Warning: Slash.

Driving south along US 101 with Jake by my side was exhilarating. The top of the BMW was down so the wind caressed our faces while the radio boomed a rock song. Jake took a deep breath, his hand touching gingerly the collar of his plaid shirt. He looked to the right, at the endless expanse of the Pacific with the clouds hugging the horizon; then he breathed deeply as he turned to gaze fondly at the thick trees of the Olympic National Park to the left.

"Great view, man!" Jake's fingers tapped the song's rhythm against his black slacks.

I turned to gaze at him, drinking in the sight of his russet skin glowing in the early morning. "Happy now, wolf?"

Jake squirmed on the black leather seat and hooked his fingers under the seatbelt. "Sorry I was grumpy earlier, man," he mumbled. "But you woke me up before dawn. I had patrol duty the other night because of the damned poachers, and I'm trying to learn those damned subjects!"

I smiled softly, remembering Jake's dazed expression when I roused him from his sleep and told him we were beginning our date. I tried to explain. "Sorry, Jacob. I know your schedule's busy, but we had to go today. The weather, you know?"

Jake nodded as he fiddled with the controls of the radio. "Where are we going, Edward?" He craned his neck to look at a black dot of ground on the horizon. "That's Destruction Island, so we're near the Quinault Rez."

"You've been there?"

"Sure, two years ago." Jake frowned. "Dad has some friends there; they were suspicious of me though."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "Rumors I guess. They're aware of our legends and when the odd report of a huge wolf reaches them…"

He turned to look sharply at me. "Now that we're on the way, where are we going really?"

This felt like the right moment to tell him the dark secrets about Bella, so I said, "It's a place I never took Bella, she…"

Jake reached his hand and put his finger on my lips. "Let's not talk about her, ok? Leah ribbed me, telling me we're like two old men who talk about her all the time." He motioned towards the sea. "I want the day to be about you and me."

I nodded my assent because it was our first date; however, if I had known better I would have disregarded his words. It would have saved us a lot of grief.

oOoOo

Jacob found an oldies station, and the notes of A hard day's night rang through the air.

"Nice song," I said.

He crossed his arms behind his head and turned to me. "So when did you listen to it for the first time?"

"Somewhere in British Columbia, I guess. We'd just visited the Denalis; Carlisle stopped by this small gas station along the highway?" I puzzled my eyebrows, trying to remember that day. "Heard it on their radio while they filled the Cadillac."

Jake stared at the road with a pensive expression and as I leaned down to downshift, I caressed his thigh. He lifted it up against my palm as I said, "Why are you asking me about every song?"

"Want to learn more about you."

"Through the music?"

"Nope, your voice, Edward." He sighed and scooted on the seat so his shoulder touched mine.

"Guess you sound happy, sometimes sad. And when you tell me about what you did right then, I don't know…" He shrugged while his hand played with the buckle of the seatbelt. "Somehow I feel part of your life, and I like it."

We didn't say anything for a while.

As we passed Kalaloch Road, I downshifted again. Frankly, I was driving too slowly for my taste, but I wanted to draw out the time I spent with Jake. With his patrol duty and the way he crammed those lessons, we didn't spend as much time together as I wanted.

His words about Leah brought to mind the conversation I had with the Quileute woman. She'd pointed out that Jacob tended to idolize people, something I believed was correct. After all, he had put Bella upon a pedestal; certainly I didn't want him to do that with me. Taking a deep breath, I resolved to confess my dark, troubled past; Jake had to be aware I wasn't perfect at all.

Looking around at the trees on both sides of the road made me remember Jacob's wish to protect the land, that balance between prey and predator he was so keen upon. I hunched my shoulders, realizing that he was genetically destined to guard the people against monsters like me.

Above all, he thought of himself as a guardian, and I was aware he would not take kindly to my monstrous deeds.

Jake frowned at me. "What's the matter, man? You're grabbing the steering wheel like it'll fly away!"

I looked sideways at him. "You really want to know about my life, Jacob? Then I must tell you it hasn't always been, to put it succinctly, humane."

"What do you mean?"

"I've killed people, Jacob." I stared fixedly at the road ahead, and my words came out in a rush. "In 1927 I left Carlisle and Esme. I was so foolish; I wanted to rebel so I took off on my own. In my hubris, I killed Esme's abusive ex-husband, and he was just the first of many."

