Disclaimer: Twilight, and those characters belonging to it, is property of Stephenie Meyer and I profit none whatsoever from using them for the fan fiction I write.

Author's Note: I want to thank everyone for reading and valmarieliz for your review of encouragement as well as . No matter the amount of time between posts I will not abandon a story.
I've been reading some wonderful fanfiction lately that made me purchase The Twilight Saga : Official Illustrated Guide for some greater accuracy as well The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, and Life and Death, for future inspiration after this is complete.

While my goal was to update more this year than last, I can't seem to fight off other ideas. I'm incredibly undisciplined lol but I'm working on it. Still, there is hope, I've 3 months left to get a second post up for this story.

…

Leah hadn't spoken with her family during the week of her exams, her body's need to phase in the evening suppressed by her will to focus solely on her studies. She ran the area of her campus, and beyond, because she was compelled to though she knew she wasn't beholden to any of the people in the area as she had been at home. Still the urge to protect was strong, and by the time she had finished her courses she flew to the first place of privacy to change, mentally yelling with the joy of release. Moments later there was a flurry of thought, panic centered around her awareness of something, of….

The howl filled the night, Leah's moving in the direction of home without hesitation.

…

Jake didn't stop Leah from fighting him, he took the biting and rolling and cursing until she wore herself out, shaking his matted fur loose as it dripped with saliva and blood in patches. When he didn't retaliate against her she stopped, panting heavy through snarling teeth, body vibrating with the sound as she cursed him out for not calling, How could you not tell me!?

With a separate command, Jacob sent the younger wolves away that had been watching, confused with the display against their Alpha by one of the other wolves they only knew vaguely. Stay together, same pattern as before.

The two lanky wolves ran side by side, large chests puffing out. Waiting for their thoughts to refocus on their task, Jacob turned so his eyes were focused on the female, ears swiveling in continued awareness, Telling you wouldn't have helped anything, both packs are on this.

Wouldn't have helped? Wouldn't have helped!? I'm faster than any of you, if you'd told me when it happened - Both canines were tense as they paced around each other, neither Quileute able to hide their agitation: Leah with her friend's decision and Jacob with the confrontation. Overhead the moon gave way to morning, the sun rising as he pointed out her decision to chastise him first, Your mother needs you more than I do right now, Kady isn't a replacement for you.

Large claws sank into the ground, paws kneading the earth beneath them at the reminder. So betrayed by her pack she'd forced the thoughts of her mother to the back of her mind, even though Kady was sure to be with her she knew Sue had to be worse off than her. Clenching her jaw against a growl she swore at him again before turning toward home, forcing herself to continue home, barely registering the exertion her travel had put on legs.

Casting his thoughts to his charges, Jacob checked on each of his brethren, ensuring himself of their safety before continuing. While their conversation hadn't been private there was nothing he could do for it, but the others kept their comments to themselves as best they could.

…

Kady jumped as the door to the Clearwater's opened, Emily having just left less than a half hour ago and none of the boys meaning to stop by until after patrol. The blanket from the front yard was wrapped around the lithe figure, confusion warring for only a moment until the striking woman's familiar features became clear, "Leah!"

The woman paused, taking in Kady for just a moment before looking around the downstairs but not finding her mother in the common area, "Is she home?"

Kady shook her head at her old friend's inquiry, pausing from offering her clothing in the girl's own home, she would get it when that became her concern, "She had to get out – she's having a hard time." Voice softening at the end she blanched, arms wrapping in front of herself, "She didn't want to break down and call you."

The admission it had not only been the pack's decision to keep her in the dark did not lessen Leah's frustration, glaring at Seth's mate without apology, "Like that's done anyone good."

Kady found her seat again, fingers scratching over her cheek as the other girl paced the living area before heading to her room, door left ajar as she changed. When she returned in cut offs and a T she stood standing, questioning the girl what had been done to find Seth in her absence. "And what about the leeches, what are they doing to help?"

Kady bit at her thumb, other nails already too close to the skin, "I don't know, I've been here since I saw..." she hesitated to say, only continuing after Leah's stare. Explaining the disappearing man and the feeling she'd had about him,

"When the guys came out to see if they could track him they couldn't find anything, there wasn't a scent."
Casting her gaze to the side as she looked down she shook her head, "They think it was stress," hands splaying on the table momentarily she curled them into fists, "but I didn't even know then. If I was going to see something because of Seth, wouldn't it have something to do with him?"

While the anger was still present, Leah had a better handle on it now, understanding she wasn't the only one being forced into decisions made by other people. The link between this girl and her brother was a thought though, "But you haven't, felt anything?"

Kady shook her head, the uncertainty clearing for a moment, "No nothing… nothing bad." Sighing she fidgeted, getting up to make herself tea from the mug that had stood empty before, "Emily says I'd know if there was something wrong with him physically, she says…" A chair hit the front door, breaking against the wood,

"I know our history – I don't need a reiteration by you on imprinter and imprintee emotions." Leah's presence filled the room and swallowing, Kady didn't look back at the girl, considering for a moment how volatile her best friend's sister was, instead she offered what she could,

"He's out there, they'll find him."

The pieces of chair, both large and splintered, were cleaned up before her mother's return, Kady giving the two women their privacy from inside the cab of her truck even as the figures of teen boys loped out of the woods and into the house. In this world, a world Seth was so much apart of, she couldn't do anything to help anyone.