Hi again. So this story was literally written in the last week. I was going through a customer dispute and it helped me to take my mind off of things. It is fairly short about 19-20 chapters in all. Some chapters are longer than others. In this fic the imprint and wolves dont technically exist but I still use the themes. Leah and Seth are Makah but grew up in Seattle and Jacob and the rest of the pack are their usual selves. Sam however, retains his name but is not associated with the Natives. I give him no real identity in this but he is just a business man. If you are a Bella fan, you will not like her role in this, but it is all part of the story and integral to Jacob's character background. Thanks for joining me on this short ride! I really really love this story, and although I have about two other fics I've been working on and kind of abandoned because I lost the spark, I'm so happy I was able to complete this. Follow, review, favorite if you will!

Disclaimer: ALL Characters are the property of Stephenie Meyer, I am simply playing in her world.

FATED

ONE

"Well, I think that concludes our business for today. Mr. Uley, please vacate the marital home by the end of this week and we will schedule an appointment for the signing of the papers for two weeks from now."

Leah looked over at her soon-to-be ex-husband as he grimly nodded his head at her lawyer. His eyes failed to meet hers as they had for the entire meeting. She had hoped that he would beg for forgiveness, that he would admit his wrongs, say he was sorry – something anything – for old time's sake, or because he really meant it. But Samuel Uley had just sat there and let the lawyers do all the talking. After eight years he was just going to walk away and start a life with somebody else. No, he was going to continue living his new life with somebody else.

Leah shivered as the air of finality descended around her. She nodded at her lawyer, who had touched her hand and asked if she was ready to go. Alice Cullen had been so nice, so caring and understanding through this whole process. She had been worth every penny this entire divorce was costing.

Leah quickly stood, adjusted her black skirt suit and walked through the doors with her head held high.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked as they stopped at the elevator together.

"As okay as I can be. I just want this to be over. I don't ever want to see him again," Leah admitted, while wishing it were totally true. He had been her first love, and she wasn't quite ready to let go even though Sam was now with someone else he loved more.

"It'll get easier over time, I promise. You won't hurt forever," Alice whispered knowingly.

Leah walked to her sleek black Mercedes and climbed in. She sat there for a moment, taking a deep steadying breath before starting the engine and pulling out of the lot. She'd barely gotten three blocks before there was a loud bang and her car started to wobble.

"Shit!" she hastily pulled to the curb, knowing it was a flat tire. Remaining calm she pulled out her phone and almost dialed Sam before realizing what she was about to do. Leah threw the phone back into her purse and rubbed her temples. She leaned over and rested her head on the steering wheel, trying to gather the strength she would need to change the tire herself. How she'd manage in this ridiculously tight pencil skirt was beyond her imagination, but she'd just have to make it work somehow.

Leah unbuckled and got out of the car. She opened the trunk and started to clear away the trainers, gym bag and yoga mat that were littered in the boot. She pulled up the carpeting and started to unlock the tire. Leah managed to pull the tire out and rolled it to the curb before going back for the tools. She'd have to get a manicure after this adventure.

"I should really Google this," Leah muttered to herself. She was about to make a fool of herself in front of everyone, in broad daylight. It would be just her luck if it was a typical Seattle day and the rain started to fall.

Leah went back into the car and got her phone. She'd never had to change a tire before, she'd always been lucky that none had ever blown out on her like this. As she checked the instructions online a truck slowed down and pulled into the space in front of her. Leah glanced up just in time to see the tallest, sexiest hunk of a man she'd ever seen, gracefully slid out from the driver's seat and slam the door before walking over.

"Holy shit," she whispered.

He leaned over and tapped on the glass, catching Leah with her mouth hanging open. She startled and hastily rolled down the window. "Yes?" she asked.

"Sorry to bother you Miss, but I saw that your tire needs changing. I'm a mechanic, and I can help you if you'd like?"

Leah was taken aback by the kind gesture. "Um…Okay, I guess. Thanks, if it's not too much trouble?"

"It's no problem at all. Happy to help."

Leah nodded and grabbed her purse. As she opened the door the man stood back to give her room, his eyes sweeping over her from head to toe when she emerged, causing Leah to blush profusely.

"I'm Jake by the way," he flashed her a grin and extended his hand. His calloused skin was warm to the touch and made Leah's arm tingle. As he showed off a set of pearly whites Leah, being a dentist herself, instantly awarded him twenty points for good dental hygiene.

"I'm Leah Uley. Um, the tire and stuff are right over there," she pointed sheepishly to the side walk and Jake chuckled as he walked over and bent down to grab the jack.

"Don't worry about anything okay? I'll get you all set and back on the road in about twenty. Nice car by the way."

"Uh thanks."

Not knowing what to do or say Leah stood there and watched him work. She simply couldn't take her eyes off of "Jake." Who was he? How old? Was he married? He wasn't wearing a wedding band? Leah surprised herself with such thoughts. She hadn't been attracted to another man since meeting Sam eight years ago and falling madly in love. Even though they'd officially split a few months now, she still hadn't looked at another man. She wouldn't even know where to start to begin dating again. It all felt so foreign and impossible. It was, to her. But even though she wasn't ready she had to admit that Jake was hott as hell. She watched him tie his long hair back and stifled a groan. Long hair suited him too. She'd never thought long hair on a man to be attractive before.

"So how'd it happen?" he asked while working.

"I was just driving and it blew right out! I really don't know."

