Okay so basically things have been wickedly stressful for me and I got to the point where I was going to put this story on hiatus for a while. I ended up deciding against it, but updates will definitely be coming pretty slowly for a bit. I need to start focusing more on school and other important things in my life. So, sorry for the late update but hey, at least it's better late than never.

Thank you so much to all of my reviewers. If it weren't for you, people definitely would be waiting a heck of a lot longer for this chapter.

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Shift's almost over Jake. When we get back I want you to take the afternoon off. You're exhausted.

Jacob sighed inwardly at the thought of taking more time off. He wanted to do something, to have some form of accomplishment that he could bring home to Bella. He was tired of these endless patrols that always turned out the same: they'd run a trail for miles until the scent finally went cold and then they'd turn back with nothing gained.

At the same time, part of him was eager for the time off. He had spent very little time with Bella ever since her revelation to him days earlier. He felt terrible about it, but had elected to keep his distance for the time being. He wanted to make sure that she had the space that she needed in order to recover from her traumatic experience. Or at least that's what he told himself.

In reality, he knew that he had really been avoiding Bella. He was furious with himself for having allowed these terrible things to happen to the woman he loved, and seeing the pain on her face everyday twisted the knife of guilt further into his gut.

Shaking his head roughly, he quickened his pace, eager to chase the reminder out of his head. They were nearing the outer border of the Olympic National Park after having chased a fresh trail all the way to Tacoma. Upon reaching the city, the sickly sweet scent had simply vanished and he and Sam had turned back after exhausting all possible leads.

I know this is hard for you Jake, but you can start searching again tomorrow morning. I'll reorganize the schedule again as soon as we get back. Sam added when the silence between them had stretched on to an almost unbearable length.

No, it's okay Sam. He finally replied, opening his mind to his leader. Leave the schedule as is. I really should take a break and visit home. Rachel's been in from college for a week and I still haven't seen her yet. I'll probably take Bella along to give her a chance to get out of the house. Speaking of which, I know you were planning to check in on Seth and Leah when we get back, but do you mind if I stop by Forks instead? I wanted to pick up a few things for Bella.

Don't worry about it, I'll come with you. The Clearwaters can wait. From the reluctant tone of Sam's thoughts, Jacob could tell that he was referring more to a certain female werewolf than to the family in general, but he didn't comment on it. Things had been tense ever since Leah had phased and he knew that the pack's telekinetic link had put an added strain on Sam and Leah's already brittle relationship. If Sam chose to avoid her instead of facing his problems, he wouldn't mention it. After all, of the many things that Jacob Black was, he was not a hypocrite.

As they neared the edge of the forest, the burning smell of civilization stung their nostrils. Jacob slunk off into a thicket just inside the tree line and phased back into his human form. He nodded to Sam who was sitting as a century just inside the cover of the branches and hurried off toward the Swan residence.

His body switched into autopilot as he easily scaled the trees outside of Bella's window. He effortlessly jerked the screen out of the way and slipped inside. Edward's distinctive scent hit him full force and he gagged, quickly covering his nose with his arm. Hurrying to Bella's closet Jacob grabbed a backpack from the floor and began to fill it with articles of her clothing. Her favourite sweatshirt, a worn pair of jeans, all tossed into the bottom of the bag. He strode over to the bed and grabbed her pillow only to be overwhelmed by the leech's disgusting stench. He promptly discarded it and was reaching for the blanket folded at the foot of her bed when he noticed the drawer of her bedside table was slightly ajar, the corner of a picture frame sticking out.

After unceremoniously stuffing the blanket into the already full backpack, he gingerly sat down on the bed and opened the drawer. Lifting the frame, he saw that the glass protecting the picture was dented in the corner and cracks spidered their way across the image, distorting it, but it didn't matter. It was a familiar picture and he knew what it contained. He and Bella sat relaxing in his garage. He had his arm planted firmly around her waist while she waved a wrench through the air, her eyes glowing with laughter. It had been taken the previous winter, shortly before he had returned. It was the last time he had seen her truly smile.

Glancing back into the now open drawer, he saw that a jumbled stack of paper lay at the bottom. Taking the messy sheets in his hands, he flipped through them absentmindedly. The writing was blurred in places as if the ink had been smudged by fallen tears, and there were faint traces of red around the edges of some of the more tattered pieces. Shuffling back to the first sheet he began to read.

Jacob,

I know you're still mad but please, I'm begging you. He really hurt me this time and I don't know what to do... I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. Just please, talk to me.

Bella

Jacob starred at the letter that he held in his hand, unable to move. Finally, a sharp bark from outside roused him from his trance and he shoved the rest of the papers into the pocket of his cutoffs. Throwing the overstuffed backpack onto his shoulder, he leapt out of the window and dashed off into the woods.

He changed back into his wolf form and, clutching the straps of the bag between his teeth, crept back to the area where he had left Sam.

Sorry for rushing you Jake, but we need to get back to La Push before shift change... One look from Jacob silenced Sam, and the two of them began to run off in the direction of the reserve without another word.

When they reached the edge of the woods in La Push, the two men phased back and shrugged into their shorts before heading to Sam's house. As they neared the small cottage, Emily became visible pacing in and out of view from the front window. She was clearly distraught and Jake saw Sam's face tighten with worry before they both began to jog towards the door.

The second that Sam stepped inside, Emily rushed into his arms. She was hysterical and it took him a few minutes to calm her enough so that she could speak. Jake dropped the backpack onto the couch then walked back into the kitchen, anxious to hear what was wrong.

