Chapter 14 – Needing Some Time

Evie was sitting in front of the bonfire wrapped in one of Paul's sweatshirts. It was definitely two sizes too big for her, but she wasn't complaining his scent was filling her nose when she inhaled. Her and Kim were talking while Paul was over talking with Jared. Kim smirked, "So you and Paul seem to be getting closer." Evie smiled softly as she glanced over at Paul.

Almost as if he knew they were talking about them he winked over at Evie. Evie's cheeks tinged pink as she nodded, "Yea. Everything seems to have fallen into a specific pattern with us. I told him about my attack and he told me about being a wolf. It seems we like to shock each other." Kim frowned, "Jared told me. I hope you don't mind. The guys can't help when they are in wolf form, they can read each other's minds, it's so they can communicate better when they patrol and hunt."

Evie shook her head negatively, "No it's ok. I'm actually less self conscious about that. Paul's been helping with that." Evie's blush darkened when Kim gave her a knowing look. Kim mumbled under her breath, "Uh huh." Evie giggled, "Hush Kim." The girls broke out in giggles.

Evie looked up when Brady and Collin plopped down in front of the girls. Brady grinned, "I'm really glad everything worked out with you and Paul. I didn't think it was going to for a minute." Evie furrowed her eyebrows, "Why not?" Collin made a face, "Because he didn't want to imprint. He just wanted to continue being a bachelor until he died. He was having too much fun dating different girls and whatever." Brady nodded in agreement, "Yea. It's why he avoided you for those weeks between first meeting you at the beach and that first night you guys fell asleep on Emily and Sam's couch."

Kim cleared her throat, "Uh guys why don't you shut the hell up. You don't have a clue what you're talking about." Brady quirked an eyebrow at Kim, "You know he had a hard time accepting the imprint. He didn't want to be forced into something and regret it later. But it doesn't look like he's got any regrets. Which he shouldn't." Kim looked at Evie, "What Brady means is, I don't think any of us have ever seen Paul this happy, when he was sixteen and first started phasing he was a little volatile. He still has the temper, but since you've been in his life he's definitely calmed down."

Evie frowned, "He didn't want to imprint? Imprinting forced him to be with me? So he doesn't really want to be with me?" Kim grabbed Evie's hand, "Oh my God no Evie. It's not like that. Imprinting doesn't force the guys to do anything. It just helps them find their soul mate. They aren't forced to do anything."

Evie's frown deepened, "But Brady just said Paul didn't want to be forced into something that he would regret. What the hell does that mean?"

"IT MEANS BRADY IS TALKING OUT OF HIS ASS. WHERE I'M ABOUT TO STUFF HIS HEAD."

Evie, Kim, Brady and Collin's heads all snapped around to the sound of Paul's voice. He was standing perfectly still with his hands balled into fists, Jared was standing behind him. Kim saw Paul shaking from head to toe. She stood up and grabbed Evie's wrists and pulled her to her feet and pulled her away, as both Collin and Brady phased, which fully enraged Paul and Jared because Collin and Brady phased too close to the girls.

Three seconds later, Jared and Paul had phased and were pouncing on Collin and Brady; Making sure to pull the two pups into the trees. Sam and Embry both phased and ran to the trees to try and break up the fighting.

Kim looked at Evie and she was pale as a ghost, "You've never see Paul that mad before have you?" Evie shook her head negatively, "No. I mean I've seen him in wolf form, but I've never seen him get so mad that he phased out of anger." Kim frowned, "Please don't think that Paul was forced to be with you because of the imprint. None of the guys wanted to imprint. It just happens involuntarily. Paul loves you." Evie shook her head negatively, "I don't know what to believe. Paul has never said he loves me, because I don't think we are ready for that. But I also don't want him to regret anything that he does with me." Kim nodded in agreement, "You guys can't really rush anything, but don't doubt his true feelings for you."

"Are you girls okay?"

Evie frowned as she saw Seth walk up to them, "Can you give me a ride home Seth…Please." Seth's frown mirrored Evie's, "Sure…Are you sure you want to leave before Paul comes back?" Evie nodded as she started 2walking towards Seth's truck. Seth spared a look at Kim who nodded solemnly, "Go ahead I'll let Paul know where she is." Seth nodded as he followed Evie. He drove her home in silence not wanting to upset her any more than she looked.

Once he pulled up in front of her house he stopped her before she got out of his truck, she looked down at his warm hand on her wrist. Seth cleared his throat, "You should know Paul will come to see you once Kim tells him I brought you home. Just talk to him. I don't know what happened on the beach or what was said. But talk to him. Whatever questions you have hell answer them honestly." Evie really couldn't say anything as she just nodded and got out of the truck and went inside.

Seth had been right about twenty minutes later a heavy knock banged on the front door. Evie walked over and looked out the peak hole and saw Paul standing there, "Evie please let me in. Brady was talking out of his ass. He doesn't know anything." Evie leaned against the front door with her left palm against the door, "I just need some time Paul. I can't even wrap my brain around everything I heard. You didn't want to imprint, because you enjoyed dating multiple women, and you didn't was to be forced into being with me because of the imprint and regret it later."

Paul leaned his forehead against the front door, "Evie, Please open the door let's talk about it. Ask me anything you want! I swear I will answer it. I'll tell you the truth. I swear on my life." Evie blinked she could feel the pain and worry in his voice. Brady was more than likely laying in small bloody pieces in the trees at the beach. Evie couldn't help but let the tears fall, "I'm so confused Paul. I need some time please. I need some time to think."

Paul frowned, "I'll give you whatever you want Evie…Please call me when you're ready to talk…Please Evie…Promise me." Evie sniffled as she tried to control her tears and not sound like she was crying, "I promise. Just give me a couple of days Paul. I'll call you when I'm ready."

Paul could feel his heart clenching in his chest as he walked off the porch. The pain was immense in his whole body; he spared a look back at the house and knew Evie was crying on the other side of the door.

Evie watched from the peak hole as Paul walked off the porch and into the tree line. She heard a pained howl come from the trees as soon as he disappeared into them. Evie slid down the front door and to the floor as she cried. She definitely needed the time to think.