CHAPTER FIVE – FAILURE – JACOB

I jumped to my feet, ready to kill whatever it was that had threatened Bella. When I turned to look at the sad being that had crossed my path, I saw that it was just Paul. Paul! Trust him to make an entrance at the opportune moment, dammit.

"I'll be right back," I muttered to Bella, who had visibly relaxed. I marched off into the forest without looking at Paul; I knew he'd follow. When I'd gotten deep enough into the woods, I stopped and whirled around. Paul had phased back, and stood before me in all his glory. I was used to it, though, so I didn't really care.

"What the hell, Paul!" I shouted. He just smirked at me.

"What? I was just coming to tell you that there was no trace of Victoria anywhere," Paul responded obnoxiously.

"Do I look like the Alpha to you? You know you don't report to me! You've never reported to me! You're just being an ass and you know it!" I was fuming. Paul could be such a jerk sometimes.

"Chill out, would ya? I was just messing with you, jeez. Man, you're really serious about her, aren't you? I thought maybe you just loved her so much you just thought you imprinted, but. . .now I'm not so sure. I think you really did," said Paul.

"Yeah, well you'd better believe I did!" I hollered. He was really getting on my nerves now.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry! But anyway, Billy actually did send me here to tell you to get home. The funeral is soon. And Sam thinks you're taking advantage of Bella," he added quickly.

"What! And why in hell would he think that?" I said as my limbs began to tremor slightly.

"Uhh. . .well. . .Billy kinda let it slip that she slept in your bed. . .with you in it. . .last night."

My entire body was shaking now. I knew I had to regain control, but at the moment, all I wanted to do was rip out Sam's throat. How could he ever think I'd force Bella to do something she didn't want to do? I could never live with myself.

"Hey man, chill. Sam just knows that you imprinted just yesterday, and he doesn't want you to freak Bella out," said Paul, interrupting my thoughts. I concentrated for a moment, allowing my body to calm down.

"Well, just make sure one of the guys stays with Bella through the funeral. I don't care who, the bloodsucker's nowhere near. Just send someone who doesn't mind missing it," I instructed, not caring that since I wasn't the Alpha, I had no right to make demands.

"Aw, don't worry, I got it covered. I don't think I can make it through the funeral without embarrassing myself." I nodded curtly, still upset about Sam. I turned without saying another word and promptly marched back out to Bella.

I was working myself up again, I knew it. I was concentrating so hard on keeping my body still that I didn't really look at Bella when I reached her. I just held out my hand, expecting her to take it, and began walking home when she did.

It wasn't until we'd reached my front yard that I realized I hadn't said a word to Bella the whole way home. I stopped, dead center in the yard, and spun Bella around to face me. I looked at her with longing, hoping I could read her mind.

"What are you thinking?" I whispered as I weaved my fingers through her hair. I'd have given almost anything to read her mind at that moment.

"I. . .I'm afraid that you're angry with me," she replied sadly. Is that what she thought? That I was angry with her?

"Why would I ever be angry with you, Bella? Don't you understand? You're my whole life now. I can't afford to lose you. Not this time, not when we've come so far. It. . .would kill me," I said truthfully. Tears appeared in Bella's eyes, and my heart throbbed.

"I love you, Jacob," she said, leaning in to let her lips brush my own. Before I could stop myself, I kissed a line down her jaw and onto her silky neck. What am I doing? I kissed her neck passionately, listening to her heart pound harder.

Of course, her heart wasn't the only one out of control. My own felt like it would explode. I worked my way up Bella's neck and kissed her just behind the ear. Her hips rocked suddenly forward into my body. It was then that I knew I had to stop. My front yard was no better than the beach.

I wrapped my arms around Bella's midsection and hugged it close to mine as kissed back up to her mouth. I kissed her softly twice, then pulled my mouth away, letting my forehead rest on hers. I hugged her closer and we both remained silent.

She really had no idea how wonderful she smelled. I sighed and breathed deeply, attempting to capture all of her essence in one breath. Her delicious flowery smell entered my lungs, along with with something else, something. . .new. It was—

I stiffened and drew back quickly. That scent. . .was it Victoria's? If she came within fifteen miles of Bella, I would rip her from limb to limb. There would be no stopping me. Was she here? No. . .perhaps just remnants from the past few weeks.

"Jake? Jake, what's wrong?" I snapped out of my trance and looked back at Bella, and was surprised to see her sitting on the ground with a look of shock and fear on her face. Did I do that? Quickly, I bent down and picked her up off the ground.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I. . .thought I smelled something for a second there," I said in a low voice, pulling her into my arms. "Listen, you stay in my room until I get back, okay? Keep the door locked, and don't answer unless you know for sure it's one of us. And for God's sake, Bella, don't leave."

The last thing I needed was for her to leave, to go somewhere and send me into another panic attack. I took Bella's hand and pulled her into the house. Billy was sitting in his wheelchair, looking impatient. I nodded to him and continued to pull Bella along until we were in my room. I shut the door behind me.

Quickly, I grabbed a black dress shirt from my closet, then pulled Bella down next to me on the bed. I needed to talk to her, to tell her that I was sorry for those little episodes of lost control. The last thing I wanted was for her to think I only viewed her as an object, a piece of meat.

"Bella, I'm sorry if I'm moving too fast for you, okay? I know how hard it was when. . .Edward left. And I haven't even officially asked you out yet! I just assumed, and I feel like such an ass for that. Can you forgive me?" I was practically begging, but I didn't care. I just wanted her to say yes.

