I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended. All characters belong to S. Meyer .
I've never been a big fan of the bonfires us wolves have. Not even when I was little and my Dad was one of the ones telling the legends of our tribe. Before, and yes I can agree that this is hilarious in the light of my life now, it was because of the lack of girls in the stories. It was always the men of the tribe that fought off the threat and saved the day. Even in my favourite story, the one of the Third Wife, the woman didn't get to kick ass. She left that to the guys. After I turned wolf, with that horrible bonfire with the original pack, imprints and Bella, my hatred entered a whole new level. It was like we were all sitting down to hear the stories of how I was wrong, how I didn't fit their mould. Bella being there had just been the icing on the cake. Everyone in the tribe had known what was happening between her and Jacob and Edward. It all worked out for them but I still remember how it all went down. I guess that now that I don't even hate the idea of bonfires anymore I should try and get over my Bella issues. I won't though. I quite enjoy being one of the few people that doesn't bend over for that girl. Even the new nice Leah gets a major kick out of it. That was how the pack found me, sitting on my front step with my I-hate-Bella smirk firmly planted on my face. We'd decided we'd trek down to the beach together, present a united front now that the whole pack was back together again. Seen as how we came baring the news of a possible Vamp invasion due to my existence I thought it best to go along with Quil's unity plan. Let's not rock the boat when I'm pretty sure it's gonna be taking heavy fire in an hour or so anyway. Enjoy the calm seas while we can. I tried to explain the boat analogy to the guys as we meandered our way down to the beach but they didn't really seem to be paying attention. Apart from Seth shockingly enough. That boy got brains while I was gone. I feel like a proud soccer mom, I just want to cheer for him.
As we got nearer and nearer to the fire pit I could see the guys getting more and more anxious. I felt fine, I was almost looking forward to seeing everyone again. That caused the alarm bells to start ringing. I was maybe a new version but I was still me and never would I have thought I could look forward to a pack get together. Jasper must be kicking around someplace sending me the soothing vibes. Ah, Jasper. I'd spent pretty much the whole day thinking about him. After about four hours of fantasising about every part of him I'd decided to call him. Then, I'd decided against it. I refuse to become one of those girls who can't go a day without calling her boyfriend, if that is even what he is, can you can a nearly 200 year old vampire your boyfriend? Plus I have the added risk of becoming an imprint zombie who can't go more than two hours without seeing or speaking to their imprint. I had gone months without seeing him, I could definitely do a day. Easy. But then, the whole running stage had come before we had kissed. After two kisses from Jasper I was positive that if he'd kissed me before I'd ran I wouldn't have made it further than the edge of Forks. Those kisses were just something else; I felt them down to my bones. I'm gonna stop that train of thought before it goes any further because it isn't really promoting thoughts that are acceptable to be thinking while walking towards a large group of teenage boys. Especially when you've avoided phasing all day to hide the effects those kisses have had on my apparently super weak self control. I seriously blame Quil, Paul and Embry. Ever since I got in thrust into their dirty little heads all I've seen is sneaked pictures of porno mag's and the disgusting stuff they get up to when they're alone at night. Believe me those memories are ones I could have gone without seeing.
I can see the other pack just ahead of us now. God, I forget there is so many of them compared with us. Twelve in that pack and I know next to nothing about seven of them. The closer we get to them the more obvious it is that they are kids. Not kids in the way that the rest of us were when we first phased, but proper kids. I'd been shocked when Brady and Collin first phased with them being only thirteen at the time. It had been hard enough for me to deal with Seth phasing at that age but I'd thought that like me, he'd been a bit of a fluke. Guess not though. The wolves that phased for the Nessie battle were even younger than Seth and the duo permanently attached at the hip, I think the youngest had just turned eleven when they blew. How they managed to deal with it is beyond me, I'd just turned 18 when it happened to me and I thought my life was ending.
"Do you know them?" I ask quietly, directing it to all of my pack. They don't need to ask who I'm talking about, all our thoughts have been going on the same track.
"No not really. I can't say I've ever really spent any time with them," Jacob answered. He looked guilty which I can understand, he is the true Alpha and all. I wished he wouldn't though, he still has time to grow into that or not, if he'd prefer.
"Sam keeps them away from us Lee," Seth added quietly moving to walk at my shoulder. "Think he might be worried more will come over to our pack if he lets them around us." Idiot. I guess I shouldn't be surprised though, General Useless is all about strategy and our pack does look a hell of a lot more appealing than his regiment. The others nodded in agreement with Seth but Jake just looked tense, his face all turned up like he'd smelt something awful.
