A/N: This one is kinda the last chapter but Paul's POV. Hope you like it!

Paul.

I put it off for almost a week, but with Rachel calling and texting me constantly, I know I have to officially end it between us. The whole thing is fucking me up. Her growing attachment and the way the guys are forcing themselves to act around her is just making me realize how many people are going to be hurt the longer I draw this out. Somewhere along the lines, things definitely got blurred. I got caught up in the sex and the freedom of not having to take care of my old man anymore and the overall pack benefits of having an "imprint."

They're going to be so pissed. Pissed I lied, pissed I copped out of the shitty patrol shifts for the last few months, and pissed I took advantage of the whole situation.

Chief will be pissed. Jacob will be pissed.

Rachel will be really pissed.

Fuck.

My phone vibrates for the umpteenth time today and I reluctantly unlock it and scroll through the unopened messages as I head to the back of the convenience store.

Tonight is going to call for lots of beer if any of the guys will actually wanna drink it with me after I confess.

There's a mirage of unread texts from Rachel over the last few days. I went MIA because I didn't know how the fuck I was gonna do this. I still don't, but I really can't put it off any longer. Should've just ripped it off like a band aid.

I read through the last few texts.

/

From: Rachel

Message: I miss you. I don't understand what's going on

/

From: Rachel

Message: Will you please come over and talk?

/

From: Rachel

Message: Please don't do this. Where are you? Please talk to me

/

I swallow and grab two twelve-packs from the back fridge and walk them to the checkout. Paying for them in cash, I tuck them into the floor space in the back of my 4Runner and press the call button on my phone.

She answers in a split second. "Hello?"

"Hey, Rachel," I mumble quietly, climbing into the driver's seat.

"Where the hell have you been? You've been ignoring me."

Rubbing my forehead, I start up the car and use my shoulder to hold the phone to my ear. "Yeah, we need to talk. Are you home?"

"Yeah."

"Be there soon." I drop the phone into my lap and end the call, flipping a u-ie around the road divider and heading towards her house.

The drive isn't long enough for me to come up with a solid speech, so by the time I pull up I still have no fucking idea what I'm going to say to her.

She's sitting on the porch steps and stands up when I cut the engine. I leave the lights on since it's dark out and toss my phone into the passenger seat. Inhaling deeply, I step out of the car and walk over to her, leaning against the porch railing.

We stare at each other in silence for a minute before I swallow back my nerves.

This was exactly what I didn't want to end up happening.

"We gotta call a quits, Rachel."

She doesn't say anything back and continues to stare at me, arms folded across her chest.

"I told you not to fall for me," my voice raises a little. "You knew from the beginning about imprinting and what could happen—"

"I don't care about imprinting," she snaps. "You've met everyone on the reservation. You've met the only family members that will ever visit. The chance of you actually imprinting is so miniscule—"

"Rachel—"

"No," she cuts me off. "You're using it as an excuse to not get close to anyone."

I sigh. "The whole point was to not get close to anyone. I don't want a Sam and Leah situation."

"But you feel something for me."

"Being with me won't solve anything for you. You'll still have to eventually come clean to your family and figure out what you're going to do."

She just laughs and shakes her head. "I can't believe you."

I expected her to be sad about it, cry maybe, but I didn't realize she would fight back like this. This is a side of her I haven't seen before. "I care about you, Rach. You're my friend, but I'm not going to pursue a romantic relationship with you."

"Friends don't have sex," she states blankly.

There it is. "That was your idea, Rachel."

She scoffs and shakes her head at me. "You're just as bad as your father."

Blood rises to my face and my eyes narrow at her. "What?"

"Using women. Running away when things get hard. Treating others like shit to get what you want—"

"Don't ever compare me to him. I did this on your behalf."

There's a glint in her eye as she takes a step closer and points her finger at me. "Jacob was right about you. Never letting anyone in. Never being honest with anyone. Like father like son."

My teeth grind together. "Jacob should be careful throwing those words around, seeing as there's a chance Embry could be your guys' brother," I hiss. It's a low blow, but I'm pissed.

Next thing I know, she slaps me across the face and I'm seeing red.

Blood racing, hands shaking uncontrollably – in the haze of blurred vision and the heat searing down my spine, I manage to stumble away from her before my wolf takes full control.

