Paul made his way to the police station, still fuming and irrevocably hurt at the fact that his own imprint didn't recognize him.
Why Embry? Why Embry? The question wouldn't leave his mind, just like an annoying song that gets stuck in your head. Except, this time the words cut deeper and deeper into his soul.
Was he not enough for her? What was the problem?
He shook his head trying to clear it of depressing thoughts that would end up getting him nowhere. The only way he was going to find out anything was with a level head and calmly talking with Bella.
All too soon he ended up at the police station. Grabbing the shorts that were, thankfully, tied to his leg he quickly slipped them on and started for the door. Just as he swung the door open, Charlie appeared, seeming to be exiting the station.
"Charlie…"
He gave a nod of acknowledgement. "Paul."
Paul's hand found purchase on the back of his head, rubbing it lightly. He forced a smile, even though he was far from feeling happy.
"Well, good news. I found Bella. She's headed to the hospital with Embry." Paul watched as Charlie's eyes grew glassy and seemed to lose focus.
"She's…alright?" He asked hesitantly.
Paul sighed. "Yeah, except she has a bit of amnesia but it seems more focused towards me." He said dejectedly.
Charlie could clearly see the hurt in the younger man's eyes. He had known that Paul and Bella were a thing and that what they had was a fairly new. In truth, he felt sorry for the boy because if what he was telling him was true than the boy was about to be tested.
Charlie clapped a hand over Paul's shoulder, "Do you care about her?"
Paul stared wide eyed at the police chief. Without any hesitation he responded, "Of course!" Charlie chuckled a bit that the conviction and quickness of the reply.
"Well then, you may have to remind her how much you care about her and it may not be easy but if you really want to be with her, and I'm assuming you really do then you will have to work for it."
Paul couldn't believe that he was getting a pep talk from his mate's father but he was extremely grateful for the glimmer of hope.
"Thanks Chief Swan." Paul said with a genuine smile.
Charlie smiled, "Think of it as repayment for finding my daughter." He leaned in closer, "Though I'm inclined to believe you did it for personal gain."
Paul grinned, "Mutual benefit."
Charlie outright laughed, "Well, I better get to the hospital." He said as he headed towards the cruiser. His hand hovered over the handle as he looked up at Paul, "Want a ride?"
Paul froze, his teasing nature replace with fear and anger. The words came out thick, almost as if they were the opposite of what he truly wanted to say, "No thanks, I have some things to think about before I see her again." With that said Paul turned to leave, not bothering to hear a rebuttal from the chief because he knew if he stayed and listened to Charlie, he would be inclined to go see her. In truth he wasn't ready for the rejection or fear in her eyes. He had seen it once today and was in no hurry to see it again. With resolve in place he started jogging into the woods, leaving behind a miffed Charlie.
The last thing he heard as he entered into the tree line was, stupid boy.
Stupid boy.
He knew he was being foolish but a part of him couldn't get over the fact that she remembered Embry and if she remembered Embry then she most likely remembered sleeping with him. But, he thought, she did say it was like sleeping with her brother, maybe that was a plus. With a bit of hope in place Paul dashed through the woods heading towards the alphas house to fill in the details. There was, after all, still a crazed vampire that wanted his Bella on the loose.
Said crazed vampire was busy plotting the best course for gaining Bella back. He knew that he had a very big barrier keeping him from his prize, a barrier that his bloody "father" had made a truce with. That made things a bit more difficult but not impossible. What made things even more difficult was the loss of an appendage. He didn't even have time to retrieve the amputated arm so he could reattach it. That was the first thing he needed to get done so he could be more…effective. Also, it would garner fewer questions from his family.
Family. He mentally spat like the word itself was poison. They shouldn't even be considered his family; they weren't willing to aid him in getting his dear Tanya back. They had just rolled over when the wolves tore her to shreds. There wasn't even a single plea for her life. A mate for a mate was in order. When the wolf attacked, it became less about changing Bella into his beloved Tanya and more about making the damned creature suffer as he had.
Plans change. The voice reminded him.
Yes, plans do change and right now his sights were on Bella and snuffing out her light along with that mutt's sanity. That would be the best consolation prize in the world.
"I will have my revenge Tanya, you'll see." He madly cackled.
Back at the Cullen home Alice Cullen dropped the vase she'd been filling with water. With an ear piercing crash it shattered into millions of pieces calling the rest of the family to the kitchen.
"What is it love?" A blonde man asked while holding onto her hands trying to keep her centered.
"He's…he's gone mad Jasper. He's going to-oh god Jasper, what he has planned for her is worse than anything I could ever imagine. He wants her dead." Alice sobbed out.
Jasper pulled her into a hug to calm her raging emotions.
"It will be okay, we will keep that from happening." Jasper turned his eyes to the Cullen head.
"Right, Carlisle?" Jasper tone was full of accusations that caused Carlisle to flinch. Nonetheless, he nodded his consent. "We will." Carlisle said brokenly. His heart was torn, on one hand he wanted to help his son but the monster the boy had turned into was something that was beginning to seem less and less fixable. When Alice had first foretold the boy's descent into darkness, it had been a week after Tanya had left this world.
Carlisle mentally cursed the rash behavior of the deceased vampire. The wolves had been entirely in the right when they destroyed her. After all, she had trespassed onto their land and drained one of their imprints. She had gone mad, claiming the voices told her to do it. However, in accordance with the treaty she was not spared. But what angered the perpetual teenager the most was the lack of interference from the family. As the diplomatic leader of the clan Carlisle was responsible for the well-being of everyone, not just Tanya and her actions almost caused a war. The Cullen's were left with no choice but to watch as she faced the consequences of her actions. Even as she died there was crazed grin on her face like she regretted nothing. Any pity that Carlisle may have had shot out the door in that moment. And now, it seemed, his first child was following the same path to insanity as his mate. He only hoped that they'd be able to stop him before another imprint was killed and war started.
A/N. So here is the next chapter, though a few months late. Better late than never, am I right? I hope you enjoyed this chapter…enough to leave a review maybe?
