Telling the Truth

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-Once again I apologise for taking so long to post this chapter. I would like to thank all the kind readers who left reviews on the last chapter, your awesome feedback has kept me motivated to continue this story!

Nikki

Part Eight

Bella lay against Paul's side as he breathed in and out. She sank her hands in his fur and kept her face averted from Edward's. She felt a cool sticky substance on one of her hands and when she looked she realised it was blood. Her body began to tremble as the full import of what had just happened hit her. Edward had injured Paul. She could not seem to tear her eyes away from the deep red liquid staining her hands.

"Bella love we need to leave now. I cannot ensure your safety with these dogs surrounding us...please come with me. I promise I am not angry with you...whatever this creature has done we can overcome it. I promise I will keep you safe..." Edward's smooth voice cut through Bella like a knife.

Sam and Leah growled menacingly as they heard the leech speak, they gave each other one glance and got ready to attack, but Bella's next move surprised them all. She rose to her feet and walked slowly over to Edward. She was rubbing her hands down the sides of her jeans, trying to wipe away Paul's blood. Paul whined when he saw her head back toward the leech. He had been ecstatic when she had run straight to him instead of Cullen but it now seemed she was turning her back on him. The burning pain of his injury was nothing compared to the pain piercing his heart at her apparent rejection of him.

Bella gazed steadily at Edward as she finally reached him, his arms opened as if to embrace her but she managed to avoid his hold. A hurt expression crossed his pale features and Bella nearly lost her resolve as she took deep breaths. She needed to say her piece quickly before Edward consumed her as he always did in the end.

"I want you to leave now Edward...you hurt Paul. I can't believe you actually hurt Paul..."

"Bella I had to defend myself you must see that. The dog kidnapped you and tried to..."

"See my hands Edward they are stained with blood. Paul's is not the first blood that you have drawn. I am sick of it all and most of all I am sick of you and your lies. I curse the day I ever met you, my life has been one long nightmare ever since and I have lived in a constant state of fear. You warned me once that you were a demon and now I see that you are right. You suck the life out of anyone that comes into contact with you...you call me your singer, but you are my version of hell. I want you out of my life and Fork's...do you hear me. I want you gone." Bella finished speaking, all her energy was spent and she began to fall but a pair of strong arms caught her. Paul's quick healing had kicked in and after a moment he felt well enough to phase back. Bella had been so caught up in her confrontation with Edward she had not heard him.

Leah and Sam stood on either side of them, keeping guard in case Cullen made any sudden moves. However it seemed that Bella's speech had sent him reeling. His golden eyes were riveted on Bella, a pained expression apparent on his pasty skin. His eyes travelled down to Paul's arms which were wrapped securely around her and the fact that she was gripping on to him just as tightly.

"Bella I don't understand my love I..."

"Are you deaf leech? Bella told you to leave." Paul yelled back at him his anger overriding his elation at Bella's surprising actions.

Edward's eyes narrowed as they zeroed in on Paul. Bella recognised the look on his face, he was reading Paul's mind and she knew exactly what Paul was probably now picturing by the smug smile he was wearing.

"You kissed him?" Edward's tone was incredulous as he returned his penetrating gaze back onto Bella.

"Yeah and she enjoyed being kissed by a real man and not by an undead imitation of one." Paul stated succinctly. He saw the fire burning behind the leech's golden eyes and he had the urge to rip Cullen's head from his shoulders. However he needed to be smart about things. Bella was incredibly fragile still, even though she had taken a major step forward by dismissing the freak from her life.

Sam exchanged another glance with Leah. He nodded at her subtly and then ran into the surrounding trees. Within seconds he was back in his human form. He strode purposefully toward Edward and glared at him fiercely.

"You heard Bella, she has made herself perfectly clear. I suggest you leave now." Sam crossed his arms and glared over at the bronze haired leech.

Edward straightened up and locked stares with Sam and then Paul. "This is not over. I have no idea what you have done to Bella but I will not stand for it...this is my warning. Bella love I will return for you..."

