A/N: Picking back up on the plot of the movie. I hope you guys like it. Please let me know what you think so far. Reviews motivate me! Enjoy:)
Warning: Sexual Situations
"Oh the river, oh the river, it's running free
And I'll join in the joy it brings to me
But I know it'll have to drown me
Before it can breathe easy
And I've seen it in the flights of birds
I've seen it in you
In the entrails of the animals
The blood's running through
But in order to get to the heart
I think sometimes you have to cut through
But you can
We can
Just keep following the heartlines on your hand
Just keep following the heartlines on your hand
Keep it up, I know you can
Just keep following the heartlines on your hand
Cause I am"
—Florence + The Machine, Heartlines
Marisela
I weave my way through the pack, seeing the curly haired red-head ahead of us.
My mind drifts back to when the pack was chasing me, thinking I was an intruder.
I'm almost to Emily's, dried blood thickly covering me. I made it out of Seattle without killing anyone, but managed to run in to some fishermen along La Push. They didn't stand a chance, unfortunately.
I'm in a daze, shock, confusion, but I remember Paul telling me the Quilute wolves' purpose was to protect the land from cold-ones...
A part of me prays they see me, catch me, and just kill me. I wouldn't mind dying.
I'm borderline suicidal as I boldly walk through the woods of the reservation.
I eventually hear a low growl, and I snap my attention to see a white and light grey colored wolf.
I want to stay still and let whoever it is finish me off, but instinct of pure survival kicks in when it charges and I turn on my feet and start running as fast as I can.
The others join the single one in no time and I find myself jumping from tree to tree, until I get several steps ahead and get back on the ground. I look back to now see a Solid black wolf in the lead and I growl to myself, pushing myself harder to run faster. Suddenly, I'm hit out of nowhere by a wolf I recognize all too well: Paul.
His paws hit my shoulders and the moment my back hits the ground, I gasp out his name.
He scrambles to get off of me, his head low to the ground as he whines, his tail almost between his legs...then he starts growling, curling his lips up at me and baring his teeth.
The other wolves join, confused as to why he didn't kill me, and then the realization hits them.
We're on the edge of the ravine, and the vampire they call Victoria, jumps to the other side. I see the Cullen's appear and I hope to god they stay on their side of the territory this time being that Paul and Emmett almost killed each other last time this happened.
Sam's right beside me, and Paul speeds up to get on the other side of me as we watch her jump from limb to limb before she jumps to our side again.
I run as fast as I can, going past Sam and Paul, and Sam barks at me. I turn back to look at him and he gives a single nod of encouragement. I go faster, catching up to the woman. I reach my hand out to grab her, and she looks at me before snarling...but the something in her face shifts, and I realize I've seen this woman before, too.
"I suggest you run faster." I hiss, as she's outrunning me by only a few feet.
She speeds up as we're approaching the cliff me and Paul jumped off of at the beach earlier today, and I catch her the second she jumps off, pulling me down with her.
The wolves bark, growl and howl in frustration that she got away but also worried about me. The second me and the woman hit the water, she's gone.
I come back up, to the surface and curse loudly, being that I need another shower and more clothes.
I climb back up the cliff and they're waiting for me.
We get back to Emily's eventually and Jake's waiting for us, with Leah and Emily and when he sees me and scoffs.
"You've looked better." He says flatly and I roll my eyes.
"So have you. Why so glum? Bella tell you she's not interested, again?"
"She actually punched him in the face." Jared says when he gets in, buttoning his shorts and Jacob glares at him.
"What the hell did you do?" I ask Jacob and he just looks at me.
"I kissed her."
"Dude, you don't just do that." Jared states next. "You gotta be patient. Let it happen naturally."
"And how would you know how to 'let it happen naturally', Casanova?" Emily's voice carries from the living room and we look at Jared with raised brows.
"Just because I don't bring them home, doesn't mean I don't get lovin'." He explains to us.
"Ah, I see." I nod as I talk. "And who, pray tell, is naive enough to give you 'loving'?"
"Contrary to popular belief, Mari," he puts his arm around my shoulder. "If you say just the right things at the just the right time, girls do, in fact, drop their panties for the absolute most bullshit you tell them. Paul knows the system. He can tell you how it works."
I look at Paul with a raised brow.
"It's a science." Jared says to us.
"And what exact bullshit are you telling these poor girls?"
"My favorite is the ole reliable 'I love you'." Jared says with a sigh. "But 'I really like you' also has its good days."
"I've said it before and I'll say it again: you're a pig." I tell him, pushing him off of me.
"At least I'm not a leech." He fires back. I can tell he doesn't mean it in a mean way like Leah does, and I laugh.
"I'd rather be a leech than a mongrel."
"You obviously have a thing for mongrels because that's all you go for." He says next and Paul growls from where he's sitting at the table.
"Chill out, Paul. It was a joke." He explains.
"I'm not in a joking mood." Paul snaps back. "Mari, it's late. We need to go." He says next and I look at him.
"Paul, Sam put me and you on patrol tonight." Quil cuts in and my boyfriend sighs.
"She's more than welcome to stay here." Emily tells me. "If you don't want her alone."
"Yeah, thanks, Em." He thanks her.
