Witch and the hothead 20

The moment I open my eyes, the humming of magic is gone, freezing me in place for a second. Confusion clouds my mind. Wasn't I at home? The last thing I remember is Paul carrying me inside, then everything went dark.

The weight of eyes on me draws my attention, and when I meet Paul's gaze, it feels like staring into the sun—not blinding, but warmed by its radiant heat. It's the kind of warmth that touches every part of you after a long, cold winter—the first rays of spring, the ones that make you feel reborn. That feeling.

I have to take a deep breath, mechanically, because it's like my brain has shut off.

I drink in the sight of him, as if I'm seeing him for the first time. His face is hard, with sharp angles, but his eyes—his eyes are kind, full of longing and heat. His hand on mine feels warmer than before, the tingling sensation on my skin making goosebumps rise along my arms.

I almost whimper when he lets go, but I breathe out a relieved sigh when his hand gently cups my cheek.

"Hello, little witch," he says, his voice warm with happiness, and I can't stop myself from giggling. It feels like I'm floating, and the only thing keeping me grounded is his hand on my cheek.

"Hello, Paul," I whisper, smiling.

His entire body shudders, and he closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them again, they're nearly black. I bite my lip, holding my breath. His hand, resting on my face, slips to the back of my head as he leans forward. My eyes widen—is he going to kiss me?

But instead, he rests his forehead against mine, exhaling a long breath. His scent is overwhelming now that he's so close. I close my eyes, biting my lip as I breathe him in.

"What happens now?" he asks, leaning back slightly. His hand remains at the back of my head, fingers gently massaging my scalp.

A throat clearing snaps me out of the moment. I turn to find Severus hovering at the entrance to the kitchen.

"When you two kids are done making eyes at each other, dinner will be ready in a minute. We need to talk." He mutters the words, but I catch the way his eyes crinkle with a hidden smile. I nod in response.

When I glance back at Paul, he's still staring at me, and suddenly, it hits me. Severus is the reason Paul didn't imprint on me at the library. A wave of irritation and anger builds inside me.

"Don't be mad at him, little witch. He did the right thing. Just hear him out." Paul's voice is soft as his hand gently caresses my cheek before falling to his lap.

He stands, and again, his movement reminds me of a feline—graceful, effortless. Not bulky and wolf-like, like Jacob and the others I've met.

"You're so much more agile than the others," I say, taking his outstretched hand. As I rise, dizziness washes over me, and I stumble. Paul reacts instantly, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close.

"I've never really thought about it," he murmurs. "No one's pointed it out before. But yeah, I guess I am leaner and more flexible. I have a much longer range when jumping and stuff." His lips curve into a smug smile.

I giggle. "Maybe you were supposed to be a lynx instead of a wolf."

Paul smirks before launching a surprise attack, tickling my sides. I shriek, laughing, and the sound makes him laugh too. I watch him, mesmerized by how beautiful he is when he smiles.

We settle at the table as Severus serves dinner. The meal is eaten in comfortable silence. I smile when Paul offers to do the dishes, but instead, I shake my head, flicking my fingers. The plates lift, gliding smoothly to the sink, where water begins filling up on its own.

"Wow," Paul breathes, watching in awe. "That must be awesome. I hate cleaning—especially dishes."

He laughs, still a little astonished, and I chuckle along with him.

Severus clears his throat and summons my tote bag, pulling out the map and my notes from earlier. I had completely forgotten about my research—my thoughts have been consumed by Paul and the imprint.

"Firstly," Severus begins, looking slightly uncomfortable, "I want to apologize to you both. I interfered in something I had no business in, and the consequence was your spike in magic, which caused you to pass out." His gaze meets mine, filled with regret.

"You don't have to apologize, Severus," I say softly, placing my hand over his. "You didn't act with malicious intent, and you couldn't have known how my magic would react." I offer him a reassuring smile.

He nods, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Have you noticed the humming is gone since Paul imprinted on you?" he asks, smirking a little when realization dawns on me.

I close my eyes, searching for that familiar hum—the static of my magic—but there's nothing. I glance at Paul, who smiles.

"I felt that electric charge before, but now it's gone… or at least, less intense. I can still sense the protective magic around the property, though," he says.

