AN: This chapter contains strong language and violence.
It's not unusual for Jake to get up in the middle of the night if the pack needs him for patrols. They've been running patrols 24/7 since they caught wind of the vampires. Thankfully he always makes sure to kiss me before he leaves. Dr. Freedman has given me the okay to sleep at the Black's as long as I have my pager, we all agreed it's safer and I'm still on the res. Tonight is no different around 3am I hear his shuffling around the bedroom, getting ready to start patrol. I wonder if the wolves have found something.
It's been nearly 4 weeks since the Pack smelled the vampires and came rushing to my rescue in Port Angeles. Even with no signs of them recently I still worry every time Jake leaves my sight, I don't know what I'd do if he was hurt. After our kiss I roll back over in bed, knowing I have at least a couple more hours to sleep, before my day begins.
I awake with a start. Something is wrong. I can't shake the feeling at I am not alone. The curtin sways in the moonlight even without a breeze. My heart begins to pound, now I'm sure I wasn't alone.
"Jake! Is that you?"
I don't get an answer. My hands work faster than my brain as I find Jacob's number in my contacts. He answers on the first ring.
"Bella! What's wrong?!
"Jake someone was in our room" I cry.
"WHAT?! I'll be right there."
Less than 3 minutes later I watch Jake phase from wolf in to man in the backyard. Four other wolves pace the tree line, but from this distance I can't identify them. Jakes takes the stairs 3 at a time before bursting through the door and wrapping his protective arms around me.
"WHY THE FUCK DOES IT SMELL LIKE VAMPIRE IN MY HOUSE?!"
Jake's eyes flash to the window.
"Bella, did you see anyone in here?"
"No, I woke up feeling uneasy and the curtin was moving of its own volition."
"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did the leech touch you?" Jake asks, still clutching me in his arms.
"No, I'm safe, just scared. Thank you for coming to me rescue"
"Bells, I will always come to your rescue. That's my job… to keep you safe"
I feel him press a kiss to the top of my head. All of my fears and anxieties begin to melt away and tears start to fall down my cheeks. Jake carries me down the stairs and we lay down on the couch together. He rocks me back and forth until my tears have dried.
Once he is sure I am safe, he starts giving orders to the pack. The vampire who was in our bedroom could be miles from here by now, but it doesn't stop the wolves. I am distressed when Jake phases again and follows the rest of the pack into the woods of La Push. In an attempt to distract me Billy hands me a cup of tea. We sit in silence at the kitchen table waiting for the boys to return. Billy is the first one to break the silence.
"You know, I could tell from when you two were little that you were going to end up together." He says softly.
"Then why did you keep us apart?" I question.
"When Jake was a kid I didn't know that he was going to phase. With the Cullens gone for a couple decades the gene was never activated in my generation, I wasn't prepared. When I learned more about the imprints I was worried it would be you, but I was more worried it wouldn't be. I thought I was protecting the two of you."
"You thought you were protecting us?!" my voice raising.
"Bella you have to understand, he could have been dangerous and what would have happened if you two were together and he imprinted on someone else? You would have been crushed."
"I missed out on 10 years with my best friend, my soulmate and my imprint because you were trying to play god!" I shout as I storm out of the room.
Part of me feels bad for yelling at Billy, I can see that he was doing what he thought was best and I'm certain that Sam had some influence. I'm laying in bed staring at the ceiling trying to figure out all of my emotions even though I know I should be getting ready for work. My scrubs feel comfortable and safe as I pull them on. When I finally make my way to the kitchen Paul and Embry are standing by the door.
"Bella, we've been instructed to accompany you to the clinic today" Paul says firmly.
I think about protesting but decided against it.
"Thank you" I say, following them out the door.
As soon as we've hit the pavement they both phase into their wolf forms and follow me from the tree line, just as Jake has done many a time. The three of us safely make it to the small medical center. After phasing back Embry lets me know that they'll be picking me up at the end of the day as well. I try to ask about Jake but they brush me off before returning to the woods. I fear that no news is bad news in this case.
