Disclaimer – I do not own Twilight or any part of the series. I wish I did, but I don't so I write fan fiction.

Previously

I could feel my blood pressure going up, "Well he got over it apparently! So you better get over it too! I told you I wanted to see where this was going. I told you after Edward I wasn't sure about relationships. And here you are acting just like HIM!"

I stood glaring at him as he began to shake. Sam stepped between us causing Paul to snarl. "Bella get inside now!"

I stepped back but my eye sight was trained on Paul as he phased in front of me shredding the clothing he was wearing to pieces as another set of arms wrapped around be from behind hoisting me up into their arms and started running to the house.

Once inside I finally saw Jacob staring at me, "What did you say to him?"

I just silently looked out the window, Paul and Sam both gone now. Then the loud sound of trees cracking and wild growling sounded throughout the house from the woods.

Chapter 12

Bella sat on the couch inside the living room across from Jacob with her hands on her lap after adjusting her sling. She had just leaned back when the door opened and she heard soft footsteps in the kitchen. Stilling unsure if it was Paul or someone else.

Jacob got up and walked into the kitchen, "Hey Em. So there is a little situation." They spoke for a brief period to quiet for Bella to overhear.

Bella walked in shortly after looking at Emily for the first time, she was very beautiful, tall and Lean. Her beauty only marred by puckered scars running down the side of her face.

She smiled brightly and walked over, wrapping Bella in a hug. "You must be Bella. I am so happy to meet you, Where is Sam and Paul?"

Bella sighed and looked down mumbling, "The woods. Paul is having….wolf issues. "

Jacob looked at Emily again, "Like I said. Situation. I arrive right as Paul lost it and phased. Sam phased and forced him into the tree line away from Bella. Paul was pretty close to her, closer than he should have been at that stage. I phased to human and grabbed Bella bringing her inside when I saw what happened."

Emily crossed her arms, "What happened?"

Jacob shrugged popping a muffin into his mouth, "Paul got all territorial on Bella over Sam standing 10 feet from her. Bells told him to knock it off. Paul was a jerk. Bells told him he was acting like the leech. Paul lost it. Now Sam and Paul are discussing things while rearranging the forest."

Emily looked at Bella with pity in her eyes, "Welcome to the club. The boys can be a handful, but I can help you figure out how to talk them down."

Bella tilted her head, "How can you stand the control issues they have? That is normal? I am not going to walk on glass to please him. I did that for Edward and I hated it."

Emily shook her head, "No, that isn't what I mean, and it will get better. It is just new. The wolf side of them is very territorial, and any other males that pose a threat in their eyes for a while."

Bella just looked at her skeptically, "So Sam was the same way?"

Emily nodded, "When Jared and Paul phased it was a constant pissing contest between them. It lasted about a week, but once his wolf realized I had already accepted him he calmed down. Your Paul's mate, he will realize it soon enough."

Bella bit her lip and looked down, "You mean imprint right?"

Emily shook her head, "No I meant mate. Being an imprint doesn't mean you are his mate, you have to accept it first." She stopped and looked at Bella, "Did you accept him? The imprint?"

Bella got up slowly and shook her head no, "It is a huge lifelong commitment, after Edward wanting to turn me and force me to make a lifelong commitment. I told Paul I needed time to see where things would lead us."

Emily walked over to her handing her a cup of coffee, "Then it might take a lot longer, if he doesn't have your confirmation of wanting him. The others will pose a much larger threat in his eyes."

Bella just closed her eyes, "I like him. I really do, I am just scared of that big of a step. I mean that is basically a marriage proposal." Mimicking a guy's voice, "Accept being my imprint and your mine forever."

She looked up, "Not that I care about the fancy stuff, but I have never really been around a working long term relationship. My parents divorced when I was little. I never really was around my dad for more than a week or two at a time, and my mother had a lot of boyfriends until she just married my step-dad Phil."