I peeked at him, uncertain of his reaction because his mind gave me no clue. Jake's dark eyes were wide, his body rigid on the leather seat as he stared straight ahead. He gripped the seatbelt so tightly his fingers were white. He said roughly, "Go on."

"I eschewed Carlisle's teaching never to drink human blood because, you see, I'm a true monster."

I knew I could easily lose him. Jake might come to regret sparing my life when I asked him to kill me.

Despite the risk of losing his love I had always considered, even when I was with Bella, that he deserved to know the truth so I plodded on, "I killed mortals, Jacob; people whose thoughts were so criminal, their actions so malevolent I thought they weren't worthy to live."

Jake closed his eyes and took deep breaths to calm himself. I could hear his heart beating madly inside his chest. His thoughts whirled around so much I wondered if the protector in him would prevail and he would cast me aside, or the nurturing side I was so well acquainted with. Jake had both qualities in spades.

Finally, he looked sharply at me; his nostrils flaring as he said hoarsely, "Why tell me now?"

"Because you deserve to know before we go any further. If you don't want me…"

"Man, stop!" Jake lifted his arms and shouted, "Hate it when you put words in my mouth, ok?"

He scowled at me. "Lemme think for a sec."

Jake stared at the blurring trees passing by while he rubbed his forehead with a tired motion. "How many did you kill?"

Before I could reply, he muttered, "Don't answer that! Just tell me, they were all killers, they lived outside Forks?"

"None from Forks. It happened before the Treaty and all were despicable people." I took a deep breath and kept my eyes on the straight highway and the scant houses, not daring to look at my wolf. "In due time I realized I had no business judging them. God knows a monster like me can't act as avenging angel."

"Don't say that!" Jake growled "Just don't." His eyes shone brightly and his handsome features twisted in a grimace; I saw his chest heaving up and down as he sought to control himself. I felt he was very close to phasing but strangely, I didn't feel threatened at all.

Jacob put his hand on his chest, trying to will his madly beating heart to slow down. Overcome with emotions I couldn't yet decipher, he rasped, "Can't you get it in your thick head that you're not a monster? What do you want, Cullen? Want me to tell you you were right? I can't because you were dead wrong!"

"I know, Jake." I pushed the pedal as I gazed at the map display on the dashboard. "I've rued those days for decades. I don't have Carlisle's compassion and kind heart; I'm not at all sweet, like you think."

"You were wrong to act as judge and jury; just be thankful the Treaty wasn't breached!" Jake said harshly. "And you're wrong to think you know me that well!"

He leaned down to reach the dashboard and pushed angrily the buttons to change the radio station. "I don't think you're sweet or anything. Can't you understand once and for all that I want you, darkness included? Along with the danger and whatever else you have?"

"You… do?" I hated the tentative quality of my voice, but I was surprised at his words.

"I have news for you; there's darkness in me, too!" Jake said sadly, "Every day is a constant struggle to control the wolf inside; you really have no idea how tight I'm bound!" He muttered through clenched teeth, "Felt so free when I ran up north; there was nothing to confine me."

He crossed his arms and tapped his shoe against the mat. "If I wanted a perfect guy I would look elsewhere."

He sniffed and looked at the woods; obviously flustered at my confession and his outburst which had revealed his feelings. None of us said anything for a long while and I didn't want to break the silence.

I felt refreshed after that exchange. Jake hadn't tossed me aside, neither was he blind to the perils I posed, like Bella had been. He felt in his core the darkness that held me in its grip, and relief washed over me like a soothing balm. Truly, he was the only one that could understand me because, like me, he had been forced into his unwilling role. My family offered love and comfort, but Jake forced me to confront myself. The stubborn wolf wouldn't be easily maneuvered; his judgments were harsh but I could feel the love that surrounded them.

We sped through the long miles sharing the comfortable silence, unlike the awkward pauses with Bella.

On the outskirts of Castle Rock, I swerved to let a white trailer pass us. Jake's eyes were closed and he had been so quiet, I would've thought he was sleeping if I hadn't read his thoughts.

"I love your dark and your sweetness; they call to my soul," Jake muttered. He leaned forward and laid his head upon the dashboard, whispering, "I'm attracted to you. I need all of you, the good and the bad. Even this."

He opened his eyes, and I drank the sight of him while he scrunched up his brow. 'I love all your sides.'

