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.

Thank you for reading, following and reviewing this story. I really appreciate it!

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

Anything written in italics is a flashback, random thought, or text message depending on the contex

A/N: Please read

I split the update into two chapters and this is the second first chapter of this update is home away from home. I revised the name of that chapter from Leah's imprint.

Leah's Imprint

Leah's Pov

Three days later I made the run to Jeroisa City with Jacob. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors. We stopped at a changing spa, a public locker room with private stalls to phase. I appreciate that they have these places to accommodate us.

I showered quickly and pulled on faded jeans and a burgundy shirt with a low neckline. I slipped burgundy jeweled flip flops on my feet. I combed out my hair and artfully applied my make-up aiming for a clean fresh look. I put in diamond stud earrings and I was ready.

Jacob was waiting outside the stall talking on his cell phone. He lowered the phone, "Come on Leah Miriella is going to drive us to the dealership." Miriella was just driving up in a silver Nissan Pickup with music blaring.

"She waved and called out, "You guys hop in."

I climbed in the back and Jacob rode in the cab with Mirella. The car dealership was a short drive from the spa. Jacob purchased two vehicles for the use of the pack. We didn't want to burden the Lightfoots for transportation. My mom had already claimed Adam's Jeep, but he didn't seem to mind. Miriella gave me the address to the clinic and a Lucacinian translation book the kind tourist use.

The clinic was located in an upscale district with nice shops and boutiques. I signed in and the receptionist asked me to fill out papers translated into English. A nurse called me back to an exam room and took my vitals before stepping out.

Just as I sat down on the exam table, there was a knock on the door and a woman in a lab coat, a stethoscope around her neck entered. "Leah Clearwater?" she asked from behind a professional smile.

"Yes," I answered.

"I'm doctor Apostol what brings you in today?" she asked, her eyes on the clipboard she was holding.

"I just got over my menstrual cycle and wanted to get checked out," I replied.

She said, "Let's take a look at you."

Dr. Apostol performed a basic medical exam checking my eyes, ears and throat before helping me lay down and pressing lightly on my abdomen.

She helped me sit up, "Everything looks good. Did you have a specific problem or question Miss Clearwater?"

"Phasing ended my cycles years ago. Why would it be starting up again?," I replied.

She frowned slightly, "You are experiencing what we call the second puberty. Phasing reshapes the reproduction cycle in the Canis shape-shifter to mimic the estrous cycle found in wolves. You will have a regular menstrual cycles for 12 months every six to eight years."

"So I never was a genetic dead end" I mused out loud.

She sighed, "I wonder why your Pack Council didn't explain these things to you."

"My pack only recently discovered there are others like us in the world," I answered quickly.

She sat the clipboard down, "Is your mate also a shape-shifter?"

"I don't have one," I answered.

She could not hide her surprise, "That is unusual, mating and imprinting triggers the second puberty in the Canis shape-shifter.

"You mean the female right?" I asked.

"No the first phase lowers the sperm count in males. The only exception are very powerful alpha's. We believe its nature's way of safeguarding the shifter genes." she replied.

"Well I'm not in a relationship or a powerful alpha so what triggered me?" I wanted to know.

She sighed, "I'd say there are often medical exceptions to most rules. Try not to worry about it it's natural. There are some things you should know about any children you may have."

"Go on," I said warily".

"Most shape-shifters first phase in their teens. However, a child of two shape-shifters can phase as early as one and a half to two years. Shape-shifting parents do not guarantee a child will phase, but if you get involved with another shape-shifter it's best to be prepared," she suggested. My mind was whirling and I decided it's to soon to worry about phasing toddlers.

When I left the doctors office, I noticed a painting in the window of an art gallery down the street. It was similar to the mural I fell in love with at Coinin's house on my graduation night. I walked over to get a closer look. The setting was the same as the mural, a large rock with symbols carved into it.

Even the subject was the same. This time the black and white alpha was painted as a wolf cub looking down over the edge of the rock. I read the author's signature. "Chase Hemming 1967." I decided I had to have the painting.

There was a freestanding two sided sign outside the gallery that said "Auction Today".

I pushed open the door and walked inside. The gallery was ultra-modern with bright lights and seating areas. A number of displays were arranged with lot numbers under them. I noticed the Children-of-The Moon in the room outnumbered the humans and shape-shifters.

