Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Just a thank you wouldn't be enough to express my gratitude to my most favorite wolf girls, WolfGirl7411 and jarms, for putting so much of their time and effort into this chapter despite their super busy schedules, and for making the story so much better. *Thanks a ton, WG and jarms. You both are AWESOME. Love ya. 3*

I know it's been a while since I updated this story. What can I say? RL can get super crazy at times. Thank you all for understanding. :)

Here's the second chapter. Happy reading.


Her eyes were puffy.

Liz had been secretly crying for the last ten minutes, even after vowing she wouldn't—not today. Not on her birthday. Yet when the music at her party turned romantic, luring couples to the makeshift dance floor, she couldn't take it anymore. Surrounding her were wolves and happy imprints, sharing private gazes and holding each other close. She felt like a voyeur, witnessing something far more intimate than a dance.

That was when it hit hard: the one person who looked at her that way... wasn't there.

While the other wolves were enjoying the company of their mates, hers was at work. He'd requested her eighteenth birthday off, but he was unexpectedly called in last night when a water main broke. Now, he was spending the day in Forks because his boss needed an extra set of hands.

She knew the reason for him not being there was valid, but his absence still hurt. It was a knot in the pit of her stomach that wound tighter and tighter with each passing second.

She felt guilty being upset. Though he wasn't with her, he'd done his best to make the day special, arranging an early morning delivery of chocolates and a beautiful bouquet of white orchids—her favorite. His note had put a warm smile on her sleepy face.

Happy birthday, sweetheart. More surprises to come.

When she called to thank him, she was greeted by a sexy, sleep-laced voice—his drawling words thick with implication. "Wish I were waking up next to you."

"Oh, you will... before too long." She was definitely dropping hints, hoping he would play along.

And her wolf never disappointed.

"If I were there, I'd roll you over and..."

She blushed, remembering the naughty places the conversation turned.

The second gift arrived in the evening. She was getting ready for the party when Leah slipped into her room with a package.

She gave Liz a teasing wink and placed the neatly wrapped box into her hand. " I was ordered to deliver this to you in time. Here you go, girl. I never knew you had a thing for cavemen."

As soon as Leah stepped out the door, Liz opened the box to find a slinky, red dress resting under a note from Paul.

Gonna have a hard time focusing today, thinking about those long legs of yours in this dress. I guessed on the size, so if it fits, you'll know how much I've been ogling you. Have a great party, baby.

Those few lines managed to make her insides tingle with anticipation.

Biting her lip, she'd rushed to try on the new dress, her original one abandoned on the bed.

The fit was perfect—just like he'd promised. The red silk cascaded over her shape—molding to the swell of her breasts, hugging the flat plane of her stomach, and accentuating the roll of her hips with every sway.

That was when her imagination ran away with her. She wished he was standing behind her, holding her gaze in the mirror while she dressed... then letting his eyes drop to linger on certain places, his hands sensually smoothing the fabric down her sides just to hear her breath hitch.

When he bent his head to nuzzle her neck, she forced herself out of the daydream and back to the present. Her party—surrounded by wolves with heightened senses—was not the place to indulge in fantasies.

Leaning against the lone rock on the beach, away from the crowd, Liz felt sad he wasn't here to see how good the dress really did look. Never before had she received so many compliments in one day.

She dabbed her eyes dry with a crumpled tissue, starting when two russet arms grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back into a strong body.

"Hey, beautiful. I hope you saved me a dance." A whisper brushed her ear, hot breath trailing down her neck like wildfire. "Happy birthday, baby." He kissed her temple.

She spun around in his arms, not believing he was actually there.

"Paul? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be working."

Chuckling at the surprised look on her face, his finger played with a loose curl of her hair.

"Yeah, I was."

Sure she was hallucinating, she shook her head and took a deep breath, trying to clear her thoughts.

"OK, Liz. You're imagining things. He's not here. He is in Forks—working. He won't be back till much later. So, stop fretting, get your ass out there, and enjoy your party." She rambled to herself—the way she did when she was alone.

When she looked up again, he was still there, a wide grin on his face.

"Here, let me help you." He bent down, cupping her cheeks and pulling her into a heated kiss. His lips were demanding, his tongue exploring her mouth. Running one hand down her side—grazing her breast—he relished in the delicious gasp that escaped her lips. And she clung to him.

