Chapter 14

"Jared, are you okay?"

"Huh?" Jared was startled from his thoughts and felt confused for a while. Then he remembered where he was and sighed, "yeah. Sorry I got spaced out again."

"That's okay. I understand that you are going through pain," Anna said as she sat behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her body against his back. She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed.

But she didn't, not really. Anna didn't know much, only that Kim and he had been friends and dated. Jared hadn't told her about the wolf or any of that shit. They were still so new, and he had planned to wait and see where their relationship was going before revealing their secret.

So Anna didn't know why Kim had been so important to him and what it meant when she died. He was grieving the loss of his friend and former lover but also going through withdrawal symptoms from losing his wolf. She didn't know why he often lost his concentration and sense of space and time. Thank fuck he wasn't shaking any longer like a fucking cold turkey druggie. The first two weeks had been the worst; now, it was just over a month since Kim passed away.

He was grieving. He was fucking lost. Even though their relationship had been terrible for most of the last year, Kim still had been the most important person in his life. And it had hurt like bitch to be so disconnected from her. Being with Anna had helped somewhat, and after he'd learned not to feel guilty, he had enjoyed his time with her.

But Kim just hadn't been able to let go, and it had fucked her up. Before she took off with Milly, she'd talked about how she would make him understand that they were meant to be lovers. She'd been so out of control that she'd lost it and ended up crashing the car; that's what Milly had told him.

And all this suffering was because of the fucking Old Quil. It was a relief that the fucker had been killed by the leeches. It saved him from becoming a murderer because he would have killed him.

He knew he had to end things between him and Anna. He'd realized it right after losing his wolf, but it had been easier to let things go as usual. He needed the sex, the comfort it brought, and the release. But he had started to feel more restless each day, and he knew he had to leave, and he wasn't going to ask Anna to go with him. He had nothing left to give her.

"I think I need some time to be alone," Jared said. He felt Anna's body stiffen.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I'm going to leave the Rez, going to travel."

"Oh."

"Yeah. And I don't know when I'm coming back if I'm coming back."

"Oh," was all Anna said as she realized what Jared had just said.

He'd been thinking about leaving for a couple of weeks and would first go to his cousin who lived in Hawaii. He'd been asking Jared to come over, and now he would take on his offer. He was working on a fishing vessel in Honolulu and told Jared he could get him a spot on the boat too.

"I'm sorry, Anna, but I just have to get out of here." He didn't know what else to say.

Jared's phone buzzed. He glanced at the phone sitting next to him on the porch step. It was Paul. For a second, he thought against answering, feeling tired, but then he realized he wanted to talk with Paul. Maybe he would be up to go for a few beers. Like they used to do all the time before the nightmare started.

Anna got up from behind him and went back inside, sliding the verandah's door silently behind her. Jared wondered if this was the last time he ever saw her. He felt empty thinking about it. Shit, this was so fucked up. Shouldn't he be upset? He'd just broken up with his girlfriend. He did wonder though, what would have happened between them if Kim hadn't died, and he'd still be a shapeshifter. Would they have had a future together? What would she have thought about him not being fully human? Jared was pulled from his musings by the ringtone of his phone. Shit, he'd spaced out again.

He answered the phone. "What's up, man?"

"Are you up for a few beers?" Paul asked.

Jared chuckled, "hell yeah."

"Great. I'll see you at Greg's at six?"

"See you there." Jared got up from the stairs he'd been sitting on and went inside. And sure enough, Anna wasn't there. She'd taken her stuff and left.

He hated that he didn't feel anything. He was numb. It was so fucked up. Just a month ago, he'd been on his way to falling in love with Anna, but now he felt absolutely nothing. And he hated himself for that. Anna was an amazing girl and didn't deserve to be treated like this. But he couldn't tell her the real reason, so it was better to let her think he was an asshole.

He grabbed his keys and a jacket and left. Jared felt cold all the time. There weren't enough clothes to keep him warm. That was one of the reasons he thought about going to Hawaii, it was warm there, and he needed to go somewhere warm.

Jared drove to Greg's and went in. Paul was just ordering two beers and greeted him.

