Disclaimer:
All characters and known situations belong to their respective owners. Everything else came from my own mind- scary place that it is sometimes. In no way shape or form have I made or intended to make a profit from this story…. All rights still belong to Stephanie… though it's a shame she never did anything more with the wolves… ah well.. There's always fan fiction

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Chapter 12

Jacob growled as he stared down the pups of the pack in front of him; he caught them trying to sneak out the back door into the tree line to patrol before anyone knew they were gone. They had played a prank on the imprints that had sent them screaming from the house after seeing four rather large rats in Sam's bathroom tub just that morning after breakfast. Even though Jacob was the alpha now, his house was just too small for the pack, so Sam's house was still where they chose to be most of the time. He was now, however, showing his displeasure in them as he watched them shifting nervously as they waited for him to decide what was to be done with them.

Before him, Collin, Seth and Brady cowered with their bellies low to the ground and their tails tucked firmly between their legs. Their wolves could feel the alpha's displeasure rolling off of him in waves. They all but crawled forward, slowly, cautiously. Brady was the first to ease himself from the ground to hesitantly lick at Jacob's muzzle. When he made no move to stop him, Collin and Seth did the same, all the while keeping their tails tucked between their legs.

The pack watched on in wonder from their various places in Sam's back yard where they were laying as Jacob's wolf rumbled in acceptance of the action. The pups hadn't meant for them to get that scared. They had intended it to be a harmless joke, not knowing that the girls would react that strongly to the rodents. All the pups knew, was where one went, the others were usually not that far behind which was why the rats were placed in the bathtub since the girls always did each others hair and got ready in the guest bathroom.

Sam nudged Jacob with his head affectionately. Their wolves relied on touch more than their human counterparts realized. He had willingly given up his claim of alpha but he still commanded some dominance over the pack. He accepted his new beta position with pride and grace, promising to help Jacob in any way he could. The nudge was a friendly reminder that it wasn't THAT serious of an issue.

Jacob nipped Sam's ear affectionately, doing the same to each of the pups. It was only then that they stood up to almost their full height. Their tails began to slowly wag when they realized Jacob wouldn't reprimand them much more than he already had. In all honestly, they were slightly more than relieved.

Bella walked among the pack happily on her way to Jacob. She pressed her face into his pelt and inhaled greedily. She'd been so scared seeing him bandaged and laying so still in one of the guest rooms at the Cullens place. She had kept silent watch over him all night, waiting for him to open his eyes and see her. It wasn't until after she had fallen asleep that he had first woken up, the majority of his wounds closed and turned to feint pink lines already.

It had been three days between then and now. The elders had called the school, claiming the boys had come down with severe stomach bugs after a weekend spent camping. Bella, Angela and Nicole were also among those who were told to stay home. Angela claimed she had a stomach flu along with Nicole, while Bella claimed that she was being harassed without giving her dad any names. She told him simply, it was being handled and she'd rather stay home for a few more days until she was in the right frame of mind to deal with the idiots that made up the senior student body.

There were now only two more days left before Jacob gave the vampire coven it's final blow- the abolishment of the treaty laid down by his great grandfather. He relaxed and turned his head to rest it's weight gently against his tiny mate. She was a blessing to him, and she didn't seem to know just how much he and his wolf both adored her. There was a comforting peace that blanketed him with just her gentle touch. Now, though, he could feel the worry coming off of her, and his wolf was restless in the rush to soothe her fears away.

"Carlisle is on the phone. He asked that I send you in to talk to him but wouldn't tell me about what." She said quietly.

"Here we go." Jacob huffed butting his head against Bella's shoulder, gently nudging her towards Sam so he could phase without hurting her.

"Have fun." Sam chuckled in his head and lay down behind Bella, allowing her to curl up against him. Emily had done this multiple times over the last few hours- same as the other imprints. Each of the girls would curl up with a wolf from the pack- save for the pups with whom they were entirely miffed with still- to talk to or spend a few minutes with if they weren't with their respective mates. After the fight they were just in three days prior, they didn't want to see the boys fighting amongst themselves- especially since they had just started trusting the pack in their wolf forms.