Threading delicate fingers through thick, black strands at the nape of his neck, she gently pulled the tuft of hair in her grasp. The low rumble Paul released in response to her desire pushed tingling vibrations through her body—the pulsing waves washing over her heated bliss, milking the nectar from her womb. He lifted her off her feet and pushed her against the rock, his forearm cushioning her waist. Liz moaned when he nibbled her lip, his strong grip kneading the back of her thigh. The slow and torturous rhythm of his rocking hips swelled the aching intensity between her legs, and he didn't stop until her lungs were begging for air.

"Now, does that feel like you are imagining it?" He winked at her.

Her thoughts still hazy from the kiss, she was rendered speechless. Looking up at him, she quirked an eyebrow.

Seeing the effect he had on her, he gave her his patented, panty-dropping smirk and trailed a finger down her jaw. "What? Too dizzy to answer?"

The crimson blush spread through her cheeks, and for just a moment, he let himself imagine how she'd look in his bed, his body pinning her to the mattress.

"I worked hard to finish the job faster than my boss thought possible." He tried to look offended. "You didn't think I was actually going to miss your birthday. Did you?"

Smiling at his expression, she played along. "You didn't give me a reason to believe otherwise."

"Oh, I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble of picking out that dress just for some other man to see you in it, Liz."

She laughed, reaching up to plant a kiss on the tip of his nose—something that irritated the crap out of Paul, but he wouldn't complain about it today.

"Oh! I will get back to you for that. Very soon." He wiped his nose with a grimace.

"We'll see. Come on, let's enjoy the party. Let's celebrate that promise you don't have to keep anymore." She grinned, giving him a look full of naughty implications.

She tried to drag him toward their group of friends, but he pulled her back.

"Don't you want your gift?" he asked, pushing her hair over one shoulder and running his nose along the exposed length of her neck.

"Mmm…" She tried to concentrate on his words and not the tingling sensation in her belly, "...what?"

"Your gift?" he whispered, nipping the delicate shell of her ear.

"But you gave me my gift. This dr-dress...ahh..." Liz leaned back into him, a smoldering fire swirling in her stomach and running a trail of embers to the deep, throbbing ache between her thighs.

In the very next moment, she felt something cool around her neck. Her half-closed eyes opened to look down.

A gold chain was around her neck: two delicate strands beautifully woven into one. Her fingers brushed across the elegantly carved 'L' in the center of a small dangling heart.

"L for Liz?" she asked, turning her head to the side.

"No." He caught her lips in another sweet kiss. "L for Lahote," he whispered. "You are mine, to love and to cherish."

"Paul, I…" Overwhelmed by her emotions, she sighed. "This is beautiful. I love it."

He brushed his lips against hers for a brief moment before grabbing her hand and leading her back to the party.

The slow tempo of the music lured them to the dance floor, and as they swayed to the steady rhythm, Paul murmured into her hair, his warm breath billowing over her ear. "You look so sexy in this dress. I can't stop touching you."

"Well, my boyfriend gave it to me. Too bad he's stuck working in Forks. I wish he was here to see me in it."

Paul chuckled. "Your boyfriend sure as hell has good taste. I really hope he's not the jealous type because I'm taking you home with me tonight."

Liz didn't miss the promise in his tone, and when he winked, the anticipation of what was to come fluttered through her belly.

It wasn't long before Paul was pulling her impossibly close. The crowd and dim light provided the perfect cover for his roaming hands, running along her back then cupping her rear—his thumbs making small circular movements. Liz bit her lip to stop any inappropriate sound that would draw attention. Her head fell forward, and Paul felt her erratic breath beating across his neck, keeping time with his own pulse.

He bent down, talking in her ear. "There is a little something for you in my car. Come on."

Slowly, they slipped out of the party and made their way toward the parking lot. Walking in silence with his hand resting at the small of her back, he guided her through the crowd.

When they reached his car, he gave her the keys and stepped back. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she opened the passenger door and found a paper bag on the seat. Grabbing it and holding it in the light, Liz noticed Paul's message written in black marker.

Something a little more comfortable to slip into later.

She opened the bag, shaking it a little to get a better view, but all she could see was black lace.

Her face went up in flames remembering his words from the other day: 'At least I know what to give you for your birthday now.'

Feeling suddenly shy, she was too embarrassed to pull out the fabric for the full effect. As if on cue, a couple walked past them causing Liz to turn and lock eyes with Paul. Now leaning against the door, his arms were crossed over his chest, and in the dim light, she watched his irises darken with lust. Her heart might as well have been a hummingbird's wings.

