Summary: What happens when the Pack's resident hot-head and troublemaker is rejected by his imprint ? Will he succumb to grief or find solace in the arms of another ?
Disclaimer: All you recognize belongs to Stephenie Meyer ( including these two fiesty, gorgeous wolves - unfortunately ! ). The rest ? To my warped, hyperactive imagination ...
A/N 1: The Demon Spawn never happened. EVER ! I'm in complete denial ... In my crazy AU she simply doesn't exist.
A/N 2: "Bring Me To Life" belongs to Evanescence's talented singer/songwriter, Amy Lee.

Warning: contains slash and strong language.

*********

Broken


Paul's pov:

Jeez ! This is so much tougher than I thought it would be. I mean, I figured I'd humour Jake for a couple of days. Play along with his idea of not rushing things. Just go with the flow. Fuck ! I never imagined how hard it would be to keep my hands off him. Not being able to do more than kiss him is fucking killing me ... And God ! Do I want to do more than kiss him right now.
I want to rip off his clothes and just get up close and very personal with my very gorgeous, sexy, gentle wolf.

I want to feel Jake next to me, on me, around me, against me ... Fuck ! In me ... To be surrounded by his power and his vitality. To be enveloped in his warmth. Feel smooth, heated skin on skin. The hard planes of his body wrapped around mine and the pleasure I find in his touch and the feel of every sleek line and sinewed curve of his lithe, perfect form. I honestly can't help it, but I yearn for Jake and crave him. Desperately.
Trouble is, I've made this stupid vow. Promised myself that I'd behave. Be a good mutt and do as he wants, When all I really want is to have my wicked way with him. Or for him to corrupt me. Either way, I don't particularly care, so long as I end up where I want to be. In Jake's arms. Loved. Sated. And happy ...

Being good, toeing the line's slowly tearing me apart and this longing I have, the constant, ravenous hunger I feel for him doesn't make things any easier. It's driving me crazy. Shit ! I've held out for a week ... a goddamn week, for mercy's sake ! If I have to go without him for much longer, I'm going to end up with the worst case of blue balls ever known to man !
Ach ... To hell with it ! I'm done being good. It's about time my beautiful imprinter learns to start begging ... Pretty damn quick !

*****

Seven days I've struggled to keep Jake at arms length and the sheer lack of physical contact with him is frustrating the hell out of me. My body aches constantly for his touch. For something more intimate than a good-natured punch to the arm, or the weight of his arm casually resting across my shoulders. Or his sweet, addictive kisses. They aren't enough anymore. I need ... I crave something far deeper ... more meaningful than those simple, innocent touches. And I'm today gonna make damn sure I get it ... and Jake's gonna wind up giving it to me.

In the end, I turned to our she-wolf for advice. Way I figured it, anyone with such a massive experience of heartache and angst, had to know what she was talking about. Jake's "taking things slowly" rule had been a great source of amusement to her and once she'd finally managed to stop giggling about the acute frustration I was feeling, Leah, surprizingly, relented and agreed to give me the benefit of her wisdom.

" You realize I'm only helping you pair of morons, 'cos I don't want to suffer 3-D, high definition, in stereo surround sound visions of what the pair of you get up to in my head when we all phase. Then again ... " Leah smirked meaningfully, " that might not be a bad thing to witness. Pretty hot when I really think about it ... and I'm sure Ros wouldn't mind if I shared that little gem with her either ... "

I felt myself flush. Not with anger, but from shyness. Much as I adored Jake and loved being intimate with him, what we got up to wasn't meant for public viewing - although, there were times when we both had the odd slip up when we phased, much to our embarrassment and the Pack's glee - it was private. Special. Something that, deep down, I wanted kept strictly between Jake and me ...

" Leah ... " I whined softly in protest. " Quit teasing, woman. How the hell do I get Jake to quit this 'stalling' business ? I'm desperate here ... If I don't get any action or a proper seeing to anytime soon, my right hand's gonna be worn down to a bony stump ! Please, I need your help ..."

Leah tossed her glossy, raven mane across a smooth, golden shoulder and struggled to keep a straight face. " Oh, man ... you've sure got it bad, Paulie, if you're begging me for help. Not sure what's worse, the pair of you loved up, or you with a permanent hard on 'cos Jakey gone all girlie about "dipping his wick" and rushing into things ... Ok, listen up, I'm gonna give you a crash course in "How to seduce your Wolfboy and make him crazy with lust." The full one-oh-one. So, pay attention, 'cos this is a one time deal and I won't be repeating it ... " She then settled down on my couch, made herself comfortable and began to reveal the "Gospel according to Leah Clearwater."

*****

Leah's advice basically, was show your boy what the hell he's missing and make him work for it.