"I'm gonna go shower, again." I state, going back upstairs to shower for the second time today. When I get out, Paul's waiting in my old bedroom, sitting on the bed.
I'm just wrapped in my towel, drying my hair with a smaller one, and he looks at the floor while I dig through the drawers for clean clothes. I find a pair of black panties and my pair of black and white Nike shorts. I'm still looking for a shirt when warm fabric hits my feet. I look down to see the Grey T-shirt he just had on.
"There." He says and I look at him. "I'm not gonna need it in a few minutes."
"Okay." I don't try to argue, I just pull it over my head after I drop the towel and put my panties and shorts on. I turn to see he wasn't even looking, staring at his hands.
"I owe you an apology." He breaks the silence that's been between us. "I'm sorry for being an ass to you. For sleeping with Nicki and not being honest when I imprinted on you and for pushing you away. I'm also sorry for hurting you earlier tonight...and also not trusting you."
"What?" I ask him, confused, walking to the bed. He pulls me in to his lap and I sit on his left leg, my fingers playing with the strands of his hair close to his neck.
"Tonight was the second dream I've had where you try to hurt someone in the pack, if not the entire pack."
I can't speak, rubbing my lips together. I just look at him.
"You know I would never do that." I try to say calmly, but it comes out sounding weak and desperate.
"I know you wouldn't." He states quickly. "But, Marisela, my thoughts and the pack's thoughts are constantly being exchanged. If we don't try to conceal anything we're thinking we can hear it. I know you wouldn't ever do that but they...it's hard for them to trust you as much because they don't think the absolute most of you. You're my imprint and I'd worship the ground you walk on if you'd let me. They don't have that feeling, though. Where I know you wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose, they have their doubt due to what you are. I can't control what I come up with subconsciously when they're constantly voicing concerns."
"And by 'they' you mean Leah and Sam." I state and he frowns slightly.
"I understand that." I say gently. "And I'm sorry, too. For constantly fighting with Leah. I have to admit I get a sick feeling of accomplishment knowing that she can't hurt me no matter how much I cut her down, and I'm sorry about that."
He smiles at me a little.
"I love you." He says it, and my eyes go wide. He's told me he loved me before, but I knew he meant it in a friendly way. Not an "I'm in love with you" way, and it makes me grin.
"I love you, too." I reply and he licks his lips before he leans forward and kisses me. "I guess now would be a good time to tell you that Bella invited Jacob to a graduation party and I'm going with him, Quil and Embry."
"Ahh," He takes in a sharp breath and squints his eyes. "We'll talk about that, later."
"Okay." I say quietly and he kisses me hotly, hugging me to him.
"I have to go." He grumbles when I pull away. I slide off of him and on to the bed.
"Be careful." I tell him.
"Never." He says as he stands and stretches his arms up, popping his back.
He kisses one last time, chastely, before he takes his shorts off, opens the window, and jumps out of it.
•
"So," Emily says when I come downstairs. She's reading a book, sitting on the couch with her feet resting on Sam's lap as he flips through channels. "Any plans tonight?"
"Um, nope." I reply, glancing at my phone to see what time it is.
Jared, Embry, Seth and Jacob all look at me.
I grin at Jared, wrapping my arms around his neck and I can tell he's slightly confused.
"So," I say, barely audible. Emily can't hear me, but I'm speaking quiet enough where Sam can't, either. Not that he's paying attention anyway. "Who's up for some fun tonight?"
"Depends on what your definition of fun is." Jacob reply's, in the same low tone I used, unamused.
"I have an experiment I'd like to test out." I keep whispering and the three boys look at me. "And I need a willing participant."
"Count me out then. I don't feel like being Paul's target when he finds out about whatever incredibly stupid thing you have sprouting in that sick little mind." Jacob says, leaning back and crossing his arms.
"Forget Paul, what about Sam?" Seth asks, whispering like us as he glances at his alpha in the living room.
"Would I walk you through the valley of the shadow of death?" I ask them and they all stare at me, as if to say "you've tried to kill us before". "Point is, they won't find out. As long as you keep your mouths shut and keep your thoughts to yourselves."
"Did you not say that exact same thing when you and Embry slept together and Paul knew the entire time?" Jared asks next and I purse my lips as Embry looks at me with raised.
"He's got a point, Mari." He takes Jared's side and I roll my eyes.
"This is different." I argue. "Please." I lean my head down to look at Jared's face and he sighs.
"Fine." He relents and I smile widely and can't help the excited squeak that comes from my throat. I kiss his temple quickly, patting his shoulders. "Okay, now what's this experiment you want to test out, Bill Nye?" He asks and I look at him, Embry and Seth.
•
"What the hell have you been smoking? Are you crazy?!" Jared asks when I tell him the plan. We're on the beach, having to sneak past Paul and Quil when going through the Forrest. They knew the boys were here but we had to mask my scent so Paul wouldn't flip shit.
I just blink at Jared and tell the truth.
"Yes." I cross my arms after I say it and he furrows his brows.
"Shouldn't you be doing this type of thing with the Cullens?" Seth asks timidly.
"If one of you are willing to take the heat from Paul, I'll gladly march my ass to their house. It won't work the same though because none of them are alive aside from Bella and I'm not risking killing her."
