The Life We Live

Chapter 8

Pairing: Bella / Leah

Rating: T for Language and Content - Subject to Change

This was not what I wanted to have happen today. I thought I had taken care of Jake, but apparently he was stupider than I thought, and this time he had help. I had been so close, so close to making Leah tell me. And he had to butt in and muck it up. I had carefully thought about how I wanted to approach the topic, because even though we this was only our second 'date,' I wanted to come clean. The pull of the mating bond was too strong to put off.

In fact, a few days prior I had been foolish and went to see her, in my wolf form. Our eyes met, and from that moment on, I knew. I couldn't put it off any longer; waiting be damned. Sue me, I'm an impatient one. I was just lucky she hadn't recognized me, although I guess that made sense. If she realized what I was, she would have recognized me that first night in the forest.

But while distracting her with arbitrary conversation, I led her to a more secluded area. I cornered her and asked about this 'project' she was working on, although I already knew it involved me. I was saddened to find out she was scared.

Not of me, or well not of what I was. She was scared about how I would react. If only she knew I loved her no matter what. And she would have found that out, here and now; if Jake hadn't butted in.

And his mind had deteriorated even more since our last meeting. He and Paul truly believed that they were the superior supernatural creatures. I was a little taken aback at this. However I shouldn't really have been surprised. Shifters were ruled by emotion. And pride was one they did very well. These two in particular were more pathetic than most. Although I suppose since my mate is one of these shifters, I shouldn't really be bad mouthing them.

But right now, I couldn't be any more infuriated with Jake and Paul. The were currently talking with Leah, as I was subtlety stepping in front of her, so I could deal with these pests so we could get back to our conversation. Although Jake's words suddenly grabbed my attention and I couldn't help but growl at him. "Oh Leah, that is just too good. You haven't told her yet? Well, that just makes it easier for me. You haven't filled her head with lies yet. She's untainted by your filth."

That infuriated me even more, if that was even possible. Jake was so lucky that I had full control of my powers, otherwise he would have been dead on the ground five minutes ago. "Leah isn't filthy Jake. I can't believe you would call anyone that. What happened to the Jake that I know?" In actuality I wasn't all the surprised since shifters had this habit of speaking before they think. He just scoffed at me.

"That Jake was weak, and he grew up. And I think the new Jake is much better. I'm going to prove it to you. You're just confused Bella. Hanging out with the Cullens has messed up your mind. And Leah isn't helping either. You belong with me, you know this. I'm your best option." Once again I snarled at him. I was far from confused. In fact, if anyone was confused it was him. He was out of his mind if he thought I would ever be with a bastard like him.

"So what, you expect me to settle for the 'best option?' I personally think that's a bunch of crap Jake. I never have and never will look at you as anything but a friend. And right now I'm not even looking at you like that." Arrogantly, Paul and Jake just exchanged glances.

"Well then Bella, it looks like Leah and the Cullens have brainwashed you even more than I thought. I guess we're going to have to do this the hard way." I bared my teeth of Jake, which probably looked weird in my human form, but it was a reflex. It happened, especially when I was angry. Before I could open my mouth, Leah snarled at Jake. He had the audacity of laughing at my mate. I swear this boy had a death wish.

"Like you're a threat Leah. You cowered last time we 'fought.' And if we hadn't been.. interrupted, I would have made you submit. There's nothing you can do. You're just a pest at this point. And I'll so enjoy making you submit to me. Maybe I'll let Paul have you, I'm sure he could tame that temper of yours." Leah was shaking beside me, I knew she was close to shifting, but I really couldn't bring myself to care. If I was in her position I would have already leapt at Jake's throat. I was actually impressed with her self-control. It definitely surpassed Jake.

Jake turned to address me this time. "Well I guess if Leah won't tell you, I will. Or well, I'll show you what Leah was too scared to show you." I still was slightly confused as to why Leah was scared, but I suppose it was somewhat understandable. Regardless of her knowledge that I knew of vampires, wolves were entirely different.

