CHAIN

interlude: seth

Something smells weird. Suspicion was evident in Leah's thoughts, and Seth, naturally, changed direction and began cutting through the forest to try and get to Leah. The link between the pack enabled him to see through her eyes, hear through her ears, and smell through her nose. She was right, there was a new smell, foreign but familiar at the same time. He couldn't remember encountering it before, but it was like part of him was telling him "Remember it!" at the same time, like the scent should have been recognizable. This only puzzled him further, as he tried in vain to pick up the pace, wanting to get there, too.

Leah, of course, didn't wait for her brother. She kept going at her breakneck pace, at a speed that Seth could never come close to achieving. Smugness was radiating from her now, and he was almost a little irritated that he had reminded himself of it, therefore giving her satisfaction. He tried not to think about it, and she, of course, began gloating inwardly about her speed. Jeez, Leah, no need to rub it in. She disagreed.

Holy shit! Leah had skidded to a halt in shock, and Seth forced himself back in Leah's mind, wanting to 'see' what was going on.

A jet black wolf was curled up at the trunk of a tree, a little ways away from where Leah had come to a stop, seeming to be sound asleep, oblivious to Leah's presence. It was too large to be natural, actually, it was basically the same size as Leah. Unthinkingly, Seth threw his head back and howled loudly, trying to alert Jacob. Damn it, Seth! Leah was immensely angry he had made such a sound, and Seth was momentarily confused. Jake was Alpha, he needed to know... right?

Whoops, sorry! He thought, just as Leah snarled threateningly at the other wolf, who had awoken at Seth's call. Leah had no biting retort, focused now on the stranger. Seth ran faster, incredibly contrite about putting Leah in a potentially bad situation. He tentatively pushed back into Leah's mind.

The stranger had stood, watching Leah with green eyes – no, really green eyes, they were almost glowing! Leah was growling lowly, immediately becoming hostile to the trespasser. Seth was pushed out of Leah's mind for a moment, as Embry took presence in both of their minds. He howled loudly, the sound echoing through the forest. Seth wasn't sure why Embry felt the need to howl like that, but dismissed it.

What's going on? I heard the howl, Jacob and Quil were both out of range to hear, I think. Embry was in a better spot for getting closer to where Leah was, but Seth had had a head-start. At least he'd be beating someone there. Hey, man, it's not a race. Really, what's going on? Leah? This better be important. They were instantly assaulted by visions of the dhampir Embry was bonded to, who now was, physically, anyway, a preteen. Seth had to physically shake his head to rid himself of the images.Embry looked into Leah's mind, much to her annoyance. What? Another one? One of Sam's pack? He immediately jumped to that conclusion, his hackles rising.

We don't know, Embry. Seth thought, finally catching up to Leah. He circled around part-way, stepping out from behind some trees to the side of the stranger, who remained perfectly still. Seth was struck at how strange the wolf's eyes were, their strange lightness only amplified in the dim light.

Embry showed up, also circling as to move to a position so that they had formed a triangle around the black wolf. Whoever it was seemed to be startled out of their stupor at the realization he or she was boxed in. S/he whirled around in a 360-degree circle, and Seth could have sworn s/he was sizing them all up.

He can't honestly think he could take all of us on? Seriously. He's the same size as Leah! Embry thought, obviously coming to the same conclusion at the way the wolf had almost appraised them with their eyes.

Hey, dickhead, shut up. Leah was not impressed with the comparison and what it implied. I could kick your ass in a heartbeat.

You think this one's a shape-shifter? Like us? Seth wondered, ignoring his sister, looking at the wolf curiously.

Awfully big to be a natural wolf. Besides, look at those eyes.

Our eyes don't exactly glow, Embry. Leah didn't want them to compare it to them. She preferred not having anything in common with a potential enemy.

Should we phase? I bet there's a stash of shorts somewhere... Embry thought, trying to remember if there was. Seth even pondered the possibility for a moment.

We should wait for Jake. Seth decided finally, for he was convinced that the Alpha should be dealing with this situation.

I say that we shouldn't. If he isn't paying attention, that's his problem. Leah thought, using her position as Beta to her advantage, asserting dominance over the other two.

I'm here now. Jacob had phased just as Leah had decided herself in control of the situation. Relief flooded over Seth, glad that he was here, just as Leah felt something akin to both disappointment and irritation. Leah scoffed inwardly at Seth, thinking him pathetic. Seth chose to ignore that part.

Well you need to be here, and you needed to be here five minutes ago. Leah growled softly in irritation, causing the stranger to tense a bit more, if that was even possible. Honestly, Seth wouldn't be surprised if the wolf ended up exploding from the tension in its stance, it was probably coiled tighter than a drum.

A russet-brown blur streaked through the trees, leaping over some of the bushes and landing a foot or so away from Leah. The other three wolves moved a bit to become more of a circle than a triangle, to accomodate the largest shape-shifter.

The black wolf flinched, taking a step back at the entrance of their leader. Embry immediately moved a bit more to block, just in case the stranger decided to run. Seth felt like he had been punched in the stomach – a sensation shared by all – as Jacob's thoughts suddenly seemed to... Seth couldn't really describe it.

Are you kidding me? Leah thought in surprise, as they all fought the pull that Jacob was being put through, the pull that made him completely and utterly oblivious to any of them except for who Leah had been ready to attack moments before.

Seth whined softly, before phasing into human form, not wanting to be so... exposed to what had just occurred. Embry and Leah seemed to feel the same, both of them phasing not even a second afterwards.

"Damn it, of all the things to happen while we're all mind-linked! Did not want to be witness to that." Leah grumbled, before taking off running, still as a human, probably in search of clothes. Embry followed suit, running in the direction of one of their stashes. While Seth was loathe to just kind of split, Jacob and the stranger were still frozen, still as wolves. Seth hesitated, before deciding that standing around naked wouldn't help anything, and then he began to run.

Jacob was on his own for the moment.


A/N: I promise that this is the last of the horribly-short chapters! e_e