A/N: Another time skip, smaller this time. I was debating on when I want the wolves to start phasing, but decided there was something that needed to happen before Paul first phases. Read on to find out!
Smut warning for the first section, and length warning for the chapter as a whole, it turned out quite long but I didn't want to split it.
When we get to the relevant part, text in italics is the conversation in the pack mind.
As usual, I don't own anything Twilight related, I'm just playing with the Twilight world.
December 24th, 2003
The last few months have flown by and it's now Christmas. Quite a bit happened since my Birthday weekend, the weekend when Paul and I moved our relationship to the next level. I usually go to the res at the weekends and spend one day with Paul alone (usually at his house) and the other day we make sure to make time for our friends. During the week Paul comes to dinner with Dad and I, usually two or three times. We miss each other during the week despite calling and texting each other a lot, and we only ever get to be intimate at the weekends which can be really frustrating as we're both very sexual people, but it won't be this way forever. I'm pleased we're both now on winter break and can spend more time with each other.
Rebecca met a boy, or should I say man. His name is Solomon Finau, and she met him at the beach in La Push when he came to surf at the end of September. They're crazy about each other already, and are talking about getting married and her moving to Hawaii once she graduates next summer. Solomon travels a lot as he is actually a professional surfer. She is excited to travel and get to see the world. Her and Rachel had to grow up quickly after their Mom died, helping Billy raise their little brother Jacob, and they're both ready to move on with their lives and get out of La Push.
Rachel is planning on going to the University of Washington and has been offered a full scholarship. She has always been clever and I'm so happy she will get to go to university. She was always worried that she wouldn't get to go because Billy couldn't afford it, so for her, this is a dream come true. I will miss them both but they promise that they will stay in contact once they leave.
One of the reservation boys, Sam Uley, disappeared at the end of November. His Mom, Allison Uley, and fiancée, Leah Clearwater, were both frantic with worry and everyone on the res was worried for him and looking everywhere. Two weeks after he first disappeared Allison got up one morning to find him in the kitchen as if nothing had happened. He refused to tell Leah where he had been, but I believe he told Allison.
Paul said he had seen him going into a tribal council meeting with the elders shortly after he came back, and he has seen him with the elders quite often since. Leah says he is still acting quite strange, and he broke up with her after staring at her cousin one day when he went to visit Leah. Paul says his attendance at school is patchy, he's often absent. It is all a little weird.
Today is Christmas Eve. Dad invited Paul to stay with us tonight (but my bedroom door has to stay open all night) so that he can spend the day tomorrow with us rather than by himself. Paul has asked me to go to his house this morning though, as he has something he wants to give me when we're alone.
I pull myself out of my musings and get out of bed before heading to the bathroom and getting ready for the day. Once I'm showered I dry off, get dressed and dry my hair before adding a little make up. I head downstairs to find a note from Dad saying he had to go down to the station and he will see Paul and I later. I grab a bowl of cereal, eating it quickly before washing my bowl and spoon. I then head out to my car and down to La Push to see my boyfriend.
I pull into Paul's drive next to his truck and climb out of my car, heading into the house. I walk in and look around, not seeing him in the kitchen or living room. I head upstairs in case he's still asleep and I walk into his bedroom just as he comes out of the bathroom wearing only a towel, his body and hair still wet from the shower. I immediately become aroused and jump into his arms, crashing my lips to his as I wrap my legs around his waist. His hands move under my thighs to hold me in place and kisses me back as hard as I'm kissing him.
We break the kiss so we can breathe, both breathing heavily.
"Morning beautiful." He says, eyes dark with lust.
"Morning handsome." I reply, licking my lips.
Paul moves to the bed and sits on the edge. I can feel his erection pressing into my thigh and we kiss again. I rock my hips and he moans.
"If you carry on doing that you're going to have to get naked." He mumbles against my lips.
I pull away and lift my top over my head. Paul's eyes widen, then he quickly helps me out of the rest of my clothes, and I remove his towel before straddling his lap again.
"Better?" I ask cheekily.
