I own nothing.
Thank you to those who have been reading and especially to those who review.
If the Guest who commented on CH 3 on Jan 25th is around. Yes, I know stories are better when Jacob doesn't imprint on Renesmee. But I got to wondering what all this would look like Since in the book he DID. So, this is my take on how they should go on about it.
Just a reminder that Jacob and Sam have merged to become Co-Alpha's they can both give alpha commands to ALL of the pack members.
Leah took over most of this chapter. Enjoy!
Leah POV-
I've been avoiding everyone since Jakes birthday. Guess you could say I'm just over it; the pack life is just not for me. Especially because we've merged back with Sam and his pack. About two weeks have passed since I wore a dress to Jakes birthday and Sam thew a hissy fit after everyone had left. I keep replaying the conversation in my head wondering what I should do.
Memory:
"Leah I'm your Alpha again." His voice rang out strong. I could just tell I wasn't going to like what he was about to say, so I didn't give him a chance to say anything more before I shifted and ran off into the forest. A part of me wanted to run to the cabin, it was peaceful there. Way more comfortable than being around the pack. That thought had nearly made me trip over a tree root. Why should I be so comfortable at the house of a vampire who could read my mind, no matter the form I'm in when I hate being in wolf form where my packmates can hear my thoughts?
Present:
Since then I have avoided the pack, pushing my wolf to run further and further from pack lands. I do eventually feel the pull back home. But it is getting easier to go farther and farther away.
Ever since we found out that I'll be immortal I've made it my mission to break the call the pack lands have on me. I plan to be able to go, leave one day. Do more than run patrols and watch my high school boyfriend be immensely happy with his imprint, but also possessive of every part of my life.
I'm pretty far from home when I feel it, I know none of them are in their wolf forms when it happens but I can feel the pain from Paul and Jared, I don't even think as I start running towards home. I stop only long enough to dig out some of the clothes I have hidden in the woods.
"Is Paul and Jared ok?" I ask Sam the moment I exit the woods. I really wish any other wolf would have been there, that I would have ran into any one else. I do notice Edward standing near by, he and Sam must have been in the middle of a conversation when I walked up. "I felt their pain."
"Yeah Leah, they're going to be just fine, but where have you been. Your mom said you haven't been home in three days." Gosh why is he pushing to know where I go?
"I'm fine, I'm not your responsibility any more Sam. I just wanted to make sure they were ok." I spit out through gritted teeth and turn to walk away before I say anything more. I would have felt rude if it had been anyone but Sam. 'Edward, hey. Sorry I just can't deal with Sam right now.' I know Edward normally tries to ignore the thoughts around him, but I also knew the best way to get his attention is to call his name. I didn't want him to think I was ignoring him or trying to be rude to him. Then I realize how much time had passed since I had stopped in. Instead of trying to make up excuses of why I hadn't been around I decided to show him the conversation I had with Sam right after Jakes birthday. The way Sam had accused be of being flirtatious, of seeking attention from all the guys. Of Flaunting my looks. I keep my back to the pair, choosing instead to watch the moonlight dance on the waves. As I let my mind wander.
"I better get Elizabeth home." I hear Edward say, his words come out slightly harsher than normal, causing me to wonder what had upset him.
"Come by again soon." I barely hear Edwards whisper as he walks past me. I'm sure none of the wolves even realized that he spoken to me as he ran off to get his daughter to bed. 'I will.' I project my thoughts, knowing he will hear them. I know there is no way I can sneak off tonight, I can feel Sam watching me. I can hear a few of my pack brothers on patrol. No, I will have to wait.
I say nothing to any of the other pack members as I walk home.
"Leah, is that you?" Mom's voice comes from down the hall.
"Yes mom." I answer, who else would it be, I could hear Seth's snores from here so obviously eh was already home.
"Sweetheart where have you been going lately?" Mom's face looks concerned as she finds me in the kitchen looking for something to eat.
