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*****
Anything written in italics is a flashback, random thought, or text message depending on the context.
Leah's Pov
I could feel my body heat rising as we moved to the music. 'Now what?" he whispered in my ear. I felt his gaze and met it, his eyes faintly puzzled. Strange I'd never noticed how pretty his eyes are. "Are you going to strip me right here on the dance floor?" he teased. They say alcohol loosens inhibitions, they're wrong it vanquishes them. Perfectly sober I would never make moves on Dario. Luckily he was even drunker than me.
He leaned in closer, held me a little tighter and said, "I want you".
"Let's go to your place," I suggested.
He stared at me, uncertainly, "Are you sure Leah?"
Maybe it should have felt wrong encouraging him. But, it had been a long time since I'd been intimate; and his hands on me were meeting needs I didn't know I had. I leaned in to whisper, "Don't." Dario still looked dubious so I took matters into my own hands. "Come on Dar we both need...," before I could finish he took my hand and marched confidently off the dance floor.
I barely had time to wrap my arm around his as the crowd parted granting us a clear path to our table. I was literally hanging off of him.
"We're going to head over to Dario's place. You guys stay and have fun," I said reaching for my purse.
Jacob glanced at Seth who shrugged his shoulders.
Jacob grabbed my hand, "Are you sure Leah?" he demanded.
I released a pent up breath and tried to reassure him. I wasn't going to let Jacob in some "big brother mode" guilt me out of getting some. I quickly said my goodbyes to them.
I overheard Rachel comment, "You're awfully calm for a guy whose sister is getting laid."
Seth's reply caught me off guard, "I doubt it's the first time. Those two have been close for years."
I smiled, apparently our ruse was successful. A few years ago I got an idea from that movie, "My Fake Fiancé". "But Leah, she's just coming to spend Christmas with you," Dario scowled at me. "You don't know my mother. She'll worry and confide in my aunt, who will gossip about me to everyone," I said. Dario sighed, "Oh Leah! Why don't we just play the part? Instead of introducing me as your boyfriend, we could hold hands, make excuses to be alone a few moments," he suggested. I grinned at him "I'll take it," I said. At some point mom told Seth about "us".
Dario slid behind me into the taxi and reached over taking me into an embrace. He leaned back against the seat and began pressing his warm lips to mine. Dario Blaze was kissing me! Next thing I knew the driver was opening the door for us.
The driver rolled his eyes as Dario paid while I was undoing his buttons. I ran my fingers underneath his shirt, a sense of wonder hit me. He'd been keeping secrets under those over-sized sweatshirts he favored. I could feel his well-developed abs under my fingertips. But I wanted more! I wanted to see and taste skin.
The next few moments were a blur. The two of us almost fell into the room when Dario opened his front door. I didn't realize he was peeling my dress off until he helped me step out of it. He lifted me bridal style, quite a feat seeing as I'm much taller than he is.
I made a sound of protest when he broke our kiss to open his bedroom door. But soon enough those strong arms were again surrounding me. He laid me on the bed following me down and drawing me into his embrace. He moaned when I pulled him closer.
Suddenly I felt natures call, all of those beers finally caught up to me. I briefly contemplated holding it but no. I pushed slightly against his shoulders, "Dario where's your bathroom?"
He leaned back and gestured with his head before leaning in for a lingering kiss. "Don't keep me waiting beautiful," he whispered.
I was impressed Dario was full of surprises tonight. My legs felt wobbly when I slid off the bed and headed in the general direction he'd indicated. Dario's bathroom was huge, and ultra-modern, all shinny surfaces and chrome. It looked like something out of a science fiction movie.
When I stepped back into the bedroom Dario was laying with his back to me. He looked smoking hot framed against his royal blue sheets. Just as I was about to climb back onto the bed he snored very softly. He fell asleep on me?
I pressed my hands against my forehead and let out a long sigh. I don't know if I felt disappointed or relieved. Dario and I are best friends and it finally occurred to me that sex between us might not be the best idea. My guardian angel must have been working overtime on my behalf.
I looked around and found one of my heels on the floor. I guess the rest of my things were still in the living room. I tried to be quiet as I let myself out of the bedroom. The main room reminded me of the Cullen house with its open floor plan, vaulted ceilings and blonde wood floors. A split level separated the kitchen and dining nook from the main living space. Low angular sofas and two modern sling chairs were arranged around a woven rug making a conversation area. A pool table took up the space behind the sofa.
The room was immaculate except for the trail of Dario and my clothes leading to...Wow! My gaze landed on a large mural that dominated the entire back wall. A depiction of a huge alpha wolf seated on a large boulder curved with symbols that remind me of my wolf tattoo. The wolf's coloring was a unique blend of black and white reminiscent of a purebred Siberian husky. The painting was so detailed, it was hard to miss the sadness in his piercing green eyes.
There was a human quality to those eyes and they were captivating. He seemed oddly familiar. Is he real? No way, what's wrong with me? The artist's signature said "Chase Hemming 2009".
A voice behind me broke my reverie, "That's one of my favorites, it's pretty wild huh?" I jumped and began to notice things my wolf senses had been shouting at me all along. The slightly accelerated heartbeat, the clean woodsy scent of soap and aftershave. I turned and my breath caught in my throat. The man behind me was…perfect. Taller than me even in high heels, he was muscular but not bulky. His platinum blonde hair framed a ruggedly handsome face, chiseled with high cheekbones.
I could only stand there and watch while his gaze moved from me, to Dario's bedroom door, to the trail of clothing and finally back to me. He quickly lowered his eyes.
