Offshoot: Dwelling in the Dusk
Mini Story: Me Te Aroha (with love)
Leah Clearwater's POV: 2008, March, 5th

I would toss some time at night with your voice in my head.
Like a broken record of the words you said.
And when I finally fall asleep, you find your way into my dreams.
But I would never mind, you see, 'cause I get to live my fantasy.

"How did this happen?" Emily paced the cabin restlessly, desperate to find a solution after I'd explained my dilemma and the attack of the Volturi. "All in the span of a few hours? We've been here a day, girls! And we've already found Leah's imprint, discovered some new type of supernatural being and had Leah's heartbroken again!"

"Sometimes I feel as if we're cursed," Angela muttered, staring absentmindedly out of the cabin's kitchen window and into the vast Pacific Ocean. The open window kept a cool, refreshing ocean breeze in the room...and yet I'd never felt so suffocated in my life.

"I just want to go home and forget about this entire trip," Kim whispered, stroking my hair in a sisterly fashion as I laid my head against her shoulder exhaustedly. My tears had dried by now, but my heart still bled of agony.

Claire snuggled up against me, looking sorrowful, sensing my sad disposition and the building tension within the room. We didn't need to explain anything to Claire; she seemed to have worked everything out on her own. "I'm sorry you're sad, Aunty Leah," She whispered, hugging my torso.

"It's not your fault, Claire-Bear," I managed.

"I regret even thinking of coming here!" Emily groaned, still pacing the living room. "Leah, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault!"

I shook my head. "It's not your fault, Em. It's not anyone's fault. It's just...well, it's just how it is, I guess. Some things aren't meant to be and I've accepted that by now. There are a lot of things I don't understand in my life...a-and this is just another one of those things. At least I found my imprint and-"

"Exactly!" Emily countered resolutely. "Tane is your imprint, you've known each other barely a day and he suddenly shuns you because of the way they perceive imprints. Its crap! Imprints all over the world should be treated with as much respect as they get in La Push. Why are imprints in Cape Reigna so bad?"

"You'd think destiny would be a little lighter on you, Leah. Especially after all that's happened..." Kim sighed sympathetically. "I'm so sorry you have to go through this, sweetie."

"In La Push, imprints may be the blessing of a wolf's existence...but here they are a curse. They're not even called imprints here; you know they're called she wolves. The term 'she wolf' even sounds evil. That's what got me mixed up in the first place. For a moment, I had hope I wasn't alone...maybe there were other women wolves like me. But..." I trailed off, too weary to rehash my mind with memories. "Just forget it."

"Leah, don't lose faith," Angela said from beside me. "We'll work this out, honey."

"There are no such things as happy endings, Ang," I murmured hopelessly. "And I'm fine with that."

"We should book airplane tickets home this evening," Rachel suggested sullenly and I frowned.

"Rach is right," Emily remarked and stopped pacing, looking at all of us seriously. "We're in over our heads, ladies. Leah could be in serious danger if this entire village thinks she's some sort of manipulative, weakening-wolf monster. We might find them knocking at our door with pitchforks and touch fires in the middle of the night."

"I can defend myself," I countered stubbornly. "I'm just worried for you all. Who knows when the Volturi will return? They seemed pretty desperate to get their claws on Marina and I fear this witch/werewolf thing runs deeper than we think. Plus, the guys will have my head if I let a leech touch any one of you."

"I can't help feeling worried for Marina," Kim added, a note of dismay in her tone. "We should tell the boys at home. Maybe we could form some sort of overseas treaty with the Ngāti Kurī. We should try to work together and protect both our peoples from the vampires. Even if the Ngāti Kurī wishes Leah dead, I doubt they'll turn down the offer to protect their own civilization with our help."

"It's too risky," Rachel disagreed. "I say we leave as soon as the next flight to the US approaches."

Angela shook her head. "No, we can't leave. Leah will suffer from the separation with Tane. We have to stay, at least until we figure out how to dull the imprint."

"You can't dull an imprint, that's plain impossible. The spirits forged the bond of the wolf & imprint long before our ancestors were even born," Emily sighed.

"Well, we can't stay here!" Rachel exasperated. "There's too much at stake. What are the chances of leaving Leah here alone? Do you think you could handle it by yourself, Leah?"

