AN

Hey everyone.

Heres the next chapter, which I hope you like! Reviews as always greatly appreciated! xxx

Leah's POV

As I sat in my kitchen, drinking coffee, I couldn't help but enjoy the silence of the house. It was so nice to be able to think clearly without my pack causing havoc in the background.

I twirled the spoon in my cup and watched as the black water mimicked a tiny whirlpool. Part of me wished I could be sucked into the murky void, if only to avoid reality.

The problem was that yesterday's conversation with Jake had given me a lot of things to dwell on. Of course, they were all associated with Cris - the biggest factor being that my apology was well overdue.

It was so frustrating, but I really didn't see any other way to fix things. I had really fucked up, and the fact that Cris hadn't spoken to me since 'the incident' confirmed just that. Sure, I could have just picked up the phone, but I figured he was pissed off with me, and with the funeral and his pack in emotional turmoil, I didn't really think my groveling would register on his list of priorities. However, the funeral was yesterday and he still hadn't called.

I knew that I was probably overreacting and perhaps being mildly obsessive, but I needed Cris in my life.

Ok, so maybe 'need' was the wrong word. After all, it wasn't 'need' in the sense that I needed a man. I mean, despite feeling lonely, I knew that Cris wasn't the cure. In reality, my problems were much deeper than that and I had to learn to make myself happy before I could rely on anyone else to.

Ironically, it had been Cris who had taught me this. He had shown me that the only way I could move forward was to fix myself, and that regardless of who was to blame for my problems, the end result was that it was my life and I was the person controlling it.

So, no, I didn't 'need' a man. Perhaps 'wanted' was more appropriate. Yes, I wanted Cris in my life.

And, on that note, my head looped back around to the concept of apologising.

I knew that I was only avoiding it out of pride, but I also appreciated how stupid that was because I seemed to be the fool suffering as a result.

Was it really that hard to admit I was wrong?

Yes, because I was the coward, not Cris.

I had pushed him away out of fear and hurt. He may have rejected my advances, but I rejected his friendship and basically spat it back at him. Now, I had to face up to the fact that this might be the time he didn't accept my apology and realised what a bitch Leah Clearwater really was.

I took another sip of my drink, only to find it had gone cold. It seemed to signal the end of my reflective time and left me with a decision to make. Frustrated, I walked over to the sink, where I tipped the coffee out and rinsed my mug. At the same time, I hesitantly looked over at the phone.

After reminding myself of how ridiculous I was being, I eventually reached out and removed the receiver from the handset. I noticed my hand was unsteady as I dialed Cris's number and lifted the phone to my ear, but somehow I figured it was better to just get the whole thing over and done with.

After several rings and anxious seconds, I began to think that no one would answer, but that was cut short when a cheery male voice suddenly picked up.

"S'up?"

I guessed it was Corey because his voice was similar to Cris's - not quite as deep, but of the same familiar husky tone. It was a welcome sound, but not a substitute for the real thing and it only made me more nervous. I took a breath so that I could try and sound as casual as possible.

"Hey, Corey? It's Leah. Is Cris about?"

Surprisingly, at the sound of my voice, he snorted down the line. "I just knew it was too good to last."

"Excuse me?"

Corey completely ignored my question and continued. "What do you want, Leah?"

I patiently repeated myself. "I need to talk to Cris. Is he there?"

This time I was met with a bitter laugh. "Why can't you just leave him alone?"

"Sorry?" I said taken aback again.

"You might be a lot of things Leah, but thick as shit isn't one of them."

I couldn't believe the venom in his words. It was completely unexpected and uncalled for, and there was no way I was going to stand for it. "What the hell is your problem? Why are you acting like a dick all of a sudden?"

"Sorry. I thought 'dick' was a language you understood," he hissed.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself - I was pretty sure the little punk had just called me a whore. I felt the handset creak at the same time and immediately unclenched my hand before I crushed it. I decided to give him one last chance. After all, I didn't need to add an argument with Corey to list of problems between me and Cris.

"Corey, I don't know what is going on here, but I promise you that that was the first and only time you will ever insult me and get away with it. Now, if I was you, I'd shut my mouth and get Cris before I change my mind."

"You think you scare me, Leah? You're nothing to me. Cris, however, is. So, I suggest if you have something to say, you say it to me, then, I'll see about getting my brother."

