Author's notes: this is when it gets started! I have read quite a few Paul/Bella fanfics and I don't want mine to be the same as the rest, I want it to stand out. So hang with me and enjoy.

Disclaimer: If I wrote twilight, then Paul would have imprinted on Bella.

Chapter two: You're good with weird.

In hindsight, slapping a big, buff, hot guy, with anger issues wasn't the best idea. But he laughed at me and I was… angry to say the least! I felt my hand connect with his face and immediately regretted it. From what I knew of Paul, from Jake and the guys, he has always been a hot head.

"Too late now" Jared says with a laugh.

I see Embry tense as Paul started to convulse.

I hear Jake yell for me to run.

But I can't.

Paul becomes a large, like horse sized, silver wolf. Instead of lunging at me and ripping my head off, like I am sure he wanted too, he just stared at me. I stared back. Suddenly I felt calm, peaceful, and safe? A huge monster with teeth the size of kitchen knives is inches away and angry at me, but I feel perfectly safe.

Until Jake got involved.

Jake leaps over my head and shifts into the reddish wolf from the meadow. The two males face off, snarling and threatening. Then without provocation Jake charges Paul.

They hit like two mac trucks. Teeth snap and their bodies tumble as they each tear at each other.

I find myself unable to move.

The fight so ferociously that I am worried that one of them will be seriously injured.

They crash through a boat and tumble into the woods.

"Take Bella back to Emily's place" Sam commands.

Embry smiles and jogs toward me.

"Guess the wolfs outta the bag" he jokes.

They load be into my truck and Embry, seeing I can't drive, jumps into the driver's seat and Jared hops into the bed. The drive over is silent, I zone out and try to explain the sudden calm I felt earlier.

Embry taps my leg when we reach Emily's.

"Hey were here Bella" he sounds just like old Em that I want to hug him.

He and Jared give this little howl, I guess to let Emily know they are here.

"Hey, I think we should go back and see if Jacobs ok!" I say without getting out of the truck.

"I hope Paul sinks some teeth in em, serves em right" Jared says without turning.

"No way!" Embry challenges "Jacobs a natural, you see him phase on the fly? I got five says Paul doesn't touch him"

They walk on a little before Embry realizes I am not following.

"Come on in Bella, we won't bite" Embry encourages.

"Speak for yourself" Jared says with a teasing smile.

I climb out and join Embry by the door.

"Hey, about Emily, Sam's fiancé, don't stare… it bugs Sam" Embry warns.

"Why would I stare?"

Embry doesn't answer, instead he heads inside.

"You guys hungry?" A woman's voice calls "like I have to ask?"

I walk into the cozy little kitchen/dining room and the woman, who must be Emily, turns to study me. There is a jagged scar running from just under her right eye to her chin. Despite this large wound, she is very beautiful.

"Who's this?" she asks with a curious and confident smirk.

"Bella Swan, who else?" Embry says through a mouthful of muffin.

"Huh? So, you'rethe vampire girl?" she says with a smirk.

"So you're - you're the wolf girl?" I ask back.

"Guess so" she laughs happily "well, I'm engaged to one"

She lays a huge plater full of the biggest muffins I have ever seen, on the table. Jared lunges for them and Emily grabs his wrists.

"Save some for your brothers! And ladies first" she shoves Embry, who laughs "Muffin?"

"Yeah, thanks" I grab a muffin and try to retreat to the wall, but Embry isn't having it.

"Bella sit" he orders and gestures to the chair next to Jared.

I take the chair, only because I don't want to argue with Embry right now. Jared smiles and leans back in his chair.

"Leave it to Jacob to find a way around Sam's gag order" Emily says with a smile in my direction.

"He didn't say anything to me" I defend.

"Yeah" Embry says "that's a wolf thing. Alpha's orders get obeyed whether we want them to or not. Oh and check it out, we can hear each other's thoughts"

"Would you shut up? These are trade secrets… Dammit, this chick runs with vampires" Jared snaps playfully.

I see Emily turn to chide him, but I tease back instead.

"You can't actually run with vampires"

Emily laughs.

"Cause they're fast"

Embry smiles, happy I am teasing back and forth.

"Oh yeah?" Jared challenges "well were faster! Freaked out yet?"

"You're not the first monsters I've met" I say with a smirk.

"Jakes right!" Sam comes through the door "you're good with weird"

Sam goes straight to Emily and plants a kiss on her mouth before showering her face in kisses. Emily giggles and holds him tightly. They are incredibly cute together and I find myself feeling really happy for Emily. I feel like we've kinda bonded these last few minutes.

I hear Jake and Paul jog onto the porch. Paul shoves Jake and he playfully punches Paul back. I am glad to see they aren't fighting anymore, I would hate to be the cause of any problem in the pack.

