Chapter 6: Imprint Woes and Nomads

A/N: Happy Saturday guys! just want to say I appreciate all the feedback! and follows! as promised here is Saturday's chapter! see you Sunday. I'm going paddleboarding!

Rachel locked the door and turned out the lights in her office. Today had been a very busy day. Five cats came in needing to be spayed and neutered. Then she had to pull out the needles of a porcupine from a dog's snout. She could empathize with the poor animal when Quill first phased, he had been so curious about everything that he unknowingly stuck his head in a porcupine's home and got the shock of a lifetime. She had to pull the needles out then too. And then she had to deal with telling a family that their dog had cancer and no amount of treatment would help. They could only make him comfortable, or they could come back and euthanize him.

However, the worst part of her day had been the ache in her chest. The ache because of Paul. The selfish bastard. Everything about her imprint was screwed up. She wanted him but he didn't want her. which just seemed so impossible.

It was impossible for someone to reject their imprint. They had to be whatever the imprint needed. And yet Paul had somehow gotten around it.

The day she imprinted had been a disaster and the first day she had met Paul.

Flashback:

Rachel laughed at her cousin's joke as she sat around the bonfire. They had just killed some dread-headed leech and they were Celebrating the kill.

She was sitting in the honor circle next to her sister as Quill continued their conversation. The honor circle was where the chief sat, and people were only allowed to enter his space if he allowed them to do so. Their family's backyard was full of people. Their pack and their families. Practically everyone in the tribe was here. Everyone in the tribe knew about vampires and learned about the existence of the pack. It was an honor when someone's son or daughter had phased. That meant that the spirits had chosen them. Of course, only three descendants had the ability to phase. Black, Ateara, or Uley. That meant that everyone in the pack was related to the original three in some way. But people who were not native to their tribe were not allowed to know the secret. Rachel thought about their family friend Charlie Swan. Or Uncle Charlie as she would sometimes call him. As much as her family loved him, he and his daughter were not allowed to attend any tribal function. It was against their law to have outsiders around during this time. Anyway, all the parents and imprints were scattered about the backyard. Laughter filled their ears and barbeque filled their nose. The only thing Rachel longed for was an imprint. The one person who was connected to your soul in a deep and spiritual way. Someone that would understand her and meet her needs. Someone that would protect her and do everything she needed them to do. The spirits had blessed half the pack with imprints. Why not her? She was more than deserving. She was the daughter of the chief after all.

"Rach? Rach? You listening to me?" Quill asked.

"of course, little cousin I heard you. now- "

All of a sudden everyone came to a hush. They had all frozen, their eyes looking at the woods. Rebecca stood up from her seat next to her father.

Rachel looked around in confusion.

"what's going on?" she whispered to Quil. But her question didn't answer her as he ran and scooped up Claire, putting the teenager behind him.

Rachel looked at her sister for answers, but she didn't even look at her. She was looking towards the forest.

"It's...him." one of the elders whispered.

"But why is he here now? They made the kill."

"no. he made the kill. He gets his claim."

It was then Rachel understood what was going on. The kill claim. Their pack's strongest warrior had come for his reward. Whenever the pack went to kill a leech, Rebecca never went for the kill, she always ordered the pack to distract and then a very fast blur would come and behead the leech. Rachel now realized it was their warrior. But the crazy part was, she had no clue who their warrior was. She knew he was a part of the pack. She knew of his existence, but she didn't know his name or what he looked like and when she asked, everyone shied away from telling her. It was almost like his name was forbidden. But one thing she knew for sure was that fear permeated the air. And like the red sea, everyone parted, and their warrior appeared.

Rachel gasped.

This warrior. This man. He was drop-dead gorgeous. He had long hair, that was braided down his back. He wore a black T-shirt, with black pants and no shoes. On his eyes were the darkest shade of sunglasses she had seen. Why was he wearing sunglasses at night? Rachel started with his feet, as her eyes traveled up his thighs.

Oh, dear, he had thighs that could crack a walnut!

