Chapter 21: Forced Claim

Dream Starts

Somehow, I was laying the ground, and I was gasping for air. It was cold and windy. Not sure what was going on, I got up. I almost stumbled over from seeing that there was nothing in the ground. Ah, I'm back here again. I grounded myself when I heard a voice saying, "It's been a while."

I looked up and smiled at the indigenous man. I am back here in the void, but this time it was different?

I nodded, "it has."

He said, "many things happened since we last spoke."

I nodded, "Yeah. Bree Tanner died, Jacob left, Bella got banished from the reservation, and I got claimed somehow?"

He asked, "you seemed really upset regarding Bree Tanner."

I continued, "Yeah.. I forgot about her. I could've told the Cullens about her, to save her from getting killed by Felix..She wanted to escape from the clutches of Victoria, and she really didn't want to fight.. and ..I ..regret how I dealt with what happened to Seth and using that opportunity to talk to the Cullens regarding Bella's pregnancy."

He said, "You are stressing yourself unnecessarily."

I said sorrowfully, "how so? It was because the third wife neglected her role, she and Taha Aki faced a sad fate. Knowing what Meyers did with the characters in Breaking Dawn, I feel like there is so much for me to do and I have to do everything right, or else with one mistake, someone dies like Bree Tanner, and Bella got banished from the reservation! If anything, I deserved to get mauled by Paul's wolf." I said the last part tearfully and out of breath.

Why am I out of breath? This is has never occurred in the past whenever I show up here.

He came to me, put a hand on my shoulder, and said, "You are doing so much better than we anticipated.. You helped Jacob to find his own path again. You don't know much it will help everyone. You encouraged Jacob and gave him the support he needed to finally decide what he needs to do with his life. He has been living indecisively for so long that it was hurting him and his wolf spirit. You have saved his life a fate worser than fate. That's..not easy to do Ale, and me, the Quileute ancestors want to thank you for what you have done for our young Jacob. Not only that, but you also helped the elders to find errors of their ways, so that the fate of the spirit warriors won't be as tragic from this point on. You planted a seed in our own first female spirit warrior to find her path. You didn't talk to her, but overhearing your conversation with Jacob and providing insight to her mother, it helped her to find some direction in her life."

He continues, "You are doing the best that you can, and as long as you keep that vigor, it will be okay even if you make mistakes along the day. Either way, you recognized your mistakes, no need to beat yourself up for it."

I let what he said sink in, but I still bothered about Bella being banished from the Reservation. I wasn't expecting that at all, and I felt bad for Charlie. How will we going to explain this to Charlie? It would be harder to keep him in the dark much longer. If my memory serves me right, he dated Sue, so Sue would eventually tell him.

He added, "It wasn't your fault that Bella was banished. When she sealed her own fate. It eventually will happen because she has disrespected the Quileute pack multiple times. Time and time again, she chose the Cullens over the shapeshifters, but she never openly showed her gratitude to the shapeshifters. When she left with Alice to stop Edward from committing suicide despite the fact that her father Charlie was mourning for Harry Clearwater, she left without telling the wolves besides Jacob. Jacob had to go tell the pack, and it hurt Sam, Emily and the rest of the pack. It caused the shapeshifters to feel used, disrespected, and lower than the Cullens. She had her chance to make amends with them at that time. Then after the newborn fight, she never showed her face to the reservation to thank the pack. She had another chance to make amends with them. When Jacob ran off, she had another chance to come down to the reservation and give her condolences to Chief Billy. She had another chance again to make amends with them, but she chose not to. For her to follow the plans of Edward through, it showed that she didn't care for the pack, and had used them for her own benefit. Her persona of being selfless was crushed by this action. It showed that she really is self-centered. "

That's true. It is what it is. No point of grilling the many ways that I could've done better. No matter how much I intervene, some things are meant to be. I just gotta accept it, take responsibility of my own actions, not others and try to do . people lives died..

Then, I thought about the forced claim and how Paul did it..

He said, "the claiming ritual is a special ceremony. Although it appears to be a ceremony for the wolf to take ownership of the woman, it is not so. The claiming ritual is for the wolves who love their imprint beyond the level of imprinting that they want to bond them not only in their physical life but also in the spiritual life or what you would know it as the afterlife."

I asked intriguingly, "So it's a level higher than imprinting?"

