Leah's Point of View

Staying with the Cullens was not as bad as she had predicted. Of course, she originally had figured it would just be awkward(don't tell Jacob she thought that), but they made it as comfortable as they could for them. Leah knew they were probably stinking up the place with their 'wet dog smell', but despite all of that, Leah could still smell the bleach, cleaner smell that always radiated off the Cullens' pale skin. Anyway, Esme had made sure to keep a lot of food in the house for the trio to enjoy, always going out of her way to cook for them. Leah insisted it was fine for them to do so, but Esme was relentless. They were her guests, and as a host, she needed to spoil them.

Edward's old room was rather comfortable. He had graciously left a bed for the lot to share, but Jacob gave it to the siblings and decided to crash out on the couch in the living area. Leah felt he got the better end of the deal, however, considering Seth apparently kicked in his sleep and grabbed at hair. But left behind by the vampire, as well, were his music. Leah had played most of it during her stay, boring herself with books Alice excitedly brought her to read. You would think this really was just a big sleepover, rather than having to remain on guard because a red eyed Cullen was coming for an unknown reason.

Seth was having a grand old time. He mostly spent his days sparring playfully with Emmett and Jasper, both of which also needed the practice. Jacob spent his daytime going to Edward and Bella's to visit. He stayed true to his promise by not sneaking out at night to see his imprintee, but the day was just made for the two to wander the woods and spend time together. Leah couldn't stand much of the sappiness and pretty much just spent her time inside.

Esme enjoyed the company as she cooked. Leah often blabbered on with her while Esme listened intently. Leah couldn't help it. The motherly vampire always brought this side out of her. It was only months ago that Leah had been claiming she couldn't stand the walking dead, but Esme somehow managed to worm her way into the wolf's heart. She was very different from her family. Her abilities weren't outright useful like Alice's or Edward's were, but they were something to Leah. The ability to love so passionately, no matter the person, was amazing in a world as dark as theirs. Leah sometimes mistook it for Esme being naïve, but she had seen her fight.

Nobody would want to cross her family.

Alice was great, too. Her and Leah often spent the days speaking until Leah was lulled to sleep by another one of Alice's long stories about herself and Jasper. If anything, though, it helped her mind stop wandering and wondering when the damned blood sucker would finally come to Forks. It was almost kind of annoying.

Days turned to weeks; soon enough, it had been an entire month that Leah has resided within the home of the Cullens. No sign of Warren whatsoever; Alice hasn't had a vision about him since the first one, and Edward still couldn't find a trace of his thoughts, which meant he was still not even close. She was growing bored. Often she wondered if he was to show up at all. Maybe the decision he had made of coming into Forks was changed, but if that were the case, Alice would've had another vision by now.

Leah wondered how Carlisle and Edward, specifically were taking this. They didn't seem as fearful as the others, but they did look grimmer. Carlisle, particularly, expressed it when he would pace his study into the night, keeping Leah up(other than the fact that Seth kept yanking at her hair), muttering things. One night she just couldn't take it anymore and got up to go up to him.

She walked quietly through the wide hallway, her bare feet doing her enough justice to keep it much more simpler. But he was a vampire, so he heard her approach as he turned, his hands pulling together rapidly as if they just needed to move. Leah almost flinched, but she didn't want to look surprised.

"Are you okay?" she asked awkwardly, feeling slightly put out. Her and Carlisle never really interacted. They didn't know each other very well.

"Just fine," he smiled, "Did I wake you? I apologize."

"Nah, um...my brother's a pain in the ass even when he sleeps, apparently," she laughed dryly, beckoning toward Edward's old room. "Look, I know everyone's worried about this, but I don't think any of them are giving you enough credit. You and this...Warren guy had been obviously close back then."

Carlisle smiled. "More than close. We were brothers, it would seem. Warren entrusted me with everything, and I him other than my big secret. Thank you, though...for being worried, but there's really no need to. I'm fine." For emphasis, he stopped wringing his hands together and went to sit at his desk. The study was a big room, but the desk and chair were rather small in comparison.

