A/N: Hi guys. Thanks for reviewing. Here is the next chappie. Hope you enjoy. xxx
Chapter 11- Out in the open
PPOV
It was dark outside already. Paul's heart hammered in his chest. He was going to tell Bella that he was sorry for shutting her out. For taking so long to forgive her, but he still needed to tell her about the pack and imprinting. He hoped she wasn't angry at him. To be honest, he was so disappointed in her for not telling him about the baby she'd lost, but he too was harboring a secret. He was just as guilty as she was. He had talked to Billy after he left his parents yesterday. He was going to tell Bella tonight. He had arranged it with Sam. They would be close by when he showed her his wolf. He wasn't scared about loosing control, but he was scared about Bella's reaction. He wanted her to have someone to calm her if she freaked out.
She looked so beautiful in her soft pink sweater and fluffy slippers, sitting there on the couch. He loved her more than life itself and he felt a pang of guilt for pushing her away this week. She was his imprint for Christ sake. She looked so vulnerable to him at this very moment.
He walked over to her and knelt down in front of her. "I'm so sorry for pushing you away like I did. For ignoring you. For not forgiving you as soon as you told me." He took her hand in his. The stark contrast between their skin tones always amazed him. It looked beautiful. "I was an asshole."
Bella's face softened. She placed a hand on his cheek. He could hear her heart thumping. "I'm sorry for keeping it a secret. You deserved to know. You were a part of it, too."
"Let's just forget about the past and just try and move forward. I'm sick of not having you with me every second of every day."
Bella nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah. Let's move on."
"Good. There is just one more thing." Paul said and carefully watched Bella's face.
"Okay." She said skeptically. "What is it?"
Paul pulled her up from the couch. "I need to show you. Fairy tales and nightmares do exist, Bella. Please just try to keep an open mind."
"You're scaring me a little bit, Paul." Bella whispered as they reached the door.
Paul didn't answer her. He supposed that scared was just about the right reaction to have. Werewolves were supposed to be scary. He came to a stop just outside the cabin and let go of Bella's hand. He took a few steps backward to put some distance between him and his imprint. Twigs and leaves cracked and popped under his feet, almost echoing in the silence as he backed away.
BPOV
Bella looked around at all her friends standing to the edge of the cabins, eyes trained on her. It made her worry even more, now.
"What the hell is going on?" Bella demanded.
"Just watch." Paul said to her. He took a deep breath and crouched slightly, like he was bracing himself for impact against some invisible force. Bella blinked twice as Paul's large form started shaking and became unfocused and blurry at the edges. With a loud grumble and the sound of material being torn, Paul's body swiftly transformed into something that Bella had only seen in movies.
Bella stumbled backward and landed on her butt with a big 'oof'. Right in front of her stood a large silver wolf. She didn't understand what was going on. Just seconds ago, Paul stood right where the wolf is now. Was she going crazy? She must be.
"What the fuck?" Bella cursed and looked around at her friends. They met her startled gaze with looks of sympathy. And maybe even a little humor...
Sam came to stand next to her and put his arm around her to comfort her. Or ground her in case she fainted. She wasn't sure which. "Relax, Bella. He's not going to hurt you. Remember the legends that Billy always told at the bonfires?"
Bella nodded her answer, raking a trembling hand through her hair. She didn't trust her voice to speak.
"...well, it's all true. We all turn into wolves." Sam motioned to the rest of the guys. "Oh, and Leah. She's the only female wolf, ever."
Bella listened to what Sam said, but her eyes never left Paul's lupine form. "Oh wow!" Bella responded in a panicked voice, eyes widening in realization. "I'm going crazy, aren't I?" She tore her eyes away from the silver wolf to look at Sam for confirmation.
A warm hand gripped her arm. "You're not going crazy." It was Paul who spoke this time. He stood in front of her in all his naked glory, assuring her that all of this absurdity she'd just witnessed was real.
"So you all just randomly turn into wolves?" Her voice broke on the last word.
"No, Bella. We're protectors. We protect humans against vampires. The cold ones."
"Oh Jesus, this is weird." Bella cradled her head between her hands. "Vampires and wolves. You've got to be kidding me. Is this a joke?" She stared blankly up at Paul.
"I told you that fairy tales and nightmares do exist." He grinned.
Everyone had disappeared. Bella supposed they wanted to give the two of them some privacy.
"When did you find out you were a wolf?" She whispered.
"Right after the break-up when I returned to Forks."
"I can't imagine how weird and scary it must have been."
"Are you mad at me for not telling you? I get it if you are. I accused you of keeping secrets, while I was doing exactly the same thing." His eyes flicked between hers, trying to read her.
