The smell of freshly washed sheets and a menthol cigarette greeted Leah as she slowly became conscious. She attempted to change her positions to relieve the pain in her stiff shoulder, finding herself too weak at first to do so. Leah groaned and winced from a sharp pain in her side.

What the hell? What did I do? The last thing she could recall rushed back to her. Memories of her initial change and the excruciating pain were as clear as if they were only a moment ago. Her memories of Sam and Quil were jumbled in her mind as she tried to sort through them. No, no. That was a long time ago. The cigarette smell hit Leah again, and another memory flooded her mind. Jasper stood next to her, holding his shirt out to Alice for Leah to cover herself in. Then Hodie said her name. The feeling of movement beside her had her eyelids fluttering open. Slowly, Leah turned to face whoever was sitting on the other side of the bed. Hodie was smoking, staring at her. His brow was furrowed with worry, and he looked like he had not slept in a while.

Hodie reached out to brush the hair away from her face and said, "You heal incredibly fast."

Fuck me. Hodie fucking knows now. He watched me turn into a fucking wolf. How the hell can he possibly still want to be with me after that? Who in their right fucking mind would? I should have just told him at the house. Leah buried her face in her hands as she burst into tears. Hodie quickly put the cigarette out in the ashtray on his nightstand. He carefully laid down next to Leah, facing her. She shuddered, heartbroken, as he draped his arm around her, carefully avoiding her healing side. She could feel the tension in his body as he held her. Leah felt disoriented where she lay, unsure of herself and her fear running wild. Hodie was trying to comfort her, clearly. Hodie comforts all of his friends, she thought bitterly. That's all he's doing now.

Unable to handle the awkward silence any longer, Leah gushed, "God, Hodie, I am sorry I didn't tell you. I couldn't. I hoped to, eventually. Just not like that." She was weeping against his chest, crushed by her guilt and regret.

Hodie rubbed her back and said, "Hey, I understand."

Leah looked up at him in disbelief, and he grinned. He said, "I'm just glad you are awake. You scared me, Darlin." He leaned to kiss her forehead and sighed as he relaxed a bit more against her could only stare at him for a moment before she burst into tears again.

Afraid of the answer but needing to be sure, Leah choked out, "You still want me?"

Hodie pulled back a bit as he gaped at her in disbelief. His ears and cheeks were turning pink as he reached up to wipe her tears away with his thumb. His touch was gentle, but the anger behind his eyes only fed her uneasiness. Carefully, Hodie said, "Baby, I am so sorry for all the bullshit you have probably been through. For every fucking thing that has ever made you feel so goddamn disposable. Including my own bullshit." He forced a smile at her as he said, "Of course, I still want you, Darlin'. You're not getting rid of me that easily." He chuckled as she began crying again, this time overcome with relief. Hodie hugged her a bit tighter and resumed gently rubbing her back. She eventually calmed as Hodie held and comforted her.

Before long, she had to carefully climb from his bed to use the bathroom. Afterward, she stole a bit of his mouthwash to remove the stale taste from her mouth. She was wearing a long button-up shirt and nothing else. Leah lifted the shirt to examine her side, finding it covered in a bandage. She pulled it away slowly and groaned at the long purple scar stretched along her skin.

God, I hope that is gone by the Halloween Party, she thought. She walked back to the bedroom and laid back down next to Hodie.

Tentatively, Leah asked, "What happened after I passed out?"

"Well, you changed back to human, obviously."

Leah said, "Phasing. We call it phasing. Or shifting. God, Hodie, how are you not freaking out?"

He said, "Oh, I did. I have had a couple of days to do it."

Leah sat up on the bed in alarm and winced from the pull in her side. She asked, "Days? Hodie, how long was I out? What fucking day is it?"

Again, he soothed, "Hey. Everything is fine. Me, Alice, and Jasper got everything taken care of, okay?" His attempt to calm her fell flat, not easing her worry in the least. Hodie explained, "It's Monday afternoon. Tom thinks we both got a bad case of food poisoning from a cheap dive we ate at after work, which is why I am home with you today. Alice and Jasper helped me bring you here. Alice called Jacob and told him what had happened. The car is outside next to my truck. Jacob told your parents. They know you are safe and healing well. Alice and Jasper are coming by sometime soon to bring you some clothes."
Leah let out a deep breath and relaxed somewhat. Hodie pulled her back down to lie against his chest.

