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Chapter 2

*Paul's POV*

"Yeah that's fine as long as you guys like that kind," Marie replies, stepping back to introduce me to her daughter.

Marie has been talking about Cassandra incessantly since she officially moved in. I thought I would hate having to live with two women, but so far Marie's been great. I've never seen my dad so happy, so even if her daughter is a total nightmare I figure I owe my dad enough to at least suffer through it for his sake.

"Paul, this is my daughter. Cassie, this is Peter's son, Paul."

I follow her gesture to see a small blonde waving awkwardly at me. "Hey," she greets with a smile.

My jaw drops and time stops as I meet the gaze of her light blue eyes. I hear the thud of the cranberry sauce fall to the ground, but nothing seems to matter besides this goddess standing across from me. She's beautiful. Absolutely stunning. Logically I know it was probably just a split second, but I feel like I've been staring at her in awe for ages. Then it finally hits me:

I just imprinted on my new fucking step-sister.

Instantly, I snap back to reality and anger seethes through me. Of all the god-damn people to be my soulmate, it has to be the daughter of the only women who's ever made my dad happy? This has got to be some sick joke. "Fuck," slips out of my mouth, as I fumble for the can. I'm already shaking; I have to get the hell out of here.

Marie doesn't seem slightly fazed at my cursing or when I mumble out a lame excuse of having to go to work – I guess she's used to my profanities and leaving unexpectedly by now. "Well, that's okay. We'll make sure to save you some."

I force a smile, trying to conceal my anger around her. She reminds me a lot of Emily: too nice for me to be able to be rude to without feeling guilty afterward. "Thanks." Not wanting to make it obvious that what just happened isn't normal, I mutter out, "Nice meeting you, Cassandra," as I'm heading for the door.

But I can't get myself to look at her again. I'm already on the lawn, heading for the shortcut to Sam's through the woods when I hear her call after me. Something about her car blocking in my truck. I look back and notice a semi-new looking black Honda Civic parked behind my beat-up truck.

How the fuck could this be happening? Imprinting is legitimately supposed to be the happiest day of your life. Not the day you risk ruining your dad's wedding.

Emily jumps in surprise as I barge through the front door. I'm not shaking anymore. I wouldn't have bothered coming near the house if I was – Sam would've killed me. But I'm still angry.

"What are you doing here, Paul? I thought you were having supper at your house tonight?" Emily asks in worry, as I plop down at the table. No surprise that most of the pack is here. Only Leah and Embry are missing and I'm pretty sure they're patrolling right now.

"Change of plans," I mutter, grabbing a muffin out of the basket on the table. By the stack of dishes in the sink, I can tell I just missed supper here – which definitely doesn't improve my mood.

"How come?" she persists, taking a seat on Sam's lap. Bitterness seeps through me; must be nice to actually have a shot with your imprint.

Glaring at the table, I snap, "Because I fucking imprinted on my step-sister."

Any side conversations that were going on around the table stop. I hear multiple "you've got to be kidding me"s and "what the fuck"s and a few snorts.

"You're joking man," Jared states, gaping at me.

"Nope." I swallow the rest of my muffin and grab two more. For once Emily doesn't scold me for eating them all.

"How's that going to work?" Collin blurts out.

Brady smacks him on the back of the head. "You can't ask him that man!"

I snort bitterly, before answering his question coldly, "It's not."

"What do you mean it's not?" Sam demands in concern. I can tell he's worried. "Are you sure you imprinted on her?"

I glare at him. I've seen enough imprinted couples to know what it's like. I'm not an idiot. "She's going to be my step-sister, Sam. It's not like we can date."

They don't disagree, which pisses me off. I only came here instead of going for a run because I thought they would tell me it would be okay. God knows I'll have to deal with Leah's negativity if I phase.

"I know your dad, Paul," Jared pipes up. "There's no way he's going to let you sacrifice your future with your imprint for him."

I growl. "I'm aware." My dad is one of the few left on the reservation whose grandfather was a wolf, so he knows the truth about the pack. It makes sneaking out for the late patrol shifts a lot easier, and although Marie seemed initially concerned, she bought the teens helping the police patrol the reservation story pretty quickly. "That's why he's not going to find out I imprinted on her."

"Wasn't he there when it happened?" Emily asks curiously.