Sam heaved out a great sigh as his eyes searched the yard for his beautiful mate. Even with her face scared on one side, there would never be another woman as perfect as she was. He mentally grinned to see her curled up against Leah. He was happy the two were getting along again. It eased the ache in his heart for the injustice he had done the poor girl.

"I'll bite your ass Sam if you don't can it!" Leah growled out through the pack mind.

It was a testament to their new found trust in the wolves that had Emily shaking her head in amusement rather than running away screaming in fear when she heard her cousin growl.

"You're welcome to try. I can take you." He retorted playfully with a snort and a shake of his great head.

Leah huffed deeply and raised her head from Emily's lap to stare at her former alpha. "Not when you're all banged up like that." She teased. "I'd have a definite advantage. But I'd feel horrible for harming the handicapped."

Emily followed her cousin's gaze. "Is he picking on you again Leah?"

"He better not be!" Bella frowned sitting up from her place against Sam's side to glare at him.

All around them, the wolves let out barks that sounded oddly like laughter- the girls had no idea it was really Leah poking fun at Sam. Bella looked to Emily, then to Kim, then to Angela and finally to Nicole and Rachel- whom she had accepted a huge apology from when the girls had been alone in the kitchen only an hour earlier. As one, the girls stood and made their way inside. If the wolves had been in their human skins, each of their eyebrows would have been raised in confusion.

"It's NEVER a good thing when all the imprints are together…" Brady whined.

Sure enough, and with smirks on their lips, the girls walked back outside, each with a sandwich in her hand. The wolves whined and stared at the food hungrily. Emily pulled a sandwich out from behind her back for Leah, walked over and laid it down in front of her. As soon as her feet touched the porch, they all began to eat with Leah finishing her sandwich in only two bites.

One by one, they phased back and dressed before turning to the girls with pouts on their lips.

"That's SO not cool you guys!" Jared whined.

Bella only shook her head. "Serves you right for messing with Leah! She doesn't like being picked on, and we don't like finding out about it!"

"Tattle tale!" Brady muttered. "If they only knew how mean and abusive you REALLY were." He huffed.

What Paul had dubbed the 'mommy eyebrow' slowly raised as Bella turned her gaze on Brady. The wolves closest to him shivered and adverted their eyes feeling as though they had done something wrong. They ever so slowly edged away as she glared. "I heard that Brady! And JUST for your information- and that goes for ALL of you- Leah didn't say anything to us. We just know you!"

His reply was cut off as Jacob slammed the phone back into it's cradle. The pack watched as Jacob stormed outside, stopping abruptly when he saw the girls on the back steps. He was mindful of them as they scooted one way or another to let him pass. For that, their wolves were grateful to their alpha- he still had enough control that he wouldn't phase at the drop of a pin just yet.

"What's wrong Jake?" Embry asked with a raised eyebrow.

Quil gathered Nicole into his arms and stared intently towards his alpha. "What happened?"

Jacob sighed and shook his head. He wasn't ready to talk just yet. He felt Bella's arms around his waist and closed his eyes. Her lips to his shoulder blades soothed the angry beast within somewhat. "They want to say goodbye to Bella. When I told them it wasn't happening- I'm sorry for answering for you by the way Bella- pixie had to have a fit. She said she wouldn't leave without seeing you. She wants to see how you're coping after her brothers death."

Bella sighed. "I don't mind you telling them no on my behalf Jake. I WOULD ask that you let me say goodbye to Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett though. Those three at least still have my respect."

Jacob nodded in agreement. "Let me go too? My wolf doesn't like it-"

She put her finger to his lips. "You'll be right by my side."

