Well this is rather exciting. So I finished this last chapter sooner than expected. I thank all of these readers who have put up with me and my slow updates. So to wrap up the story, here it is last chapter! Enjoy!

Imprinted on a Broken Soul

Chapter 16

(Lela's P.O.V.)

My heart felt like it was frozen. The icy claw of betrayal withered its way into my bones. I didn't stay there long, I was soon off. I had turned around and ran away. What I'm always good at doing.

My thoughts were racing. Everything Leah had said was true. The imprint wasn't real love. It was shallow. It was a bind; that tightened its grip on two people and forces them closer with every resist. When alone, we are truly free from each other…. Paul went back to his normal self. Kissing on girls… Kissing on the girl that he always wanted to kiss on… the one he always crawled back to, as Leah put it.

I was hot with emotion and it felt like vile was building up in my throat. I wanted to cry, but I would never do such a thing in public. I would just go home. Go home and let it out then. Ethan wouldn't be home for another couple of hours.

I heard my phone go off as it received a text. It was Paul. He was asking where I was. I didn't respond. My heart ached at the sight I just saw. If I were my dad… fate was to blame here. Why would fate torture me so?

My fingers started shaking and I tried to will them to stop. It didn't work though, and something moved me to take my pill. I grabbed the water bottle and my pill bottle from my backpack. I was just down the street from my house.

I swallowed my pill down with a gulp of water and as I walked, my shaking ceased. My head was still swimming with thoughts. I had opened up to Paul… It wasn't a whole lot of opening up, but it was some of the first for me, and now I felt like the fool… for trusting him… for thinking he was so special to me. It was shallow. I was as naïve as Leah claimed I was. The scene of Paul and Natasha was fresh in my mind so clear… I couldn't shake it off my mind.

I wanted to think of something else… I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want to keep picturing it. I noticed that Paul had been right at lunch; dark grey clouds were rolling in over Forks. It was going to rain soon. It would fit my mood perfectly, for tonight. I didn't even want to think of going to school tomorrow and seeing his face. I just hope Ethan would let me stay home.

Upon entering the house, I had taken off my boots and coat. I was thinking of what could possibly happen tomorrow while still feeling the sting from Paul's betrayal, when I felt something was off. The house was eerie quiet… I mean, I use to the house being quiet when Ethan's away, but something spooked me from insides. My instincts were going off and I suddenly felt unsafe.

I took a step back and started to grab my coat off the rack, but my motion stiffened at the sudden sight before me. He wasn't there before, but like a gust of wind, he was there in the shadow of the hallway, a smirk playing at his lips.

My eyes widened and forgetting my coat, I straight bolted to the front door to get out, but as quick as the speed of light, he was there. He blocked my exit with his body.

His smirk turned into a wicked grin… a grin I have seen before… in my nightmares.

"I've waited a long time, Lela," he cooed softly.

I gulped back the fear that had risen in my throat. I tried to keep the fear I felt off my face. I needed help… this was the monster the pack has been chasing… he was the ones causing all the murder suicides.

"And you are…?" I asked as I step cautiously away from him.

"Rex," He answered as he stepped closer; countering every move I make to get away from him. Rex was a tall and slim figure; his posture was extremely well relaxed and he stepped with smooth precision, like a snake. He had slick, black hair down to his shoulders that was wrapped in a pony tail. His skin was awfully white, making a very deadly contrast with his bright, red eyes. His face was narrow and his nose looked big; it was long and crooked. His lips were thin and his teeth were sharp. When he smiled his eyes had a malicious twinkle in them. Rex wasn't dressed in bad taste either, but rather plain. He wore a pale plaid blue shirt tucked into his black pants. His shirt's sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Rex would look like the average man in a grocery store, but with his piercing eyes and snake like movements, you would know he was a predator and now I realized, I'm… his prey.

Rex watched me study his features as he did the same to me. "You know, Lela…. This isn't the first time we have met."

"It's not?" I asked, lacking interest in my tone as I tried to find a way out.

