Jacob's POV:

I was really freaking trying to focus but something was still bothering me. No… someone. Bella had completely given up on contacting me. I guess that's what I wanted. I needed to keep her away from this completely fucked up life I got dragged into… all because of those disgusting bloodsuckers. I knocked down a small tree with my paw in one quick motion. It splintered and dropped to the forest floor.

She had to have known. I knocked down another tree. How could she have dated him and not known? Another tree joined its fallen brothers. She had coaxed information - secrets - about my tribe out of me that day on the beach. The day I realized I loved her. Another tree joined the rubble.

Ugh Jake. Stop. You're obsessing AGAIN, and I'm TRYING to enjoy a stroll through the woods BEFORE you mutilate the entire forest.

I rolled my eyes. Butt out Jared.

At least it was only Jared, Sam, and me patrolling tonight. Even so, it was still too loud for me to adequately think about my fucked-up situation.

I felt the recognition of a rancid bloodsucker before I heard Sam's howl rise out of the forest, echoing through the leaves.

I was off. I used the primal strength of my body to ricochet around trees and over streams and rocks. The chase drove everything from my mind. I was the hunter. The reeking cesspool of a creature was my prey.

Through Sam's eyes, I could see long red hair whip just out of reach. It was fast, but I was faster.

I knew there was a mate, thought Jared as I passed him. He fell swiftly into place on my left.

I remembered, with vehement satisfaction, helping my brothers tear apart that black-haired bloodsucker a few weeks ago. The memory of his stink while he burned made my eyes water.

Where are Embry, Paul, and Quil? Jared demanded. As if in answer, Quil phased directly north of our pursuit placing him right in the red-haired bloodsucker's path.

This is it! We're catching her this time. Embry thought excitedly as he phased to join Quil, both ready to ambush.

Sam howled again. Where the fuck is Paul? He directed at Embry and Quil, having seen in their minds that they had been together tonight.

I caught up to Sam then; we were closing ranks fast. Yes yes yes! I thought, sensing the victory. It was cornered. By some luck, we had it completely surrounded. Sam on my right, Jared on my left, and, in just a few more seconds, Embry and Quil in front. The bloodsucker couldn't smell them waiting to attack. The wind was in our favor. This will be an easy kill, she's not getting away again.

I felt as Paul's body phased to join us, to join Embry and Quil and secure the trap.

He was trying to hide his thoughts. Trying to focus on the oncoming bloodsucker. He was drunk though, and his diminished capacity allowed his mind to run free.

Anger boiled my blood. Seething rage replaced tactful bloodsucker destruction.

No Jake! Someone shouted. I couldn't hear. I couldn't see. I just wanted to kill. To kill a wolf.

Something hard collided with my right side. I snapped around, teeth bared and ready to destroy anything that got in my way.

Jacob, STOP. The edict from the Alpha. My body immediately obeyed. I was immobilized.


AN: More chapters coming soon!