Following Fate Chapter 45: It Was All Going So Well, a twilight fanfic

It took me a bit, but I finally got the next couple of chapters written for this story. I only have a handful of chapters left until the end, but I've been so distracted that I haven't been motivated to get the next one written and posted. Sorry about the delay. I have two more chapters written beyond this one, so the next update shouldn't take quite so long. Thanks to everyone who is reading this, or any of my stories. I love you all.

Anyway, on with the show... (you finally find out who said the first chapter! Woo Hoo!)

Leah POV

At moments such as this, one tends to think back about their life and wonder how things managed to go so terribly, terribly wrong. To wonder what decision you made caused this moment to arrive: staring into the loud end of a double barrel shotgun, while a deranged lunatic laughs hysterically as he contemplates painting the tree behind you with the contents of your head.

Yep, it makes you think...

Three hours earlier...

The whole imprinting gig turned out to be less fun than it looked, at least for me.

Everyday I saw how all the guys were with their imprints and it pissed me off to think that I couldn't seem to find that happiness with Ryan. I just didn't understand why it was so effortless with them and such a struggle with me. Imprinting was supposed to be the best thing to ever happen to a pack member. Seth once described being with Kira as being as easy as breathing.

It was further proof that my life was just destined to suck.

Recently, I had been taking a few college courses in a pitiful attempt to become a nurse. I didn't know for sure why that particular career path appealed to me, but I found the classes interesting and they helped burn up my time, so I didn't get to see Ryan as much. The less we saw each other, the more we got along. Not the best omen for a relationship, I admit, but he was my imprint. We were destined to be together.

Things were going better between us, though. So much better, that it really didn't surprise me when he asked to have a romantic picnic before Seth and Kira's engagement party, just the two of us. He said he would take care of everything and for me just to bring myself.

Ryan was being sweet and for the first time, I was beginning to feel some of the euphoria my pack mates kept telling me about. It was nice. When he arrived around noon to pick me up, I couldn't help but start to believe that things might just work out.

I had told only Kira about the picnic. I really didn't want any of the guys to run out and check up on us. I knew Kira would respect my privacy. Or at least be stealthy enough to check up on me without me knowing about it. I was actually kinda touched that she cared enough to keep an eye on me while I was with Ryan. As much as I hated to be treated like an out of control animal, I knew the risk I was taking being alone with Ryan, particularly with my temper and my, as of yet, uncontrolled need to phase because of if it.

We reached a small clearing about a half mile from where we parked the car. It was a cloudy day, but there was no rain in the white, puffy clouds. For Forks, this kind of weather was the best you could hope for. As long as it didn't rain on Seth and Kira's party, I'd be happy. I was actually looking forward to the party. I kinda liked the idea of having a sister-in-law.

Ryan unfolded a blanket, spreading it out so I could start pulling the food out of the picnic basket he had brought. He really was an attractive man, standing at around 6 feet tall, with shoulder length brown hair and dark eyes. He smiled at me as he started digging around in another bag he had brought with us.

It retrospect, I should have known something was off with Ryan by his demeanor. He was being almost too happy. In many ways, he was a lot like me, always grumpy about something and not easy to smile. The second bag he brought with us was also a clue, but I must have been too caught up in my imprint haze to think clearly or to smell the gun. One minute I was happily looking in the basket, the next Ryan was chuckling evilly and pointing a shotgun at my head.

"Ryan, what the hell..." Was all I could get out before he started to laugh boisterously.

"Did you honestly think I was just going to go along with your little imprint voodoo? That I could be with an abomination like you?" He spat at me, pure hatred in his eyes. "You and your kind are evil. Freaks. You can't be allowed to live and pass this disease on to future generations."

"But I thought you were OK with what I am..." It was a pitiful thing to say, but I was still in shock.

Ryan snorted. "Please. Like I would be lowered to pollute myself with the likes of you! It was bad enough that I had to kiss you to keep you around long enough for the right time to come along to finally end this. And don't worry, I'll get to the rest of your pack eventually. The wolf family lines need to end." He raised the gun fully, pointing it at my head. "Starting with you."

Yep, it makes you think...

I shifted into my wolf form, but didn't know what to do next. Even with my speed, Ryan would be able to shoot me before I could stop him. It was then that I heard the soft growl. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a white and silver form rush towards us.

Time seemed to stop altogether, until the gun went off...

Jasper POV

I couldn't help but be happy as we worked to get the place ready for Seth and Kira's party. The emotions around me were so uplifting that I didn't think it was possible for me to force a negative emotion on someone, even if I wanted to.

Because of all the happiness around me, I felt Alice's change of mood almost like a spotlight in the dark. She was afraid.

I rushed to her side, all the women in the kitchen stood around her with concerned looks.

"What is it Alice, what's wrong?" I asked, taking her hand.

"She's hurt." Was all she said.

"Who? Who's hurt?" Esme asked, standing on Alice's other side.

"Leah...or Kira...I can't tell for sure. Leah is messing my vision up too much to know for sure. They're in a clearing in the woods."

Ever since Seth had started hanging around Kira and Jake continued to live with us, Alice was beginning to have visions even when members of the pack were around. She still couldn't see Jake, Seth or any of the pack, but she was starting to see events around them. Carlisle speculated that it was her gift adapting to the closeness of the pack.

By this time, everyone was crowded around the kitchen entrance.

"I see a young man with brown hair, someone I don't know. He has a gun. There's blood. I don't know..." Alice said softly, placing her head in her hands from frustration.

Carlisle appeared beside us, medical bag in hand.

"How will we find them?" I asked Carlisle. Alice hadn't said anything about where they were located other than they were in a clearing Kira could get to in the 45 minutes since she left.

"We just need to follow Seth." Edward added, pushing his way into the kitchen. "He sprinted off the moment he heard Alice say 'She's hurt'."

With no hesitation a group of us headed off, following Seth's scent. We could only hope we were not too late.

To Be Continued...