Chapter 9:

"You have to try eating it." Alec said for the tenth time to Leah as she sat in the corner refusing to touch the raw animal his 'family' kept giving them as a meal. She noticed the blood was constantly drained before they presented them with it, obviously to keep Alec from ingesting it. It's been 4 days since they became roommates, and they've gotten to know a lot about each other in that short time. At first his warmth was welcomed, but slowly without enough blood, his temperature began to go down. He stayed alive by eating the food they gave them, but Leah always refused to eat. It was starting to take a toll on her strength. She was always tired and cold.

Alec walked over and crouched in front of her. "Please Leah, just try it, your body needs the nourishment desperately."

Leah shook her head, "Jacob will be here soon, I know he's looking for me."

Alec sighed and set the plate down. They added a few new luxuries to their surroundings thanks to Alec's incessant yelling. She thinks they just humored him to get him to shut up, but not enough to let him go. A new lamp beside their new queen airbed provided the much-needed light their eyes needed. Soap to be allowed to clean themselves, and more blankets for warmth were also life savors. However food was still an issue, apparently they wanted to see what happens when the wolf and vampire are hungry and all they have are each other. But it turned out more differently then anyone would have expected. Leah the wolf and Alec the vampire became friends. However it seemed that he was constantly trying to push her with his sarcastic attitude and great looking self. Not that she would ever admit out loud he was good looking. When she first got a glimpse of him with their new lamp, she almost doubled over in shock. He wasn't pale like the Cullen's, his skin tone was a lot lighter than the Quileute's, but Darker than the pale faces, a sort of in-between that brought out the green color of his eyes. She asked him about it, he told her his mother's eyes were green, or so he was told. His haircut was short, not yet military style. She knew if he let it grow, the light brown locks would probably curl around his lean neck. But like the rest of him, without blood, he began to fall closer and closer to his vampire side. His skin now had a pallor to it that wasn't their two days ago when she saw him for the first time, his eyes were starting to become a muddy green, getting closer to brown and gold as time went on.

Alec moved over to her and covered her more with the blanket, "I have to get you out of here soon if you're going to continue to not eat."

Leah tried to glower at him, but was too tired. Instead she asked, "What happens when the food there isn't enough for you anymore?"

"Then I'll start to crave blood."

"So why don't you just eat me and get it over with."

Alec laughed, "You should watch what you say, and that could mean more than one thing."

Leah grimaced, "Ugh, so not what I meant."

Alec looked at the plate again, "I need you to be strong Leah, if anything to fight me if it comes to that."

Leah followed his eyesight direction and leaned forward to pick up the plate. Curling her lip at the disgusting food, she picked it up and brought it to her lips. First a small nibble and then a large bite, it was all she could manage for the time being.

Alec grinned, "See, now that wasn't so bad?"

Leah nodded and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Alec leaned forward and moved the plate away from her to the door. Before he knew it, she was at the toilet retching everything she had just eaten. He held her hair back and made soothing noises until she finally stopped and collapsed against him. He felt her Forehead and sighed.

"I thought shape shifters didn't get sick?" He asked.

Leah was still trying to catch her breath when she answered, "They don't, but my body is fighting the urge phase, causing me to get sick. It's kind of like a crack addict trying to get clean," Leah looked up at him and grinned, "I guess I need a hit?" she tried laughing at her own comment but only ended up coughing and almost started again with the retching.

"Alright then phase." Alec said as if it was that simple.

"One, I don't think there's enough room in here. And two if I phase, my metabolism will speed up. That will make me even hungrier than I already am."

Alec nodded in understanding, "I'm pretty sure you can fit if we push everything to the side and you lay down as quickly as possible. Then while your phased, we can have you eat the dinner they bring us, that should help right?"

Leah shrugged, "I guess we can try."

They waited until night, when the meal was delivered. Alec had pushed everything to the side and deflated the mattress, giving the most possible room for Leah to phase.

He moved her to the center of the room and then moved himself along the wall with their other belongings. He nodded when he was comfortable. Leah closed her eyes and concentrated. Opening one eye, she sighed and deflated.

Alec looked at her like, 'whenever your ready to get this show on the road'.

"I can't phase. I need to get angry."

"Seriously? You're not pissed off right now about our little situation?" He asked dumbfounded.

"I am, but I'm too tired to work up any real anger."

