I know it's been awhile x

I'm so sorry about that x

Without further ado on with the story x

It's time.

I pushed open the front door to my house, it's never locked (now I've told you that, don't come rob me) and flinched as I saw what had been on my couch for nearly a week.

Rachel Black, looking how I had never seen her before. Heartbroken. She was curled up in a ball with an old blanket thrown over her. She wore no make up, and had dry tear tracks that had long since dried out.

I kneeled down by her head and looked into her sad brown eyes, which used to be so full of joy. I knew it wasn't going to be long before she was back with Paul. It was hurting her just as much as it was hurting him.

"Rach, you need to talk to him" I whispered

"Don't want to" she chocked out

"Rach…"

"No, Leah! I can't! He – he made a fool of me! I – just can't see him"

"This is hurting him too"

"Yeah, because he has to" she spat.

"If you could see his thoughts, you wouldn't be saying that"

"Well, I can't, can I?"

"Look, please just call him. I hate seeing you like this" I picked my phone up from the coffee table "I'll even let you use my mobile" I raised my eyebrows. She looked at the floor for a second, then a minute, before reaching out for my phone. "He's under asshole" she smiled the first smile since well, since her and Paul's fight.

Paul picked up on the third ring "What do you want, Clearwater?" he snarled down the phone

"S'not Leah, it's me, Rachel" Rach whispered.

"Rach" he breathed into the phone "I'm so sorry for, for everything –" and that's was my cue to leave. I roamed the streets for a couple hours, not really sure how long I should stay away for.

When it started to get dark out I decided to head home. As I walked into my living room I noticed Rachel sitting on the couch watching TV. Well it is an improvement, I guess.

As I entered she looked up at me, she smiled at me "We're…we're gunna meet up tomorrow, um...talk things out. I was just waiting for you…but I'm gunna go home. Sort things out with Jake and my dad" she stood.

"Everything will be okay" I told her, she hugged me, squeezing me tight. Well, what I supposed should have been tight…but hell I'm a wolf for crying out loud! Then she left, to make amends with her dad, a leisure I'll never get. But I suppose she had no mother, something I have. If you could even call her my mother anymore.

Rachel made up with Paul, just like I always knew they would. A few days after this I was sitting on the beach, lapping up the sun's raise. When I heard it a howl, clear as day "Ah, shit" I muttered under my breath, before setting off into the forest. When I phased I heard Jacob's monologue on Bella, Bella this, Bella that.

So self-absorbed all the time I thought

Yeah, no hypocrisy there, Leah Jacob thought back

Can it guys Sam thought. I winced at the word guys, Sam ignored it as per usual Where's Quil and Embry?

Quil's got Claire. He's taking her to the Clearwaters' Jacob thought

Good Sue will take her

Jared was going to Kim's Embry thought Good chance he didn't hear you.

A low grumble rippled through the pack, no one wanted to her about Jared and Kim's sex life. Sam sent another howl into the air.

I ran to where the pack had gathered a few miles east to where I was, Jacob was close but we stayed parallel. Choosing not to run together.

Well, we're not waiting all day for him. He'll just have to catch up later. Sam thought

'Sup, boss? Paul wanted to know.

We need to talk, something's happened. Sam's, Collin's, Brady's and Seth's thoughts all flickered to Jacob. Must be bout soon-to-be-leech I thought to myself. Seth, tell them what you heard. What did Seth know about Bella?

Jacob sped up, oh I wasn't about to be beaten, so I sped too. He thought something about that's the only thing I could claim. Which is complete lie I can claim weakest, only girl, most hated, smallest and bitchest as well. Just fastest is the only thing I want to claim.

Claim this, moron I hissed. I shot myself forward as did Jacob.

Jake, Leah, give it a rest. Sam thought. Neither of us slowed. Sam growled, but let it go Seth?

Charlie called around till he found Billy at my house.

Yeah, I talked to him Paul added

So he's all flipped out. Guess Edward and Bella got last week, and…Jacob thoughts cut over Seth's thinking of what story the leeches could have thought up Yeah, bro, and here's the bad news. Charlie talked to her, said she sounded bad. She told him she was sick. Carlisle got on and told Charlie that Bella picked up some rare disease in South America. Said she's quarantined. Charlie's going crazy, 'cause even he's not allowed to see her. He says he doesn't care if he gets sick, but Carlisle won't bend. No visitors. Told Charlie it was pretty serious, but that he's doing everything he can. Charlie's been stewing about it for days, but he only called Billy now. He said she sounded worse today.

