Big thanks to all you people who picked this story!!!

This is for all to read and enjoy!!

I know I've already done a Paul imprint story, but the guy is just so darn sexy I had to do another!!!

Hope you like!!

Hayden's POV

I ran as fast as I could, away from all the hurt and pain and sorrow. I would no longer see their faces, no longer hear their cries of pain…they were dead. In a way I was happy they passed. They wouldn't have to suffer anymore. They had found a way to escape it all. I couldn't say the same for myself, but at least I didn't have to see the worry etched on both my parents' faces for me or my brother. I wouldn't let it happen again to me. I wouldn't let myself be tortured as I was before. I would fight.

And to think that my own kind did this to us. My pack brothers and sisters had beaten my parents and brother to their death, would have done the same to me if I hadn't of escaped. I knew they would look for me, and I was not going to make it easy on them.

I trotted passed trees, bushes, greenery, both human and animal dwellings, oceans, and lakes. I hadn't stopped. I didn't want to. I was exhausted, yes, but I would go on until my feet could no longer carry me. Till the bottom of my paws bled. I had promised myself to make it hard for them to find me. I don't know how far I was, and I didn't stop to see. I was just on the run and wherever I settled down, I would live.

I wasn't sure if I would do it as human, or as fox. In some ways it would be easier to go as fox. The other animals in the forest didn't try to pry into your life and dissect it. You didn't have to find a place to live and be bugged for the rent. In the woods all you had to do was find someplace dry and warm.

I didn't need a blanket when I had fur. I didn't have to pay for my food; I just had to catch it. I was free to roam wherever I pleased.

But then again, there were the setbacks. If there were hunters in these woods I'm sure they would value an arctic fox's coat. I would have to stay alert and make sure no one was after me. There would be the occasional bear or cougar to compete for the food I had caught, but I was a fast eater when I had to be, so I could make do.

The only sounds now were that of the birds above, other wolves in the woods (not werewolves, of course), and the critters close to the ground. I didn't mind the company of a lone wolfs every once in a while, but most were territorial. As soon as they spotted me they would try and engage in a fight, but I always got away in time. For either running into a burrow or cramming myself some place small enough to hide until they left.

I was getting hungry now. I only had a pair of well-worn pants, a simple T-shirt, a pair of underwear, and some sandals. The weather was cooler here, and though it didn't faze me I would get some looks if I were to walk into a diner. But I was hungry and had a few dollars to buy me a warm meal. I was planning on using it on a hotel but I could sleep just as well in the woods.

I phased and changed into my only clothes. My hair was a mess but there was little I could do about it. It was too long for it's own good. All I could do was stick it in a bun on top of my head, so I did. My exposed arms, feet, and face had a smug of dirt here and there, nothing too bad. There was a puddle of water from the light rain earlier that I used to scrub up a little. I would have to wash myself in the river when I was fox again.

I walk out of the forest and onto the sidewalk. No one was around this early in the morning except for the fishermen who wanted to get a good catch, the diner waitresses, and anyone else who had to be at work at this time. I wasn't sure what time it was but from the smell of it, it was early.

I walked into the diner. There were only three other people inside, which made my life a whole lot easier. The waitress was smiling at me, an older man who looked innocent sat and kept to himself, and a woman was applying red lipstick and looking at the older man like a cougar looks ate her next meal. I sat in a booth in the corner of the diner, away from the others. I hope I didn't look too depressing.

The waitress came over to my table with a coffee pot in hand. She gave me a warm smile and set a menu down in front of me. "Can I get you something to drink dear," she asked and poured some hot coffee in the mug on the table.

I looked up at her. She was a bit older than the other woman applying lipstick, maybe about forty-three or four. "Some orange juice, please."

"Okay. I'll give you some time to look at the list." She left to tend to the other tables and went in the back.

I looked through the glass to outside. This wasn't a very big town, which I liked, and the people—from what I saw—were decent. I sat back in the padding of the booths cushy back and sighed. I could smell the sticky sweet scent of hot syrup and decided at once that I was for sure going to get pancakes. I wanted bacon too, maybe eggs and toast.

