Chapter 13

Charlie was finally coming around to the idea of Paul being a permanent fixture in his daughter's life. He was infinitely better than that pasty prick before. As Police Chief, he didn't like the idea of Bella being so attached to a man with an arrest record, but she was a stubborn one. Paul had been coming over for dinners a few days during the week whenever Bella wasn't down on the Rez. Charlie was pleasantly surprised to see how mature the kid was. I guess that's what happens when you essentially have to raise yourself.

Something was weird with that boy though. First thing, Paul did not look like a boy. Charlie flinched every time that grown man put his arm around his daughter. He was supposed to be what? Nineteen? If he hadn't watched the kid grow up, he wouldn't believe it. All that muscle was just unnatural. Where did Paul find the time to even go to the gym? If he wasn't here putting his giant hands all over Charlie's baby girl, Paul was working for Mr. Cameron's construction crew or working security for the council on the Rez. Naturally, Charlie verified Paul's story when he explained what kept him out of trouble since their last encounter with handcuffs. Both of Paul's jobs checked out.

Billy had a lot to say in the Lahote boy's favor when Charlie came around asking. That was certainly a surprise. Last time Billy spoke about him was when he told the story of having to threaten Paul with a rolled up newspaper for sniffing around Rachel last time she was in town. Billy wouldn't say much other than to give the kid a chance with Bells. Usually it'd take gorilla glue and duct tape to keep that gossiping old hen's mouth shut, but he wouldn't say anything else. Something fishy was going on down at the Rez and it wasn't Harry's fish fry.

Charlie wondered if Paul would be joining them for dinner tonight. Somehow he always ran here. That can't possibly be enough exercise to have biceps that large, but it is a pretty long distance. How the hell did that guy run at least ten miles every time he came over here to ogle Bells? Explains how much he eats. Paul hadn't been around all week though. Clearly something was going on with the two of them. She had been turning down his calls and spending way more time at home than usual. Charlie couldn't tell if Bella was mad at Paul or if they were even still together. Either way, he kept the shotgun within reach.

Of course he sided with his daughter no matter what was going on with them. She had a good head on her shoulders and Jake seemed to have a positive influence on her. Billy and Charlie still talked about how disappointing it was that their children didn't seem to work out. Whatever they had going on fizzled out real quick along with dreams of sharing grandchildren with his best friend. Billy had mentioned Jake had his sights set on the Clearwater girl, but she was older wasn't she? Charlie couldn't remember if Leah was the same age or a year younger than Billy's twins, Rachel and Rebecca.

Charlie didn't care if Bella and Paul were together or not, he just cared if she was happy. At her age, Renee was already six months pregnant and Charlie was enrolling into the police academy out in Port Angeles. Bella still had a whole world of opportunities ahead of her.

Paul can stick around if she lets him, but that boy better not hold her back. They'll be fine as long as he doesn't knock her up. Bella seemed pretty dead set on staying on the Rez. He knew she was going to move in with the boy as soon as possible. He wasn't that old. He remembered being young and in love. Bella had more sense than her mother, there was no doubt about that. Charlie was unlucky when it came to love. His first crush was Sue Clearwater, but she always had eyes for Harry. Then Renee came along and turned his world upside down. Charlie only hoped his daughter could find happiness and hold on to it.

Daydreams of coming home to a wife after a long day were cut short by a personified reminder that he had plenty to be happy about now. His daughter and source of pride walked in the front door, nearly falling flat on her face when she tripped over the welcome mat. At least he had Bella back in Forks for now. She was closely trailed by her new six foot two shadow, Quil.

Charlie called over the back of the couch towards the front door, "Hey kids, how was school?"

Already headed for the kitchen, both groaned "fine" and just kept walking. Bella was probably going to start dinner and Quil will be begging for scraps the whole time if she doesn't kick him out. As expected, the boy came back out the kitchen door not two minutes later looking as dejected as ever.

"She always makes me wait," Quil sighed before he sunk into the couch. "She said she's making baked ziti though, so I can wait. It's my favorite and she usually makes a ton."

Charlie wasn't sure if Quil was talking to him or just thinking out loud so he just huffed a noise of agreement. That must have been enough for Quil because he settled in and watched the game while they both waited for dinner. Charlie felt bad that she cooked for him like this, but she insisted that she enjoyed it and before she moved here the menu at the diner was starting to feel pretty repetitive, if he was totally honest.

