A/N: Any wolves you recognize from The Twilight Saga belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Basically everything else, including past and present wolf pack members, imprints, wolf families, and additional characters in this story belong to the universe created by the amazing, brilliant, and wonderfully talented yay4shanghai!

Thank you everyone who reviewed, it really means a lot to me. I'm really excited that you like the story so far and I hope that you'll keep reading.

It's great to be part of the Team! They are all very talented writers, so don't forget to check out the other stories in this universe.

Also, thanks to my beta yay4shangai for being her fabulous self.

One Look Changes Everything

13 June 2041

The beach was astonishingly empty when we arrived, just a few teenage guys definitely not native so they were probably from Forks, several young children with a group of women who looked to be their mothers, and an elderly couple already packing up to leave.

I preferred coming here when it was deserted like this, crowds and rowdy masses in general made me uncomfortable. Unless they only consisted of people I knew, then I could handle them and often even enjoy it. I love watching my friends' and family's antics. They were the most effortless and relaxing when held here on First Beach, because I felt more at ease if I was outside in the open air.

The sky was still predominantly overcast, so that might have something to do with the lack of people. While not readily apparent, I detected that the sky was gradually clearing. I also predicted that the remaining clouds would disperse swiftly. I attributed my weather forecasting skills to the whole wolf thing, but I suppose they might be a benefit of being deaf as well, like how some people feel aches when the weather changes if they've had surgeries. Then again it might just be the result of noticing reoccurring patterns that I have picked up on during the countless hours spent outdoors growing up.

Upon reaching the beach's parking lot, Mark and I turned Eli and Ava loose in order to search for the perfect spot to camp out at for the afternoon. They took off running, headed directly for the same spot without needing to discuss it first. It was a really sweet moment to witness.

Mark and I waited next to the forest lining the parking lot for Solace and Chloe to catch up. Reaching the beach did not alleviate my anxious energy as I had hoped, but I was momentarily distracted from worrying about it by my curiosity about what Chloe revealed to put a smile that substantial on Solace's face, but I wouldn't ask. It was none of my business unless he volunteered the information.

Chloe sped off to join the others once Solace reached us and together we followed at a leisurely pace. It was easier on Solace's leg if he moved slowly. The winning spot turned out to be a sandy patch directly ahead that was just out of the high tide's reach. Eli was already stomping around in an effort to pack down the area while Ava was a little ways off collecting piles of similar type and shape white shells and various colored rocks when we reached them. Chloe, on the other hand, was lounging off to the side watching the other two working.

'They're planning to build a sandcastle. Ava wants it to be huge,' Chloe signed with her arms stretched out as far in front of her as she could reach. She was lying flat and bending backwards to grin up at me since I was standing right behind her. Apparently, even though she was a graceful dancer this position was too hard to maintain, because she fell over a second later and rolled around in a fit of laughter.

Shaking my head I turned to see that Mark had lain down and thrown one of his massive arms across his face to cover his eyes. It looked like he was preparing for a nice long nap using his balled up towel as a pillow and had possibly fallen asleep already. I pointed his image out to Solace.

'Poor pup, isn't as young as he used to be,' Solace signed back with a brief smile. It was supposed to be funny, but coming from him the words contained so much more meaning. I looked him over and felt sadness at the realization that his dazzling smile and the content look were already faded beyond recognition, replaced with his usual melancholy, broken appearance.

His pain and loneliness were always visible these days, had been for the last few years. It hurt to look at him and most the time I was at a loss on what to say to him, which was kind of ironic because I know that's how most people felt around me since Devlin's death. I angled my body away slightly and pulled off my shirt, just as an excuse to not to see so many of my own feelings staring back at me like they always did when I acknowledged our similarities.

I was one of the few wolves that didn't use summer as a rationale for remaining in a continuous half-naked state, at least not in public. My purpose, unlike Solace, wasn't to hide any scars. It also wasn't to be overheated and miserable all the time; that was just a preferable alternative to the humiliating amount of unwanted interest I received otherwise.

It never really made sense to me why they stared more when I was shirtless, but they did. It wasn't as if I had Solace's looks and subtle hints of mystery women were apparently helpless to resist and gave many men wet dreams about. I didn't have Taylor's easy going fun attitude that was so approachable or his charming manner that also disarmed men and women alike. I was just me and I didn't have much going on in the appearance or socializing departments. Besides, people already had enough reasons to stare at me; there was no way I wanted to add to that.

