Everything was quiet for another week. I informed the wolves of the situation so they could be ready to jump at a moment's notice. Seth was all-to-eager to help. He enjoyed his part in the battle with Victoria and wanted another chance to take down a vampire. I told him he could help me take down Edward. Seth didn't like that; he and Edward had developed a friendship of some sorts protecting Bella from Victoria. I actually had been somewhat joking, but Seth took it seriously.
I had planned to have a word with Jackson. I was hoping I could prevent him from causing damage. I had no doubt that Edward and I could take him down, especially with the other wolves present. But some of them may be hurt in the process. I didn't want that.
Jackson had been showing up at home for the past week, almost as if he knew something was up. But there was no way he could; I never spoke about it. Edward had been able to read his mind and told me it was vile. At one point, Edward almost became violent when Jackson's thoughts turned to Bella. He had thought about raping her and making her beg for death before sucking her blood out of her. Luckily I was able to calm him down and tell him that won't happen. That would be all we need; an unstable vampire going after a sociopathic vampire. Who knows the damage that would be done?
I warned dad of the situation so that Jackson wouldn't surprise him suddenly one day. He was just as shocked as I. He had a hard time wrapping his brain around it. To be safe, I sent dad away for a bit. I didn't want him anywhere on the reservation where Jackson may get ideas. He beat dad and caused him to be in the wheelchair; who's to say he wouldn't kill him in a later meeting? No, I couldn't have that. Dad has suffered enough.
I didn't hear Jackson approach from behind me but I could smell him instantly. I had been able to hide the werewolf from him as well. I wanted to surprise the hell out of him when it was necessary.
"Hey Jackson," I said as he tackled me to the ground. He laughed.
"Hey bro. How are you?" he had me pinned. He was laughing; obviously in a playful mood. I knew that he didn't mean any harm.
"Get off," I said, trying to push him away. It was fruitless but I wanted to try something.
"Let's wrestle!"
"Jackson, you are one hundred times stronger than I. Do you think that would be a fair fight?" I was still pinned under him.
He laughed. "I can control my strength. Come on, I'll let you win!"
"Yeah, I'm sure." Jackson was super competitive. He never let anyone beat him. I was winning at chess once when he threw a fit. He threw the whole thing at the wall, breaking several pieces and marking the wall. He stormed off to his room. I never played chess after that.
"I'm serious, bro. I promise I won't let my competitive nature get the best of me."
I looked at him. "And I'm to believe that why?"
"Because I want to play with you. Why are you so convinced that I mean to harm you?" He stood up and gave me his hand. I didn't need it, but kept up the façade.
"Sorry, I guess I just have a hard time believing that since you beat your brother into unconsciousness over a chess game." My words were venomous.
He sighed. "You have no idea how sorry I am for that." He looked into my eyes and saw I didn't believe him. "It's true, Jacob. As long as I walk this Earth, I will never stop beating myself up for the way I treated you and dad. I may be a sociopath, but you don't deserve my wrath. You were nothing but a loving brother to me." His eyes told me he meant every word.
I couldn't feel guilty. My brother may feel remorse for what he did to dad and me, but I couldn't feel guilty. He had to die. He wants Bella. Not only that, but he's another vampire terrorizing people. And I could tell by his eyes that he was not a vegetarian. Weren't there enough of the bloodsuckers around?
But still. He is my brother. And he never apologized to me before. A part of me wanted to believe he meant it, that he would turn away from his sociopathic tendencies.
"Thanks for telling me that Jackson. It doesn't replace the hurt from all these years, but it's nice to hear. It's a start."
He nodded. "So what are you doing today?" I shrugged.
"Not much. I was going to watch some television and go for a run." His eyes lit up.
"Can I join you for both brother? It would mean a lot to me." His eyes were honest.
"Okay," I said hesitantly. I wanted him to not suspect me in any way. If he wanted to spend some time with me, maybe I could convince him to leave Bella alone. Maybe he didn't have to die.
He smiled widely. "Good! What do you want to watch?"
"Uh, Mythbusters?" He nodded.
"Okay. After that can we get the Food Network?" I raised my eyebrows at him. He laughed. "I know, I know. I miss eating human food. Ten years is too long to go without a pizza. Watching Food Network helps me live vicariously."
I couldn't help but laugh. I sat on the couch with him as he propped his feet up. The two of us remained like that for the rest of the afternoon. It was as if we were finally brothers.
