Author's notes: wow everything was so peaceful for a moment… now it's not. Have fun reading this chapter. F.y.i I am not a curser, but Paul seems like the guy who would sometimes, so there are some words (ex. Crap, Dammit, Hell) just giving you a heads up.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series.

Chapter four: The broken imprint.

"Quil?" I push on Paul's chest and he places my feet on the ground "what's happened?"

Jake grabs my hand and drags me to my truck.

"Jake-"

"I'll tell you on the way!" he promises "now just get in"

Paul lunges into the driver's seat and I scoot into the center.

"Explain" I demand.

"The red headed blood sucker got onto the Rez last night. She was after you, but found Quil's mom first. She is fine" Jake says quickly "Quil got in between them and phased for the first time. He chased her off, but apparently he took off after that and his mom hasn't seen him. He isn't in wolf form or we would be able to hear him"

I try to think of somewhere Quil would go if he was terrified out of his mind. Quil is the kinda guy who needs his friends, but if he hasn't come to any of us? Then…

"What about the old boat house" I ask, getting a feeling that Quil is there "He could be hiding out there in his human form"

Jake nods.

"You're right!" Jake throws my truck door open as Paul drives 57 down a dirt road "I've got to tell the others, beat ya there"

He jumps.

"I am never gonna get used to that" I say to Paul.

"Yeah you will. You're good with weird" he says with a strained smile.

Paul reaches the end of the road and throws my truck into park. There isn't a road to the old boat house, it's all on foot for the last mile. Paul phases and then drops to the ground. I stare confused. Then he motions at his back.

"Are you sure I won't fall off?"

He snorts a "well duh!" and I climb onto his back, clutching his fur between my fingers. He is fast, as fast as Edward was but more natural. We fly through the trees not like a dream, but like we belong there. Just us and the forest.

We reach the boat shed faster than I thought we would. I leap off Paul's back and storm toward the shed. Jake and Jared get between me and the boat house, both in their wolf forms and intent on keeping me back.

"They are worried he will hurt you Bell" Embry says "he isn't shifted right now, but it could happen"

I shove past the two protective wolves and barge right through the door.

"Quil Ateara" I call "you said you'd call me if things got weird" I say in mock anger.

I see Quil's curly hair peak out from behind an old boat. He studies me for a moment before slinking out of his hiding place. He has a tight smile on his face and fear in his eyes.

"Hey bell" he says.

"You ok?" I ask.

Quil nods.

"I heard you shifted last night. Welcome to the pack" I smile brightly "I know some people who have missed you-"

"QUIL!" Jake and Em sprint into the shed and tackle Quil.

"Dude I wanted to tell you so bad!" Embry promises.

"It has been so rough staying away and lying" Jake adds.

Quil hugs his brothers and the three of them laugh and hoot. Quil opens up the circle and smiles at me.

"Come on bell, join the group hug!" Em calls.

I dive into the hug and squeeze Quil tighter than ever. I am so relieved to have my boys back together. It was weirdly painful leaving Quil in the dark about everything, but now everything feels right.

"Well look at this" Jared laughs "a regular hug fest" he teases.

Jake rolls his eyes, Em ignores him, and I stick my tongue out at him.

"You're just jealous Jared" I call.

"I'm pretty jealous" Paul calls teasing.

"Well you'll just have to deal" I tease back.

Jared and Sam laugh.

"She told you!" Jake calls.

"That's my girl" Paul agrees "won't take any crap from anybody"

Quil looks confused and I don't blame him. I grab his hand and lead him out of the shed, to where the others are waiting. Outside his shoulders tense up again and he scans the yard.

"We should take him back to Emily's" I suggest to Sam.

"You heard the lady" Sam calls "regroup at Emily's"

It should be weird how quickly they have accepted me as one of their own, but it isn't. I feel like I've always belonged here, like this is my family. I am sure some of the Cullens actually cared about me, Alice, Esme, Emmitt, and Carslie. But I never fit with them like I do here.

"Come on Swan" Paul calls "we'll let the three musketeers drive your truck back"

He jogs into the woods to phase. I am really grateful that he goes into the woods to undress, because I know we are soul mates and all, but I am not on that level yet. Let's be real, I met him yesterday.

I turn back to Quil and hug him again.

"Jake and Em are gonna drive you to Emily's, I'll meet you there" I explain.

"Promise?" he asks.

"Promise"

Paul comes out of the trees as a dark silver wolf. Quil studies him with an anxious expression. I march over and Paul gets down so I can climb up. I latch on and he stands to his full height, I took a few riding lessons as a kid and those horses have nothing on Paul.

The ride is awesome. He is so fast and yet so agile. I am positive he took a longer route to Emily's, but I am glad he did.

Back at the house Quil studies us with a confused frown.

"So are he- and- and she?" he whisper to Embry.

"Oh yeah, she is his imprint… Sam will explain later" Embry adds when he sees Quil's confused expression.

Paul throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me against his side. When Edward would do this, it always felt like he was holding me back or restraining me. Paul's arm isn't a cold cell bar, but a warm blanket of protection. If I decide I don't want it there, I give a little shove and he removes it immediately. So far I usually want the arm there. I snuggle against his side and let out a contented sigh.

