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This was just a precaution, really.

Wouldnt want our precious parasites taking unnecessary chances.

Nope, I agreed, ignoring the sarcasm.

Youve changed so much, Jacob. Talk about one-eighties.

Youre not exactly the same Leah Ive always known and loved, either.

True. Am I less annoying than Paul now?

Amazingly yes.

Ah, sweet success.

Congrats.

We ran in silence again then. It was probably time to turn around, but neither of us wanted to. It felt nice to run like this. Wed been staring at the same small circle of a trail for too long. It felt good to stretch our muscles and take the rugged terrain. We werent in a huge hurry, so I thought maybe we should hunt on the way back. Leah was pretty hungry.

Yum, yum, she thought sourly.

Its all in your head, I told her. Thats the way wolves eat. Its natural. It tastes fine. If you didnt think about it from a human perspective-

Forget the pep talk, Jacob. Ill hunt. I dont have to like it.

Sure, sure, I agreed easily. It wasnt my business if she wanted to make things harder for herself.

She didnt add anything for a few minutes; I started thinking about turning back.

Thank you, Leah suddenly told me in a much different tone.

For?

For letting me be. For letting me stay. Youve been nicer than I had any right to expect, Jacob.

Er, no problem. Actually, I mean that. I dont mind having you here like I thought I would.

She snorted, but it was a playful sound. What a glowing commendation!

Dont let it go to your head.

Okay-if you dont let this go to yours. She paused for a second. I think you make a good Alpha. Not in the same way Sam does, but in your own way. Youre worth following, Jacob.

My mind went blank with surprise. It took me a second to recover enough to respond.

Er, thanks. Not totally sure Ill be able to stop that one from going to my head, though. Where did that come from?

She didnt answer right away, and I followed the wordless direction of her thoughts. She was thinking about the future-about what Id said to Jared the other morning. About how the time would be up soon, and then Id go back to the forest. About how Id promised that she and Seth would return to the pack when the Cullens were gone

I want to stay with you, she told me.

The shock shot through my legs, locking my joints. She blew past me and then put on the brakes. Slowly, she walked back to where I was frozen in place.

I wont be a pain, I swear. I wont follow you around. You can go wherever you want, and Ill go where I want. Youll only have to put up with me when were both wolves. She paced back and forth in front of me, swishing her long gray tail nervously. And, as Im planning on quitting as soon as I can manage it maybe that wont be so often.

I didnt know what to say.

Im happier now, as a part of your pack, than I have been in years.

I want to stay, too, Seth thought quietly. I hadnt realized hed been paying much attention to us as he ran the perimeter. I like this pack.

Hey, now! Seth, this isnt going to be a pack much longer. I tried to put my thoughts together so they would convince him. Weve got a purpose now, but when after thats over, Im just going to go wolf. Seth, you need a purpose. Youre a good kid. Youre the kind of person who always has a crusade. And theres no way youre leaving La Push now. Youre going to graduate from high school and do something with your life. Youre going to take care of Sue. My issues are not going to mess up your future.

But-

Jacob is right, Leah seconded.

Youre agreeing with me?

Of course. But none of that applies to me. I was on my way out, anyway. Ill get a job somewhere away from La Push. Maybe take some courses at a community college. Get into yoga and meditation to work on my temper issues And stay a part of this pack for the sake of my mental well-being. Jacob-you can see how that makes sense, right? I wont bother you, you wont bother me, everyone is happy.

I turned back and started loping slowly toward the west.

This is a bit much to deal with,