The dream of the strange woman haunted me even when I was awake. I tried my hardest to pretend that it didn't happen, that she was just a figment of my imagination, but a strange stirring in the pit of my stomach turned and told me otherwise.

Why did I need to be protected? The reservation was clear of any threat, the Cullens still resided in Forks, but their precious bundle of freak of nature distracted them too much to really do any harm. Her words still kept me on edge, I kept my ear to the wind and my eyes were continuously looking for a thereat threat she had promised that was going to come my way.

My newfound paranoia started to annoy my pack; I ran the patrol shifts a little tighter (much to Quil's chagrin) and advised them to keep together at all times. Quil was annoyed, Embry began to worry always giving me curious glances as we went over schedules together, and Seth was…Seth. You could literally kick the boy in the mouth and he would still have that freaky grin on his face asking what's next. However, my amazing thickheaded Alpha had yet to notice any change, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He never really notices much nowadays, ever since he imprinted on Nessie, that's all on his mind.

I couldn't take it anymore; the little petite woman in my dream was probably having a good laugh at me looking over my shoulder every turn I make. I couldn't let that woman drive me crazy, I wasn't the type of girl who didn't speak her mind, and dammit, Jacob was going to hear it.

I stormed the Cullen compound with my breath held trying in vain not to be assaulted by their offensive, pungent odor as I looked for the musky scent of my alpha in the mist of fruits and sweetness. I opened the Cullen door without even knocking, looking around the stark white living room with the equally as pasty vampires occupying it. They all looked at me with worried eyes, I'm sure my very presence startled them considering I always avoid being anywhere near their lair more than I have to, and my disheveled appearance didn't hurt either.

"Leah! We weren't expecti-"Esme was the first to start the welcome wagon. As much as I hated to admit it, she was extremely sweet and for some reason she always seemed to go out her way for me, she was the female version of her disgustingly sweet mate.

"Where is he?" I interrupted her mid greeting. I didn't have time for this. After he skipped a few pack meetings and scheduling, my alpha needed to hear my worries and needed to get back on his fucking job.

"He and Bella went to the store to get Nessie more of those gummy worms things she likes so much," She frowned a little.

"You're giving a toddler gummy worms in the middle of the day?"

With a hard frown on her tiny pale face, she replied: "At least someone has common sense in this house," She sighed and walked away grumpily. I couldn't help but chuckle a little thinking of Esme as a worried grandma afraid that Nessie might get a cavity behind her fangs.

I decided to wait in the driveway, gasping for the little bit of clean air I could now appreciate. It didn't last long because Edward's shiny Volvo pulled in the driveway quickly; even before the bloodsuckers got out the car, I could smell them. I sighed, why I didn't just wait until he went home? I watched them slowly get out the car, Jacob rose out the car with Nessie in his arms, and he looked at me with a surprised face. Oh yeah, that's why I knew waiting for him to come home would be stupid, he's never freaking there.

Edward threw me a cautionary glance and quickly scooped his daughter in his arms and led his wife by the arm into the house. "We'll ….uh leave you two alone," he quickly went into the house.

"What are you doing here Lee?" He looked down at me with innocent brown eyes. Sigh, why in the hell was he so clueless.

"We need to talk," I started to walk to the wooded area where I was confident none of them could hear us.

"Did something happen?" He asked as he followed me.

"No, not yet," I sighed and looked at him. Confusion set in his handsome features, then worry.

"What do you mean?" His voice now deeper, his mouth in a deep frown as he looked down at me with demanding eyes. His was finally in Alpha mode again.

"I just have a bad feeling Jake. I don't know I just keep thinking something's coming for us," I said with a frown.

"Why do you say that? Who told you they would hurt us?" Gee, some naked bloody woman told me Jake when I was dreaming; no, I couldn't tell him that. He'd for sure think I was crazy.

"No one told me Jake, I just…. Don't you think it's been a little too calm around here lately? Doesn't that worry you a little bit? I put the boys on tighter shifts, my gut is just telling me something's not right, you know?"

