10
I sat on the edge of my window that night. It was open and the wind just blew into my room, my white gown flowing with the breeze. No one had anything to say when we returned. We all separated to our homes and that was that. I could hear my parents speaking in the other room.
"I knew those mummies were trouble. They drew first blood you know. And those wolves! That boy caused her to get hurt!" my mother said in anger.
"Darling, it was all a misunderstanding and you know it. It's not sexy trying to look for a reason to be angry." Father announced.
"Do you not even care that the other creatures were responsible for everything that happened today!" she snapped.
"Of course, I care. But Vitanja is safe and so are the other cubs. It's over." he said. "Now come to bed and let me ease your mind from the day." Now that I did not want to stick around for. I quickly grabbed my sandals and climbed out of my window landing on my feet. It was warm out tonight so I figured, I'd walk down to the beach. Sure it was a school night, but it wasn't like I'd be tired. I merely took my time as I strolled down the street. I let the smell of the water guide me. I needed to think anyways and being at home was not going to help.
Why would Paul pull a stunt like that and risk causing conflict between our packs? In some way I could understand the misunderstanding with the Cullens, but Paul, I don't know. It's like he didn't want me to fight at all. Why would he stop me, why single me out? Why did he care? Surely he knew getting himself in trouble with my family was going to cause bad blood. My mother could have demanded an all out fight right there. How would he ever tell his imprint his feelings if he were dead.
I suddenly paused as I started to think back to the moments of when I first met him to now. He was always being weird around me, staring at me as if he was lost or something. His attitude with the bikers earlier was fierce. He was ready to fight them right then and there.
"It's complicated. I don't think she likes me in that way and I don't want put her in an awkward position and I don't know, I guess I do not want to face rejection."
"Well you don't talk to her, look at her, or even think about her. You got that?"
"I want to know more about you and your culture."
My mouth parted some as I looked down suddenly realizing it. I shook my head.
"No. No it's not true." I replied. Surely not. The rumbling above me made me look to the sky. The moon was out high, but I gently felt the sprinkling of the rain. But I didn't care. There was no way I was going to stay in the house and smell parent hormones. I hurried and followed the scent of the water. I moved down the hill to the sand and just stared at the waves as they crashed against each other. It wasn't violent crashes, but you shouldn't get in. The rain had already stopped and I sighed happily at his. But a familiar scent caught my nose and I tensed some and turned to see a jeep parked in the parking lot.
I held myself as I watched the lights go off and someone step out. And of course, it was Paul in a black sleeveless hoodie and cutoff jeans. He jogged down the sand toward me and I just stood there like a deer stuck in headlights. He slowed his jog once he was a few feet from me. His eyes were sad and filled with pain.
"What are you doing here?" I asked lowly. He just stood there staring at me for a long moment.
"I couldn't stay away." he said softly and I just stared at him a soft frown playing on my face. I looked away and Paul stepped closer to me.
"Vitanja, I'm so sorry about what happened earlier. When Sam told us the Cullens had crossed over into our territory, I was ready to kill them, all of them, but when they led us to the fight, I had to make sure you didn't get involved or get hurt. I knew you couldn't understand me so I…"
"You pushed me down a hill where I got impaled by a tree branch." I stated finally looking back at him. He close his eyes and looked down, his jaw tightened some.
"Yes." he choked out and looked up at me. I finally turned to him and inhaled. I couldn't believe I was going to ask this.
"Did you imprint on me?" I asked. His eyes widened and his body tightened visibly. He swallowed and nodded.
"Yes." he said and I winced and closed my eyes.
"Oh God. Why Paul?" I asked and he shook his head.
"I don't know. I don't have control over it!" he said his voice filled with stressed. He opened his arms out to me. "But the second I saw what had happened to you, what I had caused, I wanted to die. I wanted your family to kill me right then and there." I winced and looked away some.
"So why didn't they, I wonder." I whispered.
"Oh your mother gave the order. But your father convinced her to back down." he said and I just looked up at him wondering if I should believe him or not. It didn't matter, everything that happened was wrong. It was all wrong. I walked around him finally and began to walk back to the forest.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Home." I said.
"Vitanja, wait we should talk about this!" he said grabbing my hand. I immediately felt pain in my side as if reminded of what happened earlier. I hissed violently and ripped my arm from his.
"Stay away from me! I reject you!" I snap. His eyes widened and he just seemed frozen. I shook my head. "This cannot happen, we cannot happen. Go home." He was a wolf, I was a lioness, there was no future for us. It was forbidden. I just backed away watching as he just looked down, eyes widening more. I would not dare turn my back on him for he was a predator and I couldn't trust him. Once I was far enough, I turned and jogged back home. I had never rejected anyone before. And deep down it hurt me to hurt someone's feelings. But his feelings were not real, he didn't like me because he wanted to. He liked me because his spirit decided for him. And that wasn't fair to either of us. It was dangerous and I wouldn't risk backlash on anyone for this.