Paul takes the only seat left and Jake leans against the door frame. I find myself glancing shyly at Paul, he smiles.

"Sorry" it's honest but it's almost flirtatious.

Embry disrupts the moment by throwing a muffin at my head. It would have smacked me in the face, but at the last moment Paul's hand shoots out and grabs it. He hands it to me and our fingers graze each other, sending a spark up my arm.

"So who won?" Embry asks.

He is met with silence.

"Paul won…" Jake says from the door way "Paul definitely won"

I see Paul tense up, but he sees me watching and smiles reassuringly.

"Dude!" Embry groans "now I gotta give Jared five bucks"

Emily laughs and hands Embry a chocolate chip muffin.

"Give me that muffin and I'll call it even" Jared offers.

Embry looks between the muffin and Jared. This is seriously a difficult decision for him.

I laugh and Jake, Paul, and Embry all smile.

"Ok, deal" Embry agrees "but only because I don't got five bucks"

"Score!" Jared cries and takes a huge bite of his prize.

Jake moves around the table and nudges my shoulder.

"Can we talk?" he asks.

I nod and Jake leads me out into the forest. Jake doesn't speak for a few tense moments and I begin to worry that he is gonna make me leave. I actually like it here, with the pack and Emily.

"So… I just wanted to apologize-"

"Jake you don't need to apologize" I stop him "I should be apologizing, I made you worry about me and you already had so much to deal with"

Jake laughs and leans against a tree.

"You are taking the whole Werewolf thing a lot better than I thought"

"What can I say?" I shrug "I'm good with weird"

Jake nods.

"Yeah, best friend turns into a giant wolf? No biggie" he pulls me into a hug "thanks bells"

"No problem Jake. I am just glad that we aren't keeping secrets from each other anymore"

He tenses.

"About that… there is one more secret, but I am not the one that needs to tell you" he glances at the house "I just – just don't want you going in blind…do you need to be home anytime soon?"

I shake my head as he releases me from the bear hug.

"Good because we need you to come to tribal meeting tonight"

"What!?" I jump.

Jake laughs.

"It will be fine Bella… it's kinda in your honor"

I level him with a glare and cross my arms.

"Jacob Black" I say sternly "you better-"

"Bella it's not my place to tell you" he glances at the house and sees something that makes him laugh humorlessly "you'd better get back in the house"

I walk back through the forest toward the house. Embry, Paul, and Sam are waiting on the porch. Embry sprints across the yard and sweeps me onto a hug spinning my in circles. I laugh and giggle, I've missed the old Em.

"I am so glad you know now" he says as he sets my feet back on the ground "It was horrible staying way from you and Jake… there's still Quil, but he might-"

I hug him tightly again.

"I'm sure he'd understand"

Embry and Jake escort me to the porch, where Sam and Paul are waiting. Sam watches everyone carefully like he thinks they are gonna start a brawl right here. Paul watches me with a smile, like he thinks my display with Embry was funny.

"We good?" Paul asks Jake.

"We're good" Jake nods.

We all go inside after that. Emily grabs my hand as soon as I enter the house, she is smiling brightly and seems almost jumpy with anticipation. I like Emily and I'm glad that she seems to like me, although I can't fathom why? I mean I am the vampire girl, my family put her family in danger, before they abandoned me.

"So, I don't mean to be rude, but your hair is a little crazy right now… can I do your hair for the meeting tonight?" she asks.

"Sure!"

I see Sam smiling happily, he seems glad that we're getting along. I hope that means I'll be sticking around. I have never felt as comfortable as I do here.

Emily drags me off to her room and plops me on a stool in front of her vanity. She starts brushing out my hair and I relax.

"So I know Jake took you out into the woods and told you that something is happening, but I also know that Sam commanded him not to tell you anything specific" she kneels down close "but Sam can't order me to do anything. So if you want, than I can prepare you a little or give you some hints"

I study her face in the mirror.

"Hints, if they are trying this hard to it a secret then maybe I should let them have it"

Emily nods.

"You are gonna fit in great" she squeals "so after I release you from my hair brushing clutches, you should hang out around Paul"

I give her a questioning look, but she just winks.

After about an hour, Emily has performed a miracle with my hair. She has weaved a silver strand of ribbon through an over the shoulder braid, she has taken my (long) bangs and braided each side back and connected them together at the base of the single large braid. It is simple and yet elegant, I absolutely love it.

"Remember what I said" she calls before pushing me into the kitchen.

Emily goes straight to Sam, who showers her in kisses once again, but she leaves me to fend for myself.

Embry notices how uneasy I feel and quickly moves to myside, my own personal guard dog. I whisper as much to him and he laughs softly.