It was fascinating to see them up close. They all had the overdeveloped shoulders and compact bodies that reminded me of an Anubis. Their eyes had a shimmer that human eyes wouldn't see, but my enhanced vision easily picked up.

A couple of them were sitting along the walls phased. I noticed they were a little larger than normal wolves but much smaller than us.

Most of them had shades of brown hair so light it could pass for blonde or blonde hair. A few of them had white blonde hair.

Then I noticed the shape-shifters standing along the walls dressed in nondescript suites with mouth pieces that reminded me of an advanced security team. There was a roped off area in the back of the room near a pair of double doors.

I saw a tall Child of the Moon devotedly adjusting a painting in a display dedicated to a beautiful blonde woman with haunting steel gray eyes.

This guy was dressed in a gray designer suite. His strawberry blonde hair hit the middle of his back. There was a clear air of melancholy about him.

I sighed under my breath and he turned. I found myself face to face with an older version of Coinin. He had the same ruggedly handsome face, and the same high cheekbones. The main difference was the hair color and this guy was old enough for the features to look distinguished.

He seemed as surprised to see me as I was to see him. He stepped forward offering his hand, "Hi i'm Jedidah Crohme the director of this establishment."

"Leah Clearwater" I slid my hand into his and we shook hands. I don't know what possessed me, but I indicated the blond woman in the paintings, "She is lovely, who is she."

He lowered his eyes, "She is my late daughter Ioana Crohme."

I didn't know what to say so I went with, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

He met my eyes, "It's OK, and actually it's refreshing to talk about her. Most people want to sweep her memory under the rug."

I couldn't help asking, "Why?"

He said, "Ioana was murdered but it was hushed up. If you're interested in her story we're having a private auction following this public one to raise funds to look into her murder. We hope to bring the perpetrator to justice."

"Of course," I said. I don't know the whole story, but I'm convinced he is Coinin's double. He may even be related to him. I wanted to help him get justice for his daughter.

He called over a girl with white blond hair wearing a black suite. "This is Jana. She will get you set up to bid. After the auction she will find you and escort you to the back storage room for Ioana's auction yes?"

I smiled, "of course." .

Jedidah said, "Thank you. Now if you will excuse me, I have a couple of things to finish up."

Jana smiled, "Hi has anything caught your eye?"

"Actually I'm interested in the painting in the window," I answered.

She thumbed through her brochure, "That one will be lot number five. It comes with a bonus sketchbook by the same artist." She lowered her voice, "If you're interested in Chase Hemming we have several of his pieces in Ioan's auction."

She circled number 5 on her printout of auction lots and handed me the paper an auction number and brochure, "If you see anything else you like just circle the lot numbers and you will know what to bid on. I'll find you after the auction."

I was distracted by a flurry of activity taking place in the roped off area. Several of the shape-shifters in the nondescript black suites were managing the small crowd that had gathered. Jedidah Crohme stood in the center with his back to me facing the doors which swung open to admit an impressive alpha couple.

I recognized the woman Chloe Glass as a famous runway model. Her signature pin straight auburn hair fell to the middle of her back. She was wearing a slinky black off the shoulder dress that ended mid-thigh revealing long shapely legs. Her four inch heels added to the air of sophisticated glamour she oozed.

Then I got my first look at the alpha and stopped in my tracks. My inner wolf stirred as sensual spikes of heat started pulsing through my body leaving me breathless. I stood there stunned by my involuntary reaction to the man.

And what a man! The alpha was of regal bearing, dark...formidable... and stunningly handsome, the sheer force of power radiating from him filled the room. He was tall, well over six feet of the most beguiling male I'd ever laid eyes on.

All rational thought escaped me as I took in every detail. His stylishly short dark hair was parted on the side near a widow's peak and neatly combed back. His face was lean and clean shaven with well-defined cheekbones, a straight nose and chiseled jaw. Slightly arched black brows framed his piercing green eyes.

Dressed all in black, his perfectly tailored silk shirt covered a mouthwatering pair of broad shoulders which tapered to lean hips. Black trousers hugged long muscular legs. I could feel his eyes on me like a physical touch. Oh gosh, how long has he been watching me ogle him?

