12. New Start

-   Leah, Clearwater

Running was a second nature to me; the thudding of my large paws against the grassy  floor, the wind curling through my grey fur, my leveled breathing as I focused on dodging the spurred outcrops of fallen tree’s – their roots spearing out like tentacles.

Each night, once the sun had ducked further beyond the horizon, which reminded me of a length of bleached ribbon, I would find a bed of pine needles and sleep for a few hours. My dreams came in a trail of images, they swirled across my vision like it was a leaf in a river current flowing away.

I was standing on the ridge of a low sloping hill above a hollowed lake, its water twinkling as if a layer of shimmering dust wrapped around the tender waves that lapped against its borders. The air was peppered like a sweet scent that stuck to my tongue; it tasted like a thick rancid syrup. I imagined finding myself in my wolf form, but instead I was human. My own two legs felt wobbly as if I was more used to four huge paws, bringing my fingers to my temples to smooth the pulsating throb in my forehead I encountered a crown of curled hair. Held together by a large clip at the back of my head, the rest fell in a waterfall of brown coils. The length of my body was covered in a cascade of black velvet; it fanned out at the bottom like a plume of peacock feathers. I felt insecure, out too much in the open! I searched eagerly for the protection of tree’s, or wooden walls, but to my reluctance there was nothing but a gathering crowd behind me silent figure.

“I have never been so dressed up since I was a silly little girl,” I mumbled sourly to myself, gathering my arms around my chest trying to mask my insecurities.

“Yet you have never looked so glamorous,” the voice was dark and brooding, my stomach fluttered with a million butterflies.

His russet skin glowered copper in the bleak sunlight, and was adorned by a long white shirt, and black-dress trousers. His facial features sent the roots in my chest to retreat and to blossom: almond shaped eyes framed by long dark lashes, arched eyebrows and a piercing smile. His hair was tousled and messy, like Seth, I mourned internally. He held out a hand and I took it instantly, the warmth and sincerity seeping through me.

I was about to ask who he was, but his eyes held my throat constricted, they were so mellow and serene.

Leading me downhill to the dance floor – which had been obscured by the southern incline so I couldn’t have seen it while standing up there – his arm wrapped around my waist leading me onwards. It was enclosed in lattice panels which held garlands of flowers threaded through it, my heart sighed.

Twirling around my partner, I felt none of the regular emotions I normally did; instead I was the normal girl, not the wolf girl who ran away from home, from La Push.

Someone tapped there foot impatiently behind us, “I think it’s time I hand you over.”

“Thank you.” I was thrust into the arms of another; he was a white tux this time. His midnight black hair was swept back, his jewel-like green eyes deep and loving. He smiled as he sensed my confusion; pushing a discarded curl from my face he revealed a set of gleaming white teeth. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

Gathering me in his arms we danced until the sun rose above the clouds, my life no-longer in turmoil but in constantly bliss.

“Leah!”

I blinked ominously, “Leah!”

I thrust myself awake from the dream, the sun had risen far beyond the clouds, and it was around mid-day. The heat was clawing at my wolf skin, baking me as I lay there.

I threw the dream from mind and thought of it as a nightmare, day-dreaming in alternate realities wasn’t for me just now! I am running away from home, not dazing as I secretly lamented for the loss of my family so I could start a new life in college.

Pulling my exhausted body from the ground, grinding my teeth in dislike as my bones popped and moved back into place, I searched for a late wolfy breakfast. I was nearing my destination, North Vancouver, I wanted to get as far as possible from the small gloomy town of La Push and start a new life. I have long lost relatives up there, maybe they would take me in.

-   Jacob, Black

“Leah did what? Oh hell!”

My hands were balled into fists, as I spun around on the piano chair from watching Renesmee play and watched as Edward retold the story, for the third time!

“It had been days since I have saw Leah, why didn’t I think?” I scolded myself, with Sam being out of town I was the alpha male of both packs. This wouldn’t be good news for him.

Bella placed a comforting hand on my arm, the coldness of her made me flinch, but it remained there. “It’s not your fault Jacob; she didn’t want anyone to know. Don’t blame yourself?”

I jumped in anger, “If Sam finds out I lost her, he’s going to blow a fuse!”

“If he finds out what?” The pixie jumped from the stairs and glided over to the family gathering, not including me, and demanded she be told everything.

“Leah left a few days ago, I heard her thoughts and she said not to tell anyone. She wants to start a new life away from La Push, in other words she is sick of everyone imprinting.”

Fury raged through me, “Why didn’t you tell anyone? I could have brought her back, some leech properly could have got her by now,” I growled.

His brow furrowed, “I’m sorry Jacob, I should have told you but I respected what she asked me to do.”

“Jacob you couldn’t have stopped her, she was determined to go.” Bella was trying to be as comforting as possible, but nothing could dim the guilt that welled inside of me.

From behind us Renesmee stopped playing her song, and in her happy exultant voice commanded I pick her up, “Jake, Jake, what’s wrong?”

Picking her up sent multiple chills down my spine; it was the good kind through. She put her finger to my cheek; she looked at least four years old now. She replayed the scene before us, it was Edward explaining Leah’s disappearance to me, and I had flipped in front of her.

“I’m sorry, honey. Did I scare you?”

She laughed, it was like pealing bells. I chuckled long with her quietly, “Leah gone?”

“Yes, she is,” I managed to choke out without showing I was going through the guilt-trip.

She pulled her arms around me in a small hug, “We get Leah back?”

“We will, honey. I’ll find her.”

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