Author's Note: Ok here is chapter four. Starting now, I think I will shoot for two (or three at most) chapters a week. My beta Winged and Dangerous (: can only edit on the weekends. So she's going to have her hands full editing during the weekend and I'll be typing up more chapters on weekdays. If you have any suggestions, send me a message and I will get back to you ASAP. Once again I strongly urge you to review. It would make me feel a lot better about this fic, if I knew I had supporters. Reviews=me and my big sister happy= more chapters faster. Just something to think about. So without anymore delay, I present Chapter Four ;D

Beta's Note: Hey ya'll! It's Winged and Dangerous, this story's beta! In the above AU Cassie said that reviews made her big sister happy, well that's me too! Baby C here is my little sis (Not by blood). Anyway, I felt like taking some of Cas's spotlight here. You can go on and read the chapter now. I hope you enjoy it! : )

Disclaimer: I don't think I ever claimed to own anything... but in case I did, I just want to clear thing up... I don't own anything but the plot and Cassie.

Dedication- Evelyn13 for my third review ever. It's all yourss

Playlist: Losing Control- Timbaland

Nothing On You- B.o.B

Leave Out All the Rest- Lincoln Park

What Is Love- NeverShoutNever

Protect- To keep safe; to defend; to guard; to prevent harm from coming to

After the tickling session between me and Paul, which he won, I noticed that I had only a tank top and shorts on. I had never been in front of a boy with so little on, except when I had on a swimsuit… or a leotard.

But that was so not the point.

I caught a look at myself in the full length mirror that was beside my closet, seeing my flushed, grinning face and my hair in all kinds of disarray. I didn't recognize myself; I hadn't ever seen myself so happy. I pulled on one of my dad's oversized shirts and then threw my hair up and out of my face, telling Paul to go in the den and get us some drink and snacks. "There's a bag a chips somewhere in the cabinet… I think," I called picking the towel up and throwing in my wastebasket. I sifted through my countless CDs until I found the one that I stole from my older brother called 'Before Your Time'. It was a collection of old songs that I used to listen too. I turned around and saw Paul, his arms filled with drinks and chips. I laughed and sat on the bed, waving him over. I leaned back against the pillows, opened a Sprite and took a handful of cheese puffs.

Paul sat opposite from me, opening a big bag of Lays. I looked at him, "So about your half nakedness." I said smiling.

"Well I think you have already noticed how hot I am. I run a little warmer than other people, so I don't get cold easily," he explained, before eating a huge handful of lays. I nodded. I did notice, and there was something off about his body temperature, but I trusted him to tell me the truth.

"What were you and the others doing earlier?" I asked, looking at the clock. It was about a quarter to nine.

Paul seemed to hesitate before answering, and he didn't quite look me in the eye. "Sam needed us to help him around the Rez," he said slowly, and I got the gist that he wasn't lying to me, but not telling the entire truth… he seemed to be really ashamed about it though, so I didn't say anything.

We all have our secrets right?

I asked him a few more questions, finding out that his favorite color had changed from gray to green, his birthday was December 9, and that he liked fall. Then he stopped and looked at me and asked, "Why are you so interested in me?" His eyes were sparkling.

"We don't know anything about each other… and I want to get to know you." I smiled shyly at him. Maybe he wasn't interested in me like that, and I was just making a complete idiot of myself.

Paul nodded and let me continue with my interrogation of him. He seemed to be thinking about something, his eyes taking on a faraway look. I thought he wasn't paying attention so I asked, "What do I mean to you?" And then I looked at him, waiting for his answer. I thought he would say something like tiger or 54 or some random answer.

"Everything," he said immediately, without even seeming to think about it. I was silent… I didn't know what to think of that, until he seemed to realize what I had asked of him and what he had replied. His eyes grew wide and he looked at me with an uncertain expression, as if he was afraid that I was going to do something rash… and I did.

I leaned forward slightly, my face mere inches from his and suddenly, my heart started pulsating in my ears and I worried that he could hear it. Paul closed the gap between us and suddenly...

