Chapter Thirty-Three

Still standing in the field, Laurent had his hand around my neck, it was tight. I was trying to hold off until the guys got here.

Suddenly he stared squeezing my neck, cutting off my air supply, my hands went up fast trying to get them off.

The more I fought against him, the tighter he squeezed. Dark spots appeared in my vision, like my eyes were blurry, I blinked closing them, it was like death was calling me...

An image of Paul flew into my mind, my eyes snapped open, I couldn't give in.. My eyes flashed gold again, quicker than I could imagine I used my telekinesis and slammed Laurent away from me. It wasn't as effective as the ones before but it was enough to send him away from me.

Sneering angrily at the evil vampire, I coughed as I took in a couple of breaths.

'Paul..'

'I'm here! Baby! Are you okay!' I heard him say whimpering in pain before seeing what had happened through our shared connection. "I'm gonna kill the bastard!" He growled pissed off.

Bella and the girls came to my side, circling around me.

"Lena... Lena you okay?" Bella asked panicking, she looked at my bruise. "Oh god look at your neck."

"I'm okay." I told them.

I saw Laurent getting back to his feet, staring at me with wide eyes, hearing the howl echoing through the trees.. He glanced at me, thinking it through, a look of conclusion crossed his face figuring out why I smelt like a wolf before looking into the woods.. His expression changed to fear.

"I... don't believe it."

"Might want to run." I whispered so only he and the pack could hear me. "That hot headed one is mine and from the sounds of it...he's not very happy."

Turning my head looking behind me, spotting the pack. Sam in his enormous black wolf form stalked out of the dark part of the woods, towards us.

Jared and Paul emerged from behind him, they were smaller than Sam due to his alpha status. My silver wolf let out a low disturbing growl and barred his sharp gleaming teeth as Jacob and Embry joined Sam's other side, they looked ready to spring.

Laurent bolted across the meadow. Sam let out a loud growl, and leaped over us. It all happened so quickly I had to push Bella and I to the ground, which freaked Bella out even more.

I stood back up and glared at the Black, chocolate and ash wolves that went after the bad vamp.

'Sammy you do that again and I'll curse you' I thought giving him a warning.

I heard Sam let out a deep chuckle.

My silver wolf looked right at me directly. Jacob and Embry's wolf forms came up beside him.

'Angel are you girls okay?' I heard Paul ask eyeing my wound. 'Are you okay?'

I noticed Em's eyes were staring at Quinn, and Jake was glancing at Bella I ignored the last two focusing on my own.

'We're fine, I'm okay' I thought reaching out raking my fingers through his dark silver fur. 'Go, we'll talk later...Show him what my hot head is made of'

That was all I had to say for Paul to snap into action, he kicked up dirt as he headed off to help. Embry was right behind him.... Jacob took a few extra minutes staring Bella down before running off.

I frowned keeping my eyes on my wolf. Even though I was proud of him and I knew he could handle himself, I was scared.

Quinn stepped up beside me, wrapping her arm around mine. I looked at her sensing her worry and gave her a pat on the arm. We shared a worried but happy look watching the pack surrounding Laurent before he reached the tree line.

Suddenly he swung at the dark silver wolf and smacked him halfway across the meadow, he hit the ground hard, whimpering.

My entire body froze, feeling tears in my eyes.

Jared's wolf lunged at the vamp but he sensed it coming and kicked it, sending Jared sailing into a tree... Splintering it.

My eyes never left mine, I watched him shake his head, getting back to his paws.

'Paul?' I thought quietly.

'I'm fine baby.' I heard him say sensing the worry. He recovered and lurched back to the pack. 'Go, get home...'

'But-'

"Lena we should get Bella out of here." Jazz said making me turn to them, nearly forgetting my cousin was here.

I frowned deeper torn between protecting my cousin and leaving Paul...

The pack was soon closing in on Laurent, I stared at my wolf... knowing he was going to be okay and nodded, grabbing Bella's arm.

"Let's get out of here." I said pulling her towards the trees while the girls followed behind. 'I love you, be safe... All of you.'

---

The girls and I ushered Bella back to the wrangler who occasionally glanced back blindly in fear expecting the pack to be behind us. The girls and I stayed calm, as best as Quinn and I could.

