Racing Hearts

Chapter Nine "There's a Complication.."

Disclaimer: I only own my characters!

A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I last updated! I hope you guys don't hate me too much after this chapter also.

Annabelle POV Friday, May 21st

I walked out with Andrew towards the track with Lucky, preparing to exercise him. Over the past two and a half months since I was hired, I had ridden multiple horses but Lucky was always one of my rides. I was the only one who rode him, handled him the best. I had gotten my jockey license but had yet to race, my first race with Lucky was coming up this Saturday at the Port Angeles Track.

Since March, Jeremiah and I have gotten closer than we already were. He snuck over every night to spend the night with me and Uncle Charlie still didn't know. Of course we had our issues like every other couple and sometimes Jeremiah being a vampire complicated things. Like whenever it was sunny, we couldn't go outside or he couldn't hang out with me and there were always talks about the "future". Seth and Katie were a couple now and so happy, Seth had told her just three weeks ago about the imprint and the wolves. She had freaked out for about a week but then came back to him and he had told her about the imprint and now they were inseparable. Nessie helped Jeremiah and I every day with the horses, we had trained the two babies with the halters and were working on how to lead. My classes were going well even though I was busy with work, I didn't let my school work go.

I was a big part of the Cullen family now and they felt like a second family to me. I went shopping with Alice and Rosalie almost every two weeks. Alice really has a shopping problem. I was also slowly but surely teaching Alice how to properly ride Flash. My parents had been calling me at least once a week. They were still working on their problems and working on the divorce. My dad promised they'd visit soon.

I cleared my head as Andrew gave me a leg up onto Lucky. This was our last workout before his race tomorrow. I was so nervous about tomorrow and I had been thinking about it all week. I took Lucky out and started at a walk. Our directions were to canter slowly and then let him out the last half mile. After warming him up, I asked for a canter. Lucky had such a wonderful gait and he was truly one of my favorite rides. We've bonded over time and I was also his groom.

When we got close to the half mile point, Lucky picked up his pace. He knew what was going to happen when we got there. I smiled as he pulled at the bit. Just before we got the half mile pole, I let him go. We flew down the track and I tangled my fingers deeper into his mane. All I could hear was his pounding hoof-beats and his breathing. I was in heaven when I rode.

We passed the opening and I pulled him slowly up. Lucky didn't want to stop but did so for me. I turned him around and looked at Andrew and Roger who were waiting for us. Andrew gave me a big thumbs up and a smile. I just knew we had broken our record so far. I patted Lucky's neck and dismounted from him when we got to the track opening.

"That was great! The best so far." Andrew smiled and patted Lucky's neck. I smiled back at Andrew.

"He's just amazing. He loves it so much and has changed so much since I've been riding him these past two months. Lucky is like another horse." I handed Lucky to Chuck, one of the other grooms, who would cool him out while I kept riding.

Next was Ring of Fire, barn name Feisty, and she fit her name well. Feisty was a dark bay three year old who was doing well in her second year of racing. She had only lost twice. She was a hopeful for the Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint later this year.

We had a good workout together and I finished my other horses then went up to Andrew's house so I could shower and change for school. It was so much easier with my own car.

School was going well but was dragging now that school was almost out. The school day was uneventful and I was so glad to see my horses when I got to the Cullen's. Clover nickered at me from the pasture where her, Twilight, Secret, Princess and Flash were. Luckily they all got along and Clover left Secret alone now that Princess had taken over as her mother.

"Hey you!" Jeremiah called out a greeting to me. He hadn't been in school today.

"Hey." I smiled at him and hugged him. We hadn't had much time to see each other over the past week so it was nice to see him.

"How was work?" Jeremiah asked.

"Good, Lucky did great and so did Feisty. I'm getting really nervous about the races this weekend." I told him as we walked to the barn to get the horses feed ready.

"You'll do great." Jeremiah reassured me.

"I hope so." I sighed. We brought the horses in with the help of Nessie and fed them. The mares and babies would stay in the for the night but Flash would be going back outside. I was getting ready to leave for the night when Seth walked into the Cullen's.

"Hey, Mom has those books for you if you wanna stop on your way home. Charlie's down there. We're all having dinner if you want to stop by." Seth said, messing up Nessie's hair as he walked by her.

