A/N: Read, enjoy and don't think too much. Thanks you Ash for giving this one performing Beta duty.

Disclaimer: I own nothing; Stephenie Meyer created a wonderous playground.

Chapter 5 Na-Leah

Dayum, did you see that? Jacob was in awe.

No, I didn't see anything and I swear I was looking. I was still shocked. My human eyes were stronger than a normal human's eyes so I could track most movement. In my wolf form I didn't miss anything wolf or vampire but Nahuel was the exception.

Nate leapt lightly from the headless vampires back.

How'd he do that? I didn't know who asked, not that it mattered. I didn't have an answer.

"Sorry, Beautiful. I cannot believe I let him get that close to you," Nate apologized. I moved forward. "No, stay back. I do not want you near the head. Let me get the fire started."

The body stood motionless like it was rooted to the ground.

"I hate this part." Nahuel was speaking again. He set the head on fire with a lighter from his pocket. I expected flint and a stick or something. "Dismantling the body is distasteful but necessary, they burn better that way."

We will do that part, tell him. Sam announced through Jacob who seethed wordlessly at Sam issuing orders through him.

I ignored Sam and advanced instead. I gave Nate my toothy wolf grin, my set of choppers was better for dismantling than his.

I could tell from his stance that he was going to object but by then the boys had arrived. They rushed straight past me to tear the body apart.

Jacob and Sam hung back. They had some questions.

I don't know what I saw. I told them.

Both alphas gave the order to phase. I nudged Nate and he followed me. Once we were out of sight I phased and quickly took the dress and extra panties Nate was holding out for me.

"Nate what did we just see?" Sam started off only to be interrupted by Embry.

"It's Na-Hu-el and you didn't see anything, neither did we," Embry bristled against Sam. There was always some drama; usually I started it, but not this time. Sam became convinced Embry had to be his brother therefore he took a special interest in Embry which Embry found offensive. He asked his Mom who assured him Joshua Uley wasn't his dad so any attention from Sam was like an accusation that his Mom was a liar. Friction.

"Nahuel, what didn't we see?" Sam attempted to humor his little brother. He wouldn't let the brother thing go. Sam hated being an only child so he was determined to claim Embry for the Uleys.

"Leah and I encountered a vampire and I killed it. I should have never let one get so close to her." It had been real close too, I had almost gotten a good look at the male vamp before his head rolled. Almost.

"How did you get over there so fast?" Jacob was asking the question now.

Nate simply stated, "I ran."

"Is this some form of torture? How the fuck did you get to that bloodsucker so fast you moron?" Paul screamed at my imprint. Paul fucking screamed at my imprint. I charged at him but Seth got him first and shoved Paul hard in the chest with both hands as Jacob's arms restrained me. "Watch, yourself man. That shit's not going to fly." Seth actually sounded angry.

Paul made to shove Seth back but Nate's grip around Paul's chest and arms prevented any further movement. Paul didn't try to struggle, at first he was momentarily stunned like the rest of us. Nahuel was beside me one moment and the next he was more than 15 feet away restraining Paul. The shock passed quickly as Paul easily broke Nate's hold, turning to give him a hard shove in the process. Nate was knocked back several feet, stumbling slightly but staying on his feet.

The polarization was instantaneous. Quil, Embry, Seth and Kara surrounded Nate. I almost fell when Jacob let me go so abruptly to join the others. I tripped over my feet but didn't stop moving until I had Nate behind me to face whatever might come. Paul was gonna have to come through us and his prospects didn't look good.

Paul and Jared had likewise moved into formation with Sam at the head. Sam addressed Jake directly, "It's cool, I got him." He turned and laid a hand on Paul's shoulder. "Paul, tone it down. You can't yell at Leah's imprint. How would you like it if someone yelled at Rachel? You'd want to fight to the death."

Sam had diffused the situation but I was more impressed with Paul's restraint. I had seen him phase over the X-Box vs. Playstation debate. I was still angry with him but I didn't want to hurt him really. He was still my brother, I would gladly take a bullet for him or any of them but with Paul I could never be sure I wouldn't be the one pulling the trigger in the first place.

