Star-Crossed Ch. 8

[teerqesskq]

Title: Star-CrossedAuthor: Me 
Pairing: Leah/Bella 
Rating: PG-13 (this chapter) 
Warnings: None

Summary: After the death of her father, Leah couldn't figure out how anything could get worse, but it does. It seems that just when she's starting to understanding who she is, an event turns her whole life upside down.  Nothing, she believes, is ever going to go her way. Her free will is seemingly taken, but when someone unexpected offers her a choice, she is uncertain of which option to pick. Her life or her freedom?
 Leah took a small nap to fill in the time it took for her to see Bella again. She found it difficult to calm herself, but when she finally relaxed, she dreamed of Bella as she often did. Only this time, she found herself nude before Bella and as she stepped closer to her imprint, the pack started to appear as well as the Cullens. The female wolf was surprised to find herself naked and as she tried to get away, the next thing she knew she was falling. Her eyes opened in a jolt and she woke up panting and sweating. The female wolf stood up from her bed, stretching until her back cracked. Leah yawned then ran her fingers through her hair, messing it up.

Leah figured Seth had gone out with the pack already and her mother was most likely shopping for groceries. The tan brunette made her way out of her room, almost naked, except for a sports bra and boxer shorts (The boys were always uncomfortable if she had panties on). As she stepped out, Bella's scent rushed to her nose. Slowly, she made her way through the living room, but saw no one and quickly headed for the fridge.

It seemed as if Leah had guessed right. The fridge was practically empty. She grabbed the orange juice carton and shook it. The carton still had some juice so she unscrewed the top as she set it on her lips. Upon swallowing, she heard rustling.

"Oh."

Leah choked on the juice as she heard and recognized the voice. She returned the carton in the fridge and turned to look in her living room and saw Bella sitting up from the couch. The older brunette blushed as she remembered what she was wearing and attempted to flatten her hair so it did not appear unruly. Bella turned away, blushing.

"I - I knew I smelled you."

"Uh," Bella struggled at not turning her attention to the toned physique of the girl in front of her. It wasn't the first time she had trouble turning away.

"N-not that I always smell you or anything."

"I just thought I'd wait for you to wake up. I ended up dozing off myself."

"Well, yeah. I'm sorry for waking you up."

"Y-you didn't."

The two remained silent, until realization hit the older brunette. She quickly scanned the room for clothes she had left lying around. She easily spotted some blue shorts oddly placed on the coffee table, but couldn't find her shirt.

"Have you," the brunette began as she put on her shorts.

Her hazel eyes flickered about, searching for the top. She stopped and turned to Bella, who had been looking at the female wolf.

"Were you just -" Leah let out a short chuckle.

"N-no!" She turned bright red as their eyes met.

"Well, uh, can you check to see if you're on my shirt?"

The younger brunette stood up and upon turning around, noticed a maroon colored tank.

"Oh, I'm so sorry -"

"It's okay," Leah mumbled as she took the top.

"I'm sorry. It probably smells like me and -"

"It's okay," the female wolf repeated.

The two glanced awkwardly at each other. Leah turned away.

"Well, I should head out."

"Wh-why?" Bella asked standing up.

"I thought you were going to hang out with Jacob," the female wolf spoke and took a step back.

"But I'm at your house."

Leah smirked.

"I guess you took a nap at the wrong house."

"Well, if you want me to leave," Bella joked turning her head to the door.

"Only if you don't have a reason to stay."

"Well, maybe you should give me a reason," the pale brunette said and quirked an eyebrow at the female wolf.

Leah chuckled as she stepped forward. However, as they locked eyes, the line between teasing and flirting blurred. The door then opened and Jacob stomped in. Both girls jumped back from each other. The female wolf glanced at Bella and started to walk to the door.

"Next time, tell me when you bring someone into my home," Leah muttered and slapped the tank over her shoulder.

The male wolf's grin faded.

"Don't be a bitch, Leah."

"Well tell me next time and I won't have to give her such a scare by parading half-naked to my fridge!"

