~A/N Thanks so much! Yes, I agree, this was quick...one, two, and done, but I called it a short story from the beginning. I know several other things I could've explored and made it longer, but honestly, I have too much going on at the present time. If I ever get bored again, I'll consider a sequel.

Many thanks to Urban Rose for creating a final banner for this little tale.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Part 8: Secured Destination

After barely leaving the bed for the next eighteen hours or so, they both concluded they finally experienced a fuckfest. She couldn't be more happy to have one with him. He promised it wouldn't be their one and only. They took a much needed shower after nibbling on leftover pizza. She asked if she should get dressed and he told her yes, since he had a surprise planned for her. More surprises...she could get used to such things.

It turned out, he booked her an appointment with the hotel spa. Jacob was going to stay back at the room while she got some much deserved pampering. He said he needed to check in with work and his father and asked if she minded if he also called Charlie.

"Sure, what do you intend to tell him you've been doing with his daughter?"

"Uh, maybe that I managed to get you to agree to come home with me. That's probably as much as he'd want to hear."


The spa was superb. They treated her to some luxurious treatments over the next couple of hours. The massage worked out her kinks. She'd been using muscles, she didn't know existed with him.

Jacob had a table in the center of the room when she returned. He said he took the liberty of ordering them a romantic dinner, since it was there last night at the resort. Bella couldn't help feeling a little down about it coming to an end, but he promised her more excitement along the way.

Before falling asleep, she felt the need to get one other thing off her chest. She hoped it wasn't too soon. It seemed like the right time since they'd been experiencing some incredible sex and togetherness. After all, he practically asked her to have his babies one day.

"Jake..."

"Hmm," he sounded drowsy. She was in the crook of his arm and was so comfy and toasty warm. They didn't even have the sheet over their bodies.

"I just wanted you to know, like everything else...it happened fast, but I swear, I love you. I don't know when it was, but I fell in love with you on this trip. I just wanted you to know before we leave tomorrow. Goodnight."

He shifted in the bed, so he was leaning over her. She clinched her eyes shut worried about what he might think about her confession.

"Open your eyes."

She did. He was looking back at her and she hoped what she saw there was the truth. He said it back then, "I love you too...so much, honey. We're going to be so happy, you know that, don't you?" She nodded in agreement and instead of going to sleep, they found they had the energy to top off their "I love you" moment.

Jacob always kept his promises. He took an entirely different route on the way back. They spent a few more days on the road. They made the most of the next three days. By day, he showed her sights that were on both their lists of places to visit. By night, they locked themselves up in modest motel rooms where he continued to prove their love life would never be lacking. The final day on the road, she kept replaying what had occurred the night before in her head.

"Bells, if you don't quit, I'm going to put the top down again. We only have three hours left."

She leaned in closer, "I don't know if I can wait that long."

She stroked over his growing bulge, so he suddenly detoured to a scenic overlook. Jacob scooped her up and ran them out into the woods a little ways. He promised they were hidden and safe, since he could sense any intruder miles away. They both got to live out that fantasy of going at like animals in the woods.

She asked if he minded if she snoozed a little. He'd worked her over good, perched atop that large rock, so he assured her that was fine. She dozed until Jacob's phone woke her up. It was Paul and he had bad news.

Jacob shouted a few curse words. She sat up to listen what upset him so quickly.

He handed her his phone and said to put it on speaker. "Go ahead, Paul. Explain that once more."

"Well, Seth caught a scent, so we all went to investigate and sure enough, those fucking leeches were back at their house. We demanded they come out and talk. The leader told us they didn't plan on staying long but his son, Edward was responding to a vision the little clairvoyant had. He came in search of his mate. She told him his one true mate resided in the area now. I told them you'd be in touch. I mean, we aren't putting up with this bullshit, are we Jake?"

Jacob gripped the steering wheel tightly. He said, "Hell no," and for them to get ready for a meeting. They'd be home within the hour and as soon as they got settled, he wanted to get a plan established before they paid another visit to the Cullens.

"I'm sorry, babe...that you have to return to something stressful. Tell me what I can do to help."

He said she would just need to stay put with the other imprints while he handled the problem. "It shouldn't be a big deal." He knew, he scared the one they called Edward.

"What does that mean, find his mate?" She knew it couldn't be something like the wolves had with imprinting.

Jacob said the rest of the Cullens were paired up. The strange mind reading one was the only one that was single.

"So, they mate with other vampires then?"

"Yeah, as far as I know. I mean, a human would only be dinner for him, so that's out of the question."

"But you said the area draws them in, so maybe he'll find the female vampire quickly and take off."

"No, they need to go now. Our homeland isn't the location for his E harmony match ups. They need to fuck off immediately."

