A/N - A huge, huge thank you to everyone who read, favourited, alerted and reviewed the last chapter. Especially those who reviewed. I wasn't sure whether people would continue reading after such a long break, so I'm so happy that you guys still did.

A/N 2 - Not entirely sure about this chapter. I think it may be a little rushed, but the next chapter talks more about the change (as it's from Jake's POV). I might come back and re-write, but for now, I hope you enjoy :).

Chapter 14

Night-time Vigil

Paul relaxes as he sees Jake falling asleep, his hand running through the younger boy's hair, remembering his own change, the pain that had occurred the night before, the pain that felt like it was going to kill him.

It passed, most of it gone by the morning, all of it disappearing after he had phased. He didn't like seeing Jake going through it. But another part was excited, was excited that Jake was about to become part of the pack and would be able to protect himself if any of the leeches came around again.

"Paul?"

He looks up at Rachel's voice, sending a small smile towards the woman, eyes drifting down to the cup in her hands.

"It's, um," she starts, looking down at the cup, shrugging as she walks into Jake's room further. "Mom used to make it. When any of us were sick … or hurt."

He nods as she puts it down on the bedside table, not missing the way her eyes take in him sitting on the side of the bed, hand running through her brother's hair.

"So," she says quietly, sad look on her face. "Not really a girlfriend then?"

"I didn't," he starts to reply, guilt running through him at the crest fallen look on her face. He'd never meant to string her along, hadn't thought he was, but can see by the look on her face that she had held hope that he would be interested in her.

"It's okay," she interrupts, a sad smile crossing her face. "I mean … it explains a lot. Like why you came out of his room the other day looking like you'd just been … well, you were there, you know what I'm saying."

He can't help but smile at the memories, eyes drawn back to Jake when the young boy whimpers.

"Is he okay?" she asks, concern clear in her tone.

"He will be," Paul answers, hand resuming its stroking. "He just needs some rest."

"He's been … different, over the past few days," she says, hand running through her hair, the gesture almost identical to Jake's.

"He'll be fine," he responds, leaning back against the headboard.

"So you're staying?" Rachel asks, jealousy evident in her tone.

"Well, it's kind of late and it might be easier for him if I was here," he answers.

"I don't know," she replies, eyes straying to the door. "I don't know about my dad …"

"He won't mind," Paul says, giving her a small smile and hoping that it was the end of the conversation.

"Well …" she says. "I guess."

He gives her his best grin, feeling guilty at the blush that crosses her face, but happy when the girl leaves, shutting the door behind him.

Resting his head back, he closes his eyes, hand still running through Jake's hair. He'd always known that Jake would phase soon. Sam had told him from the very beginning that Jake was the true alpha, the one who would lead their pack. He was still surprised at how well Sam had taken the news that he would be replaced, but the older wolf hadn't once even thought about it being unfair, or thinking that he should stay the alpha.

He wonders what Jake will say.

He falls asleep next to Jake, curling around the young man, wishing that he could take the pain that Jake is in, but knowing that it's a necessary part of the process.

Paul wakes the next morning to an empty bed, he curses as he quickly jumps out of Jake's bed, knowing that Jake has gone into the woods, that he's phased, and he wasn't there.

"Paul, what's going-"

"He went out for a run," Paul says quickly, brushing slightly against Rachel in the hallway, as he makes his way to the woods.

He phases as soon as he reaches the trees, already hearing Sam, Jared and Jake talking.

Well, well, if it isn't sleeping beauty, Jared says.

Rolling his eyes, Paul jumps into the clearing, tossing the young wolf off to the side, and grinning when Jared gives a small growl.

If you have anymore questions, Jake, you know where to find me, Sam says, winking at Paul as he runs off, Jared following not long after.

Taking in the large russet wolf in front of him, Paul can't help but smile, glad that Jake was finally part of the Pack.

You know I can hear you? Jake asks, amusement running through him.

Shrugging, he phases back, grinning as Jake turns away, walking back into the woods, and coming out with shorts on.

"Are you going to put some clothes on?" Jake asks, eyes flicking to him and then to the trees, blush running up his neck, making Paul grin even wider.

"As nature intended it," he replies, moving closer to Jake.

Jake snorts, eyes drifting back to him, small smile on his face, a look in his eyes that had grown since Paul had last seen him.

"You're so full of yourself," Jake mutters, hand coming up to run through his newly shorn hair.

"You cut your hair?" Paul asks, hand coming up to follow Jake's, not missing the shiver the other boy gave.

"Sam mentioned it was easier," Jake replies, and Paul has to fight down the jealousy that Sam was the one there during Jake's phase.

"You could've woken me," he murmurs, hand coming around to cup his cheek.

"You looked like you needed it," Jake replies quietly, leaning into his hand.

"You still could've," he says again, thumb rubbing Jake's cheek, the warmth warming him from the inside out.

"Did you hate it?" Jake asks.

"What? The phase? Cutting my hair?" he jokes.

"No … imprinting," the other boy whispers, eyes falling to the ground.

"No," he replies instantaneously. "Your whole world shifts, that person becomes everything to you, your entire world. So no, I didn't hate it, it was the best moment of my life."

He feels his heart race as Jake gives him one of his smiles, moving closer, so there was no space left between them.

"It feels like your whole world was rebuilt?" Jake asks.

Paul's thumb freezes on the others cheek, cold fear running through him, wondering if Jake had imprinted. And if so, on who.

"Something like that," he murmurs, his heart racing a mile a minute. "Jake … have you … have you imprinted?"

His breath catches as Jake looks up at him, the answer clear in his eyes.

A/N - As always let me know what you thought. And for those who can't believe I've ended it there (and are readying your pitchforks), the next chapter is called 'Double Imprint' *cough* not that that's a hint or anything ;). I'm just saying :).