AN: here we are again, I would like to ask if you have new fiction to recommend to me, I always enjoy a good read. Also I'm curious to know if you only read wolf fics or you like some vamp ones. I must admit the only fics I've never read are the ones where Bella ends up with Edward ;)

13.

Bella's sleep wasn't totally peaceful but she woke up without nightmares. She missed the scent of Paul and his warmth, but she knew that he was going to see him later. She took a quick shower, and then she went down for breakfast. Her father was there, and smiled at her.

"No nightmares?" He asked, and she shook her head. "Has it got anything to do with Paul?"

She blushed, but nodded. "I hope you don't mind his company, he's going to be pretty much an everyday feature in our life. I'm going to be ok, dad. I'm sorry that I worried you."

He smiled at her. "I don't mind Paul, he seems genuinely interested in you, and you look happy. So, no complaints here."

"Are we ok dad? I know I was a mess after Edward's departure, but I can assure you that I'm totally over him. I overreacted, and hurt everyone that cared for me, it's never going to happen again." She told him, and after a hug she left for school.

When she arrived she sought out Angela, and very honestly apologised for her zombie behaviour. The other girl graciously accepted her back in her life, and they spent lunch catching up on everything. Mike noticed her exit from zombieland, and when they were going out of school walked next to her.

"So, Bella, looking good today. Are you free Friday evening? We could try to catch a movie together." He asked.

Bella sighed, he really couldn't get a hint. Then she stopped when she noticed Paul next to her truck, and she smirked. "Sorry Mike, I'm going to be busy every day and night with my boyfriend. See you tomorrow." And before he could add anything she run straight into Paul's arms. He pulled her closer, and kissed her passionately.

"Do I have to kick blondie's ass for asking you out?" He growled.

"Nope, he's quite armless. He just can't seem to get that I'm totally not interested. I hope after today he got the message." She whispered. "Let's get out of here, I want to be with you alone somewhere."

He smirked. "To do what?"

She laughed. "Mind out of the gutter Paul, that isn't going to happen for quite sometime."

He cleared his throat. "I know we never spoke much about sex, but how long did you wait before sleeping with the leech?"

Bella was driving slowly, and that helped her not to drive out of the road for his question. "Well...uhmmm…. I was his singer and my blood called to him. His control was ironclad, but he couldn't risk my life for sex. And considering that it would have been my first time… well there was going to be blood and so… he decided not to consummate our relationship physically. And I want to be honest, it wasn't for lack of trying on my part. With you I know we have no restraints, but I want to take my time in building a strong relationship." The silence that followed was quite tense. Bella bit her lip. "It isn't a big deal… is it?"

Paul finally spoke. "I'm sorry… for assuming that you slept with him. I feel stupid now. I'm relieved that you didn't, because my wolf is a jealous and possessive fucker, but I wouldn't have hold it against you because as Jacob already told you I did fuck around quite a lot."

"It's water under the bridge Paul, I already forgave you for those insults. I want to be honest with you, I want to further our relationship, but I think that it would be better if we first take care of Victoria. And I don't care what you did before you met me because I wasn't in your life, and you were free to do whatever you wanted." She whispered.

Paul sighed. "Bella, the idea that I'm going to be your first and last is so pleasing that my wolf is doing a happy dance. However I agree with you that it's better to take care of Victoria first because I don't think I would be able to offer you as a bite if I had claimed you."

"So, how is going to work that trap?" She asked.

"This morning we finalised the plan, we found a clearing with just three entrance, we will attract her there and then close the exit. On the top of the mountain, which is the last escape, there will be a wolf so that we can catch her. We will need some of your clothes and unfortunately your blood. I was thinking that Friday we can leave the trail, and Saturday you'll be staying at the Res. We got Quil that phased last night, so we have enough wolves to spring the trap. Embry will stay with you, Kim and Emily." He told her.

"It seems like a good plan, but I want you to consider that I'm quite the danger magnet. I don't want to place the other imprints in trouble." She said. "Isn't there anything that I can keep on me that could be a last resort? Something that might hurt or slow a vampire?"

Paul seemed thoughtful. "You're actually right, we should go to Old Quil, and see if he has any ideas."

They drove to Old Quill's house. The shaman welcomed them, and after they talked about their adventure in the past, they asked about weapons that Bella could use against vampires.

Old Quill watched Bella, and she stood straight and still, even though she felt like squirming under his scrutiny. "I think I might have something for you Isabella, it's an object that has been passed down in my family since Taha Aki's time. I was told that eventually I would know when I had to relinquish it. I think it's for you."

The shaman stood up, and went into his bedroom, he exited with a box. He placed it on the table, then pushed it towards her. Bella took it, and opened it. Inside there was a dagger, the blade had a strange dark color. Paul took it in his hand, and sniffed it.

"I smell both vampire and wolf on it, what the hell is this?" He asked.

The shaman smiled. "It's forged with both vampire and wolf blood. I believe that this dagger might maim or really hurt both wolves and vampires. Every shaman added a layer of magical protection on it, so you might surmise that it's pretty powerful. You should now keep it on you at all times. I have a sheath with a chain that you can keep it on."

Bella thanked him, and placed the chain around her neck. She already felt safer. "Thank you, when Victoria is gone I would like to go in the Spirits' world and thank the first shaman if it's not a problem."

Old Quill looked surprised, but pleased. "I don't have any problem with it, I'm glad that you know how precious this gift is."

They talked a bit more about their choice not to imprint, the shaman discussed pros and cons about it, and gave them some more thoughts on the subject. He didn't insist on them imprinting because he thought they would eventually seal the bond in other ways.

When they got out, Bella drove them back to her house. "So… he said that if you mark me with a bite then we won't need the imprint to be bonded. How do you feel about it?" She asked Paul.

He seemed thoughtful. "Hmmm, I'm not sure about it. I understand that my wolf will need a way to know for sure that you're not going to leave us. However I'm in charge, and I think that marking you with a bite is taking away your and my choice. Nobody seems to understand that we aren't looking for different ways, we actually don't want the tying at all."

Bella was torn about that, she knew that he wanted the freedom to choose but at the same time his stubbornness not to bond with her magically was starting to make her feel insecure. Edward hadn't wanted her physically, and now Paul didn't want her metaphysically. "Is there something wrong about me?" She finally blurted out.

Paul turned to look at her like she was crazy. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Paul, I know we decided not to let the imprint happen, but you seem so resolute about any other form of bonds to happen that I'm starting to feel like you really don't want me." She whispered.

"Stop the truck, Bella." He said, and as soon as she stopped, he wrenched the door open and ran for the forest.

She sighed, she must have pissed him off big time for him to go wolf. After two months with him she knew that he needed his time to vent. So she turned off the truck and waited for him to come back. She knew he would. She didn't know what had made him angry, but she sure would find out soon enough.