Ember ↠ Paul Lahote ✓

14

𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐓
sometimes she hides herself just to see if she's worth looking for.

CLARY HIDES AWAY in her bedroom, trying to steer clear of everyone, especially Paul.

She knows what she did was wrong and stupid, but she was angry and upset. As an independent woman, she doesn't want the universe telling her what to be or who to be with.

But why does she ache for him? Why does a part of her want to be near him? Where is there a part of her that wants to see what their future will look like?

"Clary!" Charlie calls from downstairs, making her flinch and stand quickly. "There's someone here to see you."

Paul's scent reaches her nose, making Clary panic once more.

She rushes towards the window facing the woods, and quickly, before Charlie can yell for her again, she jumps out and lands on her feet before sprinting into the trees.

Once she's deep in the woods, she slows down, hoping she's in the clear. But she's mistaken when a body collides with hers and sends them falling to the ground.

"What the hell!" Clary shouts, her eyes glowing gold as she looks at the culprit. She freezes when she realises it's Paul.

"We need to talk," is all he says, and Clary sighs and crosses her arms over her chest, looking anywhere but at him. There's hurt in his voice when he speaks again, "Why did you run away again?"

Clary purses her lips, looking down at the ground. "I... I don't know. I just... freaked out. I don't want the universe telling me who the fuck I'm supposed to be with. And honestly, I don't know why it chose you."

Paul makes a wounded noise. "What?"

"I'm not a good person, Paul," Clary tells him, finally meeting his eyes. She wants him to see who she really is. "I'm not like Bella, okay? I'm evil, and I'm dangerous, and I've killed. I'm not good for you, nor will I ever be. My life is messed up and there's no room for someone like you in it."

"So what you're saying is that I'm in danger if I'm with you?" He asks, his eyebrows furrowed, and lets out a booming laugh when Clary nods. "I'm a shifter, Clary!" He exclaims, throwing his hands up. "And I know you are too. There's not much difference between us."

Clary scoffs. "I'm not a shifter, Paul. I'm a werewolf. A hybrid, actually. I'm a friggin' witch and a werewolf—two of the most dangerous, uncontrollable species to exist. I'm a fucking ticking time bomb!"

"So am I!" Paul shouts right back at her before taking a deep breath. "I don't have control either. When someone angers me—and it's pretty easy to—I shift and I attack. I can't help it. I have I.E.D." He crosses his arms over his chest. "Just like I said, we're not that different, you and I. We're both supernatural, and we both lack control."

Clary grows angrier and angrier. "I'm an abomination—a freak!" She shouts.

"No, you're not!" Paul yells before taking in a deep breath, calming himself down. "You're not." He takes a step towards Clary, placing a palm on her cheek and wiping away a tear. "You're unique, and you're beautiful. Just because you're different doesn't make you a freak." He gives her a soft smile. "If you're a freak, then so am I."

"I'm not what you want," Clary whispers, closing her eyes.

Paul ignores the deep ache in his chest. "It's okay if you want to reject me," he says hesitantly, making Clary's eyes snap open in surprise.

"Paul..." She trails off, trapping her bottom lip between her teeth.

"I won't force you into a relationship with me... But I am glad it was you I imprinted on, even if you don't want to be with me."

"Thank you for saying that... I don't really understand how this happened—my kind doesn't have this sort of thing." Clary sucks in a breath, glancing up at Paul hesitantly. "But I'm willing to give this a shot."

"So you're not rejecting the imprint bond?" Paul shifts on his feet, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

Clary shakes her head. "I'm not... but if this thing turns out to be something I don't want, then you're going to have to let me go, whether you like it or not."

Paul nods, smiling lightly. "Okay."