"Sounds good. I won't have to cook." I smiled at Jeremiah and kissed him goodbye before leaving with Seth to head down the Reservation. When we got there I saw more people that I hadn't seen before.

"Who are they?" I pointed to some of the guys standing there.

"Oh that's Quil and Paul. Part of the pack here. Mom invited them over for dinner. Quil's parents are out of town and Paul's dad is out of town. Mom, like Emily who'll you meet, loves to play mother to the pack. So she didn't want them to be alone at dinner time so she invites them over." I also saw Katie waiting on the porch.

I hugged Katie when I got on the porch. We were such best friends now. Well Seth, I and her. Of course Jeremiah too. Katie was a little wary about the Cullen's but I promised her they wouldn't hurt her. She still came around but only with Seth or me.

I walked with Seth and Katie into the house, as I walked through the door I looked over to Quil and Paul. When I met Paul's eyes, I took a deep breath and felt a pull towards him. I ran into the doorjamb and turned my eyes. Seth and Katie laughed at me.

"Annabelle, you have to pay attention where you're going, remember?" Katie teased me. Quil and Paul followed us in the house. I looked at Paul again and noticed his body frame was shaking but he was staring at me like there was no one else there. Seth and Quil looked between the both of us.

"Oh crap." Seth and Quil grabbed Paul, pulling him out of the house. Katie and I looked at each other confused until we looked out the window and saw a dark gray wolf outside. I hadn't really seen much of the wolves in their wolf form but they were really huge. And beautiful.

Sue and Leah walked in the living room. "Girls, what's going on?"

We both turned around. "I'm not sure. Paul was shaking and staring at Annabelle then Seth along with Quil shoved him outside. He's phased now." Katie answered.

Sue and Leah exchanged a look. "Tell me Annabelle, do you feel a pull towards outside?" Leah asked. Oddly enough, I did. I nodded. "Should we tell her?" She asked Sue.

Sue sighed with a smile. "Come into the dining room and let's eat. The boys will probably be awhile." We went in and sat down. Charlie was there.

"How was work, Anna?" Charlie asked as we started filling our plates.

"Good, Lucky and Ring Of Fire both had good workouts. Lucky is the favorite for tomorrow's race." I smiled. "I think he'll do good."

Charlie groaned. "Don't remind me about the race. I'm going to have a heart attack watching you out there on the track."

We all chuckled at Charlie. "Uncle Charlie, it's really no different from workouts at Andrew's farm. There's just more horses."

"And other people who want badly to win their race and know you're an inexperienced jockey." Charlie pointed out.

"I'll be fine. All Andrew asks for is that we ride safely and finish the race. He's not asking me to win or place, although it'd be nice, he just wants it to go smoothly." I told him trying to reassure him.

"Don't worry, I'll be there to try to keep him calm Annabelle. We might have to slip him a xanax." Sue looked amused. I laughed.

"That might be a good idea, Sue." I heard the door open and close but only Seth came back in.

"Where's the boys?" Sue asked when Seth sat down next to Katie.

"They went for a run." Seth said looking at me oddly. What the heck was going on?

"What's going on?" I demanded. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Sue looked at me. "Annabelle, I had a good idea that I know what was going on with Paul. Seth can probably confirm." I looked confused so Sue continued. "As you know from Seth and Katie, our wolves have a thing called imprinting..."

I didn't hear much after that. I heard something about Paul imprinted on me and that's why he phased. I briefly heard her say that he would explain everything to me when he calmed down. "I, uh, excuse me." I fled out of the house and walked towards the beach.

I had just gotten imprinted on! But I had Jeremiah, could you even fight the imprint? Would I want to? I saw how happy Seth and Katie were, I knew bits and pieces about imprinting. It was like meeting your soul mate, your true love.

I sat down on a log and watched the waves crash against the rocks. A few minutes later I heard footsteps behind me. It was Jacob. "Hey, heard the news. Figured you'd be a little confused."

"Try extremely confused." I muttered.

"Well first of all, please know that Paul has no control over what happened. You just see that person..and that's it. You know." Jacob started. "I'm not going to say too much unless Paul asks me to because I think it's better for the wolf to explain to their imprint about everything. What questions do you have?"

"Well first off, if you know, who else knows? Does Jeremiah know? What am I supposed to do? Do I tell him?" I was kind of panicked.