Bumping into him with my right side I gave him a wide smile. "You want me to have some fun with him? You know how I love to see him squirm." Jake's bellowing laugh let me know that I'd managed to kick him outta his funk, sadly though it also caused about twenty people to shift our way. Shit, they'd noticed us. No getting out of this now.
"Look at how pleased they are to see you Leah," Quil chuckled loud enough for everyone to hear then whispered into my ear that I was definitely stuck now. Fucker, I'll get him for that. It was kind of funny though, everyone there apart from my mom looked so shocked to actually see me. I had the urge to run at them screaming that I was the ghost of Christmas past, I resisted though. As everyone mumbled their hellos, complete with slaps on the back and general boy crudeness I took a seat near the fire. The smell made me think of Jasper and I got lost in my thoughts of him until Emily knelt down in front of me and launched herself at me. I'd never been all that big on hugging but seen as how I'd told her during our phone call that I'd forgiven her, and I sincerely had, I didn't think I could really push her away. Let's just hope it's quick, there is only so long I can awkwardly pat someone's back.
"I'm so glad you're back," Emily squealed as she finally let go of her death grip. I just smiled. I was glad I was back to and wouldn't really be against a nice chat with my dear cousin but now was not the time. As if proving my point my boys moved to sit beside me, Jake and Quil on my left and Seth and Embry on my left. Emily thankfully took the hint and headed back over to Sam on the other side of the fire. I'd never really understood why the guys brought their imprints to these things. They were about pack business, and not the nice parts of being wolf. I wonder what they would have said if I'd brought Jasper. I'm pretty sure that if nothing else it would clear out the rest of the imprints. Ha I'd have to do that sometime, it'd be funny to see them all go macho then get laid out for it. Okay, back to the present Clearwater. During my entertaining thoughts the 'meeting' had been started. I could hear them discussing my attack and what the Cullen- Cool Pack theory on what that meant was. I tried to focus on what Jake was saying, I really did, but I'd heard it all before so I decided people watching was a much better use of my time. All the originals looked pretty much the same, Paul scowling, Jared smooching, Sam stoic and Brady and Collin snickering to each other. It was the newer wolves I was interested in and clearly that went both ways. Six pairs of eyes were glued on me, some looking scared while others just looked interested. The only one not staring at me was staring at Embry. That was something to ponder later. I tried smiling at the ones looking at me but that just seemed to make them even more interested. What the hell?
"Psst Embry," I kind of whispered while leaning over Seth. Subtlety isn't really my thing.
"What?" he snapped back. Clearly he didn't appreciate me interrupting the staring contest he had going on. At least he only had one of the midgets ogling him.
"What's with the staring? All but your stalker are acting like their beady eyes are glued to me. It's odd. And more than a little creepy." I wasn't really even trying to whisper towards the end. My bad. I punctuated my statement with a sideways glance at the offenders. They were all looking at each other guiltily apart from Mr Stand Alone. He was still stuck on Embry. That is really odd, maybe Embry knows the newbie's better than I thought. The kid doesn't look mad or anything, just confused and damn intense.
"Just ignore them. They're probably just shocked you made an appearance at one of these things."
"Yeah, or it could be the psycho smile you've had on your face ever since we sat down." Thanks for that helpful input Seth, you can have an elbow to the stomach for your trouble.
"Will you guys shut up," Jake joined in leaning onto my back. "Pay attention it's getting to the good stuff now." Well I guess if they're finished talking about me needing to be saved then it wouldn't be too bad to pay some attention.
"Glad to see you have decided to join us again Leah," Billy said as I sat back. Yeah thanks Billy just what I need, more attention focused on me. The other pack stopped their sniggering at my glare which sadly had no effect on Billy, my mom and old Quil. "So let us get back on topic. The Volturi threat. We think it would be a good idea if patrols were upped and coordinated between the packs. Sam, Jake?"
"No problem Billy," Sam stated in his professional voice. He is all about the business. "Jacob and I can easily coordinate patrols, with his smaller pack focusing on the Cullen territory and the area surrounding the Black, Call and Clearwater houses." They way he said smaller it definitely sounded like an insult. I got the feeling I wasn't the only one who thought so by the muttering coming from my brothers. "For safety reasons I'd like to suggest pack members don't patrol alone. I also don't think Leah should be alone, ever."
"Woo, woo, woo, say what now?" I really need to get my ears checked out, even Sam isn't stupid enough to suggest something like that. Always having to be with one of the pack, cause I just know that's what he meant by not being alone. That dick.