Even after I phase, my body is still shaking. I snarl with my hackles raised and the blood pounding in my ears is so loud I can barely make out the other guys' thoughts as they ask me what's happening and where I am.

My wolf's pride – my pride – has been damaged.

I rise to my full height on all fours and run my tongue over my exposed teeth.

"You think I'm afraid of you?"

I'm getting Sam. Collin and Brady's howls echo so loudly from across the rez that even Rachel hears them. We don't warning call that loud unless it's serious.

"Calling your little wolf buddies because you can't handle a girl on your own?" she taunts, shaking her head. "You're pathetic, Paul. Change back and talk to me like an adult."

Sam and Jared shift in as I snarl at her in a rabid manner.

Stand down, Paul!

My breath feels heavy in my chest. For once, I'm afraid I might actually hurt someone while phased. Yeah I was pissed when Bella hit me that one time, but she wasn't trying to make me phase. I was never gonna actually hurt her. But Rachel is doing this on purpose. She wants to get even and hurt me back because she can't handle rejection.

I'm so fucking pissed I feel like I could even defy alpha orders right now.

"Someone like you will never imprint," she drawls. "You're an animal. Our ancestors will never allow it."

What the hell is she talking about?

I can feel the ground trembling with the approach of Sam and Jared. They're probably going to steamroll me, but that might be what it takes to snap my wolf out of it. I can't cage him back in. It's like being sixteen and newly phased all over again.

Rachel gives me one last look of disgust before opening the front door. "Good luck with everything, Paul. Truly. You're going to need it."

Embry and Malachi phase in.

What's going on?

I let out a warning bark and Sam suddenly jumps in front of me, Jared at my flank. I snarl and whip my head back and forth to try and keep an eye on what they're both doing, expecting an attack at any second.

Easy, Sam coaxes.

They're both lowered in defensive stances, but the only one showing any teeth is me.

I can't stop replaying what she said about me being my father. I start to whimper and fight my wolf, forcing my head to the ground, pawing at my ears and squeezing my eyes shut.

Jared whimpers too.

The twins phase in.

Easy. You're not your father. Sam approaches me slowly and presses his muzzle into my head. None of us are our fathers.

Jared takes to his belly and crawls over, pushing his nose into my shoulder.

I flop around in the dirt while battling my wolf for control. He wants to tear down the front door. I just want this shit to be over with.

Sam and Jared both push on me with their muzzles until I'm able to force myself back onto my feet.

I feel like total shit.

I don't even remember the last time I was this mad.

My brain is stuck on a repeat loop of everything she said.

The guys in the background are just as bad.

What happened?

What's going on?

Are you okay, Paul?

We heard the warning call.

I don't smell anything?

Is it a vamp?

I whimper again.

Quiet! Sam's voice bellows in our ears and brings everyone to their bellies. Everyone phase out. Paul needs a minute.

My blood is still racing.

I'm not my father. My father is a piece of shit. An abusive, alcoholic piece of shit that's lost his fucking mind. And now that Rachel is out of the picture, I'm going to be stuck taking care of him again when all I want to do is fucking kill him.

Jared leans against me to support my swaying body. I'll ask Kim.

No, I snap. She looks too much like my mom.

My old man used to say it all the time when we were younger – how Kim looked exactly like my mom did when she was a teenager. It freaked me out the way he said it, so I was always really mean to Kim growing up so she would stay away from us.

I'll ask Sue. At least until you can find something more permanent.

Like a grave?

Paul, Sam scolds.

My tail drops between my legs, but I still feel a snicker tingling behind my lips.

It's quiet for a minute while my blood settles. I finally feel like I can phase back. Still pissed, but controllable at least. I sigh heavily and look back and forth between Sam and Jared. So, I faked my imprint.

They both look amused.

We see that.

I roll my neck and manage to pull myself back into my body and onto two legs again. Good thing I left those spare shorts in the garage and always have backups in the 4Runner. My favorite pair of jeans is in shreds on the ground.

Sam and Jared phase back and I loan them shorts from my car, leaning up against the side of it as they put them on. They both came running so fast they phased from their clothes, too.

"Let's get off the Black's property before she calls Chief Swan and Billy on us. If she hasn't already," Sam chuckles.

We hop in the 4Runner, Sam up front and Jared in the back. Jared immediately finds and tears open one of the twelve-packs and hands two cans up front. He sticks his face between the seats with a grin and cracks open his beer. "My guess is you prepared for this," he jokes.

