A/n: I'm really sorry about the really long wait for this chapter. As I've stated before, I'm still unsure about the quality of my writing for this story. But you guys have been so great. So please be patient with me as I write this.

With that in mind, at least I made this chapter longer than the others thus far. That being said, any mistakes in this chapter, are due to the desire I had to put this up ASAP.

Prompt: Controversial (#253)

"And I won't hold you back,
Let your anger rise.
And we'll fly,
And we'll fall
And we'll burn. "

-Muse, Stockholm Syndrome

Leah became increasingly agitated, the further they marched into La Push land. The week or so leading up to the bonfire, when not at work, Leah had spent at the Cullens. She'd only been home to sleep because as much as it pained her to be around Carlisle and Esme together... somehow the idea of confronting anyone from the pack, much less her mother, was even more appealing.

Somehow... she managed to suffer through seeing Esme and Carlisle together. Sneeringly, she considered she had a lot of practice with Emily and Sam.

She considered that the only reason she hadn't devolved into snarling and snapping bitterly at the vampires was because Carlisle was like her personal sedative. Her anger simply couldn't really erupt in his presence.

Tilting her head to the left, she looked out of the corner of her eye, staring beyond her imprint and into the trees. She could faintly smell Paul, and hear the sound of his paws softly hitting the forest floor.

Quil and Paul were on patrol duty tonight. Quil because it was past his Imprints bedtime, so she couldn't attend the bonfire; Paul because he and Leah were like oil and water. Sam thought it was best for Paul not to attend the bonfire, even with Rachel present as Paul was still working on his anger-management issues.

She wanted to growl at Paul to fuck off, that they didn't need an escort. But tonight, she was going to try to be on her best behavior. For Carlisle's sake. Not because she truly felt that any of the wolves would violate the treaty or their most sacred law, but because she knew her pack to be full of a bunch of hot-heads and she didn't want to risk Carlisle getting injured because she couldn't control herself.

Briefly she considered as she grit her teeth and made herself calm down, that Carlisle was good for her in that way. He grounded her, made her far more level-headed than she'd ever be.

Even Sam could never do that. He could never control her in any way; Carlisle did it without even trying or being conscious of it. Though, she wondered if that was simply the imprint. Or Carlisle himself, because he was simply so reasonable and kind.

As soon as they arrived on the beach, it was like every wolf turned their head towards them. Leah felt herself go tense as she continued their slow approach.

"Everything will be fine, Leah," Carlisle stated in quiet, soothing tones, turning his gaze to her.

Leah nodded stiffly, though her eyes were quick to take in everyone that was gathered. The elders of course, were gathered close together with Sam. Emily was off serving food to a large group of boys. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Jared tuck Kim further into his arms, and out of sight, as if he expected Carlisle to go on a rampage.

"Hey Leah, Carlisle!" Seth called happily as he ran over to meet them where they'd stopped, at least twenty or so feet from the large fire and those gathered around.

Leah barely nodded her head as Carlisle greeted Seth warmly, with a fond smile.

Briefly, Leah wondered who would be the first to approach, if anyone. She wasn't very surprised when Sam came over, wheeling Billy along with him, leaving Old Quil and her own mother behind. Leah averted her gaze, wondering just what her mother thought. She knew if Carlisle were not with her, Leah would have already gone over to greet the council members already.

"You came," Sam stated in serious tones, his muscles tense but his tone, at the very least, polite.

No one seemed comfortable with the occurring, and though Billy maintained a polite stance, it was clear he was also wary.

"Obviously," Leah retorted, though her tone wasn't harsh. Billy couldn't help wondering at the change. He was more than aware of the level of animosity and hurt between the packs Alpha and the eldest Clearwater wolf.

"Thank you for inviting me. It's an honor," Carlisle stated politely, glossing over Leah's retort.

Leah didn't say anything as Billy and Sam turned to look at Carlisle. Her body merely remained tense, as if poised to defend against any attack, all her senses on high alert as she stood straight and tall next to Carlisle. She didn't even know how Carlisle could manage to make his body appear to relaxed. Surely his vampire senses were going haywire around so many wolves?

Though she was more or less on friendly terms with the Cullens, whenever she was at their home, her body still reacted to their presence. The desire to change vibrated inside her, contained in her skin. Her hairs would stand on end, and her muscles would tense. It took her all to allow her human logic to override her primitive responses.

She guessed that Carlisle simply had centuries worth of restraint under his belt, so that this wasn't difficult for him.

"Leah, you should say hello to your mother," Billy offered.

