Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer. She messed up the story when she made Jake imprint on Nessie. Fortunately for us there's always the world of fanfictions.

Author/Note: This is a Leah/Jacob story with all the normal pairings and the events in Breaking Dawn never happened, because just like my cousin said, Breaking Dawn shouldn't even be considered a book.

Translation to English of O Nosso Amanhecer 2. This version was subjected to a few changes from the original in Portuguese.

This translation was a request by FantasyLover74.

I'm not a native English speaker so I'm sorry for my grammar and spelling. Thank you for reading and thanks the people who reviewed, FantasyLover74, She-Wolf Heiress, brankel1, Chick, Piper9004, Jo Harv, JacobLeah, CallyGreen, Mariaxxx, RobertForLife, Darkmaster of the arts, BenitaxoxoCastiel, mehr03, AllieBlack16, ItsCuzOfTheFame, brezzybrez, teamtorettosupporter, running with wolves, Blackwater Crazziii, DressageQueen14, Krizglass, akira m, bvc17, blackwater-forever.

Alert: the characters in this story curse a lot.

Our Dawn

Part II

Leah Clearwater

20. Before the Storm

A week from now the Volturi would arrive. We were on stand-by and trying to stay calm. Well at least my pack brothers were trying to do that. I was also trying to ignore that I was in love with Jacob.

Since I had thought about it and realised that it wouldn't do me any good to declare my feelings for him, I tried to keep my mind focused on other things. But it was impossible. To be in the forest reminded me of him, to watch TV reminded me of him, to clean the house reminded me of him…it was frustrating. Every damn thing reminded me of Jacob Black, his perfect smile and his smartass comments. Damn him.

That's when I came up with the master plan. Or as I put it when I walked in the most popular bar in Forks, the master shit plan.

I was old enough to go to a bar and have a few drinks but now I just didn't understand exactly how that could help me to forget about Jacob Black. Why did that sound like a good idea thirty minutes ago?

Ok, so thirty minutes ago I was at home, looking at my bedroom's ceiling and thinking that maybe if I met some other guy I would forget about Jacob. That was why I was in that bar. I sighed. I guess sometimes I was a bit…stupid. Not only the guys in that bar were totally not worth it but I had also managed to attract some of them by walking in alone wearing just a mini-skirt and a tank top. Way to go Leah.

After my third drink I started to receive some offers which didn't surprise me and a few minutes later I saw him. He was tall, blonde and his blue eyes were definitely images of deep pools where any girl would like to swim. He had also a pretty nice body although I could never compare him to Jacob.

He offered to pay me a drink which I accepted and he told me his name was Jace Branning. I smiled noticing the similarity of his name and Jacob's. Jace was actually nice and for a few minutes I forgot about my problems. We talked about sports and movies.

An hour later I was lying down in First Beach on my underwear. I had been swimming for at least twenty minutes. I looked up to the dark shy and smiled to myself. I could've been in a motel room with Jace. I could've tried to forget all about Jacob and my feelings for him because by loving him I was only hurting myself.

When Jace invited me for a nice and quiet talk in a private place I could've told him yes. A one night stand wasn't that serious since I hadn't slept with anyone since Sam and I broke up. But I said no. I told him I was waiting for someone to come and pick me up. I lied and I passed on the only opportunity I had in many months to be with a guy. I wasn't sorry though.

The reason I had turned Jace down was because I didn't want him. It was as simple as that. I didn't long for his kisses or his touch. I wanted Jacob. I had fallen really hard for my alpha and I wouldn't stop loving him by having sex with Jace or some other random guy. I guess I should probably start searching for a Convent because this way my only hope was to become a nun.

I grabbed a small black stone and threw it to the ocean. A few seconds later I heard footsteps on the sand. I knew who it was.

"What are you doing here?" Sam asked me.

I didn't even bother to put my clothes back on. Sam had seen me naked before.

"I went swimming and now I'm about to go home." I said.

"Are you nervous about the battle?"

"A bit."

"Me too…Have you spoken to Sue?"

"Yes, she's fine. What about Emily?"

"She's worried about us."

Of course she was. It was always worse for the ones who had to watch.

"If we survive this…what are you going to do Leah?"

