Authors note, yo: Hey guys. I know it's been awhile. But here's a new story. I hope you guys like it:)
Chapter One: Her
"Some of us cut. Some of us used to cut. We are not proud of what we did, but we are not ashamed of out scars. Each and every scar has it's own story and the fact that the wounds healed reminds us that things get better." -Unknown
"Leah, com'on, it'll be fun. And you know Jake wants you there," It was a low blow, yeah, but Jake said he'd have my head if I didn't get her to come.
"Paul, com'on, no it won't. It doesn't matter what Jake wants. There others are awkward around me. You know that. I'm just saving everyone some trouble. Cut me some slack," she sighed, turning to face me. We were doing inventory at the local fish bait shop where we worked. She didn't much like the job, seeing as she'd go home smelling like fish and worms, but she was driven to get to collage.
I gave her my best puppy dog, no pun intended, face in return. "Please?" I whined. I was being childish and I knew it. But it was so worth it if it would get me out of another fight with Jacob.
"Fine," she growled, turning back and finishing counting the bait rack.
By the time Leah got ready, finally, we were fifteen minutes late. You'd think she wouldn't go through such great lengths to impress the guys, seeing as she'd probably phase within the first thirty minutes due to something one of the boys said, but she did. Maybe she actually liked Jake in return. That'd be the day. Jake and Leah butt heads more than Jake and I do. That's saying something.
The howl split the air, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. It was the emergency call. I shared a swift look with Leah before jumping through her open bedroom window, landing on all fours. I shook my coat out before darting towards the continuous noise. I could feel Leah right beside me. I was surprised she didn't run as fast as she could, leaving me in the dust. She was the fastest wolf in the pack, and the only girl.
She bumped me with her shoulder, reading my thoughts. I wouldn't leave you all alone in the spooky forest. What kind of sister would I be? She snickered.
I just growled at her, pumping my body for all it was worth. It'd been awhile since I'd gone this fast. There hasn't been a reason to since the Cullens left a few months ago. There were the random Nomad vampires here and there, but nothing Sam and Jake couldn't take down without the rest of the pack.
We skidded to a halt in the large clearing we usually meet up in. Most everyone was there all ready, except for Jared. But he'd had to have had to say goodbye to Kim and reassure her everything was okay. I could feel him still running. He was almost here.
Sam and Jake were standing tall, ears twitching nervously. This was something big. I took in a big breath of air, tasting for the scents. Nothing unusual. Just forest, fish, salty air from the beach not to far from here, and the different scents of the wolves mingling together. What's got them so riled up?
I tilted my head a little in confusion. It was just habit, natural instinct possibly. Something I did when things didn't make sense.
What's up, Sam? I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. He looked at me for a moment. Then he let his thoughts be heard. Alphas are so unfair. They can actually block the others out without trying. The rest of us had to work at it. I could feel the ripple in the air, it growing with unease and nerves.
It was Bella. Jake had went over to see if she wanted to come to the bonfire tonight and found her on the floor, covered in blood. She'd cut herself. I could feel my brothers emotions getting to me. Leah though, just stood there, not feeling anything. I nudged her. She didn't at least pity the girl? I mean, hell, she's not my favorite person in the world either, but it was sad to hear about something like that. Especially when your soon to be Alpha is basically in love with her. The news shook me a bit. From what I'd heard from the others thoughts, she was brave and strong. Something must really be hurting her to get her to break like this.
I could feel Jacobs gaze burning me, but I ignored him, turning to Sam instead. Is she alright, now? I asked. Yes, she's stable. She refuses to go to a hospital, so Sue's taking care of her for now.
My ears perked up. She's on the Rez? He looked at me oddly, probably wondering why I was so interest. To be honest, I myself didn't know. What did I care about the girl? I'd never even met her myself. All I'd heard was the stories from Jake. And the one sickingly sad one from Sam. The one where the vamp had just left her in the woods. Thinking about it made my gut clench in anger. I wanted to rip that blood sucker with my teeth and claws for thinking humans were just playthings.
Are we done here? The cold question must have caught Sam by surprise. We all stared at the source. Leah. I could feel Jakes anger pulsating threw the mind link and I quickly shut him out. I didn't want to hear this one. I could even feel the others jumping in, so I shut them all out, studying the surrounding instead. Usually I would be the first to jump to Leah's defense, but today I just wasn't in it. I don't exactly like Bella and all, due to how much she's hurt Jake, but the girl didn't deserve the cold shoulder when she was in a time of need. This fight, I just couldn't pick a side.
The forest was beautiful right now. It was lathered in a light snow, the white and brown from the trunks of the trees contrasting. I loved it.
The others may think I'm hostile and all that goes through my mind is bloodlust, but I had a soft side. A really soft side. I liked flowers and colors and emotions. I liked being happy and smiling. I liked being all gushy and having long talks. And I was a romantic.
Leah was the only one to see that side of me. I was the only one, besides Sam, that got to see that side of her. She was wonderful, and opinionated. She would bristle at anything against her, and any threat towards her pride and love, but she was a great person. Charisma and power flowed threw her like a river in spring, gushing with all the snow melting. I could see how Sam had loved her for all she was worth. She was beautiful and strong. I'd only seen her cry twice, when she caught Sam with Emily, and when her father died. Even then, the session was cut short before her anger would take over. She was the closest I had to family. The pack.. well. They were family, but they ridiculed me for my anger, while Leah bathed in it. Anger was one emotion that would never let her down, would always be there for her. We were alike in so many ways.
I sighed, then noticed the pack had all eyes turned to me. I opened the link back up. Paul? Sam questioned.
Yeah?
What's going on with you? You seem out of it. He sounded concerned. I brushed him off, replying a quick I'm tired, then turned to walk back to my home.
I live alone, since my dad left, and I had a small cottage. It wasn't much but it was nice and I loved it.
That night, as I lay in bed, unable to sleep, I thought of the girl. The vampire lover.
Bella.