True to his word, Paul was waiting for her by the truck as school let out. He'd bought his bike to allow Bella the opportunity to drive herself home if she so chose.
Though he hoped he wouldn't.
He ignored the way the girls eyed him up as though he was a piece of meat.
"Whether she wants me or not, I'm taken." He murmured in his head.
He heard the feminine giggles as Lauren and Tyler began the next edition of their floor show. Eyes on Bella, he was pleased to see she didn't even blink.
"Hey baby." He pulled her in for a brief embrace, noticing the curious looks they received.
'Let them watch.' His wolf growled and for once, Paul had to agree.
Talk between them turned idle until they reached the boundaries of La Push. Bella was quiet as he led her into the kitchen, pulling sodas for the both of them.
She watched him drop into a chair opposite, taking hold of her hands.
"We never got a chance to finish talking last night. Here's the deal Bella. I talk, you listen. I'll answer any questions you have and then, well, you'll know everything."
Bella's eyes widened. "There's more?"
He sighed. "Bella, did you ever wonder about the vampires that triggered the change?"
"They're still here?"
"Unfortunately."
"Well if you know that, why don't you kill them?"
"Believe me; they'd be long dead if I had my way. But years ago, our ancestors made a treaty with them. You see, these vamps only take the blood of animals. They're no threat to humans."
"But they still kill for food, or do animals no longer matter?"
"Of course they matter. Look, when they met, the last Pack was small. Only three to their five. They had to do what was best for the tribe. "
"So the treaty still stands? What are the terms?"
"They're not allowed to cross onto our land and we can't kill on theirs."
She looked down at the hands that were capable of great gentility – especially towards her. Paul's hands could most definitely crush her if he so chose.
"How many have you killed?"
He didn't pretend to misunderstand. "A few."
She gulped. "So, these vamps, who are they?"
"The Cullens, Bella."
"The Cullens?" Her heart rate spiked. "But they go to school. One of them works in the hospital!"
He gave a shrug. "The leader has great strength of will, or so I'm told."
Bella hardly heard him. "But what if he slips? All those people would be vulnerable. He could drain them flat and hide the evidence! How can you stand that?"
"We can't do anything about it."
"But people deserve to know they're living among killers!"
"What good would that do? Until they leave, do you expect everyone to live in fear? No, its best they don't know."
She snorted. "Some protector you are!"
He stood, pushing the table away. Kneeling before Bella, he caught her chin in his hand, his voice dangerously quiet. "Do not mock what we do little girl. We've sacrificed a lot for this life. We're doing what we're able to. Unlike the Cullens, our means are limited. But don't be fooled by that. When we get a scent for the vamps, we track it, corner it. Pull it to pieces and set it alight. We make sure that every last piece goes to ash. If it weren't for us, the death rate would be much higher than it is. Your stepfather would be out there, vulnerable. Is that what you want?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry."
The tremor in her voice pulled him back from his rage. The smell of salt alerted him to Bella's tears and he swore. Scooping her into his arms, he sat them down once again.
"No, I'm sorry. It's not often we have to justify our actions. The council presume they know all but their knowledge comes from books. It's tough out there and sometimes we carry that longer than we should."
Cupping her face in his palm, he apologised once more, his nose trailing down her neck.
She shivered as he paused at her throat, his lips planting a kiss there.
"I won't lie to you baby, this shit is intense. The way I'm feeling right now…both my wolf and I want to claim you as ours!" Her eyes widened. "But I'll find a way to stop. This is for life baby. I need you, want you. We both do." He drew a sharp breath. "But for now, I believe we'll have to settle for safety in numbers. Emily's hosting a pack dinner tomorrow. Wanna come?"
And so it began.
Most days, Bella would wind up in La Push, sitting in Emily's kitchen, feeling once again like the new toy.
It was different now, knowing what they really were, what they did. One part of her mind couldn't reckon the two personalities and she was polite but distant. She hadn't forgiven Kim yet, despite the girl's best efforts.
The days where she could beg solitude were few and far between. She had grown to expect the sight of Paul leaning against her truck as routine. One part of her resented the enforced gatherings. She'd preferred not to be around so many people and Paul didn't trust himself to be alone with her.
Stalemate.
Things were picking up at school and teachers were focused on exam preparation.
