A/N
Changing the timeline around a bit
All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer
Warning: slight swearing, minor character death
Chapter 9: March
Despite popular opinion, Sam Uley was not heartless. Authoritative, blunt, and at times focused to the point of tunnel vision, but certainly not heartless. Or at least, he liked to believe so.
He took his role as alpha very seriously, using the pack's mental link to toe the line between invasive meddling and necessary guidance. Because these were just kids, and none of them would be throwing their lives away to be full time werewolves if he had anything to say about it.
Aw, c'mon Sam, it's not even dark out, Brady cajoled, lunging at Colin even as he pleaded. Unfortunately, he seemed to forget he was a two ton monstrosity now, and the weight sent both of them tumbling down the snowy hill in a furry heap.
They were back on their feet in the next second, circling each other playfully and already pawing at the ground in preparation for another spar.
That's enough. If Sam had a dollar for every time he said that, he could happily retire next week. Brady, leave Colin alone. Colin, stop tempting him.
He started it, Colin said. Rather than sounding whiny, his mental response was brimming with excitement as he anticipated another mock wrestling match in their wolf forms.
And I'm ending it. Sam's voice was firmer this time. Both youngsters stilled where they were, looking up to see Sam leap gracefully in front of where they stood, hackles raised, tails practically wagging. Don't think I don't know March is the month of your midterms. If you're both not back in your houses with your homework in front of you within the next ten minutes you can forget about joining the next patrol.
That got both of them moving. If there was anything they valued over wolf wrestling, it was being included on actual missions. They both yipped in acquiesce before setting off in opposite directions to their respective homes. Sam stayed where he was, watching through their eyes to ensure neither tried any funny business on the way home.
Where is Seth? He asked when they had both neared the woods surrounding their neighborhoods. The trio had been attached at the hip before phasing, an arrangement that had only solidified when all three joined the pack.
Probably at the Black's since Jacob finally got his tongue out of Bella's mouth long enough to take Seth biking again, Colin snickered.
It's date night tonight though, Brady reminded him. Jake'll send him home in two hours tops, guaranteed.
Sam sighed. Even without phasing Jacob's business was still aired out for the entire pack to see. Alright, I'll deal with him if he shifts. Get inside, now.
The two hurriedly found their stashes of clothes, each trying (and royally failing) to hide their plans of immediately jumping on their gaming devices to continue the fight in a more virtual setting.
For the sake of his budding migraine, Sam elected to ignore that. After all, there was only so much babysitting his job description entailed. He waited until both boys shifted back and headed off to patrol the perimeter yet again, enjoying the silence of being the only pack member in form.
Of course, with their shapeshifter numbers at a record high, it was only a matter of time before another joined him for the evening patrol.
It was Paul, Sam's childhood friend and just about the only pack member who both didn't hate being a werewolf and also didn't mind following Sam's commands.
Sam felt a surge of relief at his best friend's presence, ruined immediately as Paul's sickeningly sweet and unbearably graphic thoughts of Rachel clouded both of their minds.
Paul! Cool it, would you?
Sorry, sorry. Paul chuckled, not sounding sorry at all. Can I help it if the prettiest girl in La Push just agreed to be my girlfriend?
That would be acceptable, if she hadn't already agreed to be my wife, Sam replied.
Paul snorted but didn't bother arguing. There was no point when each man adored the very bones of his respective imprintee alone.
How is she handling the news? Sam asked instead. He had been concerned for his friend's wellbeing after it was revealed he was destined for Rachel Black.
Taking it in stride. Paul was nearly exploding with pride. She grew up with the legends too so it wasn't completely insane, but she's still pretty shaken up. Lucky for her, Billy is an elder and is answering all the questions she could ever ask.
Sam nodded, even though Paul was at his flank and couldn't see the movement. Billy had taken it particularly hard when his twin daughters fled the reservation upon graduation, and his mood was already infinitely more cheerful with Rachel's extended stay. If only the same good mood could be said for Jacob…
Yeah, he's still not taking it too well, Paul admitted. If he were human he would have been grimacing. Don't know what his problem is to be honest, it's not like we're intentionally excluding him.
He's surrounded with the knowledge of a well kept secret. His father, close friends, and now his sister are all in the know. It wouldn't surprise me if he's even realized his girlfriend has some inkling of the situation.
Paul snorted. Right. The leech lover. Still can't believe they made it official. Out of all the girls he could have picked, he chooses the one who was gagging to be a cold one not even six months ago.
Jacob has made his choice, Sam said firmly. We will respect who he chooses and show the girl the respect she's owed.
Paul didn't answer, instead ruminating over the new relationship and slowly veering off into an entirely different direction.
Sam wanted to growl in frustration. You too? How many times must I say it? Neither of them need to know anything about the shapeshifters.
You've gotta admit this is a little weird, Paul said. He didn't like disagreeing with his longtime friend in front of the others, but as they were the only wolves in form he let his persistence bleed into his mental voice. Jake's the heir of Ephraim Black. His father is an elder, his sister is now the imprintee of the pack's beta, his closest female friend is the unofficial pack beta, and his other best friends are all in the pack. How many boxes need to be checked off before we can let him in on it?
The one that turns him into a werewolf.
Oh come on. His girlfriend is a leech magnet. You don't think it's only a matter of time before he gets caught up in it and changes anyway?
That doesn't mean he would be able to reveal-
He wouldn't need to tell her anything. Based on Leah's thoughts, the kid seems like the only girl in the world who could piece it together based on her, ah, shall we say past experience with the supernatural.
Sam didn't need to mention how incensed Leah would be if she found out Paul had been rifling through her thoughts. Leah's fiercely loyal streak was common knowledge among the pack by now, especially when it came to defending her new friend and longtime childhood friend.
Exactly, Paul said. Even Leah's attached to the girl, and has grown even closer to Jacob these last couple of months. One of them will manage to spill the beans whether you like it or not.
