#my step mom is my boss which sucks but it mostly means i'm just going to get a disappointed “Come on Taylor” if she cared

[heyitstaytay21]

"I'm very dedicated to my job" I say as I unpack my personal mouse and keyboard so I can write fanfiction more comfortably while on the clock.

[blazingtheway]

Thr ough the Looking Glass – Storyline 8 – Together - Part Nine

Continuing on from...

↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ I heard the comment about my laughing from cross the bar as if I was stood right beside them both. Picking up a wedge of lime I flung it across the counter and smirked as it hit Call on the side of his face just as he said they were trying to remind the townies where they were. “Joe Fucking Walker..” I half growled and half huffed, making #Sam glance towards Call with that questioning look in his eyes saying, 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙢 𝙄 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚? There was a name I’d not forgotten and had spent the last few days and nights thinking of. But by the spirits it wasn’t in the way that man wanted me to think about him. There was still some unfinished business there with Walker and I knew if I saw him anytime soon, my fist would meet his face before any words would come out. ‘Didn’t you think he wasn’t bad on the eyes?’ My wolf teased me now too. What was this? Pick on Leah night because you will get away with it? My eyes darted over to Call as he laughed, he was really flying too close to the sun. “Watch out Icarus, wouldn’t want those wings of yours to burn and melt before you land on your feet.” My gaze flickered to his hand as that slight change, the tightening of his fingers around the bottle didn’t go amiss. ‘What is that about. Call of all people knows you can manage tenfold than what these five have to offer.’ My wolf asked, I didn’t have an answer for her. I wasn’t sure myself. It wasn’t like he’d not witnessed me throwing guys out of here before. ‘Here you go sis’ #Seth was back in record time, and I knew that he’d not even tried to keep his trip down to the basement in human speed. And I also knew that with the kids super hearing, there wasn’t a word up here that he’d not heard. Setting five #Mermaidspunks on the bar before the townies, I charged them $80.00. $50.00 was for the cocktails and $30.00 was an idiot tax that I’d put into one of Ma’s charity drives. ‘What the fuck is that?’ One of them scowled picking up the illumines blue drink.’ While his friends just stood there looking at the drinks without touching them. “That’s what you asked for. And I did reiterate your request, to which once again you confirmed. Now pay up, before I really start to show you those skills of mine you have been daydreaming about.” Holding my hand out as they all set the money down, picking up their drinks, walking away from the bar. “Now, if I add five to the total that I’ve already sold Call…. How many have I sold all together?” Stepping up to stand before him, I slide a glass of #Mermaidspunk in front of him. “And this one is on the house. But I need to hear you say it...” Raising my eyebrow, my arms crossed over my chest. ‘I guess I need to get myself and Emily that babysitter for Monday?’ #Sam laughed a full belly laugh, patting Call on his back a few times. ‘Vocal exercises. Tony was saying that those things really work and help a guy out.’ #Seth’s carefreeness was back as he marked the board and wrote: ✷ 𝓐𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓒𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓻𝔀𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓲𝓷 ✷ ↬ Embry Call ↫ My attention was pulled between the townies at the bar and #Sam; I was taken off guard by the lime wedge she lobbed at me. I flinched and picked the offending fruit up off the bar and smirked. I bit into it and sucked the bitter juice from it. "Thanks, Clearwater! Very refreshing." I teased her as #Sam muttered 'Disgusting.' under his breath... but it definitely wasn’t the grossest thing he'd ever seen me do. I chuckled at the muttered name of my boss. #Sam still had a clueless look in his eye... or at least #Sam's brand of clueless. More like a curious determination to figure it out. I just shrugged. "C'mon Trouble! You need to step up your nickname game!" I teased her. And #Sam's eyes rolled. 'You really are asking for it Call.' He sounded like he was warning me but his eyes were daring me. I smirked at him. I sighed... defeated when she sat the brightly coloured cocktails in front of the guys. Their indignation at the sight of them did give me a little joy though. I refused to answer her question

