Thanks to everyone who's reading! I'll apologize for all the cliff-hangers but I can't guarantee that they'll stop haha

Enjoy!

Chapter 14

**Paul's POV**

I've never felt as distraught in my life as I do when Cassie runs away from me in the First Beach parking lot. I don't blame her. That had to be the worst wolf reveal in the history of the world. What the hell was I thinking?

Well, I know what I was thinking. She wanted an answer, so I had to give her one.

And of course, I fucked it up. Grabbing a rock off the ground, I throw it angrily towards the ocean. "Calm the fuck down, Paul," I tell myself, taking deep breaths. I know I only have a few minutes to calm myself down before I go talk to her. Especially if I want to catch her before she gets home. But most importantly, I need to make sure I'm level-headed before I see her again. The last thing I want is a repeat of the Emily incident.

Yeah, like I hadn't overheard Leah's warning out in Emily's yard.

When I finally feel in control, I run full speed towards the house. Not surprisingly, I catch her shortly before she hits our driveway. Even without enhanced wolf abilities, I probably would've been able to catch her.

"Cassie, at least let me explain better," I beg helplessly. The thought of losing her when she's barely been mine a week is unthinkable. Why the fuck couldn't have I just kept my thoughts to myself? Or better yet, why couldn't Leah have kept her mouth shut?

She pauses, looking at me in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? There's nothing to explain! You're crazy. You can't even admit you did something wrong! Instead you make up some insane story."

"I'm not crazy, Cassie. I know this is abnormal, but it's true. I can explain it better. I can show you. Just please hear me out!"

Rolling her eyes, she tells me, a touch of concern in her voice, "I think you need help Paul." She's already storming towards the front door by the time I even comprehend what she just said.

My imprint thinks I'm a psychopath. Oh god. What if she says something to our parents? Hastily, I hurry in after her.

"Hey!" I hear Marie exclaim as I enter the house shortly behind Cassie. "I just got home. Peter and I are going to get some groceries. Do you want – " She trails off as Cassie doesn't even look at them.

"What's wrong?" My dad asks in concern as she storms right passed him and Marie.

"Your son is fucking crazy, Peter," she exclaims, stomping up the stairs toward her room.

Marie looks at me in confusion, while my dad looks at me in suspicion. Oh god, he cannot find out that I told her. Then he'd definitely realize I imprinted on her.

I roll my eyes dramatically. "She really didn't like my idea for your guys' wedding gift."

Marie purses her lips. "Are you sure that's it?"

I nod, shrugging. "Maybe I said something a little mean afterward, but I swear she started it."

Leah was right: I am a good liar. Or Marie is just really naive because she laughs, believing me. "Okay, well you guys make up then. We can't have you bickering at the wedding. Also, you two don't have to get us a gift!"

My dad wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her towards the door. They're definitely running late because normally he would've pushed harder than that. "Now, now, don't listen to her," he teases, but I can tell unlike Marie he doesn't fully believe me.

Luckily, he doesn't press for more information like usual, and they leave. With a groan I follow Cassie upstairs. After all, how much worse can it get than this?

I find her sitting on her bed, knees huddled up against her chest and eyes red. "Get out of my room," she whispers dejectedly.

Sighing, I stay in the doorway. "Look I know you're mad."

"I was mad," she states simply. "I was really, really mad. But I'm not anymore." I raise my eyebrows in confusion, but she continues before I can reply. "I'm confused. And a little upset. And very, very shocked. But I'm mostly, just, mostly just … kind of heartbroken that the guy I've fallen in love with is either a lunatic or a chronic liar."

Despite the rest of her words, my heart is hammering in excitement and disbelief. The guy I've fallen in love with.

"Paul," she whispers frantically, evidently regretting her words, "don't. Don't look like that."

"Like what?" I blurt out. After the hours and hours of spending time together, you'd think I'd be more prepared for this moment. Then again, I was expecting much happier circumstances when it finally did occur.

She shakes her head sadly, then gives a little shrug. "It doesn't matter anymore. You're insane or a liar. Neither of which I want to deal with."

My chest pangs as the wave of rejection crashes through me. "I've never given you a reason not to trust me, Cassandra. I know this sounds insane, but please just hear me out."

Her jaw clenched as I use her full name – something I haven't called her since our fight in her dad's condo. "You told me you could turn into a wolf. You realize that's impossible, right?"

Shrugging, I lean against the door frame. "I used to think the same thing. Then one day, after feeling off for a few days, I got angry and … burst into a giant wolf."

She shakes her head in annoyance. "You expect me to believe that?"

"Not really," I admit. "I was hoping." We stare at each other in painful silence for what seems like forever. I'm waiting for her to give me the go ahead to try and explain or tell me to get out or something. Anything would be better than this quiet.

Finally, she speaks, "Did our parents leave yet?"

Her casual tone takes me by surprise. "Um, yeah."

"Damn. I wanted to tell them to get some popcorn."

"Why… what… how are you..?" I can't even coherently get out what I'd like to say. I just stand their gaping in bewilderment. "Why are you being so nonchalant right now? Like what the actual fuck?"

Shooting me a cold glare, she smirks icily. "You taught me well, I guess."

