Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer. I do not own Twilight.

Chapter Four

Emily's POV

Four days had passed since Bella came to stay with Sam and I. Each day, Paul came over early in the morning and stayed well into the night, Bella always by his side. Bella still hadn't spoken a word, but whenever Paul was around, she actually looked alive. Her eyes were more focused, the dark circles underneath almost completely gone. Charlie called Sam every night and I sat on our bed, relieved that with each passing day, the stress lines around Sam's eyes faded.

"I think she's getting better, Em. Did you see her this morning? She actually ate breakfast without Paul making her," Sam had murmured last night after hanging up with Charlie.

That girl had completely turned the pack on its head. Even Jared and Kim found it difficult to stay away from her. Kim would sit beside her and read, not saying a word, but just sharing space. Jared always ruffled her hair when he walked by. Yesterday, Bella had reached up and readjusted the tangled mess, something she hadn't done before. Sam, bless his heart, hadn't been able to control his grin when Bella had almost furiously brushed the strands with her fingers.

The sound of muffled footsteps coming from the hallway brought me out of my thoughts. Bella rounded the corner, looking decidedly disheveled from sleep.

"Good morning, Bella. Would you like some coffee?" I offered, standing to pour her a mug.

She nodded once, shuffling across the kitchen to get the cream and sugar. She fixed her coffee quietly and methodically, her eyes scanning the backyard where Paul usually emerged after a night of patrolling.

"I was just going to start breakfast. Want to help me?" I asked, pulling out a skillet for eggs.

Silent as ever, Bella went to pull the carton of eggs out of the fridge and a bowl from the cabinet. She started cracking the eggs, her eyes constantly going back to the window. I smiled slightly as she whisked the eggs with a fork, barely paying attention as she poured the soupy yellow mixture into the skillet.

"He'll be by soon enough," I assured her, pulling out the sausage.

Bella turned to look at me over her shoulder, her brown eyes blinking innocently before she turned back to the skillet. Less than five minutes later, her head jerked up towards the kitchen door, just seconds before Paul came strutting inside.

"Good morning, all!" Paul greeted, coming to kiss my cheek.

"Good morning, Paul," I smiled, browning the sausage.

"Smells good, Swan. You didn't spit in it, did you?" Paul asked, moving to stand beside her.

Bella almost smiled as she shook her head twice.

"I can tell, you know. I have superb taste buds," Paul warned her.

The hitch in her lips lifted just a little bit more as Paul tapped her nose.

"Where's Sam, Em?" Paul asked, glancing over at me briefly.

"In the shower. He's already been out for his morning run," I answered.

With Bella not being permitted to know about the wolf pack, Sam had come up with the idea of "running" every morning. It excused him coming in at odd times and kept Bella from getting too suspicious.

"So, I was thinking maybe we could go out to First Beach later since the sun is threatening to make an appearance. Only if you promise not to try and drown yourself, though. I don't think Emily would appreciate it too much if I brought you back dead," Paul mocked Bella.

Bella shot him a glare, the most emotion she had shown to date. Paul just grinned back at her, clearly pleased with himself.

"Paul, make yourself useful and set the table," I ordered, indicating the plates with my free hand.

"Aye, aye, Cap'n," Paul saluted, jumping to the task.

Paul's POV

I watched carefully as Bella walked along the water's edge. The sunken set to her shoulders had lessened over the past few days and she had put on a few pounds thanks to Emily's cooking. Every day, I noticed something new that added to the complexity that was Bella Swan.

I knew she didn't like peas, but loved corn. She winced every time there was a gun shot on TV, but had no trouble watching some madman cut open a girl's throat in a horror movie. Her toes were always cold and she liked her toast just a little bit burnt around the edges. She bit her lip when she was nervous and her thumb when she was thinking. She had one strand of hair that always hung in front of her face when she read.

And every night when it was time for me to leave, my gut clenched at the pleading in her eyes.

I had no idea what it was about the girl, but she had me wrapped around her pretty little finger.

The waves rushed up to meet her feet, making her run away from the freezing sea foam. She spun to me, a smile on her face, and my heart seized. The wolf in me made me want to throw my head back and howl to the world. Protective instincts screamed through my veins and, for a moment, I couldn't move as I struggled not to act on them.

The sound of laughter coming from the other side of Bella finally broke her spell and I started towards her. I instantly recognized the three voices and knew Jacob, Quil, and Embry would be coming upon us any second.

