CHAPTER 2

Reluctant Enthusiasm

Disclaimer: no infringement intended.

A/N: Please R & R, let me know what you think.

Have you ever had a moment where a realization hits you so hard you're speechless? So dumbstruck you lose any sense of who you are. And all because of one smile, stupid smile of a smug bastard, Jacob's smile. Not until this moment, I never thought of Jacob other than, well…Jacob. But he wasn't just a boy anymore, he's a man. Why I never comprehended that until now, I don't know.

I stared back, secretly taking in his body. Before I could really examine Jake, Quil comes trolloping across the lawn. When he puts his pants on, we join the others inside.

Looking around, I see nothing usually, other than the extra bodies. Everyone from the original pack was here. Sam's pack and Embry were all stuffing their faces with food Esme has graciously put out for them. I could hear Sam sign from behind me. In the corner of my eye, I see Collin and Ness showing all the photos she took and telling him about Claire.

Quil whispers in my ear, "Nessie is my new secret weapon. Claire was knocked out by the time I dropped her with Emily." Good or it would have taken Quil longer to get here. Even though she's Emily's niece and my second cousin, Claire never took to Emily well. But before I could respond, Carlisle calls things in order.

"So you all are wondering why we have gathered here." He gestured to the pixie, "Alice?"

She stepped away from her mate's embrace. "I had a vision. About the Volturi. It seems they have diverted their attention elsewhere."

"What does that mean?" Emmett asks for everybody because by the looks of it they were just as confused.

"Aro decided we are not a threat. They have other priorities." Edward said.

"What other priorities?"

"It's my understanding that Aro has he's sight on someone." Carlisle answered.

"Who?" Synced voices echoed.

"I'm not sure, but it's someone Aro wants to join in his ranks. But it's not a powerful vamp, just a sole person."

"And how do you know this?" Though Sam is an arrogant ass, he can be thorough.

"Maggie, from the Irish coven, had been asked to join the Volturi. She still stays in contact with her coven."

"She left Liam and Siobhan?" Jasper finally speaks. Normally he holds his tongue until everything is divulged. Edward nodded in response.

"Liam said they visited after our confrontation. They extended their offer to them but only because of Maggie. Though she didn't leave with them, she agreed to join." Carlisle continued.

"Which one was that?" I heard a pack brother ask.

"I think it was the cute small one with curly red hair." Embry answered

"The lie detector." Seth clarified.

"Yes, so could see why they asked her." More likely forced her hand. They don't seem to be the type to "ask" without an underlying ultimatum. Edward sent a quick glance in my direction before returning his attention to his father.

"So how does this affect us? I don't think that just because Aro wants this other person, they still don't want to make an example out of us. We made them look like fools. " Jacob interjects.

Carlisle seems to ponder how to continue, but Edwards decides to speak for him.

"That's just it. It wouldn't seem one affects the other. But this person wouldn't approve them being hostile towards undeserving people. Liam's words. It would cause some difficulty into inviting him to stand by Aro's side." We all stood in silence trying to understand the information given to us. Looking around the room I see everyone contemplating whether if they should be happy or not. Emmett I could see was slightly disappointed because I know he's inching for a fight, so were some of the boys. They wanted to tear some vamps apart. I myself am having a hard time biting it. On the one hand, as much as I love Ness, I could finally escape to have my own life. A normal life. On the other, I got use to being a wolf, plus I don't trust the Volturi. I see Edward take a glimpse to Alice. She's seemed annoyed and agitated and a bit weary.

"You're not telling us something." Everyone's attention turns to me when I remember Alice annoyed and agitated usually means… "You lost them." I blurted out. Her eyes widen at my realization.

She hangs her head. "Yes after they finally made their decision and informing we were to be left alone. They disappear when they have nothing to do with us." Or they got around her visions. When I see Edward shooting me another glance, I know he just confirmed my thinking.

"We have no reason to believe it's a trick." Carlisle states, as he suddenly became a mind reader himself.

"You trust your friend Carlisle?" Jacob said more as a statement than a question. He received a nodded response.

It was settled that we would keep on patrolling; we would use the time to train the newer wolves to take over when it came time for the others to retire, if they choose to. Hopefully Sam decides to retire; he should anyways after it would be pointless if he left me for an imprint if he wasn't going to grow old with.

Esme, bless her soul – um…yeah whatever – just bless her. She invited the other pack to stay for dinner. Sam, being his usual ass self declined on behalf of his pack. And though it wasn't an order, no one disagreed. Brady on the other hand said he'll come back in time for dessert and ask Esme to save him some. Sam wasn't too pleased with that, but he knows where to shove it.

As they left, I could tell Paul was watching me. He hesitantly approached me,

"Hey Leah." He said slyly as if he didn't want anyone seeing us.

"Paul!" calls out Sam and Paul tensed. With one last expression, he gave my one nodded and continued on his way out. Sam stands beside as we watch Paul leave with the others.

"Leah, we need to talk." I gave him a glare then looked back to where the others left. Then it clicked in my head. Paul was giving me a heads up. After all this time, he finally slipped.

"Leah." Sam said as he gesture for me to go out to speak privately. I was too dumbfounded to argue. Sam knows. He knows about Paul and me. He knows we've been fooling around. Passing the window wall, I can see Jake's curious stare. If Sam knows that mean everyone else will to. I'm screwed.

A/N: Starts with one interests and ends with another. Hmm. And for the purpose of this story Paul never imprinted on Rachel.