VI.

Chance

"So, she's coming here for you?" I asked, my eyes roaming around the room to make sure no one was playing some cruel joke on me. They all looked serious. I met Ethan's eyes and he nodded. "B-but why? Didn't you deny her?"

"She did not take the news fairly well. She vowed that if she could not have me, then no one can. She would not let me rest until I am hers or I am ashes," he whispered. I realized that I would be on the losing end once again. It was Sam breaking up with me all over again. But this time, with Ethan, it's much worse. Every beat sent new waves of agony throughout my body. My head throbbed in pain as I tried to think of someway this could be resolved. I didn't have any choice. I knew I had to let him go to be able to save my family. Now that he is a part of the Cullens, he would not want to endanger his family either.

"This is an easy one to solve, isn't it. You must go to her then. I will not jeopardize my family if we have the solution for this problem," I said, sounding so much braver than I felt. He looked at me shocked and hurt. He should not look like that. He should choose her with her angelic face. Of course he wouldn't pick me. I wouldn't even pick me.

Everyone was silent for awhile. We all did not know what to say. I have never bothered the Cullens with my own personal problems. As far as both parties are concerned, no one cares. They weren't involved in my life as much as I am involved with them. I am only their guard dog and what do they care?

"There, I hope I solved your problems, Barbie. We don't want to get your hands dirty now, do we?" I retorted back nastily towards the blond vampire about her remark when we came in, before turning away and making an exit. I didn't want to cry. I promised myself that I would not cry for a guy any longer. But tears wouldn't even show how much pain I had flowing in my body. The intensity of the pain may be coming from the imprinting. Stupid imprinting. How I hate being a wolf. I wasn't sure if I should phase into a wolf but I don't think that's a good idea right now. Jacob and Seth might transform into a wolf. I just don't want to share my pain to anyone yet.

I let my feet carry me through the forests. The haven that it used to look for was gone. What was the point of living if my heart keeps getting shattered into dust like this? Will the time come for me to have my happiness or will it be always like this? I can't live on forever if my life will go on this way. What's the point of having a heart if it's not whole? Who would want that? Now, I know that I would have to live forever for my imprint mate. But how can I face that if he's with someone else? I could not ask the Cullens to destroy Jane. The Volturi would seek revenge if that happens.

I could feel the bitterness creep inside me, like a fatal disease. Living off the bitterness was the only way I knew I could survive this. Somehow, giving others a piece of my pain was a good therapy for me though I must admit that sucks for them. I know that it would be a bit selfish of me but I think that would even things out. I mean, they're all happy now with their own lives. It's unfair how things work out. What do they have that I don't? Then I remembered Seth. He was desperate to find his imprint mate. If he does find it, then he'll probably be happy like the rest of them and I would be left out in the rain. It's really bitchy, not to mention, heartless for me to think of it, but if I prevent Seth from imprinting, then we would both be alone but then we will still have each other. At the very least I won't be completely alone.

I stopped in front of a meadow- the same one yesterday when Ethan found me crying after my failed attempt of escape. It was only a day since I imprinted on him and I was already losing. I looked around. It seems that no one followed me. I settled down the same spot I sat at yesterday. I still couldn't bring myself to cry. Maybe I ran out of tears. Great, even my body was working against me. But then when was it ever an ally of my heart?

"This must be your favorite spot huh?" I heard a voice from behind me quietly said. I knew right away that it was Ethan. I should have known not to assume right away that no one would be following me. Of course, heartbreak will always be with me wherever I go.

"What do you want?" I asked, not bothering to hide my bitterness and pain. His voice gave me agony and prevented me from giving any smart remarks.

"Why did you walk out?"

"There was nothing else to say."

"I had so much to say but you don't bother listening."

"Why should I? You're just like one of them," I told him nastily but I wasn't sure if I was referring to vampires or the people who left me.

"Maybe you think all of us are the same because you won't let anyone have a chance, Leah," he replied. His words are very good because it aimed for both of the two that I wasn't sure I was referring him to.

"Ok. If that's all you wanted to say, I would rather be alone right now."

"Leah, I know that you only know me for a day but I think what I feel for you is more than fascination. I mean, out of all of the things that I am fascinated by, you truly caught my eye."

"How cheesy can you get?" I asked in sarcasm but I could feel my whole core shaking.

"I know it sounds so bad and...cheesy but it's the truth. I have watched you above all of them."

"I don't want a stalker."

"You made me this way. Before I knew your name, before I found out what you really are, even after I saw you change into a wolf, I have fallen for you. Leah, for the first time in my new life, you have given me a chance to feel love even if my heart no longer beats. So please, don't shut me away. I want to know you so much more."

"You're right. That does sound so bad."

"But it's really the only thing I know. I want to live this life with you. I don't care about Jane, I don't care if the Cullens would abandon me to save themselves, and even if the whole world turns against me for loving you. Just as long as you're there with me, then I could face even all of the Volturi."

"That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard."