"But you'll kill one of us?!" Jared asks, confused further.
"It won't kill you. You're able to heal."
"If we're able to heal on our own then doesn't that affect your fucked up hypothesis?" He shoots at me and I think a second.
"The bigger the injury, the longer it takes to heal, right?" I ask him and he exhales.
"Yeah."
"Okay then. You break an arm or get a really bad cut and if it heals on it's own it'll take longer than if I just heal it."
"Do you even know you can heal physical problems? The only thing you did was just make Paul and his dad feel better. They weren't in any physical pain. What if whatever weird shit you have going on, only applies to emotional pain and not physical?"
"Then I'll know the extent of what I'm capable of and it'll be fine because you'll heal on your own. Carlisle said I should have the ability to heal physical problems as well."
"You're forgetting the part where one of us has to endure crippling pain, Marisela!" He argues.
"You're the one's who wanted to help me!"
"That was before We knew you were gonna, like, maul one of us!" Jared argues for Seth.
"It'll last half a second, if I can Heal it and then whatever pain you feel will be transferred to me." I explain and he sighs.
"And if you can't heal it? Then what? He just keeps bleeding until he dies or you decide he's dinner?"
"Carlisle said my resistance to blood-thirst is better than any newborn he'd experienced. I blame it on your stench keeping my appetite at bay." I assure Seth. "You'll be fine."
"If you kill him, I swear to God, Mari, I will have him tell your mom the fuckery you've been up to when he sees her." Jared threatens.
"Might as well get him to do it because when you die, you won't be seeing my mother where you're going. She's a saint." I smirk out.
"Then the Apple falls very far from the tree." He says, taking his shorts off. "Just, don't fucking eat him. Whatever you do." He tells me and I roll my eyes.
"Just play dead." I order Seth and he shifts, along with Jared.
Me and Embry step back, and Jared lunges for Seth's throat, sinking his teeth into it. Seth screeches, thriving, before Jared sharply gives a shake of his head, tearing the wound further.
"I really hope you know what you're doing." Embry mumbles, worried now that Seth's airway has been severely torn. Jared backs off.
Seth's thrashing on the ground, his breathing quick, trying to get as much air as possible. I crouch down beside him pulling his large head in to my lap. My hands find his wound, and he turns in to a whimpering mess.
I focus on his healing, imagining the wound closing as the tissue reconnects.
Just when Jared and Embry are convinced it won't work, I feel a horrible pain in my throat. Like it's being torn apart. I try my best not to scream, because Paul will hear it and come to my aid.
I squeeze my eyes closed, grinding my teeth and cursing under my breath.
Seth starts breathing again with no struggle, his eyes closing as relief washes over him. When the pain eases in my own throat, I figure he's healed completely and I take my hand off of him.
"Oh, my god." Embry says, shocked as Jared and Seth shift back to human. I avoid looking at them naked and Embry hands them their shorts.
"How do you feel?" I ask Seth and he sits back down on the sand and takes some more breaths before answering.
"Fine." He tells me. "Like, more than fine."
I feel relieved, and excited about what I'm able to do.
"But I am not doing that again." He says next and I laugh, nodding, before I reach forward and hug him, careful not to break him.
•
By the time we get back to Emily's, she and Sam are asleep. Seth and Jared say Goodnight, leaving me and Embry in the yard.
He stares at me and I look down, crossing my arms over my chest.
"That was really stupid." He tells me and I look at him. "Incredibly stupid." He adds and I rub my lips together. "But pretty amazing, too."
I give a small smile and nod.
"Yeah. Yeah, it was."
He keeps looking at me and I clear my throat.
"You need to get home. Your mom will be really worried." I try to put some distance between us by stepping up the stairs of the porch and he scoffs a little.
"You mean Paul could show up any minute and see us alone together." He states and I sigh.
"He trusts us, Embry. I don't care if he sees us or not."
"So you're saying if he came up, right now," he gets closer to me, getting up on the porch. "And saw us, he wouldn't think for a second, anything's going on?"
"Goodnight, Embry." I don't argue, knowing Paul would be slightly bothered.
"What I thought." He chuckles, lacking humor. "Goodnight, Mari." He says before turning to leave.
I get in the house and shut the door, stepping up the stairs to my bedroom.
I get in bed and curl up, closing my eyes to rest as much as I can since I can't sleep.
My mind finally goes in to a sleep-like daze, but my body stays awake.
I lay there well in to the morning, and at around 4:00, the bedroom window opens and I open my eyes to see Paul in nothing but his underwear.
"Did you see anything?" I ask him and he shakes his head.
"Nope." He closes the window and locks it before he makes his way to the bed, getting in beside me. "I'm exhausted, though."
"Lucky. I wish I could get tired and sleep." I grumble and he chuckles, rubbing it in as his arm wraps around my abdomen. Like always his skin is hot and I welcome the firey sensation with open arms, closing my eyes again.
"You know, the funniest thing happened." He says.
"What happened?" I ask.
"We went to check the beach, and I caught your scent, Seth's, Embry's and Jared's. It hadn't been long since you four had left and earlier than that, I smelt the three of them but not yours." He explains and I tense up. "Next time you sneak around, remember to mask your scent before you come back home, not just leaving."