Paul snorted. "If you yell at my Rachel you're on your own. That's a line I don't cross." Paul's legendary temper, so quick to flare and quick to cool, I didn't know why he bothered getting angry in the first place. It was like, dude wait one minute and you'll be over it. That temper didn't seem to come out in defense of his imprint Rachel. I think she punked him so he thought she was just as scary to other people too. To be fair, Rachel was kinda scary. She never issued verbal warnings; she was all bite and no bark. She would have made a kick ass werewolf.

"Okay, anybody yelling at Rachel is gonna get what's coming, but what if it was Kim?" Sam asked. Kim did get yelled at; poor sweet child was as dumb as bag of rocks. She used to get yelled at, but no one dared to try it now. It doesn't take too many warnings from the La Push gang, as some people insisted on calling us, to understand Kim was off limits no matter how boneheaded she could be.

"Yeah, yeah, I getcha." Paul answered Sam and looked to my pack which had eased out of the ready to rumble position. "Sorry Leah, sorry Na," he cut off the obvious 'Nate' and edited, "Sorry Mr. Leah." Then he smirked.

When we were all one pack a reminder like that would never have to be issued but now the connection was different, however the obligation was the same.

"Apology accepted, you are an asshole and cannot help yourself, I understand."Nate gave Paul the answer he promised him. "However, you must not attempt to harm Leah's brother; that would upset her and I will not allow it."

"Okay, Okay, Paul's an asshole, big whoop, welcome to our world." Jared was antsy for an answer. "What gives, did you teleport?"

"No, as I said before. I ran, one leg in front of the other in a fast pace."

"How did you run so fast?" Quil asked without condescension or impatience which was probably why Nahuel gave him a complete answer.

"It is something I do. I can achieve a tremendous burst of speed. It cannot be sustained for a long period of time but the burst is enough to give me an edge in a fight." Nate shrugged his shoulders like it wasn't a big deal that he moved so fast he became invisible, there wasn't even a blur to track.

"That was amazing, man, thanks for looking out for Leah," Jacob's response was genuine.

When the hell did I become a damsel in distress? That's never been me. "You know I'm not totally helpless. I'm a werewolf, for crying out loud!"

"Shapeshifter," Seth corrected smugly.

"I shift into a wolf, that makes me a werewolf don't you think?"

Seth's mouth popped open in eager know it all anticipation.

"I am NOT getting into this stupid debate. We were descended from wolves and we shift into wolves, not birds or turtles. Giant wolves only. It's not like some days I can be an otter."

Seth shut his mouth for now.

"I have a question of my own. How did you see me?" Nate addressed my brothers.

"Damn, do you two talk at all? You haven't explained the pack mind yet?" Sam asked but didn't wait for an answer with a good lecture brewing. "Look, I know you guys are really enjoying each other but you need to take some time to talk, you know, get to know each other." Then he smiled his huge horsey grin. Funny, his smile never looked horsey to me before, I used to love his easy smile.

Nate caught my eye with his smirk and I rolled my eyes, thereby we agreed to ignore Dr. Sam's advice. We had forever, no need to rush into getting to know each other, sex on the other hand was a whole different story, it was hot and now.

"I have been told of the pack mind, but you are not of her pack. How did you 'see' me?" Nate was addressing Sam specifically. I actually had not told him of the pack mind, I didn't know who did. I wanted to tell him and I was going to when Carlisle cleared me for tonight's run. I was going to sit him down and tell him all there was to know about the pack but he had to smile at me and I pretty much forgot everything except it was a good time for a nap, a naked nap.

"Sam and Jacob were gossiping with each other," Kara decide to fill Nate in, "Alpha's can chit chat with each other. Sam and them, "she pointed to Paul and Jared,"could only see what Jacob chose to share with Sam. Got it?"

"I do understand. Thank you for explaining, Kara." Kara beamed, glad to be the one in the know for once. "This form of communication is a good thing. We have spent too much time dallying. This one may not have been alone; we need to get moving to see if there are any traces of another vampire nearby."

Jacob and Sam both took on expressions of offense. Who did Nate think he was issuing orders? Instead of conflict, they united. Jacob and Sam agreed that Team Jacob would fall back in to the inner perimeter and rouse Colin and Brady to tighten the protection around LaPush while Sam's packlet would trace the vampire trail. Hands down Jared was the best tracker, his notoriously weak stomach translated to an extraordinarily sensitive nose. Nate and I were put on watching the fire, because only Leah can prevent forest fires.

