Chapter 1: Jacob

Humans are believed to be the most intricate beings on earth. We are able to create art, poetry and weapons of mass destruction. Animals in their own right are viewed as inferior, the lower level of the food chain. However, with every rule there are exceptions. Some animals have been revered, cats, cows, eagles and even wolves. My people happen to come from a long line of wolves. They have been shape shifting since the time of The Great Betrayal. Nevertheless, even if I wanted to think about why my bones were on fire beneath my skin, I could not. The legends that I used to laugh at had sucked me in. I was a player in the circle. The odd part about it was, to the tribe this was normal. There had been some things to get used to of course. My heart would beat faster, my core temperature was at a nice one hundred and three point seven and occasionally I felt like rolling in the mud. My one constant was Bella. She was a true best friend no matter how I tested her.

Like every year, time did not stop because I was changing. Summer was on its way out and school was approaching again. It felt good to have these constants. I could immerse myself in school hang out in Forks if I needed to. The nights were getting shorter and lately it seemed like the whole world was watching me. I had only two things that took me away from La Push, Bella and the Cullens. It was odd that I found being in the company of vampires so comforting. My nature rallied against me a few times, but, after a while even the extreme sweet pungent odor and the way my spine burned to flip subsided. That was the affect the Cullens had on me. My nature begged for release. Vampires smelled like the perfume counter at Macys that my mother loved to frequent. What humans found exhilarating made my kind flip out. However, it was a fight, and one which I had been determined to win.

I jumped up to Bella's window, leaping quickly with ease and fell on all fours. My landing was not as graceful as I had hoped. Bella stirred, her human eyes searched the darkness. It no longer surprised me when my senses went into overload. Sometimes I forgot with Bella that she was still running on normal.

"Jake?" she questioned rubbing the sleep from her eyes. With a quick flick she turned her reading light on. The room exploded in light but, for Bella the soft thirty watt bulb barely illuminated the room

"Sorry to wake you. I'm just waiting for Edward to meet me. He's hunting right now so I'm covering for a bit."

I laughed at myself turning Bella's way. She seemed saddened. When my gaze fell upon her the moonlight caught my eyes and her breath hitched.

"Your eyes Jake!" she stammered as I sat down on Edward's seat deflated.

I felt a tinge of embarrassment. My eyes reflected any light like an animal, my hair became thicker, my senses keener. Still, I was different from my best friend and that drift freaked me out.

"It's been like that since last week. The pains are more intense too. Any day now Bella, I'm going to be an Other and I'm scared," I admitted keeping my eyes down.

"What does Edward say?" she asked. This had become her standard question when I let her in.

Bella had been different since I got closer to her fiancée. Firstly, she hated when I called him that but, there was something else, jealousy perhaps. Bella was used to sharing me with the guys on the Reservation. But Edward was someone different. I could see myself becoming good friends with him. He had an easy way of getting close to you, but, lately, I think Bella regretted the two parts of her life colliding.

"Pretty spooky huh? It's just a part of the flip but on the upside you can spot me on the side of the road." I laughed at my own joke, sighing as I laid back deeper into the cushioned chair.

"That's not funny Jacob," she pouted sitting up in bed fully awake now.

"Alright then, let's discuss something that is funny. How are Rosalie and Emmett doing?" Bella shrugged at my question. Patiently, I waited to hear the news on the recently departed couple.

"Rosalie keeps sending me little things from Paris and Brussels." She blushed and I knew there was more to the story.

"Really? Like what little things?" I prodded a smirk rising, Bella shook her head uncooperative.

"Don't worry about it Jake," she spat and it was just the right amount of enticement I needed.

My nose tilted towards the ceiling, sniffing the air around me. There were distinct smells everywhere, Bella's parents, he perfume and shampoo. A different scent began to take shape as I meandered away from the window sill. I could smell Rosalie and Emmett in her room. The scents wafted from the closet. I was too fast for my best friend as I made my way to the other side of the room. My eyes were keener now. I could see in the dark just as well as I once could in the day. Smells and sounds filled in any gap that my eyes left out. As I held up four boxes Bella gasped.

"Come on Jake put those down," she cried. I lifted them above her head, opening the top gift box with ease. She jumped trying to pry them from my hands.

I let her get one box when the silky contents touched my skin.

"Lingerie?" I chuckled dropping another box as Bella scoffed annoyed.

"Look she's just trying to be nice," Bella explained but the laugh had already

started as the small lacy garment stayed clasped in my fingers.

