Hello, lovely readers. This chapter is pretty much mostly smut. Skip down to Paul's POV if you're uncomfortable.

For those of you who have waited patiently - here ya go lol.

Side Note: I want to apologize to my readers for the length of this story. It wasn't initially supposed to be this drawn out. Still, as some of my fellow authors know - sometimes the characters write themselves - and that's sort of what I've been doing here as I've struggled with keeping both inspiration and momentum high enough to write this faster lol. I am neurodivergent with multiple health issues that often hinder my progress. I hope you're still enjoying this story and stick through it with me. Please, keep leaving those reviews and critiques. It helps me so much more than you guys could possibly know - and thank you all so much for all the positivity and enthusiasm you have shown for this story.


(B POV)

Bella vaguely recalled being aware she was dreaming as she roamed the ancient castle surrounded by tall, dripping candelabras. She knew the place like the back of her hand, confident in where she was going as she turned down a wide hallway.

The low-cut corset white shift and unlaced red gown felt foreign and heavy against her snowy-white skin. While her curls were all her own, her hair hung to her waist, raven-black and soft as silk.

You have officially watched A Tale Of Terror too many times, Bella grumbled. She waited near the window for Peter, the red-headed adonis doctor who would only betray her in the end. Bella flinched at the sound of her name and the musical tone that even her subconscious couldn't replicate accurately. Edward's memory voice lacked all of the magic it once held for her as she spun to face him rather than the beloved face of one David Conrad.

"You'll never see me again. It will be as if I never existed," Memory Edward recited.

"Yeah, you keep saying that," Bella grumbled.

"Pardon?"

Suddenly Bella was transported, lying on her back inside a glass coffin. Her eyes were wide open, but she could not move or speak. Paul hovered over her, beating on the thick glass frame, screaming for her to wake up and breathe while Edward steadily shoveled rich black earth over the top of them. Paul tore the glass panels apart and pulled her forward, out of her colorful prison. Paul began shaking her, begging her to breathe as Edward yelled at him to leave her in peace.

A surprised gasp cut off her attempt at screaming as air filled her lungs, and suddenly she was on her feet. Back inside the gloomy castle, Charlie sat in a darkened room, gaunt, despairing and depleted. Bella tentatively approached the grief-stricken shadow of her father. "Daddy?"

Eyes unfocused, Charlie slowly turned to face her. As if looking directly through her, he said, "Go away, phantom. My daughter is dead."

Bella looked into the mirror behind him at her glittering, red-eyed reflection before releasing a blood-curdling scream.

"Bella! Baby," Paul crooned as she opened her eyes. They were sitting upright in his bed, his arms wrapped around her to keep her from thrashing. She broke down in tears as she slowly relaxed against him. She mumbled apologies in embarrassment as the panic began to fade.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Paul said, pressing his lips to her temple as he rocked her gently.

"I was a vampire," she choked out. Her words nearly ran together as she rambled, "Charlie told me to go away because I was dead. I looked up into this mirror, and my eyes were red. I had glittering skin and-"

"Hey," he interrupted softly, attempting to slow her down.

"Paul, it was a warning," she said firmly.

He stroked her upper arms as he continued his attempt at calming her. His smile was tight, forced, as he said, "It's okay if it was a warning. That will help us. But, you're safe right now, okay?" The sadness in his features sent a wave of guilt through her. The panic in dream-Paul's face came back to her clearly, filling her with the urge to comfort him back.

Vaguely recalling the sensation of moving upright before encountering Charlie in the dream, she asked, "Paul, were you yelling at me to wake up and breathe?"

He hesitated before admitting, "Yeah, I was. You were gasping for air, Bells. Like you were choking. I pulled you upright and had to shake you a little to wake you. It scared the shit out of me."

Bella nodded, unsurprised. "I should have warned you. Sometimes the nightmares - I hold my breath. I always breathe eventually, but it scares Jake, too." Bella brushed the tear streaks from her cheeks with her thumb and then lay against his chest. Paul's long, muscular arms held her close as he pressed his lips to her temple.

The more she relaxed against him, the more aware of him she became. Her legs were between his, her cold toes seeking the heat of his calves. Large, rough hands were gentle as they continuously stroked her skin. His comforting warmth was like a balm to her body, and she moaned as she tried to get closer. Bella still needed him, wanted to lose herself in him as she had almost done the night before. She impulsively lifted her lips to his throat and pressed a feather-light kiss to the hollow under his Adam's Apple.

Paul sucked in a sharp breath and grinned down at her."Oh yeah?"