Paul tried to convince me to submit to Jake, spilling all this bullshit that he was the 'most powerful' and that it was 'in my best interest.' I was about to retort when Jake walked out in his wolf form, the same russet colored wolf that I had smashed into a tree just a couple weeks prior. He had an arrogant look on his face and although he didn't know it, I knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Now Bella will see me for the man I am. I wouldn't be surprised if she immediately let Paul have Leah and she came running to beg my forgiveness." I closed my eyes in disgust, vaguely aware Paul was saying something else. Man, this guy just didn't relent. I had no idea where all this was coming from, but I was certain that I needed to put a stop to it. He was a danger, not to myself, but my mate, the reservation pack, and the Cullens. He was a threat and would be treated as such.

I was semi-listening to Paul finish his little speech. I knew my eyes were probably glowing bright yellow. It's one of the the few things I hadn't learned to conceal over the many centuries. But Leah needed to know at some point. Plus Jake and Paul needed to be dealt with, so they would find out too anyways. I slowly opened my eyes and heard my mate gasp at my eye color. I gave a look, trying to convey that I would tell her everything, just not right now. I had some puppies to take care of.

"Frankly I don't give a damn if you think I'm 'best off with you.' Because I'm not. You are not my mate Jake, nor will you ever be. And Paul, you're a fool if you're following this nutcase. You think I'm impressed by the fact you say you could destroy the Cullens? Because I'm not." Paul snarled at me and I bit back a laugh. He was hardly a threat. If his Alpha couldn't stand up to me, what sort of chance did he think he had?

"You will submit to him Bella! We are your superiors, you will submit." I growled at Paul, ready to grab him by the throat and silence him. But something else drew my attention away from the boy.

"You.. you were the wolf that night! I can see it in your eyes. Bella, you have to know now that we were meant to be. The two most powerful wolves in existence. Just imagine, with you by my side, we could rule.. everything. We could be gods together! I'm willing to forgive you for your insolence up to now. Your wolf must recognize me as its mate and better. Stop fighting it and give into me. Leah is nothing, I'm your destiny." I let out of guttural roar at Jake. He dared to insult my mate like that? He dared to persist with this childish notion? And furthermore he thought he deserved to rule and think himself a god? That was breaking the Ancient Codes and nothing was a greater offence. Forgetting everything, my mate by my side, that small, insignificant pest, Paul, my surroundings, I shifted on the fly as I leapt at Jake.

He eyes widened for a split second before he growled at raised his hackles. "So, it looks like I'm going to have to teach you a lesson in respecting your betters." I snorted, like he had done such a great job of that before. Jake was merely a small barrier in my way. However I couldn't let his offence of the Ancient Codes slip. He would be punished for his crimes.

In the back of my mind, I was worried what my mate would think of me. This is not something I would wish her to see with her first encounter with my wolf form, knowing who it really was. But the compulsion to uphold the law was too powerful to stop and fight to think about the consequences.

I grabbed Jake by the throat, pinning him to the ground. I was vaguely aware that Paul had shifted, with the intention to throw me off his Alpha. He mattered little, but I was saved the trouble of dealing with him when a small grey wolf lunged for him, tackling him into a tree. My mate had thrown herself at Paul, but he was the stronger wolf. He easily threw her off of him and she was sent flying into another tree. I heard the tree splinter and break, along with the pained yelp of my mate.

This sent an even more powerful volt of rage through me. He had harmed my mate. I couldn't allow him to continue his pathetic little life. Jumping off of a slightly injured Jake, I leapt at Paul, who was advancing towards Leah. Now pinning Paul to the ground, I snarled at the puppy, baring my sharp teeth at him. He genuinely looked scared for his life, again rightly so. I could end his miserable life, right here, right now. And I intended to do just that.

Just as I raised a paw, claws gleaming, Leah's thoughts snapped me out of it. "Bella… Don't, you're better than this." I struggled to not rip my claws into Paul skull. Leah didn't understand, I wasn't better than this. I wanted to kill him so badly, and it wouldn't have been the first time I had killed someone.

"You don't understand Leah. He hurt you, I can't allow him to remain a threat." Paul's eyes widened in fear. Jake was nearby, still flat on the ground.

"Bella, please. He's not worth it." I closed my eyes in frustration, but lowered my paw. I suddenly grabbed Paul by the neck and stood up, lifting his body off the ground. My golden eyes full of rage meeting his.

