Chapter 9:

A/n: Just FYI, Charlie does not know about the pack. He really thinks Sam is running a tribal security team who oversees helping the tribal police keep the reservation safe.

Also, a reader had a question about the volturi's and Edward. Remember back in chapter one, Bella explained that she went to save Edward and after a while the volturi's dragged her from the throne room and threw her unto a plane. The rest of the Cullen's were then called to Italy. Now we don't know why they let her go or if they will pursue her. So on with the story.

…..

Bella couldn't believe her ears.

Paul attacked Jacob. But why? Why would he do that? And is Billy really going to press charges? What if Paul goes to jail? Or worse prison? And what about Jacob? Will he be ok?

The anger in Leah's voice broke Bella out of her worrisome thoughts as she continued to listen.

"This is some Bull crap Quill. Paul needs to be put down like the dog he is. I don't understand. This isn't the first time Paul has hurt somebody... I mean...you've heard the rumors."

A snort was heard. And Quill spoke.

"yeah, Leah the guys crazy…but I don't think he'd commit murder..."

"They found his Grandparents bodies next to him as he was covered in their blood! How can you- "

"Leah lowers your voice! Bella is up and she should be downstairs soon. You know Sam forbade us to even say Paul's name around her."

Leah sighed.

"I know but knowing her she'd probably try to befriend the psycho murderer. I still can't believe Sam let him in the pack. He's a freak and he wasn't even supposed to be out. There was no reason. He has specific instructions to appear only when called. Darn it. I wish alpha orders worked on him."

"Not to mention no one can see into his mind unless he wants you too. Look lee as of right now there's nothing anyone can do. The best thing is for chief black to press charges and then well be rid of him for a couple weeks or two. "

"yeah, but what happens after that? He attacks another member of the pack. Or murders another an old couple? He still must come to Some pack function. Maybe there's something your grandfather can do to take away his wolf."

"I don't know …it's never been heard of. I would have to check the archives."

Bella held her breath as she processed everything she heard. Paul a murderer? It couldn't be possible. And taking away his wolf? Did the pack really see him as such a threat that they needed to take away his wolf? Was it even possible? But what if it was true? What if Paul had murdered his grandparents? What if he was just as cruel as the pack was saying he was?

So where does that leave you? Do you stop being his friend just because of some rumors? And if they are true?

No. No way.

He has been nothing but kind to you, he has shown concern for you in ways that others haven't. So, you can't stop being friends just because his past is brought up. You'll have to find some way to contact him and soon.

With that thought, Bella managed her way down the stairs. Her thoughts were put on pause as she observed quill in her frilly pink apron flipping pancakes.

"morning sleeping beauty." He greeted.

"morning. Hey Leah."

The latter women stood and embraced her.

"no more trips outside the country Bella. Or next time I swear I will kick your butt."

Bella let out a small laugh.

"anytime Leah. Anytime."

The two sat down, as Quill handed her a cup of green tea.

"how'd you sleep Chica?"

"...alright."

"just alright?" Leah questioned

Bella hitched a shoulder to her ear. She really didn't want anyone else worrying about her.

"yeah, just alright. Its nice to see you, lee. I missed you." She said as she attempted to change the subject.

Leah smiled and took the bait.

"well of course you did. I'm just too awesome to not be around."

Bella rolled her eyes as Quill sat down next to her and handed her a few pieces of bacon.

"Thanks. So, what's up guys? I thought I heard Sam's voice this morning?"

I wonder if they will tell me the truth. Probably not.

Bella pretended not to notice the subtle look between the two as Leah answered her question.

"yeah, he was here not to long ago, he and Charlie had to go down to the res for something."

Bella was going to ask something else but a low howl sounded and all three turned to see a brown and crème colored wolf at the door.

"hang on Caleb" Bella said as she went to the hall closet and grabbed some shorts.

She quickly opened the sliding door and averted her eyes as the pup changed into his shorts.

Caleb was number three of the four youngest kids to phase. He, Seth, colin, brady were all thirteen and younger. Sam made sure to keep them restricted to patrolling the reservation and what everyone called "chilling with Bella duty" whenever she couldn't be on the reservation. But with everything going on, she had found herself alone more often. not that she minded. One of the things the pack and the Cullen's had in common was that they all liked to hover and ever since Sam found her in the woods, the pack had been by her side. It as if there was always one wolf by her side. But even then, Bella treasured the rare of few days she could have to herself.

looks, like today is not that day.

"Bellzzzz!" Caleb greeted as he gave her a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek

"Ewww! Caleb! Why do also give the sloppiest kisses." She whined.

"cause I'm the best and you know you love it. Now, Quill, Leah Sam needs you at Jacob's."

"what's going on?"

"nothing." All three wolves said at once.

Bella cocked her head to the side. Pretending she had no idea what was going on.

"is this one of those need-to-know things that only Sam can talk to me about?"

"exactly. Now, don't worry about Bella. Sam will explain once everything is settled. We got to go, well see you later. You got school, tomorrow right?" Quill asked

Bella groaned.

"oh yeah that's right, I have makeup work to do!"

Her little two-week adventure in Italy had Bella severely behind. She hadn't thought about that either, just how going to save Edward would affect her schooling.

"awesome, plenty of stuff to keep you from being bored." Leah joked.

With that said, the three wolves ran out her backdoor.

…..

Bella sighed in frustration as she stared at her geometry homework. It had been five hours since her visitors left, and her brain felt like mush. She almost shouted out thank the lord when her doorbell rang.

With quick and yet clumsy steps she made her way downstairs.

"Who is it?" she called. None of the wolves knocked unless Charlie was home.

