Racing Hearts

Chapter Twelve "The Pack"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

Saturday, May 29th

I walked with Paul into Emily and Sam's backyard. I didn't feel as nervous as I thought I would but maybe it was because I already knew a few of them. Like Seth, Jake, and Leah. Oh and of course, Paul! Charlie would also be here with Sue. I could see a bunch of men that looked alike. There were a few women too, the imprints, I assumed.

"Hey Paul!" Seth called out to Paul and everyone turned towards us. Paul smiled and pushed me forward gently. A tanned skin boy that was slightly less bulkier than Paul, with short black hair and a kind face stepped forward with a beautiful girl that had the same skin as he did, long shining black hair and she smiled at me timidly.

"You finally got her down here." The boy said with a smile towards me. I smiled back, feeling accepted already.

Paul chuckled. "Yeah, I did." He motioned towards the boy and the girl. "This is my best friend Jared and his imprint, Kim. Jared, Kim, this is Annabelle."

"It's nice to finally meet you!" Jared said, keeping his smile. "Paul never shuts up about you."

We all laughed, except Paul, at Paul's expression. "Paul does love to talk about you, but of course we understand." Kim smiled at me and gave me a hug, surprising me.

"It's great to meet both of you." I told them honestly. "Paul talks about the pack and all of you all the time."

After that, it was easy to fall into place. I kept track of all the names—well tried to. Emily, Sam, Embry, Quil, Claire, Colin, Brady, Billy(Jake's father), Quil Sr. If I wasn't sure, Paul was there to remind me. Katie and I stuck together with Kim, who was so nice. She was a bit shy but that was okay, I could tell we'd be friends.

"So you're a jockey, Paul says?" Emily asked as we all sat around a bonfire. Charlie, Sue, Billy and Quil Sr had made their way into Emily and Sam's house, talking over coffee while us younger ones stayed outside.

"Yes, a brand new one." I smiled. "I work for one of Seth's friends in Port Angeles mainly as an exercise rider and groom but now I'm racing for him on his less famous mounts. I actually have another race tomorrow."

"I don't get how you do it." Kim shivered. "It seems so scary."

My smile grew wider. "Well Paul told me I was crazy." I nudged him playfully with my shoulder. "But I've been riding racehorses since a few years ago and it's just thrilling to me. The minute before the bell rings and the gates open, the strategy you have to have to get your horse in position, the horse and you working together for the win..to me, it's normal."

"You can obviously tell you love it." Embry, I think, said with a half smile. "If it's anything like when we're running as wolves, I can imagine why you love it."

"Paul would get the thrill seeking one." Jared threw a marshmallow at Paul, who caught it with his mouth.

"How are you even hungry?" I asked in amazement. "You had five hotdogs, three hamburgers and three s'mores."

Paul grinned. "Wolf appetite. We're always hungry and growing."

"If only I could keep the weight off like you." I said in envy. As a jockey I had to keep my weight low and sometimes it was hard.

"Jockeys have a weight limit, right?" Katie asked looking over at me. I nodded with a sigh.

"Yeah, we have to keep our weight pretty low to make weigh-ins. It's not too bad right now but on nights like tonight it's so hard to resist all the good looking food." I groaned. Everyone laughed.

"Then you better stay away from Emily's, cause you'll put on weight real quick with her cooking." Colin told me with a chuckle. There was a murmur of agreement from the wolves and Emily blushed.

"Well I guess near race day I'll have to avoid Emily's." I smiled at the girl who was beside Sam. I wondered about her scars and wish Paul had warned me about them. I had been surprised but luckily was far away when I noticed them. She was a great girl..well woman. It was a really great night.

…...

Paul POV

I waved at everyone as I carried Annabelle back to my truck. Her hair flowed over her shoulders and her face looked so peaceful while she slept. I knew she had been slightly worrying about the race tomorrow, it was on a small timer of Andrew's. Something Like Love, I think the horse was named. Just a small claiming race she said. Nothing too big but I knew it still excited her and made her nervous.

