Posting this one a couple of hours early because I have Zero patience. I hope you all enjoy 3

It was hours later when Leah and Hodie finally emerged from his bedroom. He looked around sheepishly for his forgotten guest, finding a note from Amara on the coffee table. She had picked up after herself and thanked him for allowing her to stay for the night. Leah retrieved the bag with the new cell phones, and they were set up quickly. A playful selfie session quickly turned into passionate kisses, followed by a return to his bedroom and a shower. Leah was sure she would be walking sideways if they did not leave the apartment soon.

Is this how all of the imprints feel? Is this why Bella and Jacob can't keep their hands off of each other? The truth was that Leah had always had a healthy sex drive. Sam had helped awaken it, and with Quil, she had explored it extensively. Now, the more familiar she became with Hodie, his body, and preferences, the easier it became to lose herself in him. His willingness to discover what pleased her best left her feeling more than simply desired. Leah felt cherished. There was something about Hodie and his intuitive ability to understand what she needed that intrigued and thrilled her.
The whole jealously/dominance thing is sexy as hell, too. As long as it remains in the bedroom, anyway. Even Sam, as her Alpha, had been unable to completely control Leah. She would be damned before anyone ever would again. Not even Hodie. Imprint or not.

They finally left the apartment to get a late lunch, walking a few blocks to a nearby Mexican restaurant. The short shorts and tall boots combo Leah wore kept distracting Hodie as he stalled more than once to stare at her behind. More than once, he reached down to tickle the exposed back of her thigh. She managed somewhere along the way to convince him to unbutton and untuck his top shirt to display the black v-neck of his undershirt. It peeped just a hint of the thin patch of hair on his chest that Leah knew trailed all the way down. A trail she had traced several times with her hands and mouth already that day.

Happily, pun intended. Leah had been more than willing to indulge his playfulness as they walked, stalling the imprint conversation with Hodie, though it ate at her. She decided to approach the subject after they had a few drinks of their margaritas and placed their orders. She opened her mouth to speak, and Hodie grabbed her hand across the table.

Hodie blurted out, "I want to ask you about something."

Her tension eased somewhat as Leah gripped him back, the touch of his hand more comforting than he knew. She said, "So, ask me."

Hodie said, "I keep overhearing a certain word tossed around, and I would like to know what it means."

Well, I'll be damned, Leah thought and chuckled. He raised an eyebrow at her suspiciously and smirked. She asked, "Imprint" Hodie nodded and Leah admitted, "I was literally just going to bring it up. I have been putting it off all day, honestly."

Hodie frowned, leaning back in his seat as he asked, "Why?"

Leah said, "Well ... The bullshit that happened this morning was stressful enough. Also, it is kind of a sore subject for me, and I am not sure what it means for us."

Directly avoiding the mention of Quil, Hodie teased, "Well, can we start with what it means in general?"

Leah grinned at him. She loved when he got sassy. She explained, "The wolves sometimes have what is called an imprint. It's a … spiritual connection. It is supposed to be rare. When the wolf sees its imprint for the first time, everything changes in that split second. Their eyes meet, and the wolf immediately recognizes the person it is supposed to protect forever. They fall hopelessly, head-over-fucking-heels in love with that person. They want to be with them all the time. Sometimes it is physically painful to be apart for too long. Our legends have always placed the importance of it on continuing our bloodlines ... but there is no actual proof for why it happens, exactly."

Hodie asked, "And, these imprints? Do they love the wolf as well?"

Leah said, "Irrevocably and unconditionally, more often than not. It doesn't mean things are always perfect or even good, for that matter. They end up staying together, though. For life."

Hodie asked, "Why is it a sore subject, then? It seems like it could be a good thing. That forever kind of love, shit. It's a better chance at happily ever after than some ever get."

Leah explained, "It can be a good thing until the person you imprint on isn't the person you are with. Like when a wolf imprints on the best friend of his fiancé, for example."

His eyes widened in understanding, and Hodie said, "Ooooh. Sam and Emily?"

Leah cringed and nodded as she said, "Or when the fear of imprinting on someone else keeps you from being with someone you care about."

Carefully, Hodie said, "I see."

Leah said, "Jacob got lucky. He was already in love with Bella when it happened. I think his wolf knew she was meant for him his whole life, honestly. The imprint didn't change anything for them. It just made their love stronger."

Hodie said, "I bet her dating a vamp was fucking hell on earth for him."

