The Pack

Stealing the Night

Leah's POV

My life was pretty normal in the sense that nothing really extraordinary happens. I never have any major announcements. My life has been so dull my mom had even stopped asking me what's going on because she knew my answer … nothing. However, this Sunday I was headed to her house for dinner and I wasn't going alone. I smiled at myself in the mirror. I finally had some good news to report. I was in love and I was happy. I knew mom would be elated. She's been waiting for the day for me to tell her I was over Sam. I mean, I'd been over him for a long time it was just she never heard me talk about anyone but him. I never talked about Jake with my mom because we weren't anything official. In all honesty I kind of wished I had. She probably would've helped me to realize my feelings a whole lot sooner. Then again, it probably wouldn't have mattered with the whole imprint thing.

"A penny for your thoughts," Jacob asked from the bedroom door frame. I looked back at him and smirked a little.

"I was just thinking about everything in my life up to this point," I confessed. "It's been pretty boring and lonely." He arched his eyebrow and crossed his arms. His muscular arms. All of a sudden the past didn't seem so important. I strolled over to him and ran my fingertips over his muscles.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"What did I do?" He asked and I tried to think of a way to answer and not seem so dorky.

"Everything," I stated and he gave me the weirdest expression and it was probably well deserved.

"You're welcome?" He most definitely seemed like he was at a loss as to what to say. I patted his arm and moved past him into the living room and grabbed my jean jacket. I didn't need one but I think it went well with my cherry red summer dress. It was the first time I'd dressed up for Sunday dinner in a long time. I even took the time to put on a little make up.

"You ready?" I asked and Jacob nodded.

"So what exactly are you telling your mom about us?" Jacob asked as we drove the short ten minute drive to my mom's house.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you telling we're dating or that we're living together?" He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and then returned his focus to the road. I gave his question some thought I really hadn't given telling my mom anything about our living arrangement.

"I mean I can but it … I don't know, telling her that means she's going now what we are doing, you know at night." I cringed at the thought of my mom knowing that we've been having sex. Jacob burst into a fit of laughter.

"No offense babe, but your mom's too smart to think you're a virgin." Jacob patted my knee and I snorted out mild amusement.

"I don't know about that my mom thinks I do know wrong," I challenged.

"I'd agree with her in bed Leah you can do no wrong," he said seductively with a sexy ass grin to boot. He turned into my mother's driveway and nervousness hit my belly. He cut the truck off and hopped out. He started towards the house and looked back and noticed I was still in the truck. He opened my door and looked at me.

"Come here Clearwater," he whispered as he unbuckled me and gathered me into his arms. He gave me a short tender kiss. "This a formality at best. I'm pretty sure your mother already knows how I feel about you." He offered me his hand and I slipped mine into his. As we walked to the front door I felt as though we were moving in slow motion. Jake opened the door for me and I walked in and all of my nervousness disappeared and was replaced by a sour bitter feeling. Everyone was gathered like I wanted but the center of attention wasn't on Jacob and me. It was on them. Emily was constantly stealing moments from me. She and Sam sat on my mother's couch with a little pink baby carrier basket.

"Oh honey, look little Eden is out of the hospital!" Mom declared as she ushered me in to view the baby. She didn't realize that I was holding Jacob's hand but I noticed as I felt the loss of his touch. I was quickly being shoved into an extremely awkward situation.

"Hey Leah, are you ready to meet your new cousin," Emily said happily and I forced a smile but something in me refused to be happy for her. She pulled the covers back and I looked at the little sleeping baby. She of course was beautiful. I felt tears form once again and emotion was heavy in back of my throat. "Did you want to hold her?"

"No," I blurted out quickly and I watched the insulted look on Emily's face. "I – I." I tried to think of a proper lie but I had nothing. I turned to run but was blocked by Jacob's embrace. He hugged me fully in front of everyone and kissed my forehead.

"I know Leah," he whispered. "Come on let's go to the kitchen." As soon as we were alone I allowed myself to sigh. I wanted a family too. It wasn't fair Emily got it first. I buried my face in Jacob's chest and he rubbed my back.

"I promise Leah, I will give you that when the time is right. I promise to make sure you get everything you deserve," he murmured. I pulled away from him only enough to look him in the eyes. I saw nothing but sincerity there.

"Is it selfish of me to feel they stole our moment?" Jacob gave it some thought.

"Not selfish but human. I don't feel like anything is stolen and if it is we can steal it right back. We can still tell your mom and my dad's here too. I think this is the perfect time and I know just the way to do it." He pulled me back into the living room. We stood right in the middle of everyone and they all looked at us.

"Attention everyone I have an announcement," Jacob declared and I looked up at him as he wrapped his arm around my waist. I waited for him to finish it but he didn't say anything. He just kissed me passionately and freely. I melted into him like I always did. I heard someone scoffed and someone giggled happily. Jacob broke the kiss and stared at me. "Miss Sue I hope you don't mind but I'm in love with your daughter," he declared quietly as he stared at me. I grabbed his face and kissed him again. This was perfect this was what I wanted. As crazy as it sounds I wanted the spectacle and as always Jacob knew exactly what I needed.