Chapter 8 – Decision Time
Paul signaled James to stand by his side and as he walked out, Embry and Quil phased whereas Sam kept his cool as did Jacob.
James was just about to run out but Paul stuck his arm out to stop him "James…Don't do this we don't want to fight them...Please James calm yourself..." Paul Pleaded.
James had gazed into Paul's eyes and unclenched his fist, Paul took hold of his hand and started walking, but not before giving him a kiss. Quil went to charge and Sam stepped-in still looking at James with clenched fist.
They slowly walked closer, preparing themselves with every step, although they knew they weren't killers but their eyes said different.
"Sam! Quil, Embry..." Paul started to say, "There's nothing you can do to stop us, as you know what happened, I have imprinted on James, we have tried to stay-away, but our hearts belong together." The others growled...
"Besides...It's not like I can control it, Sam you should understand better than anyone" Paul sniped back.
Sam, Quil, Embry had nothing to say, "Guys....Don't be too hard on him..." Emily said in Paul's defense, then kissed Sam on the lips.
"Thank you, Emily," Paul said, James attempted to smile, he turned and kissed Paul on the lips. Emily was the only one to smile at the moment, there was silence as no one else knew what to say, Emily looked at everyone, "Come on guys let's go in I've made some muffins for you all" Emily said to relieve the tension, "You too James...there's plenty for you" Emily gesturing him in. It wasn't like James to be so hesitant, but Paul took his hand and it put a smile on his face, 'You will be fine, as I'll be right beside you' Paul whispered. James had always tracked his prey with aggression, never did he think he would get invited into someone else's home.
As they entered the house, the rest of the pack were munching away and staring at them, Paul ignored them but James snarled at them that caused Quil and Embry to growl. Paul noticed and growled at them, they went silent and Paul turned to James smiling and leant in for a kiss, James had backed a little bit, "James! What's wrong?" Paul asked in confusion. There was a moment of silence, James's mouth opened, no words came out but air. "Are you going to say something James?" Paul asked.
James grabbed Paul's upper arms, "Paul! This...I...I... don't think.... it's going to..." Paul interrupted "Please! Don't finish that sentence I don't want to hear it" Paul ran off and James shot off in the opposite direction. He saw Paul run back, but he couldn't bring himself into a relationship that had to be discreet, he just stared at him from afar, he couldn't run far as he was reminiscing what had happened the last time they split. He found himself walking towards him like some magnetic pull, he tried so hard to resist.
Later that evening James had slept only a few paces away from where Paul stayed, it was the first night in a long time, he felt colder than usual, whereas Paul could usually sleep easy, but also that same evening he was wide awake, thinking how James acted. Paul went over and over in his head, he could not figure out why or how he changed so quickly, so many times he moved around his room from his bed to his chair and pacing around contemplating chasing after him to confront him. There is always that voice in the back of his mind telling him not to, to give him space, he was getting frustrated and almost phased...
"PAUL STOP!!!" Paul was still preparing himself "Paul...You got to calm yourself...I'm here now..." James said softly with his arms around him. It took some persuasion for Paul to stop Phasing, he relaxed slightly before he turned in his grasp and he kissed him. "Thank You" he said as he carried on kissing James.
"I'm sorry that I stormed off like that Paul, I was scared and hurt, it seemed like the best option at the time." James explained.
"Don't ever do that to me again." Paul said, angry and upset.
"What do you think of us running away together, we can be free, meaning no more wolf-telepathy for you Paul."
It took Paul some time to digest the last few words, James noticed there was a hint of smile and Paul finally answered "When you put it like that, that does sound good, only thing is my boys have always been there for me through the bad as well as the good and they have tolerated us as well" Paul pondered.
"Yeah I know they have Paul, but they don't/or won't accept me being with you and they probably never will..."
"James! It will take some convincing and we will have to give them a lot of time as there hasn't been an imprint like us in history, Sam will come around with the aid of Emily and Jacob too. Don't worry about the other two as they know they can't defeat me in a fight anyways"
James nodded "I will tolerate them as well...the things I do for you now that I wouldn't dream of doing in the past"
"At the end of the day it be you and I, we don't live with them and we can still go wherever we want and I am trying to find a way to block out the wolf-telepathy"