authors note - lemon alert...well more citrus alert. its not very detailed. lemons later may be more detailed but idk yet. most of this chapter is fluff, just showing their relationship development kinda thing.

I'm not sure how it happened. I wasn't sure how we ended up on the couch, me holding myself over Bella with my hand up her shirt and I'm really not sure how I didn't hear the Chief pull up and come into the house. But that's exactly what happened. Bella was sitting next to me on the couch now, her face bright red in embarrassment. Charlie was standing over us his face bright red in anger I'm sure.

"Chief I'm –"

He pointed a finger at me. "You shut up." He started pacing in front of us, hand on his gun. I was honestly worried about getting shot at this point. Wonder how long it takes for vital organs to heal from a gun shot wound? Would I die before the bleeding stopped? "I accepted that you have some weird supernatural tie to my daughter, although I don't understand it, I accepted it. I allow you to basically stalk her mostly to keep her safe and because I know you need to be close right now but this is where I draw a line. I get it, you're both adults but son I promise you if you get my daughter pregnant I will find a way to kill you. Do you understand me?"

I didn't think now was an appropriate time to point out if he killed me Bella would be left to raise a kid without a dad so I nodded. "Absolutely. No plans to get anyone pregnant."

"I'm a virgin." Bella blurted out, her cheeks getting a deeper shade of red. "I'm not getting pregnant, I promise."

He narrowed his eyes at her, studying her for a few moments before nodding. "Okay." He's hand relaxed, falling away from his gun. "Okay. Let's go eat dinner."

That's it? I wasn't hoping for more but I expected it. I wouldn't have been surprised if Charlie tried to stop me from sering Bella, I wouldnt have but still. Bella smiled at me, pulling me to stand and to the kitchen. I followed after her, glancing at Charlie as I sat across from him.

"Billy said the vampire left town?" He asked, acting as if everything was completely normal. I was afraid for my life just 30 seconds ago and now he is chatting with me as if it never happened.

Bella grabbed my forgotten soup, nudging me when I didn't answer. "Um, yeah seems that way."

"Good." He nodded. You could hear a pen drop the entire dinner. Only the sounds of spoons hitting the bowls and throats clearing as we ate. When Charlie put his bowl in the sink and left the kitchen I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are you okay?" Bella asked, grabbing my bowl. I got up, following her to the sink to help wash dishes.

"Yeah, just thought for a minute there we were about to find out if I was right about my 80% chance of surviving a gun shot wound."

"Dad doesn't stay angry long." She laughed, handing me a soapy bowl to rinse. "How did you miss him coming home? What's the use of a supernatural boyfriend if he can't warn me my dad is coming?"

I smirked at her. "My imprint had just told me that she accepts the imprint. Can't blame me for being a bit absorbed." She blushed, tossing the towel she had been drying her hands on at me. Despite almost fearing for my life I was on cloud 9. "Only downside is Jake is never going to let me hear the end of this."

She raised her brows at me in question before bending down to get something out of the freezer. The first time I kissed her flashed through my mind. I shook my head, forcing my body to calm down. "Him talking to you is part of the reason you decided to accept it. He'll be rubbing that in my face constantly."

She laughed, pulling out a tub of ice cream. She sat it on the counter after opening it and grabbed two spoons, handing me one. "What do you think the chances are of the Chief letting you stay over tomorrow?"

She licked her spoon and shrugged. "I'm sure you heard the rules this morning. I'd assume it'd be fine. Why?"

"Pack bonfire tomorrow night. Elders tell the stories, all the imprints come. Once the old guys leave we usually sit around for a few hours. I thought if you came..if you wanted to come with me then you could just stay at my place tomorrow."

"Okay."

I was nervous. The last time I had been around the whole pack was the day I found out Paul was my wolf. I've never even met Kim. I tried to remind myself that it didn't matter what they thought of me, but it kind of did matter didn't it? This was Paul's pack, his family. I wanted them to like me. Paul said I didn't have to bring anything but still as soon as school let out I went straight home, whipping up a couple batches of cookies hoping that it'd win me some points with the guys at least.

"Hey!" I grumbled, glancing over and noticing Paul sneaking cookies out of the container again. "Stop that. There won't be any for anyone else."