Playing with her hair Bella sighed, "I don't know the first thing about 'forever', and doesn't Paul deserve someone who can give him stability?"

Emily nodded, "Yes, and you are that person. The imprinting is never wrong, you are the perfect person for him and he is perfect for you."

Bella got up pulling her coat around her as she headed outside to sit on the porch steps. She needed to think about everything. Was she wrong to as Paul to wait? Was she wrong to be afraid?

As the sun started to go down Emily came outside and sat next to her, "You know I rejected Sam in the beginning. We didn't have a perfect beginning either." She gently touched the scars on the side of her face, "After I rejected him yet again, Sam lost it. I was really bad for a while, but he stayed at my side helping me back to health. I saw what I meant to him during that time, and I fell in love with him."

Bella looked worried, "But he hurt you?"

Emily shook her head, "That was an accident, when I said he lost it I meant he phased and I was too close. Sam was new, and being the first one to phase he had a much harder time controlling it. I know Paul has a temper, but I know he is trying to control it. He has changed since he imprinted on you."

Biting on her lip Bella nodded, "Okay I understand that now. What happened when I…."

Both girls stopped and looked up seeing a ragged Sam emerging from the tree line in nothing but old jean shorts.

Heading up to the house Emily met Sam at the base of the porch wrapping her arms around him.

Bella looked away seeing Emily place a kiss on his cheek. They spoke briefly before looking back at Bella. Emily came over giving her a hug before heading inside.

Sam walked over slowly, "Paul is handling this about as well as I did when I first saw the others around Emily. He just needs some time."

Crossing her arms over her chest, "He is being a jerk Sam. Just because I didn't fall into his arms the moment he told me about the imprint, doesn't give him the right to act like this."

Sam nodded, "No it doesn't. But his wolf instinct is going to demand others stay away from you. Since you haven't agreed, or disagreed with the idea of being his mate…. Well he is trying to mark his territory."

He stood a few feet from her still, "Until he can understand others are not a threat, or that you don't want him, I don't know if this will get better when you're around others. Even male humans."

Bella just shifted her weight, "Sam like I told Emily I am not planning on walking on egg shells around him. He needs to accept that I am not going to accept this testosterone battle he is creating."

Sam nodded, "It is not as easy as that Bella. Come on, I will drive you home."

She nodded follow him to her truck startling a bit hearing a low growl coming from the tree line behind Sam. He just turned facing the trees for a moment, "I am just taking her home Paul. Stand down."

There was some more growling, but eventually it stopped and Bella could only assume he had left the area.

The drive home was silent for the most part until she looked over at Sam, "So you're the leader then?"

Sam looked over at her nodded, "Acting leader, but yes. Jacob is supposed to be the pack leader, but he doesn't want the responsibility. I can't blame him, but since I was the first to change I was put there."

She nodded and the rest of the ride was silent. After making sure she got into the house Sam went around back and took his shorts off tying them to his ankle. Then he phased taking off into the woods.

Swan House – the next day

Charlie and Bella were sitting at the table eating breakfast in silence when the doorbell rang.

Charlie stopped and got up from the table and opening the door. He spoke to the person for a moment before turning, "Bella your friend is here to pick you up."

Putting her bowl in the sink after rinsing it quickly, "Who?"

Heading into the living room she saw Angela standing there looking nervous. "Bella I am very sorry for what I said yesterday. It wasn't my place. I hope you will still come today?"

Charlie quietly removed himself from the living room so the girls could talk.

Bella leaned against the hutch, "Come on in Angela, Thank you for apologizing I might had been a little too unhinged with my response yesterday though." Shrugging as she sat down, "I figured that you wouldn't want me to come today after that."

Angela looked at her, "No you weren't, I talked to Eric after and he told me I probably shouldn't have said that."

Bell nodded, "Well, I wasn't expecting you. Can you give me a few minutes?"

