Edited 7/4/22.

A/N: This chapter contains mild swearing and implied homophobia (during script rehearsal).

***

​​​​A small pout is on Marshall's face. His gaze is down on the script and music booklet for Unity. He's sitting on the floor with his legs crossed, and a hand is keeping his head propped up. Socked feet are tapping to the instrumental song that he and Paul are working on.

Said male is also looking down at his music booklet to polish his skills in terms of reading note lengths. Although the last couple of weeks of rehearsals have been going well, he'll admit that reading sheet music is still a bit of a challenge. Marshall's been a good teacher to Paul; it's just something he needs to work on, so he can actually get better at it.

In the background, Emily is silently putting together some snacks for the rest of the pack for when everyone gets back. She has a small smile on her face.

The woman is rather excited to see the couple rehearse together. She loves watching behind-the-scenes clips when it comes to her favorite shows and movies. Seeing how actors gear up toward a final product has always been interesting to Mrs. Uley. Watching it happen in real time—with two of her family members as the shining stars—is absolutely magical.

Paul hums in concentration. "So what's happening here is I'm holding that note even though the orchestra's going to stop?"

"Yeah- you'll sing your part, get into this note, and then the band is going to back off. You're going to hold it for a few beats, and then they'll come back in to back you up. Then you're all going to stop. And then I'm going to come in, you'll back me up, and we hold the last note together with the orchestra playing with us. Make sense, Tiger?"

"Mhmm. Just hope I don't fuck it up."

"Well, if you want we could try right now." Marshall offers a smile. "It'll give us a chance to polish up the scene going into it too. What do you think?"

"Sounds good to me, Marshmallow."

The vampire nods as his grin widens. He flips through some pages of his script, getting to the desired scene.

It's a point where their characters are sitting on a rooftop looking down at the crowded city streets at night. It's also more of a serious atmosphere as the couple just had to deal with Paul's character being kicked out of the house after getting into an argument with his parents. He's upset and unsure of what to do. Their words will end up shifting into a slow song that picks up in terms of musicality and instrumentation toward the latter section.

Marshall wants to start the scene rather than just starting the song because it'd be beneficial for Paul to get used to the transition. Before continuing with anything though, they make sure to rewind the soundtrack so it's ready when needed.

"I have to say- I didn't expect my folks to be so bothered." Paul's tone is somber and guarded. "You'd think after me being out for so many years- you'd think they'd accept me. Guess not."

"I'm sorry, Mat." Marshall lays a hand on his partner's shoulder. He looks away from the script as he's remembered most of these lines already. "I know it's not easy- not after everything was just okay- and now- it's all jumbled."

Paul sighs. "You're right- everything is jumbled. And not just for us. I've seen how terrible you and Letitia are treated just because you hang out. I'm tired of that. I'm tired of seeing her and Bianca getting treated like shit just because they're women. I'm tired of all these big ass corporations moving in and just fucking everything up. Life is just going to shit. Everyone is spiraling and spiraling and spiraling- until what happens?"

"...We drown. The people toward the bottom are left to drown."

"And it pisses me off- because it shouldn't be like this." Paul also looks away from his script as he gets more passionate with his lines. "We shouldn't have to hide our relationship just because we're both men. You shouldn't have to be bullied just for hanging out with Letitia- or me."

Marshall nods in agreement. He looks off into the distance as if he were looking out at the skyline. "People shouldn't have to feel like they don't matter. They shouldn't have to feel like their voices aren't heard. They shouldn't have to feel like they can't be themselves. But at the same time, there's only so much we can do. The government isn't going to just listen to a bunch of kids."

"That doesn't mean we shouldn't still fight for what's right."

"I know it doesn't- just means we need to have a better platform."

Paul feigns having been caught off guard. He looks off to the side and chuckles. "I'm still not used to you speaking so freely about this- especially with how you were when we first started dating."

"The same could be said about you Mr. Secret-Choir-Guy."

"...Things are different when I'm with you. I'm different when I'm with you."

"How so?"

