Author's Note: What up, my readers. Sorry to say, I can't say I will ever complete my old stories, but I can't quite lay them to rest either. I make no promises though. I hope you enjoy this new work I put out. I'm a bit rusty, but I'm proud of what I've worked on. I like it and I hope you do to.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, only my own thoughts and plots and O/C's if they come in. If I did own it though, I would have gave Leah a better ending. But that's why there's fanfiction - to give a story to the characters who never quite got one.

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Chapter One

A long time had passed since Leah had shed her human form for her wolf one. Yet, even with time, she felt unchanged. Her body stayed the same, strong and tall and young. She had come to terms with the fact that the bloodline she'd tried to forsake in order to return to a normal life was far too potent. There was no escaping her fate.

Even after leaving the reservation and the state of Washington entirely, she could not overcome it. Leah could not alter her course in this way, but she would not be the same either, she refused too. What had changed, was her acceptance of this fact. With meditation and isolation she had great control of her anger. Once she pushed past the emotion, fueled not only by her wolf, but by her past and inner demons, she truly began to change. Not physically, of course, but she was content. Not something one could call happiness, but an inner peace achieved through putting herself through emotional hell.

She had even seen a therapist, sharing with him all of her misdoings and sins. Admitting all of the truth, from her betrayal from Sam, about her bitter closeness to her "brothers", to her father's death, and more. She had obviously left out the werewolf part, none too eager to reveal secrets that weren't hers to share. Or to be locked up in a psych ward.

So with a calm heart, she had resolved to come home, and so she had.

It felt strange, yet comforting, as she set foot on the land she knew every inch of. It was mapped in her mind. She remembered it as clearly as she remembered her own name. Once stepping off her plane and departing from the airport, she had walked home. Not a feat for a normal person, but for her, it was as simple as a stroll in the park, even in human form. Leah knew it wouldn't be long before the remaining wolves, those still unchanged after the Cullens' disappearance, would scent her arrival.

As if on cue, she heard paws bounding through the forest. Her senses were still excellent, as unchanged as the rest of her physical attributes. She couldn't quite place the gate, perhaps Embry or Paul.

As she sniffed the air, her suspicions were confirmed. Paul.

A large brown wolf, almost as huge as Sam or Jacob, flew out of the trees and came to a stop in front of her, spraying up dirt in her direction. He huffed, intelligent eyes regarding her. She brushed the dirt off her clothing, smirking at him.

"Long time, no see, Paul," she greeted. It was no surprise that as two of the angriest in the pack, they had not got along superbly well. But he was still her brother and pack member. She was glad to see him.

He suddenly whined, cocked his head, then bared his teeth at her in almost a smile. Leah laughed. She walked forward. She was almost hesitant as she reached for him, sure he would cringe away at her touch, but he didn't. She ran a hand through the fur between his ears in an uncharacteristic show of affection. It was soft, but as her hand retreated, she took with her whatever lingered in his coat. She laughed.

"Still a dirty boy, I see," showing him her hand, palm facing him and fingers stretched, indicating the layer of dirt that covered it. He had never been one to shower after a patrol, preferring to plop onto the nearest bed or couch for rest.

He snarled at her, but it was playful. She laughed again. Leah felt much lighter than the last time she had been standing on the rez. She felt good.

"Are any others phased?" she asked curiously. The wolf shook his head. "Good, don't let them know I'm here. I kind of would like it to be a surprise." Paul gave her a quizzical look, before scowling. He circled her, not aggressively, but in a good mannered, assessing way. She chuckled, shoving him lightly against his muscled shoulder. "Relax, brother, a good surprise. I'm not here to cause any trouble."

The wolf snorted and she rolled her eyes. Same old Paul, it would seem. She gave him another pat on the head, smiling warmly at him. "I want to go see my mother and Seth, but we'll catch up later, okay?"

He offered nothing in acknowledgement, but began to turn away. "Hey, Paul." He crooked his head back at her. "It's really good to see you."

Paul's tongue lolled out and he even wagged his tail before giving a short bark in reply. She moved to head in the direction of her old house as Paul bounded out of sight.

It was time to go home.

