Ember ↠ Paul Lahote ✓

𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐋
this school is family and i won't let anything happen to them.

A FEW MONTHS have passed since Emma and Alaric found out their daughters are imprints, and since they started going back and forth between Forks and Mystic Falls.

The girls—Clary, Hope, and the twins—are in the living room of the boarding school, cuddling and laughing when the one and only Penelope Parker walks in and freezes at the sight of them.

"What in the actual hell?" Penelope asks incredulously, staring between the sisters and Hope. "When did this happen?"

Hope simply smirks at the brunette, wrapping an arm around the twins.

"A few months ago," Josie speaks, staring Penelope straight in the eyes. "After you left."

Penelope narrows her eyes. "There is no way..."

"Oh, and Satan-in-a-croptop, we were much happier when you were gone," Lizzie says false-sweetly, making Penelope's eyes darken angrily.

"Oh, why don't you burn," Penelope snaps, and both Clary and Hope growl warningly as Josie jumps up from her seat. "JoJo—"

"Oh, don't 'JoJo' me!" Josie snarls, shocking Penelope to her core. "Lizzie is my sister—my twin—and she will always be. I love her, and nothing you can say or do will change that. If you have a problem, I suggest you keep it to yourself or else."

"Or else what?" Penelope sneers, thinking Josie is still the same co-dependent, naive girl she'd been before she left.

"I will crush you," Josie says, malice in her voice and in her eyes. "You have no idea what we've been through or what Lizzie has done for me." She steps closer to the brunette and holds eye contact. "And while I'm at it, don't even try to worm your way into my heart again—I've moved on."

She showcases her left hand, a beautiful promise ring shining on her finger—one gifted to her by Embry a few weeks ago.

"What is this?" Penelope scoffs. "I thought you hated her," she says to Hope, pointing to Lizzie. "I don't understand this."

Clary stands, gently pushing Josie behind her. Hope and Lizzie stand behind them. "You don't have to understand this or like it, but you will not be mean or I will burn you."

The front doors to the boarding school open and in walks the pack, shoving each other around playfully while laughing.

Seth approaches Lizzie, grasping her waist gently and twirling her around in the air before setting her feet back on the floor.

"Hey, dove," he greets sweetly, giving her a kiss.

"Guys, look, it's my beautiful girlfriend!" Embry shouts, running up to Josie and pulling her into his embrace. "Hey." He grins down at her, placing a gentle kiss on her lips, which she smiles brightly at.

"Hey, love." Paul grabs Clary around the waist, spinning her around briefly. She giggles, steadying herself and pecking his lips. "I love you."

"I love you too," Clary responds before kissing him again.

"What the fuck?!" Penelope throws her hands up in aggravation, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. "There is no universe in which Clary would tell anyone she loves them, and there is no way anyone would willingly be in a relationship with Lizzie."

Seth, Embry, and Paul growl at that, glaring at the she-devil, who steps back in surprise.

Leah marches into the room, glaring at Penelope. "Stay the hell away from them!"

"And who the hell are you?!" Penelope spits before her eyes widen in surprise when Hope grabs the girl's hand and places a delicate kiss on it. "What the—?"

"What's going on in here?" Alaric asks as he walks into the room, his eyes glancing between them. "Should I just go ahead and tell Bella and Charlie to stay away?"

Clary whips her head around to Alaric, noticing Bella and Charlie standing behind him, surprised looks on their faces at the hostile tension in the room.

She walks up to them, giving them both hugs. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We wanted to come to the place where you grew up," Charlie answers, looking around with eyes full of awe. "I'm surprised you ever wanted to leave this place. It's amazing."

"Hold up," Penelope speaks. "You're the dad and sister who practically abandoned Clary?" She scoffs, looking at Clary. "You've gone soft. Forgiving people who ruined your life? Gosh." She scoffs once more before shaking her head and storming out of the room.

"And who was that?" Bella asks, narrowing her eyes at the short-haired girl's retreating back.

Clary rolls her eyes. "That was—"

"She-who-shall-not-be-named. Talking about her gives her power," Lizzie interrupts.

Josie scoffs. "That was my ex, Penelope. She left us, and now she's back... apparently." She turns her attention to her father.

Alaric's eyes widen and he stares at his daughters, who glare at him. "Um..." He clears his throat before saying, "She called, and who am I to turn down a supernatural creature who wants to be here?"

Clary shakes her head before grabbing Bella and Charlie's arms. "Come on. We'll show you around."

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You guys have officially made it to the end of this story. Thank you so much for reading and (hopefully) enjoying this book!