"Leah is clearly a high profile target here. It was her that the vampire initially contacted even though she would have been much harder to find than any of us back here in La Push. We have recently been letting our guard down, and I'm sure that if the Leech's had really tried they could have caught any one of us alone," Sam said not even bothering to look at me while he tried to get the elders to agree to a goddamn babysitter for a twenty year old werewolf. "I think until more intel can be gathered Leah should be under the protection of the Pack, never without a protector." I was seeing red by the end of his lame ass explanation. I am a protector, why do they all seem to forget that so easily. Okay, so maybe I didn't do so hot in the fight in my apartment but that took place under extenuating circumstances. I could kick Sam's ass any day of the week. Thankfully my Pack aren't primates like Sam and his goons and agree with me.
"Lee can look after herself," Jacob stated cutting off both Sam and my mom. "She is a protector and deserves the respect of one, not to be talked about like she's a child. Come on Uley, actually think about it. There isn't any need for your pack to get involved in looking after her at all. That's final." Go alpha Jake, even Sue looked impressed.
"So you are going to just let her carry on as normal?"
Jake and the rest of my pack burst out laughing. I was pleased to note that the elders were little out like snickers as well. Clearly they know how absurd that comment was, I'll just have to clear it up for the rest of them. "Do you really think anyone lets me do anything Useless? I decide for myself. And I know I have to be careful and I'm never really alone anyway with these guys as brothers. You aren't wanted, got it?" I didn't even focus long enough to see if I got a response. I just really couldn't be bothered with all this petty bickering. I know I'm one of the main causes of it but still it gets old after about five minutes and these meetings tend to last hours. I let my mind wander again and it landed back on the younger wolves. I felt pretty bad that I'd never taken the time to get to know them, though that had probably been for the best when I was my bitter bitchy self. They were lucky in one way at least. They phased late enough that they had avoided all the drama of the packs that came about when we all first phased. The me and Sam drama, Bella and Jake, Bella and the Cullens and the pack split. None of it was particularly fun. I do feel bad that they have never got to know the guys in my pack though. It would probably have made the transition a hell of a lot easier for them if they'd had Seth, Quil and Embry helping them through it.
"Will more kids phase?" The question was out of my mouth before I'd really thought about it. Everyone immediately stopped talking and turned to me. I really got to learn when to keep it zipped. "Umm I just was thinking, last time the Mafia came calling these guys," I said pointing to the Seven Musketeers, "phased. And Brady and Collin when that Vamp with the bad dye job was kicking around."
"She's right," Jake mumbled. Everyone was looking very thoughtful. "We weren't prepared for it then, we have to be prepared for the possibility now." Alpha dog and Sam were locked in one of their mega creepy stare downs. This might cause some trouble. Last time our pack hadn't been allowed in La Push so we didn't really know what was going on with the new wolves, but this time the guys who phased would have to choose a side. Trying to put off the inevitable showdown I asked if there were any more kids with the gene that we should be on the look out for. Maybe we'd get lucky and there wouldn't be anyone else who had to suffer through this.
"That's not something we know off of the tops of our heads, Ms. Clearwater." I wish Old Quil would call me Leah. I've given up on trying to get him to do it though, it just isn't gonna happen. "Conall, Nicky and Jackson all have younger brothers that are obviously possibilities but other than those obvious contenders we would have to think and look into the blood lines." All those three were the newer shifters and it was easy to spot who they were from the panicked looks on their faces. As much as some of us love this life, and some of us really don't, it isn't a life that you would wish on your family.
"Let's not forget that there is always the possibility for mysterious changings," Billy added looking at me and then Embry. I smirked.
"Lucky us a Em? Maybe we can get another unexpected shifter to join with us, pump up the numbers a bit." We both laughed while everyone else looked uncomfortable, especially Sam, Jake and Quil. I guess they were more sensitive about Embry's dad issues than he was. Go figure. After that things started to wind down and the people started to drift off into groups. There was still a clear divide between the two packs, but Sam's pack didn't seem that unified with its two distinct groups. There was almost no interaction between the two, with Sam and his original wingmen making up one and all the younger wolves including Brady and Collin in the other. It was almost like we had three packs and one just didn't get a voice. Just as it looked like people were going to start leaving Jacob asked the old pack members to stay saying he had something to discuss. I was kind of shocked, although I probably shouldn't have been, when the General told Brady and Collin they weren't allowed to stay. From the glances Seth, Embry and Jake were throwing at me I could see it didn't sit too well with them either. Quil had left, already knowing what we were going to talk about and hoping to get in some story time before bed. Claire had him wrapped round her little finger already, it made ya wonder what he'd be like when she actually had something to hold over his head.