and struggled to keep the grin off my face. There was no point denying it, she had won hands down, and I was never one to welch on a bet. I looked at #Sam and laughed. "If I offer to babysit will that get me off the hook?" I didn’t mean it; of course, I would be here and take my lumps. I picked up the glass Leah set in front of me, and took a long drink of the sweet, liquid. "Yeah, yeah..." I admitted. "You win! I know." I lifted the glass and took again. "This really isn't bad... needs more alcohol... but it tastes pretty good." I smiled at #Seth's advice and shook my head. "Hey, it’s you guys that have to listen to it... your funeral!" I saw the moment of realization on #Sam's face. The vocal exercises comment must have done it for him. 'Wait... Call is going to sing?' He said, shocked and pulled his phone from his pocket. 'I'm texting every babysitter I know, right now!' ↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ Watching Call bite and then suck on the lime wedge made me wrinkle my nose. Nodding my head once in agreement with #Sam’s comment. And yet I could tell so clearly that Call was doing it to get himself a reaction out of me. And by the Spirits there was no way I was going to give him what he wanted. Out of my peripheral vision I noticed the townies making their way over to the group of girls from before, they offered the cocktails and then slipped in around the table with them all. I had to give it to them, for a team of idiots who needed to learn how to talk to a real woman, they weren’t doing too badly when it came to playing the room. About as 𝙨𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝 as they could manage it. Serving a customer as I listened to them all laughing and joking, I stood still and narrowed my eyes. “Who are you calling 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚, dumbarse?” Setting the drinks on the bar I reached over and punched his upper arm hard. If it were a human, I knew I’d have broken some bones. But a Spirit Warrior? It was nothing more than a sting. “Keep it up Dimples, and I will dig you a grave and put your broken dead arse in it. Your saving grace is that I feel generous with my win tonight. And I won’t want to rub salt into your wound, not until after you pay up on your bet.” Glancing to #Sam again I continued. “It will be worth the money… Wait… I will call #Emma. That girl has some making up to do. So, it will be free.” I’d not forgotten about my little cousin and the diching school. Grabbing the bottle of vodka, I added a free pour to his glass. At this stage it was mostly booze with a touch of everything else. “We take all customer feedback here at the #HWH, I hope your drink is now satisfactory.” Pure sweetness dripping from my voice to the point that #Mac and #Seth both stepped back away from me. ‘It’s never a good sign when she’s that nice to anybody.’ #Mac whispered into #Seths ear. Making me smile that killer smile, combing my fingers through my long dark hair the way guys seemed to melt over. And just to test it, I turned to look at the men waiting to be served. And sure enough, all but two dropped their mouths to the ground. The two who didn’t were the ones I served next. ↬ Embry Call ↫ I couldn’t help but keep my ears half-trained on the yahoo’s from town; when they moved away from where I could see them without turning and making it obvious. I knew Leah and #Seth had a perfect view of the whole place from behind the bar, so they wouldn’t get away with much. I smiled at her threats making sure she got a good view of those dimples she was talking about. “We all know you’d never break my Mom’s heart like that.” I teased; it was funnier because it was true. ‘Momma’s boy!!’ One of the pups called from behind and I whirled lobbing the husk of the lime wedge at him. He ducked to the left and just about managed to swat it away at the last second. It skittered across the table of girls and townies. I stifled a laugh as the girls all shrieked like someone had just dropped a live fish onto their table. The guys glared at us all settled a little longed and #Sam and myself. We easily stood a head taller than all of them. ‘Sorry!’

the pup raced over to the table and snatched up the offending fruit. I knew that apology was really aimed at Leah. There was no way he wanted to incur his Beta’s wrath. I half expected her to throw the vodka at me when she approached me with it in hand. I was just about to taste the improved recipe. But I was stopped with the glass in mid-air; she was combing her fingers through her hair again. She really did that a lot more than I thought she did… I hardly missed that over all these years. This must be a new habit… Right? There was something in my memory telling me I was wrong. but I seemed unable to cast my mind back and wonder if I had seen it before. A throat cleared near me and I almost growled at the distraction that pulled my attention from the train of thought… or… was it that my attention was pulled from her? I scoffed at myself. No. Definitely the first one. “Hmm?” My gaze turned in the direction of #Sam; he was gaping at me like I was insane, and I spotted the gawking table of jackarses almost drooling over Leah, over his shoulder. ‘Do you have a death wish?’ #Sam muttered, but not quietly enough that wolves in the room wouldn’t hear. ↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ Taking my phone out I shoot #Emma a text. I wasn’t one to beat around the bush. So, I told her to be at #Sam and #Emily’s place on Monday night, because she was babysitting for free. Hitting send on the text I looked over to Call and his attempt to flash me those dimples of his. “Your Mom is the only reason you are still living, and we all know even those dimples can’t save you.” I scoffed at him, even if I found myself looking at his face a moment longer than I would have before. Again, the whispers of the Spirits telling me that he was on a path of evolution. ‘I knew there was a reason she didn’t kill him that night at the cliffs. If any of us had grabbed her….’ The Pups voice trailed off at the sight of my eyes on him. ‘I just mean it was funny how he took you over the cliff, and is still alive to tell the story?’ Pushing my hair over the side I leaned across the bar. “Who said he would live forever? The best revenge is served up when the other person is least expecting it.” I snapped my teeth at the pup, and he jumped out of his skin. ‘Sorry!’ The pup called out from across the room and I didn’t know if I wanted to go and smack him for not catching the lime peel, or it was Call who needed a kick on the arse for throwing things across the bar floor. The screaming girls all followed by the looks and the drinks being spilled made me growl, dipping my head before I grabbed a tray and a damp cloth. #Mac was on his way, but I stopped him telling him what the girls had been drinking and asking him to put a round together for them on the house. As I worked, I could feel Call’s eyes on me, and this wasn’t something new. But when I glanced up towards him again, he looked lost in his head. #Sam’s voice in my ears I wondered what it was I’d missed, but I was sure I’d soon hear about it when I was back. ‘Sorry Leah.’ The pup who’d ducked the lime skin whispered as I passed him towards the table. Telling the girls there was another round coming for them, I started to work my way around cleaning up the mess. ‘Here let me help you.’ Blonde tips came to stand beside me a little closer than was necessary. “Don’t worry about it, it’s all a part of the job. Feel free to continue with your evening.” I replied gathering the glasses. He moved in behind me, I glance in the mirror across the floor to see him looking over at his friends and the whispers in my ears started from them. ‘He is about to do something.’ My wolf told me, but in my heart, I knew it before she said it. I stood up and moved around the table. Excusing myself in the middle of two talking girls. Cleaning the spilled drinks, before making my way around and out of the way. ‘Lee, I got the new round.’ #Mac came to join me. I pointed out who had what before I started to step towards the other table, collecting empties on my way back towards the bar. ‘Are you sure you don’t want

