Chapter 6: connections

Embry call wasn't a complainer. He just took life's punches as it went. However, right now he wanted to punch someone in the face.

And that someone was his alpha.

"Stand down embry," Sam growled.

"No, Sam! I won't! This isn't right! I came to you because I thought I could trust you. I thought you would understand!"

"You know I can't allow it. I won't allow you to tell her. we all agreed that this is for Bella's protection!"

"Ahhh! Sam, do you not know Bella at all? This will only make things worse!" Leah growled beside him.

"My answer is no, and that is final. I am alpha ordering you both not to say anything to her!"

Embry felt the weight of the order bear down on his shoulders.

Resentment filled him as he looked at Sam.

"All blame will fall on me, Embry. She'll only be mad at me. I'll be the one to carry that burden."

"But why carry the weight at all Sam!" Leah asked angrily as the alpha order bore down on her as well.

"Go home. Both of you."

Embry held his tongue as he and Leah walked away from Sam's house and down to second beach. Second beach was his favorite because it was a bit more private.

As soon as his feet touched the sand, Leah was all over him. Hands going places and hot lips grazing his neck.

Embry groaned.

"Baaaabbbe!"

Leah laughed and pushed away from him.

Embry sneered at her. She loved getting him all riled up and then leaving him high and dry.

He was just about to tackle her when Embry's phone rang.

He scrambled to get it as the particular ringtone came on.

"Cause baby you're a firework! Come on let your colors burst!"

"Bells!" he greeted as he held Leah back from getting the phone.

She growled at him as he held the phone in the air.

"Hang on Bells! Im gonna put you on speaker, Leah's getting in the way!" Embry laughed.

"I am not!" Leah whined. "Come on Em, I want to talk to my sister!"

"No way we are speaking to her on speaker."

With that said, he hit the speaker button.

"Hey, guys!" Bella laughed. "how's my favorite couple?"

Leah blushed as Embry pulled her close.

"Were doing pretty good B, how's your vacation? When are you coming home?" Embry asked.

Bella's irritation was heard through the phone.

"Guys I am tired of everyone asking me. You'll know when im coming home, now less about me and more about my favorite couple. How are you guys doing?" Bella asked.

"Were doing good sis! We're sneaking out for a date tonight." Leah told her as she looked lovingly at embry.

"Oooh sounds fun! Im excited for you guys. Take care of each other!"

"We will. How are you? any hot dates!" Embry joked.

"I don't know, I like these Norwegian guys. I might just have to stay."

Embry growled, not finding Bella's joke funny.

"Oh relax. anyway, I have to go. I was just calling to check in. love you guys."

And with that said Bella hung up.

Embry sighed. He missed his pack sister, and the ache was even worse with the new information they just received.

"Babe…what are we going to do when Bella comes home? She's going to panic and be upset and im afraid she will do something dangerous when she finds out. we should have told her!"

"I don't know Embry. I want to tell her too. I think she should know but…Sam's stubbornness is getting in the way. He just wants to protect Bella while we still have her around."

Embry sneered.

"You talk as if she's dying!"

"She might as well be! As soon as she graduates, she's going to change into a leech. All because of her undying love for Edwin. It's disgusting…but it's what she wants. Who are we to stop her?" Leah argued.

"We are her family! That's who! And she's just throwing her life away! For what?"

"Come on Embry…. not tonight. Let's just go enjoy our date."

Embry sighed.

"Fine. Your right."

…..

Bella shook her head and chuckled at Embry and Leah as she packed her suitcase.

Her heart swelled with love as she thought about her pack brother. After his mom died, he was really depressed. Bella helped him through it, but it was Leah who made the most impact on Embry's life.

Since she could understand how Embry felt, losing her own father, the two bonded over their grief.

However, the duo wanted to keep their relationship as quiet as possible. Embry didn't want to step on Sam's toes and didn't want to cause any more drama in the pack than there already was. This was a big thing for Leah. After losing Sam to Emily, Leah thought she would never fall in love again, and yet Embry fell right at her feet. It was new and scary, but Leah took the chance.

It still bothered her how easily Sam left Leah for Emily. The woman was sweet as pie, but Bella just didn't understand how Emily could be ok with being engaged to her cousin's former fiancée. The whole thing was weird. But Leah would always tell her it was out of their control. Bella still didn't understand what Leah meant but she wouldn't dwell on it. she had her own man to see.

