PART EIGHT - PRETENCES

Samuel Uley decided to up his game and started visiting Leah on a daily basis. They took walks through the gardens and agricultural fields. Leah was introduced to the farmers and saw firsthand their harvesting methods. They also visited the grain houses where the earth foods and flour were ground. If she hadn't been injured Leah would have offered her help – much to Sam's displeasure. He objected immediately to the notion, claiming that she was above such things.

As they sat together in the meadow where the children often played, Samuel picked wild flowers and offered them to her, he would compose poems that compared Leah to the beauty of the Great Mother. At first she wanted to find them ridiculous and childish, but Samuel actually had a talent for eloquent words.

He left little gifts and treats every day, such as sweet cakes, woven blankets, slippers and clothing, trinkets for her hair, bracelets, clay and imported glass beads, bowls and vases. Leah was pampered with beautiful things that she displayed around her hut, that made it feel more like a home. Every night he served her delectable foods and sweet wines that made her palette cry out for more. At night they would sit together in the firelight and listen to songs of the people, songs which made her body warm with thoughts of love and family.

As flattered as she was, since Leah had never been courted by a man before, her feelings towards the imposter chief had not changed. Leah tried her best to hide her chagrin, knowing full well that Samuel was attempting to woo her. If he had been another man his efforts might have worked too, for he possessed a silver tongue and she had never possessed such beautiful items. Because of his temperament, Leah feared he would move too fast and propose marriage, and if she turned him down she knew he would not take it well.

If it were her choice she would reject his every attempt to spend time together, but Leah saw the advantage of allowing Samuel to court her. She got to see the village and spend time outdoors. More importantly she witnessed how he ran things, as well as the reciprocated fear of the people. She also learned more about her target, Samuel himself, and by learning his ways she would figure out how to defeat him. It drove her inner resolve to set things right, even if she went back home.

Leah had been thinking more about the exiled man in the forest the more she spent time with Samuel. She dreamed of him at night. She knew that she had to help him and dealing with Samuel seemed like the best way. She would leave the Quileute with a leader who was worthy and who was good and was of their choosing. She felt it was her duty to the Black family, to the man, and to Kim whom she had grown to love as a sister.

"What did he give you this time?" Kim muttered in annoyance when Leah came into the hut in time for lunch. Kim had grown tired of this game Leah was playing, and wanted the princess to stop fooling everyone into thinking that she and Samuel were getting serious.

Leah knew that Kim didn't approve of Samuel's advances, that she was worried about them being alone together. Leah was flattered but annoyed that the young woman didn't think her capable of defending herself. Samuel Uley would never touch her in an intimate way, of that she would make sure. "Nothing really, just this bracelet. His grandmother made it."

Kim took the bracelet made of skin and beads and nodded in appreciation of the craftsmanship. "She is one of the most skilled women in our tribe." Kim handed the gift back and busied herself serving out two bowls of stew. She gestured for Leah to sit and placed a bowl in front of her mistress. "In our custom, men give their women gifts like these when they profess their love you know…or when they wish to propose union."

Leah almost choked on her first bite of meat. Her eyes wildly searched Kim's face for jest.

"Yes, Sam is making his claim. If you wore that on your wrist, everyone would think you have accepted him as your betrothed."

Leah covered her face and groaned in frustration. No wonder the man had asked to put it on her! But Leah had refused, telling him it was too nice to wear now. She simply hadn't wanted him to touch her at all. It was indeed a close call! "That sly fox!" Leah hissed.

"Don't the Makah have a similar tradition?" Kim asked, not understanding Leah's surprise.

Leah nodded regretfully. "I just didn't think of it at the time…I mean, I knew it was an intimate thing but I hadn't thought of the real consequence behind the gesture." She couldn't admit that she was almost clueless about male and female interactions, having purposely spent all her time gallivanting around the Makah woods rather than among girls her age. There was only Rebecca and she was brought to marry Seth so Leah had never paid their season of courtship much attention.

"What are you going to do now?" Kim asked.

Leah shook her head. "Avoid him? I dunno Kim! What would you have me do?"