"Gross," the younger boy grumbled.

"It's not a bad sight," Bella mumbled to herself then shut her mouth with her hand as she recalled the two wolves' sensitive ears.

Leah blushed and gave Jacob a smug grin.

"Looks like you need some more steroids, bud."

As the female wolf went outside and slipped on the top, Sam came up to her.

"Are you ready for training? I'll take you to Paul and Seth."

"Not today," Leah mumbled walking away.

"Why not?"

The brunette simply shrugged.

"Leah, you have to be prepared to fight Victoria if you ever come across her again. Paul and I might not be there next time."

Leah scoffed and shook her head. If he only knew.

"I never needed you or Paul there in the first place. I had things under control."

"Don't act like this."

"Like wh-what?"

The female wolf was distracted as Bella came out of her house with Jacob. When the two were out of sight, she reluctantly turned back to Sam.

"You need some training at least. Please listen to me."

Leah took a minute to respond, debating whether or not to listen to her alpha.

"No. I have better things to do, Sam. Sorry."

With a turn of her heel, she made her way to the forest.

"Leah!" Sam's voice boomed.

Groaning, the tan brunette turned back at Sam. He headed towards her, grabbing her arm and pulling her up against a tree.

"Talk to me, now."

"I have nothing to say."

"What's keeping you from shifting? I haven't seen -"

"Just because you haven't seen me do it, doesn't mean I haven't done it."

"Then do it right now."

"What?" Leah's voice cracked.

"Phase!"

His alpha order ripped through her limbs and her body quivered with disobedience. She didn't want to phase. She could hear his order echo through her head, but she wouldn't do it. She wanted to disobey an alpha order. Sam noticed her reluctance and frowned.

"Leah, wait - stop!"

The female wolf stopped struggling and his command was revoked.

"What's wrong, Lee-Lee?"

Hazel eyes darted to the side.

"I can't tell you."

"We used to be able to tell each other everything."

"Well that stopped the moment you imprinted, didn't it?" The brunette replied harshly then ran off.

After running a few feet, she stopped and looked back. She felt as if she should go back and apologize. Her words must have hurt him. But he never told her that he imprinted on Emily until later so it was only fair she kept her imprint a secret. Right? The brunette whined, feeling sorry. She shook her head and shut her eyes. Bella has turned me soft. She hit the nearest tree, shaking some leaves off. Leah didn't like this person the imprint made her. She actually felt remorse when she was mean.

The female wolf sighed and looked up at the sky as she continued walking. My soul couldn't possibly be meant for Bella's. Leah didn't know how much longer she could keep things a secret. She would have already told the pack if Jacob wasn't in it. Leah didn't want him to be hurt. He'd hold a grudge against her forever. She couldn't have him live like that. Being bitter was not good for anyone.

The brunette groaned. I'm looking out for Jacob now? Leah strolled through the forest and found herself near Bella. She could smell the pale brunette stronger and even hear a few words, but the female wolf refused to listen. It would be an invasion of privacy. Despite the fact that she had done it before. She chuckled quietly to herself. As she kicked a leaf, a wave of anxiety shot through her body. Her ears then picked up a groan of pain. Izzy.
Leah sprinted toward Bella's scent in a pace similar to when she chased after Victoria, faster than any shifter in human form. The scent led her to a swampy area and she made out a Bella hunched over with Jacob waving his arms about. Bella was clutching her hand. He hurt her.

Before Jacob could touch the pale brunette, Leah pushed him away.

"What the fuck did you do?" She snarled in his face.

"N-nothing! I - she -"

The female wolf shook her head and turned to Bella. She was about to pick her imprint up and take her back to her house, but Jacob's hand came into view and Leah smacked it.

"Don't touch her."

"It wasn't my fault!"

"I don't care," the tan brunette spoke, each word laced with venom.

"Yeah, you never do."

Jacob shoved Leah back, using his wolf strength to push the female wolf harder and farther than she had pushed him. She fell to the ground, but quickly stood back up and charged towards Jacob. Her strong shoulders crashed into his torso as her hands grabbed his hips and hurled him back into the ocean. Leah stared at the fallen wolf, breathing heavily until her ears caught Bella's small cry.