He said," Yes, because imprinting is the level where the wolf is connected to the imprint to be whatever they need to be as long as they live their physical life on earth. Life does not end in death. There is a life after the physical death or first death that we call the spiritual life, so the wolf is only connected to the imprint up until their physical death. After that, the man and wolf spirit are freed from the imprint connection. However, there are cases where after their physical life ends, they want to spend their spiritual life with their imprint then the imprint becomes their mate in the afterlife. There is a different from finding their mate in the spiritual life and finding their mate in the physical life. When the wolf spirit recognizes his mate during his physical life, then the wolf spirit would want their spiritually connected to their mate because they love their mate to the point of wanting to spend their afterlife with them which would lead to the claiming ritual. The claiming ritual comes with fruitful blessings for the couple because it is the highest form of bond, connection that anyone in this world can have. The couple would be able to feel each other emotions, not just the shapeshifter."

He paused, and then continued, "the claiming ritual is first done with consent by both parties because your spirit needs to be aware of the ritual for the second and third step of the claiming ritual to occur, or else your spirit might reject the connection and both parties would die in the second death. I will explain about the second death in a moment. The second step is to get claimed physically through sexual intercourse to be bonded on their current physical life, then the last stage by both the wolf spirit and the man together they bond their mate spiritually through the act of claiming you through biting you in the neck. It is a visual demonstration of the bond that they have with you. However, because Paul's wolf spirit forcibly claimed you without the man's knowledge, your consent and intercourse, the claiming is an incomplete claim."

He asks to get me to think, "What do you think it would happen?"

I said, "I would feel the pull or urge to get it done..if I don't finish the ritual, right?"

He nodded solemnly, "Yes."

I just stared agape at him. Basically, he is saying I have to have sex with Paul, so we both don't die...Wait..is this a test from Paul's wolf spirit because I disrespected him? Is that why he claimed me forcibly?

The man said quickly, "No. Even though wolf spirit was angry with the disrespect from you and the mistreatment of his pack brother, he did it for your sake so that he'll know where you are within 25-mile radius. In case of an emergency, he knows where exactly you are, and he can find you ."

I asked, "so what is the second death?"

He replied, "Depending on how a person live in their physical life, it depends how long they will live in the spiritual life. If they live a good life, then they get to live a longer life and vice versa. Then they'll face the second death. They dissolve into energies, atoms, particles and the sorts which gets converted through the universe to be used for different purposes."

I added, "Oh, like the first law of thermodynamics?"

He nodded, "Yes that is right. Nothing gets destroyed but converted from one form into another."

I thought about it. Because Paul already forcibly claimed me and in order for both of us to stay alive and not face the second death, I would be connected to him to him in the afterlife then eventually I face the second death. I don't want him to die because I didn't want to live in the afterlife with him.

I.. grew to care for Paul these past few days, and I love him.

Shocked by my own realization, I questioned myself. Is it natural for me to love someone this quickly? It doesn't seem right, but I know this a mating connection so things might speed so, how much do I love Paul?..But I know the more I spend time with Paul, I know there will be more ways that my love for him deepen. I ..I don't think loving someone is just a one time thing.

The man, his eyes brighten with happiness, and he phased into a white wolf. He said, "We have chosen well to be the mate of our spirit warrior Paul. You'll be an example to all imprints of how a romantic relationship should be with a shapeshifter. It's not just eternal love at first sight. It is also what they make of it, and how you have been handling Paul, is what we wanted for the imprints to do as well."

The wind that was present in the beginning gotten more intense. He stumbled backward reverting back to his human form, looking around and said anxiously, "You need to complete the claiming ritual soon! You have until the full moon to get it done."

He was starting to fade, and I shouted, "What about Jacob? Where is he?"

As I was being pulled away into a vortex, He said, "He is with his ancestors. He will be gone for weeks due to the situation. Go, now!"

Dream Ends

I woke up drowsy and disoriented. There was a commotion somewhere in the distance. It seemed like I was placed in a bed with a towel placed gently on the mark that Paul gave me, full clothed. Probably Paul dressed me. I also had a towel placed over my eyes.

My whole left shoulder was aching, tensing, spasming. I groaned, and I heard a female voice said, "Here, take this pill and drink this tea. Mom said it would help you recover your strength."

With my good arm, I slowly took off the wet towel from my eyes. My eyes adjusted and there was Leah. She was sitting in a chair beside me, with her legs crossed, staring at me with an unreadable expression. It looked like a mixture of anger, disappointment, and tiredness? She reached over to help me sit up gently, and I winced as I got up. She helped me up and lean on her as I took the pill and the tea. The tea was bitter, but it warmed my body up and given me strength back.

I was still leaning onto Leah when I asked, "the bonfire?"

She said, "It already started an hour ago. Jared is overseeing the bonfire. Sam told him to stay back to help Brady and Collin to adjust with the news about becoming a shapeshifter. Old Quil and Billy are telling the stories. We've been waiting for you to wake up because you've been passed out for 6 hours."

6 hours?!

