Chapter Ten

Preserving the Blood Line

Janey kept her promise. She took me out to Seattle and we went shopping for the day.

We shopped everywhere and got quite a lot of bargains. I even got my hair done by professionals! They managed to tame the wild beast that sits on my head and I felt soooo much better. We managed to get through most of the day without mentioning a member of the opposite sex. I hadn't realised how much I had missed my little sister. Even though it was under bad circumstances, I was pleased to have some time alone with her. Even if the he managed to pry himself into my every waking thought.

On the way home we pulled into a diner to grab our traditional cheesy burger and laugh ridiculously loudly...

"God I've missed you!" I laughed, as we sat in a booth next the window. The weather was getting warmer outside. I longed for a warmer weather. It had been cold forway too long, which made me frequently fantasise of a certain man's warm arms around me.

"I've missed you too." She grinned, looking distracted behind me. I followed her line of vision and turned around to see a group of guys our age looking over at us. I blushed as I locked eyes with a blonde handsome one who was watching us and turned back around quickly.

"What do you fancy ordering?" I asked, ignoring my heated face and looking down at the plastic menus. I had had such a lovely day. It had been hard to get rid of, but that sick feeling in my stomach had faded slightly.

"A burger of course!" Laughed Janey, I should of known. The waitress came over and we both ordered their classic gourmet burgers with everything on them and two large vanilla milkshakes. Nothing beats a massive cheesy burger. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay." I lied. I still couldn't believe Paul thought I was some kind of slut. What a pig! It made me so mad, I sighed, trying to shake him out of my mind. The waitress carried over our milkshakes and placed them on the table in front of us.

"What exactly did he say?" Janet asked, stirring her milkshake as she watched me. I looked out the window. How exactly could I put this into words suitable for my sister to hear...

"He said..." I sighed, remembering what he had said... "He said I was very 'agreeable'. And that before...he didn't think I was 'that kind of girl'...if you say it out loud it doesn't sound like much. But it was...it was awful Janey. I took a chance on him and I really regret it. He made me look like such a mug." My eyes watered, feeling foolish and weak for believing him when he told me that he loved me.

"Anna..." She replied, her eyes glistening sympathetically.

"He told me he loved me Janey." I interrupted, "I'm such an idiot. I know it. That's such a line...it's a cliche, the whole thing is! And to make matters worse I fell for it; hook, line and sinker."

"He told you he loved you?" Janey repeated, her eyes wide with shock.

"Yeah." I sighed, putting my head in my hands. "...only once but he did say it...god, I sound desperate." I sighed, rubbing my face with my fingers, trying to release some stress. "I'm so pathetic..."

"No you're not!" Snapped Janey, her voice sounding irritated. I lowered my hands from my face to look at her. "What he said was bad. But, Anna, did he actually use the word 'slag' or 'slut'?"

"No..." I started, cringing as I said this to my little sister, "but he did say 'I didn't realise you were that type of girl.'"

She looked at me for a moment. "What happened to make him think you were a girl like that? Did you two have sex?"

"No!" I hissed, looking around to see if anyone had heard her. The boys sat on that table were still glancing over at us but I didn't think they had heard. I turned back hurriedly, lowering my voice. "No, we just...we just kissed." I shrugged, my face flushing. I looked at her after a silence. I guess that was true...some kissing and a bit of grinding. Her boldness startled me. "...have you and Seth?"

"No!" Cried Janey, looking mortified. "No we haven't! We've only been going out for two months!"

"Oh right." I replied, looking down and examining my knife and fork like they were the most interesting things on the planet. Maybe I was a slag after all?...Paul had taken me on one date and he had gotten to second base. All he had to do was buy me a bit of pasta...a ripple of anger flashed through me. He really had some nerve saying that stuff to me! I was so mad, mad at him and mad at me.

"He's been watching you since we arrived." Said Janey, I looked up at her and she gestured to the blonde guy sitting with the other boys behind me.

I sighed, not wanting anything to do with boys as long as I lived. It was just someone else to call me a dirty slut.

