Chapter 14

"Why the fuck I have to be there?" Paul asked.

"She's your imprint," Sam said.

"This is total bullshit," Paul said and when Sam started to say something he interrupted him, "don't say a thing Sam. You know it as well as I do that I don't have to be there. They just want to fuck with me. What are they expecting to happen? Me suddenly changing my mind. Are they going to give me some drug and make me fuck her in front of everybody," Paul snorted.

A sudden chill went through his body, they wouldn't do such a thing, would they? But who knew about these wackos. Thank fuck Harry was there he wouldn't let them do any shit to him.

Harry had visited them two nights ago and told them that he would do whatever was needed to help them stay together. Sadly, he didn't yet know how Paul could break the imprint, but Harry was adamant to find the missing journal and find out what the others were hiding from him. Old Quil had denied that one of the journals was missing saying that Harry must have been drunk when he'd seen the archive last time. Harry had chuckled that it was a good thing they all thought he was a drunken fool. Which he of course was.

Paul and Sam entered the council hall, and there she was. Paul's stomach turned when he looked at her looking as bitchy as ever. Some might say she was beautiful, gorgeous even, but it was only a cover. Paul knew better what kind of person she was. And it was beside the point who the imprint was. She wasn't Bella and only that mattered.

Rachel's eyes lit up when she saw him. How dense was she. Didn't she remember their last encounter, before imprinting, when he as much as threw her out of his house? But then he realized; they'd already told her. Well thank fuck for that, less drama for him to see.

"Wolf Lahote," Old Quil boomed, "We're glad that you could make it."

Paul nodded but didn't say a word. He wouldn't say much. He needed this to be over soon to get back to Bella. It was her last night before leaving back to Seattle.

Harry was there, he winked at him, and Paul relaxed a bit.

"We asked you to come here to acknowledge your imprint to the chef Black's daughter Rachel Black."

Paul still didn't say a thing.

"Well, what say you? Did you imprint on Rachel Black?" Old Quil asked.

"Yes, I guess it was something like an imprint," Paul said unwillingly.

"You guess? You don't know for sure?" Billy Black asked.

"I know it's not the same as it was for the others. I don't feel the pull, she has no magical power over me, and I definitely don't want to be her mate. Not me the man nor my wolf."

All the elders except Harry gasped. Harry chuckled shaking his head.

I've learned that you haven't given your imprint a chance," Old Quil said.

"What chance? Why would I give it a chance since it is clear that your spiritual guide has made a mistake this time? My mate, our mate is Isabella Swan."

"NO! You are MINE!" Rachel shouted.

WTF, the bitch was crazier than he'd thought. Paul could only laugh. This was fucking insane.

"I'm not yours and I ever will be. The best thing you can do is to refuse the imprint and set me free. Say you don't want me, and we can all go home."

He was tempted to add that he had his woman waiting for him, and didn't have time for this shit, but that wouldn't help his case.

"I never refuse you. You are my destined mate, and I will make you mine. I want you, Paul Lahote!"

Paul was disgusted. He closed his eyes and took long breaths to calm himself down. He kept his mouth shut. The bitch was bat crazy, and the elders were backing her up. He wanted to get the hell out of here to be with Bella, and not saying anything was better than saying what he really thought about this fucked up situation.

"Young-Lahote, you will start to feel the pull now that your imprint has accepted you. Time will show you who your true destined mate is. Go now," Old Quil said looking smug.

"But..." Rachel started but her father interrupted, "Rachel, dear, you need to be patient. It won't take long for him to see the reason behind all this."

Fuck what a delusional bunch this was, Paul snickered, but just as he was turning to leave, he felt something in his chest. What the fuck was that?

"I'm off, Sam. I have patrol tomorrow. I'll see you then. Unless nothing unexpected happens, Bella and I want to be left alone tonight and tomorrow morning. Okay."

Sam nodded. Old Quil motioned Sam to stay put and Paul left before anybody wanted anything from him. He heard Rachel's whining something to her father when he closed the door behind him.

He ran to his car and drove home, where Bella was most likely practicing. He'd been gone less than an hour.