He said, "You woke up a few times here and there. Do you remember it?"

"No. I don't remember anything after passing out in the parking lot." The memory was fuzzy, but Leah knew she had looked up into Hodie's eyes. Did I imprint on Hodie or not? The world had certainly shifted, but Leah didn't have a damn clue if it was because she imprinted on him or because she passed out from the pain. She already cared about Hodie. How the hell was she supposed to know?

Hodie admitted, "I don't think I have ever been that scared in my life."

Leah grumbled, "I imagine seeing your girlfriend turn into a giant wolf is pretty fucking terrifying." Hodie chuckled and leaned to kiss her softly on the lips.

Hodie said, "I didn't give a damn what you turned into right then as long as you came back to me. I thought I lost you for a minute. You looked me right in the eyes, Leah. I don't think I've ever seen more beautiful eyes in my life." Leah held her breath, silently absorbing his praise. Inside, her wolf was doing a little happy dance, gloating over his admiration. Leah reached up to cup his face with her palm. Grinning, he continued, "Then they rolled back in your head, and you passed the fuck out. Watching you fight that vampire was nothing compared to that. Please don't ever scare me like that again."
Leah threw her arm around Hodie and pulled herself flush against him. He responded enthusiastically, placing delicate kisses all over her face. She was overjoyed by his acceptance, by how easily Hodie could thrill both the woman and the wolf. Leah had to fight against the urge to curl her body around his. She could not get close enough to him. She would damn near crawl inside of him if she could.

They remained that way for a while, silently breathing each other in. A loud knock made Leah groan. Hodie chuckled as he pried himself out of her arms and got up to answer. Leah sat up on the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket over her bare lap. The smell of bleach hit her before she saw them, masked with something much more pleasant. Her stomach growled loudly.

Did they bring food? Please, Leah groaned, let them have brought food. Leah gave the biggest grin she could muster as Alice bounded into Hodie's bedroom with numerous fast food bags in her gloved hands.

Alice said, "Leah, I'm so glad you're doing better." She set the bags on the floor in front of Leah. Jasper came in with drinks that he handed Hodie before lugging in multiple shopping bags.

Setting the bags down, Jasper said, "We thought you might be hungry."

Leah said, "Starving, actually. Thank you both. Really. Alice, how is your arm?" It had been dangerously close to being detached when Leah had jumped on the Leech.

Showing Leah her range of motion, Alice chirped, "Just like new."

Jasper teased, "Why am I carrying everything when your arm is better?"

Leah cackled at her lovesick smile as Alice said, "Because you are a perfect gentleman." She turned back to Leah and said, "I loved that top, though. He ripped up the shoulder of it. I bought it in '86. Bastard." Hodie laughed as he leaned against the door frame.

Leah teased, "I thought you were the queen of replacing your wardrobe? You made Bella throw old stuff away."

Alice giggled and said, "Jacob's holey t-shirts are not a wardrobe. They are a tripping hazard." Leah cackled again as she pictured her clumsy sister stepping on a shirt hem somehow. Alice said, "Some items are just timeless. I replaced your jeans, by the way. I found the last pair in your size. It was meant to be, obviously."

Leah said, "I don't even have a wardrobe at this point. Aside from what I can raid out of Bella's closet these days. We're not the same, uh, size in everything." Leah rolled her eyes as she thought of the many items she wished she could fit into. Fucking tits. Leah said, "I appreciate your fashion sense, even if Bella doesn't. I just can't afford to dress all girly very often. I keep bursting out of my clothes." Hodie barked out a loud laugh as Alice beamed from the compliment.

Alice admitted, "Well, that's why I started putting stuff in there for you."

Leah gave her another grateful smile. It is way too easy to keep Alice happy.

Jasper said, "We cleaned up the clothing from the parking lot. Between the blood and the ripped-up clothes, we were worried someone would think you had been murdered and call the police." Hodie immediately paled and took a deep breath. Jasper and Alice knew nothing of his last girlfriend's disappearance. Considering the harassment he had suffered, Leah was certain that it was where his mind had gone.

What kind of nightmare would it have been had the police shown up at his apartment looking for them? Would they have found a gashed-open Leah unconscious in his bed? He would have been arrested until Leah woke up and could vouch for her injury somehow. It would have dredged the past up for Hodie all over again. Leah smiled at Hodie, trying to convey as much of the understanding she felt as she could. He visibly relaxed a little under her gaze. Jasper turned to give him a curious glance before smiling back at Leah. Whatever emotions he sensed from Hodie, he did not say.

