A F T E R D A R K | PAUL LAHOTE - 1

12

"Don't look so nervous, they're normal people." Paul commented, giving me the side eye while breaking the silence between us in his truck.

I'd barely slept a wink last night after everything that had gone down and ten minutes ago Paul had texted me telling me to get ready because he was on his way to pick me up. He hadn't told me that he was taking me over to La Push to meet Emily and Jared.

I wanted to laugh at his words, maybe Emily was normal but I knew Jared was in fact a wolf too.

"Emily, yes." I said to him, "Jared, no."

"He's just like me."

"What? A buff, hothead in a cult?" I said, looking to Paul with a small grin.

I knew he wasn't in a cult but it was still a funny way of referring to it. Paul looked away form the road and grinned at me, holding my gaze for a few seconds before looking away.

Neither of us had addressed the fact we had kissed last night and it wasn't awkward between us this morning either. In fact I was looking forward to seeing him which was a relief to me because I'd of hated it if it became weird between us. I didn't say anything when he kissed me again this morning when I answered the door. It wasn't like I didn't want him to, because I did, I was just still trying to wrap my head around the entire werewolf thing.

Before I had even noticed, Paul had pulled off the main road and on to a small trail where a house came into view.

"And you said the forest wasn't safe, I'm sure Sam's constantly going out of his mind." I remarked, rolling my eyes playfully.

Paul turned the truck off, "Sam lives here with Em, it's different. You have a habit of wandering off."

I looked at him, offended, "I do not."

"How did we meet?" He fired back, arching his brow at me.

I narrowed my eyes at him before smacking his arm lightly and opening the door to get out. Before I got my feet on to the ground Paul caught my wrist and I couldn't ignore the sudden warmth that spread up my arm, "Just quickly." He said anxiously, "Don't stare okay? You'll set Sam off." He said, before getting out and shutting the door.

Don't stare? Don't stare at what?

I hopped out after him and ran to catch up, "Paul? Paul what are you on about? Paul—"

He turned to face me as he stood at the front door and just as I reached him he held his finger up to his lips, "Shh."

I glared at him but all he could do was laugh. He opened the door to the house and walked straight in, dragging me in behind him by my hand.

It was an open space, a small kitchen with a dining area that moulded into the living room but it was cosy. The house was warm and it smelt of cakes baking bringing a smile to my face. It was like the hangout spot for the three boys and I understood why — the entire place had this inviting aura.

The first thing I noticed over Paul's tall frame was four people sat around the small and circular dining table, two boys and two girls.

I recognised Sam and I guess that other boy must've been Jared. Sat on their knees were the two girls and when I glanced over the girl on Sams knee did I realise what Paul was saying earlier. She had three large scars across the side of her face, one right underneath her eye and ending just above the top of her lip. They looked like claw marks and I figured she must've been Emily.