His lips were on mine… they were painstakingly soft and yet at the same time, they were unyielding. He kissed me with this hidden aggression that I didn't know he possessed, but he was gentle with me at the same time. It was the first time anyone had ever kissed me like that, and it held so much meaning that I almost felt like crying. The kiss was so pure, and the way his lips worked around mine made me moan softly. I didn't know how long it had been, my guess was a few hours. But with Paul filling every inch of my senses, I didn't have the brainpower to think of anything else.

I felt my body move on its own accord, straddling Paul's waist, trying to gain leverage over him. His strong arms reached around me, one of them settling on my hip, the other managing to undo my hair from the clip I had it in. His hands ran softly through my hair as he made me submit to him with his kisses. I felt so unstable, my body seeming to have a mind of its own. My own hands threaded themselves in his hair, trying to bring him closer to me. I pushed against him until he was flat on his back and I was leaning over him, all the while never breaking our passionate kiss. I sat up and ran a hand through my hair to get it out of my face, and to breathe, before leaning down and kissing him again.

I kissed the corner of his mouth and then his jaw, kissing my way down to his throat. He groaned lowly and grabbed my hair tightly. Nowhere near tight even to cause me any pain, but it got my attention and I smiled against his throat, giddy that I would cause a reaction like that in him. "Cassie," he breathed, his voice husky, "You have to stop." He seemed on the verge, but I couldn't let up, moving back and giving him small pecks on his lips. He was like a drug to me. He groaned again, kissing me back eagerly with a fervor that I had never seen in anyone else before.

"Baby-girl...you have- to stop- please." Paul pleaded with me in between kisses, his hands gripping my hair and curling around my back.

I shook my head no, too far gone to do anything but kiss him some more. I knew I should stop, but I couldn't find the will. This could end up bad, I tried to tell myself, but I knew that nothing I ever did with Paul could ever be 'bad.'

Paul made a sound that sounded like a whine before kissing me brutally…taking my bottom lip between his and nipping gently. It shocked me, and I jolted back, gasping for air. I could tell my face was flushed and my hair was everywhere. The taste of Paul was still on my lips and let me just tell you…

It was PURE intoxication.

I looked up at Paul who was looking down at his hands in disbelief, like he couldn't believe what just happened. It freaked me out a little. "Paul," I said hesitantly, reaching out to him. He flinched slightly at my touch.

"I can never control myself around you," he said, his voice low with just a slight hint of huskiness to it.

Before he could say anything more, and ruin this, I leaned forward and kissed him again. At first it seemed like he wasn't going to kiss me back, but when our lips met, something changed. He kissed me back with such intensity I couldn't believe it. He pulled back though, sooner than I wanted him to. "You don't need to control yourself," I told him tenderly, leaning against his chest and taking comfort in his heartbeat that was beating just a little faster than it should have been.

We sat like that for a few minutes, his hands combing gently through my hair, working out any tangles and kinks and rocking me back and forth slowly. "Did you really mean that?" I asked, not knowing where the question came from.

"Hmmm?" Paul asked, seeming preoccupied, his chin resting lightly on my head.

"When I asked what I meant to you… did you mean that?" I was a little afraid of his answer, but I needed to know.

Paul leaned back and hooked his fingers under my chin, making me look at him. "I would never lie to you. I know we haven't known each other long," He smiled at me, "But it's like you said the night that we met. It doesn't make sense, Cassie, but... these feelings are real." I didn't know what to say, so I snuggled closer to Paul and listened to the rain.

I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. "What are you thinking about?" I asked drowsily. His heat, his scent, his essence was lulling me to sleep. I felt so utterly protected in his arms.

"I don't know how to ask you to go out with me this weekend," he murmured to himself.

I was confused, but humored at the same time. "Are you asking me out?" I asked giggling. I felt drunk even though I had never drank in my life.

I felt him sigh and shake his head slightly. "I guess so. I can never think straight when I'm around you. Will you go out with me?" Paul asked, leaning away from me so he could look me in the eyes. I groaned slightly, not happy with him for that, but I grinned when it registered what he was saying.

