Loads of lemons here and I hope you'll appreciate them! Be warned, I've added my own take on the Imprinting/ mating rituals.
Winter carried on long into February, preventing the opportunities for Paul and Bella's relationship to flourish.
Of course, they talked daily, usually via text or phone but it wasn't the same. Besides, Renee's mood swings often saw her in need of 'girl-time', adding further limitations.
The time spent together was often snatched moments. Bella's confidence was growing and her relaxed body often allowed for a more tactile approach, which Paul was happy to fulfil. They'd spent many a moment learning each curve by heart but the family often appeared to have senses of when it was getting intimate therefore interrupting their progress…
Bella's frustration was growing steadily and she had to resort to a little electronic release.
When things had ended between her and Tyler, Renee had left a box in her room, with strict instructions to open it only in times of desperate need.
The message was blunt and to the point. "Men will let you down. This won't."
Some parents would blush at the thought of giving their children such devices but not Renee. She knew only too well the power of enchantment and wanted her eldest to be prepared for the consequences such a thing could wreck on her life.
It was not her first time seeing a rabbit. Bella knew what her mom's job as a 'representative' entailed and had completed her own research when the male varieties had failed to satisfy. Thoughts of Paul spurred her on as she grabbed her new best friend, testing her limits…
It was at a Pack gathering that Bella first noticed the others paying close attention to her. They'd been friendly enough before but now there were the seemingly subconscious touches to deal with. They sat closer to her, almost invading her personal space. Then there was the sniffing…
She'd arrived one afternoon ahead of Paul and to Emily's amusement, Embry and Jake hadn't left her alone, offering to fetch her drinks and snacks. It didn't let up, even when Paul arrived, causing some awkward posturing and Alpha Male looks She didn't see Paul move his head closer to Kim, nor see the girl blush lightly and stare at Bella. Kim announced her need to fetch something from the shop, dragging Bella with her.
"We'll come too!"
But Kim was determined. "Come on, there's no need. We'll be back soon. Promise."
She dragged Bella out before they could argue further.
"What's wrong?"
Kim shook her head and waited until they were out of hearing distance.
"Jeez Bella, have you quit showering?"
"What?"
"You and Paul, you're getting close right?"
Bella looked confused. "Yeah, we're friends, sort of."
Kim gave her a level look. "You're not having sex are you?"
"Kim!"
"Bella please, this is important. Now answer me!"
Bella's blush was profound. "No, we're not having sex!"
"But you want to?"
Bella tried looking away but Kim wouldn't let her. "Yes ok, I want Paul but we're not there yet."
"So you're playing with yourself?"
"Kim!"
"You smell of sex Bella. That's what's driving the boys crazy."
"They can't... I mean, I wash…"
"They have a seriously strong sense of smell. If they wanted, they could tell you which laundry detergent you used. A week ago. Plus, there's the whole claiming season."
"Claiming season…"
"Yes, any girl brought round the Pack that hasn't been claimed by her mate could be claimed by another!"
Bella's eyes widened. "You mean…"
"Bella, the whole DIY thing aside, you're one of us now. Whilst the others know you and Paul are working things through, you're still on the market."
"So, if I don't sleep with Paul, the others…"
"Yes. So whatever it is holding you back, deal with it, or lose Paul."
XxX
Bella didn't want to believe what Kim had told her. She wouldn't be forced into anything. If the Pack wanted to claim her, she'd back away for a bit…
Her reprieve lasted barely a day before Billy Black and Jake turned up one Saturday, ostentatiously to watch the game. However, Jake found reasons to 'hang out' in the kitchen. She couldn't scurry away to her room and hoped the game would be over soon.
XxX
Then she's notice how the boys would 'bump' into her when she was running errands for Renee.
They insisted on carrying the bags to the truck and would have driven her home if Paul hadn't shown up.
"Sam needs you."
Embry stood firm for a few seconds before his phone bleeped with a direct message from the Alpha.
"Damn." He mused, smiling at Bella before taking off.
Bella looked up at Paul. His eyes were distant, wary.
"Why've you been avoiding me?"
Bella lowered her eyes. "Kim told you what happened."
"And…"
"I'm not going to let you claim me so the others can't get me. I'm not your chew toy."
He sighed. "Not this again."
Her tone was harsh. "Don't tell me you expected me to let you claim me like some pet?"
"Bella, it's not like that. There's other ways to claim you. You know what I want. I've been patient and I know you've been hurt. But I'm not him. I accept your flaws but you haven't accepted mine."
