Chapter 16
We were all on a mission, much to Leah's dismay, to find answers to the new developments in her appearance and DNA. Leah was becoming aggravated by the numbers of test being done, but to me each test being done brought about a new hope for change for an explanation. I stood outside Carlisle office while I he read and explained the results to her. We had both decided that it be best if I'm not in the room with them. I didn't want her to seem my face if the results weren't positive. I knew that my upset would become hers. I tapped my fingers along the wall nervously.
"Nothing conclusive was found by any of the tests I conducted. There is no concrete proof that you are healthy or dying, by normal standards anyway. Your heart seems healthy and strong from the EKG reading, so everything seems fine in that respect. However, your blood and DNA … This was your blood and DNA reading I had on file from when you fell and shattered your ankle two years ago. Everything reads very similar to your brother's information. The two of you share the same blood type, which is why we tested Nahuel's venom against his blood first to examine the reaction." Carlisle paused for a few moments enough for me to become nervous. It also gave me enough time to realize how elevated Leah's heartbeat. She was anxious.
"Here are your current results . . . see how your DNA has been altered" I heard the ruffle of papers and then more silence. Leah was first to break the silence. I was glad she had asked something because I had no idea what they were looking at.
"Are these changes permanent?" Her tone didn't indicate where or not she was happy with the changes, merely a curiosity.
"They seem to be . . . I also have some bad news. Leah, we tested your current blood sample against Nahuel's venom and it had the same effect as the tests previously run on Seth's blood. I am sorry." My heart sank I was hoping for something. I was hoping that something good would have come from a month of waiting for my Leah, but everything seemed to be the same. I was still poison to her.
"What does that mean?" Leah's tone rose and her voice cracked a little. My heart dropped into my stomach. She was hurting and I hated it.
"Romantic behavior between Nahuel and you is not advisable. You are very lucky to be alive. Leah, I'm not sure you will be that lucky again." Carlisle warned.
"But according to the tests I should be dead already. I think something is wrong with the test you've run; maybe you are not running the right test." Leah was whining. She was reaching for something, they may not be meant to be.
"Leah, do you really want to take that risk? Imagine what it would do to Nahuel knowing that his venom would be responsible for your death, if things were to end badly. Be sensible." He was right. If anything else happened to Leah that was caused by her loving me I would die and if I didn't die from a broken heart. I'd die by my own hand.
"Thanks for the advice, Carlisle. I will take your info under consideration," Leah spoke with attitude. She shouldn't have given Carlisle attitude he was only trying to help.
"Sorry." Carlisle spoke as a whisper. I heard Leah's footsteps as she made her way to the door.
"It's not your fault." She offered with sorrow lacing her words. When she entered the hallway her brown eyes met mine, they were watery and hurting. She lowered her head and gazed at her feet. She looked as if she were ashamed as if she had disappointed me somehow. I started to say something anything to make her feel better.
"I feel like running. Give me a few minutes and then join me okay." She gave me a slow smile with sadness still in her eyes. I wanted to offer the same kindness and pretend that I wasn't hurting. I was going to need a moment before I could offer her that. I nodded. She turned and waltzed down the stairs slowly. My pull to be beside her was stronger than normal probably because I knew she was hurting.
I went into Ren's room she and Jake were waiting for the results. I didn't say anything I just shook my head and allowed myself to show the sadness that I was feeling.
"Oh Nahuel, I'm so sorry," Ren said as hopped up and hugged me briefly. "Where's Leah? She bound to be hurting." She looked past me with concern in her eyes.
"She asked for a moment alone. I know she was really hurt by the news. We both need a moment to collect ourselves." I said as I sat at her desk.
"You're all acting like this is the end and like nothing else can be done. I'm sure there are other tests Carlisle can perform. Hope is not lost," Jacob said dryly.
"I just want Leah to be happy honey and I really thought that the reason her body morphed was so she could be with Nahuel," Ren whined. We all had that hope. I shook my head and moved through her room to look out the window. I wondered if I had given Leah enough time to phase and compose herself.
"I'm saying that maybe that is the reason. We truly don't know anything yet." Jacob wrapped his arm around Ren and she nodded.
"I suppose you're right babe," she kissed his cheek and he smiled. I rolled my eyes at them. I was still jealous at how easy they had it. Just as I was about to leave them because they were getting too mushy, I heard Leah earth shattering scream. We all were alarmed and now worried. This was the first time she'd phased since my venom entered her system. I hadn't thought about it until now … something could be wrong. Everyone in the house had now set out to find Leah.
I took us literally minutes to find her. We all stood in front of her now dumbfounded. She was in wolf form she shook her head a couple of times and then grunted.
"Is that Leah?!" Renesmee said surprised by something, "She is beautiful!" I nodded and Leah tilted her head and seemed confused by something. It was humorous how animated she was in this form. Ren approached Leah hesitantly and placed her hand on her fur. Leah's eye widened with shock. She now knew we all now saw. She was a big white wolf. She looked more intimidating in this form, but of course I had no reason to be scared of her.
"I know weird right, but it is okay. So don't freak out!" Ren said comforting her friend. My Leah offered up a whimper in response.
"You are not scary by the way, just different." Edward offered with a small smirk.
"Well, I think you look creepy!" Emmett said as he reached out to touch Leah, but she back away from him abruptly. For a moment I thought something was wrong but then she made a playful like noise and within a blink of a flash she was gone.