Rex wasn't fooled by my charade as he stepped closer. He was only an arm's length away from me. "No, it is not, darlin'. I've been spying on you for quite some time now… Either by watching from a distance or partaking in your dreams," Rex stated, watching me very carefully as my eyes widened at the news. How could he enter my dreams?

Suddenly Rex flew at me knocking me to the floor with his hand at my throat. He squeezed hard, choking me very quickly and then the pressure was released and he was no longer in my line of vision, yet the hand was still there, just resting on my throat. After I caught my breath, I realized it was my own hand lying on my throat. Sitting up, I saw Rex standing where he stood moments ago before he attacked me. It was as if he didn't move.

Rex kneeled down to be eye level with me, an amusing, thin smile playing out on his lips. "It's unbelievable how vulnerable the human mind is… well any mind, typically. I can place one mild thought, one brief image and the mind can go crazy off of that idea. People's minds are their own worst enemy. Wouldn't you agree, Lela? One hint of doubt; one hint of proof; and the mind can do the rest to take hold of the idea."

I was speechless as I still was catching my breath, watching him very closely as I tried to determine his words. Did he not attack me moments ago, then?

Rex stood up and placed his hands in his pockets as he walked to the kitchen and then he explained. "I can place ideas in people's heads. Images, words, phrases, ideas, anything that their mind could accept, anything that can take root in their brains. It's up to them if they want to believe it or not, of course. For example, it was so easy to fool the pack of mutts; I planted the thought of getting a scent of me. They tracked and they tracked, running around in circles and they never quit believing they were on the right track. So easy to fool the minds with an idea that they so desperately want to be true. However, the easiest minds to trick, are the ones that are clouded with so much doubt, ain't that right Lela?" Rex mentioned wickedly, turning his eyes to me again as I receive the painful image of Paul and Natasha kissing.

I winced at the image and soon I realized it was merely that… an image… Rex planted the image inside my head and I believe it because I had doubted Paul.

Rex took his eyes off me as he scanned the kitchen. "I must say Lela, you have the most interesting little life. I was first intrigue by your scent and then your frantic mind. So many wild little dreams you have and I been able to piece together your life one by one… I know so many of your desires, your hurts, your sufferings, your guilt, and your struggles. All the things you have tried to hide, I already know," Rex calmly recited as he gracefully paced around, only to stop and look back at me on the ground. Fear was noticeable in my eyes.

"Hm, you don't like that, do you?" Rex asked rhetorically smirking. "Don't like how easily I have seen into your mind. Your life begins as a carefree child, sure your mother and father fought a bit, but it really wasn't a big deal. Mom would always take you to see Uncle Ethan along with your brother and sister. You hear about the fights later at night from your dad. Soon your little adoring heart was ripped by grief by your mom's passing.

"She started getting sicker and sicker. You became worried. Daddy always drinking; Ethan barely visiting; brother and sister were taking on the responsibilities of keeping you fed, getting you to school, getting your homework done. Your mother passed and you contained your sorrow. You blamed Ethan too, just like your Dad. Seeking comfort, you tried your hardest to please your dad, but he never looked after your needs. He would get anger, he would get drunk, and you would pay for it. You and your siblings but at least he would say sorry the next day. You all would pay, but at least, you had your brother and sister to share in the abuse… till they left.

"You had to endure all the pain you cause your father… till one day you tried to get away. He came after you, you didn't think he would. Then on the way home, boom!" Rex planted the image of the event that killed my father into my head. I shook my head trying to fight it as I bit back tears… this… man… knew everything about me… "You caused the death of your father as he swore to be a better dad."

"No..." I mumbled in a desperate attempt.

"No?" Rex questioned with a sly tone. "So that's not what happened? Weren't you to blame, Lela? Wasn't that why he was out there, at night, driving? Wasn't your father searching for you? Weren't you trying to get away? He caught up with you… oh, but you tried to run... you're always so good at running. All you seem to know is how to run… to avoid all the pain, the suffering, all of life's greatest problems. Your life is nothing but a sob story fishing for one miracle. If you weren't so broken, Lela, you might have achieved a life you wanted. If you weren't so at fault for the cause of your dad's death, if you weren't the cause for every angry hit he threw at you, you wouldn't be so broken," Rex cooed as he leaned against the kitchen counter top.

