Your past will always catch up with you. No matter if you leave it behind, it will always become part of your present again at some point. Rearing its ugly head at a seemingly inopportune time, or welcoming you back under its fold like a weighted blanket to keep you in place and on your destined path. But what if the past is...complicated? What if the path that you chose in your past no longer fits into your future? And what if you left your past self and everything in it behind for a reason? Does it still impact your future? My ancestors would say yes. But I don't think they ever dreamed of a future where sworn enemies become unnatural friends or a scenario where you must always bend and but never break.

Maya found herself sitting at a too grand table at Emily's house for their pack gathering feast. No one had come to sit outside with her though and the wind was biting at her bare shoulders.

Where is Paul? She wondered as she let her eyes scan the treeline that backed up Emily and Sam's property.

The table was empty save for her plate and when she looked down at it, a single frost covered leaf lay in the center of it. From within the house, she could hear murmuring, cheerful laughter, warmth, but she didn't go inside. Instead, she stayed rooted to her chair, scanning the forest and wondering, He should be here.

Just as it began to get dark, Maya heard laughter bubbling toward the back door and she turned to look over her shoulder to see the broad figure of Jacob with Becks tucked under his massive arm. Maya gave a small smile and Becks, who had been laughing and looking at the ground, raised her eyes to meet hers and returned the smile. Maya finally stood up as they drew closer, but knew they weren't alone.

Where is Paul?

Jacob was looking over his shoulder at the added company and talking, as Becks kept her eyes glued forward, a permanent smile on her face. When they finally reached Maya, they parted to reveal a figure, with stark red eyes, almost burning in the dark. Maya sucked in a sharp breath, ready to scream, as she felt an icy cold chill settle in her belly.

Only then did she realize, the sounds of laughter within hadn't been laughter at all, but screams, and a pool of blood was now leaking from the door and down the porch steps behind the red-eyed figure. Maya felt the scream rise and burn in the back of her throat only to be met with the lightning fast hand that gripped her throat to silence her.

Maya jerked awake in the cool, darkened room that was beginning to brighten with the cold blue light of early morning. The icy grip she had felt tightening around her throat had evaporated as she realized that it was a dream and Paul….Paul was right here. When she had startled awake, she felt his grip around her back tighten ever so slightly, instinctively, but now as she breathed a little easier, his hand softened and his quiet, even breathing filled the room.

Maya cuddled closer, pressing the front of her body flush against his side as she draped her arm across his chest and laid her head in the crook of his neck. His arm that wound around her responded and tightened her against him as his hand rubbed along her hip absently. His breathing never changed though and Maya settled back into the comfortable quiet of him as she tried to shake off the image of the burning red eyes in her dream.

"My, let's go!" Paul called up the stairs as he fastened a watch around his wrist and threaded a button through the cuff of his green plaid jacket lined with thick sherpa wool. After a few seconds, the soft clop of Maya's heeled boots could be heard coming down the stairs. She was affixing a gold hoop earring into her left ear.

"We match," Maya said with a feigned look of surprise. Paul humored her, raising an eyebrow and letting his eyes coast the length of her body. She was wearing a dark green cropped knit sweater that showed the smallest sliver of skin at her waist before making way to her long, curved legs sheathed in tight black jeans. The light brown suede boots ended just above her ankles and gave her a good three inches of new height. Paul couldn't help himself wrapping an arm down around her back and letting his broad hand squeeze the curve of her ass stuffed into those skin tight jeans. He leaned forward and chuckled pressing a kiss to her forehead before saying in a low voice,

"We do match. How did that happen I wonder?" Maya smiled up at him, holding onto the opening of his jacket and pressing a kiss to his throat. Whether it was intentional or not, Paul noticed that Maya would try to incorporate the same color or a complementing one into her outfit when she peeked at what he wore. He assumed it made her feel more in step with him considering how she had felt since she got home—seemingly disconnected from her home. But she was feeling warmer, more settled now, despite the growing anxiety Paul felt between them as the fall break began drawing to a close. He'd avoided thinking about letting her out of his arms, back onto that plane, and flying nearly 3,000 miles away from him. His hands ached at the thought and so he ran them up and down the back of her ass a few times before giving one cheek a quick, gentle slap.

"You ready?" he asked as she grinned up at him widely with that warm, honey look of love.

She nodded, excitement brimming behind her eyes and he led her outside to the forerunner after helping her into her thick coat.

The gathering at Sam and Emily's was boasted as a family gathering, which meant the invitation was extended not just to the pack but everyone they considered family as well. When Paul and Maya arrived, the clearing in front of the expanded bungalow was already packed with vehicles. Maya could hardly contain her excitement as she jumped down from the car and quickly took Paul's hand as he came around the hood of the car and started pulling him toward the door. When she pushed open the front door, her eyes wide with expectation, she was not disappointed by the howling greeting of hellos and "You're here!" as she was scooped up and spun around into the arms of Paul's brothers.

