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MPOV

I hopped off of the boulder. "Good question. It had the intelligence level of a five-year old." I told him. He narrowed his eyes at me and my eyes were daring him to contradict me. He let it slide, but he was obviously not pleased.

"The reason you are here is because we heard some very upsetting news concerning yesterday." I told them, slowly walking in a circle around them. Jasper narrowed his eyes dangerously at me and ground his teeth together. Wow, temperamental aren't we?

Alice spoke and hopped off the boulder, walking our way. "Wow Jasper; two small comments and you're already on edge. My my my, what ever are we going to do about that temper of yours?" Alice asked, though I knew she was teasing. Jasper began to tremble slightly.

Bella hopped off the boulder, walking our way. She stopped beside me and said "Now Edward, what provoked your little tussle yesterday? I wouldn't consider it real fighting, since you don't know how to fight. Tell me what provoked you idiots to turn on each other like pups in a dog house." she asked snidely. I smirked slightly, and I knew Edward caught it. He glared menacingly at me.

"I was only teasing him, but he had to get all defensive and then it got personal. And that is none of your business." he almost yelled at us.

"Uh huh." I said, pretending to be uncaringly calm. "And what about you Emmett? Were you being overly defensive or just being a sissy?" I asked him. He un-knowingly began to growl quietly and I noticed him tremble. His trembling began to get worse; only another minute and he would phase. I turned back to Jasper.

"If it was so bad Jassy, why didn't you try to stop it before they fought? We're you scared of getting your fingernails dirty? Afraid you'd mess up your hair?" I asked him. He began to shake violently. He and Emmett would phase any moment. Now to drop the bomb.

"You know Edward, it's pretty sad when a guy can't fight. It's even worse when he decides to go up against a girl, and loses. I bet you mother would be so proud of you." I sneered. They all shook violently now, and we all took two steps back and when their shaking got so bad that we knew they couldn't see, we ran to cover to strip and phase.

We came back out where Seth was already phased and waited. We waited side-by-side, and a moment later, we heard and saw three simultaneous explosions. The three boys had exploded into werewolves, and were now looking around in confusion. When they saw us they all backed up. The jumble of their thoughts in their heads was probably unbearable, so I ordered Silence! and it got quiet.

Look down at your feet. I told them. They looked down to see not their feet, but their front paws. They turned in circles, trying to get a better view of themselves.

Think through my mind. Look through my eyes; it's much easier. I told them. Suddenly their attention became focused on my thoughts, which was focused on their new wolf forms.

Edward had turned into a bronze wolf with large paws that he had yet to grow into. Emmett and Jasper had yet to grow into their paws yet either. Emmett was slightly larger than the other two though, and he was a dark gray. Jasper was the color of honey, much like his hair. They stood next to each other, completely confused.

Maddie, is that you? Edward asked tentatively in his thoughts. I nodded my large head at him.

Yes. You guys are now werewolves, or I suppose shape-shifters. Welcome to the Shifting Colors pack; I am your Alpha. I told them. They all nodded their big heads. I proceeded through my head, telling them all about the bands and monthly ritual that I had told the Quileute pack last night. I also told them about the Quileute pack, and Seth offered information. When I mentioned imprints all their ears pricked up. I laughed aloud.

What's so funny? Jazz asked me.

I say 'Imprint' and you guys suddenly sit up straighter. You don't even know what imprinting is! I told them, barking a laugh.

Alright, then tell us. What is imprinting? Emmett asked me, sitting back on his haunches. The others sat down too.

Imprinting is when a werewolf finds their soul mate. When they do, that person becomes a wolf like them. You three were imprinted upon. I told them. Their heads swiveled slightly so that they were looking at the three girls who stood off to the side. I calmed my thoughts to nothingness to try to ignore them for a minute but caught onto Seth's thoughts.

I wonder if she'll notice? You'd think it would work both ways. he sighed. I swiveled my head towards him questionably and he avoided my gaze. I wonder what that's all about? I shook my head and sighed. I thought back to lunch yesterday when I met the kid. That weird twinkle in his eyes. It wasn't- no, no it couldn't have been. I'm just imagining it, right? Right, imagination, thinking things over too much. He probably just misses his friends. Yeah, that's it.

