I'm so sorry everyone! I've tried to update once a week, but last week was insanely busy.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter...I know it's short, but it is probably one of my favorites!

Please R&R!

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer's. All of it...enough said.

EPOV

I knew that it was too late for me to turn around and run the other way; he had already smelled me, and his thoughts were now directed towards me. I began walking at human pace towards him, giving him the chance to leave if he wished.

As the horrible smell grew worse, I knew that he was not running away, but rather walking in my direction. It seemed that he wanted to talk. As if on cue, I heard his thoughts.

"I know you can hear me leech, so listen to what I have to say. I think we should talk, and this seems to be the perfect opportunity."

I stopped and waited for him to come into my line of view. When he finally appeared, I crossed my arms tightly across my chest so I wouldn't do anything rash. He was visibly shaking in anger as he looked up into my eyes, his rife with bitter frustration.

"Hello." I said as politely as I could through clenched teeth. He didn't respond. After a long silence he shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. Growing impatient, I could endure the awkward silence no longer.

"So…you said you wanted to talk…let's talk then." I said, the irritation in my voice poorly disguised.

"I didn't say that I wanted to talk, I said that we should talk." He corrected me bitterly. I sighed in response, not bothering to attempt to hide my contempt.

"About…?" I asked sourly. A new wave of tremors racked his body and he took a few deep breaths, visibly calming down as he did so.

"About…" He started, but his voice trailed off and he took another deep breath before continuing in a whisper. "the treaty." I drew in an unneeded breath and let it out slowly through my still-clenched teeth.

"Alright then. I do agree that the treaty needs to be discussed." I said as calmly as I could.

"If I understand correctly, after you marry her you are planning to…change…Bella?" The words came with difficulty to his lips, as if they caused him physical pain.

"Yes, you are correct."

"That will be in violation of the treaty." He replied, voice rough with anguish.

"Yes, I understand that, but it is now necessary for her to be changed."

"How could something like that ever be "necessary"?!" He practically shouted.

"Because we have no other choice; she will die if we delay much longer. You dogs aren't the only ones who are involved in this situation. If Bella is not changed, it will mean the wrath of the ever watching Volturi will be upon us. All of us. Many people could be killed. At least this way it might be possible for you to see her again somewhere other than her own funeral." I choked off at those last words, but took a deep breath and continued. "It is the only option we have left other than for her to die. But, you must understand, Jacob," I pleaded, my voice lowering to just above a whisper. "I have had to live without Bella in my life before, and it practically killed me. I cannot live without her…I cannot allow her to die. She is the most important being in my life. She is my light, my love. I will never stop loving her, even if I live a thousand years. I know you would rather have her dead, but please, please realize that she wants this. As much as I disagreed and flat out refused, she wants to be changed. And I know I am no longer strong enough to deny her wishes now." I dropped my gaze to the earth between us, my breathing slightly heavy, as I realized the importance of this conversation. I raised my eyes, meeting his gaze, and his thoughts filled my mind.

"You really love her." His thoughts sounded sad, but were now laced with traces of understanding.

"Truly, I do. I love her more than life itself."

"Then how can you take away her soul? Do you not believe she deserves something better?" He thought, his mind was filled with so much anguish that it left me shocked.

"At one time, I believed the same as you do; that we don't have souls." I started, still meeting his gaze with my own. "But then I found someone, who made me believe differently. She made me see that life is worth living, and that I have a life, a soul. Could you honestly think that Bella would lose her personality, the beautiful little things about her that won both of our hearts, after she was changed? She will still be the same Bella that I knew before, and I know that her soul is so kind, so precious, it can't be taken from her…even through something like this." I paused before speaking again. "As for your other question, yes, she does deserve better; so much better. She deserves more than I can give. As to what that might be for her…I do not know. That would be her decision to make if she ever decided to leave me. I will never believe how fate gave me such a magnificent person, even if it could be for such a short while."

A long silence stretched between us, before he drew in a deep breath, breaking it.

"I don't think you truly will ever understand the pain and sorrow that this will cause me, but I think we should meet—we being the pack and your…family—and see if we can work this out… slightly altering the treaty." He finally responded, voice raw with emotion. I could tell how hard it was to give her up, and as strange as it was, I felt compelled to comfort him. I knew what it was like to lose her, and I understood what he was going through, in a way. But comfort a dog? He wouldn't want to hear any consoling from me, of that much I was sure.

"I will talk to Carlisle about it and perhaps we can arrange a meeting before the wedding." I said calmly.

"Then I feel I need to leave now, leech." He said, clenching his jaw.

"Until then, dog." I said in dismissal, turning around and walking back the way I had come from. I knew that this meeting had a lot depending on it, and for now I had only one thing I could do.

I needed to talk to Carlisle.