The Only Exception
Chapter 8: Bella's POV
Paul looks over at me worriedly. "What do you want me to do?" he asks.
I shrug my shoulders and bite my lip. "Maybe go upstairs to give us the pretense of privacy to talk?" I suggest.
"Yeah, I can do that. Do you really want some privacy?" He wonders.
"You don't have to leave. I want you around, for after," I tell him honestly.
Paul nods and takes the keys before getting out and going inside. I climb out of my car at the same time Kelsey climbs out of hers. I have a good enough idea as to why she's here but I wonder how she knew where I lived. I'm assuming Embry told her although he's never been here.
"I was hoping that we could talk," she says quietly.
"Yeah, come on in," I tell her.
I walk into my house with her not too far behind me. I ask if she'd rather sit at the table or in the living room and she opts for the table. I explain to her that Paul is upstairs to give up privacy and she nods. Before we start our talk I bring us out a couple of drinks. This is going to be one hell of a conversation. I decide to start it off.
"Listen, I just want to apologize," I say looking her right in the eye.
"It's not your fault. Honestly. It's Embry's," she responds. I nod because she is right. "I just have a couple of questions and then I'll be out of your hair. The first one is how did things start with you two," she takes a deep breath.
"Well, we met through mutual friends and we started flirting a bit for a few weeks. One night Leah and I went out and we ran into Embry. Alcohol was involved and we… uh… well we slept together that night. And then we formed some type of bond, or so I thought, but that was the beginning," I tell her.
She nods at me. "So, when did you start staying with him?" she asks.
"I got into a fight with my dad two nights after the first time Embry and I slept together and he offered to let me stay with him. That was the month that he only came to your house. I had no idea he was seeing anyone else. I just thought he was at work or spending time with his friends," I admit.
"I had no idea either. He never changed. His actions or the things he said, I couldn't tell anything was wrong or different. So you were living with him? That day I came to his house, it was technically you guys' house?" she pieces together.
"It was always only his house. But yes, I was living there as well. That morning I had decided to move out and I was waiting for him to get back so that I could tell him. I wasn't planning on ending things with him per se. Not until you came and made the decision for me," I tell her sadly.
"I wish you would've told me then. It would have saved a lot of time from being wasted," she says.
"I mean yeah, it would've but I honestly didn't mean to come between you. I wasn't going to say anything at all. That was his job to come clean about. Paul was wrong for doing that. Especially where and when he did," I state pointedly knowing that he can hear me.
"Yeah that could have gone differently," Kelsey laughs humorlessly. "So, now what?" she asks me.
I'm honestly confused by the question. She has to deal with Embry. I cut him off and I'm happy with whatever is going on with Paul. "What do you mean exactly?" I ask confused.
"Well, Embry said you haven't given him the light of day to explain himself. And I told him until shit was straightened out with not only you and I but you and him as well that I wouldn't be talking to him. I was extremely hurt that he cheated on me for an entire month and I need time, definitely. But I do feel like I could forgive him. I didn't tell him that however," she admits quietly.
I look at her, I mean really look at her, for a minute. Trying to understand why she would continue to be with him after finding out about him cheating. She doesn't seem like she is insecure, she's really pretty and could have anyone she wanted. I guess she really just loves him. It makes me incredibly sad.
"You're going to stay with him?" I ask boldly.
She looks at me for a minute taken aback. "Well yes, you are with someone else and it happened a while ago," she explains.
I shake my head slightly. "Oh okay," I respond.
"Do you think I shouldn't? Is there more that I don't know?" she asks suspiciously.
"No nothing like that. It's just, when I found out about you, I was done. Completely. He lied to me, and was seeing someone else. That hurt me. I couldn't stay with someone who cheated on me because I know I deserve more than that," I state in confidence.
"What are you trying to say exactly, Bella?" Kelsey asks getting upset.
"I'm not trying to say anything. I personally think you are a good person and that you deserve better than the things Embry did to you. However, it is your decision. If you wish to stay with him then by all means, stay with him. I just couldn't do it. I don't and could not ever trust him again," I tell her.
"That's your prerogative. I just want you guys to talk and clear the air so we can all move forward from this," she says.
"I already have moved on. I have nothing to say to him," I tell her.
"Well could you at least hear him out, so that he can clear his chest. He admitted to me that he has some things to say to you and then it will all be completely over and he and I can move on," Kelsey says standing.
"I need to talk to Paul before I agree to that," I stand as well.
"Well, I'm going to go, when you decide if you want to speak to him or not let us know. I'm sure you'll find a way," she says kindly before walking to the door.
Kelsey opens the door and leaves without another word. I sigh loudly feeling all sorts of pissed off. Why the fuck would I want to speak to Embry? What could I possibly have to say to him? I don't really care what he has to say to me. It's too late now and nothing will change anyway. For absolutely no reason I shout Paul's name and wait for him to come downstairs.