"Of course," I said smiling up at his deep brown eyes. The way his eyes lit up when I said that was so adorable.

"You promise?" He challenged me, smiling slightly.

"Promise." I smiled laying my head back on his chest. I fell asleep listening to the rhythm of Paul's heart.

After Cassie fell asleep I laid her as gently as possible on her bed, tucking her under the covers. I almost couldn't bear the thought of leaving her alone in this house, but I was going to patrol around here tonight so she would be ok. I kissed her on her forehead and went out of the door, loping into the forest. It was really dark, around ten thirty I was guessing. I took my pants off and tied them before phasing.

The sensation was like a sudden blast all around me, and I could feel myself changing, growing bigger, my sense getting sharper. It all happened faster than you could blink, and suddenly I was racing through the forest faster than any normal animal.

'Yo Paul, you're not patrolling tonight.'

I heard Seth's cheery voice in my head. I felt him a few miles south of me, patrolling the border with Leah, who was studiously ignoring me. From Seth's mind though, I saw that Sam was going to be taking over in a few hours.

'I'm going to stick around and make sure Cassie's ok.'

I answered back, and snarled when I heard Leah's internal laughter. Seth's Pot o' Happy was almost overflowing. He really liked Cassie, and thought only cheerful thoughts of my imprint. Leah though, thought it was the funniest thing in the world, but after the other day when she hurt Cassie, now Jake and I weren't speaking to her and Sam was making her patrol every night for as long as Cassie's arm stayed bruise.

It didn't seem to be hurting her at all, but it still made me mad that I had let her get hurt at all. Seeing my train of thought, I heard Leah growl at me in her mind. I tried to tune them out of my head and focused on Cassie.

The night of the bonfire I was not in a good mood, but then again I never was. The pack insisted on cliff diving that night, so we were all up on the cliff when Seth started yelling about some girl that had arrived. The new girl on the Rez. One of the Carlyles. I wasn't paying much attention, but I did hear her coming up the cliff, and Embry pushing Seth off the cliff. I scowled down at them, annoyed that the only way off this damn cliff was either jumping or going back down the cliff, and I was about to jump when I heard her. My first thought was that she had the most beautiful voice I had ever heard. Melodious with the slightest sultry undertone to it. I was about to tell her to hold her own hand, but then I saw her…

Her eyes were absolutely the most vivid green I had ever seen. They were deep and pure, and framed by lashes that shamed Leah's. Her eyes conflicted with the skin that marked her as a Quileute, but it was very exotic, drawing me in. It was like a shock went through me as our eyes met and then I knew.

She was my imprint.

I didn't know how to feel about that. I was in love with her, but I couldn't let her know that yet. I couldn't let her know that she was my everything, she was all that I lived for now.

It seemed impossible, but it was like my entire being changed in that one instant. Every thought was tied to her, everything I did was for her, everything I knew… was her. She had a beautiful form, about a foot and a half shorter than me, maybe more, with dark silky hair up in a ponytail and curled slightly. She had full lips that were soft and very enticing, and looked like she could be a model.

And then she spoke again, telling me that she wanted me to hold her hand again, and then she actually reached over and grabbed my hand. I had been inching closer to her, unable to stay away. Her hand was so soft and small, like her.

She made me promise not to let her go, which to me was stupid. I wouldn't ever hurt her. She told me her name, Cassie, simple yet beautiful and I couldn't think of her being called by anything else.

After we jumped, I kept a tight grip on her hand, and when she tugged on it, I brought us to the surface as fast as I could. She seemed shocked, and I could tell she was really cold. I cursed myself for forgetting that the water would be cooler tonight, and I swam her to the side as fast as I could.

She assured me that she was fine, but to make sure I picked her up and carried her over to the bonfire. She was weightless and it felt like heaven to hold her in my arms. She made me put her down when we reached the others which I didn't like, but she had grabbed my hand, reassuring me. Seth came over and seemed to know what had happened almost instantly. Finding your soul mate wasn't an everyday experience. Seth's eyes got wide and I tried to shut him up with my own.

