A/N: Hey guys I just wanted to say, before I continue that I realize this storyline has probably been done a bunch of times. Bella/Paul is my favorite pairing and while I know I am not the best at writing 'bad boys' I wanted to try my hand at it, so please bear with me.
"What was that?" I asked stunned still staring at Paul. I shook my head trying to clear it so I could make a coherent thought.
"Why don't we go have a cup of coffee, Sam? Give these two some privacy." Billy said wheeling himself back into the house. Paul was smiling so big it was infectious. I couldn't help but smile back.
"Bella, first I want to apologize I never meant to cut off contact like that. I assure you it was done thinking it would protect you." Paul said taking my hand in his. "There is so much I have to tell you. But first, tell me, do you know any of the Quileute legends?" Paul led me over to the bench along the back of the house and motioned for me to sit. Paul and I sat never once letting go f the other's hand.
"I know a few from going to the bonfires over the years. I remember the stories of Taha Aki and the Spirit Warriors and the discovery of the Cold Ones." I tried to recall the legends I had overheard when Jacob would sneak me into the tribal bonfires, sitting just out of eyesight but close enough to hear the storytellers words.
"Bella those legends you heard, they are true," Paul said, his voice stern and full of meaning.
"What do you mean they are true?" I asked wanting further clarification.
"I am a Spirit Warrior a protector. I can shift my form to that of the wolf, although we are quite large. Comparable to a large horse."
"And the Cold Ones?" I asked almost shaking afraid of the answer. Paul only nodded.
"Do you know the Cullens that go to school with you?"
"Yes. I had a class with Edward, I think that was his name. Before he left suddenly. The others I see at lunch…" Realization hit me. "You don't mean to say that the Cullens are Cold Ones? Vampires…really?" Fear coursed through me. "I sat next to a vampire?" I started to hyperventilate.
"Bella please try to relax. Yes, the Cullens are vampires, however, they are not human drinking vampires. We have a treaty with their coven. They drink only the blood of animals. If they were to bite a human the treaty would be broken and we would go to war. We can protect you I promise." Paul's voice was so soothing. I felt my heart steady as my breathing evened out. "There is another legend I need to discuss with you," Paul said leaning to look deep into my eyes as he continued speaking. "It's that of imprinting…The life we lead is a hard one. We patrol the Quileute lands destroying rogue vampires when we come across them. Its what we are made for. We risk our lives and we need the support of our families to help us cope with the responsibility. I think you can understand this more than most seeing as your father is a police officer. What imprinting does is point out to us our most perfect mate. The one who will make us stronger as a protector and a pack. The one who will best support us and keep us sane. All ties that previously held the protector to this earth are now holding him to his imprint. It is the most sacred gift from our Gods. Bella, just then when I looked into your eyes I imprinted on you. I will never hurt you. I will never lie to you. You are my life now. I understand this is a lot and I don't expect anything from you. I will follow your lead with this." The tears that were pooling in Paul's eyes spoke of his sincerity. I was blown away by his confession, but I wasn't afraid of what it meant. I knew that first day we met he was special and now I know why. I went to speak but Paul cut me off. "Before you talk, I just wanted to tell you, that before I morphed into a giant dog the week we spent seeing each other was the best week of my life. I knew I was falling for you even then." Now I had tears in my eyes.
"I fell for you too," I said through the sob that left me. "But Paul, there is something I have to tell you. I…I am pregnant." Paul's smile faltered.
"You're pregnant? How we used a condom." Paul began pacing.
"It must have broke. If you remember we were pretty rough." I said a hint of anger seeping into my voice as his insinuation.
"Oh god Bella, no I didn't mean to imply…I know it's mine. I don't doubt that. Imprinting makes it so that we can only have children with our imprint." My body froze. I always liked the idea of fate, but now when I learn that fate is dictating who I have children with…
"I am pissed!" Oops, I said that out loud.
"I'm sorry Bella, I know it's a hard pill to swallow…"
"No." I cut him off. "Learning you are pregnant is a hard pill to swallow. Learning that your Gods decide who I can have children with is infuriating. What if I hated you? What if you were a criminal?" I was ranting so Paul planted a hot hand over my mouth smiling.
"Imprinting doesn't happen for every Spirit Warrior. It is said to be a rare gift given to a select few who are most deserving. Also, you don't have to accept the imprint. You and I met before I was a wolf, but my wolf is telling me the magic was there. He says that our child. Our daughter is important…We are important to the future of the tribe."
"I'm sorry Paul this is all so heavy. I feel like I'm suffocating." I had to get out of here. I couldn't listen to anymore. I stood and walked into the house.
"Sam, would you mind driving me home?" I asked. "I don't think it would be wise for me to drive right now."
"Bella?" Billy asked grabbing a hold of my hand as I walked past. "I understand this is a lot. Take your time. When you are ready to tell Charlie, call me and I will help you." I broke. I couldn't control the sobs the wracked my body as I clung to Billy. "On second thought Sam why don't you take Paul home. I will call Charlie and tell him to come over when he is off work. Bella, you are staying here sweetheart." I just nodded through the tears. This was all so more complicated than being pregnant in high school. Now I had the weight of the future of the tribe on my shoulders, whatever that meant.