#daystar

It was like walking through a tunnel, with no end in sight. The darkness seemed to stretch on forever, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was lost in some kind of labyrinth. But then, just as I was about to give up hope, I saw it - a scarlet door with the word THEATRE emblazoned on a golden plaque.

I dreaded at the thought of what lay beyond that door. Leah had been staying here for weeks now, and I still didn't know what to expect from her. The first time she arrived, she was like an abandoned puppy, grateful for a place to stay but clearly carrying a heavy burden on her shoulders.

I remembered Sue telling Charlie that Leah would be travelling the world for the new year, but it was clear that this was only partly true. There was something else going on, something that Sue wasn't ready to share with him. In fact, she will never share it with him.

As I inhaled deeply, I gingerly turned the doorknob and pushed the door open with a gentle creek. My eyes were met with a sight that was both familiar and foreign. The walls were painted a sombre shade of grey, but the bright white lights that were attached to them illuminated the room with a sense of hope. To my right, a small set of stairs led up to a platform that seemed to be shrouded in mystery.

As I took a few steps forward, my gaze was drawn to the two rows of large sofas that were arranged in front of me. The sofas were upholstered in a dark shade of grey, with beige cushions that added a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold room. There were six sofas in each row, and I couldn't help but wonder who had sat on them before me.

My eyes finally landed on Leah, who was sitting in the front row, right in the centre. She was staring up at the widescreen that was mounted on the wall, her eyes transfixed on the images that were playing out before her. I followed her gaze and saw that she was watching a pack of wolves as they roamed through the wilderness.

I pitied her as I realised how much pain she must have been in. But I knew that I had to be strong for her, to be her rock in this time of need. So I took a deep breath and walked over to her, ready to offer her the comfort and support that she so desperately needed.

I descended the small staircase and my eyes fell upon her entire figure. She was draped in a pale green hoodie and denim shorts, her feet bare. However, her russet complexion appeared more fatigued than when she had first arrived. Dark circles had formed under her eyes, making them appear sunken. Her cheeks were more prominent, and her lips were parched. Her legs were crossed, revealing scratches on her thighs.

I let out a sigh, feeling a sense of sadness wash over me. "Hey, Leah," I spoke softly, trying not to startle her.

"Hey, Violet," she replied, her voice laced with melancholy.

I took a seat beside her on the couch, and we both stared at the screen in silence. The wolves on the screen howled in unison, their voices echoing through the forest. They ran with great speed, their paws pounding against the fallen leaves and branches.

"Did Ethan send you here?" Leah asked, breaking the silence.

"No," I shook my head. "Dad told me you were here."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You called Gabriel 'Dad'?"

I nodded with a little smile on my pale face. "Yep."

"I wish my dad was here," she sighed, her gaze returning to the screen. "I wonder how he would react if he found out about my imprinting."

I tried to offer her some comfort. "I'm sure he would be okay with it."

But then, I remembered her ex-communication. The way they had scarred her tattoo, stripped her of her rank, and branded her as a lone wolf. "Hey, Leah?"

She turned her head to face me.

"What does it mean to be a lone wolf?"

Leah's words were caught in her throat, as if they were struggling to escape. She swallowed hard, trying to push them out. "It's like..." she finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

I leaned in closer, eager to hear what she had to say. Leah was always full of surprises, and I knew this was going to be no exception.

"So you know there's a wolf pack," she began, her eyes darting around nervously. "You got Alphas, Betas and Thirds. They're leader ranks and the other wolves are members. They have certain rules within the pack and council we have to obey. If they break one of the rules, and I mean the major ones, they would be expelled from the pack and tribe."

As she spoke, Leah removed her hoodie, revealing a black T-shirt underneath. She rolled up her right sleeve, exposing a bruised and scarred mark on her shoulder. I could see a small part of her tattoo, but it was nearly covered up by all of the claw marks.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as I listened to her. Leah was like a wolf herself, fierce and unyielding. She had been through so much, yet she still stood strong.

I knew that I could never fully understand what it was like to be a part of a wolf pack, but I was grateful for Leah's willingness to share her experiences with me. It was like peering into a world that was both beautiful and dangerous, a world that I could only imagine...

