[Edited]

Disclaimer: I do not own this story. It belongs to Stephanie Meyer. I only own the unfamiliar plot line, other characters and anything else unrecognisable.

A/N: Dedicated to Sixx.A.M2016, sarahmichellegellarfan1 and RomanReignIsTheShield

Chapter 36

I'm not sure whether it's that he embraced his destiny and finally took his place as rightful Alpha but Jacob seems so much bigger and looks like someone of authority. Just like Sam did. Sam oozed authority and righteousness and now Jake looks just like him. His had a tough life. Losing his mother at a young age, having to cope with a handicapped father and two abandoning older sisters and then turning into a wolf, having to accept a responsibility so much bigger than he was. I know most of the wolves felt like being a spirit warrior was a burden, Jacob especially. He lost so much because of it. He even nearly died. But right now, as I'm looking at him from across the living room of the Cullen residence, he looks so much more grown up then he did ten minutes ago. He just took charge and made every decision rationally. Thinking things through and not acting on them because of intense emotions. It's amazing how he just evolved in front of my eyes. It's like he didn't just take over as alpha not even an hour ago. He truly will make a great Alpha and Chief of his tribe.

"Nothing changes now that Alice and Jasper have left us." Carlisle says.

"What do you mean nothing changes? Everything changes. Not only are we short changed in and dare I say it, vampires, but we don't even know when the goddamn Volturi is coming because Alice decided to be a coward and bail." Jake says sternly. He actually didn't snap. I'm in awe of him. He just transformed. He looks so mature.

"We understand your concerns Jacob but we assure you that, as devastating as it is, Alice leaving us won't damage what we have planned."

"And she left a note." Bella speaks up, looking directly at Jacob, her crimson orbs sparkling. Jacob doesn't spare her a second glance. He really does hate her.

"The Volturi will come when the snow sticks." She continues looking around the room at all the wolves and vampires.

"So what is this "plan"?" Jake asks setting his gaze on Edward who's glaring up at him. His thoughts must be wayward.

"We've gathered all of Carlisle's friends and they've all agreed to witness on behalf of Renesmee, making clear that she is in fact a hybrid and not an immortal child." Edward's soft melodious voice echoes throughout the spacious grand sitting room.

"And what about Casey?" My heart drops as Embry speaks up. For a second I forgot I was in danger too. Just for a second I hoped I could for once be out of the crossfire of this supernatural drama.

"What do you suggest we do about her? You're all so laid back and oh Alice leaving is not a big deal and we have witnesses but what about my imprint." Embry snaps, his body starting to quiver. "I know my Pack and I will do anything and everything to protect my Casey but since you're all so relaxed with your plan why don't you come up with some sort of plan as to how we're going to get her out of the mess you goddamn leeches caused!" My heart sits in my mouth as I watch Embry's jaw clench and unclench no doubt grinding his teeth as his body quakes violently. He's breathing harshly most definitely trying his very best to not phase.

"We will never understand the mental strain you must be going through Embry," Carlisle says looking unbelievably sympathetic. "But we assure you we will stand by you like you and your Pack are willing to stand by us to protect our family."

Embry doesn't look any less pissed as he holds onto my hand for dear life. I place my hand tentatively on his shoulder and I feel the wave of calm wash over him and it instantly makes me feel a bit at ease too.

"I realize my father has put all of you in an unfortunate position," I hear myself say. When did I decide to speak? What am I even trying to say?

"And I apologize for all of you having to risk your lives for my mom and me."

"Casey, stop." Embry hushes me. "Don't say another word." He turns to me and his eyes nearly burn a hole into mine.

"This is not your fault." He cups my face and wipes away my tears. I'm crying?

"I love you." He whispers but I'm pretty sure every supernatural being heard him. I lay my head on his chest and let him hold me tight.

"Hello." A small child-like voice pulls Embry and me out of our moment a while later and we both turn our gaze to the direction where the sound came from.

Embry immediately pulls me behind him and growls at the little girl before us.

"She won't hurt you." Bella speaks up, her voice sounding slightly hurt. All the wolves' growls are audible. I wouldn't mess with them. They're all on edge as it is.

