I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended. All characters belong to S. Meyer .
As soon as I stepped into the kitchen to rejoin my family I was immersed back into the pool of emotions that is my life without Leah. I could still feel her as she moved from the forest with her pack, embarrassment, contentment, love and to my pleasure lust, but the further away she got, the more I felt the emotions of those around me. I shouldn't complain, this had been the way I lived since my birth or rebirth, however you want to look at it, but after Leah it was different. It was like getting a glimpse into heaven and then getting shuffled right back down to earth. Nobody ever said I wasn't dramatic. My family clearly didn't intend to let me continue to wallow, well not Esme or Rosalie anyway.
"Oh Jasper," Esme began clutching her hands together in front of her. Love and hope swimming towards me from her. Before Leah, Esme's love had been the strongest I'd even felt. Didn't matter who it was projected towards, her love was a definite force to be reckoned with. "You looked so happy! So did Leah. You are perfect together." My surrogate mother could no longer contain her happiness and moved forward to hug me. To her surprise, and probably everyone else's, I chuckled and hugged her back just as fiercely.
"Esme is right Jazz. It's great. I'm happy for you brother mine," Rosalie said with a sincere smile. To others they were rare but Emmett and myself gained them often. I had a feeling my Leah would be added to that elite list shortly. It confused me but I wasn't going to complain. After seeing the problems Bella and Rose had, Rosalie accepting Leah made my life a lot fucking easier. I returned her smile and released Esme only to pull Rose to me, picking her up and spinning her around.
"I'm happy for me to," I breathed into her ear.
Amongst the cyclone of happy feelings surrounding me there appeared to be one hold out. A black cloud in my otherwise sunny sky, with Leah here dark clouds would have been impossible. Unless she produced them. My dramatic flare taking over again, I really needed to get a hold on that. Without needing to push my power out, knowing my family as well as I did, I could tell it was Alice. Strange, I'd have thought she would be alongside Rose, cheering for me. Clearly something was bothering her. Refusing to believe that Alice would not be pleased for me I considered other options. Maybe she was just upset over the difficulty with her powers the wolves presented.
"It's rather upsetting," Edward interjected. I stopped spinning, placing Rose back on her feet beside me. At several raised eyebrows Edward continued. "Jasper was just theorising on what was causing Alice to not be her usual chipper self. Alice?"
At Edward's prodding Alice told what I had already deduced. "I'm concerned that with the blind spot's the wolves represent to me, we are going to be caught unaware."
"I do not think so Alice," I said moving to sit in the seat Leah had recently left. Her scent was still strong on and around it causing me to breathe in deeply. It had such a calming effect on me. Ignoring Edward's snort I carried on. "In my opinion the Volturi will make sure we know they are coming. They were, in their opinion, humiliated in front of the witnesses they assembled against us during the last assault. They will use the werewolves as an excuse and because of this their approach will be rather different. Amongst our kind, who would be willing to stand along side werewolves?"
"I am of the same opinion Jasper," Carlisle voiced. I inclined my head in his direction, urging him to continue. "This will be an attack that all are aware of. It will not be rushed. Our destruction would be to Aro, Marcus and Caius their greatest triumph." At the word destruction many had went to interrupt but Carlisle held up a palm stopping them.
"Carlisle is not saying we will be destroyed," Edward stated. "On the flip side if we win, it will mean their destruction. This thought will not have occurred to them however, so sure that the victory is theirs."
"True," Carlisle agreed with a nod. Looking down the table towards Alice he began again. "Information of when the attack shall occur may still come in your visions Alice, or it may come from outsiders or possibly the Volturi themselves. I firmly believe that we will know long before the attack is to come."
After the conversation Alice had been someone pacified but I could still sense fear and dejection within her. Hopefully Nahuel could pull her out of her slump and bring the usual bubbly Alice back to the surface. Just as I was about to head up towards my library I heard Alice and Rosalie call my name. Turning back around I saw them both moving towards me.
"You know Jazzy, seeing the way you were with your wolf, it doesn't look as if things will be peaceful for you for long," Alice said with a knowing smirk. Inwardly I agreed Leah was nothing if not passionate. Lucky me. "As it stands, you don't even have a proper bedroom."
"And we," Rosalie said taking over, "find this ridiculous. How can you hope to win over your wolf when after you seduce her you take her to your study filled with musty old books? It won't do brother." Clearly these two had a point. If I was right, they also had the solution which would remove the risk of a fuck-up on my part.