"No, I'm not mad." She sighed and sat down on the wet ground. Her legs were shaking and she wasn't sure for how long she'd be able to stand. "It's just a lot to take in, Paul."
"There's something else about this whole wolf thing that you need to know."
"Oh god. There's more?" She choked.
"Yes. Imprinting..." He offered.
"Imprinting?" What the hell is imprinting? Bella frowned.
"It's when a wolf sees his mate for the first time after he phases. She becomes his whole world. It's a forever kind of love. A wolf imprints on a woman who can best help carry forth the wolf gene."
"So what does this mean for us? I'm not Quileute. Doesn't that mean that there is no point in us continuing this relationship?" Bella felt her heart break. Paul would someday soon meet his mate and what would happen to her? What would be left of her heart? Just as she thought everything would work out fine, shit like this happened... Every goddamn time.
"Bella, don't you see? You are my imprint."
It took a few seconds for Paul's words to register with her. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Me?"
"Yes, baby. It's always been you. Don't you get that? No one will ever be good enough. I just want you."
"Oh Paul. God, you had me scared there for a few seconds." She clutched at her racing heart.
Paul pulled Bella up from the ground and into his arms. He peppered her face with kisses. "I love you, baby. So very much."
"I love you too, Paul. More than you'll ever know."
Paul scooped Bella up into his arms in one fell swoop and carried her to the the cabin. It was warm inside, but the fire was burning out. Paul put Bella down and threw a few logs on the dwindling fire, the newly added wood crackling and popping deliciously.
Bella pulled Paul back to her and captured his lips in hers. He growled, making her giggle. "My wolf." She whispered against his mouth.
"Only yours." He promised and pulled her down to the plush rug in front of the fire place. "Forever..."
Paul gently kissed each of her fingers, but stopped when her reached her ring finger. "Soon." He vowed, looking at her. "Very, very soon."
Bella's heart stuttered. He was promising her that he was going to marry her soon. Never in her life had Bella experienced this sheer amount of joy. She wanted to be his in every way, but tonight she would be content with being his physically.
Paul lifted her sweater over her head and kissed each of her breasts in turn, making her pink nipples rise in response. His thumb stroked her jaw gently and his lips found hers again. Her heart was racing. Flames licked at her insides, destroying everything in it's wake and leaving her paralyzed for him to take and do with as he pleased.
Paul shifted himself so that he was on top of her, steadying himself with both hands planted either side of Bella's head. He thrust himself against the needy apex between her thighs and curled his fingers into the waist of her pants, pulling them down gently. Bella lifted her hips to aid the journey of the material to her feet. She kicked the pants off, jiggling one leg as the clammy material clung to her skin and refused to part from her foot. Paul yanked at it, setting her free.
Bella's eyes rolled to the back of her head as Paul stroked her through her panties and yelped as she felt a sharp tug, hearing the tearing of material. She looked up into his eyes, brows mashed together in fierce determination to reach his target. He pumped the head of his engorged member into her wetness, once, twice and a third time, before he buried himself to the hilt inside of her.
"Fuck!" He ground out, his head turning to the side as his eyes crinkled shut. His lips were lax with sheer pleasure as he pumped in and out of her slowly, measuredly, like he was struggling with his control.
Bella clamped her legs around his hips, digging her heels into his butt and pulled him closer. Deeper. "Yes, god yes, baby." She moaned. "Just like that." He was turning her body into jell-o with each delicious undulation of his hips.
A light sheen of sweat coated their bodies as they moved together in perfect synchronization, floating higher and higher with each desperate and combined thrust.
Bella's hands traveled from Paul's hair to the hard, muscled expanse of his back, nails scraping over his copper skin. She was close now. So close...
"I don't think I can hold out any more," Paul groaned into Bella's hair, his hot breath fanning over her shoulder, sending shivers through her body. With a stuttering sigh Bella finally let go, following him over the edge and giving a strangled cry of pleasure into his shoulder.
As their movements stilled, apart from their mutual heavy breathing, Bella lifted her head slightly and planted a kiss on his pectoral. "Love you." She murmured against his skin.
Paul caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting her head up so he could look into her eyes. Her breath hitched in her throat at the emotions so plainly visible in those dark pools. Devotion, trust, love and peace. Her lips hitched up into a large smile.
"Love you, too. So much." He replied and lowered his head to capture her lips.
PPOV
Morning came all too quickly. He didn't want to get up just yet. He needed a few more hours next to Bella, just feeling her warm body pressed up against his. He stared, mesmerized at Bella's sleeping form as a ray of sunlight filtered through a gap in the window, setting off her delicate skin in a warm glow. 'Beautiful'. He thought.