"We'll believe it when we see it." Paul growls.

"Momma, don't they like me? Do they think I'm dangerous like the Volturi do?" Renesmee speaks up. I peek at her from behind Embry's broad form and am astounded by how beautiful she is. Her dark ringlets cascades around her petite, pale face. If it wasn't for the pink flush in her cheeks I'd think she was a vampire. She has dark eyes with flecks of green. She's amazingly pretty. She's like a replica of Bella.

"Thank you Casey." Edward smiles at me with gratitude. I give him a tentative smile back.

"Come on honey. The wolves are a little cautious. They don't know you like we do." Edward places his hand on his daughter's shoulder. She turns to face her father and touches his cheek with her hand.

"Yes sweetheart I know. But I don't think they'll like that very much."

She must be doing that weird communication thing Sam mentioned.

"Okay." She simply says and skips over to her aunt Rosalie who embraces her warmly.

Jacob says his last say about filling in the Cullen's on anything on our side and in return they'll do the same. They aren't exactly best of friends but they're willing to work together and become alliances for the sake of their loved ones.

As the room empties of vampires and the wolves head for the front door hastily I see Bella making her way toward Jacob, who is having a conversation with Sam and Carlisle. I'm about to walk up to her and stop her because she can only be up to no good when I'm halted by Embry pulling me into his arms.

"Let's get out of here." He murmurs into my hair. "I need to relax and hold you in my arms." I sigh; loving the sound of that but first I need to take care of meddling Bella.

"That's sounds amazing but I need to do something first." I pull out of the hug and Embry looks at me confusingly. I jerk my head over to Bella now standing beside Jake waiting for Carlisle to finish what his saying.

"What are they saying?" I ask Embry. He looks sullen, watching the conversation between his alpha, beta and Carlisle intently.

"Embry." I touch his forearm.

"They're working out a schedule that would work best. Dr Leech knows we don't want to be around so many vampires and neither of them want us around so they're trying to work out a way for us to work together without having to be together." I nod, my eyes fixed on Bella and her impassive expression as she waits for her "father-in-law" and the wolves to finish up.

"What do you think she wants?" I can't keep the hostility out of my voice as I refer to Bella. Embry just shrugs but I know what his thinking. She's going to try and worm her way into Jake's life again.

"Don't worry about her." Embry turns to face me and holds each of my cheeks. "Jake can handle himself."

I nod stiffly but don't say anything further on the matter.

"Ang."

"Hmm." She looks up from the book she's reading and eyeballs me. The boys and the Elders are all at the Black's discussing what had been said at the Cullen's. Embry was reluctant to leave my side but didn't have much of a choice because the meeting depended on my safety and he cared for nothing more than just that: my safety. After Angela convinced Jake to let her stay at her own house tonight as her parents had started asking questions as to why she hasn't been home so many nights.

All the wolves have been cautious with their imprints. Sam barely let Emily out of his sight and now that she's pregnant the protection level was higher. Angela has been spending a few nights at the Black's; she slept in Jake's older sister Rachel's room as Rachel was away at university. Kim's staying at Emily and Sam's and Jared never leaves her side unless he has to. I'm staying with Embry and even Quil convinced Claire's parents to let her stay at Emily's. I don't know what they are going to do once school starts Monday but they're keeping all imprints and loved ones on tight surveillance.

"What's going on with you and Jake? Why did he magically decide to let you come home tonight?"

"Because my dad was beginning to ask questions. He knows you and your mom are staying in La Push and he suspects that I've been sleeping at Jake's. Which I have but I don't need my parents on my back because of it. My dad isn't exactly a big fan of Jake. With his bad boy repertoire and his motorcycle. He isn't the golden boy Eric used to be and it bugs my dad."

"Yeah, but how'd you convince Jake?"

"I just asked him." I raise my eyebrow at her. As if it's that easy.

She sighs. "Fine. We had a fight. Then I told him I'm coming home."

I can take a wild guess what their fight was about.