When it was just us Sam, Paul and Jared left with the elders Jacob started explaining about Nahuel and what he'd told us about Soul Animals. They all looked interested if sceptical. I think Jacob got that so he asked me to tell them about what had happened while I was away. I really wasn't overly keen on anymore people knowing about my pathetic fight against myself and the wolf so I kept it pretty brief, leaving out as much detail about my imprint as I could.
"So yeah, we think that my experience and the stuff Nahuel told us support the idea that the wolf is separate," I finished. They all looked blown away, clearly it wasn't what they had expected. "You guys have all imprinted. Can't you feel the difference in how the wolf feels about Emily, Kim and Rachel?" Maybe relating it back to them would make it easier for them to get onboard with the idea.
Surprisingly it was Paul who agreed with me. I definitely would have lost money on that one. "I see what you're saying. I've never felt it when human like you have but then I've never tried to deny the imprint like you," he said with something that almost sounded like admiration in his voice. "It's worth a try right? This could really help us kick some Vampire ass if it works." Ah, there's the Paul we all know and love.
After that it was pretty easy for the guys to get the other two to agree. The elders stayed suspiciously silent the whole time but they looked just as shocked as everyone else did when they were first told so I was pretty sure it was a new idea for them two. Not long after that the guys started to leave, it wasn't too comfortable for our small group to be around each other these days. It shocked me that that made me sad. Since when did the girly girl completely take over me, I can't believe it bugs me that we aren't all buddy buddy. Jesus I'm turning into Emily. Or even worse, Bella.
"Hey Leah wait up!," Paul shouted breaking into my quiet walk behind my pack brothers. They were laughing and joking about some random crap they'd seen on tv so I'd decided to hang back and had gotten lost in my thoughts. That seemed to be happening awful frequently lately. I decided some company, even if it was Paul, might help stop me from turning into a crazy person on my walk home so stopped to wait for him.
"You guys go ahead," I shouted at the boys. "Paul is probably heading to yours Black so I'll just walk with him." Ignoring their incredulous muttering I turned and raised an eyebrow at Paul, challenging him to say he wouldn't do it.
"No problem." Damn guess I won't be getting a fight out of him tonight. Probably for the best, enough bitching at the bonfire.
"So what's with the company?"
"Can't I just wanna walk you home?" At my raised eyebrow he carried on. "Yeah guess it is a bit weird. I just wanted to clear the air, ya know? When you left I realised I didn't really like the way things were standing with us. We hadn't really talked since you left the pack and....and...well I'm sure you remember what it was like then without me having to say it."
"Wow. Yeah I remember. It's probably a good idea to clear the air, but it's not really needed dude. I'm not angry or upset with you any more, I know how much of a bitch I was back then. I didn't really make the mind sharing any easier for any of us. So does Rachel have anything to do with your motivation?" I smiled up at him, letting him know I wasn't being a bitch asking that. I just thought it was probably true. Paul had that whipped vibe about him now. He seemed sincere though which was what made me be honest with him. He let out a massive laugh eerily similar to Jacob's and nodded that I was right. After that we just spoke about random stuff, mainly what he had been up to while I'd been gone. It seemed he was really sorting himself out, a job, saving, the whole nine yards. I was impressed. I couldn't find time for much outside of my pack duties before i'd up-ed sticks. When we reached Billy's place we both stopped and sat on the dirty white steps. The house looked a lot different than it had until Rachel came home. She'd cleaned the place up a lot and it looked like she'd talked the guys into giving it a new paint job. The red had a new shine to it. I could hear my pack and the rest of the Black's inside but I had absolutely no desire to go in. I'd had enough testosterone for the day, I just wanted to go home and sleep. As I stood up and made to leave Paul suddenly looked mega nervous.
"You're not about to offer to walk me the five minute route it'll take to get to my house are you? Cause I'll kick you in the balls," I said brushing off the back of my dress.
"Ha, no I'm not stupid," he answered laughing. "I just well....Well I wanted to say that I think what you did is pretty amazing. I admire that you were able to deny the imprint like that. Nobody else has even tried seriously to do it cause it hurts so much and you manage months away from yours. I know what it's like to know you can't see your imprint for a day and that's hell. I can't even imagine the fucking agony of it with what you did. I just wanted you to know that I admire that and I get why you did it. The whole protecting the status quo thing, even though it ended up not being needed. I'm glad it worked out for you though, you and your vamp."