Emily glared Rachel's way and Kim gasped, lashing out: "How can you even say that, Rach?"

Claire startled at the sound of Kim's unusually furious voice and I put an arm around her comfortingly. I wasn't as hurt by Rachel's comment as the girls appeared to be. Leaving me here alone would ensure everybody else's safety and I wouldn't have to deal with the pain of separation from Tane at least.

"I am not losing my maid-of-honour because of this stupid tribe!" Emily shouted and I saw fed-up tears well up in her light brown, eyelash accentuated eyes. It seemed this argument was at an impasse and I was thankful for that. "We go wherever Leah goes. Everyone, that's final."

The heated discussion was interrupted by a loud knock on the door and we all jumped, stunned.

"Who is it, Leah?" Emily hissed, keeping her voice low and staring at me expectantly.

I shrugged. "All I hear is a heartbeat. Not his, though..."

The girls breathed a sigh of relief and Emily approached our cabin's front door, opening it to reveal Mrs. Mahora: my imprint's mother. I lowered my surprised gaze as her middle-aged, hazel eyes roamed the room and immediately landed on me with a jolt.

"Mrs. Mahora, hello," Emily's smile was bright, though fake, as she invited Mrs. Mahora into our cabin and closed the door behind her. "What a surprise!" I could tell by the flustered look in Emily's eyes that her statement rang true.

Mrs. Areta Mahora took a few steps in, giving us all an acknowledging nod. "I just came to check up on you, see if you're all settled in nicely. Do you like the cabin? I know it's small, but I thought you'd enjoy the view and sound of the ocean."

"Oh, this place is just beautiful, Mrs. Mahora! Thank-you so much for your consideration," Angela gushed, giving Mrs. Mahora a friendly grin. Angela was a real sweet-talker when she wanted to be.

"Please call me Areta," She smiled in return. "And I'm glad you like it, ladies."

"Sit down," Emily offered the armchair opposite the couch I sat on with Angela, Claire and Kim.

Areta sat down and sighed, her eyes suspiciously landing on me again. Emotionless, I returned her gaze, unsure whether she knew what'd happened in Ariki Forest. The look she gave kept me baffled. "So, what've you been doing on your first day? Any interesting adventures?"

"Cape Reigna is a stunning part of New Zealand, Areta," Kim offered kindly. "There are so many serene vibes the ocean sends out. It's beautiful."

"Really relaxing," Rachel added and the note of anger in her tone vanished.

Areta smiled proudly. "Thank you, I appreciate that. Cape Reigna is a beautiful home and I'm so glad you share my opinion," Silence settled calmly over us. "Ms. Clearwater, do you like Cape Reigna as much as your friends?"

I tensed, biting my lip and looking towards Emily, something I usually did when I was panicking. My cousin nodded encouragingly, standing away from Areta's line of vision. "Um," I began and cleared my throat of its hesitation. "Yes...? I mean, Cape Reigna is a spectacular region of New Zealand."

Areta raised her eyebrows and I felt a dark, nasty emotion stirring in the pit of my stomach. "Do you like its nature and wildlife? I noticed you entered Ariki Forest a few hours ago, did you enjoy the views?" My wolf didn't like the implying tone Areta was speaking with.

"I didn't really have time to look," I answered stiffly, my back iron straight and neck tensed.

"Oh?" She frowned and a hint of a patronising smile threatened her lips.

My jaw tightened and I tried to conceal a scowl. "Ariki Forest is very vast," I continued along the ordinary, conversational pathway. "So many trees and plants. Are they all native to this country?"

"Most are, yes," Areta nodded. "Our legends speak of a sacred, Maori god. Tane: god of the forests and naturally coarse terrain. He runs along our lands like a shadow at twilight, blessing the forest with new needs of life. You've met my son, haven't you? He was named after the Maori god of the forest."

I didn't reply, avoiding her piercing gaze, and gulped. Makes sense, I guess, I thought grudgingly to myself, he would steal in with the dusk, passing every eye faster than a shadow. And he is very godlike...too godlike. A person too mesmerising to hate.

"How creative," Emily piped in, lightening the bleak mood a tad. "And it fits him perfectly."

