Chapter 252: Hi, Leah.
It took some time for Seth to finally show up to my place. I opened the door, and I saw Seth shyly looking down. He had his backpack on one side of his shoulder. He had terrible bags under his eyes, so I knew instantly that he wasn't getting much sleep recently.
I said warmly, "good afternoon, Seth. It's been a while."
He shifted awkwardly and responded, "yeahh."
I asked softly, "want to come in?"
He nodded, and I moved out the way, so he can passed through. Seth turned his head, and he stammered, "I-I'm sorry that I haven't been around lately. I knew you offered your place to me but-"
I interrupted him, "Seth, it's okay. I get it. I'm not upset with you. A lot was going on with you. I just want you know that you have another place to go as well, kay?"
Seth's eyes were getting a bit misty, so he nodded stiffly. I smiled warmly, "it's okay, Seth. I want you to feel comfortable. If you need to vent, then vent. If you just want to be here to escape reality for a while, then I am totally with that too."
Seth said thickly, "thank you.."
I smiled and asked, "so, do you want to help me cook for lunch? After that we could do some studying. I think I remember on Monday, it is final's week?"
Seth went pale on the mention of finals, "y-yeah..It is..I think I need all the help that I can get., but yeah! I don't mind helping."
I chuckled, "okay. I'll try to see if we can get as much studying as we can."
Seth nodded with a small smile, so Seth said trying to be upbeat, "so..what are we cooking?"
I told him what I had mind, and he was so fascinated about what I am going to cook. He was looking over me with such curiosity that I couldn't help but laugh at times. Even though Seth looks like he is my age, internally he is still a teenager. His looks can be deceiving, but its good to see that his personality didn't change as much. He helped me to bring everything outside to start the grill. I first showed him how, and once he got the idea, he did the rest of the grilling for me.
There were times that I noticed Seth would go deep in his thoughts as he was grilling the fajitas. He would stay quiet, lost in thoughts while I was cleaning the grill counter. I didn't interfere and let him do his thing. He probably needed time for myself, and as an introvert, I like the silence between us. I don't mind working in silence. It was like I was killing two birds with one stone. I can attend to Seth, but also, I am able to not exert so much energy to be social either.
He helped bring the meats back in the house. We ate together. Seth told stories of his dad to me. I mostly listened, but I think this is helping Seth. It helped Sam, so I hope maybe Seth needs to talk about his stories so that Harry in some sense live on through their memories. He isn't totally forgotten. I was amused about the fights he had with Leah when Leah was still in high school. She would get into fights with girls who tried to get Sam when everyone knew they were dating. When Seth told me this story, it was toward the end of the story that he realized maybe he shouldn't have mentioned it to me since I am Sam's mate.
I brushed it off and told Seth confidently, "don't feel self-conscious about Sam and Leah. It's their past and I am going to eventually hear it from someone someday. I can't run away from their past. I already accepted it. Also, I'm not insecure about Leah. If anything, I like hear them to see how they were individually in the past."
Seth exhaled, "oh thank the spirits. I thought Sam might have my neck if I had upset you."
I laughed, "Seth, you worry too much. Leah had Sam's past, but I have Sam's presently and in the future. I don't mind hearing stories.."
I trailed off before saying, "Leah can be around the pack if she wants to. I.. won't make her be close to us, but I won't purposely push her way either. I may be awkward being around her because I honestly don't know her. So, if act awkward, it's not because I don't like Leah. I..would be trying to figure out how to socialize with everyone when I come off awkward..But hopefully one day, we be able to all hang out without being awkward due to the past. "
I don't know if Leah is going to shift or be an imprint to somebody. If any case she is going to be one of that, then it might be a good idea to start letting Leah get to know the pack. It might help her transition, and also most of the family is in the secret, she can't avoid the pack forever. She'll be bound to run to us since Seth is a spirit warrior and Sue is part of the council.
Seth said while nodding, "ahh okay okay. That makes sense."
