I just want to make it clear that some of the character's have different ages to what is written within Stephanie Meyer's Twilight. This is purely because of the events which take place, I wanted them to be older.

Disclaimer: Everything you recognise within this story are solely Stephenie Meyer's. The opinions stated and material used does not constitute advice and you should perform your own independent research or speak with a qualified professional concerning any events which take place outside of this story.

Paul's POV

An irritating shake to my shoulder woke me up the following morning, way too early to be anyone other than Sam. Neither of the girls would be that much of a dickhead. That, and they will both be passed out for a good few hours yet, judging by the state of them last night.

Nope, this is definitely Sam.

Who, by the sounds of his pissed off hissing in my ear, still wants me dead after last night.

"You've got some nerve still being here" is what he said as I cracked an eye open, having folded myself onto their sofa last night, successfully giving myself a crooked neck. It's times like this that being so broad and tall is annoying – I guarantee neither of the girls would have this much trouble.

But I couldn't leave. Not after last night, after the rock bottom I hit when I once again felt my imprints emotions. It felt like a kick to the gut when she thought I had fucked Katie, and I know that what I felt wasn't all my own reaction.

"Will you relax" I mumbled back "we talked, it's all good"

"Oh, so now you deem her worthy enough to talk to?" Sam still hadn't calmed down. Instead he was stood just a foot from my head, glaring down at me, arms crossed and brows furrowed.

Oh yeah, he is pissed.

"Will you quit giving me that look" I snapped, sitting up and swinging my legs onto the floor, before holding my head in my hands "it's complicated"

"There's nothing complicated about it – you're an asshole" Sam had really pulled the protective brother outta the bag, his posture not relaxing, even as I remained seated. As though he was expecting me to flip out and leave, possibly throwing the odd punch on the way. In fact, I think he'd be thankful if I left and didn't show my face again for a good few days.

Well bad news Sam, that's not happening.

It's time for me to face my feelings.

"I know" was all I said, knocking the wind out of his sails entirely. In fact, I had managed to completely confuse my alpha, who looked halfway to kicking me out of his house, only to stop, bewildered.

"What?" is all he managed

"I'm an asshole" I shrugged. It took Sam a couple of seconds to drop the confused expression on his face, once again remembering that he had good reason to be mad

"Why did it take trying it on with another girl to make you see that? Did you really have to cause Gem harm to get it into your thick skull?"

"For the last time" I felt my temper flare, desperately trying to stamp down on it before Sam fully did kick me out "nothing happened! She tried to kiss me yeah, but I put her straight and said I wasn't interested. And then I fixed her fucking window, considering I was actually the one who broke it in the first place"

Sam looked thoughtful, backing up enough so that I could finally stand, making my way to the kitchen for water.

"So nothing happened…Because of Gemma?" Sam asked causally, too casually to be anything other than probing for information. Normally I would shove him away and tell him to stay the fuck out of my business. But unfortunately, he and Emily are the ones that know my imprint the best.

Way better than me, that now pains me to admit.

"Yes. I felt something when she saw me in Katie's room – I think for a moment she was upset"

"Well of course she was you idiot, she's your imprint and you're supposed to show her loyalty, I can't believe that you would put her in that position"

I gave Sam a look, reminding him that nothing had or would actually happen. That for once, I hadn't fucked another girl and ruined everything.

"Yea yea, sorry" he grumbled, clearly having not forgiven me entirely, but at least no longer looking at me like I deserved death "look, I can't speak for Gemma because that girl is really closed off about the imprint, even with Em and me"

I felt myself deflate at this. I mean if she doesn't speak about it with them, she won't with anyone. There goes my easy way in finding out what is going on in her head.

To be honest, her initial reaction last night seems to have opened some kind of floodgate in me. Knowing that she thought I had wanted another girl had physically pained me, a reaction that I hadn't expected from myself in a million years. Especially as the lines are blurring between whether these feelings are purely because of the imprint…or whether they're my own.