We trusted those boys, and knew they would get the job done, especially Paul. He was going to tear that 'leech' apart, knowing he tried to strangle me but that didn't stop us from worrying a little.

We trusted those boys and knew that they would get the job done, but that didn't stop us from worrying a little.

Bella didn't know the pack secret so naturally she was freaking out.

Anyway, after what felt like hours we reached where my jeep was parked and climbed in, this time Bella fumbled into the back seat with Jazz while Quinn and I got in front.

"You're gonna be okay Bella." Jazz told her.

Nothing else was said as I turned the key and drove off, the jeep's tries kicked up dirt as we left.

I glanced back in the rearview mirror praying to the goddess, I could sense Bella's fear and it was sort of effecting my mind. I couldn't read her mind, but I could see the wheels in her head turning.

The pack were very large and could be frightening if you didn't know what they were so confusing so most confused them as bears but actually they were much bigger than that of a bear. Especially Sam due to his alpha status.

I wasn't really scared at all, I mean I admit the whole part where I was almost a vampire's dinner, but I knew the pack would get there in time and if not, I could have set him on fire. I rarely use my element; it takes a lot of my energy depending on how much I use.

Even so I could still feel Laurent's cold fingers around my neck and the look in his eyes and could almost feel a bruise. I would have to hide it before I went into the house or Charlie would have a fit.

But the only thing on my mind was that Bella learning the secret because of my stupidity.

Pulling into the driveway, I spotted Charlie's cruiser parked in its usual spot and Harry's black truck.

Getting out Bella ran to the house while I zipped Paul's jacket up to my neck, to cover the bruise just in case. I glanced at the girls.

We nodded at each other knowingly.

Running up the front steps and inside, she ran and we walked inside to the kitchen.

"Dad! I saw them!" She exclaimed.

Charlie and Harry were washing their fishing gear, Charlie spun around to us.

"Bella? what's wrong?" Charlie asked turning to me in panic. "Lena?"

"In the woods." Bella told him. "They are not bears."

My eyes narrowed at my cousin a little, before I turned and looked at Harry, giving him a hidden message.

"I saw them, up in a meadow-" Bella trailed off.

"Damn it." Charlie muttered. "I told you not to go into the woods." He turned to me. "Did you see it too?"

I bit my lip staring at Harry who stared back for a few minutes before giving me a small nod of okay.

I turned back to Charlie and shook my head.

"What did you girls see?" Charlie asked drawing our attention.

"Wolves, like huge wolves." Bella exclaimed louder.

"They weren't that huge." I told him earning a look from Bella.

"Yeah, we were right there." Quinn said backing me up. "We were just collecting mushrooms for my grandma and ran into them."

Jazz nodded her head in agreement.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harry sigh staring at my cousin, he noticed the look on my face and gave me and Quinn both gentle ones as if telling us they would be okay.

"But there were five of them." Bella said making me glance at her. "The size of-of cars. I swear. They were after...something."

Charlie processed what Bella was saying while the girls and I shared another look.

"Harry, can you get some men from the rez?" Charlie asked grabbing the phone and dialed a number.

Harry and I shared a concerned look before he nervously nodded.

"Sure, yeah, I'll just uh-" He trailed off giving me one last look before slipped out.

I bit my lip in worry.

"We uh should get home." Jazz said drawing my attention.

"Yes but be safe." Charlie told them.

Without saying anything else, I walked the girls outside.

"What are we going to do if she finds out?" Jazz asked.

"I don't know." I told them frowning. "It's my fault, we never should have called for them."

Quinn put a hand on my shoulder.

"You did what you had to" She told me frowning.

"What if something happens to them? To Paul." I asked sniffling, waterworks were ready to fall. "Paul could be ripped away from me in seconds... All because of Bella finding out."

Quinn pulled me into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around me.

"That thing would have killed you." She told me gently, leaning back. "You dying would kill Paul more than Bella knowing his secret."

She gave me a meaningful look.

"That guy would lose his mind, he loves you and he'll be okay." She added smiling. "So will Embry and the others.."

I sighed staring at her.

"Besides you know better than I do if it's Bella's fate to find out about them...it's going to happen rather you like it or not." Quinn added.

