READER POV

It had been a few months since Paul told me all about shapeshifting and the legends of the tribe. I had heard everyone's shapeshifting stories at least twice by now, but I never grew tired of listening.

I found myself hanging out with the pack more frequently, actually, everyday after school before some would head off to their shifts of vampire hunting, which Paul told me was the reason for the sudden increase of new pack members. The shock of werewolves and vampires at this point had worn off, and I was beginning to get use to the routine.

I also became closer with Kim, who I learned was imprinted on by Jared, and Emily, who was imprinted on by Sam. I looked forward to our daily gossip sessions over a plate of cookies and tea. I felt like I had a found where I fit in, and the thoughts of Texas and the life I had left behind slowly became a thing of the past.

Even school became as easy as breathing. I was excelling in all of my classes and held my head high walking through the hallways. I would still dedicate my lunch period to sitting with Chaz and his friends as to not give off my secret of being friends with the pack, and I think Chaz enjoyed my presence, which I noted by the way he would constantly flirt with me and compliment the same way I wore my hair every day. Chaz was handsome, kind, smart, and heavily involved in school activities, including the debate club, the soccer team, and student council. He was kind of..perfect, and I didn't mind his little crush on me.

'But I don't have time for a boyfriend', I would constantly remind myself. Between being an imprint, learning the traditions of the Quilettes, trying to spend at least one day at home without running off to Emily's, and staying on top of school work, I felt like I was already in over my head.

Paul and I had grown our relationship over the past few months, from never speaking, to being the best of friends. Maybe even more so than my friends back in Texas that I had known my whole life. We knew practically everything about each other.

I learned that his favorite color was green, but not just any green. Forest green to be exact. He said it reminded him of being in the woods where he found serenity and silence. Even aside from the vampires they would chase through the thick trees, he still said it was his favorite place to be. I also learned that Paul was as soft as a teddy bear once you broke down his walls of bad-assery. Obviously throughout the time I took to get to know him, my feelings for him became different. I actually really liked Paul, and constantly fought off daydreams of being his girlfriend and being the perfect imprint couple. But, alas, Chelsea was still, surprisingly in the picture.

I had decided to sit with the pack one day at lunch while Chaz and his usual friend group were on a debate field trip in Seattle. I could feel the daggers of her dark brown eyes beating into the side of my head as I kept my focus on a conversation I was having with Kim. Every so often, I would turn to face straight ahead at Embry and Quill as they tried to stump each other on riddles, and would laugh at their confused faces and bickering. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Chelsea trying to get under my skin by kissing Paul or snuggling in closer to him, but I kept my cool and didn't break the entire 45 minutes of lunch. I was proud of myself. I did, however, want to pull her hair out once I saw how uncomfortable Paul would get by her sudden and aggressive PDA, but I held strong and figured it was just the imprint in me wanting to run loose and save him.

Another week had passed after that day at lunch, and I was heading out the front doors of the school ready to enjoy the long weekend thanks to the teachers needing a catch up day to grade papers which meant school was cancelled on Friday. The pack had decided on a beach day for Saturday, and I promised my grandparents that Sunday I would cook dinner. That meant tonight and Friday, I was free and could relax.

I headed for my car and saw Paul with Chelsea in their usual spot leaned up against Paul's Jeep, and I could see that Paul had spotted me as well. I pulled out my phone to pretend I was texting as to not have to make eye contact with Chelsea, before I was pulled away by the call of my name-

"Y/N, wait up!" I turned around to see Chaz making a bee line right toward me.

I giggled at his urgency, but stayed put.

"Oh wow Chaz, don't tell me. You joined the track team too? Sheesh! Save some extra curriculars for other students." We both laughed, and I was glad he didn't take offence to my harmless joke.

"Ha Ha, very funny, Y/N." He looked up as he felt Paul's harsh gaze, and mirrored back the same look. "Anyways," he went on not letting the intimidation show, "I was wondering, if you were free tomorrow night? I mean, if you're not, it's totally fine, but I would love to take you out to a movie in Port Angeles."

I wasn't surprised that Chaz had asked me out, but I do admit that I was surprised that it had taken so long. I mean, if I couldn't have Paul, I was happy another guy was showing interest, and although I didn't want a boyfriend, I was hoping it might make Paul a tad bit jealous. I couldn't tell if it was working or not since my back was facing him, but a girl can dream, right?

"Chaz, I would love to. What movie did you have in mind? Nothing too sappy, right?" Chaz and I talked about the different movie options for our date, and agreed for him to come pick me up and meet my grandparents at 7 PM the next night. "I'll see you tomorrow night, Y/N." He said with a smile before turning to walk the opposite direction.