Paul comes down as slowly as possible with a sexy smirk on his face. "Oh no, wipe that look off of your fucking face, Mister," I say almost menacingly.
"I'm not going to apologize," Paul simply states.
I huff. "I'm not asking you to apologize. I want to know why you decided that that was the moment Embry had to come clean," I tap my foot expectantly.
"Okay first, stop tapping your fucking foot at me before I bend you over my knee and spank you. Hard. And second, I was tired of the way he was looking at you because in case he hadn't noticed he fucked up. Now you're MINE and I didn't appreciate him looking at you like that," he growls.
Well shit. Instantly I can feel myself getting so super wet. Something about the way he said all of that made me want him bad. I toe my way out of my boots as Paul takes a deep breath in. "I wanna fuck you right here, right now," I admit before I realize I'm saying it.
"Fuck Bella," Paul growls snatching his shit off.
I make quick work out of my clothes but he's definitely completely naked before I am. I drop to my knees beckoning him towards me. I need to taste him if only for a moment. He looks down at me nodding before I grab his dick and stroke it a few time. I lick his entire length before pushing it as far down my throat as possible. I love the way Paul moans when I do this so I bob my head up and down, twisting it while I grab his balls. Paul takes a step back and grabs one of the chairs before sitting on it.
I climb on top of him and sink quickly onto his length. I moan loudly as I ride his dick furiously. This is definitely going to be an angry fuck. I look down at him while I fuck him and wrap both of my hands around his thick throat. I lean down and kiss him biting his lip harder than necessary. "Do you like how I ride this dick?" I ask through gritted teeth.
"Fuck yes," Paul nods.
"Tell me you love my fucking pussy," I demand.
"Ah fuck!" Paul shouts.
"Fucking say it!" I say picking up my pace.
"I love your fucking pussy," He grunts out.
I can feel myself getting close to cumming so I start rubbing my clit to make it that much more powerful. "That's right Bella, cum for me," Paul grabs my hips thrusting up into me even faster.
"Shit, shit, shit. I'm fucking cumming!" I scream letting go.
"Me too, baby," Paul whispers thrusting into me erratically.
I collapse against his chest trying to catch my breath as he rubs his hands up and down my back. After a few minutes, I finally find my voice. "I really wish you would have waited to out Embry," I admit quietly.
"I know but what's done is done. Now we all get to move the fuck on from it. And I want you to listen to whatever bullshit he says to you now so that he has no reason to keep attempting to talk to you," Paul tells me.
"I don't want to," I say stubbornly.
"Fucking tough. You need to let it happen because of the imprint. You decide. You choose what happens, Bella. Did you forget? Just because you accepted it doesn't mean you have to be with him," Paul reminds me.
"How the fuck did you get to be so wise?" I ask laughing.
"I pay attention. Now, let's get cleaned up. You've got a conversation to have," Paul stands up still holding me.
"Oh what this time you don't want your scent inside of me when I talk to him?" I say sarcastically.
"Not this time," Paul shrugs.
We shower together in my bathroom upstairs and then I get dressed in oversized comfy clothes. You can hardly tell that I have a figure under these which is exactly what Paul is going for. Just because he is sending me into the wolf's den does not mean he is letting me go in any type of tight clothing. I laugh at him but I can't help but agree.
"Go ahead, call him," Paul tells me handing me my phone.
I wordlessly scroll through my contacts and choose Embry's name opting to call. The phone rings and rings some more before going to voicemail. I breathe a sigh of relief and hang up quickly before it starts leaving a message. I turn my head slightly and look at Paul who is shaking his head at me.
"Why didn't you leave a message?" He asks.
"Because the fact that I called is enough. He'll call back or he won't," I say shrugging.
"You have to unblock his number Bella," Paul looks at me knowingly.
I remove Embry's number from my block list and put my phone on the bed. I start to brush my hair and then do it up into two long French braids quickly. I look at myself in the mirror before digging around for a hat. I put it on and tilt my head deciding if I like it or not.
"Nope, no hat. You look too cute," Paul says walking up behind me.
"Fine, no hat," I agree nodding.
My phone starts ringing and I already know that it's Embry. I answer it with a polite hello.
"Bella? You called?" Embry says with hope laced in his voice.
"Yes, I did. Are you home?" I ask quickly.
"Not at the moment, but I could be in just a few minutes…" He trails off.
"Okay good. I'll meet you there in 10 minutes," I tell him before hanging up.
I look over at Paul whose expression is unreadable. We decide that he'll ride with me and I'll drop him off at Sam's until the talk with Embry is over with. We head out not too long after and start a very tense ride to La Push. "Paul, you know that I'm not going back to him right?" I say after a minute.
