So school starts Monday and I want to try and post the rest of this story before then since when school starts I pretty much never update. So hopefully I will finish it by then and get all the chapters up. I loved writing this story, but I also don't like the idea of going months without updating it. (Which is what happened with my other stories once school started). Thanks for all the great reviews, you guys make me smile!
I own nothing, duh! =)
Jacob's POV
I was running the perimeter of the Cullen's house, searching for any sign of Sam's pack. I don't know why I did it. I blame it on adrenaline, Sam was ready to go kill Bella and her thing and I couldn't allow that. I always had this urge to protect Bella. Maybe it was because she was the one person who needed me, really truly needed me. Bella was like those girls in the story books, the girl who always needed some guy to protect her. It made me feel important, like I contributed somehow. With Leah, she never needed saving. Leah could hold her own, even despite the imprint, if Leah wanted to leave me she probably could survive through the separation. It was the thing I loved and hated most about Leah. She was independent.
So when I found out Sam was going to kill Bella, I snapped. I ran from the pack, broke away. The first thing that ran through my mind was how seven vampires were not going to let us waltz into their home and kill Bella. Members of our pack would have to sacrificed. And even if we did win, and successfully murder Bella and her spawn, what about the friends of the bloodsuckers. I was positive they wouldn't sit around after hearing about how a pack of wolves killed their friends. I was torn. I couldn't allow vampires to come and run around La Push seeking revenge. So I would go and warn the Cullen's. maybe then if anything happened, they would take pity on La Push and most of all, Leah. Since they knew I tried to help. Of course I would never fight one of my brothers, even if I wasn't apart of their pack anymore. Even though sometimes I really wanted to kill Sam.
I felt another presence phase in. Seth. The kid joined my pack, making me Alpha and him Beta. He understood my reasoning. Only he could see that I didn't do it out of love for Bella, although I was concerned about her safety. No, I did it out of love for Leah. To ensure her safety. If the pack killed all the Cullen's and the spawn, she would be safe. If the pack was killed and bloodsuckers went on a killing streak, they wouldn't see her as an enemy, hopefully. The Cullen's showed compassion, I prayed maybe their friends would show compassion as well. My theory had huge holes, I knew that, but in that moment in time it seemed like the right thing to do.
Hey, Jake. Seth thought to me.
You get your clothes without being seen? I asked, nervous I had allowed Seth to go to La Push alone.
Yep, he said, trying his hardest to think of anything but his visit home.
Were you seen? I asked, panicked.
I tried not to be, he said, a picture of Leah clouding his thoughts.
Tell me what happened, I said, not using and Alpha command but coming close to. I wanted to tell Leah what happened myself, but I hadn't figured out how to say it right. I wanted to call her, but this wasn't a conversation I wanted to have over the phone. Then Sam told me I wasn't allowed in La Push and since then I hadn't been given the opportunity to call her. I was on constant patrol, thinking obsessively about Leah and what she must be thinking. I hadn't meant to abandon her, but somehow I had unconsciously chosen Bella over her again. That thought made me want to ram my head into a tree over and over again until I bled.
She's confused, Jake. She wouldn't listen to me, Seth pleaded, right before he displayed his and Leah's entire conversation for me. Once his trail on thought ended, I felt as though my legs were going to give out. I had to lie down on my stomach, no longer possessing the energy to stand on all fours. If I was in human form, I would surely be crying. I let out a loud, pitiful howl. I hated myself. I kept hurting her. Leah was the most important person in my life, but still I kept betraying her.
My thoughts clouded as I sprang up and took off running in the direction of La Push, not caring about the Cullen's, dying/pregnant Bella, or the fact Sam would kill me if I set one paw on La Push ground. I spotted the treaty line just as Seth crashed into me.
What the hell are you thinking? he growled at me. You will be killed if you go over there. I can smell Jared and Paul from here!
I need to see her, I insisted.
