Chapter Thirty-One

Early the next morning, I laid in my bed, staring up at the ceiling, listening to Paul's noise.

I turned my head slightly to look at him. His head was so close to mine, breathing lightly, letting out tiny snores in between, he had his arm draped over my stomach.

The snoring was a little annoying to the point I thought of creating a tea or remedy cause as much as I love the guy, his snoring had to go but I reminded myself quickly Paul had been patrolling nearly every night till morning, he was drained.

Hearing a buzzing, I turned off my alarm and checked the time 5:30 my favorite time of the morning. I sat up, stretching and looked out the window, it was still dark out.

I sat there for a while listening to my imprinter. He must have been really tired after yesterday. No one expected Jacob to just shift like that, most wolves shifted because there were vampires nearby... and there's usually something that triggers the angry, like Paul had a drunken fight with his father. I never told anyone about it but I knew. It's part of why he's been practically living at Emily's to the point of driving a certain Alpha crazy.

Waking up a little more, I got to my feet and padded over to my closet and waved my hand over a wall grabbing my portable cauldron and my usual ingredients.

Slowly I sat down on my rug, cross legged. Piper picked her head up from laying on her tree, she wasn't a big fan of the big guy in my bed. Doing her usual, she came and climbed into my lap as I sat my cauldron on the wood floor so it wouldn't catch the rug on fire.

Filling my pot with my usual things, Epson salt, ground pepper, jasmine buds and white sage.  I lit the sage and moved my wrist clockwise in the air three times. The smoke wafted up into the air, in a cloud swirl. I placed the sage in the pot and settled myself properly, taking in a deep breath, inhaling the smoke and closed my eyes, meditating.

-----

Moments passed by, I heard my second alarm beep drawing my attention. I opened my eyes and glanced at the clock.  Sun was shining in my room.

I looked over Paul was still sleeping. I smiled, getting up and cleaning my things up. I quickly turned the alarm off letting my man sleep and grabbed my bath kit and some clothes and went to take a shower.

I took a quick one, following my normal routine and got out, drying myself off.

Since it looked like a good day, I got dressed in a simple purple tube top shirt and blue jeans.

I wandered back into my room spotting my bed empty, Paul wasn't there, instead Piper was curled up.

"Hmm... did you scare him away?" I asked staring at my kitty.

She just eyed me for a minute before falling back to sleep.

I grinned at my cat.

"Typical kitty." I muttered rolling my eyes in amusement.

Moving over to my vanity, I dried it quickly and brushed it out, deciding on leaving it down, I added a small braid. My makeup was light just dark eyeshadow, eyeliner and few swipes of mascara making my eyes stand out and a little gloss I was looking like myself.

Moving onto my jewelry I added my usual valerian necklace but decided on adding my new necklace I had gotten for my birthday, it had a black cat on them slipping on the matching bracelet on one wrist and added my coven and the one Paul gave me on the other.

I even put the matching cat earrings on so my outfit was complete. Slipping into a pair of purple heels, I grabbed my bags and headed downstairs.

I could hear noise coming from the kitchen, making me raise an eyebrow. Reaching the bottom step I dropped my bags on the couch and made my way into the room.

I saw Paul standing in my kitchen, there was a couple pans on the stove and smells of bacon filled the air.

He turned hearing my footsteps, seeing me and grinned huge. My eyes nearly popped out of my head for a second.

"You cook?"

"I'm not a kitchen whiz like you or Emily but I know my way around." He told me making me laugh.  "I had to defend for myself as a kid, it was either learn to cook or go hungry."

My eyes softened knowing what he meant. I walked forward wrapping my arms around his waist and hugged him. He hugged me back tighter.

Glancing over at the stove, he was cooking pancakes, bacon and eggs, I noticed there was a separate pan cooking tofu bacon.

"Tofu bacon?" I asked pulling back.

"Since you don't eat meat.." He said shrugging like it was nothing. "I may or may not have asked Emily... she made sure I wouldn't poison you."

I smiled at him, laughing knowing my friend. Moving over I started messing with the coffee pot so Charlie would have his morning coffee and decided to turn on my tea pot.

"I went to a friend's farm when I was little." I told him gently. "It was butchering day... That same day I got my telepathy, my first gift ever... I saw things in an animal's head as it died." I glanced over at him for a second. "I heard it's last thought, saw the last image it had it was so sad and cruel, after that I couldn't look at another animal."

