Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. I've been sick and you know how that goes. Anyway, as if you can't tell already, this chapter is in Paul's point of view. Finally. I know. It was long overdue. Hopefully I did it justice.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Twilight and its characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 5: Confrontational Insanity
PPOV
As I stood there outside Bella's house pacing, I saw Jacob emerge from the woods surrounding the Swan residence. He was shaking and I could see the rage in his eyes. I felt the anger begin to build up inside of me and I knew this meeting wouldn't end well, but a line had been crossed. I walked past him and into the woods, lest we draw attention to ourselves. He stopped a few feet away from me with his fists clenched, ready for war.
"If you want her, you're going to have to go through me," he hissed ferociously.
Before I could respond, I found myself laughing hysterically. This boy is fucking crazy. She's my imprint. There is nothing that I wouldn't do to protect her. Her safety is my responsibility. I was knocked out of my thoughts when I felt something heavy and hard sweep across my face. I felt my lip begin to sting and I could taste the blood inside my mouth. I felt another heavy blow to my ribs and I could feel the pain radiating throughout my body. I started swinging at the blur that was now Jacob. I felt my fist connect with his jaw and I saw him fall to the ground, but he was up before I could even blink. I saw him coming towards me again and I hit him in the stomach as hard as I could. He staggered back and was gasping for breath. This crazy motherfucker. What is wrong with him? I didn't know what his next move was, but the overwhelming need to exert my dominance to prove my worth to Bella overcame me, and I was prepared to do whatever it took to prove just that. Jacob had obviously lost it and couldn't be trusted around anyone, especially my Bella.
Suddenly he froze in his tracks and I could see him looking at something over my shoulder. "This isn't over," he snarled. It sure as hell wasn't over; it was on hold. No more was said as he turned and disappeared into the woods. My face was already healing when I heard Bella's scared voice coming from behind me.
"Paul, what happened, what was Jacob doing here?" She asked timidly.
I told her to stay in the fucking room, fuck nothing was going right; I should have known she wouldn't listen. I had witnessed first hand just how stubborn she was. I'm going to have to break her of that habit. For her own safety if nothing else. I wasn't ready to lay all my cards on the table and explain everything just yet. This whole situation was fucked up. There's so much to explain and with everything going on I don't want to frighten her and overwhelm her with the problems we were now facing in the light of me imprinting on her.
"Nothing, just a difference of opinions. Lets just leave it at that." I said trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. "Bella, I should go, I think it's best that I leave." I could see her staring at me with fear in her eyes. She was standing there like a wounded animal looking for shelter.
"I'll fix that window up and be on my way." I said in a commanding tone, I didn't want to hear any of her inquisitive questions. There was no way of answering any of them without revealing what I had become, a werewolf. She's scared enough as it is right now. When the time is right she'll know everything. I reasoned with myself.
I grabbed her hand and slowly walked with her back to her house. Once inside, I ran up the stairs and headed towards Bella's room, to fix the mess that Jacob had left behind. I started searching for materials to patch up the window, I heard the door shut and assumed Bella would be on her way up. I knew she would be filled with questions that I couldn't answer. After a few minutes I didn't hear any footsteps on the stairs and breathed a sigh of relief. When I had seen Bella at the funeral, I don't know what had come over me. I felt my heart about to beat out of my chest; she was so beautiful and innocent, and everything pure and right in this world. I wanted to know her, to be everything she needed and more. I wanted to love her; hell I already do. I need to protect her, I just need her. I had heard of imprinting and experienced it through the mind of the pack, but I had never imagined it would be this intense.
I wouldn't change anything about what happened, but even I have to admit that we're facing an uphill battle. I can never abandon my Bella, but there's just so much shit to work though. A few hours ago I had a girlfriend who I loved, and now it's as if I was kidding myself. Shit, Bianca, how am I going to explain to her why we can no longer be together? Of course we could continue on as we are, but my heart belongs to another. It wouldn't be fair to her, and I wouldn't do that to Bella. This is the same shit Sam went through, but at least Bianca is a human girl who knows nothing of our world. I won't have to face her everyday, and read her mind through the pack of how much she despises me; much the same way Leah makes Sam suffer. Bianca may be a lot of things, beautiful and loyal, but I had to admit she was a bit shallow and hard to handle. There were days when she was less than sympathetic; take the funeral for instance, I could tell she would rather be doing her nails or combing her hair. She feigned a headache and went home to rest, and I assured her I'd check on her later. I glanced at my watch; fuck 2:30 am too late to go over there now. I would go over there first thing in the morning.
