Growing Frustration (open)

[Sam Uley]

Things had been getting rather hectic over the passed few weeks, and Sam Uley was not at all happy about it. With the record number of vampires in the vicinity, there was also a record number of werewolves. And now the filthy leeches had it in mind that the pack needed to be disposed of. Sam simply could not believe their daftness. Did they not see that if they just left them alone all would be well? The way to get rid of a werewolf was to leave it alone. This meant that they should not dwell close to where they resided. But apparently the leeches were not smart enough to figure this out, and were going on some sort of power trip. Well, they had another thing coming. For his existence had one purpose alone; and that was protecting his people from the likes of the cold ones.

At present, Sam was in the form of a huge, black wolf. He was running off some of his frustration, and trying to push his worries behind him. In all of this Sam had much to protect and much to lose if he didn't. He and Emily would be married soon, and he was not about to give up a life with her. He dreamed of having a normal one...a family. His chances of going to school and getting a real job were scarce, but he could live with the knowledge that the tribe would take care of him no matter what because of what he had given up for them. Most of them would not know why they did; just that he was a hero among them. More like a monster...but it was a matter of personal opinion.

Sam did not want to inflict such a fate upon his own family. Knowing that he had wolf blood in him was scary enough; knowing that he could pass it on was worse. If he had a choice, he would take Emily to a place where vampires would never dare to tread. They would raise their family in the sunniest of places. There would be no need to worry about any of his children transforming. And if he could keep the generations away from Forks and La Push for long enough, perhaps the blood would fade. But Sam had a duty; a duty to his people. He was bound to it just like the rest of them, even though he was pack leader. This destiny had been thrust upon him and there was nothing he could do about it.

The ebony wolf slowed, moving from a fast lope to a light trot. Eventually he walked, wolf-eyes sweeping the forest. In this form he was more aware of his surroundings. A herd of deer grazed a few kilometers to his left; some birds rustled in the trees above him. He had to admit; there was some sort of freedom in this form. He could give in to his animal desires and have a perfectly valid excuse; he was in fact an animal.

No one was running besides him, which was fine. Sometimes it was nice to be alone and not have to share one's thoughts. Though he probably would not object if another joined him. Then again, it wasn't like he really could. As leader he always had to be accessable, no matter what he was doing. As a result he had basically no private life, even less than the rest of the boys. But It was what came with being the monster that he was. Hopefully it would only be a matter of time before the stupid leeches figured things out and left the area for good. Sam hastily awaited that day.

[paul]

Brother? Pack? Those words meant little to nothing to Paul at the moment. How could Seth prove himself disloyal to Paul’s affection like this? The image was stained on his mind. His Belle, with her lips and arms around another. The thought of it was to maddening to linger any longer inside his head, but he couldn’t let it go. He couldn’t forget his friend’s arms around her. He couldn’t see the reason or the justice that it had brought. No wonder Seth had put off phasing until Saturday night. No wonder he had not answered Paul’s phone call the previous night, where Paul had simply called to ask how things went when he tried to talk to Arabelle for him. How foolish he had been, how stupid, and how utterly blind Paul had been. Each movement he had memorized. The hand holding, the kiss, the small conversation at the end. How could Paul forget?

He knew the others would know. It was the only thing on his mind right now. He was in his wolf form, rushing through the forest like a mad man. He knew the danger that lurked there, but he didn’t care. Nothing else mattered. He felt Sam nearby. He didn’t want to run into the other, but it was inevitable. He was going to fight Seth, but not before he had a chance to talk to Arabelle. A strangled growl echoed through his throat as he pressed on further and faster. Nothing touched him as he rambled through the forest floor full of anger and uncaring concern. As soon as the thought of Belle entered his mind, he had thought it one of his own, but then Seth’s face appeared. What game was he playing at? Didn’t he realize what would happen? Didn’t he know that Paul wouldn’t stand for such an action. Not even Sam would talk him out of this one. This crossed all lines, and Seth was going to pay.

