The Truth and Preparations
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters.
Sue smiles warmly watching as her son and daughter talking and laughing as they sit shucking ears of corn for dinner. The family is preparing dinner for a small get together with Charlie, Billy and Jacob. It's not often that she sees her children interacting so carefree like they used to in their younger days, before Sam Uley came along and changed everything with Emily. Not too long after the pack split the 'old' Leah was slowly returning and Sue had to, begrudgingly, attribute it to Jacob Black along with the rest of the 'Renegade' pack. Her family may not be complete as she has always originally intended but her children are the most important things in her life.
Hearing a knock at the door Sue goes answer it, leaving a smirking Leah behind as Seth frowns trying to remove the strands of husk from his air. The smile upon her face falls as she is assaulted with the sweet scent of vampire and she sees Edward and Bella Cullen stand before her both with half-hearted smiles upon their faces.
"I hope you don't mind but I invited Bella and Edward to join us for dinner." Charlie says stepping forward with a huge smile on his face. Sue can only stand stunned for a moment, her mind slowly registering that there are two Cold Ones not only on La Push land but standing right outside her door.
"It's alright, Grandpa," Renesmee chirps up confidently giving Sue a cheeky smile. "Jacob said it was okay." Realization slowly dawns on Sue as she mechanically steps aside, feeling Renesmee's hand showing her images of Jacob giving his consent for Bella and Edward to accompany Renesmee on a 'family' dinner at the Clearwaters.
"Hey Jake," Seth greets excitedly as he steps into the living room but freezes seeing Charlie and the Cullens. "Oh, uh…hey, there Edward and Bella," Seth greets nervously before throwing a cautious look over his shoulder looking at the kitchen. "Is – is everything alright?" Seth asks walking forward towards the vampires and keeping his voice down.
"Sure, everything is alright." Charlie says with a light chuckle. "I just started thinking about how long it's been since Bella's been on the rez, Edward has never been and Renesmee really wanted all of us to enjoy dinner together." Charlie explains. Sue and Seth exchange glances and can only sigh and nod their head in agreement.
Even after two years Charlie was still blissfully ignorant to the supernatural world around him. Sue could never understand or explain how Charlie could not comment on Renesmee's growth spurt but chalked it up to him simply being happy that he had some semblance of a family that was perfectly content living in the rainy Olympic peninsula and him continuing on working as the chief of police. However, the Cullens were still not allowed on La Push lands, at least that was the last decision made but it wasn't unheard of for Jacob Black to bend the rules for the Cullens – namely, Bella.
Tension begins to build as Leah walks into the living room and freezes seeing the unexpected guests standing in her living room.
"Leah, Bella and Edward…are, uh, joining us for dinner." Sue says giving her daughter a pointed look that screams 'don't cause a scene'. Leah and Seth exchange a look and she has all the answer she needs – that her Almighty Alpha has had a hand in this. Sue looks on with a worried frown as Leah excuses herself and heads up the stairs to her room.
What exactly happened in between the moment she and Seth left. Seth heading outside for a moment and Charlie follows her into the kitchen leaving the Cullens alone in the living room. There's a sense of unease knowing that she's alone downstairs in her own home with three supernatural beings that drink blood – by choice – with her son out, possibly looking for backup in case Leah goes ape shit and her daughter probably either throwing up in the toilet or a fit in her bedroom.
But there is a loud, ferocious and house shaking roar that causes both her and Charlie to run out of the kitchen and into the living room. What they find is Leah standing with her hand wrapped around Edward's throat, the man pinned against the wall, her face close to his, teeth bared in a snarl and her body violently shaking.
It all happens so fast that before Sue can fully comprehend Leah threatening Edward for 'sitting in my Daddy's chair' that Charlie has already pulled his gun, trained on her daughter and ordering her to put Edward down. Edward seems unable to fight against Leah which is surprising as she seems to be suddenly stronger than him despite being in her human form. Edward's hands desperately claw at her wrist but without hesitation she slams his back into the wall again.
Before Bella can intervene to 'save' her husband, being snapped out of her surprised stupor hearing Renesmee's cries does Seth and Jacob both burst in through the door. Seth gets in between Bella and Leah, sending a warning growl to the snarling vampire demanding Leah to 'put Edward down – now'.