Let her cool down Jake, Seth ordered. Listen, man, I know why you did this and I respect you for it. I do think we are doing the right thing. But she is still my sister, and you are still messing with her feelings. I get that you are my alpha and could make me do whatever you want, but I swear if you don't leave her alone until this crap is all figured out, I will personally rip your head off!
I could feel the wave of emotions coming from Seth. He was being serious. He got off me once he knew I wasn't going to make a run for it. I took one last look in the direction of La Push, feeling the invisible strings drawing me to Leah. I huffed and turned to go back to the Cullen manor.
She has to forgive, Seth, I told him. I need her.
I know, dude, he said back, feeling sorry for me. I know.
Leah's POV
I spent the night and the most of the next day curled up on my bed, resting on my tear soaked pillow. My head was killing me, it felt like a sledge hammer was pounding against my skull. The weather matched my mood, clouds had set in once Seth left and never left. It was raining outside, no trickle of sunlight anywhere to be found. I pulled Minnie closer to me, the poor cat was practically being suffocated under my grasp but allowed me to hug it to me. I stroked her orange fur as more tears escaped my eyes.
Downstairs I could hear my mom shuffling around. I hadn't told her what was happening. Her son might be killed tonight, I couldn't cause her more worry that she already had. I felt useless, like nothing I did would have any effect. I couldn't convince Jacob or Seth to abandon the Cullen's without feeling like a baby murderer. Chances are they wouldn't listen to me anyways. This war was going to take place soon, someone I knew was going to die. I hated Jacob right now for putting my little brother in this situation. So Bella Swan didn't get everything she ever wanted, so what? She got her leech husband, why did she need a leech kid too. No matter how nice of a person people said she was, no one was worth this much trouble. But then again Jacob was the one who initiated the breaking away from the pack. That must mean Jacob thought she was worth this. What if Sam was right and the demon child was a threat to humans, Sam is probably looking out for the safety of Emily. He didn't want to take any chances when it came to her. Shouldn't Jacob feel the same way towards me. Was I not worth protect when it came to Bella's spawn?
I sat up on my bed, letting Minnie wiggle out of my grasp. I got up and opened my curtains to peer outside. The rain hit my window and drops slide down the glass. Grey clouds covered the sky, leaving no blue to be found. I looked at the forest just outside my window, the green trees swaying slightly due to the small breeze from the storm. I crossed my arms and rested my forehead against the cold glass. The coldness eased my headache a bit, I let out a sigh of relief. Now if I could only do something about the heart wrenching pain in my chest.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the cold glass on my skin. When I opened my eyes again, I noticed a small movement between the trees. I squinted my eyes to peer closer. I saw the same movement again, and my thoughts were confirmed. Just in the woods outside my house was a horse sized black wolf. The wolf was sniffing the trees, baring his teeth more and more after each inhale. I looked closer and saw two more wolves behind it. I had never seen Sam in wolf form, but I could tell from its movements that it was Sam.
The black wolf turned around, facing the woods and let out a low howl. So low it would not have been heard more than four miles away. Then in an instant, the wolf shot off into the forest. I stood there for a few moments, trying to make sense of what just happened.
"No," I told myself firmly. "I am not getting involved. There is nothing I can do anyways." The pain in my chest seared, making me double over in pain. I took a few deep breaths. "What the hell am I supposed to do? Take on a pack of wolves by myself! Its not like they give a shit about me."
Then in clicked in my head. He did give a shit about me, I could tell from the way he had been acting. If I told him to stop he would listen. At least I hoped he would. He was alpha and he could stop this. It would save Seth and the others, including the stupid Cullen's.
I shot away from the window, throwing on my Converse as I fumbled down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"Mom! Where are my keys?" I shouted at her. She looked up and me, her hand still on the counter where she was scrubbing with a sponge.
"On the coffee table, honey," she said, confusion written over her face. "Leah is everything okay?"
