I sit on the chair, repeating the events from my early morning blast from the past. I rub my temples with a sigh, feeling completely shit. I either need another drink or to get my ass in bed and forget about all this mess. But Morgan wasn't having any of it. I could see that having my ex-Alpha and his sparkly companion in close proximity was putting my current flame on edge. And if I were honest, he was teetering extremely close to tipping over.
He paces the floorboards, each creak making my ears split. He rubs a hand incessantly over his stubble, mumbling incoherently under his breath. His form is big enough that I should find him intimidating, except I'm not a normal human woman, and he isn't a shape-shifter, not in the Quileute sense anyway.
"So wait - the vampire was with him?" He asks quickly, his face set in a scowl.
I nod my head and I rub my forehead. Had he not fucking heard me the first time? "Yes, oh mighty King. Fuck-Ed Cullen was there in all his luminescent glory."
His bright eyes snap to me, narrowing in distaste. They flash dangerously, reminding me of what he is and of his rank. "Now is not the time to be a smart ass, Leah. They must be here for a reason. I need to find out why they've come to London. I can't just have those two roaming my streets, fucking with you like that in the bar. It makes the Pack look weak. Makes me look weak."
My eyes roll as I sit back in the chair. "Morgan," I start seriously. "I'm half drunk, my clothes smell of sour candy and vomit and all I can think about is how I can strangle you to stop you from burning holes in these lovely floors. Would you sit the fuck down because I'm currently seeing two of you swirling around the room and it makes me want to barf again?"
I was only met with icy blue eyes and a door slam after that. I guess it could have been worse.
.
After being locked out of the Alpha's room I had reside back to my own, slinking into the ruddy sheets to sleep.
The same dreams that had plagued me for over eighty years come crashing back, washing over me. Those brown eyes, that shaggy hair, his wide smile. It cripples dream-me and a pain so intense, so white hot, shoots through me, jolting real-me awake.
My chest heaves up and down as I try to catch my breath. Pushing my hair away with trembling hands I feel the light sheen of sweat covering my entire body. Realisation dawns on me that I was still in the same clothes from the bar and was still covered in the sickly sweet smell of vampire. It feels like it's crawling over me, like its hate only exists to terrorise me.
I stumble and make my way to the shower, stepping into the tub with bare feet. The porcelain is cold against my skin and I gasp as I spin the tap, allowing the icy water to cascade over my head. I peel off my clothes, hearing them squelch against the floor as I drop them into a pile. Steam bellows from my skin as the wet freeze of the water laps at my heated form. My body trembles as I remember the blood from my dreams - it's metallic tinge burning my nostrils. There had been so much blood.
Lifting my hands, I remember how the liquid had coated my skin, how it had stained me. Stained my soul.
My breathing is jagged, and I try to suck as much oxygen into my lungs as I can.
Even after all this time, after all I've seen, there is only one moment I can never forget. And by the way the dreams haunted me; the moment would never forget me either.
.
It's mid-afternoon by the time I peel myself from the bed once again. My stomach grumbles incessantly as I move toward the kitchen. It's unusually quiet and I soon find out why. The whole Were pack is in the den, Morgan leaning over a long table, shoulders tense and bunched in anticipation. Plans and maps are strategically placed on top of the wood, the entire pack crowded around as they listen to their Alpha.
I block them out as I head back to the kitchen and grab my jacket off the back of the stool and search for my boots. I find them soon enough and pull them onto my feet. I sift through the bowl on the kitchen in search of the keys to Morgan's car. The tiny red tag shines at me as I reach for it and stuff it in the pocket of my jacket.
Before I can walk out the front door, a huge figure looms there. My exit is blocked and it's pissing me off.
"Where are you going?" the Alpha asks, his nostrils flaring in distaste.
"Out," I reply simply as I try to move around his form to the front door.
"Where?" Morgan growls in response pulling me back by the elbow and pinning me against the wall.
