Disclaimer: The Twilight book series and all recognizable characters and situations belong to Stephanie Meyer I don't own any of that. But I do so love her stage.

**Please see the authors note at the end of this chapter for info and acknowledgements***

Jacob's Pov

Leah happily bounced Levi Uley in her arms, while the toddler cooed towards his twin sister. A collective sigh went through the crowd of familiar people standing around. Some were relieved, others disappointed.

My dad whispered to Old Quil, "See? I told you". I hid my smile, he was playing cool. Two minutes ago he was a bundle of nerves waiting for Leah's reaction to Sam and Emily. As for me, I couldn't be more proud of my beta. She handled the meeting gracefully. There wasn't a single trace of the old bitter Leah.

"I won! Let me play," Claire said to Quil in a low voice. Wait a minute! Quil was making bets about this with Claire? Why would he do something like that? She was just a little girl when Sam married Emily. She used to hang around the pack a lot, perhaps her photographic memory picked up on a lot more than we realized.

Seth and I locked eyes as an unspoken message passed between us, it was time to nip this in the bud. Quil must have caught that, because he gave us a disapproving look. He held up his phone and said, "She won a game." I felt slightly embarrassed and lowered my head in apology.

Leah barely had time say hello to anyone, before I saw Seth's hand on her back gently pushing her towards the exit. Not that I blame him, he was already sweating through his dress shirt. It was almost seven-thirty in the evening, and the Arizona heat was still relentless. I scanned the area looking for Embry since we were riding together. He jerked his head towards the parking lot, indicating he was ready to go.

I turned towards Quil and almost laughed out loud. Claire was reaching for his phone, he held it away from her. Unable to reach it she looked down and her chin began to quiver. In a few seconds he gave into her sad expression and handed her the phone. I rolled my eyes at him. "Really man? You fell for that?" I asked. He just shrugged and looked at me sheepishly.

Clair smirked proudly in a way that said the subject was closed, and if it wasn't she'd throw a fit. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Claire was nine years old! Who yields to a child like that? OK maybe I would have, but Bella and Edward never let me spoil Nessie.

I mumbled under my breath. My pack had changed while I was living in New Hampshire. Embry cleared his throat, "Are you guys ready?" he asked. We loaded into his rental car, and I programmed the GPS with the address listed on the invitation. Claire and Quil sat in the back seat, playing more games on his phone.

Embry drove for fifteen minutes through Old Town Scottsdale. Then down a side road leading to a large adobe complex. A freestanding sign announced itself: Red Mountain Country Club. Two buildings shared a parking lot. A few chartered buses idled outside unloading passengers. At least half of La Push is here. Leah graduating from medical school is a big deal for the tribe.

Embry and I followed Quil and Claire across the lot behind a stream of people headed towards the larger building. The main doors opened into a foyer with large windows spanning from floor to ceiling. A life-size caricature of Leah wearing a graduation gown stood proudly near the guest book. We approached the low marble steps leading into the banquet hall.

Buffet tables lined the right wall while round tables covered in black linens lined the rest of the room save the center which was left empty to serve as a dance floor. Quileute red graduation confetti added a touch of whimsy. Chairs covered in gold linens were neatly arranged around each table giving them an elegant look. A large banner hanging from the ceiling covered in gold and black stars said "Congratulations Leah". A stage occupied the left side of the room, where a trio of musicians were playing soulful traditional songs.

The elders except for Sue were near the stage pointing out people in the crowd and waving. Various groups of people stood around talking and laughing. Paul and Rachel were sitting near the back exit. He saw me and motioned me over to join them. As I worked my way over to their table people kept stopping me to say hello. I'd been away from La Push as long as Leah. I felt someone bump into my back and turned to find Seth standing there with a plate of chocolate covered strawberries.

"Where's Leah?" I asked looking down at his plate. "I'm hungry too but I don't think they've opened the buffet yet," I added.

"These are for Rachael," he replied as if that explained it, and I guess it did.

Paul smirked at me while I sat down. I ignored him, and watched Seth tend to my sister. He served her the strawberries and asked if she wanted anything else. The fool began to massage her shoulders. What the hell Seth? Rachael is Paul's imprint not yours. I felt my body tense.

Paul noticed my confusion and said, "We think he will imprint on the baby."

Seth looked around to see if anyone else had been watching. I guess he realized his actions could stir up some gossip. "Embry spoiled Emily when she was pregnant with Lily," he said defensively.

Rachel's eyes twinkled. "Sam got mad and kicked him out when he started offering foot rubs," she teased.

Paul laughed out loud, "You can rub Rachel's feet whenever you want. I'm not insecure like Sam," he said grinning at Seth.

I sensed an undercurrent between the two men. Before I could delve into it, Seth changed the subject. "Jacob do you still feel the pull?" he asked. Paul and I were shocked, why would he bring that up?

Rachel looked at the three of us, "What pull?" she asked.

