CHAPTER 13

ANOTHER GIRL

Rachel was confused. As she sat across the kitchen table from Paul, she tried hard to see why she was so attracted to him. He was hot, that's for sure . . . his dark brooding eyes, broad shoulders and brawny biceps and those pecs! She would have to be blind not to notice those. But, he was only 18, and she was 22. They really had nothing in common. And yet, there was something about him . . .

Rachel had surprised herself by inviting Paul to dinner, and was equally surprised at her brother's reaction when he came to the table to find Paul sitting there. Jacob just grunted hello as he sat down, and she couldn't help but notice how Jake glared at him all through dinner. They were supposed to be friends, and yet, her brother didn't seem very friendly. But then, he was never in a good mood lately. It seemed it was taking him longer than it should for him to get over Bella.

"More potatoes?" Rachel asked Paul.

"Sure, thanks," Paul replied as he took the bowl and heaped some on his plate as Jake griped, "You think you could leave a little for someone else?" Paul then plopped the bowl in front of Jake noisily and Jake immediately picked it up to put the rest of the potatoes on his plate. Rachel shook her head in disgust at how immaturely her brother was behaving.

After they finished their meal, Jake mumbled something about going out to the garage. As the door slammed behind him, Rachel looked at her dad and asked, "And why isn't Jake going to school? This isn't right, Dad."

Billy sighed as he couldn't tell her the real reason. Paul could, but for some reason he was still dragging his feet. Jacob was the true Alpha, and Billy had been on him about stepping up. He wanted Jake to spend more time learning about the Tribal Council and learning all of the legends. "He is going through a tough time right now, Rachel. He'll go back when he's ready."

"He would get through this easier if he had something else to occupy his mind. He needs to be in school," Rachel insisted.

"We're done with this conversation, daughter. Excuse me," And with that, Billy wheeled himself into the other room.

Sighing, Rachel looked over at Paul and said, "Welcome to the Black Family dinner. Every night, it's the same thing." Standing up, Rachel began clearing the table as Paul pitched in and helped. "I have this feeling that they're hiding something from me, but no matter how hard I try, neither of them will talk to me. It's driving me nuts!" she ranted.

Paul looked over at Rachel as they did the dishes and she went on sharing her frustration. He knew it wasn't fair, her not knowing. He should man up and tell her, yet, he was still struggling. After they cleaned up the kitchen, Paul suggested they take a walk.

"Yeah, I'd like that. Let me grab a jacket," Rachel told him. After a stop in the living room to tell her dad she was leaving, Rachel reappeared with a jacket and said, "OK, let's go."

Paul opened the door for her then followed, closing the door behind him, asking, "Which way?"

Rachel pointed straight ahead, so they walked into the woods and along the path they found there while she picked her rant right where she left off. "I don't understand why Dad is being so lenient with Jake. He's acting like a spoiled little baby who didn't get what he wanted. Big deal! Bella married someone else. That's life. He needs to grow up and finish high school and then go away to college like I did. It helps to get away from here and see a little of the outside world. Gives you a better perspective."

"So why are you still hanging around here?" Rachel shot him a look, and Paul added, "I mean, weren't you headed off to Seattle to become a big time reporter or something?"

"Yes, and that is still my plan. I sent out some resumes and some letters inquiring about available internships. I'm just waiting to hear back."

Paul nodded then thought, if only she understood why Jake couldn't go to college. He knew he could tell her. He was the only one that could explain everything to her, and yet . . . maybe he should just get it over with. "Rachel? You know the legends your dad tells around the bonfire? Do you remember some of them?"

Rachel shot him a curious look. "Yeah, I guess. Why?"

"Do you remember the ones in particular that talk about our tribe being descended from . . . wolves?"

Nodding , Rachel asked warily, "What does this have to do with Jake?"

"It has to do with Jake and with me. I know this is going to sound pretty weird, but, they're true. The legends." Paul watched her intently. He could see she was trying to figure out where he was going with this.

"True?"

