"Ah! Shoot!" Leah licked her finger quickly to dull the pain of the burn she had just received from the stove. Who knew scrambled eggs could be so dangerous. She turned the heat down and grabbed a spatula. Just as she was going to start scrambling, a cry erupted from the nursery.
"Why do babies eat so much?" Leah asked to the air as she frantically searched the refrigerator for baby formula.
"I don't know maybe because they just spent the last 9 months eating crap?" A sarcastic voice answered. Leah's head shot up and hit the top shelf in the refrigerator.
"Ow! Stupid frig." She kicked it a little too hard. This earned her a laugh from the voice. "We're out of Similac."
"What are you doing?" Tamyra asked taking in her surroundings suddenly serious.
"I'm cooking breakfast."Leah stated turning back towards the eggs.
"No I mean what are you doing in your widower ex boyfriend's house cooking him breakfast and taking care of his baby and don't you dare say it's the right thing to do because I know your deep dark secrets Clearwater." Tamyra said stepping into the house. Leah hesitated before answering not meeting the other girl's gaze.
"Sam's and Emily's relatives are leaving today. Some are stopping by before they go so I decided to cook. Plus someone has to watch Leo while his father mourns upstairs." Leah was seething but she pretended to keep her cool.
"Leo's father needs to own up to his new responsibilities!" Tamyra protested.
"Leo's mother has been dead a week!" Leah countered as she finally glared at Tamyra who eventually backed down. Leah angrily turned back to the stove. She couldn't help but think about the past week. Emily died in childbirth leaving behind an infant son and a broken husband. When she had left the room to inform the pack, Leah hadn't realized how broken Sam was. She returned a day later and found Sam still sitting next to the window, tiny Leonard still cradled in his arms, crying loudly. Sam in his grief was completely neglecting his son. Leah, taking the duty of godmother to heart, decided to care for the innocent, along with planning the funeral. Thankfully Sue had helped, and most of the pack helped in whatever way they could, though they all discreetly avoided Sam. None of the guys were ready to handle the pain of losing an imprint which is probably why Sam hadn't phased much since he attacked Tamyra and Seth. His face betrayed no emotion besides utter loneliness. Leah felt her heart hurt when he cried at the funeral. His cries were a mix between a man screaming for his life and the howl of a dying wolf. He had no shame and no one could blame him. He only settled down once Jared, Paul, and Jacob pulled him away from the casket. Under any other circumstance, Leah would have found it comical to see Sam hunched over sobbing like a baby into Jared's shoulder while Paul awkwardly patted his back in reassurance. But she knew this was no laughing matter and as much as she wanted to hold up her rep for being tough as nails, she wanted just as much to join them and sob for her dead cousin and friend. The spatula snapped in Leah's hand.
"Why are you angry?" Leah roared at Tamyra who had just heard every thought and felt every emotion Leah was just going through.
"I was getting sick of all that self pity." Tamyra snapped.
"That gives you no right to toy with my emotions! I'm not angry!" Leah yelled. Tamyra almost laughed at the irony.
"You should be! Hanging around here like some maid! Like you're his-"
"You finally showing up made it so that I can actually get near him without hating his guts or feeling like mine are getting ripped out. I am his friend and I will help him get through this and I will help him with his son."
"Well as the manifestation of your dimprint, I don't approve!"
"Yeah well I'm all up in your thoughts too Myra and I don't approve of you avoiding my brother!" That stopped Tamyra who looked as if she still had more to say.
"Whatever, " was all Tamyra said before she stood and left the Uley home. Leonard's cries suddenly came back to the forefront of Leah's mind. She had to settle for giving Leonard diluted skim milk. As she bottle fed him she couldn't help but think about the argument. Why am I defending him so much?
You know it's the imprint right? Jacob inquired as he and Leah ran patrol that afternoon together.
What do you mean? Leah asked confused. She had been replaying the morning events in her head.
Myra. Why she's acting so… you know-
Like she's PMSing 24/7? Leah asked slightly amused, slightly weary.