Leah said, "Well, thank you for covering up my attempted murder." She looked at Hodie and said, "Come help me eat some of this food." Her stomach growled loudly from the smell, despite the vampire scent overshadowing it.

You have come a long way there, Clearwater. Once upon a time, you would not have been within a hundred feet of these people because of the smell, let alone attempting to eat.

Jasper winked at her and said, "Let's leave them be, Ali." Impulsively, Leah stood and did something she had never attempted before. She tossed her arms around Alice and hugged her. Alice sighed happily and hugged her back. As Leah carefully sat back down, Jasper took Alice's hand and said goodbye to Hodie.

Turning back toward Leah, Alice said, "I nearly forgot to tell you! I will tell Jacob that you are awake. He will want to tell you to rest. You might want to phase but try not to until that scar is gone. Don't worry about work tomorrow or Patrol until you can phase. He would like you to bring Hodie down tonight to stay over again if you want. The room is the same as when you two left. Jacob loves you, Leelee."

Leah grinned at her gratefully. "Thanks again, Alice."

She said, "I'll tell him you said thanks, and you love him, too."

Leah said, "You're the best."

Alice beamed at her again before darting out the door behind Jasper. Leah walked over to the bedroom window, unlocked it, and slid it open to take in a deep breath of fresh air.

"You okay?" He sat down on the bed and sorted through numerous types of sandwiches and sides.

"I have to get the vampire scent out so I can eat."

Hodie asked, "What do they smell like to you?"

She explained, "Like floral incense on top of bleach. It burns our noses a bit, especially in wolf form." She shoved a french fry in her mouth as she eased herself down to sit cross-legged on the floor. Hodie stared at her, as he often did. Leah said, "I'm going to have to tell you a lot of shit, huh?" She sighed defeatedly and grabbed a random sandwich off the bed. "That is likely the reason Jake said to bring you. He will want to talk to you, too."

Leah and Hodie each opened their sandwiches and frowned. They laughed as they both offered to trade in unison, exchanged them, and ate in silence for a few minutes. Hodie crumbled up his sandwich wrapper and sighed as Leah pulled the tomato off hers. She shoved the whole slice into her mouth and grinned.
Hodie said, "I am not a raw vegetable man. Onions and pickles, maybe."

Leah chuckled and said, "I love them. I'll trade you pickles for tomatoes any time."

Hodie said, "I know things are starting a little rough, but ... I kinda feel like you might just be the right girl for me, Leah." Leah swallowed nervously and grabbed one of the fountain drinks to wash it down. Hodie was biting back a grin as she blushed bright red. Hodie said, "It's scary as hell, you know? After what happened with..." He didn't finish, but Leah felt what he was trying to convey. Again she wondered if his missing girlfriend had been among the pile of bodies she had helped burn after the newborn battle.

Leah reached up to squeeze his hand and said, "I hope she is alive and safe somewhere. That some vamp didn't hurt her."

Hodie admitted, "That is part of what scared me so much when you passed out. Vampires have made my life hell for pretty much all of my life. I have honestly done nothing except despise them and run from them for a long time. I do like Alice and Jasper so far. They jumped right into protecting us with no thought for themselves. They didn't have to do that. The truth is, I've never allowed myself to get to know any vampires before. I have never engaged with ones that weren't trying to eat me."

Leah mischievously asked, "Did any ever try to sleep with you?" Hodie guffawed, shaking his head no. She explained, "I think they waited around because Alice saw us getting attacked again. With her visions, you know? I think that was why she looked so worried. Alice is a great ally to have. So many of us wouldn't be alive without her. Bella sure wouldn't. I can't imagine life without my sister now."

Hodie laughed and said, "Man. I feel like I am the only one without superpowers." Leah was not so sure that Hodie didn't have his own superpowers. He was a singer, like Bella. Hodie seemed to sense secrets and dishonesty from what she had seen. Leah was damn sure he had some strange ability to make her feel his touch when he concentrated on her skin.

I'm going to have to talk to Jasper about that. Leah vaguely wondered if Edward could have read Hodie's mind. Leah said, "If you like Alice and Jasper, you will love Rose and Emmett."

Hodie said, "You guys keep mentioning Emmett. I guess he's a favorite?"

