away? Like you and grandpa? Except I have to with some stranger I don’t know?—“

“—This is why I’m suggesting you talk to Paul. Imprint connections vary for me and your grandfather it was different. Yes we got married but it was because we loved and eventually understood one another. Not just because of this imprint connection. Y’know we have other imprints on the rez here. They’re great examples of how different imprints can be”

I only knew Sam and Emily were imprints so far. But them too are basically married, already engaged, despite being in their early 20’s. All I knew from Kim was they’ve been together for awhile. Leah didn’t really like Sam from what I understood.

“Like Sam and Emily? But they’re engaged as well”

“Yes but there are others. Quill has his own imprint also you know”

Hearing the words come out of my grandmothers mouth shocked me. This whole time I’ve been home Quill hadn’t bothered to bring up his imprint? Much less let me meet her?

“What? Quill?”

“Yes Quill has his own imprint. I bring it up because his relationship to her is different from that of Sam and Emily, and also me and your grandfathers. Claire young is her name, and she’s only 4, she’s the niece of your friend Emily” Hearing so surprised me and I could feel it express on my face. My grandmother scolded me as I felt myself cringe. I couldn’t help it since it shocked me to know this about Quill.

“They aren’t together y\n but they are imprints. Quill has since taken her in almost as his own daughter. With the approval of her parents of course. They know about all of this also. It was understood that the two needed to be together and Quill decided he would become whatever Claire needed. He’ll become a friend, a brother, a father, whatever Claire needs. For now he serves her as a older brother\father figure”

“… And you said before this is something sacred right?”

“Yes my girl and no one gets to choose their imprint. In the old days we understood imprinting and it’s nature to be more connected to the wolves. Rather than our human nature. It’s why our people never fully questioned it. Wolves bond for life it’s just in their nature. When our ancestors were blessed with the gift of shifting we understood imprinting was one of the gifts that came with it. Instead of questioning we adapted, it’s why it’s important for the imprints, to define the connection between them. Otherwise your connection can falter and be fatal”

“Wait—fatal?” Before she could answer me someone had knocked on the door just then. Interrupting and startling the two of us. Both of us were heavily into our conversation we hardly realized someone was here.

I got up and walked to the door quickly. Opening the door there stood Quill. A solemn look to his face. I was surprised to see him standing here. Usually he texts or calls me to make sure I’m home.

“Hey Y\N”

“Hey…”

“Is that Quill?” Our grandmother asked me, I stood aside to let him in, stepping in he greeted her. She rose from where she sat and came over to us. I wasn’t quite sure how to react to Quill’s sudden appearance.

“I’m glad you stopped by so soon Quill to check on y/n. Me and y\n were just finished visiting. I’m sure you and her have a lot to talk about. So I’ll leave you two as I’ll be heading over to Sue Clearwater’s… I need to thank her for helping you last night”

“Oh— Grandma I’ll come with you I want to thank her too” I said trying to grab my shoes to leave. She shook her head and held my hands. Stopping me from grabbing them.

“My girl it’s okay you stay here and visit with Quill. Let your cousin explain what I can’t. You need all the help you can get”

She assured me, eventually she made her exit, leaving me and Quill alone. Honestly I felt as if my grandma was glad for Quill to step in somehow. After settling in our spots at the porch table outside Quill began to speak.

“Well jeez… I don’t really know where to start… First of all how are you?”

“Me?…I’m not even sure… I feel I’m stuck in shock if we're being honest” This comment earned me a smile from Quill. Who was busy examining my neck and throat area carefully. I opened up my shirt collar to fully show him. I was still feeling tender and sore but there wasn't much redness anymore.

“Sorry I just have to see… When I seen you not moving on Emily's bed I was panicked…I'm just really sorry this happened to you—”

“Quill look I know you're feeling a bit guilty about all of this but it isn't your fault. I’m not severely damaged or anything. I'm fine infact I'm grateful to be alive. How many people can say they were attacked by a vampire and lived?” I attempted to comfort Quill who I could tell was feeling bad. He sighed and shifted in his seat.

“I’m really glad to hear that. Yeah… You’re right I don’t see much scars that’ll be left on you… So that’s good. Honestly… But look y/n… I'm sure you have a lot of questions… Right? About all of this and how you fit into it. I'm here not only to check on you but also uhh… In better terms inform you. So any questions you wanted answered I can help you with”

“Really?”

“Yes really all of us know how it is when you first learn about all… of this. It's confusing and hard. Doesn't make it easier on you since you were attacked” I nodded silently in agreement. Feeling assured by having Quill here to support me. As I sat I thought of what questions I wanted to ask.

“I just wanted to be the first to tell you of how much support you can rely on. In truth I’m so glad you finally know about this. It was a struggle for me not to say anything to you. But I want you to know you can depend on me for anything”

“Really? You were going to tell me before I was attacked?”

“Yes of course and all of us here who know about it. We just wanted to ease you into this life but shit happened so fast. But good thing is you finally know. We all support each other here and now you’re one of us. You’ll learn who all knows eventually” Quill said earnestly which even I could feel he was being honest. It was a true comfort to hear that from him.

“Thanks Quill. I appreciate it truly, y’know at first of course this was all scary, but since I woke up I somehow feel better about all of this. The more I listen and understand anyway”

“Really? I’m glad to hear that. Of course I don’t want you to be shy to ask anything. But I don’t wanna push your limits and overwhelm you y’know? Do you think you can handle it all?” He sat awaiting for my answer. I nodded and took a deep breath in as an attempt to calm my nerves.

“So shoot your shot and I'll do my best to answer”

“Okay… Can we talk about when you first shifted?” Quill sat for a moment thinking back. He opened his mouth to speak but paused once more. I could tell he was nervous about all this also.

“Ok well… I shifted a bit after grandpa died, sometime after Jake and Embry, it was crazy y\n. I was younger back then. I thought I was going through some crazy growth spurt. I was constantly angry or on edge. It wasn’t until Sam approached me along with the boys. Once they told me about everything…I just… I just tried to survive. Y’know? Its been crazy to adjust to. But all in all it isn’t hard to maintain. It’s definitely a different lifestyle I thought I’d live”

“Yeah that I can understand. But can I ask what about your imprint? Grandma was telling me about some little girl named Claire? What’s that all about”

“You heard about Claire?” Quill asked as he started to sweat. I could tell he was becoming more nervous. I nodded yes and awaited for an answer.

“You understand how imprints work right? I—I’m sure grandma told you by now”

“She did and I somewhat understand. Not as fully as I’d like to since everyone keeps telling me I define it? I don’t know to be honest. I’m just curious on what you and Claire’s connection is like. If you don’t mind me asking”

“Well… All I can say that part is true, about defining it, me and Claire for example. I don’t know if you know but she’s only four. For her… She views me as an older brother. And that I will be since it’s what she decided. That’s something I’m fine with, with our bond it’s sacred, and I’m blessed to be chosen as her sworn protecter. And in a way she’s also my own protector” After hearing Quill’s words it made me feel reassured somehow. Realizing despite this divine connection both can still have a decision on the matter. Maybe Paul really was my own sworn protector. It could even be that I’m Paul’s protector. Who fully knows?

“… How do you feel about being Paul's imprint?” Quill asked me and I felt my stomach rise. Not that I was feeling scared but I felt more nervous than anything. I wasn’t even sure what to say to Quill. Although I liked and respected him I don’t know who he is fully.

“I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel. I hardly know Paul and suddenly we're… we're… I don't even know yet…” We sat in silence for a moment before Quill patted my back again. Although I was struggling it was a comfort to know I have Quill with me.

“There's a lot you still need to learn about. But you don't have to figure out all of it today. Just take your time we all figured you'll be resting for the next couple of days”

“By we do you mean Paul, Sam, and the others?”

“Yeah… We're all pretty close… Soon you will be too” Quill said assuring me. Talking with him was making me remember how I was back at Emily’s house. Since I was so stressed I reacted pretty harshly to them all. I felt betrayed somehow and scorned. After the smoke cleared I feel I shouldn’t have behaved that way. I wasn’t sure how to face any of them again.

Paul crossed my mind as well, I wished to know what he feels about all of this, how he views this connection. Remembering how he saved me from a worser fate. If we are truly bonded then how do we move forward?

“Quill… From what I remember you guys are mindlinked right? Or is it interlinked?” I asked him and he smiled. “You can call it a mind link yes” he sort of laughed before correcting me.

“Well.. either way… can I ask something?”

“Anything”

“Do you know how Paul feels about this?” This made Quill straighten his posture, feeling he was nervous again, he sat quiet for a moment. Almost as if he was deep in thought. I wondered how their mindlink was for them to experience.

“I know a little a bit about the mind link. You guys can understand each other in the pack… right? Or maybe you can explain it to me”

“Well… Yeah… it's hard to explain. I don't know what Paul thinks exactly including the others. But I can feel everyone’s emotion in the moment if that makes sense. If I tap in now I’ll know what he’s feeling but not what he’s thinking of or seeing specifically. An example is I can sense he’s angry but I won’t know what’s making him angry unless I ask. —Not saying he is angry right now! I’m just saying as an example. Just to be clear ok?"

“Oh? Oh okay…”

“The only one who can send ‘messages’ at any moment is the alpha. Our leader who is currently Sam. He can send and cross the boundaries in our mind at any given point. It’s like a huge group chat when we're wolves though. We can hear every thought from each other wether we like it or not. This is to help coordinate us but most of the time we’re all pissing each other off"

“Really?… That's actually really cool” I said smiling at him. Quill finally relaxed after explaining everything. Looking relieved and proud of how I was handling everything. Quill paused for a moment before scratching his head. Closing his eyes to breath in and out. He was deep in thought before he sat up to speak.

“From what I can pick up and understand is Paul feels… Worried”

“Worried? About what?” I asked and somehow this made Quill laugh. Confused I raised a brow at him. He shifted in his seat realizing his behavior.

“More like what aren’t we worried about. Look y/n we're dealing with the vampires, Victoria, the cullen family, Bella and Jacob their whole mess, shit just straight up surviving. Next is your sudden attack—”

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise. As if all the nerves in my body were being alerted. Looking around I didn’t realize Quill stopped mid sentence. He too could sense someone coming. Suddenly a truck revved in the approach.

It was a huge black truck, I hadn’t seen it before, even if I did I wouldn’t recognize who owned it. It wasn’t long before they parked. Out from the drivers door stood Paul his self.

Looking at my phone I realized I had missed a 2 texts from him. One asking if I was up, and another that he was on his way, I hadn’t checked my phone all morning. Paul looked so big, he was almost taller than his truck, seeing him come closer I felt my heart race. I didn't think he would show up so soon.

“Y/N”

“Paul”

I called out surprised as he walked up to the two of us. I couldn’t help but take note of his build and size. Quill got up and grabbed his hand, in turn Paul pulled him for a hug, they did briefly before they both patted each others back with strength.

“Well I appreciate it Quill. Truly. Don't be afraid to drop by more” I said as Quill came over to hug me next. He agreed before pulling away to make his exit. Suddenly my eyes met Paul's as he walked over to sit down in Quills spot.

“It was great seeing you y\n but I gotta go. I just wanted to stop in and check on you before this guy did. While I was on my break anyway” Quill said as Paul smiled at him.

“You were lucky to not be on morning shift you shitass” Paul replied. At this point I hardly seen him smile. It made him look more kind I noticed.

“Ill message you guys later” Quill said as he slightly smirked at me. I felt my face flush warm, across my nose and under my eyes, I didn't even want to face Paul in fear he'll see my face like this.

His eyes were dark and fierce. I wasn't scared but more nervous, I felt super aware of myself, and how I looked. I didn't expect to see him so soon. I wasn’t sure how to face him after everything.

We watched Quill run to the treeline. Quickly shifting into his wolf form. I gasped and paused to watch him. Amazed at such a sight although it was quick. Disappearing fast into the tree line.

“It's good to see you. How are you feeling?”

“Me?… I’ve been better… it’s good to see you too… What brings you by?” I asked finally sitting down back into my chair. Hoping I didn't come off as too nervous. He smirked and kept his stare into me.

“Well you of course. How did you sleep?” He asked looking at me more than curious. Saying such words as if it were matter of fact. Being around Paul in a setting like this, with his questions, it all made me blush.

“I uh… I slept okay after I had my meds… I didn't really get to thank you or any of you guys properly for the help you gave me” I said which made him shake his head no.

“There's no need for that. We're all just glad you're safe… And—” he had paused before closing his mouth. Looking like he was afraid to utter another word. I furrowed my brows waiting for him to finish.

“And?”

“… Unchanged… Look it's just… We were worried you might've…”

“Unchanged?… You mean turn into a Vampire? Like Victoria?”

I finished his words since he was apprehensive. Paul looked a bit shocked I said so before him. But he nodded and agreed with me. I felt my heart rate steadily rising. Thankful myself I wasn’t changed.

Paul's eyes trailed down to my neck. Except his stare was intense, eyes lingering, along the collar of my shirt. I felt I was under a microscope.

His eyes wondered everywhere for a moment. But somehow I didn’t mind. It reminded me of how Quill behaved just earlier. I looked at him as I spread the collar of my shirt slightly. I wasn’t sure why I was so willing to show him my wounds. Maybe because I knew he needed reassurance.

Finally I realized I was sitting with my neck and chest flushed open. Almost as if he noticed how it was making me feel he pulled back and adjusted his self. His stare softened as I fixed my shirt.

“Sorry… I just want to make sure you’re not too hurt…” he said explaining his self. Eyes peering downwards staring at his hands. I smiled at his somewhat meek behaviour.

“It's okay that's how Quill was too. But I'm fine now, really, there isn’t much wounds or scars thankfully. The meds help with what pain I have… And also…” I trailed on nervously. I wasn’t sure how to bring up the imprint situation with him. I wasn’t quite sure how sensitive this was to him.

But Paul held onto every word I was saying. He awaited for me to continue on. Looking at my lips while I talked.

“Uh… I had a talk with him and my grandmother. About everything so far…” I said as he leaned in closer. Raising his eyebrows I could tell he was earnest in what I had to say.

“It was… Hard when this first happened to me. But somehow I feel more at ease.. Especially with what I know now… I feel sorry for how I reacted last night… it wasn’t right of me”

Again Paul shook his head, this time he made sure to face me, I looked up back at him. My hearts pounding so loud now I wonder if he can hear it. I also wonder how sensitive their senses are since they’re wolves.

