A/N I would like to give a huge thanks to those that nominated and voted for this story in the recent Fandom Choice Awards. Breath of Life was nominated for 'Best Bella Swan', 'Best Drama', and won 3rd place for 'Best Love Scene.' It is such an honor to have this story grouped with such great fandom stories. Thank you to all of you for the love and sticking with me. Hugs, Reign.

There seems to be a little confusion about Bella's lineage, which I'm sure is my fault. Ch 12: Hemorrhage explains that she is in fact Charlie's daughter. Now, who he thought was the father hasn't been disclosed yet and most of the characters are still pondering Harry Clearwater's confession. Anyway, the moral of this note is that Bella won't be going wolf in this fic. Hope this helps.

I didn't want to post till I had the chapter done. Its long, over 10K, but hope you all like it. As always it is rated M for language and sexual content. SM owns Twilight and its characters. I own nothing, and therefore am getting paid nothing.

Previously on Breath of Life: (BPOV)

"You okay kiddo?" Old Quil asked as I sat down on the driftwood, pinching the bridge of my nose. I shook my head no, but it was best to keep my mouth shut at the moment. However, I did want to ask if he had trained Jax to piss on people's stuff. That would make me feel a lot better, I thought as I eyed Kim's sandals beside where she had been sitting during dinner.

For a few minutes, I listened as Hank and Old Quil bantered back and forth about their younger days. Suddenly I heard a commotion and was a matter of life and death. Paul's feral expression was locked on none other than Seth, and he looked like if he got the opportunity, he would kill the kid.

I knew the Clearwaters had that effect on people, but geesh.

~B of L~

Chapter 18: Dusk

Songs: Start of Something Good by Daughtry; So Far Away by Staind; & Dream On by Aerosmith

These are my words

That I've never said before

I think I'm doin' okay

And this is the smile

I've never shown before

Somebody shake me

'Cause I, I must be sleeping

An' now that we're here, it's so far away

All the struggle we thought was in vain

An' all the mistakes one life contained

They all finally start to go away

"So Far Away" by Staind

BPOV

I rose from my seat and started toward them.

"Bella? Bella, where are you going?" Old Quil asked after me.

"I'll be right back," I promised, not bothering to look back. My eyes were trained to the scene in front of me. What the fuck was going on? I could hear Old Quil protests for me to come back, but I just waved my arm up in acknowledgment and kept walking.

I had always been too curious for my own good.

The closer I got, the more I could see just how much Paul was struggling to get free. "Get him out of here Q! Now!" I heard Jake yell urgently to his cousin. Quil pulled a dazed and confused looking Seth into the trees and out of sight, and that just seemed to make Paul even madder. Seth, on the other hand, wasn't fighting the hold on him, allowing Quil to pull him along without resistance. He looked far too scared that Jake and Embry's grip would fail and Paul would get his claws on him.

I stopped a few yards from the scuffle, concern beginning to creep into my mind as I watched Paul's attempts to get free. Were they hurting him? I narrowed my eyes at my cousin, and as if he could feel the sting of my gaze, he looked up and his brown eyes widened as they met mine.

"Bella, we got this under control," Jake near grunted. I raised a dubious eyebrow as I looked at his usual tanned knuckles that were now white under the strain to hold Paul down to the ground with Embry. Paul lurched forward again and Jake's foot dug into the sand in an attempt to get more leverage.

I'd hate to see out of control.

"Bella, you need to get back," he said to me again in vain.

Ignoring Jake, I looked at Paul, "Paul?" He didn't turn his head at the sound of my voice, just stared unseeingly into the woods, even after the pair were out of my sight. Paul just continued to stare eerily at the trees where they had disappeared as if he could still trail their movements in the woods.

Waiting for his retribution.

"Paul, what is going on?" I asked again, a little louder, but still with no reply.

Nothing.

Nada.

Pulling teeth is easier than this. Open wide...

"Bella, please go back to the bonfire," Jake begged, worry clear in his eyes. I couldn't rationalize why he was concerned about me when Paul seemed to be the one that needed help. Or better yet, Seth, for whatever infraction he had done to piss Paul off.

Deciding to switch tactics, I walked around the pile of men and stepped into Paul's direct line of sight. Squatting down to sit on my heels, I looked into his dark grey eyes. "Paul?" But he didn't see me. He just continued to struggle to get free of his captors, his chest heaving at the exertion and his lips lifted into a vicious snarl.

I was really worried about him. And a little disgusted with myself for thinking that he looked unbelievably hot in his wrath.

"Come on, Bella. Let's go back to the bonfire," Embry pleaded from beside me, lifting me from my inappropriate thoughts. I looked over at him confused; I hadn't seen him move. I gazed around to see Jared now helping Jake to restrain Paul.

I shook my head and took a step toward the inscensed man on the ground.

"Bella, stop." Embry said as he gripped my arm. I didn't turn to look at him; my face was glued to Paul's.

But Paul's gaze was now zeroed on the russet hand restraining my arm, Seth and the forest now forgotten. Progress! He raised his eyes and I could have sworn they flashed yellow before settling back to their angry grey. I vaguely felt Embry release his hold on me and step away.

Unrestrained, I closed the distance between us and put my hand to Paul 's cheek. "Hey, are you okay?"

"No," he growled from deep in his chest. I felt the usual stirrings in my stomach that that sound tended to produce, but beat it down. It was clearly not the time. He was upset about something and my libidio's desires would probably be considered poor form.

"Let's go home."

"Bella, I don't think that's a good idea," Embry advised from behind me. I sighed.

Paul stood suddenly, despite Jake and Jared holding him, and I had to fight the giggle that threatened to escape at the sight of their bewildered faces. Paul looked murderously over my head, and I was sure that if looks could kill that Embry Call would be nothing but a pile of ash.

"Embry?" I said, annoyance coloring my tone.

"Yeah, Bella?"

"Butt. Out," I said through gritted teeth but tried to be as polite as I possibly could. Embry was a great guy, a friend, but he needed to learn to pick his battles.

"But it's…" Embry began but stopped suddenly and I saw the slightest shake of Jake's head out of the corner of my eye. Embry didn't say another word, much to my satisfaction.