"Paul," she hissed as he smirked.

"Do you like it?" he asked in a hushed voice, his eyes twinkling.

"I couldn't really see it. There are people around us. Later." He didn't really think she would open it in such a public place, did he?

"Well, I love it, and I can't wait to see how it looks on you." He pulled her close, his growing need pressing into her belly.

Gently turning her around, his free arm encircled her slender waist. He hooked a finger under the strap of her dress, tugging and playing,his touch left a hot trail across her shoulder. Planting wet kisses, he slowly moved his lips down her neck. The sensations made liquid fire course through her veins, melting her desire and pooling it in her center. He ran his nose behind her ear. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he inhaled her need. His teeth grazed her ear, and she whimpered, clutching the paper bag in her hands tightly.

"Paul…" It was a plea laced with want.

"I'm done waiting. I've wanted you for so long. Come on, baby, let's go to my place. I'll make sure you have a memorable birthday."

'Hell yeah!' she thought. But in reality, all she could do was nod.

"Good. Let's get going." Releasing her and nudging her forward, Paul was eager to get her alone, but suddenly, Liz was nervous. She wanted to talk to someone… Kim.

Or maybe Leah.

Hell, even Sue would do.

"Hold on a second. I'll be right back." Not waiting for a response, she handed him the paper bag and quickly walked back to the beach.

"Here comes the birthday girl." It was Leah who saw her first.

Kim noticed the mood-shift in her sister-in-law. "Look at her, Leah. That frown vanished as soon as Paul stepped in. She's practically glowing."

"Thank God he showed up, or Liz would have cried all day and ruined that makeup I spent hours on." Leah smiled.

Now that all their attention was on her, Liz didn't want to waste time beating around the bush. She jumped straight to the point, praying Jared wouldn't show up to spoil the show.

"Kim, Paul asked me i- if…" This wasn't supposed to be difficult. It was Kim. Her sweet sister-in-law. Taking a deep breath, she tried again.

"I- I'm staying the night with Paul. I just wanted you to know." The words flew out in one breath, and she tried not to blush.

Kim and Leah looked at each other before turning to Liz with mischievous grins.

"Woooo! Someone has a fun night ahead." Leah teased while Kim giggled.

"Sure, Liz, you're eighteen now, you don't need my permission. Go ahead. Have fun." Kim winked before realization dawned and bulged her eyes. "Oh, wait. You are finally eighteen. Paul is free from his promise. That means this is going to be your first time, isn't it?"

"Yes. If anything happens tonight, it will be our first time."

"Of course something will happen tonight. I mean, you won't exactly spend the night playing checkers, will you? And he's been so desperate lately, I'm surprised he's managed to keep it in his pants." Leah remembered all the explicit thoughts in his sex-deprived brain she had heard during patrols.

Liz blushed. He always maintained such restraint in front of her, she actually had no idea how much he desired her. Breaking her out of her thoughts, Leah leaned in closer.

"Just a heads up, Lizzy, no matter what all those romance novels say, the first time isn't all rainbows and flowers. I ain't gonna lie… it's gonna hurt like hell. Especially considering all the guys are hung like fucking horses." She winked, and both women burst out laughing at the look of horror on her face.

Watching the color drain from Liz's face, Leah patted her on the back and quickly added, "But don't worry, there's a helluva lot of fun you can have before that. I'm sure he will take care of you."

"Yeah, we'll see. I should go now. He's waiting."

Kim pulled her into a hug. "Have a good time, Liz, but be careful. No glove, abso-freaking-lutely no love."

"Yeah, wrap that thing up good and tight, or you can expect a litter in nine months." Leah put in her two cents.

"Then Jared would murder Paul in his sleep." Kim raised an eyebrow.

She chuckled at their entertaining show of support. The display warmed her heart, and she assured them she'd be careful. Turning away from the two women, she made her way toward her wolf.

Liz was in for one hell of a night, and she was determined to make it the best gift of the day.


A/N: There you go. Got anything to say? I enjoyed writing this a lot. I hope you had fun reading it. Thanks for reading. :)

Also, I won't be able to update this story regularly due to my schedules. I promise, I'll work on it whenever I can. But I don't promise regular update. I hope you'll understand. :)

Meanwhile, *cue shameless pimping* if you are in mood for some daddy Paul, or a wolfy Jake, you check out my other WIPs. Those stories will have regular updates.