Break It~ Chosen
Summary: Paul's lips brushed against her ear. "No."
Pairing: Bella/ Paul
"Then what is this?" She asks quietly. Paul doesn't answer her as his nose brushes along her neck. "Something. Maybe nothing." He responded in her ear, making her shiver. He pulls away from her and Bella blushes realizing everyone is still around her.
Her eyes went to the treaty line to see no one. She was a little saddened by that fact. She knew the Cullen's weren't going to stick around much longer. Maybe to graduate. It would be too suspicious to leave right now. Would that mean for her? Would Paul would have to follow her everywhere? She didn't think about that when she chose him. She only chose him because it would be too weird to choose Jacob. Something deep inside told her it felt right to do so.
They were...connected? She looks to Sam now, a weird new thing or person in her life. She did just sign her name in blood, and swore her alliance. Sure she wasn't a wolf or an imprint, but apparently she was now pack. "So what happens now?" She asks curiously. Sam stared down at Bella, his eyes much softer than the minutes prior. He held some respect for Bella, although he thought she was in over her head, but she's a brave human.
He had another young person to care for, but Bella didn't need the guidance the boys needed, she was human. But knowing what Paul was about to do, she'd need guidance there. While Bella chose her protector, it has seemed the protector has chosen a potential mate. Although he has yet to act on it and that's a good thing.
The pack for generations had two ways to mate. Many chose imprinting, because it was instantaneous and they were happy. Or the wolf could reject their imprint or imprinting as a whole, choosing who they pleased. Sam only chose imprinting because he knew he couldn't put Leah in the dangers of this world. She deserved better. But the downside is that, if your intended rejects your proposal of sorts, the wolf will become sick, dying from a broken heart. A wolf could not trick his chosen to accepting him as those bonds will immediately break and the wolf may never imprint or choose again. Some suffered for years of loneliness. A curse.
Paul was taking a big risk, choosing previous 'vampire girl' and Jacob's childhood crush. Speaking of Jacob, the boy looked devestated. He looked as if Bella pulled his heart out and stomped on it. Sam understood Bella's decision though. That would've been a trainwreck waiting to happen.
Jacob has been trying to get with her since he phased, but it was obvious that Bella just didn't feel the same. That would've caused disruption and Sam didn't think Jacob could handle being her protector if the two went at it over his feelings.
He also realized why Jacob didn't choose Bella. Sure he liked her, but choosing her means that the wolf, all of it, claims the intended mate. Physically. Like Paul was about to do. Then sexually. Intermingling their scents, and then legally. Marriage. Although that didn't have to start one after the other, that is what it consisted of. Jacob knew deep down that Bella didn't feel the same, and if he bit her, and she didn't accept, he'd die.
"You go about your normal day. As long as the Cullen's are in town, you need to come to pack meetings, and on the days you don't have school, it would be wise to stay here or Paul will be with you wherever you decide to go. While he can't go into Forks High, Edward nor the other Cullen's will try anything as it's an immediate death wish. If I have to, I can check on you. You'll want to program all of our numbers in your phone in case of an emergency. When you're here in LaPush you're fine. Just when you're out of our boundary. When you go home, Paul goes with. That's just how it works. He's literally your guard dog." Sam said, hoping to ease the skittishness around her eyes.
She gave a slight chuckle but nodded. "Okay. Sounds...like a lot, but this is what I signed up for. Literally."
Break It~ Chosen
The days passed and during the day when Bella was home, Paul would either be outside or inside helping her do whatever it is that she did. Whether that be homework, cooking, or cleaning. She didn't need the help, but she liked the company. She didn't want to work the man more than she already was just by being around, but he said he liked helping her.
"I find you very different than what I imagined." He told her one day. She glanced at him curiously. "What did you think I was like?" He just shrugged. "Not this. I can tell you." He gave her a smile that made her heart flutter. Paul really was a handsome man. He was sweet, kind, very quiet, and she found his presence soothing like no other. He was smart, especially the areas of math, helping her study for big tests.
And god could he eat. She even introduced Paul to Charlie, wondering if her father would turn red from how silent he was. But he too surprised her, shaking his hand and giving him a full row of teeth. "Better than that Edwin." He said, making Bella roll her eyes at his antics. Even when on LaPush, although he wasn't needed to so closely, he stuck around when she hung with Jacob, giving them their privacy, but otherwise didn't comment on anything. She sometimes forgot he was there. Weeks went on then, graduation was counting down.