"I only know cause Paul came and found me. Edward might know but he's not going to tell just yet. As far as I know, Jeremiah doesn't know. For what you're supposed to do and if you should tell him..well that's up to you. The imprint doesn't force you to like Paul. You don't have to do anything." Jacob said, but he looked like he was thinking of something painful.

"Where did Paul go?" I asked. I bit my lip. I shouldn't care but I felt a pull towards the forest.

"He's running around the forest, close to here. It's a big surprise for him too." Jacob told me. "Paul never wanted to imprint."

I heard someone clearing their throat from behind me and we turned around. It was Paul. "Can I talk to her?"

Jacob smiled and gave me a hug. "Just try to be open and listen okay? And if he starts shaking badly, step back. It means he's about to phase."

"I will." I told him. Jacob left and Paul took his place.

"First let me introduce myself. I don't think we've ever met." Paul held out his hand and I took it. "I'm Paul Lahote."

"I'm Annabelle Foster, Bella's cousin." I smiled at him. Paul was definitely attractive, he had short, cropped black hair, the darkest brown eyes and he was tall. "It's nice to meet you."

Paul smiled back at me. "Uh, so, Jacob told you everything?"

I shook my head. "No, he only told me a little bit. He said he should let you explain everything."

Paul nodded. "I'd like to. I know this is awkward for you, as well as me but-" Paul was cut off by my phone ringing. I apologized and looked at the screen. Jeremiah.

"It can go to voicemail." I put my phone away. "So the imprinting.."

"Well maybe you know a little from Seth. It's like you find your soul mate, your true love. The one you're meant to be with. The love never goes away." I felt a bit nervous. Jacob had said I didn't have to do anything. "I mean, you can reject the imprint. I could be your friend, your brother, anything you want."

That didn't seem right. Something just seemed painful about rejecting it. "Would it hurt you?"

I could see the hesitation on his face. "Tell me the truth." I begged.

Paul sighed. "We're not completely sure because the person who gets imprinted on never really rejects us. My assumption is yes, it would be at least a bit painful for me. I don't know how it'd be for you." Paul looked a bit angry. "But don't think for a minute I want you to force yourself to be with me. If you don't want this, then don't accept it. I don't want you to do it out of guilt or pity."

I was shocked. "I would never be with someone because I felt obligated to. It wouldn't be fair to either of us if I did that."

Paul looked over at me. "Billy Black or Sue could tell you more about this. Or Jacob or Seth." Our conversation was coming to an end. I didn't want it to and I felt like Paul didn't either.

"Can I have your number? That way if I have any questions for you..I can call or text." I paused. "And we should at least get to know each other so we can be friends at least."

Paul held his hand out for my phone and entered his number. "So you hang out with the lee-The Cullens?"

"Yes, Bella is my cousin and I keep my horses there." I told him.

"You have horses?" Paul seemed truly interested.

"I have three. A mare and two babies. Thoroughbreds. I'm also a jockey for a friend of Seth's. I have my first race tomorrow."

"Oh yeah? That must be exciting." Paul said with a strained smile.

"It is. I've been doing it since I was thirteen." A pause of silence. "Is something wrong?" I noticed him shaking, which now I knew meant he was close to phasing.

"Just um, it scares the shit out of me that you race. It's a dangerous sport." Paul said and he stopped shaking.

"It is dangerous." I smiled. "But I've only fallen once in a workout and it's something I love doing."

"You're crazy." He laughed. I laughed with him.

"I've heard that before. Doesn't bother me." I told him. Paul shook his head. There was a howl from the forest.

Paul sighed. "I've gotta go. I'm supposed to be on patrol."

"Oh, okay. Well have fun." I said as we stood up.

"I'll try." Paul started to walk away.

"If you get a break or get bored, you could always text me." I blurted out. Paul turned around and smiled.

"I will." With that, he took off for the forest. I went back to the Clearwater's house where everyone was waiting for me.

Everyone jumped up as I walked in the door. "Are you okay?" "Where have you been?" chorused throughout the room.

"I'm fine, I was at the beach." I sat down next to Leah on the couch.

"Did you talk to Paul?" Sue asked. I nodded.