"Later," Leah replied shortly, unwilling to leave her imprint even for a second.

"Would you like to eat?" Sam asked, trying for some levity. Leah was about to refute, but felt Carlisle step nearer to her. His low body-temperature almost radiated from him, though Leah guessed that had much more to do with how hot her own body ran.

"I thought wolves were always hungry," Carlisle teased, resting a hand on her upper back. Leah couldn't help the corners of her mouth quirking up slightly at his tone, or the way his hand, even barely grazing her back, made her heart skip several beats. She didn't think she'd ever get used to that and as she momentarily chewed on her bottom lip, she wondered what Carlisle thought of it, as she knew with his vampire hearing, that he must be able to hear it.

"That doesn't mean I should pig-out every time. I ate a while ago. I'm fine," Leah protested, turning only marginally to glare mildly into her imprints gaze.

"Yes, but your fast metabolism requires it."

"Carlisle!"

"Leah," Carlisle offered back with a slight smile. And just like that, Leah's will snapped. Growling, she turned and pinned Seth and Sam with a pointed glare, before marching away when he nodded his head miniscule in turn, making it obvious that he was in charge of her imprints protection.

It took all her will to keep walking towards the food, and not turn to walk backward so that she could keep her imprint in sight.

"That was impressive," Billy stated once Leah was completely out of earshot, with a slight chuckle.

"I know right! Any time Sam tried to make Leah do something she didn't want to, she'd flip!" Seth stated excitedly with a laugh. Sam frowned slightly, crossing his arms over his chest at the unintentional sting he suddenly felt.

"Seth," Billy said in dismissive tones, causing the younger Clearwater to frown slightly. He shot an uncertain look at Carlisle, before doing as he was silently bidden and stepping away. Though, he dutifully kept his sight locked on his sister's imprint, knowing Leah was counting on him even as he stepped out of earshot from Sam, Billy and Carlisle.

xXx

"Why didn't you tell me? You've been avoiding me. I didn't raise cowards, Leah. I'm very disappointed in you," were the first words out of her mother's mouth as Leah tentatively finished wolfing down a burger.

"You're sure its not the fact that I imprinted on a vampire, mom? Or a married man?" Leah couldn't help snarking, dumping her plate, having lost her appetite after just one measly burger. She had no stomach for this conversation. She'd been dreading it.

"Leah Clearwater!" her mother nearly yelled sharply, causing the girl to flinch. She knew that was harsh and uncalled for. Her mother had always been sportive of her. Though, Leah often felt like she wasn't living up to her mother's desire, she knew Sue loved her. But they'd never been close, not like she'd been with her father...

But her mom and Seth were all the family Leah had left... she couldn't lose either of them in any way.

"I'm sorry mom. I just... I don't think I can take it if you-"

"What happened isn't your fault honey," Sue stated, gently moving Leah's chin so that she had to look her mother in the face, while her other hand rested soothingly on Leah's elbow. Leah hesitantly looked into her mother's eyes and breathed in deeply, relief seeping into her to see that there was no judgement in her mother's eyes. "But I don't want to see you hurting again."

Leah didn't say anything. After the battle with the newborns, her mother had known she was in pain. But she didn't know the cause for it. Didn't know that Leah had imprinted on a Carlisle. Sue merely thought that Leah was forcing herself to stop phasing, and wouldn't listen to her pleas to phase.

"How are you handling the imprint?" her mother asked astutely, looking at Leah intensely, searchingly.

Leah shrugged her shoulders, looking around her, glad that she and her mother were standing far enough from the boys and that they were too preoccupied goofing around to pay any mind to their conversation.

"It's easy as breathing, when it's just me and him, and I can ignore the fact that he's married while keeping my actions in check. But when-" Leah trailed off, not thinking she had to go on as she ducked her head so that her hair would curtain the anguished expression that twisted her face.

Leah almost broke into tears when she felt her mother's arms wrap around her.

"I wish you'd imprinted on anyone else," Sue sighed, but Leah shook her head.

"I wouldn't trade the gift of knowing him for anything," Leah confessed, burrowing her face into her mother's crook as tears clung to her lashes. And, as much as her imprint was sweet torture, it was true. Leah was glad to know him... for the opportunity to be close to him in any way.

Unfortunately, before they could continue their little heart to heart, the sound of arguing broke out behind them. Leah was quick to pull away from her mother, instantly alert, her heart racing with fear that something might be happening to Carlisle. But she relaxed when she noticed that Carlisle was still with Billy and Sam, talking about something or other, where she had left him not five minutes ago.

