Leah stayed at Holly's house late into the night, long after the movie had ended. Kyle joined the group with a karaoke machine. Leah wasn't sure whether he was trying to cheer Kat up, or if this was his typical way to spend a Saturday night.
Kat didn't participate, but she watched silently from a couch. Her head rested on Seth's shoulder. She didn't say much of anything, but she seemed to appreciate the distraction.
"You should take a turn," Kat encouraged Seth.
"Yeah?" Seth said. "I don't think I know any of the songs."
"That's not stopping anyone else," Kat gestured to Liam, who was butchering Call Me Maybe.
"Fair point," Seth said.
When Liam finished, Seth took the microphone. He scrolled through the iPod connected to the Karaoke machine until he found a song he recognized.
Leah groaned as soon as she heard the first note of What Makes You Beautiful. Thanks to Quil, their entire pack had been unwillingly telepathically subjected to the entirety of One Direction's discography. This particular song was one of Claire's favorites.
A smile crept onto the corner of Kat's mouth as Seth moved his feet and began dancing to the beat.
Midway through the first verse, Leah heard an anguished howl piercing through the night. Seth briefly stumbled over the lyric. The siblings exchanged an exhausted look. Nobody else was able to hear the sound over the music. Jacob's wrenched howl didn't elicit the same panicked response as Seth's had less than a week ago. As far as Leah was concerned, Jacob could go bother the leeches.
Nonetheless, she did her duty to her pack. She rose from the couch and excused herself as Seth continued the song.
When Leah phased, Jacob's anguish flooded her thoughts. A chill rippled through Leah's spine as she processed his memories. Quil brought Leah up to speed on everything that had unfolded.
Embry was here, but he left to go get Collin, Quil said.
Get Seth, Jacob said as ran towards the Cullens' house. He was racking his brain, trying to find a solution. He didn't have a plan, but he wanted the entire pack at the ready.
I'm not going to do that, Jacob, Leah said. Kat needed Seth. Leah wasn't about to pull him away from where he was needed.
Jacob was taken aback. Excuse me?
There's nothing we can do, Leah said. I'm not going to waste his time.
We have to talk to her, Jacob said.
Talk to her? Leah growled. If it were any other bloodsucker, we'd be hunting them down without hesitation!
If you touch her- Jacob started to threaten.
Oh, knock it off, Leah rolled her eyes. We all know she's untouchable.
Leah felt the strength of Jacob's hatred for Nahuel. If he hadn't shown up, none of this would have happened.
She already had a taste for blood before he arrived, Leah pointed out. She was fed up with Jacob's agonizing. She didn't see how the situation would get any better. A thought crept into her head. She didn't have to stay with Jacob. She had another option. Would it be worth it to go back to the other pack? Sure, she wouldn't have to deal with Jacob, but her head would be crowded with the thoughts of the huge pack. She shuttered at the thought of all of the voices shouting over themselves.
Quil thought Leah may be onto something. He wasn't as repulsed by the crowd. His mind flipped through the other negatives associated with being tied to Jacob's pack. Back on the rez, Collin's puppy pack was seen as the pack. The five of them were viewed as outsiders, defectors who chose to turn their backs on their duties to their tribes. The accusation was unfair and couldn't be farther from the truth, but the vast majority of the wolves in the other pack were too young to know what had actually unfolded. Even Quil's own grandfather overlooked him in favor of the others. Quil still cared about Jacob, but he was tired of the divided loyalties.
Jacob was offended by the direction of their thoughts. You don't even want to help her.
Jacob, there's nothing we can do, Leah repeated. She forced him to watch a montage of memories from her perspective. Time and time again, Leah had watched as Renesmee took him for granted. He put her on a pedestal and she believed she deserved it.
Jacob refused to see her flaws, but Leah's thoughts brought one of his greatest fears to the forefront of his mind.
I should've left, Jacob lamented. This is all my fault. I let her think she can get away with whatever she wants. She would've been better off without me.
Leah didn't argue with him, she knew it was pointless. He wouldn't—couldn't see the situation any other way. She felt Embry's mind join the conversation as he phased. Collin ran silently beside him as they ran into the woods to catch up with Quil.
Jacob was approaching the Cullens' house. Renesmee's father met him outside, his eyes seething with rage. Several members of his coven followed close behind.
"Edward, what's wrong?" Bella asked.
Jacob let his mind linger on the scene he walked in on. The image of Nessie, covered in blood with her lifeless prey dropped at her feet, was seared into his head.