"Must have been interesting though." He said quietly, flipping a pancake.

"As a kid it wasn't." I retorted crossing my arms and leaned against the counter. "It was hard for me, I can read people's private thoughts and tell you what everyone is thinking, I can block them for a while but I can never shut them off. I knew what they were going to say before they said it. Around my parents and grandparents, Jazz and Quinn's grandmothers, and the Cullen's I could be myself but around the rest of you." I gave him a pointed look. "I had to pretend, keep secrets.. It was hard for me not to tell Jake and Em just like it's hard that I can't tell Quil or especially Leah......"

Hearing the coffee pot go off, I turned grabbing coffee cups and made sure the table was set.

"I hate she's mad at me, I want to tell her everything." I muttered to myself. "But I know it's better if she doesn't, I've had to grow up in this world it can be dangerous."

"I know."

My eyes caught Paul's for a moment, we stared at each other until I turned back to my task.

We fell into conversation as we worked, it was a really nice feeling. By the time we were done, breakfast was on the table along with Charlie's paper.

Charlie was already at the table with his uniform on, drinking his coffee and picking at his food while he made small talk with Paul while I finished making my tea and sat down beside my imprint, eating our own meals.

I chewed on a piece of my tofu bacon and smiled a little at the taste. The three of us ate and talked, I mostly listened to Charlie and Paul until footsteps padded on the floor.

"Morning." I heard turning to see Bella coming into the room, seeing Paul sitting there, she froze a little. Her eyes glanced at me, I stared back. I could tell her mind was going into overdrive, probably remembering what Jake said but seeing the look on my face, she seemed to mellow out a little.

My phone started ringing, I ducked over to the counter, picking it up and hit the green button.

'ELENA!

"What's up Quinny?" I muttered quietly, moving into the living room so I could talk privately while the others finished eating.

'You won't guess who just asked me out on a date'

I grinned laughing.

"Does it have to do with a certain Goofy best friend of mine?" I asked knowingly. "Goes by the name of Embry?"

"How did you know?" She asked shyly. "Did you see something?"

"Nah that's not my gift. " I told her grinning. "But it was my idea."

Glancing at the time, I stood up.

"I'll tell you more about it later, I'll meet you at school... just breath Quinny, it won't be so bad." I muttered.

We both said our goodbyes, I went into the kitchen making them all stare at me.

"What's wrong with Quinn?" Bella asked.

I looked at her for a few minutes, before smiling.

"Nothing." I said shrugging, not saying anything more. I grabbed mine and Paul's empty plates, washing them off before setting them in the drain rack.

"We should get going." I said turning, going back to my imprint.  "We're both going to be late for school and you got the further drive."

Paul stared at me fighting back a groan but nodded, getting to his feet.

"Quinn and I are headed down to the Rez tonight so I'll be home late." I added giving Charlie a smile. "You know the drill, dinner is in the fridge."

Charlie paused finishing his breakfast and looked up at us, nodding his head.

"Okay, have fun." He mumbled going back to stuffing his face.

I grinned at my uncle, leaning over to kiss his cheek.

"Be safe." I told him grabbing Paul's hand and dragged him out of the room away from the awkward stares of my cousin. "We're leaving in a few minutes Bells."

Walking out of the kitchen, I went to grab my bags, a hand shot out getting them for me. I glanced at Paul smiling. He winked at me. Grabbing my keys off the hook, we walked out the door.

Stepping out onto the porch, we headed straight for the jeep, I unlocked the doors and opened my drivers door. Paul set my bags in the back for me.

"Jared should be here in a few." Paul told me wrapping his arms around my waist. "Sam told him to pick me up so we can deal with Black's initiation... I'll see you tonight."

I nodded giving him a firm look.

"Give Jake a break for a while please?" I asked sighing. "He's still one of my best friends and now his life has changed, he's not as laid back or goofy like Embry or Jared. I don't need you two fighting... I won't take sides either."

Paul's grin changed into a mischievous smirk.

"Speaking of Em... Don't let Jared freak him out." I added thinking of Embry and Quinn. "Tonight's a big deal for them, I can already tell she's nervous, Quinn might be a witch but she's a little timid sometimes.. if Em is nervous then she's going to be too."