Sam cracks his open but holds mine hostage. "You two can have the night off," he tells us, pocketing my beer. "But put some clothes on."

We drop him off at home where Jared and I grab some clothes before heading back to the car. He jumps in the passenger seat and gives me a look. "What the fuck even happened?"

"Long fucking story."

"Well, we have twenty-one cans of beer and the bar in Forks is still open."

That's a start.

"Dude, you know Jake's gonna kill you, right?" Jared leans back in his seat and takes a drink of his whiskey.

We made it to the bar on foot after leaving the 4Runner at my place. It's a Tuesday night and the bar is still packed to the walls with people even though we've been here for hours and it's about to close.

I throw a peanut shell onto the ground and look up at the TV where a replay of the UFC fight from the other night is playing.

"I knew this shit would backfire."

He smirks at me. "Was she at least good in bed? Or did you fake that too?"

I shove him playfully. "The sex was great," I tell him, grabbing another handful of peanuts. "She just started getting needy. And after seeing Embry get Jos back, it just kinda put shit into perspective for me."

The bartender plops two shots in front of us and Jared hands him a twenty.

"Yeah, not really fair to you or the girl if you fall for each other and then imprint," he agrees, handing me one of the shot glasses. "The whole Sam and Leah thing."

I nod. "Which is exactly what I told her in the very beginning."

We clank our glasses together and tip our heads back. I could take another thirty of these probably and still be standing. Too bad they don't sell Everclear.

"Shit, bro," Jared coughs into his elbow and claps me on the back. "Well, I'm sorry, my dude."

Shrugging, I return to my Jack & Coke and swirl the ice around. "Figures this shit would happen," I grumble. "Now I lost good sex and someone to take care of my pops."

Jared makes a face and purses his lips. "I mean, you could accidentally forget to feed him."

We laugh and finish up our drinks before the bartender shuts the place down for the night. Jared makes me take a pit stop by Josie's with him – just to make sure she's still there and okay – and then we walk around town, each clutching a twelve-pack. Well, mine's a nine-pack.

"I kinda thought something was up," Jared says, opening a can with his teeth.

I do the same.

We both chug through them and toss them in a dumpster behind the gas station store I bought them from. I immediately open another. "How much you wanna bet Jacob shows up tomorrow to pick a fight?" I ask.

He squints his eyes up at the dark sky. "I'll put fifty on it says he already knows."

I snort and we shake on it.

Not even seconds later, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out. "Bro," I groan, showing him the screen.

/

From: Jake

Message: You're fucking dead, Lahote.

/

How the fuck is Jared always right? "How did you even know?"

He just laughs and holds his hand out expectantly. I dig for my wallet and pull cash out, then slap it in his palm.

"I'm a brother. I did the same shit to Embry," he counts the bills and then pockets them.

We wander around town all night drinking before finally ending up back at Sam and Emily's for breakfast. She has a hard time sleeping now that she's nearing the end of her pregnancy, so she's always up super early starting breakfast.

We toss the box remnants into her recycling can outside and both take seats at the kitchen table while she cooks.

"Long night, you two?" As if she doesn't already know.

Jared scratches the back of his head and laughs. "Just need to fuel up for the fight we're gonna have with Jacob any minute now."

He's a good friend – always having my back even when it's not his battle.

Em's head snaps around. "Excuse me?"

We both sink into our chairs.

"There better be no fighting in this house," she warns, threatening us with her spatula.

I hear Sam coming down the stairs and he walks into the kitchen a second later. "Did I hear something about a fight?" He kisses the side of Emily's face a few times and then her belly. "Jacob knows better."

"According to the death threat he texted Paul, I don't think he does."

Sam glances over at me and shrugs. "I'll hand you over to him before he steps foot inside of this house."

Jared laughs.

"Gee, thanks, Alpha," I mumble.

Emily serves us each a plate and we dig in.

With a mouthful of food – because Jared is always talking with his mouth full – he tilts his head to the side and points his fork at me. "You know, didn't her just come after you a few weeks ago? When Rachel accidentally sent him that nude instead of you."

I roll my eyes. "Dude, we're eating."

"I'm just saying," he shovels another bite of food into his mouth. "I'll make another wager. He'll sulk for a few days before attacking when you least expect it."