Paul and Seth are the only two people I confided in about my imprint.

Paul looked around nervously and said, "Now is not the time to discuss this."

"Rachel we're taking Leah dancing later, do you and Paul want to come?" I asked hoping to distract her.

I wasn't getting off that easily. At that exact moment my phone vibrated on the table. Nessie's name flashed on the screen:

Nessie: Jake guess what?

Me: ?

Nessie: Nahuel popped the question

Me: About time! Grats

Me: What r u doing rite now?

Nessie: Going 2 tell parents

Me: Good Luck!

Nessie: TTYL

I must have been grinning like a fool based on the looks I was getting.

Rachel was the first to speak, "OK I'll bite, what's going on Jacob?"

Crap! It looked like we would be having that discussion after all. "Nessie just got engaged to Nahuel," I replied waiting for her reaction.

She looked at me wide-eyed. "Jacob you're OK with this?" she asked.

"Sure, Sure, I gave her my blessing, " I answered with my arms crossed.

"What does Quil think about this?" Paul asked with a look of dismay in his eyes.

"I haven't told him yet. Look... we really need to discuss this with the whole pack and probably the elders." There were many nights I spent tossing and turning over the decision to leave Quil in the dark about my imprint. But, each imprint relationship is different and should follow its own course. My role as imprinter is to be whatever Nessie needs me to be. As far as anything personal, "I have always loved Nessie. But I'm not in love with her. I never have been," I said.

Seth lowered his voice, "Jacob one more question and I'll drop it." Resigned I tossed my arms up in the air, he was going to ask me anyway, "Since you can't see other women clearly. What happens if you start to have feelings for her?"

That one was easy. "Seth, I can't worry about feelings I don't have. And I have always been able to see other women clearly," I stated.

A ripple through the crown distracted us from the conversation. People began to look up, a few started pointing, and others were craning their necks to see what all the fuss was. At first I couldn't quite see over the crowd. Then I saw Sam and Emily approaching the group of elders near the stage. His face was slightly red and I could tell he was embarrassed by all of the attention. Sam has matured a lot in the last few years. When Sam began his service on the tribal council, he and Emily became VIP's back in La Push.

Two years after the Volturi confrontation Sam and I reunited the packs. I am the official alpha. But, when I moved I put Sam in charge with Paul as beta. Leah was leaving for college and would be away from La Push. Normally a wolf pack can't thrive with two alpha's, but it has worked surprisingly well for us. Sam runs with the pack as Alpha, and I serve as his adviser. It's quite a role reversal from when I first phased and took him as my mentor.

As the old and new alphas, Sam and I will have to decide the pack hierarchy now that I'm moving back to La Push. I'm leaning towards keeping things as they are and would remain content with my role as pack adviser. Sam has always enjoyed being alpha more than me. Paul is nervous about his position as beta. But, I plan to designate Leah as official pack doctor. She'll have enough on her plate working at the hospital. She doesn't need to worry about patrol schedules.

Leah still carrying Levi Uley made her way into the room following behind Sam and Emily. She balanced him on her hip as she went to join the elders. When my dad began his welcome home speech, her smile could have lit up a Christmas tree. Old Quil stepped up and offered Leah his arm, and she let him lead her over to the VIP table. He motioned for her to take her seat. She settled into her chair as gracefully as possible for someone holding a toddler.

Old Quil took the microphone and made an announcement, "Friends and Family on behalf of the Clearwater family, I would like to thank you for coming. Relax, enjoy your evening, and celebrate with us". The buffet is now open. I'd ask our official La Push protectors to wait until everyone else is served with the exception of our guest of honor." He smiled towards Leah as the audience laughed. Our eating habits were well known in La Push.

The party was full of food, fun, laughter and congratulatory speeches. The most memorable was Sue's. The elders presented Leah with a plaque which would hang in the tribal headquarters. The music was excellent.

Things started winding down around midnight. We eventually talked Rachel and Paul into going clubbing with us, while waiting for Seth to drop off Quil at the airport. When we finally left nearly an hour later, we caught Leah fussing with her make-up. Seth leaned in to whisper, "You look amazing Leah".

I agreed with him. I almost didn't recognize Leah when she crossed that stage earlier. Her Louis Vuitton heels emphasized her toned legs, scarlet nail polish contrasting nicely with her gorgeous skin. Her shoulder-length A-line cut was sexy with red highlights. If I hadn't seen her myself, I would never have believed it. This new Leah is a mystery. I couldn't stop thinking of how she used to be, back in La Push when we were all in the pack together.

For our after party Seth chose "The Hunt", a club located near a residential area. It didn't look like anything special outside, but when we stepped in it felt like a different world! The walls and floors were illuminated in what would have otherwise been a dark room. There were tables and booths towards the back. Vivid colors faded in and out alternating between red, blue, purple, yellow and green. A live band was playing from a loft above the dance floor, and the ceiling was a giant mirror. My augmented vision added an extra tint to the flashing colors so it looked like everything had a halo. The first thing I noticed was the bartender watching us way to closely. He motioned to the waitress who resembled a 1960's throwback complete with tie dyed t-shirt and feathered headband. "Our guests will want the special," he said winking at me knowingly.