"You guys are official now?" I ask. Before this whole thing with the Volturi and my dad, Angela and Jake spent as much time together as Embry and I. But whenever I asked either of them if they were finally together they'd insist they were only friends. Angela said they weren't ready to be together like that yet but I mean why delay the inevitable. And I'm pretty sure they're full of it.

"No. Well, we kissed yesterday." My eyes bug out as I process what Ang just said.

"What?"

She blushes. "Before we fought I told him that I was ready to take our relationship further but I had a condition."

I give her an expression that says "well, go on".

"I kinda told him he should talk to Bella. You know, hear her out." She flinches at my expression.

"Ang, are you crazy?" I all but scream.

"What Case? He's never going to be over it if he doesn't talk to her."

"You know that's what she wants right? For him to talk to her."

"I don't really care Case. He needs to get over it and the only way he can do that is if he just talks to her."

I sigh heavily.

"Case, you're being biased. You don't like Bella that's why you feel this way. I don't have an opinion. I hate that she hurt him but what was she supposed to do. She loves Edward. If you love someone you're willing to do anything."

That's true but that still didn't give her a reason to string Jake along.

"If it was Embry you'd want him to make peace with an ex or whatever Bella is to Jake too."

She's right. I would. But Bella's been a thorn in Jake's side since for a long time and she's caused him nothing but pain. She deserves everything that Jake throws her way.

"So you didn't tell me how it came that you kissed?" She smiles lightly as she remembers the moment the previous tension lightening.

"Well, I told him he needs to speak to her and then he told me that he doesn't want to. And when I asked why, that's when he kissed me."

"You see, why do want him to talk to her?"

"She's his first love Casey." she stresses.

"No, she's his first crush." I correct her. "You are his forever and nothing beats that."

It's been a week since the meeting at the Cullen's happened and Jake embraced his destiny and things have been relatively less stressful. Emily has been doing well since we found out about her pregnancy and since then we've been seeing less and less of Leah. We all understand why but no one dares to even think of thinking about it. Leah would only be at compulsory meetings but other than that we would never see her. I don't really know her because she's always so closed off and distant and frankly I'm a little intimidated and afraid of her. Plus Embry would never let me talk to her. She's been making the Pack's life miserable since the day she phased, my wolf's more than others, but she's been hurt by the guy she thought was her happy ever after and I get that. I've been there. I'm just lucky I got a second chance to be happy. I wish she could get hers.

School started and I'm surprised the Pack didn't freak out about it as much as I thought they would. Embry, Jake, Quil, Paul and Jared aren't returning to school. Jake, Embry and Quil were going to return in the Fall but in light of recent events they changed their minds. Tiffany freaked out and went full on mother-mode on Embry when he told her and that's when he told her about his responsibilities and wolf status. Jake let Collin and Brady tell their parents too. They were all equally shocked and terrified but they were proud of their sons and just glad they weren't getting into the kind of trouble they suspected they were. Sam has been surprisingly supportive of everything Jake has been implementing since he became Alpha and has been as supportive as Jake's beta as he has been Emily's fiancee. They are planning to get married the moment this whole Volturi business blows over. Everyone is hoping for the best. Embry nearly had me transfer to the Res school so I could be closer to him but I told him he was being ridiculous and I only had a few months left than I'd be done. Seth, Brady and Collin have been sent to school and they weren't too happy about it. Sue threatened Jake's life if he kept Seth out of school and you did not want to get on the bad side of a Clearwater woman. Angela is starting at Washington U next semester and for that I'm glad because I'd hate for her to leave in the middle of all this Volturi drama. She and Jake made up and have finally admitted to themselves and everyone else that they're together. Alpha looks good on Jake. There's just something about his aura that screams authority and it demands respect. There is so much more security and team work in the Pack now. Not that Sam wasn't good at what he did but this is Jake's birth rite and he just fits it so perfectly. Sam is Jake's beta and Jared is his third in command but Quil and Embry would always be Jake's wing-men. It's almost comical. Paul isn't as bothered about the team-up with the vampires as much as before. But then again much has changed for Paul in this week.