"Someone has to watch out for clumsy Bella" he teases.

"Shut up Em" I elbow him.

Paul pushes off the counter and stalks out the front door. I watch him go and Embry pats my arm.

"He's fine" Embry whisper "don't worry"

Even though Embry says I shouldn't worry I find myself worrying anyways and within a couple of minutes I follow him out. Embry lets me go so I figure it isn't a terrible idea.

Outside Paul is nowhere to be seen. On a hunch I head off to my left, straight into the forest. The forest is peaceful and calming, I stroll through the trees. I think about how Jake and Embry will tease me if I get lost out here, how I'll forever be the girl who almost died twice in one day.

"What are you doing out here?" a gruffer version of Paul's voice asks.

I spin and find him leaning against a tree. His muscles are tense and flexed, I can't help but appreciate how buff he is. I guess in my staring, I forgot to answer his question.

He chuckles softly.

"Like what you see?" he tease.

"You ok?" I ask ignoring his question.

He lets out a short humorless laugh and tilts his head like a dog.

"I almost killed you about three hours ago and now you're asking me if I am ok? Jacob said you were one of those selfless types"

"I am not selfless… I wish I was" I step closer to him.

Paul takes a deep breath and leans his head back against the tree. He never put on a shirt and for a second I wonder if he is cold, then I remember the wolf heat thing. I guess I shivered because Paul studies me for a second before asking…

"Are you cold?"

"It's a little chilly, yeah"

Paul walks over and throws an arm around my shoulder.

I thought I would feel uncomfortable, like I do when Jake does the same thing, but I relax against his side almost instantaneously. He drives away the cold like tidal wave of warmth.

"Let's get you back to the house" he says, voice gruff again.

"You wanna tell me what's going on with everyone?" I ask not moving.

"Jake said you were stubborn too" he scoffs "I – I want to tell you, believe me, but I don't wanna freak you out either"

I allow him to pull me toward the house.

"I'm good with weird" I repeat the day's motto.

Paul laughs "hell you are!"

I roll my eyes. Paul is a lot like Emmitt, tough, strong, protective, and has an issue with his temperament. But he is also nothing like Emmitt, he is serious, thoughtful, and more of a loner. I find I am really enjoying spending time with him.

"Well, has Black said anything to you about imprinting?"

"Like a baby duck?" I ask completely confused "um no?"

This time Paul rolls his eyes.

"Not like a duck. Wolves have this thing where when they meet their soul mate, they imprint on them" he hasn't looked at me yet "when you imprint, everything changes. All the things that mattered before, they suddenly don't matter anymore. The only thing that matters is her"

"Like love at first sight?" I ask.

"Kinda, but way more powerful"

He pulls us to a stop.

"If we go any farther they'll hear us in the house… and I'd rather they not hear me mess this up" he pulls away from me and both of us wince "Bella, I imprinted on you"

I tilt my head "really?"

"Yeah"

"Ok, well what does that mean?" I ask.

He quirks an eye brow at me and gives me a half smile.

"It means that you're my soul mate-"

"Yeah, I got that part. What does it mean for me? Do I need to do a ceremony and I gonna grow a tail? What?"

He laughs. Loud and long and genuine. I love the sound of it.

"You just need to decide if you accept or not" Paul says.

"Let's assume I do accept" he smiles at my hypotheticals "what then?"

"Then nothing. You are part of the pack. It will be difficult for us to be apart, but that's already difficult for me-"

"Really?"

"Of course" He snorts.

I pull his arm back around my shoulder and snuggle into his side.

"Good, because I wanted to do this"

He grows quiet.

"It's not all dandelions and daisies. Just look at Emily… Sam got angry just once, just a little too close to her and now… now he has to live every day of his life knowing he hurt the girl he loves" Paul closes his eyes tight "everyone knows that I have the least amount of control. I don't want to hurt you"

I know I should be scared. I saw Emily's face and Sam is super responsible and in control, I know Paul is hot headed and has a short fuse, I know that this is dangerous.

"I am good with weird" I repeat again "the imprinting says we're soul mates and I'm inclined to believe them. what Sam did was an accident, and I know after watching Sam suffer that you'll be extra careful"

"But-"

"Paul. Let's face it. Am I ever going to be truly safe anyways?"

"You do seem to have a gift for finding the most dangerous monster in the room" he mutters.

We walk back to the house and find both Jake and Embry waiting on the porch. I give them both looks and they just shrug.

"I wanted to make sure you actually found him and weren't lost in the woods somewhere" Embry says eyeing Paul's arm around my shoulder and the way I'm snuggled against his side "you can't say my fears were completely unfounded"

"Shut up Em" I snap with a smile.

