''It's strange what desire can make foolish people do. I never dreamed I'd meet somebody like you. I never dreamed I'd meet somebody like you. And I don't wanna fall in love. I don't wanna fall in love with you.''

-Chris Isaak, Wicked Game

Summer

A great multitude of ancestors chanted a curse upon the Quileute wolves.

As Leah watched the outraged spirits echoed their song in unison towards that foul, yellow moon. The celestial body had already gorged itself on half of her beautiful pink sky. Leah understood. After Emily's attack she had realized that it was Daka that had called to the vampire with the pale yellow hair and bloodthirsty eyes. It was the old witch's curse, the moon's curse, that had come for her cousin. Emily was one of the Warrior Princess's descendants.

More curses. More chanting. The ancestors' faces were as cold and unforgiving as their tongues. It struck a deep fear in Leah to see them so angry. She'd been taught from childhood that the ancients were trustworthy, guides from the afterlife to protect and watch over her. Leah herself had imagined the great beyond as a journey across dark midnight, a warm glow with the eternal bodies in the cosmic sky. He father was supposed to be one of the Northern lights. Paradise was supposed to be an eternity of peace and love. It was not vengeance that was supposed to be waiting on the other side.

The Third Was holding a grudge. She was furious with Jacob, for something he had not even done. The old woman had told Leah that he would betray his tribe. He would lead them all to their deaths. He was the cause of their problems. And because of Jacob Black and Isabella Swan, Embry would die.

Leave Embry out of this!' she yelled, shaking.

His name on her tongue caused a whirlwind in the ancient graveyard. Leah commanded those winds to be silent. They complied

He is Makah. She yelled. He is entitled to the same Protection Taha Aki offered their tribe.

No! The Third Wife Screamed. Like all of you protectors he is only his father's son!

Leah gasped awake. Her chest hurt. The beads of sweat had gathered against her skin. It took her a few moments to realize that she was in her bed.

Three days. It had been three days of endless nightmares. The dreams were not violent. There was no blood or wild foxes this time. But the songs and the images of Embry's impending death haunted her. She didn't know why she was seeing these visions. But Kaheleha was insistent that she was the hurricane, whatever that even meant. She knew that she was running out of time. Whatever was coming would be upon them soon and she didn't know what she was supposed to do. She needed guidance. She needed to talk to old Quil.

Jacob Black had returned from his melodramatic hiatus spent as a growling beast in the wild. From what Seth had told her Leah knew that the Almost-Alpha was more determined than ever to uphold the Treaty, so she had no idea why the spirits were so upset. He wanted to show up to Isabella's wedding and convince her to run off with him instead, but he had sworn that if she didn't he would end the Cullen's himself. Leah had no doubt that Jacob would kill every single Cullen if they changed Isabella. Hell, she wasn't entirely sure that he wouldn't kill her himself either. So If the ancestors were going to be angry at someone it should have been Sam. The Alpha was the one intent on ignoring Isabella's transformation. He did not want another war.

Leah groaned when she felt the pain still shooting in her leg. She hadn't wanted to worry her mother, so she had played the injury off as less than what it actually was. It would take weeks to heal properly with all that venom in her system. It may have taken longer if that hazel eyed mystery hadn't wrapped it up before they'd fallen asleep together. Before she had fallen asleep in his arms. Why couldn't she get that out of her head?

02:24 am.

It was too late and too early to be thinking about him. To think worry over how he had set her body on fire. She had spent three months in his head and never guessed that he liked her. She'd never even thought that she might find him attractive. To her, Embry had always been a pesky snot-nosed brat who had followed her, Julie, Rach and Beck around the rez all those years ago with Jacob Black. He was almost two years younger than her for chrissake! And surely Leah was far too strong for a guy like him. Surely she was more suited to a strong, older guy like Sam. But apparently not. Clearly wolf-cupid thought guys like Sam needed quieter, more domesticated women like her cousin. Or at least, like her cousin had become after romantically sealing the Imprint. And maybe Leah had always been a bit too much of a tough broad for Sam anyways. He had always been so traditional. And these days, she didn't think she liked that very much.

She wasn't sure she wanted to date anyways. Her heart still hurt like hell every time she thought about what had happened with Sam. She was terrified of Imprinting, terrified of not imprinting, and terrified of falling for someone who might Imprint too. She felt a scorching attraction to Embry. She knew he wanted her too. But perhaps she had been trying too hard to rush her healing process. Perhaps what she needed was a life of blessed chasity until she was a little bit older.

