Chapter 9

Loss of Confidence

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

A/N: I was hoping to post sooner but I got into a car accident which sucks and it's the end of the semester and I'm trying to hold on to my B average. I also have plays and I work full time. Thank you to all my readers and reviewers I really appreciate it!

I wake up to a distinct sound of buzzing when my eyes finally open I see that I am in a small dark room with a light going off like a bug zapper. I roll over trying to get up when I feel there is a chain around my neck and it is not long, only allowing me to sit up instead of stand; my motor skills are off as well. I sniff around and the only thing I smell is mildew. I can hear a noise that sounds like lenses on a camera when it's zooming in.

When I look up to my left there is a small camera studying me. I sit back against the wall and try to remember how in the hell did I get here and where is Nessie? I realize that I'm royally fucked because the last thing I remember is Nessie talking to the strange woman in the gas station.

I have my head buried in my hands while trying to remember as much as I can. I hear footsteps coming towards the door. I can't sense if it's a leech or any other being – the scent is unclear. I hear bolts from the door being unlocked and the handle makes a loud noise. I try quickly to crouch but my body feels weak and it's hard for me to move.

"You should relax Jacob moving will only tire you out." The blonde pale man says standing in front of me.

"W-hat are y-ou?" I ask slowly realizing that my speech is slurred.

"Shh." He says putting his finger on his closed lips.

"I'm Pete, I'm a vampire and I know that you are shifter. What I don't understand why a shifter and a half vampire would be traveling together." He says.

"Wh-ere is sh-e?" I ask.

"I thought I asked you not to speak." He says while kicking me in the ribs. I let out a defeating sigh and lay on the cold wet floor. I manage to half-heartedly growl.

"There is no need for that. You won't be able to phase. You are sedated; you've been giving a dosage that could knock out three elephants and it's time for another." He states calmly turning back to glance at the door.

After he says that the women Nessie was talking to appears in the door way with a large needle for my next dosage. Her eyes look different; when I saw her she had brown now their red like the blonde leech.

"The girl is asking for him." She says.

"Well Nadia, she will have to keep asking because he is her's no more." He says before she sticks me and I pass out.

I wake up to someone hitting my face and screaming my name. I open my eyes and there she is the person I was hoping would come save us from this hell but she doesn't smell like herself.

"Le-ah." I say with a slur.

"No it's Nessie get up." She says pulling me up.

"Jacob listens to me." She says grabbing my chin.

"I wish to be free of your imprint. I don't want you to love or care for me anymore." She says to me.

"Wh?" I try to say.

"Shh, don't speak just listen. I hate this – I don't want to be your imprint anymore so stop loving and stop caring because there is no use of us being tied to each other. I lied; if I can't have you romantically then I don't want any part of you." She says.

I am tired of people telling me to stop talking but more importantly I can't believe she is saying the words that are coming out of her mouth. I thought she loved me as I love her.

"Wh-y?" I ask.

"Why? Why, Jacob just look at you. You're not even able to save yourself. You are chained to a fucking wall while I'm walking around free. You would have made a terrible mate. I don't know what I was thinking, I'm glad Leah can take you off of my hands. I'm starting to see why my mother chose my father and to think all these years I thought she chose wrong. I guess mother does no best."

As she says these words she's is not crying. She looks happy and content with her decision. I lift my arm slowly and I attempt to touch her face so I know that I'm not imagining this but the weight of my arm hurts so I let it fall.

She wipes one tear that falls from my eye away and says, "It's for the best Jacob were both free." She kisses me on the forehead and vanishes out the room. My heart was in knots and it felt like someone was digging into my chest then the pain suddenly stopped as I begin to think about Leah.

Leah's POV

The car ride back to Seattle was quiet and quick. Emmett is driving us in his jeep; Embry and I remain human and we ride with our boyfriend and girlfriend for what could be the last time. Seth, Sam and Jared run beside the car in the woods to ease my nerves and comfort me.

We arrive at my apartment so that we can check it out. It looks as safe and normal as I left it.

"I'm going to call Monica and tell her that I ran into some family issues and I won't be back for awhile."

"Okay." Ray and Kyla said in unison.

