AN: I'm so sorry for the delay.

Thank you so much for your reviews, they mean the world.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything,

PPOV:

…

I shivered a little as I watched Jacob carry Bella down the path back to Sam's. I didn't like the way he was holding her but I knew there was nothing I could do about it.

I could hear Quil mumbling quietly behind me, I couldn't make out what he was saying but from the few words I could decipher I decided I probably didn't want to know.

The closer we got to Sam's the more tense I became. I knew that Sam couldn't actually ban me from seeing Bella, the imprint bond was stronger than the alpha command, but he could sure as hell restrict the time I spent with her by increasing my patrols which I knew without a doubt he would. I was literally a dead man. I knew Sam was going to rip into me for what I had done and I had absolutely no fight left within me to stop him. Today had been exhausting and if I was this tired I could only imagine what Bella was feeling.

Jacob was still murmuring gently to her as he picked up his pace. I knew I had about five seconds until we reached Sam's back yard. Leah appeared at the opening between the trees. She held her arms out to Jacob as he placed Bella into them. Her head snapped up to face me and the glare I received was murderous, I guessed then that any comradeship between us was lost.

"Oh God, Leah. What've I done?" The sound of Bella's broken whisper made my heart ache.

"You've done nothing Bella, I promise you, you did nothing wrong, it was all Paul, I'm so sorry you're stuck with him, he's a real nasty piece of work."

"Anyone would be if they were lumbered with me for the rest of their life." My heart ripped a little at Bella's words. Jacob wasn't exaggerating about her self-confidence issues.

"Isabella!" Leah growled gently. "Paul should consider himself the luckiest man alive to have you, hell I'd trade places with him if I could."

Bella giggled a little at Leah's statement and my knees went a little weak, I wanted to hear that sound for the rest of my life. A longing sigh escaped my lips involuntarily and Leah's eyes shot to me. Her expression turned foul.

"He doesn't know what he's missing Bella. You're way too good for him anyway. He doesn't deserve you." Again with the being unworthy of this girl. The pack didn't know how deeply their words cut me.

"Leah" Bella sighed. "I can understand, it must be difficult having your entire life changing in one second. Paul doesn't have a choice anymore, I know I'm the last person he'd ever have chosen." I couldn't believe after all this my girl was sticking up with me.

I growled as I realised what I had just thought. My girl. Bella wasn't mine, I didn't want her. My heart lurched at the thought and I heard Bella whimper at the same time a sharp pain shot through my chest.

Her beautiful brown eyes met mine and I could see they were filled with tears. "It's okay Paul, I understand, I'll keep my distance."

I was stunned, how could she understand did she not want me. Desperation filled me as I realised that maybe I wasn't the only one that didn't want this. Maybe I couldn't deny the bond completely but she could. I gasped as I realised that even though I couldn't she could spend the rest of her life in the arms of another man. Granted she wouldn't be completely happy but she could still get by.

I felt like I was drowning, my breathing was coming out in pants as I fought to remember how to breathe through my panic. This wasn't fair. I didn't ask for this and yet fate thought it could play this game with me. Hadn't I suffered enough already?

An angry howl sounded through the forest and it took me a few second to realise that it was me and that in my panic I had phased. My ears pricked as I heard the thudding of paws nearby. Dread filled me as I realised it was Sam.

What the hell were you thinking Paul? You twisted prick. That was the last thing Bella needed, she's been destroyed once and made a comeback and now you've ruined everything. If I could ban you from ever seeing her again I would.

My body shuddered at the thought as my brain screamed out for my imprint, I had to get to her before Sam cut me off. I sank forward ready to sprint.

Don't you dare boy! I'm not going to do that I know it would kill you and though I want to I think you're going to put yourself through more pain than I ever could. You cannot deny the imprint Paul. One way or another you need to be there for her, be it her best friend or a brother figure, you'll go insane without her.

I whimpered I didn't want to be Bella's brother and I certainly didn't want to be her brother, I wanted her to be my girl, I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. I wanted to share my home and my bed with her.

Thoughts were whirring through my brain, I didn't think like this, I had a reputation for a reason and yet her I was pining after a girl who was still in love with a leech.

Is that why you denied the imprint Paul? Sam scoffed in my mind. Maybe if you took the time to actually get to know the girl you'd realise that she doesn't love the leech anymore. She's moved on, nobody who truly loves a person can just up and leave their other half. The guy may be old but he acts like a child, she was way to good for him, just like she is for you.

I hung my head a little as I realised the truth in Sam's words. Maybe if I did just try and get to know her just a little…

I stopped I was going to fight this. I didn't want to be tied down for the rest of my life. I was going to do with Bella the thing that I do best, push her away.

Enough. The command rang through my head and my legs gave out from the weight of it. You will not deny the imprint Paul I forbid it. How could you? Who do you think you are attempting to change tribal traditions. You don't have that right Paul and I certainly won't give it to you. The pack was right you know, Bella doesn't deserve this, She's such a beautiful girl and fate must have a sick way of dealing with things if it's going to land her with the likes of you. I feel sorry for her Paul.

