Hey guys thanks for reviewing! :)

Here's chapter 3 - its a bit longer than I had planned, but whatever :)

enjoy! :D


Chapter Three

As I transformed, I felt the familiar sensation of the pack mind entering my own; it still sent a shiver down my spine even after all this time.

Quil and Embry were running; I could hear their measured paces as they bounded across the undergrowth, their massive paws crushing all that lay in their path.

I reached out with my mind, letting all the images of my decision flow into the other wolves' heads, but my invitation was met with an inner conflict from all of them. My happiness was tainted with an undertone of fear, anxiety and wariness, but it didn't come from inside of me.

I stumbled, and it threw me off guard: wolves hardly ever lose their footing, even on the side of a mountain in a raging storm. I slowed down, my breathing heavy with worry, my heart banging against my chest. I felt dizzy, as though some unknown foresight was bearing down on me. It took me a moment to realise that the others were trying to talk to me.

"Leah," Embry thought.

"Leah, this isn't such a good idea," Quil joined in then.

This time I stopped in my tracks. Not a good idea? Were they really going to ruin this one chance of happiness I might get to experience in this world? I felt my blood boil in my already sweltering wolf-body, and I started to tremble.

"WHAT?" I tried to sound reasonable, but even my thoughts were savage snarls.

"Oh, Leah, I'm so sorry," Embry tried to comfort me, but I didn't know what from.

"Leah, Jake's already-" Quil started to explain whatever it was that had them feeling sorry for me, but I wasn't going to let them spoil this.

I shook my head and let the heat flow through me, changing me back into a human.

I pulled my clothes from the within the thin cord around my ankle, and as I did so, I heard an anguished cry of a wolf.

It was Embry and Quil, still trying to warn me of some silly little thing that I was sure I really had nothing to do with.

I sighed and started running in the opposite direction, towards the Cullen's house where I knew Jake would be waiting for Bella and her baby. I think he spent so long there, just waiting for the baby to arrive, because he knew that once Edward and Bella had brought a child into the world, it would feel so real to him that he maybe would be able to move on. I hoped and wished for all I was worth that I would be the one to help him do this.

I hated running as a human. I had never been the most athletic pupil in PE classes at school. Sure, I wasn't as bad as Bella, who fell over just at the thought of basketball or hockey. Argh, I was doing it again. I still made snide comments towards Bella in my head even though she was actually really nice, and I suppose we got on quite well, really. It was the jealousy thing showing through again.

My feet thumped against the hard dirt ground with every pace, nothing compared to the loping, elegant stride of the wolf. And why did humans have to get so hot and sweaty when they ran? I could feel my face getting redder and redder, warmer and warmer, and soon I had to stop to catch my breath.

The thought of transforming was very appealing, but I couldn't bring myself to wrench my mind back through the half-whispered warnings and sympathetic apologies from the other wolves.

I started running again, slower this time: a measured pace, as I tried to figure out what I was going to say to Jacob when I saw him. I ran my hand through my harshly cropped hair, and wondered idly if I should grow it out again, maybe to remind me of the time when I liked my appearance, when I took pride in it.

I jogged across a simple clearing, through a few clumps of massive pine trees, and the foliage thinned, rays of light piercing the green glare of the forest. I shielded my eyes as the sun bounced off the huge window-wall that stood a few hundred yards away from me.

I giggled to myself as I started across the grassy flat towards the Cullen's house, and caught a glimpse of Jake through the giant windows. He had his back to me, unsuspecting, and in that moment, I knew exactly what I was going to do.

I took the front steps three at a time, my lanky legs striding determinedly up towards my destiny.

I knocked the door impatiently, tapping my foot on the stone ledge as I waited. I heard footsteps towards the door and Carlisle opened it. I immediately felt a bit sheepish after yesterday's escapades, and what I said to them all. My hands fumbled together, as I tried to string together a coherent conversation.

"Umm... Hi... Carlisle. Umm... I just wanted to apologise for my umm... behaviour... yesterday," I stammered, trying not to meet his beautiful golden eyes, as I knew it would make the stammering worse.

Carlisle held up a hand in submission, "Leah, do not apologise for your actions. What's done is done, and I think you had every right to act the way you did. I can tell you now, Bella holds nothing against you for it," he smiled warmly, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

A little voice in my head laughed and said, come on Leah. He's REALLY not your type.

"Right," I said, distracted, "Good. Ermm... could I talk to Jacob for a second?" My heart fluttered as I thought of how close I was to everything I've ever wanted.

"Sure," said Carlisle, and he stood aside to let me in.

I stumbled slightly as I stepped over the threshold, my gaze fixed on the doorway into the living room. I crossed the hallway in a few long strides and hovered by the door for a second.

I didn't see anyone else in the room. I couldn't take in any of the atmosphere or situations that were going on around me; I only had eyes for Jacob.

My lips pursed into a tight line as exhaled a deep breath and took a few steps towards him. He had no idea.

"Hey," I breathed.

The room was frozen to me, but out of the corner of my eye, I could feel Edward's gaze heavy on me. I turned my head slightly and saw him sigh and whisper to himself, "Oh no." A pained expression crossed his face and he bit his lip. We both turned to Jacob to watch for his reaction.