WARNING: Thanks to certain potty-mouthed individuals of the Pack, contains pretty strong language.

XXXXXXXXX

Chapter VIII

Dog-tired and naked, he stumbled into the darkened room and fell on top of the large, king-sized bed with a heartfelt groan. It had been a rough night and patrol had been tediously long and frustrating. And all he wanted - all that he longed for - was to simply crash and fall into oblivion. To sleep dreamlessly and just forget everything. To forget how badly his body ached. Of how his mind continually raced and was never allowed to rest. That he was always preoccupied by his responsibilities to La Push, to the Pack and most importantly, those he loved ... and the one he'd lost. And of late, sleep had been an elusive bedmate. Eluding him at every opportunity. Leaving him both tired, restless and above all, extremely pissed.

Not bothering to slide under the covers, he simply lay there and stared blindly at the ceiling. Wound up, weary with a throbbing ache in his head, heart and loins. And no relief within reach. With a heavy sigh, he flipped onto his side and faced the bedroom window. Moonlight streaked into the room through the open curtains, bathing the room with a pale glow. He closed his eyes and despite knowing it was a futile gesture, prayed that he'd get some respite for once. But as always, it wasn't to be and his prayers went unanswered.

The mattress unexpectedly dipped beneath him. Then the feel of a warm body draping itself over him and the weight of an arm snaking around his waist caused him to freeze. His eyes suddenly flew open at the touch of firm, sensuous lips repeatedly brushing soft, gentle kisses back and forth from the ball of his right shoulder to his nape. His mind demanded that he turn around and face his unforseen bedmate, yet his tired flesh was weak and refused to listen. Denying him the identity of his companion. Forbidding him from seeing the one who made his body clench with need and lust. And as desire coursed through his veins like wildfire at the light, skilful touch of callused fingertips grazing an exploratory, downward path from his sternum, across his eightpack to his happy trail, he finally recognized and knew genuine want. He craved it. Longed for and yearned for it. A shudder of need he was unable to suppress, drew a low, sultry laugh from his partner's lips. And that soft, husky chuckle coupled with the sensation of long, slim fingers wrapping around his painfully hard erection made his breath hitch and his body tremble once more.

Unable to prevent it, he sank back against the slender, lithe body that was coiled around him and as he did so, he caught a faint scent. One that tantalized and beguiled him. It was heady and irresistible, its spiciness reminding him of cool ocean spray, warm sandy beaches and sunshine. With a soft moan, he pressed back against the lean, toned, sleek sinew and warm skin and relaxed, his hand coming to rest upon the one which encircled his aching, pulsating shaft. A hand whose touch promised and delivered sinful things as it repeatedly teased and caressed his needy flesh. How the way it tugged and fondled his balls made his body writhe and demand far more; the feel of warm, callused skin stroking the lengthy girth of his swollen dick while a wicked thumb absently rubbed and smeared the liberally seeping pre-cum across its head, had him panting like a dog in heat.

The lips which worshipped his shoulder and nape now nuzzled his throat as the hand on his prick continued to tease and torment him, drawing him repeatedly to the brink yet always denying him the release he craved. He began to thrust his hips desperately into the hand, seeking more friction, his body arching against the one that cloaked his and his head fell back to rest against his lover's shoulder.

"More ... please ..." his voice was raspy with need as he pleaded for what he hungered for. "Please, harder ..."

Another throaty laugh behind him made him shiver in anticipation, then a voice spoke softly, seducing him further. "Shhhh ... easy ... Tell me what you need, my wolf ... Tell me what you want ..."

"Oh, dear God ... please. Quit screwing with me ... I-I need you, damn it ! Want you ... Want you so fucking badly. So badly that I hurt. I ache for you ..."

Those magical lips curved into a wicked smile. "See ? That wasn't so tough, was it ? All you had to do was ask ..." And just to confirm it, the hand increased the pressure around the ultra-sensitive muscle it held and began to tug and caress in earnest. "Cum for me, my wolf. Show me how much you fucking need me ... How badly you want me. Show me. Just let it go ..."