"We talked." I told everyone. I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. It was Jeremiah but a text this time. Are you okay? You're not answering. It read. I texted him back that I would call him in a bit.

"So...what now?" Charlie asked, obviously uncomfortable.

"I don't know." I was honest. "I'm as confused as everyone else."

Sue handed me a book. "This will give you a little bit more information on our imprinting." It was an old leather book with the word Quiluete on the front. "So you can make an informed decision."

I took the book and went home with Charlie and Katie. I dropped Katie off at her house and met Charlie at the house. Charlie stopped me before I went up the stairs.

"Look, Annabelle, I know this is a lot going on. I just want you to know, don't feel obligated to do anything or to not do anything. Choose what makes you happy." I smiled at Charlie.

"Thanks Uncle Charlie. I'm going to think a lot about it. I'm just going to focus on the race and stuff like that for now."

"Okay, well get some sleep. I want you to be alert as can be for tomorrow." We both said good night and I went up to my room. I got a surprise as I walked in. Jeremiah was there.

I gasped and put a hand on my heart that was racing. "You scared me."

Jeremiah smiled. "Sorry, I just wanted to be here when you got home." He came over and hugged me. "You definitely smell like a dog."

I smacked his arm. "Jeremiah!" I scolded him. "They're people too."

"Well they kind of are dogs too." Jeremiah chuckled. "Look I like the pack, I'm just kidding." Jeremiah put his hand on my face and suddenly we were both seeing a picture. A future. I was on La Push beach laughing with myself surrounded by faces unfamiliar to me but not to Jeremiah. They were all tan like Seth, Paul and Jacob. I turned towards someone who had their arm around me. Paul. You could see the happiness in my face, the freedom.

We both pulled out of the vision at the same time. I looked at the floor and avoided his eyes. "Wow, what was that?" He asked and I could hear the hurt, the curiosity in his voice.

"I'm...I'm not sure." I said at first. I gently pushed him to sit down on the bed and sat with him. Grabbing his hand, I took a deep breath. "I need to be honest about something that happened today."

Jeremiah looked at me with fear in his eyes. My stomach clenched. "Paul imprinted on me." He closed his eyes and put his head in his hands.

"You've got to be kidding me." He said, his voice thick. I wrapped my arms around him. "Did you talk to him?"

"I did. But here's the thing. I don't have to agree with the imprint. I can reject." I told him. "I don't even know him."

"The vision says differently." Jeremiah replied stiffly. He pulled away from me.

"Jeremiah, that vision doesn't mean anything. We're still together. You and me." I tried to get him to look at me but he wouldn't.

"I think I should leave." He got up to go.

"What?!" I gasped and tried to follow him to the window.

"Just stop! I need some time." Jeremiah left and I stood there feeling so lost and confused. I sat down on the bed and grabbed the book Sue had given me. Might as well distract myself by reading.

I read about the imprinting, how important it was the tribe, the person imprinting. The wolf was unconditionally bound for the rest of their life to the imprint. They were also a perfect match for each other. Perfect.

I paced my room and waited for a text, a call from Jeremiah. I mean didn't he know I couldn't control this? That Paul couldn't control this? I was kind of angry at his reaction. My world was turned upside down just as much as his was and I couldn't imagine how Paul felt.

I sat down on the bed and grabbed my phone. After a small internal debate, I sent a text to someone I probably shouldn't of.

…...

Paul POV

I phased back when my phone vibrated in my shorts that were tied to my leg. I almost dropped my phone when I saw the message. It was from Annabelle.

Please come to Charlie's. I need you.

I howled for Quil, who was just getting on patrol. I waited til I knew he was phased and then took off for Forks. My imprint needed me.

…...

EDIT: I just saw that I accidentally put in Arianna(from Life Without You) and not Annabelle in Paul's POV. But it is now fixed! Sorry about that!

A/N: Hey readers! I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated but here's your new chapter and now I think I should be able to update more! Next chapter will be Annabelle's race and a little bit more time with her and Paul. Do you like the twist the story has taken? Don't like it? Do you want them to get together or do you like her and Jeremiah more? Let me know, review!

For readers of Life Without You, there's a poll on my profile that I'd love your vote on. If any of you are interested, I have updated most of my other stories in October/November. I also have a few new stories! I'll try to update soon for you!

From: Quinnandseth'sgirl15