"Why are you so angry?" Paul questioned, watching as Embry ducked a fist that Hermione sent his way. "I'm pretty sure i didn't miss a date." Hermione growled and flung a kick at the poor werewolf. "And i'm confident that Embry wouldn't have the guts to upset you."
"I offered," Embry added before ducking a fist flung in his direction.
"You offered to be a punching bag?" Paul questioned, disbelief coating his voice.
"Yup. She looked so angry that i thought i could see sparks crackling from her fingers!" Hermione didn't have the guts to tell him that he had. "She's also quite nimble on her feet, meaning that i get a good defensive practice." Paul flinched as Hermione's fist connected with Embry's stomach.
"Good defense indeed," he commented, shoving the younger boy away as he walked to his imprint, having a look at her swollen hand. "Where does it hurt?" He cradled her hand in both of his, watching as the beginnings of a discolouration began.
"Nowhere," she replied, biting her lip. If she wasn't so obviously in pain, that action would've made him incredibly horny. As it is, his wolf and himself only felt the protectiveness that comes with an injured imprint. Only because he saw her hit Embry was there no instinct to injure or seriously maim the other boy.
"So it doesn't hurt… here?" He prodded her index finger lightly and she yowled in pain. He quickly apologised, kissing both her hand and her face, ignoring the knowing look that Embry was giving him. "I'm sorry, i didn't mean to hurt you. I think you broke it."
"It isn't broken," she told him, knowing from experience (punching Malfoy and punching the wall when she found out about her parents' memory not being returned) that her hand was just swollen and battered.
"You should go to the hospital," he said, pulling her close so that he could kiss her on the lips.
"I'll get Dr Cullen to look at it later," she answered and ignored the responding stiffening that was a result of anger and hatred. "Anyway, i think i've let off enough steam today."
"Next time let me help you with the excess steam that you want to let go of. I have a really good way," he whispered huskily into her ear, his tongue peeking out and licking the shell of her ear.
"What do you mean you won't?" Hermione asked, hands on her hips and her eyes narrowed with anger. "You're my boyfriend, we're meant to go as dates!"
"I am not going to the Cullen's wedding," he responded, his eyes still glued to the television so that he wasn't tempted to look at her and grovel for forgiveness.
"Why do you hate them so much?"
"Just an old family rivalry that dates back years," he replied with the lie that they had all agreed on within the Pack when someone asked. Now though, the use of the lie had the other members sighing or shifting uncomfortably and he couldn't help but wonder if he was digging his own grave.
"Oh, so if it has nothing to do with their diet and immortality then i guess you can overcome a family rivalry to come spend time with me at my cousin's wedding!" His head whipped around so fast that he thought he heard his neck click. "What?"
"How?" he asked and his wolf internally whimpered when he saw the beginnings of anger in her eyes. The human side of Paul was an idiot and an A-class jerk when he acted ignorant and so he plundered on. "How do you know that they're…" His voice carried off into silence, allowing her to interrupt.
"Vampires?" He nodded. "I shouldn't know about them? Oh forgive me my loving wolf changing boyfriend, how on fucking Earth was i not meant to realise that supernatural freakness was out of my mind capacity. I'm clearly a fucking idiot and shouldn't be able to work out certain things for myself."
Paul was definitely grimacing now and he could hear Jacob and Jared conversing on where the bruise would be when she was finished with him.
"I didn't mean that baby," he commented, his voice turning silky and apologetic. She wasn't standing for it.
"Fuck you Lahote." She slammed her cup on the table, hard enough to slosh her coffee onto the surface, and stalked out of the room and then the building. He followed her like a puppy, apologising and trying to grab her hand so he could keep her still. If he really wanted to, he'd have caught her but he didn't want to use force or have another reason for her to be mad at him.
"Embry," she cooed, her own voice taking the tone that she used on him when she wanted to make out. He immediately saw red and if it wasn't for Sam's presence by his shoulder, ordering him not to change, he'd be a raging, growling mass of fur. "Would you help a lady out?"
"One as charming as you? Course 'Mione, what do you need?"
