I Didn't Want An Imprint (Paul Lahote x Reader)

Moving On

Next was Jared, who I had seen the night before, then Kim, Emily, and Sam. I can't lie that even after such a warm greeting, I was bummed to not have seen Paul rushing out like everyone else had. I was starting to doubt if what Jared said was true. Did Paul really miss me?

"Where is he?" I asked, feeling a little bad at the energy shift in the moment.

"He's inside. Dinner's ready now, so let's all go have a seat." Emily ushered the pack back toward the front screen door and to the table.

Paul sat next to Jared and Jake, and I purposely shuffled to the chair right across from him. The room was quiet as Emily and Kim brought dinner to the table.

"Hey, Paul.." the words struggled to leave my mouth. It had been forever since I had seen him, but he looked even more handsome than before. His face was dropped down looking at the table, just like the day he had told me I was his imprint. I couldn't tell if he was fighting the urge of over-excitedness of seeing me, or if he wanted me to leave. I pressed on-

"How have you been?" I asked. I could see Jared give him a nudge with his elbow, before Paul finally looked up at me. I gave him a small smile in anticipation of his answer.

"How have I been? Really, Y/N?" Now I was sure of it. His face told me that he in fact did not want me here. I felt like I had walked into the lion's den. The room became even more quiet than before.

"Ye-, I mean, no...I mean, I just was wondering-"

"You were there, Y/N. The day you ruined everything. Bringing that idiot, Chaz to the beach could've exposed the packs secret...and the kiss...." He closed his eyes and gripped his napkin in his left hand while trying to compose his anger as he replayed that day in his head.

"Paul, look, I was just trying to-"

"Trying what, exactly? To help? Well, I guess you failed at that. You made me look like a CHEATER, Y/N! This is exactly why I didn't want an imprint!"

"Paul, settle down." Sam chimmed in. Paul gave him a glare before looking back at me again.

Now, I was mad. Pissed. He was blaming ME?! The room became tense, but I wasn't going out without a fight.

"You know what, Paul? Screw you! I was trying to protect your secret by distracting you from shifting, and now you're blaming me?! ! I know you felt something in that kiss! Why are you pretending? I know Chelsea isn't good for you, and so does everyone else!"

Paul slammed his hands on the table and stood up, making the entire pack jump up from the sudden noise.

"Paul!" Sam said more aggressively now. Paul ignored him and kept his eyes on me-

"You don't know WHO or WHAT is good for me!"

I stood up next to match his aggression.

"You're just mad because Chelsea decided to spend more time with her football player boyfriend instead of you during your relationship. The least you could do was THANK me for what I did!" I couldn't stop myself from spilling the secret Jared had told me the night before, but I didn't care. I wanted Paul to hurt like he was making me hurt. I could feel the stinging of tears coming into my eyes, but I didn't dare let them spill. I avoided Jared's look of fear in the corner of my eye as I continued to stare Paul down.

"I wish I had never been cursed with YOU as an imprint." His words cut my soul like a knife. I couldn't believe I had been so stupid to think that coming tonight would be a good idea.

"Paul! What the hell?!" Kim spoke up, "Y/N, he doesn't mean that..."

"Yes I do." Paul's gaze was still hard and his eyes were still piercing into mine. "Now, leave."