The air was thick with tension as Old Quil's voice boomed through the meeting. "It is the council's unanimous opinion that Leah Clearwater has committed an act of treason against the pack," he declared, his words ringing out like a death knell. "As such, she will be banished from the Quileute Tribe."

The wolves erupted in a cacophony of snarls and barks, their fury palpable. Ayla gasped in shock, while Sue silently slipped away, tears streaming down her face.

Seth's voice rose above the din, his face contorted with anguish. "What?! No!" he cried out, his tears flowing freely. "You can't do this!"

But Old Quil was undeterred, his voice steady and unwavering. "Your Quileute Tattoo will be stripped from you," he continued, his words cutting through the chaos. "And you shall forfeit all rank within the Black Pack."

The forest fell silent, the weight of Old Quil's words hanging heavy in the air. The council had spoken, and there was no going back.

Paul strolled over to Leah, his paw raised in a nonchalant manner. His claws glinted in the sunlight, sharp and deadly. Suddenly, with a swift whoosh, the sound of flesh tearing filled the air. Leah let out a blood-curdling scream as two more whooshes followed, the stench of wet dog's blood filling my nostrils. I quickly covered my nose and mouth with my hand, trying to block out the putrid smell. Leah clutched her right arm, tears streaming down her face as she fell to her knees.

Leah crumpled to the ground, clutching her injured arm with a look of pure anguish etched on her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to contain her sobs...

As I inhaled deeply, my eyes fixated on the jagged marks etched into her skin. They were a testament to the brutal reality of her existence, a reminder of the harsh consequences that came with being a lone wolf.

Her voice was low and steady as she spoke, recounting the tale of her disownment. I listened intently, my mind struggling to comprehend the weight of her words.

As I continued to stare at her scars, a sense of unease washed over me. I felt a sudden urge to say something, anything to break the silence. But my tongue felt heavy, as if weighed down by the gravity of the situation.

"It's healing up," I finally managed to utter, my voice barely above a whisper.

I cringed inwardly at my own words, feeling foolish for stating the obvious. But to my surprise, her response was not what I had expected.

"Scars don't heal, Violet," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

I felt a pang of guilt wash over me, realising how insensitive my comment had been. But before I could apologise, she spoke again.

"I have to live with this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And you and your family don't. And I envy you for that."

I was taken aback by her words, unsure of how to respond. But before I could say anything, she spoke again.

"You can transform into a big furry dog and I'm stuck looking like this for eternity," I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"But when you get hurt, you heal fast," she countered, her eyes fixed on her scars.

I looked at her, taking in the scratches on her thighs. They were a testament to the battles she had fought with herself, the struggles she had endured.

"And how long have you been doing this?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

As I watched Leah fidget with her arms, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her. She was hurting, and not just physically. I knew what it was like to feel like you had to hide your pain from the people you loved. But I also knew that it wasn't healthy.

"So, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my tone gentle. "Why are you doing this to yourself?"

Leah sighed and looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears. "I don't know," she whispered. "It's like...it's like I need to feel something, you know? And this is the only thing that makes me feel alive."

I nodded, understanding all too well. "But you know that's not true, right? You're alive every day, even when you don't feel it. And hurting yourself isn't going to make that feeling go away."

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "I know," she said. "But it's hard to stop."

"I know," I said, standing up and walking over to her. "But you don't have to do it alone. We're here for you, Leah. Ethan loves you, and so do I. We want to help you through this."

She looked up at me, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered.

I smiled and hugged her tightly. "Anytime," I said.

"Anyway, where might Ethan be?" Leah inquired with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"In the kitchen, or so I've been told. How long has he been gone?" I responded, my mind already racing with possibilities.

"About forty-five minutes," she replied, her eyes scanning my face for any sign of concern.

"And what, may I ask, is he doing in there?" I probed further, my curiosity piqued.

"He's cooking me a steak," she answered with a smile.

I furrowed my brow, trying to make sense of the situation. "But that only takes about fifteen minutes, doesn't it?"

We exchanged a knowing glance, both of us aware of Ethan's tendency to do foolish things. I rose from the couch and took Leah's hand, pulling her up with me.

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"To the kitchen," I replied simply.

