Ember ↠ Paul Lahote ✓

17

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒
i remembered when i first looked into your eyes and my world flipped.

CLARY LOOKS AT Paul as they walk to the reservation, her red hair blowing in the wind. Her mind replays everything Bella said to her.

Some risks are worth taking.

The question, though, is breaking her heart worth it for this one boy—this one boy who makes her heart skip a beat, and makes her feel things she hasn't felt in so long?

Clary sighs, dragging her feet across the forest floor as she looks away from the boy who—no matter how hard she'd tried not to—she's fallen for.

It's only been about a few weeks since she and Paul locked eyes, and there are already feelings blooming between them.

Maybe it's because of the imprint, but Clary quickly dismisses the thought because she had the choice whether or not to make her and Paul romantic or platonic.

"Are you okay?" Paul asks, his voice bringing Clary out of her thoughts.

She turns to him, forcing a smile. "Yeah... Just thinking, is all."

Paul nods, a dorky grin on his face. "Don't worry, they all love you."

Clary bites her lip. "What is this bonfire all about again?"

"Just stories that have been passed down from generation to generation," he tells her, taking hold of her hand and entwining their fingers. "It's about Shifters and Cold Ones."

Clary nods, understanding. "They're allowing me to come to this?"

Paul looks at her. "You're a part of this pack now, Clary. Imprints have a right to know about us and about the dangers."

Clary freezes for a second. Even though she's been a werewolf for a year and a half now, she's never actually been part of an actual pack.

While there was one back at the boarding school, the ex-Alpha had been a real jerk. Now, the current Alpha is Rafael, but Clary isn't able to join the pack because she's here in Forks.

As she and Paul approach Jacob's house, Clary can see a group gathered around the fire as they laugh and eat hot dogs. Billy sits at the head of the circle.

"Clary!" Seth runs up to her and Paul. "Hey. It's about time you got here. Jacob's been hoovering the grub, but I saved you some burgers."

Clary can't help but chuckle. "Thanks."

Seth nods. "I know how much you love food." He then checks behind Clary and Paul, hoping to see Lizzie, but feeling bummed when he doesn't see her. "Your friends are still gone?" He may really want to see Lizzie again, but Embry also wants to see Josie.

Clary frowns, missing her friends more than anything. "Yeah, they're still home."

Seth's frown deepens before he nods. "Anyway..." He clears his throat. "It's about to start. Come on!" He grabs both Clary and Paul's hands, dragging them towards the bonfire.

Once the three sit down, Billy begins storytelling, "The Quileutes have been a small tribe from the beginning... but we've always had magic in our blood. We were great Spirit Warriors... Shifters... that transform into the powerful wolf.

"This enabled us to scare off our enemies, and protect our tribe. One day our warriors came across a creature... It looked like a man, but it was hard like stone, and cold as ice... but only fire would completely destroy it. They lived in fear that the Cold Man was not alone. And they were right."

Paul looks at Clary, smiling when she rests her head on his shoulder. He places an arm around her and kisses her forehead, something that makes Clary smile.

"She took her vengeance out on the village. Our elder chief, Taha Aki, was the only Spirit Warrior left to save the tribe after his son was killed. Taha Aki's third wife could see that he would lose... The Third Wife was no magical being, no special powers, but one... Courage," Billy looks right at Clary as he says this. "The Third Wife's sacrifice distracted the Cold Woman, long enough for Taha Aki to destroy her. She saved the tribe. Over time, our enemies have disappeared. But one remains... the Cold Ones."

Clary swallows thickly, knowing exactly what Billy's talking about and that he's warning her with the look he's giving her right now.

After the story, everyone around the bonfire begins to chat, eat, dance, or just lounge by the fire.

Clary watches as Paul talks and laughs with Embry. She sighs before gaining his attention with a quick hand motion, gesturing to the woods.

He frowns and follows her lead.

When they reach a small clearing deep in the woods away from prying ears, she turns to him, a soft expression on her face.

"Paul..." She sighs, trying to find the right words. "I've lost so many people—more people than I can count honestly. And I care for you. I really, really do. I wouldn't be able to stand it if I lost you." Paul opens his mouth to speak, but she gestures for him to wait, saying, "I know there's a chance this could turn out badly."

"Clary—"

Clary quickly cuts him off, "But I also know there's a chance this thing between us could end up good, so I'm willing to take this to the next step."

"What—?"

Clary cuts him off again, but this time it's with a kiss.

It takes Paul a second to process, but once he realises her lips are on his and he isn't taking any action, he quickly starts kissing her back.

Paul holds Clary's face with both hands, smiling against her lips. His right hand moves to her lower back, pulling her body into his, feeling complete with her here with him.

Pulling away, Paul rests his forehead against hers and smiles. "Thank you for giving us a chance," he whispers.

Clary chuckles softly, pecking his lips. "You're welcome."