Leah explained, "Well, he is Bella's adopted brother of sorts, and he considers Jacob his best friend now. He is just a loyal dude, and we appreciate loyalty."

"Angela thought I was him the other morning, huh? Do we truly look alike?"

"I saw it when we first met, too," Leah said. Emmett's closer to Jacob's size than yours, but if you were super pale with black hair, you could pass for brothers, I think."

Hodie said, "That is really fucking weird. I'm named after an Emmett, you know? He was my great uncle or something. I have his middle name, Dale. He died real young."

Leah said, "Well, I think you would like Emmett and Rose. They are every bit as thoughtful, and they have done so much for my pack. They are also hilarious. Rose is the bluntest person I know, and ... that is saying a lot coming from me. Emmett puts his foot in his mouth a lot. He is kind of like a huge vampire version of Paul, except he doesn't act like a jerk."

Hodie chuckled, pulling a cheese stick in half. He said, "Paul seems like a fun character so far."

Leah said, "Paul is an asshole, but honestly, we love him anyway. He defended me Saturday. I didn't expect it. We bump heads a lot,"

Hodie asked, "How? Why did he need to defend you?"

Shit. Leah, you're as much a big mouth as the rest. Leah said, "Remember how I said I thought shit was going to blow up in my face? It did. Saturday. We had to have a little meeting about it. Quil said something was my fault. Paul told Quil it was his own fault. Anyway, I think things are all worked out, for the most part."

Hodie said. "Well, that makes sense now. I was a little curious about all the half-naked people outside, but I figured, Hey! I work with exotic dancers. Who am I to judge?"

Leah searched through more sandwiches and asked, "So, you have figured out that I'm not the only wolf?"

Hodie said, "Well, it seemed a little odd that you would be the only one. After bursting out of your clothes - and I'm still bummed about that lingerie set, by the way - I kind of figured the guys are wolves, too."

Leah scoffed and said, "Well, I am the only girl. Ever, as far as the elders know."

Hodie gave her a dazzling smile. "Damn. My girl is special. No wonder everyone wants her."

Leah scoffed and said, "Everyone does not want me." She shook her head as she laughed at the suggestion.

Hodie smirked at her skeptically and said, "Hmmm. Plenty do. More than you think. Trust me." Hodie picked up another sandwich, and lettuce went everywhere as he unwrapped it. Hodie grumbled, "This is just a sad-wich. Shredded lettuce on a burger. Who was the genius that came up with that?" Leah laughed and traded him again.

Leah said, "Honestly, you will fit right in around those guys if you keep saying shit like that."

He said, "Well, they're wolves. You don't expect them to eat grass, do you?" Hodie took a big bite and moaned. "I should've started with this one. Damn." He held it out to Leah to try it and laughed when she yanked his hand back for a second bite. Hodie asked, "Do you want it?" The playful, husky tone in his voice shot straight to her core. Leah blushed, covering her mouth as she shook her head no.

She swallowed and said, "I think I'm done. Do you mind if I take a shower?"

Hodie leaned toward her for a kiss and asked, "Do you mind if I help?"

Leah had managed to pull at her side in the shower. Turns out Hodie had only intended to help her all along, and with good reason. Her range of motion was not quite back to normal. He had to help her dress, much to his enjoyment. They eventually decided to go back to La Push. Hodie was eager to hear more about Leah and the pack. Due to the tenderness in her side, she willingly let Hodie drive. An hour later, Leah and Hodie were pulling into Jacob's driveway. Jacob ran out the door to the Rabbitt and carefully pulled Leah into a hug.

Jacob shook hands with Hodie behind Leah's back as he hugged her. He said, "Thank you for taking care of her, man."

Hodie said, "Don't even mention it."

Bella was darting around the kitchen as usual and shooed them into the living room. Leah glared at Bella suspiciously, wrapped her hand around Hodie's, and tugged him behind her. Charlie, Sue, and Seth were sitting around the living room chatting while a happy Sarah played on a blanket on the floor.
Leah was relieved to see Charlie out of uniform. His face lit up at the sight of her.

Drawing attention from Sue and Seth, Charlie cheerfully yelled, "Hey!" Her family flocked her to embrace her. Sue looked exhausted as she discreetly dabbed relieved tears away. Charlie hugged Leah a little too tight, and she winced.

Impulsively, Leah said, "Dad. Can't breathe." Her words earned her a quick, mustache-covered kiss to her forehead and another gentler hug from Charlie. It took a moment for him to narrow in on Hodie standing behind her, grinning.