Satisfied, I turned my attention back towards the lovey-dovey imprints. They all just sat there, staring at each other. Alice, ever the impatient one, leaped into the air to land in front of Jasper and started rubbing her side against his. He rubbed back and laid his neck on her back, humming softly. The others soon got caught up in similar embraces. Rolling my eyes, I trotted over to them.

Alright love birds, you guys can make goo-goo eyes at each other later. We need to explain some of the basics and send you guys home. We girls have to make a phone call. I told them. They all looked upset. I rolled my eyes again.

Fine. I'll explain the basics and I'LL make the phone call while you guys hang around. I grumbled. Suddenly they were all frolicking. Such pups. Everyone sat in a circle on their haunches, Seth on my left and Rose on my right.

Now, as a werewolf there are a few basic rules. The most important is for no one, and I mean no one, to find out that you're a werewolf. Only other werewolves must know. Secondly, you must keep your tempers under control! I pushed my Alpha tenor onto this one; they had to understand. It was a direct order for them to remain calm. Their knees all wobbled a little from the force of the command. All except Seth, who wasn't in the pack.

Otherwise, you must simply stay out of sight from humans when shifted, do not pick fights, and grades must be a minimum of A-. You must be at every monthly ritual (no exceptions) and you must train with the other wolves every day after school. We will, however, call school and arrange for one day in the middle of the week for you to be allowed to take off to catch up on sleep, homework, and training. You will have to do patrols like everyone else in this pack, around the perimeter of Forks. It will be tiring work at first, but under our training and rituals, you will get used to it and become stronger.

Do not listen to the wolves of the other pack when they tell you to do something, such as an errand or run perimeter. It is your choice to decide what is right for you to do. If I say so, however, you must obey. Training will be every afternoon after school gets out, on the rez border most likely. All wolves will train during this time for a duration of three hours before they must leave for patrols, work, food, sleep, and so on and so forth. After probably six months of this hard training, you will become used to it and be stronger than you can ever imagine.

You won't look it though. You see how I look? I'm stronger than every one of you. Who thinks they can take me on? I asked them. Emmett volunteered. He was grinning, thinking I'll go easy on her.

No Emmett, don't go easy on me. I want you to go for the kill; forget who I am and try to kill me. See how far you get pup. I told him. He growled at me menacingly and everyone backed away on either side to give us plenty of space.

I stood in my stance, with my legs slightly bent and my muzzle down low to the ground. Emmett began charging at me and jumped to pounce on me. I dropped to the ground and rolled sideways and then twisted up into the air so I was spinning, paw out. I struck Emmett across the flank as he landed on the ground and landed on his other side. Instead of jumping on him, I jumped back a step and then sat down, my back to him.

I heard him get up and face me, and heard as he stealthily snuck up behind me. He had a paw out, about to lash me, when I slid my feet out from under me and nailed him in the gut with my back paws. I pulled them back and flipped over backwards so I landed on Emmett's back and I pushed on a spot just above his right shoulder and forced him to the ground beneath me. The match was over within thirty seconds of it beginning. After a few seconds I got up and took two steps back from Emmett, my head held high.

I heard one paw being set down right behind me and knew immediately the size from the vibrations it set off, even if the paw drop was silent. I jumped straight up in the air and spun as I jumped with my paw straight out and caught whoever was behind me right in the face. I then landed and jumped sideways before the two could trap me. The attacker had been Jasper. I feigned to the left and then ran to the right; they followed me and tried to head me off.

I slid to a stop and back-flipped over Emmett's head, spiraling as I came down to Earth and as I landed I slid his paws out from under him. I then grabbed his tail and spun him in a defensive circle around me, trying to be somewhat gentle while still causing Jasper to stay away. I released him so he flew into where Jasper was standing, but Jasper quickly jumped out of the way. While he was jumping out of the way, I was jumping to where he would land. As he landed, I knocked right into him.