I nodded with smiling slightly. I didn't know what else to say about this subject. I think Seth noticed that I got stuck on what to do next, so he said, "uhm..I think I want to start studying."
I said quickly, "oh okay, sure! We can get started on it."
I reviewed history and science with Seth. Seth was getting really tired. He said yawning, "I know..I can't afford to take a break from studying, and I appreciate you so much for helping me study..but can we take a break please?"
He asked with puppy eyes and his smile downward. I laughed, "sure, Seth. I wasn't make you work to death in my place. What do you want to do?"
Seth said pondering, "hm..can we watch a movie or something?"
I thought about it. Oh..hmm..is Seth a movie nerd? I asked cautiously, "do you…happen to like watching Star Wars?"
Seth gasped dramatically, "you're into Star Wars?What but you're a girl!"
I said bluntly, "and?a girl can't watch Star Wars?"
Seth shook his head fervently, "no, no. Sorry, that came out wrong. I meant like I never seen a girl like to watch Star Wars. From everyone I known, they were guys, so I'm excited to see a girl liking it too."
Heh. Nice save Seth. I wasn't really mad at Seth. I was pulling his leg. I said smirking, "kay, you're forgiven."
Seth said shyly, "..yeah, but its cool to know that our Alpha female is so relatable to us."
Ehh. I am still iffy about being called Alpha Female. I know in this reality, it's described differently. From all the fanfiction that I have read, it was used to describe a female shapeshifter who special powers or authority due to being mated with the Alpha.
I asked curiously, "are they..typically not relatable?"
Seth said frowning, "no..I know from the archives through Sam and Jacob's memories, they are the Alpha's mate who takes care of the pack. They given a gift to further help the pack. They have close equal authority as the alpha, so I thought she would be more..different than the imprints."
I can see that. I nodded in understanding, so I said, "okay, wanna get started?"
Seth nodded with a big smile, "yeah!"
Seeing Seth finally smiling genuinely, it made my heart warm. I smiled along with Seth, and I was happy to see Seth smiling like he used to me. One day, it won't be as hard for Seth to live without his dad. I think at the rate Seth is going, it is probably sometime soon.
Me and Seth were watching a marathon of Star Wars prequels. We were watching them in the living room because of the huge tv that Sam has for the pack whenever they watch games and such. We were sitting in the couch, but we were at each end of the couch. Seth wanted to respect Sam and not sit too close to me. I respected that. We were watching the scene when Anakin was telling Padme how much he hates the sand. I was laughing when Seth suddenly got on his feet.
I looked at him confusingly, and I asked, "what's wrong?"
Seth looked agitated, but also confused. Then, I heard a loud knocking coming from the door. Whoever it was, they were knocking very loudly. I opened the door, and I was immediately slapped by someone. I was in shock for a moment.
My cheek burned from the strong slap. I turned to look, and it was Leah.
I did not expect her to show up so suddenly. I mean I wasn't purposely avoiding her, but I didn't think I will get to see her so soon. She had tears in her eyes. She had her long black hair tied loosely in a ponytail. She had black jegger pants with a dark blue long sleeve shirt. Behind her, I saw Sam few feet in the distance. He was by his truck. Probably Leah demanded him to bring her to Seth. He was trembling with eyes flickering gold and his normal eye color. He looked like he was trying very hard not to lose it in front of the driveway.
She shouted, "how dare you try to kick me out of the reservation! This is my home, and you try to kick me out just after I lost my dad because you have so called gifts?"
Ah…The idea of try to push her away from home was terrible for me to do. Sigh. This is the consequence of actions, so I need to grit through this from Leah. I don't hold anything against Leah. She has every right to be pissed off with me and she is grieving too. I probably deserved that slap.
I sighed, "I'm sorry, Leah. I wasn't thinking when I suggested that idea."
Leah said sarcastically, "Really? I just lost my dad dammit. Do you not know how it feels to lose someone?"
When she said that, it felt like I was hit with a truck. I said automatically without even realizing, "In fact, yes."