Sam sighed, slowing to a stop. They had just circled the perimeter with absolutely no sign of trouble and had ended outside of the reservation once more. Despite the relatively easy workload from the previous weeks, Sam suddenly felt mentally exhausted at the age old argument.
I will not put him through something so needless. If things change, I'll be the first person knocking on his door to explain everything. Until then, I refuse to burden him with this.
He thought back to Jacob, the suspicious scowl on the kid's face as he stared from his father to Sam in quick succession, connecting the dots and still coming up empty because of the total lack of information he'd been given.
Sam had felt bad about it, had even been close to relenting as he felt Leah's accusatory stare burning a hole in the side of his head, but he remained firm.
Jacob reminded Sam too much of himself at that age. A high schooler with so many bright possibilities in his future and a girl he adored on his arm.
Their relationship was too new to compare it to what he had had with Leah, but it was on its way according to the other packmates. Sam would not drive a wedge between Jacob and his perfectly human life if he could help it.
Well shit. Paul said. Guess I can't say much to that, can I?
Sam snorted. I suppose not. He turned and began looping back to the residential area of the reservation, Paul trailing directly behind.
Paul hesitated. You know Leah doesn't blame you for that, right? She understands what happened.
Sam thought of the heartache in Leah's thoughts those first few months before she learned to shield them better, the pain in her eyes that she couldn't completely hide. He thought of Emily, riddled with guilt over something beyond anyone's control, and mourning the loss of her sister who was alive and well but wanted nothing to do with her.
Understanding doesn't erase suffering. Will you have me risk inflicting the same on Jacob and the Swan girl without absolutely needing to?
To that, Paul had no response.
The reservation and its surrounding area remained leech free and found the pack in a wonderfully calm mood by the end of the first week of March.
Sam woke up that Friday with a lazy smile on his face and his arms wrapped around the naked form of Emily, still fast asleep and curled into him.
It was the first day off Sam had in awhile and he could not think of a better way to wake up. Unfortunately, his lovely fiancee did not have the day off, and had instead shooed him away as he tried to steal one (or twelve) more kisses before she left for work.
With nothing to do and too many hours in front of him, Sam decided to patrol the area once again. At this point, he was forced to face the music. His suspicions of the leech had now been brushed aside by not only the entire reservation, but also the elders. The older members of his pack were only too happy to voice their agreement, eager for life to return to some semblance of normalcy.
As a result, his patrol turned out to be more of a leisurely stroll than a protection mission. He began with the reservation, automatically keeping an ear out for any danger within his community as he meandered around. He heard the quiet tinkering of Paul working in the mechanics shop they co-owned, and further down the road found Billy and Harry out on the docks surrounded by fishing gear.
Sam continued at an easy jog, eventually making it to the reservation's only high school campus where he clocked the scents of Seth, Brady, Colin at one end of the building; Jacob, Quil, Embry, and Jared on the other; and Claire somewhere in the middle.
He looped around and found his Emily safe and sound at her job down the street, where she worked as a primary school teacher.
He didn't dwell on any one person, refusing to invade their privacy in such a way. His purpose was to ensure their safety, not act as some intrusive fly on the wall.
He did, however, notice the absence of one Leah Clearwater. He frowned. Had Leah still been doing her Forks High patrol this entire time, even after he let her off the hook weeks ago? Surely she would have let up by now. But even as he thought that he suddenly realized that Leah had yet to change into her wolf form since the early days of February, instead remaining human to trail Bella as ordered.
Sam shook his head. His current relationship with Leah was politely aloof at best, but he still felt slightly guilty for not officially relieving her of what had to be a mind numbingly boring task at this point. He doubled back to the border, entering Forks and arriving at the funny looking high school with its random smattering of buildings.
It was only too easy to find a spot within the thick underbrush surrounding the cluster of buildings. Sam's huge black form was a bit harder to hide in the snow covered trees so he huddled in the farthest corner to keep from being seen.
Even so, his keen senses immediately picked up Leah and Bella's scents as Harry Clearwater's car entered the lot. Forks High must not start as early as La Push's schools, as the two girls sat in companionable silence even after Leah parked.
Sam stretched, absently shaking out his fur as he waited for the girls to part ways so he could give Leah her day back. Naturally, his sharp ears still picked up the conversation between them.
"Your protection detail has been over for awhile now, right?" Despite being several hundred yards across the campus, Bella's tentative voice traveled as easily as if he was standing beside their car.
Leah hummed. "Yes."
Sam cocked his head. Leah had gotten the memo then. Why on earth had she continued to drive Bella to school every day?
"But you're staying." Bella continued matter of factly. "You still don't mind driving me to and from school."
"Sure, why not? My commissions are giving me more than enough gas money to spare."
Bella paused, as if weighing her next words. "Say hi to Aaron for me today, will you?"
"Y- wait what?"
Did she sound flustered or was that just the distance screwing with his hearing? If Sam's wolf form had eyebrows, they would both be raised by now.
"I haven't told anyone," Bella assured her. "But I don't think I'm the only one who's noticed. Jessica keeps asking me if you two are dating."
Sam's interest was peaked now. Curiosity burned along with the smallest bit of something else. He poked his head out of the trees before he could help himself.
The girls were thankfully parked in one of the closest spots, with Leah indeed looking flustered in the driver's seat and Bella looking like she was fighting a grin in the passenger seat.
"I - don't know yet. We've only been out a few times."
"Well." Bella's face finally broke into the smile she'd been suppressing. "Tell me if he makes the cut, okay?"
Leah nodded, seemingly lost in thought.
"Oh and Leah?"
She looked up in time to catch Bella's soft smile. "I'm happy for you."
Leah's mouth was agape as she watched the girl get out of the car and head to a nearby building without a backwards glance.
Sam was in a similar situation, mind reeling over the information he'd accidentally uncovered. Leah had been seeing someone? And who was this Aaron who had managed to coax not one, but a few dates from the pack's most reserved member?