With great effort I casually lifted my gaze to his face. His vivid green eyes captured mine in an intimate gaze which soothed me like a balm, draining away all the pent-up restlessness of the last week.

An entourage of shape-shifters filed in behind him and fanned out to cover the room. That Julien was one of them distracted me enough to break eye contact with the alpha.

The werewolves and humans around me lowered their eyes in deference, while the shape-shifters bowed their heads with eyes to the floor. Even Chloe's eyes hit the floor. Wow!

Jedidah stepped forward to greet and shake hands with the alpha. This seemed to signal the others in the room to drop their deferential posture.

Julien walked over to greet me, "Hello there Miss Leah, it's nice to see you again."

"Oh hi, it's nice to see you again also." I tried to make small talk, "Are you bidding on anything in the auction?"

He smiled ruefully, "No not today, as you can see I'm on duty. How about you?"

I flipped the pages in my auction brochure to page five and passed it to him, "Well I did like this one."

He read the caption aloud, "Shenanigans on Coronation Rock with bonus sketch book. Ah I can see the appeal but what's in the sketch book?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but my attention was diverted back to the couple.

"Elijah," Chloe's sultry voice filled the space speaking rapidly in Lucacinian.

His name is Elijah? It suites him. She sashayed closer to the alpha and looped her fingers through his arm.

I was shocked by the stab of white hot jealously I felt. I heard myself let out a loud warning growl. What the hell Leah? Get a grip girl! Our wolf... we don't appreciate her hands on what is ours! My wolf was close to the surface perfectly merged with me.

A hush fell over the room as everyone including Elijah turned to look at me.

Chloe flickered bewildered brown eyes over me before she turned back to Elijah.

His eyes drifted over to meet hers and he spoke softly in their language. The only word I caught sounded like "English". She gave a strangled gasp and pulled her hand back. He maintained eye contact with her until her gaze dropped to the floor.

"I didn't know," she said in a shaky voice.

"We hadn't said anything," he told her in his thickly accented yet extremely sexy baritone.

Elijah's lips quirked hinting at a smile. He looked over at me and arched a brow. He's so cocky, no I can't blame this on him. I'm the one who started growling.

Chloe smoothed her skirt and I noticed the yellow diamond engagement ring on her finger. I'd forgotten about all the hype in the media recently, about her engagement to some famous race car driver.

I glanced towards the alpha's left hand which was blocked from my view. He moved so I could see the back of his hand. I noticed intricate tattoos, but there was no ring tattooed on his finger.

Our audience watched every nuance of the byplay between us in awe, "Well I'll be dammed," Jedidah's disembodied voice was the only sound in the room.

"Would you like an introduction?" Julien asked. I had forgotten he was standing there.

Don't just stare say something. I couldn't get my mouth to work so I nodded my head.

Elijah smiled in approval before turning to Chloe. "Excuse me Lady Glass," he said politely before stepping away from her carefully avoiding any physical contact.

"Beta Alexe escort Lady Glass," he said to a bald shifter who stepped out of the shadows.

Alexe's hazel eyes briefly lowered with respect towards me before he ambled over to offer Chloe his arm.

My inner wolf was giddy with excitement when Elijah walked nonchalantly over to us. I was hyper aware of most of the people in the room still watching us openly.

"Dr. Leah Clearwater, Allow me to present High Alpha Elijah Korzka," Julien said in a voice too low for anyone but the three of us to hear. The alpha proffered a well-manicured hand. He ran his thumb over the back of my hand caressing it before raising it to his lips.

I closed my eyes and unabashedly breathed in his scent unmasked under colognes. It was clean and masculine, simply Elijah. I wanted to rub against him and bathe him in my scent, to mark him as mine.

'It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Leah Clearwater," he said before releasing my hand. He's so proper, I wonder if he's the same way in bed? Down girl!

"Likewise the pleasure is mine," I started to fidget unused to this level of attention.

He offered me his arm, "Would you like to walk with me?"

I rested my fingers on his arm and the sexual tension between us spiked. Heat pooled in the pertinent parts of my body sending my mind straight to the gutter. It was an extreme reaction to merely touching his arm. My inner wolf chortled.

He led me over to a sofa built into a deeply recessed wall providing a natural concealment. Julien and others were keeping everyone except their party away from the immediate area, giving us even more privacy. We sat down facing each other.