"Stop shutting yourself away from me, Leah. I love you and want you so bad," he said taking my breath away. He wrapped his marble arms around me. I shivered at the contact but I didn't mind it being there. It was as if his arms were meant to be around me. His lips found my cheeks. Even if those were hard and cold, I could not help closing my eyes and enjoying the touch.

"It's unfair. You know so much about me after watching me for so long. I don't even know anything about you," I said after I gathered myself a bit.

"What do you want to know?" he asked, whispering gently in my ear.

This was the first time for a long time that I have spent the afternoon in complete bliss. I didn't want it to end. The cloud that settled above me when I found out Jane was going after Ethan was gone. I was still worried about that but I was much happier knowing that I was never going to be alone ever again.

"Hey Seth," I said cheerfully as he entered the house just before sunset.

"Are you ok? Awhile ago, you looked like the world was collapsing around you," he said amazed at my aura.

"Yeah, felt like that but I'm better now, thanks."

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes, Seth," I repeated, annoyed a bit.

"Hey, everybody is going to just hang out at the Reservation around eight. Do you want to come with us?" he asked as he took a soda can from the refrigerator and I settled down the table. Sue was at the doctor having a check up for the baby and Charlie was with her for support. The house was empty but I really didn't feel like staying here anyways.

"Yeah, sure."

"Ok. I have to go now. Jacob wants me to patrol the town before I go to the Reservation," he said as he stood up and headed for the door.

"Did Jake want me to come along?"

"I don't think so. He thinks you need to just to chill out now. Besides, he thinks that you need to be kept away from Jane just in case she decides to come here."

"Hang on, Jane isn't here yet?"

"Alice said she just decided to come here. We really don't know when she's coming."

"Right."

"Well, I have to go. See you later," he said, stepping out of the house. I could see his enormous outline turn to a wolf and he scampered to the nearest clump of trees from our house.

I looked at the watch and saw it was only seven. I had an hour to go before I would head to the Reservation. The house was silent and eerie. I didn't want to watch Charlie's flat screen. I don't really find watching television interesting.

"My love," Ethan whispered in my ear, wrapping his arms around me. I jumped in his arms and he laughed loudly.

"You don't have to do that," I said grumpy. "How did you get in anyways?"

"The door was open," he said, pointing at the back door where Seth exited.

"What, you don't know how to knock?"

"Excuse me for being so obnoxious."

"What are you doing tonight?" I asked, an idea occurring to me but I was unsure if this was a good thing.

"Nothing, why?"

"In an hour or so, my friends in the Reservation are hanging out. I want you to meet them."

"I'm meeting the friends now, isn't that too fast?" he laughed.

"I just want to introduce you to them."

"I'd be honored to go."

We went outside to drive to the Reservation. Ethan thinks that it was a good idea to drive the car because, according to him, it will lessen the shock of me bringing a vampire in the Quileute territory. Though he was more shocked when he laid his eyes on my car that still had my form dented on the sides. The glass of the windows in the driver's side were all shattered, leaving the windows gaping holes.

"Still a good idea to drive there?" I asked him. His eyes were wide with surprise.

"Who did this?"

"No one," I answered lying through my teeth.

"Was it your Alpha? Was it that Jacob boy?" he asked, his whole body shaking in rage.

"It was yesterday. Don't worry about it. We're all good now."

"How dare he do this to you? I'm going to rip his head off!" he growled as he started for the door. I grabbed his arm to prevent him from running towards the place where they were patrolling.

"I told you wolves heal fast. You don't have to over react," I explained to him holding his gaze.

"But him, doing this to you? How could I not react this way?" he asked.

"So, how do we get there?" I asked, changing the topic right away. He rolled his eyes but he got the message that I didn't want to talk about it any longer.

"Come on, I'll borrow Edward's Volvo," he said.

"What, your rich family still hasn't let you buy your own car?" I asked, wondering if they divide their enormous wealth among themselves and if Ethan was going to get his own share. It was not as if I want the money but I was still curious about it.

"I don't need their wealth, Leah. I have my own money," he replied looking at me and pretending to be hurt. I chuckled softly. I took his hand and he carried me on his back to go to the Cullens.

Letting him drive was a huge mistake. We literally flew down the streets of Forks. I was holding the handle at the top of the window so tightly that my knuckles turned white, this was coming from someone who loves the feeling of exhilaration and speed. I felt nauseated and week kneed when we stepped out of the car. I just realized that it was a bad idea to use Edward's car. So much for being discreet about who I imprinted.

We heard the laughter of the others. They were around the campfire again. Someone was speaking and five seconds later a roar of laughter disturbed the night. I looked nervously at Ethan but he seemed so unconcerned and relaxed. Everyone from my former pack was there: Quil and Claire, Sam, Emily, and Nicole, Embry and his imprint mate, this bubbly girl named Sarah, Paul and Rachael who was now engaged, and Jared with his wife Kim. Brady and Collin who idolizes Seth were also there with their imprint mates, Dianna and Erica, though the girls know just a little about the wolf pack. When we entered the range of the campfire, everyone stopped dead in whatever they were doing and looked at us. It was one of those awkward moments you have with people.

