Chapter 2: Flee to the Wild
Jacob bounded back towards the Cullen house in his wolf form. He could not believe he had actually managed to break from Sam's Alpha hold. But, now he would be in danger. And, more importantly, so would Bella; Sam had made that abundantly clear.
Jacob now knew whose side he was on. It was awkward, he knew, and - quite frankly - he never would have imagined it himself. But now that he was free to make his own choices, he decided to follow Edward's plea. Bella needed to be protected.
He explained all this and more to the concerned Cullens.
"Sam and the others will be coming for her. Any day now. We have to hide Bella and we have to hide her fast."
"We can't fight?" Emmett suggested.
"Against Sam's forces?" Jacob scoffed. "I wouldn't advise it. His pack doesn't exactly have any worry about being impolite. They'll break down your front door before knocking!"
"What do you suggest, then?" Carlisle asked measuredly.
"Let me take Bella somewhere remote, somewhere safe. At least until the baby is born. And by that time, maybe - maybe - Sam will have calmed down." Jacob figured he was lying to himself: in the womb or not, nothing would convince Sam that Bella's baby wasn't a threat to the tribe. But buying them all time was the only thing he could think of at this point.
"I know a place," Bella piped up from her spot on the couch. The rest of the family turned to look at her. "It's far, but the more distance we put between me and Sam, the better, right?"
Carlisle nodded. "It's settled. You and Jacob will leave tonight."
That night, Jacob, Emmett and Jasper finished loading Bella's things into her orange truck. Jacob got into the driver's seat, and procured the keys Bella had given him.
"OK, Edward! Bring her out!" Emmett called.
Edward emerged from the house carrying his wife, bridal-style. He loaded her into the passenger seat.
"You're gonna be all right. I promise," Edward whispered. The couple kissed passionately, while Jacob looked away pointedly.
"Jacob." The werewolf looked to his rival. "Take care of her on your honor, you understand?"
Jacob nodded to Edward. "On my honor."
And together, the werewolf and human sped off into the misty night.