The waitress came back to my side with a tall glass of OJ in her hand. I hadn't touched the coffee yet, and though I didn't care for it much, I took a drink to show some hospitality. She set the glass down. "Do you know what it is you want yet?"

"Yes. Are your guys' pancakes any good," I questioned. I had to be nice and make small conversation.

"Oh, yes. Henry makes the best pancakes in town. I usually get them with strawberries on top and strawberry syrup, but that's what I like and you can order anything you like." I was guessing Henry was the cook. She was really into the whole breakfast thing.

I closed the menu and handed it to her. "That sounds delicious. But can I get a side order of bacon and eggs with toast?"

She took the menu from me. "Yes. We're having a special today. You get free dessert with your pancakes."

"Oh, sounds good." I haven't had dessert in forever!

"It is. I'll be back with your food." She turned and left. I sipped my orange juice. Mmm, I could tell it was made fresh this morning and the pulp made it thicker. I set it down and smiled. It felt good to be on my own. It was hard at times but it had its perks, this being one of them.

The waitress—I was going to have to learn her name—came with my food in hand and set it down. I made sure to look at her nametag. Her name was…Francis. "Can I get you anything else?"

"Oh no, I'm fine Francis." She smiled when I said her name. The lady that was applying lipstick when I came in was calling. "Can I get some help over here," she bellowed.

"Enjoy your food Hun." She patted my arm and went to the ladies table.

I know it was bad manners to eavesdrop but I wanted to know what that lady wanted so badly. "Can I have some more coffee, or do you have to make a new pot. 'Cause if you do, have to make a new pot I mean, I'm just going to go. So do you have some hot already?" Gosh the woman was demanding.

"Well I believe I have some already hot—"

"Good. Then get me some." I stuffed bacon in my mouth to keep from growling. Francis came back to pour her her coffee and went to the older man at the bar.

I went back to my food. It was ambrosia. The pancakes were cooked to perfection, and with the strawberries it tasted even better. The eggs were so good I didn't even need to add ketchup. The toast was good too, and had some sort of jam on it.

I finished earlier than I thought I would and sat back to relax. I had just closed my eyes when I heard Francis talk. "Do you want that dessert now?" I opened up my eyes. I was about to answer her when the door opened. She looked over her shoulder to see who it was and my head went down to hide my face. "How are you Quil?"

No one in Ben's pack was named Quil so I relaxed. That is until I felt the heat from this Quil and smelled wolf. Crap. I knew this place was too good too be true.

"Hey Francis…" He seemed to notice me too. Though I was fox I knew I smelled of the forest, which was similar to werewolf.

"I'll be right with you, just let me get done here." He didn't say anything but went to the closest bar seat next to my both, which made me want to bolt out the door. "Do you want the chocolate cake? I recommend that one."

I could feel Quil's heated stare. "I think I'll take it to go. Can I please get the bill?"

"I'll get it now." She went around the bar to where the desserts were on display. She took out a box and stuck what I guess was my chocolate cake in and brought it to me. "Here you are." She handed me the box and the bill.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the crumpled bills and handed them to her. "Keep the change. Have a good day Francis," I said before walking out of the door. I didn't run because I knew he would chase me as soon as I did. I walked a little ways but heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I quickened my pace. I didn't know whom this guy thought he was but I wasn't going to go easily. His steps became faster.

I chanced a look. He was coming all right. Forget the power walking, I bolted to the forest, and he took off into a run right after me. My flip-flops were forgotten and I ran passed the trees with the swiftness of a fox. He was far enough that if I pulled off my clothes he wouldn't be able to sneak a peak, but I couldn't stop to take off the pants. I would either get caught up in my clothes or, by some rare chance; I would slip out of them fine.

I phased and my clothes fell to the floor. I felt him phase too and instead of shoes hitting the ground it was paws. But that wasn't the only set of paws I heard. From what I could hear there were at least four other wolves. Great, four against one, and I'm all by myself here. One of them was faster than the rest and was catching up to me fast. But I had a mean bite and reason to live.

The wolf came closer and I realized it was a girl, not a boy. She was bigger than me, but my size gave me the advantage to move faster, and I knew how to lose someone if I had to; it was going to be even more challenging to lose five of them. I hope I could do it.