"I got it." He mumbled leaning down, giving me a small kiss. I could feel his breath on my skin.

Not even a second later a honk of a horn drew us apart. We looked over to where Jared had drove up. Jared's truck was dark green and looked a little beat down but it still ran.

Bella came walking out of the house at the same time.

Paul looked over at her, before turning back to me. He gave me another kiss and slowly walked away.

'I love you'

I smiled brightly at him, watching him climb into the truck.

'I love you tooo'  I heard Jared think, it sounded like he was making kissing sounds.

Paul turned to him, glaring and punched him in the shoulder earning a yelp. I laughed out loud at that. Paul gave me a glance, I gave him a smile before Jared drove off.

Turning I spotted Bella standing in front of the hood, watching us. I nearly forgot she was there.

"Why was Paul here so early?" She asked glancing in the direction they disappeared in.

"He stayed the night." I told her shrugging, climbing into the drivers seat.

She got into the passenger, staring at me in shock.

"Does Charlie know?"

I nodded, turning the key and bringing the engine to life. I turned the heater on and waited for a few minutes.

"It was his idea." I told her gently, being honest.

"But Jake-"

"He's wrong." I said cutting her off defending my man. "Paul isn't a bad guy, he's just had a different life than Jacob... His parents divorced and his dad's a drunk."

"Really?" She asked frowning.

I nodded.

"But I can promise he's not what Jake says he is, neither is Sam or Jared." I added backing out of the driveway.

"Speaking of Jacob... has he called you?"

I gave her a side glance, shaking my head.

"No, why what's up?"

"Well I've been calling him all night and he hasn't answered or returned any messages." She said looking upset.

I frowned sensing a change in her aura, it made me feel bad. Hanging with Jake made her come out of zombie mode and get back to being Bella.

"I'm sorry Bella." I muttered staring out my window.

I could feel her staring at me.

----

Parking the jeep in my spot, I felt my phone buzz and sat there for a second pulling it out. Seeing a message from Paul letting me know he and Jared made it home.

I smiled sending a reply and hopped out, I didn't pause to wait for Bella. I met Jasmine and Quinn at the doors, walking in. Quinn had a grin on her face.

"Okay now that Elena's here." Jazz said giving Quinn a look. "What's going on with you this morning?"

I raised an eyebrow at them going to my locker.

"She's been staring at her phone and smiling all morning... and I can't read her mind." Jasmine told me clarifying.

I nodded glancing at Quinn. It was true, she did seem overly happy, there was a light in her eyes and her aura was nothing but pink. Eyeing her for a second, I knew that look, it's the same one I was sure played on my face every time I was around Paul.

"She's got a date with Embry tonight." I said leaning over.

Jasmine looked at me.

"Really?"

Quinn's eyes instantly turned to me, her face grew red as she tried to fight her blush.

"It'll just be us imprints and shifters." I told her smiling. "We do this once a week, we hang out at Emily's, watching movies and snacks and whatnot... It's like a group date." I gave Quinn a soft smile. "If you're okay with that."

"Actually that sounds fun." Quinn said giving me a friendly relieved smile. "I won't feel as nervous with you there... it's our first date."

I smiled at her.

"That's so not fair!" Jasmine exclaimed loudly. "Why am I the only one without a boyfriend!"

Jasmine had practically screamed the words, and I was trying hard not to react to everyone who stopped and stared, giving us many strange looks.

"Jazz calm down, people are staring to stare." I whispered opening my locker and stuffed my bags in, grabbing my stuff for class.

"There not staring at us, their staring at him" Quinn pointed out, I looked over, she was staring at someone else. Jasmine and I shared a confused look before looking around, seeing what everyone was looking at. It was a guy, about our age, black hair, brown eyed. He just walked through the doors and stared straight ahead, not looking at anybody as he passed.

"Who is that?" Jasmine asked leaning closer to us as he passed by.

"Dillion Merrick." I told them making them turn to me. "He just transferred here from Los Angeles around the time Embry shifted."

I barely paid attention to the girls, I just kept staring at Dillion, his mind was blank almost like he had a block, kind of like Bella... but there was something about him... I stared at him for the longest time that I didn't hear the first bell ring until Quinn shook my arm and grabbed my hand, dragging me to Math class.

