Dusk till Dawn | Paul Lahote ✔️

Chapter 1

Bella had been gone for three days.

It was three, agonizing days that dad spent in turmoil, wondering what he had done wrong - despite the obvious protests that he had done nothing wrong. It was hard, watching dad try to process why Bella had just up and left us. With no explanation whatsoever.

At least, no explanation that she could easily tell dad.

Getting ready to go down to La Push, I paused when I saw Bella and Edward sitting at the counter. "Oh, you're home." I said flatly as she whirled around at my voice.

"Elaine," dad nodded towards me as he glared at the boy who was standing beside her; bronze tossled hair, brooding demeanor, pale skin and looked every bit like a rich kid. That had to be Edward. "I was just telling Bella some ground rules. She's grounded for life." He added at the end and I nodded, knowing that was going to play eventually.

"I'll talk to you later," I growled venomously towards Bella, who flinched at my tone. "And you I never want to know." I nodded towards Edward, who also frowned at the comment. "Dad, I'm going to La Push. Do you need me to stay?" I asked him, giving him a worried look.

Dad turned to look at me, his expression softening. "No, you can go. Tell them I said hi, and let Billy know I'm still on for game night." I nodded my head, kissing his cheek. "You hanging out with Paul today or Leah?"

I chuckled as I shrugged my jacket on. "Both for a little bit. At least until Paul has to work." Until he has to go on patrol, that was. He was with Embry tonight, which meant I could hang out with Leah the rest of the night.

Nodding his head, he shooed me away. "Go then. If you see Sue let her know I thank her for the fish fry she made me." Sue had taken it upon herself to make sure dad was fed, knowing the man couldn't cook for the life of him. If it could be burnt, he would burn it.

Before I could completely open the drivers side door, I saw Edward walking out of the house. He made a beeline towards me and I held a hand up, making him stay where he was before he could completely reach me. "Look, I don't even know you and I don't like you. So lets make things simple. Don't talk to me. Don't look at me. Stay out of my head. Then we'll get along. What you did to Bella is uncool, and if you didn't have stoned skin I'd punch you, but I don't feel like breaking my hand today." I growled towards him. With a dramatic sniff I entered my car, exiting the drive-way before he could even say a word.

I didn't know how Bella could just jump back into his arms, like she wasn't hurting a week ago. Although I knew this was going to happen. Knew deep within my mind and soul that he couldn't stay away from Bella for long. He was her mate, they were destined for each other. While yes, I was happy that she had that in her life, I just wish it wasn't with a vampire.

Once I entered the werewolf house, I was engulfed by a hug. Warm arms wrapped around me and I chuckled, knowing exactly who it was. Seth Clearwater was a bundle of joy, every bit of a puppy that a wolf could be. He was a sweet kid, and deserved the world. "Elaine! Ew, you smell funny." He wrinkled his nose in disgust and I barked out some laughter.

"Thanks Seth, you know how to woo a girl." I teased him, ruffling his hair as I entered deeper into the house. "Edward's back," I explained when all the wolves looked at me. Jacob's eyes darkened at that as he stood up, rushing outside.

Embry winced, watching his best friend rush out of the house - probably to phase. "We kept telling him this would happen," he sighed, frowning.

Sam shrugs, unbothered by the turn of events. "Well he'll just have to live with the consequences he made. Though with the Cullens being back, we'll have to make plans to change the treaty now that we have Elaine here." He nods his head towards me, and my heart fluttered at the thought of them changing the treaty for just me.

"You'd have to do that?" I tilted my head to the side in confusion. I knew they had a treaty for parts of the land being for the Quiletes and the Cullens, but I didn't think I'd be a reason for the change.

"With you being Paul's imprint, we'll have to accommodate. Carlisle Cullen is usually very agreeable, and will understand the situation." I could tell he wasn't at all comfortable speaking to them, but I was thankful that he would be willing to do that for me.

As I turned my head towards the other wolf sitting beside Embry, I had to do a double take. "Whoa, Quil, you too?" I asked with wide eyes when I saw the boy sitting beside him. Though he was on the potential list of people, being an Ateara, I hadn't realized he had also shifted.

Quil puffed his chest out proudly. "Yep, now I can be in all the secrets!" He boasted and I chuckled softly as I went to sit beside Paul on the couch, who immediately wrapped his arms around my shoulders - rubbing his face against my neck to get rid of the vampire smell. I knew vampires smelled differently to the wolves, as well as the wolves smelling differently to the vampires. It was information that I tried keep stowed away in my head, though I never thought I would have to learn that information since I had kind of been hoping Edward wouldn't return.

"Bella's back too. Grounded for life." I chuckled, knowing that wouldn't be the case. She'd be grounded for a few weeks at most until dad caved and let her do what she wanted to do under conditions that probably wouldn't be followed.

Paul scoffs, knowing as well as I did that wouldn't be the case. "I know your dad. That won't happen," he chuckles with a smirk on his face.

"How are things, with her being back?" Emily asked kindly, concern on her face. I often vented to either her or Leah about Bella drama, and both of them knew a lot more than anyone how I was feeling about the situation.

"I didn't even know she was back until I saw her before I left," I admitted with a sigh, leaning into Paul as he tightened his hold around me. "She must have gotten in late last night, or early this morning. Edward was with her. He tried to talk to me, but I told him to stay away from me so he didn't get a word in."

"That's my girl." Paul smirked, making me grin proudly at that.

"You'll have to talk to him eventually if he's with Bella," Emily told me knowingly and I sighed. Realistically I knew that. I knew that I wouldn't be able to avoid him, at least for as long as I had planned on avoiding him.

Though I was going to avoid him for however long I could.

"Realistically, I know that." I nodded my head with a sigh. "Though he's going to have to do a lot of groveling in order to get into my good graces." I shrugged, unapologetic. While my sister might not care, I did. She took away parts of my life that I would never get back, and I did it because of concern for her well being.

Emily chuckled along with the wolves, who were equally giving me a proud look. "That's fair," she conceded, "and sounds like something I'd do... and have done." She smirks over at Sam, who roles his eyes - though there was a fond smile on his face at the memories the two have made. That alone made me smile, grateful to be here to witness it.

Although I knew without Bella I'd never be here right now. I'd still be at college, withering away with all the paperwork that I had to do for my upcoming graduation in January. I wouldn't be curled up against Paul's side, his warmth radiating through me. I'd never become reacquainted with Emily, though I am sure we would have over time... but we wouldn't be as close as we were. I wouldn't be getting close to Leah. I did have that to thank for Bella being the way that she was.

I just wish it didn't come with the vampire consequences.