For once Bella let them eat in front of the TV. That should have been the first sign that something was off with her today. Usually she made the boys eat at the table and talk, but today she joined them on the couch. Bella pretended to watch the game with her plate sitting on her legs, which were crossed in front of her.

She should be hungry. Lunch was early at school and she didn't snack like the boys did at Emily's. But Bella's rolling stomach kept her from doing much more than shift her food around her plate mindlessly with her fork. The ache in her chest grew heavier and heavier until it felt like her lungs were slowly filling with cement. To avoid causing Charlie any unnecessary concern for her, she tried to keep whatever this was to herself. She felt it rise inside her like the tide at sea, but she had no clue what was going on.

The wolf in the room was the first to notice anything. Slowly her scent changed until anxiety and fear completely overshadowed her natural scent and the faint remaining traces of Paul on her. Her heart rate had picked up and her breathing became labored. Bella was clearly doing everything she could to hide whatever was happening to her. Sweat had started to prickle across her forehead. Her eyes were clenched shut and her face was pinched like she was trying to hold in a sneeze.

Quil tried to help by placing a pacifying hand on her ankle next to him on the couch. Charlie looked over at the movement and furrowed his brow when he noticed the strangely intimate gesture between friends. Bella wasn't a real touchy gal. He looked up to Bella's face to question the odd contact when she snapped her head over to look at Quil like he had pinched her. Charlie was getting ready to kick Quil's ass for whatever he had done to make Bella look like that when her small voice froze him in his tracks.

"Paul," Bella whispered. It was a realization, not a question. She repeated the name with fear and worry. Her hands were clenched over her heart as if she was worried it would leap right out of her chest. By the sound of it, Quil thought that was a distinct possibility. He hadn't heard any howls or any reason to think there was a threat. No new scents, only Bella's fear.

'What is it, Bells?" Charlie asked, leaned forward in his armchair unsure what to do, but wanting to help.

"Paul. It's Paul," Bella said more to herself than anyone else. She was already pulling shoes on and looking for her keys. She didn't know what was going on, but she needed to do something. The tug in her chest was pulling her towards the Rez and she knew it was the imprint. He needed her.

She had promised herself she was going to talk to him tomorrow! She was going to apologize and beg for forgiveness, but now something had happened. What if he was hurt? What else could cause this feeling? It had to be serious for the effect to rattle her bones so thoroughly across their bond.

Quil scrambled for an explanation to give her father. The pack was at training right now. What could have happened at training to make Bella's spidey-sense freak out like this? Had there been an attack? That leech could have come back and what if nobody got a warning howl out before his ability had them frozen like statues. Vulnerable. Embry was there. Was he ok? He would have felt it if Embry had been hurt, right? Quil searched for shoes. He ran to the guest room, forgetting to tamper his supernatural speed for Charlie's sake. Fuck it, he didn't need shoes. Bella was already out the front door and Quil needed to go with her. Charlie was getting up to follow after, but Quil needed to keep him here. He passed his phone on the way back to this living room and came up with an excuse for Charlie on the spot.

"Got a text that Paul was in a car accident," He told Charlie, holding up his cell in explanation. "We're heading to the rez. If you stay here, you can answer the phone if anyone calls looking for Bella." It didn't make sense, but Quil spoke with enough confidence that the Police Chief sat back into his armchair with a curt nod. The truck roared to life in the driveway.

"You better get running or she'll leave without you, boy," Charlie said. "Hope Paul's okay."

Quil called back over his shoulder, "Me too, sir."

Charlie settled back into his armchair with a furrowed brow, bringing his beer back to his lips. He never heard Quil's phone ring. And he didn't think Paul even owned a car. Before he could question too much of the situation, an idiotic call from a referee on the TV screen dragged him back to the game with a curse.

Bella was already halfway down the street so Quil really did have to run to catch up. Thankfully it was already dark and they lived on the edge of town because there was no reasonable explanation they could give to nosy neighbors if someone had witnessed Quil run and vault effortlessly into the bed of Bella's truck. The dip of the suspension under the wolf's weight made Bella squeak in surprise. With acrobatic finesse Bella could hardly fathom, Quil climbed over the side of the running truck and slid in the driver's side door, forcing Bella to slide across the bench seat and let him drive. The truck barely lost any speed during the pass off before Quil slid comfortably in to take the wheel as if the truck was merely parked in the driveway, not chugging down the road already at full speed.

