:Chapter 8 - Temper:

..."Do you think they'll come looking for you?" he asked, sounding hopeful.

"No." I was certain about that. "They're going to be furious with me tonight, though."

He picked up a rock and chucked it into the waves. "Don't go back, then," he suggested again.

"Charlie would love that," I said sarcastically.

"I bet he wouldn't mind."

I didn't answer. Jacob was probably right, and that made me grind my teeth together. Charlie's blatant preference for my Quileute friends was so unfair. I wondered if he would feel the same if he knew the choice was really between vampires and werewolves.

"So what's the latest pack scandal?" I asked lightly.

Jacob skidded to a halt, and he stared down at me with shocked eyes.

"What? That was a joke."

"Oh." He looked away.

I waited for him to start walking again, but he seemed lost in thought.

"Is there a scandal?" I wondered.

Jacob chuckled once. "I forget what it's like, not having everyone know everything all the time. Having a quiet, private place inside my head."

We walked along the stony beach quietly for a few minutes.

"So what is it?" I finally asked. "That everyone in your head already knows?"

He hesitated for a moment, as if he weren't sure how much he was going to tell me. Then he sighed and said, "Quil imprinted. That's three now. The rest of us are starting to get worried. Maybe it's more common that the stories say..." He frowned, and then turned to stare at me. He gazed into my eyes without speaking, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

"What are you starting at?" I asked, feeling self-conscious.

Jacob smiled at me, it was his perfect smile that always warmed my once broken heart. A small laugh pushed its way out as he looked at me longingly, "Bella," he said, slowly leaning towards me. I knew immediately what was happening.

Jacob Black was going to kiss me! I wanted to stop him, but something inside me caused me to keep quiet.

Cautiously, Jake wrapped his warm arms around my waist, slowly pulling me closer to him. His eyes spoke to me, Is this what you want? I couldn't move my head; I was frozen. Suddenly, i felt him pulling away from me. Quickly, but ever so carefully, I reached up and placed my hand on his cheek, hoping he would understand the hint i was attempting to give.

He knew. Another smile made his face light up wonderfully. Jacob pulled me closer to himself than he had before. Suddenly, Jake's soft, warm lips were on mine. The heat coming from him as our lips met, made me forget the cool evening, and the ocean's breeze.

I knew, in that moment, that I was making a huge mistake.

Jacob Black was perfect. He was my best friend. He had saved my life, and pieced me back together when Edward left me alone to fall apart.

When I came back to reality, Jacob was staring at me, waiting for my reaction to the kiss, no doubt.

Not knowing what to say, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and snuggled close to him, my head resting on his bare chest.

My Jacob.

I let out a soft sigh, and Jacob leaned down and kissed the top of my head.

I realized how much I loved Jacob's warmth. It was much more comforting than the chill I was used to. Edwa--EDWARD!

OH NO! What have I done?!

Frantic, I pushed away from Jacob, leaving the beautiful boy standing with a puzzled look on his face.

"Bella?" He asked softly, "Bella, honey, what's wrong?"

I couldn't speak. I sank to my knees in the sand, sobbing. I had only just been reunited with Edward, I loved him. I had flown to Italy to save him. And now, here I sit, in the sand on First Beach, only moments ago, kissing Jacob Black, Edward's sworn enemy.

I disgusted myself.

But I loved Jacob. The kiss we shared, the electricity, was like nothing I'd ever felt before. It was perfect, could I really be in lo-- No! Bella! You love Edward! Stop this nonsense, and get back to him! But, I just couldn't bring myself to leave Jacob. My Jacob.

I looked into his worried and confused eyes. It was then that I knew what I had to do. I smiled sweetly at Jacob, and a smile then spread across his dark russet face.

"So this is what it feels like," he said softly.

"What?" I asked curiously.

He paused and looked deep into my eyes before the word escaped his perfect lips, "Imprinting."

A small gasp escaped my lips. Not of shock, but of excitement. It was all too apparent that he had imprinted, but it was such a beautiful word when it danced out of his mouth.

I marveled at the beautiful boy who stood before me. Had he really imprinted on me? I thought to myself. That can't be true, he's far too good for a broken mess like me. Either way, I was going to continue to marvel.

The sudden thought struck me, What would I tell Edward? This was going to kill him... Well, if that were possible.

I had to be strong, and I had to make sure Edward knew that I couldn't be happy without the sun. Telling him would hurt. I'd not only lose Edward, who I loved deeply, but I'd lose an entire family, too. Two wonderful, nurturing parents, and four beautiful, both physically and in spirit, siblings. It would all hurt... At first, but Jacob would be there, just like he had before.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

I repeated those four words in my head over and over again. Slowly, I came to my senses, and looked up at the boy I knew I loved.

"Jake," I said quietly.

"Yeah Bells?" Came his response, looking into my eyes.

"I need to go see him," my voice came out a little shakey.

"I know you do," he said calmly, "Do you want me to go with you?"

"I'd like that," I replied quickly, "But do you think that's the best idea? Jake, you're talking about going into a house of vampires. Have you forgotten that you're a werewolf?"

A smile stretched across Jake's face as he began to laugh at my frantic ramble.

"Either way, Jake, he has to know," I said sternly, well, tried to say sternly. As soon as I started sounding serious, Jacob smiled a cute boyish smile, causing me to erupt in laughter.

My laughter died down, and my breathing evened out so, I reached for Jake's hand walking back towards my truck. I needed to speak to Edward now while I still had the courage.