Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyer. I do not own Twilight.
Chapter Five
Sam's POV
I watched from the front porch as Paul practically carried Bella across the yard. Despite his calm façade, I could feel his anger pulsating around him like a heavy bass song turned up full blast. The quickness in which it had overtaken him was astounding and I had immediately thought he had phased, blowing our cover. To see him softly whispering, his arms wrapped around Bella while she shook, shocked me to my core.
Paul wasn't gentle. He didn't comfort people. He threw insults around like candy and was almost never serious.
Bella had changed him.
"Everything alright?" I called as they got closer.
"Fine. We just ran into a slight problem," Paul told me, keeping his voice purposefully light.
I nodded, looking between the two of them. Bella was clearly shell-shocked, trembling as Paul ran his fingers through her hair. I caught and held Paul's gaze, hoping he would catch my desire to speak with him alone.
"Bella, why don't you go inside and see if Emily has a cup of tea or something for you," Paul suggested gently.
Her hand clenched around Paul's, clearly reluctant to leave him.
"Go on, Swan. I'll be there in a minute," Paul assured her, placing a kiss on her temple and nudging her towards the stairs.
She went, hesitating with each step. I gave her an encouraging smile as she passed me by, surprised when she offered a small one in return. Paul watched her go, almost desperately. I frowned when I noticed the way his body seemed to lean in after her.
"Paul," I murmured, capturing his attention.
Instantly, his face hardened and he growled, his arms trembling in anger.
"Easy. Tell me what happened," I soothed, slowly approaching him.
"That…. fucking… Black," Paul snarled, his chest heaving.
"Jacob? What did he do?" I asked softly.
"I… can't…. hold it in," Paul panted between growls.
"Breathe, Paul. Fight it off," I encouraged.
"Can't," Paul growled, falling to his knees.
"Shit," I breathed, shedding my shorts as quickly as possible.
By the time I had phased, Paul's wolf was pacing back and forth in the yard, his thoughts a jumbled mess of his encounter with Jacob.
Fucking bastard… Should've killed him… She said my name…Fucking yelling at her… He doesn't know a damned thing about her… Should've killed him… Insulting her… Should've killed him... She said my name… Demanding asshole… Arrogant bastard… Should've killed him… She said my name…
Along with the images flashing through his mind, it was easy to put together the pieces.
Paul, we have to get into the woods. We're too exposed, I reminded him.
Should've killed him, Paul rumbled, completely ignoring me.
A scream startled us both and I spun around to find Bella on the front porch, staring at Paul's shredded clothes. Emily came running out of the house before either Paul or I could phase. Her eyes widened when she saw the two of us in wolf forms.
"Bella. Bella, calm down," Emily insisted, wrapping her arms around the smaller girl.
Bella didn't stop screaming and tears began running down her face as she sank to her knees. Emily shot me a desperate look, clearly unsure what to do. As I watched, Bella buried her face in Emily's lap, her screams continuing.
"Bella! Bella, look at me, damn it!" Paul yelled, running past me.
Completely naked.
Shit.
Bella continued screaming, shaking her head against Emily's knee. Paul leapt onto the porch and grabbed hold of her shoulders. Her eyes were squeezed tight, tears streaming down her face.
"Damn it, Swan! Shut up!" Paul shouted, shaking her.
She screams abruptly cut off and she froze.
"Shut up, Swan. Just shut up," Paul whispered, pulling her into his embrace.
She clutched at his arms, burying her face in his chest.
"That's it, Swan. Just keep that pretty little mouth of yours shut," Paul murmured against her hair.
I phased back, pulling on my shorts as I walked towards them. Emily sat, staring at the two of them in amazement.
"Come on, Em. Let's give these two some time alone," I suggested, pulling her to her feet.
Paul looked up at me as I walked past, questioning. I nodded, giving him permission. Wrapping my arm around Emily, I lead her into the house.
"Why don't you call Kim and Jared to come by? I have a feeling we're going to need to do some explaining."
