Chapter 3 – A farewell
This would be the last time that I would be running as a wolf., I thought when I took my clothes off to phase. It seemed odd that the good-bye had an edge of solemnity. At least that irritated me enough that phasing was easy. The shaking intensified and I shimmered down as my wolf self.
Leah!, Seth greeted me.
Hey, little brother. I thought. I couldn't even be unfriendly with him today.
He caught up with my mood and flipped through my thoughts quickly. I didn't hide them, he'd know them soon enough.
Oh., he thought. This caught him off guard. He didn't think anything specifically. We just ran in silence.
We felt another awareness enter. Hi, Jacob., I greeted him. He was headed... home. Ugh. Home to his darling leeches. Jacob growled at me. Sorry. I hesitated before I shared my thoughts, or, at least, before I thought of it willingly. He thought it through as Seth had. He was surprised, and a bit annoyed.
Hear, hear. Well, send her my kindest regards. Tell her how nice of her she never touches base with her family.
Just like you, Jacob, don't you think?
He growled again, but he could not hide that I'd hit a sore spot.
I used my usual distraction scheme. Hey, this may well be my last run. Wanna see me beat you again?
You really want to race me to the vampire castle?, he mused.
I shuddered. Not really. But I want to race anyway.
I got quite a head start, don't you think?
Don't mind.
I raced forward. Seth was elated – maybe more by the thought of racing to the vampire castle than by running itself. I sped up and enjoyed once more the feel of the soil under my paws, the trees wooshing by, the twigs of the underbrush brushing my flanks. My senses caught different scents. I let the air flood my lungs and felt the speed rush in every cell of my body.
The speed was exhilarating. But that was probably the only thing I would... miss. Huh. Odd, how there was anything I would actually miss from this werewolf mess.
Jacob was still running, not only for the competition of it, but more because he couldn't stand to stay away from the child too long. It's only been two days, and he was already dying from that longing. Imprinting was, from the insight I'd gotten from the ones beside Sam, quite a sensation. Everything was wonderful – as long as you were with your other half. As soon as you were away from her (...her, for crying out loud – I didn't even know if the counterpart existed for me. If there'd never been a female wolf before, how could I know the outlook?), you suffered. The yearning captured your mind completely... well, just like the way I still felt for Sam. Still. After all those years. It'd been three years now, almost four, since that... happened. Four years since this all began to go wrong. If not for these filthy bloodsuckers, I would be human, and Sam would...
LEAH!, Jacob threatened. Whether that's your last official run or not, CUT IT OUT for heaven's sake!
I sighed. That's why I'm leaving, Jacob. Because I want to cut it out, but apparently, there is no way with all this to remind me of it and a pack mind that listens – however involuntary. You know I all but want to cut this whole thing out of my life completely.
Jacob's voice softened. I know. And I am truly sorry you're hurting. He swallowed. I'm wishing you all luck you can get, Leah.
I was surprised how earnest his words really sounded. Thank you, Jacob... I trailed off in lack of words.
Hey, what happened to your pride? Don't you wanna beat me?, Jacob laughed, all himself again.
Sure. Just you wait for me to outrun you. I guess I'll... just follow the scent., I added sarcastically.
I wanna be there, too!, Seth thought from behind.
Stretch your legs then, little brother., I suggested.
The scent got stronger. I wrinkled my nose, but kept pushing myself forward. We were more than halfway there in what seemed like no time.
Jacob didn't control his thoughts the way he usually tried. Probably he was too distracted with looking forward to seeing her again.
Since I had nothing better to think about, I shared his thoughts and just let them flood my mind.
Pictures...
Renesmee running toward him, by now, she looked like she was eight or nine years old. He caught her and swung her in a circle. She giggled and put her hand to his cheek. She showed him what she'd been doing that morning. Her mum had taken her piggyback for a run through the forest. She loved the speed, too. Next, she compared that experience with running horseback with the huge russet wolf that was her best friend.
"You wanna race with me again? Come on!" He was elated. While he was still holding her, he ran toward the door, stopping on the porch. He looked back at Renesmee's father, Edward. "She wants to take a wolf trip with me. May I? I promise I'll take care of her and have her back in the house before dusk.", he thought, knowing the vampire could hear. Edward nodded. Probably, he was not that elated, but a look into his daughter's face - and mind - told him this was what she liked, and he couldn't resist.
