(A/N: Sorry, guys - I seem to have started chapter five and forgot about it - added chapter six out of order and called it five! Forgive me, please!)
The hug had to wait until they were dressed. It seemed safer that way.
"I'm sorry, Jonah. I was weak. I just couldn't…"
Jonah touched his finger to Leah's lips. "You did what you had to do, Lee. I never doubted your feelings for me, but I'll admit I was scared. And now I understand. The only question on my mind is where we go from here."
"I don't want to live without you, Jo. Especially now. Are we really okay?"
His answer was a kiss, deep and demanding. She was still in his arms when he whispered, "I never stopped loving you, Leah. Never will. Let's go home."
True to his word, Seth showed up the next day to help repair Jonah's apartment. Aiyanna arrived with him, and they were less than shocked to find Leah in the kitchen, barefoot, cooking breakfast. Aiyanna's arms were loaded with replacement items that Sue Clearwater had scrounged from her garage. There was a clock, a couple of framed wolf prints, and Seth carried a forest green recliner that had been his dad's.
Leah looked up. "Have a seat, guys. I'm making blueberry pancakes and there's plenty." Jonah greeted them with a big smile while Aiyanna poured herself a mug of coffee and Seth grabbed a plate from the cabinet.
"The sheetrock is out in the truck. We can bring it in after breakfast," Seth explained between bites. "How's the wolf thing going?"
Leah answered, since Jonah had stuffed half a pancake into his mouth. Laughing, she said "The appetite is going to take some getting used to. We had a good run yesterday though. Jonah's a champ now - at drinking water!" Seth chuckled and explained the joke to Aiyanna. He remembered learning a similar lesson in his early days as a wolf boy.
Jonah took a sip of coffee. "I sort of met our alpha, Jake - well, technically I met him telepathically. Does that sound as ridiculous to the rest of you as it does to me?" He grinned. "Anyway, he tuned in to say hello and welcome. We're going to stop over and have a chat with him, probably tomorrow. I already know the other alpha." His smile disappeared when he mentioned Sam, and Leah cringed. She had never meant to share the raw images of her and Sam's past relationship with Jonah, but it was always an occupational hazard for the shifters. There were no secrets among the pack.
When breakfast was over, Leah and Aiyanna tidied up the kitchen while the guys got to work on the sheetrock. It was messy business, but it didn't take long. By the time the spackle was dry and sanded, all the room would need was a paint job. Jonah vacuumed up the dust and finished just as the doorbell rang.
"Hello, Sam!" Jonah opened the door and extended his hand to his old high school friend, stepping back to allow him to enter.
"You sure I'm not interrupting?" Sam looked nonplussed when he looked around the room. He seemed surprised to see the Clearwaters and Aiyanna.
"Not at all. We just finished repairing the walls," Jonah said with a smile that looked a little forced. "It seems my wolfy self is a little large for this room."
"Been there. Done that," Sam agreed. "I won't stay long. I just wanted to welcome you to our little club. I hear you've joined Jacob's pack."
"News travels fast, especially when you read minds," Leah deadpanned.
"I figured that out when we phased and I was able to communicate with Leah. Apparently the gods approve of us being together."
Sam's smile was phony. "You can never be too sure of that. Or did you imprint?"
Leah shot Jonah a look that clearly indicated this was none of Sam's business, and he caught her meaning. "Let's just say it's not something we worry about. We're committed to each other, and nothing is going to change that."
"I hope you're right," Sam sneered.
"There's no doubt in my mind. I'm not going to argue with you over Leah, Sam. As you can see, I've already won." He slipped an arm around Leah's waist and pulled her onto his lap.
Sam backed toward the door. "Okay, well I'm sure I'll be seeing you - all of you. Our packs work together as much as possible."
"Thanks for stopping by, Sam. It was good to see you again." Jonah remained seated, Leah on his lap, as Sam let himself out.
After a friendly dinner of pizza and beer, Seth rose to dump the pizza boxes in the trash. "You need a ride home, Sis?"
Leah shook her head. "I'm staying. In fact, I'll be moving in as soon as Jonah gets this place up to my standards." Leah grinned and kissed Jonah. "I'm not letting him out of my sight again."