Chapter 4:
"Stop, Melaine." He says.
"What for? Someone has to stand up for her!" I say.
"Leah can take care of herself. It's not like what you just did was completely for Leah." Sam says knowingly. I pull my arm away, sigh and lean against the tree. "Do you have any idea why I chose to go against Leah's choice in deciding to leave?"
"No, but I have a feeling that she thinks you just want to keep her here, and keep her on a string as if she was still yours to have." I say and look back to the beautiful, simple house. It was a great house to start a family, plenty of yard space for the children to run around. A swing could hang from this tree and a playground could be built in the backyard. I admire it.
"That's not even close to my reasons." Sam says. "It's dangerous out there for wolves on their own. We are pack animals, Mel. If she was to cross paths with a pack, the leader wouldn't hesitate to destroy her. They'd think that she was a rebellion and that she'd try to take their pack and the leader would rip her to shreds, maybe they might even drag out the misery, but they'd destroy her." Sam shivers at the thought. "I can't think about letting her go, especially with that image in my head. I know you and her have this horrible image of me that I'm a jerk and I never loved her but I did and I do." He says.
I shake my head. "I've never thought that you didn't love her. Leah knows you loved her. I don't think she thinks you still do… but that's between both of you and not me. I just wanted to stand up for her. She rarely lets her walls crumble, and they fell today, twice in front of me. I couldn't stand it anymore. I'm sorry that I did it rudely, but I'm not sorry for standing up for her. She deserves to be happy Sam. But if you think you need her, then keep her here, but if she wants to leave, she will leave eventually, no matter what Sue or you say." I tell him. I head back to the house. "Don't worry; you can have the pack meeting without the interruption of a mere mortal. I'm leaving; I've just got to grab my bag."
Sam grabs my arm and spins me to face him. "I've never forced you out. You aren't just a mere mortal. You are a part of this. You can stay if you want." Sam says.
"I don't want. Whenever I'm around Bella, I get this gross taste in my mouth especially when she's with Jake. So I'm going to behave myself. I'm going in to get my bag, tell everyone bye, and I'm leaving. I'll see you soon Sam." I plaster another smile on my face and head into the room. The room falls quiet. I grab my bag. I turn to my dad. "I'm not cooking dinner tonight; I'm going to Forks to hang out. You're on your own for dinner." I tell him. "Bye." I smile to everyone and then I walk out.
As I walk across the lawn, I realize my car is still at Leah's, good I can walk and clear my head. I hear the door slam and footsteps pad toward me.
"Melly!" Jake calls. I'm shocked that he's left Bella's side. He catches up to me after I don't make an effort to run away. His arms wrap around me and spin me to him. "Did he hurt you?" Jake asks defensively.
"God, no, Jake, he would never." I reassure him. "I just needed to get out of there." I say.
"Why?" Jake asks innocently.
"You honestly don't know do you?" I look to him. I shake my head as if to shake off the threat of telling him. "I just felt like someone should stick up for Leah."
He looks to me questioningly. "It's for her own protection." Jake tries to assure me.
"If you have convinced yourself of that, then sure, it is." I say. I pull out of his arms and storm towards my car. I know I'm being an emotional wreck. Just right now, when I look at him I see her in his eyes and it disgusts me. I can't do it right now. I might break, I might crack. He doesn't let me go though. He pulls me back to him, his eyes burning with something I don't recognize.
"What's wrong Melaine?" He asks me seriously.
"Nothing." I say and avoid his eyes.
There are footsteps coming towards us, I wonder if he'll turn around and see her. She stumbles on a root, I don't move to help her, Jake doesn't hesitate, in a minute he rushes and catches her and his hands are gone. The only trace that they were ever there around me is the outline of heat that still rests just above the skin. I turn on my heel.
I begin shaking and trembling. I tell myself to calm down. I pace away, rushing to my car. Jake calls my name. I begin running. I hear him tell Bella to wait a minute. I run faster. He chases after me. He catches me when I'm feet from my car. He grabs me and spins me around to face him. I tremble.