My senses started going haywire. I had the distinct feeling that we were being watched. My wolf instincts automatically kicked in and I began to scan the room. Everything seemed normal. Then I noticed the underlying scent of shifters distorted by the cigarette smoke and perfumes in the room. At first I was puzzled, I remembered Seth had been here before; but even so I still couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about this place. Maybe I was just tired. There is a reason shifters prefer rural areas. Sometimes the energy and adrenalin in highly populated areas wreaks havoc on our senses.

A man swooped in on us wrapping his arm around Leah. She laughed and hugged him enthusiastically. "Everyone meet Dario." she said.

Oh yea, Leah had invited a "friend". She didn't introduce Dario as her boyfriend, but something in their body language suggested that they were a couple. I can't really describe him as chubby, but he could stand to hit the gym. His nondescript brown hair was parted on the side and slicked back with copious amounts of gel. He was wearing thick rimmed black glasses complete with coke bottle lenses. The scruffy stubble on his chin only added to the "nerd" look. He made me uncomfortable. I wondered if Leah choose him because he was the polar opposite of Sam.

"Hi, I've got a table for us," he said.

We got ourselves seated and Dario treated us to the first round of drinks. "Here's to Leah," Seth said raising his beer in salute. We raised our drinks and clicked them against Seth's. "To Leah" we all said in unison. I took my first sip...wow this was potent stuff. I turned my beer around and read the label. It was imported, bottled in Lucacini.

"Thank you," Leah said softly.

She rushed through her beer before turning to her "friend". "What does a girl have to do to get a dance around here?"' she asked him. Dario promptly rose and escorted her to the dance floor. They disappeared in the crowd, emerging half an hour later only to drink a little more. Leah exchanged dance partners. I stayed at my seat content to relax and catch up with Rachel.

Paul finally asked about my plans for the pack. I was about to answer him when Leah walked over with her arms looped around Dario. "We're going to head over to Dario's place. You guys stay and have fun," she said reaching for her purse. Her eyes seemed unfocused, her voice breathless. Is she tipsy?

I grabbed her hand and asked, "Are you sure Leah?" I wasn't really worried since Dario was her "friend". Her wolf metabolism would quickly burn off any effects from the liquor, and she is a force to be reckoned with.

"I'm more than sure," she whispered suggestively too low for the human ear to hear.

She leaned in and kissed on Seth's forehead. "I'll call you in the morning kid," she told him.

He wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Have fun but be careful and don't forget our flight leaves at 12:30. Be there to see mom off".

She swatted at his arm and said, "Mom would kill me if I forgot. Goodnight guys."

Rachael waited for the door to close behind them before turning to Seth, "You're awfully calm for a guy whose sister is getting laid".

He shrugged, "I doubt it's the first time. Those two have been close for years."

About two hours and five rounds of drinks later, my feelings of unease returned. Something was off about this club, from the too observant bartender to the special drinks being served. Paul and Seth should have caught on, but they were drunker than they should have been.

I limited myself to two beers. I couldn't shake the feeling that this bar serving drinks potent enough to intoxicate us was no coincidence. I glanced across the table and saw Rachael falling asleep. Seth and Paul didn't notice.

Something was very wrong. Two wolves ignoring the needs of an imprint? That was unprecedented. Paul started to sip on his beer, but I cut him off. My wolf senses were wary and alert. "We're leaving" I said abruptly signaling the waitress for our check.

To my surprise the bartender personally bought my receipt over. "Was everything satisfactory Mr. Black?" he asked reading the name on my credit card.

His question was innocent enough, but his tone of voice suggested an inquiry beyond what was asked. His interest in us was personal, he must have noticed my suspicion. I locked eyes with him to show I wasn't intimidated. "Fine," I said ending the conversation. Maybe he'd mistaken us for someone else. Perhaps some outside force like the Volturi was involved. Whatever it was, I wanted no part of it. I could feel his eyes on my back until the door of the club closed behind me.

A/N: First of all I want to acknowledge and thank everyone who left me reviews. Feedback inspires me to write better chapters. I also want to thank everyone for reading this.

We are mostly up to date on what happened to the packs after Breaking Dawn.

I need to clarify a couple of things for this story:

Jacob's imprint is not broken, it's still in place. He moved to New Hampshire with Edward, Bella, Rosalee and Emmett to be near Nessie while the Cullens attended Dartmouth.

Most people in La Push think the protectors are some type of security force, who provide "Service to the Tribe".

In the first half of the next chapter we find out the truth about Leah and Dario's relationship. Then we are moving on to the La Push Pack/shifter world part of the story. I have a couple of nice twist planned. All for now =)