A/N: Big ole M rating for this chapter. Enjoy~~~
Indiana.
"God damn it," I hiss, dumping yet another tray of cupcakes into the give-to-Paul tub.
I glare at the wedding cake perched in all its perfection on the counter and wonder how the hell the cupcakes could be harder than the actual wedding cake. The original baker she ordered her cake from fell through a couple of days ago, and to ease her panic I immediately offered to make the cake for her.
Miraculously, it turned out perfect. The bottom tier is decorated to look like a log, and the other three tiers are covered in a smooth, white fondant. I added buttercream flowers and leaves in dark reds, bright yellows, and vibrant oranges, and the cake is topped with two little wooden slabs that say "Mr" and "Mrs" on them.
I was also able to make and decorate the pumpkin spice cupcakes without a problem, but the salted caramel cupcakes are turning out to be a pain in my ass. Maybe because they're almost too easy and I keep overthinking them. Whatever it is, there is something missing or something wrong with every batch I make.
Paul's kitchen is coated in frosting and flour and there are bowls and pans everywhere and it's a complete disaster to be honest. Not to mention it's nearly five in the morning and my eyes are so dry and tired they feel like sandpaper, so at this rate I'll never finish and I'll never get everything cleaned.
What I should do is take a refreshing nap and try these cupcakes again when I'm more rested, but I can't bring myself to do it. I can't sleep when Paul isn't with me. The closer it gets to my birthday, the more Malcolm tries to get in. Sleep with Paul is dreamless and safe. Sleep without him just opens my mind to Malcolm.
He's looking for me – hard.
This Halloween would mark four years since the day he killed my mother and the night he took me.
I've gone back to sleeping in short intervals and getting as much sleep as I can while Paul is with me. Sometimes I pretend that I'm asleep when he checks in on me during patrol, but I know that he can tell my heartrate is off and that I'm awake.
He tries, he really does, to ask me what's going on, but I can't tell him because I know it will eat him alive. He has no control over his patrol shift, and it's not his fault that it falls during the early hours of the morning. If he knew I've been having nightmares again it would only put stress on him and the rest of the pack to try and work around my sleep schedule, and I don't want to be that person.
I can manage this way. I always have before.
The smell of burning caramel suddenly fills the kitchen and I curse loudly, turning off the stove and pulling the pot from the burner. The top part is okay, but the bottom is black and bubbling, and I know the burnt taste will have bled into all of it.
I hear the front door open and my eyes move to the clock.
5:13 AM.
"Babe?"
I turn around to a shirtless, dripping Paul rubbing a towel over his wet hair. He's been keeping one by the front door lately since it's always raining. "Hi," I say, turning back to my burnt caramel. I set the pot in the sink and wipe my hands on my sweatpants.
"What are you doing?" He looks amused, but slightly worried. He's always worried when he catches me up and around the house in the middle of the night. Or early morning, I should say.
"I've been trying to make the salted caramel cupcakes…" I look over at the plastic bin filled with the unfrosted failures. "It's not going so well. Those are for you."
He chuckles and walks over to me, resting his hand on my shoulder and squeezing it gently. "Probably because it's five in the morning," he says, kissing my forehead. "I'm off early. Let's go to bed."
Oh, thank god.
I follow him eagerly upstairs and nearly dive under the covers, pulling them to my chin and watching as he strips off his wet clothes and finishes drying off with the towel. He puts his clothes and the towel in the hamper and climbs into bed naked, wrapping his arms around me.
"Excited for the wedding?" he asks through a yawn.
I nod and press my nose into his sternum, breathing in his scent. Just as my eyes start to slide shut, they pop wide open again. "I forgot! Can you help me put the cake in the fridge?"
That was a close one.
"I'll get it. You stay here," he replies, muscles tensing as he sits up and lifts himself out of bed.
I instantly miss him, watching him disappear through the door. An entire half of me is gone when he's not around. From the outside looking in, I'm sure this would be considered unhealthy, or insane. We went from strangers to soulmates with a single glance. I've only known him for a few months and I already know I will never love anything the way I love him.
We haven't said it yet, but I get to cheat because I can feel it in his body when we're together. I wonder if he can feel it in mine…
He walks back in a few minutes later and crawls under the blanket with me. "It turned out really good, babe."
