XVII
Heir
I woke up several hours later, a bit groggy. I had no idea where I was and why I was here. I looked down and I saw that thick, white bandages covered from my chest down to my torso. My lower body was dressed in jeans and to keep my modesty, I was dressed in underwear too. The door opened and Jacob entered.
"Leah, you're awake! How do you feel?" he asked, sitting at the Victorian chair that stood beside my bed.
"I'm good. Am I still in their house?" I asked.
He nodded,"Yeah."
"Where's Ethan?"
"He's downstairs talking to Carlisle about those hunters. I think they want to make sure no human hunt will occur on that place."
I nodded absent-minded. I opened my mouth to say something but then nausea grab my stomach and spun it around. I could feel the puke climbing out of my throat, I pressed my hand against my mouth and turned away from Jake while disentangling myself from the sheets and running to the bathroom.
Jacob reluctantly followed, not really wanting to see the puke but was too concerned to leave out of the room. I heard the door open again and I thought he left but a cold hand wrapped around my hair while my face was on the toilet.
"It's OK, Leah, it's OK," Ethan's comforting voice filled the room.
"Did Carlisle do something wrong? She's not supposed to be throwing up like that," Jacob said, trying to control his voice. I couldn't make out what his voice was supposed to sound like but I had a good idea that he was disgusted.
"The bullet was out, Jacob. You saw it yourself. I am sure that he also made sure he did not touch any of Leah's vital organs."
"Then why is my Beta puking her guts out?!"
"Will you calm down, Jacob? She's going to be fine!"
I didn't fully agree with what Ethan said. I didn't feel like I'm going to be fine as another dose of nausea came around. But I knew he was right. Maybe this was just an effect of the anesthesia that Carlisle injected me with. I was not sure why Jacob would be so mad. He knew enough that Carlisle was the best doctor that we have ever met.
Suddenly I felt fine. No trace of the nausea was left and I felt my body steady. I stood up and lifted my face from the toilet. Ethan looked as if I was going to lose my balance and start throwing up again. He extended his arm for me to take so that he could assist me but I waved it away. I still don't like his over-protectiveness. I rinsed my mouth off the sick and straightened up.
"I'm fine, Jake. It's probably the anesthesia," I told him, indignantly.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," I said stiffly. Haven't these people known me enough to know that I'm not some weak sissy who needs protecting? I took care of myself when I phased since they were too awkward to help me out. They didn't know what to do when I started phasing because I was a girl. They didn't know if it was appropriate to see my naked form so most of the time, I had to phase in the woods by myself while they comforted me in the distance. "Where's Seth?" I asked, noticing that my younger brother was not here to ,at the very least, check how I was doing. I was hurt. Even if he was with Lexi, he would have at least checked up on his sister.
I suddenly understood how he must have felt when I accepted my imprinting on Ethan. He was afraid of losing me and being with no one. We had each other for the longest time, with the whole world against us. Now that he had Lexi, I knew that she was everything to him while Ethan is the same for me.
"Don't worry, he visited you when you were unconscious, Leah. He is patrolling the area as we speak. He wants to catch the hunters that did that to you. I couldn't stop him," he answered unconcerned.
"Where are you going now?"
"I'm going to patrol the area with him, Leah."
"I want to come," I said as I grabbed the shirt on the closet. Ethan grabbed my arm to stop me.
"You can't. You need rest, Leah," he said firmly. His cold hands wrapped tightly around my wrist. If he placed any more pressure on it, I knew it could break.
"I'm fine," I answered trying to loosen his grip but he did not loosen it.
"He's right, Leah. You need rest. Stephen, Alex, and Quil is with him," Jacob agreed with Ethan. I looked at them. I can't believe they are teaming up against me.
"I'm fine and you both know that. I'm sick and tired of you two thinking that I'm not strong enough," I said, trying to keep my voice calm but I failed miserably. I started shaking so bad. I was getting irritated with them for thinking that I was too weak to do anything. I still have a job to do. I still have a responsibility and that's it. There should be no questions asked. I looked at my husband and my Alpha with all the ferocity that I have before pulling my wrist from his grip. I thought that if I did so, it will break but he let me go.
I turned away and started walking down the stairs. At the bottom was Nessie waiting for Jacob to get down. I stopped in front of her, not really knowing what to do. She already looked too mature to be a child. She looked like a small teenager already. But she was much clever than any of us when we were her age.
"They just care about you, Leah," she said. Of course she heard about that small heated conversation I had with the two boys.
"It's dumb of them to do so," I replied coldly.
"Stop trying to prove that you are strong. They already know that. You don't have to prove anything to them," she said quietly. I looked at her.
"You're kidding me right?" I told her. She did not answer. So I ranted on,"Don't think that just because you have special abilities, you're not human, and you're extremely smart does not mean that you know me that well! Just because I let you enter my life does not mean that you know everything about me and it especially does not give you the right to tell me what to do and what not to do. Don't you dare think that I care about you so don't even think that you should."