He just looked at me for a good moment and I began to shift uncomfortably. Maybe he still thinks I'm off my shit, sigh well I tried. He broke out in a little smile and stepped closer, his hands on my upper forearms. "I think you need more rest, Lee. I've been letting you run the pack for a little too long and it's getting you paranoid, after all, we just got from a war. Take today off, I'll cover for you," he smiled down at me and gave my shoulders a warm squeeze. Nessie's cry broke his smile as he immediately turned his attention back to the house. "Get some rest Clearwater, that's an order," he placed his warm lips on my head and jogged back to the house without a care in the world. My cheeks burned for some reason, why was he such an idiot?

Sleep didn't come easy for me; I somehow knew what my subconscious had planned for me on the other side. I slipped off into sleep anyway.

Welcome back Leah the familiar voice greeted me with warmth. I looked around, half expecting the meadow or darkness but surprised when my nose smelled a familiar scent. Cigar smoke? I looked around and found myself in a dark room looking down at a woman sitting peacefully with a cigar hanging out of her mouth and cards lazily in her hand. Poker chips of all colors surrounded her, but I couldn't see anyone else at the little poker table. She took a sip of the brown liquor in her glass and gestured toward the chair in front of me. Have a seat Leah

I sighed and obeyed, it wasn't like me standing was going to make anything easier. "You clean up nice," I said sarcastically. She looked up at me with a little smirk, her wavy hair falling in her face.

Well blood isn't my colour she took another sip of her drink, and looked back at me. So have you made any progress?

"Progress of….what?"

You tell me, you seem to have failed a mission.

"That's because you've been fucking with my head," I snapped annoyed by her stupid riddles again.

I only warned you, would you rather I sit back and watch? She looked at her cards lazily

"For someone who is here to protect me, you sure are MIA when I need you the most," I frowned thinking of all the other tragic events that have happened in my life.

Everything that has happened in the past has made you stronger leading up to this. You needed to be entrapped to want freedom, you needed to know the sting of betrayal to know how tight loyalty can be, you seen how…precious life is when it's taken away

"My dad died to teach me a fucking lesson!"

She looked at me surprised and laid the cards in her lap. Your father died because it was time, you just learned from the experience.

I sat back in my seat and thought about what the strange woman was telling me, I sighed. Nothing in my life seemed to feel like I really learned anything. I guess maybe with Jacob's attention on his imprint I had to learn how to be a leader in his absence. That's what Beta does right?

Why does she bother you so?

"Who?"

The half-bred child your Alpha is tied with.

"She does not bother me," I said defensively. Why in the hell would a fast developing toddler bother me? Freak me out, sure but bother me, no.

You worry if the child will grow and become like her mother and consume him for excitement.

"Nessie isn't like Bella, she's… more considerate than her mother ever was," I had to smirk at that. How sad was it that a full-grown woman was least considerate than her own child. I guess Nessie learned her caring nature from her grandparents, especially Carlisle who she had been especially attached to.

Then why do you seem worked up about his imprint? Do you also have a tie to him?

My cheeks burned and I shook my head furiously. "I'm his Beta ya twit, of course I'm tied to him." She smiled at me with annoying smugness and leaned back in her chair, the room started to light up and the sound of chatter filled the room. My neck began to burn even more at the thought that someone might've heard us.

You should listen to your Alpha's advice and rest. I will come to you when its time to decide

"Wait, decide what?" I looked at her with confusion.

On my right is someone who can drastically change your future in a matter of weeks my eyes trailed to the right to see a large shadowed figure dealing cards at the table. I strained to get closer to their face but their face continued to be veiled in the heavy cigar smoke. On my left is someone who may bring malice to those you love if your pack isn't strong enough and next to you is someone who you have the job of making stronger. I tore my eyes from the mystery shadowed figures to next to me to see a smoking Jacob in a suit receiving cards and playing, completely ignoring my presence. Well that wasn't a surprise at the very least, when wasn't he ignoring me?

He'll wake up and due time my dear…when he does he'll need you.

"Jake's the Alpha, he's the strongest in the pack. He doesn't need me to make him stronger, I just handle the pack while he's away. "

You're the Alpha female not the bookkeeper, you'll figure it out in due time.

"Who are they?" The mystery was driving me crazy; I watched the figure on her right reach a tattooed hand out to sip a drink. Who gets a dragon as a hand tattoo?

It wouldn't be a test if I told you all the answers. And with that she disappeared and I woke again.