I roll over to face him and he's looking at me with raised brows.
"I'll be sure to remember that next time." I can tell it's a response he isn't expecting and a low growl vibrates in his chest. "I'm kidding." I roll my eyes.
"What were you doing?"
"Just goofing off." I reply. "Like we used to do before any of you were wolves. We used to have a lot of fun. Now everything's so serious."
"I know." He agrees. "I don't like it, either."
I get quiet, my finger tips gently gracing his cheek.
"Maybe you should come to the graduation party with me." I offer and he scoffs.
"I'd rather have my throat ripped out than have to tolerate them any longer. I can stand going to get you help, but just going to their house for the hell of it is not how I want to spend my night off of Sam's orders."
"Not even for your imprint?" I ask and he looks at me.
"Don't use that to manipulate me." He groans and I sit up.
"I'm not trying to manipulate you. I just wish you'd give them a chance. They're nice. They've done nothing but help me, Paul. Stop acting like they're monsters."
"Okay, I'm sorry. But that still doesn't mean I'm going to that party. You'll have Jake and Quil and Embry. You'll be fine."
"Fine." I lay back down, closing my eyes again.
"Goodnight." He tells me, kissing my cheek and I nod, mumbling goodnight to him.
I turn the news on, attempting to help Emily cook breakfast.
There's a story on the kid that went missing named Riley Biers, and I look up from my cooking to see his face plastered on the screen.
I drop the glass bowl I'm scrambling eggs in and it shatters on the floor as my mouth opens slightly in shock from the TV.
Emily gasps, jolting a little and Sam comes inside from talking to Seth and Jared outside.
Paul's in the kitchen in no time, a towel draped around his hips as soap slips down his body and on to the floor.
"What's wrong? What happened?" He asks me frantically and I swallow down the lump in my throat.
"That's who bit me." I finally speak and he snaps his head at the TV. "He turned me."
"Wait, that's the guy from Seattle? The one you went off with"
"Yes."
"Who the hell turned him, then? He just went missing." Jared asks, standing in the doorway with Seth and I shake my head.
"I'm not sure." I say honestly.
"Maybe your friends you speak so highly of know something about it." Paul says harshly, walking back to the bathroom to rinse off. I follow him, avoiding the broken glass. I lean against the bathroom door after he gets back in the shower and pulls the curtain.
"The Cullens don't feed off of humans. And they also don't jut go around and bite people for no reason. Why the hell would they be in Seattle in the first place?"
"I try not to get in to other people's business." He replies through the sound of rushing water.
"Ha!" I laugh out sarcastically.
"Go finish cooking. I'm hungry." I can hear the eye roll in his tone and I cross my arms.
"Me, too." I say and he gets quiet. "No comment? K." I scoff and turn on my heel to go to the kitchen and Seth helps me and Emily clean up the mess before me and her start back to breakfast.
Paul's plate is waiting on him by the time he gets back in the kitchen, after everyone else has ate and Quil, Jared and Seth go back outside.
I sit on the counter and Paul smirks as he sits at the table and starts eating.
The burn in my throat becomes more apparent as time passes, slowly taking a toll on me. Carlisle told me My throat would stop burning so bad when I'm hungry after a few weeks, and my eyes should've changed color as a result of not having human blood in my system from feeding, as well, but it doesn't worry him that they're still a vivid red. He figures they'll slowly change within the next few days.
Emily's once appealing scent is taken place by that of wolf, due to her constantly being around them and sharing a bed with one, and I'm relieved to find that I don't find her appetizing anymore. Which means my control and thirst for blood has calmed down immensely since turning.
I catch a whiff of one that's fresh, though, and my head snaps to the door as the sound of a child crying fills the air...along with the lingering scent of blood.
I dig my nails in to my palms, Paul pulling me in to his lap, his strong arm lighting my skin on fire wherever my clothes don't cover. He's hot, regarding his looks and his constant 110 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. Vampires are sensitive to heat, but it hasn't made me avoid any physical contact with any of them. If I can tolerate living undead, I can tolerate being surrounded by, and constantly hugged and touched by particularly warm skin.
The cries get louder as Quil brings a toddler in, holding her hand in his as he carries her in his other arm.
I see her skinned knee, a little blood coming from the scrape, and Paul tightens his hold around me.
Quil watches me, watching the child and he growls aggressively as Emily walks to them.
"I got her." Emily tells him and he gives the girl to her to patch up. "Aww, Claire." Emily frowns at her crying niece and I feel a wash of sadness through me, hearing her cry.
Before I can stop myself, I'm trying to get out of Paul's lap. Quil gets between me and Claire, growling again.
"I'm not going to hurt her." I assure him, although the ache in my throat wants me to be lying.
Paul sighs, loosening his grip, standing to follow me over to Claire, who's still crying, regardless of Emily's efforts.
Quil gently takes her off of the counter where she's sitting, waiting for Emily to clean the wound out.
He holds her close to him, carefully looking at me.
"If you do anything to hurt her, I will kill you, Mari." He promises me in a low tone and I nod, but Paul lets out his own growl in return.
I smile at Claire, grabbing her hand very gently in mine, before I rest my other hand on her hurt knee.
