AN: thanks for the reviews, as usual you're all very nice. Sorry for the delay, but my muse had demanded me to write a four-chaptered story Bella/Jacob and so I needed to get that out of my system before turning my attention back to this story (though I still have one chapter to write for There you will be). The poll has been closed and my next fiction will be a Sam/Bella, I've got already an idea for it, but first I'll finish this one. Not many chapters are left, now on with the story!

Chapter 15

Paul woke up early; he opened his eyes and noticed that it was just before six o'clock. Turning to check on Bella he saw that she wasn't in the bed and he scanned the room. Bella was sitting on the ledge of the window wrapped up in a blanket and staring out.

"Swan, is something bothering you?" He said, wondering what she was doing there.

She turned to look at him, shook her head and smiled. "I woke up a little while ago and I couldn't get back to sleep." She then stood up and bit her lip. "Paul… I've been thinking about everything we discussed yesterday and I'm… I'm ready to be yours, only yours forever. I searched deep down in my heart and I know that you're who I want and nothing or no one will make me change my mind." She then dropped the blanket, pulled off her t-shirt and her panties.

Paul swallowed once and then twice and then again. She was there naked and beautiful and ready to be his mate. The wolf neared the surface of his mind, he wanted out and he wanted her. Ours, mark her, he whispered to the man. Paul thought it over, she looked confident and Bella never said things just for the sake of it. She was sure and he was convinced as well that he wanted her forever.

So why was he hesitating? What if his marking her would mean the extermination of his tribe? He thought about his brothers, he loved them in his own twisted way and he was loyal to the pack, but he wanted her so much… more than anything and more than anyone else. He made up his mind then, hoping that he was making the right decision and sent a prayer to the Spirits to guide him.

The animal in him that was partly a spirit of his ancestors whispered that if he had chosen her as his there was to be no fear, she was meant to be a Lahote's mate.

Paul took a deep breath and stood up.

He noticed that she relaxed slightly, she probably noticed his hesitation and was unsure if he really meant what he said the day before. "Bella, I'm here to stay. I'm going nowhere without you and I'm honored to make you mine." Then he pulled down his shorts remaining naked too, he put up a hand and motioned for her to move closer.

Bella smiled shyly and then took the few steps that separated them, slowly but confidently. When her hand was in his he clasped it and then he moved up it up to his mouth and kissed it.

Quickly he pulled her into his arms and lowered his mouth to kiss hers. The kiss started slow and deep, he wanted to taste her and take his time. The marking was going to happen just once and he wanted to make the best out the situation for both. The pack-mind had given him an idea of how it would be and he had thought it over as well to ensure that Bella would feel as less pain as possible.

He moved slightly away and took her into his arms bridal style then he turned and moved onto the bed until he had his back on the headboard of the bed and she was comfortable still in his arms.

Their eyes met and for a moment everything else stopped existing, Paul knew deep down that he would never imprint on her, but this was the closest to feel that bond with her and he rejoiced and cherished it.

Bella took that moment to move and place her legs on both sides of him. He caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes sighing. This was how making love should be, tender when needed and sweet and slow. There would be time for fast and hard when the situation required it.

At the thought that soon she would be his, in a more permanent way than even marriage, his heart started beating faster. He knew he loved her and he needed to share this feeling with her. He moved closer to her ear and whispered. "I love you Swan."

Bella stood still for a moment and then her mouth was near his ear. "I love you too Lahote."

Their eyes then met again and they both grinned. It was there out in the open, their love. They had gone a long way to get there and finally they were together to share a life that was going to be good. Paul swore that he would make her the happiest woman alive inside and outside the bedroom.

Bella smiled at him and caressed his cheek then her hand slid down to his chest to his waist. She paused for a moment, then touched him and he groaned, he was already hard and her soft hand on his shaft was making him loose his sanity again. However, Paul didn't want to the wolf to mark her; he wanted the human part to be in control. So he placed one of his hands on hers and stopped her movement. "Swan, for as much as I would enjoy you touching me, we'll have time for that later." He growled then he took her waist and moved her so that he could be inside her.

Bella arched her back and moaned softly, Paul closed his eyes as well because being inside her was the best feeling in the world. It felt like their bodies were meant to be together, forever, and he would cherish the woman in his arms until his last breath.

They started a low rhythm, studying each other and watching how every movement and the different position caused to the other to moan or hiss or get even more excited, they continued for a while until he felt that she was almost to the point of coming, so he kissed her and then moving away from her soft lips he made his way along the line of her jaw, he reached her shoulder blade. He placed one hand on her waist while the other was entwined into her soft hair.

His tongue licked the area he wanted to mark, her pulse was beating quickly under her skin and he craved to taste more of her. There was a moment of sanity, but his wolf who had laid low until then roared and burst out of his cage. The animal took control; he felt his hands tighten around her body, leaving marks for sure. The wolf wanted her to have her whole body marked, she belonged to them and she would show it to the world.

While his hands were keeping her tightly against him, he started to move faster and harder. Bella was moaning and panting, the wolf was ready and so was Paul, when he felt her tighten around him, he bit her trying to be gentle but it wasn't what the wolf wanted and Paul bit down harder and deeper and it felt so good. Paul tasted her blood and it was sweet and compelling, then a feeling like no other overtook him. It felt like something in his soul clicked and he knew that Bella was his forever to hold and protect. He could feel her soul touching his, warming and healing the little scars life has left on him. Now he felt complete and happy and loved, he managed to stop sucking when he heard her whimper. He released her skin and licked it to stop too much blood from flowing out.

He opened his eyes that he had closed when he had bit down on her and studied her to see if she was well. Her satisfied smile and her sated eyes confirmed that she was happy. So he laid his head on the wall and Bella slumped onto his chest.

It had been surreal, he could remember vaguely that he had bit down on her and now that he was studying her body he noticed that she had his handprints all over her body. He felt guilty but the wolf was satisfied. "Everything is all right there?" Paul asked, still basking in the contentment of post lovemaking bliss and of making her his at last.

"Yes." She whispered. "I'm happy to be yours; your eyes are almost yellow. Is the wolf pleased?"

He laughed. "Very much so... I hope I didn't hurt you too much though."

She shook her head and met his eyes. "It was a bit painful but at the same time it felt good. I don't know how to express it better than this." Then she slumped again on his chest.

Paul held her close to him and he felt the moment she went back to sleep. He checked the time and they had still a few hours of rest before taking up to go towards Phoenix. So he closed his eyes too and let sleep claim him as well.