But what had him so worried? Deciding not to think about it now, I turned my attention back to Paul. "Let's get you home."

"Seth..."

I quickly cut him off. "Is gone. C'mon, Paul. You need to calm down, okay?"

He quieted his protests and leaned into my hand as I tried to calm him. He slowly got on his feet and rose to his towering height. His chest moved in and out in his agitation, and I quickly tucked myself under his arm. I saw the nervous look that the guys exchanged, Embry looked like he was going to be sick, but I just wrapped my arm around Paul and rubbed on his back soothingly.

I wasn't sure if I was helping or not but he seemed to calm as the vibrations emanating from his chest finally dissipated. He wrapped his arm around me too and hugged me to him, taking a long sniff of my hair.

I peered up into his stormy eyes and whispered, "Take me home." His intense expression morphed into the playful smirk that only Paul could do. I turned to Jake, "We'll see you later."

Jake only nodded his head and gave a small lift of his head in goodbye. As we turned to walk away, I saw Old Quil several yards away watching us with interest. I could see the questions in his eyes, but he gave me a wide smile and a wink. I returned his smile and gave a small wave as Paul and I walked away.

We walked in silence for a few minutes, my mind buzzing with questions. My teeth worried my lip as I debated on whether if I should ask anything, but then curiosity won out. "What happened?"

Big mistake.

His body began to shake violently again around me. "Fucking...Seth...Max...argggg!" he roared, literally roared to sky above him.

I blinked my eyes in astonishment, flabbergasted at his instantaneous anger. The scene reminded me of the Hulk movie. I giggled inappropriately inside my head again. I did like green...

I swung around so I faced him and cupped his cheeks, staring into his stormy eyes.

"Shhh, Paul. I'm sorry. Forget about it. It doesn't matter."

His brows furrowed and he stared at me like I didn't have a clue what I was talking about and was preparing to enlighten me of my ignorance. I was sure that I wasn't understanding whatever was going on, but in any case, he still needed to calm the fuck down.

And since I didn't have any s'mores in my pockets, I pressed my lips to his. I didn't bother suppressing the hungry moan at the taste of him. Never had marshmallows and chocolate tasted so damn good. I suddenly wanted to devour him, to savor every last inch of him.

"Mmmmm, delicious." I moaned as I kissed down from his mouth to his jaw, the stubble providing a painful pleasure to the action.

He answered in a groan, and I was pulled effortlessly into his arms. "Fuck, Bella," he muttered as he buried his face into the the crook of my neck, breathing me in as if I was grounding him to Earth.

With my legs wrapped around him, I began to press my groin against him while my mouth kissed feverishly along his neck to reclaim his mouth. I could feel Paul's erection throbbing against me, teasing me mercilessly through our clothes. Paul released a lust-filled growl and kissed me almost violently, causing my panties to become drenched.

"Paul, please," I pleaded when he allowed me to come up for air. Take me now. Take me home. Just take me!

Tonight, sex against the nearest tree sounded fan-fucking-tastic. I lost myself in the sensation of his searing kiss and roaming hands. He could have stripped me at the bonfire and I wouldn't have cared.

Okay, perhaps a little.

I was barely cognizant of my name much less paying attention where the hell Paul was carrying me. Judging by the breeze I had felt on my back, I thought he had been quickly running to the parking lot.

However, the needed amount of time to get to my truck had gone by and I was impatiently waiting for him to take me against it. Hell, even laying me down in the bed of it and pulling the tarp I kept back there over us and ravaging to an inch of my life sounded good. Passers by be damned.

My back suddenly collided with something hard and strong, and I thought my wish had been granted. However, the wood that I was pressed against my now bare back had no rough bark. It was smooth and polished, and surrounded by a frame...

When the hell...

Somehow, Paul had pulled a David Copperfield and we were back at his place. But mystery was the status quo with him.

I had told him once that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. But they shouldn't lift them either. The things buried under them were seldom good, hence hiding them in the first place.

I would mind my own business, hoping he would do me the same courtesy. He already knew more than I would have liked.

What did it matter what his secrets were? As long as he wasn't ripping apart people with his teeth, it couldn't be that bad.

However, I had a new concern now. "What about my truck?" I panted as I reached for the button of his shorts.

"Jake, will drop it off later."

I was a little peeved at being the last to know, but then Paul's erection sprang free of its confinement and I was once again distracted at its magnificence. He reached back to unlock my legs from around his waist, and as I hung from his neck like a limpet. He quickly undid my capris and began pulling them down my legs as he walked across the living room toward the hallway.

What truck?

He ripped my cotton panties off my hips as if they were made of paper. My answering arousal was so thick I thought I could smell it. A deep, low rumbling resonated from Paul's chest that seemed to vibrate straight into my core.

We entered his bedroom and he walked briskly to his night stand pulling a condom out. He sat down on the bed with me straddling his lap.

I leaned back, my arms on his muscular thighs as I watched him, half in awe half in trepidation, roll the latex over his massive cock. He wasted no time lifting me so that I was positioned above him.

There was no worries of foreplay; the running make-out session more than sufficing in that department. Not to mention the sight of a naked Paul Lahote between my legs.

I slowly and deliberately sank on to him, feeling each delectable inch as he filled me. I closed my eyes when he was fully sheathed inside me, reveling in the fullness and anticipating the night to come.

I rocked back and forth languidly, savoring the feel of his shaft as it slid deliciously inside me.

"Do you know how beautiful you are?" he asked, making me snap my eyes open to look at him.

I felt the heat on my cheeks and looked away from his appraising eyes. Shit like that made it impossible not to swoon, and I wasn't the swooning type of girl. Well, at least before Paul.

But he sounded so sincere.

I felt his heated fingers cup my cheek and pull my face so that our eyes locked.

"It's true, Bella. " He shifted under me and sat up in a smooth, fluid motion and cupped my face with his large, calloused hands. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. And -"

I crashed my lips to his to cease the words threatening to come out. They were too sweet; so sweet they made me ache. He returned my kiss with the same wanton passion that seemed to always threaten to burn us to ash.

