e·qui·nox/ˈēkwəˌnäks/

Noun:

The time or date at which the sun crosses the celestial equator, when day and night are of equal length.

Note: Jacob never imprinted on Reneesme but does share a special bond with her.

Pairing: Leah/Jacob

Prologue: Somewhere between the stars

She had sprinted about three metres before she realised that the high heels she was wearing wouldn't permit a quick get-away. And now despite her best efforts, she could feel the sting of red hot tears running down her face.

Shit.

It was then that she knew that she definitely couldn't stick around. She couldn't let them see her cry. She would rather die a slow painful death. Maybe that's what she'd been doing all this time, she pondered to herself as she slipped off the torture devices on her feet, picked them up and lambasted them through the air with all her might.

She was done. She had remained silent through their courtship, she had tried nonchalance through their engagement and today she had bitten her lip watching the man she loved marry her cousin. Leah Clearwater was officially done.

Done with Pain. done with anger, done with Love. DONE.

So she had slipped out of the reception party. She doubted anyone would miss her; after all, nobody ever missed her. Nobody needed her and it seemed glaringly apparent nobody wanted her.

Leah covered her face with her hands and for a second allowed herself to submit to her inner anguish and release a sob.

"Leah." A voice came from behind her, knocking her out of her anguish. She paused and bit her lip.

She didn't need to turn around, she could smell him; hear his thoughts. She knew it was Jacob Black standing there. Without turning around she tried to discreetly wipe away the tear stains on her face. "Go away Jacob." She managed to mutter.

"Leah...Are you OK?" Jacob asked again, he reached out to touch her shoulder lightly.

"GO AWAY!" Leah roared as she turned around and pushed him away with such venom and ferocity that he actually stumbled backwards; it took everything Jacob had not to snarl and lunge at her in attack. He probably would have, had he not seen the pain in her eyes. For a second it had been like she'd held up a mirror, for a second he had seen himself and it had stopped him dead.

Instead he paused and silently counted to ten, allowing his anger to die down. He was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to reach out and hold her tight but he didn't, she was too rabid with pain and rage. Way too liable to lash out and Jacob didn't relish the prospect of an ass kicking.

Instead he just watched her go. As the sun set and purples, reds and deep oranges filled the sky; he watched her run away like her life and sanity depended on it, into the oncoming darkness, towards the beach.

Jacob looked back at the rocking house. The speeches had been made and he could hear the party in full brain told him to go back to the party, find a bridesmaid to dance with, then down a few beers with Embry and Quil, but his heart...

Before he could talk himself out of it, he set off in search of Leah.

Running through the everglades it occurred to Jacob that Leah was fast, damn fast. Faster than all the boys, whether in human form or as a Wolf.

When Jacob finally reached the Beach at La Push he didn't have to try hard to find her. She cut a solitary figure out on the dark beach. She sat on the sand in lonely meditation. Her eyes glazed over as she silently watched the tide advance and retreat. The wind had picked up and blew listlessly through her short hair, turning it into a jet black flag.

Watching from a short distance, Jacob stood mesmerised. Leah Clearwater was Beautiful. Beautiful and deadly. Jacob shook his head and took a deep breath as he tentatively approached her.

His fears were completely unfounded; she didn't look up, flinch or acknowledge his presence. So he sat down beside her and joined her in contemplation of the sea.

A moment passed, then another and another still without a word spoken between the pair.

"How'd you do it?"Leah spoke first. In a voice so low that Jacob struggled to hear.

"Do what?" Jacob turned to her, studying her profile.

Leah kept her eyes to the horizon but spoke a little louder, "How'd you stop wanting Bella? How'd you stop hating her for not wanting you back?"

Jacob gritted his teeth and picked up some sand "I willed myself."

Leah made a face "Really?"

" It was hard but it was either that or end up twisted and bit- " Jacob stopped himself, before he finished the sentence.

"..and bitter,like me ,huh?" Leah asked, an unreadable smile that wasn't quite a smile plastered onto her lips.

"That's not what I meant." Jacob shook his head.

"Yeah..." Leah nodded "yeah it is, and frankly I don't blame you."