"I'm still wearing Emily's clothes from yesterday" I realize.

"You are" Paul says non-committedly.

"If I'm gonna stick around I am gonna need to shower"

"I do want you to stick around" he smiles "I'll get you some clothes, promise"

Emily made tuna salad. Jake makes a joke about us being wolves not cats, but I watch as each boy digs in with gusto. They eat like it's the first meal they have had in weeks, but I ate breakfast with them this morning.

I watch Quil open up and become his normal self and I warms my heart to see him fitting in. I am so glad all my boys are where they belong. Crowded around Emily's table, eating with their brothers. I make a note to see if Emily wants to go table shopping this weekend, the table can barely fit the group and I have a feeling there are more on the way.

"Bella, Charlie is gonna stay with Billy until we get the whole Victoria thing handled" Sam explains "but instead of you staying there as well, you are gonna stay here with Emily"

I smile at Emily and she winks back.

"We are totally gonna have a girls night" she promises "I have spent way too much time with these smelly boys"

"Amen" I agree.

Paul leans in close to my ear "guess who else is staying at the Black's?"

"Who?"

"Yours truly"

"Why?" I ask.

"They want at least two wolves staying in each of the houses each night and it was requested by your father that I be assigned to the Black house" he smiles.

I laugh.

"He would. Well it's probably a good idea"

Paul nods.

"Doesn't mean I won't spend every possible moment that you'll have me, hanging out with you during the day" he says.

"Of course not"

He leans his head on top of mine and takes a deep breath.

"Are you smelling my hair?" I ask smirking.

"Yes" Paul admits unashamed "it's a wolf thing. I like the way you smell. Live with it"

Sam and Jared head out the door and I send Paul a questioning look.

"Patrol" he says simply.

Right, someone has to protect the border from the blood thirsty vampires that stalk the night. They have had a lot of distractions recently, with me and Quil. I hope they don't have any trouble.

We go over to see Charlie after lunch. He was worried about me when we all ran off earlier, but I told him that I was perfectly safe.

"Paul, Jake, Embry, and Quil were there" I say matter of factly "do you think they would let anything happen to me?"

"From what Billy tells me, that Lahote boy can't" Charlie watches Paul from across the living room "Said your connection was too deep, whatever that means"

"Relax Dad"

There is a knock at the door and before anyone can answer it little Seth Clearwater bursts through the door. He heads straight to Jake. He kinda has this hero worship for Jake, it's adorable.

"Hey Jake!" he cries.

"Hey Seth" Jake says ruffling Seth's hair.

"Seth! You can't just-" Seth's older sister, Leah, comes storming in behind him.

Leah and Sam were a thing, then Sam shifted and imprinted on Emily, Leah's cousin. Apparently they haven't worked out their differences because the second Leah spots Emily she shuts down.

I turn to talk to Seth and find Jake staring at Leah. I recognize that stare, he has to be imprinting. I catch Paul's eye and nod at dumfounded Jake. Paul cocks his head to the side and frowns. He sees it too and he seems worried about it.

"Seth lets-"

"Hey Leah!" Jake cries.

Leah freezes and watches him wearily, as if she is afraid his friendliness is a trap or a trick.

"Jacob" she replies.

Maybe my imprinting was different. But when Paul and I imprinted, we both felt it. I didn't feel the same thing as Paul, but still. Leah seems to be completely unaware. Jake seems to have noticed that Leah isn't reacting to the imprint. I can see the anxiety on his face.

"Come on Seth" Leah snaps uneasily "You wanted to see Jake, you've seen Jake"

Leah stalks out and Seth follows slowly behind.

Once they are out the door Jake drops to his knees.

"She didn't…"

I am the first to his side, followed quickly by Quil and Embry. We hover worriedly around Jake as he sits motionless. I realize we look like wolves circling an injured pack mate and I force the boys to step back. Quil and Embry do as I say, but watch Jake with anxious expressions.

Paul moves to my side and studies Jake.

"We need to get Sam" he decides "Bring Jake outside if you can and I'll trade out with Sam"

I nod and turn my attention back to Jake.

"Jake I need you to get up" I command.

Jake slowly moves to his feet. His searching eyes land on me and I can feel the pain radiating off of him. Jake is hurting. I remember Billy explaining that being away from your imprint is physically painful in the beginning.

"I know you're hurting but I need you to focus" my tone is no nonsense.

Emily watches our exchange with interest. Her eyes following my every move as if committing them to memory. It's kinda weird, but I ignore her and focus on the issue at hand.

"Bella, she didn't- she doesn't- I don't" he chokes on the words and Embry pats his back consolingly.

"Breath bro, just breath" Quil says.

Jake follows me out into the yard. The outside seems to be having a positive effect on him, I see his eyes clear and his breathing slow. But even as he relaxes, I know that this isn't a permanent solution. He needs his imprint.

Paul comes out of the forest as a wolf. He jogs over to my side and nudges my arm.

"Paul says Sam is on his way" I inform the boys.

