Chapter 13 (Jacob's POV)

It had been three days of absolute torture. The pack mind was a crappy place to be right now. With seven wolves freaking out and not knowing what to do with each other, it was a mess. Normally when a wolf phased for the first time everyone tried to keep their thoughts quiet to not confuse the new person. However, everyone was so confused and shocked that no one followed typical procedure. There was nothing normal about this. Just like Sam knew when Jake first phased that he wouldn't appreciate him, Sam also knew how Leah felt about him. The problem was that now they ALL knew exactly what she thought of him.

Though they couldn't completely block each other out, with a little practice they could choose to ignore someone and concentrate on others. They would lose their mind if there was not any way to prioritize the jumbled thoughts of everyone.

They split up, even though technically distance didn't make a difference, it did help for Leah to be away from Sam. Unfortunately for Jake; he was put on Leah babysitting duty and Jared and Paul stayed with Seth. Sam avoided phasing as much as possible and Embry would phase in to relay a message from Sam, which usually resulted in Leah trying to take a bite out of Jake at the mention of Sam's name.

Leah! Seriously, cut it out! Jake yelped in pain after she bit his flank.

This is all so damn frustrating! She gave a harsh growl.

While Leah could hardly see straight, Seth remained calm and Jake knew he could phase back, but choose to stay for his sister. The plans for Harry's funeral were made, and the activities started tomorrow. Both Leah and Seth wanted to be there, but at this rate only Seth would make it.

Jake understood why they wanted to be there, but the last funeral he attended was for his mother and therefore he secretly hoped that Leah remained a wolf.

It is not a secret, dipshit, I can read your mind. Leah scoffed.

I know that, stupid. I just think it wouldn't be the end of the world if you can't make it, Jake countered.

Come on, Leah, you can do this. Seth encouraged.

Once again Jake showed Leah how to relax his mind, release the heat, and phase. While Jake stood there naked, Leah looked at him and snickered.

"Shut up, Leah!" Jake glared, flipping her off.

Her wolf snorted a laugh and pranced off like it wasn't extremely insulting. Jake enjoyed the break away from Sam, but he missed being able to see Emily. Sam sent food with Jared or Embry, so Jake hasn't had a reason to visit her. The pack mind was so cluttered with thoughts that if Jake slipped and thought of Emily, it simply mixed in unnoticed.

Suddenly, Leah howled, which sent Jake exploding into his wolf.

That fucking bastard! Leah growled.

Immediately, Jake checked Leah's mind for leech activity, but didn't find anything but rage. He could also feel another wolf, who remained silent and therefore Jake didn't know who he was.

Leah, what's going on?

The bastard over there just ordered Seth to phase out! Leah continue to growl, running full speed.

Jake assumed the new wolf was Sam and Leah currently ran towards a path to intersect him.

Sam, why? Jake asked.

By him phasing out now, he will be able to attend his father's funeral. It is for his own good and if you both weren't so selfish then you would have known that, Sam said, his anger towards them both evident.

By now, Jake felt used to being irritated at Sam and it was normal for Paul to roll his eyes at Jake and Jared to silently support Sam. Even though Leah clearly had anger issues, it felt nice to Jake to no longer be the only one who couldn't stand Sam.

Sam continued. I expect everyone to attend the funeral, except for Leah. Unless you think you can phase in the next couple of hours.

You took my brother away! How the hell am I supposed to be all calm and Zen when my life has been flipped completely upside down? Leah let out another angry growl. If there were a way to flip someone off as a wolf, Jake felt confident that Leah would have figured out how to do it.

Sam phased out and Jake released a frustrated sigh.

The only one of them who could make Leah do anything was Seth. The wolf gene was very strong in their family which made him a little more skilled, similar to Jake. The absence of Seth made Leah even more of a problem. Sam literally couldn't be with her or all hell broke loose. Paul was likely to rip her head off, he couldn't care less that she was a girl, when he got angry it was fair game. She was so indifferent to Jared and Embry they were practically useless. Jake assumed it was their life long standing as "frenemies" that allowed her to tolerate him without trying to kill him.

Nights were tough. Leah would go to the woods outside her house and listen to her family. The pain and guilt intensified as she listened to her mother cry herself to sleep each night.

Try to relax, Leah. Jake sighed.

They had made it back to each other and Jake nudged her shoulder with his head. She sat for a moment and leaned against his side.

Well that was weird, thought Jared.

What? Jake asked.

Leah didn't bite your head off and is acting almost human.

Hey stupid, I can hear you too, remember. Leah retorted.

Come on, Leah, maybe you can have some dreams tonight. That is about the only entertainment we get around her. Jake tried to tease her.

