Chapter One
Jacob
It's only been just a few weeks since Aro and the Volturi left Forks and I felt like I could finally breathe again. Everything was starting to return to normal. Well, almost everything… Nahuel was still lurking around watching Bella and Nessie like it was his job. I'm not really sure why, but he was really starting to get on my nerves.
"Me too, Jake, me too," Edward agreed quietly.
Can't you ask him to leave? I mean it is your house.
The look Edward shot to me was one that I interpreted as "we'll talk later."
Yeah, when he can't hear. God, I can't stand the way he looks at Ness.
"Jacob. Enough. I don't want to think about that," with that, Edward stood up and walked out of the living room, leaving Ness curled up next to me on the couch and Bella standing by the wall reading a book. After Edward left, Bella closed her book and set it down, then looked at me and nodded her head toward the window silently asking me to talk.
Pulling the soft blanket off the back of the couch, I covered up Ness, stood up gently and followed Bella out to the woods.
"What did Edward not want to think about," Bella asked inquisitively?
"Apparently, when I thought about how Nahuel looks at Nessie, it validated some not so good suspicions. I think that Nahuel is already seeing her as a possible future mate. She's the only female of his kind who isn't his sister, after all. Plus, she is being raised by two loving parents instead of an evil, manipulative, and deranged father."
"Jake, do you really think that this is going to become an issue?"
"Honestly, Bells, I have no idea. I guess only time will tell."
"Yeah, I guess you're right about that."
"What about you though?"
"Bells, honestly, you know that if I was thinking that way, I would be dead already. Plus, that's not how imprinting works. I will be whatever she needs me to be. Nothing more. Nothing less. If the day comes that she chooses me, I will be everything she wants and needs. But if she decides that she wants someone else, then I will stand aside and just be there when and if she needs me."
"Jake, I am glad she has you," Bella hugged me and then turned and ran off toward the cottage in the woods.
After Edward left with Nessie to go home for the night, I felt a little out of place. So, I announced that I would be heading back to the reservation for the evening to see my dad. I haven't really seen him much since the Volturi left, and I think he was starting to get upset with me. I really needed to fix that. Walking out the door and into the edge of the treeline, I phased and instantly heard Seth and Leah arguing over who had the larger kill.
Oh hey, Jake. How's it going? Seth asked almost as soon as I heard their conversation.
Fine, I guess. I am heading out to the res to see Billy. Have either of you heard from Sam yet?
Now that the treaty was negotiated, I decided that it was time for Seth and Leah to return to the pack and I would remain with the Cullens.
Aw, man, Jake, are you still wanting us to go back? I don't like the way Sam treats me and I don't like how Leah is around him.
SETH! That is none of your business. Back off. Leah growled softly before trotting toward the house.
Yes, Seth, I think it is a good idea that you both go back to the pack. We don't need two packs and I think the division isn't a good thing. Especially since we can't hear the other pack. In a fight, we would be useless in trying to communicate with each other. We were lucky with how things turned out this time, but we
still need to think about the future. I need to think about my future and I don't want Seth in my head.
I mean, what am I going to do when the Cullens have to leave? Am I willing to leave to go with them? Will I stay here until Nessie is full-grown? What will I do?