"Oh God Sam, it's Bella." Emily finally managed after taking a deep breath. Jacob's stomach plummeted to the floor.

"She left a few hours ago to go on a walk. I haven't heard a thing from her since. I've been trying to contact Paul but I haven't gotten a reply. What if she fell Sam? She could be out there in the forest hurt and alone. Or what if she's lost? I was suppost to change her bandages an hour ago and her pain meds must have worn off by now. How could I have been so stupid? I should never have let her go out by herself in the first place. I was just so busy and I felt bad about how she's cooped up here all day and I wasn't thinking..." tears had begun to make their way slowly down her cheek as she inhaled shakily. She turned slowly to the other man standing frozen in the corner of the room. "Jacob I'm so, so sorry," she whispered.

"Shh Emily... It's okay. It's not your fault." Sam soothed her as he took her gently back into his arms. "Jacob, call a meeting. I'll be out in a minute," he said over the top of her head then turned his attention back to his imprint.

Jake stumbled back out of the house and phased hurriedly, howling almost before he had completed his transformation. He gave another deafening holler for good measure before pacing the yard agitatedly. He was soon joined by Sam and they both walked the perimeter, waiting for the others to arrive.

A blur of grey fur emerged from the woods to their right and Jacob snarled, crouching low, ready to attack. Where the hell have you been Paul?

Jacob. Sam warned, but his penetrating stare was fixed upon the oversized wolf that had just appeared before them.

I'm sorry Sam. I... I— Where his words failed him, his thoughts certainly didn't. Images of Rachel's face filled the other two wolves' heads and Jacob's growling grew louder.

I'm sorry man, I know she's your sister, but I couldn't help it. I just saw her walking down the street and then bam! Imprint. Paul offered in explanation.

I don't care. Jacob rumbled.

You don't?! Then why are you—

Bella's missing you stupid idiot. You were suppost to be protecting her and now she's gone. Jake continued, ready to pounce.

Wait, what? — Shit. Paul stammered. Jacob lunged at him, baring his teeth, but Sam jumped in the way at the last second.

We'll deal with this later. Now both of you calm down. Sam commanded. He sat on his haunches between them and waited for the others to join them. Finally, when all eight of the pack's werewolves had arrived, Sam stood and began to tread back and forth across the small circle they had formed.

Bella's gone missing. He finally started once everyone was listening. We need to organize a search. We'll spread out in the trees and follow her scent. Leah and Seth stay here to guard the house and let us know if she comes back.

That's bullshit Sam. I can track just as well as any of you and you know that— Leah protested.

Stay. Here. Sam growled, the tone of the Alpha heavy in his voice. Leah groaned, but didn't reply, laying down and resting her head on her paws. Everyone else let's move out.

Bella's scent was easy to trace as it wound through the trees. The path that she took looked vaguely familiar to Jacob until finally he realized where she was headed. The cliffs, he whispered in his mind, quickening his pace to take the lead.

They had nearly reached their destination when Quil stiffened and stopped mid stride to sniff the air. Bloodsucker, he stated causing the others to pause and inhale of their own accord.

Alright, we'll have to split up. Quil, Paul and I will go after the cold one while Embry, Jared, and Jacob keep searching for Bella. Move out. Sam ordered.

They were about to separate when a flash of pale skin through the surrounding trees caught their attention. All six of the wolves' instincts kicked in and they tore after the vampire's receding back.

They were quickly gaining on him and Jacob caught a flash of bronze hair bobbing between the branches in front of them. Edward, he snarled just before he sprang, overtaking the leech and sinking his teeth deep into Edward's calf. The bloodsucker tried to shake him off but failed. Finally he turned and brutally kicked Jacob in the stomach, sending him flying backward through the trees, a chunk of cold flesh still clenched in his jaws. Jacob jumped back to his feet the instant that he landed, spitting the rotten flesh from his mouth. He began to run back to help his pack mates when a piercing shriek cut through the air.

Jacob halted in his tracks and turned to race in the other direction, searching frantically for Bella. He barely heard the thoughts of the pack in his head as he continued, sniffing the ground, trying to recapture her scent. He knew that Sam had given the order for the others to fall back and that Paul had refused, trying to right his earlier mistakes. He didn't care. He had to find Bella and he had to find her fast.

At last he was able to rediscover her path and began to race towards where he knew he'd find her.

"Jacob!" Bella's scream sliced through him and was soon followed by a sickening crunch. Jacob quickened his pace to a full on sprint. He reached the cliff but saw no one. He phased back to his human form and began to frantically search the surrounding area, praying that he'd find a clue. Finally he looked down and saw what looked like claw marks furrowed deep into the mud that lead right to the end of the cliff. Jacob ran to the edge and glanced down. Bella's body lay prone at an awkward angle on one of the lower ledges. She wasn't moving.

"Sam!" Jacob screamed, hurrying over the edge. He scrambled down the rock face, not caring about the bruises he was giving himself as he threw himself from rock to rock on the way down.

He reached the ledge that Bella was perched upon and brushed her hair out of her face. Flecks of blood spattered her lips and an odd keening noise was coming from her throat every time she inhaled. Jacob looked up to see that Sam had phased back and was standing with them on the outcropping that Bella had landed on. He knelt beside Jacob with an anxious expression on his face.

"Sam there's something wrong," Jacob whispered, "she's not breathing right."

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