A/N: Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! Please don't hate me for not updating for so long 😊 I hope you enjoy this chapter, cheers 😊
"When in doubt, go to the library," was a piece of advice Kim could support wholeheartedly. And boy, was she in doubt. She found herself rummaging through the history and mythology section of the school library, but she was yet to find anything, other than the one book of Quileute legends, that could shed any light on the werewolf matter.
Was it possible that Paul, stubborn, rude, smartass Paul, would fall into the trap of people worshipping… well, anything really? Jared seemed like an even less likely candidate; he was popular, well-adjusted and loved, which didn't seem like the sort of person that could be lured into a cult. And what about the Cold Ones? What were they supposed to represent? Mythology was a way for people in the old days to explain the things they didn't know about, like rain or thunder, she got that. But the Cold Ones? Could they be a representation of the settlers coming to claim Quileute land?
"Found anything?" Doris, the elderly librarian, waddled over and smiled at Kim.
"No, not really," Kim sighed. "Doris, do you happen to know anything about the Cold Ones from our legends?"
"Well, when I was a little girl, my mother used to scare me and my sister when we were naughty and didn't want to go to bed," Doris chuckled. "She said that the Cold Ones roam around in the night and try to snatch any late-night travelers or naughty children they catch out of bed."
"So, they are monsters? Like the bogeyman?"
"Well, kind of. My mother usually described them as… Well, if I remember correctly, they were always deceptively beautiful."
"That's odd," Kim frowned.
"Oh, yes. But my mother loved telling stories, so it's possible she added that part for a little drama. My sister adored the one about how Taha Aki's sons turned into wolves in order to protect the tribe. Although I'm pretty sure my mother garnished that one as well," Doris chuckled again.
"Wolves, huh?" Suddenly, Kim felt very hot and her neck was itchy. Was it possible that- no, she couldn't let her imagination run wild. People don't change into animals. They don't change into anything.
"My mother used to say that our people would be safe as long as the wolves were looking after us," Doris said with wistful smile. "Anyway, I'll leave you to it, sweetheart; if you need anything, I'll be at my desk."
"Thanks," Kim mumbled.
Kim was still mindlessly sorting through some books, when a familiar voice said, "Well, that was a nice story."
"Were you actually eavesdropping, Jared?" she huffed.
"I might have," he smiled, completely unabashed. "So, this is your hiding place, huh?"
"Oh, is this your first time in the library? It's a powerful experience, don't let it overwhelm you," she taunted.
"No, it's actually my second. So, the joke's on you. I accidentally came in here when we were freshmen, because I thought it was the storage. Had my dumb jock mind blown by all the knowledge," he teased back.
"Why are you here?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, am I not allowed to take out a book from the school library? At the school where I'm a student? Are you going to deny my rights to have a proper education, Kim? Are you the book police?" His tone was mock serious, but his eyes were smiling and finally it transferred to his lips. Kim stopped herself from smiling back.
"You're such a dork," she mumbled.
"Takes one to know one."
"Yeah, but you're hiding that you're a dork, so that's way worse. I've been a dork my whole life. I've embraced my true nature."
He let out a burst of laughter and an annoyed "Shhhh!" came from the direction of Doris' desk. Kim snorted quietly.
"Oh, you think that's funny?" he smirked at her. "Really, Kim, it's not cool that you're being so loud," he practically shouted, grinning like the jerk he was. "Some of us are trying to study!"
Kim gasped and threw a book at him. "You're such a jerk," she hissed through her teeth.
"I thought that I was a dork," he smirked and then shouted, "Oh, and now you're destroying school property. For shame!" He was barely containing his laughter.
"It's not funny, stop it!" Kim bit her lip, trying to stop herself from laughing too. Then, she heard Doris coming over so she quickly picked up her things and hurried to the door, Jared following closely behind. They zigzagged through the aisles of books, hiding from Doris. At one point, Jared gently put his hand on her mid back, leading her out and Kim's whole body broke out in goosebumps. Even through her sweater she could feel how warm his hand was. She moved away.
"Sorry," he mumbled and moved his hand.
When they were out, he took out a book from his backpack and handed it to her.
"Like I promised."
She glanced at the book and returned it immediately. It was the one with Quileute legends.
"I have it."
"Oh? Well, great. Have you read it, by any chance?"
"I have."
"Oh. Cool. Coolcoolcool. And... what did you think?"