"This blows," I huffed, "I wanted some action." We were relegated to fire duty because we had seen our fair share of action for the night. Wolves love to fight. There was a collective sense of disappointment over the Volturi confrontation. Man, if only the Cullens had just stayed home we could have handled the situation proper like.

"Come sit with me." Nate held his hand out to me. He settled on the ground with me in his lap. "The fire will not burn for long and we can get back out there. We can talk."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"Why do you want so badly to fight a vampire? I cannot understand this desire to put your life at risk."

"Fighting to protect human life is the purpose of the wolf; it's evidently why I was put on this earth. It's what I'm made for."

"No, you were made for me." Nate's matter of fact delivery made my alarms ring. Sam used to say stuff like that if he saw some old movie and a line struck him as being especially theft worthy, 'Leah you are my sunshine' or some crap like that but Nate was a different story altogether.

"Hmm, really? Made for you? What makes you think that?"

"I understand your imprint phenomenon now. Edward explained it to me. You were made for me, just like Bella and Edward made Renesmee for Jacob."

This was worse than I thought. I was pretty sure that whatever Edward had said to Nate had not been, 'Guess what we got Jacob on our honeymoon trip? No idea? Come on in here Renesmee. Is she not the prettiest little thing you ever did see?'

"Did Edward say that?"

"Not in so many words. I asked him about the obvious attachment between his daughter and Jacob and he explained that it was an imprint similar to ours. His words were too numerous for me to want to repeat and difficult for me to pay attention to the entire time but it sounded like he and Bella owed Jacob something or another and at the end of his story there was Renesmee. I was listening for you to wake up so I may have missed a few details but that is what it seemed to come down to."

This was getting bizarre but I had to keep going, because in some illogical way I could see his point . "You know, according to that theory, you would have been made for me since Jacob and I are the wolves in this equation?"

"Yes, but Jacob and I are older than you and Renesmee, therefore you were created for us." Nate was deliberate with patience in his speech as he explained his unique take on imprinting.

"So you think my parents made me for you?"

"Of course not! Your parents do not know me, but we were discussing you and your purpose. You were made for me."

"So I'm a werewolf for you?"

"You are not a werewolf," I opened my mouth to give him the wolf not otter spiel I gave Seth earlier but he put his finger over my lips in a sshh gesture. I suppressed the urge to lick it just barely. "If you ever meet a real werewolf and I hope that you do not, however you would never say such again. They are vile creatures with no regard for life. You are different because I need you to be."

"Have you ever had a girlfriend?" There was so much I didn't know but I wanted to start with something that would invariably make me jealous.

"No, not really. I tried once but it did not go well."

"Was she vampire, human or other?" I didn't know what else other could be but my life was strange enough that I had to allow for the possibility.

"Human, naturally."

"Why naturally?"

"Vampire women are cold, hard and hold no sexual interest for me. I cannot imagine wanting to be inside one." He shuddered a little with revulsion. At least that was one less thing to worry about. He continued, "Vampires only want two things from me, my sex and my blood. I am not willing to share either."

"Tell me about your human almost girlfriend." I braced myself.

"Leah, are you sure you want to hear this?"

No, not really. "Sure, tell me. I want to know everything about you."

"No, you do not, but I will tell you anyway. It was shortly after I reached adulthood; I thought I could have a human friend and companion since my changes had stopped. I love Aunt Huilen but I yearned for the type of relationship that I had seen between men and women. I am a man and I have the urges of a man." He explained as though I could not attest to that. "I met Ana at a cattle ranch where I picked up work as a hand for a season. She was sweet and I grew to care for her over the weeks that I knew her. She wanted to be closer to me and I resisted, but eventually I persuaded myself that I was strong enough to handle the closeness. I was not."

He finished his tale and if I had an iota of common sense, I would have seen the end coming. I pulled his head to my chest, the memory still bothered him and comfort was the only thing I could offer him.

He went on with reluctance, "I have never again tried, the monster within me was never going to allow more."

"I'm sorry, baby." The memories seemed to cause him such anguish. Talking was overrated and painful. We sat until the fire went out and there was nothing but ashes left.

"Come on, let's get going again. I doubt the boys found anything, we would have heard them by now."