His chest had a slight feeling of pressure. He massaged the spot, but it didn't help. Fuck this was not happening. That fucking bitch would not get her claws on him.

Never.

He needed Bella and he needed her now.

He parked his car and ran inside. Bella wasn't playing, she was listening to the music air pods in her ears and was moving around the kitchen water glass in her hand. Ah yes, she couldn't concentrate on playing when she was nervous, and today had been fucking nerve wrecking for them both.

Bella turned and noticed him. She placed the glass on the counter and ran to him. He grabbed Bella into his arms, and the dull ache in his chest vanished instantly.

"Oh baby, please let me make love to you." Paul kissed her frantically.

Bella wrenched her mouth off his.

"Paul, baby, what's the matter? What happened?"

"Please, let's talk later. I need you now."

"You are scaring me, Paul. Please talk to me."

Paul sighed and pressed his forehead against Bella's, holding her close.

"Rachel won't refuse the imprint, and she said she wants me. Just as I knew she would. Old Quil said that now that Rachel has accepted the imprint, I'll start to feel the pull. First, I almost laughed at their faces but as soon as I moved to leave, I started to feel pressure in my chest. It scared the hell out of me."

"Oh."

"But when I got back to you and had you in my arms the feeling vanished."

"Well, we'll have that. It is a good thing, isn't it."

"It is."

Paul captured her lips into a kiss, and Bella didn't stop him this time. She kissed back and soon they were pulling clothes off each other. Paul lifted Bella into his arms and carried her to the bedroom closing the door behind them. He was going to worship his woman and make love to her as long as she let him. They would be separated tomorrow for two weeks, and Paul needed her more than air to breathe. He didn't want to let her go, but not letting her wasn't an option.

They were soon both naked and standing beside the bed. Paul knelt and kissed Bella on her stomach. He pulled her close to his face pressing his lips against her pubic bone. Paul inhaled her and felt dizzy; this was the scent of his mate. The wolf rumbled in his chest, agreeing. He licked her mound. Bella wound her fingers into his head and pulled his hair so that he had to look up at her. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears.

"I love you, baby, only you," she said.

"I love you, I love you," he chanted and pecked little kisses all over her stomach and hips, and he moved up to her ribs, breasts, between the breasts, her neck, and jaw. He kissed her all over, chanting I love you. It was like a prayer.

He got up and pulled Bella with him to the bed.

Paul took his time. He kissed, he licked, and nipped as Bella made the most arousing noises. His fingers found her thighs, and slowly he moved his fingers closer to the desired destination. He pushed two fingers inside her moist warmth. His mouth followed.

"Oh, Paul …"

He took her over the edge and as she was convulsing with her first orgasm he slid into her, slowly agonizingly slow. But he couldn't rush, he didn't want to rush. He needed to last; this had to last.

"Oh baby, I love you so much," he said and kissed her. He was now propped on his elbows, and Bella's head was between his hands. He kissed her as his hips made love to her, her legs wrapped around his hips. This was pure heaven. This was what he wanted, what he needed.

"I love you, Paul..."

They moved together, kissing, whispering little words of worship and love. They couldn't stop. They didn't stop.

The morning came all too soon. Paul helped Bella to pack her things she needed to take with her. He had lump in his throat. Fuck, it had never been this hard before. It felt like he was losing her forever. Bella wasn't faring any better. She kept swiping away tears from her eyes and smiled a sad smile at him. Neither of them said much. All that needed to be said was said last night.

Paul drove her to Port Angeles and after seeing her drive off to Seattle he phased and ran back to La Push. He freed Colin and Emby from patrol. Jacob was today with him. Thank fuck Sam understood that he didn't put him with Jared. He never wanted to spend time with that fucker again if it was up to him. He was beyond mad at him for how he'd treated Bella and their relationship. That imprinting sure made people lose their minds. He would never have believed Jared was able to be such a dick.

After the patrol, he went home to shower and headed to Sues. He had a night shift. As soon as he stepped into the diner, he saw the bitch with her friends sitting in one booth and the ache returned to his chest.

AN:

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