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. #sorry I accidentally left out two pov headings hope i didn't confuse anyone#

Jacob's Pov

I was stunned when Beta Lightfoot said to Leah, " Miss Clearwater you and every other Regina in our history inherited wolf genes from both parents. You have a chance of emerging as a contender."

For the second time that day her heartbeat sped up. A frantic look fell over her face and her eyes started darting around like she was looking for an escape. She latched onto me like a lifeline. "Did you know about this Black?" she asked in an anxious voice. I raised both my hands in the air and shook my head.

"Leah Calm down," said Sue turning to glare at Adam. "Mr... Uh Beta Lightfoot, you said my daughter is rare. How rare? I want numbers," she demanded.

"The Ipsa domina Lupus makes up less than one percent of the Canis shifter population," he answered quietly.

"So there are others?" Sue pressed.

Adam smiled disarmingly at her, "Yes, the more famous shifters are the Kimura twins of Japan and Alpha Zuniga out of Spain."

Sue stood up and began to walk towards Adam. "Before you come in here upsetting my daughter answer this! Wouldn't every one of them be a contender?" she asked stopping right in front of him tapping her foot.

He glanced at Leah, "I would prefer to discuss it with Miss Clearwater."

"No, lets discuss it now," Sue said invading his space by stepping closer to him.

He looked at her warily and stepped back. She took a step forward. He stepped back again. I decided to intervene before things got out of control. Sue knows better than this. Just as I stood up a hand rested on my shoulder. "Relax Jacob he won't hurt her," said Earl.

Adam said, "The birth of a guardian she-wolf was foretold to occur when the lunar eclipse conjuncts Pluto. Miss Clearwater is the only she-wolf born in the last 50 years".

Sue started massaging her forehead, "So? And what does a lunar eclipse have to do with anything?"

Adam leaned forward, "This birth was predicted by our astrologers in 1959. It can't be a coincidence that the conjunction of the lunar eclipse took place in 1986. The shifter world has been waiting a long time for your daughter."

Sue's eye widened "Why?" she inquired, her anger was replaced with curiosity.

Adam replied, "The symbolic meaning of the guardian shifter in the vision is open to interpretation. It could be literal as in a Regina to watch over all packs."

"But, as a doctor she watches over her patients. Doesn't that count?" Sue pointed out.

Adam said, "Yes, but there is more to it. The birth of this shifter heralds."

Leah cut him off, "Mom please just leave it. I don't want to listen to this right now!" She looked at Sue with pleading eyes.

Adam raised his eyebrows inquiringly.

Sue started to reply, but glanced at Leah. "This is not over," she huffed walking back to her seat.

Sam said, "Let's take a break we will start back in 15 minutes".

Leah's Pov

When Sam called us back together Jacob said, " Sam and I have decided to merge with The Makah pack. We're stronger as one pack sharing the same territory. It's a win win for all of us. One more thing, we have accepted an invitation for some of us to spend six months to a year in Lucacini. While Sam and I are aboard Alpha Bishop will have sole command of the pack."

The room grew eerily quiet.

Sam said, "Quil is being promoted to Beta to help Paul out here at home. We have listed who we're asking to travel with us. Old Quil is retired and has agreed to come. Coinin, Embry, Leah and Seth were invited as well. I know this seems a little sudden, but Jacob and I are leaving you in good hands. Earl Bishop has been an alpha longer than most of us have been alive."

Jacob said, "Questions?"

The room remained quiet for a couple of minutes, but I could feel the tension rising in palpable waves.

Paul broke the silence speaking cautiously, "I think you are being reckless. No offense Alpha Bishop but this could be a trick to take us over."

Sam said, "My question to you is why he would even want to? We're all shifters not enemies."

Earl Bishop interrupted him, " I became Alpha after my discharge from the army in the early 1970's. I am looking forward to working with each of you. On a more personal note I work as a computer programmer. Last year my wife and I welcomed our first child."

Paul spoke up bringing the attention back to himself, "I still don't think this is a good idea. I'm not willing to risk our safety like this. Jacob you and Sam should have discussed this with us first."

"It's already decided," Jacob stated firmly.

Paul stood up knocking his chair over in the process. Half of the pack stood up with him.

Jacob looked disappointed. "All of you sit down," he said bluntly.

Paul stared angrily at Jacob. "I am not backing down," he snapped.

Snarls and growls filtered through the pack.

Earl Bishop spoke quietly which increased the impact of his words, "Mr. Lahote if you can't live with this, you are free to leave the pack."

Paul shot Sam a mutinous glare. "Are you going to let him talk to me like that?" he asked in disbelief.

Sam looked from Paul to Earl and shrugged. I understood what was going on. It was up to Earl to lead.

I questioned the wisdom of having my mom and the others here. In this volatile situation any shifter could phase endangering them; but I had underestimated Earl Bishop.