When she didn't volunteer an explanation, Quil was forced to ask, "So what's going on Bells?"

"Something is wrong with Paul. Something is really wrong." Her voice wouldn't have been heard over the loud engine if it weren't for supernatural ears.

The slow truck meant they had at least another ten minutes before they got to the edge of the rez so Quil took the time to take inventory of his own imprint. He didn't feel anything other than the usual light tug that let him know where Embry was. He could always feel his mate and right now, he felt fine. When they were both phased it was a little stronger, probably because the sensation compounded on itself when it echoed between their minds. He could feel that Embry was most likely phased right now, but that was the extent of their imprint magic from this distance.

Bella urged him to go faster and faster even though she knew the truck might explode if they pushed it any harder. Quil seemed to already know where they needed to go because when she went to direct him away from the main road of the rez, he was already turning toward the hiking trails north of the reservation. She didn't think much on where they were going, only that she knew in her heart that the tug was bringing her to Paul.

The nervous bouncing of her knee was the only movement in the cab for a few minutes. Bella didn't want to speculate what was happening to cause this reaction. It had to be bad and if she started thinking through possible scenarios, she might break down here in the car. Quil, thank the spirits, was keeping his comments to himself for the first time ever. She just couldn't handle a sarcastic remark or a joke right now.

The pull was dragging her forward but the truck slowed. "What the hell are you doing? We need to keep going Quil!"

Keeping his voice low and even to try to calm her, Quil explained, "I know where the pack is, Bells, and your truck isn't going to get us any further." She looked around to see that the road had hit a dead end. Finally turning back to meet Quil's eyes, she began to panic again.

"It'll take us forever to hike through the woods, Quil! I need to get to him!" Her voice was reaching record breaking decibels. Quil was already out of the car, coming around to the passenger side to help her down. The comforting touch of pack didn't do much for her nerves. He kept an overheated hand on her lower back and led her toward the trees.

"We'll get there in no time, Bells. Have you ever ridden a horse?" He was already pulling his shirt over his head. He only wore them for Charlie's benefit these days. His hands were already working on the button of his cutoffs when Bella must have realized what he meant because she snapped around with eyes so wide Quil almost laughed. He hoped Paul didn't kill him for letting Bella see his junk, but he didn't think taking the time to phase behind a tree or something would really be helpful at the moment.

Bella staggered back in shock when the chocolate brown wolf shook out his fur in front of her. A person could never get completely used to the sheer size and magnificence of these magical creatures her best friends could turn into. Quil seriously expected her to ride him? He must not have been kidding because he shuffled a little closer to her with his belly on the ground, trying to make himself as low to the ground as possible for her to climb on. When she still didn't move a muscle, he jerked his muzzle toward his back to encourage her to climb on.

If she wasn't so worried about the possibility of Paul bleeding out in the woods somewhere she never would have climbed onto the back of a freaking gigantic wolf. He rose up with impressive grace and waited for her to get settled. She took a firm grip of the fur on the back of his scruff, not sure where else to hold on. It must have been okay with Quil because he took off, slowly picking up speed so she didn't go flying off his back. Paul would kill him for sure if she fell off right now.

The speed was inconceivable. Quil's wolf effortlessly vaulted over fallen trees and dodged obstacles. The wind threw her hair around her face and she struggled to keep her eyes open. Before she could get used to the feeling, Quil was slowing down. They approached a lighter patch of forest where the moonlight could break through the trees and illuminate a clearing. It took Bella much longer than Quil to see the tense wolves locked in a standoff. Not one of them moved an inch when they entered the clearing but Quil saw Embry's ears twitch in recognition of their mate's arrival.

Of course the second Quil phased back by the car he saw what had happened. Every pack member's eyes were focused on the feral grey wolf foaming at the mouth and dripping blood. Sensing Quil's confusion and worry, the other wolves shared what had happened from their unique perspectives. Jake begrudgingly admitted what had finally caused Paul to snap. Quil watched the memories of Paul lunging for Leah first when she told him to stand down and then the grey wolf impressively holding his own against his two Alpha wolves.