"Ladies and gentleman, the biggest brain in the room," Embry joked and Maya dropped into a lazy curtsy. Emily pushed her way through the throng, her pregnant belly clearly protruding from her before wrapping Maya into a warm hug, "Welcome home, we missed you!" she said softly into her hair. Maya blinked back the tears that she felt threatening to form at the corners of her eyes and grinned like an idiot.

The house was packed—not only were Paul's brothers there, but Embry's grandparents, Sue Clearwater, Chief Black, Quil's mother, and the parents of a few younger members of the pack were all stuffed into every corner of the home. And it was clear that not everyone had arrived yet. As Maya was pulled into conversation about her time away at college, Paul mingled in with some of the pack's family members to allow Maya to be surrounded by his brothers and their imprints. Her head was spinning a little bit but when Seth and Sadie showed up to cheers of congratulations, and Keye barreled through the door nearly tackling Maya in a prolonged hug that left her void of breath. She couldn't have felt more at home if she tried.

The room was buzzing with conversation when Jacob and Becks sauntered through the door looking rosy. Maya watched as Jacob tightened his grip on Becks' hip as he nodded at Chief Black and gave a quick, "Dad." in confirmation. Chief Black smiled back genuinely, and gave Becks a satisfied look that she pretended not to notice before locking eyes with Maya. Her face flooded with hesitance, but Maya crossed the room quickly and pulled her out of Jacob's one armed grip into a tight hug. Becks let out a loud huff of air followed by a squeal of excitement as she returned the hug. Keye was quick to join in and Maya struggled to keep it together again.

She hadn't realized the hole that had been forming within her after she'd left for college. She thought things were going to be easy, that coming back wouldn't feel like taking the first gulp of fresh air that she'd had in awhile, but she'd been wrong. She hadn't realized how her family, this family, with Paul and Becks and the pack, were the ones that connected her to who she was becoming. She hadn't quite lost the thread of herself in New York, but new pieces of her were being pasted over the old Maya that she knew and she'd realized a little too late that it had been slowly peeling parts of her away. She'd have to find a better balance between La Push and school to stay connected to this part of her and ensure she never felt like this when coming home again.

As timers announced rolls were ready and pots bubbled over with delicious sauces, potatoes and corn, and more, Maya, Becks and Keye, found themselves sitting on the floor of the open living room with a few pack members, Sadie, Kim, and Sam's son Luca and daughter Lenora. Paul had ambled over amidst his conversation with Chief Black to hand Maya a glass of wine which she took gratefully as they all crowded around a board game spread out on the floor. Becks was answering questions about her first semester at Northwestern and how she was liking her courses. She was studying architecture and had gone to a department mixer the week before that had her seriously reconsidering her major after she joked that the schools soccer team had ambled into the bar they had occupied. Jacob, within earshot rolled his eyes and carried on his conversation with Sam and Quil near the kitchen as Maya tried to stifle a laugh. Seems like she wasn't the only imprint who liked to drive her partner crazy.

When the front door tentatively creaked open, a few heads whipped toward it. Maya didn't think another person could possibly fit in this tiny bungalow, but her eyes widened with surprise when a shaggy haired Jeremy ambled through the door, nodding his head and trying to quell a smile as Seth, Embry, and Jared shouted an exuberant hello. Maya jumped to her feet, completely overwhelmed and flung herself at him. She hadn't seen him since the day after Jacob had imprinted on Becks at Paul's party. He caught her easily, but was surprised when she clamped her mouth shut around a breaking sob.

"Jer!" she said into the side of his head. Jeremy laughed a little and nearly crushed her in a hug.

"How's my favorite fake girlfriend?" he said. His voice sounded different, thinner, as if words were an effort, but Maya didn't care just then. She pulled back to look at his face and beamed. Jared clapped Jeremy on the shoulder and he set Maya down as his brothers began crowding around him save for Paul, Sam, and Jacob of course.

"Man, what the hell! I didn't know you'd be here!" Jared crowed.

"Long time no see," Seth said with a spark of gratitude in his eyes. Maya kept her eyes glued to Jeremy's face as it filtered through moments of appreciation, recognition, fleeting happiness and then quick flashes of pain. Her hand gripped his forearm in consolation but he gave her a pained smile and just shook his head.

"Yeah, yeah, you guys can't get rid of me yet," Jeremy said offhandedly as he scanned the faces before him, careful not to linger on any outside of his immediate circle.

"Alright!" Emily's voice echoed over the crowd and a hushed silence fell save for a few laughs and mumbles, "Gather and distribute people! We've got the table set up outside with a bunch of heat lamps, but bundle up if you're prone to being cold."

Brady jerked Jeremy under his arm and jostled him forward as Maya watched everyone begin to crowd into the kitchen to grab a food dish to bring to the table. Becks hurried into Jacob's side and as she shot him a worried look. Jacob ran a reassuring hand down Beck's cheek and murmured reassurances that Maya couldn't hear. Paul sauntered over and scooped up her empty wine glass she'd left in the living room.

"Feeling good?" he asked with a grin. Maya let out a satisfied breath and smiled up at him.

"Yeah, really good. Feels like home," she admitted easily. He nodded and kissed the top of her head before rubbing her lower back.

"Good, let's go have some more fun," his eyes were determined and Maya felt her stomach drop.

