A/N: *waves* Hi everyone. I told you guys I would be back. And I didn't even make you wait long. I'm happy with the reviews I've gotten so far, almost every one expressed curiosity and intrigue. I haven't completely worked out everything quite yet, but I have a pretty good idea how I want this story to go. I won't say much, I like taking you guys on a ride, but I will say this is one twilight fic you won't soon forget. Oh…and just in case anyone was wondering…..I'm about as big as a house now. I can no longer see my feet and I'm constantly wondering how I'm not tipping over with a belly the size of a mini blow up exercise ball. Ok…enough of the gibber gabber…..here is Chapter Two of Frost Bitten….Enjoy.

*Bella's POV*

The ride into Forks took three hours and fifty seven minutes. The whole three hours and fifty seven minutes, I kept running my conversation with Leah through my head, trying to come up with some kind of explanation to explain why she acted the way she did.

So far, I haven't had much luck.

I tried calling her cell a couple times before I left. She had said she was going to be there to pick me up from the bus station and then we were going to go the nearest bar and grab a drink or two, kind of like a small welcome home thing.

I called six times, and each time I got her voicemail. This worried me even more.

I ended up calling Charlie and he was more than happy to come get me. I told him what time I should be there and he ended our call saying how he couldn't wait to see me. That made me smile a bit. I didn't realize until then just how much I missed my dad.

So here I was, riding on a crowded Greyhound Bus towards my childhood home that I haven't seen in four years.

We hit forks around seven in the evening and it didn't take long to see the changes. Forks was already a small town, so even on a weekend there wasn't really many people out and about, not like you would see if you were in a city.

But even with that being said, now the streets looked downright deserted, as if not a soul in town wanted to walk them. A couple buildings that were on the street were boarded up, the windows broken out. As we drove by, the beloved diner that my dad loved going to was no more, instead something else stood in its place. It almost looked somewhat like a club. But it was getting dark outside and I couldn't make out the writing on the top of the building.

"Looks different doesn't it"? A voice spoke quietly to my left and I turned my attention away from the window to the girl sitting next to me.

"It really does, I haven't been here in four years, I expected some changes but not to this extreme". I told her honestly.

She gave me a nod but didn't speak any further. She didn't seem as shocked as I did, in fact no one on the bus did. It looked like I was the only who wanted to look out the window.

The bus pulled into the depot and I could see my dad's cruiser. I began gathering my things. I stood up to exit the bus, but the girl that was sitting next to me grabbed my wrist gently.

"Be careful out there ok? Forks isn't forks anymore. You have to watch your back". She said gently and I was so stunned that all I could do was nod.

She gave me a small smile, released my wrist and swung her bag over her shoulder.

"Take care of yourself". Was the last thing she said before she walked off the bus.

I just noticed I was the only person left and I hastily grabbed all my things and got off that thing as quickly as I could. Charlie was waiting for me and when he seen me get off he rushed towards me and immediately grabbed me in a hug. I hugged him back, because honestly I was kind of freaked out and I needed any kind of comfort I could get.

"I've missed you Kiddo". Charlie mumbled into my hair. I hugged him even harder.

"I've missed you too dad".

Charlie gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before he grabbed my things and walked me over to the cruiser. He threw my bags into the trunk and we both got in and drove off.

We were quiet the first few minutes into the ride. I stared out the window, my mind trying to grasp just how different this place was.

"Your hair is long Bells". Charlie said out the blue and I smiled, my fingers playing with the ends.

"Yeah, I kind of like it this long". I said. "It's grown on me".

Charlie nodded and glanced my way briefly. "I like it kid, it makes you look older".

I didn't have a problem with age anymore so I took the compliment in stride.

"Thanks Dad".

We drove for a few more minutes before I noticed we were taking a different road then the one we normally take to get home.

"Hey dad, where are we going"? I asked and Charlie smiled my way.

"I was wondering when you were going too noticed". He said and I waited as patiently as I could for him to tell me where the hell we were going.

