Leah Clearwater

I watched as Jacob ran towards the ridiculously large mansion close to where we had been sitting. I sighed and fingered the soft material of the shirt I had been forced to wear. I leaned back against the oak tree and lifted my gaze to the sky, letting every thought going on in my head reach forefront. Jacob would never be mine, no matter the strength of the imprint. Tears brimmed in my eyes but I blinked them away. I could hear his husky voice from the inside of the house, panicked and sad. I could imagine Bella Cullen, tucked into a tiny ball on the family couch….

Every single image that Jake had shown us in wolf form flooded my sight: her pale, sick face, her weak form, her bulging belly with the killer spawn in it. The spawn Jake desperately wanted to kill to save the one he loved. But it was a child, half vampire half human factors left aside. It was an innocent child. And I couldn't….would never dream of hurting an unborn baby. As opposed to the Cullen's, who wanted to abort the kid just to save Bella. I snorted as her name made it's way into my mind. That bitch. The one who broke Jake's heart by choosing a blood sucking leech over him. Images of Jake's heart broken face came to mind, as I remembered the days before Bella's wedding, and those during her honeymoon and after.

Now, apparently, I was the only sane wolf left, from Jacob's pack. Yeah, my brother and my Alpha had all become pet dogs to the enemy. But I wouldn't give in so easily. No steak could ever make me turn on the werewolf in me. I scanned the forest and caught sight of two young wolves running close by. They didn't dare come close to me…. I figured they were Collin and Brady, the new additions to Sam's pack. I followed them with my eyes as they disappeared between jade leaves and olive bushes.

A scuffle and crushing of leaves caused me to whip my head in the direction of the house again. There, from between a pair of trees, emerged the blonde vampire, with her long hair trailing past her graceful body as her wide eyes looked at me earnestly. Those amber eyes blinked twice before they settled on a patch of worn grass next to me. I growled as I saw her approach the spot and fall to the ground, cross-legged. My lips drew back over my teeth as she rested against the tree too, eyes staring at the forest before us. She was so different from the person who had been sitting there before her. I growled at her continuously but she didn't seem affected by it so I finally gave up.

Her lips were set in a firm, white line and her jaw was locked, as if she was tense about something. I followed her gaze, but saw nothing. What the hell was she looking at, then?

"Leah," she said, nodding in my general direction, greeting me.

I raised an eyebrow at her before I greeted her myself. "Blood sucking whore."

"I would prefer it if you'd call me Rosalie," she corrected gently. She surprised me with her tone, usually so hostile and mean. At least, that was what I had heard from Jacob's thoughts. She seemed different now, calm, but also sad. Why would a beautiful, young, rich vampire be sad?

"What do you want, Rosalie?" I asked, irritation laced into my voice. I crossed my arms across my chest and dug my fingernails into the skin of my forearms. I nailed my gaze to the muddy soil on which we were sitting as I heard her about to speak. But she didn't. She opened her mouth to say something, but immediately drew back her breath.

This was confusing. Her smell reeked and my nostrils couldn't take much more of it as my head started pounding responsively. But somehow, something inside me couldn't tell her to leave. It was as if I wanted her to stay, as if I- we- needed each other in this situation. But I couldn't seem to understand why a werewolf would need a vampire for consolation.

"I wanted some sane company, for once. Everyone in there thinks I'm just using Bella to take the baby after it's born. But that is definitely not the case. They can't seem to understand that I'm taking care of both of them, protecting them, from our 'so-called' family. I just can't take it anymore. Bella's blood has never been so appealing. There are two people in one person, two different pulses, different blood travelling through different veins… Everyone is going to go berserk soon. I just needed some peace and quiet."

My brow furrowed as I drank in her words. What the hell? Couldn't she just have gone for a run somewhere? To the Canadian border or something? Why here, with me, of all people? Something in the back of my mind told me that she had some ulterior motive for talking to me, and it just pushed the words out of my mouth.

