Chapter 15
Rachel's heart skipped a beat when she saw Paul as he stepped into the diner. She'd been waiting for him patiently and had known she would see him soon, but still seeing him took her off guard. He was the sexiest man she knew, and he was hers.
It annoyed her that two of her friends sitting here with her had also slept with Paul and therefore knew him more intimately than she would want them to. But she couldn't wait to be able to tell them that Paul Lahote was HER man. She couldn't do it just yet. It would look odd if she said Paul was hers when he refused to look at her. It hurt her that he behaved that way. She couldn't understand why he hated her so much.
But it would change. Dad and Old Quil had told her that Paul would change his mind after giving in to the pull; he would surely start to feel soon and fall in love with her. They've told her he would start feeling sick, and his wolf would lose his strength if he didn't accept the imprint.
It didn't look like that just now, though. Paul walked past them and looked as hot and sexy as ever, not like he was suffering.
All the girls sighed at the sight of him. Rachel felt her ladybits tingle while checking him out, flashes from their night together coming back to her. He was a sight to behold in his tight black t-shirt and low-hanging jeans. He had grown muscle mass after phasing, and the tattoo on his bicep made him look a bit dangerous. So deliciously dangerous. As he ran his hand through his thick ink-black hair, his t-shirt's hem rose a little revealing part of that achingly sexy V. When Paul said something to one of the customers that made the customer laugh, his dark low voice made her shiver. It was full of raw sexual power.
"Oh my God, I could eat him," Olivia sighed.
"He's by far the best fuck I've ever had," Simone continued looking dreamily after him. "It's a shame he never fucks anybody twice. Not since he dumped that one bitch over two years ago."
"Mine too," Olivia added.
Rachel fumed. How dared they? Paul was hers!
"Oh, haven't you heard?" Janice asked.
"Heard what?" Olivia and Simone asked, and they turned their attention to Janice since the target of their admiration had disappeared to the kitchen.
"He's dating now, that violinist girl—the one whose uncle lives in that big house by the beach. I've seen them a few times around the Res. She is gorgeous. They make such a cute couple," Janice told them.
"He is? Damn. She's one lucky girl," Simone sighed.
Rachel wanted to scream. He might be dating that pale face bitch now, but soon he would be hers. But it was better to keep her mouth shut for now. Let them drool after him, and when she finally would be able to introduce him as her boyfriend, soon-to-be husband, they would all be so envious. Every woman in the Res and the whole state of Washington, hell in the entire country, would be jealous of her.
Rachel couldn't understand what Paul saw in that pale howkat. There was no way a shapeshifter, protector of the tribe, HER tribe, would be satisfied with such a mousy pale face. It must be that the bitch had bewitched Paul. Milly had told her she couldn't even have children. Whereas Rachel was able to have children and unfortunately knew it first-hand, she had had an abortion when she was 17. No one knew about it, and Rachel would keep it that way. It had been a very dark time in her life, and she rather didn't remember it. But she would be a mother to Paul's children, and they would have many babies together.
"I wonder how he is still here," Janice interrupted her, daydreaming. "Why he's not with her in Seattle. My father is a friend of Patrick Swan, her uncle, and he told him that Bella, the girl, is playing in the orchestra there. Next year she will move to New York if she takes the position offered there. Surely Paul would want to go to the Big Apple with her."
Oh, Rachel didn't know that. Well, it was getting better and better. Paul was unable to leave the Res, and if that bitch was moving to the other side of the country, she would be away, making it all the easier for her. Not that she intended to wait that long. Paul would be hers soon if it was up to her.
"What do you care about that bitch," Rachel asked.
Janice looked at her frowning. "Why wouldn't I care. I've once been to a concert where she played, and she was very good even then, at the age of 16. I love it when people make their dreams come true and are successful in their life, especially young women. It makes me feel good."
"Whatever," Rachel huffed. "Maybe something or someone is holding him here," she said and bit her lip not to blurt out who that someone might be.
"It's hard to believe, though. His parents are dead, and he doesn't have any other relatives here, as far as I know. A man like that doesn't belong here," Simone said.
That was exactly what she'd been thinking about herself before: she didn't belong here. But it had all changed when Paul had imprinted on her. She would gladly abandon all her personal goals and dreams if it meant having Paul to herself. It would be a small price to pay; she'd been in love with him for as long as she could remember.
She had thought that when she had finally been able to seduce Paul to have sex with her, they would become a couple. But how wrong she'd been. Paul hadn't wanted her; he had even laughed at her face humiliating her. But she still loved him. She'd forgiven him and would forget everything once they started their life together. The imprint would make Paul love her dad had said so. She wished it wouldn't take long. She wanted him so bad.
