Disclaimer: Twilight in no way belongs to me. If it did, I'd be ridiculously famous and have an ass of money. I'd also be a well-recognized best-selling author, but I'm not, so. . .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I woke up this morning to more reviews, and came home from work to even more! It's so great to know that people like my writing and are interested in what's gonna happen, even though I don't really know myself. I'd like to thank the following people: tabby1216, SleepiPanda, Ashatan87, eschoenh, Zblue, Stelle's Pen, and 2 guests!

Recommended Reading: Guys, there is such an amazing Bella/Paul fic called The Devil You Know by Unseelie Sidhe. If you love Bella/Paul and you haven't read this story, then you absolutely have to! It's a must; there is no way that you can't read this story. I usually don't read unfinished stories; that's just my thing. However, this fic caught me and would not let me go. I cannot recommend it enough! It's a really good length, the writing is terrific and Paul is just fucking everything. He's hot, he's badass, he's caring, he's a lot of other shit that I can't really explain! That's why you just need to read it.

AN: I am just so happy that people like this story! I finished writing this literally as soon as I got home from work, no snacks or anything. However, this is the last chapter I already had partly written, and I work the next few days, so I'll probably be updating again on Friday. Anyway, on to chapter 3!

Chapter Three: This Changes Things

There's no possible way that that just happened.

No. No. No, no, no. She wouldn't believe it, couldn't believe it.

Her eyes were shut tight, her breathing shallow, and she stood as still as time seemed to be.

No one spoke; there was no noise, in fact, save those of nature.

As far as she could tell, everyone was stock still, but her eyes wouldn't open so she could tell.

She could feel him, though.

She could tell he'd come to stand in front of her, could feel him, his heat seeming to warm her skin through her clothes, though he couldn't possibly be standing that close.

Her hand fisted in Seth's fur, latching onto him like a lifeline in the sea of fucked-upness that was surely her life.

There was something deep inside of her though, something glaringly new, that told her to hold onto him if she needed strength. That he would be all that she'd need, for whatever reason he was needed.

Bella didn't want to open her eyes.

She knew that it'd change everything.

As soon as she did, they'd fall into each other's arms and forget the world around them. She'd forget all about Edward and the fact that he wanted to marry her. She'd forget all about Jacob and the fact that he was in love with her and suffering.

Okay, it probably wouldn't go exactly like that, but Bella wasn't ready for such a sudden change.

That wouldn't change the current situation; the elephant in the clearing, so to speak.

Paul Lahote had imprinted on Bella Swan.

Bella was frozen, and she had no plans on moving anytime soon.

Maybe I can curl up in a ball and no one will notice, she thought to herself. Maybe I can just pass out and –

Her inner musings came to a halt, and her eyes popped open, when she felt a hand on her face.

A large, warm hand that tilted her head up, cupping her cheek as if she were the most delicate thing in existence, as if she would break if he were to hold her too tightly.

He was as close as she'd thought, closer.

His eyes were dark, and she would've called them black if such a thing were possible. They were also filled with such intensity that Bella found herself trapped in his gaze, much like prey in the eyes of a much larger predator.

There was a smirk on his face, though it didn't seem malicious, more . . . smug maybe? She didn't know why he would be feeling smug; it's not like he'd planned this or something. It's not like someone'd tried to keep them apart, only for them to end up together.

So what was up with the face?

Bella didn't realize that, while she'd been drawn in by his eyes and confused by his expression, he'd been drawing her closer, slowly but surely.

"No!" she heard from across the field. "Get away from her!"

She was broken out of her trance, and only then realized how close she now was to him, this unknown man who she'd suddenly become connected to. The blush that covered her face was surely an impressive shade of red, as she could only guess by the amusement she now saw clearly on his.

She drew back, noting his displeasure at the gesture. Searching the field, she looked first at the wolves, and then at the vampires. Both supernatural races seemed stunned, though there was a range of emotions far and wide.

The shout had come from Jacob, whom was being held by Sam and Jared, who of course had known what happened, having personally experienced it themselves.

The other wolves looked unsure of what to do or think, knowing that a new imprint should be celebrated, but also knowing of Jacob's often declared love of said imprint.

The Cullen's were a whole different story. Their emotions were written clear on their faces, from Rosalie's disgust to Jasper's contemplation.

Edward . . .

Oh, Edward.

He wore the most devastated expression she'd ever seen, eyes glued to the two of them like they were the only thing that existed. His gaze switched from Paul to Bella, then back again and again. Alice had a hand on his arm, doing her best to comfort him while desperately searching Bella's future.

Emmett was obviously lost and decided to let everyone know it.

"What the hell is going on?" he asked exasperatedly.

No one spoke up. Though the wolves weren't fond of the vampire family, they also didn't want to rub salt in such fresh, painful wounds.

It was Edward who answered him though.

"He imprinted on her," he said in a bleak tone, voice thin and unsteady.

The night had taken an unbelievably unexpected turn.

**LR**

Lying in bed that night, Bella couldn't sleep, which was understandable.

After it happened, Bella had told Edward that she'd talk to him Sunday afternoon when she got home. She was going to spend the rest of the weekend at Angela's house as planned, with no drama whatsoever. He'd simply nodded and given her a sad smile, and she knew their talk wouldn't be a happy one.

She'd also told Paul that he could come by Monday after school so they could sort out their situation. The big Were had just given her a lazy grin and told her he'd see her then. She wished she knew how that talk would go.

Everything she thought she'd known about her relationship and her future had been changed tonight, and in the blink of an eye no less. It'd taken no more than a few minutes for Paul to take priority over Edward in her mind, though she could still think clearly. She was just extremely aware of his newfound importance in her life.

Sighing, she got out of the bed slowly, so as not to wake Angela. She made her way to the kitchen, getting a drink and a little something to snack on while she thought.

Flipping through channels, she stopped on MTV Classic, where reruns of "Daria" were playing.

Ecstatic at finding one of her favorite shows on, she took that as a sign that she needed to just rest her mind for a while and deal with her problems tomorrow.

After all, "Daria" was on, and she'd been through a lot.

She'd make decisions in the morning . . . or whenever she woke back up.

AN: I don't know why, but this chapter was a little hard to write. I don't know if it's because this is the turning point of the story, or maybe because I was at work all day. Either way, I hope the next chapter flows a little better. Drop a review and let me know what you thought, good or bad!