"What the hell are you thinking?" he asked; his grasp still tight around my waist. I just now saw how close I was to him. Our foreheads were nearly touching, as tall as he was, he was bending down so he could look into my eyes, and find the true answer. He realized our close proximity at the same moment I did, and slightly positioned his body further away from me, but his grip didn't loosen at all. This small movement stung. I looked at the ground, embarrassed. Now, when I saw things clearly, I was overreacting way too much.

Way to go, Leah. I scolded myself internally. Jump off a cliff because of one little fight. But I couldn't help but remind myself that it was so much more than that. I scrambled for a good response, something feisty, and fiery. Something that would remind me not to speak to me that way, of course, I would give anything for him to hold me like he was now, so tightly and urgent. It was for the wrong reasons of course, but at that point it didn't really matter much to me.

"Geez, Jacob. I don't need a fucking babysitter. I can do what I want with my life. It's not like I'm your responsibility or anything. Just leave me alone!" I shrieked, unthinkingly jerking myself out of his grasp and instantly regretted it. I had moved closer to the edge of the cliff, my back facing it now.

"Leah, you're a part of my pack- even more than that my beta, you are my responsibility," he said, falling for part of my trap. The first part was to get him off topic. He would leave me alone eventually, never really getting an answer to his question. The second would to be take a giant leap of that cliff, and plummet to the churning waters below.

"You didn't answer my question," he reminded me. Shit, he had noticed.

"I…um…well…er…"

"You gonna answer me, it's not that hard of a question. Do I have to repeat myself?" he asked.

"It's none of your business," I snapped. The childish comeback sounded silly. He snorted.

"Leah, we're friends. It is my business. I want to know because I care about you. Can we talk about it?"

"No."

"You're impossible."

"Yup." It was silent then. Neither Jacob nor I spoke for a long time. The quiet was uncomfortable, awkward.

"Leah, please talk to me."

"Talk to you? About what Mr. Alpha?" I asked my voice innocent, but sarcastic.

"Leah, I want to know what could have possibly made you jump of a frickin' cliff." I couldn't even explain how much I wanted to tell him. I wanted to pour my heart out; I wanted him to let me cry on his shoulder. I wanted him to hear him say he loved me too. Everything would be okay, he and I would be happy…

I jerked my head up quickly, ending my thoughts before I could go into the riding into the sunset fantasies again. He jumped at my sudden movement, but recovered fast.

"Well?" he asked impatiently. I looked down. "Leah?"

"Jake, it's complicated, alright. Just leave me alone."

"Leah, I can't do that."

"And why not?"

"Uh, let me see, the fact you may try to jump off this cliff again as soon as I'm far enough away." He said, frustrated.

"Jake, why do you care?" I asked, the pain washing over me like the tide.

"Leah, you're my friend, you're my sister. Of course I care about you. Do you think I would be happy if you died?"

I nodded, embarrassed now. It was silly to think like that, but like a child of course I did.

"Leah, you irritate the hell out of me, but I do care about you. You're practically my sister. You're tied to me like Seth is tied to you. I wouldn't be glad if you were successful in this stupid suicide attempt you're trying to play here."

"You love me?" I asked quietly. He didn't respond for some time, so I was beginning to think he didn't hear me. He shifted his weight uncomfortably, and he had a guilty look on his face. His russet cheeks seemed to have a little more color to them than before. He was blushing. This was a joke, right? A cruel, sick, practical joke.

Ha ha. Very funny.

"Yeah," muttered. "I think I do." I stared at him for a second, searching his eyes for any sign of lying. There was nothing.

"Seriously? Really?" I asked, the information, as great as it was, was still sinking in.

"Really, Leah, I do. I've loved you for a while now, actually."

"What game are you playing, Jacob. It's not funny."

"Game?" he asked, his voice sounding genuinely…hurt.

"I love you, too, Jacob." I said suddenly. He looked up, and a brilliant smile flashed across his face. He then pulled me into his arms again, this time, it was less awkward. It wasn't excruciating knowing that he held me without wanting me this time. This time, I threw my arms around him too, pulling him closer.

"Thank you, Jacob."

"For what?" he asked casually, whispering into my ear.

"For saving my life," I said simply, then quickly pecked him on the cheek.
"Any time," he said, kissing the top of my head. "I will never let anything hurt you again."