Meadow was in the backyard working out with some weights she found in the garage. She had a routine made up to help her strength, speed, and mental strength improve. In the morning, or during any free time she had available during the day, she worked on her speed and strength. At night, she meditated and worked on her mental strength. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically, but she couldn't stop. She had to get stronger.
It's been a week since Harry died and Leah and Seth phased. Surprisingly, Seth wasn't mad about phasing; in fact, he was over the moon. He was like a hyper puppy running around the woods. Meadow was worried about him, though. He was only a Freshman and he was the youngest to phase. Leah worried her, too. Leah found out about Sam imprinting on Emily fairly quickly and has been more temperamental than usual. She storms around the woods and makes snarky comments about everything. But Meadow saw the pain in her eyes. She was hurting.
Meadow finished her fiftieth rep when she felt two presences behind her. She threw the weight softly on the ground and turned to greet her visitors. Seth stood beside Leah with a nervous look on his face while Leah stood there with an angry look on her face. Meadow walked towards them and stopped a few meters away from them.
"You said if we had any questions to come to you," Leah said with an attitude. "I have questions."
Meadow raised an eyebrow and looked at Seth. He panicked slightly before he said, "I-I'm just here with Leah."
"Just here for Leah?" Meadow repeated.
"Well...I'm confused about some things, too. It's just, well..."
"You don't want Sam or Jared to get mad at you. You found out what happened, then?"
"I don't think you're as bad as they say you are," Seth said quickly. "The few times you came over to our house, you didn't seem too bad."
"Enough small talk," Leah said. "I need answers."
Meadow waved her hand for the two siblings to follow her over to a few tree stumps. She sat on one and gestured for them to sit one of the other ones. When they were situated, Leah wasted no time to talk.
"Why did I phase? All the boys act like I shouldn't have," she asked.
"It's unusual for girls to phase, apparently," Meadow answered. "I'm guessing it's because you're tied to the three original bloodlines of the pack."
"The patrols. I don't understand them. Explain them to me."
"We patrol the reservation to intercept any enemies. We used to patrol Forks, too, but since the Cullens came back, we have to stick to our territory only."
"The treaty?" Seth spoke up.
"Yes. While the Cullens reside in Forks, we stick to our land and they stick to theirs. The river is the boundary between the two," Meadow clarified.
"I don't understand the route," Leah said.
"I can't remember it either," Seth confessed.
"I couldn't either," Meadow admitted to make them feel better. "The more you do it, the more you'll remember them."
"He's changed our route every single time we've gone on patrol," Leah spit out in hatred.
"I can run an idea by Sam, but I doubt he'll go for it," Meadow said after she bit her lip. She could run the idea of shadowing by Sam, but she knew he would argue with her. He was anti-Meadow, so any idea she had he would surely shut down.
"What does it do to me? I mean, what about my future? Will I be able to have kids?" Leah asked a bit quieter. Meadow's face softened and she sighed. It was something she, herself, was worried about. She hadn't had her period since she phased for the first time. She wasn't too sure, but she figured she still could have kids. Why would their ancestors pair her up with Paul otherwise?
"I think you still can," she told her. "We won't have to phase forever. One day, we'll stop phasing. Our first priority as shifters is to protect the people. Until that happens, we won't be able to have kids is my guess."
Leah sighed loudly and said, "So, I might be able to...one day?"
"I'm sure of it. Why else would Paul imprint on me and I on him?"
A sneer appeared on Leah's face and her eyes held nothing but contempt.
"How is it being imprinted to that idiot?" she asked.
"More trouble than I thought," Meadow confessed. She didn't know why she was indulging Leah with her feelings, but, for some reason, it felt right. She felt like she could tell Leah anything. Maybe she was missing a female's presence. She'd been surrounded by no one except boys ever since her older sisters left.
"And I thought imprinting was some great magical source of love," Leah said snarkily.
