"We should hurry. Charlie's getting impatient." I took her hand and started up the path. Jacob Black was waiting there, not very deep into the forest, leaning against a tree, his face showing signs of anger and impatience. He looked at Bella before turning his eyes on me. Stupid leech, look at him. He thinks that he's so important. He thinks that he is the only important person in Bella's life. I don't even want to talk to him. I only came to remind him about the treaty. Why did Sam have to send me? I hope I don't lose control. If these bloodsuckers bite anyone, we have the right to kill – I had to raise my head to look at his face. Of course, he was now taller. That was one thing I wasn't very fond of about werewolves, the fact that they were taller. It's not like it gave them an unfair advantage or something, but I hated that I had to look up to them. But no, there was no feeling of inferiority. I halted abruptly leaving a wide gap between us. I had to be under control. I couldn't feel any pity or sadness as I looked at him. I felt only anger, which of course had resulted from the deep enmity. But as I looked at Bella, her anger faded into sadness. I saw it in her eyes.

"Bella" Jacob acknowledged her, not tearing his gaze from me, as though waiting for me to unexpectedly attack him. I better be careful. He can't attack me, but you never know -- Ugh. The only reason for me to attack him would be the enmity which we shared, which was there for two reasons; Bella and the ages old one. I couldn't be the one to break the treaty, not when it hasn't been broken for so long by either side. If the woves had enough tolerance not to break it, then I couldn't make them see me and more weak. And to add to that, if I attacked him, it would cause Bella too much pain. I held back a smirk. I couldn't do that to her. Not again.

"Why?" she sounded like she would break into tears at any moment. I inwardly cursed him again. "How could you do this to me, Jacob?" Jacob's face softened infinitesimally but remained cold and hard.

"It's for the best." He said indifferently.

"What is that supposed to mean? Do you want Charlie to strangle me? Or did you want him to have a heart attack, like Harry? No matter how mad you are at me, how could you do this to him?" Bella choked on the last word. Thank god that he finally reacted. For a minute, I almost thought that he was cold hearted. How ironic. He winced at her words. He wasn't ready to respond to that so I did it for him. Maybe he didn't want to admit to Bella that he had done wrong.

"He didn't want to hurt anyone – he just wanted to get you grounded so that you wouldn't be allowed to spend time with me." I explained in a low voice. Jacob glared at me with hatred so great, it was a wonder I didn't burst into flames. But then again, I am indestructible. Almost. Bella had an exasperated look on her face.

"Aw, Jake!" She looked frustrated. "I'm already grounded! Why do you think I haven't been down to La Push to kick your butt for avoiding my phone calls?" That stumped him. He took a quick look at me and looked confused. Well, it's about time, I thought smugly. Oh my god, what have I done? I thought that this was the one way to stop Bella from seeing this bloodsucker? I thought the he was the one who was stopping her. Now I just screwed up my chances of seeing her. I wish I hadn't— Finally, I am hearing some remorse from you, Jacob Black. I thought you had no sense of self-preservation. He looked very sorry. Time for me to irritate him again, I thought impishly.

"He thought I wouldn't let you, not Charlie," I explained to Bella. It worked. He looked angry.

"Stop that," he snapped at me. I didn't reply to that. I have to control myself, for Bella, at least. I just feel like killing that leech. The only thing stopping me was that goddamn treaty and Bella. If only Bella didn't love him—He shuddered and grinded his teeth together. I could literally hear the efforts which he was taking to control himself as his hands clenched into fists. "Bella wasn't exaggerating about your… abilities. So you must already know why I'm here." Whatever our differences may be, I needed to say one thing before he opens hostilities. I have to say that I will be grateful to him for the rest of eternity. And I must to express these thanks to him, so he knows that I sincerely feel that way, and always will.

"Yes," I said quietly. "But, before you begin, I need to say something." I saw him looking at me, puzzled, waiting for me to start. He was clenching and unclenching his fists and shivering with the rage that had consumed him just seconds before. "Thank you," I said, surprised at how gratitude-filled, my voice sounded. I could hear the sincerity as I continued. "I will never be able to tell you how grateful I am. I will owe you for the rest of my… existence." Hah, I stunned him. He looked at me, perhaps more confused than before. I saw him exchange a glance at Bella, who, to my surprise also looked baffled. I decided to make myself more clear. "For keeping Bella alive when I … didn't." I was astounded at how my voice sounded. I had never heard these emotions in it before. I made a note to myself never to leave Bella again. Why I did it in the first place, I could not understand at this moment.

"Edward—" Bella started to speak, but I held up my hand to silence her, still looking at Jacob. A sudden comprehension spread across Jacob's face and he became stiff again.

"I didn't do it for your benefit." He told me coldly.

"I know. But that doesn't erase the gratitude I feel. I thought you should know. If there's ever anything in my power to do for you…" It amazed me how these words were coming from the depths of my heart. Love did that. I was wrong to leave Bella. I loved her. And she loved me. And all these months apart showed me that true love doesn't just disappear. It remains on earth like a legend, an example for those who love. I want you to leave. I love Bella and I want her to be mine. Can you do this for me? Jacob raised one eyebrow as he thought this. A sudden blow of anger hit me. Even after I said all these heart-felt words to him, he's taking advantage of me? I shook my head.

"That's not in my power." I stated plainly. He looked angry now.

"Whose, then?" he snarled at me.

I looked down and was lost in Bella's soft brown eyes. "Hers. I'm a quick learner, Jacob Black, and I don't make the same mistake twice. I'm here till she orders me away." Bella stared into my eyes for an instant and she understood what she didn't hear. I saw the realisation in her face.

"Never," she whispered not looking away from me. I heard Jacob make a gagging sound. I turned my head and glared at him. Before I could say anything, Bella spoke. Well, it was more like scorning, I thought. I had the sudden urge to smile.

"Was there something else you needed, Jacob? You wanted me in trouble — mission accomplished. Charlie might just send me to military school. But that won't keep me away from Edward. There's nothing that can do that. What more do you want?" Bella said acidly. Jacob kept his eyes on me.

"I needed to remind your bloodsucking friends of a few key points in the treaty they agreed to. The treaty that is the only thing stopping me from ripping his throat out right this minute." He said finally. I got a little annoyed when I saw that he was controlling himself with so much effort. But he was merely a young werewolf. It would take more time for him to perfect his self control.

"We haven't forgotten," I stated blandly. At the same time, Bella asked, "What key points?" Jacob frowned at me while answering Bella's question.

"The treaty is quite specific. If any of them bite a human, the truce is over. Bite, not kill," He looked at Bella harshly. Though I was the one who could read minds, with Bella being the one exception, it seemed like he knew that Bella had made up her mind about becoming a vampire, a decision which even now, I had difficulty agreeing to and accepting. Did she tell him? She wouldn't have had a chance, would she? Jacob was just speaking principally. He has emphasised on the word 'bite'. I had known that I would break the treaty. That's why we would have to leave. Bella's face turned paler, if that was possible and I thought with a grimace that it was almost as pale as mine.

Then, to my surprise, she replied in a voice just as cold as his, "That's none of your business." She snapped at him. I grew wary now, for I knew not to make a werewolf too angry. I hoped that she wouldn't provoke him further. But her words hit their target. Jacob hadn't known that he was right, even though he was just passing on a message.

"The hell it –" He spluttered, not able to finish his sentence. She's going to become one of them! My best friend and the only person who I've ever truly loved is going to become my worst enemy. Just thinking about it makes me want to rip out his throat. I know that he's the one who persuaded Bella to do this. No, NO! I can't let this happen. My stance immediately became alert, in case I had to grab Bella and run. Oh no, I thought, Jacob didn't know about Bella's decision to join my family. He hadn't known that Bella intended to become a vampire. That she had numbered her heartbeats. He was going to lose control. I tightened my grip on Bella and prepared myself. Coming here was not the best idea, I though grimly. Jacob's face turned a sickly green and he looked like he was using all his strength to control himself. Bella hesitated and took a half-step toward him.

"Jake? You okay?"

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