Carefully, Jacob set the girl on her feet, gently caressed her face and darted a few yards into the forest, where he phased and immediately ran back to Renesmee. She squealed in delight as he sat down before her with his muzzle open, looking at her with his head cocked to the side and his tongue hanging out at the corner of his mouth. She patted the head of the big wolf and pressed her head into his fur. He started purring like a cat. The girl climbed agilely onto his back, slung her arms around his neck and put her hand to his cheek. She wanted to run as fast as the wolf could do. And, imprinted-werewolf he was, Jacob could not argue that and took off.
This event was familiar. When Jacob was a wolf, we could hear his thoughts just fine even from La Push. We'd witnessed that a few times. The joy he radiated when he was close to Renesmee was almost tangible. And somewhat unbearable for those of us who were not as lucky.
Maybe imprint was the only way for werewolves to achieve that kind of happiness.
Seth had thought about it sometimes. He'd tried to hide it from me, he felt self-conscious about it and feared I would mock him about it later. A justified fear, probably.
He wondered what it would be like... and he was curious. He wanted to imprint. He was eager for it.
Oh, well, maybe he would get lucky, but I truly hoped I would be far, far away when that happened.
Ha, ha. Funny, Leah., Seth thought.
I was amazed how I could contemplate so many things without being distracted from my stride. I all but flew through the forest at the speed of light. Or so it felt. I laughed friskily to myself.
The stink was almost unbearable now as I thought about the race and it's destination again. The hair on my neck stood on end. I bared my teeth and growled.
Hey. We're coming in peace, remember? This is not an attack., Jacob cautioned.
Of course not, High Alpha. I just love those leeches, you know., I jeered. Hey, seriously, Jacob, you know. I'd never touch them. For your sake, not theirs, needless to say. I... somehow value my crappy life at least that much.
Good.
I was nose-to-nose with him now, though a few yards apart. Seth was trailing behind. He got faster, that kid. I stretched the lean, muscular wolf body and leaped forward. I could see the... castle. It was not really a castle, it was rather similiar to the Cullen's white mansion in Forks. Well... the bloodsuckers had some style, at least.
"May I? May I?" There was a high voice from the house, excited and edgy.
Jacob's body shot forward, from the glowing that filled his mind, it had to be his Renesmee. "Fine.", a bell voice rang.
"Oh, great. Our darling mongrel is back. I was so worried. I was just about to report him as missing. Put up posters. Alas! I just couldn't find a picture of him."
I could guess who that was. Jacob growled. I had to laugh at his thoughts of what he would say to her when he was human again.
I struggled with his new-found hurry and I really was half an inch before him when we darted out of the forest. Jacob jerked to a halt. I raced a few yards more until he reproved me.
Give it a break. You're the winner.
Cool. Now, that's enough for me.
I know. Er... Leah, did you want to come in and say Hi or...?
Do good manners apply to vampires? Oh, well. Tell 'em I said Hi. I think I'll be out of here. Get some fresh air.
Sure. Er...farewell, my sister. I'm... proud you've been in my pack. Good luck.
Before I could reply anything, we could see Renesmee dart out of the house, right toward Jacob. The red-brown wolf turned from an honorable Alpha into a pet dog. He barked as he jogged to meet her. She jumped toward him and threw her arms around his neck. "Jacob!", she exclaimed. "You're home!" He huffed joyfully.
For a moment, I was happy with him, then I told him Good Bye and turned back into the forest.
I passed Seth, who seemed to be eager to stay a while at the vampire estate.
Seth?, I asked. He slowed and turned to look at me. It's up to you whether you'll be back in time to wave me good-bye or if you stay with the...Cullen's. I'm just saying... it might be a while until we see each other again.
Oh. Well. I'll try, 'kay?
'Kay. See you, bro. I leaped off into the underbrush, heading for home. Not my home much longer. Back to La Push... why did all of this seemed like a bittersweet good-bye to me?
Behind me, I felt Jacob phasing and his awareness fading into silence. Seth followed shortly.
I enjoyed, if only for a short time, and the last time, to run as a wolf and still having a private head of my own.