Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, especially Nyx826 (your reviews are always so lovely) and Sandy Harris who always supports me :) Also, thanks to Stephenie Meyer for creating these characters and for giving me the inspiration to write this story.

Chapter 7- Lies

I was exhausted. I had walked for the entire day and the sun was low in the sky when I reached the borders of La Push. My feet throbbed and ached from where they had been walking over the rough forest floor and my entire body felt heavy and slumped. It didn't help that I had to drag my body back home, fighting against the magnetic pull that gravitated me towards Rosalie. I didn't want to have to fight it, but I had no choice.

I found the place where I had left my clothes before phasing last night and quickly put them on, not caring that they were covered in dirt. I reluctantly took off the jacket that Rosalie had given me, unwilling to part from her scent that had kept me going on the long journey home. I could not keep it, not unless I wanted the truth to be found out. I dug a little hole and buried it just outside the border, hoping desperately that no one would find it. I felt a little streak of naughtiness as I kept her panties on, their skimpy lace could not hold much of her scent.

I was under the cover of darkness when I reached the edge of the trees. I walked the long way around to my house so that I could remain hidden rather than running straight through the village. The familiar green painted wood of my little house stood a few hundred yards away from me, almost blending in with the green leaves and moss covered trunks of the surrounding trees. I stood still, listening out for any noises that would indicate that a member of a pack was nearby. My human ears weren't nearly as efficient at doing this but after a while I determined that there was no danger and ran to the tree that stood outside my bedroom window. I leapt up it, climbing onto each branch and swinging myself up higher until I reached my slightly open window. I slid it open the rest of the way, trying to be as silent as possible and slipped into my bedroom.

The sight of my little bed and all of my earthly possessions would usually have comforted me, but all I could think about was Rosalie and how her absence was everywhere I looked.

I was so tired after being sleep deprived the previous night that my eyelids began to droop as soon as I sank onto my bed. I leaned back and my head hit the soft, feather pillow but the softness didn't feel right. I looked around and saw a little marble statue of a woman that my mother had given me so many years ago. I held the small object against my chest, it was freezing cold and hard as rock but I felt strangely comforted by it. I shut my eyes and fell asleep instantly, consumed by my dreams in which Rosalie's face never vanished.

...

There sound of a fist rapping against my bedroom door startled me from my dream and Rosalie vanished in a wisp of smoke. I groaned at the weak sunlight that flooded in through my open curtains.

"Leah?" my mother's soft voice sounded from behind my door. "Leah, are you in there?"

I grumbled something incoherent and she pushed open the door. She didn't ask any questions, she was used to me running off and not coming back for a day or two when I was having one of my rages. "Jacob's at the door."

Ugh, great. I had to go and deal with Jacob.

I heaved myself out of bed and traipsed down the stairs, looking at Jacob through puffy, sleepy eyes. He was, as always, topless and wearing worn, cut off jeans.

"What?" I said grouchily.

"Err, good afternoon," he said brightly. "Where were you yesterday?"

"Out," I mumbled.

"Okay, well you have to come out and patrol now."

"Err... I can't patrol today."

"Why?"

"I don't feel well," I lied.

Jacob snorted. "Bullshit Leah, wolves don't get sick. Get your ass out on patrol."

"No," I said defiantly.

"Why? What's happened that's made you unable to patrol?"

"Nothing, I just can't come out."

"It's not something you have a choice about, Leah. Do you want me to go and get Sam?"

"Is that supposed to be a threat?" I laughed. "You think I'm scared of Sam?"

"No..." Jacob shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry. Please come out and patrol with me and Embry."

"I'm not going Jake, get someone else to go."

"Who? We've all worked overtime because of your little disappearance, I'm not covering for you again."

"I'll do it," Seth said as he appeared beside me. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes and felt instantly guilty.

"No Seth..." I began but he cut me off.

"Leah just go back to bed or whatever you were doing, I'll take your shift."

"But Seth..."