And that was the only incentive needed. Whether it was the persuasive, provocative words that affected him, the gentle breath caressing his cheek or that talented hand around his dick which currently made his senses reel and had the blood coursing through his veins, it didn't matter. What did matter was the feeling of pure ecstasy, the euphoria that he felt as he neared completion. His balls suddenly drew up and the next thing he knew, he was cumming harder than he'd ever done in his life. Virtually howling his pleasure.

With a gutteral cry, his body shuddered violently as his release liberally coated his torso, as well as the hand that continued to idly stroke him. Finally, he sagged in exhaustion. Chest glistening with perspiration and heaving agitatedly as he cried the name of the one who was responsible for giving him such rapture. For making his entire body pulsate from sheer bliss.

"Fu-uck ! What you do to me ... Oh, God ... PAUL !"

And that's when an extremely shaken Sam Uley woke up - alone - trembling violently with his right hand thickly coated with his own release.

XXXXX

Sam's pov:

Fuck ! Not again ...

I sat bolt upright in my bed - yes, I'd started using my bedroom again after weeks of sleeping on the lumpy, old, living room couch - panic-stricken and breaking out in a cold sweat. And for good reason too. For two consecutive nights I'd abruptly woken up, more than once, yelling my Beta's name while my hand was still on my dick ... and it's left me confused as fuck and scared as hell. Reaching out towards the bedside table, I found a box of wet wipes and hurriedly cleaned my unsteady hands.

Shit ! This can't be right. I mean, I've always been into chicks. Not guys. Now here I am, lusting like a dog after a bitch in heat for my best friend. A guy who had THE reputation for being the biggest tomcat La Push had ever known when it came to chasing girls. And when it came to pursuing women, Paul Lahote was a true Casanova. The love 'em and leave 'em kind of guy. If anything, the notches he'd claimed far exceeded his bedpost, if that makes any sense.

But yeah, like I said, this has scared the crap out of me. Ever since I saw him two days ago at Leah and Jacob's house, Paul's been constantly on my mind. He's all I can think of, especially after Lee let the cat out of the bag and revealed I was his imprint. I hadn't seen him for weeks and I missed him terribly and after searching his usual haunts, I'd ended up at Leah and Jake's. After that little bombshell, if I had any sense I should've stayed away. Backed off. Let things be. But I couldn't. Not even if my life depended on it. Something about Paul drew me to him. Whether it was the imprint's influence or not, I haven't a fucking clue ... All I know, is that he now haunts my dreams and rules all of my waking thoughts ... and I want him. Badly. And I mean to have him. Again and again and again ... if he'll let me.

FLASHBACK

Damn ! For a slip of a girl, Leah sure can pack one helluva mean punch. Ok, so she may not hit as hard as the rest of the Pack, but fuck she's fast and combine that with how unpredictable she can be, well, I can personally guarantee that whatever our she-wolf throws at you, it hurts like hell ! And trust me, our Lee's not one, unlike her brother, to hold anything back either. If she wants you to hurt or bleed, then you'll definitely end up in agonizing pain and bleeding freely. She'll make damn sure of it. And the worst thing you can ever do in her eyes - something that'll surely incur her wrath - is hurt one of her own. Someone she cares for deeply or loves.

And it looks like I've done just that. I've screwed up. Fucked up big time when I hurt Paul. 'Cause as far as Lee's concerned, our Beta and my best friend, means far more to her than being just a Pack brother. To her, he's family. She sees him as an older sibling, even though Paul's only a couple of weeks older than her. And she loves him deeply. As if he were a true blood relative. Like Seth. And that's how I've ended up as her personal punchbag or chew toy. She's after my blood and intends to make me suffer. Suffer far greater pain than I unwittingly and/or knowingly inflicted on Paul.