"I've just been out running mom. It's not like I can go anywhere for long." This wolf thing was more like a curse than a blessing. Boys who used to talk about leaving the reservation and finding more to life now only talk about patrols and starting a family soon, the main one being Sam. When we were dating Sam would talk about moving. 'Leah we can apply to collages and get out of here, we both have the grades.' Now all he thinks about is Emily, the pack, and the tribe. But he's not the only one, they've all become obsessed with staying on the land and never leaving. The only one of my packmates who openly talks about leaving is Jake. He's mentioned before that eventually he will have to leave. So that he could stay with his imprint. And me…. I feel the call of the land, but I also feel as if I could break it somehow. Maybe it's because of that book Billy found that now sits on my nightstand. 'It looks like it was written by other female shifters, talking about how their packmates all eventually stop shifting. But the females don't they continue to shift, they're immortal' Billy was right the book was very informative, but also rough. It crossed out any idea that I held on to that I could eventually imprint, no I would not get the luxury of imprinting to help me move on from Sam. I would have to do the moving on all on my own. Easier said than done when I'm stuck in the same pack as him, when I can still feel the love we once shared.
"His love for me is stronger than what I feel for him though."
"What did you say Leah?" My mom asked, I hadn't even realized I said that last big out loud.
"Just that maybe, I should go to the grocery store soon." I say as I pull my head out of the fridge. At least with mom working as a nurse we were better off than most of my pack brothers. Sam especially was struggling; he was so busy with caring for the packs and runny patrols when the others were at school that he didn't have the time or energy to find a job. I know he hated this fact, as Emily had to work at a small dinner just to put food on the table. It was a struggle he shouldn't have had. Sam was one of the smartest people I knew, or at least he was before we met the Cullens, but you'd expect vampires with their perfect memories and practically unlimited amount of time to be smart. Sam deserved better. But now he's pulled so much by this imprinting and by the pull of the land that he has convinced himself that he is happy staying here.
I take my snack of cheese, crackers, and salami back to my room. Quietly sitting on my bed and opening the book as I stifle a yawn. I'll need to sleep tonight.
The pack will keep growing as long as the Alpha feels the need for more members. I read this part a few times, not believing it. Sam had claimed that the pack would keep growing because of the vampires being nearby. If we are to take this book to be full of facts, then we may see even more pack members soon. Sam was just complaining that if there were more pack members, we'd only have to run patrols once or twice a week each. Instead of every other week. I make a mental note to speak to Jacob about this as I continue to read. Imprinting is more of a curse than anything, most fall into the curse too suddenly and there is no hope for them to move on. But some are able to lessen the control their imprintee has on them. Some are able to move on or have a normal life.
Was this what was happening with Jake? Did Edward unknowingly give him the chance to not be completely trapped by the imprint? Can Jake move on? I could tell that Sam was already too far down, heck even Paul and Jared were too wrapped up in their imprints. I would have said the same about Quil but he had been cut off from Claire for a while only now being allowed around her for short amounts of time thanks to a talk her parents had with Edward. All this information was shared with me by Seth a week ago when he and I were on patrol together, after I hadn't been home in a while and wasn't aware of all the newest gossip. Was there hope for Quil and Jake to actually have normal lives?
I finish my snack and put my book down. Being quiet as I enter the bathroom to brush my teeth, time for my cat nap before I have to report for patrol that Jake had text me about earlier. Seeing as Paul and Jared had a bit of healing to do.
I can hear my mom and Seth chatting in the kitchen when I wake, going about my morning routine.
"I've got patrol most of the morning." I say as I finish up breakfast and head out. I didn't mind going on patrol, especially when I was the only one like now. Most of the pack had a few more years of high school. Sam and I were the only ones not in school, it meant that so often after I had shifted, we had been on patrol together. It was like pure agony having a direct link to the boy I had been dating, his thoughts almost always on Emily, but occasionally they would drift to memories of us, of what we use to be. Of what we would never be again. Those memories hurt more than his thoughts of Emily. If he would have just stopped thinking about the time we spent together, the love we thought we'd share, the talks of our future. Maybe I wouldn't have become so bitter, maybe I would have been able to walk away and accept that Sam was just my high school fling.