"Quinn's right." Jazz told us. "She took the witch and Cullen's secrets well-"

"Yeah." I said cutting her off slightly. "And look what happened."

The girls frowned.

"We're sorry Lena." Jasmine told me.

I sighed nodding. We hugged again.

"Let me know if Paul comes tonight." I heard Quinn say pulling back. "I'll do the same with Embry."

I nodded giving her a soft fake smile.

They waved, before heading off.

I watched them leave, until they were gone by teleportation and glanced around making sure they weren't seen before heading back into the house and didn't even look at my uncle or cousin and just headed upstairs to my room, reaching for my phone and clicked Paul's ID.

Holding it up to my ear, I heard it ring a few times then was met with the voicemail. I frowned hanging up and dialed again... and again... every time I got the voicemail my panic grew.

Bella stood at my door, I stared at her thinking the whole thing over, it was her fault... She had to go searching for a stupid field...

Glaring darkly, I walked over and slammed it in her face, locking it. I sighed laying against it for a few seconds, covering my face with both hands.

I wasn't trying to be mean to my cousin but now I was pissed off.

The pack was being hunted by Charlie now... My uncle was hunting my boyfriend thanks to Bella. She was close to learning about the pack... As if that wasn't bad enough, I went head to head with Laurent and Victoria was in town.

Sighing heavy, I removed my hands and padded over to my dresser, changing into a random pair of jammies and climbed into bed, staring up at the ceiling, reaching over I grabbed my phone checking for calls or any kind of message.

---

I tossed and turned all night, waiting for a message from Paul and stressing. He hadn't called me or nothing to let me know he was okay. It was around one in the morning when I worried myself to sleep, I got maybe a couple hours.

I slept through my first alarm and barely made it before my second, rolling over I felt groggy, reaching up to rub my forehead.

Sighing to myself, I got out of bed and slipped on my slippers, stopping to glance into my vanity checking my neck, there was a small bruise but it hurt majorly.

I grabbed my hoodie and put it on making sure it was covered and walked out my door.

I passed Bella's and didn't even bother looking in, I could hear her typing at her computer.

Heading downstairs, I walked into the kitchen and grabbed my tea pot, filling it with water and sat it on the stove.

I turned to grab my mug and tea bags from the cupboard and a bottle of aspirin when Charlie entered putting his jacket on.

"Hey are you doing okay?" He asked looking upset.

"Just tired." I told him biting my tongue. "Sorry I completely slept through my alarm, didn't get to make breakfast."

"It's okay, I can just get something on my way to the station." Charlie said making me nod. "Will you be okay here? You want to come with?

"No uh actually I thought I would go hang out with Paul after having some tea." I told him shrugging. "Is that okay?"

"I don't see why not." He told me nodding and gave me a smile before walking out.

---

After dodging Bella and sneaking out, I sent out a few messages trying to find my imprint and got a quick reply from Jacob who said he crashed at his house last night.

I sighed in relief, and headed for Billy's.

Hopping out, I went right to the door and knocked. It swung open, Billy gave me a bright smile.

"Hey." I greeted smiling. "Any chance my hot head is with you?"

He wheeled back to give me room to enter.

"He's still sleeping." Billy told me nodding into the living room. "He had a long night."

I nodded in understanding.

"You can wait for him."

"Or I can go wake him up." I told him smirking, Billy just smiled at me as I got to my feet and stalked across the tiny floor.

Entering the tiny room, I giggled spotting his slightly large figure sleeping. He was big, bigger than the couch so it made him look hilarious and with only a simple blanket covering him. He looked like a giant.

Creeping closer to the couch, I covered my mouth to stop me from laughing and took hold of his blanket and yanked it off him. He groaned in his sleep and rolled over onto his back without falling off muttering something, making me snicker.

"Paul..." I whispered testing boundaries, but my whisper was rewarded with nothing.

Eyeing him, I knew he was ignoring me, he was a heavy sleeper but not this heavy, he had to be on his guard twenty-four-seven. I stared at him before an idea came to my mind, it wouldn't be the first time I had to wake him up.

Carefully I climbed onto the couch, straddling his hips and leaned forward so that my arms were folded on his chest, I felt a grin on my face staring at his.

