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Chapter 7

"Leah?" Seth's voice stirred me from my fitful sleep.

"What the hell do you want, Seth?" I glanced at my clock. "It's 3 AM, Seth!"

"Jacob sent me in here, it's time for you to go on patrols."

"At three AM?!" I threw my pillow at him.

Seth dodged the pillow. "Hey I don't make the rules, and you probably want to get out there before Jacob comes in after you."

I sat up in my bed as he left my room. My head felt surprisingly light. I ran my fingers through my hair, remembering the torture I put myself through last night. My once long ebony hair now hung just above my shoulders. Silently I slipped to my closet, grabbing a pair of shorts and a tank top. I grabbed the leather cord that Sam gave me off my desk and wrapped it around my leg, sticking my clothes in it. It felt kind of silly but it was better than running around naked.

I slid my window open and jumped out, still wearing my pajamas. I tried to think of how I was going to phase as I pulled my clothes off and threw them back through my window.

"Leah?" It was Jacob, I didn't see him but I could hear him coming this way.

"Don't!" But then he turned the corner of my house. He saw me, his eyes bulged but then he quickly turned his back to me holding his hands up in the air in apology.

"Sorry!!" He laughed.

I growled at him and felt the familiar fire spreading up my spine. Before I knew it I was exploding again. It wasn't as painful as the first time.

Jacob slipped behind my house and I felt him phase. You ready?

No. I growled.

Well too bad. He laughed, running off into the woods. I followed after him and caught him easily. I felt lighter than last time. I guess Sam was right about shorter hair being more convenient. But I still didn't like it.

So what is it we do on patrol? Seth hadn't given specifics to me. I had trouble keeping pace with Jacob, it wasn't that he was too fast it was that I wanted to go faster.

Jacob kicked his speed up a notch. We just run around the border. Make sure no leeches have crossed over it.

We reached a fairly worn trail which I suspected was the border. Jacob and I turned to follow it. The smell of Seth and Sam lingered from their run. I tried hard not to think of Sam. Instead I focused on my running. It felt terrific but Jacob still seemed to be going slow.

I'm going slow am I? He scoffed in my head. I'll race ya around the border.

I smiled inwardly. You're on! I let out an excited bark and took off.

I over took Jacob in two strides and left him in the dust. My nose kept me on the trail as Jacob lagged behind. I was faster than him.

Jacob's thoughts said it all. Jacob was the fastest in the pack… before. Now it seemed that I was a great deal faster than him. This annoyed him. He pushed himself harder, keeping on my heels.

I barked a laughed, if I was going to have to put up with this wolf thing I might as well be good at it. The funniest thing was I was barely trying. Running seemed to come so easy to me now.

I couldn't believe it myself but I was kind of enjoying being a wolf.

See it's not so bad. Jacob teased.

Oh it's still bad. I shot back. I'm a freak now. A werewolf. But worse than that is that I'm the freak of the freaks. Yeah I'm the girlie wolf. I, for some odd reason, inherited the male werewolf gene. Oh and now I just found out that not only am I a freak but I'm good at being a freak! Bitterness dripped from every thought.

Just because you can run fast doesn't mean you're good at this, it just means your gifted.

Oh, I'm sorry, I'm not good at being a freak I'm the gifted freak! Great!

Jacob found humor in my sarcastic tone. But deep in his thoughts I saw something. He didn't like this any more than I did. We all have to deal with this Leah. The important thing is we are there for each other. Jacob's thoughts were monotone and dreary.

We didn't hold much conversation the rest of the run. We did about three laps around our territory when the sun started to rise.

How much longer do we have to do this? I wasn't tired but I was getting kind of sick of being in Jacob's head.

It's not much fun being in your pessimistic mind either. He nearly growled back. Only a while long, about another lap.

I sighed and continued running. I watched the sun as it rose, sending rays of light peeking between the trees. When the sun was fully visible Jacob and I felt someone phase.

What's going on? What's happening!? What am I?

Jacob slammed on his breaks. As he pivoted towards the thought he started calming the terrified voice. You're alright, just stay calm and stay where you are. Leah I need to get to Collin, call the pack.

The pack? What is this? Collin thought franticly.

How am I supposed to do that? I was new to this, I just found out how fast I could run for cripes sake.

Just howl. They'll hear you. I couldn't see Jacob anymore.

Just howl? I stood there for a second. It sounded simple enough. I threw my head back and drew a howl from deep in my chest. The noise was loud and deep, echoing through the trees. When I felt the howl was long enough I lowered my head and took off at a gallop towards the horrified, familiar thoughts of the newborn.