"You are lucky my mate was here to stop me. You wouldn't be alive otherwise." As if to making my point stronger, I tightened my grip on his neck. "Now you, get out of sight. I won't hesitate to kill you if you if I see you ever again." The wolf gulped as I dropped him to the ground then proceeded over to where Jake was lying. I grabbed him and brought out eyes into contact. Leah tried to protest, but I drowned her concerns out. Paul hadn't broken any laws, yet. However Jake had and I could not let that stand; not even at the protests of my mate.

"Jacob Black, you have been found guilty of violating the Ancient Codes, written by the Order of Aequitas Equitas, upheld by the Dux Ducis. You are hereby senten.." I was stopped mid word by a black smoke enveloping both Jake and Paul, causing both shifters to disappear. Jake smirked as his face disappeared. I tried to tighten my grip on the shifter, but it was useless. Both puppies had vanished. I growled with anger and frustration. Shifters weren't capable of magic of this magnitude. They must have been getting help from someone. I frowned, and then I heard a soft whimper.

My head quickly turned to my mate, lying on the ground, seemingly in pain. I ran over to her and knelt by her side. She looked at me. "It was you.. It was always.. you.." I panicked slightly when her thoughts fell silent. I tried to wake her, but she had fallen unconscious. Leah had shifted back to her human form and I blushed a little when presented with her naked form. I had forgotten that shifters destroyed their clothes. I covered my mate with my jacket and ran back towards my house. Keeping to the trees, out of sight of any possible humans. I quickly unlocked my front door and rushed inside. I took Leah upstairs and gently placed her on my guest bed.

Looking her over, her injuries didn't look that bad. They could have been much worse. A few cuts and scratches. Plus a particularly nasty looking bruise on her forehead. Nothing a few hours of rest wouldn't fix. I started pacing her room, mind lost in thought. When my mate woke up, no doubt she'd have endless questions for me. I would too if I had just figured out my mate was a strange wolf that I had been hunting for days. I didn't need to wait for long for Leah to wake up. When I heard her breathing pick up, I rushed to her side, kneeling at her bedside. "Hey you. How are you feeling?" She chuckled.

"Like I just got hit by a bus. What happened? All I remember is tackling Paul, and then stopping you from ripping him limb from limb. Which, thank you by the way. For stopping." I slowly nodded. 'I almost hadn't stopped' I wanted to say. But that was probably highly inappropriate for the current setting. Leah opened her mouth again, but I cut her off.

"I know you've probably got a shit ton of questions to ask me, but please, just rest. I'll be here when you wake up. But you need to heal." She sighed and nodded at me.

"Okay, but promise me that you'll answer me?" I grabbed her hand.

"I promise you, I'll answer any question you have for me. But please, I must insist you sleep first."

"Okay, but do you think you could… uh..." I was confused for a second before Leah's eyes traveled down to her mostly naked body. I blushed and got up to grab her something. I returned with a white tank and a pair of black athletic shorts.

"Here, these should be comfortable enough. I'll leave you to get some rest." I bowed my head slightly out of habit and left the room, leaving my mate to recover.

Leah slept a lot longer than I expected. She actually slept through the night. Either she was more injured than I expected, wasn't as curious about me as I thought, which I doubted, or she was mentally exhausted. Out of those options, I suspected the third one was the closest. I know if I was her, I'd be mind boggled right now.

But either way, I was in the kitchen, making breakfast the morning after the fight when Leah walked down the stairs. I won't lie; I stared a little when I saw her in my clothes. I always thought it was a little awkward to see someone else in my clothes, but on my mate, wow. "Morning sleepyhead." I smiled at my mate as I continued to cook the pancakes I had on the griddle. "I hope pancakes are alright with you this morning?"

She eagerly nodded as she sat at the counter, watching me. "I didn't know you could cook." I laughed.

"I wouldn't exactly call making pancakes 'cooking' per say. But living alone, you've got to learn a few things." I finished up the batch I was working on, put a few on a plate and handed them to Leah. "Eat up, I'm sure you're starving." Her stomach growled and we both laughed.

"You're right, I am." She grinned, digging in to her food. I put a few pancakes on my plate and sat at the counter next to her. Both us ate in relative silence, before she spoke up. "So… you're a shifter…" I shook my head. Looked like we were going to have this conversation over breakfast.