"I sold the house kiddo". Charlie told me excitedly. "I didn't tell you because I wanted it to be a surprise but me and Sue have been settled in the new house for about six months now".

I didn't know what to say, I really didn't. I had gotten use to the house I spent my last two years of high school in. I had grown to love that house. I had so many memories and so many experiences there.

But I guess I would just have to get use to it, I mean Charlie and Sue had been married for about two years now. I guess it was time to get a place of their own.

"You're not upset, are you Bells"? Dad asked and I gave him a smile.

"Not at all dad, I'm happy for you guys". I told him honestly. "Where is the new house at"?

If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn Charlie looked a bit apprehensive.

"Now Bells, don't go jumping to any big conclusions". He started and almost automatically my brain somersaulted right to the worst one.

"Me and Sue brought a house on the reservation". Charlie announced and it was like my breath caught in my throat.

I was planning wholehearted to stay away from and off the rez as much as I could while I was here. I knew I had become a different person while I was away at school but I just wasn't up to seeing Jacob all happily imprinted and I'm pretty sure he didn't really want to see me. If we could avoid each other than a happier life we both would live.

I forced myself to speak. "That's great Dad, but maybe it's best if I just grab a hotel or something".

Charlie shook his head. "Are you kidding Bella? Absolutely not, look kid, I know you and Jake didn't really part on the best of terms, but honestly don't you think it's time you too air out your differences"?

I shrugged. "Did he say something to you"?

Charlie scratched the back of his head. "No, not really, I don't really get to see him much with all the patrolling he has to do".

Wait? Did Charlie just say patrolling?

I whipped around to face him, opening my mouth to speak but he cut me off.

"Yes I know what they are". He said, smiling a little at the look on my face. "You think I could be married to Sue without finding out? Leah lost her shit one day and I saw her transform right before my eyes. Freaked me out at first but I've gotten pretty use to it by now, my cops intuition always did tell me that those boys weren't just that big because of a growth spurt".

I was only home for a few minutes and I was already finding out so damn much, I really didn't know if I could handle anymore.

"I really think it will be good if you two tried to patch up what you can". Charlie spoke quietly and I slumped down in the seat and stared at the window.

"I really don't know if there is anything left to patch up dad".

We were quiet for the rest of the ride.

The new house was really nice. I was still going to miss the old one, but I could see that Charlie was really happy here so I could learn to like it, even if it was only for him.

Sue was as welcoming as always, greeting me with a hug so big that it took me a bit by surprise. She looked me over and commented on how well being a college graduate looked on me. Like I said, I knew how to take a compliment now but I guess it was a family trait that always caused my cheeks to warm up.

Noticeably both Seth and Leah were missing and I decided it wasn't the best time to ask about it. Whenever I did finally talk to Leah though, I was going to give that bitch an earful.

Sue made a delicious dinner for me and Charlie and we spent the majority of it talking about what I did for four years. Of course I left out the partying, the drinking, the escapades with Leah and instead all I said was that college changed me for the better. It gave me a back bone, something I really didn't have before. I wasn't so easy to mold now.

After dinner Charlie retired to his large recliner in the living room and his big screen TV to catch the end of the baseball game. I helped Sue with the dishes.

"Thanks for letting me stay Sue, I really appreciate it". I said as I dried a dish and placed it into cabinet.

Sue made a little noise, her arms wet to the elbows with dish water. "It's no problem at all Bella, your family, you can stay as long as you like".

She gave me a smile and I smiled back in return. I was quiet for a minute before I spoke again.

"Have you seen Leah or Seth"? I asked quietly, not wanting Charlie to hear.

Sue gave a deep sigh, turned the water off and grabbed a towel to dry her arms off. She turned around to face me completely.

"Leah said something about having told you not to come back". She said gently and I was almost expecting her to tell me that she couldn't talk about it.

"Yeah she did and when I tried to ask her more about it, she got all choked up and then left without so much as a goodbye". I said indigently, still a little upset about her leaving me in the dark.

Sue quickly glanced toward the direction where Charlie was sitting.