I smile and nuzzle into him. "If only the stupid cupcakes would work…"
"Get some sleep. It'll come to you," he whispers. "And for the record, I just ate six of the ones you said were no good, and they were delicious."
I giggle quietly and close my eyes, listening to the sound of his heart beating. Paired with the steady rain on the roof, it lulls me to sleep in a matter of seconds.
"Jesus, you look like a zombie," Josie says when I walk into the back room of the community center where all of the girls are getting ready.
I make a face at her and set my bag down, hanging my dress over a chair. "I was up all night making sure the cupcakes were perfect and then I got up early to help set up while you got your beauty sleep," I reply bitterly.
Josie just smirks. "Well, my beauty sleep worked, didn't it?"
I try to glare at her, but end up laughing as I nod. She does look beautiful. Her hair is twisted up elegantly, decorated with the flower pin Emily gave us bridesmaids, and her makeup is subtle and soft but still manages to enhance all of her natural beauty. Her dress is similar to mine in length but has long, off the shoulder sleeves. It's fitted to her waist and flares out at her hips.
Everyone did really well on matching the burgundy color. Sarah's dress is the most modest, unsurprisingly. It has a round neckline and short sleeves, and reaches her knees. Kim's dress is mid-thigh in the front and blends longer in the back, and has thick tank top straps and a lot of cleavage. And lastly, the dress Leah finally decided on is really beautiful on her. It's silky with a lacy bodice that wraps around her neck. It's the longest of all our dresses, but makes up for it with a slit up one side.
"I really appreciate everything you've done, Indie. I can't thank you enough," Emily says with a smile.
Emily's dress, of course, is stunning. It's lacy with long sleeves and a long train that hangs loosely and pools around her feet. The places between the lace designs are see-through and the tan of her skin contrasts beautifully.
I almost lose my breath looking at her.
Sarah weaved small, white flowers throughout her hairstyle and her makeup makes her eyes shine. The finishing touch is her lips which are painted the same burgundy color as everyone's dresses.
Everyone else's makeup is flawless, too, thanks to Josie's steady hand and impeccable blending skills, and Sarah has done everyone's hair perfectly.
They all look like they belong in a bridal magazine.
"You can thank her after she doesn't look like a zombie anymore. We've got a wedding to put on!" Josie jokes.
Once my dress is on and tied at the neck, Sarah does my hair and Josie does my makeup quickly and efficiently. Leah steps out to make sure the guys are going to be ready on time, and Sarah and Josie go back to primping Emily even though I don't think she can get any more perfect.
The wedding is supposed to start in thirty minutes, and the community center is already filled with guests waiting patiently in their seats, chatting amongst themselves. I poke my head out of the door to scan the room one last time for anything missing or out of place.
The hot chocolate bar, along with the cocoa toppings, is lined with a variety of cookies and the two flavors of cupcakes. Thankfully, after I got some sleep, the salted caramel cupcakes came easily. The cake is sitting prettily at the end of the table in all of its glory, looking just as perfect as it did last night. I'm actually really proud of it and can't wait for Emily and Sam to taste it.
There is so much love and happiness in the room that I finally understand why they say everyone cries at weddings. I can feel my eyes starting to burn.
Ducking back inside, I walk over to Emily who looks like a princess sitting there with her bouquet. "You look so beautiful, Emily," I tell her with a smile. "I can't wait to see the look on Sam's face. He's going to die."
"Or rip your dress off the second you reach the altar. Isn't your after-birth healing period expired now?" Josie jokes.
You'd never know that Emily just had twins. Her body bounced right back.
"Yeah, time for baby number three," Kim adds while laughing.
Emily waves her hands and shakes her head. "No way, I'm done after two," she replies.
Josie and Kim exchange looks and then burst into laughter.
"I am!" Emily insists.
Sarah goes red in the face and quietly moves pieces of Emily's hair around until Leah comes back in and then she gets a gust of relief. "I think everyone is ready if you are, Em," Leah says, walking over and taking her hands.
Emily stands up and hugs her, careful not to mess up either of their hair or makeup. "Thank you so much, Leah, for everything," she says quietly.
