Chapter Eleven

I was in the kitchen cooking up a storm. It was the Fourth of July and we had a big beach day followed by a bonfire planned. We all needed to unwind after the craziness. I still can't believe Jasper thinks I'm his true mate. I think it's impossible but Old Quil is going through the archives to be sure. No matter what he finds I'm not leaving Paul, hell I can't and even if I could I don't want to.

I was outside taking the ribs off the smoker when Paul walked through the back door. He came over to me and grabbed the tray. I decided to do a variety of meats in addition to the burgers and hot dogs Emily and Sam were grilling. So far I've smoked ribs, chicken wings, and pork chops. I was going to do a brisket but honestly I just didn't want to put in the effort. For sides I made baked beans and potato salad. The other imprints said they would bring a side and Leah was bringing chips because she can't cook for shit. I made three giant cheesecakes and Angela baked cookies and brownies.

I looked at the time and ran upstairs to change. I decided to be festive and wear a red bikini with some cotton white cover up pants from aerie and my trusty straw cowboy hat. Kim always said I looked like a 'coastal cowgirl' which made Paul want me to ride him with the hat on. I sat some red trunks out for Paul to change into. It might be cheesy but I wanted us to match so we could take some pictures.

I ran downstairs and started putting the food into tin pans with lids. Paul walked downstairs in his swim trunks with a white tank top and his birkenstock flip flops. He looked good enough to eat. Paul was easily the sexiest pack member even the other imprints agreed with me. For starters he's 6'7, he had a strong jaw line, full lips, long lashes, and fuck me eyes that were light brown. On top of all of that he had a fuck ton of tattoos even his legs had tattoos on them. His signature smirk would make a nun drop her panties. The red trunks and white shirt looked amazing against his russet skin. Tall, dark, handsome, and dangerous is what we described him as and dangerous he was. The older ladies at the clinic called him 'sex on legs' and would fawn over him when he brought me lunch or flowers when I was working there.

"If you don't stop looking at me like that, we won't make it to the beach bumblebee." He said grabbing my hips and plopping me on the counter. He dipped his head and kissed my neck, "Fuck, I wanna be balls deep inside of you right now."

I kissed him then pushed him away before he could deepen it, "No sir. We have to go. I put too much effort into cooking for us to stay holed up in the house having sex all day."

We loaded up the truck and made the short drive to Third Beach. No one ever came here so the pack could be themselves without worrying about exposing the secret. The twins already had the tables set up so all we had to do was put the food out. Emily and Sam showed up at the same time we did so she helped me. Colin and Brady kept trying to get into the food so I gave them some cookies to tide them over until the rest of the pack showed up.

I started putting on sunscreen while Paul set up our chairs and umbrella. The umbrella was mostly for me so I didn't burn. I slipped off my pants and Paul groaned, "Bella you're killing me."

I winked at him and made a show of taking them off just to be a tease. He growled and yanked me to him then started tickling me. Finally he stopped his torture to put sunscreen on my back and apparently I need help rubbing it on my ass and legs too. Pretty soon everyone else showed up and the party was in full swing. I was talking to Angela about our trip to Texas for our friend Hanna's bachelorette party when Jacob walked up to us.

"Hey, can I talk to you?" He asked me. I nodded and took off walking down the shore line. An awkward silence came over us and it made me sad. At one point Jacob was my best friend but lines got blurred and I didn't know how to set boundaries back then. I told him I only wanted to be friends but I still let him hold my hand and hug me longer than he should have because I didn't want to hurt his feelings. I held a little blame for the way things were now as well.

"I'm sorry Bella," he said, finally breaking the uncomfortable silence, " I've been such a dick to you and you didn't deserve it. I should have respected you when you told me you only saw me as a friend and I definitely shouldn't have reacted the way I did when I found out about you and Paul. I know I don't deserve it but I hope you can forgive me."

I was shocked. Jacob was the most stubborn person in the world especially when it came to me. That is the last thing I expected to come out of his mouth. I pulled him into a friendly hug, Jacob and I would never be 'Jake n Bells' again, too much damage had been done but we could finally be around each other now without it being hostile.

"Alls forgiven Jacob." I smiled at him and we walked back towards our group. Paul came up to us.

"We good Lahote?" Jacob asked with an apologetic look.

"Yeah we're good Baby Alpha." Paul responded and I rolled my eyes. Paul couldn't help but to be a smart ass. Regardless, I'm glad all of this was behind us now. They went to play football and I walked over to the girls.

"Bella, where the hell did you learn to cook ribs like this?" Leah asked with a mouthful of food.

"Gemma's dad." My college roommate is from Texas. When I would go home with her some weekends her parents taught me how to smoke meat.

"What's she up to now?"

"Oh she's working in Dallas now as a realtor." Angela chimed in. They became friends because Angela visited me so much and vice versa. The wedding we were going to was Gemma's older sister Hannah's.

"That's awesome. I wonder if she will come visit. She was really nice when I met her." Jessica suggested. Her and Katie met Gemma on a visit as well.

Angela looked at me and I shrugged. I do miss Gem a lot. One visit wouldn't hurt. Angela and I decided to Facetime her soon and invite her to come stay. Katie was telling us about her parents showing up to the apartment while her and Embry were fucking when Leah turned the music up and made all of us come dance.

Jessica and I were dancing with each other. My arms were around her neck and she was dropping it low. She slithered back up my body and we laughed. Flex by Cupid came on and Angela, Katie, Jess, and I started teaching the line dance. Pretty soon all the imprints plus Collin and Brady were doing the line dance without difficulty.

"Have you guys ever heard of the wobble?" Angela asked. Everyone looked at her like she had a third head. I guess it's a southern thing.

"Come on Ang let's show how it's done." I winked and then played the song. I felt hot arms wrap around my waist and start swaying to the beat with me.

"You know what watching you dancing does to me babe." He whispered in my ear, grinding his hips against my ass showing me exactly what it does to him. I turned around in his arms and kissed him right in the middle of the makeshift dance floor. He cupped my ass as we made out. All of a sudden we were drenched in cold water. I looked up and saw Quil holding a bucket.

"I'm gonna fucking kill you." Paul growled, chasing him down the beach. The whole pack laughed when Paul caught up to him and shoved his head in the sand.

The day continued with us eating, dancing, and playing in the ocean. Everyone was taking pictures with my camera. When the sun was setting Sam and Paul lit the fire. Someone bought stuff for s'mores so we all roasted marshmallows. My fingers were sticky from eating mine and Paul happily licked them clean sending me into a fit of giggles.

The twins rowed out to A-Ka-Lat or James Island so they could start the firework show. They were teenage boys so they were pretty excited about getting to blow shit up. Paul and I got comfortable on a blanket and watched the fireworks light up the sky.

Later that night when we got home I was looking at the pictures. I came across one of Paul and I that made me tear up. His arms were wrapped around me from behind and I was laughing. He was looking down at me with so much love and devotion, like watching me laugh was the best part of life. I made a mental note to print it off and joined Paul in the shower. Today was a good day.


A/N: I wanted to write a festive/feel-good chapter. I thought it was cute. I will be updating again really soon. Leave a review letting me know if you loved or hated this chapter.

Xoxo, sharai