A/N: Again, we don't own it, can't claim it... but sometimes we throw gas on the flaming hoops... :D

Thanks October Skies for spanking the grammar! This chapter was brutal and you made it way WAY better! You ruck the thuganomics.

"Paul…I love my sister. Consider yourself neutered if you hurt her," Seth said. It was the most serious Paul had ever seen him, he actually felt threatened. The two were walking along in the woods, kicking leaves as they went.

"Easy, Kid, I could never hurt her. She's everything to me now," Paul said sincerely.

"Yea I don't even get how that works really… I mean you and her didn't even seem to like each other before all of this."

"That wasn't really the case. At least on my part it wasn't, I just... It was always easier to be a dick to her, than chase after her like some love-sick puppy. Jacob has that bracket all to himself," Paul snorted.

"Hold on… You mean, you've always had a thing for my sister?" Seth asked in surprise. "Did she know?"

"Of course she didn't know. She was always too wrapped up in our almighty Alpha to spare anyone else a glance," Paul said angrily.

"You know…I never really like her with Sam. I just felt… She was always a trophy to him you know? It was like 'Oh look Sam Uley is captain of varsity football' and 'Oh look Sam Uley got accepted to Udub.' and it's just seemed like of course that guy gets the girl. " Seth mocked with a shrug of his shoulders. "Leah just seemed like the next step in making Sam look good."

"Fuck kid… You've changed!" Paul said with a laugh. "The wolf is strong in this one!"

"Whatever, Paul," Seth said with a chuckle as he dodged the hair ruffle Paul tried to give. "My point is this- I don't know if she'd ever admit it, but Sam was never right for her. I think that if anyone can bring her out of this dark place this whole bizzaro scenario has sent her… It'd be you."

"Well thanks kid. Your vote of confidence means a lot. Leah's no easy nut to crack…" Paul said smirking until he saw Seth's death glare. "Sorry…"

"Ugh… I need to scour my brain," Seth said in disgust. "A brother just should never have to that crap… Ever."

"Aww, come on it couldn't have been that bad, I hadn't even ent-" Paul started to say until he felt the pull of the imprint. Leah! He didn't even think he immediately went wolf and headed in the direction of the Clearwater house. He caught a few glimpses of her thoughts once he phased in but as soon as she noticed his presence she phased out and continued human.

Paul what's wrong man? Seth thought moments later as he phased in.

Something has royally pissed off Leah. Someone, really Paul thought angrily as an image of Sam popped into his head. Paul doubled his efforts and made it to the Clearwater home quickly.

He burst through the front door startling poor Sue. "Sorry Sue, where's my girl?" he asked with his chest heaving.

"Upstairs," Sue said with a knowing smile.

Paul ran up the stairs in three bounds and entered Leah's room to find her staring out of her window despondently.

"What did he do?" he growled from behind her.

She turned from the window, tears streaking her cheeks. "He said- he said I could choose. That it wouldn't have to be a lovers' relationship. But even a friend or a brother," Her hand swiped angrily at the tears. "That means-" her voice was starting to come out as a growl, "That means that that Bitch could have decided to be his friend."

"Oh Leah...don't let that prick pass the buck like that. He was weak, he could have fought. But you know what?" Paul said angrily. "I'm glad he was a pussy.

"Why? Now you're saddled with the resident Rez bitch. The psycho that can't get over her ex."

"If he were a stronger man, I might not have had the chance that I have now."

"Why? Why do you want me, Paul?" she sighed, resigned to the pull that she felt to him.

Paul smirked to himself as he thought about how similar the Clearwater siblings could be. He'd just had this conversation with Seth, but here with Leah, he decided to lay it all on the line. There had been many things over the years that Paul had shoved away when it came to her. Secrets that he'd shoved into a box and had vowed never to open again. Now, things had changed; he wouldn't hide anymore. No more secrets- they were too heavy.

"I've wanted you for a while Leah... Before I ever knew we were meant to be." Paul said with a small smile. "I remember when we were all back in high school and you were with Sam, how much it killed me to never be able to express myself to you. You're amazing when you let yourself be happy." He sighed before shaking his head angrily. "I didn't need this imprint to know how I felt about you, Leah; it was always there buried under all the other bullshit that I've never gotten off of my chest. Now though...this just confirms what I've always known... You were meant for me."

"What?" her eyes were wide, her words a whisper as she gazed at him, completely taken aback. "You- you can't be- you can't be serious..."

"That's right. I've always wanted you and Sam's always known that. He was just always the obvious choice for you, even your parents liked him," Paul stated bitterly. "Why wouldn't they though? Who would want their daughter to get involved with Rez Rat Paul Lahote? The kid with a junkie mother, a non-existent father and a quick temper."

"No, they didn't like him. They pretended for my sake," she let out a small giggle- bordering on hysterical. "I'm sorry. This is just all so much," Her laugh became louder, "I mean come on- we turn into giant dogs, and - and- the spirits pick our mate... You have to admit it sounds a little crazy." Sobering, she registered the rest of what he said, "You know Paul, I see the real you. I know that under the hard surface is a guy that is begging to be loved," Her hand came up to caress his cheek. "I'll try, ok? I'll try. That's all I can give you right now."

"That's all I'm asking for Leah. You're the best thing that's ever come my way."

"Paul?" she waited for his eyes to meet hers again, "I think we have to take this slowly."

"That's my least favorite phrase. Take it slow. But, I'll do my best." He heaved a heavy sigh, pretending like it would be a hardship to accommodate her, "Will you go out with me...on a date I mean?"

Go on a date with Paul Lahote? That had to be the raziest phrase she'd ever thought about considering before, but her heart thudded harder and faster at the possibility of the promise she could see in his eyes. They were going to fight. They were going to scream and get push each other's buttons- that's the kind of people they were. But, Leah knew that worse things could happen. It seemed strange to her that he'd liked her for so long yet never said anything. That didn't seem like the Paul she knew. And then again, maybe it did. She was so enthralled with Sam, she'd failed to take note of anyone else for too long. Paul wouldn't have wanted to feel the sting of rejection- he'd felt that too many times from people that were supposed to put him first for him to comfortably risk his heart. The thought of all he'd gone through broke her heart.

Noticing how her silence had begun to make Paul uneasy, Leah stretched on tiptoe and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. She could feel him tremble beneath her lips. "I think that's best place to start." Her hand cupped the cheek she'd kissed, her thumb moving just under his eye, caressing the skin there.

"Ok...I have something I have to do...but how about I pick you up tomorrow night?"

"Ok...What time should I be ready?"

"How about seven?"

"I'll be ready. Where are we going? Er- How should I dress?"

"Dinner first, dancing later. I'd bring two outfits and be prepared to stay out all night," Paul said with a wink.

"All night?" Leah shook her head and smiled, "Fine, I just hope you can keep up." She winked at him flirtatiously.

"I plan on keeping you up." He said before kissing her quickly and jumping out of her window.

She watched as he landed effortlessly and ran into the woods. Her fingers came up to her lips in an effort to hold onto the feel of his mouth on hers. She was really going to do this. She was going on a date with Paul. It was going to be interesting to see how he worked this. Leah contemplated making it easy for him to catch her, but it wasn't her style. She couldn't give in too easily- but how much fight did she really have in her for this? Deep inside, she felt like a little girl that was just begging to be loved. If Paul wanted to love her, and would never leave her, shouldn't she let him? With a sigh, she sat down and watched until the trees obscured her view of the man she was destined to be with.

A/N: So... Confessions and all manner of other things... What do you think?