Memories swam in Sam's mind before he could stop them, of a simpler time when werewolves and vampires were only things of fairytales. Sam had been so young but undoubtedly enamored with Leah Clearwater, the impossibly pretty girl who had been a year behind him but still smart enough to join his math class and kick his butt in every single exam.
He remembered their banter, her witty remarks and sly smirks even as her eyes sparkled with humor with every passing week. He also remembered how long it had taken for her to eventually agree to go out with him, and wondered if this Aaron guy had jumped through the same hoops.
"This is how you spend your day off?" Leah's voice interrupted his musings. He looked up to see her standing with her arms crossed, unflinching in the knee deep snow despite the thin pants she wore.
Sam looked at her for a long moment before she huffed, unzipping her sweater and tossing it into the snow at his feet. He gingerly took it between his teeth and ducked behind a tree, appearing a second later on two legs with it tied around his waist.
"Don't know why you bother. I have no interest in looking and besides, it's nothing I haven't seen before." As if to prove her point, Leah turned to stare determinedly at a spot somewhere to her left, her entire body angled away from where he stood.
Sam couldn't help but wonder if she was referring to the last time she saw him naked, or the last time she had seen a man naked. The two could now be assumed to be mutually exclusive.
"Thank you, regardless," he said anyway. "I didn't realize you were still on Forks patrol."
Leah shrugged wordlessly, not completely being able to hide how her face twitched at his words.
"You know you were released from your duties weeks ago. I came to let you off the hook once more."
"I don't mind it. Besides, Bella's truck is out of commission and her new car isn't close to being finished yet. I'm happy to drive her."
Curiosity flared once more. He spoke before he could help himself. "Is that truly the only reason you're here?"
Something in his voice made her freeze before she slowly swung her face to look at him head on. She searched his face before her eyes tightened, mouth pressing into a thin line. "You were listening."
It wasn't a question. "Not intentionally. I told you why I came."
Leah breathed deeply, closing her eyes. "Well? Get on with it."
Sam faltered. "Excuse me?"
Leah's eyes flashed open, voice detached. "If you're going to order me to stop seeing him just get it over with. I'd like to get some commissions done today if it suits his highness."
Sam saw the frustration in her dark eyes. It was more than that, though. He searched them, seeing that for once the source of her pain was not him or Emily or even being a werewolf. It was focused on this human boy, and the idea of severing ties with him on his account.
Sam was many things, but he was not a spiteful ex, and he was not indifferent to the pain he caused Leah. Even if his heart belonged to Emily, even if his world revolved around her, the imprint could not erase the affection he felt for Leah, the care he would always feel for his first love.
He had loved her with every fiber of his being, which was why he burned with guilt every time he looked into her eyes, every time she struggled to control her thoughts around him. Because despite the uncontrollable nature of the imprint, she had been right to feel the sting of betrayal from him as he went back on every single promise he ever made to her, and gave it instead to another. Her sister, of all people.
Sam sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose before focusing on Leah once more. Leah, who was so stiff and piercing him with razor sharp eyes. She expected nothing but hurt and disappointment from him, and he couldn't entirely blame her for her assumptions.
"I'm not your warden, Leah, and I refuse to force your hand. You may do as you wish, and you don't need my permission to pursue others."
Leah stared at him through narrowed eyes, as if barely daring to believe it.
Sam gave her a wry smile. "Don't look so surprised. You know as well as anyone else how the hierarchy is meant to work. Even an alpha has no business meddling in romantic affairs."
There were several beats of silence as Leah continued to study him wordlessly before she finally relaxed her shoulders, even going so far as rolling her eyes. "I never understood why you suddenly got weirdly formal after phasing, as if there was some rulebook that made you part of Downton Abbey after shifting."
Sam smiled thinly. "If that were the case, Paul clearly didn't get the message as my beta. Boy still swears like a sailor."
Leah snorted. Her face was not entirely open, but nor was it the cold mask he had been accustomed to seeing from her. It gave him the tiniest bit of hope for the future harmony of her relationship with him, and in extension with Emily.
Which is why he was grimacing as he shifted topics to a more pack-related matter. "I do, however, still need to ask that you keep your canine side to yourself."
Leah nodded, not even looking bothered by the request. Then again, how could she, when even Claire didn't know Quil's true nature? She hesitated. "I'm not even sure it will come to that."
"But he's a part of your life?"
"Yes."
"And he makes you happy?"
A small smile despite herself. "He does."
That was all Sam could hope for. He returned her smile carefully. "Then only time will tell."
The second week of March saw Sam slightly more relaxed. Or perhaps that was just the result of being in the presence of so many elders. It was difficult to feel stressed when the leaders of their tribe were so certain of their safety, and in a particularly good mood.
Sam grinned along with his packmates as the others crowded around a still stunned looking Leah, shaking her shoulders with loud whoops and laughing at her flabbergasted expression.
"Three acceptance letters to the best art schools in the country!" Harry Clearwater crowed for what had to be the twelfth time in the last half hour. No one bothered to stop him, not when they shared his sentiments. It had been much the same when Rachel and Rebecca received their own acceptance letters years ago.
"Hear, hear," Billy said genially, knocking his beer can with Harry, Sue, and then Charlie's in turn. More than one of the guys had been eyeing the cases of beer and the chief in turn, as if wondering how many they could sneak before getting caught.
Rachel laughed, clinking her own beer against Leah's soda can. She was the only twenty-one year old amongst their group and she was relishing the privileges that came with it. "Congrats, Leah. I'll have to dig out some of Rebecca's old supplies for you as a going away present."
"Oh, I don't want to go taking her things-"
"Nonsense," Rachel waved. "She stopped painting years ago. I can even give you Mom's old easel."
Sarah Black was a very sensitive topic on the reservation, namely because it was her death that hit the Black family so hard, and was whispered to be the reason why both daughters fled La Push the first chances they got.