"It's us…"

Hearing who it was, Bella practically flung the door open. There was only one person who referred to themselves as more then one person. And just from the deeper baritone in his voice, she knew who it was.

"Paul! Are you alright I heard? - "

"Ssh. Just hush for a minute." He interrupted.

It was then Bella realized that Paul's eyes were yellow, and his normally ponytailed hair was free, and splayed down his back. He also wore all black. Black pants, black shirt, and black shoes.

He gently pushed Bella inside as he closed her door with his foot. His warm hands then cupped her face, yellow eyes looking beyond her soul. It almost seemed like he related to her spirit, just by touching her.

"Paul..." she whimpered.

Why was it every time he came around, Bella felt like she was on display? Like her entire being was open for him to see.

"ssh. Now we want you to listen to us and listen to us well. You are not the reason every bad thing happens around here. Whether you had met up with the vamps or not, things were going to take place. You did not cause the wolves to phase. And you did not cause the Cullen's to come back or leave. Everyone has the power of choice. So that stupid thing that black said to you, we want it out of your head. That very thought is worthless. You do not have time to waste your time on worthless thoughts. Your worth so much more than that. Do you hear us Bella?"

Bella nodded. She didn't know what to say or think but one she did know is that she did not want Paul to let go of her.

"no, we want you say it. Tell us, that you did not take what the pup said to heart. No, tell us how much it hurt you. Tell us what's on your heart? Everyone was so ready to tell you how to feel, that no one has asked you how you were feeling? What's on your heart mon a me?"

That's when Bella felt the dam burst. Everyone had just assumed that she would take what Jacob said to heart and she did but that didn't mean that she would try to kill herself over it.

"You guys are in trouble and you're asking me to tell you my problems?" she questioned through her tears.

Paul let out a laugh as he guided her towards the couch.

"this is nothing we haven't gone through before. We will turn ourselves in soon."

"are you guys going to be ok? I mean... Why?... Why? Why would you get yourself in trouble like that?"

"We protect what we deem precious. Now, quit stalling. Tell us how you're really doing?"

Bella's eyes widened

"precious?" she questioned.

Paul eyes dilated when he looked at her.

"precious. end of story. Now spill."

Bella sighed.

"he angered me. I know I made stupid decisions but to blame me. He already knew he would phase whether the Cullen's were there or not. It was told to him repeatedly. But for him to tell me to commit suicide... he has no idea how close I was to dying in Italy …"

Paul's grip tightened securely around her as she mentioned herself dying.

"We see and now?"

"well, now I'm just trying to move on. but Paul...I..I heard somethings about you guys today."

"and you want to know if it's true?"

"well, yes and no. my curiosity is killing me…but I guess I want the truth. I don't want to listen to stupid rumors and gossip."

"and what if the things you heard about us are true? What then?"

"it still wont matter. The past is the past. Besides there are two sides to every coin." She said simply.

Paul blinked at her and then closed his eyes. As if he were listening for something.

A few seconds later he opened his eyes.

"your something else you know that? lean your neck back."

"huh?"

"lean your neck back." He repeated.

Wondering what he was doing, Bella did so and gasped.

Paul was licking her neck. Right where her scars started. She then felt something sharp, but it wasn't painful. Suddenly something like pressure released from Bella's body and all the tension from the month before released.

"That's it. Let it go." Paul whispered.

Quickly Bella sat up to look at him.

"what did you do?" she asked

"we could feel your stress. Now, listen Bella. We are going to be locked up for a while. we don't know how long. A week, maybe two, even month just depends on how angry Chief black is. Remember our offer. Our home is always open to you whether we are there are not." He said as he stood.

"so? You're just going to go to jail? Will they let you out on bail?" she asked

"don't know. our lawyers will figure it out. They always do. When we get back. We will share what we can."

Paul then ran his fingers through her short hair and rumbled.

"sexy either way."

Bella felt herself blush. He turned for the door, but Bella stopped him.

"wait? Can…...Can I cook you something before you go. I'm sure they won't feed you well."

Paul turned to her and smiled a toothy grin. His eyes back to a normal blue.

"whatever you want pepper."

…

"Black is your best friend. Why aren't you concerned for him?" Paul suddenly asked as he ate the meat loaf she cooked.

"well, it's not that I'm not concerned. I…...just figured he'd heal fast. You guys normally do."

"and?" he questioned

Bella's face turned red as she said the next part.

"Well, I …. I sort of thought he deserved it for being a jerk. But Paul, I still don't understand…why did you beat Jacob up over what he said to me?"

Paul looked at her with yellow eyes.

"we view you as precious. End of story."

"but why? We barely know each other and yet..."

"There you go judging your worth again. Why can't you accept that someone views you as precious? Is it because your mom was the kid, and you were the adult? Or is because Charlie isn't particularly good at showing his emotions? Or is it because that worthless leech, stomped all over your heart so bad you can't see what's right in front of you? Time for you to look at yourself in the mirror. maybe you'll see what's so special"

With that said, Paul leaned down and captured Bella's lips.

Oh my gosh, he's kissing me! Holy crap he's kissing me! Should I kiss him back?! Oh, crap Bella quit stalling! a hot guy who cares about you is kissing you! Just kiss him back!

With whatever Boldness she had left, Bella kissed Paul back with urgency.

Oh crap! He's using tongue! I have no idea what I'm doing!

Suddenly Paul pulled back as he licked her bottom lip.

"you think too much, pepper. Listen. I must go. I'll see you soon."

With that said, he dropped something shiny in her hand and walked out her front door.

All Bella could do was blink and then said out loud.

"That was my first French kiss…"