“Don't be sorry for anything. If anything it should be me apologizing. I really am sorry y\n. I wasn't fast enough to be there for you in time. I should’ve just came straight to your place instead of you walking to meet me. Hell I should’ve just picked you up as planned”

“Paul wait—”

“You were never supposed to be in involved in something like this. Ever. If I wasn’t so slow in meeting you this wouldn’t have happened at all—”

“Paul—”

“If I was even a second late to get to you—”

I felt my hand reach across to him. Instead of holding his hand I touched the arm of his chair. Like an instinct I felt I had to stop him from speaking anymore.

“But you weren’t a second late. You were able to save me before anything happened. There’s no use worrying over something that didn’t happen. I’m here alive and unchanged shouldn’t that matter?”

With how silent Paul became I wondered if I said something wrong. Or maybe he was the type of guy who didn’t like people interrupting him. Either way I felt as if I did something to him.

Paul looked surprised at my words as he looked at me. His gaze softened and he took a deep breath. I could see his huge shoulders relax as he nodded in agreement. His brows were still furrowed.

“No… You’re right… I am really glad you are here safe and sound… It does matter” A soft grin spread across his face. I wasn’t with him long but already I wondered why was I ever scared of a man like this. If he wanted to hurt me he would’ve just let Victoria have me. Why waste his time?

“So… You talked to Quill and your grandma? What did they have to say”

“Well… They tried helping me understand how shifting works and everything attached… including um…” I paused feeling my stomach doing flips trying to say imprinting. But with Paul here so close to me. Staring at me intently holding on to my every word. I felt so nervous to even bring it up.

It wasn’t just some connection, this is serious, imprinting is a literal soul connection. As much as I liked Paul I didn’t quite know him yet. And this is a serious soul tie that somehow links us. Paul laughed slightly as my face flushed red.

“You’re feeling better right? I know you’re still learning things. Especially about imprinting”he said not even shy to admit it. As if he was looking for a rise in me he paused. I scoffed at him which earned me another handsome smile from him.

“We don't have to figure out everything right now y\n. I know this is a lot for you so I don't want to push anything on to you”

“Actually I want to talk about this whole imprinting thing. If you're alright with that. The more that’s explained I feel better” I asked Paul to ensure he was ready. To which he nodded his head agreeing with me.

“That's fine. So, what do you want to know?” Paul asked me curious. I braced myself mentally for what I was about to bring up.

“It's just… I don't understand what makes our imprint connection” This had made him stunned from what I could tell. He leaned back in his chair thinking hard. Paul’s overall energy is intense, even though he’s nice, I can’t help but feel intimidated.

“Everyone else has their own… definition. Quill and Claire they're basically siblings… Emily and Sam are going to be married… What about us?” The more I spoke the more I felt my face flush warm. I felt as if I was poking a sleeping bear to wake. Or in this case a wolf. I didn't know Paul enough to know how'd he react.

“Well… I don't expect you to remember but back at Emily's. I had told you that we both decide what our connection is. This imprint bond connects us mind and body. But we have to define it. For now let's just decide to be friends” Paul said with a sincere smile. I felt myself relax at ease knowing his thoughts.

“Friends?” I questioned him also a bit surprised by his suggestion. Paul had sat up straight in his chair hearing me say this.

“Or I could just serve as your protector. Nothing more. Guard you and your home for the time being. You're probably feeling uneasy about Victoria and all the other leeches lurking around—”

“I wouldn't mind being friends with you Paul” I corrected him. Of course I wanted to be friends. I just didn't want to force anything onto him. Friends is a great start to try and navigate this connection.

His handsome face smiled at me once more. And I could feel my heart beat quicken whilst looking at him. It was crazy to think how this imprint bond strongly influenced me.

“Alright friends it is then. But I'll still be serving as your protector anyway”

“My protector huh? How generous”

“It really isn’t. It’s the least I can do after everything you went through. This is what my role is as your imprint” I could sense Paul was serious especially with his tone of voice. All I could do was nod my head in agreement. Soon Paul stood up from where he sat.

“You’re feeling better right? How do you feel about us going to Emily’s?” He asked me as he looked down at me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see everyone. I hesitated to answer to which I think he could sense my unease.

“I think it’d be good for you to talk to all of them. They’ve been worried about you also. And I’m sure they can help you adjust to all of… this” Paul suggested to which I gave a weak smile. I shrugged my shoulders before I stood up to join him. I was going to have to face all of them eventually.

“Sure… I mean it’s just…” I felt hesitant about going back to Emily’s. To which I tried to explain myself to Paul. Who had turned to face me. His huge figure made it feel as if he was looming right over me.

“Don't worry we'll just go for a bit. If you feel uncomfortable or it's too much ill drive you back home. OK?” Paul said trying to assure me. I nodded as we walked to his parked truck. He had followed me to my side of the truck. Opening the door for me to get in I was surprised by his manners. Instead of questioning I just got in.

I couldn't help but like him a little more after such a gesture. As he walked around back to the driver's seat I adjusted my hair. Worrying about my appearance. Getting in the truck he smirked before starting the engine. Pulling into reverse and exiting the approach. He handed me the aux cord to which I refused.

“You don't wanna play music? I have bluetooth if you don't wanna use the aux”

“It's alright, you can put something on, it's your truck” I said as he shrugged his shoulders. Using Bluetooth he connected his phone to the stereo. A familiar song came on that surprised me.

“Is this /favoritebandsname l playing right now?” I asked curiously as his smile widened. His dark eyes still on the road.

“You like them too?’

Paul asked to which I nodded my head profusely. It made me happy to at least have similar music taste. From how Paul is I assumed he'd be my opposite. He had turned the knob for the volume up, the music blaring out the truck, I started to feel better. Definitely more relaxed and calm than this morning.

The two of us drove down the road, windows slightly open, as music filled the air. As I tried to mentally prepare myself to face everyone back at Emily's. Although It was a comfort to know that Paul would be by my side through this. I braced myself for what has yet to come.

End of chapter 6 what y’all think? To stay updated on new chapters follow me and turn on notifications 🤍

[fashionteahouse]

Could I do one where the reader and Paul are best friends and anything Paul does he and the reader do and when he needs someone the she’s the first person to call Rachel gets jealous but then she sees they have a sibling relationship so now it’s then three of them doing things together. Paul gets a call from reader and the she says bitch I got tea rancher comes running from the room saying what happened lol. The reader could be dating embry

ooo yes ! hope you enjoy :)

it’s nice to have a friend - paul x reader

It was just something that happened. But both of you were glad it happened.

The friendship transpired when Paul tried to be funny, roasting those who were around him. He thought it was a good idea, to try his jokes on you, only to be destroyed by your sharp tongue.

Instead of feeling offended, like the people who took his words to heart, he admired your quick wit.

You two became close without trying to be.

“This is her.” he says. The phone glowed with a beautiful girl smiling back at you.

You nod at the picture as you mused, “How did you pull her?”

He rolls his eyes before tucking the phone back into his pocket, “I’m just like that.”

This made you laugh as you say, “Yeah, right.”

“I know you’re not talking miss ‘oh my god, what if Embry doesn’t like me?’ I had to break the ice.” he says.

“Okay first of all, you know I’ve had a crush on Embry since like forever. At least I’m not corny with my pickup lines.” you say with your finger up.

“At least I’ve got game. You on the other hand…uh…” he says with a grimace and you smack his arm.

Because you did this, he steals a fry. You narrow your eyes at him but he eats it obnoxiously to make you even more annoyed.

You were blurry eyed as you rubbed your eyes. You picked up your phone with a squint as it was in the middle of the night. Seeing it was Paul, you just put the phone faced down and laid back down, choosing not to answer.

The phone vibrated again. You groan and shake your head.

You declined. You saw recent texts from Paul.

“Y/N”

“Ik ur awake”

“ANSWER”

“😑”

The phone buzzes in your hand. Paul was calling. Again. Swiping over, you hiss, “What?”

“About fucking time. What if I was dying?”

“Paul, are you dying?” you ask in the most driest voice.

“No, you never answer.” he exaggerates.

“What’s so important that you’re waking me out of my sleep?”

“I wanted to tell you how my date with Rachel went.” he says softly and immediately you smirk.

“Aww, caught the love bug?” you tease at his sappy voice.

“Shut up. Anyway, we did a little picnic in the field. She liked it a lot. She even let me kiss her when I dropped her off at home.” he says.

“Nice. Did you get her any flowers?” you ask.

The phone was silent and you looked at the phone but he was still on the line.

“Hello?” you say into the line.

“You have to come with me to get her some then. I have no idea what she would like!” He says stressing.

“Why do I have to go?” you groan.

“Because, I need your help! I introduced you to Embry so you owe me.” he says.

“Ugh, fine.” you say.

Once you had gotten sleep, you walked and smelled flowers with Paul looking around.

“What do you think she would like?” he asks.

“I don’t know. She’s not my girlfriend. How do you not know what she would like?” you say and pick up a pretty bouquet of flowers. The appearance and the scent alone would make her love the ones you picked.

Paul looks at the ones you have in your hand and nods, “Yeah, I’m getting those.”

You clear your throat as you and Paul ride back to his place.

“Is something in your throat? What’s wrong with you?” he asks.

“Thank you, Y/N.” you say and he rolls his eyes, “I didn’t give them to her yet. I’m not saying thank you until she tells me she loves them.”

You shake your head as he looked at the shirt he put on through the mirror.

“What?” he asks.

“It’s wrinkled.”

“I’m seeing Rachel, not going to court.” Paul says.

You get up and look through his closet. You pull out a better shirt and hold it to him and tell him, “Put this on.”

“What’s wrong with this one?” He asks about the shirt he already had on.

“It’s ugly.” you say and shrug.

He changes and you tilt your head and he huffs out an annoyed sigh.

“Would you relax? I’m helping you get ready for your woman.” you say at his impatience.

His phone then rings and he answers. The sappy smile is stretched onto his face.

“Yeah. I’m on my way.” He says into the phone and hangs up without wiping the smile off his face. Rachel called with a change of plans and had invited him over instead of going out.

“Whipped.” you mumble.

A pillow hits you on the side of your head before you hit him back with it.

Before you get out of his car, you turn to him.

“Don’t say anything stupid.” you say as he has one hand on the steering wheel. The delicate flowers were snug in the backseat. He reached to place them next to him in the passenger seat.

“Okay, I’m pulling off now.” he says.

The second date went well. Rachel took the flowers and smelled them and hugged him. He silently thanked you in his head. When she went to put them in a vase, he texted you.

“She liked them. Thanks ”

“And then you have to tell me how much of a great best friend i am”

You type back.

He responds.

“Ntm :/ ”

You put a thumbs down on his text, but you were happy for him.

As you snicker at his groan from his favorite team losing, yours was winning. Your team scored a touchdown and you bet him on this game because you knew how nail biting it would be.

You wished Embry was here to see this in live action but he was currently on patrol.

Paul gets up and grabs a drink and you tell him to bring you one.

“I should shake it up.” he says as he hands you a cold soda can.

“If you do, I’ll make it explode on your face.” you say before taking a sip. He tilts the bottom of your can a little, making you cough. Luckily no soda was in your mouth to make you spit it out from coughing, but you still glare at his amused face.

“Should I invite Rachel over? The game’s almost over.” he says. The clock only had three minutes left of the game.

“Yeah.” you say and stick your hand out. He fished in his pocket to pull out his phone and the money you had won.

Paul opened the door when she knocked and he greets her. You quietly snicker at his nervousness.

Rachel is surprised to see you on the couch. You wave and smile, “You must be Rachel.”

“Who else would she be?” Paul says.

Rachel says hello to you and you tell her name.

Rachel was a bit quiet. Paul noticed and tried to get her to talk more. She felt like competition was in the room. Paul’s laughs came easily and she wanted to know how it felt to be the one that made him react to her jokes. You were comfortable on his couch. She felt like you were too comfortable.

“Are you hungry?” Paul asks Rachel. She nods but kisses Paul. In front of you, she makes sure to linger her lips longer on his.

You weren’t really paying attention to the action.

“I mean for food.” Paul says and chuckle. She nods again.

“I can cook you something to eat.” he says.

You stand up.

“Let me cook for you guys.” you say with a smile.

“She’s my girlfriend. Let me cook for her.” he says.

“Rachel, do you like burned food?” you ask her and she couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped.

At Paul’s table, the air was less tense. Rachel watched in amusement as Paul pretended to not like your food all like that but he was clearing his plate.

As Paul went on a quick trip to the bathroom, Rachel asked you as you sat next to her on the couch, “How long have you known Paul?”

“Since forever.” you answer.

“So, have you two ever…Dated?” Rachel asks.

“Ugh, no.” you say automatically with slight disgust but you pause and look to Rachel and say, “Shit, sorry. It’s just the thought of me and Paul is like…” you shudder a little and this makes her crack a smile.

“What did you do to Rachel?”

You read Paul’s text as you lounged at your home.

“Told her to stay away from you.”

“Lies. She’s with me and she asked me to invite you to come with us 😒”

“Omg she did? XD”

“This was my one day away from you.”

“Suck it :)”

Paul watched as you and Rachel’s arms were linked and he could barely get a word in.

“I feel like the third wheel of my own relationship.” he says as he followed you both through the town’s carnival.

“You’re so dramatic.” you say as you steered Rachel to a game.

“Its nice to have a friend.” Rachel says to Paul as you both picked up the water guns for the game ahead. You hold your gun steady as the water shoots into the clown’s mouth.

You give your prize to Rachel.

Paul sees your name on his phone and he answers.

“What do you want?” he asks in a playful tone.

“Facetime me.” you say. He does.

You shake your head in the camera. He chuckles a bit.

“You’re stupid.” he says.

“Bitch, I got tea.” you say and you immediately have his attention.

Rachel comes in and flops next to Paul.

“What? I want to know!” she says and hogs the phone.

You and Embry were waiting in line at a movie theater. A couple behind you was waiting as well. It wasn’t until another woman stalks up the man, demanding, “What is this?!” She hits him as she realizes that he had taken another woman on a date to the movies.

“Oh, you should’ve been there. It was hilarious.” You say while laughing and wiping a stray tear out of the corner of your eye. Rachel laughs, you described the situation so well, she was able to imagine being there in that moment.

[runwithwolvcs]

You Know I'm No Good - Forty Seven

Snow On The Beach

T/W: Drug/being drugged

The beach in the winter is Tallulah's solace. All the crowds that you fight during the summer, the expensive parking and lack of spaces, the burden of trying to have that perfect beach body… they just aren't issues during the winter. Tallulah had been the only person at the beach, allowing her to paint the landscape with only the waves crashing to shore as a white noise. 

She had spent a better part of her day there, taking in the serene environment that she could not replace in New York. Although it was peaceful and she was able to get a few paintings started, the tall figure walking towards her on the path up to the parking lot caused an unmistakable feeling of longing to fill her chest as it constricted. Paul.

