CHAPTER 45

Leah POV:

I lay still until I was sure he was gone. It was a very strange encounter we had. He seemed so gentle with me. Not at all the monster who had killed the campers, and that man at the lake. I felt very curious about him, but I wasn't curious enough to stick around.

It had been quiet now for some time. I wanted to wait to be sure before I busted out only to be caught again. I sneezed again and thought I better get away from this hay. I got to my feet and backed up slowly then took off at a run. I smashed through the side of the barn and pieces of wood went flying everywhere! I had a few big splinters in my fur, but I would worry about that later.

I kept running until I came to a clearing where I slowed down to try and get my bearings. I had no idea where I was! I looked around and tried hard to recognize something. I knew every inch of the reservation. If I was still there, I would know it. But I quickly realized that I wasn't on the reservation. I looked up at the sun and tried to get a direction. It was lower to my right, so that was west. Now, which direction should I go in?

I didn't want to stand here too long in case this thing was still around. I decided to head south, because in the past, this thing had disappeared in the north. So, I turned and ran south and prayed I was running in the right direction.

Embry POV:

I finally had it – Leah's scent! I picked it up and joined Jared and Paul. "I found her scent! Have you found anything else yet?"

"No, dude. Just the scents – hers and that . . . thing's!" Paul was out in front running like a wild man. He was really itching for a fight with this thing. Right now I was more worried about Leah, but I, too, wanted this thing to suffer. We made our way quickly through the bushes and trees when all of a sudden, Paul slowed way down. We almost ran into him. "What's up?" Jared wanted to know. Just then, Jake finally caught up to us.

"Look over there. That old barn, with the side busted out!" There were pieces of wood everywhere, so it had happened recently. We all fanned out and looked for Leah. I ran up into the barn and sniffed. She had been here alright. Her scent was everywhere. I spotted what looked like fur hanging off one of the wood pieces. I moved over and sniffed. It was Leah's fur!

Paul, Jake and Jared came running and sniffed. "You think she busted out?" Jared asked.

"Looks like it! Way to go, Leah!" Paul chimed in. There was no one else around, but the other scent was here. It was strongest outside the barn door. It had been here recently.

"I'm going to follow Leah's scent." Like they couldn't guess that.

Jake added, "Wait! I'm going with you! Paul, Jared, see where that other scent goes." I didn't even wait for them to answer. I was hot on Leah's trail!

Leah POV:

I was still heading south and the land was still foreign to me. I tried to pick up on any of the pack's scents, but I was having trouble. I knew they were probably spread out everywhere looking for me. I should be able to pick up their thoughts, too. I had slowed down to a trot when I started to recognize where I was. I was really thirsty so I as soon as I sensed water, I ran toward it. It was a little stream and I leaned down and started lapping thirstily.

"Leah! I'm coming for you! I can hear you!" Embry.

"I'll wait for you. For some reason, I'm a little disoriented. I was in a barn and I think the hay has made my allergies kick in. I can't seem to pick up scents and I have no idea where I am. I headed south from the barn." Just then, I sneezed. Not just once, but three times.

"We saw the barn. Did you bust out?"

"Yea, I did. I think I still have wood in my fur."

"I found your fur on some wood there. I'm following your trail. Stay low, baby. We still don't know where this thing is. Jared and Paul are following that trail."

"OK." I finished drinking and jumped into the stream to hide my scent. It was shallow so I walked along it a little ways then found a place in the brush to lay down and stay out of site. I hoped that would be enough protection.

"Good thinking, Leah. Jake and I are on our way, but I'm not sure how far behind you we are. Sit tight. I'm so glad you're alive! I miss you so much."

"I miss you, too. It hurts so much to be so far away from you."

"Yea, me, too."

I hunkered down and waited. I hoped it wouldn't be long.

Embry POV:

I was running as fast as I could. I could sense the water - we must be close to the stream. I could hear it now. "Leah, we're very close to the stream."

She didn't answer. "Maybe she fell asleep." Jake suggested. We padded up to the stream and Jake leaned down to lap up some of the water. I was looking up and down the stream to see where Leah was hiding. I saw the little place in the brush that she had seen so I jumped into the stream and made my way to it. Jake followed.

All of a sudden, I picked up the other scent! So did Jake. I jumped into the place in the brush where Leah was hiding to find it empty! "What the fuck! This is it! It's still warm from where Leah was laying. Leah! Leah, baby, answer me!"

Nothing. What the fuck is going on? I was so close to finding her, and now . . . she's gone again.

