CHAPTER EIGHT

Serena shot a glare towards her younger sister, silently acknowledging the setup she had been involved in. In truth, her anger was more directed at herself for being so gullible as to believe Paul wouldn't be present.

Inwardly, she berated herself for being so blind to the fact that Paul would undoubtedly be there, despite the circumstances. Her anger toward her sister lessened, replaced by a sense of frustration with her own naïveté and carelessness.

Paul often spent time by Sam's and Jared's side, even though they had not been friends pre-transformation. However, she remembered that Jacob had shared with her that once Paul phased, he had become closer to both Sam and Jared.

Serena briefly considered the notion of hopping back into the car and driving away, but quickly dismissed the idea, recognizing it was not a viable option. She knew she was in for a long, awkward evening.

With Emily's gentle insistence, Serena found herself in the comfort of Emily's home. As they discussed the details of her departure from town, she noticed herself calming down, but her heart still raced at the thought of being in close proximity to Paul. She maintained her silence, refusing to acknowledge his presence despite sensing his intense gaze upon her.

Paul felt a wave of guilt wash over him as Serena suddenly entered the picture. In that moment, his only desire was to rush over and embrace her, but he knew he had no right since he had essentially run away from her.

Paul harbored deep feelings for Serena, but a fear of those same "I love you's" turning into "I hate you" had haunted him for so long. His departure only validated this anxiety, turning something that was once considered a beautiful expression into a source of fear.

Jacob's attention had shifted towards Paul and his lingering gaze on his sister, causing a surge of anger to surge through his veins. He vividly remembered her tears and the countless days she spent mourning the absence of the one person who should have been by her side, yet had never once returned to mend the broken pieces.

The anger that bubbled within Jacob's core was potent, but he restrained himself from acting on it, mindful of the fragile line he was balancing on.

Jacob yearned for his sister to return home permanently, but the recollection of her countless nights of tears etched vividly in his memory weighed heavily on his heart. He longed to cause Paul harm for the pain he inflicted, and the weight of forgiveness remained elusive.

Despite the anger that simmered within him, Serena's influence had deeply etched itself into Jake's mind. She had instilled in him the importance of always being mindful of one's actions, especially considering the pack was his family.

Serena's expectations of a stifling dinner time were far from the reality in front of her. Sitting far enough away from Paul, she engaged in lively conversations with her siblings and the other boys, completely engrossed in the conversation and happily avoiding any direct interaction with him.

Serena deliberately avoided making eye contact with Paul throughout the entire evening, maintaining her indifference towards him.

As the night sky enveloped everything around, Serena sought refuge outside, craving a moment of respite from the boys' boundless energy. Secluded from the group, she quietly slipped away unnoticed.

She found solace as she gazed upon the constellations above and absorbed the calming essence of the surrounding woods.

The gentle breeze rustled through the trees, brushing against her skin, adding to the serene atmosphere. The twinkling stars cast an ethereal glow across the night sky, further accentuating the tranquility she sought.

Lost in contemplation, Serena sat in a moment of solitude on the steps, until a warm body pressed against her side. She didn't turn her gaze, instinctively recognizing the presence of Paul.

"What do you want?" Serena spoke with undertones of anger.

Despite refusing to look in his direction, Paul insisted, maintaining his gaze fixed on her. "Serena, we need to talk," he stated firmly.

She gnashed her teeth, attempting to contain most of her emotions, but the hurt and anger still simmered just beneath her skin.

She grumbled in frustration, biting out harshly, "You're already doing it," a sharp edge evident in her tone.

Paul paused, ready to address his wrongdoing, but he was abruptly interrupted by a scoff from Serena.

He pleaded with fervor, desperately trying to communicate the depths of his regret. "Please, Serena, you have no idea how terrible I was for doing what I did. I can't express how much I wish I could take it back," Paul raised his voice slightly, his desire for her to look his way evident.

"You—" Her protest froze in her throat as she locked eyes with Paul. His pained expression and the emotion reflected in his wide eyes left her speechless.

"You've got to be kidding me," she breathed, overwhelmed with disbelief. She had heard Rachel's description of Jared's reaction upon imprinting on her, and now seeing the same intensity on Paul's face solidified the reality of the situation. It stung A LOT, to say the least.