Sue nodded toward Hodie and asked, "Leah?"

Leah introduced Hodie to her parents, crediting him for taking excellent care of her in her unconscious state. Charlie started asking Hodie questions, attempting to mess with him a little. He was failing miserably at his tough cop spiel, too happy to see Leah safe and with someone at her side for a change. Charlie was won over when he found out Hodie was a baseball fan and hated the same sports teams. Leah had laughed as Sue rolled her eyes at her soon-to-be husband. Leah winked at Hodie before heading back toward the kitchen to see Bella. She rounded the corner to find Jacob sucking face with Bella, and both of them were oblivious to the world.

From behind Leah, Charlie said, "Jacob, quit eating my daughter's face." Startled, Leah jumped and winced. She held onto her side as she tried not to laugh. Charlie stepped around her to get a beer out of the fridge. He tugged on Jacob as he passed by him and grumbled, "Come on, son. Don't make her burn dinner. I'm starving." Leah snickered as they went back to the living room. She sat down as she continued rubbing her side. Bella frowned at Leah, walked over, and lifted the side of her shirt. She gasped at the sight of the long purple scar.

"Thank God you heal fast," Bella grumbled.

Leah tugged her shirt down and said, "Bitch."

Walking back to the stove, Bella asked, "How was it being with Hodie for a couple of days?"

"Well, I was unconscious for most of it, Bella."

Bella turned toward Leah, scowling, and shouted, "JACOB EPHRIAM!"

Leah laughed as he bounded back into the kitchen curiously. "What?"

Bella pointed at Leah and said, "Unconscious for two days, that's what. You said it was nothing serious."

Jacob said, "We sleep off our injuries, Bells. You know that."

Bella scowled at him again and said, "It's a pretty damn big scar, Jake."

Jacob rolled his eyes as he turned to Leah and said, "Let me see it." She stood carefully and raised her shirt. "Meh, it's a scratch," Jacob said and chuckled as Bella slapped his shoulder.

She said, "Everyone but me knew how bad Leah was hurt, huh?"

Leah was laughing, still holding up her shirt as Seth and Hodie walked into the kitchen.

Seth grimaced and said, "Ouch!" Leah yanked her shirt back down, annoyed by all the fuss.

Hodie walked over, and she huffed as he lifted it again. Impressed, he said, "Looks a lot better. Way better than this morning, even."

Seth said, "That was a pretty big tear, Sis. Bigger than the last one."

Bella pulled pans from the oven, clanging them on the stovetop. "Two days, Jacob! Half your body was crushed, and you were almost healed in four days!"

Jacob quoted, "Tis but a scratch."

Seth said, "Tis a flesh wound."

Shoving Seth toward the back door, Jacob yelled, "I'm invincible!"

Seth stumbled into the yard and yelled, "Have at you!"

Leah begged Bella, "Please? No more Monty Python." Bella giggled as she transferred dishes to the table. Leah asked, "Were you really mad at Jacob?"

"No," she answered absently. "Sex is better when he thinks I'm mad at him." Hodie guffawed, and Bella blushed as she realized what she had said out loud.

Leah said, "Those two are horn dogs, Hodie. You don't even understand."

Changing the topic, Bella said, "Have a seat if you want. Angie and Embry should be home in about five minutes." Leah returned to her seat, and Hodie sat beside her.

Leah asked, "Where did Seth and Jacob go?"

Bella closed her eyes for a moment and cringed. She said, "Ern, they needed to go deal with a situation."

Leah asked, "Something about Quil, right?" Bella bit her bottom lip and nodded once. "Say no more," Leah said, "I'm good." Hodie slid his hand into hers, lifting it to kiss her knuckles.

From the doorway, Charlie teased, "Oof. Not you, too." He and Sue walked in and sat at the table. He said, "I guess kissing knuckles is better than his hands on your butt. That's how I spotted those two in here earlier."

Bella teased back, "Dad, don't think I haven't surprised you and Sue smooching in my living room."

Leah said, "I only found them attached at the face this time." She laughed as Charlie rolled his eyes. She asked, "So, is this why Jacob said to come to stay tonight and bring Hodie? Family dinner, bring the boyfriend kind of thing?" She looked up at Bella, who grinned as she carried the last platter over.

