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(Paul POV)

Despite the conversation with Leah the day before, Paul remained excited to spend the day with Bella on Saturday. He scoffed as he pulled into the driveway where multiple cars waited. For a moment, he started to panic as a scowling Charlie peeked out through a newly placed screen door at him.

What the hell is going on here? Paul pushed back his hair and released a deep breath before exiting the truck. He was relieved as Charlie held the door open for him and grinned.

Paul laughed and said, "Man, you looked like you were pissed for a minute. I was starting to worry."

Charlie scoffed. "Yeah. Tiny retribution for the fucking coronary, pal."

Paul sat at the kitchen table and turned his chair toward the others. Billy, Jacob, Leah, Charlie, and a blonde male who Paul assumed to be Dean occupied the couches and chairs.

Paul caught Dean staring, seemingly sizing Paul up. Dean looked tall and fit, sort of rugged but in a country-turned-sorority boy way. He was willing to bet Dean and Jacob got along well. They probably sing Florida Georgia Nickelback Kum ba yah shit together.

Dean gestured toward Paul and asked Jacob, "So, are you related? I mean, the height and body mass? Leah is built like a brick shithouse, too."

Paul chuckled and shot Leah a wink as her face flushed with embarrassment. Jacob answered, "Actually? Genetically, yes. Paul is my and Leah's cousin somewhere around seven generations back. Way too far spaced to be considered related, but we keep track of our lineage."

Dean said, "That's fascinating. Nick is very into ancestry research. I became somewhat absorbed in it for a while."

Instinctively, Paul's eyes narrowed as he remembered this was the guy whose friend had the hots for his girl. While the unspoken threat made his wolf ache to prove its dominance, the magic in his blood reminded Paul that Dean was an Imprint. Protecting the imprints - all of them - was their most absolute law and first instinct, always. And as Little miss, I'll Fuck You Up Leah's imprint? Fuck. I'm gonna have to get on this dickwad's good side, or I'll never have peace again, Paul thought.

Billy said, "Our lineage would probably give him a headache. Throughout history, small communities would often end up having more than one person from their family marry into one other family. Our most immediate ancestry consists of eight different family trees where mutual relatives have brought lines together. My cousin and her husband had a mutual aunt through marriage but were not blood-related, for example. Jacob and Leah are cousins through five of those family trees without any instances of relatives intermarrying. Jacob and Bella have a mutual cousin but are not related to one another whatsoever. Our family has always kept close attention to our lineage."

Charlie asked, "Well when your family holds the Chiefdom, you have to, right?"

Billy nodded and said, "Precisely."

Dean asked, "So, Leah, does that technically make you a sort of Princess?" She cringed at the thought, earning collective laughter around the room. Dean grinned and slid his arm around her shoulders as she glared at him.

"My girl is royalty. That's sick," Dean teased her. Leah slapped her hand over his mouth and sighed as she closed her eyes, earning another round of laughter.

There was a knock at the door before Reagan entered as Jacob rose to leave. Paul asked, "How did you luck out? I thought you had to work tonight?" And by work, he meant Patrol, but there were too many humans in the room.

"Quil owed me a favor," Jacob said, grinning. "I talked to him last night, and you're welcome, by the way."

Paul nodded. "Thanks for keeping him occupied, bro."Jacob laughed and said his goodbyes before leaving with Reagan.

Charlie asked Paul, "What was that? Keeping Quil occupied?"

"He tried to weasel in on our plans tonight. Nosy little fucker," Paul said. "I ask him to keep Bells safe, and he complains. I tell him we're hanging out without him, and suddenly he's Mr. Chaperone."

"Huh?" Dean asked suspiciously. "What's up with Bella? Why does she need someone to keep her safe?"

Fuck, Paul thought. Think quick, big mouth.

Leah said, "I don't know if you've caught on yet or not, but Bella is a little bit of an adrenaline junkie. Rides a motorcycle, loves thrill rides and jumping off cliffs." Teasingly, Leah added, "She's a little nuts. Also, you've only seen her timid side, but she is only a mouse until you piss her off."

"Yep," Charlie and Billy said unanimously and laughed.

Paul grinned at Leah, grateful for her quick yet truthful explanation. Now you owe her one. He said, "I didn't know Bella for ten minutes and called her a firecracker. When she blows up on Jake, it is kind of hilarious."

"Yeah, but you don't live with them," Charlie grumbled. "Sometimes, I wish they would knock boots and get it over with."

It was official. Charlie Swan was drunk.

"Easy for you to say," Billy grumbled back through his laughter. "You don't live with them, either!"

