This chapter contains M rated material! Please do not read if you are not prepared for potentially upsetting storylines
But on a lighter note two chapters in one day?! I am spoiling you all.
Enjoy!
After my conversation with Emily and Sam the days flew by, and before I knew it Saturday night had hit and I'd made my way over to Jamie's, ready for a night of wolf-free drama for the first time in weeks.
"You ready to head out girls?" Jamie asked as she exited the bathroom, nodding approvingly at us as she took in what we were wearing. We had decided as a group that Forks may only have the one half-decent bar, but we were damn well doing to look good for it.
"Yes! I can't believe how excited I am" Samantha grinned in return, smoothing out her shoulder-length auburn hair "I mean this is Forks, it's bound to be the cringiest night ever, but I can't wait as I'm with you guys"
"We're going to make the best of it no matter what" I said as I finished applying my lipstick "you never know who you may run into, hey Sammy"
"Ooohhhh yes, a certain Lucas may be there, you never know" Jamie joined in my teasing, throwing her arms around my shoulders in a dramatic fashion, pretending to try and kiss me "oh Lucas, I've only been in love with you since I was sixteen!"
We both snorted as colour seeped up Sam's neck, turning her beetroot red even through her light foundation. It is a well-known fact that she nearly has a heart attack every time this Lucas tries to talk to her. I have never met him but apparently, they went to Forks High together and have stayed in the area ever since. Only Sam, being the shy girl she is, has essentially done everything in her power to avoid the man, even going to far as to check his car is at his house before she goes to the supermarket, through fear of running into him more than necessary.
Jamie thinks it's sweet, I'm more of the opinion it's a little stalkerish.
"You just don't appreciate how gorgeous you are. He would be lucky to have you" I said firmly, finishing my glass of wine. We had all decided it's best not to go to this bar completely sober. Although it is a hotspot for the town's residence, being the only bar in probably a good 10-mile radius, we didn't want to risk finding it too awkward and leaving before we had even given it a chance. We had already decided that next time Port Angeles, or even Seattle would be better for a weekend trip.
"Oh, but I just can't" she squeaked, flapping her hands in front of her as she tried to calm her still beetroot-like face "every time I start falling over my words and can barely function. It's so embarrassing!"
"Well that's okay. This we can handle!" Jamie leapt up faster than I thought possible in her 5-inch heels, beetling over to Sam who sat on her sofa and plopped herself down "just pretend I am Lucas". She then proceeded to give Sam what I can only image she thought was a sexy expression, greeting her in the lowest voice I can imagine she could possess.
"Hey Samantha, how are you?" she puckered her lips at Sam, who despite everything proceeded to go even redder at the prospect of talking to even a pretend Lucas. I huffed a laugh, caught between amusement and frustration at this event. She needs to realise how amazing she is before anything else!
"Oh forget it, it's not like I am going to ever talk to him" Sam waved her off and stood, grabbing her handbag "now let's go please ladies, it's supposed to be a night out after all"
"Right" Jamie and I chorused, before bundling ourselves out of the door and into the miraculously dry evening.
It took just fifteen minutes for the three of us to walk from Jamie's house to the bar, aptly named The Meeting Place. I decided that whilst not original, it certainly does what it says on the tin, given that its only 8pm and the place already looks busy.
We entered the bar, holding hands as we squeezed through the crowds of individuals, my eyes fixed to the back of Jamie's honey coloured highlights as she found us a table at the back of the bar, sitting herself on a bar stool with a sigh.
"Well then girls, we've made it!" she grinned, fanning herself as she took off her jacket, revealing her super cute blue crop top we had picked out for her that afternoon "what we all drinking?"
"We should start sophisticated with a bottle of bubbles, then slowly let ourselves down as the evening progresses" Sam suggested. Now that is an idea I can get behind. Sam grinned as Jamie and I both voiced our support, Jamie hoping back off her bar stood, mentioning something about going up to order the first round for us.