"It's not all bad. Paul and I are just...disagreeing," Meadow said softly. Leah stared at her then looked away.
"Um, Meadow?" Seth spoke up.
"Yes, Seth?" she addressed him.
"Do you think Sam will let me go back to school? It's been a week already and mom's getting kinda upset," he said.
"As long as you have your temper under control then I don't see why he wouldn't let you go back," she said.
"Sam says I have the best control!" he said proudly. Meadow smiled and ruffled his head.
"You've never been an angry person," she commented. Seth smiled back at her and then stilled. He listened for a second before he said, "Someone's coming."
Meadow looked at him quizzically and listened for footsteps. She had to wait another minute before she heard someone coming their way. She stared at Seth in contemplation before she got up from her seat and faced the newcomer.
Paul stepped through the treeline and looked at Meadow. His eyes were filled with an emotion she couldn't identify. He looked at Leah, at Seth, and then at Meadow again. Getting the hint, Leah rolled her eyes and pulled Seth up by his arm. When he made a noise of protest, Leah smacked on the back of his head and told him to stop whining.
When they were gone, Paul stepped closer to Meadow. He reached out for her but she took a step back. He looked at her with hurt-filled eyes. It physically pained her to see him staring at her that way, but she was still upset with him.
"Meadow, please," he pleaded. His hand was stretched out towards her and his face was begging for her to accept his offer. But she couldn't. She turned her back to him and started walking to her house. She had a few hours before she had to go on patrol. She needed to get some sleep and meditate before then.
"Meadow, stop!" he shouted. He rushed towards her and pulled on her arm. He pulled her into a hug and tried to keep her situated within his arms, but Meadow wasn't having it. A growl slipped through her lips as she shoved against him and pushed him away. He frowned at the amount of strength she showed and at the rejection.
"I told you not to pull on me like that," she said with a glare.
"Well, how else am I supposed to get you to stop?" he asked heatedly.
"You're not," she said, enunciating each word. She turned her back to him once again.
"You can't run away from this, Meadow!" he shouted. "You feel it, too. I know you do! It hurts to stay away from each other for this long!" he shouted.
"Nothing hurts more than your lack of support," she bit out.
"It's been a week! How long are you going to keep this up?" he asked dejectedly.
"As long as it takes," she muttered.
"So, you're just gonna walk away?" he asked seriously. "I'm sorry if my opinion was different than yours."
"That's not the point!" she yelled angrily as she turned around to face him. She was upset he couldn't see what the problem was. He should already know what he did to wrong her.
"Then what is?!"
"You don't believe in me!" she shouted. Tears of frustration fell down her face and she angrily wiped them away. "You told me I couldn't do it because I'm a girl, and a girl can't have a position of power, right?"
"That's not-" he started but stopped when he couldn't find the words to say. "Meadow..."
"How can I be with someone who doesn't believe in me?" she asked. "I have dreams, Paul. Goals. I can't live like this for the rest of my life, cause let's face it - I won't be leaving La Push any time soon."
"We can work this out! Meadow, please! I love you!" he yelled desperately. She paused as she heard those words leave his mouth. She stared at him wide-eyed.
"I love you," he said firmly. "So, don't turn your back on me."
"I love you, too," she whispered. A smile broke across his face and he took a step in her direction. Her next words stopped him in his tracks.
"I love you, too, but I won't lose myself to please you when I've just found myself."
She slammed the door behind her and stomped to her room. She slammed her bedroom door shut and laid on her bed with a huff. She covered her eyes with her hands and groaned. She didn't know if she was being too hard on him or not, but she wouldn't give in to him so easily.
Sam called a meeting half-way through her patrol. Everyone in the pack was squeezed in Emily's kitchen. A plate of chocolate chip cookies sat half-empty in the middle of the table. Meadow was situated in the middle of Jake and Embry and across from Leah and Seth. Paul and Jared were standing in a corner behind Meadow, and Sam was standing in the doorway. When he had everyone's attention, he started the meeting.