Convinced he was the only person in the room who knew the truth about Jake and Bella, Paul laughed with the rest, but for a different reason. Again, he wondered how the Hell they had kept it a secret for so long.

Charlie asked, "How do things seem to be going with him and Reagan?"

Leah asked, "Why didn't you just ask Jacob that?"

Charlie said, "Because parents have a different view of the situation. They hear about their child's significant other when that person is not around. Sometimes they hear things about that person their child doesn't know about."

"Ugh," Leah said, frowning. "My poor Dad."

"Yep. You were terrible," Charlie deadpanned. Leah gasped in surprise, and Charlie cackled. "I'm teasing, Lee."

"Leah!" Bella's tone was urgent as she yelled for her sister.

Still laughing, Leah choked out, "Do me a favor, evil step-father. Don't tell Dean embarrassing stories while I'm gone, okay?"

"I'll save them for when you get back," Charlie quipped.

Paul said, "You're just giving him fuel, Leelee." Leah dashed past him to Bella's room and stuck her tongue out at Paul as she closed the door behind her.

Dean was slouching in his seat, already feeling at home in his surroundings. He asked, "I'm gonna have my hands full, aren't I?"

Charlie eyed Dean warily and asked, "Planning on the long haul, are ya?"

Dean sat up as he smiled and nodded. "Yeah, Charlie. I think so."

Charlie scowled at him, and Dean put his palms up warily. Dean rambled, "I'm not the impulsive idiot kid I used to be, Charlie. I-"

Charlie cut Dean off and stammered, "P-put your damn hands down."

There was an awkward silence before Dean said, "Sorry, Charlie. Old habits die hard." The scowl fell from Charlie's face as he barked out a laugh.

This guy might not be so bad. A comic relief type to counteract Leah's temper. Paul suddenly found himself hoping the guy stuck around. They just met, but Leah never looked happier. Bringing him to meet Billy had been a brave step. Only an imprint would require such a quick introduction to their Chief. Leah was silently seeking permission to tell Dean the truth. After being unhappy for so long, Paul didn't blame her for not wasting any time.

Charlie said, "I was going to tell you not to rush things. You've only known each other for a couple of days."

Billy said, "I married my wife after knowing her for a month. When she died young, my only regret was not meeting her sooner. Life is short, I say."

Dean said, "I know it's crazy, but I feel like I've known her my whole life. Maybe it's because we were raised twenty minutes apart but somehow never met?" He chuckled and continued, "I have a month before returning to Nevada. It gives us some time to get to know each other better. Hell, I'm already thinking about coming home more often."

Charlie warned, "I had a whirlwind relationship with Bella's mom. We got married on a drunken whim three days after we met. A year later, Bella was born, and they both moved across the country. Make sure you are both on the same page long before taking the big steps."

Paul tried to tune out the continued conversation between Billy, Charlie, and Dean as he listened for female voices.

"Help me pick," Bella whisper-yelled in frustration. "I've ruled it down to three, but I can't decide." Paul heard something get knocked over as someone plopped heavily on the bed. "Oh, God." Panic was rising in her voice as Bella rambled, "Why am I this nervous? I was not this nervous the last time we went somewhere together. And that was way more of a date than this is. Right? Oh my god, is this a date? What if it's a date?" Bella gasped and said, "Oh my god, what if it isn't? What if I go assuming it is and blow the whole fucking thing? What if I flirt with him and he pulls away again. Leah, I don't know how much more my self-esteem can take."

That is the Bella that Jacob knows better than anyone else. The anxious overthinker he had warned Paul about. This frantic insecurity was a side of Bella that she only let certain people see. Again, she reminded him of Jared, whose anxiety could drive the pack mad with worry. Paul wondered if Leah could see it, too.

Leah sighed and said, "Bella. Come on, honey, think positive. Remember what you told me? You both had decided to be friends, and now you need to show him that things have changed. If he wants a date, let him ask you on a date and until then, just go with what you feel. You don't have to solve everything tonight.

Bella said, "I'm putting too much into this, aren't I? I have no idea what I truly want, and I'm still torturing myself."

"Shhh," Leah consoled her. "Calm down, Bella. Hey? It's just Paul, right? You can trust Paul. No matter what you decide to tell him. He'll keep you safe from anything out there, too. It's just a few hours, Bella. Everything will be fine."

"Everything will be fine," Bella repeated and released a deep breath. Paul could hear her heartbeat lowering as the panic attack slowly faded away.

Thank you, Leah. He would have to find a way to express his appreciation for calming and encouraging Bella. Like the rest of the wolves, Leah was often satisfied with food as a thank you. After her hilarious revelation the day before, Paul knew just what to send her.