Alec moved forward and knelt down in front of her. She looked completed destroyed. Her spirit disappearing like her strength. He placed a hand under chin and lifted her face to meet his. Alec had to admit, Leah Clearwater was a very beautiful woman. She talked about her childhood and her family; she discussed with him how much she missed her father and the special arts and crafts they used to do together. She even went into her love life and talked about, what she called the love triangle. He was amazed at her tough exterior, she made it sound like she could care less about what happened, yet he could see the hurt of betrayal she held in her eyes when she looked away. He believed her when she said she didn't love this Sam guy anymore, yet it must have really sucked to have to listen to him when he was Alpha. From the way she talked she was thankful for this Jacob person. He seemed to really take care of her, and she must really trust him to put so much faith in the fact that he was going to rescue her.

"Does it have to be anger? Or can it be any emotion?" He asked in a soft husky voice causing Leah to actually feel some warmth that she hasn't felt in a while now.

Leah transfixed by his face whispered back, "I guess any emotion will do." Right now, Jacob was the furthest thing from her mind. Alec was here and he was now. She needed him not Jacob at the current moment.

Alec nodded and licked his lips, he leaned forward. Leah trying to help him out leaned forward herself. With-in inches they could feel each other's breath on the others face, her breath warming him while his cooled her off. The tension was becoming so thick; Leah wanted to scream if he waited any longer to actually kiss her.

"Leah." Alec whispered.

"Hmm?" Leah hummed while her eyes remained closed.

"You can open your eyes. I wasn't going to kiss you."

Leah's eyes shot wide open and her face flamed with embarrassment. "Oh, then what-"

Her question was cut short as a moment later, Alec began tickling her. Leah's shock just turned into uncontrollable laughter. His hands went to her sides and under her knees, he hit every imaginable spot that she knew she was ticklish at. She asked him at some point if he could read minds, he told her no and that he was just really good at reading people. Apparently he read her really well.

With air becoming an issue, Leah began to beg, "Please, please stop. I'm sorry, please stop"

Alec kept at his mission with a small smile gracing his lips. The panting continued until finally her need for air overcame the laughter. She began trying to push him away, yet it was like pushing a boulder up a hill. She asked him over and over to stop until she realized it was using up the rest of her air supply. She went from happy to depressed and then to the ultimate emotion, anger.

Her strength returned with-in seconds. "I said stop!" She screamed and then pushed him away.

Alec slammed back first against the cement wall, screaming at her, "Phase now!"

Alec watched as Leah's body twisted up towards the ceiling and while in mid-air exploded into a large white wolf landing on all four legs. Alec watched as her panting soon calmed and her senses returned to where she was and what she was doing. She looked up at him and Alec marveled that the wolf Leah had the same hazel colored eyes as the human Leah. She tried moving and just bumped into the walls around her. Alec put out his hand to her right shoulder and steadied her.

"Feeling better?" he asked her as he smoothed her fur down her back.

The wolf nodded her head as if saying much better.

"Good."

Leah's head whipped around towards the wall that led outside. Her hackles rose. She looked back at him and pushed his shoulder.

"What is it? The food?" he asked.

She nodded again. Alec placed the food in front of her. She dipped her head and ate heartily until every last bit of the meal was gone. She sat down on her hind legs but had to bow her head because she was too tall for the small enclosure. A few minutes passed and then the wolf Leah shook for a brief moment and then phased back into human Leah who continued the shaking. Alec ran forward with a blanket and placed it around her now naked body. Leah looked up at him and held onto his shirt for support as he lifted her back from the floor and placed her against his chest, Her temperature skyrocketed, it felt like she was burning a hole though his shirt.

"What happened?" Alec asked after her tremors calmed down.

"I co-could hear hi-him, he's close." She stuttered out.

"Could Hear who?"

Leah smiled and closed her eyes as if savoring her answer, "My brother."

OoOoO

Sam, Jared, Paul and Seth made it to the spot where Embry and Quil were waiting for them.

Seth ran up to them, "what did you find?"

Embry pulled out an item form his shorts and handed it Seth. He grabbed it and looked at it eagerly. Sam came up behind him and smiled. Jared and Paul flanking him noticed the grins and took interest. It was a photo of all of them taken around two years ago. It showed Leah's arm wrapped around Seth's neck, it was when he was still shorter than her. It also showed Paul looking like he was about to say something, Sam who had his eyes slightly closed making him look high, Jared who had a chicken wing in his mouth and Embry and Quil wrestling on the side about who should be in front. Jacob stood next to Leah, watching her and Seth. Funny but Seth never noticed how Jacob watched Leah before.