"Much." he replies, helping me to lift up so I can sink down onto his erect member. He holds my hips to help me as I rock back and forth in his lap. It doesn't take long to feel my orgasm building and Paul moves one hand to rubs circles on my clit which sends me over the edge, him following quickly after.
I collapse onto him, resting my head against his shoulder as we both catch our breath. Paul scoots up the bed, me still in his lap, so he can rest against the headboard.
Once we've caught our breath I move my head to look at him. He gives me a smirk.
"What was all that about?" He asks.
"Wanted you. You walked out of the bathroom looking sexy and it's been too long." I say.
"It's been 3 days." He replies, chuckling "Not that I'm complaining at being jumped on."
"Maybe so, but we'll actually be able to sleep in the same bed tonight and we can't do anything." I pout.
"I know baby, but you know what I'm looking forward to?" He asks.
"What's that?"
"Being able to sleep with you in my arms all night, and you be there in the morning." He tells me.
"Hmmm, me too. A whole night instead of just a nap." I sigh and rest my head back on his shoulder. He rubs circles on my bare back and I feel him getting hard again.
"Again?" I say, lifting my head up to look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Mmhmm. I have the sexiest girl naked in my lap. I'm a teenage boy. What do you expect?" He says.
Before I know it I'm pinned under him...
A couple of hours (and a very long shared shower) later we're finally both dressed and downstairs. I'm making lunch for us both and he is sitting at the table where I sent him after he tried to steal the food as I'm cooking it and getting hit with the spatula.
I finish cooking and plate up the food, before taking it to the table. We eat quietly and once we're finished Paul insists on cleaning up. We head to the couch and put on a movie. I'm lying with my back against his chest and he has his arms wrapped around me.
"I got you something I wanted to give you whilst we're alone. I don't think your Dad will appreciate the meaning behind it." He says.
I sit up so I can look at him. "What's that?"
Paul pulls out a small box and hands it to me. I open it to find a handmade woven bracelet.
"It's beautiful." I tell Paul.
"I made it myself. It's a Quileute promise bracelet, our equivalent of a promise ring. I know we're young, but I want you to know I love you and I want everything with you one day."
"Oh Paul." I say, crashing my lips to his. I pull away when I need to breathe. "I love you. I want it all too, one day "
"I love you too." He replies.
"I have something for you too. I wanted to give it you today when Dad's not around too." I tell him, standing up and going to my purse. I retrieve the small box from it and go back to my place on the couch, handing the box to Paul. He opens it to reveal a plaited leather bracelet with a silver infinity symbol.
"The infinity symbol represents that I love you and will do forever." I tell him, blushing.
"I will love you forever too." He says, kissing me softly.
We eventually finish our movie and head to my house so that I can make dinner for us. Dad arrives home just before it's ready.
"Hey Livvy, Paul." Dad says, coming into the kitchen.
"Hi Charlie." Paul says from where he's setting the table for us.
"Hi Dad. Dinner will be about 15 minutes." I tell him.
"I'll go wash up then." Dad says before heading upstairs.
Dinner is a quiet affair with just the three of us. After we're finished Paul and I clean up then we join Dad in the living room to watch a Christmas movie. Once that's finished we head to bed.
"Remember, clothes on, door open." Dad says as we stand up from the couch. I roll my eyes, especially after what we got up to at Paul's house earlier.
"Yes Dad. Goodnight." I reply.
"Goodnight Charlie." Paul says.
"Goodnight kids." Dad replies.
We head upstairs where I grab my pyjamas and head to he bathroom to change. When I get back Paul heads in, returning in a pair of basketball shorts. We leave the door open a little and climb into bed. I cuddle up Paul's side and rest my head on his chest. He wraps his arms around me and rests his head against mine.
"I like this." I say.
"Me too." He replies.
We kiss and say our goodnights before falling asleep quickly.
December 25th, 2003
We sleep in on Christmas morning. I can honestly say I had the best night's sleep in a long time. Something about being in Paul's arms makes me feel warm and safe, like I'm home.