"Leah it's okay, I know you don't like this whole wolf business, I want to make things easier for you."

I felt as though I was going to cry at the generosity of my little brother. "Thanks Seth, I'm really sorry."

"It's okay, love you sis," he said as he walked out of the door.

Jacob frowned at me for a second. "Pack meeting, Sam's place. Tonight at 6."

I nodded and he gave me one last confused glare before following Seth into the dense trees. I watched until their tall figures disappeared and then shut the door behind them, running up the stairs as quietly as I could and locking myself in the bathroom before my mother could start to question me.

I stripped off my filthy clothes and threw them into the washing basket, with the exception of the underwear which I laid delicately on top of my towel. I washed frantically, lathering my body and hair with liberal amounts of soap and shampoo. If I was going to be subjected to a wolf pack meeting this evening then I needed to make sure that all trace of Rosalie was gone from my body, however regretful I felt about it.

Being apart from her was like a constant ache in my chest. My heart felt as though it was straining to beat and I seemed strangely weakened, as though I hadn't eaten in days and my body was running on empty. Tomorrow night I would see her again, but the hours seemed to trickle by at snail's pace and it felt as though I would have to wait months or even years until our reunion. As the water cascaded over my skin, I was brought back to the memory of the little pool in the forest clearing, how the ice cold water had seared against my skin, Rosalie's delicate touch, her lips as they moved against mine before they began their descent to my breasts. The memory of how her tongue felt as it brushed against my nipples sent shivers down my spine and I closed my eyes, sighing as her overwhelmingly beautiful face replaced the mundane image of the reality that I was in at this moment, thinking only of tomorrow night when I would finally be in heaven once more.

...

I walked through the door of Sam and Emily's house, the sight of the little white cottage would usually have made my stomach churn sickeningly and my eyes well with tears, but today I was unaffected by its presence. Sam and Emily were in the kitchen, greeting their guests and sending them to sit inside the rather cramped living room. As soon as he saw me Sam instantly threw on his pained, guilty face and looked at me through dark, shameful eyes. I smiled happily as my heart remained thumping evenly in my chest, not pumping rapidly as though it was dancing to an erratic drumbeat as it usually acted when I laid my eyes upon his handsome face. As I looked at him now, I wondered what I had thought was so wonderful about him. I had worshiped the ground he walked on for three years and then suffered in heart wrenching agony for two years when he left me, determined that he was the one for me and that I would never love anyone else. I used to think that his skin glowed, that his features were perfect but he seemed oddly dull and blurred now. My eyes remained dry, my lips were turned upwards in a little smile, my heart was steady. I did not blush, I did not feel as though I was going to throw up as my stomach twisted and convulsed with pain, I did not feel the immediate need to run home and curl up into a ball upon my bed, sobbing as I tried to prevent the hole in my chest from ripping open in agony. I couldn't say that I felt completely and utterly calm or at home here, or that my hateful feelings for Sam and Emily were entirely gone but I wasn't experiencing gut wrenching pain at least. I quickly turned the corners of my lips into a solemn expression and furrowed my dark eyebrows into a frown, staring determinedly ahead of me as I walked straight past them. I didn't need to behave like this but suddenly acting as though I was no longer in love with Sam would make everyone suspicious.

I ignored Emily's greeting and went to sit beside Seth, perching on the arm of the sofa and ruffling his hair a little in welcome. He batted my hand away, chucking quietly and I smiled. I loved it when Seth was happy, it made me feel warm. Bella and Jacob were squeezed next to my brother on the sofa, wrapped around each other as they always were. Their loving acts usually sickened me but now as I watched them I realised that they were really quite cute together. Jacob looked at her with such tenderness and devotion, wrapping her tiny frame in his huge arms, kissing her on the cheek and making her giggle and blush. I smiled, though it was a sad gesture as I missed Rosalie more terribly than ever.

