Second Chances

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

AN: This is actually a one shot about how Leah and Mercury met. I did it for Laurita and Lucianita. Those two amazing girls have been pestering me to write something that gave a bit of an insight Leah's and Mercury's relationship. I hope that you enjoy it and like it. Let me know what you think of it! It's just a glimpse in to how Leah met him.

When I Met You

Leah's POV

You wanted to know about me, right? I don't know if I have ever told anyone about my life. I guess you aren't just anyone. You are someone that I can blindly trust. I willingly give you my heart, my dreams and my soul if you asked me to.

I don't know how to describe myself. I don't really want you to know the old me. I was dead and broken before you met me. I didn't know what I was to be honest with you. I am afraid to tell you the story of my life. Yes, Mercury, I am afraid to tell you what I am and why I was like I used to be. I swear that when I saw your green eyes I changed. I became someone different; I became different. I can see the color of the sky again. I want to live again. You have made me believe once again, that I am worthy of being loved.

Please, don't hate me when you hear my tale. I wouldn't be able to handle another broken heart! You are my world and my universe. The minute our gaze met, you became everything to me. I started anew the moment you smiled at me. I don't want to look back at my life without you, but you must know. I must tell you what I am and why I was the way I was. I need to move forward and in order to do so, I must face the unhappiness and bitterness that once encased my heart.

It had been two years since my father died. I still couldn't believe that my dearest father, my best friend and confidant was gone. I was empty and at the same time of his departure, I lost the love of my life. Yes, Sam Uley left me. He left me for Emily Young, my second cousin and best friend. I was brokenhearted and I wanted to die. I didn't want to be a werewolf. I was a freak! The only freaking female shape shifter in the history of La Push. I was alone and I hated feeling so vulnerable. I hated how easily things made me cried. I found no joy in the things that once brought laughter and happiness in my life.

I became bitter as the years passed by. I was tired of seeing how happy Emily made Sam feel. I could see it in his mind, when I was in my wolf form. Our minds would link together and all of our intimate secrets became part of the packs. There was nothing that could be hidden from my pack brothers. Everything I feared and despised became public to them. Sam's thoughts were sickening and they felt like a knife, constantly stabbing my heart. And if it wasn't the thoughts about Emily that were being displayed in his mind, they were of me. He pitied me! I reviled the way he pictured me. In his eyes I was defenseless and destroyed by the hurt his imprinting caused on me.

I didn't have time to heal my wounds. And whenever I thought I had gotten over him, his thoughts betrayed me and I was once again bleeding through the same wounds he had caused me. I hated him. I loathed him! I hated everything that reminded me of love, adoration and imprinting. Sam Uley was responsible for the fucking harpy that I had become today.

I hated the universe for not thinking that I was not enough for Samuel Joshua Uley! Why did it choose Emily over me? What was so bad about me, that didn't make me worth to be Sam's? I often went to bed, asking myself those questions. There were many whys that would never get answered. I was too broken and shatter to even concoct the answers that I needed. I was not a woman anymore. I was an ice statue that hid her vulnerability behind a tough and bitchy attitude.

I didn't care anymore what others thought of me. I became resentful and unpleasant towards the rest of the pack; especially between Sam and Embry. I felt angry at Sam and everything that he held dear to him, I hated. I knew that Sam loved Embry like a little brother and favored him over the rest of the guys of the pack. I used his affinity to Embry and was constantly taunting them with the idea of who could be Embry's real father. I knew that it made the pack uneasy. There were times that I hated myself for doing such a vile thing.

But I wanted them to feel my pain. I was embittered by everything. I had lost much more than my humanity. I lost my father and the only man that I had given myself to and all for nothing; all because I became a werewolf. I was stuck in a body that I despised and loathed. I could live an eternity with the resentment that I felt.

"Leah," I heard Kim Santo's voice call, bringing me back from my reverie.

I turned to face her and rolled my eyes at her. I didn't need her pity either. I just wanted to be away, tucked under the blanket of my bed and dreaming of my past happy life. I wanted to dream of the promises that Sam and I made each other. We should have left when we had the chance.

"Leah," Emily smiled behind Kim. Those two considered themselves lucky for finding their soul mate. "It's so good to see you!"

Hypocrite!

"Whatever." I snarled, walking past them and going into the living room of the Black's residency. I sighed to myself when I saw the pack talking excitedly about Rachel Black's return.

"Leah!" Sam's alpha voice boomed loudly. I froze and I hated how my heart still reacted to his proximity. That was why I left the pack and joined Jacob's renegade pack; but that is another story!

"What, idiot?" I retorted.

"Don't talk to your cousin like that." he ordered, but his voice was soft. He gazed at me and all I found in his dark orbs was pity.

"I don't remember her being family, asshole." I said in a vinegary tone. "I only have Seth and my mother! She is a stranger to me." I said nastily.

I didn't hate Emily Young, but I didn't want to be in the same room as her. Seeing her scars reminded me of the secrets that Sam hid from me. It reminded me that he imprinted on her on the day of my birthday and chose her over me.

I turned around and ambled towards the kitchen. It was empty and I felt a little bit better, being away from everyone.

