AN: thank you so much for your reviews, I appreciate each and every one of them, since you like reading my stories I would love to know from you with which wolf you would want to read a story about after this one. So I put up a poll in my profile, do vote and let me know!

Chapter 13

Bella was staying with her head on his shoulder; it seemed she liked that place. After two hours of silence she spoke. "Paul, I know I need to call Rosalie but can we postpone it for a few days? I just want to be with you and enjoy our trip."

Paul sighed, he would like that too, but they needed to know which progress Cullen was making in hunting her down. "I would like that Swan, unfortunately we need an update. I promise you that after the phone call we'll stop somewhere and enjoy a few days together. Just you and me."

"And the truck." She said and then giggled.

He laughed then. "Yeah we can't forget our beloved truck, in which I finally could fulfill one of my fantasies."

"You know… now that we're talking about fantasies… do you think we could find a thermal spa on our way? I always wanted to try making love in warm water." She whispered.

"Sure, why not? We'll check the net and then book such a place on our way." Paul replied, happy that she was comfortable in expressing her own desires.

...

They finally arrived in a big town; Paul checked the hotel and settled for one in the outskirt. They decided to walk to a Wal-Mart where she was going to buy a pay-as-you-go phone. She would use the number once and then get rid of it, so not to be traced.

Bella made the phone call. One ring and then she put down, then one ring again and then down. She had explained to Paul that it was a signal for Rosalie to know that it was her that was calling.

After five minutes the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Bella, finally! Where the hell have you been? You disappeared and didn't leave me any message! Edward has found out our plot, he was furious and now he's looking for you. He definitely wants explanations." Rosalie told Bella.

Paul was sitting near her and hearing everything too. They had agreed that Bella wouldn't reveal to Rosalie his involvement so that Cullen wouldn't really know any information that would help him track her faster.

"I'm sorry Rose, I just realized that I needed to leave you in the dark too, if he reads your mind I don't want to give myself away, I just wanted you to know that I'm well… and happy." Bella said smiling and holding his hand.

"Bella, you don't understand. Edward is more than angry, he wants to know why you left him that way and most important if you didn't go back to the mutt then where you have been. I don't know where he is and what he's doing, Alice was hurt by your lies but she refused to help him, she told him that it was your choice and that he should let you go. Of course dear Edward always does what he wants so there's no chance that he'll leave you alone. I convinced Emmett to go with him so that if he finds you, my husband will protect you." Rosalie told her.

"Thank you Rose, maybe I should have dealt with it differently but I didn't know what do to save your family from the Volturi." Bella said.

"I know Bella, as of now Carlisle and Esme are kept in the dark so that if they meet Aro they won't give anything away." Rosalie added.

Paul had been listening to the conversation and he knew that Cullen was never going to give up, he had a decision to make, did he want to run for the rest of his life? Hell, no! He motioned for Bella to pass him the phone, she looked surprised but she complied.

"Hey leech, Bella is quite safe with me but I don't want to be tracked down for the rest of my life. So you'll call your leech-brother and tell him that Bella will meet him in Phoenix, in three days' time. She'll give him all the answers he wants but then he'll have to fucking let her go." Paul growled.

"Who are you?" Rosalie growled back.

"Paul Lahote, third in command in the pack." He said with all the pride he could muster, he would have been second in command if his temper had been more manageable.

"So... let me get this straight. She run away from my brother and left Jacob behind to end up with another mutt?" Rosalie seemed amused. "That girl has no sense of self-preservation."

"None whatsoever." Paul replied smirking back at Bella that was frowning at him. "But that's part of her appeal, anyway we'll meet with Edward and the story has to end there. You should go with him too, two of you with him would be better than one."

"Okay, I'll pass along the message... just one question. Do you love her or is she just one of your conquests?" Rosalie said seriously.

Paul glanced at Bella and winked at her. "She's my mate."

"Wow this was unexpected, but I'll prepare my brother for what he'll find. Just one little advice, if you haven't yet... mark her or my brother will dance on your grave." Rosalie put down the phone.

Paul sighed and got rid of the phone card. The leech's suggestion was heard, his wolf was happily prancing around ready to do what he wanted to do since the first night he had been with Bella, Paul was a little more hesitant, would Bella really want a permanent scar by him on her skin? He cleared his throat. "It's settled, we'll meet with Cullen and then he'll leave you alone."

Bella stood up and looked at him with anger simmering in her eyes. "And who gave you the right to say that to Rosalie? Why do you think that I'll go along with your plan and talk to him? I don't want to see him ever again! Which part of it didn't you get in your thick skull?" She shouted. "I've gone to this length; I've sacrificed my dad and Jacob! And you know how much I love them both, and now I'm back at square one." Bella then sat down and placed her head in her hands, looking totally destroyed.

"Fuck Swan, take a breath. I'll be there with you, so will Emmett and Rosalie. Nothing will happen; I swear I'll protect you." Paul said and placed his hand on her shoulders.

She jerked away and looked up at him with teary eyes. "You don't understand." She whispered brokenly.

"Then make me understand, tell me what happened to have you so traumatized." Paul kneeled in front of her and placed his hands on her knees, this time she didn't move away. "I won't think any less of you Swan."

Bella bit her lip and looked uncertain. Then she shook her head. "I'm sorry Paul; this is something I can't share with you or anyone else. Let's go there and meet him, after that I want to go my own way."

Paul glared at her. "The hell you will! Which part of I want to be with you was lost in your bloody mind?" Paul looked at her seriously. "I won't ever leave you Bella, not now not ever. I don't care what happened; you don't want to share it with me? Fine, we don't have to tell each other everything... but I want to know why you want to leave me now."

She sighed and after a moment he found her in his arms. "I'm sorry Paul. I don't want to leave you; I want to stay with you... I was just scared and angry and confused... forgive me."

He nodded, but now he was worried. Sometimes her behavior didn't make sense, and he needed to understand why, he was curious to know what had happened with Cullen during their honeymoon but he would respect her wishes. Probably the leech would reveal something during their meeting. "Now Swan, let's go to find a thermal spa, and make you happy."

Bella smiled weakly at him, and he knew she was still upset but he liked that she was trying to be brave. "Okay."

Paul pulled her up and hugged her. "Swan, it'll be okay, we'll meet him and you'll say goodbye to him for good. After that you can take back your name and eventually... well... will you wear the wedding ring for real?" He asked her that because he knew that he wanted to be with her and make her more relaxed and comfortable for both the future meeting with Cullen and their talk about marking.

Bella looked up at him and swallowed. "You mean like... like me being your real wife?"

He smiled at her warmly. "Isabella Marie Swan Lahote, it has a nice ring."

She smiled back and her eyes were shining, she just nodded and whispered. "I... agree... it sounds... nice."

Paul's heart missed a beat, she had really agreed to be his wife in a future he hoped not far from the present. As of now he would try to make her happy and feel safe... and he would definitely mark her that night.

AN2: next chapter the marking.