Leah squeezed his hand affectionately and said, "It was. I hated her so much back then. Jacob is technically my cousin, but I love him like a brother. It took a pretty big blow-up for Bella and me to sort of … start over? She ended up my best friend, and I love her now, too. The imprint sort of helps us all get along, in some ways. It's hard to stay too angry at any of the imprints for long."

Hodie took a large drink and then asked, "How does that work?"

Leah explained, "When we are in our wolf forms, we have what we call the pack mind. We share thoughts. See what each other is seeing at the moment. If one of us experiences some sort of intense emotion, anyone else that is phased will experience that feeling, too. Sometimes we aren't sure whose memories are whose, honestly."

Hodie said, "So, wait. Does that work with all of your emotions? Like, if you are enraged or heartbroken, or ..." Hodie tried not to laugh as he quietly added, "horny? You all can feel it?"

Leah laughed outright, nodding her head. She said, "It's very confusing at first, but some of us, me especially, have learned how to stay quiet. Keep our thoughts private. I can listen to them sometimes, and they don't know I'm even there until Jacob phases in."

Hodie asked, "Why Jacob?"

Leah chuckled as she shrugged and said, "We don't know. I guess because he was always supposed to be our Alpha. He needs to be able to access our minds. When he phases in, it is like a switchboard lights up. He can sense every one of us separately and collectively, but that means anyone connected can also sense everyone present. Jacob also senses Bella. Her emotions can hit him from pretty far away, especially if she is frightened or panicking. If Bells is in some kind of distress and Jacob is phased, the rest of us fucking panic almost as much as he does. She is home to Jacob. So, in this weird way, she is home for the rest of us, too. "

Hodie asked, "And, is that why you called her the pack mother?"

Leah grinned and nodded again. "Yep. She always supports what I do. I fucking love her."

Hodie chuckled and said, "That is fucking crazy. You are right, by the way. I swear those two can communicate telepathically."

Leah laughed and said, "I told you so. I was so against them being together at first. Now I can't imagine them apart. It's ridiculous."

Hodie said, "Well, I watched their silent communication shit going on there at the house. They are amazing. Completely in sync with each other. Like magnets."

Leah grumbled, "It is so damn cute that it is actually annoying. Fucking gag me."

Hodie burst out laughing as Leah took another long drink. He asked, "So who else has an imprint?"

Leah said, "Well, there is Jared, with Kim. They sat next to each other in class every day. One day, he asked to borrow a fucking pencil, looked over into her eyes, and BAM! He finally notices this poor girl when she had been crushing on him for months."

Hodie laughed and asked, "Bam?"

Leah cackled and said, "Yes. Like fucking Emeril, okay? Bam!" She took another sip as she waited for Hodie to stop laughing. She continued, "He said he thought it was like a little alarm. Like, he was really seeing her for the first time. Like he was suddenly wide awake. He spotted her when he was phased later that same day, and that was it."

As his laughter slowed, Hodie said, "Okay. Okay ... Who else?"

Leah said, "Paul imprinted on Rachel. Rachel is Jacob's older sister. She is a few years older than Paul, and her personality is basically Paul with tits. They do nothing but argue because they are exactly alike. Then, there is Embry with Angela. Quil imprinted recently. Maybe me, too." Immediately drawing the wrong conclusion, Hodie sucked in a deep breath as his ears began to turn pink.

Leah chuckled anxiously and said, "No, Hodie. Not me and Quil. Quil imprinted on Claire, but her Dad forbade Claire from being with him."

Hodie frowned and said, "That's why you said he can't help but care about her, huh?" Leah nodded, and then Hodie asked, "What about you?"

Leah grinned at him nervously and said, "You. I think so, anyway. The others seem to think so. It felt … different from what the others experienced, but something definitely happened."

Hodie let go of her hand and said, "So, you and Quil still care about each other, obviously. Do you only want to be with me because of this imprint?"

Leah said, "No, Hodie. I had already fallen for you. It was at Jake and Bella's house, sitting at the table. Bella was making the damn lasagna. You said you loved me and looked me in the eyes, Hodie. It was like … being tethered. It's the only way I can think of to describe it. It was comforting, though. I honestly think my heart stopped for a second."

Hodie was silent for a few minutes, contemplating. Leah took another long drink of her Margarita, letting the sweet burn of the alcohol invade her senses while she waited.

I need a fucking cigarette after this.

