A/N: Idk how I feel about this chapter, I kept second-guessing myself doing edits but decided to just post it. Enjoy, this is part 1 so hopefully I can get part 2 up soon.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight nor Inuyasha. Both belong to their respective owners and not me. But please, please no flames and if you have nothing better to say, say nothing at all.

Chapter VI – The Bonfire, Part I

Friday had finally rolled around, bringing with it a restless energy that thrummed through Kagome's veins. Whether it was the anticipation of the bonfire or something deeper, she couldn't say, but she felt oddly excited at the prospect of going down to La Push. The past week had been nothing short of peculiar. Every encounter with Sam, Embry, Quil and most recently, Seth, had left her with an unsettling awareness that she couldn't shake off. Their reactions to her, the strange pull she felt toward them, the way their auras seemed almost…alive in a way that set them apart from everyone else.

Kagome had spent too much time second-guessing, but now she had come to the slow realization that whatever they were, it boiled down to one undeniable fact. They were sensitive to her presence because she was a priestess. That has to be it.

She recalled on more than one occasion that demons had often been drawn to her aura, whether as a byproduct of carrying the jewel or the prospect of power that flowed through her veins. Demons always came after her and sometimes it was unintentional.

The more she dwelled on their odd behavior, the more it began to make sense. Kagome had no illusions about herself—she wasn't particularly unattractive, perhaps average at best—but that alone couldn't explain their fixation. It was the only logical conclusion she could come up with.

The alternatives—like the idea that they were genuinely interested in pursuing something romantic—didn't seem reasonable.

And that thought alone sent a shaft of unease through her. They were certainly handsome, but after…Inuyasha, Kagome just…well, she was content in staying single.

If the boys from the reservation shared some kind of secret–this, she was at least absolutely certain of, then it was possible their instincts were flaring in response to what she was.

And tonight, she'd be surrounded by them. It sent a strange thrill through her.

Letting out a slow breath, Kagome shoved those thoughts to the side as she folded the laundry in the living room. It was well past noon, Charlie was still at work and Bella had gone out with Edward to his house. She spent most of the day cleaning up around the house while she waited for Bella to come back so they could drive down to La Push where Angela and Jessica would meet them.

She glanced at the clock as the sound of an engine rumbled outside.

Kagome went over to the kitchen that overlooked the driveway and peered through the curtains where Edward's Volvo idled. Even from a distance, something about the scene felt…off. Bella sat stiffly in the passenger seat, her grip tight on the seatbelt as she visibly frowned.

She watched as Edward leaned in to murmur something to her sister, his face carefully composed. Bella gave a quick nod but didn't respond. Then, without another word, she slipped out of the car and headed up the steps into the house.

Edward hesitated for a moment, his dark gaze lingering on Bella before he finally backed out of the driveway, tires screeching as he sped off. The acrid scent of burnt rubber mixed with dust rising in his wake. Kagome frowned as a bitter chill settled over her senses–his aura, sharp and cutting, pulsed like a beacon of barely contained fury. Even as he disappeared down the road, his energy remained, clinging to Bella like a frost that refused to melt as she trudged inside, visibly drained.

Kagome lingered by the threshold in the kitchen, the tension in Bella's shoulders was unmistakable, the kind of weight that came from carrying thoughts she wasn't ready to voice.

"Hey, everything okay?" Kagome asked, leaning against the frame.

Bella exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. "I'm fine," she muttered, though the clipped edge in her voice said otherwise. "I just…can't wait to get away for once."

With that, she turned and headed upstairs without another word, her footsteps heavy against the wooden steps.

Kagome watched her go with a frown, the sharp slam of Bella's door echoing through the quiet house. Her gaze drifted toward the window, where faint imprints of Edward's aura still clung to the space he had occupied.

It was angry—biting and cold in its intensity.

The air carried the lingering chill he always seemed to leave behind, but this time, it was different. It was laced with something darker—a whisper of frustration, a smoldering edge of rage that had yet to fully fade.

Something was definitely off between them, trouble in paradise, maybe?

Kagome only shook her head and shrugged off the uneasy feeling, moving to the living room again to grab the laundry basket with all of their folded clothing. If Bella didn't want to talk about it, there was no use pressing–at least, not yet.