I just can't believe this is the first time Paul has kicked his ass for that.

And holy shit, was there ass kicking. The man and the wolf had been getting worse and worse the longer Bella didn't acknowledge them. The reminder that another man was intimate with his imprint was all it took for Paul's wolf to decide that Paul the man wasn't doing enough to get her back. Leah had managed to phase milliseconds before Paul's teeth clamped down on her wolf's shoulder. Her human neck wouldn't have stood a chance, even with their quick healing. Alpha reflexes probably saved Leah's life.

The only thing that saved Paul's life was Jake's ability to rationalize with his wolf that Paul didn't mean to almost kill his mate. They were the ones that asked them to surrender to instinct after all. It had been nearly a fair fight between the grey wolf and the Alpha pair, a testament to the strength of the Spirit Warriors unencumbered by humanity and the strength of Paul's wolf.

This was the first time any of them had successfully separated man from beast. That didn't look like much of a success though. Paul was uncontrollable and silent to the pack mind. Leah was healing, but still soaked in a mix of her and Paul's blood. The grey beast wouldn't stand a chance against the whole pack and when they all rose up to fight for their Alpha, Paul's wolf backed off. That's how they found themselves frozen in the Mexican standoff that Quil and Bella had walked into. No strategy or movement from either party would end well. Any wolf that instigated aggression at this point would only be pulling the trigger on their own execution.

Jake commanded Quil to take Bella home. This was no place for his very human best friend. Before the chocolate wolf could even turn to follow his orders, Leah overrode the order.

No, Quil. That attitude is part of how we got here in the first place. She is a part of this pack even if she doesn't go furry like the rest of us freaks. She is our only hope of getting Paul back.

Nearly every voice in the pack mind began to speak up against Leah, Jake protesting the loudest.

Enough! Leah demanded. She is the wolf's imprint just as much as she is Paul's. He would never hurt her. He'll probably feel a lot better if she got the fuck off of Quil.

If only they could communicate that with the girl. All Bella heard of the telepathic conversation was the low growls and lupine whines that came from the tense pack still facing down her wolf. Quil was nervous to move in any way to indicate to Bella to climb down. Paul's wolf had his eyes locked like rifle sights on the wolf daring to touch his imprint. Slowly, very slowly, Quil lowered his massive body to the ground at the encouragement of his Alpha pair. Thankfully Bella took the hint and lifted her leg over him to dismount the wolf and slide to the ground. She really had a new appreciation for their size after being up at their phased height. To nobody's surprise, Bella fell to her hands and knees when her feet failed to catch her.

Paul's wolf leaped forward, a low whine cutting through the night air. The wolf's sudden movement acted as the starting gun to a flurry of commotion around her. Protective instinct had the pack surrounding Bella in an instant. Her world was suffocating fur and hot panting breaths. The rumble of growls from barrel chests surrounding her vibrated the very earth under her feet and rattled her down to the bones. They didn't need to protect her from Paul. She needed to get to him. The grey wolf's whines escalated to snarls when his vision of Bella was blocked.

She rose to her feet, desperate for air. Pushing against heavy bodies, she fought to weave through the pack to get to her wolf. A mantra of please, please, please, choked out between sobbing breaths, desperate and pleading with the guard dogs. She couldn't breathe. She needed to get to Paul.

Finally stumbling past the russet wolf she knew to be Jacob, Bella was at last face to face with the only balm for the incendiary hysteria in her chest. Tears streamed down her face and her prayers changed from please to desperate petitions for his forgiveness. She fell to her knees in front of the wolf, repeating over and over.

I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry…

This was her fault. She had broken the man she loved. He trusted her and she threw that back in his face because of her own petty insecurities. She had been freaking out all week about how overwhelmed she felt. She had been worried about herself. How selfish could she get? Of course he needed her, she was his imprint. She felt the tightening in her chest all week, but what had he been suffering through? All to give her the time she asked for. She didn't deserve him.

A low whine caught her attention and she tried to pull herself up, hiccuping through her sobs to try to catch her breath. Paul's wet nose snuffled across her temple and pushed her hair back away from her face. Just the touch of his snout on her skin sent electrical impulses through them both. Bella gasped at the sensation, jerking her head up to the beast in front of her. His looming form was blurry through her tears but the look in his eye was unmistakable. Concern. Longing. Love.