"You okay," Leah asked softly, turning to her imprint.

Bella nodded slowly. She found it unusual that Leah was so enraged a second ago and now was staring at her with concerned eyes. The pale brunette followed Leah as they faced the forest to head back. The older brunette placed a warm hand on Bella's back, guiding her slowly. She was about to ask the younger brunette what had happened, but was interrupted.

The female wolf gulped as she felt the earth quiver. She turned her head back to spot a drenched Jake in wolf form. He growled and began running toward the two girls. Leah quickly set Bella's good arm around the wolf's neck and picked up the smaller brunette up as they bolted to the forest.

"J-Jake won't hurt us, right?"

Worried chocolate orbs searched the face above her, looking for reassurement. Hazel eyes glanced in her direction.

"W-well maybe not you."

Leah fully knew that when a wolf was angered, he would most likely kill anyone in his path, regardless of his or her relation to the wolf. The older brunette looked back to the snap of the male wolf's jaw.

"Fuck," she groaned and picked up her pace.

Bella leaned in closer to the female wolf, able to feel the comforting heat emanating from Leah's chest. As the three entered the forest, the tan brunette jumped over protruding roots and ducked under low branches. She hollered for Seth, hoping her brother would appear swiftly and hold Jacob back. A snarl ripped through the male wolf's throat, causing Bella to bury her head between Leah's neck and shoulder.

"Seth!" The female wolf cried again.

She glanced back, finding obsidian black eyes. Upon turning forward, she saw Seth emerging from the shrubbery, heading her way. In an instant, the tall brunette slid to a stop on her knees and ducked while Seth collided with Jacob.

"Is Jake going to be okay?"

Leah stood back up and continued running, deciding not to answer. She caught sight of Paul and Sam speeding to the other wolves. She worried for her little brother, afraid Jake might harm Seth.

She finally reached her house and set Bella down as they entered the home. The female wolf led the pale brunette to the table, pushing Bella to sit and then she ran to the kitchen. The tan brunette came back with a first aid kit.

"L-let me see your hand," her voice was rough and breathy.

Bella slowly displayed her wounded hand. Leah's warm paws gently pulled it closer.

"How did this happen?"

The female wolf eyed the other hand to compare. No joints appeared out of place. The knuckle above Bella's pinky appeared red and slightly swollen.

"Jake, uh, he - he kissed me."

Leah stopped what she was doing and looked up at the pale brunette.

"And that led you to break your hand?" The tall brunette asked after looking back down.

Bella blushed and looked away, even if the older girl wasn't staring at her.

"I-I punched him. He, uh, he forced me to kiss him."

Leah inhaled deeply as an attempt to control her anger. Her body shivered with the exhale.

"Your pinky knuckle appears swollen, but I'm sure it's just a sprain. Otherwise you'd be in more pain."

"Really?"

"Yeah," the older brunette pushed up Bella's sleeve and began to lightly stroke the skin. "Can you feel my touch?"

Leah looked up and saw the brunette turn a deep red.

"You're really warm."

The tan brunette gave a small smile.

"Well, good to know you didn't lose sensation."

Keeping a hand on Bella's wrist, the female wolf pulled out an elastic bandage. As she started to wrap it lightly around the younger brunette's hand, Bella missed the warmth from her touch. Leah made sure not to wrap around her injured knuckle.

"Thanks," Bella mumbled.

"It's no problem."

The wolf then stood up and walked to the freezer. She came back to her imprint with an ice pack, and a piece of a towel. She set both on the hand.

"You should be fine."

"Well, if it wasn't for Dr. Leah, I don't know where I'd be."

Leah laughed modestly.

"More like nurse Leah. I learned from my father. I was always prone to accidents."

"Guess we have that in common."

Both eyes met, but the wolf quickly looked away and stood up. Bella watched as she went to the front door. Sue walked in and rushed to the younger girl, but Bella was more interested in what Leah was doing at the front door.