There was mental silence after what Seth had just told us all. Me and Jacob entered the clearing at nearly the same time, but my nose lead Beatcha again I muttered more to myself. I trotted over to my brother and sat next to him, everyone else was sitting except Jacob Well, what are we waiting for? Jacob asked. No one spoke, but he felt our hesitation Oh, come on! The treaty's broken!

We have no proof – maybe she is sick…

OH, PLEASE!

Okay, so the circumstantial evidence is pretty strong. Still…Jacob. Sam thought slowly Are you sure this is what you want? Is it really the right thing? We all know what she wanted.

The treaty doesn't mention anything about victim preferences, Sam!

Is she really a victim? Would you label her that way?

Yes!

Jake, they aren't our enemies Seth thought

Shut up, kid! Just 'cause you've got some kind of sick hero worship thing going on with that bloodsucker, it doesn't change the law. They are our enemies. They are in our territory. We take them out. I don't care if you had a fun time fighting Edward Cullen once upon a time.

So what are you going to do when Bella fights with them, Jacob? Huh? Seth demanded.

She's not Bella anymore.

You gunna be the one to take her down? Jacob winced, man Seth was good at the whole come backs No, you're not. So, what? You gunna make one of us do it? And then hold a grudge against whoever it is forever?

I wouldn't…

Sure you won't. You're not ready for this fight, Jacob.

Jacob snarled and crouched, the hairs covering my body rose. Jacob! Sam snapped Seth, shut up a second. Seth nodded.

Dang, what'd I miss? Quil asked, I hadn't even noticed him Heard about Charile's call…

We're ready to go Jacob told him Why don't you swing by Kim's and drag Jared out with your teeth? We're going to need everyone.

Come straight here, Quil Sam ordered We've decided nothing yet. Jacob growled Jacob, I have to think about what's best for this pack. I have to choose the course that will protect you all the best. Times have changed since our ancestors made that treaty. I…well, I don't honestly believe that the Cullens are a danger to us. And we know that they will not be here much longer. Surely once they've told they're story, they will disappear. Our lives can return to normal.

Normal?

If we challenge them, Jacob, they will defend themselves well.

Are you afraid?

Are you ready to lose a brother? Pause Or a sister? ha, like anyone would give a shit if I died

I'm not afraid to die.

I know that, Jacob. It's the one reason I question you judgement on this.

Do you intend to honour our fathers' treaty or not?

I honour my pack. I do what's best for them.

Coward.

Sam snarled, and spoke in his Alpha voice Enough, Jacob. You're overruled. The pack is not attacking the Cullens without provocation. The sprit of the treaty remains. They are not a danger to our people, nor are they a danger to the people of Forks. Bella Swan made an informed choice, and we are not going to punish our former allies for her choice.

Hear, hear Seth cheered, I nudged him.

I thought I told you to shut it Seth

Oops. Sorry Sam.

Jacob, where do you think you're going? I looked up to see Jacob moving out of the circle.

I'm going to tell my father goodbye. Apparently there was no purpose in me sticking around this long. I rolled my eyes, drama queen!

Aw, Jake – don't do that again!

Shut up, Seth Me and several other voices' thought together.

We don't want you to leave Sam told him

So force me to stay, Sam. Take away my will. Make me a slave.

You know I won't do that.

Then there's nothing more to say. And then he ran.

We all sat in silence for a second before Seth thought He'll be back, he always is. And then everyone broke into conversation, leaving me on the sidelines once again. Half an hour or so later Jacob was back.

Jake, Jake everyone chorused, except me, although I did sigh in relief.

Come home now, Sam said in his Alpha voice, Paul faded out to tell Rach and Billy that Jacob was back.

Then we were sucked into Jacob's thoughts – Bella's mottled stomach; her raspy voice: he's strong, that's all; the burning man in Edward's face: watching her sicken and waste away…seeing it hurting her; Rosalie crouched over Bella's limp body; Bella's life means nothing to her.

For once no one spoke, no one made a noise. Then we ran to him, Paul met us at the same time we met Jacob. Then everyone was shouting, we walked in a circle. The pack moved and thought in synchronization, all except Jacob and my stupid brother, Seth.

How can this be? What does it mean? What will it be? – Collin

Not safe. Not right. Dangerous. – Paul

Unnatural. Monstrous. An abomination. – Jared

We can't allow it – Sam

The treaty does not cover this – Embry

This puts everyone in danger – Quil

I thought of Bella's bruises and Edward's face They fear it too I thought

But they won't do anything about it – Brady

Protecting Bella Swan – Me again

We can't get that influence us – Jared

The safety of our families, of everyone here, is more important than one human. – Paul

If they won't kill it, we have to – Sam

Protect the tribe – Brady

Protect our families – Collin

I brought up another of Jacob's memories The thing is going. Swiftly.