"Yeah." Paul took a deep breath and then explained, "Jake and I are . . . like werewolves. Not what you see in the movies, howling at the moon and all that shit. We are more like shape-shifters. We become actual wolves, only bigger. Do you understand?"

Rachel broke out laughing. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Smiling at her outburst, Paul could see she was going to need a demonstration. "OK, look. I'll phase for you, but don't freak out," Paul told her as he pulled off his t-shirt and kicked off his shoes.

"What the hell are you doing?" Rachel asked quickly.

"I don't want to shred my clothes. I can't afford to buy new ones," Paul explained as he started to unzip his shorts then stopped as he noticed her shocked face. "OK, fine, I'll go over there behind that bush to take my shorts off then I'll phase. Just remember, I'll be a huge wolf."

"Right, OK," Rachel said skeptically, then under her breath, she muttered, "Great, he's a nut job," as Paul turned away.

Quickly jogging over behind a bush, Paul stripped off his shorts then shouted out, "OK, here goes!" as he stepped back and willed his body to phase. Trotting out in front of Rachel, Paul slowed to a walk and watched as her eyes grew huge as she shook her head slowly back and forth, trying hard not to freak out as she stared at him.

"Oh my God! You w-w-weren't joking," Rachel stuttered, her voice shaking at she stared at this huge animal standing in front of her. It looked like a wolf, but so much bigger! Finally, she calmed herself enough to ask, "Paul?" The beast nodded his huge head and walked slowly toward her. Instinctively, Rachel started to back away so Paul stopped and laid down on his stomach. Looking into his eyes, Rachel finally crept closer. "Can I . . . can I touch you?" He nodded again and she hesitantly reached out her hand and placed it on his head. Paul closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her hand running over his fur.

"This is amazing," Rachel cooed softly. "And you say that Jacob is a wolf, too?" Again he nodded then he stood up and backed away before padding back toward the bush where he phased back into his human body in front of her then stepped behind the bush to slip his shorts back on.

As Paul walked back to her, Rachel shook her head in amazement. "That was the most awesome thing I've ever seen. That's why all of you are so big and buff, isn't it?"

"Yeah. A bonus, I guess."

"Why didn't Dad tell me? Or Jake?"

"This is a HUGE secret. You have to swear you won't tell anyone. Of course you can talk to your Dad and Jake now, but no one outside the pack can know. Do you understand?" Rachel nodded, then Paul went on to say, "And, they couldn't tell you because it's that important - the secret. Embry is a wolf and he can't even tell his mom."

"But then, why did you tell me?"

Paul sighed as he ran his hand through his hair. Here goes. After this, there's no turning back, he thought. "As a wolf, we do something called imprinting. It's a way that our mate is chosen for us. When we see her for the first time, we imprint on her and then it is up to her to decide what we need to be for her. Like Sam and Emily?"

"That's why he left Leah?"

Why did she have to mention Leah? Paul thought as he felt the knife turn in his gut at the mention of her name. "Yes. He had no choice. Imprinting is a permanent bond and . . . apparently it can't be broken," Paul said sadly as he looked off into the forest. He was quiet for a moment thinking of Leah. Finally he looked back at Rachel to say, "And when we imprint, we can tell that mate our secret." Paul waited to see if she was getting what he was saying.

Rachel's eyes grew wide as she looked at him. "And you're telling me because . . . "

"I imprinted on you. The night of the bonfire."

Paul watched the blood drain from Rachel's face as she mumbled, "Oh my God."

"Yeah."

Rachel took a few steps away to try and understand what Paul was telling her. I'm his mate? Oh my God, what does that mean? "So is that why you kissed me that night? Why I feel this attraction for you that I don't understand?"

"Yes."

Rachel turned away from Paul as her heart was racing now and she felt like she might throw up. Why me? Why now? I don't want to stay here! I want to go to Seattle! Turning back to look at Paul, she asked, "Are you saying you're in love with me? Even though we barely know each other?"

"Something like that," Paul admitted quietly.