"How so?" Areta raised an eyebrow.

"Because he's a wolf!" Claire stated matter-of-factly, rolling her eyes as if everyone else in the room needed a lesson in common sense. Her remark would've been comical if I wasn't so pressured by the many nervous, roaring, human heartbeats in the room.

"Claire, hush," I hissed, shooting my cousin a loud look.

"Oh, yes, I forgot you all knew about that," Areta remarked sarcastically. Areta gave me a hard, judgmental look and I was forced to look away. "How convenient that one of you has now forever damned my son to a flawed reign."

I noticed Rachel and Emily open their mouths to defend me, furious expressions destroying their mock pleasant ones, but I beat them to speaking first. "How's Marina?" I blurted out before Areta could begin a rant to further my low self-esteem. "Is she alright, I mean?"

Areta looked heartbroken and full of despair within a blink of her eyes.

"We sent her to a hospital in Auckland, specialising in Marina's sort of injuries. She's with her grandmother in Auckland and Tane was desperate to go with her...but he has so much to prepare for here. The vampires' attack threw us all, Leah, you were lucky to have found Marina when you did. If you hadn't rescued her, she would've shared the fate my husband's sister was given. I thank you for that, for saving my daughter. No real she wolf would've been so selfless."

I nodded solemnly, breathing a sigh of relief, grateful that Marina would heal at least.

"Why are she wolves labelled so badly in this land?" Emily asked, a spark of anger grazing her tone. "They surely aren't in ours."

"Those are questions you must ask my son," Areta sighed. "I cannot describe what a wolf feels."

"He won't speak to me," I stated certainly. "He hates me."

"He doesn't hate you," Areta shook her head with a frown. "He doesn't even know you, Leah."

"Exactly, yet he immediately thinks I'm some sort of monster."

Areta averted my eyes, answering with her gaze lowered, "He was raised to fear and fight the bond he feels with you now, Leah. He's scared that he'll wrong his people by...by accepting you. He knows you will return to America soon and that scares him also. He's confused and my son usually needs to be alone whenever his mind is clustered. He's like his father that way."

"The kid's only nineteen-years-old," Rachel muttered. "Of course he's feeling a little angst."

Areta gave Rachel a half-smile. "That's probably a reason, too."

Emily swiftly brought the discussion back to its gravest topic. "We have she wolves in La Push, the Native American reservation we live in, but they're not called she wolves. They're called imprints. And our warriors don't hate them so."

"I assume you have a Kaitiaki in your lands," Areta nodded.

"We do."

Areta smiled, sharing a knowing look with Emily. "I also see that you speak Maori, Miss Young. Not many foreigners would understand the word Kaitiaki."

"Very roughly," Emily shrugged nonchalantly. "I speak several Native languages."

"What's a Kaitiaki?" Rachel queried before I could.

Emily jumped into a textbook explanation before anyone could stop her. "The prefix 'kai' means someone who carries out an action. A kaitiaki is a person, group or being that acts as a guardian, protector and conserver. The gods of the natural world were considered to be the original kaitiaki. For instance, Tāne, god of the forest, was the kaitiaki of the forest and woodlands. So, naturally, Kaitiaki means Pack. Tane is Ariki–Alpha–and his Kaitiaki–Pack–are the wolves who help protect and conserve the Ngāti Kurī people and Muriwhenua land, like the Maori gods did before humankind."

I rolled my eyes at my cousin's brainpower, something I could never keep up with.

Areta looked very impressed and nodded, smiling. "I couldn't have put it any better myself."

Suddenly, what Tane had said to me in Ariki Forest hours ago made sense. He accused me of wanting his Kaitiaki for their strength and sister's Doveblood gifts for their powers. Did he truly think I wanted to take control of an entire werewolf Pack and possess a witch I'd never even met before?

"He thinks I want to take control of his Pack via our imprint," I stated aloud. "Thinks I'll force him into it...and a wolf must obey his imprint's commands, the want to please her is too strong. Makes sense, I guess. I mean...it would if I was a raging psychopath."

The girls gave me incredulous looks.