"What's up with the sudden silence?" I asked, irritated at the awkwardness drifting over the campfire. They didn't replied but their eyes traveled from me to Ethan and then back again. "This is Ethan, by the way, my imprint mate."

The silence intensified. They knew with just one smell that the air carried and the amazing beauty of Ethan that he was not one of the humans nor one of us. He smiled and settled down the campfire, his skin glistening like diamonds as the fire light licked his skin. The two youngest girls gasped and ooohed as they saw this.

"What are you doing bringing a leech here, Leah?" Paul asked, looking at Ethan with such loathing it was scorching.

"He's my imprint mate," I answered him coldness in my voice.

"There's definitely something wrong with you. That's what you get for hanging with the blood suckers for such a long time."

"Shut up, Paul," Sam said, growling. I was surprised by this.

"Stop it, Paul, you're not making the situation any easier," Rachel whispered at her fiance.

"It's ok, Rachel. I understand his kind of ignorance," I told her. I shot Paul a horrible look and stood up. I introduced everyone around the campfire to him. Dianna and Erica giggled when I got to them while Brady and Collin growled loudly.

"It's nice to finally meet Leah's boys and their imprint mates," he said smiling that breathtaking smile. Then Jacob and Seth came and grabbed the two remaining hot dogs by the center left the fire.

Jacob looked around and he knew that things were getting a little awkward between us and the rest of the old pack so he started making jokes and conversations with the rest also including Ethan. I guess this was his way of making it up to me for being so rude yesterday.

"You don't have to be so nice, Jacob. Are you sick?" I joked nudging him a bit with my arm.

"What, I can't make things easier for you?" he smiled, sipping soda from his fifth can.

"Thanks, by the way."

"Least that I can do. I mean, I don't want to lose my Beta because of my stupidity."

"Yeah, maybe you should start taking anger classes or something," I said and that earned me a laugh.

"Yeah, maybe."

"Did Nessie tell you to be nice to me?" I asked thinking of my niece. He looked at me and placed a hand on his chest, pretending to be offended.

"Are you saying that I can't be nice without anyone telling me to be nice? That hurts you know."

I laughed. "Jake, you can't do anything without anyone telling you what to do. It's just you're too lazy to do things for yourself."

He laughed. "Oh come on, you've got to give me more credit than that."

"Fine, you're doing a great job making Ethan feel welcome. Thanks for that."

"Hey, that's what I'm here for."

I smiled and looked at him. Ethan was talking to Rachel animatedly while the two young girls giggled and whispered, looking at Ethan. I couldn't feel a bit jealous but then he looked at me and winked. I guess girls couldn't help liking him. Jacob followed my gaze and smiled.

"Hey, don't get jealous of my sister. She'll always be with Paul," Jacob said rolling his eyes as he mentioned Paul's name.

"Hey, Leah, can I talk to you?" Sam said suddenly from behind me.

"Yeah sure, be right back Jake," I said standing up and following Sam in a private spot.

"What is it, Sam?" I asked looking directly at him. It was the first time I looked in his eyes without feeling my knees weaken. I was so much stronger now and I knew that I was not hung up on him any longer. He looked uneasy and glanced nervously at Ethan's direction.

"I don't like you going with him, Leah, to be honest," he said after a moment.

"What do you mean?"

"He's a vampire, Leah. What were you thinking?"

"What?!" I hissed. "You think I want this? Sam, out of all the people, you should know how much we cannot control who we imprint! How dare you think that I could choose it!"

"Will you calm down?"

"No, I'm not going to calm down! You're the one who left me because you imprinted on Em. Do you remember how helpless you were? Huh? Do you remember how much you hate hurting me and not being able to control who you're going to choose? Do you remember how much you cannot stay away from Em? Now that I could accept that, you can't do the same for me? How unfair is that?!"

"Hey, what is going on?" Ethan asked, touching my elbow and I crossed my arms glaring at Sam.

"Nothing," he said as he walked away and returned to his family.

"What was that all about?" Ethan asked, looking at Sam suspiciously.

"Nothing, just hypocracy," I said, my voice was shaking and I tried to calm myself down. He cupped my face and kissed my forehead.

"Leah, I have news for you," Seth suddenly said, coming to us, half jogging, half walking.

"What is it?"

"Edward wanted me to tell you that Jane changed her mind."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Aro told her not to come here just as long as there was no threat at all."

"What?" I squeaked, looking at Ethan who was unimaginably calm but was smiling from ear to ear.

"I told you things will work out," Ethan whispered in my ear.

"Leah, you reek," Seth said as he pinched his nose with his forefinger and thumb, waving his hands in front of him.

"Compared to you, I smell better," I retorted punching him firmly in the arm. He flinched, rubbing the spot.

We came back to the small gathering, while my spirit was soaring with happiness.