Disclaimer: All characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer

A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews…big shout out to Twin68 great to hear from you again and love your comments! Xxx. To everyone who reads this story big hugs xxx Thank you for your support

This chapter jumps around a bit but I'm laying the foundations for what's to come so bear with me… and now the story continues!...

Chapter 29 – Where are you?

Bella awoke to the sun streaming through the bedroom window and she blinked in surprise given the thunderstorm that had blown in last night. Her stomach rumbled its reminder that she had not eaten much since Paul's abrupt departure early Sunday morning. She sighed loudly…Paul….the pain in her chest reminded her that despite the Alpha order being lifted by Sam allowing him to return home he had not miraculously appeared at the back door even if she had secretly hoped he would.

As Jake had explained Paul was running wolf and managed to keep just outside the range of the pack connection, he guessed Paul would not know the order had been lifted. He hoped that the imprint pull would eventually bring Paul back to his senses and La Push, that his desperation for Bella would make him attempt to see her.

Bella leaned over on to one elbow, snagging her cell so she could see the time. It was 7:30 in the morning and she immediately sagged back down onto her pillow rubbing her eyes as she did. She looked over at Paul's empty side of the bed and noticed the rumpled sheet and pillow, of course now she remembered Jacob. He had curled up with her, keeping her wrapped in supernatural heat and smell till finally she got the sleep she so desperately needed.

A soft tap at the bedroom door drew her away from her thoughts and Jake poked his head around the door "You awake Bella?" he asked

"I am now." she teased him. A frown appeared on his handsome face before seeing her smiling he realised he had been had.

"Ready for some breakfast?" he asked "You didn't eat much of the pizza last night so I need to feed you up today" he cocked his head to one side as he spoke in that lupine way they all had. "The last thing I need is Lahote on my case for starving his imprint." He smiled. Bella just chuckled in response but her heart lurched at the mention of her mate and the imprint snapped its anger at the separation.

"Ok I'll get up." she answered "I actually could do with some toast and maybe some juice."

"What about pancakes and bacon?" Jake replied rather eagerly "There's fresh coffee too."

"Pancakes?" Bella asked "Wow when did you learn to cook Black?" she teased. Then she looked at him a sly grin on her lips "Ok who is in my kitchen, Emily or Kim?"

Jacob looked back at her and he blushed a little. He actually blushed thought Bella as she watched him. Something else was going on here and she was up in an instant padding barefoot towards the kitchen, Jacob warily following behind. As she opened the door she was greeted by the wonderful aroma of bacon and coffee and then she saw what had Black blushing… Standing in front of her cooker turning more bacon in the pan was Claire. The young girl turned and shyly smiled at Bella.

"I hope you don't mind…" said Claire. "But I've sort of taken over your kitchen and Jacob said you wouldn't be mad." her big dark eyes looked a little warily at Bella

"That's ok Claire, Jakes right as always" Bella laughed "I can see you have been busy and it smells good." She sat down at one of the stools beside the kitchen worktop. Claire smiled at her before her eyes drifted to Jacob who walked up behind Bella. It was then that it all snapped into place for Bella and she turned to look at Jake then back to Claire "You've imprinted!" She cried before jumping down off the stool and launching herself into Jakes arm's then turned and grabbed Claire into a big hug.

Jacob let out a huge sigh of relief "You're pleased?" he asked

"Damn right I am "replied Bella "And Taha Aki has chosen well for you" she laughed "for both of you". A big smile lit up Claire's face, the young girl had been dreading this moment knowing how close Bella and Jacob were.

"Come on sit down and eat" Jake insisted as he pulled Bella back towards one of the stools. Claire placed a plate piled high with bacon in the centre of the worktop and another piled with pancakes, syrup was placed nearby but Bella really didn't want to eat anything other than a piece of toast.

"Claire you have cooked everything really well but please don't be offended if I just have toast." she smiled at Claire "It's just …well…"she sighed

"I think I know now." replied Claire as she touched Bella arm "Really Bella, I finally understand what you and the other girls feel." Another pang of pain and despair swept through Bella as the imprint snapped their need for Paul. Bella closed her eyes for a few moment's, breathing deeply. Jacob pulled her onto his lap, hoping that just the warmth and smell of a pack brother would comfort her.