"I can't wear that together," Bella yelled. "I'll look like a street walker."

The four men all looked at each other in surprise. Three of them erupted into laughter. Charlie just scowled.

"Oh, please," Leah grumbled. It was difficult to hear her as Leah whispered, "Easy access can be a good thing. Hope you've been trimming the hedges."

"Lee!"

"What?" Leah whisper-yelled, "I'm not saying you should fuck him. I'm just saying that if it happens, it happens." Just like that, Bella's heart was racing again. Leah teased, "I know you want to, Bells. I'm not an idiot. Truth be told, Bitch, you need to get some."

Bella groaned, "God, do I ever."

Paul could feel the blood rush through him as his face flushed. He was glad he was the only one who could hear them. Paul pushed away the thought of Bella's confession, not wanting to build up any expectations despite fighting back the urge to walk into her room, shove Leah out and lock the door. He had chosen to charm Bella to the best of his ability, but sex had not his ultimate goal. Not that he would turn it down if she offered.

"You're almost ready," Leah grumbled, pulling Paul from his thoughts. Paul hurriedly moved from his seat at the table to the chair Jacob had vacated when he left. The conversation turned to the Mariner's losing streak, engrossing them until Leah and Bella finally emerged from the bedroom.

Paul's eyes went wide as he took in the sight of her. Bella wore an altered black Linkin Park t-shirt. Collar cut away and sleeveless, the thin fabric draped from her shoulders, dipping toward her bra line. The lower portion had been cinched with green ribbons on each side to hug her lower torso like a corset. Her pale midriff peeked out above the waistband of her matching green and black plaid pleated mini-skirt. She wore a chunky pair of brown platform Doc Martens, the likes of which Paul hadn't seen since childhood.

Her hair was in two loose french braids, the ends hanging over her chest. Paul looked her in the eyes and grinned at her like the lovesick fool he was. He did not miss the smirks that passed between Billy and Charlie as Dean began sizing him up again. Bella chuckled and pointed at Paul.

"What?" He looked down at his own green t-shirt, black jeans, and brown boots. He laughed in surprise at their nearly matching ensembles and pointed at Leah. "This was your handiwork, huh?"

Leah grinned as she nudged Bella forward and said, "Wouldn't want you to lose each other in a crowd or anything."

Billy and Charlie burst out laughing as Bella's face flushed.

Paul asked, "So, are you ready to see your first Demo Derby?"

Simultaneously, Billy, Charlie, and Dean cried, "Demo Derby?" Dean shot Leah a pleading look, puckering out his bottom lip. Charlie and Billy seemed to be having a silent conversation as they stared each other down.

Paul reached for Bella's hand and whispered, "Let's get the Hell out of here before they all decide to come with us." Bella giggled and threaded her much smaller fingers between his.

"Bye, guys! Love you," Bella called out to them as they beelined for the door.

As he pulled it shut behind him, Paul heard Charlie chuckle and ask, "Where's the fire?"

Paul couldn't help but smile as Bella hopped around in her seat. They had arrived early enough to find a close but tight parking spot.

Backing his truck into place, Bella eyed the narrow spaces between his pickup and the vehicles on either side. Bella asked, "How are we supposed to get out?" Paul locked the truck doors and opened the rear window as far as it could go.

Bella scoffed and said, "You can't be serious? Paul, I'm in a skirt. A short skirt."

Paul teased, "I hope it's long enough to tuck between your thighs, or you're gonna give all the kiddies a show on the Round-Up." He cackled as she slapped his shoulder and blushed. Paul began climbing out the rear window and said, "I hope you didn't wear a thong." He grinned at her flustered face as he stood upright. "Turn around and come out backward, head first. I'll pull you out so that nobody sings the underpants song."

Bella resembled a fish out of the water as she gaped in surprise before growling at him and following his directions. Paul wrapped his arms around her from behind, his hands just under her breasts. He felt her take a sharp breath as he pulled her tighter against his chest. Paul paused to nuzzle his face against her neck and inhaled her scent. Bella chuckled at his lupine instinct and tilted her head to make it easier. Paul was willing to bet that Jacob did this to her often, if not daily. She was far too comfortable with the wolf's curiosity. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Paul gently scraped her earlobe with his teeth. Bella hummed in response before laughing as she shivered. Paul chuckled as he pulled her through the window and helped Bella stand upright. He slid the window mostly shut and helped her climb over the tailgate and jump down.

Bella grinned as she stared around the large muddy lot through the high chain-length fence surrounding it. She asked, "This fence can't possibly protect the spectators by much, right? Are we going to get flung with mud and dodge flying hubcaps?"

