Thanks everyone for the comments! I'm sure these can get kind boring since it's the same dialogue over again but bear with me! I'll post the chapters fast!

*Warning: Leah's a potty mouth in this chapter*

*oops sorry about the html format.. fixed it!!*

Chapter 25

We ran for a good solid hour, I lapped Seth several times. He was still annoyed with me for barging in on him and Jacob – and for spraying him with dust, several times – so I tried to ignore him while keeping a watch on him. Seth suddenly skidded to a stop, I was on the other side of the trail so I cut across dashing towards him.

I smell and hear the others. He thought franticly. Both he and I threw our heads back and let out anxious howls.

A couple seconds later Jacob phased. Crap. he had torn his only pair of pants. What is it?

Incoming, at least three. Seth replied.

I still wasn't with them. I'm running to the line back to Seth at the speed of light. So far, no other point of attack.

Seth do not challenge them. Wait for me.

They're slowing. Ugh – its so off not being able to hear them. I think . . .

What?

I think they've stopped.

Waiting for the rest of the pack? Jacob guessed.

Shh. Feel that? I felt a faint shimmer in the air.

Someone's phasing? Jake echoed my thoughts.

Feels like it. Seth agreed. Just then I flew into where Seth was standing, digging in my heels and sliding to a stop. My heels spit up gravel as I slid in.

A pang of anxiety shot through Jacob. Almost there.

Look who's getting all paternal. I thought wryly.

Head in the game, Leah.

Four, three wolves and one man. Seth decided. Wow he had good ears. Jacob slid into a stop in front of us at point. I was a little ticked as Seth felt a sudden rush of relief and then moved to his right shoulder – the 2nd's spot.

I grudgingly moved into the 3rd's spot. So now I rank under Seth.

First come, first served. He thought smugly. 'Sides, you were never an Alpha's Third before. Still an upgrade.

Under my baby brother is not an upgrade.

Shh! Jacob snarled. I don't care where you stand. Shut up and get ready.

They came into site then. Jared was walking in front as a human, hands held up as a sign of peace. Paul, Quil and Collin came in behind him as wolves. Their positions were not aggressive, more relaxed and alert. But why had they sent Collin and not Embry? Jacob was thinking the same thing.

A diversion? I wondered. It wasn't very likely but still. Want me to check? I can run the line and be back in two minutes.

Should I warn the Cullens? Seth asked.

What if the point was to divide us? The Cullens know something's up. They're ready. Jacob thought with confidence.

Sam wouldn't be so stupid. . . I thought worriedly. Would Sam really attack the Cullens with only two others beside him, he would be killed.

No, he wouldn't. Jacob assured me.

All the while Jared and the other wolves were just standing there staring at us. All four of them had poker faces on. "White flag of truce, Jake. We're here to talk."

Think it's true? Seth wondered.

Makes sense, but . . . Jacob's mind worried, leaving his sentence hanging.

Yeah, but. I agreed.

"It would be easier to talk if I could hear you, too." Jared frowned.

I glanced at Jake without turning my head, he was just staring Jared down. "okay, I guess I'll just talk, then," Jared shrugged. "Jake, we want you to come back."

Quil let out a soft whine to back him up, losers. "You've torn our family apart. It's not meant to be this way. We know that you feel . . . strongly about the situation with the Cullens. We know that's a problem. But this is an overreaction."

Overreaction? Seth growled. And attacking our ally without warning isn't?

Seth you ever heard of a poker face? Cool it.

Sorry.

We watched Jared's eyes flicker to Seth then back to Jacob."Sam is willing to take this slowly, Jacob. He's calmed down, talked to the other Elders. They've decided that immediate action is no one's best interest at this point."

I nearly snorted. Translation: They've already lost the element of surprise. I listened as Jacob's thoughts tangled over me being part of us.

"Billy and Sue agree with you, Jacob, That we can wait for Bella . . . to be separated from the problem. Killing her is not something any of us feel comfortable with."

Jacob snarled despite what he told Seth earlier. "Easy Jake." Jared said, raising his hands again. "You know what I mean. The point is, we're going to wait and reassess the situation. Decide later if there's a problem with the . . . thing."

I didn't hold back my snort this time Ha, what a load!

You don't buy it?

I know what they're thinking, Jake. What Sam's thinking. They're betting on Bella dying anyway. And then they figure you'll be so mad . . .

That I'll lead the attack myself. He thought, understanding. He pressed his ears to his skull and pondered this. He wondered if he'd see them the same way at all if Bella died.

I'll remind you. Seth whispered.

I know you will, kid. Question is whether I'll listen to you.

"Jake?" Jared asked.

Jacob sighed, he was going to phase. Leah, make a circuit – just to be sure. I'm going to have a talk to him, and I want to be positive there isn't anything else going on while I'm phased.

Give me a break, Jacob. You can phase in front of me. Despite my best efforts, I've seen you naked before – doesn't do much for me, so no worries. I nearly laughed.

I'm not trying to protect the innocence of your eyes, I'm trying to protect our backs. Get our of here.

I snorted, but left – as fast as I could. I felt a shimmer as Jacob phased back and I listened through Seth's ears, avoiding using his eyes. Jared was pulling the "we need you, we miss you" case again. I was sort of tuning them out till they brought me up again. "You know Leah doesn't like eating that way." Jared was right. I'd only eaten like a wolf once before but it was probably the nastiest thing in the world.

"Leah can do whatever she wants when she gets hungry. She's here by her own choice. I'm not telling anyone what to do." Glad Jake was standing up for me finally.