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Her mother had fussed over her as if she were a child. It felt good to be coddled. As independent as Leah had always tried to be, a part of her missed the childhood she had grown out of too soon. First, by falling in love with Sam at fifteen. Second, by experiencing far more heartbreak and loss than most people far older than her at seventeen. And lastly, by becoming a wolf at nineteen. Though it was luckily older than many who had phased, especially the twelve and thirteen year olds who had transformed once the witnesses for the Volturi arrived.

So when her mother brushed her now long hair, discussing when dinner would be ready and reminding her to wash up, Leah didn't protest. It was good to feel young again. She had sat in the chair in the kitchen as her mother worked, pretending she was thirteen and her father would soon walk through the door to announce he missed his little princess while he'd been at work.

But it was only a fantasy and a memory. And both weren't meant to remain.

She savored eating with her small family, swooping Seth up in a bone crushing hug as soon as he set foot in the door (which he to no avail had tried to escape from). He was older and taller, but she still had height on him, and boy, was she stronger than him. Seth was still a wolf in blood, but Sam had ordered her brother along with the other young wolves to stop phasing after the Cullen's left. They needed to grow up. If after high school graduation rolled around, and they still wished to and had the means to phase, they would be able to again.

She tried not let her thoughts linger on the fact, that though she too had gone as long, perhaps longer, than her brother without relinquishing to her wolf, her own body refused to change. She had to swallow back sadness at the thought she may never have a child. In the two long years of being gone, there hadn't even been a spot of blood. It was once something she dreaded; now it was something she desperately hoped for.

With a reluctant sigh, Leah stood to walk out the door to her home. She didn't know how long she planned to stay, but her heart seemed content here. It would be longer than a few days, that was for sure.

She needed to visit Sam.

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Sam's home seemed inviting to most. Enticing aromas of food drifted from the house, the warm smells of her brothers marked the entire place with their scent, and lights stayed on constantly, a beacon for any wolf, imprint, or family who needed to stop by at anytime. Yet, even with her newfound peace and stability, she couldn't help but see the invisible barrier she had always felt uncomfortable passing through. It was almost like the treaty line, in a way. She couldn't see it, yet she sensed it and knew it existed. Leah knew where she wasn't wanted and she knew it was best to stay away.

She had been here so often, mostly for pack meetings, but sometimes for other reasons. However, it never felt right stepping foot into this house. It was similar to being in the Cullen's home: even when she was welcome, she wasn't truly welcome.

Nevertheless, she ignored the tightening in her chest. Taking deep breaths, she marched up the steps. Leah was a different person, a better person. She didn't want to feel bitterness towards her cousin and ex-fiance. She didn't want to feel anything towards them at all.

She rapped on the door three times before taking a step back. Leah was sure they had heard and smelled her long before she had even made it up the steps. They knew who had come to visit. Still, a part of her felt like bolting right then and there, eager to escape any old feelings that might arise.

The door opened almost hesitantly. It was Embry who peeked his head out, shyly looking at Leah as if he had done something wrong. She couldn't help the smile that crept up her face.

"Come on, Em. What? You think the big, bad wolf is at the door?" At that, the sheepishness disappeared and he grinned at her.

"I've missed you, Leah." She leaned back on her heels and gave him a shit-eating grin. He was one of her favorites - a boy that always had a sweet side. Really and truly a good guy… which was why it was fun to mess with him.

She pointed to her chest. "You probably just miss getting a glimpse at my tits before and after a phase, Embry." He blushed and opened his mouth. "Don't you deny it, I've been inside that head of yours."

He ducked his head, not meeting her eyes, as he shoved her lightly. "Cut the crap, Leah. You're like my sister, you know."

She didn't shove him back or try to continue her banter with him any longer. "Yeah, I know," she smiled warmly.

"You seem happy," he said suddenly. It was her turn to feel awkward.

Leah crossed her arms over her body, almost protectively, as she admitted, "You know, I think… I am."

To most it would seem an obvious realization, but Leah hadn't been familiar with happiness in a very long time. She was sure it must be something similar to this feeling of peace she was striving to hold onto.

Leah cleared her throat. "So, uh, where's Sam?" It was more of a question of "why isn't Sam the one talking to me now?" rather than asking for his actual whereabouts. Leah knew where he was. He was inside this house. She could detect him as easily as she could Embry standing right in front of her.

Now, it was Embry's turn to be awkward, again. The sheepish look he had sported earlier returned. "He's eating dinner with Emily and some of the pack. He sent me out here for uh… recon?"