"Hey, Leah!" Jake said happily, walking past me and trudged to the refrigerator. "Rachel called and she should be here any minute!"

He took the juice carton and chugged it down and then smiled at me. "I haven't seen her since last summer. I am glad that she is coming to live with us. I don't know how she is gonna take it when she finds out that we are…"

"Rachel!!" We heard Billy Black shout contently.

"Gotta go!" he said, patting my shoulder. "We gotta meet tonight and discuss the patrolling schedules."

"Sure, sure." I said nonchalantly. He grinned at me and then started to leave.

"Bye." I muttered, taking the juice carton and placed it in the fridge.

I sighed and walked to the living room. Everyone had gathered around Rachel. She looked a bit annoyed when Kim Santos hugged her. I remembered how Kim used to bother her about Jared when they were in high school. I shrugged it off and walked by her.

"Hey, Leah." she muttered, waving at me, but Jake took her hand and dragged her towards the kitchen.

I was bored. I didn't have any friends that I felt comfortable with. I was in Jake's house, because he forced me to be here. He was my new alpha and I had to obey his commands. Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn't go back home, because my mother would be making out in the couch with Charlie Swan. I didn't want the dinner that I had earlier to come back and greet me.

"Where are you going, Lee?" Seth asked me, as he stepped out in to the front porch. My little brother was the only thing I loved in this house, after Sam. I still loved him, but I couldn't let the world know. I stared at my brother and felt my heart wither. It was like standing in front of a younger version of my father. He was a great kid and I would kill the girl or the person that ever hurt him and erase that permanent smile off his precious face.

"I was going for a walk. Wanna join me?" I asked, turning my head to face him.

"Nah," he said. "Quil called and he is bringing Embry's imprint. I want to meet her. She seems cool."

"You've never met her?" I asked curiously.

"Nope." he said casually. "You?"

I shook my head and continued to stare at the dirt pathway that led to Billy's house.

"I have seen her the afternoon she fell off the cliff. But I have seen her in Embry's thoughts. She seems pretty cool. Sort of like you, when, um…" he trailed off and sighed. "She is a strong girl… sort of like you, before Embry imprinted on her. But I guess love does miracles."

"Weirdo." I muttered, placing the palm of my hands on the balustrade. "You know, there are too many people around and Kim is getting on my nerves." I said nonchalantly. "So, I am gonna go for a walk."

"Yeah, sure." he laughed, as he walked to where I stood. "Why don't you go for a walk and come back later." he said, eyeing me carefully. "You need to relax more often Leah. I am worried about you!" he said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Seth," I snapped. "I will be fine. Stop worrying so much."

We talked for a while longer and that's when I saw her. Embry's imprint was beautiful. Her dark hair fell down to her waist and her brown eyes were glued to him. She wasn't a sweet girl like Emily and Kim. She was straightforward and I like that about her.

"She smells sweet." I whispered to my brother. He had a smile on his lips and sighed.

"She might be pregnant." Seth said.

"Pregnant?" I asked annoyed. Great! Another thing that was taken away from me was my ability to have a child in the future. Seth nodded and walked away to where everyone stood.

"I'll see you later." he waved off. "I hope that you find what your heart desires, sis."

I rolled my eyes at him and glanced one last time at Embry's imprint and jumped off the porch. I walked down the dirt path that led to the woods. I wanted to phase and just run. Running always seemed to ease the feeling of uncertainty that bubbled in my chest.

I passed the abandoned shack that used to be our love fortress when we used to date. I didn't want to see our names carved on the wood. I wanted to leave La Push, but honestly, where would I go. I didn't have anyone to share anything with.

I was deep in thought that I didn't notice the rain falling copiously. I didn't care if I got wet. I got used to it. It hid my tears. Nothing mattered anymore. The rain wasn't going to kill me or get me sick.

"Excuse me." I heard a deep voice. It sounded worried. I looked around and out of the shack that held so many memories of Sam and I. "Are you alright?"

"What do you wa-" I stopped. What the hell was happening to me?

I fell to my knees, my eyes fixed on those green orbs that were staring back at me. I could feel the heat of my tears, mixed with the coldness of the autumn rain on my face. That was when I felt the desire to live again! I felt the sun appear from behind the dark clouds, and shine its rays down on your face. It was a strange feeling. I couldn't breathe and all I could do was stare up at your gorgeous face. I feared that you were just a dream; a figment of my imagination. I feared that if I blinked, that you would vanish in to thin air and I would be lost without you.

I didn't feel miserable and resentful anymore. I wanted to smile. I wanted to be strong and make you proud of being with me. I never thought that I was going to feel so alive. The earth under my feet shifted and I was falling; you caught me, love! Everything that once was dark in my heart was now filled with your light. You saved me! When I met you, I became alive for the first time in twenty years.

You know the rest of my story, Mercury. Do you still want me to tell you that you became my life; my reason to live and strive to become better? You do?

Mercury, my love, my life and my world… you make me a better person. Thank you for becoming my universe. I love you! I have never loved anyone with the same intensity that I love you. Yes, Sam was my first love. But you are my first true love. My heart sings for you. Thanks to you and to that day when I first met you!