"Where was this found?" Sam asked looking from the photo to Embry.

Embry pointed to the other side of the road, "There, near the tree, then after we called you, we found another further up the road. But so far that was it."

Seth moved in between Paul and Jared who were bickering over the photo about who was more photogenic. "Where's the other photo?"

Embry nodded to Quil, "He's got it."

Seth looked at Quil waiting. When Quil didn't make a move, Seth grew confused and looked impatiently between Quil and Embry who were reluctant to say anything. Seth scowled, "Show me the photo Quil."

Quil shook his head, "What difference does it make, it's just a photo. We should be concerned about where it was found. Both photos are leading to Seattle."

Sam looked confused, "Do you think she left without saying anything? Her stuff was gone."

Seth shook his head, "I know my sister, and she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. I know something is wrong! And damn-it Quil give me the damn photo."

Everyone paused and stared at Seth in shock, nobody had ever seen Seth get so angry. Maybe he had a little more Leah in him then anyone thought.

Quil sighed and then reached in his pocket pulling out the photo. Seth snatched it and looked down. He wished he hadn't, it was a photo of Jacob and Leah. Leah smiling at the camera holding it up taking a picture of the both of them while Jacob had his face in her neck nuzzling her with a smile on his lips. They look happy and in love, two things Seth had no clue about, maybe Seth didn't know his sister very well at all. Could he have been wrong? When Jacob left Leah for Nessie, did Leah have enough and just run away?

Seth became quiet and just continued to stare at the happy couple. Sam looked over his shoulder at the photo and grinded his teeth. Finally after a quiet moment amongst his pack brothers, Seth looked up and folded the photo placing it in his shorts pocket.

"I'm still going to look for her, are you guys going to help me or not?" Seth asked quietly.

Sam sighed, "Seth, it may just be a waste-"

Seth turned on him with hurt and anger in his eyes, "Don't say it Sam! My sister is anything but a waste of time. Now I'm looking for her, either you come with me and help, or you leave now."

Sam looked at him, trying to make a decision that's best for the pack and at the same time best for Seth. Giving in and sighing, Sam nodded and then raised his hand, "But we have to have two on patrol in La Push."

Jared and Quil volunteered. Sam sent them back to La Push while he, Seth and Embry began walking down the road to Seattle. After about an hour they decided to split up and phase while searching for her. The days carried on in the same fashion, they would hunt, eat, sleep and search, sometimes not necessarily in that order. Both Embry and Sam caught a sweet scent, but wasn't strong enough to be labeled Vampire. It was going on day four when their prayers were answered.

Seth, you go further north towards the city limits, Quil you go back and get some actual sleep. I'll run closer towards the boarder.

Both wolves nodded in agreement to Sam's orders. Seth began his run north and kept an eye and ear on all of his surroundings. Again he came across the light sweet scent almost like a strong floral perfume, but it floated through the air as a teaser to his senses. He remembered the photo in his pocket in the shorts that were currently tied to his hind leg. Leah and Jacob? How did he not see it? He remembered when they broke away from Sam's pack; Jacob had promoted Leah to Beta. Seth assumed it was because she was older, not because he liked her. And then there was Leah's behavior, she started to be nice to Jacob and would laugh after they argued as if fighting was a big joke. Seth stopped running and froze. Now that he thought about it, Leah changed a lot after the switch in packs. She started to where Sundresses again, and grew her hair out. Jacob wasn't as strict with dress code as Sam was and because of that Leah felt more freedom. When she would come home, she would lean down and give Seth a kiss on the cheek and then turn around and do the same with Jacob. He thought it was just brotherly affection. Now that he remembers; she kind of did lean in to the kiss a little bit longer than necessary. When they were next to each other, he would place his hand on her leg, or to the small of her back. Leah would do like wise and hug him but linger with her hand on his stomach.

What a great looking abs he has too.

Wait what?

Seth?

Leah?

Oh my god, Seth!

Leah oh god, we've been looking everywhere for you! Where are you?

Seattle! I'm in Seattle!...Ugh, Give me the food Alec.