Would have, could have, should have. Nothing to do about it now. I think as I make my 5th trip around our lands. Of course I find nothing, we haven't seen anything since the Volturi issue, since the Cullens friends have left, since most of the Cullens left.
My shift ends around nine when Sam finally pulls himself away from Emily. I don't say much to him as I confirm nothing to report and shift. I don't even realize I've made the decision to go see Edward until his house comes into view. I'm surprised by some changes as I exit the woods and enter the clearing. A few more trees near the house had been removed and garden planters had been constructed in their place. I spot Edward crouched over one spot with Elizabeth watering spots he's pointing out.
"Leah, its great to see you again." Edward gives me his charming smile as he stands, wiping dirt onto his jeans.
"Leah YAY you came back. Look what we did." Lizzy says excitedly spinning in a circle, water spilling everywhere causing both Edward and I to laugh.
"You two look like you've been busy"
"Uncle Emmett and Jasper helped us." Lizzy tells me as she goes back to her watering.
"We thought a garden would be fun for Elizabeth to learn about and care for." Edward explains.
"Leah are you coming to town with us? Daddy said its shopping day!" Oh I hadn't thought about them going somewhere, obviously they can't just sit at the cabin all the time.
"You're welcome to come with us if you'd like to." Edward offers, always the gentleman. I look down at my baggy clothes, I'd stick out in the Seattle winter. "Alice may have gotten you more clothes, they're in the closet."
I smile as I give an ok and tell Lizzy I'll be out in a minute. It had been months since I've gone to Seattle. It would feel nice to go somewhere other than Forks and the Reservation.
Alice. I proclaim to myself as I enter the guest room and notice piles of makeup, shoe boxes, some jackets, even a curling iron. Everything I would possibly need. Sometimes that Pixy knows more than she should be allowed to know.
I pick out a simple dress, since there still weren't other clothes that would fit me. Adding in a jacket and boots I won't be sticking out at least. I slightly curl my hair and put only a touch of make up on. I'm about to leave when I notice a selection of handbags. Looks like Alice thought of everything.
"Leah, you look pretty." Lizzy says as she hugs me. Looks like while I was getting ready Edward and Lizzy were both cleaning up from their gardening. I had picked a simple denim dress and paired it with black boots and a lovely green jacket.
"You look happier." Edward comments as we walk towards the car, he of course open my door for me as he users Lizzy into her car seat.
I'm a bit distracted until I sit down, finally takin ga look at the car. "What happened to your Volvo?" I ask noticing this car is way nicer.
"I was ready for a change. Most of my other cars are still in the garage at the main house, they all stick out too much or aren't kid friendly. So, I opted for this, it's a BMW M3." Edward explains as he starts up the car and we go speeding off. I had seen the other cars the Cullens had, they all would have turned too many heads.
The drive to Seattle is comfortable, mostly filled with Lizzy updating me on her playdates with Claire, her schooling, the latest hunting trips, and the Barbie house she plays with all the time. With Lizzy's chatter there really isn't much time for Edward and I to talk. I did apologize for disappearing, making sure to stress it had nothing to do with him or his family. But that was all that was said. I knew he would bring it up again eventually, but for now we have little ears listening in.
Our first stop is a small playground, It is fun watching Lizzy enjoy being a kid. I think as Edward and I sit on a bench and watch her run around. The air was pretty cool but not overly cold, so currently no other kids were around. Though Edward did at times remind her to slow down or watch her strength. Overall she does well.
"I really am sorry I just disappeared." I say out loud, with Lizzy finally distracted Edward and I would be able to have some amount of conversation.
"You don't need to apologize to me, but are you ok? The memory of you and Sam's conversation right after Jacobs birthday were a little concerning." I ponder over what to say for a moment, instead I look over to Lizzy, taking another trip down one of the slide.