I let out this horrible, mournful howl. I couldn't take this anymore. I felt myself just fall apart. I flopped over where Leah had just been and inhaled her scent. Leah, oh Leah. I can't take this. I need you. I NEED to find you!

"Embry, come on, bro. Keep it together. They can't be far! Let's go!" Jake pushed at my head with his nose. I knew he was right. I was just exhausted and so very afraid that I would lose her. Jake bumped me again, harder this time.

"Get your ass up, Em! Now!" I stood up and shook my head to clear it then we moved out to try and pick up the trail. Just then, Paul and Jared came running up. "This is where the trail led. How did you miss her?"

Jake showed them. "Let's go!" We fanned out and found the scents. We followed them south then they turned slightly to the west. They were headed for home! Did this thing know where we lived?

"I don't know, but we better hurry and find out!" We picked up the pace. "Sam? You out there?" Jake tried to reach him to warn him. Must be in human form or he would have answered. It was just us. We kept running and following the scent. I will find you, baby, I promise. I will find you!

Leah POV:

I opened my eyes to see the ground rushing below me. I was being carried again. Embry! No, not Embry. Oh, God! It found me! "Embry, come and find me! It has me again and it's carrying me."

"Leah! I hear you, baby! We are following you. We'll catch you."

I tried to see where I was. Everything was rushing past so fast it was hard to get any idea where we were. I didn't want to struggle and let it know I was awake. I was afraid it would squeeze me again and put me out. Find something, Leah. Anything to tell you where you are.

"Oh my God! This is the woods behind Sam's house! Embry? How does this thing know where Sam lives? Does it, or is it coincidence?"

"I don't know, Leah. We are almost to you. Sam must be in human form. He's not hearing us!"

I couldn't let this thing hurt Emily! I decided that I had the element of surprise, so I quickly moved my head to sink my teeth into this thing's neck. He reacted just the way I hoped and let go. I hit the ground and turned to get a good look at him. His eyes were black as coal and he snarled at me. Blood was running down his neck where I bit him. I crouched and made myself ready for an attack.

But he just stared at me like he was trying to figure out why I would want to fight him. I saw a sadness in his eyes. If I could keep him here for a little while longer, I hoped that Embry and the rest of the pack could catch up.

"Please be careful, Leah! We are almost there!"

I stared back and turned my head to the right slightly to show it I was thinking about what to do. He did the same. I wished I had a way to talk to him. Was there a human inside there like Josh? Or is this just some sort of hybrid monster?

He moved slowly toward me and I let him. For some reason, again, I didn't feel as afraid of him. I looked into his eyes and tried to communicate. He stopped in front of me and again reached out his hand and ran it down my head onto my back. He stared into my eyes and I felt him relax.

Just then Sam came bursting into the clearing and launched himself at the monster. "Sam! You idiot!" The monster just threw Sam to the side like he was rag doll. Sam jumped up and got into a crouch and growled. He looked over at me as if to say, "Why did you let that dog attack me?"

I stared at it and tried to make my eyes say, "Forgive me."

Sam growled again. "Sam, for some reason he doesn't know why I let you attack him. I had somehow managed to calm him."

"Run home, Leah, and phase. I don't want him taking off with you again! Go! Now!"

"No! I'm here to help. I'm a member of this pack, Sam. I'm not running anymore."

"Leah, that's an order!" Damnit! An Alpha order. Now I HAVE to obey. "Damnit, Sam!"

I turned and started to run for Sam's. I heard a yip as Sam had launched himself at it again and was swatted aside like a fly. I heard barks and knew that the rest of the pack had arrived. I kept running and was getting madder and madder at Sam as I ran. I should be there! I am a part of this pack! What if they kill this thing?

I tried as hard as I could to fight the order. I stopped running and tried to turn back. I felt a strong force pulling me toward Sam's. Damnit all to hell! I had no choice, so I turned back and ran as fast as I could for Sam's.

Embry POV:

All four of us arrived on the scene and launched ourselves at this thing. I had seen it slap Sam away like he was a bug! Paul was all over him, biting and trying to get a hold of him. Quil went for the legs and we had him on the ground. Five werewolves were too much for this thing. Fur and blood flew everywhere as we all tore away at him. Then suddenly, this thing stopped fighting. It was completely still. "Guys, back off!" Sam ordered, so we did.

We backed slowly away and took a look. This thing lay there, bleeding everywhere. His eyes were still open, and he was still breathing, but very raggedly. He looked at all of us warily. "What do we do with him?" Jared wondered.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Kill it!" Paul's thoughts shouted. He was chomping at the bit!

"Do you think there is someone in there, like Dad?" I looked at Sam.

