Paul Lahote - Imprinted

*Chapter 24*

Rowan went outside, already dreading to see Paul so soon. "Good morning" he said casually with a smile, as if nothing significant has happened the past twenty-four hours. He stretched his arms out , offering to take her bag. "Not a good morning if you ask me'' she said, walking past him.

Paul frowned as he caught up with her without much effort, taking long strides to be beside her. "What's wrong?"

She shot him a dirty look, making him rethink his choice of words.

"Okay, so we shapeshift, what's wrong with that?" When Jared told Kim, she took it very well, too well in fact. It was the same case with Sam and Emily, why was he given the most complicated mate? It frustrates him so much. "It's not like we chose to"

She stopped walking and sighed. "It's just weird you know, it's creepy. If you guys exist, then what else is there?"

He thought for some time, before speaking. "Vampires"

She breathed out , fidgeting with the zipper of her coat "Vampires?" A distant memory of the tribal council meeting came to her, along with the tale of the cold man and woman. She shivered, remembering the red head woman, and the terror she felt during that incident.

"Yes, our natural enemy. It is the reason why we shapeshift, whenever they are near, our genes activate and we turn" Still taking time to take information in, she stood, letting her mind wander. Across from them was a group of boys, the ones that used to be friends with Paul.

"Hey Lahote, you're not going to school again?" a boy with a dark hair said approaching the two of them, it was the same one that was with Paul when they first met Rowan.

Something twist inside him uncomfortably, knowing at some point he thought of his imprintee so differently, and at bad light too. Seeing them reminds him of such times.

"No, I'm not" Paul replied sternly, refusing to give them his full attention.

"Let's go now Rowan, you will miss the bus" he placed his hand on her shoulder in an attempt to pull her back to reality, the group looked at the gesture with great interest.

"Come on man,'' the boy said "why would you ditch us just like that?"

Rowan and Paul walked again, ignoring the boy's protest. "Is it because of that clown chick? Huh?" he challenged.

Paul turned sharply, his body heating up. Glaring at them, he clenched his jaw. "What did you say?"

Not fazed by his intimidating look, the boy spoke again, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I said, are you ditching us over some clown chick?'' his eyes flickering to a sheriff nearby, Rowan pulled Paul back, sensing his temper rising. His chest was thrused out, his nostrils flaring.

"Hey you eggheads, just go away and help the world become a better place" she moved and positioned herself in front of Paul.

"Stop wasting your time" Behind her is the still agitated Paul, turning back , she grabbed his hand and lead him away. It took a some effort, but she succeeded, leaving the group behind.

Paul relaxed, his shoulders lowering. "Sorry" he said genuinely.

He turned his eyes away from her and moved away, adding distance between them. ''I wish I could be more like Sam"

Rowan moved herself closer to him and smiled. "Nah, it's their fault for making you angry. But sometimes, you have to think if it's worth it, you know? Getting angry at them doesn't do anything, it probably gives them satisfaction, it's not worth it. I'm pretty sure Sam gets angry too. Like hello, didn't Jake punched you for no reason at all?, I think you're not that bad"