"Avoid him," Kim nodded, though they both knew that would basically be impossible. "But it won't be easy, and I still don't think this whole thing is a good idea."

….

Sarah Black bustled over to Leah's hut later that evening. It was hard coming as a guest to her former home, the place she had birthed her son and twin daughters. Leah was outside by the fire, simply staring into the flames, alone.

"Leah, what is wrong daughter?" Sarah asked as she settled herself on the mat next to the young woman.

Leah grimaced. "The chief."

"Ah, yes. I have been watching his advances towards you." The woman replied with a tinge of bitterness in her tone. Although Sarah had demanded to see Leah, the girl's time had been spent with Samuel, and Sarah knew it was no coincidence. Samuel was trying his best to win Leah over before she could inflict more damage to his reputation. He was smart, but she refused to be beaten.

Leah nodded, feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry, it's not like I want him to you know? I don't want him to be my husband."

"Good, he doesn't deserve you."

Leah smiled at the compliment.

"Listen Leah, you must be careful, Samuel is not a good man, he is dangerous. He's got everyone here fooled or scared, and this little show you're putting on with him, it's sending the wrong message."

Leah nodded, biting her lip. "I'm just doing it to find out what I can about him and what he's up to."

"And what have you found out?"

Leah groaned. "Nothing. I can see that many fear him, that he holds considerable influence, but I can't figure out what he's hiding. He's too cunning."

"That he is. He is the worst of us all."

"Great Wife, I know he is not a good person. He killed your husband and your son, Kim told me of your suspicions, that he poisoned Billy. I know it is taboo to speak of such things, but I just wanted to say that I would never betray the Black line, I have no intentions of marrying a usurper. I still want to help you. I'm just trying to figure this out."

Sarah took a deep breath and grabbed the carved wolf around her neck for comfort. "I am so relieved to hear this. But you can't do this alone, you don't know enough yet."

Leah nodded and bent her head closer to Sarah's. "Yes, well, I wanted to ask you about that, who would lead the people when we get rid of Sam? You never got to tell me."

Sarah took a deep breath, knowing that Leah needed to learn the truth about Jacob now. But she was scared that Leah would react negatively. "If I tell you, you have to promise me that you'll trust that what I say is truth."

Leah nodded, not daring to breathe as she waited to hear Sarah's answer.

"There you are!" a loud shout interrupted the two women. Emily stormed over with her hands on her hips. "Sam will be angry with you for disobeying his orders Sarah Black!"

Sarah stood, giving the woman her coldest stare. "Ask me if I give a damn what Uley does, Emily. Just because you are too stupid to think for yourself doesn't mean that the rest of us are. My loyalty is not to him, nor will it ever be!"

"He will have your head! He is the chief!" Emily quarrelled, coming into the older woman's face.

"Not if I can help it!" Sarah shouted back.

Leah stood and pulled her aside. "No Sarah! Don't say such things, it won't help." Leah hissed into Sarah's ear.

"What are you doing hmmn? Plotting against the chief? I will tell him of this and he will make sure that you are never without a warrior," Emily threatened both women. She had spent the better part of the evening looking for Sarah. All the women kept pointing her in different directions and Emily realized that it had been a trick set up to confuse her. She was tired and out of breath and pissed off at being made a fool.

"Why don't you mind your business! Have you nothing better to do than stir trouble?" Leah spat, detesting the mere sight of the traitorous woman.

"This IS my business! Samuel trusts me to keep order!" Emily wanted to wring Leah's slender neck for speaking to her this way. Just because she was a chief's daughter didn't give her the right!

"Oh really? Is that what he told you?" Sarah smirked. "He is playing YOU for a fool, girl."

"One day when I'm his wife, I will make you eat your words," Emily responded coldly. Her eyes were wild with hatred.

Sarah and Leah exchanged a look. "So Samuel means to marry you then?" Leah said with an impish smile, deciding that this was good news despite Emily's deranged behaviour. She now knew exactly how to get under Emily's skin. "So he did not mean to give me that bracelet as a sign of union, this is such a relief Emily!" She had no clue that Sam and Emily were involved, but it made so much sense now, why the woman hated her so.