Leah's head threw back slightly from my confrontation with a bewildered expression. She didn't expect it from me. I continued, "I lost everyone that I came to know in my life, and I had to leave my hometown. I can't ever go back without risking my life."
I spoke both as Alegria and myself. Alegria lost everyone in her family, and she couldn't return to Houston without putting her life at risk. I personally lost everyone and everything to be in this reality, and I could never return to my own reality. Leah's expression turned guilty as her eyes softened in realization that she has probably said too much. She turned away from my gaze.
I said firmly, "Leah..I know it's a lot right now. You're overwhelmed by hearing the truth about the pack and with your dad's death on top of it. However, don't take it out on me either. I know I messed up, and I am truly sorry for that. It was insensitive of me, and I won't try to abuse my authority as Sam's mate to make insensitive suggestions like that again. I may be empathic, but it doesn't mean it is okay to lashed everything to me."
She flinched and stayed quiet for few moments. Then, she glanced over me to look beyond me, and she shouted, "Seth, get your ass out here now. I know you're here. Stop hiding from me."
I heard footsteps coming behind me, so I stepped aside for Seth to walk through the front door. He was avoiding Leah's gaze. Leah walked toward him, and she unexpectedly gave him a hug. Seth was so surprised that he began to cry together with Leah.
She asked angrily with tears falling from her eyes, "You could've come to me Seth when you..phased…Why did you hide this from me from all people?"
Seth sobbed, "I'm sorry, lee-lee. I thought you would think of me like a-a monster.."
Leah smacked his chest and chastised him, "idiot. I'm your sister. Whether you sprout fur or fly, I'll always be your side. Never hide something like this from me again. I could've supported you..I wouldn't have hunt you down for what was going on with you right now..and you wouldn't ,,have struggle as much."
Seth nodded, "okay..I just.. didn't want to burden you.."
Leah said sharply, "stop thinking like that. You are no burden to me. If anything, I feel like shit for burdening you and stressing you out when you were struggling much more in comparison to me.."
Seth remained silent. Leah continued but this time in a softer tone, "but..I'm glad I know now. You don't have to walk in eggshells around me..I..may not understand this whole wolf thing, but..I'm here for you, Seth. It's shitty that you were thrown this..responsibility." Leah said it witch such hatred and venom "but, you can depend on me and I'll help you as much as I can."
Seth sobbed again, "aw, lee-lee."
He began to cry and said everything that was in his heart. She listened quietly, nodding as Seth continued spew all his frustrations and anxiety.
Once Seth calmed down, Leah said, "sorry for being a pain."
Seth said while nodding his head, "me too.."
Leah glanced at me and said stiffly, "sorry..for earlier.."
I nodded. Leah told Seth, "let's go home..Mom's worried. We can talk more together as a family."
Seth said hoarsely, "yeah.."
Then, Leah walked up to Sam. By this point, he had already calmed down, so his wolf spirit wasn't trying to come out. Sam is in control of his emotions and the wolf spirit.
Leah said tensely, "I know..you and mom suggested that I leave Forks before that Swan girl comes back for graduation by the end of next week. But..I don't give a damn what happens to me even if I sprout fur and run with Seth. I can't leave Seth and Mom behind. I.. want to stay as much as I can.."
Sam said softly, "You may not be showing any signs..but what if you get imprinted on, Leah? You still have a year left of school. The distance may or may not hurt you. We don't have records of an imprint being physically away from their wolf, but it'll definitely hurt your wolf.."
Leah paused before she huffed, "I worked my ass off at school, Sam. I'm not going to let anyone regardless if he is my fated partner by the spirits to stop me from graduating…I..can't deal being in a relationship now. Sorry, Sam, but I just can't right now.."