Bella pushed up to unsteady feet, compulsively wiping her hands on her pants before reaching out to the regal face still hovering over her. If he stood up to his full height she might reach his shoulder blades. This creature could have been terrifying without even trying, but with careful movements and a calming purr rumbling from a barrel chest, she knew she was safe. Even if Paul was lost to the wolf, this animal would never hurt her. He existed to protect her with everything he had. Even if she was a vile, selfish prick that didn't deserve him.

As if he heard her self derisive thoughts, Paul's wolf gave restorative licks up the side of her neck and face and up into her hair, slicking it up in awkward angles. The term 'cowlick' had a whole new meaning. A watery chuckle escaped her lips despite the overwhelm and insanity of the situation. The wolf must have liked that sound because he yipped and lowered to the ground with its tail in the air wagging playfully. This only made her laugh more and Paul's wolf danced to her musical giggles.

Even if Paul couldn't forgive her, and she didn't expect him to, she was just happy that it seemed like his wolf already had. When she reached out to him, begging for more of those electrical touches, he came back to her in an instant. Gently, ever so gently, he rubbed his muzzle against her open hand. With cautious movements and a healthy respect for the power of this creature, Bella moved her hands up into his scruff. His fur was thicker here and a shade darker. Comfort oozed up her arms and warmed her to her very core just at the touch of her fingers winding through his pelt.

In a fluid motion the wolf straightened. Fur receded into human skin. Back legs stepped up as lupine shoulders settled down to strong toffee muscled arms that wound around her lower back, pulling her against a heated chest. Warm smooth hands inched up under her shirt to bask in the skin to skin that sizzled warmth and love across their bond. She looked up to his beautiful face where his long dark lashes stayed locked against his caramel cheeks.

"Paul?"

The weak whisper was pleading. She still had so much apologizing to do, but she was here. She was choosing him fully and completely. Running away from him was the biggest mistake she had ever made and she would pay penance until the day she died if it meant he gave her a second chance. To prove that she was here for him. That she was committed to him. That his heart would be safe with her.

She would protect it with her life if necessary.

Slowly, his eyes fluttered open from her encouraging caresses. The unsettled yips and whines from the wolves behind the girl didn't even register in her mind over Bella's own surprise.

Glowing gold irises met her own and she knew they saw past her cinnamon eyes down to her very soul. Yellow flames danced and flickered in a kaleidoscope out from fierce, dilated pupils. The iridescent lupine eyes set in human skin sent shivers down her spine. The power and virility these flames represented should frighten her, but all she felt was awe. The human incarnation of the Spirit Warrior was a sight to behold.

Her hands were still gently holding either side of his breathtaking face. Thumbs ghosted over high cheekbones that proudly displayed his heritage. His strong brow furrowed in question. She instinctively knew this was the wolf communicating with her, not her Paul.

And somehow she knew exactly what she needed to say to reassure the beast and the man still buried inside. The word came from her soul. Her soul which she now understood just how entwined it was with his. It was spoken with care, a whisper floating to him with the night breeze. A promise to wolf and man that made those mystical eyes glow brighter even than the full moon.

"Yours."

This seemed like too intimate a moment to have the entire pack bearing witness, but Leah didn't trust this version of Paul entirely just yet. He wasn't acting aggressively anymore, but he still wasn't quite Paul again. Up until he phased mostly back they still couldn't hear his voice in the pack mind and that worried her.

Leah could hear her pack behind her speculating on what the fuck was going on with Paul's wolf's eyes burning even brighter than usual in his human face. Even in wolf form his spirit warrior eyes were not wild like that. Only Sam knew the legends better than Leah and even he had never read of this happening before. She could feel his confusion bleed into relief that this wasn't his problem. That was quickly followed by guilt that he was relieved and guilt that Leah had yet another thing piled on to deal with. She didn't fault him though and she made a point to quietly forgive him yet again. Maybe if she figured things out with Jake then Sam wouldn't always feel so guilty. She didn't owe him anything, but he was still pack. Her pack.