His forceful behaviour is not only peeking my wolf's interest but increasing my anger. Fisting my trembling hands, I look into his sharp blue eyes. I'm surprised to see they're filled with both anger and disappointment.
"I don't have to tell you anything, Morgan," I growl back as I lift my chin in defiance. Morgan may have been an Alpha, but he wasn't my Alpha.
"You're going to see him. To see Jacob?" he asks suspiciously, hurt lacing his words.
I shrug. "You want to know what he's doing here. Well I'm going to find out."
Morgan's eyes narrow in suspicion, but he steps aside all the same. I know it pains him to let me go, go back to Jacob Black. But it's all I can do. I need to know what my former Alpha is doing in London, just as much as he.
.
The entry of the hotel is blinding. Chandeliers hang in the lobby, dark accented wood and marble floors creating an unease in my gut. It's not a usual place for me or my kind to ever be caught dead in, and most certainly screams vampire-kind.
The human man at the desk eyeballs me enough to know even he is aware I look out of place and don't belong here. Smoothing out my shirt and jacket I saunter over to him, pulling out the sweetest smile and most sincere voice I can offer.
Within moments he is spilling.
Thanking him I make my way over to the elevator, slipping the room key into my jacket. It makes me sick to think about what humans would do to even be acknowledged by the supernatural. The only thing important to them is beauty, and the recognition of such.
The elevator remains empty all the way to the sixth floor. Even in this space I can smell the traces of an all too sweet being. Edward Cullen was leaving his scent everywhere and it was making me want to barf. Stupid motherfuker. I should have removed his pretty little head when I had the chance.
I find the room easily enough and press my ear to the wood.
The room sounds empty, so I slide the card into the lock and wait until the small red light blinks green. Pushing open the heavy door I blink around the room, allowing my eyes to adjust to the darkness.
The drapes are pulled shut, the entire room void of light. My nostrils burn with the scent of vampire and I almost cringe back. Nothing will ever allow me to get used to that smell. Not when I first shifted, and not now. Every inhale of the aroma feels like the first time I'd smelt it in Forks; two days before I shifted in my mother's tiny house in LaPush.
Stepping into the room I close the door behind me, quietly.
A shift in the darkness has the hairs on the back of my neck standing at attention. A slow rippling growl hums low, slamming against me in torrents of waves, like being pushed by an ocean. Frantic eyes glancing around the room I hadn't even contemplated the space of the ensuite which adjoined the room.
Stupid.
"Come," the voice barks.
My feet, unable to stop, glide across the carpet, destined for the voice. It's like a soft veil, strangling the air from my throat, seizing my lungs. Had he wished, he would be able to command my heart to stop on sight. To stop any function of my body he wished.
It's in the absence of light I feel it. The low hum of his energy. The rest of my senses spark; touch, sound, taste. The air is electrified in the small space, growing with each step I take.
"Nice to see your still a grade-A assh-"
"Leah." He growls. Just that one word has me clenched, cringing.
I don't stop until I am so close I can feel his warm breath over my face. My back stiffens automatically scenting the heady musk of the Alpha in front of me. It takes my mind places I refuse to go anymore. Catapults me straight back to my tiny Reservation on the Olympic peninsula.
'God, he smells like the rain, the forest, no, no, no…'
His figure looms over me, bent slightly, scenting my hair. A satisfied purr rumbles from his chest, his body heat drawing closer.
"I'm glad you came. We have so much to discuss."
"Jake-" I choke, feeling his palm cup my face. I want to turn away, want to spit in his face, but even through the absence of him, the animal instinct to obey the Alpha makes my knees weak.
"You've been hiding here a long time. But it's time to come home."
"No," I plead quietly. "Please."
"I'm ready now, Leah. You made me a promise once. That once she was gone, once I was ready, void of her, you'd come back to me. Do you not remember?"
My throat tightens.
"Leah – I need you. By my side. LaPush needs you."