I found two old cardboard poster boards that looked like they were from grade school and some tape, they seemed like they would hold tell the morning and Charlie could fix it up properly. I taped the window up as best I could and headed downstairs.
I saw Bella lying on the couch and I was about to take her to her bed when she muttered to leave her there. I couldn't say I blamed her. I was acting cold towards her, but it wasn't on purpose. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt her. Her happiness was my happiness now. I needed to get out of here as fast as I could. I shut the door and headed to my car.
While driving home I replayed the events that had taken place. It seemed like some crazy nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. When I walked into Jacobs house and saw him attacking Bella the way he had, I had never felt so much rage as I did in the moment. I knew Jacob was struggling with everything that had happened, but he was clearly more troubled than anyone had realized. My actions were obviously appropriate for what was happening, but when Sam finds out I would have my ass handed to me. Jacob was second in command and no matter what situation I found myself in I had to respect that. As I pulled up to my house, I felt a sense of comfort in being home. I needed to clear my head and figure out what my next move was. I walked towards the door and even before I unlocked it I knew he was there waiting for me. I could smell him before I even opened the door. Great this should be fun, I though sarcastically.
I opened the door and saw Sam sitting there with a disappointed look on his face.
"Paul, what the hell is going on? Jacob is claiming you attacked Bella," He asked with a stern look that meant he wanted answers, and he wanted them yesterday.
Oh he has a lot of fucking nerve, that Jacob. It is impossible for me to physically harm Bella. As my mate, the imprint bond wouldn't allow me to ever harm her, which goes to prove Jacob is out of his ever-loving mind. Then again he doesn't know I imprinted on her.
"He what? Sam, come on you know me, does that sound like something I would do. If anyone was attacking Bella it was Jacob" I said angrily.
"I don't know how true that is, he told me he imprinted on her, he's sure of it. You know better than to come between another brothers imprint," he said.
I felt myself getting angry and I knew that Sam would not tolerate any uncontrolled anger. I sat down and in an effort to pull myself together.
"Sam, he's lying. He's lost it; I think the combination of Billy's death the heartache from when Bella left has clouded his judgment. He's grasping at straws, trying to hold on to some imaginary relationship with Bella. I know for a fact she does not feel the same," I said strongly.
"And how do you know this Paul, what proof can you give me that Jacob is lying about imprinting on Bella? What do you know that I don't? " He asked
Oh I don't know Sam, maybe because I imprinted on Bella, and it's impossible for another wolf to do the same? Of course I couldn't exactly voice that thought as much as I wanted to. I wasn't ready for Sam or anyone else to know. Not until I had ended things with Bianca and cleared the air with Jacob. If he found out now that I had imprinted on 'his Bella', there is no telling what lengths he will go to have her, and I can't chance that risk right now. Bella needs to be made aware of the situation we now both face. She needs to know the truth of what I am and what it means for her. Once she knows everything, then I can start planning.
The only way to keep my thoughts to myself would be to avoid phasing. I can't risk any of my pack brothers finding out. I learned from experience that you couldn't get away with hiding that shit in wolf form. Once you imprinted and phased, you might as well have a neon sign flashing 'IMPRINTED' right above your head, even that wouldn't be as obvious. I'm subjected to Jared and Sam's thoughts about Emily and Kim non-stop. We all are for that matter. Can't forget Quil and little Claire either, although that one is less nauseating since he doesn't think of her in that way yet. I shuddered remembering some of the things I had to witness from Sam's mind of he and Emily's private time. Through the pack mind it's unavoidable. You can't just not think about your imprint. They occupy your every thought. It was vital that I handled this in a way that would keep people from getting hurt. Jacob was already a loose canon, and this could very well break up the dynamic of the pack.
"I uhh--- I just know Sam. Bella is terrified of Jacob right now. He damn near sexually assaulted her in his house earlier, and probably would have if I hadn't arrived when I did." I said angrily.
I paused for a moment to find the right words without sounding combative towards Sam. "Look at how he's been behaving; I'm sure you've noticed how he's changed. How can we be sure of anything he says? His own sisters left right after the funeral just so they wouldn't have to deal with this new Jacob. Perhaps you should talk to Bella and get her side of things," I said coolly.
"Maybe you're right, but there is no way he could hide such a thing. Our connection allows little to no secrets. Until you can prove to me that he hasn't imprinted on Bella, I suggest you leave her alone. I'm going to give you this chance to respect my decision, but if you go near her again I'll have no choice but to command you." He said firmly.
