Chapter One: The Way it All Would Go

Songs: Garth Brooks- the Dance.

Long ago, men went to sea, and women waited for them, standing on the edge of the water, scanning the horizon for the tiny ship. Now I wait for Jacob. He left willingly, suddenly. I wait for him. Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments lined up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?

This is why. If anyone one of you has ever been in love and separated from the one you love. This is why. This is why I wait. Because our love story hasn't finished yet.

I sat there on my front porch, an opened bottle of Bud Lite sat on the railing next to me as the smoke of my cigarette floated around me, literally fogging my vision as I was absorbed in my memories. Tears stung my eyes, filled to the brim, threatening to spill down my cheeks. The radio was on, the music was playing soft and slow. The sunset was now bluish purple from the pinkish orange it had been minutes ago. My thoughts muted the noise around me till a song started to flitter through my memories. My ears honed into the song, I knew it well.

"Our lives are better left to chance. I've could have missed the pain but I would have to miss the dance," I sang to shadows creeping across the lawn.

My voice was filled with hurt and despair, making me sound older than 21. My Queensland heeler, Chico, looked up from his spot next to me and whined a little. I looked down at him flashing him a sad smile before tuning back into the song. I gave a soft snort and a tight smile before taking a hit of my Camel filter. It seemed the artist wrote this song about me; as if he was there when my world crashed around me and decided it would make a good song. As the smoke of my cigarette enveloped around me, my mind traveled back into the past.

The wedding flowed into the reception party. It was just twilight over the river; the ceremony had lasted exactly the right amount of time, allowing the sun to set behind the trees. The lights in the trees glimmered as the two newlyweds walked in. There were another ten thousand flowers out there, serving as an earthly tent over the dance floor set up on the grass under two ancient cedars. Everyone was calm and mellow, one reason was that it was wedding they were supposed to be happy, second was that someone, a very important person was missing. The little crowd spread out under the soft shine of the twinkle lights, and the couples were greeted again by the friends they just ran through. I had to admit the wedding and the reception were beautiful, that pixie leech knew how to decorate that's for sure. I shook my head, she wasn't the one I despised, it was Bella, phfft I was still baffled why I fought against an army of bloodsuckers for her; a image of Jacob appeared in my mind; I sighed, that's why. I released my bad mood; Jacob wouldn't want me to be bitter. This was time to talk now, to laugh. I followed my rock for the evening, through the crowd.

"Congrats, guys," Seth Clearwater told them, ducking his head under the edge of a flower garland. His mothers, Sue, along with me were tight by his sides, eyeing the guests with wary intensity. Sue's face was thin and fierce, an expression that was accented by her short, severe hairstyle; it was as short as her daughter Leah's- I remember Leah's hissy fit about it when she found out. I was pushing Billy Black, Jacob's father; I'd kind of took it upon myself to be a stand in child for him. When I looked at Jacob's father, I always felt like I was seeing two people rather than just one. There was the old man in the wheelchair with the lined face and the white smile that everyone else saw. And then there was the direct descendant of a long line of powerful, magical chieftains, cloaked in the authority he'd been born with. Though the magic had – in the absence of a catalyst – skipped his generation, Billy was still a part of the power and the legend. It flowed straight through him. It flowed to his son, the heir to the magic, who had turned his back on it. That left Sam Uley, my cousin, to act as the chief of legends and magic now...

Billy seemed oddly at ease considering the company and the event – his black eyes sparkled like he'd just gotten some good news. I was impressed by his composure. This wedding must have seemed a very bad thing, the worst thing that could happen to his best friend's daughter, in Billy's eyes. I knew it wasn't easy for him to restrain his feelings, considering the challenge this event foreshadowed to the ancient treaty between the Cullens and the Quileutes – the treaty that prohibited the Cullens from ever creating another vampire. We wolves knew a breach was coming, but the Cullens had no idea how we would react. Before the alliance, it would have meant an immediate attack. A war. But now that they knew each other better, would there be forgiveness instead? As if in response to that thought, Seth leaned toward the bloodsuc-Edward, arms extended. Edward returned the hug with his free arm. I saw Sue shudder delicately, as I blew the nasty smell of vampires from my nose.

