This is the next chapter. Please enjoy.
Chapter 9
"I'm so sorry, honey." My mother rubs circles on my back while her arms wraps tighter around me. I stand still, trying to contain my tears. I want to confess how hurt I was, how much I missed her and Seth. She goes on, "Try to think of this: happiness is not achieved through love. Don't forget: you still have me, and Seth, and… Jacob."
I stiffen at that, especially the last name. My brother was popping grapes into his mouth until he says, "Jake!"
I pull out of my mom's embrace to turn and see Jacob walking towards us. Even now, I can see how broken he was. I will always hate that Bella Swan. She crushed his heart in the worst way. I hate her almost as much as I hate Sam. In fact, she is in the top three of my hate list.
He approaches us slowly, with his hands in his pockets. Billy had rolled toward him as fast as he could with a smile on his face. Jacob crouches and hugs his father, his black eyes filled with relief that Billy is okay. The sorrow then returns and his eyes were so empty they seemed like a glass bowl with no candy.
"I'm leaving, Dad. I'm sorry. The Rabbit's in the driveway."
But Billy smiles. "I'm just glad you're home, Jake. Take all the time you need- we'll be waiting when you come back."
With one last hug for his father, a height compliment and wink for Seth, and a smile for Sue, Jacob walks away. Out the front door he goes, and I turn to my family.
"I'm leaving too. Bye, Mom. Bye, little brother. Watch after yourself and Mom, okay?"
He nods and I follow Jacob out the door, returning to my life on the run. What I see chills me to the core, and a growl escapes my lips. Everything that I had built up comes crashing down again, and I feel tears in my eyes.
His arm tightens around her as I bear my teeth. From the edge of the trees, I see Jake staring at me. With my wolf-vision, I can see him moving towards me. They're talking about the baby… that damn baby. It's going to be tan, with black eyes like Sam's, and a soft face like Emily. And I'm going to hate that baby as much as I hate its parents. The couple sees me pass them and slip into the woods, where Jacob is waiting for me as a wolf. Tears sting at the corners of my eyes. But Jacob grins with pride, and after I phase, we run off into the night side by side.
I take down the deer with triumph. Ha! Even Jacob has to think that's impressive. As predicted, he says, You're getting a lot better with the hunting thing. I smile smugly, which I know looks kind of like I'm just bearing my ugly wolf teeth, but it's a smile in this form. But suddenly Jacob turns serious. His eyes on the ground, he asks, Why are you here?
Because I need someone to hang with in my utter misery. I answer as I sit up and wipe off blood from my paws. And, like it or not, you're the only one I've got right now. And I'm all you have.
Very true. He replies. You are all I have now. But why are you still here? Jacob asked. You could've stayed. I saw you with your family; you could've stayed.
Sam. I can't bear to see Sam. And you. He raises his head. I go on, You're the only person that I trust, even when you bug the hell out of me. What you've done for me- no one else would ever do that for me. I wouldn't forgive myself if I let you down.
I hear the smile in his voice when he says, You wouldn't be letting me down, Leah. If you want to go back, go ahead. I'd be fine on my own. Besides, when you were there for me at the wedding; that's more than I ever expected of you. And call this dumb, but I don't think I could've gone through with it if you hadn't been standing outside that door.
That feels good. Guess I'm not so bad after all, huh?
No, he answers, you're definitely not so bad.
2½ weeks later…
Bella's back from her honeymoon, Jake. Embry says.
Jacob says sarcastically, So soon, huh?
Yeah, but Charlie told Billy that Bella isn't sounding too good these days… I guess that-
WHAT? Did they bite her? Is the treaty broken?
Embry replies, We don't know what's going on, but we're not sure if we should go over there. Sam says we keep the treaty until we are positive that she's been bitten.
I step into the conversation. Well it's kind of obvious!
Sam's-
Jacob shouted, Who gives a damn what Sam says? I say we attack before people start getting hurt.
And what about Bella? Seth joins us. Are you going to kill her yourself or force one of us to do it then hate us forever? Jacob winces and has no response so Seth continues, Yeah, I thought so. We have no proof that-
Shut up, Seth! Jacob yells. I raise an eyebrow; no picking on my little brother. Jacob sighs and says, I'm sorry, but I don't know, okay? But we might as well nip it in the bud.
Embry says, How about this: You go make sure that she's bitten and we will carry the message along to Sam and then we attack.
Forget you! I'll figure this out on my own!
Embry and Seth fade from our minds, and Jacob paces in your frustration. I say as I inspect my claws, So what's your big plan, genius? Take 'em all down on your own?
If I have to. The thing that bothers me is that he actually sounds serious. How about we stop by the Cullens' house for a little visit.
I insist that we stop at the reservation so I can see my family again, and Jacob hesitantly agrees. Now that we are human, I can think for myself. I think, I'm worried about you, Jake. You can't go on like this. And this is a really, really bad idea. I had only come back with him to try and stop him, and Jacob might hate me for this, but I have to tell Sam. If I can't stop him, then Sam may be the only one who can. I visit my mother, enjoy a box of muffins and three mugs of coffee, and leave to find Sam. I had seen how determined Jacob was; I can't stop him on my own.
He sees me coming and meets me outside Emily's house in the trees. For a few moments, we just stare at each other. Finally I say, "I need your help. Jacob wants to go after the Cullens, and you have to stop him. Did- did he actually bite her?"
"We don't know," he answers in that cool, husky voice of his. "But we aren't going to attack until we're sure. Actually, how about you check, just see if she's human. Jacob can be your back-up. Just stall long enough to make sure. I will be waiting in the forest if you need me and we can contact the other wolves if necessary."
I nod. This is not Leah and Sam. This is a wolf accepting orders from its alpha. Completely professional. But then it changes when Sam speaks as I turn away, "I'm sorry, Leah. I'm sorry I hurt you."
"Not good enough," I whisper as I look back. "Sorry cannot make up for what you put me through."
Pain flashes in his eyes and he says, "Leah, I never ever meant to hurt you."
"I waited, you know. I waited and waited for that prince charming that never came."
"Leah…"
I break. "I don't care, Sam! I don't care how sorry you are! I don't care how much you used to love me! And I definitely don't care about you, Emily, and that baby. I don't care!"
Sam begins to shout right back. "Do you think this has been easy for me? It was you, Leah! I know that I am supposed to be with you! If there were no imprint, I would be with you right now! But I can't change how I feel! If I could, I would go back to the day I imprinted on Emily and reverse it! But this is my destiny!"
"Sometimes love is stronger than destiny," I hiss. "You could've been with me, Sam. If you had loved me enough, you could've overcome the imprint. You just chose not to. Because I'm not enough, and I was never enough. I don't care about the past now. I forgive you. I forgive you for falling in love with my best friend, for deserting me, and for hurting me in every way possible. I forgive you because I don't care anymore. And I want you to live a better life than I will, be happier than I will. I love you, Sam. I love you more than life itself. I'm done with this."
I'm free. I'm finally free.
Well what do you think? If you hate it, just say so and I will try not to scream.
