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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

    𝐒𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃𝐒 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 engulfed in darkness as the day slowly came to an end. Rain poured from the dark clouds and thunder cracked from a distance, the closer they got to Port Angeles, the louder it got. Paul Lahote kept one hand on the steering wheel, gripping so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His expression remained hard and focused, making sure not to lose the car in front of him.

    As the old station wagon made a right hand turn, Paul instinctively followed, making sure not to ride the rear of the woman he was clearly tailing, but made sure he wasn't too far back for anyone to cut him off. He knew exactly where she was going, having listened in on her phone conversation with one of those leeches she lives with before she left. The utter nausea he felt with the thought of her being in that house with them. And she wasn't just another innocent human they are sworn to protect from those horrible beings... She was his imprint.

    His imprint.

    The moment he met Bridget Clark, his life was turned upside down. Paul thought that nothing could top changing into a giant wolf and killing vampires. But then he heard an angelic voice singing that somehow compelled him to follow it, just to know who it belonged to and then one look into those bright, hauntingly stunning crystal blue eyes and Paul knew he was hooked.

    He hadn't been able to stop freaking out about it since. He has learned all about the imprint bond from Sam and Jared. He has had to endure their endless thoughts about it and their lovesick ways. Paul had prayed to anything that would listen not to let that happen to him. The last thing he wanted was to be whipped like the others.

    So when he realized that he indeed had an imprint, he was pissed. He didn't want to accept it. Not at first. He had too much shit to deal with. His uncle had just recently kicked him out and not too long ago his father disowned him. He had gone sulking to Sam and Emily with no other place to go. His uncle had every reason to kick him out, after what he did and he couldn't forgive himself for what he had done either. He finally had a good thing and he ruined it.

    Staying with Sam and Emily is not ideal but it's better than the alternative. Sam has saved his ass more times than he can count, and he sure as hell knows he doesn't deserve it half the time. Paul knows how bad his temper can get, how hard he has had to fight to control it. He was easily triggered long before he first phased. He didn't get the nickname 'hot-head' by being patient and reserved.

    Both Sam and Jared have tried to convince him that finding his imprint is the best thing that can happen to him, but they didn't know that he is used to being abandoned and it was something he couldn't handle again. First by his mother when he was eight, then by his father at fifteen, then his uncle about a month ago. Everyone he got close to has left him and that is why he didn't want an imprint. Because if the bond is just as possessive of your mind, body and soul as the others had explained it was, then he didn't want to risk the internal and physical pain when she eventually rejected him. It was bound to happen. It always does.

    But after days of avoiding school in order to avoid Bridget Clark, all he wanted more than anything was to see her again. He couldn't get her out of his head no matter how hard he tried. And that voice... it sent a chill down his spine every time he remembered that beautiful voice.

    Which is why when he had learned that his imprint was living with their sworn enemy, Paul was about ready to break the treaty to kill them all in order to get her away from them. If Sam and Jared hadn't stopped him, he would have done it. He only saw red and he wasn't going to stop until he knew Bridget was far from those filthy bloodsuckers.

    Paul spent the rest of the time patrolling, not wanting to be near anyone. He was bound by Sam's alpha order not to go anywhere near the Cullens ' place or attempt to break the treaty. When he had learned Sam eruptly invited Bridget to Emily's birthday party, Paul didn't know what to think. A part of him was angry because he wanted to proceed with this imprint at his own pace without interference, but the other part was actually excited because he would get to see her again. It was a win lose situation.

    Maybe acting like a total ass wasn't the best way to make a good impression on the girl, but Paul couldn't help himself. There is something just not right about Bridget Clark, and it has nothing to do with the fact that her scent was off, just like Sam had explained. She was too guarded and the way she explained her story seemed off, like she wasn't telling the full truth. It was easy to tell just by the haunted look that would flash through her strikingly beautiful blue eyes whenever she would have to answer a personal question.

    There were some things she wasn't being entirely forthcoming with and it drove Paul insane. Not only for the fact that he was curious to what she was hiding, but because he had this need to get to know her and the fact that he wasn't fully sure if she was telling the truth or not really irked him. Especially when it came to what led him basically taking Sam's truck without permission, ignoring the call from his alpha and following behind her not even two minutes after she drove away.