My day at the clinic drags as my mind is filled with thoughts of vampires. I think of the Victoria and her partner, who was killed by the Cullens. I think of the Alice, she will always have a special place in my heart and Esme always treated me as another daughter. Carlisle who made sure I was safe every time being friends with vampires put me in harms way. I even briefly think of Edward. I am thankful for the wonderful patients on the Res, who make my day at the clinic worthwhile and allow me to stay busy.
It is a pleasant surprise to see Jake waiting for me at the end of my shift in place of Embry and Paul. A breath I didn't know I was holding releases, I feel the tension in my shoulders melt away. We both walk in human form back to the Black's home, hand in hand. He purposely avoids the topic of vampires. I tell him about my conversation with Billy this morning. He seems equally as upset. The rest of our night is quiet. I finish my charting at the kitchen table, while Jake and Billy meet with the pack to go over the events of the last 24 hours. They agree to increase the number of members on patrol,
Jake closes and locks the window before climbing into bed with me. His strong arms and the heat radiating off of him make me feel safe. I can't believe how quickly Jake's arms have become home for me. We whisper quietly to one another, sweet nothings pass across our lips before we allow sleep to claim us for the night.
My anxiety spikes as Jake kisses me goodbye again in the middle of the night before leaving for patrol. I know that there are pack members stationed outside the house, yet I still toss and turn in the empty bed as sleep continues to evade me. Just as I'm about to doze off I hear the sound of window opening. My heart begins to beat out of control, I scream for Jake, praying that somehow the imprint connects us and he will be able to hear my cries. When I look up I am met with the dark black eyes of Edward Cullen. The little air I have left in my lungs hitches in my throat.
"Bella… Bella… Bella, I always knew I'd find you in the dogs bed, screaming his name." Edward drawls.
"Oh my will my precious Victoria have a field day with you, if she can get past the smell. You reek like a bitch."
"Why are you here" I squeak.
"Hmm I just wanted to watch you sleep one last time before I release Victoria on your beautiful pale neck"
"Why would Victoria still want me? Wasn't it mate for mate? If you're with her, shouldn't I be safe now?"
"That would seem logical and fair… but alas she does not want any trace of my past lingering about, causing problems"
"I'm not causing problems. I don't want you back. I'm with Jacob and I love him. You're not welcome here. I don't want you. I never did!" I shout at him.
This causes Edward to take a step back. I see a slight twinge of hurt run across his face before molding back to emotionless. Is it possible that he thought coming here would win me back?
"Goodbye Bella, I hope she makes it quick"
With that he is gone.
As if Jacob's mind is connected to mine I hear him pounding up the stairs. He missed Edward by mear seconds. I fear that Edward cut it too close, if Jake is here the rest of the pack must be right outside. The sound of crashing in the woods only confirms my suspicions, the wolves are hot on Edwards trail and I'm certain that Victoria isn't far away.
Just as Jake bursts into the room the frame around the window is ripped from the house. A red haired vampire stands where Edward stood holding what's left of Jacob's window. Her curls bounce in the wind as her lips curl with pure lust for my blood.
"Bella get back!" Jack says as he agressivly forces me behind him.
I fall to the ground and scramble away from Victoria.
"Bella listen to me. I need you to move back as far away from me as possible" He shouts with panic raising in his voice.
"Hmm Edward wasn't lying when he said you smell like a bitch. Guess that's what you get when you get in bed with a fucking mutt" Victoria spits.
Victoria makes a move, lunging towards me, her razor sharp teeth glistening in the moonlight pouring through the broken window. Jake begins to phase in front of my eyes in the tiny bedroom. Blocking Victoria from reaching me with her freezing hands. I hear a growl and then a sharp pain runs through my body.
I try to focus on what's happening in front of me but my vision slowly starts to deteriorate until I'm left completely in the dark. I see a flash of red curls and then Jake's russet fur flash in front of me. The last thing I remember is the sound of someone screaming and then Jacob whispering "I love you too."
AN: Opps! Left you with a cliffhanger. Review and let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!
