Chapter 9 - The Talk

Emily stood on the porch looking towards the road towards Forks, which was the last direction Kenzie was headed in. Emily was happy that Kenzie made it back, but she was completely terrified of Paul at the moment...When she got back she cried herself to sleep. Emily had her arms wrapped around herself with tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. It was all a big damn mess. Emily had to keep the secret for Kenzie. She'd gotten Mackenzie's trust as soon as she was married into the pack...she knew if Kenzie couldn't trust her she wouldn't come to her for help or anything when she would really need it. Sam walked out onto the porch and said, "Any sign of Paul?" Em just shook her head no. Emily turned to look at Sam and said, "Do you think it was wrong of me to keep the secret?" Sam said, "I don't know Em. I'm sure had everyone known this blow up wouldn't have happened and he wouldn't be missing right now...but on the other hand...if it was a secret then clearly it was meant to be kept as such."

Emily said, "I don't know what was right and what was wrong now. I mean I know why I was keeping the secret for Kenzie...She didn't want to get pregnant by someone who doesn't love her...And can you blame her? Her dad throws her basically into a marriage with a man she doesn't even know. And is expected to be happy and live with it. I don't know what I would do if the roles were reversed with her." Sam said, "Yea well, that's about as far from the truth as I can stand." Em said, "What is?" Sam said, "Paul loves her...He imprinted on her." Emily said, "Oh my God are you sure?" Sam said, "Yea...And she doesn't have a clue what it is...That and the fact that Paul never told her the real reason he married her." Emily said, "Why the hell hasn't he told her yet?" Sam said, "He wasn't ready...He was no where ready. I think he might have to after today...Otherwise he runs a chance of losing Kenzie and I damn sure know he doesn't wanna do that."

A voice said, "You got that right." Emily and Sam turned around and Paul was standing at the bottom of the steps and he looked at Emily and said, "Sorry. I didn't mean to lose my temper." Emily said, "Don't tell me...Tell Kenzie." Paul's eyes widened and said, "She's back?" Emily nodded and said, "Look...You go in there and wake her up to talk...If you feel yourself losing control at any point you leave the damn room." Paul nodded. Em said, "She's in her room...I think she's still asleep." Paul ran his hand through his hair and nodded as he took a couple of deep breaths. He walked into the house and went upstairs to Kenzie's room...He opened the door, the light by the bed was on and she was sleeping, he really hated to wake her, but they definitely needed to talk.

Paul carefully sat on the bed and touched her cheek. He knew he scared the hell out of her...He'd never meant to do that. He wasn't really mad just was shocked REALLY shocked. Paul leaned down and brushed his lips across her forehead. Kenzie felt someone touching her and she felt a warm hand caress her cheek and figured it was Sam checking on her...Then she felt warm lips kiss her forehead and she slowly started waking up...She moved around a little and she opened her eyes to see Paul staring back at her and she jumped awake and jumped off the bed.

Paul stood up and put his hands up and said, "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to scare you." Kenzie breathing was erratic, as she leaned against the wall and she took a couple of deep calming breaths. Paul watched as she ran her hand through her hair. Kenzie said, "What are you doing in here?" Paul said, "C'mon sit down with me we really need to talk." Kenzie walked over and slowly sat next to Paul on the bed…Paul said, "Talk to me." Kenzie looked in Paul's eyes and could tell he's calmed noticeably. Kenzie said, "The longer I've been married to you, the more you amaze me…I learn more about you every day. I know when Jared has pissed you off, you close yourself off from me completely and I think it's just because you don't want to lash out or take it out o me." Paul said, "It would kill me if I ever physically hurt you."

Kenzie touched his cheek and said, "I know you would never do that to me…I've been slowly learning to trust you and I know that sounds terrible but we don't know each other Paul and yet we've been married for almost a year." Paul said, "I know and I want to change that…There's something's we need to learn about each other and I think tonight is as good a night as any to talk about everything to get it all out." Kenzie stood up and started pacing said, "And I know this sounds even worse but I started taking the birth control because I didn't want to get pregnant by someone who doesn't love me." Kenzie stopped moving when Paul stood up and grabbed her by the hips and he noticed the tears sliding down her cheeks and he said, "Who ever said I didn't love you?" Paul slouched down to look in her eyes and said, "Huh?"