Leah looked touched, her face softening and eyes watering slightly as she pulled Rachel into a tight hug. Sam understood this well. Sarah Black, like many of the other mothers in La Push, had been somewhat of a surrogate mother to all of the children at one point or another.
"Glad someone's going to put it to good use," Jacob said, grinning as he nudged Leah with his elbow. "Make sure you take a break from doodling to visit us small town folk once in a while."
"Not too often," Seth said quickly, though he was bouncing with excitement. "Don't forget I'm getting your room." The first thing he did upon hearing Leah's news was tackle his sister into a bear hug. The second was to make plans for his apparently new T.V. room.
"No one is getting anyone's room," Sue said. "Seth, you can make do with the extra space in the basement."
"Well, we can always visit her," Bella said, smiling widely at the thought. "I can fit Jake, Quil, and Claire in my car. And we can coordinate it around wherever Kim and Jared end up going to school too-"
"What about me?!" Embry said indignantly.
Jacob snickered. "Relax, Em, there's plenty of room for you in the trunk."
Sam leaned back and relaxed against the Clearwater's sofa as the two continued to bicker, enjoying the elation of the room and the warm weight of Emily at his side. She was beaming, but there was still the smallest crease in the corners of her eyes as she sat far away from the circle Leah and the others made on the floor.
Sam sighed. He couldn't exactly blame Leah, as she had not been even the slightest bit hostile, but it was still difficult, knowing there was something upsetting his Emily and also knowing there was nothing he could reasonably do about it.
Sam felt his brows furrow automatically at the thought, and resolved to remove himself from the festivities lest he cloud everyone else's good mood.
Which was why he was completely caught off guard when Leah marched up to him later in the evening, effectively cornering him alone in the Clearwater's tiny kitchen.
"Leah," he said warily, trying to make sense of her perturbed face. "Congratulations are in order." It was difficult to infuse his genuine happiness for her, given the tautness of her jaw.
Leah swallowed, glancing back to the hallway where the raucous sound of people laughing and talking wafted in easily. "I'm not going."
Sam stared. "I don't follow."
"I'm not an idiot. Even if the elders believe the danger's gone, who's to say it won't be back in a year? Two years? What good will I be across the country?"
"Leah," he said. "The pack's numbers are the highest it's been in generations. If that's your only concern then you needn't worry."
"Children," Leah corrected grimly. "The pack is big because of children being turned into great big furry monsters. Do you think I'll have Seth and his little friends fight so I can go draw at some fancy school in Connecticut?"
"The last pack did just fine with three shapeshifters, and now we have nine. Don't reject opportunities for that reason alone."
Leah shook her head. "Stop it, Sam. I know what you're doing but there's no point. We both know if the time came, you would call everyone back to protect the res in a heartbeat."
She had him there and they both knew it. Sam struggled to find the words to refute her but couldn't bring himself to do it. Whether it was the alpha in him, or the man who had lived his entire life in a community he loved and swore to protect, he couldn't promise there might not be a time in the future where he would call her back to stand guard.
"It's okay." Leah's voice was full of quiet conviction. "I wouldn't leave them defenseless anyway. There are schools on the west coast I can check out."
Sam felt his jaw clench. Being a werewolf had taken too much from them all. At the very least, he had been the lucky bastard who got to marry the love of his life after all was said and done. The same could not be said for Leah, who had been a ball of grim acceptance until her recent friendship with the Swan girl sprang up.
Her future would therefore be entirely based on her choice alone, without any ridiculous supernatural forces at play this time. Sam would do anything to give her this last gift, for as long as possible.
"Promise me you won't make any hasty decisions just yet? The future's a mystery to us all."
Leah rolled her eyes, but nodded once. "Fine."
"But do you really think Kim will like this? Maybe we should go with the other one instead..." Emily mused, scrolling through the website's pages yet again. They had no less than seven friends graduating this spring, and Emily had been in a right state in preparation for their gifts, despite it being just the third week of March.
Sam shook his head even as he smiled indulgently. "She'll love whatever you pick, love. You know that."
"But it has to be perfect," Emily said. "You only graduate high school once. Are you sure the guys will like their gifts?"
"Positive," Sam said. He didn't need to mention that Jared, Quil, and Embry had all seen what she had gotten them, despite his best efforts. There were no secrets in the pack after all. At least Jacob would be surprised.
"And Bella's gift should come in next week, plenty of time before the ceremony," Emily mused. "What about Leah?"
Sam wrapped his arms around her, taking her fidgeting hands and kissing them gently as he held them in his own. "You made that scrapbook out of love, and included several dozen I hadn't even realized you had copies of. Of course she'll appreciate it." She had filled it to the brim of photos not only with the pack, but also with a far amount of Leah's school friends and her new Forks High friends.
"I know, I'm going a little overboard by asking Bella and Angela for so many copies, I just want it to be perfect," Emily said quietly, ducking her face into the crook of his neck. "If Leah does decide to go away to the east coast after this I want her to have something to remember home by."
Sam took her chin between his thumb and pointer finger, waiting until she looked at him before he continued. "She knows you love her, Em. Nothing will ever change that. We can visit her whenever you'd like to." He would carry her on his back in wolf form every week if she asked.
Emily smiled softly, the tightness in her eyes voicing what they were both thinking. There was a very slim chance Leah would appreciate their visits.
"Well, she will still be returning home every so often," Sam insisted, desperate to smooth out the crumpled look on her face.
Emily hummed in consideration, playing with the collar of his shirt absently. "I'm not sure how often she'll want to come back. It seems like everyone is trying to escape Washington as quickly as they can. At least Rachel is staying for good as of last week."
Paul had been particularly unhappy, afraid that Rachel was giving up the life she had built outside of La Push just for his sake. She had waved away his worries, insisting that the future she wanted was on the reservation. Sam frowned at that, remembering the ongoing argument he maintained with Emily on an identical matter.