"You're not welcome."

Jacob's eyebrows furrowed.

"Let me see her."

The tall brunette shook her head.

"She told me what you did. You're pathetic."

Bella heard Jacob's growl all the way inside.

"Let me see Bella!"

Leah opened her mouth to speak, but the pale brunette filled the silence.

"No, Jake. I don't want to see you right now."

The female wolf crossed her arms and smirked at Jacob. He turned and walked away with Paul and Sam. Seth came to the door, grinning. His sister let him pass as she shut the door.

"Are you hungry, Bella?" Sue asked.

"Um, a bit, yeah."

"What would you like?" She asked, heading toward the kitchen.

Bella scratched her head and her face scrunched up in thought.

"Leah makes the best grilled cheese I have tasted." Seth suggested as she slapped his sister's back.

The female wolf blushed at the compliment.

"They're the only ones you've tasted."

"Nuh-uh. Emily once made some."

"Seth, go grab the groceries from the car. I bought more cheese and bread."

The young boy nodded and went out the door. Leah turned to Bella.

"Do you want to watch some T.V while you wait?"

"Sure," the pale brunette replied with a smile.

The older girl blushed again, which didn't go unnoticed by Sue. She had been noticing her daughter's strange behavior with Bella in the room. She heard the younger girl's giggle in the other room and then heard Leah chuckle. Sue smiled. She hadn't heard her daughter laugh so mirthfully for a long time. It was a sound she could get used to. Bella's squeak sounded into the kitchen and she heard Leah apologizing. Sue slowly walked over to the living room. Bella was the only one facing the older woman and Sue saw the younger brunette burst out in laughter. Leah responded with a gasp.

"You liar!" She yelled and stood up.

The female wolf turned with an amused smile on her face, but it disappeared as she saw her mother was watching. Sue felt saddened at the fact that her presence removed the smile from her daughter's face.

"Do you need help or something?" Leah mumbled.

"No, I just wanted to see what was the commotion," Sue responded smiling and headed back to the kitchen.

Sue could hear Bella's hushed laughter and Leah's muffled words of protest. As she pulled the pan and started to butter it, she couldn't help but smile at the sound of their enjoyment. She set the pan on the stove and turned it to medium heat.

"No, Leah stop!"

Sue could hear the smile on Bella's face. Suddenly, the door opened and Seth came in, along with Embry and Jared. All three were holding groceries and set them in the kitchen.

"We heard Leah was making her grilled cheese," Embry stated with a grin,

"Seth," Leah groaned standing up, "they were supposed to be only for Bella."

"Now, why does the vampire girl get food and we don't?" Jared whined.

"Hey!" Bella yelled.

"Because she wouldn't eat us out of house and home," Leah grumbled. "Ugh, fine, but Bella gets first dibs."

The wolves nodded in agreement, then went to sit with Bella. The female wolf chuckled as she went to the kitchen and pulled out the loaf of bread.

"You seem different," Sue stated, grabbing two slices and setting it on the pan.

"I don't know what you mean," Leah responded handing her mother the slices of cheese.

"Good different, honey."

"Okay," the tan brunette responded, wanting to end the conversation as soon as possible.

"Are you becoming friends with Bella?"

"No," came Leah's quick and suspicious answer.

Sue turned to her daughter.

"No?"

"No."

"Then why so nice to her? You treat her differently than anyone else."

Leah set her hand on the table with a thud, grabbing the sensitive ears in the other room.

"What, I-I can't be nice?"

"I didn't say you can't. But you've voiced your dislike for the poor girl and I don't want you to be sending her mixed messages."

"Mi-mixed messages? You don't understand!"

All the ears in the other room caught the voice.

"I'm just saying, Lee -"

"Well don't! Don't say anything. You know nothing about me at all! You never have. At least Dad made an attempt to."

"Leah, please. I don't anyone to get hurt in the process of your...feelings. I -"

"Just stop," Leah's voice trembled, "stop acting as if you know the outcome to everything. Stop acting as if you know what I'm going through, because you don't."