Leah stood awkwardly, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

"I know what it's like to feel betrayed by someone you love," she said, "I'm guessing you're feeling guilty that you still love him?"

Carlisle smiled again. "You could say that. Warren is...was...an incredible man. His mind was brilliant, despite where he resided. Talking to him was like talking to the happiest man on the earth. It was infectious. You would feel happy yourself. But he had an edge to him, too. But...when I changed him, all of these qualities were exemplified...including that edge."

"So...what exactly will we be doing when he does come? Just up and attack him? Talk to him? What..."

"I will have to make the approach. We will just have to be cautious. He has never encountered the wolves as we had. He might not react as we have," Carlisle warned, "Not to mention...Alice's vision left me little to work with. I don't know if he's coming to talk...to fight...to stay... I don't even know if he's coming to see me or Edward specifically. All I know is...he's on his way."

Leah nodded slowly, crossing her arms and turning her gaze to the floor instead. Perhaps this conversation wasn't as awkward as she was attempting to make it out to be. Carlisle was somehow very easy to talk to.

"Will the Red Hoods interfere?" she asked.

Carlisle seemed surprised. He hadn't expected a question like that. Thinking it over, he sat up in his chair and looked at Leah again, his expression unreadable.

"If they do...I only hope they do to Warren what I couldn't."

Leah shivered.

"Now," he said, standing up, "I think you should get some rest. It's not fair to you with all my blabbing. Go on, get." He grinned as he led her back to her room, adding quietly so as to not wake Seth, "And...thanks...again." Leah nodded and went to lay back down, pulling the blankets over her form and staring at the shelf of music, her mind racing.

Carlisle was hurt, obviously over all of this. The reminder of Warren's existence must be doing a number on him. Edward, she couldn't really tell, but she was sure he was hurt, too. She only hoped they could get rid of Warren so they wouldn't have to any longer.

With that last thought lingering, she slowly closed her eyes to sleep.

The next day was very sunny, making most of the house glimmer like stars since it was full of vampires. If you turned the corner with your guard down, you'd surely accidentally be blinded for a few minutes because one of them were standing on the other side. Seth had fallen victim to this about five times today.

Leah was spending her time outside. Ignoring Jacob's many pleas to take one of them with her, she had taken after her wolf form and trailed through the thick trees, listening carefully to the animals' cheerful whispers, oblivious to the fact they were so close to a house that constantly fed on them. Leah almost snorted at that fact.

She shook her great head and carefully padded her way through the bushes and fallen trees that were covered in green moss. Everything was so surreal here. No wonder Bella had fallen victim to falling in love with Edward. Everything about him, his family, his home, his world was just so incredible to witness. Leah scoffed indignantly, shaking her head and walking a bit faster. She was sounding like such a sap.

Snap.

Leah quickly stopped in her tracks, her head lifting higher. That was definitely a lot harsher of a step for a deer or a rabbit. In fact, she was sure the many sounds of all the animals roaming the woods had suddenly stopped, going completely silent as if they had fled. But she was sure she heard something, and it wasn't her.

Her ears flickered and her brown eyes narrowed. Nothing seemed to follow. But Leah was never wrong.

Crack.

"LEAH!"

Leah perked up quickly, looking back toward the Cullens' home with an expression of shock. No...no, he couldn't be there now. It was impossible. Snarling, she took off, the only sound now ringing her ears being the pounding of her paws digging into the earth as she practically flung herself back.

Just as she threw herself back into the clearing that the home of the Cullens resided in, she felt a heavy weight press into her side, throwing her painfully into the ground several feet away. Growling angrily, she got right back up and bared her teeth with the want to sink her teeth into whoever dared-

"Stop moving!" Alice hissed into her ear, jerking her closer to herself. She was staring ahead with a face of distinct shock; for a moment, Leah wondered if she was in the middle of a vision, but following her gaze she saw exactly what made her so scared. She barely noticed everyone was also outside, looking the same as Alice as they stared ahead, all but Carlisle who glared and stepped forward, appearing angry.

"Warren," he sneered.

"Hello, brother," a silky voice greeted him, sounding quite eager.