"Billy found me an interesting book; it has some more of our legends written in it. But the main thing is that it's written by a woman who was also a shifter like me. If we are to believe the book then I'm the only immortal among the pack. That eventually the boys will all want to stop shifting and grow old. But I never will. Since learning this, I've been stretching myself to run farther and farther from the pack lands. To not be so bound to the land, maybe eventually I can break free of the pack." I let my words drift off as I show Edward other passages from the book. Especially the facts about the pack only growing because the Alpha feels the need for more members, so it had nothing to do with vampires being anywhere near. Then I get to the good part, the part about imprinting.
"You think he will be able to live a normal life, if his wolf can learn to accept distance?" Edward asks, quietly making sure Lizzy isn't watching us.
"I believe its possible? If we are to believe what this book is telling us." He says something about it being an interesting theory just ask Lizzy comes walking over. Not for the first time I wonder if it was Alice who taught her to walk as she more like dances towards us than walks normally.
"Daddy I'm getting hungry for lunch." Lizzy says when she reaches us.
"Then it sounds like its time to go eat. What should we get?" Edward asks as we both stand to leave.
"Fish & Chips!" Lizzy proclaims happily as we get to the car.
"Leah, are you ok with seafood?" Edward politely asks, not like I'm going to tell the adorable child no.
"Sounds wonderful."
It doesn't take us long to get to the restaurant, but before we can go in Lizzy is excitedly pulling on Edward arm and pointing to a nearby building.
"Dady what is an Aq…Uar…Ium." She asks sounding out the name on the building and pointing.
"That's an Aquarium, its like a zoo for ocean animals." On the drive over Lizzy had told me all about their zoo trip a few weeks ago.
"After lunch can we go?" Lizzy asks turning her pleading eyes up towards Edward.
"We will see, Leah may have to get home soon." Hey no fair don't put that on me, but I don't have anywhere else to go so if you want to, we could take her. I send the thoughts to Edward, not sure if he wanted to take her. It would mean we would be spending more time together.
Thankfully there aren't any fits of screaming as Edward leads Lizzy away and towards the restaurant.
I don't enjoy the look the waitress gives Edward as she takes our drink and then food orders. I shouldn't have been surprised he'd attack attention. I was more surprised that I didn't like the flirtatious looks she was giving him, not that he was paying her any more attention than needed.
"I'm going to color the prettiest picture for your fridge Leah, I bet your fridge is just as boring as Jakes." Lizzy says as she starts to concentrate on the coloring page the waitress had given her.
It doesn't take long for our food to arrive, though I am surprised to notice Edwards slowly disappearing. I thought you couldn't eat human food? I ask though I know I won't get much of an answer seeing as there were humans around. He just smirks and I go back to eating.
"It's our treat." Edward says when the check comes after we had all finished eating.
"Thank you." I don't even try to argue. I know I wouldn't win anyways.
"So Lizzy, do you still want to go see the aquarium?" I ask as we exit the restaurant and Lizzy grabs my hand making my arm swing. I turn to look at her and notice that she is also holding Edwards hand. We probably look like a family to any of the watching humans. That thought almost causes me to pull my hand away from Lizzy, but I stop. Who cares what the humans looking think. We all knew the truth. It had been years since I've been to the aquarium. I had forgotten how calming all of it was as we followed Lizzy's lead to the big fish tanks, the sharks, the sea otters.
"Oh those brownies smell good." Lizzy says as we're about to pass.
"I'll get us some." I say rushing off before Edward could say that he'd pay.
Lizzy was right, the brownies smelled amazing, they tased even better as we sat, watching the sea lions play as we ate our treats.
We're just finishing up as Lizzy spots the gift shop.
"Daddy?" She asks pointing.
"You may pick one thing sweetheart." That's all the approval she needs before she runs inside, looking at everything. I let her do her shopping as I make my way to the magnet display. By the time Lizzy had picked out a stuffed otter, I had chosen two different magnets and paid for them.
"Leah what did you get?" Lizzy asked looking at my small bag.
