Hazy morning sun broke through the curtains and illuminated the room, dragging Bella from her sleep. Bella squeezed her eyes tight, wishing that through some sort of miracle she had actually died last night in the forest instead of currently waking in Emily's house…

She sat up and opened her eyes. She slumped in despair, no such luck apparently. She was in Emily's guest room. Bella sighed, wrapping her arms around her waist. After the spectacle last night, she didn't know how she was supposed to face anyone who had interacted with her last night. God knew what they thought of her. Becoming catonic over some boy. Leah certainly thought she was pathetic. But it wasn't some boy after all, Edward was more than that. Her throat clenched at the thought of him.

Bella knew what would come next. Charlie would be ecstatic about Edward leaving, but would try to hide it for her sake. There would be gossip at school, whispering behind her back. As if she even gave a crap about that, Bella huffed, tugging on her hair. The reservation folks, at least those who were involved with finding her- she could now guess who found her now that her head was clearer- wouldn't really interact with her, so no problem there really. No one would care really, except her. She was the one that would feel the loss of him- leaving her. Because she couldn't stop bleeding. Because Jasper made a mistake. Because Edward didn't love her,didn't want her anymore. Bella covered her face with her hands. Tears leaked from her eyes, and she didn't bother stopping their descent.

Bella felt she knew, deep within her soul. That there was nothing left for her here, in this life. What did she have really? Her parents? A mother that had moved on with her own life, and didn't need her in the way? A mother that was never really a mom to begin with, no matter how much Bella needed her? A mother that forced her to grow up and take care of them both? Or a father that was just as broken as she was- whose true love had left him as well. He was just living out the rest of his time, as miserable and broken as her. Sure, she was a joy to Charlie. She was the last remaining thing he had of her mother. Bella knew that he was just waiting, bracing himself for the day she left.

She supposed she was like a desert plant. Stifled and hidden. Given such fresh, pure water that she couldn't help but blossom and grow with all the determination and fury of the world. But it couldn't last, and now the water was gone, and she was shriveling up and dying. Was it worth waiting for the world to do what she could do herself?

Bella wiped her eyes, sliding out of the bed. It was early, but she could hear the sounds of banging that was always associated with breakfast making. She stared hesitantly at the closed door in front of her, reality hitting hard. What was she supposed to do? Go out there and pretend nothing was wrong?

She knew with utter certainty that if she too happy, Emily would tell Charlie to watch her. If she was too depressed, the same would occur. She didn't want to be interfered with. She just wanted to be left alone. So she could do- or not do- what she had been thinking about since the moment Edward left her in those woods.

With a last superstitious wipe to her eyes, Bella opened the door and listened apprehensively at the noise. She would rather collapse on the guest room bed and pretend to sleep forever- but waiting for Emily to wake her up would be awkward. She just wanted to get her clothes and go home. Bella shuffled out into the hallway, hesitantly following the noise. She didn't really know her place here. She reached the end of the hallway, and was shocked by what she saw. Emily was bustling around the rather large kitchen, baking up a storm. Her hair was up and she was half covered in flour, regardless of the flowered apron wrapped around her waist. Pancakes were cooking on two separate griddles- she had never seen a stove with so many burners, and Emily was cracking eggs into a bowl that already had at least 2 dozen.

Bella tucked her hair behind her ear, shifting from foot to foot. Should she just stand here and wait for Emily to notice? No such luck, as Emily seemed caught up in her own world. Bella sighed, trying to straighten up.

"Um, Emily?" Bella called out. Emily jerked from her revere. Emily startled, turning around with a smile.

"Oh Bella, I was sure you would sleep for a while longer."

Bella twisted the sleeve of her shirt, blushing slightly. "Yea, sorry about nodding off so quickly like that. Wasn't very polite of me."

"Don't be silly. Why don't you take a seat?" Emily vaguely waved, turning back to her egg cracking.

"Do you need help or something?" Bella asked, taking Emily's advice to sit at the island. The stools were tall, forcing her to make an effort to sit up straight.

"If that is a sincere offer- then yes actually. Can you a couple cups of flour to this and roll?" Emily teased, placing the items and bowl in front of her. "I warn you, you'll end up getting flour everywhere. Price of the job."

