Forward
I remember, there was a time when I was happy. I was full of love and looking forward to the future. So much has happened since then. I had heard the stories, knew the legends. It was a shock to find out they were true.
Leah's Loss
I never thought I would be here. I thought I would be happily married with maybe a child of my own. Instead, I have been jilted, transformed and inhaling vampire stink. Things have been worse, but my options were limited. Option 1: be forever chained to the constant pain of knowing that the love of my life did not want me and was bound to another, or Option 2: be surrounded by the monsters who caused the issues that stole my love from me and who consequently I hated. I chose option 2. I thought it would be temporary, like maybe a week or two, and then I would be free and away and only have a small reminder and connection with what I was.
What was I? A monster? A myth? I was still not sure, and trying to wrap my head around it. I was a shapeshifter.
My people, the Quileute Indians, or rather the descendants of the Original shapeshifter chief have the gene, and when vampires enter our region, the gene expresses itself. A family of vampires moved close to us. My Sam disappeared, where was he? We searched and searched, we watched and waited, and finally he returned. I wanted to know what happened, was he ok? It was difficult for me not knowing, he would not say what happened to him, he told me it was something he could not talk about. Ok, I could deal with that. I am just glad he is back and safe.
Time went by and he was different, strange. I felt like he was keeping secrets from me, but we were working through it. I was expecting a visit from my cousin Emily, it would be nice to have someone to talk to about these things.
My world turned upside down. Sam, my beloved. The moment he saw Emily. I remember watching it in slow motion. His hand dropped mine, he was looking at her like he was mesmerized. I felt the love he had for me retreat. That comfortable place that I counted on was gone and I was left standing there alone as I witnessed Sam imprint on Emily.
What is imprinting? I knew from the legends of my tribe. Its an involuntary thing when a shapeshifter; in our case a werewolf, sees his "mate" its like nothing else matters but that person, but I had never witnessed it myself until now. I did not know that was what I was seeing. I felt rejected and betrayed. Why would the man I was practically engaged to show such disrespect to me? I know now that he could not help it, but it is still a hard pill to swallow.
Emily was confused and so was I. It was an awkward moment. Emily and I took refuge at my house, as I bawled and Emily cursed him to the darkest places. He called, we talked. He loved me, but he was not in love with me anymore. He felt an undeniable connection and desire for Emily. He felt terrible but explained that it was something so powerful he could not ignore it. I was bereft.