"I'm sorry." Bella whispered "But I miss him…"

"Is it hurting you now?" Jacob whispered "The imprint…?" Bella nodded against his chest

"Yes" she replied "It hurts real bad." Need, want echoed in her mind and her small hand drifted up to Paul's mark that burned for his touch.

"Bella breathe honey." Jacob sighed cuddling her closer as his eyes wandered to Claire who stood spatula in hand with a worried look marring her pretty face. "Don't worry Claire." He said "Bella is gonna be ok …Paul will be back and real soon" But underneath Jacob wasn't so sure.

000

The sun was setting and the sky was fiery red as Bella settled herself down with her kindle on the wrap around veranda at the back of the house. It had been two weeks since Sam had lifted the Alpha order but there was still no sign of Paul. Her heart ached for him…in fact all of her literally ached for his touch.

Bella had taken to watching the sun set and the sky darken each evening, whilst she read her kindle and drank tea. She told herself it was a quiet place to read, a chance to be alone from the constant attention of the pack and the imprints and they begrudgingly gave her that time. But the reality was deep down Bella hoped Paul would emerge from the forest and she would be waiting, right there on the steps.

She placed her kindle down beside her as she pulled the throw around her shoulders. Fall had sort of crept up on her when she wasn't looking and the evenings were now turning chilly. Her long hair kept falling over her eyes with the light breeze that blew and she started to plait it into one long braid.

A low distant howl startled her from her daydreaming and she turned her head to listen for more. Shrugging her shoulders Bella picked up her kindle again. The pack must be meeting nearby she thought as she dismissed any thoughts connected to vampires. It was only when the moon peeked out from behind some pale clouds that Bella realised she had been outside a long time. She stood up and collected her things and, with one longing last look at the forest at the bottom of the yard, Bella sighed and went back into the house.

Quil was sat at the kitchen table when Bella walked in, she smiled at him "Hi Quil" she said another night another babysitter she thought to herself

"Hi Bella" he replied a grin on his face "Have you eaten?" Quil had been instructed by Emily to check whether Bella ate, all of the pack did the same as she had lost so much weight over the past fortnight that even Sue was now concerned. Bella smiled at him.

"No Quil and, I'm guessing you haven't either?" Replied Bella watching as Quil shook his head "I'm gonna whip up some omelettes do you want to join me?" she asked

"That would be great Bella" said Quil "Can I help in anyway? Bella shook her head

"No its fine I've got it." She smiled then as an afterthought said "But maybe you can set the table?"

"Sure Bella." Quil replied "Maybe we can catch a movie after?" He winked at her. Bella laughed

"Popcorn?" she asked

"You know me so well."Quil laughed he also knew that Bella was tired but could not sleep. A movie on TV would waste a few hours and at least she would be resting.

They quietly ate the omelettes Bella had made, Quil finished off the cheese one that Bella had just picked at and pushed around her plate. He sighed to himself as he rose from the table placing the plates and forks in the dishwasher. If Paul was here now he would drag him outside for a piece of his mind and his fist. Paul was the most stubborn son of a bitch he had ever met. Surly the big ass knew what his absence was doing to Bella? Quil could not understand what was taking Paul so long to come back to La Push; in fact all of the pack were wondering the same.

"Come on" he said to Bella "Let's go find a movie, what do you have in mind?" Bella was just pulling the popcorn from the microwave as she turned to face him.

"Umm…no chick flicks." she smiled as Quil visibly sighed with relief he hated chick flicks and she quickly added "And no classic novel romances." her eyes sad as she caught Quil's

"Cool" said Quil "That leaves action adventure or Sci fi." he narrowed his eyes "Or we can watch a horror movie?" He secretly hoped she would choose the latter and cuddle close when the scary bits popped up.

"You choose…" Bella replied as she followed Quil into the living room. He was already sprawled on the floor DVD's in hand switching on the television. Bella sunk down onto the large sofa and Quil came to join her. He pulled her feet onto his lap, she felt cold and he frowned a little

"Do you want me to light the fire Bella?" he queried

"No its fine Quil" she replied as she pulled the thick throw around herself "I can feel the heat coming from you." she laughed "A fire will just make the room too hot."