"Leah, drop him." Jacob orders sanding behind Leah and glaring darkly at her back.
"He sat in Daddy's chair – he doesn't even need to sit," Leah states turning around and glaring back at Jacob. Sue can't help but step back seeing the darkness in her daughter's eyes; the warm hazel coloring is gone and replaced with a midnight black and gold rimmed look. The woman before her isn't her daughter. Jacob growls a warning out to Leah to not say anymore but it's not a command and Leah pushes on. "He's a fuckin' vampire and doesn't even need to sit down and yet he chooses to sit in my Daddy's chair. His scent is gone – now!" Sue's eyes start to water hearing her daughter's words as the hazel returns and her grip loosens.
"Leah!" Jacob snarls angrily as Charlie gasps at the news.
"But it's not as if you give a damn. You'll do anything to stand up and defend the vampires." The black and gold returns, her voice is deeper, sultrier and almost ethereal as the rage is now directed at Jacob Black.
Shaking her head she turns and heads towards the kitchen and the back door. Jacob follows behind her and despite her better judgment Sue follows after the pair and watches with wide eyes as Jacob grabs Leah by the wrist, preventing her from leaving the house and turning her around to face him. The two begin talking quickly with heated words and wide gestures. Sue's eyes never leave the pair as Seth moves to stand behind her. Both wolves' eyes now are black with the gold rim around them, speaking in what she can only construe to be the 'old language'. As the conversation carries on Leah only becomes angrier and angrier as Jacob's voice seems to soften and is riddled with guilt. The words 'pitiful', 'fate' and 'Cold Ones' are the only words that she can piece together as the two continue talking as if no one else is around save them.
Sue looks away for a moment hearing Charlie's voice calling her name and as she looks away does a loud slap suddenly fill the kitchen. Quickly turning to look back all Sue sees is the screen door slamming shut as Jacob Black stands at the door, his face turned away, shoulders slumped and as he slowly turns away from which Leah ran off does Sue see the sadness in his eyes and the huge, red handprint upon his cheek.
The realization has just now suddenly hit Sue after having a talk with a Nadie about the spirit quest, what happens, what to expect and what not to do. Nadie explained that the black and gold eyes were a physical sign/manifestation of the combined spirit and wolf within the warrior. Nadie could only recall having firsthand experience but once in her long life, as a child. Nadie was unable to answer Sue's question of what could trigger the change and if the warrior from the past was talking to one of his pack mates.
Leah and Jacob's close relationship was now making sense and the fact that neither remembered the argument that ensued afterwards even more so. All present had agreed to not mention to anyone else, especially the two parties involved, as it seemed that it either drew them closer together or pulled them further apart. Sue is filled with a sense of regret that had she sat down with her daughter and discussed that night, that maybe they could've arisen at a solution that would have brought her daughter some sense of closure, given her an idea of her purpose. It would've at least kept her and Jacob together because if only their spirits were communing – their souls are connected.
Charlie turns down the gravel driveway heading towards the Cullens. He can't help but swallow the lump in his throat, the realization that he's heading to a home full of vampires weighing heavy in his mind. It's been about two years since he was last here. Ever since that night when Leah lost it and he learned the real truth of who and, most importantly, what his daughter had become – a vampire.
The news had changed everything. His relationship with Sue was platonic up to that point but with Leah taking a more active role in the Council seemed like the opportunity that was needed for him to pursue a deeper relationship with Sue. But Sue did not take kindly to him pulling a gun on her only daughter. Bella had told him part of the truth while Sue and Seth cleared up any omitted facts. Leah and Jacob couldn't remember the fight or Leah spilling the beans but it did suddenly explain a lot.
Bella seemed hurt that Charlie no longer made time for her or Renesmee but he couldn't stomach the idea that his daughter and granddaughter were drinking blood – that his daughter consciously chose to drink blood.
He felt used and idiotic knowing that he was left out by not just his daughter but by the people who he's known his whole life and theirs and trusted. It was his job to protect the people of Forks but his ignorance had put many lives at risk. Sue lied to him and felt as if he couldn't trust her, intimately, anymore but he now worked with Sue and Leah – or rather had until she suddenly left thus leaving him and Sue.