"It's happened before," Areta answered. "Sometimes an Ariki will find his she wolf from another tribe and she'll force him to turn his Kaitiaki against their own tribe for power. There have been many occasions where an outsider she wolf manipulates our Chief into something he wishes not to do. He has no choice; for he has lost his will against her. The she wolf curse is an awful one."

"An imprint would never do that!" Kim gasped, flustered.

"Imprint?" Areta seemed puzzled for a moment. "Oh, right. You Quileutes call them imprints in American. And Kaitiaki is Pack and Ariki is Alpha, correct?"

"Yes," Emily nodded affirmatively. "But never in our past has an imprint been so...underhanded with her wolf. We imprints value our bonds. We do whatever we can to ensure our warriors' safety. Losing a wolf would be like losing a limb. I know if my wolf died, my spirit would die with him."

I was chilled by Emily's thoughtfully earnest words. The women all nodded in agreement with my cousin and I frowned. Maybe an imprint felt more for her wolf than we wolves first assumed. A wolf would die a thousand times over for his/her imprint, but would an imprint do the same? It seemed that way now I knew how they felt.

Areta looked astonished to hear Emily's remarks as much as I was. "You are all she wolves?"

"Yes," Angela nodded. "Every one of us has a bond to a wolf. Even I, an outsider."

"And now Aunty Leah is one of us, too!" Claire grinned, giggling excitedly.

Areta's eyes widened. "Are you bonded to a wolf as well, child?"

Emily shrugged. "Of course. Don't your wolves imprint on children, too?" Areta shook her head. "We have two wolves, Seth and Quil, who've imprinted on kids. They're just like big brothers, except more protective. Seth is Leah's little brother."

Areta's eyes fell back upon me, scrutinising. "I see."

2008, March, 6th

"For generations, men have tried to fight the bond and Chiefs are labelled as weak if they ever find his she wolf. Though, if a she wolf dies...our warrior lives forevermore in despair and unimaginable grief. If you give into the feeling, the want to please a she wolf is consuming and weakens our warrior. She wolves are weakness in the eyes of our people and you, Leah, are my brother's she wolf."

My heart pounded erratically as the words from my memory forced through my mind over and over.

"We never thought the spirits would curse Tane so cruelly. He has been treating our people so well and justly. We never imagined that you...you would come into our lives. Yet, you have and you are not as most she wolves behave, Leah. You are brave, selfless, strong of mind and do not appear to wish to control or manipulate my brother at all. You seem more of a warrior than a warrior's bane."

The wolf beneath my skin longed to be free and, though my mind fought against it, my body gave in.

"She wolves are the curse of our warriors. Those who are blessed with the will to shift into wolves are also damned with a weakness – one woman they wish to never find within their lifetime. That is the she wolf – the wolf's counterpart. The wolf spirit yearns for her and the men are forced to yield without choice."

My wolf tore through and I morphed into my pale grey coat, my claws slashing at the moist earth.

"Your friends, they want to know about our legends," Tane interrupted, his eyes narrowed. "Our legends contain the secrets that you obviously already know. You want my Kaitiaki for our strength and my little sister for her Doveblood powers. The only reason you helped me ward off the vampires is because you want us for yourselves."

I ran faster, a blur of snowy fur, pushing all of my trapped emotions into my speed. I felt dead...

"Just because we share a lifetime bond to weaken the wolf, you cannot control me! I will not yield to you. I am my own man and a Chief does not yield to his she wolf." Tane turned towards me with eerily knowing eyes. "Don't pretend to be something you're not, Leah Clearwater. Admit it, you're here to penetrate my tribe as the Volturi shadow dwellers have."

Tears trailed down my nose, soaking my fur. Time seemed irrelevant as I sped through the forest.

Yesterday, after Areta left, the girls began bickering about solutions again.

This morning, sleeping whilst tormented by a horrid nightmare about my binding fate, I was awoken suddenly by hearing the girls' continuous conflict in the living room and kitchen. I didn't bother with breakfast, nor did I inform them that I was leaving, for I couldn't bear to listen to another syllable of their pointless squabbling over me and my catch-22.

Deep down–even Emily, the bride who was to be married in less than two weeks and had fearlessly declared that we'd stay in Cape Reigna until we determined a way to keep everyone together without hardships–all of them knew we'd leave for La Push in less than four days time.