"Maybe we should talk about something else." I suggested, "I've had such a good day today and it would be a shame to ruin it because of certain people."

"He shouldn't of said those things to you." Said Janey, "but Paul's foot does tend to live in his mouth." I stared at her, was she actually defending him?

"Oh look who it is!" Cried a familiar voice from beside me, interrupting my temper. I turned to see Jared towering over us with a silly grin on his face. He was wearing nothing but a pare of loose fitting khaki shorts. My stomach turned unpleasantly, I hope HE wasn't with him... I couldn't stop myself from looking over at the door and checking. No one was behind him. He was on his own, my stomach dropped disappointedly. "It's Anna and Janey! The lurve-sisters!"

"The lurve sisters?" Said Janey, looking at him like he had just grown horns. "What exactly is that meant to mean?" She seemed familiar with Jared, she was usually quite shy with boys. I guess she must know him from the time she spent at Emily's...she must see Paul a lot too...

"Nothing." Grinned Jared, turning his focus on me. "Did you have a nice date yesterday?" I glared at him.

"What to you want Jared?" Janey snapped, before I could even open my mouth...he must know what had happened. Paul must of told him. I looked up at him, the stupid grin on his face infuriating me.

"I just wanted to hear about the big date." He grinned, amused. My eyes widened, how dare he! Paul had probably told him about what had happened outside of the restaurant and how easy I was. "A little birdy told me you were REALLY grateful that he took you out."

I stood up quickly, slamming my hand on the table. That was too far...everything I had been feeling was right. This just confirms it. Paul is a slime ball! He was just after one thing. Jared stepped away from me looking alarmed at my outburst. "GO AWAY JARED!" I screamed, silence filling the diner. He stared at me, his grin wiping clear of his face, quickly replaced with a look of shock.

"I was just teasing..." He murmured, throwing and anxious look to Janey.

"Get the hell away from me!" I snapped, my voice low. I was so angry. I couldn't believe this...they were all laughing at me. Paul and all his friends, the whole lot of them, they all thought I was some sort of slag...

"You can't be serious Anna." Jared started, looking at me like I had just told hi. I thought Algebra was a country. "Why would you be upset?...come one, everyone can see that Paul is dead gone over you."

My eyes flicked to Janey, not really knowing how to process what Jared had just said. She looked back at me, grinning, her eyes suddenly snapped to something happening behind me.

"Excuse me..." Said a shaking voice, I turned to see that the blonde handsome guy had left his table to come over to us. He looked slightly afraid of Jared, which I didn't blame him. Jared was twice the size of him. He locked eyes with me. "Is everything okay?" It took me a moment to respond. "Is this guys bothering you?" Continued the blonde, ignoring Jared's sudden heavy breathing and shaking hands.

"He was just leaving." I replied, my voice thick as I glared at Jared. Jared took a long stare at me before stomping off and leaving the diner. I watched though the window as he ran into the forest like some kind of lunatic. I hadn't noticed before but he wasn't wearing any shoes... What kind of idiot goes into the FOREST wearing nothing but a pair of shorts?

"Are you okay?" Asked the blonde boy, bringing me back to reality.

"Yeah." I sighed, turning back to face him. He was quite handsome really, his fair skin complimented his blonde hair nicely. His bright blue eyes were fixed on me.

"Are you sure?" He asked, staring at me. Why was he looking at me like that? I nodded, my eyes flicking to Janey who was glaring out the window at where Jared had just ran to.

"Thanks," I smiled, an awkward silence falling.

"Can I have a word with my sister?" Asked Janey, glaring at the blonde.

"Of course," he replied, "sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." He took one last look at me before returning to the table with his friends who were all watching us looking thoroughly entertained.

"You should just ignore Jared." Said Janey, as soon as the blonde was out of earshot. I looked at her feeling as though I had just been slapped across my face. "He's just being a guy."

"A guy?" I asked, feeling outraged, "did you not hear what he just said to me? Him and Paul must be having a great laugh at my expense."

