Hi! I hope that everyone is doing well, and I hope that everyone enjoys this one. It's a bit longer than the other chapters, and I have found that writing in Paul's POV is easier than writing from my own characters -_-
This chapter is important to see Paul's personality, some of his issues, and the way he's going to act towards Danny in the future. I kind of think that I made him sound like a toxic ass, but I'm not totally sure. I didn't really mean to. I think that he just needs to get a better grasp on his emotions and his wolfy instincts. I really liked writing the way he thinks, so I cranked this chapter out in like, half a day.
I'm going to try and have an update routine, but honestly, sometimes I get distracted, or writer's block, or way too into it and pull all-nighters just to work on things (which is what I did with this chapter. I kind of had to adapt to his thought process so that I could make it to my liking, and I couldn't just stop).
Hope you all enjoy it! Any critiques, comments, questions, or you see any grammatical errors, please tell me ;)
{Pauls POV}
"Paul, get your ass up."
My left eye peeks open ever so slightly, taking in the view of a very pissed looking alpha. I can't hold back my growl, but his glare gets me sitting up on the couch positioned in the middle of his living room.
"What?" I snap, giving him my dirtiest look.
Sam sighs impatiently, rubbing his brow in exasperation. "You're late for school."
"What?" I repeat, more conversationally confused this time. Tapping his foot on the ground, Sam scowls.
"I told you last night, you're going to school, just like the rest of the pack."
Moaning in disappointment, I recline into the cushiony pillows on the back of the dark brown couch. "I thought you were kidding…" I grumble. He laughs humorlessly.
"No, I definitely was not. Now get off your ass and get going. You're already late," he says, turning away, before muttering, "lucky I woke you up at all. I oughta just give you extra patrols."
His mention of extra patrols has me leaping to my feet and rushing to the door, passing the kitchen doorway where Emily is trying out a new muffin recipe. "Bye Em!" I call as I hurry out of the door.
Climbing into my truck, I run a hand through my hair before pulling out of the driveway, trying to get the mussed up hair at least somewhat presentable. Not that it matters. Girls tend to trip over themselves to get some recognition from me. I doubt a little bedhead would deter them from wanting to experience a night of delight, which I am well known for.
Parking in an empty spot, I slide out of my truck, stepping into a puddle and splashing muddy water onto the bottoms of my jeans. My head tilts back as I groan in utter annoyance. First I'm woken up by a pissed off alpha, already halfway through the first period of school. Then he actually forces me to come. Now I have wet ankles. This totally blows. I didn't think that I would literally have to go to school today. My attendance has been so bad that I've forgotten that it's normally mandatory, and I, along with the rest of the pack, have the councils favor.
The parking lot is desolate of all people, just packed with the run down, less than stellar condition cars. Wooden steps creak under my weight as I go up them, entering through the school's front door. Silence. The halls are silent. For anyone that doesn't have my superior hearing. But I can hear all of the teachers speaking, all of the minute sounds from all of the classrooms. Rustling papers. Tapping pencils. Buzzing fluorescent LED lights. It's incredibly annoying, adding to my already foul mood.
Miraculously, I still remember my schedule, and the school isn't that hard to find your way around. English with Mrs. Ellery, room 28. Her ear-piercing voice is audible from all the way on the other end of the hall. I wouldn't be surprised if she uses that horrible voice of hers to chew me out for my oh-so-amazing performance in school.
"Oh! Mr. Lahote!" Just as expected. How do I predict these things so easily? That Alice girl's got nothing on me. "It's so nice of you to join us, we've missed you the last month and a half." The scowl on my face hardly deters her from her bitching. Snickers and quiet laughing fill the room, students finding her little joke amusing. Biting back a growl, I glare at all of the kids sitting at their desks.