"Stay back mum," Leah said as she and Sue moved to approach the boys who were participating in a shoving match, namely Collin and Embry.

"He's a pup," Leah snapped as she pulled Embry away from Collin who along with Brady, was one of the newest and youngest members of the pack. She then proceeded to cuff Embry on the back of the head, quite hard and glared at him before snapping at Collin to go cool his heels by Jared.

"Who started this?" Sue asked Brady before he moved to join his best friend.

"Embry started when he overheard Collin talking about the pool going on when Leah and the leech... I mean Dr. C, break down and... you know... become a real couple," Brady said with a shrug, before quickly scurrying off, leaving Leah vibrating in her skin that there was such a pool going and she had no idea about it.

Sometimes, she really hated being part of a pack full of nothing but immature, adolescent males!

"Can I have a word with you, Call? NOW?!" Leah stated through gritted, and her arms crossed. "Excuse me mum," Leah said before marching away furiously, only aware that Embry was following because of the sounds of his soft steps as they moved away from everybody. "What the hell was that Call?"

"They were making stupid comments!" Embry said, as if in defense of himself, throwing his arms up in wild gestures in his panic at facing an angry Leah.

Leah paused for a moment, her retort dying on her tongue as she realized that this was the first time she'd spoken to Embry more than a greeting since the last bonfire. Her anger wilted in the face of his puppy-dog eyes and the knowledge that the boy still had feelings for her.

Sighing, she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Yeah, and that's because you're all a bunch of fucking morons.I don't need you to defend my honor, Em. I'm a big girl and can look after myself. Pulling stupid stuff like that," Leah stated, gesturing back to where they'd been, "Is just going to make these fuckers nosy about what's crawled up your ass since you're usually so level-headed."

Embry shrugged, and Leah could almost hear him saying in his head, that no one would really be that surprised. It wasn't exactly a secret, thanks to the pack-mind, that he had a crush on her.

Leah crossed her arms, shuffling her feet awkwardly and looking away from Embry, wondering what the hell she'd been thinking, fucking him. But then, it wasn't as if there were a lot of options. The only other males without imprints and not couting her brother because... that was just unthinkable, were Brady, Collin, and Jacob. And that was just fucking gross on all accounts.

"So... how are things going between you and... Dr. C?" Embry asked almost shyly.

"Fine," Leah replied through tight lips. Looking around, her eyes searching out Carlisle, she was slightly surprised to see that her mother had taken Seth and approached her imprint. Nerves knotted her stomach as the two interacted, but seeing that carlisle was smiling and still looked at ease, made her feel a little better.

As if sensing her gaze, Carlisle looked up and across the distance, their eyes met and his smile widened a bit. Leah couldn't help her features melting into a smile as her heart twittered in her ribcage and the rest of the world faded around her.

An exhalation, snapped her out of her reverie and she turned to look at Embry, her gaze narrowing.

"What?"

"Nothing," Embry said in trepidation, but it wasn't nothing. Her ears caught what sounded like, 'he's only going to break your heart'. "I think they're about to start," Embry said before whirling around and running away from her, apparently wishing to escape her wrath.

Leah rolled her eyes, though her stomach was churning and her heart sank. "Coward," Leah muttered, walking at a slower pace to rejoin her tribe and return to her Imprints side. But she couldn't deny, that Embry was probably right and it scared the hell out of her, because she didn't know how she'd survive then.

xXx

"So what? Did Billy want to talk to you for any specific reason?" Leah asked as they walked down the beach. Carlisle turned to Leah, a small bashful smile on his face and a question in his eyes to which Leah mere barked a small laugh. "Come on... they weren't exactly subtle about wanting to get you alone."

The bonfire was over, and much to everyone's relief, nothing catastrophic occurred. Everyone mixed and mingled for a while, and then the legends were shared, and Carlisle was even asked if he would share the meeting between Ephraim Black and himself, from his perspective.

After, though many remained behind, Leah and Carlisle decided to leave early and take a walk along the beach.

Carlisle shook his head and smiled fondly at Leah's statement. No, they weren't exactly subtle, trying to convince Leah to step away, and then requesting Seth leave them alone. Carlisle imagined that the only reason Sam was allowed to remain, was because their trust in his control simply didn't extend far enough as to allowing him to be alone with the tribes chief.

"To ask me of my intentions," Carlisle replied in a small, slightly embarrassed voice. "They do not desire that I hurt you in any way."

"Oh," Leah stated simply, though there was a hint of sadness in her tone that made Carlisle desire to scoop her up in his arms. "I should've guessed. It's no less than my father would have expected from the chief. I imagine if you were human, he would've threatened you by telling you that he has a shotgun and knows where you live."