They talked a lot at night, about life, and she explained how she met the Cullen's and how she got to this pint prior to meeting him. His reaction wasn't one she expected. He was very understanding and said "love is love", and kept it moving. He had a mother and father who were separated, but they were very close. They live deep on the reservation, and he visits them every couple of weeks, He grew up with the legends so he was very prepared for becoming a wolf. He liked it actually. He was a very angry child and his years in high school were rough. He was always in trouble for fighting other kids until he phased, which actually helped him balance that rage.
He's just been living his life since then. Working on the Rez and doing patrols. Bella even asked him about past girlfriends to which he had quite a few, he just wasn't a commitment type of person. They sometimes watched movies in the living room, Charlie walking in late from work finding the two asleep on the couch, Bella curled under a blanket and her head on his shoulder. Charlie concluded that Paul was a light sleeper as every time he walked in, Paul would awaken. He sometimes would let Paul spend the night in the living room if it was really late, concerned that it was too late to be out at night.
Bella found herself liking Paul as the days went on. She was comfortable with him by her side, she was getting used to him. When he had to patrol, she was a little saddened by that fact but spent time with Emily and Sam, sometimes Jacob.
She thought The Culllen's would have been a huge problem, but at school, they kept their distance. She could feel Edward's eyes burning in the back of her skull in the cafeteria, but he didn't try anything. She never got a chance to find out what set Edward off on the deep end, but she could place it back to Volterra. Something happened in there before she stopped him from exposing himself, something that rewired Edward. He wasn't the same reserved vampire she met almost a year ago. They had classes together but Edward was smart enough to know that the wolves would be on his ass if one hair on her head was missing.
In fact, Bella's biggest problem was Jacob. She knew he felt some type of way about her choice, but she wanted him to understand that it would have been too weird. Which is where she currently found herself, glaring daggers at her best friend. "I didn't choose you because it would have been too awkward." She explained. Jacob sighed, pleading with her in her eyes to see how it is he really felt. Bella saw it though and she didn't feel that way. "I know how you feel, but I just don't feel the same. I love you, but I'm not in love with you." She said, staring him in the eyes.
Jacob moved closer to her, grabbing her hand. "But you haven't even tried..You don't know what it could be like." He said, reaching a hand out to touch her face. "Neither do you. Let's say we tried right? What happens if you imprint? Or it doesn't work? What then?" She asked him, moving out of his hold. "You can't guarantee that." She pointed out. Jacob knew she had a good point. He knew what he was about to say was about to seriously upset Bella, but he had to try.
"But I can choose to be with you. Reject imprinting all together. All you have to do is choose me too. At least I actually care about you Bella. Unlike Paul." He said, making Bella turn his words over in her head. "What are you talking about? Paul does care about me." She denied, crossing her arms over her chest.
Jacob sighed and sat Bella down. "Paul is only using you. I'm sure he told you about his many girlfriends. Rachel was one of them. He dated her, he's got that charm, and he'll leave you. Once the job is done, that's it. Once the threat is over, the wolf or the protected can break the bond and that's that. Paul doesn't care about anybody. Women are just a conquest under his belt." He said to her. Bella stared at him long and hard. Would Jacob lie to her? Was he lying? Paul didn't seem like the type to do such things and Bella felt like he was genuine in his presence of being around her. He was very blunt, and Bella felt that if Paul really just wanted her for sex, he'd tell her. She knew about the Rachel fiasco, but it wasn't like Jacob thought. But she was curious if Paul would dish her to the side.
Bella grabs her bag and walks to the barn entrance. She paused turning back to Jacob. "Why are you lying? Are you that upset with me for choosing Paul as my protector? Jacob, I just didn't want to ruin our friendship." She snapped. Jacob bowed his head. "I'm sorry... I just.." He sighed and walked forward. "We've been Jake and Bells for so long." He looked at her apologetically. Bella sighed herself and patted his shoulder. "I know." She whispered. She gave him a smile, but was still unhappy with how he lied to her face. Jacob leaned forward, kissing her. Once she knew how it felt... Bella's eyes were wide open and she pushed away from Jacob. She couldn't believe he'd kiss her. She punched him in the face, her hand hurting almost immediately. She cradled her hand, sucking in a deep breath. "God Jacob." She said angrily.
It just made her want to punch him more. She stalked out of the barn, grumbling as it started to rain. "Bella! Don't do this. Please come out of the rain. I'm sorry." Jacob yelled, making his way after her. She flipped him off and kept on walking. Paul was currently on patrol, and her truck was at Sam's. So to Sam she goes.
The rain was cold as it lightly sprinkled to the ground. It was close to the evening time, and the sun would be setting soon. Paul's house was too far for walking distance. "Stupid Jacob." She muttered walking along the muddy ground, holding her hand to her chest. It was slightly throbbing, her fingers were hard to move. She knew for sure that she sprained it. She stopped in her tracks, gasping at the large silver wolf that stood before her. It stalked towards her, brushing up against her side.