"Stop it," I whispered softly. My head was spinning and my emotions were taking hold of me.

"That's right… it is time to stop. It's time to stop running, love," Rex declared. "Being surrounded by your vampire protector and your pack of mutts, this was a very exciting chase. Gave me a new opportunity to test my ability, but now it's just between you and me. Care for a game of cat and mouse?"

Before I could respond the house phone began to ring. Rex didn't look amused by the annoying device.

"Answer it," Rex barked at me. I slowly got up and cleared my throat. This was no time to cry. I needed to be strong in the face of this monster. Before I got to the phone, Rex placed his hand in the way. "Try any funny business and I won't hesitate to make a visit to your siblings," Rex threatened.

I nodded as he retracted his hand and I picked up the phone.

"Hello," I croaked out and Rex gave me a glare.

"Lela? Are you alright?" I heard Ethan's concerned voice over the phone

"I'm fine," I answered, clearer this time.

"Paul said you didn't come out to meet him after school. He said you were in the nurse's office earlier. What happened?"

"I got a headache during P.E. and I went right home after school, I couldn't find Paul."

"Okays… are you sure you are alright though?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Well I want someone to be home with you, so I'll be home soon," Ethan claimed.

"Tell him no," Rex whispered so low Ethan could not hear.

"No… it is okay, Ethan. Stay at work. I'll just give Paul a call and he'll pick me up, I'm sure. We still have loads of math homework to go over from Mr. Burn's class," I lied effortlessly, hoping Ethan could pick up on my distress signal. Rex didn't happen to notice the lie. He must not know everything about my life then.

"Alright… I'll be home at normal time then, be sure to call Paul. I'll see you soon. Bye." Ethan hung up and I clicked the phone on the receiver. I hope by him saying "see you soon" meant literally soon…

Rex puckered his lips up in a curious fashion as he analyzed me. "So… up for a little game?" Rex asked, politely, as he stood up straight and placed a hand at my back.

Rex guided me to the front door and out into the yard. We didn't stop walking till we hit the trees of the forest behind my house. "You can try to run if you like, but I wouldn't run to another house if I were you. Wouldn't want any more deaths upon your shoulders now, would we? I'll give you ten minutes for a fair start and the rain will be in your advantage," as Rex stated that a few rain drops began to fall to the Earth. "Go," Rex breathed into my ear and I ran.

Instincts took over. This was a life or death situation and I zigzagged my way across the forest floor. But I had a destination, though. I needed to get as close as I could to the reservation. Hopefully one of the pack mates can pick up on my location. However that thought was struck down as the rain fell harder down my back and made the ground soggy, making it harder to lift my feet.

Rain washes my trail and scent away… it will be harder for the pack to get a hold of my scent. It made me wonder if Rex purposely picked a day like today for that reason. He wanted to play a game. As I was moving my feet through the forest floor, my foot got tripped up by a root. I fell into a pile of mud. It gave me an idea. Rex will be tracking my scent as well and a way to cover my scent is my covering myself in mud. So I rolled myself in mud and covered my face in it quickly. Then I ran. The mud will, at least, buy me time. All I need is some time. The rain made my efforts with the mud a bit useless as it was dripping off my hair, but I was unseen if I were to stay still.

I stopped to catch my breath and I hid near a big tree that had mud surrounding it with bushes blocking the side of it. I felt my arms of my hairs stand on end and I knew Rex was close. I slowed my breathing and tried to keep very quiet. I was camouflaged by the dim light and the earthy colors I picked up on my run. I saw him then. He was far from me, but if I moved Rex would be sure to see me. I stayed very still as I watched him scanning the forest before him… and just like that, he was off to the left, away from me.

I stayed still for a couple more seconds till I broke my position and slowly got up to make my run for the reservation again. Before I could take another step, I was in the air and swung into a tree.