Leah shoved him with her shoulder. Back off, Black.

I'm just teasing.

Sure, sure. Leah rolled her eyes and gave Jake a glare for using his phrase.

Jake barked out a laugh.

Hey Jake. What's your deal with Sam? Leah asked.

Jake could feel Jared's curiosity as well as he patrolled and listened to their banter.

It is hard to explain. He rubs me the wrong way, Jake answered.

You aren't supposed to be rubbing against guys, Jake. That's pretty gay.

Jake barked out a laugh, appreciating the reminder of the playful banter Leah and him often had growing up as family friends. After feeling Leah smile, he was pleased she had a moment of peace.

The past several months had been hell for Leah. Everyone knew she was her daddy's little girl, and when she heard Harry encouraged Sam to be with Emily, it left her carrying around a burden which was far too heavy for her to manage. Losing her best friend and fiance all at the same time crushed her spirit and now with her father's passing, it took a piece of her soul with him.

The day of Harry's funeral finally arrived. Jake slept outside with Leah to keep her company, but they both knew that he would need to help get his dad ready and Leah could use some time to herself.

Thank you, Jake, Leah told him, a sad sigh escaping her lips.

No problem.

Once inside his house, Jake helped his dad take a shower and then to dress. He wore dark pants and a cream shirt with a vest with intricate tribal lettering, two large wolves covered each breast and eagle feather lined his shoulders and waist.

"How's Leah doing?" Billy asked.

"Some days she's a pain in the ass and other days tolerable."

"She has been through alot Jake."

"I know that Dad, but it doesn't give her the right to… Let's just say, I've seen parts of Sam I really didn't want to see."

Billy and Jake grimaced. Jake braided his dad's hair and laid out the headdress which would crown his head. From his chair it was long and dragged on the ground, so Jake would wait to attach it until Billy was ready to leave.

"Has anyone explained imprinting to her?" Billy asked.

"I haven't, and I doubt Sam has. He hasn't been phasing much."

"That makes sense. I'm sure that you are handling things just fine by yourself." Billy gave Jake a reassuring smile, and he appreciated his dad's confidence.

"Thanks, Dad."

As a council member Billy had many additional responsibilities and rituals he would lead. He did it for anyone in the tribe who passed away, feeling proud of his heritage and felt that all Quileute members should be respected when they crossed over.

However, Harry was the first council member to pass away in over twenty-five years so the whole tribe was saddened, but also filled with curiosity and wonder at what the ceremony would be like. There would be drums, singing and dances. Billy would tell different legends of his tribe, including those of their spirit's life after it leaves its body.

A quick knock on the door and then it opened to reveal Charlie followed quickly by Bella. Charlie had on dress pants and a white button down shirt and a tie which if Jake knew more about fashion would have told him it had been in Charlie's closet for a couple decades.

"Hi, Billy, and Jake. Sorry for your loss," Bella said, giving Billy a small hug which he returned. Then her arm slid around Jake's waist and remained there.

"Hey, Bells." Jake gave her a smile, his arms around her.

Billy and Charlie spoke softly, tears in both of their eyes threatened to spill over and run down their cheeks.

No one liked funerals, but for Jake they always reminded him of his mother's. She was also given a lot of special treatment for being the wife of the "acting chief" of the tribe. Jake would much rather not go if he could avoid it.

"Dad, I was thinking of stay out with Leah today."

"Really?" Bella asked, her voice rising in surprise.

"Where has she been?" Charlie asked.

Jake's eyes looked up in thought for a moment before answering. "She doesn't feel comfortable being in the house right now, so her and some of our friends are hanging out together." Jake shrugged, hoping that worked as some excuse.

"Since when were you and Leah close?" Bella asked.

Jake listened carefully to see if he could hear jealousy in her voice, but she simply seemed curious.

"Jake has known Leah his whole life. I think she could use all the friends she can get right now," Billy answered for Jake.

"That makes sense, sorry." Bella frowned and released a deep sigh.

"Hopefully, we can hang out again soon," Jake told her, giving her a long hug.

Bella returned the hug, reaching up on her toes to whisper. "Any signs of Victoria?"

"No," Jake whispered back. Bella nodded and her shoulders relaxed some. "Try not to worry so much." Jake gave her a quick kiss on her hair.

"I'll try," Bella said.

"Talk to Embry at the funeral, he will help you find me and together we can use your scent to leave a trail." Jake whispered, his head still close to hers.

Bella nodded.

"See ya later, Bella." Jake walked to the pantry and grabbed the full loaf of bread, the jar of peanut butter, a knife, placed them in a plastic grocery sack and walked out the door. Once in the trees he took off his shorts, put them in the sack, and phased.