"Nope." Popping the 'p.' "I'm actually a Lycan, big difference actually. Now I know you have a ton of questions, all of which I'm up for answering but I want to clear something up right away." She nodded. "Just… promise not to be too mad at me?" She raised an eyebrow and hesitantly nodded. I sighed. "I… sort of knew you were a shifter when I met you…" She cut me off.

"Seriously?! Why didn't you say anything?" I cringed at her tone. It was both accusatory and curious; with a little bit of anger.

"I… for the same reason you didn't tell me right away. I was scared." She looked at me.

"Scared of what, exactly? You're obviously not afraid of shifters. Not after what you did to Jacob and Paul." I huffed.

"As if I could be scared of those two nitwits." She laughed at that. "I was scared that if I approached you first, that you would find out what I am, be scared of me and fight the mating bond. I wanted to spare you from that pain. I've seen what happens when people fight it for too long. They literally go insane. I didn't want that to happen. I wanted you to take the first step, to be the one in control. I've been around… for a long time. I've been without a mate all that time and I figured, what was a few more weeks?" Leah stared at me in disbelief.

"And you didn't once think that I would like a say in what I would be and wouldn't be scared of?" I sheepishly looked at her.

"Okay, maybe not one of my better ideas, but please understand where I'm coming from. I've done a lot of things in my life that I'm not proud of. Admitting that to someone who doesn't even know me… It scared me." Leah observed me for a few seconds before answering.

"Alright. I can't say I'm not a little annoyed at you, but I suppose I don't have a lot of room to talk." I sighed.

"Thank you, that's all I ask, just give me a chance. Anyways, questions. What do you want to ask me? I swear I'll tell you the truth." She thought for a moment.

"What exactly is a Lycan?" I blinked.

"We're… an insanely old species of werewolf. Unlike true Children of the Moon, your stereotypical werewolf, we are not bound to the cycles of the moon. We are able to shift at will, are more controlled than Children of the Moon in wolf form, and are not susceptible to silver like they are."

"So you're sort of like us?" I shook my head.

"Well, I suppose in some ways. But don't get me wrong, I'm not a shifter like you and your pack. I'm stronger and faster than your Alphas. I'm not as controlled by emotions, although I won't lie and say I'm always in complete control. Your species is more bound to emotion. You notice that in times of extreme emotion, you find it nearly impossible to keep from shifting. Your species' wolf trait in genetic, mine is not." Leah's mouth dropped.

"So you're telling me, you were bitten?" I nodded.

"Indeed. I was, long ago."

"And you could pass it on?" Again, I nodded.

"I could, yes. However, I go to great lengths not to burden someone with this curse. Few Lycans wanted this life, and especially in today's world, I would not wish this on anyone." Leah nodded in understanding. I sighed in relief. Many did not understand why I refrained from creating new Lycans. My race was dying out, and most expected me to create new ones in order to keep my race going. Maybe I was selfish, but I truly did not wish this curse upon anyone. Losing control as a young wolf, it scarred me. I was afraid of causing another the same pain I endured.

"Okay, so… How old are you exactly?" I was a little nervous answering this question.

"Physically? 19." I was foolishly hoping that she'd leave it at that.

"You know that not what I meant." I sighed.

"I've been on this Earth for over 2000 years." Leah's eyes widened and jaw dropped.

"2000 years?! What the hell have you been doing all that time?" I chuckled.

"Like I told you, I travel a lot."

"Understatement of the century." She mumbled. I laughed.

"I told you, I've been around a long time." She nodded.

"Obviously. Have you been traveling alone all this time?" I sadly shook my head.

"No, I once had a partner when I was young. I met her very early in life. Jaymen was my best friend for a very long time, still is I guess. We traveled together for centuries. In fact, I helped her learn to control her powers and she helped me to control my inner wolf. It wasn't until about 200 years ago when we parted ways."

"I remember you talking about her. What was she like?" I blinked. I hadn't expected her to be curious about Jay.

"She was, well is, great. I loved her like a sister. She was always a free spirit though, never tied down in one place for too long. Actually, she's the one in the picture you were looking at the yesterday." Leah nodded.

"And I'm guessing that wasn't really your great aunt?" I chuckled and shook my head.

"No, you're right. That was me. I briefly met with her in the 1940s before she returned to Norway to go back to whatever she was doing there. I don't know what really. As far as I know, she's still there. Although I'm really surprised, she doesn't usually stay that long in one place."