I was so glad she got along great with everyone. I worried a bit, like Seth, because we both had imprinted on non-native girls. Not like anyone would judge, just surprising I guess. I guess we worried a bit that they wouldn't understand the tribe, the "legends", the honor. But they both did and they both fit right in with the other imprints. Well I mean Claire was only a few years old and Kim loved everyone, she was so nice. Emily was just so happy to see me and Seth imprint.

I couldn't wait to introduce her to my father though. I've never brought a girl home before and I knew he would be excited. Just had to wait a bit longer.

…...

The weeks passed and I got closer to Paul. He was so fun to be around and when we got free time, we were hanging out together. Whether it was studying for school, hanging out in the barn, helping Nessie or hanging with Seth and Katie, we were together. He even joined Charlie and I for dinner on nights his dad was away on business.

Charlie liked him, it was obvious. He definitely liked him way better than Jeremiah. I was alone today, because him and Charlie decided to go fishing with Billy. I cleaned the house since it wasn't getting much attention and I did some laundry. Charlie and I both needed it. I texted Bella and Alice, saying I'd be over soon.

Katie came over and caught up on our new favorite show, Pretty Little Liars. We would watch it together every week it came on. We've actually got Paul and Seth to watch it with us before and they tried—well Paul tried—to act as if they didn't like it but I could tell he was getting into it.

"I just want to know who 'A' is already!" Katie threw a pillow down in frustration. I laughed.

"Katie, we're not going to know this soon." She sighed.

"I guess not." She said gloomily. "I have to get home so I can get ready for when Seth comes to pick me up. We're going over to his grandma's house. His family is having a cookout and they can't wait to see me again."

"Have fun." I told her as she left. As I shut the door, I couldn't help but wonder about meeting Paul's family. Well I really only knew about his dad. He didn't talk much about his mom but I didn't ask out of fear that it was something bad like she left them.

I went over to the Cullen's and I gave Nessie a lesson. She had started riding two weeks ago and was doing so well. Alice and Nessie both rode on Flash but as soon as Twilight was weaned I planned to put Nessie on her. That way I could teach Alice and Nessie at the same time.

Alice really didn't need too much instruction anymore though. I told her as soon as the babies were weaned we should take a trail ride into the mountains. It was beautiful around here. I even said we should ask Andrew if we could borrow a few of his retired horses so Jasper, Paul and Nessie could ride with us. It would be fun.

"So when can I start riding racehorses?" Nessie joked as we un-tacked Flash. I laughed loudly.

"I think your parents would say never." I told her, giving her a hug. "But I say you just have to wait til you're at least thirteen." I winked.

We laughed as we saw Bella and Jacob walk into the barn with Carlisle and Esme. "Are you trying to corrupt my innocent granddaughter?" Esme smiled as she gave me a quick hug.

I snorted. "No. She's already been corrupted by Jacob."

"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side." Jacob mock-protested. I chuckled.

"I'm only corrupting her in the horse world. I can't help it she wants to be like me." I shrugged and Bella laughed.

"No horse racing until you're eighteen." Bella told her with a stern look.

"What?!" Nessie and I both spoke up then looked at each other with a grin.

Bella rolled her eyes but in a joking way. "Anyways, I came out here to ask if Nessie would like to go with you—and if you'd be willing to take her—back to Charlie's while we go hunt. Edward, Rosalie and Emmett are in Seattle looking at a car, Alice and Jasper are..well somewhere," Bella looked a bit flustered and I got the hint of "where they were". "Jacob is helping down on the reservation so I thought I'd ask."

"I'd be fine with that. We could watch movies?" I suggested to Nessie who nodded. "Let's get going then my girl."

We said goodbye and went on our way to Charlie's, stopping at Thrift-way to buy some good junk food for us to eat. Nessie I knew sometimes ate human food and junk was a favorite Bella and Edward did not let her have. Well fun cousin Annabelle would!