Jake sighed deeply and spread his arms; leaning back on the black leather seat again he gazed up at the cloudy sky. I looked sideways at him, enjoying the way the brisk wind ruffled his silky black hair, though it robbed me of the chance to savor his sweet essence, mixed with the cologne he had brought from his house.

"Just don't do it again!" He paused and mentally reviewed his words, amending them. "Without provocation."

"I won't, Jake. I've learned my lesson."

I was taking the I-5 down south when Jake said out of the blue, "We've been driving for hours. Are we going to reach Portland soon?"

"Soon enough. How did you know?"

"I just do." Jake smiled at me, and after my confession and the heated exchange, the sight of his lips curling upward and his dimples soothed me like a drop of blood when I hadn't fed in a long time. He cocked his head sideways. "I can read highway signs, you know."

I snorted while he said, "Wanted to drive, but since you've kept our destination a secret…"

"I want to surprise you, wolf."

"Whatever." Jake turned his body sideways so his head leaned against my shoulder. "I can't judge you, man. I don't know what it feels to be a leech; might've done the same in your case."

I said earnestly, "Would you ever consider becoming one?"

"Never!" His voice was deep and serious, but then he cracked a smile and snuggled against me. "Why should I, when I have my own personal Cullen?"

Jake yawned, having missed his sleep last night. I reached my hand to change the station, looking for something soothing. After going through New Age and Rock, I found another oldies station. Apparently the sound of the big band playing was relaxing to the wolf, who yawned widely again.

"Take a nap, Jake."

Like a stubborn kid, Jake shook his head, nuzzling my chin with his cheek. But the lack of sleep prevailed and after a few minutes he started snoring.

Jake's acceptance was soothing, but I garnered it came from the fact that he didn't know those people. The deeds occurred long before he was born. He had been revolted by the idea of me murdering people; but his feelings for me, which ran deeper than I thought, prevailed. I was sure he would react very differently if the murders had been recent.

oOoOo

In due time we reached Portland; as I swerved to take the route towards Arlington Heights, Jake woke up. He stretched his arms and sat up lazily, rubbing his neck to get the cricks out of it.

I was very excited as we swiftly neared the place of our date. I wanted to see his face when he looked at the spot I'd told him about.

"We're getting there," he said firmly.

I raised my eyebrows at him, noting his shirttail was out of his slacks. "How do you know?"

"Don't have your powers, Edward, but I can feel your tense body." He said while he rubbed my chest.

My lips curled up in a smirk. "You're just groping me."

"Maybe, but I'm right."

"Well, you are; we're almost there."

I pushed the pedal as the car climbed uphill near one of the reservoirs of the city. I doubted Jake's Rabbit would have been able to take the punishment of the 500-mile round trip. Rosalie and Jake would have had to fiddle with the carburetor afterwards or whatever they did to fix cars.

Finally I turned to the right and entered an avenue, Southwest Kingston, according to the GPS. I found a parking spot next to a silver SUV.

"Where are we?" Jake said excitedly as we got out of the car. He balanced on the balls of his feet, full of nervous energy. I smiled at him while I opened the trunk and grabbed Esme's basket, full of goodies, and motioned with it to the small side street.

After I closed the trunk, I started walking on the paved road. Jake stretched his long legs and then strolled with me. We meandered along the carefully tended plots of beautiful flowers while Jake pleaded with me to tell me where we were; the sight of his eyes begging me was my undoing.

I put down the basket and held his wrist, caressing it with my thumb as I waved my arm around us in a rather dramatic fashion. "Wolf of mine, this is the meadow I told you about, you know? The place I met the little girl whose memory I cherish."

I shrugged nonchalantly, knowing that the tended plots conveyed little of the wilderness that once was here. "What civilization has left in place at any rate."

I looped my arm around Jacob's slim waist and looked deep into his dark eyes, knowing that every day I irrevocably fell deeper for this man. "I wanted to bring you here because you're special like her. She gave me hope during troubling times and you…" I rubbed my cheek against his. "You gave me back my life. I'll always cherish every moment I spend with you."

Jake gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. "Is this really the place?"

"It is, wolf."

He wrapped me in a strong hug that lifted me up the road and mumbled against my neck, "Thanks, Edward! I can't… it means the world to me! Sharing this place that's so special to you!"