"Bella, things have been different here in Forks, the boys keep us pretty safe around here so we aren't affected by it as much as we could be, but outside these reservation walls, it's getting pretty edgy".

I still didn't have a clue what she was talking about. "What's going in Forks"?

Sue bit her bottom lip. "Remember when, once upon a time, no one knew what the Cullen's were? Remember the reason they even moved to Washington State was because it was always so cloudy here, there was hardly any sunlight"?

I shook my head. Of course I remembered. I was with them almost half of the time.

Sue continued. "It's not like that anymore Bella, for the last two years, vampires have come out. They are no longer hiding. We don't see them much in the daytime, but at night they roam free".

My heart had started beating a hundred miles per hour in my chest. What did she mean vampires were no longer hiding? Was that even possible? What about the Volturi? There was no way they would condone this type of behavior….would they?

My voice was cracking as I spoke. "Sue what about everybody else? What about my dad? What about the people in town? How are people safe"?

Sue put a calming hand on my shoulder.

"That's the reason why our kids are never home Bella, their territory is a lot bigger now, for the most part, these vampires seem like they just want to just be a part of society, but there are still the ones that think that a human's only reason for existing is for them to suck dry. Jake and the others make sure that doesn't happen".

My mind was reeling. Half of me almost wanted to ask her if she knew whether or not the Cullen's have come back. The other half just couldn't take it though if she told me they were.

Sue pulled me gently to her side. "That's one of the reasons why the council let Charlie buy a house here. I would've moved wherever my husband wanted to go but Seth and Leah both wanted us safe and when Jake didn't take no for an answer, the council eventually gave in. Of course with all this crazy going on, Charlie wouldn't stop working. He says nothing too shocking as happened yet, it's just a lot to get use too".

Sue made me feel a little bit better, at least I knew that everyone was being watched over and protected. But who was looking out for those doing the protecting.

"How is he"? I asked, before I could stop myself and I could feel Sue's eyes on me. I refused to meet hers though. I knew she would know who I was asking about.

"He's different". She said simply. "He took on a lot these last couple of years and it changed him". She looked liked she was tearing up. "The old Jake is still there somewhere I know he is, but right now he's being buried by this new Jake, a new Jake that most people are terrified of even looking him in the eyes".

This surprised me. Jacob was always someone that moved with the punches, never letting anything get to him that much that it completely changed who he was. Who was this new Jacob? I wondered if this Jacob hated me like the other one probably did. More than likely.

Sue brought me close for a hug and I hugged her back. She gave me a soft kiss to my hairline.

"I'm really happy you're here Bella. It will be good to have someone here around the house".

After that, Her and Charlie took a ride over to Billy's. I found out that they usually check in on him and stay for a bit since Jake wasn't home as often. They wouldn't be back until much later. I was alone.

I went up to the room Sue had said was mine. It was comfortable enough and I started to unpack some of my things, my mind going back over everything that Sue told me.

I couldn't believe that vampires were walking in broad fucking daylight and that people knew what they were, it was no longer a secret. Where the hell were the damn Volturi? They had made such a fucking ruckus about me just knowing they exist and now they had vampires walking around as if it was the most natural thing to do. I didn't get it.

To ease the throbbing headache I felt coming on, I decided to take a hot shower. I stayed in there for a long time, the hot water relaxing my muscles. I washed my hair, rinsed myself off and got out. I threw on a thin black tank top and my favorite grey shorts. I wrapped my damp hair in a towel and walked back down the stairs barefoot.

I made my way towards the kitchen to make myself some coffee. I needed the caffeine in my system and whenever my nerves were running crazy, a nice hot cup of coffee always did the trick.

I was waiting for the pot to finish when I heard a thump by the front door. It scared the shit out of me and the mug I was holding dropped to the floor. I knew Charlie kept a baseball bat behind the fridge in our old home and I was relieved to find it there now. I grabbed it quickly and held it over my right shoulder.

Slowly, I walked into the living room, trying to see something, anything in the darkness. I didn't want to turn on the lights in case there was someone…or something in here. I heard the thump again and it sounded like it came from the kitchen…where I just came from. I swallowed hard and gripped the bat tighter. I stood in the kitchen doorway, ready to strike.

