Running.

Paws slap the ground.

Slap, slap.

Fur on grass.

Thud, thud.

Keep on running.

Running helps.

Clear your mind.

Thud, thud.

Forget.

Thud, thud.

Forget.

Thud, thud.

Everything.

Leah?

Sam's voice booms through my head, breaking the trance.

What?

You know what. It's past midnight. Get your butt back to La Push in five.

Why should I?

Leah. Come back.

The rumble of the Alpha's voice rings in my ears and makes my knees buckle with the pure strength and power of it.

You know, Sam, there's this thing; you might have heard of it, its called freewill?

Leah… He sounds amused, and has lost the whole Alpha crap. You have two minutes.

Or what? You'll tell my mommy? 'Hey, Mrs C, your daughter doesn't obey her Alpha. You don't know what an Alpha is? Oh yeah, guess I didn't mention: all the kids in this town are vampire-fighting werewolves.'

He's chuckling now. I can see the thoughts flashing through his mind: my mom, Seth, me… then –

My breath catches in my throat and I can't breathe. The image in Sam's head is of me and him. I look young, innocent, happy, and Sam looks younger too. We're outside my house. It's dark, and I'm sitting on the garden wall.

I remember that evening like it was yesterday.

It was the night we first kissed.

Ah, shit. I –

I can feel Sam's guilt, his remorse.

Just hurry up, Leah.

Everything fades as Sam phases back into a human.

You see, the problem with being a werewolf is that there are no secrets, no privacy. Well, I say the problem. More like one of the many, many problems. Nothing is safe; all your emotions, thoughts, memories, hopes, fears, secrets, dreams, they're all just laid out for everyone to see. Because Sam and me… we were an item. Emphasis on the past tense. We were, like, the school's golden couple, you know, most likely to marry and all that b.s. He was my first love, and I was young and naïve and stupid enough to believe we'd be together forever.

Then Emily came along.

She's my cousin, my mom's sister's daughter. And according to the whole of Washington State, the whole Goddamn sun shines out of her arse. She showed up six months ago to visit, and Sam – my Sam – only had to go and Imprint on her.

Which basically, in a nutshell, means he is completely and irrevocably in love with her.

I'm back in La Push now, in the woods behind Old Quil's house, where the rest of the pack are waiting. I phase back into my human form, pull on a white vest and denim shorts that are tied around my ankle, and walk over to where the rest of the pack – my pack – are standing in human form in a loose circle around Sam.

"Finally," Seth groans. "Took you long enough."

I glare at my little brother. "Shut it, turd face," I snap, and take my place between Jared and Embry.

"So, as I was saying," Sam says. "We need all the rest we can get tonight for the… events of tomorrow."

"Sam – this is ridiculous!" I blurt, before I can stop myself. Eurgh. Big mouth, much. "We're helping vampires! I mean, does sworn arch enemy not mean anything to you people?" Shut up now, Leah.

"Leah…" Sam sounds tired. "We're doing this to protect Bella. This has nothing to do with the Cullens."

"Bella!" I shriek. "What's she ever done for us? I mean, she's not even Quileute! Get your priorities straight people!" Jacob lunges towards me, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

"Leave it, Jake," Quil mutters. "Totally not worth it."

Sam ignores them. "This vampire has been tormenting us for nearly a year now." His voice is low and calm. "We are protecting Bella, but also our tribe and our people."

"Fail, Leah," Seth mutters.

"Your face is a fail," I retort.

"Your mom's a fail!"

"Seth, you freak. We have the same mom."

Paul is glaring at me. "In less than twelve hours time we are going to be fighting a whole army of bloodthirsty newborn vampires, and that is ALL you can think about? Grow up!" Jeez, Paul. Mood swings.

Jacob, Quil and Embry smirk. I stick my middle finger up at the them.

"Look, I think we all just need some rest." Sam looks old and weary. "Meet here at eight tomorrow morning."

Gradually the group disintegrates into the night back to their homes, until it's just me and Sam left.

"Leah, wait." Sam catchs hold of my hand as I go to leave. I turn my head, and get blown away by the beauty of his deep brown eyes, bearing into mine.

"Leah, I –" He stops, uncertain, and I see a thousand emotions flick through his face. He looks tortured, regretful. "I – I think… I still –"

"Sam, honey? You coming?" A sweet, clear voice breaks through the trees, tinkling like a stream down a mountain.

"Go on," I urge him, placing my hand on top of his. He looks down at our joined hands, and quickly pulls away. "I – I have to go," he murmurs, his eyes tortured, and once more he leaves me, running into the darkness.

And back to Emily.