Things were slowly falling apart and seeming to be rebuilt around him. The wolves had fallen apart, giving up their duties, leaving Leah alone to guard their home and with her absence they were trying to become stronger. He had done the same thing, fallen apart after Renee left and even more so when Bella decided, herself, to stop visiting him. Charlie drew within himself focusing on his job to help combat the feelings of hurt, sadness and rejection. He thought he had found his redemption in Sue and her family after so many years but it fell through as well. He was wrong for seeking redemption and acceptance in someone else. It was something that he learned from observing Leah – it came from within. A lesson that she taught him without ever realizing herself that she was doing it. Within himself was he able to find the confidence he's been lacking for the last twenty-four years.
Parking the cruiser he steps out confidently, zipping up his brown jacket to combat the rainy chill and out of habit readjusts his firearm. It's not effective against vampires but still helps calm him down. Long gone is the shy, quiet and awkward Charlie Swan and is now replaced with the confident and no nonsense Police Chief of Forks ready to deliver bad news to his daughter and her 'coven'.
"They want us to what?" Bella cries out in surprise. Charlie doesn't flinch as the vampires all gawp at him. "They can't be serious."
"They are very serious." Charlie states calmly, his eyes quickly assessing each of the Cullens. Nessie sits on the couch, a blanket draped across her lap with bruising all over her face. His eyes soften in concern but he's already heard from Jacob what had befallen his granddaughter. The paternal instincts within him want to comfort the poor girl and give her a stern lecture about running with the wrong crowd but that's only because he can see that she's alright.
"It's not permanent." For now. "They are going to participate in a spirit quest." Charlie explains turning his eyes away from his granddaughter and looking at the rest of the family.
"A what?" Bella asks again with a deep frown.
"A quest that will allow them to commune with their spirits – get in touch with the 'animal' within." Rosalie answers dryly with a look of exasperation on her face.
"Yea and it more than likely won't be safe for you all to be so close during the 'quest'." Charlie agrees giving an appreciate nod to the blonde woman that seems to understanding what is going on.
"But I – I don't understand." Bella says with a quick shake of her head.
"The Quileutes believe that the wolves have lost their balance and purpose." Charlie says with a deep sigh. It's hard trying to explain something that not even Sue or Billy seemed to fully comprehend and with Jacob's aggression towards Renesmee for her hand in possibly sending the two rogue vampires after Leah he was the next best option to communicate between the two parties.
"Imprints were their balance, gravity and purpose." Renesmee speaks up flatly. The spark in her eyes is gone and has left a dull, blank expressionless face. Charlie winces recalling seeing the same look on Bella's face when Edward left her.
"Yea, 'were' being the keyword." Charlie throws back more than aware of Jacob and Renesmee's relationship. He may not approve of his daughter's lifestyle choice but he drew the line at his granddaughter being with a man seventeen years her sensation and who he watch crush and gush over her own mother. "But if you will recall Leah slipped into the state of 'communing with her spirit'," Charlie says slowly as if reciting something from memory, "that night she attacked Edward."
Charlie looks on as everyone stiffens having heard of Leah's uncharacteristic strength that night.
"She was in her human form so imagine that only from a male…in his wolf form." Charlie lets his words sink into each of the Cullens' minds. "It has been explained that while in this state they shouldn't be interrupted or touched or there might be a risk of the soul being lost. Now," He holds up his hand silencing Bella from questioning anymore. "Whether it's the wolf or human they do not know but the others will protect them in the meantime."
"So in other words it's best to err on the side of caution and not play with fire." Carlisle states as Charlie nods his head in agreement.
"For how long?" Esme asks and only receives a shrug from Charlie.
"I will call you when they are done." Charlie tacks on.
"Why are you doing this?" Bella asks, her eyes narrowing at her father and a look of disgust upon her face.
"Doing what?"
"Siding with them." Bella demands as her nose crinkles in disgust.
"Them?" Charlie repeats, his eyes widening at his daughter's attitude. "They are my family and friends, Bells."
"I'm your family. Renesmee, Edward and I are your family." Bella snaps angrily pointing at each member mentioned.
"No, my family wouldn't hurt innocent people." Charlie says with a sad shake of his head.
"We've never," Bella begins but is cut off by Charlie.