"You probably drove over something really sharp." She watched Jake run his hands over the tire as if he were stroking a woman's leg. He tapped a spot and look up, flashing her a victorious smirk. "It's some kind of sharp iron piece, sunk right in. Probably dropped off a truck or what have you. You'll have to get a brand new one. Good thing your spare isn't a doughnut; you have some time before you need to switch it out. If the car doesn't feel like it's driving right, the tires should be checked."

"Oh, alright. Noted."

"I can help anytime you need it. My shop's only a few blocks from here." He kept working as he talked and Leah knew that he wasn't actually trying to come on to her by saying that. He was all about business. It made her feel respected.

Leah's phone rang while she waited. It was Sam. She bit her lip, not knowing what to do, but ended up accepting the call.

"Hi," he said simply.

"Hi, Sam."

"So I just wanted to know what day would be best for me to come over and clear out."

Leah stiffened, unable to control the sudden spark of fury that licked her spine. He couldn't even have the decency to sound nervous or concerned or sad about ending their life together. "Oh NOW you can talk to me huh? What day would suit you best Sam, since it's all about what YOU want anyways?" she snapped, unable to help herself.

"Leah, I didn't call for that okay? Thursday, I'll come by when you leave for work," he answered, not even bothered by her hostile attitude. Leah knew he was doing it on purpose, just to make her more annoyed.

"Fine," she answered through clenched teeth, then promptly ended the call. Not even thinking about what she was doing Leah grabbed her purse and stomped down the street, leaving a concerned mechanic staring after her.

She needed coffee. A drink would be better but she had patients to get back to. At the end of the block was a café and Leah quickly ordered two coffees and two ham and cheese croissants, suddenly remembering that she had left a mechanic looking after her car. When she got back Jake was busy putting everything back into the trunk. She waited until he was finished to hand over the cup of coffee and the bag with the sandwich.

"Sorry about storming off like that. My temper kind of gets away from me sometimes."

"That's alright. I'm familiar with that problem myself - and I gladly accept food as peace offerings, not that you offended me or anything though."

She placed her own food on the roof of the car to pull back out her wallet. "How much do I owe you?"

"Nothing," was Jake's easy response as he took a huge bite and chewed happily. "This makes us even," he held up the food with a smile.

"No come on, please charge me for your inconvenience?"

"There was none. This is my job and I'm happy to help out, Leah. So don't worry about it. Thanks for lunch."

Leah sighed and decided not to fight it. Plus, she just didn't have the strength left in her to argue after that upsettingly dissatisfying phone call from Sam. "Thanks Jake. I really appreciate your help today. It just…it helped."

"You alright? I can tell that call earlier really upset you?" Jake's huge frame came closer and Leah caught a whiff of oil, sweat and a woodsy musky scent that was pure man, and totally delicious.

"It was my husband, well, my ex. We're divorcing and he wants to come by and move his stuff out. I know I should be used to it by now but I can't stop being angry. I can't stop hurting over how he's just leaving me for her. This wasn't the plan for my life. I thought I'd have kids and –" Leah broke off, realizing that she was spilling her guts to a stranger. It was totally insane. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to just rant like that."

"Don't apologize. It's fine. If you need to talk just talk. I'm neutral territory. I don't know you or the guy, so I promise I won't judge." Jake shrugged and finished his coffee, putting the cup into the empty brown paper bag.

Leah couldn't help but smile. This Jake was a sweet guy. He seemed genuinely so. She took a deep breath and looked at the traffic passing by, remembering they were in a very public place and she had to get back to work. "Thanks for the offer, but I have an appointment and I don't want to be any later than I already am. Again, thank you so much for your help and if you need anything just give me a call so I can return the favor." Leah fished out her card and handed it over.

Jake read it and nodded. "Will do, Doctor Uley. And you can call me too if your car ever needs fixing or tuning." He handed over his own card with yet another charming smile.

"Sure," she nodded. Wolf Tribe Auto, Jacob Black, it read. She liked his name. It had a nice ring to it. "I guess now that he's gone I will need my own guy to take care of the car. I don't really want to use his people at the company anymore."

"Makes sense. If I could be so frank: I think a clean break is the healthy option, especially if he gets you going so easily. It wouldn't be fair to you to need him for anything if he wants to be gone. You deserve better."

Leah dipped her head shyly and nodded. "Yeah, you're right."

"I was wondering something…are you by chance related to Seth Clearwater?" Jake asked while pocketing her card.

"Yeah! He's my brother, you know him?" she asked with a smile of intrigue.

"Yeah, we play soccer on Sundays, he's a good friend of mine."

"Oh! So you're one of his mysterious buddies who always take up his weekends then! I have you know I hardly see him anymore cause he's with 'the guys,'" Leah teased.

"Well, I certainly didn't mean to be mysterious," Jake smirked in a rather sexy way.

Leah blushed and tried not to smile at what had to be an attempt at flirting. "Well it really was nice to meet you then Jacob. Thanks so much for stopping to help."

"Like I said, it was no problem. I guess I'll see you around sometime then, Leah. It was nice meeting you too." His gaze lingered on her a beat longer than necessary and Leah felt a heat sizzle between them. Breaking the spell, much to her relief, Jacob tipped an imaginary hat and opened her car door so Leah could get in. She smiled in thanks at the chivalrous gesture and started her car.

She knew he waited until she was merged in traffic before getting back into his truck and getting on with his own day.