Immediately Jake could feel Leah's sorrow and despair over the loss of her father. He kept his thoughts quiet, but felt confident that she knew he was there.

What are you doing here, Black? She said, trying to mask her sadness with anger.

I brought lunch.

It didn't take long to find Leah, she was starving and hated eating raw. Jake didn't have much advice to give her because he didn't have an experience with it since he phased back so quickly. Despite her irritation, Leah felt curious.

Once close, Jake ducked behind a tree, phased back, and put his shorts on. Then he made peanut butter sandwiches for her and himself. For Leah he tossed them in the hair and she would catch them and just about swallow them whole. Together they went through the whole loaf of bread and jar of peanut butter, but it was fun and they were full.

"Better?" Jake asked.

Leah nodded her big head and released a deep sigh and flopped gracelessly under the shade of a large tree.

Jake walked around the tree to phase back and then joined Leah under the shade, resting his head on his paws.

The sky was bright blue with a few lazy clouds floating by and birds chirped nearby. From under the tree they could see a robin perched on her nest, poking her head inside, feeding her young. A warm breeze blew over Jake and he smiled content.

He wandered briefly about his dad, Charlie, Bella and the pack on how they had handled the funeral. Then his mind went to Emily. For a moment he had forgotten that Harry was her uncle and how his loss would have affected her deeply as well.

No it won't. She isn't family anymore, Leah said, her sharp claws scratching into the dirt.

She couldn't help what happened.

Why is everyone defending them! Leah gave a frustrated huffed.

Because it really isn't their fault. There is the thing that can happen once we become wolves, it's called imprinting. We can't control it, it controls us. I want to show you something, don't bite me. Okay?

Leah gave no promise, so Jake cautiously shared with her Sam's memory of imprinting. Her wolf let out a whine as she learned how much Sam now loved Emily, but she could also see how much regret he also felt towards her. She also learned the truth of Emily's injuries and what had really happened to her.

Since he had the memories to share, he also thought of Emily's side of the story. He remembered Emily sobbing and Jake holding her, and without meaning to he also thought of kissing her.

Whoa! What the hell was that?

Nothing. Jake immediately tried to think of something else, but he knew that she would feel the panic in his thoughts.

No it wasn't! I want to know what is going on. I deserve to know.

I agree you do, but don't know how to answer you. Something is happening, but it is too early to know what. It seems like Emily really likes me and I don't really know why.

Leah snorted out a laugh. I do, she has had a crush on you for years.

No way! Really? Jake knew Leah had talked about him with Emily, but he never dreamed that he would come across as appealing.

Trust me, I did not mean to make you seem flattering.

Figured.

You did not hear this from me, but I think she wanted to try to meet you when she came here, but… things changed.

Emily had told Jake she had plans for a future and dreams, but he didn't figure he had been part of those plans. This was really great information and seemed to make everything make sense.

Do you really think you have a chance with her? Leah asked.

I honestly have no idea, but yeah, I think I do.

Leah thought of Sam and wondered what would happen to him, but didn't really mean to ask the question.

I don't know what will happen to him. I go back and forth between not caring because I find him to be so irritating, and feeling guilty that I might destroy him. He "needs" her more than anything else.

Leah and Jake both had a lot on their mind, unfortunately for both there were far more questions than answers.

By nightfall, Jared and Embry phased in.

Jake, Sam wants you to take a break and go home, Embry told him. And I walked with Bella for a couple hours after the funeral leaving the trail. I hope you don't mind that I was with her instead of you.

Sure, Embry, it's fine.

Leah sighed. The absence of Seth made her want someone to stay with her who she felt close to.

Come on, Leah, let's give it another try, then you'll be able to go home too, Jake said, hoping his happy thoughts would be encouraging.

Together they ran closer to her home. From the trees they heard Sue and Seth talking to each other. Leah longed to be with them and slowly her anger rose from her mind enough for her to be released from her wolf.

Immediately, Leah moaned and curled into herself, lying naked on the ground.

Jake phased back and quickly pulled his shorts on.

"Go away, Jake…" Leah trembled as she tried to cover herself up.

"Relax, Leah. I'll get you."

"But-"

"And, I won't look." Jake promised.

Leah nodded her head with a groan.

Jake scooped her up and did his best to keep his promise, but her muscles were sore and heavy, making her feel like dead weight. He shifted her closer to his body to carry her easily and Leah mumbled curses and threats with each step he took.

Next Chapter, Emily's POV! Please remember to review/comment, I love to hear from my readers. Also, I'd appreciate you looking into my original work at JJLiniger dot com.