III
Sleep didn't come easy that night for Leah. Her thoughts were racing through everything that had happened and her stomach was in so many knots, it was to the point where it was physically painful. She didn't know what the hell had happened in the last twenty four hours but suddenly she found herself caught in a war between head and heart.
Eventually, after hours of tossing and turning on the forest floor, she sat up with an exasperated sigh and got to her feet quickly. Taking careful steps to avoid the sleeping giants that were Seth and Jake, she moved away from their makeshift home and jogged deeper into the woods.
Not really much of a home when I'm the only one who stays there most of the time, she thought bitterly.
Eventually she found herself in a small clearing, the opposite direction from where the meadow from earlier was. The moon was high and full and for a while she just stared up at the unusually clear sky.
She knew that telling Jacob that their almost-kiss was a mistake was the right thing to do... So why did it feel so wrong? It's not like she had actually wanted to kiss him... Right? And besides, she knew he regretted it so she just beat him to the chase before he could say it.
Still, it bothered her.
Because there had been something in that moment on the riverbank. She unconsciously closed her eyes and recalled the feeling she had when their eyes met. She had been drawn to him like he was a magnet, and her mind had cleared and all she could focus on was the way his skin felt where his hand touched her arm and how she wanted to feel it all over. They had been so close... She couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if they weren't interrupted. She thinks she probably wouldn't have been able to stop herself.
She had never felt like that in her life, so out of control of her own actions and so attracted to someone, and quite frankly, it scared her. She didn't like this weird feeling or attraction or whatever the hell it was causing her to go temporarily stupid.
Was she even attracted to Jacob? He was just a kid! She used to play with his older sisters when they were kids. They would kill her if they knew what had (almost) happened between them. He was young sure, but even so, she couldn't deny the way the transformation had affected him. It had affected them all. He had grown over a foot and his muscles had filled out perfectly all over. He was no longer the scrawny, annoying boy that had bothered her and his sisters back then. He was definitely grown up now, and Leah noticed a change in him the past few weeks. Ever since accepting his role as Alpha, he seemed more sure of himself and seemed to be growing even stronger and taller, if that were possible. What she wouldn't give to go back to the riverbank…
Ugh, I feel like a pervert, she thought. But it would never happen, so what was the harm in imagining?
She was startled to attention with the slightest cracking of a twig, imperceptible to the human ear. She looked around and realized she had ventured farther than she had planned and instantly was on alert, scanning her surroundings. It was dead silent for a minute, as Leah tried to locate the threat.
"You two are quite nauseating," said a voice from behind Leah's ear. Her heart skipped a beat as she spun around in a blur only to be face to face with Edward Cullen.
"What the fuck, Leech!" She exclaimed with an angry huff. "I could kill you!" Her jaw clenched.
He said nothing, just continued to stare at her with his creepy, unblinking eyes. They were black. She shuddered involuntarily.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
"I should ask you the same thing, seeing as how this is our territory," he replied.
Leah said nothing and an uncomfortable silence permeated the air as Edward just kept staring.
"What did you mean?" She asked suddenly. "Who's nauseating? Aside from you of course."
He ignored the jibe. "Jacob and yourself."
"Humor me, Leech."
"It's a never ending drama with you two. You know, a lot could get solved if you actually tried to talk to each other instead of pining away secretly," Edward said in his famously condescending tone.
"What the hell are you talking about? Nobody's pining away for anyone." Leah crossed her arms with a huff. "You know, you're pretty dense for a mind reader—" he just gave her a patronizing look. "—and besides, why would you care anyways?" Leah snapped, ignoring the fact that he had, in all likelihood, probably overheard her previous thoughts about Jacob.
"Normally, I wouldn't, but your drama is affecting more than just the two of you. Bella is starting to worry about Jacob and she doesn't need to in her condition."
Leah snorted. What, is she worried her precious sun isn't devoting enough of his life to her anymore?
Edward's face remained unchanged, giving no indication of having read her thoughts, but Leah knew he had.
"Look, Leech, there's no drama in the first place. I don't know what you heard from Jacob but nothing's going on between us and it never will. End of story." Leah felt a wave of irritation wash over her as she spoke.
"Now are we done here?" She called over her shoulder as she stalked angrily away from the vampire.
"You can lie to yourself all you want, but I can hear your subconscious, too," he replied.
She spun around in a blur and began to feel the telltale tremors of phasing vibrate through her spine. "Fuck you, parasite. Don't worry, I won't interrupt whatever twisted little threesome fantasy your girlfriend dreams of." Leah spat.
She took off at top speed then, phasing mid-stride, out of vamp territory and back towards her sleeping alpha and brother.
Who the fuck did that leech think he was? Invading her privacy, first off, but accusing her of being involved with Jacob?
Nothing. Was. Going. On.
But, no matter how many times she had to say it to herself or otherwise, it always left a prickling feeling in her chest. Leah attributed that to the annoyance of having to repeat herself.
Do you honestly think that's gonna work, Lee? Seth inquired through the pack mind.
I don't know, but I'll die trying, Leah responded with determination, purposely trampling on the shirt Jake had given her a few days ago in the meadow. Jacob snorted. They were all three in wolf form, waiting for Sam's pack to show up. He had sent word through Jared earlier in the day that he intended to meet with Jake to discuss a peace treaty, which Leah didn't trust for a second. Sam, however, was late to the party, so Leah was spending the time trying to get the vampire stench out of the button down shirt she was forced to wear when she was in human form.