"So then, see any men you may like?" Sam asked me, putting her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her hands. A mental image of Paul immediately flashed before my eyes and I worked hard to stamp it back down, my heartrate jumping as I attempted to not let my emotions show. Of course, this was all obvious to my friend, who rolled her eyes.
"Still caught up on Paul?" she asked, smirking when I denied it a little too quickly "I honestly don't understand why you won't admit it. He obviously has a massive thing for you! The way you said he spoke to you Wednesday…ugh, it's like he wants to both rip your clothes off but also cuddle and protect you for the rest of his existence"
I looked down, biting my lip "I guess I just need a little more time to fully accept it"
"Well babe, I love you but you're blind" Sam retorted "Jamie and I can both see it and we haven't met the guy"
"Just as we can see your obsession with Lucas" I grinned back at her, now that she was wearing the same embarrassed expression as me "So how about we get a couple of drinks in you and give him a call? You never know what may happen…"
"Oh no I couldn't!" she clapped a hand over her mouth
"Couldn't what? Call Lucas?" Jamie asked as she reappeared with the drink, laughing as I confirmed her suspicions "believe me hun, I have been trying to get her to for years!"
"Ah but you haven't had me around for all that time… I'm sure between the two of us we can think of something" I raised one eyebrow at Sam, who looked one stage away from combusting on the spot. Jamie quickly poured us all a glass of fizz, shoving it towards Sam with a slightly fearful expression
"Drink that, it'll make you feel better" was all she said
"Yeah yeah… cheers!" Sam lifted her glass, giggling as we clinked them together "here's to a great night".
"To a great night" we confirmed, before each taking a sip.
We chatted and danced for hours, momentarily forgetting the issues we each faced in our lives, which were admittedly more boy orientated than we would ever care to admit. For that evening we were just three girls in our twenties, drinking, having fun and generally living our best lives. At some point we had even managed to introduce Sam to a man, claiming that whilst he may not be Lucas, she definitely needed a little bit of practice talking to men before she attempted the real deal. Watching her from where I sat back at our original table, I decided there was high hopes for her yet.
"Right, I need to go to the loo. Can you watch my drink?" I asked Jamie who was still sat with me, people scanning with obvious interest. She nodded and I hopped off the bar stool, before beginning to weave my way through the crowd towards where I knew the toilet would be. Part of me wondered why they didn't open more bars in Forks. Sure, a third of the people in here are probable underage, but between Forks and La Push there's a large proportion of young people. Yet here we all are, squished into one bar like sardines on a Saturday night. Were I sober, I would probably be running out of this sweatbox as fast as my heels could take me.
I eventually made my way into the toilets, wrinkling my nose when I saw the usual sight. There's always one girl sobbing with her friends in the corner, another vomiting in the sink and a cubicle door opening with 3 girls squished into the tiny space. It's funny, wherever you go in the world, alcohol seems to have that wonderfully grim effect on people.
I made short work of using the facilities, stopping quickly on the way out to sort my hair, apply some lipstick and another quick spritz of perfume. Thank goodness for travel-size bottles. After a reassessment I nodded to myself and turned on my heel, not wanting to keep the girls waiting for longer than necessary.
Yanking open the door to the toilet I walked out into the short corridor which connected them to the bar, closing my handbag again having just put my perfume away. It was only when I was halfway down did I feel a hand on my arm.
Stopping short I turned towards the individual with a questioning glance, especially when I didn't recognise him. Looking to be in his mid-twenties, he stood tall, far taller than me even with my heels on, but not as tall as Paul. His brown eyes bore into mine, the colour similar to Paul's. Only despite this, I didn't feel comforted like I did in his presence. No, this man's eyes were cold.
"Can I help you?" I asked politely
"You're really pretty" he said, his eyes moving from my face, down my body. I shifted uncomfortably, attempting to free my arm from his now vice-like grip. I swallowed heavily.