"I got a magnet, I like to collect magnets from places I've been or for special days." I open the bag to pull them out and show her. "I got this one for you, I thought maybe you'd like to start your own collection." I had picked out a magnet with a sea otter on it with the words Seattle Aquarium Washington on it. For myself I had chosen one with a shark on it that said "I may bite"
"OH… I love that idea Lee." She says holding her magnet gently in both hands. "We'll have to go back to the zoo Daddy; I didn't get a magnet from there."
"Now look what you've started Leah." Edward says with a smile as he examines the magnet Lizzy is holding up to show him. "We don't have time today for the zoo, but we will make time again soon to go."
"OH Leah you can come with us to the zoo, so you can get a magnet too!" Lizzy says as she grabs our hands again and we start towards the car.
"Dinner time princess, then we will have to go to the grocery store and then home" Edward says, checking to make sure her straps are buckled just right.
"McDonalds?" She requests as she hugs her stuffed animal close.
"McDonalds it is." I agree, having such a fun time, doing anything but worrying about being a wolf, running patrols, and protecting the tribe. It's been way too long. The last time I came to Seattle Sam had thrown an Alpha fit ordering that I couldn't go on dates with human males, that our secret was too important to risk humans finding out. A slight cracking sound makes me turn towards Edward who must have heard my thoughts and judging by the look of his clenched fist around the steering wheel he didn't like them one bit.
The rest of our Seattle trip is uneventful, grocery shopping is never overly exciting. I was surprised when we opened the trunk and there were ice chests sitting there. Guess that makes sense and would be the only way to get any of the cold items back to the cabin. We must have worn Lizzy out as she falls asleep before we even hit the freeway.
"She's asleep." Edward says, though even my wolf hearing could pick up on the soft even breathing coming from the back seat.
"So the food?" I ask, yeah I know he wanted to talk about me disappearing, the Sam stuff, the Pack stuff. "Didn't know you were so good at slight-of-hand."
"It would have looked too odd if I didn't eat." Edward says in explanation. "I put the food into a bag in Lizzy's backpack and then dumped it when no one was looking. Way better option than eating it just to have to get rid of it later."
I let a bit of time pass before I begin speaking, I knew what Edward wanted to talk about. But was being too kind to ask. Always a gentleman.
"Sam gave me an Alpha order, soon after Seth and I had shifted for the first time. I was still reeling over everything, the wolf, the imprinting excuse he kept showing me, the way he still felt about me. It was rough, intergrading into the pack. Having to listen to Sam as the Alpha. It got worse the first time I had left the pack lands. I just went shopping, looking for some new books and needing some new clothes. I did wait long enough to get my wolf under control before going out with humans, but as soon as I got back Sam was there in my face, demanding to know where I went, who I was with. He kept saying I couldn't be around humans that our wolves where dangerous. Once he found out I went to town, he didn't believe that I hadn't been on a date. He used his Alpha voice on me that night. 'You are not allowed to go on dates with any human who's not your imprint Leah' even now I can feel that command in me." I was starting to get mad at him, how dare he use his alpha control on me like that.
"You think he was going to expand that command, that night after Jacob's birthday." Edward voice sounds tight, as if he didn't like what Sam had done.
"Possibly?" I answer. "Though we'll never know now, since I ran off and didn't give him a chance. I've pretty much avoided him ever since. Not that he needed to give such an order, I had no desire to date a human that I would have to hide a big part of myself from. Now, knowing what I do from that book, well it completely takes away any desire I have to date. I think it would be too painful to let myself fall in love again just to lose him to old age."
We change the subject to lighter things, like talking about what I will do once I break the hold the pack lands have on me. Like my plans to attend collage.
"What will you study?" Edward asks as we near home.