The very thought of her sister's courage made Bella want to take a chance. After her kiss with Paul, she stayed a few more hours with him but decided to go back to her cabin. She needed some time alone to think. Paul freely let her go, he even gave her his car keys! And when she asked him what he would do for a ride, he said he had another car on standby.

So, Bella took his keys and made a run for it. she locked herself in her cabin for two days, but now it was time to stop hiding.

Paul was so different from Edward. Just from the short time she'd known him he communicated with her, gave her space, and let her say whatever was on her mind. But he was also mature, he didn't throw a fit when she told him something he didn't like.

However, she had a dilemma. How in the world was she going to contact Paul? She didn't have his phone number and she didn't know anyone that knew him.

With a sigh, Bella rummaged through her bags when she stumbled upon the red dress Paul bought for her.

As she was taking it out, something white fell out of the bag. Picking it up. Bella began to laugh.

On a small white card was Paul s phone number! And written on the back in small cursive were the words "call me."

Bella laughed again and dialed the number. After a few rings, he answered.

"Lahote."

"Paul you sneaky devil! I had your number this whole time!" she gushed.

Paul's voice washed over her as he let out a deep laugh. It was comforting and she felt relaxed.

"We were wondering why you hadn't called us yet. But then we realized you probably hadn't looked in your shopping bags. How are you?"

"Im doing good! How's joseph? I miss him." She told him as she thought of the tiny little boy with contagious laughter.

"You could come here and find out." Paul hinted to her.

"…um… that's why I wanted to call you I thought about what you asked me," she said shyly.

"Mmmm and what is your answer?"

"My answer is yes. but I was wondering if I could come and visit you guys…like…in a few hours?" she explained.

"We would love that. Will you be staying with us or going back to your cabin?"

"Well…I don't want to be in your way so – "

"We want you to stay." Paul interrupted.

Bella swallowed hard. "Are you sure?"

Doubt was filling her mind. She didn't want to be in his way. What if she offended –

"Stop over thinking. We want you, just you." he clarified.

"Alright, let me finish packing my things, and send me your address."

"Why were you packing?" Paul asked, she could hear him smiling on the phone. "Were you planning on showing up on my doorstep and staying with me anyway? Oh, that's a bold move Hermosa. we like bold."

Bella blushed and before Paul could tease her anymore, she stopped him.

"Whatever, send me your address I'll be there soon."

Excitement swept through Bella as she followed the curves and turns of the mountain. So far, she has driven through three little but very populated towns. Many people send her friendly waves and smiles. It was refreshing.

After an hour's drive, she pulled up to a black gate that was surrounded by spruce trees. There was an intercom she was going to press but before she could the gates swung open.

Driving through, she turned into a long driveway and was greeted by the sight of a three-level cabin. But it wasn't just any regular log cabin.

It was a triangle! A huge triangle!

She didn't even have time to turn the truck off before her door was opened and Paul stood before her.

He wore a green turtleneck and grey checkered pants. The sweater did nothing to hide Paul's bulging muscles.

Bella, however, began to chuckle as she looked at Paul and then back at herself.

"What is so funny Hermosa?" Paul asked in his thick accent. She loved it when he spoke Spanish, it felt so much more natural then when he was speaking English.

She would have to ask which language he learned first.

"We are matching." She gestured.

Paul looked her up and down and began to laugh. Bella was wearing a green turtleneck and a long wool grey skirt. She had been feeling skirts recently and had no clue why. She had always been a jeans and T-shirt girl. But since the beginning of this trip, she'd been wanting to feel a bit more feminine.

Not for anyone but herself.

"Wow? Talk about coincidence. And as pleased are we are to look at you, would you like to come inside and get out of the cold?"

Paul helped her carry her bags and guided her to the front door of the cabin.

"I love the triangle shape." She commented as they stood on the small porch.

"It was joseph's idea." He told her as he unlocked the door and guided her into the warmth.

"Really?" she questioned as she took in the foyer.

"Yes, you can leave your bags by the door. We'll get them for you later. Are you hungry? Thirsty? We can make you something warm to drink."

"Something warm to drink would be nice."

"We have coffee, tea, and hot chocolate."

"Tea would be nice."

"Caffeinated or herbal?"

