Chapter 3

Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

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In the time as children, every so often we walk on the edge of reality and imagination. In this state, we are oblivious to are surroundings such as Leah Clearwater was oblivious to the commotion down stairs. Harry Clearwater however was not, as he sat beside his resting daughter.

He rushed over to Lahote's home before he even managed to hang up the phone. When he arrived, Jared, bless the boy, was trying to calm down his pack brothers.

Paul's living room was in ruins. It's incredible the house is still standing. The young man had lived with his grandfather after his parents disowned him. Unfornantely, though a convenience at the moment, Nixkamich took ill and currently residing in Forks hospital, much to the council's dismay.

After demanding an explanation and ordering them to clean up the mess in silence, he hasn't left his daughters side.

Watching Leah sleeping form, he wasn't sure how he should feel about how things been laid out. Top it off with who he should be angrier with, Harry's a beaker of emotions. Test tubes of non-compatible substance being poured together with no stirring rod to gradually blend the elements. Sam, who broke his daughter's heart in a most appalling manner, should be the sole source of his angry. But then again he feels it directed more towards Paul for imprinting on his only daughter. Worst of all they put Leah in harm's way. There is a crash downstairs that brings Harry out of his thoughts.

Sighing, he reluctantly he leaves his daughters' side. Reaching the bottom step, he sees his friend and fellow council member trying to make sense of the boys' explanations.

"That's enough!" He said with authority. "Embry, go check on Leah."

"Harry, how is she doing?" Quil senior asked.

"She is resting."

"Well boys you sure made a mess of things. Luckily, it was nightfall and a secluded area no one else saw. Still to phase with Leah in the vicinity." He tsked. "Sam you should know better after Emily. Now poor Harry has to explain things to his daughter. We are already having enough complications. Lucky for us Leah's a bright and rational girl."

"My friend, it's a bit more complicated, depending on how you look at things. Paul?"

"I've imprinted on Leah Clearwater." The old man took in the destruction of the room.

"Are you telling me, you put Harry's daughter, your imprint, in danger for a pissing contest?" He roared. "Jared? I can see you have your say. Would you care to explain this."

"It started as Paul defending himself from Sam's attacks, but then he um…started retaliating." Jared paused not sure of how to continue.

"Is someone going to explain what happened?" The old man asks losing his patience.

"When we were searching for my daughter, Sam omitted the fact he saw her earlier in the day."

"Why would he do that?" He addressed the Pack leader.

Sam remained silent, avoiding the older man's stare. Paul decided to intercede.

"When I found Leah, she was in distress on the road…"

"And you took advantage." Sam interrupt finally speaking up.

"We already went over this. And you know what Sam, you did. Leah ran off because she found you screwing her cousin, in her living room no else." Both boys were on verge the of tremors.

"Enough!" Harry called out. Taking a breather, he sighed. "It's been a long night and day. You all should go rest. Paul I can assume Leah will be taken care of. When she wakes up again, you're going to have to tell her some details. She remembers the stories and I assured her they were true. But I thought you ought to be the one to explain things."

"Tomorrow, we will meet with the pack. Billy's going to want a full explanation from the both of you." Quil Sr. stated as he walk out with his friend.

Sam sent a glare towards Paul before he was guided outside by his beta. It wasn't so much a glare, not with his eyes full of jealousy and despair.

Paul had mixed emotions himself but pushed them aside to sort through later. He began ascend towards his awaiting imprint. Walking up he can hear Embry and Leah talk.

"What about school?"

"I'm going back in a couple days. It pointless though. I'm not sure if I'll be able to catch up. Homework was already hard enough, but now with patrolling, I'm not sure how I'm going to manage."

"You're smart, Embry. I've tutored you long enough to know. And believe me I'm not going to let you fall behind. I have too much pride to allow one of my pupil not graduate. My ego won't allow it."

It was quiet for a moment. Paul could hear the squeak of the bed and knew they were giving each other a hug. The silences lingered a little longer than he wanted and was ready to burst open his door but as he gripped the door handle, he heard voices again.

"Thanks, Leah."

"I'm just glad we could be friends again. I was worried about you."

"I'm sorry, but I was told I had to stay away. I just can't believe you still want to be around me after knowing what I am. I thought for sure you would run screaming."

"It would take a lot more than that to scare me off. So how's your mom, I haven't seen her since you ditched me."

Paul could hear his hesitant response. "She's fine but I should go and let you get some rest." On cue, Paul opens the door before Leah protests her friend's departure. Embry walks past Paul giving him one last pat and nod before he close the behind him.

They locked eyes, but Paul couldn't read them, or was afraid to. However, all his inhibitions fled when his angel spoke.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" she asks with worry eyes.

"I'm fine." He tells her as he seats himself next her on the bed.

Leah not one for awkward silent moments continues. "So was this what you wanted to talk about earlier? Or were you just going to hide it just like Sam?"

"I was going to tell you. I was going to explain before things got out of hand."

"So tell me now. What's an imprint?"