A/N: Hi everyone, I saw how upset everyone seemed to be by Charlie not knowing what Jacob said to Bella and I promise you, Charlie will know the truth but not yet. So be patient and the pack doesn't know why Paul attacked Jacob. Remember they are not connecting Paul with Bella just quite yet. They just assume Paul attacked Jacob for no reason. So yeah
To say Bella was shocked was an understatement, all she could do was stare. The man on the stage couldn't possibly be the man she was falling for.
Wait, falling for as in love? There's no way. I obviously don't know the Paul I thought I did.
The crowd cheering had Bella looking up again. Paul was now, leaving the platform and Bella didn't know whether she should run after him or follow the directions from the tour guide.
It seemed Angela made the decision for her. Dragging her by the arm, as she babbled on.
"This is amazing Bella! Can you believe it! Do you know how good this program will look on our transcripts? This is- "
"Excuse me? Mam?" A voice called.
Bella and Angela stopped as a security guard came chasing after them.
"are…are you Miss Bella swan?" he asked
"um yes?"
"Oh, thank god. My boss was going to kill me if I didn't find you. Would you come with me please?'
"sure, but can you tell me what this is about?"
"I'm sorry ma'am I was just told by the board to bring you to them."
"ok. Angela, you, and Ben go ahead, ill text you."
…
Bella was swift to follow the guard to the elevator.
As soon as they got on the man's demeanor changed. He went from nervous to serious.
"You must be something Special if the boss request you by name. Plenty of women try to get to him but they never make it. Wonder what makes you so special…"
The elevator dinged and before Bella could say anything, the man gently pushed her off the elevator.
"go down the hall and to the right."
Then she was left alone.
Confusion, shock, and sudden anger filled Bella as she walked down the hallway.
So, Paul is some rich playboy billionaire in disguise? Is this what this is? Is this how I got into this program? Did he pull some strings? Were his words even real? Was everything he told me a lie?
Bella closed her eyes as she stopped in front of a mahogany door.
No, my emotions want to scream and yell and accuse Paul of manipulation, but my gut tells me to get the full story and Paul promised that once he was out, he would explain everything to me. He hasn't given me a reason not to trust him, So I need to at least hear him out. One thing I know is true, he appreciates honesty.
Before she even had the chance to knock, the giant mahogany doors opened, and warm hands pulled her into a firm chest.
"We've been waiting on you girl..."
Bella sighed in relief as Paul embraced her. A soft rumble emitting from his chest.
"I didn't mean to keep you both waiting, I was just so shocked. So many things make sense and yet don't."
"we promised we would explain. We keep our promises. especially to you precious one."
Without hesitation, Paul sat down in a seat overlooking the rainy city.
"Let us talk then we will answer your questions."
Bella nodded.
With a clearing of his throat, Paul began.
"our full name is Paul Liam Renard Lahote. We were born in Tacoma Washington, but from birth to the age of nine, we lived in France. We lived with our maternal grandparents. Our parents were in bad shape and were not fit to be parents, the state awarded full custody to the grandparents. However, after a while, our grandparents believed it was time for us to know our roots. We had been traveling for some time and they finally wanted to retire. So, they opened the Renard foundation. It started off as just a small investment company. Seeking famous art lovers and investing in their art. But as time went on, they wanted to make more of an impact. So, they pulled some strings and bought their own museum and art galleries. It soon expanded internationally. Things were going well. We were happy but then...one night, our grandparents were murdered in cold blood. We awoke to their cold lifeless bodies on our living room floor. That was the day our life went to hell. We were forced to moved back to Tacoma Washington and forced to live with our sire. It was hell, beatings every night, being told we were worthless, eventually our sire decided we should move to la push, where he originated from. Our mother was against it and stayed in Tacoma. She didn't have much of a say anyway. It was moving to la push where we were awakened. We were twelve years old and our sire had a gun to our head. He wanted to play Russian roulette. And play he did, he shot us. Twice one in the shoulder and another in the arm. Just as he held the gun to our head, we emerged. It wasn't anger that caused our spirit to awaken but fear for our life. He was so terrified; he ran away and never came back. But no one seem to notice. He was on unemployment and we were independent enough to keep up appearances. But as luck, would have it, our aunt and uncle appeared, and help raised me for a while. By the age of sixteen, we were emancipated. Free to do as we pleased. The day after our sixteenth birthday, we received a letter stating that everything belonging to our grandparents would belong to us. Businesses, assets, everything. Our training was to start immediately, and it has been like that ever since. All our traveling had prepared us for that day. We did not lie to you precious one and nor did we abstain the truth. You just never asked, and I'm sure you're probably wondering why the pack or anyone in forks does not know who we really are. It's a matter of simply not looking close enough. To the people in forks and on the reservation, we are known as Paul Lahote, Quiet, deadly, and strange. But beyond the small sleepy town, we are known as Paul Renard. Famous artist, and business owner. We are the same person, and we haven't changed. It's just that no one would ever think to look for us in our small town. Besides, we do not like to flaunt our wealth and if someone asks, we will just tell them, but no one ever has. And grandparents had rule about my picture being taken. They forbade it, so we allow the press to come in and take pictures, but they are quickly confiscated before they leave the building, and my name is not allowed in print. They can say the Renard foundation but that's about it. Every member of the press who comes across us must sign an agreement or they will be sued."
