A/N: I didn't almost forget to keep to my schedule, I swear. I just...forgot what day it was. Anyways, hope you guys really enjoy this chapter, as it was one of my favorites to write.
Chapter 12
Riley had been hoping that she wouldn't have to deal with the Cullens anytime soon, but she realized how stupid of a hope that was when she settled on the couch in Leah's living room and plugged in her phone.
As her phone came to life, Riley saw plenty of calls from Leah and from Paul. They had called her back quite a bit when Riley's phone had suddenly died; they probably thought Riley had hung up on Leah at the time. Following that was quite a few texts and calls from Bella. From what Riley could gather, Leah had texted Bella something about Riley, and it was enough to make her pale brunette friend super worried about her. Apparently Leah and Paul were too busy worrying about Riley to answer any of Bella's texts or calls either, because they both seemed pretty surprised when they looked at their own phones.
Riley was quick to text Bella an assurance that she was fine, and that she would call her once school was over for Bella. Then, so Bella wouldn't hear it from anyone else first, she added another message telling Bella that she had accidentally met the Cullens in their house, and that Riley had been staying there thinking it was abandoned. That she was actually homeless, and didn't tell Bella that because she didn't want Bella to think less of her.
While Riley would have preferred telling her this in person or on the phone, she'd have to settle for this. Ugh, when did being a street kid become such a pain in the ass?
"You really couldn't have remembered to let Bella know that everything was okay?" Riley grumbled as she frowned over at Leah. "Not even one text?"
"Excuse me for being a little distracted by your potential doom," Leah snarked back. She flopped down on the couch next to Riley and slowly placed her feet on Riley's lap, making sure Riley wouldn't find any of this uncomfortable.
"Please, I'm Riley Redwood. I don't do self doom, I give doom to others," Riley retorted. She absently ran her hand up and down Leah's shins as she looked over at where Seth was reclining on a chair. "You sure your mom is going to be cool with me staying here? I'm used to living outside, it's no big deal." Riley had to quickly shove one of the couch pillows against Leah's face so that girl couldn't start protesting or insisting that Riley stay forever.
"Yeah for sure," Seth was quick to say. "There's no way she would want to turn you down, she knows how much you've done for us, even if she did mention how it feels like you've been purposely avoiding her." Riley didn't bother trying to deny the avoidance or explain it; she had a problem with mother figures, and Sue was one of those who seemed to worry about her too much. The only mother figure she got along with so far was Paul's mom, and that was because she knew exactly when not to push and not to smother Riley whenever she was around. Speaking of Paul…
"Are you ever going to stop pacing? You're driving me insane," Riley said as she glanced over to the side of the living room. Paul blinked as if coming out of deep thought, thankfully pausing mid stride.
"I thought we weren't supposed to mention that," Leah said, a hint of tease in her voice. She stuck her tongue out at Paul when he scowled at her.
"Do you not realize how fucked of a situation this is?" Paul demanded. "You were caught living in their house. Obviously the leeches hate you now-"
"Eh, give or take a couple," Riley interjected. "I can be quite charming when I want to be."
The three wolves took a moment to look at Riley in disbelief, before Leah decided she would have to be the one to speak up.
"Did you actually try to charm the bloodsuckers?" Leah asked pointedly.
"Well, no. But what does that matter?" Riley had been more focused on making sure she came out alive than making sure the Cullens would want to be her new best friends.
Seth decided to be the hero of the situation before anyone else could speak. "Let's just say she doesn't have any friends in the vampires." He tried to word it as politely and kindly as he could, but still got a somewhat offended look from Riley. She would have been more than happy to tell them she was pretty damn lovable had Paul not continued.
"Exactly. Not only that, but they know you matter to us, and they know you probably know what they are. What's to stop them from using you as bait in the future? You take a step off of our lands, and you should consider yourself as good as dead." Paul started shaking in anger at the idea of Riley being at the mercy of the vampires. Leah didn't look too happy about what Paul said either, if the scary look in her eyes was anything to go by.
"But there's the treaty, and they gave Riley back with no strings attached. I don't think they would do anything in the future if they weren't already going to, right? I mean, I only saw them for a second and all, but they didn't seem so bad to me." Seth looked hesitant, but hopeful. The kid really did want to see the best in everybody. It pulled at Riley's protective instincts in a weird way, almost as if she saw Seth as a little brother figure. It distracted her enough that she didn't think to mention the obvious.
"I don't know what game they're playing, but there's no way we can expect Riley to remain safe. They're manipulative undead leeches!" Paul was getting himself more worked up, his wolf pushing closer to the surface. Had Paul not been inside of Sue's home, he probably would have shifted already.