Marshall clicks the play button for the soundtrack. Soft instrumentals come in to set the mood. Paul looks down at his music booklet to make sure his timing is correct. With a breath, he begins to sing.

"In the past

I had to struggle on my own because

No one asked

If I was trapped inside myself- it left me

Stuck in last

It's hard to pick up all your pieces

When no one is there for you

-

Then, there you were

You saw all of my flaws and still stayed

Undeterred

You brought out all the life in me and

I wonder

What I would do without you now

Cause there's so much here to lose

-

We're stuck to lead a life so poor

I can't say if I can handle more

We've been thrown into a never ending crowd

But still, when I need support

All I have to look for

Is the man who is sitting beside me now

-

You're the one I need

Throughout this whole town."

A high pitched squeal brings Marshall out of his love-struck stupor. He pauses the music. A large smile is still on his face when he turns around to look at Emily.

"Oh, guys- that was so good!" she cheers.

"It was?" Paul asks.

"Honey- Tiger- holy fuck- yes." Marshall shakes his head in disbelief. "I know my part was coming up, but hot shit- I would've missed it. You've got me over here feeling butterflies."

The comment makes Paul perk up. He does a little happy dance in his seat.

He had a few wavers and breaks in his voice during his song, but it's expected when learning how to go beyond someone's range and limitations. Compared to a few weeks ago, he's doing a lot better.

Marshall aims to continue rehearsing over their lines and music. He catches the collective scent of the approaching pack members though, and ultimately decides against it.

Paul isn't the biggest fan of going over music in front of the guys.

While the two begin cleaning up their booklets and papers, the vampire realizes just how overwhelmingly silent the wolves are. Usually after patrol or a perimeter run, everyone's bustling with excitement. There's usually talking and playful yelling. They're usually laughing.

Right now, there's nothing.

Golden eyes look over most of the Uley pack members as they come into the house. Everyone seems bothered. Tense. Their statures are rigid, and their postures scream discomfort. A few of them even look angry.

It's also noted that a couple of people who were present before aren't now.

"You guys okay?" Marshall asks. "Did something happen?"

At first, no one wants to say anything. The previously carefree, playful atmosphere immediately melts into a tense one.

Sam is seen shuffling on his feet with his arms crossed over his chest. His fists are clenched. So is his jaw. His brown eyes are cast down to the floor.

It makes everything feel much worse as the alpha's usually more of a levelheaded individual.

"Jacob, Seth, and Leah have left the pack."

Marshall feels uncomfortable knots forming in his stomach. He can also feel an increasing temperature beside him. The vampire looks over, taking in his husband's appearance.

Paul's eyes are wide, and he's frozen. He's shocked. From the way his body starts shaking, Marshall can piece together that his mate is also angry. Underneath all of that though, he's clearly hurt by the news.

"What- what happened?" Emily asks.

"Long story short, Bella is pregnant," Sam answers. "She's carrying some human-vampire hybrid thing. Something that could very well pose a threat to everyone- not just our people. She's decided to keep it despite the thing already slowly killing her."

"We decided with those who were present that we'd pursue the matter," Jared adds. "When we said we were going to kill Bella, Jake freaked out. Even though he was the one who let us all know what was happening, he's decided to turn his back on us in order to protect her. Seth left to protect him. And Leah left to protect Seth."

"As of today, they're no longer members of the Uley pack. They're members of the Black pack now."

Marshall can't help the small exhale that escapes him. He's not sure how to feel.

He knows that Jacob still harbors intense feelings for Bella—but the vampire didn't think it ran that deep. He's confused because, if this human-vampire hybrid actually is killing Bella, Marshall doesn't understand why Jake would want to protect that. He's basically protecting the child that will lead to its mother's death. Something that could lead to the deaths of a lot of people considering no one knows anything about it.

Marshall knows stories about immortal children. With that being his only point of reference to go off of, that means things are going to get very dangerous. It could even lead to the Volturi getting involved if word gets out.

"So, what's going to happen?" he asks.

