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

The Final Chapter

Paul growled at the insult and attempted another leap toward Chaz, but the vampire speed allowed Chaz to move out of the way just in time.

"Come on now Paul. I know you can do better than that." Paul lunged again, this time, being caught mid-air and thrown toward a tree across the open space. I heard his whimpers and tried to move myself up the tree to stand to my feet. I needed to help him before he got hurt. As much as I tried, the weakness in my knees kept me from fully standing, and I fell back down in defeat. I tossed my head back and felt the tears stream down my face. My eyes darted around the space as I watched Chaz taunt Paul and throw him around like a rag doll. I closed my eyes to keep myself from watching Chaz hurt the love of my life.

A warm, wet nuzzle tapped my left arm from behind and made me jump. I turned and saw Seth in his wolf form, crouching down low to the ground.

"Seth?" I was overly relieved. I checked to make sure Chaz wasn't watching me as I used my legs and arms to scoot back behind the tree to where Seth met me. He laid down low for me to adjust myself securely on his back. I looked around the tree again out toward Chaz and Paul to make sure the coast was clear.

"Going somewhere?" Chaz appeared almost out of thin air behind Seth as his arms gripped around Paul's neck. "Let her go now, or wolf boy dies. Don't test me, Seth." I knew that the pack had telepathy amongst themselves, and my heart began to hurt as I listened to Seth's whimpers. I could only imagine that Paul was telling Seth to run and to leave hm behind, but I knew Seth wouldn't do it, and I wouldn't let him.

"DON'T MAKE ME ASK AGA- "Chaz began to shout. His efforts were cut short as a mass of wind and force from the rest of the pack knocked him down and released his grip from Paul. Seth used this opportunity to turn and sprint back through the woods to Emily's as I screamed and pleaded for him to turn back around so I could make sure Paul and the pack were okay. Seth continued to run, and I buried my face into his fur and couldn't help the constant tears spilling from my eyes.

Seth didn't stop running until we arrived back to Emily's driveway. He lowered himself again to the ground, and I stumbled onto the gravel as Emily and Kim rushed toward me from the front porch, helping me up and into the house while Seth stayed, looking out to the forest, waiting for the pack to return.

"Paul..." I cried.

"He'll be okay, Y/N. But we need to make sure you're okay. You're covered in scratches, and your clothes are torn. Sit here." Emily instructed, helping me sit on the kitchen chair closest to me. She grabbed her first aid kit and tended to the scrapes that draped my knees and my palms. I kept my head down as the anxious feeling bubbled in my stomach. Kim and Emily kept silent as well, and I could tell they feared the worst.

Seth's howl from the driveway broke the silence, and the three of us rushed to the front porch, looking out into the darkness, awaiting the pack. Seth took off into the small gathering of bushes to the side of the house as he shifted back into his human form, and rushed back out just as Sam, then Jared, Leah, then Quill and Embry turned the corner into the driveway, also in their human forms, indicating that the threat was gone. Chaz was dead.

Kim and Emily rushed off the porch and over to the boys, but I kept my eyes on the corner of the driveway, waiting for the last pack member to show. The burning tears in my eyes came back as my brain was starting to piece together the no one else was coming. This time, I didn't fight the tears away. I wish this was a nightmare I could wake up from. This can't be happening.

"You didn't think I was going to leave you here all alone with these goofs, did ya?" My whole body turned back to the screen door leading into Emily's kitchen as I catapulted myself into Paul's arms, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.

"Paul, you idiot. Don't ever scare me like that again." I grabbed his face and pulled him into a deep kiss. "Thank you for coming to save me. I'm so happy you're okay."

"You're not getting rid of me that easily, Y/N. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to protect you and keep you safe for as long as I can, and today really made me realize that I don't know what I would do if I were to lose you. So, I wanted to ask you.... will you make me the happiest man in the entire world and marry me?" I was in shock and couldn't help the large smile that adorned my face.

"Paul, you just almost got killed by a vampire, and now you're asking me to marry you? Are you insane?"

"Nothing like a near death experience to make you realize that life's too short to wait for the perfect moment." I pulled his face back to mine for another embrace as I ran my fingers through his thick dark hair.

"Of course, I'll marry you." I finally responded.

He smiled and looked deep into my eyes- "And to think—-I didn't want an imprint."