Bella rushed to reassure him. "I have. I don't care that you wolf out to protect your tribe and…"
"No Bella, you don't accept me for me. Who I am, what I am, how we can be…" He pulled her close, raking his hands down her sides and resting on the top of her bottom. "I know you want me. I can smell it on you. Smell the need, smell your remedies… I want you so badly; I'm tempted to take you right now, in front of everyone. But I don't relish being arrested for public indecency. So I'm prepared to wait. But not forever. The sooner you accept what we have going on, the better."
She looked into his eyes. Saw the naked desire that overshadowed most of the hurt. Placing her hand on his cheek, he nestled closer, laying his head on to of hers.
"I hate that they think they have a chance with you. I hate that you don't put them straight."
"Paul, I don't let them think… I'm no tease!"
"I know but Bella, this is how it is. The wolf knows you're Pack. Knows he wants you. But if you don't' accept that, accept this, then what we've shared will fade away. Please babe, I won't lose you to anyone else."
He left her then, feeling abandoned and lost.
XxX
She was in the car park stewing. School had sucked that day. Tyler was his usual douche-self and Edward Cullen had taken up Bella watching once more. She heard the gravel behind her and turned to find Jake.
"Hi honey. Everything ok?"
He shrugged. "Just the usual."
She felt his hands on her shoulders, kneading out the tension of the day.
"You're so tense honey. Let me help with that." His hands drifted to her waist, twisting her to face him. With one hand he cupped her face, pulling her lips in for a kiss. She stiffened as his hold grew tighter and she felt his body brush up against hers.
"Jake, what…"
"So tense, baby. Let me make you feel good…" She pushed him away, her hands striking his chest.
"Stop this, what the hell?"
"You smell so good. I want to make you mine." He leant in for another kiss but she brought her good leg up, striking him in the crotch. As he slid to the ground, she legged it to her truck, her mind going straight to Paul.
XxX
Embry scented the strawberries that preceded her arrival. He liked that scent. Loved to nibble on the fruit and suck the juices. Bella brought the truck to a holt, sighing deeply as she sunk into her seat. Embry's face appeared at the window.
"Hey Bells, long time no see." He laughed and she smiled warily. Climbing out of the truck. She leant against the door, Embry taking the space beside her.
"Tough day?"
She shook her head and closed her eyes. Embry honed in closer, scenting the berries. She felt his nose against her neck, his hands trapping her to the truck.
"Embry!"
His hands stroked her waist, sliding up to her breasts, his fingers cupping them as he kissed the skin at the curve of her neck.
"So soft, so sweet… Mine!"
"Embry, no!"
"It'll be so good Bella, I promise."
He took her hands in his, lifting her onto his hips, capturing her lips. She struggled in his hold, panicking.
"Embry, please."
"Get away from her!"
Leah pulled up astride Embry and Bella, throwing the passenger door open.
"Get in!"
Bella slid out of Embry's grip before he could tighten his hold.
She relaxed against the seat as Leah moved on.
"Thank-you so much!"
Leah's smile was warm, intense.
"I can see what all the fuss is about. It's not easy you know, having all their thoughts in my head. Particularly about you."
Bella blinked. "Me?"
"If you could hear them Bella. Read their minds." She gave a shiver. "I wonder how you'll taste!"
Bella's eyes widened as the truck slowed down outside the Clearwater's home. Without stopping to think, she opened the door and threw herself out, heading straight for the forest.
"Bella!"
She blocked Leah's voice and ran faster.
XxX
Paul heard Bella's pants approach, her heart rate spiked and the scent of his brothers – and Leah! - overshadowing her natural scent.
He growled.
He watched as she braced herself against a tree, her breath raspy. He stalked closer, his rage growing.
Bella looked up to see his eyes on hers. His hands grasped her side, his other hand holding her face in place.
"You smell like them." He accused.
"Paul, I'm sorry. They approached me, I didn't…"
"This is no game little girl. You're ours and we don't share."
Bella gulped. "Paul!"
"No Bella. No more. I'm done with your games."
"Paul, please. You're scaring me."
"I'm doing my best not to. But you're pushing my limit!"
"I didn't mean to reject you. I love being around you. But, I'm scared. You have the power to hurt me. Really. My ex hurt me but I never cared enough for him to destroy me. You can. You all strut around like you're Gods and have your secrets that affect us all. I should hate you all but I don't and it scares the shit out of me."
He cradled her face with his hand, pulling her close. His thumb wiped away her tears as his other hand held her close to his chest.
She looked up to him, her lips plump and inviting, begging to be caressed and worshipped. Paul had never been a saint and didn't have it in him to start now.