Leah really laid into me for what I'd done. Made me feel like a right heel and showed me how much of a bastard I'd been to my best friend over the past two years. And as soon as she mentioned that Paul had imprinted - that I was his imprint - I felt sick to the bottom of my stomach. The news left my head reeling. Guilt gnawed away at me like cancer as I recalled how hurtful and cruel I'd been; how I'd torn into him without justification, on numerous occasions; how at Emily's instigation I'd turned my back on him and refused to listen to anything he had to say and that I'd accused him of lying. Something I now deeply regret as I know deep down the last thing Paul Lahote happens to be is a liar. He's always been unfailingly and brutally honest. At all times. And with his unswerving loyalty, he was the best Beta I could've possibly wished for. But after that last particular fight which on my part at least, turned into a vicious brawl, I now knew I'd genuinely messed up. Paul became withdrawn. Reclusive. Evasive and, unusually for him, secretive. Thanks to Emily's meddling and her inexplicable dislike for Paul, I did something I'm deeply ashamed of ... I betrayed and regularly humiliated someone who'd done nothing to deserve it. And in doing so, I'd lost my wingman and my best friend ... something I feared could turn out to be the biggest mistake of my life.

Like I said, I'd really fucked up. Got swayed by a pretty face and a slender, lithe body. Had let her blind and turn me against what, or rather who, truly mattered. Someone I valued and cared for. All I could hope, pray for, was that Paul would be able to find it in his heart to forgive me. To allow an oblivious, ignorant prick to try to make amends. For him to trust me once again and not feel the need to avoid me like the fucking plague every time he saw me. 'Cause that's what's been happening. After that huge bust-up during the last Pack meet before Emily passed over, Paul could barely look me in the eye. He'd hardly talk to me, unless it involved Pack business and couldn't wait to get away from me once said business was done. In other words, as far as my best friend was concerned, I no longer existed. And that fucking hurt. It hurt like hell. There's a huge void in my life now that I find impossible to fill. A massive Beta-shaped hole. And I miss him. I, honest to God, miss him dreadfully and would give my eye teeth to have things back the way they were between us and more importantly, that I'd never hurt him in the first place.

So, here I am. Outside Jake and Leah's home, willing to prostrate myself before my Beta if need be, to regain his trust and forgiveness. Only he's not the one here before me, giving me hell. Nope. That honour goes to our fiery she-wolf, who's definitely not afraid to tell me exactly what she thinks of me or hand me my ass on a plate. And man, I'd never admit it out loud to anyone, but she's really done a number on me. When it comes to inflicting pain, Leah excels at it. Once my visible wounds have gone, all that'll remain will be the inner scars and those will be far, far harder to heal. And in all honesty ? For what I've done to Paul, I deserve everything I get. And then some ...

Fully aware that I was clearly in the wrong, I really didn't want to fight with Leah, especially when she spoke nothing but the truth. What I'd done, even though I'd been unaware of the imprint ... how I'd hurt Paul so badly, not only physically, but both mentally and emotionally ... well, it was indefensible. And I was all too aware of it. Yet somehow, in the blink of an eye, things got really heated between us and Lee was clearly out for blood. Mine.

"What ? So you can ease your conscience ? That's so not happening, Sam. You may be his imprint, but there's no way I'm risking Paul's safety by letting you anywhere near him. You don't deserve him ... He deserves better. Way better ... He deserves someone who'll care for and love him. Someone who isn't you ..." Leah snarled, determined to get her point across. And she did. It was true. Paul deserved all that and more. Someone who'd cherish and protect him. Keep him out of harm's way and free of pain. Someone who didn't make him suffer. Someone who definitely wasn't me. I was no good for him ... even though I wanted - needed - a chance to prove otherwise. To Leah. Jake. Myself. And especially Paul.

There was an ominous silence, then I saw Leah freeze. She appeared momentarily distracted, then her intelligent, mesmerizing, dark eyes gradually widened in horror and I could see anger begin to take hold of her once more.

"Oh, shit ! What the fuck have you done, Sam ? Bad enough the poor bastard had to imprint on you ... if it'd been just that, he'd have a chance to move on and find someone else if he got rejected ... But thanks to you, he can't do that, can he ?" She all but snarled at me. Her slender, beautifully-shaped hands kept clenching and unclenching as she tried to contain her fury. Fury I instinctively knew was aimed at me.

"What the fuck ?" Not one to hide or cower in fear, I met her baleful gaze head on. "What d'ya mean by that ? What I've done ?"

"You've only gone and ruined his life, you ignorant fuckwit ! You bit him. Fucking marked him ... He'll never be free of you now ... Will never have a life of his own. Not after you bound him to you with that mate mark."