Rachel's hand flew to her forehead as she tried to think. How can this be happening? I don't even know Paul! He doesn't know me! How can I be his "mate?"

Seeing her confusion, Paul said softly, "Look, I know this is all very confusing and the best person to talk to about this is your dad. He knows all about it better than any of us. Just know that I am just as fucking confused as you are right now, and I have been trying to hold back and not give into it. It's nothing personal against you . . . I don't even know you. It's just that, I wanted to be with . . . someone else."

Rachel turned to look into Paul's eyes as she asked, "Leah?"

The look there told her exactly what she already suspected. Paul was in love with Leah. "Yeah," Paul nodded. "I just realized how I really felt about her and then this shit happened."

"Fuck," Rachel sighed.

Paul smiled at that. "Exactly." Closing the gap between them, Paul took Rachel's hand. "The hard part is I feel such a pull to be with you, all the time. When you smile, I feel this rush go through me, and I want so badly to kiss you and to touch you. That's why I got so carried away that first time I kissed you. It's like a . . . primal need or something. It's the wolf thing."

"It scared the shit out of me!" Rachel admitted before adding shyly, "Although, I have to admit . . . it really excited me, too."

As Rachel stared into his eyes, Paul felt like she was almost daring him to do it again. Gently, Paul touched her cheek then leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips. There it was . . . that pull, that rush. He deepened the kiss by touching his tongue to her lips and she opened her mouth to touch her tongue to his.

Rachel found herself wrapping her arms around Paul's neck as he pulled her closer. Their tongues danced as they kissed and Paul pushed his hand under her jacket and shirt on her back to find her skin. She jumped a little as his hot hand touched her back then relaxed as he began to rub his palm back and forth. Rachel realized then that Paul may be young, but he was far from being a virgin. He knew just what to do to turn a girl on.

They stood there in the woods, making out for quite awhile until Paul started to push harder and then Rachel pulled away, and tried to catch her breath. "Paul, I need to talk to my dad. I have so many questions."

"I understand. You want me there, too, or do you want to do this alone?"

"I think alone right now."

Paul nodded and bent down to put his shoes back on then he picked up his t-shirt, sliding it over his head before he took her hand to walk her back home. When they reached her door, he kissed her again, this time very softly.

Rachel smiled as she said, "Goodnight, Paul."

"Goodnight." Rachel walked inside and closed the door then Paul took out his keys and crawled inside his car, and as he drove home, he wondered what all was really going through Rachel's mind.

"A wolf? My brother and all these big, buff teenagers turn into giant wolves? And you couldn't tell me?" Rachel yelled at her dad as soon as she found him in the living room.

"So, Paul finally told you."

"Yes, he told me. And then he showed me! He turned himself into this huge beast! Oh my God, Dad. What the hell is going on around here?"

"You better sit down and tell me exactly what Paul told you."

Rachel sunk down onto the couch and put her head into her hands. "He told me that he . . . imprinted on me and that I was his mate. What kind of bullshit is that?"

Billy actually chuckled. "Well, let me start with why your brother and Paul are wolves, and we will work our way to imprinting, OK?"

Rachel nodded and listened as her father told her a little about the legend of the "cold ones" and how their tribesmen turned into wolves to keep their people safe. And how there were vampires living close and that is why there was a sudden outbreak of wolves. It was all so bizarre! She found herself having a hard time wrapping her mind around all of this. He finally got to imprinting and told her basically the same thing that Paul did.

"Now tell me. What else do you want to know?" Billy asked.

Rachel snapped out of her stupor and just looked at her dad as she muttered, "I don't know where to start."

Billy chuckled as he said, "I know it's all a lot to take in, but I will help you through it. Tell me how you feel about Paul."

Shaking her head back and forth, Rachel tried to find the words to describe how she felt before admitting, "I don't know how to feel about him. I barely know him. I do feel an attraction to him, which just doesn't make sense. I mean, I'm four years older than he is, we have nothing in common. I just graduated college and I want to go to Seattle and try to find a job! I don't want to stay here and marry a werewolf. That wasn't in my plan!"