Yeah, Riley probably should get around to speaking up. She would hate for Sue to come back to destroyed furniture and a giant wolf sitting in her living room. "Paul, you forget one important thing; they're different from the average vampire." Just like that, she had the three shifters' undivided attention, but only Seth seemed eager to believe her. Leah was looking at Riley like she was pretty sure Riley had just lost her last two brain cells, while Paul was looking at her with a mix of incredulity and overprotectiveness. He seemed about ready to lay into Riley about why you shouldn't take candy from vampires, so Riley quickly powered on. "Dude, don't forget that they have golden eyes instead of red. They purposely go out of their way not to drink from humans, and for what? It's definitely not out of fear of you guys."
"You looking down on us, Riley? We're dangerous, you know that!" This was the most anger Paul had ever directed at Riley, and it all stemmed from wanting to keep Riley safe. Had it been any other situation, Riley would be teasing the hell out of them all.
"Yes, you're very dangerous." Fuck, it was hard not to roll her eyes, even if the whole danger part was true. "But you're untrained as hell. You aren't some master vampire killers. Besides, you're forgetting the whole 'being around vampires is what triggers the shifting' thing. Vampires are immortal. If they really wanted to get rid of the threat, they'd just have to leave, wait around for a few decades, maybe a century, and once all of the shifters are either dead or too old to do anything, they could just come back and kill you all. They could easily make sure a few bloodlines go extinct if they really wanted, and it would have been easier to do so in the past when they first met you guys. Instead, for some crazy reason, they decided to make a treaty and let you all live despite your potential to kill them. I personally find this crazy for anyone to do, unless they, oh, I don't know...value people's and don't like having to kill them?"
Everyone was strangely quiet, and Paul had even stopped shaking. It looked like Riley gave them a lot to think about, and hopefully the rest of the shifters would get the message later when Leah or Paul shifted. If not, Riley would have to come up with another way to try to ease some of the tension between the pack and the vampires. The more they worked together, the better they'd be able to fight against the oncoming threats.
"Whoa, you really know a lot about us and the vampires, huh?" Seth seemed pretty impressed with Riley right then, and it made Riley feel special. Like she was actually someone worth looking up to.
"Yup. I almost made Paul and Leah crazy with all of the questions I had for them," Riley gave the half lie with a hint of pride. She had driven Leah and Paul to the brink of insanity with all of the questions she asked plenty of times, but she had to barely ask any questions about shifters and vampires due to what she already knew. "You know, if you ever need lessons on how to be a wolf, I'm totally-"
Riley was interrupted mid brag by the sound of her phone buzzing.
"Oh thank god something interrupted you before your ego could get even bigger," Leah muttered with a sigh of relief.
"You won't be so thankful in a minute," Riley replied as she read the message from Bella. Well, more like the beginning of an essay than a message, but Riley was used to that when Bella was the one texting.
I wish you had told me in person but I understand. Edward was waiting for me when I got out of school and filled me in on what happened. I really want to talk more about everything in person, but he's being stubborn and telling me being around young wolves is dangerous because they're so volatile. In the middle of fighting with him, so maybe you can also talk some sense into him when you come to hang out next time?
P.S. Why does Edward think we're dating?
Oh, perfect timing! If Riley did everything right, she'd be able to annoy the hell out of Edward, all while knocking some sense into the jackass and the wolves at the same time! Bella was totally going to love this! Well, once she got over how much of a pain Riley was probably going to be, anyway.
"What now?" Leah groaned, recognizing the troublemaking gleam that appeared in Riley's eyes. "Haven't you given us enough heart attacks today? Whatever evil you're scheming can wait, can't it?"
"Maybe it can, maybe it can't," Riley replied gleefully, ignoring the growl of frustration from Paul, the growled curse from Leah, and the way Seth looked around in confused concern. The poor kid hadn't really gotten to see Riley in all of her troublemaking glory yet and was definitely out of the loop.
"You better not be doing anything stupid," Leah said, throwing an arm over Riley protectively when Riley stretched out against Leah's side.
"Yes, yes, we all know you love me and that you're the only one able to keep me safe from the big bad monsters of the world," Riley teased absently.
"One of these days, Redwood," Leah threatened without any heat to back it up. Instead, she pulled Riley a little closer, as if afraid Riley would move away or put distance between them again. It hit home how hard Leah had taken their separation, maybe even as hard as Riley took it, and it made Riley feel guilty. Instead of saying anything that might make things awkward between them, Riley kept quiet and focused on typing a response.
Another message from Bella popped up before Riley could get very far.
Did you take my bra?
Riley didn't even try to hide her amusedly offended reaction. "Why the hell would I steal her bra? My tits are too big for her old lady bras anyway."
"And you love going commando way too much," Leah added, her tone of voice letting Riley know just how much she didn't appreciate Riley's underwear choices. Or, more specifically, lack thereof.