"This is none of your business!" I snarled, infuriated with the fact he was challenging me. This was only ever meant to be a simple phone call and an apology, but instead it was quickly heading towards a full blown argument with another pack's beta. I already knew that Corey didn't back down from fights, but neither did I and that didn't bode well for either us.

"Actually, I'm his beta and his brother, so this has everything to do with me. Why do you even want to talk to him anyway? Haven't you made him miserable enough? What, you just want to kick him while he's down? Pull the heart strings a little tighter and then crush him even more?"

I was suddenly not as angry, as I understood why he was so pissed at me, "Corey, I…"

"No, you don't get to speak yet! You asked what my problem was, Leah? Well it's you and all of your death and drama. Cris doesn't need it, nor does our pack. I couldn't see it before, but we were stronger before we went La Push. Life was simple and easy, but now it's all falling apart and somehow it all seems to lead back to you. I mean, what is he? The third alpha you've gotten involved with and driven away? Whether you do it deliberately or not, you're no good, Leah."

'You're no good, Leah.' His words hit me deeper than I would ever admit. I had heard similar things slip from the pack's lips in the old days, and I thought I'd been moving past it. I let out a deep growl. I was moving past it, and Corey was wrong.

"Corey, I get that you're angry with me, but you don't know everything and you have no right to judge me."

"Sure I don't. You seem to forget that I patrol with Cris regularly and see his thoughts and memories. I know you better than you think, Leah, and I definitely know my brother. You've got a nerve to even dare to call up my house and tell me that I don't have a clue what's going on! You are the outsider here, not me and you certainly didn't see the fallout of your argument with Cris. I'm simply trying to do some damage control here, so don't make me the bad guy - I'm not who I used to be."

What exactly had happened after my argument with Cris? Were things in Barrow that bad? Was it really all my fault?

I mean, I had never even considered that Cris would be upset after our fight and just assumed he was pissed off with me. Somehow, I had forgotten that his calm persona was simply a shield he projected, and in turn, ignored the fact that there was a man beneath the alpha. I was so self-obsessed that I had been completely ignorant of his needs and feelings.

Corey had been the one to pick up the pieces and he was letting me know he wasn't happy. Granted, he was being an ass about it and I didn't like his attitude, but I also knew how I would feel if it was Seth.

I thought about Corey's last words 'I'm not who I used to be.'

I felt my anger lessen. "Yeah, well, neither am I, but it's not that simple, and believe it or not, I was actually calling to apologise."

"Really?" he said sarcastically.

"Really." I reassured him, calming myself even more.

It was Corey's turn to sigh, it sounded submissive. "Did he ever tell you why he called you 'Sura'?"

"No," I said, caught off guard by the question.

"It actually means 'green leaf and new life', and he picked it carefully because your spirit name is supposed to define you. Cris believes that you deserve a fresh start and the chance to be whoever you want to be without judgment. It is his way of giving you a clean slate because he believes in you. You therefore have the power to disappoint him. I've done that enough for the both of us, so please Leah, apologise and back off. Don't make whatever it is between you anymore than it is."

I had never imagined Corey could be so serious. I could handle the argumentative side of the conversation, but was completely unequipped to react to what he had just said because I barely knew him. Maybe that was another mistake on my part. After all, Cris had integrated himself into my pack, and he and Seth were thick as thieves. In return, apart from knowing about the relationship problems between Corey and Cris, I actually knew nothing about Corey as an individual. The more I considered this, the more I realised that I had ignored so many things that didn't revolve around me.

I didn't know what to say. What else had I missed about Cris's life?

"Thank you," I said softly and surprised myself.

Corey was clearly confused. "For?"

"Being honest, and I owe you an apology as well because I haven't really gotten to know you, and well, I kind of just thought you were an obnoxious little brat, and you're not. Your approach is somewhat misguided, but it reminds me of myself in some ways."

"A misguided brat, huh? I guess that's fair." He laughed uncertainly, breaking the tension. "And I thought you were a bitch. Maybe I was wrong too?"

I smiled into the handset. "I wouldn't go that far."

There was a slightly awkward pause.

"Right, well, I guess I'll go and get Cris."

The handset hit something and the sound of Corey's footsteps trailing off into the house were clear. While I waited, I nervously twisted the telephone cord around my fingers. After a few more seconds, I heard the handset being picked up again.

Cris's deep voice spoke down the line. "Hello?"

"Cris?" I answered, somewhat desperately and clutched the handset tight in my hand.

"Oh… Leah, hi,"

"You sound surprised," I said, slightly taken aback.