"Art." The answer is simple. "Before all this, the wolf, the Sam stuff. I loved and studied all kinds of art, my favorite being pottery. I used to have a small section of the garage at home for my pottery projects. It's gone now. I had destroyed it in a fit of rage when I first shifted. I used to be decent though, and not just vases and bowls but small statues also. I would sell some for extra cash." The more I talk about it the more I realize how much I truly miss it. Sitting at my pottery wheel, my hands wet and covered in clay. That was my happy place. I had only stopped after Sam and I had started dating, he was annoyed that every time he came around I was covered in clay. "I never loved him." I whisper more to myself than to Edward, the realization hits me hard. Yes, we would talk about the future and leaving the tribe, but he wasn't encouraging to my love of art. "Art is just a big waste of time." He would always tell me "You should be a teacher or something that will utilizes your brain."
"I only liked the idea of Sam." I finally say dragging myself out of the memory. "It was just a young school girl crush. I thought he would be my ticket out of here. But I was wrong he's trying even now to be an anchor." My breath catches in my throat as a thought hits me, Sam is an anchor. "I think I know how to break the Alpha bond. I'm sorry, Um I'll come by tomorrow, but can you let me out here please?"
"Of course Leah. Let me know if you need anything." Edward says as he pulls over. I jump out of the car, undoing the buttons on the jacket and then take the boots off, tossing them into the car. I didn't want to show up at home with such fancy looking clothes.
"Thanks Edward, I'll come by soon. I promise." I say as I run off into the woods and towards home.
"Leah, did you have a good day?" My mom says as I walk into the house. She's sitting watching some cooking show. "Is that a new dress?"
"Yeah mom it was great. I just came to drop some stuff off, I need to shift. Oh yeah the dress, um it was a gift from Alice." I say as I make my way towards my room.
"Such a nice gift, was it at Edwards?" I can hear the teasing in my mom's voice and for a moment I was going to just ignore it. But a part of me wanted to see her reaction.
"Yes, there were a few different clothing options waiting for me, gifts from Alice. I actually went to Seattle with Him and Lizzy today. Lizzy enjoyed some time at the park, and then the aquarium. I've got her started on a magnet collection." She smiles softly at me.
"He seems like a good man Leah." She gives me an approving look before I realize she thought I was on a date with Edward.
"Mom, we didn't go on a date or anything, just hung out." I mean a date would have been nice, but we're just friends.
I change out of the dress this time before I shift. I didn't want to have to tell Alice I ruined yet another dress.
It doesn't take me long to find Sam. Even though they're not married yet he's constantly at Emily's. He's easy to find.
"Sam, I want to speak to you." I say after I had shifted and dressed in a simple shirt and shorts.
He follows me easy enough, and I make sure to walk far enough away from the other wolves and Emily who are looking at us with questions. I take a deep breath to calm my nerves, sending up a prayer that this works.
"Sam, I reject you're Alpha claim on me. I refuse to be under your control." I don't have to say any more as I can practically see the invisible tether between us snap.
"Leah what did you just do." I can see it in Sam's eyes, he's furious. I could tell he was using an Alpha voice. But I no longer felt compelled to obey. I have done it. I had broken that small thread of control that Sam held over me. I could feel his Alpha commands slipping down. I'm sure if I was so inclined I would be able to go on a date with a human.
I'm fully aware of the rest of the pack joining us, some in wolf form and some in human form. Emily was also there, standing on her porch.
"Leah what happened?" Jake asked, that's when I realized by breaking my bond to Sam I also broke my bond to Jake and the rest of the pack.
"It was time for a change. Now we can't torment each other Sam. You have your imprint. It's time for me to find my future. You can't be an anchor to me any more." I'm fully aware all eyes are on me as I walk off. I didn't want to deal with them and for once I didn't have to.
It doesn't take long for a sandy colored wolf to follow me, bumping me with his nose.
"Hey Seth." It like I could feel what he wanted as I tell him to wait and I go to shift. My mind is silent, as if none of the other wolves were shifted, but I could see Seth was still in Wolf form. If a wolf could frown I'm sure he'd have one on his face and he watched me. Unable to see my thoughts, just as I was unable to see his. He lets out a little whine that tears through me.