"A date." He paled and Paul felt some satisfaction that the younger boy was scared of the consequences if he complied. "My boyfriend feels like it's okay for a young, supposedly attractive-"
"No supposed about it," Paul interjected.
"Lady to go to her cousin's wedding all by herself. I'd be the laughing stock," she said, ignoring Paul's comment. "If he won't go with me then i'd have to find a date somewhere else, preferably an attractive one so i can show him off a bit to the family i haven't seen in yonks. How about it Embry?"
The boy was silent, looking between her, Paul and Sam before grimacing. "Mione, i'd love to but i'm on Patrols that day."
"So i'll be going on my own?" She asked, and he nodded sadly and awkwardly for her which resulted in a sniffle. He paled dramatically - he hated it when girls cried. He didn't know what to do and at a glare from Paul, he shuffled away, leaving Hermione to cry whilst the Pack turned their attention to anything else whilst secretly staying focused in on their conversation and drama.
"Hermione, sweetie, look at me." She didn't look up, her hair still used as curtains around her face as she sobbed into her hands. He pulled her into his arms with a sigh and pressed a kiss to her head. "Do i need to wear a tie?"
Immediately she stopped crying, wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed him on the cheek. "Yes you do. Thanks babe!"
"You…" She winked at him and he glared back. "You played me."
"'Mione," Charlie said, leaning on the doorframe. "Jake is here." She stiffened immediately, shoved her wand under her pillow before picking up a book and ignoring her Uncle. "Look, kiddo, you can't ignore the bloke forever. Since you've arrived you've fallen out with Bella and now Jake? Am i next?"
"Shall i leave then? I'm clearly causing trouble."
"Hermione you know that isn't what I mean. I just feel like you're taking everything to heart." She pulled up one of her sleeves, her left one, so he could see the scar that was permanently scrawled onto her. The slur that she had to look at every day. He winced and looked away, scratching his stubble. "Yeah I get it, but he's still our family Hermione and would I mind it if you dated him? No, go for it-"
"Woah, woah, woah," she protested, scrunching her face up with disgust. "Me? Date Jacob? Okay, yeah that seems like a great idea. Anyway, i'm dating Paul." Her tone was all the hint that Charlie needed and the Police Chief frowned.
"Did he say something to you about Paul? Did he say something to Paul about you?"
"He just insinuated that i'd get hurt, called me stupid and so on. Embarrassed the pair of us in front of everyone." She crossed her arms in a sulk and Charlie, who was clearly looking uncomfortable, sat down next to her.
"Paul Lahote has a bit of a reputation. He has a quick temper, one hell of an anger and a way with the ladies. Jacob is just looking out for you to make sure you don't get treated like dirt."
"I know that," Hermione replied, leaning her head on her Uncle's shoulder. "I just don't like being treated as the damsel in distress."
"He's not treating you like that at all," Charlie promised. "He's making sure the pair of you know that he will be there to punch a guy's face or to be a shoulder to cry on. He's only caring for you and yeah, he came across wrong but he cares. He's missed you a lot these few years."
Hermione was silent for a few moments before huffing out a breath. "Fine. He can take me out to lunch and buy me ice cream to make up for being a dipstick."
"That's my girl."
"Yo 'Mione," Jared called, whistling and waving his arms like an idiot. Hermione blushed lightly at the attention brought to her but chuckled at his immature ways. The pair had barely spoken - not as much as she had with Embry - but there was definitely the makings of a good friendship.
"Hey 'Mione," Jacob greeted, pulling her into a hug when she grew closer. She made the rounds, greeted the pack and accepted a frosty hello from Leah who then distanced herself immediately. It wasn't the first time she'd been greeted like that and she'd been reassured by everyone that it was just how Leah was - frosty and distant because she was shoved into a really shit life.
Hermione couldn't blame or hate her for that and had vowed to herself to make the walls break some time.
"Where's Paul?" Hermione asked curiously, noticing his absence the moment she'd pulled up but deciding to wait till she'd greeted everyone to not seem desperate or clingy.
"Getting drinks. Some moron packed the cooler and basket with food but decided we should all go thirsty," Jared answered, shoving Quil over before the two started wrestling.
