I think I'm lost without you [Paul Lahote]

It took Paul about fifteen minutes to drive from Noah's house to Emily's. The whole ride he mulled over his conversation with Noah and couldn't fight the warmth that filled him with the thought that they seemed to be taking small steps in a promising direction. He knew it was only the first day, hours really, since he'd imprinted so he shouldn't get his hopes too high, but Paul felt cautiously optimistic. In fact, he was smiling for most of the ride over.

He didn't think that he would ever forget the image of Noah in his hoodie. It practically swallowed her whole but it was the cutest sight he had ever seen. Paul would give her all of his hoodies just to see her wear them forever.

He eventually pulled his truck into the familiar driveway and took a deep breath. Today at school had been...interesting, to say the least and, despite the positive turn of events, Paul wasn't sure what to expect from the pack waiting inside.

He knew Jake was torn between elation and rage - Paul thought that had probably more to do with the fact that Noah basically told him to fuck off twice today. Embry and Quil seemed happy enough with the turn of events, but then again Embry usually held his cards close. Seth was just happy to have another addition to the pack. Of course, Leah didn't seem like she cared either way but Paul wondered if she might like having another girl around. She certainly enjoyed the way Noah told all of them off, she hadn't bothered to hide her amusement in the slightest. Maybe having Noah around would make Leah want to finally be around the rest of them. And of course, he knew that Jared and Kim were elated that he could finally have a chance at the happiness they shared.

Paul wasn't sure how Sam was going to react. He knew that Sam was the most wary regarding his temper, always warning Paul about keeping himself under control in school and telling Jared to keep an eye on him. Sam bore the weight of his mistake with Emily heavily and was extremely overcautious as a result. Paul didn't blame him for this, but he did feel like he got the brunt of it most of the time.

Paul pushed through the screen door and the smell of baking immediately hit his nose. Thank god for Emily and her love of cooking. Everyone besides Kim and Leah were sitting around the table scarfing down food.

Emily spotted Paul the second he walked in the door. She rushed over and enveloped him into a massive hug. "Oh Paul, I'm so happy for you," she cooed, pulling back. Emily was absolutely beaming.

"Thanks, Em," Paul said ducking his head, he could feel his ears heating up. Jared wolf whistled from the table, which earned him a middle finger from Paul. Emily chuckled and patted his cheek before going back to pulling what looked like the most delicious blueberry muffins out of the oven.

"So Paul," Seth chirped around a mouth full of something. "When are you gonna bring her around to meet us? I don't think it's fair that I'm the only one who hasn't met her, yet."

Jake huffed at this. He clearly thought if anyone was going to bring his cousin around, it should be him. Paul just grinned as he made his way over the table when the rest of the guys sat, and ruffled Jake's hair. He felt pride over the fact that Noah was causing Jake so much emotional torment, served him right for the stuff he said to her.

"Well seeing as she still hates about half of you... I think I'll hold off." Paul said with a chuckle. He reached for a muffin and waited for Jake to implode. The shade of red his face was turning surely wasn't healthy.

"Oh and she doesn't hate you?" Jake scoffed, crossing his arms.

"She accepted my apology for acting like an idiot earlier and she let me drive her home. So, no, I don't think so." Paul grinned at Jake. Jake just glared back for a long moment and then snatched the muffin right out of Paul's hand and shoved it into his mouth. Quil and Seth roared with laughter but Paul just raised an eyebrow - Jake was clearly losing his mind.