Even if it didn't bother me, I had no desire to have a string of meaningless relationships that I could never let myself get emotionally invested in because that would only bring misery to everyone involved when it ended. And it would end; I witnessed the carnage left behind from too many failed attempts not to be certain. Take Tay for example, he had, for all intents and purposes lost his brother because of the Trisha debacle and to this day I see how much it affected him. Leah and Solace are both classic examples as well, and Amber, you can take your pick there from a number of ways she got hurt. I was better off waiting until I found my imprint and if I never had one then…well that was just fate.

I took my time folding up my shirt and setting it down next to Mark and out of "Project Sandcastle's" way to prolong avoiding putting Solace and myself through the awkward, forced attempt at conversation he would feel obligated to make right now. That was the last thing I needed when I was already so on edge today, but I had nothing else to use as a distraction right now. Standing back up reluctantly accepting that I had to quit stalling, I was saved by Chloe waving at me. Guess I was in luck after all.

'Will you throw me in the waves? Please, Levi?' She signed before dropping to her knees, clasping her hands just below her chin, and giving me her biggest puppy-dog eyes. Damn. She knew I was a sucker for those.

I pretended to think it over for a second, tapping my chin, then shook my head no at her. That got me the lip too. In that moment I doubted ever having seen a more adorable kid, kneeling there in her two piece decorated with abstract swirls in multi-pastel colors. She had big her pleading eyes, if possible, even larger and rounder than before, and now her lip-glossed bottom lip poking out as far as it would go. I was a goner, but I still made a production out of accepting it by sighing and rolling my eyes at Solace before dropping my head down in defeat.

I waited like that while she elegantly rose back up onto her feet trying to hide her smug look. Then, before she could react or even understand what was happening, I lunged using my wolf speed to scoop her up and throw her over my shoulder. Her limbs were flailing around everywhere and I could feel her laughing against my shoulder as I took off running for the water. I barreled through the waves as far out as I could before the water resistance slowed me down too much then launched Chloe straight into the crest of the oncoming wave. A second later she popped back up reaching for me and giggling ready for another one.

All of the pack kids loved doing this. With our wolf strength we were able to really send them flying sometimes. It was the closest thing to cliff jumping their parents would let them do at this age. And it meant a wolf was always nearby so no one had to fear drowning or hypothermia because they could just cuddle close between throws.

Shortly after, Solace joined us toting Ava and Eli, one under each arm and dangling above the water. They were getting drenched each time a wave crashed over them and didn't look like they minded in the least. He and I took turns tossing each of the munchkins and dodging each other's attempts at surprise dunkings for a while after that. It helped me relax more than anything else had today.

Eventually, Ava and Eli lost interest and moved to a shallower area so they could sign more easily since Eli was already squinting without his glasses on.

Less than a minute later I was under attack when Solace swayed Chloe over to his side and the duo doubled up against me, now I see how adorable Chloe really is. Traitor. Eli's timely interruption saved me from my failed endeavors to defend myself, apparent as I fruitlessly struggled to maneuver out of Solace's headlock. He splashed us until we stopped and looked over at him. Ava's bright turquoise one piece stood out even though she was hanging back a little, partially hidden behind Eli and purposely not watching our exchange.

'Levi, can we go see the tide pools,' he asked with an unconvincing innocent look on his face and his chubby cheeks were a little more flushed than normal. I raised my left eyebrow at Solace when I noted his amused expression. So he thought they were up to something too.

I nodded anyways, positive nothing too devious or alarming would result from whatever they were up to and that they would let us know soon enough. So with that I headed back to our spot on the beach pausing to pick up Eli and wave bye to the others.

"Pa, Pa, Pa," Eli began shouting as he pounded a fist on Mark's stomach once he finished drying off.

'I'm up. I was just resting my eyes, promise,' Mark signed after a few moments, not moving anything but his arms and hands.

"Pa," Eli whined again dropping his towel on Mark's face and searching through his father's cargo shorts' pockets for his glasses. The combination of actions successfully got Mark to sit up this time. Mark blinked a few times adjusting to the now bright sunny day then carefully wrapped the towel around Eli's neck so his shoulders were covered and would not get burnt.

'Levi is taking me to the tide pools. I'll see you later, alright,' Eli signed when Mark was done. He was bouncing on his heels so much that it made it a lot harder to see what he was saying, but once he finished he sat back completely still, waiting to make sure it was ok. Mark located the elusive glasses and handed them over waiting until they were on before replying.

'Have fun and be careful,' he signed with a smile that still looked a little sleepy. He watched Eli jump up and climb on my back before leaning back again to catch a few more minutes of sleep.

