Chapter 9- Stalk the Precious
Leah's POV
The sun is beginning to set. I can see the fireflies dancing in between the trees. When I was younger I used to try to catch them in my hands. Always grasping for them even though I knew I would never catch them. Now I can catch them easily. Too easily. The sign of a killer. Gone the innocent childhood game of catch. Now it is the werewolf game of hunt and kill. Predator and prey.
I want to be a human. Not a part of a human. A full human. A happy full human. Except that every time I start to feel human again someone comes along and ruins it. First, Sam. Now, Jacob. Is it my fault? No. It's the girls fault. They are the ones that are at wrong. They are the ones that destroy my life.
I can't blame Emily. She didn't know about this world. She didn't mean to do anything. Renesmee knew. She knew about the world of the supernatural. For Pete's sake, she lives with bloodsuckers! She was just waiting on the sidelines for my life to reach content so she could out and destroy it!
It hasn't always been this bad. Before my dad died I was happy. I was human, a pretty human. Some would even call me beautiful. That was of course before I became the first female werewolf. Then I became a black sheep. I was an omen. No one wanted to get near me. A genetic dead-end. Sam left me before any of this happened. My father was gone, my mother was in shambles, and my brother a fellow werewolf, making him just as suspicious. I was alone. All alone. What choice did I have but to get violent? To show that I was just as tough as the boys. Just as worthy of the gene. Just as special. It was all a lie though. Even if my violence became my alias, it wasn't true.
Even after I left Sam's pack and joined Jacob I wasn't fully happy. Yes, it was nice to be away from Sam's guilty eyes. Like it was his fault I became this monster! Jacob's pack was healthier for me. The violence I felt in the other pack had stayed behind me. Jacob was a likeable leader. He didn't make orders like Sam did. He didn't stare at me with guilty or sad eyes. He gave me the same look he gave everyone else. The depressed look in his eyes was always visible. He mourned Bella even before she 'died'. It was impossible to make him smile. Or at least make the smile reach his eyes.
The first time he really smiled was five years ago. We had just got back from a patrol and I tripped. I've never tripped before. I've never not been graceful before. I felt my cheeks flame and an embarrassed smile crossed my face. Jacob smiled. He really smiled. He helped me off the ground and smiled again.
"You should really be careful, Leah. You're the only girl we've got," Jacob had said nicely. Those were the kindest words anyone had ever said to me.
Now those once fond memories leave with a bitter aftertaste. Renesmee has robbed me of all future pleasantries.
"Emily, why do we imprint?" I ask my cousin and best friend. Her scarred face is a reminder of how dangerous we are. Even those we imprint on are not safe.
"I don't believe in imprinting fully. I believe in love at first sight. Of course I am not the one who has actually felt the imprinting. I think it affects the wolf more strongly. Not that I don't love Sam, I do. I just think we have different views," Emily says slowly judging my reaction.
"It isn't fair though!" I slam my fists down on her kitchen table. It shudders. Emily scowls and takes the seat next to mine. She takes my hands in hers.
"Life isn't fair, Leah. You'll find someone. There is someone for everyone. The guys you choose just seem to eliminate themselves for you. It isn't because of you though. When they leave they still love you," Emily tells me. It hurts her to know that she was the one that won Sam.
"They break all their promises," I whisper on the verge of tears.
"Everyone does eventually."
"Leah, how did all these holes get in the wall?" Seth asks when I walk through the door. I shrug and head to my room.
Memories of Jacob are everywhere. From the walls to the floorboards there isn't a place without a memory.
"We have termites, very angry termites." I tell Seth as I sit down on my bed. Another memory. "Do you know where Jacob is?"
"He said something about going to see Renesmee…again." Oh. Damn. Wait. An opportunity has just risen.
"Be back later. I think I'll join the mighty leader tonight," I pull a brush through my hair and let my plan form completely.
"I don't think that is such a good idea, Lee, Jake didn't invite you. And he's going with the Cullens. Y'know, the bloodsuckers you don't like…" Seth is inching closely to my door.
"Maybe I judged them wrong. Maybe I can have fun, lots of fun."
Renesmee's POV
Jacob has his arm protectively around my waist, I smile up at him. His eyebrows have been brought together by the look of concentration on his face. "We're going to see a comedy, Jake. Lighten up!" I playfully nudge him in the side. He glances down at me quickly and seems exasperated. "Or not. It's your choice." I mumble the last bit of information.
Bella and Edward are reproaching us. Bella looks pleased as she passes the humans. Their eyes radiate a deep envy and a deep lust. The two conflicting emotions confuse them. Bella glances at one small girl. The girl blushes a deep red and turns her head. "How do you ever get used to it?" Bella mumbles to Edward. Edward flashes a crooked smile and steers his young wife the rest of the way.
"Get used to what?" I ask Bella. She smiles slightly. If she was human she would blush her signature blush.
"Dazzling people. I feel bad! I know how it feels to be dazzled! Unlike Edward here, I don't try to use it against people!" Bella pulls away from Edward and looks around expectantly. "Did you invite someone, Jacob?" Jacob shakes his head and noticeably tightens his grip on me. I look out into the crowd. Nothing seems out of ordinary.