I stripped and Nate repacked my bag efficiently. After I phased I waited for him to mount my back, instead he patted my shoulder and said, "Try to keep up." Then he was off running, not super fast like when he attacked but more like 'wolf in pursuit of a meal' rather than 'wolf in pursuit of a vampire'. I could still see him as I took off in his wake and picked up my pace to catch him. As I closed the gap he sped up, playing with me. It was time to end this so I unleashed, feeling the thrill of the chase. My stride lengthened, it was as close to flying as I could get and I loved it. Being a wolf had its perks.

Was that Leah saying something good about being a furball? Seth was still out and running, he had heard me complain about being a wolf more than anyone.

You should be home in bed by now. I scolded him absent-mindedly. I still hadn't caught up. I was working to keep Nate in my sight, that ten second head start was killing me.

I'll go to Sam's class to catch some z's. Look at him go! Why was he so slow the other day? Seth questioned me and again, his guess was as good as mine. Leah, please, can you try to get to know him, this is getting embarrassing.

I tuned my baby brother out. It was time to end this, I pushed harder and finally closed the gap and with another push I was ready to teach him some respect. Leah, don't push it. See how long he can go at regular wolf speed.

Great Alpha, that is a good idea, for once.

For once? Whatever.

Team Jacob stayed on the outside and since Sam was down for the night, making cross pack communication impossible, Paul and Jared ran the inside only. I tried to run Seth home but he held his ground and I let it slide, it wasn't worth issuing an order. After a while we let our wolves take over, ending conversation.

Nate and I ran in a companionable silence too. He made the occasional comment on the landscape but nothing more, he matched my pace the entire time. Finally the sun was coming up and we made our way back to the Cullen house. I wasn't tired, but per the agreement Alice could only 'patrol' if we were out of the forest.

My tree was a stop on the way to stow my bag. Nate's hands were all over me the second I phased. "Patrol is over Beautiful. Now is nookie time, yes?"

"Oh hell yeah." I sighed into his mouth as my back hit 'our tree'. Some couples had a song, we had a tree, our tree was much more effective. We weren't frantic this time. I had no fear of death and we didn't need to struggle to keep it quiet. Nate took his time, worshipping my body much to my delight. He made every inch of me feel beautiful and cherished. It may be too soon for love but he wanted me and it felt so good to be wanted.

***************

"It's Na-Na-Na-NaLeah" Emmett's voice sang out mimicking the Chia pet theme as we walked through the door. Rose giggled a little at his side.

"Real cute, did it take you all night to come up with that?" I blew it off. I never had much reason to interact with Emmett before.

"Don't know what else to call you, you freaky wolf vamp combo. Edward and Carlisle have been waiting for this. It was just a theory but it has already happened."

"What are you going on about? Just spit it out!"

Rose sauntered forward holding a hand up to Emmett, "Cut it out. Carlisle is covering for Dr. Snow so I have the pleasure of examining you this morning."

"Where is Edward?" I backed off a little. Rose didn't scare me, I could take her if I had to but she did make me uneasy. I had seen the 'Rose goes for Bella's blood' played out too many times in Jake's memories. He savored landing that kick. Edward was the lesser of the two evils, he at least knew me better.

"He's at the cottage. Now quit stalling, this is as much fun for me as it is for you." Rose whipped her hair around in a move straight from the 'I Am More Beautiful Than You, Recognize' handbook. I used to do that too when I had long hair and still felt pretty.

"Open." I let Rose put the thermometer in my mouth. I wasn't worried about the venom anymore. How could my imprint be bad for me? Rose pulled the thermometer from my mouth, "She studied it momentarily, "Just as I expected, still a bitch."

Emmett snickered.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." I rather liked that side of my wolf. I could do cordial and polite for the sake of keeping Mom from backhanding me, but I no longer felt bothered with trying to be nice just for the sake of being well thought of. I didn't pull my gloves off; I had to remember to put them on in the first place.

"What is it that Carlisle and Edward where waiting for?" Nate asked.

"Listen to her heartbeat. Now focus on yours." Emmett paused for dramatic effect, a vampire trait. "See, what I mean? Your heartbeats are synchronized. They were expecting it to happen sometime today, you're just a little ahead of schedule. Na-Na-Na-Na-Leah."

"More freaky wolf shit," Rose sneered.

It was impossible to miss now that I knew, THUD THUD.....THUD THUD in tandem. Nate pulled me into his side to whisper in my ear,"Na-Leah, I like it. As I said you are mine."

I giggled as his breathe tickled my ear, "No, you're mine."