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.

A\N: I just wanted to remind everyone that Daniel is Adam's uncle who the La Push pack met their first night at Ivan's Peak. Earl Bishop is the Makah alpha who accepted Jacob's pack into Pack Bishop.

Chapter 31: I Put My Foot Down

Leah's Pov

I arrived home to find Seth, Jacob, Daniel Lightfoot and Old Quil waiting for me.

I suspected this involved me and Elijah. I stopped in the doorway and tried to tramp down my irritation, "Hello"

Jacob chuckled awkwardly, "Hi Leah. Sorry for dropping by unannounced but we all need to talk."

My wolf surfaced with a low warning rumble in my throat. Without thinking I sent pulses of energy in every direction. I tried to contain it but it was radiating from me like static.

My antics didn't affect the alpha wolves, but Seth whimpered and exposed his neck.

"Sorry Seth!" I said lamely rushing towards him.

He waved me off, "I'm okay. Anyway, Alpha Lightfoot warned us you might be defensive."

"Is that so?" I asked glaring at Adam's uncle.

Jacob stood up calmly, "Leah are in control? or do you need an alpha order to calm down?"

I sighed, "Sorry, I've been feeling like an antsy teenager all day. But that's no excuse for growling at you."

His eyes softened, "I bet you have. Alpha Lightfoot would be happy to explain things to you."

I glanced at Daniel cautiously.

He said, "There is a scientific explanation for all this moodiness. Our bodies produce excess wolf energy to support any changes we experience, like emerging or even our first phase.

This energy has an interesting effect. It can cause us to experience strong emotions or physical illness, usually a combination of both."

When he said that I had a startling epiphany. Sam left me for Emily during the time period leading up to my first phase. How much was my behavior was influenced by the wolf magic? It was something to think about.

"Jacob what's this about alpha orders?" I asked?

He stared at me, "I can help you stay calm with alpha commands if you need me to." He shrugged, "It's not ideal but it helps, as long as it's consensual."

"But I'm emerging..," I stopped and really thought about it. Jacob's been my alpha for years. Nothing has changed.

Daniel Lightfoot said, "Just because you're emerging doesn't mean you have the aptitude or even desire to be a pack leader.

Jacob is still your alpha unless you're planning to challenge both him and Earl Bishop?"

I raised both hands as if to ward off the thought, "No! It's just I don't know what I'm thinking."

Daniel spoke quietly, "I do. You're wondering what's going to happen since you learned your wolf spirit is more dominate. It really doesn't matter. As long as you accept Alpha Black as your alpha, you will respond to his commands."

"Really?" I asked feeling relieved."

He smiled kindly at me, "Adam outranks me as First Beta; but here in our home pack he accepts me as both alpha and head of our family. It's a delicate balance, but we are not slaves to our wolf instincts."

I glanced Jacob,"I guess that explains why you could follow Sam back in the day. You were the True Alpha but you still choose to follow him."

He winked at me, "Exactly! Just like you have chosen to follow me."

Seth said, "Adam left food for us. He said you need a lot of protein Leah."

He jerked his thumb at a huge platter piled high with meat sitting on the kitchen table.

At that point all discussion halted since we were more interested in sitting down to eat. I started getting antsy as the meal wore on.

I suspected they wanted to discuss Elijah, but it's really none of their business.

Besides, what could they possibly say about him that would make a difference? I never expected my own imprint would play games with me like Elijah had!

"Leah are you okay?" Seth asked pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yes but I won't discuss Elijah with you guys. So don't even ask," I felt it was a good idea to make that clear upfront .

Jacob and Seth started to respond but Daniel Lightfoot cut them off. "Duly Noted," he said in a firm voice.

Jacob said, "We wanted to have a nice meal first. But since you bought it up, who wants to start?" He looked around the table.

Old Quil cleared his throat, "We're not here to gossip about the Alpha Rex. We came to support you with your plans for tomorrow."

"What plans?" I asked.

They all looked at each other.