Because she was such a good listener, I ended up spilling my guts. I even confessed to her something so private that I hadn't shared with anyone else. That I loved Jake. Intensely. But like Jake, I couldn't help trusting Leah and I sensed that she wouldn't break my confidence.

So, I took advantage of the fact that Jake was on patrol with Embry and Quil and began to follow her advice. Ever since we'd made up, Jake had taken to sneaking out of his house after dark, to share my bed. Unfortunately, that's all he would do. We'd share tender kisses and caress each other, but anything further would have him backing off and instantly rolling on his back, before pulling me into his embrace and falling asleep. He'd always make sure he was back home by six the following morning, just in time to wake his old man and help him get set for the day.

Somehow, Leah had managed to find out that Billy was stopping over at Charlie Swan's over the weekend. Something about a fishing trip the pair of them had lined up. One look at her lovely face told me she knew that Jake would not be spending much time over at the Black's residence whilst his dad was away. He was hoping, or rather planning, to stay at mine and our Wolfgirl actually came out and said it would be " a great chance for you to bring Jake around to your way of thinking. To see things from your point of view, Paul. All I ask is that you don't fuck it up ... "

"Fucking it up," as Leah so quaintly called it, was the last thing I planned on doing. There was no way in hell I was going to screw this up. Not if I wanted what my heart and body desired above all else. Jake. Back where he belonged. In my arms. And more importantly, in my bed - permanently ...

My body trembled with anticipation. To say, I was on edge was putting it mildly. I'd never seduced someone I loved before. I never had to. Then again, I'd never been in love. Until now ...
Thanks to Jake, I now knew what being in love meant and felt like. What I'd felt towards his sister came nowhere close to what I felt for him. That had been infatuation, influenced by the imprint. Nothing more. Nothing less. But this ? This was real. It felt real to me. It was genuine. And intense. It didn't feel forced or fake. I loved Jake. Warts 'n' all ...

Knowing full well that Jake would eventually turn up, I took a quick shower. I'd got into the habit of listening to music whenever I showered or bathed. It helped me unwind - even if the rest of the Pack found my taste in music far from relaxing.
I quickly rinsed off and turned off the hot water before stepping out of the shower. Grabbing a clean, fluffy towel from the radiator, I briskly dried myself, then slung it around my waist as I headed back to my bedroom and cranked up the volume on the stereo. It was currently playing a compilation cd of my favourite songs and because I was alone, I began to hum Staind's "Right Here" as I pottered around, trying to kill time. Time which seemed to be dragging interminably as I waited for my wolf to show up.

Sighing heavily, I sauntered back to the bathroom for a smaller towel, then sat on the bed and began to briskly dry my short hair. I'd never been a patient person and waiting for Jake to make an appearance was driving me crazy, especially since I hadn't seen him since quarter to six this morning and it was now almost ten at night. I wanted to see him. To hear him. Feel him. If I'm being honest, I needed him. Desperately. And I was stunned by how drastically my feelings had changed for him over the past few months. How there'd once been a time when I loathed Jake more than anything and now, I was literally dying to see him. Couldn't bear to be apart from him ...

I impatiently tossed the small towel into a bin in the far corner of my room, before lying back on top of the bedcovers and slowly closing my eyes. The song had now changed and I immediately relaxed and smiled as I heard Evanescence's Amy Lee begin to sing:

How can you see into my eyes like open doors
leading you down into my core
where I've become so numb ?
Without a soul, my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home.

I'd always loved the band, but this song was special. It meant something to me. Something private which I could relate to. It made me think of Jake. Of how he'd brought me out of the darkness I'd become trapped within. Jake was my sun and he'd become the light of my life.

( Wake me up )
Wake me up inside
( I can't wake up )
Wake me up inside
( Save me )
call my name and save me from the dark
( Wake me up )
bid my blood to run
( I can't wake up )
before I come undone
( Save me )
save me from the nothing I've become

And that's what Jake had done. When he'd unwittingly imprinted on me. He had saved me. He'd brought me back to life and gave me a reason to live once more. And more importantly, he'd shown me what love was and how to love.
The funny thing is I know he genuinely loves me. And it's nothing like the feelings evoked by an imprint. Hell ! I should know what I'm talking about here. After all, I'd been through the process myself and knew how it felt. But I know how Jake feels about me. I can see his emotions shining clearly in his beautiful, chocolate eyes. He truly loves me. Deeply. Warmly. Intensely. Passionately. And heaven help me, I do return his love. Willingly. Gladly. Wholeheartedly. And without reservation.

Suddenly, I caught myself singing the song aloud - something I never did when others were around. I've always loved music and used to like singing because for some reason it calmed me.