She's been away from Seth too long. The imprint is working against her. Leah wasn't sure when Jacob had become so perceptive. Seth's not doing so hot either. I'm not sure how much more of this rejection he'll be able to take.
I don't know what's wrong with her. Leah had finally discovered how to hear Tamyra's thoughts as well as feel her emotions. She dug deep enough to find that Tamyra does have feelings for her brother but she can't find the source of her desire to ignore them. She's being stubborn.
Like you? Jacob asked. Leah took offense. I mean, you two are in each other's heads constantly. Even more than the pack, you have to be manipulating each other. Jacob had a point Leah decided. It was starting to get freaky how alike they acted but it still bothered Leah that Tamyra was being more exposed to her stronger negative tendencies. We wouldn't want her to become bitter before Seth even has a chance to make her that way. Jacob joked. Leah laughed half heartedly. Leah couldn't help but wonder if Tamyra's emotions were getting in the way of her grieving process. Jacob's thoughts immediately shifted to flashes of Leah shortly after Harry's death. Jacob tried to shift his memories but Leah had already caught glimpses. I guess my grieving process has been messed up all along.
No one blames you Leah. You were in a tough spot. I mean, I don't know how I would've dealt if Billy had died when I first phased. I nearly took him out myself now that I think about it, that night. Jacob tried to sympathize. It didn't work out too well.
Nice mood lifting image Jake.
Sorry. They continued patrol in silence until Jacob stopped to sniff. What's Myra doing out this far in the forest? Leah perked up at Jacob's question. She looked through his eyes while he stalked closer to where Tamyra's scent was leading him. She didn't notice Jacob's approach. Leah snickered as she watched from Jacob's mind, Tamyra swinging her body on a tree branch. She had graceful movements. If Leah didn't know any better she would have assumed the girl was an accomplished gymnast. Suddenly she flipped out of the tree, landing softly despite her momentum and hissed, her back to Jacob.
"I know you're there Jake, and I'm reading too much humor from Leah so I know she's nearby.
Crap. Although Leah and Tamyra were sharing thoughts in and out of 'form', it was really only strong thoughts and highly concentrated emotions or feelings that prominently affected the other party. Leah barked annoyance while Jacob barked a laugh and phased to human. Leah followed suit. Tamyra waited for the two to emerge before she turned to face them and spoke.
"My brother is arriving tonight. I told him I'll wait for him in this vicinity." She waved her arms to indicate the surrounding area. Leah had forgotten that Tamyra's brother was due that day. "Although, I'm still not sure where he should stay. I'm not particularly keen on his idea of sleeping in the woods." Leah remembered that her mother had offered Seth's room who graciously agreed to share, but Tamyra had turned her down, not too keen on that idea either about her brother bunking with her imprinter, whom she was currently ignoring.
"What about Sam?" Jacob suggested.
"What about Sam?"Leah countered, narrowing her eyes in his direction along with Tamyra.
"He could stay in the extra room in Sam's house." Jacob stated nonchalantly.
"You seem to forget a few things Almighty Alpha, so your exemplary Beta will remind you. One, there is no longer an extra room in Sam's house, that room is now the nursery. Two, Sam's imprint just died, he's a little moody at the moment. And three, Sam has a week old infant so there is no way I'm letting a guest stay with a moody werewolf and his wailing baby, " Leah stated as if she were talking to a child. Jacob simply stared at Leah who was beginning to wonder if she should retract her compliment about him being smart earlier.
"I think it's a great idea." Tamyra stated earning her two shocked looks from Jacob and Leah. "Tre can sleep on the couch, if Sam explodes at him, he can handle himself, he is a shifting panther after all, and plus my brother loves kids!" She continued in a bubbly voice. Leah dug through the other girl's emotions and thoughts and discovered that she really thought the idea was incredibly stupid but she was desperate to keep her brother out of the Clearwater home. Leah smirked now knowing the truth. Tamyra threw Leah a nasty look unseen by Jacob knowing what Leah had found out.