As he was talking I realised something, something massive. Me and Paul, we're the same. He gets it, and he's maybe the only one that really truly understands. He value the same traits. Being a hero doesn't mean anything if you're just doing it to see what you can get out of it. And running away from your imprint to kept your pack safe is just about the top of the list on things that you should do if needed. I just nodded in response, cause if my new light bulb moment was true then he wouldn't appreciate me calling attention to his confession. I was also floating away on my happy cloud then. That statement there was pretty much what I had thought I'd never get. Paul, one of the hardcore Cullen haters was accepting my imprint. Maybe things were gonna be easier than I'd thought. Walking home in my happy daze, I wasn't paying any attention to my surroundings. If I wasn't such a hard ass I'm pretty sure I'd have been skipping. All good things come to an end when you're me though. I was just turning onto the path leading to my house, the road to my right and the forest, with its deep green cover thick to my left. I'd not taken two steps down the road when I was hit by that bleach scent that makes me just want to rip and bite and kill. The scent was all over, all around me, so there was no way I could pinpoint the location. I knew the blood sucker was still kicking around though, some of the scent trails were no more than a few minutes old. I was back to fighting my instincts again, trying desperately not to phase in the middle of my street. The wolf was having none of it. I had a constant stream of . running on repeat in the back of my head. Pretty sure I'm going insane. Maybe the whole Soul Animal idea is just a way to rationalise the fact that I've got multiple personality disorder. It was hard to focus on being me with that rough voice echoing off the walls inside my head. I started taking deep breathes, the whole in...out... deal trying to calm myself down. I knew I had to get control of myself and assess the situation before it did anything. I would be so much easier without that goddamn stench burning the inside of my nose and throat. Once I was back under control I went into protector mode, scanning the area using my eyes, ears and nose to detect anyone nearby. Thankfully, or not depending on how you look at it, I was alone. As if realising that I'd just worked that out, my very own personal stalker jumped down from one of the trees marking the entrance to the forest. He's alot bigger than I remember. Seriously big, wrists the size of my thighs. He could probably give Emmett a run for his money. As he stepped back slightly, moving under the trees, I let my instincts finally take over and phased, turning my body so I'd land facing him.
"Hey wolfie, long time no see," he smiled showing his sharp teeth. I had the urge to reciprocate but decided against it for now. "Did you miss me? I missed you. I suppose not, you have been rather busy since the last time we were together. Damn hard to find anytime in your busy schedule to fit myself in."
This guy was seriously whacked. I really do hate all the talking before the action. I'm of the opinion that if it's going to happen then just get it over with, no need for the verbal sparring beforehand. I've yet to meet a vampire that agrees with me, they are all about the serious talk before the killing. Lovely. With that in mind, and the lack of anyone else talking in my mind, I decided to forgo being cautious and listening to his psycho talk and just call for the pack. I soon as I let out our howl version of the bat signal Muscles started laughing. Proper bent over in half laughing too. Not ten seconds later I felt the signs of four other minds joining with mine.
Guys creepy Muscles is back. I'm just down from my house. I thought at them straight away, pushing the fact that I was calm at them to. Okay I was creeped out, Muscles was definitely a freak but I didn't think he'd attack me. Not right not.
Either way we'll be there in two minutes. Jake said. Why was it going to take them so long? Jesus I'm only about three minutes on foot, on paws it'd take seconds. We're going to come around through the woods, block the bastard in.
Okay got it. Although I didn't think I'd been worried before, knowing that they were on their way did suddenly make me feel a hell of a lot better.
When the leech finally got control of himself, helped along by the fact I was snarling at him he started up his one sided conversation again. "Why did you have to go and do that girlie? I'm not going to hurt you. Remember what I said, where's the fun in taking you down, when I take all of your kind down with you. I just thought we could have a bit of a chat." Muscles smile suddenly ended at that and he pulled a very impressive pout. "Now you've gone and ruined that plan and I really want some answers before the end. You really are too much of a puzzle to kill before I at least try and work out the mystery." I think he meant that as a compliment but I'm not really seeing it. Before he could start off again we both heard the sounds of my pack approaching from behind. Before they could even come into sight though, he jumped back up into the trees and took off towards the beach. Jake, Quil and Seth all took off after him, following him from below but Embry and I just met just under the cover of the trees.
There's no point, Embry stated, He'll just take off into the water. Fuck. They all know they've got the advantage there.
We still gotta tail him, make sure he doesn't hurt anyone of his way out. Even Jacob knew it was useless.
Well thanks for coming anyway guys, I don't think I could have handled much more of his banter. Wasn't that the truth. I could feel that they were all curious as to what exactly he'd said, they had been focusing of their stealthy approach rather than what shit was coming out of his mouth. Well let's just say Billy isn't the only one who thinks I'm a mystery.