Chapter Two; Paul & The Stupid Green Journal

*6 Months Later*

Sam had read through Lyla's first entry and given his approval, waiting for Paul to write his own. Paul kept pushing it off, giving the excuse of building his bond with Lyla, with finishing up the project of building their new home, and of course his pack duties; but now, six months into it and the home finished nearly two weeks ago, Sam ordered Paul to write his entry.

Paul had settled on the couch with Lyla tucked into his side. She was leaning on him while watching TV, lunch heating up in the oven. He had the stupid journal in his lap and a pencil in hand. He kept trying to conjure a valid excuse as to not write it, when Lyla elbowed him in the ribs.

"Just write a couple paragraphs and be done with it. Writing in the journal you know as well as I, will become a somewhat frequent thing." Paul rolled his eyes, but didn't comment. He didn't like expressing his feelings unless it was his undying devotion to his mate.

He tapped the pencil a few times before opening up the leather book and reading Lyla's entry. He can't stop the smile that graces his handsome features as how she described her imprint and love for him just a week after. Paul suddenly turns to kiss Lyla whom had been starring at him for nearly a minute. A soft blush rushes over her cheeks, leaning into the kiss briefly before pulling away. "Write, Paul." Her brown eyes sparkle with a touch of mischief, a half smile beginning to form on her lips.

Paul sighs; defeated as Lyla goes to check on lunch. He turns the page to a blank sheet, pausing before he begins to write.

This writing thing makes me uncomfortable. Just so the future of the tribe knows I'm writing this under duress (an alpha order and the insisting of my lovely mate.) Speaking of Lyla, this whole entire journal will probably be full of mushy and undying proclamations of my love and adoration for that woman.

I knew I loved Lyla even before my imprint, though before the phase, I wasn't as confident as I am now; so I was never able to tell her. Although it didn't matter because after my phase, everything changed. The first time I saw Lyla after it, I was dragged away by Sam and a few other pack members. She was only fourteen at the time and they didn't need me, being seventeen, rushing at her with all my wolfy strength and power.

I don't know exactly how, but I managed to keep my imprint underwraps. Then, Lyla phased too, just a few short months after that and she refused to look at anyone other than Sam and her mother. My wolf wanted her even more after that, but through it all I kept insisting I wouldn't pursue her until after everything with the damned bloodsuckers was over.

My wolf wasn't exactly happy, but it was a safer bet. I nearly told her everything when the vampire army came from Seattle and she was almost injured. Jacob saved Leah and paid the price for it; Lyla had been grabbed up by a newborn and without another wolf nearby was almost crushed just the same as Jacob. I was so fuckin' grateful when that huge vampire, Emmett I think, saved her.

The wolf was so heated that night, I couldn't sleep. Though it wasn't just from that, it was also because Jacob had been hurt. I don't know if it was just me, but I felt like we had let our brother down. No one should have been hurt, and even though he survived and did what any of us would of done for another pack member, it was hard to accept. We had let him down and it was a horrible experience.

Anyway, back to Lyla…. right after everything had started to grow more peaceful among the vamps, I was becoming a chaotic mess. I found Lyla alone, and tried to force her to look at me, but it didn't work. She refused, but that was the first time I kissed her. After that I'm pretty sure she knew I was her mate.

I secluded her while she was patrolling, but still my lovely wouldn't imprint on me, but when she finally did (in the heat of passion may I add), I felt my own imprint become redefined. It was like finding my center all over again, it was so much stronger than the first time I laid eyes on her after the phase and I know it was because that time, she was looking back.

I don't care about the what if's and the maybe's, I'm glad I phased for a number of reasons. Firstly, because I gained Lyla. I was bound to marry her even if I hadn't phased. I was madly in love with her from day one, when we were just little kids.

Second reason I'm glad I phased; I'm hot. Sure, I was attractive before the phase, but after? Smokin' honey. Third reason; I literally have forever with the single most important person in my life.

I'm a lucky bastard to have Lyla. She's the reason I live now and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Paul snapped the journal shut just as Lyla was putting their food onto two plates, leaving the remainder of the food trays out for them to return to. He embraced her tightly from behind, kissing along her neck.

"Mm, did yah finish?" She leans back into the warm hug, turning in his arms to face him.

"Of course, anything for you. And, I wrote a lot more than I thought." Lyla smiles, though before she can speak again, he's kissing her and tugging at the thin gray t-shirt she's wearing. Somehow among it, she laughs and swats him away. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry." He rolls his eyes, grabbing the plate as they head back into their living room. His gaze wanders down to her jean shorts, his hand smacking her ass.

"Lookin' good their, Princess."