Chapter 17

I hated to admit it but I missed Jake. The past month or so has been hard on the whole pack. We shortened our time periods as wolves at first, giving him some time to think in peace so maybe he would come back. But he had no plans of coming back. Actually sometimes it seemed he wasn't thinking at all, it was like he wasn't human anymore.

Of course the leech-lover that started all this was worried about him. She'd call my house every so often to talk to Seth for updates. I don't know why she didn't just drop the whole thing. She didn't want to be with Jake and she was gonna get married to her leech in a couple days.

Seth was talking with her when I stumbled through the door.

"Ah" He spoke quickly, his voice cracking. "Leah's home." Then he hung up.

"Very inconspicuous Seth." I joked as I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. "Why do you keep talking to her, she's the reason Jakes gone."

"Because she's my friend, Leah." He said defensively. "Same reason I'm going to their wedding tomorrow."

The wedding was tomorrow? Wow that came up quickly, how eager they were to break the treaty. I took a sip of my water and tried to push my worried thoughts to the back of my mind. I, for some odd reason, had this uneasy feeling about letting my mom, little brother, and crippled old Billy Black go to a vampire wedding.

"Seth do you really have to go? You know it would make mom feel better if you didn't." His brow furrowed, we'd had this conversation several times before.

"Yes I'm going, Leah. And you're not going to stop me." He crossed his arms and leaned up against the sink, staring me down.

I couldn't help but let out a nervous whine. He raised his eyebrows momentarily. "You can come with us, Leah, if you're so worried."

Me . . . at the bloodsucker wedding? No thank you. I didn't say this out loud for the sake of our kitchen. "You know I don't want to go there."

"Well maybe you don't have to, just like stay out in the woods or something. You can rush in and tear the leeches apart at the first sign of danger." He was joking but he flinched at the last part.

I didn't know my brother was so smart. I took another sip, swirling the water in my mouth while I thought. "That's actually not a bad idea." Seth's eyes lit up at the praise I gave him. "Don't let that get to your head." I nearly growled. How quickly he could become annoying. "I'll stay outside their house the whole time, in yelling distance. That will probably make mom feel better too."

I took my eyes off of Seth's exuberant face and stared at the floor. I can't believe I just agreed to that.

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Good morning Jake. I greeted pleasantly the morning of the wedding.

Leah! How much time until the wedding? He was asking about the wedding? Yes I'm asking about the wedding! Now answer my question!

Touchy! I joked. About two hours.

Could you do me a favor and call the pack?

Might I ask why?

Because I'm going to the wedding and I need to talk to them. I looked through his eyes. He was running quickly south towards us. By the speed the trees were zooming by he was traveling at a speed that would rival mine.

Stop thinking about yourself and call the dang pack! He growled.

Fine!! I snapped. I skidded to a stop and threw my head back, letting out a long howl that next to the others sounded distinctly feminine. I was glad there was still something feminine about me. Jacob ignored me.

What's wrong, Leah? Sam asked worriedly as he phased. There was a small tug at my heart at his worry.

Jake spoke up. I'm going to the wedding and I need some clothes. I'm already as late as it is and I'd like it if someone met me there.

Do you want me to turn around? I asked Sam.

No keep going, I'll bring Jake the clothes. I don't want you there alone anyways Jake.

Thanks for the confidence builder. Jacob thought sarcastically.

If anything bad happens you'll be glad were there. Others phased in and were quickly filled in on what was happening. Sam, Quil, and Embry would meet Jake at the wedding and I'd be there also but not in the front lines.

Ok I gotta phase back to grab some clothes. We'll meet you there Jake. And with that Sam phased out.

I'm glad you're coming back, Jake. Even if it is for Bella. Embry thought.

Yeah I missed you guys. He thought back. My thought tangled around the word guys and wondered if I was included in that. No one responded.