"Then give me my money back."

He makes a face. "No way. I was still right about him knowing. That's my hard-earned cash."

"Oh, come on."

We bicker back and forth over our plates until we're full and Emily kicks us out over the fear that Jacob might show up and we'll ruin all of her furniture. Jared heads home to sleep and I start walking to Embry's mom's coffee shop to get some caffeine.

I'm tired as hell, but I need to work on my house so I can get it done before the end of summer.

I take a short cut through a small neighborhood and suddenly Rachel runs up to me, a peace offering of jerky and Dr. Pepper in her hands. My blood immediately starts boiling again. Did she forget the part where I could have killed her twelve hours ago? Where I wanted to kill her twelve hours ago?

"What do you want, Rachel?" I don't take the bait and I don't slow down so she can catch up to me.

She nearly has to jog to keep up. "I'm sorry I slapped you," she says, thrusting the soda into my chest. "I was just so mad. I know you have feelings for me—"

"Go home, Rachel. I'm already going to have to deal with your brother today. I don't need this."

She continues to follow me. "I'll tell him it was my idea."

"And yet, he'll still wanna kill me."

We round the corner and I see Josie and Embry walking into the coffee shop up ahead. Rachel follows me and I stop in the street in front of the shop.

"Rachel, you have to stop this," I motion with my hands. "I'm sorry, okay? We took this way too far."

She scoffs. "What am I supposed to tell the rest of my family?"

"The truth?"

She pauses, lip trembling. "You really won't admit your feelings for me?"

Fuck. I can't stand it when girls cry. "I do care about you, Rach. Just not like that, okay? I'm sorry."

Slowly, she nods her head and presses a hand into her mouth. I don't know if that's her agreeing or understanding or accepting it, but Jos and Embry come outside a minute later and she turns away from me, disappearing in the direction we came from.

The two of them each give me a half-smile and Josie gives me a quick hug. "Come by the restaurant later."

I nod and open the door to the coffee shop.

Leah is at the front, hand-drying a travel cup from the merchandise case. "Red Eye?" she asks.

"Thanks, Lee." I slide into a bar seat and watch her make my drink through the glass display case.

"You're gonna scare my new girl off if you keep fighting in front of the shop like that."

I laugh. "I always knew you were a lesbian," I joke.

She reaches over the counter and smacks me. "My employee!"

"Oh that's what you meant." I smirk and tuck my chin into my chest.

The new girl laughs from the back room. I still haven't met her, but the guys say she's cool enough. Gets along better with the kids.

Leah rolls her eyes and, glancing at the back room, reaches for the speakers and turns the music up. "What the hell happened with Rachel?" she asks, voice hushed. "Jacob was furious all night."

The last thing I want to do is talk about this when I've been dealing with it all night. "Nothing happened. We faked everything."

She stares at me. "You're joking, right?"

I stare back at her.

Her mouth falls open. "What the hell, Lahote?!"

Sighing, I reach over the counter and take my drink from her. "She dropped out of college, didn't wanna tell her dad or Jake, asked me to pretend to be her boyfriend, convinced me to be friends with benefits, fell in love with me and now here we are." My eyebrows raise. "Happy now?"

"Wow," she says. "Your life is even more fucked up than I thought."

Fucking Leah.

I crack a smile, rolling my eyes, and shake my head. "Thanks, Lee. Good talk."

"Mhm. Bye, Lahote."

As exhausted and drained as I am, one of the best stress relievers – besides a good fuck – is working on my house. Something about swinging a hammer and shooting a nail gun is therapeutic.

I practically chug my drink, even though it's scalding hot, and drop by Emily's again to change before heading to my place.

I've never really had anything I could truly call my own. Nothing that meant anything at least. But my house, this is all mine. My blood and sweat have gone into this house. I brought it from the ground up – from nothing but a plot of land and now it has windows and walls and a roof. It's the only thing in my life that I'm actually proud of.

Standing in the carved driveway that has yet to be paved, I look up at my work.

At the black siding, the sleek deck, and the big, tall windows.

No matter how much I fuck up in life – this place will always be perfect.

A/N: Welp, the break up! Getting veeeeeeery close to Paul and Indie meeting now! Thank you for reading my story and all the reviews! Sorry again for any typos. Until next time xx