In any other circumstance, Leah would have given the shirt back to Jacob or chucked it in the river so she never had to smell it again, but she was out of luck in the clothes department due to the shredding of her last outfit a few days prior. Going naked when she was in human form was simply not an option, though it had more to do with her boneheaded alpha than her baby brother.
She continued to drag the offending shirt through the mud, but the stench was still as prevalent as ever. She growled in frustration as she proceeded to rub the material against a tree as Seth and Jacob looked on in amusement.
What do you think this meeting is really about, boss? Seth asked Jacob after a few minutes of watching Leah struggle.
Jared said Sam wanted to negotiate a peace treaty but… your guess is as good as mine, Jake replied.
Do you think he's going to try to force Leah and I back into his pack? Seth inquired quietly, although it was clear as day in Jacob's mind.
He can't force you to do anything you don't want to do… when this is all said and done, you're free to go back, if that's what you want. Jacob said, absently keeping an eye on Leah as she gave up the tree idea and proceeded to try to bury the shirt in the mud, all the while cursing to herself about the 'stupid bloodsuckers' and 'who the hell smells this bad?'
I don't want to go back to him. You're my alpha now, Seth replied in a surprisingly strong tone. My loyalty is to you and my sister.
Jake met Seth's eyes. No words were exchanged, but Jacob sent a wave of respect towards Seth.
All three wolves snapped to attention when the sound of leaves rustling just outside the clearing alerted them that Sam's pack had arrived. They watched as Sam in human form appeared, followed closely by Jared, Paul, Quil, and the newest wolves, Colin and Brady all in wolf form. They came to stand just on the other side of the treaty line in front of Leah, Jacob, and Seth.
Seth absently wondered why Colin and Brady were there, and not Embry.
He wants us to feel outnumbered, so he made the pups come along. Leah responded to his unasked question. And he knew Embry has no imprint, nothing holding him back from joining Jake's pack. Nice tactic Sam. She barked out a laugh, which drew the attention of the other pack members, and a glare from Sam. Jake shifted to his human form, tugging on his shorts. Leah averted her eyes as she felt a flush of embarrassment. She had seen him naked dozens of times, become almost indifferent to it, and yet somehow accidentally catching a glimpse felt different this time, like she had to feel guilty for it.
She didn't ignore the confusion that sparked in Seth's mind, having overheard her train of thought, but quickly ignored him to focus on the matter at hand as Sam began speaking and her brother thankfully didn't push the issue.
"Jacob," Sam greeted tersely.
"Sam," Jacob said in the same clipped tone. "What's this about?"
"As Jared told you earlier, I'm here to discuss peace between our two packs. This separation isn't right. I'm asking you to come back to where you belong," Sam said in his self-righteous tone that caused Leah to grind her teeth in irritation.
"I belong here. I'm claiming my birthright as alpha." Jacob said.
Leah could see the tightening of Sam's jaw at Jacob's words.
"Look, if it's power you're after, I'll gladly make you my beta." Sam replied. Leah could see Jared's head turn quickly to Sam, letting out an audible whine. Leah snorted.
Jacob shook his head. "You're not listening to me, Sam. I don't want your beta position. I don't care about the power. This is about protecting innocent lives."
"Innocent? It's an abomination! You can't honestly tell me your loyalty lies with that spawn." Sam cried, indignant.
"I'm doing the right thing. I won't let you kill Bella." Jacob said firmly.
"That's not our intention. We are only after the child. But if Bella's life is lost in the process—"
"She's not collateral damage, you asshole," Jacob interrupted. "She's an innocent human, and it's our duty to protect her." He took a step closer to the treaty line and stood at his full height, looking down at Sam.
Sam narrowed his eyes and took a step forward to meet Jacob's stare. "I'm sorry that you're letting your feelings cloud your judgement. But she doesn't love you. She chose to be with a leech. She brought this on herself."
Jacob began to tremble with anger, moving to step over the line and deck Sam in the face. Leah could sense his impending outburst and nudged her alpha back a few feet with all the strength she had, creating space between the two angry men. She would gladly want to see Sam get his ass handed to him, but she knew Jacob shouldn't do anything stupid. Sam was just looking to provoke him, and he was succeeding.
Manipulative asshole, she directed towards Sam in her mind.
Sam noticed the exchange between Jacob and Leah and raised his eyebrows. He changed gears and faced Leah's wolf.
"Lee-Lee," he began but she cut him off with a loud growl. He continued in spite of this. "Come back, Lee-Lee. Your mother is all alone without your father, worried sick about you and Seth. We need you," he pleaded.
Despite the anger she felt, she couldn't help the pang in her heart as he met her eyes and called her by her old nickname. But bringing her family into this? That was a low blow. Leah snarled and Seth bristled at the mention of their father.
"Don't talk to her." Jacob growled.
Sam's eyes traveled between Jacob and Leah, narrowing his eyes.
"Sue is a strong woman with the support of the council. If she wanted her kids back she'd drag them from the forest kicking and screaming," Jake pointed out.
Sam looked from Leah to Jacob to Seth. "Obviously you don't see reason. You're going to regret this, Jacob." With that, he turned and phased midstride, the other wolves following close behind. Quil hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with Jake before yipping softly and catching up with the rest of the pack before they disappeared the way they came.