She hoped to see Paul one more time, but he stayed in the kitchen, and soon they all had to go. They'd been in the diner too long already, and the waitress was giving them subtle hints that they would need their table for the next customers. Rachel had heard from her friends that people came from afar to eat Paul's food; it was so good. Ah, better and better, soon he would be cooking for her.
Paul was fucking tired. He'd been working extra hours at the diner and ran extra patrols so he would have time off when Bella was home. She would be in his arms tomorrow night. He couldn't fucking wait. The last two weeks had been the longest in his life. They were going to stay mainly at her place. He really needed to get away from this hell hole. There hadn't been many leeches around lately, so Sam could let him go for a few days. Thank fuck for that.
The pressure in his chest had gotten somewhat stronger when Bella had been away, but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. He'd also noticed that having something of hers that had her scent helped him. His bed was, of course, full of her scent, and he also kept her t-shirt as a pillowcase, so needless to say, time spent in his bed was the best for him while she was away. He hadn't changed his sheets in three weeks because he couldn't sleep without her scent, so to get fresh linen on his bed, he needed her to his bed before she went back to Seattle. The thought of having her under him, all flushed and moaning his name, made him instantly hard. Tomorrow night couldn't come fast enough.
He had just ended his patrol and was going to Sam's for a pack meeting. He hated the meetings. The bitch was always there with the other imprints. Looking at him, always staring. It made him hate her even more. Paul had asked Sam if they could have their pack meetings without the imprints, but Sam wouldn't change their ways because he didn't want to be close to Rachel.
Paul couldn't understand why the imprints had to be around all the fucking time. Weren't they supposed to be doing something for themselves, like having a life? Didn't they have other friends to hang out with and other things to do than cooking and baking for their mates and laughing at their brainless jokes.
He would never want Bella to abandon her dreams and aspirations because of him. It was bad enough that he had no other choice than stay in this shit hole. Paul was so fucking proud of her, even though her passion took her away from him so often. It was fucking hard, but he wanted it for her.
He had run into Mark earlier this week. Mark had once seen Paul and Bella together, but he was so fucking ashamed about what he had done to her, so instead of talking to them, he had turned around and walked away.
But this time, they had a chat, and Mark said he was happy for them. He had loved Bella at one time, but he could see how much better she was with Paul. She had looked so much happier with Paul than ever with him.
Mark had congratulated him for having an amazing woman. He confessed that if Bella hadn't been away so much, he had never done what he did. He had been so jealous of her playing, and the time she spent everywhere else but with him that he had gone a bit mad and screwed up big time.
Paul had asked Mark if he knew anything about Edward, but Mark had only heard his name once or twice. Bella had never given him any reason to be jealous of any other guys. It was just her passion for playing. Paul could understand Mark better now how he had felt, not what he had done. It wasn't easy to be in love with Isabella Swan.
Paul went inside and heard that the house was full again. Both wolves and the imprints were there, which meant the bitch would be there too. He sighed and stepped into the kitchen.
"Hi Paul," the bitch said, battering her eyelashes to him.
He nodded to her and went to sit as far from her as possible.
"How was it there?" Brady asked.
"No trails, nothing. It is fucking boring to run around without any action," Paul said and took the beer Colin brought him.
"Cheers," Paul thanked him.
Brady and Colin had kinda taken his side on this imprinting shit. Not that he wanted anybody to take sides, this was his battle, no one else's. But the twins seemed to admire him for his determination, and he'd seen in their minds: that they had a little crush on Bella. Poor sods, it wasn't easy to be a 15-year-old.
"Yeah, it's been like that for now," Brady said.
"Food is ready," Emily yelled, and everybody who had been in the living room rushed to the kitchen.
It was always chaos when everybody tried to have their share of food as soon as possible. They were all such idiots.
"Paul, why don't you ever talk to me?" The bitch had come to stand by him.
For fuck's sake.
"There is nothing to say," Paul answered and hoped she would leave it. He didn't want to be rude, there was no need for that, and he didn't need any more trouble from Sam or the elders, so he had decided to be civil but only if she let him alone.
"But Paul, you know it's not true. We are destined to be together. We should at least try to get to know each other," she said with the whiny voice he so hated. Everybody in the kitchen had stopped fooling around and was listening to them. Fucking great.
"I don't want to be a dick. Be smart and stop right there. We will never be together, never. Do I have to spell it out for you?" Paul said.
"But Paul..."
"There are no fucking buts, Rachel," Paul spat her name, "I'm with Bella, and you should respect that. Nothing will ever change the fact that I love Bella. I rather die than be with you."