some help?’ Blonde tips came back again. As I leant forward to grab some empties, I felt his hands moving up my inner thighs coming around and stopping on my hips. He lent over me reaching for a bottle, setting it down on the tray I was working to fill. In the moment, the world stopped around me. The sounds and the music were so far away, that I wasn’t even sure I was in the #HWH anymore. It was as though with that one move; he had managed to transport me back into the ring in Seattle. The look in #Beckers eyes frozen in my mind, and the sensations of his hands moving up my body had my mind racing. I was always in lockdown, but for a split second my heartbeat changed until I stopped my body from reacting. I was on auto pilot, the growl of my wolf as she pushed me to react but in the right way. But it was like her message wasn’t received in time. Dropping the cloth and the tray on the table. I reached behind me, taking a hold of the boy’s hands. Pulling them apart and off my body. Using my own weight, I stood up straight, twisting myself to face him. Face to face, I narrowed my eyes and for a blink it was #Becker who was stood before me and not some stupid townie who didn’t know how to read the room. Twisting his hands back and over his own wrists, I stopped at the point where I knew I would hear a pop and a crack. “You really need a lesson on respect, as well as on how to keep your hands to yourself, don’t you?” I growled in his face. His pale face had gone whiter as I pushed back on his fingers to the point where I knew just an inch more and they would pop out of place. Tears were streaming down his cheeks and I heard my name being called. “Do you have something to say to me? Do you?” I growled again as he fell to his knees apologising for his actions. But I still didn’t let go. ‘Leah Stop!’ My wolf ordered me. ‘He is not Becker. This is not Seattle!’ She tried to break me away from that Red fog that had come down over my eyes, and I let go of his hands taking a few steps back. Shaking my head as I brought myself back out of the fog, I always told the pups never to give into. ��The Spirits!” His friends were by his side picking him up off the ground, but I didn’t give them much room. “Next time don’t touch a woman without asking her if she is happy with your grubby hands all over her. Especially at a place where she works! Now I believe it’s time for you to get your arses out of this bar. Head to the door before I pick you up and throw you out!”

↬ Embry Call ↫ I knew the thing about my Mom was true… or at least the reason why she’d never seriously wounded me. Not that it would have taken too long to heal. I laughed at the pup; he had balls to bring that up. “She didn’t kill me that night because it was fucking hilarious, and she knew it!” I beamed a triumphant grin. Even #Sam chuckled; I had no doubt he had seen a replay in one of the kids’ minds. I watched Leah mop up the mess and the pup scrambled to apologise. The arsehole that was sat at the table trying to 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 was playing with fire. I heard the warriors from both packs draw in a collective breath; when he touched her. It wasn’t a male ego thing about protecting a woman; maybe if it was one of the imprints. This was no different than when the pups saw me have an interaction at the club. A jerk that was harassing someone and you got a condescending hand on the shoulder and the ‘𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣' 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙧𝙤’ line. Leah was one of us, no matter what pack or double X’s in her gene. But we all knew she had no issues handling the arseholes. The wolves inside of all of us, live by the laws of the pack. The social aspect of half a dozen guys zeroing in on one guy didn’t apply to them. Not until we pushed them back. And that was just the start of it… the hell we’d catch if we deprived Leah of the chance to toss this bastard out on his ear; was nothing compared to the lecture we’d get from the elders (that were in on the secret) when rumours of a gang of thugs in the Rez started spreading. I heard the stutter of her heart and I wondered if she was thinking about Seattle. She never let this crap get to her. In a matter of seconds, she had turned the tables and the guy was in obvious pain, nothing he wouldn’t get over quickly… Leah had exceptional control. But she wasn’t letting go… #Seth was fighting with all his will to stay behind the bar. She got control again and freed the man. I didn’t even need to look at Sam to know we were going to make sure these fuckers left the Reservation and didn’t take their attitudes elsewhere. I pulled one of the pups in close and told him to slip out the back. Then connect with whoever was on patrol and have someone follow them off of Tribal land after they got on the road. None of us would rest easy if we were wondering if they had taken this misogynist act to the diner or somewhere else. The kid didn’t even try to protest, he was more than happy to do it. They headed out the door; heads swivelling to keep an eye on the locals, after the door swung closed, I counted to five, biding my patience not to fly through the count. Then we pushed off the bar and headed out front, our drinks in hand and we made our way to a bench out front. There was a light drizzle so no one else was outside. Our eyes fell on the fools that were hooting and laughing, both about the bitchy bartender and the fact their idiot friend had gotten whooped by a girl. That one never got old! But it was funnier when it was one of the imprints doing the whooping. ↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ My feet grounded I kept my hands to my sides and fisted to make sure I didn’t go after Blonde tips again. Every inch of my being urging me to head out the back and cut them all off. To smash his face in until he got the message about how to know when a woman wanted his attention and when she didn’t. ‘That is the thinking, and the workings of Leah from ten years ago, not the woman who stands here today.’ My Wolf hadn’t backed down. She was the one keeping a tight hold around me. ‘You know you are better than this, don’t let old habits seep into the cracks Seattle cut into your armour.’ I cracked my neck from side to side, I knew she was right. but by the Spirits it felt good to imagine the outcome of him stepping up to me in a ring. ‘Watsi Nasgi Danuwa analihi’ ( Watch those Warriors ). All jokes forgotten in the moment. She was sounding proud at the way without making it obvious the packs took in a deep breath and steps were taken towards the group of townies. I wasn’t mad at them all for their