Consumed by guilt and distressed by the knowledge of what I'd done, I felt my face crumble. Gutted by my actions, I remained silent. I was undeniably guilty of the crime Leah'd accused me of. I'd selfishly stolen Paul's life from him. Robbed him of his freedom in the most cruel way. I was so wrapped up in self-recrimination, that I failed to notice the change in Leah's demeanour. She'd changed from human to wolf in a blink of an eye. As her wolf came to the fore, Leah'd been circling me, in a predatory fashion. She must've taken my silence the wrong way as, without any warning, she sprang forward. Intent on claiming her kill.

Only it never happened. I'd braced myself for the impact. Expecting the feel of an enraged she-wolf colliding violently against me. But it wasn't to be. A lithe, russet-skinned figure suddenly darted across, barrelling into Leah causing her to fall to her knees and I heard a familiar, much missed, husky voice yell at her.

"Leah, no ! "

I never heard the racing footsteps or saw Jake carefully help Leah to her feet and regain her balance. Nor did I see her turn to resume her attack. And the reason why I failed to heed any of that ? All my attention was fixed elsewhere. Or more specifically, on the one person I'd sought. The wolf I'd been tracking for the past couple of hours.

Paul.

XXXXX

To my astonishment, Paul Lahote stood directly between me and Jake's furious imprint. Deliberately blocking any attempt Leah would try to get to me. Even after all the pain and suffering I'd inflicted on him, it came as a huge shock that Paul was still willing to risk Leah's wrath in order to defend me. Me. The worst, most pathetic excuse ever known as an imprint in Quileute history. But there he stood. Large as life. Holding himself in the exact stance he'd use when facing a vamp. Alert, business-like, deadly and I could almost feel the adrenaline radiating from his lean, tense frame.

"Please, Lee, don't do this," Paul spoke quietly, with a calmness that fought against the obvious tension he felt.

"Don't do what, Paul ?" Leah demanded angrily, her own stance as rigid as his. "Don't give him hell for what he did ? Don't tear him a new one for being a complete jerk ? Or hand him his ass for being the biggest fuckwit known in our tribe's history ? What he did to you's plain wrong, P. It's ... it's unforgivable. Not only did he hurt our Beta, he hurt my brother ... my best friend, for fuck's sake. I can't sit back and let him get away with what he did to you ... to a member of my family. I just can't ... He needs to pay for what he did- "

Leah struggled free of Jacob's hold and moved forward. Intent on carrying out her threat. Paul immediately side-stepped in front of her.

"What ? Tell me you're fucking shitting me, Paul. You're actually defending him after all the crap he put you through ... ? For all the suffering you had to deal with for the past couple of years ? Seriously ?" Leah's strikingly beautiful, dark chocolate eyes widened incredulously.

"He's my imprint, Lee ..." Paul replied softly. "I can't - I won't - let you hurt him. Please, can't you just back off and forget about this ? Just leave Sam alone ?"

"You're crazy, Paul ... Have you totally lost it or something ? Have you forgotten all the crap you've been through, thanks to him ? How your life's gonna be from now on, huh ?"

"Leah, please ... I've never asked anyone for anything, but I'm begging you ... don't do this. Don't make me hate you for hurting my imprint. I don't wanna lose you, we're family but ... but if you do anything to Sam, we will fall out and I'll do anything to keep him safe ..."

"Paul- "

"No, I'm sorry, Lee, but I mean it ... Hurt Sam and you hurt me." Paul's softly veiled threat held more than a hint of promise and the fact that he was prepared to see it through ... to give up all that he held dear in order to protect me made my senses reel.

Leah's shoulders slumped wearily as the fight suddenly left her. It appeared Paul knew her almost as well as she did. That she would back off rather than lose him from her life. She sighed heavily and eyed him with sorrowful, concerned eyes. "I really really hope you know what you're doing, Paul. For your sake, I truly do. But if the shit hits the fan, y'know where I am, 'k ?"

"I know," Paul replied huskily. "That's something I won't forget and ... and Lee ?"

"Yeah ?"

"Thanks. I really didn't want us to fall out ... don't think I could handle it if I lost you too. It'd break me..."