He had been working so hard to make her feel better and the swell of gratitude and love in her stomach pressed against her lower belly again, much as it did when he looked at her in the taco shop the other night with Seth and Sadie when Sadie had asked about kids. Maya absently fingered the promise ring on her right hand and pushed it around the base of her middle finger. Paul's face crept into a slow awakened smile as if he could see what she was thinking when Maya herself couldn't even collect her own thoughts long enough to know what she was thinking. Instead, she just allowed this warmth, what she could only recognize as their imprint anchored bond, fill her up.

Paul placed one warm hand on the line of her jaw, his thumb stroking the expanse of her soft cheek that was pricking with pink and leaned his face slowly toward hers. Maya's heart accelerated, her hand coming to circle his wrist as if this was the first time she was being kissed like this when in reality, Paul had kissed her like this many times. But something about how she felt now, enveloped in this home with her family and Paul anchored easily to her side, made her see everything so much clearer than she had before she left for Columbia.

Just as Paul's lips brushed the tips of hers, a gentle smile still playing at his lips, there was a soft knock behind them. Paul's eyes pulled across Maya's face, her eyes wanting and needy. He nudged his nose gently against hers before straightening and crossing the living room to the front door. Maya took a few steps to follow him, placing both of her hands in the back pockets of her tight black jeans and as Paul pulled the door open, the chill of the sea breeze sliced through the air and cut Maya to the bone. She was briefly reminded of the cold she felt in her dream last night, the sharp red eyes, the laughter turning into screams—but she shut her eyes quickly to shake away that image. When she looked back at Paul, his entire body had hardened in what she could only assume was defense and Maya automatically took a step closer to him.

"Well if it isn't big ole Paul Lahote! I didn't think you could get any bigger from the last time I saw you, but they sure do feed you boys out here pretty good," a comforting laugh could be heard coming from the doorframe. Maya raised her eyebrows in confusion, unable to discern what could be the cause for Paul's alarm at such a kind and warm voice, but she couldn't see around his giant frame to get a good look at the visitor.

"When did you get back?" Paul said in a tone of forced interest.

"Ah well, it felt like it was time and I heard Jake made his way back too. Billy called," he said. Strange. Maya thought. She didn't recognize the voice that dripped with so much familiarity for her family which meant maybe he wasn't from the rez. As if on cue, Chief Black clambered through the back door that led to the festivities that lay beyond it and bellowed a greeting.

"I thought I heard a deserter!" he said, clasping his hands together. Paul stepped away from the door revealing an older man in a grey shirt and tartan plaid long sleeve. His face was friendly, if worn, and his hair was a pleasing salt and pepper gray, tinging the same around the corners of his prominent mustache. Paul immediately closed the two steps toward Maya and pulled her away from the door, closer to the living room, slotting her into his side, almost trying to keep her from the new arrival's field of view. Maya, still confused, looked up to Paul's face to try and discern some silent explanation but none came.

"Charlie," Chief Black confirmed as he wrapped the man in a warm hug and patted his back.

The man returned the hug and patted his back roughly in greeting.

"It's good to be home, finally," Charlie said as he glanced warmly toward Paul again.

"A lot has changed," Chief Black pulled back and held Charlie at arms length, looking upon him with the love that only a very old friend could. "I'm sure you remember Paul." Chief Black gestured to him.

"Oh yes," Charlie said with a glint of mischievous recognition in his eye, "Caused enough trouble back then to make his face known to us all at the station," he joked. Chief Black let out a barking laugh.

"This is his partner Maya Sunriviere," Chief Black said. Paul let Maya fold herself out of his side somewhat as she pushed toward the two older gentlemen, but he kept a firm grasp on her hip as if to yank her back behind him at any moment. What the fuck is going on? This old dude seems fine.

"Nice to meet you," Maya said, clearing her throat and reaching out her hand. Charlie shook it genially and his eyes transformed into one of hopeful recognition.

"Well, it seems like Paul has gotten a taste of his own medicine," Charlie gibed, "More trouble," he said kindly to Maya who could only take it as a compliment at that point and let out a little laugh. Maya felt Paul's fingers tug at her hip to guide her back to him and she obliged, not wanting to stress him out further when she had no idea what was going on. Charlie gave them a once over and said almost dreamily, "Reminds me a bit of my Bells," before turning to look at Chief Black who gave a conspiratorial laugh and pulled him under his arm to steer him toward the backyard.

"Let's hope not," he returned. Maya heard a deep growl coming from Paul's throat as he kept them firmly planted in the living room.

"Paul," Maya said gently, her hand patting his chest. His eyes were trained toward the two sauntering men as if they'd morph into ungodly creatures and turn and attack at any moment. "What's going on?" she whispered.

Paul's grip tightened again to almost a bruising degree and he shook his head before looking down at her. "Nothing," he said as he began steering her after them toward the backyard. His shoulders had relaxed, but the grip he held on her was still tight and protective.

As they entered the backyard, the noise returned as the crash of voices rose and fell over one another. There were shouts of laughter, jokes, and general murmurings of discussion, but it quelled somewhat when Chief Black cried out, "Look who made it!"