I spat the words to be hurtful. It was not necessarily true. I do care a lot about her because she was the only person who really showed me that she cared about me before Ethan came. I did not want to hurt her but I did not want to abandon my responsibility either. I turned and left her swimming on the hurtful statements.
I saw Edward staring at me. He was angry, and I could tell. This was a replay of all the things I said to his wife a long time ago. I have insulted his wife and now his daughter had to go through all the hurtful things that came from my mouth. I knew he wasn't interested.
"What are you staring at?" I spat out to him. I could not believe that I was actually challenging him.
"What are you doing?" he asked, silently.
"What? So daddy comes to his girls' rescue and rip the head of the bully."
"You're not fooling anyone, Leah. You care about Nessie and you know she is right. You are just too proud to admit it," he whispered.
"Oooh, the mind reader got it right," I told him sarcastically.
"You are the most foolish wolf I have ever met and I have met a lot of your kind before."
"And what do you care about what I'm going through anyways? Yeah, I know she is your daughter but I know you won't protect her all the time. You know she can protect herself. She is strong enough. You can't baby her in her entire lifetime."
"All this time, Ethan has spoke nothing but the progress that you have made. But to me you are the same bitter person."
"Is that the best you can do? Don't you think I know that by now? If that is the best you can do to revenge all of the things that I have said to both your wife and your daughter, then you have not spent time enough to study and think of smart things to say," I taunted then left him like his daughter. I thought he was going to go after me and rip my head off but he didn't.
Once outside, I threw the clothes on the ground and ripped the bandages off then phased into a wolf. I started running, feeling as if I was running away from my problems again. I brushed those thoughts aside as I realized that I did not have the sanctuary of my own mind. Jacob was right. Seth, Quil, Alex, and Stephen were all in their wolf forms. They were in the middle of a heated argument.
Don't you dare say that! Don't you dare! Seth screamed in my head. They did not even notice that I was there so I kept my silence, interested in what was happening.
I was just kidding, Seth. Chill out! Stephen said nervously. The kid was scared of my brother. What in the world did he just do to offend Seth?
Well then you should choose your jokes more carefully! I can't believe that your fur is brown. With your thinking I would not be surprised if it was green or something. Quil said wisely. That idiot must have said something vulgar.
Look, Stephen was just kidding! I don't know why you would be so mad at him! Of course you all never had understanding for us but Jake will. I know he will. Alex defended.
Who taught you values and manners? Seriously. You don't say to your brother, 'Oh wow, she's hot. I don't mind getting dirty with her, if you know what I mean?' That is just wrong! And I can't believe that you think Jake is going to agree with morons like you? Quil answered sharply. Seth was too mad to answer. I embraced his anger because I understood how he felt. At least I don't want to feel what the confusion that I was feeling now.
You guys are just perves. You need to grow up, you know that don't you? I spoke up suddenly and they were all shocked. Five different voices screamed my name all at once inside my head. That was annoying.
What are you doing here? Are you all right? You should rest, Leah! Seth badgered on.
I'm fine. Where are you guys? I asked.
We're near your house, actually. We were thinking of partying since your in the Cullens. Quil said jokingly.
Wow, I have only been gone for a few hours and you are all hovering over my house like vultures.
It was just an idea. he shrugged.
Is the bullet gone? Seth asked, still concerned.
Weren't you there, Seth? I asked.
Yeah, but they never answered my question.
Yeah. Carlisle took the bullet out. Apparently, Jake is going to keep it as a souvenir or something.
Hey, do you think I could ask him for it?
What are you going to do with it, Seth?
I could sell it to a museum. "Fastest wolf down with a single shot." Catchy.
Ha ha. Very funny.
So are you coming here?
But before I could say anything, the nausea that I felt earlier on came to me once more. I could feel the forest around me, spinning uncontrollably. Somehow there were food left in my stomach that came pouring out to the ground. I felt the others squirm at the feeling and at the sight.
Leah, are you OK? Seth asked. He was also dizzy but he stood his ground. The others on the other hand were groaning.
What's going on?
I don't know. It must be the anesthesia that Carlisle gave. It still haven't worn out. I explained.
But that was hours ago. Shouldn't the effects be gone by now?
I know. Maybe it's me.
Just relax, Leah. Don't stress yourself, all right? Seth said, really concerned.
Before I could say anything else, Jacob entered our heads. He was really happy about something. As a matter of fact, he was just plain ecstatic. In an instant, we were all sharing his happiness.
Jake, what are you so happy about? I asked. I could not help smiling at his happiness.
I just had the most wonderful news! he said. He could not calm down.
What is it? Seth asked. He was annoyed at the suspense.
Nessie's going to have pups! he exploded. Our reactions were all similar. We were all shock.
Oh my goodness, Jake! That's great! I told him. His emotion was so vivid that I could almost see him smiling painfully as if he was human right now and he was right in front of me.
I'm just so excited to be a father!
We're so happy for you, Jake. We all expressed our congratulations at the same time, our thoughts echoing in each other's heads. That is why no wolf should ever think of anything at once. It always echoes back on us, doubling the noise.
Yeah, but aren't you nervous? Stephen asked.
