a/n--Hey guys.. hope youre liking the story so far. Thanks everyone who reviewed for me :D i like getting them so keep em coming. Thanks goes to Mediate89 for betaing this. and a shout out goes to liljenrocks check out her story its pretty kick ass. Also anyone with some good Embry fics, pass them on to me pleasae!!

Chapter 7

"What happened?" Sam's voice came into my mind as I ran through the thick forest, back toward the rez.

"I don't know," I replied, showing him everything for the first time. He was silent for a while, going through my thoughts carefully.

"You almost hurt her, Paul. You were too close to phasing. You should have left sooner," Sam's deep, authoritative voice sounded angry.

"I know, I know. I couldn't though. She begged me not to. I don't like being mean to her," I admitted, feeling like a wuss now.

"Paul, you shouldn't knowingly put innocent people in danger like that. You're not safe and you know it. Your temper is too quick to flare up. I'm glad you finally shared this with me though, I thought we were friends."

I thought on that for a moment. Was Sam my friend or just my brother and alpha? "I guess we are, anyway… I doubt it'll happen again. I don't like the way that felt."

Sam let out a barking laugh as we ran the borders, miles apart. "I don't think you meant that the way it sounded, bro. And don't worry, I wont let the others know. I don't want to tarnish your rep as the pack bad ass."

I ran harder, trying to squash every last bit of energy out of myself. "I could use a good fight," I suggested.

"Meet you in the backyard. Be prepared," came Sam's agreement, showing me he could use a good scuffle while Emily would be asleep and oblivious to the damage we would do to each other.

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I turned the door knob slowly, hoping no one would hear me as I snuck inside. I tiptoed in, shutting it softly. Perfect. Everyone was still asleep. I ducked into the bathroom quickly, turning on the shower. I'd had to borrow a pair of sweats from Sam after I'd busted out of my clothes. I stepped into the shower and let the water roll off of me. I had a few scrapes and cuts still healing after we'd tore into each other, both of us venting and happy to have a punching bag.

I shut my eyes as I scrubbed my hair, trying to get all of the leaves out of it. I wanted to be at the store early to see Sarah. She was probably pissed with me. If she even had it in her to be that pissed off. It felt better now that at least Sam knew the truth. He didn't even laugh or make fun of me. He just brushed it aside and warned me about hurting her, and phasing too close. We couldn't risk the exposure.

I turned the water off after making sure all the dirt was off of me and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around my waist before I headed down the hall to my room. I went in letting the water drip off of me. I hadn't slept at all and I was starting to feel it now. I stretched out across my bed, feeling relaxed. I didn't even bother putting anything on; I just pulled the sheet across myself in case my mom came in. I was tired. I would see Sarah when I got up. I yawned and rolled over, getting comfortable. I was sore from Sam throwing me around all night.

I closed my eyes, letting myself drift off into a deep sleep until I jolted up hearing the phone ring in the living room a few hours later. I rubbed my eyes sleepily, sitting up. I looked at the clock beside my bed. It was ten already. I yawned lazily as I got up, letting the wet towel fall to the floor. I rummaged through my closet grabbing jeans and a silver colored t-shirt with some sort of logo on it. I didn't care much as long as it was silver or gray. I pulled the clothes on quickly, grabbing socks and shoes next. My hair was sticking up straight but that was okay. It looked like I meant it to.

I left my room, shutting the door behind me. I could hear my mom and sister in the kitchen laughing. I grinned at her as I went in and grabbed a pack of pop tarts. "Mornin', mom," I said brightly, leaning over and kissing her on the cheek. She looked shocked as I kissed the top of my sister's head next. "Where's dad at?"

She nodded her head to the side. "He ran to the store, and then he has to go to Forks to grab a few things and send off an order." I nodded, biting off half off my pop tart, not even bothering to warm it up. I was in a pretty good mood. I'd let most of my steam off, I'd taken a nap, I'd got some the night before, and now I was going to see Sarah again. "I'm going into town. Then over to Sam's, okay?"