They went to sit in the booth back of the pub.

"Thanks," he said to Paul, who gave him the other bottle.

"How are you holding up?" Paul asked.

"Just broke up with Anna."

"Damn. Why?"

"I just don't have anything to give, and I don't want just to keep fucking her."

"What if she's okay with you just fucking her?"

"You know me better than that."

"Yeah, you're right. "

"And I'm going to leave the rez. I need to get out."

Paul looked at him and nodded. "I understand. This place holds nothing but pretty bad memories for you right now."

"You can say that again," Jared huffed and took a swig.

"Tell me how it feels to be a father," Jared asked, chuckling as he could see some white stuff on his t-shirt, and he was pretty sure it was something to do with babies, as did dark circles under his friend's eyes.

Paul's face lit like a night sky on the 4th of July.

"Fuck, man, there are no words. Those two nippets are the most amazing creatures ever. You know what the girls did today? Lumi was on her tummy on the floor and held her head up for the first time. You should have seen her face. And Luna did the same just a few moments after. It was like she had to do it because her sister did."

Jared felt a bang of envy listening to his friend talk about his kids. Would he ever be a father? Would he be able to get rid of this hollow, empty feeling he had and be able to fall in love and want to have a family?

"Fatherhood suites you."

"Yeah, it does. And Bella makes sure I won't fuck up," he said with a dreamy look.

"Fuck man, you are so whipped."

"Damn right, I am," Paul grinned.

Jared would miss his friend. He and Paul go back a long way, and apart from the dark moments after they both had phased, they've been pretty much inseparable.

"You know how fucking sorry I am about how I behaved back then," Jared said.

"Hey, no need to go there. It's okay, and we've talked about that shit already. You weren't yourself at the time."

"I don't care that I was under that fucking illusion. It was still me saying those things. I'm so fucking happy to see you and Bella happy and with those two little sweethearts. You deserve everything."

"But you don't deserve this; you know that, right?" Paul looked at him, frowning. "It's not any karma shit. It was an accident."

"Yeah. I know." And the strange thing was that he really did. "Kim wasn't herself after … " Jared thought about how to explain how he felt. "The truth is I never knew what she was really like, what we were supposed to be like together. I mean, I saw glimpses of what kind of relationship we could have had if it hadn't been messed up by fucking Old Quil. What I hate the most is that I never got the chance to really know her..." Jared felt a lump in his throat and tears prickling in his eyes.

Paul tapped his shoulder and kept his hand there for a while.

"And how you're dealing with the separation from your wolf?"

"Still pretty messed up, have moments that I just lost track of time. And it's fucking freezing all the time."

"Shit. I wish we had something about this in the old texts and journals. It would be good to know how others have dealt with the death of an imprint. It has happened before."

"I guess we just need to learn as we go."

"When will you leave? Where to?" Paul asked.

"As soon as I get things sorted out. I'm taking on my cousin's offer to go live with him in Honolulu."

"Nice."

"Yeah. Change of scenery is all I need now."

"I'm going to miss you, man," Paul said.

"Shit, being a dad has really softened you," Jared snorted.

"I'll let you live as long as you don't tell anybody."

"How long will you continue to phase?"

"As long as needed. But I have a feeling that we don't need to any much longer. Everyone can, of course, decide for themselves. And I guess it stays dormant, and if there ever will be a threat, we'll phase again."

"Do you think your girls will phase?"

"I fucking hope not."

"But wouldn't that be fucking awesome to have two badass alpha girls for the future pack?"

Paul just chuckled and shook his head.

Bella was munching her sandwich in the diner. She was waiting for Paul to finish his shift. They were going to spend some time together, just two of them. Quil and Claire were taking care of the twins for a few hours.

Bella's phone buzzed. It was a text from Renée.

All set, the bitch leaves next week.

Bella sighed. Things were finally going to get back to normal, well as normal as life in a shapeshifter community would ever get. Rachel was going to move out of the reservation. Renée had organized a place where Rachel could work and be part of some kind of goodwill community somewhere in South-East Asia.

