Anti-Hero || Leah Clearwater

27 - Belong, belong, belong

"And my heart is a hollow plain

For the devil to dance again"

Breath of Life - Florence + The Machine

Leah was breathing heavily. Not because she was tired from the run in the woods, but because her heart was speeding. She could feel the beginning of a panic attack.

Rafael was barely visible under the yellow light of her backyard. He was looking at her, trying to understand what was happening.

Leah was frozen, she could not move.

Leah!

Jacob's voice invaded her mind, ripping her from the swirling thoughts she was having. He used his alpha voice.

Backyard of my house, she answered, I'm fine.

She needed to shift, to talk to Rafael. At the same time, she was worried that in human form she wouldn't be able to communicate well with Jacob, who would surely try to attack at the sight of the vampire.

But she also couldn't risk Rafael attacking Jacob.

Leah fervently hoped that the Cullens were with Jacob, surely Carlisle would try to calm things down.

She moved away from the light of the backyard and, hiding behind a tree, she transformed. Luckily, she had a light bag with her, which she had tied to her hind leg, with some clothes in it.

She got dressed quickly and returned to where she was before, in front of Rafael. The vampire's expression was unreadable.

Leah could not stand the silence. Why was he there? Did something happen? Was Felix okay?

"Why are you here?" she asked him, but before he could answer, Leah heard the sound of paws on the ground behind her.

She turned around and saw that behind her was the figure of Jacob, in wolf form, who was slowly approaching. Behind him were Carlisle, Emmett, and Rosalie. They had probably called her asking for backup.

"Rafael!" Carlisle exclaimed, his face stretched out in a smile, "Is that really you?"

Jacob let out a sound that Leah interpreted as a question. She had told everyone about Rafael and Nadia that night, so Jacob was probably asking the same question she had been asking herself: what was the vampire doing there?

"Carlisle," Rafael greeted him, "It's been a long time," he stayed silent for a few seconds, before gesturing to Leah, "I came all the way here to talk to Leah. I didn't expect to see you on shape-shifter territory."

"Ah," Carlisle smiled again, a gentle smile, "I never wanted to give too much credence to the gossip I've heard over the years, but if memory serves, I believe there's a good chance you're well aware that shape-shifter company isn't all that unpleasant."

Rosalie frowned at those words, while Emmett continued to stare at the stranger. Leah felt Jacob's gaze fixed on her instead. He was worried about her, she knew it because he was standing near and Leah could feel his fur grazing the back of her hand.

Before they could continue with the pleasantries, Leah intervened, "If you want to talk to me, we need to move to Cullen territory," she glanced at Carlisle, "If that's okay with you. We can't risk staying here, someone else will pick up Rafael's scent and follow it here soon."