Note: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter, I have had internet connectivity issues. In the future it should take less time. Thank you for your patience.
"Vanishing Moon"
Ch. 2
Leah
I made sure I took my pack to tie my clothes around my ankle and went out for what appeared to just be a walk in the woods. I needed a new pack, this one was getting frayed and worn. The canvas was going to come apart at the seams. I made sure my license and bankcard were tucked inside as I walked toward the woods. Keeping an eye out around for the ranch workers I followed what appeared to be a seldom-used trail and went so deep into the woods that I couldn't see any activity from the ranch. Making sure I could scent or hear no one else, I quickly undressed, folding my clothes into the pouch and leaving my tennis shoes in a crevice of a tree. It was scary to change. Not knowing if I'd be alone or not, but I also relished it. It was so hard to stay as composed as I had just today in the city and surrounded by people. I was too used to shifting, and too unused to controlling my rampant emotions. I didn't know how I was supposed to go to school. Working as a part time barista had been hard enough this past month for a week in a small Washington town. I'd spent some time running around the wilds of Canada before heading back south.
I let my emotions roll out, stopping the almost incessant mantras and yoga breathing I kept up normally to keep calm. And the change happened before I could hardly think about it. I was now a small gray wolf, well small in regard to the rest of us walkers, bigger than average wolves of course.
I started off taking a path around the ranch that would keep me away from all the workers. I was usually the fastest walker, but today I decided to explore the area. I was thankful Jacob was not shifted now as well so I was alone. The further I got out from the ranch the more a certain smell triggered my senses. It smelled almost like home, but with enough difference I chalked it up to homesickness. I'd been in La Push all of my life, of course I'd miss it. It was all I knew and as unstable as I could be, at least it was home. Snuffling, I started to speed up to detract my mind onto something else. I was just getting into a good run when I was no longer alone. I growled as another set of thoughts joined mine.
Well, hello, to you too, grumbled Jacob, who was quite less snarky since his imprint.
Go away so I can have some peace, I won't be able to shift as much, I'm settling for a while, so go away, I bit out.
Sure sure. When I'm ready to I will. Look, your mom and brother...
Don't start in on me again Jacob, I growled as my stomach clenched in pain and obvious and blatant homesickness. Along with guilt. You of all people know what it is like. You know why I can't come back.
Yeah yeah, he sighed, loosing some of his bluster. I do know Leah. That's why I ask you to come home. You'd be amazed how things have changed. How much Seth has grown. And Renesmee...
I growled. Don't even start on your imprint.
Okay. Yeesh. Don't have a coronary. The thing is home just isn't as bad as you think when you are on the run. I know how lonely it can be.
After a brief hesitation to feel out his emotions I relented and didn't argue back. Much. Well, for you it is because you imprinted. We all know I'm not going to. Everyone knows I'm an anomaly not meant to be repeated. And with that I changed back into human. I couldn't argue with him anymore and as soon as he'd shown up I'd started back to my beginning spot so I could get dressed now and plod my way back to the ranch.
Funny how I knew I wouldn't imprint, yet I still stared at every man or heck even boy I met, hoping, praying one would jump out at me. I was tired of looking. It wasn't happening. What good would I be anyway, unable to have children.
I was fuming by the time that I stepped back into the ranch house and headed to my room. I'd ignored all the workers and almost ignored a chuckle that came from behind me. But I was so not in the mood. Whipping around I crossed my arms and stared at the newcomer from the kitchen. He was a blonde and had blue eyes like Tiffany and I assumed he would be Michael, the brother. He looked about fourteen.
"What's stuck up your craw?" I crocked an eyebrow at his choice of words. Country, much? Nosey, even more?
"What is the problem? Did I look like I wanted to be questioned?" I knew I was probably being too harsh with the kid since I was renting on partly his ranch, but frankly he just rubbed me the wrong way.
"Um," and he turned around and went back to the kitchen. I turned back to my new room, stopped by my doorjamb. I knocked my forehead a couple times on my doorjamb for good measure to finish my obvious brain damage, before turning to go toward the kitchen.
Entering, I saw the boy sitting alone at the table, a microwaved dish untouched in front of him. He was starring sightlessly into it. I sighed and sat down, finally getting his attention.
"Look, kid, I'm sorry I was so rude. I'm just in a bad mood," I grumbled when he stared at me timidly. He nodded.
"I didn't mean to make it worse," he added, his voice weak and wobbly like the lanky kid he was.
"You didn't" I assured him as I started at his plate with him. I think we were both trying to identify what it was supposed to be. I felt odd about it, but Tiffany had said they'd buy the food, so I swiped an apple from the counter basket and began eating it. At least I knew what I was eating.
...
Dirk
I was sitting in a meeting, bored almost to tears. I was running again for state congress and the meeting was a typical one. While my campaign director, Samuel droned on, I let my mind wander to the run I'd be taking tonight in the woods around my home, the Wild Stone Ranch. It was a nightly ritual and it helped expend some of the excess energy I accumulated during the day being in the office. While congress was in recess I got to at least be at home here in Helena. Wild Stone Ranch is in the outskirts and comprises three hundred acres. I also owned a cabin with a couple hundred acres near Kalispell that I enjoyed going to for some extra rest and relaxation not to mention family business. It was more of a place for the family than just myself anyway. The cabin there was huge and contained thirty bedrooms. That is where I really wanted to be right now. As Samuel asked me a question though I tuned back into the meeting.