"The dreaded walk of shame," I blurted out without thinking. I slapped my hand over my mouth. Did I really just say that out loud?
His mouth quirked slightly obvious trying not to laugh. "Coinin Hemming," he managed to choke out.
"Leah Clearwater," I said raising my chin, ignoring the fact that I was standing there in black lacy underwear.
"Would you like some coffee?" he asked turning to walk towards the kitchen.
He was giving me privacy, I quickly snatched up my clothes. Holding my dress in front of me I asked, "Is there a guest bathroom?" He looked over and his gray almost silver eyes met mine. There was some connection between us. It wasn't love at first sight but the attraction was defiantly there. I just knew this was someone I could lose my heart to.
He lowered his eyes. "First door on the left," he said indicating the hall near the pool table. "Gabby left some toiletries on the shelf next to the sink if you want to use them," he offered.
I don't know Gabby, but she likes nice things. I found an unused set of Chanel make-up brushes and a designer make up kit. A second basket held and assortment of expensive perfumes, lotions and some very nice lip gloss. I couldn't resist trying out the brushes. When I left home pampering myself became my guilty secret. I realize I'm compensating for all the times I felt unfeminine when running with the pack.
That said, I love massages, hair appointments, make-up, perfumes, you name it. Oh and not to mention shoes. But Alice has me covered there. She regularly ships me the latest shoes and purses from my favorite designers. Once I made myself presentable, I returned to the kitchen.
Coinin was pouring coffee and looked up when I came in. He carried two mugs over to the table and pushed one towards me. "You know miss Leah I have a theory for when things go south," he said.
I seated myself and pulled my mug towards me adding sugar. I looked up and raised my eyebrow inquiringly.
He lifted his mug and inhaled closing his eyes, "Whatever it is coffee can fix it."
I couldn't stop the laugh that escaped me. He flashed me a boyish grin that all but melted my heart. "So how did you meet Dario?" he asked.
And there it was, Coinin might be attracted to me, but he'd met me fresh out of Dario's bed. For him dating me would be a violation of the friend code. Plus for all I knew he could be married or have a girlfriend.
I carefully considered my answer. "We both volunteered for the "Care for your heart" campaign my first year of medical school," I replied.
His face lit up. "Oh you're that Leah the doctor," he said.
I didn't know how to answer that so we sat sipping our coffee in silence.
I kept watching him unobtrusively. His graceful movements reminded me of a dancer, it's intriguing how such a tall man can be so light on his feet. Emotionally I'd never have to worry about him imprinting. He was the whole package, everything I'd want in a mate. I'd have to approach this with care and get Dario to help me.
I drained my coffee and said, "It was nice meeting you Coinin but I need to call a cab and get going."
He nodded his head and said, "Likewise Leah, Do you mind if I don't wait up with you? I'm feeling a little under the weather."
We shook hands and I noticed he was running a fever.
Adam Lightfoot's Pov
I could smell the shifter as soon as I parked. I closed my eyes and began a slow deep breathing, allowing my wolf senses free reign to reconnoiter the area. I detected two familiar scents to match the heartbeats inside the house. One belonged to Dario. The other one surprised me. What was Coinin doing home? He should still to be on his hiking trip to Denali National Park.
I didn't recognize the third scent. It's strange, yet distinct. A smell such as this can only belong to a shifter, and it's fresh not more than two hours old. Had Matthew sent someone new down or did Coinin phase? I didn't sense any immediate danger, but I was still cautious as I let myself into the house.
The place was quiet except for the low sounds of the television coming from Coinin's room. His door was partly open so I pushed it in to find him propped up on his pillows. He was holding a bottle of NyQuil.
"Hey Adam what's up?" He greeted me.
"Hi Coinin, I thought you were in Alaska," I replied.
"I caught some type of bug and flew home early," he said ruefully.
His words confirmed what I already knew. Pack Hemming was about to gain a new shifter. All the signs where there. Pups always have growth spurts and get sick before they phase for the first time. Coinin appeared to have grown more than four inches since I last saw him. I could smell the sweat from his fever. He would phase within the next three days at most.
With his first phase imminent, he and I would be flying out to Washington for him to change among our allies in Upper Makah. Coinin's approaching shift failed to explain the question at hand.
"Did you call your mother? Has anyone been in to check on you?" I asked. I needed a plausible explanation for the lingering shifter scent.
He looked at me curiously. "No! I didn't want to worry my mom. The only new person around here has been Dario's friend," he said. His next words blew me away, "I lent some of Gabby's toiletries to Dario's date. I hope you don't mind."
Coinin misinterpreted the look of surprise that crossed my face. He grinned and said, "I know you don't gossip but yea Dario actually had a girl here." He had no idea of the significance of his words. Pack Hemming had been searching for the lupa for many years. If there was a strange girl here the shifter scent had to be hers.
I raised my eyebrows "She was here tonight?" I asked barely daring to breath.
Seeing my curiosity he laughed, "Yes you missed her by maybe an hour."
"Did you get her name?" I asked casually.
"Leah Clearwater, and get this she's a doctor," he replied.
"Leah Clearwater," I tested the name on my tongue. "lpsa domina Lupus," we have found you," I said to myself.
A/N: First of all I would like to thank everyone who left me reviews. I appreciate you taking time to leave me feedback. It really helps me evaluate and improve my writing.
Next chapter: Adam steps up his effort to track down the she-wolf Leah now that he knows her identity. It's back to Washington as the La Push pack meets a new wolf.
lpsa domina Lupus is Latin for "Lady she wolf" per Google Translate.
I wanted to clarify: The shifters got drunk at the bar, they didn't burn off the alcohol. It was a new experience for them.