I imagine it healing in my mind, and I feel calmness and relief leave me and transfer to her in exchange for her knee. A slight sting spreads across my knee in the same place hers is, and I smile widely as she stops crying and starts laughing.
The sting I feel disappears and I let go of her hand.
Quil looks down at her knee to see the once damaged skin is good as new and he blinks at me.
"You're welcome." I tell him smartly.
"Thank you." Claire tells me the best she can when Quil opens his mouth to speak.
"You're very welcome." I reply to her, softly.
I give her hand a delicate squeeze, careful not to hurt her, and kiss her cheek before she shyly smiles and tucks her face in to Quil's neck.
He mumbles his own "thank you" and leaves us to go back outside to play with her.
"He imprinted on her." Paul tells me when they get outside and I furrow my brows.
"She's a baby." I state, repulsed at the idea.
"Imprinting doesn't have to be a romantic thing. It's just a significant bond that can be honored through anything from a relationship to close friendship." He tells me.
"Then why're we dating when we can just be friends?" I'm not serious when I ask the question, more than happy that we're in a relationship. I'm not expecting his answer when Sam and Emily go outside to be with Quil and the others.
Paul's breath grazes the back of neck where I'm standing at the counter, facing the sink, his arm wrapping around me as the other holds on to the edge of the counter. He pulls me back to him, strategically making sure all the right places are aligned concerning my backside and his groin.
"Because some of the things I think of doing to you would never classify as platonic." His lips graze my ear as he speaks lowly and I have to force myself not to moan at what exact sinful possibilities could come from that mind of his.
He presses a kiss on the back of my neck, before his warmth leaves me alone in the kitchen as he goes outside to be with the others.
I know what he's doing...tempting me. Trying to get me to give in. Little does he know, I can play just as dirty as him.
"Yeah, we'll see how big and bad Paul is when I have him begging for it like a bitch in heat." I mumble to myself, starting to scrub dishes frustratedly.
•
The next three weeks consists of my hunger for blood remaining at bay.
The pack's at a point now that since I'm no longer in a "life or death" situation, it's unnecessary for them to further attempt to trust the Cullens anymore outside of their wolf form.
I don't argue with their precaution, and neither do the Cullens, respecting the instinct they feel in their blood to never let their guard down around cold ones.
My eyes are changing, ever so slowly to a golden color, adjusting to my diet. I look healthier, my once dull skin nearly back to its original glowing color. I assume it's because I'm being well-fed, every time me and Paul go out for a walk he always ends up disappearing, killing something and dragging it to me.
Paul has turned in to my designated hunting assistant, due to the fact that Sam wants to make sure I obey the treaty and avoid killing someone. He thinks knowing I'm accompanied by a wolf will keep any out-of-pocket behavior at bay.
Seth fills in for Paul whenever he's unable to accompany me. Embry was willing to help, but like I assumed, Paul put an end to the idea of us being alone together for possibly hours, very quickly.
Paul's frustration with me has grown in the past weeks, my desire to be with the ones of my own kind has him agitated. I'm at their house almost every day, learning more from them, as Paul stubbornly waits outside with resentment thick in every breath he heaves out heavily to make everyone know he hates being within a mile of them.
I've seen him go as far as looking Carlisle in the eye from one of the many windows in the house, while raising his leg to piss on a tree in the yard.
He doesn't understand that I enjoy being around them. I'm a black sheep in Quiluete territory, an outsider. And to almost all of them, a time-bomb, destined to destroy whatever's in my wake when I decide to snap.
But with the Cullens, I'm nothing less than an equal that deserves respect.
Carlisle teaches me healthier habits of control, as well as preps me for what I might struggle with eventually.
His wife, Esme reminds me greatly of my mother. Very compassionate, like her husband, and is willing to help anyone she can.
I can't form in to words how appreciative I am of Alice. She's possibly one of the only reason's I haven't let any of this overwhelm me. Her optimistic personality matched with her sense of style has most definitely been a healthy distraction due to her making me try on clothes and give my opinion on my never ending wardrobe she's been creating for me.
Her husband Jasper's ability to control emotions has helped me avoid arguments with Paul multiple times the past few weeks, and has also aided me in being happy when I'm really not.
I resonate the most with Rosalie. We've only spoken a few times, but she's always been kind and sympathetic towards me. I think it's because I've expressed my slight solemnity at the fact I can't have children of my own, now. Which is something me and Paul haven't even thought to discuss. Her husband Emmett told me that not living a normal life was something Rose still mourns from time to time.
Emmett wasn't Paul's biggest fan, and I often found myself telling him to be nice anytime the topic of the wolves came up.
It's not that big of a deal because Emmett knows I defend them when the pack starts their shit-talk.
I rely on Edward, as well, being he has an advantage over Paul: being able to read his thoughts.
He informed me one of the many causes of Paul's fury is feeling as if he's losing me since my interest in being around the Cullens so much has piqued. He fears I'll leave the reservation permanently and reside with them.
Seth told me Paul's let it slip that it's because I'm unmated. The animalistic side of him's rattling the cage to go ahead and claim me. Paul doesn't scare me, knowing the violence of his attitude and threat against cold-ones is never applied to me. But his irritation and slow loss of his patience is directed towards me. He hasn't pressured me the slightest, but I can tell he's getting more aggressive.