Angela sighed. This was how it was supposed to be. She leaned her head on Embry's shoulder and looped her arm through his with a small smile on her lips as she watched her friends. If Bella could be strong enough to let her past go, then she could be strong enough to give Embry a chance as well. She giggled when she noticed the shock in his eyes. Not a word was said as she very gently placed her lips to the corner of his mouth. That was all he was getting for now.

Likewise, Rachel moved to sit closer to Paul, placing a plate with four sandwiches on his lap. When he looked at her, he smiled when he saw a feint blush coloring her cheeks as she explained that she didn't know what he really liked; she had made four different sandwiches instead of them all being the same kind. It was a peace offering of sorts. Her mother always used to tell her, the way to a man's heart was through his stomach- so too was it true for a wolf- even more so.

Jacob sighed. "Alright. Alright. So we'll see them tomorrow after school right?" He asked bringing the pack's attention back to them. They had let their attention wander and so had missed half of the couple's quiet conversation.

"I'll send Rose a text. I should probably go back and finish my homework too." She groaned.

Snickers surrounded her. Jacob smiled. "Come on, lets go get your homework done, then maybe we can all go to the beach." He said loud enough for them all to hear. Whoops and shouts of joy were heard as Bella and Jacob slowly made their way to the back steps to go inside.

It was the opportunity Leah had been looking for. She grabbed Jacob by his bicep before he could leave to follow Bella. "I need to borrow him for a sec… please Bells?"

Bella shrugged. "Sure. You can't keep him though, he's mine."

"Oh go on. You have homework. And I know Seth, Brady and Collin do too. And I better see you three doing it, remember, my mom knows your moms." She warned. She smirked when they grudgingly shuffled inside after Bella.

Angela and Nicole stood. "Us too. So do Embry and Quil." Nicole said grinning when the boys pouted.

Paul, Jared and Sam left for patrol while Kim and Emily busied themselves in the kitchen with Rachel. When they were finally alone, Jacob turned to Leah. "What's going on Lee? You cleared the entire pack out." He teased.

Leah bit her lip and tentatively reached into her back pocket. She pulled out an envelope and then the letter. She hesitated briefly before handing said letter to Jacob. His eyes scanned the contents before shooting back to her in both pride and shock.

"I didn't even know you applied anywhere."

She shrugged. "It was before I gained a body of fur. I deferred last year… but I just got that yesterday. It's a full ride since I'm Native American. I wanted you to be the first to know. You and Bella. You were both there for me… you trusted her with me…Jake… I really don't want to give this up…"

Jacob smiled. "Go."

"You mean it?" She asked stopping herself mid rant.

He nodded. "You've done what was asked of you. We all have. It's four years. You'll be back right?"

"Every summer and holiday!" She promised.

"I meant to stay… after you're finished?" He didn't want to lose another person close to him- much less a member of his pack.

Leah smiled sweetly. "It was always the plan for me to come back home. I can use what I learn in school here on the rez when I come back. It's not that long."

Jacob grinned and opened his arms for a hug. "Then you have my blessing, Leah. Let me handle the elders if they try to say a word about it. You deserve this."

Her squeal was so uncharacteristic, it had the pack rushing outside ready to phase in order to protect both she and Jacob. Seth tilted his head in confusion when he saw her hugging Jacob tightly. Jacob's stunned face was enough to cause Quil and Embry to cackle with delight before they were shut up by their alpha's raised eyebrow. Leah cleared her throat nervously when she saw Bella.

"We'll let you talk to the girls. I'll tell everyone else what's going on inside. Kill two birds with one stone and all that good stuff." Jacob said before hugging her gently.

When the girls were alone, Leah sat them down and sighed trying to figure out how exactly to tell them. She decided to be blunt and let it sink in slowly. One look to Bella had her words faltering again. She'd never know how to thank the woman for showing her she wasn't afraid of what she had become.

"Leah? Is everything ok?" Kim asked her.

Leah smiled. She'd miss each and every one of them. "It's perfect actually. Just before I say what I have to say, I want you all to know you're some of the best friends I could have ever hoped to have after becoming a wolf. Especially you, Bella."