The reception out here was much more welcoming than the one Paul had given Charlie inside. Sue Clearwater scurried around the table to wrap Charlie in a warm hug and Sam gave him a kind smile and shook his hand. Seth's smile could be seen from space as Charlie gave a whoop of noise and yanked him into a tight hug. Everyone seemed pleased to see this mystery man which made Maya worry about why Paul was so defensive and hesitant earlier. Everyone gathered around Charlie as if he was a prodigal son returning, a long lost relative back from the dead—everyone except…

Jacob's POV

This had to be a joke. Charlie fucking Swan was standing in front of Jacob Black with the widest grin he had ever seen. A knot formed squarely in the center of Jacob's belly and when Becks' hand coasted gently down the length of his arm, he tensed. Jacob glanced to his right where Becks stood next to him, her eyes washing over his in question: Who is that? What's going on?

But Jacob couldn't bring himself to answer those questions in her eyes right now. Becks had threaded her arm neatly around his massive one and clasped his hand in hers. The relief was immediate and he squeezed her hand tightly in his before glancing back over to Charlie. His past came roaring back to haunt him it seemed and he hadn't had time to tell Becks everything yet.

No. He hadn't had time to tell Becks about...her.

Jacob was acutely aware of the overwhelming dread he felt now that signaled his misstep. He'd had quite a few in their relationship so far—and he was no stranger to making mistakes based on emotion. Now, all he wanted was to keep her safe from all of this. To keep things uncomplicated between them as their relationship had slowly become recently. But with Charlie coming toward them now, only a few feet away, that thought evaporated. Nothing would ever be easy when it came to them.

"Jake," Charlie said in warm recognition. Jacob tried to soften his expression into one of welcoming kindness. Next to him, he heard Becks' breathing change, as she shifted away from him and let her hand fall from his as Charlie leaned in for a hug. Jacob wrapped his arms around him and slapped his back much like Charlie did to him. When he pulled back, Charlie kept his hands on his arms.

Jacob towered a good five inches above Charlie's six foot frame, but it did nothing to the feeling of how small Jacob felt in Charlie's eyes—dwarfed by their shared history together and tied to that one singular person: Bella.

"I swear, you get bigger every time I see you. How is that even possible?" Charlie chuckled and the genuine joy at seeing him was clear in his eyes. Jacob tried to relax, for Becks sake at the very least, but the uncertainty that hung in the air at Charlie's presence was palpable.

"Well, you know what they say: the bigger the problems, the bigger the wolf," he joked. Becks sucked in a sharp breath next to him, realization dawning on her quickly that this stranger knew about the pack.

"Do they say that?" Charlie joked giving him an amused smile and the two men broke into a light chuckle. "And who's this?" Charlie turned his attention to Becks making the side of Jacob's mouth twitch ever so slightly. Becks was in no real danger here, not with his brothers and him nearby and it wasn't like Charlie was a remorseless bloodsucker, even if he was related to one. Jacob internally winced at his characterization of the people he used to consider his family. But things change. He didn't need to take that out on Charlie anyway.

"This is—" Jake started, but Becks took a step toward Charlie and held out her hand, wide smiles and amber eyes glittering.

"Rebecca. My friends call me Becks, though," she was unwavering, strong, sure footed and Jacob hooked his arm down around her back to anchor her to him hoping that her strength could rub off on him.

"Well, I sure hope we can call ourselves friends," Charlie said, completely enamored as Becks gave a genuine bubbling laugh and replied,

"A man wearing that impressive of a mustache is bound to be a trustworthy friend." Jacob cracked a smile and Charlie hooted with laughter.

"My girlfriend," Jacob confirmed with a nod and Charlie nodded back in appreciation and —was that relief? Jacob gripped Becks a little tighter and she gave him a small smile, peering up at him as if the world began and ended with him. He knew that look, but now he knew he could trust it as long as it came from her.

"Charlie!" a call came out from behind them and Seth waved them over to the table, gathering to eat. Jacob leaned down to kiss Becks' temple and murmured softly to her, "I'll fill you in later." She nodded, seemingly unperturbed and patient and he patted her hip gently before steering them toward the table together.

The rest of the dinner passed without much incident. Paul continued looking over at Jacob as if he was to blame for Charlie's arrival, the firm line of his frown and accusing eyes made him internally groan. But it wasn't his fault—he had no idea why Charlie had come back or if he was staying or for how long. And if he was back, did that mean—? No, definitely not. That would be too soon, they'd barely been gone a decade and people would remember them. No, Charlie must be back because he was tired of wherever they had settled and wanted his quiet Sundays fishing to himself. Jacob kept throwing glances at Paul who wouldn't stop glaring every chance he got despite Maya elbowing him in the ribs a few times and telling him to quit it. Becks sat patiently beside him, chatting with Sadie and Jared as if no world alternating incident had occurred and for that Jacob was thankful. This woman was the definition of steadfast.