"Don't' stand there and lie to me, Bella. You've been the cause of those slews of murders all those years ago in Seattle. You've all sat here in your white mansion, choosing to ignore the pain of those around you. You knew they were killing people sat aside and did nothing. In my eyes you're just as guilty as if you drained that poor baby of his blood." The Cullens all look down in quiet shame.
"The wolves aren't innocent either because they weren't doing their jobs. This quest will hopefully change all of this." Bella watches in surprise as Charlie turns and begins to walk out the door, heading back to his cruiser.
"But I'm your daughter! I'm your own flesh and blood. You can't just send me away like this." Bella cries following after her father.
"It takes more than just blood to make a family, Bella." Charlie says with a sigh as closes his eyes and shakes his head. Opening his eyes, he can't help but feel a tinge of pain, sorrow and regret. It was a father's – no, a parent's job to instill in their children the desire to love life, to live each day to the fullest and be the best that they can be, to become something more then what the previous generation was. But 'death' was not the decision – not even the most logical option.
No parent wanted to outlive their child and Bella had consciously chosen to commit suicide. Seth had tried to explain away or downplay the whole situation but Charlie couldn't look past the fact that his daughter, his only child, saw death as the only option to bring about her happiness. There was nothing in this world worth living for and it has weighed heavily upon his shoulders. For a long time now he has been angry; at himself, at Renee, at the Cullens, Bella, Billy, Jacob and even Sue because all knew – knew that his daughter was playing with fire.
Looking at the woman before him it pains him to know that he'll never see her grow up and mature. Her body is forever frozen in the body of a teenager and despite however long she lives, she'll be nothing more than a teenager that will be driven by her childish whims, hormones and the chemical imbalance that makes teens and young adults believe that they are invincible. Seth had mentioned that in the vampire world the worst thing was a child vampire and without a doubt he had to agree but a teenage vampire was even worst; sure they could be reasoned but only so much. The entire world was filled with rebellious teenagers who wanted to be different, individuals, do their own thing and 'fuck society's rules'.
"You are so much like your mother." Charlie says shaking his head of all the videos and lectures he's had to sit through listening to and about troubled teens. Bella's eyes widen in surprise and a tinge of hurt at the comment that she can't help but construe as an insult. "Your mother was just as reckless, impatient, flighty and selfish as you are. It really shouldn't surprise me considering how you've spent most of your life with her."
"Cha – Dad, don't say that." Bella whisper, her face scrunches up as if she's about to shed tears.
"It's true. She didn't understand why I wanted to stay here – home. She wanted nothing but adventure, excitement and expensive dinners every night. I couldn't give her that. You know she only married me because I became a police officer and she thought that it'd bring a bit of danger to her life?" Bella looks at Charlie, her father, as if seeing him for the first time. He's never openly spoken of her mother other than asking how she's doing in passing or relationships in general. "I guess she figured that I'd grow bored of moving loiters on and catching the occasional bag of weed. Would want to move to L.A. and fight crime on the mean streets. All I wanted was to protect my family and friends – those who were most important to me."
"You've gone against everything I've fought to protect." Charlie's eyes narrow, his hands fist tightly as he thinks back on the 'Newborn War', as it was called. He cried for all the lost souls that died over a simple feud, an argument that never should've taken place had Bella had any common sense or regards for the life of others. Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts and even fiancés were lost during this time. Innocent people who were just going about their day were then suddenly attacked, killed and reanimated all for the sake of revenge. His daughter never gave any thought to these people that lost their lives just so that she could just throw it away less than a year later.
"You threw your life away, Bella."
"I love him, Dad, but you wouldn't understand that." Bella snaps angrily.
"No, that's where you're wrong. Love isn't easy, Bells. It's not all sunshine, rainbows, loving hugs and sweet butterfly kisses. It's hard work, heated and violent. You have your ups and you have your downs. You'll fight, argue – hell, you'll probably even break things but in the end it's how you handle the situation and come to an agreement. It's look beyond yourself and look at who you are together."
"You say that we're family, that you love me but if Jacob hadn't told me about Renesmee what would you have done? Would you have just disappeared and I not ever hear from you again? Or maybe fake your own death leaving me and Renee to mourn your lost life as you ran off with Edward Cullen?" Bella looks down, biting down on her bottom lip in frustration, her brow scrunched up as she's unable to give Charlie a satisfying answer. Truth was she was willing to completely toss him aside to live out her life with Edward Cullen. Why didn't it matter that in the end that she remained?