"Sorry." He smirked. I shook my head when my breath caught. Will that smirk ever not effect me? Honestly I hoped not. He scooted to the middle seat, sitting the cookies on the floorboar. His finger glided across my cheek, barely touching me. "I think you blushing might be one of the cutest things I've ever seen."

I swatted his hand. "Shut up, I can't help it."

"I was being serious." He laughed, catching my hand. "Its adorable how much you blush."

"I thought you were a lady's man? You should know no woman wants to be called adorable." I told him, pulling into a parking spot. As soon as I had the truck in park he grabbed me, sitting me on his lap.

"You're also beautiful." He whispered, brushing my hair out of my face. "and so sexy it's hard to think around you sometimes." He kissed my neck, just once before sighing and moving me back to my seat. Causal as always he got out of the truck, coming around to open my door. Taking his hand I stepped out and my head spin when I was suddenly pushed against the close door, my legs wrapped around Paul. I grabbed his shoulders when he leaned in to kiss me. He kissed me slowly, the heat building behind it. His tongue just barely touched my lips before retreating. Throwing myself into the kiss I allowed my tongue to chase his back to his mouth. He groaned, his grip on my thighs tightening.

"Paul, that's my best fiends daughter….get your hands where I can see them or I'll tell the Chief to shoot you."

I glanced over his shoulder, seeing Jacob and Billy. "Hi Billy." I smiled at him. He smiled back, winking at me. Paul's head dropped to my collarbone.

"Did they install some type of device that let them know when you're making out or something." He grumbled against me. I laughed, running my hand through his hair.

"Come on wolf boy. You'll have me to yourself tonight." I whispered. He let me down, grabbing my hand pulling me to follow Billy and Jacob.

"Can't come soon enough. I feel like I should apologize in advance for the pack…great guys but they are also annoying." He let go of my hand, grabbing Bill's wheelchair while Jacob carried Billy toward the small group of people near the shore. I trailed behind them, even more nervous now.

"Bella!" I flinched back when Emily hugged me, momentarily shocked before I hugged her back. "Its good to see you again. I'm so glad you're here!"

"Its good to see you as well." I told her, pulling back and following her to one of the large pieces of wood surrounding a big fire. She sat beside me grabbing my hand.

"I'm so glad you accepted the imprint. I was worried…well anyway I just wanted to welcome you to the family."

I glanced at Paul. He winked at me and nodded toward my truck before heading toward it. I figured he was going to get the forgotten cookies and turned back to Emily. "Thank you." I whispered, unsure what to say.

"Bella!"

All the breath in body left me in a bit whoosh when Embry grabbed me in a hug. "I can't breath!" I grunted. His hold loosened.

"Sorry. Its good to see you."

I smiled at him. He introduced me officially to Sam and Jared. Both of them gave me breath taking hugs as well, welcoming me to the family. Kim was a bit more reserved, saying a quiet hi. Old Quil and Harry greatly me warmly, shaking my hand. It was slightly overwhelming.

Everyone was talking, no one was shy to grab my hand or place an arm around my shoulder while talking to me. It was incredibly warming as well, being so welcomed into this family. They didn't question me or hold back, I was immediately welcomed and one of them. It was a stark difference when I compared it to another family that welcomed me. I tried not to compare, I really did, but I couldn't help it. The Cullen's welcomed me well enough, but they were never completely relaxed with me around and I could never relax around them either.

I gasped when someone grabbed me, pulling me to their lap. I looked behind me, breathing a sigh of relief seeing Paul. "Sorry I sort of left you to the wolves. You looked like you were having a good time."

I nodded, wiggling around on his lap to get comfortable. He wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Everyone is so welcoming."

"Yeah, it's hard not to be with imprints. We're all connected in a way. I'm more connected to you but through me they are as well. They care about you and would do anything to protect you as I would for Emily and Kim."

"That's kind of amazing." I whispered, looking around at the warm faces laughing and talking.

"You're amazing." He whispered against the skin of my neck before placing a kiss there. My body tingled.

"Hey! Stop sucking Bella's neck for 5 seconds and come play some ball!" Jared yelled. I shrieked when I noticed a football flying toward us, right at my face but Paul's hands flew up catching it.

"I can stay with you." He offered, kissing my neck again. I shook my head at him, standing up.