"As still active members of the Uley pack, we're going to do what we can to eliminate the threat. If that means we have to kill Bella, so be it. If that means we have to kill the Cullens, so be it. If that means we have to kill Jake- I'm sorry to say, but so be it. They've made this bed. Now, they have to lie in it."

No one says anything in response to that because it's true. The Cullens have decided to protect this child without even knowing if it can be controlled after it's born.

Now, Marshall isn't one to get in the way of birth rights. He may not like Bella, but he'll agree that whether or not she keeps the baby is her choice. At the same time though, if the child is as much of a threat to already be killing her before it's born—who's to say what it'll do once it is.

Unfortunately, this is one of those circumstances where it's hard to say who's right. Because even with the child being half vampire, it's still half human. It could be a bloodthirsty murderer. But it could also just be innocent and somewhat harmless. There's not enough information to go about things correctly in either direction.

"Will you be joining us for this battle, Marshall?" Sam asks.

"...No."

Just as it's been with Bella this entire time, he doesn't want to get involved. He has things going on in his own life right now.

People are going to get hurt on both sides because of this. He'd rather not be a part of that.

"I understand." Sam nods. "Paul, what about you?"

He tilts his head in confusion. "What about me? You said as active members, we're taking a stance."

"Yes, active members. Things are different for you now. Because of your job, and Marsh, you have different priorities. We can't say whether or not things will get ugly. Speaking realistically, if you come with us- we can't say for certain that we'll all come back. The Cullens could be ready to keep Bella safe at any cost. We know this, and we're willing to do what it takes. But because of the Forever Bond holding you and Marshall together- I know things are different now."

Paul looks toward the floor. He purses his lips. He doesn't need to say anything for the others to know that he's conflicted.

As a shifter, it's his job to protect the innocent people who need him. It's his job to get rid of the threats that could cause harm to them. At the same time though, the Forever Bond actually has changed things.

Had he not gone through that ordeal, he would probably— maybe—say yes. But now...

"I'm going to have to say no," Paul answers. "You're right- the Forever Bond is changing things. I love you guys, and I love being a part of this pack- but I meant it when I said that Marshall is everything to me. I've been seeing things in a different light. I'm happy with how things are going for us. I'm happy with the direction that my life is going in right now. I know this might be shocking to hear, but the pack isn't my whole life anymore. Marsh is. He's already lost one person he cares about. I can't put him through that pain a second time. So, I'm sorry- but my answer is no."

Marshall looks over the expressions on the pack members' faces.

A few of them seem a bit surprised. But no one seems angry.

Sam offers another nod. "We understand that completely. And that's okay- you both are still prideful members of this pack. But we know that things have shifted for you. Because of your bond, even with a promise of being reunited in the next life, it would be even more detrimental for either one of you to lose the other. We know that if something were to happen, neither of you would wholeheartedly have the strength to keep fighting to live. We don't want to risk that. So just as you've asked, we'll leave you both out of this."

Gold and brown meet for a moment. A strong arm wraps around Marshall's shoulders to give him comfort.

He knows that things are about to get a lot more stressful. At least he's promised to have Paul with him throughout this whole ordeal.

The vampire finds himself glancing at Emily. She has a look of understanding on her face as well.

He can't imagine how she must be feeling—Emily having her husband going into a fierce battle like this. At the same time though, he knows that she also gets that the bond she shares with Sam isn't as connective as the one Marshall has with Paul.

She'd be very upset if she lost Sam, but Emily would at least have the option to move on if necessary. She knows that the Lahotes wouldn't have it in themselves to keep living without each other.

It's because of this that she isn't angry. It's because of this that her heart actually aches for them. Because now, no matter what happens in life, that fear of losing the other person is always going to be there for them. And that's worse—that's more emotionally and mentally taxing than anything. She believes that it's in their right to at least have this say in order to protect themselves. To protect their relationship.

Marshall gives a grateful nod toward Sam. No one says anything. Everyone just takes in everything that's been said so far.

The silence is only halted when the vampire's phone begins to vibrate. The sensation makes him frown. He reaches into his pocket to grab the device. The sight of the contact immediately makes his frown deepen.

Rosalie is calling.