Leah:

I tensed the second he suggested it. My whole body went rigged. I was frozen in a complete standstill, not able to even look at him as I stared down at the ground. I was internally panicking. Good grief, could I phase right now? Could I let him into my mind right now?? I wasn't sure if I could handle it. Hell, I wasn't sure if he could handle it.

"No." I said bluntly after a couple seconds, finally able to move again, finally able to glance in his direction for the briefest of seconds. I kept walking in the forest toward no direction in particular -- well, home, I guess. I hoped Seth would be at home and not off gallivanting around as a wolf. But it was a brisk walk, one that probably showed how disturbed I was. Dammit. I knew we wouldn't be able to hold this off forever, but I just couldn't bring myself to do that just yet. I couldn't allow him to see every thought, I couldn't be that vulnerable and open. Not yet, I wasn't ready.

"No. I don't think we should," I muttered, almost growling, "But feel free to go ahead and do it yourself. You can tell him to get his ass over here so we can get this over with, if you'd like."

First Seth, now phasing. What in the world was going to be next!? I was strong, but in moments like this, I wanted to curl up into a ball, hide myself under a rock, and not have to face anything ever again.