Anytime we get caught up in each other, his grip on me is tighter, his kiss is more rough and demanding. He's having a harder time containing himself, and it's intimidating.
I just stare at Paul as he eats, waiting patiently for him to finish a early dinner.
"So," I start and he looks at me, shoveling rice in to his mouth. "Are you busy later tonight?"
He chews his food, packing in another mouthful before he speaks.
"It depends." He shrugs. "If you can convince Sam to hand off patrol to someone else, then I am. Why?"
"I was just wondering..." I press my lips together.
"I'm still not going to that party." He says as if he's reading my mind and I frown.
"I don't want you to." I lie, leaning against the counter. "Besides, you've been breathing down my neck Enough the past few weeks."
The words are meant to tease him, but he just smirks, knowing exactly what I'm referring to.
There's a thick tension that's created in the air between us and I realize it's from my "mate", as Carlisle refers to him.
Desire lights a match in his eyes as they rake up my body. He takes in my appearance, a low growl of approval cutting through the air as the other present wolves shift uncomfortably in their chairs, probably hearing Paul's explicit thoughts.
Emily clears her throat to ease the tension, not having the ability to hear Paul but his intentions become apparent when he unapologetically adjusts himself due to his shorts becoming tighter.
I step to the stairs, needing to get away from him, his scent alone has gotten to the point where it's tempts me. Maybe it's the fact that the desire I have for him has overcome my distaste for the scent of wet dog that saturates his skin.
Paul moves to get up but Sam grabs his arm and stops him, knowing the outcome if he allowed us to be alone at the moment.
I feel Paul's temper rise from where I'm going up the stairs, and I squeeze my eyes closed and pray Sam doesn't give in to Paul's stubborn anger and let him come up here with me.
I start getting ready for tonight, an outfit Alice gave me last night for the party is laid out on the bed and I look over it again.
It's a crimson red romper with sleeves that hang off the shoulders, and she's given me light-tan colored open toed heels to wear with it.
I pull the romper on, finding it's not as loose as I expected, fitting to me snuggly but not too tight, and I put the heels on.
I step to the bathroom, combing my curly hair out with my fingers before I bundle it up in to a high pony tail. I pull the short hairs around my hair line out so they frame my face, and examine myself in the mirror.
I'm glad my eyes aren't blood red anymore, or they'd match the color of my outfit and stand out more.
Flipping the light switch off, I step downstairs and walk past the boys to go outside and get my phone from Paul's truck.
I grab it from the seat and turn, running right in to Jared.
"Jesus!" I shout with a jump, my eyes wide.
I gently shove him, trying to calm down since he scared me.
"Listen," He mumbles, looking around. "You need to have do something with Paul. I know you're scared of hurting him but toughen up because he's making our lives a living hell. If I have to hear another thought of what he wants to do to you, I'm going to cry."
"Why can't he just keep them from you?" I ask, regarding Paul's thoughts.
"I don't fucking know, he wants us to suffer with him, I guess. It's just getting annoying."
"And what if I don't?" I ask him with a raised brow.
"I'll tell him about your little experiment with Seth that you went behind his back to pull off." He warns me and I cross my arms.
"Fine." I hiss. "I'll think of something to occupy him from dragging you in to his sexual fantasies." I roll my eyes and walk back in to the house, feeling Paul's gaze on me.
I step to the fridge and grab a beer, giving Jared a glare before I put the beer on the table and sit in Paul's lap.
Sam notices the beer I'm about to open for my boyfriend and scowls at me, about to protest but I give him a look.
I'm fixing the problem, I mouth at him when Paul isn't paying attention, too busy planting a kiss on my neck.
I open the beer, offering it to Paul and he looks at me, slightly confused.
"What?" I ask and he cuts his eyes at me.
"What do you want?" His words cause me and Jared to exchange a look. "You're only like this when you want something, or you're buttering me up to tell me something I won't like."
"I just..." I glance at the boys and Jared points his eyes in Seth's direction, reminding me of his blackmail and I sigh, shaking my head. "...am still trying to convince you to go tonight, I guess." I shrug, resting my arm around his neck.
He scoffs, taking a sip of beer.
"Gonna take more than an beer and sweet-talk to convince me to ever step foot in that house again."
"What about sex?" Jared asks sharply, and I snap my attention to him. "Would sex convince you to go tonight...and also get in a better mood from now on?"
"Would me dragging your ass from one end of this reservation to the other get you to shut the hell up and mind your own damn business?" I snap and Paul grips my thigh, silencing any other snark remarks I have an urge to hurl Jared's way.
"Since when do you two argue?" Leah asks me and Jared, stepping in to the house and I just cut my eyes at him.
"Hey, Paul, why don't you ask Mari what she was doing with Embry and Seth three weeks ago while you were busy out on patrol?"
It's a weighted question, leaving far too much for the imagination to interpret perversely.
Paul looks at me, not accusingly, but he's trying to keep himself calm.
"I'll tell you later." I mumble to him and he nods, but Sam still doesn't have closure...until Jared tells him telepathically what happened.
"What?" Their alpha eyes me, tensing up.
