DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these lovely characters, plot, or situations. All those rights are reserved for the awesome Stephenie Meyer. :-]

Chapter 1: Tantrums and Confrontations

One of the others, one I didn't recognize-Jared or Paul- thrust past Sam and spoke before Jacob could defend himself.

"Why can't you just follow the rules, Jacob?" he yelled, throwing his arms in the air. "What the hell are you thinking? Is she more important than everything-Than the whole tribe? Than the people getting killed?"

"She can help," Jacob said quietly.

"Help!" the angry boy shouted. His arms begin to quiver. "Oh, that's likely! I'm sure the leech-lover is just dying to help us out!"

"Don't talk about her like that!" Jacob shouted back, stung by the boy's criticism.

A shudder rippled through the other boy, along with his shoulders and down his spine.

"Paul! Relax!" Sam commanded

Paul shook his head back and forth, not in defiance, but as though he were trying to concentrate.

"Jeez, Paul," one of the other boys- probably Jared- muttered. "Get a grip."

Paul twisted his head toward Jared, his lips curling back in irritation. The he shifted his glare in my direction. Jacob took a step to put him-self in front of me.

That did it.

"Right, protect her!" Paul roared in outrage

Paul let a feral snarl out of his mouth and exploded into a mass of dark, silver fur. Keeping his eyes trained on Jacob. I shivered at the thought of how much hatred must be held within his now vivid, yellow eyes.

Jacob sauntered forward with a smirk playing on his lips. He kicked off his shoes and exploded into a deep russet colored wolf.

The forest around us seemed to quiet as the wolf creatures circled each other; almost as if forgetting my existence. The dark silver wolf was only a few feet from me now. I gasped at the beast's immense size.

Caught off guard by my intake of breath he turned, still snarling, to look at the being that disturbed his hunt. When his yellow eyes met mine his growling quieted and his bared teeth retreated underneath his great muzzle.

The irises darkened into a liquid caramel color and they were wide in disbelief. The wolf himself inhaled and exhaled at a reduced speed. He hesitantly stepped toward me. I froze in terror waiting for him to harm me.

An attack never came. Paul was placidly touching his nose to my body as if checking me for injury.

A horrifying roar ripped ferociously from Jake's curled muzzle. I couldn't help the whimper that escaped my mouth as I cautiously stepped back from the exasperated monster advancing towards me.

Paul's head snapped to Jake as he turned to face him. Reversing the roles as Paul protected me from Jake.

"He didn't…" Jared spoke in disbelief, shaking his head at the sight unfolding.

"Paul Lahote of all people!" Embry exclaimed letting his jaw pop open.

"Paul imprinted on Bella." Sam said to his friends in a state of disbelief.

"What's imprinting?" I breathed confused. Paul backed up slightly batting his tail slowly in my direction.

"Bella, touch his tail so he knows you're there." Sam commanded.

I did as he asked and Paul's muscles visibly relaxed. Jake's growls never stopped but did increase considerably in volume as the boys had spoken.

"Get her to Emily." Sam said to his pack members.

Jared stepped forward only to be stopped as Paul spun around and made an attempt to take his hand off at the wrist.

I began shaking in fear as the beast growled at his friend.

Why is this monst-. No. Why does it hurt to think of him as a mon-monster? What is happening!? I thought incredulously.

"Paul?" I called hesitantly. "J-Jared won't hurt me." I whispered softly to him. Paul's shoulder was over my head. If I wanted to touch his ear I probably would have to jump. He lowered his massive head to be at eye level with me.

"I…I won't get hurt by him." I said again trying to give a weak smile. I felt like I was going to pass out any moment. Jake's snarls became louder and I realized it was him advancing again.

Paul growled but froze when I spoke, "Jake. Please. I don't know what's going on and you are scaring me a lot. Please stop." My voice cracked at the end as traitorous tears sliding down my flushed cheeks.

Paul and Jake both whined. Paul trotted closer and rubbed his muzzle lightly against my cheek, effectively whipping away my tears.

I feel so safe by Paul. Why though? He was trying to eat me before he looked at me.

Jake began growling and his ears flattened against his head. Paul began snarling again, I covered my ears as his muzzle was next to my neck. Paul lunged for Jake in one fluid motion.

They snapped at each other and broke trees at the trunk as they threw each other around the clearing. Nature's silence was eerie to say the least as the air was filled only with loud noises of a fight.

Sam barked out orders to Jared and Embry as he began stripping. I turned away as Embry led me to my truck. It was dead silent suddenly and then Paul was in front of us snapping his large teeth at Embry and Jared. They backed off immediately as Paul's gigantic form circled me and prodded for injury with his nose. His eyes were a vibrant yellow color. His actions spoke of pure animal instinct. His wolf was in total control.

The information was finally too much. My vision began to darken and I felt my breath become shallow. The world around me began blending into a blur of deep green. I saw the sky for a moment as I blacked out.

It was incredibly warm. I felt like I was lying out in the Arizona sun in August.

Why is it so hot?

"Bella? Can you hear me? Guys back off, we're over heating her." A low baritone voice spoke.

Had I said something about the heat out loud?

I was trying to recognize the voice and I heard incoherent mumbling from someone to my left.

"J-Jake?" I rasped.

"Right here sweetheart. You okay? You blacked out before we could get you to the car." He said brushing his fingers lightly against my cheek.