The other wolves had no clue what to think of Paul's freaky mutation. Quil and Embry were making jokes about new superpowers and Jared was muttering something about hoping nothing new and freaky happened to him. Seth was indifferent, just waiting to go home. As the only pack member without an imprint or partner, he didn't have much patience past the ingrained instinct to protect the mates.

The pack stood frozen as a group, waiting to see what Paul would do next. Bella stood stock still while Paul searched her with inquisitive hands and eyes. His nose snuffled down her neck first and then across her shoulders. Dropping to his knees, his hands slipped down to her hips and his nose trailed behind, dipping between her breasts and pausing to press his face into her. The wolf was probably just making sure she was okay, as was habit any time mates had been apart for any time at all, minutes or days. His hands ran all the way up the backs of her legs and stayed planted on her ass as he straightened back to his full height.

Paul looked back to his Alpha pair from where he stood with Bella, apparently having finished taking inventory. The smoldering irises jumped between Leah and Jacob, meeting their gaze directly. Wisely, they both chose to ignore the blatant sign of disrespect. His display this evening had only proved the strength of his wolf and this last show of defiance had been earned.

When neither of them reacted, one full dark brow arched as if the question was obvious and he was getting impatient with their sluggish response. He might as well have been tapping his foot, but clearly the Spirit Warrior wasn't as childish as Paul himself.

It clicked for Jake first. The wolf had shown his defiance, but was still respecting the chain of command.

He was waiting to be dismissed.

Jake bowed his head ever so slightly. He maintained his dominance by remaining taller than Paul. Paul didn't move a muscle because the Alpha his wolf recognized still hadn't dismissed him. His eyes stayed locked on Leah, now just a degree lower than direct eye contact. With a nearly imperceptible nod, Leah acknowledged the wolf and gave him the permission he was seeking. Without a word, the man turned and led his imprint into the forest by the hand.

The pack was still frozen in stunned silence, watching the shadows in the trees where the couple had disappeared. Jake broke the din of wordless thoughts in the pack mind with an order.

Jared, you're running your last patrol before we're back to a normal schedule. Everyone else phase back.

The pack shuddered back into human skin quickly to avoid listening to Jared's diatribe of complaints and curses directed at the wolves who didn't have to run this week thanks to his behavior.

Quil spoke up first, "What the fuck was that?" He asked with a thumb over his shoulder indicating Paul and Bella. "He's either going to eat her or fuck her to death. Whichever way that goes, I don't think she's making it to the morning."

"Gross, Quil," Sam admonished. The rest of the pack was trying to cover their discomfort with forced chuckles. They still weren't quite sure what just happened, but they were taking their Alpha's lead for now and not addressing it.

"Everyone go home," Leah called out. It wasn't an order, just a request. Tonight had gone sideways and she was already exhausted from trying to keep her mind and her eyes off of Jake. Now there was this whole new clusterfuck she had to deal with. "We'll get back together..tomorrow? What fucking day of the week is it? I don't even know what fucking day it is. I need a goddamn nap."

"Amen," Jake breathed. "Tomorrow we're finally able to get the whole pack together. Saturday night training while the imprints are all together at Sam and Emily's." He flicked his eyes over to Leah. "It's Friday, Lee. TGIF, right?"

"You know weekends don't mean shit anymore, Jay." The remnants of the pack were still milling about, not sure if they had really been dismissed yet. Sam and Seth stood bored on the edge of the small gathering, just waiting for the signal that it was okay to leave. Quil and Embry were not so discreetly making plans for their evening without Bella watch or patrols or parents. Tiffany Call was out of town until Sunday and they planned to defile her dining room table again.

"Just go," Leah waved them off, hoping to get a chance to talk to Jake tonight about Paul and Laurent and maybe, if she could muster the lady balls, she would try to talk to him about whatever this was that they were dancing around.

"My place? Bet I can beat you there," Embry leered at his mate.

"A bet? What are we betting?" Quil was playing with the strings dangling from the front of Embry's gym shorts, subtly pulling him closer.

Seizing an opportunity, Embry suggested, "If I win, I get to top." He tried to sound as cocky as his mate. If Quil didn't respond well, Embry could always brush it off as a joke, especially in front of the pack.

Quil immediately dropped the pretenses and wrapped his arms around his lover's lower back. He wanted to support him in all things. He knew even mentioning this took a lot of guts and he was proud of Embry for asking for what he wanted. Embry had never shown a hint of wanting to try this, even in the shared mental space of the packmind.