reaction, I knew this wasn’t about me being a woman. This was the same reaction they would have had if it were #Seth stood here, or even #Mac. We didn’t have our hive minds on our two legs. But there was more to it than that. We read people, situations, saw outcomes as a matter of it becoming second nature to us. This was what we had always tried to instil in the pups, have the ability not just in their wolf form but as humans too, clocking trouble before it got out of hand. And this very thing was what they all reacted too. I saw #Sam and Call taking their positions, waiting before they moved. I saw the pup slip out the back of the bar and disappear knowing he was going to give the patrol a warning of what these idiots could bring to the Rez. But more so my eyes moved to #Seth and that anger in his face. ‘He is not a kid Leah, even if you believe him to be.’ Picking up the tray I walked back towards the bar, but I was stopped part the way back. ‘That was well managed here.’ Pulling my eyebrows together, my glance moved towards the door where the wolves and the pups had stepped out of. “There’s nothing to worry about, this is a safe place to have a drink. We know how to manage little trouble such as that.” I reassured the man, recognition illuminating my now clear mind. He was one of the guys at the bar who had not reacted to my teasing. And the other sat on the table behind him smiling up at me. ‘I’m not worried at all; I had a feeling you were a woman who could handle herself as we watched you taking on that group of big guys around the bar.’ I smirked because he was talking about #Sam, Call, and the pups. Holding his hand out towards me with a charming smile. ‘Hi, my name is Charlie Waterson, and this is my boyfriend Theo. We’d just moved back to La Push and I was wondering if you may have a job for me here at the bar?’ #Theo stood up as I shook #Charlie’s hand and held his out towards me. ‘Please call me Teddy. Only my mom calls me Theo.’ His shake was a little more excited than that of #Charlie. ‘Char is from here, but not me. I’m a city boy born and raised. But you know how it is… Got to bring the Rez boy back to his roots at some time. And hope I am not too much for the town to handle.’ Raising my eyebrow, I listened to #Theo going a mile a minute and he reminded me of my cus #Jessica. “It’s good to meet you both. And Welcome to the Rez Th… Teddy” I corrected seeing the look in his eyes. “And it’s always good to see a Rez man coming back home Charlie. It’s a mad night tonight here as you can see. Why don’t you pop by the bar tomorrow before opening and we can talk then?” Excusing myself after I went towards the bar again, the eyes of the Pups left in the bar following me. “If you all don’t cut it out, you will be next.” I growled under my breath knowing they would all hear me. Setting the tray down to the side. ‘The pup went to tell the others; you don’t have to do it sis.’ #Seth whispered and I nodded my head, continuing into the back. I closed the door to the bathroom, turning on the water and splashed my face with cold water. When I finally looked up at the mirror hung above the sink, I saw myself. My eyes, my face, the anger that I was pushing down inside. Locking it all away from the world. ‘You keep pushing yourself to be better, but you can’t do that until you address what happened to you.’ My wolf was correct, and I knew that. But it was sometimes easier to push my crap to the back until my responsibilities were dealt with, with the Pack, with my family, with all that I needed to ensure was working smoothly. My face dried without the need for me to grab a towel, I combed my fingers through my hair, straighten up myself. All of me under a lock and key before I opened the door and stepped out again.

↬Embry Call ↫ The idiots spotted #Sam and me. We stayed seated, in a strained effort not to look too confrontational. Until they started muttering about us, then we stood up; both moving in such a way that it flashed the tattoos on our right biceps. Rumours of the group of troublemakers on the Rez with matching tattoos weren’t as common since the last of the pups learned their control. The random outbursts of temper faded out of people’s memory… But some local legends never died. One of the guys slapped the one that had harassed Leah on the arm and told him it was time to go. We watched them load into their truck; I wasn’t too worried about the driver. He didn’t seem drunk yet but they would have an escort all the way back to town. With us watching they didn’t even attempt to head towards the village. I knew the patrols would send someone to us if they saw them double back. We didn’t need them starting trouble elsewhere in La Push tonight. #Sam and I didn’t go back inside until the truck was on the tree-lined road, knowing the pack would be waiting for them, to give them their unseen escort off tribal land. #Sam and I took our seats at the bar and I looked up at #Seth, I gave him a nod to say they were gone. The pup wouldn’t come back until he saw them leave La Push in the hive mind. Leah was gone but I knew she wouldn’t be far. I hoped the kids would play it cool. But in the back of my head, I was thinking about Seattle. But even after that, she managed to find the strength to control herself, though I wouldn’t have blamed her if she had done a little damage to that arsehole. #Seth made a move to go into the back and I figured it wasn’t his first. “Kid!” I called after him and he stopped short. I gave him a sympathetic look, I knew how much he worried about his sister, but I also knew if she didn’t want to be alone, she’d still be behind the bar. I gave the tiniest shake of my head. He sighed and nodded. Just as he started to serve the next customer she reappeared. I knew I shouldn’t, but my eyes examined her face trying to read it like sheet music.

↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ As I stepped out into the bar my eyes moved around the floor, taking in the remaining people. Who had gone, who had come while I was in the back and if there was anything or anybody, I needed to pay attention to. It was second nature to me, to the pack to know our surroundings, to understand where we stood and what could come our way or in the way of others. Only once I was sure that all was well did I pick up the tray of glasses and bottles, putting them away I moved to go fill the glass washer and then bringing back a large tray of clean ones. I knew, as I worked, I knew I was being watched. Their eyes were on me, #Mac moved closer and closer as he served, #Seth’s head kept turning towards where I moved to refill the glasses under the bar. The Pups now acting casual around the bar and the pool table, darted glances towards me, as I stood or bent down. And I pondered what they were thinking? Did they wonder if I would lose it and go after the townies? Or was it that I could lose control and let my wolf out? ‘Or is it that they are just checking to make sure that a member of their family is safe and well?’ My Wolf snapped at me to pull my head out of the questions building in my mind. I shook my head, telling her that they should know better. That they didn’t need to act this way around me. and she snapped again. ‘It’s no different to how they would react if they were at the #Glamour club and saw Call in the same situation, so get off your high horse.’ How I wanted to punch her. It had been a while since the two of us had a disagreement. But when they happened, she liked to snap me into the right place and out of whatever second guessing I was in. I stood up from under the bar, the empty tray in hand and I felt them. I didn’t need to search for them because were locked on me and searching for something. ↬ Embry Call ↫ ’s dark eyes. They were doing that thing again, that thing that felt like he was pushing past my walls and trying to see what was hiding behind my eyes. For a split second a glimpse of seeing him at the fight club made me stumble back into Mac. ‘You okay Lee?’ He asked, because I wasn’t the kind to stumble. But ↬ Embry Call ↫ ’s eyes still had a hold. I blinked back that small crack that had shown itself and pushed it all deep, deep down within me. “Yeah, all good.” I replied to #Mac who was watching me. Pulling myself free from those eyes, the Spirits. What was up with that guy and his evolution? #Sam shifted and my attention followed his towards the front door and the pup was back. His clothes a little ruffled, hair a little damp and falling into his eyes. He walked across the bar to Sam and Call’s side and whispered, but Seth and I could hear too. ‘They are gone, the pack are sure they aren’t coming back tonight.’ Sam nodded his head, his eyes now on me as I started to serve the next customer. The look I shared with them all saying. ‘It’s done and dealt with’. Opening a bottle of beer, I slide it to the pup, motioning towards the pool table. “You’re behind, go and catch up.” Shaking my head, I cursed under my breath at the scents I picked up coming towards the doors. Part of me wishing they had stayed away tonight. The wolf in me, the protector of the Pups and the Imprints. The one who took being the Beta as a calling she was born to triumph in seriously. That part of me was winning out now. ‘We heard on the great vine that the Girls can get themselves some Mermaid Spunk down at the #HWH!!!!’ #Rachel, #Ness, #Kim, #Becca and #Jessica came rushing in shaking their phones in the air, glimpse of Instagram showing. They looked dolled up just enough to make an effort. But not so much that they would look out of place. I pointed to #Jessica. “You behave yourself before I tell your mom.” She looked at me with innocent eyes blinking and I rolled mine. She would give those looks to us, as well as #Ness did, and sometimes it meant getting away with murder.

↬ Embry Call ↫ She was back… back to acting like nothing had happened. If it hadn’t been for Seattle playing on my mind, I wouldn’t have a question in it that she was okay… But between what happened in the ring and then her hotel room that night, it just didn’t seem like something to be brushed off. It was too much… even for someone like Leah. No one should be subjected to this much predatory behaviour… even if she could snap the pricks that did it, in half. I knew I was far from a shining example of male chivalry, but I put up no pretences to be either. I heard no on the rare occasions I was told it, or it was implied and let it go. I didn’t respond by grabbing her arse, or not even with a sarcastic comment… I just moved on. But after what she’d gone through… She may not believe or want to accept that its assault. But if it were one of the imprints, she would agree… even if it was one of the pups. This had to be chipping away at her ability to control her temper when it came to this. I knew if she cracked, she’d hold it against herself for a long time. Her eyes connected with mine and I didn’t pull away… It was clear to me now that her eyes gave away things she wouldn’t ever say. But I could feel the door being shut when she turned her attention to #Mac and then #Sam, when he moved to the pup. I swigged from the bottle in front of me and nodded to #Seth for another, we all tuned our ears on what the kid had to say. They were gone… Leah didn’t need to worry about them causing trouble elsewhere on our Rez tonight. I couldn’t help but give a slight chuckle that that would be her issue… them hassling another random girl; she would rather take all the shit herself. I heard the girls chattering outside and that tell-tale strange beating of #Ness’s half-vampire heart. It always stood out in a crowd. Excellent! I thought to myself. This was exactly what she needed… a distraction. None of the guys would bring down the girls obvious jovial moods by telling them what had happened. But she would at least have them; not looking at her like the pack was trying not to right now. They would find out anyway once news spread, maybe not tonight. I hoped. I considered briefly mentioning #Tony to #Jessica but, Leah would definitely kill me for that. She would do it in her own time. I took my beer and moved over to the girls draping one arm over Rachel’s shoulder and one over #Kim’s… the twin thing was too cliché. “Look what the wolf dragged in!!” I smiled at them. “And how are you beautiful ladies tonight?” ‘Don’t touch me Call!’ Kim teased, poking me in the chest and I feigned a mortal injury. ‘I don’t know where you’ve been today!’ She laughed.

↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ I made a point to keep my eyes from looking back at Call, I wasn’t sure what had just happened, but I had no intentions of it happening again. I was locked down. I was back and the mask on as I got to work. #Mac offered to make the drinks for the imprints, and I didn’t stop him. My eyes glancing over to the others all settling in, and then I heard #Kim. The memories of the young girl who had fainted all those years ago, at the back of the Rez school the first time #Jared had kissed her, came to mind. And now here she stood, this woman who had for sure come into herself. “Never anywhere you want to know.” I muttered knowing the ones who needed to hear it would. The way #Jared and #Sams lips curved up a little told me so. ‘You okay Lee?’ #Bex leant over the bar, her short body not even making it half way and I smirked reaching over and pushing her back. “That dress isn’t made for you to climb up a stool and attempt to lean over a bar woman, and I am fine. What are you all doing out tonight anyway?” Speaking to her as I started to serve a few waiting customers. The look she gave me told me she didn’t believe me. But she never did. #Rach and #Bex were two of a few who knew the old me, the one from way back in my childhood, the dark years and now too. They knew me and stood by me in kindergarten and school, when I was starting to be known as the crazy kid who spoke to things that weren’t there. Even if it had been years since they were let in. The twins still tried to keep an eye on me even when it wasn’t needed. I was one of their protectors, it wasn’t the other way around. ‘Emily said she was going to take care of the meal runs tonight, she loves doing all that stuff. So, the girls and I thought we’d come see what was happening here.’ Turning her head towards the stage and then the board with the chalk marks on it. She tried and failed to pop her eyebrow at me. ‘The group chat has been blowing up all night.’ My hands tighten around the glass I was holding as I listened to her. My eyes then wondering over the imprints. All women who stood here surrounded by protectors, but they all had the ability to stand on their own two feet too. If you saw how #Rachel kept #Paul in line on his bad days, you would give the woman a medal. #Ness, that girl had grown up to be as sarcastic and strong headed as her mother, and then some. A hybrid who could hold her own in the midst of the pack. #Kim was still a little soft and got herself into trouble because she was too trusting. But all in all, they were intelligent women ( who sometimes bugged the life out of me. ) “So, Em is doing the food runs by herself tonight?” There were sick and elderly people on the rez who would from time to time need a helping hand. Ma, Emily and Ms C ( before she had gotten sick ) made it their responsibility to take care and look after them so that nobody was left alone and in need. ‘Yeah, you know how she gets. Everything needs to be done in a certain way.’ I had to put the glass down. My anger was flaring up again. ‘Easy, you don’t mean it. You don’t want to say it.’ My wolf pulled on me to keep the mask on tight. What I wanted to do was growl at her, at the others. I know they may not know that Emily was expecting another baby. And that she had been worked off her feet trying to ready herself, and her business for the time she’d need at home when the baby was here. I knew that maybe they hadn’t picked up on the fact that Ms C had been having a few hard days even if this morning had been a better start. The image of Ms C sat in my kitchen this morning and that smile on her lips, felt like a calming balm for a few seconds. Even if Call’s mom didn’t know about the packs, she knew all these girls, if they went knocking, I knew they wouldn’t be turned away. And finally, I would even give them benefit of the doubt that they may have missed that Ma had been under the weather fighting a cold. But still. It bit hard and deep that they couldn’t see that even if Emily hadn’t asked for help tonight. That she could do with

it. By the Spirits if someone as closed off and locked out as me could see it… They could see it… They were always in and out of Emily’s place more so than me. ‘Geyatahi Adanvdo Danuwa analihi’ ( Careful Spirit Warrior ) My wolf whispered. And I knew a part of her was right. But so was I. Biting the inside of my cheeks. I excused myself and pushed out from behind the bar and headed towards the floor again to collect the empties. “Control your Arse Woman!” I muttered to myself leaving them all talking amongst themselves.

↬Embry Call ↫ I watched the girl’s interaction with Leah, and I pulled out my phone to see what was being sent into the group chat. I let out a sigh of relief and tried to catch Leah’s eye; to let her know it wasn’t what she thought it was. But it was like she was avoiding meeting my gaze. #Ness sauntered over with a smug grin. ‘So…’ she drawled in her too-sweet-to-be-wholesome voice. ‘I hear you’re going to let us hear you sing at last?’ She laughed. “Word spreads too fast around here.” I grumbled, but jokingly… I would take my lumps with a good nature. “You can sing… any tips?” I lifted the bottle in my hand and swigged. ‘Of course, I do!’ She lifted her brows and flashed the evil smile of hers and I knew what was coming before she even spoke again. ‘But not for you… I want to see you crash and burn!! But I have a feeling you aren’t as bad as you say you are.’ I just shook my head and kept drinking. I noticed that something else was bugging Leah now… I wondered if maybe hearing #Ness and I talk would make her feel better. Knowing the group chat was blowing up over the bet. And that was fine with me, but she still seemed upset. No, angry. But it was hard to tell with Leah she masked most of her emotions with either indifference or anger. #Rachel spotted me and curled up one side of her mouth. ‘I guess we have you to thank for the new special right?’ She pointed to the words #MermaidSpunk on the specials board. I winked at her. “You know it!! And they are selling like hotcakes… who knew I was a marketing genius!?” Each and every one of them rolled their eyes in unison. “That had to be some kind of record.” I said with a laugh. Then one of the pups called me over to play a game of doubles at the pool table.

↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ When I was far enough from the bar, I set the tray in my hand down and pulled out my phone. Not caring much for the group chats, they were always on mute. I only went into them now and then just to remind the pups for the most part that I was there and watching. The Beta was always watching. Looking at the time, I knew that once she put #Kishil to bed, it was when she got most of her work done for the next day. Opening up my chat with #Emily I shot her a message. 𝚃𝚘 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ I hear you are making the meals for those in need tonight? Need any help with that? -L ] I hit send and went to pick up the tray, but a reply was back instantly. “The Spirits she is fast.” 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ You are a gem, I have this in hand. I will have it done in the next couple of hours xx ] I frowned as I reply;

𝚃𝚘 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ That’s not the point, you are meant to be taking it easy. -L ] 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ I will be fine, but if you want to help cook… lol. Joking. Don’t go worrying about me. I know it’s hard for you not too. xx ] That made me scoff. “Worry my arse.”

𝚃𝚘 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ I don’t do worry, just don’t want you poisoning the old people on the Rez -L ] I smirked at that one as I hit send, I could see her face in my mind. 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ Oh please, however I will not push you to say you care xx ] I muttered “arse.”

𝚃𝚘 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ It’s a good thing you are cute, it’s the only reason I put up with you. L ] 𝙵𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ You know the good looks, and kind heart are in our gene pool Lealea xx ] Rolling my eyes at her reply, my fingers moving fast over the screen. 𝚃𝚘 𝙴𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢 [ Go to bed. -L ] She knew that meant the conversation was done with. ‘See, she has it all in hand. And if she needed help, she would have said.’ My wolf spoke to me as I started to clear up the tables. “That’s not the point, she shouldn’t have to ask for help, it should be there for her no matter what she says.”