"Jacob Black don't be a perve. Hand those over!"

Her anger only made me laugh louder. Bella grabbed the last box and then tore the underwear from my hands. I was too weak with laughter to fight her anymore.

"What does she think Bells? Rosalie is worse than I thought. As if Edward could ever be…"

I stopped to think about Edward for a minute. Underneath that cool exterior he was still a teenaged guy just like me. In the end, could some silky underwear really make him falter? The idea both grossed me out and angered me. Bella was like my sister. It was one thing to consider marriage and being turned. I was still trying to justify Bella becoming a vampire. The idea that she may be with Edward before then made me cringe.

"Just drop it Jake," she said in a huff tossing the boxes back in the closet.

Thoughts were racing and I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. "Edward would never put you in any danger Bella. So whatever it is you girls are planning…"

She turned on me with fury. And my best friend, despite her little frame made me step back.

"That's none of your business. And besides, I'm older than you Jacob. I'm engaged to him for God's sake. If and when I decided to do whatever with Edward, I don't need your permission okay?" She slammed the closet doors and then stopped hoping she hadn't awakened her parents.

With a quieter tone Bella took a deep breath before continuing.

"Look while I appreciate that you care, it's a sensitive subject for me. And just because Rosalie sends me underwear doesn't mean anything." She turned away from me. Her anger was subsiding as I followed her back towards the window.

We were silent for a while waiting for Edward to return. Finally, when I heard him approach, I looked to Bella, who was trying to fall back asleep unsuccessfully.

"Look, I worry about you all the time. Just like I'm sure you worry about me.

Don't take it the wrong way Bella but, Edward and I aren't like normal guys.

We're stronger and… we are just different okay. So don't think that Edward can be just like Mike Newton or Tyler. It's just not going to happen."

She didn't look up but I knew she heard me. Her heart picked up speed as I jumped down to meet Edward who stood waiting on the cold grass.

"What was that about?" he asked. I gave a shrug walking towards the woods.

"Never mind let's just get this done. They're waiting and I can't keep them out for much longer."

My mind ached from the walls I had put up. It was Alice and Edward who taught me how to shield the connection from the pack. Slowly I was able to build the barriers but only for short amounts of time. I would never be fully broken from them, not as long as I was a member of the pack. Being a part of the pack meant our minds were linked, like short radio waves but only one channel. At first I thought it was great but, lately with all my sneaking around there were some trust issues.

"Think you can keep up?" I joked with Edward as we neared the woods. Our feet crunched on the dried leaves.

"I was just about to ask you the same," he joked as we took off into the woods.

My head throbbed as all the voices flooded in. This was something between Edward and I that we had in common. He knew what it was like to hear other's thoughts; the good and the bad. While my connection was to the pack, his was to the world. We turned with the wind cutting through old man Connor's field, before stopping outside of La Push.

Edward stopped on a dime while I ran past the divider, reaching out for a line. Their voices were soft, subdued and far away. I swore under my breath before looking at Edward. We were at least five minutes late on purpose, hoping, despite our doubts, that Sam would show. I didn't want to look at Edward. To see his disappointment was too much to bear.

"Sam isn't going to budge," I commented, breaking the silence.

"We knew it would not be so easy, this is a minor setback Jake," he replied smiling politely.

"Damn it, why is he so bullheaded? He's waiting for me, watching my every move. I know they want me to lead the pack, but, how can they ask that of me, if they won't even give this a chance?"

I was beyond annoyed. The anger of embarrassing my friends, and now me, was too much to hold in.

"We should give them a few more minutes and then try again later," Edward offered the sadness evident in his voice.

"All this work, the writing of the treaty, and getting all the wording right. At least they could have showed. There is no diplomacy with Sam. He has no idea how to lead the pack."

"Maybe that is because he is not supposed to lead," my friend interjected a smirk visible on his face.

"Well that's obvious now isn't it?" I spat shaking my head. Anger was building within me the longer the pack took to show.

Both of us leaned across from one another against a tree, our arms were crossed as we waited for those who wouldn't come.

"This is ridiculous. I'm going back to the Rez and if I have to drag those guys out here I will."

I pushed off the tree as Edward mirrored me, his hands raised in a calming manner.

"I do not think it is in our best interest to force the matter," he calmly advised. His wisdom was one of his annoying quirks.

"Well I can't just sit here and waste my time…"

We both relaxed again. The silence was deafening as I itched to talk to Edward about Bella.

"Yes?" he asked reading my thoughts.

"You wouldn't… You know?" I inquired as Edward's arms tightened protectively around his torso.

"I assumed you were not comfortable with this sort of discussion," he joked eyeing the moon. I leaned forward a bit, annoyed.

"I don't. I'm not but…" I started.

"How are you feeling? Is the pain getting any better?" he interjected taking advantage of my pause, hoping to change the subject.

"So we are avoiding the subject," I joked biting down the awkwardness that ensued.

"I have no idea how I am going to act when I am with Bella but, I can assure you

I would rather die a thousand deaths than hurt her."

He was so serious, full of good intentions, and chivalry.

"How can you be so calm? You love the girl that's obvious."

I had no idea where this was coming from. I groaned a laugh turning towards the clean open air downwind of him.

"Your scent is getting stronger. The turn is coming," he commented lightly.

"Yeah well you don't smell so great either," I joked turning to my friend as he smirked.

"Another aspect of the flip I suppose."

"Well, we will try again tomorrow." Edward announced finally stood tall and brushed the loose bark from his jeans.

"I'm sorry Edward but, things aren't going to change unless I force it."

I was beyond annoyed. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I could feel the power my anger gave me and Edward sensed it too.

"Just be careful Jake. We cannot force them to renegotiate the treaty. Big changes in history have never been instant but, when they are made people are reluctant to go back."

I shook my head at my friend's wisdom. I guess living over a hundred years does that to you.

"Whatever, just stay out of Bella's closet okay? Trust me." I chuckled taking off into the woods leaving Edward alone to interpret my thoughts. To save Bella the embarrassment, I shielded images of lingerie from her boyfriend.

As I rushed through the woods and fields towards my house my arms ached to pull the ground and run on all fours. The wind smelled of wonderful little animals and the end of summer. There was a chill in the air and a wafting aroma of burnt wood coming from the beach. I ran all night around the reservation, my heart thudding in my chest, enthralled. There was an animalistic urge begging to be let out inside of me. It wanted to run free and naked; feel every singe blade of grass and loose petal floating in the wind.

I went down to the shore and up through Cedar creek until I fell asleep by the old birch tree at the western corner of our land. When the light of day warmed my skin I could feel all the connections around me. My name was on their minds and I could see my sleeping form reflected through them. It was odd to see yourself through another. There was a certain bias that had become inevitable. Through Seth's eyes I was powerful and almighty. Through Sam I was a threat, continually changing shape and form. I awoke with a rush as Sam stood above me with his usual superior attitude.

"Well you either flipped last night or we have ourselves a loose puppy on our hands." Paul was the only one who laughed as he took stride with his best friend. The two seemed overly confident; one Alpha the other second.

"You mind? I was sleeping here" I spat, obviously offending Sam.

"I do mind. You need to get your head out of the clouds and stay on the reservation. At least until you can control yourself."

Anger was boiling in my veins as I stood up, sore and hungry from my all nighter.

"And is this an order?" I taunted wincing at the new sun as it beat down upon me.

Sam smiled. His arms crossed feigning nonchalance.

"It is a rule to which we all abide by. When you are making the change you stay

here." He beat his brow down eyeing me and waited for my retort.

"Like you did Sam? If I remember correctly, we didn't know where you were for a while during your change. Since when do the rules apply to us and not to you."

"That was different. I was the first." Sam replied relishing in the fact that he had the first flip of our generation.

"What do you want exactly Sam? Do you want me to take my rightful place? Or do you want to prove it doesn't belong to me at all?"

Sam's chest puffed out as he held Paul back walking towards me with a swagger.

"Look around you Jacob. I have everything I want. I got your girl, your spot, and you can't even pelt up." He laughed. There was a menacing growl tainting the laugh.

My fists balled up as some members of the pack slowly watched the altercation. The sound I was most worried about came from the road into La Push. I knew that sound. It was my Dad's old Chevy and it was heading right for us. The others turned their heads slightly, a touch of annoyance and curiosity flooded their thoughts. They knew Bella had guessed our nature. That was unavoidable. But I was on the brink of flipping with Sam in my face. There was no good outcome for this morning and I did not want Bella to have front row seats to the show.

Sam turned fully towards Bella's Chevy as it skidded to a halt before she jumped down to the grass.

"Bella please, get out of here!" I called as she continued walking unfazed towards me.

"It looks like we have company boys" Sam laughed. I could not help what happened next. My fist flew to his face and connected hard, cracking his jaw.

The blow made Bella stop in her tracks. Her mouth hung open as Sam and the others turned to me ready for a fight.

My insides began to light on fire, my hands shook with the recent contact and something else.

"Jacob!" I heard Bella cry. My eyes couldn't focus as I doubled over in pain.

Sam had made no contact. This was something else. I could feel the coolness of Bella as she separated Sam and the others from me.

"Leave now Bella. We will take care of this" Sam ordered, through his locked jaw.

"The hell that's going to happen Sam. He won't hurt me so just go. I can do this!" Bella seemed so grown up in that moment. If my teeth weren't locked in pain I would have laughed.

The voices in my head grew faint. I could feel the connection pulling while they dispersed and then it was Bella's voice that brought me back to my body.

"Jacob, they're gone. It's okay," she soothed, but it was not okay. Now that I was aware, my skin felt like it was splitting. My flesh pulled away from my muscles, as something pushed its way to the surface.

"B-Bella," I croaked my knees buckling to the pain. In this moment all I could think of was my mother and father, my twins sisters and their silly questions. The pain my mother talked about when giving birth; this had to be similar. My head was throbbing. I felt like something was beating me to a pulp from the inside but, there was Bella's cool touch as she tried to get me to look at her. When I finally was able to focus on her face, that was when the intensity hit me. It was like being hit by lightening, or what I imagined that was like. Every part of my body was ignited in this terrible pain. There were sharp knives tearing me apart with every staggered breath I took. With a shock of reality, my fear of hurting my friend suddenly outweighed the pain I was going through.

"Bella get away," I yelled as she gave a quick nod taking a step backward. Then the convulsing started. My muscles took my bones to task constricting and throbbing. What I had thought was pain was nothing compared to the white blistering agony that followed. I had no control over anything; not my hands or feet. If I was on the ground there was no way to tell now. I was either going to flip or die trying and death seemed like a good place right now. A peaceful place full of solace, alone and without pain. I thought for a minute, alone and without anyone. No Bella, no Cullens and no parents. Even Sam's smug smile was something to be missed. I wanted this. I needed to push past the fear and embrace it. I heard a pop and I let go. There was nothing to fear anymore.

"Jacob," Bella cried but it was no use. She seemed so far away now as I melted to the ground and into blackness.

I wasn't sure how long I had been out. But when I came to, my best friend was on her knees crying and petting me. It was an odd sensation, her soft hand running along my back felt good. But she didn't seem to think this was fun at all. I tried to talk to her but instead whimpered. With a jolt she opened her eyes and fell back. That was the Bella Swan I knew as she got caked in mud, her eyes wide looking up at me. My tongue was hanging to the side. I smiled taking to my new legs and circling my friend, but, I imagined it didn't look quite the same to Bella.

"Please Jake," she pleaded. I sat down, realizing what it must look like to have a giant wolf stare down at you, teeth bared in a grin.

My clothes were in a heap next to me but it didn't matter much now. I wasn't sure how Bella managed to remove my torn jeans but I bet my mother would have something to say about the ruined clothes later.

"Can you change back?" Bella asked pulling herself up as she sat on the wet ground oblivious to her condition.

I hadn't thought about the change back to my human form. All I wanted to do at the time was run and smell things and mark my territory. But changing back, eventually I should master that. I concentrated on the feeling of electricity, that same feeling I felt before the change and that's when my knees buckled again. The change back was quick and Bella's eyes widened as she watched my fur give way to skin. With the sudden realization that I was naked, she turned away blushing.

"Pants Jake," she ordered making me laugh.

"Thanks for saving them Bells." I chuckled pulling up my boxers that were still in one piece. "You know I could have hurt you. You should have listened to me and left."

"I would have never left you with them. Who knows what would have happened? Besides you would never hurt me, you couldn't." She was so confident that it made me laugh dryly. My best friend had the utmost trust in me. The feeling both flattered and scared the crap out of me.

"Why are you here anyway?" I asked covering my naked legs with my torn jeans as we walked back to her truck.

"Well I was planning on kicking your ass since you told Edward about what's in my closet. Apparently he's a curious vampire that Edward Cullen." She play punched me on my shoulder, making me wince.

"Geeze Bells, I just turned into a wolf and then back again I'm a little sore."

She winced, "Oh sorry does it hurt?"

I snarked rubbing the spot on my arm. "Okay you have a mind reading fiancé and I get punched because I couldn't stop him from looking in your closet? Seriously it's Rosalie you should be punching. Whenever she gets back to Forks that is..."

