Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [73]
Youre loyal to me now? I asked with deep sarcasm. Uh-huh. Right.
My choices are limited. Im working with the options Ive got. Trust me, Im not enjoying this any more than you are.
That wasnt true. There was an edgy kind of excitement in her mind. She was unhappy about this, but she was also riding some weird high. I searched her mind, trying to understand.
She bristled, resenting the intrusion. I usually tried to tune Leah out-Id never tried to make sense of her before.
We were interrupted by Seth, thinking his explanation at Edward. Leah whined anxiously. Edwards face, framed in the same window as last night, showed no reaction to the news. It was a blank face, dead.
Wow, he looks bad, Seth muttered to himself. The vampire showed no reaction to that thought, either. He disappeared into the house. Seth pivoted and headed back out to us. Leah relaxed a little.
Whats going on? Leah asked. Catch me up to speed.
Theres no point. Youre not staying.
Actually, Mr. Alpha, I am. Because since apparently I have to belong to someone-and dont think I havent tried breaking off on my own, you know yourself how well that doesnt work-I choose you.
Leah, you dont like me. I dont like you.
Thank you, Captain Obvious. That doesnt matter to me. Im staying with Seth.
You dont like vampires. Dont you think thats a little conflict of interest right there?
You dont like vampires either.
But I am committed to this alliance. You arent.
Ill keep my distance from them. I can run patrols out here, just like Seth.
And Im supposed to trust you with that?
She stretched her neck, leaning up on her toes, trying to be as tall as me as she stared into my eyes. I will not betray my pack.
I wanted to throw my head back and howl, like Seth had before. This isnt your pack! This isnt even a pack. This is just me, going off on my own! What is it with you Clearwaters? Why cant you leave me alone?
Seth, just coming up behind us now, whined; Id offended him. Great.
Ive been helpful, havent I, Jake?
You havent made too much a nuisance of yourself, kid, but if you and Leah are a package deal-if the only way to get rid of her is for you to go home Well, can you blame me for wanting you gone?
Ugh, Leah, you ruin everything!
Yeah, I know, she told him, and the thought was loaded with the heaviness of her despair.
I felt the pain in the three little words, and it was more than I wouldve guessed. I didnt want to feel that. I didnt want to feel bad for her. Sure, the pack was rough on her, but she brought it all on herself with the bitterness that tainted her every thought and made being in her head a nightmare.
Seth was feeling guilty, too. Jake Youre not really gonna send me away, are you? Leahs not so bad. Really. I mean, with her here, we can push the perimeter out farther. And this puts Sam down to seven. Theres no way hes going to mount an attack that outnumbered. Its probably a good thing
You know I dont want to lead a pack, Seth.
So dont lead us, Leah offered.
I snorted. Sounds perfect to me. Run along home now.
Jake, Seth thought. I belong here. I do like vampires. Cullens, anyway. Theyre people to me, and Im going to protect them, cause thats what were supposed to do.
Maybe you belong, kid, but your sister doesnt. And shes going to go wherever you are-
I stopped short, because I saw something when I said that. Something Leah had been trying not to think.
Leah wasnt going anywhere.
Thought this was about Seth, I thought sourly.
She flinched. Of course Im here for Seth.
And to get away from Sam.
Her jaw clenched. I dont have to explain myself to you. I just have to do what Im told. I belong to your pack, Jacob. The end.
I paced away from her, growling.
Crap. I was never going to get rid of her. As much as she disliked me, as much as she loathed the Cullens, as happy as shed be to go kill all the vampires right now, as much as it pissed her off to have to protect them instead-none of that was