Chapter Text
Leah didn’t want to go to the wedding.
As soon as she had seen the invitation on her fridge she wanted to throw it in the garbage.
It wasn’t fair .
Why did Bella get to have it all? Why did she get the wedding? Why did she get to mess around with the supernatural and come away unscathed?
Leah had been pulled into this against her will, desperately clawing against the ground and screaming as a force outside of her own control pulled her into something bigger then herself.
And Leah had lost it all because of it. She had lost her boyfriend, her freedom, and her father all within a short period of time.
Because Bella Swan had to play with forces beyond all of their understandings.
If there was no Bella and Edward, there would be no newborn army, no newborn army would mean Leah not shifting.
Leah not shifting would mean her not killing her father.
She adjusted her necklace in the mirror, her eyes meeting her own, sighing. Her mother had insisted they go. The Clearwaters had always been close to Charlie after all.
Leah did like Charlie a lot. He was kind in his own way. He was a bit gruff and sometimes stern, but he reminded Leah of her own father in that way. She would never forget him at the funeral, the way he had stood beside her mother and allowed her to lean on him as she sobbed. His own tears running down his face as he watched his best best friend be placed in the ground. He had been there for them during that moment.
So the Clearwaters would be there for him during this.
It was not a secret that Charlie Swan despised Edward Cullen. But he was terrified of alienating his flighty daughter. After all, it was also not a secret that Bella would chose Edward over anyone else at the end of the day.
“Leah!” Seth called. “Come on! We’re gonna be late.”
Leah glanced back towards the mirror one more time before heading towards the door. The rest of the pack would be there minus Jacob.
He had disappeared, vanished like smoke, devastating poor Billy Black. No one knew where he was or when he would come home, and it was starting to effect Billy. Leah couldn’t blame that on Bella. Unfortunately, Jacob was responsible for his own misery at this point. The members of the pack had tried to warn him, but he didn’t listen. And now look where they were? Bella was getting married and Jacob was hiding somewhere, nursing his shattered heart.
Leah made her way down the stairs.
“You look wonderful,” Sue said with a smile, kissing her daughter’s forehead before whispering. “Thank you for doing this.”
Leah melted a little at that. She would do anything for her mother. Even suffer through a leech wedding.
“Do you think they’ll have good catering?” Seth asked. “They’re rich right? Surely they’ll have good-”
His chattering took them all the way to the car. Leah took a deep breath. It was only a couple of hours. What could possibly go wrong?
Irina did not want to attend the wedding.
She had set the invitation on fire when they received it as Tanya tutted her disapproval in the background. It was actually more satisfying then she thought it would be, watching the expensive cardstock curl in on itself.
It was not fair .
The Cullens had denied Irina justice. Laurent had been taking from her prematurely by the shifters in La Push, and yet she was not allowed her revenge. Their so-called “cousins” were protecting them for some reason.
And now, Irina had to go the wedding, because Tanya had demanded it.
“We must maintain the treaty,” Tanya had urged as Katrina mocked her behind her back by mimicking her actions. “The Cullens could one day be the only thing standing between us and the Volturi one day.”
“Why must I go? The four of you could just go. I doubt they would even notice my absence.”
“We must all go to show there are no hard feelings.”
“Well that is a lie.”
“Then we lie,” Tanya said coolly. “Believe me Irina, I understand you are hurt.”
“You do not understand anything,” Irina had hissed. “I am not going.”
Tanya’s eyes flashed. “You forget yourself Irina. I am not only your sister but your coven leader.”
“Are you ordering me to go?”
“I do not want to, but I will if I must,” Tanya said.
“It is only a couple of days Irina,” Kate said. “Besides do you not want some mountain lion? You always enjoy that when we go.”
“Are you serious right now Kate?”
Kate held up her hands in surrender. “I am only trying to highlight the positives.”
Irina turned back to her older sister. “Fine, I will go, but only because my coven leader has ordered I do so.”
“Irina-”
But Irina had already left the house, speeding off to cool down before she said something she would truly regret.
And now she was here, at the wedding, trying to ignore the stares of all of Bella’s human friends. Alice had done well on the decor, Irina could begrudgingly admit. Overall, it hadn’t been so bad so far. And then she smelled it.
Wet dog.
“You did not tell me the wolves would be here,” She hissed in Tanya’s direction.
Her older sister paused her conversation with Carmen, glancing over at her sister with a warning look. “Behave.”
“I cannot believe this,” Irina grumbled.
“Oh grow up,” Katrina groaned. “They’ll behave themselves. Now can we just enjoy the wedding, please?”