Sam was standing at the front of the room now, addressing everyone in his deep voice that I had once found so alluring, though I barely heard what he was talking about. I caught little snips of his speech, mainly singular words such as "pack", "patrolling" and "alpha". I probably should have listened but it was impossible when I was this distracted. I was seeing Rosalie in 24 hours and my mind, body and heart were buzzing with excitement at the reunion. I couldn't stop thinking about having her in my arms again, smelling her scent which I was so sure I must have exaggerated for surely nothing could smell that amazing. My eyes slid out of focus so that the room was merely a blur of light as I daydreamed about Rosalie's skin, her hair, her eyes, her lips... her body. I didn't know how long I was out for but only Seth elbowing me accidentally as he got up off the sofa startled me out of my reverie. Everyone was moving now, apparently the meeting was over. The smell of freshly baked bread, tomatoes, salad, herbs and meat wafted from the kitchen and the always hungry pack commuted to where the food was being served. I was starving too, I didn't usually eat Emily's food but I thought I'd make an exception today, especially when the homemade pizza and grilled chicken smelled so amazing. I was starving, I had barely eaten in the past two days and I filled my plate with as much food as I could fit onto it.

I sat next to Seth again, not talking to anyone, but listening to his animated conversation that he was having with Jacob about cars- Seth was a year too young to drive though he was practically counting down the days until he could get his license. Jacob was a mechanic and he had promised Seth that he would help him find a car and do all of the work on it, a rather generous offer, but I imagined that his word was genuine seeing as he had fixed up my car even though he didn't like me. I nibbled the corner of a slice of pizza and practically groaned at how good it tasted. I quickly wolfed it down and started on the rest of my food, my stomach appreciating each delicious bite. I people watched and eavesdropped mainly, not wanting to participate in any of the socialising. I watched Sam and Emily with curiosity, in my blind hatred I had never really stood back to appreciate how they were together, and I realised now that every movement they made together was perfect and effortless. They each wore easy smiles, laughing happily with Jared and Paul. Sam had his arm around Emily's waist and she glowed so brightly that you could barely even notice her scars. I couldn't deny that they were great together and I felt finally at peace, I was even happy for them which shocked me to my core. Bella was sitting at the little table with me, Seth and Jacob, texting on her flashy, silver phone. She flipped down the lid and leant against Jacob.

"Who was that?" I heard him ask quietly.

"Alice," she replied.

Immediately, I felt a little flutter in my stomach and I turned my attention to her, if I had been in wolf form my ears would have pricked in her direction. She was in contact with Rosalie's family, I had forgotten that. Alice was Rosalie's sister, if she had her number... then did she have Rosalie's too? My heart beat excitedly as Bella put the little phone in her purse and placed it on the seat beside her. Suddenly I wasn't so hungry anymore and I put down my plate of half eaten food, my mind whirring with different plans. I had to distract Bella, that much was obvious, and it would help if Jacob was out of the way too. I thought about how I could cause a diversion, my ideas becoming more and more erratic as my desperation to hear Rosalie's musical, angelic voice intensified. After deliberating for a few more seconds I got slowly up from my seat and walked over to sit in the unoccupied chair next to Bella.

"Hey," I said awkwardly, Bella and I had never really seen eye to eye and she looked taken aback that I was talking to her.

"Err, hi," she replied, brushing a strand of her mahogany hair from her face. "You ok?"

"Yeah I'm okay," I added a glum tone to my voice, the tone that she would expect to hear from me when I was in such close proximity to Sam.

"I can tell you're not," she leaned in closer to me and whispered. "He's not worth it Leah, just forget about him. You'll find someone. I know what it's like to be in love with someone who doesn't love you back, I understand the heartbreak, but I know now that it's not worth it."

I was a little taken aback at her kindness and quickly wondered why I had ever been nasty to her in the first place. "Thanks," I mumbled. "I know you're right... it's just hard, seeing him there with her." I gave a convincing little choke on the last word and she lapped up my act.

"I'm sorry you have to go through all of this, it must be really tough," she sounded genuinely apologetic and she sighed. "I'm going to get a drink, you want anything?"

