.𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐢𝐢.
𝑾𝒂𝒚 𝑶𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒌

La Push, WA.
March 2010

                           𝑻he door to Paul's truck slammed shut with a deafening bang as he angrily stormed away from it. His mind was racing, a whirlwind of frustration, but one thought kept repeating in his head—Meija. He couldn't shake the feeling that his sister was so close to telling him what had been bothering her, but had clammed up the second they'd gotten close. "All because of this bullshit." He muttered to himself, unaware that his voice carried beyond the confines of his own frustration.

He didn't realize his mistake until the door to Sam's house swung open, and Sam's figure appeared in the doorway, eyes narrowed and arms crossed over his chest.

"What's bullshit?" Sam demanded, his tone sharp and commanding, a typical Alpha move that made Paul swallow his frustration.

"Nothing, nothing at all. I'm sorry," Paul backpedaled quickly, the last thing he needed was to get on Sam's bad side. Sam was his Alpha, and Paul knew exactly where he stood in that hierarchy. He had learned that lesson the hard way once before. Sam's teeth hurt like hell.

Sam just gave him a curt nod, eyes assessing, then gestured inside. "Good. Come on in."

The house was warm and dimly lit, the crackling sound of the fire in the living room providing an oddly comforting background to the otherwise tense atmosphere. The smell of burgers wafted from the kitchen, a sure sign that Sam had cooked for them. It was one of those small but consistent acts of kindness that made him seem like the big brother they all desperately needed.

"Let's eat!" Sam called out, his voice cutting through the low murmur of the house.

The Ulley pack was already gathered, their usual spots around the table and couch filled with familiar faces. Sam, Paul, Jared, Embry, Jacob, and Sam's younger brother River, were already there, with the Farrow pack in tow. Johanna and Cassius from the Farrow pack had been frequent visitors to Sam's house, so much so that they might as well have been permanent fixtures in the family.

Everyone made their plates, some sitting at the table while others settled on the couch. Paul collapsed into one of the recliners, kicking his feet up, and unceremoniously dug into his burger. He didn't bother with the bun—just the meat, his senses enjoying the rich taste. Ever since phasing, food had taken on a different flavor entirely; meat was more appealing than anything else.

Jared plopped down beside him on the couch, his plate stacked high with five burgers and a mountain of macaroni and cheese. Paul raised an eyebrow and couldn't resist a jab. "You pregnant or just a fatass?"

"I'm bulkin'!" Jared replied with a mouthful of food, defending himself, though his words were barely intelligible.

Embry, from his spot on the couch next to Jared, rolled his eyes. "No, you're just a fatass."

Jared shot him a pointed look but swallowed the food down without missing a beat. "Yeah, well, at least my muscles are actually visible."

Paul scoffed, shaking his head. "Yo, what? My muscles are way bigger than yours."

"They are not!" Jared immediately retorted, standing his ground.

Paul, always the good-natured tease, got up and reached for Jared's plate. "I'll take that to the kitchen for you."

Jared handed the plate over, appreciating the gesture as the two exchanged a look of camaraderie. Their bond was as close as brothers, as tight as any pack could be.

Meanwhile, Sam was engaged in conversation with Emily when the phone rang, cutting through the noise of the house. Sam held up a hand, signaling for quiet, before getting up and answering it.

"Hello?" Sam's voice was steady, but his brow furrowed in immediate concern as he listened to the voice on the other end.

"Joy? Hey, slow down," Sam said, his tone calming, though the panic in Joy Ateara's voice was unmistakable. The pack's heightened hearing made it impossible not to catch the urgency in her words.

"Where is he now?" Sam asked, his posture stiffening.

"He broke down the damn door! He's out in the woods! Oh, Sam, what if he hurts someone?" Joy's voice cracked in fear, and the pack could hear her anxiety growing louder.

"That won't happen," Sam reassured her, though his voice was firm, confident. "I'll take care of him. Don't worry."

Sam hung up, but before he could even begin to address the situation, Paul dropped the plate he was holding. It shattered into a thousand pieces, the sound of glass breaking piercing the tension-filled air. His voice trembled with fear as he spoke.

"Quil Ateara just phased, didn't he?" Paul choked out, his heart racing. His fear was palpable. He hadn't realized how deep his worry ran until it spilled out of him in a wave. "I dropped my sister off at his house an hour ago."

"Meija?" River asked, his voice shaking with the same concern Paul felt, his long-time friendship with Meija making this situation even more personal.

Paul nodded, his face pale with the kind of fear that made it hard to breathe. He turned to Sam, desperation filling his eyes. "Sam, what do we do?"

Sam's jaw clenched. He stood tall, eyes scanning the room. His leadership was undeniable, and in that moment, his decision was clear.

"You're not going. Not until we calm Quil down." Sam's voice brooked no argument. He had seen the chaos a new phase could cause, and he wasn't about to let Paul be a liability—especially if Meija was in danger.