My mom waved me off, not even mentioning the night before to me. "Fine. Have fun!"

I grabbed my keys and took off to my truck; I hadn't used it this much in a while. It was strange. I usually ran everywhere and phased between trips. I backed out, flying down the road, letting mud splatter everywhere. The ground was partially frozen, and it looked like it might snow soon. I sped all the way to the store, knowing my dad wouldn't be there. I pulled into the parking lot, parking behind the store and got out, shutting the door loudly. I headed inside, feeling nervousness in the bottom of my stomach. What if she was mad? What if I'd hurt her feelings by leaving so fast?

I pushed the door slowly, waiting to be yelled at as I went in. Sarah was sitting on a stool with her ankles crossed, wearing track pants and a hoodie. Her hair was pushed down again; she looked like she had make-up caked on underneath her eyes. "Mornin', babe," I said flashing her bright grin.

Sarah appraised me a moment before finally giving me a small smile. "I didn't think you'd come," she said softly.

I glanced around the store, making sure no one was inside before I leaned on the counter. "Why not? I said I would. You look like you didn't go to bed after I left."

She shrugged, not moving from her perch on the old wooden stool. "I didn't. I kept hoping you would come back." She looked away for a moment. "I'm covered in bruises, Paul."

I felt a pang of remorse instantly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you any time yesterday, in the woods or later at your house," I said quietly. I wasn't used to this apologizing stuff. I didn't want to make a habit out of it either. I looked up into her blue eyes. "Are they bad?"

She shrugged and nodded to the back room. "I'll show you." I followed her to the back, not trying to touch her. She seemed wary of me today, like she wasn't sure how to act just yet. I shut the door behind us and leaned against it.

Sarah looked at me hesitantly before she slid her track pants down to her knees. I couldn't help but stare. On her small hip there were light bruises, her thighs, and then... she turned the inside of her leg out. She had some there too, on the inner thigh. She slid the track pants up quickly and then lifted her shirt up in the back. The bruise from yesterday in the woods looked bad.

"God. I didn't mean to. I didn't even know you were getting those last night or I would have done something different. I should've held myself off of you better," I started rambling. She pressed a finger to my lips and shook her head.

"No, I just don't understand them. I've never heard of anyone getting bruises from having sex like that. I mean, I'm really sore and it hurts to walk a lot, but ... I don't know."

I knew all about these strange bruises. Emily had them when she slept with Sam the first few times. I'd seen them in his memories. It was a wolf thing, we didn't know we did this to whoever had the experience of really being with us, not like how I'd slept with Holly, but something more... emotional.

"I'm still sorry. What if someone saw that? They'll think I'm beating you or something. Your dad already came by my house last night yelling at me."

Sarah sighed as she opened the door to the room and stepped out, moving slowly. "I know, I'm sorry. It just didn't seem like the right time to talk about it last night. He was pissed when I wouldn't tell him where I'd been." She went back behind the counter and sat down again, trying not to wince.

We stayed there, not speaking for a while. Neither of us was sure what to say. I swallowed, looking outside the store windows at the passersby. "When do you want to see me again?" I finally asked her. I wasn't even sure if she'd want to see me again after the way her body looked so battered.

Sarah shrugged her shoulders and toyed with her hair. "I don't know. It's up to you. You can come in again tonight. I don't think I can get away from my parents when I get off work, they're too suspicious now." I nodded quickly, that was fine. That meant I had a better chance of a repeat, as long as she didn't notice the weirdness from the night before.

"Okay. I should probably go before my dad gets back…" I trailed off. This was too uncomfortable for me. Sarah bit her bottom lip and looked like she wanted to say something.

"What?" I asked without thinking before I spoke. Sarah's eyes clouded over as she got up and leaned over the counter.

