benefits ( paul lahote )

ii. apologies and thank you's

—

    The party soon came to a close soon after the whole incident, Cayla was one of the first people to rush out. Jacob and Paul went to go after her but Jacob pressed a hand into the others chest. "I think you've done enough."

Paul's nostrils flared in anger at the thought of his imprint and Jacob being alone together. "If it weren't for me, everything would be way worse." Jacob scoffed. He was annoyed on how all of the people who walked around without shirt and always wore jean shorts were treated like loyalty by the La Push council members. "Okay, sure. You only act all high and mighty because you're apart of Sam's cult."

Cayla heard Jacobs' aggressiveness as she waited for him by the doorframe so she stomped back into the house and pulled Jake's arm. "Calm down." He just huffed and walked outside. He had been really angry at everything lately and it was really starting to annoy Cayla. Whenever she brought up his man period it just enraged him even more.

    "Um, excuse me," Cay said trying to catch Paul's attention. Unbeknownst to her, she had it the whole time. "I just wanted to say thank you. Who would've known what would've happened if you weren't there." Cayla explained, her eyes starting to water as she looked shamefully at the ground.

    She had always told that you should never need a mans help by her mother. But, the moment Jeffery laid his hands on her, all of that information disappeared from her head. Cayla looked up at the russet skinned teen in front of her, gratitude in her eyes as she bowed respectfully. She then had the sudden urge to be in some physical contact with him so wrapped her short arms around him, surprising them both with a hug.

    She felt his warm skin against hers and felt comfortable in his arms. Cayla wrapped her arms tighter around him. and placed her head on his firm chest. "Thank you, thank you so much."

Paul looked down at the girl. Although he was shocked, he couldn't help but placing his around her shoulders, pulling her slightly closer. The animal inside of him wanted to lean down and kiss her, but it was definitely too early for that. If he had done it, she probably would have broken down in tears which was the last thing Paul had wanted for the Korean girl in front of him. After they pulled away the shifter looked at the girl in front of him right in the eyes. "It's no big deal, it's sick how he just goes around touching girls like that. I'm Paul, Paul Lahote."

Cayla blushed as she realized she had forced him into a hug without even knowing his name first. "I'm Cayla Hyan." She stuck her hand out which he grasped in his own. They made eye contact and Paul couldn't help but study her face, never wanting to live a day without seeing it. Cayla gulped as she felt his intense gaze on her. Suddenly a voice interrupted their staring match.

"Cayla, I should probably get you home." Jacob spoke from his position in the doorway, glaring at Paul. She nodded her head and waved goodbye to her imprint. Paul already missed her. He missed the way she flared his nostrils, just like him. He missed looking at her silky brown/black hair cascaded down her shoulders. He mi-

    No, He thought. I can't be in love with a girl I just met.

—

Paul had been just walked into Sam and Emily's when Jared came up to him. "So, you imprinted." He winked. Paul internally groaned. He was annoyed with how much he had been thinking nonstop about Cayla.

"Yeah, I guess." He murmured. He didn't have much experience with emotions other than anger, and it bothered him that he had all of these feelings for a girl that he had only talked to once. "Where's Sam?" Paul asked.

"He should be around here." Jared shrugged. Paul walked around the house only to find Sam outside with a beer in his hand. The alpha watched Paul with serious eyes and gestured for him to sit down.

"I have a few questions." Paul said bluntly. "I imprinted, but there's something off about this girl." Sam looked at him in curiosity. He was surprised that Paul had found a mate so in Forks, since it was rare and that he was such a hard person to deal with.

"At the party, when she was beating up Jeffery," he smirked at the thought, "Her eyes— they flashed a different color for a second. Is there any other monsters out there besides vampires?" Paul asked. He was relieved that she wasn't a vampire, because it would be hard to be with a natural born enemy.

"Of course there is, you would have to bring her in here so he Elders could see if she was special." Sam told him. Paul sat back in thought, there was no way of knowing if he would ever see her again. He could always talk to Jacob, but that was a risky move.

    "Paul, I know how you're feeling. You are overwhelmed by her and consumes every thought in your mind. The more you push it away, the more it will come back." Sam spoke. Paul slightly nodded his head and shifted into his wolf form for patrol.

—

    It was about 11:30 pm when Cayla stumbled into the Hyan household. She kicked off her shoes and went to the kitchen. As she poured herself a glass of water she heard the footsteps of someone approaching from behind her.

"Where were you all night young lady. I get that you are a teenager but you can't just run off at night without calling or anything! Do you not know how worried we all were?" Mrs. Hyan questioned the youngest child. Cayla just stared at her blankly until her lip began to tremble.

"Mom, I'm so sorry." Cayla said as her legs gave out from underneath her. Her mother knelt down next to her and put her hands on Cayla's shoulders. "It's alright. Hey, don't cry it's nothing that serious. Is there something you're not telling me about?"

"Jacob invited me to a party and since I had nothing to do I went. I-I was alone just for five minutes. Then this guy. H-he started to touch me," A year escaped her eye while her mother gasped. "Even though you told me to never depend on someone else. I couldn't think to do anything. I was so so terrified. So, this guy came and helped me. I'm so sorry I forgot to text you. I was in shock— I still am." Cayla explained with tears streaming down her face.

"Oh, Cayla. When I said that I didn't—" Her mother sighed. She never imagined her daughter getting into a situation like this. "You should go get some sleep."

"Mom, please don't tell the boys. Knowing them they'll probably cause trouble." Cayla told her and went up the stairs to her room.

    While laying down, she shut her eyes.  Thinking about all of the crazy things that happened. And, for some odd reason the lost thought that was in her head before her mind drifted off to sleep was Paul Lahote.