"Nahuel took Nessie hunting," Edward hissed.
Bella growled, "That is inappropriate. He knows she doesn't hunt humans."
Edward locked eyes with Bella. His face twisted with pain. Bella's jaw dropped as she took in his expression.
"She wouldn't," Bella gasped. "She knows better."
Edward nodded. "She did."
Bella whipped out her phone and started dialing.
"She is in so much trouble," she growled.
"She doesn't have her phone on her," Alice reported. Bella hung up before the call could go to voicemail.
"Where is she?" Bella snarled.
"She'll resist if we go after her," Edward said.
"Then I will drag her home," Bella said. "Clearly, we didn't punish her harshly enough last time."
Edward's eyes briefly flicked to Carlisle before he responded. "You're right."
Bella was briefly caught off guard by his response. "Glad you agree. Now, I'm going to get our daughter."
"Felix will stop you before you reach her," Alice warned.
"I don't care," Bella said. She turned and disappeared into the woods, following Jacob's scent trail to retrace his steps. Jacob turned to follow.
Don't even think about it, Leah snarled. You already picked a fight with the babysitter. We don't need you starting a war.
"Leah's right," Edward said to Jacob. He looked at Esme and Emmett. "Would you mind going with her? Somebody needs to stop her from attacking Felix."
Esme responded with a warm smile. "I'll try to talk some sense into her."
Edward nodded as the pair left. Leah could feel the aching inside Jacob as he watched them leave without him.
Alice left to get away from Jacob to try and see what she could despite the blind spots. Jacob was alone with Edward and Carlisle. Normally, this would make Leah anxious, but tonight, she didn't care enough to join him. She stayed as close to Holly's house as she could without being seen.
The mind reader turned to his creator. Leah struggled to make sense of the one-sided conversation. Jacob was too consumed by his own spirally thoughts to pay attention.
"We'll talk to her. We'll let her know her behavior is unacceptable," the mind reader insisted.
She didn't listen before, Leah growled. If they think she's going to have a change of heart now, they're delusional.
No kidding, Embry agreed.
The mind reader's eyes briefly twitched to Jacob, but he didn't respond to the wolves' internal conversation.
"We can't do that to her, give her a chance," he said. "We'll find a way to get through to her."
The leader furrowed his brow.
"She did. She attended the memorial, just as you requested," the mind reader responded.
The leader frowned.
"No, she didn't. She still thinks he was a bad person," The mind reader sighed as he listened to his leader's response. "I know. I know. She's too much like me for her own good."
His face contorted in pain.
"She is, and after you strayed, you found your way back to us. I have no doubt she will as well—in her own time," the leader smiled.
Renesmee's father shook his head. "This is different. I knew well enough to leave. She was born into this life—into our family. She doesn't know any other way. She can't fathom the idea of being apart from her family… If I'd have been a better parent, maybe this could've been prevented. We'll find a way to get through to her. She needs us. Now more than ever."
"Edward," the leader gave him a meaningful look.
The mind reader dipped his head, unable to meet the other vampire's eye. "I understand."
What the heck is going on? Quil complained.
Your guess is as good as mine, Leah shrugged.
The leader thought carefully for a moment before turning to address the wolves.
"During my tenure with the Volturi, like Nahuel, I was able to persuade them to modify the laws to accommodate my unique lifestyle. This is the reason we are able to lawfully maintain a semi-permanent residence amongst humans. If any one of our members chooses to repeatedly hunt humans nearby, we cannot legally maintain a public presence."
Are you going to move? asked Jacob.
"Yes," the mind reader answered. "But if she is insistent on hunting humans, that won't be sufficient. People will take notice if we move too frequently, especially if there is a trail of bodies in our wake."
"A coven as large as ours attracts enough attention as is. We cannot give humans any reason to ask questions or the Volturi will hold us all accountable," the leader added.
"I've been listening to Felix's thoughts, learning what I can," Edward explained. "Word of our defiance has spread. Other vampires have been more overtly rebellious. The Volturi won't admit it, but they're struggling to keep the insurgents in check. They see us as the instigators and they're looking for an excuse to eliminate us."
Leah shuttered.
"But not without reason," the leader said firmly. "If the Volturi want to restore order, they need to stand by their own laws. They won't attack us unprovoked. Which is why we need to make sure they do not have a reason to question us. Hopefully, Renesmee will be reasonable, but if not…" the leader hesitated before continuing. "We will have to ask her to go her own way."
Leah was impressed. She didn't think they had a backbone. Her respect for Carlisle minusculely increased.
