AN: here we are. Will they imprint or not? Here is the answer, I hope you won't hate me for this, but it's what Bella and Paul wanted. Let's see if next chapter they can go back home...

9.

Bella woke up in Paul's arms, she couldn't imagine a better place to be. And to think that five weeks ago she had tried to punch an almost rabid Paul. They had gone through this adventure together, and they had helped each other to come to terms with their shortcomings and failures.

Paul opened his eyes, and smiled. "Ready for today? I don't know what to expect, and I don't know if I really believe in this Spirits' walk. But after being sent back to 1250 I suppose anything goes."

"I agree, after all, if vampires and werewolves exist then anything else might be real. Are you going alone to the shaman's hut or shall I go with you?" She asked him.

"I'll go alone, when it's over I'll be back and I'll send you to the shaman." He walked closer to her, and caressed her cheek. "Bella… I…. I'll see you later."

Paul left quickly, but Bella knew that he had wanted to say something else, probably he had hesitated noto knowing what he would face during the Spirits' walk.

The morning dragged on very slowly, she had met briefly with Utla, but her nerves had been to much for her friend that had sent her back to the hut.

Around midday Paul entered the hut staggering, and looking drunk. "Fuck those drugs are a strong. I've never been so fucked up since I became a wolf. It's your turn Bella, the shaman wants you there right now. I'll come later to pick you up."

She bit her lip. "What happened Paul? Everything went well?"

He shook his head. "Sorry I can't talk about it, we'll discuss it later. After your walk."

Bella nodded, and after a last gaze at Paul, she left for the shaman's hut. When she arrived she knocked timidly, but the shaman opened right away and let her in. He took her towards a fur, and made her lie down. Then he gave her a mug with something that seemed tea, but smelled too strong for just tea. She didn't hesitate, and gulped it down.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she found herself on Second Beach with the shaman.

"Welcome here, Isabella. In this realm we can understand each other." He said with a friendly smile. "I aldreay talked with the wolf, and now I want to hear your life and your relationship with the Cold One from you."

Bella nodded, and then went on to tell him about everything that went through with her life before punching Paul, and being sent back there.

The shaman remained silent during her talk, when she finished speaking he nodded in understanding. "You have been through so much Isabella. Now I know how Paul feels about you, but how do you feel about him?"

"I love him, and even though he might imprint, I'm willing to be with him for as long as I'll be allowed by your Spirits." She told him sincerely, she was sorry not to have told Paul that she loved before telling the shaman, but that was how it was.

"I have something important to share with you about imprinting. You were destined to be Paul's imprint. Unfortunately the shield that prevented vampires' gift working is preventing the imprint. I could remove it for you, but the price to pay would be to not be protected from vampires' gifts anymore." He said.

Bella was exstatic to know that she would have been Paul's imprint, but now she had so many questions. "I'm happy to know that I would have been his imprint, but I know how Paul feels about choices and I agree with him. I want him to be with me for choice, and not for compulsion. But I would have it removed if it was what Paul wanted. May I ask if me not being free to be his imprint can make him imprint on someone else?"

The shaman smiled. "You and Paul are more similar than you can imagine. No, Isabella, Paul won't imprint on anyone else. And he told me that he would accept it graciously if you decided to remove the shield because it was your choice to want the imprint."

"Then I don't want the shield to be removed, we'll be together for love and choice. I'm happy that he always let me free to make up my mind." She told him with conviction.

"Very well, remember that if you ever change your mind any of the shamans of my tribe will be able to remove it for you." He told her kindly. "There's another issue, Isabella. The scar on your wrist is an abomination and it's not healthy for you. I cannot remove it in the real world, but I can remove it here, and it will disappear from your body in the real world. Would you like that?" He asked her.

Bella watched her wrist, it was a reminder of James and Edward, and of everything that had gone wrong in her life. By removing it she was giving up that world forever.

"Take it away please." She said, and when he took her wrist and started chanting, she turned her head away and let the tears fall down on her face.

"Now you're free. There are still some difficult times ahead of you Isabella, but you must have faith and be strong. I see a luminous future for you and Paul, keep that hope in your heart." He said. "Now close your eyes and we'll see each other again on the other side."

Bella thanked him, and then closed her eyes, when she opened them she found herself still lying down on the fur. She looked quickly towards her wrist, and she noticed that the scar was gone. She almost fainted for the shock of it, then she heard a gasp and suddenly her wrists was held by Paul's hand.

"Where the fuck did the scar go? Are you well Bella?" He growled.

Bella was still feeling quite out of sort, she heard the shaman speaking Quileulte with Paul. She felt in peace with herself for the first time in a long time, and when she closed her eyes, she felt sleep claim her.