Emily's jaw dropped in shock. "He did WHAT? Where is it? I want to see it!" Emily demanded.

Leah went into the hut, followed by the two women and handed over the bracelet with a smirk. "Lovely isn't it? His grandmother made it."

Emily tried to keep her anger contained but it was so hard. She thrusted it back into Leah's hand and shook her head. "That means NOTHING."

"Of course it doesn't." Sarah agreed condescendingly, rolling her eyes.

"Maybe you should keep it Emily," Leah offered the bracelet back with an innocent smile.

Emily stomped her foot in frustration and marched out of the hut, muttering as she went. She had no time for games, and Samuel Uley owed her an explanation.

Sarah and Leah laughed but then the older woman shook her head with a sobering thought. "Now we know how to get rid of her, but her obsession with Sam is dangerous in itself."

"I can see that, but I can handle myself Sarah." Leah was tired of being underestimated by these Quileute women. She would have no problem putting Emily down if she needed to, she was all bark and no bite.

"I fear I must go now before he gets here. You must talk to the pack and let them tell you the truth before we make a plan."

"The pack?"

"Yes, Jacob's friends. There is something you need to know and I must ask you again to trust that it is the truth."

Leah nodded as she watched the older woman steal away into the cover of night. She could hear Emily shouting in Sam's hut and smiled to herself, grateful for small blessings.

…..

"How COULD YOU!" Emily screamed at her lover while Sam lounged on a mat drinking ale.

"Emily, keep your voice down woman! Don't forget where you are or who you are speaking to!"

"You gave her a bracelet Sam, how could you do that when you promised me I would be your wife!" Emily pleaded, her anger giving way to desperation and pain. Where was her sign of promise?

Samuel rose from the floor and walked over to her, grabbing her shoulders firmly in his hands. "Emmy, this is all part of the plan, and you simply have to trust that I know what I am doing. I don't like being questioned, I am Chief."

The warning tone and glint in his eye forced Emily to back down. She slumped against his chest and fought to keep her tears at bay. "I am sorry Sam," she whispered. "I just…don't like what people are saying."

"I know you are sorry my dove. I understand that this is all hard for you. But it will all soon be over, don't you worry your pretty little head about a thing okay?" Sam patted her head affectionately and planted a kiss on Emily's hair. He would allow her this moment of weakness, embarrassing him like this. But if she ever dared to confront him again she'd be sorry.

"She's a traitor!" Jared spat to his brothers.

"How? Because she's been spending time with Uley? She doesn't know about Jake, Jared," Embry reasoned.

"Yeah but still! How could she cosy up to the man that took his place? It's disgusting!"

"Kim already said Leah isn't interested, you must trust your own woman's words," Paul added.

"I just…don't like her."

Paul laughed heartily and drank a sip of ale. "You're just jealous that Kim's got a new best friend she loves almost as much as you!"

Jared rolled his eyes but didn't deny it. The pack could tell he was jealous as Leah was all Kim could talk about.

"So when are we going to tell her about us and Jake? The sooner the better or Uley WILL force her to marry him," Embry asked. He was genuinely worried about the near future. "I don't think Jake can hang on much longer either."

"As soon as we can, but how?" Paul asked. "We can't even say hello to the woman!"

"We should get Kim to bring her to her place for a sleep over or something." Embry suggested while Jared rolled his eyes.

"It could work," Paul agreed. "Talk to her Jare, and stop being an ass. One night alone won't kill you."

"We've got to get Jacob back where he belongs, that's all that matters." Embry reminded his obstinate brother.

Jared nodded in submission, knowing they were right. "Okay fine, but just ONE night."

…..

The wolf was hidden in the bushes just outside of the village. The pull to its imprint was strong, consuming, and getting harder to fight.

Jacob couldn't bear to think of Leah with Sam, couldn't stomach the idea of them getting to know one another in a romantic way. He wanted to go to her, he needed to see her, to touch her, to look into those beautiful eyes and know that her heart was his alone. He felt a part of him dying each day he was kept away from his pack and his family. Soon there would be nothing left but the beast that held him prisoner.