It felt like a dozen butterflies were having a roller coaster ride in my tummy.

"Don't you ignore me wolf boy!" I mumbled letting out a quiet giggle. "Paaaauuulllll!!!!"

Suddenly his arms rose from his sides and caught me around the middle as he rolled over trapping me between him and the back of the couch, making me struggle.

"Stop moving." He muttered.

"Ha! I knew you were awake!" I said, giggling.

"Who could sleep when I got you pouncing on me." He asked dipping his head and buried it in the nook between my shoulder and neck.

I just smiled at him.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"I think I should be asking you that." I muttered. "Why are you sleeping on the Black's couch?"

"Jared went to Kim's, and Sam kicked me out so he could be with Em... it was the only place left."

"Why didn't you come to mine?" I asked frowning softly. "I waited the entire night... You didn't call or send any messages."

"Sorry." I heard him mumble. "I was going to but I knew you had enough on your plate with Bella and by the time I calmed down enough, I was already here and crashed."

My eyes softened at that, reaching up to ruffle his hair quietly.

"You still could have called..." I muttered quietly. "I don't care how late or Bella's nearby... not when it comes to this."

He hummed, I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he breathed in and out.

I laid there for a few minutes, still playing with his hair, enjoying our little moment in paradise, letting him have a few more minutes. He was exhausted.

"Jake's gonna wake up soon and Sammy should be here in a couple hours..." I told him moving slightly so I could look at him. "Plus I'm pretty sure Billy wants his living room back..."

"Ain't that the truth." I heard Billy mutter.

I laughed.

"You should get up."

I felt him nod his head, I winced when he accidently touched my soft spot making him jerk back, staring at me, his eyes trailed down to my neck and frowned.

"Does it hurt alot?" He asked reaching up to touch the bruise.

I shook my head trying to make him feel better but the second he touched it, I winced again. He pulled back.

"Sorry."

"It's okay, it'll go away soon." I told him lightly, sitting up and pulled him to sit up with me, he swung his legs over the edge of the couch. His eyes were still drained but he was slowly waking up.

I noticed a couple cuts on his face and dark circles under his eyes.

"Can't you just heal it like you do with us?" A voice asked

I looked over seeing Jake walking in, he had two coffee mugs in his hand, he held one out to Paul.

Paul gave him a thankful nod, grabbing it and took a large drink.

"I can't use my healing on myself." I told him lightly. "It's one of the limits, my healing is meant to help others." I glanced at Paul, and gingerly waved my hand over his wounds, healing them.

I smiled proudly watching the cuts fade into clear skin.

"Besides I need to save my magic and energy for what's coming." I said making them look at me. Paul's face changed. I sighed running a hand through my hair. "Laurent was just a messenger."

I saw the look on my man's face and paused shaking my head from those thoughts.

"We'll talk about it when the others get here." I told him glancing between him and Jacob. "You guys should get ready, I'll go make some snacks."

I kissed Paul's cheek, getting to my feet and headed for the kitchen.

---

Standing in the Black's kitchen I had just finished making lunch for the boys and I, I might have made enough for several days or minutes knowing Paul and Jacob's appetites.

Chicken and cabbage roll ups, fish stew and smokey tofu, lettuce and tomato sandwiches I also made my famous chocolate brownie cookies.

Billy was sitting at the table, he seemed like he was lighthearted having someone other than him and Jake around.

Paul sat at the table making small talk with us waiting for Jacob who was taking a shower.

I turned setting plates on the table, and made sure to clean my mess up so Billy didn't have to.

"Wow this looks great." Billy said looking the food over. "You really have a knack for good food."

"Yeah she's the best." Paul said making me blush.

I smiled at him when a knock came at the door.

"You can have some..best get it while you can." I told Billy giving Paul a stern look. "And you can wait till the boys get here... I'll get the door."

The two just smiled at me.

Another knock came at the door, I went over to open it up and came face to face with my cousin.

"Lena? What are you doing here?" Bella asked looking at me in surprise.

I sighed, glancing back towards the kitchen archway and then pushed Bella back, stepping out onto the porch and closed the door behind me.

"Why can't I be here?" I asked crossing my arms. "Last time I checked Jacob was one of my best friends."

"I just I thought Jacob was sick-" She trailed off.