"Well, you should find out and invite her here to visit!" I laughed.

"Maybe. Anyways, moving on. What else is there?"

Leah slowly spoke, "Am I really your mate?" I blinked a few times before processing what she said. How quickly she shifted gears.

"Yes. You are my mate, just as I am your imprint."

"Well you conveniently happened not to tell me you knew that. I had a planned a whole speech and everything." She said indignantly.

"Sorry." I apologized again. She just waved her hand.

"Oh well, makes it a lot less stressful on me now I guess. I don't have to tell you about my shifter powers and worry about you freaking out and running from me." I laughed.

"Like I said yesterday Leah, if anything you should be scared of me."

"Well, I'm not. So don't worry about that." 'You should be though,' I thought to myself. "I do have a question though, where does this leave us?" I hesitated.

"Well, I'm as new to this whole mating thing as you are. I've seen it happen, as have you I'm assuming. But I've never actually been with anyone before." I blushed a little at admitting that. Over 2000 years on Earth and I had never been with anyone. If anyone was the living example of the 40 year old virgin, it was me.

"Seriously?" I nodded.

"Never been any further than kissing someone else. And trust me, it was never my first choice."

"Well then… That's unexpected. Not in a bad way though.. I mean.. I'm glad I'm your first."

"So am I." I whispered. Leah looked at me with determination.

"I want to do this the right way though. I don't care that you're basically thousands of years older than me." She grabbed a hold of my hand. "I want to take you out on dates, I want to 'court you' to use a term you'd probably be more familiar with." She wiggled her eyebrows. I laughed and smacked her shoulder gently.

"Whatever Leah. I'm not that old." She stuck her tongue out at me.

"Yes you are." I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever." She laughed.

"Well, since our 'outing' yesterday was so rudely interrupted yesterday, do you want to go out and do something today?" I nodded eagerly. Although, I couldn't rid myself of the nagging feeling that whatever happened yesterday wasn't over and that I should be worried. But I couldn't bring myself to care at the current time. I wanted to spend quality time with my mate, this time no holding back, no secrets.

"Sure, what did you have in mind?" She thought for a second.

"Well, can I ask you a sort of personal question?"

"Go for it."

"Do you.. maybe.. want to go for a run? In wolf form, show me what you can do?"

"I.. sure. You deserve to know what I can do. Oh, and I swear to you, I'm not a threat to the reservation. Jake and Paul are the only shifters that have to worry about me. I.. don't kill humans." 'Not anymore' I thought to myself. She nodded.

"I knew you weren't, even before I knew it was you. Ever since that morning, when I saw you across the border." I remembered when I did that. Not my smartest move. I probably would have crossed the line to touch my mate had Sam not showed up. I just couldn't stand to wait any longer. As I said before, denying or being away from your mate for too long before bonding was enough to drive anyone insane; even me. I stood up and offered Leah my hand.

"You ready to see what a true wolf can do?" I smirked arrogantly. Leah laughed.

"A true wolf eh? I'll make sure to tell you when I see one." I rolled my eyes. "Just kidding, sure, lets go."

A/N: Okay, longest chapter in the world I just wrote. I promised you guys that I wouldn't leave you hanging too long, and I'm delivering now. I knew it was unfair to leave it there last chapter. And like I said, I was really tempted to continue, but I wanted this bit to be in Bella's POV, for I'm hoping obvious reasons.

This chapter was actually quite fun to write. Bella's back story is actually quite complex and I haven't even worked out all the finer details yet. Plus kicking Jake's ass? That's always fun to write. I don't really have anything against Jake, but he's just an easy target sometimes.

Anyways, finally they had "the talk." Although that's only the first of many, many discussions that they're going to have about Bella's past. We've only scratched the surface. And we haven't seen the last of Jake and Paul! Everyone's favorite shifters will be back!

Oh, and I started a story for my OC, Jaymen as well if anyone is interesting in reading it. It's running, not exactly parallel to this story, but it's supposed to be in the same AU. It's on my profile's stories if you want to read it. Little blurb for my story I guess.

I hope this chapter was satisfactory to everyone's expectations. And if it wasn't, I'm hoping I'll be able to redeem myself in the next chapter! All spelling, grammar and plot problems are mine own, as per usual. Until next time!

A Charmed Vampire