After some time had passed, Kagome sat on the couch, fiddling with the charms on her yellow backpack as she waited for Bella so they could drive down to La Push. She dressed casually for the night–fitted jeans, sandals and a baby blue sweater that matched the soft shimmer of her painted nails. It didn't draw attention and seemed perfectly normal. Her dark hair was pulled into a simple ponytail, a practical choice for the long night ahead.

She packed whatever she would need for the sleepover that night after the bonfire and made sure Charlie had some dinner for the weekend they would be away. Alone with her thoughts, Kagome's mind wandered to the Quileute boys and she didn't want to admit that part of her was almost…excited. Despite that, she did want to get out and looked forward to a weekend away.

The faint creak of the stairs signaled Bella's descent and Kagome stood as she came down dressed casually in jeans, a hoodie and her well-worn sneakers. She looked better–less tense, at least–but there was still a distant shadow in her eyes.

"Took you long enough," Kagome teased lightly, reaching for her bag. "I was about to leave without you."

Bella scoffed, rolling her eyes as she pulled another jacket over her hoodie. "Yeah, right. Like you'd even know how to get there."

Kagome grinned, slinging her backpack over one shoulder. "True. Guess I'm stuck with you then."

Bella let out a breath that could've been a laugh but didn't quite sound like it. She pulled out her keys and shook her head. "Let's just go."

They stepped out into the cool evening air, the quiet hum of the night stretching before them as the afternoon bled away. It was chilly, made obvious by the way her breath misted in the cold air as they loaded into Bella's truck.

The ride down to La Push was quiet, save for the low hum of Bella's truck rolling along the damp roads. The air was thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth and the occasional rustle of wind through the towering pines sent a faint chill down Kagome's spine. Her gaze drifted to the passing trees where shadows danced under the eve of night and try as she might, she couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling creeping along her skin.

It wasn't just the anticipation of the bonfire that had her on edge. No–something else was out there tonight.

Watching, slipping through the trees unseen like a whisper along the wind.

Kagome didn't need to ponder long on the presence she felt following them along the road. It was Edward. His presence clung to the edges of her senses like an echo in the dark–cold, distant, unnatural. He was following them, keeping pace just far enough to remain unseen, but she could feel him. His energy was like a breath of frost, lingering in the air behind them, refusing to let go.

And just as suddenly as she felt him–he was gone.

Her lips formed a thin line and she curled her fingers into the fabric of her sweater as they crossed into La Push territory. Edward had stopped at the border. In his absence, something else stirred.

A new signature flared in her awareness, one she recognized instantly–Sam. His presence was steady, commanding, a force she had grown accustomed to. But next to him, there was another. Someone she had never felt before that was similar to Sam, but wilder–more fierce. Almost angry in its intensity.

The sensation clawed at her instincts, filling her chest with an unshakable apprehension that she found almost overwhelming. Kagome's head began to hurt and she suddenly felt nauseous in the truck. The closer they got to First Beach, the more the feeling began twisting inside her, a silent warning echoing through her veins. There was an edge in the air, something just beneath the surface, a quiet storm waiting to break.

Kagome didn't know why, but she could feel trouble on the horizon.

The thick scent of wet pine and saltwater clung to the air as Paul prowled alongside Sam, the sound of their paws pressing into damp earth barely audible over the steady rush of waves in the distance.

The pack mind link had been a hive of discontent lately after Seth imprinted and the elders–the supposed "leaders" of the tribe, didn't have a clue about why they seemed to be imprinting like dominos. Just that if the fates that be had decided she was their one, that they should learn to accept it as an imprint was absolute and would only seek to strengthen the ties of their tribe.

It was a load of bullshit and Paul swore he wouldn't imprint. That didn't stop the others from going goo-goo gaga over their bond, trying to figure out how they would make sharing her work–like that was even an option!

Sam just sighed in the mind link and Paul didn't care if he was tired of hearing his complaints. Not like he could hide his thoughts anyway so he'd bitch and complain about this imprinting business hitting them like dominos until the end of time.