What? Jacob growled. You're just going to abandon her? She needs help.
"I don't disagree," Renesmee's father said.
"She knows why we live as we do, but she's chosen to reject us," Carlisle said firmly. "She refuses to consider that she's putting us all in danger. We were able to stand against the Volturi once before, she doesn't see why that wouldn't happen again."
That's what the bloodsuckers want us to do, Leah growled.
"Yes," Edward frowned. "The Volturi can use her actions to condemn our entire family. On her own, her actions are not a violation of the law. She is able to blend in with humans in a way that we cannot. I've been monitoring everyone's thoughts. Not a single human suspected Nessie had any connection to Kevin's attack.
"Bella's anger at Nessie, however, was enough to catch the attention of some of the students. We're lucky that Aro's child was able to intervene, otherwise we may have had to take more drastic actions to ensure theories were snuffed."
"If she's on her own, she won't be a threat to them," Carlisle said. "The Volturi will have no reason to target her."
You can't do this to us, Jacob pulled his lips back into a snarl. Jacob was taking their decision personally as if he was the one they were banishing.
They're not kicking you out, Leah snarled back. She was horrified by the image Jacob had in his head. He imagined both packs standing against the Volturi with Renesmee safely behind the rows of wolves. The war was all but inevitable in his mind.
We need to get rid of Nahuel. This is all his fault! Jacob's thoughts were erratic and irrational.
"Jacob you can't," Edward said. "If you attack him, you'll start a war."
Jacob recalled how he lunged at the hybrid in the woods. In his panic, Jacob interpreted Edward's words as confirmation that the Volturi were coming for him and Renesmee.
Collin, can you hear me? Jacob said. Only the alphas of the packs had the ability to communicate across packs.
I'm here, Jacob, Collin responded.
I need you to tell your pack to be ready for a fight, Jacob said.
Edward hissed.
Jacob, you're out of your mind! Quil protested. That's not what Edward said—
Shut up, Jacob ordered in the voice of the alpha.
Leah listened in disbelief. The order wasn't directed at her, but the strength of his gag still had her struggling to formulate her thoughts into words.
Quil's wordless betrayal echoed through their minds. The last time Jacob used this ability against him, it had been to stop him from shortsightedly taking Claire to a concert against her parents' wishes. He knew he was in the wrong, but now? Jacob was just as blind as Quil had been. The difference between the two of them was that Jacob was willing to order them all to go down with him.
The Cullens are abandoning us. We need to be ready to fight the Volturi, Jacob said.
Are they coming for the tribes? Collin asked. When?
No, Nessie. They aren't on their way yet, but we need to be ready, Jacob said. There are only a few here. If we strike now, we can take them down before they get back to the others!
"Jacob, you can't. You'll start a war," Edward said.
As Jacob talked to Collin, he didn't notice the gears turning in Quil's head. The alpha had gone too far. Jacob betrayed Quil's trust. He may have been willing to follow his best friend before, but not when it meant putting the tribes in jeopardy.
Embry and Quil met each other's eyes. Embry expressed his silent farewell, recalling highlights from their time together in the pack.
Quil's thoughts disappeared from their minds, though, through Embry's eyes, they could see he was still in his wolf form.
Collin looked at the Quil with a start.
Jacob howled with rage as he realized Quil was no longer under his control.
Collin stopped responding to Jacob as he listened to his returning packmate's perspective.
Embry stop him! Jacob ordered.
Don't do this Jacob, Embry protested as he fought back against the command. He locked his legs in place as Jacob's order pulled him forward. His lips pulled back into an involuntary snarl.
Collin growled and put himself between Embry and Quil.
Jacob, you're out of line. Stop this now! Collin ordered.
Jacob conceded, though only because he knew it was too late to stop Quil. Embry relaxed from his crouch, but his eyes remained locked on Quil.
We will not stand with you, Jacob, Collin declared. Our purpose is to protect human life. If Renesmee has chosen to take human lives, she is our enemy. I will not allow any member of my pack to be harmed in defense of her.
What about us? Jacob argued. Will you stand idly while we are killed?
The image in his head shifted. He imagined the remaining four members of his pack standing futilely against the rows of gray robes.
No, Jacob, Embry contradicted. The full weight of Jacob's command evaporated as Embry accepted that he didn't have to follow Jacob either. Embry's dissent was different than Quil's. This reminded her of the moments leading up to Jacob splitting from the pack. Leah wasn't sure how Embry was able to free himself while she still struggled to speak.