He never had to worry if she'd show up or get mad at him for his occasional mood swings. She was just always there, holding his hand, giving him that soft reassuring smile that let him know everything was going to be alright. She was the lungful of fresh air that filled him up after staying around creatures who didn't even need to breathe for so long.

She gave him a home, a landing in which to keep his feet firmly planted where he didn't feel like he was being pushed or pulled one way or another, or having to give chase. The least he could do was provide her with a physical home—and anything else she wanted for that matter. But Becks was patient and kind and kept him coming back for more with her sweet humor and level head.

When it came time to leave after the bonfire they had lit on the beach winded down and the cool evening air gave way to deep midnight, Jacob took Becks' hand and said his goodbyes. He was happy to be home in a place he never thought he'd set eyes upon again.

Before they could make it back up to Sam and Emily's backyard and back to his bike, Charlie intercepted him.

"Come by soon, yeah?" Charlie asked, "Becks, you're more than welcome too. We can do some fish fry."

"Yeah, soon," Jacob said giving him that gentle smile and he patted his shoulder before weaving Becks around him who gave a kind goodbye.

The ride back to the garage was short, and when he and Becks climbed the stairs to the lofted, renovated bedroom suite above the garage, it didn't take long for Becks to fit him with that knowing stare.

"I know, I know, just give me a second to….get it all together," Jacob said guilty as he ran a hand over his face, the other stacked on his hip. Becks kicked off her shoes and nodded while hanging her coat.

"Charlie Swan, right?" Becks confirmed not looking at him as she moved toward the kitchenette to make herself some tea.

"That's the one," Jacob replied with a deep sigh, "For the record, I didn't know he was going to be there tonight or that he was coming back."

"I didn't think so," Becks said as she filled the teapot. Jacob shifted from one foot to the other, uncertain on how to proceed, where to begin. He flipped one corner of their bedsheets down and straightened a wolf figurine he'd carved and perched atop a lonely shelf by the bed. "You're stalling, Jake." Becks said as she grabbed a mug and dropped a teabag in. Jacob let out a knowing groan.

"It's...complicated," he breathed.

"More complicated than a weird baby pact that the council has with one another? Or more complicated than my ex-boyfriend showing up for pack dinner tonight and giving me such a wide berth that it was made clear that I am categorized alongside the plague to him?"

"Ah, yeah, I completely forgot Jeremy was there. Fades into the background yah know?" Jacob put his hand on the back of his neck and rubbed. Becks didn't respond and he'd worried he had offended her. "He hasn't been giving you any trouble lately has he?"

"Trouble?" Becks asked as she swiveled around with a steaming mug in her hand raising an eyebrow and trying to hold in a laugh that was apparent in her eyes.

"Yeah, has he been like calling you and stuff?" Jacob was not giving it his best here.

"No, Jake, he hasn't. Anyway, spill," she said, crossing her legs in front of her and leaning back against the countertop.

"Ah," Jacob started, glancing at his feet and then back up at her, "Charlie is Bella Swan's father. And Bella was the girl I was in love with for...a long time. It's why I left," he said already feeling the words coming out as stupid. Becks didn't say anything, just watched him carefully and waited for him to go on. "I left with them because I thought I could never be happy anywhere where she wasn't. Even after she turned into one of them, I...still couldn't stop myself from chasing her. Hoping that she'd love me back. But then, after a few years of living with them, I realized that I was only this shell of myself. I'd lived without warmth for so long that I started to feel frozen. I knew I'd die there...if I stayed," he said the last part in an exhale as he tried to decide if he should tell Becks what happened next or just skip to the sad, depressing bit.

"So, I left," Just skip to the sad, depressing bit then. "And I lived on my own for another 4 years mostly in wolf form and I lost all sense of everything. Who I was, where I belonged, my home. It's pathetic really," Jacob said. Becks scoffed at that and her eyes hardened. He watched her carefully and took soft slow steps toward her, as he said, "I don't know why I came back when I did, but I'm so glad it happened, Becks. And Charlie being here doesn't change anything. I'm not leaving again. I won't leave you," He was in front of her now and she peered up at him around her mug, her eyes flooded with love and trust and not a hint of wariness. Her perfectly plucked mouth was just begging to be kissed and the corner of Jacob's mouth quirked into a warm, brightening smile. He cupped the sides of her face, nearly swallowing her small face in his broad hands and let his pinkies touch the side of her neck, feeling the uptick of her pulse as he brought his face down toward hers. "I'm all yours." He said with such finality that it felt like a door slamming, a key clicking in a lock.

Becks set her mug down and brought her hands to hold onto his wrists as she peered up at him, hovering her lips just above his. "And I'm all yours, too. But Jake," she said, her eyes casting around his face, "There's more that you're not telling me. You don't have a reaction like the one you did tonight with Paul staring daggers at you without there being something else. You don't need to tell me now, but you do have to tell me." Jacob smiled and had to stop himself.

"You know too much," he admitted sweetly before letting his lips drift across hers lazily, feeling the sharp intake of breath she sucked in.

"You're not as smooth as you think, Black," she teased and that made him growl with unbridled joy as he let one hand slip down her back and yank her toward his chest so there was no space between them.