Growling once more, he lunged across a log to stand on the top of it. He could feel Sam’s presence. It was close. He had already been let in on what had happened. He knew the other would try to dissuade him, but it wasn’t happening. Paul had grown to be an increasing problem with his inability to follow directions. He howled up at the dim tree tops, where hardly any sunlight broke through. He wasn’t calling the other over, he was letting out some anger before he faced him. The two had already talked previously about his big mouth, which was why he decided to keep the girl in the dark to most of his werewolf abilities. Another thing Seth neglected to do. He spouted off most of their ‘abilities’ to the oblivious girl. It did surprise Paul that Jake didn’t tell her about the mind connection. Perhaps after Seth came home beaten up, he’d tell her. After all, how else was Paul to know what had happened the night.

Once Sam got closer, Paul blinked at him. His own amber eyes looking at the other with the same knowledge about the deer. Deer was not what he wanted though. His own animal desired blood of another. Leaping off of the wooden log, he pounced down in front of Sam. It always surprised him that he had very animal instincts, even as a human. Sometimes he found himself different than the others, but he was sure that they two held some of the same concerns. Of course, they were never voiced. Paul shook his coat before digging his feet into the moist earth he had landed on. He wondered what Sam would say to him. Would there be anger in his tone or frustration. Perhaps, Sam would agree with him. No that wasn’t happening. Sitting down, Paul’s eyes waited for the other to do something first. His tail swishing to one side and then the next in anticipation.

[Sam Uley]

Paul's sudden presence hit him like a train. He let out a low growl; quite frankly, Paul was the last person he wanted to deal with right now. For a moment he hoped that perhaps the boy would be too upset to confront him, but knew this was just wishful thinking. Sam knew perfectly well what was going on, and he was not at all happy with the situation. Seth wasn't being smart about this, though neither was Paul. They were under direct orders to tell no one. Paul had at least gone with it, but Seth had broken all the rules. There was only one exception to that rule; imprinting. And little Seth Clearwater had not imprinted on Arabelle. Sam had not really liked her from the start, but he had tolerated her knowing that her bout with Paul would not really last. But now Seth had crossed the line. He would have to be dealt with.

A wolf howl rang through the air, and Sam could hear the anger and frustration in it. He also knew that Paul had every intention of ripping Seth to shreads; he supposed there was warrant for that. However, it would not be permitted. Wouldn't that just be good news for the leeches...the pack was tearing itself apart by internal strife. There wasn't anything they'd like to hear more, he was sure.

It was not long before Paul was before him, gazing at him. Sam was not at all impressed, though he still exuded calmness like no other. But it was no secret that he was not at all happy with the situation; with this one and the one he was currently in. It did get tiring after a while, being a leader. One had to deal with all the petty dramas and there was no one to help when the leader needed it. They were all just a bunch of little boys. Their bodies had grown but their minds had not. Even Jake, arguably the most mature of the group, had his moments.

For a moment Sam just watched Paul as he stood there, his own black pelt blending into the shadows. Golden eyes were peering through at the other, stern and cold as they would be were he in human form. No thoughts passed through his mind for a short while; he merely gazed intently at the younger boy. Paul had been one of the first to join him, but certainly had not matured all that much.

'I understand that you are frustrated.' And understatement, really, but he would start with that. 'You are not, however, permitted to do anything about it. And you will take that as a direct order.' This was said in reference to Seth, of course. And Paul would know what violating a direct order would mean. It wasn't like he had imprinted on this girl. There was nothing for him to get so upset about, really.[/size]

[paul]

Paul had broken the first rule, but Sam had already scolded him for that previously. Paul had told Arabelle what he was and what was more informed her about he pack. He was stupid, he admitted that. Sam had managed to talk some since into him previously, but still it was a relief not having to hide. Even though Arabelle could have betrayed them, which was the major worry between them all. He supposed that was why he kept the relationship going on as long as he had. For once he admitted that he screwed up, but it was too late to fix it. So in order to not do any further damage, Paul did not broach that subject with her, and when she grew curious, he ordered her to leave it alone. That was the only thing he could do to remedy it for there was no going back, and there was no telling her it was all a big joke. Sam knew that and so did Paul.

However, he had expected Sam to realize his cause. He was a youth of barely 17. He had been the first to stand by Sam, so he expected the other to understand his frazzled state. Therefore, he was shocked to hear the inaudible words that were spoken to him. He gulped, grumpily. Defying a direct order, yes he knew what would happen, but it infuriated him to know that his father figure did not permit him this one digression. Seth –stole- something that had been his right from under his nose.