I turn back to Severus. "Do you think our magic will return to normal now that the buzzing is gone?"

He shakes his head. "No. I think it may be more manageable, but I don't believe the strength has lessened."

I nod slowly, my gaze drifting back to Paul. "You were the reason," I murmur, blushing as his eyes darken with intensity. "You balance it out. You're the connection to the land that I needed to harness the magic."

From the corner of my eye, I see Severus nod. "I agree," he says, but his expression remains serious. "However, I wouldn't exhale in relief just yet—I think there's more to it."

I frown as he continues. "From what I've gathered, the imprint is meant to match the wolf with a woman who complements him—not just what he needs, but also someone who strengthens the bloodline."

At this, my cheeks burn. Paul takes a deep breath almost growling, while Severus smirks.

"My guess? With Hermione's magical blood and your wolf genes, the offspring would be so powerful that future threats would be eliminated entirely."

Paul nods, looking deep in thought. "But the wolf gene remains dormant unless there are vampires in the area," he muses.

"Are you certain that it's the only reason?" Severus asks, his gaze sharp.

Paul frowns, his brows furrowed. Severus continues "There seems to be a lot your council doesn't know—like the existence of female shapeshifters." He pauses, then asks,

Paul hesitates. "I... I don't really know. The legends say it happens because of a nearby threat, but the Cullens had been in Forks long before I phased for the first time. They posed no threat to the reservation, not with the treaty in place." His expression turns thoughtful. " I met my first vampire almost a year after phasing the first time"

I bite my lip, my mind racing to find a connection. "Do you know what triggered Sam to phase?"

Paul shakes his head. "No idea. He says it happened after an argument with Leah. They were dating—engaged, actually."

I glance at Severus, whose expression mirrors my own shock.

Paul smirks. "Oh, you didn't know that? The mighty Alpha didn't tell you he had a fight with his fiancée, phased for the first time, then disappeared for three months? And when he finally managed to shift back, he imprinted on Leah's cousin?"

"What?!" I gape at him. "That's insane! Poor Leah." I turn to Severus, whose face darkens in thought.

"That would explain why she was glaring daggers at them during the bonfire," he muses. "What role did her mother play in all this?"

Paul chuckles at Severus's sharp deduction. "You've got a good eye, old man."

Severus sneers, unimpressed, but Paul continues. "Sue, as you know, is part of the council. When Sam disappeared, Leah was devastated. She searched everywhere for him, but Sue just told her not to worry—that he'd come back." He takes a sip of water. "Then, when Sam finally phased back and Leah saw him with Emily, she was heartbroken. And, of course, furious. Not only had her fiancé betrayed her, but so had her own flesh and blood."

A deep sadness settles in my chest. I barely spoke to Leah at the bonfire, and now I feel guilty for not trying to understand her better.

Paul's warm hand closes over mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't feel bad, Little Witch. You'll get to know her. In fact, I have a feeling you two are going to be great friends." His smirk is teasing, but his eyes are kind.

I smile back at him, some of the guilt easing.

"When Leah finally stopped yelling at Sam, she went home and broke down in front of her mother," Paul continues. "And you know what Sue told her? That it was nature's course. That she should be happy for Sam and Emily."

"But Jacob told us the council was against Emily at first, and that Sam had to threaten them into accepting her," I say, glancing at Severus. He nods in confirmation.

Paul lets out a dry, sarcastic laugh. "Old Quil claimed it was because Emily was from the Makah tribe, but honestly? I think he just wanted to stir shit. He does anything he can to agitate us wolves."

I frown, thinking it through. "So, Sam phased after a fight with Leah. Did you have a fight with anyone before your first shift?" I ask carefully.

Paul shakes his head. "No. I was alone in my house when it started. One moment I was fine, the next... my whole body felt like it was burning up. My skin was too tight, like I was being squeezed from the inside. I ran outside, fell to my knees in the yard, and then—pain. Unbelievable pain. I blacked out. When I came to, I was a wolf, and Sam was there waiting for me."

Severus studies him, his expression unreadable. "Can you think of anything specific that could have triggered it?"

Paul frowns. "No… nothing obvious."

"Would you be opposed to letting me take a look?" Severus asks, his voice calm but firm.