I ran into the living room and grabbed the keys. "I hope so. I will be back," I shouted, yanking open the front door and sprinting to the car, rain drops blurring my vision. I was soaked by the time I got into the car and put the key in the ignition. I hit the gas and began speeding towards Forks. Once I was in Forks I realized I had no fucking clue where the Cullen's lived. I swerved to the side of the road and dug through my pocket realizing I forgot to grab my cell phone.
"FUCK! I swore loudly. I pulled the car back on the road and began my search for a pay phone. Finally down the road I spotted one. I desperately ran to it and entered the money. Now I had to figure out who to call. I tried thinking but flashed of lightening and cracking of thunder kept interrupting me. I pushed my wet hair back and dialed the only number I could think of. I chewed my lip as the phone rang.
"Hello?" a voice said from the other line, I let out a shriek of relief.
"Emily?" I shouted into the phone. "It's Leah, listen I need your help. It's an emergency."
"Is everything okay?" her panicked voice rang.
"How do you get to the Cullen's house from the freeway?" I asked, praying she attended the wedding and therefore knew how to get there. "Please tell me you know!"
"You know where the police station is? Take a left there, keep going straight for a while, then when you come to the fork, stay right and keep going straight. That road will take you directly to the Cullen manor. It's pretty far out there." she explained in a hurry.
"Thanks!" I shouted and sprinted out of the phone booth, not even bothering to hang up the phone. I got back in the car and followed her directions, speeding the entire way. I hoped maybe since my mom was pretty much dating the police chief, I could get out of a speeding ticket.
Finally through the windshield wipers I could see a faint trace of light in the distance. I pulled over and ran out of the car, not wanting them to hear the noise of my car. I sprinted down the road, water getting in my lungs as I breathed in deeply trying to keep my breath steady. My soaked hair slapped against my back after each step I took. Once I reached the house, I heard arguing coming from the trees to the right of the house. I took off towards the voices, my shoes getting soaked with mud. With each step the mud stuck more and more to the ground, making it harder for me to carry on. Finally I broke through the thick forest and found myself surrounded by wolves on one side and vampires on the other. Jacob and Sam stood nose to nose in the middle, each on the verge of phasing. The wolves were ready to pounce and the vampires where crouched down, ready for battle.
"Sam!" I cried, running straight towards them, dodging a wolf that jumped out in front of me. "Sam, stop!" Jake and Sam broke eye contact and looked at me, each with shock expressions. I ran directly towards Sam, grabbing his arm and pulling him in front of me.
"Leah, what are you doing here? It isn't safe!" Jacob growled from behind me. I swallowed as I kept my back to him, focusing only on Sam.
"Leah?" Sam asked confused, looking down at me while rain dripped from his face.
"Don't do this," I told him, shivering slightly from the cold rain. "Please?"
"Leah, I have to. It is our duty to protect the tribe!" he answered, shaking his head to comprehend what I was saying.
"People will die" I begged, grabbing onto his arms. I heard a growl from behind me, but ignored it. "They are apart of our tribe!"
"They betrayed us!" Sam growled. "They are no longer apart of us!"
"What about me?" I asked, staring directly into Sam's brown eyes. "Am I apart of you?"
"That doesn't matte-" he started.
"If you hurt them, you hurt me too, Sam," I said, rain drops falling down my face mixing with my tears. "If you ever cared about me at all, you won't do this!" There, I used the ultimate ultimatum. Sam once told me he never intentionally wanted to hurt me, and he would make it his duty to never hurt me again, so here was his chance.
"You don't understand, that thing could kill us all," he told me, the Emily's Sam washing away and being replaced by my Sam. "It could hurt you."
"I won't let anything hurt her!" Jacob snarled from behind me. I closed my eyes and envisioned how upset he must look right now. When I reopened my eyes I saw Sam looking at me pleadingly.
"Just wait," I begged. "Until its born, then decide if it is a threat. If it is not, then they will leave."
"They are planning on changing Bella," Sam half-heartedly argued. "Am I just supposed to let that go also?"