Tentatively Hodie said, "When Sam said he was going to let you go, you said it was like being unshackled. I could feel how relieved you were, like a ton of weight flew off of your shoulders. Is this feeling with me … burdensome? Do you even want this?" The look on his face damn near broke her heart. Hodie was staring at her anxiously as if he was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Leah snatched his hand back as he looked up at her. She said, "Hodie ... If I had to imprint, which we didn't even know was possible, I couldn't ask for anyone better."

Hodie scoffed and sarcastically said, "Right. Not even Quil?"

Her tone was harsher than she intended as Leah said, "I told you that I wanted you. I said that for the first time before it happened. I meant it then, I meant it this morning, and I mean it now."

Hodie chuckled bitterly and said, "It. It happened."

Leah softened her tone as she admitted, "I kind of hope that maybe we got lucky, like Jake and Bells. I already fell for you. Maybe I was just lucky enough to find you beforehand."

Hodie immediately gave her a dazzling smile. Leah grinned back, her love for him undeniable when his happiness had suddenly become hers. Leah said, "I truly do feel blessed for finding you, Hodie. I can be …" Leah paused for a moment, searching for the right words to admit her worst fault. She said, "Hard to love. I am really, hard to love, Hodie. I hold grudges, run off at the mouth, and tend to push people away. I drink, cuss, and start fights. I have an awful fucking temper. It took a lot of time and effort to build the friendships I actually have. It's part of why I want to mend my friendship with Quil. Not everything that happened between us was his fault, and he was there for me when no one else was. Quil was there for me when I was unsure I even wanted to keep living anymore. He is a super loyal friend."

Hodie nodded sadly and said, "I can understand that. I really do love you, Leah. I want you to be happy. I don't give a damn about any imprint unless you don't want it. I mean, obviously, it can be fought against if Quil is still chasing after you."

Leah said, "If he was allowed to be around Claire, I think his feelings would change. I think he would let me go eventually."

Hodie sighed, leaning back again. He said, "I gotta disagree, Darlin." Leah looked up to see their food arriving and waited for the waitress to leave before asking him why. Both began eating, and it was a solid minute before he finally answered.

Hodie said, "Well, Sam just named his kid after you. Quil is fighting his imprint because he still loves you, too. He might love Claire eventually, but it could also end up like Sam and Emily. I honestly don't know what I would feel if you left me right now, Leah. You are much easier to love than you seem to think you are."

Leah wasn't sure how to respond to that. They ate in silence for a few more minutes before either said anything else. Leah looked up as she felt his eyes on her, heat whispering against her neck like butterfly kisses. She grinned at him involuntarily and wondered if he would always be able to make her happy so easily. She was beginning to feel like she needed his eyes on her, needed his smile and touch to settle her restless soul.

Hodie said, "I need to ask something else." His hesitation instantly killed the flirtatious vibes he was provoking with his hungry ocean eyes.

Leah took another large drink, and slightly buzzed now, playfully said, "You know what? Let's just do this. Ask me whatever. Anything you want to know. I have food, booze, we are together for the day. A few more sips of this, and I will probably tell you half my secrets, honestly."

Hodie chuckled awkwardly and said, "Uh, okay. I'm gonna just come out with it, then. Are you on birth control? Because we've been really fucking lax in the protection department. I honestly should have been more thoughtful about it, but it's like …" Hodie laughed and gave her a look so full of lust that she damn near choked. He said, "The minute you put your hands on me, Leah ... I feel like a fumbling teenager. I have protection on me all the time or in my drawer at home. I'm not used to wanting another person so much that I just ignore that kind of thing, and it's got me thrown. I'm a careful dude. I can't afford to be careless. Kids are great, but also a shit ton of responsibility."

Fumbling? Did he call that fumbling? She could barely walk. Her scalp still tingled, and her cervix felt like a punching bag. Her head swam. This was the part she had wanted to avoid most of all. The part where she had to tell him how unsure the future was for her in the procreation department. Imprint or no imprint, infertility could be a deal-breaker. Although it was crushing to think about, she would never force him to stay with her. Her lip trembled involuntarily, and she tucked it between her teeth anxiously. She took a deep breath before looking back up at a now nervous Hodie.

Leah confessed, "You don't have to freak out ... But, I am not on anything. I honestly don't know if I can even have kids, but I definitely won't be pregnant anytime soon." She was surprised that he seemed more saddened than relieved. God, what if he wants children of his own? What if I can't do that?

His voice was full of concern as he asked, "Why not, Leah? Why don't you think you can have kids?"

