A/N: An enthusiastic thank you for all your kind reviews; it is truly motivating. To new reader hgmsnoopy, I thank you for reaching out! To cherryblossomszahime, Maxsmomma, brankel1, PastOneonta, and lori77…I thank you for the continued support!

I know, I know…a lot of people are pissed at Leah right now. But let's hear from her POV, shall we? This is a short chapter, though it carries quite the punch. There's a lot going on, so I will warn you; things will get worse before they get any better. This chapter had a New Moon feels….

MA rating for language

Chapter 18

Leah pushed her weight against the mattress, fighting with the urge to flee. The enclosed, sickly-sweet scent only made her restlessness worse. Could she really do this? Technically she already had...she'd turned her back on all she'd ever known, on the people that mattered most. She stepped out onto her balcony, in desperate need of fresh air. Reality sunk in her belly, and the she-wolf gasped with unease. The exquisite, old world view did nothing for her frayed nerves, but Jasper's silent kindness began seeping through her bones, releasing the pressure in her chest and reminding her she wasn't the only one lacking sleep.

They never slept…she'd known that, so it shouldn't serve to bother her so much. Except it did...it was just another eerie quirk, that needed getting used to. She was a one-woman pack; a lone wolf amid vegetarian vampires. At least in their luxurious villa, she was…Because Leah was coming to realize she'd willingly walked into the lion's den. Leeches walked freely in large numbers in this part of Europe. Jasper had practically spent the last months attached at her hip. And it had taken all his efforts, along with Bella's subtle pleas to prevent her from phasing on the spot when Aleksander Yerzov and his depraved sons had visited to officially welcome the Cullens back to Draculandia. It was coven politics at work, and the Cullens had to play nice to maintain the peace. She was their penniless guest, so in the end, the she-wolf had gritted her teeth shut through the whole ordeal.

Leah had scrubbed her hand raw after Galen, Yerzov's oldest son, had dared reach for her hand. The she-wolf had growled in warning, and the masochistic vampire had smiled excitedly. It was in the silence of the night that Leah suffered most. Pent up energy begging to be spent; her wolf clawing for release. The struggle against the urge to phase was hard, but the silence that ensued when she did, was harder. No wolf sharing her thoughts; no pack brother running at her side. And that was just the creature inside of her. Her human heart ached for the man she'd left behind. The memory of utter devastation and betrayal in his eyes as he'd walked out on her, haunted her every thought.

And that was just Paul… because Leah had never anticipated the hostility her brother displayed at her decision to leave. Nor the indifference of the pack in their refusal to wave her goodbye. She felt truly alone. The she-wolf hated the sour taste of self-pity, and tried to shake it away. It wasn't all bad…The Cullens had been more than supportive. They were all Piranhas in the eyes of the pack, so she would draw support where she could. They'd set a grueling tutoring schedule for her. Rosalie was teaching her Italian; Edward was helping both Bella and she get acquainted with the city, while Alice oversaw her acclimation to European culture. She had a closet full of clothes she had no desire to wear, but couldn't deny the slight thrill of seeing her own reflection in the full-size mirror of her private suite. She had the look of a different woman.

Her bank account claimed more zero's than she'd seen her whole life courtesy of them all, but she appreciated Bella's company the best. It had been more than a decade, but Leah realized she also struggled with this life, and welcomed their solitary walks around the city. They had more in common than the she-wolf cared to admit. They'd both walked away from a previous life; a life deemed more prudent for them both by the people they loved. But here they were…both masters of their own fate. Sisters in arms…or maybe that was just what she needed to believe.

The days had turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, but Leah's melancholia continued. She phased less and less, but the hollowness still prevailed. She focused on what was good, and celebrated the smaller things; her weekly calls with her mother and Nessie; the only links to the pack. Seth still refused to speak to her, but she felt some consolation at hearing her mother share he never once failed to inquire on her after their talks. The she-wolf wasn't ready to speak with Jacob yet; fearful, her resolve would crumble and she'd be on the first plane back.

