Wow, she thought she actually punched you? She’s less controlled than I thought.

I just asked her! Jacob retorted. It’s not like she didn’t see what was coming! Filthy leech. Stupid Girl.

There was a silence and Jacob was running, his instincts telling him where to go. She could see through his eyes, he was very close.

I hate her.

His words were serious this time, decisive and strong. This sudden statement took Leah by surprise. Jacob couldn’t hate Bella; after all they had gone through. How? It was impossible. He was always so sensitive about her. Something wasn’t right.

Nearly there Jacob announced.

In a matter of seconds, Jacob was standing behind her, his hot breath stinging her neck, growls emanating from his clenched teeth.

Leah turned around to face a reddish-brown wolf, sighing. Jacob looked troubled, his fur scruffy and unkempt, his eyes wandering.

Why do you even mind if Bella punched you? Leah asked, Seriously, you don’t hate her, Jacob. You know you don’t. She’s just an over-protective leech.

I don’t know. I hate her. Jacob’s thoughts were a bit too sharp and Leah knew she was pushing a nerve.

You are, Leah, I might attack you if you’re not careful.

Leah barked a laugh. Right. I’m stronger anyways.

You wish, Leah. You don’t even believe in what you just said. I can read your mind, remember?

Right. Leah laughed again. Damn.

Leah hated it when others could read her thoughts. She glanced at Jacob, knowing he did too. Jacob nodded, trotting into the woods once more. She quickly picked up the bundle of clothes next to her and started to change before Jacob came back, knowing she could take her time, because Jacob respected her privacy.

She finished putting her loose t-shirt on and sat down by the tree once more.

“You can come!” she called, and Jacob walked in, smiling, wearing nothing but faded jeans.

Leah was used to this, and it never surprised her to see the pack half-naked all the time. She wondered what her old friends would think of her if they knew she ran around with wolves and spent half her time speaking to half-naked boys.

They’d be jealous, she reckoned, especially Laura. Addie, Vicky, Verena and Laura were always busy these days. Verena was engaged to be married with a guy from Seattle and Vicky was a primary school teacher at the local La Push School. Addie was just Addie. Leah missed them all, but wasn’t allowed to tell her secret, and it was quite hard to be around them lately.

Leah glanced at Jacob and saw he was lying on the ground, hands over his head, thinking. He caught her eyes looking at her and stared back for a few seconds. She could tell his mind was working hard now, and she decided to lie down on the floor next to him.

Jacob turned his head towards Leah.

“Do you think Nessie loves me?” his voice sounded cracked, troubled, and his eyes looked so miserable that Leah felt a pang of pain in her chest.

Leah stayed silent for a while, keeping her breaths even and not knowing what to say. Another short silence followed.

Jacob’s voice was quiet now, almost a whisper.

“Will everything be okay in the end? For both of us?”

Leah knew to what he was referring now, and she sighed and closed her eyes.

“I hope so, Jacob, I hope so”.

They lay in silence for a while, side by side, lost in their own thoughts, and finally fell asleep. However, in the midst of their thoughts, they hadn’t noticed that Seth was missing.