Paul thrust up into me while I rose and fell sensuously above. Our moans captured by the other as we passionately explored each other mouths. The kiss feeling just as intimate as our other connection. One of his hands played with my breasts while the other hand was poised down between us, flicking my clit in time with my movements and half driving me out of my mind.

I didn't know where I ended and he began. It was like no other time we had had before. Far more intense, more tender.

More terrifying.

My stomach was tightening and I could feel myself getting closer and closer to the edge. I opened my eyes to see Paul watching me.

"Cum Bella. I want to feel you come undone."

His lips went to my neck, kissing and sucking feverishly, as I writhed in ecstasy.

But when his teeth grazed the sensitive skin along my neck to the place on my shoulder that he favored, I screamed in ecstasy as an orgasm rocked through my body with the force of a tsunami, my nails digging into the sinew of his broad shoulders to keep the current from carrying me away forever.

I was still floating in the clouds when I heard a "Mine!" come from Paul.

He withdrew from me suddenly and disappeared from beneath me, the quickness of the action making me gasp. The next thing I knew he had flipped me on my stomach.

His massive hands gripped me at the waist and pulled me back until I was on all fours. His hands roughly rubbed along my ass, up my back, and moved around to cup my breasts.

I felt his weight on me, his sweaty chest rubbing against my flushed skin. He whispered in a much deeper voice than usual in my ear, "You're mine, Bella. Do you hear me?"

The possessive caveman talk was turning me the hell on. I was aware subconsciously that as a woman of the 21st century I should be offended at the chauvinistic tenor of his words.

But damn if I didn't feel them in my throbbing core, enhancing my pleasure even farther. I didn't respond as I was so overwhelmed from the effects of the orgasm that was still with me.

He slammed into me and made me cry out, my scream echoing off the walls. So deep! I could hear Paul's growls, even more realistic than usual. He tended to get worked up during sex, but not quite like this. The sexy sounds alone threatened to drown me in another orgasm.

My back arched as his dick rubbed my g-spot as he briefly pulled out. That felt so, so good!

He pushed back inside of me hard, my eyes closing involuntarily as I felt every inch of his cock reach new depths in me. "God Paul," I rasped out.

His smoldering hands felt like they were branding my flesh, and they were everywhere at once. They grabbed my shoulders and pulled me to my knees until I was flush against his chest.

"Mine," he repeated before his lips found his spot on my shoulder again. His dick throbbed inside me and his movements became jerky and erratic; I knew he was close.

His teeth crazed along my skin again and I cried out in ecstasy as another orgasm rocketed through me. I felt him tense behind me for a moment before he pulled his mouth anyway from me suddenly, almost as if my skin burned his tongue. Paul roared as his orgasm tore through him, sounding like it was equal parts pleasure and pain. I could feel the vibrations of both the roar and his pulsing dick throughout my body.

I collapsed on the bed, panting to catch my breath, and watched as Paul strolled into his bathroom to dispose of the condom. Could bounce quarters off that ass! He returned a minute later, a lazy smirk in place as his hungry eyes drank me in.

"Paul, that was…" I began, words completely escaping me.

"Was? Bella, I'm just getting started," his gravelly voice floated above me as he nestled between my legs again.

Dear God, help me…

An hour later we both crashed to bed, exhausted and sated several times over. He pulled me to his side, his hands running over my overheated flesh.

"I didn't hurt you did I?" he asked as he brushed the hair off my shoulder and kissed the skin softly. I shivered at the action; I loved when he did that.

I chuckled, "You didn't hear me complaining, did you?" I had come to love that ache deep in my core after spending time with Paul lately. Not only was my hoo-ha getting a workout, but I had muscle ache in places I didn't know you could use during sex. Paul was like my own personal trainer.

He looked at me worriedly, his hands roaming my body as if checking for injuries. He spoke softly, "I'm sorry I was so… rough. You just bring out the animal in me," he grimaced as if that was a bad thing.

"I'm sure I'll be a little sore…" I paused to smile at him. "but it was amazing, Paul. I wouldn't have missed it. Never apologize for making me feel like that." I looked up into his eyes so he could see the sincerity of my words. A rakish grin appeared on his face, dazzlingly me in its blinding light. "Anyway, it's your birthday," I finished as I kissed his neck tenderly.

He hugged me to him more tightly, his heady scent surrounding me. "Thank you for spending it with me," he whispered in my ear before burying his face in my hair and promptly falling asleep.

I sighed in satisfaction at the happiness in his words. I could only hope my birthday was as enjoyable.

~B of L~

I was searching for my shoes the next morning at the asscrack of dawn, jonesing hard for some coffee.

But as good as some of it sounded, I knew the smell would make Paul stir again. Neither my hooha nor my schedule could handle that; I had to be at the test site by eight-thirty for my exam.

One test to end all my educational obligations had been a brilliant solution to my dilemmas, but in the black of pre-dawn it seemed like a horrible idea. I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to drive to Silverdale in the next few hours. I sure as hell didn't want to take a test.

And I hadn't wanted to slip out of Paul's arms.

Something had shifted between us last night. It had been so intimate between us. Sure there was plenty of steamy, wild sex, the ache between my legs was proof of that. But the way he held me, the way I clung to him, it was so much more than that.

I was starting to fall in love with Paul. I knew it, and I just prayed to God that when he looked in my eyes he didn't see it as well.

It seemed too quick to me. It wasn't love at first sight. Definitely lust at first sight. But no matter how sexually frustrated I was, I doubt I would have slept with him if I hadn't liked him as a person first. He was opinionated, stubborn but so sweet underneath it all. I had definitely misread his personality when I had met him. He wasn't the player I had him pegged for, and if he had been, he wasn't anymore.

And that made it worse. The knowledge that he had changed for me, a flight risk.

I heard a grumbled voice pulling me from my conflicted thoughts, "Get back in bed." His words were somewhere between a demand and a plea.

"Nope. It's no longer your birthday. You don't get what you want anymore," I laughed, shaking my head.

"I'll make it worth your while."

My lips curved into a fond smile as I finished tying my Keds' shoe laces. It was a novel concept, being wanted. Being happy. "I'm sure you will, but I can't. I have to go," I whispered to him.

He muffled a sexy growl into his pillow, and I reconsidered the need to leave his side.