Leah switched off her beside lamp and tried to go back to sleep. The darkness didn't help. She associated darkness with Embry Call, an Ancient Princes and the enchantment of a lily.

Leah gritted her teeth as she took another painful step. She reminded herself that she had come too far to turn back now. Already past the halfway mark, the she-wolf forced herself to go the rest of the way to Quil Ateara Senior's house.

She loved Summer. In the rez summer was young boys rolling down the streets on skateboards and teenage girls playing volleyball on the beach. In La Push everyone was friendly and familiar, the tourists were interesting. Summer was one giant family affair. Old women sat on porches drinking lemonade and old men made noise as they played cards and placed bets. She'd always wanted to spent the rest of her life here. But then the Cullens returned, and Sam had dissapeared.

With a deep inhalation Leah relished the scent of freshly-cut grass as she turned into the Ateara driveway. She took a moment to pause as she reached the door, only growling a little when she recognized the familiar voices inside. For a moment she deliberated turning around, but she needed to rest her leg so she rapped on the door like the big girl she was instead.

Quil opened it. His warm face darkened instantly when he saw her, and Leah scowled back if only to pretend it didn't hurt. Not that it mattered. She still hated anything Pack. And Quil was still a paedophile.

Considering how much he hated her, it was a testament to Quil's upbringing that he smiled politely. 'Hi Leah. What's up?'

The voices inside went quiet.

Leah swallowed. 'Is Old Quil around? I need to talk to him.'

'He's out back with Allison.' The Uley widow's name made Leah consider leaving again for a moment. But she realised there were things more important than her pain. 'Thanks.' She said, as she waited for him to close the door so she could limp her way through the back gate.

'So how's your mom?' Quil asked.

'Good.' She said. Still waiting.

'Oops. Forgot about that.' Quil said before hoisting her up in his arms as she yelped. For a moment he grinned at her startled reaction, but the look was quickly replaced by a solemn smile when she glared at him.

'Quil this isn't necessary.'

'Did you walk all the way?' He asked with more concern than she'd ever expected from him.

'Yeah. Kinda forgot my car in... Seattle.' Outside Nathan's place she didn't say, but Quil caught the drift. The boy pressed his lips tightly together and she had the distinct feeling he was trying not to laugh. She was never going to live that night down, was she?

'Leah, you got venomed. Like, right in the broken leg. You shouldn't be putting pressure on it till it heals.'

She wanted to protest that it wasn't so bad, but it was rare she had an interaction with someone from the pack that wasn't a fight so she said nothing.

Instead of taking her through the small gate at the side of the house, Quil carried her indoors, and she caught a quick glance of Jacob glaring in her direction. Embry was sprawled against another couch and making out with a pizza slice, and his eyes grew amused when he saw her in Quil's arms. She ignored both wolves as Quil carried her into the garden behind the house.

'Did she?' Old Quil laughed.

'Yes!' Allison laughed, 'But she's settling in just fine now. Starts school in the fall with my niece.'

Allison's voice caused a strange pang in Leah's chest. Sam's mother had cut off all contact with her around the same time that Sam had broken up with her. It had cut her to the core that the woman she'd always imagined having as a mother-in-law someday had not even come to her father's funeral. Leah didn't want to resent Allison. She was sure the woman had had her reasons just like everyone else. But she couldn't help the bitterness that rose up when she saw the old woman sitting with old Quil.

'Leah-bear!' Frail old Quil beamed when he saw her. He had given her the nickname.

Quil gently dropped her into a chair, and she thanked him. 'Sure.' The boy nodded once before he disappeared from whence he'd come.

'Allison.' Leah nodded once at the older woman by way of greeting, noticing the new lines of age and grey that time had painted onto Ms Uley's face. Her voice had more ice in it that she'd intended. As Leah looked at the woman she realised how much of his looks Sam had inherited from his mother. In fact it was as though he'd inherited nothing from his father at all but his cold, cold heart. It was easier to smile at the elder. 'How are you old Quil?'

'These old bones have seen better days my dear.' His voice had the same mystical tinge as Billy, though gentled with age. Old Quil's freckled hand reached across the table and took hers. 'How is that leg feeling.'

'I'll be fine in a week.' she brushed his concern away.

Old Quil took a long, deep breath. 'You grow more lovely with your years, Leah. So much like Sue. But I am glad you have your father's eyes.'

Leah smiled genuinely at his words. 'Thank you. Have you and Joy have been well?'

'Yes!' Old Quil drummed his hands on the table happily. 'She's been promoted to Head of Administration at the college. Quil and I are so proud.'