My eyes connect with one in particular. She's leaning over her desk, head propped up on her hand, looking at me apathetically. Everything else blurs out. All of my senses focus on her and only her. I feel my face relaxing from its typical glower, my bad mood melting away in an instant. Her hazel eyes, half-closed, enticing my attention further into their grasp. Pale skin, a stark contrast to the rest of the russet skinned students filling the room. Dark blonde hair, falling down to her shoulders, a fringe of bangs brushing just bellow her eyebrows and into her eyes. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I can feel everything else detaching. My bonds, my relationships. Like a knot of balloons being released, floating away, while the only one left belonging to this young woman that I don't even know the name of.
How long I stood there, I have no clue. She glances to her side, breaking eye contact, but I still stare, taking in her profile. Soft jawline, skin that looks so smooth. Oh, what I would give to be able to hold her. Feel that skin beneath my hands, my lips, my tongue. Ooooooh I desperately want, no need a taste of her. She looks delicious.
A loud throat-clearing finally breaks my attention away from this perfect woman. I scowl at the witch of a woman. How dare she distract me from the only thing that matters? She gestures towards the empty desk in the corner of the room, right next to the windows.
Once I'm seated, I go right back to staring at her. My thoughts are a mess of scrambling, half intelligible words and emotions. The wolf inside of me goes feral, base instinct mixing with my regular thoughts.
Mine. She's mine. Imprint. Everything. I'll give her anything and everything. Need. Need. Must have. Gorgeous. Perfect. Mine.
Class passes by quickly, hardly even noticeable for me, my rapt attention focusing solely on this wonderful enigma. I want to know everything about her. Likes, dislikes, wants, desires, secrets.
When the bell rings, she stands up. I get a glimpse of the rest of her. She's short. Tiny in comparison to the average woman. Compared to me, the height difference would be almost humorous. That just means I have to make sure this amazing, tiny girl is well protected. Even in her baggy sweatshirt, the swelling of her chest is noticeable. With my expertise in mostly everything concerning the womanly body, I'd roughly estimate she's a D-cup. To be properly determined on a later date, I'll make sure of it. She's curvy. Full hips. Really nice ass. The feeling of want just increases the more I stare at her.
She walks out of the class with a boy. Jealousy rushes through my body, my heightened body temperature rising further. I can't help but make an assessment of this guy, sizing him up, securing my preconceived notion of his unworthiness. He's tall, nowhere near me or any of the others in the packs' height, but to my little imprint, he's a giant. Near a foot, I'd say. Man, I'd be absolutely massive if I stood next to her. I'd have to kneel to be at eye level with her. The boy is lanky, skinny. I could snap him like a toothpick. His looks are pretty average. I'm obviously the better choice in attractiveness. But I'm sure that my little imprint isn't shallow. That just means I have to win her affections. Show her that I'm better in every aspect.
I follow the two out of the room, hanging back a reasonable distance. The thought of being separated from her is causing the feeling of anxiety to crawl up from my stomach. She and the boy go in different ways when she goes into a classroom. Yes. Yes! Math with Ms. Stuart. I won't have to leave her. I can make sure she's okay. She's safe. Always.
My little imprint sits down in a seat towards the back. I sit a few rows away, farther behind. It's a perfect view of her. That silky smooth hair. I don't even notice Quil sitting next to me, leaning his head on his arms to take a short nap. Almost immediately after the class starts, she's slouching over her desk, eyes fluttering shut. That's not good. She should focus. I have to make sure that she does good. How will she do well if she isn't paying attention? Oh sweet, sweet girl. It's okay. I can ask Kim to tutor her. I'll do it myself. Though I doubt I'd be much help… but I will do anything to assist her. But she does look absolutely adorable sitting there, eyes closed, relaxed. Her indifferent facial expression is swapped out with one of peace.