I mean I even made her food and cared enough to make sure she had enough water in her drunken state. That kind of thing is not something I do. I have never done that that for anyone before, yet all of a sudden I wanted to talk to her and look after her like some kind of mother hen.

And even worse, I had loved every second of it.

"But" Sam continued, making my ears practically prick up with interest "I do know that as guarded as she is about her emotions, she cares about you. In what capacity I can't tell, and truthfully I doubt she knows either, but I don't think you should give up"

"You think that one day she may accept the imprint?" I asked hesitantly, the hope rising in my stomach making me feel a little nauseous.

"Well, not if you keep bouncing back and forth between hating and loving her" Sam said dryly "Jared didn't exaggerate, your constant thoughts are giving up both whiplash. So, you need to grow a pair and actually decide what you want. And then you need to work at it – you have a long way to go if you want to convince Gemma you're trustworthy. Don't expect her to throw herself at your feet"

"I know. I just don't want to see her hurt. I suppose she's actually pretty cool"

"That's what we've been trying to tell you. So you can stay for as long as she does. Just don't give me another reason to hurt you" Sam fixed me with a look that was a whole lot of 'don't fuck with me'.

And so I held up my hands, uttering words which held a lot of weight in the already heavy atmosphere.

"I won't"

Gemma's POV

Paul had ended up crashing on Sam and Emily's sofa, meaning there was an entire household of people stirring this morning – two of us a little more worse for wear than the others.

I had woken up to what I can only describe as a feeling of pure dread, my head immediately pounding as I cracked my eyes open, aware that despite all the water and food last night, my mouth is drier than a desert. Why the hell I had agreed to play 'beer' pong last night goes beyond me. Talk about getting caught up in the moment. I really should have learned by now.

Rolling over and checking my phone, I realised that whilst it was only 9am on a Saturday, I could already hear movement coming from downstairs. Listening harder, I could definitely hear male voices. Sam and Paul then. Probably trying to work out what a kitchen is and how to make pancakes, bless them. Although having said that the sandwich Paul made me last night wasn't half bad. On the crispy side of life perhaps, but still appreciated.

The buzzing of my phone brought my attention back to the screen, wincing as the light burned my retinas, despite turning the brightness settings down as far as possible.

To: Gemma

From: Emily

SOS. I think I am dead. Are you awake?

I immediately texted my friend back, confirming that I am only somewhat alive and asking if she wanted to come and wallow in self-pity with me.
Just thirty seconds later there was a brief knock, as a zombie which I assume must be Emily stumbled into my room. I would say that I am being harsh, describing her as looking like the undead, but my god she does not look well.

I hope I don't also look like that.

"Whoever let me drink so much last night will pay" she groaned, sinking onto the mattress next to me "don't mean to sound dramatic, but I could die"

"I beg we skip the run today" I murmured back, aware that she looked at me, a look of disgust plastered over her face

"Don't even mention the R word in my presence. I doubt I can go at any pace faster that a hobble right now"

"Agreed. Come with me downstairs, I need water"

She did seem slightly happier at the prospect of food and liquid, waiting somewhat impatiently as I pulled on a pair of her shorts and the same hoodie I wore last night, pulling out the French braid that I had crashed out in. Thankfully my hair is still in a somewhat passable condition – I must have been in a deep, alcohol induced coma for that to happen.

After cleaning our teeth and freshening up a bit, we once again had to hold hands as we stumbled downstairs, only unlike the previous night we held each other up, wincing as we came face to face with natural light.

"Ugh this only gets worse the older I get" Emily moaned as she held her hand up, shielding her eyes from the embarrassingly overcast and drizzly day "I am never drinking again"

"Morning sunshine's!" Sam's deliberately loud voice boomed, making us both jump as we made it to the kitchen where the two men stood. Emily immediately clutched her head with a groan, glaring daggers at her boyfriend "wow, you two just look so happy to see us!"

"Sam, if you don't shut up, I will hurt you" she clearly meant it as well, releasing my hand as she made her way straight to where I knew coffee was sourced, pulling out two mugs. Clearly Sam has done something of use this morning. They may not have breakfast ready, but coffee does the trick nicely.