I realize what's happened, and I gain a tighter grip around Paul, feeling Sam's paralyzing anger.
"You what?" Leah's next, a very obvious growl lacing her words.
Paul's hearing this in his own mind, the apparent arguing between them.
"That's my brother!" She screams at me, almost lunging across the table. Sam holds her back as Paul stands, pushing me behind him. "She broke the treaty." She seethes in Sam's ear. "Just wait until the council hears about this." She barks at me and Paul's anger radiates off of him.
"She didn't kill Seth. The treaty doesn't apply to her, anyway. She wasn't even alive when it was created. And the Cullens don't claim her as part of their coven." Embry defends me.
"Leah, chill out. I'm fine." Seth adds and she glares at her younger brother.
"You almost died, Seth! Just so this monster could try to prove something to herself!"
"And what exactly am I trying to prove?" I ask her, annoyed.
"That you're good for something besides tearing animals apart and keeping Paul unsatisfied." She speaks with such ferocity that my instinct wants to kick in and run like any sane vampire would once faced with the challenge of a shape shifter.
Paul rolls his jaw and I grind my teeth together.
"Enough of this." Emily's voice calms Sam instantly, as she fixes herself between us. "Seth's Alright. Mari didn't hurt him too bad, and as for the council," she looks Leah pointedly. "I don't see why they should be aware of whatever happened since everyone's okay."
Sam nods eventually, not able to tell his sweet Emily "no".
Leah can't seem to settle herself, storming out and I push past Jared roughly to get upstairs.
Paul follows me, shutting the door behind him.
"You told me it was just goofing off. You forgot the part where you got Jared to almost kill Seth so you could see if you could heal him." His tone is harsh, signs of his wolf surfacing, and turn at look at him.
"It was stupid, I get it." I sit on the bed and he sits by me.
He's furious, shaking a little, but it doesn't stop his eyes from raking up my legs, the smell of his want lingering in the air.
I try to distance myself, standing to walk to the window.
It's no use, his approach is evident as the feeling of intense heat prickles against my skin, his fingers slide against my exposed shoulder, gently wrapping around my neck. I'm helpless, tilting my head so he has better access to the place where my neck and shoulder meet.
His scalding lips press to the flawless skin there, and I close my eyes, my hand grasping the window sill.
His hands fall to my hips and I have to lean forward and rest my forehead against the glass of the window.
Teeth tug at the skin of my upper back, trailing down to the fabric of my romper.
I keep my eyes closed when he pulls at the top of the sleeves, causing them to slide down my arms completely.
He pushes the rest down my waist, exposing the back of my strapless bra.
I stop my habited breathing when his hands unclasp my bra. My hands tighten on the window sill, causing the wood to splinter. The rest of the romper is slipped down my hips, exposing my thong and I step out of the pile of clothing on the floor and push it aside with my heeled feet.
His hands are demanding when he makes me turn to face him.
Brown eyes taking in a bare chest as hot hands slide down my arms before shifting to the skin of my ribs, his thumb deliberately brushing against the smooth skin where my breast and top of my ribs meet.
I lick my lips, looking up at him in a daze, merely intoxicated by him.
Just as our lips meet, I hear footsteps approaching the door.
There's a knock, and he shows his clear distaste for the interruption, giving a death glare at the door.
"Mari, Jake's here. We're about to leave." Embry's gentle voice pulls me from the rough male in front of me.
"Okay." I reply.
I move to put my bra back on, and Paul whines.
I look at him with furrowed brows and rub my lips together.
"What's wrong?" I ask him and he shakes his head.
"I'm just frustrated." He plops down on the bed and rakes his fingers through his hair.
"I am, too, Paul." I admit. "I want to, I really do. But we just..." I try to look for words but I can't come up with any. "This isn't the time or place anyway." Is all I come up with and he sighs.
"Anytime and place is better than nothing at this point." He grumbles.
"Do you want to sleep with me because you're jealous and want to stake your claim or because you genuinely want to be that intimate?"
His face is merely repulsed by this accusation and he scoffs.
"Of course to you it seems I'm just getting angry because I haven't washed away any trace of Embry yet."
"Seth told me you're upset because I'm 'unmated'."
"I'm upset because despite your somewhat overwhelming scent, I can still smell Embry on you."
"What does that have to do with—"
"I thought I smelt it because you two were around each other a lot. But when I found out you two..." He trails off before taking a deep breath. "...I'll just say I can tell you didn't use condoms a lot when you were screwing around."
My face twists, slightly embarrassed by his knowledge of this.
"How the hell did you even—"
"Because I'm not smelling him on you, Mari. His scent is still in you. Even after your transition. And I hate it."
"Christ, he didn't finish in me, Paul." I argue and he shakes his head.
"Skin to skin contact transfers scent. Nothing was blocking his skin inside you."
"How the hell has that managed to stay after almost a year?" I'm confused.
"It's a wolf thing. I mean, you smell us all the time. It's pretty potent, is it not? It's easy for us to transfer scent and have it stick regardless of if what we mark bathes a lot. It's there until another wolf claims it next."
"Embry didn't claim me, Paul. He didn't mean to mark me up or whatever." I defend my friend and Paul rests his elbows on his knees as I finish getting ready.