"Ok so what about a foot rub, I'm good at that." he sighed a little as Bella watched him "Well at least Mom thinks I give a great foot rub"

"Go on then." chuckled Bella "If it's good enough for your mom its good enough for me."

Bella sighed with contentment as Quil rubbed her feet, the warmth from his body permeated through the throw and her eye lids suddenly felt very heavy. Her head fell back against the cushions and sleep started to claim her. Bella felt so tired she hardly slept at night, the constant ache in her chest reminding her of Paul's absence. Paul …she was startled awake her whole body jolting slightly need, want echoed round and round in her mind, the imprint not allowing her rest that she so desperately wanted.

"Hey now Honey" Murmured Quil "Come here small one." and he pulled her towards his large body. Quil cuddled her "Just sleep Bella I've got you." he whispered "it's all ok" but a tear rolled down Bella's cheek

"I miss him Quil and it hurts." She cried "Why won't he come home?"

"I don't know honey." Quil replied "But you know what he's like, a stubborn ass." Bella laughed a little as Quil cuddled her closer and the smell of pack eased some of her tension away.

"Can't sleep." she mumbled but soon her soft snoring could be heard.

000

Bella didn't feel the change over from Quil to Embry and she was a little startled when she awoke to see Embry looking at her. He released his hold on her so she could pull herself up. All of the pack had realised that Bella slept best when she was held tight, the heat and pack smell somehow comforting her in their brother's absence.

"What…what time is it?" she mumbled

"About 6am" replied Embry as Bella rubbed at her eyes

"Urrgg…" she moaned a little "I'm gonna take a shower then I'll get you some breakfast."

"Great." Embry smiled at her as he got up from the sofa and stretched his long limbs out. "I'll be in the kitchen making coffee" he winked.

When Bella had showered and walked into the kitchen, Jacob and Quil were standing with Embry quietly talking; they stopped as soon as she walked over. They were up to something she could sense it but knew better than to ask…they would just deny it.

"Morning Bells." Jacob laughed grabbing her into a signature hug. He grimaced over her shoulder at the others. Bella felt so thin and the dark circles under her eyes made her look ill. Quite frankly she was pining away for that tool Lahote and that was why he had come over this morning with Quil. He had a plan.

Bella began to busy herself cooking breakfast as the three guys sat at the kitchen table. Embry and Quil both nodded in Jacob's direction agreeing to his earlier suggestion. Jake took a deep breath good he thought let's do it as Bella placed a mound of scrambled eggs on the table and all three wolves tucked in.

000

Paul was busy stalking a deer, his stomach rumbled loudly and to be honest he was sick of hunting as a wolf and even more sick to the stomach with dining raw meat al fresco. The deep ache in his chest made him pant a little which startled the deer into a run. Fuck… Paul thought the damn imprint was making life extremely uncomfortable. Twenty four seven the pull just never let up. Images of Bella flooded his mind. Jeez he needed her but he couldn't go back yet, not since he had stumbled across the large coven that was literally operating in the Quileute's backyard.

He had smelt their stench on the wind and was taken aback to find not only the elusive red head but her accomplice, the dark leech with the dreadlocks. Paul knew he could not take both of them so he had followed them at a distance to find their lair. What he had seen had taken him aback somewhat. There were at least 10 in the coven and from time to time more. At the moment the La Push pack numbered eight experienced wolves (including the unstable Leah) and the two young newcomers Colin and Brady. If this coven attacked Paul knew they would be pushed to contain them and guard the imprints.

He decided reconnecence was the way forward. Gather as much intelligence as he could and somehow get a message back to Sam. Maybe he thought he might be allowed to see Bella. His heart lurched at the thought, he desperately missed his imprint. A few more hours thought and he would attempt to contact the pack through the mind link.

000

Bella's cell buzzed. She knew who it was without looking…Alice Cullen. Alice had been buzzing her since that fateful night on the beach. With the fuss around Paul and Leah no one knew that she had received a text from her former friend that night which had been partially to blame for her collapse.