"What do you want Rosalie…. I can see that's not entirely true. If you wanted some quiet you should've gone for a run on your own."

She closed her eyes and tugged her hair out of her face as it was being whipped by the wind about our faces. I couldn't be bothered with my own, shaggy cut as it was lifted above my forehead and down again repetitively.

"I don't like seeing her like that. Round and pregnant. It makes me so mad! Knowing how much she's going to get at the end of all this… it's a win-win-win situation for her. Edward, immortality and a baby. What more could she want? I…." she trailed off.

I smirked and laughed softly. "It's called jealousy, honey. And I know how you feel. Most of the women I know have all been imprinted on, which means that they can create wolves which are stronger and better, to protect La Push. But since I haven't been imprinted on, I highly doubt my fertility. And I'm alive, Rosalie. I had a chance to have kids, but it was taken away from me," I spat.

She nodded. I realised that that was why I needed her here. She was in the same situation as I was, more or less, and we could understand what the other was going through. That bitch had no idea how lucky she was. She had a family, she was married to someone who loved her crazily and was soon going to give her a child to complete her success. I sighed. So damn lucky. I chuckled sarcastically and ran a hand through my crazy hair, trying to calm it down. Rosalie remained silent, her mind thinking of something far off. I didn't talk to her again but it felt good to share my bitterness with someone who seemed to understand it.

None of the guys from the wolf pack paid any notice to my bitter, sad behaviour and bitchy attitude because they didn't care at all. I was just Leah, the mean girl with the crappy demeanour and the fiery tongue. With Rosalie, I felt understood and heard after such a long time. She didn't mind my werewolf smell and I was learning to adapt to hers. It didn't seem so bad, talking to a vampire, after all.

Snap out of it Leah, you're letting the vampire get the best of you!

I mentally slapped myself and put on my mean mask again, feeling cold all over, in a metaphorical sense. I watched as Rosalie got up swiftly and looked down at me with a grim smile.

"It was nice talking to you, Leah Clearwater. I hope we'll get to talk again soon." And then, she was gone, running towards the house as a low, sleepy voice called her name. I guessed it was Bella, waking up from a successful nap. I heard Jake's low voice argue with Edward and Rosalie about something before I heard Rosalie's heels click on the parquet. I heard someone slurp something from a cup and I heard Jake gulp and swallow in disgust. I chuckled, imagining what Bella could be drinking.

My thoughts were cut short as a retching sound reached my ears and panicked gasps resounded around the house. Slow thumping was heard as something hit the floor and desperate cries laced with screams compelled me to run towards the house. I stood in front of the house, facing the front door as the screams continued and the shouts, too. One voice in particular, saddened me. Jacob was talking in a confused manner, sad but panicked as he asked questions, presumably directed at Edward or Rosalie, or whoever was in there with them.

Something in my heart hurt badly, seeing him this concerned over someone who had rejected him. I bit into my bottom lip as I tried to zone his voice out of my hearing. But I couldn't. I could hear everything being said in their conversation, as much as I would have preferred not hearing anything. I closed my eyes and heard something scraping metal and something delicate being slashed open. This was then followed by a commotion, and I heard Jacob grunting and Rosalie growling. They started a fight. When Bella was in labour. Sheesh, perfect timing. Feathery footsteps joined Jacob and the others.

"Alice, get Rosalie out of here now," a velvet- like voice ordered fervently. Edward, I noticed. His voice was strained, so different from the usual composure he liked to harbour. I could only smell three vampires in the house; Rosalie, Alice and Edward. One werewolf. One human. One hybrid. A hissing sound reached the door and it swung open revealing a ridiculous scene. A smile was forced onto my face, be it a grim one, but I couldn't help it. Alice, the vampire pixie, was tugging on Rosalie's hair, who was twice her size. Rosalie wasn't fighting Alice's strong hold. In fact, she was lying limp on the floor as Alice dragged her outside, next to me.