He imprinted.

The lucky lady is none other than Jacob's older sister, Rachel. She came back to visit her dad and brother and Paul went over to get Billy because we were all headed to the Clearwater's for a Saturday brunch when it happened. He hasn't been able to live it down. Quil, Jared and Embry haven't stopped making jokes about him and getting him back for all the times he called them lovesick, whipped dogs. No pun intended. He still hasn't told Rachel and is freaking out about it. And it doesn't make things any easier that the guys are harassing him. I feel for him. I really do. But I have to admit he deserves every bit of grief his getting. Jake wasn't too pleased about the imprint at first but there wasn't much he could do about it and so he gave up on the idea of killing Paul. Seth, Collin and Brady haven't had as many patrols since school started and I can tell they're pretty bummed about it. Especially Seth. He really enjoys being a wolf and more so being on patrol with his brothers. He's such a ray of sunshine.

Since school started mom and I have moved back home. She isn't as sick as she was a week ago. Dad is and will always be a sore subject but we deal with it by steering clear of anything related to him. I came home from school yesterday and was surprised to see her throwing all his stuff out. And I mean like literally throwing it out the back door. I did say she wasn't completely better.

Charlotte and I have had a few civilized conversations at school since our little talk and I can tell most of the student body was surprised because the last time they saw us we were all claws (her) and punches (me) to, well, everywhere. I've seen Owen too. But we haven't spoken though. The empty, hollow, pain-filled feeling in my chest every time I saw him or thought about him or heard his name didn't consume me. I felt nothing. Nothing at all. He was nothing to me anymore. And the pain he caused me was nothing anymore too.

"Hey, you ready to go?" Angela pulls me from my musing.

"Yeah." I smile at her. I grab my bag and keys and we head for the door. Mom is already in the car. We are all headed to Emily and Sam's house. It's starting to become colder and the vampires said it could be any day now. So we were getting all the imprints and family members to Sam and Emily's so that everyone can be kept safe.

Angela also told her dad that Jake and her were dating and told him that Jake will never be Eric and neither did she want him to be. She told him he needed to accept Jake because his in her life and there's nothing her father can do about it. Mr. Weber has always been a reasonable man and so he didn't put much of a fight up. Her parents didn't know about our world, yeah I guess I can call it that now, but they accepted Jake and that made life so much easier for Ang. She got her parents to go to her grandparents in Vancouver during the battle so that they'd be safe and out of harm's way.

"You okay?" she asks me as she turns into Emily's street.

I smile reassuringly back at her and nod.

"Any day now." She murmurs. My heart stutters. I've never really thought about this entire battle. We've held meetings. Embry and I have spoken about it. We, as the imprints, have spoken about it amongst ourselves. But I've never just sat back and thought about it.

I might die.

And all because my father was greedy for immortality. Because of his greed and deception and incompetence my mother and I have to suffer the consequences of his atrocious actions. And if that isn't awful enough all my friends have to risk their lives because of it.

"It's what we were made for Sey." Embry told me. "You have nothing to worry about. I will keep you safe. I will always keep you safe."

I felt reassured that Embry would keep me safe but it still doesn't calm my worries.

"Case." Angela calls. "You've been spazzing out on me all day. Are you okay?" she touches my arm gently.

I smile briefly.

"I'm good. Just thinking." She looks at me with concern but doesn't ask what about.

"Well, we're here." She nods her head in the direction of Emily's house. I look out my window and see mom has already gotten out of the car and is standing talking to Sue.

"I'll be fine." I tell her. "Let's go." I get out of the car and get our bags on the back seat. Angela walks into the house before me and is immediately pulled into an embrace by Jake.

"Hey beautiful." I hear his husky voice behind me and my spirits immediately lift. I swing around, drop my bag and leap into his arms. He sighs as he wraps his arms around my waist. He buries his face in my hair and I relish in the closeness of our bodies.

"I've missed you." He breathes.

"I missed you too." I remove my head from his chest and get on my tip toes to place a chaste kiss on his lips. He's returning grin is infectious.