Paul was already itching for the night to be over until he smelled it–that sickly-sweet, icy scent that made his hackles rise.

Bloodsucker, he growled through the pack link, his large frame stiffening as his muzzle lifted to scent the air. The stench was faint but unmistakable–one of the Cullens had been lurking near the border.

I know, Sam replied, his deep voice calm but alert.

Paul sniffed again and every nerve ending rippled along his fur as the scent sent his blood into overdrive. He felt the need to chase it down, tear the blood-sucker to pieces and rip its head off. But as quickly as it came, the leech fled. It wasn't here anymore, the mind-reading blood sucker.

Fucking weirdo, Paul sneered, maul pulled back in distaste. Always lurking like a fucking creep. What's he doing here anyway?

Probably for Bella, I can sense her nearby, Sam replied evenly, his tone unreadable.

And sure enough, Paul picked up Bella's spicy, cold scent—the one that reeked too much of her leech of a lover. It made him want to go home and scrub the stench off his skin.

But then, another scent hit him, completely overriding Bella's icy stink.

It was mouth-watering—a mix of vanilla and peonies with something else, something he couldn't quite place. Whatever it was, it smelled damn good.

A low growl rumbled in Sam's throat, and realization dawned on Paul.

It was her. Kagome.

He bristled, his irritation flaring hot. It was always Kagome lately.

The pack mind link was full of her—Sam, Embry, Quil, even Seth—all of them on edge, circling around this one girl like a pack of lost puppies.

And Paul? He wasn't a fan.

Sam's mind, normally closed off due to his position as Alpha, bled into the link, and Paul felt it—the longing, the want, the primal urge to—

You've gotta be kidding me, Paul snapped, his frustration searing through the link like a lightning strike. Of course, she's coming down. Y'know, it's bad enough when Jake went off the rails over that leech-lover, but now everyone's losing their damn minds over her sister? Why don't all of you just go to her, tell her everything, fuck like bunnies, and make a bunch of babies so you can all live happily ever after and stop making me daydream about her every waking moment of my life?!

Sam didn't immediately respond but he could feel his anger pressing down on him, the weight of the Alpha's presence like a looming storm. Paul whined in the back of his throat, fighting the command on the tip of Sam's tongue.

You better shut the fuck, Paul. One more word from you about our imprint and you'll get double shifts, he warned and Paul knew he'd make good on that promise so quite wisely, he shut up.

A terse silence descended, Sam followed the truck until it arrived at First Beach where some of Sam's longing leaked through the mind link again, making Paul sigh.

I hope I never imprint, he thought idly, paws pounding the earth as he ambled along the cluster of trees. Paul couldn't wait till his shift ended so Jared could take over and be subjected to the non-stop Kagome fest.

If you do imprint, I'm gonna laugh right in your face, Quil piped up as he phased in, his presence immediately filling the link. Jared followed shortly after, his mind quieter, lingering in the background.

Paul noticed that Jared had been unusually silent as of late. Some of his worries trickled into the hive mind–not just about imprinting, but also the deep, unspoken longing for it. The desire to have someone, to share his lonely existence with an imprint meant just for him. He didn't seem to mind the idea when faced with the prospect they might all imprint as a pack.

No one commented on it. If it wasn't voiced outright, it wasn't their place to pry. But the realization left Paul feeling strangely somber. He hadn't known Jared was so…lonely.

Paul huffed, groaning, as his mind was once again flooded with her. Kagome.

Her beauty, the sound of her voice, the soft curve of her lips when she–

Stop. For Christ's sake, he snapped. It's bad enough I'm already seeing her everywhere I go.

A low growl rumbled through the link, snapping Paul from his spiraling thoughts and if he could, he'd roll his eyes at the protective behavior they were already exhibiting. Quil's presence burned brighter, more focused, an edge of impatience clear in the way he moved. He realized Quil was already making his way toward First Beach, where a mix of palefaces and tribal kids were throwing a bonfire party.

I can't help it, Quil muttered, irritation threading through his voice. She's fucking amazing, and I'm dying to see her. I heard from someone who heard from another someone that she's coming down tonight, and I want to see her. So you can fuck right off.

