Chapter 25

Kayla's POV

We stayed in bed for most of the day. Paul ignored his phone all day, and I ignored mine. No doubt they were looking for us, but he obviously didn't care. I found I was more than okay with that. I ended up losing track of how many times he took me. I fell asleep on his chest as he ran his fingers over my back. I was so utterly exhausted, not just from that, but from what it did to me mentally.

I had truly built a fortress to keep him out, to make myself think I was okay. The moment he had kissed me, it had cracked. When he whispered mine, it had exploded. Everything I had held away, kept private came rushing forward. The tears that had spilled over my cheeks had been kissed away, and he had spoken soft words, reassuring me that it was all right.

When I woke, the sun was just starting to set. He had moved us, and I was comfortably pulled against him. Listening, I could hear him breathing deeply. He was asleep too. His fingers were laced with my own, so I leaned down and kissed them. Paul shifted very slightly, and pressed a kiss to my back.

"I'm hungry," he grumbled.

"Should I feed you?" I asked, my voice tired.

"No," Paul hummed. "I'll feed you. What do you want?"

"Something quick...or pizza..."

"Pizza," he almost purred, and rolled out of bed.

I pulled the blankets around me as he pulled on his pants. I was too tired to even move, so I simply adjusted myself slightly and got comfortable. I could hear him walk out into the kitchen, and as he placed the order. My phone beeped again, so I finally reached for it. Jacob had sent me several texts, asking if I was okay. I sent him a simple yes, talk later reply.

"It was your patrol last night, where the hell did you go?"

Pausing, I glanced at the door when I heard Sam's voice on the other end of the phone. I gripped the blanket tighter to me, as anxiety spread through me. It was already going to start.

"I had something more important to take care of," Paul replied shortly.

"And I suppose it's taken all day?" Sam demanded.

"Yes, it has," Paul said simply. "I'll swing by after dinner."

I was shocked when I heard the phone get set down on the table. Months ago, I couldn't get him to do something like that. I was almost overwhelmed with another wave of tears, but this time I managed to control it. Gripping the blanket tighter, I let out a slow breath. Looking up as Paul walked back in, I scooted when he sat down. Leaning back, he ran his fingers through my hair.

"We got thirty minutes to shower," he sighed. "I suggest you get out of bed."

"I don't think I can move just yet," I hummed, and he chuckled.

"Best get moving," Paul rumbled, pressing a kiss to my lips.

Sighing loudly, I forced myself out of the comfortable bed. I was sore! Stretching, I made my way toward the bathroom after him. He had started the shower and I stepped right in once it was warm. He came in after me, and proceeded to wash my hair and my body. I was shocked. Taking care, Paul washed and massaged my body. When the soap washed away, he pressed a kiss to my stomach. Once he finished, I returned the favor.

"Sam is going to be mad at you," I said softly.

"Tough," he murmured. "Pack life isn't everything."

"Who are you…." I hissed, making him laugh.

"I told you," he said, getting serious. "You are first. You are mine, and I will put you in front of everything else unless you tell me otherwise."

I shivered, unable to help it. Wrapping my arms around myself, I looked at the floor for a moment. Paul pulled me forward and wrapped his arms around my waist. Pressing my cheek against his chest, I took a soft breath.

"It'll be all right," he murmured.

"Okay," I whispered.

Reaching out, Paul turned off the shower and we got out. I dried off quickly, and my stomach growled. Walking to my room, I got dressed into comfortable clothes and Paul did the same. All he did was pull on a pair of gym shorts he had still here. We went into the living room, and he turned on the TV and pulled me down on him. I was a little surprised, but I welcomed the touch.

He held me until the pizza arrived, and we killed both of them. I had not realized how hungry we were. Once I was full, I happily laid out against him on the couch. He flicked through a few movies, and settled for one we liked. Half way through it, there was a loud knock on the door. I knew instantly who it was. I had told Jacob I was fine. He wasn't going to come around. It had to be Sam.

Paul didn't say a word, and he quietly moved me from his chest. He got to his feet and walked to the door and opened it. Sam must have knew he was here, but the surprise still flashed across his face. They stared at one another for a long moment.

"I wasn't expecting you to open the door," Sam rumbled.

"You were looking for me though, right?" Paul asked, not allowing him in.

"I was," Sam replied calmly. "You are right. You did have more important things to do."

"Thank you," Paul rumbled.

"Come see me tomorrow morning," Sam ordered. "And Kayla, Emily was asking about you. She was worried about you last night."

"I'll see her tomorrow," I said quietly. "Tell her I'm fine."

"I'll be sure to do that," Sam nodded, and turned to walk away.