He fell back with a huff next to Emmett. My ears perked slightly as I heard Edward walk up right behind me. I used my speed to dash forward and jumped on Emmett's rising back, launching myself in a back-flip so I landed on Edward's back. I dug my claws into his fur and twisted so that he was forced to the ground. I pulled away and grinned wolfishly. The boys looked surprised.

And to think I went easy on you. I told them smugly. The girls knew I went easy on them too. They all mentally shuddered at the thought of me actually trying to attack the boys. The boys got to their feet quickly and turned to face me, teeth bared in a snarl. I bared my teeth right back. Suddenly a random thought popped into Edward's head as he noticed I was wearing a necklace. I sat down and the stone still didn't change color. I didn't expect it to.

Edward cautiously sat and asked Why are you wearing a necklace?

I took a deep breath. Because I'm supposed to. It's a mood necklace, and the power-band holder back home told me to wear it while on my travels. It's to warn other wolves of when I'm being pushed too far. I told him. He nodded in understanding.

Anyways, you must obey all rules. I'll go make the phone call now while you all do whatever. The monthly ritual is a week from now. I will expect all of you back here in this clearing tonight at 9pm for your patrols. I have to go visit La Push. See you later pups. I said, turning on heel and sprinting through the thick trees towards home. I could sense Seth following me back, and I considered ignoring his presence and simply blasting off towards home.

With a sigh I slowed enough for him to catch up, matching his pace when he was by my side. He glanced over at me and grinned wolfishly and I grinned right back. As we got closer to the house, I could vaguely begin to smell Esme's scent, along with the smell of her marvelous cooking. I inhaled deeply and ran straight out of the thick forest and into the meadow surrounding our home. I grinned as I trotted up the front porch steps on my large paws.

I noticed that the front door was open with only the screen door as a boundary. Confused, I opened it silently and stuck my nose inside inquisitively. I could smell Esme's cooking and Esme herself, but I could also smell another scent. Someone was here.

I sniffed once more, deeper, and immediately recognized the scent. Sam.

What was he doing here?

I pushed open the screen door a little more with my nose and walked right on inside in wolf form. With a glance at the living room, I nodded in satisfaction and trotted up the stairs towards my room. Upon reaching it, I pushed open my door. I let the cool feeling rush over me as I jumped up into the air, feeling my body shifting from powerful beast back to young human girl. I sighed as I felt the feeling of a human body again.

I missed my paws already.

I quickly got dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a red t-shirt, jogging back down the stairs and into the living room where I knew Sam would be waiting. As I walked through the open archway that led to the living room, I barely had time to duck down to the ground before a hand grabbed at my throat. I ducked below the hand and landed on my knees. I quickly got into a slight crouch and spun around in a circle using my arms, stretching out my legs and ramming them into the legs of the person who tried to grab my throat. They fell backwards and I sprung to my feet before they could, my hand on their throat warningly.

I stared into the coal black eyes of Sam, his gaze lethal. I gazed back without emotion for a moment before releasing my hold on his neck and taking a step back, my expression guarded.

Sam quickly got up off the floor and stared me down for a moment before he turned around and walked back to one of the couches, leaning against the arm rest and gazing at me, guarding his emotions as well.

I walked to rest against the arm rest of the chair opposite him and stared him down for a few seconds before asking in a solid voice "Why are you here?"

Sam glared slightly, whether he meant to or not, and replied "I came to look for one of my wolves; Leah was worried about where Seth disappeared off to." he said.

I nodded calmly, and said with an evenly calm tone "I understand her concern, however if any of you have shifted lately you would have noticed he's been running around over here for a while. You should be able to keep better track of your pack, Sam." His face hardened at my words, though my tone was very calm and precise, not at all scolding.

He nodded after a moment of silence and said "I suppose we shall have to work on that. I'll be taking him back home now, if you don't mind." he said, waiting for my response. I felt my eyes tighten slightly, and noticed my skin getting warmer. The necklace would begin to change colors soon.

"You shouldn't order a pack member on where he must go and what he must do unless it is during patrol, inspection, training, or a crisis. I'm assuming it's none of those. Your pack members should be free to do what they please unless on duty. Any actions they make off duty that causes problems is their responsibility and they must handle the consequences, however it is their right to decide for themselves." I told him, my tone quiet but menacing. He could easily hear the warning in my voice.