Tallulah wasn't surprised he had sniffed out her location, she knew it was going to happen eventually.

He looked bigger than she remembered, more built as if he spent every waking moment in the gym. Though tallulah knew he didn't need to step foot in a gym to have the muscles he did. How does a wolf build more muscle?

“Lu,” Paul spoke lowly. It sent a shiver down her spine to hear his voice. It had been six weeks since she had heard his voice last. Six weeks since she had broken up with him over the phone. Tallulah had tried to see his side of the situation that had caused the breakdown of their relationship, but Paul had made it incredibly hard for her. Not to mention what Lenna had told her.

Talullah was done with him, as she said she would be if he ever betrayed her trust. The only stopping her from making his life a living hell was the imprint bond. It would affect her too.

“What do you want?” She asked, venom lacing each word. Tallulah adjusted the tote bag on her shoulder as she looked him over. He looked the exact same. Black hoodie, beige cargo shorts and his muddy running shoes. The only thing that was different was his hair. He had a Seattle Mariners cap on,  but even though she could see messy waves flowing out from him. Like he hadn’t cut it since she left, which was uncommon for him. Paul had told her he likes to keep it neat, and easy to manage. This was not neat, nor managed.

Paul huffed out a sigh before jamming his hands into the pocket of his hoodie, “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?”

“Nope,” She agreed with him, smiling sweetly as she mentioned, “I’m going to make your life a living hell.”

His lips quirked upwards before falling back into his stern look, “If this is some kind of big city, college, rebellion phase that I’m not aware of--”

“Fuck you,” Tallulah scoffed. Was he really going to blame her behaviour towards him on her going away for school?

“What?” He asked, removing his cap to run his hand through his hair. She knew that was something he only did when he was stressed.  Paul adjusted his cap as he continued, which she would have preferred had he just stopped talking, “You moved to New York and suddenly I’m the worst person you’ve ever met. I don't think that's a coincidence.” 

Tallulah wanted to laugh in his face. If New York had taught her anything, it was that she didnt need him as much as he wanted her to. She was independent there, she got herself into trouble, and got herself out of it. She also happened to meet Nell, her roommate who was also from Washington. Nell’s boyfriend went to Boston College so she knew exactly what she was going through in terms of navigating a long distant relationship. Nell was not a big fan of Paul, given his lack of initiative while Tallulah had been away.

The younger girl took a step towards Paul, closing the gap between them. She was so close she could feel the abnormally hot temperature of his skin radiating off him. Tallulah reached out and placed both of her palms on his biceps, squeezing reassuringly. She peered up at him as his breath hitched in his throat at her touch,“You're not the worst person I’ve ever met,” Tallulah licked her lips as she slid her hands down his arms, and when he didn’t pull his hands from his pockets, she let go. Taking a step back, she put her hands on hips, “Top three for sure, but not the worst.”

“Really?” He asked sarcastically, tilting his head to the side like a puppy who was confused. Though she could tell his confusion was real. “How’d I earn a spot in the top three?”

“Oh my god, you don’t know, I know.” Her eyes widened in disbelief. Had nobody told him? She was sure Lenna would have told Josie and those too would have wreaked havoc on him. Tallulah knew a few bonfires had happened while she was gone and the forced proximity would have been a wet dream for Lennas knack of confronting people who had done her wrong. Lenna considered his betrayal a personal attack on their family.

Paul huffed in annoyance, “Know what?”

“I have to go,” She adjusted her bag to pull out her car keys before stepping around him, “Lenna and I have a dinner reservation.”

“Lu,” Paul grabbed her upper arm gently, the heat of his palm on her bare skin nearly made her cave. She had been so cold without him in New York, like she had left all her body heat with him. Since returning to Forks, and subsequently La Push, she had felt a little better but nothing like she had when she was constantly with him. “Come on. What do I have to do to make you forgive me? Hm?”

“Nothing,” She spat out, wrenching his hand from her arm, “Will ever make me forgive you,” She turned to leave before whipping around again, pointing her finger into her solid chest,  “And if it weren’t for this stupid imprint bond, I’d really ruin your life.”

“Just tell me what I did,” Paul begged. Tallulah could see the desperation in his eyes. She wouldn’t fall for it though. He wanted her to tell him what she was mad about, so that he knew exactly how to grovel. He should be apologising for multiple things in her opinion.

“You’re such a jerk,” She said with the roll of her eyes.

“I love you, Tallulah.” Paul grabbed her hand this time, tugging her hard so that her body was touching his. He knew exactly how to keep her attention and overwhelm her senses. Her heart fluttered at their proximity, and she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around him and never let go. But she refused to forgive him until she got an apology, and a whole lot of ass kissing from  him.  “You know that everything I do is to keep you safe and happy.”

“Only when I’m in La Push or Forks,” She snorted, sarcastically asking,  “New York is too much work for you, huh?”

“Is this about Lina?” Paul furrowed his brow as he looked down at her. He brought one of his hands to the back of her neck beneath her braid, forcing her to look at him, “What did you want me to do?”   

This was not about her best friend Lina, but if that's what he wanted to start with then sure, she was ready to fight about that. She had been wanting to since the day it happened but he had gone radio silent. “If anything had happened to Jared I would have flown home that same damn day!” Tallulah said angrily,  “You couldn't even spare two minutes on the phone when Lina was…”

Paul shook his head, “She was okay,” 

“It was my drink, Paul.” Tallulah's voice trembled at the memory. They had gone out to celebrate Lina booking a role in the Christmas Ballet, The NutCracker production that she had wanted since she was a little girl, but their night was cut short. Tallulah had ordered a regular cranberry juice, keeping her promise to Paul to not use a fake ID. Lina had ordered a rum and pineapple juice to try but hated the taste so she washed it down with Tallulah's drink. They ended up spending the night in the ER after Lina started to get the spins. Someone had drugged Tallulah's drink. “It would have been me, it should have been me…”

“I would have been there if it was---” Paul started but she didn't want to hear it.

“That's not good enough,” She pushed away from him, pushing against his chest to make sure he didn’t take a step forward. “You were unreachable that entire fucking week.” 

Paul's eyes flashed with something she couldn't point. It wasn't anger. Frustration, maybe. A small growl left his throat as he reached for her again, only for her to step back, “Hey,”

“But you had time for Rachel, didnt you?” Tallulah spat out, she was teetering on the edge of losing her cool,   “I was having nightmares and worrying who slipped a date rape drug into my drink all week, and you were cozying up to your ex girlfriend.” She wanted to shout at him, to scream so that everyone in La Push could hear what she was saying and know that whatever they thought about Paul Lahote, was in fact true. He was a cheater, and a liar. “That's not the guy I fell in love with.” She couldn’t stop the sadness in her voice if she had tried. Tallulah straightened her posture and turned on her heel to head for the car park,  “ I don’t forgive you. I don't know if I ever will.”

[4veslil]

Headcanons | Paul Lahote | You're Paul's SO and Neurodivergent

A/N: Hello! I thought this would be a great way to introduce myself to tumblr! I am currently writing a slow burn Paul Lahote Fic but to engage with the Twilight Fandom more I decided to do this! If you are interested in my VolturiOC/Paul Lahote Fic though here's the link! This is my first time doing Headcanons but please bare with me! Also if you have any requests I am willing to write for every Twilight character for preferences, imagines (<1.5k words), blurbs, drabbles etc. I will NOT write smut, not comfy with it and even if I did put an dni, children aren't stupid, we all faked our ages online once upon a time. All I ask is dni if you are underage! This blog 18+ only! Thank you for clicking on this and hopefully, I will hear some requests soon! Without further ado, ENJOY! ★ MASTER LIST HERE ★ P.S. Bullet points with a * is based off my own ND. Hope you don't mind!

This is new territory for Paul so he does what he does best- panics, gets irritated that he's panicking; get's angry when he can't calm down; goes for a run before finally, finding himself sitting at a library computer (in that order).

He sits at the library for hours researching before he's got a notebook of information on neurodivergence and enough questions for you to find it endearing.

He also takes out a few books written by people with ASD and ADHD and reads them front to back before skimming through them again to take notes.

When you get back home he's ready and puts you in the hot seat.

By the end he knows the normal stuff like favourite foods, animal and colours but also the textures you avoid, your quirks, your favourite fidget toys, what makes you overstimulated; everything that makes you tick.

You woke up the next morning to Paul ripping the tags off all your clothes, letting you know he's ordered new pillows for the living room to replace the velvet ones; he also got reusable cotton pads for the bathroom.

He keeps a hairband on his wrist for when your hair tickles your neck and causes your tick*

Paul also ordered some special ear plugs. He gets multiple- one for your backpack, one for his car's glove compartment and one pair to have on his person.

Paul also asked what your favourite fidget toys are and did the same as the earplugs.

Paul got you matching keyrings with the same fidget toy attached. His is black and yours is your favourite colour.

Paul knows a diary, schedule or to-do list doesn't work with you. He makes household tasks sound like a secret Pack mission, he makes chores fun.

Paul makes sure to put post-its about the house, sets your reminders on his own phone and reminds you gently. He knows you getting annoyed at the reminders isn't personal.

He double (more like triple) checks his notebook before he gets you something.

All his gifts have something to do with your special interest

Any clothes he gets you have tags removed and washed with your favourite detergent before he gift wraps them.

Paul is more than prepared for a break down, he doesn't try to touch you during those.

He knows not to feel rejected when you flinch away or say no to a hug. He just smiles and makes sure not to be too loud or make sudden movements around you.

Paul asked about masking and he could tell you were lying when you said you don't mask around him.

Paul takes you hiking to a secluded place in the forest and phases into a wolf if you've had a bad week. He lets you lay on him and read, just so you can unmask and relax. You find it easier to unmask when he isn't human.

You can go quiet and Paul learns to get comfortable in the silence, silence used to be the calm before the storm, now he sees it as the storm passing by at a distance.

Paul knows you hate touching carboard that's been in the fridge or freezer, after food shopping you find he's opened everything and repackaged it.*

Paul speaks straightforwardly, his communication is clear, especially when it's important or knows you're already overstimulated/overwhelmed.*

When you meet the Pack Paul hates how confused you look when some of the banter goes after your head- he tells you not to force yourself to laugh, says he finds it funny when you don't humour the boys.

The Pack started taking advantage of things going over your head, when Paul pointed it out you shrugged it off because it was only a bit of banter.

Paul pretended to leave it but roughed up the Pack (more than usual) when they were sparring, or would accidentally ram into them while running.

The Pack say he's whipped when they see memories of Paul letting you pet him in wolf form.

At Christmas Jared gets you a pink collar with studs for him, teasing you of course. While you're confused (and distracted) Paul yeets it at Jared's head.

When he gives a gift- of course it's something from your latest hyper fixation.

You get overwhelmed at the Pack's beach hang outs. You are not familiar with everyone's imprints and you get anxious.

You both sit a little away from the Pack and their imprints, silently laying together or drawing in the sand.

Paul always makes sure you're included in the conversation when someone approaches.

He holds you tight in his arms when you're feeling agitated because he knows you like to be squeezed, it grounds you.

Of course, when he found this out he ordered you a weighted blanket.

Paul wants to know everything, all your likes and dislikes- what's safe and what's not.

Paul smiles ear to ear when you tell him he's listed in the "safe" category, he notes it down with a smug expression.

But his face (half-)teasingly drops when you joke he's a close second to your all-time, favourite movie character.

He loves how your mind works, sometimes out of the blue you'll say something so off topic and he'll make you explain where you got that- he's fascinated by it and how easily one thing links to the other.

When the bad days happen he makes sure to just be there, knowing not to touch you- that you just want him by your side.

On those days he makes all your safe foods and separates them on the plate based on your specific eating criteria. He doesn't entirely understand but doesn't tease you for it either.*

He shares your safe food list with Emily because he knows you get embarrassed about eating in public- you used to get teased about how plain and boring it was.*

He goes back to the public library to look up the quiet shopping hours at your favourite stores and what restaurants have your safe foods.

Paul wants to understand everything about you and where it comes from, he fills up one notebook after the after and doesn't let you peek inside.

You try to reason they're all about you so you should get to read them, he still refuses.

The day you finally manage to get a hold of his notebook, you close it after reading the first page. On it is written: "Notebook #3 - everything I know about future Mrs Lahote"

[im-a-wonderling]

Love & Hate, Part VII ~ Paul Lahote

Wow, this series is getting more and more popular. This part has one of my favorite scenes in the whole fanfic, so I hope you guys enjoy! @writing-on-the-wahl​, thank you so much for being such a good sport about helping me edit all my fanfics before I post them. You’re the best, and I’m forever grateful. 

Warnings: descriptions of needles and drawing blood

Word count: 9k

Love & Hate masterlist

The two mile walk from his cabin to Sam and Emily’s house took twice as long as it could’ve, but Paul didn’t want to let the wolf out. After so thoroughly losing his freedom of choice last night, he wanted to avoid shifting if at all possible. 

It sent him into a foul mood, the fact that he was tiptoeing around something within himself. Nothing egged at him quite so much as that. 

If Y/N wasn’t around, he wouldn’t have any issues with the wolf. There would be no need for arguing, no need for spontaneous trips to Kansas City, and absolutely no need for Jacob to bite him. Paul ran his hand across his shoulder underneath the sleeves of his tank, over the place where the bite mark had been. The wound had closed fairly quickly thanks to his supernatural healing, but the memories of the pain and embarrassment lingered. 

He was so far gone, so preoccupied with thoughts of a woman that his packmate had to bite him?

And worse than that, the words Jared shared about Y/N being alone wormed around in his brain, joining forces with the wolf’s utter mortification over the fight they’d had. In favor of dealing with the full moon, Paul pushed the memories of the argument aside, but now the full moon was over. Now there was no excuse to make to rid himself of the waves of shame. 

A growl loosed from his throat. 

Paul was easily irritated, he knew that, but Y/N could just get under his skin like no one else ever had. 

Add that to the wolf’s constant, unhelpful commentary about how beautiful she was and how good it would feel to be next to her and how perfect she was…Paul’s path to being the crazy villager everyone laughed about was almost set in stone.

He shook his head, trying to focus on the present. 

Apparently, when Sam had informed Carlisle of the events the night of the full moon earlier this morning, Carlisle had asked for the chance to speak to the pack. Since Paul was intentionally not shifting, he didn’t have the chance to see the memory, but according to what Sam said on the phone, Carlisle had been rather anxious. 

What could have the doctor all tied in knots?

I suppose I’m about to find out, Paul thought as he opened the front door. 

Y/N’s scent hit him like a semi truck, and he immediately clenched his fists, fighting his desires both for more air and more of her smell. 

Had her scent always been this sweet? 