Bella made herself home at Jacob's house. She knew he still lived with his father, but didn't mind at all. He had a nice large room on the opposite side of the house. His buddies helped him build it after they graduated high school. Rachel and Paul lived nearby, so she was in and out a lot. Charlie was on his way over soon. Billy told her how nice it was to have her there.

"Please, let me know how I can help. I love to cook, so plan on some hearty meals in your future."

Billy said he couldn't wait. Jacob told him he and Bella would be unpacking, but they'd be out shortly when Charlie got there.

Billy shook his head and wheeled himself towards the kitchen, "Is that what they call it now?"

Jacob pushed her against the wall of his bedroom and attacked her. "I can't believe you're home with me?"

"I'm so freaking happy right now. I wished you didn't have this little emergency or I'd spend all evening expressing my gratitude."

Jacob explained they needed to get a shower before meeting up with everyone. He drug his nose up the column of her neck, "I can't have them distracted and right now...well, you're very alluring."

She needed to get used to that. Not only could Jacob scent her, but so could his pack. They took their shower and found it difficult not to make it more than a shower, but he told her he heard Charlie as soon as he cut the water off. She quickly dressed and ran out to greet him. Both Billy and Charlie were concerned with the sudden reappearance from the Cullens. Jacob swore he'd put an end to it soon.

Bella got familiar with all the other ladies while they started some dinner. The pack took off to make their demands. Emily hit it off with her, as did Angela, Embry's wife. She expected them back rather quickly, but after an hour, there was no sign of them. She could tell the other girls were getting agitated as well. Bella asked if the one that stayed behind, Collin, would tell them anything. Kim said he wouldn't unless Jacob told him to and since he hadn't come to the door, something more must be going on. They ate and covered up the rest for the men's return, but they were gone several hours.

Finally, the first of many, walked through the door. The mated wolves sought out their imprints. Bella was practically yearning to feel Jacob again, but he was the last one in. She ran into his arms, he hoisted her up and she wrapped her legs around him tightly. She normally would be embarrassed to display that sort of affection in front of others, but she couldn't help it. The entire time he was away from her, something felt off.

"What happened? Did they leave?" His chest rumbled. He was still very angry. Jacob let out an exaggerated breath. "Well...don't leave us in suspense? What's wrong?"

She already figured out, Paul was the one with the big mouth. He was the first to let it slip. "Get this...that creepy fucker says it's you, Bella."

"Huh? Me what?"

Quil added the rest, "He smelled you on Jacob, started sniffing the air. His eyes rolled back in his head like he was getting off. When he opened them back up, they were cold black." They explained what that meant with the vampires. He was thirsty. Smelling her made him that way. Jacob had trembles running through him as they described the scene. "Edward, also accused us of holding you hostage on the reservation. He says that you're the mate he's been searching for."

Jacob broke in, "Everybody, shut the fuck up, so we can figure out what to do next."

Bella felt dizzy all of the sudden. He sat her back on the floor and she stumbled. He held her arm and brought her to the sofa. She climbed in his lap. "But I'm human and I'm your mate. I can't be his. Is he crazy or something?"

"I know honey. That's why it's completely unhinged. I told them so."

"Jake lost it, exploded into the wolf. I thought we were going to go to war. The vamps formed a defensive line and we all circled them. There was a long standoff." Jared explained.

Bella wanted to know what they were going to do. He said he was meeting the council in the morning and asking them to negate the treaty. If they wouldn't leave, he'd burn the goddamn house down with them in it. Anyone that escaped would get ripped to shreds.

She quickly realized things were going to be tense for a bit until it was all settled. Jacob was keeping a protection duty with her at all times. He planned to keep her on the reservation as much as possible.


Weeks went on with no resolution. The council said the treaty was clear and they honored laws passed down from their ancestors. Edward Cullen hadn't come near Bella, so he hadn't broken the treaty. Bella enjoyed La Push and living with Jacob. Her father visited often and she fit in perfectly with the pack, but she missed some everyday freedoms. One afternoon, she begged to do the grocery shopping, so he took her along with Embry and Quil. They were on the way to the car when a silver Volvo drove in at an angle beside them. In the blink of an eye, the one they called Edward, was next to them. He was pleading for her to speak to him, that he needed to explain himself. He grabbed his own head and appeared to be in pain. He also said something about how it was impossible. She was so scared. Embry rushed her inside the vehicle and stayed with her while Jacob and Quil ran after him in the woods behind the store.

Jacob was furious at himself, that Edward was able to get so close. He said that was the final straw. They all assembled in the council hall later that evening. Jacob told them he couldn't abide by the treaty any longer. Old Quil had a suggestion. "Why don't you mark your mate, Jacob?"

He said it would permanently alter her scent, combine it with the wolf and it should repel the cold one.

