Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [74]
Leah didnt like me, so it wasnt such a chore having me wish she would disappear.
She loved Sam. Still. And having him wish she would disappear was more pain than she was willing to live with, now that she had a choice. She would have taken any other option. Even if it meant moving in with the Cullens as their lapdog.
I dont know if Id go that far, she thought. She tried to make the words tough, aggressive, but there were big cracks in her show. Im sure Id give killing myself a few good tries first.
Look, Leah
No, you look, Jacob. Stop arguing with me, because its not going to do any good. Ill stay out of your way, okay? Ill do anything you want. Except go back to Sams pack and be the pathetic ex-girlfriend he cant get away from. If you want me to leave-she sat back on her haunches and stared straight into my eyes-youre going to have to make me.
I snarled for a long, angry minute. I was beginning to feel some sympathy for Sam, despite what he had done to me, to Seth. No wonder he was always ordering the pack around. How else would you ever get anything done?
Seth, are you gonna get mad at me if I kill your sister?
He pretended to think about it for a minute. Well yeah, probably.
I sighed.
Okay, then, Ms. Do-Anything-I-Want. Why dont you make yourself useful by telling us what you know? What happened after we left last night?
Lots of howling. But you probably heard that part. It was so loud that it took us a while to figure out that we couldnt hear either of you anymore. Sam was Words failed her, but we could see it in our head. Both Seth and I cringed. After that, it was clear pretty quick that we were going to have to rethink things. Sam was planning to talk to the other Elders first thing this morning. We were supposed to meet up and figure out a game plan. I could tell he wasnt going to mount another attack right away, though. Suicide at this point, with you and Seth AWOL and the bloodsuckers forewarned. Im not sure what theyll do, but I wouldnt be wandering the forest alone if I was a leech. Its open season on vamps now.
You decided to skip the meeting this morning? I asked.
When we split up for patrols last night, I asked permission to go home, to tell my mother what had happened-
Crap! You told Mom? Seth growled.
Seth, hold off on the sibling stuff for a sec. Go on, Leah.
So once I was human, I took a minute to think things through. Well, actually, I took all night. I bet the others think I fell asleep. But the whole two-separate-packs, two- separate-pack-minds thing gave me a lot to sift through. In the end, I weighed Seths safety and the, er, other benefits against the idea of turning traitor and sniffing vampire stink for who knows how long. You know what I decided. I left a note for my mom. I expect well hear it when Sam finds out
Leah cocked an ear to the west.
Yeah, I expect we will, I agreed.
So thats everything. What do we do now? she asked.
She and Seth both looked at me expectantly.
This was exactly the kind of thing I didnt want to have to do.
I guess we just keep an eye out for now. Thats all we can do. You should probably take a nap, Leah.
Youve had as much sleep as I have.
Thought you were going to do what you were told?
Right. Thats going to get old, she grumbled, and then she yawned. Well, whatever. I dont care.
Ill run the border, Jake. Im not tired at all. Seth was so glad I hadnt forced them home, he was all but prancing with excitement.
Sure, sure. Im going to go check in with the Cullens.
Seth took off along the new path worn into the damp earth. Leah looked after him thoughtfully.
Maybe a round or two before I crash Hey Seth, wanna see how many times I can lap you?
NO!
Barking out a low chuckle, Leah lunged into the woods after him.
I growled uselessly. So much for peace and quiet.
Leah was trying-for Leah. She kept her jibes to a minimum as she raced around the circuit, but it was impossible not to be aware of her smug mood. I thought of the whole twos company saying. It didnt really apply, because one was