I want to glare back, but I know she's right. I can normally put on an Oscar-level performance of pretending like everything is fine and things aren't awkward or tense between us. But right now? When legitimately everything important to me is falling apart? Of course I'm losing my shit. "Well, excuse me for caring that we're about to crash and burn."

"I care," she snaps indignantly. "But there's nothing I can do about it. You're the one who lied. Or lost your mind. Or whatever. I'm just trying not to get any more hurt at this point."

"By shutting me out?" I snap back accusingly. Instantly I know yelling back at her or getting defensive isn't going to get me anywhere. "I am begging you, Cassie, please, just let me tell you the entire story. After that, I'll answer any questions or accusations you have. But I swear to god I am telling the fucking truth, and the last thing I'd ever want to do is hurt you."

Her face turns to stone, a sure sign she's attempting to shut down emotionally. "You have thirty minutes until they're back from getting groceries. So whatever you have to say, it better be fucking fantastic."

I gulp. All the legends needed to make her fully understand could take hours – not that I actually listen to Billy enough to remember them all. But still. Plus, on top of this I would have to explain how the pack began, who's all in it, and what exactly we do. Rubbing my face in desperation, I try to remember how Sam told Emily and how Jared told Kim. I'm drawing blanks, and all I remember is the girls' heinous reactions.

"Twenty-nine minutes, Paul."

There's no way. There's no way in fucking hell that I'll be able to explain all that and answer all the questions she's going to have. Eyeing up her room, I realize there's not enough spare space in here for me to safely phase. My room doesn't either. I know the living room probably does; however, the windows make it easy for any neighbours to see if they're looking. And while the backyard is private enough, I doubt I can get her to go outside with me. And she still looks cold.

Suddenly it hits me.

"Come down to the basement with me," I plead, stepping out of the doorway and towards the stairwell.

"Are you trying to make this feel even more like a horror movie?" she asks incredulously.

My face turns to stone. Less than twenty-four hours she would've followed me to Timbuctoo if I asked her to. Then again, that was also one lie, one fight, and one huge ass secret revelation ago. "Cassie, I don't know what exactly you think I'm going to do to you, but I swear to god I would never hurt you. Please, just come downstairs. I'll prove to you I'm not lying, and that I'm not crazy."

Hesitantly, she gets out of her bed and follows me. "Only because I know whatever you want to show me won't be able to prove that."

Snorting, I roll my eyes. She says that now. Walking down into the basement, I'm grateful that the only part of the floor that's finished is my dad and Marie's bedroom. The rest of the floor – except for the laundry room – is wide open. Definitely big enough to phase safely in.

"Here, stand in the doorway so you're able to run away screaming," I say sarcastically. To my pleasure, she laughs.

Even though she quickly tries to hide it. Crossing her arms over her chest, she shoots me her best 'I'm waiting' look.

"You should close your eyes or turn around," I cough awkwardly.

Raising an eyebrow, she accuses, "Why? You gonna pull a dead wolf out of the laundry room closet and try to trick me?"

Shaking my head in disbelief, I snap, "I have to take my clothes off to phase. And you haven't exactly seen me naked before."

"Whose fault is that?" she shoots back starkly.

I wince before mumbling out earnestly, "I didn't want us to sleep together until you knew about this."

Her mouth forms a small 'o' shape, and she looks somewhat relieved. Why did she think we hadn't slept together yet? I mean we'd only really been dating a week, but neither one of us were the waiting type. Before I can ask what she was thinking, she recovers. "Knew about what? You being a psychopath?"

Biting my lip, I hold back any nasty remarks I want to throw at her. I have to give her the benefit of the doubt. She has every right to think I'm crazy. This is crazy. If I was in her shoes, I would probably think the same thing. "Close your eyes."

She listens.

Hastily, I pull off my shirt and unbuckle my belt. I smirk as I notice her eyes peek open. "We've only got twenty-five minutes, Cass. Keep your eyes shut." She doesn't respond, but her eyes noticeably close tighter as her face flushes red.

Once my clothes are off, I retreat backwards towards the wall, as far away from her as possible. Just to be safe. Then I phase. Her eyes are still closed, and I quickly realize I can't speak to tell her to open them. Slowly, I walk towards her in my dark silver, canine form.

You're phased? Leah's thoughts scream in my head. Is Cassie okay? Oh my god!

She's fine, I snap back. She didn't believe me, so I'm showing her. Thanks for blowing my fucking cover by the way.

Leah remains quiet after that, and I don't hear any other voices in my head. Good, I can at least focus on this without any more interruptions.

Cassie's eyes are still closed when I reach her. Gently, I nudge her thigh with my muzzle.

An ear-piercing, blood curdling scream escapes her lips as soon as she sees me. I wince from the noise, but instantly back up a few steps. The last thing I want is to scare her further.

Cassie takes a few deep breaths, her hand resting over her heart and her eyes still bulging out of her head. Finally, she whispers, "You weren't lying?"

I shake my wolf head.

Tears form in her eyes, and ever so slowly, a smile spreads across her face. "So you're not crazy?"

Only for you, I think cornily, padding back over to wear I dropped my jeans. Leah scoffs in my head, but I don't care. This is a good sign.

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