Astrophile (Paul Lahote)

fifty six

࿔*:･fifty six ࿔*:･

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"Going somewhere?"

Carter yelped, stumbling back as the voice cut through the silence. Her breath hitched as she spun around, eyes darting through the trees until they landed on a familiar figure.

Paul.

He stood there, leaning lazily against a large tree, arms crossed, his dark eyes glinting in the dim light. Smug. Unbothered. But there was something else beneath it, something sharp, something that told her he wasn’t nearly as calm as he looked.

"How did you—” she started, but then she sighed, already knowing the answer. "Alice."

Paul nodded, pushing off the tree trunk and closing the distance between them.

"Alice," he confirmed. "What, did you really think anyone in their right mind would let you go alone?” He caught her hands in his, squeezing just enough to keep her still. “Let alone me?”

Carter swallowed hard, looking away.

Paul exhaled sharply, stepping closer, voice dropping lower. “What were you thinking?”

She closed her eyes, shaking her head. “I was thinking that I don’t want any of you to get hurt, alright?” Her voice cracked at the edges, frustration curling around every word.

Paul let out a short, disbelieving laugh, running a hand through his hair before cupping her face between his warm palms. His touch was steady and grounding, even as his heartbeat thundered beneath his skin.

"You do not have to go all self-sacrificial on me, alright?" His voice softened, and before she could argue, he pressed a firm kiss to her forehead.

Carter clenched her jaw, blinking back the sting in her eyes. “Can you blame me? I finally have people I want to protect, and Nate threatens it all…” She sucked in a sharp breath, her grip on his wrists tightening. “I won't lose you. Any of you.”

Paul’s hands slipped down to her shoulders, thumbs tracing slow, reassuring circles. “You won’t lose us,” he murmured, his forehead resting against hers. “I promise. But, baby, you have to trust us to help you too.”

She sniffled lightly and nodded, “Okay, okay,” she sighed. 

Paul straightened, “now, how are we doing this?” he asked.

“Don't tell me you were gonna go into this without a plan?” another voice joined and the couple turned around to see Jasper standing with his arms crossed and his eyebrow raised as if he was going to scold a child, “really, Carter?” 

Carter rolled her eyes, “All alright you guys don't need to humiliate me any further. I get it. I'm not alone.” 

Paul tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans and nodded, “All alright, then, shall we?” 

Carter turned to face Jasper, “Alice give you any hints?” she asked and Jasper nodded, “a small warehouse near the docks, it's abandoned and he's been staked out there for a few days.” 

“You know where?” Carter asked and the vampire nodded. Carter clapped her hands, “lead the way then.” 

Jasper fished out his keys from his pocket, “We’re taking the car, can't have two wolves running around Forks, you know?” he grinned as the trio began walking around the house and got into Jasper’s car. 

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It did not take them long to get to the warehouse Jasper was talking about. They had parked a good distance away from the place and Carter stared at it anxiously. Paul turned around in the passenger seat and faced her, “you sure you want to do this like this?” he asked and Carter hesitated as both the boys looked at her for an answer, “if I do not do this now, I don't think I’ll ever be able to do it.” she muttered.