Bella blinked. Once, then twice and then she caressed Paul's face.
"you… are stronger than anyone then I have ever met."
And then this time. She kissed him.
…
"But wait, if you phased at the age of twelve, why didn't you become alpha or go to the elders?" she asked after they came up for air.
"Our sire had created a bad reputation for us on the reservation. We did not trust the elders and they did not trust us. And by technicality we could be alpha, but we are not interested in a dominant position in a pack that refuses to accept us."
"but what happened that made the pack hate you so much Paul? Why are you such a big secret?"
"well, we joined the pack soon after Jared phased. It was an accident. We had a habit of taking runs daily and we ran into Sam and Jared. They couldn't see into our heads, but we could see into theirs. And to make them more uncomfortable, Sam could not alpha order me nor did we need anger to fuel our phase. We could remain on two legs and still harness our power. We could rip leeches with our bare hands and being bitten by a vamp does not affect us. But there was another thing that ... disturbed them."
"what?" Bella asked her body relaxing as he began to message tense muscles.
"Our spirit does not belong to only the wolf but something else."
"so, you shapeshift into another animal what's the big deal? That's no excuse to exclude a pack member. Pack is pack!" Bella hissed as she stood from Paul's lap.
"I... can't believe this! Is this why the pack has never mentioned you! Because they were intimidated and ashamed? Scared of someone because they were different? I call B.S!"
Paul let out a rumbling laugh. His voice going back to normal.
"Well, you must remember that wolves are dominant creatures chili pepper. Sam's wolf sees me as a threat and so do the rest of the males. I have only been to one pack meeting and that went up in flames. I don't particularly care for any of the imprints. Except for the little one. She's too young. The pack only follows certain wolf tendencies, they don't embrace all of it... They try to balance their human spirits with their wolves. Myself however, I have completely given myself to the wolf. We are one. That makes the others feel threated."
"I see. So, I two more questions and I think my curiosity will be quenched."
Paul nodded as he stood and walked over to his desk.
"go on" he encouraged
"well, question number one. Did you know I would be in this program?"
"no, I would have told you if I did. I don't handle the applicants. And even if I did, I wouldn't be bias. Well, with a sexy butt and beautiful face like yours I might have too. I'm proud of you by the way, we are proud of you. It seems like someone is finally finding themselves. Next question."
Flustered at the compliment, Bella struggled to find the right words.
"well, were does this leave us?" she asked
Paul cocked his head to the side as he stared at her. His eyes flickering yellow.
"Explain? Do you suddenly think you knowing our status, interferes with our bond?"
"well, no. but I don't want our...um bond to be some dark secret. I mean were friends, right?"
A low growl sounded as Paul suddenly motioned her to come closer.
Bella shivered as she complied.
"The only reason we told you not to tell the pack is because we did not want to interfere with your relationship with them but if you are willing to face the odds, so are we. you are so oblivious. Do friends kiss each other the way you just kissed us a few minutes ago? Or the way I kissed you a while ago? Do friends so deliciously submit to their male counterparts the way you submit to us? We think not. Don't you see it Bella? We want you. you are ours, if you so choose to be and If not, we can do as we please."
A sharp knock on the door had the twosome look up from there intense gaze.
"we can swing by later tonight to talk more if you want or you can come to ours. The choice is yours. We will see you later precious one."
With fast and yet clumsy reflexes Bella shot out of Paul's office. Her emotions and logical thinking clashing at each other.
What was she going to do?
Would she allow Paul to show her something new? Or would she close the door of opportunity?