LPOV

It couldn't be. I can't be the chosen one. But everything written in the damn journal points back to me. Is this what Billy is trying so hard to remember? No, it can't be. He's known of this prophecy for a long time, he just didn't know who the chosen one would be. Edward had said Billy was trying to remember a conversation he had with his own father, something about this prophecy. But what? What more could possibly be added to this?

For once, I thank the spirits for listening to my prayers of keeping the boys too occupied to phase. I don't think I can hide this big of a thing from the pack even if I wanted to. Jacob and I tried so hard to find something – anything – that might clue us in on whatever it is Billy is stressing about, and I've known where it was all along. I couldn't just leave the book lying there. I had to read every entry written in case there is anything else that I needed to know. So I brought it with me, and locked it firmly between my razor sharp teeth as I ran through the forest.

Taha Aki – who I figured was the owner of this book – said I would save everyone.

But at what expense? My life? I thought aloud.

Am I willing to sacrifice myself for my family? Yes, hands down. No questions asked.

My pack? In a heartbeat.

The imprints? Unfortunately.

My tribe? Yes.

The passage in the journal said I would experience pain and loss of family and a lover. The lover obviously meant Sam, but family? I haven't lost anyone yet. Unless by family, he meant, Emily, then in that case this guy knew about how my whole life would play out. And if Taha Aki is already proving to know so much about the future and the next generation of wolves, who am I to question him? So far he hasn't been wrong about anything.

Then there's Jacob and Jayden. Taha Aki even knew about them! Apparently I draw them both in and that my "love" for the "true alpha" will give me strength I need to protect and do exactly what I was born to do. My whole existence is to protect.

But am I ready to die?

I whined at the thought because no, I'm not ready to die. I don't want to die. I'll sometimes talk about randomly killing myself, but I don't really mean it. I'm so much stronger than that, and even though my life might suck now, I have high hopes that it will at least get a little better. I can't die, I don't want to die. There is so much I haven't done in this world, so many places I still haven't seen. And so many people I would miss.

As much as my mom infuriates me, she's still my mother and I love her so so much. I will never forgive her for jumping into bed with Charlie so quickly after dad's death, but someday I'll learn how to tolerate her without wanting to lash out at her. I have years and years of great memories with her that I won't ever forget. And Seth. God, Seth! I can't even begin to imagine how pain he'll be in if he loses another family member. Sure, I tease him all the time, but it's all in good fun. I love brother more than anything and would give anything just to see him smile. For years now, he's been like a rock, a safety base for me, if you will. I can't imagine a life without him – even in death.

Then there's the pack. I can't help the whimper that escapes my large jaws at the thought of leaving without giving Jared a proper goodbye. I spent so much time laughing and joking around with Jared in the past, and to leave so abruptly after mending our friendship….that kills me. I worked so hard to become a bitch that I forgot those who actually still cared about me. I wish I could have realized I still had a good friend.

Embry, the guy was such a sweetheart, though I'll never admit it to his face. He has always been someone I loved to hang out with because he was so real. I could always count on Embry to have an intelligent conversation with and be myself. He was so accepting and I regret every negative thing I have ever said to him that has cut him deeply. Why was I such a bitch to him when he was nothing but kind to me?

Quil. Growing up, I saw him all the time because our dads were always together. He became a constant in my life, always there. Even when it seemed like the whole male population of La Push followed Sam around like loyal servants, Quil was there to stand by me. Although I could see the sad looks he would give when he saw Jacob and Embry with Sam, he completely refused to join the bandwagon. I appreciated having him around so much at the time. So much that it left me so hurt and betrayed when one day I saw him in Sam's crew. If only I knew at the time….

Paul, oh Paul Lahote. As much of an asshole as he is, I can't deny that he and I put on quite the comedy act. He may come off as the world's biggest asshole, but I know that is definitely not the case. He is one of the most loyal people I know. We always got into it, especially during my first few weeks of phasing. I was convinced he completely despised me. That is until he nearly phased when he saw some guy slip something into a drink and tried to hand it to me. Paul saved me from getting drugged by some horny teenager, I mean, I don't know if the drug would even work with my metabolism, but I was still grateful and shocked. It frustrates me that it's taken me this long to realize the reason we clash so much is because we're so alike. And I'm gonna miss that.