Paul didn’t know, but if her scent was somehow becoming more irresistible to him over time, he might as well take up permanent residence in Kansas City if he wanted to be a functional human being. 

Was there somewhere in La Push Paul could get a scuba tank? If he brought his own air, there was no need to be smelling Y/N’s. 

He shook his head.

Stupid idea. 

He stepped into the house, trying to ignore the intoxicating smell, lest he lose any semblance of common sense he had left. As soon as Paul laid eyes on the scene in the living room, however, he realized he had much bigger problems. 

Jacob sat on the armchair, like he always did, while Sam and Emily stood beside the walkway to the kitchen. A few werewolves lazed about on the furniture while the majority of the pack made themselves at home on the floor. Considering the pack’s rise in numbers, there wasn’t any floor space to spare. 

Carlisle Cullen stood with his back to the fireplace, hands wringing and eyes flitting to look at every werewolf in the room. Leah, perched on the arm of the couch, gave a mock salute when she saw Paul. She was the only one to acknowledge him. The rest of the pack watched the doctor. No one assumed the bloodsucker’s news was of a good variety, but his apparent nerves heightened the highly strung atmosphere. 

The tension in the air was unlike anything Paul had ever experienced.

Paul stood on the other side of the walkway to the kitchen, leaning against the wall, pretending like he knew exactly what to do with his arms. His ears caught the sound of footsteps coming down the hallway, and from the labored gait, he knew exactly who it was. 

When Y/N came around the corner, Paul’s heart seized in his throat. 

He’d forgotten how beautiful she was. It wasn’t just one part of her. It wasn’t only the way her hair framed her face or the sensuous lips or the innate grace she carried, even with her limp. No, her beauty belonged in the whole picture, the balance and colors used in this living painting. 

His insides leapt as she came closer. He wasn’t sure if he’d been existing these past few days because to be seen by her was to exist, and it’d been far too long since they’d last seen each other. 

Paul’s brain came to a screeching halt. 

Those thoughts weren’t his. 

Shut up, Paul grumbled at the wolf. 

Still, the wolf barked in protest as Y/N limped right past him without batting an eye. 

“Y/N,” Sam said congenially.

Instead of saying anything back or even nodding, she pursed her lips, throwing a glare in his direction. When Jacob got up to offer him her seat, she fixed him with the same cold stare and limped over to stand by the wall opposite Paul instead. 

Paul cocked his head, suddenly curious. 

Why was she behaving with such hostility? There was no way she’d forgiven Paul for the comments he’d made after changing her tire, but she wouldn’t take that out on Sam or Jacob. She was unreasonable, but not that unreasonable. 

Which meant something else was going on.

Whatever it was, it most likely had something to do with Carlisle’s studious effort to avoid looking in Y/N’s direction. Didn’t the two of them work together? They’d acted fairly chummy before, so why suddenly did Carlisle look as if there was a tennis ball stuck in his throat? 

Paul suddenly straightened. 

Had some sort of romantic advance been made? Had Y/N…

He didn’t want to finish the thought, not when her smell was calling to him. Not when it took all his strength not to give into the gravity she’d always seemed to have around him. Besides, the doctor was happily married…right?

But what if Y/N was attracted to him? It would make sense because they were both in the medical field, but she wasn’t supposed to be with the bloodsucker, she was supposed to be with him. No one could ever be good enough for her, but Paul was the only one who could be sure to try every day to keep her safe and happy. 

Really, man? Paul asked the wolf. Calm down.

“Alright, Carlisle,” Sam said, arms folded in the stance he typically took when he was trying to look authoritative (Paul had once caught him practicing it in a mirror). “What’s the news?”

Carlisle cleared his throat, and Paul couldn’t help noticing he now looked like a high school boy about to confess to his parents that he’d accidentally gotten a girl pregnant. “Um, well, my family and I…we-we decided not to, uh, tell you about this, but with the events of late, it’s probably best that you know.”

Paul exchanged a nervous look with Jacob. A bloodsucker secret? This couldn’t be good.

“You may recall that some humans have blood that sings to vampires.” Carlisle took a deep breath. “These ‘singers’ are nearly impossible for vampires to resist, especially if they haven’t practiced resisting human blood before.”

“So…it’s like how Bella’s blood sang to Edward?” Jacob asked.

Y/N hadn’t known that, judging by the slight rise of her eyebrows. 

Paul hated the fact he’d even noticed.

“Yes, like that.” Carlisle scratched his neck. Then, his eyes darted in Y/N’s direction, as if it were uncontrollable. 

A flare of some green-eyed, protective need rang through Paul, like Carlisle’s look was a mallet hitting Paul’s bell. “Out with it already,” Paul grumbled, curling his hands into first to keep from storming towards the vampire and bashing his face in. “Some of us have patrols to do.”

Carlisle shoved his hands into his pockets. “As you know, werewolves and vampires are natural enemies.” He paused again, and Paul only just resisted the urge to walk over and shake the words out of him. “I think that’s why this vampire is hanging around.”

Confused murmurs erupted in the room, as mostly everyone still didn’t understand what Carlisle was getting at. 

“What didn’t your family want to tell us?” Sam asked, trying to get straight to the point.

“The blood of a wolf’s imprint sings to all vampires,” Carlisle said.

The whole world ceased to spin, teetering dangerously on its axis.

Paul gaped at the doctor.

How long had the Cullens been sitting on this? Did the Cullens have any idea how much danger they’d put Emily in by not telling the pack this information? Or Kim, Jared’s imprint? Or Quil’s kindergarten imprint? 

Of course, the Cullens kept this to themselves. Renesmee, being half vampire, was most likely immune to this. 

A few growls sounded around Paul, and he knew he was not the only one having a hard time refraining from violence. 

Out of the corner of his eye, Paul saw Sam shift to stand in between the doctor and Emily. “You’re saying,” Sam said slowly, like he was imagining what Carlisle would look like with a broken nose, “that vampires are attracted to the blood of our imprints?”

Carlisle nodded solemnly. “I think that’s why this vampire is hunting Y/N.”

Paul froze. 

In his preoccupation, he hadn’t realized it wasn’t just Emily, Kim, Claire and Renesmee who’d been endangered by the keeping of this secret.

Y/N was too. 

Had someone dumped a colony of fire ants on Paul? He could’ve sworn something was burning his skin, crawling up and down his back and neck. The guilt that had been plaguing him earlier was nothing compared to the tidal wave that rose up in him now. He nearly choked as the full weight of the news sunk in. It was Paul’s fault Y/N was in danger. The vampire wouldn’t be hunting her with such an intensity if Paul hadn’t imprinted on her. 

Paul���s eyes slowly slid to her, suddenly wishing she would look at him so he could guess what she was feeling. 

But Y/N’s eyes stayed on the doctor as a mirthless laugh tumbled out of her mouth. “You’re telling me–” she pushed off from the wall to step in Carlisle’s direction, “–that not only am I stuck with him–” she pointed an accusing finger straight at Paul, “–as my supposed soulmate, I’m now an irresistible snack for all vampires?”

Carlisle winced. “That’s a bit harsh–”

Another bitter and grating laugh came from Y/N, and Paul felt like his insides were shriveling and crumbling away. 

“Dr. Cullen, I think you should leave now.” Sam’s voice was tense, leaving no room for argument. With the speed Carlisle headed for the door, he wasn’t looking for any room anyways. 

Unfortunately, Carlisle left behind only one target for Y/N’s wrath.

She rounded on Paul. “You.” Paul was glad just then for Y/N’s limp, because she wouldn’t be able to chase him if he needed to make a run for it. “You and your imprinting!”

“Y/N, that’s enough,” Sam said the same tone he’d used on Carlisle. 

But of course, where the doctor had fled, Y/N stood her ground. “I’m not one of your lackeys!” she spat at him. “I have a job, Sam, a life that I’ve been shut away from because you guys can’t catch this stupid vampire. And now, you’re only going to shut me up longer while you cross your fingers and twiddle your thumbs!” 

Paul knew he should get involved and make an attempt to calm Y/N down or reason with her. But he couldn’t make himself move towards her. 

“We’ll protect you,” Sam cut in, “just as we have been.”

Y/N advanced on him. “What, are you going to tell me to be patient and sit around this house while I continue to wait for you guys to save the day?!” Sam opened his mouth, but nothing came out, which is how Paul knew that was exactly what he’d been going to say. Y/N shook her head so violently that a lock of hair fell into her face. “No.” She tucked the lock of hair behind her ear in a movement that somehow made Paul’s chest ache. “No, now it’s my turn.”

“What are you going to do?” Sam asked. “Chase the vampire down yourself?”

The little jab at Y/N’s limp made Paul’s breath catch. He knew that Sam’s frustration wasn’t really aimed at Y/N, he knew that. But his hands still rolled into fists, and it took every bit of his strength to keep from flinging himself at the alpha. 

But Y/N didn’t cower or cringe, she only held herself taller. “No, because as you guys have so kindly proved, chasing this vampire doesn’t amount to anything.” Sam’s face soured, and Paul’s shoulders relaxed from their previously murderous stance as a smile fought to break free. Clearly she didn’t need him fighting her battles. 

“We need to lure him,” Y/N said. 

All the members of the pack looked at each other, and Paul didn’t have to be in his wolf form to pick up on their desperation. “How?” Jared asked.

“Bait,” was Y/N’s response.

Every cell in Paul’s body rebelled as his head filled with the yips of rejection from the wolf. “Absolutely not,” he blurted out, causing everyone in the room to look at him, Y/N included. It was hard to focus when he could see the full scope of the anger simmering in her expression, but he managed. “We’re not putting you in danger.”

“I don’t need your permission, and I certainly don’t need any of your protective wolf bullshit.” Paul couldn’t hold back his flinch. “It’s my life on the line, and I’ve had enough of sitting back and hoping that you guys will do your jobs. I say we’re setting a trap.”

Y/N’s icy words made Paul feel cold all over, but he wasn’t about to back down. “Do you have any idea how painful it is to be sucked dry of all your blood?” he asked her. He intended for it to match her levels of venom, but the question came out softly. 

Y/N’s eyes blazed hotter. “I’m no stranger to pain.”

The wolf whimpered. She didn’t deserve pain, nor any other discomfort this world could subject her to. She deserved sunshine. And bouquets of flowers. Gentle kisses and back massages. Bubble baths and–

“Fine then,” Paul managed to say around the wolf’s cascade of thoughts. “Do you have any idea what happens to a wolf when its imprint dies?”

A smile appeared on Y/N’s face, an expression of pure spite. “Well, you’ve wanted to be rid of me since day one, so it seems like a win-win for you.”

All of the sinew in Paul’s body rotted into pain, and he inhaled sharply. He deserved that comment, he knew he did, but it was like Y/N thrust a knife into some deep part of him. Whether that part belonged to him or the wolf, Paul didn’t know.

Not looking the least bit apologetic, Y/N addressed the pack. “The vampire wants my blood. And thankfully for us, I’ve been drawing blood since I started med school.”

Sam raised his eyebrows. “You want to draw some of your blood and use it as a trap?”

Y/N nodded. “Carlisle said it was nearly impossible to resist an imprint’s blood when it’s inside the body. Imagine how irresistible it would be outside of the body.”

Bile burned in Paul’s throat at the idea of any of Y/N’s blood being outside her body.

“It could work,” Leah mused, and Seth elbowed her. “What?” she snapped. “Y/N’s right, our way hasn’t worked. Maybe it’s time for a change of tactic.”

Paul glared at Leah, but she didn’t bat an eye. 

“I’m down,” Seth said, looking completely at ease in his position sprawled on the floor. Paul opened his mouth to argue.

“I’m in too.” Jared’s eyes were far away, likely centered around a fair-haired classmate in need of extra protection. 

“Sam?” Jacob pushed, and Paul wheeled to look at the alpha. 

Sam glanced at his wife, and Paul knew what he was thinking.

If they used Y/N as bait and caught the vampire, Emily would be safe.

Sam rolled his shoulders, preparing for action. “Let’s do it.”

Paul stared around the room at the pack, at his brothers, who’d been gushing about their imprints and telling Paul that he would one day understand. Yet every one of them had thrown Y/N into the way of danger for either a chance at a bloodsucker hunt or their own imprint’s safety. 

Paul’s blood boiled, bringing his body temperature even hotter.

He wanted to rip out his pack’s throats. 

And what’s worse, he knew it was only his own imprint bond making him feel that way. 

This was why.

This whole situation offered more proof than Paul could ever need about the imprinting bond. It always, always did more harm than good. 

As Y/N and the pack launched into brainstorming, Paul shrank against the wall, wishing he could be alone. 

He wanted nothing to do with this plan.

- 

“What do you mean I have to go to the hospital?!” Paul roared at his alpha. It didn’t matter if the two werewolves were all the way across the room; Paul’s raised voice still made me jump. 

He cut me a glance, something urgent simmering in his face, but he turned back to Sam too quickly for me to decipher where the heat was coming from. 

Sam didn’t even blink at Paul’s commonplace display of temper. “We need Y/N’s blood, and the supplies necessary for that are at the hospital. Plus, this way Y/N can check out Emily and the baby to make sure they’re okay.”

“So then you go with them,” Paul snarked. “Why is my presence necessary?”

“Because I’m driving Emily home after we check the baby. And because someone needs to protect Y/N while she draws the blood. Because we don’t want her alone in that hospital with Dr. Cullen. Because she’s your imprint and I’m your alpha.” Sam arched an eyebrow. “Do you need more reasons?”

I glanced at Paul, who, noticing my attention, sat down on the armchair, frowning. I rolled my eyes at his petulance. If I could stomach being in the same room with him, he could too. 

“Emily, are you almost ready?” Sam called, rubbing his forehead. 

“I can’t tie my shoes!” she hollered back from the bedroom. 

“Just wear slip-on shoes then!”

“Sam Levi Uley, stop being a jerk and help me tie my shoelaces!”

All the worry on Sam’s face melted away, giving room for a smitten smile. “Coming,” he said, too quietly for Emily to hear. 

The sweet tone of his words only made it all the more awkward when he disappeared into the bedroom, leaving me alone in the living room with Paul.

His eyes rested on the wall. If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought he was internally debating something dull, such as the best technique for brushing one’s teeth. But there was no mistaking the way his fingers gripped the arms of the chair or the way his arm muscles were flexing, allowing a sliver of his tattoo to peek out from his short sleeve.

He hadn’t so much as attempted to start a conversation with me, not about my blood singing to vampires, nor what he’d said after changing my tire. Part of me wondered if he waited because he wanted me to break the silence first.

But I didn’t have anything to say that I could tell Paul.