Bella was no stranger to cooking, thankfully, and it was just biscuit batter. She set to work, already thinking that this was going better than planned. Emily went on with her work, humming quietly to herself, both of them working in silence. Emily was right, flour went everywhere. Bella had no idea why they she was rolling out dozens and dozens of biscuits- but that wasn't terribly important- it was simple work that allowed her mind to start planning on what she would do later.

Maybe, Edward hadn't actually left. Bella couldn't really remember much about the previous night, but she was certain someone had mentioned the Cullen's residence. Surely not all the Cullen's had left, they were still in Forks weren't they? They couldn't just up and leave, could they? Icy fear settled in the pit of her stomach at the thought. The Cullen's wouldn't just leave forks without telling her, or saying goodbye. If they were still here, she could talk to Alice and she would help straighten Edward out. Bella could have slapped herself. Alice had always been there for her, this time would be no different. She smiled, her shoulders slumped in relief. She hadn't even noticed her shoulders were tense, or that she was rolling the biscuit dough a little too vigorously. The fear was still there, but it was muted now, like an ache soothed.

"I think that should be the last of the biscuits." Emily swooped in, carrying the finished baking sheets laden with biscuits off to the oven. "Would you mind flipping those pancakes Bella?"

Bella stuck the roller and any of the excess flour she could scrape off the island into the bowl, hopping off the stool. In no time at all the pancakes were flipped and she was back near her seat. Rather than sitting, she slouched against the island.

"Hey Emily, if you don't mind me asking. Why are you making so much food?" Bella absently stirred a bowl of leftover pancake batter.

Emily laughed, "That's because most of the reservation boys show up here to feast. They are quite… attached to Sam and they are growing boys so they eat quite a lot. They should be showing up any minute actually." Emily bustled over to a cabinet to grab a stack of plates and cutlery, disappearing into the dining room.

Bella was surprised; Emily was pretty nice to put up with a bunch of people in her house every morning. She frowned when she realized she was a stranger after all. She also realized that this might be a private thing, something that she probably wasn't expected to go to. This was a relief, because she didn't feel up for being human other than cooking today. She heard a rustle behind her, towards the hallway.

"Hey Emily, do you mind if I take a plate of this to the guest room- this is probably more of a group thing." Bella turned, her hand brushing the hair away from her face. But it wasn't Emily who had entered the kitchen, she should have known, seeing as the dining room was in the opposite direction. Instead, she met eye to eye with Leah, who was mid step when their eyes connected.

Bella couldn't look away. Leah had the warmest, strongest brown eyes she had ever seen. Had she never looked Leah in the eyes until now? It seemed such a strange and impossible concept. Bella wasn't really an eye contact person, she couldn't even say what Emily's eye color was, and yet here she was, memorizing every dark fleck present in Leah's eyes. Leah had the oddest look on her face. It was the look of someone right before they fell- the moment of utter panic.

She had never noticed how long Leah's hair was. Pitch black and tied back, it still had that untamed, wild look to it. Or how toned Leah was, did she work out? Her biceps were magnificent. Leah's face twisted, strangled noises of disbelief making its way past her lips. Self –conscious, Bella tried to turn or break eye contact, but was incapable. Oh god, this is so awkward. Why can't I stop staring?

Emily came to her rescue however, her entrance banging the door against the wall. Bella blinked, achingly slow, and her eyes darted to Emily, who was starting at Leah in shock.

Bella turned back to Leah, to find that all color was drained from her face. Leah's jaw was working, as if trying to get some comment out. However, Leah only turned sharply on her heel and all but ran from the room and out of the house. Bella turned back to Emily, her eyes questioning. Emily looked like she wanted to run after Leah. Did she offend Leah in some way? Maybe Leah expected her to be gone by now?

"Emily?" Bella questioned. "If I am making some sort of trouble here, I can leave. I really should be getting back to Charlie. I don't want to make an issue. Leah never liked me much." It would be better for her to leave now anyway. It meant she could go the Cullen's and talk to Alice sooner.

"Don't be ridiculous, Leah just had a rough night is all. Besides, you're always welcome here." Emily smiled, but her eyes couldn't hide her concern. Bella couldn't help to feel as if everything had suddenly changed.

OoOoOoOo

What the fuck Leah, Bella FUCKING Swan, The Leach Lover with a capital L. Leah gripped her head, growling as a wash of pain lanced through her skull. What? I can't even think of her badly, in MY own head now? Screw imprinting, and screw Bella FUCKING Swan. She grimaced as another spike hit her skull. Despite her harsh words, her own mind betrayed her by replaying that moment over and over again.