Then there was school…Leah hadn't expected the exhilaration higher learning would provide. It challenged her, it brought her a sense of purpose. This wasn't all for nothing, she repeated to herself, and was beginning to remember what a human life consisted of. She drew much male attention at school, but it was too soon…even if just for sex. Paul's memory haunted her, and she found herself craving human interaction. So, she joined a study group with like-minded students, if just for the social connection. Italy was growing on her...she loved the old-world feel, and don't get her started on the food. She was grateful for her fast metabolism; otherwise her waist size would have doubled for sure.

Her wolf spirit suffered as well, and sometimes Leah could swear she was bent on leading her North of the city. Maybe it was her need to run; to venture out and hunt…the she wolf wasn't sure, but she found herself standing outside her balcony many nights, looking towards twinkling lights ahead; a deep yearning clutching at her chest…

Solace glanced towards his friend in anxiety. Paul shrugged his shoulders carelessly, wondering what had taken the Alpha so long. Jacob loomed menacingly near the cabin's front door; his gaze focused on the defiant wolf. He spared Solace a quick glance; barely reining in his fury.

"Leave…"

The order packed a solid punch, but Solace hesitated, worried for Paul's well-being. A quick nod from the defeated looking wolf on the floor didn't inspire the confidence Solace had hoped, and the Alpha's head cocked to the side challengingly. Solace cringed, shuffling out the cabin as he gifted his friend one last glance of concern. Jacob was an objective and even-keeled wolf, but he was also the most ruthless and savage of them all, and well…Solace was of no mind to test him.

Jacob stewed, struggling for composure before speaking.

"Was this payback Paul?"

The Alpha's tone was eerily low, and the downtrodden wolf knew he was in great danger of catching the beating of his life.

"I know you won't believe me, but it really wasn't. I'm pretty sick with myself too, if it makes you feel any better"

"No, it doesn't…"

The Alpha yanked him up from the floor, slamming him against the nearest wall of his room. Paul had no fight left, and simply allowed himself to get man-handled. Jacob's breathing deepened. He wanted to push him through the wall, and allow his wolf a bit of fun, but Paul's apathy pulled at the most compassionate side of him. This was Paul at his worst, and unfortunately, his sister had gotten caught in the crossfire. Rachel was no innocent in this, but she was his sister, and it was the principle of the thing...

"Her marriage is over…I hope you're happy"

Paul's quick wit betrayed him.

"She didn't need much convincing…her marriage was over before I happened"

Oh shit…

Jacob's orbs burned with indignation, and Paul knew it'd been the wrong thing to say. He felt his jaw lock out of place from the brutal punch, and it was Renesmee's small body on top of his that spared him several broken ribs.

"No Jacob… let it be. Rachel's a grown woman. I'm not saying it was right, but it's not for us to place blame"

Renesmee had torn out of her home in search of her husband after catching sight of her sister in law's blubbering state. Rachel and her husband had paid the family a visit; undeniable tension between the quarreling pair. A chance meeting with Paul had spiraled things out of control. The handsome wolf had proven to be a temptation too great to pass, and Rachel had served as a much-needed stroke to his beaten down ego. Paul had nursed a serious hard-on for Rachel growing up, but she'd always rejected his advances.

How the tables had turned…and if the situation had been different…if Leah didn't occupy every crevice of his mind, he might've been inclined to try at more than just sex. But she did, and Paul wished he could erase the memory of her luscious skin and honey dew scent. She was gone, and she'd taken the most vulnerable and best part of him with her.