Bella wasn't sure what it meant until they got home that evening. Jacob explained it to her. He still really wanted to kill the vampire that threatened their happiness, but his mark might change her scent enough, he would finally get it. "Right now, you carry my scent because of the mating, but the mark would make it stronger and permanent. There'd never be any question who you belong to."

"Then do it."

"It's pretty intense. None of the other girls have done it."

"Well, you're the alpha, so we should go through with it." Jacob explained how he'd put a mating mark on her body. It would occur in the throws of passion. He said it was very animalistic and primal. She'd scar and it might hurt at first, but he swore he'd give her pleasure like never before when he did it. She felt desire pool in her core as soon as he stated that bit of information.

He sniffed the air and moved in closer. "You sure, baby?"

"Yes, I want it. It sounds sexy and if it'll keep that creep away from me, then I'm in. I love you, Jacob. I know you'd never hurt me."


He claimed they couldn't do it in the house with his father around. They made plans that evening to go to a special place on the reservation. Jacob took her to a small, primitive cabin and they came together like they did almost on a daily basis, but she knew immediately things were uniquely different. For one thing, his eyes were rimmed in gold and once they got started, he never spoke. Jacob was letting the wolf rise to the surface with the man. He was right, it was intense but she was made for him in every way. He got her good and ready with a hot and heavy session. They took turns with a few positions, but when the time came for him to brand her skin forever with his mark, he draped her over the mattress face down. He climbed over her and guided himself where he needed to be. He did most of the work supporting her body with his strong arm. Soon after, she was experiencing waves of pleasured releases every few minutes. Almost like perfect choreography, his other hand reached up to move her head to the side, his sharp teeth pierced her flesh at her shoulder at the exact time he released into her womb. It hurt like hell, but as soon as his mouth sucked and licked over the region, a numbing property covered the pain up.

They stayed in the cabin several hours before he took her home that night. He took care of her for the next few days, especially when she spiked a fever. Soon enough, she was completely healed and herself again. Jacob had the idea that they would let Cullen close enough that he could scent the mark, but he had to make sure she was safe at all times. He arranged for a meeting in public with the entire pack, but warned only the doctor and his son were allowed to attend. He brought her with him and kept her close to his side. He told Bella to speak first and tell him to please leave, that she wanted nothing to do with him.

She did exactly that. She told the vampire she was the alpha's mate and never was meant for him. The vampire crinkled his nose at her. She was suspecting he was aware of what they'd done and how she carried Jacob's scent. Carlisle apologized for the confusion and promised to be on their way. He said there must have been a mix up and they had no plans to return. Bella quickly turned her head the last time Edward tried to make eye contact with her...those strange golden eyes were eerie, almost hypnotizing. She was afraid to look, in case he had the ability to put her in a trance.

They were so relieved when the Cullens left that night. Jacob said the house went on the market the next week after sitting vacant for years. It looked as if they could finally relax and live the life they were meant to. She remembered what it was like to coast into town that one afternoon. Bella didn't have a clue what she was doing that day. When faced with an intersection in the road, she was given the opportunity to finally make the right choice...her only choice.


2 years later

Bella had plans to meet with the buyer. Mr. Reynolds was a businessman out of Seattle and he'd commissioned her largest piece yet. It was to be erected outside his office building. She had been sculpting ever since she settled down with Jacob. It was nice to be so close to him all day. The guys were going to help load the statue up in the trailer he brought. All she had to do was hand him a receipt when he wrote out the check. She was so excited. It was the most money she'd ever seen at once.

"Whoa there...I didn't know we had an audience today. That's quite the bundle you have there." Bella had the twins snug against her chest hidden inside the baby wrap. They liked that best, nuzzled together after a feeding close to her heart.

"Yes, I wouldn't say they're witnesses, they're both out."

"Well, they look very content. If you don't mind...whatcha got there? I only see black heads of hair."

"We were lucky...we got one of each, the first try."

"Excellent, congratulations Mrs. Black. They're going to be so proud when they grow up and realize how talented their mother is." She thanked him for all his kind words. Jacob came in after the sale was complete. He pulled the cloth aside and kissed Haley, then Logan. They didn't move.

"I'm so proud of you right now."

"You know, none of this was possible without you."

Jacob took her face in his hands and kissed her. "I think the two of us together made it possible. These two prove it. I love you all so much."

"We love you too, Jacob. It didn't take too long to realize where I belonged." Bella was home. Jacob was home, and so were their children. Also, a sweet group of men, that acted like her brothers and their wives that shared common bonds with her, were home. Home was a special dad and a father-in-law whom she loved dearly. She called the little, red house home and sometimes the beaches of La Push. All the things around her proved over and over again, she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

~Thanks for reading.

I told you it would get all warm and fuzzy. Trust me, if you follow any of my other stories, we needed this detour. Back to the daily angst...at least we can revisit this when we need to. I appreciate all you readers so very much. You have no idea.