Like, for instance, how would I ever be able to convince a vampire to bite me but leave enough blood in my body to circulate the venom that would change me? If my blood was irresistible, no vampire, no matter how disciplined, would be able to resist even a drop of my blood. It wouldn’t just be a risk, it would be suicide.

Once again, my quest had become harder and more steps were added to my plan. 

Now this vampire had to be dealt with before Paul and I could focus on breaking the bond, and there was a chance of my blood remaining irresistible even after the bond was broken. 

The idea of getting that far and still failing was…unthinkable. 

I tried to shake off the hopelessness swirling around me like fog. Becoming a vampire was my only hope and had been for months. I wouldn’t stop, not even if it seemed impossible. 

I walked into the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water. I’d barely taken a sip when Emily waddled into the kitchen. “I’m driving,” she announced. 

“Do you think that’s wise?” Sam asked gingerly. His soft tone didn’t land as intended, for Emily turned to glare at her husband, who seemed to shrink a little.

“I’m with Sam,” I said, drawing Emily’s wrathful gaze. But unlike Sam, I’d dealt with expecting mothers before. “Your movement is limited, and that’s not safe for you, your baby, or anyone riding with you.”

Emily narrowed her eyes, but I could tell by her silence that she saw my point. Out of anyone in La Push, my MD probably had the most sway with her. “I’m not riding with Paul,” she finally said flatly. “He’s a maniac when he drives.”

Paul started grumbling under his breath. 

I smiled at Emily, slightly pleased that she’d annoyed him. “You can ride with me.”

“Absolutely not,” Sam interjected. “There needs to be one wolf per car, in case the vampire shows up.” Emily’s obvious exasperation didn’t seem to have the same effect this time around. Sam might’ve been willing to quail on some things, but when it came to vampires and safety, he’d never change his mind, not with the recent news from Carlisle. 

Then the whole room seemed to come to a realization at the same time. 

If Emily wouldn’t ride with Paul and Sam wouldn’t allow her to ride with me…

I shot a glance at Paul, who glanced at me at the same time. He looked away quickly, but I just narrowed my eyes. 

If he didn’t already regret imprinting on me, he would soon. 

-

With his superhuman lungs, one would think Paul’s lung capacity would be upgraded as well. 

As it was, holding his breath lasted him less than a minute. 

Her smell clung to his skin like humidity, and like humidity, it was causing him to sweat badly enough to need a shower. It was difficult to keep still. His limbs contained all this unnecessary energy, making time seem slower. Any time Emily’s car came into view on the road in front of them, Paul stiffened. The anger at his pack had yet to dissipate, and Sam was the worst of the lot. 

Y/N’s eyes never strayed from the road, and her ramrod posture made Paul’s back hurt. Paul didn’t know how it was humanly possible, but she looked even less comfortable than he was. 

When they passed the spot where Paul had changed her tire several days ago, Paul shrunk in his seat a little. Should he apologize? Would Y/N not appreciate the reminder of what’d been said? Or would this awkward tension in the air remain as it was until he apologized?

Apologize, the wolf sang. Apologize, apologize, apologize.

Paul ignored the chanting as much as he could. Despite what the pack and the elders might think, Paul owed Y/N the same she owed him: nothing. He tried to take a steadying breath, but the air laced with her smell did nothing for his inner turmoil.

One step at a time, Paul told himself. First, defeat the vampire. Then, break the bond.

A sharp melody sounded, startling Paul, and the phone in Y/N’s cupholder started vibrating.

“Can you look at that?” she asked.

Paul squirmed. “Umm…I’d rather not.”

“Oh for goodness sake,” Y/N said with a roll of her eyes, “ look at the caller ID.”

“You look at it,” Paul shot back.

“What is your problem?” she snapped. “I’m busy driving, just pick up the phone.”

“No.”

“Pick. It. Up.”

“No!”

“Now!”

“NO!”

The ringing stopped, and Y/N’s fingers whitened as her grip on the steering wheel increased. “Great, now I missed a call because you wouldn’t just look at the caller ID.”

Paul crossed his arms. “I didn’t want to snoop.” Surely she could appreciate that.

“It’s not snooping if you have my permission.” A muscle in her jaw rippled, and he strongly suspected she was grinding her teeth, adding to the bite in her voice. “Curiosity is the most natural thing in the world. The human race would’ve died out long ago if they hadn’t been curious.”

Her clipped tone provided the spark for Paul’s short fuse. “I’d hardly call respecting your privacy an action that will annihilate the human race.”

“Why can’t you just do what I ask?” Y/N grouched. “What’s so hard about picking up a phone?”

“Exactly, so pick it up yourself.”

“I’m driving.” 

Paul threw his hands in the air. “What’s the big deal? There’s hardly anyone else on the road and it would only take you a few seconds!”

“A few seconds is all it takes to get in an accident!” Y/N burst out. Her chest heaved, her body trying to keep up with the rush of blood towards her reddening face. 

Paul stared at the angry splotches on her cheeks. Why had she spoken like that? Like it was a confession born of unspeakable events? Admitting to being an uptight driver wasn’t some dark and terrible secret. 

Y/N shifted her left leg, and with that small action, it clicked.

“You were in an accident.” Paul shifted so he was facing her. “That’s how you injured your leg.” And that was why she was so militant with seatbelts and not texting while driving. 

Y/N grit her teeth, but she repositioned her left leg again. 

“How long ago?” Paul asked before he could stop himself. 

“Mind your own business,” was the cutting reply.

But while her hostility was usually effective in ending any more questions, it couldn’t stop Paul’s curiosity this time. “How bad was the accident?”

“I said–”

“What kind of injury was it? Did you have surgery? Did you break a bone?”

“–mind your own business!”

Paul studied her. He’d freely admit to anyone that he didn’t know his imprint that well, but if the accident was insignificant, Y/N would’ve admitted it, simply to correct him. The only reason she’d be cagey was if it truly was a horrifying event.

She wasn’t angry.

She was afraid. 

His stomach sank. 

He’d assumed that Y/N’s cynicism and rigidity had been attitudes gained after a lifelong struggle. But if it was an accident, it could’ve happened recently. Was that why she’d dropped everything and moved across the country? Was she struggling to cope? Jared’s words came back to him. Right now, she doesn’t have anybody but us. How alone was she? And how alone had she been when she’d been in that accident?

The ringtone started up again, interrupting Paul’s whizzing thoughts. 

Y/N didn’t say anything. Apparently, her tight lips outweighed her sharp tongue. 

Paul reached for the phone. “It says dad.”

If Y/N was grateful to him for finally telling her who it was, she didn’t show it. “Just let it ring. I’ll call him later.”

“Okay.” Paul gingerly set her phone back into the car cup holder. 

Y/N didn’t say anything, clearly preferring silence. But Paul’s mind was racing too much to call the atmosphere ‘silent’.

-

Leading Sam, Emily, and Paul through the Emergency Room entrance was mortifying. 

Even at eight months pregnant, Emily was still walking faster than I was. Apparently carrying a baby the size of a coconut still didn’t compare to my limp. The back of my neck felt hot, as if all the staring somehow kept raising my body temperature. 

All four of us squeezed into an exam room that was clearly not intended to fit a pregnant woman, her doctor, and two overly protective werewolves.

As soon as Emily got onto the exam table, I pulled over the ultrasound machine, accidentally clipping Paul’s foot with its wheels. “Ouch,” he grumbled. I ignored him, focusing on the Ecovue gel bottle.

“Might be a little cold,” I warned her. 

Emily didn’t flinch, her eyes focused on the ultrasound screen that wasn’t displaying anything yet. 

When I pressed the ultrasound wand to her stomach, Sam shuffled closer, capturing her hand and lacing it with his. A tiny heartbeat emitted from the monitor, and I glanced up at the virile alpha to see his eyes glistening. Emily smiled widely, squeezing her husband’s hand. “That’s our baby.”

“Hello, baby,” Sam said quietly. 

I studied the pair. It wasn’t unusual for ultrasounds to be emotional events, but why was Sam behaving as if–

“I’m sorry,” Sam mumbled, looking down at his wife with guilt deeply etched into his expression. “We haven’t even discussed names.”

Emily reached up a hand to cup his face. “It’s okay. You’re out there saving the world.”

Oh. 

Sam hadn’t been to an ultrasound yet. 

Feeling awkward, I glanced over at Paul. 

Paul was looking anywhere but at Emily’s belly or the monitor. His eyes skimmed the cabinets around us, the art intended to be comforting, and even the jars of alcohol pads and tongue depressors. If it wasn’t somewhat inappropriate to laugh during such a sweet moment between a husband and wife, I would’ve. 

I froze the screen before withdrawing the wand and cleaning it up. “Your due date’s in a month.”

Emily tore her eyes away from Sam. “There’s a midwife in La Push that agreed to work with me.” Clearly she remembered what I’d told her at the last ultrasound.

“You’re having the baby at home then?”

“Yes,” Emily said, sounding extremely confident while Sam looked anything but. 

“Honey, are you sure that’s wise?” Sam glanced at the frozen screen. “What if something goes wrong?”

“That’s what the midwife is there for.”

“Still, I’d feel better if we came here.”

Sensing an argument brewing, I got to my feet, wiping away the gel on Emily’s stomach. “I might very well still be sleeping on your couch when you go into labor, so if it makes you feel more confident, I can be there for the birth.”

Sam eyed me, and I knew what he wanted to ask.

“I’m an MD. I’m only a month short of having completed an obstetrics residency. Between the midwife and I, your wife will be just fine.”

Emily clapped her hands. “Perfect. There’s the plan.” She tried to sit up, and Sam immediately helped her before she could fall back again. “Now I’d like to go home.” She awkwardly slid off the exam table before making her way to the door. 

I busied myself with resetting the ultrasound machine. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sam follow Emily, stopping in front of Paul.

“You’ve got her?” he asked quietly. Was that remorse on the alpha’s face? 

“Yeah.” Paul’s equally soft response spoke of dark promises. 

The exam door opened and closed before I realized which ‘her’ they were talking about. I didn’t know what to say to that, so I decided to say nothing as I led Paul out of the ER. 

I expected him to trail somewhere behind me or in front of me, but instead, he kept time with my labored pace. Somehow, that annoyed me more than if he’d gone ahead or behind me. 

He reached the elevator before I did, but instead of pushing the button, he shoved his hands in his pockets. I sent him a suspicious look. 

What was with the sudden gentleman act? 

I pushed the button, and the doors dinged as they opened. Paul and I walked inside, and I selected the button for the second floor. 

“Hold the door!”

Paul stuck his hand through the rapidly disappearing entrance, and the doors slid open, revealing none other than Carlisle Cullen.

He came to an abrupt stop. If vampires had any blood in their body, all of Carlisle’s would’ve drained from his face just then. Was this reaction due to seeing me?

Then the lift started to shake, creaking and groaning. 

I turned to ask Paul if Forks often got earthquakes when I saw that his whole body was convulsing, and he was staring daggers at the doctor.

Carlisle fell back a step. “I’ll take the next one.”

Paul’s glare didn’t lessen, even as the doors closed, shielding the vampire from view. The floor of the elevator continued to tremble underneath my feet. 

“Paul?” I asked warily. 

The shuddering didn’t cease. 

“Paul?!”

His eyes remained on the elevator doors. Was he having some sort of seizure? I set a hand on Paul’s shoulder, shaking him to get his attention. “Paul!”

Paul blinked, trance seemingly broken. Then his attention shifted to my hand, still resting on his shoulder. 

I withdrew it. “What was that?”

“The wolf,” Paul grumbled, his hands reaching up to fiddle with his stubby braid. “Neither of us are very happy with that bloodsucker right now.”

I couldn’t argue with that, so I led Paul to my office. “Wait here,” I told him before limping to the nearest med supply closet. 

Paul, of course, didn’t comply.

I rolled my eyes. “I told you–”

“I can’t protect you if I’m not with you.” Paul folded his arms imposingly for emphasis, and I tried to ignore the muscle bulging off his arms. 

“You’re not authorized to be in the supply closet.”

Paul shrugged. “Neither is the vampire. I doubt authorization matters much to him.” 

My fingers itched to push him back to my office. With great effort, I continued towards the closet. The faster the blood was drawn, the sooner we could leave and the sooner we didn’t have to be around each other. 

Alcohol wipes.

Medical tape. 

Gloves.

I quickly realized I wouldn’t be able to carry all the supplies I needed with one arm. Without looking away from the labeled bins, I handed the box of gloves to him, half expecting to hear it thudding against the floor. But no such noise sounded. I handed the alcohol wipes to him, and he took them without comment.

Tourniquet. 

Gauze.

Empty blood bags.

“Two?” Paul blurted out. 

I quirked an eyebrow. “What?”

Paul shifted, and the box of gloves fell out of his grip. He tried to catch it, but failed. We both crouched at the same time, our hands brushing as we reached for the box. I expected him to jerk his hand away like he always did upon physical contact with me, but he didn’t. He picked up the box like nothing had happened. 

Well, not nothing.

There was a peculiar and unsettling contusion in his face. He looked…concerned? 

I made to brush past him, but he sidled into my path with such severity, it nearly made me lose my balance. “Two bags seems like a lot.” 

“Paul–”

“How much of your blood is two bags?”

“It’s not a big deal.” I tried to walk around, but Paul planted himself directly in front of the door. 

“How much?” Paul pressed.

“It’s two pints of blood.” I made another attempt to leave, but Paul threw a hand into my path, somehow balancing all the supplies in one arm. 

“How many pints of blood do you have total?”

“About ten.”

Paul’s jaw went slack. “You want to draw a fifth of the blood in your whole body?”

“The more blood used for the trap, “ I explained as patiently as I could muster, “the more likely it’s going to work.”

Paul was shaking his head long before I finished speaking. “Absolutely not. Losing that much blood is not good for you.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, have you been to med school? If you had, you would know that blood loss is traumatic at 30 to 40%. Clearly I’m not planning on getting to that point.” Paul didn’t budge, and my patience frayed. “Oh for the love of–what do you want from me?” I nearly shouted at him. 

“I want you to stick to one bag.”

I folded my arms. “Not your decision to make.”

Paul opened his arms, all the materials crumbling to the floor as he set his hands on his hips. “If you try to do more than one, cinnamon sugar, I’ll haul you over my shoulder and carry you out of here. So please just stick with one.”

“You’re threatening me?”

“I said ‘please’.”

I rolled my eyes. “So you’re nicely threatening me?” His only response was to smile proudly. My frustration reared its head, and I quickly tamed it. “Look, we should get started. We can argue about the number of bags later.” 

Paul was already shaking his head. “Oh, no, no, no, no, you don’t get to dodge this–”

“The longer we stand here, not getting any of my blood,” I said with as much composure as possible when talking to a headstrong werewolf, “the longer we stay here, away from the pack and exposed to danger.” 