Paul laughs.

"Em?" he snorts.

Embry blushes and sticks his hands in his pockets.

"Yes Em" I turn and get in Paul's face "you are just gonna have to accept that two of your pack brothers are my best friends"

Jake and Em both shoot Paul triumphant smiles and Paul just shakes his head with a smile. Paul leads me into the house.

Emily watches with a Cheshire grin, she knows we worked it out and she couldn't be happier. As I watch Emily dance around the kitchen making more muffins and joking with the boys, I can't help but realize she is like a mother figure to them. I wonder what position I'll fill in this weird little family.

I start to feel like someone is missing. I glance around the room, Sam and Emily, Jared, Paul, Jake, Embry… Quil! I feel like Quil should be here. Quil is a part of my self-made family and every part of me screams that he should be here.

"So is Quil gonna join the pack?" I ask to no one in particular.

Jake and Em both turn to me with pained expressions.

"We hope not" Jake says.

"And yet" Em adds "we kinda hope he does"

I remember what Quil told me when I gave him a ride home, it was after both Em and Jake were acting weird. How freaked out he was that he would be next. How scared he was that he lost his best friends. Now I'm in on the secret and he is still in the dark.

"I need to go talk to him" I decide.

"What?" everyone jumps like I suggested we set the house on fire.

"I need to talk to him" I repeat "I won't tell him anything, but he needs to know that – that you guys still care about him"

Jake and Em stare at the ground and Jared keeps his head down.

"Bella-" Emily begins.

"I won't say anything, I swear! But Quil needs to know that he doesn't have to be scared"

Sam and Paul share a look, like they are talking to each other. Reminds me I need to ask someone if they can read each other's minds all the time or just in wolf form. They seem to come to an agreement and Paul stands up.

"Let's go Swan" he says.

I give him a "why?" look and don't budge.

"You wanna talk to Ateara? Then let's go" he watches with an amused smirk as I leap from my chair and bolt out the door.

We take my truck, Paul drives since I don't where we are or how to get to Quil's house from here. The drive isn't silent like I expected, Paul seems very interested and getting to know me as a person.

"What's your favorite color?" he asks with a playful smile.

"It was blue… but now I would say its Green" I turn to him "What's yours?"

"I would have to agree with you on the green" he decides "Favorite song?"

"Um songs… I haven't really done music since…"

"The leach?" Paul's eyes stay on the road.

"Yeah"

"You can't let him rule your life" Paul snorts angrily "He is a – jerk… you deserve better"

"Like you?" I tease.

"Well, I am hotter"

We both crack up and the mood in the truck relaxes again.

"And yours sir?" I ask.

"Hungry like the wolf" he says with a smirk.

I punch his arm softly and he playfully winces. Paul pulls my truck into Quil's drive way.

Within seconds the front door bursts open and Quil sprints out of the house. I jump out of the truck and meet him half way. He pulls me into a hug and shakes me around.

"Where have you been Bell?" he demands with a smile "and whose in the truck?"

"One at a time"

I lead him back to the porch and tell him to sit.

"Should I be worried?" he asks.

"Nah, I am actually here to explain why Em and Jake have been weird" I know Paul is listening because he climbs out of the truck after that.

Quil notices Paul and his eyes go wide.

"Did they get to you too?" his eyes are pained and desperate.

"No Quil, listen ok?" Quil nods "I can't tell you exactly why they are different, but I can tell you that you don't need to be freaked out"

"Says the girl who arrives with a prison guard" he snorts.

"Paul drove me over because I didn't know how to get here" I explain "the boys are fine" I promise.

"Jake and Em won't return my calls, when I go to see them their parents say they're out… Bell I can't help but be freaked out" he glares at Paul across the yard "now you too…"

I feel a tingling that insists that Quil should know, but Sam said not to tell him.

"Quil, I promise that this will all make sense very soon… if things start to get… weird… call me ok?"

"Ok… I promise" he says.

"Great! Now I have to go, but I'll see you soon" I promise.

We hug and Quil walks me back to the truck. He eyes Paul, who just climbs into the truck without a comment.

"Bye Quil see ya soon"

"Bye Bell" he calls back.

Once we are down the road a bit Paul turns off the radio and turns to look at me.

"How can you promise him that he'll understand, maybe he won't shift. Not everyone does" Paul doesn't sound angry, just confused.

"I just… feel that Quil needs to be with the pack. Like he belongs and we won't be complete without him" I try to explain "it doesn't make sense, but I just know"

Paul nods.

"Of course you're good with weird… you belong with it"

End notes: How was that? I think Bella will mellow Paul out a little and Paul will make Bella more confident. Plus I love the whole Jake/Quil/Embry/Bella friendship, it's just adorable!