'I understand that we can never speak again and your resentment towards me will last. And I will let you forget me if you'll stay in my past.'

Thirteen months after the break-up

I was now a proud father. We gave birth to a vibrant baby girl who was as calm and peaceful as her mother. I could never understand how much being a parent was a gift, until I saw her wrinkly little body being pulled from Emily's womb.

By now, I was really understanding what it meant to be a father, a man, an Alpha. The pack had grown to include Embry, Jacob, Sam, Leah, and many others. And even though I wanted to apologize to Leah, I did the opposite.

She couldn't pick up on the fact that I still harbored deep feelings for her because it might make us forget what had happened, and make us start acting as though we were a thing of the present when it was truly over.

That's why I began ignoring Leah the way I did.

I gave her the most difficult, undesirable jobs. I tried to run her down. When that didn't work, I gave her as little to do as possible hoping that boredom would steer her away.

Leah did not break the course as I had hoped. She was unequivocally the best member of the pack. She had no idea how strong I thought she was.

I avoided having any moments with her alone because I didn't want to tell Leah that she was the most amazing woman that I'd ever met. She was the lone she-wolf for a reason.

It was easy to avoid her until one day when the rotation got screwed up. It was Jake's fault. Leah had come to replace him. "What are you doing here?"

"Covering for Jake." She answered coolly.

"I can handle it myself." I shot back, looking at my hands to evade her eyes.

"I'm already here." She started removing her clothing slowly as I did my best not to look at her. I didn't have to. I knew every curve of Leah's body, every bend … better than anyone else did. I'd loved her fully. How could I not?

"Go." I barked, but I knew my command was no more than a whisper.

"It's all your fault you know. You really have no one else to blame but you."

"I know." I hung my head. "I'm sorry it was Emily."

"I don't want to talk about this." She threatened. "I've moved on."

"To every guy in the community? You know they're all getting together and comparing notes. And the guys from the pack, they're just-"

"Stop it Sam."

"It's true. I hear them when they think I'm not listening or … I don't care. They think about all the things you've done with them … things I thought you'd never do. You're better than that Leah. And some of those things you let them do you … it makes me feel sick." I explained, trying to hide my hurt and guilt-ridden feelings for the situation.

"It's just meaningless sex. All those different positions … it's fun. They all want to try me." She smiled twisting the knife a little, but I could still see the pain underneath. The longing. I wanted her too.

"It's dangerous. What if someone gets hurt or -"

"Pregnant?" Leah smiled at me, still retaining her undergarments. "Some can't be so lucky."

"Leah … I think maybe you should just leave Forks. Find a new life. Be happy."

"I am happy." She countered. "But you're not … and I love to see you in pain."

"Leah, just let me say this-"

"No. I don't want to hear anything you have to say. Ever. You opinion means shit to me so fuck off." And with that, she stripped off the rest of her clothing, stood there nude in from of me for what seemed like an eternity and phased, running off. I didn't know where she was going, but I felt a sinking sensation in my chest that told me that I may never see her again.

(A/N: Comments please ... almost done. Check out HATE U, I'm So Sick, Boys with Girlfriends if you're liking some of what you're reading here. Part of my shameless promotion but After the Hurricane is probably my best Twilight fiction to date followed by Boys w/GF. Luv. -NL)