"I see those wheels turning, Sam Uley," Emily murmured, staring up at him with those bright eyes. She pressed her cheek to his even as she continued. "Please don't tell me we're going to start this again."
"Emily," he sighed. "Paul is right to be concerned. Rebecca and Rachel both couldn't wait to leave, and now Rachel is content with staying in La Push indefinitely?"
"Rachel has never been as free spirited as her sister. She escaped to grieve, and is now ready to embrace the family she left behind and the new one she has in Paul."
"It's not right to give up your future just for your significant other. Just like you-"
"Just like me nothing," Emily said, kissing his mouth to cut him off. It worked for a moment as Sam enjoyed the soft brush of her lips, the feeling of her pressed against him, the warmth of her-
Sam shook his head. "Emily," he cupped her face gently. "I don't want you to give anything up. Not for me. Not ever."
"And how will you lead a pack if not in La Push?" Emily teased.
Sam's face grew even more serious. This is what he had always been afraid of. "Don't make plans based on me, Emily. The pack is big now, and the danger passed. We will work something out if needed. Just say the word."
"You silly man," Emily sighed. "How many times must we say it? I have never dreamed of leaving Washington, and now I don't have to. I want this. I want our future here with our community and our house and one day children of our own."
"But I don't want to take-"
"You aren't taking anything away from me, Sam Uley. You're giving me everything."
Sam sighed. It was impossible to argue with her on this, especially when she turned her face up to his, eyes bright and earnest.
It was one thing he had secretly considered, and had not dared to think in wolf form. Whereas Leah had always dreamed of the big city, Emily had not. A part of Sam always wondered if that was a deciding factor in who his wolf imprinted on. His first love, or the one whose dreams matched his own? Whose life ambitions were most aligned with his duties?
"How did I get so lucky?" He said instead, kissing her once more. She smiled against his mouth, wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to press her against the counter. He let himself relish in the feel of her, the sounds he elicited, with her hands in his hair and her name on his lips.
Allison Uley and Evelyn Young were the exact opposite in personalities. However, both seemed to be determined to have their way, especially with the middle of the third week of March already upon them and the May wedding date fast approaching.
Sam suppressed a sigh as his mother glared across the table at an oblivious Evelyn, hands balled into fists as if readying herself for a physical fight. With two such polar opposites grappling for decision making power, he honestly wouldn't be surprised.
"That's ridiculous," his mother snapped. "We're not going to make Leah walk down the aisle alone. She's the maid of honor for crying out loud. She'll walk down with the best man."
"Oh but Rachel is attending now," Evelyn fretted. "Won't it be horribly awkward to have him paired with someone besides his lady friend?"
Allison rolled her eyes in disdain. "Of all the stupid requests-"
"That is quite enough, you've both made your points clear." Sue Clearwater cut in, looking more than a little annoyed.
Then again, the wedding planning had become more intense after being put on hold during the weeks of leech scouting. It was only a shame he had been roped into helping. He almost preferred tracking leeches over listening to another verbal brawl between his stubborn mother and his tactless future mother in law. Almost.
Not when Emily shared an exasperated look with him, leaning into his side as they found silent support in each other.
"Emily, Sam," Sue turned to them. "What will it be?"
Emily shrugged. "I talked to Leah and Paul. Neither mind being paired together for the ceremony."
"Oh but what about-"
"Rachel is fine with it, Mom, she'll still be in all the pictures as Paul's plus one."
"But her dress, dear-"
A low howl interrupted whatever Evelyn was about to say. Sam was on his feet and excusing himself from the table immediately, kissing Emily's head as she glared at him in warning. He winked back. The howl was not urgent, he wouldn't leave her alone to face the wolves in their own sitting room.
He chuckled to himself, heading outside to phase into a wolf himself. He was still chortling as he registered Paul's thoughts. He was on patrol tonight, more as a formality than anything.
What is it, Paul?
Not an emergency, just thought you'd need a break from the in-laws.
In law, singular, Sam corrected, chuckling despite himself. Emily's father is much more agreeable.
I'll say.
But I won't leave her to fend for herself. If that's all-
Hang on, no I wanted to show you something.
Sam suddenly tensed, watching through Paul's eyes as he looped back through the trees and headed towards the shore. Have you found something? Is it a leech?
Chill your fanny Sammy, Paul said, ignoring the growl at the nickname. Not a leech. Look.
And he did. He saw the empty beach in front of Paul's eyes, the dark waves beyond. Of course it was abandoned. It was still March after all, and too chilly for the average tourist to go sunbathing.
Just as he was about to ask Paul what the hell he meant, he saw it. A small rowboat tied to the pier, bobbing lightly in what had to be ankle deep water. Two figures were in the small bed of the boat, huddled against the wind and wrapped in a single blanket.
Leah's smile was bright as she laughed at whatever it was the guy with her said. She tucked her face under his chin, before shrieking and elbowing his side as he began rocking the boat precariously back and forth.
The guy looked to be laughing even as he stopped, instead turning to capture Leah's mouth in a liplock that grew more heated as the moments passed. Sam waited for Paul to get to the point. He did not.
You called me out here to admit your voyeuristic tendencies? Shouldn't Rachel be informed of this first?
Har, har, har, Paul said, undeterred. This is crazy! Is this why she's been avoiding phasing since Forks patrol? How long has Leah had a side piece?
I'm not sure it counts as a side piece when she doesn't currently have a main piece.
C'mon don't pretend like you're not curious, Paul insisted, before reading the tenor of Sam's thoughts, the calm reflection Sam couldn't entirely suppress. You knew about this. Holy shit. You knew and you didn't tell me?
It's not my news to tell.
Bull, Paul said. Since when is it anyone's news to tell anyone! I have my intimate, highly private moments with Rachel broadcasted-
Only because you insist on fantasizing about them so loudly with minors present.
-and you don't even bother to give me the courtesy of some juicy gossip?!
Sam sighed. I'm hanging up now.