"I don't think it's anything like that." Said Janey, I stared at her. Was she really defending him...really? "Paul...look I know he says some stupid things. And I'm not condoning what he said. But I do know he is really into you Anna."

I grabbed my bag, ready to storm out but the waitress arrived with our burgers...perfect timing. It felt like ages before she left us alone.

"How the hell do you know that?" I hissed, as the waitress left. My stomach growled as I looked at the burger in front of me. I threw my bag down and sat down sighing. I don't believe this...my own bloody sister...

"I just do." She snapped, she was getting annoyed too. What the hell!...Mood swings or what...not that I could talk really.

"What are you talking about Janey?" I hissed, I felt like she knew something I didn't. The only reason she would defend Jared or Paul would be because of Seth. "Has this got anything to do with Seth?"

"Look, just trust me okay." She sighed, controlling her temper. She looked down at her untouched food. She was as hungry as I was. "Jared is an idiot, but...I can't tell you how I know this but Paul does love you."

I stared at her. What was she talking about?

"Paul loves you like Seth loves me." She said, looking sincere, surely this was a joke. Seth adored her...they adored each other. Paul doesn't look at me at all like that! After all the stuff we've been through. All the shit!...I'd fallen for this before. And then he called me easy!

"I think you're confused." I said, picking up a chip (French fry). "Or maybe I'm the one that's confused. After all, it's not like I spent all night crying because he 'loves' me." I said sarcastically. I felt so annoyed with myself for letting him upset me so much.

The door to the diner flung open loudly causing us both to look over to it. In walked three large tanned men...my stomach dropped; Seth, Jared and Paul.

"You've got to be kidding me!" I snapped, banging my fist on the table and glaring at Janey. I couldn't look at him. He was right over there..."did you know about this?" I hissed, furiously.

"No..." She said, her eyes shining brightly as she looked over my shoulder at Seth. I didn't turn to look again, I knew they were coming over here...why else would they be here? Jared must of gone and got them. He was only here less than ten minutes ago and we were at least 20 miles from the Rez...that's weird.

I stared hard at the food in front of me. There was no way I was looking anywhere but at my plate. I heard them reach our table.

"Janey!" Cried Seth, sounding excited. She shuffled along the booth eagerly, allowing space for Seth sit next to her. He took it eagerly.

"Anna, you need to chill." Said Jared, I stared hard at my food. Even though my stomach felt empty I suddenly didn't feel very hungry. I couldn't believe Paul was stood right next to me and he hadn't even said two words...

"Anna..." Started Paul, I grimaced when I heard his voice. I gripped the table firmly, as if I was preparing for them to make me move so they could sit down. I couldn't believe this...he was a pig! Telling his friends all about...out time outside the Italian restaurant. My stomach dropped, everyone knew, it would just be a matter of time before Seth would tell Janey exactly what had happened. Oh god and what if my brother found out. "Anna...can I talk to you?"

I glared down at my burger ignoring him and replaying the filth that he had said to me last night.

"Anna." He repeated, his voice commanding. Something in his tone made me look up at him. He was looking down at me his bright eyes boring into mine. He looked so serious, I wanted nothing more than to scream at him but something was stopping me. I had to get out of here. I stood up, glaring at him and walking out of the diner. I heard him close on my heels as I got outside and pulled the keys for my car out of my pocket.

He grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me against him. I gasped at the unexpected feel of his hot body against mine. I glared at him, looking disgusted.

"Get your hands off me." I snapped, my voice sounding more confident than I felt.

"What's got into you?" He growled, looking annoyed but he released his tight grip on my arm. I pulled it back away from him savagely, as if he had burnt me. I rubbed the area he had gripped, exaggerating the strength of his hand. I saw a wave of worry flash over his face before it vanished again.

