Chapter 25: The Pain of an Empty Heart

"The healers say that his abilities as a metamorphmagus have kept the werewolf gene at bay for most of his life, but as he ages the transformation will become inevitable. I'm getting too old to deal with the boy's antics, and it only gets worse around the full moon."

Bella listened in rapt silence at the dinner table through the cacophony of overlapping conversations. Teddy had inherited the werewolf gene from his father? She could hardly imagine what it would be like for a child to have to deal with that.

"Isn't there anyone who could help?" Molly asked, her face creased with worry.

"Harry stops in when he can, and Mister Thomas says hello from time to time."

"You mean Dean?" Neville piped in.

"Aye," she nodded. "Such a sweet, young man. He sought me out after the war to let me know about my dear Ted – wanted to make sure I was looked after."

"How is Dean? We haven't heard from him in ages." Hermione sipped her tea politely.

"He's a professional footballer last I heard. The lad did always prefer it to Quidditch."

"Bloody mental," Ron muttered under his breath.

Leah, who had been sitting quietly like Bella for most of the conversation, cleared her throat.

"I know I'm not magical like you guys, but I can shift into a wolf whenever I want. I'd be glad to stay with you and help for a while."

Several eyes widened, including Bella's.

"I say..." Teddy's grandmother considered the proposition carefully. "Hermione, dear, what are your thoughts?"

"Miss Clearwater has certainly proved her trustworthiness since her stay. She even allowed me to use legilimency for my research on pack's mental link. It's absolutely fascinating!" Ron coughed slightly, and Hermione reigned in her exposition at once. "Right, thank you, Ron. Mrs. Tonks, I think having Leah stay with you would be a fine idea, so long as her pack allows it. They're quite tightly knit from what I've gathered in my research."

Leah turned to Jacob hopefully, and his face fell into a deep grimace. "I'll talk to Sam."

"If they're in their lupine state they can communicate via mind link—" Hermione spouted on.

Bella peered at Leah, who was glancing at Teddy hopefully, and it was all she could do to keep from gasping.

Had Leah...imprinted?

It was nearing midnight when Bella found Leah sitting by the lake.

"Are you...okay?"

"I'm enjoying the prospect of freedom."

"Oh." Bella hadn't expected that answer. "Is that why you volunteered to help Teddy?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure that's the only reason?"

Leah peered over with an annoyed expression. "What are you trying to say?"

"I mean...did you..."

She must have realized what Bella was really asking, because she groaned loudly. "Leave it alone, Bella—"

Bella couldn't help it. She just...had to know. "Did you imprint on him?"

"I don't need to imprint on someone to recognize a kindred soul." She turned to Bella with fierceness in her gaze. "This boy needs someone who can help him during a full moon – someone who can relate to the pain of having to shift into an animal, of having to be a part of something that's beyond his control. I understand that pain better than anyone."

"Well, what about your pack? You can't just stay here forever."

"The pack will understand. I was never wanted there...maybe this is what I'm supposed to do."

She had no reply. Perhaps this was Leah's destiny. Bella certainly had no room to argue. She started walking back to the house when Jacob jogged over in his shorts.

"Hey there, Bella."

"You were gone awhile," she said, avoiding the sight of his bare chest as he ostentatiously stretched his arms.

"Yeah, well, I had to wait almost two hours for someone to phase. I hope there's cake left."

"Hermione saved some for you. She even jinxed the plate, so Ron couldn't sneak a bite."

Jacob laughed. "They're good folks. A little weird – but nice."

"So do you think you're going to want to stay here like Leah?"

His gaze dropped to the ground. "Actually, I'm heading home as soon as Hermione can set up a portkey."

"What?" Bella burst out. "School doesn't start two and half weeks. You should stay and enjoy yourself."

"That's the thing, Bella. I'm not enjoying myself." He gazed at her with an expression that made her nervous. "Hermione and Ron, and even that weird blonde lady they've got babysitting Rose all the time, they're great and all—"

"Then what is it?" She wasn't entirely sure she should ask.

"I tried...so hard to be happy for you. I tried to move on. But I can't stand seeing you with that wizard, Bella. I can't stand it, when I know if I'd just tried a little harder, it might've been me."

He stepped closer, and Bella took several steps backward. "I'm...sorry, Jake. I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about Neville. Not you. Not even Edward."

His face contorted with pain, and he disappeared into the tall brush surrounding the lake. Within seconds she heard his howl echo through the air.

"What did you do now, Swan?" Leah appeared by her side with a surprising scowl.

"I told him that I chose Neville. I had...no idea he'd take it like that."

The she-wolf shook her head slowly. "Deep down he knows it's over. What you have with that wizard...it feels a lot like what Sam and Emily have. But there's no getting over that, Bella – not when you're the one who's been left behind."

Leah took off after Jacob, and Bella stood there sadly, wondering why the path to true love had to be strewn with so much heartache. She hoped for Jacob and Leah's sakes, that they would find loves of their own soon.

This chapter was sad to write, but Jacob needed to go back sometime. I couldn't reasonably let him skip school; it's his senior year! Also...sorry If you wanted Leah imprint on Teddy. I thought about it long and hard and ultimately decided to go a different direction. Thanks for reading and for all the lovely feedback! -V