Chapter One: New Life

It was hard being the only girl in the wolf pack. Everyone else always seemed stronger than me, and made fun of me constantly. I was always the slowest, the scrawniest, the least memorable. Even when I became the Beta to Jake, they still treated me like I was at the bottom of the barrel.

Leah, quit complaining Jake said through his mind towards me.

He was always getting on my back. Before he imprinted on Renesmee, he would take my side every once in a while, but now, he was always annoyed with me. I thought at least he would take my side when every other guy wouldn't. But no, he just yells at me. Or thinks at me harshly.

I was sitting outside, in the Quileute territory, when I saw a group of guys walking towards the beach. It was weird, there was a strange tugging at my heart, and for some reason I couldn't get my eyes to move away from him. I had never seen him around here before, which was odd since most of us new everyone in the preserve.

I continued to stare, and the my amazement, he looked over and meet my glance. He gave me a slight smile, and continued walking with his friends towards the clear blue water. His dark hazel brown hair waved slowly in the breeze and everything I had been thinking negatively about a few seconds before no longer mattered. Was this what it was like to imprint?

And then, almost as soon as I had seen the boy, he was gone again. I looked hopelessly around the area of the beach, yet he wasn't there.

"Watcha' looking for Leah. Lose something?" I heard a voice from behind me say. I turned around to see my little brother Seth walking towards me, a large smile on his face. None of the rest of the guys from the pack were there so I smiled back at him.

"Nah, little bro, just thought I'd take a little walk," I replied

"Can I come?" He questioned, standing next to me now. I nodded and we walked down the waterfront together, quiet for the most part. Even though he was bigger than me now, he was still like the little brother from years ago, before this werewolf stuff started. I felt as though this was bringing us together, and that was about the only good this about being a "chosen" wolf.

"Bro, have you ever liked someone?" I asked, slightly hesitant.

"Well, yea I guess I have. But I can't wait till I imprint. All the other guys look so happy," he replied, a look of awe on his face thinking about the happy couples like Jake and Nessie and Quil and Claire.

I knew the other guys thought I was cold all the time, but really, I was just scared. Inside, I loved the idea of finding someone that I know will be perfect for me. If only that person and time would come a little quicker.

"Seth, I'm gonna go out for a while. I'll see you later at home," I said blankly towards Seth and turned and started fast walking the other way. I ran home and got my backpack and extra clothes and started walking towards the city.

Leah, we're having a pack meeting. Get here now a voice said inside my head, It sounded like Jacob but I couldn't be sure.

No, I'm busy I said back calmly. Jake wasn't very happy and neither was the rest of the pack. I could tell from the amount of voices now inside my head.

"Just stop!" I accidently screamed out loud. I immediately turned red, when I saw a tall figure walk towards me. It was the boy from before and his smile had multiplied since the last time I had seen him only minutes ago.

"You okay there?" he jokingly directed towards me. His blue eyes were glistening as they board into my less interesting murky brown eyes. I blushed and looked down. What was I doing? I asked myself. I was never this shy in front of people, let alone a guy I had never talked to before.

"Yea, I'm fine. Just a little flustered I guess." I replied quietly back. What is wrong with me? I asked inside my head.

Many things I heard Quil and Embry reply.

Shut up I said back.

"Yea, I get that way sometimes too. I find that ice cream helps calm things down. Want to get some?" he asked. He as still smiling at me, and it made me feel so comfortable. He seemed easy to be around. I nodded my head and started walking with him down the long winding road.

" The name's Jared, by the way," he said, staring into my eyes again and giving me his hand.

"Leah," I stammered back. Why am I so embarrassing? I questioned again.

I'd like to know that too, another voice said from my head.

I ignored them this time and shook Jared's hand. It was so hard and calloused, yet in that firm grip, I felt safe with him, even though it was only a few minutes of knowing who he was.

It seemed like the walk to the ice cream parlour was short, although it was rather far. We talked about a few things, but really we just looked at each other and the scenery around us.

I didn't here any other comments about missing the meeting from my pack and was glad not to be bothered at a time like this. I had almost turned back when Jake first told me about the meeting, but was glad I didn't. These few moments were worth any troubling comments I earned from the others. They would all get their chances at this kind of stuff, and now it was my turn.

I have heard love was a funny thing, from my parents and members of the pack. I didn't know if I was experiencing love or imprinting with Jared, but I knew I liked it and didn't want it to end.

*****Thank you everyone for reading this story! I came up with this story idea one night and knew I would like writing it. I liked the character of Lea, and thought she would make an excellent main character. Please review and comment.

P.s. Read my other Host story titled "Darkness" and Doee13's Twilight story "Sunlight" *****