Sitting side by side, the pair fell into another comfortable silence. Seconds turned into minutes as the sky lost its colourful hue and began to darken.

"I wasn't always like this..." Leah said quietly, breaking the silent spell, almost apologetically.

"I know."Jacob looked at her, willing her to say more.

Leah exhaled loudly. "I just feel so, so ..." Leah paused, searching for the word "...I just feel so damn empty all the time." She bit her lip, as if contemplating whether to continue. "...and I'm lonely, Jake. Sometimes I think I'm going to die from the loneliness."

Leah began to shake .Despite the drop in temperature and the wind swirling around them, Jacob knew it wasn't from the cold but from the fact that she had just laid herself bare in front of him. Jacob reached out and pulled her to him, gently putting his arm around her shoulder. He was surprised at the lack of resistance, the ease with which she leaned into him.

"I should probably get used to being alone, though."Leah continued.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jacob asked, genuinely confused.

Leah looked at Jacob "What man would want me, Jacob? I'm damaged goods. I'm a chick that turns into a She -wolf. I don't know if I can imprint, let alone have babies..."Leah paused and swallowed the tears forming in the back of her throat "... and I have to keep cutting my hair, I feel like a dude..." she wailed.

"Well,if it's any consolation She Wolfs are pretty bad-ass."Jacob tried at a complement.

Leah rolled her eyes and stopped leaning on him,"Forget it. You wouldn't understand."

"Try me."

"I'm not helpless like Bella, and I'm not pretty and homely like Emily. I don't feel like a girl anymore. I'm not attractive. Guys just don't find me sexy."

"You're way misguided."Jacob shook his head incredulously, "You're a straight 10...".Jacob blushed and looked away. He hadn't expected that to come out of his mouth, but it was true.

Jacob turning red wasn't lost on Leah "Whatever." She mumbled, suddenly becoming hyper self conscious.

"Well ,you would be a 10,if you weren't so scary." Jacob continued. A cheeky smile on his lips.

" don't seem so scared right now."

Jacob laughed "I'm petrified."

Leah laughed too "I'll show you petrified."She lunged at him, so fast Jacob didn't have time to react. She straddled him and began to tickle and pinch Jacob, who began yelling his surrender in between chuckles and belly laughs.

Leah was too busy trying to induce squeals that she hadn't noticed that Jacob had stopped squirming; instead he lay there looking up her. Mesmerised. Leah caught his eye and stopped as a frisson passed between them.

"You're gorgeous when you laugh." Jacob said staring up at Leah.

Leah paused, and then quickly dismounted Jacob. She straightened her clothes and licked her lips.

And just like that the moment had changed. Jacob sat up and dusted himself off.

Despite Leah's reluctance, she could still feel Jake's eyes on her "What?"

Jacob didn't answer.

"No, seriously...what is it?" Leah asked, running a hand through her hair for the umpteenth time.

"I was just thinking. How is it that I've known you damn near all my life and it's only now I'm actually getting to know you?"His gaze betraying his thoughts.

"Jacob Black, Are you getting fresh with me?"

"Would it do me any good if I was?" He shot back ,full of an unexpected bravery.

Jacob's eyes were suddenly piercing. His warm chocolate pupils had become an unreadable black. His molten stare made Leah acutely uncomfortable. She licked her now very dry lips."I don't understand..." Before she could utter another syllable, Jacob kissed her full on the lips, his tongue probing deeply, exploring her entire mouth. His kiss left her reeling.

"Does that help?"He asked as he released her. His intense gaze meeting her own.

Like a stroke of lightening, it occurred to Leah how much she wanted him right then and there. She wanted Jacob Black and if her senses were right, which they most certainly always were, he wanted her just as much. She could feel the tension, the palpable waves of lust emanating from him.

Something primal and animalistic kicked in and unable to contain herself she jumped on Jacob like a prize fighter, sending them both rolling down a miniature sand dune. Once they had stopped rolling, Leah clawed at Jacob's belt and dress pants. She pulled at his shirt and ignored the fact that she had ripped out half of his buttons. The need driving her was too great to give a Jacob was fully undressed Leah took a moment to cast an eye over his word perfection sprung to her mind.