After a moment, Paul nodded and bent down to regather the supplies.

As we walked back to my office, I realized it hadn’t even occurred to me to lie to Paul. If I’d said it was 20 or even 10%, we wouldn’t have had to compromise. So why hadn’t I just said that? 

I shoved the question away with all my might. It was time to focus.

I prepared all the supplies for the blood draw, and Paul stood, his hands in his pockets as he glanced around at my office. “I need your help,” I told Paul. He stayed where he was, warily watching me. “I can’t wrap a tourniquet around my own arm.”

“I…” Paul scrunched his nose. “I don’t know how.”

I opened my mouth to say something snarky, but then he glanced around the office again. The airs of arrogance that normally pooled around him had gone. 

He’s embarrassed, I realized with no small amount of shock. I wanted to laugh at the idea of this massive, arrogant man being embarrassed about anything whatsoever. 

A small part of me whispered that if I wanted to make him feel the way I felt by the side of that road, I had an opening. I could bring him to his knees. 

But for some reason, I couldn’t make myself do it.

What was happening to me? Was I losing my edge? 

It was Sam and Emily’s fault for being so loving and adoring to each other, it’d softened me up. 

“I’ll show you what to do,” I said, my aggravation bleeding through. 

Paul reluctantly came closer. His warm fingers brushed my upper arm as he followed my instructions, tying the tourniquet in the exact place it was supposed to be. “What’s the tourniquet got to do with drawing blood?” he asked.

“It dilates the veins, making them easier to access.” I pressed the tip of my middle finger to the inside of my arm, trying to locate my antecubital fossa. 

One of the most random things I’d learned in my medical career is how bouncy veins were to the touch, especially when a tourniquet was on. Veins were thinner, had lower blood pressure, and held more blood than arteries. Veins were also closer to the surface of the skin. 

I finally located the vein and lifted up the needle. 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, you’re going to stick a needle in yourself?” Paul looked rather green all of the sudden. “That needle looks big, why does it look so big?”

“I didn’t think you’d be so squeamish,” I replied. My arm was starting to tingle a little bit, letting me know the tourniquet had already been on for quite a while. 

Paul stiffened. “I’m not squeamish.”

“Then get back over here and help me.”

“Help you?” Paul’s shrill voice filled the office. “Help you with what?”

“I need you to hold the skin tight so the vein doesn’t roll as I try to get it with the needle.”

Paul took a nervous step back, his arms posed in front of his body like he was in a boxing ring. “Why can’t Dr. Cullen do it?”

“Oh, now you trust him?” I scoffed. Why would Paul suddenly swivel to the opposite side of the emotional spectrum when it came to the doctor?

“No, I don’t trust him,” Paul declared. “It’s just that…he’s probably more qualified to do this than I am.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll tell you exactly what to do.” When Paul didn’t move, I tried to adapt a more comforting tone. “Look, all you have to do is hold the skin tight. You don’t have to watch me stick the needle in or anything. It’ll be easy.”

“Easy?” Paul repeated sarcastically. “Nothing about sticking a needle in your body should be easy.”

The tingling in my arm increased. “Will you just sit down and help?” I swallowed hard, annoyed with having to beg, but having no other choice. “Please?”

Paul slowly lumbered over to the other chair and lowered himself into it. It took a great deal of instruction, but eventually, Paul correctly held the skin taut as I held the needle, hovering just above the vein.

“One,” I said softly to myself, making sure my grip on the needle was relaxed, but firm. “Two.” I took a deep breath, looking up to see Paul’s face turned far away from my arm. “Three!”

The needle went in painlessly enough, but there was no blood flow. “Crap,” I muttered.

Paul shifted slightly. “What?” 

“I missed it.”

“Missed what?”

“The vein.”

Paul’s head whipped around with so much force, the motion probably could’ve powered the hospital. “What?!” His eyes fell upon the needle in my arm. “Oh my gosh.” He clamped a hand over his face, blocking his vision.

“I need you to hold the needle for me.”

Paul’s hand flew away from his eyes, and he blinked at me. “Oh, hell no.”

“Either you hold it or I just let it go, and I’m sure I don’t have to explain how dangerous it is to just leave the needle half in, half out of my body.” Paul gulped as I guided his hand to the needle, my fingers showing him how to hold it properly. As soon as I let go, Paul muttered something in a different language, staring at the wall behind my head.

“Give me…a second.” I felt around the needle with my free fingers, scouting out the skin for the familiar buoyant feel indicative of a vein.

“Just tell me when it’s over,” Paul said, shutting his eyes.

Again, the urge to laugh nearly overwhelmed me. I paused in my search, looking at his face. It occurred to me that I hadn’t really actually ever studied his face. Hot was too crude a word, and handsome was too virtuous of one. He truly lay somewhere in between, forever resting in an area as gray as his fur. If I leaned forward, I’d be close enough to kiss him.

That observation shook me out of my reverie, and I refocused, finding the vein and taking the needle from Paul to redirect it towards the vein. My effort was rewarded as blood started flowing through the tube and into the first bag.

“I’m done,” I told Paul as I ripped a piece of medical tape with my teeth and secured the needle.

Paul opened his eyes, took one look at the needle in my arm, and closed his eyes again.

I couldn’t stop my laugh. “If I’d known that shoving a needle into my arm was the way to shut you up, I would’ve done it ages ago.”

“Okay, calm down there, sugar.”

“Why do you call me that?” The question was out before I realized curiosity was the thing fluttering in my chest. 

Paul cracked his eyes open, his attention centering on my face instead of my arm. “No reason.” His tone was breezy enough, but a faint blush started on his cheeks, magnifying my interest. 

“Oh, there’s definitely a reason. And since I’m the one with a needle in my arm, I think I deserve to know.”

“Hey look, the bag’s a quarter full already,” Paul said in a poor attempt to distract me.

I checked to make sure the tape was still secure. “You’ll have to get the next bag ready.”

Paul’s head jerked up. “We’re not doing another bag.”

“It’s–”

“It’s your blood, and you have a medical degree, and you’re stubborn, but that’s still not enough to convince me,” Paul replied. “I’ll yank that needle out if I have to.” He reached out, like he was preparing to take it out right then. 

I sat back in my chair, feeling slightly woozy. “You could do that, but you could do it improperly and give me a hematoma. Or even cause me to lose more blood.” 

Paul froze. “I could hurt you?”

For all my knowledge, I couldn’t quite discern the meaning of his tone. Was he concerned again? Or was he still feeling squeamish?

And why did I care?

“Tell you what, I’ll make you a deal.” Intrigue shone in Paul’s eyes as he gestured for me to go on. “We’ll stop at one bag if you tell me why you call me ‘cinnamon sugar’.”

Paul sat back in his chair, folding his arms. “This is extortion.”

“What can I say?” I said with a casual shrug. “I get what I want.”

“Do you?” Paul mused.

“Yes.”

“Everything?”

“Yes.”

“Always?”

I hesitated for a moment. “Yes.”

Paul scratched his chin thoughtfully. “No deal.”

I blinked. “No deal? Why not?”

“Well, you did say you always get everything you want.”

“So now you’re trying to spite me by withholding information?”

“Possibly.” Paul leaned closer to me, a smirk toying with his lips. “Or maybe I just want to see what lengths you’ll go to in order to get the answer.”

Something in my chest danced, curiously rising to skim the surface of his brown eyes. “You just love making things difficult.” 

Paul scoffed. “That’s all you, sugar.” He reached out to fiddle with the blood bag. “That’s…” He looked two seconds from hurling. “That’s a lot of blood.”

“We should get ready to hook up the second bag.”

Paul made a noise of disbelief. “We’ve gone over this. We’re not doing a second bag.”

“Unless you want to ‘fess up, yes, we are.” I reached over to my desk where the second bag lay, intending to prepare it, but Paul snatched it up.

“No, we’re not.”

I made another pass at the bag, but my reaction time was so sluggish, Paul easily lifted the bag above his head before I got anywhere near it. Not one to be outdone, I stood up, stretching out my hand for the bag.

I’d underestimated the effect of blood loss. 

I swayed, my center of balance shifting over to my left side, and my bad knee buckled. I nearly lurched forward, only just leaning back to allow myself to fall back into my chair instead of forward onto the floor.

My heart thundered in my chest, and I knew I couldn’t blame it on having less blood to pump through my body.

Falling. 

I’d done it often when my knee first sustained its injury. After the accident and surgery, I’d spent hours doing physical therapy, doing everything I possibly could to restrengthen the muscles around my knee. Unfortunately, knee injuries involved muscles, bones, and ligaments. The complexity of the joint fed into the complexity of injuries to that joint.

The bleakness of my prognosis wasn’t something to face, it was something to avoid. Transitioning to a vampire was the only way to fully avoid it. 

“We’re doing two bags,” I said stubbornly. “This trap has to work.”

Paul kneeled down, setting the blood bag on the floor. “Stop at one bag.”

“No.” I shook my head and regretted it as my world spun. “We need two.”

Paul got to his feet, resting a hand on each armrest of my chair, trapping me into it. He opened his mouth to speak and shut it again, eyes dropping to the blood bag. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.  “Counteroffer. We do two bags, and you tell me about your accident.”

My heart tripped, falling headfirst into a hasty pace.

Brown eyes dipped to my chest all the sudden, and I remembered the comment Paul’d made about being able to hear my heartbeat.

I didn’t want to give him answers.

Couldn’t give him answers.

“No deal.” I pushed at his shoulders, shoving him away from me.

Paul stepped back, folding his arms. “Since I know you’re used to winning, I’m not sure you know what happens when two people reach an impasse.” I opened my mouth, and Paul held up a finger. “They compromise.”

“Compromise?” I laughed.

Paul didn’t. “Compromise. It’s the basis of every relationship.”

“You’re just saying that because you want me to agree. If I say honesty is at the basis of every relationship, would you tell me why you call me ‘cinnamon sugar’?”

Paul sighed, rubbing his forehead. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Do I strike you as someone who lets things go?” He paused, slowly raising his head to look at me, a sudden sadness in his eyes. I shot him a confused look. “What’s your problem?”

“I’m sorry.”

I sat back in my chair, hardly believing my ears. Did he just…? “What are you apologizing for?”

“For what I said by the side of the road.”

His words rebounded again, as unbidden as every other time they’d replayed in my head. 

Wanting to be rid of you has nothing to do with that, and everything to do with you!

My worst fear, that something really was wrong with me, confirmed by my ‘soulmate’ himself. 

“It doesn’t matter.”

Paul wrinkled his nose. “It does. I don’t have a problem with your…” He gestured towards my knee brace.

Discomfort rustled its wings. “Like I said, it doesn’t–”

“Yes, it does,” Paul said firmly. “I was frustrated, and I said things I didn't mean.”

“I don’t really–”

“I think you’re a very capable person.”

As compliments always did, his words made me want to cringe, to retract my turtle head back into my turtle shell and avoid uncomfortable things until they were long gone. “Can we drop this?” I asked, fiddling with the needle so I didn’t have to look at Paul.

But Paul was on a roll. “I mean, you can’t change a tire, but I can’t stick a needle in someone to get blood and whatever else you doctors do, so it all works out.”

Warmth blossomed in my cheeks like a mellow fever. “It’s not a big deal.”

“And I know I said I wanted to be rid of you, but it’s the imprint bond I don’t like.” My desk creaked as Paul sat precariously on its edge. “I could’ve imprinted on anybody else, and it wouldn’t’ve made a difference.” 

I abandoned the needle, looking up at Paul.

“I mean it,” he said, correctly decoding my expression.

“Whatever,” I muttered. I started to cross my legs, but my good knee bonked against the metal of my brace, so I gave up.

 “Am I forgiven?”

“Paul–” I began to say, more than ready to move on to anything else. 

“Am I forgiven?” he said louder.

“Yes, you’re forgiven!” I snapped, focusing on the irritation at his persistence instead of whatever other feelings were rising in my stomach. “Now will you just attach the second bag?” Paul raised an eyebrow, and I rolled my eyes. Really, I couldn’t blame him for his skepticism, but did he have to be so thorough in his doubt? “I’m not going to do a full bag, I’ll only do half.”

Paul cocked his head. “Compromising, are we?”

“Annoying, are we?” I parroted back.

No reply came. Paul’s eyes narrowed, traveling over my face with a sort of hypervigilance. I suddenly felt sorry for the creatures in biology that I’d studied under a microscope. Is this what it felt like to be measured and weighed? To have one’s behavior scrutinized and written about in a scientific report?

“What are you doing?” I asked. 

“Looking.”

“Stop it.”

The corner of Paul’s mouth turned up. “Is it illegal to look?”

“It should be,” I grumbled. “Especially when you should be hooking up the second bag.”

Paul didn’t move, still inattentive to my words in favor of inspecting my face. Had he gone deaf? What could possibly have him paying such close attention, and with such a dreamy look in his eyes?

“You’re still doing it.”

With a start, Paul finally got up, picking up the second bag and crouching to tie off the first one. “Sorry,” he grunted. “The wolf had things to say.”

-

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[since0202]

Taking Time—Fifty-One

With you in my head

Word count: 6,907

There’s this rush I used to get anytime Paul was near but I couldn’t see him yet. Whether he would sneak up behind me or was simply patrolling the forest near our home, I would get this short tingling drop in the pit of my stomach. Like that anticipatory rush at the top of a rollercoaster right before the descent—pure elation, euphoria, bright, light happiness. And that feeling would dissolve into a warm satiated buzz when he would put his hands on me, wrap me in his arms, or lower his lips to my shoulder, the side of my neck, my cheek. Lately though, I’ve been feeling that rush all of the time. As if he’s right behind me, peeking over my shoulder, his warm breath rushing across my neck. When I turn around though, there’s no one there and that unrelenting rush never dissipates into that satisfying buzz. It’s enough to drive anyone crazy.

“Cheers!” The collection of engineers, scientists, and interns raised their plastic cups filled with cheap champagne in the heuristic lab room amongst scattered papers and gently whirring machinery. Maya’s blunt, shoulder length hair was half pulled up into a messy top knot and she beamed at the colleagues she had come to know and become friends with this summer. 

Dr. Bronnard’s lab held some of the most invigorating and fascinating work Maya had ever encountered. Everyday she woke up in her shared bungalow with Rosalie and Emmett and was thrilled to get to the lab to work. Each day was a new and exciting discovery and Arden had been right—the work that Dr. Bronnard was cross-creating with the aerospace and biodynamics team was right up her alley. 