Her eyes roamed up his body as they stopped at his pecs that were practically trying to break through the shirt he wore.

Next were his arms, oh he could break someone's neck with those.

Rachel was broken out of her study of him when a gasp and growl was heard. She looked up to see Sam and Jacob blocking their warrior's path. Instead of growling back at them, he just gave them an arched eyebrow. He then turned his attention to Rebecca.

"Let him through." Her father ordered.

The guys stepped back, and their warrior walked through.

"Spirit warrior." Her father's strong voice rang out. Her father may not phase but he was an alpha in his own right. His wisdom was sought by many.

"You have served your pack well. You made the kill for your pack. Tell us what it is you desire to claim?"

The warrior stared at her father in confusion.

"Claim? Im not here to claim anything. I need to see the alpha female."

The tribe gasped in shock, and everyone began to whisper.

"How dare he deny the claim!"

"What is wrong with him?"

"We already know what's wrong, the guy is nuts. He's always been a weird one."

"Dude, I heard he murdered his parents."

"I heard they sold him for crack."

Rachel tuned them out as she looked back at their warrior.

"Paul Lahote? Are you denying your chief?"

Paul. His name was Paul! Oh, if only she could have his name slipping from her lips every night.

Rachel shook away the lust as she tried to pay attention.

"I can't deny you something I didn't know about, nor deny something I don't want. "Paul told her father devoid of any emotion.

No one could tell if he was angry or frustrated. There was no emotion on his face. it seemed as If he was completely calm.

"Your chief is trying to reward you. watch your tongue child." One of the elders corrected.

Her father held his hand up in silence as he stared at Paul.

"Spirit warrior Lahote. Are you saying you don't want anything from your tribe as a reward?"

"That is correct, I don't want anything. Now I would really like to talk to the alpha female."

Her father rubbed his chin for a minute before he gave an answer.

"Spirit warrior Lahote, I am surprised that you don't want anything. Therefore, I will hold your claim for you to use when you need it. I'll have the elders put it in the book. You may talk to your alpha female."

Paul turned to her sister and the two conversed for about four minutes. They were talking so low that Rachel couldn't hear them.

After a minute Rebecca nodded and waved for the bonfire to continue and for the music to be turned back on.

Just as Paul was turning to leave, Rachel's eyes met his covered ones.

Rachel gasped and saw the red strings of fate tying her to this man! This handsome warrior.

Immediately she fell to her knees, her hand over her heart.

The tribe began to murmur as they looked between her and Paul.

"Imprint! The second daughter of chief black and the warrior Lahote have imprinted." One of the elders stood and announced.

Rachel kneeled with her hand rubbing her chest. She could feel it. the imprint pull. The imprint power!

This was it. like the imprints before her, her new mate would surely rush to her, and their bond would be accepted.

However, like a rubber band, the pull in her chest was snapped back.

Wait …what was happening? Paul was walking away from her!

Had he even looked at her?

Rachel cried out as the pain in her chest began to expand as if her spirit was trying to follow Paul's.

She collapsed into the grass, as she watched with desperate eyes as her brothers tried to stop him.

He kept walking.

Rachel let out a mournful weep as she succumbed to darkness.

End flashback

…

"Rachel?" a deep voice called.

She was torn from the painful memory as she looked up to see her future brother-in-law staring at her. A look of sympathy and pain on his face.

Rachel didn't respond. All she could do was cry.

Sam was quick to embrace her.

"Why doesn't he want me, Sam?" she sobbed.

Sam let out a low growl.

"he's broken, Rachel. He doesn't deserve you."

"He acts like I don't exist! He's supposed to be mine." She cried as she stomped her foot like a child.

"he's not a …human Rachel." Sam tried to rationalize.

Rachel growled and shoved Sam away.

"He may not be. But he is my imprint! He embarrassed me by walking away and treating me like crap. He's going to pay. He's going to accept the imprint whether he likes it or not. He will submit it! I'll make sure of it!"

With that said Rachel Black stomped off toward the council hall.