"Can't wait." I replied, with a slight blush to my face. I was too caught up in my own world of excitement to notice Paul's death glare to Chaz as he headed for the soccer field, and Chelsea's look of disgust that such a plain jane like myself would ever be asked out on a date. I jumped in my car and headed to Emily's to fill her in on the news of my date.

PAUL'S POV

I couldn't believe it. Y/N was going out on a date with…CHAZ?! I mean, could she have picked a worse guy to date? I know it shouldn't matter to me as much as it does. Y/N and I had agreed to be friends and nothing more since I was with Chelsea, but it was hard to fight the imprint bond and strong pull to protect her from assholes like Chaz.

Every day I spent with Y/N after telling her the tribes secrets, I felt closer to her in a way I hadn't felt with Chelsea nor any other girl I had ever dated, and being a 'ladies man' started to feel more forced as I tried to hide my true feelings. And, I knew it wasn't just the imprint talking.

But, I could never admit that having an imprint wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be. I even hid my thoughts from the pack when in wolf form, and could only hope that no one had caught on.

"Y/N's not coming to the beach tomorrow right?" I was surprised by the break in silence from Chelsea. Of course Y/N was coming. Why wouldn't she?

"It's a public beach, Chels. And I'm sure Kim has already invited her to come." Chelsea rolled her eyes in annoyance with my answer, but I knew I was right.

Kim and Y/N were practically best friends, but not as close as Y/N and I were. Nowhere near. Chelsea never saw that side of mine and Y/N's friendship. Chelsea never came to Emily's house and she never asked. I was able to be free once I was there, and I loved that Y/N was actually close with the pack. Chelsea, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with them really. She felt that they were all immature and always goofing around, and they thought she was stuck up. They never admitted their negative feelings about her to me, but I could tell just by looking at their faces whenever she was around.

Chelsea and I had started arguing more over the last few weeks over my excessive absence in the relationship. When she had first brought up the concerns to me, I didn't get angry, and couldn't get angry. Chelsea didn't know about the shapeshifting and I felt it would be wrong to be upset at her feelings. I remedied the issue by spending every possible second with her after my shifts and sometimes before, but I could tell it wasn't helping. In fact, she started having less time for me. She claimed to have found some new interests outside of school and our relationship, but I admit that I was sort of relieved to have more time with Y/N, though I would never admit it. Even my anger was improving, and the pack took notice too.

I dropped Chelsea off at home and promised to stop back by after helping Jacob fix up a car for his crush. I know lying is bad, but Chelsea couldn't know about the legends.

TIME SKIP

PAUL'S POV CONTINUED

It was Friday evening , and I finally had a night off from running around the woods chasing the red head vampire back to the Canadian border. I controlled my thoughts and rattling irritation of Chaz taking MY imprint out on a date tonight. Before my shift, I had thought I could convince Y/N to stay behind from the date. Maybe I could play sick? Twist my paw?I sounded ridiculous. Y/N and I were just friends, and Chelsea and I had plans to hang out tonight.

Emily's was the perfect place to be after a long shift. She always had something cooking for the pack and a comfortable couch to lay on.

I walked into the delicious smelling kitchen and sat at the table next to Jared and Embry.

"Hey Paul, how was your shift? Hungry?" Emily asked, already knowing the answer to the latter.

"Same old, same old. We got the red head all the way back to the Canadian border again, but we all know she'll be back. I wish we knew what she was after…" my voice trailed off. At the buzzing of my cellphone.

Unread Text Message from Chelsea: Have to cancel tonight. Sorry.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion to the text message before typing back-

Cancel? Everything okay?

I didn't expect a response right away, so I put my phone face down before digging in to the chili that Emily set down on the table. I was halfway through when my buzzed again- another unread text from Cheslea.

Everything's fine. I'll see you tomorrow at the beach.

I flipped my phone over again without responding back. And then, almost out of nowhere, I had the best and worst idea ever.

I looked to Embry and back at Jared with mischief in my eyes.

"How would you boys like to go on a field trip tonight?" They looked at each other a bit frightened, but eager to hear the plan I was brewing up.

I peered over to the left to make sure Emily was paying us no mind before continuing.

"I'm going to run home and shower. Meet me back here in 20 minutes, and try not to look suspicious, wouldya?" I finished off my last bit of chili before placing my dish in the sink and thanking Emily for the meal.

TIME SKIP

I pulled up to the front of Emily's driveway as Embry and Jared hoped in to my Jeep.

I put the Jeep in 'Drive', readjusted my rearview mirror, and turned up the radio-

"Hang on boys. We're going to Port Angeles."