Paul's POV

I had to hand it to him, Cris kicked my arse.

Or to rephrase: Cris kicked my arse, and then handed it to me.

On my way into the house I passed a militant Jake coming out of kitchen. Jesus have mercy on anyone who crossed him today; he looked to be in his usual good mood. I sniggered as I realised Cris was about to bear the brunt of it. You've got to love karma.

Making my way up the steps into the kitchen, I realised my back was hurting badly. That was quite normal though; I did pretty much just have a tree up my arse. I looked at my passing reflection in the glass door and nodded in approval at my toned body.

Forgetting my temper, I slammed the door shut behind me; the glass shook in vibration, threatening to break. Stupid leeches - you'd think they would reinforce everything!

I was getting pissed off with the Barrow lot leaving me in pieces. Everyone except Corey had managed to make me submit so far. Yes, even the Budgie beat me once! You try being held meters off the ground and see how you like it.

It's all bollocks; I'm one of the best fighters, so what the hell was going on?

According to them I lost my temper and focus too easily. Since when?

It's hardly my fault - they had feet like in that stupid kid's film. You know, the one with the stupid dancing penguins - 'happy feet' that was its name! Yeah, they had fucking happy feet!

How was I supposed to fight someone with paws that moved like they were tap dancing! Didn't they notice there was no ice here!

I realised I was muttering out loud.

"Happy as always Paul? What, is Rachel not putting out?"

The sarcastic voice came from behind me, and it was like nails on a chalk board. Why oh why, out of all the fit chicks in La Push, did she have to be a wolf?

"Yeah, thanks Lassie . . . you're the expert on relationships, aren't you?"

I purposely didn't face her and watched through the door as Jake challenged Cris. I was surprised when she said nothing. I'd used the 'Lassie' line before and she was only too keen to tell me that Lassie was actually a boy. This time I was ready with a brilliant retort though! I turned to await her next remark, but something was off with her expression.

"You're bleeding." Leah's statement was unsympathetic.

"What's your point?" I hardly needed the obvious stating; I'd just been in a scrap.

"No! I mean you're really bleeding. Turn around." She motioned with her hand for me to spin.

Did she think I was a fucking ballerina?

Regardless, I still found myself trying to look at my back as she pointed. I felt like a retarded dog chasing his tail, but I finally noticed blood was pouring down my left leg and out of my shorts.

Leah immediately walked over and pulled the elastic back on my shorts.

"Whoa! What the hell you doing? That's for Rachel's eyes only!" I couldn't really blame her checking my arse out. I was hot, but I had to at least pretend to be pissed, or Rachel would hold out on me.

"Holy shit bitch, knock it off!"

She just prodded me in my lower back where it hurt and the pain shot into me.

Leah slapped me round the head. "Hold still you bloody oaf! I don't want to look at your scrawny arse longer than I have to thank you! You've got half a tree speared in your lower back. That's why it's not healing."

"So what? I'll go home and get Rachel to get it out. Get off." I moved away from her. I didn't trust Leah - she would love to cause me pain.

"And bleed all over a vampire's house in the process? Repulsive or not, I don't think it's a good idea! Besides, you'll probably pass out before you get home. You always were a pussy. Just hold still." She went to pull my shorts open again.

I flinched away before she could.

"Hold still you big baby." Leah was getting angry.

There was no way she was touching me! "Screw you!"

With that she punched me in the gut and I leant over in pain. No fair! I could hardly hit her back in human form. Suddenly, I felt a sharp tug in my back and I gritted me teeth.

"That wasn't so difficult was it?"

I turned to see her grinning at me. She was indeed holding a short spear like piece of wood; the bitch had used the distraction to pull it out.

"Why the hell do you care?" I spat.

She shrugged still pleased with herself, "I don't really, but we are on the same side. As an alpha, I'm trying to remember that."

"Yeah well, don't think this changes shit. I didn't want your stinking help."

This was worse than her being a sour cow. Her being even slightly nice was unfounded and put me totally outside of my comfort zone.

"Get over it Paul, you're still a twat, but maybe, maybe I'm not so bad after all. Here's a souvenir." She threw me the bloodied stick cockily and walked out the door.

My back was already feeling better and healing.

Damn Leah Bitchwater! Did this mean I now owed her one?

AN

Short and sweet, but hoped you liked it! xx