I noticed Cassie looking a little confused, and then her eyes got wide, and I followed her gaze over to Jacob. Then the next thing I knew, she had ran over to tackle him, her wet hair flying behind her. She was giggling and talking to him excitedly. It made me happy to see her smiling, but I didn't necessarily like to see her with other boys. But whatever she wanted was fine with me. The other members of the pack were gathering around Seth and I, snickering at me.

"Look here guys, seems like Paul's finally found himself on a leash… about time." Embry said, punching me in the shoulder. I resisted the urge to snarl at him, keeping my gaze on Cassie, watching her face fall slightly. Then Jacob said something and turned his gaze to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. A clear warning. He didn't want me to hurt her which was also stupid.

I would never allow harm to come to her.

Sam had come over, giving me a stern look. He knew of my temper, and he didn't want me to make the same mistakes he did. I nodded, telling him I was going to be careful with her. The look in his eyes told me that we were going to talk more about this later. "Tonight Paul, Jacob and I are going to patrol." He said, and Seth and Embry smiled and exchanged high-fives happy with not having to patrol tonight.

They were coming over here now, so we all shut up. I couldn't seem to keep my eyes off of Cassie, and she held my gaze introducing herself to the rest of the pack. The boys were talking to her, and Seth didn't leave her for long, so Sam pulled me over to the side. But before he could say anything I told him, "I love her, Sam." I knew that in my heart.

Sam shook his head, "I love Emily with all of my heart Paul, and you know that. But you also know what happens when we get angry. I just want you to be careful. And you know you can't tell her anything, not yet." Sam was serious, and I nodded. He never meant to hurt Emily, but when our anger got the best of us… there was no turning back.

I saw Cassie sitting by herself, staring into the flames, deep in thought, and I went to sit and talk to her. I could listen to her voice forever. Then the Elders called us to attention. I tried to listen, but then I saw Cassie nodding off and pulled her closer, not wanting her to be cold. She snuggled into, enveloping me in her perfect scent.

It drove me wild, but at the same time it calmed me down. Her scent wasn't something that could be described as strawberries or the ocean. It was completely, unique and all her own. Sweet like honey, but at the same time clean like the springtime air with, a floral and fruity overlay. That was as close as I could get to describing her scent… it was fresh. I was sure that I could pick her out of a crowd of a million people; I was so in tune with her. She was so beautiful when she was sleeping.

When the bonfire was over, I didn't want to wake her so I picked her up and was about to take her to Elaina's when Jacob came into my line of vision. "I can take her home, Paul." He said, looking at me, daring me to tell him to no… which was exactly what I did.

"She's fine, I got her," I told him impatiently. It was cold out here, and I wanted to get her home as soon as I could. Jacob was about to say something, but I cut him off. "Jacob, please just let me take Cassie home. Don't fight me on this, because I really don't want to get mad tonight." I said, moving pass him and loping into the forest at a speed even an Olympic runner couldn't have matched. I was careful not to wake Cassie though.

When we were about five minutes from her house, I felt her waking slightly. She was still more than half-asleep though, she I don't think she realized what she was actually saying. I knew she was my imprint, because she felt the connection to, she just didn't know what it meant like I did. When I tucked her in that night, I promised that I would see her tomorrow. It wasn't like I could ever go a day without seeing my reason for living anyway. It didn't seem possible.

I couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her on the cheek though, and could barely stand to leave her.

I phased, finding Sam and Jacob already patrolling the east and west borders, so I went to help Sam. I felt them rummaging around my thoughts seeing what Cassie had said to me when I had put her down to bed.

'Paul, you still have to be careful with her; don't let her know anything until we are perfectly sure that she'll be able to handle it.'

Sam's voice was weighted down with his Alpha tone, which I hated. It annoyed me to no end knowing that someone had near complete control over me. But it wasn't like I could do anything about that. And then Jacob had to add in his two cents worth.