Emily & Sam would marry undoubtedly and I would be the maid-of-honour at their wedding...without my imprint. Because I was Leah Roslyn Clearwater and I didn't let people down – especially my beloved cousin, Emily Young, no matter how many times she'd broken my heart.

I'd slipped out unnoticed, leaving effortlessly through the cabin's bedroom window, and decided to go for a run in the forest. The nightmare I'd been woken from was gnawing at my sanity and I prayed none of Tane and his Pack were out here paroling, if that's even what they called it here in New Zealand.

My head was painfully crowded and I needed to be alone for at least an hour, without distractions.

Areta had said that was how Tane cleared his head–by being alone, presumably in his wolf form–and it felt strange, realising we shared something in common so early in our imprint. Maybe the spirits decided upon my soul mate according to things we'd have in common, rather than the fact that I was so desperate to be attached to anything but Sam or Jacob or my own self-pity.

It took me awhile to slow down and think clearly and, when I did, I found myself standing on four legs in an uncharted area of forest. I smelt and heard the ocean, guessing it was only a few hundred yards away. The trees and shrubs had thinned out slightly and the ground beneath my paws felt more like smooth sand than dirt.

It was early autumn here and the sun was still reasonably bright.

Rays of warmth cascaded down through the forest canopy and onto my pale fur, creating golden patterns on my coat. The morning glow descended upon the brown earth like beams of heaven as I gazed up towards the forest's canopy, mesmerised by my surroundings.

When the girls finally stopped backbiting like dogs rather than women, I'd have to take them here (when I knew it was safe, of course) and let them enjoy the exquisiteness of New Zealand. I trotted a few paces forward, the scent of the sea enticing my senses.

I then found myself staring out towards an amazing view of the ocean. It wasn't like First Beach, with dreary waters and gravel grounds. This sea was aqua blue, so clear I could see sea creatures swimming rapidly throughout the waves. The sand was sun-kissed, shiny and soft, and daylight's beams of heaven rippled along the water. The waves didn't devour the shoreline; instead they softly lapped against the sand, gentle and serene.

I fought the urge to phase back and throw myself into the crystalline water, shamelessly naked.

I sighed contentedly and shifted my gaze east, catching a glimpse of the sandy slopes which led down from the forest to the beach. My eyes continued to travel across the beach, taking in the pleasant landscape, until I saw the flicker of a shadow and my eyes jolted backwards. My wolf's enhanced sight zeroed in curiously and the shadow swiftly became a shape – a large, furry, four-legged shape.

My eyes widened and I staggered back in stun, my thoughts screaming one word: WOLF!

I shouldn't have reacted with such surprise; I knew werewolves inhabited this land. However, I never expected to see one here in person, gazing out towards the sea as I had been, totally oblivious to my gaping stare. His eyes were weary and absentminded as he rested comfortably on his tummy, with his front paws supporting his head on the ground. His ears didn't twitch when I gasped, so I hoped he hadn't yet noticed me.

The wolf was average sized, possibly as big as Paul. His thick fur was darker than grey, lighter than black and was touched with hints of chestnut brown. I assumed his eyes brown or hazel, though I couldn't be sure because he was looking away from me. The wind was like the ocean's waves on his fur, making it sweep and sway.

Unsure whether to stay or leave, I stared at the werewolf cautiously. Who was he? Was that Tane? Was that one of his Pack? He didn't take notice of me until minutes later, when I decided I needed to leave for the cabin before the girls noticed my absence. I slowly began to retreat back into the forest, breathing quietly, my eyes watchful.

Everything seemed relatively stable until my clumsy claw snapped one, miniscule twig and the wolf was on sharp alert. He sat up immediately, looking around and my thoughts cursed. His cautious eyes abruptly met mine and I flinched as a growl erupted from his chest. I returned his threatening vibe with a snarl, my eyes narrowing. He looked surprised to see me though and, for a moment, I thought he was going to attack.

I readied myself for the impact of a fight with a larger wolf and was stunned to feel his glare soften on me, guilt pooling in his dark eyes. He let loose a low whimper and fled the scene suddenly, zooming back into the forest faster than a flock of birds. Agape, I stared at the spot the wolf had just left empty and jarringly quiet.

