Telling the Truth

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-once again I would like to thank everyone who kindly took the time to give me much valued feedback on the last chapter. Without you guys I don't think I would have managed to continue my stories. I have been experiencing the worst case of writer's block with all of them!

Thanks again, Nikki.

Part Seven

Bella's eyes closed involuntarily when she first felt Paul's lips press against her own. The shocking warmth that spread through her body at the contact made her heart speed up in anticipation. All she had ever known was cold, cold touches, cold kisses...Edward never actually moved his mouth against hers like Paul was now doing. She had to mould her lips round his and it would only be for brief seconds at a time. All thoughts of Edward Cullen flew out of her head when Paul coaxed her lips apart and their tongues met. She gasped at the feeling and did not protest when he deepened the kiss. Paul Lahote was an expert kisser.

She felt one of his hands wind into her long hair and clutch it tightly. His other hand was pressed into her lower back, pushing her body closer to his own. Bella slipped her own arms round his neck and let him lead the kiss, she felt so inexperienced and naive. However Paul did not seem bothered by this fact as he kept on kissing her deeply, his lips only leaving hers for a few brief seconds to allow them both to breathe. This was the most intense, passionate kiss that Bella could ever imagine and it exceeded all her wildest dreams and fantasies. Paul must have plenty of experience to be able to invoke so much passion from her with their first kiss. It was this thought that stopped Bella in her tracks.

Her hands dropped from around his neck and began to push on his chest. Paul ignored her at first as he kept up the pressure, keeping her face close to his own and moving his mouth with hers. He was so caught up in the moment that it took a while before it sank in that she was actively resisting him. He pulled away and released his hold on her. Both of them were breathing heavily, the heat coming off of them in waves.

Paul stared at Bella in confusion. It was the first time ever that a girl had put a stop to things once he started to kiss them. He watched her expressions as they crossed her face. The red blushes that enhanced her creamy complexion had died down and now she looked wan and tired. He reached out to touch her cheek but she stepped back.

"What is your problem?" Paul said irritably. "One minute you're all over me the next you act like my touch disgusts you."

"I can't do this right now Paul. I'm sorry...I shouldn't have let that happen. Things are messed up enough as it is with Edward and Jake...I don't want to add you into the mix." Bella replied sounding defeated.

"Well it's a bit late for that darlin' I am already involved. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy it?" Paul sneered."Anyway it's not like you mean anything to me. If I want a girl I can find one a lot more experienced then you."

Bella was taken aback by his harsh response. As she always did when confronted with problems she turned her back on him and walked away. Paul watched her leave. He cursed himself internally for his reaction, he knew how fragile and emotionally drained she was and once again he had let his hurt pride get in the way. He took a couple of steps after her but his natural stubbornness kicked in and he stopped himself. She would be back...she needed him.

XXXXXX

Three days passed with no sign or communication from Bella at all. Paul was feeling pissed, his anger increased with each day that passed and it was his pack mates who were bearing the brunt of his ire. Between his hair trigger temper and Leah's constant harping about Sam, things were tense. Paul had been trying to pick through Jacob's brain while he was not aware just so he could get some sort of idea what Bella had been up to the last few days, but it seemed that Jacob had become better at concealing his thoughts as Paul found nothing of interest.

Everything came to a head on the third day. Leah, Sam and Paul were on patrol together, as per usual Leah was having a slanging match with Sam about his latest orders. Their angry thoughts flew back and forth in the pack mind and were giving Paul a headache. He growled when he heard Leah insult Bella, calling her a pathetic leech lover and it would be better if they just handed her over to the red head so they could all get on with their lives. Sam remonstrated with her once again to just keep quiet and get on with her patrol in silence.

"You can't tell me what to do...I am sick of you and all of this bullshit. Why are we defending the girl? Just because Jacob has a pathetic crush on the bitch we all have to suffer. If it wasn't for her we would still be together, you wouldn't have succumbed to the supernatural pull of the imprint and Emily, my so called cousin, would be back home where she belongs...I..."

