Chapter Three - Forgive Me

I woke up only to find my head pounding and my throat all nice and scratchy. Maybe going out in such cold weather last night was a bad idea. I got up anyways and got dressed before heading downstairs to get something to eat and hopefully I wouldn't feel as completely horrible afterwards. It took me a moment to notice that no one else was home, where the hell was everyone? I know Angela is probably at school and Uncle Erin is at work, but why isn't Aunt Carol here? Looking around I saw a note taped to the fridge with my name on it. I quickly walked over and opened it.

Alex,

I went to go see a friend for the day. Breakfast is in the microwave and coffee is in the pot. Have a good day sweetie!

Aunt Carol.

I sat and stared at the note for a second, no one had ever bothered doing anything like that for me before. Nor had they ever told me to have a "good day" it was a strange feeling, but not a bad one. I liked knowing that for once someone cared whether my day was good or bad. Sighing I got up and went over to the microwave and heated up the french toast that was sitting on a plate for me.

After eating and cleaning my plate I went over to the living room and tried to figure out what I was going to do today. My head still hurt, but my throat was better so I kind of wanted to go outside and try exploring for a bit. I knew Angela wouldn't be home for a few hours and both my Aunt and Uncle were apparently gone so I was on my own. Hmm maybe I could go to the beach and check out that creepy forest. I've always liked a good thrill.

I finally found my way to the beach (I only got lost twice) but was at a completely different area then yesterday. How did I manage to get here? I could have sworn I took the same path Angela did to get here, but then again we had been in a car and I hadn't really been paying attention. Crap. I'll just wonder around for a bit and hope I end up somewhere familiar I guess.

Have I seen that rock before? I guess I kinda might remember that log. Damn, I'm so lost. How am I supposed to back to the house when I don't even know where it is? I was just about to give up hope when I heard someone call me. Whipping my head around I saw the figure of a guy jogging towards me, but he was to far away to make out any features.

"Hey, Alex!" They called again and the voice sounded very familiar. Well, it was easy now to tell it was one of the Quileutes by their tanned skin and huge muscles, but their features still weren't easy to see.

"Uh hi?" I called out in a confused voice. They finally reached me and I saw it was Seth waving enthusiastically at me. I couldn't help, but smile as his excitement.

"Oh, hey Seth. What are you doing here?" I asked him as he finally reached me.

"I live around here, but you on the other hand live no where near here. Why are you here, Alex?" He questioned in a playful voice.

"Erm would you believe me if I said I came for the soul purpose of seeing you?" I smiled guiltily at him, he didn't need to know I was lost. He laughed and shook his head.

"You got lost didn't you?" I knew he was smirking at me without even looking up. I sighed.

"I guess that's a possibility too..." I told him softly while staring at the ground.

"Well, come on I was just about to head over to Sam's and it'll be more fun with you there." He told me while holding out his hand for me to take.

"You don't think they'd mind?" I asked him cautiously. I did actually want to see Paul again, his sexy smirk and piercing dark brown eyes I- WAIT! What the hell? Where did that come from? I do not think his smirk is sexy, his eyes are certainly not piercing, and I happen to think he is a complete asshole with multiple personalities! Damn crazy bastard.

"Of course not! We love company!" Seth said loudly. I looked up and smiled at him while taking his hand so he could lead the way. I was not about to get lost again. We walked to Sam's house casually and he never let go of my hand which made me slightly uncomfortable, but I wasn't about to be rude and yank it away. I liked Seth, he was loud, funny, and had his incredibly sweet moments, but I don't think I could ever picture him as more then a brother. An extremely muscular good looking brother, but a brother none the less.

We eventually arrived at Sam's house, still holding hands, but it didn't bother me as much knowing that I would never have romantic feelings about him. We walked into the house with Seth practically doubling over in laughter and me chuckling softly behind him as he dragged me along. Apparently my story about the time I ate a bug when I was eight just to prove I could was even more hilarious then I thought. When Seth calmed down I finally looked away from him and up into a room of six huge ripped men and one very fit female.

I glanced at all their faces, most of which looked surprised, and eventually stopped on the one and only Paul in all of his god like glory. The only thing that ruined this perfect image was the nasty scowl on his face as he glared at mine and Seth's interlocked hands. I immediately pulled a way and subtly wiped my hand on my jeans. I looked at Seth through the corner of my eye, but he was just smiling brightly and ignoring Paul's hatred filled eyes.

"Hey, guys I found Alex wondering around the beach like a lost puppy and decided to invite her over. Is that okay?" Seth asked looking directly at Sam who nodded and seemed to be watching Paul out of the corner of his eye. UGH! Why am I noticing so much about Paul? He's not nearly as amazing as my mind seems to want to make him!

