Anna Begins [Paul Lahote]

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Paul

Though the Cullens had disappeared, they'd left their fucking problems behind—evidenced by the fact that the redhead was back. We'd suspected for the past couple of days, but last night Quil saw her while we were patrolling. She disappeared before I could get over there, but the scent was strong, fresh. Now Sam was back to being overcautious with patrols. Three at a time for maximum coverage, since we had to expand a bit into Forks for Felicity.

Normally I'd be all for it. Felicity's safety was important. The safety of everyone on the rez was important.

But shit, I'd had to run an extra shift and I was bone tired.

Finally entering our apartment building, I rounded a corner to find Felicity chattering away. No one was responding, but she was standing in front of an open door so I assumed someone had to be there. I headed that way, catching a whiff of a scent...a very pleasing scent, honestly. If I weren't so tired maybe I would have taken a second to consider why. But I'd gotten zero sleep since waking up yesterday morning and it was well into the afternoon and all I wanted was to check up on Felicity and get to my bed to take a nap before dinner so I didn't take a single second to consider a single thing.

I said, "What are you up to, doll?"

Felicity halted her chattering, turning to smile at me. "Paul! Come meet my new friend—" she paused. "Are you okay?"

Waving my hand, I scoffed. "Nothing a little sleep can't handle. What's that about a new friend? I thought we discussed this. I'm friend enough. Not gonna find better. Especially not in some bitchy girl who's going to be all drama and not even talk to you."

I'd meant it to be a joke. Like, ha-ha your first interaction didn't go well so I'm going to pick some fun at it while everyone gets comfortable with each other. But my tired ass had lost its filter—and with it, any ability to make a proper joke. Which of course I did not realize until after the words came out of my mouth and whoever Felicity was talking to, that new girl, gasped.

"Paul!" Felicity yelled just as I got close enough to see who she'd been talking to.

Wide, honey brown eyes met mine.

And I felt my entire world shift.

Was I breathing? I wasn't moving, I was frozen, I couldn't stop staring. But was I breathing? Yes. I pulled in a deep breath. I had to breathe, I had to keep breathing for her.

For her.

As I stood there, eyes on her, trying to catch my bearings, she blinked. Went pale. Then she looked away—at someone else? Was someone else here?—and whispered, "I'm sorry. I'll see you later." Her gaze moved to the floor, to her feet, and she shut the door in my face.

Shocked to my core at what was happening right now, I just stood there watching her door. I heard her on the other side, breathing fast. But it didn't last for long. A few seconds later, she moved away. But her breathing hadn't slowed, it'd gone faster. She was upset.

I didn't want her to be upset. I needed to help her. Needed to make sure she was okay, and if she wasn't I needed to fix it.

My hand stretched out, aiming for the doorknob.

A small, pale hand slapped my wrist. It didn't hurt, but it startled me enough to glance over at...Felicity. Oh yeah. Felicity was here. That must have been who the girl was talking to.

"What are you doing, you asshole?" Felicity asked, her tone so, so angry.

And just like that the whole situation flooded back into my mind. What I'd said. What had happened when our eyes met. "Shit," I hissed.