Chapter Ten

Bella looked relieved in knowing that Jacob could torment her no longer as she turned and watched Jacob meet his demise. The rest of her family was looking as though they were thinking the same thing as well. Over the last few months, since Bella and Edward had gotten back together they had noticed the rift that Jacob's presence had been causing them as well. No one wanted to say it but they felt Bella needed to lose a little of her naivety when it comes to seeing the best in others and also in forgiving them.

Unfortunately it took the second worst way to learn how wrong she was.

The wolves watched in shock as their beta was killed in the most brutal of ways. Though to say he didn't deserve it was inaccurate. In the opinion of nearly all of them, with the exception of Paul and Embry, agreed with the judgment of Bella and Edward. It didn't take long for the pack to head into the woods and return clothed and inhuman form.

"What the fuck Bella?!" Paul began yelling. "You tease and torment Jacob both while this leech was gone and after he returned. You should have picked Jacob. Now you'll become a monster."

Bella, in a show of confidence she had never felt before, stood tall beside Edward, "Really Paul?! You think I should have opened myself to an emotionally and possibly abusive relationship only to wind up shattered once he imprinted on another? Should I have stayed and become another Third Wife or even Leah?"

At that moment Paul and even the rest of the pack stopped their thoughts in their tracks. He had never thought of what would have happened. Would Jacob had abused Bella that way she said? With the way his thoughts and manipulative actions were in recent months, they had to agree with her assessment. They also had to agree that she would have been treated like Leah was after Sam imprinted on Emily.

Paul, slightly calmer, asked, "But why let the lee…sorry, Edward," he sneered the name, "kill him?"

"Because," this time Edward spoke up, "you know as well as everyone else here knows Jacob would have stopped at nothing to get Bella or kill her if he couldn't have her. Would you be willing to let innocent people die when it could be prevented? I read minds and during my period of rebellion, this was before we had ever met your ancestors, I fed on men like Jacob; those men who were violent murderers and rapists, as well those who were wife and child abusers. Men who were incapable of changing their ways and delighted in the torment they visited on their victims. I did the world and my Bella a favor in disposing of another 'human' monster."

It was hard for anyone to speak after both Bella and Edward's monologues. It was hard to not agree with their assessments. And after what he had done to them, Bella especially, it was also hard to deny they had the right to make sure that they were safe from further harm.

A few moments later Sam spoke up. "After what happened, we will leave you alone. You and your family have more than proven that you are not a direct danger to humans. We will hold up our promise to allow Bella's change and no retribution. Now we will leave you be and take Jacob back to the reservation."

At Sam's response, the pack picked up Jacob's body and began heading towards the reservation.

"Sam," Bella spoke out, "What about Victoria and her arm of newborns?"

Sam just looked at Bella sadly, "Let us have a week to mourn the loss."

Bella nodded. She only hoped that the wolves would still be willing to help them with the Victoria and newborn issue. "I appreciate is Sam," she replied.

The Cullens watched as the Pack made an honor guard to bring Jacob's body back to the reservation.

Charlie was sitting in the living room watching the Mariners game when his phone rang.

"Hello," he answered as he turned down the television.

"Charlie," a mournful voice replied, "My boy is dead, Jacob's dead."

Charlie sat up shocked. "What? Since when?" While he was not going to mourn the man his best friend's son had become, he could mourn the boy who he was.

"Aw Billy. I am sorry about Jacob. What happened?" Charlie asked.

He could hear a chocked sound come from his friend. "He was walking in the woods and was attacked by a mountain lion," Billy replied. Charlie didn't know why, but he could tell by the sound of Billy's voice that he didn't believe it.

Charlie didn't want to say it, but he felt that Jacob, as he was recently, was deserving of what happened. "Billy, I am sorry about your loss, but if there is no evidence of anything I can't go investigate. I can't mourn your boy on who he became, but I can mourn who he was years ago," Charlie replied.

There was a long silence before he replied, "Thanks Charlie. I guess I just need someone to talk to since my girls aren't here."