Hey everyone,
Once again I'm apologising for the delay in updates. I have been so busy since Christmas with work and various other things that I've barely had anytime to write. Add to that a major case of writers block and things have been really bad.
I hope you like this chapter at least. Each one will now take it in turns going from one POV to another, so that you can see how everything is developing in La Push, Denali and Barrow at the same time. I hope it all makes sense.
Anyway, loving your feedback and reviews as always.
Cris's POV
I hung up on Leah and focused on the howl. It was Corey, and I could tell there was a problem so I flew out the door and phased.
I tried to forget the sound of Leah's hurt voice.
It wasn't the case that I couldn't forgive her, but I was being honest when I said that I couldn't handle talking to her right now. My pack, myself included, was still trying to deal with the aftermath of the funeral and support Lee, who had taken things worse than expected.
It was hard watching my pack mate be so distant. I understood that Lee needed space, but his own company was not doing him any favours, seeing as he was constantly blaming himself for Maxine's death. Lee was convinced he had failed Maxi as not only his cousin, but as a protector of Barrow.
I had tried to be patient with him and even took him off patrols, but he refused to rest. Instead, Lee was becoming obsessive in his duties and was constantly out scouting for any danger. He was ignoring everything else that was going on in his life, including the rest of his family, who were already fighting over Maxi's belongings.
In addition to Lee, I also had to deal with my generally somber pack. Therefore, when it came down to Leah, I hadn't had a chance to even process what had happened. I had to instead consider the guys the priority.
I didn't like to admit it, but since going to La Push everything and everyone seemed to have changed so quickly, and my pack were all still processing it in our own way.
Even when I'd returned the first time from La Push, it was different here. We'd learned more about who we were and the true nature of our enemies. The biggest adjustment however was going from such a small pack into a large network of shape shifters. It had caused a lot of conflict in our pack as everyone had reacted differently:
Corey had initially begrudged the life we had built in Barrow.
Lee, Alex and Dylan were jealous of being left at home.
Shay was now even more eager to fight and frustrated at the lack of danger in Barrow.
Jaden on the other hand just wanted life to go back to the way it was before. Unfortunately for him, now that we were linked with La Push, that was impossible.
I personally didn't mind the things that had come with meeting the other packs. I knew that Corey and I would have fallen out at some point regardless of the place or reason, and we really had made some good allies. There was also no way that I could ever regret meeting Leah, even with things as they were. She had changed my life in her own unique way. Sadly, I had let both of us become too emotionally involved and messed everything up. I'd ignored Jake's warnings and as a result not only hurt Leah, but unleashed something inside of myself that I didn't like.
The thing was that I had always been so in control of my life and emotions. Growing up, Corey often found it impossible to start a fight with me. I was not easily angered or offended. I kept to myself and took a logical approach to everything. It made me seem robotically cold sometimes, but I always had someone to look after and being dramatic was not productive. However, when I was around Leah, so much became blurred. There was no way I could ever control or predict her and I certainly couldn't stop the feelings she invoked in me. The way she made me feel scared me. I hadn't realised this until she called me a coward, and now that I was aware of the fact, I was running.
Why wouldn't I be scared, though?
Not only for the fact of hurting her, but because I was now emotionally invested in her. Imprinting, pack duties and past history aside, there was no logical or practical way for 'us' to work. At some point, one of us would always have to give something up to be together. That was if we didn't hurt each other first.
This whole situation was a prime example. Corey had just called me for help and I was still thinking about Leah. I was supposed to be the clear-headed leader of my pack and she had reduced me to constant pining and reasoning with myself. Even prior to this, my days had seemed to somehow revolve around when we talked or when I could patrol with her next.
My simple life had become one of chaos because Leah was essentially chaos – beautiful, feisty, intelligent, but deadly chaos. She had the power to destroy a person or make them feel special with just one look. She could hold the attention of a room out of fear or admiration. She was reckless and organised all at the same time. She was becoming the person she wanted to be and would no longer let anyone stand in her way.
Leah was someone I could admire and there was no way I could give her the life she deserved. I was poor, so poor that I could never give her a home like the one she lived in. I was also an alpha, so I could never guarantee to always be there. Plus, I was still a boy in so many ways, and she was an astounding woman that I couldn't compare to. I may have shown her the way to move forward in her life, but she had been the one to actually do it. I wanted her with every ounce of my body and soul, but all of these facts terrified me.
So, since it was all too much for me to handle at the moment, I was opting out, and no doubt she would hate me for it. It was impossible for me to feel any worse though. When I left her house that night, I left a part of myself behind.
"Cris, did you even hear me? The twins scouted out a leech," Corey yelled in my head.
"What?" I snapped in shock and immediately forced Leah to the back of my mind.
"Several leeches actually," Alex confirmed, with what felt like an edge of excitement.
"Up ahead on the horizon. There's at least ten of them, see?" Dylan added in much the same manner.
I calmed myself, hoping it would do the same to the twins. "I see movement. What are they doing exactly?" I asked.
