Jake on the side --->
Chapter 13
Lea's POV
"It is not the strongest of the species thatsurvives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change"
— Charles Darwin
When we got out of the plane the sun was shining and the wind was warm. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach starting to explode and I was starting to feel a little nervous about meeting them all again.
"So where to first?" Lizzie asked when we were all out of the plain heading to get the luggage. We had sent most of our things over a few days ago, but we took with us what we were allowed in weight on the plane.
"Home. I'm so hungry I want to get some food. Besides I want to see Nate and Maggie first." I said looking for my bag, trying to figure out if it was our planes luggage, which was rolling in front of us. What was our plain number again?
"Trust me we know you're hungry." Leo said rolling his eyes. "So where are we going to sleep tonight and untill we find a place?" Leo asked catching a glimpse of his bag running over to take it.
"Well it wasn't my fault you two wouldn't let me eat anything in the airport. But Lizzie and I are going to share my room and you will have the caught in the living room. I hope that's okay it's not the biggest apartment but it's a really good one." I said finally seeing my bag as well going over to grab it. "So now that we all have our bags shall we go?"
We walked out of the airport to find a cap to drive us home. As we drove through the city I looked out at all the familiar places and couldn't believe it was three years since I left this place, since I was here last time. It seemed so unreal. I'm used to moving around, or I was until Dana adopted me six years ago. Back then I wouldn't have thought that I would have a place that felt like a childhood home, but now, in this moment, it really felt like it.
When we pulled up in front of my old apartment my heart was beating really fast. This was it, I was finally going to see Nate and Maggie again, I couldn't believe it. We stepped out of the car and Lizzie and Leo let me walk in front, they knew I was nervous and they would give me some space to meet my friends again. I walked up and knocked on the door, I had a key it's just more polite to knock now when I haven't been home for the last three years. When the door opened it was Nate standing there. He had grown that was clear. He had become taller, gotten more mussels and his face had gotten more edge. I couldn't help but smile really big when I saw him. I was just about to give him a really big hug when I saw his puzzled face.
"Can I help you with anything?" Nate asked. I couldn't believe he didn't recognise me, I mean yeah I changed but not so much so one of my best friends through three years didn't know who I am. I was just about to say something when Maggie appeared in the door.
"Can my mate and I help you?" She asked in a cold voice obvious not recognizing me and telling me not to try anything with her mate. I knew she didn't mean it to me as me but me as a female wolf. But it still hurt none the less.
"You don't know who I am?" I asked them giving them a little smile. They just frowned looking at me confused. "Not even my voice or my smell? I know it's been three years but still." I said quietly. And then Maggie gasped and put her hands up in front of her mouth whispering 'Lea'. Nate's mouths fell open and he just stared at me. Suddenly Maggie ran out to hug me, but by instinct I took a step back. She didn't notice it she just hugged me, I let myself relax letting some air out before I hugged her back. It wasn't because I didn't want her to hug me, it was just after training almost everyday all those month sto become an IW. We build up a personal circle you don't let a lot of people in and only the ones you trust. It had become a habit and because it's been so long since I've seen them, my wolf wanted space between us. But I think Nate noticed, because when Maggie let me go he looked weird over at me and approached me slowly before he also gave me a big hug.
"Oh my god I can't believe it really is you. You have changed so much it's crazy. Oh you must be Lizzie and Leo. It's so nice to finally meet you after hearing so much about you." She said as the approached us. She put her hand out for a handshake and offered them a big smile. "Now come on in." Maggie said stepping away from Lizzie after their handshake, and pulled me along after her hugging me from the side.
"Yeah you too. Thank you so much for letting us stay with you." Lizzie said as we walked inside. The place hadn't changed much. They had put more pictures up on the walls and added some new things here and there, but it looked a lot like when I left. Maggie showed Lizzie around as Leo and I picked up our bags from outside.
"Wow they didn't recognize you, that's crazy." Leo said as we walked out of the front door looking at me with a small frown. I just shrugged and kept on walking not really feeling like talking. Leo put his hand on my shoulder and stopped me.