"He's out with our friends." I told her cutting her off. "Paul and I are headed there after I finish helping Billy."

"Paul's here?"

She looked at me, I ignored that question grabbing her forearm and pulled her towards the truck, it was starting to rain.

"Yeah of course he is."

"Oh but...wait he's got mono right?" She asked eyeing the house. "That's what you told me."

"Go home Bella." I told her sternly in an angry tone covering my arms.

"But-"

"I've told you to stay away from him!." I snapped quickly earning a wide eyed look. "And this time I mean it! Stay the hell away!"

She frowned at me, looking at the ground.

"I guess I'll just leave you be then." She muttered making me sigh. I watched her whole attitude change, turning to the truck door. I frowned feeling bad for my cousin.

"Bells."

I heard the door open and looked over seeing Jacob walk out, he had my jacket actually Paul's jacket in his hand.

He placed the jacket over my shoulders and flashed me a wink.

'Paul said he'd kick my ass if I didn't deal with this'  I heard him think and grinned knowing my hot head, putting my arms through the sleeves already feeling warm, I took in the smell the jacket gave and smiled I mentally thanked my amazing boyfriend.

I rolled my eyes in amusement. Bella saw him and her eyes went wide.

"You cut your hair?" Bella said making me sigh.

"Go away Bella." Jacob told her grabbing my hand and pulled me back to the house.

I noticed Sam and the boys making their way to the house.

"Wait!"

Bella grabbed Jacob's arm; my eyes narrowed at her. She saw my face and removed her arm quickly.

"Jake! Angel!"

We looked over at Sam, Jared and Embry standing on the porch with Paul who had came to greet them. Quinn was standing with him, holding onto Em's hand. Her eyes met mine.

Paul was dressed in nothing but cut off shorts, I bit my lip staring him over. How could you ignore a shirtless man that looked like a god carved out of stone. Although he had no smile or warmth in his eyes, mostly because Bella was here and he knew it affected me.. I could tell he was enjoying my looking.

They were all out of ear shot but I knew they could still hear us.

"Is... that Quinn?"

Jacob and I shared a look, I rolled my eyes crossing my arms.

"So what if it is?" I asked.

"What happened to all of you?" Bella asked quietly. "Lena? Did Sam get to you? Is this why you won't talk to me anymore?.." She got closer lowering her head. "Has Paul done something? Hurt you somehow? You can tell me."

My head snapped over at her.

"Paul hasn't done anything!" I told her rather loudly, feeling my blood boil. "Neither has Sam... You don't get to come here and blame my boys for something that isn't their fault."

Jacob saw the look on my face, knowing I was getting angry and grabbed my hand, shooting a glance in Paul's way, Jake was being friendly, calming both of us down.

Bella saw the motion and frowned at me.

"Then who's fault is it?"

"You really want to know?" I asked glaring at her.

"How 'bout those filthy, reeking bloodsuckers you love?" Jacob asked.

I looked at him seeing the look in his eye and squeezed his hand. He glanced at me. I nodded towards the house.

He let out a sigh, looking at Bella like a sad puppy before nodding, heading to the house. I watched him for a few minutes, glancing at Paul checking his temper and turned back to my cousin.

"What was he talking about?" Bella asked looking at me sharply. "Did you tell him?"

"What I tell him or any of them isn't any of your business." I told her keeping my composure. "You want to know why I don't talk to you anymore? you learned the Cullen's secret and look what happened? Until you got here everything was fine."

She looked at me frowning deeply.

"What's next Bella?" I asked nearly seething. "You  know my secret, how long until your stupidity comes back on me and my coven.... or.." I paused stopping myself.

"Lena-"

"Just go home Bella." I told her rolling my eyes, sighing. "And don't come back, stay away from them..I don't want you around anymore of my people.. especially them"  I gestured towards the house. "Because if something happens to any of them... I will never forgive you, we won't be cousins anymore."

I saw tears in her eyes but ignored them and turned walking back to the house.

I joined the boys, feeling my own tears ready to fall but held them back.

Paul noticed and wrapped his arm around me. We headed inside and once the door was closed I let out a shaky breath.