"Indeed," Carlisle felt a smile of amusement tug his lips. "Instead, he reminded me you have a pack of brothers who can tear me to pieces."

Leah scoffed at this, but did not actually say anything. Carlisle imagined that Leah rather doubted that her pack would do any such thing, but Carlisle wasn't so sure. It was clear to him, that she was treasures far more than she believed. Though he didn't doubt there was some distance and even hard feelings between Leah and her pack-mates, he also felt that they loved her, though some seemed less aware of it than others.

"So... you and Sam?" Carlisle asked, to which Leah immediately tensed.

Carlisle didn't say anything as Leah sped up, following her at leisurely pace to allow her to gather her thoughts.

She sat on a log, and Carlisle joined her while she stared at her hands and pulled on the sleeves of her hooded sweater.

"What about Sam?" Leah asked in carefully emotionless tones.

"He broke your heart," Carlisle stated simply, not knowing how else to put it to spare her feelings. Though, he didn't know the details, he knew that it was heart-break that had caused her to phase. But before tonight, he'd never guessed that the animosity between Leah and her Alpha was on a more personal level than Leah's animosity with the rest of her pack.

"Says who?" Leah bit out in defensive tones.

"The way you avoid meeting his gaze... the way he looks at you. It is clear that he loves you, hurts for you, longs for you," Carlisle said, and he couldn't describe the feeling that came over him when he saw the way Sam looked at Leah. It was worse than jealousy. It felt darker. And Carlisle had never felt such a desire to kill anyone before in his three-hundred years and... it frightened him that he could feel so possessive of Leah.

"No... Emily is his imprint. She's his everything," Leah stated through tight lips, still not willing to look at him.

"What happened Leah?" Carlisle asked, though his heart hurt to know that Leah's heart was still engaged elsewhere. He could feel his heart breaking into millions of little pieces, fracturing until there was nothing left but sharp particles of dust that cut through his insides.

Leah ran a hand through her hair and she turned to Carlisle with anger in her face. But upon looking to him, that anger melted and left behind nothing but sadness and resignation.

"Sam and I..." Leah started, her voice low and hesitant as she turned away from him and for a moment fiddled with her sleeves before looking up and staring forward at the waves lapping at the beach. "We were together since I was like fourteen. We were together for years, and to me, he was everything. I gave him... everything I was, everything I had. We were even engaged and then... he phased."

Her words were slightly broken. Her story coming in pieces and Carlisle was both in awe that she could speak so stoically, but he also hurt for the painfully beautiful girl before him as he read between the lines.

"He was the first to phase... so obviously, he freaked out. He didn't know what the hell was happening to him. He thought he lost his mind when he saw huge paws where his hands should be. It took him weeks to be able to phase out, and it was only after Old Quil came across him and explained what was happening to him."

Carlisle watched Leah, transfixed, though she used her ink-colored hair as a curtain. The words were coming easier to her now, as she rushed them out to tell her story, one she didn't allow herself to share with anyone, one she probably believed didn't matter to anyone. And Carlisle felt that sensation of warmth that resided in his chest whenever he was with Leah, or merely thought of her, expand.

"He was gone for six weeks... just disappeared and I was going out of my mind. I had no idea where he was. No one knew. But I think slowly, when there were no reports of anything being wrong, people just started to think that he just took off. People started saying that Sam was just like his father, that he couldn't commit, and that he just left, but I didn't believe them. That wasn't my Sam. But it was hard, not knowing where he was, worrying about him, while everyone was trying to convince me that he was a piece of shit that simply skipped town.

"When he came back, I was so fucking happy. But... he couldn't tell me what happened, why he left. It was supposed to be this big secret. And he was just... he wasn't the same, he wasn't my Sam anymore. He was... bigger. He'd cut off all his gorgeous hair. He became so damn serious and angry, so easily and he just took off whenever he got angry. I kept thinking, I was doing something wrong and I became so afraid of losing him that I simply stopped asking him questions.

"Then one day, not long after he'd come back, he saw Emily. Immediately after, he just left the house. It wasn't the first time he met, Emily. I mean, she's my cousin. We grew up very close together even though she's from the Makah reservation. She was practically my sister. But that was the first time Sam saw her after he phased, and he imprinted on her.

"It wasn't long after that, that he broke up with me. He didn't even give me a fucking explanation... I mean he couldn't, but I didn't know that. And not even a week later, I see him fucking begging Emily to give him a chance.

