A/N: And we're back! Those of you who read my other story, The Natural Path, know that it's been a crazy year and a half with a new baby and all that comes with it. So obviously writing time is tight but I've been pushing myself to get this out. Hope you all enjoy, happy reading!

Chapter 5

Jacob stood next to Sam, as shocked as his pack brother as he stared at the leather clad woman in front of them that was facing off against a man at least twice her size. He wondered how none of them had recognized her when they first came in, but then again he had never seen Leah in skintight leather before. He glanced at Sam and saw the mix of emotions crossing his face, and noticed his shaking figure. Slowly he placed a hand on Sam's shoulder, giving it a faint squeeze to get Sam's attention and spoke in a low voice. "Pull it together Sam, you can do this. You can't get close or talk to her if you're going to lose it."

Sam nodded without taking his eyes off Leah and slowly took a deep breath, his tremors ceasing almost immediately. Jacob nodded encouragingly and looked back to the bar to see the patron Leah had been standing off with had returned to his table, glaring darkly at the woman as she turned back to her other customers and their drinks.

"What the hell Jake, why is she here of all places? Her and Rachel? And why didn't Seth warn us?" Sam tore his eyes away from Leah and glanced in the direction of their table. Jacob shrugged slightly, wondering the same thing but pushed it aside when he saw Rachel come out of the dressing room and glance around for him.

"I'm not sure he knew Sam, he would've warned us if he had. I have to deal with Rachel right now, it doesn't look like Leah is going anywhere any time soon and I doubt confronting her in the middle of her shift is the best thing to do, especially with how you guys parted last time." Sam gave a visible wince and Jacob nodded once. "Come sit down then, we'll deal with this Rachel mess and then focus on Leah. Besides, I need you there to keep me from ripping Lahote's head off if he says one inappropriate thing about Rachel."

Chuckling weakly, Sam glanced at Leah one last time before turning and following Jacob as he made his way to Rachel's side. Grabbing her elbow, Jacob steered her towards their table, casting a disapproving eye over her short dressing gown that did little to conceal her costume. "That's not exactly what I had in mind Rach."

"Oh stop it Jake, you aren't dad and I'm not a little girl. I've worn less on stage before." She glared up at him, smirking when she saw his discomfort, and Jacob ground his teeth together in annoyance. This was not going to be easy, and he knew his sister wasn't going to make it any easier on him with her attitude. When they reached the table he only found a nervous looking Seth and a blank faced Paul. He muttered a curse under his breath, scanning the room for Embry and Quil, zeroing in on Seth when he failed to see them.

"They went to try and hit on the girls coming out of the dressing rooms, I tried to stop them-"Jacob held up a hand to cut off Seth's explanation and pulled out a chair for his sister.

"I'll deal with those two idiots later. Rach, mind explaining just what is going on here? I thought you were going to school and finishing your degree, what in the world are you doing in a place like this?"

She glared at him again and crossed her arms, leaning forward to rest them on the table as she cocked a brow at him. "I could ask you the same thing Jacob. What is my baby brother doing in a burlesque club? Heck, why are you even in Seattle? Does dad know you're here?"

He matched her glare as he leaned forward as well, instinct preventing him from backing down, even to his big sister. "In case you hadn't noticed Rachel, I'm not so little anymore, I happen to be an adult and can go where I please."

She smirked and leaned back with a satisfied look on her face. "There's my answer to you too Jacob. I'm a big girl and what I choose to do with my life is my business, not yours or dad's. I don't need approval from either of you."

Jacob opened his mouth to give a retort when Quil and Embry rushed back to the table with wide eyes and open mouths, darting their gaze between Jacob and Sam. "Jake, do you know who else is here?!"

He glared at them as he stood, the frustration of the last half hour causing his wolf to snap angrily at his pack mates. "We know she's here, if you two dunderheads would quit chasing everything on two legs for five minutes maybe you would be able to keep up."

All the wolves at the table flinched noticeably and Quil and Embry tilted their heads to the side slightly as their wolves submitted to the Alpha tone in his voice. Jacob took a deep breath, knowing that he had to calm down before he looked at Rachel again and she saw the yellow ring that he knew glowed faintly around his irises. He jerked his head towards the seats and Embry and Quil quickly sat down, pointedly keeping their gaze on the table top and not his scantily clad sister.

"Jacob, I have to get backstage, I have another number in ten minutes. Besides, I think you need to look after your friend, he's staring at me and it's creeping me out." Jacob turned and saw Paul still gazing at an uncomfortable looking Rachel. He looked at Jake in a panic when Rachel mentioned going back on stage and Jacob gave a miniscule shake of his head, knowing that he was going to have to Alpha order Paul to remain calm while his sister danced. As much as Jacob didn't like it, Rachel was right that she was an adult and could make her own choices…at least for the moment. When they told her the truth that would all change, for good or bad he wasn't sure yet.

"Go ahead Rach, and ignore Paul. He isn't himself at the moment, probably had too strong a drink. But we aren't finished here, and I'm not leaving until you're ready to go home. Obviously we have a lot to discuss." He offered her a hand up while placing his other on Paul's shoulder, giving his packmate some wordless support as Rachel hurried off through the tables towards the dressing room.

"Jake…I…" Jacob held out a hand at Paul's hushed protest and he shook his head slightly.

"Easy Paul, it'll be fine. And it's not something you can help, we all know that. We'll deal with all of this, but you have to relax and keep it together or you'll have to go back to the hotel with Quil." He let his voice fill with a slight Alpha timbre while squeezing Paul's shoulder in comfort, and to hold him in place as Rachel disappeared backstage. Once he was sure he wasn't in danger of having to chase Paul through the club he let go and turned to the still tense Sam. "Ok, this is getting a little weird. First Rachel, who Paul imprints on, now Leah, who you haven't seen in over six years…what's next?"

Before Sam could reply there was a quiet cough from behind him and he turned to see an uncomfortable looking Seth rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Uh, Jake…about Amber… I uh, I kind of imprinted on her."

Jacob internally groaned as he felt the beginnings of a headache start to creep up on him. "That's great Seth, congratulations."

Seth gave a weak smile. "Well, that's not all…she's pregnant."

Jacob stared wordlessly at Seth and he heard Sam groan softly as he rubbed his hands over his face. "I need a drink. Watch Paul."

With that Jake turned on his heel and headed for the bar, wondering just what he'd done to offend the Spirits to deserve this punishment.

A/N: So, what'd you all think? Things are definitely getting interesting and we're just getting started. Leave a review to help the muse!