"Baby, why is this the first I'm hearing about this? I didn't even know you wanted to." Quil nibbled you his lovers neck, having to raise up on his toes just a little to reach Embry's ear. Whispering was cute, but it did nothing to keep the rest of the pack from hearing what he said next. "I'm open to try it. All you had to do was ask, but I'll still race you for it. What do I get if I win?"

"This dick." The words were nearly a growl, punctuated with a thrust of his hips grinding a very prominent erection into Quil's matching member. Now that Embry knew Quil would let him, he wasn't backing down.

"Do you guys forget other people can hear you or do you just not care?" Leah called out with a grimace on her face. They all loved Quil and Embry but damn, the pack didn't want to hear about it more than they already did when phased together. The couple's mouths were too busy trying to eat each other to respond so instead they both flipped her off, not pausing their make out session for a second.

"Well, that answers that, they just don't care. I don't want to try and break it up, they might bite you. Like a dog humping a pillow." Leah chuckled and ignored Quil's growl. "The rest of us can go home. Seth you're on patrol after Jared."

Not wasting another second, the wolves took off into the trees. Finally, blessed silence.

Or as quiet as it could get when supernatural ears caught every cricket and squirrel within three miles. Over the peaceful orchestra of the forest at night, Leah could hear the sound of a heartbeat that she could have identified in a crowded room. The light breeze rustled the trees, carrying the scents of La Push swirling around her. Ocean saltiness. Crisp pine. Mate. His natural musk was slightly tinged with anxiety.

She knew the other half of their Alpha pair had also lingered behind. All of her senses told her where he was, but she didn't need them. The electric tingle in her chest, like a magnetic compass pointing true north, could tell her where her mate was at any given moment.

At least on human feet she didn't have to worry about masking her thoughts. She could freely imagine, dream, hope— without any prying minds. That hope blossomed in her chest when she heard the soft sound of grass under his feet. The staccato of his heartbeat got louder with each step closer. Tonight was the night. She was going to say something. Or do something? Leah didn't know what, but tonight was going to be a turning point in their relationship.

She knew how he felt. Seth had given her a heads up and she had seen the whole conversation now from his perspective and Embry's. As soon as Embry phased, he had revealed Jake's confession at Emily's this afternoon. The younger wolf was trying so hard not to think about it that it was all he could think about. Jake had told the guys "She never lets me get her alone to talk about it. I want to tell her it's not just my wolf that's interested. I've been interested for a long time now. She's a million miles out of my league and I wouldn't even know how to bring it up."

Well here she was. Giving him a chance to bring it up. Alone.

She wasn't embarrassed to admit it was a major confidence boost to hear that Jake thought she was out of his league. If it weren't for the age thing, she would probably be intimidated too. But they had both been too awkward about the whole situation to mention it yet. Jake wanted her too and it was hurting both of them to keep avoiding it like this. It was putting them both at a disadvantage as Alphas. She should be focused on their pack and the leech threat they faced, not getting distracted like a bitch in heat. Progressing their relationship was a tactical move in their pack's best interest.

Well, that's what she told herself to rationalize the nervous thrum of her heart and the giddy, girlish excitement that bubbled up in her chest.

Was it just her imagination or could she feel the heat radiating off of his skin behind her? She thanked the spirits that she had been able to pull another cotton dress out of a hollowed out tree. Being any more vulnerable right now would be too much for her dominant wolf. They used this clearing frequently so she had a stash nearby. Her mother had made nearly twenty stretch cotton spaghetti strap dresses just like this one and the one she shredded when Paul's wolf attacked her.

She couldn't remember if Jacob had a pair of shorts tied to his ankle when they got here. She hadn't seen him go to the trees to fetch a pair and she was preeeetty sure he didn't bring any with him. If that was the case, a very naked Jacob Black was waiting for her patiently in the moonlight.

He took one more step closer. She could feel their connection sizzle along her nerve endings. Her wolf begged her to turn around and clawed at her insides to take what the wolf deemed theirs. Now she could feel his fevered breath fan across her shoulder.

