School went as usual. The only difference was that Angela wished me a soft "Happy Birthday," when she saw me and that I got a free chocolate cookie from the lunch lady, whose computer was apparently attached to our records or something.

And the Cullens, but they were bound to be excited.

At least Jasper reminded Alice not to blurt it to the whole school. She squealed excitedly when she saw me and I flashed her an amused smile.

"Love you too, Alice. Don't overdo it... or give yourself brain hemo-burst."

Rosalie snickered not at my slip-up, but at my sarcasm itself. If it were a year ago, I would have cried. I did cry. Now, I don't cry as much, but I do still get very upset when anyone talks badly. No one here knows who he is except for Leah, but people are cruel and they will talk.

LEAH

"You've broken the treaty too many times for this to go on, and you won't even tell anyone why?! Seth isn't saying anything even under orders but I know he knows something. Why do you continue to break our rules, Leah? What could be so important that you dare to stomp all over our dignity as wolves by slinking to those bloodsuckers whenever you get the chance?!"

Sam and Jacob were both frustrated, but it was Jacob who spoke. Sam knew not to speak like that, that I could rip him, any of them, to shreds if I wanted to.

"Don't talk like that, Jacob. She's given too much for us to question her loyalties now. Whatever it is, it must be life changing." Sam offered quietly. "If the vampires let you on their territory then that's fine, but my pack can't protect you if they attack you for it."

"I can't promise that I'll keep away, because they've welcomed me and I respect them. Jacob, you are not the Alpha, and even if you were, you have no control over me. I do not condone Seth's torture in exchange for answers that you know damn well I will not give. Leave us alone and don't you dare presume anything, pup. I have my reasons, and you shouldn't bother trying to figure them out."

"They're vampires!"

"Have they broached our treaty? Have they done anything suspicious other than live their lives the way they always do? Until you can find evidence to the contrary, take that righteous attitude and shove it up your ass, Jacob Black, because you are not the Alpha and I will always be higher than you!"

Jacob skittered back, as if he'd been burnt, and Sam sighed.

"Go, then. And tell Bella we wish her a happy birthday. "

I nodded and phased. Sam was a good friend, and I was glad he was loyal enough to have kept quiet all this time. Everyone thought we were dating, silly people, and when Sam came to me for advice on how to propose to Emily, I squealed and hugged the mess out of him because finally! It was about damn time! Then he phased and started to avoid me. I thought I had done something stupid, but realized that he was confused and didn't want to hurt me. I walked him through the first few weeks of his wolf life and he was overjoyed that we shared the same secret. He told me that his imprint on Emily sealed the deal, and that they would hopefully be married soon. I was glad for that, because Sam was a nervous wreck about it all, but Emily would see him through. The rest of the tribe thought I was bitter because I lost Sam to Emily, but they couldn't be further from the truth...

It hit me every time I saw them together that, like Sam, my mistake had nearly cost my own husband his life.

I raced to Cullen territory, hoping to have shaken off my despair before I reached the treaty line.

I had called ahead and Esme happily invited me over, stating that they were throwing Bella a birthday party, and that I was more than welcome to celebrate with them. Esme was a saint for putting up with all those kids, I mused. At any rate, this would be interesting. I snorted as I jumped across the river.

Alice and Jasper met me somewhere in the middle of the forest.

"We figured you could use some help until you know the territory like you want to. Emmett and Edward were more than happy to do the same for Alice and I. Alice also needed to get out before she went overboard and give Esme a chance to fix things. The way the house looks right now will probably give poor Bella a heart attack." The blonde soldier snickered.

I phased, glad that my idea of a leotard and tights had stayed with me through it.

"No heart attacks, please." I ordered his fairy-like wife. "The last thing she needs is to be overwhelmed and Esme can take what you've started and scale it to Bella's level of comfort. Thank you for all this, though. She'll probably enjoy it... I should warn you that she could have a flashback or something. If she does, please don't panic. Same for if anything else may occur."

"Thanks for the warning." The doctor, having overheard the last part of our conversation, nodded to me in greeting. I dipped my head and shook his hand. He barely hesitated before he proceeded to wrap me in a hug, the same I knew he would for Bella.

"Glad you could make it, Leah. Esme should be with us in a few but she's still working on Alice's... decorations." I nodded and stepped around the doctor to be met with a white room filled with cake and presents and hints of blue and silver in the balloons and streamers. Food sat on one table, being carefully watched by Emmett who chatted with Rose.

Alice launched into helping Esme with the redecorating, begging to keep certain things up as Jasper watched his wife flit around, radiating amusement. Edward was nowhere in sight, so I assumed he was with Bella.

"Where's Copper?" I asked Jasper.

He laughed and I rolled my eyes.

"What's so funny?!" I scowled.

"Bella calls him that too." The scarred man informed me.

"Well, Scarface, she is my daughter, adopted or not."

"Indeed." Rosalie hummed in agreement as she sauntered onto the couch. "Those boys of yours still giving you a hard time, wolf?"

"I keep the ones who do in their place, Blondie. Only three know the real truth, and they won't talk."

"Sounds like you've got it covered." Rosalie nodded.