Bella found it hard to balance both lives and it was taking its toll on her health. Most mornings, she woke with severe pains in her stomach. She forced herself to carry on but she was a ticking time-bomb…
It was October and Bella had had a lousy day. Tyler and Lauren continued to be their obnoxious selves, the weather was crap and she'd forgotten her lunch – forcing her to select something from the canteen.
She thought she could sneak away early but Paul had expected that and was in his usual position.
"Please Paul, I want to go home."
"Oh come on Bella. Why don't you talk things over with Emily, seeing as you won't talk to Kim?"
"You know very well why!"
"You know you'll have to get over it someday." He sighed. "Jared and I are on patrol now. Just talk to them. Stop being a brat."
XxX
She was silent as he deposited her at the Uley house, dodging his lowered lips. Emily ushered in and set her to making preparations for the night's meal. Bella didn't mind the mindless task. It gave her time to think and stew.
"He's a good guy Bella. A little rough around the edges but good all the same."
Bella neither agreed nor disagreed.
"It's not easy for him, you know. The wolf is a very dominant part of him. He must be exuding great patience."
"Was it like that for you?"
Emily stilled. "What has Paul told you?"
Bella shrugged. "I haven't asked."
Emily took a second to overcome the wave of hurt. "Oh, well maybe that's best that you hear it from me." She took a breath. "Leah was engaged to Sam when he transformed. He went into the woods for two weeks. Eventually he made the change. During this time, I came to La Push – to help with the wedding and support Leah. At first Sam avoided Leah but one day, I was there, answered the door and that's when I knew, I had to have him! I would never find another like Sam. But Leah proved persistent. She didn't want to accept that Sam no longer loved her. He loved me. She wouldn't leave us alone and one day, she followed us. She said something about me that Sam didn't like. Sam went for her and I got in the way." She stroked light fingers down the scratches on her face. "He never left my side and we've been together ever since!"
XxX
Bella couldn't get Emily's words out of her head. How could she stay with Sam after he'd scarred her like that?
How was it that these men – overgrown, sure – could do something like that!
The room erupted into a hive of activity with the arrival of the Pack. They all descended on the food, spraying crumbs everywhere.
It was disgusting.
A pair of arms grabbed her suddenly from behind, lifting her into the air, their grip too tight. She couldn't breathe. Couldn't see who was holding her. The noise was too much and all the voices were blurring into one heavy sludge…
"Put me down!"
Jared heard the panic in her voice and set her back on her feet. He watched her grab a chair and before he could blink, she'd smashed it against his side and bolted from the house, Paul following in her wake.
XxX
"Bella." The voice was drawing near and she could see the truck calling to her.
Warm hands turned her to face a concerned Paul. Her eyes widened as her body shook.
"Hey, it's only me."
"Let me go!"
"Bella, what happened back there?"
"I can't do it. I can't be around you. All the touching and even when I'm not with you, I feel like you're watching me. All this stuff with imprinting? I can't be your chew toy. I'm just Bella and I don't want any part of this."
"Baby please!"
"It's Bella! My name is Bella. I'm eighteen and I'm a human. I won't be your plaything. I won't have you or your friends pass me around, pull me around or tell me who I'm supposed to be with. Emily may forgive Sam but I don't want any part of it."
He let her go – the pain increasing by the minute.
Blindly, she made it back to the house, locking her bedroom door and collapsing on her bed, the pain adding to her misery.
XxX
The next morning, she emerged pale and red-eyed.
School was a blur and everyone about her sounded like bees buzzing. The teachers noticed her distraction and voiced their concerns but Bella shrugged it off.
It was maths class that proved the worse. Bella couldn't concentrate and idly tapped her pencil on the desk.
"Perhaps Ms Swan can provide the answer?"
The whole class turned to face her and the teacher repeated the question.
She shrugged.
"Well perhaps you can make an educated guess?"
A wave of pain struck her stomach and she laid her head on the desk, her arms blocking everyone out.
Mr Varner sighed and walked to her desk. Sliding onto his knees, he whispered, "Do you need a hall-pass?"
She sighed, grabbed her bag and accepted the piece of paper he offered.
XxX
When Bella didn't show face that evening, Renee knocked at her bedroom door.
"Sweetheart?"
"Leave me alone!"