"Go play. I'll hang out with Emily and Kim." I told him, glancing at the two women preparing to cook hot dogs on the open flame. He kissed me then drew his arm back and flung the ball at Jared. I shook my head, going to sit beside Emily. "Can I help?"

I helped them make all the hot dogs, shocked at the amount they were cooking, while listening to them talk about different things going on in the pack. Everyone was concerned for Quil. He was showing signs of phasing soon, but he wouldn't talk to anyone not even his grandfather. I chewed on my lip, realizing what a crappy friend I had been and making a plan to call him tomorrow.

Paul found me when Emily called the guys to come eat, sitting me back on his lap after making us both a plate. The chatter didn't stop while we ate, multiple conversations going at once. It was hard to keep up with, I smiled and nodded a lot.

When everyone was done eating, I sat listening with rapt attention as Billy tell stories of their ancestors, amazed. Hearing that the Cullen's were the reason the pack phased was difficult. I look at the faces around me. They didn't look like teens but most of them weren't even 18. My heart ached for them, to be given no choice but to turn into giant wolves and protect their tribe at such a young age. My understanding of Billy's hatred for the Cullen's grew. Of course he hated them, the stole his sons teenage years.

"Why are you crying?" Paul whispered, wiping a tear off my cheek. I shook my head at him, squeezing his hand. When Billy was done speaking everyone was quiet, a bit of heaviness in the air before Jared cracked a joke and suddenly everyone was just as lively as before. The three older men didn't stay much longer, telling us not to make too much of a ruckus as they left. Someone tossed Paul a can, I tried to hide my surprise when I realized it was a beer.

"Alcohol doesn't really effect us. Werewolf perk" Paul told me, opening the can. He eyed me. "I can give it to someone else?"

I shook my head. "No, it's fine. I don't care that you're drinking. I just….chief's daughter, no underage drinking has been hammered in my head since I was old enough to walk."

"You've never drank at all?"

"No, I just never saw the need." I told him, glancing at the beer. He offered it to me with a smirk. I hesitated for a moment before grabbing the can, taking a small sip. It taste absolutely horrible, it was bitter and the taste lingered. I shook my head, handing him the beer so I could grab my coke to wash my mouth out. "That's disgusting."

"Acquired taste." He chuckled, taking a drink himself. "The girls usually have a few wine coolers around here if you'd like one."

I looked over at Emily a long necked bottle in her hand, filled with a light red liquid. "I'll stick to coke." Paul picked me up, sitting me on the log beside him before getting up. I stared at him shocked when he came back with his third plate of food.

"You eat a lot." I blurted out, smacking my hand against my mouth. He let out a shocked laugh, sitting on the sand in front of me and leaning back against my legs.

"Are you saying I'm fat?"

I gasped. "No! I just…" I trailed off noticing his smirk, he was messing with me. I shoved his shoulder, not moving him at all.

"Another werewolf perk… and curse. I'm always hungry."

I hummed a response, leaning down to steal one of the four cookies on his plate. He growled at me, playfully snapping his teeth at my hand. "What other perks and curses are there?"

"The speed is the best part." Jacob answered before Paul could.

"Nah man the fact that I went from a lanky teen to a buff seemingly 25 year old overnight is the best part." Embry countered, flexing muscles.

"Not aging is pretty cool." Jared said.

"Wait…you all aren't aging?" I asked, shocked.

"Its not permanent. We aged and grew quickly. Most people think I'm in my late 20s when I'm only 19 right. Once I get closer to the age my body jumped to I'll start aging again. We aren't immortal or anything." Paul told me, offering me another cookie.

I shook my head at the cookie. "What about you? What's the best part for you?"

He leaned his head back, resting on my knees to look at me. "You." He said simply. I bit my lip, willing my face to not turn red.

"Suck up." Jacob snickered.

I ignored Jake. "What's the worst part?"

"Hmm, knowing no matter how strong I am, how fast and great of a fighter I am there is always something out there that can hurt you." He whispered. "Being supernatural has its perks but it also gives us knowledge of the evil things in the world and if we aren't careful they will hurt the people we care about."

I swallowed hard, then cleared my throat to keep the tears threatening to escape at bay. He was still looking up at me, his eyes soft and I think for the first time in my life I understood what other girls meant when they said their boyfriend made their heart melt. I'm pretty sure my heart was in a puddle.

