Chapter 9 – The Truth Comes Out

Veronica hadn't seen Paul for at least five months but she could feel him. Chances are he was keeping a watchful eye on her without Embry knowing it. Every time she walked to the beach alone she could feel his eyes on her. Anytime she would go anywhere she could feel his eyes on her. She had noticed every time she thought of him lately there was a dull ache in her chest.

Veronica noticed her nightmares of her father's murder were getting worse and were soon replacing her father with Paul. There were many nights she'd either wake up covered in sweat and her hands felt like they were burning all over again or she'd wake up crying uncontrollably. Just the thought of Paul being hurt by some deranged vampire was enough to make her scared for him.

She figured he was like every guy in existence he would continue to watch her or play the protective role until he actually did save her and then expect sex in return for her life. He was completely wrong if he thought she was going to give up her virginity to anyone. She didn't care how good looking he was or even if he was the last man on the face of the Earth.

It was NOT happening.

Not in a million years.

Not really ever.

The only thing she could honestly say was that she missed Paul. She had enjoyed talking to him and getting to know things about him. Of course when she found out from Embry he was nothing but a playboy. It was disheartening and made her feel as though she was disgusted by him. Even though more often than not she found herself wishing he was there with her.

Currently she was walking through the grocery store with a list almost as long as her freaking arm. Apparently her mother didn't have time to go to the store and they were running low on food in the house, especially with Embry's appetite. She couldn't believe the amount of food he packed away during one meal time.

The grocery cart was half way full when she rounded the corner and her cart smashed into someone else's cart. "Oh shit." Veronica squeaked out. Her eyes looked up and saw Emily staring back at her.

"Oh my goodness Veronica sweetie are you okay?" Emily walked over as she embraced Roni in her arms and squeezed her tightly.

Veronica loved Emily's hugs. She always gave the best hugs. "Yea I'm ok. You didn't get hurt did you?"

Emily rolled her eyes cutely as she giggled. "Please I always have a house full of temperamental wolves I've been stepped on, pushed around and practically run over by indestructible guys since I've been with Sam. Believe me a little shopping cart bang up job is not going to hurt." Emily touched Veronica's arm. "How have you been doing sweetie? We haven't seen you around the house lately."

Veronica shook her head negatively. "I've just been doing my own thing lately. Paul was hanging around for a while, but Embry told him to stay away from me and I haven't exactly been inviting him over, but I know he's been around. Embry told me the truth about Paul. I can't believe he's a playboy. He definitely had me fooled for a while."

Emily felt her eyes widen in complete shock. What the hell had Embry been telling his little sister about Paul? Emily coughed out a stifled chuckle. "Roni honey what has Embry been telling you about Paul?"

Veronica rolled her eyes dramatically. "Just that Paul tries to get every female he knows into bed. Which you know somehow doesn't really surprise me at all. I knew he was way too handsome to not be cocky and use it against people. Guys who look as good as Paul are bound to jump from bed to bed to bed and just end up breaking girl's hearts all over the world on a nightly basis." Veronica smiled softly as she thought of Embry. "I'm really glad I can trust my brother to tell me the absolutely truth about everything and anything that I ask him."

Emily eyes narrowed slightly as she listened to the words coming from Veronica's mouth. Embry had her completely SNOWED about Paul. "So he's basically told you the only reason Paul was hanging around was because he wanted to sleep with you?"

Veronica nodded as she looked down when her cell phone beeped at her. "Oh wow. I can't believe how late it is. I better get going. I'll come by for lunch next week sometime. I'll see you later Em." Roni waved her off as she took off down the aisle; completely missing the astonished look on the tiny woman's face.

Emily's eyes stayed at their widened state as she looked over and watched as Paul stepped around the aisle she had just left before running into Veronica. Paul was breathing deeply. There was a light vibrational hum to his tall hulking frame. Emily reached over and lightly touched his forearm. "Harness it Paul. Hold onto it. I know right now more than anything you want to run from here and phase, but I need you to stay with me. Please."