"Oh, I can be smooth. You want moves? I got moves," he joked and Becks laughed, letting out quick shriek when he dipped to scoop her up, one arm under her butt as she wrapped her legs around his torso and he carried her toward the bed. He flopped her onto the bed and she bounced a little, laughing like a kid on Christmas morning. "You ready for smooth, honey?" And when she nodded enthusiastically, he grabbed her ankles and gave her quick tug down the bed. Kneeling in front of her, he unfastened her jeans and peeled them down her body, kissing along her inner thigh to her calf. Once removed, he pressed a rough, open mouthed kiss to her core through her panties and that gifted him with a delicious moan from that full lipped mouth of hers.

As he kissed up her hip bone, he pushed her shirt easily off of her and in one fluid motion, he unsnapped her bra and quickly pulled it from her body, leaving her completely bare to him save for the pink lace underwear. His jeans were now painfully tight as he felt himself harden and as he peppered alternating kisses and bites down her neck to her shoulder, he let out a low groan as his slipped one deft finger beneath her underwear to find her dripping with heat. As he crushed his lips on top of hers, feeling her soft, plump lips mesh perfectly against his, he let his finger tease from her clit to her opening in soft, even strokes. She began to pant, wrapping her arms around his neck to anchor herself to something and he smiled beneath their kiss.

When he wrenched his mouth away from hers and kissed down the length of her throat, he pushed her onto her back with his other hand, taking her pebbled nipple between his thumb and forefinger and rolling and pinching. His mouth landed on her other breast and nibbled and sucked until she was letting herself freely whimper into the softly lit room. "Did your boobs get bigger?" he joked and Becks let out a breathy laugh before smacking him on the shoulder. He finally slid his index finger into her wet opening as he flicked the pink pearl of her nipple with his tongue.

"Jake!" she gasped. "I need you." He grinned, satisfied and left small pleasing bite marks around the soft flesh of her breast and down her stomach before removing his hand and taking her panties with it.

"I know honey. And I'm going to take care of it for you, you know that, right?" he murmured sweetly as he quickly removed his jeans and boxers, tossing aside his shirt after them. Becks bit her lower lip and nodded eagerly, spreading her legs for him so he could see the mess he already made of her. "So sweet, so good for me," he said as he leaned down again to dip his head to her center and swipe his tongue along the slit. She let out a surprised cry, her hands kneading her breasts as he dipped his tongue expertly in her and then slid up through her slit, circling around the bead of her clit.

He sucked at her until she was begging for him again and then he stood up, pulling her legs up so her ankles rested on his shoulders and pressed into her fast and deep. They both groaned as they pressed together and Jacob shut his eyes tight at the wild feeling of love and desire and need that pulsed through him every time he entered her. She rolled her hips on him, begging him to move and with a sharp smile he began to slowly move in and out of her, watching her face melt into that blissful look of pure devotion.

As he picked up his pace, angling his hips to hit at her most well loved spots, he watched her tits bounce perfectly, as she used the back of her hand to cover her mouth every so often, and her cheeks reddened with heat. So fucking beautiful and all mine, he thought to himself. Jacob turned his face to kiss her ankle as he steadied her with a hand on her waist and slapped his hips harder against her. Becks' cries were coming fast now and he leaned forward to angle her body more, stretching her wider for him. He felt her cinch him within her in response and knew she was close. Licking the tips of his fingers, he pressed it between them and rubbed fast needy circles on her sensitive nub. Becks' eyes began to roll back and with a pleased exhale, and Jacob said, "You want me to fill you up, honey?"

That was all it took to make Becks explode, her walls fluttering and tensing around him as she reached her end. Jacob had now fully bent her legs so that they were almost parallel with her face as he pressed his mouth to hers, pumping wildly into her with obscene slapping noises and grunts that would no doubt pull jokes from his brothers if he'd ever rejoin the pack mind. With a few more jerks of his hips, Jacob spilled inside of her eliciting a pleased moan from Becks who kissed him like he just won her a prize. They panted into each other's mouths and after a few heady moments where Becks let her legs slide back down, he said, "See? I got moves."

"You do," Becks panted with an exhausted laugh, "Good job." Jacob leaned his face into the crook of her neck and let out a few good huffs of laughter before settling into comfortable silence, not daring to untangle himself from her just yet.

"It's gonna be fine," Paul said as he leaned down to kiss the side of her head. Maya wasn't so sure about that. She puffed her cheeks up with air and let out a dramatic huff as Paul chuckled next to her before leaning forward and ringing the doorbell to her parents house.

Paul had set it up and thought it would be a good first step to mending the broken pieces of her and her mother's relationship. With only a couple days left before she was due back to New York and with the crushing onslaught of finals, this was her last chance before winter break to patch things up with her mom.

The door creaked open in its same welcoming groan that had punctuated Maya's childhood and Paul gave her a hand a squeeze. Her parents opened the door together and Rish gave an ecstatic smile but worry was painted in her eyes.

"Tom," Paul said brightly, holding out his hand. Maya's father grinned widely, his eyes shining with hope as he shook Paul's hand hard.

