By the time Leah arrived at Jonah's apartment, Seth had cleared out broken furniture. The first thing Leah saw was Seth's truck, its bed filled with splintered chairs and tables as well as a smashed clock, torn paintings with broken frames, and even chunks of sheetrock. "Is everyone okay?" she asked, breathless, as she opened the front door and closed it quickly behind her. Jonah still sat, apparently in shock, and Leah wrapped her arms around him.
"We're fine, Leah, but I think we'll go for now," Seth replied. "I'll be back tomorrow to help patch up."
He patted Jonah on the shoulder and took Aiyanna's hand. "I'm sorry I didn't see this coming soon enough to get you outside," he said over his shoulder, holding the door for her.
Leah knelt in front of Jonah. "I'm sorry too. If I'd stuck around, I'd have seen this coming. I know the signs."
Jonah frowned. "You know the signs - because of Seth?"
Shaking her head, Leah continued. "No. Because I've experienced them. Seth is not the only Clearwater shifter."
Wide eyed, Jonah stared at her. "So...you too? How many wolf people are there?"
"Almost a dozen. You'll meet them all soon. There are actually two packs. Seth and I are in Jacob's, and Sam is alpha of the other pack. I don't know which one you'll belong to; I suspect it depends on whose voice you can hear telepathically. Did anyone speak to you while you were in wolf form?"
He shook his head. "If they did, I don't remember. Jeez, Leah, it's a lot to take in!"
"I know, and I'm so sorry I wasn't here. Aiyanna knows all about us because she's Seth's imprint. They're the only outsiders who are allowed to know." She looked down at her hands, clasped in front of her. "It was killing me, Jonah. We shared everything - our hopes and dreams, our bed, everything but my identity."
"Wait a minute, Lee. Back up a bit. This imprinting thing - will it happen to me? Or to you?"
Leah sighed deeply. There was so much he needed to know. "That's what happened between Sam and me. He imprinted on my cousin.'
"And he LEFT you? Just like that?" Jonah was incredulous.
"It's hard to explain how intense it is, Jonah. You'll be able to read our minds, feel our feelings, and it will give you a better idea. He had no choice."
"Bullshit!" She jumped at the sudden increase in volume. He grabbed Leah by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. "There is nothing on this earth that would ever make me do that to you, Leah. I swear to you, here and now, that if one of us ever imprints on someone else we'll find a way around it. I love you, Leah, and no Quileute hocus pocus will ever change that." His hands had begun to tremble, and Leah took them in hers.
"I believe you, Jonah. But you need to calm down now." Her voice was soft and soothing. "In the beginning it's hard to control, and you don't need to wolf out again in your poor apartment."
He grinned at her. "You're right of course. But I would like to stretch my legs, and I'm anxious to try out this mind reading thing. Can we go somewhere and have a run? I've heard these stories all my life, and until today I figured they were fairy tales." His smile dimmed and his eyes widened. "Wait. That man in the parking lot…"
Leah nodded. "Vampire."
"Holy shit," he whispered reverently. "So it's all true."
Leah parked her car at First Beach and they hiked deep into the woods. "This way, Jonah. There's a cave where our clothes will stay dry and nobody will stumble on them. Only trouble is, if you shift back someplace different you're kinda naked. The guys usually band their shorts to their leg so they'll be handy. Just in case." She led him to the cave and they stripped down. Leah phased quickly and easily, but it took Jonah a couple of tries.
Shaking out his dark brown fur, Jonah looked at Leah's sleek grey wolf. "Still hard for me to accept that I'm awake," he thought.
Her easy answer startled him. "I know. I remember when it was new. And yay! I can hear you! Looks like we're in the same pack!" Leah was suddenly overwhelmed by Jonah's thoughts and feelings. She knew he loved her, but there were no secrets among wolves. She felt...cherished. Adored. Surrounded by his devotion, feelings stronger than any words could convey. It was heady stuff, and it took her breath away.
"I love you, Jonah, but I'm not sure I deserve this kind of adoration. I'm a little overwhelmed.'
"And I'm a little embarrassed, Leah." The wolf's large golden eyes bored into hers. "My feelings have always been private. This will take some getting used to."
The smaller wolf nodded. "Tell me about it." They moved off together, in companionable silence for a while. As they approached the well-worn trail, Leah looked at Jonah with mischief in her eyes. "Wanna try a run? Feel the wind in your fur? It's indescribable."
"You're on!" It was exhilarating. They ran for miles, until they were both panting. Leah veered off the trail in the direction of a cold mountain stream the wolves had discovered for a refreshing drink. Leah bent her head to the cool water and lapped at it, then looked at Jonah. "Go ahead, Jonah. It's refreshing."
Obediently, he lowered his snout to the crystal clear water - and threw his head back, coughing and choking. Leah laughed. "Don't stick your nose in it, silly! Use your tongue!"
After a few tries, he got the hang of it and drank his fill. They lay down side by side on the mossy forest floor to rest, panting softly. Jonah rested his chin on his paws. "This is absolutely amazing, Leah. I'm still having trouble believing I'm awake."
Playfully, Leah nipped his shoulder and he jumped. "See? You're awake."
He gnawed gently on a paw. "Damn, Lee! These things are sharp!"
"You have no idea how powerful you are, Jonah. Those jaws can tear the head off a vampire. I have a lot to tell you…"
She was interrupted by another presence in their pack mind. They had a sudden view of a small red house that didn't look familiar to Jonah. "Jonah? Hey - welcome to the pack. I'm Jacob. I believe we met at Sue Clearwater's picnic. Apparently you're going to be in my pack." They heard a wolfy chuckle. "I never wanted a damn pack, and I don't want to be anybody's boss. But it looks like I'm your alpha. Ask Leah to bring you by the house one day soon. We need to talk."
Before they could respond Jake had disappeared from their consciousness. "He's giving us our space I guess. Jake's a good guy. Thank God you didn't land in Sam's pack." She tried to smother the memories that sprang forth unbidden at the mention of Sam's name, but they streamed by in fast-forward - laughing, sharing, making love, and then the pain of Sam's betrayal, reluctant though it seemed.
Jonah growled softly, surprising both of them.
"It's ancient history, Jonah. I've made my peace with them. Emily and I will never again be best friends, but we run in the same circle and we're civil when we meet."
"Right now I miss my arms," Jonah growled again. "I want to give you a hug."
"Well, I guess we should be heading back," Leah suggested. "Hold that thought until we get our arms back." She stood, nudging his flank with her nose, and they headed back the way they'd come.