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SIX; REBORN

     HE COULDN'T FIND her anywhere.

     Paul had been searching high and low for Amelia, but it was as if she had washed off the face of the earth. However, Paul knew she was still in town — he could feel it in the imprint.

     After eavesdropping in the gossip about the blonde vampire, Paul discovered she had a certain connection linked to a human. He finally found Amelia in Mike Newton's family shop.

     "Amelia."

     Her body went still. She spun around, coming face to face with the man who was supposed to be her soulmate. She shook her head, brushing past him. "I don't know why you're here," she murmured lowly. Paul was right on her heels as she weaved her way through the aisles of the store. "You acted like I was the devil only yesterday."

     "I was wrong," Paul confessed. "Look, just come back to Emily's."

     "Why? So the pack can insult me again?" Amelia scoffed, turning on her heel to face him. Paul got a good look at the details of her face, and was blinded by her beauty. "Listen, I was nothing but kind to you. I have been searching for my soulmate for as long as I can remember, and when I find him, I learn he's nothing but a dick. So please, forgive me for not wanting to spend more time with you."

     "And what are you going to do? Just leave?" He finally grabbed ahold of her, even though he knew she was capable of escaping effortlessly. "One more chance, Amelia. We'll behave."

     She laughed dryly. "Do you even want this, Paul? A vampire as your soulmate, as the person you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with?"

     Paul clenched his teeth, remembering Sam's orders. "If it's what's necessary, I'll get it done."

     "Don't you see? You're already speaking of us being together like it's some task you have to fulfill. I want to be with someone who wants to be with me. We're polar opposites, Paul, and that's not going to change anytime soon. Either way, your life with me is going to be difficult and I'm sorry we're both stuck in this situation."

     Amelia heard the jingle of a bell, signaling someone had just exited from the back entrance. Mike walked in, whistling lowly to himself. She took one last good look of him before exiting the shop.

     As if on cue, Paul followed behind. "What? Is that scrawny, little human what you want? Because he worships the ground you walk on?"

     Amelia sighed, feeling human exhaustion just by speaking with the shapeshifter. Conversations with him were getting nowhere, and she could tell her uplifting kindness yesterday was a mistake from the start. She should've told the truth to him straight.

     "I miss my family, Paul. They're gone and I'm the only one left. I stayed behind for you, and all I've received is backlash in return. Do I like Mike Newton? Yes, I do. I like him because he treats me as a human being, and not the monster a vicious bastard has turned me into. He talks to me normally, and doesn't insult me directly to my face because he's unhappy with what I am. Can you ever be someone like that, Paul?"

     They were approaching the Cullen home, and Paul marveled at the grand size of it. He could tell the home was desolate, for all the lights were turned off except for one room, which he assumed was Amelia's.

     "No one said this setup was going to be easy, Amelia. I'm trying my best and you can't blame me. We're mortal enemies, you and I."

     When Amelia stepped through the front door of the Cullen home, Paul assumed he was expected to chase after her. The house was luxurious, but Paul didn't have much time to stand and gawk at it. His imprint was upset and angry with him, and he didn't know how to make the situation better. He had dealt with girls before, but only for a brief period until he would move onto the next one. Amelia was a tough nut to crack.

     She was first in the living room, reaching for a magazine on the table. Then, in the blink of an eye, she was upstairs in her bedroom. Paul grumbled as he trudged up the steps to see her.

     "You're not making this easy for us, you know," Paul said, leaning against her doorframe. He watched the blur of her figure as she gathered her clothing and stuffed them inside a suitcase. "Leaving isn't going to solve our problems."

     "I think leaving will clear both of our heads. I'm giving you an out, Paul. Go be with whatever girl you want. I don't care," Amelia said, shoving her jeans to the bottom.

     "It's not going to be sunshine and rainbows when you leave. The first few months will be the hardest because of our imprint bond. You're going to miss me more than anything even if we've only spent days together," Paul informed, inching closer to her.

     If Amelia was able to cry in that moment, she would break down in an instant. She threw her clothes to the side and stared at him. "I've never been without my family since I met Carlisle. Sure, I've been on trips, but I've never been alone in this big house without anyone inside of it. I miss them more than anyone could ever imagine, and staying here with you is so painful. You don't want to be with me and don't argue, because I know well that you would rather be with some other girl on the reservation. How are we supposed to make this work, Paul? You said it yourself — we're mortal enemies. Our bond is practically destined to fail, and I don't know if I'm prepared to hurt myself like that. How can you promise me that this will work out?"

     Paul took a deep breath. His eyes stared into Amelia's amber ones. He could feel his heart pumping faster as she talked. He was mesmerized by her beauty, and he realized that she was someone he had to fight for. Maybe the girls on the reservation were more convenient for him, but none of them were Amelia. He would have to get over the fact that she was a vampire and he was a shapeshifter.

     "I can't promise you anything, Amelia. I can't give you the answers that you crave. All I can assure you is that I'll try harder. I'll work harder to ensure that this relationship will thrive. I'm sorry, but that's all I can promise you."

     Paul jerked back when he suddenly felt Amelia's lips on his, and her arms thrown around his neck. He slowly eased up, moving his hands to grip her hips. Her lips felt cold and he sensed a shudder running down his spine. Although her touch was distant, it was still inviting him for more. Paul kissed back with as much fervor, and his warmth made Amelia smile.

     When they pulled apart, Amelia was quick to apologize. "I needed to know how it felt, I'm sorry. I don't usually kiss strangers."