'If you hurt her Paul, I swear to God, I'll kill you.'

He was serious, even though I knew I wouldn't actually kill me. Ignoring him I had rummaged through any and all thoughts he had of my Cassie. And for the rest of that night I patrolled around her house unable of think of anything but keeping Cassie safe.

We didn't finish until late that night, and then Jared and Embry came and took over. Sam was eager to get home to Emily and Jacob was tired from patrolling last night, so they both went home as soon as the others came. I wanted to stay a little longer to make sure that Cassie was going to be ok in her first night sleeping in a new place. I stayed nearly all night despite Embry reassuring me that he would watch her for me. And at the crack of dawn I finally phased back and went to Emily's to shower and get something to eat. I would tell my mom that I stayed with Jared. Seth was sprawled on the couch knocked out; taking advantage of having a full night of sleep, and Emily was up and cooking when I walked in.

"Hey Paul, I'm making pancakes so go get washed up. They should be ready by the time you're done," Emily said kindly, and went back to cooking. I trudged down the hall and took one of the fastest showers of my life. As soon as I was done here, I could go and see Cassie.

Sam was sure to be asleep for a while and Seth would be up in a few minutes, smelling the incredible food that Emily cooked. I came out of the shower and went into the kitchen, seeing Seth eating most of the food, and Emily scolding him to slow down. I came in and grabbed about a dozen pancakes and eggs. I tried to eat fast, but Emily tried to make me slow down.

"But I have to go see Cassie," I told Emily, shoveling more food down my throat.

"She's really nice," Seth said, downing a glass of orange juice. Emily smiled, making some bacon.

"She does seem really sweet. I'll send her some food later," She said smiling. I thanked Emily and then was out the door. Elaina's house was just through the woods, about two miles away. I ran and it only took a little over five minutes. It was raining though, and I was soaked by the time I got there.

I reached the house, and knew the Elaina wasn't in there. I guessed she was working, but I didn't know for sure. When I came upon the house, I was in front of Cassie's room. Her windows and screen door were open and she was standing in front of her desk, talking to her friends. She twirled in a circle and giggled while they rated her outfit. Personally I thought she was beautiful in her sundress and leggings, her hair pulled back tightly, showing off her gorgeous face.

I stood outside her door for a minute, not knowing exactly what to do… and then I heard her talking about last night, and what she thought of me. My eyes widened, surprised that she thought so highly of me when we didn't even know each other. It was weird, not heard of even with imprinting. I didn't know that I was standing in her room behind her until I saw her friends looking at me, their mouths wide open. They weren't really paying attention to her anymore, but I was.

When she finally turned around and saw me, I saw all of the color drain out of her face… she was mortified and I tried to lie and say that I hadn't nearly just heard her profess her love for me… at least I think that was where her little speech was going. I still could hardy think straight, between her red face and her pretty sundress she had on making, her look very innocent.

She didn't believe me though and tried to apologize, but I told her that she never needed to apologize for anything. And she didn't. There was nothing she could ever do to make me mad, nothing at all. She had a glazed look in her eyes, like she couldn't believe what I was saying and then told me that we could just put it behind us. We both noticed that I was sopping wet after that and she squeaked and went to get a towel.

She insisted on drying me off, moving the towel slowly across my skin. It was hard to stop myself from leaning down and kissing her perfect lips. Her hands on my chest made my breathing hitch. It brought me back to the notion that we didn't know each other. When she moved and touched my side I couldn't help but laughing a little bit; I was really ticklish. She smiled and my heart melted.

I stayed still as she dried my face, and then touched my eyes softly. She told me to go and sleep on her bed and I was so sleepy, I couldn't resist. I told her to wake me though, before she went out of the house. La Push was safe, but I still didn't want her to go anywhere without me. We had heard about a few killings in Seattle and Sam said we couldn't be too careful. The Cullens had left a few months ago, but there had been vampires running back and forth through Forks, so we were still on constant watch.