She hadn't expected Swan to be up yet, but she more than expected Emily to be franticly running around trying to get everything done. Hell, Leah wasn't a great cook, but she sure as hell could crack some eggs and flip some fucking pancakes. At first she thought the form slumping on the island was Emily, but that form was too short to be Emily, who was nearly 5'6. Maybe it was the hair, Bella had warm brown hair with flecks of highlights, but in the kitchen light-seconds before they held each other's eyes- it looked dark.

Leah groaned as her mind, in delightful fucking detail, watched as Bella turned to face her. Flour was everywhere, in her hair, on her face, on her clothes. Bella was everything to her now. Her flannel pajama shirt was much too large for her, and was one side was nearly slipping off her shoulder, exposing a delicate collar bone. One sleeve was rolled up to her elbow, the other falling past her fingertips. The shirt could of used another button, because it dipped a little too low into her chest. Leah could also see the bags under Bella's eyes, and the haunted look that lingered there. And the bruise she could see through the gaps of the shirt buttons, on her Bella's stomach. It didn't take much to bring up all the bruises that she herself had seen last night. On Bella… Her imprinted.

She would fucking kill that Leech.

"This can't be happening," Leah pleaded, sinking to her knees. She found herself at La Push beach. Even in human form she could run as fast as any vampire, not that she would ever compare herself to one of those sick bastards. She had imprinted on the worst person imaginable. Her head twinged at the thought, but it was true. Bella was in love with an abusive Leech. No matter that fact, but Bella was a girl, a girl still in fucking high school. She was twenty-one years old. Bella was what, sixteen, seventeen?

Oh God, Bella was a girl. Leah had never even considered the idea. Hell, she had dated Sam for years. "Is this some kind of cruel joke?" Leah called out into the sky, one that was clear and blue, like it was a regular ole day. Like anyone would answer. The only reply she received was the crashing waves beating on the shore. "Is this karma or something because I'm a bitter fucking bitch? Cause you try and deal with everything that has happened to me." Again, no reply but the waves. She would have to tell the pack. Or rather, the pack would know as soon as she shifted. She didn't think she was skilled enough to keep it hidden. She didn't want this. She didn't want to Bella Swan's plaything, or protector, or whatever the hell else the imprint wanted her to be. She didn't want to be a better fucking wolf.

What was she supposed to do now? Waltz in at breakfast, with the whole pack, sitting near her or across from her. Hey everybody, I won't be such a hard ass now, because I have my own imprint and guess what? It's Bella Swan, the leech lover. That would go down real well. Never mind she was the only female wolf, but she was gay now too? The pack would eat her alive. The comments would drive her insane.

Leah took a deep breath, leaning back and slumping into a washed up tree. In no time at all, she could hear the sound of sand on flesh, footfalls racing towards her. Shadows fell on her face, and she looked up to her brother, clad only in gym shorts and already flopping down beside her.

"Hey sis. Emily said you ran out on her. What's up?" Seth nudged her. Great, now the whole pack is at Emily's. With her. That just made her anxious. Maybe Paul would blow up and kill Bella, that would solve all her problems. Her stomach clenched at the thought. Ok, maybe it wouldn't help.

Leah tried to smile, she really did. Seth was always there for her. Her energetic little brother who loved being a wolf. Who, unlike her mother, didn't blame her for her father's heart attack. The most important person in her life, who now she could feel placed second, his spot in her heart rooted out by Bella Swan. How could a woman she barely knew take precedence over her bother?

"Whoa, seriously Leah. What's wrong?!" Seth sat up and grabbed her hand. The attempt of a smile must have tipped him off. Ah well, it's what I get for trying. "Did mom kick you out again, because you know Sam and Emily, or any of the pack will take you in."

Leah huffed, she would rather sleep in the forest than take charity from any of the pack, the mongrels. "No, it's worse than that Seth." Leah gripped her brother's hand before releasing it. "I…Imprinted." It sounds dirty when I say it like that.

If Seth was expecting something, this wasn't it. He looked confused. "Well, that's great! Isn't it? Who is the lucky guy? If he is a jerk the pack will beat him up." Seth joked, shaking her shoulder, "Hey, this is great. So imprinting isn't just a pack leader thing eh? You should be happy!"

