Swans Don't Quit

Thief

 I came home from the station to find Leah's car gone and the house empty. I found a note on the counter from saying that Sam had called a pack meeting. I set the note and my bag down, grabbing my keys back up, heading out the door to my truck. Emily greeted me at the door and led me into the living room. Seth immediately got up to allow me to sit next to Leah well he joined Alex on the floor while he had tummy time. I kissed Leah and pulled her into my side before looking around the room and noticed that Jake was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Jake? He on patrol?" I asked. All noise in the room stopped and Sam hesitated before shaking his head.

"No, Bella called him." He said and I sighed as I ran a hand down my face that wasn't wrapped around Leah's shoulders.

"What's happened now?" I asked as I looked around the room. Nobody seemed to want to tell me, not even Leah. Finally Paul let out a deep sigh and sat up straight in the chair and squared his shoulders.

"Apparently while Bella was out this morning she had an unwanted visitor. The Cullens and Bella want the packs help in tracking the guy. They didn't recognize the scent and wanted someone from the pack to get the scent so we'll recognize it if we come acrossed it." Paul said and my mind started to race.

"Is my father alright?" I asked.

"Yes." Leah said as she ran her hand up and down my back in comfort. I sighed and relaxed back into the couch.

"What is going to happen now?" I asked.

"First Jake is going to get the scent and later all of us will have a pack meeting so all of us will have the scent. Then we'll go from there. We can't be certain that the leech will come back or that it wasn't one the vampire royalty coming to check on the Cullens." Sam said and I nodded. I turned to Emily.

"What time do you want me at the beach to help with set up for the council meeting and bonfire?" I asked and Emily shook her head.

"No. You and Leah will have no part in setting up. Leah promised to make a cake and a couple pies for the meeting. You help her get the cake and pies here at six and that will be enough. And I don't wanna see you till then. I see you before six and you will sit on a log and do nothing." Emily threatened and I put my hands in the air in surrender. The only thing worse than working your ass off is sitting around bored out of your mind.

"Yes Emily. I cross my heart and hope to die that you will not see me at the beach till six." I said and made an 'x' over my chest to show my sincerity. She smiled and gave me a short nod before pointing to the door.

"Now you get out of here and help Leah with those cakes and pies." Emily said and everyone laughed as I stood up and walked right out the door. I waited outside the door till Leah came out with Alex. She laughed as she handed me my jacket and shoes before continuing to the truck with a shake of her head. I gave Emily a salute before climbing up into the truck and pulling out.

As promise the three of us showed up to the pack bonfire at six. I watched as Emily glanced at her watch and smiled as she saw it was exactly six. I helped Leah down from the truck and got Alex out. Jared and Kim came over to help take the food over to the tables. Alex cooed up at Kim and she smiled down at him before taking him in her arms, she and Leah joined Emily and Claire by the fire. Jared and I shook our heads as Emily and Kim proceeded to coo over Alex as he giggled and reached for them. Paul came over and took some of the food from the bed of the truck.

"What is it about a baby that makes women turn to goo?" Paul asked as we placed the food on the table.

"The innocence and the dependency." Sam said causing me to jump slightly. I hadn't noticed Sam coming up behind the three of us. Paul and Jared cracked up and Sam smirked at my reaction.