Embry and I walk in through the front door and the house is packed. Sue, Emily, Kim, Rachel, mom and Tiffany are all in the kitchen cooking up a feast I'm sure. Rachel still doesn't know but Jake told Paul to tell her tonight because the battle is close and she needs to know. Billy, Old Quil and Sam were sitting in a corner in the living room discussing something between themselves. Jake and Angela have disappeared. Brady, Collin, Seth, Jared and Quil with Claire in his lap were all lounged in front of the TV. Leah was sitting by herself reading a book. I was considering going to sit with her when I saw Paul standing beside the doorway of the kitchen looking completely and utterly terrified. I have never seen Paul, Paul the cocky, arrogant, temperamental wolf, look so scared.

I nudge Embry in the side and jerk my head toward Paul. Embry chuckles.

"He's supposed to be telling Rachel but his too chicken so now his hiding." Paul looks up at us and glares at Embry.

"Shut the fuck up Call." He snaps through gritted teeth.

This only causes Embry to laugh louder and he scurries over to where the majority of the Pack is sitting. He pulls me with him but I let go of his hand and he looks up at me questioningly.

I look at Paul with an expression between sympathy and amusement and he chuckles.

"Okay." I hand him my bag and walk over to Paul. He sighs heavily the moment he sees me coming his way.

"Okay Paulie?" he growls. I giggle.

"Oh calm your panties. Just talk to her." I gesture to the Rachel who is laughing about something with Emily.

"Not that easy." He mutters folding his arms across his chest.

"Hey," I touch his arm gently. "You act all confident and cocky so now is your chance to show them that it's not all just an act. You need to tell her. I know its pressuring but what's the worst that can happen."

"She can run." His voice is filled with terror and hurt as he speaks the words.

"I ran. But I came back. We always come back. It's the bond. Its indestructible." He looks a little less terrified now and nods.

"I'll tell her now." I give him a quick hug and walk off in to my next destination.

"Hey." I say softly.

She looks up at me first confusingly and then scowls.

"What do you want?" she spits. I almost laugh. I always thought I'd run and hide the moment Leah said anything to me. But I'm not that scared actually and she's not that terrifying. She's just broken. I can feel all eyes on us as I sit down beside her but I ignore them.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Look, I don't mingle with any of you and much less imprints so don't waste your time." She gives me her infamous Leah Clearwater glare and turns back to her book.

"I'm sorry Leah." I murmur. "I'm sorry you're so hurt and broken." Her head snaps up and she looks momentarily stunned until her scowl returns.

"Don't." she snaps and moves to get up.

"Wait," I touch her arm to stop her. "Look Leah, I know you don't like any of us. And I get why. You think imprinting is a bad thing because it ruined your life. But imprinting isn't all that bad and neither are we. You act like this bitch; mad at the universe because fate bitch slapped you so hard that you can't even stand back up. I know how it feels to have fate kick you while you're down. My pain isn't nearly as bad as yours but I've had a taste of having life throw me curveball after curveball but I've gotten back up. I didn't think I could but because of imprinting, Embry, the Pack, you, I didn't lose my sanity and stay lying on the ground not willing to get back up.

"I admire you Leah. You put up this strong facade and people believe it. You share the mind with the same person that hurt you. You come here day after day because it's your duty. You watch them be happy and yet you're still standing. I wish I had your strength Leah. The moment I saw Owen with Charlotte I hyperventilated. I couldn't handle the pain I felt when I saw them, saw what they were. But you, you sit through it all day and come back standing tall the next day. I admire you so much Leah. You're stronger than you think you are. And you will get through this.

"You will find someone that will deserve you. Fate gave Sam Emily because he wasn't good enough for you. You are set for bigger; better things in this life and you will find that special person. And then you will see that us imprints, we're not that bad. And neither is the rest of your Pack. And you will also see that you are stronger than you ever thought because you'll make it through this."

I could feel every eye in the house on us but I just kept looking at Leah. She looked down at her hands and when she looked me in the eye I was sure she would punch me in the face. But when a tear escaped the corner of her eye I couldn't help myself, I pulled her into a hug. And much to my surprise she hugged me back.