I saw a figure on my right side out the corner of my eyes and I screamed, swinging the bat as hard as I could.

Next thing I knew, the bat was snatched from my hands and I was being pushed rather roughly against the counter, the towel I had wrapped around my hair slipping off, my hair falling against my back. I reacted immediately. I tried to punch my assailant in the face but both my wrist were captured in one large hand and pinned above my wrist. I tried kneeing this jerk right in the goods but my knees were knocked apart and this large body was placed between them. I tried screaming again but was silenced when the other large hand covered my mouth.

"You can stop fighting me now Bells, if you haven't noticed; I think you might be losing".

I paused. I knew that voice. I would never, ever forget that soothing deep tremble of his.

When he felt that I wasn't resisting anymore, the hand over my mouth was removed and with the same hand he reached over and flicked on the light switch.

Jacob's face came into sharp focus and I searched it hungrily. I haven't seen his face in four years.

The same smooth dark skin, the same strong jaw, the same full lips, the same perfect nose, the same thick, neat eyebrows, the same mesmerizing dark eyes.

But on that smooth skin, there were scars. The strong jaw looked even stronger, intimidating even. The thick eyebrows were bunched together. Those full lips were placed into a frown and those mesmerizing eyes were empty.

What happened to my Jacob?

It was then that I noticed Jake was staring at me too, his eyes roaming the length of my body with a smirk.

"My, my, my you've changed". He said huskily and I didn't dare move.

"Yeah, I guess you can say I put on some weight". I whispered.

"Mmm". Jake mumbled and he released my wrists but didn't move away from me. I felt almost naked standing in front of him.

"What are you doing here"? I asked and his eyes snapped to mine and he backed away from me, shaking his head briefly, almost like he was in a daze.

"I heard you had come back". He said softly, no longer looking at me, but I could see the muscle in his jaw moving.

"I couldn't stay at school. I think it would have been kind of weird if a college graduate still stayed on campus". I stated.

Jake didn't speak for a long moment but when he did, his voice was off.

"I got to go". He said suddenly, making his way towards the back door. I reacted.

I wasn't thinking but I rushed after him. "Jake don't go…." I started.

He whirled around quickly and before I knew it, he had his hand wrapped around my neck. He pushed me against the fridge. His eyes were a bright amber color.

"Stay away from me Bella". He growled. "I came here to warn you to stay the fuck away from me. I'm not the person you use to know and I'm not sorry for it".

I pushed him hard in his chest and he moved back. I knew it was because he wanted to more than it was me doing it. I frowned.

"You think you're the only one who's changed? I've changed too. And I'm not sorry for it either. You can't tell me what to do Jacob; I'm not a part of your damn pack so you can't boss me around. I'll go see whoever the hell I want too".

Jacob gave me that smirk again and moved closer to me. I stood my ground though and stared back at him defiantly. He laughed.

"You have no idea what kind of monster you're dealing with little girl. I can hurt you".

The tough show I was putting on was starting to crack. "You would never hurt me Jake, I do know that much". I said.

Jake laughed again. "Oh yeah? Well you don't know shit. I told you I wasn't the same person you knew before. That Jacob is gone and he is never coming back".

I had never heard Jake talk like this before and it broke my heart. Something flashed across Jake's face but before I could read what it was, it was gone and that hard mask was back. Jake turned away from me and towards the back door again. This time….I didn't stop him. He had a hand on the knob but didn't open the door.

"Stay away from me Bella". He repeated.

I took in a shaky breath. "What happened to you Jacob"?

He took a minute to answer and I saw his shoulders slump just a bit. He sighed and stood up straight again. He looked at me over his shoulder.

"I became the very thing I was born to be. A monster".

With that he opened the door and was gone in an instant. Sue was right. The Jake I knew was gone and was replaced by something else entirely.

I couldn't see my Jake nowhere in those cold, dark eyes.

A/N: As always, let me know what you are thinking in the form of those lovely reviews. Until next time…..MN