I grabbed my bag and walked to his side of the bed and bent down to kiss his head, "I will see you later."

He muttered something into his pillow that I couldn't understand and then seemed to go back to sleep. Looking back at his sleeping form one last time, I slowly closed the bedroom door behind me.

I had been planning on leaving Forks, but now I was so confused I didn't know whether I was coming or going. My mind was telling me to go, leave and see something beside the west coast. Live for myself for once in my damn life. Then the other side reminded me that I had never felt more alive than I did right now. That I belonged in La Push, that I belonged in Paul's arms.

His touch made me shiver and burn all at the same time. He had held me while I fell asleep last night, and I had dreamed of that happening for the rest of my life. The feel of his breath on my neck. The way his fingers lazily ghosted over my hip, causing goosebumps to pebble on my flesh. The utter and complete safety I felt within his massive arms was so overwhelming, so comforting.

It was like I had been asleep for years and was only now waking up. I felt like I was at the beginning of something amazing. But how could that really be? He didn't know me, not really. Nor I him. We both had our secrets. Could we survive for the other to discover them, to roll up our sleeves and bare all? Would we run away in terror and self-preservation?

The mere thought of him not wanting me had my chest aching.

I was at a loss of what to do. Stick with the status quo until our time was up or try to get my happily ever after. All I did know was that I couldn't have both; I couldn't leave and keep Paul in my life.

Although a part of me wanted to ask him to come with me, I knew I would never do that. He had a life here: a sister, a grandfather, cousins. I had a sperm donor and a gravesite. I had distant cousins too, but I had been away a long time. It had been great to see them again, but bottom line was that I easily lifted right back out of their lives.

It was a depressing thought. That in a couple months, maybe weeks time, I might become that cousin they recall fondly when reminiscing about their youth.

A lot of people only saw their distant cousins every now and then. Seeing how close my La Push relatives were just drove home that I didn't have a family, hadn't in years. Never had one if you excluded grandparents. That was my life. I had accepted it long ago and moved on, but that didn't mean seeing other's families didn't make me long for it. It wasn't out of jealousy, but sadness. And it didn't matter how much I loved joking around with Quil and Jake or cooking for Old Quil and Billy, I would still gladly give anything for one more minute with my grandparents. Just to cook one more recipe, go fishing with Papa, shop one more antique store with Gran, or people watch one more time on the marina with Nana.

I shook my head and glanced in the rear view mirror and saw the only other set of headlights on the road. It was about damn time for some caffeine.

Ten miles later, I pulled over to get some gas and some liquid salvation. As I exited the vehicle, I looked up just in time to see the other poor soul on the road at this ungodly hour pass by in a red convertible. I hoped that their day, like mine, fared better than the beginning.

~B of L~

I walked out of the Olympic College testing center in Bremerton, rubbing my temples. Tests sucked ass. Giant tests sucked giant ass.

But it was done. I didn't feel any sense of accomplishment as I really hadn't prepared for it. School had always came easily to me. However, the backlog of homework from missing so much school had siphoned any enjoyment I once had for my classes. Trying to catch up was such a taxing burden on my already imploded life, that I had just gave up. Taking the GED seemed to be the easiest option.

Forks High would have been another viable solution, as I could have finished up in the fall giving their reduced requirements, but my heart really wasn't in it. I would have had to stay with Charlie, and I could barely look at the man now.

I had never dwelled on how hurt and alone his indifference had made me feel all my life. He had lived most of the time in a different state, so out of sight out of mind. And when I was in Washington, he had made himself scarce, busy with the latest crime wave in Forks or trying out the newest lure out on the lake.

And now his attempts at absolution just made my blood boil. I had tried, although one might argue it was a fairly fleeting attempt, to co-exist with him in peace. But I didn't figure on how much of a buffer Gran's presence had always been between us. She was gone now and it seemed, to me at least, so was any chance of a reconciliation between us.

For a split second four years ago, I had considered coming to live permanently with Charlie, although really it would end up being Gran who would have taken me in. It was shortly before Gran had passed and I couldn't take another second living with Renee. She was hardly home, and when she did manage to show up she brought the most reprehensible and sorry excuses for men with her. Most paid me no mind, but others… others had been far too interested in their new fuck buddy's teenage daughter.

I had been relegated to living with Renee since the divorce. When I was younger it was bearable while Nana was alive, as she visited at least once a month. But as I got older, and especially after Nana passed away, my patience with my mother had evaporated in thin air. I was the adult to her child. She would leave for days at a time, leaving me to fend for myself. But as I got older, I saw how much of a mercy that really was.

I lived for summers in Washington away from her. I admitted only once how unhappy I was with Renee to Gran. It really wasn't intentional as thoughts of returning to Phoenix had reduced me to tears, and Gran missed nothing. I hadn't gone into details, thinking if she killed Renee I'd be left with no one, or worse Charlie. Being raised by wolves would have been better.

Gran had tried to look at legal options, but to no avail. The courts may have had no predetermined age to allow me to choose where to live, but they tended to be apprehensive to make such changes. Renee had balked at the idea, crying that it was too cruel to live without her little girl - something I never understand. And since Charlie had no desire to be in the same state as me, let alone the same house, with Renee I had stayed.

But at the age of fourteen I had been to the point that I was just going to run away to Washington and beg Gran to keep me. Although it would have been easier to call her first, I had been convinced that Charlie or Renee would have gotten wind of it and ceased all efforts to get me to Washington. Part of me had thought maybe I should have stayed. That maybe, it would have gotten better and the next two years with Renee would have flown by.

But then again, maybe not.

Reggie had been upset. I had worked for her since the beginning if the school year at her bakery. She had been in her late-twenties and her family had all died when she was young in a car accident. She had taken me under her wing and kept me safe. At my announcement that I was leaving, she had tears rolling down her face. In the nine months that I had worked at her bakery, I had never seen her cry. Even with all the Bridezillas that had came in and ranted and raved, making you want to suffocate them in cellophane, you had rarely saw her wearing anything but a smile.

"I can't take it anymore. She is driving me crazy. I've took care of her for nearly 10 years. I have to get away." I had said as I finished the checkerboard crust for the cherry pie I had been making.

