Chapter 10 – The Imprint & The Letter

Paul sat watching Trista as her chest went up and down slowly. Her breathing was completely even as she slept peacefully. Paul could only hope what Brady did to her didn't plague her with nightmares. He remembered the nightmares she had when their parents first died, there were a few nights he slept in her room on the floor, just so he could make sure he was close for her.

Paul knew he didn't tear into Brady nearly enough, but he knew Trista. She might have been mad at Brady for whatever he'd done and she might even be mad for him clawing her, but she would forgive him. Because that was just the way Trista was.

"How is she?"

Paul's head snapped to the doorway and saw Seth standing there. He must be losing his touch he didn't even hear the kid walk up. Paul shook his head. "Dr. Leech gave her enough pain meds for her to sleep through the night. She's been sleeping peacefully so far. The nurse she said she was lucky. Brady didn't hit any major arteries. Dr. Bloodsucker said he did some fancy stitching and is pretty sure there will be minimal scarring." Paul looked up and noticed Seth was shaking slightly. Paul stood up and looked at the kid. "Pup what's wrong?"

Seth just shook his head negatively. He couldn't keep his intense brown eyes off of her prone body as she laid there motionless. He'd never noticed how beautiful she was until now. Her long waist length raven hair that looked like spun silk and beautiful red lips that she never covered up with lipstick, just clear shiny gloss every once in a while. She had haunting grey eyes that he suddenly couldn't keep off his mind. He remembered the fear in them when Brady had hurt her; when he had hurt his imprint.

Paul gripped Seth's shoulder and watched as his brown eyes snapped to meet Paul onyx eyes; he was suddenly aware what had transpired between the pup and his little sister. Paul's free hand gripped Seth's other shoulder as he turned him to look at him full. "Seth, did you imprint on Trista?"

Seth's lips trembled slightly as his eyes drifted back over to see his imprint lying in bed because someone he considered a brother had attacked her. Seth felt Paul shake him slightly as his eyes snapped back to Paul.

"Did you imprint on her Seth?"

Seth blinked a couple of times as he nodded. "Yes I did. She's going to hate me Paul. She wants to be with Emmett. There's no way I can make her choose between us. So I just won't tell her. If she wants Emmett she can have him. I refuse to make her feel guilty about anything. She didn't ask for this and neither did I. And I refuse to force this on her."

Paul frowned. "You need to tell her Seth. She's going to have the dreams about you and wonder why." Paul saw the flash of sadness that came over Seth's eyes as he watched him shake his head negatively back and forth.

Seth shook his head as he pushed Paul's hands off his shoulders and started backing away from him. Seth's eyes looked over at Trista. "If anyone is going to tell her it will be me. But I'm never going to tell her. And neither are you. No one is allowed to tell her; no one." Seth backed out of the hospital room as he ran down the hall like his shorts were on fire.

Paul watched as Seth ran out of the front doors of the hospital and off into the tree line. A few minutes later the sound of a pain filled howl nearly shook the foundation of the hospital. Paul turned back and looked at Trista. He sat down and took her hand into his as he leaned back against the chair. His eyes drifted shut slowly.

A knock on the door brought Paul out of his sleeping coma as he jumped up when he saw Emmett standing in the doorway. Damn it he really WAS slipping he didn't even smell the leech approaching his sisters hospital room. He looked at the clock and noticed it was 3 AM. "What's up man?"

Emmett held up his hands. "Carlisle told me what happened. I figured I'd come when she didn't have a crowd of wolves in the room. I can always come back if you'd like."

Paul shook his head, the stench of the vampire who was standing in his sister's room and looking at her longingly was starting to get to his nose. "No, I need to get some coffee. Stay as long as you want." Paul spared one last look at Trista and left the room. He REALLY didn't want to leave her alone with him, but knew he could trust the leech. Paul walked down to the waiting room and got a cup of coffee. It tasted like boiling tar, but it was so strong he wouldn't need to sleep for the next five days.

Emmett's golden eyes looked down at Trista. Somehow he couldn't get past the fact that this was his entire fault. He knew eventually one of the younger wolves was going to go after her for being with a vampire. They didn't have as good control over their anger like the older wolves did.

For the last few weeks Emmett had seen how Alec had suddenly changed his mind about being with a human and had returned to Volterra Italy and left Phoenyx behind. Esme and Carlisle loved having another person in the house to love and fawn over. Emmett could hear her crying through the walls of the Cullen house and would periodically go in and hold her as she cried in his lap.

He wasn't sure what Nyx was going to do but it seemed as though she was fairly comfortable with everyone in the Cullen house hold. Nyx and Alice often went shopping and she even rough housed with Emmett and Jasper. They were careful with her, but for the most part she could take anything they dished out.

Emmett's thought process went back to Trista as he looked over her soft fragile body as she lay in the middle of the hospital bed. He knew he had to end things with Trista. He knew no matter how much she fought with her brother she belonged on the rez with her ONLY family. He cared for her more than his own life and if it came down to choosing to change her or let someone rip him apart; he'd choose his own demise over making her into a soulless monster like him and the rest of his family.

