world we created, paul lahote

NINE

Lucia didn't say a single word since they had stepped into the car. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief, struggling to comprehend the unfathomable reality that had unfolded before her eyes. It went against every rational thought she had ever known. Men shifting into towering, seven-foot wolves?

Her brows furrowed as she leaned against the hood of the car, Jared stood beside her, as the world whizzed by in a blur. The passing trees, the changing landscape - they were mere background scenery to the storm of thoughts that consumed her mind.

Lucia's emotions were a tangled web, a mixture of awe, fear, and a touch of fascination. She couldn't help but marvel at the sheer impossibility of it all, the sheer audacity of the supernatural world that had been unveiled to her.

As they pulled onto a dirt road, the dense forest parted, revealing a dirt path that led them towards a cosy cabin nestled amidst the trees, not far from the foreboding forest that Charlie had warned her about. The towering trees seemed to bow respectfully as they made way for the path, their branches reaching out like welcoming arms.

Jared hopped out of the back of the car, his movements agile and swift. Embry followed suit, climbing out of the driver's seat and carefully shutting the door behind him. The two werewolves emitted a series of yips, alerting the woman Sam had identified as Emily to their arrival.

Lucia mimicked Jared's actions, her combat boots landing on the gravel beneath her feet with a crunch. She hesitated, not wanting to enter a stranger's home alone. Though she had briefly met Embry before, she hadn't truly spoken to him or developed a sense of familiarity. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket, her eyes fixated on the cabin, waiting for Bella to join her outside the truck.

"Hey, I think we should go back and see if Jacob's okay," Bella suggested as she rolled down the window.

"I hope Paul sinks some teeth in him. Serves him right," Jared said.

"No way, Jacob's a natural. You see him phase on the fly? I got five says Paul doesn't touch him," he retorted. Embry and Jared, having finished their banter, turned their attention back towards the two girls.

"Come on in, guys. We won't bite," he said teasingly.

Jared glanced at Embry with a scoff. "Speak for yourself," he retorted.

Bella took a moment before stepping out of the truck and shutting the door behind her. She positioned herself beside Lucia, offering a small, albeit awkward, smile that conveyed reassurance. The two girls began their walk towards the front door of the cabin. As they climbed the steps, Embry halted them in their tracks.

"Oh, hey, about Emily, Sam's fiancée. Don't stare. It bugs Sam," Embry informed them before turning to enter the house.

"Why would we stare?" Bella asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.

With Bella leading the way, she entered the house first and paused by the door frame. Lucia gently nudged her forward so that she too could enter the house. As her eyes swept across the room, Lucia couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The house exuded a warm and inviting atmosphere, a true embodiment of what one could only describe as home. The cosy furniture, the soft lighting, and the personal touches scattered throughout created a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Lucia's gaze lingered on the photographs adorning the walls, capturing precious moments frozen in time. Lucia's heart skipped a beat as she directed her gaze to the woman who had her back turned to them.

At that moment, the woman turned, revealing jagged scars that lined the right side of her face. The scars, like intricate patterns, started from her temple and traced their way down to her chin. It was a sight that made Lucia understand why it bothered Sam so much. After she watched Jacob and Paul shift before her eyes, the realization hit her like a punch in the gut. This scar, the mark that marred the woman's pretty face, was undoubtedly Sam's doing.