The day passes quickly. We swap gifts with Dad - Paul and I got him a new fishing rod and lures he's been saying he wanted, and Dad gave Paul and I both some money as we've both mentioned needing new clothes. Paul also got me some new pyjamas and a warm blanket and I got him some new jeans and shirts as he has grown again and is desperately in need of new clothes.
Dad allows Paul to stay over again and we spend the evening watching TV and eating snacks. Dad has a few beers and we stick with soda.
January 5th, 2004
The last couple of weeks have flown and today is back to school. I enjoyed winter break, and loved spending time with Paul, but he seems to have been getting sick the last couple days - his temperature has been quite high.
A couple of days after Christmas another boy from the res, Jared Cameron, disappeared. Like when Sam disappeared, everyone was worried and looking for him. He came back a few days ago, acting like nothing had happened. Paul said he's seen Jared with Sam loads the last couple days, and with the elders a couple times. It's weird, there must be something going on that is being kept secret. Sam and Jared know each other but never really hung out together, now they're joined at the hip.
I get up and get ready for school before heading down to grab breakfast. I send Paul a text to say good morning whilst I eat. I finish and wash up then grab my bag and head out to school. I still haven't heard anything from Paul, but he could still be asleep since he's not been very well.
School drags, as usual. By the time the last bell goes I still haven't had a reply from Paul. I try to call him, but there is no reply. I leave a message telling him that I'm worried, and that I hope he feels better soon.
Paul's POV
I haven't been feeling too great the last couple of days. Liv says I've felt hot and I've just felt really off in myself. I've also been really irritable, even more than my usual hot headed temper. Whilst I was around Liv it wasn't so bad, but since she left yesterday it's been getting worse. I decide to call in to school despite it being the first day back after winter break and fall back to sleep.
I wake up a couple of hours later, feeling really bad. I feel like I really need some air and drag myself downstairs and onto the porch. I find myself getting angry at the fact I'm sick and Liv isn't here to make me feel better. I start to shake, and the next thing I know I feel like every bone is breaking and reforming. Once the pain stops I realise I'm on all fours. I shake my head a little to clear it and when I look down I realise that where my hands are meant to be, there are dark silver paws.
What the fuck? - Paul
Paul? Paul Lahote? - Sam
What the fuck? How are you in my head? How can you hear my thoughts? Why the hell do I have paws? What the fuck is going on? - Paul
I begin pacing, jumping off my porch and into my yard.
I will explain everything. Are you at your house? - Sam
You better. Yes I am. Seriously, what the fuck? - Paul
I continue pacing around my yard. I'm too angry and scared to think coherently. A large black wolf appears in front of me.
What the fuck? There's another wolf? - Paul
Paul, it's me, Sam Uley - Sam
Why are we wolves? - Paul
You already know the answer to that. The tribal legends, they're not just legends, they're real. Let's get you phased back and I will explain - Sam
How do I change back? - Paul
You need to calm down. Think of something that calms you down, makes you happy. You need to picture yourself human - Sam
I think of Liv, how she makes me happy, how she calms me down when I'm angry or irritable. I think of her face, how good she feels in my arms, the promise of forever with her. I hear Sam mentally sigh.
I will explain when we get you phased back, but I hope you don't have the same experience I have had with Leah - Sam
I ignore him and concentrate on my thoughts of Liv and being human. It takes a few hours, but eventually I find myself naked in my yard. Sam disappears into the tree line and comes back in human form wearing a pair of cut offs.
"Just let me grab some shorts or something." I say, before dashing up to my room. I grab a pair of shorts, pull them on and head back outside.
"I know we can be volatile when we first phase, and I know you have a temper on you at the best of times, so it's probably best to talk out here rather than inside in case you accidentally phase again." Sam says.
"Right. Now tell me what is going on." I say.
Sam explains how the legends are real, we are now the tribes protectors and that he is alpha of the pack since he was first to phase. Jared is beta, because he was second, and I will be third. He explains that when more people phase, Jared will be in charge in Sam's absence, and I would be in charge if neither Sam nor Jared were around. He tells me that we protect the tribe from vampires, and that the Cullens are vampires that survive on animal blood.