The entire class was spent with Quinn thinking of how awesome and cute Embry was, he was a goofy sweetheart, hearing my best friend thinking such things about my other best friend gave me a headache, we talked about what she should wear tonight... I was happy for them though.

Science and history went by quickly and  eventually lunch where I ate slowly, talked with all of my friends, thinking of Paul.

I wondered how it was going getting Jacob used to the pack, of course now that both Jacob and Embry were shifted, Quil would be left alone it made me feel bad for my knucklehead, he was kind of an odd kid no one wanted to hang with. It also meant that Jacob had to stop hanging around my cousin. I didn't want Bella learning the pack secret.

---

I walked into English, my top favorite class and sat down in my regular spot next to Quinn who was busy flipping through her notebook... I noticed some of the pages were filled with Embry's name doodled.

I smirked a little, turning to my English notes that had I <3 Paul written on top of it. I wasn't ashamed, I loved him and he knew it.

Glancing over at Jasmine, she had a grin on her face. That was when I saw him.

Dillion Merrick.

He walked right into class, it fell silent but he didn't seem to notice or care. He headed straight for an empty desk in front of Jasmine and sat down, staring up at the board. The girls and I shared a look, staring at him.

The bell rang signaling the beginning of the class but the girls and I couldn't take our eyes off him.

Thinking back to before, I tried to read his mind again but just like before I couldn't get through.

The only time I've had that happen is with Bella so it made me wonder what he was hiding.

The whole class everyone was making comments, Jessica mostly about the new mysterious boy.

--------------------------------------

Once school was out, Jasmine waved goodbye, hanging back to wait for her sister.

Quinn and I climbed into the jeep with Bella in the backseat, Quinn was coming over so we could get dressed for tonight.

I didn't even wait for Bella to get her seatbelt on and I was pulling out of the parking lot.

Second we were in the driveway, Quinn and I got out bounded for my room and ran up the stairs.

-------

"Why can't I just wear what I normally wear?" Quinn asked.

"Because this is a first date." I told her sighing heavily. "Sure Paul and I, Jared and Kim, and Sam and Emily are going to be there but it's still considered a first date."

My room was a huge mess, clothes thrown everywhere, I had already gotten dressed in one of my pretty purple dresses, I was looking pretty but Quinn Yorkie could not make up her mind.

"Well then what do you think?" She asked looking down at herself.

I crossed my arms, looking her over for a few minutes before deciding on a dress and glanced at a collection of dresses she had teleported home to grab.

There are times when I loved being a witch and this was one of them.

Slowly fingering through the pile, I pulled out a couple green colored ones.

Quinn was obsessed with the color green just like I was with purple and Jasmine loved blue.

One was an army colored one and the other was a cocktail dress that looked like it had sparkles on it, the skirt flowed down just below the knees.

"I like this one." I said handing it to her. "It brings out your eyes and I have a silver necklace and earring set you can borrow and my silver heels."

She looked it over for a moment, nodding her head approvingly.

I smiled at her.

"Embry won't take his eyes off you." I told her earning a smile.

"You think?"

"Trust me." I muttered.

After talking it over I continued helping Quinn get ready, I brushed her hair and tied it up into a wavy bun but kept her makeup natural.

Once she was done, we were back in my wrangler, we had to sneak out of the house cause of Bella but we made it and was back on the road.

Driving down to La Push, Quinn and I talked about everything from Paul to Embry to everything else, we even talked about Jasmine, we felt a little bad that Quinn and I both had dates, boyfriends but she didn't.  Just because we ended up being imprinted on, doesn't mean Jasmine would. No one can control it or plan it... But hopefully she will find someone.

When we finally got to Emily's, I parked in my usual spot. It had grown colder. I opened my door, getting out but paused seeing Quinn still sitting there.

She looked straight ahead, biting her lip. Following her vision, Embry stood on the porch staring back at her. They both were nervous. Glancing at Quinn.

"C'mon Quinny, you got this." I told her softly.

"Embry and I aren't even friends." She said still staring at him. "The only time I see them is if we're hanging out and we run into them or something.." She looked at me. "How can I feel this way? I don't know him."

"I don't know." I told her shrugging. "I can promise you Em is a very good guy he's laid back and can be goofy at times and okay he's a shifter" I eyed my best friend staring at us. I knew his wolf ears could hear us. "But I know he's not going to hurt you or do anything unless you give him the okay... I'm actually happy my best friend imprinted on my other best friend."

