Paul:
I shifted back as we broke the tree line at Sam's and swiftly tugged on my shorts not wanting to leave Bella. I can't actually believe she's in that state and she still managed to ask that little dick if he was okay. Sam seemed to think that her asking for a hug was giving him more incentive to phase back because he didn't want to let her down. He can phase as fast as he wants but he ain't fucking touching her.
We made it to the back door and I swung it open for Jared to enter the house with Bella. Emily gasped at the sight of the broken little girl in his arms and jumped up, tears in her eyes. It was clear that Bella had made an impression on everyone. She motioned for Jared to place her on the couch and ran to get her a change of clothes as hers were a bit worse for wear.
She came back with a pair of tracksuit shorts, a vest and a zip up jacket as seemed to run a fair bit cooler than us. She shooed Jared and sat next to her on the couch. She lifted the hem of the dress and motioned for me to lift the upper half of her body so she could take it off. My eyes caught her mostly naked body and I must say she had a fuck hot little body but my wolf was livid at the black and purple bruising covering most of her little frame.
Once she was redressed she tried to curl up in a ball in her sleep but gasped at the pain, causing a tear to roll down her face. I crouched down in front of her and gently kissed the tear away. Jared cautiously straightened out her body and looked at me.
"Why isn't she healing?"
"I dunno dude but I'm gonna tear that little fucker a knew one when he gets here" I growled.
As soon as the growl left my lips Bella whimpered quietly. I backed off carefully thinking I'd scared her but before I knew it she was seeking out my hand. I held it out for her and she sighed at the contact. The imprint clearly taking it's toll on her with feeling our emotions.
Sam chose this moment to enter the room and come over to Bella. Jared and I both growled at him being near her in her vulnerable state but he held his hands up in order to placate us.
"Easy fellas, I won't touch her, can I just see the injuries? Em said they're not healing like they should"
I nodded my head towards Jared who carefully peeled her vest top hem up her body slightly to show the bruising. Sam sucked in a breath at the sight before encouraging Jared to cover her back up.
"It may just take longer to heal since she's so little and the injury was caused by a wolf."
"Yeah where the fuck is said wolf?" I snarled.
"He's with Jake trying to phase back and he's nearly there I think. I told him to come over here when he's done. We're gonna have to have a pack meal tonight, everyone is gonna need to know she's okay."
"Can't we just tell them?" Jared sounded exasperated at having the pack around her right now.
"No, they're gonna need to reconnect like we do" he said as he looked at his own hands "I'm itching to just touch her to check her, the wolf is killing me"
I rolled my eyes at him "You can touch her Sam, face only but none of the rest of them are"
"They won't go home if you don't let them" he mumbled as his eyes fixed on Bella and he leaned in to brush his hand softly against her cheek. He then leant it to her hair, inhaling her scent, presumably a way to satiate both man and wolf.
"Anyway, come on Jared. Me and you have some explaining to do" he said as he straightened up.
"What? Who to? Quil can tell Billy coz I ain't getting shit for this" Jared grumbled
"Nope, come on, we're paying a visit to chief Swan"
Both our head snapped up to look at him "WHAT?!"
Bella jostled at our outburst and I shot him a glare "What the fuck are you gonna tell him?"
"Well the truth obviously, Billy has given me permission. Plus it will make it a lot easier on you guys since I'm gonna insist she stays here where we can keep an eye on her. Plus her dad will know why she has you two idiots sniffing around her"
"It'll only make it worse when she moves home Sam" Jared countered.
"No, I'm going with Billy's orders that she has to stay here permanently, and when the holidays are up next week she'll be going to La Push High"
I backed down instantly and Jared rose to leave the house with Sam following behind. I heard them get in to Sams truck and take off.
Bella:
I opened my eyes a few hours later, my eyes instantly snapping to Paul who was sat on the coffee table in front of me with his head in his hands. The look of despair on his face was devastating. I reached out and put my hand carefully on his knee and he jumped which caused me to pull my arm back quickly. His eyes found mine and he fell to his knees in front of me.
"Oh thank fuck baby. I was terrified. Are you okay?" he asked tentatively peeling up my shirt to take stock of the bruises.
I looked at him and smiled at the concern before remembering what happened "Paul, where's Quil? Is he okay? Can I see him? He must be so scared!"
"Bella calm down, he'll be here later, you can see him then but I'm pretty fucking pissed at him, it's gonna take a lot to stop me ripping his head clean off"
I gasped at his revelation and whispered "It wasn't his fault, I thought I could get him to stop. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to worry you"
The tears fell from my face now thick and fast as I remembered what happened and who's fault it really was. He pulled me close in to his lap stroking my hair gently.
"I know babe but you're gonna have to be more careful, me and Jay nearly had a fit when we saw you"
"Where is Jared?" I asked pulling my head up to look around the small room.
"He had some shit to do he'll be back soon, we're having a pack meal tonight apparently"
"Oh well maybe I should cook for everyone as a way of saying sorry?"
"I think you should stay your ass right there on that couch and get better"
"Don't be silly Paul, a little cooking never hurt anyone" and with that comment in mind I was on my way to prepare a feast fit for a pack of wolves.