The commotion was getting closer and closer to the bedroom. There was shouting the distance and I could make out that it was an argument between Sam and Paul.

Sam argued, "I told you to stop resisting your wolf's urge to claim Ale! But look at what you've done, you forced a claim on your own mate!"

Paul shouted, "What you expected me to do, Sam? I was pissed, and the one moment that I let my anger get to me, my wolf came out. I didn't even know what he was doing until the wolf pulled back after biting her. That was when I remembered everything that he did to Ale."

There was a pause as they were at the front door.

Leah rolled her eyes, and said loudly, "You know idiots, she is listening to all of this."

The door opened, and both Paul and Sam entered. Sam looked wearied while Paul was stressed. Paul's hair looked like it was run through multiple times, and he had three angry red scars on his shoulder. I frowned when I saw that, and he said trying to brush it off, "Leah attacked me."

She snarked, "Yeah because you claimed a woman by force, you ass. Disgusting!."

Paul growled lowly but didn't comment on it.

Sam asked gently, ignoring Leah, "How are you feeling, Ale?"

I moved my shoulder, and it didn't hurt. Did Paul's saliva from the licking healed it eventually? I wondered. I said, "I was feeling a lot more in pain before I took what Leah gave me, so right now, I just feel tired."

Sam nodded, "We need to get food into your system because .. forced claim takes a lot of energy from you.. and the fact that you didn't die from it, you would need your strength back. I need to go back to the bonfire, but I don't want to leave you guys alone. I know I'm asking a lot from you Ale, but can you please come to the bonfire, and present yourself officially?"

I said softly, "Okay..but there is something that I need to tell you guys."

Paul said nervously, "How about telling us in the car as we go to the beach love?"

I nodded. He slowly came up to me, and carefully lifted me and carried me to his truck. Paul drove with Sam in front seat, and Leah sitting in the back seat with me. I told him everything about the dream. When I talked about the possibility of me dying, Paul's hands clenched the wheel until his knuckles were white from holding onto it.

Everyone stayed silent for the rest of the way until we got to the beach. I was remembering what Paul's wolf did to me in the bathtub, and I still can't believe that I actually did that. I let him touch me like that. Not that I hated it, but I didn't think I would skip the kissing part straight to that intimate moment. We got this so out of order. Sigh

Leah sighed, "This is bullshit."

Sam warned, "Leah."

Leah said furiously, "No! Spirits had screwed us over and now her too! She has to have sex now with Paul or else she dies because Paul couldn't keep it in his pants to wait!"

Sam alpha ordered Leah, "That is enough Leah…" Leah immediately became quiet, but she was fuming silently beside me "It's already hard on Paul. Don't make it harder on your pack brother. It's best to let them discuss about ..this as a couple."

He got off, and Leah scooted to the other side of the door to get off as well. Leah looked back at me, eyes filled with pity and said, "I'll go grab something for you to eat, ok?"

I nodded, and smiled gratefully at her.

They both left, and Paul and I were still inside alone. It was quiet between us. Paul had his hands still on the wheel, and he placed his head on the wheel, sighing.

Suddenly, I felt a wave of heat passing through me, and I felt myself getting aroused. My nipples harden, feeling wet from my undies and I was panting. I knew Paul felt it too because I could hear him groaning. I knew at that moment it was the pull, reminding us to complete the claiming ritual. I don't know how long we were in this state, but Leah showed up. When she opened my side of the door, her nose crinkled from the smell of arousal coming off from both of us. She hurriedly pushes the plate of food to me, didn't say anything and closed the door. I forced myself to eat the food, to distract me from the waves of heat passing through me.

It helped. I..dont know if the next time the wave come, and it scares me that I might not be able to stop it the next time it comes. I tried to ignore By focusing on eating, my mind cleared up for me to initiate the conversation with Paul.

I asked, "Can you come to the back?"

He said dejectedly, " It's better if I don't."

I said, "please? I want to look at you as I talk to you. I don't want to talk to you with your back facing me."

He stayed quiet and said, "Okay.."

He went around the truck nd got on from the door across of me. He sat down, but he stayed at a distance from me. I could feel waves of self-hatred, disgust, and shame coming off from him. He still had his head down, so I said, "I don't hate you, Paul"

Paul sighed, but sensing that I was telling the truth, he croaked while looking at me, " How?"

said slowly, "I'm upset with the situation.. but not at you Paul..I wished.. this didn't happen."

He winced.

I said shaking my head, "No no. Not like that. I am trying to say that I wish this didn't happen because I wanted to tell you that.. I love you Paul.."

He looked at me with wide eyes, and he said with hurt reflecting his brown eyes, "You are only saying that because you have to or else, we die."