"Sorry, Corey didn't say who it was. I was expecting it to be someone about the funeral or something." He sounded extremely tired, and I felt incredibly guilty.

"Sure, I get that."

There was another awkward pause, similar to the one between Corey and I.

"So… how are you?" I asked hesitantly.

"Err, I'm fine. I actually have some stuff to do though so I can't really talk right now."

I really hadn't anticipated this kind of reaction from him, even after Corey's verbal assault and unexpected tongue lashing. Cris seemed extremely distant, and once again, I had no idea about how to react. It wasn't even like he was being indifferent towards me - that I was used to. I realised just how badly I needed to fix things.

"Cris, I just wanted you to know I'm really sorry."

He let out the biggest sigh, "Leah, let's not do this dance. You've got nothing to be sorry for."

"Don't say that because I have. We are both adults and accountable for our actions, so I'm sorry. I should never have spoken to you in that way. You've done so much for me and I know how hard things are for you right now and I made them worse."

"Leah, this really isn't the time." He said quietly, but his voice had at least softened.

"I know and again, I'm sorry. I just don't want to lose you…" I tried to explain.

"Leah, I appreciate you calling, I really do, but everything here is one big mess and I need to focus on my pack. I can't be having this conversation right now. I have enough going on between pack duties and family feuds without adding 'us' to the mix."

"Oh, of course." Things were obviously getting him down, and while I tried not to take it personally, it still hurt that he was shutting me out. I hated myself for causing it and had to make up for it. "Cris, let me help. Maybe I could come up and cover some patrols?"

"Leah, no, you have your own duties," he said firmly.

"That's fine. The packs can cover them. It doesn't have to be for long. It's the least we all can do." I reassured him. I would honestly keep out of his way. I just wanted to make his life easier.

"Honestly, Leah."

"Please, Cris? You are the one who always wants to be objective. I'm talking alpha to alpha here. Christ, I'll send Seth or Embry if it made it less awkward?"

"It doesn't matter who you send Leah, I don't want any of you to come here. You're missing the point. Right now, I can't handle this."

"I don't understand. Handle what exactly?" I asked confused.

"This – even now, you are questioning me and arguing. Leah, I …"

Cris's voice trailed off as a howl filled background. "… Fuck…" he cursed, which was incredibly rare, "… Look, I really am sorry, ok? I will explain, just not now. I've got to go. Corey is calling me and it sounds important."

And that was it. I was left with nothing but a dead line. I looked at the receiver in disbelief. He had hung up on me. I just hoped everything was ok. Corey's howl worried me. Hell, the whole conversation worried me and not to mention left me feeling totally dejected.

What in God's name was going in? How bad could stuff be in Barrow? Cris always had his head screwed on. He was the most stable person I knew. Had it really gotten too much for him?

All of the sudden the familiar howl of my own pack echoed through the forest behind me. I looked at the phone and cursed everyone's bad timing. Before I could even react, a second howl quickly erupted. That one belonged to Seth, and I was damn sure the first was Embry. I quickly threw the phone down and darted to the back door. However, just as I was halfway down the steps into the garden, the handset started to ring. I hesitated, considering it could be Cris or one of the other packs and started to walk back. My hand was an inch from the receiver when Seth let loose an even more panicked howl. I knew where I needed to be and so without further thought I turned my back on the phone and flew into the forest, quickly stripping and phasing.

"Leah!"

Seth, Quil and Embry's thought's were a frantic jumbled mess.

"Embry?" I questioned, trying to clarify who had just called out to me.

"Leah, thank god! Quil's under attack. We're on our way to him."

"Where is he, Em?"

Quil answered for himself; "I'm at mine. I don't know what's going on! There are vampires all around the house. I don't know what they want. There's too many. I can fight them, but I can't win! Leah, you've got to help me, Claire's here."

He flashed me an image of Claire huddled in the bath, terrified. He appeared to be blocking the doorway. As he swung his head around, his ears picked up the smashing of glass downstairs.

"They are inside."

The fear he felt for Claire was almost overwhelming. I tried to block it out to focus on my brother. "Seth, where are you?"

"I'm heading over now. I'm coming from Forks, though." His mind was full of worry.

I quickly calculated how long it would take him to get here. "Shit. It's going to take you forever… Embry, where are you? Please say you're closer?"

"I am, but I'm still the opposite end of La Push."

Quil's voice suddenly became louder. "Guys, they're moving towards the stairs. I can't fight them AND protect Claire."