"Ew, why the hell would you say that in a room where other people have ears?" Paul demanded, cringing in disgust. Riley almost got up when she saw his reaction, but then Leah's arm automatically wrapped around Riley's waist to hold Riley against her. Riley decided it would be best to defend her honor from where she sat on the couch.
"Excuse me, you wolves go command all the time too, at least I have the decency to wear a shirt," Riley shot at her currently bare chested friend, picking up the pillow once used to smother Leah so she could chuck it at his face. "And fuck you Lahote, I'm sexy as fuck. You wish you could have a body as good as mine."
"Excuse me, have you seen my body? I'm like a greek god."
"If by greek god, you mean 'old as fuck and disappointing when compared to how much they're hyped up' then sure."
"Well fuck you too."
"I would rather die."
Seth didn't look too pleased at the tidbit of info about Riley either. Ignoring Paul and Riley as they continued to bicker, he looked over at his sister. "Leah, why do you even know that?"
"She talks about it. Way too much." Leah grimaced, trying to will down the blush that darkened her cheeks as she shifted uncomfortably. Even as she shifted, she made sure not to jostle Riley, who was still busy arguing with Paul. "In detail."
Seth decided it would be best not to comment on that, or on how Leah was currently holding Riley, if only for his sister's sake. It was nice seeing them fall back into their old ways together so soon after their fight, but it also made Seth worry about them. The two seemed so perfect for each other, so happy together, and there were definitely some feelings between them that were more than just friendship. Seth would be beyond thrilled if they actually started dating. The only problem was Leah's imprint-or, more specifically, that she didn't have one. All it would take would be meeting her imprint, and it could potentially ruin their relationship, and friendship, if they did get together.
Why couldn't Leah's imprint be Riley? They both deserved happiness and clearly found it in each other. It just wasn't fair.
Leah let out a grunt of surprise when Riley's phone landed on her stomach, and looked up to see Riley struggling to lift her shirt.
"Whoa, whoa, what are you doing!" Leah demanded. She grabbed Riley's shirt, pulling it back down as Seth covered his eyes just in case.
"Don't try to stop me, Leah! This jackass needs to be put in his place!" Riley struggled to pull her shirt up again. Even with the pain of her injured arm making it harder, Leah actually had to struggle to keep Riley's shirt down. "I totally have better abs than him!"
"Like hell you do," Paul taunted as he flexed. "My muscles are perfect."
"Keep telling yourself that, Lahote, because after you see my abs, you're going to be crying yourself to sleep."
"Riley, he turns into a giant wolf," Leah growled as she struggled with the squirming human. "He's supernaturally enhanced. This isn't something you have to prove!"
For a moment, Riley looked at Leah in shock. "Oh, so you think he has better muscles than me too? Now I have to prove myself!" Riley lunged forward so as to shake off Leah's hold on her, pulling her shirt over her head with one hard tug, revealing her upper body, save for a surprise sports bra covering her breasts, completely. Only problem was that when Riley lunged forward, Leah jumped after her, desperate to keep Riley covered for her own sanity. Surprised by the sudden strength hitting her in the side, Riley was knocked off balance and started to fall off the couch. Her hand shot out to grab something, anything to stop the fall-and that something happened to be Paul's pants.
Paul let out a curse, grabbing the waistband of his jeans and struggling to hold them up as Riley fell to the floor with Leah somehow ending up on top of her. Their faces ended up dangerously close, and Leah could almost swear she felt Riley's lips brush against her own as Leah instinctively wrapped her arms around Riley to protect her from the fall, no matter how short of a fall it might be for the human.
"Is it safe to open my eyes yet?" Seth asked when all of the banging and cursing abruptly ended. Riley, Paul, and Leah couldn't answer, still struggling with their current predicament. However, it seemed someone was kind enough to answer for them.
"No, Seth," Sue answered from where she stood in the doorway of the living room. She looked horrified, but also furious, as she took in the scene. Paul had his pants getting pulled down by Riley, who was half naked and currently in the embrace of her daughter, who also appeared to be in a pretty rumpled state herself. Sue's mind ran through so many explanations, but none of them good. "It certainly is not."
Leah looked from Riley to Paul to Seth to her mom, then to the room as a whole before going back to her mother. Her face paled as she realized how bad this entire situation had to look. "Mom, I swear I can explain."
"Fine then. Let's see you try."
Riley knew the situation was bad, but as Leah rolled off of her, she couldn't help herself. She let go of Paul's pants and jumped to her feet, flexing her stomach muscles as she showed them off to Paul.
"See? My abs are a thousand times better than yours!"
"Like hell!" Paul snapped back.
As Riley and Paul started to argue about who really had better abs, mother and daughter sighed.