Bella

Jake was excitedly talking about his plans for us today.

"We just need to swing by Emily's for a second, I have to talk to Sam. Then we'll drop by my place and then walk down to the beach."

"Sounds great, Jake." I was a bit happy we were going to Emily's. It was nice to be around another human in this world of supernatural beings.

"Quil's been bugging me about seeing you again."

I laughed lightly at that. Jake and I slipped into a comfortable silence and I watched the landscape pass. Jake still drove pretty fast but not as fast as Edward, he knows it scares me when he speeds too much. Jake is an amazing friend, he is always there for me when I need him. I couldn't help feel a little guilty about our complicated relationship. However, I didn't have time to circle deeper down that drain of self-hatred because we pulled up outside Emily's house.

Quil, Embry, Paul, and Jared came pouring out of the house. Jacob and I hopped out of his rabbit and walked towards the boys.

"Embry you too?" I questioned.

"Yeah, I'm finally one of the pack!"

I looked over the incredibly large boys as they went on teasing Jake and each other. I was pulled out of my thoughts when a tall woman with short cropped hair came out to join the boys.

"Bella, this is Leah Clearwater. Harry Clearwater's daughter." Jacob explained.

I made eye contact with Leah and was met with such deep, hate-filled, eyes I took half a step back. Leah clenched her jaw tightly and balled her fists. Her fists were shaking violently, it looked eerily familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. I realized I hadn't said anything and flushed slightly at my lack of social awareness.

"Hey, I'm really sorry about your father." I stammered out, still taken aback by the pure hatred in Leah's eyes.

Her shaking seemed to spread further from her fists, into her arms and shoulders.

"Leah." Jacob said in a tone that sounded a bit confused and a warning.

Leah turned her gaze to Jacob for a second and let out a low growl sounding noise. She then turned her gaze back to mine and there was a sudden flash of sadness that was quickly replaced with burning rage again. I must have imagined the sadness because there was no way there was any other emotion than pure hatred for me. Leah shook even more violently and took off in a sprint towards the woods. Halfway to the treeline, Leah exploded into a beautiful grey wolf. I gasped quietly to myself, taken aback by the beautiful wolf and the sudden realization that Leah was a werewolf too. As if she heard my gasp the big head of the wolf turned back and looked directly at me with tortured eyes. My heart ached at the sight of so much pain. The wolf turned back towards the woods and disappeared into the treeline. I stood there marveling at the speed in which she had taken off.

"What's up with her?" Jacob turned back to look at his pack brothers.

They shrugged or gave vague indifferent grunts. Just then a loud mournful howl echoed from the woods Leah had just disappeared into. A lump formed in the back of my throat and I almost felt like I hurt for the wolf too. The pack exchanged looks, ranging from pitty to annoyance, then headed back inside. Jacob and I followed.

I sat at the kitchen table picking at my muffin, vaguely aware of the conversation around me. I was remembering Leah's beautiful wolf form and the soul-crushing howl. Was it her who let out that cry? It had to have been, everyone else was here unless there was a new werewolf I didn't know about yet. They seemed to be popping up like weeds. I shouldn't have brought up Leah's father, it was too soon. I started to feel guilty and wanted to go find her to apologize. My heart pulled down into my stomach and I ached for Leah, she had been through so much turmoil with Sam, Emily, and now her father. All I wanted to do was go to her and try to comfort her. I don't really know why I want to comfort Leah, especially because she hates me. But then again I don't think I could handle half of what she's dealing with. I was suddenly pulled out of my thoughts when I heard her name mentioned.

"Yeah, just started shaking. Then she took off into the woods." Jacob was explaining to Sam, half interested.

"Alright, I'll go see what set her off. She should know better than to let her emotions slip so close to a human." Sam started for the back door. And I suddenly felt two strong emotions hit me like a brick wall. I was incredibly angry that Sam was going to help Leah and not someone else. Hadn't he put her through enough emotional drama? But I was also relieved someone was going to go fix my stupidity of bringing up Harry.