"Good to see you!" He said as his other arm wrapped gently around his wife's shoulders. Maya was frozen to the spot, her eyes glued to her mother as if one misstep would set off a chain reaction in her. Paul glanced from Rish to Tom, the chill causing Maya's neck to sprout in goosebumps. Paul's hand automatically rose to cover the back of her neck, the warmth spreading through her.

"Oh! Come in, come in!" Tom said, pushing away from the door frame awkwardly and pulling Rish with him. Paul nodded and looked down at Maya but her eyes stayed forward.

"Yes, come in, we've got quite a chill rolling through, don't we," Rish said with a warble running through her voice. She was desperately trying to act as normal as possible, but Maya could tell she didn't know what to do with her hands and she wrung them by her sides as if they punctuated each breathy word. Rish's eyes darted from Paul to Maya to the floor then to every item in the front living room.

This is going to be so awkward. Maya thought to herself as she deflated into Paul's side as they stood quietly in the front room. Paul tugged gently at the collar of her coat and she came to a bit to shrug it off her shoulders and into his waiting arms. He hung it by the door and Maya instinctively wrapped her arms around her midsection. Paul returned placed a warm hand on her hip. All of this had passed in terribly long silence and Maya internally cringed—okay maybe outwardly too. She tried to smooth the features on her face before her father brightened, as if remembering why they were all there and said,

"How about some drinks? Maya! You have to tell us about school. Your email updates are too short," Tom swivelled and walked down the hallway that lead to the open kitchen and their dining room. Maya let out a huff of breath and followed quickly, Paul lingering to urge Rish down the hall with them with a gentle smile.

"I don't have a lot of time to write full length journal entries about my day, dad. This school is kicking my ass," Maya said as she entered the kitchen and leaned against the counter top as she watched her father pull down wine glasses from the cupboard. Her mother tutted at her curse and Maya glanced at her as if she was finally going to address her but Rish settled by the stove to check on the food. The kitchen smelled amazing, and she could tell right away that her mother was cooking her favorite—Three Sisters soup with fresh baked harvest bread.

"Grab the wine from the fridge," her father said absently as he searched for the wine screw. Maya crossed the kitchen and pulled open the fridge door feeling like she was transported to just a year ago—before college, before the imprint, before Paul. When it was just her and her parents and her heart momentarily ached for that warm nostalgia. Paul was watching her carefully from his place next to Rish by the stove, murmuring quietly to her mother about the meal and how wonderful it smelled. Maya opened a drawer routinely and found the wine screw, making quick work of the cork. She handed the open bottle to her father who made a delighted sigh.

"It's so good to have you home, My-pie," he said, taking the wine bottle from her and kissing her forehead. He began pouring white wine into the glasses and started carrying on at Paul's inquiry about his work. Maya watched her mother's straight back as he bent over the simmering soup. Paul, next to her father now, handed Maya two glasses of the wine her father poured and nodded over his shoulder toward her mother. Maya rolled her eyes dramatically and walked over to her mother at the stove before saying in what she hoped was an even tone:

"Smells good, mom." She held out the wine glass and watched the side of her mother's face tick with stress. Maya let out a withered sigh and set the wine glass down on the counter taking a long drink from her own. "I saw Chief Black yesterday at Sam and Emily's." Her mother nodded as she lifted the wooden soup spoon to her mouth for a taste test. "He seemed in pretty high spirits all things considered. I assume that means the DeSota renovations are going well?" Maya offered. She only knew about the updates to the council projects because of her father, but she thought it would be an easy subject to broach with her mother.

"Grab some bowls," her mother said quickly, turning away from her to grab more spices from the cupboard. Maya set her wine glass down a little too hard and drew Paul's attention who glanced over at her with mounting worry while still talking to her father. Maya pulled some bowls down from a cupboard and clapped them onto the counter before digging in a drawer for some spoons. Her mother glanced at her, but the look on her face was unreadable and Maya felt a weight settle in her stomach like the one she felt upon arriving back in La Push. That same feeling of separation—she felt like she didn't recognize her own mother at that moment.

Without any prompting, Maya shuffled toward the dining room and began setting the table. Behind her the kitchen began to bubble with more conversation as Rish turned to ask Paul how his business was going, making Maya's irritation grow. This was going to be a long night.

By the time dinner was drawing to a close Maya's hands hurt from clenching her fists so hard. Paul had begun worriedly rubbing the back of her neck with his broad hand every so often, sensing the tension between her and her mother mount as the dinner went on. Maya had tried, she really had. She tried making conversation with her mother, telling her parents about Columbia, talking about the extension progress on the house, on Jacob and Becks' plans to build in the land he bought early next spring—everything. But to no avail. Anytime Maya tried to directly address Rish, she'd change the subject or keep eye contact with Paul. Maya didn't understand and as the dinner dragged on, her father trying to uneasily keep the peace, Maya spoke louder and louder when her mother would cut her off to ask Paul for the hundredth time about his work for the Treever's.