I lay down on her bed, already sprayed lightly with her heavenly scent, and was asleep in seconds. I dreamt of her seeing me as a wolf and accepting me. I saw myself protecting her from anything that would ever try to harm her. I saw us getting married, our wedding night and her having our kids. I heard angry voices… and then I smelt blood.

Cassie's blood.

I woke instantly, already in a rage, and very close to phasing. I was at the front door in about two seconds and saw Leah clutching Cassie's arm and Cassie glaring at her through pained eyes. I snarled and almost threw Leah out the door. Hearing the whimper of pain coming from Cassie, I was by her side instantly, surveying the damage, all the while cursing myself for letting this happen to her. The blood and the bruise that I saw had me shaking violently. I could hear Leah telling me that I was a danger to Cassie, and I don't know what I said to her, but it wasn't nice.

Then Cassie's hands were on my face, and she was trying to calm me. She was too close. I told her to get away, but she wouldn't listen to me. She told me only to listen to her, and I did. I listened to her breathing, and her heart. It helped more than anything else.

She told me to calm down, and to do it for her. I would do anything for her. Once I was completely calm, I rested my forehead against hers, telling her that she couldn't be around me when I was like that.

This was the first time that I was ashamed of being a wolf. I couldn't control myself, and I didn't want Cassie to turn out like Emily. I couldn't let that happen. I took her into the bathroom and cleaned the bruise.

The sight of it almost made me lose it again, and then I saw her stunning eyes, so trusting and I calmed myself down… for her.

While I was rubbing Neosporin on her arm I thought about what had happened. Not even a day ago I had vowed that I would never let her get hurt, and now I was cleaning her wounds. There were no words to explain how much I hated myself right then. Myself and Leah.

There was only one thing I could tell her, and she saw it in my eyes. She pleaded with me, telling me that it wasn't that big of a deal, but it was to me. She asked me what this was, between me and her.

It was love, love in its truest form.

But she couldn't know that yet, and every second more that I was with her, just made it harder for me to do what I had to do. To keep her safe. I kissed her injured arm, and then I was gone. I left the house and phased as soon as I was outside, unable to take the pain of what I just did to my Cassie.

I howled my pain to the world, and not two minutes later Jacob and Jared were in my head, riffling through what had just transpired. Jacob was pissed at Leah, snarling and tearing up grass. I ignored them and ran. Jared saw what I was doing and tried to stop me.

'Paul you can't just run away.'

He was trying to catch up to me, but I was already in Forks and they were at Emily's. Jacob and Jared were both trying to urge me to come back, and then Jared phased back going back into the house to wake Sam and see if he could knock some sense into me. I phased back to human, not wanting to let Sam get the chance to force me to come back. I couldn't go back there. Not right now, when the image of Cassie's glassy eyes looking back at me was still fresh in my mind.

I heard the howls of my brothers as they tracked me, and I knew I had to go back sooner or later. I slid down the trunk of a tree, holding my head in my hands, not knowing what to do. I didn't know how long I sat there, but I heard Leah long before she came into my line of vision. I phased instantly, faster than I would have ever thought possible, and had her pinned in less than ten seconds, her snarling incoherently the entire time.

'You hurt her! You put your hands on my Imprint!'

I couldn't keep the rage out of my voice. I lunged for her throat, meaning to rip something good out of her, but I heard Sam's voice.

'Paul, stop!'

It was the voice of my Alpha, and I had no choice but to stop. I leaned back, my lips pulled back, a thunder-like snarl escaping from my mouth. Sam leapt into the clearing between Leah and me, breaking us apart. Jacob and Jared were flanking me, Seth and Embry taking up positions with Leah, making sure neither one of us would make a move at each other, with Quil circling about half a mile out, keeping an eye out for anyone or thing.

'Leah, what the hell were you thinking? You could have seriously hurt Cassandra.'

Sam was snarling at her, his black eyes glaring murderously. We took imprinting very seriously and Leah had crossed a very dangerous line.

