Chapter One: Part One

Jacob's POV

"Paul, do you seriously have nothing better to do than eat everything in MY house?!"

I glared at him threw my groggy morning eyes. I had just woken up to find Paul sitting at my kitchen table, eating the last bacon and cereal we had in the house. He smiled widely as he took another large spoonful of Captain Crunch into his mouth, winking at me. Just as I was about to spring to knock the old wooden chair from under him, Rachel turned the corner into the kitchen.

Great.

"Be nice, Jake." she warned. I loved my sister, but I could not STAND her taking up for that jackass. She patted me on the shoulder as she passed, lifting her lips in a light smile.

"Good morning babe", Paul croaked out as he rose swiftly from the table. He picked Rachel up and spun her around, planting kisses down her neck. Ew. That was my cue to leave.

"Don't be like that Jakey poo!" Paul chortled after me. I rolled my eyes as I turned out of the kitchen and headed down the hall towards my room. "Don't tease him", Rachel laughed after him. I closed my door and plunged myself down to the bed.

What to do, what to do? I thought to myself. It was Saturday, and only eight in the morning. I didn't care what I had to do; I needed to be out of this house. Being around imprints was like starring as the "pathetic single friend" in a crappy, low budget romance film. I really didn't have the stomach to sit through hours of Rachel and Paul's lovey dovey talk.

I laid back across the bed, closing my eyes to think. I could feel my heart beat against my chest, and hear the wind ruffling the leaves outside my window. Usually on days like this I could just take a quick trip to forks to hang out with my best friend (slash owner of my heart) Bella. Now, that was too complicated, and too hard. As if the fact that she's MARRIED to someone I can barely stand isn't enough, she also happens to be a newborn vampire. Mrs. Edward Cullen: forever eighteen. Just like she had always wanted. It was hard not to think of the different future she could have had… with me. But that fantasy was long gone now. I will always be the kid she loved, just not enough.

Still, we manage to maintain our friendship. I guess I still get to hold on to that part of her. We mainly just keep in contact through long letters, and short phone calls. Every once and a while we meet up. I don't really think I could handle seeing the girl I lost on a daily basis.

I ran over the other possibilities in my head. I could go over to Embry's, but he was probably sleeping. His mom was very – particular about her son. He was the only werewolf I knew who still had a bed time. There was always the option of going wolf – but then I would run the risk of bumping into Leah. That was NOT how I wanted to spend my Saturday morning. It was hard to maintain a positive attitude around her, she was just so damn bitter!

That was another difference in my life, I was now Alpha of my Own pack. When things were rocky last fall between the pack and the Cullen's, I broke off on my own. The independence didn't last long as I was soon joined by little Seth Clearwater, Quil and Embry. It's crazy how much things can change in six months. Just last week, Leah of all people decided to join. Can you believe it? Leah frickin' Clearwater! She pretty much hates me, but she would do anything to get from under Emily and Sam's hold. She border line begged me to let her stay, so of course, I gave in. I haven't been in wolf form since. Then again, there wasn't much need to. The Cullen's and the wolves were now on good terms, and Sam's pack is doing the majority of patrol right now. I knew I still couldn't avoid her for much longer.

But I would today.

When nothing good came to mind, I finally decided to just go to the beach. I put on a pair of grey sweatpants and an old black t-shirt. With that, I was out of the door.

Leah's POV

Chapter One: Part Two

My eyes flew open, heart racing at a hundred miles per hour. I stared blankly at my surroundings; my meek version of a room. It was just a dream, I had to remind myself. This was my reality most mornings – the cold sweats, rapid heart beating, panic.

I laid back down, rubbing my hands across my forehead. Maybe if I tried hard enough the dark images would go away. But when did I ever get what I wanted?

With my body groaning in protest, I managed to climb out of bed. I know I'm a werewolf and all, but damn did those nightly tremors take a lot out of me. Today was Saturday and of course I had nothing to do. Ugh, Leah, you really should think about getting a life, I told myself.

Something was different as I made my way to the bathroom, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I moved my hand over the rugged wall in search of the light switch. And when the dim incandescent light flickered on, the difference was noticeably clear. I had a smile on my face. My own reflection had me flinching back. At that, I had to laugh. I guess I did have a little something to smile about. Being away from my own personal hell aka Sam's Pack was definitely cause for celebration.

"What are you all giggly about?", a voice asked out of nowhere. I turned my head to see my dorky little brother leaning against the bathroom door. Quickly, I washed away any trace of contentment from my face, and replaced it with pure sarcasm.

"I was just thinking about how fun it would be to push you down the stairs. Now get out of my way, Seth." I brushed past him and fled into the hallway.

"You don't fool me Lee", his voice rang. I looked back over my shoulder to see his smiling face. I threw him a small, tiny grin back, before trotting off to my room. That kid really did push my buttons, but he also knew me better than any other person in the world.

I sat on the edge of my bed. I still couldn't shake the images of last nights' nightmare. My dad, the hospital bed, the monitors blaring wildly. Me, not being able to stop it or help in any way. They say time heals all wounds. Sike! That's something you can really never recover from. And time, was just making things worse.

I shook my head, a useless attempt to shake away the mental pictures. I couldn't take it anymore. I put up my walls, blocking all emotions from my body. I would rather be blank, than feel this pain. It hurt too much, like I was going to break into pieces.

That's it! I yelled at myself. You need to do something. Get out of this house today. Easier said than done. It wasn't like I had any close friends. I don't even remember the last time I went out for fun. Ha-ha. Wow. I really am pathetic. I guess I'll just go for a run. Who says being part wolf excludes you from exercise?

I found some shorts, old tennis shoes, and a black sports bra and got dressed. I tied my hair back in the mirror in a loose bun. I appraised myself for half a second longer, turning my side to the mirror. I didn't see anything wrong with me; I thought I actually looked kinda nice. So why was I damaged goods in everyone else's eyes? Again, I shook away the thought and made my way downstairs.

Seth was sitting in the living room eating a oversized plate of eggs and toast.

"Where's mom?"

"She went to breakfast with Charlie", he replied without as much as a glance towards me. Hmm, they sure were spending a lot of time together these days. I opened the refrigerator and poured myself a glass of orange juice, which I gulped down in one sip. I headed towards the door as I wiped the liquid mustache from my top lip.

"I'll be back in a little while Seth. Be good."

"Where ya going?" He actually managed to unglue his eyes from the TV this time.

"The beach." I answered. I pushed the door shut behind me, and began making my way down to La Push.