I go out onto my balcony and on the side of my flower pot I see an old pack of cigarettes and a lighter. I light one up to ease my stomach and my nerves. The last time I was this afraid was after the death of my father. I feel like I'm not going to be able to save Jacob or find him in time. I mean what's supposed to happen next? I pull out my cell phone and prepare to lie to Monica about why I could be missing from work the next two weeks. I tell her something simple my mother is getting older and she is sick and I need to be home with my family for a while. She tells me she understands and take all the time I need but to tell Kyla's ass to get to work.

I walk back in to see that Kyla and Embry are making out. Blondie is pacing and Emmett is going through my fridge.

"You don't even eat. Why are you in my fridge?" I ask.

"It's boring." Emmett simply states with a sigh. "I'm ready to kick some ass instead of moping. Did you just smoke?" He asks finally pulling his out of my refrigerator.

"Get out my kitchen." I yell.

"But you didn't answer my question." He says. As I give him a death glare "Okay, okay don't spill my blood she wolf." He says as he backs out of the kitchen.

I walk to my bed room and Ray is laying down grabbing the bridge of his nose.

"Ray." I call.

"Come lay next to me." He says patting the empty space beside him on the bed.

I comply and I lay next to him and he kisses me. He rolls over on top of me and he deepens his kiss. I don't want it to end I want to stay like this forever. Forever is possible for me but not for him and which is why I'm willing to grow older with him laying right in here in this small piece of peace I've obtained. But this place doesn't really exist in my real world. It will forever be chaotic because of my destiny – though destiny wishes to take everything from I wish to have. So I'm content with this kiss and with the seconds of peace I have obtained.

"Come back to me." He says.

"Will you be here waiting?" I ask.

"Yes." He says while smiling.

"I love you." We say in unison.

I walk into the living room and Embry and Kyla are still saying goodbye causing me to want to vomit in my mouth.

"It's time." I simply state breaking their 'moment' together.

I hug Kyla goodbye and tell her to be safe.

We are going to meet Bella and Edward they picked up a scent in Vancouver.

"Edward called while you were saying your good byes. They found a syringe with a trace of tranquilizer in it. It had Jacob's scent over it but no other." Rosalie says with a sad frown.

When we arrive at the gas station it looks like a ghost town. It is shut down and it has a 'closed' sign up. The gas station is on a deserted stretch of road not even a part of a main highway.

"Why would Jacob come way out here in the middle of nowhere?" I ask with a deep frown.

"So Renesmee could hunt if needed." Edward answers as we got out the jeep.

"I believe this is where they were taken." Edward states.

"Did you guys look for a security camera? Maybe there is a DVD recording." I say looking up at the camera that's next to the gas station door. A small smirk dances across Edward lips and he sighs heavily.

"I hadn't thought about that." He admits before disappearing into the gas station. I quickly follow behind but I'm stopped by Emmett as he grabs my arm.

"What?" I ask with a huff.

"Hold on she wolf you might not want to go in there." He says while grinning at me.

"And why not?" I ask.

"Let her go Emmett. Let her see what her mutt caused." Rosalie says moving as swiftly as Edward did through the gas station door.

"Fuck you." I snap growling back. "You caused this and I wish you would have stayed gone." I say while mimicking their steps.

When I enter the gas station the scene is horrible as I count at least six lifeless bodies laid throughout the gas station. Edward is in the employees' lounge reviewing the DVD. The DVD shows Jacob and Nessie entering the gas station. Nessie begins talking to strange woman who that eventually turns and grabs Nessie from behind on her way out of the gas station. Jacob comes running in and he phases charging at the women who proceeds to do the sleeper hold on Nessie as she falls to the ground. The woman is accompanied by a blonde male then Jacob is tranquillized. They drag Nessie and Jacob out the gas station then return back in and had everyone as a snack.

"Did you notice everyone is standing still?" I ask.

Edward leaves but he doesn't say anything. I follow Edward outside to find him talking to Seth and Bella. Bella is leaning against the jeep quietly with her arms folded. I can hear Bella's phone vibrates in her pocket. She swiftly answers it as we all surround her at once. "What? Are you sure?" She asks having a conversation with someone on the other line. "Yes. Bye." She says then she hangs up.

We all heard it and I really wish I hadn't.

