AN

part 2 of 2. xx

Leah's POV

One Month Later . . .

"Seth! Where the hell is my purple blouse?" I was getting panicky, I couldn't find it anywhere.

"Calm down Leah! It's on the back of the kitchen door where you hung it." Seth, my normally patient and vibrant little brother, was just as anxious as me today.

I ran through the house in my pencil skirt and bra.

"Argh! My eyes! My eyes!" Seth shrieked.

"Grow up will you?" I snapped and managed to slap him round the head as I flew past.

I threw the shirt over my head and straightened myself up just as Quil and Embry walked into the kitchen and joined us.

"Well . . . how do I look?" I asked nervously.

"You scrub up good Boss." Embry grinned.

"Yeah, not too shabby Queenie." Quil nodded.

The boys had taken to calling me stupid names, since I became alpha; like always, I just rolled my eyes.

"Yeah Leah, you look fine. Now we've got to move or we'll be late." Seth said, shooing me out the door.

Unfortunately, he was right, but by the time we reached the car my hands were shaking so badly that I was struggling to find the key in my handbag. Thankfully, after a few minutes I located it, however in my rushed attempt to unlock the door I missed the key hole completely and dropped it.

I guess it was just lucky for me that my little brother was to hand. Tutting, Seth caught the key before it had even hit the ground. He then shoved me out of the way, unlocked the door and got in the driver's seat, gesturing for me to get in the other side. I was so incredibly nervous that I didn't have it in me to argue, and so I followed his instruction.

God, it made me realise just ridiculous this whole situation was!

I couldn't help it though - throw me into a pit of vampires and I'm fine, but put my art into a gallery and I turn to jelly.

As Seth drove, I tried to calm myself and thought back to how we got here:

Once Cris left, I had met up with the British lady and quickly put together more pieces for her gallery. She was really enthusiastic and had me working on more before any had even been sold. This afternoon was the opening day in Port Angeles, and as the artist it paid for me to be present. Seth was coming as my backbone.

I tried to take my mind off the somersaults my stomach was doing. It had been one month since I had been an official alpha and it was going well. No, that was an understatement. I was loving it and was starting to finally feel free of all the bonds that weighed me down before.

Although I missed him, Jake had left soon after handing over the ropes; it was definitely the right thing to do - we both needed to move on with our own lives and it was in some ways a fresh start for me.

I was still glad that we at least met one last time at mine; we spent the afternoon alone in my garden, talking and reminiscing, and it felt good to be laughing with him again without the previous tension. It was proof that I was letting him go on a positive note, not a conflicted one, and for the first time in years we were back on an even keel. We both knew where we stood and I was embracing my independence just like he was.

Besides, he was happy, and I would never begrudge him that.

So, after a sad goodbye and a pack send off, Jake had gone back to Denali with the Cullen's. We all knew it wasn't far and we would see him again, but it was bitter sweet. A part of our pack history had passed; Ephraim Black's heir no longer led us.

Since leaving, Jake had phased regularly and called daily for chats. He was no longer mentally connected to the guys, so everyone's means of communication had changed. As a result, my phone line was often engaged by the pack, who seemed to have taken up permanent residence at my house. It was obvious the old Jake was now back for sure; his happy personality shone through and, although the images I got of him and his imprint stung, I was glad he was getting his happy ending. He deserved it.

In reality, I actually missed Cris the most. Once again he proved to be a good man; the day after the porch he treated me like nothing had happened (and I suppose nothing did). The absence I felt when he left was still unexpected though.

I cared for him, but I never realised how big a part of my life he had become. He had made a gradual impression in my world and opened my eyes up. Like Jake, we also kept in regular contact, but it wasn't the same as being in his physical company.

Pleasingly, me and Cris had agreed to do patrols at the same time, and I was glad that the alpha link carried clearly over the miles between us. I knew from his mind and words that he was glad to be home and back with his pack; I could feel his pride every time he spoke about them. To his delight, things with Corey were also now much better and his brother was even taking on more responsibility. I knew that he would come back; at some point the rest of the pack wanted to meet us, but it could never be a permanent thing. His responsibilities were in Barrow and mine were in La Push.

In regards to my life, I was under strict orders to keep Cris informed of how the artwork was coming along. Even with the distance he was supportive and gave me the confidence to open my pictures up to the world.

There was one other significant change in my life too - Sam had stepped down not long after Jake. As a result, me and Jared were now working on improving the relationship between us, and Sam's absence was gradually making me less bitter and volatile.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot; one final bonus - Sam also quit phasing immediately, and with him and Emily gone, things with Paul and the imprints had even improved slightly. Sure, none of us were deluded enough to think we would ever be friends, or even anything close, but we seemed to have reached a silent agreement to lay off the catty remarks.

In summary, things were going well. I could report that no more strange incidents had happened and we hoped whoever it was had got bored and moved on. We maintained our patrol schedules however, and kept our eyes wide open. There was always someone watching the imprints as well due to the cubs taking a more active role in Jared's pack finally.

"We're here," Seth spoke out and stopped the car outside a large building.

The journey time had flown by and on this occasion it wasn't appreciated. I felt even more nauseous if possible, but Seth was by my door in an instant. He opened it and offered me his arm like a gentleman, which I accepted. To my further surprise he gave me a peck on the cheek.