"Anna...look, if this is about last night, about the whole 'agreeable' thing?" he sighed, his eyes never leaving mine. It was hard not to agree with every word he said when he looked at me like that. "What I said...I wasn't thinking..." I crossed my arms impatiently and glared at him hard. "I didn't mean that you were...that you..." He sighed, I hadn't seen him stumble saying something before. "I know you're not like that Anna." I hated myself for it but I felt myself believe what he was saying, even though my head was telling me he was lying. His actions have shown me otherwise and actions speak louder than words. "I was just trying to say...that I couldn't believe that you let me..let me touch you." He stared at me, he reached his large hand out to my face placing a stray hair behind my ear. My skin tingled where he had touched me. "Really Anna," he leaned in, his voice suddenly quieter, his face close to mine, "I can't believe that you'd let me touch you like that...that you want it just as much as me. I didn't think girls were like that..."

"You have some nerve Lahote." I snapped, glaring at him and breathing heavily. "Am I meant to believe that you feel lucky to be with me?" I scoffed, he opened his mouth to answer but I cut him off eagerly. "Don't even start, if you expect me to swallow that bull then tell me why Jared knows about what happened? Do you enjoy boasting to your friends about your recent conquests? Because call me crazy, I sure as hell wouldn't do that to someone I cared about!"

He closed his mouth suddenly, his eyes searching mine.

"If you think you're so lucky and I'm so bloody special then why exactly did you tell Jared all about it?" I continued, anger rushing through my veins.

"I didn't tell him." He snapped, looking irritated, finally...that was the Paul Lahote I knew. The angry one. I knew how to handle him.

"Oh yeah and he just read your mind did he?" I said sarcastically. Paul sighed, his hands were starting to shake.

"You don't understand." Growled Paul through gritted teeth. "It wasn't like that..."

"Oh, well enlighten me then!" I snapped.

He looked at me for a moment. "I was...I was thinking about it...you all morning and he just KNEW. Alright?"

"You were thinking about me all morning?" I repeated, laughing like it was a hilarious joke. I wasn't going to let him make a joke out of me again. "That's so funny Lahote! You should become a comedian with lines like that!"

"I'm serious Anna." He said, sighing and looking down. I hated it when he got emotional like this, it was weird. I wasn't used to it and it made me feel bad for being mean to him. He deserved it...I repeated to myself. He said I was easy for gods sake! "I've told you this already. You're all I want, all I think about, all I fucking get hard for..." He grabbed the front of his jeans annoyed, "what the hell do you want me to say if Jared asks me why I'm rock hard when we're out for a morning run?...oh, you want me to lie and say it was because I didn't touch you last night? To say that it wasn't because it was the fucking best time I've ever had with anyone? Jesus Anna, I only said that stuff because I can't fucking believe a girl like you would be interested in a bum like me." I stared at him, what? "And a girl like you doesn't mean that you're easy or...whatever. It means a fucking fit, gorgeous, sexy, funny, intelligent, hot, fiery...fuck Anna. You name it...you've got it!"

I opened my mouth to say something but words escaped me. I closed it again, studying his face. What?

"Is this a joke?" I asked, feeling foolish. Did he really mean those things he just said?

"Anna." He growled, his eyes fixed on mine. "I've never been more serious about anything in my entire life."

"I...I don't..t...thrust you." I stammered, forgetting my words. I wasn't easy... I wasn't easy...I wasn't easy...

"Let me take you out again." He murmured, his eyes dropping to my mouth. My heart quickened as he leaned in closer to me, I stood there frozen, unsure what to do. "I swear...I'll be a perfect gentleman." He looked at me desperately, his eyes pleading. "Give me another chance."

"If we go out again," I started, not really knowing what I saying. His eyes glimmered hopefully, "I won't let you won't touch me." His face pained slightly, his forehead wrinkling. "No way Lahote. No chance."

"Anything you want Anna." He murmured, looking solemn. "I swear you won't regret it...please, don't make me beg."

"Paul, this...this would be it." I replied, giving in. I just didn't have the will power any more. He grinned happily, looking thrilled. "Paul. I'm serious...one more chance."

"I swear I won't need another." He grinned happily, he stepped closer to me and I stepped out of his way, avoiding his big arms from pulling me to him. "Tonight?" He asked, grinning as I avoided his lunges. I headed back towards the diner. I couldn't leave my sister with Jared and Seth. That would be like leaving her to the wolves. "Can I take you out tonight Anna?"