Paul hesitates, staring at him for a long moment before nodding, though he still looks unsure.

"I'll count to three," Severus instructs. "Maintain eye contact, and it's important that you relax and focus on that day. Understood?"

The authoritative tone reminds me of when he was my professor, and I stifle a giggle.

Paul nods, inhaling deeply.

"One… two… three."

Silence settles over the room as the two men lock eyes. The air feels heavier, charged with something unseen. After what seems like ten minutes, Severus finally blinks, and Paul jerks back, rubbing his temples.

"Fuck, that was uncanny. Is it like that every time?!"

Severus chuckles. "No. I had to guide you a bit. If I wasn't searching for something specific, you wouldn't have even noticed I was there."

"Did you find anything?" I ask, too curious to hold back.

Severus glances at Paul, who gives a small nod of consent. "From what I gathered, he was feeling alone. He had just finished supper when an overwhelming sense of longing hit—right before the shift."

I quickly jot it down in my notes, along with what we know about Sam.

"Could it have something to do with the fact that wolves are meant to be in a pack? Maybe your loneliness triggered the transformation—your body responding to the need for connection?"

Severus nods, considering the theory, but Paul looks skeptical. "Yeah, maybe. But I still feel lonely and excluded, so what difference did it make?" he grumbles.

"But you said you and Sam bonded at first, before he met Emily."

Paul's eyes widen slightly, "Yeah… that's true."

"Okay, so Sam was triggered by anger. You phased because of loneliness and the need for purpose. What about the other wolves?"

Paul straightens, his expression darkening. His lips curl into a sneer.

"Vampires," he says simply.

I scribble it down. "How?" I ask.

"Well, you see, there's this leech-loving bit—"

I clear my throat pointedly, raising an eyebrow at him.

Paul grins, looking momentarily sheepish. "Right. Let me start over."

He leans back, smirking. "Isabella Swan happened. She started hanging around here with Jacob, and she was infested with that smell. It put all of us on edge. The baby Alpha hadn't phased yet, but he met the mind-reader a few times over at her place."

He goes on to tell us about the nomadic vampires that had stirred up trouble in the past.

"One of them is still alive," Paul adds, his tone darkening. "But since the leech-lover hasn't been down here in a while, there haven't been any new wolves."

I nod. "But if the wolf gene can be triggered by something other than a vampire, there's a possibility that more could emerge in the future," I say. He nods in agreement.

"Yeah, by the looks of it, that doesn't seem unlikely."

We let the subject drop and turn our attention to the map Paul helped me with, strategizing our next steps. After a while, we take a break, and Paul stands up, stretching his legs.

When we return to the topic of magic, the conversation shifts to what Paul imprinting on me might mean.

"As I said before, I think there's more to it than just your imprint keeping the magic stable. Do you remember what Ana said?" Severus asks.

I raise an eyebrow. "She said a lot of things. Can you be more specific?"

Paul laughs from across the room. He's moved away from the table and is now standing by the stove, shoveling mashed potatoes into his mouth—much to Severus's chagrin.

"'Give the land nourishment. Watch it grow. Reap the benefits. And let the magic flow,'" Severus recites with a smirk.

I nod, smiling as Paul snickers behind me.

"She just wants you to grow more of her herbs—the kind you drink and smoke, if you know what I mean," Paul says, laughing.

Severus lets out a small chuckle. "If I hadn't met the woman, I'd agree with you."

Shaking my head, I lean back in my chair. "Let's come back to this later. It's not our most pressing concern."

They both agree, and after some final discussion—mostly Paul grumbling about vampires—it's late. Severus stands and stretches.

"I'm going to bed," he announces. Then, shooting us a look, he adds, "Don't do anything stupid. And if you do, silence the room. Please."

Paul and I both blush, mumbling our goodnights as Severus stomps upstairs and slams his door.

Paul stands and holds out his hand to me. I take it, letting him lead me to the sofa, where I sit close to him. His warmth seeps into me, making my body hum and my head feel light.

"I have to leave soon," he murmurs. "I just want—need—to be close for a little while before I go."