"We are waiting for your answer Beta Lahote," Earl said coolly.

Paul snorted, "I'm not afraid of you."

Several of my pack brothers snickered.

Earl Bishop stood regarding us. I could feel his raw alpha power building up like a tangible force. Abruptly his authority started to pulse outward from him in spurts. His eyes scanned the pack making eye contact with each of us. One by one the pack started whimpering myself included.

Appearing satisfied with our reaction, Earl Bishop redirected his attention to staring Paul down. Neither man gave an inch. Soon beads of perspiration dotted Paul's forehead. He started to fidget. And just like that he lowered his head exposing his neck, his eyes plastered to the ground.

I felt awed and sick with relief at the same time. Earl Bishop had just stared the whole pack into submission without lifting a finger. I was beginning to understand the true power of the alpha and it was scary.

Jacob turned to Paul, "Watch Yourself! I have half a mind to demote you for that stunt you just pulled. Alpha Bishop will replace you as Beta if he finds you unsatisfactory."

"State your decision Beta Lahote," Earl requested.

If Paul was embarrassed about being publicly reprimanded he didn't show it. Instead he nodded deferentially to Earl Bishop. "I will take your orders," he said before picking up his chair and sitting on it.

Sam said, "We're all meeting here this afternoon 3:30. We'll go over to the park united as one pack."

Jacob said "We're asking everyone to be in human form at least initially."

"We can't be trusted to behave?" asked Collin. I was wondering the same thing.

Sam sighed, "No, we are a young pack and accidents can happen. You may feel tempted to try and dominate your brothers to establish your place in the pack. If everyone stays calm things should go smoothly."

The rest of the morning went by fast. I headed home to prepare potato salad and fillet the large pans of fish my mom left thawing in my refrigerator. She was serving my dad's famous fish fry, my mouth watered just thinking about it.

I loaded my offerings into the car for the short drive to the clubhouse around the corner. Some of the younger wolves were setting up tables and chairs in the park.

Rachel, Claire, Jared's son Aden and the Uley twins were watching a kid's movie in the recreation area. I walked through to the industrial sized kitchen where my mom was pouring oil into the large fryers. The room was buzzing with activity.

"Hi guys you need any help?" I asked.

"Nope everything is basically ready. Just put those things in the refrigerator," my mom said with a smile.

"OK I am going to go on home," I said escaping before they changed their minds.

I headed for the shower the minute I hit the door. The hot water began to relax me relieving built up tension I didn't even know I had. I allowed my mind to drift back over the mornings events. I was curious about this Regina thing but decided to ignore it. I refused to live my life hostage to some arcane vision that may not even apply to me.

Most of my clothing was still packed so I didn't have much to choose from. I finally decided on a pair of black slacks and a designer polo shirt. Simple but elegant black flats completed the outfit.

I piled my pillows up on the Fulton and settled down to read a magazine. The sound of someone pounding on the door startled me awake. "Coming!" I said stumbling towards the door still half asleep I almost tripped over the remote.

Seth and Collin stood on my doorstep staring at me.

"Why aren't you answering your phone?" asked Seth.

"I turned it off why?" I countered.

"Leah it's time to meet the other pack. Jacob sent us to find you," said Collin.

"Sorry overslept," I said leaving the door open for them while I rushed to the bathroom to check my appearance. I'd fallen asleep with my hair wet and had to run a comb through it to tame the beast. I didn't bother with a purse just stuck my keys in my pocket and went to join the guys.

"I'm ready" I said following the guys outside. "Ride with me," said Seth opening the door. Collin jumped into the back.

I stared out the window for most of the drive to the warehouse. Seth and I were both lost in our own thoughts. "We're here," he said putting the Jeep into park. Collin dashed over to open my door. "Jacob is waiting for you inside," he said.

Jacob, Paul and Earl were standing in the middle of the room chatting with Quil, Adam and two unfamiliar shifters. Jacob checked his watch and looked at me shaking his head, "Really Leah?"

I greeted the others then replied to Jake, "Sorry I overslept."

Sam turned to the shorter of the two shifters who reminded me of a body builder, "Beta Leah Clearwater meet Beta Thomas Beal."

I smiled pleasantly and offered my hand.

The man made no effort to take my hand and instead glanced at me and nodded his head once. "Beta Clearwater," he said in an obvious attempt to be civil but his true feelings showed. He radiated hostility, his eyes were sizing me up. I returned the favor and took in his appearance.

What he lacked in height he made up in brawn. The man was pure muscle. His wide torso tapered down into narrow but muscular hips and thighs. His dirty blonde hair caught up in a ponytail brushed the tops of his shoulders. I met his ice blue eyes and wiggled my eyebrows.

Just then a hint of humor entered those eyes. Earl growled at him, startling me.