Bella cupped the back of his neck and guided his lips to hers. Paul welcomed her kiss with a deep moan and tugged her bottom lip between his teeth. Desire blossomed at her core and flowed through her limbs, flushing her skin as she tried to get closer still. Within seconds, they were in a passionate tangle of tongues and limbs. She mewled into his mouth as his hand slid up her shirt. Bella pulled away to yank the shirt over her head and flung it away. Paul stared down at her breasts in amusement as her bra quickly followed. She closed her eyes as his lips descended from her collar bone to one breast, then the other.

Before they could get any farther, she asked, "Did you remember to grab them from the truck?" Bella damn sure didn't want to wait for someone to possibly interrupt them while he ran to grab them a second time.

Paul pulled away, his brow furrowing in surprise. He asked, "The condoms?" A playful, crooked smile brightened his whole face. "Yeah," he said. He glanced toward his nightstand and back before Bella followed his lead, finding them next to his alarm clock.

When did he grab them, and how had she not noticed? Deciding it didn't matter, Bella shifted away from Paul and gently pushed him onto his back. She kneeled next to him and silently kissed her way down his chest, holding his gaze with her own. Bella tugged at his shorts, and he lifted his hips for her to remove them. She followed by kicking off the borrowed sweatpants, shimmied out of her underwear, and purposely angled herself to display her ass as she bent over him. His whole body shuddered, and a moan escaped him as Bella skipped the lengthy explorations, wrapping her mouth around him.

Determined to do her best, Bella tried not to think about how much more experienced Paul was. Not that she had earned any complaints, but with only one previous partner, however, she felt like a virgin in comparison. She also tried not to think about how Paul and Jacob were very similar in size or the relief she felt about avoiding any awkward compatibility issues. Paul had only been inside her for a moment the night before, but it had felt right. Focusing solely on Paul and his reactions, Bella sucked hard and took him as deeply into her throat as she could.

Through surprised, wicked laughter, Paul crooned, "Oh-ho-ho-my-god, Bella." One of his hands slid into her hair as he moaned, wrapping around it at the base of her neck while she set a grueling pace. Thankfully, Paul didn't try to take over, simply clutching onto her strands as she worked him with her mouth. He was trembling under her and nearly bucked into her mouth as she swirled her tongue around the sensitive head.

"Bella?" Paul croaked out, "I'm close, baby. You don't have to -"

Bella scraped her sharp nails down his stomach and hummed to silence him. His balls tightened as he tossed his head back and roared, spilling down her throat and over her tongue. Paul watched her, wide-eyed as Bella looked him in the eyes and swallowed him down. He chuckled as he dropped his head back to the pillow behind him.

"Christ on a fucking cracker, Bella," Paul said, panting.

"Something wrong?"

He lifted his head to look down at her as if the question was preposterous. He barked out a laugh and shook his head no.

Bella slowly kissed her way up his chest, stopping briefly to tease and lap at his nipples. She slid her nails up the inside of his thigh, and Paul hissed, raising his hips. He swallowed hard as Bella straddled his thighs and ground herself against him. She kept her eyes locked on his as she wrapped her hand around Paul's semi-erect member and stroked him. Bella arched toward him, sliding her clit against the underside of his shaft, her hand cupping the other side to hold it against her. Bella moaned as she simultaneously rolled her hips, bit her bottom lip as she closed her eyes, leaned her head back, and caressed her breast with her free hand.

When she opened her eyes, Paul's cock was rock hard against her, and a blissful smile plastered on his face. Paul lifted one hand to trail his fingers over her breasts and abdomen. "You're so fucking beautiful like this," Paul said. He reached for the nightstand and impatiently fumbled with the condom box before pulling one out and tearing the package open. He held it out for Bella to take it, and she rolled it down his shaft. A sheen of sweat covered her skin as her heart beat wildly in her chest. Bella leaned down to kiss Paul, and he sat up to meet her, invading her mouth passionately. Eyes closed and lips locked together, they pulled apart to cry out as Bella lowered herself onto him.

Paul's hands were everywhere as she rode him. She caught his wrists and pulled his hands up to cup her breasts as she arched into them. Heat bloomed from her core, setting her limbs on fire with a need for release so strong Bella felt she might explode. She needed to intensify the sensations, wanting desperately to cum, to relax against him afterward, fulfilled and wrapped in his embrace. She whimpered as she worked him harder, slamming her hips against his and grinding down.

Suddenly she was on her back and being rolled onto her stomach. Paul clutched her hips, guiding her onto her knees in front of him. Bella cried out as he slipped back inside her and slammed his hips against her, pushing deeper. She reached back to clutch his hip and begged, "Harder, Paul. Please."

He chuckled and increased his force and pace. He slid his right hand to her sex and steadily stroked her clit in time with his thrusts. Bella's entire body trembled when she tumbled over the edge. Paul's name left her lips in a desperate cry as waves of heat flooded her body, accompanying her release. Paul rammed himself into her, yelling as he came. Still connected, they collapsed onto their sides, limbs tangling together in a sweaty mess, and her back flush against his chest. Bella's walls still fluttered around him in the lingering aftermath of her orgasm while she tried to catch her breath.