That's when I see her. She pushes through the crowd without touching anyone. As people part the way for her no one looks at her. I don't understand why. She is…beautiful. Not vampire beauty. Real beauty. A strong angular face, high cheek bones, beautiful straight black hair that frames her face, and dark brown almond shaped eyes. The eyes show no emotion I have ever seen. They seem to smolder with passion and mission. She fluidly makes her way to us. Jake's fingers tighten slowly. I pull myself away from him. I feel as if I've been caught doing something wrong. Jacob's arm lingers in the air for a moment and then drops to his side.
"Hey, Jake. Edward and Bella, how nice to see you," the beautiful girl says. Her voice isn't musical. She is no vampire. Her voice is rough like a human. Bella lets confusion wash over her. She isn't good at composing her emotions if they are strong.
"Leah, how are you?" Edward asks the beauty now known as Leah. Leah nods and smiles. Her face is mischievous. Like the Cheshire from Alice in Wonderland. Bella glances uneasily at me and beckons me to her side. Edward continues to speak, "This is our daughter, Renesmee. I don't doubt that you have probably forgotten her." I smile tentatively up at Leah. She is about a foot taller than me. She's about Edward's height.
Leah's POV
Who still goes to Port Angeles? The place is crawling with scum. It is easy enough to spot them from far away; despite their goal to stay hidden they do it very poorly. The soft yellow glow of the overhead lights makes them look frightening. Not to me, of course, but to the humans, very. Jacob is standing close to Renesmee. Their skin is barely touching but the emotion behind it is overwhelming. I want to turn around and run. Run as fast I can away from them and their enjoyment. I can't though. My plan will be ruined.
"Good evening, Jacob," I say calmly from behind him. His face is full of shock and shame. I smile softly and lean in and hug him swiftly. "Can I join you tonight?" I'm trying to imitate the voice of a leech. Not the musical part, just the formality. Jacob looks down at Renesmee.
"Okay," Jacob draws out the short word into three syllables. He still hasn't composed his shame. At least he can feel it.
Renesmee isn't what I expected her to be. She is a pleasant balance between her parents. Her pale complexion is met with a slight blush. Her chocolate brown eyes cast downward in embarrassment among my arrival. I do not see what is so special about her. Just like her mother with the looks of her father. That's why Jacob must like her. Not for her but for her mother. I feel bad for her. This thought cheers me up exponentially.
"Hello, I'm Leah, and you are?" I extend my hand politely toward Renesmee. She takes it and drops it quickly. Her eyes meet mine. While my eyes are fierce hers are shocked and bewildered.
"I'm Renesmee Cullen. You're warm…" Renesmee whispers and looks up to Jacob who nods slightly. A smile grows on her face and she pulls me into a hug. What is she doing? Does she not know who I am? Who I know? What I know? I shove her off using half my strength hoping she won't be easily injured. That wouldn't be fun.
"I'm sorry; I just never knew that a girl could be like Jacob! How exciting!" Renesmee gushes to me. She didn't inherit her father's tongue after all.
"They can't normally. I'm just lucky I guess," I mumble and force myself closer to Jacob. Renesmee's eyes drop to the ground. "So what are you guys up to tonight? I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"We were just going to the movies," Renesmee gestures to her parents as well, "You are welcome to join us! The more the merrier!" She smiles at me.
"Actually I was just wondering if you and Jacob would want to join me for dinner," I look over at Bella and Edward they shrug.
"Sure! That would be great!" Renesmee looks over at her parents who nod. She grabs Jacob by the arm and pulls him over to me.
"Can I talk to you for a moment, Leah?" Jacob asks sternly. I nod joyfully and walk over to the street corner. "What are you playing at, Leah? It wasn't that long ago you wanted me gone. Now you show up and ruin my date? I don't know what you think you are going to do or what you are going to change. Tonight you cannot hurt Renesmee. This is her first date. Our first date. If you mess it up because of something I said a long time ago…you will pay one way or another. Got it?" His words crush me. The decree of an alpha is not to be ignored. I nod as an agreement. He said tonight I cannot hurt his stupid girlfriend. Tomorrow is still open.
"I have no intention of hurting Renesmee or you. I love you Jacob. Even if it is a one sided agreement. I don't go back on the people I love," He flinches at my words. I shrug and walk back over to Renesmee. She smiles when she turns to see me. I loop my arm through hers. "Where do you want to go? I think the park will have the best food," I tell Renesmee as we cross the street. Jacob is cursing under his breath as he follows. I'm not hurting her. I'm just ruining his date.
"I'm not hungry actually. We can just go to the park though. If you want to, Leah." Renesmee suggests.
"Alright, sounds good to me. Besides I already hunted before I came. Are you coming Jacob?" I laugh as Jacob growls.
"I have a good feeling we are going to be good friends, Leah. We can hang out all the time! And the best part is you know who I am and I know who you are. No secrets!" Renesmee laughs melodically. I smile at her.
If only she knew.
A/N: Please Review :)