No time to waste – Jared

It would mean a fight. A bad one. – Embry

We're ready – Paul

We'll need surprise on our side – Sam

If we catch them divided, we can take them down separately. It will increase our chances of victory – Jared

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Jacob and Seth stand Wait Jacob thought. The circle paused for a beat before continuing.

There's little time – Sam

But – what are you thinking? You wouldn't attack them for breaking the treaty this afternoon. Now you're planning an ambush, when the treaty is still intact?

This is not something our treaty anticipated, Sam thought, This is a danger to every human in the area. We don't know what kind what kind of creature the Cullens have bred, but we know that it is strong and fast-growing. And it will be too young to follow and treaty. Remember the newborn vampires we fought? Wild, violent, beyond the reach of reason or restraint. Imagine one like that, but protected by the Cullens.

We don't know – Jacob tried

We don't know Sam agreed And we can't take chances with the unknown in this case. We can only allow the Cullens to exist while we're absolutely sure that they can be trusted not to cause harm. This…thing cannot be trusted. They don't like it anymore than we do. He pulled up the memory of Rosalie's face and her protective crouch. Some are ready to fight for it, no matter what it is.

It's just a baby, for crying out loud

Not for long I whispered

Jake, buddy, this is a big problem. We can't just ignore it. Quil said

You're making this bigger than it is. Jacob argued. The only one who's in danger here is Bella.

Again by her own choice Sam said But this time it affects us all.

I don't think so.

We can't take that chance. We won't allow a blood drinker to hunt on our lands.

Tell them to leave. Seth said, oh, that stupid stupid kid!

And inflict the menace on others? When blood drinkers cross our lands, we destroy them, no matter where they plan to hunt. We protect everyone we can.

This is crazy Jacob said This afternoon you were afraid to put the pack in danger.

This afternoon I didn't know our families were at risk.

I can't believe this! How're you going to kill this creature without killing Bella? Silence. Jacob howled. She's human, too! Doesn't our protection apply to her?

She's dying anyway, I thought. We'll just shorten the process. Jacob pounced at me; I had never felt so much hatred rip through the pack mind. Sam bit into his flack, pulling him backwards. My heart beat in my wolfy chest, should have just let him eat me.

Stop! Sam ordered in his Alpha voice, and then his gaze turned to me You will not be cruel to him, Leah. Bella's sacrifice is a heavy price, and we will all recognize that. It is against everything we stand for to take a human life. Making an exception to that code is a bleak thing. We will all mourn for what we do tonight.

Tonight? Seth repeated, shocked Sam – I think we should talk about this some more. Consult the Elders, at least. You can't seriously mean for us to…

We can't afford your tolerance for the Cullens now. There is no time for debate. You will do as you are told, Seth. Seth buckled, to kneel at Sam's feet. He turned on Jacob next. We need the whole pack for this. Jacob, you are our strongest fighter. You will fight with us tonight. I understand that this is hard for you, so you will concentrate on their fighters – Emmett and Jasper Cullen. You don't need to be involved with the…other part. Quil and Embry will fight with you.

Sam then handed out who the rest of us will be fighting, me, Seth, Collin and Brady were put together to take down Carlisle, Alice and Esme. These, in Sam's eyes, were the least of a threat. I quickly resumed point and started talking (well, thinking) strategizing with Collin and Brady, leaving Seth out.

Why didn't he just send Seth home? He doesn't want to fight, so he won't do his best. What if he…he...NO! I wouldn't let him!

Jacob was thinking some crap that how killing Bella was like killing himself. Pull it together, Jacob Sam ordered The tribe comes first.

I was wrong today Sam

Your reasons were wrong then. But now we have a duty to fulfil.

No That kid's got balls, no one says no to the alpha

Yes the alpha voice rippled in our minds There are no loopholes tonight. You, Jacob, are going to fight the Cullens with us. You, with Quil and Embry, will take care of Jasper and Emmett. You are obligated to protect the tribe. That is why you exist. You will perform this obligation. And the true Alpha dropped to kneel under the phoney.

I turned my back and continued planning until I heard No in the Alpha tone. Only it wasn't Sam's voice, no, it was Jacob's. I turned around to see what had happened. Sam had jumped back Jacob? What have you done? he asked

I won't follow you, Sam. Not for something so wrong. Jacob told him

You would…you would choose your enemies over your family?

They aren't – they aren't our enemies. They never have been. Until I really thought about destroying them, thought it through, I didn't see that.

This isn't about them. This is about Bella. She has never been the one for you, she has never chosen you, but you continue to destroy your life for her!

Maybe you're right. But you're going to destroy the pack over her, Sam. No matter how many of them survive tonight, they will always have murder on their hands.