Irina just frowned at her sister, but didn’t respond. Her eyes turned towards the altar as the ceremony began.
The reception was quite… interesting and had quite a few interesting toasts. Leah could sense the jealousy radiating off of some of Bella’s friends as they spoke. Though Leah didn’t know what there was to be jealous of. Jacob had once told her that Bella had once told him that Edward had been dying of Spanish flu when he was turned. And boy did he look like it with how pale and skinny he was, his face gaunt. Leah didn’t particularly see the appeal, but it didn’t really matter.
She wasn’t getting married to the man after all.
She was nursing a glass of champagne at a table. Seth had managed to ask one of Bella’s friends to dance, and both of them were laughing on the dance floor. Leah’s mother was off talking to Charlie, a wide smile on both of their faces. Despite most of the pack’s dislike of Edward, and the Cullens in general, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Leah’s eyes drifted from her mother to a group of blondes, where she paused. She had forgotten that Sam had mentioned the Cullens extended family would be attending the wedding. Leah didn’t know much about them, except that they were from Alaska.
And then one of the blonde’s turned her eyes on Leah. As her eyes locked on Leah, Leah’s world went sideways, and her glass shattered in her hand.
Irina had noticed the woman at the reception. She looked stunning, with her dark hair and her dark eyes. The olive color of her dress looked nice with her skin tone. She was muscular as well, like the warriors of old. And yet, there was an element of sadness to the woman. She was surrounded by joy, and yet she seemed so melancholic. Irina didn’t know why, but she found her eyes kept wandering to her. It was like the woman was metal and her eyes were magnets. They just kept snapping towards her.
Irina looked at her again, except this time, the woman looked back.
Irina felt a chill go down her spine as the woman’s eyebrows widened for a second.
And then the glass in the woman’s hand shattered, cutting her deep. Irina immediately began walking towards her, concern coloring her whole being. But a man got there first. He was quite tall, and had dark hair. Irina found her hair standing on end as she got a full whiff of him. One of the shifters.
“Leah, are you alright?” he asked.
Thankfully most of the rest of the party hadn’t noticed, the music and conversation far too loud. Those that did, turned away once the boy neared her, believing the situation handled.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” the girl, Leah, looked back up at Irina, curiosity in her gaze.
The man, his concerns now dissipated, began chiding Leah. “You should be more careful, with our strength-”
Their strength? Irina’s mind went a thousand miles a minute. Could it be- no, no the shifters were all male, weren’t they? This woman that Irina was so fascinated by, she couldn’t possibly be one of them.
Could she?
It would make sense as to why the other vampires on the floor hadn’t jumped her, since shifter blood didn’t call out to them the way human blood did.
Leah’s curiosity melted into anger as she turned towards the young man, fury clouding her gaze. “I’m not a child, Sam . I was just startled by something, that was all.”
“This time it was a glass but what if-”
“Are you serious right now?” the girl hissed.
“Leah, I just don’t want you to make the same mistakes I did.”
Leah sniffed but didn’t respond.
Sam just sighed. “We need to get that looked at-”
And that was Irina’s cue. She approached. “Excuse me.”
Both whipped around to look at Irina. Sam’s face full of disgust, and Leah’s full of curiosity.
“I was wondering if I might be of aid,” Irina said with a smile. “My… uncle, Carlisle, is obviously busy,” she motioned to the floor where Esme and Carlisle were locked in a slow waltz. “But I know where all the first aid equipment in the house is, and I have extensive training.”
“We don’t need help from the likes of you,” Sam said, his voice quite frosty.
“No, no, it’s alright,” Leah said, surprising both Sam and Irina. “I’ll go with her. No reason to ruin anyone else’s night by interrupting them.”
“Leah-”
“It’s fine, Sam,” Leah said, her tone biting. "I'll go with her, you clean up the glass so nobody cuts themselves."
He frowned but didn’t argue anymore as Leah stood up.
“Come along,” Irina said, moving towards the house, Leah following her.
“Sorry about this,” Leah said as they neared the house.
“It’s no trouble,” Irina said.
They were stopped however, by a blonde woman at the front door.
Kate did not look happy as she stared her sister down. “What are you doing?”
“Patching her up, what does it look like?” Irina asked.
Kate dropped her voice so only the two of them could hear. “You truly want me to believe you’re helping a wolf? After everything that happened all day today?”
Irina frowned. “I cannot explain it. But I need you to trust me.”
“If you kill her you start a war.”
“I’m not going to lay a finger on her.”
Kate just gave her another glare.
