✓ | 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐒, 𝘦. 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 [ REWRITING ]

𝓲𝓿. typing in lowercase

written – 12.9.23  |  re-written – 9.5.24

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11TH

"WHERE WERE YOU?" THE THUNDEROUS SOUND OF her brother's voice reverberated through the room, causing Roni to startle and nearly lose her balance. The intensity in his tone was palpable, a mixture of concern and frustration. "I've been worried sick. Again, where were you?" Paul questioned, his eyes fixed on Roni as she gently closed her bedroom door, trying to avoid making any unnecessary noise.

Roni took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation she knew was coming. "Not that it's any of your business, Paul, but if you must know, I was with Embry." The words had barely left her lips when Paul let out a loud, derisive scoff, the sound grating on Roni's already frayed nerves. She couldn't help but sigh, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her shoulders. "Look, Paul," she began, her voice softening slightly, "I understand that you're upset about Embry imprinting on me. I get it, I really do. But you have to accept it. This isn't something either of us chose, and fighting against it isn't going to change anything."

"I don't have to do shit!" Paul's voice rose again, his anger palpable as he abruptly stood up. He strode towards the door, clearly intent on storming out, but Roni was quicker. She moved swiftly, placing herself between her brother and the exit, her eyes pleading with him to stay and listen.

"Paul, please," Roni began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know you're scared. I can see it in your eyes, in the way you're holding yourself right now. You're terrified that you're going to lose me." Paul's gaze locked with hers, and she could see the conflict raging within him. Roni shook her head slowly, a sad smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I know how your brain works, Paul. I'm your little sister, for Christ's sake. We've been through everything together. You think that Embry is going to swoop in and take me away from you, that I'll forget about you or that I won't need you anymore. But that's not true, Paul. It could never be true. You're my brother, my protector, my rock. You will always come first, no matter what. And if Embry ever tries to come between us or take me away from you, I swear to you, I will end it right then and there. No questions asked." The sincerity in her words seemed to penetrate Paul's anger, and he visibly deflated, pulling his sister into a tight, protective hug.

As they embraced, Paul's voice rumbled softly, tinged with a hint of wonder and amusement. "I swear, Roni, sometimes I don't know how you do it. You always seem to know exactly what I'm thinking and feeling, even before I do. Are you absolutely sure you're not secretly a wolf too?" Roni couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the suggestion, the sound muffled against Paul's chest. Her laughter was infectious, and soon Paul found himself smiling despite his earlier anger.

Pulling back slightly, Roni looked up at her brother, her eyes twinkling with affection. "No, you big goof. I'm not a wolf. I'm just your little sister, and you're my big, overprotective brother. I know you inside and out, just like you know me. It's what makes us... well, us." She smiled warmly, the bond between them almost tangible in the small room.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Paul's curiosity got the better of him. "So," he began, his tone cautious but no longer hostile, "what did Embry want? Why did you meet with him?"

Roni took a deep breath, knowing that honesty was crucial at this moment. "Uh, actually, I was the one who asked him to meet me there. I... I wanted to know more about the bond, about what imprinting really means." She watched Paul's face carefully as she spoke, gauging his reaction. Sensing no immediate explosion, she continued, leading them both to sit on her bed. It was the same bed she'd had for her entire childhood, a simple twin-sized mattress that had seen better days. Roni couldn't help but wonder if it was something her parents had found abandoned on the side of the road somewhere, a thought that brought both amusement and a twinge of sadness.