After he put me down, I cupped his chin and kissed him gently. "You mean the world to me, Jake."

He framed my head with his hands and said gruffly, "I won't forget this, man. You've swept me off my feet!"

His fingers caressed my forearm as he looked around. "So where did you meet her?"

I shrugged. "They paved over the exact place, but the meadow was next to a…"

"Copse of trees, you said."

I smiled at him, pleased that he remembered. I mused that this was the kind of detail the wolf would hold in his mind. Lifting our joint hands I pointed to the east. "Those trees."

Jake bent down to pick up the basket and started walking towards them, dragging me along. "Well, let's have a picnic with the food your mother made."

oOoOo

We spent time in the lonely copse as I fed him small tidbits of food between his questions about the little girl. Some details were engraved in my mind but others had been washed away by time.

Jake held my fingers and licked the mayonnaise off my fingertips, looking up at me like the cat that ate the canary. "Tastes better on you than on the sandwich."

His words reminded me of something I wanted to ask him. "You haven't complained about the smell at the house."

Jake shrugged, snuggling closer to me. "Hardly feel it. I guess Rose's scent is more like motor oil; just don't tell her I said that." He smiled toothily at me. "And you smell like home."

I leaned down and swiped my tongue over his full lips, tasting the ham and onions of the sandwich.

Jake shivered and laid his head down on my thigh, playing with my sleeve. "You say you came back several times?"

It was hard to answer him in the sensual situation but I managed. "I was curious and just after we moved up north, I returned to look for her in the meadow. Saw the girl once; must have been in 1954. I remember the date because I'd just watched Brando starring in On the waterfront." I shrugged a bit despondently. "I glimpsed the girl from afar but she was with her aunt."

"Anything special about the aunt?" Jake's hand sneaked beneath my shirt to rub my chest. I choked back a moan at the wolf's groping but my voice was steady as I continued.

"She worked in Seattle as a secretary in the Boeing plant." I said while slowly unbuttoning his shirt and opening it to reveal the expanse of russet chest I wanted to play with. If the wolf thought he could grope me without consequences he was wrong.

"She must have been visiting her niece." I said while I played with his nipples. "Didn't have time to find out anything more because it was a sunny day and I had to stay hidden beneath the canopies."

Jake groaned and arched up his chest, seeking more contact with my roaming hand. Meanwhile he fiddled with the buckle of my belt.

"I went back several times but I could find no traces of the girl." I pushed away his hand, intending to answer his question. "After we returned, around 1966, I visited here but could find no traces of her."

Jake propped himself on his elbows, smiling at me. "I'm sure she's all right; or at the very least she might've had a nice, long life."

"I'm not sure, Jake." I evaded his searching gaze. "I've seen so much misery in this world. It's so overwhelming that it makes eternal life a curse."

His voice full of determination, Jake reached his hand to ruffle my hair. "There's happiness in the world, Edward. You just have to grab it when it comes."

He held my hand and paused for a second, searching intently my face. I could see he was very aroused; he wanted to try something but was unsure if I would agree. The silly wolf didn't want to desecrate the memories the place held for me!

I pushed his hand towards my lap, my arousal twitching at the pressure. "This answers your question? We'll create new memories."

I looked around. "The trees provide good cover, but I'm not sure we should be doing this in the open."

Jake crouched over me, his russet chest heaving in the afternoon light. He blushed and looked intently at me. "I've got a mind-reading lover. You can find out if anyone comes." He paused and licked his lips, gazing down at my crotch. "Right now? I just want to taste you, man."

I reacted to his raspy voice and the smell of his sweat and arousal. My fingers opened his slacks and pulled down the zipper, divesting him of his pants before he could react. Jake leaned on me while he shimmied his boxers off, my mouth watering at the sight of his shaft.

He was nervous as he fiddled with my belt buckle until I batted away his hands. In a blur, I had my pants down to my ankles.

He smacked his lips and looked up at me, cocking his eyebrows. "Going commando, Cullen?"

Instead of answering the snarky wolf, I wrestled him to the ground. I scooted forward to reach his hips, caressing the sculpted muscles. I traced my fingers up and down the length of his shaft; when my thumb grazed his cockhead Jake shuddered violently and licked my cock.

The sensation of his warm tongue swirling around my glans, and then his wet mouth taking inside the first inches, combined with the hot flesh I eagerly swallowed made me shiver. Jake's head bobbed up and down on my shaft and he pushed his hips into my eager mouth, the coldness drove him mad with want like a mirror image of my own lust.