'She'll do it justice I'm sure.' Leah said easily, she was far more at home with old Quil than she was almost everywhere else. These days her scowls only came about when she was around the Pack. Perhaps that was why Allison looked so surprised watching her from across the table. The older woman offered nothing int he way of conversation with her. Neither did Leah.

After the pleasantries Old Quil took her hand, 'Tell me Leah Bear, what is troubling you? I can see it in your eyes that something is bothering you. You are not sleeping'

The entire walk here she had been imagining old Quil telling her that she was crazy or that she had an overactive imagination. But faced with him she felt nothing but reassured. Leah sighed. 'Elder Quil, I've been having some… weird dreams.'

'Go on.' He said, eyes dark.

The she wolf continued. 'I've been dreaming about the ancestors. I had dreams like this before…' she glanced at Allison, 'before Sam first phased, and a few afterwards. But these ones are... they're terrifying. I've seen an old graveyard, The Third wife and the ancestors... They have set a curse on the Pack. I thought that it was my overactive imagination at first but I've realised that I should tell someone about these dreams. I know it's probably nothing-'

'Leah.' The elder's voice was stern and cold. 'Speak freely.' he said seriously. 'Tell me everything.'

And so Leah told him the story from the beginning. She told him of the foxes that had eventually become wolves. She told him about meeting Kaheleha, the Ancient Prince that loved her, and who she had spent many nights with learning the ancient songs and contemplating life. She even told him the story of Sakari and Chenita, hot the dark sorceress named Daka had set a curse of the Mahah princess's descendants. She only left out the part about Embry Call's impending demise. Part of her was afraid that if she mentioned it out loud it might actually happen. The other part didn't want anyone knowing Embry made regular appearances in her dreams. When she was finished she realised the two elder people were watching her with wide, amazed eyes.

'That's… quite the story.' Allison breathed.

Quil Sr nodded, and Leah could tell that her words had greatly unsettled him. 'I thought I saw some gift of Insight in you at the bonfire.' he said. 'I heard an ancient song in the wind and I saw you close your eyes and listen to it. What a tremendous gift! Leah, if I am correct then you may be one of the Spirit Warriors.'

Leah lifted a brow. 'Like what? Like I can control the weather and talk to animals?'

Old Quil chuckled. 'Is that so hard to believe?'

Leah remembered Kaheleha's eagle and how she had understood it without words.

'Child. You transform into a giant wolf and hunt vampires at night with your younger brother. Surely nothing strikes you as impossible. You are a direct descendant of the first Spirit warriors and you have more of their blood in you than any of your other brothers. It is possible.'

'There are no spirit warriors anymore.' she said, 'According to the legends there haven't been any for… what? five hundred years, at least.'

'When Taha Aki made a pact with the Spirit of the Wolf, he banned the other warriors from accessing their powers. But that does not mean that those powers no longer existed. Our people simply lost touch with them. Perhaps with the rebirth of the Quileute wolves a new wave of supernatural phenomena are upon us. Having a female wolf at all was certainly an anomaly.'

Leah wasn't sure she was ready for newer waves at all, 'Why am I having visions of the past and future? Why am I not just to animals then. The old Spirit Warriors never had visions of the dead.'

'If I may?' Allison cut in, and Leah looked at the older woman for the second time since the conversation had started. Allison offred her a small smile, and again Leah thought of Sam. 'According to the stories the Spirit warriors anticipated attacks on the tribe before they happen. Maybe that implies an ability to see through time. Perhaps this Kaheleha of yours is a guide who is looking ahead into time, showing you what you need to see in order to prepare for the future.'

'But why?' Leah exhaled. Now she had more questions than she'd had before.

'Perhaps simply because your heart was open.' Old Quil offered. 'Your Ancient Prince may have chosen to wait in the Spirit world for you because he knew you would arrive. He may have seen you in his time and known that you would be without guidance in ours. It is quite possible that once his mission is complete he will carry on to his next life. And you will be entrusted to pass down the knowledge.' '

Leah blinked. She hadn't thought of that. She hadn't thought there would be more like her.

'There's something else.' she said after a long pause. 'There is something about Emily that reminds me of Chenita, and I look identical to Sakari, Kaheleha's wife. I have often felt that he loves me too. If he was waiting all of those centuries, I don't think it was a coincidence that I was the one who found him.'

'You think you have a connection to her?' Quil Sr frowned. When Leah nodded Allison shook her head.

'But Leah... the Makah princess Sakari was a witch.'

'A healer.' Leah corrected, aware of the significance in the difference. Magic, the kind of which Allison was speaking, was strictly forbidden.

