Chapter 24

The lies were just piling up. I didn't know what to do with them or where to go. One lie led to the next and then the next. I didn't want to lie anymore, at least not to Paul. He didn't deserve this.

His mind wasn't his own, though, my brain kept screaming. He shares it with all those other people that will know everything about you. But I knew, it was just an excuse. I was a coward. There was no reason to keep things from him now, except my cowardice.

As we pulled into his driveway, my first thought wasn't to look at his house. It was to look at him. His jaw was set in a hardline and he was frowning slightly, but his eyes were dancing. Sparkling, even. He was excited.

He was beautiful.

His gaze met my eyes and I couldn't help but smile at him. He was just so perfect. I wanted to be closer to him, not to be separated by the console between us. His gaze was pulling me in and I never wanted to look away.

There was a crash with the sound of a screen door slamming and then loud howls sounded across the gravel driveway. I looked away from Paul's eyes to see a large paws and a droopy face pressed against his driver side window. My eyes widened as Paul spun around quicker than any normal human could move.

"Jack! Down!" he scolded. The dog just opened his mouth to let his long tongue fall out and panted in a sort of laughter. "I swear to God, you are the stupidest, most disobedient dog I have ever…"

He went on scolding the dog as he got out of the truck, but "Jack" seemed unfazed as he jumped up pressing to large paws into Paul's chest. My eyes widened more as I realized that I would have been on the ground if that had been me. I cleared my throat, anxious but a little excited, and jumped out of the truck.

Loud howls sounded again and suddenly the large bloodhound was in front of me. He looked like he was about to pounce, so I took a couple steps back and put a hand out. Instantly the dog sat.

"Uh…"

Paul laughed from behind me. I watched him walk around me and rough up the dog's ears. Jack looked up at him hopefully, panting again, seemingly smiling.

"This is Jack, he is our male bloodhound," Paul said, smiling back at me. "We have a female too, Lily. My mom breeds them, her family has bred bloodhounds since she was little. It's a way to get extra money, plus it's a lot of fun. They are specifically trained too, Jack just doesn't listen to guys."

"So you have a sexist dog?" I said, trying to keep a straight face. Paul laughed loudly in his howl like laughter.

"I guess, yeah," he smiled, walking up to me and talking my hand. I smirked at him, shaking my head. "Let's go inside, dinner should be ready soon."

I nodded, but I was starting to feel myself shake. You shouldn't be scared. Pull it together. The grip on my head tightened before I was being pulled into a crushing hug. It was quick and simple, but so reassuring. My shaking stopped instantly, I felt like I could take on the world. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, the fabric of his shirt bunching up in my fists.

And then he was letting go. I didn't feel surrounded by protection anymore, but I wasn't shaking. I was alright and I could do this.

I felt my thin jacket be gently pulled off my shoulders and I turned to see Paul hanging it up on the hook behind me. I took off my shoes slowly, neatly placing them next to the other shoes near the door. I looked up at the house, finally inside, taking in my surroundings. The house smelled like Paul, though not as earthy. The furniture seemed old and a little cheap, but it was worn and covered in knick knacks of sorts. There was obviously a family here, it was obviously a home.

To the left of the entryway I could hear soft music pouring out of the doorway. There was a woman singing softly along with it too. Paul grabbed my hand and tugged me in that direction.

We entered through the doorway to see a woman cooking some sort of pasta. She was young, mid-thirties probably, and very beautiful. Her long sleek black hair fell in a braid down her back, obviously put there a while ago because of the strands falling out, and her skin was a gorgeous tone of the dark russet brown everyone on the Reservation had. The dog laying at her feet, Lily I presumed, looked up at the sight of us and barked a sharp yap. The woman turned toward us, a smile suddenly gracing her features.

"Oh my gosh, I knew he would have to bring you around sometime," she exclaimed, setting the wooden spoon down on the counter. She had laughter lines and crow's feet next to her eyes, but to me it made her more beautiful.

I looked up at Paul, surprised by her greeting. The sight was one I'd never seen. His face had darken slightly in embarrassment, he was blushing. I bit my tongue, holding back my laughter.

"Come, sit Marlene, please. I've wanted to meet you for quite some time," she said giddily, pointing the island in front of her. I smiled shyly and sat down at one of the seats.

"So I'm guessing introductions aren't in order," I said, trying to push my shyness away. Paul's mother let out a laughter that was very similar to Paul's.

"You have no idea how much this boy talks about you. All day, 'Marlene did this' and 'Marlene did that'. 'Have I ever told you how pret-"

"Mom," Paul's voice was sharp, obviously irritated and embarrassed. "She gets it."

His mom let out another loud laugh and I smiled fondly in Paul's direction. He rolled his eyes, sitting down next to me at the island, brushing his hand slightly against my thigh. I shivered slightly at the touch, not nearly as uncomfortable as I thought I would be by someone touching me there.

"I, personally, disagree. You do keep your feelings quite hidden. Just want to make sure she knew," she smirked, again I saw so much of Paul in her. "Anyways, it's so nice to finally officially meet you! My name is Jennie."

"It's nice to meet you too," I murmured, feeling my shyness creep in again. She gave me a brilliant smile.

"Mom your food is burning," Paul said off-handedly. Ms. Lahote shot up, finally hearing the faint sizzling.

"Oh gosh!" she exclaimed, rushing back to her pasta. "I don't understand how you always know before I do."

I shot Paul a confused look and he shook his head slightly. His mom doesn't know he is a shapeshifter.

"Mom we are gonna go watch a movie in the living room," Paul said, taking my hand up in his.

"Alright, love, but dinner will be done soon," she said, not taking her eyes off the stove.

Paul nodded, tugging my hand slightly in the direction of the entryway. We crossed it to the other room on the other side. It was very small, only a tv, a couch, and a loveseat. Paul pulled me to the couch, sitting down and waiting for me to follow.

I sat down fairly close to him, wanting to be closer but not pushing it.

"Your mom is so sweet," I mumbled, jealousy making my bones ache. I looked up at his face and a large smile adorned his features.

"I told you that you would like her."

"I wasn't worried about me not liking her, I didn't think she would like me…"

"That's crazy! Of course she would like you, I haven't known my mom to dislike anyone. Especially someone like you-"

I stopped listening as he went on. The conversation form the car came flooding back into my brain. "I'm always left in the dark!" He was so so right. I never told him anything. He was the most important person in my life and he barely knew anything about my personal life. I had to learn to let him in or I might lose him. And I couldn't lose him.

"Marly?" his voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up at him once again, my eyes wide in fear and worry.

"Paul, I have to tell you something…"