I shake my head. "No, he was in the other room. I was gone before he came back."

"Paul," Sam sighs, "he's going to find out eventually. Even if nobody tells him – "

A threatening growl escapes my throat. "I'll tear whoever does to shreds."

Rolling his eyes – as if I'm joking – Sam continues, "He's going to notice it Paul. You live with her for god's sake."

I shrug, "I just won't talk to her except when I have to." I sound confident, like it'll be easy to do. But how the hell can I ignore my imprint when I'm going to be living with her and going to the same school as her?

All the imprinted wolves cackle. "You won't be able to do that, bud," Jared states, patting my back as he stares lovingly at Kim.

"Watch me," I snap, standing up and storming to the door.

"Paul, calm down," Sam orders. "You're being ridiculous. As weird as it is, she's your imprint. You can't ignore her. And Peter is going to notice."

"If I tell him, he will call off the wedding. And I will be the reason he's fucking miserable. I've put him through enough shit over the years; I'm not ruining this for him." That silences them. At least long enough for me to escape the cottage and rush into the woods. I make sure to take off my clothes before phasing – last thing I want to do is run into Cassandra on my way up to my room while I'm naked.

Phasing doesn't turn out to be any better of an idea than going to Sam and Emily's was. I can't control my thoughts of tonight's events and they're replaying through my head, torturing me.

I don't have an option here. I can't let my dad know about the imprint. But how the hell can I ignore her if she's going to be everywhere?

Leah's and Embry's opinions on the matter are too infuriating to stay in wolf form. Shortly after I phased, I phase back, put on my cut offs and sit down on one of the logs on First Beach where we usually have our bonfires.

Resting my head in my hands, I groan. I'm left to myself for barely ten minutes before….

"You're a moron," I hear Leah's condescending voice laugh, as she sits down beside me.

"If you didn't get it from when I phased out, I don't want your company Leah," I snap, glowering at her. "Besides, shouldn't you be on patrol?"

"Shift's over. And whether you want it or not, I'm going to give you some advice."

"Calling me a moron isn't advice."

"No shit." She rolls her eyes. "We've both seen enough imprints to know avoiding them won't end the bond. Emily tried, and look at them now," she points out bitterly. "Remember when Claire's parents tried to keep Quil from babysitting her? Look at how long that lasted."

"That's completely different."

"How?"

"Because then it was the imprint or someone besides the wolf who wanted to stay away."

Leah scoffs. "Oh please. You think you have to stay away from her; you don't want to."

"I do have to stay away from her."

"No you fucking don't, you moron!" She shakes her head, as if she's talking to a clueless kid.

"Stop calling me that," I hiss, feeling my hands begin to tremble. She can't seriously think I'm okay with her seeking me out just to call me an idiot. "She's going to be my fucking step-sister. What part of that don't you get?"

She sighs dramatically. "Paul, I'm not saying that you should be trying to sweep her off her feet or get into her pants, but ignoring her isn't the solution."

"How else can I hide it from my dad then?"

"Just hide that you're in love with her. You don't have to act like you hate her to hide it. You can act like you just like her as a new part of the family. Like you want to be friends. Like you want to get along for your parents' sake or just because you think she's a cool person."

"It's not that simple."

She shoots me an incredulous look. "But it can be Paul. You're just overthinking it."

"Look Leah. I don't understand why you're trying to help me in the first place – although to be honest, you're really not succeeding. But I want to be alone in my misery, which you of all people should understand. So give me your advice, and fuck off."

"Wow, Paul. You're really making me regret this," she states starkly before sighing and continuing, "but since you obviously can't see it on your own. There's two ways that this is going to go. You're either going to be a complete asshole to her. Ignore her unless she speaks to you directly; try to act like she doesn't exist. But that's not going to break the imprint, you're not going to stop loving her. And because the imprint's still there, it's going to hurt her and she won't even understand what's going on because she's not going to know about the imprint."

I cringe at the idea of hurting her, even though she's basically a stranger. "What's your point Leah?"

"If that's how you choose to act, you're still probably going to end up with her. Maybe a few years down the road when you both don't live at home." That doesn't sound too bad. "But guess what, Lahote? She's never going to forget how you treated her. She probably won't just immediately forgive you. And she sure as hell isn't going to trust you. You're going to have to work your ass off to get her trust and for you guys to even be happy."