↬Embry Call ↫ I watched Leah from the pool table while the pups racked the balls up. #Sam insisted the Alpha 𝔸𝕝𝕨𝕒𝕪𝕤breaks. It wasn’t like her to be on her phone when she was working unless it was important. I smirked and pulled out my phone and shot her a quick text. Hoping to make her smirk or scowl… or both! Anything to get her out of whatever the cycle in her head was now and bring her back into the moment. [𝙷𝚎𝚢 𝚜𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚔𝚎𝚛! 𝙶𝚎𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚘 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔!] #Sam made his break and potted a red ball for us. I gave him a low five as the campers that #Seth and I had relocated; came cautiously into the bar. I turned away before the blonde walked in a muttered. “Shit!” Why the hell did #Seth circle the bar on the map!? #Sam Looked over at the guy and two girls and gave me a telling look. He knew who they were; he had seen the camp before I had. ‘You don’t waste any time, do you?’ He teased and I muttered at him to shut up. Then one of the pups moved up beside me. ‘Can I have the blonde?’ assuming I was avoiding the brunette’s looks… my usual type. Not knowing I had flirted with the blonde to piss off the angry brother. I jabbed him with my elbow. “Really? ℍ𝕒𝕧𝕖?” I eyed the kid and he went to take his shot. They all knew I was a player… but I chose my words carefully. The trio took seats at the bar and greeted #Seth like they’d known him for years. But #Seth was the kind of guy that returned the same kind of enthusiasm; he was too nice for his own good sometimes. Then #Sam tapped me with his elbow telling me it was my shot… dammit!! The white ball was at the other end of the table. That meant turning my back on Leah. Never a good idea when you had just taunted her!

↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ ‘Use your teaching Leah, lean on all you have learnt over the years and all #TheGreatWolf has trusted you with.’ She was right, I knew it. And I knew I was on edge. But I also knew that this was my life, the one I have chosen to make my own. We were not given the choice before we were thrust into this world. But now that I was here, if offered a different path I knew I would pick the same life I am living now. My phone buzzed in my pocket pulling me out from the mind space I found myself lost in. Making me stop to set the tray and cloth down on the next table I was going to clean up. Wondering if #Emily had changed her mind, but it wasn’t her who had sent me a text. ‘He’s sending texts now?’ My wolf sat up and smirked, at reading the words on my screen I frowned, glancing up I found him right away. “Slacker? Does that man know me?” Narrowing my eyes at him as he stood and then shifted to… hide? My wolf and I scanned the floor, noticing the new people walking in and making a beeline for #Seth. I tilted my head, crossing my arms over my chest watching to see the interaction the Kid had with the two girls and the guy too. ‘Our Kid could make friends in an enemy camp.’ My wolf mused, and I flashed images of #Rose for the two of us to smirk over. ‘Case and Point. The boy has a pure soul, and people are pulled towards him like a magnet.’ I smirked watching him interacting with these new faces, as well as the imprints too. My eyes bolted back to the pool table at hearing the Pup and what he said. “Have? 𝙃𝙖𝙫𝙚…What is she a hamburger?” I muttered to myself, a lesson on how to talk about women would be on the cards for them all soon. ‘Maybe #Ness and #Rachel will do it for us?’ I shook my head. They would have pure joy I was sure in setting the pups right when it came to the topic. Picking up a bottle cap, I played with it in my fingers, watching the Guy with the two girls and the way he tried to send out a message to anyone thinking of approaching. And it really would have made me laugh. The brunette smiled sitting herself down at the bar, watching close as #Mac helped #Seth with their drinks. But it was the blonde whose eyes were wondering, and wondering and…… “There it is.” She clocked ↬Embry Call ↫like a beacon from a bonfire, with her drink in hand, she jumped her arse off the bar stool, flipped her hair and started his way. I sent my reply now. 𝚃𝚘 𝙴𝚖𝚋𝚛𝚢: [ 𝚂𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚖? 𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝙻𝚞𝚌𝚔 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝. -𝙻 ] Smirking I took the bottle cap, flicking it across the room and over the heads of the people between us to hit ↬Embry Call ↫ on his arse as he bent over to play. Knowing it would make him turn at the right time for the blonde shortie to see him face to face. ‘I see that worked to pull you free from yourself.’ My wolf teased with a smirk.

↬ Embry Call ↫ I leaned over the table with one last glance at Leah… with her phone in her hand, of course. She’d seen the message. I lined up a relatively easy shot… at least with the heightened eyesight and accuracy that lent itself to being a Spirit Warrior. Something hit me, I jerked upright, and the cue lurched forward; the white ball flew, pocketed a yellow ball and ricocheted across the table into the corner pocket. “Call!!” #Sam hollered, but he was spluttering in laughter. I whirled to find Leah, but I found the blonde with a doe-eyed pout on her lips. Shit!! My gaze cut past her to a very amused Leah, and I smiled… At least I’d distracted her for a moment. ‘Aw!’ the blonde cooed. ‘And here I thought I could be your good luck charm.’ #Sam was practically suffocating now… It was rare to see him this laid back either… especially after what had happened earlier. And apparently, I was the comic relief tonight. But I supposed that was what I got for betting against Leah Clearwater. I cleared my throat as I moved out of the way for the pups to take their shot. “Oh…” I slipped easily into my carefree grin. “Um... Milly… Molly… something with an M… Right?” I clicked my fingers as I pretended to think. ‘Laura.’ She corrected me, fidgeting with the straw in her glass and looking disappointed. I took my spot next to #Sam who was barely containing the rocking in his shoulders as he repressed his laughter. “Right!!” I smiled. “I was close.” I heard chuckles from the pups not in the game, but it wasn’t loud enough for her to pick up over the sounds of a full bar. She didn’t contradict me as she came to stand next to me. ‘Um…’ she grasped at straws for something to make conversation about. ‘The… um… beach you showed us is beautiful. Thank you.’ “Technically I showed you the car park… but you’re welcome.” I lifted a cupped fist to my mouth and coughed, whispering “Ness... Please help me!” She and Leah were the only girls in the bar capable of hearing my plea, and Leah never bailed us out of these situations. Then in a normal voice, I said. “And… I mean… it’s the Olympic peninsula. So… it’s actually pretty mild right now.” ‘Not a hope Embry Call!’ Ness muttered from the bar and then told the girls what I had said, causing them to fall apart laughing too.