Hodie looked at the spread of dishes, wide-eyed, and asked, "Bella, how do you do it?"

"She spends almost every minute of the day in here," Leah teased.

Bella asked, "Uh, someone wanna tell me where Sarah is all by herself?"

Sue said, "She fell asleep. I put her in bed."

Bella thanked her and grabbed drinks from the fridge for everyone. She finally sat down with them as Angie and Embry walked through the door, followed by Seth and Jacob. Ethan was put to bed, and everyone sat down to eat. Hodie declared that he knew who to visit the next time he decided to surf in La Push as he was thoroughly enjoying her cooking. He was more amused by the amount of food that Seth and Jacob could put away than anything. After dinner, Hodie got up to help Bella clean up while Jacob grabbed a lighter. He went back outside, followed by an enthusiastic Seth.

Leah grumbled, "Kids a pyro."

Charlie asked, "Aren't all teenage boys?" He scoffed and started chuckling. "Girls, too, for that matter."

Leah groaned, "No."

Bella tugged Hodie's sleeve to pull his attention. She laughed and said, "Okay, now we gotta hear this one." He grinned at Leah as Bella guided him back to the table to sit down with her.

Charlie said, "I, uh, got a call about someone burning shit on the Rez. I drove out there, and Leah was in the backyard with a gas can in her hand. She is standing like twenty feet away from flames that are just rolling out of this trash can." Leah could feel her cheeks getting warmer as Charlie started laughing. "High as a kite," Charlie choked out. Sue was doing her best to hold back her laughter.

Charlie finished, "Leah was pissed at her old man. She tossed his pot and cigarettes in the trash can and set the shit on fire. She was twelve."

Bella could barely contain her laughter and said, "God, I wish I'd done that to Renee just once."

Leah explained, "I poured the gas on his carton of cigarettes. I once overheard Dad saying that if weed got wet, it was ruined. My kid brain thought that meant it wouldn't burn. So, I struck a couple of matches and dropped them straight on the weed. There was quite a bit. Of course, the gas on the cigarettes caught right away. The carton slid off a bottle of something I had balanced it on. It landed right on top of the weed. I was clouded by smoke. I didn't realize that burning his weed without actually smoking it would fuck me up like that. The gas fumes didn't help, though." The others were hysterically laughing when she had finished. The familiar sound of flames encountering too much lighter fluid had them all turning toward the open doorway and chuckling about the timing. Leah admitted, "Charlie saved me from an ass beating that day. He told Dad to be glad he didn't have to arrest either of us and to leave me alone." She gave Charlie a grateful smile. "Charlie always has loved all of the kids. Even back then. That's where you get it, bitch." Leah laughed as she winked at Bella and said, "Charlie was the original pack mother."

Goodbyes were said to Charlie and Sue before they left. Leah attempted to help with cleaning up and was shooed away. She waited for Bella and Hodie to finish before going out to sit by the fire. She hesitated as they finally stepped outside, finding the rest of the pack and imprints minus Claire, Sam, and Emily.

Leah asked, "You guys are seriously not giving him the whole spiel tonight, are you?"

Jacob said, "Not all of it. Dad has a cold, so no stories tonight."

Jared laughed and said, "Might as well get it over with, Leah."

She huffed and led Hodie to sit next to her in the only open spots around the fire. Leah glanced over to find Quil staring at the ground, absently plucking blades of grass. He glanced up at her for a moment before looking away. He appeared heartbroken and angry, his shoulders slumped defeatedly. Leah assumed Claire must not know about the wolves yet, or else she would be there.

It can't be easy to see me here with Hodie, either. Leah turned toward Hodie and gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. She wasn't quite sure how much of the anxiety she sensed between them was from him or herself. Hodie forced a nervous smile at her and turned toward Jacob as he directed their attention. Jacob gave Hodie a very brief version of why the wolves existed. It didn't take long for Hodie to be interested in the dynamics of the pack. By the time the fire began to die down, the imprints had made their way inside. The only one of the wolves that didn't have anything to say throughout the evening was Quil, though he listened well enough. Hodie told the pack how he had traveled from place to place with his mom all over the lower 48, moving because of vampires most often. Sometimes it was because of eviction. Leah was relieved to learn his mom had not been an abusive addict like Renee, though his childhood was not far off from how Bella was raised otherwise. He began surfing professionally at seventeen when they moved to California. He, like Bella, had been used to warmer climates and missed them. The weather on the Olympic Peninsula had been an adjustment. After his mom had passed, he moved to Port Angeles. Hodie said that it was where he ran out of gas on the run from a vamp, so it was where he decided to stay. He left the intimate parts of his story out, avoiding his traitorous friend and missing girlfriend. He mentioned numerous jobs he'd worked at since he had stopped surfing professionally. Leah was surprised to learn he had been an EMT at one point in time.