" Wow ! Never knew my sexy imprint could sing. You're good ... "

Startled, my eyes flew open at the sound of Jake's soft-spoken voice. Clad in just black sweat pants, he leant against the doorframe, his gaze fixed intently upon my white towel-clad body.

" There's a lot of things folk around here don't know about me, " I replied huskily as I propped myself up on my elbows to study him. I stretched my lean, sinewy frame leisurely, my actions deliberately teasing him. Jake slowly licked his full lower lip, then trapped it with his perfect, white, even teeth and to my satisfaction, his high cheekbones were slightly flushed and his eyes dilated with intense hunger and need. " 'S not as if I go about the place broadcasting what I do ... "

Jake lazily unfurled his tall, muscular body from the doorway and began to slowly approach the bed. His eyes didn't leave my face for an instant. There was an expression of deep yearning on his handsome face which he didn't bother to hide. It literally took my breath away and I felt my stumoch clench.

Frozen inside without your touch, without your love darling,
Only you are the life among the dead.

All this time I can't believe I couldn't see.
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me.
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems,
got to open my eyes to everything.
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul,
don't let me die here.
There must be something more.
Bring me to life.

The mattress suddenly dipped, and Jake lay next to me, on his side, propping his head up with his left hand. A slight smile played on his lips.

" So ... Evanescence, huh ? You cheating on me with Amy Lee, Meraz ? " His large, russet hand came to rest on my six-pack, just above the white towel slung low across my hips. He began to idly caress my skin, his touch making me tingle and my breath hitched. Jake smirked.

"Why ? You have a problem with that, Black ? " I countered shakily, his touch shooting what little concentration I had left to pieces. " She's one fine looking woma- "

Jake's hand trailed lightly down the front of the towel, its long fingers curling possessively around my hard, aching shaft. I gasped softly and my hips rose involuntarily, craving friction with his hand.

" Why would I have a problem, Paul ? Huh ? I mean, I'm the one here with you. Laying on your bed. Touching you. Caressing you. Kissing you ... " His dark head lowered to close the gap between us. And the next thing I felt ? Jake's full, sensual lips covering mine. His kisses began lightly. Playfully. Each and every gentle and tender pass of his lips upon mine gradually became deeper, increasing in pressure. They intensified as the passion rapidly escalated between us. All too soon I felt the need for air and parted my lips. It didn't take long for Jake to take advantage of the situation. His tongue slipped into my mouth and began to duel with mine. Vying for dominance. Tangling sinuously with and massaging each other. I began to moan and whimper softly with need and felt Jake's lips curve into a wicked smile against mine.
Before I knew it, his hand slid beneath the towel. The cloth suddenly parted, giving him better access to my throbbing arousal. He grasped it firmly, stroking it with a gentle, feather-light touch, smearing the glistening pearls of pre-cum which was already leaking from it and I couldn't help thrusting into his hand.
Jake reluctantly broke off the kiss, only for his lips to travel across my jawline, until he was nuzzling my throat. I found myself closing the gap between us, pulling his strong, lean body down to cover mine, wrapping my right leg around his and caressing his calf with my foot. My hands slowly descended from his smooth, broad shoulder down his back which tapered to a narrow waist, that led to slim hips. When I reached the waistband of his sweats, I slid my hands beneath it and began to caress the firm globes of his taut buttocks. Then, it was my turn to grin when he gave a lustful moan as I impatiently began to push the sweats down his hips and past his perfectly shaped rear.

" Ok ... ok ... " Jake panted and reluctantly raised his head from my throat, impaling me with his heated, passionate gaze. " You win, Paul, I get it. You win. I give up. I was a goddamn fucking fool to try and resist you for so long ... I see it now ... I, I want you too much to fight against it anymore ... Love you too much, hon and ... and I need you so bad ... "

Grinning happily, I kept a firm grip on his ass, pressing him down firmly against my lower body. I revelled in the feel of his shaft digging proudly against mine. Long. Thick. And extremely hard.

" I hate to say I told you so, Jake, but ... I told you so ... " I smirked, running my hands possessively over his heated skin. " Said I wasn't going to give up ... That you'd end up wanting me ... That your ass is mine. Seems like I was right after all ... "

" Sure ... sure ... Now quit gloating, you smug bastard, " he growled impatiently, " 'n' c'mere and kiss me- "

I grinned once more and slowly pulled his head down towards mine. I could afford to graciously comply with his wishes. After all my beautiful, stubborn Quileute wolf had finally seen sense and given in. And besides, we had a week's worth of catching up to do. Jake owed me and I intended to make sure that he paid up in full. And with interest ...

T. B. C.