Bella swallowed nervously as she felt Paul's hold on her tighten. She blinked rapidly as Edward's outline became a blur as he disappeared rapidly. Everyone relaxed as soon as Cullen vanished. For the moment what could have been a major crisis had been averted.

"Paul, Bella...I think we should have a talk. I have no idea what has been happening between you both but I have Jake to consider as well as the unity of the pack..." Sam began to say before he was interrupted by Paul's sarcastic laughter.

"Unity of the pack...come on almighty Alpha, we all know what has been going on with you and Leah. Are you going to come clean with your so called imprint before you start lecturing either me or Bella about Jacob bloody Black...?" Paul sneered.

Sam glared over at Paul fiercely. "You never stop Lahote do you? You always have to push everyone's buttons until they snap and want to tear you apart. I feel sorry for you Bella Swan you have exchanged one monster for another..."

Bella felt Paul's breathing get heavier as Sam's words echoed in the air. Some form of instinct told her that Paul was about to phase, she glanced over at Leah and saw the slim grey wolf's outline blur as she phased back into her human form and quickly yanked a tank top over her head, followed by a pair of shorts. Leah ran in front of Sam, blocking his view of Paul.

"Don't let him get to you please Sam...You need to keep your cool. You know how Paul is...please for me?" Leah's voice seemed to calm Sam down. His arms immediately engulfed her in a hug.

Bella watched their interactions carefully and she decided to try the same tactics with Paul. She turned in his embrace and gripped his face between her cool hands, forcing him to look at her. "Paul...Leah is right. Calm down, getting angry is not going to solve anything."

Paul felt caught up in Bella's gaze. Her cool touch on his heated skin sent shockwaves through his being. Without warning he clutched her tightly to his body and kissed her fiercely. She resisted briefly before giving in to his persistent lips. Her arms circled his neck and she clung to him, once again letting him take the lead. His warmth overwhelmed her and they both seemed oblivious to Sam and Leah.

Sam gazed over at Paul and Bella. He felt utterly defeated, everything in his life was spiralling out of control. He knew that once Jacob found out about Paul and Bella that there would be chaos. His head whirled with all of his responsibilities. An image of Emily invaded his mind but it was washed away when Leah touched his cheek.

"Sam...We need to get Bella back to La Push. That Cullen leech could be on his way back right now with reinforcements or something. I know that things are confusing between us at the moment...but I promise I will not push you anymore..." Leah's voice trailed off as she waited for Sam's reaction.

"I don't what is happening Lee Lee..." Sam admitted, wiping a hand over his face,

"I know that...I am tired too. Let's get this girl back to la Push Sam. We can sort ourselves out another day." Leah gave Sam a weak smile.

Sam gently pulled Leah into his arms, she fit against him perfectly. He knew deep down that it was his intense guilt over Emily's scar's that was tying him to her. The supernatural pull of the imprint had begun to fade after Leah phased. Sam did not know why but he was glad of it. He felt more like himself then he ever had.

Paul eventually released his hold on Bella, he smirked in satisfaction as he saw her flushed face. She had enjoyed his kisses, he could tell. The light of desire was strong in her eyes. His day had started out rotten but right now he felt on top of the world. He heard movement beside him and turned his attention back to his Alpha. Sam glared over at him fiercely.

"I am going to allow you one day Paul to get your act together. After that Bella needs to tell Jacob the truth about how she feels. We have enough to sort out now that her leech knows. I mean it...one day only."

Paul nodded his head in acquiescence. He knew that Sam was right. It was not only Edward that Paul had to consider but his own pack mate as well. Jacob's love for Bella was renowned. He saw Bella's face fall as the repercussions of her actions finally sank in. Why were there so many obstacles in their path? His head ached as all the stresses of the day impacted on him. He glanced over at Sam and saw that he was wearing the exact same expression.

Time was against both of them but Sam had allowed him twenty four hours alone with Bella and Paul vowed he was going to make damn sure that she knew exactly how he felt...

A/N-Thanks for reading!