Thinking about her, I start to feel a bit of panic bubbling within me. I know that I have an intimidating aura. I can be scary. The fact that people haven't dared to bother me since I was in seventh grade attests to that. What if I scare her? What if she doesn't want to be with me because of all of the girls that I have been with? No, she's my soulmate. She will probably feel compelled to be around me. It's not possible for an imprint to refuse the bond for too long. Emily got mauled by Sam, and yet they're happily engaged. No imprint has resisted long. She can't be any different. I'll just have to think this through. Talk to my alpha about the best way to approach her. My heartbeat increases. What if this doesn't work out like the rest? She's different. She's amazing. She's unique, clearly. I can feel it. I'm different. That much has been apparent from the thoughts of the other guys to mine. I'm hotheaded. More than the others. Dominating. What if she doesn't like that? What if she wants a gentle, sensitive guy? I'm not that. Not at all. I'm sure that's when the imprinting magic comes in. She can't just hate what most of my personality is based on, right?
The class goes by. I'm delighted to find that she has the same third period as me. Culinary. We'll have partners at some point. I can be her partner. I should be her partner. We can cook together. I can prove how I can treat her well. Cooking for her. The wolf inside of me purrs at the very thought. Care for her. Love her. She deserves it. Of course she does. She deserves everything.
Fourth period comes. I have to leave her. I have gym. She goes somewhere else. Should I follow her? Make sure she gets to her class alright? Yeah. Yeah, I should. Keep her safe. Make sure nothing happens.
She has biology. Biology. No. Not good. Chemicals, science experiments. What if she gets hurt? They have those fiery thingies. She can get burnt. Oh, precious, sweet little imprint. If she gets hurt I will personally beat the crap out of that teacher. Mr. Phillips. A man. No. A male teacher. What if he takes advantage of her? He can ruin her grade. Or force her into something. She's tiny. She won't be able to fight back. No. She'll be fine. She'll be fine, he's a teacher, he's a nice guy. If he does anything he will be thrown in jail. I'll make sure of it. After I beat him half to death. No, wait. That can get me in jail. I can't leave her. If I have a criminal record I won't be able to have a good job, won't be able to take care of her. Must take care of her. Must.
A good job means I need good grades. Good grades. I need to work on that. Tutors. We can get tutors together. Help each other. I'll make her proud. I need to get to gym. Mrs. Dyer won't be happy if I'm late. That can hurt my grade. I need to get good grades. Must take care of her.
I can't focus. We're playing volleyball. Thoughts of her safety run around my head. Is she okay? What if a man talks to her? Touches her? I will kill him. Easy fix. No. Wait. Can't. Can't risk it. No trouble. Or at least as minimal trouble as possible. I can show I'm dominant over these men. Stronger. Better. More capable of keeping her safe. Make her proud. Show how my instincts make me superior.
Before I know it, gym is over. Lunch. Everyone has the same lunch period. I need to get to her. See if she's okay.
I rush to get changed from my gym uniform, and I nearly sprint to get to the cafeteria. I sit down at our regular table. People start to filter into the room, sitting down. The pack arrives and settles at our table. Well, packs. Jacob hasn't renounced his position as alpha, and neither has Sam. We're on good terms, thankfully. I get a few strange looks from the guys, but they don't pay me much mind. The boy that she was walking with before sits down at a table full of other boys. They start to argue about something. Star wars? So they're nerds. Great. Perfect. I have a much more alluring personality than some geek.
My imprint sits down at their table. She didn't get any food. Is she eating well? Her figure would suggest so, but she needs three meals a day. Or more. She needs to stay healthy.
Thoughts of her health are abruptly broken when the boy leans forward and kisses her cheek. What the hell does that kid think he's doing. Touching what is mine. A strong shudder runs through my body. No. Come on Paul, keep it together.
She smacks his arm. Okay, so she doesn't approve of his behavior. Good girl. Good, beautiful imprint. I listen to their conversation, not removing my eyes from my imprint.
"Did you notice that the rest of the cult's back today?" The boy asks. Gossiping little prick. Referring to us as a cult, when we are making sure that all of these humans' lives are safe. He doesn't know the workings of our group, but I can't help but feel even a little bit of indignation. It doesn't help that he's trash-talking us to this sweet little woman.
My imprint shakes her head. "Not really, I saw that Lahote guy but I wasn't really paying attention to whoever else." My heart leaps. She noticed me.