She barked a laugh, no real humor in it. Of course he had sweet, loveable Embry greet her. She wouldn't hurt a hair on his head, not unless he deserved it, of course. But he had never been a shit starter, not like how she or Paul had been anyway.

"Oh, come on, it's been two years. If I was going to stir up shit, I would have come back a lot sooner. And I sure as hell wouldn't have knocked."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Sam's hulking form moved to push Embry out of the way, coming to stand in the doorway. Embry turned to go back into the house, but not before giving Leah one last smile. She returned it.

With all the resolve she could muster, she faced Sam. It really wasn't her intent to cause any trouble, but the old Leah was just begging to say something to start a fight or get under his skin. She did her best to ignore those urges.

Sam stood tense, all muscles taut and ready to spring into action. He made sure to rise to his full height and block the entrance completely to obscure a view into his home. She rolled her eyes. He really was making a big to-do about nothing.

"Hello, Leah."

"Hello, Sam."

"Does your mother know you're home?"

She furrowed her eyebrows. Was he really so conceited to believe she would come to him before she even visited her family? Well, yes, he was. As an alpha, his thoughts singled him out as the most important factor in all the wolves lives, especially hers, it would seem. And as Sam, well, Sam already had a big enough ego before his transition into a wolf and a leader. Leah refused to give into the anger that prickled at her skin in response to his words. "Of course. Seth too, obviously," she answered simply.

"Well, it's good to have you back." That was a lie. Or it was a half-truth. Either way, how he said it, he was trying to tug on her heart strings. She knew it. He was giving her that look that he thought gave him power of her. It was so sympathetic and pathetically affectionate. It used to have a hold on her, burying her in a hole of despair so deep she had no choice but to either cry for hours or attack someone in anger in order to dig herself out. But no longer did it have the same affect. It almost made her disgusted, not at the way she felt about herself, but by his abuse of his power. She was angry for a different reason than she would have been two years ago.

She wasn't here for a fight, she reminded herself.

"I'll probably be in town for awhile, I just thought I'd let you know." He nodded. As much she hated it, this was his territory. The best way to avoid a conflict was to let him know what went on it. "I won't be returning to the pack though, I haven't phased in a long time." He seemed surprised by her words, eyeing her unchanged body up and down. "And I don't plan to ever again," she added determinedly.

"So you haven't phased?" he asked uncertainly.

"Not in two years."

"It doesn't seem that way." She could feel herself bristle at his words; at the accusation in his voice.

"I'm no longer part of Jacob's pack. If I phased, you all would have known," she said quietly, anger brimming beneath her words, barely contained. "That doesn't matter, anyway. I don't want to come back. I'm done." He seemed to ponder this, before coming to some sort of conclusion. He didn't offer any other response besides the set of his jaw. This conversation was over.

She could hear movement as someone got up from inside the house, making their way towards the them.

Paul.

There had always been some sort of bond between them she couldn't place. Maybe it was because they understood the anger that was inside them both. Maybe it was because in rank, he had technically been above her, nature demanding her loyalty to him. Maybe it was because, deep in his thoughts, though he always obeyed every word their alpha spoke and hid his inner monologue well, Paul hated Sam too. At least a little bit. Though for reasons she didn't know and for ones that were probably much different from hers.

They had fought quite a bit, both in human form and in wolf. Yet, their words and brawls were never fueled the same as everyone else's. Their anger towards each other reached a stalemate, probably because they understood all too well what true rage felt like and the suffering it brought them both. They were an even match in that way and two people so similar could never truly hate each other.

Paul came to a stop, shoving Sam aside carelessly. Though he served as a perfect second in wolf form, Paul would be damned if that translated as easily into his human one. He was still an individual like her. He craved his freedom. Maybe that was why he hated Sam. Maybe he just hated everybody.

"Leah," he nodded to her, eating a chicken leg nonchalantly. "Good to see you again." He said it as if he'd only seen her moments ago. Sam noticed. Paul had probably wanted him too.

"Did you know she was back?" Sam asked angrily, squaring up towards Paul.

"Yep," he answered simply.

"When?"

"Ran across her while on patrol earlier." She noticed the second in command smirk, polishing off the last of the chicken.

Sam's eyes blazed with anger. "Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded.

