Chapter one: "Why should I hang around here when all I want to do is vomit?"

Ugh. That smell had been etched onto the very fibres of my mind. The sickly sweet odour of vampires. Those bloodsucking leeches my brother was so fond of. You'd think that after six months away from it I would have forgotten. But no. Of course not. It seems I'm doomed to having a good memory. But maybe it was the proximity to the Cullen coven that forced me to remember that smell. All unpleasant memories resurfaced whenever I got closer to my old home. That was why I spent so much time as a wolf those days; I could just forget about everything. That, and the fact that I couldn't stand being within a ten mile radius of 'imprinters' and 'imprintees.' They were just so happy all the time! It was completely disgusting! I hated visiting the area. I had to though. Visit, I mean. Mom would never have let me leave if she knew I wasn't planning on returning any time soon. Just a quick visit, a few days, and then I would leave again. I would become a wolf once more, and feel the soft earth beneath my feet, and feel the wind race past my fur... Oh no. I just caught Jacob's scent. Unfortunately for me, he also caught mine. And obviously, he decided to follow me.

Leah! Hey! Slow down!

No, Jacob. You know I don't want you here.

Aw, c'mon. Just say hi?

Nope.

Please? Just phase, come and see Nessie, and Seth at the house too! He'd want to see you!

No, Jacob!

PLEASE?

Jake was getting closer to me - I hadn't realised I'd been slowing down.

...UGH! FINE! But just for a little while okay? I need to say hi to Mom, and you know how she gets if I don't say hi within two hours of arriving.

Sure, sure. I'll get Bells to find some clothes for you – they'll be by the big rock next to the forest, okay? I know you don't like being in your human form, so thanks. I was afraid I'd have to use my Alpha power on you!

Yes, Jacob, oh holy one... Thank you for the clothes. Appreciate it.

No problem. Meet you there!

And the sense of awareness, of another presence inside my mind than my own, was gone as he phased back to human Jacob. I was free inside my mind.

A pleasant idea occurred to me: I coul just go straight to mom's without seeing Seth. Now Jacob was no longer in my mind, I could run away. After a moment dwelling on that, I decided I'd better not. I'd managed to visit last time without seeing my happy-go-lucky brother. He'd probably track me down myself if I didn't see him this time. Oh well. It was a nice thought while it lasted.

I headed towards 'the rock', where even from this distance I could see a pile of clothes waiting for me. I poked them with my paw, ascertaining that they were jeans and a t-shirt, about my size. I took them in my jaws and loped off towards the forest, trying to ignore the horrible vampire odour seeping out of the material. Looking around, a short way into the forest, I phased back into my human form, and got dressed. I wandered towards the little cottage where I knew Jacob would be waiting for me.

As soon as the small house came into view, I was hurled to the ground by something that came from my right, crushing my ribcage. Coughing slightly, I groaned,

"Seth, get off! I think you just broke some of my ribs." To which my younger (yet taller – when did that happen?) brother jumped to his feet and extended a hand to help me up, which I took reluctantly. "Are you going to attack me again? Or am I free to walk now?" I asked him sceptically.

"Naw, s'okay. I just miss my sister! And since you ditched me last time, I think I have the right to a more enthusiastic greeting!" Seth explained. I rolled my eyes.

"So, are we going to stay outside, or do I have the pleasure of entering the vampires' lair?" I wondered sarcastically.

"Ummm, no. We're going inside. They want to see you." Seth mumbled. Seeing my expression, he added, "Don't worry! Bella and Edward went up to the main house. It's just you, me, Jake and Ness." I wrinkled my nose, slightly appeased, slightly annoyed that we were going to be entering the horrible-smelling house.

"So," I said, as we got to the front door, "How can you stand the smell? Really, it's burning my nose from the inside."

"You get used to it," he shrugged. I rolled my eyes once more, and entered the house.

I tried not to show it, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. The house was...quaint. There really was no other word for it. It looked like it belonged in a fairy tale. Well, there were more than enough fantastical creatures present. Sitting on the sofa was Jake and Nessie, giggling; at something vomit-worthy I'd assume. How they both fit on the sofa together was beyond me. Jacob was huge! At least seven feet tall! And Nessie was, as usual, though I hated to admit it, beautiful. She now looked about seventeen, probably reaching the end of her giant growth spurt. And, clearly, by the way she was draped around Jacob, her feelings towards him had changed since the last time I saw her. Noticing our presence, she quickly shuffled away from him, embarrassed.

"Hey Jake. Again," I smiled somewhat grudgingly.

"Hey Leah," he grinned, pulling Nessie back towards him and kissing her forehead.

"Nessie," I nodded, to which she smiled in greeting, before getting distracted by Jake once again.

"Ugh you guys! Again? Really? Please!" Seth groaned. Clearly this was a regular occurrence.

"Hey, you don't have to watch," Jacob mumbled against Nessie's cheek, before staring at her once more, and smiling a beam of joy so strong it was hard to bear, then leaning towards her again.

"Sure, but we can still hear," Seth pointed out, interrupting. Jacob smiled, not at all abashed, but pulled away, stroking Nessie's nose once before he turned to look at us.

"Still against the whole imprinting thing?" He asked me.

"Um, pretty much, yeah." I admitted.

"It's sort of wonderful," he sighed. "The connection between the two people is just-"

"Ew, gross, Jake. Don't start going all mushy on me. I used to always be able to count on you to be miserable. Now you're just a hopeless romantic," I teased. He threw a pillow at me, which I dodged easily.

"Okay, um, we're gonna go visit Mom now. Leave you two in peace," Seth said, rolling his eyes. Eye-rolling clearly ran in the family. "C'mon Leah. I don't wanna be around these two anymore." He grabbed my wrist and we left the cottage.

I was suddenly a bit scared. Now it was time for the really hard part. Explaining to Mom that yes, I was here to visit, but yes, I would be leaving again.