PAUL
I had just returned from the training session we were doing with the new wolves. Mandy and Brady and Collin, who had phased later the same week were the oldest of the nine new wolves we had now. And it was going good with most of them. All of them were catching on pretty well to the basic concepts. But they each had strengths and weaknesses. And not that it surprised me much but Mandy had me worried. She didn't take much seriously. And she was treating this the same way. And she was constantly finding ways to be acrobatic at the same time. It was like she had it in her mind to be a werewolf daredevil, but we were the only people who even got to see it. Though I had to admit the height and distance she got was impressive. I walked into my house, to find Rachel and my mom talking, they'd been spending a lot of time together lately. I smiled and kissed Rachel's temple. We said bye to my mom and then went up to my room after I told mom that Mandy was going to Greg's.
I couldn't wait to be alone with Rach, to vent. I didn't want to do so in front of mom. I didn't want to worry her anymore than she already was. And I wanted to hold her close and enjoy her as much as I could before we went off to fight. She asks me how it was and I immediately say, "She's not taking it seriously."
RACHEL
I'm still chatting with Paul's mom when he comes home, looking tired and worried in spite of the smile that he manages. His mom and I were just talking about him. And Mandy. And she was telling me how she worries about both of them now. It's something that I can relate to, given the fact that both my brother and my fiancé are involved in this, not to mention Mandy whom I've begun to regard as a little sister as well as the other wolves. I don't want any of them to be hurt. But I also realise that this fight is inevitable.
Upstairs, the moment I ask Paul how things are going, he starts on Mandy, complaining about her attitude. I know he's worried about her, and he doesn't quite like the idea of her sharing the same fate as himself. I also know that she's a free spirit who would fly if she could. I sit him down and start massaging his shoulders. "What has she done this time?" I ask him, trying to give him a chance to get all this off his chest.
PAUL
This is just further proof to me that Rachel is perfect. Because she immediately sits me down and massages my shoulders. And I can feel the tension start to roll away under her capable hands. And then she asks me what Mandy's done this time. "What hasn't she done?" I mutter. I sigh. "It's just like she doesn't seem to get it. She's so light and careless about it. And the whole time it's like she either doesn't see this fight as different from any other day, or she's excited to be in it. And most of the time she's trying to be a wolf trapeze artist without the trapeze. And none of that is gonna help her tear vampires limb from limb in the middle of a blizzard. If the little seeing bloodsucker is right." I knew I was probably gonna get a smack for referring to her future family as bloodsuckers, but I hated their involvement. I didn't trust it. "And it's like she thinks it won't be hard. Since she has all these powers. And then there's what she and Brady keep doing to each other, and ultimately themselves."
RACHEL
He begins to tell me everything. And I have to agree that Mandy's behaviour doesn't seem appropriate given the weight of the situation at hand. There are lives at stake here, hers included. I don't like the idea of her fooling around any more than Paul does. I give a little sigh as Paul uses a derogatory term to describe one of the Cullen girls, which he always tends to do. Normally I would correct him. I don't like the idea of there being so much animosity with the people who are going to become a part of Jacob's life, and therefore mine, one way or another. But he's stressed out and in a bad mood, so I let it slide.
I sigh softly. "Look at it this way," I say to him. "At least she's taking it well. You know better than I do that for all that she's gained by this happening, she's lost quite a big part of her life too. She's so young, and she's going to be living with this secret that she didn't bargain for. Maybe this is her way of making the best of it. Would you rather she be miserable too on top of everything else?" I plant a soft kiss between his shoulder blades, breathing in his masculine scent. "And as for the whole thing with Brady… Remember, we've had our share of rough patches too. They just need to slowly work it out for themselves."
PAUL
I'm surprised that she doesn't yell at me for saying bloodsucker. And then she tries to talk it out with me. And I love that about Rach too. I can actually talk to her about things. With no judgment. She never holds the things I say when I'm super stressed out against me. It's like it's truly safe to say whatever I feel. And she's right. I know she is. I love Mandy. And I never wanted this for her. And she could be miserable. But she's having a good time. And she's taking to it like a fish to water for the most part. "I guess you're right," I concede, "I just wish she'd try harder. And stop seeing this like it's some magical story. Like she's gonna be a superhero now or something."
And then she continues to talk about how we've had our issues too. "I know," I say to her, "But it's like they deliberately do things to hurt each other. Like she thinks about making out with Greg. And they're so in denial about spending forever together. But then they naturally gravitate towards each other, defending each other in mock battle. And refusing to fight the other. And we can tell that they've had a moment or two in human form. But neither of them will give in. At least all of our problems were with each other for the most part. And not one of us being in love with someone else still. And the worst part is that we can all tell she isn't in love with him anymore, that she just does it to show her independence, to rebel." It just seemed like it was tarnishing the idea of an imprint to me.
RACHEL
He tells me how he wishes she'd just start seeing things seriously and not act like she's going to be a superhero or something. I chuckle softly, leaning against him from behind, pressing a kiss on his shoulder. "But you are a superhero. My superhero, anyway," I tease him lightly. "Okay, okay, I get what you mean."
I let him go on unpacking all his worries and frustrations as I continue working on his still-tense shoulders. I can't say I like how Mandy is dealing with the imprint part of things. Especially when she and Brady could be so happy together, if they just gave it a chance. I should know that better than anyone. And given the gravity of what's coming, they really do need to get their acts together, for everyone's sakes.
"You're right," I agree with him. "They're not doing anyone any good by being so stubborn." I slowly wrap my arms around him, my hands sliding over his warm chest. "Would you like me to try talking to her?" I ask him. "Maybe it's about time we had a little girl-to-girl chat. What do you think?"
PAUL
First she's massaging my shoulders. Then she's placing kisses between my shoulder blades and on my shoulder. And now she's calling me her superhero. I wonder if she has any clue how much she's turning me on right now and making me forget about the fact that I have any grievances, problems, or worries.
And then she agrees with me about things being wrong where the imprint's concerned. And she says that she thinks they're being stubborn. And I agree. And then she makes the most enchanting offer ever. One that endears her to me and makes me love her even more. She offers to talk to Mandy, girl to girl, something that I can't do. And every talk that I have with Mandy, ends in arguments because I try to be her big brother. I try to make rules.
When she says it her arms wrap around me and travel up my chest and I lean back for just a second. I press a quick kiss to her cheek as I ask her. "You sure you wouldn't mind? Because that might work..."
Then unable to keep the distance from her, I turn over in her arms, so that we're face to face and I lean forward, making her lower herself down onto the bed, leaning over her. My eyes boring into hers with intensity. "It'd be so amazing if you would..." I repeat honestly, before my lips meet hers.
RACHEL
I can feel his body start to relax, and he sounds pleased with my offer. I smile as I receive a peck on the cheek before he proceeds to turn around, leaning in so that I move back down onto the bed. He holds my gaze with a fire that knocks the breath out of me for a second. "Of course I wouldn't mind," I tell him, stroking his arm. And then his lips come down to meet mine, silencing my next words. "Leave… her… to me… big brother," I tease him between kisses, glad to be able to ease some of his burden. Especially with the danger that's fast approaching.