Leah smiles and closes her eyes. "I'm so happy to be a part of your wedding. I love you."
Josie walks over and waves her hand through the door to signal the coordinator to get everything started. The music starts to echo through the main room and settles everyone down. Then, the five of us make sure the train of Emily's dress is smoothed out before lining up at the door.
Quil and Claire should be walking down the aisle now, spreading rose petals and craft store leaves. Josie will walk out first and meet Embry, then I'll walk out and meet Seth – who Paul was not thrilled about walking me down the aisle – and then Sarah will meet Malachi, Kim will meet Jared, and finally Leah will meet Jesse, who was given a groomsmen spot the other day.
"It's time!" Josie calls out excitedly, smoothing her dress down with her hands. She pulls open the door and floats to the center of the aisle where Embry is waiting with his arm offered.
Across the room, I see Seth step out with his goofy smile. He walks to the aisle and holds out his arm for me, chest halfway puffed. When I reach him, I slide my arm through his and we start our walk down the aisle.
Sam is waiting at the altar with bated breath and pride in his chest. His line of groomsmen is going to be record-setting by the time everyone walks out. They're all dressed in dark grey suits with burgundy undershirts and ties.
When we reach the end of the aisle, I offer Sam a bright, reassuring smile and separate with Seth to our places on either side of the altar. I recognize a lot of the guests, but some are unfamiliar. I do take note that it doesn't look like Jacob came, even though Emily invited him. I don't see Rachel either, but Billy Black is here.
By the time everyone else has taken their spots, Leah walks out to meet Jesse, and the atmosphere in the room changes. I think everyone has been worrying about this very moment – the moment where ex-lovers would find themselves meeting at the altar but not under the circumstances they once dreamed of. I take a deep breath and glance between Leah and Sam. They're both smiling, both unbothered, and when Leah and Jesse part, she and Sam exchange a brief yet supportive hug. Leah then takes her spot as maid of honor and the guests all stand as the song changes and Emily walks out accompanied by Sue. Paul meets them a second later and the breath is knocked from my lungs when I see him.
We lock eyes and everyone else in the room seems to disappear. The music is drowned out by the sound of my rapidly beating heart, pounding so hard I can feel it in my ears. I think he can hear it, and he casts me a beaming smile that makes me weak in the knees before holding his arm out for Emily to take.
They start walking at just the right pace to match the music and he holds my gaze the entire time.
When they finally reach the end of the aisle, Paul takes Emily's hand and places it in Sam's, giving me one last dazzling smile before taking his place in the line of groomsmen. Only then, when Billy Black starts to deliver his speech, do I finally look away and turn to Emily and Sam. They follow Billy's speech with their vows and everyone erupts in a melody of laughter and tears when they share their first kiss as husband and wife.
All of the planning, all of the panic, all of the changed ideas and last minute additions – it all came together. It was all worth it. I can feel it in Emily, whose heart is so full it makes my own feel like it could burst.
I glance past her and meet Paul's eyes again.
I want this with him.
"You look beautiful." Paul's hot breath on the back of my neck sends shivers down my spine and my skin erupts in goosebumps. His arms wrap around my waist and he pulls my back against his chest.
I melt into him. "You scared me," I whisper, turning my head to meet his eyes.
He smiles innocently as I turn in his arms and rest my palms against his chest. He took off his blazer and has the first few buttons of his undershirt undone, tie loose around his neck. "We match," he says with a cheesy grin.
"That's the whole idea," I smile back.
His fingers brush a few loose strands of hair away from my face and he presses his forehead against mine for a moment. "C'mon," he places a hand on the small of my back and starts leading me away from the cocoa bar – where I was making sure the cake is still perfect – and to the dance floor. He turns and takes my hand, then spins me around and gets into position.
I smile at him curiously. "What are you doing?" I ask, fingers falling naturally between his.
He gives me a look. "I'm dancing with my girlfriend," he replies.
He spins me around again and pulls me close. "I didn't know you could dance," I joke.
"I'm full of surprises. There are still a few minor things you don't know about me." He grins as his fingers start to rub soothing circles into my back. "Like for example: you have no idea what you're doing to me in that dress." His hand slides up my exposed spine and then gently holds the back of my neck.