"Are you okay Lea? I mean, this day isn't an easy one for you." He asked me looking concerned turning me around so I was facing him.
"I'm fine Leo. Shocked, but it's fine. Now come on." I said letting out a sigh. I gave him a small smile and turned around to walk our bags up to the apartment.
"So I see you're already emptying the kitchen for food." Nate said as he sat down on a chair in the kitchen where I was making a sandwich. Followed by Maggie and Lizzie "So now you can't joke about being an IW when you don't have a tattoo." Nate said smirking. He really didn't believe I was anInternational Warrior. I get him, if someone had said three years ago I would become an IW I would have laughed at them and thought they were insane. But I guess I have changed a lot more than just my looks. I just turned around and pulled up in my shirt and a little down in my shorts. It was so fun to see his mouth fall open for the second time just this time it was much wider.
"No F*cking way. How can you be that? Please you'll get killed on your first mission, don't go I don't want to lose you." He begged me looking worried. At this comment Leo laughed. Nate turned his head and glared at Leo for a moment before he turned his head back looking at me again.
"Don't worry Nate I've been on a lot of missions already and I'm standing right here aren't I?" I smirked to him taking a bite of my food.
"Besides. I would never let Lea die. I would take a bullet for her and so would Derek. Plus she can take me down; I don't think I have seen her loosea fight in over a year." Leo said giving him a coy smile.
"Something I would never let you do and you know that, now if you'll just let me e..." I didn't get the chance to finish that sentence because Maggie finally found her tongue.
"I can't believe my best friend is an IW. That I know one, well actually two, you're one too I understand?" Maggie asked looking at Leo with disbelieve.
"Yeah me, J.B. here and Derek are partners." Leo said shrugging getting up. "Can I have some of that as well I'm starving?" He asked pointing at my food. I nodded letting out a sigh shaking my head, and started to make him one as well.
Maggie and Nate wanted to know all about our training and how our missions were. They had always just thought I was sh!tting them when I said what I had become. I was really glad they didn't change their behaviour towards us as someone did. Some of our friends back home had changed when we became IW's. An IW is known for not letting people too close and has a bad tempter. Something that unfortunately is true for a lot of us, but not all had a bad tempter. But the fact that we had license to kill, made a lot afraid of us. Of course we couldn't go around and kill people, and we couldn't kill humans unless it was asked for. But if a wolf threatened us and didn't submit, was it okay to kill them. That made a lot of people afraid of us and avoid us. But I was thankful that those two didn't, I knew they would never do that back home, but I didn't know how much they had changed in the last three years.
"Lea didn't you have to go and meet with the Alpha around now?" Maggie asked me suddenly changing the subject. I groaned. I didn't really feel like meeting my mate's dad. Not when he knew his son had rejected me.
"Yeah you're right we have to." I said getting up, taking one of Lizzie's arms and one of Leo's pulling them up with me. "Come on guys time to go."
As we got to the house I stopped outside to take a breath and then walked in with Leo and Lizzie by my side. When we entered the house we got greeted by a woman I have never seen before, who told us to just walk down the corridor and take the second door to the right, and then we would find the Alpha's office. We walked all the way in silence. Lizzie and Leo understood that what I was about to do was something that wasn't easy for me, and I didn't look forward to doing it at all. So they stayed silence all the way there, just letting me be in my own thoughts.
The first thing I saw when we entered was Jake standing by the wall behind his dad. I didn't understand what he was doing here, he didn't have any business here. A knot instantly formed in my stomach and I was suddenly thankful I was wearing sunglasses. This way he may not recognize me. I made sure of being as far away from him as possible and not look his way as we walked up to the Alpha's desk. I didn't get why his father brought him here, he knew he had rejected me and that this would only make it so much harder for me.
