Sam had read every single word of the file on Layla until he had memorized everything. What he had found out had shaken him even more to his very core and was a testament about the heart of his Imprint. Even after being as hurt and abused as she had, she still opened her heart and let all the love she had bottled up out. Every action was evidence as to how badly she wanted to love and be loved. Sam wanted to cry at the life his Imprint had lived before coming here. He hated his father, true, but his father never beat him or tried to sell him for drugs or make him into a drug runner.

It had been two days since he'd last seen and touched his Imprint. He couldn't eat. He couldn't sleep without reliving her screaming and crying for him. Jake and Leah had filled him in on what was going on with the pack, and that Sue was going to bring Charlie to the bonfire and that Old Quil was going to make a way for him and Layla to be together. Sam wanted so badly to believe they could succeed, but he couldn't afford to let his hopes up only to come crashing down.

A few houses away, Paul was laying in his bed, exhausted. He'd run patrol all night long and, without sleep, went to school and came home. He was going to go to Sam's later and give his apologies for causing Layla to get hurt and for Charlie not letting him stay with Layla. His wolf wouldn't let him sleep until he attempted to right things with his grieving Alpha. He stumbled out of the house and walked to Sam's, going to the bedroom where Sam laid.

"Alpha, I am beyond sorry that Layla was hurt because of my mother. If I could take away her pain and injuries and bring them on myself, I would do it a thousand times over." Paul said.

Sam made no reply.

"They said Charlie refuses to let you stay with Layla anymore. I know Sue and Old Quil will do their best." Paul said, looking around.

Paul was wracking his brain, trying to figure out how he could help his Alpha in his grief. The moment Paul saw Sam and scented the amount of hopelessness and raw pain coming from Sam, he knew his sadness was but a drop in the ocean compared to the Alpha's.

He had an idea.

Paul grabbed a trash bag from the kitchen and went back to Sam's room. He grabbed the pillow Sam was laying on and the blanket as well. He maneuvered Sam until he pulled the sweatshirt he was wearing off as well, stuffing them into the bag.

"Why are you taking my stuff?" Sam asked weakly.

"I'll be back. Trust me." Paul said.

Paul ran to his truck, hoping his idea would work, at least somewhat. He drove from the rez and straight to Charlie's house. He closed the bag and went and knocked on the door. Charlie answered, looking tired.

"Sue found some more stuff for Layla. Want me to take it up?" Paul asked.

Charlie sighed and shrugged, moving out of the way.

"She hasn't stopped crying. I doubt this will cheer her up." Charlie said. "Her bedroom is in the attic."

Paul frowned and went upstairs, heading for the attic. He could smell Layla's sadness. It coated the air and made it thick in his nose. It smelled like burning flowers. He found Layla curled up in her bed, crying. He took the bag over to the bed and pulled Layla into a hug. Layla didn't make much of a move in reply, just whimpered for Sam. Paul took the notepad.

"Sam is taking this as hard as you are. He's not gotten out of bed since he was forced to leave you. I know if Charlie would allow it, he'd be right beside you in a flash. I know it's not the same, but I brought you his pillow and blanket. And a hoodie. It'll smell like him, which is all I can do right now. I was wondering if I could take yours in return." Paul wrote.

Layla read the note and sat up instantly, nodding with excitement. She traded pillows and blankets and pulled off her shirt, giving it to Paul. She slipped his hoodie on and inhaled deeply. She walked to her dirty clothes basket and poured everything in the bag. Layla held her hand up and grabbed the pillow. She pulled the cover off and wrote on the pillow itself before shoving it back in the bag. Layla hugged Paul tightly, whispering her thanks to him. He took the bag and told Layla not to worry before leaving. Layla clutched the pillow and wrapped herself in the blanket, inhaling as much of Sam's scent and warmth as she possibly could.

Paul rushed back to Sam's. He ran in and saw Jake and Leah and Seth were there. He ignored their questions and went up to Sam. He pulled out Layla's clothes and blanket, immediately wrapping Sam in them.

"She also sent her pillow. But she wrote on it, just under the pillowcase." Paul said.

Sam sat up and pulled the pillowcase off, reading what his Imprint wrote. He read it aloud.

"My Sammy, I miss you. I can't wait to see you again. Everything hurts without you. Love forever, Layla." Sam said, his voice hoarse.

Sam held the pillow tight and buried his face into the material. He could smell his Imprint on the fibers. It was still wet from her tears. Sam reached out for Paul and pulled his head down to his, pressing his forehead against Paul's.

"Thank you, brother." Sam whispered

"She emptied her clothes basket in there. So, yeah. Probably some things you should uh… hide. Or whatever." Paul said. "I gotta go. I have to take a shift in a couple of hours and I need to sleep"

Paul left Sam in the care of Jake, Leah, and Seth. He hoped that doing what he did would help both Sam and Layla. Sure, he was still in love with Layla. But seeing her today, in that condition? Suffering, pure raw suffering because Sam was made to leave really struck him hard. Whatever she had felt for him was nothing compared to what she felt for Sam. He walked into his bedroom and laid down face first on his bed, letting his exhaustion take over.

Sam looked at all the clothes that were on his bed. Shirts, pants...Sam quickly grabbed a bra and pair of panties he spotted and quickly shoved them under his pillow. No one, but no one, was going to lay their eyes on her private things. He decided he would return them when he got to see her again. Sam didn't want her to think he was some kind of pervert and send him away.

"It's definitely a step forward, I'd say." Leah said, watching Sam.

"How?" Seth asked.

"It shows us and Sam that Layla is feeling as shitty about the separation as Sam is. It's good that she's responding so positively toward the Imprint aspect, even if it is misery and crying. The Imprint bond got so strong those few days he was with her. And that note on the pillow? She could have written it on paper, but she didn't. She chose the pillow for a reason. She didn't pick and sort through her laundry, according to Paul. She dumped everything in it. She knew what was in the basket and she let it go willingly." Leah explained.

"Good points. I didn't think about it like that. Man, it's good to see some life back in Sam." Seth said. "I sure hope mom can talk some sense into Charlie."

"You and me both. I feel it, so deep in my chest. His agony from being away from Layla. I can't stop from thinking about if I ever lost Leah. Or if Sue or my dad kept us apart. I'd be fighting tooth and nail to get to her. It makes me sick to even think about." Jake said.

"Don't worry, Sam. Stay strong for Layla. She don't need you so weak you can't pick her up and hold her and carry her, yeah? How about we just go to Mom's and veg out in front of the television?" Leah asked.

"I just…" Sam started, but frowned.

"He doesn't want to leave this. Layla's clothes and pillow and blanket." Jake said, rubbing his chest.

Sam nodded, holding onto Layla's pillow. He couldn't leave her things all alone. It would be wrong. He laid back down and wrapped her blanket around himself, surrounding himself with Layla's scent. It was almost like she was there.

Almost.

...

these characters are taking thugs into their own hands. This wasn't how i planned on it going lol. Y'all are going to absolutely scream over the next chapter like i can feel it ok? Anyway, there's gonna be a time skip soon. Can't keep dragging my ass here lol. Thank y'all for my comments i love them so! Ugh can i just be tee type of person to meet chaske Spencer just randomly? Like a meet cute? That's what i need. A meet cute with him. So much. Leave me loves! Also leave me extra love bc this took 4 tried to get it to upload without all the fucking coding all in it damn lol