His eyes tightened and I could see a shimmer run down his spine as he responded, trying to keep him tone even. "I will decide what is and isn't right for my pack. Seth and I are leaving. Enjoy your evening." he said, turning and beginning to walk out of the room, his muscles tense.

"Oh, and by the way Sam." I called after him. He stopped and turned to look at me. "I have three new additions to my pack, and they will join us at the monthly ritual to begin their training. I'll see you there." I told him, before turning and walking out of a door from the living room that led away from Sam and into the kitchen where I knew Esme was listening in as she cooked.

Sure enough, she was stirring some mashed potatoes when I walked in with a frown on her face. Esme never frowns when she cooks; she always smiles. After a moment of stirring, Esme laid her spoon down and turned to me, her eyes sad.

"Just imagine living in a pack where all your movements are being watched, and you can't do hardly anything except follow orders. It's just... sad." she said, frowning. After a moment she sighed.

I frowned. It was hard to imagine such a thing, and harder to realize that the Quileute wolves must live that every day. I sighed and ran a hand through my long reddish brown hair, contemplating it. After a moment I turned to Esme and watched her cook some more food for our monster appetites.

She glanced over at me again out of the corner of her eye as she put seasoning on some salmon and asked "Any idea where the girls are?" I nodded and smiled slightly; Esme was always watching out for her daughters.

"They're spending some time with their imprints, who shifted early this afternoon. Shall I go fetch them for dinner?" I asked her. She nodded with a smile.

"Thank you Maddie; that would be wonderful. I don't want to have to leave the stove." she said. I nodded in understanding and turned to the sliding glass doors, opening them and stepping outside before shutting it softly behind me.

I loped quickly into the surrounding forest and quickly stripped, phasing and landing on all four paws with giddy satisfaction. The feeling of being back on my own four paws never seemed to get old. It always made me happy.

I stretched out my minds to the others and came up silent. They had shifted back. I shrugged my massive shoulders; I would simply have to track them. I loped at a pleasant pace through the trees. After a minute of pleasant jogging, I crossed Sam's scent.

I sniffed it closer and knew it was going from our home back outwards, but it was going in the opposite direction of the reservation. Puzzled, I followed the scent with slow and careful steps for a moment, trying to get a feel for Sam's emotions as he ran through here.

One of the many wonders of tracking by scent; emotion. When someone runs through an area, they leave their scent. On that scent, is whatever emotion they had. Fear, worry, anger, joy, and even tranquility. If you were smart and experienced enough with scents, you could figure this out simply by smelling the different flavors in one's scent. That's what I was doing as I padded along slowly.

I could definitely smell Sam's anger; he was enraged. Probably from our discussion, I concluded. However, I noticed the scent lead in a direct path one way, and the paw prints left behind were heavy but spread apart, as if powerful bounds were used to hurry through the underbrush. He was racing towards something.

Or giving chase another part of me thought. With a tinge of fear and worry, I leaped forward in one powerful bound and began to run, following Sam's scent deep into the thick woods, towards the Olympian mountain range. As I began to get closer to the base of the mountain, I noticed Sam's tracks often veering one way and another, as if someone had been trying to thrown him off. I stuck my nose to the ground as I ran and found his scent covering up another easily recognizable scent, one laced with fear.

Seth. I thought, and I bounded forward again, my speed almost doubled from my average run, my worry and determination propelling me forward. As I followed the trail, I noticed the scent becoming more and more powerful. Much of this scent was new; not five minutes ago they ran through here. I pushed myself harder so I was flying between the trees, determined to catch up to them.

I neared the base of the mountain and began following the trail around its base when I had an idea. I called out with my mind to Seth as I had yesterday and earlier today, and found his thoughts to be panicked. Sam was catching up to him, I saw in his mind's eyes, and he knew it.

Seth continuously tried to throw Sam off his tracks as he ran in many curves and loops, trying to get the large wolf to slide to the side and allow Seth to escape. I could see that they weren't very far ahead of me, so I pushed myself as fast as was possible. My muscles were straining, my emotions were running wild as I realized what Sam might do to Seth.