'It's ok Seth' I concentrate on my will to let his wolf hear me, and then I can feel it. A feather light string. I push myself to grab it.
'Leah, what will you do? None of us can hear you, you can't hear us?'
'Seth I can hear you now.' I wasn't ready for the scream of joy that vibrated between us as Seth's wolf bounced around me. 'If I concentrate we can connect.'
We continue our walk home. Seth happy with the fact that we could still communicate. I didn't mind when I heard Seths thoughts, he really was a young, but good boy. His thoughts were always pure. He was also the first of the wolves who pushed to give the Cullens a chance, to give Edward a chance. On our way home I realized he only heard the thoughts I pushed towards him, not all my thoughts.
Once we get home we both shift, choosing to sit and talk on the couch. Mom had left for a night shift at the hospital. I fill Seth in on what I did all day. He's a little shocked but seems happy for me. Though he also asked me if it was a date? But this time I chose to say that I wasn't sure. Looks like I will have to ask Edward, next time I go over there.
Eventually I'm sure I will have to speak with Jake and Sam, and the pack. But for now it just felt wonderful being my own self.
"Leah, something has arrived for you." My mom's voice calls me out of the book I am reading, she had arrived home from her shift only an hour ago and was getting ready for some sleep.
"Mom I didn't order anything." I call back as I put the book down and get up.
"We'll someone did." That's when I see it, the box is huge. Boxes, I correct noticing there are multiple covering our porch.
Art is never a waste of time, no matter which form it's in.
There's no name on the note, but I knew it would have to be from Edward.
I'm shocked as I open the gifts.
One of the big boxes contained a kiln, I hadn't ever had one. I would just take my items to school and use theirs.
The next box held a pottery wheel, one of the best I've ever seen.
The third box was full of clay, then a box of different glazes.
The last box had every tool imaginable, along with some surprising items such as olive and coconut oil, and some paraffin wax. I'm not positive what I'll do with these but I'm sure they are something Edward viewed as important when he looked up what to buy.
Since he hadn't said he was into pottery I only assume he looked up what equipment I would need after he had gotten home, must have paid extra for the super speedy delivery.
"Wow." My mom says as she watches me unpack all the boxes. "We can clean out the garage, you can have all that space if you want." The garage was full of just old tools and random junk, mom never liked parking in there, so she never cared if her car would fit.
"Um, thanks mom." I say as I carry the items to the garage, happy for the extra wolf strength.
I contemplate calling Edward after I set everything up but quickly change my mind. A gift like this deserved more than a simple phone call.
"Mom, I'm going to take the car." I say as she bids be good night and heads to grab some sleep. I didn't want to run in wolf form to Edwards.
Edward's POV:
The trip to Seattle was nice, it felt comfortable with Leah. The pack really didn't do her any favors in they way they acted and treated her. They were the ones who made her bitter and angry, or more like it was Sam who did. The way her face had brightened and her voice had lightened when she mentioned her art. I could is it in her memories, the beautiful pieces she had made.
Even after dropping her off I'm still smiling, art was something I knew about. Not much about pottery, but music and I had taken a few painting classes. Maybe eventually I could get into learning some pottery. I think to myself as I look online and order everything Leah could ever need to start up her hobby again.
"I never loved him." Leah had head more to herself than o me, then suddenly I could see it in her memories, the times Sam had scoffed at her hobby, telling her it was a waste of time, and that she shouldn't study art in collage. "I only liked the idea of Sam. It was just a young school girl crush. I thought he would be my ticket out of here. But I was wrong he's trying even now to be an anchor."
I could see it, the moment the realization hits her, Sam was an anchor that she was ready to rid herself of. She could feel the pack bonds, all acting as little tethers. "I think I know how to break the Alpha bond. I'm sorry, Um I'll come by tomorrow, but can you let me out here please?"
"Of course Leah. Let me know if you need anything." I would have loved to stay with her, to make sure Sam didn't get mad or try to stop the break. But I also trusted her, she was a strong woman. She didn't need my protection. I also have Elizabeth in the car, and if things went furry, I didn't want her in the middle of it all.
