Tides Changing

Chapter 3

She walked along the shoreline, enjoying the breeze coming off the water. It had been a week since her first visit and hanging out on the res had already become a habit. She was currently waiting for Sam so they could discuss how she was going to 'discover' the pack.

"Lily?"

She turned, smiling when she saw her friend. "Hey, Jake."

"What are you doing down here?" Jacob walked to her and swung her up in a hug.

She laughed, hugging him back. "I'm actually waiting for Sam." She watched as his face got a stormy look on it.

"He's not a good guy, Lils. You should stay away from him, the other two as well."

"Jake, you don't know him. He rescued me and has asked for nothing in return. He's nice and I really like Emily."

Lily watched his expression as he got angrier with her. Thankfully, Sam showed up, stopping any further argument.

"Hey, Lily. Sorry I'm late."

Lily smiled at him, "It's okay. Jake was keeping me company."

"Jacob." Sam said, trying to keep the expression on his face neutral.

"Uley. Where's the rest of your cronies?"

Lily sighed, "Jake..."

Jacob shook his head. "I'll catch you later, Lils."

Sam and Lily watched him walk away, both knowing he was changing faster than before. "It's happening earlier this time, Sam."

"I know." Sam looked at her and indicated they should walk.

"So," Lily started. "I'm gonna have to be let in on the secret soon. How are we gonna handle that?"

"Well, I actually have an idea about that," Sam grinned. "I think you need to slap Paul again."

She laughed, "Seriously? He and I sorta get along."

Sam laughed, "Yeah, you get along, but only when you cook for him or he's helping you with your homework."

"Fine," Lily let him have that since it was the only time they got along. "What would be my reasoning?"

"Football."

Lily knew Paul was a die hard Seahawks fan, like a lot of the Olympic Peninsula. She, however, loved the Cardinals and the two teams happened to be playing on Sunday.

"I can see that," she chuckled. "Okay, now what about the two vamps that will be around soon?"

"Well, the red-head already has been. We—"

"Sam! Why didn't you tell me?" Lily started to panic, fearing Victoria would get her.

"Calm down." Sam put his hands on her shoulders. "You've been perfectly safe. I've been outside your house most nights. That's something else we need to figure out. How do we tell the guys she's after you?"

Lily thought about it for a minute. Laurent hadn't shown up until March before, but things were a little different now. He could not show up at all. They needed to be prepared for anything.

"When did Embry phase?"

"I think it was after the New Year last time."

Lily looked up at Sam, "I think we need to talk to Old Quil."

Sam nodded, "I agree. Let's get you in the know first."

Lily was running behind getting to Sam's and was agitated. She grabbed everything she'd prepared for an afternoon and evening of football on the res, throwing it in her truck.

"Come on, Dad!"

Charlie was hitching a ride to the Black's to watch the game with Billy and Harry. He walked out of the house with two six packs of Vitamin R in his hands, and Lily knew she'd be staying on the res that night.

"Let's go, Lils."

After Lily dropped him off, she drove to Sam's, beeping the horn as she pulled up. Jared came bounding out of the house to help her.

"Hey, Lily-Flower." He kissed her cheek before reaching in the truck to grab the crockpot loaded with chili. "Damn, this smells good, sis."

Jared had started calling her sis a few days after she began hanging around them. Paul growled every time he did it, making her laugh.

"Thanks." She followed him into the house, her arms laden with more food and goodies, plus she had her backpack on her shoulder.

"Lily!" Emily smiled and walked over to help her.

"Thanks, Em." Looking into the living room, she glanced at the TV and then the two men seated on the couches. "Did I miss kickoff?"

"Not yet." Sam grinned at her.

"Good. Hey, Paul, I have some trig homework. Think you could help me after the game?"

Paul turned to look at her as she placed her bag by the door. "I guess. Don't you have a test coming up?" He could be nice when he wanted to.

"Yeah, Friday."

He just nodded and turned back to the TV, just as the teams took the field.

Lily took off her jacket and walked over to sit in the chair beside the couch Paul was on. She waited for the inevitable reaction to her shirt.

"Oh, come on!" Paul shouted when he looked at her. "You can't seriously be an Arizona fan?"

Lily laughed, "I'm from Arizona, Paul. Did you think Charlie influenced my team choices?"

"I should have known," he muttered. "Shitty taste in boyfriends and football teams."

"What was that?"

Paul ignored her and kept his eyes trained on the screen. He would never admit she was growing on him just like she had the other two. The only difference is he didn't see her as a sister, which is why he would never meet her eyes.

By the time the halftime rolled around, the Cardinals were up and Lily had forgotten about the plan. She was taunting Paul and cheering every time something went wrong for Seattle.

"Ha! Pete Carroll is gonna go into the locker room and cry like the little baby he is. Maybe Wilson will shed some tears with him."

Lily was dancing around the living room, Jared and Sam laughing at her.

"She needs to come every Sunday for football," Jared laughed. "I've never met a girl who liked the game, let alone understood it."

"Shut up, woman!" Paul was growling.

"Why? Can't handle a little ribbing, Paulie?" Bella taunted him.

Paul got up and growled at her. "Sit the fuck down, leech-lover!"

Lily's eyes widened, she thought it would take more to get him to this point. "What did you call me?"

"You heard me! Why are you even here?" Paul got in her face.

"Easy, Paul." Sam started.

"Stay out of it, Sam." Keeping his eyes on Lily, "You finally decide humans were good enough for you, leech-lover?"

Before she could stop herself, Lily felt her hand crack across Paul's cheek, his head turning slightly from the force. When he turned back to her, she knew it was enough.

Sam and Jared both jumped from the couch, grabbing him and dragging him outside. Lily was hot on their heels, while Paul growled and raged.

They just got him outside when he burst into his furry counterpart, causing Lily to scream. However, there was no way anyone was prepared for what happened next. Paul's wolf looked at Lily for a minute, whined, and then lay on his belly before her.

"Sam?" Lily questioned without removing her eyes from the silver wolf.

"Well, fuck."