She admitted, "Uh, the wolf thing. I don't have periods anymore. I haven't since I first phased."

Hodie teased, "The others all have kids. Babies are coming out the ying-yang over there." Leah snorted, and Hodie asked, "Why does it only affect you, Darlin?"

Leah said, "The wolves stop aging while they are actively phasing. It is supposed to keep us younger, stronger. I have a theory that since my body isn't aging right now that it would not be possible for the baby to actually age inside of me either."

Wide-eyed, Hodie asked, "You're not aging right now? Why don't the wolves age?"

Leah said, "To keep us around longer, supposedly. To better protect the tribe. We can't live indefinitely, but our legends talk of some who were in their eighties and still looked twenty-five. I'm not sure how much protection I was ever supposed to be. I'm so much smaller than they all are. Even Seth towers over me, and he is the youngest."

Hodie asked, "You are the smallest of them?"

Leah laughed and nodded. She had forgotten that he had not seen the others in their wolf forms yet. "Jacob is like the size of a fucking horse. Sam isn't much smaller, but he used to be the largest. When Jake took over as Alpha, he went through another growth spurt. I'm the only one that didn't turn into a giant."

Hodie said, "Well, Darlin, I happen to think you are just right the way you are. So? Actively phasing? Does that mean you will eventually stop?"

She said, "God, I hope so. It won't be anytime right away, but hopefully in the next couple of years. The wolves have to stop phasing for at least a year before they become fully human and start aging again. My mom thinks when I have stopped completely, things might … restart, I guess?" Leah covered her face with her hand in embarrassment and chuckled. "I can't believe we are seriously having this discussion over dinner."

Mischievously, Hodie whispered, "Leah, honey? You just got done riding me six ways from Sunday. You don't have to be embarrassed talking about periods, okay?" Leah burst out laughing, gaining the attention of half of the restaurant. Hodie leaned back in his seat, watching her laugh. He grinned and said, "There is my baby. Hadn't seen her since yesterday."

Leah snickered and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Hodie said, "My favorite thing about you is your laugh, Leah. When your laugh is genuine, and you let go? You light up the room, Darlin." Hodie chuckled as Leah sat there speechless.

I told this man about the imprint, and I may never conceive. He knows that I am literally a host for a spiritual being and shapeshift into a fucking wolf - to kill vampires of all things. He should be running the fuck away, screaming. Instead, he's talking about how much he loves my laugh? Leah blurted out, "Are you a little insane?"

Hodie barked out a loud laugh and shook his head. He said, "I'm not crazy. My mom had me tested."

Leah said, "Oh, Lord. Angie loves Big Bang. Let me guess? Penny fan?"

Hodie said, "Howard and Bernie. They could have their own show without the rest. It would be like Roseanne, but with geniuses and more yelling."

Laughing, Leah teased, "I thought that's what it already was."

He nodded and said, "Yeah, sort of."

She said, "Anyway, let's be serious for a second. Do you understand how crazy all of this is? Why aren't you running away screaming?" Leah was buzzed and gesturing with her hands now. She slid her Margarita over to take another long drink and pushed it back. Hodie was smirking at her, shaking his head.

He asked, "It has been a hard day for you, hasn't it, Darlin?"

Leah sighed. It had been a hard day. Well, it had also been a hard day. She couldn't stop the smile that crept across her face. Leah said, "I've had too much tequila."

Hodie laughed and asked, "You think?"

Leah said, "You have had too little tequila." Hodie chuckled and took a long drink. Leah cackled as he grimaced and asked, "Brain freeze?"

He coughed and said, "That is why I drink it slowly." He grinned up at her through watery eyes as she giggled.

He grinned at the sound and said, "I love you, Leah." Her breath felt caught in her chest, butterflies exploding throughout her body. It was the same every time Hodie said it. It was never said in desperation. Never said because of pain or out of jealousy. Hodie told her he loved her when he truly felt it.

Leah asked, "You are really not going anywhere? You're not going to just decide it's all too much and abandon me?"

Hodie scoffed, shaking his head at her dramatically. "Darlin, I already told you. You are it for me. I'm in for the long haul if you want me to be."

Leah called for a cab to take them to the club. Hodie had been hesitant because it was a club night. That meant the place would be full of ravers and singles, packed to the hilt. He eventually relented when she promised they would leave if he had a terrible time.

On the ride, he asked, "You really want to go to where we work to hang out? Are you a masochist?"

