Strings Of Love

Part 6: The First Test

The days following that night were a blur of new feelings and quiet moments. Leah and Angel's connection had shifted into something deeper, more intimate, and yet, the weight of their bond still hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Leah's mind raced constantly with thoughts of Angel, and the space between them seemed to shrink with every passing second. It felt as though Leah was constantly on the verge of understanding something monumental, something beyond herself.

But just as she thought she had a handle on it, life had a way of reminding her that things weren't always so simple.

It came suddenly—like a spark igniting a flame.

The wolves had gathered for their usual patrol, but this time, the air was different. Tension thickened with every step they took, the sense of something just on the horizon looming closer with each passing minute. Leah could feel it. The wolves could feel it. And Angel... Angel felt it too.

"Leah," Angel's voice broke through her thoughts, and when Leah turned to meet her gaze, she saw that familiar pull in her eyes. "There's something coming. Something dangerous."

Leah's heart skipped a beat at the weight in Angel's words. She knew that Angel had an ability to sense things—things the rest of them couldn't—so when she spoke, it was always with purpose, never casually.

"What do you mean?" Leah asked, her voice a mixture of concern and suspicion. Despite the tenderness that had grown between them, she knew how unpredictable the world they lived in was.

Angel's face was set in a rare, solemn expression, her brow furrowed with an intensity that Leah rarely saw. "I can feel it—something, or someone, is approaching. I don't know who or what it is, but I can sense that it's not just a threat to the vampires. It's a threat to you."

Leah frowned. "To me? Why me? I thought the Volturi were the biggest threat right now."

"Not this time," Angel replied quietly. "This feels... different. It's something I can't explain, but I promise you, it's coming. And we'll need to be ready."

A chill ran down Leah's spine. She looked away from Angel, trying to gather her thoughts. It wasn't often that Leah felt the kind of vulnerability Angel could make her feel. But right now, that sense of uncertainty and fear was creeping back in—reminding her of the fragility of everything.

"We'll be ready," Leah said firmly, forcing the words out. "I'll get the pack ready. We can handle whatever's coming. We always do."

Angel nodded, but her gaze never wavered. "You're not alone in this. I'm here. We're in this together."

Leah looked at her then, really looked at her—at the depth of what Angel was offering. And in that moment, Leah realized just how much Angel meant to her. It wasn't just the bond, the imprinting, or the pull they shared. It was the quiet strength Angel had shown her since their first meeting. The unspoken promises. The fact that Angel had always been there, not pushing but waiting, offering her a steady hand when Leah needed it most.

She wanted to be strong. She had to be strong. But this—whatever threat was coming—wasn't something Leah could face alone.

She didn't have to be alone.

With a deep breath, Leah stepped closer to Angel, closing the space between them. "You're right. We'll face this together."

Angel smiled, that familiar light returning to her eyes. "I knew you'd say that."

The next few days were filled with quiet preparations. The wolves kept their patrols tighter, moving in groups, staying in constant communication. The Cullens, too, were on edge, watching for any sign of the approaching threat. But despite all the careful steps they took, none of them could quite shake the feeling of impending danger.

Leah and Angel spent their time together, but the unspoken tension between them was palpable. They didn't need to talk about what was coming, not yet. The bond between them said everything they needed to know. And despite Leah's hesitation to fully surrender to their connection, she couldn't deny how comforting it was to have Angel by her side.

One evening, when the air was crisp and the moon hung high in the sky, Angel and Leah found themselves walking along the edge of the forest, their footsteps soft against the earth.

"I never asked you," Leah began, her voice quiet. "What's it like for you? Being what you are, I mean. An angel, I guess?"

Angel turned to look at her, a soft smile gracing her lips. "It's hard to explain," she said. "I've seen so many things, experienced more than most could ever understand. My purpose isn't one I get to choose. I just do what's asked of me. But you... you make me feel something different. Something I didn't know I needed."

Leah stopped walking, her gaze locking onto Angel's. "I feel the same way. I don't understand all this, but... I can't deny it. I can't ignore it."

Angel's expression softened, and she reached out, her fingers brushing against Leah's hand. "You don't have to understand it all. You just have to trust."

Leah looked down at their joined hands and exhaled deeply. The trust Angel was offering her felt like a weight lifting off her shoulders. For so long, Leah had been running from anything that might tie her down, from anything that might make her vulnerable. But with Angel, it was different. The connection was steady, grounded in something deep and ancient. And for the first time, Leah allowed herself to let go of her fears, if only for a moment.

"I trust you," Leah said, her voice thick with emotion.

Angel's eyes softened, a deep, knowing look settling over her face. "I will always be here, Leah. No matter what happens."

They stood there in silence for a moment, letting the weight of their words settle between them. The pull between them was undeniable, but it wasn't just physical—it was something far deeper, something that transcended everything else.

And as the world seemed to hold its breath, Leah and Angel knew that whatever danger awaited them, whatever tests they would face, they would face it together. Because their bond, their love, was strong enough to survive anything.