"I was so confused. I didn't know what was happening. I thought they both betrayed me, that they were going behind my back and it hurt so fucking much. I couldn't stand to be near either one of them. Emily called, and begged me for weeks, but I didn't want to fucking see her face.

"I didn't find out Sam's side until after I phased. Apparently, Emily and he hadn't actually done anything when Sam and I were together, she didn't even accept him until after he wrecked her face when he lost control and phased too close to her when she told him she hated him and that he was just like his no good father. I still don't understand why the fuck she accepted him after that... I guess because Sam was with her constantly at the hospital and she realized that he was actually devoted to her and would never leave her. Or maybe she just couldn't stand to look him so damn contrite and torn about what he'd done to her because of this fucking crap.

"I didn't know any of this, until I phased, which was a couple months later. But in between the time that Sam broke up with me and I first phased... I put everyone near me through hell. It was just easier to be angry than to cry. It hurt too much... and I didn't want anyone to see it.

"I was especially hard on my parents. More so, my father."

"Why is that? I thought you were very close to your father?" Carlisle asked in quiet tones, not wishing to disturb Leah. Because she was finally telling her story, and he knew how important that was, how monumental... and as much as Leah might be uncomfortable with it, she needed it.

But Carlisle couldn't help feeling as if his heart were being clawed at. It hurt... that he and his family, had so completely ruined this beautiful girl's life. A girl who didn't deserve it. Who deserved every happiness.

"I was. But he was on the council; he knew what was going on with Sam and he kept trying to tell me that I had to let him go. And that I had to forgive him, for my own sake. But I thought he was just taking Sam's side, and I felt so betrayed by him. He was my dad! He was supposed to be on my side!

"I never fought so much with my dad as I did... those last few months. But we didn't fight just because of Sam. I did things... a lot of things, I shouldn't have done. I would stay out really late, partying and not come home until I was so drunk, I could barely walk, and that's even if I did come home. I'd sneak into bars and go clubbing. I even took off a whole weekend and stayed in Seattle."

Leah looked down at her hands, and continued in a barely audible whisper, "I slept around a lot."

Carlisle felt his gut constrict. He tried to keep his hands from balling into fists as her confession hung heavily in the air for a moment, while Leah turned away in shame.

"What's a lot?" Carlisle asked aloofly, when he was sure he was in control of himself, telling himself he had no reason to judge Leah.

"I don't know... something in the teens," Leah confessed, her gaze still averted, her face turned completely away from him, her tone still small and shamed.

"Did you take care of yourself?" Carlisle asked gravely, more concerned about her health than the sudden suffocating of his being, because he was sure that even her wolf genes didn't magically cure diseases or viruses without cures.

"When I was coherent enough," Leah stated with a shrug. "But I guess I was lucky. I've had myself tested more than once, the most recent being shortly before I phased. I'm... healthy.

"I just... I wanted to forget that Sam existed. But being stuck here in La Push, everything came rushing back and I really couldn't stand being here and my parents obviously didn't care for my behavior. They were worried, but didn't know what to do to help me.

"The day I phased, I'd been burning up with fever. The fever usually lasts a few days, but... I've never been like the other wolves. I phased the very same day the fever set in... and no one expected me to phase, even if my anger was escalating for several weeks. They had no reason to suspect I would phase because there's never been a female wolf.

"And... that day I'd come down for water... I'd spend the day in bed... I'd been out all night, the night before. Dad was sitting in the living room when we started to argue. I don't even know what all he said to each other. It doesn't really matter, it was the same argument we kept having. And I just remember getting so damn angry and hot that I thought my skin was vibrating.

"I remember shouting at my dad that he was a... traitor. That I hated him," Leah said, her voice finally cracking with emotion.

She didn't have to say anymore. Carlisle could piece together the rest from what Leah had already told him in the past.

Pulling the now sobbing girl into his arms, he felt a small part of his wounds heal and scab as Leah melted into him.

She'd phased after those final words. Harry Clearwater, upon seeing his daughter transform, went into cardiac arrest. And Carlisle knew, that to this very day, Leah was haunted by her last words. That she still blamed herself... told herself that she'd murdered her father and no matter what her mother, or brother said... no one could convince her otherwise.

Shutting his eyes, leaning his cheek against her head as sobs racked her body and he gently encased her in his arms, Carlisle allowed Leah to weep for everything that had been taken from her. Though every fiber of his being, wanted to make things right. Wanted to put her back together and have her smile radiantly every day of the rest of her life.

TBC...

Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter and it wasn't crap V_V. Please review!