Oh yeah? Maybe I'll stop by just to see all of you make fools of yourselves, Paul goaded.

A low rumble from Sam stopped him from taunting Quil further. Paul immediately felt the weight of his presence again, a silent command to back off.

Dude, Jared warned, exhaustion lacing his tone. Just leave them alone for once. It is what it is. When you imprint, you'll feel it too.

Paul snarled in response, but Sam only sighed.

Paul, please. Just leave.

Sam was already heading in the opposite direction, while Jared silently made his way toward the Canadian border.

And yet, even Paul could feel it—the longing to head to First Beach.

He said nothing as he followed behind Quil, who scoffed thinking he couldn't wait for Paul's hot-headed ass to imprint so he'd finally stop complaining like a whiny sissy. Paul might've had a scathing remark, but–for once–he kept quiet.

Quil scoffed again as he ambled ahead, his chocolate-furred wolf moving effortlessly through the brush. They neared First Beach, and Paul phased behind a cluster of bushes, shifting back into human form within the thick of the treeline.

A pile of shorts lay scattered across the forest floor, placed there so they wouldn't have to constantly tie them to their legs while on patrol.

"Look who couldn't stay away," Quil teased, shoving Paul's shoulder.

Paul just shoved him back, rolling his eyes as he laughed and made his way down the beach. The burning lights from the bonfire flickered in the distance, guiding his heavy footfalls through the sand.

At the very least, he figured he'd get one glimpse of the chick that had his brothers falling over themselves.

And then, maybe, he'd find someone else to take his mind off this whole mess.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm just here to find someone for tonight and watch all of you trip over yourselves," he laughed.

Quil just rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. You sound jealous."

Paul barked out a laugh, he was delusional. "Jealous? Nah, just amused. You and the others are like lovesick idiots over the same girl. Now that's hilarious."

Quil rolled his eyes, shoving at him again as Paul's grin got wider. "Just wait, I bet anything you'll imprint."

Paul only barked out a laugh–absolutely not.

The others were gathered around one of the bonfires farther down the beach, away from the throng of bodies dancing to the steady pulse of music blaring along the oceanside.

The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and sex, a heady mix that sent his blood pumping. A strange, electric charge prickled along his skin, setting his nerves alight.

Quil let out a wolf call as they neared, catching Seth and Embry's attention. They whipped their heads around, caught mid-session as the thick, skunky aroma of weed filled the air.

Embry passed the joint to Quil as they arrived, while Paul strode over to the nearby cooler, grabbing a beer. He cracked it open and took a swig, letting the bitterness coat his throat. Alcohol did nothing for them–not with their wolf metabolism burning through it instantly–but he still liked the way it felt running through his veins. Anything to dull the edges, to chase the shadows that lurked at the back of his mind.

Laughter and music from the nearby fires carried across the beach, mixing with the crash of the waves. Paul wasn't paying much attention to any of it, eyeing whoever he could find on the beach that he hadn't dicked down before. Among the many scents he smelled, came the delicious scent of her–Kagome.

It drifted toward them, distinct even beneath the salt and smoke. It was warm, familiar, laced with something fresh and sweet. Paul had no idea how to better describe it–like something flowery but not perfume, just her.

His heart kicked hard against his chest, and he clenched his jaw, turning his attention to the fire, the beer, anything but her. He didn't get why his pulse was hammering in his ears, it wasn't like he even liked the girl. And yet, his body reacted on instinct, muscles tensing, hands tightening around the beer can as if that would stop the ridiculous reaction.

The others were already searching the sea of bodies for her. It was subtle at first–Seth lifting his head, nostrils Embry, who tensed beside him like he was dying to go over to her. And Quil's impossibly wide grin that he suddenly couldn't stand at that moment.

"God, she smells fucking amazing even from here," Quil audibly whispered and Seth blew out a wispy agreement in reply. "I'm going over to her, you fuckers can stay here and watch me work my magic," he finished with a wiggle of his brows while Paul just shook his head.

Seth followed Quil like a puppy with his tail tucked between his legs while Embry stayed rooted to the spot, taking long drags from the joint until he passed it to Paul.

"What, not going over to join them?" he asked, but Embry only shook his head and didn't respond.