His heartbeat–which I heard kilometres away–had shifted into a human one.

I knew he'd phased back and, whoever he was, was returning to tell the rest of his Pack about me: the wolf with no name...and the wolf he let live.

Why did that wolf let me live? I was a lone threat, who obviously didn't have the scent of his own territory. Jacob or Sam would've killed me in a second, not being able to read my thoughts and assuming me a stranger and then an intimidation to strength and power over a Pack. That wolf didn't even try to kill me! Was I not worthy of his precious battle skills? Did he not want to get his claws dirty with some bizarre, beach dwelling stranger's blood?

Well, he's a bit of an ass! I thought, And he could've killed me if he really tried to-

"Leah!" Emily exclaimed, wide-eyed, as I walked into the living room from the cabin bedroom. All eyes fell upon me and I grimaced. I decided to make an appearance after I threw on a comfortable pair of jeans and shirt for the day.

"Hey...?" I frowned as a flustered, breathless Emily pulled me into a strangling hug.

"Where the hell have you been, woman?" Rachel screeched and I cringed away from her voice as I fought my way out of Emily's killer hug.

I sighed with a roll of my eyes as Emily ran to the kitchen, panicking, rushing to feed me because she immediately assumed I was starving from being absent so long. The sick feeling in my stomach was not hunger, but anxiety: a queasiness which wasn't quelled easily. "How long was I gone? And, Emily, you know you're breaking the bachelorette rules? Put the spatula down, Cousin."

Kim took the cooking appliance from Emily with a scolding gesture and ushered her to the couch, where Claire was on the phone, murmuring quietly to someone with a smile on her face. "–I miss you, too. –No, it's just Aunty Leah coming back. –Yeah...she's okay, too."

"It's midday, Leah!" Angela snapped, though calmer than both Rachel and Emily. "Why did you leave the cabin? When did you leave the cabin?"

I shrugged wearily. "I don't know. 9am?"

"Three and a half hours you were gone! You didn't even tell us where you were going," Emily cried hysterically and I groaned. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Leah, this entire village is despising your very existence and you just run off? And leaving us to think you're abducted by some Maori assassin?"

"I'm sick of your futile arguing, okay? I needed to get away and I don't need to tell you where I am all the time! I'm not a child, guys," I countered, infuriated. "And it's none of your business. I can go places without your voices in my head, you know."

"Leah, we were worried about you," Kim stated with a tranquil air. "And we still are. We're arguing because we want you to be happy and...and we don't know how that's going to possibly happen any time soon."

"Because it's not!" I barked furiously and the girls recoiled at my tone of voice. "So stop pretending it will be, okay? We are leaving Cape Reigna, there will be a wedding and I'm going to live without him just fine. It makes sense, stop complaining likes it's the end of the world. You're all being a bunch of pathetic drama queens and I'm sick of it!"

"But it is the end of the world, Leah," Emily whispered. "It's the end of your world..."

"Emily, my world ended a long time ago. Imprinting was a nice hope trip that ended as shortly as I expected it to. And I'm not as broken as you all think I am!" I sighed and forced my rage back into its furry, four-legged shell. "Look, I know how it feels not to be wanted. I've known that feeling for a very long time and we're actually quite good friends.

"Rejection has taught me not to depend on people, not to rely on them and expect more than they can give. And–as bitter as it all sounds–knowing that my own soul mate doesn't want me, either, doesn't come as a surprise. So don't feel sorry for me, ladies; don't feel obligated to fix this. Because I don't feel anything! There is nothing more of me for destiny to break."

There was a long, piercing silence after I spoke and I blinked back the tears.

The girls looked heartbroken, as if they felt my pain after all this time...and I strangely hoped they didn't. Admittedly, I wished a lot of bad things on people, so they could feel a fraction of the hole in my chest. And then, suddenly, they could experience my shattered emotions and I hated myself for it. I've wanted so many people to feel guilty – to be ultimately responsible for my heartache because I couldn't face the fact that I was.

"Tane visited us while you were gone..." Kim finally murmured and bit her lip. "He, um, was asking about you. I mean, he still had that 'overprotective warrior' look on his face...but we could tell he was disappointed that you weren't here. He asked us to come to a Mario gathering tomorrow, something that happens on the dawn of every full moon. Legends begin when the sun comes up and the feast begins when the sun goes down."