"I see. And do you happen to have a solution to this problem of mine?"
"Why yes, we do! It involves shopping," Alice said with her trademark grin.
"Alright, I'll allow you two to decorate a room for me." At there pleased expressions a hastened to add my condition. "Remember who the room is fucking for though! No pink! None whatsoever. Maybe natural colours? Leah likes green, so lots of green. Got it?"
"Yeah sure Jasper, don't you worry." It was clear I'd already lost them, I only hope they listened. I doubt very much Leah would ever enter my bedroom if it was pink. Maybe this was an elaborate plan on their part. Cock blocking through paint? That's just the type of thing they would find hilarious. Before I got sink into a panic I resumed my journey up the stairs. I had a feeling my books wouldn't hold my attention quite so well now though. I spent the whole time from when I went upstairs to the next afternoon when Edward shouted for me to come downstairs, thinking of the kiss. The Kiss. The one and only kiss I had enjoyed with my mate. That was a fact that needed to be remedied soon. I'd never even guessed that kisses could be like that. It was better than any sex I'd ever had, nobody could compare to Leah on any level. She was the perfect mix of soft and hard. It really did seem as if she had been made for me, perfect down to the last detail. I can only hope however unlikely it is that my Leah feels the same way. In such a short time she has become my whole world, everything else is below her now. Nothing matters without Leah. Imagine what else we could do together if a simple kiss managed to reduce me this. As I slipped again into reminiscing over The Kiss I heard Edward call my name again. Sighing I got up, placing my untouched book back on my desk, and became to walk down the stairs. I could sense that everyone had again congregated in the kitchen. All the family were here bar Carlisle who I assumed was on shift at the hospital. Entering the room I smiled at everyone taking Leah's seat and sniffing deeply. Damn, the smell was almost all gone. That would not do. At Edwards snort I raised an eyebrow.
Didn't we fix you up your own house brother?
"Why yes you did," he answered with a smirk. "I heardsome interesting things while at our cottage however so we decided to head over here so Nessie could see Jacob and the rest of us could talk." Ah so the pack were coming. That meant Leah. Well it better mean Leah, if those wolves had left her alone there would be hell to pay. Embry had promised they would keep her safe. "No to worry Jasper, she is with the. They are just changing form and should be here in minutes."
After giving Edward a small smile of thanks I stood and headed out to the porch. One by one I saw Leah's pack emerge from the trees directly in front of the house until it was only Leah left to come out. Of course my stubborn Leah would take her time. I could feel her nerves of course, along with excitement, love and hope. There was fear there too but I decided to just bask in my happy Leah land again. It was such a refreshing place to be, I could almost forget all the war I had seen. Just let go and be surrounded in Leah. I felt a blast of lust push ahead of everything else and opened my eyes to see Leah standing just at the edge of the trees. It was clear she had been staring at me but not wanting to embarrass her anymore I merely smiled and waited as she walked towards me. Her lust and my lust combined were making it hard to think. The suggestive sway of her hips and the way the dress rose as she walked were doing nothing at all to help matters. By the time she reached me I was hanging onto my control by a thread. Would it be wrong to take her, run away and have my wicked way with her? Yes, yes it would. Don't fucking scare her off. She's your mate idiot, you've got all the time in the world.
"What are you thinking?" Leah's soft voice broke into my thoughts alerting me to the fact that she had reached the porch and that I'd been staring. More like fucking ogling but hopefully that would go unnoticed. When her frustration began to overcome me I thought it best to answer.
"You. It's always you I think about these days," I answered reaching forward and pulling her closer. We were just inches apart now and inhaled simultaneously. "It really is something isn't it? Even your scent is a puzzle to me. I just can't get that final component." Not really expecting an answer, we continued to bask in being this close to each other. Our emotions were a perfect match, love, desire and contentment. Nothing else was present.
"I think we should go on a date." Leah's words caused my head to snap right up. That's my Leah, cut straight to the good stuff. Had I heard that right? Maybe, and I sincerely hoped it was so Leah had given up on the friends idea. Irritation inched in while I was lost in my musings. "We don't have to if you'd rather not. I just thought maybe it would be a good place to start."
"No, no I want to. Nothing I want more." I took her hand as I was speaking, hoping to soothe some of her irritation without the use of my power. "I take it you have decided that we are to not solely be friends?"