"And here he comes," Sam said, his voice carrying to all wolves (and humans and witch) that were in their little group.
"Oh shit," Seth breathed when he saw that Paul wasn't alone.
"Is that my sister?" Jake questioned but Hermione wasn't listening to them - she was too focused on the way that harlot had her hand on Paul's arm. When she stepped closer to Paul, Hermione cursed and stood up from her seat on a log.
"I can't hear them," Quil complained, shoving Jared off of him.
"Fuck this shit," she breathed, clambering over logs and walking quickly on the rocky beach so that she could make it to flatter ground where she was faster. She didn't run though. She wanted this chick to know that she wasn't too mad. "Hey babe!" Paul's attention was suddenly brought to her and she saw him relax, the stiffness going out of his face as he clearly tried to fight this girl's attention.
"Hermione," he responded, wrapping an arm around her waist as she got close and pulled her into his arms, the bag of drinks resting against her backside. "I haven't done anything, i promise," he whispered into her ear and she reassured him with a kiss on the jaw.
"Rachel, this is my girlfriend, Hermione," Paul said, turning to the other girl who Hermione now recognised as Jacob's sister. The identity reveal doesn't change a thing.
"We've met," Rachel answered, nodding stiffly at the curly haired witch who smiled sweetly back. "How long have you two been together?"
"Only a couple of months," Paul answered back slowly, looking between the two girls with an air of confusion.
"So nothing serious then." Rachel's eyes instantly settled back onto Paul and she smiled sweetly, her eyes supposedly trying to draw him in. Paul tightened his grip on Hermione's waist.
"Go take the drinks to the guys, i'll be there in a minute," Hermione told him, practically ordering and he grasped at the life line to get away quickly, kissing her on the forehead, nodding at Rachel before practically running back. "Rachel Black, what a… pleasure."
"I'd heard you were back," Rachel responded, her lip turning up as if she smelt something foul. "I didn't like you then and i like you even less now that you think you're so great."
Hermione chuckled and patted the older girl on the shoulder in what would look to be a friendly greeting. "I've got a couple of things to say to you and then i'll leave you alone. Promise."
"Go for it," Rachel sighed.
"You made Paul very uncomfortable just now, and clearly couldn't accept that he had a girlfriend. Who knew what you'd been trying to do before you came out of the shop. Now, i'm not one for acting jealous and i'm not doing it now. I'm telling you that if you ever touch Paul again, get into his personal bubble or try to do something to him, i will make your life very painful."
Rachel paled but looked like she was about to protest. Hermione cut her off. "I was bullied in my boarding school for the first year, the rest of the six years, i was left alone." Okay, a lie but Rachel wasn't going to find out the truth. "Shall we test how i managed that?"
The two girls stared at each other, Hermione with a calm and pissed off gaze whilst Rachel's was both calculating and cautious. Yeah, she better be cautious.
"Dont force myself onto him, don't suggest a relationship with me is better, don't touch him," Rachel repeated.
"Perfect! See you around," Hermione grinned, waving at the older girl who practically scurried away. She dusted her hands clean of theoretical dirt and turned to face the way that the gang were to be greeted by a bunch of staring faces. She recalled, with some relief, that Quil couldn't hear from that far away and though they could've moved closer, she could tell they hadn't.
She walked quickly back and ignored the applauding, whistles or snarky comments made, her eyes focused on Paul who stood to greet her and their lips clashed in a fiery kiss. "You're mine," she breathed, her hand clenched in his hair. "You better remember that." She kissed him roughly and he held her body close to him.
"Yours," he breathed when she finally let him go for air.
"Your place," she mumbled and he immediately dragged her away.
Quil looked at Embry when they were sat eating their lunch, two extra plates of food and drinks being eyed by everyone wolf as they tried to decide who would have first dibbs. His face though, wasn't one of hunger, more one of -
"Oh SHIT!" Quil shouted, dropping his plate to the floor and grabbing his friend by the shoulders. "Who is she?" Embry winced.
"You imprinted?" Sam asked, smiling proudly like a father. Imprinting was weird and for nearly all of his pack to be imprinted was impressive. "On who?"