"Does this mean he is-?" I begin to ask but find myself unable to say the words.

"No sis." Seth says.

"Then what does it mean?" I demand.

"It just means that their course of life has changed. He could very well be alive." Bella answers weakly.

"Alice sees the course Nessie is on and right now she is with Nahuel. Which means Jacob is out of her life." I finish for Bella quietly.

"NO, IT MEANS THEY'RE NOT TIED TOGETHER ANYMORE! THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE IS…gone." Bella yells at me and calming down once she realizes it could be true – that he could very well be gone.

"At least we know Renesmee is alive." Rosalie states and I get mad at how she can be so cruel and selfish she can be.

"Rose." Edward weakly scolds as he slowly shakes his head.

"Don't 'Rose' me Edward. It's true. We know that she's alive and that's the most important thing isn't it?" She asks shaking her head.

The pack growls at her and Emmett quickly stands in front of her protectively.

"You are such selfish bitch. If it was up to me I wouldn't give you a baby either. News flash did it ever occur to you that maybe you never had one because you didn't deserve one." I yell out of anger.

She hisses at me as I start to tremble and before I know it I am grey wolf running around in the middle of nowhere pissed off howling.

Leah, are you okay?

Yes Seth everything is fine. I'm about to destroy the treaty and the true Alpha is missing. Everything is dandy. I snap at Seth sarcastically.

Leah, everything will be fine.

Seth, give me just ten minutes by myself please.

He says ok then he phases out. After I cool down I phase back and I walk over to everyone. I have my arms wrapped around myself. I don't have a plan and I don't know what to tell my pack and I want to set fire to Blondie.

"We need a tracker." Seth says under his breath but loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Or how about we start with the obvious question? Like why were those people frozen in the video?" Sam asks looking over at Edward.

"Because one of the vampires we saw on the video has a power to freeze its prey."

"Does the other one have a power to disguise their scent?" Sam continues questioning.

"That's possible." Edwards admits.

The phone rings again and its Alice. She says that there's a snow storm on its way and so we need to get as much evidence as soon as we can and head out.

Edward is putting the DVDs in their truck as I walk over towards him.

"We are going to find them." I say.

"Do you really believe that?" He asks.

"Sometimes." I admit quietly.

Just then the wind starts to pick up and it's the best thing that has happened all day. Once the sickly sweet smell mixed with the aroma of Jacob dances up my nostrils I nearly faint from the hope that fills my heart.

I don't say anything when the shock leaves my body as my pack is phased and ready. I phase quickly as the leeches leave their cars and we start to run in the direction of the scent.

Leah it seems we've been running in circles. Embry comments with a weak and frustrated growl.

"He's right." Edward yells out.

"We need to stop and think." Bella calls out.

That'll be hard for her since it's the first times she's ever thought to do that. I snidely remark earning a laugh from the pack.

"Leah, I can hear you." Edward yells.

I know you can.

We all phase back human.

Jacob's POV

I wake up still chained but in another room. I can hear the two leeches arguing about something.

"You said that if I help you, you would help me." The woman leech says.

"Why don't you do it yourself?" The pale leech snaps.

"You know I'm not strong enough. Otherwise I would have from first sight." She says hissing.

"Well I suggest that you work on that." He says swiftly turning from her.

"I wonder what the Volturri would think of you kidnapping a vampire's child – the grandchild of an ex-member of all people." She yells.

"The same as they would think of you letting a human know all of our secrets." The male yells back.

"It's different and you know it." She yells at him

"Why is that? Because you love him?" He asks.

"Yes." She says quietly.

"Well, love isn't always enough. Just kill the shifter and meet me at the other place." He states harshly.

"Why should I do anything you tell me to do?" She asks.

"Because I will kill your precious human if you don't." He says lacing his words with venom.

"After you dispose of him were going to the Cullens. We will tell them we found her lost in the woods scared and alone."

"Then what? They would be so happy that you found her that they make you a new sibling and when she comes to age she will love you?"

"She will."

"She will remember you killed someone she loved and forced her into a life she doesn't want."

"She will love me."

"What happened to you Pete? You're not the same person who changed me centuries ago."

"You didn't love me back." He say's loudly

"Sometimes love isn't enough." She says back to him as he swiftly leaves.