"Thank you. Now please can you let me go?" I asked, managing to keep my voice steady as I yanked my arm back towards me, cringing as his grip only got tighter.
"Don't run away" he almost pleaded "I only wanted to say hello". I looked around me at the other people in the corridor, desperately searching for anyone I knew or anyone who looked even remotely interested in the current predicament. Typically, now was the moment that the only other people nearby where a young couple, who clearly did not want to be disturbed with the way they were attached to each other. I doubt they would even notice if I started yelling. Instead, I took a deep breath. Dealing with it myself it is then.
"Let go of my arm" I said seriously, aware that he was now holding me so hard it would most definitely bruise "I am not interested in talking to you"
"From England as well" he went on as though I had never spoke, pulling me to the very back corner, my back slamming against the wall, his eyes glazed over in the tell-tale sign of drunkenness "The British accent really…does something to me". He groaned as he pressed his body into mine, the feel of him pressed against my thigh enough to make me feel sick.
"Get off me" I tried to lift my other hand up to hit him, only for him to catch it and pin it against the wall, his entire body twisting to keep my lower half in place. My breathing stuttered as I realised no matter what I did, he would overpower me. I could only watch in detached horror as he brought his face closer, crushing his lips against mine before I could fully register what was going on. I squealed with terror as he forced me further against the wall, his long fingers on one hand wrapping around my wrists with such force they would no doubt be bruised by morning. Panicking, I struggled against him with all my might, trying my best to cry out for help, the vain hope being that someone would come to my aid.
Instead I was slammed back against the wall, my air supply suddenly cut off as he released by wrists, only to wrap his hand around my throat, squeezing the delicate skin with considerable force. My mouth hung open as I clawed at it, eyes widening as he pulled back to look at me, no longer bothering with the friendly façade.
Now now, no noise" he whispered, bending his head to graze his lips against mine.
His eyes were cold, calculating. The way that he stood in front of me, shielding me from the view of everyone now passing by, made me sure he had done this before, definitely more than once. To an outsider it may look like a sweet moment. At a glance we could pass for a boyfriend standing in front of his girl, sharing a private intimate moment in what they thought was a quiet corner.
Tears ran down my face as he assaulted me once more, terror seizing my brain as I thought about exactly what he may want to do next, when I run out of air entirely. Dark spots started to appear in my vision, bouncing around as my own grip against his hands started to fail. Soon, I would be unconscious and he could carry me out with no resistance, claiming his girlfriend had consumed slightly too much alcohol.
It was only once this fear was realised that I did the only thing I could think of.
I bit him. Hard.
He automatically jerked back with a curse, blood already pouring from his lip as I took the opportunity to knee him in the balls, scraping my nails down the side of his face as I flailed to get away from him, barely pausing as I ran, wiping his blood off my mouth as I spat out the coppery liquid, succeeding only in smearing it down my chin. Gasping I staggered back towards the main bar, noticing the startled looks of many as I battled my way through the crowd, desperate to get outside, to get away.
Eventually I made it to the exit, yanking the door open as half falling into the night, my chest heaving with sobs as I undid my purse with shaking hands, aware that it was already ringing.
I fumbled with the phone, dropping it on the floor in my haste to answer it, cursing as I missed a call for what I saw was the fourth time. But what truly startled me more was who rang me with such persistence. The one person I should have known I could rely on, Paul.
A tiny part of my brain started screaming at me that it was only the bond. The bond I had tried so hard to avoid. That was the only reason he had called. The stupid bond made it so he could feel something was wrong, that I needed him. That part was massively drowned out as I called him back straight-away, the rest of me coming to the realisation that he was the only one who could calm me down. The only one I need.
"Gemma?" he picked up on the first ring, his voice filled with what I can only describe as terror "I felt something. I came to your house but you're not here"
"Paul, I need help" I sobbed, pain ripping through my throat as I struggled to talk, my voice gravelly "please help"
"Where are you?" I heard his truck roar as he floored the gas pedal.