It hadn't taken much sweet talk to get Billy Black to see reason. He knew that his daughter was a risk in the community and not to be trusted. She wasn't supposed to be free without supervision at any time of the day. Renée had insisted on paying for the flights for Rachel, and she would accompany her to ensure she ended up where she was supposed to. Renée would help Billy meet his daughter once or twice a year. But the agreement was that Rachel Black would never set her foot on the reservation again unless Bella and Paul moved away.

It required someone from the outside to see better and understand what had to be done. And if anything, Bella's mum was a fighter. She had fought ten years for Benjamin to get him what he needed to be as healthy and happy as possible. So to get Rachel to move to the other side of the world wasn't a huge effort for her. And she would do anything for her children, anything. And of that, Bella was forever grateful.

"Bella," a voice dragged Bella out of her thoughts. She turned to look who had called her; it was Milly and Jacob. Jacob was pushing Milly in her wheelchair towards her table.

"Hi, Milly and Jacob. How are you?" Bella said with a smile.

"Good," Jacob smiled. "Do you mind if we join you?" he asked.

"Go ahead. I'm waiting for Paul to end his shift."

"Oh, do you think we are still able to get his turkey sandwich before he finishes?" Jacob asked, grinning. Bella couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm. Always the sun.

"I'm sure. Maybe you should go and ask to make sure?" Bella suggested.

Bella and Milly sat silent for a while.

"How are Paul's plans for his place getting on?" Milly asked timidly.

It was strange to see Milly so deflated without any anger and prickles. But then, it would be weirder if life hadn't taught her anything. This wasn't the first time they'd met since the accident. When they had, Milly had poured her heart out at her, asking forgiveness for being such a bitch and terrible person, saying how she'd got her punishment. Bella hadn't known how to deal with what Milly had said. So, she had only told her she hoped Milly could find happiness in herself and together with Jacob.

"They're going well. He and Sam had spent many nights outlining the dining room and the kitchen, and the architect is coming next week."

Paul was going to make his restaurant in the former town hall. It had been vacant for five years now and was perfect for what they had in mind. It was a beautiful old building, and the council had been pleased that someone in the community was ready to give it a new life. The council didn't need such a vast place anymore.

Jacob returned with two cans of coke. "Just in time. Paul makes them," he said.

"Where are your babies?" Jacob asked.

"At home with Quil and Claire. They would probably move in if we let them. They are adorable with the girls," Bella chuckled.

Her heart swelled every time she saw those two with the twins. She was hundred percent sure they would be parents someday too. Their family would consist of two fathers and a mother. It wouldn't be the easiest thing in this small community, but they would have a lot of support from the pack and their families.

"Here you are," Paul appeared with two sandwiches he placed in front of Milly and Jacob. "And if you guys don't mind, I want to take my beautiful wife and get out of here."

"No problem. See you around," Jacob said before he took a huge bite of his food. Bella took her bag and didn't have time to do anything but wave at Milly and Jacob when Paul was already dragging her out of the diner.

When outside, he pulled her to the alley and pressed her between the wall and himself. He captured her lips into a soaring kiss that made her knees buckle.

"I want you so bad," he murmured as he dragged his nose along her jaw.

"Not here, I hope," Bella giggled.

"No. Come on," Paul grabbed her hand and pulled her towards his truck. He opened the door, and Bella hopped in.

"Where to?"

"Jared's place. I've got keys to his house because I promised to look after it while he's away. It has the loudest bed, and I want to fuck you in it and make as much noise as possible."

"Oh God, Paul," Bella gasped. "I don't want to fuck in Jared's bed. And how an earth you know what sounds his bed makes. Or never mind, I don't want to know."

Paul chuckled. "Not what you are thinking. I spent a few nights there when Jared was dating that girl from Forks before phasing."

"Oh."

"Don't worry. I bought a new mattress and took our sheets. Only the structure is the same. I'm so bored not being able to make noise when we're at home. This will be our sanctuary for fuck fests." Paul said, winking.

"Oh my God, Paul. You are serious, aren't you?" Bella said, slapping his arm.

"Hell, yeah, I am. Been planning this for weeks now."