“I won’t. Trust me.”
“I’m standing right here,” Leah said, sounding a bit annoyed.
“Sorry,” Kate said. “I’m sure my sister will make sure you’re alright.”
Kate shot Irina another meaningful glance and then disappeared back to the party.
Leah followed the strange woman through the unfamiliar Cullen house to the kitchen, where she turned the light on.
“Sit,” the woman commanded.
Leah did as she asked, her nerves turning her stomach into a blender. This was her, her imprint. She was standing only feet away from Leah, and Leah wasn’t sure what to say to her.
Hi, we just met, but my stupid little wolf brain has decided I’m yours. So uh- you know. That’s cool.
“What is your name?” the vampire asked, breaking Leah’s train of thought.
“Leah, Leah Clearwater.”
“Irina,” Irina said, motioning to herself.
What a pretty name, very unique. The woman’s golden hair was tied up in a bun, making her look quite elegant as she moved around the room.
“Alright,” she returned with some solution and cotton. “This might hurt.”
Leah nodded as Irina. Irina poured it onto cotton and then onto Leah’s hand. Leah hissed in pain.
“I know,” Irina said softly, her other hand reaching out and taking Leah’s. “I am sorry.”
“It’s not your fault,” Leah said, embarrassed by her reaction. "I'm the one who was stupid enough to break her glass."
“Were you not looking at me when you cracked your glass?”
“Yes but-”
Irina simply raised an eyebrow, and Leah bit the inside of her cheek.
“You did not look too happy,” Irina noted as her eyes returned to Leah’s cut, finishing cleaning it.
Leah was surprised by the woman’s bluntness.
“Guess I wasn’t hiding it to well, huh?” Leah said.
Irina just hummed, beginning to bandage Leah’s hand up.
“I uh- I didn’t really want to come. But my mom’s good friends with Charlie.”
“Charlie?”
“Bella’s dad,” Leah explained. “He’s a good guy, even if I’m not the biggest fan of his kid.”
Irina didn’t respond to that as she finished bandaging up Leah’s hand. “There. Better?”
“Much,” Leah said flexing her hand. “Thank-”
“It was nothing,” the woman said.
Leah had never noticed just how pretty the gold eyes of the cold ones could be. Leah could help be astonished by the way they seemed to shine, even in the horrible fluorescent light of the kitchen. They reminded Leah of the honey her mother put in her tea.
“Guess we should rejoin the others,” Irina said, her voice quiet.
“I guess so,” Leah said, standing up. She felt reluctant to leave this woman’s side. They made their way to the door.
“Um, Irina?”
“Yes?” Irina asked, opening the door.
“Would you want to dance?” Leah blurted out before her nerves got the best of her.
Irina paused.
“With me, I mean,” Leah followed up. As if the other woman needed clarification.
The woman stared at her for a moment. “No… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“You’re aware of what I am,” Irina said.
“And?” Leah asked, desperately trying to not let her desperation leak through.
“And you asked me to dance anyways?”
Leah shrugged. “I’m just asking a pretty girl to dance, I don’t see anything wrong with that.”
“‘Pretty’?” the vampire asked, amusement showing on her face.
Leah opened her mouth to respond, but then Irina whipped around. Her eyes narrowed as she seemed to what something Leah couldn’t.
“What is it?” Leah asked.
“Bella Swan is arguing with some… Jacob character.”
“Jacob’s here? Where?”
Irina motioned, and Leah took off, leaving Irina behind without even a goodbye.
Irina huffed at that. That never happened to her. Ever .
“What was all that?”
Irina turned to see Carmen standing by her side.
“I’m not quite sure,” Irina said, staring off in the direction Leah went. “They seemed to be fight-”
“Not them, you ,” Carmen said a small smile on her face.
Irina hummed.
“She’s a shifter you know.”
“I know.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“Not as much as it should,” Irina sighed.
“Come on, let’s go talk to Tanya,” Carmen said, looping her arm through Irina’s. “I’m sure she’ll want to hear all about it.”
Leah found Quil and Embry holding Jacob back as Sam spoke to him quietly. Bella was long gone.
“What’s going on?” Leah asked.
All four turned to her.
“What’s going on with him ? What’s going on with you ?” Sam asked. “Going into a house alone with a leech? Have you lost your mind?”
Leah ignored him. “Jacob what’s the matter?”
“They’re going on the honeymoon, while she’s still human,” He seethed. His eyes met Leah’s and her heart broke a little at the pain in them. “He’ll kill her Leah.”
