I love this chapter but I still think I'm evil for putting it in here, you'll find out why later. ;D

Chapter 13

I sat on by bed with the phone in my hands. I had just hung up with Embry's mom. I had to quit my job, since I now had another responsibility with an unpredictable schedule. I would have probably had to call off days all the time, it's probably better for her to hire someone else.

I sighed, most girls my age were probably at summer jobs, earning those last dollars before they headed off to college. I had been accepted to Washington State, but I have to stay here.

Was that the point of my life now, to be a 'protector'? Would I ever get married, raise a family? Or would I be cursed with this for my entire life, never really being able to have a life? I thought of the imprinting legends. We imprinted to keep the werewolf gene alive.

I had come to a conclusion with my dilemma. My body wasn't changing, so I wasn't cycling any more. I wouldn't be able to get pregnant because my body couldn't change. How am I supposed to keep the gene alive if I can't change?

I didn't want to think about what that meant. There must be something wrong with me, some reason why I wasn't supposed to pass on the gene. I rubbed my tired eyes with the palms of my hands, pushing back burning tears.

Someone knocked at the door. "Leah? Can I come in?" It was Seth.

"I guess." I muttered. I turned my head to the window as he walked in.

I felt him sit on my bed. "Leah, I'm sorry you have to go through all of this."

It was the first time any of them had said anything along those lines. I turned back to face him. His dark wolfish eyes stared back at me, full of concern. "We aren't helping you at all by excluding you, you need your pack, your family, more than any of us do."

"Are these the packs thoughts or just yours?" I nearly snapped. I took a deep breath to control my temper.

"Well they are mostly the pack's." I couldn't tell if he was lying. "They wanted me to get you to come to breakfast at Emily's." The corner of his mouth turned up in a half smile of encouragement.

Breakfast was probably the trademark of the pack's brotherhood. I so badly wanted to be a part of them, but I didn't want their pity. And Emily would be there, I hadn't spoken to her since she and Sam had imprinted. Would I be able to stand seeing them together? But I didn't want to be alone, I had to get over my problems.

I half smiled back at my sunny little brother. "Sure I'll come."

Once we made it out the door we took off at a run, I decided to keep with Seth's slow pace. As we ran I glanced at him. I hadn't noticed how much he had changed. He was nearly a head taller than me, but he wasn't filled out. His arms and legs seemed too long for his body. His hair was short now like all of ours, it stood spiky on the top of his head. His whole body had changed except for his face. As I gazed at it I realized how much he looked like my dad. They both had the same strong jaw and sharp nose of the Clearwaters. Even though his eyes were now wolf eyes, they still had a hint of the deep calming blue he had inherited from our dad. I swallowed hard as memories of my dad surged up from the depths of my heart. I had been so distracted lately I hadn't realized how much I really missed him.

I took a deep breath as we skidded to a stop in front of Emily's house. I could hear eggs sizzling and smelled sausage links, making my stomach growl. I don't remember the last time I ate, and I hadn't realized how hungry I really was. I could hear laughter coming from inside. Seth and I jumped up the stairs and walked in.

"Hey it's the girlie wolf!" Paul yelled. Everyone turned and stared at him with shock, then turned their eyes to me as if they expected me to explode.

I almost did, but I took a deep breath and let out a weak laugh. I was here to make friends, I couldn't go around tearing their heads off. The atmosphere calmed and everyone started their conversations back up. Emily turned and smiled at me.

"Oh Leah I'm so glad you came!" I fought off the urge to growl at her. I couldn't help but be mad. Despite my feelings I put a smile on my face. She twitched her arms as if she wanted to hug me but didn't know how I'd react. I decided that I should be nice and hug her first.

I was now taller than her and I could tell I had gotten more muscular. I broke our hug up quick and caught a glimpse of Sam. He was smiling at me. "Thanks for coming Leah."

I nodded, biting my lip. "Yeah." I took a seat between Seth and Jacob at the table. Emily leaned over top of us and put two humongous pans of eggs and sausage on hot pads. My stomach growled again as I scooped a helping of eggs and sausage. The rest of my pack each took helpings two times the size of mine.

"Oh come on Leah! You have to be hungrier than that! I can hear your stomach growling!" Jacob laughed as he dished the rest of the eggs and sausage on my plate.

We all chatted as we scarfed down the delicious food. I couldn't help but eat the big piles of food Jacob had put on my plate. I expected someone to make jokes about me being a pig but no one did.

I found myself smiling and laughing along with the others. I felt the brother and sisterhood of the pack close in around me and I felt safe and secure. I felt like I belonged.