I peered into Seth's mind again, and vaguely heard Sam cursing at him and ordering him to stop and wait for his Alpha. Somehow, Seth resisted the Alpha order, and continued to run forward, his fear pressing him on. I could hear through Seth that Sam's thoughts were downright nasty, and that he would punish Seth for his betrayal to his pack and my mouthing off causing Sam to blame Seth. I growled in frustration.

As I continued to fly through the forest, I knew I was gaining quickly. My speed was twice as fast as theirs, and soon I could see Sam up ahead in the distance. I realized that Seth was leading Sam through rocky and rugged terrain to make following him more difficult, though I knew that would slow me down as well. I quickly began to angle my course, heading up the base of the mountain and onto some high flat cliffs, running parallel to their course as I quickly caught up. Soon I was running right alongside them, though they wouldn't be able to see me with their speed and my blending fur.

I continued to run, and when the tough part of the forest was past, I saw Sam begin to rapidly gain on Seth. I noticed also, that just up ahead was a part of the cliff that jutted out to the side. If I went at the edging at the right angle, I'd be able to jump off of that and land on the ground next to them while keeping up my pace. I nodded to myself and angled my running slightly so I was heading for the out-cropping.

As I launched myself off of the out-cropping, I saw below that Sam was right on Seth's tail, about to bowl him over. With a fierce howl ripping through my throat, I fell and landed just behind them. The jump and my incredible speed allowed me to catch up to Sam's side, and before he even realized I was there, I had pushed roughly against his shoulder and caused him to topple over, rolling over himself as he landed to a stop. Seth skidded to a stop once he realized Sam was no longer behind him.

He glanced back and our gazes connected, and I could see the calm spreading over his features as his worry and fear disappeared like a light being turned off. Something within me sparked upon gazing into his beautiful chestnut eyes, but before I could register what it meant, I heard Sam quickly rising to his feet from where he had landed.

I turned around and my hackles went up as I gazed upon Sam. A fierce snarl ripped its way out of my throat as I tried to hold back the brunt of my temper. I was about ready to rip his head off if I was given the chance, and I knew I could right now if I wanted to. Sam stood and snarled right back at me, taking a defensive position and baring his teeth. I bared my teeth and snarled back at him for a moment, enraged at his behavior.

After a moment of us both snarling at each other, I saw Seth stand by my side out of the corner of my eye. Sam's gaze snapped over to Seth and he bared his teeth at him, snarling and probably yelling at him through his mind.

Seth's will and gaze stayed strong as he stood there, facing Sam without a trace of fear. After a moment, Seth must've said something that set Sam off, because after a moment Sam leaped forward towards Seth, teeth bared and eyes wild.

I growled menacingly at Sam and snarled as I leaped into the air in front of Seth to block him from harm's way, allowing Sam's teeth to sink into my shoulder and his claws to rip gashes down my side as he attacked me. We both fell to the ground with Sam on top of me, and I quickly used my hind legs to nail Sam in the gut and cause him to go flying off of me. I leaped up and charged at Sam, snarling and snapping as I neared.

Sam didn't see the obvious danger and instead tried to roll so that he pushed my feet out from under me. I was prepared. I leaped over Sam's rolling form and landed on his other side, spinning and swiping my paw across his face, leaving a large mark. Sam howled in pain and fury and jumped up, using his brute force to try and shove me backwards.

Little did he know that I'm much stronger than he is.

His shoving moved me back and inch, an inch that I used to put my back paws where I wanted them. Then, palms digging into the ground, I shoved Sam back, one step at a time. I glared menacingly into his pitch black eyes as he glared right back, and after a moment of me shoving him back, I gave him a solid push before breaking off from our nose-to-nose pushing contest and moving out of the way. Sam huffed and glared at me, his teeth baring a furious snarl.

I snarled back quietly for a moment before my gaze snapped to Seth. I couldn't read the emotions going across his face as he watched us, and I felt it would be rude to tap into his mind again. Surprisingly, his mind hesitantly reached out towards mine. As our thoughts connected, he asked me Are you alright?