I was afraid I wasn't a good sentinel. I was so caught up in giving and receiving head that I didn't care if anyone saw us. The copse was eerily silent though, I could hear the sprinklers watering flowers outside but nothing else, except the slobbering sounds we made as Jake and I feasted on each other.

My left hand roamed over his abs while I held his shaft, running my fingers along the length and feeling the thick vein pulse as I licked the underside, which was glistening with spit. I stroked it and watched the foreskin slid back and forth, Jake mimicked my actions and I moaned. The hot mouth swallowing me prompted me to lick the red cockhead, my lips circling the crown. I lapped up his juices, delighting in the salty, wild taste of his precome before I swallowed him till I reached the root, my nose nudging his balls. It felt like molten bronze speared my throat as Jake thrust in and out. Overcome with the feelings, I jerked my hips violently and then paused, afraid I had hurt him.

Unable to speak, Jake grunted. 'Go on, man. You feel nice…'

Assured by his thoughts, I let go of my inhibitions and thrust inside his hot throat, careful not to use my full force.

I felt his fingers spreading my cheeks, and then his thumb rubbed my entrance. I bucked my hips into his tantalizing hand while I slid his cock inside my mouth. I pinned him to the ground, staying his motions with my hands while I squeezed my throat around his shaft. Jacob moaned around my cock as he came. I hungrily swallowed all he had to give. It tasted like the warm sea, salty and alive. When I felt his probing finger invading my entrance, I clenched around it and climaxed.

I shuddered when Jake delicately cleaned my shaft. It took me a moment to let go of his softening cock and nurse it till it was clean of his seed.

I rolled sideways and wiped my lips as I stared at his swollen lips and flushed face; knowing I was responsible for this sexy sight made my cock twitch again.

"That was great, Edward." Jake croaked, blushing hotly when he realized his voice betrayed what we had done.

"Sure it was, wolf." I couldn't help but smirk, hearing how his eyes widened at the sound of my smooth voice.

Jacob stood up and hastily tried to make himself presentable while he glared at me. "It ain't fair! You don't sound like…"

"I had your thick cock down my throat?" I said, wanting to see more of his blush.

"Whatever." Jake rubbed his backside and squirmed. "I have a piece of grass stuck inside my boxers."

I leered at him. "I can take it out if you want."

He looked to the ground and mumbled, "Someday I'll make you sound hoarse, I promise." He puzzled his eyebrows in thought when he noticed the long shadows the trees cast. "Hey, what time is it?"

I looked at my watch and was surprised at the way time had passed so quickly. "It's 5:20"

"We have time!" He reached his hand to pull me up. "Dad came here once; told me there are street fairs this time of year. What do you say we visit them?"

I had to roll my eyes at Jacob's exuberance. I expected him to be tired after our lovemaking, but instead he appeared to be bubbling with energy. I shrugged. "Sure, why not?"

oOoOo

"This car feels heavy, man." Jake said as he drove the BMW through the Portland freeway. I had to admit he handled the car with confidence.

He shrugged when I asked him about it. He rubbed his thumb over the button to adjust the rearview mirror. "Rose gave me lessons. She's a harsh teacher, lemme tell you!" He touched his forearm where my sister thwacked him.

"Where are we?" He glanced at the map. "Never got the hang of that thing."

My finger traced the green squares. "Approaching North Mississippi Avenue."

He rubbed his chin. "Dad said something about it."

There wasn't anything there though. He drove through the city until we found by happenstance a place with carnival rides.

He parked the car next to a pick-up truck. In the hustle and bustle of the carnival, the thoughts of the people didn't bother me as much as usual because I had Jake's cheerfulness to keep me occupied.

He quickly found a food vendor and wolfed down several hot dogs with fries. I shook my head at the hungry wolf while Jake rolled up the napkin and threw it in the trash can. Grabbing my elbow, he guided me to a stand on the corner where a middle-aged lady was selling old CDs.

He searched among the plastic cases, picking up the ones he found interesting and asking me. "Do you have this?"

If I said yes he would put it back. After rummaging through the bottom layer he held up a case with a picture of four faces painted in red. "What about this?"

I shook my head and he lifted his eyebrows at me. "Any good?"