"That's alright, Gemma will represent me when I sue you. Good thing we have a lawyer in the family" a still annoyingly perky Sam went on as he clapped me on the shoulder, clearly deciding that this morning was a good one to test our patience. Oh how wrong he is.

"Gemma will not represent you" I replied grumpily as I sat down, planting my forehead on the kitchen table "In fact, Gemma will probably help with hurting you if it stops the racket"

Sam snorted, patting my head in a way which may have been patronising, if I could be bothered to think about it.

"I'm guessing you two don't want to come on a run then?" he asked, still not bothering to lower his voice, clapping his hands a few times in a way that was clearly meant to rouse excitement "come on ladies!"

Silence.

Slowly I lifted my head off the table, aware that Emily and I were fixing him with identical looks of pure death. Glancing at my friend, I seriously think she considered lobbing my mug of freshly brewed coffee at him. I really hope she restrains herself, considering liquid is my absolute priority right now.

"I vote for a movie day" Paul's voice interjected for the first time as he made his way over to me, large glass of water in his hand. Honestly, he's made a better impression on me over the last 8 hours than he has all week. He doesn't even seem put off by my sitting here being irritable, makeup free and sleep deprived.

No, instead he just planted the glass of water in front of me, quickly followed by the mug of coffee Emily passed to him, a small smile sat on his face. I managed a small one back, reaching for the water gratefully.

"I never thought I would say this, but you are officially my favourite person here" Emily said dramatically, rolling her eyes when she got two officially offended "heys!" from Sam and myself "sorry guys, you suggest movie day and pizza next time"

"I thought you were never drinking again" Sam said smugly, before quickly stepping out of Emily's reach under her heated glare.

"Ass" she muttered, before dragging me through to the living room and more comfortable seating

Six hours later the four of us were still shamelessly stretched out in various positions in the living room, eyes fixated on the TV, surrounded by pizza we had ordered in at lunch time. At least Emily and I have the excuse of feeling rough, Paul and Sam just seem happy to have nothing to do for once. As Sam was the one to run patrol after the party tonight, it's been left to poor old Jared to run it today.

Luckily, Sam has informed me that for the time being patrol wasn't a constant thing, instead only running them often enough to keep a good eye on the area, as well as track the scent of any new vampires. Of course, when I had first found out that such creatures exist, I had instantly wanted to buy ten bulbs of garlic and only go out in sunlight. Unfortunately, I was soon informed they don't work that way. Oh no, these vampires are far more subtle, so I'm told.

And less scary too I'm guessing, considering they sparkle in the sun, rather than going up in flames. But I suppose I would say that, having never met one face to face.

Apparently there's a family of them nearby, which the wolves have a treaty with that was formed generations back. As long as they don't harm any humans or step foot onto the reservation, there wouldn't be war between them. Personally, war sounds like something I would desperately like to avoid, the idea of my friends charging off to fight some undead guys less than appealing. Sam had only laughed at me when I voiced that matter, stating the wolves are literally designed to kill vampires.

I say you can never be too careful.

"Gem" Emily's voice roused me from what I realised had become a less than awake state, my eyes having fallen shut at some point. Judging by how far the film has suddenly jumped forward, I may have been out of it for a good half hour.

"Gem" her voice sounded again, this time shaking me for good measure

"What?" I mumbled, cracking my eyes open to stare at my best friend whose head was at the other end of the couch. We had decided that given our current condition, top and tailing with a blanket was a marvellous idea. In fact, lying down with said blanket combined with Em's body heat is definitely why I drifted off.

"Do you want to go for a walk? I have a headache and need fresh air"

Great…now she wants to be energetic.

"You woke me up to ask if I want to go out in the cold?" I noticed that the guys, who occupied the two separate armchairs in the cosy living room, looked equally amused at my grouchiness. To be honest, I don't have it in me to care.

