CHAPTER FOUR

For the Clearwater family, the events that had just unfolded had been nothing if not shocking. Sue in particular was left particularly reeling at the revelation that Leah was the first female shapeshifter, and that her very presence had led to the onset of a cardiac arrest in her husband.

And then, the revelation that Seth had also taken on a wolf form had sent the family into further chaos, leaving them all stunned and struggling to come to terms with the unexpected turn of events.

The arrival of the ambulance proved to be too late for Harry Clearwater, as his heart had already given out. The paramedics arrived, quickly assessing the situation, but unfortunately, they were unable to revive him.

The Elders arrived at the Clearwater residence, where the air was thick with the tragic loss of Harry Clearwater. Serena remained strong, holding Sue in her arms as she cried. The distant howl of a pack of wolves could be heard, the mournful cries breaking the silence.

Serena took a moment to close her eyes, allowing the onslaught of emotions to wash over her, finally letting the tears fall as they welled up in her eyes. The Clearwater family had endured a whirlwind of events in such a short span of time, leaving them all emotionally drained and reeling from the impact.

Surprisingly, Seth had managed to shift back to human form with relative ease, considering the circumstances. Meanwhile, Leah had fled, and while Serena couldn't blame her, the fact that the first female shapeshifter had been driven to run away was a painful sight.

The knowledge that her ex-fiancé had access to her thoughts left Leah feeling invaded and deeply uncomfortable. She knew that her private thoughts were no longer safe, and the thought of someone else being privy to everything that went on in her mind was a violation of her personal space that she couldn't help but find unsettling.

It was a violation that left her feeling exposed and vulnerable, and the realization that her thoughts weren't solely for her own pleasure was a painful reminder of the new dynamic between them.

As Serena stepped outside, she called out to Jacob and Seth, who turned around to face her.

"Hey, boys," she greeted them quietly, her voice laced with a hint of unease.

Jacob approached Serena, enveloping her in a tight hug. "I didn't even know you were back," she replied, holding onto him for a moment before they pulled away.

Jacob leaned in, speaking softly into her ear, "He's doing alright," he said, gesturing at the still shocked Seth. The sudden events of just being back home had left everyone reeling.

The thought of staying was beginning to feel like the right decision for Serena, but there was still a lingering hesitancy in her mind.

Sue had lost her husband, and both of her children had transformed, which would keep them busy with pack affairs. However, the main reason for their concern was the sudden transformation, which had worried everyone greatly.

Jacob revealed to Serena that most of the pack had transformed this year, which meant there were still many cold ones out there. He leaned towards her, lowering his voice, "Jake, it looks like I might be staying longer than I had planned."

Jacob's head whipped around to face her, a hint of disappointment in his tone as he asked, "You were going to leave again?"

Serena offered Jacob a sad smile, her voice tinged with resignation. "Jake, I have nothing holding me down in La Push."

Jacob's expression darkened, his brows furrowing. "You have Rachel, Dad, and me," he protested.

"I know, Jake, but let's not discuss this right now," Serena said gently, ruffling his hair. With a sigh, she continued, "Sue and Dad need us, okay?"

Jacob seemed to visibly deflate at his sister's words, his expression becoming more somber as he nodded in agreement. "You're right," he murmured, a hint of disappointment still in his voice. "Sue and Dad are going through a lot right now."

There was a pause, and then he gave her a small, bittersweet smile. "But when everything settles down, you'll still be here, right?"

Serena returned the bittersweet smile and patted him gently on the shoulder. "Of course, I'll still be here," she reassured him, her voice soft and earnest. "Even the toughest storms eventually pass."

Jacob let out a sigh, a mix of relief and melancholy on his face. "Good," he said quietly. "Promise me you won't leave again."

Serena forced a smile, but then she realized lying to her brother was not an option, " I make no promises, Jake." 

Jacob's expression shifted into one of disappointment, his eyes narrowing slightly at her response. "What do you mean 'no promises'?" he asked, his tone slightly strained.

Serena could sense her brother's frustration and hurt at her refusal to make any promises regarding her future plans. "Jake, let's not get caught up in hypotheticals right now," she tried to reason, her voice softer.

She observed as her brother walked away, his frustration clear in his actions. It was evident that he wasn't happy with her refusal to commit to staying permanently.

She understood his disappointment, but the memories that La Push held were still too raw and painful for her to deal with at the moment. She didn't want to bring up those sad memories that lingered in the community.

The loss of her mother had been a significant factor in Serena's decision to leave La Push. However, the true catalyst behind this decision was a certain hot-headed teen.

Serena's deep sense of loss regarding Paul, her lover of many years, was another reason for her departure. She had watched him run off, never to be seen again. The memory of her saying the infamous 'three words' and the subsequent months that passed without any sign of him still stung.

Serena's perspective on the matter was clear. The incident with Paul felt like a clear indication that their relationship was over. They were still young, so she had expected it to end eventually, and that conversation seemed like the end of their relationship.

She couldn't help but wonder, though, whether she had pushed him away with her words. Had he chosen to run off because of her confession, or was there more to the story? The unanswered questions haunted her.