Angela beamed hugging Bella, "Of course!" Letting her go after a moment, "I will just call Tyler and Eric to let them know not to wait up."

Bella nodded watching Angela pulling out her phone as she headed upstairs.

Looking through her closet pulling out her hoodie and slipping on her boots and tying them. They were going to the beach, but it was only early spring and still cold out.

Grabbing a bag she headed downstairs packing it with some sandwiches and bottles of water for the day.

Looking at Angela when she came in, "I am almost ready, just packing some food."

Angela nodded, "We did the same. Eric answered, I guess Tyler is already in the water. They are crazy if you ask me."

Bella just nodded, "I am horrible at sports, let alone ones that require you to stand on a board in rough, fast moving water."

Angela laughed, "I am glad we are good Bella. I was really worried you wouldn't speak to me."

Driving to the beach the girls talked about school and everything Bella had missed, not to mention the many rumors spreading about what happened with Edward.

Bella just left it at he had tried to kidnap her after Dr. Cullen had told them they were moving for a new job.

The girls stepped onto the sands at First Beach and looked around, it seemed they were the only ones there with the exception of Eric and Tyler who were already in the water.

"BELLA! ANGELA!" Both girls snapped their heads to the water seeing Eric waving at them.

Angela waved back as they made their way down to the water's edge to sit in the sand.

Leaning over to Bella, "I am glad you came, I would have been really bored watching those two getting beaten by the waves by myself."

Bella looked at her curiously, "Why did you agree to come in you would have been bored?"

Angela shrugged, "I was hoping you would come. We haven't spent a lot of time hanging out lately."

Bella couldn't help smiling a bit, "Well thank you this is nice talking with you. Very stress free."

Before the girls knew what was happening Tyler had lifted Bella up over his shoulder spinning her around. Eric did the same with Angela, both girls cried out in surprise.

Bella wacked Tyler on his back with her hand as a sudden wave of anger swept over her, "TYLER PUT ME DOWN!"

He spun her around once more before setting her down. Bella jumped from his grip as if it had stung her, but before she could get another word out a loud menacing growl came from the tree line behind them.

Eric put a now petrified Angela back down, "Guys I think we should…."

Eric, Tyler and Angela stiffened as if their spines were a steel rod as a large dark silver wolf stepped out of the trees growling viciously.

"We need to go….." Tyler grabbed his keys as the wolf started down to the beach where they were all standing when two other wolves came out of the tree line.

Angela fumbled for her keys running to her car, "Bella we need to go."

Bella shook her head no, "They are leaving see?"

The two other wolves had guided the enraged dark silver one back into the tree line.

Bella stood still feeling the rage building in her chest, however it was not her own.

Angela was still sitting in her car ready to go as Bella stood staring into the woods. Tyler and Eric stood on each side of her, Eric was the first to speak putting a hand on Bella's shoulder. "Bella we need to leave, those things were huge!"

Tyler grabbed her wrist pulling her towards the car when Eric stilled looking at the tree line. "Go, Go, GO….."

Bella snapped her head back looking at the trees seeing an irate human Paul in nothing but his cut off jean shorts running towards her with Sam and Jared running after him trying to catch up as hard as they could.

"Oh no." She whispered seeing Paul, he was pissed. Looking down at her wrist seeing Tyler's hand gripping her so hard the skin around his hand was white.

She turned trying to pull her hand out of his grip, "Let go Tyler! You need to let me go NOW!"

She finally was able to pull free as he dropped her and ran to his car leaving her on the beach. She could hear Eric arguing with him in the car about leaving her there as he peeled out of the parking spot they were in.

Angela ran out of her car trying to get to Bella when Paul reached her pulling her off the ground against his chest.

She could hear his wildly beating heart thumping against her head on his chest.

Sam and Jared finally caught up standing on either side of him. As Sam started to speak an angry Angela walked past them and confronted Paul.