"So how was your trip? Did you have time to stop by your apartment before you got here?" The Alpha, John asked us as we sat down in front of his table. I tried holding a straight face, and not showing any emotions. Trying not to show how much I really wanted to just ran out of there and look at Jake.I didn't want to be in the same room as him or have anything to do with him. I hated the mixed feelings I got when I saw him again. I instantly felt sorrow. I felt the feelings from the rejection I otherwise had put behind me. But I also felt a little bit of hate. I became mad again, mad how he treated me and how he just rejected me. But I didn't want to feel any of this, I didn't want to feel anything towards him, I just wanted him out of my life for good.
"Yeah we kind of had to J.B. over here kept whining about wanting something to eat." Leo said pointing at me and pulled me out of my own misery about my stupid past with Jake. That is just typical him, but I couldn't help but smile a little. I knew he did it so I would think of something else than Jake, and I was him thankful for that.
"Well it wasn't my fault. Derek didn't have any proper food at his place and I haven't gotten any food since we ate at your parents last night. " I said rolling my eyes. John chuckled a little of us before he raised his arm gesturing in the direction of Jake.
"Oh this is my son Jake. He is going to the same school as you. He is a year older than you and will be Alpha in a year or so." Jake smiled and nodded to us but I didn't look his way. I could only see him in the corner of my eye."And this is Leo Feldman he's in the IW." He said pointing at Leo. "This is Elisabeth Feldman." He said pointing at Lizzie. "And this is Lea Hale, she is an IW as well." He said pointing at me. I had notices that Jake had kept staring at me the whole time I had been here and this made his eyes wide. I guess he hadn't figured out it was me before he learned my name. He seamed to snap out of it as he walked over to us to shake our hands. When he got to me he took his hand out for me to shake. I knew I had to shake his hand, but I really didn't want to touch him, what if every spark I used to feel suddenly came back? In the end I put my hand out to shake his and I could feel the sparks. They weren't as strong as last time I had touched him 3 years ago, but the ywere there just weak this time. I felt thankful that it wasn't the same, but on the same time a little sad, that it really did happen I lost what I was supposed to have with a mate forever.
"Well we should get going, it was nice meeting you." Leo said nodding to Jake and his father laying an arm around my waist pulling me close kissing my temple as we stood up. "If I know this one right she is dying so get some food again." He said grinning down to me. I was thankful for him doing this. He knew me so well and knew I didn't want to be in the same room as Jake longer than necessary. The same town was bad enough.
"Well of you go then, we'll see you at the next pack meeting. Oh and welcome and welcome back." John said as we walked out the door. As soon as the door closed behind me I let out a sight of relieve. It was good to be out of the tension that was in that room, to be away from Jake. I felt like I could finally breathe and move without feeling trapped.
"What the hell was he doing there? I really didn't have the energy to see him again, not this fast, not like this" I said frustrated when we walked out of the house and I was sure he wouldn't hear me.
"I'm sorry hon. But at least you looked amazing today." Lizzie said smiling. "And I'm really sorry to say this, but damn he is good looking!"Lizzie said getting a dreamy look on her face.
I couldn't help but laugh when Leo hit her on the arm telling her to use the little brain she had. But when he heard I was laughing he turned around and looked at me, concern showing on his face.
"Are you okay Lea? Why are you laughing?" He asked looking surprised.
"Well because Lizzie is crazy. Lizzie really that was what was on your mind after you just met the guy who rejected me?" I asked shaking my head. I hated to admit it, but she was right, he did look good. But it didn't help anything.
"No just that who ever is up there though you should have had really good looking children. I still hate his guts and if I could I would like to kick his ass." Lizzie said looking kind of grumpy.
"Yeah that is never going to happened. Now come on we were meeting with Maggie and Nate to go together to Dana's house. I can't wait to see her." I said skipping over to the parking lot where they would be waiting on us in their car.