Paul carefully removed himself from her body and stood to tie off the condom before throwing it away. Panting, he placed his hands on his hips and began to pace. Something was bothering him - that was plain to see. Bella sat up self-consciously and immediately wrapped her arms around her knees. He paused mid-step to look at her for a moment and then continued pacing without a word.

"What?" Bella was becoming anxious about his behavior. "What did I do wrong?"

Paul spun on her and asked, "Baby, why do you think you've done something wrong?" He sat next to her on the bed and quickly kissed her. Bella hung her head as he pulled away, letting her wild hair cover her confused face. What was she supposed to say? Five years later, a monster's rejection still left her feeling inadequate? Even if it was true, Bella couldn't voice her shame out loud.

"Bella, that was fucking phenomenal," he said.

"Oh, shut up," she said and scowled at him. She didn't want him pulling her chain now, not when her self-esteem was dangling by a thread. "I obviously did something wrong, or you wouldn't be acting so -" She gestured at him wildly with both hands.

Paul shook his head at her and used both hands to push her hair back out of her face. He said, "I am not a bullshitter in the bedroom, my little milkshake." Bella cackled, ducking away from his hands. He grinned and said, "Trust me, if something isn't working out, I'll either say something or do something different. If I sense you need something different, I'll ask what you want or try something else. It's sex, Baby, not rocket science. You go with what feels good." He chuckled, blatantly checking out the side of her naked form.

She rolled her eyes at him and asked, "So why did you get all weird a minute ago?"

Paul admitted, "I was thinking about a few things, actually. I don't know if you want to know. None of it is bad, but you might be offended all the same."

Bella said, "Well, now it's just going to bug the piss out of me until I know."

Paul chuckled and nodded. "Well," he said, "The first thing I thought about was how you rarely took your eyes off mine unless we were kissing. My wolf was really fucking into that, which was great, but I also felt you were holding back somehow."

She nodded. There was no point in denying it when Paul had noticed so easily. He said, "Please, please don't get me wrong. I enjoyed every fucking second of that. I did." He reached for her face, again moving her hair so she would look at him. "I want to finish what we started last night."

Bella scoffed, then asked, "What do you think we just did?"

Paul smirked at her and said, "We had amazing sex. Now? I want to finish making love to you like I intended to last night." Before she could offer any argument or objection, Paul's lips pushed hers apart. He guided her onto her back and moved over her, focusing on kissing her alone. Soon, Bella was pleading with him to touch her. He never pulled away from her mouth for more than a second as his hands roamed over every curve and crevice he could reach. He took his time, urging her to keep her eyes closed and just feel while he lavished her body with attention.

By the time he pushed himself back inside her, they were a mass of worshiping lips and limbs, moving against each other by pure sensation alone. Her legs shook as she came for the second time, panting his name. He left her no chance to come down, immediately working her into a third orgasm. Afterward, Bella trembled violently, screaming with her release as she clung to his sweat-drenched body. Her muscles ached, spent as she collapsed next to him on the bed, out of breath and emotional. Paul held her tight for a long time afterward, as if Bella was the only thing anchoring him to the world. She watched him in silence as he fell asleep with his face pressed against her breasts, wondering if just maybe they had a real chance at happiness after all.


(Paul POV)

Paul hated Mondays. More importantly, he hated having Bella to himself for the entire weekend and returning to taking things by the day.

They had locked themselves away from everyone Sunday evening. They had teased, bickered, compromised, cooked, ate, cleaned up, and showered together before snuggling on the couch to watch a movie. It was his first taste of what life could be like with Bella, and Paul longed for more of it. He found himself oddly emotional as he contemplated it, not understanding how Jacob could have imprinted on her and yet was not in love with her. How could the universe have gotten things so confused? Paul's wolf wanted her as much as he did, staring after every move she made in earnest fascination. The wolf had been close to the surface many times as if Bella's beautiful doe eyes called him out, specifically.

Paul was disappointed when she failed to back out of her date Wednesday. He felt blindsided later when Richy Rich called to schedule a time for their next date. Both were plans she had made before Saturday. Bella wasn't one to go back on her word, despite emphasizing that the person she wanted was Paul. Paul promised himself he wouldn't get jealous, but the wolf refused. As far as the wolf was concerned, Bella was now theirs. Baby Alpha's imprint or not, he knew where his heart belonged. With the wolf urging him on, Paul proceeded to fuck her into exhaustion again to be sure she didn't forget it.

He dropped her off Monday morning before patrol, loathing that, between work and patrol, he wouldn't see her again until the following Thursday. To the wolf, four days was an eternity.