"Thank you." she whispers. "I should kick your ass for making me sit through that but thank you." I breathe a laugh as I try to contain my own tears. When we pull away from the hug, we look up and everyone is staring at us mouths gaped.

Sue and Emily are dabbing their eyes with a tissue and everyone else is looking at us like they can't believe what just happened.

"What just happened?" Quil asks a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"I have no idea but I'm terrified." Seth says and then immediately ducks when Leah throws the books she was reading at him. Everyone chuckles.

"Thank you Casey." Leah says once more and gets up and goes upstairs.

Emily mouths a thank you to me and Sue comes over and pulls me into a huge hug.

"Thank you honey." She whispers her voice hoarse from crying. I hug her back tightly.

"Well, that was brave." Embry holds me from behind when Sue goes back into the kitchen.

"She's just misunderstood Emmy."

"I'm proud of you."

I turn around and snake my arms around his waist.

"I love you."

"I love you too." He kisses me lightly on the lips.

"Angela, wait!" Jake yells as Angela comes storming down the stairs looking completely livid.

"Ang!" he screams again and comes almost tumbling down the stairs. Leah not far after them.

"I'll drive you." Leah says to Ang. She looks momentarily shocked that Leah is speaking to her but quickly recovers and nods, smiling gratefully.

"What the hell is going on?" I walk over to Ang. She just shakes her head at me and walks out of the front door.

"Angela." Jake says again sounding so distressed it breaks my heart.

"I'll be safe. Leah," she pauses and looks over at Leah who nods at her. "Leah will be there with me."

"It's a house full of bloodthirsty leeches. You will not go." Jake bellows.

"I have to do this Jake. I'm going." She says simply and is out the door.

"Can you please tell me what the hell is going on?" I ask Jake.

His body is quaking so much his form is beginning to blur. Embry pulls me back.

"Jacob." Sam warns. Before we can blink Jake is out the door and all that can be heard is ripping of clothing.

"I'm going after them."

"No." Embry says simply holding onto me tighter. "You're not going there on your own."

"I have to Embry. She's my best friend. I need to go with her." Embry looks torn. I know it's a low blow pulling the "I need" card but I need to know what happened upstairs. I can take ten guesses who it was about.

"Let's go."

Turns out Bella asked Jake to take in Renesmee if anything were to happen to them. Angela flipped out even though he told her he said no. Leah heard the whole thing when she went upstairs and offered to go with Angela to confront a red-eyed, newborn vampire. Who knew my best friend had it in her. When I walked into the Cullen mansion and saw Angela up in Bella's face, telling her off I couldn't contain the pride I felt for my best friend for finally seeing Bella for what she really is. It's been a few hours since then and Jake calmed down enough to phase back. It's safe to say that Bella will not be interfering in Jacob's life anymore.

So much has changed in the last few hours. Angela and Jacob are a stronger couple. Leah isn't so withdrawn from everyone like she was barely five hours ago. Rachel now knows that her brother and all his friends are wolves and that Paul imprinted on her. She didn't even freak out. Which I have to commend her on. Was I the only imprint that freaked out? Gosh that makes me feel weak. Anyway, the night has turned out peaceful and everyone was getting ready for bed. Jake, Paul, Sam and Quil were patrolling and the rest of the wolves were here keeping an eye on everyone.

"Comfortable?" Embry asks me. I'm curled up on his chest, on the floor in the guest bedroom in Emily's house. Leah, Angela and little Claire are crashing on the twin size bed.

"Hmm." I hum. He chuckles.

"Get some rest baby. It's been some day." I bob my head in agreement unable to form a coherent sentence as the exhaustion seeps in and I fall into a blissful slumber, feeling safe and forgetting for a minute that my life is headed for doom. But that feeling was short-lived because we all wake up the next morning to Brady's call.

"The snow is sticking."

A/N: As I reread this chapter I figured it wasn't so bad after all. The heart-to-heart moment between Leah and Casey had me in near tears. I know I'm sad all over again as the story draws to a close.