(DISCLAIMER: I don't own Twilight. Stephenie Meyer does. Respect her copyright! Yes, I too am very sad about Midnight Sun...)
Leah
It had been a week since the Cullens left for Italy. They were due back in roughly three days or so, but I wasn't sure how Jacob would be able to put up with waiting much longer. The separation from Nessie was starting to take it's toll. He spent most of his time phased, running around the woods, trying to lose himself in the simplicity of a wolf's instincts.
Nessie called him every day at the same time so he'd know to come home for her every night when it got dark. They'd talk for hours into the night, sometimes until the sun came up. Then he'd try to sleep the next day which was great since it gave us the freedom to run around as wolves without hearing his angst in our heads. However, last night I could tell that even the long phone calls weren't cutting it anymore. There was no way Nessie was missing the edge in his voice that he tried so hard to hide from her. She came from a cunning family and she was a smart girl.
When she called him the night after her visit with Aro and the other Volturi, Jacob was quiet for awhile. He seemed agitated and concerned over whatever she said to him. When I asked him what was wrong, he snapped at me and disappeared to his room for the rest of the night. I wonder what she said to him - what the vampires of Volterra must have said to her. Not that any vampires matter to me, but Nessie matters to Jacob and we have to put up with him. So, I just continue to look out for my best interest.
Butt out, Leah.
If you don't like what I'm thinking, get out of my head.
Impossible. You never shut your mind trap.
I laughed and phased back to human form, laying in the yard. I stood up and changed into my clothes, then sat back in the cool grass. I looked to my right to see the huge, shaggy wolf walk over to me. He playfully head butted me, which was uncharacteristic for Jacob. I reached up and scratched his ruff, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the guy. He remained still for a moment before jumping on me. He pinned me to the ground before bounding off, making a wolfish snicker as he looked back.
"Jerk," I said to him as he trotted into the house. I couldn't really be angry. He was reaching out for something stable and knew he could count on our camaraderie, rough as it may be. I got up and brushed the grass off me as I walked over the cool ground and up to the house. Jacob was already phased back, the phone in his hand, waiting for her call. Seth and Embry were watching TV and I flopped on one of the armchairs to join them. The nightly news was coming on. Seth made a grab for the remote, but Embry was quicker and whipped it away from him, tossing it to me. Seth moved to get up and wrestle me for it but was interrupted by Jacob who took the remote from me and was turning up the volume.
"Calm down guys. Listen." We stopped horsing around and looked at the glowing screen.
"…Reports tell us that the victims were left in a dumpster behind Club Underground. They appear to have been severely bitten by what looks like human teeth. At this time extreme blood loss from the wounds appears to be the cause of death. Authorities encourage anyone with any information as to who or what is responsible for this attack to please come forward…"
Jacob began flipping channels for any more information. The other news shows had reports like it, but said mostly the same thing.
"I knew it," Embry moaned, worry in his dark eyes.
"Hey," Seth said, trying to keep Embry from shouldering guilt. "We did go around that area and didn't find any vampires."
"But we smelled them. We should have tried harder."
"They're probably hanging out somewhere else," Seth said. "It's kinda predictable and I hate to admit it, but vampires aren't that stupid…generally."
Jacob interjected. "Seth has a point. I doubt they're hanging out in the place they're feeding."
"You boys hanging out with them so long that you're starting to think like them?" I teased Seth and Jacob who were practically family to the vampires we ran with. I figured the Cullens thought of all of us as family, but I wasn't willing to go there just yet.
"They can only dream," Jacob responded. "We should go check this out, though. Not just the city this time. We start out from here and keep alert as we make our way there."
"Sounds like a plan. I'm up for a run," I added, stretching in anticipation.
"Great. First, I make a phone call. Then, we're out of here." Jacob grabbed the phone and dashed to the deck where he could be alone. I just sighed and tossed the remote back to Seth. We would be running after vampires which would be good for us. Jacob needed a distraction and we all needed to let off some steam and get out of the house. Seth flipped through channels, unable to commit to one when Jacob came back inside. I could tell something was wrong and sat up, staring at him. He was upset.
"There's no answer. She's late calling and she's not answering her phone." He began to pace and I just sat back, watching him get himself into a spastic Jake frenzy. It didn't take long. I sighed.
"Well, why don't we all just go hunt. Jacob, I'm sure she's fine. She's a Cullen for cryin' out loud. We'll go out, maybe find some vamps and dispatch them. That would make everyone feel a whole lot better."
"We can't just kill random vampires, Leah. They could be friends of Nessie's."
I tried very hard to be as patient as possible. It was a task that didn't really come naturally, but I gave it my very best shot. I cleared my throat.
"Jacob, if a vampire tries to kill me or any of you - I will murder it - and with great pleasure. Just so you know." I smiled sarcastically and stood up, grabbing hold of Seth to drag him up off the couch. "Now, let's go. We can call her when we get back. I'm sure she'll answer and tell you she lost a signal or something."
Embry was already outside waiting for us and I was surprised when Jacob didn't argue with me. He wandered out to the deck and stood there, staring out across the long yard to the lake. I followed him, ready to phase when I noticed he wasn't really with us anymore. His eyes seemed far away and I glanced at Embry who raised his brows at me. It was just a little bizarre.