"Possibly," Paul teased her as he cackled. "The fence is more for keeping spectators and kids from running out into the lot while the Derby is going on, so nobody gets squished or run over."

"I see," Bella said. "So, when does it start?"

"It won't start for another hour or so. It usually starts just before sunset and is dark long before finished. Are you hungry? I figured we could order snacks to take back to the truck with us, but if you're hungry now -"

"I'm fine for now," Bella said, grinning. "Are you hungry now?"

Paul chuckled as he pulled her behind him by the hand. He said, "I'm always hungry, even when I'm not." He looked back to wink at Bella suggestively, reveling in the sight of her flushed neck and chest as she bit one side of her bottom lip. Seeing her pouty pink lip between her teeth always did something for Paul that he couldn't explain. Maybe it was knowing how she tasted or remembering how it felt to pull said lip between his teeth. Then again, it could have been the predatory look in her eyes that seemed to accompany the gesture whenever directed his way. Paul wasn't sure. He just hoped she kept doing it.

To his relief and the disappointment of a few teenaged punks in line behind them, Bella's skirt was long enough for her to clench between her thighs on the Round-Up. Paul forced his head forward to look at her.

"God damn, you're hot," he exclaimed.

Expecting her to blush or stammer, Paul was surprised when Bella answered? "Yeah? You too." He lowered his head and cackled as it thunked against the padding.

"I love this feeling," Bella said, closing her eyes. "It's kind of like flying. It's peaceful."

"Babygirl, we gotta go to a big theme park sometime soon," Paul suggested. Bella turned toward him with a smile so radiant he thought his heart would burst. He struggled to take a deep breath for a moment, unconsciously reaching through the metal bars between them to grasp her hand.

As they walked toward a different ride afterward, a flash of color caught his eye. The low-hanging sun behind Bella flared her dark mahogany hair with a blood-red glow. Bella's pale skin was nearly translucent, giving her an ethereal appeal. The scene had him reaching for his cell phone. He said, "Stop right there. Don't move, okay?"

Bella raised an eyebrow suspiciously and smirked at him as she waited with her hands on her hips. Paul couldn't help the smile that cut across his face. Sometimes he couldn't believe she was real. Everything about her entranced him in a way no other woman had ever done.

"Smile, babe," Paul said. Bella tilted her head and gave him a dazzling grin. He took the picture and beamed over the perfectly captured scene. Vibrant patches of blue, pink, orange, and purple in the sky made the perfect natural backdrop for the carnival scene and brightly lit Ferris Wheel behind her.

"Can I see it?"

"No way," Paul said, holding his phone out of her reach. "This is amazing. I will frame it for you, and you can see it then."

Bella shook her head at him and grinned as she reclaimed his other hand.

They had time for a few more rides before the Derby and later stared at each other while waiting in different food lines. Arms loaded with items, they carefully walked back to the truck. Paul carefully sat their items down inside the truck bed before lowering the tailgate and lifting her onto it. He stood between her legs for a moment, reaching up to trail his thumb along her jaw. Bella instinctively slid closer, her hands splayed across his abdomen and large brown eyes boring into his. There was no mistaking the change in her scent as she stared at him. Her lips parted, and Paul leaned in to kiss her.

The moment was interrupted as a handful of popcorn and foil wrappers rained on them. Paul covered Bella as they ducked in surprise and glared toward the offending party. Three vehicles away, Charlie and Billy sat on the tailgate of Billy's truck, laughing hysterically.

"Shame, shame. We know your name," Sam Uley yelled from his seat over the wheel hub. Bella flushed deeply and scowled, sending them into another round of laughter.

Bella yelled, "What the hell, guys?"

Charlie said, "Hey, kiddo. Somebody had to give up their spot, and we just got lucky.".

"Yep, sorry 'bout your luck," Billy said.

Charlie tossed a beer over his shoulder to Sam before opening his own. He made an awkward face and said, "Paul, I don't give a shit if you kiss my daughter. Just not in front of me."

"I'm going to write a fucking book," Bella grumbled to no one in particular. "It will be titled, My Two Drunk Dads: A Buzz Story."

Paul couldn't help but chuckle along with them as he looked back down into Bella's frustrated face. He leaned down to kiss her forehead instead of her lips, earning a rueful grin. Bella adjusted her sitting position as soon as he stepped away, pulling her legs together while shoving a nacho chip in her mouth.

"Now that's a damn shame," Paul whispered as he glanced toward her lap, causing Bella to choke in surprise. He cackled as she grabbed her drink.