Another shiver runs through my body. "It's almost like you're a dancer first and just do the wolf thing on the side."
"Funny," he says as he dips me back. "I was just about to say it's like you're an angel first and just do the human thing on the side."
When he brings me back into his arms, I push up on my toes and catch his lips with mine. He draws me closer and dips his tongue between my lips, deepening the kiss. I whimper into his mouth and wrap my arms around his neck as his lock around my waist.
"I love you, Paul," I whisper against his lips.
He pulls away briefly to look into my eyes. "I'll never love anything more than I love you," he replies, kissing me deeply again.
Lost in the moment, the sudden clanking of silverware against glass pulls our attention to Sam, who is standing at his chair with a champagne flute held loosely in hand. He clears his throat and smiles mischievously. "I told her I wasn't gonna do this, but there are some words that won't leave your mind until they're spoken."
Paul takes my hand and gently squeezes it before guiding me to our table, pulling my chair out and then sitting closely next to me. It takes a lot of willpower to focus on the bride and groom when all I want to do is throw myself into Paul's arms and drown in his piney breath.
Sam takes a deep breath and gazes down into Emily's warm eyes. "I remember seeing you for the first time and knowing you were meant to be a part of my life."
My eyes wander protectively in Leah's direction, but she's watching them with a smile of her own, tucked happily under one of Jesse's arms. I couldn't be more thankful for him when it comes to Leah. She's finally free of all those feelings for Sam that tormented her heart for years and constantly loomed over her. She's finally got her own happy ending.
"I'd never been so sure of anything else before and I couldn't be more thankful that you accepted me into your beautiful, loving heart. You've shown me nothing but true love regardless of all the heartache and physical pain I have put you and others through. You've given me the greatest blessing of becoming a father to two beautiful babies, and you've guided me through countless tough times with nothing but support and kindness. No words can express how deeply in love with you I am, Emily. Here's to forever." He raises his glass for a toast and everyone lifts their glasses in the air as well.
"To forever," everyone says before sipping from their glasses.
Paul turns his body towards me and looks at me with those beautiful amber eyes. "To forever," he repeats, holding his glass to mine.
"Forever."
If there's one thing Quileute's are better at than their hospitality, it's throwing weddings.
After Sam and Emily cut the cake, everyone had dessert and then danced and chatted until the elderly left and the young children all went home with their parents, leaving the young adults to party. The boys broke out the liquor shortly after that and turned the volume up on the music to an ungodly level.
Josie and I have been on the dance floor now for what feels like hours. I lost track of time somewhere after the fourth or fifth shot of peppermint schnapps and chocolate syrup. The guys have been guzzling Everclear like its water – even Jesse – and I think if this weren't a wedding we would probably all get kicked out and sent home for being too loud and rowdy.
Even Emily has let loose since Sue took the babies for the night, dancing around with Sam and taking shots with Kim.
Josie intertwines our hands and starts spinning us around on the dance floor. She's singing along to the music as loud as she can and I can't stop laughing. I have to laugh or I might actually throw up from being so dizzy.
"Mind if I cut in?" Paul steals one of my hands from her and spins me around into his chest.
She pouts at him but is immediately distracted by Embry who quite literally sweeps her off her feet. I laugh and watch him spin her around, resting my head against Paul's chest as a slower song starts to play. We sway together and his fingers trail over my back and shoulders, touching every exposed inch of skin he can reach.
The alcohol catches up to me in a matter of seconds.
I have to close my eyes and count the beats of his heart to hold onto the last ounce of sobriety I have. "What are you thinking about?" I ask him, arms wrapped snugly around his waist.
He hums and presses his lips into my hair. "What I did to you the last time you wore this little dress, and how sexy you look in it," he whispers, fingers toying with the strings tied behind my neck.
"Mm, imagine how sexy I look out of it."
He pauses and I hear him smirk. His hands begin massaging my neck before lifting my jaw to guide my mouth to his. Hormones rage and minutes later we're making out furiously and I can't be bothered enough to care that Josie and Jared are both playfully yelling at us to get a room.
