Chapter 36

Sam POV

It's happened. I was correct, Paul is the tipping edge. She's handling her pain by drinking and partying. I can't read anything off her, her face is blocked from showing any emotion and it's making me and my wolf frustrated. It's been an hour since her and Jake went back to Seattle. I'm glad that at least Jake can get to her also Leah and Bella. I saw the winks and smirks she was giving Leah and Bella, they're obviously hiding something, something I want to know about.

I've already tried to get inside the garage but the lock is impossible to break; Emily persuaded me to come and eat so this is what I'm doing. Slowly eating away at the pasta in front of me; Bella and Leah are continuing to send each other the knowing looks which are making my wolf protective and angry.

"What's going on?" I growl, looking at Bella then Leah. They instantly look away and won't meet anyone's eyes, "It's about Michelle. Spill it!"

Paul leaned forward as well. Embry looks at Bella slightly hurt but also confused. Declan and Adam have left along with Rosy, Rachel, Rowan and Lauren. Clare is watching TV in the living room. All the pack is eating around the table; Emily cleaning the kitchen and Tim sitting on the kitchen counter eating a packet of crisps, "I have no idea what you're on about, Sam." Leah says, her eyes never leaving mine, "Even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you."

Leaning even more across the table, my eyes never break away from Leah's, "You're lying. She's my baby sister. Tell me please."

"That's the thing, Sam. She's grown up; she's not a baby anymore. Michelle can look after herself and make her own choices." Bella speaks up, her eyes serious but also soft.

"Don't tell me how to look after my own family, Swan!" I hiss, my shaking starting, "A couple months ago you were walking around like a zombie and Michelle fixed you. Now help her and tell me what she is up to…"

"That isn't going to work…" Bella says, her voice a whisper.

"You know what Sam and all of you. If you want to know what Michelle does late at night, then ask her. She'll tell you! But I can tell you this, Sam! None of you will like it but you know what Bella and I are going to go it as well, aren't we Bells?"

Bella looks slightly panicky before answering, "Sure, whatever."

"Come on, Bella. Let's leave these overprotective idiots!" With that they both leave the house, leaving us all shocked. Embry is the only one that looks angry.

"I'll go after them." Embry growls, his face red and his shaking is violent.

"Don't Embry. They have a point." Emily speaks up, "Michelle can look after herself, and we don't need to baby her."

I believe in them words now. It is true though, I'm babying her and she can look after herself. Placing my face into my hands, I breathe out and suddenly feel guilty for shouting at Leah and Bella. I can't take it back though, my wolf still wants to know what she's hiding and I'll do anything to find out…

XXX

Michelle POV

I get back before Jake, parking quickly into my garage. I can hear shouting in the living as I roll my eyes; my wish for coming back to a quiet house obviously not been granted. They must have heard the car because they shut up when I start walking up, all bags in hand. Not looking up when I walk through, I go straight to my room and dump the bags into the wardrobe. Looking around, a note is placed on my mirror. It's written with elegant joined up writing:

Michelle,

I'll pick you up around five. Wear something smart but casual; that's what my mum used to say.

Tim

My heart thuds as I place the note back onto the desk. I also smile at the similar words that my mum used to say but that was before a date.

It's not a date, is it?

Who gives a shit! I want to mate with Tim… I freeze, completed shocked at how fast my wolf has moved on from Paul to Tim; I blame it on the upcoming mating season and for my wolf shoving the feelings away. Shaking my head, I laugh at the thought of fucking Tim.

Not that it wouldn't be nice, I just can't see us doing it…

Walking back out, Emily is in the shower, Leah and Bella are nowhere in sight. Embry looks angry whilst my brother looks guilty. Kim is sitting with Clare watching TV whilst Jared is sitting with her. Quil is nowhere in sight so he's properly patrolling. Paul though looks sad but is still dressed smartly.

That's when I see Jodie in the kitchen. Kim and Jared must not have heard her come in because I'm sure that Kim would have slapped her of some sort. Whilst I was in my bed after seeing Paul with her, I always thought I'd pick a fight with her and batter her till her last breath but now I look at her as she smirks knowingly back at me I don't give a shit.

It still hurts though.