"Umm right yeah. Nope not just friends," she uttered while staring at our hands. I wonder if she feels the sparks too. It's almost like a current under my skin. Snapping her head back up she continued, "So a date. Us, on a date. When do you wanna do this?" A small chuckle slipped from me. Even arranging a date seemed like a battle to my Leah. Life would certainly not be boring. At my silence Leah took charge again. "How about Saturday? I have this pack thing tomorrow so that's out."
"Certainly, Saturday sounds perfect. I'll plan something out." At her stuttering I deduced that my easy acceptance hadn't been what was expected. Before we could continue on, I heard the sound of an engine pulling along the road leading to the house. Clearly Leah heard also and we both turned as the car came into view. As it did, the door opened and Edward stepped out of the house with Nessie in his arms. "Edward?"
"Hello Leah, it's wonderful to see you again," Nessie said with her radiant smile.
"You to kid," Leah said with an answering smile. God she is beautiful. Her smile is like nothing I've ever seen. If her emotions are more powerful then her smile has the ability to blow me away.
"Focus Jasper." Shut it Edward.After a quiet chuckle Edward turned to greet Carlisle who had exited his car and was nearing our little gathering on the porch. "Now that everyone is here, why don't we head inside? Leah has an interesting theory to share with us." At the mention of her name, Leah's head shot up. There was that irritation again melded with embarrassment. Taking her hand again and pulling her away from Nessie I gave Edward my best scowl. What are you on about Edward? Don't you embarrass her! It's a miracle she is even here. A subtle nod was my only response. Good, he better have listened. During our silent conversation Carlisle and Ness had moved inside. Tugging Leah along with me I headed towards the kitchen.
"She-wolf! Back so soon. Fantastic," Emmett bellowed from his seat. To my surprise Leah merely chuckled and murmured something about overgrown children.
"Hello Leah," Nahuel began rising to move towards where we stood in the doorway. "I do not believe we have been properly introduced. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"Um yeah you too," Leah answered moving to shake his hand. She was feeling rather uncomfortable and I found myself shifting back on the balls of my feet. Damn her emotions had such an effect. I really needed to get a handle on that. Thankfully Esme flew in and saved me any further embarrassment, leading Leah over to the counter where her pack had assembled around the food.
"Yo, Edward," Leah called over her shoulder. Seeing she had his, and everyone else's attention she continued. "I get that you have no concept of personal space and privacy, but stay outta my mind got it?"
"It is not something I can control Leah," he answered. He didn't even look phased by the glare she was throwing his way. Wow, Edward has grown a pair. Good for him. "I shall endeavour to keep the information I get from reading you to myself however. I did not mean any harm; I just believe it would be beneficial to you to explain your theory to Carlisle."
"Be sure you do, when I'm not furry I prefer to have my mind to myself. But seen as you've already heard our conversation about our wolves why don't you explain it and we'll answer any questions you have." The slight smile she gave him softened what could have otherwise come across as harsh words.
While listening to Edward's summary of Leah's theory on their wolves, my eyes followed my mate and her interactions with her pack mates. It was strange seeing the character traits that I had deduced during my conversations with her brother come alive right before my eyes. I almost felt guilty knowing the things I did about her while she was still in the dark about me. Almost. I'm selfish enough to not want to give up the small amount of knowledge I had on my Leah. Not to worry, she'll learn about me soon enough and I'll learn more about her. Looking at her now she looks so confident. Fitting right in with her brothers, they look to her for reassurance and leadership. Even Jacob relies on her. I can feel her insecurity and the feelings of unworthiness that she has over holding such a position. I'll teach her, show her that she is worth the world, worth everything that there is. Just as I'm thinking these things Leah turns to me and gives me another one of those smiles of hers. Fuck. I'm going to have to get used to that. It's hardly appropriate to be start thinking x-rated thoughts just from a smile. As soon as I returned the smile that link came into being again. Everything melted away leaving just us and the love and lust following between us.
"Jasper! Please control yourself," Carlisle said. Combined with Emmett's slap to the head it was enough to bring me around. I looked around to see everyone, even the vampires, panting. At my confused expression Carlisle explained that I had been projecting again. "This is something that shall require some more control on your part son. Clearly Ms. Clearwater effects your abilities in a powerful manner."
"You don't say Doc. Boy is it hot in here," Embry scoffed bumping into Leah as he moved to the table. "Enough embarrassing the lovebirds. Lets get back to this wolf business. So do you think Lee is right Dr C.?"