"I'm not going to be a problem," Paul growled low, his protective instincts kicking in. His family was everything, and right now, he needed to protect his sister. "I'm going."

"No," Sam shot back firmly. "You're not. I'm not having you kill Quil."

"If he hurt my sister, then yes, I will," Paul's voice was dangerously low, the desperation evident. "We're wasting time!"

Before anyone could stop him, Paul's wolf instincts took over. With a burst of raw power, he shifted mid-step, his wolf form taking over as he charged forward. Jacob and the others rushed after him.

"Paul!" Jared shouted, trying to get ahead of him, nipping at his side to grab his attention.

"Paul, stop it!" Sam's voice rang out behind him, powerful and commanding. He was already catching up to Paul with ease, the Alpha's speed a force to be reckoned with.

"Paul, if you hurt my cousin, I'll rip you apart!" Jacob snarled from Paul's flank, his own temper rising, though his emotional maturity often made the situation worse rather than better.

But Paul wasn't listening to anyone. His mind was locked on one thing and one thing only—Meija. He couldn't afford to think about anything else. He had to get to her.

It didn't take long for Paul to reach the woods, the scent of the trees mixing with his heightened sense of fear. His eyes locked onto a large brown wolf standing ahead, fear and confusion radiating from it.

"Where's my sister?" Paul's voice was a growl as he approached, his eyes scanning the wolf's fur for any sign of blood.

The wolf before him—Quil—was trembling, his fear evident in every part of his body. The young wolf had no idea what was going on. He was scared, disoriented, and only his animal instincts kept him grounded.

As Sam stepped forward, Quil backed up, his ears flattened in a defensive stance. He let out a low, warning growl.

Jacob quickly phased back into human form, hoping his familiar face would calm Quil down. He stepped forward slowly, one hand covering his privates while the other reached out, his voice gentle but firm.

"What the hell is he doing? He can't defend himself like that." Embry called out, his thoughts clouded with concern.

"Hey, Quil—Quil, it's me," Jacob said, stepping closer, his voice soothing. "It's Jake. It's okay, man."

Quil bared his teeth, the growl escalating in response, but Jacob didn't back down. Sam stepped forward, his presence commanding, his gaze locking with Quil's. Slowly, Quil's growls died down, and his tense body relaxed just a little.

"Hey, buddy," Jacob said, his voice soft, trying to bring Quil back to himself. He gestured to the others in wolf form. "That's Embry. And that's Sam."

Sam took a large step forward, his large black figure towering over Quil's much smaller frame, his voice low but reassuring. "You're not alone, Quil. We'll get you through this."

Quil's human side seemed to resurface as his eyes flicked from Sam to Jacob, confusion still swimming in them. "What's happening to me?" he cried out, his voice cracking as his teeth ground together in fear.

Paul's gut clenched, his mind screaming with fear for his sister. "You're a werewolf, kid," Paul said sharply, his anger and worry boiling over. "Now, where's my damn sister?"

Before Quil could respond, Paul's animal instincts kicked in once more, and with a powerful lunge, he pinned Quil to the ground. He was out of control, his desperation getting the better of him.

"Great," Jacob muttered, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "Damn it, Paul. You can't keep your cool for five minutes?"

Sam let out a warning snarl, he would deal with Paul later, but right now, Quil's safety and Meija's were the priority.

Quil yelped in surprise as Paul crashed into him, the weight of the impact sending him into the dirt. Paul's growl rang out in the night air, demanding answers.

"Meija! Where is Meija?" Paul's voice trembled with the weight of his fear.

Quil, managed to squirm out from beneath Paul's wolf form, his body coated in dirt. "Home," he panted, trying to shake off the effects of the fight he wasn't prepared for.

"So, she's safe?" Paul asked, his voice still thick with worry.

Quil nodded, his ears flattening as he stumbled to his feet.

"How do I... get back to me?" Quil asked, his voice unsure.

Paul stepped aside, letting Sam and Jacob take over. They helped Quil through the process of shifting back, their calm explanations eventually helping him regain control.

As Quil stood there, now human, he was mortified. "I'm naked," he muttered, his face red with embarrassment as he cupped himself.

Jacob, still naked himself, had returned with two pairs of pants. He tossed one to Quil. "Yeah, you get used to it eventually. We stash extra pairs of pants in the trees, just in case," he said, a lighthearted tone trying to break the tension.

Quil quickly pulled the pants on, looking around at the pack, his discomfort palpable.

"I need a blunt," Quil stated, his voice low and frustrated.

Sam, still in wolf form, let out a growl that sounded firmly like a 'no.'

Jacob chuckled at the exchange, his tone teasing, "Oh, come on, Sam. Let him have a little fun."

Sam's eyes narrowed, his posture stiffening as he turned his focus to Paul. The air around them seemed to crackle with tension, the silence thick. Paul stood rigid, his wolf form tense as he avoided eye contact, ears flat against his head.