Sam shook his head as he watched her go. This would not go down well.

…

Bella watched Paul from the corner of her eye as she locked up the café. She had just closed and began to lock the door when she heard him growl lowly.

He was looking at his phone.

"Everything ok babe?"

Paul held the phone in his hand and took a deep breath.

"Rachel freaking black the bane of my existence."

Bella ground her teeth. Of course, it was Rachel Black.

"Oh. Well, I guess you should talk to your imprint then. I'll be in the car." She said in irritation.

However, Paul didn't let her get far.

"Stop it, Izzy. Your it for me and you know it. don't let your insecurities get in the way."

"My insecurities? How would you feel if some guy randomly looked me in the eyes and then was attached to me forever? And then every second of your life you have to hear about them pining over me? and doing everything they can to make you mad because they lust after you. I'm not mad at you Paul and I know you're mine, but it doesn't make it less annoying when you go back to la push. She's there waiting for you. Can't you just tell her you don't want her and move on?"

Paul growled as he pulled Bella to his chest.

"Oh yeah? How would you feel if I went to go live in a house full of leeches? One of them just so happens to be my ex-girlfriend who in fact still loves me and tries to win my affections every day. That includes watching me sleep."

"I told you I live next to them not with them."

"And I've told you that she imprinted on me. I didn't imprint on her. I have no attachments to her. it's purely one-sided. She could never compare to you, darling. Your one in a million."

"eat your own words then Mr. Lahote. Glitter dick could never measure up to you. your my prince charming. I love you 3000 and nothing can change that."

"So why are we having this petty argument?" Paul asked.

Bella shrugged her shoulder.

"Hormones?"

The duo stared at each other before they began to laugh. The argument was like simple thorns on a rose. The thorns only enhanced the beauty.

Paul stopped laughing as he quickly pushed Bella behind him. He was completely frozen as he looked into the trees.

He didn't say one word as an unknown man with red eyes entered the parking lot.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. A little mouse and who is with her? Is this your bodyguard little mouse?"

Obviously, the nomad was talking to Bella, but she ignored him.

"Aww? Cat got your tongue? That's ok. im going to rip it out in just a second. You know it's too bad it has to end this way. My sister wants you alive, but I didn't see the point. You don't look like anything special. I mean, I could probably screw you but that's all you'll ever be worth."

Paul let out a menacing growl.

"Is that supposed to scare me?" the nomad asked as he inched closer.

It was then Paul pulled two blades out of his back pocket and launched them at the nomad. They exploded leaving flames at the nomad's feet.

The nomad backed up with a stunned look. The strange man was still there but his little mouse was gone!

"Oh well done, bodyguard. I like circus acts." The nomad hissed. "However, you're not the one I want. so ill dispose of you quickly."

The nomad rushed towards Paul, but Paul didn't move. Didn't even blink as the nomad charged him.

"Green light!" Paul suddenly yelled.

The nomad was confused by why the mouse's guard was yelling. he didn't get time to dwell on it when he felt flames on his back.

Standing with a flaming bow and arrow was Bella. The nomad hissed and disappeared before their eyes.

"Well, it looks like it's a red light for now," Bella called as she and Paul suddenly stood back-to-back, observing their surroundings.

"Hang on," Paul said.

He pulled out his phone and pressed the speed dial.

"Teagan. Do you have eyes on the security cameras? Go ahead and erase the footage."

As soon as he hung the call, Bella let out a low whistle.

The Cullen Family jumped down from the trees. All of them looked stunned at Bella and Paul.

"What the heck just happened?" Emmett asked.

However, Bella shook her head and looked at Edward.

"Did you see inside his head? Do you know where Victoria is? He said his sister, so im assuming they are siblings. And did you notice how fast he disappeared? I think his gift is invincibility. None of us knew he was there, yet he appeared and disappeared faster than normal. Can you clarify any of this?"

Edward however, completely dismissed her questions.