"It's ok, Quil. I'm going to be there soon." I reassured him.

Judging by my already full-out pace, I would be there within three minutes. Embry would be there in another five, and Seth would reach us shortly after.

I tried to push myself even faster, if possible."Quil, how many?"

"I… I dunno. It all happened so fast. There's at least two in the house, and I think I can smell them outside too." His thoughts turned to anger and despair as he started viscously growling at the closed bathroom door. I could tell the vampires were just behind it. Suddenly, his mind went blank and he appeared to resolve himself to the situation. "Leah?"

"Hang on, Quil, I'm closing in, ok?" I shouted, unsure of where his thoughts had gone.

"Yeah, bro, us, too. It's gonna be fine." Embry added, also uncertain of what his pack mate was thinking.

Quil ignored us both. "Whatever happens, save Claire!"

"Shut up and don't talk like that." Seth suddenly bellowed.

"Quil, just hang on." Embry pleaded.

"Embry's right, hang on. I'm a minute out." I begged.

He seemed to have lost all sense of self preservation, focusing only on his imprint. We understood, we all loved Claire, but he was as important to us, too.

"I'm being realistic guys. She's just a kid. Please just…"

He was cut short as everything turned into madnessand the bathroom door splintered to shreds. Quil's menacing growl reverberated around the tiled room. I had never known him to be so dangerous and uncontrolled. In letting himself go, the wolf had taken over and the only clear definable thoughts were of Claire.

I watched on as the first dark-skinned Leech moved into the room, the light from the window highlighting him like a spot light. He seemed to assess Quil, and then an ugly smile appeared on his face as he looked over his head, at what I assumed to be Claire. Quil snarled once again in protest, and fixed his stance so that there was no way past him to her.

It was horrible, like watching a car crash in slow motion. Despite the speed in which the forest was blurring past me, I was mentally in two places. One part of me was watching every log, branch, bush and brook ensuring I maintained my speed and didn't trip. I felt somewhat encouraged as I was nearing Quil's house and the trees were starting to thin out. The other part of me was fixed upon the scene unfolding at the Ateara's.

The leech had just thrown himself at Quil, trying to push him out of the way. I was pleased to see that it didn't work and that Quil had instead repositioned himself in such a way, that only one leech could fit in the room at a time. That was good – for a minute at least it was one on one, although I knew it wouldn't be for long. I suddenly felt Quil's disgust as he bit the leech and tasted blood… "more half-breeds" all of us thought simultaneously.

Quil suddenly became more confident about the fact that they were part human.

"Quil, don't be. They are just as strong." I yelled. "Forget fighting. -Can you get out?"

"No. Even if I could I'm not fast enough to get Claire away safely. I …"

Right then, the leech tackled him again, but this time Quil shook him off and the half-breed took out the bathroom sink and shattered the mirror. Glass flew everywhere and Claire screamed. Quil glanced her way briefly to see that she had been cut in the wreckage. She still sat in the tub fortunately, but her body was stooped over, and she was holding on to her arm as the blood trickled down it. Quil looked back to the leech, as the scent of blood filled the room – the blood sucker was very quickly reacting and becoming even more feral and unpredictable in his eager movements. He hissed at Quil, and then to the my horror, the bathroom wall suddenly collapsed and the second leech moved into the room as well.

I had just reached the backyard and considered I would be able to help, but came face to face with three more half breeds moving into the house. They had their backs to me, but I let loose my own snarl announcing my arrival.

I had already decided to fight them. Even if I was out numbered, it gave Quil better odds.

Crazy, huh? But, I figured two against one was better than five.

"Yeah, well what about three against one, Leah? Just get Claire and Quil and then get out of there!" Seth was yelling at me.

"Leah, I'm almost there." Embry added, trying to get me to hold back from attacking directly.

Claire's crying was still ringing in my ears, as the three half-breeds turned to face me. To my disgust, I noticed the only female present also happened to be my old friend (let's call her 'Morticia' for the time being). If I thought it was personal before, then that was nothing. This bitch was threatening my pack for a second time – oh no, that was not going to happen!

A yelp suddenly filled my head… Quil. His leg had been broken by one of the half-breeds, and while his heavy form was now pretty much covering the bath tub, he was being closed in on. I realised there was no time to fight. Seth was right – get Claire and Quil, and get out.