    Not after overhearing that phone conversation she had before coming back with a startled and nervous look on her face, saying she needed to go home. The three shapeshifters were the only ones who had heard the conversation, about how the Chief's daughter was in danger by the vampires they've been trying to catch for weeks now and how Bridget shouldn't return to the house because they might be lurking around and told her she was to stay at a hotel in Port Angeles until it was safe.

    Sam knew he had to go, which is why if he wanted to, he could have stopped Paul, but it would have been a nasty fight. Paul's instincts were clear... protect, protect, protect. The thought of her going out while there were more vicious leeches out there on a hunting spree made Paul want to tie Bridget to a chair just to keep her from leaving the reservation. It took everything in him not to take her keys from her hands and chuck them so far into the woods that it would be impossible to find.

    Paul was alert and only focused on the vehicle in front of him. The moment they finally reached the hotel, Bridget had gotten out and went straight into the lobby. Paul parked across the street, but he could see her wavy, long blonde hair from the window as she spoke to the front desk clerk and got her room keys before turning in.

    Paul was tempted to stay there all night. He would have, too, if he didn't get a call from Sam who asked if she was safe and ordered him to return home. He stayed there for three hours, Sam constantly calling every hour that went by, before he finally realized she was as safe as she was going to get and returned home. It was one in the morning before he finally pulled into the driveway and to no surprise, Sam was waiting up for him, having come out as soon as he heard the truck.

    Paul got out of the truck and tossed the keys in the air, which Sam caught with ease as he made his way inside, going straight for the couch which he sank down into. Sam went to the fridge before following him into the living room, tossing him a water bottle and took a seat on the recliner across from him. "What took you so long?"

    Paul quietly sipped his water for a few seconds before shrugging. "There was a lot of traffic."

    Sam arched his brow. "At this time at night?"

    "Yeah, well, city streets are busy any time of the day."

    Paul could feel Sam's eyes on him, even as he stared at his lap. Exhaustion was hitting him hard, but he doesn't know if he will be able to get any sleep tonight. He knew Sam wasn't done giving a lecture or whatever he wanted to scold him for, so Paul remained seated and waited.

    "Look," Sam sighed, clearing her throat and leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "I get it, alright? I would have done the same thing if it was Emily going after hearing that conversation."

    Paul blinked, waiting for the 'but' to come, only it didn't. Paul lifted his head slightly to look at his friend. "Okay?"

    "I guess I just don't understand what it is that you want."

    Paul frowned. "What are you talking about?"

    "I'm talking about tonight." Sam stated. "Do you mind explaining what the hell that was back there?"

    Paul immediately knew what he was referring to. "It was nothing."

    The older male scoffed. "You were ganging up on her, Paul. I know you are struggling to accept the imprint but there is no changing the fact that Bridget is your imprint and she definitely doesn't deserve to be treated that way."

    Paul's jaw clenched as he narrowed his light brown eyes at Sam's dark ones. "It had nothing to do with the imprint. Well, technically it did, but not for the reasons you think."

    "Then what?"

    Paul hesitated, remembering how he easily got under Bridget's skin by making assumptions against her. It was the only thing he could think of. He is used to being the asshole in most situations, so he used it to his advantage.

    "You heard what she said when I accused her of using those bloodsuckers for their money. You heard it in her tone, saw it in her expression and heard her words as clear as day. 'The last thing I want is to owe them more than I already do'." Paul paused, remembering the words Bridget Clark had spoken earlier. "Those were her exact words. She even said staying with them isn't a great choice but a choice she made."

    Sam frowned, not fully understanding what Paul was trying to say, causing the latter to sit up straight in order to explain. "She doesn't want to be with them, Sam. You could see it in her eyes. The girl has been withholding truths and dodging any questions given to her left and right. She's clearly hiding something. At least I know that whatever her feelings towards the Cullens is nothing more than what sounds like a business transaction."

