Chapter Six

As the wolves ate, the tension slowly diminished. They were wound up and rightfully so. They've come across the occasional nomad and other curious leeches but this one hit home.

Flashback

"What the fuck do you want and why are you here?" A furious Paul in human form questioned.

"Please we mean no harm to your kind. We were only feeding. We smelled the most amazing blood I've ever came across. We will leave and never come back." The female leech cried as we held her and the male leech down. Both of them had their arms and legs ripped off and Jake and Seth were starting a fire.

"That's where you're wrong, harming a human is not tolerated here. These lands are protected." Sam spat.

"I should have snatched them when they were on the beach earlier. This is all your fucking fault because you like to play with you food." The female cried to her companion.

Paul and Quil froze. Bella and Angela were on the beach earlier after their lunch date. Normally they would just chalk it up to a coincidence but they were coming towards Paul's house where Bella was and this isn't the first time a vampire has been intoxicated by her scent.

Paul roared and ripped her head off, throwing it into the fire. They made quick work of disposing of them and headed back to the imprints.

"Paul!" I snapped my fingers in front of his face trying to get his attention.

He came back and looked at me, "Yes baby?"

"Are you okay?" I asked concerned.

"Yes. I'll tell you everything later when we get home I promise." He reassured her.

I relaxed and watched Embry and Jared argue over college football. I couldn't wait to get home and find out what happened. One of the million things I loved about Paul is he didn't lie to me. He told me the truth no matter what. Jacob and Fuckward always lied to me. Jake's reasoning was because he wanted to protect me but Edward was just a manipulative, abusive, piece of shit. I glanced at Jake and he was staring daggers at Paul and I.

I sighed and drew circles on Paul's hand. I never meant to hurt Jacob. I told him multiple times that I only saw him as my friend and nothing more but he was dead set on making me realize I was in love with him and I wasn't. When I broke up with Edward he thought that meant we were going to be together and I still said no. It took Sam and Leah almost kicking his ass for him to finally leave me alone about it. I was hoping the four years I was away he would let go of the thought of us or at least imprint so I could have my best friend back but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

Paul kissed my mark and my body immediately responded, "What are you worrying your pretty little head about bumblee?

"Nothing now." I responded as I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. He growled against my lips and I giggled. Moments later we heard the door slam and I damn near jumped out of my seat. I scanned the room to see Jake was gone.

Paul rolled his eyes and said, "I wish he would grow the fuck up and get over it. I imprinted on Bella and marked her."

"You guys could tone down the PDA. This is hard for him." Embry stated.

"Do you tell the other imprinted couples to tone theirs down? I sure as hell don't remember you telling Sam and Emily to tone theirs down because of Leah. Bella and Jacob never dated. Bella told him she only saw him as a friend. We all saw it in his mind and saw it ourselves. Don't tell me not to fucking touch my girlfriend because of he can't take no for an answer. I spent enough time hiding Bella and I'm done." Paul responded looking directly into Embry's eyes daring him to challenge him.

"You're right man. Fuck, it just sucks seeing him so upset. I've tried talking to him but he just doesn't listen. I'm sorry guys." He said apologetically.

"It's okay, Embry. I get it. He's your best friend and you want to look out for him." I patted his hand and gave him a sad smile.

I started to get up to help Emily clean up dinner but Paul pulled me back down and raised his eyebrow, "Hold on Baby B. You guys cooked, we can clean."

I smiled at him and started talking to Angela. We had plans with Katie and Jess this weekend. We were going to stay at Ang and Katie's apartment and have a girls weekend. Katie moved in with Angela shortly after the first time we went clubbing. She got offered a job in PA and was looking for an apartment when Angela told her to just be her roommate. It made sense because they were bound to be at each other's house all the time anyway.

Paul finished up and came to get me. We said bye to everyone and walked hand in hand to his house in comfortable silence. Once inside we showered and laid in bed.

"Are you gonna tell me what happened?" I asked.

"Yes baby." He cleared his throat and started to speak, "When I phased in Jake and Embry were on their asses but they kept slipping away. We chased those fuckers all over the res and into Forks. We ambushed them at the old Cullen land and started ripping them apart. The female begged for their lives saying they were only there to feed, then she got pissed and blamed Dracula for wanting to 'play with his food' and said she should have snatched them at the beach."

Paul looked nervous and I questioned him with my eyes. He finally sighed, "Babe they were talking about you and Angela. We would have thought it was a coincidence but one was headed to my house and the other was headed towards Quil's."

I was quiet for a minute or two and then spoke, "You killed them right?" I already knew the answer but I just needed the confirmation.

"Those fuckers are dust in the wind baby." Paul pulled me in his arms and kissed my forehead, "Don't worry about them. I don't think it means anything we've dealt with nomads passing through for years. They just so happened to catch your scent. There's no need to be scared sweetheart."

I nodded my head and laid on his chest. It was quiet for a while, both of us lost in our thoughts. I figured Paul had fallen asleep but he leaned over and turned on the lamp. He propped his head on his hand and gave me a smirk, "So you don't want to take it slow anymore?"

I laughed and smiled, "No I don't anymore."

"Thank god. I love you babe but that shit was getting old. Anyway, does this mean you're my girlfriend now?"

"I don't know. You haven't asked." It was my turn to smirk now.

He got serious and looked me in the eyes. He grabbed the back my neck and rubbed my cheek with his thumb affectionately, "Bumblebee will you do me the honor of going steady with me?"

We both busted out laughing, "Yes Paul. I will go steady with you."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. Things got heated and soon Paul was taking me into a state of bliss. I chose not to worry about the vampires that were after me just a few hours ago. They were just nomads and the pack protected me. I'm going to put my focus into being happy with Paul for now.

Meanwhile on the other side of the world…

Alice Cullen was at Paris fashion week when she got stuck in a vision. She made it a point not to look for Bella anymore. It hurt too much. Even though she understood why Bella left Edward she couldn't help but wish she would have forgave him. Of course he didn't deserve it. He lied to her, abused her, and manipulated her into a relationship they never should have started.

Alice saw Bella happier than she had ever seen her. She was at Charlie's and seemed to be chasing a raven haired toddler around. Someone walked in the room and the vision vanished which could only mean one thing. Bella had chosen Jacob Black.

Alice was crushed. Her and Esmé always hoped that Bella and Edward would find their way back to each other no matter how impractical it was. Alice knew it was incredibly selfish to want Bella to get back with Edward, but she couldn't help it. Vampires were selfish creatures by nature. She couldn't help but remember the night they found out what Edward did to Bella. Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett almost killed Edward and even though she knew it was wrong Alice tried to defend him. That was the end of her and Jasper. She knew it had been a long time coming. Jasper was tired of playing human and going to high school. They were never true mates, only companions so the split was easy.

With Edward being in England, Alice was free to let her thoughts roam. Alice might not have been the one to dazzle Bella or physically harm her but she knew what Edward was doing so she played a part in it. She knew she could never let Edward find out about her vision. He would go mad. Her decision was final. She was going to let Bella live. She would never think or speak of the vision ever again. She owed her that much.