Leah laughed and pulled him to her for a long, sensual kiss. She pulled away and glanced up to find the driver glancing rapidly back and forth between the road and the rearview mirror. She leaned over and whispered, "I think someone wants a show."

Grinning mischievously, Hodie said, "Oh yeah?" He pulled her closer, draping her legs across his lap. He crushed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Leah whimpered into his mouth as he brought his hand to her breast, damn near forgetting where they were. There was a screeching of tires, and the car swerved, swiftly changing lanes to avoid rear-ending someone. Leah chuckled as each looked up to see the driver wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.

Hodie chuckled and whispered, "Maybe that is enough for now. I would like to arrive alive. That was the purpose of the cab." Her loud burst of laughter startled the driver, and he swerved again. Hodie gave Leah a mischievous, crooked grin. She remained where she was, staring at his face with her legs draped across him. She was suddenly very grateful that the driver could not see them from the waist down as his hand crept up the inside of her thigh. Leah fought the urge to arch toward Hodie, gasping as he slid his hand into the leg of her shorts.

Hodie leaned forward and whispered sternly into her ear, "Shhh. Be quiet for me, baby, and we will see if I can make you cum before we get there." He had stepped back into his dominant persona with ease. Leah trembled as he ventured on, pushing his fingers underneath her underwear and sliding them along her folds. She was unsure how she could want him so badly after spending half the day wrapped around him already. When he slid two fingers inside of her, Leah struggled against the urge to grind against his hand. She instinctively reached to encourage his movements, and he growled softly in her ear.

Keeping his voice low, Hodie commanded, "Put your arms around my neck and keep them there." When she did so, he said, "Now look at me, Leah. Only at me." Leah stared into his eyes from under half-closed lids, drowning in the soft flecks of blue and gray she found there. The world moved in a blur around them while his fingers steadily pumped into her, and she struggled to stay quiet. The presence of a complete stranger mere feet away was both exciting and frightening, only heightening her urgency. Her legs began to tremble as his talented hands had her quickly nearing release. He curled his fingers upward inside of her and pressed down on her clit, rubbing it with his thumb. Hodie watched with a sly smile on his face as her eyes dilated and she came undone around his fingers. Leah shuddered, biting her bottom lip hard to stay silent as waves of pleasure rocked through her. Hodie lifted his hand to his mouth and sucked his fingers clean, his eyes unwavering from hers. He chuckled as Leah whimpered, and the cab driver slowly let out a deep breath.

A couple of minutes later, Leah reached for cash to pay the driver after climbing out of the cab. He chuckled as he blushed furiously and waved her off before speeding away with a grin on his face. She looked up in surprise as Hodie burst out laughing.

He said, "We will have to remember that trick. Free cab rides more often." Leah laughed and reached for his hand, leading him toward the front of the building. The music was clearly discernible from outside, the walls vibrating as they passed by. Hodie asked, "Why are we going in this way? We work here. We can just use the back door."

Leah said, "Tonight, we are patrons, and we are going through the front door just like everyone else."

Hodie laughed and said, "If you say so." He had been right, of course. Their co-worker at the front door merely grinned and directed them past a long line of people.

A few complained loudly, to which the bouncer yelled, "They work here. Shut it!" Leah chuckled as he gave them a playful shove inside and shut the door behind them. Hodie looked over at her in alarm at the sea of black and neon adorned patrons. She had never seen the place this crowded.
Leah yelled over the music, "I need to talk to Tom about practicing for this damn dance."

There was a squeal from across the bar, and Leah looked up to find Alice making her way toward them. She slammed into Leah excitedly, wrapping her in a hug. Leah gasped from the impact, nearly getting bowled over by the tiny vampire. She chuckled and hugged Alice back tightly for a moment. Hodie watched them silently, amused.

Cheerfully, Alice said, "I just came to talk to Tom. I am so glad to see you so much better."

Leah looked over at Hodie affectionately and said, "Hodie took amazing care of me."

Alice asked, "Are you going to start staying at the guest house?"

Leah said, "Yeah, I think so. I decided to do the dance for the benefit. I will need to find the time to practice and hopefully utilize the space here. If Tom will let me, that is."

Alice said, "Well, we should go talk to him." Alice wrapped her hand around hers and pulled Leah toward the office. Cheerfully, she chirped out, "I am going to soak up some of your warmth for a second. Tom says something about my hand being cold every time he shakes it." Leah laughed and held her hand tighter, despite the bitter cold that burned into her hot flesh.

