Thanks for reading and for those who reviewed, double thanks:) Here is chapter 3!
I had got the job so Gwen and her friend Kim were forcing me to go to the beach to Celebrate. Kim was Jared's imprint and Gwen's closest friend in LaPush. She was a sweet girl, a little quiet but super nice. She and Gwen had both assured me that the beach was a great idea. I was interested in the bonfire later that night, but the day had been cloudy and I knew the water was going to be frigid so I was hesitant.
Gwen told me to get used to it, because it was always cold in LaPush and they didn't let it stop them. They forgot that I lacked an obnoxiously warm boyfriend to cuddle and stave off hypothermia with.
But I could never say no to Gwen, so I put on my red and white high -waisted bikini, threw a cardigan on over it, grabbed Clarence and went to brave the cold at First Beach.
Paul was there of course,
He was sitting on his towel smoking a cigarette, watching some of the other guys play soccer. Clarence had decided Paul was awesome and was excitedly trying to lick his face. Paul didn't seem to mind, which earned him points in my book. Lots of people would freak out if a 80 pound Pitbull came at their face.
Kim was much more friendly with Paul than Gwen was, and so she placed her own towel next to him forcing my sister and I to follow.
"Hi Paul." Kim said as she straightened out her things.
"Hey guys" he replied but never looked away from me.
I was suddenly very conscious that all I had on was a bathing suit and a sweater. I know he had apologized to me the other day but he still made me nervous. The last thing I needed was for him to make some fat joke.
I sat down quickly and avoided eye contact. Luckily Gwen positioned herself in between us. Clarence had abandoned Paul and began running around kicking up the sand. He was a weird dog; he loved the sand but hated the water.
Unfortunately for my plan to avoid Paul, Embry and Jared spotted their girls; grabbed them and tossed both of them into the surf before I could even register what was happening. I laughed at Gwen's shocked expression. She was attacking Embry and trying to hold him under the water but was terribly unsuccessful. After their initial screams they all began playing in the water leaving me alone with Lahote.
Why did he have to be so attractive? I noticed the tattoos on his right arm extended to his chest and he had a few on his leg too. I was painfully aware that we were by ourselves, but I was comfortable with it, in turn making me feel uncomfortable because I knew I shouldn't be feeling like that. He made my head spin.
"You're not going to swim?" He turned to me, and then laughed a little to himself when he noticed I was still bundled up.
"Hell no. I don't get in the water unless it's at least 75 out." I replied as if he was crazy. "What about you? Aren't you going to swim?" I asked trying to subtly hint that I didn't want him there. There were too many thoughts running through my head about him to have him so near.
He shook his head no. "I was going to go cliff diving over past the last ridge. Collin and Leah are up there already. You wanna come?"
I guess he really had meant that apology after all. He was so casual about inviting me that I felt okay with saying yes. Maybe he did just have a bad day the other night; maybe he wanted to be friends? I had always wanted to see them dive anyway, and I couldn't see from the beach. Of course there was also that nagging inside of me telling me to go hang out with the hot guy. Paul looked at me expectantly.
"Sure. I'm not jumping though." I informed him. He beamed at me when I agreed to go with him.
"Why not? It's fun." He asked while helping up from the ground. I flushed when his hand grabbed mine. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, he had only days before been a huge asshole, but now I felt like a giggling schoolgirl around him.
I looked at him skeptically "Launching myself off of a cliff doesn't sound very fun. I'm not a wolf remember. When my bones break they stay broken."
Paul laughed at me again. He had a musical kind of laugh and I had the feeling he didn't use it often.
" I'll go with you if you want" He offered as he led me up the hill.
I could see Leah and Collin waiting at the top. They were both wet so I assumed they had already jumped at least once.
"Hey Eva" Leah greeted me with a smile.
I liked Leah; she was a total badass and I thought it was pretty cool that she was the only lady wolf. She was like Mulan, only instead of saving China from the Huns, she was saving LaPush from the vampires. I knew she'd had a rough time before Collin imprinted on her, since she was still in love with Sam, but it worked out okay for her in the end. She couldn't look happier if she tried.
"Are you going to jump?" Collin asked me looking impressed. I dashed his hopes.
"No way. I just wanted to watch." I explained.
"Well watch this then" He smiled and grabbed Leah's hand before flinging them both off the cliff.
"See it's easy" Paul said but I shook my head no.
"Come on, I have to make it up to you for being such a douchebag at Emily's birthday party." He gave me a lopsided grin and grabbed my arm dragging me towards the edge.
"And you're going to do that by pushing me off a cliff?" I asked him sarcastically while wriggling free from him.
He gave me this stupidly sexy half smile that made my stomach flutter. "I'm not going to push you, I'm going to jump with you."
I hesitated, thinking that cliff diving was completely insane.
"I dare you" Paul goaded.
Unfortunately I have a 5th grade boy living inside me, one who had yet to turn down a dare.
"Damn it, fine." I conceded and he looked very pleased with himself. I pulled off my cardigan and laid it on the ground behind some trees. He had a sort of pained look on his face as I walked back towards him. I don't think I would ever figure out Paul Lahote.