The boy nods, glancing towards us. The rest of the guys are, as per usual, being loud and obnoxious. Normally I would join in on their fun, but I'm too wrapped up in this girl sitting at the table across from us.
"You know, I heard a lot of people talking about how their group has almost doubled," he says in a hushed voice, "but a lot of them are pretty young. Like, twelve years old young." I can't see her face, but I'd assume that she's a little surprised. Most people would be. But it's not like we can control who shifts. All we can do is support them and make sure that they are integrated into the pack properly. And this most recent occurrence with the Volturi has messed up the lives of a lot of young boys. "And yet they all look just like the rest of them, and that's coming from one of their native brethren, not even me being racist." The skinny boy places his hands on my imprints shoulders (I have to bite back a growl as to not arouse any suspicion from anyone else) before he continues on, "They all look ten years older than they actually are. Overnight. Magic beanstalks sprouting right up to tower over us humans. Do you realize what this means?" I'd bet that she doesn't have a clue.
My imprint removes that annoying pests' hands from her shoulders. She is so good. These males mustn't make physical contact. She understands. But I can't help but glare venomously at him. "No, I can't say that I do."
Skinny Boy looks past my imprint, making eye contact with me. I hold his gaze as his eyes widen, becoming slightly frantic, copper skin paling slightly. That sweet little imprint of mine turns around, clearly a little curious about her friend's reaction. I look at her. Those eyes. Hazel, beautiful, perfect eyes. They say that they're the windows to the soul, but I sadly can't seem to get a reading on her. Maybe I'm just that emotionally incompetent. Before I can dwell on it, she turns back around, lightly smacking her friend on the cheek. Now she's the one initiating contact. Not good.
The boy looks at her, clearly panicked. "Has he talked to you at all? Are you in trouble with their gang? Do you need help getting out of the country?" He prattles on. No no no… out of the country? She can't! How can I protect her? But if she really wanted to I guess I would let her… but… that might as well kill me...
"I'm fine. I don't even know who he is." That just about breaks my heart. I thought that she knew who I was. She called me Lahote. Maybe she just doesn't know me know me.
"He's Paul Lahote. Commonly called Lawhore." Great, so he's introducing her to my less-than-pristine reputation. "Womanizing delinquent, one of the oldest Uley Cult members. He's… well, he's just not good. Don't…" He looks genuinely concerned. Like he fears that I would hurt her. As if. "Don't get involved with him, 'kay? I don't want him to go hurting you." How dare he. He's discouraging her from being with me.
I glare daggers at him, without me even meaning to. This little boy, not a man, a boy is trying to pit my soulmate against me before I have even learned her name. Everyone at my table has quieted down. My glaring isn't normally something that will make them suspicious, but my silence is another story. I can see them looking for who I'm staring at. Look at them, back to me. Them. Me. Them. Me. Her. Out of my peripherals, I can see the raised eyebrows. Their mouths open. They just gape at me.
Jacob, at my left, leans forward. "Is she your…?"
I turn away from my imprint, just to look at Jacob and his stupid, bewildered face. "Yes," I snap, "and don't get started about all of that smug bullshit about me 'joining the club'. I don't even know her name, and that kid is making me sound like some horrible guy." Jacob looks at me more understandingly. He claps his hand onto my shoulder as I mutter, "It's killing me…"
My gaze turns back to the pair. The boy is holding her hand. Whatever god or goddess or deity that is out there, help this boy because he is soooo dead. "Sorry, Danny, I just don't want you going and getting hurt, especially by someone like him," he says. Danny. Is it just a nickname? Her friend leans to her ear to whisper something, and I concentrate my hearing on it, blocking out everyone. "I am seriously terrified right now though, so if it takes you going out with him to get him to not kill me, I'm afraid you're going to be sacrificed." Well, that's a good sign… he's encouraging her to date me if it ensures his own well-being. Anger flares within me for a split second. So he's just being selfish. I knew he wasn't worthy, even as a friend.