Once I fill the cart I order with overnight shipping. No use in waiting for it all to arrive, she'll received all the boxes nice and early tomorrow. I can hardly contain my excitement as I go about my normal activities, picking up a few toys that had been left out, forgotten after our busy day. I placed Leah's gift to Lizzy on the fridge. I knew we'd be going to the zoo the next day or so, Elizabeth was pushing to grow her magnet collection.
I'm surprised when the thoughts of Jacob and Sam reach me. They're both a bit angry as they approach the cabin. Though I can tell Jacob isn't angry at me, he's there more so to make sure Sam doesn't try anything with Elizabeth around.
Sam hesitates for a moment in the cover of the trees as I stand on the porch, waiting to see what he would do. A part of him wanted to attack, to take me down. Jacob had been telling him there was no way Sam would win a fight against me, and Jacob wouldn't have to give me any assistance. Jacob knew I could take on wolf on, on my own.
"Good evening." I finally call out as Sam's joins Jacob in shifting to human. Looks like we're going to have a somewhat peaceful chat. I think as I still walk off the porch, motioning to where a few chairs sat near our garden.
"Hey this is looking great." Jacob says as he takes a seat, completely at ease.
"Leah came to see me." Sam practically spits the words out. He didn't need to say it, I could see it in his mind, she had pushed her wolf-will to break the bonds. But I don't say it, I let him speak, I could tell a part of him was still struggling to control his tightly bottles anger. "She broke the pack bond, how did you know how do to it? I could smell your faint scent on her, she must have been hanging around you all day. So What did you tell her?" his voice is rising in anger with each word.
"Sam I didn't tell her anything, I didn't know she could break the bond. She stopped by earlier today and Elizabeth had practically conned Leah into coming to Seattle with us. On the way home Leah was talking about her love for art, and then she was hit with a thought about the pack and the bonds and before I knew what she was doing she asked to be dropped off. I haven't spoken to her since." My reply doesn't make Sam happy; he wanted me to have been the one to convince Leah to break the pack bond, he didn't want it to be her idea.
"See Sam, I told you Edward didn't do anything. It all makes sense anyways. Why would a female wolf who is immortal be tethered to a pack?" Jacobs words do make sense to Sam, he just didn't like them.
"Yeah yeah Jake, I hear you. Sorry Edward, I didn't mean to sound so accusing. I just didn't think any of the wolves could break the bond." I could see the cloud of anger slowly seeping out and away from Sam. Maybe this is a good thing, maybe the break will help. I can grow my bond with Emily more. And maybe I'll be able to let go of my first love. Maybe we're all going to be ok.
Sam says a polite goodbye as he goes to leave. Still thinking maybe now this could be a good thing.
Jacob stays for a bit longer, asking how Lizzy is, and telling me about work and the online school work he is finishing up. He's accomplished catching up, not he just needed to finish this school year and rejoin his school next year for his senior year. "I think I want to test the imprint more, my school has opened some spots for incoming seniors to go on a month long trip. I've always been into science and my grades are good enough to do the summer program, my school joins up with Forks high school students and we will travel to some of the top science schools Johns Hopkins, Massachusetts Institute of Tech, Cornell, University of California both Berkeley and San Diego. I would be gone a month, but I think if we prepare my wolf. I think it would be ok. I don't want you thinking I'm trying to abandon Lizzy, but we have forever with her. Maybe I should make sure I have some kind of a future?" I can see that he's a bit nervous asking this, he didn't want to never see Lizzy again, but he wanted more than just sitting around waiting for whatever the future brings.
"Jacob, that sounds great. Those are top school with wonderful science programs." We sit for a while longer tossing ideas back and forth on how to help grow Jacob's tolerance to being away from his imprint. Looks like we may have made the right decision when I demanded Jacob reclaim a piece of his old life.
AN: Thanks for reading. I love hearing, comments and thoughts if you'd like to drop some love.