"As you all know, the Cullens are back, which means more people might shift," he said.
"Quil's next. I know he is," Embry said. "He's showing all the symptoms."
"Alright," Sam said. "You and Jake have class with him, right? I'll let you two have a week off patrol to monitor him."
"The others are too young to phase," Jared said. Meadow shook her head. Sam noticed the movement and gave her a pointed look. She glared at him defiantly but let it go. Now was not the time to argue with him. However, other people had other plans.
"What?" Leah said. She was looking directly at Meadow. "What were you going to say?"
Meadow hesitated for a second before she said, "The Cullens might bring some of their 'friends'. We already have the red-head running around; who knows what other vampires are prowling the area."
"So, what?" Jared sniped.
"Younger people might start to phase. Seth already phased and he's only fourteen. Who's to say the others won't?" she said.
"We'll be ready for it when it happens," Sam said dismissively.
"We need to be ready now," she stressed. "We don't know when they will."
"We don't know IF they will," Sam argued.
Meadow scoffed and said, "They will. It's only a matter of time, but we can't have middle schoolers giving up their lives for this pack."
"They will do their duty when it is time," Sam said through clenched teeth. "Just like you will."
"I refuse to let kids sacrifice their lives!' Meadow shouted. "And I think Seth should be given more leniency. He's still too young to be throwing away his future!"
"It's a good thing you're not Alpha then," Sam commented with authority.
"We need to at least look out for any new visitors," Meadow said. "The red-head is dangerous, but if we only focus on her, another will slip through."
"The red-head is the main target. If we spread ourselves too thin, she'll slip through," Sam said.
"We don't have to," Meadow said simply. "I've noticed a few enhancements some of the pack members have. If we-"
"Woah, woah, woah. Enhancements?" Jared asked dubiously. "Now you're just making stuff up. Is this all part of your plan to overthrow Sam?"
Meadow sighed harshly and said, "Not enhancements, per se, but increased senses. If we use them to our advantage, if we plan patrols and formations around them, then we'll be more efficient."
"And you know this how?" Sam asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I've been observing the pack to see if we could change-"
"I didn't ask you to do that," Sam growled. "That isn't your job."
Leah scoffed and said, "You're such a child."
"And you aren't?" Jared asked. "You sulk around here like a child and try to make everyone's lives miserable."
"At least I don't follow Sam around like a lost puppy," Leah bit back. She started shaking and there was only rage in her eyes. Meadow tried to catch Leah's eyes and she succeeded after a moment. She subtly shook her head and Leah deflated.
"Whatever," Leah muttered.
"And I'm the puppy," Jared whispered amusedly. Meadow narrowed her eyes at Jared.
"We're getting nowhere," Sam said frustratedly. "Paul, Leah, Jared, go on patrol. Seth, Meadow, Jake, you're on the second shift. Paul, Embry, and I are on the third. Dismissed."
As soon as he dismissed them, Paul, Leah, and Jared went on patrol. Everyone else left the room except Meadow and Sam.
"I wanted to ask if-" Meadow started but was cut-off by Sam. She was getting irritated by everyone cutting her off. It was like they wanted to silence her.
"You've done enough," Sam said before he walked off. Meadow watched him walk off before she left the house. Surprisingly, Seth, Embry, and Jake were waiting for her. She walked up to them and Jake took the cue to start talking.
"We were talking and we just wanted you to know that you have our support," he said. She gazed at each of them in astonishment and was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to say, causing her to look like a gaping fish. Jake chuckled and pulled her in for a hug.
"We weren't sure at first and I was a little scared, too," Embry admitted sheepishly, "but, well, we haven't known you to do anything irrational."
"Yeah, and well, Leah seems to like you and Jake does, too, so," Seth said trailing off. Meadow smiled and pulled Jake into a tighter hug. She didn't know where they stood in her battle against Sam, but she was thankful they were on her side.
