Another chapter of this one, I'm really excited for the next bit - there's a fun surprise coming in the next few chapters!
The sun was setting behind the rooftops as I walked outside. Paul was sitting near the stop sign at the end of the road, his arms folded over his knees. I sat down next to him, not saying anything. There was silence for a few seconds as we watched the sun set.
"I wanted you to give me a chance." He says finally.
I glanced at him. He was still staring straight ahead.
"You haven't given me one. You closed me out and snapped at me. I'm not sure what to do."
"You're the one the fates picked out for me. That bothers me, that it takes away my choice. We're not soul mates, we're cellmates. We can't escape this or each other."
"You wouldn't have chosen me." I cocked one eyebrow slightly. This didn't offend me so much as it annoyed me. I'm not sexy like the girls Paul usually chooses. I'm quiet, plain, and boring. I'm no fun in bed and I don't put out after the first date.
"Probably not." He laughed mirthlessly probably thinking back to previous dates with heartless bitches ready only for a good time, or the clueless, physically gifted girls too dumb to know what banged them. "But maybe I would. I don't know, and now I don't even want to think about that."
"I wouldn't have chosen you, and my choice was taken from me too." I wouldn't have chosen him, he was too much like the men I despise. A man-whore. Regardless of the fun we have talking, he's done things to girls that he won't even talk about.
"I know." He must have come to the same conclusion about himself in his mind that I did. "I hate it. I hate that I can't be in control of my life anymore. I have no options. It's not romantic and sweet like everyone makes it out to be. I'm talking about Seth and Zoe." We both cringed, the reference to our disgustingly sappy friends breaking some of the tension. It's quiet for a few seconds before I speak again.
"We have to learn to love each other. I can't live without you any more than you can live without me."
"I guess we're stuck together." He sighed. "You wanna be friends, then, and see if we can make it work?"
"Why not? Friends first." I put out my fist, and Paul rolled his eyes and he put his knuckles against mine.
"For the record, though, I'm not as bad of a man-whore the school makes me out to be. And it's always fully consensual."
"Mhm, well I guess I should give you the benefit of the doubt, you are the only one to know first-hand how many girls you've slept with..."
"Exactly, I'd know better than anyone."
"According to Onyx, half of the girls claim to have… had relations with you for the popularity of it alone..."
"Doesn't surprise me, I take only the very best."
I leaned back on my hands and raised my eyebrow at him in a smirk.
"I'm sure it's a great honor to share your bed."
"You doubt me?"
"I don't doubt you, I just don't actively believe you."
"Yeah, there's a huge difference there..."
"Right? Thanks for understanding."
"I wonder..." He trailed off and I looked at him expectantly. "I wonder if we would even make a good couple."
"Together I think we would be pretty formidable. But also, we'd probably kill each other."
"Huh, I think so too. Okay," he clapped and rubbed his hands together. "Collin was right, I may not like this situation but I do like you in general, so I'm just gonna make the most of this." He stood, offering his hand to pull me up. As we walk towards the door, I smirk, looking down at the hand that he still hasn't released. His lips lift in return as he raised my knuckles to his lips. I chuckle at his expression of seriousness as he does so.
We rejoin the pack in the stuffy living room, Jake and Brady cocking their eyebrows as I led Paul in by the hand. I smiled at them, letting them know we worked it out. I noticed that Collin wasn't in the room anymore, and I can only hope that he's at Onyx's house right now talking to her.
xXx
(COLLIN'S POV)
Dae told me why Onyx is upset at me, and honestly I get it. The way I explained things to her was probably the worst possible way to word it.
I found myself at her house, walking up the stairs from the beach. My heart raced in my chest as I thought about what I would say to her, and how long I should try before I let her go.
I was shocked when the door opened before I even knocked.
Onyx was there, face completely unreadable and fully clothed in sweatpants and a big tshirt.
"I'll listen to you now." Was all she said, sitting down at one of the small tables on her porch. I sat across from her, looking into her eyes cautiously. I took a deep breath.
"I understand why you're upset and hurt, I'm sorry about how I explained it, I really didn't do a good job." I started out, and she seemed to relax a little, so I continued. "My job as a part of the shapeshifter pack is to protect the humans on the res, which includes you. I've never killed one, but if it came down to it, I would. That's my job. Paul explained to you how we know the good vampires from the bad vampires. If they have yellow, brown or gold eyes, we just have a talk with them and let them go. Red or black eyes, they're here for one thing only, human blood. We can't let innocent people be drained."
Onyx nodded slightly, messing with the ties on her sweatpants. I move on.
"About the imprint thing..." I began. I have to tread lightly here. By now, Onyx may be cool with the wolves, but what I say next will determine whether or not she's cool with me. "I imprinted on you. That doesn't mean that I fell in love with you because of the imprint. Imprints... attach you to the person, but they don't make you fall in love. The person does. Look at Dae and Paul, they can't stand each other but they can't ignore each other. The imprint doesn't force him to love her, it makes him protect her no matter what. She makes him love her." I tell her, placing my hand on the table, palm up. I pray she takes it.
"I love you with or without the imprint, Onyx. You're smart, witty, strong, independent and beautiful, how could I not love you? I just thank my lucky star that I have such an amazing person in my life." I finish.
Onyx looks up at me, and the tiniest of smiles is on her lips. I smile fully back, finally hopeful. She puts her hand in mine and gives it a squeeze.
"Thanks for telling me." She whispers, standing up. "Wanna come inside?"
In this chapter, we finally have some resolution! I had more planned for Onyx and Collin, but didn't want this chapter to get too long. Keep a heads up for the next chapter, though, I have some fun plans... Definitely leave me a review with your thoughts on this, and check out the poll on my profile! I'm making some decisions about the next project I'll work on and I want your input on it!