Emmett leaned over and gently kissed her soft lips as his thumb ran across the back of her hand. He pulled a white envelope from his back pocket and placed it on the night table next to her hospital bed. He knew that letter was going to explain everything and he'd be sure to let Paul know he didn't want her to read it until Paul got her home. Emmett gave her one last glance as he turned and headed down the hallway in search of Paul to tell him about the letter.

The following morning, Paul watched as the nurse was getting Trista's paperwork in order so he could sign everything as Emily was in the room helping her get dressed. Sam nudged Paul as he looked over. "So what did Emmett say to you last night?"

Paul frowned. "He didn't say much just that he left an envelope for Trista and not to have her read it until she got home. I'm almost scared for what it says. I was going to read it, but I couldn't bring myself to open it. It's her letter and it's her business but something tells me it's not going to be good; not even a little. I will do as he asked."

An hour later, Paul carried Trista into the house as Sam had her crutches. Emily followed in the back with a casserole and muffins that she'd made. She put everything in the fridge. Paul set Trista on the couch and propped up her right leg with a soft pillow under it so it wouldn't irritate her stitches. As he stood up straight he handed her a white envelope.

Trista narrowed her eyes as she took it and looked up at her brother. "What's this?"

Paul shook his head. "It's from Emmett; he asked me to give it to you when I got you home. I'm going to do a quick patrol with Sam. Emily is going to stay with you until I get back."

Trista nodded as Paul leaned over and kissed her forehead and took off out the door. Emily walked into the living room and sat in a chair as Trista's eyes wondered down to the envelope sitting on her lap.

Emily smiled softly. "Go ahead and read it honey. He didn't write it for it to sit in that envelope. I'll go warm up a couple of muffins with butter for you and make you some warm tea."

Trista nodded. "Thanks Em." Trista watched as Emily vacated the room to give her some privacy as she picked up the envelope and opened it. She pulled out the white paper and un-folded it and saw the Cullen Crest on the top of the paper. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as her eyes began to glide across the paper.

Hey Beautiful,

I know this is probably the most chicken shit way to tell you anything, but I don't think we should see each other anymore. I know no matter how much you fuss and fight with Paul, at the end of the day he is still your brother and he is still going to be the only member of your family in your life. You belong on the rez and you always have. The rez is your family and you should have never picked your brothers mortal enemy over your family.

I still care for you, but we both know it wasn't love. No matter how much we wanted it to be love, it just wasn't there. We spent eight wonderful months together, and shared a thousand kisses or more, but there is a huge difference in being in love with someone and just caring for them greatly. And we both know what we had wasn't love. When I found out about your accident with one of the younger pups, I knew it had something to do with me. I NEVER want you to be in a position to get hurt again because you're with me. I refuse to be the reason you get hurt.

I know with me out of the way, you can go back to having a normal life. A life you can't possibly have as long as you are with a blood sucking demon. I know you accepted me and all of my faults and I accepted you, but you're only human and you didn't know the darker side of my life. But I already knew eventually you were going to want me to change you into what I am and there is no way in HELL I could ever do that to you.

This isn't a life style; it isn't a life at all.

I want us to remain friends because honestly now that I've had you in my life, I can't imagine not continuing to have you there. I want you to know if you ever need anything all you have to do is call my cell I'll be there in seconds; no matter what. And you know you can still come see Phoenyx as much as you want; I'm pretty sure she is still going to visit you ever chance she gets. Esme said there is always an open invitation to our home for you.

Take Care Always,

Emmett

Emily walked back into the living room and she noticed Trista had silent tears sliding down her cheeks. She grabbed the box of tissues and handed one to her. "Is everything okay sweetie?"

Trista nodded. "About as good as can be expected; Emmett and I aren't together anymore. I sort of knew it was going to come down to this. He asked me to move in with him and the rest of the Cullen's and finish my senior year in Forks."

Emily frowned. "What was your answer?"

Trista shook her head as she whipped her endless tears. "I couldn't answer him. And I didn't have a reason to say no or a reason to say yes. I mean Paul and I had made up and I literally couldn't think of one reason to move in with Emmett and the others. Phoenyx, yea she's always been unhappy on the rez and in the Rez School and everything just seems to fit perfectly for her to be there. Even when she called me a couple of weeks ago to tell me Alec left her to go back to the Volturi. She was sad about it, but she absolutely loves living with the Cullen's and she's NEVER been so happy in her entire life. I don't care if she becomes one of them, she's always going to be my best friend and her happiness is all I've ever wanted for her."

Emily smiled softly as she grabbed another tissue and helped wipe the tears away. "You're a good friend Trista. I think you are wise beyond your years. Once your leg heals and you get past the crap with Brady. I think you'll find someone who makes you happy; someone who will be not only good to you, but for you as well."

Too bad she didn't realize it was going to be in the form of someone she considered a friend. The next few months until graduation was going to be extremely interesting to say the least.