Emily bit her bottom lip lightly. It was a nervous habit she had had since she was in elementary school. "What's going on?"

"I'm going away for a while. Remember last year when I deferred from college because I wanted to take a year off? I sent my applications out a month or two before I phased. I got a letter in the mail yesterday." She showed it to Emily first.

"But… that's where you really wanted to go!" Emily cried out happily.

Leah nodded. "Yeah. From what I read it has one of the best nursing programs in the states.* I showed Jake. He's letting me go so long as I come back here. And I will. I promise! I couldn't leave you guys. This is my home, no matter how angry I was. I never wanted to leave for good."

Bella stood without saying a word and moved to where Leah was sitting. She held her hand out and waited until Leah was standing as well. In a move that shocked them all Bella gave her a kiss to the cheek and a tight hug. "You had better write to us!"

Angela and Nicole soon followed suit. "You had better come back to visit us Leah. We may only be imprints, but you're still our sister. Don't let those mean old humans push you around." Nicole teased.

"You give them a piece of the old tough girl act if they try it!" Angela agreed.

Kim stood to hug her, kissing her cheek as Bella had done and pulled away to look her in the eyes. "You're not so bad, you know." It was her way of saying she'd miss the girl.

Emily smiled through the tears. "I'm going to miss you! You'll really come back right?" She may have caused her an ungodly amount of pain in the beginning, but they were best friends again.

"Of course! I'll come back every summer, holidays too and for spring and winter breaks." Anything else she was going to say was cut off by the pack filing out of the house.

"Jake told us. Were you going to leave without saying goodbye to us too?" Quil pouted.

Bella laughed. "Guys, she's not leaving for a while yet. You still have all summer with her."

Leah grinned. "That means I get to see Bella and Angela walk before I leave." She teased.

They groaned. "Don't remind us! I just want to be DONE with school already." Angela whined.

Jacob chucked. "I'm testing out early. I got tired of it. And with the credits I have now, I'll only have one semester next year before I can graduate and be done with it all."

"Ah… one has to not only be strong and angry, but smart to be an alpha." Quil teased.

"Well that rules you out, Quil." Embry snickered.

All other jokes were abruptly stopped when three distinct howls rang out through the trees. Embry and Leah quickly herded the girls back inside while the pack all phased and took off. There was a leech- or four- on their reservation that didn't belong there.

Jared, Paul and Sam had cornered four nomads. The small group had told the wolves from where they sat in the tree branches just out of reach of teeth and claws that they wanted to speak to the alpha. It was urgent news that they brought. It seemed yet another Cullen was angry, only this time it was the alpha's blood she was after.

Jacob would have banged his head on a tree if he had been in his human skin. This was getting ridiculous. First they bring dangerous vampires hell bent on killing his mate into the area, then they LEAVE said area when Bella is attacked over a paper cut- something that almost had him attack Jasper until he knew just whose blood lust had actually fed his hunger- only to come back just six months later. Now, because the pack extracted revenge on a monster intent to change Bella for his own, the pixie thought she was going to get revenge for her brother. It was so mind numbingly repetitive.

With that knowledge, the pack was left to have fun playing with the vampires. They allowed the four to think they were allowed to leave. It was Paul who attacked first, his jaws closing around the arm of one of the brunette females. With a screech, she turned and tried to rake her nails down his body. She didn't know he had learned from watching Jacob fight.

Quil leapt over a fallen tree and grabbed a tall, blonde haired, red eyes male by the neck all before landing on his back. Before the vampire could even register it, the chocolate brown wolf was shaking his head from side to side, tearing and ripping the neck from the rest of the body. The same was done with the arms and legs.

Collin, Brady and Seth worked as a cohesive unit to take down the second male. He was more muscular looking with black hair and an angry scowl. While Seth pretended to charge him, Brady or Collin would circle in to take a chunk out of an arm or a leg. It was fascinating for Jacob to see them working so well together. He couldn't help by chuckle when Seth stood in front of the vampire while Brady pretended to lunge this time. With that distraction, Seth took the opening and tore the head cleanly from the body.