     "We're not strangers, Amelia."

     "Mia," she corrected, stepping back from his figure. Paul reached for her waist once again.

     They were soon kissing, and Paul's previous prejudice had all been forgotten.

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     "Good to see you two have kissed and made up."

     "Perfect words to use in this situation, Sam."

     As soon as Amelia's glitter colored flats stepped into Emily's home, she felt a sense of uneasiness. Not every single topic had been solved with Paul just yet, but for now, they were on talking terms and that was all that mattered. His friends, however, were a different story.

     Paul left an open space next to Jared's seat, and Amelia sighed, complying to his silent request. The boy didn't greet her as usual, but no insults were spewing out of his mouth either.

     "Happy to see you again, Mia. Can I get you anything?"

     Amelia supposed the situation was odd for Emily — no one usually left her home without tasting a single ounce of her food. The vampire could attempt to taste it, but her taste buds would immediately reject the food and she would have to throw it up later.

     "No, I'm fine."

     Emily smiled politely. Both Jared and Embry were silent, and Amelia could tell they were biting their tongues for Paul's sake.

     She cleared her throat and looked at Sam. "How is she? Bella, I mean."

     Sam was taken aback by the question. Nonetheless, he supposed it wasn't unusual since Bella held a close connection with the Cullen family. He simply assumed Amelia had taken it to herself to check up on Bella.

     "The first day your family left, she was gone for hours. Charlie called a search party and eventually, I found her in the woods, cold and upset." Amelia felt a small sting at Sam's words. She knew he wasn't doing it intentionally, but the memories made her feel terribly guilty. "I haven't seen much of her lately. I suppose she's doing alright, or else Charlie would tell us otherwise."

    "Thank you," Amelia whispered. "For taking care of her when my brother didn't. When I didn't, in that matter. Bella is still as much of a sister to me as Alice or Rosalie."

    From beside her, Jared grumbled under his breath. "Then why did you and your family abandon her?"

     Paul emitted a low sound, indicating a first warning. Amelia brushed him off. "There was an incident at our house. Bella got hurt, and we all realized how dangerous we were for her. Once Bella recovers from her heartbreak, she'll have a better life without us. I knew if I had the choice between picking immortality and mortality, I would jump at the latter in an instant. Bella's receiving that chance, and I believe she deserves it. Her heart is pure and she offered my brother nothing but happiness."

     The room fell silent. Paul studied the details of his imprint's face as her eyes scanned the room calmly. She seemed to handle awkward situations better than anyone else.

     "So can you read minds too?"

     "Embry!"

     "What? It was a honest question!"

     Amelia chuckled softly. Paul thought it was music to his ears. "No, unfortunately, I'm not blessed with Edward's gift. I bring something else to the table."

     Jared's curiosity peaked and he glanced at the vampire for the first time. "What is it? You can't just leave us hanging."

     Amelia smirked. "I can show you, but I'll need a volunteer first." She held up her fingers and Paul raised an eyebrow.

     "Since you're my imprint, I'd like to see what you can do."

     The smug look on Amelia's face grew wider. She looked over at the rest of the pack. "Is there anything you guys have always wanted Paul to do?"

     Jared snickered. "Finally pay me back for that bet he lost weeks ago."

     "You wish," Paul snorted.

     Amelia smiled wickedly. Her hand moved to grip Paul's, and he had suddenly fallen under her spell. Sam took a cautious step forward as Paul's eyes shifted into a light grey hue. "Paul," she drawled, her voice alluring. "Don't you think it would be best to pay back Jared for that bet you made weeks ago?"

     Paul nodded. "Anything for you, Mia."

     He dug through the pockets of his jean shorts before slapping a five dollar bill onto Jared's palm. The werewolf stared at the money in wonder, and his eyes drifted to the blonde right next to him.

     "Forget everything I said before. You're welcome here anytime, Amelia!"

     Embry rolled his eyes at Jared's words. Paul began taking himself out of Amelia's trance, shaking his head.

     "What just happened?"

     "Is there anything else you can do, Amelia? Preferably feed a starving werewolf pack?" Emily said, stirring some of her cooking at the stove.

     Amelia shrugged. "Nothing special. I don't sleep, which gives me plenty of time to accomplish other things. I usually just go shopping."

     "And how many people did you kill before you converted to the blood of animals?" Embry inquired, leaning forward. He gazed into her amber colored eyes, challenging her to answer. Emily scolded him and Sam ordered for him to stop his nonsense.

     "I never enjoyed it, you know. I'm glad Alice found me when she did and brought me to Carlisle. I used to go days without feeding, and during those days I would attempt to end my life. It isn't as easy for us vampires than it would be for mortals. Yes, I did kill people when I was first turned but I would never return to that state of mind. I have a better conscience now, and I wish to not reflect on previous experiences."

     Paul stood up. "I don't care what you guys have to say. I understand Mia is a vampire and our sworn enemy, but she's my imprint and a part of this pack. If I'm making the effort to set aside our tribe rules and learn more about her, I expect you to as well."

     The ill-tempered shapeshifter held out his hand for her to take. He felt her cold touch as her fingers wrapped around his. They both left Emily's home, ignoring Jared and Embry's apologies.

     Amelia stared at the side of Paul's face, a smile painted upon her lips. It was as if she was reborn again, a new vampire taking shape.

     She pulled him down for a swift kiss and felt a burst of happiness in her chest.

paul and amelia!!!!!