Sam stepped forward, his teeth bared in warning. "The rest of you go back. Get Quil accustomed to his new situation. Set up the guest bedroom. He'll be staying with me for a few days," Sam commanded, his voice low but firm.

Embry and Jared nodded and shifted their gaze from Sam to Paul, sensing the brewing storm. They all knew Sam wasn't in the mood for humor. The understood and, without protest, began to retreat, though their eyes lingered on the scene.

Paul's body trembled with the pressure of Sam's dominance. Slowly, he lowered his head, his eyes flicking down to the ground in submission, his wolfish instincts taking over. The act of lowering his head was instinctual, a sign of acknowledging Sam's position as Alpha. But it didn't stop the frustration gnawing at him.

Sam's eyes didn't soften. "With me, Paul," he said sharply, his gaze fixed on his packmate. The intensity in his voice made it clear that the conversation wasn't up for negotiation. Paul's head dropped even further, the weight of the Alpha's command pressing down on him.

Reluctantly, Paul followed, his large wolf form slinking in defeat. He wasn't foolish enough to challenge Sam—especially not now, when his anger was so raw and uncontained. Sam was not only the Alpha but his closest guide and protector. No matter how pissed Paul got, no matter how badly he wanted to tear after his sister, Sam would always be the one who held the reins.

Sam's form was strong and unwavering as he continued forward, Paul trailing behind, a stark contrast in their postures. As the woods seemed to close in around them, Paul let the silence between them settle.

The tension hung thick in the air as they walked, the sound of their paws on the forest floor the only thing breaking the silence. Sam's thoughts broke through it, cold and steady, but there was an edge to it that made Paul wince.

"What were you thinking?" Sam's words came out low, controlled, but there was no mistaking the underlying anger.

Paul's wolf form stiffened, ears flicking back. He didn't meet Sam's eyes; instead, he kept his gaze on the ground, unsure of what to say. He knew his reaction had been out of line, but he couldn't push down the need to protect his sister, even if it meant taking matters into his own paws.

"I wasn't," he mustered, frustration creeping into his voice. His teeth were still on edge, the adrenaline from his earlier actions still buzzing in his veins. He hated this—hated feeling out of control, but that was exactly what had happened.

Sam let out a soft growl, something barely audible, but it was enough to let Paul know he was displeased. "You never do," Sam replied, his thought sharp but tinged with an almost exasperated sadness.

"I know, Sam," Paul answered, his voice softer now, regret flooding through him. "I'm sorry." The apology was sincere, but it didn't take away the frustration that still simmered beneath the surface.

Sam's eyes narrowed as he stopped walking, turning to face Paul. There was no mistaking the disappointment that lingered in his gaze, but his tone shifted, the reprimand softening into something more understanding. "You could've killed him," Sam said quietly, the weight of the words settling between them. "He couldn't help that he phased. You know that."

Paul's heart clenched, his chest tight with the realization of what could have happened. He had almost hurt Quil—his pack brother, his family. The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he shifted uneasily in place.

"I just had to make sure my sister was okay," Paul admitted, his voice strained. The fear that had driven him to act rashly was still there, swirling in his gut. The image of Meija, of her being in danger, had consumed him, and he couldn't shake it. It felt like everything he had been trying to protect was slipping away, and the only way to fix it was to take control.

Sam sighed deeply, catching Paul's thoughts—a trait shared between the pack members. His expression softened for just a moment. "I get that," he said, his voice gentler now, though still firm. "But threatening Quil isn't how you solve that." He took a step closer to Paul. "He's your pack brother now. You will treat him as such."

Paul let out a slow breath, the weight of Sam's words sinking in. He knew Sam was right. Quil wasn't the enemy. The fear and chaos had clouded his judgment, but he should have known better. Quil had been just as confused, just as frightened as Paul was. He was a part of their family now, and no matter how intense his instincts had been, he couldn't forget that.

"I'll make it right," Paul murmured, the words coming out heavy with regret. "I just... I just couldn't think straight."

Sam nodded, his voice calm but authoritative. "You need to learn to control that. We can't afford to lose ourselves every time something goes wrong, Paul. You've got to remember who we are. We're a pack, and that means protecting each other. Even when it's hard."

The reminder hit Paul like a punch to the gut. He'd gotten so caught up in his fear that he had forgotten the most important thing: they were stronger together. They weren't just wolves acting on instinct anymore. They were family.

"I know," Paul said quietly, his voice steadying. "I'll do better."

Sam gave a small, approving nod, his eyes softening just a fraction. "Good. Because the pack needs you, Paul. And your sisters needs you, too. But that doesn't mean you get to throw everything away when things get tough."

Paul gave a small nod in return, the weight of his Alpha's words sinking in. He would have to prove it to Sam, to the pack, and most importantly, to himself. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, but he was ready to take responsibility. For Meija, for Dakota, for the pack, and for everything that truly mattered.

With a final, quiet nod to Sam, Paul turned to follow him back, knowing that his next steps would define not just his role in the pack, but how he would protect those he loved.