Sam was already phased back and busy lighting the little female he and Jacob had torn apart on fire. Her head was still hissing before it was dropped to the flames. The wolves whined as the stench of rotting flesh wafted into their noses from the smoke. It was one of the very few things they despised about being wolves. The rest of it, they were pretty satisfied with.

With every last piece of vampire filth burned to not but ash, the pack turned as one and headed home. Jacob shook his huge lupine had when he saw Bella leaning against the back porch railing. She shushed Embry again when he told her she might want to come back inside. Poor man just didn't know how stubborn his mate could be.

"So now we have to watch out for the pixie? Fucking Cullens! When does it stop?" Embry sighed as he sat on Sam's couch. They had just filled him and the girls in on what was said before the leeches were sacrificed to the ever hungry flames.

Jacob shrugged. "Who knows? I'm not worried. She can't see us. So anything she tries to do will be met with a black screen in her mind."

Bella shook her head. "I feel so bad for Jasper."

"What?! Why? I get that he helped us and all that, but he's still just a leech!" Paul asked nearly choking on his drink.

She rolled her eyes at his lack of manners. Still, she couldn't fault him- his loyalty would always lie with the pack first, then the girls, then his tribe. "Well, think about it in terms your wolves can understand. Lets use your wolf, Paul, and you too Rachel since you're his imprint. So, Paul… you stand here." She pointed to a space near the couch.

Brady leaned over to Seth. "Does she know how dumb it is trying to get us to care about those ticks?" He didn't notice Bella looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not going to ask. It keeps me out of trouble." Seth muttered.

Kim cuffed the back of their heads. "Shut up you two!"

"Thanks Kim." Bella smiled. Kim merely nodded.

"Anyways, Rachel stand by Paul please." Bella walked a little ways away standing near the fireplace. "Ok, so pretend for a moment, you two are Jasper and Alice. You two are SUPPOSED to be mates. Now… ah… yes, Brady… come here please." She all but purred with a saccharine sweet smile dancing on her lips.

Brady stood and walked slowly to where Bella was standing. "For all intents and purposes, this will be Edward." She said with a smirk. The pack snickered at that.

"Now… he doesn't have a mate. And yet… Alice-" She walked over to Rachel gently taking her hand. "Alice was always more concerned with Edward's well being, his feelings, his happiness. And because he could read minds, they were ALWAYS together." She said putting Brady's arm around Rachel's shoulders.

Both Jacob and Paul growled lightly at that. Jacob because it was his sister and Paul because, even though they were only friends, Rachel was still his imprint. Bella only smiled. "Now you see why I feel bad for Jasper. That right there! The wolf in you sees his mate willingly in the presence of another male- an UNMATED male at that."

Brady dropped his arm and all but ran from Rachel. He looked up to Paul, but he now knew never to mess with Bella. She was evil when she wanted to be. Paul merely sighed. He knew Brady didn't mean it and told him as such.

Angela merely shook her head. "I feel sorry for Jasper as well. But it makes me wonder if they were ever truly mates. How could you willingly break apart from something like that unless there was never anything to break apart from?" She wondered.

Jacob raised an eyebrow. Bella shrugged. "I'm going to give that little pixie a piece of my mind tomorrow though, just you wait. You all are MORE than welcome to watch too."

They all agreed. It would definitely be a sight worth seeing. Jared smirked. "Can I bring popcorn?"

Jacob rolled his eyes and snickered when Sam threw a pillow at his head only to be scolded by Emily and Leah at the same time. This was his life. Chaotic as it was, he was happy that things had turned out this way. He secretly agreed with his pack, he couldn't wait to see what Bella had in store for the pixie when she saw her after school tomorrow.

Author's Note:

I checked online. The school she's going to go to isn't one of the top ranked, but I've heard some really good things about it. So... for the story... we'll say it's top ranked .