"Rosalie smelt the blood and freaked out. Mind calming her down for a bit?" the pixie's shrill voice asked me. Her eyes were a darker amber than Rosalie's, but she was perfectly calm. She didn't give me a chance to say yes, she darted back inside the house, leaving a terrified Rosalie at my feet. I pitied her. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were ragged with a torn sleeve. Her eyes were dark, almost black, but with a slight tint of orange in them and her lips were pulled back over her teeth.

She was silent. And motionless. Staring at the house.

"Rosalie?" I asked tentatively, settling my hand on her shoulder. "Calmed down yet?"

She nodded and stood up, brushing her clothes of the invisible dust on them. "It was just blood. I kinda… lost control for a few seconds. But thankfully, Mr. Alpha knocked me into a wall to keep me from his precious Bella," she rolled her eyes and put her hand on her hip as she continued staring at the house.

"I think you should wait a bit more before you go back inside. Mr. Alpha might do more than just knock you into a wall this time. How's Bella doing?" Before Rosalie had time to answer my question, a loud crack resounded and left both of us jaws slack and eyes wide. We heard Edward whisper in panic "Her spine". I was dumbstruck. The bitch was actually going to die! For the killer spawn. Rosalie was also shocked but she was soon walking at a human pace towards the porch steps.

"Are you sure?" I asked her and I barely saw her nod as she disappeared inside the house. I remained there, in front of the house, focusing on the noises coming from the inside. I heard them clearly, but they were extremely confusing. And I couldn't take it anymore. My heart wanted me to go inside, to see Jacob, to make him forget Bella Cullen and to take him away with me. But I couldn't. I wouldn't let myself walk over to the porch and into the house. I wouldn't.

I backed away, tugging off the shirt and shorts as I entered the forest. I started to shake ferociously and I felt my human muscles give way as they were replaced by stronger, more durable wolf muscles. My eyesight became more refined, my hearing better, and my thoughts were linked with Seth's.

How's Bella? I rolled my eyes at my brother's question. He was only concerned about the Cullens lately, more so Bella.

She's in labour, Seth, and not doing so well apparently. The baby broke her spine and Rosalie freaked out when she saw the blood.

I heard Seth take an intake breath and gasp. And you left?

Yeah, so? What was I supposed to do? I'm not their house pet, Seth, and I sure as hell wasn't going to go inside that house. Not that any of them would care, least of all Jacob. All he cares about is Bella. And you're turning into his spitting image, brother. What the fuck does the treaty mean nowadays huh? I'm sure Jake will find a loop hole to excuse them killing Bella Cullen.

Oh come on, Leah, don't be so sour! They're going to save her life, dammit, they might not even bite her. I'm sure Carlisle-

Carlisle's not even there, idiot! This is all fucked up. We're going to have to choose sides if Bella is turned, and quite frankly, I don't want to side with the Cullens in anything. And Sam and his pack were asses to us but I wouldn't mind siding with them. But I'll be fighting against Jake and the imprint won't let me do that and I'll end up hurting one of Sam's wolves if they attack him. Damn those vampires, damn them to hell!

Leah…

This is all Bella's fault. If she hadn't gotten herself pregnant with a hybrid this mess would have been avoided from the start.

Leah, just shut the fuck up. You keep your bitter thoughts to yourself. The Cullens are nice people-

THEY'RE NOT PEOPLE SETH! THEY'RE FUCKING VAMPIRES!

And then, Seth wasn't there anymore. His thoughts faded quickly as he phased back. I eyed my surroundings and I had no idea where I was. Great… I fell to my knees and buried my face in my paws, letting the sobs wrack my huge form. My huge, wolf form. All because of those vampires. Argh… I slammed my paws onto the muddy ground. I hated every single thing that had brought me to this. This genetic freak of nature that made me who I was. I had never wanted this. I had only wished to be a normal girl, who was suffering from a little heart break, a little rejection and daily, teenage life.