Do you know how to love someone Paul? Is that what you're scared of. Sam's tone was scarily calm. Man the hell up. You need her. Can you imagine it Paul. Picture her in Jacob's arms. He's kissing her and She's just agreed to marry him. They're going to be happy together. They'll have to kids and the whole pack will attend the wedding except you because you were to stubborn to get the girl that God forbid is perfect for you.

My blood began to boil as I envisioned what Sam was describing. I wouldn't allow this. Bella was mine, no other man was going to have her. I watched as Jacob's lips brushed across hers in my mind and I snarled long and low. It wasn't right, my wolf was screaming. She didn't belong to him, she was ours and nothing was going to get in the way of that.

Before Sam could continue this mental torture the sickly sweet smell of bleach filled my nostrils. Vampire. I shot of in the direction of the fresh scent. Knowing it was the red head after my mate. I could hear Sam howl alerting the pack and the thunder of many paws joined mine as we raced through the undergrowth. I was leading the chase. None of the others were fuelled by the rage at their mates being the red head's target. I was going to kill her.

.

.

.

I couldn't tell how long we ran for, the rhythmic pounding of paws hitting the ground only helped to fuel my rage. The scenery was getting familiar. It all clicked in my head just too late. We were falling for the same trick we always did. She'd looped us round and headed for the cliffs knowing all to well we wouldn't follow her into the ocean.

I broke the cover of the trees just in time to see her dive of the end. I didn't bother waiting for her to hit the water. Digging my back legs into the floor I used the momentum to spin round and propel myself forwards towards Bella. Snarls rang out behind me as the pack watching the leech swim off out to sea.

Next time boys she's ours. Jacob's voice rang through my mind. He too was worried about Bella. No one had given an explanation, they had all just phased and ran leaving Bella with Kim and Emily.

Fuck this. The air rustled as Leah shot past me. She was always the fastest and her thought focused on getting back to Sam's.

My run slowed to a jog as I realised Bella was going to be safe with Leah. It felt like the whole world was going to come crashing down onto my shoulders at any minute. I was desperate to see Bella so much that my heart hurt and yet I was reluctant, I knew that it would take no time at all for my heart to be hers. Who was I kidding she already had me if she wanted it.

Phase Back.

The pack phased. Pulling out cut-offs from the box Sam kept just inside the tree line. I had to admit it was a pretty good idea, seeing how often we needed them.

Nerves flitted in my stomach as my body sensed that Bella was near. My legs moved on their own accord towards her, my eyes desperate to catch sight of her.

I trudged behind Jacob, Quil and Embry who all also couldn't wait to see "their" Bella.

As we entered the yard, Bella's head snapped towards us and she exhaled in relief, doing a silent head count to check we had all made it back safe. My heart clenched as I realised that her eyes lingered on me a little longer than anyone else.

Sam headed straight for Emily and Jared straight for Kim.

Colin and Brady already had Bella squeezed between them. It didn't take Seth long to join them.

Eventually Bella let out a small huff, and pushed the guys off of her, obviously they went willingly otherwise she would have made no progress.

Making her way over to where Jacob was stood, my angel assessed him for a couple of seconds before throwing her arms around his neck and inhaling deeply. Her shoulders slumped as Jacob's arms encircled her waist, eliciting a possessive growl from me, which they both blatantly ignored.

Quil and Embry received the same treatment both of them silently pleased with the fact that they too were receiving attention from Bella.

As Embry released her placing a soft kiss on her forehead, her eyes met mine. The world fell away as I lost myself in her eyes, they were so full of emotion it almost brought me to my knees.

Tentatively she stepped towards me she looked almost frightened, like she was going to change her mind and run at any minute. She must have steeled her nerve because in the next second her arms found their way round my neck as haer perfect body collided with mine.

On instinct as if they were created to do so, my arms circled her waist and locked themselves in place. Keeping Bella pressed firmly against my bare chest, it was almost as if she was made to be there.

She tucked her face into the corner of my neck and the feeling that spread through me was one of such intensity that I shuddered. Placing my cheek on the top of her head I inhaled. I had never smelled anything more beautiful, my Bella smelled of strawberries, summer and all woman.

A feeling of calm spread through me and I realised I had never felt so centred in my life, for the first time I finally felt like I was home.

A snarl brought us out of the moment that I could have happily stayed in forever. I forced my arms to the sides and stepped back, my mind whimpered at the loss.

My face twisted in rage as I looked up at Leah who too looked murderous.

My eyes snapped back to Bella. "Are you happy now?"

I could have laughed at the expression on her face. She looked so confused. Doubt crept into my mind, I wondered if she really cared about me or whether she just didn't want me to feel left out. No one else cared, I saw no reason as to why she should. I snarled this wasn't right. Nobody had wanted me before, why would they now? I was angry at Bella for making me feel this secure though I knew rationally I should be thanking her.

I steeled my gaze and I knew that I was going to regret the next words out of my mouth, but that didn't stop me from saying them.

"Stay away from me!"

AN: Thanks, I'm so sorry for the delay.

Please review, they make me smile

Much love

x