No one else was around when we got there. Walking over to a smaller pool, I sunk down on one of the smoother rocks lining the edge and dangled my feet in the water, content to passively observe Eli scrambling across the nearby boulders. It was always relaxing to hang out with my cousin. We were close despite our age difference and our mutual deafness helped us form a unique bond within our little community. He was like a little brother to me, except without the annoying feelings most siblings felt. I loved him so much. He entered my life at the time I most needed a diversion and has never failed to provide one.

The months just before he showed up were hell. My dad was destroyed, utterly devastated by the loss of Devlin and how it happened. Most days he resembled a zombie, frequently still did in fact. And my mom, she's tough, stronger than the rest of us that's for sure, but in the privacy of our home it was blatantly apparent that her pillar of strength appearance was no more than an illusion, one that it was taking everything she had to maintain. She was just barely keeping it together and I doubted she could hold on much longer. Melody was lucky, she had Taylor and with the help of their imprint was often able to escape reality and cope by getting lost in him. I survived by retreating into myself, pushing everyone but Mel away and spending much of the following months locked in my room laying in bed.

It was during those last couple weeks leading up to Eli's arrival that I made the conscious decision about it being time to start moving past the deepest stages of my grief and make an effort to start living again. I hadn't wanted to, it was excruciatingly painful and I felt an enormous sense of guilt, but I knew I had to for my parents. I could see that my behavior was making matters worse for them. They were having such a hard time that it became unbearable to know that I was causing them additional misery because my actions up to that point were continuing to worry them.

I started small, occasionally accompanying my parents or Mel and Tay when they visited the Wahallas or Mark and Jordan, even if I did sit apart from everyone and stare at nothing waiting to leave. I also attended the biweekly wolf training sessions Mark decided should become a permanent feature of active wolves' duties, but I didn't phase. At least I was physically there for those things and finally getting out of the house.

It was something, but the real changes came later, after I started taking in my surroundings and interacting with people again. This breakthrough actually happened the day I met Eli. It started off as one of the worst, most difficult days I had had in a while. My parents almost literally had to drag me out of bed and make me go to the party being thrown to welcome my cousin and celebrate Phil and Tara's impending marriage.

At first things were as horrible as ever and I couldn't bring myself to even try. I stood separate from everyone around me, silently counting the minutes until it was over and I could leave. No one approached me and avoided looking at me if they could. That unintentionally made the internal struggle I was fighting worse; none of them knew how to treat me anymore.

The first person to get over it and just be herself was naturally Soli. She whacked and bashed her way through the icy walls serving as my defense and keeping me numb in true Soledad fashion, using her usual style and manner to do what no one else could or even tried to do. It was exactly what I needed.

Dealing got a bit easier after that, not much but enough, although it didn't stop me from stubbornly clinging to everything I had left of him, a habit I still indulged in and probably would for the rest of my life. Half of my closet still contains all of his clothes in the room we shared; untouched since the last time he was in the room even though they no longer contained his scent. I had an unspoken agreement with my parents about it; the clothes would stay until I decided it was ok to pack them up, not before and under no circumstances were they ever to be gotten rid of. And that was just one of the things I did to hold onto Dev and keep him with me.

I started hanging out with people again after that party. It was easier in one-on-one situations or with family. Other than Mel, the easiest person to be around was Solace. Living with him alleviated any obligation I felt I owed my parents to interact with others and did manage to relieve the majority of their concerns. I didn't mind his company, it was refreshing and made me feel a great deal less screwed up; he had his own issues and they dwarfed mine. And as an added bonus at the time, he conveniently didn't know sign language so we didn't actually have to talk. We could spend hours dwelling on the past together while each was buried in his own mind. But being around him did nothing to help me move on.

Other than hanging out with Solace, as much time as I could handle was spent at my uncle's cabin getting to know Eli. He was great. His constant happiness and endless supply of hugs helped fill a small portion of the void Dev left and aided me in forgetting my pain for short periods of time. I could only manage small doses though before I felt and gave into the urge to retreat once more.

It helped that Eli never walked on eggshells around me, with him there was no before and after, he never met Devlin so nothing changed after his death. I regretted that they never got the chance to meet and felt guilty that at the same time I was grateful for it. I knew it was selfish because I know they would have loved each other immensely, but I needed someone in my life that wasn't grieving too.

Watching him now, I felt amusement bubble up inside me. He looked like he was posing for a photo shoot, a towel draped around his neck and leaning against the rocks with his arms crossed looking off into the distance wearing his black and white Prada swim trunks, a present from his godfather's Jace and Lawrence. It was rare to catch him so still for more than a second or two at a time. I acknowledged how lucky Mark and Jordan were to be able to bring him into our family. Eli turned to face me then.