"Move in with me. I got plenty of room," she had said.

I had given her a small smile and shook my head. "There is no way that I would be able to do that. Renee'd pitch a fit. No, I need to spend some time with my Gran."

"Are you sure it will be better there?" she had asked, referring to Charlie. I didn't speak a lot about anyone in Washington besides Gran. When Reggie had tried to get me to go back after she had figured out how worthless Renee's nurturing skills were, I had to explain how Renee was actually the lesser of two evils.

Four days before I was going to make my escape to Washington, I got the call that Gran had passed away suddenly, and any hope of my escaping Phoenix dying with her. After the funeral, I had fretted all summer about having to come back to Renee and her current sleazeball boyfriend. But when I had returned, Reggie had taken care of him and to this day I still don't know what that had entailed. I highly suspected she had said something to Renee because Renee was very careful not to bring anyone home, to my knowledge, after that. A feat easily accomplished when she rarely came home herself.

Shaking my head of all the unpleasant memories buzzing in my head, I made my way across the street to a small cafe to grab some coffee and a snack before going to the clinic.

The diner was fairly empty. Being two o'clock, most of the lunch crowd had come and gone. I walked to the counter and sat down at one of the stools. Quickly browsing the menu, I ordered and looked around. The decorating was pretty sparse, but it had a fifties diner feel to it. There was a checkerboard linoleum on the floor and the red vinyl that graced the top of the stools and the chairs was faded. A picture of an old Corvette on the wall, along with iconic pictures of both Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

"Such lovely weather isn't it," the elderly man beside me noted conversationally. He looked at me over the rims of his bifocals as he regarded me, waiting for me to acknowledge him.

Despite my melancholy mood, I gave him a warm smile. "Yes it is." He nodded his head and returned it with a playful smile, his blue eyes twinkling. His lively demeanor reminded me of Papa Swan.

"We must cherish these moments. They are so few and far between," he continued. He seemed to be lonely, and it wouldn't have mattered if I was an alien sitting beside him, he would still make the effort to speak to me.

"Mm hmm," I agreed with him as I put the two sugars and some cream in my coffee.

"They say a storm is blowing back in tomorrow."

I just nodded my head carefully as I took a sip of my drink. I'm sure he would know as the elderly are known for both their unsolicited wisdom and weather reports. It is amazing the benefits of time and arthritis.

I felt eyes on me and covertly watched my surroundings from the mirror behind the coffee pots in the waitress station.

A young, petite girl, maybe sixteen, seventeen years old, was nonchalantly watching the room with a tranquil smile on her face. But I wasn't fooled; my spidey sense would not be invoked by a mere glance.

She looked as out of place in the small cafe as I would on a runway at Fashion Week. I had no clue how to describe what she was wearing, only that pants and a blouse didn't seem to be adequate. Whatever it was, it screamed money. And although the clothes tried to make her appear older, they couldn't mask her ethereal youth or that if it wasn't July she would be dodging the truancy officer.

I watched as she jumped up with exuberance and made her way to the counter. She passed several stools and the older man so that she could stand beside the empty stool to my left, her hand grazing me as she went around me.

An involuntary shiver ran through me, and I could feel the cold radiating from where her hand lightly brushed my shoulder. I caught her eyes momentarily in her reflection, her smile faltering for a fraction of a second before another blinding and practiced one took its place.

Her eyes snapped to mine in the mirror and held them, curiosity the predominant emotion in her strange eyes. I held the gaze as an unsettling feeling overcame me. I could feel the hairs standing on end on my neck and my breath began to quicken. But I didn't move my eyes away from her and neither did hers move from mine. The strangest thing was that she looked at me as if I was the enigma in the room.

"Can I help you?" The waitress asked warily from in front of us.

The girl's eyes finally pulled away from mine and she politely responded, "I just need to settle the bill."

The waitress quickly produced a slip of paper from the pad on her hip and slid it warily toward the girl. She pulled a twenty out of her designer bag, never even glancing at the check, telling the other woman to keep the change. The waitress gave her an anxious smile and scurried somewhere out of sight.

It was curious, the disquieting effect of this little slip of a girl. The pixie should have been the most unassuming person in the joint, well except maybe for the Grandpa to my right. However, there was just something about her that put one on edge.

She walked, more like floated, out of the cafe and climbed into a red BMW convertible. I watched the car pull out, mainly out of boredom, as it made its way to leave. However, burning curiosity flared through me as the car swung around, revealing a blond bombshell behind the wheel that I immediately recognized as the temperamental Cullen.

My eyes narrowed at the car as it sped out of sight. It was possible that it was just a coincidence, but my gut wasn't so sure. If the little fairy of a girl was out of place here, then Barbie certainly was.

What the fuck is going on? Something clawed at the back of my mind, memories that I just couldn't grasp. I was missing something, and I wouldn't be satisfied until I figured out what.

After paying for my food and wishing the old man a pleasant afternoon, I left to get some gas and then wait for my appointment, ever mindful for little, red cars.

~B of L~

3POV: (Night of bonfire-Thursday)

Old Quil watched Bella walk slowly toward where most of the boys were. Although his seventy year old eyes were not what they used to be, there was no mistaken the scene in the distance.

"Bella! Bella wait!" he called after her when he could see his grandson and Embry restraining a feral Paul. The volatile wolf was visibly shaking, so much that even the aging Shaman could see the signs of the phase from the bonfire.

"It's a wonder that girl lived past five," he huffed in annoyance to his brother-in-law.

"What's going on?"

"I'm sure you are not going to believe this, but your grandson appears to have lost his temper."

Hank chuckled, "I don't believe it."

"It might be a good idea to take Makala home." Old Quil suggested as he rose to his feet. "I'll let you know what happens," he added as he steadied himself with his cane. There were several perks of being older, but arthritis was not one of them.

"Alright. Take care of yourself." Hank said patting the other man on the back as he turned to find his granddaughter to go home.

The Shaman walked slowly toward where the young group was congregated. Paul was staring at something, and when he followed the wolf's line of sight he saw Quil pulling a bewildered Seth into the woods.