She looked at me, I smiled at her spotting Paul moving around Embry and patted Quinn's arm before getting out.

Paul's arms opened and I instantly entered them, feeling his tight arms around me.

Pulling back I looked up at him, reading his mind, my eyes narrowed a little. He had gotten into a fight with Jacob over his constant thoughts about Bella but when Paul told him to knock it off, there was something about me mentioned and Paul got angry... It made him phase like a bullet.

"I'm sorry." Paul said pulling me from his thoughts.

"It's okay." I muttered hugging him again.

"I promised you I would control my temper."

"But Jake pushed buttons." I said nodding, leaning back so I could look him in the eyes again. "I'm not mad, disappointed but that's directed towards Jacob and I'll deal with him later but tonight we're off duty."

He nodded giving me a kiss, I kissed him back. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, heading into Emily's.

We passed Embry who was still looking at Quinn still sitting in the Wrangler.

I nudged him with my elbow, making him jump and look at me.

"Stop staring and stop overthinking." I told him rolling my eyes in amusement. "I did my part, the rest is up to you."

I smiled at him, leaning more into my imprint and walked inside.

-----

Inside I was met with the usual people. Kim was flipping through the stack of DVD's she and Jared had brought, I think they're over finally over the notebook stage. Jared was beside her.

Emily was in the kitchen working on the usual snacks, Sam was helping her.

Since it was wolf and imprints only thing Jacob wasn't here. He was still on his two weeks vacation, in a few days I would be giving him his makeover.

Paul and I went into the kitchen, Emily and Sam's head's turned.

"Is Sammy really cooking?" I asked making Paul smirk.

Sam glared at me but Emily smiled laughing.

"Of course not." She muttered coming over to give me a hug, she glanced at Sam. "After his last attempt that nearly burned my kitchen down?"

I laughed remembering that.

"All he was doing was boiling water." I added making Emily laugh more.

Sam just kept looking between us, and rolled his eyes.

Embry and Quinn walked through the door, making us fall silent. They slowly came to join us in the kitchen.

Quinn looked nervous but once she saw us standing there, she slowly seemed to calm down.

"Quinn, it's good to see you." Emily said walking over to hug her.

It took a few seconds for Quinn to hug her back, but once she did a smile returned to her face.

"Thanks..." She mumbled.

"Why don't we get started on the snacks..." Emily added grabbing Quinn's hand and pulled her over to my side with her.

I nodded turning to Paul, he gave me a kiss on the cheek making me smile.

Sam opened up the fridge grabbing a case of pop and headed into the living room with Paul... Embry slowly trailed after.

I heard the beeping of Em's stove going off, I walked over grabbing the oven mitts and pulled a batch of brownies from it, setting them on a cooling rack.

Emily stepped up next to me, getting started on making homemade pizzas.

"So you do this all the time?" Quinn asked coming closer. "Lena? This is what you do when you're down here?"

"Yeah." I said nodding, glancing at her for a second moving to help Emily. "After Paul imprinted on me, and got the nerve to ask me out... Our date was exactly like this one."

"Mine too." Emily told her smiling. "We had sort of a triple first date."

We looked at each other and smiled.

"It kind of became a normal thing." I added making Emily nod in agreement. "We get together for movie night once a week."

Quinn looked at me in shock.

"Sam and the guys work hard day and night, we hardly get to see them." Emily said sighing a little. "We set aside time once a week so we can spend time with them before they leave to patrol."

I smiled at her knowing what she was thinking. I grabbed a bowl and cutting board, slowly making a salad.

"We take whatever time we can get." I told Quinn feeling the same as Emily was.

We continued making small talk while Emily and I finished cooking and plated the food.

"Food's ready." Emily announced once we filled our plates.

Like usual the guys shot up like they haven't been fed in days and rushed into the kitchen like children.

Emily took her seat on the couch, while I decided to take one of the chairs and Kim was sitting in the one she and Jared always shared.

Quinn trailed after me, spotting Kim and stared, Kim stared back.

"You're Quinn right?" Kim asked tilting her head. "Elena's friend? The second witch who can see the future?"

Quinn stared her for a few minutes before nodding.