'Let's go back. I want to make sure we have enough time to build Ava's sandcastle,' he signed. He was wearing his signature Ava grin, the one that made his eyes shine and his rosy cheeks get a little redder, it always made an appearance when he saw her or was talking about her. I almost asked why she didn't come with us, but he volunteered the information before I could.

'She should be done now.' I raised a brow indicating he should elaborate as he hopped along the rocks making his way back over to me. 'She had an idea and wanted to ask Chloe and Solace about. I don't think she wanted to tell me so I didn't ask what it was about,' he finished, putting his arms out for me to swing him up and onto my back.

As soon as he was in position he dug his heels into my sides and pointed forward spurring me on. My heart rate picked up and I experienced the strongest and strangest pulling sensation, but I couldn't place where it was coming from or what it was pulling at, just an all over intangible feeling. For a second it seemed like a current ran through my body leaving my nerves ultra sensitive and jittery. There was suddenly no where else I'd rather be than back at the beach so I headed back moving faster than I probably should have.

When we got back the feeling increased so I put Eli down with the intention of letting him run off to find Ava, but he didn't make it more than five steps before we both saw the girls playing with a pretty blonde girl I had never seen before. Eli looked disappointed and maybe a little put-out when he looked back up at me. I didn't want him to feel that way so I decided to just ignore whatever was happening to me, maybe it'll just go away on its own.

'Want some help building your sandcastle? We could surprise Ava when it's finished,' I signed down to him. He instantly cheered up and ran over to the spot he prepared earlier.

Eli put me to work building massive towers and decided every time he looked at them that they needed to be bigger. At the same time he worked on making a mound that would be the central part. Mark, finally awake, was sitting nearby talking with Solace so after finishing the first tower I snapped twice at Solace getting him to look at me.

'Do you want me to come by later and watch the girls so you can see?' I signed. This had become pretty standard for us.

'I'm not sure that's a good idea today. Ava and Chloe already got it into their heads that it would be a good idea to kidnap Maddie for a slumber party tonight,' he signed back looking like he was still contemplating the merits of such a plan even if he never would do it and risk loosing his access altogether. Since Claire had discovered that Solace was climbing into Maddox's window for years she nailed the windows shut, enforcing a strict schedule of supervised visits, thought Solace still found ways around it.

So that had been the plan, it made sense though why Ava didn't let Eli in on it. He was too sensible and would have talked her out of it.

"I take it you still haven't talked to Claire again about adding some visiting hours," Mark said while signing as he jumped into the conversation.

"Not after the blow up… and I don't blame her at all. She was right about everything she said about me, so I guess that means she was right for saying no," Solace defended himself also signing so I could follow along. Claire was a subject I knew better than to touch with Solace. Talking about her never did anything but send him into a deeper depression.

"Things might be different now that Maddie's a little older. It wouldn't hurt to try," Mark shot back. I was surprised he did, but maybe he has the advantage of having been friends with Solace longer so he could go there.

"Nothing's changed," Solace responded then looked away, effectively ending the conversation. I suppose I was right because he looked even more despondent now.

I went back to working on the sandcastle trying not to think about anything at all. I needed a break. That was when I first felt like someone was watching me, but I purposely ignored it. It left a lingering sensation sort of like an itchy feeling, but I refused to scratch it finishing a second tower instead.

It came back stronger when I started on a third tower, but again I pretended it wasn't happening. This time the lingering feelings reminded me more of a spot that had been scratched raw, it made the feeling harder to ignore as I kept adding additional sand then molding and manipulating the pile until it resembled what Eli wanted for Ava's castle.

Patting the sand again to ensure it retained its shape, I looked over at Eli who was in the process of building walls to connect the two completed towers. He looked it over critically, squinting then closing one eye and using his hand to compare the heights before judging if it was finished or not.

'It's still too short. It needs a little more on top so that it is the same height as these,' he signed and pointed at the two towers by him. I looked it over too, making sure to take this serious because I knew how much it meant to him.

'I think you're right,' I signed back then grabbed another handful of wet sand and dropped it almost immediately as the tremor spread along my body.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and a chill ran down my spine, again. This was the third time in the last few minutes. I knew I wasn't imagining it. I felt like I was being watched and now I could detect a searing trail tracing a path down my chest then back up again before settling on my face. It wasn't just itchy anymore. This felt more like I was being burned.

I hunched down as much as I still could ending up almost completely lying down on my side in a vain effort to make myself less visible. I knew it was pointless; being a wolf went hand-in-hand with being huge and so far it wasn't working to make whoever it was stop staring. I didn't want to look up and see the person; that would be more than embarrassing. I continued trying not to look, making a concentrated effort to focus on building this tower of sand instead.