"I'll probably leave…La Push is too small for me now. I need to be free."

"Is it because of me and Emily?"

"I don't think so…It's just something I really need to do."

"Is it because of him?"

I looked at Sam directly.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"I know you well enough. I don't want you to hurt like that again."

I didn't know who he was referring to, but there was a chance he had picked up my feelings for Jacob. Even if that was the case I wouldn't admit it. Not to Sam.

"This has nothing to do with anyone, Sam. This is my decision." I lied.

"If you say so…" He turned around. "I'm going back to patrol. Just think carefully about what you're doing to yourself."

Sam's words were an advice but now it was too late to follow it.

I was there for a few more hours and I suddenly remembered the night of Edward and Bella's wedding. It seemed so long ago.

Jacob was drinking on the beach and I joined him. We talked briefly about being screwed over by fate and Jacob offered me some whine. We weren't totally drunk but all that talk had made me really upset with life and the next thing I did was pretty stupid.

I got up, took my dress and underwear off and ran into the water saying, or maybe yelling, that I wanted to die. Jacob took a minute to react and he followed me immediately. We fought underwater and I even kicked him hard in his privates, but he managed to get me out of the ocean and drag me all the way to the beach again.

He placed me on the sand and pressed his body to mine trapping me underneath him because he was afraid I would try to run away again. I cried in anger and pain, because he was damn heavy, and I screamed that I was useless and that no one would ever accept me or recognise my value. He said I was wrong and after a while he asked me to be his beta. I said yes and then he released me, giving me my dress to cover my body.

I would give up everything to be in his arms again. But I guess I would just have to learn to live without him because if we survived I was going to leave La Push for a long time.

xxxxxxxxxx

When I woke up that morning Seth was already cooking breakfast. That was a bad sign because Seth had never tried to cook in his life.

"What the hell is happening?" I asked.

"Breakfast is ready." He smiled at me.

"Why?"

"I guess I wanted to try to please you for once."

I sat down and started to eat. It wasn't that bad. The kid had talents. I was jealous of the girl who would end up with my brother. Whoever she was, she wouldn't deserve him.

We both glanced at the calendar on the wall at the same time. Two days left.

"Everything will be fine." He stated. His eyes didn't meet mine because, just like me, he was simply trying to convince himself that we would be able to beat the Volturi.

"Are you on patrol today?" I asked.

"No. Jake called a few minutes ago. He wants us to go to his place after lunch."

"Why?"

"I don't know. He didn't tell."

It looked like Jacob wanted to have a word with all of the pack in private. No vampires attached.

When Seth and I got to his place everyone was outside except for Quil who was having a hard time being separated from Claire.

"Where is he, Embry?" Jacob asked.

"Inside talking to Claire on the phone."

"Paul…go get him." Jacob ordered. Paul grinned and walked inside the house.

"Hey, asshole say goodbye to Claire-Bear and hurry up or I'm going to shove that phone up your ass." Paul yelled at him.

Quil left the house clearly upset and pushed Paul out of his way.

"Do you know how embarrassing it is to say to a three-year old child that I have a mentally retarded friend?" Quil inquired glaring at Paul.

"You are so going down Ateara." Paul groaned.

"Let's see you try." Quil challenged.

"Stop!" Sam said putting himself between them. "Jacob has something to tell us."

After everyone cooled down, Jacob mentioned us to sit down on the ground and we waited. Quil and Paul were still having a glare contest but they stopped when Jacob started to talk.

"The Volturi will be here in two days. Tomorrow we'll spend the day with the Cullens so this is our last day together."

It sounded like we would never see each other again. The pups were also a bit worried with Jacob's words because it sounded like the final goodbye.

"I would've brought my camera if I knew you were going to make a speech." Quil joked.

"It's not a speech asshole." Embry whispered.

"Just let me finish, alright?" Jacob asked politely. Quil and Embry nodded. "We're in danger and I think everyone here understands that. The ones who never fought before are going to see how a real war is like and I just want you all to know that we're doing this because it's our job and there's no one else out there to protect our people. I know it's kind of lame to ask you to give away your lives to protect people we don't even know or like but we wouldn't be worthy of being called protectors."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"In two days we'll do exactly what we planned with the Cullens. Since I became the alpha a lot of things happened but I'm proud to be your friend. I want you to know that what I'm about to do it's for your own protection."