"Surprise me." Bella shrugged.

"Alright, you can sit in here. Well, be back." Paul told her as he gestured for her to sit on a very comfortable-looking leather couch.

The cabin was filled with earth tones. Browns, tans, and greens. There was a fireplace right in front of her and felt so good. On the fireplace mantel were dozens of pictures.

Bella stood to get a closer look.

Plenty of them were of Paul and joseph. But others were pictures of a younger Paul and a woman with bright green eyes and black hair.

This must be his mother, she thought. Paul looked exactly like her.

And there were a few more pictures with Paul and a woman with gray hair. Both of them smiled brightly.

Bella giggled when she found a picture of Paul with braces. The last picture on the mantel was of Paul and three other people. Two men and one woman. The picture actually looked fairly recent.

"Those are my cousins. My abuela only had one kid but her siblings had kids. I grew up with them. They are the closest people I have to siblings, other than the children Joshua Uley fathered."

Bella looked at Paul with wide eyes. was he saying he knew Joshua had other kids?

Paul shook his head as he handed her a mug of tea.

"We know Joshua sired other wolves. We don't know who they are, but we know we are not his only seed. however, I the man. Im just not ready and now that we have found you. We just want to live our life. We know what the expectations are of a pack, and we don't want the responsibility. Not yet anyway. We enjoy our freedom." He shrugged.

Bella nodded in understanding.

"I can understand that. The pack…back home…they have to carry this burden, a burden that could have been prevented honestly. If they had been more prepared…"

Bella shook her head. There was no point in dwelling on what should have been.

"tell us about yourself, Isabel, what do you enjoy?" Paul asked her as they sat down on the couch.

Bella kicked off her shoes and curled her legs under her, enjoying the warmth from the tea he had made her, and from the fire.

She was surely comfortable. Thinking back on it, she was never really comfortable anywhere she went. It seemed she was always looking over her shoulders or trying to make sure didn't offend anyone.

It was hard sometimes. She was never this comfortable at Cullen's. She never took her shoes off and curled up on the couch.

It was white of course and prone to spills, so she never had a cup of hot tea and just relaxed.

How could she? The Cullens were always so stiff, and the pack was so rowdy. There was never any ounce of pure peace! they just-

"Mi Corazón, Vuelve a mi," Paul said as he stroked her face.

Immediately Bella came out of her memories.

"Sorry, I was just a little stuck. What did you say in Spanish."

Paul gave her a small smile. "I said my heart, come back to me."

Bella blushed "flirt." she teased.

"Now, before we talk about me, we need to talk about how joseph chose the triangle house."

Paul laughed and scooted a little closer to her. Bella felt herself tingle at their close proximity.

"Well, when Joseph finally started learning to talk, he became obsessed with triangles. It was what we call his comfort shape. Everything had to be a triangle. Pillows, toys, and food. But one day we were on the internet, and we thought joseph was sleeping but ten minutes later, we feel a presence looming over us. it was joseph and he was staring intently at the houses we were looking at. Well, I scrolled past a triangle house and of course, Joseph gets excited and starts shouting Triangle! Triangle! So, I just went ahead and bought it. now, every house we have is a triangle. Can you guess what his favorite food is?"

Bella snorted.

"Hmm let me guess…pizza."

Paul laughed.

"Now that we have solved the mystery of the triangle, please tell us about yourself. What do you love? What do you hate?"

And for two hours, Bella and Paul talked. It wasn't too deep or too serious, they just talked about everything and nothing.

And to her surprise, they were polar opposites in some of their interest.

Bella loved to read; Paul rather be read to.

Bella loved English, Paul liked math and it continued on.

But a few things they had in common? They preferred quiet over noise. They both loved sushi, hiking, and horror movies were a must.

And then they sat in silence for a while just enjoying each other's company.

"This is nice…" Bella admitted.

Her head was laying on Paul's shoulder, while his hand rested gently on her thigh.

"Indeed, it is. Can we ask you a question?"

"You just did." Bella pointed out.

Paul rolled his eyes and continued.

"What makes you want to become a cold one?"

It was a question Bella had been asked by the pack and her family a thousand times however, it was the way Paul asked her the question that really made her think.

He wasn't asking out of anger or trying to change her mind but juts a genuine curiosity.

And with that in mind, Bella told him the truth the lie she told everyone else around her.

