— BROOKE sat with Emily in the kitchen, both girls conversing softly. Bella was supposed to go cliff diving with Jake, so she'd convinced her twin to drop her off at Emily's. It was still early, the pack had gotten scent of Victoria so they were out, and her father had been hunting with Harry and the rest of his officers searching for the wolves.

Their conversation was interrupted when a disheveled looking Embry barged into the home. His eyes looked...sad.

"Embry? Is something wrong?" Emily sat up, clearly she noticed his state too.

"Harry—Harry had a heart attack." Brooke felt as if her heart dropped at his words. She'd known the Clearwaters all her life. Harry was like an uncle to her, just like Billy.

Her hand went up to her mouth, stifling a sob. Emily's eyes welled up with tears. "Everyone's at the Clearwaters, Sam told me to come get you." Embry told them as he walked closer.

"Your dad was with him when it happened, he's with Sue right now." Brooke wiped her tears as she heard Embry speak.

"Come on." His tone was gentle as he took the keys to Sam's truck, taking his best friends hand as he led them out. Embry sat in the drivers seat, Emily in the passenger and Brooke in the back.

—

The first thing she noticed was her father, standing outside of the house. His eyed swollen, that's how she knew he'd been crying. Once, Embry put the truck in park, Brooke climbed out in a rush.

She walked up to her dad, hugging him once she was close enough.

She felt him cling to her tighter, beginning to sob again. It wasn't like Charlie to show so much emotion, Brooke's heart broke.

"Why don't you go inside, pumpkin. I'm sure Seth might need someone." He pulled away, clearing his throat.

"Are you sure?" she asked her dad, he only nodded in response. "I'm gonna go home, check in on your sister." Brooke nodded.

"She should be back home with Jake by now." She told her father, with one last nod, he walked off to his cruiser.

Brooke made her way into the Clearwater house. Noticing Leah's absence on her way to Seth's room. Emily was sitting with Sue in the living room.

"Seth? It's me, Brooke." She knocked on his door gently.

She heard shuffling on the other end of the door, then it opened. Just the sight of his broken state made Brooke tear up.

"How you holdin' up?" Her tone was gentle, he didn't answer her question, throwing himself into her arms. Sobbing into her shoulder as he did.

Something was off, about him.

He felt hot, she slowly pulled away to press the back of her hand on his forehead. Immediately assuming that maybe he was developing a fever.

That's when she noticed that his grip was too tight. He wasn't feverish, no.

He was going to phase.

Brooke slowly peeled herself away from him. "I'll got get you some water." The sobbing boy reluctantly let go of her and nodded before she moved down the hall.

She easily spotted Paul's figure outside of the window, the pack was in the backyard. With some pep in her step, she opened the door hurriedly.

"Paul!" The call of his name caught him off-guard.

"What happened?" She asked as he approached. "Leah phased. Jared and Embry are helping her out, figured it'd be best if it wasn't Sam." He explained.

"I—I think Seth's next." She blurted out. "I remember the symptoms, from the day I saw Jake phase. His skin is hot, he's stronger..." Brooke watched as his face fell as she listed the younger boy's symptoms.

"Shit." He huffed.

Sam had overheard, quickly giving Paul a firm nod before heading inside to talk to Seth.

"Stay inside, okay? Stay with Sue and Emily." Paul instructed as he walked her into the living room where both women sat.

Sue's attention shifted when she noticed Sam escorting Seth outside, towards the backyard. Her expression fell. With one last look, Paul followed soon after.

—

"Thanks for driving me home." Brooke sighed as Paul parked his truck in front of her house. "No problem, really." The whole drive, she noticed the way he'd avoid glancing at her, the way his grip on the steering wheel was tight.

Even before, she'd noticed his puffy red eyes.

"Paul? Are you okay?" Her voice came out as more of a whisper, but he heard it nonetheless. Not expecting her to ask him that.

"I'm fine." His response was short, an obvious giveaway that he wasn't.

"I won't push, but it's okay to grieve. To feel, just because you turn into some giant wolf doesn't mean you don't feel human feelings."

For the first time since he'd imprinted on her, he felt...like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The way she was looking at him, the way she spoke to him.

It opened his eyes.

And for the first time since they'd met, he was glad that his ancestors chose her for him. Imprinting wasn't so bad.

—

AND WE'VE ENDED ACT ONE
😱
war is over fellers
— ELLE ꨄ