"I'm not going to survive this night," she grumbled as overhead lights turned on, illuminating the muddy lot in front of them.

After over an hour of carnival food, bantering between vehicles, beer, revving engines, and crunching car parts, Bella hopped down from the tailgate. She said, "I hate to be a buzz-killer, but I really need to pee." Paul chuckled as he hopped down, pushed their trash back, and shut the tailgate.

Leah called out, "Who is the buzz-killer?" Paul and Bella turned to see Leah and Dean walking along the rows of cars.

Bella laughed and searched for a space to get between vehicles. Paul calmly followed, smirking as she wrapped an arm around Leah's waist. "Good," Bella said. "Just in time to brave the bathrooms with me." She reached behind her for Paul's hand as he caught up to them.

Restrooms in sight, Bella suddenly flinched and stopped walking to look around them nervously.

Dean frowned as he took notice and looked around as well. Leah snickered as he asked, "Who's the bitch?"

Paul followed his line of sight and scowled as he spotted Shari about fifty feet away. Standing next to the beer tent, she gave Paul a dazzling smile that failed to hide the anger in her eyes as she glanced pointedly at Bella.

Leah was instantly angry and began to stomp forward as she growled, "That stupid cun-"

"Woah, Leelee. Chill," Paul said as he stopped her.

"Seriously, Paul?" Leah glanced toward Bella warily and said, "I told that bitch I would fuck her up for even looking at my sister."

Bella ended her glare-off with Shari to force a smile at Leah. "Don't worry about it, Lee," she said. "She can dislike me all she wants. She's not worth the effort, okay?" Bella's tone changed as she nearly yelled, "Then again, if she keeps staring at me, I might pluck her eyes out with my house key!"

Shari clearly heard her, and the grin fell from her face as Paul failed to defend her. Luckily for her, Shari was next in line and immediately busied herself with her order.

Paul scowled again and asked, "Hey, can you two give us a minute?" Bella fixed her stare on Paul, visibly trying to hold back her temper.

Dean scowled back at Paul incredulously as Leah huffed and pulled Dean with her in the opposite direction. As soon as they were far enough away for Bella's liking, she snapped, "I don't want to fight about Shari, so please don't bother defending her."

His brow furrowed in confusion as he chuckled and said, "What? That wasn't-"

Bella interrupted, "Are you in love with her?"

Paul gaped at her in surprise. He asked, "Where is this coming from?" He winced as pain flashed across her features as she took a deep breath.

"Please just tell me, okay? For my own peace of mind so we can get this out of the way," Bella pleaded. She was trembling. Paul had the impression it had taken all the courage she could gather to ask.

Paul said, "No, and I never have been. Shari and I are friends, Bella. I told you that. After the crap she pulled, I'm not sure I even want to be her friend. I haven't had the opportunity to talk to her about it." He sighed and admitted, "I kind of don't want to. This kind of shit is why I've never wanted a relationship with her."

"You sure didn't seem happy when Dean called her a bitch," Bella complained.

"He has never met her," Paul said. "I know it's dumb, but I've known her a long time, okay? Old habits truly die hard, I guess."

Bella nodded, looking away from him. Paul asked, "Do you believe me?"

She shrugged and said, "I have no reason not to. I just don't understand."

"Then help me," Paul said softly. "Help me to help you understand. What do you want to know? I'll answer whatever you ask me."

Bella looked up to search for Leah and shuffled from one foot to the other. Paul chuckled as he took her hand and tugged her toward the restrooms. "Come on, sweetcheeks. You're doing the pee dance over here. We can talk about whatever you need to in a few minutes." He kept his back to Shari as they walked away, feeling her eyes shooting daggers at them as they went.

When they reached the restrooms, Bella rushed to Leah's side. Leah asked, "Hey, Dean? How about you guys meet us in the funhouse in a few minutes."

Paul nodded as he walked to the men's room door, wondering what the Hell Leah had up her sleeve. As they disappeared into the ladies' room, Dean smirked at Paul and shook his head. "Chicks," he grumbled.

Paul glanced behind them toward the beer tent where Shari continued to watch him and said, "Amen."


This was part I of II - otherwise, the chapter would be way too long. Part II of Bella/Paul carnival night coming soon.

That Shari is like a rash that won't go away, huh? What do you guys think of these characters so far and the way they have developed? I would love your honest feedback on this story and your guesses on where it's heading. Thank you to everyone who is reading and/or reviewing this story. Feedback keeps me driven and the positive response to this story has been incredible from the very first chapter. Thank all of you for your time and interest. I truly hope you continue to enjoy the story.