(AN:Ok, so this is just a bit of fun, purely designed to make Kate laugh and to encourage Kaitlyn to keep writing. You can review if you like :) It'd be great to know whether I'm as awful as I suspect!)

An Engagement

Usually, I avoided Forks. Although La Push is just as rainy, just as cloudy and even smaller, there are a lot more places to hide and the forest there is better for running. But everyone was hanging out at my place this evening. Everyone. Charlie had popped the question to my mum last night, so everyone was celebrating. I'm not avoiding home because I object to the engagement. I mean, it is a little soon, but he makes her so happy and Charlie has been like family since I can remember. It's the amount of loved-up couples that I couldn't stand to be around. I stuck it out for an hour and a half, but it got too much. of course, all the Cullens were there, then Renesmee and Jake, Sam and the now pregnant Emily Uley. Ugh. Paul, Sam and Embry with their imprintees. Even Seth had brought Nessa over. I was the only one left alone.

So, tears stinging my eyes, I asked Bella if I could borrow the motorcycle she stores at Jake's house. For less than a second, Bella lost her composure, obviously shocked that I had addressed her directly and without sarcasm. I hadn't made a secret of the fact that I despised the way she had led Jake on beofre Renesmee was born, but I'm starting to understand the connection through Jake's eyes. She clearly saw how broken I looked - her eyes were filled with pity as she softly replied, "Of course."

"Thanks, Bella. I appreciate it."

Bella looked to Edward as if for some reassurance of what I was thinking. I scowled at him and filled my mind reciting a poem, to put him off. Edward gave me an apologetic look and changed the subject so that I could escape unnoticed.

"Thank you," I told him mentally.

Pelting down the highway at full speed, I started to calm down. Speed is so exhilarting and I don't think I've ever felt as high as when the wind flies through my hair on a motorcycle. Running as a wolf is amazing, but to feel the wind on my face as a human...there's nothing like it. The cold wind is numbing in the best possible way. As I started to slow down, I felt my eyes burning from both the wind and my tears. I accepted that I needed to just let it all out.

I pulled over when I reached the fringes of the town and cut the engine. I rested the bike on the kickstand, and walked round to the sidewalk. I sat down and grasped my sides while I let it all out.

A few hours passed and I felt calm enough to get up, but I still wasn't ready to go back to the reservation. I looked up at the sky and noted the full moon. I've always felt there's something distinctly magical about a starry night sky with a huge glowing full moon. I decided to park the bike in the town and just walk about for a bit and enjoy the night sky.

I hadn't realised how dark it had gotten as I walked around. I decided it was about time to head back. Three hours was too long to ditch my mother's engagement party. I knew a shortcut through some of the back streets and didn't give it a second thought - I hadn't been scared since the Volturi came for Renesmee 4 years ago. As I walked along I noticed a young woman, probably about 22, struggling with some bags. I was about to offer her some help when the most sickly sweet smell hit my nostrils and fear flooded through me. I ran towards the woman, shoved her into a shop doorway and ran around the corner to phase.

The creature had clearly got wind of my scent - I knew it to be repulsive to them. I heard the light footsteps retreat and then I sniffed the air. It seemed clean but I couldn't be sure yet. Just in case, I howled for my brothers, waiting to hear the intrusions in my mind as they each phased to answer me.

Leah!! the familiar sound of my younger brother filled my head. Are you hurt? I can't see where you are?

What's going on? my Alpha was in his wolf form.

I took a deep breath.

An unfamiliar scent, definitely leech. I'm guarding a human women who was definitely a target, but I don't know if the leech has left or if he's just standing down wind from us. I'm in Forks, just down from The Lodge.

Seth, you go to Leah, I'll let Sam know what's going on so his pack can guard La Push. Jake ignored my flinch at Sam's name and continued, this time addressing us both. I'll follow on with Quil and Em if Sam agrees.

No problem. Seth replied, although I could feel the tension in his thoughts. At that moment, Jacob phased back and I was alone with Seth and the terrified woman behind me...

"Oh my goodness!" I turned around at the sound of her cry to find that she wasn't in the doorway I'd shoved her into for protection. I sniffed the air urgently, trying to ignore Seth's protests as he struggled to follow my erratic train of thought. I could smell that she was still near and then heard her shallow breathing. She was perched on the roof of the shop, shivering from her fear and looking incredibly unsteady on her feet. This woman was definitely not a bloodsucker, too clumsy. So how did she get up there so quickly?

Seth? I called him through my mind.

Finally! He was angry about my silence. What the hell is going on? You scared me to death!

I think we might need some assistance. I don't think I'm in any immediate danger, but could you phase and ask Carlisle to come with you please?

We definitely needed the opinion of someone who had witnessed the extraordinary before.