I hit the base of the tree hard with a thud, and was left paralyzed briefly on the ground. I heard a crackling laugh above me and I looked up to see Rex.

"So easily convinced you are by any seed I plant into your little tiny mind," Rex mocked with a grin.

Rex crouched down at that moment, I could barely move away. I wanted to put up a fight, but my body was still in shock from the hit. Rex's eyes were gleaming with joy as he flipped me over onto my back. He slipped his hand under my head and lifted it up to expose my neck. Before he got any close, he was ripped away from me and my head fell back onto the ground. A rush passed through my head as I turned to look who my savior was.

"Lela run!" Ethan shouted at me. He was crouched in front of me, protective, as Rex came back from the trees. Rex didn't look hurt or angry…. He looked excited.

"RUN!" Ethan shouted as Rex and him went hand to hand combat.

At Ethan's frantic demand, I gathered myself together and ran the way I was headed. I needed to get to pack.

(Paul's P.O.V.)

We were close. Ever since Lela didn't meet up with me in the parking lot, I knew something was off. I checked everywhere in the school before I checked her house. Jake, Seth, and Jared were with me. We knew she had been home, but she wasn't alone. She had that leech with her and we knew Ethan hadn't been there that long ago either. Lela was endangered. The rain started to wash off the last of any of their trails.

We all shifted into wolves and headed into the forest, hoping we would find them and hoping we weren't too late. My heart ached at the thought of that leech taking my Lela away from me. My anger and fear pushed my body to go faster. My pack brothers howled as a signal for the rest of the pack to come to our aid.

The ground was squishy and mud clung to my paws and fur. I caught a whiff of Ethan's scent in the air and I followed his trail and caught scent of the bloodsucker's sweet scent as well. They were close. We heard the loud clashing and fighting before we arrived and we knew someone was losing.

We ran into the scene ready to strike the traitor, baring our sharp teeth, yet what we saw and heard stopped us momentarily. The leech sneered at us standing above Ethan with Ethan's head in a headlock and with one last final pull, Ethan's head broke off. The bloodsucker was as quick as lighting, running off again and we headed after him.

I smelled Lela's scent in the distance and that's where the leech was heading too. I saw Lela then and the bloodsucker had caught up to her when the image disappeared. The smell disappeared. My whole pack stopped and we were all momentarily confused. Sam sniffed ahead with Jared and Quil tailing him.

"It's a dead end, there's nothing here," Sam announced, too calm for my taste.

"OH FOR PETE'S SAKES, NOT AGAIN!" I angrily cursed as I realized the leech tricked us and I high-tailed it back where we came. Jake, Seth, and Embry were quickly behind me and then the rest of the pack followed. We were running fast as we could, back to where we saw Rex last.

I block every thought out and focus solely on the scent and it soon came a lot clearer now. Lela's scent was barely in the air. I followed my gut as some of my pack mates tried to lead me off course. That leech was playing with us. I wasn't going to let him take my Lela away.

Sam split the pack up to make sure we were going after the right scent. Jake, Seth, and Leah went one way; Sam, Jared, Brady, and Collin went another way; but I was too determined on my course. Sam sent Quil and Embry with me. I knew that Lela went this way and I wasn't going to stand around and argue with Sam that I was right. The leech was playing with us and I was no longer going to let him play with my head.

I heard Lela's cries for help before I saw her. I stepped up my speed and I smelled blood in the air. I worried that I was too late until I smelled some familiar scents. Upon entering the scene, I was relieved to see Lela was still breathing held by none other than pixie haired Cullen, Alice. Jasper and Emmett held the leech at bay and were protected from his mind tricks by Bella's shield. Bella stood at arm's length from the leech, keeping her and her family's minds safe from his ability.

I looked back over to Lela where she was protected by Alice and Edward. I scanned over Lela to make sure she had no bites. She looked unbitten, which was a good sign. The smell of her blood was coming from the long gash on her forehead to her eyebrow. Blood was dripping off of it. It made me concerned about Lela's condition around the Cullens, I don't care if they are animal drinkers… one of them could snap.

