A Chosen Daughter

Chapter 43*E

"So .... what we doing with this one sis?" Matt enquires pulling Leah's attention from the retreating back muscles of her mate, and the adorable scene playing out between him and the sweet little Fay. Leah looks at Matt, then at the rogue, then back at Matt, with a half shrug she answers "I'm going to talk with him" all of the men in the group exchange surprised looks, in fact even the rogue looks shocked. "Talk with him?" Arron asks
"Luna if you need to question him, I volunteer myself to do it! Saves you having too" one of the Eclipse warriors announces stepping forward. Leah catches a glimpse of Mark rolling his eyes before she focuses her preplexed expression on the warrior "Err ... sorry what was your name again?"
"It's Max Luna"
Leah nods once "Well Max, why on earth would I need to question him?" Everyone looks at her confused.
"Errr .... Erm .... To find out about the new settlement?" He questions instead of actually answering. Leah raises her brows.
"I wouldn't ask him for details of that! What a waste of time!" Leah scoffs "I would ask Nature herself and she will tell me all I need to know! Right down to the smallest details!" Again everyone looks confused and exchanges questioning glances.

"While I find that fascinating .... truly! I would love to discuss it further with you some other time, maybe learn the how if that's possible" Mark starts and Leah beams at him. She loves that he is open to learning; not many were. He smiles back slightly, appearing a little more nervous now. This confuses Leah why would he be feeling more nervous now?! Taking a deep breath Mark nervously continues "I fear my next words are going to wipe away that smile .." Leah tilts her head eyes squinting in confusion "If you don't mind me asking Luna ... but .... if you don't need to question the rogue, why do you wish to talk him?"

Dawning realisation forms on her face. She looks down at the ground before looking back at Mark. A sad look in her eyes. Forcing a small fake smile to reassure him, she looks away to meet the stunned eyes of the rogue "Me and him have things to discuss"
"What things" Arron demands
"Not your concern Arron" Arron growls slightly back at her. Leah raises her brow at him, staring him down.
"What could you possibly have to discuss with a disgusting offensive rogue?!" Matt demands.
Leah whirls on him. Her face serious, her eyes and lips hard. "The only one here being disgustingly offensive is you!" She snarls. Matt gapes at her shocked. "Watch your next words carefully and stop behaving like a closed minded, entitled, ignorant fool!" Matts mouth opens and shuts a few times before he gives up and looks to Arron for help. Leah too transfers her level gaze to Arron daring her soon to be Alpha to try it. To just try it. Arron swallows hard. Then with difficulty backs down. Leah looks back at the rogue, her tone and expression losing its hostility "come on" she nods towards further up the path.

Slowly they walk along the path together. The rogue shooting glances at Leah every few seconds. An argument had erupted over her walking alone with the rogue; Matt and Arron had even tried to follow them until Leah's growl had scared them back the way they came. After a few more furtive glances the rogue sighs "I thought you wanted to talk? Are you actually going to say anything or was it just to wind them up back there" he asks with nod of his head in Matts direction. Leah glances at him.
"What's your name?"
"Jack"
"Well Jack I'm Leah"

Jack nods and waits for her to continue, when she doesn't he asks "What's the meaning for this walk?" Leah turns her head to look at him "Not saying I'm against walking through the woods enjoying the scenery .... or even having the opportunity rare few have, to be chatting with Ve ..." he cuts himself off abruptly seeing her eyes harden. Swallowing loudly, he clears his throat and continues "yourself!" Leah slowly raises an eyebrow
"You know very few make that connection!"
"Really? It seems obvious to me" her lips twitch with a tease of a smirk, as she tilts her head acknowledging it was obvious to her too. "So why the chat?"
"You against chatting?"
"No .... but why single out me for a chat? Your not known for being chatty or giving mercy"
"Hey! That's not fair nor accurate; I always offer one chance of redemption! Renounce these ways and return to the Goddesses embrace!" He eyes her curiously, a pointed silent question in his eyes. Leah sighs "Not many chose redemption" she says sadly.
"Is that why you want to talk? You want to know if I have insights into why?" Leah looks at him curiously "No it wasn't .... but now I am curious as to your insights"
Jack sighs "Are you ever straight forward?!"
Leah laughs and laughs "What's so funny?!" Jack demands looking a little annoyed. Leah wipes the tears from her eyes her laughter bubbling down to an occasional giggle. Forcing air into her lungs she try's to calm, the giggles she has now gotten. When she feels more composed she answers him "Normally I'm accused of being too blunt and forward!" She smiles at Jack "I'm always being told 'there's such a thing as tact'" she smirks at him. For a couple of seconds he just looks at her blinking. Then he starts laughing too.

"I'm not afraid to face her you know"
Leah glances over at Jack. Once they had gained control over their laughter they had continued on their walk until they found a fallen tree to sit on. They had been sitting in companionable silence admiring the forest for the last couple of minutes.
"I'm not! I'm ready to face her wrath!"
"Who says you will be faced with her wrath when you meet her?" Jack scoffs at her in reply "I'm serious Jack!" He turns to look at her studying her face. "I thought that's why people call me by that name? ... because I'm the embodiment of all that anger?" Jack looks away and studies the leaves on the forest floor. His eyebrows furrowed, his lips pursed in thought. "So ... so your saying facing you, is facing her wrath?" He asks glancing up at her. Leah half shrugs. "So what sort of reception does await me from the Goddess?" Leah doesn't answer nor does she look at him "Forgiveness?"
Leah turns her head to look at him. "Forgiveness is earned Jack! Have you earned it?" He looks back down at the ground shaking his head glumly. Leah sighs "It'll be more ... of a clip upside the head and a stern telling off! That of a mother to a child whose done something incredibly stupid!" He looks at her, his skepticism obvious. Leah smiles slightly as she shrugs "You would have already tasted the repercussions of anger when sent to her by me!" He nods, again thoughtful, before sending another skeptical glance her way "Personally I think it would be harder to face the disappointment in her eyes than the anger in mine!" Leah confides. Jack sighs and looks up at the sky "Nothing I don't deserve!" Leah watches him closely "I gave up too soon! We all did! What's that old saying 'can't beat them, join them'? That's what we did ... but .... but if we had held strong, held true to ourselves ... we could have been bands of assistance to you instead of .. well adding to the problem"
Leah smiles kindly at him
"and that's why we're talking!" Jack looks at her curiously
"What do u mean?"
"You have regrets Jack! You honestly hate how you've acted and regret such behaviour" Jack stares at her with wide eyes "Would you like an opportunity to earn forgiveness Jack?"
"Yes ... if it was possible!"
"Of course it is! What do you think happens when you chose redemption?"
Hope flares in Jacks eyes "what do I have to do?"