'No.' Old Quil said with such deep loathing Leah was surprised. 'She was not a healer Leah. She was a witch.'

'Hey!'

'You know we really have to stop meeting like this.'

Embry smirked as he crushed Leah to his chest. The young woman growled as he tucked her in against his bare skin. He was muscle, warmth and the scent of lilies, and Leah fought the blood rushing to her cheeks.

She'd been so consumed by old Quil's words that she hadn't heard the young wolf sneak up on her as she'd marched painfully down the street. And why wouldn't she be a little preoccupied? Old Quil now thought that she was the reincarnation of some deeply-feared evil sorceress who had once brought chaos and misery to the Quileute. 'Glad to see you own a shirt.'

'You would notice that wouldn't you Lee?' His shit-eating grin only grew on his face at her blush.

Leah sighed when she realised that Embry looked just as captivating in the sunlight as he did in the shadows of night. The bright green leaves raining down ont hem only brought out the flecks of gold and green in his eyes. 'Don't you have errands to run for your little master?'

'Sure. But what kind of man would leave a sweet thing like you to suffer alone in your hour of need? I'm sucker for a damsel in distress.'

Leah narrowed her eyes. 'How chivalrous.'

'What are friends for?'

At her sound of annoyance Embry flashed her one of those infuriatingly sexy smiles. Leah glared in return. Maybe phasing would be worth re-breaking her leg if she at least got the chance to sink her teeth into his neck. The grey wolf watched her as if he could read her mind, and a small smile played over his carefree face. He was enjoying this far too much.

Leah sighed. 'Thanks… for the other night.'

Embry took a few more steps before he drew his lips to her earlobe and growled, 'Which part?'

The she-wolf forced her heart to calm. 'Well the part where you forced yourself into my bed was real gentlemanly.'

'Yes, that did seem to be your favorite part.'

It only made Leah more furious when she realised she had no defense for his heart-stopping smile. She needed to get away from him. 'Put me down.'

'Stubborn harpy of a woman.' Embry grumbled as he complied. His dark eyes were burning again. 'You're impossible.'

'And you are insufferable.'

His eyes became intense and Leah ignored the butterflies flutttering in the pit of her stomach. Not him, she reminded herself. Not him. But she still couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from his as he studied every inch of her face. Her breath caught the very moment Embry's eyes dropped to her lips, and when they found hers again she didn't think either of them were still breathing.

Embry groaned a deep luxurious rumble that reminded her of dark chocolate. 'You have this effect on people.' He said before shaking his head. 'Leah. It's a twenty-five-minute trek with a wound like the one on your leg. It won't just hurt like hell, but it'll also put stress on muscles that are already struggling to heal. I know you don't need my help, but even if you did that wouldn't make you weak, it would make you human. Let me take you home.'

Leah considered his words and growled when she realised he was right. She was in so much pain, and she still had too far to go. Grudgingly, the she-wolf closed the space between them and wrapped her arm around his neck. Satisfied, Embry picked her up again and headed towards her house. It was a few moment of awkward silence before he spoke again.

'I heard what you said to old Quil.'

'And?'

'And I think you are absolutely out of your mind' Leah sighed, and he guessed that this was why she hadn't told the pack about her dreams. 'I also think that you should talk to Tiffany about it.' he finished.

Leah frowned. 'Tiffany as in… your mom?'

'Yeah, she's getting her MA in Cultural Studies at UW and as it so happens she's writing her thesis on Makah legends and the infamous curse of the moon. Considering Daka is the Makah word for moon and we're werewolves, maybe the connection isn't a coincidence.' He glanced at her. 'Guess now I know where your obsession comes from.'

'I'm not obsessed.' She snapped.

'Sure sure. And I'm guessing you have no idea what phase the moon is in tonight.'

When she didn't respond Embry smiled, and they walked the rest of the way in silence, enjoying the warm breeze and the bits of sun streaming in through the branches. Leah settled into his warm chest and listened to his comforting heartbeat while Embry inhaled her scent as deeply as he could.

They both pretended they didn't know what the other was doing.

Leah was a little surprised when she felt Embry climb a few steps and realised they were approaching her mother's front door. Almost reluctantly, the wolf placed her in front of her doorstep and she fought the urge to avoid his eyes, biting her lips. It was a relief being out of his arms. It was also a disappointment.

'Thank you.' She said through shallow breaths.

Embry's eyes weren't distrustful anymore, 'Don't mention it.'

Leah walked into the house and Embry turned to leave.

Her wild heart still hadn't calmed.

His breathing was still too deep.