Regretting that I didn't write a Leah version of the Quiluete bonfire myths part, but eh, I can always go back I guess. However, here we are…

Chapter 17 The Most Unlikely Places

You're not an easy wolf to find. Leah plonked down next to the big wolf curled into the hollow of the mountain. The dim grey of impending dawn coated the sky and the forest beneath it. Next time you want to come to Canada, let's just go to Vancouver, get some Canadian breakfasts and watch them smash themselves to smithereens playing hockey, okay?

She wasn't going to mention she'd been looking for him for more than two weeks, tracking his scent, and so very slowly closing in. Or that this little spot was quite peaceful, with the birds softly chirping beneath scented pine boughs. She liked this part of Canada so far; it was very much like La Push, but without the sea.

Jacob shivered in the cool mountain air, even if it was summer. He kept his thoughts tightly under wraps, so Leah only could feel the undercurrents of pain and loathing. What are you doing here?

Coming to find you, mutt. Leah nudged him with her nose and he growled under his breath.

Well now you've found me, you can go away. Jacob scrabbled in the soft loam and pulled himself around to face the bare rock, making her stare at the furry ridge of his back. I'm fine.

Listen, I know the Canadians are all nice and full of mapley happiness—eh?—but they're not home.

There's nothing for me there. Jacob huffed and leaves scattered. May as well remain a wolf and be free here in the woods. I'm going to be alone forever anyway.

Leah would have rolled her eyes if she could have. What a drama queen.

Jacob snapped at her. You're a hypocrite. You be a total heinous cow to everyone, all the time, and you're here lecturing me.

Leah stood, and put her body over his, her snout to his, eyes fixed on him. It's for precisely that reason that I'm here. Someone who won't put up with your whimpering.

Using his powerful hindquarters, he thrust his body up, smacking his nose against hers and clashing her jaws together. The pain shot all the way up to her eyes, which smarted. But she stood her ground, even if she had to look up at him.

You need to get out of here before you actually make me angry.

Threatening me is not going to work, Jacob. Leah took a step forward, her snarl rippling, her stance wide and ready. We're leaving. It's time to come home.

Go…AWAY! Jacob leapt at her, his huge paws landing on her chest, the force throwing them backwards, and over the small ridge.

As they bounced down the mountainside, they tussled, a blindingly fast ball of fur and teeth and claws. Red spots appeared in Leah's fur where Jacob's bigger wolf hurt her, but she fought hard, ripping at him, to distract him, enough to hurt but not enough for real damage. As one, they hit the trees, grunting as they bounced off, but still moving, falling.

They bounced on a log, and a small branch stuck Leila near her spine, the pressure of Jacob's wolf form pushing it in that little bit further. She howled in pain for a second, and Jacob stopped attacking her as they kept on. They bounced once more across a hiking trail, and with the last roll, Leah heard a bone-crunching crack. Jacob's body flopped as they dropped at last into a lake.

Leah surfaced spluttering and paddling wildly. JACOB!

She stuck her head under the water, opening her eyes to the freezing blue glacier water. She could see a trail of bubbles and a dark blob.

Snatching a huge lungful of air, Leah dived, scrabbling through the water. Suddenly she could see him.

She pushed him hard with her paws. Jacob! Hold on to me.

On her own, he would be too heavy for her lift and swim. He was almost sitting on his haunches on the bottom, and so she pushed herself between his legs. Her lungs burned but ever so slightly, she felt his front paws dig into her shoulders.

Pushing off against the underwater debris, she stretched out into great big strokes, as if running under water. The light seemed to be getting closer, and yet not close enough. Each muscle screamed in strain and her lungs felt like they would pop. She started to get dizzy and scrabbled faster. As she was starting to give up, they broke the surface.

She panted before Jacob's weight pushed her under again, but the dizzying effects of the oxygen gave her just enough strength to reach the bank, where she dug in, panting hard catching her breath.

Jacob coughed and she felt a stream of lukewarm liquid down her back. At least it was coming back up.

Gross. If I wanted chucky babies, I would have chosen a different life.

They both laughed internally, between coughing.

Do you think you can get up?

I can try. Jacob pushed off her, digging his claws into her thick, waterlogged fur.

Hey! You break, you buy buddy.

Leah fell in behind him, waiting in case he needed a push. Agonisingly slowly, one paw in front of the other, he broached the bank. Leah was shivering as the glacial lake sapped away her warmth and energy.

Stop staring at my arse, perv. He looked over his shoulder at her when he got back on to the flattened trail, his head drooping down with exhaustion.

Ew. You're an infant. Leah ducked to wash her fur off, and noticed the stinging in her back. She climbed up, but limped. For a moment, the two stood looking at each other.

Behind them, further down the trail came the sounds of cracking branches and overexcited chatter. Leah wondered if that had been her; actually, probably more likely that person in the rear whose footsteps sounded like an elephants.

Jacob raised his nose in the air. Humans. Let's get out of here; follow me.

Leah shivered at the commanding undertone Jacob himself didn't seem to notice. To herself she thought, So that's what Sam is afraid of, before taking off after Jacob in a lopsided run.

…

The two wolves lay on a big slab of rock in the summer sunshine, drying out, their fur sticking up on end in different not quite dry patches.

Sure beats chores, Leah mused sleepily, rolling onto her back and wincing when the rock touched on her injury. But the hot rock seemed to help her muscles relax around the injury.

How's your back? Jacob wagged apologetically, looking at her with wide, penitent eyes.

I'll live. Leah closed her eyes, almost grinning in delight at the warm day. Her tongue lolled, the bees buzzed in the meadow nearby and somewhere a little further up the mountain she could hear a momma bear and her…two?...cubs going about their business.

Sam should have come himself. He would've alpha-ed me and then I wouldn't have had a choice.

Leah sighed. He doesn't know I'm here. We're supposed to be giving you some space.

You came on your own? Why?

Leah rolled back onto the flat of her stomach, big head between her paws. If anyone in our pack understands what's going on with you, it's me. Unrequited love sucks.

At least Sam isn't becoming a vampire.

I see your 'not a vampire' and raise you being able to see how much loves my cousin and getting to feel and see their intimacy constantly. Oh and how nothing our relationship was at the end.

Jacob huffed. I guess.

Leah raised her eyebrows at him. Time to stop that moping. Did I tell you that Charlie has been plastering missing posters of you everywhere?

No. Jacob's eyes clouded as he drifted off, deep in thought. My dad?

He's okay, but he's been worried. Leah reached out a paw and swatted him with it. So have the rest of us.

Yeah. Jacob rolled away from her, and Leah knew he was looking out over the lake to hide his shame.

You're a good kid, Black. Leah stood and shook off the leaves and grass from her grey pelt. But I'd like a shower and a hug from my mom. Can we go now that you can say you almost drowned me?

Leah watched Jacob's side flare and drop with a deep breath. Fine.

With an excited yip, she pounced on him. Yes! I knew you'd give in.

She started running around in circles and took off into the meadow, bouncing amongst the long grass and snapping at the little yellow butterflies.

Jacob groaned as he stood and shook his head at her. Weirdo. Then he took off across the field, jumping over the top.

Last one home is a lap dog!