"You haven't even kissed me." I knew what she meant by that. She was still wondering if I'd leave her now. I had no intention of it, but she didn't seem to trust me. I leaned toward her and pushed my warm lips against hers. She returned it, kissing me differently than before, like she wanted more. I put a hand on her cheek, holding her face to mine as I moved my tongue against hers. It was perfect.

I lost track of how long we were standing there making out like we were ready to go at it on the counter until I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I pulled away, still looking at her eyes. A pink flush was rising into her cheeks when I looked at whoever had ruined our moment. Billy Black was there with an amused look in his eyes. "I need some help getting a few things," he said apologetically. I hadn't even noticed he had come in.

I looked back at Sarah. "I'll see you later," I told her as I backed out of the store, pushing the door open with my back. I headed toward the woods near the store, pulling off my shirt as I walked. It would be quicker to phase and run to Sam's. I made it to the trees, a few feet inside and stripped quickly, not even concentrating on phasing. I took off running east; I could hear Jared thoughts a hundred miles a minute in my head as I went.

"It's about time you phased," he grumbled. "I've been out for four hours already."

"Shut the hell up, I've been busy. I had stuff to do." I let my mind flash to last night, only showing him bits and pieces of what it had been like finally sleeping with Sarah.

"I can't believe she fell for it! I really don't believe it was that easy either. You're holding out!" He accused.

I laughed, barking slightly as we finally crossed paths. I rammed into him with my shoulder, shoving him a few feet. "So what's new here with Jake and his leech lover?" I asked him, smelling bits of her around the area. It hadn't been too long since she'd been to see Jake. Things were getting tense with the pack. None of us really felt one-hundred percent great with Bella being so close to the pack secrets.

"Nothing. She just came and saw Jake, his thoughts were even worse than what you just showed me," he joked. It was no secret that Jake claimed to love Bella; it drove us nuts to see her when we went to sleep at night.

"I'll do patrols today, you guys can take off if you want, I don't mind. I could use something to blow off steam with," I told him right before we both phased in the woods near Sam's house. I grabbed my clothes and started getting dressed.

"I don't know, man. Sam kinda wants us all out as much as possible. Quil's been acting kinda strange."

I thought about it. Quil Ateara had always been built. He'd always been cocky. It was hard to determine a change in his behavior. It was coming though; Old Quil said he was constantly burning up with heat. It would be nice to have an even split for the pack. I didn't wish this life on anyone, though. I was okay with it, but I didn't want everyone else to have to suffer this way.

We headed into the house and made ourselves comfortable as we waited for Emily to finish the lunch she was fixing. Sam looked over us like he was observing something interesting. "Something's up," he finally said. My stomach immediately felt an adrenaline rush that shot through me. Vampires would be great right now. Even better than great. "There are a lot of attacks in Seattle, its vampires no doubt; I just want you guys to keep a closer eye on things just in case any of them come further our way, okay?"

We all nodded at once, feeling excited about the idea of a fight. I hadn't had any good vampire action since we chased that red-headed leech back and forth with the Cullens. We sat around talking, going over the basics with each other. It was no secret that Sam was mad at me to the others, they just didn't know why. They could tell by the glowering looks we kept exchanging. I kept calm, calmer than usual. I shook only slightly.

Sam definitely thought Quil would be phasing soon. We were to keep an eye out for it when we were on patrol and alert everyone immediately. I still remembered him smarting off to me a year ago in the store when he came in with Jake and Embry. He was too much like me but without the temper. There couldn't be two of us in the pack like that.

I hung out for a while before telling them I'd do patrol and ran freely, taking in the scenery. It just meant I'd be able to come back earlier from it, when I would want to be at Sarah's house. I howled loudly into the air, letting everything out in it. I kept myself from thinking about the imprint thing and how I was growing more and more attached to her every day. It wasn't fair to her, or to me. I couldn't be with her without feeling a twinge of guilt. She would read more into the relationship than I ever would. I knew how it would end. Badly.