"So I called Dana when you left to say we were on our way. She is so exited to see you." Maggie said grinning from the front seat. She could still behave like a child that was clear. But you could also see she had grown up quite a bit. When we arrived in front of Dana's house I stepped out of the car and just looked up at it. It looked a lot like when I left three years ago only a little more used. It was a really beautiful house. It was white with black windows and four floors with the basement. But it really needed some paint and repair, all the years with all us kids running around had worn it down, and it was starting to really show. I looked around the corner of the house to the back garden and could see some kids running around having a laugh. We were almost at the door when it opened and there Dana was. She looked older and tired but you could still see the light in her eyes. I ran up to her and hugged her. I couldn't help myself. I really missed her. This was the woman who took me in when no one wanted me, she gave me a chance in life. Dana looked shocked when she saw me and froze when I hugged her. But she must have smelled it was me because suddenly she hugged me really tightly. I pulled away and looked over at Leo and Lizzie to introduce them.
I could see and feel that Leo didn't feel at home or really safe. He had held his personal circle up all day, not really letting anyone close apart from me or Lizzie. I knew I needed to do that as well, I had to always do that, it wasn't safe for someone in the IW not to do it. I just couldn't do it in front of Maggie, Nate and Dana, they wouldn't understand. But I needed to hold it up when I started to be around the pack and in classes.
"Dana this is Leo and Lizzie the ones I have lived with the past three years." I said giving a short introduction. "And I'm sorry I just left like that only with a letter." I said a little embarrassed looking away.
"It's okay Lea I'm just glad you're back. And look at you I can almost not recognize you. You're wearing clothes that fit you and you've become so beautiful. I can't believe it. After all I did to try and put you in clothes your size, all it took were some years away." She said rolling her eyes at me giving me a small smile. "Now come on in and tell me everything. I'm baking a cake it should be done in a few minutes." Dana said letting us all in.
The next hour we talked and I met the children. When I told her I was an IW she first became totally quit and just looked at me. But after a minute she smiled and asked if she could see the tattoo. She is the only one who knows I'm a white wolf and that is dangerous enough for her. So I told her I didn't use her name but my old one when I'm on missions. She just nodded when I told her that. I know she's more concerned about me if someone should find out. But I think she's happy that I can put up a real fight now if anyone tries to kidnap or use me. But when the kids saw what we were they started to keep their distance. Even the ones who knew me from when I lived here. It hurt they did it. But I knew I couldn't keep going around being open and warm to everyone. I had to keep some distance from people as well, otherwise our enemies out there would see it as a sign as me becoming weak and they would come here and try to take me down.
"Guys I'm afraid it's time for us to get going, we need to go to the grocery store to buy some food for tomorrow, I think we have enough for dinner tonight but not breakfast." Maggie said getting up going over to say goodbye to the children. Yeah she has defiantly grown up. I'm kind of sad I missed this part of her life; I guess three years is a long time after all.
"Sure. Why don't you, Nate and Lizzie go home and make some food, then Leo and I will go shopping? You guys take the car." I suggested. I wish I could cook but I'm just not good at it. And Lizzie was so I guess that would be the best solution. Plus I think Leo needed a little time away from all these people he didn't really know.
"Okay great we'll see you at home then." Maggie said as I grabbed Leo and said goodbye to Dana.
"I was thinking, shouldn't we check in with Derek? It's only 9pm where he is now, I don't think we will be a bother now." I asked Leo as we walked out of the house down the street. I would only take 15 minutes to walk to the store so we had time.
"Hell yeah lets do that" Leo send me grinning.
"Hi Derek are you there?" I send him though our link. It was great to still be able to talk with him like this.
"Hi guys I was wondering when I would hear from you. How is it over there? Miss me?" He send back at once.I could just imagine him grinning as he asked that.
"It's good to be back and see everyone." I send before Leo answered the same question.
"It's fun seeing all the people we have heard about. But some I wouldn't have minded not seeing. Guess who we ran into when we met the Alpha?" Leo asked. I knew he was being sweet but I didn't really need this right now.
"Who a chick you have slept with?" Derek asked laughing.
