AN: thanks for the reviews, and thanks so much to my dear astridt244 whose help is always needed and welcomed. Check her last one-shot, it's a Jacob/Bella piece and it's as usual very nice, please do try to convince her that she needs to write at least another chapter ;)

Chapter 9

Paul woke up with Bella sprawled all over him; with a sigh he pulled her even closer and sniffed her hair. Her scent was amazing and it always relaxed him, he might have not imprinted on her, but he sure knew there was something more than physical attraction between them. When she started to wake, he faked that he was waking up too; definitely he didn't want to look like he was enjoying her closeness too much.

Bella smiled at him, yawned and then stretched. "Yesterday I was too tired to ask, but what did Sam say about me?"

"He was surprised that you were alive, happy about it, but pissed that I kept it for myself, he wanted to tell Jacob but I asked for some more time. If Cullen finds out that you're alive, then he'll first go to see Jacob and if Edward sees that Jake knows nothing then he'll leave the wolves alone. We don't need to catch his attention, he'll look for you and not for us, so he'll never find you." Paul answered, hoping that she wouldn't ask more about the meeting.

She shivered. "I hope he won't, but he's good at tracking because of his gift."

Paul hugged her and she placed her head on his chest. "I'll make sure he won't find us Swan. And if he ever does then you'll tell him that it's over and if he doesn't want to understand it then I'll take care of it." He knew that he was ready to fight whoever wanted to harm her, he was now her protector. The wolf agreed wholeheartedly.

"Did he say anything about... us?" She asked timidly.

Paul tried not to tense; he knew as well that it was pointless trying to lie to her. "He accused me of being selfish and told me in no uncertain terms that he was disappointed."

"Oh Paul! I think it's none of his business; we're two adults and as they say it takes two to tango. I was willing and I enjoyed it as much as you did, probably he felt that we both betrayed Jacob but when I left with Edward... well, Jake knew it was a goodbye... a forever kind of farewell. I'm sorry if the pack is going to react badly, but I made my peace with the end of our relationship and they should too." Bella told him, and he felt better because she hadn't judged him.

"It's more than that Bella, Sam feels like I betrayed my brother taking what was perceived as his. I told him that you left with Cullen, but everyone assumed that if you ever left the bloodsucker it would be to go back and be with Jacob." Paul said.

Bella pulled away from him and got out of bed. "Well… they assumed wrong and you can tell Sam the next time that you phase that I'm exactly where I want to be. I regret the way I lost Jake and my dad, but I moved on because what's done is done and life is too short to brood on your unhappiness. I might never love or be totally happy again, but I'm alive and I'll make the best out of any situation I get thrown in."

Paul nodded and felt his respect for her heightening, she had gone a long way from the little girl lost in the forest and he liked what had come out as the result, the ugly duckling had turned into a swan, a beautiful and brave one. "So fuck them all!" Paul joked.

Bella laughed, her first genuine laugh since they had met. "Yep, fuck them all!" With that she got out of the room and went to make breakfast.

He shook his head, amused that he was rubbing on her. Never would he have imagined Bella Swan swearing. His wolf was still basking in her scent, content and relaxed. Life was good and Paul as usual enjoyed the moment.

….

The next two weeks passed quickly, Paul was busy with his exams and with finding a truck at the black market. He didn't want to link either of them on anything, so if Cullen found out that she had left with him he wouldn't be still able to track them.

Bella, on the other hand, had contacted the guy for her change of name and he had provided her with a new identity. Moreover, she was looking after the house, he was pleased that when he was coming home after a long day at work he was finding good food and a nice smelling house.

He wondered if life could really be that easy, he was happy as he had never been before and that scared him. By the end of the second week they had settled everything and they were almost ready to leave, Paul had to phase again and talk to Sam and then they were set to start their trip.

Paul arrived into the woods and waited for the ring from Sam. Bella had been nervous about the meeting, but Paul had reassured her, no matter what happened they were leaving together and nothing was going to change. The ring from the phone arrived and he phased.