Sniffing at her hair, it made some type of sound, Bella didn't quite understand. The wolf leaned down, an indicator that it wanted her to get on. Bella struggled somewhat with one hand but got on, wincing a bit. "I uh, I sprained my hand, so let's not go too fast?" She asked him, only ever riding Paul once. He made a growling sound before complying with her request. Paul started at a slow jog, weaving through trees. Bella burrowed her face in his fur, the wind slightly cold.
She knew right here that Paul wasn't just using her. He slowed down before coming to a complete stop. He sat down, and Bella slid off with a feeling of exhilaration. It was always like that when she went wolf-back riding. He nudged her with his nose and Bella walked through the trees, towards his house. She walked up the wooden steps, grabbed the key from under the mat, and unlocked the door, walking inside. She hit the light switch, cutting on the lamps in the living room.
She immediately went to the shower, starting the hot water. While the water was heating, she went into Paul's room, grabbing the stash of clothes she kept over at his house. She walked back into the shower and stripped, throwing the clothes she had on in the dryer.
The hot water felt wonderful as she instantly warmed up, it also soothed her hand a bit. She wondered about Paul now. He did care about her, and she cared about him, but was there something more that she wasn't seeing? Did Jacob see that as well? Did she want something more?
She didn't know, but would Paul break this protector and protected bond? Their friendship was more than real right? Bella sighed agitated at the thought. She might as well just wait until his patrol is over. She washed her hair and after rinsing, got out and dried off, putting on warm clothes.
She combed out her hair and went about tidying up. She put her feet through these fuzzy socks he had given her one night once realizing her feet were always cold for some reason. She walked to the kitchen grabbing an ice pack from the freezer, wrapping her hand in it. She sighed, plopping down on the couch and laid down, closing her eyes.
Paul came home an hour later, finding Bella asleep, her hand in an ice pack. He put the ice back in the freezer, grabbing the first aid kit on his way back. He sat on the end of the coffee table, grabbing her hand. She stirred a bit, but otherwise didn't wake. He wrapped her hand before lifting her, taking her to his bed. They usually slept in his bed, when she was over at his place, establishing an unspoken boundary.
He tucked her into the covers and went to take his own shower. He let Sam know that Bella was with him, who in turn told Charlie. He learned from Sam that Jacob was the reason Bella sprained her hand. Paul wasn't very happy with that information, but decided to wait on that confrontation. He was tired though, and hadn't seem Bella all day. After his shower, dressed in some shorts, and crawled into bed, laying an arm around her.
She snuggled up next to him, something she normally did. "Don't leave." She mumbled in her sleep. Paul pulled her against him, laying his head in the crook of her neck. "I won't." He whispered in her ear.
Break It~ Chosen
Bella awoke that next morning alone. She looked down, noticing her hand was wrapped. She heard the shower cut off, and she sat up slowly, yawning. The bathroom door opened and Paul stepped into the room, beads of water dripping down his chest. Bella swallowed before meeting his eyes. "Morning." She said, with a small smile. He chuckled at her. "Morning sleeping beauty. How's your hand?" He asked. He walked towards his drawers and Bella shook her hand a bit. "Stings, but much better. Thank you." She pulled the blanket over her feet. "So I heard you punched a wolf in the face." He said, turning around to face her.
Bella blushed and nodded. "I punched Jacob in the face." Paul snorted and sat on the edge of the bed. "Why?" He asked, just looking at her. His eyes were a little dark, making his stare much more intense. "He kissed me. He was trying to convince me that you were just using me for sex. But I know...you aren't like that. Um, are you..when the threat is over, when this bond is no longer needed will you break it? Do you want it broken?" She asked, biting her lip. She didn't look away from him, she wanted to know.
She knew that they were really close. They even laid in a bed together as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Yes. I'll break it." He responded, watching her closely. She looked away from him then. Jacob was right about one thing then. The bed dipped next to her, and her chin was lifted by his hand. She met his eyes.
"Not because I don't want to be connected to you, it's because I do. Romantically. Being your protector gave me the advantage of getting to know you and vise-versa. The moment I saw you, I wanted you. I just knew that claiming you then and there wasn't a good idea. Believe me Bella, I want you. But I also wanted you to want me." He caressed her face, his hand warm.
Bella leaned into his hand with a sigh of contentment. "The moment I chose you...I knew I made the right decision." Bella laid her head on his chest, his arms encircling her gently.
He kissed her hair, and finally? Paul had something to commit to.