But no, her father had to be Quilete and his children had to inherit his wolf gene. And if that wasn't enough, his daughter had to be the only female wolf known, unable to bear children and other mundane things. I growled and lifted myself off of the ground, trotting back on the path I had come from. My eyes recognized the path I had hastily ran through and I knew I was on the right track. I traced my scent and at one point I even crossed Seth's.

A soft growling alerted my hearing and I spun around to be faced by a large, dark grey wolf. I sucked in a breath and straightened my neck to it's full height, only reaching the grey wolf's shoulders. I held up my determined stance, sending waves of strength and courage towards the wolf. If a wolf could smirk, this one did, then backed away behind a bush. I heard someone groan and I eyed the bush sceptically, before a tall, tan guy emerged from behind it. I immediately felt relief wash over me as the guy opened his arms and smiled at me.

"Leah!" Paul called as he walked over and scratched behind my ears. He knew I liked that and he did it purposefully to avoid getting punched in the face, or breaking his nose again. I retreated slowly and went to phase behind a large pine tree. I pulled on the clothes that reeked of vampire before I rejoined Paul on the ground.

"What were you doing out here, all alone Lee-Lee?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes and leaned back on my elbows. "Running. And just because I'm a female doesn't mean I can't kick some random wolf's ass," I said, lifting my fist to his face to emphasize my point. He nodded and looked away into the forest. I was kinda shocked. I mean, Paul was usually the guy who retorted with a smart ass comment.

"Just because you're a female doesn't mean I can't kick yours back," he said with a smirk. I sighed in relief. That was the Paul that I knew. "So how're Seth and Jacob?"

I laughed mockingly. "They've turned into the Cullens' pet dogs. And they're annoying the crap out of me, but I've learned to put up with them. Jake's far to occupied with Bella's pregnancy to leave the house for a few minutes, and when he does, he's tense and nervous and all that shit. Seth, well, he just likes being used as a heater. I guess he likes the family atmosphere he finds at the Cullens' place, that which he doesn't find at home….. So how're things going over in Sam's pack?"

Paul lowered his gaze to his bare toes and his jaw locked and the tendons in his neck strained. "I was actually sent to talk to someone in Jake's pack. Alpha's orders. Sam wanted me to tell you that if Bella is turned, he will not hesitate to start a war, with or without Jacob and his new pack. We have plenty of wolves now- young, inexperienced wolves- and Sam's preparing them for the fight. I, we- Jared, Quil, Embry and I- aren't too sure about this fight. They're far too young to fight a coven of vampires, but Sam has faith in them…" his voice floated to a whisper, "he also wanted me to tell you that Emily misses you. A lot."

Paul lifted himself off of the ground, before turning to smile at me and jogging into the forest, clothes ripping as he phased. Way to go softening up the wolf, Paul. I leaned back into the soft wood, letting the usual forest smells invade my nostrils. The smells that reminded me so much of Jacob. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob, Jacob….

I don't know how long I stayed there, buried in the trees, but I do know that it was already dawn by the time I had actually bothered to get up and run back to the house. I stripped off my clothes and phased, then picked them up in my mouth and continued running in the direction of the house. I truly felt at ease, like this, running at speeds no human could think of, feeling the wind rake through my fur and my paws thudding on the ground.

Something was wrong. So very wrong. The Cullens' house was completely silent, eerily silent. No movement, no sound, nothing. It sent shudders up my spine as I approached the house and stopped to phase behind a tree. I jogged up the porch steps, forgetting my vow to never enter the house entirely, my focus set on Jake's well being. I just wanted to make sure that he was okay, that was all. I didn't want to intrude. I was just checking.

I didn't even make it to the front door. The door swung open to reveal a sad Rosalie. And when I said sad, she truly was sad… depressed, sorrowful. Her face was emotionless, her eyes glassy and her lips turned into a disdainful pout.

"Leah…" she trailed off, eyes floating back to the inside of the house and looking at something. I tried to peer in, but Rosalie was taking up the whole doorway, blocking me out. "It's…."