Chapter 11: Touch
Leah sat stiffly in her mother's kitchen with the rest of the council surrounding her and Sam, who sat on the other side of the table. The pack sat outside, Seth included.
"We are gathered here to discuss the issues brought forth by Sue Clearwater regarding her daughter, Leah Clearwater, and the incident with the pack alpha Sam Uley," Billy began, "Leah please recount the incident."
"I told Sam that I had imprinted, and he didn't take it well, he attacked me, with his imprint between us," honesty is the best policy Leah thought as she fidgeted in her chair. She glanced up, and saw the muscle in Sam's jaw tick as he ground his teeth, and his face was turning red.
"I see, Sam, what say you?"
"She disappeared for nearly a week, and neglected her pack. Then she comes back to say she imprinted on a leech, and then she challenged me," Sam ground out.
"Bullshit, you threatened Seth," Leah said nearly snarling. She gripped her mother's old table so hard she heard the wood creak.
"Silence this meeting is to get to the bottom of the fight, and then decide how the pack should proceed. Not start a new argument."
"She still isn't doing any perimeter runs. She has been holed up at the leeches compound worrying all of us."
"Really if you're so worried about me why haven't you had any of the boys check on me or at least Seth he's been with me most days until school goes back," Leah countered.
"How do you respond, Alpha Uley."
"I couldn't risk any more of the pack for two traitors," was his answer, Leah just rolled her eyes.
"Whatever I'll do perimeter checks if you want, as long as it's at night or my days off. I'll give you my schedule each week, and I'm not running with you, I'll run with anyone else though."
"Days off?"
"I got a job, I'm going to get a place in town."
"Packmates stay on the reservation," Sam said, gripping the table.
"I haven't been on the rez for days, and dear god the world didn't end, I can't stay here, and drive myself crazy. If you wanna talk you can tell me when I perimeter run."
"Doesn't matter I want you here."
"Why does it matter?"
"Because if you're here I know you're not divulging pack secrets to the leeches."
"What secrets, Emily's muffin recipe, you've lost it I hope Jacob comes back, pulls the stick out of his ass and beats you with it, I'm not staying here. I have to go with them when the Cullens leave anyway because I can't be too far from Alide or I start to itch, and I feel queasy. Also can we address that you alpha ordered my brother not to see me because I insulted your precious manhood."
Sam snarled and stood up tipping his chair backwards, "Jacob is gone he was weak. You will do as I say as your alpha I order you to return to the Reservation, Seth too, and you will not be near your imprint let's see how long you can last."
Leah felt hollow and cold as she stared up at him from her chair. She felt glued to the chair, and tears sting her eyes. Sam just looked smug. Then they heard Billy say in a hard voice, "Lift those orders now, pup, you do not get to use your authority to make people bend to your whims. Leah you may move away from the reservation if that is your wish, and your patrols will be with Seth only, I think that is best for Pack cohesion, everyone agree?" The rest of the council nodded their heads, and Leah felt a staggering sense of relief. She looked over at Sam who muttered the retraction of his orders. He was quivering slightly, and she hoped he was not going home like this to Emily. Maybe she would stop by her house tomorrow to check on her. Tell her how her date went. She missed Emily, they'd been best friends back in the day.
"Also given Leah's story you need to shift away from the Reservation and calm down before you can go home to Emily," Sue said, not letting her niece potentially be injured again, "you are dismissed."
Sam shot out of the door like his tail was on fire. Leah watched him take off in the direction of the woods before shifting. Then her mother filled the seat, "You are always welcomed here you know that this is your home, these are your people," she reached across the table and pulled both of Leah's hands into hers.
""You and Seth, and maybe Jake, but the rest of the pack….I think they kept me around because I had no choice. However I did make a real nuisance of myself if I actually tried, maybe they could like me, but I just don't care. Besides, I'll probably have to leave with the cullens in a few weeks anyway."
"What, why?" Sue said looking stricken she pulled her hands away.
Leah felt guilty, but knew her mom needed to hear this, "They're leaving after Bella and Edward get back, they don't have a choice. I have to go with them. We don't know the long term effects of separation between the shifter, and the person they imprinted on, and unless I give Carlisle carte blanche to experiment on Alice and I there's no way to know. I'll visit. They seem to be loaded, and Alice already offered to double whatever money I have saved up. I just need to go with them. I can't live without her. Though that doesn't seem to be mutual, but I promise to send you a postcard when we settle in a place."
"Why are they leaving though this will devastate Charlie."
"Mom, Bella is going to come back as a vampire. They're probably going to tell Charlie that Bella died in an accident, and then they will move citing grief as the reason" for the sudden move."
"Charlie will never buy that," Sue said, pulling away from Leah.
"It'll be too late anyway. There's nothing we can do, it's Bella's decision."
"I know, i guess i just didn't realize the far reaching consequences of her decision. Can I get you coffee, while we talk?" she needed to do something other than worry about Bella.
"Actually I need to get giong I have a date tonight."
"I thought you and ALice weren't-"
"We're not, this is a girl I met. Her name is Bree, and I have to meet her in Port Angeles tonight."
"Oh I see, well have fun, and please come visit soon, and tell your brother to come home."
"I will mom, and we will talk more about this Bella thing, but I have to go before Alice pulls out my entire outfit."