Just like that. The door shut, and Paul turned back toward me. Our gazes met for a moment, and he smiled slightly. I returned it a little and he sighed softly.

"Let's go for a run?" he suggested. "We laid around long enough."

"I wouldn't call what we did lying around," I snorted, and he hummed to himself.

Leaving the house with him after I phased, I jumped off the large deck and into the grass below. It was colder today, since the winter was really here. We scented the wind, and Paul led me in the opposite direction that the pack was in. Jacob was in his wolf form, his mind buzzing. I had to pause and let him know I was okay, and once he got a glimpse of what was going on, he protected my link from the others. Bless him.

Paul wagged his tail at me when my teeth clicked together. We took off in an instant, and ran for miles. We played and hunted together, and then ran some more. It was a good four hours later that we finally returned to the house. I was exhausted from all the running, but he still had other ideas. Sleep didn't come until well past midnight.

When we woke the next morning, we got ready to head over to Sam's. I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but Paul seemed relaxed enough. We finished breakfast, and I made a thermos of coffee to go for myself. Leaving the house, we made our way over to Emily's. Paul knocked once, and Sam called out of him to come in.

Emily surged to her feet when I followed in close behind. I was so startled by her, that I jumped when she threw her arms around me. I had seconds to hug her back, and ignored the men when they walked outside.

"Are you okay?" she asked. "You...we all left you alone at the dinner. Jacob said to, but I was worried."

"I wasn't okay two nights ago," I admitted. "But I think I will be."

"Are you and Paul…." she arched her brow.

I sat down at the kitchen table with her, and kept my hands on my coffee thermos. She waited for me to find the words to speak.

"We're working on it," I said quietly. "He didn't give me a choice."

"You love him though," Emily said softly.

"Of course I do," I murmured.

"Sam said he was shocked when Paul answered your door," she smiled. "He thought you two were really done. He also was surprised when Paul came back the way he did...but don't worry, I explained it to him."

I chuckled at that, and looked at her gratefully. Emily smiled gently at me, and lifted her gaze when the front door opened. Jacob walked in, and he walked right over to me. He smiled at Emily, and his hand fell on my shoulder. Reaching up I grabbed it, and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Are you okay?" he asked slowly.

"Yes, I am," I said softly.

"Good," Jacob sighed. "The vampires helped patrol last night, to make sure the others went away. We're good. We won't have to patrol for a little, just do some here and there. I think they'll leave us alone."

"Just look for the stray bloodsucker," I murmured, and he nodded.

"It'll give you time to work out what needs to be worked out," Jacob rumbled. "You need it."

"Thank you," I whispered, and he nodded.

"I'll be back later today. Sometime next week, pack run."

"Yes, sir," I rumbled, and he chuckled as he left.

Paul and Sam walked in about ten minutes later, and Paul walked over to me. He let his fingers run through my hair quietly, and then glanced up at Sam, who nodded.

"Take care," he rumbled. "I'll be in touch in a few days."

"Thanks, Sam," Paul hummed. "Ready?"

Nodding my head, I said my good byes to Emily and Sam. Walking out the door with Paul, I let him lace our fingers together. I couldn't believe how amazing it had felt to do this again. This was strange. This time, there was no imprint, but Tyler was right. I didn't need it to love someone. No one did, but what had happened had been unusual.

He took me back home, and I found that I was ready for a nap. Paul seemed a little tired, but he didn't let it show. I let him relax, and did a few hours of work before I joined him in bed. It must have been nice to finally lay there and do nothing. No alpha breathing down our necks, no vampires to kill. He was able to finally do nothing except relax.

I leaned on the door for a moment, watching him lay there with his eyes closed. He looked so different. His expression was at ease, and his whole body was relaxed. Part of me was trying to register what had happened over the course of two days.

"Stop standing there and come join me," Paul rumbled suddenly, and my lips lifted in a slight smile.

Going over to the bed, I sighed and slipped into the space beside him. In the back of my mind, I was still unsure about it all. Just because these last two days had gone so well, it was still too soon for me to relax fully. Paul must have sensed the distress, because he pulled me over to him. A soft grumble left his throat, and he pressed a kiss to my neck.

"You'll see, in time," he promised, his voice soft. "I meant it."

I sighed softly at his words, and began to relax as his fingers ran over my legs in soothing circles. We laid together for about an hour, not sleeping, but just lying there. I focused on the feel of his fingers running over my skin, just taking in the contact. It helped ease my mind, and my body.

Thanks for sticking with the story! Enjoy! All the reviews help me update. Sorry it's been so long, I just made a huge move from one side of the US to the other. Bare with me!