Chapter 10

I sensed a pattern as I awoke once again to a distant howl. It felt as if my clocks were switching and day was becoming night. I sat up in bed, wondering if there was another newborn. But then I realized that Jacob, Quil and Embry had gone to the bloodsuckers' lair tonight.

I flung myself out of bed and quickly out the window. I barely got my clothes off before I phased out of panic. I wasn't the only one afraid, I felt others phase right behind me and they too radiated my terror. But Jacob, Quil and Embry were ok . . . well for the most part.

How many did you say were coming Jacob!? Sam nearly snarled. I ran faster towards the thoughts while listening attentively to pick up what was going on.

Around twenty-one. Jacob replied solemnly. But the psychic said the numbers are going down.

. I shuddered at the thought of a psychic leech. I had heard from the others that two of the other leeches had powers, mind reading and the ability to control emotions. I wasn't very happy about that.

From Jacob's thoughts I realized what was happening. Tons of vampires were coming, and we had to kill them. I glanced hesitantly at Seth, nervous over what would happen with him. I twitched my tail worriedly.

They are having a training session tonight. These vampires are young and one of the Cullens has experience fighting them. I told them we'd be there.

What?! We'd be teaming up with the Cullens? Didn't they have some kind of leech loyalty thing? Jacob's thoughts proved me wrong, these incoming leeches were after Bella. That must be why Jake is so enthusiastic about this.

Jacob ignored me.

But we have our own fighting techniques. Why would we need to go tonight? Paul thought angrily.

It can't hurt. Sam thought back. It would be good for the newborns and then we can also get acquainted with the Cullens. We will be fighting side by side. The last part felt sour in my head. Fighting alongside the Cullens, our enemies?

We should be going if we're gonna make it to their clearing on time. Jake thought, turning his body in preparation to leave.

Ok let's go. Sam thought, loping ahead of Jake taking the alpha's position at point. Almost naturally the rest of us fell into our ranking positions. Sadly that meant I was running in the back. I swallowed my irritation at our slow pace and decided to focus on Seth's thoughts.

He seemed a little hesitant about going to meet out enemies tonight. A random thought flickered in his head. An image of him and the rest of the pack, even the newborns in our cousin Emily's kitchen eating breakfast. Seth suddenly realized I had caught that. Oh crap. he sighed.

What was that Seth? When was that?

He didn't say anything but his thoughts told me every day. What? They were having breakfast together every day . . . without me?

We didn't think you'd come, Leah. Sam cut in. But I could see every ones thoughts. They couldn't hide it. They didn't want me there. No girls aloud.

Come on Leah, it's not like that. Sam soothed. I bit back a snarl. I knew they didn't like me but I didn't think they would ever go to treating me like I wasn't part of the pack. I felt ridiculous for ever thinking they would accept me. I can't believe I had actual worried about any of them.

I'd like to put out there that I wanted to ask Leah. Seth spoke up almost proudly.

He was countered by a chorus of Shut up Seth 's.

Every muscle in my body ached to run away. I was so angry I saw red. I hadn't done anything. It wasn't my fault I was a freak. Jacob's words from my first patrol ran through my head. We all have to deal with this Leah. The important thing is we are there for each other.

Ha, yeah right. They weren't there for me. They didn't even want me there. I might as well have been alone. No one tried to respond to my thoughts but a couple of them radiated shame and sadness.

Leah we really didn't think you would come even if we asked you. Sam said sadly. He didn't like hurting me.

Rage flooded me again. All he could do these days was hurt me whether he liked it or not. I would have thought about going. Hell I might have gone, I thought I was a part of this pack. I blocked out the other's thoughts and focused on the task at hand. They thought I was bad before, well they will wait and see.