"No thank god. But this one is worse, Jake Lea's mate. But you know our J.B. can look hot as hell, well you saw her this morning you know how she looked. You should have seen that douche he couldn't stop staring at her. It was so fun, I'm going to have a blast making him jealous." Leo said grinning. I couldn't help but roll my eyes and hit him in the back of his head, while I could hear Derek laughing.
"Come on guys cut it out. He would never get jealous even if he walked in on us having sex or anything. Not that I ever would have sex with you Leo but you get my point." I said trying to change the subject but not working.
"I'm offended Lea. You don't think I'm good enough or don't you think I'm attractive? " Leo asked and was about to describe why he would be hot when Derek cut in.
"Okay Leo we know you think you're hot. I'm sorry Lea to let you be with him right now but I got to go." Derek said chuckling. "I hope you're okay and just let me know if there's anything I can do. Talk to you soon." And then he was gone.
Leo and I walked a little while longer, chatting all the way, before we got to the store. We walked in and started to find all kinds of different food when I suddenly could feel someone's eyes on me. I turned around and got eye contact with no other than the lovely Jake. I can't believe this, what is he doing here. Two times at one day. I knew I would have to see him around from time to time but I did not imagine this. Beside him was James, his best friend and to be beta. It had been a very long time since I had seen him. I don't think I ever talked to him at all now I think about it. Leo gave me a small reassuring smile before we walked over to them. I tried to get Leo to just ignore them and walk the other way by pulling his hand a little so show I didn't want to go. But he insisted we went over to them and pulled me along.
"Hey Jake. So out buying something as well I can see?" Leo said "Hi I'm Leo." He informed James shaking his hand.
"I'm James." He said and looked over at me. "Hi babe, you must be new here. If you ever need a tour guide, advice, a date or anything please let me know. Especially with that date thing." James said winking to me. I couldn't believe this guy. This was the same guy who didn't get why Jake kissed me back then, who had known me for years but never talked to me, and now here he was asking me out on a date.
"Yeah that's never going to happen. And just so you know I'm perfectly capable to find my way around here I have lived here for three years. But we got to go so bye." I said turning around walking away from them with Leo close behind me. I hadn't even looked at Jake, I'm sure he wouldn't mind at all if I went out with his best friend. I'm sure he wouldn't mind anything I did at all.I just hoped I didn't have to see much of him that it didn't continue like this,seeing him twice a day.
"Okay I think I underestimated this town when I said it wouldn't be hard to avoid him. I mean come on this is a big city why do we keep running into him?" Leo asked as we finally left the store.
"I have no idea but I hope I wont see him again before the pack meeting." I said as we got to another store and walked in to get the rest of our stuff.
"So guys I was thinking when I saw Dana's house today. Don't you think it need some painting?" I asked. We were now sitting at our table back in the apartment eating our dinner. "I was thinking maybe when we have started school we could raise some money from people around town or ask if they want to help paint the house? I really want to do something for her and I just feel this would be a good idea. I wish I could pay the whole thing myself but I know she would never let me and it's a lot of money." I asked them hoping they would be on board. I know Lizzie would, she would never be able to say no to something where you got to decorate, and Lizzie or I would drag Leo into it.
"That's a really good idea. Maybe the kids rooms as well. I will like to help as much as I can, but I have this big project when the school starts so I don't know if I will be able to." Maggie said but seam happy by the idea.
"Good. Lizzie and Leo you're in on it right?" I asked them already knowing the answer.
"Of course we are. You just name time and place and we will help."Lizzie said with stars in her eyes. Her head was already full of ideas. I heard Leo groan and heard as his head hit the table.
"Great, but don't tell Dana. I want it to be a surprise." I told them taking a bite of my food. I don't think it would be so bad after all being home if I could just stay away from Jake.
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So this may be it for a while guys. I'm really sorry but as said I'm having a lot of exams and graduate the 25/6 :D and after that there is a lot of drinking and celebration so I don't think I will have the time before July. I just found some time to write today there for this chapter. I will try and upload again before if I can I promise.
Good summer every one. I don't know where you are but where I am is it really warm and sunny! :D Hope you have good weather too and can enjoy it.