We have to protect our families!

I know what you've decided, Sam. But you don't decide for me, not anymore.

Jacob – you can't turn you back on the tribe.

Ephraim Black's son was not born to follow Levi Uley's.

Is that it, then, Jacob Black? His hackles rose. Even if you defeat me, the pack will never follow you!

Jacob jerked back Defeat you? I'm not going to fight you, Sam

Then what's your plan? I'm not stepping aside so that you can protect the vampire spawn at the tribe's expense.

I'm not telling you to step aside.

If you order them to follow you –

I'll never take someone's free will away from him. Oh, that was below the belt!

There cannot be more than one Alpha. The pack has chosen me. Will you rip us apart tonight? Will you turn on your brothers? Or will you end this insanity and join us again?

There is only one Alpha for this pack. I'm not contesting that. I'm just choosing my own way.

Do you belong to a coven now, Jacob?

Jacob flinched I don't' know, Sam. But I do know this I will stand between you and the Cullens. I won't watch while the pack kills innocent people. The pack is better than that. Lead them in the right direction, Sam.

Then he turned and ran, he just left. Mournful howls ripped through the night for what seemed like hours, but was probably only 10 or so minutes. I turned around to see if I could find Seth. Seth? Seth? SETH!...SHUT THE FUCK UP! All the howling stopped. Seth! Seth! Where is he?

There was no noise, shit, he's gone! Damn Jacob Black! SETH! SETH!

Shouting his name won't help Paul snarled.

Sam, what the fucks going on! I screamed

But there was no sense coming from Sam. He just kept repeating the same things Jacob, Seth, Bella, baby, death, tribe, do what's right…until he said something that I didn't even know was possible…new pack.

Hold on Jared said new pack? What the hell?

Think about it, we can't hear Jacob and Seth anymore. We can only hear people in our pack! What if they launch an attack! We won't know about it! Shit, shit, shit. Okay, everyone meet at mine and Emily's first thing tomorrow to talk with the Elder's. But until then Paul, Jared, and Quil run the perimeter. Embry, Leah, Brady and Collin will keep on the inside…

Sam I spoke up I…I need to tell my mum. She'll need to hear about…what happened with Seth from me.

Alright, alright go! he dismissed me.

I phased then and there and ran home. No one was in. Go figure, I sat on the couch staring at the wall.

New pack, hmm, different pack mind. Not having to see Sam and Emily's happy ending like a rerun on everyone's minds. No Paul picking fun at me every second he could. No Paul but plenty Jacob.

But would that be so bad, I mean no Sam. No sickening imprinting crap, nothing.

But then again I would have to sniff bloodsucker stink for who knows how long.

But I could keep an eye on Seth. And get away from Sam.

Then on a whim I grabbed a piece of paper and pen and for the first time in who knows how long let all my emotions out.

Mum I wrote

Early Sam decide to kill all the Cullens, Bella and Bella's baby (Yup, she's prego) Jacob didn't want to (no duh!) he, well I'm not really sure. I think it's like a new pack, what I do know is that he's got his own mind link. Jacob's gone to protect the Cullens now that he hasn't got to do what Sam says. Seth's gone too. We can't hear him either. I've thought long and hard, and I've decided to go too.

I just wunna start again and this is the break I've been waiting for. Only Seth and Rachel were tying me here. Rach she has Paul, Seth he's gone. I can't even say you're tying me here coz you're not. You've been more of a mum to Emily than me lately.

I can't be the bitter harpy anymore. I can't be the most hated person anymore. I can't watch Sam and Emily get their happily ever after. I can't watch you help. I can't do it anymore.

I'm sorry for not being the daughter you wanted. I'm sorry for only causing people pain. I'm sorry killing dad. And I'm sorry for leaving. But it's become too much and if I stay I'll crack.

I know saying sorry won't change a thing but I truly am sorry for everything I've done. But I have to go…for Seth and my mental well being.

Maybe if Seth didn't go, neither would I.

Maybe if I wasn't being forced to Sam and Emily's wedding, I wouldn't go.

Maybe if dad were alive, I wouldn't go.

Maybe if I wasn't a freak, I wouldn't go.

So many maybes, I can't change the past but I can change the future. I don't know what the future has in store. What I do know is that I need to get away from Sam, Emily, the pack, you. Just everyone.

I do love you, you raised me and protected me. But left me when I needed you most. You're my mum and your supposed to be on my side. But your not. Your still my mum, but it doesn't change a thing.

Hope everything works out for you

Leah

As I finished the letter I placed on the coffee table, where I knew my mum would find it.

Then I turned my back on everything I knew, and went to the unknown.

Please review x

This chap was really hard to write x hope I got it alright xxx