Paul shrugged, at least one of them wasn't acting like some lovesick fool but he thought that might be from some misguided sense of justice. Which was ridiculous, honestly.

The night stretched on, and Paul watched on as Quil and Seth began getting real cozy with Kagome. Something in his gut burned and he had the sudden urge to go over to them and wondered if it was some of the pack's longing leaving side effects in his system. But no–he could feel the pull creeping up on him, like a persistent tug drawing him toward her.

He clenched his jaw, gripping the now-empty beer can tighter in his fist before tossing it aside, burying it halfway into the sand at his feet. Reaching for another, he cracked it open with one hand, taking the blunt from Embry with the other.

Embry barely seemed to register the exchange, his gaze locked on Kagome.

Paul hated it—this feeling.

It wasn't just the sound of her voice or the way her scent kept suffocating his senses. It was something else, something wrong.

A need. A demand.

And it was pissing him off.

"Dude, did the joint calm you down or make you even angrier? Chill," Embry chided, standing up just as Quil and Seth's dumbasses dragged Kagome over to their bonfire.

Her giggly friends watched her go, while the leech-lover was getting absolutely hammered and high off her ass.

Paul cursed. He had never been the type to chase after a girl. He wasn't like Quil or Sam or any of the others losing their damn mind over one girl. And yet–every second she was near, he felt it. This weight, this invisible force, dragging him closer.

He ignored it, until she got close enough and laughed at something dumb Seth said, some cheesy pick up line. Something inside him shattered.

"Right, so now that we finally kidnapped you from your sister and her friends, let me introduce you to the two broody assholes over there—Embry, and the one with the scowl permanently etched on his face, that's Paul," Quil said, gesturing toward them.

The sound of her laugh sent his dick jumping like a pubescent loser and the scowl on his face remained as Embry tilted his chin in greeting, unable to keep the easy grin off his face.

The second their gazes met, the entire world dropped away.

The laughter, the fire, the scent of smoke–everything vanished like someone had drowned out all sound, all sensation, and left only her.

It was exactly like he'd seen in the pack mind. The world tilted on its axis, gravity rearranging and the ties keeping him rooted to the earth fell away. Nothing else mattered, not the pack, his fucked up dad or the burn of abandonment from his mom.

His body tensed, and the noise of the bonfire, the din of dancing bodies and seedy music drowned out all around him. He didn't know what the others were going on about as his gaze stayed solely on her–Kagome.

Paul could feel it, a complete and total shift in his very existence, like the trajectory of his life had changed direction and she was suddenly the only thing tethering him to this world.

He imprinted–the one thing he swore would never happen. They probably did it on purpose, bringing her to their bonfire.

Paul could barely breathe, the feeling in his chest overwhelming, suffocating. His body was already trying to instinctively move toward her, and it took every ounce of stubbornness he had to dig his heels into the sand and fight it.

But the pull was undeniable, irrevocable.

Kagome's expression faltered for a split second–like she'd felt something too–but it was gone before he could analyze it. "Uh hi," she greeted them softly.

Paul couldn't stay here, his chest was heaving steadily like he was about to phase on the spot and it sent the others into alert as they angled their bodies in front of Kagome. Her beautiful smile faltered and it sent a pang through him.

"Shit," he muttered under his breath, already backing away as his muscles contorted, ready to phase. He stormed off to the tree line with Embry hot on his heels.

His pulse hammered like a war drum in his ears and he could still feel her presence, the bond screaming for him to turn back but he refused.

No way, this isn't happening. This cannot be happening.

A muffled voice from behind him–probably Embry–called out, but Paul ignored it. He kept walking, practically running toward the darker part of the forest, where the firelight couldn't reach. As soon as he broke the first tree ine, he phased on the fly, shredding his clothes as his crazed thoughts joined the pack mind.

Suddenly, Sam and Jared were in his head. He couldn't hide the imprint even if he tried as their shock was evident, replaced instead by something similar to…acceptance and it burned him. How could they accept this so easily?

Paul Lahote–hothead, reckless, short-tempered–had just imprinted.

And it was the worst but most beautiful goddamn thing that had ever happened to him.