DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to us, although we would love to have Edward. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer, but we are willing to purchase them if she ever decides to sell.


Jacob was still in wolf form, with his head down low as he snarled at me. It was a defensive stance for now, but I didn't trust this mongrel. I tried to decipher his thoughts, but his anger was making it difficult.

"I'm here, Jacob Black. What do you want?" I asked.

"Want?" he thought. "I want you and your family to leave Bella alone. She doesn't belong with you!" he shouted in his mind.

"Bella belongs where she wants to belong, Jacob. In case it has escaped you, no one makes Bella do anything she doesn't want to do," I said arrogantly. "Something else you may not have noticed Jacob, is that she wants me. She wants to be with me. I made a mistake by leaving and things got out of hand. I did it because I wanted her to have a normal life. But, I am back now and I am going to make things right with her," I said as Jacob circled me. If he wanted a fight, I would certainly give him one.

"My pack is tired of you and your family getting in our way. Especially where Bella and Charlie's safety is concerned. You have no idea what you have done, the depth of Bella's pain. In case that has escaped your notice, you very nearly destroyed her!" He growled along with his angry thoughts.

"Stay out of this, Jacob Black. It is between Bella and me, and she has already forgiven me," I hissed.

"You don't get to decide that yourself. I was here to pick up the pieces when you crushed her. I won't be letting you do that again." Jacob's thoughts were now livid as he continued to circle me.

I began to follow Jacob's movements, mirroring him; it occurred to me that this dog was attempting to hunt the hunter. "Jacob, I am thankful for what you have done for Bella," I said, trying to keep my cool. "Believe me when I tell you that I am aware more and more every moment of what happened in my absence. As of right now, though, Bella no longer concerns you. She is mine and I will do whatever is necessary to keep her happy. Now if you don't mind, I have to get back to her."

I turned to walk back toward the house, partially calling his bluff, wanting him to make the first move. Bella's scent hit me and I looked up to see her standing in the doorway.

She smiled, but it quickly turned into a look of pure fear. "Jacob, no!" she screamed out.

But Jacob was already barreling through the air, directly at me. I turned and took one step back, catching his throat in midair. My fingers dug deep and hungrily causing him to let out a loud yelp. As my fingers crushed his windpipe, I began to hear him screaming in my head. In my rage, I threw him off of me, knocking him into a large tree nearby. As I watched his body collide with the tree, I was acutely aware that Bella was still at the door, watching all of this. I chanced a quick look at her. Bella stood there, frozen with a silent scream on her face.

Rustling noises called my attention back to the mutt and I watched as Jacob rolled over, slowly getting back on his feet. He was bleeding heavily as he staggered back toward me. I realized then that he had scratched my arm, although it was already healing.

I was standing between him and Bella, waiting to see if he would give up.

"You cannot have her, bloodsucker. I will take her away and you will never find her," he taunted with his thoughts.

I leapt toward him, my roar was deafening as it echoed across the yard. We collided in midair, and when we landed, Jacob was on his back with me on his chest. "This is your choice, dog!" I yelled. "You will cause Bella more pain by forcing my hand. Do not make me kill you! Promise to leave us alone and I will let you continue your flea-ridden existence."

Jacob could barely put coherent thoughts together as his bleeding increased from my weight upon him. As I waited for some reply from him, I saw defeat in his eyes and I was almost positive he was dying.

I got off of him, not wanting to snap his neck in front of Bella. Jacob whimpered and began to cough up blood, rolling onto his side.

Bella ran past me as I stood there, looming over the wolf. She knelt next to him and his eyes spoke to her imploringly. He was shaking uncontrollably; it looked like he was trying to phase back.

Bella shushed him through her tears as she stroked his blood-matted fur. "Be still, Jake. You'll be okay, just be still."

I worried that this might be the thing to cause Bella to hate me, but she had to understand that he had left me no choice. This mutt was not about to stand in our way.

Jacob got back up on his legs and I instantly pulled Bella back against my chest.

"Let go," she screamed, as she kicked her legs out in front of her.

Jacob took one glance at us and with new found strength, ran back into the woods. I had been sure that the wound was mortal, but I supposed there was a possibility he would heal.

Bella yelled toward the spot where he had disappeared. "Jacob, come back!" Her body went limp in my arms as she sobbed.

"Bella, shhh," I whispered into her ear, hoping to calm her. "Bella, love. Please let's get inside. He's gone now." The rain had soaked her completely and I was worried she would get sick from this. She took one look at me through her tears and ran back into the house.


I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for your overwhelming responses. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Cheers,

Velvet Blood Roses