Embry wasn't leaving the pack, at least not now. He phased back into his human form.
You're still our brothers, Collin said. But we will not risk leaving the tribes defenseless. Do not ask us to choose.
Jacob's anger evaporated as Jasper and Alice joined Edward and Carlisle.
"The Volturi aren't coming for her," Alice said.
You can't know that, Jacob contradicted. Edward translated.
"I was able to see their decision last time," Alice pointed out. "And I was able to see Felix. Blind spots or not, I'll still be able to give us a heads up."
"The Volturi won't risk turning her into a martyr," Jasper reasoned. "Everyone who has ever met her knows she's no threat."
Jacob took a deep breath. Leah sighed with relief as Jacob started to accept that Edward was right. Nessie wasn't the one they wanted.
You're kicking us out, Jacob said. It wasn't a question, just a statement of fact.
"You are more than welcome to stay if that's what you choose," Edward said. It was an empty gesture. They all knew he wouldn't stay.
"We're hoping the ultimatum will be enough to motivate her to change her behavior," Carlisle said. "But if not… We have to follow through. It's the only way to protect our family, including her."
Bella will never agree to this, Jacob shook his head.
"We know," Edward said. "We're not planning on telling her yet."
Why are you telling me? Jacob anguished as he realized they had a point.
"I wanted to give you time to think," Edward said.
Because she'll run to me and expect me to defend her, Jacob realized. The scenario played out in his head.
Leah's stomach twisted as she imagined what would've happened if Nessie had borne witness to Jacob's initial reaction. She'd have whispered in his ear, urging him to defend her, preventing him from being able to accept the Cullens' decision.
"Exactly," Edward nodded. As long as Jacob was on her side, she'd never have a reason to consider she may be wrong.
I don't know. Jacob shook his head. He thought their punishment was too cruel, could he stand behind it?
You have got to be kidding me! Leah wanted to scream. She killed an innocent woman in cold blood. They're going to tell her murder is bad. You only have two options. You either agree: murder is not okay, or you can lose whatever remnants of a spine you have left and tell her you're happy to watch her slaughter grannies.
Jacob started to reflect on his own actions. He drove one of his best friends out of his pack. The other was on the cusp of leaving. He'd been so close to starting a war out of sheer fear and anger—and he would have, had Jasper not forced him to calm down.
And what for? Attacking wouldn't make Nessie any safer. If anything, he'd be putting her in more danger. Plus, she would never forgive him if he laid another claw on Nahuel. That much, Jacob was sure of. Even if they were able to get her to stop hunting humans, she would still want to see Nahuel.
I have one question, Jacob said to Edward. Nahuel… Does he care about her?
"Yes," Edward answered. "I wouldn't have allowed him anywhere near her if I thought otherwise. He's not acting on behalf of the Volturi. He genuinely is just their babysitter."
Jacob took a deep breath. He knew what he had to do. He just wasn't sure whether or not he had the strength to do it.
Leah didn't think he would follow through. There was not a single doubt in her mind: as soon as Renesmee showed up batting her pretty little eyelashes, all of Jacob's convictions would crumble and he'd fold like the spineless coward that he was.
Look, Seth and I are trying to comfort Kat, Leah said. She was done with his nonsense. If you need someone to listen to your crisis, you're welcome to keep sobbing to your bloodsuckers.
Jacob barely even paid attention to her as she phased back. She walked back to the house. The scene she returned to was far different than the one she left.
Karaoke had been abandoned. As Leah crept down the stairs, she heard Ian and Seth having a whispered conversation about Kat.
"She seems to be doing okay," Seth said.
"I know. That's what scares me," Ian said. "After Chad disappeared… She absolutely lost it. It was terrifying. We were scared of what she might do if we left her alone."
The conversation was brought to a halt as they saw Leah come into view.
"Hey," Ian greeted. The other guys had left while the girls were fast asleep in the basement. Sabrina was curled up in a tight ball on an armchair while Holly lay sprawled across the middle of the floor.
"Is everything alright?" Seth whispered. Kat was fast asleep on his shoulder.
Leah shook her head. "Not our problem."
Seth nodded. He didn't want to know.
Chapter Playlist:
Don't Blame Me - Taylor Swift - Renesmee
Jekyll and Hyde - Five Finger Death Punch - Leah
If Everyone Cared - Nickelback - Carlisle
One Step Closer - Linkin Park - Jacob
If I Killed Someone For You - Alec Benjamin - Jacob
