Alex Meraz's New Moon Photo Diary!

He may have major shirt-ripping skills, but Alex Meraz – who plays Paul, the most volatile werewolf in the series – keeps things buttoned up as he gets ready for the New Moon premiere. Still, he gives Twi-hards what they want: a peek at his six-pack!

At home, Meraz – who "took a long hot shower and meditated" – adjusts the tie on his Dolce amp Gabbana suit. "My suit feels like a thousand angels hugging me," he Tweeted. "That's how nice it feels."

Meraz and his wife, Kim (who have a 19-month-old son, Somak), arrive at the premiere at the Village and Bruin Theaters in Westwood, Los Angeles. "In the limo about to pass out with nerves!!" he posted on Twitter before stepping foot on the red carpet.

Meraz poses with a fan at the center of the New Moon frenzy. "It's like an awards show!" he told PEOPLE. "It's like the Oscars. I'm so excited to be here and to be a part of this."

He may spar with Taylor Lautner onscreen, but off, they're all about the brotherhood of the Quileute wolf pack. "Werewolves represent a raw, animalistic side of sex," Meraz told PEOPLE. "Vampires are pasty; I'd rather be a werewolf."

Before heading into the theater, Meraz takes time to sign a shirtless photo of himself. "I'm exhausted but grateful for all who came to celebrate this special night with us," he wrote on Twitter.

Following the screening, Meraz hangs with an on-screen foe, vampire Alice – a.k.a., Ashley Greene – at L.A.'s Hammer Museum for the official New Moon afterparty. "It's a whirlwind," Greene told PEOPLE. "It's a momentous time in my life."

"This is a milestone in my life," Meraz – here hanging ten with Chaske Spencer, who plays alpha male Sam Uley – told PEOPLE. "It's happened so fast! I'm extremely happy."

Want to see more of Alex? Watch him talk about all things sexy!