'I barely touched her; the little girl should keep her mouth shut.'

Leah's lips were pulled back, her small lithe frame tense. I lunged at her again, but Jake and Jared were quick and grabbed me before I could rip Leah's throat out.

'Don't you ever talk about her like that!'

I was seeing red, and was fighting against the holds on my neck. Jared was the only one really making an effort to hold me back. Jake seemed just about as pissed as I was, but he was doing a better job of controlling himself than I was.

'Leah, don't talk about Cassie that way.'

Sam was the only calm headed wolf in the pack at this moment, and I tried to draw strength from him. He was trying to figure out the best course of action for this. None of us had ever touched another's imprint before. The first reason being that we never ever laid a hand on a woman. But obviously this rule didn't apply to Leah, even though it should have.

The next reason being that we knew the consequences of laying a hand on someone else's imprint. It was unheard of. Sam didn't know what to do. Leah seemed pissed off, no remorse what so ever in her thoughts.

'Why the hell would you lay a hand on her Leah?'

Embry didn't like the thought of a girl being hurt by one of us… none of us did. We were here to protect, not to harm.

Leah didn't answer, but she did sit down and start cleaning herself, trying to ignore all of us. I saw Sam pull the image of Cassie's arm from my thoughts and even he couldn't quite suppress the growl building in his throat. He was thinking as if it were Emily who got hurt.

'Leah, you are going to patrol every night until Cassie heals completely. From dusk till' dawn, starting tonight, so you better go get some sleep.'

Sam's voice was grim, and then he turned to me,

'As for you Paul, I want you to patrol with Leah tonight… take the late shift, and if you so much as touch each other, you're both patrolling for two months straight… and no running away, you have school on Monday.'

With that he turned around and bounced back, his thoughts on Emily and getting some more sleep. He had a meeting with the elders later. Jared nudged me and with one last glare at Leah I turned around and followed him back to La Push.

'Calm down and sleep on it. You should go and see her.'

Jared told me, and with a soft nudge to my shoulder he bounded off, looking forward to spending a relaxing day with Kim before he had to patrol with Leah in the first shift. I phased back and went to sit on the cliff.

I couldn't stop thinking about her. Her long sleek hair. The vivid green of her eyes. The soft curve of her skin.

The need to go back to her and comfort her, kiss all of her tears away was so strong. Staggering almost. But I couldn't give into the urge. Even if it meant dying. One look at her and I would crumble. I knew I would. I could take on a leech…

Easy.

But I could never ever be a match for that woman. I sat watching the waves until the sun was going down. I felt numb. Nothing but Cassie mattered to me, and I had to keep her safe. I decided to check in at my house, passing the time before my shift with Leah.

Even thinking her name had my blood boiling and I could just barely contain myself. But I had to learn how to. For Cassie. I loped my way home, which was just a few streets over from Emily's house. I walked in, and was met with my mom and sister on the couch folding clothes.

"Look who finally came back," my baby sister Riley said, looking at me with hazel eyes.

My mom looked up from the television set and smiled at me, her eyes warming slightly. Today was one of her better days it seemed like, and I tried to smile at her. She didn't bother commenting on how I had been out about a day and a half without checking in. It was normal now. She cared, but she didn't know what to do.

I gave her a kiss on the cheek and ruffled my sister's wispy dark hair which earned me a scowl. Then I retreated to my room, and went to sleep.

I was grateful when I heard the howl, signaling my time for patrol. I had just had the worst sleep of my life. I had tossed and turned so much, I hardly got any sleep at all. I jumped out of the two-story window and phased, taking the south side of our territory.

'Be tactful Paul, just get through tonight.'

Jared's words lingered in my head until I felt him phase back, heading for his house. I could feel the furiousness rolling off of Leah in waves. She was so bitter… and cold…

'I can hear you, you idiot.'

Leah's voice was no more than a sneer, full of scorn. What I wanted more than anything was to rip into her. This was the first time I had ever had even a thought of truly harming a woman. I tried to ignore her, occupying myself with Cassie. I was close enough to her house that I could hear her… she was sleeping. But she was sleeping like me. Uneasily, like she was troubled.