Hey Sam. (Paul)

Hi Paul, so I've got news for you. (Sam)

Shoot, I'm ready to hear whatever you've got to say. (Paul)

First thing, let me tell you that Billy was angry beyond belief about your relationship with Bella, he agreed to keep Jacob out of it because he knows that Bella's life is at stake. But he ordered me to tell you that as soon as the threat is over you'll take Bella back to Jacob. (Sam)

Over my dead fucking buried body, Sam… Bella is where she wants to be. Now, it's not the time to argue about something like this, what the fuck did you find out about my wolf-bond with Bella? (Paul)

I don't like the way you talk about your relationship with her… anyway, the Elders think that your wolf has chosen a mate but didn't imprint because of your character, apparently in your family the Spirit of the wolf is very wise, none of your ancestors has ever imprinted… but the other warriors before you, they all picked a woman that was agreeable to the wolf. Old Quil had a diary written by the first Lahote that phased. (Sam)

Are you basically saying that because we're stubborn son of bitches we are unable to imprint and we just have the freedom to choose a woman as long as our wolf likes her? And I had never been told this because… ? (Paul)

Because I didn't know it! You know the Elders, they keep shit from us but they want to be informed about everything we do. (Sam)

Thank you Sam, I'm pissed with the Elders but right now I can't give a fuck about them, there're more important things I need to focus on… I've got to go now, my… hmmm… Bella is waiting for me. We'll leave tomorrow and I'll call you soon. (Paul)

Paul phased back quickly, he didn't want Sam to ask him more questions about him and Bella. He had almost called her his girl, and that told him a lot about his feelings for her.

His wolf had expressed a preference for her, there was no one the animal liked more and the man was finally coming to term with the fact the he liked her too, and a lot. His feelings were growing every day, she always said or did something that surprised him positively, he had always wondered what Jacob found appealing in Bella and now he knew, she was fire under the ashes and she never gave up.

When he got into the house, Bella was waiting for him. "How did it go?"

Paul growled and walked to where she was; he placed a hand behind her head and pressed his mouth on hers. She answered quickly hugging him and Paul walked them backwards until the couch. He pushed her down to lie on her back, he leered at her from where he stood. Then slowly he undressed her, he could already smell her arousal. He took off his clothes and settled between her now bare legs. With a movement that surprised her, he took her hands with one of his own and placed them above her head. With the other hand he touched her to feel if she was ready for him, she was so wet that Paul growled and she writhed under him.

"Paul please…" She whimpered.

"Please what?" He asked her, he wanted her to beg some more, he liked the control and the way she wanted him.

"I…" She was looking at him with her big eyes, so deep and hooded by passion now. He smirked back at her, and she glared at him, knowing well his game. "Fuck me!" She finally snarled and Paul happily complied.

He trusted into her at first slowly to let her adjust but as soon as he could feel her responding to him, he started pushing in and out harder and faster. Her body was encouraging him with every little movement, and her moans were heaven both for the man and the animal.

His eyes met hers and Paul almost stopped moving, the intensity and the unadulterated passion sent him over the edge. Bella arched her back and came almost simultaneously. When both their heartbeat settled, she smiled at him. "Feeling better?"

He smirked and nodded. "You could say that." She laughed and he liked seeing her like this. "Let's go to bed Swan, tomorrow we're leaving."

"Really?" She asked excitedly.

"Yes, we'll be just me, you and the truck." Paul said watching her with an eyebrow raised. She was studying him then; she must have understood that he wanted to say something more. "I never had sex in a truck Swan."

Bella looked shocked, she opened and closed her mouth for a while and then shook her head. "I know better than trying to convince you that having sex in the truck will be uncomfortable… so I might be convinced to try but… not right now. I want to put as much road as I can between me and Edward."

"Agreed, but I'll hold you to it." Paul told her, still smirking.

Bella stood up and started to walk towards the bedroom. At the last moment she turned to look at him and smiled. "I didn't have any doubt about it."

Paul watched her disappearing and after a moment stood up and started to follow her. The idea of spending his life with her was starting to appeal him, and it wasn't as frightening as before because now he knew that it would be his choice to be with her or not. And that made all the difference to him.