"I don't know. I guess, I thought, maybe it might phase if there were."

"Does that change anything? It's killed three people, and kidnapped three women, including Leah! What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Paul was right. It would go on killing if we didn't put a stop to it. We had to think about this thing like we would a bloodsucker. But it was a lot harder, it being a sort of "cousin" to us. I felt for the person trapped inside.

"You think that person likes living this way? Didn't your dad say he wanted to die many times? We'd be doing this thing a favor."

I looked at Sam. He had his head down. The final decision was up to him. I looked back at the monster we all held captive. I stared into his eyes trying to find anything human in them.

"Wait!" we heard someone call out. "Don't kill him!" Dad? Sam's head snapped up and he looked over at me. Just then, Dad came running into the clearing. "Sam! Let me see him, please?" Sam looked at him and nodded. Then Dad looked up at all of us and said, "Embry?" I realized he had never seen me as a wolf. I nodded and he walked over to me and put his hand on my back.

"Leah is home, son. She's fine." I put my head down and he patted me and stepped closer to the monster on the ground.

He kneeled down and said, "Josiah? It's me, Josh Uley. Can you hear me? Can you understand me?"

Josiah? He knew this guy?

Dad went on, "If you can hear me, Josiah, just close your eyes and relax." The monster closed his eyes! "Good. You're hurt, but you will heal quickly. Just lay here and listen to the sound of my voice, OK?" He nodded. This was amazing!

I was going crazy right now. My body was pulling on me to run home to be with Leah. I wanted more than anything to hold her and make sure she was alright. But I was frozen in place by my curiosity at what my dad was trying to do. I slowly backed away and put a little distance between me and the pack. I stood there trying hard to decide what to do. Finally, I phased into human form and pulled on my shorts.

I walked back up to where Dad was and squatted down beside him. "Dad?" He jumped and looked back at me. "Embry! You scared me."

"Oh sorry! Um, you know this guy. How?" I asked.

"This is Josiah. He's my cousin on my mom's side. Your cousin. He lives on the Makah reservation. I ran into his brother, Jason, at the gas station in town. He told me that Josiah was missing." I looked over at Quil. That's who Dad had been talking to. He went on, "I asked him a few questions about Josiah, and started putting two and two together. I had this awful feeling that he might be the one we were looking for. I was trying to get in touch with Sam to tell him, but then Leah went missing, so I drove over to the house. I was there when Leah came in and told us what was going on."

I looked over at Sam. This was our cousin! We almost killed a member of our own family. "You told us that when you phase you hunt and kill. But, he only killed men. The women he took off with and hid. And Leah was in wolf form when he took her. Why?"

"Well, Josiah is young. Not much older than you and Sam. And I don't think he has been phasing for long. It's, um, well, he is looking for a mate."

My eyes grew wide in surprise. "What? Did you do that?"

"No, I didn't because I imprinted on your mom, remember? Some of our kind imprint, I guess, but most don't. And, so, some look for a mate. The first girl, I think he dropped because he knew he was being chased. The second I heard he hid in a cave, and he would have gone back for her except, I think he had his sights set on Leah. I don't know why."

He looked back down at Josiah who still had his eyes closed. His injuries were healing so fast! Practically right before our eyes. I didn't want him to heal fully and take off again. "Dad, he's healing really fast. I don't want to let him go so he can kill again, or . . . get to Leah."

He nodded and looked down at Josiah and said, "Josiah? Can you still hear me?" He nodded, but kept his eyes closed. "I want you to concentrate as hard as you can and try to phase back into being a human. I don't know if it's possible, but since your defenses are down and you can hear me, maybe you can do it."

I saw him squint his eyes like he was really concentrating. His hands had balled into fists. Dad took a hold of one of his hands and held it and said, "Come on, Josiah. Think 'human. I want to be human.' " He was shaking! He was really trying. "You're close, Josiah, come on! You can do it, boy!" Dad shouted.

The pack stayed close, just in case he went the other way. We all just stared at Josiah. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. I couldn't stand the thought of being trapped inside the wolf body. I loved that I had the ability to go back and forth at will. How horrible it must be for him . . . and for Dad.

Suddenly I heard Dad laugh and say, "You did it! I can't believe it. It worked!" Josiah sat up and looked around at all of us. "What's going on?" he asked. "Who are all of you and where am I?"

"I am your cousin, Josh Uley, and this is your cousin, my son, Embry. These wolves are members of the pack here in LaPush. Let's get you back to the house and I'll try to explain everything then, OK?" He just nodded and let Dad help him up. Dad walked him slowly back toward Sam's.

