A/N: This story is my little present to my beloved sentinel10, whose angsty stories are as inspiring as they are touching. I don't claim to write as well as you, that's just my way to thank you for igniting the sadistic part of me. I love you!
Anyway, this chapter wouldn't be published without don'tcallmeLeeLee's help. She's a real sweetheart and I'm glad to work with her on this one.
I hope you'll like it!
Summary : "No matter how many times you'll say otherwise, real life is not a fairytale. Neither is Imprinting". Leah tried to warn him but he thought she just couldn't stand people being happy. By the time Jacob realized she was right, it was already too late. The damage is done, his life is in shambles and he needs his former Beta to pick up the pieces before a war breaks out. But these goals entail sacrifices he's not ready to make. Will Leah help him or make things worse, as usual?
It took two years for Jacob Black to finally find her.
Not that he was really searching during those two years – he asked his and Sam's pack if they'd heard about her several times, but he always forgot about her when his imprint reminded him her presence.
He couldn't help but feel guilty when he thought about those days, knowing how he treated her after their encounter with the Volturi. When the Italian coven left, he shut himself to the world, focusing solely on Renesmee and her well-being, leaving his pack in the hands of his beta in the process.
At first, Leah was quite proud that Jacob trusted her enough to let her rule the pack and she was doing a great job at it. She updated her Alpha everyday about what was going on, she was civil with Sam and took her role so seriously that the Council didn't bother to invite Jacob when they had a meeting.
As time went by, Leah's confidence began growing on Jacob's nerves. His wolf side didn't like the way she spoke with her mind and always pointed out what he was doing wrong – especially when it had to do with his imprint. The she-wolf's attitude towards the Cullens also frustrated him. He and his pack were a permanent fixture in the leeches' manor, and they even built him a cottage near Edward and Bella's so that he could be near Renesmee as long as he wanted, but Leah still hated them and didn't mind to say it out loud.
Jacob knew he couldn't tame her, but Renesmee was getting annoyed with Leah's comments about her diet and he didn't like when his lovely imprint was upset, so he did what he had to do to make her happy. He had to take his responsibilities as an Alpha and the only way to do that was to dismiss Leah from her Beta position.
The day after his 'talk' with Leah, she left the Reservation without saying goodbye and he didn't have the courage to face Seth's sorrow, knowing that he was the reason of Leah's departure. Besides taking charge of the consequences of his acts, he went back to his routine and to his beloved Renesmee, without thinking twice.
And now, his pack was in pieces, so was the Reservation, and there he was, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, ready to bring Leah back to their hometown at all cost.
He sat in front of the kindergarten she was working at, waiting anxiously for her to come out. Never in his weirdest dreams had he thought that he would see Leah Clearwater work with kids. She was supposed to frighten them, but he guesses he didn't know his former friend, after all.
The toddlers were screaming with excitement as they meet their parents at the gate and he caught a whiff of her scent before seeing her. His heartbeats sped up at his upcoming encounter and what he would say to convince her to follow him. He knew she would probably walk away before he could say a word but he was determined to talk to her. He needed her to put the pack together and help him solve the mess he got himself into. His imprint was clouding his judgment, as usual, and both packs were unhappy with his latest decisions.
Finally, she stepped outside and tensed as her gaze fell on him. He could see the surprise in her eyes, quickly replaced by anger, and he couldn't miss the fact that she was still as fierce and haughty as he remembered. She looked older, which he guessed wasn't surprising since she didn't phase, to his knowledge, and he was certain that she was curvier than before. She was dressed simply but the way it fitted her perfectly, as well as her medium length hair, making her look truly gorgeous.
He found himself comparing her with Renesmee and his heart constricted at the thought of his beautiful imprint. The pull he'd always felt hurt like hell and he didn't know how he was still breathing this far away from his soul mate, but he couldn't be with her even if he wanted to, not yet, so he shook the thought of her pale and delicate body pressed against his out of his mind and walked towards Leah. He quickly noticed her side glances, knowing that she was trying to find a way to escape him.
"I'm not here to fight you, Leah," he said calmly.
"How did you find me?" she asked dryly as he stopped in front of her.
"It doesn't matter."
"It does for me," she retorted.
"Fine. I hired a detective."
Leah stared at him with disbelief and this simple act upset him.
"Why?" she insisted.
"So that he could find you, silly," Jacob scoffed.
"No, I– Why now, Jacob? It's been two years since I left. I have a decent life, away from all your drama, so why did you have to find me now?"
"You have to come back with me," he answered simply.
"You've got to be kidding me!" she exclaimed while her body began to tremble. "We hadn't spoken for years and you're turning up out of the blue to order me to go back to– You know what? I don't even want to know why you're here. Just leave me the hell alone, you bastard!"
Jacob took a few steps back. He knew that talking to her wouldn't be an easy task after what happened between them, but watching his only hope walking away from him stung a lot. He caught up with Leah and grabbed her forearm roughly.
"Please, Leah, hear me out," he begged.
"Let me go, or else –"
"You were right, okay?" he yelled back, earning a gasp from Leah who stayed still at those words. "You were right. About everything. I'm an idiot and –"
"Sure you are…" she grumbled.
Jacob rolled his eyes and sighed, exasperated.
"Could you let me finish my apologies without interrupting me?"
"I don't want your apologies, Jacob," Leah snapped. "I want you out of my life once and for all!"
"What about Seth and Sue? You cut all tie with them without thinking twice. Do you know how desperate they were when they found out you were gone? "
Leah winced.
"Don't blame me for this, Black. You were the one who said that nobody would miss me."
"I was wrong."
"Well you're wrong again if you think I'll follow you back there," she spat and then turned around to leave. "Seth surely got over it, by the way. He's imprinted, right?"
"Lindsey's dead." Jacob replied sadly.
Leah stopped dead in her tracks and balled her fists as she felt a pang on her chest. She wasn't fond of the idea of her brother imprinting, but she knew Lindsey was a great girl. Seth's imprint was his exact replica and Leah was actually glad her brother had found someone as bright and caring as him to spend his life with. She couldn't find a couple more meant to be than Seth and Lindsey, even without Quileute Magic.
"When?" she asked, bewildered.
"A month ago… She– Seth's devastated and he needs you. He doesn't speak to anyone since her death–"
"And why do you think it will be different with me?"
"Because you're his sister and he misses you a lot."
Leah seemed to think about it and Jacob could feel hope growing inside him. Talking about her brother was definitely the best way to bring her back.
"Okay. I'll come, but not now."
"Leah–"
"Give me a week. I have a job, and I need to sort some things out before leaving."
"Fine. I'll wait for you."
"No," she hissed. "I don't want you around. Just leave. I'll find my way back to La Push."
Jacob's heart clenched when he saw her walk to her car, but he didn't push his luck. He was already glad that she had agreed to go to the Reservation and he hoped that she would stay and clean the mess he'd made before things went too much out of hand.