"No Seth I shouldn't! I imprinted on Bella Swan, the fucking leech lover!" Leah growled, tearing a hand through her hair. She flinched as pain lanced through her head.

Seth was the epitome of shocked. "Oh." His hand stayed on her shoulder, though the shaking had thankfully stopped. "Wow. Wowwww."

Tears pricked Leah's eyes as utter hopelessness washed over her. "Not exactly a happy ending huh? Sam gets his girl, my fucking cousin and what do I get? A high school girl chasing after our mortal sworn enemy. I am not a lesbian, Seth!"

Seth looked off into the distance into the sea, his face screwed up as if he was thinking. Hard. After a moment, he nodded to himself, as if he made a decision. He turned to Leah. "You believe in the legends right?" He asked.

"We are the legends Seth, unless we are both insane, the legends are real." Leah scowled, wondering where the hell Seth was going with this.

"Ok, so then you have to believe that imprinting doesn't make a mistake. It makes you a better wolf. Maybe the imprint is just giving you something you'd never consider yourself."

"Seth, I know you like the whole wolfy thing, but I don't care about being a "better" wolf" Leah spat. Feeling guilty, Leah sighed and looked away, "Sorry Seth. I just… don't believe that anything good can come from this." Leah waved vaguely at herself. "I never wanted to grow a snout and tail. I feel like I was forced into all this. Nothing is private anymore, not even this conversation." She laughed bitterly, "I don't know why I even put up with it anymore."

Seth stiffened, and suddenly Leah found herself wrapped up in tight hug. "I hate it when you talk like this. I didn't want to say anything before, but I've listened to your thoughts lately. I-and the pack- despite what you think about us, are worried about you. Your thoughts have been dark lately, and Quill thought he was getting snatches a couple nights ago, but please, don't even think about hurting yourself." Seth didn't pause in his speech, not allowing her to get a word out. "If Bella is what tips you over, then you can bet that I-and the pack- will help you stay away from her, or I'll drag her to you every day-whatever helps, but please don't go and think about killing yourself. I'll tell Sam to order you not to," Seth joked.

Leah tensed in surprise. She should have known, nothing was secret in the pack. Leah closed her eyes, the well-known feeling of bitterness entering her body. She knew Seth would do it too, she could imagine the embarrassment and resentment as she cowed under Sam's orders in front of the whole pack. That would just be like them, denying her the one out she had left.

"Like I'd leave you with mom." Leah joked, hugging her brother back. She wouldn't believe the pack cared remotely about her, but for Seth's peace of mind, she would try and control hers. "But if you tell Sam to order me to do anything, me not murdering you should be one of them, because that is what I will do."

Seth released his hold on her, already smiling like the serious conversation never happened. "The whole pack is at Emily's. Sam said to pick you up and head on over."

"Are you kidding me? I can't go in there and see her right now. I'd probably kill her." Leah stood up, brushing the sand off her pants. Oho, her brain did not like that comment, and she tried not wince. I can't even be free in my own mind anymore? The imprint will punish me for my own damn thoughts? How is that even remotely acceptable? It's barbaric. Perfect for keeping a bunch of dogs in line.

"Well if you don't, Sam will want to know why, and he'll make us shift. Then everyone will know at breakfast and I won't get to eat." Seth reasoned, clambering up beside her. "So stay out here and avoid her or go in and ignore her. At least then no one will know until Bella is out of the crossfire and on her way home."

Leah rolled her eyes, it figured that Seth based all his decisions his next meal. It was tempting though, if Seth didn't shift she would have another hour of relative peace. "Fine, but no shifting. Got it? You're a liability now you hound. Let's go." Leah started off at a run, into the direction of Emily's house. Seth kept pace alongside her, and Leah pretended she couldn't see the glances he threw her way. Might as well get used to it.

Even as they ran, Leah tried pushing thoughts of Bella out of her head. But even then, she could feel her wolf's excitement as they undoubtley headed closer to the space Bella occupied. Stupid wolf, why did it have to be Bella Fucking Swan?

Authors Notes:

I really do have a lot of fun writing these chapters, and I hope this story will grow into something logical and readable. So until next time, please comment and enjoy! If you have any questions about the story simply ask and I'll try to answer.