"I thought, no, I think that you and Paul are involved in something incredibly stupid and probably dangerous, and I can't for the life of me understand why. I also think you're trying to get me to join you. Why is that? Do I seem like a good candidate, like an emotionally labile loner who would join anything just to be a part of a group? Well, that's where you're wrong. I-"
"Hold up, hold up, please," he raised his arms in surrender. "What exactly do you think we're doing?"
"I don't want to guess or say anything. I just want you to leave me alone."
"Please. Humor me."
There was no one in the hallway, but she still turned around to check and lowered her voice to a whisper.
"A cult. You're obsessed with werewolves or something. Frankly, I really don't want to guess."
He stared at her for a couple of seconds, completely speechless. Then he rubbed his hand over his face.
"Wow. I did not see this coming. Well, this was a bad idea. God. Ok. First of all, I don't think you're an "emotionally"- whatever, and I never did. I think you're cool and I'm sorry we didn't hang out before. But I would like to change that, if you're up for it. Second, Paul and I, we're not in a cult, OK? We don't worship anything. We're just trying to protect the tribe."
"From what, the Cold Ones?" she snorted and he flinched. His face paled a little.
"I can't really.. this is not the place to- I would need to explain this to you in private," he mumbled.
"Like where? There's no one here," she countered.
"Somewhere no one can hear us, not even by accident. I can't take that chance."
"If you think I'm going anywhere alone with you, then you're delusional."
"I drove you home a couple of days ago. We were alone then, how is this any different?"
"Well, I didn't think you were a cult member a couple of days ago, so."
His face fell but he nodded. "What if Paul comes along and tells you everything?"
"You know, my grandma has this saying: If you don't believe me, ask my brother, the liar, he's bound to tell you the truth. That's what I think about Paul coming along. Look, Jared, if you two want to ruin your lives, I can't really stop you, but don't drag me into it."
"Aren't you at least a little bit curious?"
"I'm more scared than curious."
"There's nothing to be scared of; we would never hurt you. I would never hurt you," he said and fished out a piece of paper out of his pocket.
"Look, I'm not going to force anything. Because, clearly that was a mistake. But if you change your mind, here's my number. Phone me if you need any help or just want to chat or anything really," he started walking away but then he stopped and turned.
"We are trying to do the right thing. We really are."
His face looked so tired and sincere that she almost went after him. Almost.
Paul laughed his ass off the next day during lunch when Jared told him about Kim's cult idea.
"Man, you gotta love Connweller's paranoid brain, you know? Honestly, it's not the worst theory I've heard about us. It might be the best one so far, actually."
"It doesn't change the fact that she thinks we're dangerous, Paul."
"We are dangerous."
"Yeah… But not really, though. We are more… useful than dangerous."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, man."
"I feel like I never do sleep anymore. We are either patrolling or at school. Yesterday, I almost fell asleep while eating, like a baby. I hope these guys change soon," he nodded towards the table where Embry Call and his friends were sitting.
"I can't wait for that little piece of shit to finally burst," Paul growled, glaring daggers at Embry. "I'm going to put my fist through his dumbass face."
"Will you chill out a bit? Jesus."
"What, I said I would wait until he shifts, didn't I? I think that's fair."
"Better help me do something about Kim."
"Oh my God, will you cut the mopey crap and grow a pair already? Just take her somewhere private and show her. Jesus, I didn't talk this much about Connweller even when I hung out with Connweller every day."
"I can't wait for the day you imprint, you dumb fuck. I'm going to give you so much shit when you become the mopey one."
"No, you won't, because that's never going to happen. I'm never going to imprint."
"Yeah, well, it's not really your decision."
"I can deny the imprint, no one can force me to except it."
"Oh, you poor, delusional bastard," Jared chuckled, shaking his head. "You try that, let me know what happens."
"You don't think I can do it?"
"I don't think anyone can. This isn't like anything I've felt, ever. Even if I could fight it, I'm not sure I would ever want to."
"I don't know man. The thought of being so tied up and my whole life revolving around a single person… It's just weird."
"Isn't that what everyone wants to find? A soul mate ?"
"Not everyone. I'd like to keep my options open. I'd like to be able to choose. Whatever, let's drop the sissy talk. Let's focus," Paul grumbled.
"On what? What are we doing?"
"We're making a plan and we're telling Connweller everything tonight because I can't listen to your whining anymore."
"I don't think so, man, I told her I would back off," Jared scratched the back of his neck.
"Well, I didn't. We're doing this together or I'm doing it alone, take your pick."
"I already don't like this plan," Jared sighed.