Danny huffs. "You know I don't date. You'll have to deal with whatever homicidal things he's got planned." She doesn't date. Or is that just an excuse? I'm sure I can persuade her. No one else has denied me at least one date. My soulmate has even higher chances of acceptance.
Her buddy tries to make himself look offended. "Excuse me? After everything that I have done for you! You would just throw me to the wolves like that?" The rest of the pack laughs, as they have focused in on their conversation as well. Haha, wolf jokes. Little does he know, he is incredibly close to the truth. A part of me wants to tell the guys to mind their own business, but that would hardly work. Imprints tend to capture the attention of the whole pack. They're sacred and must be protected. We make brotherly bonds with other wolves' imprints, so they're just curious about mine. Especially mine. Anyone who is made compatible with me… well, I'm sure that they never expected me to find someone. From what I've gathered, she's relaxed. Calm. Indifferent? I'm almost positive she hates this drama stuff, but she puts up with it since her friend is clearly obsessed with other people's lives. So considerate.
Danny shrugs before saying, voice dripping with sarcasm, "And what exactly have you done that makes it necessary for me to go against my own wants?" Her own wants… so she isn't even willing to give me a chance? A try at capturing her heart? I just have to make her see who I am. Not just some asshole that plays with girls' emotions. Because that's not all I am. Especially now. I can't just… not be with her.
"I have provided you with almost round-the-clock chauffeur servicing, a constant source of entertainment, and a shoulder to cry on." He pauses his explanation a little bit, and I'd assume that Danny is going to say something, but he interrupts. Rude. "Yes, I know, I know. You're an emotionless, tiny big girl who doesn't ever need to express her negative emotions with her best friend." Her sharp inhale is loud to my sensitive hearing. The tensing of her body is obvious, probably not just to my abnormally good eyesight. He made her uncomfortable.
Her friend asks her if she's okay. He looks worried. Good. He should, he upset this amazing girl. My imprint brings a hand up to rub her face. "Yeah, I just got a really bad headache all of a sudden," she says, standing up from her seat at her table, "I'm gonna head to my next class, I need to talk to Mr. Anderson about an essay due next week."
As she walks out of the cafeteria, I move to get up and follow her, but Jacob catches my arm, pulling me back down onto the uncomfortable, cheaply made chair. I open my mouth to snap at him, but he beats me to it. "Don't, Paul. You follow her, her friend is going to know something's up, and I'm sure that Danny isn't going to appreciate you following her around," he says firmly. And he definitely has a point. A whine rises up from my throat, and he looks at me sympathetically. "It's okay, I have my next class with her. The essay was just a poor excuse… we just got back from break, she probably just wanted to get away from him."
I nod a little, staring at the table in from of me, before snapping my head up to look him in the eye. "You have your next class with her? So do you know her? Or anything about her? What's her full name? What's she like?" the questions come out in a frenzy.
Jacob blinks in surprise. I guess they've never really seen me this passionate about a woman. He starts slowly, "Well, I've never really talked to her. Her name is Daniella Freed, but I guess she goes by Danny. I also have fourth period bio with her. Her friend, his name is Cody. They tend to partner up on projects." I can't help but growl at this new little bit of information. "In history, she sleeps most of the time. I've heard Andrews talk to her about her grades a lot. I guess she doesn't try very hard?"
"It's not like any of us can really judge though, am I right?" Quil pipes up. And he is… but maybe a little persuasion from me can help her out. No, dammit Paul, I can't go doing that. I've already established that. No threatening teachers, that can ruin everything.
Jake glances at his friend, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, I'm sure all of us are doing worse than her. But anyways… I dunno, she's a little impassive? Like, she doesn't care. I've seen some guys tease her about being a pale face, or asking her on a date, but she just shrugs it off or rolls her eyes." Pale face? They dare use such a derogatory word towards such a perfect person. And asking her on dates? At least she denies them any proper acknowledgment.