"Alice won't snap," Edward answered.

I growled at the invasion into my mind. I wanted Embry over by Lela's side to watch over her while me and Quil take this bloodsucker out.

The rest of the pack arrived in seconds after Quil's call to them.

"Paul I know you want to end him, but Lela needs you, she's shooken up," Sam spoke calmly after assessing the scene.

I growled in protest. I really wanted to tear this piece of shit up for what he caused.

"Where's Ethan?" Lela spoke quietly; her face wasn't a mask like it usually was and she was desperately looking around at all of us. Her face was an open book; she was worried and frightened.

I thought of the scene that we discovered Rex killing Ethan, knowing that that image was no trick of the mind. With a loss of another one of Lela's family, I knew Sam was right. I needed to be here.

"Rex killed him," Edward stated as he read all of our thoughts. Lela was shocked at first and Rex began laughing. He wasn't even trying to fight Emmett and Jasper anymore. Rex laughed whole heartedly and everyone winced at the horribly crackle in his voice.

"That's it," Sam ordered as he closed in on Rex with Jared at his side.

Jasper and Emmett tore off Rex's arms in one quick motion as Sam went for the head. Jared and Leah began tearing up the body as Jasper and Emmett got a fire going. It soon smelled of burnt flesh and I shifted back into a human form and took Alice's place as I held on to Lela.

"It's all my fault," Lela whispered as she began sobbing into my chest.

"No sweetie, it's not," Alice said as she tried to sooth Lela's guilt. "Ethan was just trying to keep you safe. Rex is the only one at fault."

"Rex was the only monster here, he would have never stopped and would have continued ending many more lives," Edward claimed as he watched the flames with a grave face.

I knew those words would not help with Lela's grief. She needed to let it all out and she did as she cried into my chest and as I carried her to my house. Dr. Cullen came by to check on her and the stitch up her forehead. Alice and Bella helped clean Lela off in the bathroom. The pack stayed around for comfort and support. Emily and Kim brought muffins and food. Lela was surrounded by people. I knew she needed to be alone… to have some breathing room. When it got late I made sure, many of them left. Seth, Embry, Kim and Jared hung around my house late into the night. My mom was surprised by the company, but knew Lela needed to be with me now. Even though Lela looked better and smelled better, I knew she was full of sorrow.

We laid in bed together the whole night. I would hold her and rub her back as she let it all out. I would stay silent, knowing she needed time to think… She needed time to heal.

(Couple of years later, Lela's P.O.V.)

It's been a while since I lost Ethan. It's been even longer since I lost both my parents. I've been working through the pain. The nightmares still strike from time to time, but Paul's always there to help me sleep. We've gotten closer. After another tragic event in my life, I don't think I would have made it as far as I have without Paul. He maybe stubborn, immature, hot headed but he also was caring and safe. He comforted me. I could depend on him.

I've trusted him more than I trusted anyone and he's been there for me with everything. I have no more doubts. We live together now. I've been living with Paul and his mom after Ethan passed, but now after we graduated from high school, we got our own little place and are living together. I got myself a job on the reservation. Kim comes over during the days I have off and on the weekends, there's always a gathering at someone's house to have a meal.

The territory hasn't been threatened for about eight months now. I'm not as terrified as I was the first couple months after Ethan's attack. Paul never promised me that the pain would go away, but he did promise me that he would be there for me. I knew he meant it. It was obvious.

I was making progress in recovering… I was making progress in opening up. I was working on putting all my broken bits back together again. It was up to me and me alone, but this time, I had support, I had help, I had love.

The End.

Boop! It's done. Well I hope you liked this whole story and my characters within it. How was the ending?! Or how was the bad guy?! Did you guys like it, overall? So curious as to what all my readers think of this story.

Please Review!

I do not plan to make a sequel, not that I think anyone would ask for one. I'm just stating... I don't think I'll do one cause this story and Lela's life is done.

Thank you all for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Stephanie Meyer's characters. I only own, Lela, Ethan, Natasha, and Rex.