"Are you in control Beal?" he asked.

Beal stared at him flatly, "Always!" he replied.

Earl chuckled, "He sees you as his equal so he's testing you." He smirked at Beal before deliberately saying, "Trust me he approves of you."

'Yep Miss Clearwater he's being nice to you," said Adam slapping Earl on the back. Both men burst out laughing.

It was weird seeing this side of them. These two were usually so reserved.

The last shifter tall with short black hair stepped up offering his hand, "I'm Manuel Ortiz." He shook his head at the others and said, "Ignore them."

Jacob cleared his throat, "This is what's going to happen. Leah, Quil and Paul you three go out and introduce yourselves. Manuel and Thomas you will do the same with the La Push side."

Sam said, "This is the tricky part. Don't allow any challenges. If anyone tries, a growl or stare is usually enough. Once you have met everyone bring your side in to meet their new brothers and we're done. We can head to the park."

The introductions went flawlessly. No one issued a challenge or phased. Within twenty minutes the pack headed for the park. I learned that a shifter often joins the local pack when moving into a new area. Shou Ariwa a college student from Japan, was the only shifter I met who sported facial hair. Noah Carmichael a Jamaican turned out to be Earl's brother-in-law.

There were a couple of funny moments like when Seth and two of the younger wolves were getting ready for patrol. They were tying their shorts around their ankles when Noah wondered what they were doing. Seth asked how else we would carry clothes. The others use these backpacks which they put on and phase right into.

They end up carrying them on their back like working dog packs. They know how to phase right out of their pants without destroying them. Noah promised to come down tomorrow afternoon and teach us how to phase like that. I asked how they managed to wear their hair so long. The answer, braids. When they phase it lays along their back like a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

I hung back to talk to Jacob about the trip. He told me that Adam had pulled some strings and I was being offered a guest medical residency in Lucacini. I would have the opportunity to practice medicine with some of the top shifter experts in the field.

Back the park I was headed towards the kitchen when Manuel and a woman approached me. "Leah meet my wife Kandi," he said. She was tall with lovely features, her long hair was blond on one side and black on the other reminding me of Cruella DeVille. She wore a black wrap dress which emphasized her baby bump. She had various piercings, nose, lips and ears. The whole look worked really well for her. She grinned at me, "Hi Leah". She looked young mid twenty's maybe?

People mingled, talking and enjoying the buffet. I met most of the families. As the evening progressed, the elders settled into a card game. Quil was playing checkers with Clair and some of her new friends. The younger wolves were playing basketball over on the courts. Emily had reconnected with one of her friends from high school.

I heard someone call Earls name and saw him walking towards a petite woman holding a little boy. Her dreadlocks reached the middle of her back. Earl leaned towards her and placed a hand on her shoulder their foreheads almost touching. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I could hear their conversation. "You look tired," he told her. 'Just a little," She replied softly. "Here take him he's getting heavy," she said handing the child to him.

He swung the boy into his arm and reached out to take the woman's hand. He led her over to most of the original pack who were standing around Billy.

Earl glanced over and saw me. 'Beta Clearwater this is my wife Sherri and our son Anthony," he introduced them. I shook hands with her and smiled at the toddler. He sported a flat top haircut spiked up with gel. He was sucking his thumb. I noticed in my peripheral vision when Brady came to join us. That's when it happened.

Brady glanced at Anthony and froze. 'Oh..." Earl mumbled watching him carefully. A huge smile broke out on his face. "You're of the Guardians!" he said raising one arm to hug Brady. He sat his son on his feet coaxing the little boy towards Brady. I glanced at Brady to see him staring at Anthony with a gentle reverence in his eyes.

That's what imprinting looks like!

Jacobs's Pov

Earl stood up and exchanged a cryptic glance with Adam. "Has anyone else in La Push bonded with a child like that?" he asked carefully. Adam Lightfoot appeared relaxed but his eyes were alert.

Quil blurted, "Only me, Jacob and Embry so far, but if we are reading the signs right Seth will too."

Signs?" asked Earl his expression slightly awed.

Paul snorted, "Seth waits hand and foot on my wife."

Adam looked at me, "You're bonded to a child Alpha Black?"

I felt defensive. When I told them about the treaty, I didn't mention imprinting on a Cullen. "It's a long story," I replied hoping to change the subject.

My dad cleared his throat, "Why are you interested in this? Way to be subtle dad!

Adam frowned, "We were surprised that's all. Their Ondah is uncommon."

My dad tilted his head, "Ondah?"

Adam said, "Pack aptitude."

Earl glanced at Brady who was playing with Anthony. "Shifter Packs have Ondahs a collective aptitude. My pack has signals. When we phase we can communicate with real wolves. Adam here has kindred links which allow him to join several packs simultaneously. When he phases he can link separate pack minds similar to alpha links."