I looked out at the pack. They were all my brothers. They had put everything on the line to find Leah and I had no idea how to thank them. I said, "Thank you guys so much for everything you did to help find Leah."

Sam phased into human form and so did Jake. Quil followed, then Jared and Paul. They all quickly pulled their shorts on and we gathered into a sort of a circle. Sam said, "I'm proud of everyone here. But it wasn't just because it was Leah, dude. You know this pack will always fight for each other. This is a family. We will always be there for each other." We all looked around the circle. He was right. I would die for any one of these guys and I knew they would for me.

Sam came over to stand before me. "Little brother, I'm going to forgive you for the punch in the face. I know why you did it, and I would have done the same thing. I shouldn't have left Jake and Leah, no matter how much they bugged me to. That was my mistake, and I know I couldn't live with myself if Leah had been hurt. I gave you a promise and I broke it. I am truly sorry for that."

I looked him in the eye and said, "I know you are, Sam. But you have to know that I trusted you with the one thing that I love most in this world, and that's Leah. It will take me awhile to be able to trust you like that again. I hope you understand that."

"I do, bro." He put his hand on my shoulder. "I just want you to know . . . "

I cut in, "I know. You're my brother. I can be pissed at you and still love you."

He grinned and pulled me to him for a bro hug. "Good. That's good to know."

"And, speaking of Leah, I need to see her – NOW!" He smiled and shoved me. "Go!" he yelled at me as I ran toward the house.

Leah POV:

I made it to the house and stumbled in at the same time Josh arrived. I quickly told him what was going on, and he raced out of the house. Mom ran to me and pulled me to her and hugged me tight. "Oh thank God. Leah I was so scared!"

I held onto her and finally let loose the tears that had been threatening to fall all day. She held me as we both cried then Emily came up and led us to the couch. She sat down beside me and I fell onto her and cried some more. I told her that I wanted to stay and fight, but Sam had "Alpha-ordered" me home. "I am so pissed at him right now!"

She laughed and said, "What's new?" That made me laugh. It seemed Sam and I were always pissed at one another now. I guess that would be our new relationship with each other.

Seth came jogging down the hall and said, "Leah? You're back!" I stood up and he picked me up into a huge bear hug. "I'm so glad you're OK!" He set me down and I smiled at him.

"Me, too, little brother. Thanks for the hug. It's nice to know you missed me." He grinned at me then he looked at Emily and said, "Um, Abby finished her juice and she says she's hungry."

I looked at him and asked, "Abby? Who's Abby?"

Seth smiled and told me how Embry and Jake found Abby in the cave and how she was hurt so he carried her all the way here. Somehow I got the feeling that wasn't such a chore for him.

Mom stood up and asked, "How's her leg feeling? Better?"

"Yea, I guess," Seth answered.

"I'll go check on her. I think she just pulled a muscle. Nothing is broken. I'll take some ice in for it," she explained to me. Mom went to the freezer and pulled out a bag of ice and took it down the hall.

I looked at Seth. "So, you know her from school?"

"Yea, we have the same math class. I've checked her out a couple of times."

I nodded and smiled and he smiled back. I rolled my eyes. He was more and more like Embry every day.

Emily handed him a plate with a sandwich and some carrots on it. "Thanks, Em." He hurried down the hall to deliver the food to his "patient."

I told Emily I needed to clean up a little. She got me some clean clothes and I made my way to the bathroom. I stripped off my dirty, wet clothes and quickly washed up as best I could. I dressed in the clean clothes and took a brush to my hair. It was so ratted, I gave up and walked out and handed the brush to Mom. I sat down in a kitchen chair as she tried to get all the rats out of my hair like she did when I was little.

Emily brought me a bowl of vegetable soup and a cup of tea. I worked on that and tried hard to keep my mind off what was going on outside. I was so worried about Embry. He had been so close to me at the stream then . . . he had shown up and taken me again. I was worried about him, too. For some reason, I didn't want them to kill the monster either. Mom had finished with my hair, so I took the hair band from around my wrist and put my hair into a messy bun.

Just when I thought I couldn't take waiting another second, we heard Josh call from the porch. "Emily? Bring me a blanket please!"

Emily shouted, "OK!" and flew from the kitchen to the bedroom then went running back through to the porch with the blanket. I got up from the table to see what was going on as Josh walked inside with this young man, wrapped in the blanket. He was dark-haired and dark-skinned like us, but he looked very bewildered. "Can you get him some water, Sue?" Josh asked.

