A/N: sorry for the week without and update. I think I might only be updating weekly instead of every few days like I had planned in my head. Also sorry to the reader who was made that it turned out to be a Paul Story and not and Emmett story. Grace is in control of her life for the most part and she guided me to this point. Finally sorry for a short chapter - Grace was feeling out of it all week. review so the wolves are happy (:

Chapter 10: "Time"

Days went by before I answered any phone calls or acknowledged anyone at my door. The realization that I had imprinted on Paul and I was just waiting for him to shift to complete the process was weighing heavy on my shoulders. I felt as if I was dying inside since I was ignoring all calls I got from him and I hadn't seen him since the week before. I was cancelling another Wednesday night with him and the boys because I just couldn't handle seeing the hurt on his face.

I got out of bed three days after I sent Sam, Billy, and Old Quil away to listen to my voicemails. Most of them were from Sam and Billy checking that I was okay. Old Quil was scolding me and reminding me that he didn't let me live alone to become a Hermit and that I had responsibilities to the tribe. Two of the Emmett and Alice called, but only to make sure I didn't need to go hunting. Paul called multiple times every day and always left a message. I felt my heart break into the tiniest pieces when I heard his voice. In his final message from the morning, I could hear him holding back so much anger and frustration because I had never left him in the dark like this – not in the two years I've been back in La Push. The pain I could sense from him and the pain I felt only made it feel more real that he was my imprint, my soul mate.

The final message I listened to was too much. It meant the inevitable was near. "Grace," Sam's voice was stern, almost as if he was embracing the Alpha, "you need to stop this. I need you. I think Jared is getting ready to change. He's feverish, hot and sweaty, and he hasn't been out of bed in two days." He stopped for a moment to breathe heavily into the phone. "I'm not ready to do this on my own. I need you to help. Jared is at his parents' house and Billy thinks he will be ready to change by nightfall. Please come when you hear this."

The message had been left two hours earlier. It was just another reason to ignore Paul. I needed to see him. I could feel his pain and I was starting to get overwhelmed. However, I couldn't just leave Sam to handle Jared on his own, even though if he was going to be Alpha he should be able to do it alone.

I dialed the number that felt the most natural to me and my heart lifted when I heard the voice on the other line.

"What do you want," the angry teen asked to answer the phone.

"I just wanted to apologize," I responded quietly. "I wasn't fair to you. I was having a few bad days and I kept you in the dark. The least I could have done is let you hang out over here."

"But you didn't and now I don't want to talk to you."
"Stop, Paul," I said calmly and soothingly.

"It's not fair! You didn't answer any of my calls. You ignored me when I was at your door!" he shouted into the phone. "You never ignore me! You promised you would never do that!"

I sat on the floor of my living room and felt tears roll down my cheeks. "I know, bud. I am so sorry. I wasn't fair. I was mad at Sam and Billy and Old Quil and I took it out on you. I shouldn't have done that."

We sat in silence for a few minutes. I listened to his breathing, trying to stay calm and collected and to remind myself that he hasn't shifted yet. "I have an idea."

"What?" he spat, still pretending as if he was mad at me.

"Since its Friday, how about you spend the weekend with me? I can pick you up at five today when your dad gets off work."

He didn't respond for a few minutes and I was worried he would hang up on me. I was hoping if this imprint thing was right that he couldn't say no. "Okay. But you can't bail on me."

"I won't. I have to meet Sam and Billy right now, but I'll be there to pick you up."

I walked into the Camerons' house as quickly as I could. I had already neglected my duties as Alpha for four days, leaving Sam to keep watch on the rest of the boys and to hold down the fort. I could hear six people standing in Jared's room and I heard Jared crying out in pain.

"Billy! Sam!" I shouted to confirm their location as Sam stuck his head into the hallway to point me in the correct direction.

"How is he?" I asked when I reached the doorway.

Sam was towering over me to obscure my view, "I think it might happen tonight. Or at least this weekend."

"Sam, I'm gonna stay here for as long as I can today, but I have to pick up Paul at 5:00. I know you don't want it, but for now you're going to be the Alpha. You are going to watch over him. The tribe is going to be okay while you take care of him," I tried to explain in the most Alpha way I could without commanding it.

"Grace, are you sure that's the right thing to do?"

"I'll bring Paul over here tomorrow to see his sick friend. That's all we can do. This is a waiting game."

I walked into the room and placed a hand on Mrs. Cameron's shoulder to let her know I was there and that everything was going to be okay.

"But what if it happens before Paul gets to see him?" Sam whispered next me.
I looked at him and then back at Jared wishing there was more I could do than stand over his body. "Then it happens and I tell Paul that he got better but isn't up for seeing anyone."

Mrs. Cameron turned her head my way and thanked me with her eyes. She always appreciated the way I looked after the boys and now she and her husband were going to be in on the secret.

I sat with her for two hours thinking about the ways that this could have been prevented. Was I doing them any favors by staying? Would life have been easier if I had left when the Cullens returned? I mulled over the options again in my head: do I leave before Paul changes to give him a chance at an almost normal life or do I stay and potentially cause him to shift for the rest of time? I hated watching Jared go through this painful process of transforming from boy to wolf. I couldn't get over the fact that they were just boys and they were being pushed into world that wasn't real to them and barely real to myself. How would I ever be able to watch Paul go through it?

I was staring into nothingness when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I shook myself back and looked behind me to find Sam standing closer than I remembered. "Is everything okay?"

"Well, yeah…" he replied, "but it's getting close to five and you said you needed to pick up Paul."

I checked the time on my watch and noticed that it was 4:45. "Right." I turned to Mrs. Cameron to tell her I would be back and to reassure her that Jared would be fine.