Paul reached up wiping the tears away, I glanced up at him and turned hugging him tightly. He hugged me back just as tight, rubbing my back until I sighed, laying my head on his chest and looked at everyone else.

"You did good Lena." Sam told me.

I sighed again, looking at him, nodding.

"I hope so." I muttered.

Paul continued patting my back. Embry, Quinn and Jacob gave me soft looks. Jared grabbed a cookie from the table and held it out to me.

I raised an eyebrow at all of their attempts to make it better and chuckled.

Walking over I snatched the cookie out of Jared's hand and bit into it making Jared grin.

Chocolate made everything better. The others laughed at me, Paul pulled me back into his arms, hugging me from behind.

The rest of the evening was spent talking about pack related things, we all sat down and I told them about what happened last year.

---

A little later, the pack meeting was done.  Paul drove me home in the wrangler. We were walking up the walk with a leftover pan filled with goodies I managed to save for Charlie. Paul grabbed a shirt from the back I kept just in case and threw it on before we got out.

The rain had stopped and it was about dinnertime.

Unlocking the door, I walked into the house and went into the kitchen. Paul followed after me.

Entering the house, Charlie was sitting on the couch.

"Hey you two."

"Hey." We greeted in sync.

"Brought you leftovers." I told him knowing he didn't have his dinner yet.

He smiled at me, taking the container and stood up.

"Thanks honey."

He looked at Paul.

"Games on tonight, you wanna watch?"

I looked at Paul for a second, seeing his eyes were practically dropping and gave my uncle a small smile.

"Actually we're kind of beat, think we're gonna crash." I told him. "You mind if-" I glanced at Paul pointedly.

Charlie looked between us a few times before shrugging and walked into the kitchen mumbling a goodnight.

I shared a smile with my imprint, grabbing his hand and dragged him upstairs.

"I think we dodged a bullet today with Bella." Paul said closing the door to my room, locking it.

I sighed.

"I wish that was true." I told him sadly. "I know I can't stop her from learning the truth if it's meant to be and no matter how mean I am to her or what Jake says, it's just going to make her more determined."

"There's nothing we can do if she figures it out on her own." He told me.

"I never regretted telling her mine and it was her fate to know Edward's." I added earning a look. "I just-"

"Want her safe, I know."

I nodded.

"But I want you safe too." I mumbled earning a soft look.

He pulled me to him, his lips crashed down on mine. I responded instantly, moving my hand slowly up his arm and wrapped both arms around his neck.

His hand traveled down to my waist, pulling me closer to him as if that was possible. We pulled back as it started to get a little heated and he leaned his forehead against mine, our eyes met. I could never get tired of looking into them. Those chocolate swirls.

"So beautiful." He whispered bending down to nuzzle me, he picked his head back up and laid it against mine again.

"You need sleep." I murmured quietly holding back a yawn. He noticed and grinned.

"So do you." He said.

I nodded in agreement, inching away from him for a few minutes, going over to my dresser and pulled out my normal jammies.

As if reading my mind, he turned around so his back was to me.. It made me smile at how gentlemanlike he was. Slowly taking my day clothes off, I tossed them into a hamper and got dressed in a pair of my fuzzy pajama pants and a shirt I stole from Paul.

"Done." I muttered tugging the hair tie from my hair and let my brown locks down.

Paul turned around, raising an eyebrow.

"How many of my shirts do you have?"

"Maybe one or two..." I said shrugging, smiling innocently. "Or more.." I breathed in the scent the shirt gave off. "It smells like you." I grinned softly.

He beamed at me, smiling wide.

Climbing into my bed, I slid under the blankets. Paul had a huge smile on his face, coming to join me. I felt the bed dip with his weight, wrapping one of his large arms around me. I curled up to him, burying my face into his chest.

Paul was asleep before his head hit the pillow. I could already hear his snoring and picked my head up, seeing him passed out.

He looked a lot more relaxed here than he did sleeping on Black's couch... I wondered if Charlie would let him stay or if maybe I should start moving into the Lovelace house and take Paul with me.

"I love you my Angel." I heard him say, I shook out of my thoughts, seeing him mumbling.

Leaning up, I kissed his cheek before laying back down and cuddled up to my man. My eyes closed shut as I fell asleep listening to the beat of his heart and the images playing in his head like a dream.

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