I could hear a scream coming from behind me. I stopped for a second and looked over my shoulder back toward the beach. I'm sorry Maverick.
Paul's POV
I stared at the spot she stood in for lord knows how long. I reject you! I reject you! I reject you! It just keeps playing over and over as it does, knots form in my body and start to hurt and spread through my body. My heart hurt and I could feel tears swell up in my eyes and fall. I never cried. My body is shaking and I just feel overwhelmed by my thoughts. My body colliding with hers and us tumbling down the hill. Us getting up and her snapping at me, but blood is the only thing I can smell.
"What have you done?"
"Why have you done this?
She was in so much pain, I could feel it in my soul. And it was because of me. I did this to her.
"And it's your fault she rejected us!" I had hurt my imprint and now she rejected me. I was shaking so badly, but I wasn't phasing. I whimpered as I finally leaned over, curling my fists into my hair and I could feel it all shooting through my lungs as I let out a blood piercing scream. It was hard and loud and it burned my throat quickly. I should have phased already, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. I didn't deserve to phase. I didn't deserve to be with her. I didn't deserve to live.
My scream died and I just panted now moaning lowly up at the sky.
"I'm sorry." I cried out. "I'm sorry." I finally looked at the ocean that was crashing together. It was calling me. Come drink us in and let us put you to sleep so you don't feel pain anymore. I felt completely numb now. I just wanted it all to stop. This would make her happy, this would make up for me almost killing her. I let my feet drag me to the water. Slowly, my shoes filled with water, but I didn't even feel it. I just felt her pain. I caused this pain.
Come drink us all in. The water called me and I could hear her voice as it called me. Just keep moving forward. Do the right thing and disappear forever. You can't hurt her anymore if you disappear forever. Is this what Maverick felt when Andromache denied him. She probably told him they couldn't be together. Or maybe to stay away and that she rejected him.
Drink us all in, and feel her pain forever. The water sloshes around my waist and is going up my chest.
"Paul!" someone is calling out to me. I don't care. I just want to die.
"Paul!" someone else screams. I feel the water getting close to my chin before I'm grabbed and taken away from the beautiful water that calls me with her voice.
"NO LET ME GO!" I shouted fighting against the hands that held me.
"Paul, calm down!" Sam.
"What the hell are you trying to do!" Embry yells as they drag me from the water.
"JUST LET ME GO!" I yell trying to fight against them so I could return to the water, and drink it in.
"What's gotten into you?" Jared asked and finally I stopped struggling, the pain returning to my face as I looked at Sam.
"She rejected me Sam. She doesn't want me." I cried out and he winced slowly and placed my head into his chest.
"Okay. Let's get you to Em's." he said lowly. I didn't even want to be awake right now the feelings were sucking the strength out of me.
Vitanja's POV
I kept my hair down today as I slide on a navy green t-shirt and jeans. Cleola and the others arrived and I drove us to school. I didn't sleep at all last night. I was replaying everything in my mind from the moment I met Paul Lahote to last night. How could I not see this coming? His imprint? It wasn't possible. But Maverick and Andromache would say different.
When I got to school, I helped my cousins out and Cleola just jumped down beside me staring at me with worry.
"What's wrong? You've been quiet since yesterday. Was it the mummies?" she asked. I shook my head.
"I'm fine. I just didn't get any sleep. Come on." I replied and walked with them inside. As I put my things in my locker I realized I had to go to homeroom. Jared and Paul would be there. I sighed not wanting to deal with them. I was sure there was going to be some type of issue. But I was strong. I would not be intimidated by any of them. I opened the door and moved inside and looked directly to the back and saw no familiar faces. I was stunned to see Jared and Paul were not here and I just inhaled some and exhaled with relief.
As I sat down, I looked over to Paul's desk. I couldn't help but feel something was wrong. I mean both wolves were absent. I pushed the thoughts from my mind and continued through with school. School today was dull, I was already settled somewhat after yesterday and was just ready to be done. I was walking to my first class when I noticed a scent. I paused realizing it was Sam Uley. I followed the smell outside and saw him standing next to my truck. He made eye contact with me immediately and he looked almost concerned.
I had no issues with Sam as far as I knew, but I wasn't a fool. He must know about what went down with Paul and I. Maybe he came to yell at me or maybe he too knew that Paul imprinted on me. I took some even breaths walked over to the truck.
"Sam." I replied professionally. He nodded at me.
"Vitanja." he said. I looked him over some.