"You're lazy, Bella, you want things to be perfect and easy. Life isn't like that and sadly I'm afraid that you're learning this much too late." Bella's eyes soften as Charlie's begin to water. "I'm afraid that the rose-colored glasses that you, Edward – the entire family has allowed you to wear will cost you more than you can even imagine." With a deep sigh Charlie turns and begins heading back to his parked cruiser.
"You know Bella, death is easy as it comes to all of us eventually but choosing life – to live and push on through every obstacle is the hardest decision one can make. If Renee knew about this I'm sure that she'd gladly join you in death."
Bella can only stand frozen Charlie gets in his cruiser and drives away. Despite everything she still finds herself stunned in disbelief over how everything in her world has changed seemingly so drastically, so suddenly. What more could she possibly lose? She lost her best friend. The wolves are still tied to them in the supernatural sense, there is a pact held that is older than Jacob Black and cannot be so easily broken. However, she is certain that once the fire that is burning within Jacob simmers and eventually smolders, the smoke clears that he'll remember who he is and who she is to him. That they'll become friends again and things will return to normal. This was all just a simple pothole in their lives. Jacob was only feeling guilty about Leah leaving and because of her selfishness that all of those people died without his knowing.
He'll come back – just like he always has.
Leah sits surrounded by the pack and Elders, even though she doesn't need it she can't help but feel the need to draw closer to the bonfire, to feel it's hot flames licking at the moisture in the air that is building from her own natural body heat. Everyone has simply been talking, laughing and telling stories from their childhood. Leah finds herself in tears listening to Paul tell a story about how on a dare he and John had to egg one of their neighbors. In the cover of early morning the two went down with a bag full of rotten eggs, the whole time John mumbling nervously how this was a bad idea but was more afraid of the beating he'd receive if he chickened out. Without looking the two boys began chucking the eggs having heard what sounded like a door open never realizing that it was Nadie. Upon realizing their mistake they both ran away – or rather tried to as Nadie suddenly, mysteriously and magically appeared behind them and tanned their hides, the whole time cursing, screaming and promising the boys that they'd lose the ability to 'sit on their conniving, mischievous asses again'.
"Lesson learned: Look before you throw rotten eggs." Paul says after animatedly reenacting Nadie beating them within an inch of their lives as he and John cried and pleaded for their lives.
Wiping away her tears she looks over to see John watching her with a reluctant smile on his lips. His smile grows as she smiles at him and it makes Leah feel better. The two had a small falling out once John found out that Leah went to his father about the spirit quest. He was pissed that she went above him and she was pissed that he was keeping her from doing it. It was their first real fight and much like any other argument that she's had in the past, the past found a way to creep back and she was putting everyone else's faults onto him. She regretted it once the dust had settled and she was alone in the woods fighting the deluge of tears that were threatening to break free. The one thing that she hated about Ted was how he projected his past on others and here she had turned around and done the same thing to John of all people. He was only being a bastard for giving her the run around but everything that she unleashed upon him was completely uncalled for.
From there it took both of them a few days to get over their hurt feelings and pride to finally apologize to one another. He had stared down at her with a raised eyebrow as she began to word vomit her apology, rambling on about something she's not even sure was English let alone cohesive to the subject matter but once she finished she was surprised to find herself caught up in a tight hug from John. His entire body seeming to swallow her whole as her nose pressed into his shirt, his hands rubbing soothing circles on her back and his warm, sweet voice chuckling lightly in her ear, 'you need this more than I thought'. The comment had earned a tearful chuckle and a quick punch to the arm.
Leah bites back a blush as John opens his arms inviting her over to sit beside him. He's tolerated Gio and Paul's flirtatious teasing with her long enough. Despite himself, John can't help but smile smugly as Leah gets up to sit next to him, earning groans of disappointment from Paul and a hurt 'ah, c'mon' from Gio. The moment her shoulder presses into his side John wraps an arm around Leah's shoulders, hugging her close before kissing the side of her forehead.