"The Cullens? Liv is at school with them." I say angrily, shaking violently, before exploding into wolf form, shredding the shorts I just put on.
It takes a little while but I manage to phase back and grab some more shorts. Sam then explains about the treaty agreed between the Cullens and Ephraim Black, and that he, Levi Uley and Quil Ateara II were the last pack, back when the Cullens were here last, and that Liv should be safe from them.
"So, this is why you disappeared a couple months ago?" I ask. Sam nods.
"I didn't know what was happening to me. I thought I was going crazy. It took me two weeks to work out how to phase back." he tells me. "I can't tell Leah about it, and I've ended it with her. I'll explain that in a little while. At first I kept quiet thinking I had gone mad, but then Old Quil stopped by to see Mom and I shook his hand in greeting. He then asked me to meet with him and the other elders and they sat me down and explained what they know. He worked out what had happened from my higher temperature and the fact I disappeared. They have forbidden me from telling anyone, and you must not tell anyone either. I was allowed to explain to Mom, so she understands now."
"Is it just us two?" I ask. He shakes his head no.
"No, just after Christmas Jared Cameron phased for the first time. It took me a few days to get him to phase back. You've been the quickest so far out of the three of us. Liv must have a good effect on you." Sam says.
"She does." I nod.
Sam then explains about imprinting, and how he didn't imprint on Leah, but has in fact imprinted on her cousin, Emily, who is part of the Makah Tribe up in Neah Bay. She had come to visit and offer support to Leah because of Sam acting weird. He went round to see Leah, and imprinted on Emily.
"The first time I looked at her, it was like everything shifted. It isn't gravity holding me to the earth anymore, it's her. She is literally my whole world, and it's killing me that I'm hurting Leah. I broke up with her and tried to explain everything to Emily, but she doesn't want to hurt her cousin. It physically hurts to be away from her, so I keep running up to Neah Bay when I'm not patrolling to be near her and relieve the pain.
I don't want to be pessimistic, but be wary with Liv. If you don't imprint on her it will probably be best to end things, because if you carry on your relationship with her and then you imprint on someone else it will cause so much heartache."
As Sam is telling me this I feel myself getting angry again. How dare he tell me I have to end my relationship if she's not my imprint! I start shaking and the next thing I know I'm on all fours in wolf form again, my clothes once again shredded. I hear a voice in my head, and I know it's not Sam since he is standing in front of me as a human.
Paul Lahote? You'll get used to it and stop shredding clothes so often man - Jared
Jared? - Paul
That's me! Are you with Sam? I need to talk to him. I imprinted! Welcome to the pack! - Jared
Yes, we're at my house. I'm going to try and phase back again - Paul
I'll be there in 5 - Jared
I manage to phase back quickly this time and head upstairs for yet another pair of shorts. By the time I get back downstairs Jared has arrived and is telling Sam that he imprinted on Kim at school.
"So how will I know if I imprint on Liv?" I ask them both.
"The first time you make eye contact after you phase for the first time, you'll know. You'll see snippets of what your life will be like in the future with her, and it's like an invisible rope ties the two of you together." Sam explains.
Jared nods. "That's exactly what happened with Kim."
"You said you explained it all to Emily - I thought we couldn't tell anyone?" I say.
Sam nods. "We can tell our parents, and our imprints. No one else."
"Don't need to worry about the parents." I say sarcastically. "What do I do about Liv? I keep exploding into a giant furball."
"It gets easier." Sam tells me. "But I think it would be best to invite her round when we're here. If you imprint, we can explain everything. If you don't you're likely to get angry, so we can get you away from her before you phase." Sam says. I sigh and nod in agreement.
"Okay. Come inside." I tell them, heading into the house. I run upstairs and grab my phone before going back down.
