Imprint (Seth Clearwater)

Chapter 24 - I realise now

Enjoy guys!

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Seth didn't return to the Cullen's until late that night with a pair of jersey shorts clinging to his hips. His eyes did not mine as he stomped past me to engage in quiet conversation with Edward. I looked down at my lap as I intertwined my fingers and tried to not let the hurt show on my face.

There was a dip in the spot next to me as shiver went up my spine from the cold person beside me. I looked to my right to see Rosalie beside me with a rare smile on her face. I returned the smile as much as I could before looking back down at my lap.

"It's ok to be scared, you know," she said. I nodded in response as I looked up at her face.

"Have you ever felt responsible for the things you've put people through? So much so that you feel like leaving might be the better option?" I asked, hoping that Rosalie would be able to help me better understand the situation.

"Have you ever considered that leaving might be the worst option?" She responded, her eyes locked onto mine.

"This must feel like deja vu with the whole Bella situation," I laughed. "Sorry about that."

"Our lives would be boring without a bit of vampire drama," she laughed back. I couldn't help but feel that I connected with Rosalie in a way that I didn't with the rest of the Cullens.

"Lillian, let's go back to my place," Seth mumbled, not quite looking me in the eye as he walked towards the front door.

I waved goodbye to the Cullens as I followed Seth out of the door, my body not quite relaxed in realisation that there was impending doom.

——

The time had come for me to bait the rogue vampire, William. Seth had barely spoken to me in the week that had passed, taking extra patrol duties and not being around as much as usual. I found comfort in the rest of the pack as they reassured me it would be an easy fight. One versus 18, give or take, weren't the worst odds in the world.

"You don't have to do this," Seth's voice broke from the bathroom door as I was brushing my hair, I might as well look nice if I die.

"I trust you. I know that you won't let anything happen to me, Seth," I responded, looking at his chocolate eyes from the mirror. The same eyes that I was falling in love with, unbeknown to him.

I put my hairbrush down and walked towards Seth, my hands locking around his neck as I stepped onto my tiptoes. I levelled my eyes with his as he lent his forehead on mine, taking a deep breath. His arms latched onto my waist as he pulled our chests together. I couldn't help but push our lips together, moving my lips against his warm ones. He intensified the kiss as he held me tighter and my hands ran through his hair, tugging slightly.

We pulled away, short of breath as our eyes met again. He kissed me once more before pulling away and intertwining our fingers.

"Let's go," be breathes.

—-
I stumbled through the forest, my heart beat racing as I tried to remember the path Jasper had shown me earlier in the day. I could see the daylight breaking through the trees as the clearing became closer.

My hair blew in my face as my heart stopped. He was here.

"Surrendering?" He asked. A sinister smile spread across his face as he reached out to touch my arm. I flinched back on instinct, not allowing his cool skin to touch mine.

"I have to protect the people I care about," I breathed, my eyes not quite meeting his deep red ones.

"Your little dogs have been keeping you under lock and key," he laughed, actually touching my arm this time as his finger traces my bicep. My heart hurt at the feeling of someone other than Seth touching me as I clenched my eyes closed.

"Leave. If you leave now, no harm will come to you," the sound of Carlisle's voice boomed from behind William.

The growl of the wolves was heard at the fringe of the forest as the smacking of the paws hit my ears. I looked past William to see the Cullen's and the pack as my heart slowed only slightly. My eyes caught the sight of Seth's sandy wolf, as his wolf eyes were locked onto mine.

"Such a shame it's come to this," William's villainous voice seethed as he gripped my arm in death grip. Emmet was at my side instantly, ripping the vampire's hand from my harm, pushing me roughly to the floor.

I watched as William danced around the Cullens, dodging their advances with every step he took and a smile on his face. As he made a run for the forest, Sam ran towards him causing the vampire to falter long enough for Edward to grab his shoulder as Emmett gripped his wrists.

Seth advanced towards the three, baring his teeth as he growled at the older vampire. He advanced almost in slow motion, William struggled in the grip of the Cullen brothers. Emmett shoved his back, causing his to fall the floor as Sam's paw pinned the vampire to ground.

I clenched my eyes closed as Seth's jaw locked around William's neck and the crunching of detaching limbs filled my ears. My scream echoed through the clearing as I covered my ears with my hands and curled into a ball.

The last thing I felt before the shock shut my body down was the familiar feeling of Seth's warm hands on my hands as he tried to whisper soothing words to me.

It was over.