Yes, this was Paul at his worst and Jacob knew his wife's words held truth. He dropped him onto his bed and stomped out of the cabin, trying to shake away his anger. Nothing was right…Seth wasn't speaking to him, and the Alpha felt dissent growing within the pack…Sam was ridden with guilt, pushing Emily to self-blame. Anna had just announced an unplanned pregnancy, and Brady was a basket case at the prospect of becoming such a young father. They were in total disarray…

Jacob ignored Renesmee's voice as he ran through the woods; needing distance between himself and all that weighed him down. He ran North, then East; the frigid air matching the coldness in his blood when a gut wrenching pain pulled at his insides, forcing him to his knees. His wolf was warring with him to stand…to turn back NOW, and the Alpha struggled to his feet; a crippling dread creeping through him, as he heard Seth's cryptic howl. He'd gathered the whole pack behind his family's home; looks of confusion and suspicion circling between them. A contentious gleam in the Beta's eyes.

Jacob was sorry that Seth was hurting… sorry that Paul had lost the only woman he'd truly ever loved; sorry that he couldn't keep their pack sister with them, but he'd lost her too…He was suffering through the gaping wound she'd left inside of him. But he couldn't show weakness, couldn't lean on any of his wolves because they were all looking towards him for answers. Except Seth…Seth wasn't seeking answers. The defiance in his eyes was as clear as the look of shame on Embry's face.

"What have you done Seth?"

"What have I done? What have you done, Jacob?"

The Alpha's eyes betrayed his sadness. How had shit come to this? This was Seth…the happy go lucky kid who'd once hero-worshipped him; had followed him around the reservation like a giddy puppy. The animosity in his eyes was unmistakable, and the Alpha stood alert and ready for anything.

"I'm not the one hiding behind my words ...I want to look you all in the face, when I say what I have to say. I love this pack, but I can't pretend anymore. I can't follow someone who has so little respect for me and my family. Jacob says that pack nurtures, that pack supports and that pack is family. Well my family is on the other side of the world… Alone. And I'm done trying to understand why you did what you did. I'm leaving…I'm going after Leah, and I'm taking Embry with me"

A piercing pain cut through the pack like a jagged knife; Seth had waited… waited until the moment when Jacob had been at his most vulnerable; preoccupied with his own family affairs to rip himself and Embry away from his grasp. The Alpha couldn't speak, words failed to formulate as the hollowness threatened to engulf them all. Embry couldn't hold the Alpha's gaze, and hearing Quil's trembling voice broke something inside of the Jacob.

"Emb…what the fuck is Seth talking about? You can't leave…we're family, Emb. You're my brother…Look at me…"

Quil's unabashed tears mirrored the deep anguish afflicting them all. Jacob stood beaten as he met Seth' s unrepentant gaze. He'd stolen something from him, and Seth was paying the Alpha back with the same coin. He'd played at Embry's insecurities, tempting him with a future away from being the bastard son. A new beginning for himself and Isla, where she'd be surrounded by her own kind. Seth could have never left his imprint behind, and the Alpha knew this had been carefully orchestrated.

Jacob felt like the worst kind of monster. How deeply had he wounded his Beta to have pushed him into this? Samuel Uley's face mirrored his heartbreak; he'd lived through this once before, knowing the pack was fracturing once again. Embry stood by Seth's side, still incapable of meeting his best friends' gaze. The younger wolves appeared lost and frightened, and it was Paul's gruff voice that snapped them out of their shock.

"You're a fool Seth...Jacob didn't do this. Leah left us all. You want to leave, fuck it… leave us. It wouldn't be the first time. But don't stand there spewing out your bullshit about loving this pack; because we both know what this is really about. Pack isn't just about family, it's about loyalty and sacrifice. What the fuck was Jacob thinking, naming you Beta…"

Paul was on a roll; his misery gushing out in vile vulgarity as he turned to target Embry next.

"And you, you call yourself a friend? How quick you forget the two people that didn't turn their backs on your bastard ass face"

Embry lunged, and the younger wolves struggled to keep them apart. Jacob turned in despair; he'd seen and heard enough. His knees buckled, but he pushed himself towards his home; leaving the pack and all his anguish behind. Seth's eyes watered; his gaze never leaving the Alpha's retreating form…

Playlist

Satellite Heart- Anya Marina

Slow Life-Grizzly Bear