Leah listens intently as the actual bonfire stories begin. She is filled with a sense of nostalgia as everyone begins to sing the Old Songs, the low humming sounds of many voices reaching out to the ages has always lulled her into a state of near sleep. The vibrations strumming from John's chest as he sings along only eases her into complete relaxation. She begins to softly hum one of the Quileutes old songs, stirring up memories of the bonfire gatherings with her father, hearing Billy tell the old stories while trying to keep Seth close so that he didn't wander off to go sit with Jacob.
"Our tribe has been around for thousands of years," George starts off looking into the flames of the bonfire. "We have lived off of the land, caring for it the same as she has cared for us, protected her as she has protected us and given the same amount of love back.
The goddess, Sila, appeared before Chief Tiluma offering him a rare and special gift, a gift that would protect our people in the days of Cold Ones. The goddess smiled warmly upon Tiluma when he requested that she bestow the gift upon one of his many sons and agreed to bless each of them with the gift. The gift would be to change one's skin, to become a skin walker that will protect the village from an unheard of evil.
Hearing of the danger the eldest son, who was the biggest and strongest of his brothers, requested the strength of a bear. To the amazement of the tribe he turned into a huge Grizzly bear, the larger than any other bear the hunters had ever boasted of seeing before. The eldest son thanked Sila for the gift and stepped aside. The goddess smiled for he had chosen an animal known for its strength, courage, protection and life.
The next eldest son, known for his grace, stepped forward and requested the strength of an eagle and much to the amazement of the tribe he, too, turned into a huge Eagle, largest eagle they ever seen. The goddess smiled for this son had chosen the eagle that represents strength, courage, wisdom, grace and freedom. He thanked the goddess and moved to stand with his brother.
Each son picked his animal likened to his own personality: cougar for its strength and swiftness, the raven for its cleverness and communication, the owl for its amazing vision, wisdom and insight and the wolf for its cunning, ability to hunt and importance based upon family bonds.
The Goddess Sila left the tribe with her blessing, informing each son to train hard and to be prepared for the danger that would come.
The brothers all learned how to use their new abilities, helping their families and tribesmen hunt, fight and relay messages. However, over time strife began to build up between the brothers. They fought over territory, food, women and even pride. The personality of their spirit animals was becoming more prominent. The Grizzly became short tempered with those around him, the Eagle and Raven became aloof and spent more time soaring in the air. As each brother becoming withdrawn until finally he left the village with his own family.
The younger brother watched on with silent tears as his brothers, one by one, left the tribe. He alone remained as his spirit animal dictated but he found consolation in knowing that he would see his brothers again when the time of the Cold Ones was upon them."
Leah listened intensely as George went on into smaller stories of the skin walkers, how they each used a natural skill of the wolf to help solve life's problems. Wolves learned through experience and taught their young how to hunt, work together, the importance of family, tribe and pack.
The danger of the Cold Ones did eventually come and as promised the youngest son's brothers returned and together with their families fought against the Cold Ones killing the enemy, promising to come together again if the threat proved to be too much for their brothers and cousins.
The story replays in Leah's mind over and over again thinking over how the cousins all agreed to return and aid one another. With so many other tribes broken off, according to legend, from the Iskuts was it possible that she wasn't the only female shape shifter? Being the only female wolf would be more tolerable if she could find just one female who had either traveled the road or was going down it now.
"Are you ready?" John asks snapping Leah out of her thoughts. Looking up at him she gives him a small smile and just as she opens her mouth to agree her stomach does it for her, unleashing a loud, long and deep rumbling. "I'll take that as a 'yes'." John says chuckling lightly as Leah blushes and wraps her arms around her stomach. "Okay, so…you'll be fine. I, we won't be too far away. If you are in any trouble just call and,"
"John, I can transform into a giant wolf." Leah says chuckling lightly, her hand touching his arm to stop his worried rambling. "There's not too much out there that can harm me and you're not supposed to interfere anyway." Leah adds with a knowing smirk as John grumbles something about the 'damn rules'.
"I know…I – I just don't," John begins but stops letting out a heavy sigh.
"I'll be fine and if something comes up that I can't handle, say a coven of blood thirsty vampires," John bristles at the idea, his eyes darkening and his muscles tensing. "I'll definitely call, howl and run right to you." Leah adds quickly trying to help John suppress the growl threatening to come out.