Then there's Sam and Jacob. As hard as I try to, I can't get myself to seriously hate Sam. The love we shared, all our memories, will always be special to me and I won't ever forget them. He's just that one person that will always have an impact on you because the mark they left on your heart was huge. The anger I feel toward him suddenly doesn't seem so suffocating anymore, not when I have death to deal with. Although he was taken from me, Sam was always going to be a part of my life. Do I still love him? Yes, and a part of me knows I always will. Am I still in love with him? No, not since Jacob. Jacob is an entirely different story from Sam. With Jacob I'm able to feel things I never thought I'd feel in my life. He makes me feel so alive without even trying and I love that! I love it because it's so natural, not forced. He's delicate with me yet he tells me straight up when I'm being a pain in the ass. Everything just falls into place and feels right when I'm with him. Even with all the fucked up things going on in, just being in his arms puts me at ease. And now he's going to be taken from me because of this stupid prophecy.

But I can't really call it stupid, can I? It's here for a reason, and I don't want anyone else potentially getting hurt or killed because of me. Edward was wrong. Everything is my fault. If I would have just agreed to let Jayden take me, no one would be in this awful situation. Man, I might even miss the Cullens when I die – they've been nothing but nice to us, even when we act like total jackasses. I hate leeches with a passion, but the Cullens have been our allies, and as painful as it is for me to admit this, I wouldn't want Jayden bringing them into his little game either. So the only solution is for me to somehow find Jayden and Carter and tell them the game's over.

I surrender.

What the hell are you thinking, Leah?! I heard the angry and hurt tone of Quil's voice booming in my head, scaring the living daylights out of me.

Quil?Shit! How much did you hear? Fuck this is not good. None of the guys were supposed to know about any of this!

Enough to know you're trying to get yourself killed! Quil growled. He was quite a distance away, a few feet from the Cullen's mansion.

Listen –

Are you insane, Leah?! No! I'm not gonna let you do it! You are not going to die! He was whining now and I was touched at how much he cared about me.

You don't understand –

I don't want to understand! You're not going anywhere, none of us will let you!

Quil –

Leah, please! I know you love Claire, but we'll find her some other way. We can't lose you to him too, Lee….you're our sister, our family, part of our pack….

Quil, I said slowly, trying to ignore the guilt that was slowly eating at me, I'm really, really, sorry about this. As your beta, I command that you never speak of this again.

I felt sick to my stomach. I can't believe I just did that. I felt the power of the command surge through his body. His whines of protest were like blows to the face. I felt so horrible abusing my power like this. I didn't deserve this position.

Don't give up, Lee. Fight, goddamn it, you can't die!

I slowed to a stop when I saw his figure. I phased back and threw on my clothes, and jogged up to the mansion – journal in hand – without a second look at him. I walked up the steps and brought a shaky hand to the knob and turned.

I walked into the sparkling clean mansion that reeked of vampires and found Edward alone in the living room with a stern look cast upon his face. His eyes met mine and he gestured for me to sit right next to me. And I did.

"I came to show you something," I said in a quiet voice. I lifted the journal into view and pushed it to him.

"I don't want it."

I whipped my head around to face him and narrowed my eyes. "Why not? This could help us figure out what we need to know!"

"No, Leah," he said, shaking his head. "It seems like you've figured out what you're going to do on your own."

My eyes went wide. How the…?

"Quil was only a few feet from my house. I could hear every single one of your thoughts through him. Do you have any idea how reckless you're being, Leah?"

Oh. Right! How could I forget about Edward being able to hear thoughts from a mile away? At least I could order Quil not to mention a word, but Edward? Not so much.

"It's for the best…"

"You're wrong. You can't put yourself in that kind of danger. Do you know what that will do to your pack? Sam's pack? Your family?"

I wanted to get angry. Really, I did. But I just couldn't find myself to see any reasoning to get angry. Not when Edward was actually making sense. I already know it's going to kill my pack and my family, but it has to be done. I know it, Taha Aki knows it, and he knows it."

"You're wrong. Again."

"Stop that!" I growled. "Read the damn journal and you'll see for yourself that I'm destined for this."

"We're not going to let you get yourself killed." His words held so much conviction, so much sincerity, that I almost smiled. Almost.

"Just read the damn journal," I sighed, resting my head in my hands. Today has been way too long.

"We'll read it together."

"What?" I asked flatly.

"Together. I'm sure together we can figure a few things out here and there. We'll find a way around this prophecy. What do you say?" he sounded hopeful and even gave me that crooked grin that made Bella swoon so much. Speaking of Bella….

"Rosalie is with her now, she'll be fine," he smiled. "So how 'bout it?"

"Fine, whatever."

a/n: Hey everyone, I hope you enjoyed the chapter =) I noticed that my chapters get lots of views, but barely any reviews. I don't know whether this means that my story simply isn't good or that people are just reading and not reviewing. Please, just let me know because I don't want to keep continuing a story if people aren't interested anymore. But those of you who review, you have no idea how happy it makes me to read what you have to say. Seriously, it makes my day! =]