Leah did not see Paul launch himself at her. She was so distracted by her bitter ranting that he had crept up behind her silently so she was unaware of his attack. Her vitriol over Bella had made his blood boil, all his unhappiness and anger melded together and he attacked without thinking. However Sam had seen his intentions and the black wolf hit him hard in the side, knocking him off course. The breath was knocked from his body as he struck the forest floor with a sharp thud. Both wolves rolled over and over, leaves and dirt spraying up in the air as they fought. Each tried to get the upper hand by getting a hold with their sharp teeth around the neck, but they were too evenly matched.

"Don't you ever hurt my Lee Lee you son of a bitch ever..." Sam roared at Paul through his thoughts.

"She's not your Lee Lee anymore, not since you broke her heart by running off with her own cousin and you tell me I hurt her, you bloody hypocrite." Paul shot back fiercely. The rage that he felt coming off of Sam knocked him flat as his Alpha issued an order that made him bend to his will.

"Admit it to her Sam, tell Leah the truth that you still love her. Tell her so she gives us all a rest from her constant unhappiness..." Paul shouted out the words in his mind. Even though he couldn't move due to Sam's Alpha command he could still speak. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Leah's wolf standing stock still staring intently at Sam.

"Is this true Sam?" Leah's words were a whisper through the pack mind.

Sam did not answer, instead he phased back into his human form and strode over to Leah. "Phase back now." He ordered her.

Leah had no choice but to comply. Her wolf form shimmered and she stood before Sam completely naked. Paul laughed in his mind as he saw Sam studying Leah carefully.

"Paul leave...your patrol is over for the day." Sam commanded. Paul stumbled to his feet and turned away from Leah and Sam. As he headed for home he had no doubt in his mind what was about to happen between his Alpha and Leah. Maybe he had done them both a favour by making Sam confront his hidden feelings.

XXXXXX

As Paul wandered through the forest he found his thoughts returning to Bella and what had happened the day of their kiss. Guilt was weighing heavily on him. He knew that Bella was inexperienced; she couldn't have done that much with the leech. That cold-hearted douche was frozen inside and out. He was well aware of his own reputation. He had alluded as much to Bella once or twice. It was now beginning to dawn on him that maybe it was her reason for stopping him when she did. He changed direction and headed for Forks, he needed to see Bella right now.

As he approached her house his nose was assaulted with the sickly sweet scent of vampire. He felt like retching. How could Bella stand it? He stared out through the thinning trees, the scent lessened as the fresh wind blew it in the opposite direction. His sensitive hearing picked up Bella's voice, his wolf ears perked forward as he tried to catch what she was saying.

"Enough Edward...I mean it. I want you to leave..." Bella's voice sounded faint as he strained to hear.

"My love you are so fragile...look at you? Ever since you have reconnected with the dog you have been acting so strange. I forbid you to go to La Push anymore. It is doing your health no good. You have lost so much weight Bella...now come and rest." Edward's patronising tone set Paul's teeth on edge.

"No...I will rest once you leave...just go."Bella protested once again.

Paul heard Edward sigh heavily. "Oh Bella I know that is not what you really want. I need to keep you safe..."

Those were the words that spurred Paul into action. The thought of his Bella being around such a controlling asshole made his blood boil. All thoughts of being inconspicuous and keeping their friendship or whatever it was between them secret flew out of his mind. Paul phased back into his human form and quickly yanked on the cut off sweats he had tied to his leg. He sprinted up to the front door and banged on it loudly.

"Bella it's me sweetheart...Bella..."

The door was flung open within seconds and an angry looking Edward Cullen stood before him. The sickly sweet stench of old lady's perfume made Paul feel sick, as Edward was so close the cloying smell surrounded him.

"Who the hell are you and what do you want with Bella?" Edward demanded, his golden eyes pierced straight through Paul.

Paul glared at him fiercely, the urge to phase was strong upon him but he managed to keep control. "Get out of my way you disgusting filth. You know exactly what I am."

Edward stepped forward and shut the door behind him. "I know that you are one of the dogs that have been hanging around. Did Jacob Black send you? Is he too cowardly to come himself?"

