CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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     Genevieve sat on her bed, pen sticking from between her teeth and a notebook in her hands. The brunette was keeping track of her expenses and how much she had earned from working at the bookstore, even if had only been a few weeks, it was so she could see how much she needed to save up to get her own car and how long it would take her.

She had already gotten her lessons and license for her eighteenth birthday from her parents, and she yearned for her own truck so that the girl didn't have to rely on others all the time.

The bookshop didn't make her that much money, but she was okay with it, she wanted a second-hand car anyways, not really bothered to spend much money on it.

Gen sniffed her nose, having catched a cold, which was odd for her. She blamed it on the weather. It was much colder here than in San Fran and since it was now December, the cold was unavoidable.

There was a whistle coming from outside and Gen perked up, putting her notebook away and walking up to her window. A smile graced her features as she saw Paul stand below her window.

"Back up," he said, and she did.

With a graceful swing and jump, he stood before her, his body sliding through the window. He wore dark green cut offs, his skin as russet as hers. He took a long stride and wrapped her in his arms, a sigh heaving his lips.

"Hey," she smiled.

"Hey," he grinned.

Paul reached down and planted his lips on hers. His were warm and felt nice against her own. Genevieve couldn't get enough of his kisses. Ever since that day at the beach it seemed as if their lips were always locked.

"How was patrol?" she asked, pulling on his hand as she sat crossed legged on her bed, he followed her actions and leaned against het headboard. "I heard you guys howl."

"There was a leech, but we took care of her." he grumbled. "She got Jared, though. He's fine now. Nothing to worry about."

"It is kind of difficult not to worry about you guys." she muttered, lacing her fingers with his. "All I can think about it one of them hurting you. I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I can't lose someone else."

"Hey, look at me." Paul took her chin in his hand and made her look up at him. "I am not going anywhere. You won't lose me or anyone else anytime soon, alright? Besides, leeches don't stand a chance against us, we're much stronger than they are. I don't want to worry you, but I can't lie. There have been an awful lot of them around our borders for weeks now, we don't know what they want, but we took care of them and we will of any other that tries to cross."

"I trust you." Gen nodded. "I know you can handle yourselves, it's just ... I don't know Paul; I have a bad feeling."

"Nothing is going to happen, I promise." Paul pressed his lips against her forehead. "As long as we're here you're all safe."

It had taken Genevieve a few days to register what would have happened in the woods if the pack hadn't found her. It terrified her greatly. She had never expected any of this to be real, but now that she knew and had time to think about it, it scared her to death.

"Why don't we take some rest before we go to Claire's?" Paul mumbled, burying his face in her neck and pushing her back against the bed, making himself comfortable. "We have a few hours, let's nap."

"You're a big baby, you know that?" Gen chuckled, running her fingers through his hair as he made a weird noise in response.

Paul had his arms wrapped around her waist, head in the crook of her neck and his legs wrapped over her own, leaving her almost unable to move but she didn't mind. He had showed up after patrol ever since the day at the beach and it always ended in them sleeping peacefully on her bed.

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Quil knocked on the front door impatiently as he bounced on the balls of his feet. Genevieve had her brows raised behind him; a present wrapped under her arms. Her yellow coat tightly wrapped around herself. Paul stood on her side, holding his own present, mimicking her facial expression as he watched his friend.

"Can you knock it off?" she questioned, leaning onto her other leg. The wind felt like ice against her cheeks and she hid her face in her scarf as best as she could.

"I can't." Quil mumbled. "I am excited."

"I can see that." Gen snorted.

Paul had explained a few hours before that Quil had imprinted on the child and it almost made her throw up, wanting to murder him. Until Paul explained it to her. It wasn't something they could control and now Quil was like a brother to her, then he'd try to be friends and give the girl time when she was older to decide what she wanted.

The front door opened, and Emily smiled at them with a toddler on her hip. The child's dark eyes lit up and she squirmed in her aunt's arms. The girl let out a happy squeal and leaned towards Quil with her arms outstretched.

"Hey there, Claire-bear." Quil grinned, taking the child from Emily with a bright smile on his face. "Look who's gotten all big, you're growing up so fast!"

"Qwuil!" Claire giggled; her arms wrapped around his neck. Genevieve smiled at the two of them, her heart swelling at the sight of those two. The brunette girl snatched his present from his hands and squealed. "I gwot many pwesents!"

"Did you now?" Quil smiled. "I got one for you, my sister did too! You remember Paul, don't you?"

"Sister?" the girl frowned, looking at Gen. "I thought she be tall like me."

"Not quite," Quil put her down, crouching behind her as the small toddler looked up at the brunette curiously.

"Hey sweetheart." Gen smiled. "Happy Birthday."

Claire chewed on the inside of her cheeks, holding onto Quil's arm as she studied her before looking at the large present in Gen's hands, before turning to Paul's present. Her big and curious eyes almost bulged at the size of it and a large smile covered her features.

"For me?" she asked shyly.

"Yes, for you only." Genevieve smiled.

"Claire, we better open them inside, it is cold." Emily said, holding the door open for them to come inside the house. The toddler hummed and skipped inside with Quil's present in her hands.

"I think she likes you." Quil beamed, kicking off his shoes next to the door – his sister following his actions and hanging her coat on the holder next to the door. Emily wrapped an arm around her shoulders after the brunette put the present next to the others and leaded her inside.

"She definitely likes you." Paul grinned. "I mean, how could she not?"

"Shut up," Gen chuckled.

The living room was decorated in pink and purple decorations, some children running around their feet as they entered. A princess cake was laid on the middle of the coffee table, the room full of people.

"Welcome to the Young family." Emily grinned, squeezing her shoulders.

Gen smiled as she introduced herself to everyone before sitting on the ground with Quil and Claire as she began opening presents. Paul sat on the chair behind her, causing Genevieve to lean against his legs, feeling most comfortable being close to her imprint.

"Mine first," Quil said, handing her his once again.

The brunette grinned and ripped the paper off, letting out an exited gasp as she saw a fluffy wolf and a new Barbie doll, jumping into his arms with a squeal before saying, "I don't have this one, thank you Qwuil!"

"Pfff," Gen huffed with a grin on her face. "You'll like my present much better."

The little girl turned to her and furrowed her eyebrows, eyeing the big box next to her that had her name written at the front. Lilac wrapping paper covered it and a yellow bow. Claire shuffled towards it and began to tear the paper off, letting out another gasp.

"Do you like it?" Gen asked, resting her hand on the ground beside her as she studied the toddler. Claire stood with her mouth open, her head nodding rapidly as she looked at the dollhouse in front of her.

"A house for my dolls." she grinned, wrapping her arms around Gen's neck. "Thank you, Gen."

"Your welcome, little one." she smiled, rubbing her back.

"Can we have cake now?" she asked eagerly, leaving the entire room in fits of laughter at the toddler.