    Sam shook his head. "Look, it doesn't matter if she is lying to us. She barely knows us so she has no obligation to tell us her whole life story. And you jumping down her throat isn't going to make her open up to any of us, let alone you."

    "Really?" Paul tilted his head slightly and hummed. "Because I believe me getting her angry was the only time she really told the damn truth."

    With that said, Paul got up and headed to the spare room in the back, leaving Sam to ponder what he just said and attempted to get whatever sleep he could.

    He failed miserably.

    'I just don't understand what you want.' Sam had said earlier. Paul knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted her... he was just too terrified to act upon that feeling.

    The memory of his imprint singing replayed in his mind over and over and over again.

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    𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓  couple of days was a bit difficult to deal with for many reasons. The drive from Port Angeles to La Push was long and tiring, especially seeing how much earlier she had to wake up in order to make it to school on time.

    Thankfully, both Rosalie and Esme had dropped off a few of Bridget's outfits at the hotel which were waiting for her when she first arrived, but they were limited. Thankfully they remembered her violin and work clothes as well, so she didn't have to call out. On top of that, trying to concentrate while the others were sacrificing themselves to make sure Bella Swan was safe was a lot harder than she could have liked. She worries for all of them, hoping whoever these vampires are, that they do not harm those she cares for.

    The only person who was able to keep her really updated was Rosalie, who claimed she and Esme were still in Forks keeping close eye on Bella's father. Rosalie had gone into more detail about what happened, about the three vampires and about James, who was the real threat at the moment. But his mate, Victoria, was just as dangerous and that is who Rosalie and Esme were truly protecting Chief Swan.

    The third member of their coven, Laurent, apparently betrayed them and had risked himself to warn the Cullens about anything he could of James and Victoria. He then had questioned more about the Cullens lifestyle as it seemed to fascinate him and then made a plan to go visit their 'cousins' in Denali. Bridget only ever met Tanya once and the fellow blonde was too curious about her for Bridget's liking. Carlisle ensured Bridget that no one told Tanya or anyone about her situation, but Tanya could tell she was more than she appeared to be.

    Bridget also has been attempting to avoid those from the party, though it has proven difficult. Kim was in two of her classes and despite herself, Bridget couldn't bring herself to ignore the girl. Anytime she saw Jared or even Paul, Bridget would turn the other way, not in the mood to acknowledge either one of them, more especially Paul since their little heated moment in front of the fire.

    That wasn't the only reason she ignored him. For the past two nights, Bridget has been having these dreams. Very vivid, seemingly realistic dreams until the moment her eyes shot open in the morning, the back of her neck soaked in sweat. It wasn't entirely a surprise that she was having these kinds of dreams, given some of the novels she likes to read, she has had plenty of these steamy dreams. But her partner in these dreams were normally random strangers she made up in her head. Now she has a name to put to the face and who exactly this person is surprised her to no end.

    Bridget is not an innocent little flower. She has been alive on this earth for too long to be one and she has had many opportunities that were sometimes hard to pass up. As far as she knew, she is still human... with needs.

    But she has never had that kind of dream about anyone she actually knew. When Paul was revealed to her in her dream, she had immediately awoken from pure shock. She didn't know exactly what to do with that information, mainly because she was still annoyed with him from his accusations and hostility. What made her imagine him in that way... Bridget had no idea. But it seems the idea was planted in her brain and she hasn't been able to sleep without him appearing in her mind.

    When she saw him earlier this morning, they had locked eyes briefly before heat washed over her cheeks and she scurried off to her next class as quickly as possible. It was hard to look him in the eye without picturing him in her dreams where they did things she did not like to think about, especially while she was supposed to be working a table saw in a woodshop.

    "Yo!" The sound of Briar's voice startled the blonde out of her treacherous thoughts and looked over to see the young girl staring at the girl with a raised brow. "You know you have to turn the saw on in order for it to work, right?"

    "Sorry." Bridget only blinked a couple times before pulling her wood back, realizing she was right. Everyone was in their stations doing their own thing, Mr. Adams went around and observing, offering assistance when needed.

    Briar watched the blonde carefully and frowned. "What's wrong with you? You seem distracted these past couple days."

