Chapter 1: How It All Started

Paul's POV

The sun shone brightly in the sky. My fur shimmered silver as I ran patrol with Sam. I wasn't allowed to go to school, my anger was horrid. Being a wolf was hard, all the anger got to me. It was only Sam, Jared, and myself. They were both afraid that if I got pissed off enough I would phase in school. Sam went straight to the elders, Billy Black, Harry Clearwater, and Old Quil, protesting I not go to school until I was more controlled. He also wanted to shift all my and Jared's classes together so I would be in check twenty-four seven.

It'll be alright Paul. Don't think about it, you'll be back to school in no time. Sam tried to comfort me, but it wasn't working.

This is boring! Really freaking boring! I want to go home and rest! I growled loudly at him, my eyes narrowing as I ran.

We are patrolling, protecting our land. It also doesn't hurt to get you exhausted so you sleep better tonight. You also won't phase tonight if your tired enough...I hope. He suppressed a long sigh.

I'm never gonna get tired! I roared at him. Sam sighed again. This continued for hours on end. Sam tried to keep up conversation about sports and schoolwork. I started missing school, I wanted to see my friends. He told me to stay away from them as soon as he caught onto my train of thoughts. My questions as to why were continuous, making him explain the same thing over and over again. Just in different ways, I suppose.

More hours passed, and exhaustion started smacking into my brain like a hammer. My eyes refused to stay open any longer, closing slowly. Sleep slowly drifting into my conscience mind. I tried shoving that into the back of my head.

Go home and rest now, Paul. You deserve it. Don't fight being tired. Sam met up with me and stood in front of my exhausted self. His form was leaning, like he was looking around me.

You'll be alright? I questioned, needing to know if there was anything else I should do. Or at least what I could do.

Yeah. I'll be as ripe as rain. He shot a wolf-like grin towards me. My head nodded, I couldn't think anymore. My brain was slow, needing to rest more than ever.

I trudged home, trying to think as best as I could to keep my mind off the sleepiness. Time passed slowly, and dizziness overtook my mind. The whole world started spinning, my balance was lost. My whole body collapsed on the ground, my head slamming down. It brought the sleep my brain wanted. There was no dreams, no thoughts. Just the black darkness behind my closed lids.

My body was at ease. Everything resting as best as they could, my aching muscles relaxing for the time that they could.

By the time I felt the world back in balance, I heard low whispers. I was waking up, and it only felt like seconds. I could make out one voice, and it stood out over the rest. Sam. He sounded very close, other voices talking after him. Someone made a low hissing sound. A growl almost formed in my chest, but settled in my numb body. I didn't want to attack, I wanted to rest.

"He collapsed on the side of the road. Poor guy. Do you think I pushed him to far?" Sam's tone held worry.

"Maybe." Another deep male voice stated. "He rested though, like you wanted. No anger mess or nothing. He'll be fine. Just give him some time."

"Can we go home?!" I heard the door burst open suddenly. This voice wasn't as deep. It was softer, slowly getting deeper. A kid. The voice was familiar. But what face matched this voice. "Dad! Can we go?"

His voice made my heart skip a beat, it sounded wonderful. I wanted him to say something again. All the while my brain was screaming now. Why do I like this voice? Is this even real? Am I dreaming? Who is that face? So many questions, it made me groan.

"In a second son." The deeper voice shushed his son. The groan from the son was heavier than mine, more annoyed than anything. With that, the door was slammed tight and shut. "I think he is coming too."

"Back up, give him some space." A different, deeper voice announced. This voice was deep, but with commanding softness.

"Sam, hand me that towel." Another voice demanded. His voice was a deep bass-like sound. The elders. That's who was the voices were. Billy was the one commanding his son, Jacob, to leave. I never really liked Jacob. But his voice was somehow amazing. It sent a craving feel through my nerves and electrified them in a good way, that somehow drew me towards him. The voice telling everyone to back up was Harry. A kind man that was happy, matching his son Seth. The last voice belonged to Old Quil. Low and delicate with a sternness of an old grandfather yelling at some kid to get off their lawn.

A wet cloth was pressed on my forehead, rubbing around gently. My eyes shifted open slowly, trying to adjust to the scenery around me. The light was rather blinding. Light bounced off the walls, settling on all the faces and objects in the room.