Emily had gone down the hall again, and I just stood there. Something seemed very familiar about him. Mom walked over to them and handed the man a glass of water. He guzzled it down and held it out to her. She took it and walked back to the kitchen as Emily walked out with some clothes and handed them to Josh. Just then the young man locked his eyes with mine. I knew those eyes! Josh gave him a little push and he then walked this young man down the hall into the bedroom and closed the door. "Who was that?" I asked quietly, even though I knew very well who it was. I felt so relieved to know they hadn't killed him.

Emily just shrugged her shoulders and said, "I suppose Josh will tell us as soon as he can."

I walked on out to the front porch and looked out to where I had run from. It was very quiet. I went to take a step off of the porch and I felt that force hold me back. Really, Sam? Now I was REALLY pissed at him.

I sat down on the porch swing to wait. I knew Embry would come as soon as he could. I didn't have to wait long! I saw him burst out of the woods and come flying through the yard. I stood up and went to the edge of the porch. "Leah!" he called out to me. And then . . . I was in his arms.

Embry POV:

"Oh Leah! Thank God you're alright," I said as I held her as tight as I could. She had wrapped her arms around my neck and I could hear her crying. "It's OK, baby. I'm here now." She lifted her face from my neck and I let go of her to take her face in my hands. I looked into her tear-filled eyes and said softly, "I love you so much, baby," then I bent to put my lips on hers. I moved my lips over hers and felt such relief fill my body. It was like a long drink of water after a trip through the desert. She must have felt it, too, as she leaned into me and kissed me back. We clung to each other.

I finally pulled back and looked at her and smiled. "You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

She smiled back as the tears ran down her face. "I love you, Embry. I don't ever want to be away from you like that again."

Just then, the rest of the pack walked into the yard. Leah wiped her face and looked out and I saw her glare at Sam. Uh-oh. I've seen that look before. She is pissed!

She waited until he got closer then she pushed herself away from me and launched herself at Sam. "What the hell, Sam? Giving me a fucking Alpha order to go home?" She put her hands on his chest and shoved him. "And then after I phased, I couldn't even step off of the fucking porch!" She shoved him again. "What was all that shit about treating me like a member of the pack, huh? First time we get into a fight, and you send me home like a baby? I had him calmed down, and I was communicating with him. I could have helped!" She shoved him a third time. "I will NOT put up with this shit anymore! I QUIT! OK? I quit the pack. I will sit here with Emily, and be a good little girl and wait for all you big strong men to come home. That's what you want, isn't it?" Sam just stood there. "Well, ISN'T IT?" she screamed at him.

I looked over to see Paul with a grin on his face, just loving every minute of this. Quil and Jared looked a little scared, and me and Jake were worried about how Sam was going to get out of this. Seth had come out from the house when he heard Leah screaming and had moved to stand beside Leah.

Sam looked at her and said, "No, Leah that is not what I want. Can we talk about this alone? I don't think we need an audience for this, do you?"

"I don't know, Sam. You might want witnesses around." Paul and Jared broke out laughing, and Sam glared at them.

"Come on, you guys. Break it up, OK?" Sam ordered. They all filed inside, except for me and Seth. Seth moved up behind Leah as if to say, "I got your back." She glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. Then she looked back at Sam. She crossed her arms in front of her and glared at him.

He had his hands on his hips and he said, "OK, Leah. You can be pissed at me, but this guy wanted you. Not any of us – just you. I knew that if you were still there, it would tempt him to get up, take you and keep going. I made an Alpha decision based on the situation, Leah. Can't you see that?"

He did have a point.

She took a deep breath and said, "Yes, I can see that. But it was humiliating, Sam! I can't stand being ordered home like a little kid! If this is going to continue then I am serious about not running with the pack. I will find another job for myself where I can help the pack, but I will not let you humiliate me again like that."

Sam took a step toward Leah and put his hands on her shoulders. "Leah, this is hard for both of us. You have a good point, but so do I. Today, I made the best decision for you and for the pack. Next time, it might not be that way. Every situation is different. I don't want you to quit the pack, OK? Can we please just settle down and take some time to think about this?"

She rolled her eyes at him and said, "Yes, I guess we can talk about it later."

He smiled and pulled her to him for a hug. "Thanks, Leah. Even though you're pissed at me, I'm happy as hell to see you." That made her smile. She hugged him back then he let her go. "Come on, let's go in the house." He walked up the steps and the three of us followed.

"Who's the guy Josh brought in with him?" she asked me.

I stopped at the doorway and said, "My cousin, Josiah." She looked at me curiously. "The monster we've been chasing is my cousin."