I try to keep a stony expression on my face; I can't have her knowing I see her point of how fucking terrible that's going to be.

"Or," she emphasises, "you can just be a decent human being. You don't have to act like her brother. But just be nice. Get to know her. If you're not hanging on her every word and ogling her, your dad won't ever find out. And it's easy to deny it; you're a great liar."

I groan, trying not to punch her in the face. Hasn't anyone ever told her that you shouldn't throw someone's flaws in their face when you're trying to help them?

"That'll just encourage the imprint bond."

She rolls her eyes. "Stop being so naïve!" she exclaims. "Dude, you're living with her. It's going to grow whether you're an ass to her or not. You're going to see all the quirky or 'cute'," she uses air quotes sarcastically, "things that she does on a daily basis whether you're talking to her or not. That's going to encourage the imprint. It will be encouraged regardless."

"I can avoid her enough not to see anything."

"As a person who has tried to avoid my sibling, you can't. Okay, only child, you will see her way more than you're anticipating."

I still can't believe she's acting like these are my only options. So I ignore my imprint and be a little bitter for a couple years. If she doesn't get to know me, she can't get that upset over me ignoring her. That's just crazy.

Leah stands up, looking annoyed that I haven't jumped on the choice that she evidently thinks is better. "But it's your choice. Years of hurting the person you supposedly love and then working for years to regain her trust and love. Or keeping your lust and puppy-dog love under wraps and becoming friends with the girl until an actual relationship is more appropriate." I'm certain she's just trying to piss me off, when she adds, "Not that being just friends with a girl has ever been your forte, but I'm sure you can figure it out. For her and your dad's sakes."

I growl, but she just rolls her eyes before starting to leave. "You don't know everything, Leah. Especially about imprinting."

"Maybe not," she retorts, "but think about it logically. Really think about it and you'll know I'm right."

…

I did think about it. And maybe, for some unknown reason, Leah really does have a point for once. I stop by at Sam's before heading home. Mainly because I'm hoping there will be leftovers Emily will give me, but also I need to see if he approves of my plan.

Most of the pack has gone home when I enter the cottage; however, Jared and Kim are still sitting at the table when I return.

They all look surprised to see me. "I need you to promise me that you or anyone else won't tell my dad about it."

"Paul, look. I know you want your dad to be happy. But you can't ignore your imprint. It will destroy both of you."

"I'm not going to," I inform him.

"No?"

I shake my head. "I'm just going to act like I would've if I hadn't imprinted on her – do my best to get along and get to know her – and then see where it goes from there after we graduate next year."

They look doubtful, which worries me. I thought I finally had a good plan. "Paul, I think just acting friendly and getting to know her is a great idea," Sam begins hesitantly. "But… do you really think you're going to be able to… uh, hold out for that long?"

"She's going to see me as her step-brother. She's not going to be attracted to me with that mentality. And since the imprint works to be what she wants, it should help me control that, shouldn't it? If she doesn't want me to be attracted to her, then I won't be overly attracted to her, right?"

Jared and Sam both nod in agreement. "According to the legends, yeah. That actually makes sense. What changed your mind?"

I snort. "Leah."

They seem equally blown away by that detail, especially when I explain Leah and I's conversation at First Beach. I don't stick around for too much longer – just enough to eat. I'm exhausted and after how I left the house earlier this evening, I'm sure I'll have to be super friendly tomorrow to get on Cassandra's good side.

When I walk upstairs toward my bedroom, I notice her door is open. Feeing like a creep, I peek inside. She's curled up under a mound of blankets, her hair is frayed all over her pillow, and she's snoring away. But she still looks so adorable.

Shaking my head at how fucked up imprinting is, I get into my own bed in the room beside hers. Leah's right; I would never be able to avoid her. Especially since we'll be sharing a bathroom.

My phone buzzes beside me just as I'm settled in bed. It's almost midnight and I figure I should check just in case it's Sam. It's not.

Olivia: Heyy, you wanna come over? ;)

I groan. Olivia is the most persistent chick I've ever screwed around with. I know if I tell her I'm no longer interested, she'll just think it's a game and try harder. So without hesitation, I delete the text and her number from my phone.

I'm almost proud of how much disgust even thinking of replying brings me.

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