"Please," I asked, out of breath. "Please just do it Sam. I will never ask you for anything ever again. Just please turn around and go home." Sam looked at me intently now. His brown eyes staring straight into mine, shaking his head slightly. Finally after moments of our staring contest, he let out a defeated sigh.
Sam, took hold of my upper arm and gently brought me behind him, ignoring Jacob's warning growl. I turned to see Jacob, his fist clenched, teeth barred, fury and hurt swimming in his eyes. I quickly looked away and stared into Sam's shoulder.
"We will agree to leave peacefully," Sam spoke, authority in his voice. "As long as we are notified once the child is born. If we find it is harmful to mankind, we will have no other choice than to exterminate of it. If a battle should arise from that, so be it. If we find it is no major threat, then you and your family must leave Forks and never come back here again. If you successfully change Bella, then we will consider the treaty broken, but allow one day for you to pack up and leave…permanently. You will no longer be welcome in Forks or La Push, and if you try to come back serious consequences will be made."
The doctor vampire stepped forwards, looking incredibly relieved. "We agree to these negotiations, Sam. And my family and I thank you so much for giving us a chance."
"I didn't do it for you," Sam growled. "As for you two." Sam said, turning to Jacob and Seth. "You will also be required to leave Forks. You will only be permitted on La Push territory for visiting, after consulting with me, but other than that you are no longer welcome here either."
I stared wide-eyed at Sam, he just exiled my brother and probably ex boyfriend.
"You can't do that!" Jacob snarled, stepping towards Sam, shaking furiously.
"Jake," I pleaded from behind Sam's large figure. "Don't." I didn't want anymore arguing, to be fair Sam's requests weren't outrageous. It was true he was exiling two members of our tribe, but in all honestly Seth and Jacob are lucky to be walking away with their lives. Maybe after all this died down, Billy and my mom would go over to Sam's and demand he reconsider. But in this moment in time, the only thing that mattered was that no fighting was going to be taking place.
"Thank you," Edward Cullen stepped forward towards me, he looked like he just got back from hell. But his dark eyes showed he was grateful. Jacob let out a loud growl as Edward stepped a bit too close, Edward nodded and stepped backward, giving me a sad smile.
"Paul will take you home," Sam told me. Nodding towards Paul.
"Thanks Sam," I whispered and began walking in the direction of my car.
"Leah," Jacob's voice cried out to me. I turned to look at him, and gave him a slow shake of my head. I didn't want to deal with him right now. I resumed walking, once I was out of the forest, my legs gave out. Thankfully Paul was right behind me and caught me before I collapsed onto the ground. He shifted me so he could carry me in his arms. I tried hard to keep the sobs back.
"It's okay, Lee, I understand," Paul's deep voice vibrated through my body. He gently placed me in the passenger seat of the car and climbed into the driver seat. I stared out the window as he drove us back to my house.
"You saved our asses, Lee," Paul spoke, looking at me. When I didn't answer him, he continued. "I'm sure Sam will let Seth and Jake come home after some convincing. He is just fired up right now."
I simply nodded my head, still staring out the window.
"Hey," he said, brushing my shoulder. "Jake doesn't love her. He said he did it because he wanted to keep us safe, and if we went and killed a clan of leeches, it would only make us enemies to the rest of the leeches. It would have started a war against shape shifters and vampires. I didn't think about it then, but he has a point. If we heard about a group of leeches murdering a bunch of shape shifters and a pregnant human, we would probably go after those bloodsuckers in an instant."
"I don't want to talk about it," I answered, a few tears falling down my cheeks. "I don't give a shit anymore. I don't owe that douche anything."
"He does love you, Leah," Paul said. "He may be a high douche, but Jake does love you a lot."
"He has a fucked up way of showing it," I answered.
"So do you," Paul smiled at me. "You just convinced your ex to spare Jake as a way to show he still loves you. You won't admit it, but you used Sam's feelings for you to keep Jacob safe." I ignored Paul and looked back out the window, getting lost in the blur of green and grey.