"You're lucky I have a strong sense of adventure; otherwise this would be a horrible apology. " I informed him sarcastically.
"True, true." He laughed at me.
"Do not let me drown." I ordered as I grabbed his abnormally warm hand and walked to the edge of the cliff.
"Of course not"
And then we were falling and I was screaming. I hit the freezing water hard. This was a poor decision on my part. It was only about 60 degrees outside and the water must've been barely 45, what the hell was I thinking? Paul didn't let go of my hand but that caused me to be dragged down deeper in the water than I would have liked. Luckily he was a quick swimmer because we surfaced before I drowned.
I gasped for air laughing. I'll admit that despite the lack of oxygen and the icy water, it was fun. I could see why they jumped; it was definitely a rush.
" I told you it would be fun." He said smiling at me.
My teeth were chattering as we swam to shore. I could feel everyone's eyes on us as we exited the water, but I wasn't sure why.
"Evangeline Murphy! Did you just jump of that cliff?" Gwen came bounding towards me pointing to the ledge I had just fallen off of. She was always a worrier.
"I'm fine" I assured her as I squeezed the water from my hair "it was a rush, haven't you ever done it?"
"Not from the high one! Are you crazy? Paul, what the hell were you thinking! You are supposed to keep her safe!" Gwen yelled.
I gave Gwen a look, that told her I noticed what she said and I was not going to let that go. She had still not let me in on her secret. Why in the world would Paul need to keep me safe?
Paul rolled his eyes at her. "She's alright aren't you Eva? I wouldn't have taken her if I thought she'd get hurt." He promised Gwen.
"Yes, I'm okay. Minor frostbite is my only complaint." I assured them both still shaking from the cold. Which was now worse as I was wet and it was getting dark.
Paul looked worried for a moment "I'll get your sweatshirt." He said and then ran off back to the cliff.
It amazed me how different he was from that night at Emily's. He had been really helpful and nice, but I was thrown by his behavior. Wasn't he supposed to have a horrible temper? The way Gwen and Embry talked made it seem like he punched people out daily.
Gwen opened her mouth to scold me again but I stopped her. "I'm the older sister Gwen; I can do what I want." I said childishly sticking my tongue out at her.
She rolled her eyes at me and gave me her towel. "A year and 3 months, big deal." She argued.
"It is. I gained a plethora of knowledge in that first year that is still unknown to you darling." I explained to her patting her on the back patronizingly.
"I'm sure."
"And because I am older and more astute, I noticed that you said Paul was supposed to keep me safe. What the hell is going on Gwen? Just tell me." I demanded in frustration.
"It's nothing Eva." She refused to budge on the matter. "Everyone just watches out for one another here." She lied.
My sister was driving me insane; whatever they were hiding probably wasn't a huge issue but the secretiveness about it was causing me to ruminate. It definitely had to do with me and Paul, but what was it?
"Fine. Keep your secrets. But I'll find out eventually." I said snippily walking away from her and towards Paul who was running at me with my sweatshirt.
Paul POV
I never thought I would be so excited as I was when Eva agreed to go up to cliffs with me. I was so relieved that she seemed to have forgiven me for the other night. She still wasn't exactly comfortable with me, but getting her alone was a start. We walked up to the edge of the cliffs; I didn't expect her to jump, but apparently she couldn't turn down a dare.
It might have been a bad idea, simply because Eva took off that sweater she was wearing.
Oh my fucking god she was sexy.
She had on this red bikini that looked like it had belonged to Marilyn Monroe.
And I was right; she did have a great ass. She was more covered up than I would have liked, but then if I couldn't see anything at least no one else could either.
When she grabbed my hand I thought I would die of happiness. I couldn't believe how pathetic I had become. Before Eva, I wasn't happy unless a girl was naked and on her knees in front of me, now a bikini and our palms touching was enough to give me a hard on. We needed to get in the water quick before I threw her against a tree and fucked her senseless. I doubted she would appreciate that.
She was laughing when we surfaced and I was relieved. It was a high cliff, I knew she'd be okay since I jumped with her, but I was worried she would hate me for sort of making her do it.
Gwen was not as happy when she saw us coming out of the water. Eva already knew something was up with me, and Gwen pointing out that I was supposed to protect her didn't help. That girl had the biggest mouth out of anyone I ever met. It actually worked out fairly well when she told Eva about us being wolves; at least I didn't have to worry about her freaking out about it.
Still, I needed to be the one to tell her that I imprinted on her, but I wanted her to like me on my own before I told her. She would feel the pull too; I think she already did a little. I caught her checking me out a few times, making my ego soar. I wasn't sure how to go about it though. How do you tell a woman you, just days before, had called a stupid bitch, that you were actually soul mates, more than soul mates?
I couldn't, I needed to take this slowly even if it killed me. And it was. I wanted her more than I had ever wanted anything, but she just broke up with her fiancé and I didn't think she would quite be up for a new relationship barely a week later.