"You miss him, don't you?" Bella asked even if she knew he did. Jared had left a month ago without any promise of coming back.

"Maybe. But not something I want to think about now when I'm about to fuck my wife." Paul turned on a gravel road that led to Jared's house.

"You know we could use my soundproof play hut for this purpose too. When will I get it?" Bella asked, batting her eyelashes.

"Now that you mentioned, very soon." Paul grinned and hopped out of the truck. Bella waited for him to come to open the door for her. She was already ready to be taken by him against this truck, if he so willed. It had been a tough few weeks with little sleep and cranky babies. When the other one settled, the other started. They had been able to sleep a bit more after they've come up with a rather unorthodox way to get them to sleep, Paul sleeping in his wolf form on the nursery floor and the girls wrapped around his pelt with Bella. Like that, they could get four to five hours of continuous sleep like this, but it made Bella's back ache.

Bella followed Paul with her eyes, her heart pounding fast in her chest. Paul opened the door and leaned against the frame drilling his eyes into hers. Dear lord, he could make her come by only looking at her with those burning eyes. They stared at each other for a long while. Bella could feel her underwear getting wetter and wetter. Paul's nostrils flared as he pulled her closer, and Bella turned to face him. He moved to stand between her legs and leaned down to kiss her.

"Hi," Paul nuzzled her cheek.

"Hi yourself," Bella breathed and moaned when Paul cupped her mound, pressing his finger against her aching core. He didn't waste any time but tore her jeans and panties off her like they were nothing but paper.

Bella was startled by the sudden movement. "Hey, I loved those jeans!" she cried.

"Hush now," Paul grunted and pulled her ass on the edge of the bench kneeling between her thighs.

Paul licked her with a flat tongue from ass up to her slit and pinched her slick bud with his teeth, and it was all it took. She orgasmed hard, and Paul plunged his tongue inside her grabbing her hips and pulling her closed to his mouth. His burning eyes never left hers.

"God. Paul!" Bella panted. He didn't stop but ate at her like a man dying of thirst. His hot tongue felt incredible, and she grabbed her hands into his hair, tugging him closer.

She came again, arcing her back and throwing her head back.

"Fuck, you are amazing!" Paul panted as he got up from the ground and pulled her flush against his chest.

"Now I'm going to fuck you," he murmured and opened his jeans. His enormous cock jutted out, and Bella's mouth watered. "Can I suck you off?"

"Later."

Paul pulled her out of the truck and impaled her on his dick. They both groaned loudly.

"That's it, baby. Be loud!"

He slammed her against the truck and pounded into her wanting core with brutal force. He moved his arms under her knees and spread her more open, going deeper, hitting the most sensitive spot inside her. Deep and hard.

"So fucking tight," he grunted.

"Jesus... uhh... fu...ck..." Bella mumbled, and Paul growled. The noise made her come again, and she clamped fiercely around Paul's hot shaft.

"Baby... Fuck...Yes suck me. Ahh...Fuck!" Paul moaned and exploded inside her, causing her to convulse around him again and again.

Paul rested his head on her shoulder, panting heavily. Bella leaned her head against the truck and closed her eyes. Her whole body felt like jello, and she was feeling lightheaded.

"Now what?" Bella giggled. "I'm not able to walk."

Paul chuckled lightly and kissed the tip of her nose.

"I'm here for that."

Paul withdrew from her and quickly pulled his jeans up. He lifted her in his arms.

"How am I going to go home without pants? Hmm?" Bella asked, kissing Paul's neck. "I can hardly walk into our house, my ass bare."

"I've taken some of your clothes here."

"You really had planned this quite a bit, huh."

"Yep."

He carried her into the house and through the open space kitchen living room to the back into a room with a queen-sized bed. There was a picture of them on the wall. Bella gasped. She hadn't seen that photo before. She and Paul were snuggling by the bonfire. Bella was sitting between Paul's legs, his arms wrapped around her. She was kissing his cheek, her hands framing his face. Paul smiled his amazing smile, and the look in his eyes made Bella's heart stutter. It must be how they looked like when the rest of the world disappeared around them. She had no recollection of this photo being taken. When? Who?