Kenzie said, "Give me a little credit Paul…We were both forced into this marriage…How on earth are either of us happy about this?" Paul stopped Kenzie from moving and said, "I never said I didn't love you Mackenzie…I have just never said it because I didn't know if you would believe me if I did say it." Kenzie said, "Then tell me the truth now." Paul looked in her eyes and said, "I love you…I've been in love with you for a long time." Kenzie said, "What the hell are you talking about?" Paul cupped her face and said, "I love you Kenzie. I married you because I love you." Kenzie said, "You love me?" Paul said, "With all my heart baby." Kenzie blinked as the tears poured out of her eyes, she couldn't help but cry more. Paul wrapped her in his arms, pulling her against his body and kissed the top of her head and said, "I never imagined I'd make a girl cry over telling them I love them…Let alone my own wife."

Paul pulled back and looked down at his wife as he brushed her tears away with his thumbs and said, "I told you exactly how I feel...I want to know how you feel. Tell me what you're thinking." Kenzie said, "I've sorta loved you since that day at the school...No one ever stood up for me or defended me until you did...Until that day I literally hated La Push...You made it half way decent to live here. And deal with Jared and his creepy friends." Paul said, "I can't believe you remember that. Look, I threatened Jared, with bodily harm and death if he didn't leave you alone...I'm not saying the threat will work...but don't try taking him on, on your own...He's pissed off at no one and everyone all at the same time...I think he's got deep issues with his dad he needs to fix. So try not to be around him alone...When he hit you he basically sealed his fate if he ever does it again."

Kenzie nodded in understanding. Paul said, "I need to tell you the truth about something..." Kenzie said, "Truth about what?" Paul said, "The real reason I married you." Kenzie said, "Do I really want to know?" Paul said, "No...But I need to tell you...Because you have a right to know and because I don't want to have any more secrets between us." Kenzie nodded and said, "Okay." Paul said, "I was walking around the school on the rez and there was an ad on one of the bulletin boards about some guy trying to get rid of his daughter so he wouldn't have to worry about her. Jared had been walking with me and confessed it was your dad and the daughter was you. This was after the day I'd stopped those guys from screwing with you. You're dad was basically trying to sell you." Kenzie couldn't stop the tears if she wanted to.

Paul said, "Let me finish ok?" Kenzie nodded in agreement. Paul said, "I took down the ads so no one could answer them...And told my parents I wanted an arranged marriage, when I told them who and why they completely understood and supported me in my decision...You're dad gave my dad 5,000 dollars to marry you...My dad gave him the money back and told him to keep his money...I know it sounds ruthless and heartless...But I loved you and I wasn't about to let your dad sell you off like some kind of piece of property." Kenzie said, "Wait a minute...You barely knew me...How could you say you loved me then?" Paul exhaled and said, "Because I imprinted on you the day I stopped those guys." Kenzie said, "Imprinted? What is that?" Paul said, "Promise you won't freak out." Kenzie nodded.

Paul said, "Imprinting is when shape shifter or wolves involuntarily choose their soul mate...it's like a glowing warmth that hits your body and envelopes every sense. We don't have an control over it...The imprinting itself chooses who is to be our soul mate...Mine chose you...Which is probably why you fell in love with me and can't stop thinking about me...Why you've been in physical pain since we've been apart. Imprinting is basically stronger than any love at first sight bullshit. It also works different. We can imprint on infants, but it's nothing sexual. Whoever we imprint on we are whatever they need at each point of their life, friend, brother, protector or lover. I am whatever you need me to be."

Kenzie said, "That's why you phased when Jared hit me." Paul said, "Yea...You're my wife it's my job to keep you safe. If someone's imprintee is killed by someone, the imprinter is not ever fully happy until the person is killed, and if it's another member of the pack who killed the imprintee then they have to basically fight to the death to avenge their soul mate." Kenzie said, "Wow...That's some pretty strong mojo." Paul chuckled and said, "Yea...You could say that." Paul stood up from the bed as Kenzie stood up and Paul pulled her into his arms and said, "So now that you know...Do you feel better? I didn't scare you did I?" Kenzie shook her head no and said, "It's better actually...I love you Paul." Paul smiled and said, "I love you too." He kissed her lips softly.

Kenzie "Will you do me a favor?"

Paul said, "Anything."

Mackenzie smiled softly and said, "Take me home."

Paul smiled and said, "Gladly."