His lips were soft as they coaxed her mouth open; his tongue roamed her mouth, tangling with hers. She moaned as his hands slipped under her jeans, stroking and fondling, his other hand cupping her breast. The heat thrilled her as he squeezed tighter. Her hands wrapped around his shoulders as she squirmed against him, friction building.
The he stopped.
Groaning, she opened her eyes and was taken aback by his intensity.
"If we do this, there's no going back. You're mine, baby. As I'm yours. You got that?"
She nodded but he wanted the words. Needed them as he needed her.
"I want you Paul, please!"
He leant in closer still. "Say you want it all."
"Yes, I want you. I want to be yours, I don't want anyone else."
"Even though I'm tied here and always will be?"
"We can take trips. Have time out. Please?"
"Do you accept me and my wolf as your true and life-long mate?"
"God damn it Paul. I want you and the wolf and La Push. Now fuck me!"
His lips claimed hers, consuming her acceptance. Cool air circled her skin as he pulled her jeans down, gaining access to her core. Hot fingers stroked and caressed her lips as she fingered his hair, her body needing his skin on hers. He broke the kiss as she pulled her top up. His hand slid under her bra as he cupped her breast, kneading her nipple. She unpinned her bra and let it fall to the floor, as her release came.
Paul lowered her to the floor, the grass enshrouding her. Paul crouched over her, his lips caressing the skin of her palm, his body looming over her, scenting her skin.
"I have to mark you babe." His fingers stroked the skin of her neck. "As I come inside you. From behind. "
There was no way she was backing out of this now!
"I'll make it good for you babe. Trust me."
His heat caressed her skin as he lay next to her, pulling her close and gently flipping her over. His palm stroked and fingered her mound, stretching her as his other hand cupped her breasts. His mouth nibbled the skin of her neck, gently scratching her chin. Her breath heightened as his fingers probed deeper, palming her backside, his hand wet from her earlier release. He breathed in her growing scent as his lips possessed hers, battling the wolf for control. He wanted her submissive below him, her back raised to greet his need but Paul knew the limitation and wanted to ensure there were no regrets. She groaned deeper into his mouth, his lips sliding down her face and licking the curve of her neck, replacing his fingers for his throbbing penis. He stroked himself along her slit, her breath at peak and his teeth nipped her skin, inhaling the strawberries as he plunged deep and his teeth clamped down.
As her blood dripped from her skin, her eyes widened, the feeling of Paul throbbing within pulling her from the pending oblivion.
"Baby?"
She groaned in response, his hand turning her chin towards him. His lips touched her cheek, his hand caressing her skin, prolonging he pleasure.
She sank into his chest as his mouth cleared the mark stained in her skin. Her pants urged him on as they reached the pleasure zone anew. Paul collapsed onto Bella's back, his weight pressing her into the grass…
Gently urging out of Bella, Paul held her pliant body close. Grabbing a branch, he yanked them both upwards, Bella cocooned against him. She didn't stir as he jogged to his home unashamedly naked. Kicking the door open, he moved through to the bathroom, jolting Bella onto his hip. She clung to his shoulders as he ran the bath, his eyes intent. When the water was warm enough, he stepped below the shower, allowing the mud and leaves to flow from their skin, his hands pressing Bella's bare form against him, his penis nested in her cheek. When the water ran clear, he scooped her high against his chest, easing them slowly into the bath, the warm bubbles melting against their skin. Bella lay back against the edge of the bath as Paul moved closer between her legs.
His hand stroked the mark outlined against magnolia skin. She shivered as his fingers traced the lines before his mouth descended to hers.
She sunk into the welcome oblivion as her claimed her anew, the pulse of his body sending her to sleep.
XxX
He watched her lie replete in his bed, her body bare against the sheets. He'd lathered her skin with the cream Kim provided. The same brand Bella swathed her skin daily.
Its scentless form enhanced Bella's natural aroma, now permanently entwined with Paul's own brand. He saw her lips sigh against the pillow, calling to him. Tempting him.
After their bath, she'd drifted away, leaving him carte blanche to view the petite form that now belonged to him. She'd given no objection to the mating ritual, revealing a side that with careful nurturing, could perfectly match he dark desires that had haunted his mind these past few months. A side of Bella that lay hidden below layers of doubt, browbeaten and abused.
This last bought pause as he vowed that she would never know a moment's pain with him. The anger on her behalf for the ex was swallowed bitterly whilst the primal nature of the wolf had no compunction tearing the scum to pieces, any action of that nature would only bring separation.
He'd never leave her.
"Paul." His eyes scanned her form, but the calling proved subconscious. He shivered and he sank deep into the mattress, his arms securing her against him. Her body settled and he gave release to the weariness that had held his body hostage these last couple of weeks…