Leah who's Alec? Seth asked as he looked through Leah's eyes to get an idea of where she was. All he could see was a plate of food in front of him and a pair of legs dressed in black slacks standing in front of the plate.

Leah is that Alec? Did he take you?

He watched as Leah finished her food and looked up. Then he got a full view of the man standing in front of her.

Yes, this is Alec. No he did not take me. He's a prisoner here like I am. Seth listen, I'm really weak, I have to phase back, but I need you and Jacob to come get me now! Please, I don't think I could phase again.

Okay where in Seattle are you?

I don't know, follow that sweet scent you smell.

How...?

I rummaged through your mind. Where's Jacob? Never mind. The people who have me are not full vampires; they're half bloods like Nessie.

Leah, are you okay really?

Seth heard Leah Laugh in his mind, just a bit tired is all, hurry Seth. Please!

Okay Leah...Leah...Lee!

She was gone, and had already phased back to human. Seth turned on his heel and ran towards the direction of Sam.

Sam!

What is it Seth, What did you find?

It's who I found! I found her Sam, she's real weak and being held hostage, we need get to her now.

Seth saw Sam switch directions and make his way back to La Push territory.

Turn back now and meet me at La Push, we'll get the boys and head out as soon as you give us the details.

OoOoO

Meanwhile...

"Jacob come push me on the swing."

Jacob looked up at Nessie who was wearing a bright yellow sundress with pink flowers all over it. Her hair was down except for the bangs that were pulled back with sparkly hair clips. Jacob snorted, they were probably diamonds. It made Jacob think of Leah for the millionth time that day, Leah would never wear anything so flashy, she preferred simple yet stylish.

"Not now Nessie, I'm not feeling up to it." Jacob mumbled only loud enough for to hear and then leave him alone to wallow in his self-misery. Ever since that phone call from Sam 4 days ago, he's been on edge. As if he knew something was wrong, he just couldn't figure out what.

Nessie pouted and then grew angry. This was supposed to get easier after they left La Push, yet all he wanted to do was sit around and think of his precious Leah. He would deny it of course, but she wasn't born yesterday. And when he was sleeping, she would tip toe into his room and touch his face to see what he was dreaming about, the first night she saw Leah, the second night she saw Leah again, and the same thing happened last night as well, except this time she was disgusted to see him dreaming of Leah where they were both in a bed just staring at each other. It should be her that walked through his dreams. Not Leah Clearwater!

Nessie walked away in a huff. She threw the back door open and stomped all the way up to her room. Rosalie watched with a frown on her beautiful face. She went to her door and knocked gently. Opening it she found a crying Nessie on her large pink bed.

"Sweetheart what's wrong?" Rose asked as she sat down and began stroking the back of Nessie's hair.

Nessie turned over with a red face, "He loves Leah, how could I have not seen it? Why is our imprint not as strong as the others? It's not fair?" Nessie yelled and went back to smother her face in the down pillow.

Rose began soothing her with a light touch and soft hand. "Baby, he will see in time that you both are meant to be. He just left his family and friends behind and starting over in a new place can be hard sometimes. So just give him time, okay?"

Nessie sat up and nodded as she wiped the tears from her rosy cheeks. "But what if fate was wrong? What if were not meant to be? Leah really loved him."

"Well Leah left him, and she thinks you both are to live happily ever after. She even asked him not to look for her, instead to be with you. She knew he would be better off and in time so will he." Rosalie assured her.

They both stilled as Jacob walked in. His eyes looking like they've seen a ghost trained on Rosalie. "How do you know that?" Jacob asked in a hoarse voice.

Rose straightened her now stiff back, "Know that you're meant to be together?"

Jacob growled, "I destroyed that note after I left the Clearwater house, how do you know what it says?"

"What note? I assumed she wanted you and Renesseme together after she left La Push."

"Jacob, what's wrong, why do you look like that?" Nessie asked trying to calm her wolf down.

Jacob snarled and began shaking, his nose flared. "How did you know she asked me not to look for her? I never mentioned it."

OoOoO

Aight! So who did you think it was again? Told ya, it wasn't who you were expecting. Now honestly I love Nikki Reed, and I respect the character Rosalie, so please don't hurt me. I'm sorry to the Rose fans, but if you want to see her painted in a good light, check out my other completed story, HOLD ONTO ME, she's a good girl in that one! Anywho, you know what to do, review!

~Smo