To my surprise, Paul is the one who pulls away first, flipping the two of them off and then grabbing my hand. He drags me off the dance floor and I follow him outside.
"Party's over anyways," he grunts huskily, pressing me against the side of his car. I inhale loudly as my back meets the ice-cold metal. "Shit, sorry."
"It's okay," I huff, grabbing at his collar and pulling his mouth back to mine. He kisses me deeply but then pulls away again.
He opens the passenger door for me and helps me inside, then walks around and starts the car once he gets in. "I'll be sobered up in ten minutes," he says, patting his lap suggestively and smirking at me. "C'mere."
Unceremoniously, I manage to flop over the center console and squeeze my way onto his lap, knees balanced awkwardly on either side of his hips. I can feel his hardness straining against his pants beneath me and instinctively grind down on it. He groans and his large hands encase my hips, moving me against him while he kisses down the front of my neck and chest.
"Are you sober yet?" I ask breathlessly. The heat between my legs is almost unbearable and if he doesn't touch me soon I might lose it.
He nips at the center of my throat. "Besides being drunk on you?"
"Paul," I whine.
"Yeah, baby, say it again."
I smile deviously. "Oh yes, Paul," I moan, fingers locking in his hair and letting my head fall back.
He growls and nips at my neck again. "You're in trouble when we get home."
Paul.
I almost break the front door, shedding my shirt and tie along the way.
Neither of us can get to the bedroom fast enough.
She looks like a fucking angel when she lays across the mattress, hair still tied up prettily and dress hanging over her body just right. I start kissing up her thighs, avoiding the warmth between her legs, and over her stomach until I reach the base of her throat. My thumb grazes the dip between her collarbones and I kiss along the underside of her jaw, hand moving to hold the back of her neck.
Her hands clutch at my hair and pull my mouth to hers, pressing those sinful lips against mine and shuddering beneath me. I hum with approval and tilt my head, sliding my tongue into her mouth.
She suddenly pushes at my shoulders, hard, until I reluctantly roll over onto my back, chest heaving, and look at her curiously. "You okay?" I ask.
She smirks at me and climbs out of bed, touching her fingers to the lamp until it dims to the lowest setting. From there, she reaches down and grabs the end of her dress and slowly begins pulling it over her head.
I cross my hands behind my head and watch her with hooded eyes as the dress drops to the floor and she's left in nothing but a pair of lacy, strappy underwear that I've never seen before. "Did you plan this?" I ask with a smirk.
Shrugging, she slides her fingers under the straps over her hips and lets the material snap against her skin. "Maybe."
My heart feels like it might rip through my chest. Or is that my wolf?
Long legs circling to the foot of the bed, her eyes are fixed on me as she starts to crawl towards me on all fours. My hands graze along her sides as she situates herself on my stomach. I can feel her heat against my skin through the thin panties and it's fucking killing me to not push them to the side and work my way in. Instead, I inhale deeply and rest my hands on her silky thighs, letting her set the pace and lead the way.
Her hands move to my chest and she leans down to kiss me, my body automatically lifting to meet her halfway. She hums quietly and pushes her tongue into my mouth, honey-sweet breath mingling with mine.
She's fucking addicting.
I squeeze her thighs and move us so I'm leaning up against the headboard. She falls into my lap again with a moan and grinds her hips into mine.
Every muscle in my body wants to flip her over right now and pin her into the mattress.
Just as I'm about to, she breaks the kiss and attaches her lips to the side of my neck, sucking deep hickeys into my skin like I always do to her. And fuck, if that ain't the biggest fucking turn on.
I grab her ass firmly and move her against me, leaning my head back against the headboard.
She pulls away a minute later and climbs off my lap, nimble fingers working quickly to undo my pants before yanking them down my legs along with my boxers. My dick springs free and she stands up on the mattress, slowly pulling her panties down those long legs until they pile around her feet. She playfully kicks them at my face and then lowers onto her knees.
My stomach clenches watching her lean over and give my dick one long stroke with her silky tongue. She crawls back into my lap, angled just right so my dick is trapped between my stomach and her pussy. Our mouths meet again, tongues tangling, before she pulls away and presses her nose under my ear.
I try to wait patiently for her next move.