"Daaang Paul, way to show us up!" Jared complained. I looked up realizing everyone was staring at us. I felt all the blood rush to my face then and Paul laughed at me.

"Told ya they're annoying." He whispered, before he reach up grabbing the back of my head to pull me forward to kiss him. It only lasted a second, but multiple catcalls met me when I leaned back up. I rolled my eyes. Paul wasn't wrong about the annoying part.

The rest of the night flew by with stories of the pack, the guys teasing Paul and more laughter than I've ever experienced in one night. It was one of the best nights I've ever had. I barely knew them but by the end of the night it was me dishing out hugs, promising Emily I'd visit soon and thanking everyone for being so welcoming.

We stayed late, nearing almost 2am when Paul finally drove us home. I was nervous to be alone with him, I always was, but I had no reason to be because as soon as we changed and got in bed he pulled me to him, laying me across his chest and was snoring not a minute later. I counted his heartbeat, letting sleep take me as well.

"Paul!" I called, knowing he could hear me. I knew he was out here somewhere. I walked slowly in no rush as I felt the deep ache in my chest lessen as I got closer. I stepped into the same clearing he had first found me in, not surprised to see him in front of me. I ran my hand up his snout. "Where have you been?"

He whimpered, licking my cheek. I sat down and he followed laying his large head in my lap.

"Bella?"

My head snapped up at my name, surprised to see Edward standing a few feet in front of us. My wolf growled in warning but didn't move. "What are you doing here?" I asked Edward.

"I was looking for you. It's dangerous out here."

"Then why did you leave me out here?" I asked, running my fingers through my wolf's fur.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd try to follow me.

I smiled at him. "Its okay, I found my wolf."

My eyes popped open, the forest and Edward disappearing. I smiled at the dream. Was it confirming my theory? I shook my head, realizing it didn't really matter what the dreams meant. I kicked the blanket off, figuring it was the heat that woke me. We didn't open a window last night. I sat up, leaning over to open it and wiping sweat off my forehead.

Sighing at the cool breeze I laid back down on my side a bit away from Paul. Sleeping he almost looked like the 19 year old that he is.

My eyes traced his face. His hair was getting longer, it fell on his forehead right above his eyes. I wondered if he was going to cut it. The idea made me sad, his hair was thick and silky soft, I loved running my fingers through it. Using the softest touch, I pushed the hair off his forehead as my eyes continued to take in the details of his face. His eyelashes were unfairly long and dark, his nose had a slight curve on the bridge making me wonder if it was broken before. He was usually clean shaven, but had a little more than a 5 o'clock shadow right now. I wanted to request he never shave again. His lips were full, slightly parted right now and I resisted the urge to kiss him.

Unable to resist touching him, I let one of my fingers follow the same path my eyes did. Forehead, down his nose, enjoying the rough feel of his scruff against my sensitive finger before drawing my finger up his jaw. I sighed.

"What are you thinking about?"

My body jerked in surprise at his whispered words. I snatched my hand back, embarrassment at being caught. He grabbed my hand, eyes still closed and pressing my palm against his cheek. "Its okay. You wouldn't believe how good it feels for you to just touch me."

I let my finger go back to tracing his face, not telling him that I did know how good it feels. The tingles, the heat…every touch was amazing. "I was thinking you should keep the scruff." I whispered, rubbing the hairs on his chin.

He grinned. "I can do that."

I hummed at him, running my fingers back up his jaw and through his hair. "I like this too."

"My hair?" He sighed. "I like it longer too. It's a pain phased though. Makes the fur longer."

"Oh. That makes sense I guess."

He peaked open one eye to look at me. "Why are you awake?"

"Weird dreams and we forgot to open the window so I was hot."

He turned on his side, wrapping his arm around me to pull me closer. I snuggled into his chest. "Same dream?"

I shook my head. "A bit different. I knew I was looking for you and I found my wolf. Edward was there, apologizing for leaving me in the woods but I told him it was fine because I found you."

He was quiet for a long moment. "Is that how you really feel?"

I kissed his chest, letting my eyes close. "Yes, that's how I feel."

His finger tangled in my hair, massaging my scalp lightly. "Do you think you'd feel that way if he was still an option?"

I looked up at him, surprised by the question. "You know better than anyone how things were with him, so yeah I think I'd feel the same. Would you still be sleeping with multiple women if that was an option?"

