The Stories of Leah Clearwater - (Book One)

Chapter 20 - The Test

I finally woke up around one o’clock in the afternoon. We didn’t get home until sometime after 3:30am.

My mom poked her head in my room, “Oh you’re awake. Jacob and Sam are here to see you.”

I begrudgingly rolled off my bed and walked to the front door. I smiled seeing Jake. I just looked at Sam.

“Can we go for a walk?” Sam asked.

I looked at Jacob and he nodded.

“Let’s walk then.” I said stepping out and shutting the door behind me. My mom just watched as we left. The three of us walked quietly. Jacob was on my right and Sam was on my left. I felt like I was a prisoner being lead to my judgement day. I know it sounds dramatic but the awkwardness and tension between the two was a lot to handle. The anxiety was sitting there in the shadows waiting. Jake lightly brushed my hand. I looked at him and he smiled at me and mouthed, “It will be ok.”

Once we got to the beach it was quiet.

Sam cleared his throat, “Leah I’ve told Jacob what happened. He is second in command and, has every right to know. Last night was totally uncalled for. You shouldn’t have attacked a fellow pack member.”

Right there I cut off Sam, “Pardon my language, but that’s bullshit. A “fellow” member wouldn’t have done what Paul did.”

Sam moved closer looking at me, “You could have hurt him.”

I growled, “Are you listening to yourself. Oh wait you must be. You love the sound of your all mighty powerful tone, you use against me. You get a a thrill from it. Knowing that you were everything to me. Now you can control me in your crappy pack. You love pushing me into the dirt. You stand there towering over me, while I’m down and out.”

Jacob stood there and moved closer gently placing a hand on my shoulder. It took me off guard because he’d never done anything like that before.

“Leah stop this insanity. I don’t enjoy making you hurt. I hate myself for what happened. You make it seem like I’m a cruel masochistic person, which I’m not. I care about what happens to you.”

I looked at him and so did Jacob, “I think Leah feels like she’s being singled out because, she’s the only female in the pack.”

I shook my head, “It’s not that I feel like I’m being singled out, I am. Everyone in that stupid pack doubts me. Jacob is the only one who has my back. So Sam, you all want to be so tough and mighty? Two can play at that game.” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Leah what do you want from me?”

I was inches from Sam’s face, “I want you to act like you care. I want you to act like an alpha who gives a damn. You’re not Napoleon. So please climb off of the high horse you’re on. I can’t take much more of this. I’m not a guard dog for the reservation. I’m a human being. I have feelings.” I felt the tears build up in my eyes.

“Leah it’s our duty to protect our people.” Sam spoke. Our grandfathers, fathers and brothers for generations have done this. Now it’s our time.”

Jacob felt my whole body tense up. “Sam the one thing they all had in common was what? They were all males. I’m the only female in all the generations of our people being shape shifters. I’m out of place. I have nobody to ask about it. The one person who was close enough for me, is now gone. It’s my fault he’s dead. You don’t have to carry that guilt with you every day. He would have told me everything. I can’t ask any of you.”

Sam stood there looking at me. Jacob slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“Anything I ever cared about is gone. Anything I touch leaves me. I’m alone, more than you think. You're not in my head, even when we phase. You don’t get those thoughts. Nobody does except my journal.” I gently bit my bottom lip to stop it from quivering. I turned and left walking back towards my house.