"Didn't see why I'd need to," Paul shrugged.

Leah decided to step in, realizing her arrival was already causing issues. Paul was the match and she was the kindling.

"I asked him not to tell anyone. I wanted to talk in person." She noticed Paul watching her steadily. "Plus," she grumbled, "You would have sent someone for me anyway."

"Sam, honey, who's at the door? Just tell them to come in!" Emily's voice floated towards them, cheery and ignorant.

Leah smirked. She knew Sam wouldn't be able to resist the want of his imprint. He moved aside, motioning stiffly for her to come through the door. She didn't miss the quiet, "We'll talk later," directed stonily at Paul.

She really didn't want to be here, but old habits die hard, and watching Sam's uncomfortable face as she strode into his home, was well worth her own discomfort.

She walked into the kitchen, Sam and Paul both following her. Emily sat at the table, her eating slow and dainty compared to the ravenous wolves around her. As her cousin looked up, it hurt Leah, though she really didn't want it to, when Emily smiled brightly at her.

"Oh, Leah, you're home! We were all hoping you'd come back!" Her cousin seemed a little tense, even as she spoke the happy words, but her emotion seemed genuine.

It hurt to see Emily so pleased to see her, not because of the old feud of who loved who and who got be with who, but because Leah couldn't express the same feeling in return. Emily was just a person to her. She was still family and still someone she wanted to protect, mostly due to her imprint to Sam. Her wolf wouldn't let her forget her duties to her old pack. Yet, she was also someone who had betrayed her. For Leah to let go of her hatred towards Emily was also to let go of the love she once felt for the girl. In some weird sense, they went hand in hand. To truly move on, she needed to cleanse herself of both.

Nevertheless, Leah smiled, it was small and somewhat forced, but it made Emily happy.

Suddenly Leah's ears were met with a sound that wasn't unfamiliar, but very unexpected. It was small and muffled, but very distinguishable. A heart beat. Or two actually, both coming from Emily.

"You're pregnant," Leah blurted, unable to keep to realization from escaping her lips. Both Paul and Sam stiffened. She realized the statement came out bland and emotionless and probably even a little insulting. She forced herself to add, courteously, "Congratulations."

If Emily was offended by her, she didn't show it. Actually, she smiled proudly and blissfully, standing up to show off her small, but rounded belly.

"Thank you! I'm about four and a half months along now."

Quil, gobbling up copious amounts of food as he spoke, added, "Gonna be a puppy running around soon." Emily frowned and reached over to lightly smack him on the shoulder.

"Don't call my baby that. And remember your manners."

"Yeah, Quil, you're a wolf, not a pig. Though who could really tell the difference," Leah quipped smartly, eager to drag the attention away from Emily's baby. Everyone chuckled good naturedly, even Quil.

Leah wasn't allowed to have Sam. That was okay. Really, Leah didn't want him anymore. She just wanted to be rid of him and her ties to him. But she did want a baby, one day. And that was something she was really struggling not to be bitter over. There was heat in her stomach and her spine was on fire with how angry it made her feel. So she chose to ignore it, needing to process this alone.

"Well, I should be going, it was good to see everyone again." That was only a half lie. It really did bring her a strange satisfaction that sat deep within her bones by being with her pack again. That didn't mean she wanted to be here a second longer.

"Please stay for dinner," Emily implored. She gestured to the feast around them. "I made enough to feed at least an army." There were quiet growls, none aimed particularly towards anyone. It was just the men growing possessive over the food they all wanted in their never-ending stomachs.

"No," Leah said a little too quickly as Emily's face fell. She cleared her throat. "I mean, I already ate dinner and mom's expecting me back home."

Her cousin nodded, seeming content with this answer. "Yes, of course, Aunt Sue missed you."

Leah nodded. "Well, have a good night and… congratulations again."

With that, she turned to leave. The pregnant woman calling out after her, "Visit again, please don't be stranger. The door is always open!"

Sam's scowling features said differently as Leah left their house.

She didn't relax until she was far into the woods.

She didn't cry until she was tucked away deep under her covers, her sobs nearly undetectable as she covered her face with her pillow.

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I honestly hope this came out well. Or published well, anyway. It's hard to do from your phone, you know. But I've missed writing and this is the only outlet I have to share it. Here ya go, I hope you enjoyed!

Let me know what you think!