Renee was hurt and stepped back from the door. They spent the evening in an awkward silence, Claire sneaking to her room as soon as possible.
Charlie was back in the marital bed. He held her close as she let loose her concerns for her eldest daughter.
XxX
A smash from the kitchen jolted Charlie awake. Alert, he reached for his torch and tiptoed downstairs. The torch on dim, he shone it around the room. Bella's door was open and there was a strange noise. He spied the glass next to a semi-conscious Bella.
"Renee, get down here!"
Lights flooded the kitchen and Bella threw her arm up over her eyes. Tremors ran through her body, the smashed glass surrounding her left side.
"Call an ambulance. She's having a fit!"
XxX
They were waiting when a sleepy Claire appeared. "What's going on?"
Concerned in case Claire was frightened by her sister's state, he ran over to her, picking her up. "I'll get her to Sue's."
Claire was bundled into the car and Charlie narrowly missed the upper speed limit, bringing her to La Push.
XxX
It was a grumpy Harry that met them at the door. "Charlie? What time do you call this?"
"I'm sorry Harry, Bella's ill – can you watch Claire?"
The little girl lay sleeping in Charlie's arms. Harry stood aside to let him deposit the girl in a chair.
As he went to find a blanket, Sue appeared. Charlie filled her in and she insisted on going with him.
XxX
Renee was still gripping Bella's hand when the doctors announced she could go no further.
They wheeled Bella through to the operating room. Her breath was heavy through the mask and the bright light made her squint.
Muffled voices filled the room, whirling into one as the anaesthetic kicked in…
Renee stayed glued to Charlie's side the whole night through. Sue was on hand to fetch teas and coffees. She oversaw the paperwork and checked in with Harry to ask about Claire.
"She's upset, worried for Bella."
"Tell her that the doctors are helping her. They're still operating – we'll let you know…"
She replaced the phone – there was a scuffle outside and the Doctors wheeled Bella out. She watched as they had a brief conversation with the parents.
XxX
"What do you want Leah?"
Ever since Bella had rejected them, Paul had been holed up in his room, barely leaving except for patrol. After all, it was his duty to the tribe. Even if he hurt all over.
"Look, Bella's in hospital." With those few words, all pain was forgotten. "Charlie brought Claire to us last night. This morning. She's just out of the operating room."
He dashed inside for his keys, leaving the door wide open before heading for his truck.
"You're welcome!" Came Leah's bitter reply.
XxX
He spied Renee and Charlie getting an update from the Doctor. Sue met him first.
"Paul, what are you doing here?"
"Leah told me. I need to see her."
"She's out for the count. Her appendix ruptured."
"Please Sue; I need to be there when she wakes up!"
"That could be hours yet. Besides, don't you think her parents should see her first?"
He felt Charlie's eyes on him and moved away from Sue. She was right, unfortunately.
XXx
It was late afternoon when Bella's eyes began to stir. He heard her breathing change through the wall.
"Hi sweetheart."
"What happened?" Even after major surgery, her raspy tones called to him.
"It was your appendix. The Doctors said you gave them quite a scare but you'll be alright."
Bella mumbled something then her light breathing betrayed her sleeping state.
XxX
She stirred again late evening to find Paul sleeping in the chair beside her. He looked peaceful despite the lines across his face and the slight thinness.
Feeling eyes on him, he jolted awake, taking in those deep brown caverns, across from him.
"Hey you." Taking the risk, he pulled himself closer to the bed and laid his hand near hers. She moved her hand on top of his and he covered it with the other.
"I'm so sorry Bella."
She shook her head. "I was scared. Emily told me how Sam had clawed her face, even though he loved her. All of you are so big and you're always touching, invading my space. My ex was a bully. He used to drag me around and I feared that you would do the same."
"I would never hurt you!"
Bella raised her brow. "But you'd roughshod over all my choices? You said I could decide what we'd be, as long as I didn't shut you out."
He stared, sheepishly. "I couldn't take the risk. I know that all this is intense, believe me, but to a wolf, their emotions are multiplied. Their mate is the only one that can ground them. Unburden the weight of their destiny. Give them something to live for."
Bella was confused. "But you didn't imprint."
"It feels that way though."
Bella yawned and he gave a soft laugh. "Sleep Baby, I mean Bella. I'll be watching. If that's ok?"
She nodded and sank further into the bed.