This would be so fucking weird if they weren't two supernatural Alpha wolf shapeshifters. Not just the fact that they were standing in the middle of the woods at night in very little clothing, but the way they danced around this potential relationship. They were two people who were clearly attracted to each other and had seen each other butt-ass naked on more than a few occasions, but hadn't even kissed.

"I know what you said to the guys this afternoon, Jay," she whispered so low a human would never have heard it over the sounds of the light winds and forest around them. She already knew how he felt but she was still so unbelievably nervous. He could still turn her down and she wasn't sure she could handle his rejection on top of all this other bullshit. But she was here, sticking her neck out for something she wanted. And he still hasn't said anything. Her skin prickled into goose bumps in anticipation when she heard him suck in a quiet shaky breath.

"And?" His silky baritone wrapped around her, ramping up her anxiety and arousal just the same. Just the hint of uncertainty in his voice was all the reassurance she needed. She had thought she smelled it on him, but it was actually comforting to know that he was nervous too. Maybe he wanted this just as much as she did. Just as much as their wolves did.

Now or never, Leah, she told herself, squaring her shoulders in a last ditch effort for confidence before she turned to face him. The hint of nerves she could scent were nowhere to be seen in his features. She might even say he looked cocky with a slight lift to one side of his mouth and a mischievous glint in his eye. Her eyes stayed locked on his, but she could thank her keen eyesight for the view in her peripheries of just how excited he was too. She hoped her face wasn't giving away how nervous she was.

Fuck, he was beautiful.

Years later they would still debate who moved first, but the end result was the same. Jacob stepped in while Leah reached up to grab his shoulder with one hand and wrap the other around the back of his neck to pull him down. She was tall for a woman, but he still had to lean down to reach her. It all happened so fast but, to her adrenaline addled mind it felt like slow motion.

Their lips met and their world ended. Or imploded? Maybe it just didn't exist at all anymore and that was more than fine with either of them. The forest could be ashes and the ocean could be lava for all they cared because their reality was confined to this kiss.

Once the shock of their initial lip lock faded, the dam broke and weeks, no, months of built up passion broke free. Soft, heated lips moved together in a sensual tango that matched the rapidfire pace of their hearts. Teeth clicked and tongues clashed in their desperate state to devour one another. Leah's nails dug into his shoulders so hard she drew blood. She grabbed at his ebony hair, trying to ground herself in reality, but his responding groan only stoked the growing fire in her belly.

Jake's hands were overwhelmed. They couldn't stay anywhere for too long because there was so much new territory to roam. Her amazonian curves were uncharted waters and each meaty hand was an explorer trying to discover gold. They dipped into her silky hair, holding her face to his before diving down her toned back, caressing her sides, enjoying her lush hips, and finally staking his claim on her ass. Each palm taking up residence on a full globe.

Howling echoed through both of their minds as if to say finally. She pressed her body into his, absolutely hating the thin piece of her cotton dress wedged between them. It did little to mask his manhood pressed against her lower abdomen. Somehow even hotter than the rest of him, his erection felt like a searing brand burning through the fabric. She had seen it countless times now. Since that first time on the day she first phased, he had been unashamed of letting her see all of him, no matter his state of arousal. Which meant it was almost always fully hard when she saw it because just being around each other sent their senses and libidos into overdrive.

It had been a long time since Leah had any sexual attention besides her trusty vibrator. The state of anger she embodied after Sam left her didn't leave much room for lovers. Becoming a wolf, Alpha no less, pushed her needs even further down the list of priorities. It would have been useless anyway because she couldn't even get herself off properly if she found the time. No man or sex toy was Jacob Black.

But now, for the first time ever, the woman and her wolf were on the same page. She was acting on her deepest desires and taking what every part of her wanted. Craved. Needed.

Panting breaths and groans of satisfaction were the only forms of verbal communication needed. Their lips spoke enough without words. Their greedy hands told the story of their pent up desires. Their rocking hips sang the praises of how perfectly their bodies fit together. Their tongues danced in a duel for dominance that represented their entire relationship. Their biting teeth reprimanded for foolishly waiting so long for what they both clearly wanted. Their appreciative hums thanked the spirits for letting these fools finally submit to what they needed.

Neither Leah or Jake could remember why they hadn't done this sooner. Their wolves had never felt such peace. Right at home in each other's embrace. So complete.

Revised 10/11/2020