This is a telepathic conversation-
Goodbye, Paul. Leave them alone. I mean it. Leah has gone through great lengths to ensure this guy stays a secret. Do not undermine them out of boredom.
Fine. But this conversation isn't over. We'll see how easily you evade me in human form.
Sam shook his head and phased back before Paul could think of a better comeback.
When he returned, none of the older women paid him any mind. Sue and Allison were already well aware of where he'd gone, and Evelyn was so unaware of everything he didn't even need to fib.
Emily turned to curl back into his side, sighing as the women continued. Or, as Evelyn continued.
Sometime, hours later, Sam sent a single text. The first message he had sent to this number in nearly a year.
Boating in March is never a smart idea. Especially on La Push beach.
The reply came moments later. I knew I heard something. Who was it? Was it Paul? I'm going to kill him.
It was bound to come out.
Don't lie. He specifically called you to squeal didn't he?
Sam was nothing if not a master mediator. Would you like me to tell them you're bringing a plus one to the reception?
This reply took much longer to come. Sam idly wondered if Leah was actually taking this long to consider the answer or if her hands were simply otherwise busy.
Yes.
Sam smiled at his phone, before tuning back into the conversation.
"But I just think Leah will be happier if we-"
"Leah will be bringing a plus one," Sam said.
Four pairs of eyes stared at him in surprise.
Sam stared back calmly. "Unless that's a problem?"
"Course not," his mother said, quickly seizing one of the binders on the table and making some notes. She looked pleased, whether it was because Sam interrupted Evelyn or simply at the prospect of Leah bringing someone, he could not say.
Sam nodded, before picking up his plate and heading to the kitchen for a snack. Something told him they wouldn't be getting the in law out of the house for quite some time.
"So, should I assume a little birdy told you or is my daughter announcing her dating habits to all but the older generation?" Sue said, sidling up beside him.
Sam was over head and shoulders taller than Sue but he still marveled at how she could make him feel like a little boy just by giving him such a sly, knowing look.
He met her gaze, albeit slightly sheepishly. "Paul might have been slightly overzealous to share the news."
Sue shook her head, looking amused. "I have no doubt my daughter will give him a piece of her mind when she hears. A chip off the old block."
That was certainly true. If there were two people Sam didn't want to go up against, it was the Clearwater ladies.
Sue smiled as if she could read his mind. "I think this wedding will be more pleasant than we all thought, Sam, I truly do."
Sam couldn't help but return her smile. He had always liked the Clearwater's and while they had been perfectly understanding after he imprinted, there was an invisible barrier casted between them. He felt that barrier crack, just the tiniest bit, as Sue looked at him without the usual tension in her jaw.
"I think so too, Sue. I am hopeful it will be."
Sam was humming. Not that he would let the others hear him, but as it were, he was in the comfort of his own home with only his lovely fiancee to hear him. It was the fourth week of March and the leeches were long gone at this point, every patrol coming up empty despite how far they went.
The entire reservation was ready to welcome spring and banish the thoughts of savage vampires permanently from their minds, and this time Sam decided to follow their lead. Tonight, he had even made plans with Paul to catch up with a few friends from high school who were in town for the night.
It was a bittersweet feeling. Out of their former friend group, only Sam and Paul remained on the reservation. The others were either away at college or somewhere far away from the small town they grew up in.
Sam remembered a time before he phased, when he was barely older than Claire and enjoying his junior year of high school. They'd all been so carefree, so mischievous in their confidence that the worst that could happen was a detention from school or a week's worth of grounding from parents.
It was part of the reason he was so adamant over academics with the younger members of the pack. He would be damned if any of them stepped a toe out of line and got their spine snapped by a hidden leech, would be damned if any of them missed enough school to have to repeat, or worse, drop out altogether.
"Is this Leah's?" Emily said, interrupting his musings.
He turned to see her holding the sweater he had borrowed from her that first week of March, now soaked to the bone from the previous night's sleet storm.
Sam winced, already planning on ordering a new one before Leah noticed. He admitted as much, taking the ruined garment sheepishly.
Emily sighed. "Come on, I promised I would get Claire and bring her to Forks. If we leave now we can pick one up before bringing it with her to Bella's house."
"You're sure Leah will be there?" he asked. But he was already following her out to the car and hopping into the passenger seat.
"They've grown exceptionally close these last couple of months, I'm positive she'll be there tonight," Emily said, shrugging with forced nonchalance. "Never one without the other." Her eyes were glued to the road and when he touched her hand with his, she gave him a humorless smile.
Sam would forever regret the imprint driving a wedge between the two girls.
He remembered the early months of their relationship, finding Emily curled up in a tearful ball more than once as she stared at pictures of the two of them.
He had had a small ray of hope the day after Leah had phased and been given the full explanation. Emily had been practically bursting with joy, clinging to the dream that this revelation would be the start of their reunion.
The broken look on her face as she realized that would not be so still made Sam shiver. In any other situation he would have been enraged at the thoughtless person responsible for his beloved to look so crushed, but he hadn't had it in him at the time. Not when he heard the same misery echoed in Leah's mind via their new telepathic link.
They didn't speak as they swung by the mall and then headed for Claire's.
Claire, who was thankfully in a chattier mood than usual, managed to fill the silence the entire way.
"Oh wow they're already here!" she said in surprise as they pulled up to the Swan house.
Quil immediately ran to the car and helped Claire out, spinning her around as he did so. But it was Embry and Jacob who side eyed each other. Bella, who was wrapped in Jacob's arms, at least had enough tact to smile in welcome.
"Emily! I didn't know you were heading down. Can I get you two anything? We're just waiting for a few more before heading off."
"No, no," Emily said, though she returned Bella's smile easily. Sam did not share the same wariness Paul did for the Swan girl, namely because of how well she treated his Emily. "We're just stopping by to drop off Claire and something for Leah. Is she inside?"
Like the gracious host she was, Bella untangled herself from Jacob's embrace, much to Jake's protest and Embry's teasing. Bella ignored both as she led them inside. Sam had half a mind to drag Paul over here so he could learn some manners.