"It's an old Talking Heads album, pretty good actually."

Having finished searching, Jake fished in his pocket while he asked the lady. "How much?"

They haggled a while until he bought the Talking Heads CD and two others from newer bands.

Jake nodded his good-bye to the woman and she waved at him. "Have fun with your boyfriend, dear! It's so good to see young love these days!"

Jake blushed as we walked away. Meanwhile, I was glaring at a young thug who had elbowed his friend, whispering, "See those two fags?"

The thug took a step back when he saw me snarling at him. Jake noticed though; he dragged me along as he whispered, "Pay them no mind, Cullen. Don't let those punks bring you down."

We sauntered along the street until we got to several stands which offered prizes.

I noticed immediately the one which offered a stuffed penguin. I walked up to the paunchy man in charge who nodded at me.

"Think you can win, son?" He pointed at a group of red plastic baskets several yards away.

"All you have to do is throw this lil' ball here and get it into one of the baskets." He bounced a black ball between his hands.

I smirked at Jake while I paid the man. I grabbed the ball and measured the space with my eyes, knowing that with my baseball abilities it would be as easy as stealing candy from a baby.

Just as I prepared my throw, Jake coughed in embarrassment. "Mmh, Edward?"

"Yes?" I waved my arm and just before I threw the ball, Jacob wiggled his eyebrows at me. 'Wanna drop to my knees and suck your cock!'

"What the hell?" It was too late, though, my perfect aim was way off and the ball went way above the damned baskets.

"You cheated!" I spluttered in disbelief.

Jake winked at me and sauntered up to the man who was scratching his head at our words. Jake paid him and hefted the ball, lobbing it lightly so it traced a graceful arc. The damned thing had to hit the front of the top lip and sank down into the basket!

The man rubbed his belly and said grumpily, "Which prize do you want?"

For a moment, I was afraid Jake would choose one of the Sponge-Bobs but he preferred a stuffed grey wolf.

As we made our way back to the car, I vindictively reflected that Jake's prize looked much more like a doggie than the predator he was so proud of.

Jake pointed the key at the car and turned off the alarm. He went to open the driver's door and motioned to me. I stuck my hands in my pockets and grudgingly approached my wily lover.

He hefted the grey wolf and waved its snout at me. "Edward, meet Kwolie."

I had to smile at that. "Kwolie? Funny name for a stuffed animal."

Jake huffed. "Hey, Kwolie means wolf in our tongue and for your information, the tribe's name comes from it!"

"Sorry." I said a bit insincerely; I wasn't feeling very contrite, smarting from his underhanded tactics.

He lifted the floppy ear of his dog-wolf and whispered to it. "Kwolie, the surly guy over there is Edward Cullen. I want you to watch over him when I'm away; he's very special you see."

He closed his eyes and muttered, "He's all I ever wanted, so take good care of him for me."

I grinned at him; I couldn't stay angry for too long and his words were touching.

After I got into the driver's side, Jake playfully put Kwolie on my lap. The stuffed wolf wouldn't allow me to drive properly so I unceremoniously threw it to the back seat.

Jake smiled at me. "Kwolie will keep you company in your couch. Just pet him and imagine it's me, holding you after we made love."

It was twilight when we left Portland. Jake gazed longingly at the skyscrapers which shone dimly in the light of the waning day. He looked tired after our exciting date.

Jake fiddled with the controls of the radio until he found the same oldies station and hummed along to the Beach Boys' Good vibrations.

He yawned as he snuggled next to me, and his chin bobbed down as he started to doze off. Squirming as he sought the most comfortable position, he muttered against my shoulder, "I could use Kwolie right now, he's soft."

I smiled and leaned down to kiss his head.

He gazed up at me. "Had lots of fun today, Edward, thanks!"

"I'm glad, Jake."

Lulled by the soft music and the movement of the car, Jake started falling asleep. He closed his eyes and sighed contentedly. 'Loved the city and the meadow… and I love you.'

I pressed the pedal and the car sped through the freeway. Invigorated by Jake's thoughts, I imagined that the streetlights created a tunnel through which we drove away from our checkered past into a future I could envision only with my wolf.

When I heard him snoring and his mind was blissfully blank, I looked down at him and said huskily, "I love you so much, Jacob. It hurts me to think I could ever lose you."

tbc

Author's note: The next few chapters will have angst. Just a heads-up.