(Bella's POV)

My mind was instantly racing. My heart was pounding in my chest, threatening to break through. Had that all really just happened? Edward was back. He loved me. He wanted me back. But Jacob. How would I even begin to explain this to him? I had no idea where to start. I did love Jacob, of that I was sure. But I also knew that I didn't love him more than Edward, not even close. It was one of the reasons I had be so reluctant to agree to date him. I was damaged. I could never give him my whole heart, because I did not have a whole heart to give. I had tried to explain this to him before we even decided to date, but he didn't seem to truly understand that I could never be his.

I knew I would never forget Edward, but I thought I could move on if he was really gone. I had never expected him to come waltzing back into my life. Now, here he was, and I had no idea how to appease both of them. Someone would end up hurt. I refused to admit it to myself, but deep down…I knew it would be Jacob. It might take time. Time for me to gather enough courage to break his heart. But I already knew I would end up back in Edward's arms. Now that I had been told the truth, he had never stopped loving me, that he still wanted me. How could I not go back? He owned my heart, my soul. He was my life. Which is why that life had come to a screeching halt when he had made the decision to leave.

Jacob would not see it this way at all, though. He was my friend, my sun, he kept me whole these last few months, but I had never fallen in love with him. I didn't think I was capable of that anymore. Apparently I was wrong. I had fallen in love with Edward all over again the instant my name fell from his lips in the forest. When his icy hand held mine. When he kissed that same hand goodbye. I loved him.

Now I just had to explain to my werewolf boyfriend that I had just had an unexpected visit from my vampire ex-boyfriend. Simple. After Edward had left, I walked out of my room, pausing at the top of the stairs to collect myself, before I hurried down them. Just in time to hear the thunderous knock on my front door. I opened it.

"Jeeze, Jacob…knock the door down…" I started to laugh, but his face was deadly serious. I frown at him. "What's wrong…?" I asked tentatively. He grimaced, his nose scrunching up.

"Bella…you never called me, so I thought I would just stop-….you smell…you smell like…" His voice cut off abruptly. A pained expression crossed his face, only for a second before it was washed away with one of anger. It was then I heard a low growl rumble in his throat. He left the entrance of the house, bounding off the front steps onto the ground. He lifted his head slightly. Looking around feverishly. Then he turned to face me again. I followed him, a bit apprehensive.

"Why do you smell like that bloodsucker, Bella!? His scent is all over you! He touched you....He was here, I can smell him!" His anger frightened me, but I walked towards him, still…slowly.

"I…Edward…he came back to Forks. He visited me earlier…to-" I was cut off by his shouting.

"He what?! You let him come back here! Let him touch you, that filthy leech, after everything he's done to you!" I saw him ripple, tremble with effort. He was trying not to change, but was losing the battle. Had I really made him so angry? I stepped closer to him, hugging him tightly.

"Jacob, calm down, everything is fine. We just talked…all he wanted to do was apologize…" I felt the trembling slow, but not cease, he was still angry.

"What's wrong with you, Bella? Are you crazy?! He could have killed you! You're mine Bella! I won't lose you. I won't let you go back to that monster!" I cringed at his assumptions. Did he know? How could he? Suddenly I realized this task might be harder than I thought before. Right now though, I had to calm him down. He was far too worked up. He inhaled the air again, his expression contorted with rage.

"He's still here! Where is he Bella!? I'm going to rip off his head for touching you!"

Jacob's body trembled again, more violently this time, he made audible noises, but I couldn't describe them. He pushed me away from him, but not fast enough.

I heard him growl. "Run Bella…get out of here!" But I was rooted to the ground.

Time seemed to slow as my mid tried to wrap around what was happening. Then he was gone. My Jacob had melted into the giant wolf form, all that remained were shredded bits of his clothing, that floated around me like confetti. He snarled viciously.

I took a step back. It all happened so fast. I couldn't think. Couldn't react. I was frozen. A vision of Emily flashed before my eyes briefly. Her sad, disfigured face looking back at me. I lifted my arms up feebly to protect my head. I forced my eyes shut. I vaguely remember the sharp pain, as his huge paw connected with my abdomen, forcing me to fly backwards. Something stopped me, was it a tree? I couldn't be sure. It didn't matter now anyway. I was winded. I couldn't breathe or make a noise. I remembered hearing a bone-chilling roar, seeing a figure pass over me in a blur. Edward. Oh God…would they fight? I wanted to get up, to stop them, but then, for a second time that day, unconsciousness overtook me.

(Edward's POV)

I had promised Bella that I wouldn't meddle in her life anymore, but this was unacceptable. That Jacob Black was yelling at her. No decent man would ever raise his voice to a lady, especially one he claimed to love. I was appalled. I saw her approach him and hug him. I grimaced. I was about to descend from the tree when I saw something unnerving. Jacobs massive body was trembling, rippling, in an inhuman way. Inhuman. Bella was urging him to calm down. Then all the pieces fell into place at once. The Quileute's. Black. Alice's blurred visions. That rancid smell that I had noticed once he had left his car. Horror swept over me in an instant when I realized….Werewolf. Jacob Black was a werewolf.