Fights between the Pack were common, especially with the younger ones. Testosterone pumped through the veins of all the wolves. The aggression was needed to perform their function as protectors. The fact there was an altercation did not surprise the Shaman. The 'why' was of little concern either, as it could have been about something as trivial as whom ate the last muffin.

Old Quil observed the scene as a concerned Bella made her way to the shaking figure of Paul, clueless to the danger she was presenting herself to. He felt a whoosh of air, and suddenly Jared joined the fray. No doubt called to assist in managing his volatile pack brother.

Embry broke away and was approaching Bella, undoubtedly trying to prevent her from approaching his nephew.

The Shaman stopped in his tracks as he watched the yellow eyes of Paul regard Embry menacingly when he tried to restrain the girl.

That's interesting, Old Quil thought as he watched Paul's wolf rise to the surface. It wasn't the fact that it was making an appearance, as Paul's wolf was usually close to the surface. It was the provocation that was intriguing.

Bella.

Was he threatened by Embry's proximity to Bella? Old Quil was of the understanding that Paul had not imprinted on the girl. But watching the scene in front of him, he wondered if the wolf had some attachment to the girl.

"I would consider stepping away from Isabella, Embry," the Shaman advised in a soft but authoritative tone, knowing that the shapeshifter would be able to hear him easily.

The next few moments were quite interesting. Old Quil smiled wildly as he watched beauty tame the beast. That just made him more curious, and he would have to question Paul later about things. He waved to Bella as she gave him a small smile just before he watched Paul's and her retreating forms.

After the couple had left, the others shifters and the Shaman made their way back to the bonfire and filled the rest of them in on what had happened. Old Quil had to fight hard not to curse in front of Joy, but his mind was shouting one expletive after the other. In his peripheral vision, he noticed Kim trying to pull Jared away. He narrowed his eyes and turned to the drama queen and her wolf.

"Not so fast, Miss Connelly." The wolves heard the girl's heartbeat speed up. "Would you care to share what you discussed with Bella before all the drama started."

"Uh... uh..."

"I think this can wait, don't you?" Jared spoke up in reaction to his imprint's anxiety.

"No, Jared. I do not. I don't want her to be able to claim she doesn't remember. And she looks guilty about something, " Old Quil responded coolly.

"Sir..." Billy began but was cut off quickly by the annoyed Shaman.

"Billy, don't start. Now Kim, so that I can get my beauty sleep. Bella was upset after she finished speaking to you and you came back sulking about something. I suggest you tell me."

"I... I asked her to keep her distance so that Quil and Leah could work things out."

"What!" Jacob and Embry thundered in unison, making Kim cling to Jared tightly.

"Oh Kim, you didn't?" Joy gasped at her confession.

"I didn't mean to say anything, but she acted like nothing was wrong! It's not right for them to be apart because she's here. She's not an impr-" Kim was silenced by Jared's huge hand clapping on her mouth tightly before she could dig herself in any deeper.

Old Quil quickly wrapped an arm around his daughter-in-law to restrain her. He had seen her temper a few times since his son had married her. It was never a pretty sight.

"Get her out of here now," he advised the wolf. "There is going to be a council meeting tomorrow. I want the entire pack there except Collin and Brady. Imprints too. Well, perhaps not Makala." The young wolf nodded his head and quickly picked up his clueless imprint to retreat from the people glowering at her.

The others stood in silence for a moment before they began to disperse. Jacob carried his father back to their home while Old Quil walked stoically beside them. When they reached his car in the parking lot, the men stopped briefly to say their goodbyes.

"Are you going home?" Billy asked tiredly. The last few days had been difficult for the Chief. He was still dealing with Harry's betrayal when he learned his other closest friend may have not been who he thought he was. Billy's whole life seemed to be a lie. He was stressed and his usual way to unwind, beer and fishing, wasn't possible as he couldn't stomach being around either of the usual suspects at the moment. If only Quil IV were still alive.

Old Quil sighed and looked at his son-in-law sadly. "No, I have to go to the Clearwaters, and then I have to tell my brother-in-law that his ten-year-old granddaughter is now the imprint of a wolf."

Billy chuckled softly and cracked a wry smile at the older man, "Good luck with that."

~B of L~

Quil and Seth were quiet on the walk to the Clearwater's house.

Shock and uncertainty were their prominent last fifteen minutes swarmed in their heads like bees spilling out of a disturbed nest. Having all previous attempts of humor failed, Quil really didn't have much he could say.

Seth was far too numb with fear and disbelief to say much of anything. He half expected Paul to come barreling up behind them, trees falling in his wake, and disembowel him alive. He understood why Paul was upset, he really did, but there was no way Paul was going to be rational enough to explain that he had it all wrong. Seth sure as hell didn't ask to imprint and his feelings... well he didn't know what they were but they were not inappropriate.

The pair of wolves stopped on the front porch of the Clearwater house and with a weary sigh, Quil rung the doorbell. It seemed silly to stand on such ceremony when he had been an almost constant fixture for so many months, but he didn't have the mental capacity tonight to try to figure out what would be acceptable or not. And he sure didn't want Leah jumping to any conclusions. He heard the footsteps and braced himself before the door opened. This should be interesting, he thought to himself.

"Well, it is about damn time you came to your senses Ateara" Leah sneered with a triumphant smile on her face, arms crossed over her ample chest and her left hip jutted out.

Quil wanted to wipe the arrogant smirk of her lovely face. "Not at all," he said impassively.

Leah narrowed her eyes at him.

"Then, what are you doing here?" Her haughty tone was the same as her mother's. A fact that secretly annoyed the shit out if him. When he was able to get her away from the spiteful woman's presence, to get her alone so that she didn't feel she needed to put on the act he felt she put on, Leah was a likable person. But those moments were few and far between and one obnoxious Clearwater female was plenty.

Quil sighed. He had never really understood the term 'sometimes love just ain't enough' until this moment.

Harry came to the door, a puzzled look on his face. "Quil," he acknowledged.

"Sir, Seth imprinted this evening at the bonfire." Harry gave his youngest son a questioning look. Quil was sure the older man was wondering on whom, given he knew the event would have been mostly family and pack. "It was Makala Lahote. Paul didn't take it too well and things got a little tense. So expect a Council meeting tomorrow," Quil added, as he watched shock cross the older man's face. "He needs to stay put tonight. One of the Pack will come get him before the meeting. Hopefully, Paul will have calmed down by then, but you never know," he said with a small smile as he thought of his scrapper of a cousin.