"Oh before I forget - Angela gave me the picture templates today and wanted me to pass them onto Claire to give to you."
"Go on, I've got this," Sam said, taking the sweater from Emily as she visibly wavered between eagerly looking at the pictures and continuing their mission.
Emily beamed, leaning up on her tiptoes to peck his cheek before following Bella into the sitting area.
Sam continued in the small house, easily following Leah's scent to the kitchen.
The scene before him had him freezing in surprise.
Leah stood in front of the table, carefully piling a batch of freshly baked cookies into a paper box. The idea of Leah handling anything homemade was shocking in itself, but it was the figure behind her that caught Sam's attention.
The guy was shorter than Sam but still tall in his own right. He had medium length blonde hair and tanned skin. His long arms were wrapped around Leah and his head rested on her shoulder, smiling lips pressed to her neck.
Even as he watched, Leah raised a cookie to the guy's mouth in offering, only to take it back at the last second and shove it in her own mouth, laughing as the guy began tickling her sides.
The pair's closeness hit Sam square in the chest. They reminded him so much of the Leah he knew back when they were dating, the bright smile, the sparkling eyes.
An invisible weight lifted from Sam's conscience. He had felt wretched over the mess he had left Leah's heart in, even when the cold mask replaced miserable eyes. But seeing her now gave him a hope he hadn't realized he needed. She would be okay. Perhaps not tomorrow, but with time.
It was then that the two finally caught sight of Sam. The guy stopped his ministrations, staring in open curiosity. Leah choked on the cookie in her mouth.
"Sam," Leah coughed, gratefully accepting the orange and blue plastic bottle the guy handed over. Was that Sunny D? "What are you doing here?" Her face changed, suddenly awash with panic. "What's wrong? Is it Seth? Are my parents-"
"Nothing's wrong," Sam said. He held up the sweater Emily had picked out. "Emily came by to drop Claire off and she thought it prudent to return your sweater. I hope you don't mind that we had to replace it."
Leah paused, thrown off. The adrenaline visibly left her body as she relaxed back against the guy who was now looking even more intrigued at the exchange.
"Sam Uley," he said, extending a hand out, mostly so the kid would stop looking at him like that. "A family friend of Leah's."
Before he could respond, Emily and Bella made their way into the kitchen. Emily's mouth all but flew open in surprise at the scene before her, while Bella shook her head.
"I leave you alone for one minute and you're already making a dent in the snacks?"
"Not my fault they smelled so good, Bells! Besides, Quil and Embry already scarfed a dozen between them."
There was a "Hey!" from the front of the house, presumably from Embry. Quil no doubt was preoccupied with Claire.
The laughter that followed was polite in nature and far too short in duration, soon leaving the room awkwardly silent as everyone waited for someone to make the first move.
"Aaron, this is Emily and Sam, Emily and Sam this is Aaron Lenox," Leah finally said, giving Sam a significant look.
Ah, so this was the famous Aaron he had overhead Bella referencing. Now that he looked he even recognized him as the same boy Paul saw her with while he was snooping.
"Pleased to meet you," Aaron said, smiling in what seemed like genuine happiness at both of them in turn. "Leah's told me all about you. Will you be joining us tonight?"
"Oh no," Emily said quickly. "No just stopping by."
Aaron didn't look surprised by her insistence, making Sam wonder how much Leah had told him about their past after all. Still, the guy continued in the same friendly voice. "Busy night then?"
"N-not really, Sam is heading out with friends and I'll be enjoying a quiet night in."
To anyone else it might have passed as convincing. Sam, on the other hand, was already mentally drafting the text he would send to cancel his plans. He would not leave Emily alone to deal with this.
Leah's eyes flickered from Sam to Emily, remaining on her second cousin as Aaron was content to keep up a polite stream of small talk.
"Em, did you want to join?" Leah said quietly. Her eyes just a little too knowing as they watched Emily busy herself with her scarf. Of course they were. Sam was not the only one who could read her inside and out.
Emily froze. "Are- are you sure?"
"Yeah, I mean Jared and Kim are on their way anyway. What's one more?" The smile she gave was small but genuine.
Emily's returning one was so bright Sam wanted to cancel his plans anyway just to enjoy basking in the proximity of her happiness. He stood by as they continued their conversation and then eventually navigated around the house, content to follow silently as Emily seamlessly mingled with old and new faces alike.
He was hardly surprised, not many could resist her cheerful demeanor. Eventually, his phone buzzed. He looked down to see an impatient Paul using an unnecessary amount of messages to convey a single sentence.
"Go on, before he comes to drag you away," Emily said, kissing his cheek before turning back to her conversation with Angela and her boyfriend, Ben, a decent guy who seemed slightly less reserved than Angela but just as amicable.
Sam was almost at the door when he quite literally ran into Jacob, who had not had the werewolf growth spurt but still held his own and refused to topple over like a normal human would have.
"Alright, Jake?" he said needlessly. The kid was already straightened up and everything.
Jacob nodded, raising an eyebrow. "Heading out already?"
"Yeah. I have a few plans with Paul and the others."
A scowl broke out at the mention of his sister's new boyfriend. Jacob had not held the secrecy against his father nor Sam, but he had refused to accept the 'weirdness' of Paul's sudden relationship with Rachel.
"Paul wanted to give you guys some space," Sam said. "He knows it's been tough all around, Jacob. He's trying."
"Doesn't mean he has to try with my sister," Jacob said, but shook his head. "Nevermind, it's not worth it. First Rebecca and now Rachel. I suppose I should just be grateful he's not another professional surfer ready to cart her off to Hawaii."
Sam nodded, wisely not mentioning that Rebecca likely chose her husband for that reason precisely. "Rachel seems happier than I've seen her in years."
"Yeah, there is that," Jacob conceded reluctantly. He snorted. "She's thrilled about this Aaron guy of course. Came over about an hour ago just to meet him before heading out with her friends."