"What was that for? Have you got a death wish?" I said in shock while laughing lightly.

"That was good luck from Cris."

He waited to see if I was going to hit him, but I was gushing to much just knowing that Cris had thought of me.

"When did you get so grown up anyway?" I gestured at his trousers and shirt as he led me into the building.

"When you weren't watching." He grinned. "You going to eat your tail now?"

I chuckled remembering our conversation on Clare's birthday. "Not just yet."

I gulped as we walked in through the front doors and saw the amount of people present. It wasn't just my work on show, but there were still more people here than I anticipated. I suddenly realised how out of my league I was and considered turning tail. Seth held my arm steady though, and I was relieved to see my Rep weaving through the crowds towards me.

She came at me at speed, wearing a tiny red dress and extremely high heels. I had to admit, I liked this woman. She was a bit loud and over enthusiastic, but she was genuine and honest, and certainly flamboyant. It amused me and was a refreshing change to the pack of dogs back home.

As she rushed up, she gave me a dramatic kiss on each check and started waving her arms around dramatically; "My dear Leah, so glad you made it! We have already sold two of your pieces. They are being received remarkably well. Such passion, such insight my darling! Bravo!"

"Wow, that's good right?" I was certainly shocked. It was amazing to think someone had actually paid money for something I made. I was desperate to walk around and see which ones had gone.

I heard Seth clear his throat uncomfortably, and noticed my rep was gawping at my brother much like a piece of meat. I forgot how much we all stood out when off the Reservation.

"Oh sorry, this is Seth my brother. Seth, this is Ms. Clara Reed." I introduced them, and they politely shook hands.

"So what now?" I asked nervously. I wanted to bite my nails, but I had put false ones on especially.

"You socialise darling. Walk, talk, stand by your art, enjoy the gallery. Do what you feel works! Now, I would love to stay and chat darling, but I must do the rounds." Clara patted me on the back and went off to greet someone else.

"Yes darling, let's go darling," my brother mocked.

I couldn't help but elbow him in the ribs.

All in all, the event went well. In total I sold 5 of the 8 pieces on display. I knew it wouldn't always be this good, it was an opening night and Clara had invited a lot of guests and clients to the showing. I still felt hopeful, and selling one, let alone five, pieces of my art ignited a flame in me that I had been missing for so long.

Seth took the wheel again on the way back - I was now too giddy to drive, and just sat staring out the window grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

My brother was just as happy for me, and we both knew the bills weren't going to be a problem this month. By the time we reached home it was early evening and I could tell from the car that Quil and Embry were already waiting in the house.

I looked at Seth and he laughed; "You're not coming in, you're going to do a patrol aren't you?"

"Yep." I grinned.

"Aw, Leah, you know they are waiting for you," he said in an amused voice.

"I know, but they can hear it all from you," I replied encouragingly.

Seth chuckled; "Fine, but make sure Cris knows you blew your pack off for him."

"Who say's I'm meeting Cris?" I faked offence at his assumption.

My little brother only response was to raise his eyebrows and get out of the car. I watched happily as he headed in doors, and took a deep breath before also getting out and making my way into the tree line. I threw all my clothes off and phased immediately.

"Shit, my nails!" I mentally cursed as my fake nails scattered the forest floor around me.

I felt someone else's mind laughing at me. I should have guessed he would be waiting for me like promised.

'Hey Cris.'

'Hey Leah!"

"How are you?"

"Forget that, how was the gallery?"

I could feel his enthusiasm and so I showed him the events of the night, all the while feeling like I was going to burst.

'Leah, that's fantastic. I knew you had it in you.' Every single thought he had was laced with pride.

I was sincerely grateful in return; 'Only because of you. I wouldn't have been there if you hadn't interfered.'

'What are friends for?'

Disappointed struck me at the word friends.

'Leah what's wrong?'

'Nothing.'

'You were ecstatic a minute ago, now you're sulking.'

I changed the subject; 'I pulled out the picture of Sam's eyes.'

'Really?'

'Yeah, I put it back in the memory box; I think it's what mum would have wanted, it's a footprint.'

'I think that was a good choice.'

'Thanks!'

'So what's next for you? When do you start jet setting?' Cris joked.

I was sure he was trying to freak me out; tonight was quite enough for me to adjust to, without even contemplating anything more. 'Hold up there, it's the first night, let's slow it down.'

Cris mentally laughed; it was contagious and I joined him.

'Ok, calm down Sura.'

'You came up with a name for me?' I was delighted. I liked the way they all had tribal names in the Barrow pack. I knew I wasn't one of them, but Cris was going to name me unofficially anyway.

'I said I would didn't I?'

'Well, what does it mean?'

'I'm not telling you that. There's no fun if I do.' Cris was enjoying himself winding me up. People had been wrong about him; when he wasn't acting as alpha he was fun. 'Want to run patrol with me?' he asked.

I wagged my tail, even though he couldn't see it, 'Sure, the guys can wait. Seth will have told them everything anyway.'

I took off running through the forest as dusk fell upon us and reveled at being part of Cris's mind, all the while absorbing the success of the evening.