She gave him a look so wanton, so fragile, and so unbearably sexy that Jacob had to touch her. Jacob grabbed her with such authority, Leah almost melted. He could hear the sound of her heart reverberating in her chest, it echoed his own. He took his time undressing her, he was slow and deliberate, watching the frustration grows in her eyes. She was a wolf after all.

Once she was as naked as him, he scanned her face and then her body. He wanted to commit every inch of it to memory. He gently lifted her up and then lowered her on to the sand. His tongue trailed the length of her firm thigh until it found its home between her legs. Leah was on fire, every centimetre of her skin was ablaze. Gripping her lower body, Jacob flicked his tongue repeatedly over her private place. She bucked and convulsed as he found a steady rhythm .Finally a feral growl escaped Leah lips and then a scream and a few whimpers as she made her way back down from heaven.

Jacob took his time pushing into her, rubbing against her, until Leah had to beg him to stop. "Say my name." He growled in her ear, pinning her to the spot beneath him. Leah shook her head ,her eyes closed letting the beautiful sensation build between her legs. But Jacob was relentless, he had to be certain that she was seeing him and nobody else. "Look at me Leah." He growled sharp alpha-male tone of his voice forced Leah to open her eyes, it took a moment for Jacob to come into focus but once he did she looked straight at him and smiled, "Jake..." she groaned and gently used her hand to bring his head a little closer to hers, once there ,she found his lips and sucked hard. It was Jake's turn to be in raptures, he groaned hard and deep. He'd never had anyone make him feel like this before. "God, you're beautiful."He whispered against her lips.

As Jacob moved an inch ,the weight of him felt divine. As Jacob took his time with each devastating stroke, Leah dug her nails into his back and slowly bit down on his shoulder. Jacob Shuddered with delight.

Finally, mercifully Leah managed to flip them over. She was on top, where she liked to be both literally and figuratively. She set the pace, with a strong and steady grind that would have made a Lap dancer blush .She laid butterfly kisses along his sinewy neck, and traced his veins with her fingers, letting the smallest rake of her nails tease his Russet coloured skin. It felt so good that Jacob almost howled at the moon. Jacob stared up at Leah, bathed in moonlight and sweat; he could feel that at that moment they were completely attuned, so perfectly. His hands gripped her waist and held her steady whilst she exerted complete control over him.

The orgasm began to build slowly like the tide they were surrounded by,and when it came,with a force that neither of them had anticipated both of them were rocked, almost shaken by its intensity. The tiny ripples that flowed through Leah riddled up her spine and shook her to the core.

Staring into Jacob's eyes Leah was at once hit by an ache, a need. An almost...longing to stay just as she was at that moment, forever. This feeling was completely unfamiliar to her and it left her feeling both warm and vulnerable, safe but scared.

Despite the heat and passion, Jacob could sense a cooling on Leah's part. He reached up to caress her but she rolled away, and immediately began reaching for her panties, avoiding his eye contact.

"Leah?"Jacob asked confused "What's wrong?"

"Nothing..."She hooked her bra and slipped on her dress "...this is a public beach. We'll probably be arrested for indecent behaviour."

Jacob could feel the distance widening between them "Did I do something to upset you?"

"No." Leah replied,her back to him as she stood up and adjusted her dress. "Of course not, I'm fine."

They continued to get dressed in abject silence. Once they were both dressed by silent agreement they decided to walk back to the party.

As they made their way in what was now pitch black darkness, Jacob grabbed Leah by the shoulders and turned her around. Maybe he'd imagined the last hour, maybe he'd simply dreamed up the single most exhilarating experience of his life but he had to say this before he lost all nerve, before he let the woman he wanted slip further away . "I think I'm in Love with you,Leah."

Leah gasped,then shook her head and wiggled her way out of his grip. "Don't be an idiot !",she continued walking, eager to get away from the beautiful boy trailing her.

Jacob couldn't be swayed ,"I think...No, I know that I.." he continued

"Don't go there, Jacob!" she cut in quickly; she had no desire to hear the rest of his sentence.

Jacob ignored her plea "I imprinted on you this afternoon."