"Jake, you don't have to apologize for anything! You are my boyfriend. There doesn't need to be some special ceremony or anything. And yeah, it was hard when he left. . .but I'm starting to get over it, finally, and it's all because of you. You made me realize that you were the one I was suppose to be with, not Edward, not Mike, not anyone else but you," she said, flushing crimson. I smiled at her blush. I was hers. My heart leapt with joy.

"You're so cute when you blush," I said as I pinched her soft cheek. She glared at me, but I just laughed. She was cute when she pretended to be angry, too. "I really should be going. But don't worry, you won't be alone. One of the guys will keep an eye on the house."

"But what about the funeral? I don't want anyone to miss it!" Oh, Bella. Always the martyr.

"Don't worry! Just promise me you'll stay here!" She had better promise, or I'd tie her to a chair.

"Sure, sure," she agreed, and I laughed. I guess she'd picked up a thing or two from being around me so much. I walked out the door, taking time to lock it before I shut it behind me. I listened for a moment, almost daring her to get up, but when I heard her breathing change, I knew she'd fallen asleep. I walked out into the living room, collected my dad, and headed for the funeral.

It was at the reception that I heard it, like a soft breeze across the back of my neck. Howling. I snapped to attention and looked around. The rest of the pack mirrored me. They had heard it, too. I walked briskly over to Sam.

"Paul," we both said simultaneously.

"I'll go first. I don't want to alarm Charlie," I said quickly, before Sam could offer to go. He nodded.

"We'll be behind you, don't worry," he assured me. I jerked my head in acknowledgment, then turned and walked out of the room. As soon as I cleared the doorway, I took off on a full sprint, shedding my clothes as I went. I was about a hundred yards away from the reception area when I phased. No one would care to look, so I knew I was safe from exposure, but really, by that time I could care less. All I cared about now was Bella.

I was running as fast as I could towards the house, but it still seemed to take forever. All sorts of panicked scenarios were playing through my head. When I reached the house, Bella's truck was gone. My stomach reeled. Where had she gone? Something must have scared her out of my house. And that could only mean one thing. Victoria. The bloodsucker's scent saturated the area, making my stomach churn with disgust.

I sniffed frantically, searching for the direction Bella's truck had gone. I found her scent finally, nestled gently under the reek of the vampire's, and instantly, the world crashed down around me. Surely she wasn't stupid enough to drive to Forks? No, why would she do that? Didn't she realize that would be Victoria's plan? I raced toward Forks with all I had in me.

About three miles from Bella's house, I skidded to a halt. There was something in the forest, a large creature, stirring from the leaves that littered the ground. Paul.

'Paul! Paul, are you okay?'

'Ugh, yeah, I think so. She just knocked the wind outta me. But don't worry about me, go! I'll be there in a couple minutes, let me catch my breath.'

I could see him struggling to breathe, but I knew he'd be okay. I took off, following the bloodsucker's scent. As I got closer, I could see them, standing in the forest. I was still a half a mile away. Bella's face was unemotional, unmoving. The vampire was leaning toward Bella's neck. No! Please, no!

"I can see why that Edward had such a fascination with you. Don't worry. It won't be long. You won't feel much. . .if you're lucky," I heard her whisper into Bella's ear. She turned—oh, thank God she didn't bite her!—and walked a few feet away. Neither of them had noticed me yet.

I watched as the bloodsucker turned to Bella and take a threatening step toward her. Ah—yes! I had finally reached them. I was lucky to have the element of surprise. I slammed into the vampire, sending us both crashing to the ground. She shrieked, attempting to catch me off guard, but I held my ground.

I gave it everything I had. I clawed at her face, snapped at her skin with my razor-sharp teeth, and fought against every blow she delivered. I was aware of Bella shouting something, but I was so in the zone that I couldn't tell what she was saying. I could hear the rest of the pack; they were close.

'Jake, hold on, we're coming!'

'We're almost there! Don't stop fighting!'

Distracted momentarily by the pack's thoughts, I let my guard slip fractionally. But that was all Victoria needed. She dug her fingers, claw-like, deep beneath my fur, deep into my flesh. I could feel her fingers as they tore relentlessly into my lungs and across the surface of my heart.

A terrible noise sliced through the air, and I realized that it was me. The vampire let go of me; I lay, unmoving, on my back on the floor of the forest.

'Don't worry, Jake, we've got her. She won't get away this time.'

Ah, so that was why the bloodsucker had let go of me. The pack had arrived. No single vampire was a match for a pack of werewolves. As I struggled to breathe, I wondered vaguely why it was taking so long to heal. My eyes were closed, and wouldn't seem to open.

I felt a light pressure on my chest. I knew it was Bella without having to look. I was bleeding freely, heavily, under her delicate hands. With every ounce of my remaining energy, I forced myself to phase back into a human. I knew I was naked; I also knew she wouldn't care. If she had to get help, it was best I be in human form.

I could tell Bella was shaking me, screaming at me, but it felt as though it were very far away. I could not force my eyes open, and it was all I could do to just keep gasping for air. Ah, sweet Bella. I'm sorry I failed you. I wished desperately that I could tell her how much I loved her.

Images of the pack's pursuit of Victoria flashed through my mind. I didn't want to die, but I didn't know how much longer I could hold on. So this is what it feels like. . . And then one final image burned before my closed eyes. They had her. They had caught up to her. Bella was safe at last.

With that final thought, I let myself go. I drifted into oblivion and I knew no more.