"Um, hi." I said with a small wave of my hand. Quil and Jacob waved back, Embry nodded, Jared threw me a small smile, Leah simply raised an eyebrow at me and Paul just continued to glare, but this time it was aimed at me instead of Seth. I quickly looked down at my feet and followed Seth as he went to stand by the couch his sister was occupying. I couldn't help, but feel like I had intruded on some kind of secret gathering.

"So, Alex, are you and Seth dating now or something?" I heard Paul ask, his voice was filled with so much hatred that I was to scared to look into him eyes. I was surprised by the question though, he thought we were dating? I hardly even knew Seth!

"What? I- I- No! I mean wh- What?" Aren't I convincing? It's not my fault though! He shocked me and when in shock I can't be held responsible for the things that leave my mouth. I had looked up at him in my surprise and I wish I hadn't. Just like I though he was glaring at me.

"You don't seem to sure about that." He hissed at me. I mentally flinched, but I had finally regained my composure. I glared right back at him before answering.

"Well, I am. There is nothing going on between Seth and I, but even if there was it would be none of your damn business." After I said it I felt like everyone in the room froze as we waited for him to reply.

"Maybe it's not, but can you blame me for wanting to know if my friends are dating some bitch? I mean what's the real reason you're living with your Aunt and Uncle Alex? Did your parents get tired of having you around? Did mommy and daddy ship you away?" He was smirking now and everyone looked shock. I couldn't stop the tears that came to my eyes at the mention of my parents. I knew everyone was staring at me now, probably wondering if he was right. I looked him straight in the eye before replying.

"No, they didn't ship me away. They're dead you bastard." The tears finally slipped and I hurriedly wiped them away. Looking back up I saw shock written all over Paul's face as he took in what I said. I shook my head and walked past him towards the back door.

"Go to hell." I whispered to him before walking out. He still hadn't moved and everyone was just sitting there, not really knowing how to react to what just happened. I had gotten about half way down the beach when I heard someone calling my name, but this time I didn't turn around.

"Wait, Alex please!" I knew it was Paul and that is exactly why I started to run instead of walk. It was now that I realized it had started to drizzle lightly, not raining, but just a drizzle. As if the rain wasn't sure if it wanted to fall or not. I felt small droplets hitting my face and sticking to my hair and clothes making them slightly damp, this sure as hell didn't help with how cold it had gotten. I suddenly felt a burning hand grip my forearm and pull me to a stop, damn he was fast. I whipped around to glare at him.

"Why are you running?" He asked sadly. Looking into his eyes I saw the sadness there, I knew he regretted what he said, but that didn't make me feel any better about it.

"I thought it was obvious that I was trying to get away from you." I told his icily. I watched as he flinched and the hold he had on my arm loosened enough for me to yank it away. He ran a hand through his now damp hair and seemed to try and look everywhere, but me before quickly jerking his head down to look me straight in the eye.

"I'm sorry about what I said in there, Alex. I didn't know..." I knew he meant it, but it didn't make me any less angry with him. I let out a humorless laugh as I looked at the floor, shaking my head.

"You think that excuses what you said?" I had looked back up at him during the end of my sentence and watched as his eyes seemed to beg for my forgiveness. God, why did he have to be so attractive? Why did I want to forgive him so badly just so I could see him smile? Why the hell was I so drawn to him! Why couldn't I have felt like this about one of the other guys? So many damn questions. I sighed.

"Why does it matter to you anyways? My forgiveness? In case you've forgotten you've been nothing, but rude to me since I got here. Why do you suddenly seem to care about whether or not I forgive you?" My voice was shaking now and I'm not sure if it was from the cold or nervousness, but either way I refused to look him in the eye. That just seemed to confuse me.

"You're right, Alex, it doesn't excuse what I said. I just," He sighed. "I don't want you to hate me. I'm an idiot and an asshole and I know I hurt you, but I'm begging you please don't hate me. I need you're forgiveness, I need to know that I haven't completely fucked this up." His voice got quieter as he finished talking, but I still didn't look him in the eyes, no matter how heartbroken he sounded. So maybe I was being a bitch, but he had done something which I deemed unforgivable. Even if he didn't know about my parents he had no right to bring them into our conversation or well, argument really.

"Fucked what up exactly, Paul? You make it sound like there is something going on between us." I said softly. I was trying to get inside his head, figure out what exactly he was thinking. I heard him sigh deeply again.

"Please look at me." He all, but whispered. Damn him for having so much power over me. I slowly looked up into his beautiful brown eyes and the dejected look in them made me feel bad for being so harsh.

