AN: So this chapter was a surprise for me too, I didn't expect it but this is how the story wants to be written. I hope you like it.
14.
Bella waited patiently for Paul, she knew she had upset him, but her insecurity had gotten the best of her. She had to admit she was a bit angry because Paul was always running away to vent, but she had to stay and wait for him.
Paul came back half an hour later looking disgruntled, he was glaring at her. "What the fuck were you thinking? Have I ever given you the idea that I don't want you?"
She glared right back. "Well, it's all nice and good to have choices, but then when we both are sure about us, what would it matter if you marked me? I agree that my shield has to stay, but we can bond differently."
Paul was going to retort, but then he closed his mouth, and passed a hand through his hair. He looked at her, and she could see he looked conflicted. "I'm scared, ok? I've never had a family or anyone to look after, and then I get you and I have to think for both of us, and what if you get tired of me? What if you find someone better and you're stuck with me?"
Bella now understood him better. "You're crazy Paul, we're family now. You're what I want, and I don't think there's someone better than you out there. I want you as much as you want me."
Paul hesitated only a moment, and then he got in the truck and pulled her into his arms. The kiss that followed left her breathless and wanting more. "I'm sorry Bella, I've almost fucked up everything. You really want me to mark you?" He whispered.
She smiled at him. "When the time is right, yes."
"Ok I can do that, I would actually love to do it. My wolf would be happy, and I really want you to be mine for the rest of our lives." He smiled back, still holding her close.
"Is this our first fight as a couple?" She asked him grinning.
"I heard that makeup sex is amazing." He teased her.
She laughed. "Nice try Paul, but nope, not the right time. Let's go before Charlie worries too much for my absence."
They drove back home, when they arrived they got into the kitchen and she started cooking while Paul kept her company. Her father came back later, and greeted them both.
"Tomorrow is Friday, have you got any plans?" Charlie asked.
"If you don't mind, I would like to take Bella out on a date." Paul said, looking serious.
Charlie smiled, and nodded. "I don't see any problem with it, but bring her back by midnight and no wandering near the forest. Dead hikers and big bears are not a good combination."
Paul and Bella agreed to his request, she knew that the forest was the place where she was going to be the next night to lay the trap for Victoria, but she knew as well that she was safe because she had her wolf with her.
Paul stayed for dinner, and the conversation flew by very easily. Bella enjoyed the dinner, and bid goodnight to Paul with a long and very intense kiss out on the porch.
"Soon I'm going to get you all to myself." He growled, and she shivered.
"I hope we get Victoria soon, I cannot wait to be with you either." She whispered.
When she got inside, her father bid her goodnight and she went upstairs to sleep. When she got inside her room she froze. Edward was sitting in the rocking chair, still like a statue, and watching her.
Bella blinked, because she thought she might be having a hallucination, but then he spoke and Bella knew he was really there in her room. "Hello love, I'm back and we need to talk."
She nodded, and slowly closed the door. She wondered how he had eluded the wolves, but she could imagine that reading minds came in handy. "Hello Edward, what happened to 'you will never see me again'?" She asked detachedly.
He looked almost shocked at her coldness, and stood up. "Love, you really believe me when I told you that I didn't love you? How could I ever live without you… you're everything to me. I came to apologise, and see if we can start again."
Bella shook her head. "It's not important what I believed when you left. I don't care anymore. You should leave, my boyfriend is a shifter, and I swear that I'm not going to interfere if he wants to make a bonfire out of you."
"Love, surely you don't mean it. I know you're angry and hurt, but I'll make it up to you." He said, trying to get closer to her.
"Stop right there. You're right that I'm angry, but not for what you think! You might have broken my heart and decided that you didn't want me anymore for whatever sense of righteousness you had, but you must have known that you left me unprotected against Victoria. A mate for mate, what a joke!" She spat.
"Victoria is after you? Why didn't Alice see it? Of course the wolves obstruct her seer ability!" Edward said, and then looked at her with sorrow. "I'm sorry love if I didn't come sooner, I'll call the family back and we'll take care of her."
"You can do whatever you want, as long as you don't call me love." She told him.
"And get the fuck out of here." Paul growled entering from the window, and then quickly strode next to Bella, and placed her behind him. Bella closed her eyes, and rested her head on his back, now she felt safe.
"Paul, is it?" Edward said snidely. "I don't think you were invited here, and I was talking to Bella, it's none of your business."
"Well fucker, if you didn't get it, she told you I'm her boyfriend and she doesn't give a fuck about you. Now before I burn your sorry excuse of an ass you should leave." Paul snarled.
Edward growled. "Your rudeness and your mind are disgusting, I don't think Bella really wants to be with you."
Bella put her head out from behind Paul. "I love Paul, and you relinquished any right to me when you left me in the woods."
Paul turned slightly, and took hold of her wrist and showed it to Edward. "She got rid of that shit you left on her wrist. You and her are over, and you've got one minute to leave here. She won't change her mind, and you better not show your ugly fucking leech face again here or I will kill you."
"You'll need help to catch Victoria, my family will come and we will work with you." Edward said. And then he growled. "You won't use Bella as bait!"
"Get the fuck out of my head, fucker!" Paul growled. "You're lucky that I can't phase here or I would kill you right now. Bella is not a delicate flower, she's a strong woman and she makes her own choices."
Bella felt her heart grow even fonder of Paul, she really was with the right man. She didn't want to be placed in a golden cage because gold or not, it still was a cage.
"It's not over Paul, I'll call my family back, and we'll meet at the treaty line with the Alpha of your pack tomorrow at midday." Edward spat, and then after a longing look towards Bella, he jumped out of the window.