"Well, no one really plans these things. It just happens."

"Paul said something . . . he said, it was up to the girl to decide what she needs him to be for her. Is that true?"

"Yes and no. Take Quil for instance. He imprinted on Claire who is only 3 right now."

"What? A baby?"

"Well for now. So, to Claire, Quil is her big brother, and she loves him just like that and he loves her like a little sister. But, as she grows older, that will change into a different love."

"But Sam and Emily . . . he fell in love with her right away and dumped Leah. Paul said that Sam tried to fight it but it was too strong. And Paul said that he was trying to hold back, too, because of Leah. He doesn't want this, does he?" Billy hesitated, trying to tell her in a way that wouldn't hurt her. "Dad, be honest with me."

"No, sweetheart, he doesn't. But it has nothing to do with you. He came to me right after it happened. He never wanted to imprint. It's something he's always been afraid of."

"Yeah, I know. I don't know if I want it either. I want to go to Seattle. Can it be broken?"

"No. At least it never has been."

Rachel leaned back into the couch cushions. She was more confused than ever. "What should I do, Dad?"

Billy was quiet for a moment then he looked at Rachel and said with a smile, "Follow your heart, daughter."

Rachel shot her father a look and asked, "Seriously? You didn't just say, 'Follow your heart,' did you?"

"Yes, I did," Billy chuckled. "Too corny?"

"Way too corny. Come on, I really need some advice here."

"I don't know what else to tell you. This is for you and Paul to figure out. I am amazed though that the two of you didn't fall in love right away. That has not been the pattern. Sam and Emily, Jared and Kim . . . they all had those intense feelings from the start. Even Quil couldn't stay away from Claire. But Paul . . . he's a fighter. Maybe I underestimated his strength and his love for Leah."

"If he loves Leah so much then why didn't he imprint on her?"

"Paul didn't tell you all the other members of the pack?" Billy asked her.

"No. Why?"

"Leah is wolf, too. Our first female wolf ever, well, that we know of. Since we've never had a female wolf, we really don't understand her position in the pack yet. But Sam didn't imprint on her, and now, neither has Paul. It doesn't make sense, but for some reason, other pack members can't imprint on her."

"Poor Leah. She keeps falling in love only to be dumped because of this imprinting thing. That just sucks." Rachel looked up at her Dad and asked, "So who else?"

"Well, your brother, Jake, Leah's brother, Seth, then Quil, Embry, Jared, Paul, two younger boys, Collin and Brady and then Sam, who is the Alpha Male of the pack."

"So many," Rachel said softly. "So, there really are . . . vampires living around here? That many that it takes a whole pack of wolves to keep the reservation safe?"

Billy reached over to take her hand as he assured her, "Look, Rachel. This isn't something you need to worry about. The family of vampires that live here have a treaty with us. They don't kill humans - they live on animal blood only. But, they stay off of our land. And, if a vampire does kill a human, well, then we take them out."

"They . . . kill vampires?" Rachel's head was spinning at this point and she was really getting a headache.

"Yes," Billy answered quietly.

"My little brother . . ." Rachel's voice faded away as she was horrified at the life her brother was forced to live. "So, is this why you aren't forcing Jake back to school?"

"Yes and no. Some of the other pack members are in school: Collin, Brady, Seth, Jared, Quil and Embry. Your brother should be, but you see, Sam isn't the rightful Alpha. He is holding that position because he was the first to phase. He is actually second in line . . . to Jacob."

Rachel closed her eyes. This was just too much for her to take in. Rachel sighed as she pulled her hand away from her father's to swipe it through her hair. "Look, Dad, I can't take anymore right now. This is all just so crazy." Standing up, she stated, "I'm going to bed to think."

With a smile, Billy nodded. "I understand. We can talk again tomorrow if you have more questions."

Rachel mumbled good night and headed for her room where she closed the door and sunk down onto the small bed. What the hell have I gotten myself into now?