"But why?" she pressed, her eyes wide with confusion.

"If Ethan has done something stupid in there and I'm about to lose my cool, you'll be the one to stop me," I explained, my tone serious.

With that, I swung open the door and we made our way out of the theatre, determined to uncover the truth about Ethan's mysterious kitchen antics.

In a mere five minutes, we found ourselves in the kitchen, nestled beneath the grandeur of the mansion. The door beside the fireplace beckoned us downstairs, and I clung onto Leah's wrist with a firm grip as we descended the stairs in a hurry.

"Violet, ease up on the grip, will you?" Leah's voice was laced with a hint of discomfort.

I shrugged nonchalantly. "It's not that tight."

"For you," she retorted, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

I couldn't help but grin mischievously. "And with Ethan...?" I raised my eyebrow inquisitively.

Leah's lips pursed together tightly, and she shook her head in disbelief. "We're not at that stage yet."

I chuckled softly. "I'm just teasing, Leah."

As we approached downwards, a white door stood before us, adorned with a golden doorknob and the word "KITCHEN" in bold, golden letters stretched across the top. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as I reached for the doorknob and pushed the door open.

To my surprise, the kitchen was still intact. I scanned the room, taking in the black oven, the brick-tiled floor, and the various utensils scattered about. But my attention was quickly drawn to Ethan, who sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the oven, looking bored and dejected.

I let out a sigh. "Ethan?" I called out to him, and he turned to face us.

"Oh, Leah, Violet!" he exclaimed, jumping up from the ground and rubbing his knees. "What are you doing here? And I told-"

"You were taking forever," Leah interrupted, and Ethan's face fell.

"I'm sorry. I'm trying," he replied, sounding upset. "I'm making a steak for you, but it's not cooking."

I cocked my head to the side. "Why isn't it cooking?" I asked.

"I don't know," Ethan replied, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I put the steak on the tray and put it in the oven."

"And you turned the oven on, right?" Leah asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Ethan's face stiffened, and his golden eyes widened in shock. He covered his face with his hands, and I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the house, and Simon and Alana appeared in the doorway.

"What's going on?" Simon asked, looking around the room.

"Ethan was cooking for me," Leah explained, trying to keep a straight face.

"And?" Alana prompted, looking confused.

"He forgot to turn the oven on!" I burst out laughing once again, unable to contain my amusement.

Did I come across as a horrible person? A guy was attempting to woo a lady, but his efforts fell flat on his face, and I found it amusing. I could feel the perplexity emanating from Simon and the disappointment radiating from Alana. It was understandable, really.

Ethan's face scrunched with embarrassment as Simon and Alana exchanged amused glances.

"It's okay, Ethan," Alana said with a chuckle. "We all make mistakes."

Simon smirked and patted Ethan on the shoulder. "At least now we know you're better at tracking than cooking."

Ethan managed a sheepish grin. "Guess I'll stick to hunting."

Leah stepped forward, her smile warm and reassuring. "It's the thought that counts, Ethan. Thank you for trying."

Ethan looked up, his golden eyes softening with relief. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Leah nodded, her gaze lingering on him for a moment before she turned to the rest of us.

My chuckles subsided, and I turned to face them. Suddenly, Joseph appeared, sprinting towards us with a look of surprise and worry on his pale bearded face.

He skidded to a halt, his eyes wide with concern. "What's going on here? I heard laughter and then... Ethan's cooking disaster?"

Ethan, still embarrassed from his earlier mishap, managed a crooked smile. "Yeah, I kinda forgot to turn on the oven."

Joseph's expression softened from concern to bemusement. "Well, it's good to see everyone's in high spirits, even if it's because of a kitchen fiasco."

Leah looked at Joseph and then back at Ethan, her smile brightening despite the earlier heaviness. "Thank you for being patient, Joseph. And Ethan, I appreciate the effort, even if it didn't go as planned."

Joseph nodded, his eyes twinkling with an understanding glance. "We've all had our fair share of culinary disasters. Oh, and also, Leah, you need to get back upstairs. They're here."

A sudden panic rushed through my body. Why would they come? Especially when we had sorted it out?

"Who? The Volturi?" I asked anyway, my hands clenched by my sides.