"Is everything okay?" I asked. He shook his head.
"No. Something happened last night." he said. Now I felt concern.
"Paul." I assume and he nodded.
"You and I need to talk. Want to give me a ride to my fiancé's place home?" he asked. I tensed some at the request unsure if I should trust him. He shook his head.
"You're not in any trouble. Our most sacred law is that we can never harm our imprints." he said. I stared at him closely before sighing and nodding.
"Get in." I replied unlocking the truck and he nodded and got in. I walked around the front and looked toward the entrance of the school to see my cousins standing there mildly alarmed. I only smiled and raised my hand to them. "I'll be back. Do not worry."
I didn't have time to look at their disapproved faces. I got in, started the car, and backed out. I drove onto the main road.
"What's this about?" I asked trying to remain calm and collective.
"Turn here. Just keep going straight. You'll get to her home." he said pointing to an off road. I looked away and took the turn. Once more it was quiet and it was starting to make me anxious. "Years ago, I imprinted on my fiancé, Emily. I was dating Leah, her cousin at the time. You can imagine the drama that followed, breaking up with one cousin to be with the other." I arched a brow at the sudden start of this story. I glanced at him then looked ahead. He was calm and leaning into the seat as if he was completely at ease.
"No matter how much I fought the urge to stay away from Emily, I couldn't. She was the one for me, she was the anchor that kept me leveled. But out of respect for Leah, Emily rejected me. I understood her loyalty and so I too tried to fight the imprint. But I failed, miserably. One day, Emily and I had a fight and she said some things that set me off- made me lose control of my shifting." he said, his voice now strained and dark. I glanced at him and noticed the look of sadness in his eyes as he looked down at his knees. "I shifted and Emily was too close and I hurt her." He finally looked at me and I looked at him for a moment before turning me eyes to the dirt road again. I wanted to ask if she was okay, but I knew the answer to that since we were going to her house.
"She is a human?" I asked softly and he nodded quietly and I nodded slowly I return.
"I wanted to kill myself after I found out what I had done. I wanted to die immediately. Wolves will do just about anything their imprintee asks of them. So I asked her to tell me to kill myself." He explained. I winced at his words. I didn't realize how strong the imprint bond was.
"But she didn't." I replied and he nodded.
"She didn't." he said before looking at me. "Paul tried to kill himself last night." My eyes widened as I looked at him swiftly.
"What!" I snapped and he nodded once more.
"He blames himself for you getting hurt yesterday and thought drowning himself in the ocean would make up for it." he explained quietly. I felt my heart drop into my stomach and I felt complete shock and panic over take me.
"Is he alright?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yeah. The pack is watching him. But I think you two need to talk. I can't have a suicidal wolf here… that's a danger for all of us." he said. I don't know why I felt pain rush over me. Yes I did. I rejected him, turned him away.
"Oh Ra." I whispered feeling the guilt overwhelm me.
"I'm not saying this is your fault," Sam added. "What happened all yesterday was an accident and you were upset and you had every right to be. When I hurt Emily, it was like getting shot in the chest over and over again. It wasn't her fault and this wasn't your fault. But I just want you to know we understand this situation because it has never happened before. Hell Jacob imprinting on a half human half vampire still shocks us. We don't want issues with your family which is why I came to you instead of your mother. This only involves you and Paul." he explained. I looked ahead letting his words sink in. God this was all so fucked up.
I could hardly think right now as a large wooden home came into view. There were plants on the large deck and chairs and wooden little figurines. Out front were shirtless boys and a fully dressed Leah. I cut off my truck and got out as Sam did. They all looked at us and Leah walked up to me and frowned. I immediately tensed.
"You. You did this!" she snapped. Sam placed his hand on her shoulder stopping her from getting closer.
"Leah back off!" he demanded. The door suddenly opened and out came a slender young Native woman. She had long black tresses and her eyes were a deep brown. I noticed the scars immediately and had to fight the urge to touch my own face. She stopped on the edge of the porch and just looked down at me. She looked almost mesmerized by me and I just raised my head up at her. Sam walked over to her and kissed the side of her head and immediately she smiled. But the scars did not move.
"Hey. Emily this is Vitanja. Vitanja, Emily." he introduced. I was at the bottom of the steps now and before I realized what I had done, I had left my hand to meet her, the woman of a wolf. I looked at my hand never before really initiating the gesture before. Emily took my hand.
"It's nice to meet you." she said politely before looking up at him. "He's awake." Sam nodded, a look of worry spreading on his face as he looked at me.
"Come on." he motioned me inside and I slowly stepped up on the steps and following him inside. I didn't even know what I was going to do once I saw him. If anything I was scared for I had never been in this position before.