"We all lost him, Leah. We all miss him." Sue's voice softened.

"There you go again! What makes you think it has anything to do with Dad? He -"

Leah stopped as she sensed the whole gang was behind her. She slowly twisted her neck to peer at them.

"Calm down, Leah." Seth stated.

The female wolf hadn't even realized she was trembling in anger. As Leah attempted to control herself, she saw Bella's concerned face. Ashamed, the tan brunette turned her eyes down. Without saying a word, Leah slouched to her room.

"I'll continue making your sandwiches," Sue said and turned her attention back to the pan.

"All right, great, 'cause I'm starved." Jared responded, clutching his stomach.

The teenage boys resumed their chatter and headed back to the couch. Bella turned to Leah's shut door and stared at it, wondering if she should open it or not.

"Will she be okay?" the brunette whispered.

"She just needs some alone time, don't worry." Sue assured, resting a hand on Bella's shoulder.

"I feel as if I'm to blame."

"No, please don't blame yourself."

Without so much as a second thought, the pale brunette headed for Leah's room. Seth turned his head her way.

"Bella, wait -"

He didn't get a chance to finish, Bella had already entered the room and shut the door. Leah immediately bolted up from her bed and turned to look at the smaller brunette.

"I'm sorry." Bella blurted out.

"What?"

"This is all my fault."

The wolf's hazel eyes flickered with worry.

"Why do you say that?"

The pale brunette shut her eyes.

"I don't know. I just," she opened them. "after finding out about...that, I just think it is."

Leah turned her eyes down and Bella walked closer to the female wolf, but she backed away.

"Is something wrong?"

Leah shook her head and sat down on her bed. The two sat in silence for a while until Bella's hand reached for the tan one in front of her. Upon jerking her hand back, Leah glanced at the girl in front of her.

"Sorry."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have came here, but I figured we could hang out again. I don't know what I was thinking."

Leah stood up and just shook her head.

"L-Leah? Tell me what's wrong."

"I can't!"

Feeling ashamed, the female wolf walked out of her room and out of the house. She saw Jacob as she exited her home and he came jogging to her.

"Is Bella okay?"

"She's fine."

"Can I see her?"

The brunette remained silent and Jacob continued to follow her.

"Leah, can I -"

"Do whatever the fuck you want!" She turned around and snapped at him.

Jacob's eyebrows furrowed and he pushed Leah.

"You know if it wasn't for you -"

"Yes, 'cause I'm the one who forcibly kissed her."

Jacob shook his head. "She's lying. She has feelings for me, but doesn't want to admit it."

Leah growled and fully tackled the male wolf, knocking him down onto the dirt. She balled up a fist and struck him in the jaw. Jacob grabbed her shoulders and shoved her off. He stood up and brushed himself off

"What the hell, Leah?"

"You had no right to kiss her!" She blurted.

"She loves me."

Leah scrunched up her face in anger and grabbed the collar of his shirt to pull him down to the ground. She was about to mount him, but Paul wrapped his arms around her and pulled her away.

"Whoa, chill, Lee."

Leah was panting as Paul continued to pull her back. As she tore her eyes from Jacob, she saw Bella was standing but a few feet away, next to Sam. Everyone looked at the female wolf with confusion.

"What has gotten into you, Leah?" Jacob asked.
With one last glance at Bella, the tan brunette broke out from Paul's grip and sprinted away towards the beach. She needed to get away. Bella worried as to where Leah would head off to. Jacob turned and gave the pale brunette an apologetic look, but she shook her head. She walked towards the brunette's direction, but Paul pulled her back.

"Don't go after her."

"Why?"

"She's not in the right state of mind right now. She'll hurt you."

The brunette scoffed and wiggled out of Paul's grip.

"She'd never hurt me. She's nothing like you two."

Bella then ran into the forest leading to La Push. She hoped to find Leah quickly. What if she came across Victoria?

"Leah!" She called.

No response and the pale brunette sighed. Her run slowed down to a walk and she didn't stop until she came across the beach.

