The Twilight Series belongs to S. Meyer, no copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing with the characters.
AN: Happy New Year! My pre-readers haven't necessarily approved this chap yet, but I can't wait any longer! I'm impatient! :D
Quil walked as quickly as he could outside and towards the thicker woods and brush behind the hospital. He didn't plan on phasing in for long, but he needed privacy to do it. All he wanted to know was how Seth was doing and if they had been successful in getting him to phase back.
He kicked the flip flops off his feet and then stripped his shorts and borrowed shirt off. Centering himself, he gathered just enough anger to transform into his wolf. The burning and pain that accompanied the change was similar to getting blood drawn at this point for him.
As he shook his chocolate fur out, he shuddered to think of how painful the first few times were. It felt like every bone in your body was breaking—your muscles stretched to the point where it felt like the tensile fibers were going to snap. And the heat—the inferno that burned your skin was like experiencing the seven circles of hell simultaneously.
The pack mind was in chaos—had been in chaos since days before Leah phased. He was sure Sam would love to lay the blame at Leah's door. Same as he loved laying some fucked up blame on Jared's door. He seriously doubted Leah and Jared having a relationship prevented Sam from imprinting on Leah.
And why did it matter at this point? Sam was happy with Emily and her muffin-making ways. They were going to have a baby—well, someday he supposed, considering the baby they were having was no more. He doubted the loss would stop them from trying again.
Sam, stay out of it. I did what needed to be done under the circumstances, Jared growled.
I wish I had never made you beta—I can't decide whether it's the biggest mistake of my life or the second biggest.
Fuck off. I didn't ask to be beta. Never wanted it. You could have chosen Paul for all I cared.
I don't want it! Paul replied, his wolfy head shaking. Give it to Jake—shouldn't it be his responsibility? He's got the Black heritage.
Quil snorted in disgust. Was this what the pack had come to? A bunch of kids trying to dodge any responsibility—it sucked, it truly did, but what else could they do? It wasn't like one of their parents were going to phase and run the pack for them.
Hey, guys, he greeted. How's Seth doing?
Not too bad, Jake answered.
He's taken to it pretty quick, Embry added. If some of us would stop arguing—I'd bet we'd have him phased back in a flash.
Probably, Quil answered. Harry's doing good. I don't know what the doc said, but Sue said he'd be in the hospital for a few days.
What happened? Seth asked anxiously.
Similar to Leah, his earlier rage had stopped him from being able to understand what was happening. The pack had refrained from telling him just in case things didn't turn out. It was a delicate balance between their tumultuous emotions when they first phased. Extremes of any kind weren't good.
What do you remember from this morning? Jared asked.
They watched the events replay through Seth's mind. A red haze surrounding the events—though the play of them was disjointed, fragmented, nearly incoherent. His memories didn't include Harry's collapse. He was too focused on his anger and rage toward his dad, Jared, and later the pack who he perceived as Sam's goons.
The focus moved to Jared yanking him toward the door. The pain and heat of his imminent change caused the group to cringe. Each member currently phased remembering their own experience—the agony, fear, and disbelief.
Lastly, there was the confusion of the pack mind as they begun to phase in one-by-one. Voices crowding Seth's mind as Jared explained the situation and asked for calm. The worry he had that Seth's wolf would take over much like Leah's had just the day before.
The rest of Seth's memories were the arguing between the pack members and learning the truth about the legends. As Seth remembered these things, Quil couldn't help but share his recent thoughts on their lack of unity. The chaos and disjointed way the pack was functioning lately some which he felt had to do with Sam's leadership.
You too, Quil? Sam asked in disbelief.
I'm… he trailed off. It's just really hard to know who to listen to when you two are arguing all the time. And it's not like we can say anything to the elders—what would we say? That you have some beef with Jared over Leah? That would go over real well with Harry.
What about my sister? Seth asked.
Nothing, Jared answered. This isn't the time to be discussing it nor should we be talking about Leah behind her back. His last words punctuated with a growl which Quil knew was directed at him.
Embry was quick to realize the need to change the focus of their thoughts. So, umm…Harry. Maybe it'd be best if Jared shared what happened and then we'll add to it as needed.
Sure.
Seth's hackles rose as he realized they were keeping secrets from him. Secrets that involved his sister and he didn't care what she wanted—these assholes weren't allowed anywhere near her, not if he could help it. He huffed and attempted to glare at Jared in wolf form, but human facial expressions didn't cross over into wolf form very well. The options limited, so he settled for a low growl instead.
Why don't you enlighten me? Seth inquired sarcastically.
Jared rolled his eyes at the younger wolf, but complied. His memories were no were near as chaotic as Seth's and he was able to keep a tight lid on his feelings and thoughts while he pushed Seth to phase. The words that he said were replayed on mute as he recognized angering Seth again wouldn't be helpful at all in helping him to phase back.
Quil took over with the moment he ran into the Clearwater kitchen. The scene vividly repainted and unlike Jared, he had a much harder time keeping the tenor of his emotions from his recollection. His fear and anxiety caused Seth to cower down and whine softly.
He continued with his memories until he reached the point where Harry had been wheeled into the room at the hospital. Those final few moments tumbled forward too fast for him to stop them before Harry's comment to the room at large was revealed. Sam's voice through the pack mind jarred the group.
Are you fucking serious? What the fuck do you think you were doing, Jared? he growled.
I didn't do anything! If you'd been paying attention you'd have seen she didn't understand what happened yesterday! Jesus! She thought she hurt Bella seriously—add that to the fact she hurt Emily and turned into a giant wolf—who else was going to tell her it's okay? Get her to see it was an accident, fate, karma—whatever.
Here we go again. More than one pack member sighed as the two of them bickered back and forth.
For better or worse, Paul chose to add in his own commentary, I thought this was figured out yesterday. For fuck's sake—Jared's scent was all over her. I think it's pretty obvious who she's choosing.
Murmurs of agreement accompanied his words, but one wolf in particular wasn't having any of this discussion. Seth's entire body shook and low growls burst from his throat as he stood up. Jake and Embry looked at each other and then back at Seth before taking a few steps backwards.
His body trembled and blurred before their eyes. Anger and rage filled the pack mind. The intensity of it was even foreign to their wolves. The wolves which understood and dealt with their animal instincts were suddenly unable to.
Quil couldn't take it and decided to phase back. As he was making his decision, he heard Paul echo the same thing. He focused his thoughts and felt the familiar burn and sting as his body pulled back into his human form.
Shaking his head to clear the lingering rage Seth had supplied to him through the pack mind, he slowly drew the clothes he had been wearing back on. The flip flops were slid on last and he began to walk back toward the hospital. Whatever was going to happen, he didn't want to witness it. He could only hope that Seth would show up soon.
FF_8756144_23 01/01/13 2:00AM