God, could Bella not find a nice, normal, human love interest? Did she have to put herself in constant danger? The next instant, Jacob was no longer there. In his place stood a monstrous russet colored wolf. It snarled. I was frozen. How did she possibly…? I tried to assess what was taking place, but not fast enough. The beast lunged at her. Oh, no…Bella! I forced myself to react, falling into a hunting crouch. As I was leaping out of the tree, about to take out that mongrel, it's enormous paw smacked into her fragile body, sending her flying at least ten feet back. She was knocked out cold, slumped down at the roots of the huge pine I had been watching from only moments before. I let out a wild roar as I rocketed over her and hit the wolf squarely in the chest. It let out another snarl. I steadied myself and shoved him up against another tree, hard. Knocking out his breathe. I waited for a fraction of a second before I flew from the wolf back to Bella. She was indeed, unconscious.

"Bella! Bella, oh God, what has that monster done to you?" I wanted to exact my revenge on that dog. To leave her, only for a moment, and make sure that he would never hurt her again, but I knew better. Bella was in bad shape. I lifted her up as gently as I could, not knowing the extent of the damage. When I tilted her head forward, a thin line of blood issued from the corner of her mouth. I gasped. Not out of desire for her blood, but concern for her health. This was not a good sign. I shot one more look at the wolf. He was whining now, trying to stand, but unable.

I was thankful that no neighbors had been present to witness the scene that had just taken place in Bella's front yard. I stood, and quickly began to run with her, back to my house. I prayed that Carlisle would be there, but I couldn't count on it. Instead I focused on running, as fast as I could, safely. I made it to the house within five minutes, bursting open the front door. The house was empty, to my surprise, but I didn't stop. I took her up to my room, laying her body down flat on my floor. I groped for my cell phone, finding it quickly and punching in the numbers for Carlisle. He answered on the first ring, his voice was anxious.

"Yes, Edward…what has happened?"

"Something went wrong at Bella's….She's made friends with a werewolf…and he's hurt her. Hit her directly in the abdomen. It's bad Carlisle…She's bleeding out the mouth…I think there might be severe internal damage…Is there anything I can do?" There was a brief pause on the other end. He sighed softly before answering.

"I think she might be bleeding out internally. If that's the case, she doesn't have much time left. Even at a hospital, there's not much they would be able to do for her….there's only one option, son….you know what that is…" His voice trailed off.

"Is there nothing else I can do?" I was in agony, and it showed in my voice. I trembled. I couldn't make this decision for her, but time was not her friend now.

"No, I'm afraid not…there's nothing that can be done to save her…mortality." He hesitated on the last word and I cringed.

"Okay, okay…alright…how much time do I have?" I had to be able to prepare myself. I couldn't make a mistake. If I killed her, even on accident. I couldn't…I wouldn't live with myself if I was the cause of her death.

"I can't be sure….not very long. Ten minutes at most, maybe….but don't waste any time…her heart has to keep beating."

"I know…I can do this…for her. I can not lose her again, I won't…." I trailed off, he seemed to understand.

"I have faith that you will do the right thing, Edward. We will be home in the morning." With that, he hung up the phone. And I let out a soft sigh.

I picked Bella up off my floor and laid her on my couch. I panicked. I wasn't positive that I actually could do this. But I had to. There were no other options now, except her death, and I wouldn't let that happen. I inhaled deeply, taking in her warm scent. Letting it burn for the final time, letting the venom collect. I leaned over her perfect form, listening to her heartbeat, thank God, it was still there. I was lamenting the fact that I would have to cause her so much pain to save her.

I wouldn't leave her side. While her body died, and changed, and reanimated itself, I would stay with her. I told myself over and over, there were no other choices. Maybe this wasn't what she wanted anymore. Maybe she had decided she wanted to stay human. If that was the case, then I was damning her, against her will. Would she hate me when she woke? Maybe. I would understand if she did. But I would have an eternity to make up for it.

If she would give me that chance. Seconds ticked by. Time was wasting. I couldn't hesitate anymore. If I could have cried, surely, now I would have. I tucked her beautiful mahogany hair behind her ear, clearing the way for my mouth.

"I'm so sorry, Bella…I love you so much, I can't bare to let you go…"I kissed her lips softly, feeling their warmth on mine one more time. Then I leaned down, into her neck. Her skin was silk. Smooth, pale, perfect…I didn't want to ruin it. Without another thought, I opened my mouth, ever so slightly, letting my teeth make contact with skin for the first time ever. I pressed down, soft at first, but then harder. I broke the skin. The venom flowed. Out of my mouth, through her wound, into her body. I wouldn't allow myself to taste her, that would be to much. I slid my tongue over the break, sealing in the venom. Letting it take it's course. Now I waited.