I bit my tongue hard until I drew blood in an effort to keep from laughing. Seriously? Alpha command or not, it won't work. She's my imprint. That is the one command that will fall on deaf ears. Sam said it himself; you can't come between a brother and his imprint. Well, if Sam is forced to command it, they're all in for a rude awakening. Hopefully, for the time being I can avoid that from happening.
He got up and headed towards the door. I sat there in a dazed fog as I watched him leave. Things had just gone from bad to worse. Fuck, how am I supposed to stay away from my own damn imprint to avoid this fucking mess?
I was too tired and exhausted with the day's events to worry about it right now. I trudged my way to my room, stripped out of my clothes on the way and collapsed on my bed.
I awoke to loud incessant pounding on my front door. I glanced at the clock, 7 am. Who the hell was at the door at 7 in the morning? I hollered for whomever it was to hold on and pulled on some shorts and headed to the door.
I opened the door and was greeted with the angry scrawl on Bianca's face. Her arms were folded across her chest, and her stiletto-encased foot was tapping loudly on my porch, and annoying the fuck out of me. It was too early for this. Great, I hadn't been asleep long enough to be ready for her temper tantrum. I opened the door and motioned for her to come in. She made it a point to stomp her feet as she entered the living room.
"Where were you last night? You said you were coming by. I waited and waited for nothing. I called you a bunch of times and it went straight to voice mail. I finally got so tired I fell asleep around midnight all by lonesome," She said angrily. She added in a pout for good measure. Insert mental eye roll. She stood there staring at me while I took a moment to gather my thoughts.
I felt as though I should lie and spare her feelings, but her feelings weren't the ones that mattered to me anymore. However, there was no reason she needed to know about what happened between Bella and I, not yet at least. She and Jacob are friends, and if I made a hasty decision, Bianca will march her ass right on over to Jacobs and tell him everything. What choice did I have? I was resigned. It was best to lie, yet again.
"I was out Bianca, I was mourning the death of a friend. I just lost track of time and when I saw how late it was I figured it was too late to stop by." I said calmly
"Well, why didn't you answer your phone or send me a text? It's not that hard Paul, and why did I receive a cryptic text from Jacob asking if I knew where my boyfriend was? Is there something you're not telling me?" She asked
I groaned. Just fucking great. Fucking Jacob and his big mouth. That boy has a death wish. First he attacks my Bella, then he ruins. . . What the fuck did he ruin? My make out session with Bella. However inappropriate it was at the time, my dick is still not happy about his interruption. Then he has the nerve to threaten me, and run to Sam spewing lies. I shook my headat the absurdity of it all.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from Jacob. He's fucking crazy, and you don't need to get sucked into his bullshit." I warned her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked.
Fucking Christ. Has she always been this annoying?
"Look, I can't explain everything right now, but heed my warning. Jacob is not to be trusted. I'm not saying this to scare you, but I can't stress this enough. This is for your own good. Avoid him and don't let his problems become yours." I stressed the words carefully to her. I was exasperated with this conversation already.
"But--"
"No, just go home and I'll come over later and we can talk. It's too fucking early for this. My brain isn't functioning and. . . Just not now."
"Fine, but I'm not happy about this Paul, you will explain yourself to me." She snapped before storming her way out of my house and slamming the door in the process.
I'll deal with her later; right now I can't summon the energy. Between her and Jacob my nerves were shot. I made my way back to my room where I proceeded to lay down, lost in my thoughts. This was one fucked up mess. Now Jacob is involving my soon to be ex-girlfriend in his agenda. Not to mention his repeated attempts to come between Bella and I, when we haven't even had the chance to establish a real relationship. I wont stand for his interference. Sam may cater to Jacobs wishes, but not me. I refuse to back down. Bella is mine. I'll deal with Black later, for now I'm contempt with the fact that he can never have a relationship with her while I'm alive. At least not a romantic one. The imprint bond between Bella and I wont allow him the luxury. Bella will feel that connection to me just as strongly as I feel it for her. Black is just too fucked up in the head right now to see what's right in front of his eyes, but when the time is right, I will be one smug bastard when I prove to him that Bella was lost to him the day she stepped foot on that beach and locked eyes with me.
Author's Note: I hope this cleared up any confusion as to who really imprinted on Bella. Oh how I love crazy Jacob. Ha-ha. As always, reviews are more than welcome. Until next time.