She was next to me now and I snapped at her front paws. She jerked back and growled. I growled back at her and dodged a tree. I didn't see her so maybe I had lost her after all. Another one of them knocked into me and I fell to the side. It didn't help that I was moving as fast as I was because the speed just made me fall harder. I jumped up and looked around to see five wolves circling me. My ears flattened against my head and I growled at them.

One of them in human form came out from behind a tree. "We're not going to hurt you. We just want to know who you are and why you're here." He put his hands up. I growled. I didn't trust him just because he claimed he wasn't going to do anything to me. I had heard that all to familiar sentence from Ben. "Just follow us and we'll get you some clothes if you'll answer our questions." Sure buddy, sure.

I was going to jump over him but the big gray wolf jumped me and pinned me down. I snapped and got him in the muzzle. I used my claws to try and dig them into his soft tummy but he bit my scruff. I yelped and used my front claws to get him in the face. He growled and bit down harder. I opened my jaw to bit his ear but another wolf—the russet colored one—came and put his huge mouth over my throat. I immediately froze. I didn't want him to rip my throat out so I didn't dare move.

The one in human form moved closer to me. "Paul, Jacob has hold of her so you don't have to bite her anymore." The gray wolf that had a hold of my scruff let go, but he stayed atop of me. "We just want answers. You're going to have to come with us to see our Alpha." I growled. "You can either come willing, or unwillingly. But you will come in the end."

The russet wolf let go of my throat and I pushed the gray wolf off of me and stood. They all looked at me, expecting me to run. I wanted to, gosh did I want to, but I knew they would end up pinning me again. I looked at the one who was talking to me. "Follow me." I did.

He walked and I was behind him. The girl wolf was behind me and I could feel her staring at me. The russet wolf was on my right, the gray one on my left. There was a Sandy colored wolf a little ways away. The one that followed me from the diner was in front with the one who talked to me.

We walked through the forest until we came to a small house. It was near the ocean. I hadn't seen the ocean in some time and looked out at it. I got nudged in the back and rounded on the girl wolf.

She showed me her teeth and I snapped at her. I was yanked back from biting her from a hand grabbing hold of me from the back. I turned around ready to attack. "No fighting. If you were to hurt one of the pack Sam would not be happy." I growled but did nothing else. I was just here to answer questions and be on my way, though I doubted it was going to go that smoothly.

I relaxed and the hand let go. We proceeded to the house, this time the girl wolf wasn't behind me. I think she took off somewhere. The boy opened the door for me; I hesitated before I stepped in. It looked like a quiet place and I could tell a woman definitely decorated the place.

"I'll go get you some clothes to change into, just wait here." The boy went upstairs and I was stuck in a living room with four wolves, and I was feeling uneasy. I went and stood in the corner while the others sort of crowded around the exits of the house.

The boy came back downstairs with some clothes in hand. He came over to me. "I didn't know what to get you so bare with me. You can change in the bathroom or take a shower if you want." He handed me the clothes and led me to the bathroom.

It was a good size but the window was a small square, maybe that's why he told me to change in this one. I walked in and shut the door with my nose. I knew he was right outside the door so I couldn't sneak out. I phased. I didn't feel comfortable with taking a shower in someone's house I didn't know but I really needed one and this was here, so what the hell.

I took a quick one and dressed in the clothes I was given. They were a bit big on me, but at least they were something I could cover myself with. The T-shirt hung on my shoulders and I had to fold the sweat pants. I pulled my hair up in a bun again and used the mouthwash they had in the cabinet. Then I went out.

The boy was waiting for me. "That didn't take long," he said. I shrugged. "We just have to wait till Sam gets here."

"Then I can leave," I said.

He nodded. "I don't see why not." We walked back to the living room. The wolves were now in their human forms. One of them was still shaking but everyone else seemed to dismiss it, and so I tried to ignore it. "I'm Embry by the way," said the boy who'd given me the clothes.

"Hayden Dylan Parker," I responded.

"This is Seth, Jacob, Quil, and Paul." I nodded. "So, I guess we can just sit tight until Sam gets here." I sat in the lazy boy chair and the others sat together on the couch. I kept my eyes on a speck of dirt on the floor. "So why'd you come here?"