Well you're just scared of commitment. I think it's great. I mean, we would know who is the next Alpha after you, Jake. Seth said compassionately.
But I'm not going to age. I'll live forever. Don't you think that's a bit risky, we would have two Alphas in one pack, he said nervously.
Well your kid will take the responsibility when something happens to you, Quil pointed out.
Hey, can we just not talk about the future? Can we worry that some other time. I think we should just be happy that Jacob is going to be a father. I interrupted. Jacob did not need to worry about whatever is going to happen. The only thing that matters is he is going to be a great father and an addition to the pack was certain, if of course, new vampires were also created.
Leah is right. You did not have to worry about that. You just have to worry how to take care of your wife while she's pregnant, Jake, Seth agreed.
Hey, do you mind if you tell her to come visit me at the usual spot? I want to apologize to her about what I said, I requested. Jacob's happiness was suddenly replaced by anger.
You should not have said that to her, Leah! She was only worried about you! And the state she is in now! Didn't you think of that, huh? He growled. Every head was silent, no thought formed in their minds. I could tell that they also froze to the spot where they were. They waited for my reply.
That is why I wanted to apologize, Jacob. I know I should not have said that but...I was just so angry at that time. I've been raked by guilt ever since I left their house, Jake and this news just makes it even worse. Just please, tell her. I want to say how sorry I am to her face to face.
He was silent for a few seconds that I thought he was not going to tell Nessie. But then he agreed. I wanted to apologize too but he waved it away and did not say anything to me any longer. Why did I have to be such a bitch? I am happy now, right? Why do I have to say things like that to people I care about? Maybe because I just don't want to admit how much they really mean to me.
Leah, it's not hard to let people care about you. Seth soothed me, hours later. Night sounds filled the forest as we ran towards opposite directions. He was running towards Charlie's house while I walked slowly to my house. I did not say anything but I knew he heard every thought that I had. You just have to learn how and who to trust, Leah. We all could be trusted. No one's going to hurt you now.
I'm sorry, Seth. I really am. But it's just that I've been so used to only having you that actually cares for me. Now that more and more people are there, I'm just scared that they will all leave me and I'll be left alone again. I just don't want to get too attach to people.
But you have a husband now. You should learn how to trust him. Just let him care for you. You don't have to do all the caring by yourself. There's a handful of people who will be willing to take up that responsibility. And with that he phased back into human form and I was left alone in my own head.
The house was dark and eerie when I approached it but I knew he was awake. He never slept. It would look extremely suspicious if any lights were on except for the light in the front porch. I phased back to my human form and stood there in front of the door, trying to figure out if I should just go in or if I should knock. I took a deep breath before barging in.
He was waiting in the bottom step of the stairs with fresh clothes ready at hand. He looked like a marble sculpture, sitting without moving a muscle and with the moon hitting his skin. He looked like he was sitting there for a long time now, just watching the door open, waiting for me to come home.
"Have you been there since you got home?" I asked. He nodded. "You shouldn't have waited for me. I could find my way around my house, thanks." Why did I have to be so cold and hurtful? Every word that my mouth utters seem to be meant to hurt him.
"I wanted to wait for you. But of course, you want your ways to be done. Here, I thought it would be nice to bring you clothes," he said icily as he slammed the clothes on the step where he was sitting at and climbed up the stairs. He was mad at me. I deserved it after all the things that I have been saying lately. I wanted to get mad at him too but I didn't want to. His anger was like cigarette butts that were being pressed against my skin at that moment. I didn't go after him, though. I just stood there in the dark watching him go as he slammed the bedroom door.
I walked slowly at the step where the clothes were. It was dumb but he was just so overprotective. I think he shouldn't be mad at me as much as Nessie should. I mean I insulted her and her father. But I knew he was hurt that I wanted to put things before him even though I did not have to. The thought of lying there in the Cullens' bed as if I was dying was just too much for me. I didn't want to appear weak. This was our first fight and I did not know exactly how we could fix this.
Without getting dressed, I followed him to our bedroom. He had his back on me when I entered the room. I started to believe that he was fast asleep but I knew that he just did not want to talk to me at all. I gently slipped under the covers, my form shivering slightly as I felt the cold coming from him. I pressed myself against him and rested my head on his arm.
"I'm sorry, Ethan. I know that you want nothing but the best for me and I know how much you care. I really feel messed up right now and I would really like it if you would just understand me. I don't really know what's gotten into me but what I do know is that I don't want you to be mad at me," I whispered in his ear. Without meaning to, I shivered. That must have melted his heart.
"Get dressed, Leah. You'll catch a cold," he said as he turned towards me but he held me tight.
"What? I've slept every night for the last year with you without my clothes on," I pointed out.
"You're exhausted, Leah. Get some rest," he insisted. He did have a point. I yawned widely which made him laugh again.
"You're laughing. So I guess you're not mad at me anymore?" I asked innocently, softly caressing his cheeks.
"Can I stay mad at you?" he asked as he covered my face and neck with kisses. I laughed and well... You know what happened next.