"She wants us to race her." Edward informed everyone, and I smirked. This was going to be fun!
"Let's see how fast you really are little wolf." I snickered as I rubbed my hands together and took my shoes off. I ran faster without them.
"Nahuel, she said she is not little!" Edward informed me with her voice mocking my lovely lady. I laughed heartedly.
"Yeah, that sounds like her." I shared a laugh with Edward and then we both took off. Edward past me quickly, that was okay I knew he was a little faster than be. I more concerned with leaving everyone else in the dust. There was a rumble under the earth as the massive shape shifter beings raced. It was one of the enjoyable and exciting moments in my life!
Edward picked up speed as Leah came into both of our sights. I stayed behind her taking in her appearance and her speed. I would be happy to come in third.
"What took you so long?" I heard Edward teasing my girl. He laughed at something. The wolves all sat in a circle and the rest of us circled around them. The only one involved in the wolves' conversation was Edward. I moved toward Carlisle to see if there were any other tests he was planning to run.
"There's bound to be a loop hole or an explanation we have yet to figure out . . . we are still working on it" Edward stated I wasn't exactly sure who he was talking to. I knew that he was making his way over to his wife who eagerly wrapped her arms around him. I was envious of all of them. That had to be meant for Leah and me too. There had to be something someone could do.
I went over to Carlisle who was discussing the Leah's results with his wife. He was also talking about the other tests he planned to perform. I sat down and listened. I was glad he wasn't just going to give up. He explained each test and what he would learn from. He had said that Edward had told him to consider a couple of them and would be helping him. After a few moments Leah walked over with her head lowered whimpering softly.
"What's wrong?" I asked not expecting her to answer but I wanted her to know I was concerned. Her eyes were sad and she still whimpered. She sat her head on my knee. I ran my fingers through her fur.
"You okay . . . You sounded as though you were in pain when you phased?" I looked in her bright silver grey eyes for an answer. It looked as if she was frowning at me. She pulled away from grunted and shook her head. She stood up right and alert staring at me, with her pointing straight up she looked like a white guard dog.
"No, you're not okay?" I tried to read her facial expression. She'd never made this face before. She huffed and rolled her eyes. A small huff in Ren's direction and Ren grabbed her little bag and followed Leah' behind some bushes. I was glad she was changing back to girlfriend form as I called it. She was much more appeal that way. I heard her try to contain a scream when she phased back, it made me worry about her once more. I'd been doing a lot of that today.
"Oh my God, Leah!" Ren sounded alarmed that was my cue. I didn't care if she was in a state of undress. I just needed her in my arms under my protection now. By the time I made it to where the two had managed to get Leah dressed but she still seemed very drained and a little sickly. I immediately took my Leah into my arms and examined her. It was time to get her home and in bed.
"It hurts when I phase back and forth . . . it never felt good, but it never really hurt until now. I'm okay though . . . stop worrying so much." She said answering my worried stare. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. It took everything in me to let her walk. I wanted to pick her up and race her home. "We should get back to school tomorrow, right?" I tried not to look at her as if she was crazy. She was drained and exhausted. Why would she want to set through those boring classes?
"Should she go back to school so soon?" I was hoping that Carlisle would give the logical answer and tell her to stay in bed a while longer. Until we figured out what was really going on with her.
"She's been awake for three days now and her condition seems to be steady disregarding what just happened, of course. We will see what the night brings." Carlisle offered and I frowned, wrong answer. I held Leah tighter. I didn't think it was a good idea. I was going to protest to him later.
"Wow! Way to talk about me like I'm not here." She pouted and poked her cute little lip out. I smirked and shook her a little.
"Sorry, Leah. Sometimes, you just don't have your best interest at heart." I hit her with a smile and she was under my spell. This was one time I'd use my power to but her in a trace to my advantage.
"Nahuel . . ." My beauty began to protest and then she became dead weight. She was out and I was panicked. I lifted her into my arms and sped towards the house. Carlisle was right on my heels.
Once inside it was determined that her body temperature had double past its normal temperature. I sat at her bedside trying to cool her temperature by wetting a cloth in ice cold water and applying moisture to her head and neck. It was crazy as soon as I dabbed her with the cloth, her body would absorb the dampness.
I sat by her side willing her to wake up, desperately hoping that it wouldn't be another month before I seeing her eyes open. It wasn't long before her bright eyes locked with mine. It was then that I took a deep sigh of relief.
"How long was I out?" She yawned, stretched, and offered me a smile shy smile. How dare she scare me and then seduce me by being coy.
"Only thirty minutes . . . however, that was enough to scare me to death, if that were possible." I said as I ran my knuckles along her cheek. She leaned into them and then puckered her lips against them. She offered me a giggle and my mood started to lighten. She was okay. My girl was okay. I started to tell her about what happened and why Carlisle said her temperature rose so high. He suggested that someone go with her when she attempted to phase from now on. She didn't like that but didn't let it bother her. She seemed more concerned with me and entertaining me. She told me about some of the dreams she'd had about me. Some of the things I thought she was making up but I was still flattered. I crawled into bed with her and we talked until she became tired again. I held her protectively in my arms and listened to her light snoring. This was familiar, this is what I knew, and love. My Leah was safe in my arms.