"Shit. She sent me a text this morning, and tried to call this afternoon. She left le a voicemail saying she's worried about me. It's nearly 7pm now, she'll be frantic by now because I haven't replied." I say, hitting the call button.
"Paul, I've been so worried! How are you feeling?" Liv says when she answers.
"Liv." I breathe, relaxing instantly at the sound of her voice. Sam and Jared both notice my muscles relaxing. "I've had better days."
"Do you need anything?" She asks.
"Just you. Can you come to my house?" I ask.
"Sure, I'll be there in half an hour." She replies.
"Thanks babe. I love you."
"I love you too. See you soon."
I end the call and look at Sam and Jared.
"Man, just talking to her calmed you down." Jared chirps.
"The effect she has on you is definitely interesting." Sam mused. "I could literally see your muscles relaxing as she spoke."
"Yeah, she's always had that effect on me." I say.
"Well, she said half an hour, so hopefully you'll know if she's your imprint soon." Jared says.
I nod. "Wait, you heard that?"
Sam and Jared both nod.
"Your senses are heightened, better sight and enhanced hearing, incredible speed in wolf form, increased strength. You have grown taller, and gained muscles recently, and your temperature has increased - we run at a toasty 108 degrees. We also have faster healing." Sam explains.
"I suppose there has to be some perks to this."
We chat a little more until we hear the sound of a car pulling into the driveway from the road, which usually I can't. My house is surrounded by forest and is pretty secluded. Probably a good thing since I've spent most of the day as a giant furball in the yard.
We hear the car pull up to the house and I stand to move to the door, opening it. Jared and Sam flank me, just in case. I open the door as Liv climbs out of her car.
"Paul! I've been so worried!" She calls as she bounds up the steps.
Our eyes make contact and everything around us disappears. I see flashes of us, walking on the beach hand in hand, a beach wedding, Liv with a swollen belly, my arms wrapped around her, hands resting on our baby, playing with a small child in the yard, Liv watching us, her belly swollen again with another baby. I feel my world shift, so that she is the most important thing in my life. All that matters is keeping her safe and happy. I feel an invisible rope joining my heart to hers, and know instantly that it could never be broken. She is my life, my one and only.
My imprint.
"Paul? Baby? Are you okay?" she says, coming up to me and cupping my face in her hands.
I finally come back to my senses and smile widely.
"I'm fine." I say. I notice Sam and Jared sharing a look and smirking at each other.
"Are you sure? You seem kind of dazed and you feel even hotter than you did yesterday." She says, frowning.
"I'm fine, truly. More than fine in fact." I say, grinning like a cheshire cat, kissing away her frown.
"Well are you going to tell me what's going on? You don't usually hang around with these two."
Sam and Jared both chuckle.
"Come on, let's head inside and we can explain." Sam says.
We all head into the house, and take seats on the couches. I wrap my arm around Olivia's waist, feeling the need to touch her even more than usual.
"Have you ever heard the legends of our tribe?" Sam asks. Olivia nods.
"I remember Billy telling us about them when we were kids. Something about Quileutes being descended from wolves? I know the wolf means a lot to the tribe, it's sacred or something."
Sam nods in agreement. He explains the legends to refresh her memory.
"Babe, the legends, they're true." I say nervously.
"The legends are true? So, what, you turn into a giant wolf?" Olivia asks me.
I gulp, panicking slightly that my imprint is going to freak out. "Yes." I say, with a small nod.
"Awesome! What about you two?" Olivia asks Sam and Jared. I relax, I should have known my girl would be good with this.
"We're wolves too." Jared tells her.
"Wait, so when you disappeared..." She starts. They both nod at her.
"I was first. I didn't have a clue what was going on. It took me two weeks to work out how to phase back, then Old Quil came to see my Mom and worked it out because of my disappearance and higher temperature. The elders sat me down and explained everything to me, and gave me the 'pack tattoo'."
"I was second, a couple days after Christmas." Jared says. "Took me a few days to phase back, but Sam helped me. We're still working out what the whole wolf thing means, really. We've been running patrols around the reservation boundaries, but not come across anything yet. The presence of the Cullens in Forks is what triggered the gene for us." Jared explains.
