Sue Clearwater was making pancakes for breakfast. Since her two children had phased, she could hardly fill them up. As she set another platter on the table, she looked at her daughter. "Leah, I keep forgetting to tell you - your cousin Emily is going to spend the summer with us."
Leah frowned. "Do you think that's a good idea, Mom? She's an outsider and can't be told about our pack's business. It won't be easy to hide two teenaged wolves in the house."
Sue sighed. "I know, Honey, but her mom asked me and I couldn't say no. She's got some health issues and needs several weeks for testing and treatment. We'll just have to work around it."
"Of course, Mom. I guess we can do what the rest of the pack is doing. Billy says there are no exceptions, and they've been working it out. When will she arrive?"
Harry answered, "I'm going to pick her up this weekend. You're welcome to come along if you want."
"Thanks, Dad, but I'm kinda tied to the rez for the time being. We're having a bonfire tomorrow night. Can you help out with some food, Mom?"
Sue nodded. "Dinner or snacks?"
Seth chimed in. "We're not starting till dark, so snacks will be fine. Leah and Jake are going to tell us about the vamp they toasted yesterday!" He couldn't hide his enthusiasm. "And Jake saved Leah's ahhh...butt!"
Leah's hand automatically moved to her left side, pressing softly on the rib that had mended completely in a matter of hours. "I have to admit this rapid healing thing is pretty awesome," she said with a smile. "I also need to tell the pack that I've chosen a beta - Sam is not going to be happy."
"Awww, he's not happy anyway," Seth said around a mouthful of pancake. He swallowed, then added "He's been grumpy since that last bonfire."
Sue looked at Leah. "I haven't seen him around here since then, Leah. Is there a problem between you two?"
"We'll work it out, Mom," Leah said, glaring at her little brother. "I've just been really busy."
Two weeks later, Leah came through the back door looking bedraggled after her patrol. "Hi, Mom," she said as she walked through the kitchen toward the stairs. "I'm gonna shower, then Em and I are supposed to go see a movie. Where is she?" The living room was empty.
When Sue didn't answer right away, Leah backtracked to the kitchen door with a frown. "Everything okay?"
Sue's attempt at nonchalance fell a bit flat. "Yeah, it's fine - she just went out for a bit to take a tour around the rez."
"Tour? Are you kidding, Mom? She practically grew up here! Who's showing her around?"
"Well, to be honest, Sam showed up looking for you and Emily mentioned that she would love to see the new recreation building…"
Leah interrupted. "Looking for me? He knew exactly where I was, Mom - on my regular patrol. What's going on? Never mind. I won't put you in the middle. I'll find out for myself." She continued up the stairs, muttering to herself, and soon Sue heard the water running in the shower.
Leah was waiting when they got back. As soon as Emily climbed out of Sam's truck Leah hopped in, slamming the door. "Do you mind, Leah? I have to get to work." He nodded toward the door.
"I won't be long, Sam. I just need to find out where we stand. You've been avoiding me for weeks, and now you're hanging out with my cousin? Is there something you want to say to me?" She was seething, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Aww, c'mon, LeeLee. I was just being a good neighbor." Leah knew he was lying when he wouldn't look her in the eyes.
"First of all, don't call me that. Secondly, if you want to break up with me, you need to say so. This is bullshit, Sam. You know it and I know it." Her voice dropped lower so only Sam could hear. "If you're not man enough to handle a relationship with an alpha female, let's just get it right out there in the open."
Sam's face darkened, and a slightly trembling hand gripped her upper arm. "I guess I have my answer," she growled. "And if you don't want those fingers broken, I'd suggest you remove them from my arm." She continued to speak quietly. "If you're going to phase, you'd better do it away from prying eyes." She slipped out of the truck and he sped away in a cloud of dust, the passenger door swinging wildly on its hinges.
Emily was aghast, wringing her hands. "What's wrong, Leah? Is it something I did?"
Leah's voice was soft and even. "Don't pull that shit with me, Emily. We've known each other way too long. Sam and I have been having a rough patch, and it looks like it may be permanent. Still, I don't think you want to be part of the problem. I'll give you some time to think about it." And with that, she walked past the house and broke into a jog, heading toward the Blacks' house.
Rachel wasn't home, but Billy invited Leah in and offered her a glass of iced tea. They sat at the kitchen table in companionable silence for a time until Leah said, "I came to ask Rachel if I could spend the night. You don't mind, do you, Billy?"
"Of course not." He smiled. "You're a member of the family. Just let your mom know where you are," he added with typical insight.
Rachel found her friend stretched out on the top bunk, staring at the ceiling, in the room the twins had shared until Rebecca moved to Hawaii. "What's going on, Leah?" She took a seat at the desk and Leah turned to face her.
"Just Sam stuff. I really don't want to talk about it."
"Dad says you're staying over." Rachel grinned. "We haven't had a pajama party in years!"
"Hmph," Leah replied, lobbing a pillow at Rachel. "Pajama party? I don't even get to say hello since you hooked up with Paul! I think he gets all the pajama parties these days!" The friends shared a laugh. It was good to have someone to laugh with - though Leah knew they'd be having some serious conversations very soon, when Rachel found out the real reason for Paul's sudden ardor. In her mind, Leah had dubbed the talk "Vampires and Wolf-boys and Imprints, oh my!"
"Speaking of Paul…" Leah was suddenly aware of his presence nearby. The pack had learned there was absolutely no way to sneak up on the Alpha.
Rachel frowned in confusion just before a knock sounded on the kitchen door. "How did you know?" she asked Leah.
"I guess it's time we answered that question," Leah answered with a small sigh. "Come on." She led the way to the back door. Paul was on the back porch chatting with Billy.
Paul greeted Rachel with a wide smile and a peck on the cheek, in deference to her father. When he noticed Leah standing behind Rachel in the doorway, his smile faded a bit. "What's up, Leah?" he asked with as much nonchalance as he could muster.
"I think it's time for The Talk, don't you?" Leah asked. Rachel looked from one to the other in confusion. Billy mumbled something about dinner and disappeared into the house, leaving the three of them on the porch.
"What's going on?" Rachel asked, suddenly suspicious.
(A/N: THANKS to the guest reviewer who noticed I've been mixing up the Black twins! I hope I've finally got it right!)