Sam had a poker face. He simply nodded and didn't say another word. I thought he was going to argue with Sam, but then again, he knows Leah. When she is set on mind to do something, she is going to do it no matter what people say or try to help her. I don't know if she would be able to do everything that she wanted in the way she wants. She could still get what she has worked for, but she may have to be flexible, willing to change her plans. He knows..she won't listen, but only start another fight. Sometime people must go through pain and suffering to finally realize what she needs to do despite how hard she fights against it.
Seth ran back to go grab his backpack from the dining room. Leah was looking away from Sam as she waited for Seth to come back. She had a dark and tired expression on her face. Once Seth came outside again, they left the driveway and walked by the sidewalk straight to their home. Sam walked up to me, pulled my close to him and gently inspected my swollen cheek. I flinched when he caressed my injured cheek.
Sam growled, "She didn't have to hit you this hard."
I shrugged, but I said, "I..appreciated that you didn't intervene and held back your anger.."
He sighed, "my wolf spirit sense something about Leah, so I held back my anger. Also, I know it was your fight, so I didn't want to intervene unless you ask me too.."
I smiled and held his hands, "thank you."
He nodded and we walked inside of our house. Sam went to go grab some ice from the freezer as I set up his dinner for him. Once I placed them down in the table, I was going to walk away until Sam grabbed my hand. I had the ice in my cheek, so I glanced back with a confused expression.
He asked with pleading eyes, "join me?"
I chuckled, "okay."
I sat between him while he ate his dinner. In one arm, he held me by the waist while he ate with other hand. I guess Sam and his wolf spirit still feel anxious with me being slapped by the face. Once Sam finished, he dipped his head toward my collarbone and inhaled deeply. I felt him relax, and he said, "everything turned out better than I expected."
I nodded, "yeah…how did Leah first react when she was told the secret?"
He said, "oh, she denied it. At first, she tried to rantionalizw that probably her mom told got me to say this to avoid telling what's really happening to Seth. She even accused me of harming Seth. She was suspicious of me from how I treated Seth during the funeral, and she thought I was straying Seth to the wrong path."
Sam sighed deeply, "I had to go outside, phase behind the trees and walk up to her. She fell into the grown and froze. She didn't scream or cry. She simply was in shock. It took her few minutes to piece everything that Sue and I told her together. Then, she started shouting at me.."
He paused then said, "she asked me why I didn't say anything about what happened to me and Seth. She told me why I didn't say anything to her about her dad. If her dad's health was really in danger, then she could've come back to help Sue…she continued to vent and cry in anger."
I guess Leah blamed herself a lot for not being there for her dad these past few weeks. It's understandable. I hope it won't eat her from the inside like in the novel version of her. She was abandoned by Sam for Emily due to imprinting, the double betrayal, and the death of her father with being the first female spirit warrior was heavy on her. I guess this reality version of Leah is in the process of achieving her goals before she was thrown into the supernatural, so she got a goal in mind to hold onto while she is grieving the death of her father.
For the rest of the day, I relaxed with Sam. Simply being comfortable with one another. Then, one thing led to another thing, and we had sex again. Sam's wolf was still persistent to get me pregnant. Instead of being plagued by thought that I might get pregnant, I just enjoyed the night with Sam. The next few days, Sam would come home from work and pounce on me. By the fourth day, I had to pull the brakes on Sam. It was getting physically exhausting even though I enjoyed very much. Sam was a little sad, but he understood, so he chilled out. Since we went at it for few days, it calmed Sam and his wolf spirit down.
I haven't heard from Leah and Seth since that day, but I think I will once the school semester ends for Jacob, Quil, Embry, and Seth. I know that the Clearwaters will be okay. Even though it was hard for all of them for Leah to be told the truth, it was worth it. From what I was told by Sam, Seth isn't as stressed and tensed like he used to. He is still sad about his dad, but at least, it'll be easier to manage with Leah told the secret as well.
Author's Note:
I felt really eager to send this chapter. The next chapter or two might be harder for me to write since Bella is coming back to Forks for graduation. It'll take me more time to write the next few chapters. I want to be up front with you guys about it.
Enjoy!