"I'm just passing through, which is why I don't get why you want to 'question me'," I said, but still didn't look up.

"Well we have to know all the…creatures that pass through our territory."

"How long is this going to take because I really should already be in the next town."

"What's the hurry," Paul asked.

"None of your business," I snapped.

"Your on our territory so it is our business now," he stood and I stood after him, meeting his eyes.

"No. It. Is. Not." He was shaking but so was I. While werewolves shake uncontrollably, shape shifters—like me—only tend to shake in the hands.

"I think you've met someone with a temper as bad as yours Paul," said the smallest one, Seth.

"She's nothing. I could beat her easy."

"She is standing right here," said Jacob.

"And?"

"And so have the common decency to keep your thoughts to your self," I answered.

"I could beat you blindfolded," he said.

"Shut up Paul. Leave her alone," said Quil.

Paul was going to say something more when we all heard the front door open. They all looked. I just followed their line of vision and saw a man standing there. He held himself like an Alpha and was looking right at me. He wasn't looking friendly right now, which was bad for me.

I backed up a little and knocked into a table. I quickly caught myself. "Who is this?"

"A shifter we found," Seth said with a shrug.

"Where you from," Sam questioned.

"My name is Hayden, and I don't really come from anywhere."

"That's stupid, everyone comes from somewhere," Paul commented.

"Not me." I looked away.

"Why are you here," asked Sam.

"I'm just passing through."

"Where you headed?"

"I don't have to share anything with you. Your not my Alpha."

"Where is your pack?"

"I don't have one." I looked out the window. Would it hurt if I jumped through it? Yes, the glass would cut deep.

"There's not supposed to be lone shifters, it's too dangerous."

"I can control my temper."

"You're not an Alpha, so no, you can't. I know somewhat about shifters and I know they have tempers similar to wolves."

That window was looking better and better. "I'm fine."

"No your not. You don't belong to a pack and your not strong enough to control it on your own. It would be crazy to let you go."

"I was told I was to answer a few questions and I was out."

"Well you were misinformed. I cannot let you leave. You're a danger to the people of La Push and so you have to stay here."

"I am not going to stay here," I yelled. I was starting to tremble with the rage I felt towards this man.

"If you can't control yourself now what makes you think you can do it out there?" His voice was louder. He was making me mad on purpose and me being the dummy I am took the bait. "Where is your family and where did you come from. I know you cam from somewhere."

"Leave. My. Family. Out. Of. This." I was trying my hardest to not phase but this man was making it hard. All the help I had gotten from my father was going out the window when he mentioned them.

"So you do have a family. No matter. If you won't answer my questions now your going to have to stay here until you do. I can't have a lone shifter wondering around, especially if you're not an Alpha. So until you decide to answer my questions you will stay right where you are."

I didn't want to listen to him anymore. I took my chance and jumped out the window. The glass did hurt but I needed to get out of that room, and fast. I had already phased when my feet hit the ground. I took off into a run but one of them was already in wolf form and bit down on my flank. I yelped and fell to the floor.

I rolled until I faced whoever had a hold of me, and bit down on his ear. I felt the pressure leave from his hold and I jumped up to run. But the girl wolf came and bit down hard on the top of my head. I whined and tried to loosen her hold but she yanked instead. I felt her canine tooth tare at my skin. I felt the blood ooze down and go into my eyes so I shut them.

I used my back claws to get her on the side and she let go. I shook my face to get the blood out and was attacked by another wolf. From what little I could see it looked like the gray one, Paul.

He hit my side and I rolled back to the floor. My head was throbbing and my side was definitely bruised. I got up, though it hurt, and was starting to run but the Sandy colored wolf, Seth, stood in my way. I could easily pass him he wasn't as big as the others, but I didn't want him to hurt me. I decided to jump over him.

I bunched my muscles together and was going to spring when Sam decided to use his Alpha voice. I didn't think it would work on me but it did. Since fox shifters were close to werewolves the command of an Alpha works on us, as long as you are Alpha-less, like me.

"Stay." I tried to jump. "Stay." I dropped with my belly to the floor. I couldn't not listen when he was using his Alpha voice. He walked to stand over me. "Don't move." I couldn't. "Paul, carry her down to the basement."