Paul got right into Edward's face, even though all he wanted to do was rip his head from his shoulders he was in full view of Bella's neighbours, he had to keep a handle on his temper. "This has nothing to do with Jacob. You have no idea about anything leech. If it wasn't for the fact that we can be seen I would rip you to pieces. I am here for Bella..."

A puzzled frown passed over Edward's marble like features, he had no inkling of what the boy was talking about. How did Bella even know him? His musings were cut short as Bella herself opened the door and peered out at them both. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in Paul standing on her doorstep with Edward.

"Paul? What are you doing here?" Bella looked fearfully between them both, not sure how to react.

"Bella love be careful, this dog seems to be under the impression that he is here to rescue you..." Edward gently pushed Bella behind him so that she was shielded behind his body.

"Get your hands off her leech. I heard her ask you to leave and you refused to listen." Paul seethed. His limbs started to shake as the wolf fought to burst out and deal with his mortal enemy.

Edward did not reply, his eyes narrowed as he began to delve into Paul's mind and draw out titbits of information. Paul did not have much self control in that respect and was an open book to someone with the skills that Edward possessed. "Unbelievable..." Edward could not comprehend what he was seeing through Pauls mind.

Bella knew very well what Edward was doing. She had been found out. He must have read everything that she had told or done with Paul. There was no turning back now...she slipped out from behind Edward while he was preoccupied with reading Paul's mind.

Paul saw her quick movement and he caught hold of her as she stumbled near him. His arm crossed over her chest and he pulled her against him. Edward saw Paul's hands on Bella and he made a lunging motion as if to pull her back but Paul was having none of it. Still very much aware that they could be seen, he hauled Bella over his shoulder and made a run for it. Bella had been taken completely by surprise by Paul's sudden move. Her head was spinning as she was jerked around as Paul sprinted away from her house and Edward.

The comforting darkness of the trees covered Paul as he kept running. However he had not thought things through properly. He had acted impulsively and not taken into account the fact that Edward was a leech and would never tire. The sound of Edward's footsteps keeping pace with him made his anger rise to the surface. Bella had closed her eyes as she felt every pounding step from Paul course through her body as he tried to outrun Edward in his human form.

In a flash Edward overtook Paul and stood before him, anger showing clearly on his face. His hair was mussed by the wind and he carefully smoothed it down. "You have no chance of escaping me dog. Hand Bella back to me before anyone gets hurt."

Paul halted and stared around, desperate for some form of escape. He gently pulled a breathless Bella from his shoulder and held her tightly in his arms. He needed to feel her close before he let her go and phased. It was his only hope of defending himself against Edward. He had no chance in his human form. Bella clung to him for a brief moment before he released his hold on her.

"Paul..." She said fearfully as he stepped away from her.

"I'm sorry..."Paul said softly before he phased into his wolf form. Edward attacked immediately, gripping Paul round the middle of his body, squeezing the air from his lungs.

Paul howled loudly and he wriggled madly, managing to break Edward's hold on him. He swirled round in a circle and launched his body into the air going in for the attack. He slammed into Edward and they both rolled over and over, struggling for dominance. Bella screamed out her fears and it carried through the forest, alerting others to their plight.

Within moments Sam and Leah appeared in their wolf forms. They surrounded Edward and howled out their anger. Edward knew that he stood no chance against three enraged wolves. He released his hold on Paul and backed away. The hackles rose on the back of the wolves as they circled around Edward, Bella had stumbled and tripped her way over to Paul's wolf who was slumped on the ground, breathing heavily. She slipped her arms round his neck and buried her face in his thick fur, murmuring sorry over and over.

Edward and the wolves stood opposite each other, watching Bella and Paul in surprise as she continued to caress his fur and whisper words of apology into his ear.

A/N-Well...what can I say...I had no idea the story was heading in this direction, I really am writing as I go. Sorry for the lateness of the chapter but I have lost my mojo recently and have been struggling to update anything!

Thanks for reading!

Nikki :(