That's impressive but what does it have to do with imprinting?

Embry walked up holding Lily, "Sam she wants some ice cream. Emily said no; can you talk her into it?"

Collin snorted, "Man you are so whipped! When she grows up she will lead you with a nose ring."

Embry glared at Collin. "I don't think of her like that," he snapped.

Adam looked from Collin to Embry curiously.

My dad noticed and cleared his throat. "What's on your mind Beta Lightfoot?" he asked.

Leah's Pov

And that's how we came to learn some startling facts about imprinting. Once Adam learned Embry felt he imprinted on Lily, he explained that child imprints are not true imprints at all. They are a bond that forms between a Guardian and the child he protects. It's been noted that most Guardians bond with either the children of their close friends and family, or who carry shifter genes. We learned that a Guardian can have more than one child imprint over a lifetime.

Jacob said, "That's exactly what happened with my imprint…I mean bond. I don't feel the same pull I did when she was younger. I never fell in love with her"

"But we imprint on the person who gives us the best chance to reproduce right?" asked Sam.

Earl said, "Not necessarily. Imprinting is the result of our enhanced senses influencing the lower reward part of our brain. AVP is released directly into the human brain. It impacts social behavior, sexual motivation and bonding. Imprint magic allows us to recognize the AVP of our soul mate. When this happens instantaneously the shifter imprints".

Billy cleared his throat, "Why is it so rare then? People fall in love all the time."

Adam said, "Even ordinary people rarely find their true soul mate. Most people go through life in and out of relationships, but it's a little different for us. When the average shifter falls in love and it's mutual he mates. Imprints are more dramatic than mating but the results are the same an unbreakable bond." His eyes drifted over to my mother.

I heard myself say, "What if a mated shifter imprints then what?"

Earl shook his head, "A shifter either imprints or mates never both. Mating bonds are as binding as imprinting. Our enhanced senses can detect mated couples"

"How does it work? It has to be more than just falling in love," Billy commented.

Adam said, "Now this is where our wolf nature trumps our human side. Humans are not naturally monogamous. Shifters are we mate for life. During sex the shifter gifts his woman with a mating mark and they're it for each other."

"Why is this so important?" Billy asked.

Kandi Ortiz said "I can answer that one." She stared at us as if choosing her words carefully. "When a human like myself mates with a shifter, our aging slows down to be on par with his. I'm forty seven years old," she explained.

Manuel smiled at his wife, "We have been married 27 years."

It made perfect sense considering that we're supernatural creatures.

"How does it work for the female shifter?" asked Coinin. He looked at me when he spoke. I couldn't help but blush.

Earl shrugged, "It works the same way".

"Now that we got that out of the way can we eat?" asked Old Quil.

Jacob's Pov

We're in a good place. Our merged pack is bonding and we're well on our way to becoming a solid pack. The cookout was a success with a few mishaps. Brady fed Anthony too many sweets and the poor kid threw up. Sherri wanted to ground him from her son for a few days. But Embry offered a crash course in babysitting and she relented.

Adam contributed a cooler of imported beer. He asked us to start slow until we get used to liquor strong enough to intoxicate us. Watching him guard the cooler was hilarious. He can give "The look" as well as any parent.

Leah was subdued. I noticed Coinin trying to talk to her but she would brush him off. He changed his strategy and pestered her into playing cards with him and the elders. I have mixed feelings about a budding romance within the pack. It could cause a truckload of drama. For now I choose to stay out of it.

Leah's Pov

It was liberating to be free to love without the cloud of imprinting hanging over me. I couldn't sleep that night, and just after dawn decided to run over to my mom's house. I hoped she was awake to help me put things into prospective. Her lights were on so I phased and pulled on slightly damp clothes securing my hair with a scrunchie. I rushed over to the porch and searched for the spare key taped under the doormat.

I pulled open the door and stepped inside. The family room was bright and cheerful. I knew she'd remodeled but this was awesome. I could hear the shower running and someone moving around in the kitchen. I wandered through the door and stopped short.

A shifter wearing boxer shorts was standing at the stove cooking. Gorgeous black glossy hair fell loose past his shoulders. He was covered in my mom's scent mixed with an organic scent of...Sex!

"Good morning Miss Leah, should I set out another plate?" asked Adam Lightfoot.

The only sound in the room was the bacon sizzling in the pan.

A/N: Thank you for reviewing, reading, favoring and following this story. I really appreciate it. Hearing from you just makes my day!

Teaser: We are almost to the point where we Leave La Push and move on to Lucacini where the real drama starts. Next Chapter: We get to see Leah's reaction and a new but powerful character enters the stage.

I introduced a lot of new characters. Most of them will be staying behind in La Push. I just wanted to express the flavor of meeting new and different people for our La Push shifters.

As always, Read, Enjoy, and review. Thank you