"I'm at the bar, literally down the road" I whispered, my hands shaking
"Ma'am" a voice suddenly said, and I turned to see one of the barman stood there, clearly having just come out for his break "Are you hurt?"
I knew he was taking in my less than refined appearance, my face streaked with tears and my hair a mess from where I was slammed against the wall, most likely with blood still smeared down my face and dark bruises already beginning to form on my neck and wrists. I can tell they're going to hurt like a bitch tomorrow.
Before I had the chance to reply the headlights from Paul's truck sped into view. He must have been maxing it out to get here in this time.
He screeched to a halt and left the engine running as he practically vaulted out of the driver's seat, sprinting over at a pace slightly too fast to be called human. In that moment I don't think either of us cared. I held my arms out to him as he finally approached and cradled me to his chest, his dark eyes wild with terror and fury as he took in my dishevelled form, finally landing on my lips which I knew were swollen from the kisses forced onto me. They immediately flattened, his hands beginning to shake.
"You're bleeding" his voice cracked, his hands now shaping into fists as his anger rushed through every bone in his body.
"It's not mine" I tried to assure him, my own voice a little more than a wobble
"Who did this to you?" his voice was low, threatening. Dark and full of promise of pain that even the bartender put his cigarette out, quickly going back into the bar, stopping only to let someone else out. My eyes widened in fear as soon as I saw who it was.
But suddenly it wasn't fear for myself – oh no, it was fear for the unnamed man's life who stood in front of us. Fear for what Paul was going to do to him.
My imprint turned as soon as he saw me freeze up, automatically pulling me behind him, hiding me from view behind his broad frame as he faced the other man. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out he was the one who forced himself on me, given that his lip was still dribbling with blood and he bore three angry scratches down the side of his face, correlating perfectly with my nails.
Paul was shaking so hard I suddenly had this awful thought, what if he phased right here? I have heard from Sam the agony of thinking your imprint could be in any kind of pain. Paul was already volatile at the best of times…Lord knows how much restraint he is showing just by not killing him on the spot.
"Paul, please. Let's go home" I grabbed hold of his arm, desperately trying to get his attention so that we could go home, preferably before anyone died.
"You touched her?" Paul ignored me, stalking towards the smaller man, a look of what can only be described as pure animalistic fury on his face. The man merely smirked, eyeing me up and down, folding his arms.
"This your whore? How about we-"
He never got the chance to finish as Paul launched at him, punching him around the face so hard the man crumbled, falling to the floor as my imprint practically pounced on him, slamming him back into the concrete as his body shook harder, a feral snarl ripping from his throat.
"Paul!" I screeched "stop, please!"
I don't know whether it was the bond working its magic, or just the sheer desperation in my voice, but somehow Paul paused, fist raised to land another blow on the man's now bloodied face.
"Please leave him. I want to go home" I attempted my steadiest voice, holding out my hand to the shapeshifter who was in this moment, the only one in the world I cared about. He protected me, no matter our differences, he came for me. This is not something I will forget, ever.
"So much as look at her again, I'll kill you" I heard him vow, before he backed up and turned towards me, picking me up in his arms and carrying me to the truck. Depositing me in the passenger seat, he shut the door and raced around to the other side, just as people started spilling out of the bar, having been alerted as to the commotion. We had turned around and sped off down the road before they had even reached the man on the floor.
Paul had calmed down enough by the time we got to mine for the worry to be etched all over his face. I don't think he had taken his eyes off me the entire way home, relying only on his heightened senses and the fact there was very little traffic around to get us back. I on the other hand had taken off my heels and pulled my knees to my chest, curling myself into as small a ball as possible. I remained unblinking as my eyes shone with tears, thinking over and over about what could have happened. Of how things could have been so much worse if I didn't get away, if Paul didn't come, I can't even-
"Gemma" Paul's soft voice interrupted my inner turmoil. I hadn't realised that he had stopped the engine and had climbed out of the truck. He was now stood by the open passenger door, staring at me with pure pain in his beautiful eyes "did you hear me?"