"That's cool." Kim said flashing a smile.

"Come sit." Emily told her patting the seat beside her.

Emily and Kim were being openly friendly, I could see Quinn starting to relax.

The guys came back. Paul noticed I wasn't in our normal spot but he said nothing as he sat on the floor beside my legs. I think he knew I was trying to give Embry and Quinn a tiny push.

I smiled reaching out to ruffle his hair, earning a small grin.

Embry sat beside Quinn, she glanced at him and he flashed her a smile.

"So what's the movie tonight?" I asked picking at my veggie pizza, I looked over at Kim.

"La-La land."

"Ooo Ryan Gosling?" Emily and I asked in sync. We glanced at each other and laughed.

"He's so cute." I added.

"Agreed." Emily said.

Kim nodded eagerly.

Paul shot me a look but I just shrugged and smirked, ignoring the looks Kim and Emily were getting from their own guys.

Settling down, Kim pushed play and the movie's beginning credits started rolling up the screen.

Halfway through I had finished eating and Paul got tired of sitting on the floor so he picked me up and sat down in my seat and held me on his lap. I cuddled up to him, his warm skin made my cold skin warm up.

------

Once the movie was done, Paul walked me out to the wrangler. We stood there waiting for Quinn.

"I'm going to be busy the next couple of days." I said quietly laying my head on his chest. "I have orders to fill by the time I get them all delivered, it'll be time for Jake's shifter makeover."

"Do you have to do it?" He asked rolling his eyes at the mention of Jacob.

"It's part of my job." I told him firmly, looking up at him. "I'm the only one who can burn the link."

He had a look on his face I read.

"Don't think too much about what Jake says....or thinks he's just mad he has to stop hanging around Bella." I told him sighing reaching up, I caressed him softly. "Remember what it was like when Sammy and Jared had to cut ties with you."

I gave him a look, he nodded.

"I just worry this will make Bella go backwards." I muttered frowning, sighing I rubbed my head feeling a headache coming. "I have a strange feeling."

Paul kissed my forehead, making me smile. He leaned down kissing my cheek and then the crook of my neck before turning my head and crashed his lips down on mine.

Kissing him back, I could feel and see everything he was telling me as he tried to comfort me a little.

Taking in a deep breath I pulled back, staring into his eyes and grinned, noticing Quinn walking out to us.

Embry was with her, they were holding hands, she had a smile on her face.

I raised an eyebrow wondering what happened, reading her mind I saw what had happened just a few minutes ago. Embry kissed her.

'Good boy Em'

"You ready to go? I'm supposed to be home before ten." Quinn said smiling at Embry.

His eyes lit up like a child on Christmas. It made me feel happy for them.

I gazed up at Paul sharing another kiss with him before sighing forcing myself out of his embrace because if I didn't stop now I wouldn't stop at all.

Paul opened my door for me. I smiled kissing his cheek and slowly got in, grinning at my hot head.

Embry led Quinn over to the passenger, I watched as he took a leaf from Paul's book and opened the door for her.

'Awe... stop with the cuteness!'

Sighing in content, I closed my door and started the engine, rolling the windows down, looking at Paul. His eyes turned from Embry to me.

"I love you, be safe." I muttered.

He leaned through the window, giving me another kiss.

"I love you too..." He whispered as he pulled back. "Sweet dreams Angel."

Giving both Paul and Embry our goodbyes, I backed up and drove off down the dirt road.

Looking through the rearview mirror, I saw Paul standing there with Embry, both of them were watching us. Paul glanced over at Embry and held his hand up for a fist bump.

Em grinned bumping it like Paul had given him pointers or something.. I smiled looking over at Quinn.

She had a smile on her face bigger than I've ever seen. She looked over at me.

"Wow..." She muttered breathlessly.

I laughed.

On the way home we fell into conversation about Embry and her, and what had happened.

----------------------------------------------------

New Chapter

5/3/2024

Hope you enjoy! I'm taking a break due to my mental health (please understand) but I will polish chapters while I do so... If there are any errors I will get to it in time. I kinda like writing the parts where the wolf pack and their imprints get together once a week and they have movie night.

Quinn had her first date with Embry, as tradition they have become part of the movie group nights...

And who is Dillion Merrick.....???  (He looks like this)

Like... Vote... Comment... Let me know what you think!