"I believe I could provide an answer, if I may?" Umm, Nahuel. He only ever speaks up in our family discussions if he has something important to say so this should be good. Carlisle nodded his agreement as he moved to take his seat at the head of the table. "Quite sometime ago while travelling with my Aunt, we came across a small tribe who worshipped several different species of animals. They believed this group of animals made up what they called Soul Animals. These Soul Animals were ancient souls that wandered the earth until they found the human to which they were bound. They themselves were not shifters but their history contained many references to them. They believed that shape-shifters were those that had been chosen as worthy by their Soul Animal. Although they thought it to be a conscious choice to join with your Animal, everything else in their fables seems to fit with the experiences the pack has described."
"What were the Soul Animals?" Seth like every one else was incredibly curious. I was almost bouncing in my seat with the need to ask questions. As if she could sense my eagerness, Leah placed her hand on my thigh and I instantly calmed, feeling only her emotions rather than hers combined with our joined families.
"I believe the three main examples were the Panther, the Osprey and of course the Wolf. There were others such as Bears but those three were seen as the main incarnations of the phenomenon."
"Well that's something else," mumbled Quil. "Dude, why didn't you tell us this before?"
"Maybe there are other packs out there," Seth called out excitedly before Nahuel could answer. "Lee, maybe there are other girl wolves! This is amazing." Though it seemed the others in the pack were being infected by Seth's enthusiasm Leah was unaffected.
"That was a perfect demonstration of why I did not bring the subject out for discussion Mr Artera. I felt it cruel to raise the hopes of those amongst your tribe who change. Also this is the first time it has been brought to my attention that you feel something other than what you consider yourself in your animal state. My reason for bringing it up now is thus. The Soul Animals were able to communicate with their Bonded. Once the connection was fully formed on both sides it was said that the human and animal could converse when in the animal form. In rare cases it was noted that communication between the two was allowed when in both human and the animal state." Silence greeted the end of the monologue. I was sure I would have been suffocating in shock if I didn't have physical contact with Leah. Sometime during the conversation our hands had formed joined together, seemingly without conscious effort on either part.
"That is amazing Nahuel," Carlisle muttered finally breaking the silence. All the Cullens were starting at the pack members who seemed to be unable to move, or even close the gaping moths in Seth and Jacobs cases. If this was possible this could change their lives. While we all continued to stare, the pack seemed to be silently communicating with each other. After holding Embry, Quil and Seth's gazes Jacob turned to Leah. Unnoticed by her brothers she had been silently staring at our conjoined hands during the entire discussion. As soon as Jake turned his gaze to her however, she raised her head straight away and they began their own private conversation. Leah was projecting fear, concern but there was hope in there too. I couldn't focus on reading anyone at that moment thought seen as how I was drowning in my own jealousy. Jealous that Jacob and Leah seemed to have such an instinctual connection. Jealous that they would react in tandem and seem so natural doing so. They shouldn't be so connected, not when I found it so mesmerizing even holding hands with her. Not when I had only the barest hope that someday we could be connected like that. Leah is my mate. Mine. If she wanted to stare all fucking intense at someone, it should be me! As I spent my time fiercely trying to burn holes into the stupid kid/Alpha, he continued on unaware of his impending death at the hands of one pissed off vampire. Before my glaring could turn into something with more effect, Emmett bellowed out a laugh breaking their connection. Ha! Apparently my jealousy was funny to him. I'd be mad if he hadn't just broken that nice moment the mutt was having with my mate. Instead I wanted to give him a medal. With one last fleeting glance at Leah, Jacob finally spoke.
"So how do we complete the bond? Do you know?" Many of my family, including Carlisle and Alice, were openly shocked by the decision to pursue the opportunity I knew better. My Leah was a fierce protector and so were her brothers. They may not have asked to be werewolves, the chosen of their tribe, but now that they were they'd pursue any chance to further help their people. And a deeper understanding of themselves would definitely do that.
"I do Jacob. From what I hear the completion of the bond is quite simple. Simply meditation combined with the desire to be closer to your bonded Animal. If your desire is found honest, then you will be allowed to commune with your Soul Animal. They will then explain to you what your bond will entail and your with agree or not." Nahuel finished and seemed to shrink back, clearly pleased to be out of the spotlight once again.
"Okay, finally something in our lives that is easy," Embry said breaking the silence that had again descended. His next question was directed at Jacob. "We still sticking with us three then?"
All the wolves nodded at that. Seeing the confusion amongst the vampire contingent in the room Edward explained. "During there staring contest it was agreed that if the process was not overly dangerous Embry, Jacob and Leah would attempt it."