Ignoring my presence, Leah simply nodded and smiled at him warmly. "Me too. Later, bro ..." And with that final remark turned on her heel, loped back to Jake's side and quietly allowed him to lead her back into the house.

XXXXX

As soon as Leah and Jake disappeared indoors, Paul silently began to walk away and I guessed he was headed for home. To my dismay, not once did he turn around or acknowledge me. As I said before, it was as if I no longer existed. That I didn't matter.

"Paul !"

His shoulders seemed to tense momentarily, but he didn't stop or say anything. My Beta continued to stalk away and the sight of his retreating figure felt like a blow to my gut. It left me winded.

"PAUL ! Wait up, man ..." I yelled, trying to conceal the panic in my voice as I tried to figure a way to stop him from leaving. I loped after him. "Don't go- "

I reached out a hand and briefly grazed his shoulder only to feel him flinch, then back away from me like a skittish colt. My hand fell limply to my side as I watched him through anguished eyes. Seeing the Pack's hardened, badass scrapper recoil from such a slight touch then shy away confirmed how badly I'd hurt him and only fuelled the flames of guilt and remorse which burned within me further. I'd never thought I'd see the day that Paul Lahote would back away from anyone. Especially from me.

"Don't ! I mean it ... don't touch me. Don't you dare lay another fucking finger on me, Sam. Just leave me the fuck alone !" he snarled softly. His attempt at angry defiance didn't ring true and his slightly trembling body reinforced it and only served to make me feel even more of a bastard. But it didn't sway me off course. I had to try to explain to him why I'd been such a goddamn, fucking ass ... to get him to listen and to see that I was far from proud of my behaviour. That I deeply regretted causing him so much pain.

"Paul, I ... I'm ... I need to- " I approached him cautiously and abruptly froze when he suddenly spun around to finally face me. As he moved, I was immediately struck by his scent. For some reason, I'd always liked it. There was something appealing about his scent. Almost comforting. But now, I picked up a minute change in it. A change which made it irresistible ... mouthwateringly tantalizing. It was beguiling. Captivating ... deliciously so.

"What ? What part of "leave me the fuck alone" don't you get, Sam ? Huh ?" Paul's arms gesticulated wildly, conveying his anger and frustration. "I ... I can't deal with this. What the hell d'ya want from me, Sam ?"

"What I want is for you to stop running from me, Paul ... For you to quit hiding, so we can talk ... What I want is a chance to fix things between us. To make things right. I want - I need - my best friend back. I-I miss you ..."

"And the fact that you fucking miss me is supposed to make things alright ? That I'm supposed to forgive 'n' forget all that's happened ? Well, that's just too fucking bad, Sam. It's too little too freakin' late ..." Paul snapped, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he became more agitated.

"Will you just shut up and listen for a goddamn seco- ?"

He shook his head violently and wrapped his arms protectively around his midriff. "Uh-huh, no way. Why the hell should I ? Why the fuck should I care about what you want ? What you need ? 'S not like you stopped and gave a damn about me and what I was going through over these last few years ... so why the hell should I ? If you're expecting me to roll over like a good little mutt and do just that, then you're going to be seriously disappointed ... What I want to know is what the hell d'ya want from me ? I mean, I did what I was supposed to do ... was an obedient imprint and gave you what you wanted. I was far too stupid or far too weak and let you have your way with me and what for ? Only to be treated like garbage the moment you got what you needed ... To be treated like dirt and ordered to fuck off and leave you alone. Permanently. So, yeah, you tell me what I'm "supposed" to do ..."

As Paul continued to furiously vent his spleen, I'm ashamed to 'fess up that I wasn't fully paying attention to what he was saying. I was far too busy studying him ... or rather devouring him voraciously with my eyes. There was something different about him, apart from that miniscule change in his scent. He was Paul, yet he wasn't, if that makes sense ... My brow furrowed in confusion as I tried to work out what was different about him. Then it struck me as I surreptitiously closed the gap between us what it was. Paul's gaze was no longer eye-level with mine. He had to tilt his head back to meet it. For some crazy reason he'd shrunk. He was smaller than he used to be ... and I don't mean only in height. His build had also changed dramatically. He was much slighter than Jake or me. Leaner. More athletic. He had the lithe body of a swimmer. Don't get me wrong, he was still toned and well-defined, only not as ripped or as bulky as I was. He looked different, but in a good way ... a very good way. There's no denying it, but Paul's always been a handsome bastard and it wasn't surprizing girls always flocked around him, craving his undivided attention. But now ? Well, now he was beautiful. Heartbreakingly so. The more I studied him, the more intense the feeling of need I had for him got. I wanted him ... badly.