"Jodie." I nod, my wolf not bothered; which is slightly freaky; almost as if it doesn't want us to get harmed. I see the surprise on everyone's face as I walk around her and towards the counter where Tim is sitting. I wink at him as he grins back; obviously proud of my control. Getting an apple from the fruit bowl, I sit on the kitchen counter next to Tim. Taking off my heels, I feel all of them looking at me. Bring my attention back to the starring Jodie, I shrug my shoulders at her, "Can I help you?"

She blushes bright red before shaking her head. Nodding, Tim's arm goes around my shoulder, pushing me to him as I rested my head on his shoulder; the whole gesture is protective as if he's in sync with my wolf and doesn't want us harmed. Biting into the apple, I see Paul sending dirty looks to Tim and my brother raises his eyebrow. Embry, though, isn't even bothered with what's in front of him. He's watching the front door, he's shaking visible.

"Sam was asking questions about you. Leah and Bella didn't tell them anything but said they were going to start what you're doing and left. Embry's pissed off because Bella is keeping something from him and also because she's changing back into the naughty girl she was before they dated." Tim whispers into my ear.

"Bella isn't a dog." I say back, "She can do as she wants."

"Not with an imprint you can't." Tim answers as I lift my head off his shoulder and look at him confused. How does he know what it feels like to imprint? Why does he look uncomfortable? Not bothering with the questions; I turn back to Jodie whose eyeing Tim up like a piece of meat. My wolf growls at her which seems to startle her.

"Are you here for a reason or are you just going to stand there like a lemon?" I hiss, Tim squeezes my shoulder but I ignore and take another bite of the apple. A fuzz feeling starting in my low abdomen.

"Paul's taking me out to the Italian place, you know the expensive place?" She brags as Paul eyes stay glued onto my face to get every reaction. My gut squeezes in jealousy but apart from that I still don't care. It's as if my wolf knows he doesn't want her but me still.

"Have a good time." I smile, "It's nice there."

Sam chokes on the water he's drinking and Tim chuckled quietly next to me. Emily walks in then, I see her fists clench together at the sight of the blonde whore. She glances at me and is surprised; at what I don't know.

"We better go then, angel." Paul smiles, holding his hand out for her. Now that is a punch in the gut. The air goes out of me but I continue smiling at them; maybe the smile is a bit too strained but the fuzzy feeling in my gut turns into a kick in the gut. My breathing goes weird and my arms – as if in instinct - wrap around my waist. Tim starts rubbing soothing circles on my back which calms my wolf but not my breathing.

When I hear the car pull away that's when I let out a loud broken sob. It gets the attention of my half-brother whose expression relaxes when he sees me. Sam though looks ready to murder someone along with Emily, "I'm going to go get ready." I smile weakly, standing up. Tim holds my waist so I can get my balance when I feel slightly dizzy when I stand. Smiling softly at him, he smiles back before removing my hands and I go to my room…

XXX

I'm wearing a red skater dress which has a small black belt around my waist; even if the belt feels a bit tight around my stomach I let it drop. My nails are bright red along with my lips. My eyeliner is flicked on the top of my eye and my cheeks have blusher on. I'm wearing six inch black heels and my hair is now in short messy waves from curling it before.

It's just turned five when I hear Tim pull up; he left to change when I went to change. Something in the back of my mind is bugging me but for some reason but I can't remember and I'm excited to go out with him, "Michelle." Sam calls from his room just as I'm about to leave mine. He's sitting on the king size bed when I walk in, "I'm going out with Emily and everyone else is going out as well. The house will be all yours. Use protection."

"Sam!" I screech, "It's a friendly date! I ain't going to fuck him! Jesus!"

"Oh! Erm! Right!" Sam blushes, "Well. Have fun then."

I take pity on him as I kiss his cheek, leaving a red lips mark on his cheek. Giggling, I reply, "Will do!"

"Oh! I've talked to Tim." He says before turning his back to me. Talked to Tim about what? I thought but leave when Tim beeps the horn outside. I stand dead at the sight of his car. It's a blue Ferrari 458.

"Your car is gorgeous." I compliment as he opens the passenger car door for me and helps me get into the low car. Inside is all black. The seats fit against my back perfectly and there is enough room for my long legs.