I shook my head and said sincerely, "Check my emotions, Paul. I know you can feel what I feel...I wanted to have tell you this before..this happened and without this pressuring to us, but it is what it is.. We have many opportunities in the future to truly enjoy it without a rush."

I placed my hand on his hand, and he said in disbelief, "You mean that?"

I nodded, "Yeah" as I stroke his hand.

He quickly scoops me up in his arms and hugged me tightly.

I interrupted, "BUT! I respect that you gave me time to come into terms with my feelings regarding you. You didn't pressure me..and I am very thankful for that Paul. You gave me space and allowed me to get comfortable with you in my own terms but,.. I wished that your wolf asked me first before claiming me. Even though it was for my own good, I told you both that when it comes to my well-being, we make decisions together. You don't decide for me. You have to consider how I feel and think about it..I also wished that it didn't come at the cost of your wolf's needs and wants..I want to both of you to be happy, not just one of you, okay?.. Next time, if you guys do something like that again, I won't be so forgiving."

He froze and pulled me away from his chest to look at him. Paul's eyes lit up silver, so I knew his wolf spirit heard me. Paul said sincerely, "Okay..I'm..we're sorry."

Trying not to cry, I focused on feeling his emotions to see if he really means it. I could feel Paul's emotions. I felt his lust, love, happiness, understanding, and sadness, so I knew my message got across.

I added, "I..I know I upset both of you of how things went down earlier, so in a way I deserved to get bitten by wolf… he already warned me and I didn't take that seriously..I..I should've trusted you more and reached out to you the moment Seth got drugged..But, I only thought about myself, and I am sorry."

His eyes light up silver, and said smiling, "I understand..things could've been done better on both of us , so its not just one person's fault. We both made mistakes."

I nodded happily. I am glad to see that he didn't try to shift all the blame on me as I tried not to do the same with him. I twisted my body to be facing him, and he looked at me curiously. I got on his lap, swaddling him even though his shorts were unzipped from earlier wave of heat. I leaned forward to lock my arms around his neck. I gave a little nudge for him to lean down.

Without hesitation, Paul crashed his lips to mine, seeking dominance. His kisses were so sensual, passionate with so much need, love, and desperation. The stimulation was too much, so overwhelming.

I didn't notice that I wasn't breathing when he said in between kisses, "breathe love" with a smile.

I tried to breathe; it took few more kissing until I got my breathing under control. As someone who never been kissed before, I didn't know how to kiss properly, so it took time for me to adjust. I felt him trying to open my mouth more with his tongue, and then, he started nibbling my lips, biting them until I gave him access, and he deepened the kiss. He had his hand on the back of my head as he angles it lower, lifting me up to give him more room to kiss me. I felt him thrusting forward, and I forgot that his shorts were unzipped because I felt his erected dick rubbing against my thigh, reminding me of how much he wants me.

Suddenly, he groaned and twisted his body to shield me when the side door opened. Because ti was dark outside and with my poor vision, I couldn't tell who it was. He stopped and turned his head, when I heard Sam saying, "Uh…Old Quil knows and he said we can do this later. Do what you guys need to do. Completing the claim ritual is more important ..uh bye. Let me know when.. its done." He quickly closed the door.

I was laying my head on his shoulder, panting hard. My heart was racing, and my lips felt swollen and sensitive to touch. I pulled away to look at Paul, and Paul's brown eyes were dilated with the rims of his pupils shining a light silver. Both Paul and his wolf spirit were present. He was breathing heavily too and said smirking, "How was your first kiss?"

I blushed and mumbled shyly, "it was great.."

He arched his eyebrow and growled playfully, "just great?"

I said honestly, "it was ..awesome, so much better than I expected."

He purred in satisfaction when he said, "Want to finish what we started?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. He smiled brightly, I smiled back. He quickly pulled me out of the truck and opened the door of the driver seat without losing grip on me, his pants hanging loosely at his waist. It looked like one more step, it would've fallen in the ground. I hid my face on his shoulder, not wanting to see anyone looking at me and seeing my blushing face. He put on with me on his lap. I looked at him and said concerningly, "Would you be able to drive like this?"

He said cockily, "Yes. I have heightened senses. We will be more than fine."

He backed up the truck and drove speedily away to beat the next wave of heat that was slowly overwhelming us.

Author's Note:

I'm back~

I'll send another chapter latest by Saturday night.

Hope you guys enjoyed it. It will be a bit smutty for another chapter then we will get right back to the plot, then after that it will be every so often. I don't have much experience with this, so it won't too much either.

Thank you guys for the reviews, I have read and it reassured me a lot that I did it okay as my first attempt making M material and handling Paul.

How did you guys think of how they reconciled?

As always, reviews are very much appreciated.