“They know what they’re doing,” Sam said. “We no longer can intercede.”
“This is bullshit,” Jacob said, growling as he did so.
“You need to calm down before you shift,” Leah said. Jacob whipped around towards her but Leah just glared him down. Jacob broke eye contact first. “Your father has been worried sick about you. I hope you know that. I’m surprised you didn’t drive him to an early grave.”
“Leah-”
“Shut up and listen,” Leah said. “I’m going to tell you what none of these boys will say because they’re too nice. You’re acting like a loser right now.”
Jacob looked up at her in betrayal as the rest of the boys shifted, uncomfortable with her comment.
“That’s right, I said it. I get it, you’re upset. I get it, you’re heartbroken. But you never really had a claim to her in the first place.”
“That’s not-”
“Ah, ah, ah,” Leah held up a hand. “I have access to your memories, remember? Now here’s what’s going to happen. You, are going to start getting your act together now . You are going to go home and wait for your father there. You will apologize to him. You will leave Bella alone, and you will work on other things. I’m sure you’re behind on schoolwork just like the rest of these idiots are.”
That earned some protests from the other boys, but Leah ignored them.
“You can work on your car or patrol. Whatever you have to do. But you will turn and leave this party now, and you will not speak to either Edward or Bella before you do so.”
“You’re being unfair,” Jacob said, a whine now in his voice.
“Maybe, doesn’t matter,” Leah motioned. “Now go.”
The two holding him looked at Sam who nodded.
Quil and Embry let him go. Jacob frowned but made his way to the treeline and disappeared.
“I had that handled,” Sam growled.
“Did you? Because it looked like he was about to shift fifteen feet from humans,” Leah patted his chest. “You’re welcome.”
“Leah-”
“Enjoy the party Sam,” Leah said before returning to the crowd. She looked around for Irina, only to be disappointed when she couldn’t find her.
Leah felt her heart sink.
Was she ever going to see Irina again?
Irina found herself in the woods with her coven. She itched to return to the party and Leah, but she couldn’t.
Because Tanya had called an impromptu Coven meeting.
“Just what is going on?” Tanya asked as Irina leaned back against a tree. “What game are you playing Irina?”
“No game,” Irina said.
“Then what was that?” Kate asked, motioning back towards the Cullens’ residence. “We had to basically drag you here kicking and screaming because unless you got revenge you didn’t want to come.”
Irina scoffed. “That’s a bit of a-”
“No it’s not and you know it,” Tanya said.
“Maybe we should relax a little,” Eleazar said, trying to pacify the sisters. “After all, all Irina did was talk.”
“And heal the girl up,” Tanya pointed out. She motioned to her sister. “So I’ll ask again, what is going on Irina?”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Irina sniffed.
“Irina please,” Tanya said, softening a bit. “We’re your sisters.”
Irina made a hole in the dirt with her shoe.
“Irina, come on,” Kate said.
“I-I don’t know,” Irina admitted. “It doesn’t make sense to me either, but there’s some sort of draw there.”
Carmen stepped forward at that, holding up a hand before Tanya or Kate could speak. “Draw?”
“Like something tugging me towards her,” Irina said motioning her hands, her distress finally leaking out. “Even now, I don’t want to be here, I want to be back there,” she motioned through the treeline. “It feels like something is missing. Like I’ve forgotten something, even though I haven’t.” Her hands were shaking a little. She met her oldest sister’s eyes which were full of concern. “What’s happening to me?”
“Irina, you’re perfectly fine,” Carmen said.
“No, I’m not. I met that woman barely an hour ago,” Irina stressed. “I shouldn’t- this isn’t right!”
“It is,” Carmen said. “Irina, I promise it’s completely normal.”
Tanya interjected. “You’re not saying-”
“I am,” Carmen said, clasping her hands together. “Irina, it seems you may have met your mate.”
“Absolutely not,” Irina said, taking a step back. “No, that’s not-”
“Carmen is right, there’s no other explanation,” Tanya said.
“Shit,” Kate cursed. Irina couldn’t help but agree.
“Where do we go from here?” Carmen asked, turning to Tanya. “We can’t return to Alaska. Not without the girl.”
Irina growled at that idea, earning her a glare from Tanya. Irina glanced down apologetically.
“We will remain in the area for a time,” Tanya said, rubbing her head. “I am not looking forward to explaining this to Carlisle.”
“A wolf, huh?” Kate asked, she slung her arm around Irina’s shoulders. “I can’t believe you were the first one to get a mate with that lovely personality of yours.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Irina said.
“Nothing,” Kate said, innocently.