Fuck Paul's car this car is now my soul mate!

"Glad you like it." He smirks, climbing in himself. He's in a black button up shirt, black pants and black pointy shoes. Apart from him looking too posh to go to a club, he looks delicious; his pale skin and blonde hair standing out against the black. He catches me looking and smirks broadly, "You know I was surprised when you agreed to come out with me. I'm glad you did though."

"I surprised myself by saying yes. You know you look far too hot for going to a club…"

"That's because we aren't." He grin as I turn to him; frowning.

"Where are we going then?"

"Wait and see. But I must say we met each other first in Seattle." He grins crookedly.

"No we didn't; we met each other in the forest when you were checking me out."

"You were with the Elf, dressed in a short yellow dress. We met at the sex toy shop opening." It clickes, he was the Tim in front of me; that's why he looks so familiar.

"Well fuck me sideways." I mutter, "You were all shy then…"

"I was a virgin then…" He shrugs.

"Seriously! What made you lose it?"

"You…" He says, his eyes on the road as we drive towards Port Angeles. I don't reply, I get the feeling that it's too personal to continue as I shift uncomfortably; the belt digging into my stomach, "How many people you been with since we met?"

I'm slightly hurt by the way he asks, it makes me sound like some kind of slag or whore, "Only Paul, You?"

He shrugs, "Five, possible six." It isn't as bad as I thought.

"Why the hell we talking about fucking people?" I ask, a grin obvious in my voice. He chuckles as we go out of Forks and speed up. I adjust the belt around my stomach; confused as to why I'm putting weight on.

"Let's bond then…" He smiles, glancing my way before looking back at the road, "What's your favourite colour?"

"Green. You?"

"Red." I blush as he gives me a naughty smirk, "What's your favourite movie?"

"The Avengers, I love superheroes. What about you?"

"Batman the dark knight rises." He answers, "I like superheroes."

I grin as we continue talking like old friends…

XXX

He takes me to some posh restaurant where the food is much nicer that the Italian place Paul took me to. I've leant lots about Tim and no longer think of him as annoying or selfish. He just hides behind a different personality because the guy underneath is broken and abandoned. My wolf has made it a mission to fix the broken guy. We're now walking across the beach; like I did with Paul on our first date. Except I'm holding my own shoes and Tim and I aren't touching. I can feel his eyes on me but I watch the waves as I kick the water.

"What happened with your mum?" Tim asks as I quickly look up. All the banter this evening as been playful, we haven't got to the heavy stuff yet.

"She died of cancer." I start, "I was there when she died, and Sam was out with Leah. It happened when they were dating before all this happened. She died peacefully."

"I understand your pain." Tim says, I'm about to argue when he continues, "I don't know who my dad is. My mum raised me by herself. I grew up in the fairy realm. A happy normal life until my mum got sick; some fairy illness where there isn't a cure for. I watched as she died in pain. That's when I moved here and met Miss Penfield." I stop walking and take his hand in my right one in a comforting gesture. He looks up then, his face innocent and desperate. He steps forward so our chest our almost touching and our faces a couple centimeters away. However, my stomach seems to be slightly in the way.

He leans in when I step back, panicking.

"I can't it's too soon." I mutter as he takes my chin gently in his fingers and lifts my face up so I look at him straight on.

"Forget him. He was a prick to cheat on you." He whispers, his warm breath tickling my cheek, "I will never hurt you, I swear!"

"We've only just got to know each other. I don't know you." I say, stepping away but there's some kind of pull towards him that my wolf wants to take comfort in and my stomach flutters again, "And why do I have this strange pull towards you?"

"It's too soon. I can't tell you, not yet." He says as I stare at him in disbelief. He gives me his famous crooked smirk before continuing, "But I look forward to our next date, Michelle."

He vanishes then leaving me alone on the beach, looking around I decide to stay on the beach longer. That's when his word hit me; it wasn't a date, was it?