I focused in on the small shapes in the distance. The leeches were miles from the outskirts of Barrow, but a definite threat as far as I was concerned. I also didn't believe in coincidences anymore and doubted that they were just passing through, after all it was nearing eight years since the last vampire and we were pretty much as far north as you could go.
Was this just another example of how things had changed since La Push?
For years we had lived a quiet existence, running regular patrols, but not having any enemies to worry about. We watched Denali and watched our borders, but the rest of the time, we tried to live our lives as normal as possible by just working and building up our small carpentry business.
"I don't know. They aren't hunting. They're just standing about," Dylan replied.
"Maybe they are waiting for sunset," I thought. It was the only reason I could think of which would explain why they were holding back.
"Well that's only minutes away. Then what?" Dylan asked.
"I don't know," I said, slowly making my way towards Corey, who was lying low halfway across the plain. I could feel everyone thinking around me as I finally came level with my wolf brother.
He looked up at me and then nodded towards some ferns a few miles out and under sunset. "Dylan and Alex are down there."
I scanned the ground for their small fox like forms, and was satisfied that they were well hidden. Suddenly, I felt several more minds shimmer in and join our conversation.
"What's going on? I heard Corey's howl. Don't tell me he got another thorn in his paw." Shay's playful booming thoughts came through loud and clear.
I also felt the sadness that came with Lee's mind and the patience of Jaden.
"We may have a situation. Dylan and Alex have scouted almost a dozen leeches far out on the tundra. They don't appear to be doing anything threatening at the moment, but we were just debating what to do," I clarified for everyone.
"Kill them all," Lee thought coldly.
"They might be passing through, or even have golden eyes?" Jaden queried.
"Somehow, I think the Cullens and Denali are the exception, not the rule, but it's a possibility." Corey flashed us an image of the leech that caused us to phase years ago. "Or, Cris is right; they are waiting for nightfall before they attack."
"We could always get closer and listen?" Alex suggested, and Dylan sent agreeable thoughts in my direction.
"Too risky," Shay snapped disapprovingly. "If anyone is going close, it is one of us older guys, not you cubs."
"Oh, yeah, because a mutant polar bear just oozes stealth, Shay," Dylan growled.
"Watch your lip, cub." Shay ranked higher than Dylan, and I felt the fox quiver at the tone of the polar bear's voice.
"Can you not fight for just five minutes!" I huffed, irritated by their timing.
Corey, who was ignoring the argument, spoke to me directly. "Well, there are several options. It could be that they are just nomads passing by, or even golden eyes, but worse case is that they are going to either attack the people of Barrow or are here specifically for us…"
"Which, considering recent events, seems the most likely." I finished off his sentence.
"Yeah." Corey nodded.
"Getting closer could be worth a try?" Jaden suggested as he swooped over me before landing on Corey's back.
My brother snorted and snapped at the owl, barely missing his feathers. "Must you?"
Jaden didn't even flinch. "You make a good perch, so button it."
I smiled at their interactions despite the circumstances. Suddenly, I felt the alpha link come into play. I knew that it wasn't the time to be speaking with the other packs though, so I blocked it before it took hold, enabling me to focus solely on my pack.
"Something is going on." It was an obvious fact, but I still shared it. "I don't want anyone getting too close, but Jaden can fly over safely."
"Isn't that too obvious? They would see me from miles out and immediately know we are watching. I hate to admit it, but Lee would be the most inconspicuous on this particular recon." Jaden showed me an image of him camouflaged against the ground, crawling forward.
"I will go." Lee confirmed, but his thoughts were dark and determined.
I didn't want to overburden him at the moment and part of me didn't trust his mental state. I felt his offence at my thought.
"I'm not crippled. I can do my job, Cris." He snapped.
I let out a sigh, knowing it was the most logical approach and that I had to trust him. He had never let me down before. "Ok, but be safe." I watched as he shot off from the right, his brown coat darting through the mossy undergrowth, in the direction of the leeches.
All of the pack silently waited. Only a few minutes later, he began his approach.
"That's close enough, Lee," I ordered.
"I can get closer," he shot back.
"No. Just relay what you hear," I confirmed.
I relaxed my mind and let it absorb Lee's fully, as he stretched out his long ears to listen. The scene in front of us started to unravel.
"Why did we have to come?" A teenage looking boy with bronze hair said angrily.
"Shut up. Joham will have your tongue if you don't quit your whinging." A female redhead with freckles threw back.
"Sorry. I forgot you love him and Sophia so much. Tell me though, why isn't she here if it's so important to deal with this good forsaken place?" he replied.
The female leech glared at him. "You know why, idiot! We have to make sure they don't leave."
"Well, why can't we just attack them like Anna's doing to that stupid bitch and her pack?" A small petite girl asked.
I flinched internally as I guessed that they were referring to Leah.
"They have no imprints. Didn't you guys listen to anything? The only thing we have to hold against them is their home and putting their people in danger. The shifters will undoubtedly try to save everyone, but they will fail and they will die." Freckles said exasperated.
"What about survivors?" the girl asked.