"Well, when I first met the Cullen family, I really wanted to become a cold one. now mind you I was only sixteen, so I had no clue of the sacrifice I would be making. I just saw that the Cullen's never had to eat, never had to sleep, they look like supermodels and could be with each other forever. That's what my teenage mind told me. but then, when they left me I truly saw the dark side of what I thought I wanted. I would never sleep, never eat, never get to see my family. I would never get to see the sun without looking like a disco ball. I would have to change towns every few years and …moat of all I just wouldn't be alive. No kids, no beating heart. Taking the life force of others for my own dark desires. It was all bad."

Bella stopped for a minute while she wiped away a few tears. The thought of everything she was gonna have to give up in a year was fully weighting on her.

Paul didn't say a word, as she processed her thoughts.

"But now…at the ripe age of eighteen, when I finally understand the sacrifices that come with dying, now I don't have a choice. A few months after the Cullen family came back, I received a letter from the Volturi. They're like the cold ones' kings, they set the laws. They send me this letter, that informed me that I was breaking the law, that the Cullens were breaking the law. I was to either be changed or die. They even sent one of their people to make an example of me. he roughed me up a bit and then brought me to the Cullen's front door. Threatening them to change me or I would be killed and so would they. I course I immediately said yes, I mean who wouldn't after that ordeal? And that's where I'm at. By the end of next year, I'll be changed. You probably want me to leave right?"

Bella asked him, ready for his rejection.

However, instead of snarling and ready to yell at her. Paul began to laugh.

She was taken aback. What about this did he find funny?

"This isn't funny. This is my life at stake here Paul." Bella told him angrily.

However, Paul just laughed harder, clapping his hands as he laughed.

"Paul!" Bella exclaimed as she stood up. She was going to leave. This wasn't right, who did he think he was laughing at her pain? She thought he was different.

"don't go, Hermosa Chica. Please, Isabel, we have a good reason for laughing. We will explain." Paul told her as he reached for her hand.

Bella pulled back and crossed her arms.

"Well…. explain, cause I find nothing funny."

Paul smirked as he looked at her.

"Oh, trust me, Isabel, you will be in shock when you hear this. Come let's go into the kitchen, so we can explain more."

Bella reluctantly followed Paul into the kitchen where he guided her to sit down at the bar table.

Once she was seated Paul began to pull out ingredients, his hands scratching through his beard as he stopped to wash his hands.

Did she mention the man had a beard and she found it oddly sexy? There was obviously a six-year age gap between but Paul's neatly trimmed beard and long hair made him look wise beyond his years.

"my second year of Andres having control of my body was hell. We couldn't distinguish between each other. -"

"Wait, im sorry I don't mean to interrupt but Andres is the name of your wolf? You keep mentioning him."

Paul gave her a patient smile as he pulled out some vegetables. He then waved her over and handed her a knife.

"Chop." He said simply.

Bella chopped carefully as he continued. "Yes, Andres is the name of my wolf. Now, during year two all we did was run, sleep and fight. We barely ate and when we did, it was raw deer or rabbit. One night I was hunting a nomad cold one. He had viciously raped and tortured one of his own. She was a woman. Hearing her screams scared us. no matter what we thought of them, no one deserved to be treated like that. When we came upon her, she asked me to kill her. we did without hesitation. But we needed more. We needed the head of the demon that caused such chaos. We hunted him down and when we did, we discovered we were not the only ones tracking him. A group of three red eye cold ones was following him as well. However, we found him first and we made him suffer. It turns out we had a very interesting audience."

Paul stopped to take the cut vegetables and switched them out with a lump of meat she wasn't familiar with.

"Cut this please." He said and then continued on with his story. "Anyway, as we killed him these cold ones watched in shock. And it was then we were ambushed. These cold ones tried to sneak up on us and tried to knock us out. of course, we could have fought, but we also knew we were outnumbered. Therefore, we allowed ourselves to be captured. Besides our curiosity getting the best of us, we wanted to know whose these red eyes were. They were dressed differently from other nomads. They seemed well-groomed and tame to put it that way. The nomads we have come across all seem a bit wild. They don't care about what they look like and or where they are. They just hunt and move one. So, we allowed these strange creatures to take us. The next thing we knew we were in a throne room. and sitting on the throne were three kings."