A deep growl resounded through the room as I felt strong vibrations against my right.

I kept my eyes closed and tried to sit up. My body screamed in protest, making me groan. In an instant 2 hands gripped both my biceps trying to help. Both men growled and gripped tighter. I whimpered in pain as a soprano voice rang out angrily.

"Let her go you over grown mutts!" It shrieked.

I'm going to guess that's Emily.

The hands released me but I realized I was cradled in someone's lap. I felt safe and complete as they wrapped their arms protectively around me.

This must be Jacob, the pack wouldn't touch me like this.

As if on cue Jake grumbled across the room about 'his Bella being taken'.

I opened my eyes despite the blinding light to see muscular tan arms close to my face. I glanced around the room and saw everyone watching me with concern on their face. Jake looked angry. As I looked up at I felt the person growl softly and protectively coiling me tighter against their chest.

"Paul?" I whispered surprised.

"I'm sorry I responded how I did. I should have listened to Jake and let him talk instead of going off and attacking you. That made us start on the wrong foot. I'm sorry." He rushed looking desperate for comfort.

"It's okay…but um can someone please tell me what an imprint is?" I said looking at Paul than around the room.

"You guys haven't told her?! Shame on you all!" Emily squeaked swatting at them with a wooden spoon.

Everyone looked down ashamed but Jake looked furious. I slipped out of Paul's hold, much to his dislike, and went to Jake's side.

"I won't let this happen." He growled to himself.

The room erupted in yells and snarls as Jake snagged me around the waist and bolted out the door to the backyard. Jake yelled to me about 'never letting you go' and 'not letting Paul do this to us'. He was babbling to himself and was shaking.

For once in my short time here in Forks, my self-preservation kicked in and I was scared of Jake. I wanted to escape his grasp.

"Let her go Jake. You're scaring her. You don't want to pull a Sam and phase with here next to you. Let her walk over to me. Don't do this." Paul pleaded; Sam's composure broken for a second at Paul's words. He quickly reassembling his mask and tried helping Paul get me away from Jake.

His shaking became violent as I tried to ease out of his grip towards Paul. Jake looked feral and confused. His eyes were a brilliant yellow. My Jake wasn't there, just the monster holding him in this scary state.

"Bella..?" Paul whispered to me holding his arms open and towards me. My instincts were screaming at me to rip away from Jake and run to Paul but Jake's grip was so strong on the front of my shirt I knew it would get ripped off me or hurt me.

Paul's eyes held concern and adoration as he looked at me. He slowly inched closer to me trying to avoid Jake's attention. Sam was talking in a low soothing voice to him as to distract him from Paul's movements.

Paul's finger came in contact with my hand and I leaned towards him too soon; signaling Jake's attention to avert towards me instead of Sam. Jake roared in anger.

He burst into a giant dog too close. I felt my back collide with solid rock.

"Bella! Bella stay with me! You got to stay awake! Paul, call Charlie!" Sam frantically yelled.

Darkness consumed me before I could put together a coherent thought.

My right arm and the right side of my torso were engulfed in flames as I heard an annoying noise. It was black and I felt like I could move but my limbs were disobeying me.

What happened? I can't remember where or why I'm here.

The flames licking at my nerves roared to a more painful scale and I groaned in pain.

"Bella?" a broken distant voice called. "Bella honey?" The voice was heavily faint.

I wanted to answer the voice but I still was lost in this dark place.

Where am I?

"Bells open your eyes." The voice was clearer now.

I tried to open my eyes but the white that invaded my dark sanctuary burned my eyes. I closed them right away.

"Here honey." The voice called sounding distant again but even more clearly than before.

I tried again, to see the lights were off. I was welcomed by the white walls and metal cabinets of a hospital. The gadfly noise was the heart monitor. I could hear nurses walking nearby with their squeaky shoes. The room smelled heavily of disinfectant and smelled faintly of blood.

Memories of Paul came flashing rapidly in my mind.

Jake and him fought. Jake turned too close to me. I'm injured. Oh god no! Charlie and Renee! Oh I will look worse than before with scars like Emily's!

I began crying as a large form moved quickly to my side.

"Shh Bella. It's okay. You're okay." He soothed.

I recognize him. He smells of forest and a stream with men's cologne peppered in it. His voice was a deep baritone and his skin was warm and comforting.

He smells so, so masculine? E-Edward always made me think of flowers and beautiful things. He smelled…girlie.

"Paul." I sobbed into his chest. "Oh god I'm gonna look demented!"

Paul tightened his hold on me as best he could without hurting me, "Bella dear, you are beautiful. You still are sweetie. I promise." He cooed.

I cried on him for sometime while he tried to reassure that I was beautiful. Soon a doctor came in due to the heart monitor going crazy from my crying. I faintly felt Paul's chest rumble from the low growls he was emitting.

Why is he being so protective?

Soon my world began to darken again as I cried myself to sleep. Paul's arms were still securely encasing me against his warm chest. I sighed against the safety and comfort he gave me, still confused why he was so comfortable to be around after he attempted to attack me.

"Rest sweetie, I'll stay right here and keep you warm and safe." Paul murmured with his lips grazing the shell of my ear.

What is going on with Paul?

Author's Note: Review and all that jazz. Criticism and suggestions welcome! Thanks for reading!