The other members of the house, Charlie, Emily, and Billy, have all moved onto the porch. Billy watches his son with mounting concern.

Paul darts off into the forest to run patrol with Jared and Sam exits the forest a moment later, except Sam is in his human form.

"Paul said that Jake imprinted on Leah?" Sam asks with disbelief in his voice "Are we positive it's an imprint?"

Jake glares at Sam and tries to lunge at him.

Quil and Embry just barely hold him back.

"You broke her heart" Jake snarls "She didn't do anything to deserve that" he spits.

"Yeah" I turn to Sam "It's an imprint"

Sam nods and switches into alpha mode. He squares his shoulders and stares straight into Jacob's eyes.

"Jacob, calm down" Sam is using his alpha voice.

Quil and Embry visibly relax, an after effect of Sam's command. But Jake continues to snarl and lunge. Jake begins to shake and convulse, I know it's too late.

"Everyone get back!" I command.

Quil and Em dive out of the way just as Jake phases into a giant russet wolf.

Jake is practically seething. His sides are heaving, his lips foaming, and his eyes drilling into Sam with a fire. Jake is angry and dangerous, he is blaming Sam for Leah's pain. The wolf in him needs to defend his imprint and take revenge for her pain.

"Jake…" Sam growls.

Jake snarls in return.

"You better phase Sam" I warn as I back away from the emerging battlefield "he isn't gonna listen"

Sam nods and phases.

I know that I am way too good with weird because my first thought when faced with two aggressive, horse sized wolves is "Now Emily doesn't have to wash those clothes". I'm sure Emily isn't concerned with clothes right now.

I realize, too late, that I am still between the two snarling males. With nowhere to run I realize I am gonna have to break this up myself.

Jake charges and I square my shoulders.

"This could suck" I mutter.

I know Jake isn't thinking clearly and in his imprint fueled rage he won't be able to realize that it's me in his way, only that there is an obstacle between him and his enemy. Jake won't want to hurt me, but he will do it on accident.

I hear Sam charging from behind and decide to talk down the guy who is in his right mind.

"Sam no!" I shout.

I know Jake is closing in now, but for some reason I am not worried.

"Bells!" Dad shouts.

A blur of Silver charges out of the woods, past Sam, and leaps over my head. Paul slams into Jake like two freight trains. The sound of impact is so loud that I can't imagine that neither broke a bone.

"Sam" I focus on what I can do "you need to command him to calm down"

Sam nods and I see him concentrate.

I still hear the sharp sounds of a deadly fight going on behind me. I force myself to ignore them, if I turn then I'll try to help Paul and only make him vulnerable. I need to keep Sam focused, if Sam can talk Jake down then we can fix this.

Sam lets out a loud and forceful bark, just as Paul gets Jake pinned. The effect is Jake actually listening. I think it cleared his head just long enough for him to realize we are not the enemy. Jake relaxes and stops fighting Paul to show him that he is good. Paul waits a couple more seconds before letting Jake up.

"You ok Jake?" I ask.

Jake nods and collapses.

"We need to get Leah" I decide "Em, Quil get Jake shifted back. I am gonna go get Leah"

"Whoa Bella are you sure-" Emily calls from the porch.

"Yes!"

It takes me a while but I catch up with Leah and Seth. Seth is, as always, happy to see me. Leah is less than thrilled.

"Bella!" Seth cries.

"What do you want?" Leah almost growls.

"I ah… I actually wanted to talk to you" I say with a friendly smile "I know about you and Sam-"

"Good then you know that I want nothing to do with that" she snarls.

"Easy" I say softly "I wanted to say that I think that was crappy"

Leah stares at me in confusion.

"I think it was really crappy what happened and I think you got a really bum deal" I explain "but I also think that you can't let that rule you"

Seth watches us with nervous energy, he is afraid Leah is gonna blow at any moment.

"You don't know anything about me" Leah growls.

"But I would like to" I throw in "Leah, I want us to be friends"

Leah pauses "Why?"

"Because I think we would really get along and I think you would enjoy a friend as much as I would"

Leah glances at Seth and he nods energetically.

"What did you have in mind?" she asks cautiously.

"There is gonna be a bonfire tomorrow night out at Lapushe beach, please come" I beg "Sam and Emily are gonna be there but we won't have to sit with them, I promise that it will be fun"

Leah seems unconvinced but she glances at Seth and that seems to decide for her.

"Only is Seth can come"

"Of course Seth can come"

Leah nods curtly and then she and Seth head home. I have I set date and time that Jake can see Leah again, I hope that will help.

I run all the way back to the Black's house and find the pack huddled around the porch.

When Paul spots me he raises a questioning eyebrow, asking me many questions at once. I wave him off and go straight to Jake. He is sitting on the steps looking pretty rough and mostly out of it.

"Jake listen to me" his eyes focus on my face "Leah is coming to the bonfire tomorrow night, she will be hanging out with us. Can you make it that long?" I ask.

Jake nods.

"Good" I ruffle his hair "I am gonna fix this"

End notes: Sorry this is so late, I am done with classes now so I hope to be more regular.