"Its different for me. Even if one of us rejected the imprint I would still be bound to you. Being with someone else would be close to impossible."

"Would you take away the imprint if you could?"

"I hated imprinting. I thought it was the worst part of being a wolf before you. But now that I've had you, now that I know what it can be, not just hearing the thoughts of my pack, but having the experience of how…perfect we are I couldn't go back."

I cuddled back into his chest hiding a smile. "Good." He kissed my hair. We were both quiet, his fingers still scratching lightly on my scalp, one arm wrapped around me.

"Hey."

I looked back up at him. He staring at me. "What?" He leaned down, wetting his lips before kissing me. I scooted myself up a bit so he didn't have to lean down so far. He pulled back, our faces a breath apart. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he kisses me again instead.

I wanted to pull back, ask him what was wrong but as I often did I got lost in him. The softness of his lips, the wet heat of his mouth, the scruff scratching against me. It was so easy to get lost in him. He pushed gently at my shoulder, rolling me to my back and followed after me, holding himself above me. He stared down at me for a long moment before he kissed me again, bypassing my lips to lay gentle kisses on my neck.

I took a deep breath, something in my body realizing that this was different. It was in the way he was looking at me, the gentle way he was touching me. If I didn't want to have sex, if I wasn't ready I needed to stop this now. I ran my fingers through his hair, tugging his head to make him look at me. Did I want this? My mind was racing, he watched me silently. I wanted him, I knew that and I accepted the imprint. I care about him and I know he cares about me. I nodded at him, accepting and welcoming what I knew he wanted to happen. He smiled, leaning down to kiss me again.

He touch was gentle, his movements slow and calculated as he undressed me, touching, kissing and licking every inch of skin that he could. He mumbled against my skin telling me how beautiful I was, how much he wanted me. I felt like I was on fire. The heat of his body, even with the window open was consuming me. Or maybe it was what was happening between us that was consuming me. All coherent thought left me when his finger pushed inside me. My breath left me in a whoosh, and I moaned against his shoulder. Slowly his finger moved in and out. Over and over. My body was shaking uncontrollably. Every touch, every kiss made me feel as if I would explode but it wasn't until he thumb reached up and brushed against my clitoris that I did explode. Paul swallowed my cries of pleasure, his finger slowing but not stopping. He kissed me until my heart slowed and then leaned over toward the night stand, coming back over me quickly with a condom. He looked at me, I smiled and nodded at the question in his eyes.

I knew it would hurt, I was prepared for that. I wasn't prepared to feel so…whole. When we came together, despite the pain it felt like a piece of me had been missing my entire life and Paul filled it. Two puzzle pieces coming together perfectly. His growls and groans filled my ears as he moved, making something in my belly clench. He nipped and licked and sucked the spot under my ear, but never bit me. I touched every part of him I could, grabbing his hair, running my hands down his chest, my nails digging into the skin of his back, kissing his neck.

It didn't hurt the entire time, but it wasn't completely comfortable either. Despite that when he pulled out a few moments after he came, my body protested without my permission, a loud whine like sound coming from my mouth, my hips thrusting up to chase after his. I felt incredibly empty. He chuckled lightly at me, kissing my nose.

He got up for just a couple seconds, take the condom off and tossing it in a small trash can by his bed. He laid back down pulling me back to him to rest against his check. I winced a bit at the soreness as I moved, muscles I had never used before protesting. His fingers went back to lightly massaging my scalp. I got that feel again of being completely safe and secure and it was easy to slip back into sleep, my eyes closing with permission.

I couldn't go back to sleep so I laid there with her in arms breathing in her scent, the scent of us together watching as the room got lighter as the sun rose. I had just closed my eyes when I heard the howl. I moved Bella off me, trying not to wake her but her eyes immediately opened.

"Sorry, Sam called. I just need to see what's up and I'll be right back. Will you stay here?"

She nodded, getting comfortable before closing her eyes again. I dropped a kiss on her head before running out the backdoor.

"Whats up?" I asked as soon as I phased, running to Forks where Sam and Jared were. Everyone's thoughts were being pushed at me, I couldn't understand anything.

"Shut up!" Sam yelled at them and then showed me what I had missed. Edward Cullen was at Bella's house. I skidded to a stop.