Paul sighed in contentment. He was truly happy. Everything was now out in the open. There were no more secrets. He felt like they could finally start moving forward.
A thrill claimed his body as he thought about asking her to move in soon and then asking her to marry him. He pictured Bella with a swollen stomach, carrying his child, while more dark haired children ran around at their feet. He had always hoped it would have been a reality by now, but he was just glad for the possibilities they still had.
At breakfast Paul was pleased to see Bella dig into her breakfast with so much gusto. She had slowly been picking up much needed weight, though her body still wasn't quite as full as it had always been.
Bella smiled up at him and rolled her eyes as her gaze flitted to the insane amount of food piled onto his plate. He shrugged at her and smiled sheepishly. They hadn't quite made it to dinner last night and Paul could definitely feel the repercussions as his stomach growled angrily at him.
"So, what are we doing today?" A curious Quil asked.
"Well, we were supposed to go skiing but thanks to the rain last night, a lot of snow washed away." Embry pouted. "But I heard about a place we could visit, from the receptionist. It's called Multnomah Villiage. Apparently there is always something to do there. And the girls can shop 'till they drop. We can even grab a late lunch there."
"Sounds like a plan." Sam said. "I saw on the weather forecast that more snow is expected to fall tonight. Maybe we'll be able to go skiing tomorrow."
Everyone at the table agreed, nodding eagerly.
BPOV
Multnomah Villiage was filled with small shops from sidewalk to sidewalk. Shops that you just couldn't pass. Even the men were enthralled. Walking hand in hand, Paul and Bella broke off from the crowd for a while, just visiting every little shop. They had their phones on them if the rest of the pack wanted to meet up again.
Multnomah Antiques held so much different furniture and antique items, which captured Bella's attention. She stroked a finger idly over an old and fragile looking doll sitting up on a display unit.
Thinker toys, a sizeable but very crowded toy shop, held any toy a child could possibly want. Wooden toys, stuffed animals, large caterpillar machines, the cutest backpacks and even face paint stood stacked and stuffed into any space available. It was simply impossible to see everything unless you were willing to spend at least two hours in there. Paul's face was lit up like a child at Christmas. It was actually quite endearing.
You could literally walk past the same toys over and over again, seeing something new each time. If Bella had kids some day, she vowed to bring them here. She would willingly break the bank for them at this shop. She was sure Paul felt the same way.
"Amazing, right?" Paul said as he looked at her with wonder. He pulled Bella in for a kiss, dipping her low. He brought his lips to her ear and whispered, "I can't wait to bring our kids here." He pulled her back to his chest before she could reply.
"Definitely." She nodded, blushing profusely. Something about him mentioning having kids, out loud, made this moment even more intimate.
"Soon." He vowed again, just like last night when he mentioned marriage.
Her favorite by far was Hattie's sweet shop. Her mouth watered as soon as she walked into the shop. Even the air in the quaint little shop smelled sugary sweet. Sweets were stacked wall to wall and glass jars behind the counter held various kinds of sweets. She bet that she could find any kind of candy imaginable, in that shop. A glass display cabinet held dozens of different chocolaty yumminess, which caught her attention and held it. It beckoned her closer, calling her name. She new she wouldn't walk out of here without buying something and Bella could only imagine the delight a child would feel when setting foot in here.
They casually peeked in at small clothing shops and gift shops, not wanting to miss out on any hidden gems that the village might hold.
"Sam says that we should meet them at Renner's Grill in 10 minutes." Paul said and shoved his phone back into his pocket. "But first..." Paul threw Bella over his shoulder, strolling casually to the back of a small shop.
"What are you doing?" Bella squealed.
"Shhh." Paul held his finger over his lips, motioning for her to be quiet. Once they reached the back of the building, in a deserted alley, he set her back down on her feet.
Paul tugged down Bella's pants roughly and she giggled as realization set in. He was horny.
To speed up the situation, Bella helped Paul zip down his pants, but left it hang from his delicious hips.
Paul whipped out his massive hard-on, and stroked it lazily as he stared at Bella. His eyes were onyx, lust clearly smoldering in those intense orbs. He scooped her up and helped her wrap her legs around him, slipping easily into her wetness.
"Always so ready for me, aren't you. Fucking saporous minx."
Bella loved when he talked dirty to her. It made her arousal heighten tenfold.
He didn't take his time with her. He was needy right now - she realized this when she looked into his eyes.
"Better hold on tight, baby. This is going to be a quick fuck." He whispered against the shell of Bella's ear, eliciting a moan from deep inside her.
Paul thrust into her at an unforgiving pace, gripping her hips tightly. She tried to focus on his face, his eyes, his lips, but the pleasure he awakened inside of her made her eyes roll back. She knew she needed to listen for footsteps in case someone came around the corner, but she couldn't. She was simply too caught up in the heady sensation of his thick manhood stretching her deliciously as pounded into her core.