I nod, allowing him to pull me closer. Wrapping my arm around his waist, I rest my head on his shoulder, inhaling deeply. His scent makes me dizzy, and a quiet moan slips past my lips.

Paul buries his face in my hair, breathing me in. A low growl rumbles from his chest as his grip tightens on my hip.

"Can you come back tomorrow?" I whisper, holding him tighter. The thought of him leaving makes my pulse race.

He pulls back, locking eyes with me. "Oh, little witch, nothing could stop me from coming back."

His gaze drops to my lips, and he leans in, pausing just inches from my face. His breath is warm against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Please, Paul… kiss me," I whimper.

A growl vibrates in his throat before he crushes his lips against mine in a fierce, passionate kiss. Light bursts behind my eyelids as I throw my arms around his neck, climbing onto his lap, desperate to be closer.

One of his hands tangles in my hair, holding me to him, while the other grips my hip firmly—not painfully, just enough to make me ache for more.

I pull back, gasping for air. His eyes are closed, lips curled into a satisfied smile.

I giggle, leaning in to kiss him again, already craving more and he hums happily against my mouth,our kisses slow and soft but not less passionate just less heat and desperate.

"You taste so good witch" he murmurs against my mouth and I smile

"so do you, and your smell is dangerous " I say and blush, he just smiles and there is a low rumbling In his chest.

"My wolf has never been this happy and calm," he says, tucking a curl behind my ear. His finger trails down my throat, over my collarbone, and along my arm until it reaches my hand. A shiver runs through me, and I can't help but smile at his words.

"I want to meet him."

Paul's eyes flash golden for a moment, his smile turning feral. I bite my lip. He looks so sexy, dangerous even, but I know I don't have to be afraid.

"Promise me you won't run, little witch," he murmurs, his voice low and threatening. "I have a lot of restraint as a human, but not as a wolf. He wants nothing else but to claim you."

My eyes widen, and I flush, shifting uncomfortably on his lap. He smirks, reading my reaction. "Oh, you're playing a dangerous game, little witch. There's a thin line between my wolf and my man, so don't push it."

I nod, taking a deep breath to calm my racing pulse, pushing down the heat rising in me. But then, Paul suddenly pulls me closer. His nose brushes up my neck, sending sparks through my skin before he places a heated kiss where my neck meets my shoulder.

"I can smell you," he growls, his voice rough with desire. "So fucking good. Can't wait…"

He sucks hard at the spot, and I whimper, my head tilting to the side in submission. Just as I'm about to beg him to take me to my room, he stops, gently lifting me off his lap and setting me down on the sofa. He stands up, running a hand through his hair.

I feel embarrassed, fumbling for words. "I-I'm so…"

He quickly turns around, his expression softening. "Don't apologize. If anyone should, it's me. I got too close to marking you," he mutters, rubbing his hands over his face. He looks a little wired, a little antsy, and that helps me relax.

"It's okay. You didn't," I assure him, though my voice still shakes. "But maybe we should call it a night. We can continue tomorrow."

I blush, realizing how that sounded. "I didn't mean—"

He laughs softly, his eyes twinkling. "Don't worry, little witch. We'll pick up where we left off tomorrow, after we get everything else out of the way."

My cheeks burn even more as I stand and follow him to the door. I cast a warming charm over myself before stepping out with him onto the porch. The wind has calmed, but the temperature has dropped, and our breath comes out in small clouds.

"I'm just going to phase behind the garage," he says, his voice quiet but firm. "Stay here."

With a single leap, he jumps off the porch and vanishes into the night. I shake my head at the way wolves never use stairs.

I sit on the last step, waiting, and soon Paul reappears, now in wolf form.

His wolf is large, not as massive as Sam's, but still imposing. The fur is a mix of grey, silver, and mercury, shifting with each movement, as though it's alive. He walks confidently towards me, his eyes locked on mine, still hazel but with a golden ring around the pupils.

I stand slowly, extending my arm toward him. He pauses, whining softly, and my heart races at the sight before me. He's magnificent.

"You're not going to hurt me," I whisper, and he growls in what I can only assume is contentment. He lowers himself to the ground, his body rippling with muscle.