Hodie grinned at her and asked, "You didn't think your side put itself back together all on its own, did you?"

"What?" Everyone turned to look at Quil, and Jacob grimaced.

Shit. Looks like Bella wasn't the only one he didn't tell how badly I was hurt.

Quil asked, "What are you talking about putting her back together? How bad were you fucking injured, Leah?"

"Quil, I'm fine now," Leah insisted.

Quil hissed, "This time. You're fine this time."

Paul mumbled, "This is why I said that job was a bad idea."

Leah turned to glare at Paul and said, "Absolutely none of us can be protected at all times. And you, Paul, didn't like the idea because you were worried someone would need me to fill a patrol shift. My safety didn't have a damn thing to do with it." She glanced back at Hodie apologetically. He observed silently, scowling and biting his upper lip.

Shit, his ears are red.

Quil said, "We can't all be safe all the time. Not away from La Push."

Leah snapped, "Quil Ateara, don't you dare treat me like Sam right now. I have a right to a life with more in it than just chasing leeches or sitting still and looking pretty. You defended me the other day. What happened to that?"

Quil said, "I defended your right to love who you want. Outside of that, Sam was right to worry about your safety. La Push, with our pack, is the only place where any of us are truly safe."

Leah shook her head and said, "So what do you all suggest I do? Hide here forever? Ask Hodie to quit his job and drag him here with me? I'm not going to ask him to do that. I'm not giving up this job, either, so you all can just fucking forget it." Leah stood quickly and fought the urge to yell as her side pulled. She glanced back at Hodie apologetically before heading inside.

The imprints were all on the couches in the living room, the fireplace lit and burning low. They talked about pregnancy as Leah drew closer, and she hesitated to enter the room.

Rachel asked, "Has anyone told Leah what they named the baby yet?"

Kim said, "No. Sam and Emily want to tell her themselves."

Why the fuck should I give a damn what Sam and Emily named their baby? Unless she stole one that I had picked out once. Wouldn't surprise me.

Thankfully changing the subject, Angela asked, "Bella, are Sue and Charlie having the wedding here?"

"Yeah," Bella answered. "Dad wanted to marry Sue where he asked her to marry him."

Rachel grumbled, "Jesus, Bells. I wish Paul was half as romantic as Charlie. Hell, if I'd known that back when …"

Bella interrupted, "Rach. Ew."

Kim said, "He is, Bella. Maybe he can give Jared some pointers."

Leah took it as her cue to save her sister and walked into the living room. She said, "Bella, can you come here for a second?" She led Bella to the bedroom and shut the door behind them.

Bella grinned at her gratefully and said, "Thank you."

Leah said, "Well, don't thank me yet. I'm exhausted, and my side is killing me. Quil just pissed me off, and I just want to sleep. Please, please check on Hodie. He was getting pretty pissed out there for a second. I don't want it to look like I'm calling him to bed or something with Quil out there. I know that sounds bad, but ..."

Bella said, "No, I get it."

Leah asked, "Really? Are you sure?"

Bella said, "Of course. Don't feel bad about it, either. I've been there, and I get it. I'll go check on Hodie. Go raid the mall." Leah kicked off her new boots as Bella left the room and tiptoed down the hall for clothes to sleep in. As she neared the living room on her way back, she heard her name. Leah froze where she was, turning to lean her back against the wall.

"I still can't believe she was sneaking around with Quil. I can't picture it, I guess. They are so different," Kim said quietly.

"I don't think anyone expected it," Rachel answered. "We all thought she was still in love with Sam."

Kim asked, "Is this Hodie guy her imprint?"

"I don't think anyone knows the answer to that yet."

Angela said, "Well, he seems like a nice guy. Good looking. Polite. He's crazy about her, that's for certain."

Rachel lowered her voice conspiratorially as she said, "And he's a singer, like Bella."

Kim asked, "Wait? Doesn't that mean he's just going to bring more danger here? That was why everyone wanted Bella's mom to leave, wasn't it?"