Tom had been happy to see them both, laughing at Leah in her slightly inebriated state. Alice showed them her costume plans. The faith that Leah had in Alice and her capabilities was genuine. Trusting her opinion, Tom was excited to see the results. Tom loaned Leah a copy of the key to the back exit and gave her permission to be there during the closing hours to practice. He did warn her that he may be in the building at the time.

After Alice said her goodbyes, Leah found Hodie on the security display. He was behind the bar, serving drinks. Tom clicked his tongue as he shook his head. Tom said, "This kid? What the hell is he doing? I'm gonna have to start paying him salary if he keeps that shit up."

Leah said, "Come out here and have a drink with me?"

Coughing through his laughter, he choked out, "No way. No Tequila for me."

Realizing he could smell it on her, Leah laughed. She said, "I am done with the Tequila for the day. It's beer-thirty." Tom laughed loudly and gestured toward the door. When they entered the club space, Leah immediately sought out Hodie. His smile as he looked up at her made her knees weak. He continued helping their co-workers for a few minutes as the patrons swamped the bar. Leah lucked out as two gave up their barstools. She darted to them and pulled them close together in an attempt to save Tom a seat. He sat down next to her, in happier spirits than she had seen from him. Leah vaguely wondered what home life was like for him, hoping he was happy. Knowing they would not get a drink anytime soon, Leah hoisted herself onto the bar on her belly. She leaned down to snag two beers from the cooler and nearly toppled forward. Her ass in the air, Tom burst out laughing as she reached behind her to hand him a beer. Leah looked up to find Hodie cackling at her and grinned. She climbed back down carefully and sat next to Tom as she opened her beer.

Tom took a long swig of his beer and asked, "So? How are things going with Hodie?" Her cheeks grew warmer as she blushed, her wide grin almost painful. To her surprise, Tom said, "That is what I like to see. He is a good kid. Been alone for a long time." He turned to grin at her and said, "He's my best damn bartender, too." Tom leaned toward her, lowering his voice as he said, "I'm glad you two made up."

Leah cackled as he gave her a shit-eating grin. She said, "Yeah. Me, too."

They talked about Rick and the Halloween party as they finished their beers. As the traffic to the bar finally slowed, Hodie poured a final round of shots and washed his hands. Multiple bartenders cheered and thanked him as he abandoned them to join Leah. Hodie expertly hopped over the bar and stood at her side.

Leah said, "I want another beer. Do you want a beer?" Grinning, she turned to Tom and asked him the same question.

Tom chuckled as he stood and said, "No, I think I will let you kids get back to your date. He moved over and gestured for Hodie to take his seat. As Hodie sat down, Tom shoved something into his front shirt pocket. Hodie immediately reached to pull out the fifty-dollar bill in surprise.

Hodie said, "Boss, you don't have to..."

Tom interrupted him, saying, "Anytime you feel like hopping in to help out is fine with me, but you are not doing it off the clock. Got it? Make sure you let me know when one of these knuckleheads guilts you into giving them a hand."

Hodie grinned sheepishly and nodded in understanding. Tom gave Leah a brief side-hug and mussed her hair playfully as he said, "Leah, grab your own damn beer. Just don't bust your ass doing it."

As Tom walked away, Hodie whispered, "Is he drunk?"

Leah laughed and said, "Nope. Just having a good day, I think. He's happy we made up."

Hodie chuckled and said, "Is that right?"

Leah stood to hoist herself over the bar again. She grunted as she reached for more beers, saying, "Yep." She climbed down and plopped onto her barstool, grinning. She said, "He thinks a lot of you, you know?" Leah handed Hodie a beer bottle, and he smirked at her.

Hodie asked, "Really? Are we mixing our alcohol?"

Leah teased, "There is a rule of thumb with alcohol, Hodie. You're a bartender. You should know this."

He asked, "Oh? And what is that rule?"

Leah said, "Liquor before beer. We'll be fine." Hodie snorted in response and clinked his beer bottle to hers before taking a swig.

Leah managed to drag him out of the dance floor for a while, surprised to find he was actually a decent dancer. By the time she called the cab to take them home, both were hammered and unable to keep their hands off of each other. Hodie walked backward up the stairs, only stopping from kissing her a few seconds at a time. When they reached the landing, they barely made it inside before collapsing together on the living room floor in a frenzy. That night, Leah went to sleep happily wrapped in his arms. Her pack, her family, and especially Quil were the furthest thing from her mind.

How do y'all feel about this chapter? Leave me your thoughts in the review section! XO.