My wolf doesn't like it – doesn't want to submit and let her call the shots – but I fucking love it.
Her hips lift just enough to catch the tip of my dick at her slick entrance and then ease down until I'm deep inside her warmth. She's so hot and tight around me I can't stop the groan that leaves my throat.
I grab her ass again, squeezing, and let my head fall back. "Fuck, babe," I groan, hips trying to push up into her.
Leaning forward, she uses my shoulders as leverage and lifts her hips, then sinks back down to the hilt and nudges her hips backwards. All I can do is hold onto her ass and bite my lip as she creates a rhythm and digs her nails into my shoulders. Her mouth is parted and her eyes are the darkest I've ever seen them before, blown with lust.
Does she know she's literally fucking perfect?
I reach up and pull at the flowered clip in her hair, watching as the silky strands unravel and tumble down around her. The smell of her shampoo wafts on the air and I card my fingers through the softness before trailing them down her back, skin ghosting over hers.
Goosebumps erupt all over her skin and she whimpers, her heat clenching around me like a vice.
I groan again in approval and let my hands fall to her hips again, forcing them to hold her for support and not for control. The thought is there though, right in the middle of my brain. The thought to squeeze these hips and how in one swift motion I could have her on her back and writhing beneath me.
I let out a deep breath.
I can feel the rattling in my chest.
The dominance is bubbling and it's a battle to keep myself from taking control.
My eyes wander up and down her body as she moves on top of me. I can hear her heart pounding, can see the goosebumps still present on her skin, can feel the heat radiating off of her smooth body. I lean forward and catch one of her nipples with my mouth, laving my tongue over it and nipping gently just to hear her whimper again.
She gushes around me.
Her body is so responsive to me, always leaning into my touch and following my lead even when she's in charge. The more I think about it, the needier my wolf becomes. The more I want to dominate her. The more I want to mark her, over and over again. I force myself to pull away from her before I sink my teeth into the soft flesh of her breast.
My head falls back again and she leans her body against mine, breasts rubbing against my chest with every rise and fall of her hips. Her tongue flicks against my earlobe and she whispers, "Come with me, Paul," before wrapping her lips around it and sucking it into her mouth.
Fuck, she knows what that does to me.
I let my eyes close.
I push away the urge to dominate.
I focus on her warmth, sliding up and down my dick with ease. I focus on her plush lips wrapped around my earlobe. I focus on her pretty little hands holding onto my shoulders for dear life. I focus on her heart slamming against her ribcage. Her soft breaths in my ear. Her weakening moans. She's getting tighter around me. She wants me to come with her. I want to give it to her.
Her lips start to move down my neck, her back bowed with pleasure. She sucks hard at the skin, leaving another dark hickey I'm sure, and lets out another touched out moan.
She's close. She's so fucking close I can feel it in all of her body.
"C'mon, baby," I urge, planting my feet into the mattress so I can push up into her.
It only takes another second for her to clench around me, and then I feel her teeth clamp down on my neck, piercing through the skin.
Light explodes behind my eyes. Before I can even think to try and draw the moment out, I'm shooting off deep inside her silky walls in waves of pleasure for what feels like forever. She rocks her hips, teeth still buried in my skin, and moans lowly in her throat.
She fucking marked me.
My entire body is tense from coming so hard. Her fingers trail down over my rigid chest and stomach and she lets go of my neck, nuzzling her way back up to my ear where she places a kiss.
Humming, I lean my head to the side and allow her more access. "That was beautiful," I tell her. "You're beautiful."
"We're beautiful together," her voice is soft, quiet. She kisses back down my neck and covers the area she bit with her tongue before sitting back in my lap. Her fingers graze over the same spot. "You're bleeding."
For some sick reason, that makes my dick hard all over again, still sheathed inside her warmth. "Only for a sec," I breathe, wiping my thumb over her bottom lip.
She smiles lazily, dragging her nails over my chest.
"What do you say I mark the other side?" she asks, hips starting to slowly grind into mine.
Fuck. Thank you, God.
A/N: Bit of a calm before the storm ;) next chapter things pick up. I think I've said that several times before but now I actually mean it. Leave me a review if you have time! Thank you for reading! xx