"Just what in the high heavens do you think you're doing, Bella? Throwing flaming arrows! Running into the woods when the enemy is near! You could have gotten hurt! AND YOU- "he pointed at Paul.

However, Edward didn't get the chance to finish because Paul was ripping Edward's legs off. Edward screamed and Paul smiled.

"Nobody moves," Paul said coldly. None of the Cullen's moved, but Emmett and Jasper let out hisses of displeasure.

Paul leaned Edward's legless body against a tree and squatted down before him.

"Listen here and listen well, mind reader. I do not have time for games. there are two sick leeches out there ready to kill my wife. Now if you love Bella like you think you do, then you need to cut the crap and tell us what you saw. The whole point of this Ruse was to draw the enemy out when they thought you all had left her alone. It worked, and now we need the information. So, speak before I burn your legs and your brothers will have to carry you the rest of your life."

Edward gritted his teeth. This whole idea was bad from the start.

Flashback:

"So, what do we do about this nomad?" Esme asked.

"Easy we track him and kill him," Emmet said innocently.

Paul snorted, interrupting the family discussion as Bella slept in his lap. Edward seethed at the sight.

"That will get you all killed," Paul told them.

"Oh well, how do you suggest we handle it?" Jasper questioned.

"Simple. You play the game."

"What Game?" Rosalie asked "There is no game. It's just a crazy hunter."

Paul shook his head.

"See, that's where your wrong. I hate to say this, but this is what happens when leeches stray from your original diet. You lose touch with your natural self. You all sit here trying to be human and redeeming yourselves when it's all a lie. there is no true redemption. But I digress. As you know when you hunt, it's deadly and you focused on your prey. When the hunter has a prize to claim, they will do anything they need to back their prey into a corner and most of all they will do it patiently. There is no rush for a true predator. He will watch and wait for a weak moment. And we are going to give him one."

"How?" Edward asked on edge. He didn't like where this is going.

"We give him what he wants," Paul stated as if he were saying the sky was blue. He then stroked Bella's hair gently.

Edward roared and of course, it woke Bella.

In an angry haze, his ex-girlfriend shot up off Paul's lap and darted toward him.

"Darn it, Edward Cullen! Shut up! Shut up! shut up! shut up! This is my life and YOU have already meddled in it enough! Paul and I have a plan and you can either participate or stay out of the way! Now with that said im going to BED!"

Bella then stomped out of the Cullen home and slammed the door, so hard it shattered the glass.

She then shouted.

"IM NOT SORRY AND IM NOT PAYING FOR IT!"

Paul, however, laughed. So hard it seems tears would be coming out of his eyes if the shades were not in the way.

"What my wife said is true. If you can't deal with it, get out of the way. Tomorrow when she gets off work, she and I will stand in the parking lot, pretending to argue. You all will hide high above the trees, NOT talking. We don't want the enemy to know you there. And no matter what happens you don't come down until you hear my wife whistle."

He then stood almost stretching himself like a cat and stepped through the now shattered doorframe.

"Wow…I better not piss Bella off anymore. She's scary when she's woken from a nap." Emmett mumbled.

End flashback

"The nomad is named Victor. He's Victoria's brother. She recruited him after Laurent was killed. They've been following Bella ever since she left Italy. Victor's gift is to become invisible, while Victoria's is elusiveness. She's very hard to catch. Victor was injured when Bella hit him with the flames. His back is badly burned. He should have gone up in smoke, but he turned himself invisible just in time and put himself out. He ran west."

Paul nodded and pulled out his phone again.

"The nomad went west. Follow him and observe but do not make any sudden moves. He's mine."

"There's more," Edward said suddenly. A look of pain and sadness on his face. "Bella im so sorry."

Bella's eyebrows furrowed as she looked at Edward intensely.

"What is it ed- "

Alice's sudden cry interrupted her.

"CHARLIE NO! Bella, it's Victoria! She has Charlie!"

Bella felt her heart stop. She turned to yell for her husband, but Paul was gone before she could even speak.

His voice reached her in the night wind.

We got this.