Harry nodded his head in understanding but remained silent, no doubt his thoughts going back to the last meeting and wondering if he would fare any better at this meeting.

Quil said his goodbyes and began walking away. Several yards from the porch he heard an all too familiar huff.

"What the hell, Ateara? You just leaving?" Leah snarled in irritation, but it was belied by the hurt look in her eyes. She hid it well, glaring at the wolf in mock disdain.

"Yep," he replied, popping the 'p'.

"Don't you want to talk?"

Quil stopped, turning slowly to address her. "You know, Leah? I really don't see the point. Nothing has changed, and I'm beginning to realize it may never will," he said with a frustrated sadness.

He promptly turned and walked away, never looking back to see the devastated look on his imprint's face.

Or the tear running down her cheek.

~B of L~

(The next day-Friday)

Where is she?

Keeping up with that girl was beyond impossible, even with four legs. Jax ran back the fifteen miles back from Forks to the reservation. She hadn't been at Newton's or Charlie's, and she had been gone all damn day.

He had been in the Tribal Hall during the meeting, and could not believe what that little Connelly brat had said to Bella. He hadn't been paying attention to their conversation at the bonfire. Now he was worried she may have run away. She had been reluctant to go stay with Charlie for the last week, and he hoped she wouldn't use this as excuse to just leave Washington.

Many things had surprised him since he had inhabited the body of a mere pup. The freedom and sense of oneness with nature that his host body had afforded him. The feel of the wind through his coat as he ran through the forest of his youth. The longing he still had the for the sea, even though it had claimed his human life. Being a canine did not really bother him that much. He did miss fingers; they were handy little things. You could open doors and scratch your balls with them.

Such is life. Or the afterlife in his case.

But he could be closer to his family, whether they realized it or not. His son was growing into a fine man, a strong wolf and he couldn't be prouder. He could play with his son now, although he could be considered a chew toy in his new form, or his old human one for that matter. But it was all good

Even the food was okay, like the Milk-Bones. Occasionally he was able to sneak a bite of human food. And even the act of being a dog was kinda fun; he could run and chase birds and annoying little squirrels to his hearts content and no one thought a thing of it.

And then there was Bells.

The adorable little girl had grown into a beautiful woman, and she was a force to be reckoned with. But it hurt him to see how troubled the sweet little pigtailed girl had become.

He felt bad that he really hadn't kept track of anyone other than his family after his passing. He had watched Joy, their son, and his parents over the decade he was in the Spirit world. Watching his son's milestones from above was somewhat bittersweet, but he never failed to thank the Spirits for the blessed privilege.

However, he was ashamed to admit that not much else had caught his attention. He had seen Bella, occasionally when she visited his parents and son. Being older, she had often looked after Little Quil and his friends. But Jax never saw what had happened all the moments in between. He was loathed to admit it had never crossed his mind to look; a fact he regretted at this moment. He didn't know what had happened to her, what caused the sadness and the bitterness.

But most importantly, what had occurred between Charlie and herself. He saw the poorly veiled resentment and remorse. People had always unestimated him in his human years. He was a jokester and rarely had had a serious moment. So now being in a canine body, people were even less guarded around him.

Yet he still seemed to be absent or outside of hearing range when things seemed to go down now. It was infuriating.

Charlie was a mystery in and of himself. The time they were re-introduced, Jax had smelt the noxious bleach scent of vampire on his person. Things had went downhill from there. And although they had a better rapport now -bacon was usually involved- Charles Swan remained a mystery to him.

There always seemed more questions than answers with the Swans since his rebirth. And it really annoyed Jax that he didn't have the answers.

Also, the girl seemed to attract trouble like no other. She drew in vampires like he did fleas. At her house. At work. They were everywhere except the reservation.

And the worst part he couldn't even attack them. The Great Spirits had sent him back to observe, but didn't grant him the supernatural tools to dispose of the bloodsuckers. He could recognize the scent of a vampire, but he didn't have teeth that could penetrate their marble flesh. He couldn't run at breakneck speeds like the Pack could. He didn't have super hearing beyond that of any other dog. He didn't even have opposable thumbs to be able to operate a fucking lighter.

But he could bark, and bark he did.

There were two bloodsuckers that were often around. Jax thought it was some of the Cullen's. The blonde knockout, for a vampire, was the most diligent. He barked at their presence but they seemed to only observe Bella and he didn't feel that they were an immediate threat to her.

And then there was the creepy blonde fucker with the ponytail. He was fucking brazen. He had been in the house once while Bella and Jax had been gone. Several times Jax had sensed him lurking outside of the house. Bella remained oblivious, only questioning Jax's sanity.

Much to the dog's dismay, the leech did not seem to be threatened in the least by Jax, just merely apprehensive. It was perhaps out of a sense of self-preservation with regard to the Spirit Wolves, and it thought, in error, he might be a watered down version of one of the Pack. Whatever the reason, it never tarried long whenever Jax was around.

"Go to her. Now." The dog's ears pricked at the whispered words on the wind. Jax wasn't sure what the Spirits intentions were toward the young Swan, instructions were scarce and always far too vague.

All he did know was that she was special and suspected that it had a lot to do with saving Makala. He had felt a presence on the beach after the girl had almost drowned. The memory of Bells working CPR on Jane's girl would haunt him for a very long time.

Jax began running toward Third Beach, although he was unclear if that was where she would be. The Spirits would guide him if he were wrong.

As he neared the cliffs, he could hear the unmistakable roar of an ancient Chevy. He watched from across the ridge as Bella's truck came into view racing around a corner, the truck fishtailing at the high speed. The truck skidded to a stop at the parking spot, hitting the cut log serving as a parking barrier. How she kept from rolling over it, Jax had no clue.

Jumping out of the truck with far more grace than he had ever witnessed her have, Bella turned to pull the seat forward. She began digging behind the seat wildly, her anxiety almost palpable. Finally, the young woman slammed the door and began walking toward the cliff. Her hands holding a jug of moonshine and a blanket that Jax recognized that Helen had made for her.