Now we all looked at each other confused. None of us knew what Jacob was about to do.

"I never gave an alpha command to any of you, but now it's inevitable. It's my duty to protect my pack so if things don't go as Edward planned and if the Volturi win, I command you to run away from La Push and save your own lives if you have that chance."

That was completely unexpected. We were all surprised and confused.

"We can't do that." Sam pointed out.

Of course we could. Jacob had given us an alpha command, so we wouldn't have a choice but to follow that order.

"It's our job to protect our people." Sam continued.

"I know that. I'll stay behind with the Cullens." Jacob informed.

Now that was the most stupid plan I had ever heard.

"Are you crazy?" Quil asked.

"How the hell are you going to protect our people and Fork's population, alone with only eight vampires?" Embry questioned.

"The Cullens won't let them hurt innocent people." Jacob stated.

"You don't know that for sure." Sam said.

"They want to kill us and separate the Cullens…They're not coming here to feed." Jacob explained calmly.

"So, we're supposed to run away and leave you behind just like that?" Seth looked at Jacob directly.

"It's the only way to guarantee that our pack continues alive. Even if it's only one of us who survives."

"So you're just going to sacrifice yourself for us…" Jared stated visibly displeased.

"Who the hell are you… Edward fucking Cullen?" I questioned.

"Undo the alpha command. I want to stay and fight." Seth said.

"Me too." Quil backed up.

"And me." Paul agreed.

The others followed the example but Jacob didn't budge.

"I know you feel somehow responsible for this but it's our job to help you. That's what we'll do." Sam said.

"I know and I thank you for that but I can't let you all die because of me."

"This is not because of you." Jared stated. "It's because there's a stupid leech wanting revenge."

"If I had fought against the Cullens when Edward turned Bella into one of them, clearly breaking the treaty…"

"They would be our enemies." Seth finished.

"Exactly and the Volturi would never come here accusing them of being our allies. It's my fault. I guess some of you were right from the beginning." Jacob finished.

His eyes met mine and I knew he was talking about my opinion about having a peace treaty with a bunch of vampires. I had always opposed to that.

"Let's have some fun now, alright?" Jacob suggested after a few seconds in silence.

We all got up and he brought drinks and food so we could have sort of a picnic. I couldn't focus properly because I kept thinking about his stupid plan. I didn't want to leave him behind, I didn't want him to die.

Nothing would make sense if Jacob died. Just the thought of that made me sick. He was being stupid. He didn't have the right to sacrifice his life for us. What about Billy? What about Rachel and Rebecca? I was even ready to accept a friendship with the vampires, with Bella and her mind rapist husband if that meant that Jacob would undo that alpha command.

When Jacob went inside the house to get more beers I followed him. I had to know what was going on in his head.

"I'm not going to change my mind Leah." He said before I could open my mouth.

"Why?"

"Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do if Seth died?"

"Seth's not going to die and if that happened I wouldn't blame you."

"Yes, you would. Deep inside you all blame me for what is happening. Even I blame myself."

"Fine, so you're partially guilty…That doesn't mean you deserve to die alone so we can escape."

"Look, I do hope that Edward's plan works but we need to be realistic. Irina wants us dead and the Volturi too. We are outnumbered and they have powerful vampires. There is a high chance that we won't survive and I can't be responsible for your death…Denis is fourteen years old Leah…the same goes for Justin, Gary and Caleb…they're too young."

"I know and I understand. But not all of us are that young. Sam, Jared, Paul, Quil, Embry…me…we could stay with you." I tried.

"What about Emily, Kim, Rachel, Claire, Embry's mother…Sue? Do you really think I could live with myself if something happened to you?"

"What about Billy?" I retorted. "You're his only son."

"Rachel's back. She'll stay here and take good care of him. Maybe Becca comes home too."

"Please, Jacob. I can stay…I mean…My mother would still have Seth and she's married again. No one would miss me…my life sucks and I guess that to die fighting isn't so bad."

"No. I'm sorry. I don't want you to get hurt again. You always opposed to our alliance with the Cullens. I should've listened to you."