"I know that, but it's still hard for me to continuously have to smell him lingering through your scent. It doesn't sit well with me."
"I'm aware." I cross my arms once my sleeves are fixed on them.
"Mari!" Embry shouts from the car downstairs and I look at Paul one last time.
"I'll be back later." I say as I walk to him. His hands grab my hips again and I lean down and press a surprisingly gentle kiss to his lips.
"Okay." He tells me.
I smile and give him one last kiss on the forehead before I leave him alone and go with Jake, Quil and Embry.
•
The ride to the Cullen's is everything awkward and in between. I reek of lust, the evidence of my time with Paul earlier, and it makes the three wolves in the car with me uncomfortable. I don't blame them. I would be too.
When we arrive, I'm the first one out of the car, needing to escape my own scent.
I'm also the first one in the house, the three boys hesitating to step foot in there in human form.
I swing the door open, met by loud music and dancing bodies. I don't know anyone here, nor do I bother to meet them. I'm here to escape the prison that is the reservation. Sam's rules and regulations are starting to suffocate me.
I see a single familiar face: Bella Swan, Edward's human girlfriend.
"Bella," I say her name, walking to her, my accent particularly thick around her name.
"Hey," she smiles at me and I hug her. She's taken back by this, but welcomes it slightly awkward.
I pull away, keeping my arm around her as she looks at Jake.
"Hey," He tells her, guilty.
"What're you doing here?" She asks him, slightly rude.
"You invited me, remember." He relies to her smartly and she shakes her head a little.
"Was My right hook too subtle for you? That was me uninviting you." She states.
"Look, Bella, I'm sorry. About the kiss...and your hand. I'd blame it all on the whole inner animal thing but really it was just me being an ass." He confesses an she gives a very small smile at his brutal honesty towards himself. "I'm really sorry." He adds and she looks down slightly in thought. "But I brought you something," he pulls a bracelet with a wolf charm on it and holds it out to her. "A graduation present. I made it myself."
She takes it from him slowly, admiring it and I give him brownie points in my mind.
"Wow," She says lowly. "You made this?"
He gives a proud smirk and nods.
"It's really pretty. Thanks." She feeds his ego some more and I glance around, noticing Embry and Quil are slightly annoyed being in here.
I see Alice coming down the stairs and she suddenly stops, her eyes fill with worry.
She's having a vision.
Bella picks up on this.
"I'll be right back." She tells us as she moves through Quil and Embry to get to Alice.
"Alice, what'd you see?" Bella asks her and me and Jake walk to them.
"The decision's been made." Alice tells Bella.
"What's going on?" Jake asks her.
"You aren't going to Seattle." Bella says it like a fact and Alice shakes her head.
"No," She says. "They're coming here."
•
"They'll be here in four days." Alice says.
Her, Me, Jake, Embry, Quil, Carlisle, Jasper, Edward and Bella are all standing outside on the deck overlooking the wooded areas around their house.
"This could turn in to a blood bath." Carlisle speaks worriedly, pacing.
"Who's behind it?" Edward asks his sister.
"I didn't see anyone I recognized." Alice replies before pausing. "Maybe one."
"I know his face. He's a local, Riley Biers." Edward says his name and I tense up.
I know the face all too well.
"He turned you." Edward says next, directing his words to me.
"Yes." I confirm. "But I doubt he's the one behind all of this."
"Well whoever is behind it is staying out of the action." Alice adds.
"They must be playing with the blind spots in your vision." Carlisle explains to her.
"Either way, the army's coming and there aren't enough of us to protect the town." Jasper cuts in.
"Hold up," Jake interrupts them. "What damn army?"
"New borns." Carlisle answers him. "Our kind."
"What are they after?" Embry asks next.
"They were passing around Bella's scent." Alice informs us. "A red blouse."
"They're after Bella? What the hell does this mean?" Jake's getting irritated.
"It means an ugly fight. With lives lost." Carlisle warns us.
Jake looks at Embry and Quil, silently communicating before saying, "Alright. We're in."
"No. You'll get yourselves killed. No way." Bella argues.
I can't help but chuckle at her lack of faith in them.
"I wasn't asking for permission." Jacob says to her.
"Edward." Bella looks to her boyfriend, wanting him to take her side of things. But he doesn't.
"It means more protection for you." He tries to tell her.
"Jacob," Carlisle catches his attention. "Do you think Sam would agree to an understanding?"
"As long as we get to kill some vampires." He replies, glancing at me briefly and I raise a brow.
"Jasper?" Carlisle asks, needing his opinion.
"They'll give us the numbers. Newborns won't even know they exist. It'll give us an edge."
"We'll need to coordinate." Carlisle stands tall as he talks.
"Carlisle," Bella argues. "They're gonna get hurt."
"We'll all need some training. Fighting newborns requires knowledge that Jasper has. You're welcome to join us." He tells Jacob and Jake nods.
"Alright. Name the time and place." Jake tells Carlisle.
"Jake, you don't know what you're getting yourself in to." Bella tells him weakly.
Her strong doubt makes me slightly angry. How dare she question their ability to do what they were made for? I cut my golden eyes at her.
"Bella, this is what we do. You should be happy. Look at us, working together. You are the one that wanted us to get along, remember?"