Sam had to have had the image painted in his mind as well as Paul. Seth was either bragging or unable to stop thinking about it. How could he just forget this and let it go. The words were crystal clear though, which made the other give a low growl. His eyes downcast, as if the argument was over. His mind though, it raced with thoughts. ‘Do you understand? Do you understand that our brother betrayed a pack member. He promised to go talk to her for me, but I should be glad he didn’t fuck her, Sam. Is that the concealment that you offer me. At least he didn’t do that. Seth deserves to be punished for this. Yet tell me that I am to do nothing about it. That I am not allowed to give him what he deserves?’

Paul’s mind was racing with words and pictures of the things that he wanted to do to Seth. He couldn’t help but to think about it. Sam had given him an order, and he would obey it to a degree. He was going to get his fight, but he had to find another way around it. He still couldn’t believe that Sam was not taking his side on this one. Yes the other had to be a leader for them all, and Paul being a spoiled brat but the need to have vengeance and justice was over powering his will to agree on anything Sam had said.
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[Sam Uley]

Sam was not at all taking kindly to Paul's attitude, and let him know by letting out a vicious snarl. Lips were curled and sharp teeth were bared, though he would do nothing else. His patience was already short, and he didn't need to be dealing with Paul. 'Do not try my patience, Paul. It is running thin and I do not want to hear it.' There was just so much going on in his life right now...and the boys were being selfish. Didn't they see the burden he carried? Didn't they see that he would much prefer to have left the reservation and lived a happy life? Didn't they see that he would rather spend his time with Emily than anything?

No, they didn't. They were all selfish brats that saw only what they wanted.

'I'll not have the pack tear itself apart from the inside. We have bigger problems on our hands. Don't you think the Cullens would be absolutely thrilled if we started a war within ourselves? Do you really want to give them that sort of power over us?' Paul hated the Cullens as much as any of them did. Why couldn't any of them see the bigger picture? The faster they got rid of the filth across the border the faster life would return to normal. Sam wanted to get married; he and Emily had had to put the wedding off. He wanted a family...but there was no way he would have children until he knew that his life as a werewolf was finished. He needed to be there for them...for Emily. But apparently the boys were too hormone-ridden to care about anything other than their own petty problems.

The pictures of Paul taking revenge on Seth entered his own mind, and he snarled again. 'I mean it, Paul.' He clearly was not happy with this.

If Sam had been in a better mood to begin with, perhaps he would have been a little nicer and more understanding. He had gone through some of the same thing...though he had taken on a different role. He had been the abadoning lover; a part which he still felt guilty for. But it had really worked out for the best in the end. But Sam was quite frustrated with how the passed few weeks had turned out, and he seemed to be taking it out on Paul. Being a leader was tough; especially when one's followers didn't always think for themselves.[/size]

[paul]

As pissed as Paul was, he nodded. It was true that he was undeniably selfish. He was a teenager still, and had yet to grow up. He knew Sam had it hard, and part of him felt sorry that he was causing more trouble. Paul had his moments where sense prevailed, but right now he just was too angry to hear reason. Of course he would pretend to calm down for Sam’s sake. The other seemed angry with him for reasons unknown. Okay, he did know why he was angry at him, but it seemed displaced. It was normal teenager troubles.

A defeated sigh came out of his muzzle before he finally looked back up at his leader. ‘Fine.’ That was all he said. He cleared his thoughts away from ripping Seth to shreds. His angry peaked up when Sam mentioned the Cullens. Yes, the boy hated the leeches just as much as the rest of them. He’d rip all their heads off if he Sam would let him. The fact that he partook in the murder of unknown vampire, well it was a thrill that he wished to repeat. Paul didn’t like to murder anyone, but he wanted the vampires off of his land and away from him. They were the reason that he was cursed.

‘Of course I want them gone. I am concentrating on the Cullens Sam. I don’t wish to fail you or any one else in the pack. You know it is one of my top priorities.’ He mentioned nothing about Seth. He felt that he subject was one that he needed to stay away from in order to help his anger ease and help Sam trust him not to disobey him. It was true he had a plan, but he would keep that to himself and not think about it. Digging at the ground for a moment, he looked back up at him.