"It's ok. I know why you did it. You wanted to save Bella because you love her and all that crap. I know they're not that bad. Esme is nice and Carlisle is a good doctor…"

"You're good with the Cullens now?" Jacob cut me off arching his eyebrows.

"Maybe…if you let me stay with you I'll be good to them. I promise."

I was really desperate. I had to make him see that I could help.

Jacob smiled but I knew his answer wouldn't change.

"Please don't tell me you're doing this to get her attention." I hissed losing my temper. "Just grow up Jacob…"

"I'm doing this for everyone…I'm doing this for you…"

He suddenly came closer and grabbed my waist. I could almost feel our bodies touching and I had to fight the urge to hug him tightly.

"If I die I want you to leave this place and start a new life away from Sam and the ones who hurt you. I want you to try to stop phasing and have a normal live." He whispered in my ear.

My heart was beating so fast I thought I was having a heart attack. The proximity of his body was leaving me completely dizzy. I had to support my weight on the kitchen's balcony. Even though I could feel all my rational thoughts flying away I did understand what he was saying to me. He was freeing me from the pack.

"Jacob! You better come and see this." Embry's voice reached us and Jacob let go of my waist slowly taking away all the pine and rainy scent I had learned to love.

"Come on, Leah. Let's go." He told me.

I followed him when my body started functioning again. I took a few minutes to understand what was going on.

Paul was surrounded by everyone and he looked a bit embarrassed. His face was slightly flushed and Quil was holding a small velvet box in his hands.

"What's up?" Jacob asked.

Quil gave Jacob the small black box but Jacob didn't accept it.

"I'm not marrying you Quil. You said you would wait for Claire." Jacob said making everyone laugh.

"That's mine." Paul took the box from Quil's hands and Jacob gasped.

"Please don't tell me you're going to ask Rachel to marry you…" He practically begged.

"I am."

"Come on Jake…she's his imprint." Jared declared matter-of-factly.

"I know that."

"Does that mean you give me your blessing?" Paul asked with hope.

"No, it means you're going to be stuck to my crazy sister for the rest of your life. Please think about it."

"I thought about it Jacob. I love Rachel and I want to be with her for the rest of my life." He spoke with sincerity.

"Are you old enough to get married?" Embry asked.

"I'm eighteen since last week." Paul stated proudly. With so many things happening we didn't even have time to celebrate his birthday.

"Jacob…I guess that Paul's asking your permission to get married to Rachel." Sam said.

Jacob raised his hand and took the black box out of Paul's grip. He inspected the engagement ring carefully and then he returned it to its owner.

"You didn't steal it, did you?" He asked.

"It was my grandmother's." Paul replied.

"Fine. You can marry my sister. But you better ask my father properly when this thing is over."

"I sure will. Thanks Jake."

Paul and Jacob finally settled things with a handshake and everyone asked to see the ring. When it reached my turn Jacob handed me the small box and I couldn't help to feel nervous. It was pretty stupid because the ring wasn't his and he wasn't giving it to me. But that was actually the point. I mean if we would survive the Volturi Paul was going to propose to Rachel and we would have another wedding to celebrate but what if we didn't survive?

If the Volturi won, we would most probably die and I would never get the chance to tell Jacob my true feelings about him. There was a voice in the back of my head telling me that this could be the last time we were going to be together.

It wasn't a good idea to profess my love for him in front of the whole pack. I would become the biggest joke in all of Quileute's History. I had to decide what to do. I wanted to tell him but I didn't know how and in the end I chose to remain quiet.

I would lose him for sure if I told him my feelings. He would be surprised, shocked and terribly embarrassed. I wasn't Bella Cullen, actually I was the exact opposite of her and there was no way he would ever love me. He would try to be polite to spare me from the humiliation of a second rejection and he would probably say that he only see me as a friend and I should just forget about him.

I guess I had made the best decision. Besides there was only one thing he really had to know. I just had to make sure I would thank him for what he had done for me.

I spent the rest of the day talking quietly and listening to jokes. We played football until the sun went down and the moon entered the night sky. Then it was time to go home and have some sleep.

"Jacob?" I called before leaving.

"What?" he asked.

"Thank you."

"What for?"

"For everything…"