Her mother chuckled as they both stood up, and hugged each other tightly.
"How did it go," Alice said looking up from her book. She was sitting on the couch with her head on Jasper's lap. He had his hand in her hair, and a book in the other hand.
"Well, they got Sam to heel, and now I'm going to shower and get ready for my date."
"Why it's not until later tonight?" Alice said looking at her curiously, knowing exactly what would look good on the woman, and planned to set out the outfit while she was in the shower. While fighting the urge to listen in on her while in said shower.
"Well I gotta catch the bus because it's in Port Angeles, and I don't have a car," Leah explained, very confused by the incredulous looks the vampires were giving her.
"Darlin' borrow one of ours," Jasper said, smirking a little at the woman's wide eyed look.
"That's not necessary," Leah said she would never be able to pay for it if she wrecked one of their cars.
The vampires looked at one another then the woman who was refusing transportation, "Alice, baby, go pick out her outfit, while we have a bit of a chat. I know you want to pick her clothes for tonight."
"Alice that isn-" Alice was gone, "She really doesn't have to do that."
"I haven't dressed myself since 1941. I walked out in something with tassels and made of burlap, since then she has picked out every stitch that goes on my body."
Leah snorted, "But I have halfway decent taste."
Jasper shrugged, "It makes her happy, and isn't that the goal of our existence. Anyway, please take a car, or a motorcycle, impress this girl. Then come home and tell us about it because it will make her happy."
"Fine, but I'm buying my own car at some point."
"Of course. Now go on go get ready," then he returned his attention to his book smirking all the while. He liked the shifters stubbornly wanting to make her way in the world. Watching her and Alice butt heads is going to be interesting.
She took her time in the shower this time. Let the perfectness of the water. She hoped this went well, even if Bree and her weren't soulmates maybe she could have fun; plus it has been awhile since she'd had some naked fun.
She entered her bedroom, which was empty this time. Her black slacks and button down was on the bed waiting for her. She dressed quickly, and as she stood in front of the window she had to admit she looked good. The dark color made her eyes seem brighter, and her hair, which needed a trim, seem sleeker. She pulled it in a low ponytail, and slid on her nice flip flops, and jogged down the stairs. Alice and Jasper were in the same position they were in earlier, "Happy ya tiny control freak," Leah joked, turning slowly for them both.
"Yes very, please have fun," Alice said with a smugness in her tone, and a hunger in her eyes that Leah staunchly ignored.
The date was going well. They went to an Italian place, and Leah was enjoying herself. Bree was witty and smart. She also thought Leah was funny if her laughter was any indication. Leah liked her. There was one tiny problem every time Bree brushed Leah's arm, or placed her hand on Leah's own, her skin would crawl, and the urge to push her away grew as the night wore on, as did her bitter disappointment. The end of the night drew closer, and Leah's relief was palpable. Bree seemed to notice, "We're not going out again are we?" Her smile was gentle and understanding, and Leah hated it, she had really wanted this to work.
"I'm sorry, if it makes you feel better I think you're great I just have a lot going on right now."
"Ah the old 'it's not you its me' well I think you're pretty amazing too," then she reached up and kissed the corner of Leah's mouth, "You have a nice night," then she walked to her car.
Leah snarled in frustration as she stomped over to her car. She couldn't believe this. She turned the car on, and aggressively pulled out of the lot wishing she'd taken the bike now because she could go even faster, but the mustang would do, she supposed. She wanted to be near Alice, and a part of her hated that. However the part that hated it begrudgingly respected the fact that she would always want Alice.
She arrived at the house in record time. When she opened the door her thoughts were spiraling, and the implications of tonight were just starting to sink in. culminating in Leah's slightly panicked state. Emmett takes one look at her, and simply says, "They're upstairs."
She takes them two at a time.
When she reaches their room the door is thankfully opened, "Leah how'd it go?" Alice said sitting up, and turning off the TV.
"Not great," then she let out a slightly hysterical cackle. The two vampires look at one another, and then Jasper gets up, and motions for Leah to take his spot. She was too tired to think of a reason not too. The minute her skin came into contact with Alice's cool skin her thoughts quietened slightly.
"May I?" Jasper asked, gesturing to Leah's other side. She nodded mutely.
"The date was going so well we had lots of stuff in common, and we're both attractive, but everytime she would so much as brush against me I would want to throw up. I'm never having sex again," then she threw herself back onto their comfy king sized bed. She then groaned deep in her throat, "I'm just so tired, and I know you don't feel the same as me, but do you think I could sleep in here tonight, I don't want to be alone. I won't ever ask again. At least this century. It's just the loneliness that eats at you after a while."
Alice looks over at Jasper, who nods in acceptance, and moves to leave, "Wait, you don't have to go. I know you too are a package deal. I'm not going to kick you out of your own bed, I just need to sleep."
"Alright darlin' Ill stay then."
"But you're not sleeping in that, you'll be uncomfortable," she was gone and back in less than a blink, and in her hands she had a soft cotton shirt, and an old pair of boxers, "Go change and come back we'll be waiting."
A/N: Alright the next chapter will be a visit with Emily, and her first day of work. Soon Breaking Dawn will factor into this, and Bella and Edward will come back. I'm going to have to reread breaking dawn, or at least skim it to refresh my memory. Anyhoo hope you enjoy yourselves r and r.