Jax began moving quickly toward her, finally laying down on the edge of the forest, his eyes trained on the addled girl.

Bella startled and gave a little squeak as a little tone stilled the silence of the camp area. Huffing in annoyance, she pulled little device from her back pocket. For several moments she alternated looking at the phone and the cliff, as if she was contemplating throwing it over the cliff, but decided instead to shut the offending item off and placed it back into its resting place.

She laid down on the grass, her feet hanging off the cliff, her shoulders wrapped in her Gran's blanket, and watched the sun as it began to set. The sky had a few clouds, with rich purples and brilliant oranges and yellows floating above the now dark blue ocean. The scene was unbelievably tranquil and beautiful.

Bella looked at the setting sun as her hands searched beside her for the moonshine. With shaking hands, she twisted the cork off and brought the bottle to her lips but then stopped. From his vantage point, Jax could see her raise her unoccupied hand to face level, a scowl forming on her face. She clenched it into a fist and closed her eyes tightly.

Bella angrily chucked the bottle over the cliff, as if removing the temptation. Although even his canine ears couldn't hear its splash, Jax cringed just the same at the thought of the glass hitting the unforgiving waves below. His head shaking at the sheer waste of the action. He was sure his father would shit a brick if he knew his precious shine had met such a fate.

Tired of fighting the need to give her privacy, Jax rose to his feet to approach her, deliberately stomping on a twig along the way to alert her of his presence. She turned her head quickly to see whom was there, her eyes blazing as if she was prepared to tell even Paul to leave her the hell alone. However, Jax loped toward her wearing his usual canine smile. And for once, even that could not bring a smile to the Bella's blank and ashen face.

She turned back to watch the sun's final moments. The dog settled next to her and laid his head on his paws toward the water, but his eyes never left the girl's face. He had to fight the snarl that threatened to erupt when he the smell of another fucking leech wafted from her. Jax cursed to himself about her luck and his timing. It was a wonder she had made it past five.

It was ashen, the pallid tone more noticeable as the last rays of sunlight danced on her tense features. Her posture was rigid and her jaw was tight. Jax had labeled that her stubborn face. But the pallor of her skin and the look of her eyes suggested she was more troubled. A vampire could easily accomplish that; Bella would be insane to not be frightened after her brush with one, like she apparently had. It would be a great time for some divine assistance from the Spirits, as Jax was once again completely clueless to what had happened.

And as the light disappeared beneath the Pacific, Bella closed her eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly and steadily. Jax just waited patiently by her side until she decided to go back to Paul's or his dad's house.

But she never did.

She pulled the blanket around her tighter and remained in her spot for the rest of the night, stoically watching where the sun had sunk beneath the waves.

~B of L~

(Olympia - the next morning)

Fucking dogs! Who the fuck do they think they are keeping my singer from me? James thought as he glared at nothing in front of him.

He had been relegated back to Olympia after having retreated when the dogs got a little too close for comfort. He had headed toward Seattle, but then decided to go south via the mountains at the last minute. He wasn't ready to deal with Laurent and Victoria yet.

He needed time to regroup, to strategize.

He had to find a way to get around those damn werewolves! But they seemed to be everywhere.

And if wasn't them, it was the fucking Cullens. The golden-eyed coven tried to convince him to hunt elsewhere. That they claimed the peninsula as their territory. How could they claim what didn't fucking belong to them?

Singers changed things, even James knew that. There was no keeping a vampire from their singer or mate. The laws of nature prevailed. If a vampire found their singer in Volterra, home of the Vampire Kings, they wouldn't be denied the blood, and there was to be no hunting inside that city.

Although he would loath to have to stoop so low, James wasn't above pleading his case before the Kings if need be. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do to get a hold of that blood. Nothing! If it meant his life, so be it. It was a small price to pay to have that ambrosia on his tongue.

It was all about angles.

It seemed the dog's land was not part of the Cullen perimeter, as the covens scents ended abruptly at the reservation's borders. They must have had some kind of treaty with the dogs. They were a disgrace to their entire species. A fact that I'm sure the Royals would find interesting.

The leader was a moron and a wannabe human. The hulk guy seemed pretty laid back, but didn't appear to be the brains of the operation, not that anyone did. And then there was the blonde. She made James want to spit nails. She kept on the Swan girl like white on rice. She was beyond beautiful, and as satisfying as burying his dick in her would be, even James could tell that she was mated to the big one. He didn't want to test those bonds.

They were all a thorn in his side!

But with all these obstacles promised the ultimate game. The satisfaction of defying such a large coven and outsmarting the strange, daylight werewolves would only be topped by the euphoria of his singer's blood trickling down his throat. Perhaps he would even take the friend as well for a good fuck. Watch the fear in her dark eyes as he took what he wanted.

James jumped from his perch and bolted to the nearest human. All his thoughts about his singer had him parched. On the outskirts of Olympia, he came across a young man just leaving for work, keys in hand and just mere feet away from his red GMC pickup. James smiled maliciously as inspiration struck him. James had underestimated the dogs awareness. But the dogs and the Cullens couldn't intercept what they couldn't smell. He would go far into their territory and have his prize in hand before they were aware of him. After that? He didn't really care what happened. The issue had never been escape. Rather, having enough time to find his singer before the hounds caught his scent.

He had a plan now.

But first things first.

"I need your car," James said as he grabbed the young man and latched onto his jugular, greedily pulling the blood from the stunned human in long, deep gulps. Moments later, he dropped the body at his feet, swiping the keys from the corpse's hand.

He looked at his reflection in the rear view mirror and saw a crimson line trailing down the corner of his lip. He lifted a finger to wipe the precious liquid and sucked it into his mouth, savoring the bouquet of the forgotten corpse outside the driver's door.

But it was not enough.

His patience was gone. No amount of blood could satisfy him, knowing that his singer still walked the earth. He would not rest until he held her bloodless body in his hands.

Shifting the car into gear, James pointed the car north toward the little Washington town and his destiny. Within a little over three hours, he would have his singer in his arms!

A/N Thanks for reading! Next chapter James comes back to Forks and Bella figures things out.