"It's good to see things work out for you, man," Seth said. "I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, Seth. That means a lot to me." Edward pulled away from Seth and looked at Sue, Billy and I. "Thank you, as well. For letting Seth come. For supporting Bella today."

"You're welcome," Billy said in his deep, gravelly voice, and I was surprised at the optimism in his tone. Perhaps a stronger truce was on the horizon. A bit of a line was forming, so Seth waved goodbye and wheeled Billy toward the food. Sue and I gave a final look before following my little group. Later on the music started the couple got up to dance, she was passed to her father soon and then back to her vampire before the scent of my imprint floated through the air. Jacob entered moment later, in jeans and t-shirt, of course. As I watched him approach Bella I felt my heart being torn, he returned but not because of me. I looked away afraid I'd might cry. Seth seemed to pick up on this and lead me to dance floor, making sure I never once got a glimpse of the two of them dancing. I was so lost in my thoughts that Seth's voice scared me.

"Sam and the others are outside, they think something's going to happen."

"Are they here because of me or Jacob?"

"Both"

The pack knew of my imprint to Jacob, they felt bad for me and constantly watched my moods so I wouldn't lose control. Jacob on the other hand seemed like he didn't know at all, but what would I expect with him having his head so far up Bella's ass. I was actually starting to cheer up, I still am grateful for Seth, when suddenly Jacob began to yell and shake. Seth and I stopped dancing and looked over to him, waiting to see if he could pull his shit together. He only got angrier and Edward was soon by her side. In an instant we were next to Jake, Seth pulling him back and me trying to pry him off her. Edward gathered up his wife and ran to another side as Sam and Paul in their wolf skins blocked them off from Jacob. Seth and I continued to hold onto Jacob as he began to yell louder, his voice laced with rage. Sam moved forward to help us pushing Jacob out, Bella did the dumbest thing and began to follow like a retard. Paul stopped her and gave a growl before leaving with us.

Jacob left yet again, however he came back a few days later, I know now Sam found him and dragged him back here. Bella was gone and Jacob was mine again. His blinders seemed to have fallen off and I prayed to God that she never came back. He was my best friend again and I was his. For those two weeks he was always with me talking, laughing and smiling. The pack was happy, overjoyed that I brought the life back to Jacob that Bella sucked out. I felt that for once since Bella came, that he might have felt something for me. Me who was so opposite of the precious Bella, in fact I was her exact opposite. Instead of her reddish brown hair, he ran his fingers through my curtain of black, instead of her dirt brown eyes he looked deeply into my ocean colored ones, my russet skin flowed with his own instead of the stark contrast of Bella's pasty white skin. Then one day my world came crashing down in flames. I remember vividly that morning when the newest addition of the Cullen clan arrived home. Jacob and I were flirtatiously walking through woods near the beach, when her sickly sweet odor crept into my perfect world. My smile instantly slid from face, I turned to see Jacob and his smile only got larger. The first chip from my already cracked heart broke off. I prayed with all my might for him to stay but of course he took off through the trees towards Forks. With every step he took away from me towards her, my heart cracked and broke off a little bit more. My imprint connection to him made me sick, not being near to him, it felt like someone ripped my insides out through my mouth. I felt my knees aching and the will stand was seeped out of me, my knees buckled as I began to shake and cry. I gathered my fleeting strength as I stumbled, as if my legs were numb, my way toward the cliffs of La Push. The salt on the breeze helped calm my spinning head yet made my chest burn with every labored breath. I feared my heart was actually going to be ripped out, it beat heavily against my lungs making them vibrate my ribs like an earthquake. I felt the blood rushing through my ears after every agonizing heart beat. The muscles inside my chest constricted excruciatingly tight before they subsided only to constrict once again. Sitting against a fallen tree I tried to calm my writhing body. The sound of the waves vanished from my mind, I no longer was aware of the wind on my skin. I had no clue how long I sat there but it felt like I had been there for ages. My burning world seemed to stand still when I smelt Jacob's scent drawing near to my place of lament. I felt a small sense of hope that he remembered me and was not just passing through. His figure emerged from the dense forest, I smelt his tears, he must have smelt mine too because he lifted his head up, his distress only made me cry harder. He sniffled, whipping his hand over his nose and then his eyes trying to dry the proof that she had hurt him once more. The pain in my chest seemed to decrease from his closeness, I could breathe again, heavily but breathing.