"We'll see." I said, striding towards the diner. Once I was inside I was surprised to see that Janey and Seth had disappeared leaving just Jared sitting with his mouth around my burger. I strode up to him sitting in Janey's seat and glaring at him. He grinned at me before taking the final bite out of my burger.

"That was mine!" I snapped, staring at the plate. He had eaten my entire meal!

"You were gone." He shrugged, licking his lips greedily. Paul joined us throwing me a cocky smile. That was the Paul I remembered.

Paul tried to sit next to me but I didn't move a muscle. I sat firmly on the edge of the bench and after moment of him nudging me gently, he grabbed Jared and pushed him along his bench so they were both sat opposite me. I looked around for the waitress, I was starving.

"You two made up then?" Asked Jared, as I looking around eager for some food.

"I'm on probation." Muttered Paul, I wasn't sure if he wanted me to hear that or not but I didn't look at him either way. I was still sore about the easy thing. That's not exactly something a girl gets over quickly.

"Sucks to be you." Barked Jared, "at least Kim never gives me any trouble like this...mind you, I'm not an idiot like you are!" Paul elbowed Jared hard in the side. I sighed, getting up and walking over to the kitchen. I couldn't see her so I returned to my table, hanging back to hear Jared and Paul's conversation without them noticing me.

"I can't believe you told her you thought she was easy...how stupid are you?" Laughed Jared.

"I didn't say that." Sighed Paul, " I only meant that she was so...I thought she was the princess type. But she's not. Damn, she's like a sultry vixen dipped in chocolate and fucking...made just for me. Fuck I can't get anything done just thinking about her...Do you get like this with Kim?"

"Oh yeah, the first few months were hell." Sighed Jared, the back if his head nodding. "But it got easier when we started having sex. Before then it was agony. Have you been having the dreams yet?"

"Yeah," growled Paul, sighing like he was irritated, "every damn day. It takes me at least three times a morning before I can go and see my mom at breakfast."

"Ha!" Laughed Jared, "I remember that! Sam says it's got something to do with preserving the blood line and carrying on the wolf pack, creating the next generation. I wasn't really listening when he was telling me about it...I kept imagining Kim wearing nothing but her..."

"Alright Jared." Cringed Paul, "I see you two at it enough without a verbal description."

"Fuck you." Snapped Jared, pushing Paul who pushed him back roughly. "You getting close?"

"Close to what?" Asked Paul,

"Getting rid of the urges." Replied Jared, "doing the deed?...Nothing feels better than having sex with your imprint."

"You're a creep." Murmured Paul.

"Oh so you don't think about doing it with Anna every minute of the day?"

"Fuck you." Barked Paul, trying to control his temper.

"Why not?" Asked Jared. "It's not like she's not up for it...you said yourself she's 'agreeable."

"Watch your fucking mouth." Growled Paul, his voice sounding dangerous.

"Alright," sighed Jared, his lips twisting into a strange smile. "But if you did have sex, everything would get a hell of a lot easier." Paul stared at him, "for starters, she'd like it as much as you would. She'd probably like you more. Kim couldn't keep her hands off me after we first did it...she once turned up in my room wearing nothing but a..."

"Jared," murmured Paul, looking pensive.

"Sorry...so she doesn't want to have sex before marriage or whatever?" Said Jared, my stomach dropped as I realised Paul must of told him this. "But what if you convinced her that she wants to."

"What?" Said Paul confused.

"Paul I've seen her, she's clearly responding to you." Said Jared, "all you would need to do is get her hot enough to want it, to be desperate for it, which wouldn't take much really, considering how she is with you. And then...do it."

"You think that would work?" Asked Paul, considering Jared's plan. I looked at him feeling sick. I was a fool. I was an idiot. I spun on my heel and got the hell out of there.

-xxxx-

This chapter has been a nightmare! I've been editing it and re-editing it only to have my computer crash and I loose all the bloody work I've done.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thanks for reviews/followers/favourites.x x x