"Looks like you've got quite the imprint, Paully," Jared snickers, and I snarl at him. That damned nickname. And insulting Danny like that…
"I have gym with her!" Seth supplies cheerily, before deflating a little bit. "Well, I've seen her in gym. She doesn't do anything though. Sometimes she sits on the bleachers, but she mainly just checks in with the teacher before heading to the library."
That's doesn't make sense. Why would she even be in there if she isn't participating? Is she okay? Maybe I should check up on her and make sure she isn't sick.
"You should talk to Sam about this. I'm probably not the best person to be giving advice… considering I imprinted on the daughter of a vampire," Jacob says, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I think it would be better if you don't just jump right into this. Give it a few days. I can tell that you're a bit of a mess of emotions. You should calm down, let your wolf relax, then approach her. That will probably help to not um… scare her away." I nod solemnly. Scaring her away… that would be the worst possible thing that could happen to me.
The bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. I desperately want to seek out Danny, but… Jacob is right. I need to calm down, relax, and only then I can talk to her. So off to sixth period I go. Jake will be able to make sure she's okay while she's in history, and then Seth will make sure she's fine while in gym. I wouldn't put it past the kid if he went up to her and started a conversation. She'd probably take better to him than me… he's outgoing and annoyingly talkative, but most girls would find that endearing. I'm rough and moody, not the soft, sweet type like the young Clearwater.
My seventh period is free for me. No class, which means that I can probably go and seek her out. Seth said that she sometimes spends her time in the library. Maybe I can go there, check out a book just to look inconspicuous. Damn, I am a genius. What was I feeling so insecure about? Getting her to accept my feelings will be easy. A walk in the park. Everything is going to work out just fine.
She wasn't in the library. She wasn't in the gym. I caught her scent in the hall, but then it got overpowered by the number of students that walk through it. I can't find her. Where is she? A headache. She said she had a headache. The nurse's office?
I poke my head through the doorway of the little infirmary. It's empty. Panic. Cold, sharp panic pierces my veins. Could she have left? It's not safe for such a little thing to walk home alone. And it's January. It's chilly. She could freeze!
I bolt outside. Her scent. Cinnamon and vanilla grace my nostrils. That's her alright. It goes down the street. It smells a little stale. Probably an hour old. That leaves a lot of time for something to happen to her. Protect. Must protect.
Sprinting down the road, following that delectable smell, it brings me to a little house surrounded by trees. A long, winding driveway leads up to it. White stone siding, two floors, black sloping roof. It's cute. Not exactly my style, but it's definitely fitting of the angelic young woman living in it. All of the lights are off, despite the dark clouds hanging overhead. Maybe she's not actually home?
I slink around the house, sticking to the trees, trying to hear any signs of life in the house. Soft breathing draws my attention to the second story. It's coming from a window overlooking the back yard, covered with heavy drapes. She's sleeping. Napping. My wolf yearns to join her. Curl up in her bed, hold her, keep her warm and comfortable. But I doubt that would be a very good way for her to wake up. A massive, over-muscled native man laying next to her. Yikes.
Until she permits me to join her in bed, I can settle with knowing that she is safe in her own home, underneath her blankets.
I turn around, heading into the forest before undressing and shifting, gray fur covering my rapidly growing body. Shaking my body, ruffling my fur, I take off further into the trees, heading towards Sam and Emily's place.
The little brown Uley house appears through the trees. I shift back, pulling the clothes that were tied around my ankle back on before storming through the door.
"Sam!" I bellow. My alpha comes walking casually out of the kitchen, holding a muffin in his hand. When he sees me, his eyes narrow, and his relaxed expression becomes a little miffed.
"Aren't you supposed to be in school still?"
I glance at the clock on the wall. There are still about thirty minutes left of school but… that hardly matters. There are much more important matters than my attendance when it's already so screwed up.
"Yeah, yeah, sure," I wave off his question a bit, "I have something I need to talk to you about." His eyebrows raise slightly. Motioning for me to continue, I take a deep breath before hurrying through my next words, "Iimprintedandihavenocluehowtotalktoherpleasehelp." I feel a little winded when I'm done. Not something usual for a wolf.