"I-," He sighed and ran a hand through his already wet and disheveled hair. "I just meant that I don't want to ruin any possible friendship we could have. I'm so sorry for what I said, Alex, and if you want me to get down on my knees and beg then I will." He told me with a small smile, but I could see the nervousness in his eyes.

"Getting down on your knees might help." I teased him lightly. I swear his face lit up like a Christmas tree as he saw me smile at him.

"So you forgive me?" He asked excitedly which only made me smile more.

"You're forgiven, but don't think I'll forget this." I told him simply. It was true I wouldn't forget this, but maybe I could try to put it in the back of my mind. I suddenly felt his arms around me as he hugged me and needless to say, I was surprised, but I hugged him back all the same.

"Thank you." He whispered in my ear and I swear I felt a shiver go through my spine and it most definitely wasn't from the cold. He was so warm and it felt so good to just be help by someone. I nearly sighed in contentment. He let go way to soon for my liking, but kept an arm around my shoulder.

"Come on we should get back inside, you're freezing." The second he mentioned it I started to shake from the cold. It was raining a bit more now and the wind was blowing, but luckily for me I had an overheated giant to keep me warm.

"Hey, Paul?" I asked trying to get his attention. He looked down at me and tightened his arm a bit when he saw me shaking.

"Yea?"

"Why are you always so warm? Seth is the same way. Are you guys getting sick?" I reached my hand up to touch his forehead, but he grabbed my hand instead and kissed my fingers. I felt my eyes widen and my cheeks redden. His lips actually... I mean he... Whoa. He lowered my hand and smiled at me.

"No we're not sick just naturally warm I guess." He told me simply. I felt like he was holding something back, but I was still to shocked from that kiss to do anything, but nod back. We finally got back to the house and we were both soaked by now so Sam had us stay outside until he could get us some towels. Once we both had a towel we went inside and Sam told us we could borrow some of his and Emily's clothes so we didn't have to stay wet. He lead Paul and I up to his room and gave us both some clothes, just a pair of shorts for Paul and sweat pants and a long sleeved shirt for me. I went in the bathroom to change while Paul changed in the room.

Once in the bathroom I looked in the mirror and couldn't help but grimace. I looked like a drowned dog. My dark brown hair fell wet and limp to my waist and my face was slightly red from the cold. Sighing I dried my hair with the towel and changed out of my soaked clothes, Sam said he would throw them in the dryer for us. When I finished getting dressed I looked in the mirror, I looked better, but still not that fantastic and I was still cold. I walked out of the bathroom and glanced up to see Paul in all his shirtless glory. I openly stared at his chest as he gave me a once over.

"Alex?" I heard him call and I immediately looked away from his chiseled torso only to see him smirking at me.

"Like what you see?" He asked huskily as he made his way towards me until he had me backed up against a wall. I stared at him wide eyed as I search for a witty way to answer, but nothing came to me. His eyes were twinkling with mischief and a haughty smirk played on his lips. I wanted nothing more at that moment then to have him kiss me, but of course my big mouth and nervousness got in the way of that.

"Umm we should p- probably get back to the others." I told him. He looked disappointed and actually had an adorable pout on his lips, but nodded his agreement. I mentally slapped myself for my stupidity, but followed him down that stairs. When we got downstairs Paul handed Sam our clothes (after he pulled mine out of my hands) and practically yanked me over to the couch with him. He sat down and pulled me down next to him, and when I say next to him I mean practically on top of him, and put his arm around my shoulders. He never ceased to shock me.

"So I see you guy's made up." Seth said with a smug look on his face. I scowled at him, but looked up to find Paul smiling brightly and nodding.

"Yea, we're good now." Paul told him. Seth smiled and they all went on talking. I felt Paul's hand slowly tracing circles on my arm as I just sat and stared at my lap. Wasn't this going well?

A/N: I am so so so sorry this took so long! I was going to finish and upload it yesterday, but then my mom took the computer from me and I couldn't finish writing it until just now. Anyways I plan on uploading chapter four today too so that should make up for it. What do you guys think of it so far? I know my chapters aren't the longest and I plan on trying to fix that, but it's hard! Do you guys want me to make Paul a bit more touchy feely in the next chapter? He was a manwhore before he imprinted so I feel like he would be a little over eager. I know I told you that he would have to fight for Alex and he will, but I mean Paul is sexy as hell how would you react to him? Anyways... You don't have to review, but it would be nice and it might get me more motivated to get chapter four up sooner!

And thanks to CayleeRae for my second ever review! Also I would like to thank everyone who favorited or added my sotry to your alerts! It made my life 100x better! =]

-Ash

***************(PS) I have a twitter account specifically for updates on my story now so you can go follow me if you would like to get daily updates about where I am in the story! I also might ask for some opinions and things and talk about new story ideas. The link is on my profile!***********************