    Bridget cleared her throat and moved her safety glasses to the top of her head. "Nothing. I've just had a lot on my mind, that's all."

    A tracker vampire was out to kill an innocent girl, she doesn't have all her clothes or shoes to choice from in a hotel she isn't fully comfortable staying in since it was paid for by the Cullens and oh yeah, she keeps having sex dreams about someone who gets under her skin. Saying she had a lot on her mind was an understatement.

    "Okay, but whatever it is, can you wait until you are not near dangerous machinery? I don't do good with blood."

    Bridget lifted her brow curiously. "Oh yeah? Faint or vomit?" She listed the common effects of people who don't like the sight of blood experience.

    "Oh, definitely faint. I get dizzy from paper cuts."

    Bridget found herself smiling in amusement. Since that first day when Bridget shut down Briar's assumptions on her, Briar held a bit of respect towards the girl and vice versa. They didn't really talk outside of the woodshop, but Briar was more than willing to help Bridget out when learned the equipment in the class.

    Briar took over the table saw, cut up the pieces she needed before turning off the machine and turning to the blonde. "Wanna talk about it?"

    If only I could. Bridget wanted to say, seeing as everyone on her mind wasn't something she could actually voice out loud. So, she just shook her head softly. "No, it's nothing."

    Briar didn't push and just went back to her work, allowing Bridget to actually attempt to get this bedside table she attempted to start as her first project. She always liked challenging herself, so she picked a slightly harder one than those beginner's opinions. Mr. Adams did not have any objections to her selection.

    Once she was finished with the table saw, she went to the table next to Briar and the latter kept sending her glances for a while until Bridget turned towards the brunette with a raised brow. "Is everything alright?"

    "Yeah, everything's great." She immediately said, though her eyes did not meet words and after a moment, she broke. "Actually, I do have a question."

    "Go ahead." Bridget said, reading over the instructions to her nightstand.

    "It's just," Briar paused, biting her lip nervous before sighing. "You mentioned the other day that you played the violin."

     Bridget looked up from the little booklet. "Yes, I did."

    "Are you any good?"

    Bridget tried not to smirk. "I like to think I am."

    Briar's face turned red, embarrassed and slightly nervous. "Do you, by any chance, teach?"

    "The violin?" Bridget clarified and Briar only nodded. "I haven't. No one's ever really asked me to. Are you asking me to teach you to play the violin?"

    Briar only nodded softly. "Only if you are willing to."

    Bridget thought about it deeply. She has never taught anyone how to play before. Her instructor only taught her the basics before Bridget pretty much taught herself. She was a natural talent, everyone always told her this, but she never thought to teach anyone before. Nor had anyone ever requested this of her.

    "May I ask, why the sudden interest?"

    Briar had a look on her face like she was praying she wouldn't ask that and looked down at the table hesitantly. "I've just... I've always loved the violin but I never had the opportunity to learn."

   Bridget could tell there was more to it than just that but knew Briar was not going to reveal what that is. "Do you have a violin?"

    The hopefulness in her brown eyes was snuffed out and her shoulders deflated. "Oh, yeah. I guess that is an important factor, isn't it? Never mind, forget I asked."

    Bridget watched as Briar went to get a power drill and measuring tape, her heart going out towards the girl who was clearly disappointed. Bridget knew she should just forget it like Briar said, but what could be the harm in teaching the girl the basics?

    So when Briar returned to the table, Bridget had written her phone number down and handed it to her. "I'm not able to start right away but call me next week and I'll come over when you are free, I'll let you use one of mine that I don't use often."

    Briar's eyes lit up and a smile spread on her face. "Really? You have more than one violin?"

    Bridget chuckled. "I have four. All close to my heart. I am willing to let you borrow one until you are able to get one of your own. I know how expensive they can be."

    Briar tucked the number in her pocket and beamed. "Thank you so much, Bridget."

    For once, Bridget was happy to admit she made a bit of progress in keeping the promise to her brother.

    Baby steps. Baby steps.

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Only one more chapter before New Moon! So much planned! Paul and Bridget are everything to me! I can't wait for their journey!

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter!