Disclaimer: Don't own, never have-never will. I do own some of this though * pulls out a piece of lint.* here, take it.

Warnings: Angst Bella, moody werewolves, and exposition.

AN: Bella's vampire nature is more prominent than in the books, will be more present in future chapters also.

That said, enjoy!

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Chapter 2: Uneasy Truce.

I looked up to see an angry Jacob Black staring down at me. His dark eyes stormed, and I almost thought I'd see a lightning bolt flash through them. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and his whole body shook. He even smelled angry, actually he smelled unpleasant to me. I could almost smell the disgust rolling off of him.

"J-Jacob."

We both started; neither of us expected the soft bell-like chime to roll off of my tongue. Was that really my voice? Jacob seemed just as surprised, but it seemed to let bitterness and longing sweep into his features. His features in general were lovely, it seemed like I was looking at him for the first time. The high angles of his face, the smooth copper skin, thick satin hair cropped close, and the smoky almond shaped eyes.

" You'll behave right?" his voice was thick with pain and disgust.

"W-what?"

This was extremely wrong; I tried to sit up, but something heavy was pressing on me. Thick and cold, and I twisted my head around to see and hear the chains pinning me to the ground. I looked around me in wonder-even though the situation was serious, I couldn't help but be amazed at my new vision. The clarity was amazing, I could see the tiniest detail that my human eyes could never have seen before.

Light and shadow balanced each other perfectly, with shadows giving details emphasis rather than obscuring. Light wasn't painful to my eyes, no matter how bight it could have been. Each color was more vivid than before, with depth and range. It was like I had never seen color before.

Smell was different too. Sharper and more precise than before,

with more intense and subtle scents. Jacob's was strong, with a thick and sharp scent. It was coupled by the sweet meaty smell of sweat. I could smell the greasy slick oil, and the sharp metallic car parts. I was in Jacob's garage.

Jacob cleared his throat. In less than a minute, I whipped my head back toward him. His expression hadn't changed-but wait he asked me something.

"Well?" he growled.

"…."

He wore the same hard expression on the day I went to see him about being in Sam's "gang". I could see the same twisted expression with such clarity that it burned. It became a ache in my throat. The ache suddenly reminded me of what happened-of what I had become.

" I…what's going on?"

" Your' in my garage. We brought you here after we found the bloodsucker-" he couldn't continue, he sounded like he would choke.

I waited for his heartbeat to settle.

" -She got away, and you were already-its been three days…your really lucky-" he started shaking again.

More heartbeats came closer, and anxious growling was close by. Heavy steps walked towards the garage.

" Lucky that you are alive." he finished.

"How? I'm mean-"

"That we haven't killed you."

"What!?"

"We….kill. Your. Kind." Jacob spat.

This left my mind reeling-why I was "spared", and tied up in Jacob's basement. The new senses only added to my confusion.

"Who is we.?"

Jacob seemed to choke on the words; looking pained, and he started to shake again, like he might explode out of his skin. I felt afraid for the first time; where was my new-found vampire strength when I needed it? The other heartbeats sped up, and moved quickly.

"Us."

Sam Uley

My new eyes fixed themselves on the newcomers. Sam Uley in the front, Jared and Paul behind him slightly, and farther back were Quil and Embry. Each face had mingled expressions of disgust, sadness, and anger. Only Sam looked truly calm, even though the expression was slightly wooden.

"We are the protectors of the tribe. The point of our existence is to destroy your kind's existence." Sam explained, his voice sounding grim.

"Who….are you guys?"

Jacob looked pained, wearing an expression he should never have to wear. Jacob turned to Sam for help.

"Remember those legends I told you about?" Jacob sounded desperate.

My eyes widened, after moments of fuzzy deliberation. I turned my eyes on each of the faces. Everything seemed to fit now, or at least a good chunk of it seemed to.

"Werewolves."

"Yes."

The others next to Sam looked ready to protest at the admission. Paul made an angry noise, almost speaking before Sam cut him off.

"She deserves to know, especially since she won't be leaving anytime soon. Jacob told you the stories of our ancestors, and I'll elaborate-we exist to destroy your kind. Jacob went to a lot of trouble to protect you-the elders aren't particularly pleased with these developments. You are only alive because Jacob fought so hard to do so. If you wish to live, there are certain things you must adhere to."

"….I understand."

"You mustn't take human life, you mustn't interact with other humans-you'll only kill them. You won't attack our kind- in fact, you will help us protect the tribe. If you cannot adhere to these restrictions-we'll kill you, friend or not. You will be of use, and not just live for the sake of it-you understand? You will be watched carefully."

"Yes, that's fine."

Mind reeling, I rapidly shake my head. I strangely feel afraid; the hulking forms standing over me. They continue talking, but to me-I only half listen. Apparently, Jacob is going to be keeping an eye on me.

"Baby sitting is more like it." Jared snorted.

"Just be careful, and keep close." said Sam, who was still addressing Jacob.

" Watch yourself leech!" Paul spat.

I flinched. I hadn't expected that; it hurt more than I thought it might. It struck me as strange. But the rest of the pack were leaving, throwing worried and disgusted looks in our direction. It must have been the new addition of heart beats in the vicinity. Gotta protect the innocent bystanders after all.

Jacob watched them go before turning to me. He wore the same expression as before-it wasn't fair. He shouldn't be hurting. Somehow the ache made itself known again. The dry burn in my throat persisted; Jacob was lucky he smelled bad. Jacob was watching me closely, and I could see a vein pulse in anger-the blood flowing through it looked inviting.

Jacob was giving me the oddest look.

"You….hungry?" he growled.

Was that what the burning was? Hunger?

"I…guess so." I hesitated.

"Fine then." he replied, still sounding cold.

Jacob had moved cautiously, but quickly. As though he wanted to get it over and done with as soon as possible. I thought for a moment he would spring back away from me as soon as he unchained me. But he didn't-he stuck close to me, even though he looked as though he might have liked to do the opposite.

I finally sat up; the speed startling Jacob. I tried to smile-it wasn't like I'd hurt him. I don't think that would be possible. Jacob's dark eyes scrutinized my every move, drinking in my countenance, and waiting for me. I still hadn't moved, so it seemed he was waiting on me. He did look impatient; I walked out of the garage, and I thought I might've tripped over Jacob's things as I used to, but that wasn't the case. I glided effortlessly over the heaps of machinery and spare parts littered all over.

He eyed and followed tightly; I could see the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and he was trembling slightly. I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it in a comforting way. He flinched and shivered. I forgot-my skin must feel like ice.

When a stray breeze fluttered our hair, all these thoughts vanished. I could smell the brine of the sea spray, the peculiar werewolf smell, the earthy scents of old bricks, and the heady musk of the forest. Wildlife scuttled and roamed about in the dense woods; I tried to ignore the sounds of the heartbeats and sweet river gliding sounds of blood traveling happily in veins.

Try to be like them I thought. Like the-

"Come on." Jacob hissed.

He was nervous and impatient. Jacob shook a bit more; I had to be quick-the sounds and smells of the various people living on the reservation made the burn flare alive like a forest fire. My mouth filled with venom-

"To the forest-take me there-now!" I snapped.

Jacob looked taken aback.

"S-sure."

He gently grabbed a hold of my wrist, careful not to make any sudden moves. He tugged insistently, and I dashed forward, pulling him. Suddenly we were running, and we were in the woods. The scents of the wildlife completely overwhelmed me; I simply loved my new and improved senses. I could smell the thick, heady scents or dead wood, mildew, tree bark, and the various elements of the forest. I could hear the insects rustle underneath dead leaves, snuffling of small animals, and the occasional music blaring from passing cars. I could see each groove in the tree bark, the number of feathers in a passing bird, or the contours of colors of a brief rainbow in the sky.

The sky was getting stormy, and seemed to reflect my mood; I was impatient now. Impatient at the lack of significant prey, of the fact that I had to leave a tastier supply, and even at Jacob for hovering so nervously. But the wind was picking up, carrying a tantalizing selection of prey. I followed one, almost flying to it. Jacob following behind me, I had to remind myself that he was only a chaperon, and not someone to compete with.

Deer. So that was what I was smelling. My new mind quickly matched the smell and prey together for further reference. It didn't even know what was coming-I pounced. I gulped it down, the taste wasn't half bad. I left the body to slump down on the forest floor, and my senses searched for more. Easily found, and each one didn't taste particularly bad.

I felt much better now, but still a tad hungry. I felt a stickiness on my hands and face-blood. I pressed my fingertips to my mouth, sucking on any remaining blood left there. I stuck my tongue out as far as it would go, to catch any remaining traces left. Some of it had to be wiped off with my fingers.

I heard a strange noise coming from Jacob. I turned to see what his problem could be. I stepped closer to him, but he inhaled sharply and stepped back. He shook violently; he had watched me hunt and feed.

"Y-you." his breath rattled.

"Jacob…" I implored.

I walked slowly to him, showing my hands. After what seemed like a long time, he finally calmed down long enough to let me near him, we walked back to his garage.

A few weeks later….

"C'mon hurry up!" Leah snapped.

"Okay.." I snapped back.

I was in a foul mood. It was one of the days when Charley appeared on the reservation, visiting Billy. From the conversations and explanations I had heard, Charley had put up posters in an effort to find me. How ironic that I was only a few hundred feet away from him and could do nothing about it. I know that I absolutely have to stay away from him. I knew the consequences of seeing him, but that didn't mean that I didn't miss him.

These days leave everyone in a bad mood. Put a bunch of teenage werewolves and a moody vampire in a room together, and that's bound tobe trouble. Everyone has to learn to control their tempers, and try to get along. No mudslinging either-words like mongrel and leech are no-nos.

Knowledge really is power, and Sam is particularly adamant about that. I've been slowly learning the mechanics of the pack, and even my place in it. I remember a conversation between Sam and his fiancée' Emily.

"-lucky that nothing else happened!"

"I know."

" I think this might have been a bad idea…"

" Yes but Jacob…."

" I know-it would hurt him."

" It would be for the good of everyone else. No matter how much it would hurt them."

" I don't like seeing them hurt either, but Bella is a sweet girl-what happened to her wasn't her fault."

"I know-I don't even like seeing her like this either."

"…she reminds you of Leah doesn't she?"

"Emily…"

" Well in a way they are alike.."

"Yes, I blame the Cullen boy for that."

"They do have a good point though-they abstain."

"True, hopefully Bella will continue to do that or-"

"Or she will die yes."

Of course, it was also easy to see who wanted me around and who didn't. Leah made it no secret that she'd rather have me jump the proverbial lake. Jared and Paul didn't care much for me either. Even the younger Collin and Brady disliked me.

Jacob wasn't the only one who wanted me around-Quil and Embry seemed more sympathetic, perhaps because they knew me better? Seth seemed the most out right friendly to me. Emily tried to make things as comfortable for everyone, after all, I was intruding on her family.

Even so, I don't like the looks I get. What I am disgusts them, and I don't belong.

But we all try-no matter how uncomfortable we are with each other, expecting one another to jump at each other any minute. Sometimes they seem to only see me as a monster; Bella's gone, and in her place is a beast. Sometimes I wonder if that is true.

TBC…

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R&R please. As always, have a good one!