Bitter
If you don’t shut the fuck up about that damn wedding I swear to god I’m going to rip your throat out.
Fuck you, Leah. As if we haven’t all had to hear about Harry fucking Potter for the last month.
Leah snarled at the low blow. Two could play that game.
At least he is- was my imprint. Bella Swan is a vampire snack. And a month from now she’ll be far away, dead and frozen forever.
ENOUGH, Sam said, ending the argument before it could turn into a fight.
Which was the opposite of what Leah and Jacob both wanted.
Jacob was all torn up and soppy over the wedding they were all invited to in a couple of weeks.
Leah was… herself.
Bitter and forcing everyone to feel bitter with her.
She was also in pain— chronic, undiagnosable, constant pain. It was like her entire chest was bruised black and blue.
Every breath felt restrictive.
Every pair of green eyes she’d seen since Harry left La Push a month ago was agony.
So Jacob could complain about heartache all he wanted, he had no idea.
I know, Jacob said, quiet and remorseful now. Sorry, Leah.
I don’t want your damn pity, Leah snarled. She put a burst of speed in her run, outstripping Jared and trying to put the physical distance between herself and the others that she couldn’t do mentally.
Thankfully, the others went silent as they did their monthly full sweep of the forests.
The more time Leah spent in wolf mode, the less her chest ached. The pain never left, not fully, but it was less noticeable in wolf mode. The drawback, obviously, was the rest of the pack.
We’re not that bad, Seth thought with his unbearable optimism. We’re— oh, what’s that?
What’s what? Sam asked, instantly alert. Seth what do you see?
It’s—
Did he just phase?! Leah howled. She was clear on the opposite side of town from Seth. Leah spun around and began running toward Seth. JACOB, IS SETH WITH YOU?!
Calm down, Leah, Sam said, stern but not an order. Jacob, can you see Seth?
Yeah, Jacob came through clearly. He’s butt ass naked and talking to… oh.
Embry was the one who howled that time as Jacob suddenly phased right out of their minds. Leah was racing across the forest, ripping through bushes and trees alike, but Sam was closest.
Hold your positions, he said. Let me assess the situation and see if we need to prepared for an attack. Hold your positions, he repeated, an order this time. If I don’t phase back within five minutes, circle around to La Push High.
Leah skid to a stop as Sam’s order commanded her and she was vibrating with anxiety as the rest of the pack felt Sam phase.
What’s going on? Paul asked the others.
Dunno, Jared said, just as tense.
Everyone was silent and preparing for the worst while they waited.
Leah counted down the seconds, waiting for the five minute mark so they could rush the high school and see what was going on, but Sam phased back before she hit three minutes.
Leah, phase back, now, he said, an alpha command. Go home. Shower. Take the night off.
What?! Leah was trembling with the weight of the command. What’s going on?
Now, Leah.
Leah let out a furious snarl that had Jared backing away quickly before she phased to human.
Who the fuck was Sam Uley to order her to take the night off?
Leah was still fuming and snarling after pulling her shorts and tank top on.
It was an abuse of his fucking power, and he knew it.
Leah bitched about Sam the whole, long, hike through the forest and back to her apartment.
Where she immediately called Seth.
Sam couldn’t order her to shower, what a fucking tool.
“Leaaaah!” Seth sounded as upbeat as always. “Hey, get dressed up! Let’s go to dinner!”
“Let’s tell me what the hell happened earlier,” Leah demanded as she absently looked through her fridge.
Empty.
Damn it.
“Course, sis,” Seth agreed easily, “over dinner. Seven at the diner?”
Leah glared at her fridge as if it had personally offended her, which, honestly, it did.
“Sure,” she snapped. “Seven at the diner, Seth.”
“Shower first! You stink!” Seth’s laughter cut off Leah’s growl as he quickly hung up on her.
Leah threw herself on the couch and grumbled about why she couldn’t have been an only child right up until she closed her eyes and passed out.