Leah (English Version)

Imprinting? - Part I

 "Mom," Seth calls out, still outside.

The house seemed cozy at first glance, with its all-wood appearance, plants, and some oversized wooden ornaments on the porch, carved by the late Harry. Hana was admiring the beautiful wooden figures when Sue appeared suddenly, stopping in her tracks upon seeing the strangers with her son, fearing for his life as she deduced these must be the feared Children of the Moon.

"Good afternoon, Sue," begins Sam, "these are our visitors: Lucian, Kiary, and Hana, Seth's imprint." He explains, once again pointing to each as he names them, while the Cherokees silently nod.

Sue couldn't help but widen her eyes at this revelation. She was completely caught off guard by Seth's call and even more by the news. Questions boiled in her mind like water: How? Where? When? And did she reciprocate?

"It's mutual," Lucian says, answering her last question. "I guarantee it!"

The worried mother's heart settles, and her eyes quickly assess the sweet demeanor of the girl, who seemed to have a kind heart like her son, calming her more easily than she expected. Somehow, Sue felt reassured and believed the young man's words, a strong empathy seemed to bloom between them, making her reconsider her opinion of them being dangerous. Her gaze turns back to Hana, making her blush instantly, a reaction that impressed Sue positively.

"Welcome to La Push. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," she begins, approaching Seth and ruffling his hair, "now you are part of my family, especially you, Hana."

"They might need a favor, Sue," says Sam. "They need jobs, and I thought of lending Harry's workshop so they could have some income..."

"You can rent it to us if you prefer," Lucian adds, "so you won't be at a loss."

Seth smiles at the suggestion, and Sue quickly agrees to the idea of renting. She needed something to supplement the family income, and if the young man didn't mind the rent, who was she to refuse? More excited about the promising visit, Mrs. Clearwater invites the group for a snack, but Sam politely declines. As the group was about to leave, they heard a loud and grumpy noise from inside the house.

"I think Leah just woke up. I'd really like you to meet her, after all, it was her vote that allowed you to enter La Push." She smiles. "However, she always wakes up in a bad mood. I'll inform her about the meeting at your house, Sam, once she's more sociable."

"She'll enjoy meeting you, knowing there are other female werewolves in the world," Jacob jokes, speaking for the first time during the visit. "In our pack, she's the only one."

Sue shifted her weight uncomfortably at his remark, for as ignorant and unstable as Leah had become, she was still her beloved daughter. But no one besides Hana and Lucian – with their special abilities – noticed her discomfort.

The group heads to Sam's house, while Sue enters her kitchen with renewed energy to face her grumpy daughter, who was preparing something to eat.

"Sam said that..."

"I know, mom," Leah interrupts, "I heard it from here... I also heard the little joke about me."

"Hana had an imprint with your brother," she says in a hopeful and understanding voice, "and he with her. The girl's brother guaranteed it's mutual. Maybe you can..."

"And you believed that?" Leah interrupts again. She didn't like talking about that subject, hated being reminded of what she was and the existence of imprinting, and the sooner she ended that conversation, the better. "I doubt it. I'm heading out, I have another tedious meeting to adjust the patrol."

Leah leaves without saying goodbye, leaving behind a saddened and worried mother. For a long time, the she-wolf cared about nothing, not even the meeting she was heading to, delaying as much as she could, and whenever possible, eating before leaving home to avoid the "generosity of Emily" – although she couldn't resist from time to time. She lived merely to exist, without excitement, joy, love, or anything...