Bella sighed deeply as her finger hovered above delete, then she changed her mind at the last moment and opened the message. Paul was gone too long and Alice had continued to try to contact her something was wrong, maybe Alice had seen something she reasoned with herself. The text was simple:

Please Bella …Call me it's urgent and concerns your safety. Alice xxx

Bella took a deep steading breath as she closed her eyes. Sitting at the kitchen table Bella pressed the call button. The phone rang twice before Alice could be heard squealing down the phone

"Bella! Oh thank god!" she cried "Thank you, thank you for ringing me I've missed you so much."

"If that's all your text was about." sighed Bella "That you missed me then I'm saying goodbye."

"No!..Bella!...please wait…!" Alice squealed "I meant it when I said you are in danger!"

"From what exactly?" Bella asked quietly

"I have seen the danger Bella." Alice sighed loudly "But there are gaps in my vision and I don't know why. It's never happened before. Look I really need to see you."

"I...I don't think that would be wise." Bella replied knowing full well that Sam would be dead set against that

"Please… Bella!" Alice implored "Look if it helps it will only be Jasper and me."

"Only you two?" Bella checked

"Yes" replied Alice "Edward doesn't know any of this if it gives you some comfort." she sighed.

"Look" said Bella "I need to think about this ok." Alice went to answer but Bella cut her off" No Alice I need time to think." There was a moment of silence then Bella spoke again. "I will text you Alice and soon." Alice sighed a little but she knew not to push, she at least had some sort of open dialogue with Bella and wanted to keep it."

"Ok…" Alice sighed "But please Bella I'm begging you don't take too long making your decision." The line went dead and Alice sighed again as she looked at Jasper. "I could destroy my brother myself…" she seethed "Edward really did a number on Bella." Jasper nodded

"At least she called you Alice." he replied. "And if I know Bella she won't be able to resist finding out what you know…" he cuddled his little mate close. "Now we wait Alice" he murmured "That's all we can do…"

000

Bella sat for an age with her cell in hand mulling over the conversation with Alice. Just as Jasper had surmised Bella did want to know what had driven Alice to make contact again. She had sounded frantic on the call and this had worried Bella even more. Alice was excitable yes, but she was a strong vampire nothing scared her yet Bella had detected fear in her voice.

Placing her cell on the table Bella rose to switch on the kettle to make some tea. Glancing at the clock she noticed it was that time of the evening again, her time with no babysitters. She glanced out of the kitchen window at the dark clouds rushing overhead another storm was coming and the wind was whipping up the fallen leaves in the yard. Her eyes were drawn to the edge of the forest, and she felt an urge to go outside. Grabbing her throw she wandered out onto the wooden veranda and as the wind tousled her long hair around her face she sat down on the top step her heart beating fast.

Just on the edge of the forest where it met the lawn Bella thought she saw a shimmer of light, she strained her eyes but storm clouds were obscuring the light of the moon and everything appeared like a solid black mass…and then…the branches swayed and…

Bella stopped breathing as she slowly stood in anticipation, her mark was tingling almost burning she dared to hope…and out stepped Paul pulling his cut-offs up as he walked. Bella stared for a few seconds in disbelief, before she suddenly found her feet and dropping the throw leapt off the veranda straight into Paul's outstretched arms.

"It's you!" she cried "It's really you" her legs wrapping around his waist. Tears began to fall as she deeply inhaled his scent her mouth found his as they both greedily kissed each other. Paul plunged his tongue deep into Bella's mouth and she groaned in response, as the spicy taste of Paul hit her senses.

"Bella baby..." Paul gasped as he pulled back and then laughing a little said "Breath Bella…breath baby…It's me, 'I'm ok… don't pass out on me." He picked her up bridal style and Bella glanced over Paul's shoulder she was sure she had glimpsed russet fur disappearing back into the forest. Bella smiled to herself, then she wrapped her arms around Pauls broad neck bringing his sumptuous hot lips back to hers…He was home at last and for now that was all that mattered…

A/N So finally Paul returns home…I think Jake got fed up and went with Embry and Quil to "drag his sorry ass back". Keep with it I promise the next chapter is rather steamy….

Until next time xxx