"Sue asked me to tell you – no beg you – to come home. She's brokenhearted, Seth. All alone. I don't know how you and Leah can do this to her. Abandon her this way, when your dad just barely died –" Seth and I let out conjoined whimpers. Pain stabbed my heart, what a bastard.

"Sue's known about this for how many hours now? And most of that time spent with Billy and Old Quil and Sam? Yeah, I'm sure she's just perishing of loneliness. 'Course you're free to go if you want, Seth. You know that."

Seth sniffed in disapproval and I skidded into a stop next to him. I kept my nose in the air and tried purposefully not to look at Jacob standing naked in front of me.

"Leah?"Jared called to me.

I met his gaze and bared my teeth. That no good mother . . .

Leah! Seth sighed.

"Leah, you know you don't want to be here."

What does that low down piece bloodsuckn' trash know? I growled at him. Seth poked me with his nose, letting out a soft whine.

"Sorry, Guess I shouldn't assume. But you don't have any ties to the bloodsuckers."

How stupid. I looked deliberately at Seth than at Jacob, making my gazes look sarcastic.

"So you want to watch out for Seth, I get that. But Jake's not going to let anything happen to him, and he's not afraid to be here. Anyway, please, Leah. We want you back Sam wants you back."

Liar. My tail twitched apprehensively.

"Sam told me to beg. He told me to literally get down on my knees if I have to. He wants you home, Lee-lee, where you belong."

I couldn't help but flinch at Sam's old nickname for me. That low down mother fucking piece of leech shit. I oughta kick you're scrawny ass you mother fucking bitch.

He waited till I was done cussing him out till he spoke again. "I'm going out on a limb here and say that Leah belongs wherever she wants to be."

You got that right you lying son of a…

Leah, shhhh.

"Look, Jared, we're still family, okay? We'll get past the feud, but, until we do, you probably ought to stick to your land. Just so there aren't misunderstandings. Nobody wants a family brawl right? Sam doesn't want that either does he?" Jacob said calmly.

"Of course, not," Jared snapped. "We'll stick to our land. But where is your land, Jacob? Is it vampire land?" He was getting aggressive now.

"No, Jared. Homeless at the moment. But don't worry – this isn't going to last forever." I had to take a breath. "There's not that much time . . . left. Okay? Then the Cullens will probably go, and Seth and Leah will come home."

No we weren't! Me and Seth whined.

"And what about you, Jake?"

"back to the forest, I think. I can't really stick around La Push. Two Alphas means too much tension. 'Sides, I was headed that way anyway. Before this mess."

"What if we need to talk?" Jared asked.

"Howl – but watch the line, 'kay? We'll come to you. And Sam doesn't need to send so many. We aren't looking for a fight."

Jared scowled but nodded. "See you around, Jake. Or not."

"Wait, Jared. Is Embry okay?"

Surprise shot across his face. "Embry? Sure, he's fine. Why?"

"Just wondering why Sam sent Collin."

"That's not really your business anymore, Jake." He said with a sneer.

"Guess not. Just curious." Quil twitched off to the side.

"I'll let Sam know about your . . . instructions. Goodbye, Jacob."

"Yeah. Bye, Jared. Hey, tell my dad that I'm okay, will you? And that I'm sorry, and that I love him."

"I'll pass that along."

"Thanks."

"C'mon, guys." Jared turned away and went out of site to phase because I was here. Paul and Collin left with him but Quil turned to look at Jake and yelped softly.

"Yeah, I miss you, too, bro."

Quill jogged over to him and I looked away at their little "moment."

It'll be okay. Tell Embry I miss having you two on my flanks." Quil ran off after the others with a yelp and Jacob phased back.

Thought you were going to make out with him, I laughed.

Was that okay? He asked ignoring me. Did I say anything you didn't want me to? Did I not say anything that I should have said?

You did great, Jake! Seth cheered.

You could have hit Jared. I wouldn't have minded that. I growled softly.

I guess we know why Embry wasn't allowed to come. Seth thought.

Not allowed?

Jake, did ya see Quil? He's pretty torn up, right? I'd put ten to one that Embry's even more upset. And Embry doesn't have a Claire. There's no way Quil can just pick up and walk away form La Push. Embry might. So Sam's not going to take any chances on him getting convinced to jump ship. He doesn't want our pack bigger than it is now.

Really? You think? I doubt Embry would mind shreddin come Cullens.

But he's your best friend, Jake. He and Quil would rather stand behind you than face you in a fight.

Well, I'm glad Sam kept him home, then. This pack is big enough. Okay, then. So we're good, for now. Seth, you mind keeping an eye on things for a while? Leah and I both need to crash. This felt on the level but who knows? Maybe it was a distraction.

No problem! You want me to explain the to the Cullens? They're probably still kinda tense.

I got it. I want to check things anyway.

We caught a swirl of images filling Jake's mind. Bella was on a new diet. I felt my stomach retch and I shook my head trying to get the image out of my head. That is easily the freakin' grossest thing I've heard in my life. Yuck. If there was anything in my stomach, it would be coming back up.

They are vampires, I guess. Seth thought after comprehending my reaction. I mean, it makes sense. And if it helps Bella, it's a good thing, right?

Jake and I stared at him.

What? Seth asked.

Mom dropped him a lot when he was a baby.

On his head, apparently.

He used to gnaw on the crib bars too.

Lead paint?

Looks like it. I nodded.

Seth snorted. Funny. Why don't you two shut up and sleep?