Paul was oblivious when his packmates phased in. He was too busy thinking about how much he hated crawling out of bed that morning while she looked so peaceful.

I take it things went well, Sam said, chuckling.

Ah shit, Paul grumbled as Jacob and Leah laughed at his expense.

Never thought I'd see you this infatuated, Embry grumbled. Paul picked up on Embry's tone, and his hackles rose defensively.

Paul said This isn't just infatuation for either of us, Embry.

Embry snarled, So what are you saying? That you are actually in love with her?

What the fuck if I am, Embry? What the hell is it to you? I've caught the attitude you get. What gives?

Embry said, Maybe I think she deserves better. Paul snarled at him in response.

Leah blurted out, Like you? Em, you've had years to ask Bella out. If you snooze, you lose. I told you that shit a long time ago.

Yeah, yeah, he grumbled back.

Jacob asked, so what's the deal. Paul? Are you two a couple now? I didn't have time to ask her about anything before I left.

Paul said We agreed to take shit one day at a time.

Figures, Embry grumbled.

That is what she wants for now. Hell, I'd fucking move her in with me today if she wanted to, Paul hissed.

Sam asked, Paul, where the hell are you going?

Paul glanced around his surroundings and cursed. He had been strolling along, absently thinking of Bella. Meanwhile, his wolf had steered him straight to her. She was on the back stoop at Jacob's, talking on her phone. Paul listened to the sweet sound of her voice, drawing him closer.

Paul, come on, Sam said.

She's right there, Paul argued. Just give me one minute. Paul checked for others in the area before darting out of the trees to Jacob's backyard. A wide grin split her beautiful face as he drew closer.

"So, what time are we meeting up," the male voice on her phone asked. Paul barely had time to react before the wolf surged forward. He playfully knocked the phone from her hand before sneaking a lick to her cheek.

She cackled as she shoved him back and reached for her phone. The sound sent a rush of affection through him that reverberated through the pack mind. Bella put her phone on her lap and apologized for dropping it.

"You seem to do that a lot," the voice said.

"Yeah. Well, Alex, I hate to tell ya, but I'm a klutz," Bella said and began scratching behind Paul's ears. He leaned forward, rested his massive chin on her tiny shoulder, and whined.

"What was that?"

"The neighbor's dog came to visit," she lied quickly. Paul huffed as he tried not to laugh. Bella asked," How does four sound? That would give me time to get ready and do a few other things around the house."

"Sounds great," Alex said. "I'm stuck at work until two anyway."

She asked, "Is four too soon?"

"No, it's perfect," Alex said. "I'll see you tonight, then?"

Jacob said, Wait. Does Bella have another date with Alex?

"Yes. Later, Alex," Bella said and ended the call.

Yes, Paul answered Jacob's question.

Embry asked, And you're okay with that?

Nope, Paul said, but I'm not her fucking boss.

To his surprise, Bella gave Paul a mischievous grin, set her phone down, and leaped off the stoop, tackling him. Paul let himself fall over easily, cushioning her impact as they hit the ground. As she slid off of him, Paul wrapped his large body around her, pinning her in place. She grunted as she tried to get up, leaving him turning his head to laugh. Bella giggled and snuggled against him, burying her face against his neck. The wolf relished the moment, happily committing it to memory.

Come on, Paul, Sam beckoned through his laughter. For a moment, Paul focused on her so intently that he had again forgotten everyone could see.

Geez, he's got it so bad for Swan, Leah teased.

Bella looked into his eyes and said, "Are there others phased? Hey, my wolf-peoples."

Paul woofed happily as the others told her hello. She beamed at him, gently stroking the soft fur between his eyes. He closed them and sighed contentedly.

He's like a fucking cat, Leah said and laughed.

She does that shit to me, too. It's very relaxing, Jacob said, snickering.

Paul, Sam called again, and Paul huffed in aggravation. He nuzzled his face against her neck and inhaled deeply. Paul could smell himself in her pores, and his wolf practically gloated.

Your wolf acts as if he claimed her already, Embry grumbled.

Paul sighed and said, Yeah, he kind of has. He doesn't want anyone else. Never has before her.

As Paul uncurled himself from around her and stood, Bella sat upright in the damp grass. She giggled as she realized her backside had become soaked and shook her head at him. She asked, "You need to go, huh?"

He nodded. Bella stood next to his massive wolf and wrapped her arms around his neck before kissing his cheek. She said, "I'll see you soon?"

Paul nodded again before pulling away and darting into the woods. He grinned over her wistful sigh as she watched him disappear.


So, for those of you who chose to endure the NSFW material over here - how am I doing? LOL
How do you guys feel about the way things are developing? I'm seriously contemplating changing the story title, too - I love Paul and Bella so much that I'm not sure we're going to get through so many more crazy dates.
Leave those honest thoughts. I can take it, I promise.