↬ Leah Clearwater ↫ “Oh don’t you dare Ness.” I mumbled cleaning up the last table. And then she turned to wink at me. ‘As if.’ She laughed. ‘This is too much fun to see and hear.’ I shook my head. It was hard not to listen. Not to laugh at him he acted like he had forgotten the girl’s name. But the disappointing look she had given him was kind of... well.... you know.. sad... #Sam’s shoulders were going, and I could tell the man couldn’t keep it together. “Sam. Man. Stop letting the side down.” I said, thankful that nobody was paying much attention to the angry bar owner talking to herself as I collected a few more bottles. “If anything, you should be helping the girl.” I told him one my way back. The Imprints and the other girls were falling off their stools, more at the look that ↬Embry Call ↫was giving. Wishing and hoping somebody would save him. ‘I should go and help him.’ #Seth said and shifted to turn out of the bar. But I handed him the full tray in my hand and told him he had work to do with the glass washer. ‘That’s mean Sis.’ But he was smiling now too. ‘What did I miss?’ #Mac asked and #Bex pointed over to the pool table, explaining what #Ness had told them all. ‘What’s the big deal? Isn’t she kind of his type?’ He asked. #Rachel shook her head. But it was me who spoke as I serviced a couple with some drinks. “She isn’t a brunette, or a Goth chick, but she is a shortie. So that’s something?” ‘You know his type Leah Clearwater?’ #Kim was grinned at me. ‘Leah noticed everything.’ #Jess was the one to say and I rolled my eyes at them all. The pups moved around him and the girl, giving them space but I could tell they weren’t going too far. They wanted that front row seat to this pony show. ‘Leah?’ #Ness pointed to the bar menu. ‘Maybe Call should send over a couple?’ I had to grin. The junior Cullen was something. But I did like how her mind was working. I made up a couple of #MermaidSpunks, glancing over I saw what the guy with the girls was drinking. And slide the drinks before the two sat at the bar. The guy had his eyes on the blonde and Call, and I was sure that he was shooting daggers. “From Call, over there.” The girl at the bar smiled and giggles taking the drink. Whilst the guys shifted and just nodded his thanks. “Who is taking this over to the blonde?” I asked, but #Rach had jumped down from the bar and took the drink across the bar. “Don’t you dare save him Rachel!” I told her. ‘Please, give me some credit.’ She winked back at me. “She has a soft spot for that idiot.” I mumbled. But everyone knew it was true. Rachel was always looking out for him and stepping up for him. She had Call and Littlesea under her little wings on the best of day.

↬ Embry Call ↫ I had to fight not to roll my eyes when Leah was encouraging #Ness to keep out of it. The pups took their extra shot and pocketed two more balls. I shook my head… but they knew better than to get cocky yet. But so far this night was not going my way. The look on her face was a little pathetic… but really I was doing her a favour. I was not interested… The blonde thing could be forgiven, but the fact I had to remove her from camping on land that was considered sacred… That drew a line in the sand for me. There was a subtle line between ignorance and blatant disregard of the small parcel of land the Tribe was allowed to keep. I glanced to the bar when #Seth said he was coming to my rescue. Leah suddenly had a job for him to do. I heard everything that was happening over there. I could tell by her voice that Rachel was on a mission. She slipped up between us and handed the girl the glass of blue liquid. I fought back a groan. ‘Hi!’ she beamed enthusiastically. ‘Welcome to La Push! Our boy here asked for this to be brought over especially for you.’ She patted my shoulder. The girl flushed bright pink even under her pale make-up. How did she think I’d managed that? I’d not been to the bar since she approached me. ‘He’s a sweetheart like that!’ #Rachel continued and patted my back, again. ‘Did he tell that he spends his free time taking care of his Mom…’ she babbled to the girl. ‘Poor thing hasn’t been well at all. But he is so good to her. You know what they say? Bad boys are fun for a while…. But Mama’s boys are the ones you should marry.’ She was channelling her inner #Jessica. ‘Of course, silly me I went and married the Bad boy… and I love the idiot… but…’ she sighed like she was a little disappointed with her life; when we all knew she was disgustingly happy. ‘Oops! Look at me taking up all your time to get to know one another.’ She leaned in and pretended to whisper knowing damn well Laura could hear her. ‘She is so much prettier than you described.’ She giggled. #Rachel never giggled unless it was at something dirty #Paul whispered in her ear. ‘Good luck.’ Then she was gone. The pink pooling in her cheeks was crimson now and she sipped on the cocktail, thinking I had been talking about her to my friends all evening. I had the choice now to humiliate the girl and tell her it was a practical joke or…. Well there really wasn’t an or… The pups were gathered and listening despite making a good show of not doing so. ‘She seems nice.’ Laura smiled. “Oh yeah.” I said… the sarcasm was too much to contain. “Too nice for her own good really.” I shot #Rach a look as I moved to the other side of the table to take a shot. I knew someone would tell her what I said.

TBC...