Charlotte || Jacob Black & Paul Lahote

Twenty-Two: Over-Protective

"Charlotte! Where's my green coat?" A cold hand shoved me awake and I startled. Bella was in my face, demanding. I just shrugged.

"Seriously, did you take it?" She snapped as she started rooting through my drawers.

"No. Get out," I snapped back, pulling myself out of bed. She obliged with a glare and a huff. I got dressed in my navy jeans and a maroon long sleeve. I then met Bella downstairs, still complaining about her lost green coat. It's honestly a good thing that she lost it, it was ugly.

She was still whining about it when Edward picked us both up for school - even he rolled his eyes. I separated from them as soon as we arrived at school, going to find Jess and Mike. 

"A week! A week until we graduate!" Jess exclaimed as I met her in the halls. I squealed with her, and bounced as she wrapped me in a very bouncy hug. I went with her to Spanish, and neither of us could shut up, both excitedly whispering about how we were only a week away from finishing, how we'd celebrate, our plans for the year after. I'd enrolled in an online college course, so I could stay home. Bella had told everyone that she was going Alaska, but really she was being turned into a leech. 

Our excitement continued through to lunchtime, it only being added when we discussed it with Ange, Tyler, Mike and Eric. All of them were going out of state for college, but they vowed to come visit me on their spring and summer breaks. I told them not to worry, to which Jess teased me about how I had the two "hunks" to keep me company. I giggled and blushed, telling her to shut up.

"Hey guys!" Alice Cullen appeared at our table, and we all fell silent. What did she want? We all muttered hey awkwardly, casting glances at each other and avoiding her eyes. 

"I'm doing a graduation party, my house. Monday night, after grad, of course. You guys coming?" She asked in her cheery tone. We all nodded awkwardly, and she bounded away.

"You ever been the Cullens house, Lots?" Jess asked. I shook my head no. Bella had been, but I hadn't.

"Oooh, that'll be so exciting. I bet it's so fancy. Doctor Cullen's a doctor, he'll be on some money," Jess giggled excitedly, and we all agreed, adding our own ideas of what the house may look like.

Eric thought that they'd have an Olympic swimming pool, Ange thought they'd have a huge library, Tyler said they'd have 3 kitchens, Mike hoped that they'd just have an insanely stocked pantry. I mentioned that Bella said there were loads of windows. 

Lunch ended too soon after that and we all split off for our lessons. I hurried off to English Lit, already aware of the stare that followed me as I walked into the classroom. Since the whole Paul incident, Emmett's eyes had followed me. What a freak. 

The day seemed to rush by after that, and all too soon I was stood by the phone in my kitchen, waiting for Jake to pick up. He didn't, and so I tried the Uley-Young phone.

"Hey Charlotte!" Emily's cheery tone filled my ears.

"Hi Em! Is Jake there?"

"Of course, I'll pass him over." 

It fell silent for a few moments, and then was filled by Jake's comforting tone,

"You okay Charl?"

"Yeah, just um, Alice. The small, weird Cullen. She invited me, and like my entire year to a grad party, at hers, next week. What's your thoughts?"

He was quiet for a few seconds, and I could make out Sam's tone.

"Me, Embry and Quil will come."

"Alright, cya Jake."

"Bye Char-" I'd already hung up. I had to figure out what to wear! That was the real challenge! Oh god, I need to go dress shopping, I'll ask Jess if she wants to go Port Angeles over the weekend.

Paul's POV

"is Jake there?" I heard her pretty voice over the phone, her sweet tone completely capturing my attention. Em handed the phone over to Jake, who looked just as lovestruck as I felt.

They spoke for a few seconds, before he covered the phone and turned to Sam.

"She's been invited to a party, at the Cullens. All her year will be there." He made a statement, but he was asking a question. My immediate thought was no, she's not allowed. We, I, can't protect her there. She'll literally be in the vampire's lair.

"When is it?" Sam asked, glancing up from his newspaper. He was only about 20, but he was so old at heart. He wore slippers and read the newspaper, and actually enjoyed fish from a tin. 

"Monday."

"I'll swap Embry out. Paul can cover his patrol, and I'll cover yours," Sam responded. Jake still looked confused.

"She can go, but with you, Embry and Quil."

Jake nodded, and relayed the message back, his face covered in a smile.

"Why can't I go?" I snapped, as soon as I heard the click of the receiver.

"No." Sam didn't even bother explaining.

"Why?" I snarled. She was MY imprint, I should be there to protect her! I should be there to keep her safe!

"Do you really think it's a good idea to put you in the leeches house? Their territory?" Sam quizzed. 

"It doesn't matter. She's my imprint, I want to protect her."

"She'll have Jake, one of her imprints. And two other wolves, she'll be perfectly safe," Sam replied. He still hadn't looked up from his newspaper.

"But I'm also her imprint, I want to keep her safe!" I was vibrating now, Sam didn't get it. It doesn't matter! Even if Sam went with her, I still wouldn't trust she's safe.

"Paul," now he put his newspaper down, "what if you come face to face with Emmett? What do you think will happen?"

My vision turned red as I thought of the stupid leech, and I immediately had to run out, shifting midway through the door. Heat vibrated through me, steam coming off of my fur, red blurring my vision.

Sam strolled out quite casually, coffee in hand,

"This is why you can't go. You'll break the treaty, and then we're in a much bigger mess. Trust me, she will be safe."

I just snorted at him, before turning and bolting. I already knew where I was going, I didn't even have to think as I crossed the boundary into Forks. I shifted back as I approached the treeline outside her house, and snagged a pair of shorts that me and Jake had stored. I pulled them on, before hoisting myself up to her window. She wasn't even upstairs yet, but her school backpack had been dumped by her drawers, and her shoes thrown by the window. Her jacket had been chucked on her bed, left crumpled and creased. I hung it up for her, knowing she'd complain when she wanted it again, that she couldn't find it (it'll be in her nest) and that it's creased. 

I huffed as I got comfy in her bed. I'm going to that party. I'll just watch the perimeter, it won't be hard to follow her scent there. Not only her rosey scent, but Jake's piney smell, Quil's chocolate smell, and Embry's pancakey smell. A very weird combination of smells.

I could still hear her downstairs, chatting away to Charlie and her sister. I could also hear the leech next door, in her sister's room. I hated him. He was too close to my mate. I lay so concentrated on my hatred that I didn't notice her entrance, only realising when she bounded on me.

"Paul!" She exclaimed, her eyes wide with joy, a grin etched onto her face.

"Hi honey," I mumbled as I pulled her into a kiss. She kissed back happily and that's how we remained for the evening, tangled up in each other's limbs and lips.  

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a/n - guys we are about halfway through Charlotte! I have it all planned out, so hopefully it'll be easier for me to get these chapters out!