Paul couldn't speak he could only nodded, whenever Sam was on patrol or at the station someone had to go with Emily to the store just to be on the safe side. Paul knew he couldn't leave Emily at the store by herself; Sam would skin him alive. He couldn't believe the handfuls of bullshit that Embry had told his sister. Of course not all of it was a lie, he had been a playboy, but the minute he imprinted on Veronica he was done. He couldn't even think about any other woman who had passed through his life.

At this point he couldn't even remember their names or their faces and he really didn't want to either. The last five months had been agonizing without being able to see Veronica's smile or hear her giggles. Sure he'd followed her through the woods with Embry was at the fire station. He knew as long as he wasn't phased on patrol then he wouldn't know he was still watching over Roni.

Paul helped unload truck of all the bags from the store. He looked down when Emily's hand touched him. "Paul, please don't do anything to Embry yet. I know you want to tear into him, but I want you to give me the chance to do something with him. I want to find out what exactly is going on with him and if you rip into him before you ask any questions than you won't get any answers you want."

Paul had a scowl painted onto his face as he helped Emily put the groceries away. Paul crossed his arms over his chest. "Em, I can't promise anything, but I will try to at least - control myself. You already know how I feel and you know I'm not one to hold back my temper. I can't believe what he's been telling her. God she's gonna hate me forever now." Paul ran his hands over his face as he leaned against the counter trying to calm himself down.

Emily pushed the fridge door closed. "Veronica is your imprint Paul. You know she feels the pull. I know whatever the hell Embry has been telling her hasn't exactly been helping your case either; but well get down to the bottom of this. I know you've been lost without her for the last few months and that spying on her isn't exactly helping, because she's so close to reach out and touch but she's so far away. Do me a favor call Leah and tell her to give Embry a call and have them both come over here."

Paul nodded as he stepped outside while Emily continued putting the groceries away.

Leah was lying across the bed waiting for Embry to get home; he was finishing up his patrol. No one in the pack realized that she and Embry had imprinted on each other. They just figured they were seriously attracted to each other. She honestly couldn't remember the last time she'd ever been this happy. Sure her relationship with Sam was pretty close, but at the end of it; it had all just fallen apart.

The high pitched ring of her cell phone brought her out of her thoughts of Embry as she reached over and flipped it open. "What's up Paul?"

Paul sighed heavily. "When Embry get done with patrol, Emily wants you and him to come over, she said she needs to speak with him about Veronica."

Leah smiled to herself softly. "Okay as soon as he gets here we'll be there." Flipping her phone closed effectively ending the call.

Leah had fallen asleep after her phone call; soft warm lips kissed along her neck as her soft brown eyes fluttered open and turned over and came face to face with Embry. He smiled softly as he leaned down and captured Leah's lips. She was wearing his favorite navy blue tank dress. His hand softly slid up her outer thigh and ventured up under the cotton material of the dress. Leah sighed softly at the feel of his warm hand on the most delicate parts of her body. She felt Embry slip himself between her thighs as his shorts came off and her dress landed on the bed next to them.

An hour later between getting dressed and exchanging kisses, Leah and Embry got finished up as they straightened up the bed they had just made love on. Leah had already mentioned that they were supposed to go to Emily and Sam's. Embry kissed her lips once more. "C'mon lets head over. Sam will probably yell if we go much later."

Leah rolled her eyes dramatically knowing Sam wasn't above yelling at them for being late for anything. Leah nodded as she felt Embry gently take her hand softly and led her out of the house and to Sam and Emily's.

Leah and Embry made it to Sam and Emily's in fifteen minutes as they walked through the door and saw Paul leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms folded over his chest with an un-easy look on his face. Embry looked over and saw Emily consulting Veronica as she had silent tears sliding down her cheeks.

Embry growled. "What the hell is going on?"

Emily looked up at Embry. "I'm sure I could ask you the same thing Embry Call."