Sam was surprised at Jacob's derisive tone. The kid was usually so easy going. "And you dislike him? Has he done anything to harm Leah?" Sam would break his arms off if that was the case.
"Nah, he's fine," Jacob said, waving him away even as he grimaced. "But someone's gotta keep these boys in line. First Solomon with Rebecca, then Paul with Rachel, and now A-A-Ron over there with Leah. Ridiculous."
Sam smirked in amusement. "You might want to allow Seth to take lead on this."
"Oh I will, trust me. But I'll also be right behind him if need be," Jacob promised, giving a wolfy grin.
The end of the month came to a beautiful close. The weather was finally long past the icy nights and sickly sweet stenches of winter, instead thawing to sunnier days and longer afternoons spent outside without any fear of the cold ones.
Sam was enjoying the new peace that had settled on the reservation, and allowed himself to languidly stretch out as his beautiful Emily sat next to him, flipping through the takeaway menus to decide on what they should order. They had both come home from work famished with absolutely no desire to cook.
Sam was about to suggest the new burrito bar that had opened up outside of the reservation when he heard a howl. A long, familiar howl filled with a panicked desperation.
Sam was off the couch in the next second, practically ripping his clothes off at the seams before moving to throw the door open. "Get in the basement - don't come out until I come get you!" He screamed back, staying just long enough to see Emily close the door and rush to their cellar before phasing.
He threw himself in the direction of the howl, feeling the earth fly beneath his paws.
He saw the leech through Leah's eyes. A shade darker than he expected but still inhumanly pale, with long dreadlocks and blood red eyes.
Sam pushed himself faster, forcing his body to cross the border into Forks at breakneck speed. He could hear the others joining the mental link as they phased, each one sprinting to the sound and scent of their packmate as fast as physically possible.
Sam appeared on the abandoned road just as Leah tore off the leech's head. He ran past a trembling Bella, checking to see she was unbitten and still breathing before lunging for the now decapitated leech and ripping its limbs off in quick succession.
The others appeared then. Paul first, coming straight from the mechanic shop and thus arriving seconds before Embry and Quil crashed onto the pavement. The three of them shredded the already severed limbs into even finer pieces.
Seth, Colin, Brady sprang onto the road and phased back to their human forms immediately, building a roaring fire in seconds.
Jared had the severed limbs in his mouth as he began helping the boys feed the fire. Soon it flared, growing exponentially until the limbs were indiscernible amongst the unnaturally dark flames.
The pack's mind was eerily quiet as everyone buzzed with their own anxious thoughts but refrained from speaking to the group at large, waiting with baited breath.
Sam met Leah's eyes and checked for injuries, before doing a mental inventory of them all. There were no wounds to speak of.
There was however, one extra heartbeat to consider.
Sam turned and met the gaze of one Bella Swan, who looked to be hyperventilating as she glanced from the pile of fiery remains to the nine werewolves staring back at her.
A/N
Hello! I finished finals last week so that means I have an entire month off from school - wooo! Unfortunately I don't have any pre-written chapters ready but hopefully I'll be able to get a decent amount of this story done during winter break.
A few things:
1)As always, feedback / comments / reviews are wonderful to receive! I really love hearing people's thoughts, even if it's just to say hi. There's something super motivating about realizing it's not just me invested in this fic so huge thank you to those who have reviewed / left kudos! While I have deviated slightly from the outline I wrote, there are still a handful of things that will definitely be happening. Because of this, I'm very curious to hear any thoughts / predictions people might have for the current and / or future plot points!
2)I struggled with writing this chapter mostly because the month of March is set right between two very busy months. However, I did think Sam should have his side of the story shared, as we saw through Emily's eyes, then Leah's, then Bella's. I don't like fics that paint him as a heartless a-hole, but I also think he's in a super unique position of being both alpha and friend to the guys, and being both Leah's ex and yet someone who still deeply cares for her. Hopefully I managed to convey that in this chapter.
3)Just want to reiterate, I have nothing against Washington nor against any chosen profession / lifestyle. I know people who grew up in small towns and dream of leaving (like Leah) and also know people who grew wishing for a family to raise within the community they've always known (like Emily). Neither is better than the other, the characters simply have different preferences.
4)Just fyi, it is canon that Rebecca Black married a Hawaiian surfer named Solomon Finau. It's also canon that Rebecca and Sarah (Jacob's mom) were painters. Also, fun fact: Rebecca Black's Life and Death counterpart is Aaron Black - totally didn't plan that on purpose! Just wanted the A-A-Ron joke lol.
5)Jacob's overprotectiveness is not meant to be sexist. Trust me, if Seth decides to date then Leah will flay his significant other within an inch of their life during the Hurt My Brother Or Suffer speech.
Responses to Latest Reviews
Babaksmiles: Thank you so much for your reviews! You cannot know how happy I was to see two long, wonderfully kind pieces of feedback. Happy you are liking the story so far. Yeah I definitely wanted to have Bella mourn Edward like in canon but unlike canon she doesn't see Jake as second best, he's a legit love interest for her. Also glad you're liking Aaron, there wasn't too much of him in this chapter but he'll be sticking around for a little longer. Your predictions are interesting;) Hopefully you like how the story unfolds!
InesSL: No worries at all, I posted February Part 1 and 2 the same day so you didn't miss anything - but thank you for reviewing! Yeah I wasn't too sure when I was writing the water-vampire-Quil scene but happy you enjoyed it! SO happy you're liking Aaron and the story thus far. Have a good one as well!
Guest: Thank you for commenting! Yes, I thought Leah deserved some wholesome content in her life, and of course I couldn't resist delving into the pack. They get so little attention in canon.
forever-seth: Happy you're enjoying the fic and dynamics I've written. REALLY love that you mentioned the Quil/Leah scene, it was one of my favorite moments to write. Thank you for your kind review!
brankel1: thank you!