"Hey Paul..." Billy smiled gently at me, obviously trying to take things slow.

"Paul, I'm so sorry!" Sam took two long strides to get beside my bed. I held my hand up to stop him from saying anymore, and cleared my dry throat.

"Sam, just stop. I'm fine, just tired. I'll be okay..." My voice was hoarse, and Sam picked up on that quickly.

"Here!" Sam reached out and grabbed a long silver bottle, unscrewed the cap and helped me sit up straight. He lifted the bottle to my chapped lips and tilted it back so I could take a swig. After the cool water touched my lips and rushed onto my dry tongue, I gulped the whole thing down within seconds. Sam pulled the bottle away and stalked out of the room. He was probably going to refill it with more refreshing water.

"How long was I out?" I shifted myself so I was sitting up more properly.

"Just a few days." Harry said calmly, obviously trying not to get me all jumpy. Even his calming tone didn't work.

"A few days?!" My voice cracked when I raised it, and it hurt my throat. That's when I heard some footsteps coming towards my room. I automatically knew it wasn't Sam, as he would have been to silent to hear. A loud huff came from outside the door, and Jacob Black walked right into my room. My heart thudded fast. Jacob turned to his father immediately.

"When are we leaving?" His brows pulled together in frustration. He was wearing jeans with oil stains, a purple shirt with gold printing on the front that read "LA PUSH, WA". His long hair was slicked back into a tidy ponytail, and his hands shoved into his pockets as far as they could go.

"Soon son." Billy rolled to his son to pat his arm. "Soon. Just wait, Paul finally woke up."

Jacob's eyes went straight to me, locking eyes. His expression was furious. His lips were in a annoyed frown, his eyes still narrowed. Then like someone said something calming towards him, his expression softened. The once deep frown gone, the set of his eyes stared blankly. Jacob's lips then became a tight line as if debating. My heart thudded even more, and I couldn't stop staring. I knew they were all giving me weird looks, but in that moment I didn't care.

The whole world shifted. The angel's sang, and my heart and arms yearned to embrace Jacob. He looked down and flushed a pale red on his cheeks. Then he turned back to his dad. "I'll be in the car."

"Wait! Don't go!" I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Jacob froze in place, and he turned back to me as his eyes narrowed again.

"You hate me!" Jacob snapped. "Why would you want me to stay?"

"I just...want to...talk..." My mouth spat out the first words that came to mind.

"Why?" His jaw set in an angry manner.

"Alone...I want to...uh...say sorry." He stared at me in horror, probably thinking that I'm tricking him or something. Billy grabbed Old Quil and Harry's hand and left the room, glaring at me in warning as he left. Harry shut the door behind them.

"You better not be tricking me, Lahote!" Jacob said acidly.

"I'm not. I meant that, I am sorry."

"How freaking hard did you hit that thick skull of yours?" He half growled now, obviously becoming more pissed off.

"Not that hard." I lied smoothly, but the impact wasn't hard enough to change feelings. I think this is what Sam meant by imprinting. I hated seeing him mad, especially at me. My heart stung, I wanted to calm him down. I couldn't just come out and say, 'Hey! This is crazy, but I imprinted on you! Be mine maybe?' That would freak him the hell out! I was sure as heck not going to do that. I decided to slide over so my feet were hanging off the bed, and I patted the spot beside me."Sit."

"Thanks..." He sat down cautiously.

"Look, I'm extremely sorry for being an ass whole. Would you please make this alright by forgiving me?" I looked him in the eyes. His eyes scorched a beautiful, melted chocolate brown, his face finally relaxing.

"You are right about you being an ass." He chuckled lightly, then he looked down. "I guess...but it's gonna take a lot more convincing than that, Paul Lahote!"

"How about...anything you want, and it's yours?" He grinned and then he held out his hand.

"That's a fine, done deal!" Jacob's grin got wider, and I shook his hand. It felt nice in mine, both of our hands molding together. I never wanted to let go of his hand, but I did. It would weird him out to much if I didn't. I didn't want to scare him.

"Alright! Anything you want!" My lips stretched into a true and genuine smile. I was happy with this, a good start.