"What?" I whispered, trying to blink away the tears that only seemed to fall down my face faster "sorry?"
"I asked if I could carry you indoors?" he repeated, clearly worried about my lack of communication. I nodded numbly, reaching out to him as if on autopilot. He easily lifted me into his arms, going for maximum contact as I wrapped my legs around his waist, my arms winding over his shoulders as I pressed my face into his neck, sobbing. The intimacy of it all didn't occur to me as I clung to him, his mere presence calming me in the way only Paul can. He carried me into my house, before sitting down on the sofa, his arms still caging me securely against him as his nose buried itself into my hair, breathing in my scent deeply.
"It's okay baby, you're okay now. I won't let him near you ever again" he murmured, gently running his hand through my hair as he clung to me tightly.
We sat in silence for half an hour, the only sound being my sobs becoming fewer and further between, eventually drying up until they stopped completely, the sound of Paul's even breathing and steady heartbeat lulling me into a sense of complete security.
"He needs to be punished" Paul said eventually, clearly sensing that I was still awake. I merely nodded against his shoulder "I didn't recognise him, so I don't think he's from around here. I bet he came to an outlying small-town just for this purpose. No one knows him and he can slip away after without anyone being able to trace him, he knows the police just don't have the resources. Like some sick game". Again, I nodded.
"You said the blood wasn't yours?" Paul checked again, pulling me back so that I could look into his eyes. My hand immediately flew to where I knew it was and I got up, looking into a mirror in horror. Wordlessly I walked to my bag and took out my phone, holding it out to Paul.
"Take photos" was all I said "evidence". Thankfully he did as I asked, documenting everything from the tear in my shirt to the handprints that were already forming around my wrists, all the while looking as though someone had just stabbed him.
"The blood isn't yours?" he pressed once again, even though he clearly knew the answer. He had already told me I smelt all wrong… that I smelt like him.
"He forced himself on me and so I bit him. Bloody hard too" I explained, forcing a smile onto my face that didn't reach my eyes "I also probably took away his ability to have children, the amount of force I used to knee him in the balls"
"No monster like that deserves children anyway" Paul stood, wrapping his arms around me one again "I am so proud of you"
"Thank you for coming to help me" I said in a small voice "I don't know what I would have done without you"
"I will always be here for you sweetheart" was all he replied "and don't worry, I already texted Sam and Jamie to say you had gone home. I said you felt unwell, so I drove you back"
"Thank you" I tried to convey to him how much I appreciated him, especially as I had forgotten all about my two friends in the moment. "Will you stay?" the words had left my mouth before I even thought about them, and my mouth opened and shut like a fish as I tried to correct my statement "I mean-"
"I will stay, in the guest room" Paul said firmly, interrupting me before I could start gabbling too much "I am not leaving you like this. My wolf wouldn't let me, even if I wanted to". I managed a watery smile as I turned away from him, muttering something about having a shower.
I left him putting the sheets on the spare bed as I showered, turning the water up as hot as it would go and I scrubbed at my skin, turning it lobster red as I sobbed into the heat. Sobbed as I stood there thinking about what could have been, and about how much I have likely hurt Paul by making him prove to me he cares. Sobbed because I realised that I have been the biggest idiot.
Sobbed because I should have realised earlier that for me, it's always been Paul.
I hope everyone took notice of the M rating, because from here on out there's a definite shift.
I have been so nervous about posting this chapter, just because I'm not sure how people will react to it. But unfortunately this type of situation occurs far too often, particularly towards young women. I know so many people who have been a victim and it is not okay!
However this is a purely fictional story, and I hope everyone reading takes it for what it is. Let me know.