"Riley" he croaked, concern and hurt were in his voice. I couldn't move and I couldn't speak, just more tears trailed down my face.

"Riley," he took steps towards me, "what's wrong?" My heart cracked even more, I shook my head crying harder, how could he not know? A look of understand and even more pain washed over his face.

"I've been no better than B-her. I'm so sorry Riley. I've been hurting you all along. If I could I'd make it up to but…Rye I can't stay here, I've got to go." His words stung me like a slap on the face.

"W-w-what?" I asked unbelievelingly, lifting my trembling body off the ground, standing to face him.

"Please don't cry, I can't stay here Riley."

"You're leaving again? You're leaving Billy, the Pack,...you're leaving me?"

"….I can't"

"What did I do?" Surprise ran across his face before guilt finally settled on it, "Nothing, you have done nothing wrong Rye," he said reaching to hug me. I let him for a few minutes, relishing the chance and then I pushed him away.

"No! No you can't go."

"Riley I wish I could have done this differently, I wish it was you I love but baby girl, please let me go."

I heard the desperation in his voice and felt the pain he held in his eyes, even though my own heart was on the verge of falling apart. If we were meant to be he'd come back to me, wouldn't he? I knew what I had to do. I nodded and kissed him on the cheek as he hugged me crying then kissed my forehead. It felt amazing to have him so close, to have him show the slightest bit of affection to me. He finally let go and made his way to the trees, he glanced back and blew a kiss before he disappeared. A pain, even worse than before, erupted from my chest. I had to clutch my heart to keep the broken pieces from flying away in the wind. I felt a new wave of tears fall as my vision blurred and my mind become fuzzy when my body suddenly gave out and I collapsed. I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and let them close as I focused on the pain I was trying so hard not let it consume me. The pain overtook as the pieces of my broke heart lay scattered around me. When I woke Sam was lifting me up, concern written on his face, the pack was there some were in their wolf skins, whining and fidgeting around, others were circled around me trying to get me to talk. I was too tired so I just let my eyes close. When I woke up two days later I tried to them about Jacob but they already knew, he had told them he was leaving before he cut off any and all communication. That's why the pack was out and that's how they found me, they were looking for me because they thought I'd leave due to Jacob leaving and they were also looking for Jacob. My grandmother was concerned and tried all the Indian remedies she knew to cure me of my heartache, but no matter how hard her or the pack tried I was a recluse for months. Then one day I went to the spot I last saw Jacob, I knew I would always love him, he was after all my imprint. I couldn't go and find him he didn't want to be near me, as his imprint I would do anything to make him happy and that seemed to be to let him go and I would go on with my life, praying each day that he would come back to me. I vowed I'd wait till as long as it took.

I glanced out into the night, from my light soaked yard to the tree line. He was somewhere out there and I'd always love him, but I'm getting tired of waiting. A lot has changed in those five years… well for me that is, I don't know for him. Today many things are different yet one thing remains untouched. I do still love Jacob, I have for five years and I will never stop. But I have grown up, I was always tall well part because I'm a werewolf but I grew taller I'm now 5'11 proudly two inches taller than Leah. I'm well- I'm very physical fit yet I still have curves. I was a woman now no longer a little girl. My grandmother passed away four years ago, Jacob wasn't there to comfort me. I live in her cabin now, a few houses down from Billy and the Clearwater's. I live alone except for my dog who is always near. I went to college and even graduated early; I have a job at the wildlife rescue and wolf sanctuary just outside Port Angeles. The pack is even bigger, with some new werewolves and imprints, and I love them all very much. They all have grown older, which of course means they are the perfect eye candy for every woman, well except me and Leah, but I have to admit Seth is catching my eye and I don't mind. I've even become somewhat of an adopted daughter to Billy and Sue. I cook Billy dinners and spend as much time as I can with him, he is like the dad I never knew and he is like the daughter-in-law he may or may not ever have. My life didn't wait for me to heal from Jacobs absence, I had to run to catch up. I feel…alright with my life, I'm 70% happy and that's okay with me. A smile graced my face as I remember the day I took control of my life.

