**All characters, with the exception of one, are © Stephenie Meyer. E.P. is all mine.

Chapter 6

"Stop Signs and Bridges"

Leah Clearwater had been exiled from her home and she was absolutely ecstatic about it…as ecstatic as a perpetually angry woman could be, that is. Since the day her long-time boyfriend, Sam, had imprinted on her cousin, Emily, Leah's life had been a living hell. Adding insult to injury, she had then become the only female werewolf in a pack of mindreading hormonal males, and her thoughts – often dark and menacing – were no longer her own. Finally, in what seemed the answer to her prayers, Jacob had broken away from Sam's pack and taken his rightful place as leader of his own pack during Bella's pregnancy a year ago when Sam had ordered him to help destroy Bella and her unborn hybrid. Leah had followed Seth into Jacob's pack relishing the peace of mind it brought her. Though tumultuous, Jacob's and Leah's relationship was comforting…no strings, no expectations…easy. So easy, Leah soon found herself in love with Jacob Black. He was loyal to a fault and never treated Leah like "one of the guys". He was respectful of her feelings and showed a real interest in her as a person. Though she was careful not to think about how much she loved him while in wolf form, she did allow him to see that he had become a very important part of her life. He was her best…and only true friend. Until the day Renesmee Cullen was born.

Jacob had imprinted on Bella's newborn half-breed and instantly, Leah was a has-been in his life. His whole world turned on Renesmee's very existence. The sun rose and set in her smile…her infectious giggle…her almond shaped chocolate brown eyes. It made Leah sick to her stomach to think that every time they phased, all Jacob could think about was Renesmee…Nessie. Even if his thoughts were anything but sexual, it was still disgusting. His utter devotion to her was truly nauseating.

Her plan had been foolproof. Leah had planned to befriend little Nessie and take her out hunting one day. Only on that day, Renesmee would have met a tragic end as a mama grizzly bear would have ripped her to shreds protecting the cub that the little girl was stalking as her prey. Leah would have been the perfect picture of guilt and remorse. Her injuries would have been so severe from trying to save the little freak-of-nature that no one would have ever suspected… damn that mind-reading bloodsucker! If only she had not forgotten that Edward was in the room the night of the fashion show. Things would have turned out a lot differently.

As it stood now, the leech had actually done Leah a favor. Her thoughts were finally her own. On the rare occasion that she phased to run with the wind and feel the freedom of the open wilderness, she was so far away from Forks no one could read her mind.

In the three months since fleeing Forks, Leah had actually experienced a few happy moments. She had found a job in Hoonah, a little town about 35 miles outside of Juneau, Alaska, as a fish packer in the local cold storage plant. It wasn't glamorous, but it allowed her to pay rent on a tiny furnished apartment and still have enough left over for a payment on a used car. Incredibly, she had made a few friends and managed to have a small social life outside of work… including a couple of guy friends she enjoyed spending time with when it was convenient for her. In fact, she was on her way this beautiful Friday afternoon to spend the weekend with one of them.

Leah probably would have noticed the stop sign if she hadn't been jamming to her favorite MuteMath CD. Even better, she more than likely would have heard the blaring of the squad car siren a lot sooner had she not been singing along, no…screaming at the top of her lungs. By the time she realized what was going on, the patrolman had pulled his car alongside hers and was angrily gesturing for her to pull over.

"Uh oh. Now you've done it!" Leah chastised herself as she immediately pulled the car off to the side of the road and fumbled around in her duffle bag for her wallet while absently hitting the power window button at the same time.

"License and registration, PLEASE!" The officer was definitely not in a friendly mood.

"Officer, I am so sorry! I wasn't…" As Leah finally wrapped her fingers around her floating wallet and turned to face the angry voice, her breath caught in her throat. Staring back at her with fury were the most beautiful emerald green eyes she had ever seen!


The exuberant feeling of utter abandon as his legs pumped like powerful pistons on a diesel engine and the wind bristled stiffly through his russet brown fur never grew old. He was as much at home in this body as he was in his human form…sometimes more so. The wolf was his escape – his solitude. When the pressures of the world became too much or the uncertainty of his future loomed darkly in front of him, he would run until it felt as if his lungs would burst.

Panting heavily, Jacob flopped down in the cool grass of the meadow, resting his mammoth head on his front paws. Seth sprawled out to Jacob's left while Embry stretched out to the right. Quil had promised to take Claire into Port Angeles to see the latest Disney movie, so he had not joined the pack for their Friday afternoon jaunt. The wolves had had it pretty easy since last January when the Volturi had tried unsuccessfully to wipe out the vampire-werewolf alliance in Forks. But, they still patrolled the perimeters around Forks, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious. On this cold December day, all was quiet…with one exception. The picture of calm on the outside, Seth was seething on the inside.

I can't believe she isn't even going to try and come home for Christmas! Mom is heart-broken!

Jacob growled menacingly in Seth's general direction.

She had better not come within a thousand miles of La Push OR Forks if she knows what's good for her. I'll rip her to shreds before Edward even has time to think about it!

Seth whined miserably and Embry nudged Jacob harshly with his nose.

Come on, Bro! Can't you see the kid's feeling bad enough as it is?…Leah is still his sister no matter what she's done.

Jacob really did feel sorry for Seth and Sue. Both were torn between loyalty to Leah and people they cared a lot about. Sue and Charlie were practically engaged, and her daughter had threatened to kill his granddaughter. Seth had developed a deep friendship with Edward and loved Renesmee like his own sister. But, Leah was his flesh and blood. Jacob sighed and laid his huge paw on top of Seth's.

I'm sorry, Seth. I know this hasn't been easy on you and your mom. I'll try to keep that in mind where Leah is concerned. But, don't expect me to give her a free pass back into the pack. She has burned that bridge as far as I'm concerned.

Seth turned his head around slowly, his soulful eyes boring straight through to Jacob's stubborn resolve.

Bridges can be rebuilt, Jacob.


Leah tried desperately to remember how the simple act of breathing had been possible before she laid eyes upon the uniformed man standing stoically beside the driver's side window of her 2003 Volkswagen Jetta. His hair was almost as jet black as the sleek outer shell of her car, and his skin – though lighter than her own – was a deep golden brown. He was easily well over six feet tall and his muscled chest and chiseled abdomen was perfectly defined under the deep navy blue of his patrolman's uniform.

As Leah handed him her license with a trembling hand, she noticed the name on his badge…Ethan Pelletier.

At that moment, all the anger she had ever felt towards Sam for leaving her behind for Emily melted away. Every shred of resentment she felt towards Jacob for his total devotion to Renesmee turned to empathy. She now understood how it felt for the sun to rise and set on the happiness and well-being of someone besides herself. All thoughts of life before Ethan were trivial…her life was no longer her own. It now belonged to the man in whose shining emerald eyes she had finally found the key that unlocked the window to her soul.

**A/N: Yes, this is an extremely short chapter according to my usual standards. Believe me; I tried every way I knew to "force" it into a longer version. But, the story just led me here…things have to be here in order to get where we'll be going next. I recently gave a fellow fanfic author advice and told her to "let the story lead you". So, I am heeding my own advice and ending the chapter where the story leads me to end it. Thanks for reading! I'll try to update ASAP!