Paul was polite, as usual, and tried to keep Maya looped into the conversation with follow up questions and compliments to her ability to stay focused at school with everything going on back on the rez, but again, Rish would chuckle and compliment Paul instead, or get up to get water. It was torture. So, by the time Rish asked if anyone would like some tea, Maya had excused herself hastily, pushing back roughly from the table and jogging up the stairs to her old bedroom.

The sound of soft murmurings could be heard below but Maya paid them no mind as she ran her hands up her waist and neck to roughly comb through her hair. It took all of her self control not to scream.

Maya couldn't understand what her mother was doing but it felt like punishment. She paced her bedroom feeling the warmth of frustration and anger creep up her throat. She wanted to tear the dark cranberry red sweater dress that clung to her shape from her body. Instead she tucked at the short turtle neck and crossed her bedroom to wrench open the window and let the rush of cool air wash over her.

"Babe," Paul said from the doorway to her bedroom. Maya straightened and turned around taking deep breaths and shaking her head. Her patience was gone, she wanted to leave, and that deepening pain at the rift between her and her mother was going to tear her apart if she stayed here for any more torture tonight.

"Paul, I can't. I don't understand what she's doing," Maya sucked in a sharp breath, willing the tears to abate from the corner of her eyes. Paul's face drew into a deep frown as he crossed the room to her, bringing his hands to either side of her face and running his thumbs over the course of her cheeks as a tear escaped. He kissed her forehead and said gruffly,

"She's just hurt, Maya," he whispered into her hair. Maya let out a frustrated laugh.

"Me too. But she's the parent, can't she just get over it so I don't have to feel this way anymore?" As the words came out of her mouth she shut her eyes tight and cringed at how she sounded. God, she was 19 but she had never acted like such a kid. She was right to feel hurt and the way Rish was treating her might not be fair, but Maya hadn't exactly extended any kind of olive branch for what she had said either. Paul watched her as Maya took some deep breaths and nodded at herself before looking up at him, still obviously frustrated.

"Try again," he said softly. Maya focused her gaze on him and watched as the earnest look in his eyes melted into soft adoration, that playful smile breaking across his mouth and leaving her breathless again. Paul pulled her closer to him, tilting her face up to meet his lips and Maya let out a small moan. His kiss became hungrier at her sounds and he slid a hand down her body to wrap around her back and knead the thick flesh of her ass.

Another small sound escaped Maya and Paul pulled away momentarily to let his eyes dart around her face, "This dress drives me crazy by the way. I can see every fucking curve but it's all covered by this tight little dress." Maya smiled and Paul dove in for another taste of her pushing her flush with his body so she could feel his hard weight on her stomach. As he nibbled on her lower lip, he continued, "Go try again with your mom so I can take you home and rip this thing off of you."

He let her grow roughly and Maya, thoroughly rocked, gave him a shocked grin. He raised an eyebrow and let that playful smile reach his eyes. With a quick swat to her ass, Maya rushed out of her childhood bedroom and down the hall toward the staircase taking a deep breath and shaking her hair out with her fingers.

Maya found her mother alone, wrapped in a shawl out on her back porch scrolling through her phone. Maya opened the door to the porch and slipped out, swathed in darkness. She could hear the ocean rushing nearby and the sweet smell of salt mixed with cold winter night made her crave the warmth of her and Paul's bed.

"Mom?" Maya said after closing the sliding glass door behind her and crossing her arms over her chest. "We're leaving. I wanted to come say goodbye." Maya heard the tapping of Rish typing something on her phone but she didn't say anything. "Mom." Maya said a little more forcefully this time. "Are you going to say anything to me tonight? Or do I still not exist?"

Silence. Tapping. It was rattling her. Try again. She heard Paul's voice in her head. Maya threw her head back and heaved a great sigh before saying, "Mom, I know I hurt you with what I said at the bonfire. Parts of it I meant—the stuff about my relationship with Paul not being any business of the council's...But I didn't mean what I said to you. I would never keep you away from my family. And I'm sorry that I hurt you."

Rish had set down her phone during Maya's speech and looked at her. "I never tried to push the kid thing." Rish said unexpectedly. Maya scuffed her shoe on the patio.

"I know mom, but you were pushing us. This stuff with Paul is already complicated enough. I need you on my side," Maya said, tears threatening to spill again.

"I am always on your side, Maya," her mother said severely from her place in her chair. Maya stared at her through the dark, the only light coming from the glow of the kitchen. Rish's face was hard, her eyes pained, "And I will always choose you over this council, over everything. I'm sorry if it felt like I was pushing you or not on your side, but I am. No matter what," her voice cracked at the end of her sentence and Maya felt the hot tears fall freely down her cheeks now. Rish was standing now and crossed to Maya who was nodding quickly, trying to stifle the sobs rising in her throat, "I won't ever push you like that again."

Rish's warm arms wrapped tightly around Maya and she sagged into her mother's body, feeling the relief rush through her. Rish pet the back of her head and let her cry into her shoulder as Maya clung tightly to her mother, letting the anger and sadness she had felt these past few months to fall away as her mother held onto her tightly, "I'm so so sorry Maya," her mother whispered into her hair and pressing kisses to the top of her head.

With only a few days to go before she was headed back to New York, Maya finally felt like she had come home.