…...

Paul POV

Charlie and I had dropped off Billy at his house and I had just pulled up to Charlie's house so I could drop him off, while seeing Annabelle if she was here. "It was a good day of fishing." Charlie slapped my back with a grin as he carried his cooler full of fish. "Can't wait to get these fried up. I'm gonna try to make them like Harry did."

I smiled sadly at the mention of our late councilman. "I'm sure it'll taste great Charlie."

"You staying for dinner?" Charlie asked as he unlocked the door. I could hear music playing and footsteps inside.

"If you don't mind. My dad's still out of town." Charlie opened the door and we walked into, possibly the most sexiest thing and cutest thing I've ever seen Annabelle do.

"Baby you light up my world like nobody else,
The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed,
But when you smile at the ground it ain't hard to tell,
You don't know,
Oh, oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
If only you saw what I can see,
You'd understand why I want you so desperately,
Right now I'm looking at you and I can't believe,
You don't know,
Oh, oh,
You don't know you're beautiful,
Oh, oh,
That's what makes you beautiful"

Annabelle was dancing with Nessie. She was wearing a pair of short jean shorts and a blue v-neck t-shirt, her hair was flying around her face as she swung her hips and jumped to the music. She had a hairbrush in her hand, Nessie held a wooden spoon. They sung along with whatever boy band was playing over Charlie's stereo.

Annabelle gasped and stopped in her tracks when she saw us. "Paul! Charlie! When did you get here?"

Nessie turned off the music and then almost tackled Charlie. "Hey Grandpa! How was fishing?" As Nessie walked into the kitchen with Charlie, I smiled and walked over to the girl I was falling for. Yep, falling for. Man this imprint thing really had me.

"So how long were you standing there?" Annabelle glared at me but I knew she wasn't serious.

"Long enough to see you dancing." I winked at her and she covered her face. "No I liked it. I'd like to see it again." I push played on the stereo but a slow song came on. I pulled her into my arms and spun her around the room on my feet. She laughed and God, I loved the sound of her laugh. It was one of those happy, let loose laughs that made everyone around join in the laughter.

"What are you doing?" She asked as we danced around the living room.

"Dancing with you." I whispered and I could see the happiness in her eyes. "Go out with me tonight."

"Okay." She whispered back. Had I really just asked her out on a date? Without even thinking about it? Yes I had.

I heard someone clear their throat and turned to see Charlie standing there with a smile and Nessie was grinning ear to ear. "Took you long enough, huh?"

We both laughed and I even blushed this time. "I guess so, Sir."

Charlie patted my back as I stepped back from Annabelle. "Good job."

Looking at Annabelle's excited face, I felt like I had done a good job. Now if only tonight could get here fast enough.

…...

Alec POV

I paced around the grounds, thinking of the beautiful human girl I had met months ago. Jane, my sister, looked irritatedly at me. "Would you stop thinking about her? She's just another human who will most likely be dead within the next few years."

I glared at Jane. "She won't be dead. She'll be like us and she's not just another human. She's beautiful."

"If you think the Cullen's are going to give her up, you're dreaming." Jane snorted.

"Well we could always make them give her up, couldn't we?" I said with a grin towards her. She rolled her eyes but was silent. There was no way that I was letting Annabelle go.

…...

A/N: Hey readers! Here it is, your next chapter! Sorry it's technically a few hours later but I tried! So what did you think? Did you like the little bit of Paul & Annabelle?(well a lot actually lol) Do you think they'll have a good date/make a good couple? I guess we'll see! And who knows who will be showing up in Forks soon..?

Keep up with the reviews! Are you liking the shorter chapters or not liking them? I'm thinking about going back to my longer chapters 'cause I feel like I'm writing nothing but I'm waiting to see what my readers say. I've been told I write too long of chapters lol.

Thanks for reading—Quinnandseth'sgirl15. My next update will be: Life Without You. It should only be a few days!