Writers comment:aaand here's the second chapter as promised! Leah and Jacob are beginning to understand their feelings for each other now. Thanks for reading in advance and do enjoy. I'd love for you to review as well. If you really like the story then please do favorite it and if you want to carry on reading it, don't hesitate to follow and put it on your alerts! Here we go. :)
Jacobs POV
I heard Leah catching up to me. As much as Seth was in danger, I was glad that something was there to break the awkward moment we had just seconds earlier. Leah's mind went from frantic, to empty. She was focusing on the task at hand. I decided to get my head in the game too. Looking into Seth's thoughts I saw a vampire headed straight for him. Just before impact, his mind went into unconsciousness.
Seth! No! I heard Leah shout mentally. I was running but my legs wanted to give in. It was my fault for allowing Seth to stay. And I would never forgive myself for it. I guessed Leah wouldn't either. As if given a boost of adrenaline, Leah blew to an even faster sprint. I hadn't seen a werewolf run that fast before. She dashed ahead and disappeared into the trees in front of me.
Before long we found him laying motionless on the ground. Leah pulled her head back and howled. It was a sign of grief. But I heard an all too familiar thump. Seth's heart was still beating. Leah! Leah he's alive! So I could have concluded one thing. Seth wasn't dead. But where was the leech that was supposed to kill him? I searched through the trees, using all the power I had in my wolf ears.
Leah still couldn't believe her brother was alive and was nudging his unconscious body with her muzzle. Probably checking him for any bite marks. Vamp venom was lethal to us werewolves. I heard a silent shimmer a few yards ahead. Someone's phasing? Leah thought. Yeah.
Jared appeared from the trees in human form, arms raised. Paul, Quil and Embry came up behind him in wolf form. Seth was stirring back to consciousness so Leah came up to my left. ''Hey Jake.'' Jared said calmly. ''We just wanna talk.'' He dropped his hands. ''You gotta come back man. Sam is sorry for acting so quickly. We miss you. Embry misses you.'' Embry whined behind him in agreement.
Ha! Yeah right. Of course Sam changed his mind. Leah thought.
You don't think Sam sent him?
Sam obviously sent him. But he knows that he can't take on us and the leeches together. Especially when we're expecting him to attack. Now he's sent the one guy in the pack who you always got along with to convince you to go back. Smart. But predictable.
I thought about that. He was thinking that maybe Embry could get my sympathy and we'd all just come back home.
Jared looked at Leah and I, noticing that we were having a conversation that he could not hear. ''What does Leah think?'' Jared asked. I huffed and looked at Leah. Leah. Go for a run around the perimeter and make sure this isn't a trap. She growled at Jared before disappearing into the trees. I sat back on my haunches and phased back, not bothering to hide my nakedness. This was just a part of pack life.
''Good to see ya Jake.'' Jared smiled. ''I tried convincing Leah and Seth to go back home. Trust me.'' I said. Trying to avoid a lecture. ''Sam made his choice already. There's no fixing that. I'm staying here and protecting Bella. And if Seth and Leah wanna stay here for a while then that's their choice.'' I concluded. ''So you're just gonna stay here and become a bloodsucker lap dog? That's low Jake.'' Jared responded.
Seth, seeming fully recovered stood and bared his teeth and Jared after he said 'lap dog'. Jared seemed surprised to see Seth so brave all of a sudden. ''Easy Seth.'' I said as he approached me to settle on my right. ''If that's what it takes to protect Bella.'' I shrugged. ''Our job is to protect humans remember?'' I questioned looking at Embry. He lowered his head, seemingly in shame.
''Well I'm sorry, Jake. Sam ordered us to bring you back. Even if we have to drag you.'' Paul took one paw towards me, crushing the leaves beneath him but I wasn't about to take that. I phased back and stood firm, ready for any challenge.
Leah. I need you to get back. Now!
Already on it. Leah was on her way back. But there was no telling if she would make it back on time.
Suddenly I heard a voice appear in my head. Jared. I can't do this... Embry trotted away from Jared's side to join me on my left. It was four on three now. Although Seth was small, even Paul wouldn't be stupid enough to risk that fight. I could take Paul. Embry could take Jared and Leah and Seth could gang up on Quil. Sam would regret not sending enough wolves. Most of all, he would regret sending Embry with his diplomatic party.
Leah exploded out of the bushes kicking soil up, paused to notice Embry, then approached me to push Embry out of the way in order to be closer to me. Great. I'm an alpha's third below Seth and Leah. Embry thought sarcastically. And I'm second in command. Seth answered with a wolf grin.
''Hey. We don't want a fight.'' Jared said in a calmer voice, analsing the change of events. ''Leah. Sam needs you back. There's nothing here for you.'' Leah rubbed her head against my shoulder and looked back at Jared. He raised an eyebrow trying to figure out what that meant. So was I. ''Alright then. I'll let Sam know.'' Jared said halfheartedly and walked back into the trees with Quil and Paul.
I huffed again. This time in relief. Well I'm glad that's over. Seth thought. Embry. Fill me in. What happened? I directed at Embry.
Well Sam didn't want to attack anymore. Lost the element of surprise, ya know? So it's been nothing but patrol for us. Without the three of you Sam's had us overworked. Anyway, we came across the scent of a blood drinker on our lands. We assumed the treaty was broken because of the... er.. problem. So we chased it down all the way here. It bumped into Seth and knocked him out. But Seth slowed it down enough for us to chase and kill it. Then we found you guys.
I listened as Embry explained. I thought we were just close enough for Edward to hear the entire altercation. So Sam wasn't an immediate threat. Check. But what about the monster that was tearing Bells up from the inside. Now that those cowards are gone, I'm going to run the perimeter. Leah thought. Sounding almost annoyed. Well that wasn't new. For Leah at least.
Wait Leah. We need to talk. Seth, catch up on some sleep over at the Cullen's. You've been interrupted enough and you've had one heck of a day. You need a bed. Seth didn't hesitate and ran straight away. Embry, start patrolling the perimeter. You're with us for now. He nodded and took off in the opposite direction. Looking for the scent trail we had left from constantly running the loop.
What do you want? Leah thought. C'mon. Let's get back. I need to speak to you. Alone. I responded. Mustering up some courage.
We got back near the house and she put her dress back on. There were new clothes on the porch. A light blue T-shirt and shorts that appeared to be a lot more expensive than what I threw on every day. They must have been Emmett's. It was my turn to beat the clothes against a tree. The shirt was a little tight but besides that, they fit just fine.
I found Leah and we walked towards the river and saw a decent rock to sit on. ''Uh. Leah? Earlier when Jared asked about you not having anything here for you. What was that?'' I asked curiously. ''I don't know. I guess I just feel more alive here in your pack Jacob. With you.'' she sighed. I felt some part of me warm up when she said that but I didn't want to give myself any ideas. I already loved one girl that still loved someone else.
''Yeah? Sam huh? Well he never did deserve you, you know.'' I whispered. Trying to comfort her. Her eyes were getting all glassy. I had never imagined Leah to be much of a person to cry. Almost on impulse, I pulled her face down to my chest and put my arms around her to let her cry without having to feel embarrassed.
Her breathing began to go shallow and I knew that she was asleep. ''You deserve better, Leah. You deserve me.'' I planted a soft kiss on her forehead as she drifted off.
That's all for the second chapter. I already have so many ideas flowing that I can't pick! But that doesn't mean I'm not open to any reader suggestions. So if you have anything to add to the plot or you'd just like to add a comment on whether you're enjoying it or not, please hit the review button. :) Thank you xD!