She pulled away from him and said, "Thank you. I need you to keep listening to Sam, though."
"What?!" they exclaimed.
"He's still Alpha. Question him. Think about what he asks of you, but keep listening. I don't want the pack to become divided over this; although, it may be too late for that," she said sadly.
"Alright," Jake said. "We'll keep listening to him for now. Just hurry up and become Alpha. I don't think I can stand to hear him insult you anymore."
"It won't be easy," she confessed. "I'm not as strong as Sam is and there are a few who still don't think I should be Alpha."
"You mean Jared?" Embry snorted.
"Paul, too," she said.
"Nah, Paul isn't on his side," Jake said. She looked at him in confusion.
"Paul's a big baby," Embry snorted.
"He should just man-up already," Jake said.
"His thoughts are confused," Seth piped up.
"You, too, Seth?" she asked. He shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
"The guy's just scared to go against Sam and Jared. Him and Jared are best friends. He doesn't want to lose him as a friend," Jake explained.
"Why didn't he say that to me earlier then?" she questioned herself. Of course, the boys picked up on it and answered her.
"He's a chicken," Embry said.
"He won't admit it. Paul never admits his problems," Jake said. She thought over their answers, which just made her more confused. Honestly, she guessed they were right. Paul tended to skim over his problems. He was closed off, in a way. She guessed they were more alike than they thought.
"Just make sure you get him on board," Jake said.
"I know," she said. "I need everyone on board to do this."
"Good. Well, we're about to head to the diner to eat something. Wanna come?" he asked.
"I need to do something first," she said. Jake shrugged before he walked off. Seth followed him but Embry stayed behind. He stared at her intensely and she stared back. She didn't know what was going through his mind due to how cloudy his eyes were with emotion. Every emotion clashed with the next one.
"I want to talk to you. About...us," he said. Meadow's eyes closed on their own accord and her heart raced faster than before. She was nervous about what he was going to say. She didn't want them to feel awkward anymore. She wanted them to be like how they were before, like siblings.
"Embry," she said softly and pleadingly.
"I know what you're going to say," he rushed out. "I know what you're going to say, but it's not...that."
"Is...something wrong?" she asked worriedly.
"No, no. I just wanted to let you know that," he stopped and sighed, "that I'm done pining after you."
When she didn't say anything, he continued, "I've seen the way you are with Paul. You've never smiled like that with me before. I think, I think it's time I...stop."
"Embry, I-"
"It's okay," he assured her. "And it'll take time to get over it completely, but I just wanted to let you know. I just...want us to not be so awkward around each other anymore."
She smiled softly at him and said, "I'm sorry if I ever led you on."
"You didn't," he assured her quickly. "It's like how Jake is with Bella; I tried pursuing you even though you didn't like me."
"Jake's hopeless," Meadow said. "You're not."
Embry smiled and looked down, shaking his head in the process. He pointed in the direction Jake and Seth went and said, "I'm gonna go now. I'll see you later?"
She nodded her head and waved him away with her hand. She was glad he had a change of heart. She hated the tension between them. She hoped he imprinted soon. Imprinting didn't solve everything, but it would definitely take away his affection for her. Maybe then he wouldn't hurt so much.
"One more thing!" he shouted from a distance. She looked his way and saw him through the trees. "Give Paul a chance! I can tell it's hurting you to fight with him!"
She gave him a thumbs up and watched him walk away before she went on her own way. She made a stop at her house, where she picked up the phone and dialed a number she hadn't used in a while. It rang three times before it was picked up by a familiar voice.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Quil. It's Meadow."
"...What's up?"
"Can you take a drive with me?"
"Where?"
"Just to Port Angeles. I need to pick up a couple things I can't find on the res or in Forks."
"...Sure. When did you wanna go?"
"How about right after school tomorrow?"
"Are you gonna be at school tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll be there. Just meet me in the parking lot."
"Okay!"
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