Chapter 10

Leah's compassion and determination to help her new friend left me without her for an entire night. I'd offered to help her, but she rather I'd stay at home. She didn't want to worry about my safety. Like an imbecile I did what was she requested the only problem was that I now completely distracted by my concern for her.

"She'll be fine. Leah is much more skilled fighter than she used to be. Besides, the whole pack plus Renesmee will be involved." Edward said partly to calm my nerves and the other to subdue his. His only daughter was also about to confront this vile man. Then I took a minute to think about it. Shelly's uncle was just that a human no matter how vile he was. He was a mere mortal that any of them could snap like a twig if need be.

"I know she'll be fine. I just don't like that she felt she needed to protect me. I'm her beau it is in the job description for me to be there for her with whatever she is going through." I commented as I sat in the room with Edward. This was one of the times I favored his company more than the others, but my reasoning was purely selfish. I knew that he watching Ren's thoughts and if anything happened to Leah Ren would certainly see it.

"She also thought that your presence would be a distraction. She wanted to punish Shelly's uncle and she didn't want you to see her in such a monstrous manner." Edward sat down his newspaper and decided to focus on the conversation that we were having.

"I've seen her in wolf form and I don't think that she could ever see her look vile." I argued and Edward smirked at me.

"Nahuel, I'm going to tell you something that I wish someone had told me where Bella was concerned when we were first dating. You need to be able to give your mate some space. When you are too clingy it makes you look like … you're whipped." He laughed.

"I've already been told this and quite frankly I don't care," I rolled my eyes at his statement. "I don't think any of you quite understand. Leah is the most beautiful, interesting, funny, witty, and precious woman I've ever met." Edward's eyes widened for a second before his laughter increased and I grew angry.

"I don't mean to annoy you but I think we all feel that way about our women. I will admit that Leah is very attractive even more so now that she's happy but she carries a lot of baggage, imprint or no, I worry about the longevity of your relationship." I frowned as I tried to figure out what he could possibly be concerned about.

"Is this about how long it took her to get over her ex?" I asked.

"No, this is about Leah's trust issues … and your jealousy issues. Both you and her are very temperamental, I could see that causing problems for the two of you." He mused.

"Couples have arguments and they resolved their issues and move past it. That's how they grow as a couple. Leah and I have already battled so much I think we can make it through anything." I said only half confident in what I was saying. Sometimes I thought that she was too good to be true. I also knew that eventually I was expected to rejoin my family and they wouldn't be too accepting to my shape shifting soul mate.

"I hope so. I hope so." I could sense the heaviness in Edward's heart as he spoke those words. The whole Cullen house considered Leah family and that fact that he was so concerned only heightened my own insecurities. This conversation although it diverted my thoughts from Leah's absence, it also fueled new worries that I did not need.

"I didn't mean for you to worry I just want you aware of every possibly," Edward looked toward the windows and I followed his stare. Headlights, they were home and I was elated. "Well, that's interesting. I can't read Ren's thoughts which means … Bella's shielding her." Edward quickly answered the door so that the group could enter the house. Bella entered first followed by Ren and Jacob. Seth entered holding a hysterically crying Shelly in his arms. Leah entered last with her arms folded and an infuriated look on her face. She never looked at me as she made her was over to me and pressed her head into my chest.

"You did a good thing protecting your friend," I tried to comfort her.

"I just wanted to do more. I wanted to kill that bastard. What kind of man hits a woman let alone a young girl!" She was shaking I rubbed her back trying to keep her calm.

"We aren't supposed to end human life," Jacob said as he sat on the couch with his Ren.

"I never took that vow or made anyone that promise," Ren commented, "that jerk deserves to be dead!" Bella shot her daughter a glance of warning. "What? We didn't kill anyone did we?"

"They … they… should … have," Shelly said bawling all the while.

"Come on sweetheart, you need some to get some rest." Seth said trying to soothe his girlfriend. She rested her head on his shoulder as she attempted to silence her tears.

"Don't worry I'm here and I will never leave you unprotected again," I heard Seth whisper to his mate as he took her up the stairs. I'd never seen him so serious and somber as I'd seen him tonight. His sister sighed deeply and shifted in my arms. I looked down at her and knew exactly what he was feeling. I would do anything for Leah. I would kill for her.

Midnight passed before Shelly sad sobs had silenced and the house stood silent. All of us had assembled in the dining room waiting for someone to speak first. Well, all except Leah, she switched places with her brother and stayed by Shelly's side while she slept. We all knew that we what we were about to discuss … tonight it would be decided if Shelly would become a part of the Cullen family.

"She will figure it out anyway." Bella said bluntly, "If she continues to see Seth she would have eventually come over and put the pieces together." I agreed with her. Eventually she would realize that someone the inhabitants in this house didn't eat. If she watched closer she'd realize the changes in their eye color.

"What about the Volturi?" Rosalie said, "They will not be pleased and this will put us in danger yet again." She crossed her arms in disapproval.

"She would have to be turned at the very least." Jasper commented deep in thought. He intertwined his fingers and quickly sent a glance in Seth's direction.

"No!" Seth spoke violently and slammed his hands on the table. He's eyes were glasses.

"Leah brings up some valid points." Edward looked toward the ceiling I guess since Leah was upstairs. "We should leave her human temporarily until we are sure of some things . . .We should be able to anticipate when the Volturi decide to get involved and we will make that decision when the time comes." I smirked at Edward's comments and/or Leah thoughts I love that my Leah was so smart.

"At least she is safe now." Esme sighed relieved; she stood at Carlisle's side and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah safe in a house full of monsters!" Emmett teased; it was weird that the safest place for her was in a house full of venomous monsters that could suck her dry in less than a minute.

It was agreed that the child would stay human for as long as possible. I was also decided that she should know about what we were and who she was staying with. After the conversation shifted to other topics I excused myself. I went into my room only quickly enough to grab my school books I entered Leah's room. I didn't want to disrupt Leah's time with her friend but I had the urge to be surrounded by her sent.

I hadn't said anything during the meeting in the dining room even though I did have some concerns. I was mainly worried about Leah's safety. I knew we were playing with fire by telling Shelly what we were. In a perfect world I would say they are right to tell her but I was not one to unnecessarily test the patient of the Volturi, especially since they had none.

"Hey," Leah stood by the doorframe staring at me. I guess it was a little weird that I was lounging on her bed. Even though she seemed slightly amused by my presence in her room she seemed more exhausted than anything else.

"How is she?" I asked observing her worried disposition.

"Fine" she breathed, "She complicates things for the Cullens, for all of us actually. But if she is going to be staying here, I think she has the right to know." I nodded agreeing with her and wishing she was get closer to me.

"That's logical." I picked her up and placed her on the bed. I then cleared room for myself and wrapped my arm around her loosely we both seemed relieved to finally be close again.

"Hours drag by extremely slow when you are not with me." I confessed slightly embarrassed by how attached I was to her. I pulled her tighter just the same.

"You know, I was thinking the same thing." Leah giggled and then kissed me on the neck.

Author's Note: Surprise! I bet everyone thought I was never coming back to this story. But I'm back and plan to start making regular updates again! As always please read and review and no flames!