‘I understand and I won’t start a fight with Seth,’ the words in his mind came out normal and calm. He made them seem like he hadn’t any intentions of fighting Seth. He would keep his promise to Sam. He had no other choice in the matter.
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[Sam Uley]

Sam was expecting a few possible reactions from Paul, and this was certainly one of them. The frustration rolled off the boy in waves, and it was hard to miss. Sam realized that he felt betrayed; not just in the fact that he literally could feel was Paul was feeling, but also in that he had been in the same kind of situation. He'd have to talk to Seth about this whole thing too, to see that side of the story. Seth was still just a kid; one of the youngest in the pack. Of course, physically they were all the same age. But the difference came in the maturity levels. Many of the guys had far to go; he wasn't sure if any of them really got it yet. Seth still gloated about being the one to actually rip a vampire to shreds alone, though it was certainly in a more subtle way than someone else would have. The one who perhaps got it the most was Jacob...and Jacob Black was no where to be found. He had been hurt in love and was acting like a child about it. So really, in all of this, Sam felt very alone.

'Good', came the though, though it was more of a snarl than anything. Because in Paul's calm reaction, he was expecting something else to happen. Of course one could go around his orders; Sam was not that stupid. But he would allow Paul that escape...just to see if he actually took it. These thoughts were hidden from his companion, for he suspected that Paul would react differently. Then again...his frustration was great and his anger worse. Perhaps he would do something about it, even if he knew what Sam was doing.

Finally the big black wolf seemed to relax, his fur smoothing out and his head drooping slightly. It seemed that, for now, Paul's frustration had been slightly eased. He knew it would not be permanent; he was not at all an optimist. Sam wasn't so keen on staying mad, though he did wish for a way to get rid of his own frustrations. He would have to wait until he was the only one running. Then he would let his thoughts and actions run free. He would throw them to the wind, but only in solitude. He could not burden anyone else with his thoughts.

'Don't do anything that you'll regret.' It was not at all a threat; just simply a warning. Though it came out much calmer tone. Sam knew all about regret, and it was not a fun feeling to have. As frustrating as the guys could be he loved them all as brothers, never wanting anything to happen to them. If they could learn from his mistakes...then perhaps his trials would not be in vain.[/size]

[paul]

Paul really didn’t understand why Sam was scolding him so much. He didn’t get it that Sam held such a harsh tone with him. He had been with him from the start, they had a bond like none of the others, or so Paul thought. Sam’s words bit him harshly, making his thoughts construed and confused. The boy did not get what was happening to Sam. He knew something must be bothering him, but Sam didn’t seem to want to talk about it. Paul couldn’t even hear his thoughts enough to know how to fix it. Somehow he started to feel slightly bad for Sam. He didn’t want to feel bad. He wanted to continue being upset, but for now he just looked at Sam with a cocked head.

‘Me?! You’ll blame me for all of this? Not Seth?’ Anger coursed through him once more. He had to get out of here. He was going to wind up lunging on Sam and getting his arse handed to him by the elder. How dare he even tell him that? His mind fogged with more of Sam’s thoughts. He didn’t care. Nothing else mattered, and yet he couldn’t stop with the guilt of the situation. It was true that they needed to be one when fighting, but others shouldn’t be allowed to step over the line. ‘You know I don’t want that to happen,’ he growled. The Cullens and vampires were the only thing they seemed to be agreeing on today. The thought of vampires left a bitter taste in his throat as he stood from his previous sitting position. He started to pace, giving him something to do besides think about how pissed he was.

Snarling, Paul looked up at him. He got the picture alright. He wasn’t to do anything. Well at least not start anything. ‘I KNOW’ he screamed in his head. Sam’s orders were not to be ignored. ‘I won’t disobey you,’ he said slightly agitated. He needed to get out of there. He was going to lose it on Sam if they kept on like this. ‘Don’t worry about me not obeying you or the rules. Seth’s the one you have to worry about.’ He was setting Seth up to get a talk from Sam.

‘I learned my lesson the last time,’ he huffed before stopping in front of him. ‘I have to go,’ he scowled. ‘Before I say or do something stupid,’ Paul reasoned. He knew he was being slightly reasonable. He did not want to fight with Sam. He wanted to save all of his energy to face Seth. ‘Don’t worry, there won’t be a war. We all know what is important.’ He tried to make Sam feel slightly better, but he probably was just making everything worse by leaving. He couldn’t win though. Turning around, Paul made his way back through the woods to his house. He had a date tonight. A date with his ex.


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