Leah stopped walking. Giving Jacob enough time to catch up to her. "How is that even possible? I've been your Beta…You can't stand me. I'm a harpy,remember?"

"I don't I know is that I imprinted on you, in the church while Emily was saying her vows." He said softly, "I looked over at you and all I could see was your light." Jacob softly cupped her face in his hands, his voice full of awe.

"God, Jacob! Why'd you have to go and ruin this!" Leah batted his hands away, then promptly covered her face with her hands.

"Cos' you were my first Leah and I think, my last. I don't regret it."

"Well maybe you should!" she all but spat.

Leah regretted the sentence the moment it left her mouth, but true to form she wouldn't take it back. Instead she would let it hang there between them in the hope that it would push him away. Biting her lip to quell the pain in her chest and the tears forming in her eyes, Leah continued to march on.

Jacob didn't say anything, but recoiled as though he'd been struck. "Why do you always do that, Leah?" He called out after a minute, wounded.

Leah stopped walking, turned around to face Jacob and met his warm chocolate brown orbs with her defensive ones "Do what?"

Jacob caught up to her, he leant forward and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear."Try so damn hard to be hard."He sighed with resignation.

"You're young Jacob, so maybe no one ever told you, but sex and love aren't the same thing." Leah looked at the ground trying to avoid the gnawing feeling to fall into His arms.

"So what are you saying?" Jacob looked perplexed; this wasn't how he had imagined it. When he'd seen her sneak out of the party he'd followed, he'd wanted to take his time to explain how he felt, what he felt and how he hoped they could put all their past differences aside and be together. He hadn't intended on consummating anything but now that they had he wasn't prepared to let her go without a fight.

"That it's no big deal...Just two friends, going through stuff who found comfort in each other."Leah bit her lip again; even the words rang false to her. God only knew how they sounded to Jacob.

Jacob rolled his eyes "There was nothing 'Friendly' about what just happened, Leah. I felt it, and I know you felt it too."

Leah turned on her heels and started walking again "I don't know what you mean."

She wanted to dig her heart out with a branch right there and then, stop it from beating and pounding hard for the werewolf besides her. It had never been this way, not even with Sam...

"It's Sam,huh?" Jacob gritted his teeth, interrupting her thoughts as he fell into step with her as they made it through the everglades into the forest clearing.

"No. It's not him..."Leah said slowing down. She promptly stopped walking. The sudden softness in her eyes took Jacob by surprise "Jacob, I'm broken..." a solitary tear rolled down her cheek.

Jacob stepped forward to wipe her tears away, to enfold her in his arms and kiss her scars away, ready to be the mate he was so sure she needed. But Leah stepped backwards and held out her hand to stop his approach. "No."

"Leah..." Jacob began.

"No, "Leah said again, her bottom lip trembling "I don't want this…I can't deal with this, I have to go, I have to get out of here…I…I…I'm sorry." And with that Leah turned and ran, she ran as fast as her bare feet would carry her. She ran with the sound of Jacob's voice ringing in her ears, his sent all over her skin and her heart doing its best to answer the cosmic call to the Alpha male she had just left alone in a Forest Clearing.

Leah ran, and ran. She ran through the Reservation and through Forks .It wasn't until she reached the town's limits and it's 'You are now leaving Forks, WA' that she stopped to take a breath. Disoriented, confused and fighting the urge to vomit Leah ,against her better judgement, stuck out her thumb. It wasn't until a Truck stopped besides her that she came to her senses.

"You getting' in or what?" asked the Trucker, a middle aged man with stringy grey hair and a trucker cap that said 'keep on truckin'.

Leah looked in the direction of her home, and then back at the Trucker "Where are you headed?"

"I can take you as far as Nevada," replied the Trucker, who quietly observed Leah's bare feet and unkempt party attire.

Leah took a deep breath, "That works for me."

"Well hop in."

Leah did just that, and with every mile that she got further away from her home, her heart throbbed a little harder. It wasn't until she and Trucker Willie reached a Service station 3 miles outside of Las Vegas did she realise that for the first time since she had become a wolf, she had gotten her period.

TBC.