Maybe if Kim paid more attention to the conversations than Jared's abs, she would remember this fucking shit.

Rachel said, "No, they wanted her to leave because she was an abusive bitch. And, from what I remember of her as a kid, she damn near ruined Charlie's fucking life when she left him. No one trusts her."

Well, at least she can keep the fucking story straight, I guess.

Rachel continued, "Paul thinks Hodie being here would be a good thing. They could keep him safe too. He's worried about Leah being so far away all the time because she's so much smaller than they are. You should have seen how relieved he was to hear Alice and Jasper had been there to help when she got hurt."

Leah huffed quietly to herself. He could have fucking said that shit outside.

Kim asked, "So what do you think about this shit with Quil and Claire?"

"He's an idiot," Rachel snarked. "I felt terrible for him, though. Paul beat the tar out of him."

Kim asked, "What set shit off with him and Sam?"

Leah could hear the irritation in Angela's voice as she sighed and said, "I'm going to go check on the kids. Ethan is probably getting hungry." Angela gasped as she rounded the corner and saw Leah standing there, listening. Leah gestured for Angela to remain quiet.

Kim called out, "You okay, Angie?"

Angela leaned back into the doorway and feigned a grimace. She said, "I stubbed my toe. No biggie." She stepped back into the hallway and winked as she passed Leah. She whispered, "I'd listen, too." Leah squeezed her hand gently in thanks as she headed toward the nursery.

Rachel continued talking to Kim and said, "So, you know Paul caught them in the garage. He pulled the couch out of there and cut it up. Burned it." Rachel chuckled. "Paul said that Quil and Sam were at work the other day, and Claire's father showed up. She was upset about Paul beating Quil up and ultimately mortifying her when he caught them in the act. She couldn't stop crying all damn day. Her father finally demanded to know what was wrong. All she would say was that she loved Quil. She wanted to be with him, but his friends wouldn't allow it. Her father went to Sam about it and said Quil is too old for her."

Kim said, "That is absurd. There is only a three-year difference."

Rachel said, "She is sixteen. I remember how pissed I was at first about my seventeen-year-old brother having a nineteen-year-old pregnant girlfriend. I can understand his concern. Anyway, Sam flipped shit on Quil, and apparently, everything sort of spilled out. Sam was pissed about Claire, but he wanted to know why Quil had fought the imprint for so long. Kept it secret, you know? When he said it was because he was in love with Leah, Sam immediately punched him square in the face. Right between the fucking eyes. Jacob and Embry tried to get them apart. After a few minutes, Jacob had to Alpha order them to stop. "

Kim said, "Well, at least Leah finally got over Sam."

"You're right, though. I honestly just can't picture her with Quil either."

"It sucks that he ever started anything with Leah, though I feel just as bad for her. He imprinted on Claire months ago. It's all such a mess."

It is a mess. Leah had heard enough. She hadn't even considered the consequences of her actions where Claire had been concerned. She owed the girl an apology, at the very least. The whole pack would eventually see the memory of Paul busting in on them if Paul or Quil ever let it slip. It was bad enough that there wasn't a single female Paul had been with that the entire pack hadn't seen naked. Eventually, poor Claire might end up in the mix of sorted shared memories. Getting back at Quil had been Leah's intention, not hurting Claire. Her newfound guilt only heightened her exhaustion. When Leah re-entered the bedroom, she was surprised to find Hodie sitting at the end of the bed. He stood to embrace her, and she melted into him.

Hodie asked, "You ready for bed, Darlin'?"

Leah nodded. She said, "I'm sorry about that shit outside earlier. I saw your ears turn red. I know you were getting mad."

As they both moved to change into their nightclothes, Hodie said, "I was. Figured I would stay quiet, though. Seems like if you wanted me to fight your battles, you would ask." Leah glanced up at him in surprise, grinning. Once again, Hodie was proving that he respected and admired her strength. Her wolf was damn near giddy, scratching at her to be closer to him. He said, "There may be times that I jump to your defense in the future, Leah. I won't pretend to understand how close you are with your pack and the decisions you make about your life are yours. That's a line I won't cross unless you ask me to."

Leah slid into the bed, pondering his words. She wondered if he would feel as supportive when she told him she wanted to dance at the Halloween party. Too tired and sore to deal with another argument for the night, Leah snuggled against Hodie instead. With his arm under her cheek and their legs tangled together, sleep claimed her quickly.