I averted my gaze and sighed, unsure how to respond. Seeing Tane would quell the empty ache in my chest and replace it with the fresh sear of heartbreak. I tensed up at the thought of seeing him after what'd happened with that mysterious, unknown wolf.

"We're thinking of going," Angela added. "And we want you to come with us, Leah. Will you?"

His deep voice played through my mind, forcing me to lean into his beautifully warm embrace, leaving tingles gliding up and down my spine. "Stay, Leah. I'll care for you mete aroha nui(with all my love).Chose me, Leah, chose aroha(love). Aroha, I'll never let you forget that word."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I breathed in his musky scent. I felt the bond I shared with him tighten as I clung to him for some sort of reassurance that I would never have to leave his side. "I...I can't," I sobbed, feeling so awfully weak and vulnerable. This was not Leah Clearwater! "I have to go back. I belong to my tribe, not yours."

"You were made for me, Leah, you were made for a chief," His arms tightened around me and I felt his Pack watching us curiously. I knew his Pack respected him more than anything – they looked up to him for guidance, support and brotherly trust. Yet, those six young shape-shifters had never seen their Alpha plead with a woman so desperately.

I finally gathered the courage to look up into his deep hazel eyes, seeing nothing but sorrow and distress. His arms tightened all the more around me and I suddenly became very aware of his immense strength. Clasping his beautiful face between my hands, I noticed our skin tones blending in perfectly, as well as our temperatures and strong heartbeats. "My family need me more than ever now...I can't leave them in the dark – they would never do that to me."

He remained silent for a long moment, staring at me with a very intense gaze which I couldn't look away from. His power over me was beginning to strengthen and, with every heartbeat, I felt the imprint feeding on our intimacy and I was finding it incredibly hard to ignore. Closing his eyes, he remained silent, as if trying to telepathically plead with me as well as verbally.

"My Pack and I are the Kaitiaki(guardians/protector) of our people and our lands. I was born as a leader, as the Ariki(Alpha)...but I cannot continue without you. Don't you see, Leah? You have the mauri(hidden essential life force), it's drawn to you and it will only obey you. We need to work together to destroy the immortals and save our people," His voice sounded so determined and his hatred was so fierce.

"I can't kill them," I breathed harshly. "It's my brother, a coven of them are his family and I can't betray their trust."

His eyes darkened and his grip on me loosened greatly. "You'll leave me then?" He demanded, his whole figure trembling against mine. "You'll choose the enemy."

"I've waited so long for you," I murmured as I leaned into his static embrace once more but he refused to put his arms around me again. "And I have fought so many battles. Do you know the people who kept me stable through my, seemingly, damned life? It was my family...and I can't leave them in the dark."

His cavernous eyes narrowed and he asked gruffly, "So you'll leave me in the dark instead?"

"I still say we kill her," An unfamiliar voice grumbled.

"No, we'll go to jail!" Another voice hissed.

"You're a wimp, Eli."

"I am not! I just don't want to go to-"

"Where's Ariki?" A totally different voice interrupted with a sigh.

I groaned, my head throbbing with exhaustion as I rolled over and stirred from my sleep. "Kim? Rachel? What's going on?" I mumbled as my eyes flickered open and I peered around curiously. My vision was met with the surroundings of a vast, dark forest and a group of shirtless men staring over me in awe and fright.

For a moment, I thought I was dreaming about the Pack and prepared my lips for a good curse word when a seventh male face entered my view and I was left speechless at the very sight of him. His hazel eyes met mine and he frowned, observing me concernedly. "Leah?" His voice made me tingle, even in the middle of the night when I was groggy and disorientated.

When my mind fully registered this obscure situation, I jerked up and the men immediately stumbled back, keeping their distance as I about to order them to. I glared into each of their faces and snarled, the wolf in my veins feeling threatened and fearful. "Where the hell did you take me?" I shouted, my voice echoing among the trees and emptiness.

Tane stood in front of the group, his frown ever present. "We didn't take you here, Leah," He began guardedly. "We found you asleep here..."