"Wolf, get up." She calls to me.

I slowly get up as she hands me a shirt and some sweat pants.

"The girl said you like sweat pants." She says quietly.

I have shackles on my feet and hands and she walks me out of my 'cell'. We walk up stairs and I realized I have been in a basement locked up. The sunlight that hits my eyes burns them slightly as I see the sun for the first time in two days I think.

She walks me over to the kitchen table and forces me to sit down in a chair.

"Do you like ham?" She asks.

"Yes." I answer.

"Max, my human does too. He thinks I cook well for someone who doesn't eat." She smiles lightly.

Nadia makes me a ham sandwich and chips. My last meal is a sandwich I think quietly in my head. After I finish my food she walks me outside and it then that realization hits me. I will die and I don't even know if anyone is looking for me. Though, Nessie told me not to worry about her; I do I hope she is safe. Outside it's snowing and windy as we seem to be walking in circles.

"Why haven't you killed me yet?" I yell feeling defeated.

"Why are you giving up?" She yells back. She is right, why am I giving up so easily? I have things to live for, Leah, and I still have a chance. Nessie set me free which is good so why am I giving up?

I yank the chain swiftly from her hands causing her to fall. She quickly gets up hissing at me. I try to pull apart the shackles around my hands and break free.

"Come on wolf give me a fight. Fight for your life." She says edging me on.

I let out a fierce growl and break through the chain. My foot is still chained but I don't care I want to fight for my life and so I phase.

I charge at her as she swiftly comes out of her defensive stance and place her hands up in surrender.

I phase back.

"What are you doing why aren't you fighting?" I ask her.

"I never intended to fight you or kill you. I didn't want any of this to happen." She says quietly.

"Then why did you?" I ask quite angry.

"Max and I are in love. He wants this life. I'm happy with him being human but he wants to be with me forever and I can't turn him because I fear I will only wind up killing him. I asked an old friend, Pete, to do it for me but he refuses to because he is jealous."

'Huh, that sounds awfully familiar.' I comment to myself.

"Pete created you, right?" I ask

"Yes." She answers with a short nod.

"He wanted you to be his mate?" I continue questioning.

"Not at first. I was born into slavery; my mother originated from Africa and my father of course was our slave master. I grew up cleaning after my brothers and sisters. My father was a lawyer at the time and he couldn't acknowledge me as his child but everyone knew the truth. I inherited his long nose and his brown eyes. I went to him on my 18th birthday and begged him to send me to school. I got on my hands and knees and I begged him to send me away to Paris so that I could be free. He laughed at me he picked me up from the ground by my arms and he told me that my place was in Louisiana taking care of him and his family. After that night I tried to runaway but his field hands would always find me and I'd be on punishment which meant I would get whippings – 10 -12 lashing across my back. One night I ran away in the middle of a rainstorm and my father's most loyal field hand found me. He usually he would take me back but that night he just beat me he left me for dead in the woods in the rainstorm bleeding profusely. That's when Pete showed up. He asked me that if I had one wish what it would be. I told him I wanted to be free. I woke up a vampire. I loved him as a father-figure but never as a lover and he always resented me for that." She says finishing up her story.

"I'm sorry." I say quietly

"Don't be it was the best thing that has ever happened besides Matt." She says with a warm smile. "Jacob I have to make its looks as if I killed you otherwise he will kill Matt. So I will need to shed some of your blood."

By the time she finishes her sentence a piece of tree trunk is in her hand and she is hitting me with it. I fall down and own my way to the ground I hear a vicious growling and then a high pitched scream then I'm out cold.

"Jacob, wake up." I hear a familiar voice calling out to me. I open my eyes to meet Leah's.

"Leah." I say.

"Yes, it's me." She says.

A/N: Thank you everyone please read and review thanks KKJ

If you are wondering I really like Nadia because she is a character that I invited for a short story I wrote for English class some years ago. Except she wasn't a vampire the idea came from watching Amistad and a book by Anne Rice called the Feast of All Saints which was miniseries on Showtime. Okay enough of my ramblings thanks!

I forgot: IF I GET AT LEAST 7 REVIEWS I WILL PUT CHAPTER 10 UP TONIGHT!!!