AN: These are stories written for Tricky Raven, and are all going to be short drabbles- 500 words or so. There may be one or two that are longer one-shots that don't fit anywhere else. All wolf pairings.

This had a two word prompt- "Make me."

Title: Patience
Genre: No idea, kinda angsty? Comfort?
Rating: T (for tame- this is pretty vanilla for me) ;)
Pairing: Bella/wolf revealed at the end
Words: 500-ish
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Patience

They had an understanding, the man and the boy. Both loved her, and both wanted nothing more than for her to wake from this strange non-existence she was living. Neither had any idea how to help her.

"Any change today?" the man asked, not expecting a positive response. He'd asked the same thing each day for the past month, and each day the boy shook his head, disappointed.

"No, sir. I talked to her like always, and she just sat in that chair staring out the window." He looked down at his bare feet; his broad shoulders drooped in defeat. What good was he if he couldn't help his own imprint?

The man's hand fell heavily, not even flinching as he gripped the boy's hot skin. He didn't know why, but he trusted the kid. Kid, now that was a joke. The boy may be sixteen, but he was over six feet of pure muscle. He hadn't staggered under the weight as he carried their girl from the cold, damp woods a month earlier.

"Same time tomorrow?" the man asked his second question. He thrived on routine, even in this difficult situation.

"Yes, sir." The boy was nothing if not polite. He nodded at the chief and headed outside, stopping short at the sight of trouble in the yard.

Jake's eyes narrowed as he saw the wolf leaving Bella's house. He hated that boy, and the others in his gang. What the hell was he doing here? Bella was his friend.

He stalked up to the wolf and slammed his hands against his bare chest. The wolf, for his part, didn't move. His temper was steady, but Jake was treading on dangerous ground.

"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here. Bella's not your friend, she's mine," Jake hissed quietly, keeping his voice down so as not to draw Charlie's attention.

His words threatened the wolf within, and the larger boy let out a quiet growl. "You don't know anything, Black. You're the one who shouldn't be here. You need to leave."

Jacob crossed his arms and glared at the wolf, though he had no idea that's what the other boy actually was. His words came out petulant and drew a dark chuckle from the larger male.

"Make me."

Without warning, the wolf closed the few feet between them in a move as fast as lightning. Jacob's eyes widened as he was lifted off his feet by his shirt collar, and he began to wonder if he was in over his head.

"I'll make you, you little pup. You'll regret messing with me and mine," the wolf snarled, barely clinging to his human form.

Charlie opened the front door as the wolf tightened his grip on Jake's throat. The situation was a powder keg waiting for a single spark. Instead, a cool breeze defused the tension instantly.

From the window above, a single word drifted down in her sweet voice, the first word she'd spoken since he found her in the woods.

"Jared?"