"Well it's not my fault you went to sleep" my best friend shoved her foot in my face, which I automatically groaned and shied away from, putting the pillow I had been lying on over my head.

"Em, you have been asleep for at least the last hour" Sam interjected, possibly worried that I would lob something at his imprint. But considering the only thing within arm's reach is the pillow currently covering my head, I can guarantee that for the time being, she's safe. Because honestly, I can't be bothered.

"But if you insist on going outside, I'll take you for a walk" Emily's weight was suddenly lifted from the couch, quickly followed by her squawking in surprise.

Removing the pillow from my face, I felt my cheeks lift into a grin as I watched a now disgruntled Emily being thrown over Sam's shoulder, her imprint smacking her on the backside as he turned and strolled out of the room, completely ignoring her grumbling. I happily flopped back onto the pillow, aware that Paul made no effort to get up and follow. No, instead he seemed perfectly happy to sit and eat leftover pizza, thankfully having not reverted to his usual state of ignoring me overnight.

"So, I take it you don't like being woken up" Paul smiled at me from his seat, which was positioned directly in my line of sight. Thank goodness for that as well, less moving around in order to be polite. To be honest I'm surprised that he has stayed, half expecting him to have disappeared back to his own house the second he woke up this morning. But instead he had happily accepted the opportunity to sit around and do nothing.

Thankfully he looks far more like his normal self now, having exchanged the shirt for one of the t-shirts Emily keeps a pile of by the back door. Apparently with the amount of accidental phasing and therefore breaking of clothes that goes on, it's easier than way.

Every couple of weeks the boys go and buy cheap, disposable t-shirts and shorts, which sit in a watertight box outside the back of Emily's house constantly. It seems like a good system to me, both minimising the risk of seeing naked men wandering around constantly and creating a basecamp to revolve their patrolling around.

Now that he is back in a plain white t-shirt and cut-offs, I have to say I prefer it. He looks more like…well, more like Paul should, in my eyes.

"My alarm clock is my arch nemeses" I replied, not bothering to sit up or attempt to look less shit than I probably already do. I haven't looked in a mirror since first thing this morning, and that was before my nap. Oh well, I have long accepted that nothing can be done about that until this hangover is cured "In fact, there are only two reasons I don't mind being woken up, but that was not one of them"

"Two reasons, hmm?" Paul appeared intrigued "I think I can guess them"

"Oh yeah? Knock yourself out" I finally sat up, the blanket falling to my waist as I tucked my feet beneath me, looking at him challengingly

"Food" he stated immediately

"Well, obviously" I supplied, lightly rolling my eyes with a smile "I'd be sad if I missed out on good food. That one's easy"

"True. Okay then the other…well" Paul had quirked an eyebrow now, his own eyes glinting "I'm not sure you'd admit to me even if I did get it right"

I forced myself to remain completely casual, whilst my brain started to whir at 100 miles an hour. Am I just imagining it, or is Paul flirting with me? In his own, roundabout kind of way. This is so different to his usual behaviour around me…as though the slight episode with Katie last night has given him a whole new personality.

I've got to say, this version of Paul, I like.

"Is that so?" is all I asked, raising my eyebrows

"Well I can think of one way you would definitely appreciate, even if it doesn't make your list right now" his amusement grew as he leant towards me forearms planted on his thighs, watching my face intently. He is clearly expecting me to become flustered or embarrassed, potentially aiming for a blush or a stutter.

Too bad I have the world's best poker face. That, and I accept his challenge, whatever this shift in the conversation may be.

"Only one?" I instead tilted my head to the side, meeting his eyes without hesitation "I've got to say, I had hoped you would be more creative that that…"

I didn't miss the way his eyes widened a fraction, a short, taking a sharp breath into his lungs as we stared at each other, his eyes suddenly a lot darker than before. The room suddenly felt an awful lot smaller, the air thicker as he didn't drop my gaze, his own eyes practically smouldering as the words fell from his lips, making me struggle to contain my smile.

"Believe me…for you, I would be"