"Promise?" John asks with a nod of his head, his arms immediately wrapping around Leah's waist and pulling her closer.
"On my honor," Leah says with a small giggle, crossing her heart with her index finger. "But let me get going, don't want too many things filling my head right now." Leah says with a weak smile peeling John's hands off of his body. She could already feel that if she remained any longer with him that they'd kiss, a kiss would lead to kissing and kissing would lead to –
"You sure?" John asks with a playful smirk that she's certain he's probably either picked up from Paul or is just an inherited trait.
"I'm absolutely positively sure." Leah lies through her teeth as she turns and runs away from John. She can feel John's eyes boring into the back of her head as she raises a hand in a form of a good bye. The faster she puts distance in between them the better. John had become increasingly overprotective as the spirit quest drew nearer. Taking some form of hallucinogen wasn't an option for her as she'd more than likely burn through whatever dosage was given and it'd defeat the purpose if she came to, hadn't completed her quest and would have to return back home for more herbs. So a fast was the best option and with a shape shifter's high metabolism Leah felt weak and lightheaded the next morning.
With John as a chef it was killing both of them to hear her stomach growling just from the slightest whiff of food in the air. He had become her constant companion, offering her small little salads or bunches of grapes to at least satisfy her hunger which she begrudgingly turned down. It wasn't easy especially considering the few hours that John wasn't around her, coaxing her to eat something that Paul and the rest would show up and just being the brothers that they were ate in front of her face, tempting and teasing her with their fattening, mouthwatering dishes.
Surprisingly she had held out and gave into her cravings and eventually walked away from her assholes brothers leaving Lee asking her if she wasn't sure she'd like to lick the pizza sauce off his chest.
However, she was tempted to go lick that damn sauce off of Lee's chiseled chest if not just for the taste but because her mind needed the distraction from food and her body was craving something – anything to fill her up. And John had been slowly working on taking care of that need with his warm and gentle stomach rubs, his deep voice rumbling through his chest into hers, until finally his lips began brushing against whatever piece of exposed skin he could reach. It quickly became the heaviest make-out session she can ever recall having since Sam but it felt so much more…powerful. Her senses were now heightened so every touch felt like fire under his warm grasp, she could smell the mixing of her arousal and his musk pushing the sounds of the television away so that she only focused on the rapid beat of their heart beats and hypnotic and teasing friction of their clothing as he moved her hips against his erection.
Same as last time there was an interruption but this time it was George who walked into the living room to find his son lying on top of his girl. John had growled in frustration as George gave him a disapproving frown and informed them both that the fast didn't just mean food. 'I didn't have to tell you this at the time but I told Paul, Lee and Gio – no hanky panky. It's a fast of mind and body in preparation to commune with your spirit.' And just to ensure that the two of them didn't try and sneak a quickie in Leah was sent to help Nadie with some mundane task.
Shaking her head of the carnal thoughts Leah jogs off deeper into the forest, her mind trying to come up with ideas of how she should get in contact with her spirit. Questions swell inside of her head of what her spirit will look like, what will she learn or if she'll be able to ask it anything as if it was some all-powerful and omnipotent oracle.
A/N: Alright so here goes the next chapter. I'm sorry that I couldn't deliver the Jacob and Leah meeting as I had stated in the last chapter but once I started writing this thing just got so big that I couldn't see it fitting in but it will happen. And don't worry this won't become a story about the Cullens, they are players in the game but not major players so just bear with me. I also had every intention of posting the update on Monday but it didn't happen and for some reason my mind just didn't see fit to continue on within the same chapter.
So just read and review. Tell me what you think and I'll sit back and read them while waiting on the SEASON PREMIERE OF WALKING DEAD SEASON 2 ON SUNDAY DURING BREAKING BAD!
I LOVE that show and I hope they have the girl walking with the two jawless and armless ghouls being led around on a chain yielding a katana. SO FREAKIN' AWESOME! Oh…and I'll watch Kill Bill too to help tie me over until…HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS comes out. \(^o^)/ OooOoOoOoooOooo…Harry Potter.
Oh and I had done some research on the tribe over a year ago and went off in search of it...but turns out that I lost most of that information when my flash drive died. So I apologize on the goddess's name.