A/N: This story is based on a roleplaying game between Leilani972 and Supergirl971. Stephenie Meyer owns the characters, we toyed with them because they are awesome. But we still own the plot!
Hope you'll like it!
The Great Alpha ~ Chapter one.
After having thought they were the only ones that were phasing for centuries, the Quileute tribe was getting ready to meet their Lakota fellows. They could feel the tension growing among them, each group seeming to gauge the other one carefully.
Never, in Jacob's memories, had there been such a large group of shape-shifters in the same room.
"Thank you for receiving us," the Lakota spokesman - a twentyish shape-shifter, a little taller and statelier than the Quileute Alpha - said.
"You're very welcome. So, why do you want to meet us so badly?" Jacob asked. He wasn't known to beat around the bushes and loved getting straight to the point.
"You'll not be unaware of the fact that our kind is threatened by our natural enemies. Their leaders fear us and they're leading a campaign to exterminate our kin. Our friends from Sugar Point had been slaughtered not later than last month. They'd asked for our help, but unfortunately, we arrived a day too late." the Lakota lowered his head at the same time as his pack at the end of his story.
"We're sorry to hear that," Jacob complied.
"That's the reason why we're traveling through all the Reservations in the United States and Canada," the other Alpha added. "We're looking for other shape-shifters capable of helping us achieving our project."
"What kind of project?"
"We want to attack the bloodsuckers in their territories before they manage to exterminate us. We already have two packs which have joined our cause, but yours is by all means the largest we've ever seen. And we heard that you've already faced the bloodsuckers' royalty -"
"That's right, but we can't join you", Jacob stated calmly.
"Why is that?" the other Alpha frowned.
"Because joining your cause will mean leaving our tribe unprotected, and I can't accept that."
"We don't ask you all to come with us," a young woman intervened. "Just the most strong-willed of you."
Jacob's attention drew on the woman and he stared at her for a moment before replying.
"And you are?"
"Forgive my sister", another shape-shifter answered fearfully, this one being less build than his alpha. "She doesn't know when to shut up."
"I perfectly know what I'm doing, Seth" the woman spat. "We came here to seek help to save our people. Our kind. The threat that's hanging upon our heads concerns each one of us! Caring abour your tribe is normal, but think about it two seconds! You have zero chances to protect them when the bloodsuckers will definitely come for you. Sugar Point has been wiped out and they used all the human of the Reservation as food!"
"What have your Sugar Point friends done to provoke the Cold Ones?" Jacob growled.
"They were living, you ass!"
"Enough!" the Lakota Alpha finally scolded her. "Stay at your place, woman! Nobody asked for your opinion and no one gave you the right to talk!"
Jacob glared at the woman, upset that she could disrespect him in front our their packs and his tribe's elders. He tried to ignore her nonetheless and focused his attention on the other Alpha.
"I'm sorry, but that won't change anything. No members of my pack will go anywhere outside our territory," Jacob claimed.
"I see. Alright. We won't encroach upon your time more than necessary."
"But, Sam -"
"I said it's enough, Leah!" Sam roared, using the Alpha command on her. "I won't let a less ranked wolf challenge me like that!"
Leah felt silent against her will, but not without glaring at her Alpha, as the Quileutes elders were gasping.
"She's... She's one of you? A shape-shifter?" Jacob's father swallowed hard.
"Indeed, she is." Sam admitted. "Seeing her phasing for the first time was a surprise, but I can assure you that she's as fierce as the rest of us, if not more..."
"I didn't know it was possible," Jacob breathed while looking over her, as if he was hoping to find a key to any kind of secrets.
Sam frowned as he spotted the look on Jacob's face and positioned himself between them to prevent Jacob from seeing her.
"We'd like to rest and feed there tonight, if it's possible, of course..."
Jacob came back to his senses and his face regained the impassive mask he was displaying earlier.
"Sure, sure. Jared, can you go and inform Emily that we have guests to feed?"
Jared nodded and left without being told twice.
"Quil, Embry, bring our guests to the community center. They'll be more comfortable there than in the woods."
"Thanks a lot" Sam bowed his head as a sign of gratitude.
"Don't mention it," Jacob replied before leaving eagerly, wanting to get some fresh air.
Sam nodded slightly towards Leah before following their hosts with the rest of his pack, and the Lakota girl rushed to find Jacob.
"Wait up!" she yelled behind him to attract his attention.
Jacob stopped and faced her, waiting for her to go on.
"I'm... I'm sorry for calling you an... ass... I got carried away, a little." she said simply.
Jacob walked toward her and stopped within few centimeters from her face, with a murderous glare.
"You cut me off during a meeting without permission to talk. You talked to me, the Alpha whom you wanted help from, in an authoritative tone, and you called me an ass in front of two whole packs, and you're calling that 'getting a little carried away'?"
Leah clenched her fist and met his gaze without faltering.
"That's exactly what I said. I could be way more mean, but, as you cleverly pointed it out, we need your help. Anyway, my apologies won't make you change your mind, so..."
"You're right. Is that all you wanted to say?" Jacob questioned while refraining to show her how her bold attitude had intrigued him as much as it had amazed him. Nobody in his pack had ever stood up to him, then a woman, a she-wolf on top of that...
"No. I wanted to warn you. You were wrong about denying Sam's request."
"Yeah, right."
"Don't you go all 'Almighty, Powerful and Fearful Alpha' on me" she snapped. "I'm not here to check out your incredibly high amount of testosterone. Watch your back, that's an advice you shouldn't take lightly."
"I always watch my back, Miss Sassy" Jacob retorted huskily as he appraised her from head to toe.
Leah smirked while hearing the nickname he gave her and walked proudly towards him.
"Good for you, Sexy Alpha." she said before slapping his tempting bottom cheeks.
Jacob jumped a little and watched her retreating form going back to her pack, dumbfounded. He couldn't get over her gesture, first, but most of all over the way she called him. Did she really find him sexy? Or was it a way to destabilize him, which was successful, by the way?
He shook his head to come back to his senses and resumed his path.