My heart was pounding faster than it ever had before. The feelings of dread and discomfort were slowly being replaced with anticipation. It was confusing and I couldn't take much more of this. I took a deep breath hoping that would help and smelled the most appealing and unique scent I had ever encountered and it was powerful enough to overshadow the ocean and beach smells typically encountered around here. There were wildflowers, like the field by my house, but smelling it now didn't inspire the usual tranquility. The other dominant scent was clean, fresh, and pure like the mountain air I loved when I went hiking. Beneath those I could also detect a tropical flavor, a hint of coconut like the one I always associated with Eli's sunscreen, but I knew this was not coming from him. This fragrance just stirred me up even more and finally I just couldn't stand it any longer.

The instant I accepted defeat my head snapped up and I was looking directly into the most incredible pair of clear green eyes I had ever imagined. I was hooked, it was impossible to look away, but then why would I want to? My insides were filled with pandemonium, but I hardly paid it any mind.

I was too busy staring at an angel. I swear that's what she looked like. Her skin was such a beautiful shade of golden brown and the light sheen of sweat made it look like it was glowing, as if she were surrounded by a halo. Her blonde hair had a million different colors like gold, sunlight, sand, honey, champagne, take your pick. She was tiny, not as much short, but as delicate. She could get hurt; I feared a single touch from me would break her.

Her expression conveyed so many emotions. I marveled at being able to read her like a book; I picked up curiosity, fascination, and confusion right away.

She was absolutely breathtaking. I literally could not catch my breath the first few seconds I spent looking at her. Nothing existed beyond her, the rest of the world just vanished.

It took a moment for the bedlam and commotion to recede and almost hit myself for not understanding sooner. I just imprinted. It was so much more than…everything, compared to what I had been told. But there was no way someone that perfect could be meant for me. She looked too sweet and untainted by the harsher realities of life. There was no way I could be right for her, that I could be good enough. I was too messed up, had lost too much of myself with Dev, incapable of regular socializing, not good looking enough – it would be an epic mismatch.

A stray thought wondering if it really was more intense for me and if it was, was that a side affect from being deaf occurred, but I filed the concept away to contemplate later. And immediately following that, panic set in. What if there was no later? What if this was some sort of cosmic mistake?

I had no inkling what to do now, where to start, how to approach this or her. It was too much to take in. I couldn't handle everything I was thinking and feeling right now. I had only felt like this once previously. I needed to release at least some of the tension and emotions if possible. No sooner than the thought occurred, I felt a peculiar vibrating sensation and unfamiliar pressure in the back of my throat and roof of my mouth and the air in my lungs seemed trapped. Everything around me snapped back into focus when it was over.

I had to know if this was real, what was happening, and what I should do, so I looked to Mark and Solace for answers. Mark looked so proud. His phone was in his hand, he must have texted Jordan already. I guess that means it's real. Solace looked conflicted. He was smiling the warmest, most genuine smile I had ever seen including the one earlier today, but his eyes were sadder than ever and bright as if he were going to start crying any second.

'Go on, go talk to her,' Solace signed with Mark nodding next to him.

'She's your girl. Go meet her,' Mark added when I didn't move. He threw in a shooing gesture that earned a chuckle from Solace.

Turning back I made eye contact with her again. I was like seeing her for the first time and imprinting all over again. I feared, and secretly hoped, it would be like this every time for the rest of my life. That brought back the panic.

Without ever really deciding to, I was standing then running. Not towards her, no. I was running for the woods, like the coward I was. My survival instincts had kicked in and I was acting on autopilot now.

I almost didn't make it far enough in before I phased. I never even noticed if I was shaking and it wasn't planned so I shredded my board shorts in the process. Letting the wolf be in control made it a little easier to get a grip on my emotions and I got lucky because no one else was in my mind. There was nothing I could do to stop myself from slinking back to the edge of the forest so I could watch her.

She was standing by the water talking to the girl I had seen earlier with Chloe and Ava. The dress she was now wearing looked amazing on her. It was the same color green as her swimsuit, strapless, and edged with gold braiding.

My eyes followed her as the girl grabbed her arm and pulled her all the way across the beach and to a car. She looked a little out of it and I could detect the most charming blush covering her cheeks. She didn't say word the entire time and now she was staring at the spot I was standing in. I knew she couldn't see me, but I was worried about her driving when she looked so stunned.

Driving, that meant leaving. What if I never see her again?