"Wow, who took that photo?"

"Kim," Paul said quietly.

"Oh." Bella felt a lump in her throat. She hoped Kim had found peace, wherever her soul was. Was she with Jared's wolf? That idea made her happy.

"It was on her phone. Jared found it and sent it to me. We'll take it home, but I wanted it to be here for a while. For this moment."

They were both silent, lost for words looking at the picture.

Then Paul carried her to the bed and laid her down. He pulled his t-shirt off and peeled off his jeans. Bella could not take her eyes off his, she could see yellow around the irises. Paul kneeled by the bed and helped her take off her remaining clothes.

"We're here. It's all that matters. We have each other and the girls," he whispered.

Paul kissed her, and she moved up on the bed and laid down, pulling Paul with her. His hard member was pressing against her abdomen. She opened her legs and guided him inside her.

"I love you," she whispered and placed her hand over her mark on Paul's chest.

"I'm crazy about you," Paul answered and started to move.

And sure enough, Jared's old bed started to squeak from the first thrust, making Bella giddy. She began to giggle. Somewhat confusing emotion to be laughing same time as her insides were coiling in heat, ready to burst with intense pleasure.

"I did tell you," Paul laughed as he picked up the rhythm. The squeaking got louder.

"Ah... that you did..."

Soon laughter changed into wanton moans and grunts—skin slapping against skin.

Paul pulled out of her and turned her around on her knees and hands.

"Grab the headboard," Paul panted and slammed back inside her.

"I want you to scream my name. Who is fucking you, baby."

"Paul.. Ah... "

Bella rocked against Paul while he picked up with his thrusts, and the poor bed got louder and louder.

Paul trailed his palms on her side, and his other hand grabbed her hair. He changed his hard pace into slower but deeper thrusts, and Bella's legs started to tremble. He picked up the pace again.

"Paul, oh my God!"

"That's it, baby, scream my name!"

Paul drew her flush against his chest, and his hips kept slamming against her. She turned her head, and their mouths crashed, and they ate each other, but then Paul wrapped his fingers around her throat, and his other hand found her throbbing bud circling it whit this finger. He panted against her ear.

"Scream, baby, scream," and he slammed so hard, so deep that she felt her insides exploding with her orgasm.

"God!" Bella screamed, and Paul followed her over the edge. The bed gave up and crashed on the floor.

Bella screamed, but Paul's strong arms kept her up, and she didn't fall.

"Damn, are you okay, baby?" Paul asked.

Bella could not help but burst into laughter, and Paul soon joined her.

"I'm sure that was loud enough for you, eh?" Bella giggled.

Paul laid down on the floor, curling his huge body so his family could safely rest against him. Bella placed sleeping Lumi on her back next to his flank and kept Luna, still babbling, not quite fallen asleep on her arms when she leaned against Paul's soft fur. Paul nuzzled his snout over his baby girl and then another in her mother's arms. A low rumble echoed in his chest. Then he sniffed his mate's cheek and his mark on her shoulder.

"Love you, Paul," Bella whispered and skimmed her hand over his soft fur.

His four-month-old baby grabbed his fur and stretched her fingers, pulling the fur. It was her favorite way to soothe herself just before falling asleep. It caused his whole body to tremble in satisfaction and a feeling of wholeness.

Paul's wolf relished these moments to feel whole with his family. It was time for reconnecting and tranquility. The wolf had never felt as content as having his pups and mate safely on his side. It was all he ever needed.

He laid his head on the floor as Bella curled around their daughters, sighing contentedly. He swept his tail protectively over babies and his mate, and they all fell into blissful sleep.

The End

AN:

That was it. I'm sure you agree there was no need to drag it any longer. I hate to leave my favorite pair, but I think the plot part is ready. There won't be other vampires coming around, that much I can promise. But I'm pretty sure I'll write a future outtake or two in near future. So, stay tuned and tell me what you thought about this story. Also, let me know if there is something or someone you would like to read more about.

I'm concentrating on my two AH stories now. I might be tempted to write another wolf fic, but so far, I don't have any specific idea in mind. Thank you so much for being here with me. I loved having you here. Take care!