I mentally nodded and asked him the same. He nodded his big head at me slowly, his gaze now intently watching Sam. I heard Sam's paws leave the ground, and before I could turn my head to look, I knew he had leaped into the air at me, his goal being to bite and crush me. I didn't have to time to run, put a protective stance, and do anything useful. I was out of options. Right before Sam's body could collide with mine, I felt the air whoosh and suddenly the threat was gone.

To my left, Seth had Sam pinned down with a paw to the throat, snarling and snapping within inches of his face. I was stunned; I hadn't expected that. Sam grew still as he realized where he was, and gazed up into Seth's eyes with a hatred so deep it made my blood run cold. After a moment of the two silently conversing, Seth took a steady step back and turned around, walking my way and then circling around me so that he was standing on my right, gazing down at Sam.

Sam got wearily to his feet, his injuries obviously taking a toll on him. He gazed at Seth in cold hard hatred and I quickly entered Seth's mind to hear what he was saying.

While I realize why you came, that doesn't make it acceptable; neither does you attacking your pack leader! He snarled. Seth's gaze bore down on his steadily as he replied.

My place is not in your pack anymore. You're no alpha, just an owner of slaves Sam. I'm leaving; enjoy being a leader. Seth said, standing up a little taller. After a moment, I felt the connection between Sam and Seth break. Seth was now a loner, and that was unacceptable. As I sat within his mind, I felt Seth accepting the gravity of what he just did, and taking responsibility for it. I was impressed, and very pleased. He would make a fine young wolf.

Sam, trying to be as dignified as ever, straightened his stance and turned around, trotting away and back towards the reservation without uttering a sound. Once he was gone, I gazed after him before turning back to Seth, who was watching me thoughtfully.

After a moment's thought, I spoke to him softly within his mind. You are most welcome to join in my pack if you would like Seth; you have a lot of potential, and I'm impressed that you stood up and defended me. Thank you. I said, meaning every word. He turned and gazed into my eyes with such tenderness I knew tears might come to my eyes. His gaze was so... adoring, wondering, and... loving.

He loved me; that much was obvious now. But so soon? Well, we did just defy his alpha together and get him thrown out of the pack. But why would that spark any connection? The only time I'd ever seen people connect and show so much devotion before was-

My mind suddenly came to a stop. The only time I'd seen that much devotion so early was when a wolf imprinted. I thought back for a moment to my mark flashing onto Seth's leg, and glancing down I saw it still there, easily seen if you knew what you were looking for. I then remembered a pack member back home imprinting on another pack member, and their symbols appearing on each other's legs.

Seth imprinted on me.

As I gazed back into his deep chestnut eyes, so much like a warm Autumn evening, I felt something in me snap. Suddenly, the entire world shifted and began to focus solely on him. I imprinted on Seth, just as he had imprinted on me. It was always there, though I hadn't realized it.

I gazed into his eyes, and suddenly could feel the alpha/pack member connection between us as he accepted the concept of joining my pack. He was now a pack member... and my imprint.

I knew he was listening to my thoughts, as his now came at me at the usual rushing torrent. Suddenly his mind focused only on that one word. Imprint.

I gazed back into his eyes with a deep emotion that I knew could never be copied or replaced; I loved him. I took a half step forward and he took the same half step, his neck lying over my right shoulder and against the back of my neck as I mirrored his position. A wolf hug. We embraced deeply and held each other tightly as I began to hum softly, a deep throaty sound that I noticed Seth found to be rather soothing.

For a while we embraced, drinking in each other's scent and company for a while. Finally, we both pulled back and gazed at each other for a moment before I playfully nudged his shoulder. He nudged me back, a smile growing on his features. I nudged him back and playfully nipped at his ear before skipping out of his reach. A tinkling laugh filled my mind, and I heard his soft one in response. Side by side, the two of us trotted together through the underbrush and back towards our home.

Our home I thought with a smile. Seth caught the edge of my thoughts and bumped my shoulder lightly, grinning as his head filled with peaceful thoughts.