Paul's POV
I was getting damned tired of watching her break apart. Twice in one day was too much, especially with her so fragile to begin with. Damn it, I had just gotten her to speak and this happens.
How would she react to the wolf? She dated a fucking leech. Maybe the wolf wouldn't scare her.
"Naked," Bella breathed.
"What?" I asked, leaning closer to her mouth.
"Naked," Bella repeated.
I glanced down and realized I was, in fact, naked. Chuckling, I kissed her temple.
"So I am. Afraid I shredded my clothes when I phased. We'll have to see if Sam has something for me to wear," I told her.
"Please," Bella whispered.
I couldn't contain my smile as I realized we were actually talking, carrying on a conversation. Granted, I was doing most of the talking, but still. She wasn't reverting.
"Come on. We need to talk," I sighed, pulling her to her feet.
I led her inside, catching a pair of shorts Sam tossed my way as soon as I walked through the door. Grateful, I pulled them on before taking her hand and pulling her towards the couch. She burrowed into my side, pulling her legs onto the couch. My arm wrapped around her shoulders and I breathed deep, taking in her smell.
Sam sat in his recliner, leaning forward as he watched us. Emily came in a few minutes later and sat on his arm rest.
"They're on their way," Emily told him.
"Jared and Kim?" I asked.
Sam nodded, watching Bella closely. My arm tightened around her protectively, nervous at the way Sam stared at her. My wolf didn't like it and a growl built in my chest. Before Sam could say anything, Bella began petting my chest. The rumbling stopped and I pressed my face into her hair.
It didn't take long for Jared and Kim to show up. For a little over an hour, Sam went over every aspect of pack life, giving detailed accounts of how each of us came to be a part of it. Bella just sat beside me, her face pressed against my chest. She gave no acknowledgement of Sam's words.
"Bella, do you understand what I'm telling you?" Sam asked cautiously.
She nodded against my chest, still avoiding his gaze.
"Alright, Swan?" I asked.
She nodded again.
"Bella, if you have any questions, we'd be happy to answer them," Emily offered.
She shook her head.
I sighed, leaning my head back against the couch. So much for her talking.
"Well, I'm starving. How bout some grub?" Jared asked, effectively changing the subject.
"You're always hungry," Kim sighed, rolling her eyes affectionately.
"Duh, babe. Being a wolf takes up a lot of energy," Jared defended himself.
"I'll go fix some sandwiches," Emily smiled, standing.
Sam followed her, but not before he cast one last glance at Bella. I swallowed the growl that threatened to escape, but only because Bella was still petting my chest. Sighing, I closed my eyes and just soaked up the feel of her in my arms.
Emily's POV
"Is it possible?" I asked Sam, trying to keep my voice down.
"Anything is possible, Em. You know that," Sam sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
I pulled out what was needed for sandwiches, frowning as I listened as Jared turned on the TV in the living room.
"Do you think he imprinted on her?" I asked.
"He acts like he has, but… he hasn't experienced the same thing Jared and I did," Sam answered, clearly frustrated.
I waited, sensing this was bothering him more than he let on.
"His emotions are strong enough for her to be his imprint. There's definitely a connection between them. If it is the imprint bond, they're different from us. I'll have to talk to the Elders, see if they have any input on what's happening," Sam decided.
I handed him the phone and a plate of sandwiches.
"Eat first. Then call Billy," I instructed.
"Yes, ma'am," Sam smiled, pulling me close.
I ran my fingers through his shortened hair as he nuzzled against my stomach.
"What would I do without you?" Sam breathed.
"Starve," I answered.
His laughter filled the kitchen, easing the tension in both of us. I kissed the top of his head before moving to finish the rest of the sandwiches.
I hoped Billy would be able to tell us what was happening between Paul and Bella. That girl didn't need any more heartbreak in her life. She needed stability, as did Paul. If they could be that for each other, imprint or not, I could see them staying together for a good, long time.