Fuck he over-did it again, and sure enough, the bitch gasped and burst into tears. Milly came to her and hugged her, looking at him with hate in her eyes. Rachel detached herself from Milly's hug and ran out of the house. Stupid bitch. He would feel sorry for her if he didn't hate her.
"Goddamn Paul, that was uncalled for," Sam said.
"No fucking way it wasn't. She asked for it. She knows how I feel, and I don't have to listen to that bullshit. Why the fuck does she has to be here anyway? I don't want to be an asshole to her, but no fucking way, I'm starting to act like I fucking care about her. I don't, and I ever will."
"You truly are a fucking asshole," Milly said.
"Like I give a damn what you think about me," Paul sneered at her.
"That is my sister you are talking about," Jacob got up and came to face him. He'd grown; he was almost his height.
"Yeah, Baby Alpha, that is your fucking sister. Maybe you could practice your leadership skills and talk some sense into her head. I will never have her," Paul spat.
"You son of a bitch..." Jacob grabbed Paul's shirt, and Paul was ready to punch, but Sam interrupted them.
"Stop it, both of you," Sam shouted. "Let's eat, and after that, we can talk through this coming week. Okay."
Paul huffed and left Jacob standing on his spot to get some food. He had almost lost his appetite, but he was starving, and the beef casserole smelled good.
He had just finished eating when the phone rang. Sam answered it and talked for a while. Paul could hear as every wolf in the kitchen that it was Billy Black, very pissed Billy Black.
"Paul, you are needed in Black's house," Sam said to him.
"Why the fuck for?"
"Chief didn't say, but you can probably guess."
Paul got up and took his plate to the sink. He thanked Emily for the food and left the house.
He would probably get a verbal bashing from the chief, but maybe it was about time they had this discussion. It was wrong that Billy Black made his daughter believe that he could ever be with his daughter. He was starting to get tired of being treated like a kid. He was a fucking grown man and didn't need anybody to tell him what he wanted from his life.
Chief Black's house was just down the road from Sam's. He jogged to the house, wanting to get this over soon.
He knocked. Billy was already behind the door, and he opened it. He certainly looked pissed.
"Young-Lahote, come inside," Billy Black motioned him to come inside.
"I don't like to see my baby girl upset and crying," he said.
"I'm not enjoying making her cry, but she has no respect for me and my relationship with Bella. I don't have to listen to her delusional stories about us becoming a couple. It won't happen, ever." Paul had decided to talk his mind and not to smooth things over.
"You are hurting my daughter when you're not accepting her."
"With due respect, chief Black, your daughter is causing the suffering herself. She is too selfish to let me go, which is why she is hurting."
If the look could kill, he would be dead.
"Do you realize that you are denying my daughter the possibility to live young and healthy alongside a worthy spirit warrior?"
Oh spirits, not this shit again. Paul tried not to show his irritation on his face, though he didn't want to piss him off any more than was necessary.
"She is a daughter of the chief of this tribe, and she is entitled to be honored as one. You are being disrespectful by denying her..."
Was he for real? It was getting harder and harder to hold his tongue.
"...You know that if you continue to phase, you will stay young, whereas your chosen mate will grow old. You will see her die while you stay young. Whereas my daughter as your imprint would stay by your side, young and beautiful, giving you many children..."
Watch it, old man. One word about Bella's ability to have children, and he was outta here
Luckily Billy left the topic there, probably sensing he would have stepped over the line.
"...Loving and honoring you as her mate. It is as it should be. Long and happy life with your imprint."
Had he finished? Paul took a deep breath.
"Chief Black, if I would spend only one day with Bella, I would be happier than I would be for a lifetime with your daughter. I don't love her, and I never will. It is wrong of you to tell her otherwise. Surely you want her to be with someone who loves her. My imprint bond with her isn't the same as it is for the rest of the pack with theirs. My wolf and I have chosen our mate, and she is Bella, not your daughter. And we will find a way to break the imprint. I can promise you that."
Billy Black grimaced at his words.
"You are young, arrogant, and have no respect for forces higher than you. You will see that you cannot fight the pull or break the imprint. It will get stronger, and once it does, you will see where your destiny lies. It is with MY daughter."
They stayed quiet for a while, staring at each other. You could hear a pin drop.
"Can I go now?" Paul interrupted the silence. He needed to get out.
Chief nodded, and Paul left the house.
Paul was confused. Nothing made sense anymore. Why would Billy Black want his daughter to be with a man who didn't love her? It must be against all the parental instincts, but still, Billy Black was adamant that he and Rachel should be together. Why? It was sick.
AN:
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