The attempt at humor made Bella ease a bit but, she stayed at my side walking slowly and deliberately.

"I don't think I should leave you right now. I mean you were just a wolf ten minutes ago. Doesn't this merit some sort of debriefing or…?"

I smirked at my friend's awkwardness. Finally we reached the truck and I hopped in.

"You have a pair or sweats in here or something? The last thing I need is my mother throwing a fit." I tossed a few things around in her car before finding an extra pair of clothes Bella always kept in back.

My friend waited for me to dress, a question loomed on the tip of her tongue.

"Alright spit it out," I laughed fully clothed and annoyed at the silence.

"What should I say, it's finally happened and…it was amazing Jake. One minute you're you and the next, you were this beautiful wolf."

"So you liked my pelt," I laughed walking towards my house as Bella followed.

"It just put a lot of things in prospective that's all. I came here cause I was angry with you and now I'm glad I did."

She seemed genuinely happy, as if my change was another moment in our friendship to treasure. When her cellphone rang it broke the spell between us. We both sighed knowing it was Edward on the other line.

"I'm sure he's worried about you. It's not easy coming here and you know Alice can't see us. So you take that and I'll head inside."

"Jake wait," she begged flipping the cellphone open. "Edward can you hold on a second please. Jacob do you want to talk?"

I shrugged, my muscles were burning and aching. What I wanted more than anything was a nice shower and some sleep. I felt like I had run a marathon with someone on my back the whole way.

"I'm just going to sleep Bells, I'll see you later." I turned to go but she grabbed my hand turning me back to her. In an instant I was engulfed in Bella's embrace, her arms wrapped tightly around me.

It had been a while since we had one of these moments. The last time she hugged me so hard, was the day we found out Billy wasn't going to walk again. It was four years ago and when my Mom told me I ran out of the hospital with Bella at my heels. I knew she was following me that day and when I stopped she took my hand. It had always been this way between us. Bella just knew what I needed at those crucial moments. Her hair smelled like berries and antiseptic from the hospital. I was eleven that year and the same height as Bella. I just remember not wanting to let go. When Bella was with me it seemed like I could get through anything, because we were together.

But when she held me this time, her head barely made it to my chest. She seemed so small now. And yet, even as I towered over her the feeling was the same. The weight that had begun to bring me down lifted and I smiled genuinely from the hug. As a rumbling chuckle escaped my lips, Bella pulled away still holding her phone open in one hand.

"Thanks Bella, I needed that. Now I really do need a shower and a nap. So stop worrying."

My friend nodded somberly, brushing a tear from her cheek.

"I'm just glad you're alright, for a moment there I thought…" she paused shaking the thought away before it could make it to her lips. "Call me okay? Or come on over. Don't stay here with Sam and his thugs any longer than you have to."

I could feel the reluctance to turn away. There was an unbreakable bond between us, one that miles and years could not touch. Wherever we were in life it did not matter because one way or another we would be there. Every step and stumble had been Bella and Jake, Jacob and Bella. Even with the newest additions and complications things still had a way of staying oddly simple. The very idea made me smirk. My face broke out into a wide cheesy grin that usually solicited a smack from Bella.

"I got it boss. Now say hello to Edward for me and let me shower."

I turned away from her because I knew she would never go if I didn't let her. Before I closed the door I waved. She was waiting in the truck for that goodbye and with a sigh turned the engine. Her cellphone was plastered to her ear and if I wanted to I could have eavesdropped on the conversation. But instead, I let all my senses deaden and took the stairs two at a time up to my bathroom. It was not until I closed the door that I could feel my legs. My parents were still asleep and I hoped to hide my new change from them for the moment. There was no way to describe how my heart was pounding trying to break free from its cage. My newly changed form was making my skin sizzle. There was a buzz that nibbled my flesh. It felt like I was wrapped in a blanket of magic. I peeled away the layers of clothes that clung to me and turned the shower on full blast. The water felt great, washing away the aftermath of my struggle.

I felt calm for the first time in weeks, my body finally falling into the intended form. There was a peaceful hum singing in my ears that lulled me to sleep. My mind fell into deep conscious but there was still a part of me awake roaming about always on watch. It was the first time I fully rested and the feeling was welcomed. There would obviously be repercussions from today that I had to deal with later. However, it was not apprehension or fear that I felt but an excitement for the challenge. I was an Alpha. Born and raised to lead the pack. Sam, or anyone for that matter, could not stand in the way.