It was the day after I visited my place of horror and I was shaking with anger. Sam, Seth, Quil and Embry were with me, Seth was the only one not in his wolf skin and was prepared to stop me from do anything. I stood in front of the Cullen's asylum of a house yelling for her to show her face. Her disgusting legion of leeches came out but I wouldn't talk to them and I certainly wouldn't leave till I got my way. The blonde nasty one Jacob hated came out with her, their beauty was a drastic difference. The Bella I remembered was an average awkward girl but before me was this sickly wilted looking girl with a giant belly made me want to put her out of her misery.

"Riley, is everything okay?" she asked sweetly. I felt like an asshole and even more of one to make her do what I came here to do.

"Bella, you ruined my life. Jacob left because of you. My imprint left because of you. Do you know how painful that is? It's like when Edward just got up and left you," Edward hissed but I just ignored him, Bella glanced towards Edward a sad look passed over her face before looking back to me, "You know how I feel. You're a spoiled brat Bella and I'm tired of you always getting what you want. I'm taking that away from you today," the vampires hissed and stood protecting Bella, but she just moved them out the way and waited for me to continue, "Leave. Do me a favor since you've taken away my everything, the one thing that I loved, just leave. Leave Forks. Leave La Push. Leave Washington. Leave the West Coast. Just leave. If you won't do it for me, do it for love. Do it for my love of Jacob, do it for the love of your vampire. Leave." I turned and flipped, running into the woods and letting out a heartbroken howl before running my feelings out. The next day the Cullen's were gone.

Yeah I felt bad for Charlie, till the nice gift came for him; a new computer that he could chat on with Bella. She sent him plane tickets and he'd go and visit. Five years I figured out how to survive and here I am, accomplished, well off and somewhat happy. I took my last swig of beer before pouring the rest out on the plants below; I smashed the butt of my cigarette into the ash tray and turned off the radio. I smiled at Chico, pulling my car keys out and began walking to my 1990 Jeep Cherokee, I gave a high pitch whistle and Chico soon joined me as we got in. Tonight I'm going to do what I always do, meeting the pack and the others down at Emily's bar and have fun. Little did I know that tonight my world would flip onto its ass...

The bar was full of locals, friends and family. People I loved. Leah and I were playing pool with her imprint Luke, a state forest ranger, and Seth, my rock still. Everyone was laughing and talking, the happiness of the people in the bar could make an emo go normal. The door opened and no one paid no mind till slowly people started to look to see who walked in. Silence crept over the bar, a familiar yet strange scent filled the air. People stopped what they were doing and focused at who had walked in. Leah turned to look then whipped around and hit me in the shoulder making me mess up my shot. I began to yell at Leah when I saw her face, like she had seen a ghost. I raised my eyebrow and looked at Luke, he looked confused like me, so I turned to my rock, and Seth had his big ass mouth hanging wide open. I stood up and turned around to face the door. I dropped my pool stick and froze, a look of utter shock on my face and my heart began to beat wildly. There was a man standing there, wearing blue jeans and a tight fitted t shirt, he was buff just like all the Pack members here, all of the men had very good physique and he was included. He had the tribal La Push tattoo that the Pack members always bared. His brown eyes were familiar, I knew those eyes, his crooked smile, but he left as a boy and before me was a man. Tears built up in my eyes and they pricked as I continued to stare. It was my soul mate. It was my imprint. It was…

"Jacob?" Sam asked unsurely.

"Hey," he replied uneasily. Everyone immediately jumped up and moved to hug and greet him, yet I stayed where I was. After he greeted everyone in the bar, having emotional reunions with about each one especially his dad and some pack members, he frowned, scanning the room. It was like he was looking for something or maybe someone and then I felt his eyes land on me. I felt a suction feeling like a vacuum cleaner towards Jacob, my heart seem to fill with love and joy, a sudden need to be with him and near him grew inside me. I had trouble control my urge to go to him, to show him I never quit loving him but my feet lead me out the side door, with my dog in tow, into my truck and back to my home.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU LIKE THIS. I can leave it as a one shot or continue it into a story but PLEASE im begging you tell me what you think. AND A LIL REMINDER A NEW CHAPTER, THE"TEST" CHAPTER, FOR SHE WOLF WILL BE UP ON MONDAY.