Freckles only grinned evilly. "You did say you were hungry."
"So what are we waiting for?" The boy suddenly seemed energized and keen to moving. I also noticed the other leeches moving in around their leader.
"A sign. Now hush, we are already being watched." The woman pointed in the direction where Lee was lying and nodded at several leeches, who immediately took off towards him.
I was already yelling and running towards where Lee was. I could feel his anger boiling over as the two leeches started to move in his direction.
"Lee, get your ass out of there now," I ordered, and noticed Corey was on my tail.
"We don't run from fights," Lee snapped, holding his stance and making it clear his hare form was not budging.
"No, but you are not a fighter," Corey threw back.
"I know," Lee finally agreed with our thoughts, "but, I do make awfully good bait."
I caught a hold of his thoughts, and although I didn't agree with them, I had to admit it was a good plan. I believed in Lee's speed and that was good enough for me. "Just don't wait too long."
The leeches were closing in on his hiding spot, so Lee stood up, making himself easily visible and started running in the direction of Corey and I.
I knew he was only at half speed, allowing the leeches a chance to catch him, but I was still anxious. The older male and female were closing in and while he was keeping himself just out of their reach, I knew he had no room for mistakes.
"Head to the crater," I ordered, and the whole pack set off in that direction.
Corey and I reached it first and slid down into it. We waited patiently and saw from Lee's mind that he was only a mile out. We couldn't hear his footsteps, but we could easily make out the dull thud of the vampires feet following him. After only a few seconds, Lee's small body flew over the edge and down the slope towards us. I felt the rest of the pack running to join us as the vampires followed him over the edge.
It was almost funny the way they froze at the sight of Corey and I. Lee was already scrambling up the other side and away from the fight at my command. Meanwhile, Corey and I were already instinctually circling our prey. We remembered clearly everything we had learnt in La Push and felt more than confident about taking out two leeches. It was almost easy - every time the dark haired leeches moved we mirrored them, every time they lunged forward we dodged them and attacked from another angle. It was like being back at the Cullen mansion, but this time it was all real.
I felt impressed as I watched Corey, getting closer and closer to latching on to the female leech, but dragged my focus away and on to my own enemy. I had ended up with an old guy with black hair. His clothes were incredibly dated and ragged and his breath smelt like rotten flesh. His eyes were also a deep crimson red and he was snarling through his bared sharp teeth.
I growled back in return and for a minute, we just stood analyzing each other. I was ready and waiting for his next move, and finally he made it. Lunging forward, arms extended and teeth gnashing, the leech came at me, trying to jump on to my back. Using my speed, I quickly dodged it, which sent him flying into the dirt. A small cloud of dust flew up around him as he turned and came at me once more. This time, I dodged him and certain of his movement, tore out a chunk of flesh from his hip. The vampire let lose a small whimper as he regained his balance. I noticed that the stone flesh in my mouth was just that – stone. There was no blood, which meant unlike Leah's recent run in, this was not a half-breed. Leaving me little time to consider this, the leech lunged at me once more. This time, as I went to dodge, so did he. Instead, his fingers dug into the scruff of my neck and his free hand started to scratch at my underside while his teeth tried to snap at my throat. Using my weight and shaggy coat, I easily shook him off and as he fell underneath me I reared up and crushed my paws down on him, engulfing his head in my jaws and detaching it in one swift movement. I threw the severed head to my left and laughed internally as I saw Corey back in human form, sitting patiently next to his already burning kill.
"You took your time."He grinned.
At the same time, I heard movement behind us and looked up to see my pack, who were still phased, and peering over the edge of the crater.
"We would have helped, but you seemed to have it in hand." Shay shrugged, his huge form shadowing us from above. "Nice work, by the way."
Corey was already adding my leech to the burning pile for me, and so I made my way out of the crater. I was unharmed, as was my brother, but I knew this was only the start of it. As I reached the top, a strong breeze ruffled my coat and I inhaled a deep breath. My nose was met with the smell of burning wood and flesh. I immediately turned my body towards home and let out a pained howl as the sun set. It was clear now what the leeches had been planning, and I realised that the two we had killed was nothing more than a diversion. Barrow was undefended and burning brightly on the horizon.
My whole pack, including the just phased Corey, caught my thoughts.
"Guys, we have to get home now." It wasn't an order, it was my only reaction.
Jaden quickly flashed us the memory of the female vampire speaking. "The shifters will undoubtedly try to save everyone, but they will fail and they will die."
"Anyone who wants to stay behind can, but I'm not going to just stand by and let our people be slaughtered," I snapped.
"Neither am I. I just…" Jaden's thoughts faltered.
"Stop." I growled. "There will be no goodbyes, ok?"
"Ok," all of my pack answered, the determination clear in their voices, before we took off side by side towards the amber flames and impending darkness of the night.
AN
I felt that I should add a little disclaimer here, because the burning of Barrow was actually an idea inspired by the end of 30 days of night, which is one of my favourite vampire horror films and I got very excited when I watched it recently and realised it was set in Barrow too!