His hand slipped in between them, teasing and rubbing her clit.
"Paul! Oh Jesus. I'm going to come." She groaned. "I-I can't hold out any longer."
Paul captured her lips with his, probably to silence her, but groaned his climax into her mouth as his hips stuttered and jerked unevenly.
He kept Bella wrapped tightly up in his arms as she rested her face against his chest, listening to his rapid heartbeat slow down with each beat.
Slowly the cold began to creep in, cutting into her exposed flesh. She shivered despite Paul's heat.
"Time to go." Paul whispered against Bella's hair and placed a tender kiss there before letting her slide away from his body.
She pulled up her pants hastily, careful to avoid smearing their combined bodily fluids on her clothes.
BPOV
Finally around two, they met up with the others for lunch at Renner's Grill. They were very late. They were supposed to meet up just after one o'clock, but if anyone noticed, they didn't say anything.
The restaurant was cozy and warm inside, for which Bella was thankful. Her stomach grumbled as she sat down, causing a round of laughter from the men. For a moment she couldn't quite understand why they were laughing, until she remembered that supernatural hearing was part of being a wolf.
Paul tucked her into his side and they scanned the menu together." So is eating a ridiculous amount of food also part of being a wolf?" She whispered in his ear. He turned to look at her, brown eyes dancing with humor. A lazy smile crept to his lips.
"Sure is." He said, his thumb tracing circles on the back of her hand.
The waitress helped them with a friendly smile, jotting down their orders on a note pad. Bella could see that she blushed a little as she looked at each of the men while taking their orders. Bella understood. The waitress had probably never seen this large a number of brutally handsome men together at the same time. She didn't flirt with any of them, though, which was a good thing, because as territorial as Bella felt about Paul, she couldn't imagine what Kim, Emily and the others would do if she tried her luck with them. The young woman tucked her blonde hair behind her ear and smiled as she assured them their food would be here soon.
PPOV
Multnomah Falls was a mossy green expanse, covered in a thin layer of snow. Tall trees on either side of the bridge looked like it had been dusted lightly with snow. It was a sight to behold. The waterfall washed down the mountain in front of them and flowed down under a bridge running from one side to the other. Paul and Bella, along with Jared and Kim were standing on the bridge. The frosty spray misted gently over their faces as they leaned forward to take in as much of the sight as they could.
Tiny beads of mist pearled on Bella's dark hair and her cheeks glowed from the frigid winter air. He tried to focus on the scenery but got lost in those chocolate eyes gazing up at him from under her lashes. He wondered if she had any idea at all how she affected him. Paul's wolf was clawing at his insides, begging him to take his mate again. It was an overwhelming feeling. Paul painfully pushed his wolf back down, as he stretched his hand out to cup Bella's face. He dipped his head low, capturing his imprint's lips with his own. He took his time, leisurely kissing her.
Bella moaned into his mouth in response, adding to Paul's already painful arousal. He broke the kiss, trailing his lips along her jaw and dragged in a lungful of her intoxicating scent.
Someone cleared a throat. Paul looked up lazily. It was Jared.
"What?" Paul arched an annoyed brow at his friend.
"If you keep this up, the two of you will be mating right here, in public, before you know it." Jared chuckled.
Bella blushed and looked down at her feet.
"Sorry." Paul gave Jared and Kim a lopsided grin.
"Does this passion ever die down?" Bella asked Kim.
Kim shook her head and gave her a knowing smile. "No. It doesn't. But you learn to control it better." She chuckled. "Jesus! If I think of all the times Jared and I had to sneak away just to satisfy this demanding need, I get chills. You have no idea how many times we were caught having sex in public places."
Jared chuckled. "Yeah. Quite embarrassing, actually."
BPOV
After spending a little more time at Multnomah Falls and actually taking in the natural beauty of their surroundings, they headed off to do more shopping.
Bella had bought an obscene amount of clothes from a local designer. Paul had to admit that their clothes were worth the price. He'd even acquired a few items for himself, as well.
Paul's eye had caught a jewelry store on their way through the village this morning. He couldn't get the idea out of his head to go check out the store. So when Bella and Kim headed toward a bookstore, Paul whispered to Jared that he needed his best friend's help to go look for rings.
Jared looked up with wide, surprised eyes and agreed with a big, bright smile.
"Why don't you girls go check out the bookstore. Paul and I will meet you back here." Jared said.
"Yeah, okay." Kim answered and Bella nodded in agreement. The men and women split up, going their separate ways.
A/N: Please review. xxx