"You are single right?" I blurted.

His eyes flared, he seemed offended?

I held up my hands as if to ward him off, "Never mind! It's really none of my business."

His eyes searched mine, "It's not your business? Such was not your attitude when you were claiming me just now, what has changed?" the undertone in his voice was almost challenging.

Wait I claimed him? Well he didn't seem to mind being claimed, maybe the chemistry went both ways.

I lowered my voice, "So are you single?"

"Yes," he answered simply.

I glanced towards Chloe and her escort slowly walking around looking at the nearby auction lots. I had the distinct impression Alexe's focus was still on us.

Elijah's gaze followed mine, "Ah the Lady Chloe, would it please you to know Sir Reginald Parker is her affianced husband? She came here to purchase some heirlooms her family sold off years ago. Sir Reginald is abroad, so we agreed to escort her."

It's a heady feeling to have such a powerful alpha explaining himself to plain old me. My inner wolf seemed to think it was our due and apparently he agreed.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked tentatively.

His eyes remained on me, "Yes you can, please."

"Why were you offended just now?" I inquired.

His eyes narrowed. "With your permission, I'll be blunt. If either of us were involved in a committed relationship with another, the mere suggestion that you would claim me, or that I would acquiesce cheapens both of us," he said emphatically.

His words were so in line with my feelings on the matter that I gulped, "Look I don't think I can rush into this flirtation...whatever this is," I waved my hands between us.

My inner wolf spirit started to panic castigating me for pushing him away from us. We can't get involved with him! If he imprints our heart would be ripped to shreds again. We would never recover ever! This is much deeper than anything with Sam or even Coinin. Our wolf...he is ours! Our mate!

Elijah looked thoughtful. "This is not a flirtation," he said softly.

"Then what is it?" I retorted.

He waved his hand between us, "This is the power of the imprint."

An array of emotions washed over me, shock, pique, let-down and finally anger. I scooted away from him, "How dare you! How dare use the imprint to excuse some cheap seduction trick!" I snapped.

Something like hurt flashed in his eyes and he dropped his gaze, "I'm sorry you have such a low opinion of me."

I could sense his emotions even as he tried to conceal them, just like that my anger dissipated.

I bit my lip undecided about what to do next, "Look I'm so confused. I have never laid eyes on you until today and you're saying we're imprinted."

Elijah glanced up and I stared into his eyes. "Do you know what's worse? My heart believes you. I can feel myself wavering," I conceded.

His eyes softened, "How long have you been phasing?" He mumbled to himself. He reached out and took my hands massaging them with his thumbs. A very different, very familiar energy started to build pulsing against my palms until my very nerve endings hummed with it. I recognized this energy, no way!

In a moment of clarity everything fell into place. The signs had been right there under my nose this whole time. The week long pining for what or maybe I should say who, I now know is my imprint. I remembered a conversation between Jacob and me that first day at the street fair.

"Jacob can I ask you something?" I wanted to know.

"Sure sure," he said.

I asked, "Did those alpha pulses feel pleasurable to you like a rush of endorphin's?"

He said, "No I wanted to bare my neck."

Suddenly my heart started pounding and my breathing escalated. My voice broke as I whispered, "That was you in Jeroisa city wasn't it?"

While I was experiencing a crushing grief, my inner wolf was jumping for joy. I don't know what you're so happy about. It's just an accident that he ran across us here today. You know that right? I can't believe this regal sexy guy is our imprint, but he knew and ignored us. Our imprint doesn't want us! Our wolf...Yes! Yes!...Huh?

What happened next embarrassed me to the core. Not only did it happen in public, but Elijah witnessed it making it ten times worse. It's so cliche and I'm so much stronger than that.

I did the one thing that I Leah Clearwater, promised myself I would never again do for a man, well except my father or Seth. I did the one thing I didn't allow myself even when Sam left me for Emily, well in public anyway.

I burst into tears.

Elijah looked up startled.

A/N: So what do you think of Matthew? What's Jedidah really up to trying to entice Leah to enter the back room for Ioana's auction?

When Leah growled Matthew Elijah told Chloe is wasn't wise to be touching him right now and to speak English. She figured out the rest herself as did most people in the room.

Teaser: In the next chapter things take a dramatic turn.

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