"The Cullens? What have they got to do with it?" Olivia asks.
"You know I said we protect the tribe from our enemies, the Cold Ones? The Cullens are Cold Ones. Vampires."
"You have got to be shitting me? I go to school with five fucking vampires? Why would vampires even want to go to school?" Olivia exclaims. I feel myself start to shake and Sam gives me a stern look. I rub circles on Olivia's back to soothe her and to settle my wolf down so I don't accidentally phase again. It works and I stop shaking quickly, earning me a relieved look from Sam.
"They won't hurt you." I say, and explain about the treaty.
"I'm still not happy about being in school with vampires." She pouts.
"I know, but if they do anything to you, they will violate the treaty and we will take action." Sam says. She nods in response.
"How long did it take you to phase back? Can't have been long, you were definitely not a wolf when I left yesterday." She asks me with a smirk.
"A few hours, quick compared to these two apparently." I tell her, earning playful glares from both Jared and Sam.
"I feel a but coming on." She replies, making me sigh.
"Anger is our trigger to phase into a wolf, making us quite volatile initially. Paul has quite the temper at the best of times, so he's phased accidentally a couple of times whilst I was explaining things to him."
She nods in response.
"You settle me though, I was shaking when Jared told you about the Cullens, but rubbing your back, touching you, helped calm the wolf down quickly."
"Glad to be of service." She chuckles.
"There's more." I tell her.
"More? What else could there be?" She asks incredulously.
"As wolves, we sometimes do something called imprinting. It's the spirits way of helping us find our soulmates, our other half." Sam starts.
"It's meant to be rare, at least according to the elders." Jared continues.
"What happens when you imprint?" Olivia asks.
"The first time after we phase, when we look into the eyes of the person the spirits have destined to be our soulmate, our whole world shifts. It's like it's not gravity holding us to the earth anymore, it's her. We will be anything, do anything, as long as our imprint is happy." Sam explains.
"Sounds like you know from experience." Olivia says. Sam nods.
"I imprinted. On Leah's cousin, Emily." He says. Olivia's eyes widen.
"Is that why you broke up with Leah?" She asks.
"Yeah, it is. It's all complicated and Emily doesn't want to hurt her cousin, so she's refusing to be with me right now. It causes me physical pain to be so far away from her." Sam says sadly. I watch as Olivia stands and hugs Sam.
"I'm sure it will all work out." She tells him before sitting back down next to me. He gives her a sad smile. "What about you?" She asks Jared.
"Yep! Imprinted at school, girl called Kim that I've always had a crush on, but I've been too nervous to ask her out on a date." Jared tells her.
"Good for you. Not so rare when that's two out of three." She says, smiling.
"Three out of three." I say.
"Three? Oh... You imprinted too." Olivia says sadly, her smile dropping from her face.
"Yes. On you." I reply quietly.
She looks into my eyes for a long second before leaning up and crashing her lips to mine. We hear a cough, gaining our attention and causing us to break apart. We both smile sheepishly.
"Are you okay...with all of this?" I ask her.
She nods. "I am. Who can keep me safer than a giant wolf, and knowing that we will most definitely get our forever is something I definitely like." I grin at her.
We all hang out for a while longer, ordering pizzas as the only one who has eaten dinner was Olivia. When it is time for her to go, I walk her to her car.
"Are you sure you're okay with everything?" I ask again.
"I'm fine, Paul. I love you and I will see you soon."
"Love you too. Remember, you can't tell anyone about anything you have learned today" I reply.She nods and we kiss goodnight, then I watch as she heads down the drive.
Back inside Sam explains that I should stay home from school for a few more days to allow me time to get my phasing under control, and that tomorrow he will show me the boundary lines and where we patrol. He said we will also have a meeting with the elders and I will get the 'pack tattoo' done on patrol, like he and Jared have.
Once they have left I head to bed, with a smile on my face. Who knew turning into a horse sized wolf would turn out to be one of the best days ever.