It took everything I had not to steal her sweater. It smelled like her; flowers and vanilla. As soon as I picked it up I felt this wave of calm relief wash over me. It was amazing to me that just having her near chilled me out so much. I hadn't yelled or got into a fight with anyone since I met her.
As I got back to the beach, I could hear Eva questioning Gwen about what was going on. I really hoped she wouldn't say anything; I didn't need Eva scared off. She looked annoyed with her sister but when she saw me coming she gave a 100 watt smile. At least I thought it was because of me, it could have been that I had her sweater and she was freezing. Her teeth were chattering and her nipples were hard from the cold, making the more animalistic part of me want to just rip her damn clothes off and claim her as mine.
"Thanks" she said in a sweet voice taking the clothing from me and covering up.
"Come on" I motioned "They're starting to build the bonfire for tonight; that'll warm you up"
She led the way. I looked back over at Gwen who was still glaring at me. I gave her a shrug and followed Eva to the fire.
'I would imprint on her sister' I thought exasperatedly.
Embry and I had never been the best of friends, he was real laid back and an easy target for my anger, meaning Gwen basically hated me. I really needed Gwen on my side for this; Eva trusted her more than anyone and I was sure she would believe anything Gwen told her, good or bad.
The fire was roaring and the food had been set out on the picnic tables. Eva was playing with Emily and Sam's kid Sarah. I loved how Eva moved here a week ago she just instantly fit in with everyone. I'm sure the fact that she was Gwen's sister helped, but Eva also had this warmness to her that drew people in. She gave the impression you could tell her you just murdered your grandma and all she would do is hug you and assure you that everything would be fine. Maybe that's why I imprinted on her; I needed someone who wouldn't judge me about my past.
I shoved my way through the younger wolves, to get Eva something to eat. I handed her a plate of food. I didn't know what she liked so I just loaded it up with everything I saw.
"Paul did you just feed someone before yourself?" Quil asked shocked.
Actually when I looked up quite a few of the pack was gaping at me. I guess I wasn't known for being the most generous guy, I usually threw anyone in between me and food out of the way. Eva was blushing but smiled at me anyway.
"Fuck you Quil, I'm a gentleman." I retaliated.
"If you say so bro." Quil Laughed.
I went to get my own food and then grabbed a couple drinks.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Eva asked suspiciously as I handed her a beer.
I froze. Shit what was I supposed to tell her, because I'm madly in love with you and trying to win you over? Something told me that wouldn't fly.
"Embry and I don't get along, so Gwen doesn't like me." I answered sitting on the log beside her. "I'm not really that bad."
She raised her eyebrow at me as though she didn't believe me. I laughed at her ability to call bullshit.
"Okay, sometimes I'm pretty bad" I admitted, "So I don't know. I guess you're just easy to be nice to."
She gave me a hard stare, her green eyes boring into me. She had a way of making me feel like I was a 5-year-old kid not a 25-year-old werewolf.
"Is that a line?" She accused playfully " You're just trying to get into my pants aren't you?"
I had never been so attracted to someone as I was to her when she said that. I'm not even sure what it was, her tone or the way she stared accusingly at me when she asked. But it stunned me and I stared at her for a second figuring out my answer. Was I being nice to her so I could get into her pants? Absolutely. But there was also the fact that I wanted to be nice to her, I wanted her to love me and I needed her to accept me.
"No Eva, but I would never say no" I winked at her.
She smiled in spite of herself and elbowed me in the ribs. I barely felt it.
"Ow!" She screeched rubbing her elbow. "Christ, you're like a brick wall."
I was about to apologize when Billy quieted everyone down and began to tell us the legends. I wondered if Eva would figure out she was my imprint after hearing the story of the 3rd wife. That story had new meaning to me now. I knew how my pack felt about their imprints and I knew how upset they would be if anything happened to them. But now that I found Eva, I really understood the weight of Taha Aki's loss.
I began to freak out as Billy started that story, because I knew how it ended. I instinctively scooted closer to Eva so that my thigh was resting against hers. I looked over to my friends, all of them with their arms wrapped around their imprints and I was jealous. I wanted so much to just hold her against me, but I was too chicken shit to even throw an arm around her.
When the stories finished and everyone began standing up to head home. I heard Eva laugh to herself.
"What?" I asked her confused. I didn't think she would have found the stories funny, actually I expected her to be freaked out about them since she knew her sister was an imprint.
"Oh" she looked up at me "I was just laughing at all the sleepy girls deposited around the fire."
She was right, the bon fires tended to make a lot of the girls tired and half of them passed out during the stories. I had never really thought about that before. Bella, Kim, and some other girls I didn't really know were all sleeping in the sand.
"I don't know how they can just pass out in the middle of a crowd." She said still giggling as she gathered up her things. "Look. Kim didn't even move when Jared picked her up."
Jared had Kim bridal style. She looked dead, with her mouth sort of open and her arms limp.
"Are you ready?" Gwen came over ruining the moment.
"Yeah. Come on Clarence!" Eve called to her dog, who came bounding out from where he had been sleeping under the picnic table.
"See ya later Paul" She waved and smiled at me as they left.
I say this day was my most successful yet.
Thanks for reading!