Embry looked guiltily at Jacob who stared back, patiently waitiing for an answer before realisation dawned on his face. "You mother fucker! My sister?!"
"What's good here?" Hermione asked, looking at the menu as she sat opposite Paul. He shifted in his seat.
"Why would I know? I don't take all my dates here, why would you think that?" Hermione looked up at him, smirking with amusement. When he looked at her and saw that she was trying not to laugh at him, he relaxed slightly. "The bolognese is good and so is the paella. I prefer the steak myself." To which she replied with an eye roll.
After the two placed their order, Hermione spoke. "You know, my boarding school was out in the countryside, away from practically all civilization and we could only get there by train. There was a village nearby, within walking distance, and obviously we had the people who lived there but also those who worked in the couple of pubs, restaurants and shops."
"What are you getting at?" He asked confusedly.
"We were allowed to go every now and again, typically once a fortnight but in such a short town, there were only so many date places." Paul smiled softly, finally understanding her point.
"Do you mind it though? It was last minute because the Pack called as i was about to book our reservations somewhere else and i completely forgot and -"
"You don't have to take me out to fancy restaurants all the time. I do like crap take-away food and movies you know." He grinned and leaned over the table, kissing her soundly on the lips.
"You're perfect for me."
"Which is something you say to everyone," a high-pitched drawl commented. The girl who interrupted the couple was what Hermione would call, 'Parkinson Trashy'. The girl was clearly confident in her looks and body but portrayed it wrong, wearing short and tight clothes that weren't made for sensibility or for small towns where everyone knows everyone. She also plastered her face in make-up which led Hermione to wonder whether she dunked her face in a bucket every morning or not.
"Hayley, what a surprise," Paul greeted, gritting his teeth and drinking a huge gulp of his beer.
"I see you've found a new fling," she responded, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder and sending a wave of cheap perfume Hermione's way. "Clearly not as pretty as me but I guess you have to make do."
Paul frowned with anger and opened his mouth to defend her but she shook her head. She didn't want to get kicked out for something so petty.
"My new baby is better than you as well, so I win doubly I guess," Hermione followed Hayley's arm where she waved in a general direction of some tables. She didn't look though, still focused on Paul.
"The guy with the leather jacket and tattoos?" Hermione asked and received an affirmative hum. "The one who just walked outside?"
"Bringing the car round," Hayley replied snootily.
"With your waitress?"
"WHAT?" Hayley screeched, whirling round and stalking to the front doors of the small diner. "JOEY!" Hermione snickered and thanked their own waitress as their dinners were laid before them. Barbie girl Hayley had moved her attentions from Paul to her own cheating boyfriend and left the couple alone.
"She was a mistake," Paul offered as the start of a conversation.
"Obviously," Hermione snorted. "But we all have mistakes in our past. As long as we don't make them in our future with each other, then we should be fine."
"Future with each other?" Paul asked, biting back a grin. "I can't wait."
Dear Ginny,
Three dates i've had with Paul. Three.
He's amazing.
I want to keep him. Can i keep him? I plan on keeping him.
I've never felt or even heard of this connection before Gin, it both thrills and worries me. I have no control over anything! My magic has started to show signs of connecting with him, the comfortability it holds for him is strange so soon. My heart thuds dramatically every time i even think of him.
He could be it for me.
He is it for me.
Love,
Hermione
You all astound me with your responses to this story. I'm still getting notifications of new followers and favourites, like, wow.. I did manage the 3,000 worded chapter for you as a sorry and it also helped me with my muse meaning I now have one less chapter to write before I can finally crack onto where my muse is impatiently sitting (yes I still have a lot to write to get there though). I've read this story so far over a few times and I've picked up on numerous mistakes - mainly SPaG and my American/British wordings. I find this really difficult to balance, one because i'm British but two, Hermione is as well meaning that though the setting is in America, she isn't going to speak the same way. This is something I plan to balance and deal with and I've only had a couple of people comment on it but for now i'm sticking with it the way I am and i'll come back at one point to touch it all up and make it perfect.
Please Review! We're almost at the 200 mark!