I stopped by her side, my hand going to the small of her back, just as they came into view. Bella spotted them before they spotted us and I felt her tense under my hand.

"Come on, Swan. Let's head this way," I murmured, sensing her distress and steering her away from the group of adolescent boys.

She nodded, her hand reaching for mine as I started leading her away. We had only walked a few steps when Jacob called out for her.

"Bells! Hey, Bells, wait up!"

Bella clutched my hand tighter, but stopped to face her childhood friend. He skidded to a stop in front of us, a wide smile on his face.

"I didn't know you were coming down here? Why didn't you call me? We could've hung out," Jacob grinned, leaning in to hug her.

She patted his back with her free hand, stiff in his embrace. Jacob pulled back with a confused frown. He glanced from me to Bella and down to our joined hands. A shadow passed over his face, but he tried to act casual when he met her gaze again.

"What's going on between the two of you? I didn't know you knew Paul," Jacob frowned.

"We just met a few days ago," I told him, not offering any more information.

"How?" Jacob asked, crossing his arms over his chest in an attempt to look intimidating.

"Sam," I answered, smirking at the way he puffed out his chest.

Bella squeezed my hand, whether from nerves or an attempt to get me to stop talking, I wasn't sure.

"Why don't you come hang out with us, Bells? We can order pizza. I'll even let you pick the toppings," Jacob offered.

Bella bit her lip and, refusing to meet Jacob's gaze, shook her head.

"What's wrong, Bells? Why won't you talk to me?" Jacob asked, reaching out for her hand.

Bella stuffed the hand in her pocket, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.

"Come on, Swan. Let's go," I murmured softly, giving her hand a gentle tug.

She relaxed slightly and moved away from Jacob.

"Hold on just a damned second. Bella, what the hell is going on here?" Jacob demanded, his face thunderous.

"Let it go, Black," I growled, moving between the two of them.

"The hell I will. Stay out of this, Lahote," Jacob glared, reaching around me for Bella.

I stepped in his way, keeping Bella behind me. Whatever was going on with her, I knew she didn't want to see Jacob, much less have him touch her.

"Back off," I bit out, my last warning.

"What the hell, Bella? You move on from Cullen that fast? Now you're dating Paul? Fucking Paul? Didn't realize you were that kinda girl," Jacob sneered.

My fist flew before I could even consider stopping it and connect with his jaw with a sickening crunch.

"MOTHER FUCKER!" Jacob cursed, stumbling back.

"Apologize! Now!" I roared, advancing on him.

The kid aimed to throw a punch back, but I easily dodged him, my wolf reflexes faster than his. His buddies, Embry and Quil came rushing over, quick to their friend's rescue. Before they made it to him, I had landed another punch, this one breaking his nose.

"FUCK!" Jacob screamed, spitting out blood.

"Apologize!" I snarled, grabbing him by his shirt.

"Fuck you, Lahote! Good luck getting her to put out, you mother fu-"

His tirade was cut off as I hit him again, sending him sprawling. By now, Quil and Embry were there, helping him to his feet. I stood, feet braced apart, waiting for him to come at me again. He did, roaring like an enraged bear and swinging with no intended target. I pinned him easily, following him down this time. He thrashed against me, struggling against my superior strength. Drawing my fist back for a final blow, a soft noise from behind froze me.

"Paul."

One simple word, my name, falling from her lips like a prayer, and all my anger deflated. I glanced over my shoulder at her, noticed the way she was shaking, and I felt like a jack-ass. Shoving away from Jacob, I rose to my feet and went to her. She grabbed hold of my hands, checking for signs of injury, but there wasn't even a scratch.

"Come on, Swan. Let's go," I murmured, kissing her fingers softly.

I didn't bother looking back as we made our way back to Sam and Emily's. I knew Jacob wouldn't bother trying to attack me now. And, even if he did, his friends weren't stupid enough to let him try it.

When we were far enough away that we could no longer see or hear the three, I stopped and pulled her close, noticing the way her body still trembled.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly, stroking her back.

She nodded against my chest, her fingers fisted against my chest. I pressed my lips to the top of her head, trying to infuse her body with comfort. We may have stood like that for minutes, hours, seconds. My entire being was focused on the slip of a girl in my arms and in that moment, I realized…

There wasn't a damn thing I wouldn't do for her.