"Leah!" She called again.

No answer. Groaning, Bella continued to trudge on the sand, zipping up her sweater as the wind picked up its speed. Her hand started to hurt, but she paid it no mind. Her eyes darted around the beach, but saw no one.

"Leah!" Third time's the charm?

"What?"

The pale brunette, startled, turned back and fell to the sand. She didn't think Leah would be so close behind her.

"Y - you - you scared me!"

Leah chuckled and helped her imprint back up.

"Sorry," her smiled disappeared, "about losing my cool back there and everything.

"Are you okay now?"

The female wolf shrugged.

"I guess. Why did you follow me?"

"I wanted to see that you were okay."

"You actually care," Leah asked, leaning over to the pale brunette.

"Yeah," Bella whispered, blushing.

"Well, I'm fine so you can go back to Jacob." The female wolf began walking.

"Don't act like this."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

The younger brunette continued to follow.

"First you tell me you imprinted on me and now you act like you want nothing to do with me."

Leah glanced at the younger girl, her hazel eyes full of hurt.

"It's hard controlling my emotions around you. I don't want the guys thinking something is going on."

"I'm not asking you to control yourself. I've never said anything about that."

"Well, you're not in a position for me to act on them," Leah then mumbled, "unless I wanna get punched."

"I don't want to make things difficult for you, Leah. I want to make things easiest as possible in our situation."

"I know, I - I'm sorry. I'm being selfish."

The pale brunette looked down at the ground and noticed the female wolf's clenched fists. Hesitantly, she set her hand on the warm skin, unclenching one of fists and then grabbed the open hand and held it. She found they fit perfectly. Leah felt her heart jump at the contact, but was too chicken to show her surprise. A small smile grazed her lips. She was happy, happier than she's ever been.

"You make me feel comfortable, Leah. More so than I ever have with anyone. I'm sorry I don't feel the same way, but -"

"Don't apologize for your feelings."

"Well, I'm sorry we can't be in the relationship you want, b-but I think we can be friends."

Leah chuckled and turned to the pale brunette.

"I'm happy with whatever you want. As long as I get to be with you."

Bella leaned against the female wolf. They walked against the shoreline of the beach. Bella smiled as she saw Leah was barefoot and walking on the wet sand. The pale brunette started to swing their hands back and forth, getting used to the warmth. The sea breeze softly caressed the two and the younger brunette turned up to Leah whose bangs swayed with the wind and face was deep in thought.

"There's a graduation party," Leah looked to Bella. "You're invited."

The wolf raised an eyebrow.

"Who's throwing the party?"

"Alice."

"Cullen," Leah responded with no venom. She pursed her lips and faced forward. With a shrug she added, "All right."

"Really?" Bella squeezed the older brunette's hand out of excitement.

"Yeah," the female wolf chuckled, grinning.

"Thank you," Bella whispered and leaned her head on Leah's shoulder.

"Did you invite the rest of the pack?"

"W-well, Jacob at first, but I uninvited him with my fist."
"Jake's a little thick-headed at times. Are you sure he got the point?"

"Oh, yeah," Bella responded and waved her injured hand.

"Don't do that," Leah softly scolded, setting her hand on the younger brunette's wrist. "I'm sure it hurts.

"I'm fine. Don't worry. I'll have Carlisle look at it and..." the pale brunette stopped as she saw Leah's face. "Well, I can't just go to any doctor. They'll ask how I injured it."

"Yeah, I know. I know."

"Don't get upset."

"I'm not," Leah gave her imprint's hand a reassuring squeeze and then let go as she wrapped her arm around Bella's shoulder's.

The younger brunette leaned in closer. Despite Leah being the one who wore less clothes, she was warm and Bella could use something warm wrapped around her. Her cheek pressed against the the female wolf's hot collarbone. Leah smiled and shut her eyes. Her arm slid up to Bella's pale neck and the shorter girl hugged Leah's waist. The tan brunette, on instinct, placed a light kiss on the top of her head. Bella smiled, accepting the act of affection.