He looks over at me a nods slightly. "I know," he tells me.
"You don't sound very sure," I admit.
"I know you're not going back to him but the why is unclear to me. Is it because of Kelsey? Or is it because of me?" He asks finally.
"Honestly, I'm not going back to him because he hurt and lied to me. I'm happy, and always have been, with you. Doing whatever it is we are doing. And at the end of the day, it's Kelsey who truly makes him happy," I assure him.
I steal a glance at him to see him slightly smiling. An actual smile not just a smirk like he usually does. A few minutes later, we pull up to Sam's house. I lean over and kiss him with a promise to be back as soon as possible. He nods before getting out and watching me drive away. Thankfully, Embry doesn't live too far away because my nerves are starting to get the best of me and if I had to go any further I know I'd end up turning around.
I pull up to the familiar house and sit in the truck for a minute. Taking a deep breath, I finally climb out and make my way towards his door. Just then the door opens and Embry walks out making me stumble slightly. Get your shit together Bella. You're not here to talk, you're here to listen. Pulling my head out of my ass, I walk right past him into his house without a word. I hear him close the door and let out the breath I was holding.
I sit down at the table and look up at him expectantly when he walks into the kitchen. He sits quickly and rubs the back of his neck. "Bella, I'm sorry," he sighs looking at me.
I look deep into his eyes and I can see that he means it. "I know, Embry. I can tell," I say quietly.
"I honestly don't know what I was thinking. I didn't want to hurt either of you and I ended up hurting not only the both of you but myself as well," he tells me.
"Why didn't you just tell me upfront? Why did you even pursue me? You knew you had a girlfriend!" I start tearing up.
"The wolf wants you Bella. He thinks you're perfect for us," Embry begins.
"But you the man, you want Kelsey?" I ask but it's more of a statement. Embry nods slowly. "Why didn't you just tell me Embry? You know I wouldn't have put up a fight," I say letting the tears roll down my cheeks.
"Because I was finally, selfishly, at peace with myself. The wolf was happy; the man was content. It was going so smooth until you and I started to fight. My wolf was no longer okay with me having both you and Kelsey which was irritating me and making me fight with you. It was a lose-lose all around. And please don't think just the wolf wanted you, because I wanted you too. I just… I was in love with Kelsey already. I didn't know what to do," he says helplessly.
I can tell it was hard for him. It's never easy having to choose. I really just wish he would have stayed away in the beginning. All of this could have been avoided.
"And still, while you're with Paul and I'm with Kelsey, there is a pull to you. I feel guilty because I think of you so much. I try to steal glances of you out of the other wolves' minds just to see how you're doing because you won't give me the light of day. I was so excited when you finally called me today although I knew it probably wouldn't be for a good reason," Embry tells me.
"Listen to me, I know you're a great guy. You have a good heart and that won't change. I want you to know that I forgive you. I want you to know that I want you to be happy. I want you to know that it's okay that it's not with me because I'm going to be fine. Embry, I no longer wish to be your destiny. I want you to be free to choose who you want to be with. You're not mine, you haven't ever been, and I will not force you to be. You're free from me," I tell him seriously looking directly into his eyes.
Embry shakes his head sadly breaking eye contact. I can practically see the weight coming off of his shoulders and I can't help but feel relieved too. Something inside of me feels free and I can't help the brilliant smile that comes to my face. Embry looks up and he's smiling too. "Thank you, Bella," he whispers.
"You are so very welcome. Be happy, Embry," I tell him standing up.
He rises at the same time and we shake hands quickly before I slip passed him walking towards the door. I make a very quick and silent escape to my truck leaving immediately. At the stop sign, I text Paul to tell him that I'm on my way to him before setting the phone down and continuing towards Sam's house.
Paul is already waiting on the porch so I don't even bother turning the truck off. He hops right in and I drive home. We don't look at each other and not one word is spoken even as we pull up to the house. I silently take his hand and lead him into the house pulling him into the living room. He sits on the couch and I climb into his lap. Finally, he looks up at me and my breath is stolen right from me.
Paul has tears and fear in his eyes. "Paul, I broke the imprint with him. I told him to be happy with whoever he wants to be happy with. I only want you," I tell him sincerely.
He blinks and nods at me before roughly wiping his eyes. "Why?" he simply says.
"Because you're always here for me. You've taught me so much and you have never let me down. You treat me like an equal even though I know you're so much more than me. Because no matter how many times I fuck up, you always forgive me. I don't want to fuck up anymore Paul. I'm so sorry I hurt you so much. But I won't anymore. From now on, it's only you. I'm yours," I seal the statement with a kiss.
"Say it again," he says huskily.
"I'm yours," I repeat and he kisses me hard.
AN: So… what did you guys think?! What do you think should happen now? Is there anyone's POV you'd like me to write in for the next chapter?