Surrounded by such brilliant and passionate people bolstered Maya’s belief that the decision she had made to stay away from the rez this past year was the right one. She knew she might never have had this same experience otherwise. The drama back home, or pending threats, or urge to take care of her chosen family may have overridden any opportunity. Not to mention that with Paul’s absence this past year, Maya was able to work closely with Arden without interference and show him that she was worthy of his time and effort. His vouch to Dr. Bronnard pretty much guaranteed her spot in this internship and it was safe to say, it had changed her life. 

Maya felt good. She smiled at the people around her, casually joking and chatting about all of the breakthroughs and progress they had made this summer. These people had genuinely become her friends and the opportunities this work held for her future were limitless. She had basically secured herself another industry internship Dr. Bronnard was a part of for next year which would ensure her Junior year was well spent in setting up her thesis and job prospects in her final year. 

It was all going according to plan. Even Noah had come regularly to visit his parents on the occasional weekend and let Maya tag along with him. Noah’s parents were wonderful, warm, and welcoming. Their home was a generous three story renovated farmhouse—his father’s DIY pride and joy as Noah explained that first sweltering afternoon as they walked up the front porch steps. 

The home was a marvel to be sure, all shiny, polished wood, and bespoke flooring. Noah’s dad, Reggie, was a bit of an aspiring carpenter. Maya thought, upon first entry to the home, that Paul would appreciate the love and care Reggie had put into restoring the home, but she quickly pushed that thought out of her head as the familiar ache squeezed at her heart. 

Maya spent many weekends at Noah’s family home, helping his mother Martha bake rhubarb pies, picking weeds and gardening a fresh plot of summer squash with Reggie, and even thumbing through some of Noah’s old highschool yearbooks with him in his childhood room. She would throw her head back and laugh every time she came across a floppy haired candid of him amongst his highschool friends. 

For once, Maya felt normal. 

Rosalie and Emmett rented a cabin in the Ohio wilderness and would spend about a week hunting. The short time alone in the bungalow gave Maya a glimpse into what her life might be like if she carried on this way. She spent time with her new friends from the lab, Noah, and sometimes just quietly by herself. Her nights were slow, and she cooked meals quietly to Rosalie’s beloved thirties and forties love ballads. She’d spend most of those late summer nights tucked into a hammock on the porch or in the soft low light of the cool living room combing through that day’s research and findings. 

Each day was peaceful and pleasant. It was one of the best summers she had had in recent memory. Certainly better than last summer with her and Paul so strained. 

Still, even in her moments of peace, there was a faint, hollow ache that echoed through her and let her know that something was missing. Maya knew what that meant. The imprint was alive and well. But she didn’t begrudge it this time. 

Now, as the celebration began to die down around her in the lab, she smiled as a bittersweet feeling came over her. This is everything she’d wanted so far, and she felt like there was so much more to come. But what would she have to give up to get there? 

Maya’s phone buzzed in her pocket and she set her cup down excusing herself from the group of scientists surrounding her. She quickly opened her messages, her heart giving an involuntary flutter. 

The fluttering settled once she saw that it was a text from Arden. She promptly opened it, ignoring the still astronomical amount of messages, though now dwindling, that were from home. 

Arden: Today’s the last day of your internship, right? When are you back in New York?

Maya bit her lip and smiled before replying: Yeah, just finished up today. I’ll be back this weekend. 

Maya watched as the bubbles appeared and disappeared on her screen. She couldn’t help the butterfly sensation from erupting in her belly despite herself. It was odd—it was only a microscopic feeling of what she used to experience with Paul, but it was there. 

Even stranger, Maya hadn’t heard anything from Paul since she had ran into him at the art show back in May. 

For those first few weeks, she was convinced that he would track her down or that Arden would show up with mysterious bruises one random afternoon. But it was all quiet. 

No texts. No calls. No Paul on her doorstep. 

She didn’t even know if he knew where she lived to be fair. And that felt….weird. Her imprint had no idea where she lived. An involuntary shudder rushed through her, one that left her feeling cold and uncomfortable. 

Arden’s reply finally pinged through and Maya raised her cup to lips, letting the bubbles of the champagne tickle her nose as she read from him: 

Perfect timing. I’d love to grab a coffee and catch up on everything before the semester starts. Maybe informally interview you for a TA’ship. What do you think? 

Maya stared at the text message feeling the swirl of uncertainty flip over and over in her stomach, mixing with the champagne. 

Sure. When and where? 

She responded with a smile and downed the rest of her glass before slipping her phone into her back pocket.  

-----

It was nice to be back in the city. As much as she enjoyed the late afternoons in the lab back in Ohio, she had missed the buzz of New York and all of her usual haunts. When Rosalie, Emmett, and Maya returned that Friday, it was dark and drizzling rain—perfect weather for vampires returning to their city. Emmett carried their bags into the three story Brownstone Carlisle had owned since the early 1900’s. Rosalie and Emmett typically occupied the top two floors and Maya had the entire first floor to herself equipped with a wide marbled kitchen, complete with cozy hearth, couches and lounge chairs that spilled into an ample living room, a library off to the left of the main entry, two large bedrooms and a lush, well manicured garden complete with glassed in sunroom off of the main kitchen. 

Maya had only lived at the Brownstone for a couple of weeks before heading to Ohio after the semester ended, but in that short time, she had fallen so deeply in love with it that when she crossed over the doorway, she breathed a sigh of relief. Rosalie gave her a soft smile and promised her and Emmett would join her downstairs in a bit after she got settled. 

Maya walked down the hall and set her purse on the marble kitchen island before sinking into a soft, overstuffed yellow armchair in the living room and took a deep breath. The vibe returning to New York was calm. As far as Maya knew, there hadn’t been any new developments regarding the Volturi scouts looking for her. Or any new vampire sightings in Forks or the greater Washington area that seemed to be a threat for that matter. She had gathered that Rosalie and Emmett felt fine leaving Maya mostly on her own both in the city and during her time in Ohio. 

Again, Maya felt fortified in her decision to return to New York, despite the tension at home and her falling out with Paul. She never wanted to feel so at odds with her imprint, but for now, it still seemed like the best decision to leave the reservation and leave….him. She swallowed hard and fought back the sting of tears forming behind her eyes. Before she could devolve too deeply into her feelings, Rosalie’s soft footfalls could be heard across the foyer. When she entered the kitchen, she gave her a knowing look, but Maya averted her eyes and was thankful for the distraction when her phone buzzed in her pocket. 

She fished it out as Rosalie clinked pleasantly around in the kitchen, no doubt preparing her some tea with a punch. Maya opened her messages and smiled at Arden’s recent text: 

If we’re still on for tomorrow, I’ll swing by and pick you about 7. My co-collaborator invited me to the opening of this new ritzy club in Soho. Would you be interested in dropping by with me? 

A club. Fuck. Maya would have to really dress up now for this ‘catch up dinner’ that was certainly turning into something more. A feeling akin to guilt started to stir in her stomach, but Maya banished any hesitance and quickly typed back. 

This is all starting to feel strangely like a date. 

Before Maya could even shoot off her next text he responded with. 

We’ll see. 

She’d be lying if she didn’t say the quip didn’t send a thrill through her. So, she smiled and typed back. 

Sounds good then. I’ll dress accordingly, trash bag and all, and see you around 7 tomorrow. 

Maya turned her screen off just as Rosalie set her tea down on the small side table next to her. 

“Mm,” Rosalie hummed softly. Maya took a minute before meeting her golden gaze. “I’m assuming that’s Arden.” Maya let out a huff of breath and grabbed her tea. 

“We’re catching up over dinner tomorrow,” she said matter-of-factly. Rosalie watched her for awhile and then simply said: 

“Just be careful, Maya.” 

To which Maya fixed her with a somewhat annoyed stare and shook her head. “Nothing is happening, Rose. I’m not an idiot.” 

“I know,” Rosalie said softly, “I just worry about the perception of others in this…delicate situation we have so far successfully maintained.” 

“By ‘others’ I’m assuming you mean Paul?” Maya shot back a little too harshly. She closed her eyes tight and just as breathed out a “Sorry” Rosalie stopped her. 

“You never have to apologize for choosing this path, Maya. To be honest, while I understand the spirit of a thing like an imprint, it still feels very much like being put into a box sometimes for your friends and family. We just need to be mindful of what gets back to them and how. Jacob…Jacob and I have been friends for a long time now. And he has a tendency to change his mind,” Rosalie said this all very sympathetically and Maya gave her a small smile. 

“I know, but if I live under the weight of a fickle alpha decision, I’ll never truly get the life I want out here. Arden is a….friend. A colleague,” she quickly corrected. “I’ll be careful, though.” 

Rosalie patted Maya’s hand and got up to grab a book off the bookshelf in the living room and headed out into the soft glow of moonlight in the garden. Maya toyed with a loose thread on the armchair and thought about Rosalie’s words again. There was nothing to worry about. Arden had set a clear boundary with Maya earlier in the year when she’d slipped up. Plus, unless Rosalie and Emmett were reporting back to Jacob—which they’d never said they were—she wasn’t really sure how anyone could perceive her out here. 

Still, she’d be careful. If not for herself, then for her life out here. 

----

Just as Maya had expected, the dinner with Arden was friendly and focused solely on her internship in Ohio. He asked her such thoughtful questions and posed ideas to her regarding how to build her thesis around what she’d learned.

Maya was happy to just be back and in comfortable company. Rosalie’s warning was unnecessary, Maya thought as she sipped her third glass of white wine and laughed at Arden’s recounting of his hapless solo trip to Rome this summer. 

They were friends. Maya could have friends. 

After dinner, Arden placed his hand on her lower back and guided her outside to hail a cab so they could drop in on the new club he had mentioned in his text the night before. Maya tugged down at the hem of her burnt orange halterneck mini dress. The soft fabric clung to Maya’s curves and ended tightly just above her knees. 

Arden opened the taxi door for her and helped her into the cab. They laughed and chatted all the way to the club and Maya was having such a good time that she didn’t notice Arden’s warm hand on her bare knee. 

Once they’d made their way across town, Maya could tell that this was definitely not your average night club hang out. The outside was lined with expensive foreign looking cars and real lighted torches flickered and set the entryway off with a sensual glow. 

Arden’s hand landed lower on her back this time and Maya couldn’t shake that tingling tug in her belly as soon as they got out of the cab. He ushered her past the line and through the front door as the guard waved them in without a second glance. Maya beamed up at Arden, completely enthralled by her surroundings. 

Once in the main lounge, Maya was overtaken by the high ceilings that glittered with faux starlight and opulent gold chandeliers that mimicked planets. There was a low bar at the center and plenty of lounge spaces with black leather and deep purple suede chairs and couches. 

Maya was definitely dressed up, but even here she felt a little out of place. Most of the seats were packed with well-dressed New Yorkers, socialites, and even some celebrities Maya recognized. Low, articulate pop pulsed through the club and the hum of constant chatter buzzed through Maya’s ears. It felt like she was in a much too high-society hangout and was such a stark contrast to the home she had come from that it made her slightly dizzy. 

She pushed some hair behind her ear and tucked herself a little more into Arden’s side in hopes of blending in. Arden led her toward the bar and leaned down to whisper softly: “Most of these folks are socialites and artists, so don’t worry too much about giving them the signature science Maya razzle dazzle.” 

Maya giggled and ducked her head a bit as they leaned conspiratorially toward one another against the bar. He did have an easy way of drawing out some of the best parts of her personality, she had to admit. Still, that aching tug wouldn’t leave her and Maya grimaced as she brought the fancy cocktail to her lips that Arden ordered her, wishing she had a warm whiskey to calm her nerves instead. She was determined to have a good time despite the sickening feeling growing in her stomach. 

Maya was halfway into her second drink when a prickling sensation began on the back of her neck. Arden had stayed close to her by the bar and carried on talking and laughing with her, even touching her occasionally. Although Maya became a little quieter as that aching feeling grew. He didn’t seem to notice though, not even when Maya winced and leaned across the bar to order a water mid-conversation. 

He was absently stroking her thigh and carrying on when Maya got the distinct feeling that she was being watched. 

Suddenly, the bar felt sweltering and Maya had an overwhelming flash of stress brought on by the last time she was at a club and there were preying vampires about. Instead of bolting, which she desperately wanted to do, Maya covertly glanced around the bar for any standouts. Rosalie and Emmett had schooled her well in picking up on vampires when they were out and about, but Maya couldn’t pinpoint any here, though she was sure there must be given the scene. Her heart rate picked up and she felt a soft bead of sweat start to form on her forehead. 

“You okay?” Arden finally said, his voice sounding like he was under water. Maya snapped her head back toward him and swallowed thickly to clear her head.

“I, uh,” Maya stuttered and tried to give him her most convincing smile, “No. Yes, I’m fine, I just got a little hot, I guess. This tequila really warms you up,” she joked. Arden nodded and watched her curiously. She was sure she didn’t look too good at the moment. When she felt that sharp tug again at her belly, Maya was awash with a sudden sense of dread. She remembered this feeling.

Slowly, she let her eyes sweep across the club again and finally travel up across the elevated area of the club that held VIP sitting areas, roped off with gold chains at the top of a short wide staircase. Maya didn’t have to scan for long before she met the dark pair of eyes that had been staring at her for god knows how long. Sitting in the VIP area on a plush leather couch was Paul.

His arms were outstretched on the back of the couch and his left foot was crossed over his right knee. The dark, trimmed beard and soft swept back hair was still the same as it looked from their last meeting all those months ago—seamlessly put together, darkening his entire face, and matching that sharp, brooding look that emanated from his eyes. Maya’s mouth went dry as she let herself drink in his image—black slacks covering his thick thighs, black button up covered with a fitted black sports jacket. His eyes were locked onto her, dark and alight with something terrifying and feral. 

A line of fire could have erupted between them from the heat of his gaze on her. Maya’s lips parted as she stared back, and felt that familiar tug in her belly that pooled warm and thrilling at the apex of her thighs: the imprint, or Paul maybe, beckoning her over. Maya snapped her mouth shut and set her mouth in a firm line, turning back to Arden and placing a hand on his bicep to help steady herself as she tried to continue their conversation. 

The tug became more persistent though, and the pang between her legs grew to an unbearable level that she could barely concentrate on what Arden was talking about. Her face heated as warmth pooled between her thighs and she abruptly interrupted Arden just as he was going on about something Maya knew she’d be interested in normally: 

“Could you excuse me for just a second?” Without waiting for a response from him, Maya hopped up and turned on her heel to stomp toward Paul. His arms were still outstretched across the couch and he turned his head lazily toward her as she ascended the short steps to the lounge area he occupied. He gave her a warm, knowing smile, but his eyes held complete fire. He glanced behind her to see that Arden had stayed put by the bar with a worried grimace on his face for a half a second. Paul let out a short low laugh before turning his attention back to his imprint.  