"I think I'm doing pretty good under the circumstances," Jake said, in a sort of monotone. "I haven't punched holes in anything or caused any damage to myself or others." He crossed his arms and I noticed that his fingers were clenched into fists. "I need her back." His voice was heartbreaking, even for me. "I need her." He closed his eyes and sat on the bench, hiding his face in his hands. It was uncomfortable to see him so anguished, trying to hold it all together. Right then I wanted the Cullens to return just so I could pick a fight with them over this. What were they thinking, believing this would be best for him? I was angry, but I knew my usual ranting would only make things worse.
"She is coming back soon," Seth said to Jacob as he sat next to him. He was a bit awkward, as if unsure how to help.
"Imprinting can really suck, huh?," I added. I should know.
Jacob then did something that I'll never forget. He lifted his head and look right at me.
"I hope you get your own."
I frowned at him. What was he implying? The way he said it made it seem that it was something he'd been thinking about for awhile. He'd been somehow hiding these thoughts from me.
"Get my own what?!"
"Your own imprint. You deserve to know what this is like."
I backed up from him, my heart feeling betrayed. I let myself trust Jacob in the last ten years. He had become a very important, stable friend. Why did he have to come out and say such cruel things now? Who's business was it that I chose to stay unattached? It made perfect sense to me.
"Why? So…so I can pine and mope and be insipid like you?!" I shouted at him, a little louder and more forcefully than intended. Since when had showing concern for a friend warranted a personal attack? "You know what? Forget it. Go on your little hunt. I'm out of here."
I jumped down and ran across the yard. I heard my name being called, but ignored it. I needed to get away. Once in the woods, I was able to phase. I left my clothes at the border of the trees and took off running. I loved to run. Speed was the best part of being a pack member. It was freeing. The scents were everywhere, calling me to them, telling me their stories.
Get back, Leah. We have to stay together.
Bite me, Jacob.
I'll pass, but I have some friends who'd will be glad to once they get back to town.
I was not in the mood for his cute little antics.
Screw you!
I was really angry. He wasn't letting me be alone. That was the one thing I hated most about being a wolf. The lack of privacy. I just wanted to run and be free, but he was trying to pull me back.
Leah. Don't make me make you.
That did it. I felt a surge of refreshed anger surge through me. I raced faster and suddenly made for a taller tree, using it to run up and flip around. I jumped off the rough bark and raced back to where I was sure Jacob was racing towards me. I saw him coming up fast and snarled, leaping up to lunge at him. My fangs closed on his shoulder and tore at the skin there, my wolf senses causing me to want to do physical harm. I felt his own teeth grip and tug at my back, the pain forcing me to release my hold. I snapped at his neck but he was much larger than I would ever be. In the span of about two seconds I suddenly found myself flipped onto my side, Jacob's sharp teeth buried in the fur of my neck, keeping me pinned to the ground.
Get off, Jacob!
You attacked me first!
You deserved it!
He suddenly got off me and leapt back, standing and watching to see what I'd do. Testing me. I got back to me feet and just looked at him. We faced each other, two massive wolves, unwilling to make another move. I wasn't about to be the first one to give. Call me stubborn, but that was me.
You deserve an imprint.
Ha! It looks like a whole lot of grief to me.
Suddenly we were aware of other consciousness' invading our minds. The others were hearing this. Jacob growled and used the double timbre mind voice of the alpha.
Butt out, guys. We'll see you soon. We heard the other minds leave and Jacob walked closer to me. Ha! I win.
It's been over ten years, Leah. We've changed so much, but some things are still the same. If you imprinted, you could finally understand for yourself why Sam had to leave you. You think you're broken inside and imprinting can't happen to you, but I still don't believe that.
That hurt. I felt my eyes water, wetting the gray fur under my eyes.
Why are you doing this to me, Jake? Shut the hell up. My heart was tearing open again and my trusted friend was making it hurt. I just wanted to forget about Sam and Emily and my stupid wolf girl body. Jacob walked up to me and head butted my shoulder.
I'm not trying to be mean. Blame this unconditional love thing I've got for Nessie. Maybe I want the same thing for you so you won't be such a pain in the ass about my imprint. Call me crazy, but I do want you to be happy.
I thought over what he was trying to say. We weren't the best with words, but I got his point. It was hard for me to love anyone when I could potentially hurt that person like Sam hurt me. How could I do that to anyone? Being a werewolf meant that I could imprint someday. I vowed to never break someone's heart, to put someone through the pain that I went through. It looked like imprinting was my only chance at the sort of love my soul craved. It was probably the only way I would ever completely heal. The same way Nessie healed Jacob when Bella left him shattered.
In response to his attempt at being sweet - which had been like something the way of body snatchers - I dashed away from him in the direction of the house.
Oh, come on, wolfman. We've got hunting to do.
(There will be massive amounts of action in the next couple chapters. I know it has been a bit slow thus far as I got into Leah's mind. I can't resist a good action scene, though, so this story is getting a big one. Plus, very soon we will be seeing the return of the Cullens! As much as I heart the wolves, I miss our favorite vampires. Thanks for the reviews! They are very appreciated. -Z)