I kept close to her house, patrolling on her side of La Push, pushing Leah to patrol on the opposite side of town. We communicated what we saw to each other, so we covered the entire territory, but other than that, we didn't speak. We spent the remainder of the night in silence; the only sounds were the beat of our paws against the earth and the sounds of breath stirring the air.

By the time dawn broke, we were exhausted, having run ourselves hard to get rid of the tension and anger between us. It was hard to keep silent when you were in a pack like ours. There were no secrets between us, I could still hear all of her thoughts and she could hear mine. She wasn't sorry I knew that, and even if she was, she knew that I wasn't going to forgive her.

We had an understanding.

As soon as daylight hit, we ran back to Emily's to give Sam our report, again not talking to each other. It was like that, even if we weren't speaking to each other our minds were linked, and we still had the same thought processes.

We phased back as we came upon the house, Leah not happy at all with being in the house of the man she loved and her ex-best friend and cousin. We all knew it made her feel uncomfortable. But at this point in time I really didn't care. It made me uncomfortable being away from Cassie for this amount of time.

After we talked to Sam I went home, dropping off into another uncomfortable sleep. My dreams were filled with Cassie, her marrying another guy, having his children and I was watching from afar… it wasn't fun to watch. It would have been alright if she were happy, but even in my dream, she wasn't, and it disturbed me.

I slept nearly all day and when I woke I stayed around the house, not wanting to see any of the pack. I helped my mother as much as I could around the house and then late that night, I went over to Emily's. Jacob, Jared and Emily were the only ones there. Sam, Quil and Leah were patrolling, Seth was at his house, and Jacob was going to relieve Sam in a few hours. Emily was sleeping, but she allowed us to come in at any and all hours of the night.

Jacob told me that he had spent today with Cassie, which I was happy about. She seemed to be comfortable with him and I didn't want her to be alone.

"She didn't look good Paul… you should talk to her." But even before he was finished, I was already shaking my head. Even hearing that melodious voice would break me. I ran out and phased, needing a good run to let out all of the emotions that were threatening to drown me out.

Being away from Cassie made me feel like there was a hole in my chest. A physical pain getting bigger and bigger every second that I was away from her. It felt so numb, it was killing me. I knew I couldn't live without her. And I wasn't strong enough to be able to watch her from afar.

I ran all night, ignoring the rest of the pack. When Sam was done, he ran silently beside me for about half an hour, his mind filled with understanding thoughts even though he didn't try to communicate with me directly for which I was grateful. Then he turned and changed course, heading for Emily's.

I followed him feeling worn out. I pushed Jared off the couch and he barely mumbled before sprawling out on the bear rug on the floor. I threw myself on the couch, but found out that no matter how hard I tried I couldn't fall asleep.

It could have had something to do with Jared's snoring, which sounded like an elephant being raped.

I kicked him a few times in the side, but all he did was roll over and growl, throwing his arm around his eyes. I lay on my back, looking at the ceiling, not being able to take my mind off of Cassie. I desperately wanted to go over to her house and beg for her forgiveness. The need was so strong that I almost got up. I took a deep breath though, and tried to calm myself.

I couldn't go over there. I had to learn how to control myself. I closed my eyes tightly and tried to think of how I could avoid Cassie tomorrow at school tomorrow. I broke in and out of sleep, never fully succumbing to it. When I did sleep it was broken by nightmares. Gruesome ones of me not being able to protect Cassie. Her face ending up like Emily's, or her with the eyes of a bloodsucker…

I was going crazy.

Ok, there is my first Paul POV… how do you guys like it? I need feedback (: I should have the next chapter up in a few days at most. One of my biggest pet peeves is people who update like every five years or so. I'll try not to make you guys wait that long. I don't know if you guys listen to the playlist or not, but if you do c could you give me feedback on that too? And some suggestions if you don't mind.

REVIEW PLEASE :D