"Repeat that, just a little bit slower," Sam says humorously. He's getting amused by my dilemma. Asshole.
"I imprinted," I say slowly, like I'm talking to a toddler instead of my much bigger, much easier to offend alpha. "But I don't know how to approach her. Or talk to her. Or really do anything that has to do with her." By the end, I'm rushing through my words a little bit again.
Sam sighs, rubbing the crease between his furrowed brow. "What do you normally do when talking to a girl?" Well, that's a stupid question. She's not just a girl. My usual technique would be to compliment her ass, be bold, and then take her back to her place to have some fun. That is not how I want to go about this.
"You already know what I do. I smash then dash."
He laughs. He laughs. Asking for his advice is not going the way I thought it would. "Okay, well, don't do that," Yeah no shit, "but you should be yourself. If you go in acting like someone you're not that's not going to end well." That makes sense… but being myself might not be good enough. Seeing my trouble expression, Sam comes forward, putting a hand on my shoulder, much like Jake did. What's with these alphas and shoulder holding? "If you don't think that's how you want to go about this, be subtle. Try to be her friend, or ask her out. Don't just jump in with whatever pickup lines you normally do. Those are terrible."
"Gee, thanks," I say dryly. "I don't know how being her friend would work out though," it comes out as a mumble. "When I look at her… I just… feel something. It's feral, instinctual. The wolf kind of- I- I don't know man."
Nodding a little unsurely, Sam backs up a little bit, walking into his living room and sitting down on the couch I had slept on last night. I follow, sitting down in the recliner to the right of the couch. My alpha looks deep in thought, staring at the light brown wood beneath his feet, before looking back up at me, where I sit stiffly on the edge of my seat. "An overwhelming feeling to protect, right?" I nod quickly. Sam blows out a tired puff of air. "I figured that your imprinting would be a little different. The way I am with Emily, it's… similar. A need to protect and keep her happy. But it's not nearly as strong as I'd guess your instincts call for. You're more passionate. Your emotions have always led you more than a lot of the other guys." I nod in understanding. I've put that much together on my own. "So… if you don't think you want- or, well, I guess, if you don't think you can be just friends… that's more work. I'm sure the guys would be happy to help. They can become friends with her, put in a good word, for you."
"Yeah, sure, that sounds great, but she thinks we're a cult. Or a gang. I don't know which, but her friend," I spit out the word like it's poison, "made her promise to not go out with me. Something about me hurting her…" I jump up and start pacing. "Danny, she's just so perfect. It's indescribable. I don't even properly know her but I would do anything. And she's so tiny. I have to keep her safe. Someone could hurt her so easily, and I- I couldn't handle that." Sam just watches, patiently listening to me rant, getting my thoughts out of my system. "I almost attacked her friend- this Cody guy - 'cuz he touched her. All day, everything… my head… it's just full of- of- like, constant repeated 'mine, mine, mine' and it's…" I look down, shoulders slumping forward in defeat, "it's scary. The feeling of need. She can be in the same room as me, and I want to go up to her, sweep her away, and… claim her. What if I end up hurting her or someone she cares about, and she hates me? I wouldn't be able to bear it if she's scared of me…" I sit back down, holding my head in my hands.
"It's okay, Paul," he says softly, reassuringly. I don't normally spill my thoughts out verbally. When we're shifted and running, I can't always control what I think or what they others hear, but when we're not, and I'm just willingly speaking my mind, it's a rare occurrence. It's not something any of them are used to and Sam seems a little caught off guard. "You just have to get used to it. Used to being around her… I would suggest that you let the other guys talk to her first. We do tend to intimidate people… having the guys just try to be her friends, warm her up to everyone, it could be easier for you to talk to her." He nods firmly. It sounds like a good idea… but the very thought of the rest of them being closer to her than I am… it sends a shudder up my spine. "We can talk to the rest of the pack- er, packs, when they get here. Make a plan. It's going to be okay. No imprint has been able to resist the emotional pull to their wolf for long."
I really, really hope that this goes well.