“What the hell are you doing here?!” Maya snapped. Paul let out a low chuckle and the sound sent a thrill through her. This was ridiculous. She had barely seen him in over a year and her body hummed with such intense heat and desire that she thought she would combust on the spot from just his laughter.

“You’re being a bit dramatic,” Paul finally replied gently, a condescending tone in his voice, taking a sip from his whiskey. His eyes never left Maya. She bristled at his tone. 

“This is New York. There are literally so many other clubs you could go to and you just happen to be at this one?”

“Imagine that,” he said bluntly. She couldn’t stand this blase way he drenched his every word in as if he was bored, as if he was fed up, as if he might snap at any moment. Maya’s thighs clenched together instinctively. Her eyes drifted over to the collection of people scattered around the small VIP area Paul occupied. They all gave her varying looks of interest, but no one really paid much attention. A hard blush rose up to Maya’s cheeks regardless. Paul’s eyes lit up at the wash of color on her face. 

“I am happy here you know,” she nearly pleaded, as the anger pumped through her, the heat of her blush stinging her ears.

“Oh, yeah, I can tell,” he mocked, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Maya took a step forward in her fury as if to grab him or slap him, but she stopped herself. Paul’s eyes shot down to the miniscule step she had taken forward before his gaze slowly traveled up the length of her body to her face. A smug look replaced that blase attitude and Maya stilled as the anger roiled up in her. It was as if getting a rise out of her was the whole point. Or to prove that he still had an effect on her and always would. Maya clenched her fists.

“Get over yourself,” she spat, “It’s a little desperate that you keep showing up like this.” She would do anything at this point to throw him off this smug little hill he was standing on. 

“Oh, so you’re fucking drunk,��� he quipped, his words echoing in his glass as he took another nonchalant sip. Maya almost lost it at that, her fingernails digging into her closed fists as a sharp jolt of anger ricocheted down her spine unpleasantly and landed between her legs. She took a minute to get herself under control before deciding not to take the bait. 

This wasn’t her Paul. Or at least, not the Paul she had fell in love with, but something darker, angrier. She couldn’t help but feel like she had driven him to this point and she wondered what it meant. This distance between them, this lapping lick of anger that they threw at one another was what their relationship, or lack thereof, currently rested upon. It filled Maya with such sadness that she had to clench her jaw tightly to dispel the tears fighting their way out behind her eyes. 

“Fuck you,” she finally said with a hard smile as she flipped him off. “Have fun watching me walk away. Again,” Maya whirled around, her hair swishing against her back and stomped back down the steps without a second glance. Maya could feel Paul’s eyes burning into her back but she didn’t dare look behind her.

The minute she reached the bottom, she felt the imprint slam through her, hollowing out her stomach and making it hard to breathe. Suddenly, the club felt too crowded, over-perfumed, and loud. She didn’t even look up to try and find Arden. Maya knew she had to take a minute of reprieve, to gather herself and catch her breath before returning to him or else he’d ask her too many questions she couldn’t bear to answer. 

So, she stumbled off in the direction of what she thought might be a bathroom. Maya pushed through a dark door and found herself in a secluded hallway. Not thinking too much about it, she carried on toward another door at the end of the hallway, and pushed it open. She reveled in the gentle breeze of summer air that hit her face. The door led outside to a dark alleyway and Maya let it close behind her as she leaned up against the cool, damp brick of the building taking in deep lungfuls of air and trying to calm herself down. 

Back on the couch, Paul seethed. He had watched Maya stalk away from him, his whiskey glass clenched dangerously tight in his hand. When he watched her make her way out toward the back door, he immediately snapped up and after her, unable to stay seated a moment longer. The people around him gave him an odd glance as he quickly glided off toward the direction Maya had gone, simmering with rage.

He had realized her presence the minute she had arrived in the club, that asshole’s arm wound down around her waist and leaning down to whisper something in her ear. It had taken everything in him not to shout at her across the lounge just to get her to see him—Jacob’s ridiculous alpha order not to interfere kept him glued to the spot. Instead, he stewed in his own shimmering rage, disinterested in the conversations happening with his artist friends around him. His eyes had stayed glued to Maya’s form, traveling down her soft curves that her dress clung too. 

She made his mouth water. Her image sitting at that bar with that old, fucking professor consumed him and he shot through with feral anger whenever Arden would lean forward to say something closer to her so she could hear, his hand travelling the length of her thigh nonchalantly. 

Was this what he meant to her? Their bond, their life? Easily discarded and forgotten at the first opportunity? No. He wouldn’t allow that. She was his. Their bond was taut between them and he could feel it sharpen every day to an excruciating point since she had left him behind. Now, he wielded it against her. Prodding at the imprint to stir her awareness of him in the club. He smirked when he saw that familiar grimace come over her face, that pang of understanding and uncomfortableness that plagued his every waking moment that he wasn’t near her, that she wasn’t underneath him. 

The last year had been nothing short of excruciating. Paul knew he had to get Maya back, but this time things would be different. She belonged to him, body and soul, but tethering her to the reservation had been his downfall. Trying to box her in had backfired. This time, she would have to come to him. Willingly. No more promises, no more broken bonds, no more running off. 

But in all that time, Paul’s black and burning anger had grown, not necessarily at her, but rather at the absence of her. And, even moreso, at himself. He would get her back, but he didn’t know if he could quell his rage long enough to do it. So, he acknowledged that things might get a little messy.

When Maya had finally seen him, her gorgeous amber eyes connecting with his across the room, he knew he had her. When she had stomped over to him, barely acknowledging Arden in her haste, a sick thrill had rocketed through him. And when she was close enough to him, he could smell every enticing inch of her. Getting her angry was easy. Getting her back would be harder. 

So, he’d start there—with anger. That oh-so-familiar feeling that he had too much experience with and had tried not to let completely consume him again this past year. Anger. He could get her angry to get her close, or at the very least weaken the alpha order so he could remind her of who exactly he was.

Her little charade had been cute—asking him what he was doing here, as if he had even planned their encounter. He hadn’t, but he’d let her think that just to get under her skin a little bit. That pulsing anger would be her undoing if Paul had anything to say about it. Which was why, when she had taken a step toward him after he had mocked her happiness, Paul felt the cinch of the alpha order loosen in that moment. His eyes lit with fire and he worried he was giving too much away, because Maya retreated almost immediately, but not before giving him a hardy ‘Fuck you.’

Oh, you will baby. He had thought to himself as he watched her walk off for a moment. Patience had never been Paul’s strong suit however, and the anger ticked a vein in his forehead. 

Slamming through the hallway door, he saw it was empty and quickly walked the rest of the way to the door that led into the alleyway. The sound of the metal door banged against the brick wall, startling Maya who had had her eyes closed, with her hands over her face, trying to take calming breaths. 

Maya straightened, her back pressed into the cold brick as her wide eyes watched Paul glare at her from a somewhat safe distance. 

“What the fuck, Paul?” she nearly choked out. 

“You left me, remember? I’m the one who gets to be mad this time,” his voice was grave, halting as he slipped his hands in his pockets. Maya shook her head, unable to hold back the tears this time as one escaped and rushed down her cheek. Her hands shook as the rush of the imprint pulsed painfully through her and she thought she’d collapse on the spot. This wasn’t fair. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Why wouldn’t he just go? If he left, maybe she could get this pain under control and get back to her life. She drew in a shuddering breath and closed her eyes tight as the tears came in earnest now. 

“Fuck,” she breathed out, pain lacing her tone, “Just…fucking go, Paul. Please just go,” she begged as she wrapped her arm around her stomach. If she had been able to keep her eyes open, she might have seen him take the five short paces to close the gap between them. Suddenly, Maya’s bare back was pressed firmly in the cold brick making her gasp. Her eyes shot open and she was immediately enveloped in his warm, soft aroma. That soft spice and citrus that smelled like the forest after a fresh summer rain invaded her senses and her gaze traveled up his frame to his eyes that were burning with so much anger that it physically made Maya wince. “If this is how it’s going to be, please just…leave me alone,” she couldn’t even say each word fully she was lacking so much breath. 

This must be how she’d die—with the imprint tearing her apart piece by piece until there was literally nothing left. He lowered his fact toward hers so she could feel his warm breath cast across face as he said in almost a growl:

“I’ve heard you in my head everyday for a fucking year,” his warm hands cupped either side of her neck as his thumbs coasted across her jawline. Maya erupted in goosebumps down her spine at his touch. When he lowered his forehead to hers, his mouth hovering over hers she couldn’t help but groan with need. The imprint thrummed in her, the pain still erupting and subsiding as waves coming in with the tide. Paul was only holding her head against his, leaving just a little bit of space between them, but Maya arched her body up to connect with the line of his and she felt him breathe out across her face as if in relief at the contact. 

He was so big. Was he always this big? She wondered as he pressed his entire body against hers in response. Her naked back dug into the brick wall of the alleyway as he ground his hips into hers. Maya was dizzy, she was aching, and that pulse between her thighs was making her knees buckle. She held onto the underside of his biceps to steady herself, but she was close to shattering or bursting apart into a million pieces and scattering across this alleyway. Paul stilled, his eyes closed as he pressed his forehead to hers simply breathing her in, or trying to get himself under control, Maya wasn’t sure. She hadn’t forgotten that feral, dark look in his eyes she had seen just a moment earlier. That cruel and unabashed tone that had eviscerated her heart when she had just been starting to get by again. 

Her hesitation was laid plain by her shuddering breaths despite her body pressing and pushing against his, her hips moving of their own accord as her body called out to his. His eyes shot open suddenly, boring into hers and Maya could have moaned for all that need it shot through her. His eyes were wanting, dark, hard, but shining with that same need that she felt. 

“Please,” she mouthed wetly, not knowing exactly what she was pleading for. For him to go? For him to stay? Her head was a dizzy mess and Maya would have given anything if this pain and overwhelming sensation would just stop so she could think it through. 

Paul’s eyes danced around her face, searching for some answer, but his need overtook him before he found a compelling answer in her and he crashed his lips down on hers, pressing her body impossibly harder onto the brick. Maya groaned and deep inside, she felt her belly erupt into white hot flames and spread outward to every limb, searing that pain clean away and leaving nothing behind but relief. 

Her mouth remembered his instantly, and she opened her lips eagerly to taste the forest on her tongue, to taste home again. She had never quite quelled the tears that had burst forth and brought him closer, but she felt their plain wetness on her cheeks as he brushed them away. 

Paul let a guttural moan escape into her mouth, chasing his own relief as the imprint rejoiced in both of them. 

His hands never left her neck as he gently tilted her head to the side to gain more access to her mouth, hungrily devouring her, claiming what was always his again. Maya was lost in the rush of him, all at once, and she couldn’t breathe let alone pause to think about what it meant. 

Here, again with him. It always felt right with Paul, even when she was running, she knew he was it. And if he needed to give chase for a bit so she could get some distance and fulfill her dreams, then so be it. 

But this was no longer the chase. Maya was well and truly caught and as Paul let out another satisfied groan into her mouth, she couldn’t bring herself to care just yet. All that mattered in this moment was that that dull ache was finally gone for the first time in a year and Paul was here, kissing her. 

Maya had no idea how long they stayed pressed together, reveling in the home they found once again in one another. But when Paul’s kisses softened and slowed, gently peppering her lips and around her mouth, Maya took her first full breath as her eyes opened slowly. 

She had no words, as she looked up at the man who had all at once loved her, trapped her, found her, and invaded all of her senses again. Her breathing was labored, but the pain was long gone as she held tightly to him.

“Come on,” he said gruffly as his eyes narrowed. He took a step back from her, the cool summer air rushing in and sending a chill across her. 

“Where?” Maya breathed out softly, her voice a heady whisper as her heart raced. But she was already following him, her fingers lightly tangled with his as he tugged her down the alley and toward the busy street. She felt like a lamb being led to slaughter, but the ache between her legs urged her on anyway. 

When they reached the street, Maya bumped into him and wobbled a bit on her heels. She grabbed the wrist of the hand that held hers and looked up at him as he towered over her, his free hand high in the air as he hailed a cab. 

Maya felt like she was floating in a dream and before she could will herself to wake up, the cab pulled up to the curb and Paul yanked the door open to usher Maya inside before he followed her. 

She had no idea where he was taking her but when he opened his mouth and easily said, “Upper East, 5th and Madison, please,” it took Maya a moment to realize he had said her address. 

“You know where I live?” she finally managed. Paul glanced at her sideways and gave a low chuckle. 

“Of course, I do.” He said it so easily, as if she was ridiculous for even thinking he would have no idea where she was at all times. Maya pursed her lips and looked down at their gently clasped hands as the lights of the city washed them in a warm amber glow. “Hey,” he said with a bit of a tenderness. Maya looked up at him and almost lost her breath again just at the sight of him. 

She opened her mouth as if to respond, but nothing came out. He smirked and leaned forward to kiss her again, his other hand gently caressing the side of her cheek. Maya felt her nipples tighten and that fresh need sweep through her again. But just as she began leaning into his kiss, running her free hand down his neatly trimmed beard, the cab pulled over and the cabbie cleared his throat. Paul pulled away slowly, his eyes racing across every inch of her face again. Maya was dumbstruck. All from a kiss. 

He paid and opened the door, pulling her out behind him and up toward her house like he had been here a million times. Maybe he had. The thought made her heart race as they reached the stoop awash in a soft amber glow from the iron porch lamp that hung above them. 

Again, Maya was lost for words and she was seriously starting to second guess her education at such a prestigious school if she couldn’t even string a few words together in front of the man she loved. 

They just stood there, looking at each other, standing just a few inches apart. She needed to say something, anything to him. To explain, to set things right, or at the very least ask him what exactly was happening. But she stayed quiet, her body content just to be close to his in the moment and not in pain. 

His eyes never left hers as he tried to understand what might be racing through her head. When he suddenly leaned forward slowly, his hand coming up to cradle the back of her neck, Maya’s breath hitched in her throat.

“Maya,” he said softly with so much adoration, love, and desire that she thought she was going to combust right there on the doorstep. But instead, he leaned forward, kissed her softly and said, “Goodnight.” 

Maya’s eyes fluttered open just as he was stepping away and moving gracefully down the stairs, leaving her there. Her mouth fell open as she watched him push his hands into his pockets and walk down the sidewalk and out of sight. 

She stood there for awhile after he had disappeared and when she had finally shut the front door behind her and leaned against it, she breathed out a sigh and said “What the fuck?” 

What the fuck, indeed. 

Later, when Maya was tucked away in her bedroom, she pulled her phone out and listened to every voicemail and read every message from each of her friends and family back home until the early hours of the morning.

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