Jacob said, "You are closing the pack run with Korzka right?."

So they knew about that. "No I'm staying right here," I replied crossing my arms.

Seth frowned, "Do they know you're not coming?"

I shook my head, "I haven't talked to anyone."

Old Quil said to Seth, "Don't worry about it. It's not part of her official duties yet."

"It was very short notice. Besides, The Rex forgot to mention he comes with official duties," I replied.

"I thought you didn't want to talk about him," Seth mumbled under his breath.

I narrowed my eyes and mouthed the words "Shut up" at him.

Meanwhile, Jacob was saying, "She's allowed to change her mind Seth."

I didn't respond because Jacob was making me angry again. I didn't want him to alpha command me to control my temper.

Seth sighed, "Did you tell him you're not coming?"

I crossed my arms, "Guess what? I'm not speaking to him. You just expect me to call..."

"Yes!" Old Quil and Daniel Lightfoot said at the same time cutting me off.

Old Quil scolded me,"What's gotten into you Leah? It's common courtesy to respond to an invitation."

Suddenly I felt like a ten years old being lectured on etiquette, " It's complicated."

He nodded, "You don't have to talk to him. Send him one of those text."

"Leah would it help if I took care of it?" Jacob offered in a reasonable voice.

I shrugged, "Sure."

Old Quil cleared his voice dramatically, "Are you positive you won't change your mind? An Alpha Rex usually closes the Pack Run with his Consort or the First Beta if he is unmarried. It's quite an honor that the your imprint has invited you."

I shook my head, "Nope! And I know he's my imprint. You don't have to remind me."

"She's to stubborn to change her mind ," Seth added his two cents.

"Then I guess we're at an impasse," Daniel said standing up.

"Leah if you change your mind we're leaving Ivan's Peak around 10:00 tonight. We still have time to brief you during the drive. Let's go," he added gesturing towards the door.

Old Quil stood up also, "We're not mad at you. We just needed to make sure you understand what's at stake."

I smiled at him, "I know. Have fun at the ceremonies tomorrow."

Jacob said, "I guess I should go to. I'm representing Pack Bishop and need to get an early start."

Seth started nagging me once we were alone, "Leah maybe you should just try talking to him."

I made an obscene gesture, "No way! I'm going to bed early."

I took a nice hot shower before retiring for the night. The last thing I remember thinking is that Old Quil is obsessed with everything related to the Canis shape-shifters.

"Then they start the speeches. Each year a different pack hosts the food." a voice whispered.

"This sucks. I really wanted to go," Seth's voice answered.

"I know but our place is here my friend," replied the first voice which I gradually recognized as Delta Allen.

I looked at the alarm clock. It read 9:14 p.m. l slid off the bed and stretched before padding into the living room. The two of them were playing a game of Poker.

Seth laid out a royal flush. Delta Allen groaned.

I snorted, "You let him trick you into playing Poker? He never loses."

"Yep!" Seth said smugly scraping up his winnings.

I went to get a bottled water from the refrigerator, "What are you guys doing here? Shouldn't you have left already?"

Delta Allen looked right at me, "No ma'am."

"Why not?" I asked. Seth had been looking forward to this for days.

Delta Allen stood up, "We're still on duty."

"Huh," I asked confused.

Seth chuckled, "He's here because he's your captain. But I volunteered so Collin and Mark could go with Jacob."

I shook my head in denial, "Just because I'm not going doesn't mean you can't. I will be fine."

Seth got that familiar stubborn look on his face. He said, "It's okay we're still responsible for you."

I felt guilty because Seth had really been looking forward to this Pack Run. And now he's missing it to stay and guard me.

I banged my hands on the tabletop and ground out, "Fine I will go!"

A/N: Teaser for the next chapter: Leah catches Elijah and a situation she never expected leading to unexpected consequences. What do you think that could be?

Leah's excess wolf energy plays a big part in the next chapter.

Meanwhile, Thank you for reading, favoring and reviewing this book. It means the world to me. Please consider a review.