"Yeah," I smiled, though not as widely as I wanted to. She was leaving me alone with her purse, just the result I had hoped for. "Can you get me a lemonade please?"

She nodded and got up from her seat, walking over to the other side of the kitchen where she was blocked from view by the tall, burly frames of Quil, Embry and Sam. I quickly glanced at Jacob from the corner of my eye, seeing that he was in a deep conversation about master cylinders with Seth and that neither of them were looking in my direction. I slyly reached out my hand and laid it on top of Bella's purse that sat next to me, my fingers undoing the zip with impressive speed and subtlety. I was lucky that the purse was small, not like those massive handbags that were fashionable at the moment, my fingers closed around the cold plastic without me having to fumble around for it and I swiftly slipped it into my pocket. Bella came back with the lemonade a few seconds later and I sipped it.

"Thanks," I said, making my voice seem a little brighter. "I'm just going to the loo, I'll be right back."

I jumped up from my chair and made my way upstairs to the tiny bathroom, locking the door behind me and fishing the phone from the pocket of my jeans with shaking hands. I fumbled with the stupidly small buttons, scrolling through the contact list until I reached the R's. My heart skipped a beat every time I read a name beginning with the same letter as hers, my stomach tightened into a knot and my hands shook even more violently. Rachel, Rebecca, Renee, Rob... Rosalie.

My heart was in my throat now and I had to fight hard to stop my shuddering hands from dropping the phone. I whipped out my considerably older and heavier phone and programmed her number into my contact list, returning both phones to my pocket before flushing the toilet unnecessarily and washing my hands. I returned to find Bella snuggled in Jacob's arms, listening to Seth's endless rambling about motors. It was too perfect, Bella was distracted and I was able to replace her phone back into her purse and zip it up before she had even noticed that I was sitting beside her. I hid the glee from my face, forcing a pained expression as I slurped the rest of my lemonade.

"Thanks for talking to me Bella. I think I'm going to leave now."

"Oh, okay Leah. Bye," she smiled and waved goodbye. I was really starting to like her, how strangely imprinting had changed me.

"Where you going?" Seth asked as he saw me get up.

"Home Seth, I'll see you later," I said quietly and he nodded in understanding, his eyes flickering towards Sam. I strode out of the house, not making eye contact with anybody and once I was outside I began to run. My house was a short distance away and I made it there in no time at all, even in human form I was still pretty fast and it helped that I was running towards my love now, not away from her. I didn't use the front door, instead I ran to the back of the house and climbed up the tree, swinging into my room through the open window.

I sat on my bed, my heart racing, my body shaking. I was excited, but so nervous at the same time and my stomach performed sickening little somersaults as I held my phone in my hand, her name on the screen, waiting for me to press the call button. I pulled in a deep breath, filling up my lungs and scrunched my eyes shut as my finger clicked against the green button. I held it to my ear, each ring making my heart thump harder and rise higher in my throat. It rang three times... four... five... and I began to fear that she wouldn't pick up. What if someone else answered the call? What if it was her husband? As it rang for the sixth time I was prepared to yank the phone away from my ear and jab the end call button.

But then the ringing stopped... a voice answered. The most beautiful, heavenly, smooth, silken, musical, woman's voice that I had ever heard in my entire life. It was the voice that called me home, the voice that made my heart beat falter, the voice that erased everything else in the world.

"Hello?" the angel spoke and I found that my lips could not move, no sound could issue from my throat. I was completely frozen, my heart stopped beating. "Hello?" she spoke again.

"Rosalie?" was the only word that I could manage to choke out. I said it as though I was asking if it was her, but I knew that it could be nobody else, no other voice could have this effect upon me. My voice cracked, sounding so rough and human in comparison to hers, which was like speaking to a goddess.

"Leah?" Her voice rose an octave as she whispered my name. "Is it really you?" She sounded as though she couldn't believe that it was me who spoke, as though she had sunk into the depths of a dream.

"Yes," I replied, laughing a little from pure happiness. "It's me."