A deep hunger began to stir within me as I took in his proud, lean countenace. Those high, razor-sharp cheekbones, straight nose and that mouth ... that wicked mouth of his that usually ran away from him and got him into endless trouble and arguments. That luscious, full lower lip that he was currently worrying. I felt a sharp bolt of lust strike me and I felt an inexplicable, overwhelming need to lick, bite, suck, kiss and claim ownership of that plump, glistening, red lip. My eyes instantly widened at the thought. Where the hell did that thought come from ? I'd never been interested in guys, but here I was, craving my best friend and having lustful thoughts about his oh-so very fine body. I swallowed hard as I felt little Sam's all-too obvious interest in Paul press insistently against my cutoffs' zipper and I prayed to whatever deity that was willing to listen, to make sure Paul didn't look down and see that obvious interest. 'Cause if he did, I knew without a doubt that Paul would tear me a new one.

But I couldn't help it. I really was interested in him. That tiny niggling spark of attraction had flared into full-blown desire as soon as I laid eyes on him. Yet I knew deep down, that it wasn't the pull of an imprint as according to tribal lore it was extremely rare, almost impossible, for an imprinted wolf to imprint on anyone. So, why was I so inexplicably drawn to him ? Then, the answer came to me. My gaze happened to fall upon a raw, vicious bite mark at the base of Paul's throat where it met his shoulder. It looked nasty and far from healed and that's when I finally recognized it for what it was. It was a mate mark ... it appeared that I'd claimed Paul as my own. And the mark was visible proof of why I was so irresistibly drawn to him.

"Sam. Sam ! Are you even listening to me ?" Paul's warm gaze had narrowed and became as hard as obsidian. He eyed me with icy contempt. "SAM ! Fuck this !" He gave a disgusted snort, then began to mutter to himself. "Why me, huh ? What the fuck did I ever do to deserve all this shit ? First off, I imprint on a fucking guy. Said guy blows me off in favour of the biggest bitch ever then when she snuffs it, he turns to me for attention. And me ? Dumb sap that I am, I give it to him. Bastard then makes me his fucking bitch, freakin' marks me then has the fucking nerve to reject me ! So, why the hell am I still here ? Screw this, I've had enough, I'm going home."

As soon as I heard the word "home," I shook my head in protest. "No, Paul, wait ... please ?"

"Why ? You've not given me a good reason to stay, so what's the damn point ? You can't do this to me, it ain't fair ... You can't go Alpha on me one minute and tell me to stay the fuck away, then expect me to come running whenever you want. I deserve better than that ... and you know it !"

"But, Paul- "

He rolled his eyes, then shaking his head glared at me. "No. Unless you grow a pair and prove to me that you're genuinely sorry for what you've done, then I don't wanna know. You may be my imprint and I may've stopped Lee from kicking seven shades of shit out of your sorry ass, but it doesn't mean I have to like it ... or that I'm happy about it. So, 'til you convince me otherwise, stay the fuck away from me, Sam." And before I could do anything to stop him, he vanished at a speed which would've left Usain Bolt stalling at the starting blocks.

Hurt and confused, all I could do was stand there helplessly as I struggled to get my head around the fact that a) Paul was still hurting desperately; b) he was going to be a very tough nut to crack and wouldn't make things easy for me in any way, shape or form and c) he was my mate ... the one I was destined to be with. All I had to do now was figure out a foolproof way to convince him that I wanted to make amends, that I wanted him back in my life and that I wanted to be with him ... in the same way that he wanted me.

END OF FLASHBACK

So, basically, looking back at all I know, I'm fucking screwed. Whipped. And I'm damned if I know how I'm going to win my feisty, wilful mate round ...