I felt someone walk behind me but I couldn't move, I was frozen. Why did he have to choose Paul to take me? He was the one I got along with the least. I felt his hands go under my stomach and whined when he hit a sore spot. His fingers froze and he paced them elsewhere.

He picked me up and carried me to the house. "Can't believe I have to be the one to take the bitch to the basement," he muttered. I know 'bitch' was the term for female dog, but it wasn't in general.

I growled. "Oh shut up." I growled again. He jostled me when he started to walk down the stairs. A pained whine escaped my mouth. He didn't even say sorry. He set me down, surprisingly carefully, on the couch. I still couldn't move.

I could feel the top of my head healing and my side felt better. What little cuts the window had given me were already healed. Shifters can heal just like werewolves, but it did take a lot out of us.

Paul left after putting me down and Sam walked down. "Here are some clothes. Until your ready to answer my question you will stay here. You can get up now, but don't try to escape." He dropped the clothes on the floor, like I was a mere peasant, and left.

I got up, phased, and changed into the clothes. I stomped up the stairs and started pounding on the door.

Paul's POV

"Are we just going to let her do that all night? Do we have to stay here or can we go home? What if someone hears?"

"Paul, it's just one night, you're going to stay here, and no one can hear anything," Sam answered.

"Do I at least get the guest room?"

"I called it already," Jacob said.

"The blow up mattress?"

"That's all me," Quil said.

"Where the hell is everyone else going to stay?"

"It's just you, Jake, Quil, Seth, and Embry staying. You all went after her so you'll watch her."

"Hey, I didn't want to bug her. Quil here was the one who found her. I say he stays."

"LET ME GO!" There was some crashing and pounding on the door.

"How the hell are we supposed to sleep with that," I pointed to the door that led to the basement.

Sam shrugged. "You figure it out." He got up and went upstairs.

"This is seriously fucked up," I said. "I'm not going to get any sleep in this damned house."

"And you think we are," Jacob questioned.

"I could care less about you guys." The pounding continued. "You think she could get through the window?"

"Naw, that baby has bars," Seth said.

Jake went upstairs to the freaking comfy bed, Quil blew up the mattress and fought Seth for room, and I took the couch. It wasn't my king bed at home but at least it wasn't the hard floor. I laid out a blanket under me and grabbed a sheet to put on top, since I never really got cold. At least Embry took the floor without any trouble.

"LET ME OUT, NOW. DAMN IT!" More pounding on the door.

"Let's take a bet," I said.

Everyone turned towards me. "What."

"I say half an hour and she's knocked out."

"Paul, you think she's only going to last half an hour?"

I shrugged. "Girl has to sleep sometime, Quil."

"I'll take that bet. I say it takes her an hour, tops," Seth said.

"I think it'll take her two hours, she's a tough girl."

"Do I catch a little crush, Embry," I teased.

"Wha…No!" We all laughed. "I don't! S-she's just cool, I think." He looked away.

"Aww, little Emwy has a wittle cwush," I said.

"Quil's the one with the 'little crush'," Embry said. I winced. That was a low blow for Quil, using Claire.

"At least he has an excuse. She's his imprint. That chick ain't yours. Or did I miss something?"

"Shut up and go to sleep."

"Sure Embry, with all that racket she's making? Wait. I got an idea. Why don't you go down there with your girlfriend and do us all a favor and shut her up."

Embry muttered and put a pillow over his head, Seth started snoring, and Quil shook his head and closed his eyes. I smiled and tried to sleep, which was hard on account of her banging on the door.

Two hours had passed and she was still going strong. I guess none of us won the bet.

"Can someone, please shut her up," I begged, putting the pillow over my head to dull the sound as best as I could.

"Tell Embry to do it," Seth sleepily said.

I looked down on the floor to see Embry fast asleep. "How in the hell can he even sleep through that?"

A half hour later all was quiet. I was drifting off when Quil had to talk. "You think she's okay down there?"

"She's fine, just go to sleep." I closed my eyes but was still wondering if she was okay. Why in the hell was I worried?

So, I hope you all liked it. I changed it a few times but ended up with this. Hopefully it was good. (crosses fingers)

Will Hayden escape?

Will Ben's pack find her?

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