Shaking my head, I push away any questions and concentrate on the sound of the waves. Unfortunately the quiet doesn't stay for long as the sound of high pitch giggles comes from behind me. Looking up I see Paul and Jodie our walking down the beach, hand in hand. I roll my eyes; can he only repeat dates? Laughing quietly to myself, I continue walking along the beach before I bump into a hard but lean body. Looking up, Tim is back but looking at the other couple with a look of distaste and humour.

"Did you really think I'd leave you alone on the beach?" He smirks, as I simple nod my head, "Please, kitten, I don't want you to get hurt…" My heart flutters at his choice of nickname. Smiling at him, I link my arm with his and continue walking down the beach.

"Hey, Michelle!" Leah shouts as she runs over; holding onto Bella's hand with one hand and holding a bottle of Everclear with her other hand, "Hey love birds!"

I blush bright red as Paul and Jodie look up, "I love the nickname, Leah." Tim says, "What do you want?"

Blunt as ever…

"I was wondering if my alpha bitch could spend some time with us! I also have to tell her that Bella just told me that her period started which means mating season is going to start soon!"

"Bollocks!" I whisper, the last time it was mating season it led to a whole week of being fucked.

"I can't wait!" Tim laughs, winking at me which doesn't help my blush, "It'll be my mating season as well but fairy mating season isn't quite as strong as I've heard the wolves our…"

"Fuck off, Tim!" I say as Bella giggles, clearly drunk.

"Can we have my alpha bitch or not?" Leah asks, again clearly drunk.

"I will see you tomorrow, kitten." He says, kissing my still red cheek and then walking up the beach back to his car.

"Kitten? Nice nickname…" Bella comments just as Leah notices Jodie and Paul. I get the bottle off her and take a large gulp of it; ignoring the prickle feeling in the skin that's telling me not to. I notice Leah is wearing dark denim short, a long sleeved grey t-shirt and black ankle boots that have a thin heel. Her nails are painted purple. Bella is wearing skinny jeans, the same top as Leah and black flats. Her hair is up in a bun as Leah's is her normal messy bob. They both have no make-up on.

"If it isn't cheat boy and slut girl." Leah announces, making me choke on the alcohol. Paul doesn't look up but keeps his head down in shame, which reminds a bit of the young boy he was. Jodie though gives her the middle finger making me laugh.

"The house is empty…" I say, taking their attention off the couple.

"Then let's go…" Leah cheers, taking my left hand and Bella's right in each of hers, "We need to talk about boys."

"Why do we need to talk about boys?" I ask.

"Because I'm single and in need of some girl advice; you're dating Tim and Bella had an argument with Embry." Leah says as we walk into my house. I instantly put my heels down and went to put my pajamas on. I just put on an oversized black shirt on that used to be Sam's before going back into the living room.

"Embry wants me to be the quiet girl I've been." Bella says instantly when I sit down, "I don't want to be her all the time though. I like this me; he doesn't though."

"You should leave him until he respects that!" Leah slurs as I look between the two. Not sure why I'm even here, "With Declan, he didn't respect me! He needs to learn that and until then, I'm a free bitch!"

I raise an eyebrow and take a swing of the Everclear before handing it back to Leah, "I guess you could do that." I but in when Bella waits for my answer, "As for Declan…Let him do what he wants until he grows up!"

"What about you and Paul? Tim as well?" Bella asks, I can hear movement outside and I can only guess that it's the pack.

"I will always love Paul, I know that now." I speak carefully, "No one can replace him in my heart. He's my first and only love and properly always will be. Tim though; he brings me out more. There's something about him that just wants to protect me and my wolf likes that. We have lots in common and he's always caring, even Miss Penfield is pushing me to date him."

"Why don't you though?" Leah asks, her eyes slightly sober.

"It's too soon and a part of me is thinking that this is all a dream that I'll wake up in the arms of Paul. I know it's not but I miss him so much. His touch, words…" I pause, talking another gulp, "My wolf wants Tim know though and I'm doing my best to get over Paul…"

"Fuck Paul, Michelle" Leah spits, "He treated you nice and then cheated! Get over him and wake up girl! Fuck as many people and drink as much as you want, just forget about him, girl! I know it hurts! Fuck, does it hurt but we're women we can get over it!"

I smile then and hug her tightly. Bella is nodding and crawls over to join in the hug…