"EXCUSE ME! Just what do you think you are doing to her! What you assume that due to the issues with her last boyfriend she WANTS to be manhandled? Let her go now!" Bella looked wide eyed at Angela and stayed still unsure what Paul would do.

Paul growled, "He was touching her….. He can't touch her."

Bella looked at Sam who had a resigned look on his face, remembering what Emily had said about their testosterone levels around other males the first week or so and she felt guilty about what had happened.

Bella looked at Angela and nodded her head, "Thank you for trying to protect me, but I really am alright. Why don't you head home?"

Angela looked at the three giant men nervously, "Are you sure Bella?"

Bella just nodded, "I think Paul and I need to talk."

She nodded and looked as if she might have given her a hug but then thought better of it getting into her car and driving off.

Paul's grip on her lessened slightly, but it was still pretty hard with Sam and Jared there. She knew she was going to have some bruising the next day. Wiggling her arms and wrapping them around Pauls waist she could see some more of the tension leave him as if her touch was magical.

Looking up at him, "You know they were just playing right? Tyler and Eric would never hurt me."

Paul growled slightly, "I don't like their scent on you."

Tilting her head, "Okay, I will just go and snuggle up to Bao then."

He grunted slightly before running his hands down her back and nuzzling the crook of her next, "No."

Looking over her shoulder seeing Sam and Jared smiling a bit more. Finally Paul had calmed down and Sam nodded to Jared before they disappeared into the tree line.

Pulling back she looked up at him, "I think we need to talk about a few things?"

Nodding Paul sat in the sand pulling her down with him. "Bella I just…"

She stopped him, "Emily explained a few things about you're…. Testosterone levels to me." Biting her lower lip, "I think what happened back there, while not entirely my fault, was made worse by what I said at Sam's house earlier."

Paul stilled and looked at her as if she's grown another head.

Bella just smiled and continued, "You were still a jerk. But you didn't deserve the comment about being like… him." Leaning back a bit, "I also have been thinking about us."

Paul wavier a bit, he clearly had not been expecting this conversation.

Kneeling in front of her Paul gently placed his hands on her legs looking up at her, "Please don't think you are being forced into a decision Bella. I can't lose you, it would kill me. I can't say I am sorry about my reaction to those boys they were grabbing you, but they were too close."

Placing her hands on his hands, "I am not being forced, I just realized a few things I already knew." Patting the space next to her indicating for him to sit. "I want you to know that I do accept our imprint, however that doesn't mean that I don't still want to take things slow. And I still want to be able to hang out with my friends."

You could physically see the stress drain from Paul's face at her words.

She smiled seeing his expression, "I don't want you thinking, that I am still thinking, there is someone else for me. Every time I close my eyes I see you. Every time I am alone, I want you to be there." Pointing to the water, "I wanted you to be at the beach today too. With me."

He leaned up pulling her lips to his, one hand behind her head and the other on her waist.

She kissed him back just as passionately before pulling away reluctantly, "While I know what I feel it still scares me Paul. I am fighting between wondering if I even have a choice about my future and wanting to just kiss you forever."

The blush on her cheeks spread down disappearing beneath her shirt. "But is it really my choice?"

Paul leaned in again this time speaking low to her, "The imprint only shows us who each other is, our perfect match. Everything you are feeling is yours."

He cleared his throat gruffly, "What you said. Did you mean it? That you accept the imprint?"

Bella smiled and placed a quick kiss on his lips, "Yes Paul, I accept it. I accept you. And not as my friend, my brother, or a guy I see occasionally. I… I want you as my boyfriend Paul."

Paul could barely contain himself, "You accept me as your mate?"

Bella smiled, "Yes"

And chapter 12 is a wrap! Please review!

I hope the three chapters in 3 days is good! Especially this last chapter which is like 2 chapters in one. I am going on vacation and probably will not be updating again for about a week and a half to two weeks. I am going to Disneyland for a whole week! I look forward to reading all your reviews when I get back!

I hope you like it!