Seeing the three half-breeds moving away from the house and circling in around me, I judged my speed against theirs. 'Morticia' had been no match against me before, and I doubted the male blood suckers would be. Putting my whole strength into my front paws, I charged forward. All three flew at me, but somehow I managed to avoid their claws. I did however feel a chunk of my fur being ripped out – it was that close.

I quickly flew through the back door, into Quil's kitchen. I forgot the floor was marble effect though and my sharp claws sent me skidding across it. With a thud my body slammed sideways into a cupboard, but I quickly scrabbled up and threw myself at the stairs. I'm pretty sure that I took them in one jump, and thanks to Quil's vision, I knew what position the leeches were in.

I continued my pace, using my weight behind me. I sighted the demolished bathroom and the leeches trying to get hold of Quil and charged. Quil was holding them off, with his jaws continuously snapping at them anytime they made a wrong move. He had already managed to detach a few chunks from them, so they were being more cautious now and seemed oblivious to my presence. I took the one closest to Quil first, jumping on his back and sending him tumbling into the other half breed. While the other turned to attack, I remained latched on to the big guy and started making my own dents in his wretched body. I had him pinned on his front, so that he couldn't bite me, but the fucker was strong and I was struggling to keep him down. Quil meanwhile had regained his footing and was keeping the other guy off me. I felt like we were getting somewhere, when I heard the other leeches entering the house. Suddenly however, Embry and Seth's howls filled the house. They had somehow arrived together, Seth had to be getting faster. The noise proved to be a distraction and concerned that I would soon be faced with more leeches, I quickly ripped off the head of big boy and tossed it away. There was more blood than I had anticipated, but I didn't care he was dead. I looked up to see Quil had made a matching mess of his kill. We immediately turned to the stairs ready to face the next wave. Quil limped over and joined me shoulder to shoulder.

"Thank you," he said solemnly.

"Leah? Quil? Are you ok?"Seth was scrabbling up the stairs towards us.

I panicked, "Where are the other leeches?"

"They fled the minute me and Embry arrived. He's outside making sure they don't come back." Seth tried to move in and nuzzle me. I shook him off. The black haired bitch wasn't getting away a second time. Without anymore thought, I threw my body out of the already broken window. I felt some of the remaining glass tear at the underside of my belly, but I didn't care.

"Leah, come back." Embry was on my tail as I flew into the woods.

"Embry, keep up. Seth move your butt. We need to finish this. Quil, look after Claire." I ordered.

I felt Embry keeping up and despite Seth's protest, he copied my move and jumped out of the window. Once again though, neither of them could maintain my speed. I didn't want to lose them, but the scent was getting fainter and I was worried it would disappear again so pushed myself once more. I was soon strides ahead of my pack and caught a flash of clothing flying through the forest ahead. I felt smug.

"Leah, wait, we are nowhere near yet." Seth cried.

"I'm not losing them." I reiterated. "They have been messing with us for too long."

I had the taste of blood in my mouth. Even in that moment, I considered how the thought of killing a half-breed had once upset me, but somehow, I was well over , I was so focused on this and the leech I could glimpse ahead, that I failed to see her coming at me until it was too late. She came at speed from the left - she was so close that I had no time to dodge her. As her body hit my ribs side on, I felt something crack under the pressure and once again, the air was pushed from my lungs. I gasped for air, the wolf pushing itself up as her fist punched my head and sent me flying into a nearby tree where I collapsed. Half-breed or not, this bitch was strong.

I lay panting in a heap, my pack brothers crying my name. Seth's thoughts and panic were the strongest. The bitch, meanwhile, towered over me grinning before slowly crouching down. I tried to snap at her, but she only punched my head again. Instead, I desperately pushed myself up, but quickly collapsed. My body was struggling to move, which wasn't surprising since I was injured before Morticia caught up with me. Clearly, her kick and punch had been too much and my body was trying to heal as quickly as possible. She cocked her head as if she was trying to work me out.

"You know…" she whispered, although she seemed to be talking to herself, "… I really don't see why Daddy is interested in you or that half-breed. I mean, he really wants that pathetic little brat, but you … well, I just don't get it. You're lucky… at the minute, you're a candidate. You better just hope you stay on that list, because if your little name ever gets crossed off…" She sliced a finger across her throat in a menacing fashion.

My energy was quickly returning, but as I went to leap at her, she spun around and quickly flew into the forest. I moved to chase her, undeterred but felt something else slam against me.

I looked up to see a sandy wolf growling at me. "Oh, no, you don't!"