I lower my hand to his head, running my fingers through his soft fur. The warmth radiates from him, even stronger in his wolf form. My fingers trail over his ears, and I smile when they twitch under my touch. He shivers as my hand moves along his flank and spine, making me smile. He's reacting to me, and I find it exhilarating.

Leaning down, I bury my face in his neck and sigh. Even as a wolf, he smells incredible.

His cold nose nudges me, and he slowly stands, walking toward the garage again. Paul now back in his human form emerges from behind the building, wearing only his jeans and carrying his shoes.

"I'll leave these here," he says, setting his shoes and t-shirt down on the steps behind me.

I nod, my gaze lingering on his bare chest. His muscles are defined, sculpted like a work of art. A tattoo runs down his arm—one I recognize but with slight differences from the others. It makes me smile. Paul isn't like the others. He never does anything just because someone tells him to.

Warm hands cup my face, drawing me out of my thoughts. His eyes sparkle with happiness, and for the first time, his jaw isn't clenched. He looks softer, younger, and I feel my heart flutter.

"I don't want to leave, but I have to," he murmurs, leaning down to kiss me.

I moan into the kiss, my hands instinctively finding his chest, feeling his strong, steady heartbeat beneath my palms.

He presses one final kiss to my forehead before stepping back, fists clenched as though holding himself back.

"Let me know when you're home," I say quietly.

He nods, offering a soft smile. "Good night, little witch," he murmurs before turning and sprinting toward the trees.

"Good night, Paul," I whisper into the night.

I pick up his shoes and shirt, walking inside. I lock the door behind me and extinguish the lights downstairs with a quiet nox before heading upstairs.

When I reach my room, I close the door and silence everything around me. I let out a loud squeal, flopping onto my back with a big smile. A few days ago, I dreaded the thought of imprinting. Now, it feels like something I never could've imagined.

And I know it will only get better.

I blush as thoughts of Paul's body flood my mind—his strong thighs, his bare chest in the dark. My body buzzes with the arousal I've been trying to suppress. It's been so long since I've been intimate with anyone, but now... now it feels like I might burst if I don't find release soon.

I glance at his t-shirt on the floor, summoning it with a soft hum. I bury my face in the fabric, inhaling deeply. He smells like home, like warmth and safety. Sneaky wolf. I grin, realizing this is probably why he left it behind in the first place.

I slowly unzip my jeans and slide them off along with my underwear, my hand caressing down my body until I feel the wetness between my legs. I hide my face in his t-shirt as my other hand gently runs up and down my slit, collecting my juices before circling around my clit. A shudder escapes me as I imagine Paul's large hands on my body, his fingers exploring and touching me intimately.

My pace quickens as I rub harder, adding more pressure to my sensitive spot. In my mind, I can feel his mouth on my skin, sucking and biting at my nipples while his intense gaze locks with mine. His deep voice urges me to climax.

On command my back arches off the bed and I bite down on my lip, letting out a low moan as the powerful waves of pleasure wash over me. The combination of Paul's scent and vivid thoughts makes it an intense experience, almost making me lightheaded as I come down from my euphoric high.

The buzzing sound of my phone brings me back to reality. I scramble off the bed, patting my jeans to find it.

"Home safe. Good night, little witch. xx"

I smile and quickly reply, feeling the warmth of his words.
"Good night, my Paul. xx"

I slip off my cardigan and t-shirt, then crawl under the blankets. Too tired and lazy to get up and do my usual nightly routine, I cast a quick freshening charm on my mouth. With a sigh, I turn off the lights, letting the room fall into darkness. I pull his t-shirt close to my chest again, inhaling deeply. His scent wraps around me, calming and grounding me. My body feels completely relaxed after my climax, and I let my thoughts drift, consumed by him.

Hi everyone!
Here's a new chapter, a bit shorter than usual. I hope you enjoy it!
Apologies for the delay – I had to take my cat to the vet. Thank you so much for your patience!
I'll be back soon.
A huge thank you to everyone who reads, comments, likes, and follows – your support means the world to me!

If you're on Pinterest, feel free to check out my page: Witchinblackk.
For those who've already seen it, I hope you're not disappointed with my inspiration for Paul. While I do like the actor from the movies and think he fits the role, I also wanted to bring my own vision of Paul from the books to life.

Let me know what you think!